English poetry -- Early modern, 1500-1700; Knights and knighthood -- Poetry; Virtues -- Poetry
They sadly traueild thus, vntill they came
2 Nigh to a castle builded strong and hie:
Then cryde the Dwarfe, lo yonder is the same,
4 In which my Lord my liege doth lucklesse lie,
Thrall to that Gyants hatefull tyrannie:
6 Therefore, deare Sir, your mightie powres assay.
The noble knight alighted by and by
8 From loftie steede, and bad the Ladie stay,
To see what end of fight should him befall that day.
1 They sadly travelled thus, until they came
2 Nigh to a castle built strong and high:
3 Then cried the dwarf, "Lo yonder is the same
4 In which my lord, my liege, does luckless lie,
liege > {Lord to whom one owes feudal allegiance and service}
5 Thrall to that giant's hateful tyranny:
Thrall > Slave
6 Therefore, dear sir, your mighty powers assay."
assay > put to the proof, test
7 The noble knight alighted by and by
by and by > straight away
8 From lofty steed, and bade the lady stay,
9 To see what end of fight should him befall that day.
108.3
So with +the+ Squire, th'admirer of his might,
2 He marched forth towards that castle wall;
Whose gates he found fast shut, ne liuing wight
4 To ward the same, nor answere commers call.
Then tooke that Squire an horne of bugle small,
6 Which hong adowne his side in twisted gold,
And tassels gay. Wyde wonders ouer all
8 Of that same hornes great vertues weren told,
Which had approued bene in vses manifold.
1 the > his _1590_
1 So with the squire, the admirer of his might,
2 He marched forth towards that castle wall,
3 Whose gates he found fast shut, no living wight
fast > firmly
wight > being
4 To ward the same, nor answer comer's call.
ward > guard
5 Then took that squire a horn of bugle small,
bugle > wild ox
6 Which hung adown his side in twisted gold
adown > down
7 And tassels gay. Wide wonders over all
over all > everywhere
8 Of that same horn's great virtues were told,
virtues > powers
9 Which had approved been in uses manifold.
approved > proved, demonstrated practically
108.4
Was neuer wight, that heard that shrilling sound,
2 But trembling feare did feele in euery vaine;
Three miles it might be easie heard around,
4 And Ecchoes three answerd it selfe againe:
No false enchauntment, nor deceiptfull traine
6 Might once abide the terror of that blast,
But presently was voide and wholly vaine:
8 No gate so strong, no locke so firme and fast,
But with that percing noise flew open quite, or brast.
1 Was never wight, that heard that shrilling sound,
wight > [a] creature, being, person
2 But trembling fear did feel in every vein:
3 Three miles it might be easily heard around,
4 And echoes three answered itself again:
5 No false enchantment nor deceitful train
train > trick
6 Might once abide the terror of that blast,
7 But presently was void and wholly vain:
presently > instantly
vain > useless; weak
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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