The compiler of the Glossary to Spenser informs us, that glode signifies glanced, or. that it is written, by poetical licence, for glowed. As to the latter of these explanations, I do not think, that glow had acquired so vague a sense in our author's age; and where is the proof or authority for the forSpenser undoubtedly borrowed it

mer?

from the following passage of Chaucer.

His good steede he bestrode
And forth upon his way glode

As spark out of the bronde*.

Our author has here plainly borrowed the thought, as well as the particular word inquestion, which, however, he has differently applied. May not glode be the preter-imperfect tense of glide?

Gower has used this word in the same manner, and most beautifully. He is speak

* Rime of Sir Topas, v. 3408.

ing of Medea, going out at midnight to ga

ther herbs for her incantations.

Thus it befell upon a night,

Whann there was nought but sterre light,

She was vanished right as hir list,

That no wight but hirselfe wist:
And that was at midnight tide,
The world was still on every side,
With open head, and foote all bare,

His heare to sprad; she gan to fare:

Upon hir clothes gyrte she wos,

And specheles, upon the gras

She glode forth, as an adder doth *.

B. v. c. i. s. XXV.

This doubtfull causes right

Can hardly but by sacrament be tride,

Or else by ordele.

So Chaucer,

Where so you list by ordal, or by othe †.

Sacrament is the oath of purgation.

* Confessio Amantis, 1. v. fol. 105. edit. Berthelette. 1554. fol.

† Tr. and Cr. b. 3. v. 1048.

B. vi. c. vi. s. xii.

'Gainst all both good and bad, both most and least.

Most here signifies greatest; and in the following instances; as, more implies greater.

I do possesse the world's most regiment.

7.7.17.

That is, I am possessed of the greatest sway over the world.

All other weapons lesse or more,
Which warlike uses had devis'd of yore.

5. 8. 34.

For ere thou limit what is lesse or more.

5. 2. 34.

In Sonnet 20.

In his most pride disdaineth, &c.

Again,

What though the sea with waves continuall
Doe eat the earth, it is no more at all,

Ne is the earth the lesse.

5. 2. 39.

In Sonnet 55.

Thus for the world's most ornament.

Many other passages might be brought

from Spenser.

This is the language of Chaucer; viz.

I saie, that she ne had not most fairnesse *.

That is, I do not affirm she had the greatest share of beauty.

The grete geftes also to the most and leste t.

Again,

From Boloigne is the erle of Pavie come,

Of which the fame yspronge to most and leste ‡.

Thus we have also much or less for greater and smaller.

* Monk's Tale, ver. 367.

+ Knight's Tale, ver. 2200.

Cl. of Oxenford's Tale, v. 1900.

Both of the see, and rivers more and lesse *.

Thus also much or lite is great and small.

But he ne left, neither for raine ne thonder,
In sickeness, ne in mischief to visite

The farthist in his parish much or lite †,

And to this day much is prefixed to some villages in England as a mark of greatnessThe ingenious author of Miscellaneous Observations on Mackbeth remarks, that in the interpolated Mandeville, a book printed in the age of Queen Elizabeth, there is a chapter, Of India, the more and the less ‡.

I had almost passed over some of the subsequent instances.

B. ii. c. vi. s. xxix.

That a large purple streame adowne their giambeux falls.

He probably drew giambeux, i. e. boots, from this passage in the Rime of Sir Topas.