2 Upon a lowly ass more white than snow, 3 Yet she much whiter; but the same did hide the same > [her complexion she] 4 Under a veil, that wimpled was full low; wimpled > {Falling in folds} full > very, exceedingly 5 And over all a black stole she did throw, stole > robe 6 As one that inly mourned: so was she sad, inly > inwardly 7 And heavy sat upon her palfrey slow; heavy > sadly palfrey > {Saddle-horse for ladies} 8 Seemed in heart some hidden care she had, Seemed > [It seemed] in heart > in her heart; inwardly 9 And by her, in a line, a milk-white lamb she led. in a line > on a lead 101.5 So pure +an innocent+, as that same lambe, 2 She was in life and euery vertuous lore, And by descent from Royall lynage came 4 Of ancient Kings and Queenes, that had of yore Their scepters stretcht from East to Westerne shore, 6 And all the world in their subiection held; Till that infernall feend with foule vprore 8 Forwasted all their land, and them expeld: Whom to auenge, she had this Knight from far compeld. 1 an innocent > and innocent _1590;_ an Innocent _1609_ 1 So pure an innocent as that same lamb 2 She was in life and every virtuous lore; lore > teaching, doctrine 3 And by descent from royal lineage came 4 Of ancient kings and queens, that had of yore of yore > of old, in former times 5 Their sceptres stretched from east to western shore, 6 And all the world in their subjection held; 7 Till that infernal fiend with foul uproar infernal fiend > hellish fiend (the dragon, Satan) uproar > insurrection; tumult 8 Forwasted all their land, and them expelled: Forwasted > Ravaged, laid to waste 9 Whom to avenge, she had this knight from far compelled. compelled > commanded; forced to come 101.6 Behind her farre away a Dwarfe did lag, 2 That lasie seemd in being euer last, Or wearied with bearing of her bag 4 Of needments at his backe. Thus as they past, The day with cloudes was suddeine ouercast, 6 And angry _Ioue_ an hideous storme of raine Did poure into his Lemans lap so fast, 8 That euery wight to shrowd it did constrain, And this faire couple eke to shroud themselues were fain. 1 Behind her far away a dwarf did lag, 2 That lazy seemed, in being ever last, 3 Or wearied with bearing of her bag 4 Of needments at his back. Thus as they passed, needments > necessaries passed > passed; _and perhaps:_ paced 5 The day with clouds was suddenly overcast, 6 And angry Jove a hideous storm of rain Jove > [the heavens personified] hideous > terrific; _hence:_ violent, torrential 7 Did pour into his leman's lap so fast leman > mistress; wife (the Earth portrayed as the lover of Heaven) 8 That every wight to shroud it did constrain; wight > person, creature, being shroud > take shelter; shelter (sb.) 9 And this fair couple eke to shroud themselves were fain.