n

3 They stayed not to advise who first should be,

advise > consider (a key word in Book II)

4 But all spurred after, fast as they might fly,

might > could

5 To rescue her from shameful villainy.

villainy > ill-usage, indignity, insult

6 The prince and Guyon equally belive

belive > quickly; eagerly

7 Herself pursued, in hope to win thereby
8 Most goodly meed, the fairest dame alive:

meed > reward

9 But after the foul foster Timias did strive.

foster > forester
Timias > "Honoured", "Esteemed" (Greek; Arthur's squire is named at
last)

301.19

The whiles faire _Britomart_, whose constant mind,
2 Would not so lightly follow beauties chace,
Ne reckt of Ladies Loue, did stay behind,
4 And them awayted there a certaine space,
To weet if they would turne backe to that place:
6 But when she saw them gone, she forward went,
As lay her iourney, through that perlous Pace,
8 With stedfast courage and stout hardiment;
Ne euill thing she fear'd, ne euill thing she ment.

1 The whiles fair Britomart (whose constant mind

The whiles > Meanwhile

2 Would not so lightly follow beauty's chase,
3 Nor recked of ladies' love) did stay behind,

recked of > cared about, took account of

4 And them awaited there a certain space,

space > time

5 To weet if they would turn back to that place:

weet > discover, learn, _hence:_ see

6 But when she saw them gone, she forward went,
7 As lay her journey, through that perilous pace,

pace > {Tract, region through which one passes; strait, narrow
passage}

8 With steadfast courage and stout hardiment;

stout > robust; brave
hardiment > hardihood, boldness

9 No evil thing she feared, nor evil thing she ment.

ment > meant, intended; _or:_ disturbed, stirred up; _and, more
particularly:_ united with, _hence:_ allowed to attach itself to
her

301.20

At last as nigh out of the wood she came,
2 A stately Castle farre away she spyde,
To which her steps directly she did frame.
4 That Castle was most goodly edifyde,
And plaste for pleasure nigh that forrest syde:
6 But faire before the gate a spatious plaine,
Mantled with greene, it selfe did spredden wyde,
8 On which she saw sixe knights, that did darraine
Fierce battell against one, with cruell might and maine.

1 At last as nigh out of the wood she came,
2 A stately castle far aw