Have strain'd to appear thus."

I read 'have I Strain'd to appear thus?' in which I had been anticipated by Hanmer. An 'uncurrent encounter' was an unusual kind of meeting; and 'strain'd' signifies pulled against the line of my duty as a wife—a metaphor taken from dogs in a leash—

"What I was I am,

More straining on for plucking back, not following

My leash unwillingly" (iv. 3).

It might also signify, acted indecorously, "Unless he know some strain in me that I know not myself." Merry Wives, ii. 1.


"You will not own it.—More than I am mistress of."

So also Hanmer corrected.