31 1647, 1651, 1653 'the college'. It is said that the definite article usually at this time designates 'the College of Physicians'. But, as Mr. Berdan well observes, 'the case was unfortunately too common to admit of identification'. Cleveland's restless wit was not idle in calling 'Manchester's elves'—the Parliamentary troops—'changelings'. The soldier ought to be a King's man: and indeed pretended to be.
32 1647 (pamphlet) 'reformed'.
40 This and l. 47 are examples of the Drydenian line before Dryden, so frequent in Cleveland.
46 = 'The unborn child of a cloud'.
47 Alliteration, and some plausibility of verse, seduced 1677 into 'of State', but I think 'fate' is better.
50 checks] shrinks 1647, 1651, 1653.
55-6 1647, 1651, 1653 read
Nor the false scabbard of a Prince's tough
Metal and three-piled darkness like the slough.
Some fight might be made for 'Metal', but 'Nor' is indefensible. I am half inclined to transfer it above to l. 52 and take 'No' thence. The text, which is 1677, is I suppose a correction. Both 1647 texts mark 'slough' with an asterisk, and have a marginal note 'A damp in coal-pits usual'.