them twain.

atwixt them twain > between the two of them

108.14

Then tooke the angrie witch her golden cup,
2 Which she still bore, replete with magick artes;
Death and despeyre did many thereof sup,
4 And secret poyson through their +inner+ parts,
Th'eternall bale of heauie wounded harts;
6 Which after charmes and some enchauntments said,
She lightly sprinkled on his weaker parts;
8 Therewith his sturdie courage soone was quayd,
And all his senses were with suddeine dread dismayd.

4 inner > inward _1609_

1 Then took the angry witch her golden cup,

golden cup > (See _Rev._ 17.4)

2 Which she still bore, replete with magic arts;
3 Death and despair did many thereof sup,
4 And secret poison through their inner parts,
5 The eternal bale of heavy wounded hearts;

bale > torment

6 Which, after charms and some enchantments said,
7 She lightly sprinkled on his weaker parts;

weaker > too-weak
parts > abilities, capacities; _hence:_ will, will-power

8 Therewith his sturdy courage soon was quayed,

Therewith > With that
sturdy > courageous, ruthless
soon > at once
quayed > daunted

9 And all his senses were with sudden dread dismayed.

dismayed > overcome; defeated

108.15

So downe he fell before the cruell beast,
2 Who on his necke his bloudie clawes did seize,
That life +nigh+ crusht out of his panting brest:
4 No powre he had to stirre, nor will to rize.
That when the carefull knight gan well auise,
6 He lightly left the foe, with whom he fought,
And to the beast gan turne his enterprise;
8 For wondrous anguish in his hart it wrought,
To see his loued Squire into such thraldome brought.

3 nigh > night _1596_

1 So down he fell before the cruel beast,
2 Who on his neck his bloody claws did seize,
3 That life nigh crushed out of his panting breast:
4 No power he had to stir, nor will to rise.
5 That when the careful knight gan well advise,

careful > wary; anxious
gan > did
advise > notice, perceive

6 He lightly left the foe with whom he fought,

lightly > quickly

7 And to the beast gan turn his enterprise;

gan > did; began to

8 For wondrous anguish in his heart it wrought
9 To see his beloved squire into such thraldom brought.

thraldom > captivity, bondage

108.16

And high aduauncing his bloud-thirstie blade,
2 Stroke one of those deformed heads s