odious argument my rimes should shend,
Or ought your goodly patience offend,
6 Whiles of a wanton Lady I do write,
Which with her loose incontinence doth blend
8 The shyning glory of your soueraigne light,
And knighthood fowle defaced by a faithlesse knight.

1 Redoubted knights, and honourable dames,

Redoubted > Distinguished; doughty

2 To whom I level all my labours' end,

level > direct, aim (as in levelling a weapon)

3 Right sore I fear lest with unworthy blames

Right > Very, greatly
blames > accusations, imputations

4 This odious argument my rhymes should shend,

argument > subject-matter
shend > disgrace ("rimes" is the object)

5 Or aught your goodly patience offend,

goodly > courteous; graceful, fine, elevated

6 While of a wanton lady I do write
7 (Who with her loose incontinence does blend

blend > stir up, render turbid; _hence:_ defile

8 The shining glory of your sovereign light)
9 And knighthood foully defaced by a faithless knight.

knighthood > [while I do write of knighthood]

309.2

But neuer let th'ensample of the bad
2 Offend the good: for good by paragone
Of euill, may more notably be rad,
4 As white seemes fairer, macht with blacke +attone+;
Ne all are shamed by the fault of one:
6 For lo in heauen, whereas all goodnesse is,
Emongst the Angels, a whole legione
8 Of wicked Sprights did fall from happy blis;
What wonder then, if one of women all did mis?

4 attone > attonce _1590_

1 But never let the example of the bad
2 Offend the good: for good, by paragon

paragon > comparison

3 Of evil, may more notably be read,

Of > With
read > seen; made known

4 As white seems fairer matched with black at one;

at one > together; simultaneously

5 Nor all are shamed by the fault of one:

all are > [are all]

6 For lo in heaven, where all goodness is,
7 Amongst the angels, a whole legion
8 Of wicked sprites did fall from happy bliss;
9 What wonder then, if one of women all did miss?

of women all > [among all women]
miss > go astray

309.3

Then listen Lordings, if ye list to weet
2 The cause, why _Satyrane_ and _Paridell_
Mote not be entertaynd, as seemed meet,
4 Into that Castle (as that Squire does tell.)
Therein a cancred crabbed Carle does dwell,
6 That has no skill of Court nor courtesie,
Ne cares, what men say of him ill