of heart,

heart > mind; courage

2 The dwarf him answered, "Sir, ill might I stay
3 To tell the same. I lately did depart
4 From Faery court, where I have many a day
5 Served a gentle lady of great sway,

gentle > noble; generous, courteous
sway > influence

6 And high account throughout all Elfin land,

account > importance

7 Who lately left the same, and took this way:
8 Her now I seek, and if you understand

understand > know

9 Which way she fared has, good sir, tell out of hand."

out of hand > straight away

305.5

What mister wight (said he) and how arayd?
2 Royally clad (quoth he) in cloth of gold,
As meetest may beseeme a noble mayd;
4 Her faire lockes in rich circlet be enrold,
+A+ fairer wight did neuer Sunne behold,
6 And on a Palfrey rides more white then snow,
Yet she her selfe is whiter manifold:
8 The surest signe, whereby ye may her know,
Is, that she is the fairest wight aliue, I trow.

5 A > And _1596, 1609_

1 "What mister wight," said he, "and how arrayed?"

mister wight > sort of person (mister = occupation; hence: class,
sort)
arrayed > attired

2 "Royally clad," quoth he, "in cloth of gold,
3 As meetest may beseem a noble maid;

meetest > most fittingly
beseem > suit

4 Her fair locks in rich circlet be enrolled:

rich > [a rich]
circlet > (Two meanings are possible. Either Florimell's hair is
coiled in a circle, or she wears a golden or jewelled circlet in
which her hair is coiled)
be > are

5 A fairer wight did never sun behold,

wight > creature, woman
sun > [the sun: indifferently the subject or object of "behold"]

6 And on a palfrey rides more white than snow,

palfrey > {Saddle-horse for ladies}

7 Yet she herself is whiter manifold:

manifold > many times over

8 The surest sign whereby you may her know
9 Is that she is the fairest wight alive, I trow."

trow > am of the opinion, think, believe (assertively)

305.6

Now certes swaine (said he) such one I weene,
2 Fast flying through this forest from her fo,
A foule ill fauoured foster, I haue seene;
4 Her selfe, well as I might, I reskewd tho,
But could not stay; so fast she did foregoe,
6 Carried away with wings of speedy feare.
Ah dearest God (quoth he) that is great woe,
8 And wondrous ruth to all, that shall it heare.
But can ye read Sir, how I may her find, or +where?+