[127] Old copy, Picaeo.
[128] Old copy, metals.
[129] An early instance of an echo of this kind upon the stage is to be found in Peele's "Arraignment of Paris," 1584. Mr D'Israeli has an entertaining essay upon them in his "Curiosities of Literature," second series. They were carried to a most ridiculous excess afterwards.
[130] The old spelling of than was then, and this must be observed here. The echo is supposed to encourage Marius again to take up arms—
"Nought better fits old Marius' mind than war."
And the reply of the echo is, "Then war," or then go to war.
[131] This passage is quoted by Mr Steevens in a note on "Hamlet," act v. sc. 1, to show that "the winter's flaw" there spoken of means "the winter's blast."
[132] Old copy, Distia.
[133] Dreariment is not so frequently met in any of our old writers as Spenser: I do not recollect it in any play before. It requires no explanation.
[134] Old copy, coffer.