11 The basket of figs contained the asp, from the bite of which Cleopatra died (Antony and Cleopatra, act V. scene ii.).
12 The three first monarchies of the world: these, according to Ralegh's account of the world's history, are those of Assyria, Egypt, and Persia.
13 The good advice of Cineas: when Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, was contemplating the invasion of Italy (B.C. 280) his friend and adviser Cineas asked him what he would do when he was master of the world. 'Pyrrhus, finding his drift, answered pleasantly, that they would live merrily: a thing (as Cineas then told him) that they presently might do without any trouble, if he could be contented with his own' (Ralegh).
discourse here means 'fame.'
16 The two kinds of law which Hooker (as he indicates at the beginning of this extract) has already dealt with are: the law which binds a man's private conscience, and the law which regulates his dealings with the state (or 'politic society') of which he is a member.
conceits=conceptions.
18 But that is a wisdom: i.e. the wisdom of wise men, who know how to make a proper use of their studies.
distilled books: i.e. books of selections and extracts.
Abeunt studia, etc.: 'studies pass into the character.'
stond= impediment.