"Myself would, on the rearward of reproaches,

Strike at thy life."

The metaphor is a military one, referring to a rear-guard or reserve which follows up the attack of the vanguard or of the main army.

126. [Sound.] Utter, express; or "'to sound as with a plummet' is possible" (Dowden). That word's death = the death implied in that word.

130. [Wash they,] etc. That is, let them wash, etc. Some eds. put an interrogation mark after tears, as the 2d quarto does.

137. [Wot.] Know; used only in the present tense and the participle wotting.


Scene III.—

1. [Fearful.] Full of fear, afraid; Cf. M.N.D. v. 1. 101, 165, etc.

2. [Parts.] Gifts, endowments. Cf. iii. 5. 181 below: "honourable parts."