Page 313 - Hamlet: The Cambridge Dover Wilson Shakespeare

2oS N O T E S 3.2.
misprint due to an old-fashioned sp. 'pacocfc,' MSH.
pp. 306-7. 'Peacock,' typifying lechery as well as
vanity, is an apt term of abuse for the K. Alternatively,
Dowden suggests that the word may be intended for
"patchcocke" or "patchocke," Spenser's name for the
degenerate English in Ireland. (Cf. N.E.D. 'paiocke'
and 'patchcocke,' quoting 3. 4. 103 'A king of shreds
and patches.')
290. S.D. Q2 gives the entry at 1. 295, F i here.
The F i position explains Ham.'s laugh, while his
sending for music exhibits him deliberately ignoring
them, as Guild.'s 'vouchsafe' suggests he is doing.
MSH. p. 184.
293-94.* For if.. .perdy Another ballad-snatch.
303. With drink, sir? A deadly thrust (cf. 1. 4.
8-22, etc.), quibbling upon 'distempered,' v. G.
304. rather with choler i.e. at Ham.'s outrageous
behaviour in the Play-scene, v. note 1. 243 above.
306-308.* for me.. .more choler Ham. interprets
'choler' (v. G.) as a bilious attack following drunken-
ness, needing a purge, and then quibbles on 'purgation'
(v. G. and 3. 3. 85) in the legal sense (cf. Rich. II,
1.1.153 and Wint. 3.2.7). Ros. and Guild., of course,
understand nothing of this; but rt is clear from what
follows that they no longer believe him mad except 'in
craft.'
307-308. more choler {Q£) Fl'farremoreCholler,'
MSH. p. 258.
310. start Like an untamed horse.
311. pronounce i.e. what are-your orders?
318. your pardon=joux permission to leave; cf.
I. 2. 56.
321. What, my lord? F r assigns this to Guild, and
all edd. follow but Capell, who explains that Guild,
retires in dudgeon at 1. 319, leaving Ros. to deliver the
message {Notes, i. 138).
328. amazement and admiration v. G. Cf. 'most