273
wat’rish well-watered (with rivers)/wet, feeble274
unprized unvalued (may play on a sense of “priceless”)275
though unkind though they are cruel (or “lacking in natural familial affection”)276
where somewhere, place280
grace favor (with connotations of “divinely sanctioned mercy”)280
benison blessing283
washèd i.e. wet with tears286
as … named by their true names287
your professèd bosoms i.e. the love you claim to have for him287
commit entrust; perhaps with connotations of “confine (to prison)”289
prefer advance, promote292
study concern, endeavor294
At fortune’s alms as a charitable gift from fortune294
scanted stinted, withheld/slighted, neglected295
are … wanted deserve to be deprived of the love you have failed to show (to others)296
plighted cunning secret cunning/deceitful promises297
Who … derides those who hide their faults will in the end be shamed and mocked300
nearly closely307
grossly obviously308
ever always309
slenderly slightly310
The … rash even at his best and healthiest he was impulsive311
look expect312
long-engrafted condition long-implanted tendencies312
therewithal in addition to that313
choleric irascible, hot-tempered, impulsive/bilious; one of the four “humors” or temperaments thought to be related to an excess of bile in the constitution315
unconstant starts unpredictable fits317
compliment etiquette, ceremony318
sit together i.e. get together, confer319
carry maintain, manage319
disposition frame of mind320
last surrender recent yielding (of authority)320
offend harm322
i’th’heat immediatelyAct 1 Scene 2
1.2
2
Wherefore why3
Stand in endure/stand still under4
curiosity scruples, fussiness4
nations i.e. society5
moonshines months6
Lag of behind (i.e. younger than)6
base illegitimate (also low/unworthy/dishonorable)7
dimensions physical proportions7
compact composed8
generous noble8
true well-proportioned/authentic, true to his father’s likeness9
honest madam’s issue a legitimate child11
Who i.e. we bastards who11
take require/receive12
More … quality a more complex creation and more vigorous disposition14
fops weak fools15
Got conceived18
As the same as19
speed succeed20
invention scheme21
to th’legitimate advance to (or “take over”) the place of the legitimate son; editors sometimes emend this to “top the legitimate”23
choler anger23
parted departed24
Prescribed restricted, limited25
exhibition an allowance, maintenance26
gad spur of the moment28
up away32
terrible dispatch fearful and hasty stowing away37
for as for38
o’erlooking reading44
essay or taste test45
policy … age policy of revering the old (policy also suggests the “strategic cunning” of the elderly)46
the … times i.e. our youth, our prime46
fortunes inheritance47
relish savor, enjoy47
idle useless48
fond foolish49
sways rules49
as … suffered only insofar as it is allowed to do so58
casement window58
closet private room59
character handwriting60
matter subject matter61
in … that given the contents61
fain willingly67
at perfect age being mature67
declined old/ill72
sirrah sir (used to social inferiors and children)72
apprehend arrest73
Abominable often, popularly, "inhuman, unnatural" (from the incorrect belief that the word was derived from the Latin77
run … course proceed securely77
where whereas77
proceed perhaps with legal connotations (in keeping with apprehend and testimony)80
pawn down pledge81
feel test, feel out82
pretence intention, purpose84
meet suitable85
auricular assurance i.e. by hearing for yourself86
have your satisfaction resolve yourself of any doubt89
wind … him insinuate yourself into his confidence for me89
frame devise, arrange90
unstate … resolution give up my rank and wealth to be resolved on this matter92
presently immediately92
convey manage, undertake93
withal therewith94
late recent95
wisdom of nature human reason/natural science96
scourged punished96
sequent effects subsequent events