Near is my kirtle, but nearer is my smock

[worder]

what does it mean? thank you.

[Quizmonster]

Kirtles and smocks were items of women's clothing. Each had various meanings but two of them were 'gown' for kirtle and 'chemise/slip' for smock. The smock was, therefore, closer to the woman's actual skin.

It almost certainly means the same as the Arab proverb that says: I against my brother but my brother and I against our cousin. Blood is thicker than water, in other words, is the basic idea.