1 Soon as the Elfin knight in presence came
Soon > [As soon] presence > presence-chamber (where a sovereign receives visitors)
2 (And false Duessa, seeming lady fair), 3 A gentle usher, Vanity by name,
gentle > gentle; noble (used ironically)
4 Made room, and passage for them did prepare: 5 So goodly brought them to the lowest stair
goodly > courteously
6 Of her high throne, where they, on humble knee 7 Making obeisance, did the cause declare
declare > declare, make clear; relate
8 Why they were come, her royal state to see,
state > throne; majesty, pomp