3 Nor guidance of herself in her did dwell.
4 But the aged nurse, her calling to her bower,

bower > room

5 Had gathered rue, and savin, and the flower

rue > (_Ruta graveolens_, a bitter evergreen shrub, a symbol of
sorrow and repentance, called the "herb of grace" after the God-
given grace that follows true repentance. It was used in the
middle ages as a defence against magic; and was prescribed for a
nervous heart, menstrual problems, etc. Rue was specifically not
to be taken by pregnant women)
savin > (_Junipera sabina_, a small evergreen shrub, the dried tops
of which are abortifacient; cf. 207.52:5)

6 Of camphor, and calamint, and dill,

camphor > (The camphor tree, _Cinnamomum camphora_, which yields a
powerful and volatile oil used in many herbal preparations)
calamint > (_Calamintha_ spp., aromatic herbs of the thyme family,
used, like the closely related mints, for nervousness, insomnia,
etc.)
dill > (_Anetha graveolens_, a herb of the parsley family, also used
as a calming agent)

7 All which she in an earthen pot did pour,
8 And to the brim with colt wood did it fill,

colt wood > (Not in _OED_. Two explanations seem possible:
(1) green wood ("colt" being an adj. meaning young, immature); or
(2) the tough roots of coltsfoot, _Tussilago farfara_, a herb of
the dandelion family)

9 And many drops of milk and blood through it did spill.

milk and blood > (Traditionally used to propitiate Hecate, the
three-headed goddess of the underworld associated with witchcraft
and dreams)
spill > disperse

302.50

Then taking thrise three haires from off her head,
2 Them trebly +breaded+ in a threefold lace,
And round about the pots mouth, bound the thread,
4 And after hauing whispered a space
Certaine sad words, with hollow voice and bace,
6 She to the virgin said, thrise said she it;
Come daughter come, come; spit vpon my face,
8 Spit thrise vpon me, thrise vpon me spit;
Th'vneuen number for this businesse is most fit.

2 breaded > braided _1609_

1 Then, taking thrice three hairs from off her head,
2 Them trebly braided in a threefold lace,

Them > [She them]
lace > thread

3 And round about the pot's mouth bound the thread,
4 And (after having whispered a space
5 Certain sad words, with hollow voice and base)

sad > solemn, heavy
hollow voice and base > [a sepulchral and quiet voice]

6 She to the virgin said, thri