as he with Prince _Arthur_ went.

1 But the captived Acrasia he sent,

captived > {Held captive}
he > [Guyon]

2 Because of travel long, a nigher way,

nigher > nearer; _hence:_ shorter

3 With a strong guard, all rescue to prevent,
4 And her to Faery court safe to convey,
5 That her for witness of his hard assay,

That > [So that]
witness > knowledge, understanding; testimony
assay > trial, tribulation; endeavour

6 To his Faery Queen he might present:
7 But he himself betook another way,

betook > took

8 To make more trial of his hardiment,

hardiment > hardihood, boldness

9 And seek adventures, as he with Prince Arthur went.

301.3

Long so they trauelled through wastefull wayes,
2 Where daungers dwelt, and perils most did wonne,
To hunt for glorie and renowmed praise;
4 Full many Countries they did ouerronne,
From the vprising to the setting Sunne,
6 And many hard aduentures did atchieue;
Of all the which they honour euer wonne,
8 Seeking the weake oppressed to relieue,
And to recouer right for such, as wrong did grieue.

1 Long so they travelled through wasteful ways,

so > thus
wasteful > desolate

2 Where dangers dwelt, and perils most did won,

won > dwell

3 To hunt for glory and renowned praise;

praise > merit, virtue; praise

4 Full many countries they did overrun,

Full > Very, exceedingly
overrun > pass through

5 From the uprising to the setting sun,
6 And many hard adventures did achieve;
7 Of all which they honour ever won,
8 Seeking the weak oppressed to relieve,
9 And to recover right for such as wrong did grieve.

301.4

At last as through an open plaine they yode,
2 They spide a knight, that towards pricked faire,
And him beside an aged Squire there rode,
4 That seem'd to couch vnder his shield three-square,
As if that age bad him that burden spare,
6 And yield it those, that stouter could it wield:
He them espying, gan himselfe prepare,
8 And on his arme addresse his goodly shield
That bore a Lion passant in a golden field.

1 At last, as through an open plain they yode,

yode > went

2 They spied a knight that towards pricked fair,

towards > [in their direction]
pricked > spurred [his horse]; rode

3 And him beside an aged squire there rode,
4 That seemed to couch under his shield three-square,

couch > stoop, cower