II, i, 66. _eate_--owing to the tendency to drop the inflectional
ending _-en_, the Elizabethans frequently used the curtailed forms of
past participles, which are common in Early English: “I have spoke,
forgot, writ, chid,” etc.--Abbott, S. G., § 343. Cf. _broke_, II, ii,
27; _spoke_, III, i, 3; _begot_, IV, iv, 154; 170.
II, i, 83. _golden calf_--the figure, from its immediate application
to _a dolt of great wealth_, is transferred to the false god whom the
children of Israel worshipped at the foot of Mount Sinaï.
II, i, 93-4. _Would they not so_, etc.--the Q. reading is to be
preferred to either of the modern emendations. It is probably in the
sense of “Would they no more but so?”, with the ensuing declaration
that in that case they would keep their tears to stop (fill?) bottles
(probably meaning lachrimatories or phials used in ancient times for
the preservation of tears of mourning).
II, i, 98-9. _Y’are ne’re content, Crying nor laughing_--The meaning
is, of course: “You are never content with us, whether we are crying or
laughing.”
II, i, 100. _Both with a birth_--i. e., both together, at the same time.
II, i, 137. _Burmudas_--The Bermuda islands, known only through the
tales of early navigators who suffered shipwreck there, enjoyed a
most unsavory reputation in Elizabethan times, as being the seat of
continual tempests, and the surrounding waters “a hellish sea for
thunder, lightning, and storms.” Cf. Shakespeare, _The Tempest_, I, ii,
269: “the still-vexed Bermoothes.” They were said to be enchanted, and
inhabited by witches and devils. They were made famous by the shipwreck
there in 1609 of Sir George Somers; the following year one of his
party, Sil. Jordan, published _A Discovery of the Bermudas, otherwise
called the Isle of Devils_.
Field has another reference to “the Barmuthoes” in _Amends for Ladies_,
III, iv; but there it is not clear whether he means the islands or
certain narrow passages north of Covent Garden, which went by the slang
name of “the Bermudas” or “the Streights.” It _is_ in this latter sense
that the word is used in Jonson’s _The Devil is an Ass_, II, i.
II, i, 139. _Exact the strictnesse_--i. e., require a strict
enforcement of the sentence which limits Charalois to the confines of
the prison.
II, i, 144. _vsurers relief_, etc.--a rather awkward expression, so
phrased for the sake of the end-scene rhyme. The thought seems to be:
“The relief which usurers have to offer mourns, if the debtors have
(exhibit) too much grief.” Charalois’ remark is, of course, ironical.
II, ii, 10. _electuary_--a medicinal conserve or paste, consisting of
a powder or some other ingredient mixed with honey, preserve, or syrup
of some other kind. Beaumelle means that Florimal is the medicine and
Bellapert the sweet which makes it palatable.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account