sharpest steel exceed > [exceed sharpest steel in sharpness]

111.12

But stings and sharpest steele did far exceed
2 The sharpnesse of his cruell rending clawes;
Dead was it sure, as sure as death in deed,
4 What euer thing does touch his rauenous pawes,
Or what within his reach he euer drawes.
6 But his most hideous head my toung to +tell,+
Does tremble: for his deepe deuouring iawes
8 Wide gaped, like the griesly mouth of hell,
Through which into his darke abisse all rauin fell.

6 tell, > tell 1609

1 But stings and sharpest steel did far exceed

did far exceed > [were far exceeded by]

2 The sharpness of his cruel rending claws; 3 Dead was it sure, as sure as death indeed, 4 Whatever thing does touch his ravenous paws, 5 Or what within his reach he ever draws. 6 But his most hideous head my tongue to tell

hideous > immense; odious; hideous tell > describe

7 Does tremble: for his deep devouring jaws 8 Wide gaped, like the grisly mouth of hell,

grisly > horrible, fearsome