stay > detain; halt miser > wretch

201.9

He stayd his steed for humble misers sake,
2 And bad tell on the tenor of his plaint;
Who feigning then in euery limbe to quake,
4 Through inward feare, and seeming pale and faint
With piteous mone his percing speach gan paint;
6 Deare Lady how shall I declare thy cace,
Whom late I left in +langourous+ constraint?
8 Would God thy selfe now present were in place,
To tell this ruefull tale; thy sight could win thee grace.

7 langourous > languorous 1590

1 He stayed his steed for humble miser's sake, 2 And bade tell on the tenor of his plaint;

plaint > {Statement of grievance made in seeking redress}

3 Who, feigning then in every limb to quake, 4 Through inward fear, and seeming pale and faint, 5 With piteous moan his piercing speech gan paint:

gan > did; began to

6 "Dear lady, how shall I declare your case,

case > plight