25. Paraphrase the involved constructions in
xlii, xix, viii, xxxvi.
I. The Plot: (Continuation of Canto III).
Una is delivered from Sansloy by a band of Satyrs.
She remains with them as their teacher. There
a knight of the wild-wood, Sir Satyrane, discovers
her, and by his assistance, Una succeeds in making
her way out of the forest to the plain. On the
way they meet Archimago, disguised as a pilgrim, and
he deceives them and leads them to Sansloy. While
Sir Satyrane and Sansloy are engaged in a bloody battle,
Una flees. She is pursued by Archimago but makes
her escape.
II. The Allegory: 1. Truth is saved
from destruction by Lawless Violence (Sansloy) by
the aid of Barbarism or Savage Instinct, which terrorizes
Lawlessness but offers natural homage to Truth.
Truth finds a temporary home among Ignorant and Rude
Folk (Satyrs) and in return imparts divine truth to
their unregenerate minds. Natural Heroism or Manly
Courage (Sir Satyrane) sides with Truth and defends
it against Lawlessness.
2. The religious allegory signifies the extension
of Protestantism through the outlying rural districts
of England and in Ireland. Upton thinks that
Sir Satyrane represents “Sir John Perrot, whose
behaviour, though honest, was too coarse and rude
for a court. ’Twas well known that he was
a son of Henry VIII.” Holinshed says that
as Lord President of Munster, Sir John secured such
peace and security that a man might travel in Ireland
with a white stick only in his hand.
16. FROM ONE TO OTHER YND, from the East to the
West Indies.
61. A TROUPE OF FAUNES AND SATYRES. The
Fauns were the wood-gods of the Romans, the Satyrs
the wood-gods of the Greeks. They were half human,
half goat, and represented the luxuriant powers of
nature.
63. OLD SYLVANUS, the Roman god of fields and
woods, young and fond of animal pleasures. Spenser
represents him as a feeble but sensuous old man.
90. WITH CHAUNGE OF FEARE, from the wolf to the
lion.
96. RUSTICK HORROR, bristling hair.
99. THEIR BACKWARD BENT KNEES, like the hinder
legs of a goat.
101. THEIR BARBAROUS TRUTH, their savage honor.
103. LATE LEARND, having been recently taught.
She had shown too “hasty trust” in Archimago.
112. WITHOUT SUSPECT OF CRIME, without suspicion
of blame.
117. The olive is the emblem of peace, as the
ivy (l. 126) is of sensuousness.
120. WITH THEIR HORNED FEET, with their hoofs.
128. OR BACCHUS MERRY FRUIT, etc., whether
they did discover grapes.
129. OR CYBELES FRANTICKE RITES, the wild dances
of the Corybantes, priestesses of Cybele, or Rhea,
the wife of Chronos and mother of the gods.
132. THAT MIRRHOUR RARE, that model of beauty.
So Sidney was called “the mirror of chivalry.”
