4 He smote thereat with all his might and main,

main > force, strength

5 That naught so wondrous puissance might sustain;

so > such puissance > power, strength sustain > endure

6 Upon the joint the lucky steel did light,

light > strike; fall, alight

7 And made such way, that hewed it quite in twain;

that > [that it] twain > two

8 The paw yet missed not his minished might,

his > [the paw's or the dragon's] minished > reduced, diminished