On p. 84 of book quoted above, he says: 'There had just resounded, in slow impressive tones, on Lear's irresponsible brain, the words "I—know—that voice."; As to divinity, Stewart says, 'A man who will say ay or no to anything whatever, according as his interest lies, is simply a liar; [Stewart's pun is probably unintentional] and lying is no good divinity.'
IV. vi. 158. handy-dandy. An expression from a child's game meaning 'which hand will you have?'—i.e., they both look alike.
IV. vi. 218. main descry, etc. 'Every hour we expect to get a distant view of the main body of the other army.'
V. i. 13. as far as we call hers. These six words, which are not in the Folios, seem puzzling to me, though Furness passes them without comment. Possibly they mean 'to the limit of what she has to give,' possessing everything she is and has.
V. i. 26. Not bolds the king, etc. A confused phrase at best. Either It or France is the subject of bolds. Albany apparently means 'This business concerns me because France invades England, not because France comforts King Lear along with others, whom, I fear, righteous and serious causes impel against us.'
V. i. 32. ancient of war. Ordinarily ancient means ensign. Either Albany had in mind some especially well-informed ensign, or ancient of war means veteran officers.
V. iii. 24. good years. An expression of disputed origin, used as a term of disgust. Some editors take it to be derived from the name of a disease, and spell goujeres. Definite authority for this is lacking.
V. iii. 176. The wheel is come full circle. Fortune's wheel. Edmund began at the bottom, reached the top (Earl of Gloucester) and is now again at the bottom.
