Line 316. Fennell.—Fœniculum vulgare, considered as an inflammatory herb, and used as an emblem of flattery. Cf. Hamlet, iv. 5, 180.
Line 320. Thou.—MS. has though.
Line 327. Weasand.—This word is generally used as a noun, and itself means wind-pipe. Cf. Tempest, iii. 2, 99.
Line 328. Thy face more faire, etc.—According to some legends, Gorgon or Medusa was a beautiful maiden before Athenè, in anger, changed her hair into serpents, thereby rendering her so hideous that all who saw her became petrified. Possibly, however, the allusion here is merely facetious.
Line 329. Dishevells.—Spreads in disorder (an intransitive use). "Their hair, curling, dishevels about their shoulders." (Sir T. Herbert.)
Line 330. Queene of devills.—Probably Persephone, the wife of Pluto, who ruled amongst the shades of the departed.
Line 332. Mavors or Mavers is the form from which Mars is contracted.
Line 337. Silenus for streight backe.—Silenus is usually depicted as a fat, jovial old man, intoxicated and requiring support. The comparison is of course ironical.
Line 339. Rine = rind or bark. The O. E. form was rinde; but for a similar omission of d in the literary language cf. lime (O. E. linde) and lawn (M. E. launde).
Line 342. Whose nose, etc.—Cf. Midsummer Night's Dream, v. 338. A similar jest occurs in Peele's "Old Wives' Tale": "Her corall lippes, her crimson chinne."