[II, i, 66]. eate—owing to the tendency to drop the inflectional ending -en, the Elizabethans frequently used the curtailed forms of past participles, which are common in Early English: “I have spoke, forgot, writ, chid,” etc.—Abbott, S. G., § 343. Cf. broke, [II, ii, 27]; spoke, [III, i, 3]; begot, [IV, iv, 154]; [170].
[II, i, 83]. golden calf—the figure, from its immediate application to a dolt of great wealth, is transferred to the false god whom the children of Israel worshipped at the foot of Mount Sinaï.
[II, i, 93–4]. Would they not so, etc.—the Q. reading is to be preferred to either of the modern emendations. It is probably in the sense of “Would they no more but so?”, with the ensuing declaration that in that case they would keep their tears to stop (fill?) bottles (probably meaning lachrimatories or phials used in ancient times for the preservation of tears of mourning).
[II, i, 98–9]. Y’are ne’re content, Crying nor laughing—The meaning is, of course: “You are never content with us, whether we are crying or laughing.”
[II, i, 100]. Both with a birth—i. e., both together, at the same time.
[II, i, 137]. Burmudas—The Bermuda islands, known only through the tales of early navigators who suffered shipwreck there, enjoyed a most unsavory reputation in Elizabethan times, as being the seat of continual tempests, and the surrounding waters “a hellish sea for thunder, lightning, and storms.” Cf. Shakespeare, The Tempest, I, ii, 269: “the still-vexed Bermoothes.” They were said to be enchanted, and inhabited by witches and devils. They were made famous by the shipwreck there in 1609 of Sir George Somers; the following year one of his party, Sil. Jordan, published A Discovery of the Bermudas, otherwise called the Isle of Devils.
Field has another reference to “the Barmuthoes” in Amends for Ladies, III, iv; but there it is not clear whether he means the islands or certain narrow passages north of Covent Garden, which went by the slang name of “the Bermudas” or “the Streights.” It is in this latter sense that the word is used in Jonson’s The Devil is an Ass, II, i.
[II, i, 139]. Exact the strictnesse—i. e., require a strict enforcement of the sentence which limits Charalois to the confines of the prison.
[II, i, 144]. vsurers relief, etc.—a rather awkward expression, so phrased for the sake of the end-scene rhyme. The thought seems to be: “The relief which usurers have to offer mourns, if the debtors have (exhibit) too much grief.” Charalois’ remark is, of course, ironical.
[II, ii, 10]. electuary—a medicinal conserve or paste, consisting of a powder or some other ingredient mixed with honey, preserve, or syrup of some other kind. Beaumelle means that Florimal is the medicine and Bellapert the sweet which makes it palatable.