full great pittie, that so faire a mould
4 Did on so weake foundation euer sit:
For on a sandie hill, that still did flit,
6 And fall away, it mounted was full hie,
That euery breath of heauen shaked it:
8 And all the hinder parts, that few could spie,
Were ruinous and old, but painted cunningly.

1 It was a goodly heap to behold,

goodly > fine, beautiful
heap > pile; _hence:_ large building

2 And spoke the praises of the workman's wit;

wit > skill

3 But full great pity, that so fair a mould

full > very, exceedingly
mould > form, structure

4 Did on so weak foundation ever sit:

so > such [a]

5 For on a sandy hill, that still did flit

still > continually
flit > yield, crumble (see _Matt._ 7.26-7)

6 And fall away, it mounted was full high,

full > very, exceedingly

7 That every breath of heaven shook it:

That > [So that]

8 And all the hinder parts, that few could spy,
9 Were ruinous and old, but painted cunningly.

104.6

Arriued there they passed in forth right;
2 For still to all the gates stood open wide,
Yet charge of them was to a Porter hight
4 Cald _Maluen{u\}_, who entrance none denide:
Thence to the hall, which was on euery side
6 With rich array and costly arras dight:
Infinite sorts of people did abide
8 There waiting long, to win the wished sight
Of her, that was the Lady of that Pallace bright.

1 Arrived there, they passed in forthright;

forthright > straightway; directly forward

2 For still to all the gates stood open wide,

still > ever, continually

3 Yet charge of them was to a porter hight,

hight > committed, entrusted (SUS)

4 Called Malven{u\}, who entrance none denied:

Malven{u\} > "Ill-welcome"; "Welcome to Evil"

5 Thence to the hall, which was on every side
6 With rich array and costly arras dight:

arras > {Tapestry wall-hanging, screen}
dight > decked

7 Infinite sorts of people did abide

sorts > kinds; companies

8 There waiting long, to win the wished sight
9 Of her, that was the lady of that palace bright.

104.7

By them they passe, all gazing on them round,
2 And to the Presence mount; whose glorious vew
Their frayle amazed senses did confound:
4 In liuing Princes court none euer knew
Such endlesse richesse, and so sumptuous shew;
6 Ne _Persia_ selfe, the nourse of pompous pride
Like euer sa