This is better, but it is not well.  Shall we strike a bolder stroke, and read thus?

  Therefore my hopes, not forfeited to death,
  Stand bold, not sure.

II.i.49 (398,4) Of very expert and approv’d allowance] I read, Very expert, and of approv’d allowance.

II.i.64 (308,5) And in the essential vesture of creation/Does bear all excellency; We in terrestrial] I do not think the present reading inexplicable.  The author seems to use essential, for existent, real.  She excels the praises of invention, says he, and in real qualities, with which creation has invested her, bears all excellency.

Does bear all excellency——­] Such is the reading of the quartos, for which the folio has this,

  And in the essential vesture of creation
  Do’s tyre the ingeniuer.

Which I explain thus,

  Does tire the ingenious verse.

This is the best reading, and that which the author substituted in his revisal.

II.i.112 (401,9) Saints in your injuries] When you have a mind to do injuries, you put on an air of sanctity.

II.i.120 (402,1) I am nothing, if not critical] That is, censorious.

II.i.137 (402,2) She never yet was foolish] We may read,

  She ne’er was yet so foolish that was fair,
  But even her folly help’d her to an heir.

Yet I believe the common reading to be right; the lay makes the power of cohabitation a proof that a man is not a natural; therefore, since the foolishest woman, if pretty, may have a child, no pretty woman is ever foolish.

II.i.146 (403,3) put on the vouch of very malice itself] To put on the vouch of malice, is to assume a character vouched by the testimony of malice itself.

II.i.165 (404,5) profane] Gross of language, of expression broad and brutal.  So Brabantio, in the first act, calls Iago profane wretch.

II.i.165 (404,6) liberal counsellor.] Counsellor seems to mean, not so much a man that gives counsel, us one that discourses fearlessly and volubly.  A talker.

II.i.177 (405,8) well kiss’d! an excellent courtesy!] [—­well kissed, and excellent courtesy;—­] This I think should be printed, well kiss’d! an excellent courtesy!  Spoken when Cassio kisses his hand, and Desdemona courtesies. [The old quarto confirms Dr. Johnson’s emendation.  STEEVENS.]

II.i.208 (406,1) I prattle out of fashion] Out of method, without any settled order of discourse.

II.i.211 (406,2) the master] The pilot of the ship.

II.i.223 (406,3) Lay thy finger thus] On thy mouth, to stop it while thou art listening to a wiser man.

II.i.252 (407,5) green minds] Minds unripe, minds not yet fully formed.

II.i.254 (408,6) she is full of most bless’d condition] Qualities, disposition of mind.