did crave;
6 And ever as he rode his heart did yearn
7 To prove his puissance in battle brave

prove > test; demonstrate
puissance > strength (allied with prowess in arms)
brave > brave; splendid

8 Upon his foe, and his new force to learn;

learn > learn; _also:_ teach, _hence:_ impose

9 Upon his foe, a dragon horrible and stern.

stern > fierce; merciless, cruel

101.4

A louely Ladie rode him faire beside,
2 Vpon a lowly Asse more white then snow,
Yet she much whiter, but the same did hide
4 Vnder a vele, that wimpled was full low,
And ouer all a blacke stole she did throw,
6 As one that inly mournd: so was she sad,
And heauie sat vpon her palfrey slow;
8 Seemed in heart some hidden care she had,
And by her in a line a milke white lambe she lad.

1 A lovely lady rode him fair beside,

lovely > lovely; loving; lovable [by virtue of her admirable
qualities]
fair > fittingly, becomingly; skilfully

2 Upon a lowly ass more white than snow,
3 Yet she much whiter; but the same did hide

the same > [her complexion she]

4 Under a veil, that wimpled was full low;

wimpled > {Falling in folds}
full > very, exceedingly

5 And over all a black stole she did throw,

stole > robe

6 As one that inly mourned: so was she sad,

inly > inwardly

7 And heavy sat upon her palfrey slow;

heavy > sadly
palfrey > {Saddle-horse for ladies}

8 Seemed in heart some hidden care she had,

Seemed > [It seemed]
in heart > in her heart; inwardly

9 And by her, in a line, a milk-white lamb she led.

in a line > on a lead

101.5

So pure +an innocent+, as that same lambe,
2 She was in life and euery vertuous lore,
And by descent from Royall lynage came
4 Of ancient Kings and Queenes, that had of yore
Their scepters stretcht from East to Westerne shore,
6 And all the world in their subiection held;
Till that infernall feend with foule vprore
8 Forwasted all their land, and them expeld:
Whom to auenge, she had this Knight from far compeld.

1 an innocent > and innocent _1590;_ an Innocent _1609_

1 So pure an innocent as that same lamb
2 She was in life and every virtuous lore;

lore > teaching, doctrine

3 And by descent from royal lineage came
4 Of ancient kings and queens, that had of yore

of yore > of old, in former times

5 Their sceptres stretched from east to wes