Well could he tourney and in lists debate,

tourney > joust (esp. with blunt weapons when taking part in a
tournament)
lists > knightly contests ("lists" were the palisades enclosing the
tilting-ground)
debate > fight

8 And knighthood took of good Sir Huon's hand,

took of > received from
Huon > (Hero of the 13th-century romance, _Huon de Bordeaux_;
Oberon's successor)

9 When with King Oberon he came to Faery Land.

Oberon > (King of Faery Land; see 210.75-6)

201.7

Him als accompanyd vpon the way
2 A comely Palmer, clad in blacke attire,
Of ripest yeares, and haires all hoarie gray,
4 That with a staffe his feeble steps did stire,
Least his long way his aged limbes should tire:
6 And if by lookes one may the mind aread,
He seemd to be a sage and sober sire,
8 And euer with slow pace the knight did lead,
Who taught his trampling steed with equall steps to tread.

1 Him als accompanied upon the way

als > also

2 A comely palmer, clad in black attire,

comely > decorous, decent, pleasing
palmer > {Pilgrim who has returned from the Holy Land, carrying a
palm-leaf or palm-branch as a token; also: an itinerant monk}

3 Of ripest years, and hair all hoary grey,
4 That with a staff his feeble steps did steer,

steer > steer; _or, perhaps:_ stir

5 Lest his long way his aged limbs should tire:
6 And if by looks one may the mind aread,

aread > divine

7 He seemed to be a sage and sober sire,

sire > {Aged or elderly man, father}

8 And ever with slow pace the knight did lead,
9 Who taught his trampling steed with equal steps to tread.

equal > equable (the horse again symbolizes its rider, as 102.8,
etc.)

201.8

Such whenas _Archimago_ did them view,
2 He weened well to worke some vncouth wile,
Eftsoones vntwisting his deceiptfull clew,
4 He gan to weaue a web of wicked guile,
And +with faire+ countenance and flattring stile,
6 To them approching, thus the knight bespake:
Faire sonne of _Mars_, that seeke with warlike +spoile,+
8 And great atchieu'ments great your selfe to make,
Vouchsafe to stay your steed for humble misers sake.

5 with faire > with a faire _1596_
7 spoile, > spoile. _1596_

1 Such when Archimago did them view,
2 He weened well to work some uncouth wile:

weened > {Thought it possible or likely}
uncouth > strange; bizarre; unseemly

3 Eftsoons untwisting his