6 Early, before the heavens' fairest light 7 Out of the ruddy east was fully reared, 8 The herds out of their folds were loosed quite, 9 And he amongst the rest crept forth in sorry plight.
sorry > sorry; painful, distressing
310.53
So soone as he the Prison dore did pas,
2 He ran as fast, as both his feete could beare,
And neuer looked, who behind him was,
4 Ne scarsely who before: like as a Beare
That creeping close, amongst the hiues to reare
6 An hony combe, the wakefull dogs espy,
And him assayling, sore his carkasse teare,
8 That hardly he with life away does fly,
Ne stayes, till safe himselfe he see from ieopardy.
1 So soon as he the prison door did pass,
prison door > [the point at which he was far enough away to escape detection]
2 He ran as fast as both his feet could bear, 3 And never looked who behind him was,
looked > [looked to see]
4 Nor scarcely who before: like a bear 5 That, creeping close amongst the hives to rear
close > secretly; close rear > gather, collect (usu. said of fines, rents, etc.)