thereof, and so them still debar'd.
6 It was a famous Present for a Prince,
And worthy worke of infinite reward,
8 That treasons could bewray, and foes conuince;
Happie this Realme, had it remained euer since.

1 Such was the glassy globe that Merlin made,
2 And gave to King Ryence for his guard,

guard > protection, defence

3 That never foes his kingdom might invade,

That > [So that]

4 But he it knew at home before he heard

But > [But that]

5 Tidings thereof, and so them still debarred.

still > continually
debarred > kept out, thwarted

6 It was a famous present for a prince,
7 And worthy work of infinite reward,

reward > regard, heed; _hence:_ merit

8 That treasons could bewray, and foes convince;

bewray > betray, reveal
convince > overcome, vanquish; convict

9 Happy this realm, had it remained ever since.

Happy > Fortunate; happy

302.22

One day it fortuned, faire _Britomart_
2 Into her fathers closet to repayre;
For nothing he from her reseru'd apart,
4 Being his onely daughter and his hayre:
Where when she had espyde that mirrhour fayre,
6 Her selfe a while therein she vewd in vaine;
Tho her auizing of the vertues rare,
8 Which thereof spoken were, she gan againe
Her to bethinke of, that mote to her selfe pertaine.

1 One day it fortuned fair Britomart
2 Into her father's closet to repair;

closet > private apartment [of a monarch]
repair > go

3 For nothing he from her reserved apart,
4 Being his only daughter and his heir:
5 Where, when she had espied that mirror fair,

mirror > magic glass, crystal ball

6 Herself awhile therein she viewed in vain;

in vain > fruitlessly, pointlessly; vainly (a charming pun)

7 Tho her advising of the virtues rare

Tho > Then
her advising > considering; _hence:_ thinking (quasi-refl.)
virtues > powers, occult powers

8 Which thereof spoken were, she gan again

gan > did

9 Her to bethink of that might to herself pertain.

Her to bethink of > [Think about, reflect on]
that > [that which]

302.23

But as it falleth, in the gentlest harts
2 Imperious Loue hath highest set his throne,
And tyrannizeth in the bitter smarts
4 Of them, that to him buxome are and prone:
So thought this Mayd (as maydens vse to done)
6 Whom fortune for her husband would allot,
Not that she lusted after any one;
8 For