tidings > happenings, occurrences became > had befallen (i.e. the beast has returned to tell the witch what happened to Florimell)

CANTO VIII

The Witch creates a snowy Lady,
2 like to Florimell,
Who wrongd by Carle by Proteus sau'd,
4 is sought by Paridell.

1 The witch creates a snowy lady 2 like to Florimell,

like to > resembling

3 Who, wronged by carl, by Proteus saved,

carl > [a] villain, [a] churl by > [and by] Proteus > (The Old Man of the Sea, a god who can assume any shape or form)

4 is sought by Paridell.

Paridell > (The name is derived from that of Paris: see 309.34:5 ff.)

308.1