[230] The _wanderers_ are the _planets_, called by the Greeks _planetæ_, from their moving or wandering, and by the Latins, from the same notion, _stellæ errantes;_ as on the contrary the fixed stars are termed by them _stellæ inerrantes_. The character appropriated by astronomers and astrologers to the planet Mercury, is this [Symb. of Mercury], which may be imagined to contain in it something of the characters of all the other planets [Symb. of Saturn] [Symb. of Jupiter] [Symb. of Mars] [Symb. of Sun] [Symb. of Venus] [Symb. of First Quarter Moon]. The history of the heathen deities, whose names were assigned to the several planets, is full of tricks and robberies, to say no worse, as is remarked by the apologetical fathers, who are perpetually inveighing against them on that account; and to this mythological history the poet here alludes.--_Pegge._ [231] Phantasia of Memphis, as Ptolemeus Hephestion tells us, in Photius, Cod. 190. See Fabricius "Biblioth," gr. i. p. 152. This comes excellently well out of the mouth of such a consummate villain as Albumazar.--_Pegge._ See also Blackwell's "Inquiry into the Life and Writings of Homer," 1736, p. 135. [232] So Shakespeare, in "Timon of Athens," act iv. sc. 3-- "I'll example you with thievery. The sun's a thief, and with his great attraction Robs the vast sea: the moon's an arrant thief, And her pale fire she snatches from the sun; The sea's a thief, whose liquid surge resolves The moon into salt tears; the earth's a thief. That feeds and breeds, by a composture stolen From general excrement: each thing's a thief; The laws, your curb and whip, in their rough power Have uncheck'd theft." See also the 19th Ode of Anacreon. [233] A _settle_ is a wooden bench with a back to it, and capable of holding several people. These kind of seats are only to be found in ancient halls, or the common drinking-rooms in the country.--_Steevens._ [234] [Edits., _profit_.] [235] Edits., _smoothest_. The versification of this play in general is regular and without hemistiches, were the measure properly attended to. [236] [Steevens's emendation. Edits, have-- "My life h'as learnt out all, I know't by's music." [237] The quartos read, _by the height of stars_, but the rhyme requires the alteration.--_Collier._ [238] _Closely_ is _privately_, as in act iii. sc. 1-- "I'll entertain him here, meanwhile steal you _Closely_ into the room." Again, in "The Spanish Tragedy"-- "Boy, go, convoy this purse to Pedringano; Thou knowest the prison, _closely_ give it him." And again, _ibid._-- "Wise men will take their opportunity _Closely_ and safely, fitting things to time." --_Pegge._ [239] [Blushing.]