1 And said, "Sir knight, these idle terms forbear,
idle > empty; foolish terms > words
2 And, sith it is uneath to find his haunt,
sith > since uneath > difficult
3 Tell me some marks by which he may appear,
marks > characteristics appear > come into view; hence: be recognized
4 If chance I him encounter paravant;
chance I him encounter > [I chance to encounter him] paravant > from before, in front; hence: before me, face to face
5 For pardie one shall other slay, or daunt:
pardie > truly; "by God" daunt > overcome, subdue