[144.] The broken reliques, the shattered lances.
[148.] Each others equall puissaunce envies, each envies the equal prowess of the other.
[149.] through their iron sides, etc., through their armored sides with cruel glances, etc.
[155.] the bitter fit, the bitterness of death.
[158.] assured sitt, etc., sit firm (in the saddle), and hide (cover) thy head (with thy shield).
[160.] With rigour so outrageous, with force so violent.
[161.] That a large share, etc., that a large piece it (the sword) hewed, etc.
[162.] from blame him fairly blest. 1, fairly preserved him from hurt; 2, fairly acquitted him of blame. Him in (1) refers to the knight, in (2) to the Saracen. (1) is the better interpretation.
[169.] grudging. Because reluctant to part from the flesh.
[196.] daughter of an Emperour. Duessa represents the Pope, who exercised imperial authority in Rome, though the seat of the empire had been transferred to Constantinople in 476.