"I forget:
But these sweet thoughts do even refresh my labour's
Most business, when I do it."
"Most" being used in the sense of "greatest," as in Henry VI., Pt. I., Act IV. Scene 1., (noticed by Steevens):—
"But always resolute in most extremes."
Thus the change of a single syllable is sufficient to make good English, good sense, and good metre of a passage which is otherwise defective in these three particulars. It retains the s in "labours," keeps the comma in its place, and provides that antecedent for "it," which was justly considered necessary by Mr. Singer.
John Taylor.
30. Upper Gower Street.
Meaning of Waste-book (Vol. iii., pp. 118, 195.).—Richard Dafforne, of Northampton, in his very curious
"Merchant's Mirrour, or Directions for the Perfect Ordering and Keeping of his Accounts; framed by way of Debitor and Creditor after the (so tearmed) Italian Manner, containing 250 rare Questions, with their Answers in the form of a Dialogue; as likewise a Waste Book, with a complete Journal and Ledger thereunto appertaining;"