Il.ii.187 (314,4) And try the arguments] [Arguments for natures. WARB.] How arguments should stand for natures I do not see.  But the licentiousness of our author forces us often upon far fetched expositions. Arguments may mean contents, as the arguments of a book; or for evidences and proofs.

II.ii.209 (315,5) I knew it the most general way] General is not speedy, but compendious, the way to try many at a time.

II.ii.219 (316,6) And so, intending other serious matters] Intending is regarding, turning their notice to other things.

II.ii.220 (316,7) these hard fractions] [Warburton saw an allusion to fractions in mathematics] This is, I think, no conceit in the head of Flavius, who, by fractions, means broken hints, interrupted sentences, abrupt remarks.

II.ii.221 (316,8) half-caps] A half cap is a cap slightly moved, not put off.

II.ii.241 (317,3) I would, I could not] The original edition has, I would, I could not think it, that thought, &c.  It has been changed [’Would], to mend the numbers, without authority.

II.ii.242 (317,4)

  That thought is bounty’s foe;
  Being free itself, it thinks all other so]

Free, is liberal, not parsimonious.

III.i.57 (319,6) Has friendship such a faint and milky heart, It turns in less than two nights?] Alluding to the turning or acescence of milk.

III.ii.3 (320,3) We know him for no less] That is, we know him by report to be no less than you represent him, though we are strangers to his person.

III.ii.24 (321,5) yet had he mistook him, and sent him to me] [W:  mislook’d] I rather read, yet had he not mistook him, and sent to me.

III.ii.45 (322,7) If his occasion were not virtuous] [Virtuous, for strong, forcible, pressing. WARBURTON.] The meaning may more naturally be;—­If he did not want it for a good use. (1773)

III.ii.51 (322,9) that I should purchase the day before for a little part, and undo a great deal of honour?] [T:  a little dirt] This emendation is received, like all others, by sir T. Hanmer, but neglected by Dr. Warburton.  I think Theobald right in suspecting a corruption; nor is his emendation injudicious, though perhaps we may better read, purchase the day before for a little park.

III.ii.71 (323,1) And just of the same piece is every flatterer’s soul] This is Dr. Warburton’s emendation.  The other editions read,

  Why this is the world’s soul;
  Of the same piece is every flatterer’s sport.

Mr. Upton has not unluckily transposed the two final words, thus,

  Why, this is the world’s sport: 
  Of the same piece is ev’ry flatterer’s soul.

The passage is not so obscure as to provoke so much enquiry. This, says he, is the soul or spirit of the world:  every flatterer plays the same game, makes sport with the confidence of his friend. (see 1765, VI, 211, 4)