| "So, like a lion that unheeded lay, Dissembling sleep, and watchful to betray, With inward rage he meditates his prey;" |
and Absalom and Achitophel, 447:
| "And like a lion, slumbering in the way, Or sleep dissembling, while he waits his prey." |
[77.] "Richard the Second (as we are told by Archbishop Scroop and the confederate Lords in their manifesto, by Thomas of Walsingham, and all the older writers) was starved to death. The story of his assassination by Sir Piers of Exon is of much later date" (Gray).
[79.] Reft of a crown. Wakefield quotes Mallet's ballad of William and Margaret:
| "Such is the robe that kings must wear When death has reft their crown." |
[82.] A baleful smile. The MS. has "A smile of horror on." Cf. Milton, P. L. ii. 846: "Grinn'd horrible a ghastly smile."
| THE TRAITOR'S GATE OF THE TOWER. |
[83.] "Ruinous wars of York and Lancaster" (Gray). Cf. P. L. vi. 209: "Arms on armour clashing brayed."
[84.] Cf. Shakes. 1 Hen. IV. iv. 1: "Harry to Harry shall, hot horse to horse;" and Massinger, Maid of Honour: "Man to man, and horse to horse."