This is the old reading, which apparently depends on a very low quibble. Alcibiades is told, that _his estate lies in a_ pitch'd _field_. Now _pitch_, as Falstaff says, _doth defile_. Alcibiades therefore replies, that his estate lies _in defiled land_. This, as it happened, was not understood, and all the editors published, _I defy land_,-- I.ii.237 (301,8) Serving of becks] [W: serring] The commentator conceives _beck_ to mean the _mouth_ or the _head_, after the French, _bec_, whereas it means a salutation made with the head. So Milton, "Nods and _becks_, and wreathed smiles." To _serve a beck_, is to offer a salutation. I.ii.238 (301,9) I doubt, whether their legs] He plays upon the word _leg_, as it signifies a _limb_ and a _bow_ or _act of obeisance_. I.ii.247 (302,1) I fear me, thou/Wilt give away thyself in paper shortly] [W: in proper] Hanmer reads very plausibly, --_thou Wilt give away thyself_ in perpetuum. I.ii.235 (302,2) I'll lock/Thy heaven from thee] The pleasure of being flattered. II.i.10 (304,5) No porter at his gate;/But rather one that smiles, and still invites] I imagine that a line is lost here, in which the behaviour of a surly porter was described. II.i.12 (304,6) no reason/Can found his state in safety] The supposed meaning of this [Can sound his state] must be, _No reason_, by _sounding_, fathoming, or trying, _his state_, can find it _safe_. But as the words stand, they imply, that _no reason can_ safely _sound his state_. I read thus, --_no reason Can_ found _his state in safety_.-- _Reason_ cannot find his fortune to have any _safe_ or solid _foundation_. The types of the first printer of this play were so worn and defaced, that _f_ and _s_ are not always to be distinguished. II.ii.5 (305,9) Never mind/Was to be so unwise, to be so kind] Of this mode of expression conversation affords many examples: "I was always to be blamed, whatever happened." "I am in the lottery, but I was always to draw blanks." (1773) II.ii.9 (306,1) Good even, Varro] It is observable, that this _good evening_ is before dinner; for Timon tells Alcibiades, that they will _go forth again as soon as dinner's done_, which may prove that by _dinner_ our author meant not the _coena_ of ancient times, but the mid-day's repast. I do not suppose the passage corrupt: such inadvertencies neither author nor editor can escape. There is another remark to be made. Varro and Isidore sink a few lines afterwards into the servants of Varro and Isidore. Whether servants, in our author's time, took the names of their masters, I know not. Perhaps it is a slip of negligence.