rring to the action); strict (if referring
to the boatman)

6 Held on his course with staid steadfastness,

staid > fixed, unchanging; sober

7 Nor ever shrank, nor ever sought to bait

shrank > [shrank with fear]
bait > rest, refresh

8 His tired arms for toilsome weariness,
9 But with his oars did sweep the watery wilderness.

212.30

And now they nigh approched to the sted,
2 Where as those Mermayds dwelt: it was a still
And calmy bay, on th'one side sheltered
4 With the brode shadow of an hoarie hill,
On th'other side an high rocke toured still,
6 That twixt them both a +pleasaunt+ port they made,
And did like an halfe Theatre fulfill:
8 There those fiue sisters had continuall trade,
And vsd to +bath+ themselues in that +deceiptfull+ shade.

6 pleasaunt > peasaunt _1596_
9 bath > bathe _1609_
9 deceiptfull > deceitfull _1609_

1 And now they nigh approached to the stead

stead > place

2 Where those mermaids dwelt: it was a still
3 And calmy bay, on the one side sheltered

calmy > calm

4 With the broad shadow of a hoary hill;

hoary > ancient; hoary, grey

5 On the other side a high rock towered still,

still > ever, always

6 That 'twixt them both a pleasant port they made,

That > [So that]

7 And did like a half theatre fulfil:

fulfil > make, form

8 There those five sisters had continual trade,

trade > {Occupation, habitual course of action}

9 And used to bathe themselves in that deceitful shade.

shade > shadow (cast by the hill)

212.31

They were faire Ladies, till they fondly striu'd
2 With th'_Heliconian_ maides for maistery;
Of whom they ouer-comen, were depriu'd
4 Of their proud beautie, and th'one moyity
Transform'd to fish, for their bold surquedry,
6 But th'vpper halfe their hew retained still,
And their sweet skill in wonted melody;
8 Which euer after they abusd to ill,
T'allure weake trauellers, whom gotten they did kill.

1 They were fair ladies, till they fondly strove

were > [had been]
fondly > foolishly

2 With the Heliconian maids for mastery;

the Heliconian maids > (The Muses, who live on Mount Helicon; see
notes at 212.52:8)

3 Of whom they, overcome, were deprived

Of > By

4 Of their proud beauty, and the one moiety

moiety > half

5 Transformed to fish, for their bold surquidry;

surquidry > presumption, arrogance