Line 138. which I tender dearly, though I say I am a magician:] Hence it appears this was written in James's time, when there was a severe inquisition after witches and magicians. WARBURTON. Line 276. Here comes a pair of very strange beasts, &c.] Strange beasts are only what we call odd animals. JOHNSON. Line 298. according as marriage binds, and blood breaks:] To swear according as marriage binds, is to take the oath enjoined in the ceremonial of marriage. JOHNSON. Line 312. -as thus, Sir; I did dislike the cut of a certain courtier's beard ;] This folly is touched upon with high humour by Fletcher in his Queen of Corinth : "Has he familiarly "Dislik'd your yellow starch, or said your doublet "Was not exactly frenchified? "-or drawn your sword, "Cry'd 'twas ill mounted? Has he given the lye "Or direct parallel; you must challenge him." WARBURTON Line 351. Enter Hymen,] Rosalind is imagined by the rest of the company to be brought by enchantment, and is therefore introduced by a supposed aërial being in the character of Hymen. JOHNSON. Line 375. If truth holds true contents.] That is if there be truth in truth, unless truth fails of veracity. JOHNSON. END OF THE ANNOTATIONS ON AS YOU LIKE IT. |