1 A while he stood in this astonishment, 2 Yet would he not for all his great dismay 3 Give over to effect his first intent,
Give over > Desist from [trying]
4 And the utmost means of victory essay,
essay > attempt
5 Or the utmost issue of his own decay.
issue > outcome decay > death
6 His own good sword Morddure, that never failed
Morddure > "Hard-biter" (see 208.20-1)
7 At need, till now, he lightly threw away,
lightly > lightly; quickly