act

6 And him besought, by that same sacred band
7 Betwixt us both, to counsel me the best.
8 He then, with solemn oath and plighted hand,
9 Assured, ere long, the truth to let me understand.

Assured > Pledged

204.24

Ere long with like againe he boorded mee,
2 Saying, he now had boulted all the floure,
And that it was a groome of base degree,
4 Which of my loue was partner Paramoure:
Who vsed in a darkesome inner bowre
6 Her oft to meet: which better to approue,
He promised to bring me at that howre,
8 When I should see, that would me nearer moue,
And driue me to withdraw my blind abused loue.

1 "Ere long with like again he boarded me,

boarded > drew near to and addressed, accosted

2 Saying, he now had bolted all the flour,

bolted > sifted; examined by sifting, searched (proverbial)

3 And that it was a groom of base degree,

groom > fellow
degree > rank

4 Who of my love was partner paramour:

paramour > (Adv.) in sexual love

5 Who used in a darksome inner bower

used > was accustomed, was in the habit of
bower > chamber

6 Her oft to meet: which better to approve,

approve > prove, demonstrate

7 He promised to bring me at that hour
8 When I should see that would me nearer move,

that > [that which]
nearer move > affect more deeply

9 And drive me to withdraw my blind abused love.

abused > deceived; abused

204.25

This gracelesse man for furtherance of his guile,
2 Did court the handmayd of my Lady deare,
Who glad t'embosome his affection vile,
4 Did all she might, more pleasing to appeare.
One day to worke her to his will more neare,
6 He woo'd her thus: _Pryene_ (so she hight)
What great despight doth fortune to thee beare,
8 Thus lowly to abase thy beautie bright,
That it should not deface all others lesser light?

1 "This graceless man, for furtherance of his guile,
2 Did court the handmaid of my lady dear,
3 Who, glad to embosom his affection vile,

embosom > embrace (chiefly fig.)

4 Did all she might, more pleasing to appear.
5 One day, to work her to his will more near,

near > closely

6 He wooed her thus: `Pryene,' (so she hight)

Pryene > (The name is possibly derived from _pyr_, the Greek word
for fire (cf. "prytaneum"), in that she is identified as both an
incendiary in the story (see 204.29:8) and herself inflamed with
love (204.