Beare ye the picture of that Ladies head?
Full liuely is the semblaunt, though the substance dead.

1 After the paynim brethren conquered were,

paynim > pagan, heathen

2 The Briton prince recovering his stolen sword,
3 And Guyon his lost shield, they both yfere

yfere > together

4 Forth passed on their way in fair accord,
5 Till him the prince with gentle court did board:

gentle > polite
court > {Courteous attention}
board > address

6 "Sir knight, might I of you this courtesy read,

read > make known; _hence:_ ask

7 To weet why on your shield so goodly scored

weet > learn, know
goodly > beautifully
scored > inscribed; _hence:_ carved, depicted

8 Bear you the picture of that lady's head?

that lady > [the Faery Queen; see 107.30:1-5]

9 Full lively is the semblant, though the substance dead."

Full lively > Very life-like
semblant > resemblance; image
dead > [is dead]

209.3

Faire Sir (said he) if in that picture dead
2 Such life ye read, and vertue in vaine shew,
What mote ye weene, if the trew liuely-head
4 Of that most glorious visage ye did vew?
But if the beautie of her mind ye knew,
6 That is her bountie, and imperiall powre,
Thousand times fairer then her mortall hew,
8 O how great wonder would your thoughts deuoure,
And infinite desire into your spirite poure!

1 "Fair sir," said he, "if in that picture dead
2 Such life you read, and virtue in vain show,

read > discern
virtue > virtue; power
show > behold; describe

3 What might you ween if the true livelihead

ween > think
livelihead > living form; _hence:_ original

4 Of that most glorious visage you did view?
5 But if the beauty of her mind you knew,
6 That is her bounty, and imperial power

bounty > goodness, virtue

7 (Thousand times fairer than her mortal hue),

hue > appearance

8 O how great wonder would your thoughts devour,

how great > [how great a, what great]

9 And infinite desire into your spirit pour!

209.4

She is the mighty Queene of _Faerie_,
2 Whose faire retrait I in my shield do beare;
She is the flowre of grace and chastitie,
4 Throughout the world renowmed far and neare,
My liefe, my liege, my Soueraigne, my deare,
6 Whose glory shineth as the morning starre,
And with her light the earth enlumines cleare;
8 Far reach her mercies, and her prayses farre,
As well