In the same sense Shylock says
"I have possess'd your grace of what I purpose."
It were better that Shakspeare should be thus made his own commentator where it can be done, than that he should be explained by quotations from other authors.
Scene 1. Page 319.
Duke. ... volumes of report
Run with these false and most contrarious quests
Upon thy doings.
It is presumed that the sense of messengers annexed to this word by Mr. Ritson cannot be maintained, but that the very line he refers to establishes it to be searches, inquiries. Mr. Malone's note is, of the others, the most satisfactory. The Duke alludes to the false and various conclusions that result from investigating the actions of men high in office. There is an old pamphlet with the whimsical title of Jacke of Dover, his quest of inquiry, or his privy search for the veriest foole in England, 1604, 4to.
Scene 1. Page 321.
Duke. Sith that the justice of your title to him
Doth flourish the deceit.
That is, decorate an action that would otherwise seem ugly. Two metaphors have already been suggested; a third remains to be stated. Flourish may, perhaps, allude to the ornaments that embellish the ancient as well as modern books of penmanship. There are no finer specimens of beautiful writing extant than some of the reign of Elizabeth, who herself wrote a very elegant Italian hand in the early part of her life.
Scene 2. Page 322.