3 nigh > night 1596
1 So down he fell before the cruel beast, 2 Who on his neck his bloody claws did seize, 3 That life nigh crushed out of his panting breast: 4 No power he had to stir, nor will to rise. 5 That when the careful knight gan well advise,
careful > wary; anxious gan > did advise > notice, perceive
6 He lightly left the foe with whom he fought,
lightly > quickly
7 And to the beast gan turn his enterprise;
gan > did; began to
8 For wondrous anguish in his heart it wrought 9 To see his beloved squire into such thraldom brought.
thraldom > captivity, bondage
108.16