[203] “Sinking thought” is a curious expression. It means, I suppose—deep discernment, penetrative shrewdness. Piero dreaded that his villainies would be detected by Feliche.
[204] Marston’s use of this word is ridiculed in The Poetaster (v. 1).
[205] Old eds. “Reconciliation with a death?” Metre and sense show that the article “a” has been misplaced by the printer.
[206] So old eds.
SCENE II.
Precincts of the palace of Piero.
Enter Lucio, Maria, and Nutriche.
Mar. Stay, gentle Lucio, and vouchsafe thy hand.
Lu. O, Madam——.
Mar. Nay, prithee give me leave to say, vouchsafe;
Submiss entreats beseem my humble fate.
Here let us sit. O Lucio, fortune’s gilt
Is rubb’d quite off from my slight tin-foil’d state,
And poor Maria must appear ungraced
Of the bright fulgor of gloss’d majesty.