shouting

great bravery

a loud wailing cry

unharmed

yelling

strongly

the area of the body which includes the bottom, the hips, and the tops of the legs

separated

a fold or hanging piece of flesh in some animals

favor

confident, charming, and well-dressed

joked

food soaked in a liquid before being eaten

tie it up tightly

decorated

indeed

elfish

a noisy argument

climbed

complicated

a small tree which has sharp thorns and produces white or pink flowers

a fence of wooden posts which are driven into the ground in order to protect people from attack.

a walled outwork or tower to protect a gate or drawbridge of a fortification

an ornament

undressed

animal's skin

skills

evening

to the place that has already been mentioned

the part of a church containing the altar

dark

three-leaved herb

a frame which supports climbing plants

tired; dull

generously

in the air

perhaps

brief involvement

direct

Christmas season

history

repay

Indeed

travel

against

high-pitched sounds

asked; begged

kids

created

faithful

a large tree with pale green leaves which is often planted in parks in towns and cities

sky

hurry

any of various unrelated plants, esp ones formerly used to cure diseases

a feeling of comfort that makes you feel less sad

in order to avoid

attractive

harsh or grating

before

stop

a set of straps that is put around a horse's head and mouth

a large strong horse

lower parts of the legs

said

shaped or cut with an ax

discerned

bright

below

move forwards away from a particular point in different directions

dressed

an archaic word for embroider

complicated

cheerful

glowing; gleaming

appearance

the hips and the inner surface of the legs where they join the trunk of the body

the back of the neck

more appropriate

a city in S France, on the Garonne River

If something such as clothing or cloth is embroidered with a design, the design is stitched into it.

platform

almost, but not completely or exactly

hindrance to free action or movement

one of these warriors, is the great-grandson of the perfidious knight, Aeneas of Troy.

careless and stupid mistake

Ancient people of Celtic origin who lived in the area of the United Kingdom before and during Roman times.

have meal

I think the poet has done a terrific work in making use of romance and folklore elements to reshape the Underworld. However, Beowulf's heroism impresses me more than Orfeo's chivalry. It's still a joy to read because of its beautiful translation, preserving the rhyming couplets and alliterative lines of the original Middle English poem. I'd prefer if it kept the old English words to the minimum though.

Juno was a goddess, according to classical myth, the wife of Jupiter.

According to classical myth, Pluto was god of the underworld.

So the steward passes the test, Orfeo makes his true identity known, and Orfeo and Heurodis are newly crowned.

cheerful behavior

loyalty

regret

Dost is an old-fashioned second person singular form of the verb 'do'.

an archaic word for corpse

I like this description.

minstrels

present; give

Immediately

happened to

servant-slave

Treachery is behaviour or an action in which someone betrays their country or betrays a person who trusts them.

land; domain

horrible

contraction of "it were"

Ye is an old-fashioned, poetic, or religious word for you when you are talking to more than one person.

said

a past tense of dare

In medieval times, a minstrel was a singer and musician who travelled around and entertained noble families.

happy, well pleased

clothing

to lose completely

Be my faith

gan = began?

accustomed

beautifully

showily with bright colors

fight

from where

So Orfeo is wandering in the wilderness of the woods, playing his harp to alleviate his grief. He hides in a hollow tree to play. His music is amplified throughout the woods and attracts the beasts and birds, which joyfully gather around him to listen. When his music stops, the beasts and birds are gone. Looks like his harp has some kind of magical power!

to give comfort or cheer to (a person) in time of sorrow, distress, etc.

violent storms

ending

before

a share of money or food or clothing that has been charitably given

fainted

often

an area covered with grass

offer

Oh this is sad...

strong and brave

extremely worried, nervous, or upset

identical

same as "tomorrow"?

toward this place

This is kind of romantic!

used to express unhappiness, pity, or concern

meaning "anything whatever"

the third person singular form of the present tense of "have"

meaning "formerly" here?

What's the meaning of "afleth"?

What does "cried in teen" mean?

to move or act quickly

young, unmarried women

a boy in training for knighthood, ranking next below a squire in the personal service of a knight

unpleasant condition

a great twist of mood and vivid description of her pain

a man of high social standing who owns and lives on an estate in a rural area

emotionally out of control

a formal or literary term used to mean the act of resting, or the state of being at rest

personification

morning

filled with

The Merry Month of May is a poem written by Thomas Dekker in 1599.

Thrace is a geographical and historical region in Southeast Europe, now split between Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey.

looks like harp is a prominent symbol in the poem

ancestry

luck; fortune

a legal document from a law court

chivalrous

This is an easy read, compared to Beowulf and Sir Orfeo. I like it being unconventional telling of a powerless man being rescued by a "supernatural" woman. It makes me think of Wonder Woman, but Wonder Woman is more like a real, flesh and blood woman to me, while the Maiden is too good to be true. On the other hand, their "romance" doesn't really touch me, because their encounter is really brief and focuses more on physical intimacy, and also the Maiden is too surreal to me.

depart

I wonder why they keep using the word "friend"?

Women in this lay play an active role in romantic relationships, especially a physical one.

How dare he spoke to the Queen like that!

Oh no he's about to make a terrible mistake.

She is suggesting it's sinful to be gay.

Wow he becomes a model of generosity, giving gifts freely.

So it isn't a dream :) or is he still dreaming?

Sounds like a manipulative woman

Her lodgings were described as superior to those of the Assyrian queen Semiramis and the Roman emperor Octavian--historical reference here.

Right off the bat, he is described as a powerless man.

He was born to wealth and nobility, and yet, he does not get anything from King Arthur and he does not ask for anything either.

After that

somewhat pale

horses that mostly used by women

some kind of help or support during a tough time or situation

people who take responsibility for the actions of others

refers to hunting

damaged her reputation

something that is very delicious in taste and is pleasurable to taste

refers to the Christian practice of services utilizing psalms, canticles, and hymns, particularly in the Anglican church

to give a dowry to; traditionally from man to woman's family

lit up

a graceful curving or roundness

robe or vestment

a long wooden shaft with a pointed metal head, used as a weapon by knights and cavalry soldiers in charging

deliberate and unprovoked. or a sexually immodest or promiscuous woman

a place where food is stored or kept

unmarried girl or young woman

careful to avoid social embarrassment or distress

clothing

loose shawls or cloaks worn by women

women's gowns

young, unmarried women

the act of taking a bridle off of an animal, such as a horse.

to present something or give something to someone else