6 Where noblest knights were to be found on earth: 7 The earth shall sooner leave her kindly skill
leave > forsake; neglect kindly skill > natural knowledge, innate ability
8 To bring forth fruit, and make eternal dearth,
dearth > famine
9 Than I leave you, my lief, born of heavenly birth.
lief > dear, beloved
103.29
And sooth to say, why I left you so long,
2 Was for to seeke aduenture in strange place,
Where Archimago said a felon strong
4 To many knights did daily worke disgrace;
But knight he now shall neuer more deface:
6 Good cause of mine excuse; that mote ye please
Well to accept, and euermore embrace
8 My faithfull seruice, that by land and seas
Haue vowd you to defend, now then your plaint appease.
1 "And sooth to say, why I left you so long
sooth > truth; truthfully, truly