[167] The edition of 1608 reads _toward_, which may be right. The edition of 1633 reads _coward_; but probably _covert_ is the correct word.--_Collier._ [168] [Edits., _death of_, which is assuredly nonsense.] [169] The metre, and sense also, would be improved could any warrant be found for reading, _This kiss shall leave_, &c.--_Collier._ [170] [The sun, the eye of the world.] [171] [In reference to the saying that maidens always say _nay_.] [172] _Bird_ in the first edit., showing how the word was then pronounced.--_Collier._ [173] [Edits., _errors_.] [174] [A play on the double meaning of the word.] [175] [The speaker refers, as we shall presently see, to the newly-feigned dumbness of Philocles.] [176] [Edits. read-- "I should think strangely, had we strange things on earth. But wonders now," &c.] [177] The quartos, _day-net_, we should read _dare net_. Surrey, in "Henry VIII," act iii. sc. 3, says: "And _dare_ us with his cap-like larks." See Blome's "Gentleman's Recreation."--_Pegge._ [See also Dyce's "Shakespeare Glossary," _v._ Dare.] [178] [Edits., _my_.] [179] [Edits., _nerves_.] ACTUS III., SCÆNA 1. _Enter the_ DUKE OF EPIRE _and_ ALPHONSO. EPIRE. Grief, which controls the motions of our thoughts, Reigns in my blood, and makes me passion's slave. My sister's misery torments my soul, And breaks my gall, when I but think of her: She was bewitch'd with spells to her misfortune, Or else born hapless under a low'ring star, And 'tis her fate to be thus miserable. O Philocles, hadst thou no other scale To mount thy heaven but by our miseries? Must all the noble fame of our great house Waste down her royal pillars, to make steps For thee to climb to glory? Well, I see Thou plott'st our shames in thy great dignity. ALPH. Patience, great lord; methinks these ill-rais'd storms Have not more violence than may be borne: Come, we will both go sue unto the king, We there will kneel and pray eternally, And never rise till he remit his doom. It shall be so, I will unto the king, To beg great favour for a small offence: But if she die for this, then, king, take heed: Thou[180] and thy fortunes by this hand shall bleed. [_Exeunt._ _Enter_ CHIP, SHAVING, _and others with a scaffold_. CHIP. Come, my hearts, let's make all things ready for the execution; here's a maidenhead must be cut off without a feather-bed. SHA. It's a sign she deals with sharp tools and a cruel headsman. CHIP. If I had been her judge, she should have been tossed to death in a blanket. SHA. No, I would have had her smothered in a feather-bed. CHIP. They say she would not plead at her trial. SHA. No, that's true, for she had a great desire to be pressed.[181] CHIP. And I have known some of her sex have got that favour to be pressed for speaking.