prowess in arms)

2 Cannot with noble Britomart compare,

with > to

3 As well for glory of great valiance,

well > much
valiance > valour, bravery

4 As for pure chastity and virtue rare,
5 That all her goodly deeds do well declare.

declare > make clear; declare

6 Well worthy stock, from which the branches sprang
7 That in late years so fair a blossom bore

late > {Recent; belonging to an advanced stage of development [of
the line of descent]}

8 As you, O queen, the matter of my song,

queen > [Elizabeth]
matter > subject

9 Whose lineage from this lady I derive along.

along > in full; from end to end, in a linear manner; _hence:_
directly

304.4

Who when through speaches with the _Redcrosse_ knight,
2 She learned had th'estate of _Arthegall_,
And in each point her selfe informd aright,
4 A friendly league of loue perpetuall
She with him bound, and _Cong{e/}_ tooke withall.
6 Then he forth on his iourney did proceede,
To seeke aduentures, which mote him befall,
8 And win him worship through his warlike deed,
Which alwayes of his paines he made the chiefest meed.

1 Who when through speeches with the Redcross Knight
2 She learned had the estate of Artegall,

estate > state; marital status

3 And in each point herself informed aright,
4 A friendly league of love perpetual
5 She with him bound, and cong{e/} took withal.

cong{e/} > leave
withal > therewith, with that

6 Then he forth on his journey did proceed,
7 To seek adventures which might him befall,
8 And win him worship through his warlike deed:

worship > honour, renown (his stated goal at 101.3:4)

9 Which always of his pains he made the chiefest meed.

pains > efforts; pains
meed > reward

304.5

But _Britomart_ kept on her former course,
2 Ne euer dofte her armes, but all the way
Grew pensiue through that amorous discourse,
4 By which the _Redcrosse_ knight did earst display
Her louers shape, and cheualrous aray;
6 A thousand thoughts she fashioned in her mind,
And in her feigning fancie did pourtray
8 Him such, as fittest she for loue could find,
Wise, warlike, personable, curteous, and kind.

1 But Britomart kept on her former course,
2 Nor ever doffed her arms, but all the way

arms > armour

3 Grew pensive through that amorous discourse

pensive > anxious; pensive

4 By which th