y perilous swords:
4 But if thee list to see thy Courser ronne,
Or proue thy selfe, this sad encounter shonne,
6 And seeke else without hazard of thy hed.
At those proud words that other knight begonne
8 To wexe exceeding wroth, and him ared
To turne his steede about, or sure he should be ded.

1 Saying, "You foolish knight, that weens with words

weens > supposes, thinks

2 To steal away that I with blows have won,

that > [that which]

3 And brought through points of many perilous swords:
4 But if you list to see your courser run,

list > please, choose
run > [run in a joust; cf. 304.15:7, 307.38:8]

5 Or prove yourself, this sad encounter shun,

sad > grievous

6 And seek else, without hazard of your head."

else > {In another manner, place, or time; by other means; under
other circumstances}
of > to

7 At those proud words that other knight began
8 To wax exceeding wroth, and him aread

wax > grow
aread > instructed

9 To turn his steed about, or sure he should be dead.

308.18

Sith then (said _Braggadocchio_) needes thou wilt
2 Thy dayes abridge, through proofe of puissance,
Turne we our steedes, that both in equall tilt
4 May meet againe, and each take happie chance.
This said, they both a furlongs mountenance
6 Retyrd their steeds, to ronne in euen race:
But _Braggadocchio_ with his bloudie lance
8 Once hauing turnd, no more returnd his face,
But left his loue to losse, and fled himselfe apace.

1 "Sith then," said Braggadocchio, "needs you will

Sith > Since
needs you will > you will of necessity

2 Your days abridge, through proof of puissance,

proof > trial, experience
puissance > power, strength (allied to prowess in arms)

3 Turn we our steeds, that both in equal tilt

that > [so that]
equal > impartial
tilt > {Contest between two mounted knights with lances}

4 May meet again, and each take happy chance."

happy > fortunate

5 This said, they both a furlong's mountenance

furlong > {An eighth of a mile, 220 yards, about 201 metres}
mountenance > distance

6 Retired their steeds, to run in even race:
7 But Braggadocchio with his bloody lance
8 Once having turned, no more returned his face,

returned > turned back

9 But left his love to loss, and fled himself apace.

apace > swiftly

308.19

The knight him seeing fly, had no regard
2 Him to pour