"And greedy Lucre at a serious conference

Which way to tie the world within their statutes."

Holingshed's words are, "By crafty suggestion got into his hands innumerable treasure."


"Unwilling to outlive the good that did it."

We must either read he for 'that,' or, what is more likely, suppose a word lost at the end of the line. We might read cherish, as we have. "This juggling witchcraft with reverence cherish" (King John, iii. 1). I have, however, read nourish, though I see no advantage in it. "Kings shall be thy nursing-fathers" may have been in the poet's mind. 'Good' is goodness, as fair is fairness.


"How pale she looks,

And of an earthly coldness! Mark her eyes!"