> forester

5 So been they three three sundry ways bent.

been > [were]
bent > bound, directed

6 But fairest fortune to the prince befell,
7 Whose chance it was, that soon he did repent,

repent > regret

8 To take that way in which that damsel
9 Was fled afore, afraid of him as fiend of hell.

afore > before, in front [of him]
him > (Referring indifferently to the forester and Arthur)

304.48

At last of her farre off he gained vew:
2 Then gan he freshly pricke his fomy steed,
And euer as he nigher to her drew,
4 So euermore he did increase his speed,
And of each turning still kept warie heed:
6 Aloud to her he oftentimes did call,
To doe away vaine doubt, and needlesse dreed:
8 Full myld to her he spake, and oft let fall
Many meeke wordes, to stay and comfort her withall.

1 At last of her far off he gained view:
2 Then gan he freshly prick his foamy steed,

gan > did
prick > spur

3 And ever as he nigher to her drew,
4 So evermore he did increase his speed,
5 And of each turning still kept wary heed:

still > continually

6 Aloud to her he oftentimes did call,

oftentimes > many times

7 To do away vain doubt, and needless dread:

do away > banish
vain > empty, foolish
doubt > fear

8 Full mild to her he spoke, and oft let fall

Full > Very, exceedingly

9 Many meek words, to stay and comfort her withal.

stay > support; detain

304.49

But nothing might relent her hastie flight;
2 So deepe the deadly feare of that foule swaine
Was earst impressed in her gentle spright:
4 Like as a fearefull Doue, which through the raine,
Of the wide aire her way does cut amaine,
6 Hauing farre off espyde a Tassell gent,
Which after her his nimble wings doth straine,
8 Doubleth her haste for feare to be +for-hent+,
And with her pineons cleaues the liquid firmament.

8 for-hent > forhent _1590;_ fore-hent _1609_

1 But nothing might relent her hasty flight;

might relent > could slacken

2 So deep the deadly fear of that foul swain

swain > bumpkin, yokel; _the word is also a legal term:_ freeholder
within the forest, _hence:_ forester

3 Was erst impressed in her gentle spirit:

erst > lately, previously; first

4 Like a fearful dove, which through the reign

reign > realm, dominion

5 Of the wide air her way does cut amain

amain > at full speed

6 (Having