shrank > [shrank back]
8 All they, for want of faith, or guilt of sin, 9 The piteous prey of his fierce cruelty have been.
107.46
At last yledd with farre reported praise,
2 Which flying fame throughout the world had spred,
Of doughtie knights, whom Faery land did raise,
4 That noble order hight of Maidenhed,
Forthwith to court of Gloriane I sped,
6 Of Gloriane great Queene of glory bright,
Whose kingdomes seat Cleopolis is red,
8 There to obtaine some such redoubted knight,
That Parents deare from tyrants powre deliuer might.
1 "At last, led with far reported praise, 2 Which flying fame throughout the world had spread, 3 Of doughty knights, whom Faery Land did raise 4 (That noble order, hight of Maidenhead),
hight > called, named Maidenhead > (A reference to the Order of the Garter, the highest chivalric order of English knighthood, instituted c. 1344; the sovereign (i.e. Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen) is head of the order. Its emblems include the Red Cross and St George slaying the dragon)
5 Forthwith to court of Gloriana I sped, 6 Of Gloriana, great queen of glory bright,
bright > bright; beautiful (referring both to the queen and her glory)
7 Whose kingdom's seat Cleopolis is read,
seat > throne Cleopolis > "City of Glorious Fame" (Greek; allegorically: London) read > named