in state of peace, as puissaunce in warre.

1 "She is the mighty Queen of Faery,
2 Whose fair retrait I in my shield do bear;

retrait > portrait
in > [on]

3 She is the flower of grace and chastity,
4 Throughout the world renowned far and near,
5 My lief, my liege, my sovereign, my dear,

lief > beloved
liege > {Superior to whom one owes feudal allegiance and service}

6 Whose glory shines as the morning star,

the morning star > (Another name for the planet Venus; cf. 100.4:2
and _SC_, gloss to "December": "_Venus_, the goddesse of beauty
or pleasure. Also a signe in heaven, as it is here taken")

7 And with her light the earth enlumines clear;

enlumines > illuminates

8 Far reach her mercies, and her praises far,
9 As well in state of peace, as puissance in war."

well > much
puissance > [in] strength

209.5

Thrise happy man, (said then the _Briton_ knight)
2 Whom gracious lot, and thy great valiaunce
Haue made +thee+ souldier of that Princesse bright,
4 Which with her bounty and glad countenance
Doth blesse her seruaunts, and them high aduaunce.
6 How may straunge knight hope euer to aspire,
By faithfull seruice, and meet amenance,
8 Vnto such blisse? sufficient were that hire
For losse of thousand liues, to dye at her desire.

3 thee > a _1609_

1 "Thrice happy man," said then the Briton knight,
2 "Whom gracious lot and your great valiance

gracious lot > favourable fortune
valiance > valour, bravery

3 Have made you soldier of that princess bright,

bright > shining; beautiful

4 Who with her bounty and glad countenance

bounty > goodness, virtue
glad > bright, shining; beautiful
countenance > countenance; patronage, favour

5 Does bless her servants, and them high advance.
6 How may strange knight hope ever to aspire

strange > [a] foreign

7 (By faithful service and meet amenance)

meet > suitable, seemly
amenance > bearing, conduct

8 To such bliss? Sufficient were that hire

hire > reward

9 For loss of thousand lives, to die at her desire."

209.6

Said _Guyon_, Noble Lord, what meed so great,
2 Or grace of earthly Prince so soueraine,
But by your wondrous worth and warlike feat
4 Ye well may hope, and easely attaine?
But were your will, her sold to entertaine,
6 And numbred be mongst knights of _Maydenhed_,
Great guerdon, well I wote, should you rema