5 Now not a lady, but a seeming tree; 6 With whom, as once I rode accompanied, 7 Me chanced of a knight encountered be,
be > [to be]
8 That had a like fair lady by his side,
like > similarly; similar
9 Like a fair lady, but did foul Duessa hide.
102.36
Whose forged beauty he did take in hand,
2 All other Dames to haue exceeded farre;
I in defence of mine did likewise stand,
4 Mine, that did then shine as the Morning starre:
So both to battell fierce arraunged arre,
6 In which his harder fortune was to fall
Vnder my speare: such is the dye of warre:
8 His Lady left as a prise martiall,
Did yield her comely person, to be at my call.
1 "Whose forged beauty he did take in hand
take in hand > maintain, assert (by force of arms if necessary)
2 All other dames to have exceeded far;