My conjecture is that Shakespeare wrote--

"I forget:

But these sweet thoughts do even refresh my labour's

Most business, when I do it."

"Most" being used in the sense of "greatest," as in _Henry VI._, Pt. I.,

Act IV. Scene 1., (noticed by Steevens):--

"But always resolute in most extremes."

Thus the change of a single syllable is sufficient to make good English,

good sense, and good metre of a passage which is otherwise defective in

these three particulars. It retains the _s_ in "labours," keeps the comma

in its place, and provides that antecedent for "it," which was justly

considered necessary by MR. SINGER.

Notes and Queries, Number 74, March 29, 1851 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. · 第 76 / 110 题