It were a delicate stratagem to shoe
A troop of horse with felt;—
i.e. with flocks kneaded to a mass, a practice I believe sometimes used in former ages, for it is mentioned in Ariosto:
"—Fece nel cader strepito quanto
Avesse avuto sotto i piedi il feltro."
It is very common for madmen to catch an accidental hint, and strain it to the purpose predominant in their minds. Lear picks up a flock, and immediately thinks to surprize his enemies by a troop of horse shod with flocks or felt. Yet block may stand, if we suppose that the sight of a block put him in mind of mounting his horse.
IV.vi.199 (457,1) Why, this would make a man, a man of salt] Would make a man melt away like salt in wet weather.
IV.vi.206 (457,2) Then there's life in't] The case is not yet desperate.
IV.vi.217 (457,3) the main descry/Stands on the hourly thought] The main body is expected to be descry'd every hour. The expression is harsh.
IV.vi.246 (459,7) che vor'ye] I warn you. Edgar counterfeits the western dialect.