rtune > (Vb.) [I] happen; _hence:_ I proceed through life, I
follow my quest (see also Textual Appendix)
favourless > lacking favour

209.8

Fortune, the foe of famous cheuisaunce
2 Seldome (said _Guyon_) yields to vertue aide,
But in her way throwes mischiefe and mischaunce,
4 Whereby her course is stopt, and passage staid.
But +you,+ faire Sir, be not herewith dismaid,
6 But constant keepe the way, in which ye stand;
Which were it not, that I am else delaid
8 With hard aduenture, which I haue in hand,
I labour would to guide you through all Faery land.

5 you, > you _1596_

1 "Fortune, the foe of famous chevisance,

chevisance > enterprise, knightly enterprise (catachr.)

2 Seldom," said Guyon, "yields to virtue aid,

to virtue aid > [aid to virtue]

3 But in its way throws mischief and mischance,

mischief > misfortune; evil; disaster

4 Whereby its course is stopped, and passage stayed.

stayed > obstructed; stopped

5 But you, fair sir, be not herewith dismayed,

herewith > with this
dismayed > dismayed; defeated (with pun on "dis-made": cf. 108.5:4,
108.11:1, 209.37:5, etc.)

6 But constant keep the way in which you stand;

stand > stand, remain steadfast; _also, perhaps, in view of "way":_
steer, direct your course (usu. applied to ships: _OED_ first
records this usage in 1627)

7 Were it not that I am else delayed

else > otherwise

8 With hard adventure, which I have in hand,
9 I labour would to guide you through all Faery Land."

209.9

Gramercy Sir (said he) but mote I +weete+,
2 What straunge aduenture do ye now pursew?
Perhaps my succour, or aduizement meete
4 Mote stead you much your purpose to subdew.
Then gan Sir _Guyon_ all the story shew
6 Of false _Acrasia_, and her wicked wiles,
Which to auenge, the Palmer him forth drew
8 From Faery court. So talked they, the whiles
They wasted had much way, and measurd many miles.

1 weete > wote _1590 etc.; this correction is generally agreed_

1 "Gramercy sir," said he, but might I weet

Gramercy > Thank you
weet > learn; _hence:_ ask

2 What strange adventure do you now pursue?
3 Perhaps my succour, or advisement meet

advisement > advice
meet > seemly, appropriate; _hence, perhaps:_ modest

4 Might stead you much your purpose to subdue."

stead > help
subdue > overcome; _hence:_ achieve

5 Then gan Sir Guyon all th