thews > noble qualities

201.34

So courteous conge both did giue and take,
2 With right hands plighted, pledges of good will.
Then _Guyon_ forward gan his voyage make,
4 With his blacke Palmer, that him guided still.
Still he him guided ouer dale and hill,
6 And with his +steedie+ staffe did point his way:
His race with reason, and with words his will,
8 From foule intemperance he oft did stay,
And suffred not in wrath his hastie steps to stray.

6 steedie > steedy _1590;_ steadie _1609;_ steady _1590 reported by
Grosart_

1 So courteous cong{e/} both did give and take,

cong{e/} > leave, farewell

2 With right hands plighted, pledges of goodwill.

plighted > plaited, knitted; _hence:_ clasped

3 Then Guyon forward gan his voyage make,

gan > did; began to
voyage > journey

4 With his black palmer, that him guided still.

black > (Referring to the colour of his clothes: see 201.7:2)
still > continually

5 Still he him guided over dale and hill,
6 And with his steady staff did point his way:
7 His race with reason, and with words his will,

race > (Meanings as at 201.32:7)

8 From foul intemperance he oft did stay,

stay > hold back

9 And suffered not in wrath his hasty steps to stray.

suffered > allowed

201.35

In this faire wize they traueild long yfere,
2 Through many hard assayes, which did betide;
Of which he honour still away did beare,
4 And spred his glorie through all countries wide.
At last as chaunst them by a forest side
6 To passe, for succour from the scorching ray,
They heard a ruefull voice, that dearnly cride
8 With percing shriekes, and many a dolefull lay;
Which to attend, a while their forward steps they stay.

1 In this fair wise they travelled long yfere,

wise > manner
yfere > together

2 Through many hard assays, which did betide;

assays > trials
betide > befall

3 Of which he honour still away did bear,

still > always

4 And spread his glory through all countries wide.
5 At last, as chanced them by a forest side
6 To pass, for succour from the scorching ray,

succour > relief; protection, shelter

7 They heard a rueful voice, that dernly cried

dernly > darkly; dismally (SUS)

8 With piercing shrieks, and many a doleful lay;

lay > song, strain; _hence:_ cry, lamentation

9 Which to attend, awhile their forward steps they stay