cap, hood, cape (of some religious order)

9 Like a holy monk, the service to begin.

104.19

And in his hand his Portesse still he bare,
2 That much was worne, but therein little red,
For of deuotion he had little care,
4 Still drownd in sleepe, and most of his dayes ded;
Scarse could he once vphold his heauie hed,
6 To looken, whether it were night or day:
May seeme the wayne was very euill led,
8 When such an one had guiding of the way,
That knew not, whether right he went, or else astray.

1 And in his hand his portas still he bore,

portas > {Portable breviary, Roman Catholic prayer-book containing
the Divine Office for each day}
still > ever, continually

2 That much was worn, but therein little read,

therein little > [little]

3 For of devotion he had little care,
4 Still drowned in sleep, and most of his days dead;

Still > Ever

5 Scarce could he once uphold his heavy head,
6 To look whether it were night or day:
7 May seem the wain was very evil led,

May > [It may]
wain > carriage, wagon; _hence:_ coach

8 When such a one had guiding of the way,
9 That knew not whether right he went, or else astray.

104.20

From worldly cares himselfe he did esloyne,
2 And greatly shunned manly exercise,
+From+ euery worke he chalenged essoyne,
4 For contemplation sake: yet otherwise,
His life he led in lawlesse riotise;
6 By which he grew to grieuous malady;
For in his lustlesse limbs through euill guise
8 A shaking feuer raignd continually:
Such one was _Idlenesse_, first of this company.

3 From > For _1596, 1609_

1 From worldly cares himself he did eloin,

eloin > remove, withdraw (as if from legal jurisdiction)

2 And greatly shunned manly exercise,
3 From every work he challenged essoin,

challenged essoin > claimed exemption (another legal term)

4 For contemplation's sake: yet otherwise
5 His life he led in lawless riotise,

riotise > indulgence, dissipation

6 By which he grew to grievous malady;
7 For in his lustless limbs, through evil guise,

lustless > {Listless; joyless, lacking pleasure or delight}
guise > mode of life

8 A shaking fever reigned continually:
9 Such one was Idleness, first of this company.

104.21

And by his side rode loathsome _Gluttony_,
2 Deformed creature, on a filthie swyne,
His belly was vp-blowne with luxury,
4 A