myths.

85. PROTEUS, a sea-god who was endowed with the power of prophecy. He could
change himself into any shape in order to avoid having to prophesy. See
Homer, _Odyssey_, iv, 366 _seq_., and Vergil, _Georgics_, iv, 387.

90. HERBES. In the sixteenth century the belief in potions, magic formulas,
etc., was still strongly rooted in the popular mind. The Spanish court and
the priests were supposed to employ supernatural agencies against the
Protestants.

105. A FAITHLESS SARAZIN. Spenser uses the word Saracen in the general
sense of pagan. During the Middle Ages the Saracen power was a menace to
Europe, and the stronghold of infidelity. The names of the three Paynim
brethren, Sansfoy, Sansjoy, and Sansloy,--faithless, joyless, and
lawless,--suggest the point of view of Spenser's age.

109. A FAIRE COMPANION, the enchantress Duessa, or Falsehood, who calls
herself Fidessa. In the allegory Spenser intended her to represent the
Romish church and Mary Queen of Scots. Her character and appearance were
suggested by the woman of Babylon, in _Revelation_, viii, 4, Ariosto's
Alcina, and Tasso's Armida.

136. AS WHEN TWO RAMS. This figure is found in Vergil, Apollonius, Malory,
Tasso, Dante, and other poets and romancers.

141. THE HANGING VICTORY, the victory which hung doubtful in the balance.

144. THE BROKEN RELIQUES, the shattered lances.

148. EACH OTHERS EQUALL PUISSAUNCE ENVIES, each envies the equal prowess of
the other.

149. THROUGH THEIR IRON SIDES, etc., through their armored sides with cruel
glances, etc.

155. THE BITTER FIT, the bitterness of death.

158. ASSURED SITT, etc., sit firm (in the saddle), and hide (cover) thy
head (with thy shield).

160. WITH RIGOUR SO OUTRAGEOUS, with force so violent.

161. THAT A LARGE SHARE, etc., that a large piece it (the sword) hewed,
etc.

162. FROM BLAME HIM FAIRLY BLEST. 1, fairly preserved him from hurt; 2,
fairly acquitted him of blame. _Him_ in (1) refers to the knight, in (2) to
the Saracen. (1) is the better interpretation.

169. GRUDGING. Because reluctant to part from the flesh.

196. DAUGHTER OF AN EMPEROUR. Duessa represents the Pope, who exercised
imperial authority in Rome, though the seat of the empire had been
transferred to Constantinople in 476.

200. THE ONLY HAIRE. The dauphin of France, the first husband of Mary Queen
of Scots, afterwards King Francis II, son of Henry II. Duessa's story is
full of falsehoods.

244. SO DAINTY THEY SAY