nt,
And now is fled; foule shame him follow, where he went.

1 "Certes," said he, "well might I shame to tell

Certes > Assuredly
shame > feel shame, feel ashamed

2 The fond encheason that me hither led.

fond > foolish
encheason > cause, reason

3 A false infamous faitour late befell

faitour > impostor, cheat
late > recently

4 Me to meet, that seemed ill-bested,

ill-bested > hard-pressed, threatened, in trouble (bested = placed)

5 And plained of grievous outrage, which he read

plained > complained
read > [had] observed; declared, made known

6 A knight had wrought against a lady gent;

gent > graceful, elegant; noble

7 Which to avenge, he to this place me led,
8 Where you he made the mark of his intent,
9 And now is fled; foul shame him follow, where he went."

where > wherever

201.31

So can he turne his earnest vnto game,
2 Through goodly +handling+ and wise temperance.
By this his aged guide in presence came;
4 Who soone as on that knight his eye did glance,
Eft soones of him had perfect cognizance,
6 Sith him in Faerie court he late auizd;
And said, +faire+ sonne, God giue you happie chance,
8 And that deare Crosse vpon your shield deuizd,
Wherewith aboue all knights ye goodly seeme aguizd.

2 handling > handing _1596_
7 faire > fayre _1590;_ Faire _1609_

1 So can he turn his earnest to game,

can he > did he; does he know how to

2 Through goodly handling and wise temperance.

handling > treatment, management; _hence:_ conduct

3 By this his aged guide in presence came;

By this > At this; by this time

4 Who, soon as on that knight his eye did glance,

soon > [as soon]

5 Eftsoons of him had perfect cognizance,

Eftsoons > Forthwith
cognizance > recognition (SUS)

6 Sith him in Faery court he late advised;

Sith > Since
late > recently
advised > saw, noticed, observed

7 And said, "Fair son, God give you happy chance,

happy > fortunate; happy

8 And that dear cross upon your shield devised,

devised > contrived, skilfully prepared; _hence:_ painted ("device"
(sb.) = "design", and, specifically in heraldry, "emblem")

9 Wherewith above all knights you goodly seem aguised.

Wherewith > With which
aguised > arrayed; _hence:_ protected

201.32

Ioy may you haue, and euerlasting fame,
2 Of late most hard atchieu'ment by you donne,
For which enrolled is you