1 With that his baleful spear he fiercely bent
baleful > deadly, woe-dealing bent > brought to bear
2 Against the pagan's breast, and therewith thought
therewith > with that
3 His cursed life out of its lodge have rent:
have rent > [to] have torn
4 But ere the point arrived where it ought, 5 That sevenfold shield, which he from Guyon brought,
sevenfold > seven-layered (see note at 203.1:9)
6 He cast between to ward the bitter stound:
ward > avert stound > {Time of trial, time of pain (chiefly in northern dialect)}