rowing forth lewd words immodestly;
Till that the Palmer gan full bitterly
6 Her to rebuke, for being loose and light:
Which not abiding, but more scornefully
8 Scoffing at him, that did her iustly wite,
She turnd her bote about, and from them rowed quite.

1 Whom overtaking, she in merry sort

merry > delightful, charming; mirthful
sort > manner

2 Them began to board, and purpose diversely,

board > accost, draw near to and address
purpose > discourse, talk

3 Now faining dalliance and wanton sport,

faining > rejoicing in; feigning
dalliance > {Idle and amusing talk, banter}
wanton > playful, frisky; wanton

4 Now throwing forth lewd words immodestly;
5 Till the palmer began full bitterly

full > very

6 Her to rebuke, for being loose and light:
7 Which not abiding, but more scornfully

abiding > tolerating

8 Scoffing at him that did her justly wite,

wite > reproach

9 She turned her boat about, and from them rowed quite.

rowed > (Not literally: her boat is propelled without oars)

212.17

That was the wanton _Ph{oe}dria_, which late
2 Did ferry him ouer the _Idle lake_:
Whom nought regarding, they kept on their gate,
4 And all her vaine allurements did forsake,
When them the wary Boateman thus bespake;
6 Here now behoueth vs well to auyse,
And of our safetie good heede to take;
8 For here before a perlous passage lyes,
Where many Mermayds haunt, making false melodies.

1 That was the wanton Phaedria, who late

late > lately

2 Did ferry him over the Idle Lake:

him > [Guyon: see 206.20-3, 206.38]

3 Whom naught regarding, they kept on their gate,

gate > way, manner of going (closely cognate with "gait"); _hence:_
course

4 And all her vain allurements did forsake,

vain > empty, futile; foolish
allurements > charms, baits

5 When them the wary boatman thus bespoke:

bespoke > addressed

6 "Here now behoves us well to advise,

behoves > [it behoves]
advise > take stock, consider

7 And of our safety good heed to take;
8 For here before a perilous passage lies,

before > ahead

9 Where many mermaids haunt, making false melodies.

haunt > resort, frequent

212.18

But by the way, there is a great Quicksand,
2 And a whirlepoole of hidden ieopardy,
Therefore, Sir Palmer, keepe an euen hand;
4 For twixt them both the narrow way doth ly.
Scars