18

_Alma_ she called was, a virgin bright;
2 That had not yet felt _Cupides_ wanton rage,
Yet was she +woo'd+ of many a gentle knight,
4 And many a Lord of noble parentage,
That sought with her to lincke in marriage:
6 For she was faire, as faire mote euer bee,
And in the flowre now of her freshest age;
8 Yet full of grace and goodly modestee,
That euen heauen reioyced her sweete face to see.

3 woo'd > wooed _1590_

1 Alma she called was, a virgin bright,

bright > beautiful

2 That had not yet felt Cupid's wanton rage,
3 Yet was she wooed of many a gentle knight,

of > by
gentle > noble

4 And many a lord of noble parentage,
5 That sought with her to link in marriage:
6 For she was fair, as fair might ever be,
7 And in the flower now of her freshest age;
8 Yet full of grace and goodly modesty,
9 That even heaven rejoiced her sweet face to see.

That > [So that]

209.19

In robe of lilly white she was arayd,
2 That from her shoulder to her heele downe raught,
The traine whereof loose far behind her strayd,
4 Braunched with gold and pearle, most richly wrought,
And borne of two faire Damsels, which were taught
6 That seruice well. Her yellow golden heare
Was trimly wouen, and in tresses wrought,
8 Ne other tyre she on her head did weare,
But crowned with a garland of sweete Rosiere.

1 In robe of lily white she was arrayed,
2 That from her shoulder to her heel down raught,

raught > reached

3 The train whereof loose far behind her strayed,
4 Branched with gold and pearl, most richly wrought,

Branched > {Embroidered with a branching pattern}

5 And borne of two fair damsels, who were taught

of > by

6 That service well. Her yellow golden hair
7 Was trimly woven, and in tresses wrought,
8 No other tire she on her head did wear,

tire > head-dress; garment

9 But crowned with a garland of sweet rosier.

crowned > [was crowned]
rosier > rose-tree, rose-bush; _hence:_ roses

209.20

Goodly she entertaind those noble knights,
2 And brought them vp into her castle hall;
Where gentle court and gracious delight
4 She to them made, with mildnesse virginall,
Shewing her selfe both wise and liberall:
6 +There+ when they rested had a season dew,
They her besought of fauour speciall,
8 Of that faire Castle to affoord them vew;
She graunted,