_Flocks_ are wool moulded together. The sentence then follows properly:
It were a delicate stratagem to shoe
A troop of horse with felt;--
i.e. with _flocks_ kneaded to a mass, a practice I believe sometimes
used in former ages, for it is mentioned in _Ariosto_:
"--Fece nel cader strepito quanto
Avesse avuto sotto i piedi il _feltro_."
It is very common for madmen to catch an accidental hint, and strain it
to the purpose predominant in their minds. Lear picks up a _flock_, and
immediately thinks to surprize his enemies by a troop of horse shod with
_flocks_ or _felt_. Yet _block_ may stand, if we suppose that the sight
of a block put him in mind of mounting his horse.
IV.vi.199 (457,1) Why, this would make a man, a man of salt] Would make
a man melt away like salt in wet weather.
IV.vi.206 (457,2) Then there's life in't] The case is not yet desperate.
IV.vi.217 (457,3) the main descry/Stands on the hourly thought] The
_main_ body is _expected_ to be _descry'd_ every hour. The expression is
harsh.
IV.vi.246 (459,7) che vor'ye] _I warn you_. Edgar counterfeits the
western dialect.
IV.vi.281 (460,3) Thee I'll rake up] I'll _cover_ thee. In
Staffordshire, to _rake_ the fire, is to cover it with fuel for the
night.
IV.vi.234 (460,4) the death-practis'd duke] The duke of Albany, whose
death is machinated by _practice_ or treason.
IV.
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