FOOTNOTES:

[180] [Edits., thee.]

[181] Alluding to the old law for pressing prisoners who refused to plead.

[182] i.e., Dove's down.—Steevens.

[183] Another allusion to the book mentioned in "Eastward Hoe!" Since the note on that passage was written, I have discovered that there were two books with titles nearly similar: one of them, "The Seckman's Salve," by Thomas Becon, 8^o, 1591: and the other: "The Salve of a Sickman; or, A treatise concerning the nature, difference, and kinds of death," by William Perking, 8^o, 1595. [It does not appear at all necessary to conclude that any partcular look is referred to.]

[184] Mr Reed, without any authority from the old copies, and without the slightest notice, gave the lines that follow to Alphonso, and inserted his name accordingly: they are most clearly a continuation of Epire's speech: he draws the distinction between their situations.—Collier.

[185] The omission of this repetition of the words and thus, has hitherto spoiled the measure.—Collier.

[186] Reap a palace in both quartos.—Collier.

[187] [Edits., my.]

[188] [Edits., my.]

[189] These lines are the 39th stanza of "Venus and Adonis," by Shakespeare.

[190] Two lines from the third stanza of "Venus and Adonis."

[191] [Edits., for. Reed's emendation.]

[192] i.e., Pruner. Chaucer, in the "Merchant's Tale," says of Damian, that

"He kembeth him, he proineth him, and piketh."

—Steevens.

[193] Horse with housings.—Steevens.

[194] [Edits., loves.]

[195] [Edits., tale.]

[196] [Old copy, From.]

[197] The name of an image on a post in Rome, to which defamatory libels are affixed.—Steevens.

[198] A parroquet, or small sort of parrot. See Altieri's "Italian Dictionary," in the English part. She gives him this name on account of his prating.—Pegge.

[199] To draw dry foot, as Dr Gray observes, is when the dog pursues the game by the scent of the foot, for which the bloodhound is famed. See Mr Steevens's note to the "Comedy of Errors," act iv. sc. 2.

[200] A puppet. Mr Tollet supposes it to be a corruption of Mahomet. See several instances of the use of this word in Mr Steevens's note on "The First Part of King Henry IV.," act ii. sc. 3.

Again, in Hall's "Chronicle," fol. 20, Henry IV.: "By the deviacion, and not devinacion of that mawmet Merlyn."

[201] Alluding to the poisoned garment given by Dejanira to Hercules. See Ovid's "Metamorphoses," b. ix.

[202] [Edits., thy.]

[203] In the quartos of 1608 and of 1633, this line is by mistake assigned to Cyprus. The exit of Florio, who obviously withdraws, is also not marked.—Collier.

[204] [Edits., you, to her, and.]

[205] [Edits., do, do, do.]

[206] This horrid sentiment is to be found in too many of our ancient poets. See [Ford's "Works," by Dyce, i. 143.]