4 Deep indignation and compassion frail

frail > tender (SUS)

5 Into his heart at once: straight did he hale

at once > simultaneously; at once straight > straightway, unreservedly; strait: strictly hale > drag

6 The greedy villein from his hoped prey,

villein > villain; serf hoped > [hoped-for]

7 Of which he now did very little fail,

fail > lack (fail of = miss)

8 And with his staff, that drives his herd astray,

astray > [when they are astray; hence: when they stray from their proper course]