Alexander Dyce, A General Glossary to Shakespeare's Works

ward a guard in fencing, a posture of defence (used metaphorically in some of the following passages): “come from thy ward,” THE TEMPEST, i. 2. 471 ; “the ward of her purity,” THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, ii. 2. 222 ; “beat from his best ward,” THE WINTER'S TALE, i. 2. 33 ; “Thou knowest my old ward,” 1 HENRY IV., ii. 4. 188 ; “at what ward you lie,” TROILUS AND CRESSIDA, i. 2. 251 ; “Omit a ward,” THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN, v. 3. 63 ; “what wards, what blows,” 1 HENRY IV., i. 2. 182 ; “at all these wards I lie,” TROILUS AND CRESSIDA, i. 2. 255.