9 Eftsoons to court he cast to advance his first degree.

Eftsoons > Thereupon
cast > resolved
degree > step; rung [stage in ascending the social ladder]

203.6

And by the way he chaunced to espy
2 One sitting idle on a sunny bancke,
To whom auaunting in great brauery,
4 As Peacocke, that his painted plumes doth prancke,
He smote his courser in the trembling flancke,
6 And to him threatned his hart-thrilling speare:
The seely man seeing him ryde so rancke,
8 And ayme at him, fell flat to ground for feare,
And crying Mercy lowd, his pitious hands gan reare.

1 And by the way he chanced to espy
2 One sitting idle on a sunny bank,
3 To whom avaunting in great bravery,

avaunting > advancing; boasting; _hence:_ proudly advancing
bravery > bravado; boastful display

4 As peacock, that his painted plumes does prank,

prank > {Make a display of}

5 He smote his courser in the trembling flank,
6 And to him threatened his heart-thrilling spear:

thrilling > piercing

7 The seely man, seeing him ride so rank,

seely > helpless; insignificant; pitiable
rank > proudly; swiftly; impetuously

8 And aim at him, fell flat to ground for fear,
9 And crying "Mercy!" loud, his piteous hands gan rear.

gan > did

203.7

Thereat the Scarcrow wexed wondrous prowd,
2 Through fortune of his first aduenture faire,
And with big thundring voyce reuyld him lowd;
4 Vile Caytiue, vassall of dread and despaire,
Vnworthie of the +commune+ breathed aire,
6 Why liuest thou, dead dog, a lenger day,
And doest not vnto death thy selfe prepaire.
8 Dye, or thy selfe my captiue yield for ay;
Great fauour I thee graunt, for aunswere thus to stay.

5 commune > common _1609_

1 Thereat the scarecrow waxed wondrous proud

waxed > grew

2 Through fortune of his first adventure fair,
3 And with big thundering voice reviled him loud:
4 "Vile caitiff, vassal of dread and despair,

caitiff > wretch
vassal > slave

5 Unworthy of the common breathed air,
6 Why live you, dead dog, a longer day,
7 And do not to death yourself prepare?
8 Die, or yourself my captive yield for ay;

ay > ever

9 Great favour I you grant, for answer thus to stay."

stay > delay, hold back

203.8

Hold, {o^} deare Lord, hold your dead-doing hand,
2 Then loud he cryde, I am your humble thrall.
Ah wretch (quoth he) thy destin