4 In hope to win more favour with his mate, 5 And the other's pleasing service to abate, 6 To magnify his own. But when they heard 7 How in that place strange knight arrived late,

strange >

8 Both knights and ladies forth right angry fared,

right > at once; very

9 And fiercely to battle stern themselves prepared.

stern > hard, stubbornly contested; fierce

202.20

But ere they could proceede vnto the place,
2 Where he abode, themselues at discord fell,
And cruell combat ioynd in middle space:
4 With horrible assault, and furie fell,
They heapt huge strokes, the scorned life to quell,
6 That all on vprore from her settled seat,
The house was raysd, and all that in did dwell;
8 Seemd that lowde thunder with amazement great
Did rend the ratling skyes with flames of fouldring heat.

1 But ere they could proceed to the place 2 Where he abode, themselves at discord fell, 3 And cruel combat joined in middle space:

joined > (To "join battle" is to come together and begin fighting)