The meaning, I think, is, while others, by their art, gain high estimation, I, by honesty, obtain a plain simple approbation.

IV.iv.109 (103,6) the moral of my wit/Is, plain and true] That is, the governing principle of my understanding; but I rather think we should read,

  —­the motto of my wit
  Is, plain and true,—­

IV.iv.114 (103,7) possess thee what she is] I will make thee fully understand.  This sense of the word possess is frequent in our author.

IV.iv.134 (104,9) I’ll answer to my list] This, I think, is right, though both the old copies read lust.

IV.v.8 (105,1) bias cheek] Swelling out like the bias of a bowl.

IV.v.37 (106,3) I’ll make my match to live./The kiss you take is better than you give] I will make such bargains as I may live by, such as may bring me profit, therefore will not take a worse kiss than I give.

IV.v.48 (107,4) Why, beg then] For the sake of rhime we should read,

  Why beg two.

If you think kisses worth begging, beg more than one.

IV.v.52 (107,5) Never’s my day, and then a kiss of you] I once gave both these lines to Cressida.  She bids Ulysses beg a kiss; he asks that he may have it,

  When Helen is a maid again—­

She tells him that then he shall have it: 

  When Helen is a maid again—­

  Cre. I am your debtor, claim it when ’tis due;
  Never’s my day, and then a kiss for you.

But I rather think that Ulysses means to slight her, and that the present reading is right.

IV.v.57 (107,6) motive of her body] Motive for part that contributes to motion.

IV.v.59 (107,7) a coasting] An amorous address; courtship.

IV.v.62 (107,8) sluttish spoils of opportunity] Corrupt wenches, of whose chastity every opportunity may make a prey.

IV.v.73 (108,9) Aga. ’Tis done like Hector, but securely done] [Theobald gave the speech to Achilles] As the old copies agree, I have made no change.

IV.v.79 (108,1) Valour and pride excel themselves in Hector] Shakespeare’s thought is not exactly deduced.  Nicety of expression is not his character.  The cleaning is plain, “Valour (says AEneas) is in Hector greater than valour in other men, and pride in Hector is less than pride in other men.  So that Hector is distinguished by the excellence of having pride less than other pride, and valour more than other valour.”

IV.v.103 (109,2) an impair thought] A thought suitable to the dignity of his character.  This word I should have changed to impure, were I not over-powered by the unanimity of the editors, and concurrence of the old copies, (rev. 1778, IX, 120, 8)

IV.v.105 (109,3) Hector in his blaze of wrath subscribes/To tender objects] That is, yields, gives way.