O take the sense, sweet, of my innocence.
understand the meaning of my innocence, or my innocent meaning. Let no suspicion of ill enter thy mind.
Love takes the meaning, in love's conference.
In the conversation of those who are assured of each other's kindness, not suspicion, but love takes the meaning. No malevolent interpretation is to be made, but all is to be received in the sense which love can find, and which love can dictate.
II.ii.89 (45,6) [my grace] My acceptableness, the favour that I can gain. (1773)
II.ii.120 (46,7) [Reason becomes the marshal to my will] That is,
My will now follows reason.
III.i (48,3) In the time of Shakespeare, there were many companies of players, sometimes five at the same time, contending for the favour of the publick. Of these some were undoubtedly very unskilful and very poor, and it is probable that the design of this scene was to ridicule their ignorance, and the odd expedients to which they might be driven by the want of proper decorations. Bottom was perhaps the head of a rival house, and is therefore honoured with an ass's head.
III.i.110 (52,8) [Through bog, through bush, through brake, through bryer] Here are two syllables wanting. Perhaps, it was written,
Through bog, through mire,———-
III.i.116 (52,9) [to make me afeard]