So what is the true subject of the passive 'enforst'? Who
is forcing this 'vnfitter taske' on him? the muse? the time?
On Sat, 18 Nov 2000 20:14:55 -0500 Sara Hillis
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Here's the stanza in its entirety.
>
> LO I the man, whose Muse whilome did maske,
> As time her taught, in lowly Shepheards weeds,
> Am now enforst a far vnfitter taske,
> For trumpets sterne to chaunge mine Oaten reeds,
> And sing of Knights and Ladies gentle deeds;
> Whose prayses hauing slept in silence long,
> Me, all too meane, the sacred Muse areeds
> To blazon broad emongst her learned throng:
> Fierce warres and faithfull loues shall moralize my song.
>
> Taking "mask" in its meaning as "conceal", then I feel that this verb
> modifies "muse". "as time her taught" could refer to Spenser's younger days
> or inexperience. This would work with "whilome" too. So, he's saying that
> his muse masked herself in pastoral art but now is urging him (who feels not
> quite up to this task) to put down his shepherd's pipes and to follow a
> higher and more lofty theme. I'm not sure if this is similar to the way in
> which Virgil begins the Aenaead but it marks the fact that Spenser is
> progressing along Virgil's path--from pastorals to the epic style. I know
> this seems obvious to you all but I feel that "mask" is used in a somewhat
> latinate way. It could be read as though she masked him in shepherds weeds
> but I think only now is the poet seeing the fullness of his muse's inspiring
> power. It is so great and awesome that he feels dwarfed by it. She has now
> revealed herself, who did whilome mask herself in lowly shepherd's weeds.
> Just some more to add to my earlier post.
>
> Sara
>
>
>
> All alone I came into this world.
> All alone I will someday die.
> Solid stone is just sand and water, baby
> Sand and water, and a million years gone by. (Beth Nielson-Chatman)
>
----------------------
Marshall Grossman
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