fair > courteously louting > bowing, making obeisance ("Lowted, did honour and reuerence": SC, gloss to "Julye")
2 Who fair him requited, as courteous was:
fair > equitably; courteously
3 And after asked him if he did know 4 Of strange adventures, which abroad did pass. 5 "Ah, my dear son," quoth he, "how should, alas, 6 Silly old man, that lives in hidden cell,
Silly > Simple, innocent cell > {Dwelling consisting of a single chamber, occupied by a hermit}
7 Bidding his beads all day for his trespass,
Bidding his beads > Saying his rosary, saying his prayers trespass > sin, sins
8 Tidings of war and worldly trouble tell? 9 With holy father sits not with such things to mell.
sits not > it is not fitting, it does not behove mell > meddle (see SC, gloss to "Julye")
101.31