Chapter 60
_A chronicle of Briton kings, 2 from Brute to Vthers rayne. And rolles of Elfin Emperours, 4 till time of Gloriane._
1 A chronicle of Briton kings
chronicle > (Spenser derives his chronicle from standard chronicles, principally the twelfth-century _Historia Regum Britanniae_ (_HRB_) by Geoffrey of Monmouth, and Elizabethan sources such as Holinshed's _Chronicles_. A full account is in Harper (1910), abstracted in _Var._ 301-34, 449-53; Hamilton (1980) provides further comment)
2 from Brutus to Uther's reign.
Brutus > (The mythical first king of Britain, great-grandson of Aeneas) Uther > (Uther Pendragon, father of Arthur; see 210.68:1-2)
3 And rolls of Elfin emperors
rolls > registers, lists
4 till time of Gloriana.
Gloriana > (The Faery Queen; Elizabeth)
210.1
WHo now shall giue vnto me words and sound, 2 Equall vnto this haughtie enterprise? Or who shal lend me wings, with which from ground 4 My lowly verse may loftily arise, And lift it selfe vnto the highest skies? 6 More ample spirit, then hitherto was wount, Here needes me, whiles the famous auncestries 8 Of my most dreaded Soueraigne I recount, By which all earthly Princes she doth farre surmount.
1 Who now shall give to me words and sound 2 Equal to this haughty enterprise?
haughty > lofty, noble
3 Or who shall lend me wings, with which from ground 4 My lowly verse may loftily arise, 5 And lift itself to the highest skies? 6 More ample spirit than hitherto was wont
wont > accustomed
7 Here needs me, while the famous ancestries
needs me > I need
8 Of my most dreaded sovereign I recount,
dreaded > revered
9 By which all earthly princes she does far surmount.
By > [By virtue of] surmount > surpass
210.2
Ne vnder Sunne, that shines so wide and faire, 2 Whence all that liues, does borrow life and light, Liues ought, that to her linage may compaire, 4 Which though from earth it be deriued right, Yet doth it selfe stretch forth to heauens hight, 6 And all the world with wonder ouerspred; A labour huge, exceeding farre my might: 8 How shall fraile pen, with feare disparaged, Conceiue such soueraine glory, and great bountihed?
1 Not under sun, that shines so wide and fair, 2 Whence all that lives does borrow life and light, 3 Lives aught that to her lineage may compare,
aught > anything at all
4 Which though from earth it be derived right, 5 Yet does itself stretch forth to heaven's height, 6 And all the world with wonder overspread; 7 A labour huge, exceeding far my might: 8 How shall frail pen, with fear disparaged,
disparaged > cast down
9 Conceive such sovereign glory, and great bountihead?
bountihead > bounteousness
210.3
Argument worthy of _M{oe}onian_ quill, 2 Or rather worthy of great _Ph{oe}bus_ rote, Whereon the ruines of great _Ossa_ hill, 4 And triumphes of _Phlegr{ae}an Ioue_ he wrote, That all the Gods admird his loftie note. 6 But if some relish of that heauenly lay His learned daughters would to me report, 8 To decke my song withall, I would assay, Thy name, {o^} soueraine Queene, to blazon farre away.
1 Argument worthy of Maeonian quill,
Argument > Subject-matter Maeonian > (Homer is said to have come from Maeonia, part of Lydia, and is also known as "Maeonides") quill > pen
2 Or rather worthy of great Phoebus' rote,
rote > {A medieval musical instrument, probably resembling the violin; hence: lyre, phorminx}
3 Whereon the ruins of great Ossa hill,
Ossa > (A mountain (elev. c. 6400 feet) in northern Thessaly (now Kisavo); the Giants, in attempting to scale Mount Olympus, piled it on the neighbouring Mount Pelion (Virgil, _Georgics_ 1.281))
4 And triumphs of Phlegrean Jove he wrote,
Phlegrean > (It was at Phlegra (or Pallene), in Macedonia, that the Giants attacked the gods; see 507.10:5) Jove > (Who defeated the Giants with thunderbolts fashioned by Vulcan and his Cyclopes) wrote > set to music
5 That all the gods admired his lofty note.
That > [So that] admired > {Admired; heard with wonder or surprise}
6 But if some relish of that heavenly lay
relish > flavour; trace lay > song
7 His learned daughters would to me report,
His learned daughters > (The nine Muses. "His" may equally refer to Apollo, for in later accounts he is the leader of the choir of Muses, and receives the name of Musagetes as a result. According to _Myth._ 4.10, the Muses are the children of Apollo rather than of Jupiter) report > send back
8 To deck my song withal, I would essay
withal > notwithstanding essay > attempt
9 Your name, O sovereign queen, to blazon far away.
blazon > proclaim (cf. 100 for various resemblances to the four opening stanzas of 210, which themselves comprise a sort of proem)
210.4
Thy name {o^} soueraine Queene, thy realme and race, 2 From this renowmed Prince deriued arre, +Who+ mightily vpheld that royall mace, 4 Which now thou bear'st, to thee descended farre From mightie kings and conquerours in warre, 6 Thy fathers and great Grandfathers of old, Whose noble deedes aboue the Northerne starre 8 Immortall fame for euer hath enrold; As in that old mans booke they were in order told.
3 Who > Whom _1590, 1596: FE_
1 Your name, O sovereign queen, your realm and race, 2 From this renowned prince derived are,
prince > [Arthur]
3 Who mightily upheld that royal mace
mace > sceptre
4 Which now you bear, to you descended far 5 From mighty kings and conquerors in war, 6 Your fathers and great grandfathers of old,
grandfathers > ancestors
7 Whose noble deeds above the northern star 8 Immortal fame for ever has enrolled;
enrolled > recorded
9 As in that old man's book they were in order told.
that old man > [Eumnestes]
210.5
The land, which warlike Britons now possesse, 2 And therein haue their mightie empire raysd, In antique times was saluage wildernesse, 4 Vnpeopled, vnmanurd, vnprou'd, vnpraysd, Ne was it Island then, ne was it paysd 6 Amid the _Ocean_ waues, ne was it sought Of marchants farre, for profits therein praysd, 8 But all was desolate, and of some thought By sea to haue bene from the _Celticke_ mayn-land brought.
1 The land which warlike Britons now possess,
possess > inhabit; own
2 And therein have their mighty empire raised, 3 In antique times was savage wilderness,
antique > ancient
4 Unpeopled, unmanured, unproved, unpraised,
unmanured > unploughed, uncultivated
5 Nor was it island then, nor was it peised
peised > balanced; weighed down; weighed upon
6 Amid the ocean waves, nor was it sought 7 Of merchants far, for profits therein praised,
Of > By praised > valued, esteemed
8 But all was desolate, and of some thought
of > by some > [some of the chroniclers whom Spenser consulted]
9 By sea to have been from the Celtic mainland brought.
Celtic mainland > (Normandy and Brittany)
210.6
Ne did it then deserue a name to haue, 2 Till that the venturous Mariner that way Learning his ship from those white rocks to saue, 4 Which all along the Southerne sea-coast lay, Threatning vnheedie wrecke and rash decay, 6 For +safeties sake+ that same his sea-marke made, And namd it _Albion_. But later day 8 Finding in it fit ports for fishers trade, Gan more the same frequent, and further to inuade.
6 safeties sake > safety _1590 (trisyllabic)_
1 Nor did it then deserve a name to have, 2 Till the venturous mariner that way, 3 Learning his ship from those white rocks to save,
white rocks > (Chalk cliffs, esp. in Dorset, Sussex and Kent)
4 Which all along the southern sea-coast lay, 5 Threatening unheedy wreck and rash decay,
unheedy > incautious, heedless decay > downfall, death
6 For safety's sake that same his sea-mark made, 7 And named it Albion. But later day
Albion > (England. The origin of the name is obscure. The idea that it derives from the Latin _albus_, white, and was given to England by Julius Caesar in allusion to the cliffs, is refuted by mention of "Albion" in _De Mundo_, a Greek treatise formerly attributed to Aristotle, written three hundred years before Caesar's invasion. The name is certainly very old) day > age; _hence:_ people
8 Finding in it fit ports for fishers' trade, 9 Gan more the same frequent, and further to invade.
Gan > Did; began to invade > enter (SUS); _hence:_ explore
210.7
But farre in land a saluage nation dwelt, 2 Of hideous Giants, and halfe beastly men, That neuer tasted grace, nor goodnesse felt, 4 But like wild beasts lurking in loathsome den, And flying fast as Roebucke through the fen, 6 All naked without shame, or care of cold, By hunting and by spoiling liued then; 8 Of stature huge, and eke of courage bold, That sonnes of men amazd their sternnesse to behold.
1 But far inland a savage nation dwelt, 2 Of hideous giants and half beastly men,
hideous > immense; odious; terrific
3 That never tasted grace, nor goodness felt, 4 But like wild beasts, lurking in loathsome den, 5 And flying fast as roebuck through the fen, 6 All naked without shame, or care of cold, 7 By hunting and by spoiling lived then;
spoiling > pillaging
8 Of stature huge, and eke of courage bold,
eke > moreover
9 That sons of men amazed, their sternness to behold.
amazed > confounded, astounded sternness > ferocity
210.8
But whence they sprong, or how they were begot, 2 Vneath is to assure; vneath to wene That monstrous error, which doth some assot, 4 That _Dioclesians_ fiftie daughters shene Into this land by chaunce haue driuen bene, 6 Where companing with feends and filthy Sprights, Through vaine illusion of their lust vnclene, 8 They brought forth Giants and such dreadfull wights, As farre exceeded men in their immeasurd mights.
1 But whence they sprang, or how they were begotten, 2 Uneath is to assure; uneath to ween
Uneath > Difficult assure > establish; state positively; venture ween > believe, accept
3 That monstrous error, which does some assot,
assot > make a fool of; _hence:_ deceive
4 That Diocletian's fifty daughters sheen
Diocletian > (Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus, 245-313, Roman emperor 284-305; noted for his persecution of Christians. His thirty-three daughters, like the fifty daughters of Danaus, are said to have murdered their bridegrooms; except for Albine, from whom Albion derived. See also 105.35:9) sheen > beautiful
5 Into this land by chance have driven been, 6 Where, companying with fiends and filthy sprites,
companying > keeping company
7 Through vain illusion of their lust unclean,
Through vain illusion of > [Deluded by]
8 They brought forth giants, and such dreadful wights
wights > creatures
9 As far exceeded men in their immeasured mights.
immeasured > immense, vast mights > strengths, capacities
210.9
They held this land, and with their filthinesse 2 Polluted this same gentle soyle long time: That their owne mother loathd their beastlinesse, 4 And gan abhorre her broods vnkindly crime, All were they borne of her owne natiue slime; 6 Vntill that _Brutus_ anciently deriu'd From royall stocke of old +_Assaracs_+ line, 8 Driuen by fatall error, here arriu'd, And them of their vniust possession depriu'd.
7 _Assaracs_ > _Assaraos 1596_
1 They held this land, and with their filthiness
filthiness > obscenity, moral defilement
2 Polluted this same gentle soil long time:
gentle > noble
3 That their own mother loathed their beastliness,
That > [So that] their own mother > [the soil of Albion]
4 And gan abhor her brood's unkindly crime,
gan > began to; did unkindly > unnatural crime > sins (collectively)
5 All were they born of her own native slime;
All were they > [Although they were] slime > slime, soil; flesh (cf. 209.21)
6 Until Brutus (anciently derived 7 From royal stock of old Assaracus' line), 8 Driven by fatal error, here arrived,
fatal > predestined; fatal error > wandering (see _Aen._ 1.2, _HRB_ 1.3-15, 309.48); error (in that he killed his father in a hunting accident and was subsequently banished from Italy: see _HRB_ 1.3)
9 And them of their unjust possession deprived.
210.10
But ere he had established his throne, 2 And spred his empire to the vtmost shore, He fought great battels with his saluage fone; 4 In which he them defeated euermore, And many Giants left on groning flore; 6 That well can witnesse yet vnto this day The westerne Hogh, besprincled with the gore 8 Of mightie _Go{e"}mot_, whom in stout fray _Corineus_ conquered, and cruelly did slay.
1 But ere he had established his throne, 2 And spread his empire to the utmost shore, 3 He fought great battles with his savage foes; 4 In which he them defeated evermore, 5 And many giants left on groaning floor; 6 That well can witness yet to this day 7 The western Hoe, besprinkled with the gore
Hoe > (Plymouth Hoe, in Devon)
8 Of mighty Go{e"}magot, whom in stout fray
Go{e"}magot > (One of the giants who held sway over Cornwall) stout > brave, robust
9 Corineus conquered, and cruelly did slay.
Corineus > (Former commander of the Trojan remnants who had accompanied Antenor (_Aen._ 1.241); joined company with Brutus in Etruria)
210.11
And eke that ample Pit, yet farre renownd, 2 For the large leape, which _Debon_ did compell _Coulin_ to make, being eight lugs of grownd; 4 Into the which returning backe, he fell, But those three monstrous stones doe most excell 6 Which that huge sonne of hideous _Albion_, Whose father _Hercules_ in Fraunce did quell, 8 Great _Godmer_ threw, in fierce contention, At bold _Canutus_; but of him was slaine anon.
1 And eke that ample pit, yet far renowned
eke > also yet > still, even now
2 For the large leap which Debon did compel
Debon > (Another of Brutus's heroes)
3 Coulin to make, being eight lugs of ground:
Coulin > (One of the giants) lug > {Pole: a measure of distance, 16 feet 6 inches, about 5 metres}
4 Into which, returning back, he fell; 5 But those, three monstrous stones do most excel,
But those > [But those two examples (i.e. the defeats of Go{e"}magot and Coulin)] most excel > [far surpass (as an example of notable defeat)]
6 Which that huge son of hideous Albion,
hideous > immense, terrific; odious Albion > (A giant slain by Hercules; distinct from "Albion" as a name for England)
7 (Whose father Hercules in France did quell)
quell > kill
8 Great Godmer, threw, in fierce contention,
Godmer > (Son of Albion)
9 At bold Canute; but of him was slain anon.
Canute > (Another of Brutus's champions) of > by anon > straightway
210.12
In meed of these great conquests by them got, 2 _Corineus_ had +that+ Prouince vtmost west, To him assigned for his worthy lot, 4 Which of his name and memorable gest He called _Cornewaile_, yet so called best: 6 And _Debons_ shayre was, that is _Deuonshyre_: But _Canute_ had his portion from the rest, 8 The which he cald _Canutium_, for his hyre; Now _Cantium_, which Kent we commenly inquire.
2 that > the _1609_
1 In meed of these great conquests by them got,
In meed of > As reward for
2 Corineus had that province utmost west 3 To him assigned for his worthy lot, 4 Which of his name and memorable gest
of > after, by virtue of gest > exploit
5 He called Cornewaile, yet so called best:
Cornewaile > Cornwall yet > still, even today called > pronounced
6 And Debon's share was that is Devonshire:
that > [that which]
7 But Canute had his portion from the rest,
from > apart from, away from (geographically, Kent lies in the SE corner of England); out of (since Cornwall and Devon form the SW peninsula of England)
8 Which he called Canutium, for his hire;
hire > reward
9 Now Cantium, which Kent we commonly inquire.
inquire > call (catachr.)
210.13
Thus _Brute_ this Realme vnto his rule subdewd, 2 And raigned long in great felicitie, Lou'd of his friends, and of his foes eschewd, 4 He left three sonnes, his famous progeny, Borne of faire _Inogene_ of _Italy_; 6 Mongst whom he parted his imperiall state, And _Locrine_ left chiefe Lord of _Britany_. 8 At last ripe age bad him surrender late His life, and long good fortune vnto finall fate.
1 Thus Brutus this realm to his rule subdued, 2 And reigned long in great felicity, 3 Loved of his friends, and of his foes eschewed:
of > by
4 He left three sons, his famous progeny, 5 Borne of fair Inogene of Italy;
Inogene > (Or Ignoge; a native of Greece according to the sources)
6 Amongst whom he parted his imperial state,
parted > divided
7 And Locrin left chief lord of Britain.
Locrin > (Brutus's eldest son, also called Logris, king of Loegres, Loegria or Logris, roughly corresponding to modern England)
8 At last ripe age bade him surrender late 9 His life and long good fortune to final fate.
210.14
_Locrine_ was left the soueraine Lord of all; 2 But _Albanact_ had all the Northrene part, Which of himselfe _Albania_ he did call; 4 And _Camber_ did possesse the Westerne quart, Which _Seuerne_ now from _Logris_ doth depart: 6 And each his portion peaceably enioyd, Ne was there outward breach, nor grudge in hart, 8 That once their quiet gouernment annoyd, But each his paines to others profit still employd.
1 Locrin was left the sovereign lord of all; 2 But Albanact had all the northern part,
all the northern part > [Scotland]
3 Which of himself Albania he did call;
of > after
4 And Camber did possess the western quart,
western quart > [Wales; quart = quarter, region: SU]
5 Which Severn now from Logris does depart:
Severn > (The River Severn, which rises in Montgomery and flows 158 miles to the sea, disemboguing into the Bristol Channel) Logris > England depart > divide, separate
6 And each his portion peaceably enjoyed, 7 Nor was there outward breach, nor grudge in heart, 8 That once their quiet government annoyed, 9 But each his pains to others' profit still employed.
pains > efforts still > ever, continuously
210.15
Vntill a nation straung, with visage swart, 2 And courage fierce, that all men did affray, Which through the world then swarmd in euery part, 4 And ouerflow'd all countries farre away, Like _Noyes_ great flood, with their importune sway, 6 This land inuaded with like violence, And did themselues through all the North display: 8 Vntill that _Locrine_ for his Realmes defence, Did head against them make, and strong +munifience+.
9 munifience > munificence _1590, 1609_
1 Until a nation strange, with visage swart,
strange > foreign (they are the Huns) swart > swarthy
2 And courage fierce, that all men did affray,
affray > terrify
3 Which through the world then swarmed in every part, 4 And overflowed all countries far away, 5 Like Noah's great flood, with their importune sway,
importune > heavy, exacting, grievous sway > force
6 This land invaded with like violence,
like > similar
7 And did themselves through all the north display:
display > spread out
8 Until Locrin, for his realm's defence, 9 Did head against them make, and strong munifience.
head > headway; advance munifience > fortification, defence (WU)
210.16
He them encountred, a confused rout, 2 Foreby the Riuer, that whylome was hight The auncient _Abus_, where with courage stout 4 He them defeated in victorious fight, And chaste so fiercely after fearefull flight, 6 That forst their Chieftaine, for his safeties sake, (Their Chieftaine _Humber_ named was aright) 8 Vnto the mightie streame him to betake, Where he an end of battell, and of life did make.
1 He them encountered, a confused rout, 2 Forby the river that whilom was hight
Forby > Hard by, near whilom > formerly hight > called (it is now called the River Humber)
3 The ancient Abus, where with courage stout
stout > bold, brave
4 He them defeated in victorious fight, 5 And chased so fiercely after fearful flight, 6 That forced their chieftain, for his safety's sake,
That > [That he (i.e. Locrin)]
7 (Their chieftain Humber named was aright) 8 To the mighty stream him to betake, 9 Where he an end of battle, and of life did make.
210.17
The king returned proud of victorie, 2 And insolent wox through vnwonted ease, That shortly he forgot the ieopardie, 4 Which in his land he lately did appease, And fell to vaine voluptuous disease: 6 He lou'd faire Ladie _Estrild_, lewdly lou'd, Whose wanton pleasures him too much did please, 8 That quite his hart from _Guendolene_ remou'd, From _Guendolene_ his wife, though alwaies faithfull prou'd.
1 The king returned proud of victory, 2 And insolent waxed through unwonted ease,
insolent waxed > grew arrogant unwonted > unaccustomed
3 That shortly he forgot the jeopardy
That > [So that]
4 Which in his land he lately did appease,
appease > check; assuage
5 And fell to vain voluptuous disease:
vain > foolish; idle; weak disease > dis-ease: trouble, strife
6 He loved fair Lady Estrildis, lewdly loved, 7 Whose wanton pleasures him too much did please, 8 That quite his heart from Guendolen removed,
That > [So that] removed > removed itself (refl.)
9 From Guendolen his wife, though always faithful proved.
210.18
The noble daughter of _Corineus_ 2 Would not endure to be so vile disdaind, But gathering force, and courage valorous, 4 Encountred him in battell well ordaind, In which him vanquisht she to fly constraind: 6 But she so fast pursewd, that him she tooke, And threw in bands, where he till death remaind; 8 Als his faire Leman, flying through a brooke, She ouerhent, nought moued with her piteous looke.
1 The noble daughter of Corineus
The noble daughter of Corineus > [Guendolen]
2 Would not endure to be so vile disdained,
vile > vilely; despicably
3 But gathering force, and courage valorous, 4 Encountered him in battle well ordained,
ordained > drawn up
5 In which him, vanquished, she to fly constrained:
fly > flee constrained > compelled
6 But she so fast pursued, that him she took, 7 And threw in bonds, where he till death remained; 8 Als his fair leman, flying through a brook,
Als > Also; as, in the same way leman > lover [Estrildis]
9 She overhent, naught moved with her piteous look.
overhent > overtook; seized
210.19
But both her selfe, and eke her daughter deare, 2 Begotten by her kingly Paramoure, The faire _Sabrina_ almost dead with feare, 4 She there attached, farre from all succoure; The one she slew +in that impatient stoure+, 6 But the sad virgin innocent of all, Adowne the rolling riuer she did poure, 8 Which of her name now _Seuerne_ men do call: Such was the end, that to disloyall loue did fall.
5 in that impatient stoure > vpon the present floure _1590; i.e. without further ado:_ present _= immediate;_ floure _= floor_
1 But both herself, and eke her daughter dear,
eke > also
2 Begotten by her kingly paramour, 3 The fair Sabrina, almost dead with fear,
Sabrina > (Or Sabre; she ultimately became the nymph of the Severn. See Drayton's _Polyolbion_ and Fletcher's _Faithful Shepherdess_; and _Comus_ 824 ff.)
4 She there attached, far from all succour;
attached > seized, laid hold of
5 The one she slew in that impatient stour,
stour > conflict, turmoil
6 But the sad virgin, innocent of all, 7 Adown the rolling river she did pour,
Adown > Down
8 Which of her name now Severn men do call:
of > by virtue of, in remembrance of Severn > (Via _Sabrina, Savarina, Severn_)
9 Such was the end that to disloyal love did fall.
disloyal > disloyal, faithless; _also:_ illegal, ex-marital
210.20
Then for her sonne, which she to _Locrin_ bore, 2 _Madan_ was young, vnmeet the rule +to+ sway, In her owne hand the crowne she kept in store, 4 Till ryper yeares he raught, and stronger stay: During which time her powre she did display 6 Through all this realme, the glorie of her sex, And first taught men a woman to obay: 8 But when her sonne to mans estate did wex, She it surrendred, ne her selfe would lenger vex.
2 to > of _1596, 1609_
1 Then for her son (whom she to Locrin bore),
for > because
2 Maddan, was young, unmeet the rule to sway,
unmeet > unfitted rule > dominion sway > govern
3 In her own hand the crown she kept in store, 4 Till riper years he raught, and stronger stay:
raught > reached, attained stay > staying power; self-control
5 During which time her power she did display
display > spread
6 Through all this realm, the glory of her sex, 7 And first taught men a woman to obey: 8 But when her son to man's estate did wax,
wax > grow
9 She it surrendered, nor herself would longer vex.
210.21
Tho _Madan_ raignd, vnworthie of his race: 2 For with all shame that sacred throne he fild: Next _Memprise_, as vnworthy of that place, 4 In which being consorted with _Manild_, For thirst of single kingdome him he kild. 6 But _Ebranck_ salued both their infamies With noble deedes, and warreyd on _Brunchild_ 8 In _Henault_, where yet of his victories Braue moniments remaine, which yet that land enuies.
1 Tho Maddan reigned, unworthy of his race:
Tho > Then
2 For with all shame that sacred throne he fild:
fild > filled; _or:_ defiled (cf. 105.32:2 etc.)
3 Next Mempricius, as unworthy of that place,
as > equally
4 In which being consorted with Manlius,
Manlius > (Or Malim, brother of Mempricius, son of Maddan)
5 For thirst of single kingdom him he killed.
single > [an undivided]
6 But Ebraucus salved both their infamies
Ebraucus > (Son of Mempricius) salved > remedied, made up for
7 With noble deeds, and warrayed on Brunchildis
warrayed > waged war Brunchildis > (Prince of Hainaut)
8 In Hainaut, where yet of his victories
Hainaut > (A province of Belgium) yet > still, even today
9 Brave monuments remain, which yet that land envies.
envies > {Feels a grudge against, resents}
210.22
An happie man in his first dayes he was, 2 And happie father of faire progeny: For all so many weekes as the yeare has, 4 So many children he did multiply; Of which were twentie sonnes, which did +apply,+ 6 Their minds to praise, and cheualrous desire: Those germans did subdew all Germany, 8 Of whom it hight; but in the end their Sire With foule repulse from Fraunce was forced to retire.
5 apply, > apply _1609_
1 A happy man in his first days he was,
happy > happy; fortunate
2 And happy father of fair progeny: 3 For all so many weeks as the year has,
all so > just as
4 So many children he did multiply; 5 Of which were twenty sons, which did apply 6 Their minds to praise, and chivalrous desire:
praise > virtue; praiseworthy acts
7 Those germans did subdue all Germany,
germans > brothers
8 Of whom it hight; but in the end their sire
Of > After hight > is called sire > father
9 With foul repulse from France was forced to retire.
210.23
Which blot his sonne succeeding in his seat, 2 The second _Brute_, the second both in name, And eke in semblance of his puissance great, 4 Right well recur'd, and did away that blame With recompence of euerlasting fame. 6 He with his victour sword first +opened,+ The bowels of wide Fraunce, a forlorne Dame, 8 And taught her first how to be conquered; Since which, with sundrie spoiles she hath beene ransacked.
6 opened, > opened _1609_
1 Which blot his son (succeeding in his seat, 2 The second Brutus, the second both in name
Brutus > (Surnamed "Greenshield")
3 And eke in semblance of his puissance great)
eke > also puissance > power, strength
4 Right well recured, and did away that blame
Right well > Very well, thoroughly recured > remedied
5 With recompense of everlasting fame. 6 He with his victor sword first opened 7 The bowels of wide France, a forlorn dame, 8 And taught her first how to be conquered; 9 Since which, with sundry spoils she has been ransacked.
spoils > {Acts of pillage}
210.24
Let _Scaldis_ tell, and let tell _Hania_, 2 And let the marsh of _Estham bruges_ tell, What colour were their waters that same day, 4 And all the moore twixt _Eluersham_ and _Dell_, With bloud of _Henalois_, which therein fell. 6 How oft that day did sad _Brunchildis_ see The greene shield dyde in dolorous vermell? 8 That not +_Scuith guiridh_+ +it+ mote seeme to +bee,+ But +rather _y Scuith gogh_, signe of sad crueltee+.
8 _Scuith guiridh_ > _omitted from 1590_ 8 it > he _1590_ 8 bee, > bee. _1596_ 9 rather _y Scuith gogh_, signe of sad crueltee > _omitted from 1590;_ But _Seuith Scuith FE_
1 Let Scaldis tell, and let tell Haina,
Scaldis > (The River Schelde, which rises in NE France, crosses Belgium, and in the Netherlands flows into the North Sea; length