Alexander Dyce, A General Glossary to Shakespeare's Works

cunning knowledge, skill: “the boldness of my cunning” MEASURE FOR MEASURE, iv. 2. 149 （ “confidence of my sagacity,” STEEVENS) ; “Wherein your cunning can assist me much,” THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, Induction, 1. 90 ; “Is this thy cunning,” 1 HENRY VI., ii. 1. 50 ; “of thy cunning had no diffidence,” 1 HENRY VI., iii. 3. 10 ; “in very spite of cunning,” TROILUS AND CRESSIDA, v. 5. 41 ; “Shame, that they wanted cunning, in excess Hath broke their hearts” TIMON OF ATHENS, v. 4. 28 (Excess of shame that they were not knowing or wise enough to banish you, etc.),; “with as much modesty as cunning,” HAMLET, ii. 2. 434 (propriety); “errs in ignorance and not in cunning” OTHELLO, iii. 3. 50 (knowingly); “Virtue and cunning,” PERICLES, iii. 2. 27 ; “a solemn wager on your cunnings,” HAMLET, iv. 7. 155.