44 'eighty-eight] The Armada year, often taken as a standard of remoteness not too remote. This, which is the later reading, of 1677 sqq., seems better than 'Thou takest in thy Eighty Eight' (1647, 1651, 1653, &c.).
49-62 The italics of 1653, though discarded in 1677, seem worth keeping, because of the solemn call of attention to the particulars of the 'Vow'; they extend in the 1653 text to l. 60. But 1647 and 1651, prefix inverted commas to ll. 49-56, which seems a more effective ending to the 'Vow'.
53 Some inferior editions put in 'shall'. 1647, 1651, 1653, and 1677 exclude it.
61 twist] In the sense of 'twine', 'unite'. 'page' = 'boy'.
62 1647, 1651 'Tropicks': 1653 'Tropick'; but both Cancer and Capricorn are wanted.
To Mrs. K. T.
(Who asked him why he was dumb.)
Stay, should I answer, Lady, then