stiffly > resolutely, steadfastly; strongly
5 Till at last the weather began to clear, 6 And the fair land itself did plainly show. 7 Said then the palmer, "Lo where does appear 8 The sacred soil where all our perils grow;
sacred > accursed, detestable; also: dedicated [to pleasure]
9 Therefore, sir knight, your ready arms about you throw!"
arms > {Arms and armour}
212.38
He hearkned, and his armes about him tooke,
2 The whiles the nimble boate so well her sped,
That with her crooked keele the land she strooke,
4 Then forth the noble Guyon sallied,
And his sage Palmer, that him gouerned;
6 But th'other by his boate behind did stay.
They marched fairly forth, of nought ydred,
8 Both firmely armd for euery hard assay,
With constancy and care, gainst daunger and dismay.
1 He hearkened, and his arms about him took; 2 The whiles the nimble boat so well herself sped
The whiles > Meanwhile nimble > swift, light (cf. 206.20:6)
3 That with her crooked keel the land she struck: