Volume Ii Part 19 (1/2)
Act ii. sc. 1. Second Carrier's speech:--
... breeds fleas like a _loach_.
Perhaps it is a misprint, or a provincial p.r.o.nunciation, for 'leach,'
that is, blood-suckers. Had it been gnats, instead of fleas, there might have been some sense, though small probability, in Warburton's suggestion of the Scottish 'loch.' Possibly 'loach,' or 'lutch,' may be some lost word for dovecote, or poultry-lodge, notorious for breeding fleas. In Stevens's or my reading, it should properly be 'loaches,' or 'leeches,' in the plural; except that I think I have heard anglers speak of trouts like _a_ salmon.
Act iii. sc. 1.
'Glend.' Nay, if you melt, then will she run mad.
This 'nay' so to be dwelt on in speaking, as to be equivalent to a dissyllable--[Symbol: written as a U-shape, below the line], is characteristic of the solemn Glendower: but the imperfect line
_She bids you_ Upon the wanton rushes lay you down, &c.
is one of those fine hair-strokes of exquisite judgment peculiar to Shakspeare;--thus detaching the Lady's speech, and giving it the individuality and entireness of a little poem, while he draws attention to it.
HENRY IV. PART II.
Act ii. sc. 2.
'P. Hen'. Sup any women with him?
'Page'. None, my lord, but old mistress Quickly, and mistress Doll Tear-sheet.
'P. Hen'. This Doll Tear-sheet should be some road.
I am sometimes disposed to think that this respectable young lady's name is a very old corruption for Tear-street--street-walker, 'terere stratum (viam.)' Does not the Prince's question rather show this?--
'This Doll Tear-street should be some road?'
Act iii. sc. 1. King Henry's speech:
...Then, _happy low, lie down_; Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.
I know no argument by which to persuade any one to be of my opinion, or rather of my feeling; but yet I cannot help feeling that 'Happy low-lie-down!' is either a proverbial expression, or the burthen of some old song, and means, 'Happy the man, who lays himself down on his straw bed or chaff pallet on the ground or floor!'