9 Eftsoons to court he cast to advance his first degree.
Eftsoons > Thereupon cast > resolved degree > step; rung [stage in ascending the social ladder]
203.6
And by the way he chaunced to espy
2 One sitting idle on a sunny bancke,
To whom auaunting in great brauery,
4 As Peacocke, that his painted plumes doth prancke,
He smote his courser in the trembling flancke,
6 And to him threatned his hart-thrilling speare:
The seely man seeing him ryde so rancke,
8 And ayme at him, fell flat to ground for feare,
And crying Mercy lowd, his pitious hands gan reare.
1 And by the way he chanced to espy 2 One sitting idle on a sunny bank, 3 To whom avaunting in great bravery,
avaunting > advancing; boasting; hence: proudly advancing bravery > bravado; boastful display
4 As peacock, that his painted plumes does prank,
prank > {Make a display of}
5 He smote his courser in the trembling flank, 6 And to him threatened his heart-thrilling spear:
thrilling > piercing