[397-15] One of the stories of the god Mercury is that he gave to Amphion, King of Thebes, a magic harp upon which the king played and so charmed the stones that they sprang into place to make the walls of his city.
[398-16] The meaning of stomach in this line is appetite or desire. Alonso says they crowd their words into his ears when his feelings do not relish such nonsense.
[398-17] Rate means estimation.
[398-18] His is used for its and refers to shore.
[398-19] For as, read as if.
[399-20] Who is used for which. This is but another illustration of the changes that have taken place in the use of words since Shakespeare’s time.
[399-21] Sebastian tells the King that he alone is responsible for the loss. Even his daughter weighed her wish to be obedient against her loathing of the match.
[399-22] Dearest here means the same as heaviest or worst.
[399-23] Chirurgeon is the old word for surgeon. Antonio says, “And in the most surgeon-like manner.”
[400-24] Gonzalo says, literally. “When you are sad, we all share your sorrow.”