4 The smouldering dust did round about him smoke,
smouldering > smothering, choking
5 Both horse and man nigh able to choke;
able > liable
6 And fairly couching his steel-headed spear,
fairly > expertly couching > {Lowering and placing in its rest}
7 Him first saluted with a sturdy stroke;
sturdy > recklessly violent
8 It booted naught, Sir Guyon coming near,
booted > availed