English poetry -- Early modern, 1500-1700; Knights and knighthood -- Poetry; Virtues -- Poetry
There fairely them receiues a gentle Squire,
2 Of milde demeanure, and rare courtesie,
Right cleanly clad in comely sad attire;
4 In word and deede that shew'd great modestie,
And knew his good to all of each degree,
6 Hight _Reuerence_. He them with speeches meet
Does faire entreat; no courting nicetie,
8 But simple true, and eke vnfained sweet,
As might become a Squire so great persons to greet.
1 There fairly them receives a gentle squire
fairly > becomingly, courteously
gentle squire > noble attendant
2 Of mild demeanour and rare courtesy,
mild > gracious, kindly
3 Right cleanly clad in comely sad attire;
Right > Very
sad > sober-coloured
4 In word and deed that showed great modesty,
5 And knew his good to all of each degree,
knew > made known; _hence:_ applied, demonstrated
good > grace; virtue, goodness
degree > social station
6 Hight Reverence. He them with speeches meet
Hight > Called, named
meet > seemly, appropriate
7 Does fair entreat: no courting nicety,
fair entreat > becomingly treat
courting nicety > courtly foolishness, artificiality
8 But simple true, and eke unfeigned sweet,
true > truth
eke > moreover
sweet > {Sweetness; that which is pleasant to the mind}
9 As might become a squire so great persons to greet.
so > such
110.8
And afterwards them to his Dame he leades,
2 That aged Dame, the Ladie of the place:
Who all this while was busie at her beades:
4 Which doen, she vp arose with seemely grace,
And toward them full matronely did pace.
6 Where when that fairest _Vna_ she beheld,
Whom well she knew to spring from heauenly race,
8 Her hart with ioy vnwonted inly sweld,
As feeling wondrous comfort in her weaker eld.
1 And afterwards them to his dame he leads,
2 That aged dame, the lady of the place:
3 Who all this while was busy at her beads:
beads > prayers
4 Which done, she up arose with seemly grace,
5 And toward them full matronly did pace.
full > very, exceedingly
6 Where, when fairest Una she beheld,
7 Whom well she knew to spring from heavenly race,
8 Her heart with joy unwonted inly swelled,
unwonted > unaccustomed
inly > inwardly
9 As feeling wondrous comfort in her weaker eld.
comfort > {Renewal of strength; comfort}
weaker > too-weak
eld > age, old age
110.9
And her embracing said, {o^} happie earth,
2 Whereon thy innocent feet doe euer tread,
Most vertuous virgin borne of heauenly berth,
4 That to redeeme thy woefull parents head,
From tyrans rage, and euer-dying dread,
6 Hast wandred through the world now long a day;
Yet ceasest not thy wearie soles to lead,
8 What grace hath thee now hither brought this way?
Or doen thy feeble feet vnweeting hither stray?
1 And, her embracing, said, "O happy earth,
2 Whereon your innocent feet do ever tread,
Whereon > On which
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