8 policies diplomacy

11 meteors any atmospheric phenomena

13–15 At … brain The unfavourable influence of Cynthia (the moon – a symbol of change and fickleness) and Saturn (stupidity) presided over Mycetes’ birth, whereas Jove (Jupiter–magnanimity), Apollo (the sun–kingliness), and Mercury (wit) were absent.

32 passengers travellers, traders

36 Scythian Marlowe’s atlas, Ortelius’ Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, located Scythia on the north shore of the Black Sea, west of Crimea, but the name was often used to refer generally to a large area in central Asia. Marlowe seems to have used the terms Scythian and Tartar interchangeably, the Scythians being a branch of the Tartar race.

37 Persepolis the ancient capital of Persia, situated on the river Araxes

38 the Western Isles Britain

45 vagrant ensign nomadic banner

47 Charged with placed in command of

50 Damon Damon and Pythias provided the classic example of friendship.

52 incontinent immediately

56 choose be otherwise

66 Grecian dame Helen of Troy

74 stout powerful

87 greater task ed. (greater O1)

89 prorex viceroy Assyria ed. (Africa O1), an emendation suggested by B. A. van Dam on the grounds that ‘Africa’ does not fit the context, and supported by Bowers and Cunningham in their editions

107 mated rendered helpless

109 pass care

111 Median from Media, the north-eastern part of the Persian empire, south of the Caspian Sea

113 excruciate torment

117 sits and laughs a common plural form in the play and in Elizabethan English generally

117 regiment rule, authority

118 resolve dissolve

126 empery empire

128 continent to touching, bordering upon

130 Cyrus the son of Cambises and founder of the Persian empire. He conquered the Greek settlements of Asia Minor (‘Graecia’).

132 pride of Christendom probably Byzantium (Constantinople)

135 s.d. CENEUS ed. (Conerus O1)

137 states noblemen

140 s.p. ed. (Conerus O1)

153–4 Alexander the Great defeated the Emperor Darius of Persia at the battle of Issus in 333 B.C.

159 malice show ill will to

164 Assyria ed. (Africa O1)

166 late-discovered isles perhaps the West Indies

167 Euxine Sea Black Sea

170 Jove may never may Jove never

177 presently immediately

180 investion investiture

182 lords ed. (Lord O1)
exasperate exasperated

188 lineation ed.