Some unclear lines from a book

[lorenya]

Hi!
Can someone help me to understand the following lines in bold that are taken from several parts of a book?


A fool was the ornament held in next estimation to a dwarf.




And in his left he held a sharp bore-speare,

With which he wont to launch the salvage heart

Of many a lyon, and of many a beare,

That first unto his hand in chase did happen neare.



Yon green turf invites to play;

Journeying on from day to day,

Ah! let us to that shade away,

Were it but to slumber there!



What doth my knight the while? to him is given

A double meed; in love and arms' emprise,

Him the Round Table elevates to heaven!




Ne is there hawk which mantleth on her perch,

Whether high towering or accosting low,

But I the measure of her flight do search,

And all her prey, and all her diet know.

A little while

Before that Merlin died, he did intend

A brazen wall in compas to compile

About Caermerdin, and did it commend

Unto these sprites to bring to perfect end;

During which work the Lady of the Lake,

Whom long he loved, for him in haste did send;
Who, thereby forced his workmen to forsake,
Them bound till his return their labor not to slack.

Thanks.

[5jj]

You do realise, I assume, that the book in question was written in 1590?

[lorenya]

Yes, I know it is a little bit old. Therefore I asked for the help of a native speaker, who can understand those lines better than me.

[5jj]

A fool was the ornament held in next estimation to a dwarf.

Nobles would often value the presence in their household of people who had some form of entertainment value. Some were valued more highly than others. A fool (jester) was second only in entertainment value to a dwarf.

[lorenya]

Thank you. Any idea about the other lines? Sorry for taking your time but I need help to make an accurate translation.

[5jj]

If you are attempting an accurate translation of these lines, it seems to me to be a homework assignment. Sorry, we don't help with those.

[JohnParis]

OK, I'll do one - but only because 5jj did.

Otherwise, Lorenya, this really isn't discussing language or assisting students in learning the English language. It's explaining to you the meaning of lines in stanzas of a medieval poem so that you can translate it for tertiary reasons.

That first unto his hand in chase did happen neare.

While hunting, the first animal that came near (to him) would be felled by the sharp spear held in his left hand.

John

PS: I'll leave this because I took the time to do it, but as 5jj has said - we don't do homework.

[lorenya]

Thank you for your help. This is not homework and I am not a student. I asked for your help to survive. People here helped me many times before for my books and I'm grateful.

[lorenya]

It is the great legend, history and culture of Britain and my translation will be published soon. I want to be meticulous and to offer it to people accurately.
Best regards.

[5jj]

Sorry lorenya. When I publish, I pay for the services I use. When i assist with work to be published, I expect payment and/or acknowledgement. Others may feel differently, so keep looking here.