The Oxford English Dictionary includes "to fall short" ("It fainteth or
straieth from the marke, if you aime further off"), also to lose heart, be
depressed, from about this time period. The sense here seems to be that he
thought he should not be half-hearted in his gratitude.
On Apr 5, 2011, at 8:48 AM, Martin Shepherd wrote:
>> He thought it shame in thankfulnesse to faint,
>> Debts due to Princes must de duely paid:
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