[232] So Shakespeare, in "Timon of Athens," act iv. sc. 3—
"I'll example you with thievery.
The sun's a thief, and with his great attraction
Robs the vast sea: the moon's an arrant thief,
And her pale fire she snatches from the sun;
The sea's a thief, whose liquid surge resolves
The moon into salt tears; the earth's a thief.
That feeds and breeds, by a composture stolen
From general excrement: each thing's a thief;
The laws, your curb and whip, in their rough power
Have uncheck'd theft."
See also the 19th Ode of Anacreon.
[233] A settle is a wooden bench with a back to it, and capable of holding several people. These kind of seats are only to be found in ancient halls, or the common drinking-rooms in the country.—Steevens.
[234] [Edits., profit.]
[235] Edits., smoothest. The versification of this play in general is regular and without hemistiches, were the measure properly attended to.
[236] [Steevens's emendation. Edits, have—
"My life h'as learnt out all, I know't by's music.">[
[237] The quartos read, by the height of stars, but the rhyme requires the alteration.—Collier.
[238] Closely is privately, as in act iii. sc. 1—