lame,
Giuing the bridle to her wanton will,
4 And treading vnder foote her honest name:
Such loue is hate, and such desire is shame.
6 Still did she roue at her with crafty glaunce
Of her false eyes, that at her hart did ayme,
8 And told her meaning in her countenaunce;
But _Britomart_ dissembled it with ignoraunce.
1 Naught so of love this looser dame did skill,
Naught so > Not at all thus
looser > too-loose
skill > understand; know how to practise
2 But as a coal to kindle fleshly flame,
3 Giving the bridle to her wanton will,
4 And treading underfoot her honest name:
5 Such love is hate, and such desire is shame.
6 Still did she rove at her with crafty glance
Still > Continuously
rove > shoot (cf. Cupid's arrow at 100.3:3)
7 Of her false eyes, that at her heart did aim,
8 And told her meaning in her countenance;
9 But Britomart dissembled it with ignorance.
with ignorance > [by not knowing (or, perhaps, pretending not to
know) what Malecasta meant]
301.51
Supper was shortly dight and downe they sat,
2 Where they were serued with all sumptuous fare,
Whiles fruitfull _Ceres_, and _Ly{ae}us_ fat
4 Pourd out their plenty, without spight or spare:
Nought wanted there, that dainty was and rare;
6 And aye the cups their bancks did ouerflow,
And aye betweene the cups, she did prepare
8 Way to her loue, and secret darts did throw;
But _Britomart_ would not such guilfull message know.
1 Supper was shortly dight and down they sat,
dight > prepared
2 Where they were served with all sumptuous fare,
3 While fruitful Ceres and Lyaeus fat
Ceres > (Goddess of agriculture; corn, grain, hence, here: food)
Lyaeus > (Surname of Bacchus, the god of wine, the releaser from
care; hence, here: wine)
fat > {Well supplied with what is needed, abundant}
4 Poured out their plenty without spite or spare:
spite > grudge, meanness
spare > restraint, parsimony
5 Naught wanted there, that dainty was and rare;
Naught > Nothing at all [was]
dainty > pleasing; scarce; choice; delicious
rare > excellent, fine (the same phrase occurs at 108.50:9)
6 And ay the cups their banks did overflow,
ay > ever, always
banks > [brims]
7 And ay between the cups she did prepare
8 Way to her love, and secret darts did throw;
darts > [glances]
9 But Britomart would not such guileful message know.
know
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