erst > recently (310.1)
2 Forth riding from Malbecco's hostless house,
hostless > inhospitable
3 Far off espied a young man, who fled
fled > [was fleeing]
4 From a huge giant, that with hideous
hideous > odious; immense
5 And hateful outrage long him chased thus;
outrage > intemperance; passion chased > [had chased]
6 It was that Ollyphant, the brother dear 7 Of that Argante vile and vicious, 8 From whom the Squire of Dames was reft whilere;