erst

Consider what I erst have been and what thou seest me now:

Thenne he sente the varlet ageyne and bad hym telle Kyng Mark that I wille come as soone as I am hole / for erste I maye doo hym noo good

"Then he sent the varlet again, and bade him: Tell King Mark that I will come as soon as I am whole, for erst I may do him no good. "

When lofty trees I see barren of leaves

Which erst from heat did canopy the herd