the flowering field,

lady > (The lily is a symbol of the feminine; cf. _Henry VIII_ III i
151-2)

2 The flower deluce, her lovely paramour,

flower deluce > iris, flowering-lily, _fleur-de-lis_ (heraldic ensign
of the Bourbons -1594, and as such ambiguously an iris or the head
of a sceptre or battle-axe; hence a phallic symbol; see also
_Winter's Tale_ IV iv 126-7)
lovely > loving

3 Bid you to them your fruitless labours yield,
4 And soon leave off this toilsome weary stour;

stour > distress, unhappy condition; struggle [of everyday life]

5 Lo, lo, how brave she decks her bounteous bower

brave > splendidly
bower > chamber

6 With silken curtains and gold coverlets,
7 Therein to shroud her sumptuous belamour,

shroud > shelter; conceal
belamour > loved one (French _bel amour_; spelled "bellamoure", this
word is also used for an unidentified flower in _Amoretti_ 64:7)

8 Yet neither spins nor cards, neither cares nor frets,

cards > {Prepares wool for spinning}

9 But to her mother, Nature, all her care she lets.

lets > leaves

206.17

Why then dost thou, {o^} man, that of them all
2 Art Lord, and eke of nature Soueraine,
Wilfully make thy selfe a wretched thrall,
4 And wast thy ioyous houres in needlesse paine,
Seeking for daunger and aduentures vaine?
6 What bootes it all to haue, and nothing vse?
Who shall him rew, that swimming in the maine,
8 Will die for thirst, and water doth refuse?
Refuse such fruitlesse toile, and present pleasures chuse.

1 "Why then do you, O man, that of them all
2 Are lord, and eke of Nature sovereign,

eke > also

3 Wilfully make yourself a wretched thrall,

thrall > slave

4 And waste your joyous hours in needless pain,
5 Seeking for danger and adventures vain?

vain > futile; foolish

6 What boots it all to have, and nothing use?

boots it > does it avail

7 Who shall him rue that, swimming in the main,

rue > {Regard with pity or compassion}
main > {Any broad expanse of water, here plainly fresh rather than
salt}

8 Will die for thirst, and water does refuse?
9 Refuse such fruitless toil, and present pleasures choose."

206.18

By this she had him lulled fast a sleepe,
2 That of no worldly thing he care did take;
Then she with liquors strong his eyes did steepe,
4 That nothing should him hastily awake:
So she him left, and did her selfe b