8 Else might it needs down to his manly breast

Else might it > [Otherwise it might] needs > of necessity; hence: perforce

9 Have cleft his head in twain, and life thence dispossessed.

cleft > split twain > two

208.34

Now was the Prince in daungerous distresse,
2 Wanting his sword, when he on foot should fight:
His single speare could doe him small redresse,
4 Against two foes of so exceeding might,
The least of which was match for any knight.
6 And now the other, whom he earst did daunt,
Had reard himselfe againe to cruell fight,
8 Three times more furious, and more puissaunt,
Vnmindfull of his wound, of his fate ignoraunt.

1 Now was the prince in dangerous distress, 2 Wanting his sword, when he on foot should fight:

Wanting > Lacking

3 His single spear could do him small redress

single > {Solitary, unsupported by a sword; cf. 203.12:3} do > render redress > assistance