was an holy Nunne to chose,
Which would not let me be her Chappellane,
8 Because she knew, she said, I would disclose
Her counsell, if she should her trust in me repose.

1 "The first which then refused me," said he,
2 "Certes was but a common courtesan,

Certes > Assuredly

3 Yet flat refused to have a do with me,

a do > ado; a do (in the sexual sense; cf. 101.51:6)

4 Because I could not give her many a jane."

jane > {A small silver Genoese coin}

5 (Thereat full heartily laughed Satyrane.)

Thereat > Thereupon; as a result of that
full > very

6 "The second was a holy nun to choose,

to choose > by choice

7 Who would not let me be her chaplain,
8 Because she knew, she said, I would disclose
9 Her counsel, if she should her trust in me repose.

counsel > confidences, secrets

307.59

The third a Damzell was of low degree,
2 Whom I in countrey cottage found by chaunce;
Full little weened I, that chastitee
4 Had lodging in so meane a maintenaunce,
Yet was she faire, and in her +countenance+
6 Dwelt simple truth in seemely fashion.
Long thus I woo'd her with dew obseruance,
8 In hope vnto my pleasure to haue won;
But was as farre at last, as when I first begon.

5 countenance > countenaunce _1590_

1 "The third a damsel was of low degree,

degree > rank, social station

2 Whom I in country cottage found by chance;
3 Full little weened I that chastity

Full > Very
weened > imagined

4 Had lodging in so mean a maintenance,

maintenance > livelihood, means of subsistence; _hence:_ condition,
way of life

5 Yet was she fair, and in her countenance
6 Dwelt simple truth in seemly fashion.
7 Long thus I wooed her with due observance,
8 In hope +to+ my pleasure to have won;

to > [her to]

9 But was as far at last, as when I first began.

307.60

Safe her, I neuer any woman found,
2 That chastity did for it selfe embrace,
But were for other causes firme and sound;
4 Either for want of handsome time and place,
Or else for feare of shame and fowle disgrace.
6 Thus am I hopelesse euer to attaine
My Ladies loue, in such a desperate case,
8 But all my dayes am like to wast in vaine,
Seeking to match the chaste with th'vnchaste Ladies traine.

1 "Save her, I never any woman found
2 That chastity did for itself embrace,
3 But were for other causes firm a