1 And sooth, men say that he was not the son
sooth > truly, in truth
2 Of mortal sire, or other living wight,
sire > father wight > creature
3 But wondrously begotten, and begun
begun > brought into being
4 By false illusion of a guileful sprite,
sprite > (See HRB 6.18)
5 On a fair lady nun, that whilom hight
whilom > formerly, of old hight > was named