uld as death vnto my deare hart light:
6 For since mine eye your ioyous sight did mis,
My chearefull day is turnd to chearelesse night,
8 And eke my night of death the shadow is;
But welcome now my light, and shining lampe of blis.

1 And, weeping, said, "Ah, my long-lacked lord,
2 Where have you been thus long out of my sight?
3 Much feared I to have been quite abhorred,
4 Or aught have done, that you displease might,

aught > anything

5 That should as death to my dear heart light:

dear > fond; grievous, _hence:_ sad
light > strike; befall; alight

6 For since my eye your joyous sight did miss,
7 My cheerful day is turned to cheerless night,
8 And eke my night of death the shadow is;

eke > also, moreover, in addition

9 But welcome now, my light, and shining lamp of bliss!"

103.28

He thereto meeting said, My dearest Dame,
2 Farre be it from your thought, and fro my will,
To thinke that knighthood I so much should shame,
4 As you to leaue, that haue me loued still,
And chose in Faery court of meere goodwill,
6 Where noblest knights were to be found on earth:
The earth shall sooner leaue her kindly skill
8 To bring forth fruit, and make eternall derth,
Then I leaue you, my liefe, yborne of heauenly berth.

1 He thereto meeting said, "My dearest dame,

thereto > with that, to that
meeting > opposing, dealing; _hence:_ responding

2 Far be it from your thought, and from my will,
3 To think that knighthood I so much should shame
4 As you to leave, that have me loved still,

still > constantly

5 And chose in Faery Court, of mere goodwill,

mere > pure, complete; sheer

6 Where noblest knights were to be found on earth:
7 The earth shall sooner leave her kindly skill

leave > forsake; neglect
kindly skill > natural knowledge, innate ability

8 To bring forth fruit, and make eternal dearth,

dearth > famine

9 Than I leave you, my lief, born of heavenly birth.

lief > dear, beloved

103.29

And sooth to say, why I left you so long,
2 Was for to seeke aduenture in strange place,
Where _Archimago_ said a felon strong
4 To many knights did daily worke disgrace;
But knight he now shall neuer more deface:
6 Good cause of mine excuse; that mote ye please
Well to accept, and euermore embrace
8 My faithfull seruice, that by land and seas
Haue vowd you to defend,