deceitful clew,

Eftsoons > Thereupon
clew > ball of thread

4 He began to weave a web of wicked guile,
5 And, with fair countenance and flattering style,
6 To them approaching, thus the knight bespoke:

bespoke > addressed

7 "Fair son of Mars, that seeks with warlike spoil

spoil > plunder, booty

8 And great achievements great yourself to make,
9 Vouchsafe to stay your steed for humble miser's sake."

stay > detain; halt
miser > wretch

201.9

He stayd his steed for humble misers sake,
2 And bad tell on the tenor of his plaint;
Who feigning then in euery limbe to quake,
4 Through inward feare, and seeming pale and faint
With piteous mone his percing speach gan paint;
6 Deare Lady how shall I declare thy cace,
Whom late I left in +langourous+ constraint?
8 Would God thy selfe now present were in place,
To tell this ruefull tale; thy sight could win thee grace.

7 langourous > languorous _1590_

1 He stayed his steed for humble miser's sake,
2 And bade tell on the tenor of his plaint;

plaint > {Statement of grievance made in seeking redress}

3 Who, feigning then in every limb to quake,
4 Through inward fear, and seeming pale and faint,
5 With piteous moan his piercing speech gan paint:

gan > did; began to

6 "Dear lady, how shall I declare your case,

case > plight

7 Whom late I left in languorous constraint?

languorous > sorrowful
constraint > affliction; restriction of liberty

8 Would God yourself now present were in place,

Would > [Please; I desire of]
yourself > [that you yourself - he is still addressing the "Deare
Lady"]
present > {Being in the place being considered, being there as
opposed to here}
in place > here

9 To tell this rueful tale; your sight could win you grace.

your sight > [the sight of you]

201.10

Or rather would, O would it so had chaunst,
2 That you, most noble Sir, had present beene,
When that lewd ribauld with vile lust aduaunst
4 Layd first his filthy hands on virgin cleene,
To spoile her daintie corse so faire and sheene,
6 As on the earth, great mother of vs all,
With liuing eye more faire was neuer seene,
8 Of chastitie and honour virginall:
Witnesse ye heauens, whom she in vaine to helpe did call.

1 "Or rather would, O would it so had chanced,
2 That you, most noble sir, had present been,
3 When that lewd ribald, with vil