1 And whilst he slept, she over him would spread
2 Her mantle, coloured like the starry skies,
3 And her soft arm lay underneath his head,
4 And with ambrosial kisses bathe his eyes;

ambrosial > {Belonging to or worthy of the gods: ambrosia is the
food of the gods. See 306.18:9}

5 And whilst he bathed, with her two crafty spies

spies > [eyes]

6 She secretly would search each dainty limb,

dainty > {Handsome, of delicate beauty; pleasing}

7 And throw into the well sweet rosemaries,
8 And fragrant violets, and pansies trim,
9 And ever with sweet nectar she did sprinkle him.

nectar > {The drink of the gods}

301.37

So did she steale his heedelesse hart away,
2 And ioyd his loue in secret vnespyde.
But for she saw him bent to cruell play,
4 To hunt the saluage beast in forrest wyde,
Dreadfull of daunger, that mote him betyde,
6 She oft and oft aduiz'd him to refraine
From chase of greater beasts, whose brutish pryde
8 Mote breede him +scath+ vnwares: but all in vaine;
For who can shun the chaunce, that dest'ny doth ordaine?

8 scath > scathe _1609_

1 So did she steal his heedless heart away,
2 And joyed his love in secret unespied.

joyed > enjoyed; took delight in

3 But for she saw him bent to cruel play

for > when; because, in that
bent > inclined, of a mind

4 (To hunt the savage beast in forest wide),

savage > wild; savage

5 Dreadful of danger that might him betide,

Dreadful > Fearful
betide > befall

6 She oft and oft advised him to refrain
7 From chase of greater beasts, whose brutish pride

greater > too great, too powerful
pride > spirit, mettle; _also:_ state of physical perfection,
_hence:_ strength

8 Might breed him scathe unwares: but all in vain:

breed > engender
scathe > harm; matter for regret
unwares > unexpectedly

9 For who can shun the chance that destiny does ordain?

shun > evade

301.38

Lo, where beyond he lyeth languishing,
2 Deadly engored of a great wild Bore,
And by his side the Goddesse groueling
4 Makes for him endlesse mone, and euermore
With her soft garment wipes away the gore,
6 Which staines his snowy skin with hatefull hew:
But when she saw no helpe might him restore,
8 Him to a dainty flowre she did transmew,
Which in that cloth was wrought, as if it liuely grew.

1 Lo, where beyond he lies languishing,

b