ts loose,

Be > [To be]
Soon > Straightway

7 Upgathering, in her bosom she comprised

comprised > embraced

8 Well as she might, and to the goddess rose,

Well > [As well]

9 While all her nymphs did like a garland her enclose.

306.20

Goodly she gan faire _Cytherea_ greet,
2 And shortly asked her, what cause her brought
Into that wildernesse for her vnmeet,
4 From her sweet bowres, and beds with pleasures fraught:
That suddein change she strange aduenture thought.
6 To whom halfe weeping, she thus answered,
That she her dearest sonne _Cupido_ sought,
8 Who in his frowardnesse from her was fled;
That she repented sore, to haue him angered.

1 Goodly she gan fair Cytherea greet,

Goodly > Politely (though somewhat icily, as the following dialogue
shows)
gan > did
Cytherea > (Another name for Venus, after the island of Cythera
(Cerigo), off which it is said she first rose from the foam of
the sea)

2 And shortly asked her what cause her brought

shortly > presently; curtly

3 Into that wilderness for her unmeet,

unmeet > unsuitable, unfitting

4 From her sweet bowers, and beds with pleasures fraught:

bowers > rooms, bedrooms
fraught > filled

5 That sudden change she strange adventure thought.

adventure > occurrence

6 To whom, half weeping, she thus answered,
7 That she her dearest son Cupid sought,
8 Who in his frowardness from her was fled;

frowardness > naughtiness; refractoriness, perverseness

9 That she repented sore, to have him angered.

306.21

Thereat _Diana_ gan to smile, in scorne
2 Of her vaine plaint, and to her scoffing sayd;
Great pittie sure, that ye be so forlorne
4 Of your gay sonne, that giues ye so good ayd
To your disports: ill mote ye bene apayd.
6 But she was more engrieued, and replide;
Faire sister, ill beseemes it to vpbrayd
8 A dolefull heart with so disdainfull pride;
The like that mine, may be your paine another tide.

1 Thereat Diana began to smile, in scorn

Thereat > Thereupon; as a result of that

2 Of her vain plaint, and to her, scoffing, said:

vain plaint > foolish complaint

3 "Great pity sure, that you be so forlorn

be > are
forlorn > abandoned

4 Of your gay son, that gives you so good aid

Of > By
so > such

5 To your disports: ill might you been apaid."

To > [In]
disports > diversions, sports
ill > evil