ABOVE HIS HABLE MIGHT, beyond the
strength
of which he is capable.
Spenser - Faerie Queene - 1
TILL I OF WARRES, etc.
Spenser is here supposed to refer to his plan to
continue the _Faerie Queene_ and treat of the wars of the English with
Philip II ("Paynim King") and the Spanish ("Sarazin").
61. LET DOWNE THAT HAUGHTIE STRING, etc. , cease that high-pitched strain
and sing a second (or tenor) to my (lower) tune.
120. AS TWO BROAD BEACONS. Kitchin thinks this passage is a reminiscence of
the beacon-fires of July 29, 1588, which signaled the arrival of the Armada
off the Cornish coast.
158. HER FLITTING PARTS, her shifting parts; referring to the instability
of the air.
161. LOW STOUPING, swooping low (to the ground); a term in falconry.
167. HAGARD HAUKE, a wild, untamed falcon.
168.
ABOVE HIS HABLE MIGHT, beyond the strength of which he is capable.
172. HE SO DISSEIZED, etc. , i. e. the dragon being thus dispossessed of his
rough grip. The construction is nominative absolute.
185. AND GREEDY GULFE DOES GAPE, etc. , i. e. the greedy waters gape as if
they would devour the land.
187. THE BLUSTRING BRETHREN, the winds.
228. HIS WIDE DEVOURING OVEN, the furnace of his maw, or belly.
continue the _Faerie Queene_ and treat of the wars of the English with
Philip II ("Paynim King") and the Spanish ("Sarazin").
61. LET DOWNE THAT HAUGHTIE STRING, etc. , cease that high-pitched strain
and sing a second (or tenor) to my (lower) tune.
120. AS TWO BROAD BEACONS. Kitchin thinks this passage is a reminiscence of
the beacon-fires of July 29, 1588, which signaled the arrival of the Armada
off the Cornish coast.
158. HER FLITTING PARTS, her shifting parts; referring to the instability
of the air.
161. LOW STOUPING, swooping low (to the ground); a term in falconry.
167. HAGARD HAUKE, a wild, untamed falcon.
168.
ABOVE HIS HABLE MIGHT, beyond the strength of which he is capable.
172. HE SO DISSEIZED, etc. , i. e. the dragon being thus dispossessed of his
rough grip. The construction is nominative absolute.
185. AND GREEDY GULFE DOES GAPE, etc. , i. e. the greedy waters gape as if
they would devour the land.
187. THE BLUSTRING BRETHREN, the winds.
228. HIS WIDE DEVOURING OVEN, the furnace of his maw, or belly.
