Page 361. SHAMONT....

But I have ever had that curiosity

In blood, that tenderness of reputation,

Such an antipathy against a blow.

Curiosity means delicacy, nicety, and is an expression that cannot be changed for the better, Shamont, in his retirement, says, speaking of the common herd—

They have no terms of reputation here,

No punctual limits, or precise dimensions,

Which explains what he means here by curio、 `sity; and, in the next page, the Duke saysSeek me out grooms,

Men more insensible of reputation,

Less curious, and precise in terms of honour,

In blood, means in disposition.

Page 363. GAllant........

Yes, would you should well know,
I understand it for a box in the ear.

Read

I would you should, &c.

Page 366. GALLOSHIO....I never yet took a box in the ear, But it redounded.

I believe we should read

But it rebounded.

That is, I never took a box of the ear, but it became in some way a punishment to the person who gave it; and accordingly he comforts himself

now with the thoughts of having angered the person who struck him, to the kidneys.

Page 371. SECOND BROTHER........

There is no tampering with these Cupids longer,
The mere conceit with womankind works strong.

I suspect that these lines were intended to rhyme with each other, and that the passage originally ran thus

There is no tampering with these Cupids long, The mere conceit with womankind works strong. Page 372. MADMAN....As nightingales,

And things in cambrick rails,

Sing best against a prickle.

A rail means a woman's upper garment: so we say a night-rail.

Page 373. MADMAN....

Democritus, thou ancient fleerer,

How I miss thy laugh and ha-sense.

The old reading is ha since, which can bear no meaning: I therefore approve of Seward's amendment, though not of the explanation, which is far-fetched and unnatural. I should rather suppose that ha-sense is a contraction of half-sense. It is common to call a foolish joker an half-witted fellow,

Page 374. SECOND BROTHER....Most unfortunate, To make thyself but lackey to thy spoil,

After thy sex's manner.

The old reading is

To make thyself but lucky to thy spoil;

Which may mean, You are most unfortunate in every attempt to redeem yourself, and lucky only in these opportunities which conducted you to ruin. The present reading suggests to my mind no meaning whatsoever; and in the kind of ex- . planation the Editor gives of it, he has entirely overlooked the word but before lucky, which must be attended to.

Page 378. LAPET....It will prove a lasting benefit,
Like the Wise Masters,

The book alluded to is the Seven Wise Masters of Greece: I never heard of the Seven Wise Masters of Rome.

· Page 378. LAPET.... Thinking indeed,

'Twill prove too great a benefit, and help
For one that's new set up: they know their way,
And make him warden e'er his head be grey.

This

passage

should be pointed thus

Thinking indeed,

"Twill prove too great a benefit, and help

For one that's new set up; (they know their way)

And make him warden ere his head be grey.

E'er is a contraction for ever, and must be changed

for ere.

Page 382. SHAMONT........

I am ill used of all sides; 'tis a fault,

That fortune ever had to abuse a goodness.

We should read to abuse goodness, without the article.

Page 383. FIRST GENTLEMAN....

And the most admir'd change

That living flesh e'r had: he's not the man, my Lord.
That is, He is not the man he was.

VOL. X.

THE HONEST MAN'S FORTUNE.

Page 390. ORLEANS.... And did you

Entreat the number of them?

There can be no doubt but we ought to read-
Encrease the number of them?

Instead of entreat.

Page 390. ORLEANS........

I

can have

any common charity

To such a prayer.

The Editors have justly explained the meaning

of this passage; but the words, as they stand, do

not express it. I should read it thus--

I can from any common charity

Have such a prayer.

Page 393. SECOND LAWYER........
And your counsel understands
The business fully.

FIRST LAWYER....They are industrious.

This speech proves that in that of the Second Lawyer we must read understand, instead of understands.

Page 397. LONGUEVILLE....And the other stript him.
That is, outstript him.

Page 407. AMIENS....Cast away this buckler.
MONTAGUE....So he is, sir, for he lives

With one that is undone.

I shall not attempt to explain this passage myself, but must express my dissatisfaction of the explanation given by the last Editors. I never heard before that undone meant unbuckled. There is evidently an allusion to some phrase now out of use. In the Woman-Hater, Lazarillo, expressing his despair at having lost the Umbrana's head, as supposed, says--

Farewell, you lusty archers of the guard,
To whom I now go give the bucklers up,
And never more with any of your coat
Will eat for wagers.

Page 399. FIRST LAWYER........

Oh! Oh! my good lord, have an eye upon him.

I think Seward right in inserting the word I;

the Lawyer meaning to say, I see him.