C. T. Onions, A Shakespeare Glossary

---

marry interj.: orig. the name of the Virgin Mary used as an oath or invocation:=‘indeed, to be sure’ Err. II. ii. 105 “, and did, sir,” All'sW. II. iii. 64, R3 I. iii. 261, III. iv. 34; esp. (1) in answering a question, when it often implies surprise that it should have been asked = ‘why’ or ‘why, to be sure’ Tp. III. ii. 47 “Wilt thou be pleas'd? . . . —, will I,” Gent. II. i. 66 “How painted?—, sir, so painted,” R3 I. iii. 98 “What may she not? She may,—ay, , may she,” Cæs. I. ii. 228 “Was the crown offer'd him thrice?—Ay, , was't” ; (2) with asseverative words or invocations Tw.N. IV. ii. 111 “God be wi' you . . . , amen,” R2 IV. i. 114 “, God forbid!,” Rom. IV. v. 8 “God forgive me, , and amen!” ; (3) “marry come up!” (not pre-S.), used to express indignant or amused surprise or contempt Rom. II. v. 64, Per. IV. vi. 164; “marry-trap”^* (S.), ? be off with you Wiv. I. i. 172.