"Even at the first
Thy loss is more than can thy portage quit
With all thou canst find here."
If there be no corruption in the passage of Pericles, the meaning can only be (as Steevens explained) "thy safe arrival at the port of life." Our author's use of the word "portage" is even more perplexing than Shakespeare's; "Thy portion" would give excellent sense; but, with the passage of Pericles before us, we cannot suppose that there is a printer's error. [In Henry V. 3, i, we find 'portage' for 'port-holes.']
[169] Quy. ever?
[170] The subst. mouse is sometimes found as an innocent term of endearment, but more often in a wanton sense (like the Lat. passer).
[171] 'Felt locks'—matted locks, commonly called "elf-locks": the various forms "felted," "felter'd" and "feutred" are found.
[172] 'Stavesucre' (said to be a corruption of [Greek: staphis]. and usually written 'Staves-acre') a kind of lark-spur considered efficacious in destroying lice. Cf. Marlowe's Dr. Faustus (i. 4)— 'Stavesacre? that's good to kill vermin; then belike, if I serve you, I shall be lousy.'
[173] Quy. early-rioting.
[174] Ought we to read 'fins'? Webster (Duchess of Malfi, ii. 1) has the expression the 'fins of her eye-lids'; it is found also in the Malcontent (i. 1), The confusion between the 'f' and the long 's' is very common.
[175] Shakespeare uses the verb 'fang' (Timon of Athens, iv. 3) in the sense of 'seize, clutch.'
[176] Varlet—'the serjeant-at-mace to the city counters was so called,' Halliwell (who, however, gives no instance of this use).