English poetry -- Early modern, 1500-1700; Knights and knighthood -- Poetry; Virtues -- Poetry
8 But to tell her lamentable case,
9 And eke this battle's end, will need another place.
eke > also, moreover, in addition
CANTO VII
2 _The Redcrosse knight is captiue made
By Gyaunt proud opprest,
4 Prince Arthur meets with Vna great-
ly with those newes distrest._
1 The Redcross Knight is captive made
made > [made and]
2 By giant proud oppressed,
proud > [proud is]
oppressed > taken by surprise; suppressed, overwhelmed
3 Prince Arthur meets with Una great-
4 ly with this news distressed.
107.1
WHat man so wise, what earthly wit so ware,
2 As to descry the crafty cunning traine,
By which deceipt doth maske in visour faire,
4 And cast her colours dyed deepe in graine,
To seeme like Truth, whose shape she well can faine,
6 And fitting gestures to her purpose +frame;+
The guiltlesse man with guile to entertaine?
8 Great maistresse of her art was that false Dame,
The false _Duessa_, cloked with _Fidessaes_ name.
6 frame; > frame, _1609_
1 What man so wise, what earthly wit so ware,
wit > mind, intelligence
ware > vigilant, cautious
2 As to descry the crafty cunning train
train > wile, trick
3 By which Deceit does mask in visor fair,
mask > {Disguise [herself]; take part in a masquerade}
visor > outward appearance
4 And cast her colours, died deep in grain,
cast > arrange, dispose (as an artist might when painting)
5 To seem like Truth (whose shape she well can feign),
6 And fitting gestures to her purpose frame,
7 The guiltless man with guile to entertain?
entertain > engage, keep occupied
8 Great mistress of her art was that false dame,
9 The false Duessa, cloaked with Fidessa's name.
107.2
Who when returning from the drery _Night_,
2 She fownd not in that perilous house of _Pryde_,
Where she had left, the noble _Redcrosse_ knight,
4 Her hoped pray; she would no lenger bide,
But forth she went, to seeke him far and wide.
6 Ere long she fownd, whereas he wearie sate,
To reste him selfe, foreby a fountaine side,
8 Disarmed all of yron-coted Plate,
And by his side his steed the grassy forage ate.
1 Who, when returning from the dreary Night,
dreary > cruel, dire
2 She found not in that perilous House of Pride
3 (Where she had left the noble Redcross Knight)
4 Her hoped prey, she would no longer bide,
bide > abide, remain, wait; sojourn (chiefly in northern dialect)
5 But forth she went, to seek him far and wide.
6 Ere long she found where he weary sat
7 To rest himself, forby a fountain side,
forby > hard by, near
8 Disarmed all of iron-coated plate,
plate > armour
9 And by his side his steed the grassy forage ate.
107.3
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account