1 bootless useless, pointless

27 present urgent

29 mates an insulting epithet, implying low social status in those addressed

30 nor… nor neither … nor

34 fit times It is still night-time.

35 the masters of this commonwealth Not the political rulers but the municipal authorities responsible for policing the community.

39 on’t of it

40 In … grace an affirmation of truthfulness, often used to strengthen a solemn oath

41 In thought In the conception of the crime. This was not an admissible defence in English law.

45 else by any other means

49 him Bergetto

58 mean lowly

60 wit common sense

63 In classical mythology, Astraea, the goddess of justice, left the earth at the start of the iron age, driven away by human murderousness, and was placed in the heavens as the constellation of Virgo. The idea, best known from Ovid, Metamorphoses 1.150, became a Renaissance commonplace, which the Cardinal’s behaviour is taken to illustrate.