footing > step, tread for > [for fear of]
9 Virtue gives herself light, through darkness for to wade."
for > in order wade > {Go, proceed; proceed through some medium which offers resistance}
101.13
Yea but (quoth she) the perill of this place
2 I better wot then you, though now too late,
To wish you backe returne with foule disgrace,
4 Yet wisedome warnes, whilest foot is in the gate,
To stay the steppe, ere forced to retrate.
6 This is the wandring wood, this Errours den,
A monster vile, whom God and man does hate:
8 Therefore I read beware. Fly fly (quoth then
The fearfull Dwarfe:) this is no place for liuing men.
1 "Yes but" quoth she, "the peril of this place 2 I better wot than you: though now too late
wot > know
3 To wish you back return with foul disgrace, 4 Yet wisdom warns, whilst foot is in the gate,
gate > gate; way, path; journey (for this marks the beginning of the knight's spiritual quest)
5 To stay the step, ere forced to retrait.