Observe the
antithetical
structure of this stanza, both in the
_Stichomuthia_, or balance of line against line, and in the lines
themselves.
_Stichomuthia_, or balance of line against line, and in the lines
themselves.
Spenser - Faerie Queene - 1
Ambrose Merlin, the prince of enchanters, son of the
nun Matilda, and an incubus, "half-angel and half-man. " He made, in
addition to Prince Arthur's armor and weapons, the Round Table for one
hundred and fifty knights at Carduel, the magic fountain of love, and built
Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain. He died spellbound by the sorceress Vivien
in a hollow oak. See Tennyson's _Idylls of the King_.
326. DID TRAMPLE AS THE AIRE, curveted as lightly as the air.
335. AND FOR HER HUMOUR, etc. , and to suit her (sad) mood framed fitting
conversation.
355. The subject of _found_ is the substantive clause _who. . . impart_.
xli.
Observe the antithetical structure of this stanza, both in the
_Stichomuthia_, or balance of line against line, and in the lines
themselves. In this rapid word-play Arthur wins his point by appealing to
Una's faith.
363. NO FAITH SO FAST, etc. , no faith is so firm that human infirmity may
not injure it.
376. Una, Truth, is the sole daughter of Eden.
377. WHILEST EQUAL DESTINIES, etc. , whilst their destinies (Fates) revolved
equally and undisturbed in their orbits. (Astronomical figure. )
381. PHISON AND EUPHRATES, etc. , three of the four rivers that watered
Eden, the Hiddekel being omitted. See _Genesis_, ii, 11-14. In this stanza
the poet strangely mixes Christian doctrine and the classical belief in the
envy of the gods working the downfall of men.
nun Matilda, and an incubus, "half-angel and half-man. " He made, in
addition to Prince Arthur's armor and weapons, the Round Table for one
hundred and fifty knights at Carduel, the magic fountain of love, and built
Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain. He died spellbound by the sorceress Vivien
in a hollow oak. See Tennyson's _Idylls of the King_.
326. DID TRAMPLE AS THE AIRE, curveted as lightly as the air.
335. AND FOR HER HUMOUR, etc. , and to suit her (sad) mood framed fitting
conversation.
355. The subject of _found_ is the substantive clause _who. . . impart_.
xli.
Observe the antithetical structure of this stanza, both in the
_Stichomuthia_, or balance of line against line, and in the lines
themselves. In this rapid word-play Arthur wins his point by appealing to
Una's faith.
363. NO FAITH SO FAST, etc. , no faith is so firm that human infirmity may
not injure it.
376. Una, Truth, is the sole daughter of Eden.
377. WHILEST EQUAL DESTINIES, etc. , whilst their destinies (Fates) revolved
equally and undisturbed in their orbits. (Astronomical figure. )
381. PHISON AND EUPHRATES, etc. , three of the four rivers that watered
Eden, the Hiddekel being omitted. See _Genesis_, ii, 11-14. In this stanza
the poet strangely mixes Christian doctrine and the classical belief in the
envy of the gods working the downfall of men.
