Chapter CXLV: Act II

SC. 1. "It cannot hold; no reason
Can sound his state in safety."

If 'sound' be the right word, it must be a nautical metaphor. Editors in general read _found_.

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"Plays in the right hand thus;--but tell him _that_."

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"Ay go, sir.--Take the bonds along with you,
And have the dates in. Come...."

This is the reading of the folio, and is perfectly intelligible; perhaps we should read 'in _mind_.' Editors in general follow Theobald in reading for 'Come' _compt_.

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SC. 2. "Never mind
Was to be so unwise, to be so kind."

Here 'to be' is being. See Introd. p. 70.

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"What shall be done? He will not hear till _he_ feel."

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"He humbly prays your speedy payment _of_."

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"With clamorous demands of [debt] broken bonds."

I think 'debt' was introduced from the next line. Malone reads '_date_-broken.'

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"Look you, here comes my master's page."

For 'master's,' both here, and in the following speech, Malone very properly read '_mistress'_.' See on Tam. of Shr. i. 2.

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"I have retired me to a wasteful cock."

By 'cock' here can only be meant a cockloft, and perhaps, as it is at the end of the line, _loft_ may have been effaced. See Introd. p. 58.

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"This night englutted! Who is not _Lord_ Timon's?"

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"Canst thou the conscience lack
To think I shall lack friends?"

As to lack conscience is to be unconscionable, and would sound here rather ironically, I think 'lack' has been suggested by the following line for _have_, or some other word.

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"Men and men's fortunes could I _as_ frankly use."

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"And in some sort these wants of mine are crown'd."

Here also 'crown'd' seems to occupy the place of some other word.

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"_I_ pr'ythee, man, look cheerly; these old fellows."

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"I would I could not [think it]. That thought is bounty's foe."

Several of the editors concur in this proper omission.