_] In
Shakespeare's time there was a university at Wittenberg; but as
it was not founded till 1502, it consequently did not exist in
the time to which this play refers.]

[Footnote I.56: _My dearest foe_] _i.e._, my direst or most
important foe. This epithet was commonly used to denote the
strongest and liveliest interest in any thing or person, for or
against.]

[Footnote I.57: _Goodly king._] _i.e._, a good king.]

[Footnote I.58:

_Season your admiration for a while
with an attent ear_;]

_i.e._, suppress your astonishment for a short time, that you may
be the better able to give your attention to what we will
relate.]

[Footnote I.59: _In the dead waste and middle of the night_,]
_i.e._, in the dark and desolate vast, or vacant space and middle
of the night. It was supposed that spirits had permission to
range the earth by night alone.]

[Footnote I.60: _With the act of fear_,] _i.e._, by the influence
or power of fear.]

[Footnote I.61: _Address_] _i.e._, make ready.]

[Footnote I.62: _Writ down_] Prescribed by our own duty.]

[Footnote I.63: _He wore his beaver up._] That part of the helmet
which may be lifted up, to take breath the more freely.]

[Footnote I.64: _Tenable_] _i.e._, strictly maintained.]

[Footnote I.65: _Benefit_,] Favourable means.]

[Footnote I.66: _Trifling of his favour_,] Gay and thoughtless
intimation.]

[Footnote I.67: _Perfume and suppliance of a minute._] _i.e._, an
amusement to fill up a vacant moment, and render it agreeable.]

[Footnote I.68: _Keep within the rear of your affection_,] Front
not the peril; withdraw or check every warm emotion: advance not
so far as your affection would lead you.]

[Footnote I.69: _The chariest maid_] Chary is cautious.]

[Footnote I.70: _Puff'd and reckless libertine._] Bloated and
swollen, the effect of excess; and heedless and indifferent to
consequences.]

[Footnote I.71: _Recks not his own read._] _i.e._, heeds not his
own lessons or counsel.]

[Footnote I.72: _Shoulder of your sail_,] A common sea phrase.]

[Footnote I.73: _Look thou character._] _i.e._, a word often used
by Shakespeare to signify to _write, strongly infix_; the accent
is on the second syllable.]

[Footnote I.74: _Unproportion'd thought_] Irregular, disorderly
thought.]