marshal


 

While the noun 'marshal' is fairly common (18x), the verbal use of the word is rare and is  associated with crime in all of  its three occurrences.  Thus we find "marshall me to knavery" (Ham.3.4.205), "marshal'st me the way" in Macbeth's dagger soliloquy (Mac.2.1.42), and Iago predicts the course of lechery in these words:

 

257 Lechery, by this hand; an index and obscure 
258 prologue to the history of lust and foul thoughts. 
259 They met so near with their lips that their breaths 
260 embrac'd together. Villainous thoughts, Roderigo! 
261 When these [mutualities] so marshal the way, hard at 
262 hand comes the master and main exercise, th' 
263 incorporate conclusion. (Oth.2.1.257-263


17 September 1999

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