IV.vi.98 (452,8) They flattered me like a dog] They played the spaniel to me.

IV.vi.121 (453,2) Whose face between her forks] I believe that the forks were two prominences of the ruff rising on each side of the face.

IV.vi.124 (453,4) nor the soyled horse] Soiled horse is probably the same as pampered horse, un cheval soule.

IV.vi.169 (454.5) Robes and furr’d gowns hide all] From hide all to accuser’s lips, the whole passage is wanting in the first edition, being added, I suppose, at his revisal.

IV.vi.187 (455,8) This a good block!] I do not see how this block corresponds either with his foregoing or following train of thoughts.  Madmen think not wholly at random.  I would read thus, a good flock. Flocks are wool moulded together.  The sentence then follows properly: 

  It were a delicate stratagem to shoe
  A troop of horse with felt;—­

i.e. with flocks kneaded to a mass, a practice I believe sometimes used in former ages, for it is mentioned in Ariosto: 

  “—­Fece nel cader strepito quanto
  Avesse avuto sotto i piedi il feltro.”

It is very common for madmen to catch an accidental hint, and strain it to the purpose predominant in their minds.  Lear picks up a flock, and immediately thinks to surprize his enemies by a troop of horse shod with flocks or felt.  Yet block may stand, if we suppose that the sight of a block put him in mind of mounting his horse.

IV.vi.199 (457,1) Why, this would make a man, a man of salt] Would make a man melt away like salt in wet weather.

IV.vi.206 (457,2) Then there’s life in’t] The case is not yet desperate.

IV.vi.217 (457,3) the main descry/Stands on the hourly thought] The main body is expected to be descry’d every hour.  The expression is harsh.

IV.vi.246 (459,7) che vor’ye] I warn you.  Edgar counterfeits the western dialect.

IV.vi.281 (460,3) Thee I’ll rake up] I’ll cover thee.  In Staffordshire, to rake the fire, is to cover it with fuel for the night.

IV.vi.234 (460,4) the death-practis’d duke] The duke of Albany, whose death is machinated by practice or treason.

IV.vii.3 (461,1) every measure fail me] All good which I shall allot thee, or measure out to thee, will be scanty.

IV.vii.9 (461,4) shortens my made intent] [W:  laid] An intent made, is an intent formed.  So we say in common language, to make a design, and to make a resolution.

IV.vii.41 (464,2) ’Tis wonder, that thy life and wits, at once,/Had not concluded all] [W:  concluded.—­Ah!] The plain construction is this:  It is wonder that the wits and life had not all ended.

IV.vii.85-97 (466,9)

  [Gent.  Holds it true, Sir,
  That the duke of Cornwall was so slain?]