Has this obscure line any reference to
prophecy?
Spenser - Faerie Queene - 1
, 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.
385. TARTARY, Tartarus (for the rhyme), the lowest circle of torment in the
infernal regions.
391.
Has this obscure line any reference to prophecy? Cf. _Daniel_, vii,
25, _Revelation_, xii, 6, 14.
394. THAT HEAVEN WALKS ABOUT, under the sky.
404. THAT NOBLE ORDER, the Order of the Garter, of which the Maiden Queen
was head. The figure of St. George slaying the dragon appears on the oval
and pendant to the collar of this Order.
405. OF GLORIANE, Queen Elizabeth.
407. CLEOPOLIS IS RED, is called Cleopolis, i. e. the city of Glory, or
London.
425.
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.
385. TARTARY, Tartarus (for the rhyme), the lowest circle of torment in the
infernal regions.
391.
Has this obscure line any reference to prophecy? Cf. _Daniel_, vii,
25, _Revelation_, xii, 6, 14.
394. THAT HEAVEN WALKS ABOUT, under the sky.
404. THAT NOBLE ORDER, the Order of the Garter, of which the Maiden Queen
was head. The figure of St. George slaying the dragon appears on the oval
and pendant to the collar of this Order.
405. OF GLORIANE, Queen Elizabeth.
407. CLEOPOLIS IS RED, is called Cleopolis, i. e. the city of Glory, or
London.
425.
