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