II, iv, s.d.l arras A curtain across the ‘discovery space’ or inner stage (see Introduction p. xxx) is here opened, revealing Zenocrate in her bed. It is then closed at the end of the scene.
9 bowers i.e. the places where they were set
17 entertain welcome
18 Apollo, Cynthia the sun, the moon
23 Refined given clearer sight
24 tried purified
30 curious exquisite
35 th’empyreal heaven See note to Part One, II, vii, 15.
45 dated having its preordained end
50 Phoebus the sun
51 makes O3, Q (make O1)
52 opposed … diameter i.e. when the earth is directly between the sun and the moon, or when the moon is directly between the sun and the earth
53–4 The ‘serpent’ is the constellation Draco (the Dragon). The moon’s path intersects the ecliptic (thus causing an eclipse) at two points, the Dragon’s head and tail (‘train’).
56 author Q (anchor O1)
58 the fiery element the sphere of fire, separating the earth from the planetary bodies
68 my second life my life after death
81 those spheres her eyes
88 Tenedos a small island near Troy
90 Her Zenocrate’s
93 Lesbia … Corinna women celebrated in the love poetry of Catullus and Ovid
94 argument subject, theme
99 hale drag
Fatal Sisters the three goddesses who govern human destiny
103 cavalieros mounds on which cannon were placed
114 Janus’ temple doors The doors of the temple of Janus in Rome were open in time of war, closed in time of peace.
129 thou i.e. Zenocrate’s body
130 cassia a fragrant shrub
ambergris an odiferous substance used in perfumery
131 lapped in lead placed in a leaden coffin
133 Mausolus King of Caria, whose widow (also his sister) built for him a costly monument, called Mausoleum, at Halicarnassus
140 statue O3, Q (stature O1). Some editors emend to ‘statua’ for metrical reasons
(see note in O.E.D.)