III.vi.103-121 (420,2) [Kent. Opprest nature sleeps] The lines inserted from the quarto are in crotchets.  The omission of them in the folio is certainly faulty:  yet I believe the folio is printed from Shakespeare’a last revision, carelessly and hastily performed, with more thought of shortening the scenes, than of continuing the action.

III.vi.111 (421,4) free things] States clear from distress.

III.vi. 117 (421,5)

  Mark the high noises! and thyself bewray,
  When false opinion, whose wrong thought defiles thee,
  In thy just proof, repeals, and reconciles thee]

Attend to the great events that are approaching, and make thyself known.  Then that false opinion now prevailing against thee shall, in consequence of just proof of thy integrity, revoke its erroneous sentence, and recall thee to honour and reconciliation.

III.vii.13 (421,6) ray lord of Glo’ster] Meaning Edmund, newly invested with his father’s titles.  The steward, speaking immediately after, mentions the old duke by the same title.

III.vii.24 (422,3)

  Though well we may not pass upon his life
  Without the form of justice; yet our power
  Shall do a courtesy to our wrath]

To do a courtesy is to gratify, to comply with. To pass, is to pass a judicial sentence. (1773)

III.vii.29 (422,4) corky arms] Dry, wither’d, husky arms.

III.vii.54 (424,9) I am ty’d to the stake, and I must stand the course]
The running of the dogs upon me.

III.vii.65 (425,2) All cruels else subscrib’d] Yielded, submitted to the necessity of the occasion.

III.vii.99-107 (426,3) I’ll never care what wickedness I do] [This short dialogue I have inserted from the old quarto, because I think it full of nature.  Servants could hardly see such a barbarity committed on their master, without pity; and the vengeance that they presume canst overtake the actors of it is a sentiment and doctrine well worthy of the stage.  THEOBALD.] It is not necessary to suppose them the servants of Glo’ster; for Cornwall was opposed to extremity by his own servant.

IV.i.1 (427,1) Yet better thus, and known to be contemn’d] The meaning is, ’Tis better to be thus contemned, and known to yourself to be contemned.  Or perhaps there is an error, which may be rectified thus: 

  Yet better thus unknown to be contemn’d.

When a man divests himself of his real character he feels no pain from contempt, because he supposes it incurred only by a voluntary disguise which he can throw off at pleasure.  I do not think any correction necessary.

IV.i.20 (429,3) Our mean secures us] [i.e.  Moderate, mediocre condition.  WARBURTON.] Banner writes, by an easy change, meanness secures us.  The two original editions have,

  Our meanes secures us.—­

I do not remember that mean is ever used aa a substantive for low fortune, which is the sense here required, nor for mediocrity, except in the phrase, the golden mean.  I suspect the passage of corruption, and would either read,