forestall'd
“remission—A ragged and,”
2 HENRY IV., v. 2. 38.
Johnson thinks that “perhaps by forestall'd remission he [the author] may mean a pardon
begged by a voluntary confession of offence and anticipation of the charge.”
According to Mason, both here and in Massinger (The Duke of Milan, act iii. sc. 1, and The
Bondman, act iii. sc. 3,—Works, vol. i. p.
282, vol. ii. p. 69, ed. Gifford, 1813) “a forestall'd remission seems to mean, a remission that it
is predetermined shall not be granted, or will be rendered nugatory.” Malone
believes that here “
forestall'd only means asked before
it is granted.” Mr. Knight
explainsa forestall'd remission by “a pardon supplicated, not offered freely.” See
ragged.