[as if]

6 Eftsoons forth looked from the highest spire

Eftsoons > Thereupon; before long

7 The watch, and loud to the knights did call,

watch > sentinel

8 To weet what they so rudely did require.

weet > find out

9 Who gently answered, they entrance did desire.

gently > politely

209.12

Fly, fly, good knights, (said he) fly fast away
2 If that your liues ye loue, as meete ye should;
Fly fast, and saue your selues from neare decay,
4 Here may ye not haue entraunce, though we would:
We would and would againe, if that we could;
6 But thousand enemies about vs raue,
And with long siege vs in this castle hould:
8 Seuen yeares this wize they vs besieged haue,
And many good knights slaine, that haue vs sought to saue.

1 "Fly, fly, good knights," said he, "fly fast away

Fly > Flee

2 If your lives you love, as meet you should;

meet > [it is] fitting [that]

3 Fly fast, and save yourselves from near decay;

near decay > imminent death

4 Here may you not have entrance, though we would:

would > [would be pleased to grant it to you]

5 We would and would again, if that we could;
6 But thousand enemies about us rave,

rave > rage

7 And with long siege us in this castle hold:
8 Seven years this wise they us besieged have,

this wise > in this manner

9 And many good knights slain, that have us sought to save."

209.13

Thus as he +spoke+, loe with outragious cry
2 A thousand villeins round about them swarmd
Out of the rockes and caues adioyning nye,
4 Vile caytiue wretches, ragged, rude, deformd,
All threatning death, all in straunge manner armd,
6 Some with vnweldy clubs, some with long speares,
Some rusty kniues, some staues in fire warmd.
8 Sterne was their looke, like wild amazed steares,
Staring with hollow eyes, and stiffe vpstanding heares.

1 spoke > spake _1609_

1 Thus as he spoke, lo with outrageous cry

outrageous cry > intemperate yelling

2 A thousand villeins round about them swarmed

villeins > villains; serfs

3 Out of the rocks and caves adjoining nigh,
4 Vile caitiff wretches, ragged, rude, deformed,

Vile > Despicable
caitiff > servile, wretched
rude > uncivilized
deformed > deformed; perverted; befouled

5 All threatening death, all in strange manner armed,
6 Some with unwieldy clubs, some with long spears,
7 Some rusty knives,