ON GRONING BEARE, on a bier with
groaning
friends around.
Spenser - Faerie Queene - 1
100. The Knight supposed that Duessa's encouraging words were addressed to
him.
114. Spenser here, with fine dramatic effect, imitates Homer, who saves
Paris and AEneas by a similar device. _Iliad_, iii, 380, and v, 345.
159. TEARES. This mention of the man-eating crocodile's tears is based on
an old Latin proverb. Sir John Mandeville repeats the story.
172. GRIESLY NIGHT. According to mythology (Hesiod's _Theog_. , 123), one of
the first things created, the daughter of Chaos, and mother of AEther (sky)
and Hemera (day); also of Deceit, Strife, Old Age, and Vengeance. See xxii
and xxvii.
202.
ON GRONING BEARE, on a bier with groaning friends around.
204. O WHAT OF GODS, etc. , O what is it to be born of gods, if old
Aveugle's (the father of the three Saracens) sons are so ill treated.
219. AND GOOD SUCCESSES, etc. , and good results which follow their foes.
221. OR BREAKE THE CHAYNE, refers to Jove's proposition to fasten a golden
chain to the earth by which to test his strength. Homer's _Iliad_, viii,
19. Cf. Milton's _Paradise Lost_, ii, 1051.
225. BAD EXCHEAT, bad gain by exchange. _Escheat_ is an old legal term,
meaning any lands or goods which fall to the lord of a fief by forfeiture.
Cf.
