Themselves to court, and each a damsel chose:
6 The prince by chance did on a lady light,

light > alight, chance

7 That was right fair and fresh as morning rose,

right > very

8 But somewhat sad, and solemn eke in sight,

eke > also
sight > appearance

9 As if some pensive thought constrained her gentle spirit.

pensive > anxious
constrained > afflicted, distressed
gentle > noble; gentle

209.37

In a long purple pall, whose skirt with +gold,+
2 Was fretted all about, she was arayd;
And in her hand a Poplar braunch did hold:
4 To whom the Prince in curteous manner said;
Gentle Madame, why beene ye thus dismaid,
6 And your faire beautie do with sadnesse spill?
Liues any, that you hath thus ill apaid?
8 Or doen +you+ loue, or doen you lacke your will?
What euer be the cause, it sure beseemes you ill.

1 gold, > gold _1609_
8 you > your _1590, 1596: FE_

1 In a long purple pall, whose skirt with gold

pall > robe, cloak

2 Was fretted all about, she was arrayed;

fretted > {Adorned with interlaced work}

3 And in her hand a poplar branch did hold:

poplar > (Sacred to Hercules, so associating her with the quest for
glory; she is named "Praise-desire")

4 To whom the prince in courteous manner said:
5 "Gentle madam, why been you thus dismayed,

Gentle > Noble; gentle
been > [are]
dismayed > (The pun, "dis-maid", rather resembles the one at
202.8:7; see also 203.42:3)

6 And your fair beauty do with sadness spill?

spill > mar

7 Lives any, that you has thus ill apaid?

apaid > pleased; repaid

8 Or do you love, or do you lack your will?

Or > Either (somewhat pleonastic, and thus intensive)
lack > want, feel the need of

9 Whatever be the cause, it sure beseems you ill."

beseems > suits

209.38

Faire Sir, (said she halfe in disdainefull wise,)
2 How is it, that this +word+ in me ye blame,
And in your selfe do not the same aduise?
4 Him ill beseemes, anothers fault to name,
That may vnwares be blotted with the same:
6 Pensiue I yeeld I am, and sad in mind,
Through great desire of glory and of fame;
8 Ne ought I weene are ye therein behind,
That haue +twelue moneths+ sought one, yet no where can her find.

2 word > mood _corr. Drayton, whose copy of 1611 was acquired by
Collier; cf. 202.7:7_
9 twelue moneths > three years _1590. The change agrees with
109.15; see also 209.