Note 648 — SCENE II.

zanies with torches] zanies seems here to mean nothing more than attendants. In act iii. sc. 1. of this drama, when Violetta is told that “Imperia the courtesan’s zany hath brought you this letter,” she exclaims, “her groom employ’d by Fontinelle!” and in Florio’s New World of Words, ed. 1611, is “Zane, the name of John in some parts of Lombardy, but commonly used for a silly John, a simple fellow, a seruile drudge or foolish clowne in any commedy or enterlude play.”—For “torches” the old ed. has “coaches.” Torch-bearers were the constant attendants at masques.