English poetry -- Early modern, 1500-1700; Knights and knighthood -- Poetry; Virtues -- Poetry
The Lady when she saw her champion fall,
2 Like the old ruines of a broken towre,
Staid not to waile his woefull funerall,
4 But from him fled away with all her powre;
Who after her as hastily gan scowre,
6 Bidding the Dwarfe with him to bring away
The _Sarazins_ shield, signe of the conqueroure.
8 Her soone he ouertooke, and bad to stay,
For present cause was none of dread her to dismay.
1 The lady, when she saw her champion fall
2 Like the old ruins of a broken tower,
3 Stayed not to wail his woeful funeral,
wail > mourn
funeral > death
4 But from him fled away with all her power,
him > [the Redcross Knight]
5 Who after her as hastily gan scour,
gan > did
scour > run
6 Bidding the dwarf with him to bring away
7 The Saracen's shield, sign of the conqueror.
sign > emblem
8 Her soon he overtook, and bade to stay,
9 For present cause was none of dread to her dismay.
none of dread > [nothing dreadful]
to her dismay > [to dismay her; to "dismay" also = to "defeat",
"ruin"]
102.21
She turning backe with ruefull countenaunce,
2 Cride, Mercy mercy Sir vouchsafe to show
On silly Dame, subiect to hard mischaunce,
4 And to your mighty will. Her humblesse low
In so ritch weedes and seeming glorious show,
6 Did much emmoue his stout hero{i"}cke heart,
And said, Deare dame, your suddein ouerthrow
8 Much rueth me; but now put feare apart,
And tell, both who ye be, and who that tooke your part.
1 She, turning back with rueful countenance,
2 Cried, "Mercy, mercy, sir, vouchsafe to show
3 On silly dame, subject to hard mischance,
silly > innocent, defenceless
4 And to your mighty will." Her humblesse low,
humblesse > humbleness, humility
5 In so rich weeds and seeming glorious show,
so > such
weeds > attire
show > appearance
6 Did much move his stout heroic heart,
7 And said, "Dear dame, your sudden overthrow
said > [he said]
8 Much rues me; but now put fear apart,
rues > affects [with pity or compassion]
apart > aside
9 And tell both who you be, and who that took your part."
102.22
Melting in teares, then gan she thus lament;
2 The wretched woman, whom vnhappy howre
Hath now made thrall to your commandement,
4 Before that angry heauens list to lowre,
And fortune false betraide me to +your+ powre,
6 Was, (O what now auaileth that I +was!+)
Borne the sole daughter of an Emperour,
8 He that the wide West vnder his rule has,
And high hath set his throne, where _Tiberis_ doth pas.
5 your > thy _1590; cf. 101.31:6_
6 was! > was? _1590_
1 Melting in tears, then gan she thus lament:
gan > did
2 "The wretched woman, whom unhappy hour
3 Has now made thrall to your commandment,
thrall > slave
commandment > authority, control
4 Before angry heavens list to lour,
list > chose, pleased
5 And fortune false betrayed me to your power,
6 Was (O what now avails that I was?)
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