How some men creep in skittish Fortune's hall,
While others play the idiots in her eyes!]
To creep is to keep out of sight from whatever motive. Some men keep out of notice in the hall of Fortune, while others, though they but play the idiot, are always in her eye, in the way of distinction.
III.iii.137 (83,5) feasting] Folio. The quarto has fasting. Either word may bear a good sense.
III.iii.145 (84,6) Time hath, my lord, a wallet at his back] This speech is printed in all the modern editions with such deviations from the old copy, as exceed the lawful power of an editor.
III.iii.171 (85,2) for beauty, wit,/High birth, vigour of bone, desert in service] The modern editors read,
For beauty, wit, high birth, desert in service, &c.
I do not deny but the changes produce a more easy lapse of numbers, but they do not exhibit the work of Shakespeare, (see 1765, VII, 435, 2)
III.iii.178 (85,3)
And shew to dust, that is a little gilt,