E. A. Abbott, A Shakespearean Grammar

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ADJECTIVES More, most, used for greater, greatest

More (mo-re) and most (mo-st) (comp. E. E. ma or mo; mar or mor; maest, mast, or most) are frequently used as the comparative and superlative of the adjective "great." [Moe, or mo, as a comparative (Rich. II. ii. 1. 239; Rich. III. iv. 4. 199), is contracted from more or mo-er. Compare "bet" for "bett-er," "leng" for "leng-er," and "streng" for "streng-er," in O. E. See also "sith," 62.]

“At our more leisure.
”

M. for M. i. 3. 49.

“A more requital.
”

K. J. ii. 1. 34.

“With most gladness.
”

A. and C. ii. 2. 169.

“Our most quiet (our very great quiet).
”

2 Hen. IV. iv. 1. 71.

“So grace and mercy at your most need help you.
”

Hamlet, i. 5. 180.

Hence we understand:

“Not fearing death nor shrinking for distress,
But always resolute in most extremes.
”

1 Hen. VI. iv. 1. 38.

i.e. not "in the majority of extremities," as it would mean with us, but "in the greatest extremes."

Hence:

“More (instead of greater) and less came in with cap and knee.
”

1 Hen. IV. iv. 3. 68.

“And more and less do flock to follow him.
”

2 Hen. IV. i. 1. 209.

“Both more and less have given him the revolt.
”

Macbeth, v. 4. 12.

That "less" refers here to rank, and not to number, is illustrated by

“What great ones do the less will prattle of.
”

T. N. i. 2. 33.

So Chaucer: “The grete giftes to the most and leste.” C. T. 2227.