amazed > confounded, astounded sternness > ferocity
210.8
But whence they sprong, or how they were begot,
2 Vneath is to assure; vneath to wene
That monstrous error, which doth some assot,
4 That Dioclesians fiftie daughters shene
Into this land by chaunce haue driuen bene,
6 Where companing with feends and filthy Sprights,
Through vaine illusion of their lust vnclene,
8 They brought forth Giants and such dreadfull wights,
As farre exceeded men in their immeasurd mights.
1 But whence they sprang, or how they were begotten, 2 Uneath is to assure; uneath to ween
Uneath > Difficult assure > establish; state positively; venture ween > believe, accept
3 That monstrous error, which does some assot,
assot > make a fool of; hence: deceive
4 That Diocletian's fifty daughters sheen
Diocletian > (Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus, 245-313, Roman emperor 284-305; noted for his persecution of Christians. His thirty-three daughters, like the fifty daughters of Danaus, are said to have murdered their bridegrooms; except for Albine, from whom Albion derived. See also 105.35:9) sheen > beautiful
5 Into this land by chance have driven been, 6 Where, companying with fiends and filthy sprites,