Measure for Measure The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [9 vols.] · William Shakespeare
NOTE XII.
'As comforts all are good, most good indeed.' III. 1. 91, 94. The word 'prenzie,' occurring, as it does, twice in this passage, rests on such strong authority that it is better to seek to explain than to alter it. It may be etymologically connected with 'prin,' in old French, meaning 'demure;' also with 'princox,' a 'coxcomb,' and with the word 'prender,' which occurs more than once in Skelton: e.g. 'This pevysh proud, this prender gest, When he is well, yet can he not rest.' Mr Bullock mentions, in support of his conjecture, that 'pensie' is still used in some north-country dialects. 'Primsie' is also found in Burns' poems with the signification of 'demure, precise,' according to the glossary. III. 1. 118. Johnson says the most plausible conjecture is 'benighted.' It does not appear by whom this conjecture was made. III. 1. 168. We must suppose that Claudio, as he is going out, stops to speak with his sister at the back of the stage within sight of the audience.
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