Note 363 — ACTUS II., SCÆNA 1.
Reading edition
To bear in hand was a common phrase, signifying to keep in expectation or dependence. In Dr Walter Pope's "Life of Bishop Seth Ward," 1697, p. 104, is the following passage: "My Lord, I might bear you in hand; a western phrase, signifying to delay or keep in expectation, and feed you with promises, or at least hopes, that I should cure you in some competent time," &c.
Again, in Fennor's "Compter's Commonwealth," p. 47: "I have seen divers gentlemen come into prison (after they have laine a fortnight or three weekes at some of their houses, at an excessive rate) without either cloake, sword, or hat, which the sergeants have got from them, onely bearing them in hand that they will get them baile."
And in Ben Jonson's "Volpone," act i. sc. 1—
"Still bearing them in hand, Letting the cherry knock against their lips. And draw it by their mouths and back again."
The phrase frequently occurs in Shakespeare.