1 The foolish man thereat waxed wondrous blithe,

thereat > at that; thereupon
waxed > grew, became

2 As if the word so spoken were half done,
3 And humbly thanked him a thousand sithes,

sithes > times

4 That had from death to life him newly won.
5 Tho forth the boaster marching, brave began

Tho > Then
brave > bravely; splendidly

6 His stolen steed to thunder furiously,

stolen steed > (It belongs to Guyon, and was stolen at 203.4; he
will regain it at 503.29)

7 As if he heaven and hell would overrun,
8 And all the world confound with cruelty,

confound > overthrow
cruelty > severity, rigour

9 That much Malbecco joyed in his jollity.

That > [So that]
joyed in > rejoiced at
jollity > magnificence; arrogance

310.34

Thus long they three together traueiled,
2 Through many a wood, and many an vncouth way,
To seeke his wife, that was farre wandered:
4 But those two sought nought, but the present pray,
To weete the treasure, which he did bewray,
6 On which their eies and harts were wholly set,
With purpose, how they might it best betray;
8 For sith the houre, that first he did them let
The same behold, therewith their keene desires were whet.

1 Thus long they three together travelled,
2 Through many a wood, and many an uncouth way,

uncouth > unknown, strange

3 To seek his wife, that was far wandered:
4 But those two sought naught but the present prey,
5 To weet, the treasure, which he did bewray,

To weet > To wit, that is to say
bewray > reveal

6 On which their eyes and hearts were wholly set,
7 With purpose how they might it best betray;

purpose > [the] matter in hand [of]
betray > get hold of (Latin _tradere_, to give up, hand over,
deliver up); _also:_ lead astray, seduce

8 For, sith the hour that first he did them let

sith > since, ever since
hour > moment; hour

9 The same behold, therewith their keen desires were whetted.

therewith > with that

310.35

It fortuned as they together far'd,
2 They spide, where _Paridell_ came pricking fast
Vpon the plaine, the which himselfe prepar'd
4 To giust with that braue straunger knight a cast,
As on aduenture by the way he past:
6 Alone he rode without his Paragone;
For hauing filcht her bels, her vp he cast
8 To the wide world, and let her fly alone,
He nould be clogd. So had he serued many one.

1