A Lover's Complaint
Text Background

Share
Quarto
Modern text

Definitions

Key line

FRom off a hill whose concaue wombe reworded, From off a hill whose concave womb reworded concave (adj.)

old form: concaue
hollow, empty
LC.1
reword, re-word (v.)
re-echo, resound, reverberate
A plaintfull story from a sistring vale A plaintful story from a sist'ring vale plaintful (adj.)

old form: plaintfull
mournful, full of complaining
LC.2
sistering (adj.)

old form: sistring
acting like a sister; matching, corresponding
My spirrits t'attend this doble voyce accorded, My spirits t' attend this double voice accorded, attend (v.)
listen [to], pay attention [to]
LC.3
accord (v.)
agree, assent, consent
And downe I laid to list the sad tun'd tale, And down I laid to list the sad-tuned tale; list (v.)
listen to, pay attention to
LC.4
Ere long espied a fickle maid full pale Ere long espied a fickle maid full pale espy (v.)
catch sight of, discern, see
LC.5
Tearing of papers breaking rings a twaine, Tearing of papers, breaking rings a twain, atwain, a twain (adv.)

old form: a twaine
in two, into two parts
LC.6
Storming her world with sorrowes, wind and raine. Storming her world with sorrows, wind and rain.  LC.7
Vpon her head a plattid hiue of straw, Upon her head a platted hive of straw, hive (n.)

old form: hiue
beehive-shaped head-covering
LC.8
Which fortified her visage from the Sunne, Which fortified her visage from the Sun, visage (n.)
face, countenance
LC.9
Whereon the thought might thinke sometime it saw Whereon the thought might think sometime it saw  LC.10
The carkas of a beauty spent and donne, The carcass of a beauty spent and done,  LC.11
Time had not sithed all that youth begun, Time had not scythed all that youth begun,  LC.12
Nor youth all quit, but spight of heauens fell rage, Nor youth all quit, but spite of heaven's fell rage, fell (adj.)
cruel, fierce, savage
LC.13
Some beauty peept, through lettice of sear'd age. Some beauty peeped, through lattice of seared age. seared (adj.)

old form: sear'd
withered, wilting, declining
LC.14
Oft did she heaue her Napkin to her eyne, Oft did she heave her napkin to her eyne, eyne (n.)
[archaism] eyes
LC.15
napkin (n.)
handkerchief
oft (adv.)
often
Which on it had conceited charecters: Which on it had conceited characters: conceited (adj.)
ingenious, clever, well-devised
LC.16
character (n.)

old form: charecters
shape, emblem
Laundring the silken figures in the brine, Laund'ring the silken figures in the brine, brine (n.)
salt water [i.e. tears]
LC.17
launder (v.)

old form: Laundring
wash, bathe
That seasoned woe had pelleted in teares, That seasoned woe had pelleted in tears, pellet (v.)
hit [as if with pellets], pelt
LC.18
seasoned (adj.)
established, settled, mature
And often reading what contents it beares: And often reading what contents it bears: bear (v.), past forms bore, borne

old form: beares
keep, present, show
LC.19
As often shriking vndistinguisht wo, As often shrieking undistinguished woe, undistinguished (adj.)

old form: vndistinguisht
indistinct, confused, inarticulate
LC.20
In clamours of all size both high and low. In clamours of all size both high and low.  LC.21
Some-times her leueld eyes their carriage ride, Sometimes her levelled eyes their carriage ride, levelled (adj.)

old form: leueld
targetted, directed, aimed
LC.22
As they did battry to the spheres intend: As they did batt'ry to the spheres intend: sphere (n.)
star, planet
LC.23
Sometime diuerted their poore balls are tide, Sometimes diverted their poor balls are tied  LC.24
To th'orbed earth ;sometimes they do extend, To th' orbed earth; sometimes they do extend orbed (adj.)
rounded, orb-like, spherical
LC.25
Their view right on, anon their gases lend, Their view right on; anon their gazes lend anon (adv.)
soon, shortly, presently
LC.26
right on
straight out, without art
To euery place at once and no where fixt, To every place at once and no where fixed,  LC.27
The mind and sight distractedly commxit. The mind and sight distractedly commixed. commix (v.)

old form: commxit
mix together, mingle, combine
LC.28
distractedly (adv.)
disjointedly, erratically, with agitation
Her haire nor loose nor ti'd in formall plat, Her hair nor loose nor tied in formal plait,  LC.29
Proclaimd in her a carelesse hand of pride; Proclaimed in her a careless hand of pride;  LC.30
For some vntuck'd descended her sheu'd hat, For some untucked descended her sheaved hat, sheaved (adj.)

old form: sheu'd
made of straw; gathered up like a sheaf
LC.31
Hanging her pale and pined cheeke beside, Hanging her pale and pined cheek beside, pined (adj.)
made thin with grief, wasted away with sorrow
LC.32
Some in her threeden fillet still did bide, Some in her threaden fillet still did bide, bide (v.)
remain, persist, continue in being
LC.33
threaden (adj.)

old form: threeden
made of linen thread
fillet (n.)
headband
And trew to bondage would not breake from thence, And true to bondage would not break from thence,  LC.34
Though slackly braided in loose negligence. Though slackly braided in loose negligence.  LC.35
A thousand fauours from a maund she drew, A thousand favours from a maund she drew, maund (n.)
wicker basket
LC.36
favour (n.)

old form: fauours
mark of favour, gift, token [often a love-token]
Of amber christall and of bedded Iet, Of amber crystal and of bedded jet, bedded (adj.)
smoothed, dressed; or: fixed in a setting
LC.37
Which one by one she in a riuer threw, Which one by one she in a river threw,  LC.38
Vpon whose weeping margent she was set, Upon whose weeping margent she was set, margent (n.)
margin, edge, border
LC.39
set (adj.)
seated, sitting down
Like vsery applying wet to wet, Like usury applying wet to wet,  LC.40
Or Monarches hands that lets not bounty fall, Or monarch's hands that lets not bounty fall bounty (n.)
great generosity, gracious liberality, munificence
LC.41
Where want cries some; but where excesse begs all. Where want cries some, but where excess begs all. cry (v.)
beg, entreat, implore
LC.42
Of folded schedulls had she many a one, Of folded schedules had she many a one, schedule (n.)

old form: schedulls
document, paper, scroll
LC.43
Which she perus'd, sighd, tore and gaue the flud, Which she perused, sighed, tore and gave the flood, flood (n.)

old form: flud
river, stream, rushing water
LC.44
Crackt many a ring of Posied gold and bone, Cracked many a ring of posied gold and bone, posied (adj.)
inscribed with a motto
LC.45
Bidding them find their Sepulchers in mud, Bidding them find their sepulchres in mud,  LC.46
Found yet mo letters sadly pend in blood, Found yet mo letters sadly penned in blood, mo, moe (adj.)
more [in number]
LC.47
With sleided silke, feate and affectedly With sleided silk, feat and affectedly affectedly (adv.)
fancifully, artificially, intricately
LC.48
sleded, sleided (adj.)

old form: sleided
finely divided, filamented
feat (adv.)

old form: feate
neatly, prettily, elegantly
Enswath'd and seald to curious secrecy. Enswathed and sealed to curious secrecy. curious (adj.)
finely made, skilfully wrought, elaborate
LC.49
enswathe (v.)

old form: Enswath'd
tie up, bind together
These often bath'd she in her fluxiue eies, These often bathed she in her fluxive eyes, fluxive (adj.)

old form: fluxiue
flowing, streaming, tearful
LC.50
And often kist, and often gaue to teare, And often kissed, and often gave to tear,  LC.51
Cried O false blood thou register of lies, Cried ‘ O false blood thou register of lies, register (n.)
record, catalogue, inventory
LC.52
false (adj.)
treacherous, traitorous, perfidious
What vnapproued witnes doost thou beare! What unapproved witness dost thou bear!  LC.53
Inke would haue seem'd more blacke and damned heare! Ink would have seemed more black and damned here!’  LC.54
This said in top of rage the lines she rents, This said, in top of rage the lines she rents, top / tops of, in (prep.)
at the highest level of, at the peak of, in the forefront of
LC.55
Big discontent, so breaking their contents. Big discontent, so breaking their contents.  LC.56
A reuerend man that graz'd his cattell ny, A reverend man that grazed his cattle nigh, reverend (adj.)

old form: reuerend
revered, worthy, respected
LC.57
Sometime a blusterer that the ruffle knew Sometime a blusterer that the ruffle knew blusterer (n.)
braggart, boaster, swaggerer
LC.58
sometime (adv.)
formerly, at one time, once
ruffle (n.)
hustle-and-bustle, flurry, excitement
Of Court of Cittie, and had let go by Of Court, of City, and had let go by  LC.59
The swiftest houres obserued as they flew, The swiftest hours observed as they flew,  LC.60
Towards this afflicted fancy fastly drew: Towards this afflicted fancy fastly drew: fancy (n.)
sweetheart, love, lover
LC.61
fastly (adv.)
readily, quickly
And priuiledg'd by age desires to know And privileged by age desires to know  LC.62
In breefe the grounds and motiues of her wo. In brief the grounds and motives of her woe.  LC.63
So slides he downe vppon his greyned bat; So slides he down upon his grained bat; bat (n.)
cudgel, staff, stick
LC.64
grained (adj.)

old form: greyned
straight-grained, tough, strong
And comely distant sits he by her side, And comely distant sits he by her side, comely (adv.)
gracefully, fittingly, decorously
LC.65
When hee againe desires her, being satte, When he again desires her, being sat,  LC.66
Her greeuance with his hearing to deuide: Her grievance with his hearing to divide: divide (v.)

old form: deuide
share out, distribute, apportion
LC.67
grievance (n.)

old form: greeuance
distress, suffering, pain
If that from him there may be ought applied If that from him there may be ought applied  LC.68
Which may her suffering extasie asswage Which may her suffering ecstasy assuage ecstasy (n.)

old form: extasie
emotion, state of mind, feeling
LC.69
Tis promist in the charitie of age. 'Tis promised in the charity of age.  LC.70
Father she saies, though in mee you beholdFather,’ she says, ‘ though in me you behold father (n.)
old man, venerable sir
LC.71
The iniury of many a blasting houre; The injury of many a blasting hour, blasting (adj.)
blighting, withering, destructive
LC.72
Let it not tell your Iudgement I am old, Let it not tell your judgement I am old;  LC.73
Not age, but sorrow, ouer me hath power; Not age, but sorrow, over me hath power;  LC.74
I might as yet haue bene a spreading flower I might as yet have been a spreading flower yet, as yet (adv.)
still
LC.75
Fresh to my selfe, if I had selfe applyed Fresh to myself, If I had self applied  LC.76
Loue to my selfe, and to no Loue beside. Love to myself, and to no love beside.  LC.77
But wo is mee, too early I atttended ‘ But woe is me, too early I attended attend (v.)
listen [to], pay attention [to]
LC.78
A youthfull suit it was to gaine my grace; A youthful suit it was to gain my grace; suit (n.)
wooing, courtship
LC.79
O one by natures outwards so commended, O one by nature's outwards so commended, commend (v.)
show well, set off to advantage
LC.80
outward (n.)
outward show, external appearance, demeanour
That maidens eyes stucke ouer all his face, That maidens' eyes stuck over all his face,  LC.81
Loue lackt a dwelling and made him her place. Love lacked a dwelling and made him her place,  LC.82
And when in his faire parts shee didde abide, And when in his fair parts she did abide, part (n.)
quality, attribute, gift, accomplishment [of mind or body]
LC.83
Shee was new lodg'd and newly Deified. She was new lodged and newly deified.  LC.84
His browny locks did hang in crooked curles, ‘ His browny locks did hang in crooked curls, browny (adj.)
brownish
LC.85
crooked (adj.)
curling, twisting
And euery light occasion of the wind And every light occasion of the wind occasion (n.)
occurrence, action, manifestation
LC.86
Vpon his lippes their silken parcels hurles, Upon his lips their silken parcels hurls, parcel (n.)
part, piece, portion, bit
LC.87
Whats sweet to do, to do wil aptly find, What's sweet to do, to do will aptly find, aptly (adv.)
easily, readily
LC.88
Each eye that saw him did inchaunt the minde: Each eye that saw him did enchant the mind: enchant (v.)

old form: inchaunt
charm, bewitch, win over
LC.89
For on his visage was in little drawne, For on his visage was in little drawn visage (n.)
face, countenance
LC.90
little, in
on a small scale, in miniature
What largenesse thinkes in parradise was sawne. What largeness thinks in paradise was sawn.  LC.91
Smal shew of man was yet vpon his chinne, ‘ Small show of man was yet upon his chin, show (n.)

old form: shew
appearance, exhibition, display
LC.92
His phenix downe began but to appeare His phoenix down began but to appear phoenix (adj.)

old form: phenix
[unclear meaning] rare, matchless, beautiful
LC.93
Like vnshorne veluet, on that termlesse skin Like unshorn velvet, on that termless skin termless (adj.)

old form: termlesse
indescribable, beyond words
LC.94
Whose bare out-brag'd the web it seem'd to were. Whose bare out-bragged the web it seemed to wear. bare (n.)
bareness, unadorned state
LC.95
out-brag (v.)

old form: out-brag'd
surpass in beauty, excel in pride
Yet shewed his visage by that cost more deare, Yet showed his visage by that cost more dear,  LC.96
And nice affections wauering stood in doubt And nice affections wavering stood in doubt affection (n.)
disposition, character, state of mind
LC.97
nice (adj.)
fine, precise, particular, subtle
If best were as it was, or best without. If best were as it was, or best without.  LC.98
His qualities were beautious as his forme, ‘ His qualities were beauteous as his form,  LC.99
For maiden tongu'd he was and thereof free; For maiden-tongued he was, and thereof free;  LC.100
Yet if men mou'd him, was he such a storme Yet if men moved him, was he such a storm move (v.)

old form: mou'd
arouse, affect, stir [by emotion]
LC.101
As oft twixt May and Aprill is to see, As oft twixt May and April is to see, oft (adv.)
often
LC.102
When windes breath sweet, vnruly though they bee. When winds breathe sweet, untidy though they be.  LC.103
His rudenesse so with his authoriz'd youth, His rudeness so with his authorized youth rudeness (n.)

old form: rudenesse
violent action, forceful strength
LC.104
Did liuery falsenesse in a pride of truth. Did livery falseness in a pride of truth. livery (v.)

old form: liuery
array in a livery, dress up
LC.105
Wel could hee ride, and often men would say ‘ Well could he ride, and often men would say  LC.106
That horse his mettell from his rider takes That horse his mettle from his rider takes,  LC.107
Proud of subiection, noble by the swaie, Proud of subjection, noble by the sway, sway (n.)

old form: swaie
controlling influence, guiding power, direction
LC.108
What rounds, what bounds, what course what stop he makes What rounds, what bounds, what course, what stop he makes;  LC.109
And controuersie hence a question takes, And controversy hence a question takes,  LC.110
Whether the horse by him became his deed, Whether the horse by him became his deed, become (v.)
grace, honour, dignify
LC.111
Or he his mannad'g, by'th wel doing Steed. Or he his manage, by th' well doing steed. manage (n.)

old form: mannad'g
management, handling, control [especially of a horse, as a result of training]
LC.112
But quickly on this side the verdict went, ‘ But quickly on this side the verdict went,  LC.113
His reall habitude gaue life and grace His real habitude gave life and grace habitude (n.)
character, disposition, temperament
LC.114
To appertainings and to ornament, To appertainings and to ornament, appertainings (n.)
trappings, belongings, appurtenances
LC.115
Accomplisht in him-selfe not in his case: Accomplished in himself not in his case:  LC.116
All ayds them-selues made fairer by their place, All aids themselves made fairer by their place,  LC.117
Can for addicions, yet their purpos'd trimme Can for additions, yet their purposed trim trim (n.)

old form: trimme
display, array, show
LC.118
purposed (adj.)

old form: purpos'd
proposed, intended, contemplated
Peec'd not his grace but were al grac'd by him. Pieced not his grace but were all graced by him. piece (v.)

old form: Peec'd
add to, join to, augment
LC.119
So on the tip of his subduing tongue ‘ So on the tip of his subduing tongue  LC.120
All kinde of arguments and question deepe, All kinds of arguments and question deep,  LC.121
Al replication prompt, and reason strong All replication prompt, and reason strong replication (n.)
reply, answer, response
LC.122
For his aduantage still did wake and sleep, For his advantage still did wake and sleep,  LC.123
To make the weeper laugh, the laugher weepe: To make the weeper laugh, the laugher weep,  LC.124
He had the dialect and different skil, He had the dialect and different skill,  LC.125
Catching al passions in his craft of will. Catching all passions in his craft of will.  LC.126
That hee didde in the general bosome raigne ‘ That he did in the general bosom reign bosom (n.)

old form: bosome
warm-heartedness, tender affection
LC.127
Of young, of old, and sexes both inchanted, Of young, of old, and sexes both enchanted,  LC.128
To dwel with him in thoughts, or to remaine To dwell with him in thoughts, or to remain  LC.129
In personal duty, following where he haunted, In personal duty, following where he haunted,  LC.130
Consent's bewitcht, ere he desire haue granted, Consent's bewitched, ere he desire have granted,  LC.131
And dialogu'd for him what he would say, And dialogued for him what he would say, dialogue (v.)

old form: dialogu'd
express as a dialogue, provide a conversation
LC.132
Askt their own wils and made their wils obey. Asked their own wills and made their wills obey.  LC.133
Many there were that did his picture gette ‘Many there were that did his picture get  LC.134
To serue their eies, and in it put their mind, To serve their eyes, and in it put their mind,  LC.135
Like fooles that in th' imagination set Like fools that in th' imagination set  LC.136
The goodly obiects which abroad they find The goodly objects which abroad they find abroad (adv.)
in the outside world, freely at large, elsewhere, everywhere
LC.137
goodly (adj.)
splendid, excellent, fine
Of lands and mansions, theirs in thought assign'd, Of lands and mansions, theirs in thought assigned,  LC.138
And labouring in moe pleasures to bestow them, And labouring in mo pleasures to bestow them mo, moe (adj.)
more [in number]
LC.139
Then the true gouty Land-lord which doth owe them. Than the true gouty landlord which doth owe them. owe (v.)
own, possess, have
LC.140
So many haue that neuer toucht his hand ‘ So many have that never touched his hand  LC.141
Sweetly suppos'd them mistresse of his heart: Sweetly supposed them mistress of his heart:  LC.142
My wofull selfe that did in freedome stand, My woeful self that did in freedom stand,  LC.143
And was my owne fee simple (not in part) And was my own fee-simple (not in part) fee-simple, fee simple (n.)
private estate [belonging to the owner and his heirs for ever]; permanent lease, full possession
LC.144
What with his art in youth and youth in art What with his art in youth and youth in art art (n.)
accomplishment, achievement, skill
LC.145
Threw my affections in his charmed power, Threw my affections in his charmed power, charmed (adj.)
bewitching, spellbinding, enchanting
LC.146
Reseru'd the stalke and gaue him al my flower. Reserved the stalk and gave him all my flower.  LC.147
Yet did I not as some my equals did ‘ Yet did I not as some my equals did  LC.148
Demaund of him, nor being desired yeelded, Demand of him, nor being desired yielded,;  LC.149
Finding my selfe in honour so forbidde, Finding myself in honour so forbid,  LC.150
With safest distance I mine honour sheelded, With safest distance I mine honour shielded,  LC.151
Experience for me many bulwarkes builded Experience for me many bulwarks builded  LC.152
Of proofs new bleeding which remaind the foile Of proofs new bleeding, which remained the foil foil (n.)

old form: foile
setting, background which sets something off to advantage [as dull metal sets off a gem]
LC.153
Of this false Iewell, and his amorous spoile. Of this false jewel, and his amorous spoil. spoil (n.)

old form: spoile
plunder, booty
LC.154
false (adj.)
sham, spurious, not genuine, artificial
But ah who euer shun'd by precedent, ‘ But, ah, who ever shunned by precedent  LC.155
The destin'd ill she must her selfe assay, The destined ill she must herself assay, assay (v.)
try, test the mettle of, put to the proof
LC.156
ill (n.)
wrong, injury, harm, evil
Or forc'd examples gainst her owne content Or forced examples 'gainst her own content  LC.157
To put the by-past perrils in her way? To put the by-past perils in her way? by-past (adj.)
former, elapsed, previous
LC.158
Counsaile may stop a while what will not stay: Counsel may stop a while what will not stay:  LC.159
For when we rage, aduise is often seene For when we rage, advice is often seen  LC.160
By blunting vs to make our wits more keene. By blunting us to make our wits more keen. wits, also five wits
faculties of the mind (common wit, imagination, fantasy, estimation, memory) or body (the five senses)
LC.161
Nor giues it satisfaction to our blood, ‘ Nor gives it satisfaction to our blood, blood (n.)
passion, feeling, strong emotion [especially sexual]
LC.162
That wee must curbe it vppon others proofe, That we must curb it upon others' proof, proof (n.)

old form: proofe
test, trial
LC.163
To be forbod the sweets that seemes so good, To be forbid the sweets that seems so good,  LC.164
For feare of harmes that preach in our behoofe; For fear of harms that preach in our behoof; behoof (n.)

old form: behoofe
benefit, advantage
LC.165
O appetite from iudgement stand aloofe! O appetite from judgement stand aloof! appetite (n.)
sexual desire, passion
LC.166
The one a pallate hath that needs will taste, The one a palate hath that needs will taste,  LC.167
Though reason weepe and cry it is thy last. Though reason weep, and cry it is thy last.  LC.168
For further I could say this mans vntrue, ‘ For further I could say this man's untrue, untrue (adj.)

old form: vntrue
false, deceptive, deceiving
LC.169
And knew the patternes of his foule beguiling, And knew the patterns of his foul beguiling, beguiling (n.)
deception, deceit, trickery
LC.170
Heard where his plants in others Orchards grew, Heard where his plants in others' orchards grew,  LC.171
Saw how deceits were guilded in his smiling, Saw how deceits were gilded in his smiling,  LC.172
Knew vowes, were euer brokers to defiling, Knew vows were ever brokers to defiling, broker, broker-between (n.)
go-between, intermediary, agent
LC.173
Thought Characters and words meerly but art, Thought characters and words merely but art, art (n.)
artifice, artificial conduct; or: wile, trick
LC.174
character (n.)
letter, letter-shape, graphic symbol
merely (adv.)

old form: meerly
only, nothing more than
And bastards of his foule adulterat heart. And bastards of his foul adulterate heart.  LC.175
And long vpon these termes I held my Citty, ‘ And long upon these terms I held my City,  LC.176
Till thus hee gan besiege me :Gentle maid Till thus he 'gan besiege me: Gentle maid, gentle (adj.)
courteous, friendly, kind
LC.177
'gan, can (v.)
began
Haue of my suffering youth some feeling pitty Have of my suffering youth some feeling pity  LC.178
And be not of my holy vowes affraid, And be not of my holy vows afraid,  LC.179
Thats to ye sworne to none was euer said, That's to ye sworn to none was ever said,  LC.180
For feasts of loue I haue bene call'd vnto For feasts of love I have been called unto,  LC.181
Till now did nere inuite nor neuer vow. Till now did ne'er invite nor never vow.  LC.182
All my offences that abroad you see ‘ All my offences that abroad you see abroad (adv.)
in the outside world, freely at large, elsewhere, everywhere
LC.183
Are errors of the blood none of the mind: Are errors of the blood, none of the mind: blood (n.)
passion, feeling, strong emotion [especially sexual]
LC.184
Loue made them not, with acture they may be, Love made them not, with acture they may be, acture (n.)
action, performance, process of acting
LC.185
Where neither Party is nor trew nor kind, Where neither party is nor true nor kind,  LC.186
They sought their shame that so their shame did find, They sought their shame that so their shame did find,  LC.187
And so much lesse of shame in me remaines, And so much less of shame in me remains,  LC.188
By how much of me their reproch containes, By how much of me their reproach contains.  LC.189
Among the many that mine eyes haue seene, ‘ Among the many that mine eyes have seen,  LC.190
Not one whose flame my hart so much as warmed, Not one whose flame my heart so much as warmed,  LC.191
Or my affection put to th, smallest teene, Or my affection put to th' smallest teen, affection (n.)
fancy, inclination, desire
LC.192
teen (n.)

old form: teene
trouble, grief, suffering
Or any of my leisures euer Charmed, Or any of my leisures ever charmed,  LC.193
Harme haue I done to them but nere was harmed, Harm have I done to them but ne'er was harmed,  LC.194
Kept hearts in liueries, but mine owne was free, Kept hearts in liveries, but mine own was free, livery (n.)

old form: liueries
service, following, entourage
LC.195
And raignd commaunding in his monarchy. And reigned commanding in his monarchy.  LC.196
Looke heare what tributes wounded fancies sent me, ‘ Look here what tributes wounded fancies sent me, fancy (n.)
sweetheart, love, lover
LC.197
Of palyd pearles and rubies red as blood: Of paled pearls and rubies red as blood:; paled (adj.)

old form: palyd
pale, white, colourless
LC.198
Figuring that they their passions likewise lent me Figuring that they their passions likewise lent me passion (n.)
powerful feeling, overpowering emotion [often opposed to ‘reason’]
LC.199
figure (v.)
symbolize, represent, portray
Of greefe and blushes, aptly vnderstood Of grief and blushes, aptly understood  LC.200
In bloodlesse white, and the encrimson'd mood, In bloodless white, and the encrimsoned mood, encrimsoned (adj.)

old form: encrimson'd
dyed crimson, made bright red
LC.201
Effects of terror and deare modesty, Effects of terror and dear modesty,  LC.202
Encampt in hearts but fighting outwardly. Encamped in hearts but fighting outwardly.  LC.203
And Lo behold these tallents of their heir, ‘ And lo, behold these talents of their hair, talent (n.)

old form: tallents
[unclear meaning] wealth, treasure, riches
LC.204
With twisted mettle amorously empleacht With twisted metal amorously empleached empleached, impleached (adj.)

old form: empleacht
entwined, intertwined, interwoven
LC.205
I haue receau'd from many a seueral faire, I have received from many a several fair, several (adj.)

old form: seueral
separate, different, distinct
LC.206
fair (n.)

old form: faire
fair face, beauty
Their kind acceptance, wepingly beseecht, Their kind acceptance, weepingly beseeched, weepingly (adv.)

old form: wepingly
tearfully, with many tears
LC.207
With th'annexions of faire gems inricht, With th' annexions of fair gems enriched, annexion (n.)
addition, attachment, supplement
LC.208
And deepe brain'd sonnets that did amplifie And deep brained sonnets that did amplify  LC.209
Each stones deare Nature, worth and quallity. Each stone's dear Nature, worth and quality.  LC.210
The Diamond? why twas beautifull and hard, ‘ The diamond? why, 'twas beautiful and hard,  LC.211
Whereto his inuis'd properties did tend, Whereto his invised properties did tend, invised (adj.)

old form: inuis'd
hidden, unseen, invisible
LC.212
The deepe greene Emrald in whose fresh regard, The deep green em'rald, in whose fresh regard  LC.213
Weake sights their sickly radience do amend. Weak sights their sickly radiance do amend, amend (v.)
cure, heal, improve
LC.214
The heauen hewd Saphir and the Opall blend The heaven hued sapphire and the opal blend blend (adj.)
blended, mingled, intermixed
LC.215
With obiects manyfold; each seuerall stone, With objects manifold; each several stone, several (adj.)

old form: seuerall
various, sundry, respective, individual
LC.216
With wit well blazond smil'd or made some mone.With wit well blazoned, smiled or made some moan. blazoned (adj.)

old form: blazond
painted, adorned, depicted
LC.217
wit (n.)
mental sharpness, acumen, quickness, ingenuity
moan (n.)

old form: mone
grief, lamentation, sorrow, complaint
Lo all these trophies of affections hot, ‘ Lo, all these trophies of affections hot, affection (n.)
desire, passion, lustful feeling
LC.218
trophy (n.)
token of victory, evidence of valour
hot (adj.)
enthusiastic, ardent, eager, keen
Of pensiu'd and subdew'd desires the tender, Of pensived and subdued desires the tender, tender (n.)
offer, offering
LC.219
pensived (adj.)

old form: pensiu'd
[unclear meaning] pensive, reflective; melancholic; apprehensive
Nature hath chargd me that I hoord them not, Nature hath charged me that I hoard them not, charge (v.)

old form: chargd
order, command, enjoin
LC.220
But yeeld them vp where I my selfe must render: But yield them up where I myself must render: render (v.)
give up, surrender, yield
LC.221
That is to you my origin and ender: That is to you my origin and ender:  LC.222
For these of force must your oblations be, For these of force must your oblations be, oblation (n.)
offering, gift
LC.223
Since I their Aulter, you enpatrone me. Since I their altar, you enpatron me. enpatron (v.)

old form: enpatrone
make a patron of, have under one's patronage
LC.224
Oh then aduance (of yours) that phraseles hand, ‘ Oh then advance (of yours) that phraseless hand, phraseless (adj.)

old form: phraseles
lacking language to describe
LC.225
Whose white weighes downe the airy scale of praise, Whose white weighs down the airy scale of praise,  LC.226
Take all these similies to your owne command, Take all these similes to your own command,  LC.227
Hollowed with sighes that burning lunges did raise: Hallowed with sighs that burning lungs did raise;  LC.228
What me your minister for you obaies What me your minister for you obeys  LC.229
Workes vnder you, and to your audit comes Works under you, and to your audit comes audit (n.)
account, reckoning [especially: in the face of God]
LC.230
Their distract parcells, in combined summes. Their distract parcels, in combined sums. distract (adj.)
divided, separated, scattered
LC.231
parcel (n.)

old form: parcells
part, piece, portion, bit
Lo this deuice was sent me from a Nun, ‘ Lo, this device was sent me from a Nun, device (n.)

old form: deuice
skilful piece of work
LC.232
Or Sister sanctified of holiest note, Or Sister sanctified of holiest note, note (n.)
reputation, distinction, standing
LC.233
sanctified (adj.)
consecrated, holy
Which late her noble suit in court did shun, Which late her noble suit in court did shun, suit (n.)
wooing, courtship
LC.234
suit (n.)
court attendance, personal retinue
Whose rarest hauings made the blossoms dote, Whose rarest havings made the blossoms dote, rare (adj.)
marvellous, splendid, excellent
LC.235
having (n.)

old form: hauings
accomplishment, quality, gift
For she was sought by spirits of ritchest cote, For she was sought by spirits of richest coat, coat (n.)

old form: cote
coat-of-arms
LC.236
But kept cold distance, and did thence remoue, But kept cold distance, and did thence remove,  LC.237
To spend her liuing in eternall loue. To spend her living in eternal love.  LC.238
But oh my sweet what labour ist to leaue, ‘ But oh my sweet, what labour is't to leave  LC.239
The thing we haue not, mastring what not striues, The thing we have not, mast'ring what not strives,  LC.240
Playing the Place which did no forme receiue, Playing the place which did no form receive,  LC.241
Playing patient sports in vnconstraind giues, Playing patient sports in unconstrained gyves, sport (n.)
recreation, amusement, entertainment
LC.242
gyve (n.)
(plural) fetters, shackles
She that her fame so to her selfe contriues, She that her fame so to herself contrives,  LC.243
The scarres of battaile scapeth by the flight, The scars of battle 'scapeth by the flight, scape, 'scape (v.)

old form: scapeth
escape, avoid
LC.244
And makes her absence valiant, not her might. And makes her absence valiant, not her might.  LC.245
Oh pardon me in that my boast is true, ‘ Oh pardon me in that my boast is true,  LC.246
The accident which brought me to her eie, The accident which brought me to her eye,  LC.247
Vpon the moment did her force subdewe, Upon the moment did her force subdue,  LC.248
And now she would the caged cloister flie: And now she would the caged cloister fly:  LC.249
Religious loue put out religions eye: Religious love put out religion's eye:  LC.250
Not to be tempted would she be enur'd, Not to be tempted would she be enured, enure, inure (v.)

old form: enur'd
accustom, habituate, adapt
LC.251
And now to tempt all liberty procure. And now to tempt all liberty procured.  LC.252
How mightie then you are, Oh heare me tell, ‘ How mighty then you are, Oh, hear me tell,  LC.253
The broken bosoms that to me belong, The broken bosoms that to me belong bosom (n.)
heart, inner person
LC.254
Haue emptied all their fountaines in my well: Have emptied all their fountains in my well:  LC.255
And mine I powre your Ocean all amonge: And mine I pour your Ocean all among:  LC.256
I strong ore them and you ore me being strong, I strong o'er them and you o'er me being strong,  LC.257
Must for your victorie vs all congest, Must for your victory us all congest, congest (v.)
collect, gather, bring together
LC.258
As compound loue to phisick your cold brest. As compound love to physic your cold breast. physic (v.)

old form: phisick
cure, correct, dose with medicine
LC.259
My parts had powre to charme a sacred Sunne, ‘ My parts had power to charm a sacred Sun, part (n.)
quality, attribute, gift, accomplishment [of mind or body]
LC.260
Who disciplin'd I dieted in grace, Who disciplined I dieted in grace, discipline (v.)

old form: disciplin'd
teach, train, instruct
LC.261
Beleeu'd her eies, when they t' assaile begun, Believed her eyes, when they t' assail begun,  LC.262
All vowes and consecrations giuing place: All vows and consecrations giving place: place (n.)
way, room
LC.263
O most potentiall loue, vowe, bond, nor space O most potential love, vow, bond, nor space  LC.264
In thee hath neither sting, knot, nor confine In thee hath neither sting, knot, nor confine confine (n.)
confinement, restraint, limitation
LC.265
For thou art all and all things els are thine. For thou art all and all things else are thine.  LC.266
When thou impressest what are precepts worth ‘ When thou impressest, what are precepts worth  LC.267
Of stale example? when thou wilt inflame, Of stale example? when thou wilt inflame, example (n.)
precedent, parallel case
LC.268
stale (adj.)
ancient, long-standing, antiquated
How coldly those impediments stand forth How coldly those impediments stand forth  LC.269
Of wealth of filliall feare, lawe, kindred fame, Of wealth, of filial fear, law, kindred fame,  LC.270
Loues armes are peace, gainst rule, gainst sence, gainst shame Love's arms are peace, 'gainst rule, 'gainst sense, 'gainst shame  LC.271
And sweetens in the suffring pangues it beares, And sweetens in the suff'ring pangs it bears,  LC.272
The Alloes of all forces, shockes and feares. The aloes of all forces, shocks and fears. aloe (n.)

old form: Alloes
bitterness, painful experience
LC.273
Now all these hearts that doe on mine depend, ‘ Now all these hearts that do on mine depend,  LC.274
Feeling it breake, with bleeding groanes they pine, Feeling it break, with bleeding groans they pine,  LC.275
And supplicant their sighes to you extend And supplicant their sighs to you extend  LC.276
To leaue the battrie that you make gainst mine, To leave the batt'ry that you make 'gainst mine,  LC.277
Lending soft audience, to my sweet designe, Lending soft audience, to my sweet design, audience (n.)
hearing, attention, reception
LC.278
And credent soule, to that strong bonded oth, And credent soul, to that strong bonded oath, credent (adj.)
trustful, believing, credulous
LC.279
That shall preferre and vndertake my troth. That shall prefer and undertake my troth. troth (n.)
truth, good faith
LC.280
prefer (v.)

old form: preferre
promote, advance, recommend
This said, his watrie eies he did dismount, ‘ This said, his wat'ry eyes he did dismount, dismount (v.)
lower, cast down
LC.281
Whose sightes till then were leaueld on my face, Whose sights till then were levell'd on my face, level (v.)

old form: leaueld
aim, direct, target
LC.282
Each cheeke a riuer running from a fount, Each cheek a river running from a fount,  LC.283
With brynish currant downe-ward flowed a pace: With brinish current downward flowed a pace: brinish (adj.)

old form: brynish
salt, bitter
LC.284
Oh how the channell to the streame gaue grace! Oh how the channel to the stream gave grace!  LC.285
Who glaz'd with Christall gate the glowing Roses, Who glazed with crystal gate the glowing roses,  LC.286
That flame through water which their hew incloses, That flame through water which their hue encloses.  LC.287
Oh father, what a hell of witch-craft lies, ‘ O father, what a hell of witchcraft lies  LC.288
In the small orb of one perticular teare? In the small orb of one particular tear?  LC.289
But with the invndation of the eies: But with the inundation of the eyes,  LC.290
What rocky heart to water will not weare?What rocky heart to water will not wear. water (n.)
tears
LC.291
wear (v.)

old form: weare
fashion, adapt, conform
What brest so cold that is not warmed heare, What breast so cold that is not warmed here,  LC.292
Or cleft effect, cold modesty hot wrath: Or cleft effect, cold modesty, hot wrath:  LC.293
Both fire from hence, and chill extincture hath. Both fire from hence, and chill extincture hath. extincture (n.)
extinction, quenching
LC.294
For loe his passion but an art of craft, ‘ For lo, his passion but an art of craft, passion (n.)
powerful feeling, overpowering emotion [often opposed to ‘reason’]
LC.295
Euen there resolu'd my reason into teares, Even there resolved my reason into tears, resolve (v.)

old form: resolu'd
melt, dissolve, transform
LC.296
There my white stole of chastity I daft, There my white stole of chastity I daft, daff (v.), past form daft

old form: daft
take off, throw off
LC.297
Shooke off my sober gardes, and ciuill feares, Shook off my sober guards, and civil fears,  LC.298
Appeare to him as he to me appeares: Appear to him as he to me appears:  LC.299
All melting, though our drops this diffrence bore, All melting, though our drops this diff'rence bore,  LC.300
His poison'd me, and mine did him restore. His poisoned me, and mine did him restore.  LC.301
In him a plenitude of subtle matter, ‘ In him a plenitude of subtle matter,  LC.302
Applied to Cautills, all straing formes receiues, Applied to cautels, all strange forms receives, cautel (n.)

old form: Cautills
deceit, trickery, cunning
LC.303
Of burning blushes, or of weeping water, Of burning blushes, or of weeping water,  LC.304
Or sounding palenesse: and he takes and leaues, Or swooning paleness: and he takes and leaves,  LC.305
In eithers aptnesse as it best deceiues: In either's aptness as it best deceives:  LC.306
To blush at speeches ranck, to weepe at woes To blush at speeches rank, to weep at woes rank (adj.)

old form: ranck
gross, outlandish, coarse
LC.307
Or to turne white and sound at tragick showes. Or to turn white and sound at tragic shows. sound (v.)
swoon, faint, pass out
LC.308
show (n.)

old form: showes
spectacle, display, ceremony
That not a heart which in his leuell came, ‘ That not a heart which in his level came level (n.)

old form: leuell
[archery] direct aim, target, range
LC.309
Could scape the haile of his all hurting ayme, Could 'scape the hail of his all-hurting aim, scape, 'scape (v.)
escape, avoid
LC.310
Shewing faire Nature is both kinde and tame: Showing fair Nature is both kind and tame:  LC.311
And vaild in them did winne whom he would maime, And veiled in them did win whom he would maim,  LC.312
Against the thing he sought, he would exclaime, Against the thing he sought, he would exclaim,  LC.313
When he most burnt in hart-wisht luxurie, When he most burnt in heart-wished luxury, luxury (n.)

old form: luxurie
lust, lechery, lasciviousness
LC.314
He preacht pure maide, and praisd cold chastitie. He preached pure maid, and praised cold chastity.  LC.315
Thus meerely with the garment of a grace, ‘ Thus merely with the garment of a grace, merely (adv.)

old form: meerely
completely, totally, entirely
LC.316
The naked and concealed feind he couerd, The naked and concealed fiend he covered,  LC.317
That th'vnexperient gaue the tempter place, That th' unexperient gave the tempter place, unexperient (n.)

old form: vnexperient
inexperienced person, innocent
LC.318
place (n.)
way, room
Which like a Cherubin aboue them houerd, Which like a cherubin above them hovered, cherubin (n.)
celestial being, heavenly beauty
LC.319
Who young and simple would not be so louerd. Who young and simple would not be so lovered. lovered (adj.)

old form: louerd
provided with a lover
LC.320
Aye me I fell, and yet do question make, Ay me, I fell, and yet do question make,  LC.321
What I should doe againe for such a sake. What I should do again for such a sake.  LC.322
O that infected moysture of his eye, ‘ O that infected moisture of his eye, infected (adj.)
affected, artificial, put on
LC.323
O that false fire which in his cheeke so glowd: O that false fire which in his cheek so glowed: false (adj.)
sham, spurious, not genuine, artificial
LC.324
O that forc'd thunder from his heart did flye, O that forced thunder from his heart did fly,  LC.325
O that sad breath his spungie lungs bestowed, O that sad breath his spongy lungs bestowed, sad (adj.)
serious, grave, solemn
LC.326
O all that borrowed motion seeming owed, O all that borrowed motion seeming owed, owe (v.)
own, possess, have
LC.327
seeming (adv.)
seemingly, becomingly
Would yet againe betray the fore-betrayed, Would yet again betray the sore-betrayed, sore-betrayed (n.)

old form: fore-betrayed
grievously deceived person
LC.328
And new peruert a reconciled Maide. And new pervert a reconciled maid!’ reconciled (adj.)
absolved, confessed, penitent
LC.329
x

Jump directly to