OR BREAKE THE CHAYNE, refers to Jove's
proposition
to fasten a golden
chain to the earth by which to test his strength.
Spenser - Faerie Queene - 1
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. "rob Peter to pay Paul."
229. SHALL WITH HIS OWNE BLOUD, etc., shall pay the price of the blood that
he has spilt with his own.
263. Here Spenser imitates Homer's _Odyssey_, xvi, 163.
