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iiiil 

HX  GZUl  / 


^ 


423.^ 


I&arbart)  Co  Urge  librarg 


SHAKESPEARE   COLLECTION 


FROM  THE  GIFT  OF 

WALTER  WEHLE  NAUMBURG 

(ClAU  Of  1BS9) 

OF  NEW  YORK 


THE 


PLAYS 


O   F 


WILLIAM    SHAKSPEARE. 


Vol.  X, 


THE 

P     LA     Y     S 

O    F 

WILLIAM    SHAKSPEARE. 

VOLUME  the  TENTH. 

CONTAINING 

ROMEO    AND   JULIET. 

HAMLET. 

OTHELLO. 


LONDON, 

Printed  for  C.  Bathurft,  W.  Strahan,  J.  F.  and  C.  Rivington, 
J.  Hinton,  L.  Davis,  W.  Owen,  T.  Caflon,  E.  Jobnfon,  S.  Crowdcr, 
B.  White,  T.Longman,  B.  Law,  E.  and  C.  Dilly,  C.  Corbett, 
T.  Cadcll,  H.  L.  Gardner,  J.  Nichols,  J.  Bcw,  J.  Beccroft, 
W.  Stuart,  T.  Lowndes,  J.  Robfon,  T.  Payne,  T.  Becket, 
T.  Newbcry,  G.  Robinfon,  R.  Baldwin.  J.  Williams,  J.  Ridley, 
T.  Evans,  W.Daviet,  W.  Fox,  and  J.  Murray. 

MDCCLXXVIII. 


PROLOGUE. 

^T'H^O  boujbolds^  hotb  alike  in  dignity^ 
-^       In  fair  Verona^  where  wd  lay'  our  fcene^ 
From  ancient  grudge  break  to  new  mutiny^ 

Where  civil  blood  makes  civil  bands  unclean. 
From  forth  the  fatal  loins  of  tbefe  two  foes 

A  fair  offlar-croft  lovers  take  their  Hfe\ 
IVhofe  mif adventured  piteous  overthrows 

Bo^  with  their  deaib,  bury  their  parent^  flrife. 
The  fearful  pajfage  of  their  death^-marVd  lovCj 

Jnd  the  continuance  of  their  parent^  rage, 
fVbich^  but  their  children^  end,  nought  could  remove, 

Is  now  the  two  hours*  traffick  ofourfiage ; 
^e  which  if  you  with  patient  ears  attend. 

What  hereJbaU  mifs^  owtoilfballftrive  toiftend.*.  . 

*v      '''  '    ■  ■    ' 

*  This  prologue,- after  the  «ftrft  copy  was  publUhed  in  iS97tre- 
crived  fcTcnd  alterations,  both  in  refpcA  of  corredlnefs  and  verfi- 
£cation.  In  the  fojio  it  is  omitted.— 'We  play  was  originally 
performed  by  the  Eight  Honourable  the  L^tt^f  Munfthfi  hisfirvM^. 

In  the  firil  of  K.  James  L  was  made  an  ad  of  pariiamei^t  for 
ibme  reibaint  or  limitation  of  noblemen  in  the  protedion  of 
©layersjor  of  players  under  their  fan^tion,    Steeven^v 


B  2  Pcrfons 


Perfons  Reprefented. 

E  S  C  A  LU  S,  Prince  of  Verona. 

Paris,  Kinsman  to  the  Prince. 

Montague,! //if  j^  of  two  Houfes^  at  variance  wHb 

Capulct,     J     each  other. 

Romeo,  SoHto  Mmtague.     . 

Tybalt^  Kinfman  to  Capulet. 
An  old  Man,  bis  Coufin. 
Friar  Lawrence,  a  I^anci/can. 
Friair  JcHb,  of  tie  fame  order. 
Balthafar,  Servant  to  Romeo. 

G^;}  **«»'"♦<=**• 

Abram,  Servant  to  Montagne. 

T'bree  Mufictam. 

Peter. 

Lady  Montague,  Wife  to  Montague. 

Lady  Capulet,  Wife  to  Capulet. 

Juliet,  Daughter  to  Captdet^  in  love  with  Romfo. 

Nurfe  to  JuUet. 

CHORUSy^^Page^  Boy  to  Paris,  an  Officer,  an 
Apothecary.  ' 

Citizens  of  Verona,  feveral  Men  and  Women,  relations 
to  both  Houfes ;  Makers,  Guards,  Watch  and  other 
Attendants. 

The  S  C  ENE,  in  the  beginning  of  the  fifth  ^,  is  in 
Mantua  %  diering  all  the  reft  qf  the  play,  at  Verona. 


£ 


RGM^O  A^fD  JULIET'. 

A  C  T    1.        S  C  EN  E    L 

A      STREET. 

Enter  Samp/on,  and  Grtgory^  two  fervants  of  Capukt* 

Sams  Gregory,  o'  my  word,  *  we*ll  not  early  coals. 
Gre^.  No,  fot  then  we  fhould  be  colliers. 

Saf9h 

■  The  ftory  on  which  this  play  is  founded,  is  related  as.  a  true 
One  in  Gir^toiuo  de  la  Cartels  f^ftoiy  qf  Virorut^  It  was  originally 
publifhed  by  an  anonymous  Italian  novelHl  in  1549  at  Venice; 
and  ag^  in  i^jj*  at  the  fame  place.  The  firft  edition  of  Ban- 
deHo's  work  appeared  a  year  later  than  the  lafl  of  thefe  already 
mentioned*  Pierre  Boifteau  copied  it  with  alterations  and  ad- 
ditions. Bdkforell  adopted  it  in  the  firfl  volume  of  his  coKedion  , 
J596 ;  but  veiy  probably  fome  edition  of  it  yet  more  ancient 

hs^ 

*  V3^U  not  cany  coals,]  Dr.  Warburton  veiy  juftly  obferves, 
that  this  was  a  j^rafe  formerly  in  ufe  to  fignify  the  bearing  injtiriei} 
but,  as  be  has  given  no  inihtngss  \ti  fupport  of  his  deeltmkm,  I 
du>i^ht  it  necelfitry  to  fubjoin  the  following: 

Nafli,  in  his  Ha^e  with  jom  to  Saffron  WaU^  1591, /kyas 
"  We  will  Uarnotoks^  \  warrant  you/*    So,  Sljekon: 
<i  ■!    I  I  '    You,  I  fay,  Julian, 
"  Wyli  you  heare  no  coksf^ 
So,  in  Marfton's  ^ff/^4i  and  Mellida^  and  part»  i6ca:  ^^  He 
has  had  wrong,    and    if  I  were   he,  /  ^imuld   hear  no  coles,^ 
80,  in  Law  Tricksy  or,  Who  nHfould  hofut  thought  it?  a  comqdy, 
by  J(^  Day,  j6o8 :  *'  PU  cany  coals  an  you  will,  no  horns/ 
Again,  in  May-Daj^  a  comedy  by  Chapman,  x6io:    '^  You 
muft  fwe^r  by  no  man's  beard  but  your  own,  for    that  may 
breed  a  ^uarrdt  abovQ  all  things,   you  muft  carry    no  <oals* 
And  i^^ain,  in  the  fame   play :    ^^  Now  my  ancient"  beins  a 
nan  ojCaa  m-coalTcariyiffg  fpirit,  &c«^     Again,  in  B.  Jonion's 
B    5  .  Enfi^ 


6  ROMEO  AND  JULIET. 

Sam.  I  mean,  an  we  be  in  cholcr^  Vrc*U  draw. 
Greg.  Ay,  while  ygu  live,  draw  yoar  neck  out  of 
the  collar. 

had  found  its  way  abroad ;  as^  in  this  improved  fiate»  it  was  tranf* 
lared  into  £tigli{b|  and  pubfifhed  in  an  oftavo  volume  1^62,  but 
without  a  name.  On  this  occafion  it  appears  in  the  form  of  a 
poem  entitled.  Tie  tragicall  Hlfiorie  tf  Romeus  and  Juliet.  It  was 
republifhed  in  1 587,  under  the  fame  title :  **  Cmurpung  in  it  a 
rare  Kxumfie  of  true  Conftancie:  witb  the  fuhtill  CounfiU  andPraC' 
tifes  rfan  old  Ftyer^  and  their  Eweitt.  Imfrinttd  hy  H,  Rohin/m*^ 
Among  the  entries  on  the  Books  of  the  Stationers*  Company,  I 
find  f5),  18,  158a.  **  M..  Tottcll]  Romeo  and  JvkttaP  Again 
Aug.  5,  1 596  :  *'  Edward  White]  a  new  ballad  of  Remeo  and 
Juliett**  The  fame  ftory  is  found  in  fhe  Palace  ef  Pleafure : 
however,  "Shakefpeare  was  not  entirely  indebted  to  Painter's 
epitome ;  but  rather  to  the  poem  already  mentioned.  Scanyhurft, 
the  tranflator  of  Virgil  in  i  j82,  enumerates  Julietta  among  his 
heroines,  in  a  piece  which  he  calls  an  Epitaph,  or  Commune 
Defun^orum :  .and  it  appears  (as  Dr.  Farmer  has  obferved),  fiiom 
a  palFage  in  Ames's  Typographical  Antiquities,  that  the  ftory  had 
likewife  been  tranflated  by  another  hand.  Captain  Breval  m  his 
Travels  tells  us,  that  he  faw  at  Verona  the  tomb  of  thefe  unhappy 
lovers.    Steevens. 

This  Itory  was  well  known  to  the  Engli(h  poets  before  the  time 
of  Shakefpeare.     In  an  old  collection  of  poems^  called  **  A  gorgeous 
**  galkfy  of  gallant  Inventions^  1578,"  I  find  it  mentioned: 
**  Sir  Romems*  annoy  but  ^nHe  feems  to  mifie." 

And 

Every  Man  out  of  his  Huvtour :  **  Here  comes  one  that  will 
carry  coals ;  ergo,  will  hold  my  dog."  And,  laftly,  in  the  poet's 
own  Hen.V:  "  At  Calais  they  ftole  a  firefhovel ;  I  knew  by 
that  pitfce^ef  fervice  the  men  would  cany  coals.^  Again,  in 
tlie  Malconunt^  1604, 

♦*  Great  flaves  fear  better  than   love,  bom    naturally   for  a 
coal'hafket^    Steevbns. 
— —  cany  coals  ^ 

This  phrafe  continued  to  be  in  ufe  down  to  the  middle  of  the 
laft  century.  In  a  little  fadrical  piece  of  Sir  John  Birkenhead, 
intitled,  **  Two  centuries  [of  Books]  of  St.  Paul's  Church^ 
yard,  &c.^'  publi(bed  after  the  death  of  K.  Cha.  I.  N^  2S, 
page  50,  is  inferted  *'  Fire^  Fire !  a  fmall  manual,  dedicated  to 
Sir  Arthur  Hafelridge ;  in  which  it  is  plainly  proved  by  a 
whole  chauldron  of  fcripture,  that  John  Lilhrm  will  not  ^-arjy 
coals."    ByDr.  Gouge,    Pircy. 


H  O  M  E  O  AND  J  U  L  I  E  T.  7 

Sam.  I  ftrikc  quickly,  being  noov'<^. 

Grtg.  But  thou  art  not  quickly  rpov'd  to  ftrikCf 

Sam.  A  dog  of  the  houfe  of  Mont^ue  moves  me.' 

Grig.  To  move,  is — tq  ftir  j  and  to  be  valiant, 
is — to  ftand  to  it :  therefore,  if  thou  art  mov'd,  thou 
irunn'ft  away« 

Sam.  A  dog  of  that  houfe  (hall  move  me  to 
ftand  :  I  will  take  the  wall  of  any  man  or  maid  of 
Montague's* 

Greg.  That  Ihcws  thee  a  weak  flavc;  for  the 
weakeft  goes  to  the  wall. 

Sam.  True;  and  therefore  wofnei}, being  the  weatker 
veflcls,  are  ever  thruft  to  ?he  wall : — therefore  1  will 
puih  Montague's  men  from  the  wall,  and  thruft  his 
maids  to  the  walK 

Greg.  The  (parrel  i%  betyepen  our  matters,  and  u$ 
thjrir  men. 

Sam.  'Tis  all  one,  I  will  fhew  my&lf  a  tyrant : 
when  I  have  fought  with  the  men,  I  will  be  ^  grpe| 
with  the  maids ;  I  will  cut  off  their  heads* 

Greg.  The  heads  of  the  maids  ? 

Sam.  Ay,  the  heads  of  fhe  n)aic]s,  or  their  maiden- 
Jieads;  take  it  in  what  fenfe  thou  wilt. 

Greg.  They  muft  take  it  in  fenfe,  that  feel  it. 

Sam.  Me  they  fhall  feel,  while  I  am  able  to  uand ; 
^d,  'tis  known,  I  am  ^  pretty  piece  of  flefti, 

Greg.  *Tis  well,  thou  2^x1  npt  fifti  \  if  thou  hadft. 

And  ^gain,  Rovuns  and  JnUet  are  celebrated  in  **  ^  pqpr  l^nigbi 
his  Pa!ace  if  private  PleafureSy  i^iq,^ 

I  quote  thefe  pafTages  for  the  Cike  of  obfcrving,  that,  if  Shake* 
ipeare  had  not  read  Painrcr's  tranflation,  it  is  not  likely  that  he 
)vouki  have  altered  the  name  to  Romeo,  There  was  another  novel 
on  the  fubjcft  by  L.  da  Porto ;  w  hi'ch  has  been  lately  printed  at 
Venice.    Farmer, 

^  The  two  entries  which  I  ha\'e  quoted  from  the  books  at  Stay 
tionen*  Hall,  may  poflibly  difpote  Dr.  Farmer  tp  retra^'hii 
obiervatioa  concerning  Shakefpe^re's  chanse  in  the  na^n^s. 

\  —cruel  "Mith  the  maids;]  The  flijft  folio  reads citnl  witfi tic 
^aid|.    JoH.vsoK. — So  does  the  410, 1609*    Ste^vens. 

B  4  tho\j^ 


«         ROMEO  AND  JULIET. 

thou  hadft  been  Poor  John.    Draw  thy  tod  j  hcrtJ 
comes  of  the  houfe  of  the  Montagues. 

Enter  Abrant,  and  Baltbafar.  • 

Sam.  My  naked  weapon  is  out ;  quarrel^  I  will 
back  thee* 

Greg.  How  ?   turn  thy  back,  and  run  ? 

Sam.  Fear  me  not. 

Gr^g.:  No,  marry ;  I  feat  thee ! 

Sam.  Let  us  take  the  law  of  our  (ides  %  let  them 
•  begin. 

Greg.  I  wi!I  frown^,  as  I  pafs  by  i  and  let  them 
take  it  as  they  lift. 

Sam.  Nay,  as  they  dare.  4 1  will  bite  my  thumb  at 
them  \  which  is  a  dUgracc  to  them,  if  they  bear  it. 

Abr.  Do  you  bite  your  thumb  at  us,  fir  ? 

Sam.  I  do  bite  my  thumb,  fir. 

Abr..  Do  you  bite  yoiur  thumb  at  us^  fir  ? 

Sam.  h  the  law  on  our  fide,  if  I  fay — ay  ? 

Greg.  No. 

*  7  'w'lU  bite  ntf  thutni  at  them ;  'vohich  is  a  dij^act  to  thtm^  if 
they  hear  //.]  So  it  fignifics  in  Randolph's  Mufis  Looking-Obfs^ 
idt  3,  fc.  5,  p.  45. 

Orgyhs.  **  To  bke  hia  thumb  at  mc 
Argus.     ^^  Why  (hould  not  a  man  bite  his  thumb  ? 
Orgylus.  **  At  mc  ?  were  I  fcorn'd,  to  fee  men  bite  their 
thumbs ; 
«*  Rapiers  and  daggers,  &€.**  Dr.  Gr  ay. 

Dr.  Lodg^,  in  a  pamphlet  called  Wits  Mifirie^  &c.  1 596, 
ha)B  this  parage.  '*  Behold  next  I  fee  Contempt  marching  forth, 
*«  giving  mee  \h€  jico  with  his  thomhe  in  his  mouth ^  In  a  traof- 
ktion  from  Siephens*s  Apology  fir  Herodotus^  in  1607,  page  142, 
I  meet  with  thefe  words :  **  It  is  faid  of  the  Italians,  if  they  once 
•*  hite  their  fingers^  ends  in  a  threatning  manner^  God  knows,  if 
«*  they  fei  upon  their  enemies  face  to  fece>  it  is  becaufe  thqr 
•'  cannot  aflail  them  behind  their  backs.**  Perhaps  Ben  Jonfon  ri- 
dicuks  this  fccne  of  Romeo  and  Juliet,  in  his  Hew  Itm  ; 
**  Huf.  How,  JpiSit? 

"^//7//atme? 
«*  Tif.  I  reck  not,  but  IJpiUitJ*    Steevens. 

Samm 


C( 


ftOMEO  AKD  JTTLIET.       .9 

Sam.  No,  fir,  I  d6  doc  bice  my  thumb  at  you,  fir ; 
but  I  bite  my  thumb,  fir. 

Greg.  Do  3rou  quarrel,  fir  ? 

Jh.  Quacrd,  fir  ?  no,  fir. 

S(W.  If  you  do,  fir,  I  am  for  you  \  I  fcrve  as  good 
a  man  as  you. 

Abr.  No  better. 

Sam.  Well,  fir.  * 

*  Enter  Benvolio. 

Greg.  Say— better  5  here  comes  one  of  «)ymafter*s 
kinfmen^. 

Sam.  Yes,  better,  fir. 

Afnr.  You  lye. 

Sam.  Draw,  if  you  be  men.— Gregory,  remetnber 
thy  fwafliing  blow  1.  [X^Ofi&^^^ 

Bm.  Part,  fools ;  put  up  your  fwords  \ 
You  know  not  what  you  do. 

'  EmUt  Bfmfoiifi.]  Much  of  this  fcene  is  added  fiace  the  firft 
edidoB ;  but  probably  by  Shakefpeare,  iince  we  find  it  in  that  of 
the  year  1 599.    Pope. 

•  •*  Ifene  comes  one  of  my  Mffier^s  kinfmcn."  Some  miftake 
bat  happened  in  this  place:  Grfgory  is  a  fervant  of  the  Cafuiets  ; 
and  BenvoHo  was  of  the  Montague  fa^on.    Farmer. 

Perhaps  there  is  no  miflake.  Gregory  may  mean  Jyhalt^  who 
enters  imnecUately  isjtcr  Bemnlioy  but  on  a  different  part  of  theflage. 
The  eyes  of  the  fervant  may  be  di  reded  the  way  he  fees  TySalf 
tomingf  and  in  the  mean  time,  BeTtvolIo  enters  on  the  oppoiite 
fide.    Steevens. 

^  '^Ijy  /osqfbii^  hUiw^  Ben  Jonfon  wfcs  this  expreffion  in  his 
Btafk  fir  News :  "  I  do  aonfefs  Si/zvajb:ng  hlrjo.**  In  the  Three 
LMdiisrf  London^i^Z^  Fraud  fsiys: 

*«  I  will  flaunt  it  and  brave  it  after  the  lufty  SwaJbJ* 
Again,  in  Jlsyou  like  it : 

**  111  have  a  martial  and  ^fvjqfblng  outfide.** 
To  fijt)/^  feems  to  have  meant  to  be  a  bully,  to  be  noifily  valiant. 
So,  Green,  in  his  Card  qf  Fancy,  1608,  •*  —  in  fpending  and 
**  fpoiling,  in  fwearing  and  fv3(^)ingP  Barrett,  in  his  Ahearie^ 
1580,  fays,  that  "  tofv:f{/b  is  to  make  a  noife  with  fwordes  agamft 
••  tergats'.**    Steevens. 

Enter 


to        EOMEO  AND  JULIET. 

Enter  Tybalt. 

Tyh^  What,  art  thou  drawn  among  thefe  heartlefii 
hinds? 
Turn  thee^  Benvolio,  look  upon  thy  d^ath. 

Ben.  I  do  bpt  keep  the  peace  \  put  up  thy  fword^ 
Or  manaee  itto  part  thefe  men  with  me. 
Tjb.  What,  drawn,  and  talk  of  peacp  ?    I  hate 
the  word. 
As  I  hate  hell,  all^ontagups,  aqd  thee: 
Have  at  thee,  coward. 

Enter  three  or  four  citizens^  with  clubs. 

Cit.  Clubs,  bills,  and  partizans !  ftrike !  beat  them 
down  I 
Pown  with  the  Capulets !  down  with  the  Montagues! 

Enter  old  Capukt^  in  bis  gown;  and  lady  Capukt. 

Cap.  What  noife  Is  this  ? — '  Give  me  my  long 
fword,  ho ! 

La.  Cap.  A  crutch,  a  crutch ! — ^Why  call  you  for 
a  fword  ? 

Cap.  My  fword,  I  fay !— old  Montague  is  come. 
And  flourilhes  his  blade  in  fpight  of  me» 

Enter  old  Montague^  and  lady  Montague* 

Mon.  Thou  villain,  Capulct, Hold  me  not, 

let  me  go. 

•  Give  me  ft^  long  PwortL"]     The  hng  fuoord  v^i  the  fword  u{e4 
in  war,  which  was  iometimcs  wielded  with  both  bands.  Joh  nso n. 
This  long  fword  is  mentioned  in  The  Qoxcoptb,  a  comedy  by 
Beaumont  and  Fletcher,  where  the  juftipe  fays  : 

«*  Tiike  their  ponfeilions,  and  my  longpvoord% 
"  I  cannot  tell  what  danger  we  may  meet  with.** 
|t  appears  ths|t  it  was  once  the  fafhion  to  wear  two  fwords  qf 
different  fixes  at  the  fame  time* 
So  in  Decktr^s  Satiro/naftix  : 

'•  Peter  Salamander,  lie  up  your ^Mtf  and  jour ////Zfy^w^.** 

Steevens. 


R  O  M  E  O  AND  J  U  L  I E  T.         if 

La.  Mon.  Thou  (halt  not  ftir  one  f6ot  to  feek  a  (at. 

Enter  Prince^  with  attendants. 

Prin.  Rebellious  fubjcfts,  enemies  to  peace^ 
Profaners  of  this  neighbour-ftaincd  ftecl, — 
Will   they  not   hear? — what  ho!    you  men,   you 

beads, — 
That  quench  the  fire  of  your  pernicious  rage 
With  purple  fountains  iffuing  from  your  veins,— 
On  pain  of  torture,  from  thofe  bloody  hands 
Throw  your  mif-tcmper*d  weapons  ^  to  the  ground. 
And  hear  the  fentencc  of  your  moved  prince. — 
Three  dvU  brawls,  bred  of  an  airy  word. 
By  diee,  old  Capulet,  and  Montague, 
Have  thrice  difturb*d  the  quiet  of  our  ftreets ; 
And  made  Verona's  ancient  citizens 
Caft  by  their  grave  befeeming  ornaments. 
To  wield  old  partizans,  in  hands  as  old) 
Cankred  with  peace,  to  part  your  cankred  hate: 
If  ever  you  difturb  our  ftreets  a^in. 
Your  lives  (hall  pay  the  forfeit  rf  the  peace. 
For  this  tin>e,  all  the  fed  depart  away : 
You,  Capulet,  (ball  go  along  with  me ; 
And,  Montague,  come  you  this  afternoon, 
To  know  our  further  pleafure  in  this  cafe, 
To  old  Free- town,  our  common  judgment-place. 
Once  more,  on  pain  of  death,  all  men  depart, 

[Exeunt  Prince j  Capulet^  6fr. 

Men.  Whofet  this  ancient  quarrel  new  abroach  ?— 
Speak,  nephcwj  were  you  by,  when  it  began  ? 

Ben.  Here  were  the  fervants  of  your  adverfary. 
And  yours,  clofe  fighting  ere  I  did  approach  : 
I  drew  to  part  them  ;  in  the  inftant  came 
The  fiery  Tybalt,  with  his  fword  prepared ; 

9  — •  mU'ttmper^d  weapons,  are  angry  weapons.    So  in  K,  J$bm  : 
•^  This  inupdation  o{ mis-Umfer'^ h\januMT^  &Cf*'  St^e VE«a. 


12        ROMEO  AND  JULIE  f, 

Which,  as  he  breathed  defiance  to  my.  cars. 
He  fwung  about  his  head,  and  cut  the  winds, 
"Who,  nothing  hurt  withal,  hif$*d  him  in  fcorn : 
While  we  were  interchanging  thrufts  and  blows, 
Came  more  and  more,  and  fought  on  part  and  part^ 
'Till  the  prince  came,  who  parted  either  part. 

La.Mon.  0,where  is  Romeo ! — fawyou  him  to-day  ? 
Right  iglad  1  am,  he  was  not  at  this  fray, 

Ben.  Madam,  an  hour  before  the  worfhipp'd  fuB 
Peer'd  forth  the  golden  window  of  the  eaft  \ 
A  troubled  mind  drave  me  to  walk  abroad ; 
Where— underneath  the  grove  of  fycaraou'r. 
That  weftward  rootcth  from  the  city'  fide— 
So  early  walking  did  I  fee  your  fon : 
Towards  him  I  made;  but  he  was  'ware  of  me^ 
And  dole  into  the  covert  of  the  wood  : 
I,  meafuring  his  affcdions  by  my. own, — 
*  That  moft  are  buCed  when  they  are  moftalonc,—^ 
Purfu'd  my  humour,  not  purfuing  his, 
^  And  gladly  (hunn^d  who  gladly  fled  from  me. 

Mon.  Many  a  morning  bath  he  there  been  feen^ 
With  tears  augmenting  the  frefli  morning's  dew. 
Adding  to  clouds  more  clouds  with  his  deep  fighs : 
But  all  fp  foon  as  the  all-chearing  fun 
Should  in  the  furtheil  eaft  begin  to  draw 

*  Peered  firth  the  goUen    window    ef  the  eaflJ\     The    fame 
thought  occurs  in  Spenfer's  Faery  ^ueai^  B.  2.  C.  10.' 

**  Eariy  before  the  mom  with  cremofin  ray 
*^  The  tmudc^s  of  bright  heavdi  opened  had, 
*'  Through  which  into  the  world  the  dawning  day 
*«  Mightlooke,  &c.*    Steevens. 

*  That  moflare  hnJUd^  5jc.]     Edition  1597.     Inftead  of  tvhjch 
it  is  in  the  other  edition  thus : 

■      ■  '.^  ■    I    ■       bymyowHy 
Which  then  moft  fought,  where  moft  might  not  be  fbond, 
Brfng  one  too  many  by  my  weary  felf, 
Purfu'd  iny  humour,  &ۥ     Pope.    ^ 
'  And  gladly  Jtwfn^dy  &€.]    The  ten  lines  following,  nbt  in 
-  edition  i597>  but  in  the  next  of  1 599*    Pope. 

The 


ROlyf  5p  AND  JULIETc        ^3 

Th^  fcady  curtains  from  Aurprai  bed^ 
Away  from  light  fteals  home  my  Eeavy  fon, 
^lod  private  in  his  chaniber  pens  himfelf ; 
Shuts  up  his  windows^  locks  fair  day-light  QUt^ 
And  makes  himfelf  an  anificialpight : 
Black  and  portentous  muft  thia  humour  prove, 
Unlefs  good  couufcl  may  the  caufo  remove. 

Ben.  My  nobleuncle,  do  you  kaow  the  cauie? 

Mm.  I  neither  know  it,  nor  can  learn  it  of  him. 

4  Ben.  Have  you  importuned  him  by  any  means? 
Mon.  Both  b^  myielf^  and  many  other  friends : 

But  he,  his  own  affeftions'  couafellor^ 
Is  to  himfelf — I  will  not  fay,  how  true- 
But  to  himfelf  fo  fecret  and  fo  j:lofe. 
So  far  from  founding  and  difcoveiy,    . 
As  is  tl\c  bud  bit  with  .an  envious  worm. 
Ere  he  can  fpread  his  fweet  leaves  to  the  air, 
5  Or  dledicatc  his  beauty  tp  the  fame,  v        '    .'   ^ 
Could  we  but  learn  from,  whcnc^  his  iTorrows  grow, 
\ye  would  as  willingly  give  cur^,  as  knpw. 

Enter  Romeo,  at  a  dijlance. 

Ben.  See,  where  he  comes:  Sopleafeyou,Aepafi'dci; 
ril  know  hi$  grievance,  or  be  much  deny*d. 

^  Ben.  Haw  you  mfortun*d,  ^.1  Ttide  turo  fpeechcs  aUb 
otniHcd  in  edition  iC97f  butioiertea  in  i&QQ*    Pops* 

5  Or  dedicate  his  b(au{y  to  tU  rame.3  When  we  come  to  con- 
fider,  that  there  is  foine  power  elie  befides  lahtrf  air,  that  brings 
Worthy  and  makes  the  tender  buds  fpread  themfclves,  I  dp  not  thmk, 
it  improbable  that  the  poet  wrote. 

Or  dedicate  his  bea\;ty  to  the  &^. 
Or,acGording  to  the  more  obiblete  fpelling»  Sunne;  which  brings 
it  nearer  to  the  traces  of  the  corrupted  text,    Theobald. 

I  cannot  but  fufped  that  fome  lines  are  Io{(,  which  conne£t^ 
this  fimile  more  ctofely  with  the  foregoing  fpeech :  thefe  lines, 
if  fuch  there  were,  lamented  the  danger  that  Homeo  will  die  of 
his  melancholy,  before  his  virtues  or  abilities  were  known  to  the 
world.  Johnson. 
I  fufpe^  no  lofs  of  conneding  lines.  The  fame  ezprelCoa 
.  5>OCVir8  i«  Ttmcn,  A^.  4.  Sc.  2. 

^  A  dedicated  beggar  to  the  air!*       Steevens. 

-  '  Mon^ 


14       ROMfid  AKU  JULlEt^ 

Mon.  I  would,  thou  wcit  fo  happy  by  thy  ftay^ 
To  hear  true  flirift. — Come,  madam,  let's  away. 

Sen.  Good  morrow,  coufin^ 

Rom*  h  the  day  fo  young  *  ? 

Bin.  But  hew  ftruck  nine. 

Rom.  Ay  me !  lad  hours  feem  long. 
Wa5  that  my  father  that  went  hence  fo  faft  ? 

JSen.  It  was : — What  fadncfs  lengthens  Romeo'g 
hours  ? 

Rom.    Not  having  that,  which,  having,  makes 
them  ftiort. 

Sin.  In  love? 

Rom.  Out  y — ^ 

Ben.  Of  lovef 

Rom.  Out  of  her  favour,  where  I  am  in  love. 

Ben.  Alas,  that  love,  fo  gentle  in  his  view. 
Should  be  fo  tyrannous  and  rough  in  proof! 

*Rom.  Alas,  that  love,  whofe  view  is  muffled  ftill. 
Should,  without  eyes,  fee  path-ways  ^  to  his  will ! 

Where 

*  Is  the  day  fo  young?  i.  e.  is  it  fo  early  in  the  day  ?  The 
fame  expreflion  (which  might  t>nce  ha^e  been  popular)  I  meet  with 
in  ^cola/hi s^.tLoomedy  tfi^t  **  It  is  yet  jeuttg  irjighit^  or  there  is 
yet  nioche  of  the  ny ghtc  to  come."    St  k  e  v  e  n  s . 

^  Rom.  Out  — J  I  take  cut  not  to  be  an  imperfect  part  of  a 
fcntcnce  cut  olfby  apofiopefis ;  but  rather  the  intcrje6tion  fHll  ufed 
in  the  north,  where  they  "fty  Oat.'^  much  in  the  fame  (cnfe  as  we 
fAy ^  ! — Romeo  indeed  afterwards  tags  a  fentence  with  it,  but 
that  he  is  led  into  by  BenvoHo's  fdp^cmcnt  to  the  firft  Om. 
S o,  i  n  another  fcene  o t*  this  play :— On*  oIms!  fhe's  cold.     Pe  a  c Y. 

Why  Ihould  Romeo  fiiy,.]jye/  on  being  aflced  if  he  were  in  love  ? 
Does  he  not  acknoi^ledge  his  being  fo,  in  the  very  next  lin^  ? 
Would  he,  a  character  aUmoiie  vff^hve^  ufe  fuch  terms  of  re- 
fentment  or  Ihame,  asOtt//  or/Jnf/  on  being  fufpetStod  of «  padion 
in  which  he  gloried  ?    Steeven'S.    ' 

•  —  to  his  iviHf]  Sir  T.  Hanraer,  and  after  him  Dr.  Warburton, 
read,  to  his  ili.  The  prefent  reading  has  feme  obfcurity ;  the  mean- 
ing may  be,  that  iove  finds  out  means  to  purfue  his  kefire.  That 
the  hllttJ  ^o\M  find  paths  to  fW  is  no  great  wonder.    Johnson. 

I  fee  no  obfcurity  in  (he  text.  '  It  is  not  unufual  for  thofe  who 
ape  blinded  by  love  to  overlook  every  difficulty  that  oppofes  their 
•  purfuit^    NiCHOiSi 

The 


kOMfeO  AND  JULIET.        t^ 

Where  Ihall  we  dine  ? — O  me ! — What  fray  was 

here  ? 
Yet  teB  mc  not,  for  I  have  beard  it  all. 
Here's  much  to  do  with  hate,  but  more  with  love:— * 
9  Why  then,  O  brawling  love !  O  loving  hate  f 

The  quarto  i;^^,  reads 

bhouUt  without  laws^  give  path-ways  to  our  will! 
Thb  reading  is  the  moft  inteUig^ble.    Stee  ve  ^f8• 

^  Why  tbeny  O  hrawUng  kvty  &c.]  Of  thefe  lines  neither  the 
fenfe  nor  occafion  is  rery  evident*  He  is  not  yet  in  love  with  an 
enemy ;  and  to  love  one  and  hate  another  is  no  i!ich  unconnnon 
&ite«  as  can  deferve  all  this  toil  of  anrithefii.    Johnson. 

Hid  Dr.  Johnfon  attended  to  the  letter  of  invitation  in  the 
next  icene,  he  would  have  found  that  ftoialine  was  niece  to 
Capulet.    Anonymous. 

Every  fonncttcet  charaSerifes  Love  by  contrarieties.  Watfon 
b^^  one  of  his  canzonets : 

**  Love  is  a  fowre  delight^  a  fugred  griefe, 
**  A  living  death,  an  ever-dying  life.  Sec** 
Turberville   tidiakes   Reaibn  harangue  againA  it  in  the  iknie 
manner: 

^*  A  fitrie  fix>&t  &  flAipe  that  frozen  is  with  ife! 
**'  A  heavie  burden  light  to  beare !  a  vertue  fraught  with 
•«  vice!   &c." 
immedbtely  from  the  Rdmauni  tftbe  Rofe: 
^*  L&ue  it  is  an  hatefull  pees, 

**  A  free  aquitaunce  without  reles 

'<  An  hearvU  hurtbim  light  to  hearty 
♦•  A  wicked  wawe  awaie  to  weare : 
*'  And  heahh  full  of  maladie, 
•*  And  charitie  fuU  of  envie—— 
•*  A  laughter  that  in  weping  ac, 
*•  Reft  that  trauaileth  night  and  daie,  &c/* 
This  kind  of  antithefis  was  ver^  much  the  taftc  of  the  Provencal 
9nd  Itah'an  poets ;  perhaps  it  might  b^  hinted  by  th)e  ode  of  Sap« 
pho  pieferved  by  Longinus.     Petrarch  is  full  Ot  it : 
^*  PsLCC  npn  trovo,  e  hon  h6  da  &r  guerra» 
^  £  temo»  e  fpero,  e  ardo,  e  Ton  un  ghiaccio^ 
**  E  vote  fopra*l  cicl,  e  ghiaccio  in  tcl-ra, 
•*  E  nulla  rfringo,  e  tutto*l  mondo  abbracrio,  Sec.**  Son,  lo^. 
Sir  Tho.  Wyat  gives  a  tranflation  of  this  forinet,  without  any  no« 
tice  of  the  original,  under  ihe  titic  of,  Dtfcriptim  of  the  contrarious 
PsUhns  in  a  Lotur,  anM>ngft  the  Sondes  atui  SoMJUtttiS,  by  the  Earle 
•f  Surrey,  and  other^  1574.    Faemejc. 

Oany 


1$        ROMEO  AND  JULIET. 

O  ^ny  thing,  of  nothing  firft  -created !        „        ., 
O  heavy  lightnefs  !  ferious  vanity  t 
Mif-fliapen  chaos  of  w^U-fecming  forms  ! 
Feathec  of  lead,  bright  fmoke^.cold  fire,  fick  health  1 
Still-waking  fleep,  that  is  not  what  it  is  !— 
This  love  feel  I,  that  feel  no  love  in  this. 
Poft  thou  not  laugh  ? 

Ben.  No,  coz^  1  rathpr  weep. 
Rom.  Good  heart,  at  what  ? 
Ben.  At  thy  good  heart's  oppreffion. 
Rom.  *  Why,  fuch  is  love's.  trw%reflion,—r 
Griefs  of  mine  own  lie  heavy  in  tny  hreaft ; 
Which  thou  wilt  propagate,  to  have  it  prcft 
With  more  of  thine  :  this  love,  that  thou  haft  fhown. 
Doth  add  more  grief  to  too  much  of  mine  own. 
Love  is  a  fmoke  rais'd  with  the  fume  of  figbs ; 
*  Being  purg'd;  a  fire  fparkling  in  lovers'  cyes^ 
/  Bein^  vex'd,  a  fea  norr»(»^^*^ Aifh  lovers*  tears: 
What  is  it  elfe  ?  a  madnfeiVnioft  difcreet, 
A  choaking  gall    Md  a  preferving  fwebt. 
Farewcl,  my  coz,  {Going. 

Ben.  Soft,  I  will  go  along ; 
An  if  you  leave  me  lb,  you  do  me  wrong. 

Rom.  Tut,  I  have  loft  myfelf ;  I  am  not  here-. 
This  is  tfbt  Romeo,*  he's  fome  other  where*     ^ 

*  WJp^fuch  is  hve*s  tran^Jion.^  5uch  is  the  confequcnce 
ofunikilful  and  midaken  kiqdnds.    JoHNta^. 

*  Being  puvg^d^  a  Jire  JparkJing  im  kwers*  eyes;]  The  author 
may  mean  heing  purged  of fmoke^  but  it  is  perhaps  a  meanipg  oerer 
given  to  the  word  in  any  other  place.  I  would  rather  readt  Being 
urgM,  ajirejparkling^  Deing  excited  and  inforced*  To  urge  the 
fire  is  the  technical  term*    ^hnson. 

^  Being  nfex^dy  &c.]  As  this  line  flaods  fingie,  it  is  like- 
ly that  the  forgoing  or  following  line  that  rbymU-to  it  is 
loil.    Johnson^ 

It  dloes  not  feem  neoef&ry  to  fupiwfe  any  line  loft*  In  the 
former  fpeech  about  Love*s  contrarieties^  there  are  ieveral  lines 
which  have  no  other  to  rhime  with  them ;  as  alfo  in  the  following, 
about  Rofaliai's  chaltity.    Steevens. 

i  Ben. 


110ME6  AND  Jl^LIET*  .      If 

Ben.  4  Tell  me  in  fadnefs,  who  (he  is  you  love  ? 

Rom.  What,  (hall  I  groan,  and  tell  thee  ? 

Ben.  Groan  ?  why,  no ; 
But  fadly  tell  mc,  who. 

Rom.  Bid  a  lick  man  in  iadnefs  make  his  will  :— 
O  word  ill  urg'd  to  one  that  is  fo  ill ! — 
In  fadnels,  coufin,  I  do  love  a  woman* 

Ben.  I  aim*d  fo  near,  when  I  fupposM  you  Iov*d. 

Rom.  A  right  good  marks-man ! — And  fhe*s  fair  I 
love* 

Ben.  A  right  fair  mirk,  fair  coz,  is  fooneft  hit. 

Rom.  Well,  in  that  hit,  you  mifs :  ftie'U  not  be  hit 
With  Cupid*s  arrow,  fhe  hath  Dian's  wit  j 
*  And,  *  in  ftrong  proof  of  chaftity  well  armM, 
From  love's  weak  childifh  bow  (he  lives  unharmM* 
She  will  not  ftay  the  fiege  of  loving  terms. 
Nor  bide  the  encounter  of  aifailing  eyes. 
Nor  ope  her  lap   ,   '  'nt;^educing  gold : 
O,  (he  is  rich  in  beauty^j  only  poor, 
•  That,  when  flic  dies,  7  with  b€#i^  dies  her  (lore. 

Ben. 

♦  f/U  me  in/aJfte/sy]  Thztb^  td\  me  grave^^  tcU  me  in/r/Vw/i 

•90.      JOHNSOlf, 

^'  jiul  im  fir^  frorf  &c]  At  this  play  was  written  in  the 
rrisn  ofQueen  Elizabeth^  I  cannot  help  regarding  thefe  fpeeches 
of  Romeo  as  an  obliauc  compliment  to  her  majefly,  who  was  not 
^ble  to  be  difpleaied  at  hearing  her  chaftity  praileid  after  (he  was 
fufpeded  to  have  loft  it»  or  her  beauty  commended  in  the  67  th 
year  of,  tier  age,  though  ftie  never  poflefted  any  when  (he  was 
young.  Her  declaration  that  (he  would  continue  unmarried  in« 
oeaies  the  probability  of  the  prdBntfuppo(ition.    Steevens. 

•  '^njfrMg  freqfl  In  chaftity  cf  prorfj  as  we  fay  in  armour  ef 
proof.    Johnson. 

7  — w/ii&  heaut!f  Mt$  her  Jlore.]  Mr.  Theobald  reads,  **  Whi 
*♦  her  dies  bcauty*s^«fv ;"  and  is  followed  by  the  two  fuccecding 
editors.  I  have  replaced  the  old  reading,  becaufe  I  think  it  at  leau 
as  plaufible  as  the  corredion.  SJje  is  tkh^  fays  he,  in  beauty^  and 
only  poor  in  being  fubjed  to  the  lot  of  hilbanity,  that  her  ftort^  or 
riches,  ca^  he  dejtroyedly  deiUb^  who  (hall,  by  the  fame  blow,  put 
anendto  beauty,    Johnson. 

Vot.  X.  C  Theobaid'a 


it    ftONtfed  AND  iVLxtT. 

£en.  Then  (he  hath  fworn,  that  iObe  will  ftiU  live 
chaftcf 

^  Roni.  Shd  hath,  atld  iti  that  {paring  makes  hug^ 
wafte ; 
Pot  beauty,  ftarvM  with  her  fcverity, 
tJuts  beauty  6ff  from  all  pofterity  9» 
She  is  too  fair,  too  wife ;  '  wifely  too  fall?. 
To  merit  blifs  by  making  me  defpair : 
She  hath  forfworn  to  love  i  and,  in  that  Vow^ 
t)o  I  live  dead,  that  live  to  tell  it  now^ 

£en.  Bfe  hird  by  me,  foi^fet  to  think  of  hci*. 

Rom.  O,  teach  me  how  I  IhoUld  forggt  to  think* 

Ben.  By  giving  liberty  unto  thine  cyesj 
Examine  other  beautiiels. 

Rt>m.  *Tis  the  way 
To  call  hers,  cxquifite,  in  ^ueftioit  iliore  J 
Thefe  happy  mafks  %  that  kifs  fair  ladies'  browj> 
Being  black,  put  us  in  mind  they  hide  the  fair } 
He,  that  is  ftrucken  blind,  cannot  forget 

Thebbald^s  alteration  may  be  cotintenanced  by  the  fbllowiilg 
pallage  in  Sy^tnam  ArratgH%  a  comedy*  162OX 
**  Nature  now  ihall  boaft  ho  mote 
**  Of  the  riches  of  her  ftorc ; 
*'  Sincfej  in  this  her  chicfeft  prize, 
**  All  the  ftock  of  beauty  dies.** 
Agaiii,  in  the  14th  Sonntt  of  ^akefpeare  t 

**  Thy  end  is  truth's  and  beauty^s  doom  and  date, 
Agaiiv  ihMaffihgcr's  Flrgin^Marfp-i 

•*  — -^  with  her  dks 
**  The  abftraft  of  all  fweetnefe  that*8  in  woman;**  SrtErEWtJ 

*  Rom.  ShehAih^  and  in  tbai^ringy  &c.]  None  of  the  folbw* 
ing  fpeeches  of  this  fcene  are  in  thefim  editiofi  of  1597^    Por&i 

^  For  heOutyJiam^d  with  her  fever ity^ 
Cuts  heauty  iff  from  ^pofierity.^ 
S(i  in  our  author's  Third  Sontttt; 

•*  Or  wlw  is  he  ib  food  will  be  the  tomb 
*^  Of  his  fclf-love,  to  Hopfofierityf"  Maloke* 

i  ^^Ufd^ijefyfair.}  Hanmbrs   For  w^  ftw  fair.    JOHNsoia 

*  Thefe  ham  majks^  &c.]  i.  c.  the  maiks  worn  by  femald 
fpcdbtors  of  the  play.  Former  editors  print  tbofe  inflead  of'  thfe^ 
but  without  authority,    STfiET^irst 

Tht 


ROMEO  AMD  JULIET.         1^ 

The  precious  treafure  of  his  eye-fight  loft: 
She:w  me  a  miflrefs  that  is  pafling  fair, 
What  doth  her  beauty  ferve,  but  as  a  note 
Whtre  I  may  read,  who  pafs'd  that  pafling  fair  ?. 
Farewcl ;  thou  canft  not  teach  me  to  forget '. 
Ben.  I'll  pay  that  doArine,  or  elfe  die  in  debt. 

[Exeunt^ 

SCENE      IL 

J    S  r  R  M  ^T. 

Enter  Capulet,  Paris^  and  Servant. " 

Cap.  And  Montague  is  bound  as  well  as  I, 
In  penalty  alike ;  and  Vis  not  hard,  I  think. 
For  men  fo  old  as  we  to  keep  the  peace. 

Far.  Of  honourable  reckoning  are  you  both  ; 
And  pity  'tis,  you  liv'd  at  odds  fo  long. 
But  now,  my  lord,  what  fay  you  to  my  fuit  ? 

Cap.  But  faying  o'er  what  I  have  faid  before : 
My  child  is  yet  a  ftranger  m  the  world. 
She  hath  not  feen  the  change  of  fourteen  years  i 
Let  two  more  fummers  wither  in  their  pride. 
Ere  we  may  think  her  ripe  to  be  a  bride. 

Par.  Younger  than  ihe  are  happy  mothers  made. 

Cap.  4  And  too  foon  marr'd  are  thofe  fo  early  made. 

'  Thou  canfiuotteadf  me  tofirgef,"] 
**  Of  all  afflidions  tanaht  a  lover  yet, 
**  'Tw  fike  the  hardcft  Icicncxs,  ioJorgetJ^^?ofe*s  Eloija. 

Steevems.  ' 
^  Jnd  too  fiou  mari'd  are  thofe  fo  earfy  made.]     Tlie  4tOj  1 597, 
tcads : — And  too  foon  marr'J  are  thofe  fo  early  framed. 

Puttenham,  In  hk  Art  rfPoetty^  1 589»  ufe»  this  ei^Mcflioa,  which 
ieems  to  be  proverbial,  as  an  inilance  of  a  figure  which  he  calls  the 
SibouMd: 

**  The  maid  ^'lA  foon  m£trrieA\%^  foon  marred  x^T 
The  jin^  between  marf^d  and  made  is  likewife  fi^eqoent  amoi^ 
the  oU  writers.    So  Sidney : 

*'  Oh  1  he  is  mnrrd  that  is  for  others  madefy 
^Deafer  introduces  it  very  often  in  his  di&renc  poemf.  Stbsv£ em 

C  2  Tbft 


^         ROMEO  AND  JULIET. 

The  earth  hath  fwallow'd  all  my  hopes  but  flie, 

5  She  is  the  hopeful  lady  of  my  earth : 

But  woo  her,  gentle  Paris,  get  her  hearty 

My  '\vill  to  her'confent  is  but  a  part ; 

An  ftie  agree,  within  her  fcope  of  choice 

Lies  my  confcnt  and  fair  according  voice. 

This  night  I  hold  an  old  accuftom^d  feaft. 

Whereto  I  have  invited  many  a  gueft. 

Such  as  I  love;  ^nd  you,  among  the  ftore. 

One  more,  moil  welcome,  makes  my  number  morer 

At  my  poor  houfe^  look  to  behold  this  night 

^  Earth-treading  ftars,  that  make  dark  heaven  light : 

'  She  is  the  bopefid  kdy  tf  tt^  earth,]    This  line  it  not  in  the 
iirft  edition.    Pope. 

Tfje  Luiy  of  bis  earth  is  an  exprcflion  not  very  intelligible,  unlefs  - 
he  means  that  (he  is  heir  to  his  edate,  and  I  iuppofe  no  man  ever 
called  his  lands  his  earth.    I   will  venture  to  propofe  a  bold 
change: 

She  is  the  hope  andftqj^  of  vnyfidljfears.      JoH  N son. 
She  is  tJj€  Ifopefid  lady  of  my  earth. — This  is  a  Galhcifm :    Filk  de 
terre  is  the  French  phraie  for  an  heirefs. 

King  Richard  11.  calls  \\\\  land,  i.  e.  his  kingdom,  his  earth: 

**  Feed  not  thy  fovereign's  foe,  my  gende  earths 
Again, 

**'  So  weepine,  foiling,  greet  I  thee,  my  earths 
Earthy  in  other  old  plays  is  likewife  put  for  tauds^  u  e.  landed 
cftate.     So  in  a  Trick  to  catch  the  old  one^  1619 : 

•*  A  rich  widow  and  four  hundred  s^  year  in  good  earth,^ 

Steevens. 
•  Earth'treadingjtars^  that  make  dark  heaven  light:']    This  non- 
fenie  (hould  be  rerormed  thus : 

Earth-treading  (bu^  that  make  dark  even  light: 
i.  e.  When  the  evening  is  dark,  and  without  Ibrs,  thefe  earthly 
liars  fupply  their  place,  and  light  it  up.    So  s^n  in  this  play:  * 
Her  beauty  hangs  upon  the  cheek  of  night. 
Like  a  rich  jewel  in  an  Ethiop's  ear.         Waeburton. 
But  why  nonfenfe  ?    Is  any  thing  more  commonly  ^d,  than 
that  beauties  edipfe  the  (un  ?    Has  not  Pope  the  thought  and 
the  word? 

**  Sol  through  white  curtains  ihot  a  timorous  ray, 
**  And  op'd  thofe  cy«s  that  muft  ecUfiJe  the  dayP 
Both  the  old  and  the  new  reading  are  philofophical  nonlenfe ;  but 
they  are  bo(h|  and  both  equallyi  poetiad  fenie»    Johnson. 

Such 


ROMEO  AND  JULIET.         ai 

Such  comfort,  as  ?  do  lufty  young  fticn  feci 
When  well«apparerd  April  on  the  heel 
Of  Kmping  winter  treads,  even  fuch  delight 
Among  frelh  female  buds  fhall  you  this  night 
Inherit  at  my  houfe ;  hear  all,  all  fee^ 
And  like  her  moft,  whofe  merit  moil:  fhall  be : 
8  Such,  amongft  view  of  many,  mine,  being  one. 
May  ftand  in  number,  though  in  reckoning  none. 

Come, 


lufy  young  itien  fiel]  To  lay»  and  to  (ay  in  pompous 
words,  chat  z  young  man  JbaU  feel  as  much  in  an  ailembly  of  beau- 
tiesy  msymaig  men  Jeel  in  the  month  tf  Aprils  is  furely  to  wafle  found 
upon  a  Tcry  poor  fentiment.    I  read : 

Such  comfort  as  do  \\}^ yeomen  feel. 
You  (hall  feel  from  the  fight  and  converfation  of  thefe  ladies,  iuch 
hopes  of  happine(8  and  fuch  pleafure,  as  the  farmer  receives  from  the 
fpnng,  when  the  plenty  of  the  year  begins,  and  the  profpeA  of  the 
harveu  fills  him  with  delight.    Johns o^t 

The  following  pafla|;e  from  Chaucer's  Romaunt  of  the  Roje^  will 
fupport  the  prefent  reading,  and  (hew  the  propriety  of  Shakefpeare's 
comparifon  :  for  to  tell  Paris  that  he  fiiould  feel  the  fame  ibrt  of 
pleaiuTC  in  an  a(rembly  of  beauties,  which  young  folk  feel  in  that 
feafon  when  they  are  moft  ga^  and  amorous^  was  furely  as  much  a^ 
the  old  roan  ought  to  fay  i 

<*  That  it  was  May,  ttiqs  di()6mid  mc^ 

««  In  time  of  love  and  jolire, 

<*  That  al  thine  ginnith  waxin  gay,  &€.-•« 

*•  Thenjwi^^^Z&  entendin  aye, 

*'  For  to  ben  gaie  and  amorous, 

**  The  time  is  then  fo  favorous.** 

Romaunt  of  the  Ro/e^  t.5I,&c» 
Steevens. 
•  Such,  amongft  view  of  matv^^  mine^  being  one^ 
Mayfland in  number^  though  in  reckoningnoneJ] 
The  firll  of  thefe  linei  I  do  not  underftand.     The  old  folio  gives  po 
help ;  the  paflage  is  there^  ff^ich  one  more  view*    I  can  otter  no* 
^ing  better  than  this : 

Withinyour  view  of  many,  mine  being  one. 
May  (land  in  number,  &c«      Johnson^ 
A  very  flight  alteration  will  reftore  the  clearefl  fenfe  to  this 
paiiage.    Shakefpeare  might  have  written  the  lines  thus : 
&tfrfi6  among  view  of  many:  mine,  being  one. 
May  ftand  in  number,  though  in  reckoning  none. 
U  e.  Amongjl  thi  manyyou  VJiU  view  (hergy  Jcarch  fir  one  t^at  wiU 

Q  3  fteaih 


12        ROMEO  AND  JULIET. 

Come,  go  with  me : — Go,  firrah,  trudge  about 
Through  fair  Verona  ;  find  thofe  perfons  out, 
Whofe  names  are  written  there ;  and  to  them  iajTf 
My  houfe  and  welcome  on  their  pleafure  day. 

[ExeunS  Capukff  and  PariSm 
Serv,  'Find  them  out,  whofe  names  are  written  here? 
It  is  written  — that  the  fhoemaker  (hould  meddle 
with  his  yard,  and  the  tailor  with  his  laft,  the  fiCher 
with  his  pencil,  and  the  painter  with  his  nets ;  buc 
I  am  fent  to  find  (hofe  perfons,  whofe  names  are 
here  writ,  and  can  never  find  what  names  the  writing; 
perfon  hath  here  writ.  I  muft  to  the  learned ;  v  ^ 
In  good  time. 

Enter  Benvotto^  and  Romeo. 

Ben.  Tut,  man!  one  fire  burns  out  another's  burning^ 

One  pain  is  lefienM  by  another's  aoguilh ; 
Turn  gidcjy,  and  be  bolp  by  backward  turning; 

One  defperate  grief  cures  with  another^s  languifli : 
Take  thou  fome  new  infcftion  to  thy  eye. 
And  the  rank  poifon  pf  the  old  will  die. 

Rom.  ^  Your  plantain  leaf  is  excellent  for  that. 

Bett^ 

feafeyeu.    Chufi  ou$  «f  the  mMiude.    This  agrees  cxaiUy  with* 
Irhat  be  had  already  faid  to  him : 

^— Hear  all,  all  fee, 
•    And  like  her  moft  whofe  merit  moil  (hall  bc.^ 
Mf  daughter  (he  proceeds)  w/i7,  //  is  true^  hi,  one  of  the  numher^  iui, 
her  beauty  can  be  efm  reckoning  (i.  e.  enimaCioD)  among  thofe  fvohom 
yoH  will  fee  here.    Reckoning  for  eflimationy  is  ufed  before  in  thig 
veryfcene: 

"  Of  honourable  reckoning  arc  you  both.**      SxEKrEMl. 

^  Find  them  out^  ^jjhofe  names  are  written  here  f]  The  quartOb 
1597,  adds :  ^*  And  yet  I  know  not  who  are  written  here :  f  muf| 
to  tbe  learned  to  learn  of  them ;  that's  as  much  as  to  fay,  thc^ 
tailor,  So."    Steevens. 

»  rour  plantain  leaf  is  excellent /or  that  J]  Tackius  tells  us,  that 
a  toad,  betbre  (he  engages  with  a  fpider,  will  fortify  herfelf  witls 
fome  of  this  plant ;  and  that,  if  (he  comes  off  wounded^  (he  cure* 
herfelf  afterwards  with  it.    Dr.  Oft  ay.  ,,  ' 

•      '  P4 


ROMEO  AHB  JUlflET.        13 

fe».  For  what,  J  pray  thee  ? 

Rom.  For  yoyr  broken  (hint 

5^.  Why,  Romeo,  art  thou  mad  ? 

Rfm.  Not  m^cl,  but  bound  more  than  a  mad-m^q  i$| 
Shot  up  in  prifon,  kept  without  my  food^ 
Whipt,  and  tormeqted,  ^nd — Good-e*en,  goodfellowt 

Sen;.  God  gi*  good  p'en. — I  pray,  fir,  fan  yoq  jrcad  ) 

Rom.  Ay>  mine  own  fortune  in  my  mifery.  ) 

gerv.  Perhaps  you  have  learn'4  it  without  boo)(( 
Put  I  pray,  can  you  read  any  thing  you  fee  ? 

flotiff  Ay,  if  I  know  th?  fetters,  and  the  lan^ua^ 

SiTV.  Ye  fey  hMcftlys  Reft  yo«  m^vryl 

Jifm*  Stay,  fellow  i  I  can  re^d, 

[He  reaci?  the  lift.] 
SignifT  Marttnoj  and  bis  wifij  and  daughters ;  Cwnff 
Jbifelmy  and  bis  heauMus  Jijiers ;  ^kf  Ifldj  widow  of 
YitTWoio\  Signior  Placcntia,  and  bis  bvel;^  piefesi  Mer^ 
tuiio,  and  bis  brotber  Valentine  \  l\dine  uncle  Capukt^  bif 
nvffgy  and  daughters  i  My  fair  niece  'Rofaline ;  Uvia  i 
^ignior  ValentiOy  an4  his  coujin  ^ykalt  j  Lucjo^  and  tkf 
livetf  fiflentff 

A  fair  aflembly  i  Whjther  fliodd  they  cpnie  ? 
Serv.  Up. 

Jiptnp  Whither?  toftipper*if 
Serv.  Tp  our  houfe. 
Rom.  Whofe  houfe  ^ 
Sfrv*  My  matter's.. 

711^  iai^e  thouffht  occutb  in  AHnimazar,  fn  t!ie  foHowIng  linei ; 
**  Hdp^  ArmclliiMi,  hdp!  Vm  fall'n  i*  ihti  cellar : 
ff  Bring  a  frefli  ffantain  leafy  I've  broke  my  (hin.* 
Again,  jx^  fpe  Cif/h  if  Aiter^J^  by  Ben  Jonfon  1^9,  ^  fidlow  who 
^s  hs^i  )^  1^4  broke,  fays :  **  Tis  nocbing,  ^  giljp,  a  device  : 
iAiow  Juniper,  prithe^  ^  me  tLtJantain.^ 

Tbe  planiiBtn  leaf  is  a  Uood-ilgu^cher^  and  w^  formerly  applied 
ID  green  woundf.    Steevens, 

f  — f^/i^ff^n    Surely  thefe  words,  to  fupper^  muft  belong  19 
f^  fbrram's  anfwer  in  the  next  fpcech  : 

T^  &ipper»  to  o^^fegjife.      Steeveni, 


24        RQMEO  AND  jULItT. 

Rom.  Indeed,  I  (houid  have  afk'd  you  that  before. 

Serv.  Now  Fll  tell  you  without  afktng  :  My  Matter 

is  the  great  rich  Capulet;  and  if  you  be  not  of  the 

houfe  of  Montagues,  I  pray,  come  and  cruih  a  cup 

of  wine  ?•     Reft  you  merry. 

Ben.  At  thi^  fame  ancient  feaft  of  Capulet's 
Sups  the  fair  Rofalin?,  whom  thou  fo  lov'ftj 
With^^l  the  ^drnired  beauties  of  Verona : 
Go  thipher ;  and,  with  unattainted  eye. 
Compare  her  face  with  fome  that  I  (hall  fliow,  / 

And  I  will  make  thee  think  thy  fwan  z,  crow.  .  / 

Rom.  When  the  devovjt  religion  of  mine  eye  / 

Maintains  fuch  falihood,  then  turn  tears  to  fires !         I 
And  thcfe,— who,  often  drown*d,  could  never  dic»—      / 
Tranfparent  l^ereticks,  be  burnt  for  liars  !  / 

pne  fairer  than  my  love !  the  alUfeeing  fun  / 

>  Ne'er  faw  her  match,  fince  firft  the  world  be^n.  / 

Ben.  Tut !  tut !  you  faw  h?r  fair,  pone  clfc  being  by,   / 
Hcrfelf  pois*d  with  herfelf  in  either  eye :        ,  ' 

But  in  thofe  cryftal  fcales,  4  let  there  be  weigh'd 
If  our  lady's  lovp  againft  fome  other  maid 
That  I  will  (hew  you,  (hining  at  this  feaft. 
And  ih$  ihali  (bant  fiiew  well,  that  now  ftiews  beft. 

3  —  cruih  a  cup  of  wine."]    This  cant  expreffion  fccms  to  have 
been  once  common  among  lovy  people.    I  have  met  with  it  often 
in  the  old  plays.    So  in  the  J*u»  -^ffffy  Women  of  j9bington^  *S  99  • 
**  Fill  the  pot,  hoftefe,  &c.  and  we'll  cri^j  it!* 
Again,  in  Hoffman's  Tragetfyy  1631  : 

*'  — .  we*ll  cru/b  a  cup  01  thine  own  country  wine.* 
Again,  in  the  Pi;ukr  of  ji^akeJUld^  1 599,  the  Cobler  fayt : 
«*  Come,  George  we'll  crujh  a  pot  before  we  part.** 
We  ftill  fay  in  cant  language  —  to  crack  a  hottlfl    St  e  b  y  e  n  $ . 
♦       I  let  there  ht  weigh^n 

Tour  lady's  love  againft  fome  other  mat  J^    But  the  com- 
parifon  was  not  betwixt   the  love  that    Romeo's  miftrefs  paid 
him,  and  the  perlbii  of  any  other  young  woman ;   but  betwixt 
Romeo's  mlilrcfs  herfelf,  and  fome  other  that  (hould  be  matched 
^  againil  her.    The  po^  therefore  muft  certainly  have  wrote : 

Your  lady-love  againft  fome  other  maid.     Warbu^tPN. 
Tour  lad/s  love  is  the  love  you  bear  to  your  lady,  lyhich  in  our 
lauguage  iscomraonly  ufed  for  the  lady  herfelf.    Re  vis  al« 

Rom. 


ROMEO  AND  JULIET.         25 

Rm.  rU  go  along,  no  fuch  fight  to  be  ihewh. 
But  to  rejoice  in  fplendor  of  mine  own,       ^Exeunt. 

SCENE     ni. 

jf  room  in  Capulefs  boufe. 
"  Enter  lady  Capulet^  and  Nurfe. 

La.  Cap.  Nurfe,  where's  mj^  daughter  ?  call  her 

forth  to  me. 
Nurfe.  Now,    by  my   maiden-head, —  at  twelve 
year  old, — 
I  bade  her  come. — What,  lamb !  what,  lady-bird ! — 
God  forbid ! — where's  this  girl  ? — what,  Juliet ! 

Enter  Juliet. 

Jul  How  now,  who  calls  ? 

Nurfe.  Your  mother. 

J^l.  Madam,  I  am  here ;  what  is  your  will  ? 

Z*.4»  Cap.  This  is  the  matter : — Nurfe,  give  leave 
awhile, 
Wc  inv&  talk  in  fecret. — ^Nurfe,  come  back  again  ; 
I  have  remembered  me,  thou  (halt  hear  our  counfel. 
Thou  know'ft,  my  daughter's  of  a  pretty  age. 

Nurfe.  Taith,  I  can  tell  her  age  unto  an  hour. 

La.  Cap.  She's  not  fourteen. 

Nurfe.  rU  lay  fourteen  of  my  teeth,— 
And  yet,  5  to  ray  teen  be  it  fpoken,  1  have  but  four, — 
She's  not  fourteen :  How  long  is't  now  to  Lammas- 
fide? 

La.  Cap.  A  fortnight,  and  odd  days. 

Nurfe.  Even  or  odd,  of  all  days  in  the  year, 

^  ^^tomjf  /«M— ]    To  ipy  fon'Ow.    JoHNSOK. 
Eoy  in  Tancredakd  GMifmund^  1592 ; 

^*  And  (m  his  ctnders  wreak  my  crud/iins.? 
^gain,  in  Spenfer's  Fatty  ^ueen^  B.  i*  Co. 
«<  •«-«- for  dread  and  doleful /«nr. 
Thif  old  word  is  introduced  bv  Shakelpeare  for  the  lake  of  the 
jingle  between  uen^  saidfiur^  mifourtitn.    Steeyens. 

Com 


a      HO^MEO  ANO  JULIET. 

Come  Lamm^s^eve  at  night,  fhall  (he  be  fourteeiu 
Sufan  and  ihc,---Goci  reft  all  Chnilian  foqlsl-i* 
Were  of  an  age.— Well,  Sqfan  is  with  God  j 
She  was  too  good  for  me :  But,  as  I  faid. 
On  Lammas-eve  at  night  iball  fbe  be  fourteen  { 
That  fhall  (he,  marry  i  I  remember  it  well. 
•Tia  flnce  the  earthquake  ^  now  eleven  years  | 
And  Ibc  was  wean'd,-^!  never  Ihall  forget  it,-« 
Of  all  the.  days  of  the  yeaf,  upon  that  day; 
For  I  bad  then  laid  wormwood  to  my  dug, 
.  Sttting  i*  the  fun  under  the  dove*hou{e  wall, 
JAy  lord  and  you  were  then  at  Mantua :— ^ 
Nay,  I  do  bear  a  braia? :  —^but,  as  I  faid. 
When  it  did  tafte  the  worm^wood  on  the  nipple 
Of  my  dug,  and  felt  it  bitter,  pretty  fool ! 
To  fee  it  teachy,  and  fall  out  with  the  dug» 
Shake,  quoth  the  dove-hoyfe ;  Hw^s  no  need,  I  trow. 
To  bid   me  trudge, 
And  iince  that  time  it  is  eleven  years  i 
For  then  (be  coyld  ftand  alone  ^j  nay,  by  the  rood, 

Sho 

•  //  isjifi^  $hf  f^bquake  nrnv  flmjenyforsi]  ButhpW  oomet  the  ^ 
Ijurfe  to  talk  of  ap  taHhquake  upon  this  occ;cfi6i^  ?  Th^re  ii  no 
fucb  circumftahce,  I  believe,  mentioned  in  smy  of  the  novels  from 
which  gh^kefpcs^re  inay  be  fuppofed  to  have  drawn  hii  ilory ;  an4 
therefore  it  feema  probable,  that  he  had  in  y'x^vr  the  earthquake, 
wbicb  had  r^lly  been  felt  in  many  parts  of  England  in  his  own 
lim^'  vi*.  on  the  6ih  of  April;  1580.  {^^Sto^'^s  Cbronick%  an4 
Q{^ielHqryt^s\pXtx'\xx  thp  preface  to  Sf>enfir"i  voor^s^  cd.  1679.] 
Jf  fo,  one  may  be  pennitted  tp  coiTJo6lure,  that  Jiometf  4m^  Julicu 
or  this  paft  of  it  at  le^,  W2|s  written  in  1591 ;  after  the  ^th  of 
jVprU,  when  the  titven  years  finct  the  earthquake  were  completed  j 
and  not  latipr  th^n  the  middle  of  July,  d  fortniffjt  (P^  o^^^i 
jxifore  Lammoi'tide.    TyRWifiTT. 

?  WoU|  liok0rff  braln^]    So,  in  Mam-<fB^^  of.  ^Mjrmr  Tri^^ 

<♦  Pajhj  we  muft  le<^  fime  Irfdn!^ 
Again,  in  Marfton's  Uutch Courfefan^  ^^\\ 

♦*  «r»-  n^  an  \  hear  f^t  a  ham.^ 
^I^ni  in  Hey  wood's  Qoldpt  Agey  i^i  r  i 

\^  As  I  can  bear  a  pack,  Tq  I  can  Uat  0  irahf^    StEKf  EKf  # 


tiOUtO  An»  JULIET.        Ijl 

jS^  could  have  niDMd  waddled  all  abotit. 
For  even  the  day  before,  (he  broke  her  brow : 
And  then  my  hufband^^-^jod  be  with  his  foul  1 
*A  was  a  merry  man ;— took  up  the  child  ; 
Tea^  quoth  he,  dtift  tb&H  faU  upon  thy  face  t 
^bau  wiUfall  backwardy  wben  tbou  bafi  more  ijotti 
Wilt  tbou  not  J  JuJe?  and,  by  my  holy-dam. 
The  pretty  wretch  feft  crying,  and  feid — Aj  : 
To  fee  now,  how  a  jeft  (hall  come  about! 
I  warrant,  an  I  (hoi!ild  live  a  thoufand  years, 
I  never  (hould  forget  it  •,  fyUt  tbou  not^Jnk?  quoth  he  J 
And;  pretty  fool,  >  it  (tinted,  and  faid — ^. 
La.  Gjr/).  Enough  of  this  j  1  pray  thee,  hold  thy 
peace* 

*  Nurfe^  YjM,  madam ;  Yet  I  cannot  chufe  but  laugh^ 
To  think  it  (hould  leave  crying,  4nd  fay--^; 
And  yet,  I  warrant,  ti  had  ppon  its  brow 

A  bump  as  big  as  a  young  cockrersitonej 
Apar'lousknock;  and  it  cried  bitterly, 
Tea^  quoth  my  hvrfband,/^?/?^  upon  thy  fact? 
Tbou  wilt  fall  backward  when  thou  c^m'Jitoagei 
JFilS  tbou  not^  Julf  ?  it  ftintcd,  and  {zid—^jfy. 

b^  lam,  u  c.  quite  tfiqnc,  <»n^efy  alone.    Sp  in  anodicr  of  otrf 
fuuhor'splavs,  wA^/&»/^i^/tpcaB8«»/irr3»famaftical.  Steev£II«# 

*  —  Ufiimidj\  i,  c.  it  iloppcd,  it  fprbore  fropi  weeping.  So 
Sir  Thomas  Nc«h,  i|^  big  tranflation  of  Plutwh*  fpeaking  of  U«| 
yioxmA  which  Antony  received,  fays:  ♦«  for  the  blood  JtmaJ  a 
little  when &e  was  laid.'*    Soin  9tt^Auhmats; 

"  Me  can  at  pleafurej^wii  their  melody/' 
Agsdfi,  in  Thi  JUvem^er^j  Tragit^  j0O7  :       "  — —  a  letted 
**  Npw  bleeding  from  theirpcns,  kMLCoJinud  ytu** 
^ffOBj  in  QnitbiaU  Htnw^g,  by  Ben  looibii  { 

I*  Stint  thy  babbling  tongac. 
AgaiHf  in  Whot^you  wiiiy  by  Marftofli  1607 : 

'  **  Piih !  for  Ihame  Jint  thy  idle  chat.*? 
.^^gup.  in  the  MisfwrUfnes  of  ]Qi^  Arthur^  an  anclettt  drama,  udf  I 
**  —  Fan^c^s  but  a  bWl  that  founds  a  while- 
!*  And  quickly  j&Viiir,  and  thcBi  is  quite  forgot.'' 
$penlhr  ufes  this  word  frequently  in  his  Faerie  ^ueene*  Stee VBwft* 

*  Nurfe.  Tes^  madam  \yet  I  cannot  chujif  ^c]  This  fbeech 
|^tautel0^i«^iatbefirfieditioo<    ^o;^^ 


a8        ROMEO  AN»  JULIET. 

Jul.  And  ftint  thou  too,  I  pray  thcc,  nurfe,  fay  I. 

Nurfe.  Peace,  I  have  done.  God  mark  thcc  to  his 
grace! 
Thou  waft  the  prettieft  babe  that  c*er  I  nurs'd  : 
An  I  might  live  to  fee  thee  married  once^ 
Ihave  my  wifli. 

La.  Cap.  Marry,  that  marry  is  the  very  theme 
I  came  to  talk  of :— Tell  me,  daughter  Juliet, 
How  (lands  your  difpofition  to  be  married  ? 

Jul.  *  it  is  an  honour  that  I  dream  not  of. 

Nur/e.  An  honour  !  were  not  I  thine  only  nurle, 
I'd  fay,  thou  hadft  fucked  wifdom  from  thy  teat. 

'  La.  Cap.  Well,  think  of  marriage  now ;  younger 
than  you; 
Here  in  Verona,  ladies  of  efteem. 
Are  made  already  mothers :  by  my  count, 
I  was  your  mother  much  upon  thefe  years 
That  you  are  now  a  m^d.    Thus  then,  in  brief  ;«^ 
The  valiant  Paris  feeks  you  for  his  love. 

Nurfe.  A  man,  yoimg  lady !  lady,  fuch  a  man. 
As  all  the  world Why,  he's  a  man  of  wax  4. 

La.  Cap.  Verona's  fummer  hath  not  fuch  a  flower. 

*  //  is  an  honour]    The  modem  editprs  all  read,  //  is  an  bon&ur^ 
I  baTe  reftored  the  eenuine  word, .  howr^  which  it  more  feemly 
from  a  girl  to  her  mother.  T^ur^fire^  and  foch  words  as  are  vulgariy . 
uttered  in  two  fyllables,  are  ufed  as  diflyllables  by  Shakefpeare. 

Johnson. 
The  firft  quarto  reads  honour;  the  foKcf  ^W*,    I  have  chofen 
the  reading  of  the  quarto. 

The  word  bow  feems  to  have  nothing  in  It  that  could  draw  from 
the  Nurfe  that  appUufe  which  (he  immoliately  beftows.    The  word 
honcitr  was  likely  to  ifarike  the  old  ignorant  wonum,  as  a  TCiy  d^ant 
and  difcftet  word  fcj  the  occafion.    Ste evens. 
'  Indead  of  this  ipcech,  the  quarto,  I597>  has  only  one  line : 
Well,  girl,  the  noble  County  Paris  feeks  thee  for  his  wife. 

SxEEVEira, 

♦  —  tf  man  ^wax.]    So,  in  fTtljf  Bepdied: 

<*  Why,  he's  a  man  as  oneihouU  picture  him  in  nfjax^ 

SxEEyENS* 


ROMEO  AND  JU^LIET.,        ap 

»  Nurfe.  Nay,  he's  a  flower ;  in  feith,  a  very  flower. 

*  La.,  Cap.  What  fay  you  ?  can  you  lovethc  gch-  . 

tleman? 
This  night  you  fhall  behold  him  at  cmr  feaft: 
Read  o'er  the  volume  7  of  young  Paris*  face, 
And  find  delight  writ  there  with  beauty's  pen;    ;      , 
«  Examine  every  feveral  lineament^ 
And  fee  how  one  another  lends  content; 
And  what  obfcur'd  in  this  &ir  vobime  lies^ 
Find  written  in  the  margin  of  his  eyes  9. 
This  precious  book  of  love,  this  unbound  lover. 
To  beautify  him,  only  lacks  a  <iover  : 
The  fifti  lives  in  the  fca;  ;irtS  'tis  much  pride. 
For  fair  without  the  fair  mthin  to  hide: 
That  book  in  many*s  eyes  doth  fhare  the  glory,* 
»  That  in  gold  clafps  locks  in  the  golden  ftory  j  *    * 

So 

'  Nmfi.^    After  fkks  ipe^h  of  the  Nurfe,  Lady  Capulet  In  the 
•U  qusuto  Glvs  only : 

«*  Well,  Juliet^  how  like  you  of  Paris'  love  ?'* 
She  anfwen,  <*  TU  look  to  like»  ^.'^  .and  fo  joondudes  the  fcene, 
wuhout  the  intervention  of  that  fhiff  to  be  found  in  the  later  quartos 
ifidthefoUb.    SrEEvSttj.      . 

*  La.  Cap.  Wbatfyyouf  &c.]    Thi«  ridiculous  fpeech  isen- 
tiidy  added  fince  the  fofl  edition.    Pope. 

^  ReaijfWtiewUfm^]  The  iame  thought  occurs^  in  F^rMi 

<*  Her  face  the  book  of  pnufes,  where  is  read 
*^  Nothing  but  curious  pkafiires.'^        Steeveics. 

*  Rxtmim  tjhy  feveral  Uneament^  The  quaito,  ijOO*  reads, 
every  jitorrWUnaunent.-^hakefpeare  meant  by  this  laft  phrafey 
Examine  how  nicely  one  feature  depends  upon  another,  or  accords 
with  another,  in  order  to  produce  that  harsiony  of  the  whole  face 
whidi  ieems  to  be  implied  in  cmaou.-^AsL  Trpiius  oMd  Crefidaf  he. 
ipeaks  of  *^  die  iRbsrr^.calm  of  flatea;*'  and  in  his  8ch  Sonnet 
has  the%uDe  allufion: 

**  If  the  true  concord  of  weU-tuned  (bunds,        "* 

**  By  unionsxvtfm^^  daofiend  fhme ear.*'       Steeveks. 

*  «-/^  margi/t  ^  bis  eyes."}  The  comments  on  ancient  books 
were  always  print^  in  the  margin.  So  Horatio  in  Hamiet  (ays  i 
•*  —  I  knew  you  muft  be  edify'd  by  the  margenty  Sec.**   Stee  vens. 

'  not  iugoUch^s  locks  in  the  golden  ilory ;]   ThegMenfioiy  is 

perhaps  the  goldcM  t^ind,  a  book  in  the  dacker  ages  of  popery  much 

i  read; 


^6        R O  MEO'  AMt>  J  IT^t  I E  T; 

So  {ball  you  fhafe  alii  that  he  doth  poficls, 
By  having  him,  making  yourfdf  no  lefs. 
Jfurfe.  No  lefs?  nay,  bigger ;  wonoen grow  by  menj 
La,  Cap.  Speafc  bticfly,  can  vou  like  <*  Paris*  love? 
Jul.  I'll  hwk  to  like,  if  looking  liking  move : 
But  no  more  deep  will  1  endart  mine  eye «, 
Than  your  confent  gives  ftrcngth  to  make  H  flf  « 

Enter  a  ServMt, 

*Serv.  Madam,  tjie-gucfts  are  come,  fupper  fervM 
up,  you  Card,  my  y«HJng  lady  alk'd  for,  the  nurfc 
curs'din  the  pantry,  and  every  thing  in  extrernity.  I 
muft  hence  to  wait  i  I  befc^ch  you,  follow  ftraight. 

La.  Cap.  We  follow  thee. -^ Juliet,  the  county  ftays. 

Jfuf/t.  Go,  girl,  feek  l>appy  oighu  to  happy  days. 

[Exeunf^ 

S    C    fe    N    E     IV^ 
J   STREET, 

Eufer  Romeo  t  Mercutio*,  J5«ra«fi*,  ««|*  pot  W  M 
Mafem,  forcb-bcarerSt  and  otters. 

^m.  What,  Ihali  this  fjpeech  be  ^ke  for  Pur 
excufe? 

r«a,  and  doubdcfi  ofieh  «quifitdy  e«Wmea,  but  of  «J*ch 
ObU  one  of  the  popift  doaon,  procla«n»  the  «mJ»or  to  hav« 

The  D^  inty  meaVnothing  more  than  to  fity,  that  thoTe  book* 
a«  molfSS  fay  the  woS.  where  «.A-i&  c^»mu  areembd- 

rfaer  <iuarto,*bw  tbey  at«  not  of  fufficient  coniequence  to  be 
*h  ttefoMowing  flighTbint  in  the  original  ftory.  "—another 


Or  ftiall  we  on  without  apology  ? 

Ben.  5  The  date  is"  out  of  luch  pfohxity  J 
yfc'W  have  no  Cupid  hood-wink'd  with  a  fcArf^ 
Bearing  a  TartaPs  painted  bow  of  lath> 
Scaring  the  ladies  ^  like  a  crow-keeper ; 
>  Nor  no  without-book  prologue,  faintly  ^kt 
After  the  prompter,  for  our.enteraiice  i 
But,  kt  them  meafure  us  by  what  they  wilt^ 

%d  hAotti  of  all  mfcflj  iind  by  i^atoA  oF  Wsplcafaftt  ahd  curt^ttt 
Ixbaviot  was  in  ial  companies  wcl  inrertaincd*'*  .  PaitittrU  Palais  y 
Pka^y  toroi  2.  f.2it,     StkeVens* 

^  The  tiau  is  otfi  tf  fitch  prdutir^'\  \.  t.  l^s  ^'tb  ftoV^^  btit  bt 
£dhloh.  That  Sbaiclpearc  was  an  ienemy  to  thefc  fooleries^  ap» 
pan  from  his  writing  hotte ;  and  that  his  ^siys  dtfcttditfed  ftich 
Entertainments,  is  more  than  probable^  But  m  Jamies's  timt^  that 
mpi  of  falfe  tafte'as  w«ll  as  h\fd  politics,  thi^y  came  dgbdft  ttk 
&fl)iofi ;  and  a  dehi^  of  this  a&ded  nonfeale  overflowipd  t&t 
court  and  country.    WAitftVRTON* 

T^  diverfion  St^t^  forward  at  firttstit  is  ndt  ik  ^a/^  bu^  t 
iw^agfift/ffc  In  riehiy  V  in.  when&  tte  king  introduces  himfelf  tt> 
dte  entertainment  gif  en  by  Wolfey,  he  ap^rs,  tike  Rorae^  fthd  hii^ 
tompanions,  in  a /v^;^  and  fetids  a  ftieflenger  befbtt^  to  make  all 
iapology  for  his  intrufion*  This  wato  a  culmtit  bbOerred  by  thoii 
Who  came  uninvited)  witti  tt  dcfitt^  to  cond^al  thenifeltes  for  th^ 
6ke  of  intriguey  or  to  enjoy  the  greater  ftteclom  of  COnverfiiti<tfi* 
Thdr  entry  op  thefc  occafioHs  was  always  prefaced  hf  fome 
fpeecb  in  praite  of  the  beauty  of  the  ladies,  or  the  geneVolity  of 
die  entertainer)  and  to  the  frelixify  of  fuch  Introductions  t 
befiere  Romeo  ii  tnade  to  allude* 

8o,  in  Hiftrtamaflix^  i6to,  a  man  ezpre^  his  Wondet  that  the 
mq/kers  enter  without  any  compliment  t 

•*  What  come  they  in  fo  blunt,  ^hout  is^lctf^ 

In  the  accounts  of  many  entertainments  given  in  rtignt  aiuecak^ 
Atnt  to  that  of  Kiataberh,  I  find  this  cuftom  prefcrved.  Of  tht 
lame  kind  of  tnafquerading,  (ee  a  fpecimen  in  Ttmon^  whete  Cupid 
pKKedes  a  tcoop  of  ladies  with  a  (peech»    Stee  v£ks« 

Shakei^ieait  has  written  a  mi^ue  which  the  reader  will  find  ili* 
troduced  m  the  4th  ad  of  the  Tempefl*  It  would  have  been  dltt* 
aalt  for  the  reverend  annotator  to  have  proved  th^  wet«  difoon* 
tinned  during  any  period  of  Shakefpeare  s  life.    PERey% 

^  .^iikea  cr^KV^hiferi'l  The  Word  triW-ke^  is  explained  ift 
Lear.    JoHKsoii* 

'  Nar  HO  ixjttbokt'ici^  mb^^  Uc%^  Thle  two  fi)llowiiig  liflBa 
JMe  iafisTDcd  from  the  firft  cditioB.    Pops* 

Well 


32         ROMEO   AND  JULIET. 

Well  mcafure  them  a  mcafure,  and  be  gone. 

Rem.  ®  Give    me  a  torch,—  I  am  not  for  this 
ambling ; 
Being  but  heavy,  I  will  bear  the  light. 

Mer.  Nay,  gentle  Romeo,   we   mull:  have  you 
dance. 

Rom.  Not  I,  believe  me :  you  have  dancing  (hoest 
With  nimble  folcs ;  I  have  a  foul  of  lead. 
So  ftakes  me  to  the  ground,  I  cannot  move. 

9  Mer.  You  are  a  lover ;  borrow  Cupid's  wings. 
And  foar  with  them  above  a  common  bound. 

Rom.  I  am  too  fore  enpearced  with  his  ihaft. 
To  foar  with  his  light  feathers;  and'^  fb  bounds 
I  cannot  bound  a  pitch  above  dull  woe : 

*  Gpm  mi  a  urchi]  The  charader  which  Romeo  declares  hit 
lefoludon  to  afTumCy  will  be  beft  expired  by  a  paflage  in  Weft^ 
ward  Hoe^  by  Decker  and  Webfler,  1607  *  ^*  ^^  ^^  J^  li^  * 
tmrcly-leanr  to  maikers ;  he  wears  good  doathsi  and  is  ranked  in 
good  company,  but  he  dodi  nothing."  A  iorcb-heanr  ieems  to 
nave  been  a  codbmt  attendant  on  every  troop  of  roaiks.  So,  in  the 
fecond  part  of  Robtrt  Earltf  HmOit^An^  1601 : 

"  — —  As  on  a  mdque;  but  for  our  tarA^beanrSy 

^^  Hell  cannot  rake  fo  mad  a  crew  as  I.** 
Again,  in  the  lame  play : 

«*  ..^.i-i-.-..  a  g^lant  crew, 

*•  Of  courtlv  malkers  huided  at  the  flairs ;  '^ 

^  Before  wnom,  unintreated,  I  am  come, 

**  And  here  prevented,  I  believe,  their  page, 

**  Who,  with  his  tm-ch^  is  enter'd." 
Again,  in  the  MtrchmU  tf  Venice: 

««  ««  We  have  not  fpoke  as  yet  oS  t0rcb4earirs.** 
Again,  in  Marilon*s  Infittiate  Cwnujs^  1603 : 

<^  Ni^ht,  like  a  mafyue^  is  entered  heaven's  great  hall, 

**  With  thouiand  torches  ufliering  the  way.      Steeveks. 

*  Mer.  Tcm  are  a  kver^  Uc.\  The  twelve  foUowi^g  lines  are 
not  to  be  found  in  the  firil  edition.    Pope. 

Icaamothmmd^}Uc.'\  Let  Milton's  cramplc,  on  this  occaficait 
keq»  Shakeipeare  in  countoiance : 

**  At  one  flight  hund  high  over*leap*d  all  bound 
"  Of  hill,  Ifc.'*    Par.  Loft,  book  m  !•  x8o.  Steeveks. 

Undec 


ROMEO  AND.  JULIET.         33 

Under  love's  heavy  burden  do  I  fink, 

Mer.  And,  to  fink  in  it,  (hould  you  burden  love? 
Too  great  oppreflion  for  a  tender  thing, 

Rom,  Is  love  a  tender  thing  ?  it  is  too  rough. 
Too  rude,  too  boift'rous ;  and  it  pricks  like  thorn, 

^4er.  If  love  be  rough  with  you,  be  rough  with  lovei 
Prick  love  for  pricking,  and  you  beat  love  down.—* 
Give  me  a  cafe  to  put  my  vifage  in : 

[Putting  en  a  majk* 

A  vifor  for  a  vifor ! what  care  I, 

What  curious  eye  doth  quote  deformities  *  ? 
Here  arc  the  beetle-brows,  fliall  blufli  for  me. 

Ben.  Come,  knock,  and  enter;  and  no  fooner  in, 
But  every  man  betake  him  to  his  legs. 

Rom.  A  torch  for  me :  Uet  wantons,  light  of  heart. 
Tickle  the  fenfelefs  rulheS  with  their  heels*  5 
5  For  I  am  proverb*d  with  a  grandfire  phrafe, — 

rii 

»  «~^/^  quote  deformities  fl  To  quote  is  to  obferve^  60,  vf\ 
Bamkt^  A^i.  Sc.  i. 

I  am  furry,  that  with  better  heed  and  judgment 

I  had  not  quoted  him.     See  a  note  on  this  paiTage. 

Stervems, 
'  Let  wantons  light  tf  hearty  &c.]     Mi(Jdlcton  has  borrow.ed  this 
thought  in  his  play  oi  Blurt  Mqfter  Conjlahle^  i6oj; 
**  -—  bid  him,  whofe  heart  no  ibrrow  feels, 
♦'  Tickle  the  ruftes  with  his  wanton  heels, 
**  I  have  too  much  lead  at  mine,"      Steevens, 

♦  Tickle  the  Jenfelefs  rulhes  <ivith  their  heels ;]  It  has  been  ab-eady 
obfenrcd,  that  it  was  anciently  the  cuftom  to  llrew  rooms  witb 
Tvjhesy  before  carpets  were  in  uie.  So  Hent%ner  in  his  Itinerary, 
fpeaking  of  Q.  Elizabeth^ s  prefcnce- chamber  at  Greenwich,  fays: 
"  The  floor,  after  the  Engllfh  fashion,  was  (hewed  with  /wy,*^ 
meaning  rvjhes.    So,  in  the  Dumb  Knight ^  1^33  • 

**   1  hou  danceft  on  my  heart,  lafcivious  queen, 
**  Even  as  upon  thcfe  rujhes  which  thou  trcadeft.** 
The  Jiage  was  anciently  ftrewn  with  rujbes.    So,  in  Decker's 
GmPs  Hornkooky  1609 :  *' " —  on  the  very  rujhes  when  the  comroedy 
is  to  daunce."    Steevens. 

•  The    grandfire  phrafe   is— TXif  black  ox  has  trod  upon  my 

fiot,     JOKNSON. 

The  proverb  which  Romeo  means,  is  containM  in  the  line  in-» 
nediatefy  following :   To  hold  the  candle,  is  a  very  conunon  pro- 

D  ycrbiaj 


34         ROMEO  AND  JULIET. 

rJl  be  a  candlcholder,  and  look  on,— 
The  game  was  ne'er  fo  fair,  and  I  am  done. 

Mer.  ^  Tut !  dun's  ihe  moufe,  the  conftable*s  own 
word: 

If 

vcrbial  cxpreflion,  for  being  an  Idle  JteHator,  Among  Ray's  pro- 
Tcrbial  fentenccs,  is  this—**  A  good  canAk-boUer  proves  a  good 
gamerter.**    Stej&mens. 

*  fut !  duns  thf  moyfe^  the  confiabVi  avtm  lAwd:]  This  poor  oW- 
fcure  (luff  fhouU  have  an  explanation  in  mere  charity.  It  it  an 
anfwer  to  the(e  two  lints  of  Romeo :  ^ 

For  I  am  provcrb'd  with  a  grandfire  phrafe  ;*— tf»/ 
The  game  was  ne'er  (b  fair»  and  I  am  done. 
Mercutio*  in  his  reply,  anfwers  the  lall  line  tirft.  The  thouglit  of 
which,  and  of  the  preceding,  is  taken  from  gaming.  PUhe  a  csft" 
die-bolder  (Glys  Romeo)  and  look  oru  It  is  true,  if  I  couU  play 
myfelf,  I  couUl  never  exped  a  fairer  chance  than  in  die  company 
we  are  going  to:,. but,  alas!  1  am donr.  I  have  nothing  to  play 
with ;  1  have  led  my  heart  already.  Mercutio  catches  at  the  word 
done^  and  quibbles  with  it,  as  if  Romeo  had  &id.  The  hKlies  indeed 
wtfakt  but  I  am  duji^  i«  e.  of  a  dark  complexion.  And  ft  replicf » 
Tut  I  duns  tbe  moufe ;  a  proverbial  expredion  of  the  fame  import 
wieh  the  French^  La.  tmlt  tous  ks  chats  font  gris :  as  much  as  to 
iay.  You  need  not  fear,  night  will  make  all  your  complextoos  idikc« 
And  becaufe  Romeo  had  introduced. his  observations  widi» 

I  am  ^ffverh^d  with  a  grandfire  fbrafe^ 
Mercutio  add»  to  his  reply,  Uje  conftabl^s  ovxt  luord:  as  much  as  td 
fay,  If  you  are  for  0I4  proverbs,  I'll  fit  yK>u  with  one ;  V«  tbe  con* 
Jlabte^s  o-zvn  ivord ;  whofe  cullom  was,  when  he  funmioned  "his 
watch,  and  afligoed  them  ilieir  feveral  llation?,  to  ^vechem  what 
the  foldiers  call,  tie  word.  But  this  ni^^hr-gtiard  being  diftin- 
guilhed  hf  thdr  pacific  chara6fasr,  the  conlUble,  as  an  embkm  of 
their  harmiefs  difpo(ition,  chute  that  domelhc  aniinnl  for  his  'VJord: 
which,  in  time,  might  become  proverbial.     Waraurtqn. 

A  proverbial  faying,  uied  by  Mr.Tho.  Heyvvood«  in  his  play^ 
intitled  Tbe  Du^^Jtii  of  Sujolk^  aft  3. 

*'  A  rope  for  Bilhop  Bonner,  Clunce  run, 

**  Call  help,  a  rope,  or  we  are  all  undone. 

«*  Draw  dun  out  of  the  ditcb.*^    Df«  G»  a  Y. ' 
Dravj  dun  out  qftlje  mirc^  ieems  to  have  been  a  game*     In  aft 
old  colk6tion    of  Satyres,  i^pigrams,  &ۥ  I  find  it  enumenaed 
among  other  pafttmes : 

**  At  (hove-groate,  venter- point,  or  croiTe  and  pile^ 

**  At  leaping  o'er  a  Midlbmmer  bone-iier, 

•*  Or  at  }\vtdia'Ming  dun  out  of  the  tn^erJ^ 

I  So/ 


ROMEO  AND  JULIET.         3S 

If  thou  art  dun,  we'll  draw  thee  from  the  mire, 

7  Or  (favc  your  reverence)  love,  wherein  thou  fiick'ft 

Up  to  the  ears. — Come,  wc  burn  day- light  %  ho, 

Rom.  Nay,  that's  not  fo. 

Mer.  1  mean,  fir,  in  delay 
Wc  wade  our  lights  ih  vain,  ^  like  lamps  by  dajr, 

Soy  Skekon,  in  his  CrtFwne  rf  Lmxjrd: 

**  Bun  is  in  the  min^  dame,  reach  nie  my  ipur.** 
Again,  id  Humtmr  cut  of  Brtatb^  a  comedy,  1607  : 

*^  I  mufl  play  dun^  aod  drm»x  them  all  out  rfthe  min?    . 
Again,  in*V/,  Patrick  fir  h-cUuuiy  by  Shirley,  1640: 
•*.  Then  draw  dun  out  of  the  mirey 
**  And  throw  the  clog  into  the  fire,**   * 
Dw^stbe  mouJe\%  a  prdterbial  phraTe,  which  I  have  Jlkewife 
met  with  frequently  in  the  okl  comedies.    So  in,  Emery  fFo/jum  m 
bcr  Htmour^  1609: 

**  If  my  hoft  ijxy  the  word,  the  numfijb^  he  dun^* 
It  is  Ma  found  among  Ray's  proverbial  fimi|es* 
Again,  in  the  Tnjoo  merty  Milkmaids^  162Q  : 

**  Why  then  'tis  done,  and  duifi  the  mouft^  and  undone  all  tho 
touitiers. 

Of  this  cant  ezprefllon  I  cannot  determine  the  preciie  meaning. 
It  is  ufcd  ugain  in  IVeftvMtrd  tloe^  by  Decker  and  Webftcr,  1607, 
hut  apparently  in  a  fenie  different  from  that  which  Dr»  Warburtpn 
would  affix  to  it.    6tebv£ns. 

^  Or  (faveyeur  reverence)  Uve^^^']  The  word  or  obfcures  the 
ieotence  j  we  fliould  read  Oi  for  or  love.  Mercutio  having  called 
the  auction  with  which  Romeo  was  entangled  by  {6  difrdpe^lfu) 
a  word  as  mire^  cries  out, 

O!  fave  your  reverence,  love.     Johnson. 
Mercutio's  meaning  is  loft  if  we  difmirs  the  word  or.    **  We'll 
draw  thee  from  the  nure  (fays  he)  or  ratljtr  from  this  love  wherein 
thou  aick'lh*' 

Dr,  Johnfon  has  imputed  a  gr^er  (hare  of  politencfs  to  Mep- 
cutio  than  he  is  found  to  be  podeiTed  of  in  the  quarto,  15971 
Mercutio,  as  he  palTes  through  ditferenr  editions, 

•*  Works  himfelf  clear,  and  as  he  runs  refines  i^ 
Sot  in  the  former  he  is  made  to  (ay, 

■  ■■     ■■■  I  II      from  the  mire 

Of  this  fir*revcrencc  love,  wherein  thou  ftick'ft.    Steev, 
^  —  we  hura  d^'Uighty  ho.]     To  hum  dttyUgbt  is  a  proverbial 
czpreflion,  ufed  when  candles  &c.  are  lighted  in  the  day  tim^. 

Steevsn's, 

•  >  ■    ■  lUe  lamps  hy  day,^    l.amfi  ts  the  reading  of  the  okieft 

miano.    The  folio  and  fubfequeat  quanos  re^d  li^hts^  lights  h^  day. 

OT££r£KY. 

P  »  TaKf 


3«         ROMEO  AND  JULIET, 

Take  our  good  meaning;  for  our  judgment  fit^ 
Five,  times  in  that  \  ere  opcc  in  our  fine  wits. 

Ram.  And  we  mean  well»  in  going  to  this  maflc  s* 
But  'tis  no  wit  to  go, 
.  Mer.  Why,  may  one  afk  ^. 
Rom.  Idreamt  a  dream  to-night,^ 
JV^.  And  fo  did  I. 
kom.  Well,  what  was  yours  ? 
Mer.  That  dreamers  often  lye. 
Rom.  In  bod  afleep-,  while  they  do  dream  thingi' 

true  *. 
'  Mer.  5  O,  then,  I  fee,  queen  Mab  hath  been  with 
you. 

She 

^  Fk^e  times  in  thai.]  The  qiiarto^  1597,  reads:  "  Tine  timet 
d>iiay;**  and  rig^  wits,  inftead  of^ne  wits.     Stee vens. 

*  In  the  quarto  i597»  after  the  firft  line  of  Mercuiio's  fpeecb,' 
Romeo  faysj  ^eeu  Mab^  wbafs  Jbef  and  the  printer,  by  a  blun- 
clery  has  given  all  the  reft  of  the  fpeech  to  the  fame  charadter. 
Steevens. 

3  O,  then^  I  fee,  ^een  Mob  hath  been  wiihjou,  . 
She  is  the,  fairies*  mi^^vifi,]  Thus  begins  that  admirable 
'  ipeech  upon  the  effects  of  th^  imaeination  in  dreams.  But,  Queen 
Mab  the  fairies  mid-wife  >  What  is  (he  thcnQ^een  of?  Why^  the 
fairies.  What !  and  their  miJwifi  too  ?  Bat  this  is  not  the  greateil 
of  the  abfurditics.  Let  us  (ee  upon  what  occafion  fhc  is  intro- 
dticedy  and  under  what  quality.  It  is  as  a  being  that  h$is  great 
power  over  human  imagination.  But  then  the  title  given  her  muft 
nave  reference  to  the  employment  ihe  is  put  upon :  Firft  then,  fhc 
is  called  Queen;  which  is  very  pertinent,  tor  that  deligns  her 
power  :  then  (he  is  called  the  fairies*  mid-x-lfe ;  but  what  has  tha« 
to  do  with  the  point  in  hand  ?  If  we  would  think  that  Shakefpearr 

wrote  fenfe,  we  muft  fay,  he  wrote the  fascy's  midwife-,  and 

this  is  a  proper  title,  as  it  introduces  all  that  is  faid  alterwards  of 
her  vagaries.    Befides,  it  exadly  quadrates  with  thefe  lines  : 
«  I  talk  01  dreams^ 

Which  are  the  cbikiren  of  an  idle  brain. 
Begot  of  nothing  but  vain^/^. 
Thefe  dreams  are  begot  upon  fantafo^  and  Mab  is* the  midwife  to 
bring  them  forth.    And  /ancy*s  ynidvuifi  is  a  phiafe  jdtogether  in 
.the  manner  of  our  author.     Warburton.     .  ^ 

"  AH  the  copies  (three  of  which  were  publilhed  in  our  author't 
liftS^e)  concur  in  xwdingfairifs*  midivife^  andDr.Warburton't 

alteiaticn 


ROMEO  AND  JULIET.         ay 

She  b  ttc  fairies*  midwife ;  and  fhe  comes 
In  (hape  no^bigger  than  an  J^at^ftonc 
4  On  the  fore^fiyiger  bf  att  aidferman^ 
prawn  with  a  team  of  little  atomies  < 

Athwart 

alteration  appears  to  be  qwite  unnecdfeiy*  The  fiuttes^  mdwtfi 
does  not  mean  the  midwile  to  the^fmses^  but  that  fte  wai  t)ie  |er- 
fon  among  the  fairies,  whofe  department  it  was  to  deliver  the  An- 
des of  deeping,  men  of  their  dreams.  ^^cA^chiUren  of  om  idle  bruin. 
^hen  we  lajr  the  hn^sjttdges^  we  do  not  mean  perfons  who  are  to 
judge  the  kmg,  but  peribns  appointed  by  him  to  judge  his  dib- 
jcfb.    Stebvens.  *  '    '         :.  ■  ,         -^ 

^  On  the  fort-finger,  of  an  aJdermait\  The  quartp^  'W?*  reads, 
efa  hurgo-rnqfter.  The  alteration  wias  probably  made  by  the  .jxjct 
jhimfelfT  as  we  find  it  Jn  ,the  fucceeding  copy  1^99  •■  but  in  6ijder 
to  familiarize  the  idea,  he  has  diminiihed  its  propriety.  In  'the 
pictures  of  hurgo-rnqfter^y  the  ring  is  ^xicra^y  placed  on  the  fore- 
finger ;  and  from  a  paflage  in  ^he  Fii^Part  efltenrylV.  we  ipay 
fuppofe  the  citizens  in  Shakefpeare^s  time  to  have  worn  this,  orna- 
ment on  the  thumb.  60  again,  Giapthome,  in  his, comedy  of  ^/> 
«itf  CagifciiJr,  r639J  .    -   .      .     / 

*^  ■■■     ,'  and  an  afJerman^ 
•*  A?  I  may  fay  to  you,  he  has  no  more 
**  Wit  than  the  reft  o'the  bench;   and  that  lies  in  hi| 
•«  tbumb-ringr^    SxEEyENs. 
s  —  ^atomies]     jitonty  is  no  more  than  an  obfolete  fubftitut^ 
for  atom.     §p,  in  the  yiw  ^^ny  Milkmai^^  1620 1       '  ' 

"  —  lean  tear  thee     ^ 
*'  As  fmall  as  mtomiesy  and  throw  thee  o^ 
**  Like  duft  before  the  wind.?* 
i^gain,  in  Hey  wood's  Braston  Age^  161 3 : 

**  l*n  rear  thy  limbs  imo'  mo^  atomies 
*f  Than  in  the  {ummcr  play  before  the  fan.'* 
In  Drayton  s  Nrmfibidia  thcrtis  iikewife  a  defcriptioQof  Q^epi 
Mab^s  chariot  :* 

'    '        Fottr  nimble  Gnats  tbe  Horfis  ivere^ 
Their  Mamies  of  Gq/famere^ 

Fit  Crduon^  her.  Charioteer^  ' 

'    Upon  the  coach-box  getting: 
Her  Chariot  of  a  Snairs  fine  ShelL 
'.    Which  fitr  the  Colours  did  exteU. 
^be  fair  ^ucen  Mob  becoming  wefff 

S0  liveljf 'was  the  limning  : 
TheSeat^the/0i  Wool  ^  the  Bee, 

^3  f^ 


SS         ftOME6  AKP  JULIET. 

Athwart  men's  nofes  as  they  lie  afleep : 
Her  waggon- fookes  made  of  long  fpinners*  legs} 
The  cover,  of  the  wings  of  grafhoppers ; 
TKe  traces,  of  the  fmallcft  Rider's  web ; 
I'he  collars,  of  the  moonfhine's  wacry  beams ; 
Her  whip,  oftnricket's  bene;  the  lalh,  of  fiUni 
Her  waggoner,  a  fmall  grey-coated  gnat. 
Not  hair  fo  big  as  a  round  little  worm 
l^rick'd  fforn  the  lazy  fingpr  of  a  maid : 
Her  chariot  is  an  empty  hazel*nut. 
Made  by  the  joiner  fqiiirrcl,  or  old  grtlb. 
Time  out  of  mind  the  fairies*  coach-makers. 
And  in  this  ftate  (he  gallops  night  by  night 
Through  lovers*  brains,  and  then  they  dream  of  love : 
On  courtiers'  knees,  that  dream  on  courtTics  ftraight: 
O'er  lawyers'  fingers,  who  ftraight  dream  on  fees : 
O'er  ladies'  lips,  who  ftraight  on  kifles  dream ; 
Which  oft  the  angry  Mab  with  blifters  plagues, 
Becaufe  their  breaths  with  fweet-meats  tainted  arc* 
^  Somcfiipe  flic  gallops  o'er  a  courtier's  nofe. 

And 

The  Cvoef  (^aUtntfy  h  fee) 

7he  fFfftg  ifiifffd  RuttcKfiee^ 
JtroWy  *twaf  fifntlt  trimming  : 

The  iv/jeelseompos'a  of  Cricket  s  Bones^ 

And  dainply  made  for  the  nonce^ 

Fer  Fear  of  rat /ling  on  the  Stone t^ 

Witt  ThiJIie-do^^n  thcyJM  it^  STE£VEKf « 

.*-  Sometime Jbe geiUopi  o'er  a  i,AWYEH*s  nofi^ 
Jnd  then  dreams  he  ^fmclling  out  a  fuir :}  The  old  editions 
have  it,  court ier'j  noJe\  and  this  undoubtedly  is  the  true  read-* 
itig  :  and  for  thefe  reafons  2  Firfl^,  In  the  prefeat  reading  there  is 
t  vicious  reperitton  in  this  fine  fpeech ;  the  fame  thought  having 
been  given  in  the  foregoing  line: 

0*er  krjjyers^  finijcrs*  who  ftrtut  dream  on  fees  i 
Nor  can  it  be  objeti>t^  rhat  there  wiH  be  the  fame  fault  if  wc  read 
courtier^ ^  it  havin:^  been  faid  before ! 

On  cottrtiers*  Kiiecs,  thatdieam  on  cintfiei  ftrait ; 
becaufe  rhey  ure  (h6Wn  in  two  places  under  different  vjcws ;  in  the 
fix^^i\\t\xjhfpery\  in  the  fecopd,  xYifhr  rapacity  is  ridiculed.     Se- 
coudlyi  In  our  author*8  time,  a  court- ibliciutioa  was  called,  fim- 

pJyt 


ROMEO  AND  JULIET.         39 

And  then  dreanis  he  of  jTmelling  out  »  fuic : 

And 

ply,  ay«//;  and  aproceft,  z/uit  at  lavijy  to  difttnguifti  it  from  the 
otner.  *•  The  King*  (fays  an  anonymous  cotcmporary  writer  of 
the  ti^  of  Sir  WHUam  Cecil)  ''  dlled  him  fSir  William  OeciH  and 
^  %ka  fopg  talk  with  him,  being  niiich  delighted  with^^  anUrerSy 
**  willed  hi8  father  to  find  [i.e.  tofmcU  ojfi\  ,a  suit  for  him. 
••  Whereupon  he  became  sjuiter  for  the  reverfion  of  the  Cuftps- 
•*  Iwevium  office  ih  the  Common  Pleas :  which  the  king  willingly 
**  gpnted,  it  being  the  firfi  suit  he  had  in  his  life*''  '  Indeed  our 
poet  has  very  rarely  turned  liis  iatire  s^ainil  i^Kvyers  and  iawfr^ 
cccdingSy  the  common  topic  of  later  writers :  for,  to  obferve  it  to  the 
honour  of  the  Englifh  judicatures,  they  prcferved  the  purity  and 
iitnplicity  of  their  firfl  inilitution,  long  after  chicane  had  over-fun 
all  the  other  laws  of  Europe.    Warburtoi^* 

In  thefe  lines  Dr.  Warburton  has  very  juHly  reftored  the  pid 
reading  courtUr^s  nofe^  and  has  explained  tne  paifage  with  his  utual 
learning ;  but  I  do  not  think  he  is  fo  happy  in  his  endeavour  to 
juffity  Shakfffpeare  from  the  charge  of  a  vicious  repetition  in  imro- 
ducing  die  cgurtier  twice.    The  liecond  iioiio,  I,  obferTe,  xeads  3 

On  countries  knees;-— ^*  - 

which  has  led  me  to  conjedure,  that  the  li^  ought  to  be  r^ 
thus: 

On  touN T I B8  knees,  that  dream  on  courtGes flrait :~ 
Ceunttes  I  underftand  to  fignify  nohleTnen  in  general.     Paris,  who, 
in  one  place,  I  think,  is  calle^i  earl^  is  mod  commonly  £liled  tlie 
countii  in  this  play*  ,  ^  :      .*: 

And  fo  in  Much  Ado  ahout  Jfcthitig^  Kfy  4.  we  find ; 
*'  Princes  and /wwif/V*.**  .,^ 

And  in  AlCs  well  thai  Ends  weU^  Act  3  ;       ^  .. , 
**  A  ring  the  County  wean,",  , 
The  Cottntie  Egmond  is-io  caUed  wore  than  once  in  Holinglhead, 
p.  1150,  and  in  the  Burldgh  papers,  vol.  I.  p.  %o^    See  ^Ifo 
p.  7,    The  Cbtmiifi  Palatine  Lowys.    However,  perhaps,  it  is  as 
pcohidde  that  the  repetition  of  the  Ccurti^^  which  oflends  us  in  this 
paflage,  may  be  owing  (not  to  any  error  of  the  prefs,  but)  ro  the 
players  having  jumbled  together  the  varieties  of  feveral  edition?, 
a$  th^'  ceictaiu)>'  have  done  in  other  parts  of  the  play.  Tyr  whitt. 
At  the  firft  entry  of  the  chara^ers  in  the  Hiftory  of  Orlando 
Furiojb,  played  before  Queen  Jp^lizabeth,  and  pubii^ed  \jfi  159^ 
and  1599,  SacripatU  is  called  the  Countie  Sacripant. 
Again,  OrAusi^,  fpeakin^  of  hin)1elf: 

"  Surnanrd  Orlando,  the  C«t«//>jPalatine.'' 
Countif  is  at  leall  repeated   twenty  times  in  the  fame  |^y. 
Jh^  fpee^  at  ditf»:cnt  times  received  much  s^ter^tion  and  im- 
P  4  ^ovcipent* 


40        kOMEd  AMD  JULTET. 

And  (bmctmrc  comes  (he  with  a  tithe-pig's  tail^ 
Tickling  a  parfon's  nofe  as  a*  lies  afleep, 
Then  dreams  he  of  another  benefice .: 
Sometime  (he  driveth  o'er  a  foldier*s  neck. 
And  then  dreams  he  of  cutting  foreign  throats^ 
Of  breathes,  ambufcadoes,  7  Spanifli  blades. 
Of  healths  five  fathom  deep ;  and  then  anon 
Drums  in  his  car;  at  which  he  ftarts,  and  wakes;  • 
And,  being  thus  frighted,  fwears  a  prayer  or  two. 
And  fleeps  again.     This  is  that  very  Mab', 
That  plats  the  manes  of  horfes  in  the  night; 
^  And  cakes  the  elf-locks  in  foul  (lutiiih  hairs, 

J)r6tcment,    The  part  of  it 'in  qucftion,  flands  thus  in  the  quarto 

And  in  this  fort  (he  gallops  up  and  down 
Through  lovers  braines,  and  then  they  dream  of  love  i 
O'er  courtiers  knees,  who  flrait  on  curfies  dreame : 
O'er  ladies  lips,  who  dreamfe  on  kifles  flrait ; 
Which  ofr  the  ani^r'e  Mab  with  blifters  plagues, 
Becaufc  their  breaths  with  fweetmeats  tainted  are. 
Sometimes  fhe  gallops  o'er  a  lawyer's  lap, 
And  then  dreumes  he  of  fmelling  out  a  (uit : 
And  fometiine  comes  ihe  with  a  tithe-pig's  tailc^ 
Tickling  a  parfon's  nofe  that  lies  aflecpe, 
And  then  dreames  he  of  another  benefice* 
Sometimes  (he  gallops  o'e-  afouI<i.er's  ntrfe, 
And  then  dreaimes  hegt  cutting  forraine  throats, 
Of  breaches,  ambufcadoes,  countermines. 
Of  healths  five  fadome  deep,  &c. 
Shakefpearc,  as  I  have  obitrved  before,  Hid  not  always  attend  to 
the  propriety  of  his  own  alterations.     Steevens. 

^  Spanilh  hlatks^']  A  fword  is  called  a  tolcdo,  from  the  excel- 
lence ot  the  Toletan  lleel.     So  Grotius : 

"  — —  Enlis  Toletamis 
"  Unda  Tagi  non  eft  alio  celebranda  mctallo, 
"  Utilis  in  civcs  eft  ibi  lacnna  fuos."         Johnson. 
The  quarto  I597>  inftead  of  Spanijb  blades ^  reads  countermines* 

Steevens* 
•  And  cakes  the  flf-loch^  &c.]     This  was  a  «*ommon  fuperftition  ; 
and  fceixis  to  have  had  its  r.lc  from  the  horrid  ditisafe  called  the 
Plica  Polonica.     Warburton. 

All  the  old  copies  that  1  have  feen,  concur  in -readings  *^and 
iakei^  &:c.^'  Mr.  Pojh:  firft  made,  the  alteration,  which  does  not 
appear  to  be  ablolutely  neceflary.    Steevens. 

Which, 


R  OTVI  BTO  AMD  X^V  L  IXT.        ^t 

Which,  once  untangled,  much  toitfortunc*  boiis. 
*  This  is  the  hag,  when  maids  lie  on  their  backs?. 
That  preffes  them^and  learns  them  £rft  to  bear. 
Making  them  women  of  good  parriage. 
This  is  fhe 

Rem.  Peace,  peice,  Merciib,  peace  J 
'  Thou  tilk'ft  Of  iicJthiiig. 
.    Mer.  True,  I  talk  of  dreams ; 
Which  arc  thd  children  of  an  idle  brain, 
, Begot  of  nothitig  but  vrtinrphwt^fj; 
Which  is  as  thin  of  fubftance  as  the  air ; 
'And  more  incontlant  than  th6  \¥ind,  who  WGioes 
Even  now  the  frozen  bofcinj'  of;  the  north. 
And,  being  angered,  pufFs  away  from  thence ', 
Turning  his  face  to  the  dew-droppkig  fouth.   - 

Ben.  This  wind,  you  talk  of,  blows  us  froea  our 
lelves; 
Supper  is  done,  and  we  lliall  come  too  late. 

Rom.  I  fear,  too  early  :  for  my  mind  mifgiveSj^. 
Some  confequence,  yet  hanging  in  the  ftars. 
Shall  bitterly  begin  his  fearful  date 
With  this  night's  revels  -,  and  expire  the  terift  . 
Of  a  defpifcd  life,  clos'd  in  my  breaft. 
By  fome  vile  forfeit  of  untimely  death  : 
But  He,  that  hath  the  fteerage  of  my  courfe, 

'  -— ■li'/'^jfr  maiJs^  8ccJ]     So,  in  Drayton's  lfymj>ii'dia : 
jl/iJ  Alah,  his  merry  ^cen^  hy  Night 
BeflrlJes young  Folks  that  lie  upright 
(Li  el^fr  Times  the  Mare  that  higlr) 
Uljich  plagues  them  out  of  meafure^ 
So,  in  Gervaje  of  Tilhury^  Dec.  1.  C.  17.     Vidimus  quofdain 
dzmones  tanto  zelo  mulieres  amare,  quod  ad  inaudita  pnorumpunt 
ludibria,  et  cum  ad  concubirum  earum  accedunt,  mird  mole  eas  op^ 
frlmunt^  ncc  ab  aliisridcntur. 

—  fl^'^«^ carriage.]     So,  in  Lome's  Lahoui^s  Lofty  A£l  r.  Sc.  2. 

**  —  let  ihem  be  men  of  good  repute  and  carriage. 
Moth.  Samplon,  mafter ;  he  was  a  man  of  good  carriage ;  great 
carriage ;  for  he  carried  the  lo vv n-gatcs,  &:c."    S  t  e  E  v  E  n  s . 
^  ^  '^frcm  thence.}    The  quarto  1597,  reads:   — •' in  hafte." 

Steevens, 
Diredt 


41         R  O  M  E  a  AUD  J  U  L  I  E  T. 

»  Dirc&'  mf .  fail  l-r-On^  lufty  gentlemen.      .  ' 
.  JBtn.  Strike^  drum  ^«  ;  [£xetmt. 

S    C    E    N    E      V. 

A  Hall  in  Capidet's  Hoqfe.     . 
:  .Ewttr  Servants. 

1  &rtr.  4  Where's  Porpan,  that  he  helps  not  td 
take  away  ?  he  ibift  a  trencher  s !  he  fcrape  a  trencher ! 

2  5^v.*  When  good  manners  (hall  lie  all  in  one  or 
two  mens'  hands^  and  they  unwafh'd  too,  'tis  a  foul 
thing. 

I  Sirv.  Away  with  the  jointdools,  remove  the 
^ court-cupboard, ' look   to  the  plate:— good  thou, 

fevc 

*  DtfT^  ntf  fail !]  I  have  rcftored  this  reading  from  the  ddcr 
Quarto,  as  being  more  congruous  to  the  metaphor  in  the  pre- 
ceediDg  Itoe.    8mtt  is  the  reading  of  the  f oUo.    St  e  e  v  e  n  « . 

DireH  fi^  fmit  /]    Guide  th^fiqvcl  of  the  adveatu re.  Jo h  x s  on* 

*  Strihe  drum,']  Hefe  the  rolio  adds :  Tbe^  march  about  ti>ijiagt^ 
m(i  firving  men  come  forth  ivitb  their  n^kim^     Steevens. 

^  Tl^is icene isadded  (ince the  tirH copy.    Steevens. 

5  — i^r./&(/r  a  trencher,  &c*]  TrrirAfri  were  flill  ufed  br  pcr- 
foos  of  gpod  faihiQO  in  our  .tuthor's  time.  In  the  houlhola  book 
of  threarU  of  Northumberland,  compiled  at  the  bet^inning  of  the 
fume  century,  it  appears  that  th^  wer«  common  ca  the  tables  of  the 
iirft  nobility.    Pehcy. 

They  cpnonued  common  much  longer  in  many  public  focieties, 
particularly  in  colleges  and  inns  of  court ;  and  are  ibH  retained 
at  LincolnVlnn.     Nichoi,s. 

*  — court'cufhoard^  I  am  not  very  certain  tjiat  I  know  the 
eza6^  fignification  of  court-atpboard.  Perhaps  it  is  what  we  call  at 
prcfent  ^t  fide-hoards.  It  is  however  frequently  mentioned  in  the 
old  plays :  lb,  in  a  Humorous  Di^^s  Mlftl>^  1 599 :  **  -.-  ftiadow  thefc 
tables  with  thpir  white  veib,  and  accompiilh  the  comrituphoardj* 
Again #  in  Mcnficur  D^OU'vey  1606,  by  Chapman  : 

"  Here  (hall  (land  my  cotfrt-cuphqard  with  its  furqitureof  plltte,** 
Again,  in  the  Roaring  Girl^  1611  t 

'**  X^biQ^  i\i%i\T\x\i^  court  cupboard,^ 
Again,  in  Decker's  Honeji  Whore^  "635  : 

««  —they  are  together  on  the  cuphoardtf  the  court  ^Qt^tcourt'* 
cuphoard,** 

Again,  in  Chapman*s  May-D^^  161  ivi 
♦«  pwY-<'«jf'^<7anr3^iplantcdwiihFlaggons,Cans,Cups,Beakcrs,&c  • 

Two 


ROMEO  AND  JULIET.        43 

tftve  me  a  piece  of  march-paDc*,  and^  as  thou  lov'ft 
ttCi  let  the  porter  let  in  Su4a  Grindftoae,  and  Nell. 
—Antony !  and  Potpan  ! 

a  Serv.  Ay,  boy;  ready.      , 

I  Strv.  You  are  looked  for,  and  caU'd  for,  afk'd 
for,  and  fought  for,  in  the  great  chamber. 

a  Serv^  We  cannot  be  here  and  there  too.^r-CheerJy, 
boys }  bf  jbrUk  a  whiles  gnd  the  longer  liver  take  all. 

[Exemi. 

Enigr  Capukt^  fcf ^.  with  the  Guejis  and  the  Majkefs. 

I  Csrp.  Weltome,  gentlemen  l  ladies,  that   have 
'     their  feet 
Unplagu'd  with  corns,  will  have  a  bout  with  you  :-—• 
Ah  ha,  niy  miftreflTcs!  which  of  you  all; 

Two  of  thefe  ctmi-€ia!bokrdi  wt  ftill  so  Stationet^*  Halk 

Steevens. 

The  nie  «4nch  to  this  ikiy  is  made  of  iftioie  atpbdards  is  esiadly 
defcribed-  m  tke  abovc-<|iK)ted  line  6f  Chaf)mani  to  difplay  at 
public  feftiirab  xh^^ggom^tans^  cupi^  hiakers^  and  other  antique  Slrer 
ictfds  ot  the  company,  icme  ot- which  {with  the  names  of  the 
donors' inicribeil  on  th^)  are  remafkablj  kir^*    Nichols* 

'  SmH  me  apiece  ^'  nunurh-piSMe ;]  Match- pane  was  a  confe^ion 
made  of  pifiacho*iHittt  almondt^  and  fugar^  &c«  and  in  high 
efteem  in  Shakefpeare's  time ;  as  appears  irom  the  account  of 
Qiicen  £)huifaeth*«  entertainment  in  Cambridge*  It  is  faid  that  the 
uoiicrikj  pnefented  Sir  William  €ccil  their  chancellor  with  two 
pair  of  glof  es,  a  nuircb-pane^  and  two  itigar-loaves. 

Fcc^s  Defiderqm  Ct^iofa^  vol.  ii.  p.  i9.    Gray. 

Mmrth^pgiu  waaa  kind  of  fweet  bread  or  bifcuit ;  called  by  fome 
ilmood-cakew  Jlermtkau  hariwui  terms  it  mmutpams^  vulgarly 
fMrtims  paniSm  G.  macepmn  and  majjepain^  Ic.  marMtp€me^  H«  mafa* 
fmm»  B.  mmiMeyn^  u  e,  majfit  pkra.  But,  as  tew  underdood  the 
meaning  of  this  «eim>  it  b^n  to  be  generally  thouj^h  tomiptl^ 
called  mmffep^^  Moritpm,  martfiptyn\  and  in  cor)requen<.e  ot  this 
miibke  of  theirs  it  foon  took  the  name  of  martiHs  panis^  an  ap* 
|)e21atiofi  craniferrtd  a^ wards  iato  other  languages.     See  Junius. 

Hawkins. 

Mnrh-fime  was  a  conftant  article  in.  the  deferts  ot  our  an^ 
ceflors.  So,  in  Acolafiusy  a  comedy,  1529 ;  *^  —  feeing  that  the 
i(3be  of  the  table,  fruits  and  chefe  or  wafers  hypocras  and 
putrchpMtes  or  comfyturcs,  be  hrought  is." 

^  Dugdalc'^Orifi^  Ttirid.  p.  f  33.    ^TKSVSfiSt 


:^      ^OMEO  AND  JULJET. 

Will  now  deay  to  dance  ?  fhc  tl^at  ms^kcs  dainty,  flic, 
fni  fwear,  hath  coris  -,  Atf\  I  cojiie  near  you  now  ? 
Tfou  are  welcome,  gentleipenf  I  have  ftfcn  the  daj^. 
That  I  have  worn  a  vifor ;  and  cbyld  ^eli 
/A  whifjpepng jtale  in  a  |kir  ladv's  car, 
Such  as  >yqujd  pleafe ;— tis  gone, 'tis  gone,  'tis  gone ; 
^-Xo^i^rc^elcome^  gentkmcn»-^ome^ 
V?  A  h>ll !  a  hall !,  give  room,. and  foot  it,  grrls.  ^ 

[Mafick playsy  andibey  dance. 
*  More  light,  ye  knaves;  and  turn  the  tables  up, 
.And.queqch  the^fire,  the  room  is  grown  tpo  hot,— 
Ah,*  firrah,  this  unlook'd-for  fpprt  comes  well. 
rNay^.fit, jaay,./it,  'good  coufin^  Capukt  5 

For 

^  Xottre  *u)elcdme,.gentJemen,*\  ■  Tbcfe  two  Uocs,  omitted  by  th^ 
jBodern  editors  I  have  replaced  from  the  folio.    Joh^^son. 

'  A  ball!  a  hall!]  Such  is  the  old  reading,  and  the  true  one* 
though  the  moderneditors  read^  A  haU!  a  hall!  The  forpoer  ex- 
clamation occurs  frequently  in  the  old  comedies,  and  fignifies^ 
make  room.    So,  in  the  coniedy  of  i7M9<ir  l>0i^^2^)^  1600:* 

"  Room!  room!  aba&!  ai^l"* 
'  Again,  in  Ben  Jonibn's  TaU  of  a  Tuh: 
**  —  Then  cry,  a  haU!  a  baU! 
Again,  in  an  Epithalamiuis  by  Chriftopher  Brooke,  puhUfhed  a^ 
the  end  of  England* s  HmLcoh^  1614: 

^  Ciy  not,  a  hall,  a halli  but  chamber-roome ; 
**  Dancing  is  lame,  &c." 
Again,  in  the  Wiao^uoU  Tears^  a  comedy,  by  Cbatman^  161  a ; 
"  A  hall!  a  haU!  who'a  without  there  r— 
*•  A  hall!  a  hall!  let  no  nu>re  citiKeni  ia  there.'* 
Again,  in*  Herod  ondAmtipater,;  162a: 

^^  A  halloa  haU!  let  all  the  deadly  fins 
•*  Come  in,  and  here  accufe  nie  I—-*. 
.   Again,  in  Decker* s  Satiremaftix : 

**  His  grace4x>mes.p^A  hall,  vaHets  I— Where  be  n^  nacn  V^. 
.  Again,  in  the  Tix»  Maids  of  More-clacke^  1609 : 
^'  -^  Hally  a  haU  there,  mufidc  fQund." 
Again,  in  Woman  *tuill  have  her  will^  165I : 

**  She  comes,  ihe  comes  j  A  hall^  a  hall!*^  .  .  SxE^yENS, 
'  Mr.  Steevens  reaids  very  rightly :  **  A  bal(!  a  hall!  So,  in 
Marfton's  Satires : — *•  A  hall,  a  hall!  Room  for  the  fpbetts !  &c.** 
And  Davies,  in  one  of  his  £pigram8 :  **  A  hall!  my  maflerSt  give 
Rotundui  TQom^**'    Farmir. 

'  — good  coufin  Cafulit^     This  toufin  Capulet  is  utik  in  the 

paper   of  invitatioi;  bat  ts  papulei  If  ig&xio^  a»  old,  (om^ 

6  .  'is 


R  6  ME  O  AND  J  U  1 1  £  T.         45 

•  -  » 

("or  you  apd  I  ure  paft  *  our  dating  days : 
How  long  is'c  Jiow,.  Iince  laft  yourfc&  and  I 
Wcrq  in  a  malk  ? 

2  Ctf^.  By'r  lady,  thirty  ytiara. 

X  Cap.  Wh^c»  man  f  'tis  noc  fo  miich^  'tis  not  fiai 
much : ) 
'Tis  finer  the  Quptial  of  LuoenciO/ 
Come  pentccoft  as  quickly  as  it  willy 
Some  five  and  twenty  years  5  and  then  we  mafk*d. 

2  Cap.  'Tis  more^  'tis  more :  bis  fon  is  elder,  firs 
His  fon  b  thirty. 

I  Cap.  3  WiU  you  tell  me  that  ? 
His.  fon  was  but  a  ward  two  years  ago. 

Rom.  What  lady's  that,  which  doth  enrich  the  hand 
Of  yondQr  knight  ? 

Serv.  I  know  not,  fir. 
'    Rom.  O,  ihe  doth  teach  the  torches  to  burn  bright  1 
Her  beauty  hangs  upon  the  cheek  oi  nigkt  4 
Like  a  rich  jewel  in  an  ^duop's  ear : 

is  probably  the  ]%fat  word  in  both  places.  I  know  not  hcNi 
Capulet  and  his  lady  might  agree,  their  ages  were  very  dispropor- 
tionate ;  he  has'  been  pau  ma&ing  for  thirty  years,  and  her  age,  as 
ibe  tells  Juliet,  is  but  ei^ht-and-twenty*    johmsok. 

*  — cur^  dancin|g  dqjfs:']    Thus  the  fofior  the  quaito  reads^ 
**  our^anJi'ng  days."    Steevens. 

J  —  wi/iycu  tell  me^  &c.]     This  (peech  flands  thus  in  the  firft 
OOpy: 

Will  you  teH  me  that  it  cannot  be  fo7 
His  fon  was  bat  a  ward  three  years  aeo ; 
'Good  youths  i'faiih ! — Oh,  youth's  a  jolly  ftiing ! 
There  arc  many  trifling  variations  in  alinoft  every  fpeech  of  thFs 
pby ;  but  when  they  are  of  little  confcquente  I  have  foreboM  to 
encumber  the  page  by  the  infertion  of  them.    The  laft,  however, 
ofthefe  three  lines  is  natural,  hik!  wordi  preferving.    Steevens. 

.  * cheek  cfmghu'\     Shakefpeare  has  the  iame  thought  in  hie 

a/th  ibnnet : 

**  Which,  like  a  jewel  hung  in  gafthr  night, 
*«  Makes  black  night  beauteous,  and  her  old  face  new.** 
ITic quartos,  1597-  1599.  1609, 1637,  and  the  folio  1623,  read: 

Itfeemsjbe  hangs  upon  the  cheek  of  nij/ht. 
It  is  tn  the  tolio  1632,  that  we  are  indebted  for  the  prefent  read- 
'tog ;  but  i  know  not  that  it  is  the  true  one.    Steevens. 

Beauty 


46         ROMEO  AND  JULIET. 

Beauty  too  rich  for  ufc,  for  earth  too  dear  I 
So  Ihews  a  foowy  dore  trooping  with  crows. 
As  yonder  lady  o'er  her  fellowt  (hows. 
The  mcafure  done.  Til  watch  her  place  of  ftand. 
And,  touching  hers,  make  happy  my  rude  hand. 
Did  my  heart  love  'till  now  ?  forfwear  it,  6ght ! 
for  I  ne'er  faw  true  beauty  'till  this  ni^s, 

7)^.  Thisi  by  his  voice,  (bould  be  a  Montague:-^ 
Fetch  me  my  rapier,  boy :— Whan !  dar0  the  flavc 
Come  hither,  covered  with  an  antklc  face^ 
To  fleer  and  fcom  at  our  fokrmnity  f 
Now,  by  the  ftocic  and  honour  of  my  kin, 
To  firike  him  dead  I  hold  k  not  a  fin. 

X  Cap.  Why,  how  now,  kinfmaft  i  wheicfore  ftorm 

you  fo? 
Tyb.  Uncle,  this  is  a  Montague,  our  foe ; 
A  villain,  that  is  hither  come  in  ipight. 
To  fcom  at  our  folemhity  this  night. 
I  Cap.  Young  Romeo  is't  ? 
Tyb.  'Tis  he,  that  villain  Romeo. 
I  Cap.  Content  thee,  gentle  coz,  let  him  alone. 
He  bears  him  like  a  portly  gentleman  ; 
'  And,  to  fay  truth,  Verona  brags  of  him. 
To  be  a  virtuous  and  ^^U-govem'd  youth : 
I  would  not  for  the  wealth  of  all  this  town. 
Here  in  my  houfe,  do  him  difparagemcnt : 
Therefore  be  patient,  take  no  note  of  him. 
It  is  my  will  9  the  which  if  thou  refped. 
Shew  a  fair  prefence,  and  put  off  thefc  frowns. 
An  ill-befecming  femblance  for  a  feaft. 

Tyi.  It  fits,  when  fuch  a  villain  is  a  guel!  i 
ril  not  endure  him. 

I  Cap.  He  fliall  be  endur'd ; 
What,  goodman  boy  ! — I  fay,  he  fliall : — Go  to  ;— 
Am  I  the  mafter  here,  or  you  ?  go  to. 

*  F^r  I  n^erfoFuo  true  beauty  till  this  night.}  Thus  K.  HemyVXlL 
■    '    '  o  beauty, 
Till  now  I  never  knew  thcc !    Stek  ve ns. 

Youll 


ROMEO  Ajn>   JULIET.         47 

YouMl  noteodure  him! — God  ihall  mend  ihy  ibul— 
You'll  make  a  mutiny  among  my  guefts  ! 
You  will  fee  cock-a-hoop  J  you'll  be  the  man ! 

Tyb.  Why,  uncle,  'tis  a  fliame. 

I  Capir.  Go  to^  go  to; 
You  are  a  imcj  boy :— h't  fo,  indeed  f  — —    . 
This  trick  may  chance  tofcache  you  ^\ — J  know  what.— 
You  mud  Contrary  mc7 !  marry,  'ris  time— — 
Well  lard,  -my  hearth  w—^  You  are  a  princox ;  go  :— 
Be  quiet,  or — More  light,  more  light,  for  ibame ! — 
ni  make  you  quiet ;  Whatl-^Chceriy,  my  hearts^ 

Tyb.  9  Patience  perforce,  with  wilful  choler  meeting. 
Makes  my  fielh  tremble  in  their  different  greeting* 
I  will  whhdraw :  but  this  intrufion  fbal), 
Now  feeming  fweet,  convert  to  bitter  gall.       [^Escii.  - 

•  To  fcathe  ycp^  u  c. '  to  Ao  you  an  injory* 
So,  in  The  Pinner  of  Wakefield^  1 599 ; 

"  They  fhall  amend  the  jiad,  or  \d(k  the  pound.** 
Again,  la  the  interlude  of  Jacoh  and  tifau^  1568 : 

"  Alas,  whac  wretched  villain  hath  done  me  iwe^ifcatht** 

^  YoH  mujl  contrar]^  m^.]    The  ufe  of  tliis  verb  is  common  to 
our  old  writers.    So,  in  Tulles  Love  by  Greene^  161 6 :  *«  —  rather 
wiikiog  to    die  than  to  contrary  her  relblution."    Many  inftanccs 
more  mieht  be  felr died  from  SUkip^s  Arcadia. 
Again,  in  Warner's  AMnwi  Englwtd^  1602.  B.  io«  Chapi.  ^9. 

**  ' his  countermand  ihould  have  Qontraried  W' 

The  fame   verb  is  ufed  in  Sir  Tho,  North's  tranflation  of  Plu- 
tarch.    Steetexs.* 

'  You  are  a  princox,  ^0;—*]  hfrincox  is  a  <iozcomb,  a  conceited 
perfon* 

The  word  is  ufed  by  Ben  lonfon  in  T^je  Cafe  is  alm^d^  1609  -^  by 
Chapman  in  his  comedy  of  May- Day  ^  1610;  in  ihc  Rriuru  Jrom 
Faruaffus^  f6c6:  "  Your  proud  univerfitv  Princox*^  ^^iiil?  in 
Fuimus  Troest  i6o}  :  *'  That  Princcx  proud;"  and  indeed  by  moft 
of  the  old  dramatick  writers.  Coigrave  tenders  uft  jeuue  efioudean 
Jnfrrhe^^A  y  oun^  prim  ex  boy.     St  E  E  v  e  N  3 . 

•  Fjniitue  perfcrce^'l  This  exprellion  is  in  part  proverbial:  the 
old  uda«e  i?, 

••  PatUace  f>€  force  is  a  medicine  for  a  mad  doj,**    Steev. 


49        RQ.MEO  AND  JULIET. 

R$m.  *  If  I  profane  with  my  unworthy  hand 

1^0  Juliet. 
This  holy  ftrinc,  the  gentle  fine  is  this  — 
My  lipsy  two  blufhing  pilgrims,  i:cady  (land 

To  fmooth  chat  rough  touch  with  a  tender  kifs. 
Jul.  Good  pilgrimi^  you  do  wrong  your  hand  too 
much, 
Which  naanncrly  devotion  (hews  in  this ; 
For  £siints  have  hands  that  pilgrims'  hands  do  touchy 
And  palm  to  palm  is  holy  palmers'  kifs. 
Rdwu  Havp  not  fis^ints  lips^  and  holy  palmers  too  P 
Jul.  Ay,  pilgrim,  lips  that  they  muft  ufe  in  prayer^ 
R$m.  O  then,  dear  faint,  let  lips  do  what  hands  do  i 
They  pray,  grant  thou,  lelt  faith  turn  to  deipair. 
Jul.  Saints  do  not  move,  though  grant  for  prayers' 

fake. 
Rom.  Then  moye  not,  while  my  prayer's  efFed  I 
.  .    take, 
Thus  from  my  lips,  by  yours,  my  fm  is  purg'd. 

IKiffing  her. 
Jul  Then  have  my  lips  the  fin  that  they  have  took, 
Rom.  Sin  from  my  lips  ?  O  trefpafs  fweetly  urg'd  V 
Give  me  my  fin  again. 
Jul  You  kifs  by  the  book. 
Nurfe.  Madam,  your  mother  craves  a  word  wltk 

you. 
Rom.  What  is  her  mother  ? 
Nurfe.  Marry,  bachebr, 

^  If  I  profane  ixjith  my  umxwthy  hand 

This  boy  fbrine^  the  gentle  fin  is  this^ 

il^  //^j,  Miv  hli^Jbing  pilgrims^  iS^cj  All  profanations  are  fup- 
pofGd  to  be  expiated  either  by  fome  meritorious  ai^ion,  or  by  fome 
penance  undergone  and  puniihment  fubmitted  to.  So  Romeo 
would  here  fay,  If  I  have  been  protane  in  the  rude  touch  of  my 
hand,  my  lips  Aand  ready,  as  two  bluihing  pilgrims,  to  take  off  that 
offence,  to  atone  for  it  by  a  fweet  penance.  Our  poet  therefore 
muft  have  wrote, 

■■  the  geadc//if  is  this,    Warburton. 

Her 


feoMfeO  AND  jULlit.       49 

Her  mother  is  the  lady  of  the  houfe^ 
And  a  good  lady,  and  a  wife,  and  virtUous : 
I  nursM  her  daughter,  that  you  talked  withal } 
I  tell  you— he,  that  can  lay  bold  of  her^ 
Shall  have  the  chink. 
Rtm.  Is  fhe  a  Capulet  ? 

0  dear  account !  my  life  is  my  foe's  debt. 
Ben.  Away,  begone ;  the  fport  is  at  the  beft* 
Bmn^  Ay,  fo  I  fear  \  the  mote  is  ttiy  tinrtlt^ 

I  Cap.  Nay,  gentlemen,  prepare  not  to  be  gone  i 
We  have  a  trifling  foolilh  banquet  towards  **-— 
is  it  e'en  fo  ?  Why,  then  t  thank  you  all ; 

1  thank  you,  honeft  gentlemeft ' ;  good  night  :--^ 
More  torches  here  !*^Come  pn,  then  let's  to  bedi 
Ah,  firrah^  by  my  fay,  it  waxes  late ; 

FlI  to  my  reft*  .  [^Exeunt* 

JmL  Come  hither,  nurfe  4:  What  is  yon  gentleman? 

Nurfe^  The  fon  and  heir  of  old  Tiberio* 

Jul.  What^a  he>  that  now  is  going  but  of  door? 

Nurfsk  That>  as  I  thinks  is  young  Pccruchlo. 

Jul.  What's  he,  that  follow^  thare^  that  vvould  dot 
dance? 

Nutji.  I  know  not« 

Jul.  Go,  aik  his  name  :««-**^if  he  be  married. 
My  grave  is  like  to  be  my  wedding  bed« 

*  We  hanm  mfia^flj  trifitng  hmpat  toWatds,]    Tovoaris  k  itady^ 
It  hand.     So,  in  Hamlet : 

**  What  miglit  be  towards^  that  this  fwc^ty  hafle    * 
**  Doth  make  the  night  joint  labourer  with  the  day?'* 
Again,  in  the  Pbcndx^  by  Middleton,  1607  : 

«*  imd.^^  hcrc*8  a  YoyUge  towards^  wffl  teake  us  all,** 

StbevsmI. 
'  -— i&«9^jv«i2nwMi;]    Hei«  the  quarto,  1597,  addac 
**  1  promile  you,  but  for  you^  com|»aiy, 
**  I  woukl  luive  been  ia  bed  an  hour  ago  t 
••  li^ht  to  my  chamber,  hoi**    SrEEVEWf. 

♦  Come  hiwcT^  nurfe:    What  is  yen  gentleman  fX     This  and  the 
followiag  queiUoQS  are  taken  from  the  novel«    Steeyens. 

Vol..  X.  E  Nurfu 


50         ROMEO  AND  JULIET. 

Nurfe.  His  name  is  Romeo^  and  a  Montague ; 
The  only  Ton  of  your  great  enemy, 

Jul.  My  only  love  Iprung  from  my  only  bate  I 
Too  early  feen  unknown,  and  known  too  late  1 
Prodigious  birth  of  love  it  is  to  me. 
That  I  muft  love  a  loathed  enemy* 

Nurfe.  What's  this  ?  what's  this  ? 

Jul.  A  rhyme  I  leam'd  even  now 
Or  one  I  danc'd  withal.        \pne  calUmMn^  Juliet. 

Nurfe.  Anon,  anon: — 
'  Come,  let's  away ;  the  ftrangers  all  are  gone. 

[Exetmt. 

Enter  ^C  H  0  RU  S. 

Now  old  deGre  doth  on  his  death-bed  lie. 

And  young  afieftion  gapes  to  Ix  his  hrir ; 
That  fair,  for  which  love  groan'd  fore,  and  would  die^ 

With  trader  Juliet  matched,  is  now  not  fair. 
Now  Romeo  is  belov'd,  and  loves  again. 

Alike  bewitched  by  the  charm  of  looks ; 
But  to  his  foe  fuppos'd  he  muft  complain. 

And  (he  fteal  love's  fweet  bait  from  fearful  hooks : 
Being  held  a  foe,  he  may  not  have  acoefs 

To  breathe  fuch  vows  as  lovere  ufe  to  ^ear; 
And  (he  as  much  in  love,  her  means  much  lefs 

To  meet  her  new-beloved  any  where : 
But  paflion  lends  them  power,  time  means  to  meet^ 
Temp'ring  extremities  with  extream  fweet. 

[Exit  Chorus. 

^  CHORUSJ]  This  chorus  added  fince  the  iirft  edidon.    Pope. 

Cbmrms.  The  ufe  of  this  chorus  is  not  eafily  difcovered;  it  con- 
duces  nothing  to  the  progreis  of  the  play,  but  relates  what  is  already 
known,  or  what  the  next  fcene  will  (hew ;  and  relates  it  without 
adding  the  improTcmcnt  of  any  moral  ientimcnt.    Johnson* 


ACT 


kOMEO  AND  JULIET:  51 

A  C  T   II.       15  0  £  N  E    t 

rbe    S  T  R   E  E  T. 

Enter  Romeo  alone. 

Rom.  Can  I  go  forward,  when  my  heart  is  here  ? 
Turft  Sack,  dull  earthy  and  find  thy  center  out. 

knier  BehVoliOf  with  Mercutio^ 

Ben.  Romeo  I  my  coUfih  Romed ! 

Mer.  He  is  wife  % 
And,  on  my  life,  hath  ftbl'n  hith  hdmcf  to  bed* 

Ben.  He  rin  this  way^  and  leap'd  this  orchard  wall: 
Call,  good  Mercutid; 

Mer.  Nay,  V\\  conjure  too.— 
Why,  Romeo!  humours!  madman!  palEon!  lover  I 
Appear  thoU  in  the  likenefs  ot  a  fi^K, 
Spade  but  one  rhyme,  and  I  am  fatisfied ; 
Ciy  bi»t-^Ay  me !  couple  but — lote  and  dove  ^ ; 
Speak  to  my  goflip  Venu^  one  fair  Word, 
One  nick-nanne  to  hef  purblind  foh  and  heir^ 

*  C9  ba^jfy  m!  couple  kio^^^t^  sM  Jk*.]  The  ijuaitd, 
1 597,  reads /TMMMMv,  the  turo  fuccceding  qttanot  and  the  fiift  folio^ 
fnvmUi  the  ad*  3d,  anci  4th  Iblioty  cd^%  and  Mr.  Ro^  who 
printed  from  the  Uft  of  there,t  formed  the  prefefic  reading.  Fr^ 
voHt^  in  andent  languk^,  ligni6ca  frwifim.  So,  in  *^  The 
Court  and  Kitchen  of  Elizabeth,  called  Joan  Cromwell^  the  wife 
of  the  late  ufur|)er9  truly  deferibed  and  reprefented,**  1664^  P*  i4* 
^  •«-  carrying  iome  dainty /r^^VAwf  for  her  own  and  hor  ^hid^lvtef'i 
maiL^  To  frvvatu  it  to  ^tnfiJk\  aod  to jrmriJi  is  topnrmjb. 
**  Pr^voMi  but  iove  and  dove,**  may  therefore  mean  fifrfdjh  buc 
tek  hackney'd  rhtmci  at  ihefe  arei  the  tritt  efl\&)nt  of  lovers. 

StfiEVEWf. 

E  %  Toung: 


Si        feoMEO  ANP  JULIET. 

i  Young  Adam  Cupid,  he  that  (hot  fo  trim, 

«  When  king  Cophetoa  lov'd  the  beggar-maid. 

He  heareth  not,  he  ftirreth  not,  he  movcth  not ; 

The  ape  is  dead,  and  I  mull  conjure  him. 

1  conjure  thee  by  Rofaline's  bright  eyes. 

By  her  high  forehead,  and  her  fcarlet  lip, 

By  her  fine  foot,  ftraight  leg,  and  quivering  thigh. 

And  the  demcfnes  that  there  adjacent  lie, 

That  in  thy  likenefs  thou  appear  to  us. 

Ben.  An  if  he  hear  thee,  thou  wilt  anger  him.  ^ 
Mer.  This  cannot  anger  him  :  'twould  anger  him 
To  raifc  a  fpirit  in  his  miftrefs*  circle 
Of  fome  ftrange  nature,  letting  it  there  ftand 
^Till  (he  had  laid  it,  and  conjur'd  it  down  ; 
That  were  fome  fpight  i  my  invocation 
Is  fair  and  borteft,  and,  in  his  miftrefs'  name^ 
I  conjure  only  but  to  raife  up  him. 

Ben.  Come,  he  hath  hid  hirafdf  among  thofe  trcesy 
To  be  conforted  with  the  humorous  night  >  t 

Blind 

fnvng  AJam  Cupid,']    Alluding  to  the  &mou8  archer  Adam 
Bell.    Gray. 

•  When  king  Cobhetua,  &c.1   Alluding  to  an  old  baHad.     Pope. 

This  ballad  is  preferved  in  the  fifft  Tolame  of  Dr.  Pewy's  Rm^ 
hques  of  ancient  £ngli/b  Poetry.     SxEEVtirs, 

her  ^«r4iiWfoa  and  heir. 


«*  Young  Adam  Cufid^  he  thAt  (hot  fo  ttim^ 
"When,  &c." 
This  word  trini^  th6  firft  editors  coftfuWng  the  ipicwl  fenfe  of  the 
paffiige,  and  not  perceiving  the  allufion,  wouAnaturally  ^^^'^ 
iTvi\  yet  die  former  fccms  the  mofc  humourott  cxpfeflSdn,  andj^ 
on  account  of  ii«  quaintnefe,  more  likely  to  fcave  been  ufed  by 
Mcrcutio,    Percy* 

So  trim  is  the  reading  of  the  oldeft  copy,  and  this  ingenious  con- 
jeSure  is  confirmed  by  it.  In  Decheis  Satirormifiix  is  a  reference 
to  the  fame  archer :  ' 

*«  — —  He  (hoots  his  boh  bm  fcldom  ;  but  when  Adam  Itts  grf, 

he  bits  :*' 
"  He  (hoota  at  thee,  too,  Adam  Bell;   and  hit  arrows  ftick 

here-"    Steevens. 
•  ^^ihe  humorous  mght.]    I  fujjpofe  Sbahjpean  means  humid. 


ROMEO  AND   JULIET.         53 

Blind  is  his  love,  and  beft  befits  the  dark. 

Mer.  If  love,  be  blind,  love  cannot  hit  the  mark* 
Now  will  he  fit  under  a  medlar  tree, 
And  wifli  his  miftnefs  were  that  kind  of  fruit, 
«  As  maids  call  mcdlgrs,  when  they  laugh  alone. — 
Romeo,  good  night  5 — Fll  to  my  truckle-bed  -, 
This  field-bed  is  too  cold  for  me  to  fleep : 
Come,  (hall  we  go  ? 

t  moid  dewy  night.     Chapman  ufc8  the  word  in  that  fcnfc  b 
hi  tranflation  of  Amer^  book  11.  edk.  1598 ; 
**  The  other  gods  and  knight3  at  arms  Hept  «U  the  J^wwrc^s 
night.*' 
Again,  in  Dravtorfs  Ppfyolhion^  fong  3  : 

«'  Such  natter  as  &e  takes  from  the  grofs  humorous  earth." 
Again,  ibng,l3th: 

**  —  whi^h  late  the  humorous  night 
**  Befpangleci  had  with  pearl— t** 
Again,  in  his  Barons'*  Warsy  canto  I : 

*<  The  hum^ous  fogs  deprive  us  of  his  light.**    StfiCvfevs. 
Again,    in  Meafuro    ias    ^tUafftrt;    ^^  T^e  nrnforous  night  ap? 
prbaches.**     Malovi, 

'  As  maiJiy  5^c.]    After  this  line  In  the  quarto'  1597, 1  find  two 
other  verfes,  containing  fuch   ribaldiy,  that  I  cannot  venture  to 
infert  them  in  the  text»  t)iough  I  exhioit  them  heie  as  a  prooif  that 
cither  the  poet  or  l|is  fiiends  knew  fometimes  hour  to  blot: 
O  Romeo  that  (he  were,  0  that  flie  were 
An  o^n  Et  caitra^  thou  a  Poprin  Pear! 
This  pear  is  mentioned  in  the  Wifi  Woman  efHo^adon^  1639. 
*<  Wluit  needed  I  to  have  grafted  in  the  flock  ot  fuch  a  cboke» 
pear,  and  fuch  a  goodly  Poprin  as  this  to  efcape  me  V^ 
Again,  in  A  Woman  never  w;rV>  1632  : 

•*  »-I  rcqucfted  him  to  ^ull  me 
^*  A  Katherine  Fear»  and  had  I  not  lookM  to  him 
'*  He  woukl  have  miftoplc  and  given  me  a  Popperin^ 
In  the  A^hejfi^s  Tragei^t  by  Cyril  Turner ^  |6ii,   there  is  much 
conceit  about  this  Pear,     I  am  unable  to  explain  it,  nor  does  i( 
appear  indeed  to  defer ve  explanation. 

Thus  much  may  fafely  be  faid ;  viz.  that  our  Pear  might  have 
bcei)  of  French  extraction,  as  Pobering  was  the  name  of  a  parifh  in 
the  Marches  of  Calais*  So,  Chaucer's  Rime  of  Sire  Thopas,  edit. 
1775,  ver.  13650: 

**  In  Flandres,  al  beyonde  the  ice 

♦*  At  Popering  in  the  place."    Stee  yens* 

E  5  Ben^ 


54        ROMEO  AND  JULIET, 

Ben.  Go,  then ;  for  'tis  in  vain 
To  feek  him  here,  that  mcain?  npt  tp  b^  found. 

5    C    i;    N    E       11. 

Capukt^s  Garden,. 

Enter  Romeo,. 

Rom.  *  He  jefts  at  fears,  that  never  fck  a  wound.— f- 
But)  fbft !  what  light  through  yonder  window  brealq^ 
It  is  the  caft,  and  Juliet  is  the  fun  ! — 

[Juliet  appears  abwt^  at  a  window. 
Arlfe,  fair  fun,  and  kill  the  envious  moon^ 
Who  is  already  fick  and  pale  with  grief. 
That  thou  her  maid  art  far  more  fair  th^  (he-; 
'  Be  npt  her  maid,  lince  (he  is  envious  % 
Her  vcftal  livciy  is  but  fick  and  green, 
And  none  but  tools  do  wear  it ;  caft  it  oflT.— > 
4  It  is  my  lady ;  O,  it  is  my  Ipye  : 

Q,  that  flie  knew  Ihe  were ! r 

She  fpeaks,  yet  (he  fays  nothings  What  of  that  ? 

Her  eye  difcourfcs,  I  will  anfwer  it. 

I  am  tOQ  bold,  'cis  not  to  me  it  fpeaks  : 
Two  of  the  faireft  ftars  in  all  the  heaven. 
Having  fome  bufinels,  do  intreat  her  cye§ 
To  twinkle  in  their  (pheres  Vill  they  return. 
What  if  her  eyes  were  there,  they  in  her  head  ? 
The  brightnefs  of  her  cheek  would  fhame  thofe  ftars. 
As  day-light  doth  a  lamp ;  her  eye  in  heaven 
Would  through  the  airy  region  ftream  fo  bright. 
That  birds  would  (ing,  and  think  it  were  not  night. 

•  He  jefts  atjcars,]    That  is,  Mercudo  jclb,  whom  he  ovcrr 
^card.    Johnson. 

'  Be  not  her  maiJ,]    Be    not  a  TOtaiy    to    the    moon,    to 

^•—       JOHNSPN.  • 

r  wy  ia/^'i]  Tals  line  and  half  I  have  replaced.    Johnson. 

See, 


Diana'.    Jo 
f  //  is  wy 


ROMEO  AND  JULIET.         55 

Sec,  how  (he  leans  her  cheek  upon  her  hand ! 
5  O,  that  I  were  a  glove  upon  that  hand^ 
That  1  might  touch  that  cheek  ^  I 

Jul.  Ay  me  I 

Rom^  She  fpeaks : 

7  O,  fpeak  again,  bright  angel !  for  thoO  art 
As  glorious  to  this  night,  being  o*er  my  head. 
As  IS  a  winged  meflenger  of  heaven 
Unto  the  white-upturned  wond'ring  eyes 
Of  mortals,  that  fall  back  to  gaze  on  him, 
When  he  beftrides  ^  the  lazy-pacing  clouds. 
And  fails  upon  the  bofom  of  the  am 

Jul.  O  Romeo,  Romeo  I  wherefore  art  thou  Romeo  ? 
Deny  thy  father,  and  refufe  thy  name : 
Or,  if  thou  wilt  not,  be  but  fwom  my  love. 
And  ril  no  longer  be  a  Capulet. 

Rm.  Shall  1  hear  num,  or  (ball  I  fpeak  at  this  ? 

'  O  that  Ivsire  a  gUn>€  wpon  that  bami^']  This  paflige  appears 
IP  have  been  ridiculed  by  Shirky  in  Tlje  School  of  Cmfiuimts^  a 
oQuiedy,  1637: 

•*  Oh  that  I  were  a  flea  upon  that  Up,**  &€•    Steeve^ts. 

•  —  touch  tlnu  cfjtik  /J  The  quarto,  1597,  readi ;  «*  ktfs  that 
dicek."     Steevens. 

'  Qb^J^dk  again^  bright  angel!  for  thou  art 

As^  gkrious  to  this  night,]  Though  all  the  printed  iopief 
concur  in  this  reading,  yet  the  latter  part  of  the  fiinik  feems  to 
require, 

M  ^oriout  to  thit^i^/;— — 
and  therefore  I  have  ventured  to  alter  the  text  to.    Theobald. 

I  hare  reftored  the  old  reading,  for  furely  the  change  was  un- 
occeflary.  The  plain  fenfe  is»  that  Juliet  apiieared  as  lplendi4 
an  object  in  the  vault  of  heaven  ohfcured  by  darknefs,  as  an 
aog^  could  feem  to  the  eyes  of  mortals,  who  were  falling  back 
to  gsze  upon  him. 

As  glorious  to  this  night ^  means  as  ghrious  an  appearanct  in  this 
d^Jt  flighty  Uq,  It  Otould  be  obferved,  however,  that  the  fimile 
agrees  precifely  with  Theobald^s  alreration,  and  not  fp  well  with 
the  oki  reading.     Steevens. 

•  — /Zv  Taxy-pacing  clouds^l  Thus  corrcfted  (rom  the  firft 
editjpoi  in  the  other  ta^-pi(ffittg.    Pope. 

E  4  Jul. 


S6        ROMEO  ANo  JULIET. 

JuL  Tis  but  thy  name,  that  is  my  enemy  i 
»  Thou  art  i^byfelf,  tboi^h  not  a  Mawaguc* 
What's  Montague  ?  it  U  nor  bwd>  nor  fopti 
Nor  arm,  nor  face,  nor  any  other  part : 
What's  in  a  name  ?  that  which  we  call  a  rofe» 
By  any  other  name  wotoW  fm^l  as  fweet  j 
So  RoiAdo  wQuld»  were  he  not  Roctieo  call'd. 
Retain  that  dear  perfe6tion  which  be  owes* 
Without  that  title  : — Ronrieo,  doflf  thy  name ; 
And  for  that  naqie^  whk^h  is  no  pare  <^  thee, 
*  Take  all  myfelf. 

Horn.  I  take  thee  at  thy  word ; 
Call  me  but  love,  and  Til  be  new  haptia'd ; 
Jlenccforth  I  never  will  be  Ronoea. 

JuL  What  man  arc  thou,  tbtc^  thus  befcrecnM  In 
night, 
S6  ftunoblel^  on  my  counfel  ? 
/  Jifim*  By  aha«ie 

J  know  not  hpw  to  tell  thee  who  I  am  : 
My  name,  dear  faint,  is  hateful  to  myfelf, 
Becaufe  it  is  an  enemy  to  thee ; 
Had  I  it  written,  I  would  tear  the  word. 

Jul.  My  e^rs  have  yet  not  drunk  a  hundred  words 
Of  that  tongue's  uttering,  yet  I  know  the  found ; 

■  Tiotf  art  tb^felf^  though  not  a  Montague*']  /.  r.  you  wouM 
be  jufl  what  vou  are,  although  you  were  not  gf  the  Houfe  of 
Montague.     Warburton* 

I  thinly  the  true  reading  is. 

Thou  art  thyfelf,  then  not  a  Montague. 
Thou  art  a  being  of  peculiar  excellence,  and  haft  none  of  tho 
malignity  of  the   family  from  which  thou    haft   thy   name,— » 
Haumer  reads : 

Thou  ft  ftot  tfjyfeff  {oy  though  a  Montague.    Jqhnsok. 

T{us  line  is  wanting  in  the  elder  quarto;  all  the  other  edi* 
tions  coQCur  in  one  reading.  I  think  the  paflage  wiU  fupporc 
Dr.  Johnfon's  fenfe  withdut  his  propofed  alteration.  Thou  art 
thyfelf  (i.  c.  a  being  of  diftinguilhed  excellence)  though  thou 
ijft  not  what  thou  appeareft  to  others,  akin  to  thy  family  in  ma- 
lice.    Steevbns. 

J  JaJi^  all  n^J'ejf*'\    The  elcjcr  [quarto  [tcads,  Take  all  I  have. 
'  ,  Steevens. 

Ar^ 


R  O  W  E  p  AND  J  U  L  I  E  T.        57 

Art  thgii  not  Bjomeo,  and  a  Mofiugue  ? 

jRam*  Neither,  fi^r  £up«i  if  either  thee  diQik^.    . 

Jul.  How  cim'ft  ttiQU  U£h«p?j  iKU^Qef  and  where* 
fpre?  .      ; 

The  orchard'Walk  ire  higk,-  ^^  hard  fft  cli^^; 
And  the  pUMce  dentb,  omfid«i»i»g  !«^a  tHoM^;^ 
If  any  of  my  kinfmen  Sod  tHw^  ^e. 

i^^.  With  love's  UghjC  wings  did  I  o'f  ivpcrch  tbefe 
walU; 
For  ftony  limits  cadnot  hold  lovie  out: 
And  what  love  can  dOg  thajc  darc^  ]<?vc  atten)^?:^  . 
Therefere  thy  kinfiacn  aer  n^jftop  to  nic. 

Jul.  If  they  do  fee  the^  they  will  murder  thee. 

&0m.  Alack !  there  lies  more  peril  in  thine  eye^ 
Than  twenty  of  their  fwords'i  logk  thou. but .f\veei^ 
And  I  am  piaoof  aga&oA  their  eo^ity. 

JfiL  I  would  not  for  the  world*  they  (kw  thee  here^ 

Rom.  1  have  night's  clpak  to  bide  me  from  their 
figbt; 
Andy  but  thou  love  me^  let  then)  4nd  me  here ;  , 
My  life  were  better  ended  by  ^r  I^tey 
Than  death  prorogued  ^9  wanting  of  thy  love. 

JuL  By  whofedire&ionfiouDd'ft  thou  out  thisplace? 

M^m.  By  love,  who  firft  did  prompt  m^  to  enquire; 
He  lent  me  counfel,  and  I  lent  him  eyes. 
I  am  no  pilot ;  yet,  wert  thou  as  far 
As  that  vaft  (here  waft'd  with  the  fartheft  fca, 
I  would  adventure  for  fuch  merchandife*  ^ 

J$il.  Thou  know'fty  the  maik  of  night  is  on  n^y 
face ; 

» 

*  i^—  tJbfre  lies  mare  peril  in  ibiae  e^. 
Than  twejitf  cf  tJbeir  Jwords;'] 
JL  U  Fletcher  have  copied  this  tliought  in  Tie  Moid  in  the  Mill: 
**  The  lady  may  command^  iir ; 
**  She  bean  an  eye  more  dreadful  than  your  weapon.** 

Steevens, 
*  Than  death  pron^;uedJ    Topr&rogue  has  not,  in  this  place^ 
itSfQromon  fignificationi  \)^X  tatv^  to  delqv.    Steeyens^ 

Elfc 


58        ROMEO  AND  JULIET. 

Elfe  would  a  maiden  blulh  bepaint  my  cheek. 
For  that  which  thou  haft  bean)  me  ^ptnk  to-nigfal. 
Fain  would  I  dwgtf  on  form,  fain  mn  deny 
What  I  have  fpoke  i  But  farcwel  compliment ! 
Doft  thou  love  me  ?  I  know,  tboa  wilt  fay-^Ay  ; 
And  I  will  take  thy  word :  yet,  if  thou  fwear^ft^ 
Thou  may'ft  prove  falfe ;  at  lovers'  perjurimt 
They  fay,  Jove  laughs.    O,  gentle  Romeo,  • 
If  thou  doft  love,  pronounce  it  faithfully : 
Or  if  thou  think*d  I  am  too  quickly  won, 
111  frown,  and  he  perverfe,  and  fay  thee  nay. 
So  thou  wilt  woo  I  but,  eMr,  not  for  the  world. 
In  truth,  (air  Montague,  I  am  too  fond ; 
And  therefore  thou  may'ft  think  my  haviour  light: 
But  truft  me,  gentleman,  Fll  prove  more  true, 
Than  thofe  that  have  more  s  cunning  to  be  ftrange. 
I  ffioukl  have  been  more  ftrange,  I  muft  confefe. 
But  that  thou  over-heardft,  ere  I  was  ware. 
My  true  love's  pallion ;  therefore  pardon  me  i 
And  not  impute  this  yielding  to  light  love, 
"Which  the  dark  night  hath  fo  dilcovered. 

Rom.  Lady,  by  yonder  blefled  moon  I  vow. 
That  tips  with  filver  all  tbefe  firuit*tree  tops, — 

Jul.  O,  fwear  not  by  the  moon,  the  inconftant  nxxm 
That  monthly  changes  in  her  circled  orb. 
Left  that  thy  k>ve  prove  likewife  variable^ 

Rm.  What  fball  I  fwear  by  ? 

Jul.  Do  not  fwear  at  all ; 
Or,  if  thou  wilt,  fwear  by  thy  gracious  felf, 

«  —  (vvAf^  to  iejra/ige.}  For  loyitfg^  the  modern  editions  luiTe 
atnning.    Johnson. 

Cunning  is  the  reading  of  the  elder  quarto,  and  I  have  reftored 
if.  To  e*j  if  aeYertheleis  an  oki  verb.  So,  in  ^  H'oman  never 
vex*iiy  163a  : 

**  Love  is  f(i  young,  it  coys  but  cannot  fpeak." 
yi  leJhanTf^  is  to  put  on  affeiS^cd  coldneii,  to  appear  iby.     So,  in 
Greene's  Mantiliiaj  1593  :  ^*  —  Is  it  the  fafliioo  in  Pauua  to  be  fo 
firauge  with  your  fricnUi  ?**    Stse v^ns, 

Which 


ROMEO  AND  JULIET.        59 

Which  is  the  god  of  my  idolatry. 
And  rU  believe  thee. 
Rem.  If  my  hearths  dear  love«-« 
Jul,  Well,  do  not  fwear ;  although  I  joy  in  theCf 
I  have  no  joy  of  this  contraft  to-night : 
It  is  too  ra(h,  too  imadvis'd,  too  fudden  \ 
Too  like  the  lightning,  which  doth  ceafe  to  be. 
Ere  one  can  fay— It  lightens  K    7  Sweet,  good  night ! 
This  bud  of  love,  by  fummer's  ripening  breath, 
May  prove  a  beauteous  flower  when  next  we  meet. 
Good  night,  good  night !  as  fweet  irpofe  and  reft 
Come  to  thy  heart,  as  that  within  my  breaft ! 
Rom.  O,  wilt  thou  leave  me  fo  unfatisfied  ? 
Jul.  What  fatisfaftion  canft  thou  have  to-night  ? 
Bm$.  The  exchange  of  thy  love's  faithftil  vow  for 

mine. 
Jul.  I  gave  thee  naine  before  thou  didft  re()ucft  It*: 
And  yet  I  would  it  were  to  give  again. 
Rm.  Would'ft  thou  withdraw  it  ?  for  what  pur* 

pofe,  love  ? 
JuL  But  to  be  frank,  and  give  it  thee  again. 
And  yet  I  wi(h  but  for  the  thing  I  have : 
My  bounty  is  as  boundlefs  as  the  fea. 
My  teve  as  deep ;  the  more  I  give  to  thee. 
The  more  I  have,  for  both  are  infinite. 
I  hear  fome  noife  within ;  Dear  love,  adieu  I 

[^Nurfe  calls  within. 

•  Ere  em  cem  fay^^It  lightens.^  So,  in  thic  Mracks  ^MofiSf  by 
Prayton  : 

**  ——  lightning  ceaflefsly  to  burn, 
**  Swifter  than  thought  from  place  to  phice  to  pafs, 
^  And  being  rone,  dodi  foddenly  return 
*f  Ere  jam  c/mlify  f^ecife^  ««W  ii  ivas!* 
The  fame  thought  occurs  in  the  Miifjummer  Night'*s  Dream. 

Stsbvens. 
'  Siveet^  good  night.']    All  tl^c  intermediate  lines  from  Sweety 
good  Mighty  to  Stav  httt  a  little^  &c.  were  added  after  the   firft 
copy,    Steevens. 

Anon, 


6o         R  P  M  ^  P   AND   J  y  L  I  E  T. 

Anon,  good  riurfe  ! — Sw^t  Montague,  be  true. 
Stay  but  a  little,  I  will  conne  again.      '  [£>://• 

Rom.  O  bleflcd  bleiTed  night  J  I  am  afeard. 
Being  in  night,  aU  this  is  but  a  dream. 
Too  flattering-fwect  to  be  fubftantiaK 

Re-enier  JvlieU  a^cve. 

t  Jul.  Three  words,  dear  Romeo,  and  ggood  aigbc^ 

indeed 
If  that  thy  bent  of  love  be  honourable. 
Thy  purpofe  marriage,  fend  me  word  to-morrow. 
By  one  mt  Til  procure  to  come  to  thee, 
Where^  and  what  time,  thou  wilt  perform  the  rite ; 
And*  all  my  fortwncs  at  thy  foot  I'll  lay. 
And  folloifr  thee  nxy  lord  ti^roughput  the  world. 

[H^itbin:  Madam, 
I  coine,  onen :— rBut  if  thou  mean'ft  not  well, 
1  do'  befeech  th&^-r-^ff^ifbin ;  Madam*]  Py  fdi/i  by, 

I  come ; — 
iTo  ceafe  thy  Tuit,  and  leave  mo  to  my  grief; 
To-morrow  will  I  fend. 
Rom.  So  thriv?  my  foul,— . 
Jul.  A  thoufand  times  good  night !  [jE^i/. 

Rom.  A  thoufand  times  the   worfe,  to  want  thy 
'  light.— 
Love  goes  towa^rd  love,  as  fchool-boys  from  their . 

"books ; 
But  love  from  love,  towards  fchool  with  heavy  looks« 

Re-enUr  Juliet  again^  above. 

Jul  Hift !  Romeo,  hift! — 0,for  a  faulconer's  voice, 
^  To  lure  this  ta0el*geotle  back  again  ! 

Bondage 

^  To  lure  this  tqHel-gentk  hack  i^ainf]  The  iaffel  or  tiercel  (for 
fo  it  Ihould  be  fpeli)  is  the  male  of  the  go/shawk;  lo  called,  becaufe 
it  is  a  tierce  ©r  tiird  left  than  the  female.    This  is  equally  true  of 

all 


ROMEO  AND  JULIET.  6t 

Bondage  is  hoarfe,  andt  rtay  not  fpeik  aloud ; 
Elfe  would  I  tear  the  cave  where  echo  lies,       \  , 
And  make  her  airy  tongue  more  hoarfe  than  mine'  * 
With  repetition  of  my  Romeo's  name. 

Rom.  It  is  my  foiil,  that  calls  upon  my  name ; 
How  filver-fweet  found  lovers*  topgues  by  night. 
Like  fofteft  mufic  to  attending  cars  f 

JuL  Romeo ! 

Rom.  My  fweet  ?  , 

Jul.  At  what  o'clock  Jo- morrow 
Shall  I  fend  to  thee? 

Rom.  By  the  hour  pf  nine.. 

Jul.  I  will  not  fail;  'tis  twenty^^eafs  'till  then, 
I  have  forgot  why  I  did  call  thee  baclf, 

Rom.  Let  me  ftand  here  'till  thou  remember  it. 

JuL  I  (hall  foi^eti  to  have  tl^eci  fiiU  (land  there. 
Remembering  how  I  bve  thy  company.  , 

Rom.  And  rU  ftill  (by,  to  have  thee  ftlll  forget. 
Forgetting  any  other  home,  but  this. 

Jul.  ^is  almoft  morning,  I  would  have  thee  golic: 
And  yet  no  funher  th^n  a  wiinton's  bmd  5 
Who  lets  it  hop  a  little  from,  her  hand. 
Like  a  poor  prifoner  in  his  twilled  gyves. 
And  with  a  (ilk  thread  pluckft  it  back  again. 
So  loving- jealous  of  his  liberty. 

all  birds  of  prey.  In  the  BooJu  ifFakonrye^  by  Geor^  Turbcnrjle^ 
gent,  printdl  in  1 575,  I  find  a  whole  chapter  on  the  fa/co/t'^entl^ 
kc.     So^  in  Tbe  GitarJlanyhyMsifrmger^ 

*«  ■■  then  for  an  evening  flight 

"  A  tiertel-gentk*'* 

Taylor  the  water  poet  ufcl  the  Tame  expreflToft,  ••  • '"  By  callmj 

•*  out  the  lure,  (he  makes  the  tajfel-gentle  come  to  her  fi(L 
•   Again,  in  Spenfcr's  Faery  ^ueeHy  b.  3.  c.  4. 

**  Having  far  off  elpyde  a  tajjel-geiit^  \ 

*«  Which  after  her  ills  mmble  wings  doth  ftraine." 
Again»  in  Decko-^s  Match  me,  m  Lan/ion,  1631 : 

"  Your  taJJeUgentle^  lhc*s  lur*d  off  and  gone.** 
"fhis  fpecies  ot  hawk  had  the  epithet  of  gentle  annexed  to  ff, 
from  the  feafc  with  which  it  was  umed,  and  its  aitachment  to 
man.-   STfEVEvs, 

Rom. 


€2        ROMEO   AND  JULIET* 

Rom.  I  would,  I  were  thy  bird. 

Jul.  Sweet,  fo  would  I ; 
Yet  I  Ihould  kill  tbe^  With  much  cherifliing. 
Good  night,  good  night !  parting  is  fuch  fwcct  forrow. 
That  I  (ball  fay— ^6d  night,  ^till  it  be  morrow. 

LExU. 

Rom.  Sleep  dwell  upon  thine  eyes,  peace  in  thy 
bieaft!— 
*  Would  I  were  fleep  and  peace,  fo  fweet  to  reft! 
Hence  will  I  to  my  ghomy  father's  cell  j 
His  help  to  crave,  and  my  dear  hap  to  tell.     iExU4 

SCENE      HL 
J  MONASTERT. 

Enter  friar  Lofwntut^  with  a  hafket. 

Fru  ^  The  grey»ey*d  morn  fmiles  on  the  frowning 
night. 
Checkering  the  eaftern  clouds  with  ftrcaks  of  light  i 
And  fleckol  darkncfs  >  like  a  drunkard  reels 

•  fS*  gr^^d  mom^  AcJ  Thefe  four  firft  lines  arc  here  re^ 
placed,  ooQRm^abfe  to  the  6A  edirio  i,  where  fuch  a  defcnption  is 
fliudi  more  proper  than  in  the  mouth'of  Romeo  juil  before,  when 
he  was  full  of  aothii^  but  the  thoughts  of  his  miltrefs.    Pope., 

In  the  folio  thele  lines  are  piintM  twice  over,  and  given  twice 
to  Romeo,  and  once  to  the  firier.    Johkson. 

The  fame  mtltake  has  likewifb  happened  in  the  quartos,  1599* 
1609,  and  1637.    STEEvaNs. 

<  jAi^  flecked  darhefi]  Flecked  Is  footted,  dappled,  ftreak^d,  cor 
Tariegated.  In  this  ^fe  it  is  ufed  by  Churchyard,  in  his  Le* 
PMu/  If  fU.  Mffwhrojf  Dak  ^Notfilk.  Mowbray,  fpoikbg  of  div 
Germans,  (avs: 

**  All  jagg*d  and  fix>unc*d,  with  divers  cokurs  deck'd, 
«*  Thqr  fwctr,  they  curie,  and  drink  till  th^  be  jfe^^" 
IxHid  Surrqr  ufes  the  fimie  word  in  his  traniktioa  of  the  4tb 
iBnetd: 

*^  Her  qutverin[^  AtAes  Jlecied  with  deadly  ftaine.** 
The  lame  image  occurs  m  Much  4ulo  ahut  mthing^  ^*J*  ^*  i* 

^  jD<;f^  the  drowiyeaft  with  (pots  of  grey.**  dteevens.- 

From 


ROMEO  AND  JULIET.         63 

From  forth  dw^s  path-way,  n^e  by  Titan's  wheels : 

Now  ere  the  fun  advance  his  burning  eye. 

The  day  to  chear,  and  night's  dank  dew  to  dry, 

1  muft  up-fiil  this  oficr  cage  of  ours  ^ 

With  baleful  wced$»  and  precious-juiced  flowers* 

3  The  earth,  that's  nature's  mother,  is  her  tomb  i 

What  b  her  buryine  grave,  that  is  her  womb : 

And  from  her  womo  children  of  divers  kind 

We  fucking  on  her  natural  bofom  find ; 

Many  for  many  virtues  excellent. 

None  but  for  foroe,  and  yet  all  difi^erent. 

O,  mickle  is  the  ^  powernil  grace,  that  lies 

In  plants,  herbs,  ftones,  and  their  true  qualities  x 

For  nought  fo  vile  that  on  the  earth  doth  live  ^, 

But  to  the  earth  fome  fpecial  good  doth  give ; 

Nor  ought  fo  good,  but,  ftrain'd  from  that  fair  ufe, 

Kevolts  from  true  birth,  ftumblin^  on  abufe : 

Virtue  itfelf  turns  vice,  being  milafmlied  ^ 

And  vice  fometime's  by  aftion  dignify'd. 

Within  the  infant  rind  of  this  fmall  flower 

Poifon  hath  refidence,  and  med'clne  power : 

For  this,  being  fmelt,  with  that  part  chears  each  part ; 

*  Immfi  vp'fiU  this  ozier  ci^e  ef  0urs^  &c«]    So>  ia  the  13th  fong 
of  Dn3rtQD't  PeijfMwm: 

**  His  lumqf  time  hcfpends  the  works  of  Ood  to  fee, 
**  In  thole  to  fundiy  herbs  which  there  in  plenty  grow» 
**  Whole  fundry  ftrange  effe&s  he  only  feeks  to  know* 
**  And  in  a  little  maatndj  being  made  of  oziers  imaU» 
^  Which  ferveth  him  to  do  full  many  a  thing  withal^ 
**  He  Tcry  choicely  ibrts  his  fimples  got  aMoad,** 
Drayton  is  fpeakiog  of  a  hermit.    STa£V£Ns. 
'  lie  emribj  tba^s  natures  moiber^  is  ber  tomhi] 

^  Omniparens,  eadem  rerum  commune  iepulchrum.* 

Lucretius* 
^  The  womb  of  nature,  and  perhaps  lier  grave."    Milfn. 

St££VSNS. 

^  '^ ptweifiJ grifce^]  Efficacious  virtue.    Johnson. 
*  For  nought  Jo  viU  thai  om  the  earth  doth  live,]    The  qoarto, 
1597,  reads: 

Fot  nought  fo  vile  that  "jlle  on  ea|^h  doth  live.    Ste£V£N8. 

Being 


64         ROMEO  Ai^&  JVLiEt, 

Being  taftcd,  flays  all  fenfes  with  the  heart. 
*  Two  fuch  oppofed  foes  encamp  thtm  ftill 
In  man  as  well  as  heittis,  grace,  and  rude  will  | 
And,  where  the  worfer  is  predominant. 
Full  foon  the  canker  death  eats  up  that  plant* 

Enser  Romee* 

Rom.  Good  morrow,  father ! 

Fri.  Benedicite! 
"What  early  tongue  fo  fweec  Iklutetb  tne  P^-^ 
Young  fon,  it  argues  a  diftemper'd  head. 
So  foon  to  bid  good  morrow  to  thy  bed  : 
Care  keeps  his  watch  in  every  old  man's  eye. 
And  where  care  lodges,  deep  will  never  lie ; 
7  But  where  unbruifed  youth  with  unftuft  brain 
Doth  couch  his  limbs,  there  golden  fleep  doth  reigo: 
Therefore  thy  earlinefs  doth  me  aflure, 
Thou  art  up-rouz'd  by  fome  diftemp^rature ; 
Or  if  not  fo,  then  here  I  hit  it  right— 
Our  Ronseo  hath  not  been  in  bed  to-night* 
Rq^.  That  lad  is  true,  the  fweeta:  tSt  was  mine^ 
Fri.  God  pardon  fin  !  waft  thou  with  Rofaline? 

*  74V»  fucb  ofpoftd  FOES— i]  This  is  a  modem  (bphifticatioo* 
The  old  books  have  it  ofpcfed  kings.  So  tluu  it  appears.  Shake* 
fpeare  wrote,  TvDoJiteh  nfpofed  kiic.  Why  he  calls  theiil  hin  was^ 
becaufe  they  were  qualities  refiding  in  one  and  the  (ame  Aibflance. 
And  as  the  enmity  of  oppofed  kin  generally  riies  higher  than  that 
between  ftrangers,  this  circumftance  udds  a  beauty  to  the  ezpref^ 
fion.    War  BUTTON. 

Foes  may  be  the  right  reading,  or  hk^s^  but  I  think  kin  can 
hardly  be  admitted.  Two  kings  are  two  oppofite  pcvoeri^  two  con- 
tending potentates^  in  both  the  natural  and  moral  world*  The  word 
encamp  is  proper  to  commanders*    Johnson* 

Foes  is  the  reacfing  of  the  oMeit  copy ;  Ungs  of  that  in  1609, 

Steevens* 

^  •^'with  unjitfi  hrain  &c.]    The  copy,  1597^  leads : 
««  __  with  un{hiff*d  brains 
*^  Doth  couch  his  limmes,  there  golden  fleep  remaines.** 

ST1SVEKS4 


ROMEO  AND  JULIET.         6$ 

Rom.  With  Rofaline,  my  ghoftly  father?  no; 
I  have  forgot  that  name,  and  that  name's  woe. 

fri.  That's  my  good  fon :  But  where  haft  thou 
been  then? 

Rom.  rU  tell  thee,  ere  thou  aflc  it  me  again, 
I   have  been  feafting  with  mine  enemy ; 
Where,  on  a  fudden,  one  hath  wounded  me. 
That's  by. me  wounded-,  both  our  remedies 
Within  thy  help  and  holy  phyfick  lies ; 
I  bear  no  hatred,  bleflcd  man  ;  for,  lo. 
My  intercefljon  likewifc  fteads  my  foe. 

Fri.  Be  plain,  good  fon,  and  homely  in  thy  drift; 
RiddHng  confeffion  finds  but  riddling  (hrift. 

Rom.  Then  plainly  know,  qiy  heart's  dear  lov^  i$ 
fet 
On  the  fair  daughter  of  rich  Capulet : 
As  mine  on  hers»  fo  hers  is  fet  on  mine  •, 
And  all  combined,  fave  what  thou  muft  combine 
By  holy  marriage :  When>  and  where,  and  how, 
Wp  met,  we  woo'd,  and  made  exchange  of  vow, 
111  tell  thee  as  we  pafs ;  but  this  I  pray, 
That  thou  copfcnt  to  marry  us  this  day. 

Fri.  Holy  faint  Francis  !  what  a  change  is  here  J 
Is  Rofaline,  whom  thou  didft  love  fo  dear, 
So  foon  forfaken  ?  young  mcrn's  love  then  lies 
Not  truly  in  their  hearts,  but  in  their  eyes. 
^jioly  faint  Francis!  what  a  deal  of  brine 
Hath  wafh'd  thy  fallow  checks  for  Rolalinci 
How  much  fait  water  thrown  away  in  walle, 
Xo  fcafon  love,  that  of  it  doth  not  tafte  1 
The  fun  not  yet  thy  fighs  from  heaven  clears. 
Thy  0I4  groaps  ring  yet  in  my  anpient  ears ; 
JLo,  here  upon  thy  chee]>  the  (lain  doth  fi; 
Of  an  old  tegr^  that  is  not  waft>'d  off  yet: 
If  e'er  thou  waft  thyfelf,  and  thele  woes  thine. 
Thou  and  thefe  woes  were  all  for  Rofaline ; 

*  Hofy  Saint  Froficis  n    OU  copy, /^i  Mftrla!    S;rK£vBNf, 


66         ROMEO   A^'D  JULIET. 

And  art  thou  changed  ?  pronounce  this  fentence  then- 
Women  may  fall,  when  there's  no  ftrength  in  men. 

Rom.  Thou  chidd'ft  me  ofc  for  loving  Rofaline* 

Fri.  For  doating^  not  for  loving,  pupil  mine. 

Rom.  And  bad'ft  me  bury  love. 

Fri.  Not  in  a  grave. 
To  lay  one  in,  another  out  to  have* 

Rom.  I  pray  thec^  chide  not :  Ihe,  whom  I  lov^ 
now. 
Doth  grace  for  grace,  and  love  for  love  allow ; 
The  other  did  not  fo. 

Fri.  O,  (he  knew  well. 
Thy  love  did  read  by  rote,  and  couki  not  ^ell. 
But  come,  young  waverer,  come  go  with  mc. 
In  one  rcfped  FU  thy  afliftant  be  -, 
For  this  alliance  may  fo  happy  prove, 
To  turn  your  houfliolds'  rancour  to  pure  love  ^ 

Rom.  O,  let  us  hence ;  I  (land  on  fudden  hafte. 

Fri.  Wifely,  and  flow  ;  They  ftumble,  that  run  faft. 

S    C    E    N    E        IV. 

n^    STREET. 

Enter  BenvoUoy  and  Mercufia. 

Mer.  Where  the  devil  (hould  this  Romeo  be  ?— 
Came  he  not  home  to-night ) 

Ben.  Not  to  his  father's  ;  I  fpoke  with  his  n?an. 
Mer.  Why,  that  fame  pale  hard-hearted  wench, 
that  Rofaline, 
Torments  him  fo,  that  he  will  fure  run  mad. 
Ben.  Tybalt,  the  kinfman  of  old  Capulct, 
.  Hath  lent  a  letter  to  his  father's  hoofe. 
Mer.  A  challenge,  on  my  life. 

*  The  two  following  lines  were  added  fince  the  firft  copy  of  i\m 
play.    Struvkn*.  7 

Ben. 


k  OU  E  b  AND  JULIET.         67 

Bm.  Romeo  will  anfwcr  it. 

A&f.  Any  nian,  that  can  writer  may  atifwer  a 
letter. 

B^.  Na^,  he  win  anfwer  the  letter's  maftfcr,  how 
he  daresj  being  dai^d. 

A4St.  AlaS,poorRomcfo,heisahTadydead!  ftabb'd 
Vith  a  whiti^  wehch*^  black  eye,  (hot  thorough  the  ear 
<Mth  a  Idve-fon^ ;  the  very  pin  of  his  heart  cleft  with 
^he  blind  bow-boy *d  btit-{haft;  And  is  he  a  man  to 
Encounter  Tybalt  ? 

Ben.  Why,  ♦vhat  is  Tybalt  ? 

Mer.  '  More  than  prince  of  cits,  I  can  tell  you; 
O,  he  b  the  *  courageous  captain  of  compliments  : 
he  fights  as  yoii  firig  prick-fang,  keeps  time,  diftance^ 
and  proportion ;  he  reds  his  minim,  one,  two,  and  the 
third  in  your  bofom :  the  very  butcher  of  a  filk  button  4. 
a  dueliifty  a  duellift ;  s  a  gentleman  of  the  very  firft 

houfe ; 

'  More  than  frinct  of  rti/f,— -]  .  Tytert;  the  riamfc  given  t«  the 
Otf ,  jn  the  ftory-book  of  Reynard  the  Fo^i     War  bxj  r  toi^; 
So,  in  Decker* s  SatiroTtuzftix  : 

^*  —  tho*  you  were  Tyheri^  the  long-tail'd  pnnce  of  Rats/* 
Again,  in  ILrve  ivitbyou  to  Saffron  Walden^  &c.  1598  : 

**  —i  not  Tihault  prince  of  Cats^  Sec."    St  e  e  v  e  N  s . 

*  ^^  courageous  captain  of  compliments  :^  A  complete  mafter  of 
all  the  laws  of  ceremony,  the  principal  man  in  the  do£trin^  of 
pun^k). 

**  A  man  efcon^Uments^  whom  right  and  wrdrig 
**  Have  chofe  as  umpire;** 
{ays  our  author  of  Don  Armado^  the Sp^iard,  in  L'ov^i  Laiour's 
Lofi.     JorfNftON, 

I  -^  keeps  tinUy  dijiante^  and  proportion,"]     So  Jonfons  Bohadil: 
••  Note  your  dijiante^  keep  your  ^wt  proportion  of  tinted 

SteeVeni; 
^  —  the  'ueiy  butcher  of  a  JUk  button^     So,  in  the  Return  front 
famajfiis: 

*'  Strikes  his  poinado  at  a  huttotCs  breadth.**      Steevens. 

*  A  gentleman  of  the  veryfirji  houfe ; — -cftbejirji  andfecond  cauje ;] 
};  e.  o&e  who  pretends  to  be  at  x\\t  head  ot  his  family,  and  quar- 
reb  by  the  book*    See  a  note  on  ufr  ycu  hie  it,  A6t  5.  Sc.  6. 

Warburton* 

Tvbaii  capnot  pretend  to  be  at  the  bead  of  his  family,  as  borh 

Iz  .  Caputtt 


68  R  O  M  E  O   AND   J  U  L  IE  T. 

houfe ; — of  the  firft  and  fecoud  caufc  :  Ah,  the  im- 
mortal paflTado !  the  punto  revcrfo  !  ^  the  hay  !—— 

Ben.  The  what? 

Mer.  The  pox  of  fuch  antick,  lifping,  affedling 
fantafticocs 7 ;    thefe   new  tuners  of  accents! — i^ 

a  very  good  Hade ! a  very  iall  man  ! 

a  very  good  whore ! ^  Why,  is  not  this  a  la- 
mentable thing,  grandfire,  that  we  (hould  be  thus 
afflided  with  thefe  llrange  flics,  thefe  fafliion-mongers^ 
9  thefe  Pardonnez-moy's,  who  Hand  fo  much  on  the 
new  form,  that  they  cannot  fit  at  eafe  on  the  old 
bench  ?  "  O,  their  Ms^  their  bon'^  I 

Enter 

Capulet  and  Romeo  barrM  his  claim  to  that  elevation.  **  A  gen- 
tleman of  the  jfir/i  houfe  \^-'oi  the  Jirji  znd  ficomi  caufe^  is  a 
gentleman  of  the  ftrfl:  rank,  of  the  firft  eminence  among  thefe  duel- 
lifts  ;  and  one  who  unde rftands  the  whole  fcience  of  quanelling, 
and  will  tell  you  of  xkitfirjl  caufi^  and  ihe/econd  caufe^  for  which  a 
man  is  to  fight.— The  Clown^  in  As  you  Uke  it^  talks  of  the  Jeventh 
caufe  in  the  fame  fenfe.    S t  e  e  v E  n  s . 

^  ^^the  hayt\  All  the  terms  of  the  modern  fencinz  fchool 
were  originally  Italian  ;  the  rapier,  or  fraall  ihrufting  fword,  being 
firft  ufed  in  Italy.  The  ha^  is  the  word  hai^  you  h(we  it,  ufed 
when  a  thruft  reaches  the  antagonift,  from  which  our  fencers,  on 
the  fame  occalioii,  without  knowing,  I  fuppofe,  any  reafou  for  it, 
ciy  out,  ha*    Johnson. 

'  -^  aff^'^'n^g  f^ntaJiico€5J\  Thus  the  old  copies,  and  rightly. 
The  modern  editors  read,  fha?itajies,  Nafli,  in  his  Have  imthyou 
to  Saffron  IfaUcn^  ^SO^,  fays — •*  Follow  fome  of  thefe  new- 
fangled Galiardo's  and  Signor  Fantallico's^"  &c.  Again,  in  Decker's 
Comedy  of  Old  Fort unatus^  i6oo :  —  **  I  have  dancM  with  queens* 
dallied  with  ladies,  worn  ftraiige  attires,  feen^Sw/zj/^/c^^'j,  conversed 
with  humoriib,"  &;c,     Steevexs, 

•  H^hj^  is  not  this  a  Lnuutable  things  grandjire^']  Huroouroufly 
apoftrophifing  his  anccilors,  whofe  fuber  limes  were  unacxjuainted 
w.th  the  fopperies  here  complained  of.     Warburton. 

9  ^^tbrje  pard'innez-mois,]  Pardonncz-moi  became  the  lan- 
guage of  doubt  or  hcliiation  among  men  of  the  fword,  when  the 
pf)int  of  hcnour  was  grown  fo  delicate,  that  no  other  mode  of  con- 
uadidion  would  be  endured.    Johnson. 

■  O,  their  bones,  their  bones  I]  Mcrcuiio  is  here  riJiculing 
-thofe  nenchificd  la^uaftical  coxcomlw  whom  he  calls  pardon »(%" 

mois  i 


R  O  M  E  0  AND  J  U  L  I  E  T.        69 

Enter  Romeo. 
Ben.  Here  comes  Romeo,  here  comes  Romeo. 
Mer.  Without  his  roe,  like  a  dried  herring : — O 
flefh,  flcih,  how  art  thou  filhified ! — Now  is  he  for  the 
numbers  that  Petrarch  flowed  in  :  Laura^  to  his  lady, 
was  but  a  kitchen-wench  -, — marry,  (he  had  a  better 
love  to  be-rhyme  her :  Dido,  a  dowdy ;  Cleopatra, 
a  gipfy;  Helen  and  Hero,  hildings  and  harlots  5 
Thifb6,  a  grey  eye  or  fo,  but  not  to  the  purpofe. — 
Signior  Romeo,  hon  jour!  there's  a  French  falutation 
to  your  French  flop  *.  You  gave  us  the  counterfeit 
fairly  laft  night. 

Rom.  Good  morrcAv  to  you  both.     What  counter.- 
feit '  did  I  give  you  ? 

Mer.  The  flip,  fir,  the  flip ;  Can  you  not  conceive? 

Rom. 
msts :  and  tlierefore,  I  fufpecl  here  he  meant  to  write  French  too. 

O,  their  lo^^s  /  their  IfOfi's  ! 
i,  e.how  ridiculous  they  make  themielves  in  crying  out  good^  and 
heing in  ecilaiies  with  every  trifle;  as  he  had  juft  defer ibed  them 
before. 

«  -— i.  a  very  good  blade  1**  &c.     Theob. 
They  ftand  fo  much  on  the  ntrjjformy  that  they  cannot  fit  at  cafe 
on  the  i>ld  icnc/?,*^]     This  conceit  is  loit,  if  the  double  meaning  of 
the  word  firm  be  not  attended  to.      Farmer. 

A  quibble  oil 'the  two  meanings  of  the  wotdfirm  occurs  in 
L$ves  Ijah0Hr*s  Lofty  AvSl.  i.  Sc.  i:  —fitting  with  her  on  the 
form^  and  taken  following  her  into  the  park ;  which,  put  together, 
is,  in  manner  and,;9rw  lollowing."     Ste evens. 

*  Tour  French  Jlop.'\  Slops  are  large  loofe  breeches  or  trvwfert 
worn  at  prefent  only  by  ikiior«.  They  are  mentioned  by  Jonfou 
im  his  Alcfjymift: 

**  fix  great  ^x 

**  Bigger  than  three  Dutch  hq^sP 
Again,  in  Ram-alieyy  or  Merry  Tricks,  i6i  i ; 
"  —  three  pounds  in  gold 
"  Thcfe^/i  contain."  Steevens. 

Hence  evidently  the  ittnajlof -feller  for  the  venders  of  ready-made 
l^oaths.    Nichols. 

3  ffhat  counterfeit,  5:c.  ? 

Mer.  The  flip,  th  flip,  fir ;)  To  underftand  this  play  upon 
the  words  counterfeit  ^ndjlifif  it  fl)Ould  be  obferved  that  in  our  Au- 
thor^s  tiq[)e  there  was  a  counterfeit  piece  of  money  diflinguiflied  by 
the  name  oi  ^flip.  This  will  appear  in  the  following  mffanccs : 
**  And  therefore  hQ  went  and  got  him  certain^?^,  which  arc 
Vol.  X.  F3  ^^counterfeit 


j6        ROMEO  AND  JULIET. 

Rom.  Pardon,  goad  Mercutio,  my  bufinefs  was 
great ;  and,  in  fuch  a  cafe  as  mine,  a  man  may  ftfain 
courtcfy. 

Mer.  That's  as  much  as  to  fay — fuch  a  cafe  as 
yours  conftrains  a  man  to  bow  in  the  hams. 

Rom.  Meaning — to  curt'fy, 

Mer.  Thou  haft  moft  kindly  hit  it# 

Rom.  A  moft  courteous  expofuion. 

Mer.  Nay,  I  am  the  very  pink  of  courtcfy. 

Rom.  Pink  for.  flower. 

Mer.  Right. 

Rom.  Why,  ^  then  is  my  pump  well  flower'd. 

Mer,  Well  faid  :  follow  me  this  jcft  now,  'till  thou 
ftaft  worn  out  thy  pump ;  that,  when  the  fingle  fole  of 
it  is  worn,  the  jeft  may  remain,  after  the  wearing, 
folely  fingular. 

Rom.  O  fingle-ford  jeft,  folely  fingular  for  the 
finglenefs! 

Mer.  Come  between  us,  good  Benvolio  5  my  wit 
faints. 

Rem.  Switch  and  fpurs,  fwitch  and  fpurs;  or  I'll 
cry  a  match, 

Mer,  Nay,  if  thy  wits  run  the  wild-goofe  chafe,  I 

am  done ;  for  thou  haft  more  of  the  wild-goofe  in  one 

"  coufittrfiit  pieces  of  money>  being  brafle,  and  covered  over  unth 
"  filver,  which  the  common  people  call  ./7/>f.'*  Thienfes  falling 
cut^  True  men  come  hy  their  ^aods  ;  by  Robert  Greene. 

Again,  *«  I  had  like  t*have  been 

"  Abus'd  i'thc  bufinefs,  had  the^/^flur'd  on  me, 

**  KcouHUrfeitP         Magnctick Lad^^  A.  3.  S.6.        ReED. 

nejlip  is  again  uied  equivocally  in  No  W)t  like  a  WomarCs^  a 
comedy,  by  iVIiddleton,  16^:  Cltnvn.  **  Bccaufe  you  (hall  be 
fure  on*r,  you  have  ;;iven  me  a  nine  fence  here,  and  Hi  give  you  'the 
Jlip  for  it."  [Exit.  Malone. 

5  —  then  is  my  pump  'xell  Jlower^J.}  Here  is  a  vein  of  wit  too 
ibiu  to  be  eafily  tound.  The  fundamental  idea  is,  that  Romeo  wore 
^//r^iv/ pumps,  that  is,  punched  with  holes  in  figures.    Joknsok* 

8ce  the  (hoes  of  the  fftarris-ilancen  in  the  plate  at  the  concluifon  of 
the  firft  part  of  A".  Henty  IV,  with  Mr.  Toilet's  remarks  annexed  to  it. 

It  was  thecuilom  to  wear  ribbons  in  the  fhocs  formed  into  the 
(haj^  of  roles,  or  of  any  other  flowers.  So  Middleton,  in  ihe 
Myque^  b>  the  Genr.  oi  Gray's-Inn,  1614 :  "  Every  ma&et'ii 
fun^  was  fiiflcu'd  widi  a,/JiK«rVuiiat)le  to  ills  cap.**    Ste  evens. 

of 


KOMEp  AND  JULIET.         71, 

rf  thy  wits,  than,  I  am  Aire,  I  have  in  my  whole 
five :  Was  I  with  you  there  for  the  goofe  ? 

Rom.  Thou  waft  never  with  me  for  any  thing, 
<when  thou  waft  not  there  for  the  goofe. 

i^&r.  4 1  Will  bite  thee  by  the  ear  fox  that  jeft, 

Rom.  Nay,  ^ood  goofe,  bite  not  5. 

Mer.  Thy  wit  is  ^  a  very  hitter  -Tweeting ;  it  is  a 
moft  0iarp  fauce. 

Rom.  And  is  it  not  well  fervM  in  to  a  fweet  goofe  ? 

Mer.  O,  here's  ^  a  wit  of  cheverel,  that  ftretchcs 
from  an  inch  tiarrow  to  an  ell  broad  1 

Rom. 

•♦  I  will  iite  thine  ear    •  *1    So  Sir  Epicure  Mammon  to  Face 
to  Jon(bn*8  Aicbymift. 

**  Slave,  I  could  hite  thine  ear,**   .  St  £  E  v  e  N  s . 
5  --^Gc^d  goofe^  hitcnotf']   Is  a  proverbial  ex  pretlion,  to  be  found 
in  Ray's  CoHcflion ;  and  is   ufed  in  The  Two  Angry  Women  of 
Jbington^  IS99'     Steevens. 

•  — a  iHty  bitter  fvueeting ;]    A  bitter  fineeting^  is  an  apple  of 
that  name.     So,  in  Summers  loft  Hill  and  Tejiament^  i6oa: 

*♦  —  as  well  crabs  as  fvxetings  for  his  fummer  fruits.** 
Again,  in  Fair  Em^  1631: 

"  —  what,  in  difpleafure  gone ! 
And  left  me  fuch  a  bitter  fibeet  to  gnaw  upon  V* 
Again,  in  Gower,  De  Confijione  Amantis^  lib.  8.  foL  1 74.  b.: 
**  For  all  fuch  lyme  of  love  is  lore, 
**  And  like  unto  the  bitter  fwete 
**  For  though  it  thinke  a  man  fyrft  fwete 
**  He  (hall  well  felen  at  laflc 
"  That  it  is  fower,  &:.c.'* 
An  jallufion  to  fruit  remains  unCTpbincd  in  Ben  Jonfon's  Bartho' 
kmtvj  Fair  J  A»5l  j  : 

"  A  foft. velvet  head  like  ^  M'/i;r<rf/(^«.'* 
1.  c.  a  Malacotdtt^  a  fpecies  of  j^each,  at  that  time  newly  imported 
from  France.     Steevens. 
7  —  a  vjit  rf  chc^jerely]     Chcverel  is  foft  leather  for  gloves. 

Johnson. 
So,  in  the  T^vo  Maids  of  More-claciej  160^ : 

**  Drawing  on  love's  white  hand  a  glove  of  warmth, 
**  Not  cheveril  ftretching  to  fuch  prophanation.'* 
From  Che^cau^  a  A7//,  Fr.    So  again,  in  TEXNOr^MM,  or  The 
Ifarriages  if  the  ArtSy  1 6 1 8  : 

-**  The  quiking  of  Ajax  his  (hield  was  but  a  thin  cheverel  co  it.'* 
F  4  Ai.a.n, 


^i         ROMEO   AND  jlTLIEt. 

Rom.  1  ftretch  it  out  for  that  word — broad;  which 
added  to  the  goofe,  proves  ihee  far  and  wide  a  broach 
gobfe. 

Mer.  Why,  is  not  this  better  now  than  jgroaning 
for  IbVc  ?  how  thoU  art  fociable,  now  art  thou  Ro- 
mco;  now  art  thou  what  thou  art,  by  art  as  well  as 
by  nature :  for  this  driveling  love  is  like  a  great  na- 
tural, that  runs  lolling  up  and  down  to  hide  his  bauble 
ih  a  hole  ®. 

BeH.  Stop  there,  (lop  there. 

Mer.  Thou  defireft  me  to  (lop  in  rty  tale  agamll 
the  hair  9. 

Ben.  Thou  ^yould'ft  e!fe  have  made  thy  tale  large, 

Mer.  O,  thou  art  dectiv'd,  1  would  have  made  i( 
Ihort :  for  I  was  cortie  to  the  whole  depth  of  my  tale  j 
and  meant,  indeed,  to  occupy  the  argument  nq 
longer, 

Rom.  Here's  goodly  gecr  ! 

£intir  Nurfe^  and,  P^ter^ 

Mer.  A  fail,  a  fail,  a  fail ! 

Bth.  Two,  two  J  a  (hirt,  and  a  fmoCk. 

Again,  in  the  CoitIcr*s  Prophecy y  i  Cg4  t 

"  To  day  in  pumps  and  cbiverU  gloves  to  walk  (he  will  be  bold/" 
Agatn«  in  ^e  Owl^  by  Drayton  : 

^\  A  cf^everell  confdence^  and  a  feafching  wit.**  Steevex^. 
C6«^m/ is  rVom  Chcvreuil,  Roebuck.     Musgrave. 

•  —  to  hide  his  bauble  in  a  hole.]  It  has  been  already  obferved 
^y  Sir  y.  IlfFwkins^  in  ^  no:e  on  All*s  H^ell^  &c.  that  a  htttihU  was 
one  of  the  accoutrements  ot  a  licenfed  fool  or  jefter.  So  again,  in 
Sir  W,  D\  4venantU  Atbovine^  i  ^^9  •.  **  for  l^^ch  rich  widows  there, 
love  court  fools,  aiid  ufe  to  play  with  their  hauhks^ 

Again,  in  The  lofigcr  th  u  livejl^  the  greater  Fool  thou  arty  1570 : 

'*  And  as  (lark  an  idlor  as  ever  bare  haile.^ 
See  the  plate  at  the  end  ot  AT.  Henry  IV.  P.  i,  with  Mr,  Tollet*s 
obfci  vations  on  it.     Steevens. 

•  -^aj^ainfl  the  hair,"]  Acontrepoil:  Fr,  An  expreffion  equivalent 
to  OBC  which  we  iiow  uic  -~  ^*  againil  the  grain,**    Stebvens. 

*     ■     ■  '  Nur/e. 


ROMEO  ANO  J  U  L  1 E  Tt         ?| 

Ifurfi.  Piter  t 

peter.  A^on? 

Nurfe.  My  fan,  Peter  '• 

Mer.  PQ|  good  Peter ^  %q  hide  her  face }  for  he^ 
^'s  the  fairer  of  the  tw6. 

Nurfe.  God  ye  good  morfow,  gentlemen, 

Mer.  God  ye  good  den,  *  fair  gentlewoman. 

Uurfe.  h  it  ^ood  den  ? 

Mer.  *Tis  no  Icfs,  I  tell  you;  for  the  bawdy  hand  ^ 
pf  the  dial  is  now  upon  the  prick  of  noon. 

Nurfe.  Out  upon  you !  what  a  man  are  you  ? 

RorH.  One,  ^entle^^oman,  that  Gpfl  bath  mad^ 
bimfelf  to  mar. 

Nurfe.  By  my  troth.  It  is  well  faid  •, — For  himfelf 
tp  mar,  quoth'a  ? — Gentlemen,  can  any  of  you  tel^ 
me  where  I  may  find  the  young  Romeo  ? 

Rom.  I  can  tell  you ;  but  yQung  Romeo  will  b^ 
older  when  you  Have  found  him,  than  he  was  when 
you  fought  him :  I  am  the  youngelt  of  that  n^me, 
for  fault  of  a  ^yorfe. 

^urfe.  You  fay  well. 

*  ]!^  fan^  Prier.)  The  bufinefs  of  P^//r  cariryirig  the  Nurjfs 
foHy  fpems  ridiculous  according  to  modern  manners  \  But  I  find  fucln 

Was  formerly  the  pra<Slice.    In  an  old   pamphlet,  called' " 'Tifer 
♦*  Serving-man^ s  Comfhrt^^  '598*  we  are  informod|   **  The   mif- 
*  trefs  mud  have  ope  to  carry  her  cloake  and  hood,  another  her 
^  fanned    Farmer; 
Again,  in  Levels  Lahpjti^s  Ijfi: 

To  fee  him  walk  before  a  lady,  and  to  hear  her  fon. 
Again,  in  Efvuy  Man  out  of- his  Hknibur:     **  If  any  lady,  Scc 
wants  an  upri^t  gentleman  in  the  narbre  of  a  gentleman  u(her, 
pec.  who  can  hide  his  face  with  her  fan,  ^c.**    STEtvENS. 

*  Gcdye  good  /ijr«,]  i.  e.  God  give  you  a  good  even.  The 
iirft  of  thefe  contra'cHons  is  common  among  the  ancient  comic 
writers.     So,  in  R^  Brome^s  Norlhern  Lafs^  1633  • 

**  Godyou good even^  fir.**     SrkEVENS. 
3  .^  the  band  of  the  diiil^']     In   the  Puriian  IVidbb}^   l6of, 
wfalchi  has  been  attributed  to  our  author,  is  a  (imilar  ex]9re(!ion : 
I*  ffr-tbc  fdkewe  of  the  dioll  W  upqn  the  chrUTe-crofle  of  noon.^ 

Meu 


Ai^.  Yea,  it  the  worft  well?    very  ^ell  ^ook^ 
rfaith  5  wifely,  wifely, 

Nurfe.  If  you  be  he,  fir,  I  (Jefirc  fprji?  copf^dqicc 
^ithypu. 

Ben.  She  wHl  indite  him  to  fprj^e  fuppfr, 
Mer.  A  kVff^f  »  Nwd,  a  bawd!  §9  ho ! 
Rom.  What  haft  thou  found  ?' 
Afer.  4  No  hare,  fir';    ynlefs  a  hare,    fir,   |p  a 
Jwtea  pyc,  tihjit  i§  foti^ethii^  I^al?  aod  hov  cr?  i?  be 
fpent. 

4n  qli  hre,  ho^r  «, 
4nd  an  cl4  hare  koar^ 
h  very  good  meat  in  lent: 
^i^t  ^  ffar€  fbat  is  hoqf^ 
U  too  much  for  a  fign^ 
When  it  hws  ere  it  h^ftnt.^-^ 

Rqmeo,  wil^  you  come  to  your  father's  ?  we'H  to  din*- 
ner  thither, 

Rom.  I  will  follow  you, 

Mer.  Farewel,  ancient  lady;  fercwel,  iady,  lady, 
lady^ 

jExeunt  Mer  cut  to  ^  and  BenwUo^ 

^  No  hare,  jfr ;]  Mercutto  having  roared  oi|t,  So  ho!  the  ciy 
^fthe  fportftnen  when  they  (lart  9  hare ;  Romeo  fdks  ivhat  be  has 
^un4.  And  Mercutio  anfwers.  No  hare^  Uz.  The  reil  is  %  ferics 
of  quibbles  unworthy  of  explanation,  which  he  who  docs  not  un» 
derftand,  needs  not  lament  his  ignorance,^  Johnson. 

'  Am  old harehonx^  Hoar  or  hoary ^  is  often  ufed  fi)r  mouldy, 
ps  tbiogs  gro^  white  from  moulding.  So,  in  iPierce  Pemv^kfii  Sup9 
j}icatifH  to  the  Devil^  ^S9S'  ""-^  hoary  as  Dutch  butter.** 
Again,  in  F.  Beaumont*s  letter  to  Speght  on  his  edition  of  Chaucer, 
ji<i02 :  **  Many  of  Cbaucer*tf  wor^s  are  become  as  it  were  vinew^d 
'j9tf^J>oarie  with  over  long  lying,*'  Again,  in  Every  Mati  out  ^  Us 
Humour:    "  -t— mice  and  rats 

"  Eat  up  bis  grain ;  or  elfe  that  it  might  rot 
**  Withm  the  hoary  ricks  e'en  as  it  ftands.**      Stee  YENS^ 
'^  — Ax.^,  ia^/yy  iady*]    Thebur^nofan  old  fong.     See  Dr. 
FarmerV XIO^C  Wk  Twej^lh  Nitht^  p,iGf>.     SxEEVENt, 

Nttr/c, 


R  O  M  E  O  AUB  J  U  L I E  T.        75 

llurfi^  I  pryy  yo¥i»  fir,  what  faucy  merchant  7  was 
this,  that  was  io  full «  of  hi^  ropery  ? 

iS0)9i«  A  gentleman,  nurfe,  that  loves  to  hear  \6m^ 
|elf  talk ;  and  will  fpeak  more  in  a  minute,  than  he 
will  ftand  to  in  a  month. 

Nurfe.  An  'a  fpeak  any  thing  aaauift  me.  111  take 
him  down  an  'a  were  luftier  than  he  is,  and  twenty 
fuch  Jack$  'y  and  if  I  cannot,  Tli  find  thofethat  fiialU 
Scurvy  knave !  \  am  none  of  his  flirt-gills ;  I  am 
9  none  of  his  ikains-mates :— And  thou  muft  ftand  by 
too,  and  fuficr  every  knave  to  ufe  me  at  his  pleafuref 

Peu 

1  ..  iofhat  Jku0  merchant  fMv  this^  Sec.]  The  terfn  menbatif 
which  was,  and  even  now  is,  frequently  applied  to  the  loweft  ibrt 
of  dealers,  feeros  anciently  to  have  been  uied  on  rhefe  familiar  oc* 
calions  incontradiftindion  to^««/Af/n<»f ;  fignifying  that  the  per*  . 
fen  fliewed  by  his  behaviour  he  was  a  low  fellov.  The  term 
c^,  i.  e.  cb^moH^  a  word  of  the  fiime  import  with  iptrdfant  in 
its  lefs  rerpe6&ble  fenfe,  is  ftiU  in  common  ufe  amoi^  the  vulgar, 
as  a  general  denomination  for  any  perlbn  of  whom  they  mean  xm 
ipeak  with  freedom  or  difrefped^.    Steevens. 

'  —  of  his  raptry7'\  Roftiy  was  anciently  ufed  in  the  fame 
fenfe  as  ro^tuy  is  now.    So,  in  the  Three  Laaus  ef^jomdon^  ?5?4^ 

**  Thou  art  very  pleafant  and  full  oif*  thy  ropeiyei* 
Rope-tricks  are  mentioned  in  another  place.    Steevensv 

'  None  of  bis  ikains-i«a//j.]  The  word  Jkaims»mate^  I  do  not 
Vnderftand,  but  fuppoie  ibsxfiains  was  fome  low  play,  aod^aoMi^* 
mate^  a  companion  at  fiich  play.    Johnson. 

AJkeiH  oxjkain  was  either  a  knife  or  aJbor4  4^fgir.  'B^Jkains^ 
mates  the  nurfe  means  none  of  his  looie  coippanions  who  frequent 
the  fendng-fchool  with  him,  where  we  may  fqppofe  the  exerdfe 
f>f  this  weapon  was  taught. 

The  word  is  ufed  m  the  old  tragedy  of  SoUman  and  Perjkdaf 

'     ^  Againfi  the  li^htnfoot  Inih  have  I  ferv'd, 
**  And  in  my  ikin  bare  tok^n?  of  their ^/«j/' 
A^D,  in  the  comedy  called  Liaguoj  Sec.  1607*    At  the  opening 
pf  the  piece  Lingua  is  reprefented  as  apparelled  in  a  particular 
inanner,  ai^  among  other  things— r-^hav^ng  ^^  a  Vkti^tjh$i  tied  in 
•*  a  purple  icar^'' 

Qieen,  in  his  ^h  fir  an  f^/hsrt  Cofortier,  de&ribet  *'  an  ill- 
f!  £ivouT*d  knave,  «vho  wor^  by  liia  .fidp  ^Jkeing  like  a  brewer's 
f  bung-kiuf^'! 

Skeim 


76        ROMEO  AHD  JULIET. 

Tet.  I  faw  no  man  ufc  you  at  his  pleafure ;  if  1 
bad,  my  weapon  fhould  quickly  have  been  out,  I  waF-i 
rant  you  :  I  dare  draw  as  foon  as  another  man,  if  I 
fee  occafion  in  a  good  quarrel,  and  the  law  on  my  fide. 

J^urfe.  Now,  afore  God,  I  am  fo  vext,  that  every 
part  about  me  quivers.  Scurvy  knave! — Pray  you, 
lir,  9  word :  and  as  I  told  you,  my  young  lady  bade  ' 
me  enquire  you  out;  what  fhe  bade  me  fay,  I  will  keep 
to  myfelf :  but  firft  let  me  tell  ye,  if  yc  fhould  lead 
her  into  a  fool's  paradife,  as  they  fay,  it  were  a  very 
grofs  kind  of  behaviour,  as  they  fay  :  for  the  gentle- 
woman i^  young;  and,  therefore,  if  you  fhould  deal 
double  with  her,  truly,  it  were  an  ill  thing  to  be  of- 
fered to  any  gentlewomai^,  ^nd  very  weak  dealing. 

Rom.  Nurfc.  commend  me  tp  thy  lady  and  mif- 
trcfs.     I  proccft  unto  thee, — 

J^urfe.  Good  heart  1  and,  i'faith,  I  will  tell  her  ^s 
much  ;  Lord,  lord,  (he  will  be  a  joyful  won^aq. 

Rom.  What  Wjli:  thop  tell  her,  nurfc  ?  thou  do(|: 
not  mark  me. 

Nurfe.  I  will  tell  her,  fir, — that  you  do  proteft  ' ; 
which,  as  I  take  ir,  is  a  gent|eman-likc  pffcn 

Ron\. 

Skein  is  the  Irifh  word  for  a  knife.  Agaip,  in  the  Fatal  ContraB^ 
by  J.  W.  Hemings,  i6s^  : 

*'  How  eafily  Vx\^Jkein  is  (hcathM  in  him.*^ 
A^sin,  in  the  Merry  Davil  of  JEUtmontan^  1626  : 

<«  — with  this  frantic  and  untamed  paffioD^ 
To  whet  their^/Vw." 
Again,  in  Drayton's  Miferies  cf^  Margaret : 

•«  Came  in  the  vau^giiard  with  his  Iriihmen^ 
•*  With  darp  Tin^fkainsP 
Again,  in  Drayton's  Pajy-oibion^  ^ong  4 : 

"  —  ihofe  crooked ^tf/«ri  they  usM  in  wir  tpbear.** 
Again,  in  Warner's ^M/w  ^t^IaTid,  1602,  book  c.  chap.  36  : 
**  And  hidden  Jkehxs  from  underneath  their  forged  garmenti 
drew.'*    Steevens. 
^wift  has  the  word  in  his  defcription  pf  ^n  Irifh  feaft  : 

'  **  A  cubit  at  leaft  the  length  of  their^m«x."    Nichols^ 
»  —  ^'v/c^]    Whether  the  repetition  of  this  word  convey^ 
a;w  idea  peculiarly  comic  to  Sbakcfpeart's  audiencci  \%  not  at  pre- 


ROMEO  AND  JULIET.         ^y 

Rem.  Bid  her  devife  fome  means  to  tome  to  (brift 
This  afternoon ; 

And  there  (he  (ball  at  friar  Laurence'  cell 
Be  (hriv*d,  and  marry'd.    Here  is  for  thy  pains. 

Nurfe.  No,  truly,  fir ;  not  a  penny. 

Rom.  Go  to ;  I  fay,  you  (hall. 

Nurfe.  This  afternoon,  fir  ?  welj,  (he  (hall  be  therq, 

Rom.  And  (lay,  good  nurfe,  behind  the  abby-wall : 
Within  this  hour  my  man  (hall  be  with  thee ; 
And  bring  thee  cords  made  *  like  a  tackled  llair, 
'  Which  to  the  high  top-gallant  of  my  joy 
Muft  be  my  coavoy  in  the  fecret  night, 
Farewel ! — Betrgfty,  and  Fil  quit  thy  pains. 
Farcwel ! — Commend  me  to  thy  miftrefs. 

Nurfe.  Now  God  in  heaven  Wcfs  thee! — Hark 
you,  fin 

Rom.  What  fay'ft  thou,  my  dear  nurfe  ? 

Nurfe.  Is  your  man  fecret?   Did  you  ne'er  hear 
fay — 
Two  may  keep  counfcl,  putting  one  away  ? 

Mom.  I. warrant  thee;  my  man's  as  true  as  fteel. 

Nurfe.  Well,  fir;  my  miftrefs  is  the  fwcetcft  lad\  — 
Lord,  lord! — ^when  'twas  a  little  prating  thing, — 
0,r — there's  a  nobleman  in  town,  one  Paris,  that 

fcpt  to  be  determined.  The  ufc  of  it,  however,  is  ridiculed  in  the 
old  comedy  oF  Sir  Giles  Goolecap^  \  606  : 

•*  There  is  not  the  bed  duke's  fon  in  France  dnres  fay,  Ifvot^fi^ 
till  he  be  one  and  thiny  years  old  at  lealt ;  for  the  iiihcrliance  of 
thai  word  is  not  to  be  poflcfled  before.'*    St  E  e  v  e  n  s . 

*  —  like  a  tackled  ft ahr^'\     Like  flairs  of  rope  in  the  tackle  of  a 

ihil).      JoilNSOM. 

J  —  top-gallant  rfmy  j<iy'\ 
The  top-gallant  is  the  bigheft  extremity  of  the  mafl  of  a  (h'p. 
The  exprcffion  is  common  to  many  writers ;  among  the  reft,  10 
Markham  in  his  Rnglijb  Arcadia^  1607  : 

**  beholding  in  the  high  top-gallant  of  his  ralour.** 

A^ain,  in  EUofio  Lihidwofo^  1606: 

««  ——  that,  vailing  top-gaVant^  (he  returned.  &c.** 

Stekveks, 

would 


7«        ROlViEO  AKt>  JULIEti 

would  ftin  lay  knife  aboard;  but  fhe,  good  fouf/ 
had  as  licve  fee  a  toad,  a  very  toad^  as  fee  him.  I 
anger  her  fometimes,  and  teB  her  that  Paris  is  th^ 

Sroperer  man ;  but,  I'll  warrant  you,  when  I  fay  (b« 
le  looks  as  pale  as  any  clout  in  the  varfol  worlds 
Doth  not  rofemary  and  Romeo  begin  both  with  a 
letter  ? 
4  RofHk  Ay,nurfe;  What  of  that?  both  with  an  R^ 

*  Rom.  ^  Ntofi;  what  rftbtut  hoth  mth  oh  R. 

Nurfe.  Ah^  mocker  I  tha/s  the  do^s  name.  '  R  is  fir  the  no,  / 
know  it  begins  *ivitb  no  otJIjer  letter  i\  I  believe,  I  have  rcdified  this 
odd  ftuff ;  but  it  is  a  little  mortifying  that  the  fenfe,  when  found, 
ihould  not  be  worth  the  puns  of  retrieving  it. 
it  -.  -  •  fpiffis  indigna theatris 
*'  Scripu  pudet  recitare,  6c  nu^s  addere  pondus*** 
The  'Nurje  is  reprefented  as  a  prating  filly  creature ;  (he  fays,  (he 
will  tell  Romeo  a  fi;ood  joke  about  his  mi{lre(s,  and  ailks  him,  whe- 
ther  Rofemary  and  Romeo  do  not  b^;in  both  with  a  letter :  He  fays^ 
Yes,  an  R.  $he,  who,  we  muft  fuppo(€y  could  not  r^,  thought 
he  had  mock'd  her,  and  fays.  No,  fure,  I  know  better :  our  dug*^ 
same  is  R.  yours  be^ns  with  another  letter.  This  is  natural  enough^ 
and  in  chara^er.  R  put  her  in  mind  of  that  found  which  is 
made  by  dogs  when  they  Ihtrl ;  and  theitfore,  I  prefume,  (he  fays, 
that  is  the  do^s  name,  R  in  the  fchools,  being  called  The  dt^i 
Utter.  Ben  Jonfon,  io  his  Engll/b  Grammar^  fays,  R  is  the  doi^$ 
letter^  emdhirreth  in  the  found. 

*'*'  Irritata  cams  quod  R.  R.  qoam  pluriitla  dicat.**    LuciU 

Warburtok. 

Dr.  Wari)urton  reads :-^R.  is  fer  net?    Steev£ks. 

This  pafTage  is  thus  in  the  old  folio.  A  mocker^  thals  the  do£t 
name.  R  is  for  the  no,  /  kntFiij  it  hegins  with  fonu  other  Utter.  In 
tlus  copy  the  error  is  but  fmalL  I  read,  Ab^  mocker^  thafs  the  de^i 
name.  R  is  for  the  nonce,  1  know  it  begins  with  another  Utter.  For 
the  nonce^  is  for  fome  dej^^for  ajfy  trick.    Johns  ok. 

For  the  nonce  is  an  expreffion  common  to  all  the  ancient  writers. 
For -the  nonce  is  for  the  frefent  fnrpefe.  So  Holinftiead,  p.933r 
**— ihe  withdrew  into  a  little  place  made  for  tht  nones^  So 
Phaer,  in  his  tranflation  of  Virgil^  B.  ii.  foeaking  of  Sinon : 

"  That^  the  nonce  had  done  himfelf,  by  yicWing  to  be  took.* 
Again,  one  of  the  ftage-dire6lions  in  A^>honfiis  Emperor  cfGermase^^^ 
feys :  **  They  muft  have  axes  madc^r  the  nonce^  to  fight  withal.** 
Again,  in  M.  Ky(fin*s  tranflation  of  the  Andria  of  Terence,  1 588  r 
«i  -r-doft  thou  think  but  fmall  difference  between  that  one  doth  ia 
good  eameft^  and  tlMt  which  is  done  for  the  nonce  f^    Stee vs  ns. 


ftdMEb  And  JULlEt.        79 

Nurfe.  Ah,  mocker  \  thif  s  the  dog'S  name  '•  ift. 
b  for  the  dog*  No;  I  kno^  it  begins  wJth  fykk 
odier  letter  :  afid  Ae  h&th  the  prettied  fenteMidu3  of 
it,  of  you  imd  rofemUry^  thftt  it  wouid  do  you  good 
to  hear  it. 

Rom.  Commend  me  !o  thy  laidy.  [Exit. 

Nurfe.  Ay,  i  dioufeid  tlnie^.— Pctfcr  f 

Pei.  Anon? 

Nurfe.  Peter,  take  my  fan,  arid  go  before.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE      V. 

CapuUfs  Garden. 

.   Enter  Juliet. 

Jul.  The  clock  ft  ruck  nine,  when  1  did  fend  the 
nurfe ; 
In  half  an  hpur  Ihe  promised  to  return. 
Per(;teince,  Ihc  cannot  meet  him  : — that's  not  fo.-— » 
O,  Ibeislame!  love's  heralds  ^  (hould  be  thoughts^ 
Which  ten  times  fafter  glide  than  the  fun's  beams> 
Driving  back  Ihadows  over  lowring  hilk : 
Therefore  do  ntmble-pinion'd  doves  draw  love^ 
And  themfore  hath  the  wind-fwift  Cupid  wings.     ^ 
Now  is  the  fun  upon  the  highmoft  hiU 
Of  this  day's  journey  j  and  from  nine  'till  twelve 

'  M  mocker!  tbafs  tht  do^s  name.    R  is  fir  the  No^  &c.] 
Ibdieve  we  ihould  read,  R  is  for  the  iiog^  No;  I  kDow  i(  begins 
with  fomc  other  letter.    Tyrwhitt. 
I  have  adODted  this  emendation.    Steevens. 
•  — fieuld  It  thoughts^  &c.]    The  fpeedi  is  thus  continued  in 
the  quarto,  1597: 

— —  fhotild  be  thoughfli. 
And  rim  mote  fwift  than  hady  powder  fir*d, 
Doth  hurry  from  the  fearful  cannon's  mouth. 
Oh,  now  ftie  comes !  Tell  me,  i^ntle  Nurfe, 
What  lays  my  love  ?— • 
The  gttatcfl  part  of^  the  i^ne  is  liluWire  added  fince  that  edition. 

Steev&ks. 

Is 


io         R  p  M  E  O  AND  j  U  L  I  E  f  • 

Is  three  long  hourSi—- yet  flie  is  not  come. 

Had  (he  aflfedions^  and  warm  youthful  bloody 

She'd  be  as  fwifc  in  motion  as  a  ball ; 

My  words  would  bandy  her  to  my  fweet  love^ 

And  his  to  me : 

^ut  old  folks,  many  feign  as  they  were  dead> 

Unwieldy,  flow,  heavy  and  pale  as  lead. 

Enler  Nur/e^  with  Peter. 

O  God,  (he  comes ! — O  honey  nurfe,  what  news  ? 
Haft  thou  met  wicli  him  )  Send  thy  tazA  away. 

Nurfe.  Peter,  ftay  at  the  gate.  [£x//  Petd^i 

Jul.  Now,  go5d  fweet   nurfe> —  O   lord !    why^ 
look'ft  thou  fad? 
Though  news  be  fed,  yet  tell  them  merrily; 
If  gocS,  thou  fliam'ft  the  rttufick  of  iwect  newS 
By  playing  it  to  me  with  fo  four  a  face. 

Nurfe.  I  am  aweaty,  give  me  leave  a  while  ; — 
Fie,  how  my  bones  ache !  What  a  jaunt  have  I  had  I 

Jul.  I  would,  thou  hadft  my  bones,  and  I  thy  news: 
Nay,  come,  I  pray  thee,  fpeak ;— good,  good  nurfe, 
fpcak. 

Niarfe.  What  haftfe  ?  can  you  not  ftay  awhile  ? 
Do  you  hot  feCj  that  I  am  out  of  breath  ? 

Jul.  How  art  thou  out  of  breath,  When  thou  haft 
breath 
To  fay  to  me — that  thou  art  out  of  breath  ? 
The  excufe,  that  thou  doft  make  in  this  delay. 
Is  longer  than  the  tale  thou  doft  excufe. 
Is  thy  news  good,  or  bad  ?  anfwer  to  that ; 
Say  either,  and  Fll  ftay  the  circumftance : 
Let  me  be  fatisfied ;  Is*t  good  or  bad  ? 

Nurfe.  Well,  you  have  made  afimplechoicej  you 
Jcnow  not  how  to  chufc  a  man :  Romeo!  no,  not  he; 
though  his?  face  be  better  than  any  man's,  yet  his  leg 
excels  all  men's ;  and  for  a  hand,  and  a  foot,  am}  a 
body^-^though  they  bq  not  to  be  talk'd  pn,  yet  they 


R  O  M  E  O  AND  J  U  L  I  E  T.        St 

fxt  pad  compare :  He  is  not  the  flower  of  courtefy^ 
buty  I'll  warrant  him,  as  gentle  as  a  lamb*— Qo  thy 
ways,  wench  5  fcrve  God ; — Wlwt,  have  you  din*4  at 
borne  ? 

Jul.  No,  no  :  But  all  this  did  I  know  before  1 
What  fays  he  of  our  marriage  ?  what  ot  that  ? 
Nttr/e.  Lord,  how  my  head  akes!    what  a  bead 
have  I? 
It  beats  as  it  would  fall  in  twenty  pieces. 
My  back  o*  the  other  fide, — O,  my  back,  my  back!-^ 
BeQirew  your  heart,  for  fi^nding  me  about. 
To  catch  my  death  with  jaunting  up  and  down ! 
JuL  Pfeith,  I  am  forry  that  thou  art  not  well: 
Sweet,  fweet,  fwect  nuifc,  tell  me,  what  fays  my 
love? 
Nuffe.  YoOr  love  fays  like  an  honeft  gentleman. 
And  a  courteous,  and  a  kind,  and  a  handfome,  and 
I  warrant,  a  virtuous : — Where  is  your  mother  ? 

JuL  Where  is  my  mother  ? — why,  (he  is  within ; 
Where  fbould  Ihc  be  ?  How  oddly  thou  reply*ft  ? 
Tour  love  fays  like  an  boneft  gentleman^^'''^ 
Where  is  your  mot  her  ? 

Nurfe,  Oi  God*8  lady  dear! 
Are  you  fo  hot  ?  Marry,  come  up,  I  trow  j 
Is  this  the  poultice  for  my  aking  bones  ? 
Henceforward  do  your  meflfages  yourfelf. 
Jul.  Here's  fuch  a  coil ;— Come,  what  fays  Romeo? 
Nurfe.  Have  you  got  leave  to  go  to  Ihrift  to-day  ? 
Jul  I  have. 

Nurfe.  Then  hie  you  hence  to  friar  Laurence'  cell| 
There  days  a  hufband  to  make  you  a  wife? 
Now  comes  the  wanton  blood  up  in  your  cheeks^ 
They'll  be  in  fcarlet  ftraight  at  any  news. 
Hie  yop  to  church ;  I  muft  another  way. 
To  fetch  a  ladder,  by  th?  which  your  lovje 
Muft  climb  a  bird's  neft  foon,  when  it  is  dark  t 
J  am  the  drudge,  and  toil  in  your  delight  ^ 


82         ROMEO  AHt>  JULIET. 

Bat  you  (hall  bear  the  burdeli  foon  at  night. 
Go,  rU  to  dinner;  hie  you  to  the  celL 
Jul.  V&t  to  high  fortune! — hontft  nurfe^  fareweL 

SCENE      VL 

Friar  Laurences  ctlL 

Enter  Friar  Lamrence^  and  Raiktb  7. 

Friar.  So  fmile  the  heavens  upon  this  holy  ad:, . 
That  after-hours  with  forrow  chide  us  not  I 

Rmn. 

^  This  (cene  was  entirely  new  formed:  the  reader  may  be 
pleafed  to  have  it  at  it  was  at  firft  written : 

Rmtt.  Now,  father  Laurence,  in  thj  holy  grant 

Confifts  the  good  of  me  and  Juliet. 
Friar.  Without  more  words.  I  will  do  all  I  vaxf 

To  make  you  happy,  if  in  me  it  lie. 
R$nu  This  morning  aere  (he  'pointed  we  (hould  meet. 

And  coniummate  thoie  never-parting  bands, 

Witneis  of  our  hearts'  love,  by  joimng  hands ; 

And  come  (he  will. 
Trior.  I  gueis  (he  will  indeed : 

Youth^  love  is  ^ uick,  fwifter  than  fwifteft  (peed. 

EnUr  yuUet  Jkmewbat  fq/i^  and  embracetb  Romto. 

Set  where  (he  comes  !— 

So  light  a  foot  ne'er  hurts  the  trodden  flower; 

Of  love  and  joy,  fee,  (ce  the  fovercign  power ! 
Jul.  Romeo! 
Rom.  My  Juliet,  welcome !    As  do  waking  eyes 

(Qos'd  in  night's  mi(H)  attend  the  fix)lick  day. 

So  Romeo  luth  ezpedcd  Juliet ; 

And  thou  art  come. 
Jul  I  am  (if  I  be  day) 

Come  to  my  fun ;  (bine  forth,  and  make  me  fair* 
Rom.  All  beauteous  faimefs  dwelleth  in  thine  ejres. 
JmI.  Romeo,  firom  thine  all  brightnefs  doth  arife. 
Friar,  X3ome,  wantons,  come,  the  Healing  houn  do  pais  | 

Defer  embracements  to  fome  fitter  times 

?9ft 


ROMEb  AND  JULIET.         8} 

Rom.  Amelia  amen !  but  come  what  forrow  can. 
It  cannot  countervail  the  exchange  of  joy 
That  one  ftiort  minute  gives  me  in  her  fight : 
Do  thou  but  clofe  our  hands  with  holy  words. 
Then  love- devouring  death  do  what  he  dare. 
It  is  enough  I  may  but  call  her  mine. 

Friar.  Thefe  violent  delights  have  violent  ends. 
And  in  their  triumph,  die ;  like  fire  and  powder. 
Which,  as  they  kifs,  confume :  The  fweeteft  honey 
Is  loathfome  in  >his  own  delicioufnefs. 
And  in  the  tafte  confounds  the  apprtite : 
Therefore,  love  moderately  j  long  love  doth  fo  ^ 
•  Too  fwift  arrives  as  tardy  as  too  flow. 

Enfer  Juliet. 

^  Here  comes  the  lady : — O,  fo  light  a  foot 
Will  ne'er  wear  out  the  everlafting  flint : 
A  lover  may  beftride  the  goflamour  < 

Part  for  a  time,  **  you  ftiall  not  be  alone, 
**  Till  holy  church  hath  joinM  you  both  in  one." 
Xom.  Lead,  holy  father,  all  delay  feems  lone : 
Jul.  Make  hade,  make  lialle,  this  UngVing  doth  us  wrong. 
Friar.  O,  foft  and  fair  makes  fwcetelt  work  they  fay ; 

Hade  is  a  common  hind'rer  in  crofs-way.  [Exeten^, 

Steevens, 

•  Too/i^tfi  arrives]  He  that  travels  too  fad  is  as  long  bcrbre  he 
comes  to  the  end  of  his  journey,  as  he  that  travels  flow.  Precipi- 
tation produces  midiap.    Johnson. 

•  liert  comes  the  iaJy^  ice.}  However  the  poet  might  think  the 
alteration  of  this  fccnc  on  the  whole  to  be  necedary,  I  am  afr:ud, 
in  refpe*^  of  the  paflage  before  us,  he  has  not  been  very  fuccefsful. 
The  violent  hyperbok  of  ttever  wearing  out  the  everlafiingjihu  ap- 
pears to  me  not  only  more  rejprehendble,  but  even  lefs  beautitul 
than  the  lines  as  they  were  originally  written,  where  the  lightnris 
of  Juliet's  motion  is  accountol  for  from  the  cheerful  eifc^a  tb.e 
pamon  of  love  produced  in  her  mind*  •  Steevens. 

'  A  loner  may  beftride  the  goflamour.]  The  Goffamer  is  tlic 
long  white  filament  which  flies  in  the  air  io  fummer.  So»  in 
i^Afuiihai  and  Scipia^  1 63 7,  by  Kahhes : 

**  Fine  as  Aracbne's  web,  or  gojjamerj^ 

«*  Whofc  curls  when  garni(h'd  by  their  <lre(!mg,  fliew 

**  Like  that  fpun  vapour  when  'tis  pea^d  with  dew  ?** 

;         Steevevs. 

G  a  Tha^ 


«4         ROMEO  AND  JULIET, 

That  idles  in  the  wanton  fummer  air^ 
And  yet  not  fall ;  fo  light  is  vanity. 
Jul.  Good  even  to  my  ghoftly  confcflbr. 
Friar.  Romeo  (hall  thank  thee,  daughter,  forus  both. 
Jul.  As  much  to  him,  el(e  are  his  thanks  too  much* 
Rom.  Ah,  Juliet,  if  the  meafure  of  thy  joy 
Be  heaped  like  mine,  and  that  thy  (kill  be  more 
To  blazon  it,  then  fweeten  with  thy  breath 
This  neighbour  air,  and  let  rich  mufick's  tongue 
Unfold  the  imagined  happinefs  that  both 
Receive  in  either  by  this  dear  encounter. 

JuL  Conceit,  more  rich  in  matter  than  in  words. 
Brags  of  his  fubftance,  not  of  ornament : 
They  arc  but  beggars  that  can  count  their  worth; 
But  my  true  love  is  grown  to  fuch  excefs, 
I  cannorfum  up  haltmy  fum  of  wealth  *• 

Friar.  Come,  come  with  mc,  and  we  will  make 
Ihort  work  \ 
For,  by  your  leaves,  you  fliall  not  day  alone, 
'Till  holy  church  incorporate  two  in  one,      [^Exeunt. 


ACT     III.        S  C  E  N  E     L 

A  s  r  R  E  E  r. 

Enter  Mermtio,  Benvolio^  Fage^  and  Servants. 

Ben.  I  pray  thee,  good  Mercutio,  let's  retire  j 
3  The  day  is  hot,  the  Capulets  abroad, 

.  •  I  cannot  fum  up  halfrrry  fum  of  wealth.']     The  old  copies  re$d  : 

I  cannot  lum  up  fum  of  ha^  my  wealth, 
and, 

I  cannot  Aim  \y^  fame  of  half  my  wealth.       Steevens, 
*  ^e  (Lrf  is  doty]     It  is  obferved,  that  in  Italy  alraoft  all  aflk^ 
finutioas  are  comuutted during  the  heat  of  fummer.    Johnson. 

And, 


ROMEO  AND  JULIET.         «5 

^od^  if  we  meet,  we  (hall  not  Ycape  a  brawl ; 
For  now,  thcfe  hot  days,  is  the  mad  blood  ftirring. 

Mer.  Thou  art  like  one  of  thofc  fellows,  that,  when 
Be  enters  the  confines  of  a  tavern,  claps  mc  his  fword 
upon  the  table,  and  fays,  God  fend  me  no  need  of  thee  \ 
and,  by  the  operation  of  the  fecond  cup,  draws  it  on 
the  drawer,  when,  indeed,  there  is  no  need. 

Ben.  Am  I  like  fuch  a  fellow  ? 

Mer.  Come,  come,  thou  art  as  hot  a  Jack  in  thy 
fnood  as  any  in  Italy;  and  as  foon  movM  to  be 
moody,  and  as  foon  moody  to  b(:  mov'd. 

Ben.  And  what  too  ? 

Mer.  Nay,  an  there  were  two  fuch,  we  fhould  have 
none  Ihortly,  for  one  would  kill  the  other.  Thou ! 
why  thoii  wilt  quarrel  with  a  man  that  hath  a  hair 
more,  or  a  hair  lefs,  in  his  beard,  than  thou  haft. 
Thou  wilt  quarrel  with  a  man  for  cracking  nuts, 
having  no  other  reafon  but  becaufe  thou  haft  hazel 
eyes;  What  eye,  but  fuch  an  eye,  would  fpy  out  fuch 
a  quarrel  ?  Thy  head  is  as  full  of  quarrels,  as  an  egg 
is  tuU  of  meat ;  and  yet  thy  head  hath  been  beaten  as 
addle  as  an  egg,  for  quarrelling.  Thou  haft  quarrellM 
with  a  man  tor  coughing  in  the  ftreet,  becaufe  he  bath 
waken'd  thy  dog  that  hath  lain  afleep  in  the  fun. 
Pidft  thou  not  fal}  out  with  a  taylor  for  wearing  his 
new  doublet  before  Eafter  ?  with  another,  for  tying 
his  new  (hoes  with  old  ribband  ?  and  yet  thou  wilt 
tutor  me  for  quarrelling  ! 

4  Ben.  An  I  were  fo  apt  to  quarrel  as  thou  art,  any 
man  fliould  buy  the  fec-fimple  of  my  life  for  an  hour 
^d  a  quarter. 

Mer.  The  fce-fimple  ?  O  fimple  ! 

f  Thefe  two  fpccches  have  been  added  fince  the  firft  quarto, 
together  with  feme  tew  circunillanv.es  in  the  reli  of  the  tcenc,  as 
WcU  at  in  the  enfuing  one.    Steevens. 

G  3  Era 


H        ROMEO  AKD  JULIET. 

Enter  Tyhalty  and  others. 

Ben.  By  my  head,  here  come  the  Capulets. 

Mer.  By  my  heel,  I  care  not. 

^yb.  Follow  me  dofe,  for  I  will  fpeak  to  them,—* 
Gentlemen,  good  den  :  a  word  with  one  of  you. 

Mer.  And  but  one  word  with  one  of  us  ?  Couple 
it  with  fomething ;  make  it  a  word  and  a  blow. 

Tyb.  You  (hall  find  me  apt  enough  to  that,  fir,  if 
you  will  give  me  occafion. 

Mer.  Could  you  not  take  fome  occafion  without 
giving  ? 

Tyb.  Mcrcutio,  thou  confort'ft  with  Romeo^ — 

Mer.  ConfortI  what,  doft  thou  make  us  minftreis? 
,an  thou  make  minftreis  of  us,  look  to  hear  nothing 
but  difcords  :  here's  my  fiddlcftick ;  here's  that  ftiaU 
make  you  dance.    'Zounds,  confort  1 

Ben.  We  talk  here  in  the  publick  haunt  of  men ; 
Either  withdraw  into  fome  private  place. 
Or  reafon  coldly  of  your  grievances. 
Or  elfe  depart ;  here  all  eyes  gaze  on  us. 

Mer.  Men's  eyes  were  made  to  look,  and  let  tbem 
gaze-,  . 
I  will  not  budge  for  no  man's  pleafure,  h 

Enter  Romeo. 

Ifyb.  Well,  peace  be  with  you,  fir !   here  comes 
my  man. 

Mer.  But  111  be  hang'd,  fir,  if  he  wear  your  livery; 
Marry,  go  firft  to  field,  he'll  be  your  follower ; 
Your  worfiiip,  in  that  fcnfe,  may  call  him — man. 

Tyb.  Romeo,  the  hate  I  bear  thee,  can  aflTord 
No  better  term  than  this — Thou  art  a  villain. 

Rom.  Tybalt,  the  reafon  that  I  have  to  lovC  thcc 
Doth  much  excufe  the  appertaining  rage 

To 


ROMEO  AVD  JULIET,         Sjr 

To  fuch  a  grcetiog : — ^Villain  I  am  none ; 
Therefore  Jarewel ;  I  fee,  thpu  know'ft  me  not. 

Tyi.  Boy,  this  fhall  not  e^cufe  the  injuries 
Tb^  tbou  haft  done  me;  therefore  turn,  and  draw. 

Rom.  I  (Jo  proteft,  I  never  injured  thee; 
But  love  jchee  better  than  thou  canft  devife, 
'TiU  thou  (halt  know  the  reafon  of  my  love : 
An4  fO)  good  Capulet, — y/htch  name. I  tender 
As  dearly  as  my  own, — be  fatisfied. 

Mer,  O  Ciflftij  difl^onourable,  vile  (ubmif&on ! 
«  Ahftoccata  carries  it  awav. — 
Tybalt,  you  rat-catcher,  will  you  walk  ? 

Tyk.  What  vouldft  thou  have  with  me  ? 

Mer.  Good  king  of  cats,  nothing,  but  one  of  your 
niiK  live^ ;  th^  I  m^ao  to  make  bold  withal,  and,  ^ 
you  fcaU  ufe  me  hereafter,  dry-beat  the  reft  of  the 
ei^^  ^  Will  you  pluck  your  fword  out  of  his  pil* 
cber  by  the  ears  ?  make  bafte,  left  mine  be  about 
vQur  ears  ere  it  be  out« 

Tyb.  I  am  for  yoq,  ^Drawing. 

'  A  lajloccata-^    Stoccata  is  the  Italian  term  &r  a  thniil  or 
'^  with  a  ra|H€r.    So,  ip  xfae  DmnPs  Charter^  1607  x 
**  He  makes  a  thruft;  I  with  a  fwifc  pdTado 
^*  Make  quick  avoidance,  and  with  this  Jioccaia^  ZccJ* 

Stbeveks. 
^  Will yom  pimck  your  fin^rd  mt  tf  bis  PILOHBR  ^  the  earsT} 
We  (houkl  tesid  pUcbe^  which  figoHiet  a  doke  or  coat  of  ikins, 
meaning  the  {caboard.    Wakburton. 

The  old  quarto  xfsA^fcMard.  Dr.  Warburton*s  explanation 
11, 1  bdleye,  jufl.  Na(h,  in  Fierce  Fennylefs  his  Supplication^  i^9S» 
fpeaks  of  a  carman  in  a  leather /£ilri^  Again,  in  Decktf^s  Satiro* 
mafiix: 

**  :ni  beat  five  pounds  out  of  his  lea^tr pikhJ^ 
Again, 

^^  Thou  ha(l  foi^ot  how  thou  ambled'fl  in  .a  leather //£-^,  by  a  . 
play- waggon  in  the  highway,  and  took'll  mad  Jeronimo*s  part,  to 
get  fervioe  among  the  mimics.'* 

It  appears  from  this  paliage,  that  ^m  J^m^  a£ied  the  part  of 
Hierauimo  in  the  Spaniih  tragedv,  the  fpeech  being  addrmxi  to 
Horace^  under  wtuch  cfaaraAer  olid  Ben  is  ridiculed.    Stbe  v£n«. 

G  ±  R 


H         ROMEO   AJlD  JULIEt. 

Rom.  Gentle  Mercutio,  put  thy  rapier  up. 

Mer.  Come,  fir,  your  paflado.  [XbeyfighL 

Rom.  Draw,  BenvoKo ; 
Beat    own  their  weapons  t — Gentlemen,  for  (hame 
Forbear  this  outrage  j — Tybalt— Merciltk)— * 
The  prince  cxprefsly  hath  forbid  this  bandying 
In  Verona  (Ircets  : — hold,  I'ybaltj — good  Mercurio* 

[ExUTybalk 

Mer.  1  am  burt } —  -         .   ^ 

A  plagtie  o*  both  the  houfes! — I  am  fped  :— 
Is  he  gone,  and  hath  nothing  ? 

Bm.  What,  art  thou  hdrt  ? 

Mer.  Ay,' ay,  a  fcraich,  a  fcratchj    i^iarry,  *tis 
enough.-*  • 

Where  is  my  page  ?— go,  villaiti,  fetch  a  furgeon. 

'  [^Exit  Page^ 

Rom.  Courage,  tnan ;  the  hurt  cannot  bd  much.  * 

Mei^.  No,  Ms  not  fo  tteep  as  a  well,  nor  To  wide  as 
ft  cfhurch  door ;  but  'tb  enough,  'twill  ferve:  aflc  foir 
the  to-morrow,  and. you  fliall  find  me  7  a  grave  man* 
I  ana  pepper'd,  I  warrant,  for  this  world : — A  plaguct 

^  -—  tf  grtve  m0m.']  After  tfaif,  the  ^uaxto  1 597  coatinuet  Mer* 
cutio*8  fpccch  at  follows^  •  . 

ju—  ^  pox  o'  both  your  houfes !  I  (hall  be  fairly 
tnoUnted  uprn  four  men's  flioulders  for  your  houfe  of  the 
Montague's  and  the  Capulets':  and  then  fome  peafjhitly 
rogiie,  ibnae  feztont  forae  bafe  flave,  (hall  write  my  epitaph, 
that  Tybalt  came  and  broke  the  prince^  laws,  and  Mor* 
cutio  was  flain  for  the  fiiil  and  fecoad  cau(e.  Where'e 
the  furgeon  ? 
Bey.  He's  come,  fin 

Mer,  Now  he'll  keep  a  mumbling  in  my  guts  on  the  other 

fide.-*—  Come,  Eenvdlio,  Icna  me  thy  hand ;    A  pox  o* 

both  your  houfes !     Steevens. 

«*  You  will  li'^d  me  a  granje  man!*    This  jeft  wHs  better  in  old 

languagCt  than  it  is  «t  prcfem  y   Lidgate  fays,  in  his  elegy  upon 

Chaucer: 

**  My  mafter  C^^wwrfcow/j^tft^f."    pAkMBR. 
I  meet  wirh  the  fame  quibble  in  the  Revenger's  Trof^t^t  1608, 
where  Findici  d reflet  up  a  lady's  fcull^  and  obfcrves  : 

**«*-ihehasaibniewhatjYvnvlookwithhcr.''   Steetens. 


ROMEO  AND  JULIET.         83 

jD?  both  your  houfesl— -What !  a  dog,  a  rat,  a  moufe, 
a  cat,  to  fcratch  a  man  to  death !  a  braggart,  a 
rogue,  a  villain,  that  fights  by  the  book  of  arithme- 
tick ! — Why,  the  devil,  came  you  between  us?  I  ways 
hurt  under  your  arm, 

Rom*  I  thought  all  for  the  bed. 

Mer.  Help  me  into  fome  houfe,  Benvolio, 
Or  I  fhall  faint. — A  plague  o*  both  your  houfcs! 
They  have  made  worm'?  meat  of  me : 
I  have  it,  and  fopndly  too : — Your  houfcs ! 

[Exeunt  Mercutioy  and  BetwoKom 

Rom.  This  gentleman,  the  prince's  near  ally. 
My  very  friend,  hath  got  his^  mortal  hurt 
In  my  behalf;  my  reputation  ftainM 
With  Tybalt's  flander,  Tybalt,  that  an  hour 
Hath  been  my  kinfman :— O  fwect  Juliet, 
Thy  beauty  hath  made  me  cflfeminate. 
And  in  my  temper  foften*d  valour's  fteeL 

Re-enter  Benvolio. 

Ben.  O  Romeo,  Romeo,  brave  Mcrcutio's  dead  j 
That  gallant  fpirit  hath  afpir'd  the  clouds  %  ^ 
li/Vhich  too  untimpiy  here  did  fcorn  the  earth. 

Rom.  9  Th^s  day's  black  fate  on  more  days  doth 
depend ; 
This  but  begins  the  woe,  others  muft  end. 

Re-enter  Tybalt. 
Ben.  Here  comes  the  furious  Tybalt  back  again. 

?  -^ath  afjnrfd  tbf  fMf-}    5p,  in  Greene's  Cani  of  Fait^^ 
1608: 

•*  Her  haughty  mind  is  too  lofty  for  mc  to  a/pire.**  f 

We  never  ufe  this  verb  at  prefent  without  fome  particle^  as,  to  and 
4fier.    Steevens.' 

^  This  iiay*s  black  fate  en  more  ^s  ioti  dtfefui;'^    This  day's 
Vnhappy  dcftiny  inugs  ever  the  days  ypt  to  come.     There  will  yet 
lie  more  xniichief.    Johnson* 
^•'^  '  Rom. 


90        ROMEO  AND  JULIET. 

Rm.  Alive !  in  triumpfa  !  and  Mercntio  (lidot 
Awty  to  heaven,  refpcftivc  lenity, 
And  firc-cy*d  fury  be  njy  conduflb  now  I—' 
Now,  Tylndc,  take  the  villain  back  again. 
That  late  thou  gav'ft  me ;  for  Merciipo's  £cm4 
Is  but  a  little  way  above  our  heads* 
Staying  for  thine  to  keep  him  company ; 
Or  thou,  or  I,  or  both,  ^all  foliow  him. 

Tyif.  Thou,  wKtchcd  boy,  that  didft  con&rt  hiiQ 
here, 
£halt  with  him  hence. 

it^ivf.  This  fliall  determine  that. 

{They  fight,  ryhdtfdli. 

Ben.  Romeo,  away,  be  gone ! 
The  citizens  are  up,  and  Tybdt  flain  :  — 
Stand  not  ^tmaz'd :— the  prince  will  doom  dice  AmA^ 
If  Aou  art  taken  -.—hence ! — be  gone  I— awty ! 

Rom.  »  O  n  am  fortune's  fool  i 

Ben.  Why  doft  thou  ftay  f  {Exit  Romi§^ 

Enter  Citizens,  6?r. 

Cit.  Which  way  ran  he,  thatkiird  Mercutio? 
Tybalt,  that  murderer,  which  way  ran4>ef 

£en.  There  lies  that  Tybalt. 

Cit.  Up,  fir,  go  with  me ; 
I  charge  thee  in  the  prince's  juimc,  obey. 

Enter  Prince,  Montague,  Capukt,  their  fTtves,  t^c. 

Rrin.  Where  are  the  vile  beginners  of  this  iray  ? 
Ben.  O  noble  prince,  I  can  dilcover  all 
The  unlucky  manage  of  this  fatal  brawl : 

*  Of  J  am  forfun/j  fool/]  'I  am  always  runtimgin  the  way 
of  evil  fortune,  Irke  the  fool  in  the  play.  TiM>u  art  Jeatb^s  fiot,  ia 
Jdeafure  for  Mifure.    See  Dr.  Warburton*s  note,    Johnson. 

In  the  firft  copy,  -Oil  am  firtunfs  Jlave.    St£E vens. 

TJicrc 


ROMEO  AND  JULIETt        91 

There  lies  the  man,  flain  by  young  RomeOt 

That  flew  thy  kinfman,  brave  Mercutio. 

La.  Cap^  Tybalt,  my  coufia! O  my  brother*^ 

chUd ! 

O  prince  I — O  hufband! — O,  the  blood  is  fpilPd 

Of  my  dear  kinfman ! — Prince,  *  as  thou  art  truCj^ 

For  blood  of  ours,  Ihcd  blood  of  Montague. — 

O  coudn^  coufm  1 

Prin.  Beqvolio,  who  began  this  bloody  fray  ? 
^en.  Tybalt,  here  Ilain,  whom  Romeo's  hand  did 
flay; 

Romeo  that  fpoke  him  fair,  bid  him  bethink 

'  How  ,«ice  the  quarrel  was,  *  and  urg'd  withal 

Your  high  difpleafure :  all  this — uttered 

With  gentle  breath,<:alm  look ,knees  humbly  bow'd,-^ 

Could  not  take  truce  with  tTic  unruly  fpleen 

Of  Tybalt  deaf  to  peace,  but  that  he  tilts 

With  piercing  (teel  at  bold  Mercutio's  breaft  ; 

Who,  all  as  hot,  turns  deadly  point  to  point. 

And,  with  a  martial  fcom,  with  one  hand  beats 

Cold  death  alide^  and  with  the  other  fends 

It  back  to  Tybalt,  whofe  dexterity 

Retorts  it :.  Remeo  he  cries  aloud, 

Hold^  fritnds  /  frieTHlSf  faftl   and,  fwifter  than  his 

tongue. 
His  agile  arm  beats  down  their  fatal  points. 
And  *twixt  them  ru(hes ;  underneath  whofe  arm 
hxL  envious  thruft  from  Tybalt  hit  the  life 
Of  ftout  Mercutio,  and  then  Tybalt  fled  : 
But  by  and  by  comes  back  to  Romeo, 
Who  had  but  newly  enteruin'd  revenge, 

•  ^^  as  thou  art  true^    As  thou  2xt  juft  and  upright.    Johnson. 

•  How  nice  tht  mtarrel — ]  How  Jlight,  how  unimportant^  how 
ftttif^    So  in  the  la&  ad, 

The  letter  was  not  nice^  but  full  of  charge 
Of  dear  import.    Johnson, 

•  '"^andur^d^xHtbalr^  The  reft  of  this  (peech  was  new  writ- 
ten by  the  pocc,  as  well  as  a  .part  of  what  loliuws  in  the  fame 
ftone«    St££V£ns. 

And 


g%        ROMEO  AND  JULIET. 

And  to't  they  go  like  lightning ;  for,  ere  I 
Could  draw  to  part  them^  was  (lout  Tybalt  flain  ; 
And,  as  he  fell,  did  Romeo  turn  and  fly : 
'  This  is  the  truth,  or  let  Benvolio  die* 

La.  Cap.  He  is  a  kinfman  to  the  Montague, 
«  AfFcftion  makes  him'falfe,  he  fpeaks  not  true: 
Some  twenty  of  them  fought  in  this  black  {^rife. 
And  all  thofe  twenty  could  but  kill  one  life : 
I  beg  for  juftice,  which  thou,  prince,  muft  ^vc^ 
komeo  flew  Tybalt^  Romeo  muft'^not  live,  • 

Pf/Vr.  Romep  flew  him,  he  flew  Mercutio; 
Who  now  the  price  of  his  dear  blood  doth  owe  ? 

La.  Mont,  Not  Romeo,  prince,  he  was  M^rcutio'^ 
friend ; 
His  fault  concludes  but,  what  the  law  fliould  end. 
The  life  of  Tybalt. 

Prin.  And,  for  that  offence, 
Immediately  we  do  exile  him  hence : 
^  I  have  an  intereft  in  your  hates'  proceeding, 
My  blood  for  your  rude  brawls  doth  lie  a  bleeding  | 
But  I'll  amerce  you  with  fo  ftrong  a  fine, 

'  AffcBion  mahi  him  falfe,]  The  charge  of  falfhood  on  Benvolio, 
though  produced  at  hazard,  is  very  juft.  The  author,  who  feeois 
to  intend  the  chara£ker  of  Benvolio  as  good,  meant  perhaps  to 
fhew,  how  the  beft  minds,  in  a  ilate  of  Tadion  and  dilcord,  are 
derorted  to  criminal  partiality.     Johnson. 

*  1  have  an  interefi  in  Jour  hearts*  proceeding^"]  Sir  Thomaa 
Hanmer  faw  that  this  line  gave  no  fenfe,  and  therefore  put,  \>y  ^ 
very  eafy  change, 

I  have  an  intereft  in  your  heats  proceeding : 
which  is  undoubtedly   better  than   the  old  reading  which  Dr« 
Warburton  has  followed;  but  the  fenfe  yet  (eems  to  be  weak,  and 
perhaps  a  more  licentious  correlation  is  neceflary,    I  read  there* 
lore, 

I  Lad  no  intereft  in  your  heats  pr^^ing. 
This,  fays  rhe    prince,  is  no  quarrel  of  mine,  I  bad  no  intereft 
in  your  firmer  dijcord ;    I   fuffer  merely    by    your    private    aui* 
roofity.     Johnson. 

The  quarto,  1597,  reads  hates'  proceeding.  This  reitders  afl 
emendation  unnocciiary.    I  hav^  followed  it.    SxEEVENf. 

That 


R  O  M  E  O  ANi>  j  U  L  I  E  T.        $i 

That  you  fhali  all  repent  the  lofs  of  mine : 
I  will  be  deaf  to  pleading  and  excufes ; 
Nor  tears,  nor  prayers^  uiall  purchafe  out  abuies  % 
Therefore  ufe  none :  let  Romeo  hence  in  hafte^ 
Elfe^  when  he's  founds  that  hour  is  his  laft« 
Bear  hence  this  body,  and  attend  our  will : 
Mercy  but  murders^  pardoning  thofe  that  kill  K 

[Exeunt^ 

S    C    E    N    E      II. 

jln  apartment  in  CapuUfs  boufo. 

Enter  Juliet. 

Jul.  Gallop  apace>  you  fiery-footed  fteeds. 
Towards  '  Phoebus'  manfion ;  fuch  a  waggoner 
As  Phaeton  would  whip  you  to  the  weft. 
And  bring  in  cloudy  night  immediately  ■•— — 
'  Spread  thy  clofe  curtain^  love-performing  .night ! 

That 

^  Nor  tears  nor  pra^s^  Jball  fmrchafe  out  abufe5\\  This  was 
probably  defigned  as  a  ftrokc  at  the  church  of  Rome,  by  which  the 
different  prices  of  murder,  inoeft,  and  all  other  crimes,  were 
RUQutely  fettled,  and  as  (hamelefsly  received.     St  e e  v  e  n s • 

*  Merty  hut  murders^  pardoning  thofe  that  kill.]  So,  in  Hale's 
Memorials :  •♦  When  I  find  myfclf  fwaycd  to  mercy,  let  me  re- 
member likewife  that  there  is  a  mercy  due  to  the  countr)  .**  Ma  lone. 

?  "^Phahus*  manjum;]  The  i'econd  quarto  and  folio  read, 
lodging.     Stee^vens. 

*  '^immediately,']  Here  ends  this  fpcech  in  the  eldeft  quarto. 
The  rctt  of  the  fcene  has  likewife  received  confiderablc  alterations 
aod  additions.    Steetens. 

'  Spread  thy  clofe  curtain^  lovC'ferforminz  nighty 
fifat  run-away*s  eyes  may  ivini;]     What  run-aways  are  theft, 
wbofe  eyes  Juliet  is  wilhing  to  have  ftopt?     Macl)eth,  we  may 
xtmciobery  makes  an  invocation  to  night  much  in  the  fame  ilrain'; 
**  ■  ■  ■■  Come,  feeling  night, 
**  Scarf  up  the  tender  ey^  of  pitiful  a^,"  &:c. 
Sf>  Juliet  would  have  night's  darkuefs  obfcure  the  great  eye  of  the 
day,  the  Jun ;  whom  coniidering  in  a  poetical  light  as  Pha:lus^ 
drawQ  la  his  car  with  fiery-fooua  fteeds,  and  pojling  through  the 
2  heavens. 


94        ROMEO  Ano  JULIET. 

That  run-away*s  eyes  may  wink ;  and  Romeo 
Leap  to  thefe  arms^  untalk'd  of,  and  unicen  l*^ 
Lovers  can  fee  to  do  their  amorous  rites 
By  their  own  beauties :  or,  if  k>ve  be  blind. 
It  beft  agrees  with  night. — '  Come,  civil  iiigkt^ 
Thou  fober-fuited  matron,  all  in  black. 
And  learn  me  how  to  lofe  a  winning  match, 
Play*d  for  a  pair  of  ftainlefs  maidenhoods : 
Hood  my  4  unmanned  blood  bating  in  my  cheeks. 

With 

heavens,  (he  v^  properly  calls  him,  with  rq;arcl  to  the  fwiftnefs  of 
his  courie,  the  nm-away*  In  the  like  manner  our  poet  {peaks  of 
the  night  in  the  Merchant  rf  Vemct: 

•*  For  the  clofe  night  doth  play  the  run-avjoy^  Wa » burton, 

I  am  not  fatbfied  with  this  explanation!  yet  have  nothing  better 
to  propofe.    Johnson. 

The  conflrudion  of  this  pafige^  however  elliptical  or  prrvc;^  i 
believe  to  be  as  follows : 

May  that  run-teuoq/s  eye^  *mink  t 

Or,  ^hat  ruH'ieak^s  eyes^  may  (tbcy)  tmnkf 

Thefe  ellipfes  are  frequent  in  Spenfo ;  and  ih^t  for  0h!  itat  Is 
not  4incommon,  as  Dr.  Farmer  obferves  in  a  note  on  the  iirft 
fcene  of  the  Winter* s  Tale,   So,  in  Jntony  ami  Cleopatra^  AiSt  3.  Sc.  6* 

That  ever  I  fhould  call  thee  caft-away  ! 
Juliet  firff  wilhes  for  the  abfence  of  the  fun,  and  then  invokes  the 
iHg^t  to  fpread  its  curtain  clofe  around  the  world : 

Spread  thy  clofe  curtain,  lovc-per&rming  night ! 
naa^  reoolleding  that  the  night  would  feem  (hort  to  her,  fhefpcaks 
of  it  as  of  a  run-away^  whofe  flight  ihe  would  wiih  to' retard,  and 
whole  eyes  (he  would  blind  lefl  they  ihould  make  difcoveries.   'The 
£K'  ff^ght  are  the  flars,  fo  called  in  the  Mi^ummer  NighCs  Dream. 
Dr.  Warburton  has  already  proved  that  Sbakefpeare  terms  the  night 
a  ruMHPUjery  in  the  Merchant  tf  Venice:  and  in  the  Fair  Maid  eftbt 
Excbangey  1607,  i^  ^  fpoken  of  under  the  fame  character : 
"  The  night  hath  play*d  the  fwifi-foot  run-away!* 
Romeo  was  not  ezpedted  by  Juliet  ViU  the  fun  was  gone,  and 
therefore  it  was  of  no  conleiqaence  to  her  that  an^  ey^  ihould 
wink  but  thofe  of  the  night ;  for,  as  Ben  Jonfon  &ys  in  Sejanfu  : 
**  — night  hath  manyeyes^ 

"  Whereof,  tho'  moll  do  fleep, yet  Ibme  are  fpies."  SrEEVEris. 

'  CUmef  dvil  nighty  ]     Cwil  is  grave^  decently  Jokmn.    Jp  h  N  s  o N. 

4  .»  unmanned  blood — ]    Bluod  yet  unacquainted  with  man. 

JORNSOM** 

Hood  my  unmanned  hlood  bating  in  my  cbeeh^l    Thefe  are  terms 

of  ialconry.    An  tmmanned  hawk  is  one  that  is  doc  brought  to 

7  eiiduie 


ROMEO  AND  JULIET*         55 

"With  thy  black  mantle  i  'till  ftrange  love^  grown  bold» 

Thinks  true  love  aded^  fimple  modefty. 

Come,  night ! — Come,  Romeo !  come,  thou  day  in 

night ! 
For  thou  wilt  lie  upon  the  wings  of  night 
Whiter  than  new  fnow  on  a  raven's  back.^— 
Come,  gentle  night;    come,  loving,  black-brow'd 

night. 
Give  me  my  Romeo :  and,  when  he  fliall  die. 
Take  him  and  cur  him  out  in  little  ftars  5, 
And  he  will  make  the  face  of  heaven  fo  fine. 
That  all  the  world  fliall  be  in  love  with  night. 
And  pay  no  worihip  to  the  ^  garifli  fun.— • 

«idure  company.  Sathg  (not  hatting^  ag  it  has  hitherto  beea 
printed)  is  fluttering  with  the  wingi  as  firiying  to  flj  away.  So, 
IB  Ben  Jonfon's  Sad  Sh^berd  t 

^  A  hawk  yet  naif  fb  haggard  and  wtmamid!* 
Again,  in  the  Boikt  if  Haufywg^  &c.  bh  1.  no  date :  *^  It  is  called 
hMig^foxhthatitb  with  her^ltc  moft  often  caufelelie.''  Steeyens. 
>  Ttfi*  bimattiicut  him  into  Jittleflarsy  &c,]  The  fame  childi(h 
duNight  occurs  in  The  Wlfdom  rf  DoHtfr  Do^ffoll^  which  was  a^d 
before  the  year  1596: 

*^  The  g^orioQs  parts  of  ikire  LuctHa, 
**  Take  them  and  joine  them  in  the  heavenly  fpheres  ; 
'*  And  fixe  them  there  as  an  eternal  light, 
*•  For  loven  to  adore  and  wonder  at,  Stfii^  yek s. 

^  —  the  garifli  /uh.]    Milton  had  this  fpeecb  in  his  thoughts 
when  he  wrote  BPenfirofi: 
**  — —  Cw/Vni^ht, 

**  Thou  fober-fuiced  matron.** — Shakefpemre. 
«*  Ti\kcMl''fiHedtaam9pigeaxr'^Milt9n. 
•*  Pay  no  worfhip  to  \\xtgari/b  fun.** — Sfjok^fean^ 
«*  Hide  me  from  day's  gtni/b  eye/* — MlkoM.       Johnson* 
Garijb  is  gaudy,  ibowy.    So,  in  Richard  III : 
A  dream  of  what  thou  wad,  ^gariJb  ^g. 
Again,  in  'ilLuViv/t  Edward  11^  1622 : 

<«  —  niarch*d  likcplayers 
**  With  ^«n>  robes.'* 
It  fixDedmes   fignifies  wild,  flighty.     So,  in  the  following 
Inflanoe :    **  —  flarti^  up  and  gcur\Jb^  flaring  about,  efpecially 
#0  ilie  &oe  of  EM^0.*'.  Uiode'i  EJU^9  Uhidintfr^  z6o6. 

Steevbns. 


^«        kOMEO  AMD  JULIE  Tl 

g',  I  have  bought  the  manfion  of  a  love, 
ut  not  pofief^'d  it ;  and^  though  I  am  fold^ 
Not  yet  enjoy'd :  So  tedious  is  this  day. 
As  is  the  night  before  fome  feftival 
To  an  impatient  child,  that  htth  new  robes, 
Atid  may  not  wear  tbem^    O^  here  cooks  my  nurfej 

EntetNurfe^  vntb  cords. 

And  (he  brings  news  •;  and  every  tongue,  thif  fpeaki 
But  Romeo*s  name,  fpeaks  heavenly  eloqiience. — 
Now,  nurfe,  what  news?  What  haft  thou  there?  tht 

cords. 
That  Romeo  bid  thee  fetch? 

Nurfe.  Ay,  ay,  the  cords. 

Jul.  Ay  me!  what  news?  why  doft  thou  wring 
thy  hands? 

Nurfe.  Ah  well-a-day !  he's  dead,  he's  dead,  he's  dead ! 
We  are  undone,  lady,  we  are  undone !-« 
Alack  the  day  I — he's  gone,  he's  kill'd,  he's  dcacj ! 

Jul.  Can  heaven  be  fo  envious  ? 

Nurfe.  Romeo  can. 

Though  heaven  cannot : O  Romeo  I  Romeo  1-^ 

Who  ever  would  have  thd^ught  it?— Romeo! 

Jul*  What  devil  art  thou,  that  doft  torment  nie 
thus  ? 
This  torture  fhould  be  roar'd  in  difmal  helh 
Hath  Romeo  (lain  himfelf  ?  fay  thou  but  /, 
1  And  that  bare  vowel  /  fhall  poifon  more 

Than 

^  And  that  ban  vowe!  zyJhaU  poifon  mere 
Than  tht  death-darting  r^t  of  cockatrict^  I  queftion  tnudi 
whether  the  jgrammarians  will  take  this  new  vonntl  on  tnift  fropi 
Mr.  Popc>  without  fufpe^lhig  it  rather  for  a  diphthong.  In  Ihort^ 
we  niuft  rellore  the  ^liine  oF  th^  old  books,  or  we  lofe  the  pocff 
Cbnceit.  At  hit  time  of  day,  the  afiirroatlve  adverb  €tf  was  gene* 
rally  written  /;  and  by  this  means  it  both  becomes  a  «w*v/,  and 
anlwers  in  found  to  e^^  upon  which  the  conceit  turns  in  tke 
ftfond  line.    Thsobalp* 

d^ath-darii^ 


ROMEO  AND  JULIET*         fj 

Than  the  death-darting  eye  of  cockatrice : 
I  am  not  I,  if  there  be  fuch  an  /; 
Or  thdfe  eyes  {hut,  that  make  thee  ahfwer^  2. 
If  he  be  flain  fay — /;  or  if  not,  no  : 
Brief  founds  determine  of  my  weal,,  or  woe. 

Nurfe.  I  faw  the  wound,  1  law  it  with  mine  ej  is, — • 
God  fave  the  mark! — here  on  his  nianly  brcaft  : 
A  piteous  corfe,  a  bloody  piteous  corfe; 
t^ale»  pale  as  tfhes,  all  bedawb'd  in  b)6od^ 
All  in  gore  blood ; — I  fownded  at  the  fight. 

Jul*  O  breaks  my  heart  1 — poor  bankrupt,  br£ak 
at  once ! 
To  priibn,  eyes !  ne*er  look  on  liberty ! 
Vile  earth,  to  earth  refign ;  end  motion  here ; 
And  thou,  and  Romeo,  prefs  one  heavy  bier ! 

Nurfe.  O  Tybalt,  Tybalt,  the  bcft  friend  I  had! 
O  courteous  Tybalt !  honcft  gentleman  ! 
That  ever  I  Ihould  live  to  fee  thee  dead ! 

—  tUath-Jarting  eye  ^  codairicr,]     iThc    ftrange    lines    iBat 
fbUow   here  in  the   common  bookf,    ^   tioc  in  die  old  edt« 

tioiL      POFE. 

The  itemge  Hoes  are  thcffe: 

I  am  not  I,  if  there  be  fuch  an  I, 

Or  thefe  ev^  (hot,  that  makes  thee  anfwer  I  ^ 

If  he  be  miin,  fay  I ;  or  if  not,  no ; 

Brief  (bunds  determine  of  my  tveal  or  wde. 
Thefe  lines  hardly  defcrve  emendation  ;  yet  it  may  be  proper  to 
obferre,  that  their  meannefs  has  not  placed  them  beio\7  the  maHce 
of  forttine,  the  two  firft  of  them  being  evidently  cranijpofcd ;  we 
iBiould  read : 

—  That  one  vowel  /  (hall  poifon  more, 

Than  the  death-daning  eye  of  cockatrice. 

Or  tkofe  ^es  Jbcty  thzt  make  thee  anfwer,  L 

I  am  not  1,  See.    joKMsoii. 
I  think  the  tranfpo&ion  recommended  may  \>e  fpari^.    The 
iecood  line  is  cdrrupted.    Read  Jbut  inflead  of JbaiftLnd  then  the 
meaning  will  be  fufiieiently  intelligible. 

Shcij  however,  may  be  the  iame  as  Jiut.    So,  m  Chaacer^ 
MHkr's  Tmkf  btc  edit.  vcr.  3358 : 

^  And  drefled  him  up  by  zjbot  window.**    STEfiV&irs* 

y»i..  X.  H  yuL 


99        ROMEO  A»»  JULIET; 

Jul.  What  ftorm  is  this,  that  blows  fo  cdt!tr«y  ? 
Is  Romeo  flaughter*d  ?  and  is  Tybalt  dead  ? 
My  dcaMov'd  coufin,  and  my  dearer  lord  ? — ' 
Then,  dreadful  trumpet,  found  the  general  d6om  f 
For  who  is  living,  if  thofe  two  are  gone  ? 

Nurfe.  Tybalt  is  gone,  and  Romeo  baniihcd ; 
Romeo,  that  kill'd  him,  he  is  baniflied, 

Jul.  O  God!— did  Romeo's  hand  ftied  Tybalt^ 
blood? 

Nurfe.  It  did,  it  did ;  alas  the  day !  it  did* 

Jul  O  ferpent  heart,  hid  with  a  flowering  facet 
Did  ever  dragon  keep  fo  fair  a  cave  ? 
Beautiful  tyrant !  fiend  angeKcal ! 
•  Dove-feather*d  raven !  wolvifli-ravening  lamb  ? 
Defpifed  fubftance  of  divineft  (how  I 
Juft  oppofitc  to  what  thou  juftly  feem*ft, 
A  damned  {aint,  an  honourable  villain ! — 
O,  nature  I  what  had  ft  thou  to  do  in  hell. 
When  thou  didft  bower  the  fpifit  of  a  fiend 
In  mortal  paradife  of  fueh  fwect  flefli  ? — 
Was  ever  book,  containing  fuch  vile  matter. 
So  fairly  bound  ?  O,  that  deceit  Ihouhl  dwett 
In  fuch  a  gorgeous  palace  \ 

Nurfe.  There's  no  trufi-. 
No  faith,  no  honcfty  in  men;  all  perjur'd, 

•  Dove-fiaibef^il  rm>en  !  &c.]    Jn  old  editions. 

Ravenous  Mwf,  fiather^d  ravik^  &c.]  Thte  four  fblknving 
linct  not  in  the  firfi  edition,  as  well  as  fome  others  which  I  kav^ 
omitted*    Pope. 

Rarvenous  thve^  fiathm^d  ravea^ 

Wohi/b-ravttiiiig  Umif]  Thif  paflage  Mr.  Pdpc  has 
thrown ,  out  of  the  text,  becaufe  tfaele  two  noble  bemjfiiehs  are  in- 
harmonious :  but  is  there  no  fuch  thing  as  a  crutch  for  t  labour* 
\Ttfy  halting  ycrfe  ?  I'll  venture  to  reltore  to  the  pdcr  %  fifle  tbat 
is  in  his  own  mpde  of  thinking,  and  rruty  worthy  of  bi^  Rih- 
nf^nous  was  blunderingly  coined  out  of  raven  and  rmfenh^ ;  and,  if 
we  onlj  throw  it  out,  we  gain  at  once  an  harraonious  mlb,  and  % 
pit)per  contraft  of  epithets  and  itnageg  : 
^     ,  Dove-feathtr'd  raven!  wolvilh-ray'ning  lamb !    Theobald* 

'     -  '  •  All 


kONffeO  AWD  JULIET.        99 

All  forfwom,  all  naught,  all  difletnblcrt. — 
Ah,  whereas  my  man  ?  give  me  lome  aqua  v//^:-— 
Thefe  griefs,  thd'e  woes,  thcfc  forrows  make  me  olA 
Shame  come  to  Romeo  ! 

JttL  Bllfter'd  be  thy  tongue. 
For  fuch  a  wifii !  he  was  not  born  to  (hame : 
Upon  his  brow  ffiame  is  a(ham*d  to  fit  ^ ; 
For  'tis  a  thi*oM  where  honour  may  be  crown'd 
Sole  monarch  oi  the  univerlal  earth* 
O^   what  a  beaft  was  I  to  chide  at  hiM ! 

Nurfe.  Will  you  fpeak  well  of  him  that  kiird 
your  toufin  ? 

Jul.  Shall  I  fpeak  ill  of  him  that  is  my  hirfband  ?  ' 
Ah»  poor  my  lord,  what  tongue  (ball  fmooch  thy  name^ 
When  I,  thy  three- hours  wife,  have  mangled  it? — ^ 
But,  wherefore,  villain,  didft  thou  kill  my  coufin  ? 
That  villain  couGn  would  have  kill'd  my  htifband  : 
Baekj  fbolifli  tears  »,  back  to  your  native  fpring  j 
Your  tributary  drops  belong  to  woe. 
Which  yo«,  mUlaking,  offer  up  to  joy. 
My  huiband  lives,  that  Tybalt  would  have  flain  \ 
And  Tybalt  dead,  that  would  have  flain  my  hufband: 
All  this  is  cofnfort ;  Wherefore  weep  I  then  ? 
Some  word  there  was,  worfrr  than  Tybalt's  death. 
That  miM^r*d  me :  I  wouW  forget  it  fain ; 
But,  O  !  it  prefles  to  my  memory, 
Likb  dumped  guilty  deeds  to  linners'  minds : 
Tybalt  is  dead^  and  Romte — banijhed  \ 

♦  Upon  bis  hrowjbam  is  i^/banfd  ^  fit ;  ]  So,  in  Painter's  Palace 
tf  Pleiifiiret  torn.  ix.  p.  223:  **  Is  it  poliiblc  that  under  fuch 
beautie  and  rare  comelinedc,  difloyaltie  and  treafon  may  have  their 
Jtedgt  and  lodj^gf**    St£even3. 

*  BaA  foolilh  tears^  Sec,]     So,  in  the  Tempejlt 

—  I  am  a  fool 
T6  weep  at  what  I  am  glad  of. 
1  think,  m  this  fpeech  of  Juliet,  the  words  «iw^  and  jtff  fi^ould 
dtauge  places  J    otherwifei  her  rcaiuniag  is  inconclufive. 

Steevens. 

H  2  That 


100        ROMEO  AND  JULIET. 

That — hanijhedy  that  one  vfard^^^bdni/hed, 

*  Hath  flain  ten  thoufand  Tybalts.     Tybalt's  death 

Was  woe  enough,  if  it  had  ended  there  : 

Or, — if  four  woe  delights  in  fellowfliip. 

And  ncedly  will  be  rank'd  with  other  griefs,— 

Why  followed  not,  when  (he  faid— Tyoalt's  dead. 

Thy  father,  or  thy  mother,  nay,  or  bptli, 

'  Which  modern  lamentation  might  have  movM  ? 

But,  with  a  rear-ward  following  Tybalt's  death, 

Romeo  is  bantjhedy — to  fpeak  that  word, 

Is  father,  mother,  Tybalt,  Romeo,  Juliet, 

All  flain,  all  dead  : Romeo  is  bani/hed^^^ 

There  is  natnd,  no  limit,  meafure,  bound. 

In  that  wfl(rd*s  death ;  no  words  can  that  woe  found.-— 

Where  is  my  father,  and  my  mother,  nurfc? 

Nur/e.  Weeping  and  wailing  over  Tybalt's  corfe : 
Will  you  go  to  them  ?  I  will  bring  you  thither. 

Jul.  Wafh  they  his  wounds  with  tears?  mine  (hall 
be  fpent. 
When  theirs  are  dry,  for  Romeo's  baniftiment. 
Take  up  thofe  cords : — Poor  ropes,  you  are  beguiPd, 
Both  you  and  I;  for  Romeo  is  exil'd: 
He  made  you  for  a  highway  to  my  bed ; 
But  I,  a  maid,  die  maiden- widowed. 
Come,  cords;  come,  nuric;  Fll  to  my  wedding  bed; 
And  death,  not  Romeo,  take  my  maidenhead  I 

Nurfe.  Hie  to  your  chamber:  Fll  find  Romeo 
To  comfort  you ; — I  wot  well  where  he  is* 
Hark  ye,  your  Romeo  will  be  here  at  night ; 
I'll  to  him  i  he  is  hid  at  Laurencfc*  cell. 

Jul  O  find  him !  give  this  ring  to  my  true  knfgbt^ 
And  bid  him  come  to  take  his  laft  farewel.  . 

l^Exeunf. 

*  Hatb  Jlain  ten  thoufand  TyialfsJ]  Hath  put  Tybalt  out  of  my 
xnindi  as  if  out  of  beiog.    Johnson. 

-^  tf^jich  modern  lamentation^  &c.]  This  line  is  left  out  of  the 
later  editions,  I  fuppofe  becaufe  the  editors  did  not  remember  that 
Shalcefpearc  ufes  modern  for  common^  wjlight :  I  believe  it  was  in  hia 
time  confounded  In  colloquial  languase  with  moderate.    Johnson. 

SCENE 


ROMEO  AND  JULIET.       loi 

S    C    E    N    E      HI. 

friar  Laurence's  cell. 
Enter  Friar  Laurence^  and  Romeo. 

Fri.  Romeo,  cooieforth^  come  forth,  thou  fearful 
man  J 
Affii£tiop  is  enamour'd  of  thy  parts. 
And  thop  art  wedded  to  calamity. 

Rom.  Father,  whs^t  news  ?    what ,  b.  the  prince's 
doom? 
What  forrow  graves  acquaintance  at  my  h^nd. 
That  1  yet  know  not  ? 

Fri.  Too  familiar 
Is  my  dev  Ibn  with  fuch  four  company: 
I  bring  thee  tidings  of  the  prince's  doom. 

Rom*  What  leis  than  dooms-day  is  the  prince's 
^oomf 

Fri.  A  gentler  judgment  vanilh'd  from  his  lips. 
Not  body's  death,  but  body's  banilhment. 

Ronf.  Ha  \  banilhment  ?  be  merciful,  fey— death  % 
For  exile  hath  more  terror  in  his  look. 
Much  more  than  death  :  do  not  fay — banilhment. 

Fri.  Here  from  Verona  art  thou  banifhed ; 
Be  patient,  for  the  world  is  broad  and  wide, 

Rom.  There  is  no  world  without  Verona  walls. 
But  purgatory,  torture,  hell  itfelf. 
Hence-banilhed  is  banifh'd  from  the  worlds 
And  world's  exile  is  death ;  then  banilhment 
Is  death  mif-term'd :  calling  death— banilhment. 
Thou  cut'ft  my  head  off  with  a  golden  axe^ 
And  fmirft  upon  the  ftroke  that  murders  me. 

Fri.  O  deadly  fin !  O  rude  unthankfulnefs ! 
Thy  fault  our  law  calls  death ;  but  the  kind  prince. 
Taking  thy  part,  hath  ruflfd  afide  the  law, 

H  3  And 


IPS       ROMEO  AjfB  JUtlET^ 

And  turn'd  that  black  word  death  to  banifhment : 
This  is  dear  m^rcy,  apd  tdou  feeft  ft  not. 

Jiom.  'Tis  torture^  and  not  mercy:    heaven  H 
here,   . 
Where  Juliet  lives;  and  every  cat,  and  dog. 
And  little  nioufe,  every  unworthy  thing. 
Live  here  in  heaven,  and  may  look  on  her^ 
But  Romeo  may  not. — *  More  validity, 
I^ore  honourable' (late,  more  courtfhip  lives 
in  carrion  flies,  th^n  Romeo:  they  may  feize 
On  the  white  wonder  of  dear  Juliet's  hand, 
And  fteal  immortal  bleffings  from  her  lips  ; 
Who,  even  in  pure  and  vc^al  modefty. 
Still  bluih,  as  thinking  their  own  kifles  fin : 
Flies  may  do  this,  when  I  from  this  muft  fly  j 
They  are  free  men,  but  I  am  banilhed. 
And  fay*ft  thou  yet,  that  exile  is  not  death  ? 
But  Romeo  may  not;  he  is  baniflieds 
Hadil  thou  no  poifon  mix*d,  no  fharpground  kntff:| 
No  fudden  mean  of  death,  though  ne'er  fo  me^, 
B^t— banifhed — to  kiU  me  ?  bamlhed  ? 
O  triar,  the  damned  ufe  that  word  in  hell ; 
Howlings  attend  it :  How  haft  thou  the  hcart| 
Being  a  divine,  a  ghoftly  confcflbr, 
A  fin  abfolver,  and  my  friend  profeft, 
To  mangle  me  with  that  word — banifhment  ? 

Fri.  Thou  fond  n>ad  man,  hear  mc  b\M  fpe|k  t( 
word. 

Rom.  O,  thou  wilt  fpeak  again  of  baniftmcnt* 

*  ■         ^fore  validity, 

Mfre  hvnoun^Ie  ftatt^  nwrt  courtfhip  Hvts 
In  carrhu  fiiesy  than  Xotneo,]     ysliJitj  fcems  Jbcrc  to  meao 
«ztw/i&  or  dignity :  and  cowrtjb'^  the  fbte  ot  a  ^wrii&  pqnutted  tQ 
approach  the  highcft  prefencc.     louNsow. 

'  But  Romeo  mc^  not ;  he  i$  bantjbid,']  This  line  is  very  auk- 
vapdly  introduced  here,  and  might  better  be  inferred  after— /A^ir 
cwn  kijps  ftit^    Stsrvjems,  ^ 

FH. 


ROMS  O  AKD  J  U  L  ^E  T.       103 

Pti.  Vl\  ig^YC  thee  ^mour  to  keep  off  that  word ; 
Advcrfity*s  fweet  milk,  philofophy. 
To  comfort  thee,  though  thou  art  bani(hcd. 

Rom.  Yet  banifhcd  ? — Hang  up  philofophy ! 
Unlefs  philofophy  can  make  a  Jwliet, 
Diiplant  a  town,  reverfe  a  prince'$  doom  j 
It  helps  no(,  it  prevails  not^  talk,  no  more. 
Fri.  O,  then  I  fee  that  madmen  have  no  eaVs. 
R(m.  How  fhould  they,  when  that  wife  men  have 

no  eyes  ? 
jPri.  Let  me  difpute  with  thee  of  thy  eftate. 
Rom.  Thou  canft  not  fpeak  of  what  thou  doft  no; 
feel: 
Wert  thou  as  young  as  I,  Juliet  thy  love, 
Ao  hour  but  marry'd,  Tybalt  murdered, 
Doating  like  m^  and  like  me  banifhed. 
Then  might^ft  thou  fpeak,  then  might'ft  thou  te^r  thy 

h^ir, 
And  fall  upon  the  ground,  as  I  do  now^. 
Taking  the  meafure  of  an  unmade  grave. 
Fri.  Arife ;  one  knocks ;  good  Romeo  hide  thy- 
felf#  [Knock  within. 

Rom.  Not  I;  unlefs  the  breath  of  he^rt-fick- groans, 
Mift-like,  infold  me  frgnj  the  fcarch  of  eyes. 

ZKnock. 
Fri.  Hark,  how  they  knock! — Who's  there?— 
Romeo,  arife; 
Thou  wilt  be  taken : — Stay  a  while : — ftand  up ; 

[Ksock. 
Ruo  to  my  ftudy  :-^By  and  by : — God's  will ! 
What  witfulncft  is  this  ^  ?  —  I  come,  I  conac. 

-    iKnock. 
Who  knocks  fo  hard  ?  whence  come  you  ?  what's 
your  will? 

•  What  'voiffulnefs']    Tht  folio  reads— What  ^/i^. 

Si:eev£*ns. 

H  4  J^urfe. 


< 


104       ROMEO  AND  JULIET. 

Nurfe.  [te;;7fo>.]  Let  me  come  in,  and  you  fixall 
know  my  errand; 
I  come  ffom  lady  Juliet. 
FrL  Welcome  then* 

Enter  Nurfi. 

Nurfe^  O  holy  friar,  O,  tell  me,  hojy  fi-Iaf, 
Where  is  my, lady's  lord,  whcre*s  Romeo? 

Fri.  There,  on  the  ground,  v^ith  his  own  tears 

made  drunk. 
.  J^urfe.'  O,  he  is  even  in  my  paiftrcfs*  cafe, 
Juft  in  her  cafe!  — 

Fri.  O  woeful  fympatj^y  7  ! 
Piteous  precicamcnt ! 

Nurfe.  Even  fo  lies  (he,  •     ^ 

flubbering  and  weeping,  weeping  and  blubbering;  :/-r 
tand  up,  (land  up  *,  fland,  an  you  be  a  man: 
Fpr  Juliet's, fake,  for  her  fake,  rife  and  fiand; 
^  Why  lho^lii  you  fall  ipto  fo  deep  at^  O  ? 
Rom.  Nurfc!   . 

Nnrfe.  Ah  fir !  ah  fir ! — death  is  the  end  of  alL 
Rom.  Spak'ft  thou  of  Juliet  ?  how  is  it  with  her? 
Doth  flie  not  think  me  an  p]d  murderer. 
Now  I  have  ftain'd  the  childliood  of  our  joy 
With  blood  removed  but  little  from  her  own  ? 
Where  is  Ihe?  and  how  doth  (he?  and  what  fays 
My  ^nceal'd  lady  to  o^r  9.  canceU'd  iQV^  ^ 

Pitetms  pridtcamentfi     One  miy  wonder  the  edtlon  dwl 
ftot  pat  that  this  language  nux^MceHarily  belong  to  the  Fri^. 
••  •  ^  Faxmer. 

pr.  Farmer*!,  ^apndation  nuiy  juftly  claim  that  place  in  the 
text  to  which  I  Iwvc  ncwvr  advanced  it.    Steevens. 
•  IVhyJboMUyouJkUinto  fo  deeh^m  oh^}    Hamfur  reads : 
/f^  Jhnhiyou  fall  intQ  ji  deep  an  -— 
Rom.  Obnurfi!'     Johnson* 
9  ^  caciceird  low  f]  The  tblio  reads  concedtd  lore.   Johnro!^. 
The  quarto,  csucelPd bve,    Steevens. 


ROMEO  .  AH D  JULIET.        1051 

H9r00  Of  flic  fays  nothing,  fir,  but  ^eep9  9n4 
weeps  5 
^iid  now  falls  on  her  bed ;  and  then  ftarts  up^ 
And  Tybalt  calls ;  and  then  on  RoottO  crie$» 
And  then  down  falls  again* 

Ram.  As  if  that  name. 
Shot  from  the  deadly  level  of  a  gun, 
Did^  murder  her ;  as  that  name^s  curfed  hand 
Murder'd  her  kinfman. — O  tell  me,  friar,  te|l  mc^ 
In  what  vile  part  of  this  anatomy 
Doth  my  name  lodge  ?  tell  me,  that  Imay  fack 
The  hateful  manfion*  {^Dratrng  M  f^(^d^ 

Frim  Hold  thy  defperate  hand  : 
Art  thou  a  man  ?  thy  form  cries  out,  thou  art  s 
Thy  trars  are  womaniih »  thy  wild  a^$  denote 
The  ynreafonaUe  fury  of  a  beaft : 
>  Un^mly  woman,  m  a  feeming  man !  .    ^ 

Qr  iU-befeeming  beaft,  in  feeming  both ! 
Thou  haft  amaz'd  me :  by  my  holy  order, 
J  thought  thy  difpofirion  better  tempered. 
Haft  thou  (lain  Tybalt  ?,  wilt  thou  (lay  tbyfelf  ^ 
And  Qay  thy  lady  too  that  lives  in  thee. 
By  doing  damned  hate  upon  thylelf  ? 
Why  rail'ft  thou  on  thy  birth,  the  heaven,  and  earth  f 
Since  birth,  and  heaven,  and  earth,  all  three  do  meet 
}n  thee  at  onte;  which  thou  at  once  would'ft  lofe. 

'  ^Kfiemif  vmiuni,  &c.]     This   firanse  nonfenie  Mr.  Pdpe 
Arew  opt  of  his  edition  for  defperate.    But  it  is  eaEly  refloied  as 
ohakefpeare  wrote  it  into  good  pertinent  fenie* 
llMftemh  'iXMmau  in  a  Jhrnb^man  I 
^n  iHiefiumfig  U^  in  fieming  fft^* 
u  #•  you  have  the  iil-iefemif^  paffions  of  a  brute  beaft  in  the  well^ 
feeming  ihape  of  a '  rational  creature.    For  hanng  in  thtjlrfi  line 
^kl,  he  was  a  woman  in  the  (hape  of  a  man»  he  aggravates  the 
thought  in  ihcjfcondf  at)d  (ays,  he  was  even  a  brute  in  tho 
ik^pe  of  a  rational  creature*    Seeming  is  ufed  in  both  places  for 
Jfiw.    WAaauRTON. 

The  old  reading  is  probaUe.     tb&u  an  a  heafi  ef  iU  p/aHimf 

•  Fie^ 


f#tf       ROMEO  A»»  JULIET. 

Fie,  fie !  thou  (ham'd thy  ftape,  thy  kve^tby vki 

Which,  like  an  ufurer,  abounded  in  ail^ 

And  ufeft  none  ia  that  true  ufe  indeed 

Which  (hould  bedeck  thy  Ihape,  thy  bre^  thy  wit. 

Thy  noble  fhape  is  but  a  form  of  waz^ 

Digrefling  from  the  valour  pf  a  man :  . 

Thy  dear  love^  fworn,  but  hdlovr  perjuiy. 

Killing  that  love  which  thou  haft  vow'd  to  chccUi^ 

Thy  wit,  that  ornament  to  (hape  and  lone, 

Mif-fhapen  in  the  conduft  of  them  both> 

la'ike  powder  in  the  fldlUlefs  foldicr's  fli^% 

Is  fet  on  fir$  by  thine  own  ignorance, 

'  And  thou  difmember*d  widi  thine  owa  defence. 

What^  roufe  thee,  man  I  thy  Juliet  is  alive. 

For  whole  dear  fake  thou  w^ft  but  lately  dead  ; 

There  ^rt  thou  happy :  Tybalt  would  kill  cber. 

But  thou  flew'ft  Tyb^t ;  there  too  art  tfaoq  haf^ : 

The  law,  thktthreaten'd  death,  becomes  thy  friend^ 

And  turns  it  t^  f^xile ;  there  art  diou  happy  i 

A  pack  of  bleffings  lights  upon  thy  back ;  * 

Happinefii  courts  thee  in  her  beft  array; 

But,  like  a  mis^vM  and  a  fullen  wench, 

?hou  pout'ft  upon  thy  fortune  and  thy  love  t 
ake  heed,  take  heed,  ibr  fuch  die  miferablew 
Gd,  giet  thee  to  thy  love,  as  was  decreed, 
Afcend  her  chamber,  hence  and  comfort  heri 
But|  look,  thou  ftay  not  'till  the  watch  be  fet, 

*  Likefokvii^  in  theJhiU^J^  fMer's  Mk,  te.]  To  underflaoi 
the  force  of  this  aUuHon,  it  ihould  be  remembered  ib^t  the  aucieiit 
£ngli(h  foldiers,  ufing  jmUcbAock^^  inilegd  of  locks  with  flints  as  at 
wkaaUt  ^^  oblig^  to  carry  a  lighted  mauh  h4Qg!(ig  ?X  their 
ktoy  vfiy  n«ar  to  the  wooden  ./i^  in  which  they  sept  thei^ 
powder.  The  fame  allufiom  occurs  in  Humar^s  Or£nacf9  sa  0I4 
coUe^ion  of  EngUft  epigrams : 

**  Wh^  flje  his  fiafi  and  touch-box  fet  en  fiflf» 
**  And  till  this  hour  the  burning  rs  not  out.''    Stee  vens 
,   '  MJ  tboK  ^m$(nkr^d  tmh  t^jine  mvn  d(/hct,'}    And  thou  torn* 
to  piecei  wiiib  th^  owa  vf^pox^s.    JoiiNsov. 

For 


ROMBO  AND  JULIET.       iof 

For  thcff^  thou  canft  not  pafs  to  Mantua ; 
Where  thou  Aak  live,  'till  we  aan  find  a  timie 
To  blaze  yo^r  marriii^e,  reconcile  your  friends. 
Beg  pardon  of  (he  prince^  a»d  catt  tfa^e  back 
With  twenty  hundred  thpufand  times  more  Joy 
Than  thou  went^ft  forth  m  Ijfticntattoii.-^ 
Go  before,  mtrfy:  (ommtn^  m^  W  tljji^la4y{ 
And  hid  her  Ijaften  all  the  houfe  to  bed, 
Which  heavy  forrow  makes  tb^wt  apt  vmfQ ;   ., 
Romeo  is  cooking  4* 

Nurjin  O  Lord,  I  could  b»y?  ftaid  h«rc  all  %^ 
night,  ./, 

To  hear  good  conofcl :  Q,  wtjat  leaning  is  !t-? 
]\Iy  lord,  rU  tell  mv  lady  ypu  v^ill  pom?* 
fL$m.  Do  fot  and  bid  my  fwe^t  prepare  to  chide* ; 
Nwrfif^  Here,  fir,  a  ring  flic  Wd  me,  give  you,  6r : 
Hie  you,  make  haftc,  for  It  grpws  very  lace. 
Rom.  How  well  my  com^t  js  revived  by  thi$ ! 
/tV,  s  Go  hence^   Goo4  nighf : — anil  ^  bere  fta^d* 
all  yovr  ftatp,-^ 
Ei|her  he  goae  before  the  watch  b^  f^, 
Or  by  the^  break  of  day  difguisM  from  hence ; 
Sojourn  in  Mantqa^  I'll  6od  out  your  m^n, 
An^  be  ihall  Bgnify  from  time  to  time 
Every  good  hap  to  you,  that  chances  here: 
Give  me  thy  hand ;  'tis  late  :  farewel  ;  good  night/ 

Rom.  But  that  a  joy  paft  joy  calls  out  on  nne, 
It  were  a  grief,  fo  brief  to  part  witb  thee; 
pareweL  lEicounL 

^  Romeo  is  tomitig.'\  Much  of  this  fpeech  b^  liVewlfe  beeti 
a^ded  fince  the  firft  edition.    St E evens. 

^  Go  hence.  Good  nighty  &c.]  Thefc  three  lines  are  omitted  ia 
^l  the  modern  editions.    Johnson, 

•  -^herejlands  aUyourJfate  i\  The  whple  of  your  fortune  de- 
pends on  this,    Johnson. 

SCENE 


io8     ROMEO  AMD  JULIET, 

7S    C    E    N    E      IV. 
A  room  in  Gorki's  botffe. 

Mnter  Cajfmks,  k^  QafuUt^  wi-  Paris. 

Cap.  ThingsThave  fallen  our,  fir,  fo  unluckiljr, 
That  we  have  had  no  time  to  move  our  daughter ; 
Look  vou,  IhciovM  her  kinfman  Tybalt  dearly, 
And  (o  did  I  j— Well,  wc  were  born  to  die. — 
•Tis  very  late,  ftie'll  not  come  down  to-night : 
I  promite  you,  but  for  your  company^ 
I  would  have  been  a-bed  an  hour  ago* 

Par.  Thefe  times  of  woe  afford  no  time  to  woo: — 
]^adam,  good  night  t  commend  me  to  your  daughter* 

Im.  Cqp.  I  wul,  and  know  her'  mind  early  to- 
morrow*; 
To-night  Ihe's  mew*d  up  •  to  her  heavinels, 
'   Cap.  9  Sir  Paris,  I  will  make  a  defperatc  tender 
Of  my  child's  love ;  I  think;  Ihe  will  be  rul'd 
In  all  refpefts  by  me ;  nay  more,  I  doubt  it  qot.— « 
Wife,  go  you  to  her  ere  you  go  to  bed  j 
AcQuaint  ner  here  with  my  fon  Paris'  love ; 
And  bid  her,  mark  you  me,  on  wednefday  next— ^ 
But,  foft ;  What  day  is  this  ? 

Par*  Monday,  my  lord, 

^  ScEN£  IV.    Some  few  uimeeeiGiry  Terfci  sre  qmtttd  in  thU 
Icene  according  to  the  oldeft  editions.    Pope. 

Thele  yerfes  are  fuch  as  will  by  no  means  conned  with  the  lall 
and  moft  improved  copy  of  the  play,    Stee  vens. 

'  mew^ii  up.]    This  is  a  phrafe  from  falconry.    A  mew  was  ^ 
place  of  confinement  for  hawks.    Steevens. 

•  Sir  Par  is  f  J  will  make  a  defperate  tender 
Qfmj^  child^s  Icve,"^]     Befferate  m^ns  only  lold^  oAven^toms^ 
as  if  he  had  (aid  in  the  vulgar  nhrale,  Iwilljpcak  a  bold  nuorJ^ 
and  venture  tofrmyeyou  ujy  dauzhter.    Johnson* 

^^itilleWeakeJlgoeiUftheWalL,  i6x8: 

WJtncfi  this  deflate  tender  of  nunc  honour."    Stee  ven«  . 

Cap^ 


ROMEO  AND  JULIET.      ^109 

Cap.  Monday r ha!  ha!  Well^  wednefday  19  too 
iboq, 
O'  thurfday  let  it  be ;— o*  thurfday,  tell  hcr> 
She  Ihall  be  married  to  this  noble  carl: — 
Will  you  be  ready  ?  do  you  like  this  hafte  ? 
We'll  keep  no  grw*  ado  j~a  f ijend,  or  two  :— 
For  hark  you^  Tybalt  being  (lain  fo  Igte^ 
It  may  be  thought  we  held  him  carelefdy. 
Being  our  kinfman^  if  we  revel  much : 
Therefore  we'll  have  fome  half  a  dozen  friends. 
And.  there  an  end.    But  what  fay  you  to  thurlday? 

Par.  My  lord,  I  would  that  thurfday  were  to* 
morrow. 

Q^.  Well,  get  you  gone: — o'  tburiday  be  it 
then  :-«• 
Go  you  to  Juliet  ere  you  go  to  bed. 
Prepare  her,  wife,  againft  this  weddbg-day^-* 
Farewell,  my  lord* — Light  to  my  chamber,  bo! 
*Fore  me,  it  is  fo  very  late,  that  we 
May  call  it  early  by  and  by: — Good  night.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE        V. 

Juliefs  chamber i 
Enter  Romeo^  and  Juliet. 

Jut.  Wilt  thou  be  gone  ?  it  is  not  yet  near  day : 
It  was  the  nightingale,  and  not  the  lark. 
That  pierc'd  3xe  fearful  Hollow  of  thine  car  5 
Nightly  fhe  fings  '  on  yon  pomegranate  tree ; 
Behevc  me,  love,  it  was  the  nightingale. 

'  Nightly  ^^  fiigs  on  yon  ponugranate  tree ;]  "niia  is  not  lUerelpr 
a  poetical  luppofition.  It  is  obumred  of  the  nightingale  that,  if 
.undifturbed,  (he  fits  and  fings  upon  the  fame  tree  &r  man/  w^idu 
together.    Stievbns. 

Rem. 


ti6       kOMEO  AND  jtJLtEt. 

Rem*  It  was  the  hrk,  tht  herald  o£  the  monf^ 
No  nightingale :  look,  iove»  what  envious  ftreakf 
Do  lace  the  fevering  clouds  w  yonder  eaft : 
Night^s  caftdks  are  burnt  out>  abd  jocvnd  day 
Stands  ttptofc  on  the  mifly  mouncitni'  tofx^ 
I  nwft  bi  gone  snd  liv«y  or  &SLf  and  die. 

Jul.  Yon  tight  is  nM  day-lighc^  I  koow  it^  I; 
It  is  fome  mtteor  that  the  ftm  nthalesi 
To  be  to  thee  this  night  a  torch-boareri 
And  Ittht  thoe  on  thy  way  w  Mantua : 
Therefore  ftay  yct^  thoa  need'ft  not  tt>  be  gaiie^ 

Rom^  Let  me  be  tl'en^  kt  me  be  pttt  to  deadi^ 
I  am  content,  if  thou  wilt  have  it  fo^ 
Vl\  fty,  yon  gfry  is  not  the  morning's  eye, 
*Tis  but  the »  pale  reflex  of  Cynthia's  kmnfr  5 
Nor  that  is  not  the  hrk^  whofe  notes  do  beat 
The  vauhy  heaven  (o  hi^  above  our  heads  : 
^  I  &ave  more  cace  to  ikay^  thaa  will  to  go;.^ 
Come,  death,  and  welcome  i  Jtiiiec  wills  it  fe.-^ 
How  i5*t,  my  feul  i  let's  talk,  it  is  ntit  day. 

Jul.  It  is,  it  is,  hie  hence,  be  gone,  away  5 
It  is  the  lark  that  (ings  fo  out  of  tune, 
Straining  harlh  difcords,  and  unpleafing  (harps. 
Some  fay,  thp  lark  makes  fweet  divificfn  4; 
This  doth  not  fo,  for  (he  divideth  us : 
Some  fay,  the  lark  and  loathed  toad  change  eyes  j 
^  O,  now  I  would  they  had  changed  voices  too  I 

Smot 

•  .^tbepak  f^fiex^']  The  appcaranae  «f  a  doud  ^poM  ^ 
the  moon.    Johnson. 

*  /  baroe  mere  care  iojlqy^  than  wH7  togo.^  Would  it  be  bett6r 
thus,  Ibdn>e  more  ^lll  tojiap^  than,  care  logo  T    Jo^KffO^. 

^  —  fweet  diwfon ;]  Ditfifim  fe«ms  te  h#re  been  tibe  (6olMlkNi 
term  for  the  paufes  or  pans  of  a  muikal  comnolidoni  So,  in  Ki 
ti^M^lY.  F.  i: 

^J^  hy  a  fair  queen  in  a  fummef's  bower. 

With  raviibing  ^V^Mf  to  her  lute.    Steevens. 

'  O,  novj  I  would  they  bad   cbaHg^d  voices  too!\    The  tpai 

havii^  very  fine  eyes,  and  the  lark  very  ugly  ones,  was  the  occafion 

if  a  oommon  faying  amongft  the  peoule,  that  the  toad  and  lark  baa 

changed  eyes^    I'o  this  the  fpeaker  alludes.    But  fure  (he  need  not 

I  have 


ftOMEO  AMD  JULIBT.       m 

^Skiceirmfromarm  that  voice  dotb  us  Jiffray^  . 
7  Hunting  thee  hence  with  hunts-np  to  the  day. 
O,  DOW  be  gone  i  more  light  and  light  it  grows. 

have  wiJM  that  <^  haJ  dfMgtd  <zW/Wi  too.  The  lark  appeared  t» 
her  untunable  enough  in  all  confcknce ;  48  appean  bj  what  ihe 
iaidjuft  before. 

It  is  the  lark  tbatfiigsfo  out  of  tunc, 
^rmm'f^  hmtOk  ddeer*  sud  MOflet^&tkg  (ikfpi, 
Thif  dire^  us  to  the  ri^  reading.    For  how  aatural  was  k  lot 
her  after  this  to  add, 

SoMte  Jay  the  lark  and  loatheA  toad  change  eyes ; 
O,  AMy  /  wot  they  hone  than^d  ^voices  too. 
u  e.  Avtoitt  fiogB  ib  harftiy^  drat  f  now  perceive  die  load  ttd  (he 
hat«  ebn^gted  tsokes  as  weU  at  ^s.    WA&BtTilT»if « 

This  tradition  of  the  toad  and  lark  I  have  heard  expreiled  in  a 
rtftick  rhyme, 

^foieaftfnrdj^y 
Bui  that  the  toad  h^uiVd  me  of  mine  eye,  Jo  tf  K  s  on. 
*  Since  armfrdm  ahn^  tej  Tkeie  two  lines  ate  omitted  iftibfr 
modem  editions,  and  do  not  dderve  to  be  replaced,  but  as  tbe^ 
may  (hew  the  danger  of  critical  tenierity.  Dr.  Warbunon^s  changji 
oflwoidd  to  I  tuot  was  i|ieci<Mis  enough,  yet  it  is  evidently  er- 
roneous.  The  fenfe  is  this,  The  kHty  thy  figy^  has  I^ her eyis -toike 
toad^  and  iww  I  would  the  toad  had  her  'UOice  too^fiace  Jhe  ^fiiitta 
the  di^uriance  of  lovets.    Johnson. 

^  HutUing  thee  np  i^ith  huntfup  to  the  day.)    The  hunf/nf  was  the 
name  «rf  the  Msnt  aneieftdy  played  te  mtkt  the  hemteis,  and  oDjka 
tern  td0tdiesi    So,  ks  die  play  of  OrZan^  Puriq/^  X|94^  H99  * 
«*  To  play  him  i&iM^  wi^  a  point  of  war, 
«*  111  be  his  rainftrea  with  my  drum  and  fife.** 
A^n^  lA  fbt  Soptn  Chanf^ions  rf  Chrifiendom^  a  comedy,  X&%^^ 
"'  —  When  Calib's  concert  plays 
**  h huntfup toyaex? 
Again,  in  Wejhward  Hoe^  1607  : 

?*  — Makeanotie,it8non»Risr;  anyj&nwj/S^^tswiken  vice.** 
AgliA,  in  dK  Return  fromFanu^fiu^  1606': 

••  Yet  will  I  play  a  hunts-up  to  my  Mufc." 
Agftin,  \m  Arijiifpm^  or  the  Jotial  Pbifofopher,  r^jcr : 

^  H^ay!  there  goes  the iwrj/S^^* 
A^nt  Ml  Monfiair  Thomas^  16319  * 

^  ill  pipe  y«u  iiKh  a  i^M/fi^" 
Again,  in  the  Four  Prentices  of  Lmdm^  163  2  : 
'^— ^adrum    . 
•*  To  give  me  a  i6Mii^.'' 
Again,  in  Drayton's  Folfolhiou^  fottg  13th : 

^  But  huntsHf  to  the  mom  vise  ftatkcrM  (>  VMt  flttg.*" 

.  '  bXEEVEN'S. 

Rom. 


112       ROMEO  AND  JULIE  T. 

Rom*  More  light  and  light  ?-^morc  dark  and  dSvli 
our  woes« 

Enter  Nurfe^ 

Nwrfi.  Madam! 
Jul.  Nurfe? 

Nurfe.  Your  lady  mother's  coming  to  your  cham- 
ber: 
The  day  is  broke ;  be  wary,  look  about. 

[_Exit  Nurfi4 
^  Juh  Then,  window,  let  day  in,  and  let  life  out. 
Rom.  Farewel,  farewel  I  one  ki6,  and  PU  defcend^ 

[Romeo  defcendsi 
Jul.  Art  thou  gone  fo  ?  Love !  lord  !  ah,  hufl)and ! 
friend  I 
I  mufl:  hear  from  thee  every  day  i'  the  hour^ 
For  in  a  minute  there  are  many  days  : 
*  O I  by  this  count  I  fhall  be  much  in  years^ 
Ere  I  again  behold  my  Romeo* 

Rom.  Farewel !  I  will  omit  no  oj^rtunity 
.That  may  convey  my  greetings,  love,  to  thee. 
Jul  O,  think'ft  thou,  we  mall  ever  meet  again  ? 
Romi  I  doubt  it  not ;  and  all  thefe  woes  (hall  fervt 
l^or  fweet  difcourfes  in  our  time  to  come. 
Jul^  9  O  God !  I  have  an  ill-divining  foul ; 

•  O!  hy  this  cotmt  ijhajl  he  much  imyearS^ 
JSre  I  i^ain  behold  my  Romeo. 
**  Ilia  egOf  quse  fuenm  te  decedente  pueUa, 
**  Protmus  ut  redeas,  fada  vidcbor  antu."    Ovid*  ^fi*  <« 

Steevens. 
^  O  God!  I  have  an  iiUhwung  fiuL,  &€.]  This  ndferable  pre- 
(Hence  of  futurity  I  have  alws^  regarded  as  a  circunffbuice  parti* 
cularly  beaudfu).  The  fame  kind  of  warning  from  the  miod 
Romeo  feemt  to  have  been  oonfciout  of>  on  hit  going  to  the  enter* 
tunment  at  the  houfe  of  Capulet. 

"  my  mind  mii^ivest 

*<  Some  confequence  yet  hanging  in  the  ftan, 

«*  Shall  bitterl]^  begin  his  feamil  date 

^  fim  this  night's  rerds.**    Steevens. 

5  Mcthinki^ 


ROMEO  AND  JUL  IE  T,        113 

Methinks,  I  fee  thee,  now  tliou  art  fo  lovf. 
As  one  dead  in  the  bottom  of  a  tomb : 
Either  my  eye-fight  fai^,  or  thou  look'ff  pale. 

Rom.  And  truft  me,  love,  in  my  eye  fo  do  you  : 
Dry  forrow  drinks  our  blood  \    Adieu !  adieu ! 

[Exit  Romeo. 

Jul.  O  fortune,  fortufte !  all  ipth  calf  thee  ifickle : 
If  thou  art  fickle,  what  doft  thou  with  Tiim 
That  is  rcnownM  for  faith  ?  Be  fickle,  fortune ; 
For  then,  1  hope,  thou  wilt  not  keep  him  long. 
But  fend  him  back* 

La.  Cap.  \vntbin.'\  Ho,  daughter!  are  you  up? 

Jul.  Who  is*t  that  calls  ?  is  it  my  lady  mother  ? 
Is  (he  not  down  fo  late,  tit  up  fo  early  ? 
Whatunaccuftom'd  caufe  *  procures  her  hither? 

Enter  Lady  'Capulet. 

La.  Cap.  Why,  how  now,  Juliet  f 

Jul.  Madam,  1  am  not  well. 

La.Vap*  Evermore  weq>mg  for  yourcoufin's  death  ? 
Whac>  wilt  thou  wa(b  him  from  his  grave  with  tears? 
An  if  thou  could'ft,  thou  couM^  not  mak^  hitn  live ; 
Therefore,  bare  done :    Some  grief  (hews  much  of 

.   k)ve; 
But  n)uch  of  grief  (hews  ftill  (bme  want  of  wit. 

Jul.  Yet  let  me  weep  for  fuch  a  feeling  lofs. 

La.  Cap.  So  (hall  you  feel  the  lofs^  but  not  the 
friend  .  . 

Which  you  weep  for. 

Jul.  Feeling  fo  the  Ibfs,  '    ,' 

I  cannot  choofe  but  ever  weep  the  friend. 

La.  Cap.  Well,  girl,  ihou  weep'ft  not  fo  much  for 
his  death^ 

^  Dry  forrtTM  drinks  cur  Hood]  This  is  an  allulian  to  the  pro- 
Hrb  —  **Sorn>w'i  dry."     Steevens. 

*  —  procures  Jjer  h:ierf]     Frocures  {^xlrlngi.  WA&£UitTOW» 

Vol.  X.  \  As 


Ii4       ROMEO   AND  JUHET. 

As  that  the  villain  lives  which  flaugbter'd  hiou 

Jul.  What  villain,  nudam  ? 

La.  Cap.  That  fanie  villain,  Romeo. 

Jul.  Villain  and  he  are  many  miles  afundcr. 
God  pardon  him !  I  do,  with  all  ^ly  heart ; 
And  yet  no  man,  like  he,  doth  meve  my  heart. 

La^  Caji.  That  is^  becaufe  me  traitor  n^urd^r 
lives. 

Jul.  '  Ay,  madam,  from  the  reach  of  thefe  my 
hands  : 
'Would,  none  but  I  might  venge  my  coufin's  death ! 

La.  Caf.  We  will  have  vengeance  for  it,  fear  thou 
not; 
Then  weep  no  more.    Til  fend  to  one  in  Maptus^ — 
Where  that  fame  banilh'd  runagate  doth  live, — 
That  fhall  beftow  on  him  fo  fure  a  draught  % 
That  he  (hall  foon  keep  Tybalt  company : 
And  then,  I  hope,  thou  wilt  be  fatisfied. 

JuL  Indeed,  1  never  (hall  be  fatisfied 
With  Romeo,  *cill  I  behold  him — dead — 
Is  my  poor  heart  fo  for  a  kinfman  vcxt : — 
MadaiQ,  if  ypu  could  find  out  but  a  man 
To  bear  a  poifon,  I  would  temper  it ; 
That  Romeo  fhould,  upon  receipt  thereof. 
Soon  fleep  in  quiet. — O,  hlDw  my  heart  abhors 
To  hear  him  nam*d,-.and  cannot  come  to  hiav— 
To  wreak  the  love  I  bore  my  couGn  Tybalt, 
Upon  his  body  that  hath  flaughter'd  him ! 

»  Ayy  ma^amy  from — *|  Juliet's  equivocations  arc  rather  too  art- 
ful for  a  mind  diflurbed  by  the  lois  of  a  new  lover.    Johnson. 

♦  That  Jhall  lefiffiu  on. him  fo  fure  a  draught^^  Thus  the  elder 
quarto,  which  I  have  followed  in  preference  to  the  quartos  1599 
ieA  1609,  and  the  folio  1623,  which  read,  leTs  intelligibly, 

"  Shall  give  him  fuch  an  unaccuftom'd  dram.    Steevens* 

—  unaccuftom^d  dram.]  In  vulgar  language.  Shall  give  him  a 
i^am  which  he  is  not  ufed  to.  Though  I  l^ve,  if  I  mi  (lake  not^ 
bbferved,  that  in  old  books  unaca^omed  iignifies  '•Motuierful^  fffwer^ 
Jnly  (fficacious.    JOHN&ON, 

L(9^ 


ROMfeO  AND  JULIET.       115 

La.  Cap.  5  Find  thou  the  means,  and  PU  find  fuch 
a  man. 
But  now  PU  tell  thee  joyful  tidings,  girl. 

Jul.  And  joy  comes  well  in  fuph  a  needful  time : 
What  are  they,  I  befeech  your  lady  (hip  ? 

La.  Cap.  Well,  well,  thou  haft  a  careful  father, 
child ; 
One,  who,  to  put  thee  from  thy  heavinefs. 
Hath  forted  out  a  fudden  day  of  joy. 
That  thou  expeft^ft  not,  nor  I  look'd  not  for. 

y#^  Madam,  ^  in  happy  time,  what  day  is  that  ? 

La.  Cap.  Marry  my  child,  early  next  thurlday 
morn. 
The  gallant,  young,  and, noble  gentleman. 
The  county  Paris  7,  at  faint  Peter's  church. 
Shall  happily  make  thee  there  a  joyful  bride. 

Jul.  Now,  by  faint  Peter's  church,  and  Peter  too. 
He  (hall  not  make  me  there  a  joyful  bride. 
I  wonder  at  this  hafte;  that  I  muft  wed 

*  T^nd  tbdu^  to.]  This  line  in  the  quarto  1597,  is  given  to 
Juliet.     Steevens. 

•  —  in  hapfff  timf,-^  A  la  lonne  bture.  This  phrafe  was  iri- 
teijeded,  when  the  hearer  was  not  quite  (b  well  pleafed  ai  the 
ipeaker.    Johnson. 

'  The  County  Faris^ — ]  It  is  remarfcecl,  that  **  Paris,  though  in 
••  one  place  called  Early  Is  mod  commonly  iHled  the  Countie  in  this 
**  play.  Shakefpcare  Teems  to  have  preferred,  tor  fome  reafon  or 
•*  other,  the  Italian  Comte  to  our  Count:  perhaps  he  took  it  from 
^  the  old  Englilh  novel,  from  which  he  is  laid  to  have  taken  his 
*'  plot.'*-i-He  certainly  did  fo :  Paris  is  there  firft  ftiled  ayoung 
Earkf  and  afterward  Counte^  Countee^  and  County  i  according  to  the 
unfettled  orthog«ipby  of  the  time. 

The  word  however  is  frequently  met  with  in  other  writers ; 
pirticularly  in  Fairfax : 

**  As  when  a-  cuptame  doth  befiege  fmne  hold, 

'^  Set  in  a  marifh  or  hi^  on  a  hill, 
*^  And  tneth  waies  and  wiles  a  thoufand  fold, 
**  To  bring  the  place  fubjcdted  to  his  will ; 
**  So  fiu'd  the  Countie  with  the  Pagan  bold,**  Bcc. 

Godfrey  ofBnlkignt^  Book  7.  Stanza  90. 

Farmer. 
I  ft  Ere 


ii6       ROMEO  AND  JULIET. 

Ere  he,  that  (hould  be  hufband,  comes  to  woo. 
I  pray  you,  tell  my  lord  and  father,  madam, 
I  will  not  marry  yet ;  and,  when  I  do,  I  fwear. 
It  (hall  be  Romeo,  whom  you  know  I  hate. 

Rather  than  Paris :- Thefe  arc  news  indeed ! 

La.  Cap.  Here  comes  your  father;    tell  him  lb 
yourfelf, 
And  fee  how  he  will  take  it  at  your  hands. 

Enter  Capulct^  and  Nurfe. 

Cap.  When  the  fun  fets,  the  air  doth  drizzle  dew  ^ 
But  for  the  fun-fet  of  my  brother's  fon. 

It  rains  downright 

How  now  ?  a  conduit,  girl  ?  what,  ftill  in  tears  ? 

Evermore  Ihowering  ?  In  one  little  body 

Thou  counterfeit'ft  a  bark,  a  fea,  a  wind  : 

For  ftill  thy  eyes,  which  I  may  call  the  fea. 

Do  ebb  and  flow  with  tears ;  the  bark  thy  body  is. 

Sailing  in  this  fait  flood  ;  the  winds,  thy  fighs ; 

Who, — raging  with  thy  tears,  and  they  with  them, — 

Without  a  fudden  calm,  will  overfet 

Thy  tempcft-tofied  body. — How  now,  wife? 

Have  you  delivcr'd  to  her  our  decree  ? 

La.  Cap.  Ay,  fir;    but  Ihc  will  none,  flie  gives 

you  thanks : 
I  would,  the  fool  were  married  to  her  grave ! 

Cap.  Soft,  take  me  with  you,  take  me  with  you» 

wife. 
How !  will  (be  none  ?  doth  flie  not  give  us  thanks  ? 
Is  fhe  not  proud  ?  doth  (he  not  count  her  bleft. 
Unworthy  as  (he  is,  that  we  have  wrought 
So  worthy  a  gentleman  to  be  her  bridegroom  ? 
Jul.  Not  proud,  you  have;    but  thankful,  that 

you  have: 
Proud  can  I  never  be  of  what  I  hate  ; 
But  thankful  even  for  hate,  that  is  meant  love. 

Cap. 


ROMEO   AND  JULIET.        117 

Gap.  How  now !  how  now !  chop  logick  ?  What 
is  this? 
Proud — and,  I  thank  you — ^and,  I  thank  you  not — 
And  yet  not  proud — Miftrefs  minion,  you  \ 
Thank  me  no  thankings,  nor  proud  me  no  prouds. 
But  fettle  your  fine  joints  *gainft  thurfday  next, 
To  go  with  Paris  to  faint  Peter's  church. 
Or  I  will  drag  thee  on  a  hurdle  thither. 
Out,  you  grecn-ficknefs  carrion  !  9  out,  you  baggage! 
You  tallow-face ! 

La.  Cap.  Fie,  fie !  what  are  you  mad  ? 

Jul.  Good  father,  I  befecch  you  on  my  knees. 
Hear  me  with  patience  but  to  fpeak  a  word. 

Cjp.    Hang    thee,   young    baggage!    dilbbedicnt 
wretch  ! 
I  tcU  thee  what^^-^get  thee  to  church  o'  thurfday. 
Or  never  after  look  me  in  the  face : 
Speak  not,  reply  not,  do  not  anfwer  me ; 
My  fingers  itch. — Wife,  we  fcarce  thought  us  bleft. 
That  God  hath  fent  us  but  this  only  child ; 
But  now  I  fee  this  one  is  one  too  much. 
And  that  we  have  a  curfe  in  having  her: 
Out  on  her,  hilding  1 

Nurfe.  God  in  heaven  blefs  her ! — 
You  are  to  blame,  my  lord,  to  rate  her  fo. 

•  And  yet  nof froud^  &c.]     This  line  is  wanting  in  the  folio. 

Steevens^ 

•  -^Oui^yoti  baggage! 

Tou  talhw'face  !\  Such  was  the  indelicacy  of  the  age  of 
Shakeipeare,  that  authors  were  not  contented  only  to  employ  thclb 
terms  of  abufe  in  their  own  original  pertbrmances,  but  even  felt  no 
rcludbnce  to  introduce  them  in  their  verfions  of  the  inoft  challc 
and  elegant  of  the  Greek  or  Roman  poets,  Scanyhurrt,  the  tranf- 
laior  of  Virgil  in  1582,  makes  Dido  call  i^oeas— — ^//.(<i« 
hraty  cuUion^  and  tar-hrceJj^  in  the  cnurfe  of  one  ipccch. 

Nay,  in  the  Interlude  of  the  Repentance  »f  Mmy  MayihtJau^ 
1567,  Mary  ^lagdaUn  fays  to  one  of  her  attendants  : 

**  Horefon^  I  beflirowc your  heart,  are  you  herer"  St^ev  e  nji. 

I  3  ^*h 


ii8       ROMEO   AND  JUJl^IET. 

Cap.    And   why,  my   lady  wifdom?    hold  your 
tongue, 
Good  prudence  ;  fmatter  with  your  goflSps,  go. 

Nurfe.  I  fpc^k  no  treafon. 

Cap.  O,  God  ye  good  den  ! 

Nurfc.  May  not  one  fpeak  ? 

Cup.  PcacCj  you  mumbling:  fool ! 
Utter  your  gravity  o'er  a  goflip's  bowl» 
Fpr  here  we  need  it  not. 

La.  Cap.  You  are  too  hot. 

Cap.  God's  bread  I  it  mak^s  mc  mad :  Day,  nightj 
late,  early, 
At  home^  abroad,  alone,  in  company, 
Waking,  or  flecping,  ftill  my  care  hath  been 
To  have  her  macch'd  :  and  having  now  provided 
A  gentleman  of  princely  parentage, 
Oi  fair  demefnes,  youthful,  and  nobly  tniin'd, 
Stuff'd  (as  they  fay)  with  honourable  parts. 
Proportioned  as  one's  thought  would  wifh  2^  qf^an,— :? 
And  then  to  h^ve  a  wretphed  puling  fool, 
A  whining  niammet,  in  her  fortune's  tender^ 
To  anfwer — ^Pll  'not  wed, — /  cannol  hve^-^rr 
J  am  too  y outlay — /  pray  you^  pardon  m$  ;— 
But,  an  you  will  not  wed.  Til  pardon  you: 
Graze  where  you  will,  you  Ihall  not  houfe  with  mc  \ 
Look  to't,  think  on't,  I  do  not  ufe  to  jeft. 
Thurlday  is  near-,  lay  hand  on  heart,  advife: 
An  you  be  mine.  Til  give  you  to  my  friend: 
An  you  be  not,  hang,  beg,  ftarvc,  die  i'  the  ureetS| 
I'^or,  by  my  foul,  Fll  ne'er  acknowledge  thee, 
Kor  wliat  is  mine  fhajl  never  dp  thee  good: 
1  rurt   to't,   bethink  you,  Fll  not   be  forfworn. 

Jul,  Is  there  no  pity  fitting  in  the  clouds, 
That  fees  into  the  bottom  of  my  grief? — ■ 
0,  fweet  my  mother,  caft  me  not  away  f 
Delay  this  marriage  for  a  month,  a  week ; 

Or, 


ROMEO  AWD  JULIET.        ii^ 

Or^  if  you  do  ndt^  make  the  bridal  bed 
In  that  Am  mcJminwJnt  t?hcre  Tybalt  lies  ». 

La.  Cap.   Talk  not  to  me,  fbr  Vl\  not  fpfeak  i 
word; 
Do  as  thou  wilt,  for  I  have  done  with  thee.     {Eicif. 

Jul.  O  God ! — O  niitfc  J   how  fhall  this  be  pre- 
vented ? 
My  hufband  is  on  earth,  my  faith  in  heaven } 
How  (hall  that  faith  return  again  to  earthy 
Unlefs  that  hufband  fend  it  me  from  heaven 
By  leaving  earth  ? — comfort  me,  counfel  me. — 
Alack,  alack,  that  heaven  fhould  pradife  ilratagems 
Upon  fo  foft  a  fubjeft  as  myfelf ! — 
"What  fayTft  thoa  ?  haft  thoii  not  a  word  of  joy  ? 
Some  comfort,  nurfe* 

Hurfe.  » 'Faith,  here  *tis  :  Romeo 
Is  baftiihed ;  and  all  the  world  to  nothing. 
That  he  dares  ne'er  come  back  to  challenge  you  5 
Or,  if  he  do,  it  needs  muft  be  by  ftealth. 
Then,  iince  the  cafe  fo  ftands  as  now  it  doth, 
I  thhric  it  beft  you .  married  with  the  county. 
Oh  I  he's  a  lovely  gentleman  ! 
Romeo's  a  dift-clout  to  him ;  an  eagle,  mada[lil. 
Hath  not '  fo  green,  fo  quick,  fo  fair  an  eye 

'  In  that  dim  monument y  &c.j  The  modern  editors  read  dun 
monument.  I  have  replaced  dim  from  the  old  quarto  15979  luid 
the  foIio»    Steevens, 

*  Faitby  here  it  is : — ]     The  charafter  of  the  nuHc  exhibits  a 

juft  pi^re  of  thofe  whofe  adtions  have  no  principles  for  their 

foundation.     She  has  been  unfaithful  to  the  trufl  repofed  in  her 

.  by  Capuler,  ftnd  is  ready  to  embrace  any  expedient  that  offers,  to 

aven  the  confequences  ot  her  firft  infidelity.    Ste evens, 

'  — y^  greeny-—  ]     So  the  firll    editions.    Hanmer  reads,— y^ 

heen,     Johnson. 

Perhaps  Chaucer  has  given  to  Emetriusy  in  the  Knight* s  Tale^ 
eyes  of  the  fame  colour : 

His  nofe  was  high«  his  eyin  bright  eitryn : 
».  e,  of  the  hue  of  «n  unripe  lemon  or  citron. 

Again,  in  the  Tivo  Noble  Kin/men,  by  Fletcher  and  Shakefpeare, 
Ad  5.  Sc.  I.       '•*  —  oh  vouchfatc, 

**  With  that  thy  vdxe green  eye,  &c.— '*    Ste evens. 

I4  A 


I20       ROMEO  AND  JULIET; 

As  Paris  hath.    Bclhrcw  my  very  hearty 
I  think  you  are  happy  in  this  iecond  matcbt 
For  it  excels  your  firft :  or  if  it  did  not. 
Your  firft  is  dead ;  or  'twere  as  good  he  were,' 
4  As  living  here  and  you  no  ufe  of  him* 

Jul  Speakeft  thou  from  thy  heart  ? 

Nurfe.  And  from  my  foul  too  j 
Or  elfe  be{hrew  them  both. 

Jul  Amen! 

JSurfe.  What  ? 

Jul.  Well,  thou  haft  comforted  me  marvellous 
much. 
Go  in ;  and  tell  my  lady  I  am  gone. 
Having  difpleas'd  my  father,  to  Laurence*  cdl. 
To  make  confelfion,  and  to  be  abfolv'd. 

Nurfe.  Marry,  I  will ;  and  this  is  wifely  done* 

JmU  Ancient  damnation !  s  O  moft  wicked  fiend ! 
Is  it  mofe  fin — to  wi(h  me  thus  forfwom, 
Or  to  difpraife  my  lord  with  that  fame  tongue. 
Which  ftic  hath  prais'd  him  with  above  compare 
So  many  thoufand  times  ? — Go,  counfellor; 
Thou  and  my  bofon)  henceforth  (hall  be  twain. — 
ru  to  the  friar,  to  know  his  remedy  \ 
If  all  elfe  fail,  myfclf  have  power  to  die.  [^^i^* 

^  As  living  here,-^"]  Sir  T.  Hanmer  reads,  as  living  hence ; 
that  is,  at  a  di fiance,  in  banifhinent ;  but  here  may  (ignity,  in  this 
^ivorld,     Johnson, 

s  Ancient  damnation  !'\  This  term  of  reproach  occurs  in  the 
Malcontent y  i6q^: 

^'  -— out,  J'OU «B£^»/  damnation^      Steeyens. 


AC  r 


ROMEO  AMD  JULIET.       lai 


A  C  T   IV.      S  C  E  N  E    I. 

Friar  Laurence^s  celh 

Enter  Friar  Lawrence^  and  Paris. 

Fri.  On  thurfday,  fir  ?  the  time  b  very  Ihort, 

Far.  My  father  Capulet  will  have  it  fo ; 
^  And  I  am  nothing  flow,  to  flack  his  hafle. 

Fri.  You  fay,  you  do  not  know  the  lady's  mind ; 
Uneven  is  the  courle,  I  like  it  not. 

Par.  Immoderately  flic  weeps  for  Tybalt's  death. 
And  therefore  little  have  I  talk'd  of  love  -, 
For  Venus  fmiles  not  in  a  houfe  of  tears. 
Now,  fir,  her  father  counts  it  dangerous. 
That  flic  do  give  her  forrow  fo  much  fway  ; 
And,  in  his  wifdom,  haftes  our  marriage. 
To  ftop  the  inundation  of  her  tears  5 
Which,  too  much  minded  by  herfelf  alone. 
May  he  put  from  her  by  fociety  : 
Kow  do  you  know  the  reafon  of  this  hafle* 

Fri.  1  would  I  knew  not  why  it  fliould  be  flowed  7. 

L4fide. 
Look^  fir,  here  tomes  the  lady  towards  my  cell. 

•  jfad  I  amy  3f  c]     His  hajle  JbaU  not  he  abated  hy  ivy  Jlo-txiiefi^ 
\x  might  be  read : 

And  I  am  nothing  flow  to  hack  his  hafie : 
that  is,  I  am  dili|;ci^(  ^o  ^^  ^'^^  enforce  his  h^fle.    Johnson. 

Slack  was  certainly  the  author's  word,  for,  in  the  firft  edition, 
Ac  line  ran  — — 

*«  For  I  a^n  nothing  Jlack  to  flow  his  hade.'' 
^ade  could  not  have  flood  there.     Malone. 

^  — bejZmvV.]    So,  in  Sir  A.  Gorges*  tranilation  of  the  fecond 
^k  of  Lucan : 

**     ■         will  you  overflow 
«f  Tl^^.ields,  thereby  my  iq^ch  xe^JUmV*    Steevens. 
4         ^  FnUr 


I2t       ROMEO  ANo  JUL  lET. 

Enter  Juliet. 

Psr.  Happily  meC,  ®  my  lady,  and  Wy  ^fe  I 

Jul.  That  may  be,  fir,  when  I  may  be  a  wife. 

Far.  That  may  be,  muft  be,  love,  on  thurfday 
next. 

Jul.  What  muft  be  Ihall  be. 

Friar.  That'i  a  certain  text.  ^ 

Par.  Come  you  to  make  confeflien  to  thi^  fattier? 

Jul.  To  anfwer  that,  were  td  confefs  tt>  you. 

Par.  Do  not  deny  to  him,'  that  you  love  me, 

Jul.  I  will  confefs  to  you,  that  I  love  him- 

Par.  So  will  you,  I  am  fure,  that  you  love  meu 
'  Jul.  If  I  do  fo,  it  will  be  of  more  price. 
Being  fpoke  behind  jrour  back,  than  tp,  your  face. 

Par.  Poor  foul,  thy  face  is  much  abus'd  with  tears. 

Jul.  The  tears  have  got  fmall  vidory  by  that ; 
For  it  was  bad  enough,  before  their  fpight. 

Par.  Thou  wron^ft  it,  more  than  tcars^  witF^  that 
report. 

Jul.  That  is  no  flander,  fir,  which  is  a  truths 
And  what  I  fpake,  I  fpake  it  to  my  face. 

Par.  Thy  face  is  mine,  and  thou  haft  flanderM  it. 

Jul.  It  may  be  fo,  for  it  is  not  mine  own. 

Are  you  at  leifure,  holy  father,  now  5 
Or  ihall  I  come  to  you  at  evening  ma(s  ? 

Fri.  My  leifure  ferves  me,  penfive  daughttr,nXJW  :— 
My  lord,  we  muft  intreat  the  time  alone. 

Par.  God  fhield,  I  fliould  difturb  devotidn!— 
Juliet,  on  thinfday  early  wiW  I  rowzc  you  : 
•Till  then,  adieu !  and  keep  this  holy  kifs. 

[Exit  Paris* 

Jul.  O,  (hut  the  door  !  and  when  thou  ha^  done  fo. 
Come  weep  with  me  -,  Paft  hope,  paft  cure,  paft  hetp  I 

•  — nty  lady  and  ff^  wifely    As  thefc  four  firft  Hues  fecm  in- 
tended to  rhyme,  perhaps  the  author  wrote  thus  : 

'■         roy  lady  and  my  lifi !    JoHMsbir. 

Frim^ 


51QMEO  AKD  JULIET.       123 

FrioTf  Ah,  JmUcc,  I  i^lready  know  thy  grief; 
Jt  drains  me  paft  the  compaft  of  my  wits : 
J  h«r  thou  amft,  and  nothing  m^y  prorogue  it. 
On  thurfday  nc3|ft  be  nemrried  to  this  county. 

JmI.  TeU  naff  not,  friar,  that  thou  hear*ft  of  this, 
Unlefs  thou  tell  mc  how  I  may  prevent  it : 
If,  in  thy  wifdom,  thou  canft  give  no  hejp; 
Do  thou  but  call  0>y  resolution  wife. 
And  widn  tb»  knife  V\l  help  it  prefently. 
God  joined  my  heart  and  Romeo's,  thou  our  hands  \ 
And  ere  this  hand,  by  thee  to  Romeo  fcaFd, 
Shall  be  the  label  to  anod^er  deed. 
Or  my  true  heart  with  treacherous  revolt 
Turn  to  another,  this  (hall  flay  them  both  : 
Therefore^  out  of  thy  long-experiencM  time. 
Give  me  fome  prefem  counfel ;  or,  behold, 
'Twixt  my  extrenwjs  and  me  this  bloody  knife 
9  Shall  play  the  umpire,  arbitrating  that 
Which  the  *  commiffion  of  thy  years  and  art 
Could  to  m>  ifllie  of  true  honour  bring. 
9e  not  io  long  to  fpeak ;  I  long  to  die, 
If  what  thou  Ipeak'ft  fpeak  not  of  remedy. 

Friar.  Hold,  daughter ;  I  do  fpy  a  kind  of  hope. 
Which  craves  as  defpcrate  an  execution 
As  that  is  defperate  which  we  would  prevent. 
If,  rather  than  to  marry  county  Paris, 
Thou  baft  the  ftrength'of  will  to  flay  thyfelf ; 
Then  is  it  likely,  thou  wilt  undertake 
A  thing  like  death  to  chide  away  this  (hame. 
That  cop*ft  with  death  himfdf  to  Icape  from  it ; 
And^  if  thou  dar'fl-,  I'll  give  thee  remedy. 

JuL  O,  bid  mc  leap,  rather  than  marry  Paris, 

•  SbaBplay  the  umpire  ;-r}  That  is,  this  knife  ifaall  dtcide  the 
juggle  between  mc  aiw  iny  diftreircs,    Johnson. 

■  —  commlffim  ofihyjtars  ami  art]  C^mmiJ^an  is  for  authority  or 
iiKufr.    Johnson. 

.    From 


124       ROMEO  AND  JULIET. 

From  oflF  the  battlements  of  yonder  tower » ; 
5  Or  walk  in  thievifh  ways ;  or  bid  me  lurk 
Where  fcrpents  are  j  chain  me  with  roaring  bears  5 
Or  hide  roe  nightly  in  a'charnel  houfe, 
O'er-cover'd  quite  with  dead  men's  rattling  bones, 
With  reeky  fhanks,  and  yellow  chaplefs  fculls  5 
Or  bid  me  go  into  a  new-made  grave. 
Arid  hide  me  with  a  dead  man  in  his  ftiroud. 
Things  that,  to  hear   them  told,  have   made  me 

tremble ; 
And  1  will  do  it  without  fear  or  doubt. 
To  live  an  unftain'd  wife  to  my  fweet  love.  ^ 

Fri.  Hold,  then;  go  home,  be  merry,  give confent 
To  marry  Paris  :  Wcdncfday  is  to-morrow ; 
To-morrow  night  look  that  thou  lie  alone. 
Let  not  thy  nurfe  lie  with  thee  in  thy  chamber : 
Take  thou  this  phial  4,  being  then  in  bed. 

And 

*—er  yonder  tower ;}  Thus  the  quarto  1597.  All  other 
ancient  copies — ofiufy  tower.    Steevens. 

*  Or  chain  me^  to.] 

Or  walk  in  thievifh  ways,  or  bid  me  lurk 

Where  fcrpents  are ;  chain  me  with  roaring  bears. 

Or  hide  me  nightly,  &c. 
It  is  thus  ihe  editions  vary.     Pope. 

My  edition  has  the  words  which  Mr,  Pope  has  omitted ;  but  the 
old  copy  fcems  in  this  place  preferable ;  only  perhaps  we  might 
better  read, 

Where  favagt  bears  and  rearing  lions,  roam.  Johns  ok. 
I  have  inlerted  the  liues  which  Pope  omitted;  for  which  I  muft 
offer  this  fliort  apology:  in  the  lines  rejected  by  him  we  meet 
with  three  dillin^t  ideas,  fuch  as  may  be  fuppofed  to  exche  terror 
in  a  woman,  for  one  that  is  to  be  found  ia  the  others.  The  lines 
now  omitted  are  thefe : 

Or  chain  me  to  fomc  ftecpy  mountain's  top. 

Where  roaring  bears  and  ^vagc  lions  roam ; 

Or  (hut  me iSxEEVENS. 

*  T^i  thou  this  phlal^UQ,'\  Thus  fainter* s  Palace  of  FUafure^ 
torn.  ii.  p.  237.  ^*  Beholde  hecre  I  give  thee  a  viole,  &c.  drink  fo 
much  as  is  contained  therein.  And  then  you  (ball  feele  a  certain^ 
kicde  of  pleafant  lleepe,  which  incroching  by  liile  and  litlc  all  the 

parts 


ROMEO  AND  JULIET,        125 

And  this  diftiUed  liquor  drink  thou  off: 
When,  prefently,  through  all  thy  veins  (hall  run  5 
A  cold  and  drowfy  humour,  which  fhall  feize 
Each  vital  fpirit ;  for  no  pulfe  Ihall  keep 
His  natural  progrefs,  but  furccafe  to  beat : 
No  warmth,  no  breath,  Ihall  teftify  thou  liv'ft ; 
The  rofes  in  thy  lips  and  cheeks  ihall  fade 
To  paly  afhes ;  thy  eyes*  windows  fall. 
Like  death,  wh*n  he  ftiuts  up  the  day  of  life ;     , 
Each  part,  deprivM  of  fupple  government. 
Shall  (tiff,  and  Aark,  and  cold  appear  like  death : 
And  in  this  borrowM  likenefs  of  mrunk  death 
Thou  flialt  remain  full  two  and  forty  hours. 
And  then  awake  as  from  a  pleafant  fleep. 
Now  when  the  bridegroom  in  the  morning  comes 
To  roufc  thee'from  thy  bed,  there  art  thou  dead  : 
Then  (as  the  manner  of  our  country  is) 
*  In  thy  beft  rob^  uncovered  on  the  bier,. 

Thou 

parti  of  your  body,  wil  conftrain  tbem  in  fuch  wife,  as  unmovea- 
We  they  fhal  remaine :  and  by  not  doing  their  accnftomcd  duties, 
ihall  loofc  their  natural  feelings,  and  you  abide  in  fuch  extafie  the 
fpace  of  xl  houres  at  the  leall,  without  any  beating  of  poulfe  or 
other  perceptible  motion,  which  (hall  fo  aftonnc  them  that  come  to 
fee  you,  as  they  will  judge  you  to  be  dead,  and  according  to  the 
cuftomc  of  our  citic,  you  (hall  be  caried  to  the  churchyard  hard  by 
our  cburch,  when  you. (hall  be  intombed  in  the  common  monument 
of  the  Capellets  your  anccflors,  &c/*    St  e  evens, 

*  —  through  all  tijy  'wins  Jball  run 

A  cold  aitd  drrxfi  humour ^"X  The  firfl  edition  in  i  J97,  has 
in  general  been  here  followed,  except  only,  that  indcad  ot  a  cold 
and  drov^  humouTy  we  there  find  —  *  a  dull  and  hcofvy  Jlumher^ 

Malone. 

*  In  thy  hefi  robes  uncover  d  on  the  ller^  Betneen  this  line  and 
cIk^  next,  the  quanos  1^99,  1609,  and  the  firil  folio,  introduce  the 
following  verte,  which  the  poet  very  probably  *had  liruck  out  on 
his  revifal,  bccaufe  it  is  quire  unneceflary,  as  the  fen fe  of  it  is  re- 
peated, and  as  it  will  not  conne<fl  with  either : 

Be  borne  to  burial  in  thy  kindred's  grarc. 
Had  Virgil  lived  to  have  revifed  his  Mneidy  he  would  hardly  hnvc 
permirttd  both  of  the  following  lines  to  remain  in  his  texr: 

"  At 


«6      ROMfiO  AND  jULIEt. 

Thou  (halt  be  borne  to  that  fame  ancient  vaulf, 
Where  all  the  kindred  of  the  Capulcts  lie. 
In  the  nnean  time^  againft  thoa  fbalt  awake. 
Shall  Romeo  by  my  letters  know  our  drift ; 
And  hither  (hall  he  come ;  ^  and  he  and  1 
Will  watch  thy  waking,  and  that  very  night 
Shall  Romeo  bear  thee  hence  to  Mantua, 
And  this  fliall  free  thee  from  this  prefent  fliame  \ 
•  If  no  unconftant  toy,  nor  womanifti  fear. 
Abate  thy  valour  in  the  acting  it. 

Jul  Give  me,  O  give  me !  tell  me  not  of  fear. 

Fri.  Hold ;  get  you  gone,  be  ftrong  and  profperous 
In  this  rcfolve :  PU  fend  a  friar  with  fpeed 
To  Mantua,  with  my  letters  to  thy  lord, 

Jul  Love,  give  me  ftrcngth !  and  ftrength  Ihall 
help  aSbrd. 
Farcwcl,  dear  father!  [Exeunt. 


SCENE        H. 

Capuki*s  baufe. 

EnUr  Capukt^  Lady  Capulet^  Nurfi^  and  Survants. 

Cap.  So  many  guefts  invite  as  here  arc  writ,— • 
Sirrah,,  go  hire  me  twenty  cunning  cooks. 

Serv.  You  (hall  have  none  ill,  fir  j  for  YVL  try  if 
they  can  lick  their  fingers, 

"  At  Fenus  obfcuro  p^dicntcs  acre  fcpfit ; 
^*  £t  multo  nebulae  circum  ^tf  fudit  amidu.** 
The  aukward  repetition  of  the  Domioative  cafe  in  the  ftcond  of 
them,  feems  to  decide  very  fln»gly  againfl  it.    Stse yens. 
">         ■   ^€mdbeM$uiI 
Will  'Oisatcb  thy  woAiJiyy-- ]     Thefo  word^  are  not  in  the 
folio.    Johnson. 

•  ffnBwicQit/hiittoy^^-^l  If  tio  fekk  freaky  no  li^Jk  ctfria,  no 
tboH^e  (ffoM^^  hinder  the  performanae.    Johnson. 

Cap. 


ROMEO  Avi>  JULIET.       127 

Cap.  How  canfli  thon  try  them  fo  ? 

Serv.  Marry,  0^,  *tis  ae  ill  <co^  that  cannot  lick 
his  own  fifigers :  thWefc^e  H^,  that  camiot  Ikk  his  fin- 
gers, goes  not  witbf  iw. 

Cap.  Go^  b^OBfc,- [^Exit  SurvanU 

Wc  fli^l  be  mupb  unftirnilh*d  for  this  time.— 
What,  is  my  daughter  gone  to  friar  Laurence  ? 

^Wf^.  Ay,  foriqojht 

C^^  Well,  he  m^y  chance  to  do  fomc  ^jpd  on  her: 
A  peevitti  felf-wUrd  harlotry  it  is. 

JSnter  JuJht. 

Nurfe.  Sec,  where  fhc  comes  from  ihrift  o  with 
merry  look. 

Capj^  How  now,  my  head-ftrong  ?  where  have  you 
been  gadding? 

Jul.  Where  I  have  learnt  me  to  repent  the  fin 
Of  diibb^dient  oppofition 
To  you,  apd  your  behefts ;  and  am  enjoinM 
By  holy  Laurence  to  fall  proftrate  here. 
And  teg  your  pardon : — Pardon,  I  befeech  you ! 
Henceforward  I  am  ever  ruPd  by  you. 

Cap.  Send  for  the  county  ;  go,  tell  him  of  this; 
ru  have  this  knot  knit  up  to-morrow  morning. 

Jul.  I  met  the  youthful  lord  at  Laurence*  cell; 
And  gave  him  what  becomed  love  I  might. 
Not  Itepping  o'er  the  bounds  of  modefty. 

Cap.  Why,  I  am  glad  on't ;  this  is  well,  iland  up : 

This  is  as't  fliould  be. Let  me  fee  the  county ; 

Ay,  marry,  go,  I  fay,  and  fetch  him  hither. — 

•  — ^/vjtihrife,  i.  c.  from  coafeflion.].    So,  in  tlic  Merty  Devil 
tf  E^monwi^  1626: 

*♦  -Ay,  like  a  weach  comes  roundly  to  \k<txfifriftr 
In  the  old  Morality  of  E;ppy  Msmf\ii.  L  no  date,  confeffion  k 
perfonified: 

**  Now  I  prgy  jo\xJbryie^  motter  of  iatraqron-** 
7  -  Stk^vens. 

Now, 


nB      ROMEO  akd  JUL  IE  T.' 

Now,  afore  God,  this  reverend  holy  friar, 
«  All  our  whole  city  is  much  bound  to  him.' 

Jul.  Nurfe,  will  you  go  with  me  into  my  clofct^ 
To  help  me  fort  Ibch  needful  ornaments 
As  you  think  fit  to  furnifh  me  to-morrow  ? 

La.  Cap.  No,    not  ^till  thurfday;   there  is  time 
enough. 

Cap.  Go,  nurfe^  go  with  her  :-^ we'll  to  church 
to-morrow.        \JExeunt  Juliet ^  and  Nurfi^ 

La.  Cap.  *  We  (hall  be  Ihort  in  our  provifion  ; 
*Tis  now  near  night. 

Cap.  Tufh  !  I  will  ftir  about. 
And  all  things  (hall  be  well,  I  warrant  thee^  wife : 
Go  thou  to  Juliet,  help  to  deck  up  her ; 
Fll  not  to  bed  to-night ; — let  me  alone ; 
I'll  play  the  houfewife  for  this  once. — What,  ho !— ^ 
They  are  all  forth  :  Well,  I  will  walk  myfelf 
To  county  Paris,  to  prepare  him  up 
Againlt  to-morrow  :  my  heart  is  wondrous  lights 
Since  this  fame  wayward  girl  is  fo  reclaimed. 

[Exeunt  Capukt,  and  latfy  Capuleti 

SCENE        III. 

Juliet^s  Chamber. 

Enter  Juliet ^  and  Nurfe  % 

Jul.  Ay,  thofe  attires  are  beft:— But,  gentle  nur(e> 
I  pray  thee,  leave  me  to'  myfelf  to-night  \ 

'  All  our 'ujbok  ctt^  is  much  bound  to  him.']  Thus  the  folio  and 
fhe  quaitoft  19^9  and  1609.  The  okleft  quano  reads,  I  think, 
more  grammatically: 

AU  our  whole  dty  is  much  bound  unto.    Steevens. 
^Wejbalibejbort'^^  That  is,  we  (hall  be  ^^^/v^.    JohiIson. 
»  Enter  Juliety  and  NttrJeJ]  Indead  of  the  next  fpeech,  the  quartQ 
1597,  fupplie*  the  following  ftiort  dialogue : 

Nurfe.  Come,  come,  what  need  you  anie  thing  elfe  ? 
Juliet*  Nothing  good  nurfe,  but  leave  me  to  myfclfc. 
Nurje.  Well  there's  a  cleane  fmocke  under  your  piUonr,  and  fo 
good  night.    Steevens. 

pot 


fc  O  M  E  O  AND  JULIET-        129  ' 

4  t*or  I  have  need  of  many  orifons 

To  rtiovc  the  heavens  to  fmile  upon  my  ftate, 

^hkh,  well  thou  know*ft,  is  crofs  and  full  of  fin* 

Enter  Lady  Capulet. 

La.  Capi,  What,  ate  you  bufy  ?  do  you  need  my 
help  ? 

Jul.  No,  madam  ;  we  have  culled  fuch  neceflaries 
As  are  behovcful  for  our  ftate  to-morrow  : 
So  pleafe  you,  let  me  now  be  left  alone. 
And  let  the  nurfe  this  night  fie  up  with  you  ; 
For,  I  am  fure,  you  have  your  hands  full  all* 
In  thi^  ib  fudden  bufinefs* 

La.  Cap.  Good  night ! 
Get  thee  to  bed,  and  reft )  for  thou  ha(t:  need* 

[Exeunt  Lady^  and  Nurfe^ 

jut.  « tareWel !— ^'— ^God  knows,    when  we  Iball 
meet  again* 
1  have  a  faint  cold  fear  thrills  through  my  veins. 
That  almoft  freezes  up  the  heat  of  life : 
ril  call  them  back  again  to  comfort  me  ■,        * 
Nurfe !— What  fliould  (he  do  here  ? 
My  difmal  fcene  I  needs  mUft  aft  alone.—* 
Come, '  phial.— — 
What  if  this  mixture  do  not  work  at  all  ^  i 

Shall. 

^  P^  Ihave  tucA^  &c.]  Juliet  plays  tnoft  of  htr  pranks  under 
the  appearance  of  religion  :  perhaps  Shakefpeare  meant  to  punifii 
her  hypocHftr,    Johnson* 

5  Farewell  &f.]  This  fpeech  received  confiderable  additions 
after  the  eider  copy  was  publiihed.    Ste£Vens« 

•  What  if  this  ffiixtwre  da  not  work  at  all? \  So,  in  Painter^s 
Palace  of  Pkt^urc^  torn.  ii.  p.  239.  ** — but  what  know  I  (lavd 
(he)  whether  the  operation  of  this  pouder  will  be  to  foone  or  to 
late,  or  not  correfpondent  to  the  due  time,  and  that  my  faulte  being 
dilcofered,  I  (hall  remayne  a  jeding  (locke  and  fable  to  the  peo'^ 
pie '  what  know  I  moreover,  if  the  ferpents  and  dther  veoomous 
and  crauling  worities,  which  commonly  frequent  the  graves  and 

K'  :e8  of  the  eanh,  will  hurt  me  thinkyng  that  I  am  dead  ?  Hut 
w  (hall  I  indure  the  Hinche  of  fo  many  cariont  and  bones  of 
Vol.  X.  K  myne 


^30       ROMliO  AND  jtj Li  fef; 

7  Shall  I  of  force  be  married  to  the  count  ?— 

No>  no; — this  fhall  forbid  it :— lie  thou  there ^— —- 

What  if  it  be  a  poifon^  which  the  mar 

Subtly  hath  minifter*d  to  have  me  dead ; 

J^eft  in  this  marriage  he  fliouid  be  di(hon(Hir\]f 

Becaufe  he  married  mt  befote  to  Romeo  ? 

I  fear^  it  is  i  and  yec^  thethinki^  it  Ihoold  not^ 

For  he  hath  ftill  been  trifed  a  hdjr  tnan  : 

9  i  will  not  entertain  fo  bad  a  thotighi.— ^— 

How  if^  when  I  am  laid  into  the  tomb^ 

I  wake  bcfoit  the  time  that  Rbmeo 

Come  to  redeem  me  ?  there's  a  fearful  pokilt  I 

Shall  I  not  then  be  ftifled  iii  the  vault, 

To  whofe  foul  nioutfi  no  healthfome  air  breathes  vki 

And  there  die  ftranglcd  ere  my  Romeo  comes  ? 

Or,  if  I  live,  is  it  not  very  Hke, 

The  horrible  conceit  of  death  and  night, 

royne  aunceftors  whicb  reft  in  the  gravc^  if  by  fortune  I  io  arwakll 
betbre  Romeo  and  f)-ier  Laurence  doe  come  to  kelp  tne  ?  And  a^ 
ihc  was  thus  plunged  in  the  deepe  contemplation  of  things,  ihc 
thought  tfiat  (he  fawe  a  certaine  vifion  or  fanfie  of  her  coufin 
Thibault,  in  the  very  fame  fort  as  Ac  fa\w  him  wounded  and  im- 
brued with  blood ;  ic*"    St^evens* 

'  Shall  I  rffirte  be  married  to  tfje  cttunt  ?]     Thtlf  the  ekleft 
quarto.     Succeeding  quartos  and  the  folio  read  s 

Shall  I  be  married  then  to-rborrow  moVning  ?  St ^  e  v  e  n  s ; 
•  —  /Fr  thou  there.  Layikg  daxwAa  *^aggerJ\  TWs  {lage-diredlion 
ba«  been  fuppHed  by  the  modem  editors.  The  quarto,  1597,* 
reads:  ^ — Knijc^  he  thou  there."  It  appears  from  feveral  jit 
fiiges  in  our  old  plays,  that  bik>es  were  tormerly  part  of  tlic  ac- 
coutrements of  a  bndc ;  ftnd  every  thing  hehoveful  ror  JuKet*9  JIate 
had  juft  been  left  with  her.  So,  in  Decker's  Match  me  in  Load^tt^ 
163 1  : 

"  Sec  at  my  girdle  hang  my  v:edding  kHt^fesP* 
Again,  in  King  Edvoardllh  1599  : 

"  Here  by  my  fide  do  hang  my  ivcdding  kni'ves : 
•*  Take  thou  the  one,  and  with  it  kill  thy  queen, 
**  And  with  the  other,  1*11  difpatch  my  lore."  Steevkns. 
•  7  nviUnot  entertain  fo  had  a  thought,^     I'his  line  I  have  rc- 
ftored  iiom  the  quarto,  15974    SrBEV£N8« 

Together 


together  with  the  terror  of  tjie  place, • 

>  As  in  a  V^UlCy  an  ancient  receptacle, 

^Yhere,  for  thefe  many  hundred  years,  the  bones 

Of  all  my  buried  anceftor$  are  pack'd  5 

Where  bloody  Tybalt,  yet  but  green  in  earth  % 

llrics  fcftring  ^  in  hb  ftiroud  ;  where,  as  they  fay^ 

At  fome  hofurs  in  the  night  fpirits  rcfort  ;— 

Alacki  alack !  4  is  it  not  like,  thlt  I, 

So  early  waking, — What  with  loathfome  fmells ; 

And  (hrieks  like  mdndr^kes  torn  out  of  the  earthy 

7h^  living  mortab,  hearing  them  5^  run  mad — ^ 

*  AsUa  wultt  &c.]  Thid  idesl  was  ptohMy  fuggefted  to  oMt 
|x>et  by  his  napve  plaee.  The  charpel  at  Stratford  upon  Avon 
ii  a  f^  large  one,  and  perhaps  contains  a  greater  number  of  bones 
than  are  to  be  found  in  any  other  repofitory  of  the  fame  kind  in 
England.— ^I  was  furhifh)^  with  this  dbfefvation  by  Mr.  Murphy, 
whofe  very  elegant  and  fpitited  defence  of  Shakefpeare  againft  thd 
tridcifins  of  Voltaire,  is  one  of  the  leafl  cdnfiderable  out  of  many 
fiivours  which  he  has  cohferred  on  the  literary  woild.    Stee  v'ei/sa 

*  — gncn  in  edrtlf,']  i.  c.  firelh  in  earthy  newly  burled.  So,  ia 
iiamkt: 

**  — s  of  our  dear  brother's  death, 
•*  iTie  memory  be  green.** 
Agsdo,  in  thtOfporhnufy^  by  Shirley : 
*'  -^  I  am  but 
**  GVif/r  in  my  honours."     StEEVtNS; 
5  lAaJffring'^]  To^^  is  to  corrupt.    So;  in  Jt.EJin:^ J  UL 

^599- 

<*  Lillics  thdt^^rr  fihdl  far  worfe  than  weeds.** 

This  line  likewife  occurs  in  the  94th   Sonnet  of  Shakefpeare* 
The  play  of  EdvjardlW,  has  been  afcribed  to  him.    StEEVgMS* 

*  — ^/i  //  not  like^  thai  /]  .  This  fpeech  is  contufed,  and  incon^ 
^cential)  according  to  the  diforder  oi  Juliet's  mind.     JoilNSpN* 

5  —  run  t»ad^']    9o,  in  Webftcr's  Dutcljefs  ofMa^,  162^  2 

**  I  have  this  night  dig'd  up  a  manJrakiy 

**  And  am  grown  mad  with  t;" 
80,  in  Tfje  Athei/Ts  traged^^  l6i  i  i 

**  The  arits  of  mandrakes  neviSr  toU£Ji*d  the  eitr 

**  ^yith  more  (ad  horror,  than  that  voice  docs  niioe.'^ 
Again,  InACbriftidM  turned  Turk^  1612  : 

**  I'll  rather  give  an  ear  to  the  Wack  ihrieks 

<*  Otmandraku;*  &cc. 
Again,  in  Arijiippus^  or  the^  Jovial  Philofophcr : 

••  This  is  t\xt  mandrake* s  ooice  that  undoes  me,    StBirifiSi 

K  a  01 


132        R  O  M  E  O  AMD  J  O  L  I  E  T. 

O  !  if  I  wake,  (hall  I  not  be  diftraught  ^, 
Environed  with  all  thefe  hideous  fears  ? 
And  madly  play  with  my  forefathers*  joints  ? 
And  pluck  the  mangled  Tybalt  from  his  (hroud  ? 
And,  ill  this  rage,  with  fome  great  kinfman's  bone. 
As  with  a  club,  dalh  out  my  defperate  brains  ? 
O,  look !  methinks,  I  fee  my  couQn's  ghoft 
Seeking  out  Romeo,  that  did  fpit  his  body 
Upon  a  rapier*s  point : — Stay,  Tybalt,  ftay  !— 
Romeo,  I  come !  this  do  I  drink  to  thee. 

[^Sbe  throws  berfelf  on  the  bed. 

SCENE        IV. 

CapuleCs  ball. 

Enter  Lady  Capukt^  and  Nurfe. 

La.  Cap.  Hold,  take  thefe  keys,  and  fetch  more 

fpices,  nurfe. 
Ifurfe.  They  call  for  dates  and  quinces  in  the  paftry. 

Enter  Capulet. 

Cap.  Come,  ftir,  ftir,  ftir !  the  fecond  cock  hath 
crow'd, 
7  The  curfeu  bell  hath  rung,  'tis  three  o'clock : — 

•  —  be  dtfiraughf.]    Diftraught  is  diftra6ted.     So,  in  Drayton's 
Po^lhion^  Song  lo: 

**  Is,  for  that  river's  lake,  near  of  his  wits  diftraught^ 
Again,  in  Spenfer'i  Faery  $men^  B.  i.  C.  9 : 
♦  i(  v^^i^ju  frantic  fit,  quoih  he,  hath  thus  diftraugU^  &c." 

St££V£N8« 

^  the  curfiu  heU^     I  know  not  that  the  n)orning-bell  is  called 
the  curfiu  in  any  other  place.     Johnson. 

The  curfe^^,\}  bcU  was  rung  at  nine  in  the  everting,  as  appears 
from  a  paflage  in  the  Maty  Devil  of  Edmonton^  1626  : 

•*  —  well  'tis  nine  o'clock,  'tis  lime  to  ring  curfr^r 

STEEV£Nt* 

Look 


R  O  M  E  O  AND  JULIET.       135 

Look  to  the  bakM  meats^  good  Angelica: 
Spare  not  for  cod. 

Hurfe.  Go,  you  cot-quean,  go. 
Get  you  to  bed ;  'faith,  you'll  be  fick  to-morrow 
For  this  night's  watching. 

Cap.  No,  not  a  whit ;  What !  I  have  watch'd  ere 
now 
All  night  for  a  lefs  caufe,  and  ne*er  been  Gck. 
La.  Cap.  Ay,  you  jiave  been  a  moufe-hunt  ®  in  your 
time ; 
But  I  will  watch  you  from  fuch  watching  now. 

[^Exeunt  Lady  Capulet^  and  Nurfe. 
Cap.  A  jealous- hood,  a  jealous- hood ! — Now,  fellow, 
What's  there? 

Enter  three  or  four ^  with/pits^  and  logs^  and  bajkets. 

Serv.  Things  for  the  cook,  fir ;  but  I  know  not 

what. 
Cap.  Make  hafte,  make  hafte.     Sirrah,  fetch  drier 
logs  •,  ^ 

Call  Peter,  he  will  (hew  thee  where  they  are. 

Serv^  I  have  a  head,  fir,  that  will  find  out  logs. 
And  never  trouble  Peter  for  the  matter.  fkxit. 

Cap.  'Mafs,  and  well  faid ;  A  merry  whorefon !  ha, 
Thou  fhait  be  ledger-head. — Good  faith,  'tis  day : 
The  county  will  be  here  with  mufick  ftraight, 

[^Muftck  within. 

For  fo  he  faid  he  would.     I  hear  him  near : " 

Nurfe  ! — Wife ! — what,  bo  ! — what,  Nurfe,  I  fay  ! 

Enter  Nurfe.  •     * 

Go,  waken  Juliet,  go,  and  trim  her  up  y 

•  —  a  mouje-bani^    It  appears  from  a  pafTage  in  Hamlet^  that 
moufe  was  once  a  term  of  endearment  applied  to  a  woman  : 

"  Pinch  wanton  on,  your  cheek,  call  you  his  mouJeP 

Steevens. 

K  3  I'll 


134      R  b  M  E  6  AND  J  U  L  1 E  T^ 

111  go  and  chat  with  Paris  : — Hie,  make  hafte. 
Make  hade  !  the  bridegroom  he  is  come  already : 
Make  h^,  I  fay  ! 

S.  C    E    N    E      V. 

JuUei's  Cbambep\  Juliet  on  the  Bed. 

Enter  Nurfe. 

mrji.  Miftrefs !— what,  mittrefs !— Juliet !— faft, 

I  warrant  her: — 
Why,  lamb ! — why,  lady  I-^-fie,  you  fluga-bcd!-^ 
Why,  Jove,  I  fay  !— — madam  !  fweet-heart ! — 

Why,  bride ! 

Wbat>  not  a  word?i you  take  your  pemiy worth* 

now ; 
Steep  for  n  week ;  for  the  next  night,  1  warrant. 
The  county  Paris  hath  9  kt  up  his  reft. 
That  you  O^all  reft  but  litrie. — God  forgive  me, 
(Marry,  and  amen !)  how  found  is  (he  aflcep  ! 
I  muft  needs  wake  her : — Madam !  madam !  madam ! 
Ay,  let  the  county  take  pu  in  your  bed ; 
t}e*ll  fright  you  up,  i-faith. — Will  it  not  be  ?      , 
What,  dreil !  afid  in  your  clothes }  and  down  again ! 

•  — Jit  uf  his  refi^  This  tzpreflioni  which  is  frequently  em- 
ployed by  the  old  dramanck  writers,  is  tak^ti  from  the  manner  of 
firing  the  harquebufs.  Tljls  was  fo  heavy  a  gun,  that  the  foldiert 
were  oblige^  to  carry  a  fnpportpr  called  a  reft^  which  they  foed  in 
fhe  ground  before  they  levelled  to  take  Jjiin.  Decker  ufes  it  in  his 
comedy  of  Old  Fortunatus^  1600  :  "  ri-fei  your  bean  at  reft,  for 
I  havey?/  i^  ny  f^^  that  unleis  you  can  run  fwifter  than  a  hart, 
home  you  ^o  not.**  The  fame  expreffion  occurs  in  Beaumont 
fod  Flcp*cr*f  EbierBroiker: 

^  Nor  will  I«)lef8-T—^* 
Ste  MontfiiUCOQ^  monar^i^  ^ran^oifi^  tpm,  v.  plate  '48^ 

Steevens* 

I  mMft 


R  O  ^f  B  Q  AND  J  y  L  I  E  Tt        t^5 

I  muft  ncc^s  w^ke  yow :— Lady !  Udy  !  lacjy ! 

Alas!  aU$!--Help1  help!  my  lady's  dead! 

O,  wcll-aniay,  that  ever  J  was  bprn  1 — 
S^me  aqm-vit2»  ho !— My  lord ! — my  fady  I 

finter  La^  CafuUt. 

fM.  Cap.  What  noife  is  here  } 

Nurfe.  O  lamentable,  day  ! 

itf .  Cap.  What's  the  matter  ? 

Nurfe.  Look,  look !  O  heavy  day  i 

La.  Cap.  O  me,  O  me  ! — my  chiid,  my  only  lifef 
Revive,  look  up,  or  I  will  die  witl^  thee  1     ■    ■ 
^clj),  help  !--cail  help. 

Enfer  Capulet. 

Cap^  Foflhame,  bring  Juliet  forth;  her  |ord  is 

come. 
Nurfi.  She's  dead,  dfccas-d^  ijie's  dead ;  alack  tl^ 

day ! 
M  Cap.  Alack  the  day  !  ibe'^  dead,  ibe's  dead, 

•  ftl^^s  dead. 
Cap.  Ha  I  fet  mc  fee  her: — Out,  alas !  (he's  cbld; 
J^er  blobd  is  fettled,  and  her  joints  are  ftifF-, 
Life  and  thefe  Up^  have  long  been  feparated : 
Death  lies  on  her,  like  an  untimely  froft 
Upon  the  fweetjpft  flower  of  all  the  field. 
^ccurfed  time ! '  unforiunate  old  man  1    ' 
Nurfe.  O  lamentabk  day  ! 
La.  Cap.  O  woeful  time  i 

Cap.  Death,  that  hath  ta'en  her  hence  to  make  me 
wail. 
Ties  up  my  tongue^  ^ral  will  not  le(  me  fpeak. 

Enttr  Friar  Laurence^  and  Paris^  with  Muftcians. 

Fri.  Come,  is  the  bride  ready  to  go  to  church  ^ 
Qgp.  jteady  to  go,  but  never  to  return :  — 

^'  K  4  '      Ofon, 


i3<5       ROMEO  AND  JULIET^ 

«  O  fon,  the  night  before  thy  wedding  day 

Hath  de4ch  lain  with  thy  bride  * : — Sec,  there  (he  lies 

Flower  as  flie  was,  deflowered  now  by  him  N 

*  Death  is  my  fon-in-law,  death  is  my  heir; 

My  daughter  he  hath  wedded  !  I  will  die. 

And  leave  him  all  j  life  leaving,  all  is  death's. 

Par.  Have  1  thought  long  to  fee  this  morning's 
face  ^, 
And  doth  it  give  me  fuch  a  fight  as  thb  ? 

La.  Cap.  Accurs'd,  unhappy , wretched,  hatefpl  day  I 
Moll  miferable  hour,  that  rime  e'er  faw 
In  lading  labour  of  his  pilgrimage ! 
But  one,  poor  one,  one  poor  and  loving  child. 
But  one  thing  to  rejoice  and  fojace  in. 
And  cruel  death  hath  catch'd  it  from  my  Gpht. 

^urfe.  ^  O  woe !  O  woeful,  woeful,  woetiil  day ! 

*  O  forty  the  night  hefrre  thy  v^eddinz  <^ 

Hath  death  lain  'with  thy  ^ife, — ^J     Euripides  hat  (poned  with 
this  thought  ii>  the  fame  tnanner.     ^hfg.  in  At^  v^.  460* 

*'  "aAh  tvt^iii  i(niu,yvi^v(XH  rix»')    SirW.  Rawlinsok, 

*  Hath  death  Uin  v^ith  tf^  hride:'\     Perhaps  this  line  is  coarfely 
ridiculed  in  '  ecker*8  Satiro/ruifiix : 

*'  Dead :  ftic*s  death's  bride;  he  hgth  her  maidenhead." 

Steeveks. 

>  Flower  a^Jbtvam^  deflowered  «#w  hy  bim.'l     This  jingle  was 

common  to  other  writers  ;  and  among  the  reit,  to  Greene*  in  his 

Greets  in  Conceitt^    ^S^^'"    ** '       'a  garden-houfp  having  round 

about  it  m^ny  JUfwe^ 5^  and  within  it  much  defloRjoring^   Collins* 

*  Death  is  nrp  foM^in-Iaw^  &c.]  The  remaining  part  of  the 
fpcech  I  ha\e  reftored  from  the  quarto,  1609.     Steevens. 

*  —  morning* s  face^"]  The  quartp,  1 597,  cpntinues  the  rpccch  of 
Paris  thus : 

And  doth  it  now  prefent  fuch  prodigies  f 

Accurlt,  unhappy,  miferable  man, 

forlorn,  torfaken.  dcftiture  I  am ; 

B.ru  !u  the  world  to  be  a  flave  in  it ; 

Dl'lrcil,  r'njedilefs,  u»  tbnunare. 

O  he.vcn  !  Oh  nature !  wherefore  did  you  make  me. 

To  live  fo  vile,  fo  ^retched  as  I  ft;aU  ?    Steeveks, 

*  O  'voe!  oh  lu.Tr/^//,  Stc.l  This  fpeech  of  exclamations  is  not  ii^ 
the  edition  above-ctcd.  Several  o  her  parts,  unnccelTHry  gr  fautor 
jog/  iiie  not  to  be  lound  in  the  faid  edition  ;  which  octafions  the 
vanauon  in  tiua  from  the  cbmnian  books.    Popi, 

Moft 


ROMEO  AKD  JULIE  T^        137 

Moft  Umcntable  day !  raoft  woeful  day. 

That  ever,  ever,  I  did  yet  behold  ! 

O  day  !  O  day !  O  day  !  O  hateful  day !  - 

Never  was  feen  fo  black  a  day  as  this : 

O  woeful  day,  O  woeful  day  I 

¥ar.  BegUird,  divorced,  wronged,  fpightcd,  flamf 

Moft  decettable  death,  by  thee  beguil'd. 

By  cruel  cruel  thee  quire  overthrown  ! 

O  love!  O  life! — not  life,  but  love  in  death  I 
Cap.  Deipis*d,  diftreffed,  hated,  martyr'd,  killed !— 

Uncomfortable  time !  why  cam*ft  thou  now 

To  murder  murder  our  fotmnity  ? 

O  child!  O  child! — my  foul,  and  not  my  childly- 
Dead  art  thou ! — alack !  my  child  is  dead ; 

And,  with  my  child,  my  joys  arc  buried ! 

fri.    7  Peace,  ho,  for  fliame!    confufion's  cure 
lives  not 
In  thefe  confufions.     Heaven  and  yourfclf 
Had  part  in  this  fair  maid ;  now  heaven  hath  all« 
And  all  the  better  is  it  for  the  maid  : 
Your  part  in  her  you  could  not  keep  from  death  j 
But  heaven  keeps  his  part  in  eternal  life. 
The  moft  you  fought  was — her  promotion  5 
For  'twas  your  heaven,  flie  (hould  be  advanc*d ; 
And  weep  ye  now,  feeing  (he  is  advanced. 
Above  the  clouds,  as  high  as  heaven  itfelf  ? 
O,  in  this  love,  you  love  your  child  fo  ill. 
That  you  run  mad,  feeing  that  (he  is  well : 
5hc*s  not  well  marry'd,  that  lives  marrj'*d  long} 

t  Feact^  ho^  for  Jbame^  confofions :  care  Uve$  not 

1h  theje  confiifions,']  This  fpeech,  though  it  contains  good 
Chriftian  dodhine,  though  it  is  perfectly  in  character  for  the  friar, 
Mr.  Pope  has  cun.aile.i  to  little  or  nothing,  bccaufe  it  has  not  the 
iimdion  of  the  firll  old  copy*  But  there  was  another  reafon  :  cer- 
tain corruptions  (krted,  which  (hould  have  required  the  in/^ing 
his/r/v^fy?«/?  to  make  them  intelli'Jible,  and  this  was  an  unrca- 
fonable  labour.  As  I  have  reronned  rhe  pafTage  above-qnoied,  I 
dare  warrant  I  have  rcftored  our  pott'i  text;  and  a  fine  feiiiible 
reproof  it  contains  againft  immoderate  grief*    Theobald. 

-  But 


tff       R  O  M  E  O  A^o  J  U  1 1  E  T* 

But  ihe*s  beft  miarry'd,  chat  diet  tmrry'd  yow^» 
Pry  up  your  tears^  and  ftick  your  rofeoMry 
On  this  fair  corfe ;  tod^  9s  the  cuftom  1$^ 
In  all  her  beft  .array  bear  her  to  church : 
9  For  though  fond  nature  bid$  119  all  lanniB^ 
Tet  oaturf '^  tears  are  reafon's  naerriment. 

Cap*  AH  thiogs,  9  that  we  ordaio^d  fisdiyaii 
Turn  from  their  offi^pe  to  black  furiera| : 
Our  inltninienc$»  fo  melancholy  bells  1 
Otir  wedding  chear^  to  a  fad  burial  ft^A  s 
Our  folenia  hymns  fo  full^n  dirges  change  % 
Our  bridal  flowers  feryc  for  a  bury'd  cor^ 
A4)d  all  tbtBgs  change  them  to  the  contrary. 

Fri,  Sirp  go  you  in,--wd,  madam,  gQ  with  bm  ^-r? 
And  go,  fir  Paris  i-r^very  one  preparo 
To  f5low  this  fair  corfe  umo  her  sra^e  j; 
The  heavens  do  ^ovir  upon  you,  for  fome  ill ; 
Move  them  no  more^  by  crofflng  their  high  wilt 

^     [EfmBt  Cmt^t,  lady  Capi^U  I^'^ris^  ^  Frifr. 

MuJ\  'Faith,  wc  <nay  put  up  our  pipea,  jvid  N 
99ne. 

Nur/e.  Honeft  good  feUows,  ah,  put  iip»  put  ^ ; 
For,  well  you  kaow,  this  is  a  pidful  cafe. 

iE^fii  Nmjf. 

Muf^  Ay,  by  my  troth,  the  cafe  may  be  anaeix^pd, 

Ent£r  Tetat  '• 

Ptf/.  Muficians,  O,  mufKians,  Hearf^  eafi^  biori^i 
€afe\ 

*  F^r  though  fome  nature  hids  us  all  foment,]  Some  nature  ? 
Sure,  k  is  the  general  rule  of  nature,  cm*  ibe  could  not  bid  us  idl 
lament.  I  have  ventured  to  fubi^itute  an  epithet,  which,  I  Tufpe^^ 
vas  loil  in  the  idie  corrupted  woni  Jbme ;  and  which  admirably 
quadrates  with  the  veric  fucceeding  this.    Theobald. 

®  JU  things,  &c.]  Inftcad  of  this  and  the  /oUowing  ipeechef, 
the  eldeft  quarto  has  only  a  couplet : 

C^*  Let  it  be  fo,  coroe  woeful  (brrow-mates, 

I>et  us  tocher  tafte  this  bitter  fate.      Stele vjens, 

'  Enter  Peter.]  From  the  quarto  of  ijfQO*  it  appears,  that  the 
pATt  of  Peter  was  originaHjr  perforynpd  by  triliam  Kmpe.  Malonb, 


O,  an  you  wiB  have  mc  live,  plsf^^tiarfs  ufe. 

Muf.  Vihy  heart's  reafe? 

Pet.  O,  mufidans,  becaufe  my  heart  itfelf  pky&«« 
^Mf  heart  is  fuU  &f  wiei  s  O,  play  mc  feme 
indty  dumps  to  bomfort  mew 

Maf.  4Nat  a  dump  we;  *ris  no  time  txk  phy  a6W# 

Pet.  You  will  not  IheM  ? 

^/  No. 

^et.  I  will  then  gire  it  you  feuiidty* 

fditf.  What  will  you  give  ut  i 

Pit.  No  money,  on  my  faith ;  but  the  gleek  5 :  I 
PniX  give  you  the  minftreh 

Muf.  Then  will  I  give  yoil  the  fervtog^reatufe* 

Pit.  Then  will  I  lay  the  fcrving-creature's  dj^ggef 
on  your  pate.  I  will  carry  no  crotchets :  I'll  n  you» 
)'ll/tf  you ;  Do  you  noie  voci 

*  J^  bem^  isfvU  rf  tVMj]  Tlut,  if  I  miftilBe  ool,  U  die 
b^QDing  of  an  old  baQadt    SteeVems. 

'  O,  pa^  me  form  mert^  dnmp%  U  cPftffifrt  me.'\  This  is  not  in  xht 
fblioi  but  the  anfwer  plaiB|t)r  recjuires  it,    Johnson, 

It  was  omitted  in  the  folio  by  miflake,  for  it  is  found  in  the  quarto 
1609,  from  which  the  folio  was  maaifefily  printed.    Malon£« 

^  A  duTttp  anciently  fignified  fome  kind  if  danct^  as  well  sAjmrew^ 
SOy  in  Hmmntr  oturfBr§mth^  a  comedy,  by  John  Day,  1607: 
'*  He  loves  nothing  but  an  haUan  dumf^ 
♦*  Or  a  French  hrawlT  .     , 

Sot  on  1^8  occafion  it  means  a  monmfal  fong.  So,  in  die  Ar^ 
rmgumemt  qfParis^  ^5^4^  ^^^^  ^^^  (bepherds  have  fung  an  e^giac 
tiymn  over  the  hcar^  or  CoUn^  Fenus  lays  to  Paris : 

**  —  How  cheers  my  lovely  boy  after  this  dutiip  of  woe  V 
**  Paris.  Such  dumps ^  Iweet  lady,  as  bin  thcfc,  arc  deadly 
dumps  io  fxo^tt.^       St££V&ns. 
'  -*  the  ifledt :]     So,  in  the  MidfiMtmer  NtgUi  Drems 
^  IJay,  I  i.hngletkf  upon  occaiion," 
Tb  gkek  is  to  fco£    The  terra  as  taken  Iron  an  ancient  giSitfe  at 
cards  called ^Zre'i.    Steevens, 

The  garae  is  mentioned  in  the  beginning  of  the  prelent  centuiy, 
iqr  ]>r..King  of  the  G>maions,  in  hia  Art  of  Lovei 
*^  But  whether  we  diverfion  (eek 
**  In  theie,  in  Conet^  or  in  Gleei^ 
<*  Or  pm^  &c^'^         l^icuMfti 


I40       ROMERO  AND  JULIET. 

Muf.  An  you  rt  us^  zsAfa  us,  you  note  us. 

2  Muf.  Pray  you,  put  up  your  dagger, .  and  put 
out  your  wit. 

f^t.  Tben  have  at  you  with  my  wit ;  I  will  dry- 
beat  you  with  an  iron  wit,  and  put  up  my  iron  dag* 
gjBr: Anfwer  me  like  men: 

When  griping  grief  ^  ibe  heart  doth  wounds 
7  j^  doleful  dumps  the  mind  opprefs^ 

Then  muficky  with  her  Jilver  founds 
YThy  Jilver  found  ?  why,  mujick  with  berfdver  fmmd  ? 

What 

•  When  gnpbg  griefs  &c.]  The  epithet  gri^  was  by  no 
iDcans  likely  to  excite  laughter  at  the  time  it  was  written.  Lord 
Surry,  in  his  tranfladon  oF  the  fecond  book  of  Virgil's  £ndd, 
makcsthe  hero  fay: 

"  ^cw gripes  of  drod  then  pcirfe  our  trembling  brcftcf.]*  ^ 
Dr.  Percy  thinks  that  the  queflions  of  Peter  are  defigned  as  a  ridi* 
cule  on  the  forced  and  unnatural  explanations  too  often  given  by 
w  psunful  editors  of  ancient  authors.    Steeyens. 

In  Commendation  of  Muficke. 
Where  griping  grief  y«  hart  would  woud,  {k  dolfol  domps  y* 

mind  opprcne, 
There  mufick  with  her  filver  found,  is  wont  with  (foAt  to  geue 

redrcfle. 
Of  troubled  ininds  for  every  (ore,  fwete  mufick  hath  a  falue  in 

fiore. 

In  ioy  tt  maks  our  mirth  abound,  in  grief  it  chers  our  heauy 

fprigbts, 
The  caretull  head  releaf  hath  found,  by  muficks  pleaiant  fwetc 

delights 
Our  fenfcs,  what  (hould  I  faie  more,  are  fubje^t  unto  mulicki 

lore. 

The  Gods  by  mufick  hath  their  pray,  the  foule  therein  doth  ioye. 
For  as  the  Romaine  poets  faie,  in  feas  whom  pirats  would  dcftroye 
A  Dolphin  fau'd  from  death  moil  iharpe,  Arion  plaiyng  on  bis 
harp. 

Oh 


^  An^  dokful  dumps  the  mind  opprefs;\  This  line  I  have  reco- 
vered^ from  the  old  copy.  It  was  wanting  to  complete  the  ftan*^ 
ar  it  is  afterwards  repeated.    Steeyens. 


ROMEO  AN©   J  IT  L  I E  Tr     141 

What  fay  you,  Simon  Catling  ^  ?        •. . 

1  A^f.  Many,  fir,  bccaufc  filwr  hath  a  fwect  found. 
Pet.  Pretty !  What  fay  you,  ^  Hugh  Rebeck  ? 

2  Muf.  I  hy—Jiherfoundy  becaufe  mufidans  found 
for  filver.  •  * 

Pet.  Pretty  too! — What  fay  you,  James  Sound-, 
poft? 

^  Muf.  Taith,  1  know  not  what  to  fay. 

Pet.  O,  I  cry  you  mercy  1  you  are  .the  finger  :  I 
will  fay  for  you '.  It  is — mujtck  with  her  filver 
found  *,  becaufe  fuch  fellows  as  you  liave  no  gold  for 
founding : — 

Oh  heauenly  gift  that  tames  the  nunde,  like  as  the  florae  vioth 

rule  the  ihip. 
Of  mufick  whom  y^Gods  affignde  to  comfort  nia,  whom  cares 

would  nip, 
Sith  thou  both  man,  &  beaft  doeH  moue,  what  wifema  the  wilL 

thee  reprove? 
From  the  Paradife  of  Daintie  Richard  Edwardt^ 

DeuifeSy  Fol.  31*  b. 
Of  Richard  Edwards  and  WiUiam  Hunnis,  the  authors  of  fundry 
poems  in  this  collection,  iee  an  account  in  WoocPs  Athene  Oxm. 
and  alfo in  Tanner's  BihU§tb€ca.    Sir  John  Hawkins.  . 

Another  cojmr  of  this  ibng  is  pobliihed  by  Dr.  Percy,  in  the  firft 
Tolume  of  his  Reliques  of  ancient  £ngliih  Poetry.        Steevens. 
*  Simon  Catlhtgfl    A  catling  wasafmall  lutefcring  made  of 
otf^.     Steeyens. 

'  Hugh  Rebeck  /]  The  fidler  is  fo  called  finom  an  inftrument 
with  three  fWngs,  which  is  rocatioHed  by  fcveral  of  the  old  writers. 
Reiet^  rAtcquin.  SeeJMeoage,  in  v.  Rebec.  So,  in  Beaumont  and 
Fletcher's  Knigbi  efthe  Bupiatg  PeJIU:  **  — 'Tis  prcfent  dfitth  for 
thefe  fidlers  to  tune  their  rebecks  before  the  Great  Turk's  grace." 
In  EmgiaMd*s  Helicon^  1614,  is  fbe  Sbej>fjerd  Arfilius  bis  Sof^  to  bis 
Heeeck,  byBar.  Yong.    Steevens. 

*  '^beceinfijkcbjelbws  asyou — ]  Thus  the  quarto  1597.  The 
others  read— becaufe  mujkians.  I  ihould  fufpedt  chat  a  iidler  (nade 
the  alteration.    Steeyens. 

*  '^fiher  fiuud^']     So,  m  the  Retwrnfrom  Bamajfks^  1606 : 

**  Faith,  fellow  fidlers,  here's  VLoJiherJhund  in  this  plaoc.** 
Again,  in  IFily  Beguiled: 

*'  —  what  harmony  b  this 

"  With  ^her  fiund  that  glutteth  Sophos*  ears  ?•* 
Spenier  perhaps  is  the  firfk  who  uied  this  phrafe :  ' 

*^  h  filver  found  ^^ax  hcaY'nly  muftc  feem'd  to  make."* 

Sr^BVENf. 

Vol-  X.  K  5  ^  Then 


142  :     R  O  M  E  O  AND  J  U  L  I  E  T. 

^bcn  mujick  with  her  filver  founds 

•    With  ffeedy  help  doth  lend  redrefs.  [Exit.Jinging. 

1  Muf.  What  a  pcftilcnt  knave  is  this  fame  ? 

2  Muf.  Hang  him.  Jack !  Come,  well  in  here; 
ta#ry  for  the  mourners,  and  ftay  dinner.         [^Exeunt. 

'A  C  T     V.       S  C  E  N  E     I. 

M    A    N    t    U    A. 

4    STREET. 

Enter  Romeo. 

'  Rom.  4  If  I  may  truft  the  flattering  truth  of  deep, 

^y  dreams  preface  fome  joyful  nqws  at  han^ : 

5  My  bofom  s  lord  fits  lightly  on  his  throne  •, 

And 

'  ASi  v.]  The  a(5l8  are  here  propeily  cnongh  divided,  nor  did 
any  better  diilribution  than  the  editors  have  already  made,  occur  ro 
me  in  the  perufal  of  this  play ;  yet  it  may  not  be  improper  to  remark, 
chat  in  the  firft  folio,  and  I  fuppofe  the  foregoinj;  editions  are  in 
ibe  fame  ilare,  there  is  no  divifion  of  the  a^,  and  therefore  fome 
future  editor  may  try,  whether  any  improvement  can  be  made,  by 
reducing  them  to  a  length  more  equal^  or  interrupting  the  adion  at 
more  proper  intervals.    Johns  ok* 

^  If  I  may  truft  the  fiattering  truth  rfJUep^  The  fcnfe  is.  If  I 
may  wly  truft  the  honefly  rfjlcepy  which  I  knoiv  however  not  to  be 
io  nice  as  not  often  to  pradife  flattery.    Johnson. 

The  oldeft  copy  reads — tU  flattering  eye  ofjleeb.  Whether  this 
reading  ought  to  luperfcde  the  more  modern  one,  I  (hall  not  pretend 
to  determine :  it  appears  to  roe,  however,  the  moil  ealily  intdligible 
of  the  two.    Steevens. 

5  My  bofom's  lord—]  So,  in  King  Arthur^  a  Poem,  by  R. 
Cheftery  i6oi: 

**  That  nrither  Utcr  nor  his  councell  kncir 
**  How  his  deepe  boGme's  lord  the  dutchefs  thwarted.** 
The  Author,  in  a  marginal  note,  declares,  that  by  hojov^s  lard  he 
means«— Oir/tfdL    Thus  too,  Shakefpeare  (as  Mr.  Malone  obfenrei 
to  me)  in  yw^^  Higbt  and  Othello: 
It  gives  a  very  echo  to  the  feat 
Where  kme  is  tbron*d.      ■  ■ 
Again, 

Yield  up,  o  Love^  thy  crown  and  hearted  throne.  Stee  vsns. 

JI^  hojbm^s  krd"^^-^]     Thefe   three  lines  are  very   gay   and 

pleating*    But  why  does  Shakefpeare  give  Romeo  this  involuntary 

cheeifulneu 


k5KiE6  And  jtjLtMt.       t*^ 

And,  ail  this  day,  an  uti^cxuftom*d  fpftrfl; 
Lifts  rtic  above  the  ground  with  cheaiful  thought§t 
1  dreamt,  my  Udy  cime  and  found  nie  dead ; 
(Strange  dream !  that  gives  a  dead  man  leave  to  think) 
And  breathM  fuch  life  with  kilfes  in  my  lips. 
That  I  reviv*d>  and  was  an  enjperof. 
Ah  me  1  how  fweet  is  love  itfcir  poBeA, 
When  but  love*s  ftiadows  are  fo  rich  in  joy  ? 

Enter  Bhlthnfi^. 

kcws  from  Verona! How  noW|  BdltBafar  ^ 

Doft  thou  not  bring  me  letters  from  the  friar  i 
How  doth  my  lady  ?  Is  my  father  well  ? 
tfow  fares  my  Juliet  \  That  I  afk  again  i 
For  nothing  can  be  ill,  if  ihe  be  well* 

Baltb.  Then  {he  Is  well,  and  nothing  cm  be  ill  | 
Her  body  deeps  in  Capulet's  monument  S 
And  her  immortal  part  with  angels  lives  i 
1  few  her  laid  low  in  her  kindred^s  vaults' 
And  prefently  took  poft  to  tell  it  you  j 
O  pardon  me  for  i)riqging  thefe  ill  new^^ 
iSincc  you  did  leave  it  for  my  office^  fir; 

tbeerfidnefs  juft  before  the  cxtremtty  o^  unhappinefs  i  Perhaps  td 
(bevr  the  vanity  of  ti-ufting  to  rhofe  iracenain  and  caRial  exritationt 
br  deprefllioDSy  which  many  confider  as  certain  foretokens  of  good 
wderil.     JoHNffON.  , 

The  poet  has  explained  this  pailage  himlelf  a  little  further  on  r 

**  Howr  oft,  when  men  are  at  the  poitit  of  death, 

**  Have  they  been  merry  ?  which  their  keepers  call 

'•*  A  Hfihtning  hetbre  death." 
Again,  in-G.  Whetftone's  Caftk  of  Delight^  ^  57^  •  .'      / 

*•  *.—  a  lightnitig  delight  againft  hl«  foaden  deftfu3ion. 

St E EVENS 4 

•  —  in  Capulei^s  mottument,^    The  old  copies  read  in  Q^l^i 
tnonument ;  and  thus  Gafroigne  in  his  i^um,  p.  51  : 

**  Thys  token  whych  the  Mountacutes  did  bou^e  alwal^s^  fb 

that 
^  They  covet  to  be  knowne  from  Cafuls  where  they  pa(fe| 
•'  For  ancient  grurch  whych  long  ago  'twecnc  theie  two 
bodies  was."    btECV ems. 


*f4«       ROMEO  AwS  ^ULiEf. 

*  Rem.  I»  it  even  fo  ?  then  I  defy  you,  ftars  ^  t— . 
Thou  know'ft  my  lodging  :  get  riie  ink  and  paper; 
And  hire  poft  horfes ;  I  will  hence  to-night. 

BaUh.  Pardon  me,  (ir,  1  dare  not  leave  you  thu3  ^i 
Your  looks  are  pale  and  wild,  and  do  import 
Some  mifadventure* 

Rom.  Tulh,  thou  art  deceived  % 
leave  me,  add  do  the  thing  I  bkl  thee  do^ 
Haft  thou  no  letters  to  m<^  from  the  friar? 

Baltb.  No,  my  .good  lord*  . 

Rom.  No  matter :  Get  thee  g6ne. 
And  hirethofe  horfes  j  Til  be  with  theeftraight. 

[Exit  Balibafar. 
Well,  Juliet,  I  will  lie  with  thee  to  night. 
Let's  fee  for  means  : — O,  mifchief !  thou  art  fwift 
To  enter  in  the  thoughts  oi  defperatc  men  ! 

I  do  remember  an  apothecary, 

And  hereabouts  he  dwells,-«whom  late  I  noted 
In  tatter'd  weeds,  with  overwhelming  brows^ 
Culling  of  fimples;  meager  were  his  looks^ 
Sharp  mifery  had  worn  him  to  the  bones : 
And  in  his  needy  {hop  a  tortoife  hung, 
An  alligator  ftuflfd,  and  other  fkins 
Of  ill-(hap*d  fifbes ;  and  about  his  (helves 
9  A  beggarly  account  of  empty  boxes, 

^  —  /  defy jwir,  Jlars  /]     The  folio  reads— ^ijry  you,  ftars. 

St£EV£NS4 

*  Parion  me^fir,  1  dare  not  leave  you  thus.']  This  line  is  taken 
from  the  quarto,  1^97.     The  quarto,  1609,  and  the  folio,  read : 

**  I  do  befeech  you,  iir,  have  patience.**  Ste£V£N8« 

•  A  beggarly  account  of  emfiy  hoxei\\  Dr.  Warburton  would 
read,  a  hn^artfy  account ;  but  beggarly  is  probably  right :  if  the 
^xcs  were  efnptyy  the  account  was  more  ttggar^y  as  it  was  more 
pompous.    Johnson. 

This  circumflance  is  likewife  found  m  Painter's  tranflation^ 
toiD.ii.  p.  241.  **  — beholdyng  an  apoticaries  ihoppe  of  lytic 
tumirure,  and  lefle  ftore  of  boxes  and  other  thynges  require  for 
that  fcience,  thought  that  the  verie  povertie  oF  the  mayfier  apothe* 
carye  woulde  make  hun  wyllyngly  yelde  to  that  wbych  he  pre* 
tended  to  demaunde,"    St££V£Ns, 

Green 


ROMEO  ANiJ  JULIET.       14$ 

Crcen  earthen  pots,  bladders,  and  mufty  feeds. 
Remnants  of  packthread,  and  old  cakes  .of  tofes. 
Were  thinly  fcatter'd,  to  make  up  a  (hew* 
Noting  this  penury,  to  myfclf  I  faid— * 
An  if  a  man  did  need  a  poifon  now, 
Whofe  fale  is  prefent  death  in  Mantua, 
Here  lives  a  caitiff  wretch  would  fell  it  him.' 
O,  this  fame  thought  did  but  fore-run  my  needjj 
And  this  fame  needy  man  muft  fell  it  me. 
As  I  remember,  this  fliould  be  the  hbufe : 
Being  holiday,  the  beggar'^  fhop  is  (hut.—* 
What,  ho !  apothecary ! 

Efifer  Jpotbecary. 

Ap.  Who  calls  lb  loud? 

Rom.  Come  hither,  man. — I  fee,  that  thou  art  poor; 
^old,  there  is  forty  ducats  :  let  me  have 
A  dram  of  poifon  ;  fuch  foon-fpeeding  geer 
As  will  difperfe  itfclf  through  all  the  veins. 
That  the  life-Weary  taker  may  fall  dead  ; 
And  that  the  trunk  may  be  difcharg'd  of  breath 
As  violently,  as  hafty  powder  fir*d 
Doth  hurry  from  the  ratal  cannon*s  womb. 

Jp.  Such  mortal  drugs  I  have ;  but  Mantua's  law 
Is  death,  to  any  he  that  utters  them. 

Rom.  Art  thou  fo  bare,  and  full  of  wrctchednefs. 
And  fcar'ft  to  die  ?  famine  is  in  thy  cheeks. 
Need  and  oppreflSon  ftarveth  in  thine  eyes  % 
*  Upon  thy  back  hangs  ragged  mifery. 

The 

*  Need  and  opprtgum  ftarveth  in  thine  £y^/,]    The  firft  quarto 
reads: 

*^  And  ftarvcd  famine  dwelleth  in  thy  cheeks." 
The  quartos,  1C99, 1609,  and  the  tolio: 

*'  Need  and  oppre/fion  j^<irr^/^  in  thine  e^^es.** 
Our  modern  editors,  uithout  authority. 

Need  and  oppreilion  Jlart  within  thine  eyes.     Steevens. 

*  Upon  ttjy  hack  vangs  ragged  mi/eryy]     This  is  the  reading  of 
Vol.  X.  L  the 


t^6      ROMEO  anh  JULIET. 

The  world  is  not  thy  friend^  nor  the  world's  hOfi 
The  world  affords  no  law  to  niake  thee  rich ; 
Then  be  not  poor,  but  break  it,  and  take  this. 
Ap.  My  poverty,  but  not  my  will,  confcnts* 
Rom.  I  pay  thy  poverty,  and  not  thywilL 
Jp.  Put  this  in  any  liquid  thing  you  will. 
And  drink  it  oflf;  and,  if  you  had  the  ilrengtb 
Of  twenty  men,  it  would  difpatch  you  ftrai^t* 
Rom.  There  is  thy  gold ;  worfe  poifon  to  men's 
fouls» 
Doing  more  murders  in  this  loathibme  world. 
Than  thefe  poor  compounds  that  thou  may'ft  not  kAi 
I  fell  thee  poifon,  thou  haft  fold  me  none. 
Farewel ;  buy  food,  and  get  thyfelf  in  flelh.— 
Come,  cordial,  and  not  poifon  \  go  with  me 
To  Juliet's  grave,  for  there  muft  I  ufc  thee.  [^Epaunf^ 

S    C    E    N    E      II. 

Friar  Laurenee^s  cell. 

Enter  Friar  John. 
John.  Holy  Francifcan  friar !  brother,  ho  \ 

Enter  Friar  Laurence* 

• 

Lau.  This  fame  fliould  be  the  voice  of  friar  John.—* 
Welcome  from  Mantua:  What  fays  Romeo? 
Or,  if  his  mind  be  writ,  give  me  his  letter. 

John.  Going  to  find  a  bare-foot  brother  out, 

the  oldeft  copy.    I  have  redored  it  in  prefefence  to  the  {dSiamog 
line,  which  is  found  in  all  the  fubfequent  impreffions  : 
**  Contempt  and  beggary  hang  upon  thy  back.** 
In  the  Firfi  Part  of  Jeronmo^  1605,  it  a  paflage  fomewbat  rc" 
feiubling  this  of  Shakefpeare : 

«*  IVhofe  famifh'd  jaws  look  like  the  chaps  of  death, 

^^  Upon  whofe  eye-brows  hang  damfuttion*"     Steeteks* 

One 


ftoMEO  AND  jULlET.       1^7 

t  One  of  our  orders  to  aflbciate  me, 

here  in  this  city  vifiting  the  lick, 

And  finding  him,  the  leafchers  of  the  tdwn^ 

^ufpeding  that  we  both  were  in  a  hoUfe 

Where  the  infeftious  peftilence  did  reign, 

SealM  Up  the  doors^  and  would  not  let  us  forth  | 

$0  that  iny  fpeed  to  Mahtua  there  was  ftay*d. 

Lou.  Who  bare  my  letter  then  to  Romeo  ? 

Jobn.  I  could  not  fcnd  it,— here  it  is  again^— ^ 
Nor  get  a  meffengcr  to  bring  it  the^, 
5o  fearful  were  they  of  infedion. 

Lau.  Unhappy  fortune !  by  my  brotherhood^ 
The  letter  4  was  not  nice,  but  full  of  charge 
Of  dear  import ;  and  the  ncglefting  it 
May  dd  much  danger  :  Friar  John,  go  hence } 
Get  me  an  iron  crow,  and  bring  it  ftraight 
VJnto  my  cell. 

Jifbn.  Brother*  FU  go  and  bring  it  thed.      [i&^V« 

Lau.  Now  muft  I  to  the  monument  alone  ^ 

<  One  tfour  order^  to  djjhciate  w^, J  Each  friar  hfls  always  a  com* 
jpanion  aligned  him  by  the  fuperiot  whenever  he  aiks  leave  to  gd 
out;  and  thus,  (ays  Baretti^  they  are  a  check  upon  each  other. 

Steevens. 
♦  — *tutfx  »0/  nice,—]  i.  c,  wa»  not  written  on  a  trivial  or  idle 
fubjca. 

Anrf  fignifies  fioUJh  in  many  parts  of  Oovier,  and  Chaucer.    So| 
in  the  Iccond  book  De  ConfiJJione  Amantls^  fol.  37  : 
♦*  My  fonne,  cfchcwe  thilke  vice, 
.  **  My  father.clles  were  I  nice.** 
8b,  in  Chaucer^s  Sct^an  unto  the  lorcUs^  &c* 

**  —  the  moft  complaint  of  all, 
**  Is  to  thinkin  that  I  have  be  fo  nice^ 
**  That  I  nc  would  in  vertues  to  me  call,  &c.^ 
^gain^  in  The  longer  thou  I'tveft  the  more  Fool  thou  art^  i^jfo  \ 
**  You  muft  appeare  to  be  ftraunge  and  n^^ct^ 
The  learned  editor  of  Chaucer's  Canterbury  Taks^   ^^^i*  ^' 
fares,  that  H,  Stephens  intorms  us,  that  nice  was  the  old  Frtnch 
jffQti  for  niaisf  one  of  the  fynonymes  ofjot.  ApoL  Herod.  1.  i  c.  44 

■STtEVEN9. 

JL  a  Wahio 


I4»       ROMEO   AtJD  JULIET. 

Within  ihefc'thrtc  hours  will  fair  Juliet  wake  ^J 

SI  c  will  bcfhrcw  me  much,  that  Romeo 

Hath  hid  no  notice  of  thefe  accidents : 

But  I  will  write  again  to  Mantua, 

And  keep  her  at  my  cell  *till  Romeo  come ; 

Po6r  living  corfe,  closed  in  a  dead  man's  tomb !  , 

[Exit. 

SCENE     m. 

i^  church  yardy  in  //,  a  monument  belonging  to  the 
Capukts. 

Enter  Paris,  and  his  Page  with  a  torch. 

Par.  Give  me  thy  torch,  boy:  Hence,  and  (land 
aloof; — 
"  Yet  put  it  out,  for  I  would  not  be  feen* 
Under  yon  yew-trees  lay  thee  all  along. 
Holding  thine  ear  clofc  to  the  hollow  ground; 
So  Ihall  no  foot  upon  the  church-yard  tread, 
(Being  loofc,  unfirm,  with  digging  up  of  graves) 
But  thou  ibalt  hear  it :  whiftle  then  to  me. 
As  lignal  that  thou  hear'ft  fomcthing  approach. 
Give  me  thofe  flowers.     Do  as  I  bid  thee,  go. 

Pagt.  I  am  almoft  afraid  to  ftand  alone 
'Herein  the  church-yard;  yet  I  will  adventure.  [jfijwV. 
Par*  Sweet  flower,  with  flowers  I  ftrew  thy  bridal 
bed :  [Strewing  flowers^ 

Sweet  tomb,  that  in  thy  circuit  doft  contain 
The  perfeft  model  of  eternity ; 

•  Within  theft  three  hours  tuiH  fair  Juliet  v:ake\]  Inft^d  of 
tKis  line,  and  the  concluding  part  of  the  fpecch,  the  quano,  i597# 
reads  only : 

"  Left  that  the  lady  (hould  before  I  com^ 

*♦  Be  wak'd  from  llecp,  I  will  hye 

•*  To  free  her  from  that  tombe  of  mifcric.*^    St^evens. 

Fair 


ROMEO  AND  JULIET,        149 

*  Fair  Juliet,  that  with  angels  doft  remain, 
Accept  this  lateft  favour  at  niy  hands ; 
That  living  honoured  thee,  and,  being  dead. 
With  funeral  praifes  do  adorn  thy  tomb ! 

[The  hoy  whijiUu 
The  boy  gives  warning ;  fomething  doth  approach. 
What  curfed  foot  wanders  this  way  to-night. 
To  crofs  qiy  obfequies,  and  true  love's  rites  ? 
What,  with  a  torch ! — muffle  me,  night,  a  while. 

Enter. Romea^  and  B^Ubafar  with  a  torcb^  6fr.   .  , 

Hom^  Give  me  that  mattock,  and  the  wrenching 
iron. 
Holdt  take  this  letter;  early  in  the  morning 
See  thou  deliver  it  to  my  lord  and  father. 
Give  me  the  light :  Upon  thy  life  I  charge  thee. 
Whatever  thou  hear*fl;  or  fceft,  ftand  all  aloof, 
And  do  not  interrupt  me  in  my  courfe, ' 
Why  I  defctnd  into  this  bed  of  death 
Is^  partly,  to  behold  my  lady*s  face : 
But,  chiefly,  to  take  thence  from  her  dead  finger 
A  precious  ring  5  a  ring,  that  I  mud  ufc 
In  7  dear  employment ;  therefor,^  hence,  be  gone : — ^ 

But 

•  Fair  JuUeU  that  ^Mitb  angtUf  &G.]- ,  Thcfc  four  Imes  froii)  iht 
»ld  edition.    Pope, 
The  folio  has  thefe  lines : 

**  Sweet  flowV,  with  fiow'rs  thy  bridal  bed  I  ftrew  j 

**  O  WQC !  thy  canopy  is  dult  and  ftoncs, 
<«  Which  with  Ayeet  water  nightly  I  will  dew, 

*•  Or,  wanting  that,  with  tears  diftill'd  by  moans. 
**  The  obfequies  which  I  for  thee  will  keep, 
♦'  Nightly  fhall  bc>  to  ftrew  thy  grave,  and  weep.** 

JOH.VSON^ 

Mr.  Pope  has  followed  no  copy  with  exa£tnefs ;  but  took  the  tirll 
and  fourth  lines  from  the  elder  quarto,  omitting  the  two  intermediate 
vcrfes,  which  I  have  reftored*    Steevens, 

1  mmmdear  empleyment^  That  is,  oHion  of  importance*  Gems 
were  fuppoi^  to  have  great  powers  and  virtues.    Johnson. 

L  3  Bc« 


iso      ROMEO  AND  JULIET, 

But  if  thou,  jealous,  doft  return  to  pry 

On  what  1  further  fhall  intend  t6  do. 

By  heaven,  I  will  tear  thee  joint  by  joint. 

And  ftrew  this  hungry  church-yard  with  thy  limbs  J 

The  time  and  my  intents  are  favage-wild  ®  j 

More  fierce,  and  more  inexorable  far^^ 

Than  empty  tygers,  or  the  roaring  fea^ 

£ahb.  I  will  be  go^e,  (ir,  and  not  trouble  you* 

Rom.  So  ihalt  thou  mew  me  friendfhip.  —  Take 
thou  that :  ' 

Live,  and  be  prolperous ;  and  farewel,  good  fellow* 
.  BaUb.  For  all  this  fame.  Til  hide  me  hereabout ; 
His  looks  I  fear,  and  his  intents  I  doubt.    [Exii  Baltb^ 

Rom.  Thop  deteftable  ^  maw,  thou  womb  of  death^ 
Gorg'd  with  the  deareft  morfel  of  the  earthy 
Thus  I  enforce  thy  rotten  jaws  to  open, 

[Breaking  up  tbi  monument. 
And,  in  defpight,  Fll  cram  thee  with  more  food ! 

Par.    rhis  is  that  banilhM  haughty  Montague, 
That  mqrderM  my  love's  coufin  ; — with  Which  grief^ 
Jt  is  fuppofcd,  the  fair  creature  dy*d, —     '    ' 
And  here  is  come  to  do  fome  villainous  (hame 
To  the  dead  bodies :  I  will  apprehend  him,-^ 
Scop  thy  unhallow'd  toil,  vile  Montague  9 

Ben  Jonfon  u'H  the  Word  dear  in  tht  fame  fenfe: 
«  Put  yoiir  known  talents  on  fo  de^  a  bufinefs,"* 

Catiline,  AA  i^ 
Again,  in  Chapman'sf  verfidn  of  the  i0fb  book  of  the  Odyflcy ; 
"  -<. — ?  full  pitching  on 
*'  The  drarefi 'yoint  his  head  was  placM  upon.**  Stkevens, 
»  — Javage-'njtiU ;]     Here  the  fpeech   concludes^ in  the   0I4 
copy.    Steevens. 

•  — dettjlahie-^^^  This  Word,  which  is  now  accented  on  the 
fccond  fy liable,  v/as  once  accented  on  the  firft ;  therefore  this  line 
did  not  '»riginally  fcem  to  be  inharmonious.  So,  in  the  Tragedie  ef 
CraJ'uSy  1064:  ^     ^ 

"  Court  with  vain  words  and  dhfiftahU  lyes.* 
Again,  in  Shakcfprarc's  K.  Jtbn^  k^  3.  Sc.  3  : 

'^  And  1  \\\\\  Mfs  \!tc^ ditfft^hk  boBes.**    Steevens* 


ROMEO  AND  JULIET.       ^51 

Can  vengeatioe  be  purfu'd  further  than  death  ? 
Condemned  viUain,  I  do  apprehend  thee : 
Obey^  and  go  with  me ;  for  thou  mud  die* 

Rm.  I  muft,  indeed;  and  therefore  caitoe  I  hither^— 
Good  gentle  youth,  tempt  not  a  defperate  man, 
Fly  hence  arid  leave  me  {—think  upon  thefe  gone ; 
Let  them  aflfKcht  thee. — I  befeech  thee,  youch^ 
Pull  not  ^  another  fin  upon  my  head. 
By  urging  me  to  fury : — O,  be  gone  I 
By  heaven^  1  love  thee  better  than  myfelf  5 
For  I  come  hither  arm*d  againft  myfelf: 
Stay  not,  be  gone;^live,  and  hereafter  fay— 
fi  madman^s  mercy  bade  thee  run  away. 

Par.  *  I  do  defy  thy  conjuration, 
^nd  apprehend  thee  for  a  felon  here, 

Rom^ 

'  PmU  pxA  &c.]    The  quarto,  1^97,  reads  :-r- ^5^^^  not.    The 

Juartos  I C99  and  1609,  and   adi  the  folios :  —  Put  nor.-*Mr. 
Lowe  firft  made  the  change,  which  may  be  diicontinued  at  the 
reader's pkafure.    $teev£ns. 

,  *  I  do  JejSf  ^kc.*]  The  quarto,  1597,  reads,  /  dp  defy  thy  con," 
jvraticMt]  Paris  conceived  Romeo  to  have  biirlt  open  the  monu* 
ment-fbr  no  other  purpofe  than  to  dojbme  mllainous  Jbame  on  the 
dead  bodies,  fuch  as  witches  are  reported  to  haye  pra^ifed;  and 
therefore  tells  him  he  defies  him,  and  the  magic  arts  which  he 
iufpeds  he  is  preparing  to  ufe.  So,  in  Painter's  tranflation  oi  the 
novel,  tom.  11.  p.  144.  *•  —  the  watch  of  the  city  by  chance 
pafled  by,  and  feeing  light  within  the  grave,  fufpeded  (Iraiglit 
Slat  they  were  necromancers  which  had  opened  tb^  tombs  to  aluji 
the  dead  bodies  for  aide  of  their  arte.". 
The  folio  reads: 

I  do  dr^  thy  coroiniferatiop. 
To  drfy^  anciently  meant  to  refuje  or  deny.     So^  in  tl^e  Death  ^ 
^thert  Earl  of  Huntington^  iboi  X  ' 

**  Or,  as  I  faid,  for  ever  I  defy  your  company  .•* 
Again, 

**  Even  from  my  foul  I  villainy  defy** 
Again,  in  the  Mi/cries  of  ^u^en  Margaret y  by  Drayton : 

*•  My  liege,  quotl\  he,  all  mercy  now  defy.^^ 
Again,  in  R.  Green's  Planeiamachia^  >i^^: 

♦*  I  defy  thee  for  my  father  who  haft  fo  difple;^rcsl,tl)e  Gods.*^ 
Again,  in  Spcnfer's  Faery  ^jieen^  b.  ii.  c.  8  : 
^^        ♦*  Foole  (faid  the  Pagan)  I  thy  gift  defyeP^ 

L  4    "  Againi 


152       ROMEO  AND  JULIET. 

Rom.  Wilt  thou  provoke  me?  then  have  at  thee, 
boy.  {X^^M^^y  Paris  falls. 

Page.  O  lord !  they  fight :  I  will  go  call  the  watch, 

Par.  O,  I  am  flain  ! — If  thou  be  merciful^ 
Open  the  tomb,  lay  me  with  Juliet,  [Dies. 

Rom.  In  faith,  I  will: — Let  me  perufe  this  face; — 
Mercutio's  kinfman,  noble  county  Paris : — 
What  faid  my  man,  when  my  betoflfed  foul 
Did  not  attend  him  as  we  rode  ?  I  think. 
He  told  me,  Paris  fliould  have  marry'd  Juliet : 
Said  he  not  fo  ?  or  did  I  dream  it  fo  ? 
Or  am  I  mad,  hearing  him  talk  of  Juliet, 
To  think  it  was  fo  ? — O,  give  me  thy  hand. 
One  writ  with  me  in  four  misfortune's  book ! 
I'll  bury  thee  in  a  triumphant  grave, — 
A  grave  ?  O,  no ;  a  Ian  thorn,  flaughter'd  youth. 
For  here  lies  Juliet,  and  her  beauty  makes 
This  vault  a  feafting  '  prefence  full  of  light* 
Death,  lie  thou  there,  by  a  dead  man  interred. 

[^Laying  Paris  in  the  monument 
How  oft  when  men  are  at  the  point  of  death 
Have  they  been  merry  ?  which  their  keepers  call 
A  lightning  before  death  :  4  O,  how  may  I 

Call 

Again,  b.  v.  c.  5  : 

"  She  daily  told  her,  love  he  did  ^lefye,^ 
Paris  irsay,  however,  mean — I  retufe  to  do  as  thou  cof^ureft  mc  to 
do,  i,  e.  to  depart,     Steevens. 

3  — prefence — "]  A  prefence  \%  2i  fuhllc  room.     John  soil. 
This  thought,  extravagant  as  ir  is,  is  borrowed  by  Middleton  ill 
Jiis  comedy  of  Blurt  Majier  Conjlahle^  1 6o2 : 

•*  The  darkeft  dungeon  which  fpitc  can  devife 
**  To  throw  this  carcafe  in,  her  glorious  eyes 
*'  Can  make  as  lightfome  as  the  tatreft  chamber 
"  In  Paris  Louvre.*'    Steevens. 
♦  —  O,  how  m^  I 

Call  this  a  ll^btHtngf ]  I  think  wc  (hould  read, 

■         O,  now  mc^  I 

Call  this  a  light nlug  f  Johnson. 

Th's  idea  occurs  frecjuenily  in  the  old  dramatic  pieces.  So 
in  the  fecond  part  of  TU  Dov.^nfaU  of  Robert  Earl  of  HuntingiM^ 
j6oi  ? 

^  **  I  thought 


ROMEO  AND  JULIET*       1$$^ 

Call  this  a  lightning? — O,  my  love!  my  wife! 
Death,  that  hath  fuck'd  the  honey  of  thy  breathy 
Hath  had  no  power  yet  upon  thy  beauty : 
Thou  art  not  conquered  5  beauty's  enfign  yet 
Is  crimfon  in  thy  lips,  and  in  thy  cheeks. 
And  death's  pale  flag  is  not  advanced  there  *.~ 
Tybalt,  ly 'ft  thou  there  in  thy  bloody  iheet  ^  ? 
O,  what  more  favour  can  I  do  to  thee. 
Than  with  that  hand  that  cut  thy  youth  in  twain,. 
To  funder  his  that  was  thine  enemy  ? 
Forgive  me,  coufin ! — Ah,  dear  Juliet,^ 

**  I  thought  it  was  a  lightning  before  deaihy ,        ' 

"  Too  fudden  to  be  certain. 
Again,  in  Chapman's  tranflation  of  the  i^th  Uiad: 

**  —  fince  after  this  be  had  not  long  to  live, 

**  This  lightning  fievo  before  his  death,** 
Again,  in  his  tranflation  of  the  i8th  OdyiTey : 

**       '     extend  their  cheat 

**  To  th'  utmoft  lightning  that  ilill  uflicrs  death.**     , 

SxEEVEtfl. 

5  Jjid  death^spaUJlag^  &c.]    So,  in  Daniel's  Complaint  of  Kofa^ 
mondy  1^94: 

**  And  nought^refpeding  death  (the  laft  of  paines) 
*'  Placy  his  pale  colours \iW  enfign  of  his  might) 
**  Upon  hit  new-got  fpoil ;  &c. 
In  the  iirfl  edition  oi  Romeo  cmd  Juliet^  Shakefpeare  is  lels  florid  in 
bs  account  of  the  lady's  beauty ;  and  only  fays : 

**  ■         ah,  dear  Juliet, 
**  How  wdl  thy  beauty  doth  become  the  grave!" 
The  fpeech,  as  it  now  fUnds,  is  firft  found  in  the  quarto,  1^99. 

Steevens, 
AnA/leatb^s  pale  flag  is  not  advanced  thereJ]     An  ingenious  friend 
feme  time  ago  pointed  out  to  me  a  pail'age  oi  Marini,  which  bear< 
d  very  flrong  refemblance  to  this  : 

Morti  la'ufegna  fua  pallida  e  bianca 
Fuuitrice  Jpieg6  fit* I  volto  mio* 

kjnie  lugabri,  p.  14.9,  ed.  Vcnet.  i6o^, 

Ttrwhitt. 
•  ^iabj  Iffl  thou  then  in  tfy  hlsody  Jbeetf^  So,  in  Painter's 
tranflation,  tom.  ii.  p.  242.  *'  —  what  greater  or  more  cruel  fatis- 
fadion  canfte  thou  defyre  to  have,  or  hencefonh  hope  for,  than  to 
lee  hym  which  murdered  thee,  to  be  cmpojrfoned  wyth  hys  own« 
Jiandes,  and  burycd  by  thy  fyde?'*    Steeyens, 

Why 


IJ4      ROMEO  ANp  JULIET, 

Why  irt  thou  yec  fo  fait*  ?  Shall  I  bfclieVc— j 
I  will  believe  (come  lie  thou  in  my  slrms)^ 
That  unfubftantial  death  is  amorous ;    ' 
And  that  the  lean  abhorred  monfter  keeps 
Thee  here  in  dark  to  be  his  paramour, 
^or  fear  of  that,  I  will  ftill  ftay  with  thee  j 
7  And  never  from  this  palace  of  dim  liight 

Depat% 

T  jfni  funxt  fi-om  this  palace  of  dim  night 
Depart  again :  (Come  lie  thou  in  my  arms  ? 
Here's  to  thy  health.  O  true  apoth^ry ! 
Thy  drugs  are  quicR).]  Mr,  Pope's,  and  fomc  other  of  the 
worfer  editioos  acknowledge  abfurdly  the  lines  which  I  ha^e  put 
]Dto  parenthefis  here ;  and  which  I  have  expunged  from  the  text, 
for  this  reafon :  Romeo  is  m^e  to  confefs  the  effect  of  the  poifon 
l>efbre  ever  he  has  tafted  it.  I  fuppofe,  it  hardly  was  (b  ikvotiiV 
that  the  patient  ihoutd  choof^  to  maxe  two  draughts  of  it.  An<(, 
fight  lines  after  thefe,  we  find  him  taking  the  poifon  in  his  hands, 
«im1  making  an  apoibophe  to  it ;  inviting  h  to  perfbrm  its  ofSce 
ft  once^  a^d  then,  and  not  till  then,  does  he  clap  it  to  his  lips,  or 
can  with  any  pit)bability  fpeak  of  its  inftant  force  and  effefls.  Be^ 
i!des>  Shak^^fpeare  would  hardly  have  made  Romeo  drink  to  the 
tealdf  of  his^A^/mifhefs,  Though  the  firft  quarto  iti  1^99,  anc^ 
the  two  old  folios,  acknowledge  this  abfurd  ftuff,  I  find  it  left  out 
in  feveral  later  quarto  impreffions.  I  ought  to  take  notice,  that 
though  Mr.  Pope  has  thought  fit  to  flick  to  th^  old  copies  in  this 
addition,  yec  he  is  no  fiair  tranfcriber ;  for  hfe  has  funk  upon  us  ai) 
liemiftich  of  moft  profound  abfurdity,  \vidch  pofTcfTes  all  t^o^ 
ppies, 

-'— -  Coifii,  lie  thou  lu  «rv  arms ; 
Her^s  to  tfjy  healthy  where-e'er  thou  tumbleft  in. 
O  true  apothecary!  &c.    Theobald. 
I  have  no  edition  but  the  folio,  which  has  all  the  pafTage  hcr^ 
mentioned.  *  I  have  followed  Mr.  Theobald.    Johnson, 

I  alh  fbriy  to  fay,  that  the  foregoing  note  is  an  inflance  of  difin* 
genuoufnefs,  as  well  ^  inattention  in  Mr.  Theobald,  who,  relying 
on  the  fcarcity  of  the  old  quartos,  very  frequently  makes  them  an- 
fwerable  for  an^  thing  he  thinks  proper  to  aficrt. 

The  quarto  in  1 599,  was  not  the  fii-ft.  It  was  preceded  by  one 
in  1597  J  and  though  Mr.  Theobald  declares,  he  found  the  paJTage 
kfi  out  in  fe*veral  of  the  later  quarto  imi'ijpons^  yet  in  the  lift  of  thole 
he  pretends  to  have  collated  for  the  ulc  of  his  edition,  he  mentions 
f)ut  one  of  a  later  date,  and  had  never  feen  either  thnt  pitbli(hcd  in 
1609,  oV  another  without  any  date  at  all ;  for  in  the  former  of 
^iefe,  the  pafijigc  in  qucilion  is  pitfervcd  (the  latter  I  have  no* 
^  copy 


ROMfeO  AN©  JULIET.       tsi 

Pepart  again :  hctfe,  here  will  I  remain 
with  worms  that  are  thy  chamber-maid? ;  O,  he?re 

Will 

copy  of)y  and  he  bat  piftced  that  in  1637,  cm  the  finrie  fahh  of 
which  his  rqedipn  is  founded,  amoi^  ;thofe  quartos  of  roiddliiie 
authority  1  fo  that  what  he  fo  roundly  affirms  of  feveral,  can  with 
juftice  be  fiud  of  only  one ;  for  there  are  in  reality  no  later  quarto 
editions  ot  this  play  than  I  have  here  enumerated,  and  two  of 
thofe  (by  his  own  conftffion)  he  had  never  met  with. 

The  hemifiich,  which  Mr,  Theobald  pronounces  /9  h  tf  mifi 
fr^inmd  ahfurdity^  may  dcfervc  a  fomewhat  better  clUra^er  j  but 
neing  miii>iaced^  could  not  be  cottne6led  with  that  part  of  that  fpeech 
where  be  found  it ;  yet,  being  introduced  a  fow  lines  lower,  foemi 
tp  inake  very  good  ieiife. 

*    «*  Come  bitter  condv6t  J  come  unfav*ry  guide! 

*»  Thou  dei^rate  pilot,  now  at  once  run  on 

**  The  datfimg  rocks  my  fea-fick,  weary  bark ! 

**  Here^s  to  thy  healthy  nxiber^er  thou  tumbkft  in. 

*•  Here's  to  my  love !  O  true  apothecary ! 

**  Thy  drugs  are  quick.  Thus  with  a  kifs  I  die.** 
fo  tmrnhle  into  fart  in  afiorm^  I  bdiieve  to  be  a  fea-phrafe,  at  i| 
u  tumbling  fea^  and  agrees  with  the  allufion  to  the  pik>t  or  th^ 
tempeft-beaten  bark.  Heris  fuccefs^  fajrs  he  (continuing  the  al* 
lufion)  to  thy  n;ejfel  'wherever  it  tumbles  in^  or  perhaps,  to  the  filot 
kuho  is  to  conduQ^  or  tumble  it  in ;  meaning,  /  wlfi  it  may  faaxed  in 
tiddiag  mi  ef  Ufi^  'whatever  may  betide  me  after  it^  or  'wherever  it  mdy 
cany  me.  He  then  drinks  to  the  roemonr  of  Juliet's  love,  adding 
(as  he  ^xi$  the  poifbn  work)  a  fhort  apofrrophe  to  the  apothecary^ 
the  efied  of  whofe  drugs  he  can  doubt  no  longer ;  and  turning  his 
thoughts  back  again  to  the  object  m«ft  bdoved,  he  dies  (like 
Otbelk))  on  a  kifs. 

The  other  hemiHich  (not  difpofed  of)  may  yet  be  introduced ; 
how  naturally,  mud  be  left  to  the  reader  to  determine*    Tht 
quarto  of  |6oi^,  exhibits  the  paflage  thus ; 
•  »*  w Ah,  dear  Juliet! 

**  Whv  art  thou  yet  fo  feir  ?  I  will  befieve ; 

<^  ShaU  I  believe  r  that  unfubfiantial  death  is  amoroOli 

**  And  that  the  lean,"  kc. 
If  fuch  an  idea  could  have  any  foundation  in  natore,  or  bc^  ^« 
lowed  in  poetry,  and  Romeo,  in  confequence  of  having  raifed  it  to 
his  imagination,  was  jealous  of  death,  it  would  follow,  that  in  hit 
iirfl  fienzy,  he  might  addrefs  himfelf  to  his  miftrefs,  and  take  her 
in  his  arms  for  the  greater  fecurity.  That  being  granted,  with  a 
flight  tranfpoiition  (one  verfe  already  exceeding  mt  meafure  by 
two  ie^x)  the  paflage  might  be  read  tbas : 

»*.-Ab 


15^       ROMEO,andJULIET^ 

Will  I  fet  up  my  cvcrlafting  reft  •; 

And  fliake  the  yoke  of  inaufpicious  ilars 

Froai  this  world- wearied  flcfti. — Eyes,  look  your  laft  f 

Arms,  take  your  laft  embrace!  and  lips,  O  you 

The  doors  of  breath,  feat  with  a  righteous  ki(s  , 

A  datelefs  bargain  to  cngroffing  death ! — 

« Ah,  aear  Juliet! 

**  Why  art  thou  yet  fu  fair  f  Jhcdl  I  bclicre-^ 

**  I  iMill  believe  (come  lie  thou  in  rrtyarms) 

**  That  unfubftantial  death  is  amorous, 

"  And  that  the  lean,"  &c. 
The  obje£t  of  difpute  may  perhaps  be  fuch  as  hardly  to  dcfenrc 
this  toil  of  tranfpofition,  but  oi.e  critick  has  juft  as  good  a  right  iq 
attempt  the  infeftion  of  what  he  thinks  he  underftands,  ai.  another 
has  to  omit  a  paflage,  becaufe  he  can  make  no  ufe  of  it  at  alU 
The  whole  of  the  conjecture  is  offered  with  the  leaf!  degree  of  con- 
fidence, and  from  no  other  motive  than  a  defire  of  preferving  every 
line  of  Shakefpeare,  when  any  reafon,  tolerably  pkufible,,  can  bo 
given  in  its  favour. 

Mr,  Theobald  has  not  deak  very  fairly  in  his  account  of -this 
fpeech,  as  the  abfurdity  is  apparently  oyving  to  the  repetition  of 
fome  of  the  lines  by  a  blunder  of  the  printer,  who  had  thereby  made 
Romeo  confefs  the  cffeds  of  the  paifon  before  be  had  tailed  it. 
On  fccond  thoughts,  it  is  not  improbable,  that  Shakefpeare  had 
written—/  w/7/  believe^  and  afterwards  correfted  it  to — Shall 
IheUcvfy  without  eraling  the  former :  by  which  means  it  has  hap- 
pened that  the  printer  has  given  us  both.  Thus,  in  wh^t  follows-^ 
Come  lie  tijou  in  my  arrns^  &c.  might  have  been  the  poet*s  firft 
fltetch  of  the  conclufion  of  Romeo  s  fpeech,  whipb  he  forcbore  to 
obliterate,-  when  he  fubftituted — hcre^  here  w/V/  /  remain^  (ice.  This 
fe^ms  indeed  to  be  evident  from  the  editipn  of  I599>  and  the  other 
0I4  editions  after  that,  in  all  which-^Z)<^r/  a^ain^  as  the  catch 
word,  from  which  his  amendment  was  to  begin,  is  repeatc^. 
I^t  fome  future  editor  decide.    Steevens. 

•  — my  everlajling  refi;]  See  a  note  on  fcene  5th  of  tjie  prc- 
cedijig  ad.  So,  in  the  SpaniJ;  Gifjie^  by  Middleton  and  Jlowlcy, 
2  6£^  :  *'  —  could  \  fet  up  my  rejl 

*'  That  he  were  loft,  or  taken  prifoner, 

^*  I  could  hold  truce  with  forrow.**  , 

Toy?/  up  one's  reft  is  to  be  determined  to  any  certain  purpofc,  to 
rell  in  per feft  confidence  and  refolution,  to  make  up  one's  piind. 
Again,  in  the  fame  play  : 

"  Setuptljyrcft^  her  marrieft  thou,  or  none.**  SrEEVEN^r 

ComOi 


ROMEO  AND  JULIE^T.        157 

Come,  bitter  conduft  9  come,  unfavoury  guide  I 
Thou  defperate  pilot,  now  at  once  run  on 
The  daQiing  rocks  thy  fea-Hck  weary  bark  I 
Here's  to  thy  health,  where*crthou  tumbleft  in: 
Here's  totny  love! — ^Drinks]  O,  true  apothecary! 
Thy  drugs  are  quick* — Thus  with  a  kifs  I  die*  [^Diij. 

Enfer  Friar  Lauretta^  with  a  lanibom,  crow^  andfpade^ 

Lou.  Saint  Francis  be  my  fpeed !  how  oft  to-nighc 
tlave  my  old  feet  ftumbled  at  graves*? — Who's 
there? 

Enter  Babbafar^ 

Bahb.  Kerens  one,  a  friend,  and  one  that  knows  you 
well. 

Lau.  Blifs  be  upon  you !  Tell  me,  good  my  friend^ 
What  torch  is  yond*,  that  vainly  lends  his  light 
To  grubs  and  eyelefs  fculls  ?  as  I  difccrn. 
It  burneth  in  the  Capulets'  monument* 

Baltb.  It  doth  fo,  holy  fir ;  and  there's  my  matter 
One  that  you  love. 

Lau.  Who  is  it? 

Baltb.  Romeo. 

Lau.  How  long  hath  he  been  there? 

*  "Come  lltta-  condud.]    Mar&an  alfo  in  \m  fatiret,  1^99,  ute 
^nnduH  for  cmdiiBor: 

**  Be  thou  my  conduH  and  my  genius.** 
Soy  in  a  former  fceae  in  this  play : 

**  And  fire-ey'd  fuiy  be  my  tanduB  now***        M  aloks. 
'  —  b§w  <ft  to-night 
Have  my  old  fiet  (tumbled  at  ^aves7'\     This  accident  was 
,    Mckoned  ominous.    So,  in  AT,  Henry  VL  p.  %. 

Fot  many  men  ik'^xjlmmhle  sx,  the  threlhold, 
Are  well  foretold,  that  danger  lurks  wjthin. 
Aj;ainy  in  K^  Richard  IIL   HaiHn^s,  S^^"g  ^o  execution,  fays  : 
Thffic  times  to-day  vny  foutdoth  boiie  ^Jumhle, 

ST£EVtNS. 


»5i»      ROMEO  AKP  JULlEf; 

BaUk.  Full  half  an  hour. 

Lau.  Go  with  me  to  the  vault* 

BaltL  I  dare  not,  fir : 
My  mafter  knows  not,  but  I  am  gone  hencei 
And  fearfully  did  menace  me  with  deaths 
Jtf  I  did  ilay  to  look  on  his  intents. 

Laa.  Stay  then^  Fll  go  alone :  —  Fear  comes  upoi^ 
me; 
O^  much  I  fear  fome  ill  Unlucky  thing. 

BaUh.  As  I  did  fleep  under  this  yew-tree  heit| 
^  I  dreamt  my  mafter  and  another  fdughtj 
And  that  my  mafter  flew  him. 

Lau.  Romeo? — 
Alack,  alack,  what  blood  is  this,  which  Itains 
The  ftony  entrance  of  'this  fepulchrc  ? — 
*What  mean  thefe  mafterlefs  and  gory  fwords 
To  lie  difcolour'dby  this  place  of  peace  ?— 
Romeo!  O,  pale !— Who  clfe ?  what,  Paris  too ?,^ 
And  fteep'd  in  blood  ?-r— Ah,  what  an  unkind  hoUr 
Is  guilty  of  this  lamentable  chance  1 — 
The  lady  ftirs. 

Jul.  [waking.li  O,  comfortable  friar !  vihtrt  is  mf 
lord  ? 
1  do  remember  well  where  I  ihould  be, 
And  there  I  am :— Where  is  my  Romeo  ? 

[Noi/e  wiibiH.} 

Zau.  I  hear  fome  noife. — ^Lady,  eomc  from  that 
neft 

^  Idriomt  my  maJUr  and  another  fmgbtj']  ThU  is  one  of  the 
touches  of  nature  that  would  have  efca^  the  hand  of  any  painter 
lefs  attentive  to  it  than  Shakefpeare.  What  happens  to  a  perfon 
while  he  is  under  the  manifeft  influence  of  fear,  will  feem  to  him, 
when  he  is  recovered  ixom  it,  like  a  dream.  Homer,  Book  8th, 
tepreferits  Rhefus  dpng  faft  alleep^  and  as  it  were  beholdii^  his 
enemy  in  a  dream  pluneing  a  fword  into  his  bofom,  Eufitthius 
and  Dacier  both  applaud  this  image  as  very  natural ;  for  a  man  in 
fuch  a  condition,  fays  Pope,  aivakes  no  further  than  to  fee  con^ 
fufedly  what  environs  him,  and  to  think  it  not  a  reality,  but  9 

Tlion,      STE&V£|it. 

9i 


kaMfiO  AND  jtTLtEt.       tB^ 

Of  deaths  contagion, '  and  unnatural  fleep ; 
A  greater  Power  than  we  can  concradi& 
Hath  thwarted  our  intents  %  come,  come  away : 
Thy  hufbaod  in  thy  bofom  there  lies  dead ; 
And  Paris  too  5  come,  TU  dilpofe  of  thee 
Among  a  fifterbood  of  holy  nuns : 
Stay  not  to  queftion,  for  the  watch  is  coming ; 
Come,  go,  good  Juliet,  —  [^Noi/e  again*^  Idareftay 
no  longer.  [£xiA 

Jul.  Go,  get  thee  hence,  for  I  will  not  away. — 
*W hat's  here?  a  cup,  cWd  in  my  true  love's  hand? 
Poifon,  I  fee,  hath  been  his  timelefs  end : — 
O  churl !  drink  all  \  and  leave  no  friendly  drop,  ' 
To  help  me  after? — I  will  kifs  thy  lips  ; 
Haply,  fome  poifon  yet  doth  hang  on  them. 
To  make  jnc  die  with  a  reftorative*  [Kifes  bimi 

Thy  lips  are  warm ! 

Watch,  [within]  Lead,  boy  2 — Which  way  ? 

Jul.  Yea,  noife? — then  Til  be  brief. — O  happy 
dagger !  [Snatching  Romeo's  dagger  4. 

This  is  thy  Iheath  •,  [Jiahs  her/elf.']  there  ruft,  and  let 
me  die  $• 

Enter  Watcb^  with  the  Page  of  Paris. 

Pqge.  This  is  the  place ;  there,  where  the  torch  doth 
burn. 

1  — and  wmatttrtdjl€tp\\    Shakefpeare  alludes  to  the  fleep  of 
Juliet,  which  was  unnatural^  being  brought  on  by  drugs. 

Steevens. 

♦  Snatching  Romeo^s  dagger."]    So,  in  Painter^s  tranllation  of 

PUrrt  Boifteau^  torn.  ii.  p.  244. —  Drawing  out  the  dagger  which 

Romeo  ware  by  his  fide,  (he  pricked  hericlf  with  many  blowes 

againil  the  heart.**    St  e  e  v  e  n  s . 

5  -^  there  ruft  and  let  me  die.']    Is  the  reading  of  the  quarto 
I599.     That  of  1 597  gives  the  paflage  thus  : 

"  I,  noife  ?  then  muft  I  be  refolute.  • 

*•  Oh,  happy  dagger !  thou  (halt  end  my  fear, 
"  Reft  in  my  bofom,  thus  Icome  to  thee.** 
The  alteration  jyas  probably  made  by  the  poet,  when  he  introduced 
the  words, 

••  This  is  thy  ^tf//&.**     Steevens. 

Watch. 


1^       R  O  M  E  O  XHD  J  U  L  I  E  f  . 

Tfatch.  The  ground  is  bloody ;  Search  about  cKe 
church-yard  \ 
Go,  Ibme  of  you,  whome^r  you  find^  attach, 

[Eiteunt  fome. 

Pitiful  fight!  here  lies  the  county  flaih; 

And  Juliet  bleeding ;  warm,  and  newly  dead, 

Who  here  hath  lain  thefe  two  days  buried, ' 

Go,  tell  the  prince,— tun  to  the  Capulets, 

•  *  Raife  up  the  Montagues, — fome  others  fearch :— * 
We  fee  the  ground  whereon  thefe  woes  do  lie  5 
But  the  true  ground  of  all  thefe  piteous  woes. 
We  cannot  without  circumftancc  defcry. 

Enter  fome  bf  the  Watch ^  with  Baltbafar. 

2  Watch.  Here's  Romeo's  man,  we  found  him  in 

the  church-yard. 
1  Watch.  Hold  him  in  fafcty,  ^till  the  prince  come 
hither. 

-  Enter  another  Watchman^  with  Friar  Laurence^ 

3  Watch.  Here  is  a  friar,  that  trembles,  fighs,  and 

w^eps : 
We  took  this  mattock  and  this  fpade  from  him. 
As  he  was  coming  from  this  church-yard  fide. 
1  Watch.  A  great  fufpicion  5  Stay  the  friar  too* 

Enter  the  Prince,  and  attendants. 

Prince^  What  mifadventure  is  fo  early  up, 
*rhac  calls  oiir  perfon  from  our  morning's  reft  ? 

*  Raife   up    the    Montagues. — ^Some  others  fearch  >^'\      Here 
Iccnu  to  be  a  rhyme  intended,  which  may  be  cafily  rcilorcd ; 
**  Raife  up  the  Montagues.    Some  others,  go. 
**  We  fee  the  ground  whereon  theie  woo  do  lie, 
**  fint  the  true  ground  ot  all  t}?is  piteous  wotf 
*'  Wc  cannot  without  circumllance  dcfcrv.'*    JoHNsojf. 
It  was  often  thought  fuflicicnt,  in  the  time  ot  Shakefpearc,  for 
the  fecond  and  fourth  lines  in  a  Iknza,  to  rhime  with  each  other. 

Steevens. 

Enter 


ROMEO  AKD  JULIET/       16% 

Enter  Capulet^  and  lady  CflpuUt^  &c.     '     .  *.* 

Caf.  What  (hould  it  be,  that  they  fo  fhriek  abmad  ? 
La.  Cap.  The  people  in  the  ftreet  (iry.^Romeo,  i' 
Some — Juliet,  and  fome — Paris  ;  and  all  run. 
With  open  out-cry,  toward  our  nrionument. 
Prirtce.  7  What  fear  ia  this,  which  ftartlcs  )n  our  ears  ? 
Watch.  Sovereign,  here  lies  the  ^pynty  Paris  flain^ 
And  Romeo  dead;  and  Juliet,  dead  before^  .^ 
Warm  and. new.  kiirU, 

Prince.  Search,  feck,  and  know  how  this  foptmp^- 

der  comes. 
fFatcb.  Here  is  a  friar,  and  flaughter'd  Ronieo's 
man;  ,         " 

With  inftruments  upon  them,  fit  to  open 
Thefe  dead  men's  tombs. 
Cap.  O,  heaven ! — O,  wife !  look  how  our  daugh- 
ter bleeds ! 
This  dagger  hath  mifta*en,  for,  ®  lo !  his  houfc 

Lies 

^  What  fear  h  this,  txihlch  Jlartks  in  your  ears  ?]     Head, 

*»  What  fear  u  this,  which  ilanfcs  in  our  ears  r"  John's  ox. 
•  —  lo!  bis  houfe,  &c.]     The  modern  editors  (contrary  to  rhc 
authority  of  aU  the  ancient  copies,  and  without  attention  to  the 
dilagreeable  alTonance  oi  Jheath  'aclA  Jbeathid^  which  was  lirll  in- 
troduced by  Mr.  Pope)  read, 

**  This  dagger  hath  milla*cn ;  for,  lo !  the  Jheath 
*•  Lies  empty  on  the  back  of  Montague, 
**  The  point  mif-fhcathed  in  my  daughter's  bofom.** 
The  quarto,  1597,  erroneoiifly, 

'*  — •  this  dagger  hath  miftoolc, 
<*  For  (loe)  the  backc  is  empty  of  yong  Montague, 
**  And  it  is  fhcathcd  in  our  daughter'^  brcaih** 
The  quarto*  I5Q9,  affords  the  true  reading, 

**  This  dagger  hath  miflane,  for,  loe !  his  houfe 
**  Is  emptic  on  the  back  of  Mountague, 
**  And  //  mif-flieathed  in  nu  da\ighttr*s  bofome.* 
If  wc  do  not  read  //  inftead  of  /V,  Capulct  will  be  made  to  fay— 
The  fcabhard  is  at  once  empty  on  the  hack  rf  Montague^  andjhtmthed  irn^ 

2ulie/s  hofim.    The  conllruAioQ  even  with  this  emendation  wilt 
5  irregular. 
Vol.  X,  M  The 


tSi       ROMEO  Aw>  JULIE  t. 

Lies  empty,  on  the  back  of  Montague, 
And  it  nAii-flieathed  in  my  daughter's  bofom. 
.  I^i  Gap^  O  me !  this  fight  of  .death  b  as  a  bdl 
.TJiat  warns  my  old  age  to  a  fepulchre* 

.  Enter  Montague^  and  Others. 

PfiHee.  Come,  Montague  5  for  thou  art  early  up  % 
To  fee  thy  fon  and  heir  more  early  d6wn. 

Mon.  f  Alas,  my  lia^,  my  wife  is  dead  to-night  j 
Grief  of  my  fon*s  exile  hath  ftopp'd  her  breath  : 
What  further  woe  confpires  againft  ray  age  ? 

Prince.  Look,  and  thou  fhalt  fee. 

M(ffh  O  thou  untaught !  *  what  manners  is  in  this. 

To  prefs  before  thy  father  to  a  grave  ? 

>  *  •  -  '       ■  , 

The  quartos,  1609,  1^37,  and  the  folio  1623,  offer  the  farac 
jread'iBgy  except  that  they  concur  in  giving />  inftead'of  it. 
*  -  it  appears  that  tho  Atgger  wzi  anciently  worn  hebimd  {be  hack. 
So,  in  The  longer  thou  U'vejl  the  more  Fool  thou  arty  1 570 : 
."  Tbou-rauft  wearc  thy  fwordc  bvthy  fide, 
.     ^*  And  thy  dagger  hanmomly  at  tfy  hoikeJ* 
Aga!n,  in  Humor*s  Ordinarie^  &c,  an  ancient  colledlion  of  fatires« 
no  date : 

**  Sec  you  the  huge  bum  dagger  at  his  hacke  Z"  St e e  v  e  n s. 
The  pafliage,  as  it  Ibnds  in  the  quarto  of  1609,  and  in  the  firft 
folio,  if  regulated  thus,  is  perfedtly  grammaticar: 

"  This  dagger  hath  miftaen,  (for  lo!  his  houfc 
**^  Lies  eropty  on  thfe  back  01  Montague) 
**  And  is  mil-Acathed  in  my  daughter's  bofom." 

Malone. 
9  ^^for  thou  art  earjy  vp^  &c.]    This  fpeech  (as  appears  from 
the  following  paifage  in  The  Second  Part  of  the  Down/ail  of  Robiri 
Earl  of  Huntington^  i6oi)  has  fomething  proverbial  in  it: 
i*  In  you  i'faith  the  proverb's  verified, 
**  Tou  arc  early  up^  and  yet  are  ne*er  the  near."  Steivens. 
■  Alas^  my  Uege^  ny  wi/e  is  dead  to-night ;]    After  this  line  the 
quarto  1597  adds, 

*'  And  young  Bcnvolio  Is  deceafed  too." 
But  this  i  fujppofe  the  poet  rejC(fted  on  his  revillon  of  the  play,  as 
unncq^flary  flaughtcr.    Steevens. 
.  *  P>  ^^«  untaught!  &c.}     So,  in  77je  Tragedy  of  Darius^  1603  : 
**  Ah  me!  malicious  fates  have  done  me  wrong : 
*'  Who  came  firil  to  the  vvorUl,  (hould  firil  depart. 
^    ;         **  It  not  becomes  the  old  iVer-live  the  young  j 

"  This  dealing  is  piepolkrous  and  o'er-thwan."  Stee vens. 

Prince. 


ROMEO  AHD  JULIET.        16^ 

Prince.  Seal  up  the  mouth  of  outrage  for  a  while, 
*Till  we  can  clear  thefe  ambiguities. 
And  know  their  fpring,  their  head,  their  true  defcent  -, 
And  then  will  I  be  general  of  your  woes. 
And  lead  you  even  to  death  :  Mean  time  forbear. 
And  let  mifchance  be  flave  to  patience, — 
Bring  forth  the  parties  of  fufpicion. 

Lau.  I  am  the  greateft^  able  to  do  leaft, 
Yet  moft  fufpe^ed,  as  the  time  arid  place 
Doth  make  againft  me,  of  this  direful  murder ; 
And  here  I  ftand,  both  to  impeach  and  purge 
Myfclf  condemned  and  myfelf  excused. 

Prince.  Then  fay  at  once  what  thou  doft  know  in  this. 

'  Lau.  I  will  be  brief,  for  my  fliort  date  of  breath 
Is  not  fo  long  as  is  a  tedious  talc. 
Romeo,  there  dead,  was  hufband  to  that  Juliet ; 
And  fhe,  there  dead,  that  Roracd's  faithful  wife  : 
I  married  them  ;  and  their  ftolen  marriage-day 
Was  Tybalt's  dooms-day,  whofe  untimely  death 
Banilh'd  the  new-made  bridegroom  from  this  city  j 
For  whom,  and  not  for  Tybalt,  Juliet  pin*d. 
You — to  remove  that  fiege  o(  grief  from  her— 
Betrothed,  and  would  have  married  her  perforce, 
To  county  Paris :— Then  comes  (he  to  me ; 
And,  with  wild  looks,  bid  me  devife  fome  means 
To  rid  her  from  this  fecond  marriage, 
Or,  in  my  cell,  there  would  (he  kill  herfclf* 
Then  gave  I  her,  fo  tutor*d  by  my  art, 
A  fleeping  potion ;  which  fo  took  cffeA 
As  I  intended,  for  it  wrought  on  her 
The  form  of  death  :  mean  time  1  writ  to  Ronieo, 
That  he  fhould  hither  come  as  this  dire  night. 
To  help  to  take  her  from  her  borrowed  grave. 
Being  the  time  the  potion's  force  Ihould  ceafe. 

*  Lamnnce^l  Itf  is  much-to  be  lamented,  that  the  poet  &i  not 
conclude  the  dklo^ite  with  the  action,  and  ayoid  a  narrative  or 
efemi  wliich  the  audience  alrmdy  kncMT.    Johnson. 

M  2  Bm 


164       ROMEO  AND  JULIET. 

But  he  which  bore  my  letter,  friar  John, 
Was  (laid  by  accident ;  and  yefternight 
Returned  my  letter  back  :  Then  all  alone^ 
At  the  prefixed  hour  of  her  waking. 
Came  I  to  take  her  from  her  kindred's  vault; 
Meaning  to  keep  her  clofely  at  my  cell, 
*Till  I  conveniently  could  fend  to  Romeo : 
But,  when  I  came,  (fome  minute  ere  the  time 
Of  her  awaking)  here  untimely  lay 
The  noble  Paris,  and  true  Romeo,  dead* 
She  wakes ;  and  I  entreated  her  come  forth. 
And  bear  this  work  of  heaven  with  patience : 
But  then  a  noife  did  fcare  me  from  the  tomb ; 
And  (he,  too  defperate,  would  not  go  with  me. 
But  (as  it  feems)  did  violence  on  herfelf. 
All  this  I  know;  and  to  the  marriage 
Her  nurfe  is  privy  :  And,  if  aught  in  this 
Mifcarry'd  by  my  fault,  let  my  old  life 
Be  facrific'd,  fome  hour  before  his  time. 
Unto  the  rigour  of  fevereft  law. 

Prince.  Weftill  have  known  thee  for  a  holy  man. — 
Where's  Romeo's  man  ?  what  can  he  fay  to  this  ? 

Balfb.  I  brought  my  matter  news  of  Juliet's  death  j 
And  then  in  poft  he  came  from  Mantua, 
To  this  fame  place,  to  this  fame  monument. 
This  letter  he  early  bid  me  give  his  father ; 
And  threaten'd  me  with  death,  going  in  the  vault. 
If  I  departed  not,  and  left  him  there. 

Prince.  Give  me  the  letter,  I  will  look  on  it. 
Where  is  the  county's  page  that  rais'd  the  watch  ? — 
Sirrah,  what  made  your  niafter  in  this  place  ? 

Page.  He  came  with  flowers  to  ftrcw  his  lady's 
grave  ; 
And  bid  me  ftand  aloof,  and  fo  I  did : 
Anon,  comes  one  with  light  to  ope  the  tomb  j 
.And,  by  and  by,  my  matter  drew  on  him  j    . 
.  And  then  I  ran  away  to  call  the  watch. 

5  Prince. 


ROMEO   AND  JULIET.        165 

Prince.  This  letter  doth  make  good  the   friar's 
words. 
Their  courfe  of  love,  the  tidings  of  her  death : 
And  here  he  writes — that  he  did  buy  a  poifon 
Of  a  poor  Apothecary,  and  therewithal 

Came  to  this  vault  to  die,  and  lie  with  Juliet. 

Where  be  thcfe  enemies  ?  Capulet !  Montague ! — 

See,  what  a  fcourge  is  laid  upon  your  hate. 

That  heaven  finds  means  to  kill  your  joys  with  love ! 

And  I,  for  winking  at  your  difcords  too^ 

Have  loft  a  brace  of  kinfmen : — all  arc  puniQi'd. 

Cap.  O^  brother  Montague,  give  me  thy  hand  : 
This  is  my  daughter's  jointure,  for  no  more 
Can  I  demand. 

Mon.  But  I  can  give  thee  more : 
For  I  will  raife  her  ftatue  in  pure  gold ; 
That,  while  Verona  by  that  name  is  known. 
There  (hall  no  figure  at  fuch  rate  be  fet. 
As  that  of  true  and  faithful  Juliet. 

Cap.  As  rich  (hall  Romeo  by  his  lady  lie ; 
Poor  facrifices  of  our  enmity ! 
Prince.  A  glooming  peace  4  this  morning  with  it 
brings  J 
The  fun,  for  fbrrow,  will  not  (hew  his  head : 
Go  hence,  to  have  more  talk  of  thefe  fad  things ; 
5  Some  (hall  be  pardon'd,  and  fome  punifl^ed : 

For 

^  A  glooimog^  ^MTf,  &c.]  The  modern  editions  rmA'-^ioomy ; 
but  glooming^  which  is  the  old  reading,  may  be  the  true  one.  SOf 
in  the  Spami/b  Tragedy^  i6o;  : 

<^  Through  dreadful  (hades  of  tvcr-glo^ming  night.*^ 
To  gbom  is  an  ancient  vprb  ufed  by  Spenler ;  and  I  meet  with  it 
likewiie  in  the  play  of  Tom  ^kr  and  bis  fPlfe^  1598 : 

•*  If  eitherhe  gafpeth  orj'/«tfXRi^//r,*'    Steeveiw. 
s  Stme  Jbdl  he  parMdy  and  fome  fmi^Jbtd  {\     This  f<Sems  to  be 
not  a  reiblution  in  the  prtnct^  but  a  reflection  on  (he  various  difr 
peniations  of  Providence ;  for  who  was  there  that  could  jufUy  be 
puni(hed  by  any  human  law }    £dw a  R  ds's  M8S. 

This  line  has  reference  to  the  novel  from  which  the  fable  is 
t(pcen«     H^re  we  irad  that  Juliet's  female  attendant  was  baniihed 

M  i(  fo^ 


i66       R0ME;0   and  JULIET. 

For  never  was  a  ftory  of  more  woe. 

Than  this  of  Juliet  and  her  Romeo  ^.    [^Exeunt  omnes. 

for  concealing  tbc  njarriagc ;  Romeo's  feirant  fet  at  liberty  becaufe 
he  had  only  a^^ed  in  obedieoee  to  his  mailer*8  orders ;  the  apothecary 
taken,  tortured,  condemoed,  and  hanged ;  while  Friar  Laurence  was 
permiued  to  retire  to  a  hermita^  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Verona, 
where  he  ended  his  life  in  peuirence  and  peace,     Ste£vpns^ 

•  -^JuUet  and  her  Romeo,']  8hakefpeare  has  not  eftedted  the 
alteration  of  this  play  by  introducing  any  new  incidents^  but 
merely  by  adding  to   the  length  of  the  fcenet. 

The  piece  appears  to  have  been  always  a  very  popular  ooCt 
Marfton,  in  his  latires,  1 598,  fays : 

♦*  Lufcus,  what's  playM  to-day  ? — faith,  now  I  know 
.    «*  1  fet  thy  lips  abroach,  firom  whence  doth  flow 
<«  Nought  but  pure  Juliet  and  Romeo."      Steevens* 

This  play  is  one  of  the  rooft  pleafiog  of  our  autbor't  perform* 
ftnces.  The  fcenes  are  bufy  and  various,  the  incidents  numerous 
and  important,  the  catafiropbe  irreiifKbly  atfefting,  and  the  procefs 
of  the  a^ioQ  carried  on  with  fuch  probability,  at  leafi  with  fuch 
congruity  to  popular  opinionsi  as  tragedy  requires. 

Here  is  oi\e  of  the  few  attempts  of  Shakefpeare  to  exhibit  th« 
convcrfation  of  gentlemen,  to  reprefcot  the  ^iry  fprightlineft  of 
juvenile  elegance;  Mr.  Dryden  mentions  a  tradition,  which  might 
eaiily  reach  his  time,  of  a  declaration  made  by  Shakefpeare,  that 
ht  was  ohligtd  to  liil  Mfrcvtio  iVi  the  third  oBy  kfi  hejhmd  imf^  ifa$ 
kWcd  hy  him^  Yet  he  thinks  him  na  fuch  finfudaik  fnfim^  hmt  thai 
he  might  have  lived  throtfgh  thef^i^^  attddiedim  his  hedy  without  danger 
to  a  poor.  l>rydea  well  knew,  hiid  he  been  in  queft  of  truths 
that,  in  a  pointed  fentence,  more  regard  is  commoclv  had  to  the 
words  than  the  thcugbt,  and  that  it  is  very  iekiom  to  oe  rigproufly 
undcrftood.  Mercutio's  wit,  gaiety,  and  courage,  will  always  pra» 
cure  him  friends  that  wifh  him  a  longer  life  ;  but  his  death  is  pot 
precipitated,  he  has  lived  out  the  time  allotted  him  in  the  con* 
ilru<5lion  of  the  play ;  nor  do  1  doubt  the  abllitv  of  Shakefpeare 
to  hax'e  continued  his  exiilence,  though  ibme  of  hu  fallies  are  perT 
haps  out  ot  the  reach  of  Dryden ;  whofe  genius  was  not  very  fer- 
tile of  merriment,  nor  du^le  to  humour,  but  acute,  argumentative, 
Comprehenfive,  and  fublimc. 

The  Nurfe  is  one  of  the  ch^M^^ers  in  which  the  author  de- 
lighted ;  he  has,  with  great  fubiiliy, of  diilindion,  drawn  her  ^t 
pnce  loquacious  and  leciet,  obiiequibua  and  infolent,  trufty  and  dif- 
honelh 

His  comic  fcenes  arc  happily  wrought,  but  his  pathetic  f^raini 
arc  alv.ayj  p  llured  with  fon>e  uncx|  eded  deprai^ations.  His  per- 
loDt;,  ho iv tier  4ili'^eirctl,  haroe  a  coMcit  Lfi  them  in  their  mijhy^  a 
mija'/^k  ^oHccit,    Johnson, 

HAMLET. 


HAMLET. 


M4 


Perfons  Reprefented. 


CLAUDIUS,  king  of  Denmark. 
Hamlet,  fon  to  the  former^  and  nephew  to  tbeprefent 
king.  ..        .  '  . 

Fortinbras,  frince  of  Norwey. 

Polonius,  lord  chamberlain: 

Horatio,  friend  to  Hamlet. 

Laertes,  fon  to  Polonius. 

Vbltimand, 

Cornelius, 

Rofencrantz, 

Guildenfterji, 

Ofrick,  a  courtief. 

Anofiiferxourtier.  -        ^  - 

J  prieft. 

Marcellus,     1      n;     , 

Bernardo.       j  "^''"'^ 

Francifco,  afoldier. 

Reynaldo,  fervant  to  Polonius^ 

A  captain ;  An  ambaffador.  , 

Gboft  of  Hamlet^ s  father. 


courtiers^ 


Gertrude,  queen  of  Denmark,  and  mother  to  Hamlets 
Ophelia,  daughter  to  Polonius. 

Lords^  ladies,  playerSfgrave-diggerSjfailors^  meffengerSp 
and  other  attendants. 

SCENE,  Elfineur. 


H    A    M    L    E    T 


•A  C  T    L       S  C  E  N  ^    I- 

E  I  S  I  NOU  k.  ' 

A  platform  before  the  pdace. 

Francifco  on  bis  pqfi.    Enter  to  Um  Bernardo. 

jB^.' Who's  there? 

Ttran^  Nay,  anfwer  me  ^ :  ftand,  and  unfold  youi;- 
fclf. 
.    /  ^er. 

'  '  HamUt^  The  original  flory  on  which  this  pliQr  k  built,  may 
be  found  in  Sso^  Grammaticus  thcDantih  hiflorian*  From  thence 
BeUeforeft  adopted  it  in  his  coUe6tion  of  novels,  in  (even  volumet, 
which  he  t)egaa  in  1564,  and  continued  to  publiih  through  fuc- 
ceeding  years*  From  this  work,  Hje  Hfioric  of  Hamhiett^  quarto, 
b]«  L  was  tranflated*  I  have  hitherto  met  with  no  earHer  edition 
of  the  ^v  than  one  ia  the  year  1604,  though  it  mufl  have  been 
perfonnea  before  that  time,  as  I  have  feen  a  copy  of  Spe£ht*t 
edition  of  Chaucer,  which  formerly  belonged  to  Dr.  Gabrid 
Hacvey,  (the  antimonift  of  Nafh)  who,  in  his  own  hand-writing, 
ktt  fet  down  the  puiy,  as  a  performance  with  which  he  was  well  ac- 
quainted, in  the  year  x  cqS*  His  words  are  thefe :  ^*  The  )rounger 
**  fort  take  much  deli^rht  in  Shakefi>eare*s  Venus  and  Adonis;  but 
^  his  Lucrece,  and  hts,  tragedy  or  Hamlet  Prince  of  DcnRunke^ 
V  have  it  in  them  to  pleafe  the  wifer  fort,  1598.'* 

In  the  books  of  the  Stationers'  Company  this  play  was  entered 
by  James  Roberts,  Tuly  269  i6oa,  under  the  title  of*^  Abooke 
called  The  fyyetige  rf  RamUtt^  Prmce  rf  Deiwrnrke^  as  it  was  lately 
aSed  by  thQ  Lonl  ChambdrUdn  liis  fervantes.'^ 

In 

*  AH  LJ  This  play  is  printed  both  in  the  folio  of  1623,  and  \v^ 
the  quarto  of  1637,  more  corre<Sl1y,  than  almoll  any  other  of  the 
works  of  Shakcfpcta-c.    Johnson. 

'^  '^mii'\ut.  me  who  am  already  on  the  watch|  and  have  s^ 
right  to  demand  the  watch-word.    Steevevs* 


170  H    A    M    L    E    T," 

Bif.  Long  live  the  king ! 

Fran.  Bernardo? 

BcT.  He* 
.    Fran.  Yoa  come  mcrft  carefully  upon  your  hour. 

Sir.  'Tis  now  ilruck  twelve;  get  thee  to  bed^ 
Fr^cifcD. 

Fran.  For  this  relief^  much  thanks:  'tis  bitter  cold. 
And  I  am  fick  at  heart, 

Ber.  Have  you  had  quiet  guard  ? 

Fran.  Not  a  mouie  ftirring* 

Ber.  Well,  good  night;. 
If  you  do  mieet  Horatio  and  Marcellus, 

In  E^fhoardEot  bv  O.  Chapnum,  B«  Jonibti,  a^d  T.  Bftrflon, 
1605,  is  a  iliBg  it  Ae  \ao  of  tfaif  trapdy*    A  ibtonaa  jwned 

Hsdifr  enters,  and  a  tankard-bearer  aftsmni--^'Sfoote,/£iM^ 
are  you  mait^    The  foUowingparticiilaiii,  reladTC  to  the  date  of 
the  piece,  are  borrowed  from  Dr.  Farmer^s  I^(^  mi  dm  LuarmMg 
tf  Sifak^an^  p.  85,  86,  feoood  cditioiu 

<^Greeoe»m  the  EpifUe  |mfiaed  to  Us  .^hMM&s,  iuuhaliAai 
ibiM  *^  Taine  g^orkma  tn^ediaM,''4uul  very  plainly  at  Shakdpeara 
so  particular. — **  I  kave  aU  tfaefe  to  the  aatcv  of  theiv  tmAr* 
tMgm^  that  feed  on  nought  bat  the  cnuna  that  tall  from  the  arwjfC 
Ztif«r*i  treQcher.-^That  could  icaroe^  ktmhse  their  nick  verfe  if 
they  ihould  hare  neede^  yet  EjiM^Seaica  read  b7caiidloli||hty«eldi 
aoany  ffood  fentences— hee  witt  a&ord  you  whole  Amdm^  I 
Ihotdd  uy,  hmu^uls  of  tragicall  ^eeches.*'— I  caoaoc  determioe  ot- 
t£^  when  thia Efijk  was  firft  publtihod;  but«  I  fancy,  h  wiU 
oarry  the  original  Hamlei  ibneurhac  fiivdier  back  dian  we  havt. 
liitbcrto  done :  and  it  may  be  obferved,  that  the  oldeft  copy  now 
extant,  it  (aid  to  be  <*  enlarged  to  ahnoft  aa^asucK  agatne  at  it  was*** 
Qabnd  Haroty  printed  at  the  end  of  the  year  iW^  ^  Foora  Let- 
ters  and  certaine  Soanetts,  eipecially  touching  Jxa^  OrMfw:**  in 
one  of  which  bit  Arcada  is  mentioned.  Now  Ktilb^s  EMiUe  anift 
haTe  been  previous  to  thefe,  as  Gabrltl  is  <|uoted  in  k  with  ap* 
^aufe ;  and  the  Wmn  Letters  were  die  beginaiog  of  a  quarrek 
sf€{lb  replied,  in  ^^  Strange  news  of  the  intercepting  certaine  Let- 
ters, and  a  Convoy  of  Verfes,  as  they  were  going /rivi/rf  to  Ti£hiaU 
the  Lom  Comitries^  '{93*"  HanMf  rt^<Mued  the  iame  year  ia 
**  Fiercest  Supcrerofiadin*  or  a  new  praife  of  the  old  Ajb.*  And 
JHqff  again,  in  *'  Have  with  you  to  SaJfron^WaUen^  or  Gairuff 
Harvfy^s  Hunt  is  up ;  containing  a  full  anfwer  to  the  eldeft  Ibnne 
of  the  halter- maker^  i  (96." — H^  died  before  1606,  lu  appears  fram 
an  old  comedy  culled  ^*  The  Return  &om  PamaiTus.    otkevensw 

The 


PRIVCE  OF  DENMARK.     171 

4  Hie  rivals  of  my  watch,  bid  them  make  hafte. 
Enter  Horatio f  and  MarctUus. 

From.  I  think,  I  hear  them* — Standi  ho !  Who  is 
there  ? 

Hot.  Friends  to  this  ground. 

Mar*  And  liegemen  to  the  Dane. 

Fran.  Give  you  good  night. 

M^.  O,  fsrewel,  honeft  foldier : 
Who  hath  relieved  you  ? 

Fran.  Bernardo  bath  my  place. 
Give  you  good  night.  {^Exit  Francifco. 

Mar.  Holla!  Bernardo! 

BiT.  Say, 
What,  is  Horaiio  theit  f 

5  Hor.  A  piece  of  him. 

*  The  rinla  ef^  <a7^r&,]    Rivals^  for  partcers.  Warbur-hik. 
By  rivals  tftbe  ^wUcb  are  meaot  thole  who  were  to  watch  on  the 
next  t^otniog  ground*     Rhfals^  in  tke  original  fenfe  of  the  word^ 
weie  proprietoi^  of  ndghbourii^  lands,  parted  only  by  a  brook, 
which  bdonged  ^ualhr  to  both.    Hanmer. 
So,  in  HcpvoocTs  Rafie  of  Lucrect^  1636 : 
*•  TuUim.    Aruns,  aflbciate  htm. 
*♦  Anms.  A  mw/  wkh  my  brother,  Sec.* 
Agun,  in  the  Tnmdj  tfH^ffrnan^  1637 : 

•«  And  make  thee  rival  in  thofe  government*.** 
Again,  xnAtotiy  andChopatra^  A&  3.  Sc.  5  :  •^^  having  made  ufe 
oThim  io  the  wars  againft  Pompey^  prefently  denyM  him  fi* 
v^y.^    Steevens. 
I  ftoiHd  propofe  to  pobt  and  alter  this  paflage  thus— • 
If  you  do  tncet  Horatio,  and  Marcellus  ' 
The  rival  of  my  watch — 
Iforatio  is  reprefented  throughout  tke  plav  as  a  gentleman  of  no 
profeffion.     Marcellus  was  an  officer,  and  confequeudy  did  that 
through  duty,  for  which  Horatio  had  no  motive  but  curiofity. 
Befides,  there  is  but  one  perfon  on  each  watch.    Bernardo  comes 
to  relieve  Francifco,  and  Marceilus  to  fupply  the  place  of  ibnoe 
other  on  the  adjoining  flatlon.    The  reason  why  Bernardo  as  wdl 
as  the  reft  expcdl  Horatio,  was  becau  e  he  knew  him  to  be  ia- 
formed  of  what  had  happened  the  night  before.     Warner. 

5  Hor.  Apitcc^i^im,]    Bm  why  a  piece  f    He  fays  this  as  he 
gives  his  hand.     Which  dirc^ion  fhou Id  be  marked.    Warb. 
Afiece  ofbiftty  is,  I  believe,  no  more  than  a  cant  exprcllion. 

Steevens. 
Ber. 


122  H.  A    M    L    E    T, 

Ber^  Wclcohic,  Horatio;  welcotne,  good  Marcclkis. 

Mar.  What  ^  has  this  thing  appeared  again  to- 
night ? 

B^r.  I  have  feen  nothing. 

Mar.  Horatio  fays,  'tis  but  our  phantafy  i 
And  will  not  let  belief  take  hold  of  him. 
Touching  this  dreaded  fight,  twice  fcen  of  us ; 
Therefore  I  have  intreated  him  along, 
With  us  to  watch  ^  the  minutes  of  this  night ; 
That,  if  again  this  apparition  come. 
He  may  ^  approve  our  eyes,  and  fpeak  to  it. 

Hor.  Tufh  !  tulh  !  'twill  not  appear^ 

Ber.  ^it  down  a  while ; 
And  let  us  once  again  allail  your  ears. 
That  are  fo  fortified  againft  our  ftory^ 
9  What  we  two  nights  have  fcen, 

Hor.  Well,  fit  we  down, 
And  let  us  hear  Bernardo^  fpe^k  of  this, 

Ber^  Laft  night  of  all. 
When  yon  fame  ftar,  that's  weftward  from  the  pole. 
Had  made  his  courfe  to  illume  that  part  of  heaven 
Where  now  it  burns,  Marcellus,  and  myfelf. 
The  bell  then  beating  one, , 

^  ff^ift^  &c.]    The  quartos  giye  this  fpeech  to  ^oratiou 

Steefens. 
1  ^^  the  minutes  cfthis  night ;]    This  fecms  to  have  been  an  ex- 
preffion  common  in  Shakefpeare's  tim^.    1  find  it  in  one  of  Ford's 
plays.  The  Fancies^  A<51  J. 

I  pxpmlfe  ere  the  minutes  tfthe  night,    Steeyens.- 
•  «—  approve  our  gjvi,— ]     Add  a  new  tefiimony  to  that  o( 
our  eyes.     Johnson. 
So,  in  Heywood's  Iroft  JgCy  i6j2 : 

^*  I  can  by  grounded  ailments  4^rove, 
*/  Your  power  and  potency." 
^gain,  in  Antony  and  (Cleopatra: 

■    ■     I  am  full  forry 
That  he  improves  the  common  lyar,  who 
Thus  fpeaks  of  him  at  Rome. —    Steevens. 
'  Jflat  we  two  nights  havefien."]    This  line  is  by  Hanmer  given 
to  Marcellus,  but  without  neceffity,    Johnson. 

Mar. 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.     173 

Mar.  Peace,  break  thee  offs  look,  where  it  comes 
again! 

Enter  Gboft. 

Btr.  In^the  fame  figure,  like  the  king  that's  dead. 
Mar.  Thou  art  a  fcholar,  fpeaktb  it,  Horatio.    . 
Bcr.  Looks  it  not  like  the  king  ?  nfiark  it,  Ho- 
ratio. 
Hot.  Moft  like : — it  harrows  '  me  with  fear,  and 

wonder. 
Ber.  It  would  be  fpoke  to. 
Mar.  Speak  to  it,  Horatio. 
Hor.  What  art  thou,  that  ufurp'ft  this  time  of 
night. 
Together  with  that  fair  and  warlike  form 
In  which  the  majefty  of  bury'd  Denmark 
Did  fometime  march  ?    by  heaven  I  charge  thee^ 
fpeak. 
Mar.  It  is  offended. 
Ber.  See !  it  ftalks  away. 
Hor.  Stay ;  fpeak ;  I  charge  thee,  fpeak.    , 

[Exk.GbiiJk^ 
Mar.  *Tis  gone,  and  will  not  anfwer; 
Ber.  How  now,  Horatio  ?  you  tremble,  and  lopk 
pale : 
Is  not  this  fomething  more  than  phantafy  ? 
What  think  you  of  it  J 

Hor.  Before  my  God,  I  might  not  this  believe,. 
Without  the  fenfible  and  true  avouch 
Of  mine  own  eyes. 
-   Mar.  Is  it  not  Jike  the  king  \ 
Hor.  As  thou  art  to  thyfelf : 
Such  was  the  very  armour  he  had  on, 

'  //  harrows  me^  &c.]  To  barrow  is  to  conquer,  to  fi^ue. 
The  word  is  of  Saxon  origin.  So,  in  the  old  bl.  L  romance  of 
*Sr  EgUmoure  tf  Artcyi  : 

**  He  fwore  by  him  that  harovad  heU."    ST£sysi{t. 

When 


I 


174  HAMLET, 

When  be  the  ambkiDUS  Norway  coiDbated; 
So  frownM  he  once,  when,  in  an  angry  parte  % 
>  He  fmote  the  4  fledded  Polack  on  the  ice. 
^Tis  ftrange* 
Mar.  Thus,  twice  before,  sand  joft  at  diis  dead 
hour. 
With  martial  ftalk  be  hath  gone  by  our  watch. 

tier. 

*  ,mm  atrofigiy  pade,}    Tbia  it  one  of  the  idfeded  Wbr^  mtro- 
ducedbyJL/^.     bo^  in  Two  f^/e  Mh  wui all  ti)e Re/l Feels^  1619: 
<*  —  that  you  told  ihe  at  our  \2&f€trU^    Ste&Vens. 
<  Hefmou  thtjUdded  Pokdc  ^  ih  fVr.]    Pde-ax  m  the  com- 
mon editions.    He  fpeaks  of  a  prbcti  of  Poland  whoni  he  fW  in 
battle.    He  ufes  the  word  Fdat^  again,  A&  %*  Sceqe  4.    Poii^. 

Ptlackwk^y  in  that  a^  the  tenb  for  an  inhabitant  of  Pohmd; 
Folaqw^  French. .  As  in  F.  Davifon's  tranihtion  df  Pafleratius'i 
epitaph  on  Heury  III.  of  Prance,  publifted  by  Camden : 

**  Whether  thy  chance  or  choice  thee  hiiher  brings, 
*<  Stay,  paflenger,  and  wail  the  beft  of  kings. 
*^  This  httk  ftone  a  great  king's  heart  doth  hold, 
«*  Who  rul'd  the  fickle  Ftench  and  Fclach  boU : 
*<  Whom,  with  a  mighty  warlike  hoft  attended, 
**  With  trait'rous  knife  a  cowled  monfier  ended. 
^  So  fm\  are  even  the  higheft  earthly  things, 
**  60,  paAnger,  and  waif  the  hkp  of  kings.^    Johnson^ 
Jll^lin,  in  f^k^a  CormbmuL,  &c.  1612 : « 
••  — •  I  fcbrn  him 
«  Like  a  ftavM  FeUadt^'^    Steevins. 
^  KJkit  <iitJUig€\  Is  a  carriage  without  wl^eb,  made  ufe  of  in 
dtt  cold  countries*    So,  in  TmburUuM  or  the  Serbian.  Shepherd^ 
2590. 

*«  ^-—  upoii  an  vfotyjkd 
^  Thou-ihak  be  drawn  among  the  frozen  poies."*    Steet. 
f  -.  and  juft  at  this  deadiowf]    The  old  quarto  rtaAt  jumfe: 
but  the  following  editions  difcarded  it  for  a  more  fafhionaok 
word.    Wariurton. 

The  old  reading  is,ywR^^fr/i&K^  hxattmr^  fime  t&akind  of  cor« 
relative  to  jtpi^ijuft  is  in  the  oldcil.folio»  The  cotredKter  was 
probably  made  by  the  author.    Johnson. 

Jmmf  and  jnfi  werfe  fynonymbus  in  the  time  of  Shake(p6^tf«. 
Ben  Jonfonfpedcsof veriesroadeonytfiiS^jitfiffrj,  i.e.  naipei  diat 
£iit  eiaaiy.  Nafh  fays—  **  vnAjmte^  imitating  a  verfe  in  Aa  in 
frafenti.''    So,  in  Chapman's  1^  A^  161 1 : 

«*  Your  appointment  vrtAJumf  at  three,  with  me.** 
Agaitti  in  The  Arcadia  by  Shirley,  ibj^o. 

*♦  -^  fo  cvcnand^'iw^  with  lusdcftrcs,* 

7  Agaios 


PRINCE  or  DENMARK.     175 

Ibr.  ^  In  what  panicular  thought  to  work^  I  know 
not; 
But»  in  t!he  7  grols  and  fcope  of  mine  opinion^ 
This  bodes  fome  ftrange  eru{^n  to  our  (late. 

Mar.  Good  now».  fit  dowo^  and  teU  me,  he  that 
knows. 
Why  this  ian^e  ftrid  and  moft  obfervaot  waech 
So  nightly  toils  the  fubjeA  of  the  land  i 
And  why  fuch  daily  caft^  of  brazen  cannon^ 
And  foreign  mart  for  implements  of  war  ? 
Why  fuch  imprefs  of  (hip-wrights,  whole  fore  talk 
Does  not  divide  the^  funday  fr<mi  the  week  ? 
What  ndight  be  toward,  that  this  fwcary  hafte 
Doth  irake  the  njghc  joint-labourer  with  the  day  v 
Who  is%  that  can  iniorm  me  I 

Hot.  That  can  \% 
At  letft,  the  whifper  goes  k.    Our  laft  king^ 
Whofe  image  even  but  now  appeared  to  us. 
Was,  as  you  know,  by  Fortinhras  of  Norway, 
Thereto  pdrk'd  on  by  a  n»oft  enuikte  pride, 
Dar'd  to  the  combat  \  m  which,  our  yahant  Hamfet 
(For  fo  this  fide  of  our  known  wd'ld  eDieem'd  him) 
X>id  (Tay  this  Fortinbras  ;  9  who,  bra  feal^d  compact. 

Well 

AgaltSy  In  M.  t^ffs  trand^Hon  of  the  jUdriaof^lhefKe^  i  jS8  : 
**  Comes  be  this  day  io  jwt^  in  ^o  Tcry  time  ok  this 
maniagc?**    Steevens. 

*  In  *vohaf  particular  tbot^bt  /f  «uwnly]  i.  e*  What  paxnculir  traia 
tff  thioking  to  follow.  .  Stee  veks.  , 

*  —  Grtfs  andfaft^'^l    Conoid  thoughtSf  and  tcodency  at 
Jlrp.     JoRKSON, 

■  —  i^Jrcaft— ]    The  quartos  read  cofi.    Stsev^^s. 

fPHiratifid  fy  lafi\3  aod  lerahdn^]  The  fubjcft  fpokcn  of  it 
a  dud  between  two  monarchs,  who  iought  fora  wager»  and  entered 
into  articles  for  the  ]uft  peiformance  of  the  terms  agreed  upon* 
Two  (brts  of  Uw  then  ^ere  necelTary  to  rcgukte  the  decifion  oi  the 
affidr :  the  ctvUlaw^  and  the  law  if  annsi  as,  had  there  been  » 
WMT  without  a  dq^  it  had  been  the  clvU  lavi)  ^rnfy ;  qt  u,  duel 
wimvi  a  waeer,  the  /rtv  of  arms  only.  Let  us  fee  now  how  pur 
author  is  torn  to  expre6  this  lenfer 

^ajeaPd 


ite  H    A    M    L    E    r,       ^ 

Well  ratify'd  by  law,  and  heraldry. 

Did  forfeit,  with  his  life,  all  thofc  his  lands,    *. 

Which  he  ftood  ^dz'd  of,  to  the  conquetor  •  * 

Againft  the  which,  a  moiety  competent 

Was  gigcd'by  our  king ;  which  had  .returned  * 

To  the  inheritance  of  Fortinhras, 

Had  he  been'vanqmlher-,  « as,  by  that  covenant; 

*  And  carria^  of  the  articles  dcfign'd. 

His  fell  to  Hamlet':  Now,  fir,  young  Fortihbras^ 

^  Of  unimproved  mettle  hot  and  full, 

Hatli 

fFWraitfiidiy  law  and  beroUry^  . 
Now  hew^  as  diftinguifhcd  from  beral^^  figQifyix^  the  civil  Imu; 
and  this  fealM  compact  heingz  civil  law  ^€t,  it  is  as  much  as' to  fay, 
Jh  i/frf'law  lueU  ratijiidby  laWy  which  ia  ahfurd.  For  Ihe  nature 
of  ratification  requires  that  which  nitiBes,  and  thatwhidh  ii  tatifiBd^ 
fhould  not  be  one  and  the  fame,  but  different.  For  diefe  reafii^  I 
conclude 'Shakefpearc  wrote : 

■  wZ^tf^yfeal'd  compafi 

l#^f// ratified  ^AKUx^A^rtfiWb'-  .       '        '   •'     ' 

I.  e.  the  execution  ot  the  civil  compa6i  was  ratified  by  the  bw  of 
anila.|  whichi^  la  ^r  author^s  time^  was  called  the  w;  ffiberiM^* 
So  the  bell  an  J  exa£teft  fpeakcr  of  that  age  x  In  the  third  kind,  {j«  e* 
of  the  Jusgentium\  the  law  of  heraldry  in  ixjar  ispofidve^  &c*  HoekoF^s 
Ecchju^imd  Polity.  WARBtTRTON.  * 
«.^r.  Upton  fays,  that  Shakefpeare  fometimes  ezprefies one  thii]|^ 
by  two  fubftantives,  and  that  law  and  heraldry  means,  by  the  htraUl 
law.     So  jint,  and  C3ccf.  A&  4.  ,  », 

'  -  **  WhcKT  rather  I*expc£t  vi6lorious  life, 
^'  Than  death  and  honour^  u  e.  honourable  djeatB*" 

]    "*  *  Steeveni. 

Putienham/in  his  Art  of  Poefie^  fpeaks  of  the  Figurt  cfTwymm^ 
**  horfes  and  harbei;  for  harhtdhorfesy  venim  ^  Dartes^  for  vcHi^ms^ 
Dnr/ci,  &£c.*'    Fahmer.  ,      .  ,...'• 

»  —  ojy  ^Y  that  co\r*naDt,        '  ,     .^  .  . 

.^iid  carriage  cftht  articles  ds/^dy"]    The  old  quartp  r«i4s : 
—  as  by  tZtJamf  coniart;  .  j 

and  this  Is  nght*  Comari  fignifics  a  bargain,^ and' <:tfrri(;^<a/^/itf. 
arufks^  iht  cfi^.vNattti  entered  into  to  confirm  that  bargain/  Hence 
we  foe  (he  common  reading  tn^keia  toutologr. ,  WARBTjaTO^f. .  . 
I  can  find  n&  fucti  wordTafe  dmart  in  any  aidVionary.  Steej*  .' 
*  Jndc3.nizgc  &f  ibe  ffr//VZ^j  dcfignM^j  Carriage^  l^fP^f^^r 
dtjhin^ffj  w,  f^rmid^  dr^rxm  h/f  hetw^  tSem,  Jo  h  N  s  O  N  •  ^  '^ 
^  J  Cy*  unimproved  mettle         ]     UnimfroVed^  for  unrefined.* 

Wa&burtok, 
Fall 


PRINCE  Of  DENMARK.     177 

Hath  }n  tbe  fltimpf  Nor«t)S  here  and  thcps, 

^  Sharkr'4  i^^U&of  Iwdlfifi  vt&UKes, 

For  food  Md  dif^  m  ibm^  cscetrprize 

s  That  htlh  a  fioouicli  ia'i  ^  whicb  is  no  odM[ 

(As  it  doth  well  appcfir  uato  our  ftate) 

But  to  recover  of  us,  by  ftroitt  band, 

^'Aod  tefffM  compuKatoey,  tliote  forefaid  landi 

So  by  his  father  loft;  Abd  this,  Z  take  it. 

Is  the  main  motive  eif  our  preparations ; 

The  fource  of  this  ow  WftWh  ;  and  the  ehief  head| 

Of  this  poft-Jiaile  and  roomg^  7  in  the  famd 

B^.  [^  I  think,  it  be  no  other,  but  even  fo-: 
WcU  may  it  ibrt  ^  that  this  portentous  figure 
Coaiea  armed  through  our  watch ;  fo  like  the  knig 
That  was,  and  is  the  queftion  of  thefe  wars.    . 

Hot.  a  mote  it  is  >i  to  trouble  the  mind's  eye. 
In  die  moft  high  and  *  palmy  ftate  of  Rome^ 
A  little  ere  the  mightieft  JuHua  fell, 

FmO  ^fwmmfroved  me^ikf  Is  f uH  of  fpirit  not  regulated  or  guided 
by  Imowledse  or  experience,    Johnson. 

^  SiarVaup  a  tttt,  $cc.]  1  believe  to  J!;ari  up  means  to  pick  up 
ariAout  dUtinfiion,  as  thcJbark'R(h  eoUc^  his  prey*  The  quastot 
Dead  ifwj^  inflead  oihtfuUefs*    St^bvens. 

'  That  bath  a  ftomoch  /V/;-— ^]  Stomachy  in  tlie  ume  of  oni 
author,  was  ufed  for  confiancy^  refolutimu     Tohnson. 

^  Ami  firm  comifNli^Awt^ — ]  The  old  quarto,  better,  tompuU 
{tusr^    WAaayxTON. 

^  —  ''^"'*1P'*"L  Tuimiltuous  huny*    Johvsok* 

*  Ithiiti^&cJ}  TheTo,  and  all  other  Imes  conHn'd  witbm  crotchets 
'durouf^hout  this  p]^»  are  omitied  In  the  folio  edition  of  1 62  3.  The 
omifSioiis  leave  the  play  fometimes  better  and  ibmetimes  worfe, 
and  ftem  made  only  mr  the  fake  of  abbteviation.    Johnson. 

It  may  be  worth  whikr  to  obferve,  that  the  title  pages  of  the  firft 
quartos  m  1604  and  1^5,  declare  this  play  to  be  tiuarged  to  dbmfi 
ms  much  i^aifie  m  it  was^  accorJing  to  the  inn  aadperfk^  ^^HSf* 

STfiEVENt* 

*  WeUm^itfin^ — ]  Thecaufeaodtheeffi^&arepioportionata 
and  fottable.    J#hnson.  • 

'  ^mote/Vi^]  The  firil  quarto  ceads,  a  iMM^.    Stievsks. 

*  —  palmy /«/» tfRonuA  jPalm^  for  tuiHoriousi  in  the  other 
tmnotOiMiarfflniv,    Pots, 

Vol.  X,  N  ^  The 


k7«  H    A    M    L    fi    T, 

The  graves  (bod  tenandefs,  and  the  (heeted  dead 
Did  fqueak  and  gibber  in  the  Roman  ftreets ; 
Stars  fiiooe  with  trains  of  fire ;  dews  of  Mood  fell^} 
4  Difafters  veil'd  the  fun ;  and  the  moift  ftar^ 
Upon  whofe  influence 'Neptune's  empire  (tands^ 
Was  tick  aimoft  to  dooms-day  vrich  eclipfe. 
And  5  even  the  like  ^  precurfe  of  fierce  events,— 
As  harbingers  preceding  ftill  the  fates, 
7  And  prologue  to  the  omen  coming  on,— 
Have  heaven  and  earth  together  deaM>nftrated 
Unto  our  climatures  and  countlymen. — '] 

'  Stars  Jhone  ivkb  traim  rfjire^  ^bm  if  Vood  fgU'y  jfC.J  That 
Mr»  RoWe  altered  thefe  linet,  which  hare  oo  immediate  conne^od 
with  the  preceding  ones.  The  cjuartos  read  (for  the  pailage  is  not 
in  the  foho") : 

-    As  ftars  with  trains  of  firb,  and  dews  of  blood, 
Dilafierft  in  the  fun,— - 
Perhaps  an  intermediate  line  is  loft,    Steeveijs, 

♦  Difafters  'velVd  thefun\ — ]  Difafters  is  here  finely  uftd  in  Its 
original  fignification  of  evil  conjunfHon  of  ftars.    Wa it  burton. 

*  And  w«i-— -]  Not  only  fuch  prodigies  hare  been  fctn  in 
Rome,  but  the  elements  have  ftiewn  our  countrymen  like  fore- 
runners and  foretokens  of  violent  events.    Johnson. 

«  .i^preeurjh  ^fierce  evenis^'\    Fierce^  for  terrible,  Wa  r  fi  tr  ft  to  n. 
I  rather  believe  that^^re  fignifies  cinfpicuoia^  glar^gs     It  is  ufed 
in  a  fomewhat  fimilar  fenfe  in  Timom^^  the  force  wretchedocis 
that  glory  brings !    Steevens. 

^  Ana  prologue  to  the  omen  coming  <?«,]  But  proldgue  ^and  omem 
are  merely  fynonymous  here.  The  poet  means,  that  thdc  fbi^^ 
p/janomenazrt  prologues  and  forerunners  of  the  events  fr^d: 
and  fuch  fenfe  the  (light  alteration,  which  I  have  veattired  to  nukei 
by  changing  omen  to  omen^d^  very  aptly  gives.    Theobald. 

Omen^  for  fate.     Warburton. 
.   HanmeribHows  Theobald. 

'  A  diftkh  from  the  life  of  Merlin,  by  Heywood,  mil  flidr  iBbt 
there  is  no  occaiipn  for  corredion : 

**  MerL'n  well  versM  in  many  an  hidden  fpell, 
" ^  His  countries  omen  did  long  fince  foretell."    P a&  mer« 
Again,  in  the  Fl^ivhre^er: 

**  And  much  I  fear  the  weaknefs  of  her  btaiiic 

**  Should  draw  ^er  to  fome  otmnous  crigent.^    Stestbks* 


PRIfJCtt  o^  DENMARK.    179 

ke-eHi&  Cb'oft. 

But,  foft;  behold  t  to,  where  it  Comes  again  ! 

ril  d-ofe  it,  though  It  blaft  rfie.r-Stay,  illufidnl 

» If  thdU  haft  any  fotind,  olf  ufe  <if  voice,         "' 

Speak  to  rtic : 

If  *thcrfe  be  any  gdod  thing  to  be  doiie,  ' 

That  may  to  thee  do  eafe,  and  grace  to  XM^ 

i^peak  to  me  *: 

It  thou  art  privy  fo  thy  country's  fate, 

Which,  hapily,  foreknowing  noay  avoids 

D,  fpeak! 

t)r,  if  thou  haft  uphoarded  in  thy  life 

Extorted  treafure  in  the  womb  of  earth. 

For  which,  they  fay,  you  fpirits  oft  walk  in  deaths 

♦  \Cnck  crows. 

Speak  of  it : — ftay,  and  fpeak. — Stop  it,  Marcellus.— • 
'    Mar.  Shall  I  ftrike  at  it  with  my  partizan  I 

Hot.  Do,  if  it  will  not  ftand^ 
'    J5»r.  Tishere! 

Bor.  T*is  here  I 

htar.  'Tis  gone  I  ^  \Exit  Gbofi. 

IVc  do  it  wrong,  being  fo  itiajeftical. 
To  Oflffer  it  the  fliew  of  violence ; 
For  it  iS)  as  the  air>  invulnerable. 
And  ouv  vain  blows  malicious  mockery. 
'  Ber.  It  was  about  to  fpeak,  when  the  cock  creV^ 

Sbr.  And  then  it  ftarted  like  a  guilty  thing 
tjpoa  a  fearful  fummons.    I  have  beard. 
The  cock,  that  is  the  trumpet  to  the  morn. 
Doth  with  his  lofty  and  ihriU-ibumling  throat 
Awake  the  god  of  day ;  and,  at  his  warning, 

•  If  ikon  hafi  an^  found,-^]  The  fpccch  of  Horatio  tb  the 
Ipe^re  is  Tcry  elegant  and  noble,  and  congruous  to  thp  commoa 
traditions  of  the  caufes  of  apparuions«    JomkIon., 

N  2  Whether 


,8o     .        H    A    Wt   L    E    T, 

?  Whether  in  fea  or  fire, -in  earth  or  air, 

>  The  extravagant  and  erring  fpirit  hie$ 

To  his  confine :  and  of  the  truth  herein 

This  prcfent  oibjea  nwde  probation.    .    .  / 

Afor.  It'feded  on  the  crowing  of  the  ccick^i 
Some  fay,  thtt  ever  'jgainft  that  feafon  cOmts 
Whcreia  our  Saviour's  birth  is  celebrated. 
This  bird  c^  dawning  fmgeth  ail  night  long ; 

*  Whether  mjedj  &c»}  AccorCag  to  tlie  pneumatolog^  of  t^^ 
time,  every  ekmeat  was  inhabited  bv  its  pecaliar  orde^  of  ipmta^ 
who  had  difpofidoas  diftitst,  accoraiii|  to  tMr  ymtkm  ^pkicis  oC 
abode.  The  leaning  tbcieibre  v^  that  tHjfiirits  ix^fnfvmwff, 
wandering  out  of  tl^ir  element,  whether  aerial  (pints  vwtiiy 
earthy  or  earthly  fbirits  canong  'die  air,  retom  t9  their  fiatfooi*  tf 
their  proper  limis  m  whiuimey  aie  mfimL  We  ihSj^itad^ 
•^««  Andac  his  wsHrnbg 

^  Th*  extravagant  and  erribg  fi>i.rkhi^ 

*<  To  his  connne,  whether  in  Ka  or  air, 

**  Or  earth,  or  fire.    And  o^**  &c* 
l^ut  dkit  change,  though  it  would  finooth  Ae  conftm^on,  is  sot 
neceflaiy,  ond^  b<ii^  unncoefiuy,  (hm^  not  bt  Mub  apiiitft  au- 
thority.   Johnson^. 

Bourne  of  Nenjjcaftkf  in    Us  Antiquities  of  the  iiwpipii  Peepk^ 
informs  us,  ^^  It  is  a  recdved  mc^on  amon^  the  vulf^r,  that  at 
**  the  time  of  cock-crowinjg,  the  midnight  (pirtts  Ibr&ke  thefe  lower 
1^  le^ont,  and  go  to  their  proper. p]acei.«<-Hence it- it»  6gia  he^ 
<^  that  in  country  places,  where  the  way  of  life  re^res  aH)ie  early 
*^  labour,  they  always  go  chearfuUy  to  work  ajt  that  timp  j  whereas 
<<  if  they  are  called  abroad  fooner,  they  im^ne  every  thing  thc^ 
*^  fee  a  wandering  ghoft.**    And  he  quotes  on  this  oecafibn^  ts  Ml 
hb  predecelTors  h^  done,  the  well-known  linea  6om  ihe.fi^ 
byuuL  oifrnJcMtius^    I  know  not  whofe  traaflatiOo  lie  ^vqb  us, 
but  there  is  an  old  one  by  H^wpod*    The  fi^us  CJt^io^  the 
hymns  and  c/nrols,  which  Shakefpeare  mentions  prefently,  WjEfC 
ufually  copied  fix>ro  the  elder  Chriftian  poets^    FAnMEft.  :- 
-  ^  Th^exfratfitgant^  i.  e*  goroutoiitsbbun^  WarbuktoK* 
So^  in  Nobody  and  Scmebo^^  15^8 :  **  —  they  took  me  up  iora 
V  ^firavmgsant^     Steevens. 

*  It  Jaded  9n  the  ere/wing  b/  the  cock^    This  is  a  very  ancifent 

•fiiperftltion.     Philoilratus  giving  an  account  of  the  apparition  of 

Achiles'  fliade  to  ApoUonius  Tyftne^s,  fays  ^at  it  vani(hod  with 

s  Ksrie  gHnuner  as  foon  as  the  cock  cr^wed^    Vit,  Apol.  iv«  i^ 

•  '^      •  I  Streviims. 

And 

•     /     ■     v     • 


PRINCE  or  DENMARK.     i»i 

And  then,  they  fay,  no  fpirit'  dar^s  ftir  abroad; 
The  nights  are  wbolefome ;  then  no  planets  ftrike^ 
^  No  fairy  takes^  nor  witch  hadi  power  to  cfasffn)^ 
So  hallow'd  and  fo  gracious  is  the  time.  ^ 

Hot.  So  ha?e  I  heard^  and  do  in  p^rt  beGdveib* 
But,  look,  the  mom,  in  niflet  mantle  clad. 
Walks  o*er  the  dew  of  yon  s  high  eaftern  hill : 
Broak  we  our  watch  up.;  and,  by  my  advice. 
Let  ui  impart  whac  we  have  feen  to-ni6;ht 
Unto  young  Hamkt ;  for,  u|>on  my  liw, 
This  fpiriti  dumb  to  us,  wil1.f|>eak  to  him: 
Do  you  cbnient  we  (hail  acquaint  him  with  it. 
As  oced6ll  in  our  loves^  fntin^  our  duty? 

A£ir/ Let's  d<ft,  I  ptayi   and  I  this  mommg 
know 
Where  we  fiiafi  find  hitu  moft  convenient*    lExetmt. 

SCENE      It 

A  ram  of  fiate. 

^fM^  Mke  %wr,  Hatrit^ti  Pvknhis^  JLaerteSy  Vdliimandf 
ComeIiti4y  Lords  and  Juendants. 

King.  Though  y€t<rf  Hamlet  our  dear  brother's 
death 
The  memory  be  green;  and  that  it  us  baited 
To  bear  our  hetrts  tn  ^rief,  and  our  whole  kingdom 

s  Dares  fiir  ah-oad.    <i^no.    The  fofio  reads— <^  modk^^. 

Stektens. 

♦JV<>^Vj> takes,]    No  fArfftrihs  with  lamenelk or <lifeafes4 
This  fenfe  of /idi^  it  frecruent  in  this  author.    Johnson. 

*  -^hhh  eaflcm  bm:'\    The  old  qmrfo  has  it  better  iofi* 
vjord.    Warburton, 

The  fuperiority  of  the  latter  of  thcfe  readings  is  not,  to  me  at 
fcaft,  Tery  apparent.     I  find  the  former  ufed  in  Lingua^  &c# 

1607:   •• andovcrdimbs 

"Yonder  gilt #^m»  hilk^ 
f4/hm  and  ea/hxn-d^  alike  iignify  toward tbt  Eqft.    Steeyens. 

N  3  To 


To  bccontrafted  in  one  brow  of  woe;  * 

Yet  fo  far  hath  difcretion  fought  witU  naturei 
That  we  wich  wifi^  forrow  think  on  him, 
Together  with  remembrance  .of  oi^rfelvcs.  ^ 

Therefore  our  fometime  fifter^  now  our  queen^ 
The  imperial  jointrefs  of  thisj  warlike  ftate^ 
Have  we,  as  'twere,  with  a  defeated  joy,— 
With  one  aufpicious,  iewKl  one  dropping  eye  ^ ; 
With  mirth  in  funeral,  and  with  dirge  in  marriage^f 
In  equal  fcale  weighing  delight  and  dole,--—  . 
Taken  to  wife:  nor  have  yirc  herein  barr'd 
Your  better  wifdoms,  which  have  freely  gone 
Yfith  tiiis  affair  along :— For.  all,  our  thanks. 

Now  follows,  tl^at  you  .knoW|  )[o\ing  FortjnbraSi^-* 
Holding  a  weak  fuppofal  of  bur  worth ;    ; 
Qr  thinking,  by  oyr  late  d^ar  brother's  ^eath,  ^      ^ 
Cur  ftatS  to  be  disjoint  and  out  of  frame, — 
7  Colleagued  with  this  dream  ^f  his  advantage. 
He  hath  not  failM  to  pcfter  us  with  meflage. 
Importing  the  forrender  of  thofe  lands 
Loft  by  his  father,  with  all  bands  of  law, 
.To  our  nK>ft  valiant  brother.i^So  much  for  hiqfi^ 

*  Wlih  one  aujjiicious^  and  one  dropping  efe\\  Thus  the  folki, 
Th^  ^aartOi  with  foiDewhat  lefs  pf  quftiqtpefs : 

With  an  aufpicious,  and  a  droppiog  eye. 
The  fame  thought,    however,  occure    in    the    Wintei^4    Tak't 
'^<  She  had  om  efe  declined  for  the  bfs  of  her  hufband  i  amibtr 
elievafi^d  .that  the  orade  was  fnlQUed.**    Steetens. 

7  Colleagued  'ixnth  this  dream  cf  hh  advantage^']  The  meaimg' 
iSj  He  goes  to  war  fo  indifcreetly,  and  upprepared»  that  he  has  no 
allies  to  fupport*  him  but  a  dreamy  with  which  he  is  cMagtuddt 
confederated*    Warbueton* 

Hanmcr  reads — collogued^  and  perhaps  rightly,  as  this  word  is 
frequently  ufed  by  Shakefpeare's  contemporaries*  So,  in  Marflon's 
j^iUevontent^  1604  :  **  Why  look  you,  we  muft  collogue  fometimes, 
fprfwear  fometimes*"  Again,  in  Green's  Tu  ^oqnef  '599* 
*«  Collogue  with  her  again.*  Again,  in  Heywood*s  ZutveU  M^efs^ 
1636  :  **  This  colloguing  lad.  Again,  in  Swetnam  Arraig^a^ 
iff 20  I  ^For  tbey  are  coseningi  coltoguingy  ungrateful, .  ^c/* 

Steevenq* 

Now 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK-     183 

Now  for  ourfelfi  and  for  thb  thne  Df  meeting  i 
Thus  much  the  bufinefs  is :  We  have  liere  writ 
To  Norway,  uncle  of  young  Fortinbras, — 
Who,  impotent  and  bed-rid,  fcarcely  hears 
Of  this  his  nephew's  purpofe, — to  fupprefs 
His  further- gait  herein^  ;  in  that  the  levi^s^ 
The  lifts,  and  full  proportions,  are  all  m^e 
Out  oi  his  fubje^b ;— and  we  here  difpa(ch 
You,  good  Cornelius,  and  you,  Voltimand, 
For  b^^rs  0/  this  greeting  to  old  Norway ;  - 
Giving  to  you  no  further  perfbnal  power 
To  bufinefs  with  the  king,  more  than  the  fcope  9 
Of  thefe  dilated  articles  allows '. 
Farcwcl ;  and  let  your  haftc  commend  your  duty. 

Vol.  In.that^  and  all  things,  will  we  fhew  our 
duty. 

King.  We  doubt  it  nothing  \  heartily  fareweh 

[Exeunt  Voltimandy  and  CtnmeHus. 
And  now,  Laertes,  what's  the  news  with  you  ? 
You  told  us  of  fome  fuit ;  What  is't,  Laertes  ? 
You  cannot  fpeak  of  reafbn  to  the  Dane, 
And  lofc  70ur  voice  5   What  would'ft  thou    bcg» 

Laertes, 
That  (hall  not  be  my  offer,  not  thy  aflcing  ? 
'The  head  is  not  more  nadve  to  the  hearty 

The 

«     tofaffrtfs 

His  Jurtber  gait  tbtrem^']  Gate  cnr  gait  18  here  ufed  in  the 
northern  fenie,  for  frocmdikgy  pagi^e\  from  the  A.  S«  verb  ga^. 
A  g^  tor  a  path,  pallage,  or  fhie^  is  ftiU  current  in  the  north, 

Pehcy. 
'  «-•  M0rv  tifon  tbt  fc9pe\    More  than  is  comprifed  in  the  general 
defign  of  theie  articl^  which  you  may  expUin  in  a  more  (Kifuie 
and  dilated  dik.    Johnson. 

'  — >  ibe/e  dilated  Mrticies]  u  e.  the  articles  when  dilated, 

MUSGRAV£4 

*  Tie  head  is  not  more  native  to  the  htmrty 
The  band  more  injimmental  to  the  montb^ 
nan  is  the  throne  of  Denmark  to  tiyfatifer.']   This  is  a  flapimr 
Inflancc  of  the  firfl  ediiOK*s  (i;uDidityi  in  preferring ipqnd  to  ienie^ 


•  •  ^ '    '  ' 

The  hand  more  j^^^rumenul  to  the  ni6ttfii»*  •v\  r 
Than  10  the:  (btpnc^of  Denoiark  to  thy  faihori  ^ 
What  wouW^ft, tboji  hav4,Xacm6?       '  .  ,^^^'-'  -  •. 

i^^.  My  drca4^lor4t  •       •"  *    . -ri 

Your  leave  and  favour  to  return  to  ¥Hti^ ; 
From  wheii€0  tho)i||li  willingly  I  ca«^  to  Deimsilq; 
To  (hew  my  duty  m  yovr  coronf tiof^  \  -1 

Yet  DOW,  I  mull  confofe,  that  duty  donc^   *     <.  ' 
lyly  thoughts  and  wilh^  bend  again  towaitl  Frahoet 
Axid  bow  them  to  y^ur  gmcious  leavt  and  pardon. 

King.  Have  you  your  fatber'k  ka^e  ?  WhiM^  fitys 
,  Pjobnius?  ^-^ 

P/fk  He  hath,  my  lord,  (*^n»g  from  me  fhy  flpftr 
i  kave,  '       ,,!  ;-. :  .,,/: 

But  iea^  beaftf'^ni  haid,  he  thought  muft  neeJs  gp  tomfie^ 
irjtot  a«  hondl  man  urns  th^  fubjeft  of  the  enComium  :  th^  wh^ 
he  could  mcili  by  the  ittd's  ididi^txtAttia  the  himr^  I  canqot  e^n^r 
ceivc.  .  Tht  mouth  iudted  ^'  ib  hofitf;  man  might,  perhapi;  in 
fome  fenfe,  be  faid  to  be  natbvi^  t(hit  is,  allied  ^  the  hcjut.  But 
the  fpeaker  is  here  talking  ftot  oFa  mordj  bat  zfh^at  alliance, 
j&fi<^  the-  ii^lce  of  what  U  ftid  is  fiipponed  only  by  that  ^Ktindioiu 
Jfuppofe,  then,  Ail  ShAffpeam  wrote: 

Th^  btood  is  fifit  m^ri  oathe  <#  1^  Aptfrf.-:—  1,\ 
I   ;     ;  7W«  ta  #A«  throne  rf  Denmark  is  th  father.  "   t 

l^Rus  jSUke^  .the  ibntiraent  juft  and' pertinent.  As'  the  blood  iji 
formed  and  fi]|ftaiMd  hv  fktt  labour  of  the  heart,  the  moutli  IW 
plied  by  theolKce  of  the  hand,  ib  is  the  thn>tte  bf'DeamatIt  % 
.jKHfiC^ier^  &o« .  The  eatpreffion  too  of  the  hlodtf's  being  tuuive  19 
^  ktartp  U  extrem^  iinc«  For  the  heart  is  the  laboratory  where 
that  vital  liquor  is  digefted,  diftributcd,  and  fwhen  weakened  ih4 
debilitated)  ag^  veflorrdiM^  tfae  v^;our  ttoceflaiy  fior  ^  4akhtm 
^^i^  AMi^iam.   WA»Buiit«w. 

,.,vPaj)  9f  thfti««adttion  I  haw  feeetrol,  but  dmrbt  dHSera  wjb)p 
.  ^m^\^  W»  eattitfbh  natkk  ^  the  /jeart^  at  the  U^  t$at'  is,'  ^1 
/jlM^^tjiric^fiirf^  fty^iffn$*mti  //,  and  co^oMrating  wkh  it« 
'  The  ffelatioB  it  likcwife  by  this  reading  better  prelerired,  tlie  eni^ 
feUor  being  to  the  Jmj^^  the  head'^  the  h$art.    JoiiHsaiir. 

I  am  aetcenmoiiAuc  the  f^art  xd  Dr.  Wflrbunen^  emendation 
.Vr|^c^«l.l9Cf»Ted4  :l8  necefllfry.    Theienfe  fecms  to  be  this,  the      \ 
.  }iead  is  n9tvfi)i«leditD(te  -MfaiiiMiil  to  the  heart,  the  hand  is  n^c 

foie  atthe  ienricc  of  the  mb4)tlh,*th^  my  power  is  at  your  fetli^  a 
rvice*    That  is,  he  may  command  me  to  the  utmofl ;  he  mtfy 


PRINCE  OF  DKNI^ARK.      1^5 

Bf  libooffenie  pedtion^  and,  t(  lall:, 
UpM  his  will  i  feal*d  mjr  hahl  confent :] 
I  do  bcfccch  you,  give  him  leave  to  go. 
King.  '  Take  my  fair  hour^  Laertes ;   time  be 

And  thy  bcft  grac^  fpend  it  at  thy  wifl.-^ 
3ut  now,  my  coufio  Hamlet^  and  iny  fon,— 
Hmi.  4  a  iitde  moire  than  kin^  and  lefs  than  !kind« 

[Afiie. 

-  L'    ■:  ^      "    ..  /.r\  King. 

i  nb  tfy  /air  bour^  Laertes ;  time  ie  titne^ 


hftTe  rcftoicdy  is  that  of  the  beft  copies;  and  the  teofe,  thits 
^  Y^  ^aye  my  leave  to  go,  t^aer^;  iMke  the  ^ireft  ofe  yoi 
^  pfdm  of  your'time»  aoa  ^od  it  at  jour  will  with  the  fwA 
^  mces  YOU  s|re  mafler  Ajf.'^    TiUQBAiCK 
in^her  think  this  Une  is  in  want  e£  emcoJaiioa.'   I  icad, 

^</  my  3g^ ^ocfj;  J^tefulM  eu  ih  mU*    Johnson* 
/f  tlj^AUttiemn-etioMluj^wki^^haMk^    ThsiughtA 
ifp^^^A  ^im,  <m^  Hamlet,  (here£[>re  Jmmlct  replies 

^  /r//iir  /nvrr  tlum  kin^  n     t  v 
i,  e*  A  little  mpre  than'coufinj  becadc*  by  mairyiaji^  bis  nothffi' 
he  was  become  the  king's  foiwiiolaw  s  >fi>  £ur  is  eii^«    But  lAlK 
'ni^f  the  latter  part,  .  *  ,  ^ 

'*!?;//  k/i  than  kind  / 


^Tbe^ini,  In  the  prtfeot  r^ip|[,  gives  no  oc^afioa  fer  dds  i 
uoiL  Which  is  fuftekEit  to  ibevvit  to  b^iaiilty*  and  th«  iMlllMMdd 
:«»4  ^^Tid  point  ihc  firft  line  diiui^       ^  :  ,  /  * 

'  '^"  Bui  jjgw,  ^  cmifi^  tKamlit"^  kind  •y^fa  ■ 
%"#;  %m  ilon^  let  us  turn  to  vou,  coufin  Hamkt.  Kmit^tm  M% 
^  we  M!f  ijj^y  Good  my  ioi^  lay  afids  cbii  cfeodad  locNU  ror 
ti^'^'i|ra»  goiog  to  expoflul9te  gently  with  >  him  for  hit  mdail- 
^|y.  when  Hawet  cut  him  ifaon  by  refltfibgon  tlia  litka  \fi 
'gav6  nim; 

J  tittle  more  than  Mn^OMJlefi  iiamVM^ 
which  we  now  ij:e  is  a  peniaeot  iqily,    WAKsva^rov. 

^  i!;//Zr  mure  than  Vin^i^u/ jj^  «6««  Jciiid.]  It »  aac  nniirafawi!<» 
to  fuppoft  that  this  was  z  mmeMai  «ipirffigy>  \ammn  ia  fombr 
times  for  a  relation  fo  coxuufed  and  bleaocdyifaat  ic  was  haird  lada- 
luieit.    |i\NM«ju   ,  .  . 

Kind  IS  the  Teutonic^  wqrd  for  MUL  Hualeit  ibefefore  aafireri 
|i*  ^priety,  to  the  utles  olcoujim  uAJh^  which  the  king  had 

given 

\ 


i86  HA    M    Lr   E    T, : 

King.  How  is  it  that  the  clouds  fiill  htngon  yon  ? 

Ham.  Not  fo,  my  lord,  I  aih  s  too  muchi'  tte 
fun.,  *         '    . 

^UMt.^  Good  Hamlet,  caft  thy  nightcd  colour  <iff. 
And  let  thine  eye  look  like  a  friend  on  Denmark* 
Do  not,  for  ever,  with  thjr  ^Vailed  4ids 
Seek  for  thy  noble  father  in  the  duft : 

giTcn  htm,  that  he  was  fomewhit  more  than  coufiitj  and  kfi  than 
Jon*    Johnson. 

In  this  line,  with  wiilch  Sbakeipeare  introduces  HamUu  Pr« 
Johnfgn  h2(s  pcrb^  pointed  out  a  nicer  dilliudion  than  it  can 
juftly  boaft  ot\     To  eftabliih  tht  fenfe  contended  for,  itAiould. 
have  been  proved  that  ktTtJ  leas  ever  ufed  by  any  En^ife  imtcr  for- 
MU,    A  tittk  merf  than  kin^  is  a  little  more  than  a  commoa  r&-  • 
lation.    The  kiii£'*  was  certainly  fomething  kfs  than,  kind^  by  having 
betrayed  the  momer  of  Hamlet  into  an  indecent  and  inceftuou^ 
marriage,  and  obtained  the  crown  by  means  which  he  fufpe^b  to 
be  unjuftifiable.    In  th^'  5th  Ad,  the  Pkince  aeculb  hH  ttncle  of  * 
having /«^/  m  htttxxen  the  ekSHan  and  bis  i»fes;  which  obTtttes,3r* 
Warburton's  obje^ion  to  the  old  reading,  viz*  that  **  the  king  had 
given  no  occafion  for  fuch  a  reflexion,*' 

A  jingle  of  the  fame  ibrt  is  found  in  Mather  BomHe  1594,  and 
ieems  to  have  be^  proverbial,  as  I  hai^  met  with  it  more  than 
once :  *•  — —  the  nearer  we  arc  in  blood,  the  fiirther  we  mud  bo  - 
ftom  l^e ;  the  greater  the  kindred  is,  the  tefs  the  kindnefs  muft  be.** 
Again^*  in  Gvthodnc^  a  tragedy,  1565 : 

^'  In  kinde  a  father,  but  pot  in  Idndelynefi,^ 

As  kindy  however,  iignliies  n4ture^  Hamlet  may  mean  that  his  rcr 
latiohthip  was  become  an  unnatural  one,  as  it  was  partiy  founded 
tlpon^*kM»eli^•  Our  author's  Julius  Cafor^  Antony  am  Qtopa^ra^ 
King  Richard  W^  apd  Titt^s  Andronicus^  exhibit  inflances  of  kiud 
being  ufed  for  maturei  and  fo  too  in  this  play  of  flamlct^  A&  2^ 
Be.  tbielaft:    - 

Kemorfele<9|  treacherous,  lecherous^  kindieji  villain. 

'  »     "  '  ^  STEEyENf. 

*  •*— 'M^  much  P  ihe  /«.]  He  perhaps  altndes  tf>  the  pro* 
verb,  Out  rf  beofVin^sbkffing  into  the  vjormjun.    JoHNf^ON. 

-— *-  too  much  r  thejwu 
Meaning  p^mbRbly  his  being  lent  for  from  his  fludies  to  be  expofed 
aiit  his  uncle^s  marriage  as  his  chieftfi  courtier^  &c.    Steevens. 
'    I  <)u«ftiMi  wfcether  a  qalUlb  between  fun  and  fan  be  not  here 
^nteodedt    I^abmsr* 

♦  '^vailed iids,"]  With  lowering  eyes,  caft  down  c)Ts.  Johnson* 

■      '    •:/  .       TbQu 


PRINCE  o?  DENMARK,     tfiy 

Tkfi)i  k#>w'ft^  'tis  common  ^  alU  that  live,  muftdicy 
Faffing  cfarough  nature  to  eternity. 

Ham. ,  Ay  J  madanoi  ip  is^^comspCKbp  ^  ' 

^^^n.  If  it  bc^ 
Why  ffems  it  fo  particular  with  thftc?.. . 

Ham.  S^nos^    madani!  n^y^  it  isj  I  kopw  QOjC^ 
feem8«  , 

'Tis  not  alone  my  inky  clpak,  good  mothpTj^ 
Nor.cuftom^ry  foits  of  folemn  black,,  , 

Nor  windy  fufpirariofi  of  forced  bnatfaj 
No,  nor  the  fruitful  river  in  th^  eye,  ^    .       • 

Nor  the  dejefted  h^vioiir  of  thfi  viftgpj-.      ;      .    .  / 
Tc^gether  with  all  formsj  modt^,.  ilkfjvs  fff  ^^p'ief.  7^ 
That  (an  denote  me  truly :  Th^,  indeed,  fe^n)^  : 
For  they  .are  a&ions  that  a  man,. might  plfiy : 
But  I  tukve  that  wif hin,:  whtck  pafleth  ihew^^  t 
Thefe,  but  the  trappings  and  the  foits  of  woe* 

K^^iy  'Tis  fweec  and  commendable  in  your  nature^ 
Hamlet,  . 
To  give  (heie  mourning  dudes  to  yow  father ; 
But,  you  muft  knpw,  ^  your  father  loft  a  father  $    ' 

That 

.  ^  — ftcws^^fr^]    Tliiifldieiblb.    The  firft  quarto  reads— 
cik^ — I  fuppo^  torjba^s.     Steeyens. 
f  ^-'^'■■^jmirfaAetloJi  a  father  \ 
that  father^  bis  %  and  the  Jwrvivcr  hauad\     Thus  Mr.  PcM 
judkioofly  correded  the  faulty  copies.    Oa  which  the  editor  Mr« 
Tbeobakl thus  defcants :  TbU  fifpofed refinemettt  ufremMr.Fofe^ 
itUaUthe  editieas  elfi^  that  I  have  nut  vsith^  old  attdtmodcm^  rtiadf 
That  father  Ufi^  loft  his\— 
The  redapUeatien  ef  vahicb  word  here  gives  am  energy  and  an  ek* 
ganee^  which  is  much  easieil  to  be  conceived  than  sx- 
7LAIKEP  IN  terms.     I  bellcTe  fo:    for    when  explained  in 
terms  it  comes  to  thi8{   That  father  after  he  had  loft  himielfy 
loft  hb  father.    But  the  reading  is  ex  fide  codicis^  and  that  is 
enouKh.    Waebueton. 

I  do  not  admire  the  repetition  of  the  word,  but  it  has  fo  much 
of  our  author's  manner,  that  I  vfind  no  temptetion  to  recede  from 
|he  old  copies.    Johnson* 

-^jour  father  kfi  afifthir  I 
that  father  hfi^  Iqfihisv^ 

llie 


i««  H    A    M    L    fi    T, 

Thfit  htkat  loft^  Itik  hU ;  Md  ^  f ftr vivor  bound 

In  filial  obligation,  for  fotfic'ttirm  >  ^^ 

To  do  9  obfequiow  ftMow  J  8ul  to  peHBvtr 
'  In  obftinate.  candotemeiiv  i^  ^  conrfe^* 
Of  impious  (hibbbrntuAi  ^t  tthmjmly  gritft^    - 
It  fliews  •  a  witt  4aAft  ioQorrti^  ce  licavcni '   • 
A  heart  unfortifyM,  or  mind  impatteftt}* 
An  underftanding  fimple  tnd  unfehdol^d! 
For  what,  wc  kam^  tntttk  be^  and  is  aiK  C5hitn6k|  * 
As  any  the  moft  vutgar  thing  tt^  ftMfe^      ^  '^^^ 
Why  Ihould^  we,'  in  «ttr  peefVf(h  oppcriifSdn, 
Take  k  to  hcaitrf  Re !  'tis  »  feuk  td^  heat^tf, '     *^ 
A  ^uhi  BgAti  the  desA^  A  £iuh  >to^atiHt</^' 
^  Tape^Mi  flioft  abfardy  whofet:6lHM(m  tli^HM? 
Is  death  of  fathers,  and  iAib  ftiH  ha«h  ctf%  ' 
From  cbefifft  corfe/iitl  hc^  th«  dtVd  «6-(&y > 
7**1/  »if)9  *f  ^.     We  i^rny  you>  throw  to  eahfh  ^ 
Tfe  impi^TMluiR  woe  5  ahd  fbi^k  of  us  '  *    ^   ' 
As  of  a  father :  tor,  let  the  world  take  note. 
You  ate  theradft  iiteaediace  to  our  throne; 
4And^  wth  no  lefi  nobiKty  of  love 


4  ' 


The  meaning  of  die  paffiiee  is  no  more  than  this.  Tour  Jktber  k/l 
9ffB^^  i.  ^  yoap  gmndladiaiv  wfakk  l^  gnmigmtim^  ^4ittb  k^ 
ks  father.    SrEEveNs*  ■.  i 

t  ..  obfequious  ySrr<Kzi;.— -]  Olfiqmnu  it  here  frooi .  4I^jwo  or 
fimfnd  f€r§fimi$s.    Johkson.    -  <   > 

•  "So,  ia  T/dvvAirirWrMr 

<<  To  Iked  (fififmmu  tears  vfxm  Ui  trnnk.'*  <  ftraatMra^ 
Again)  iaom^aiiiliocViift  Sobam:  .u 

How  many  aholy  and ol^e^uhm  <e«r^  - ' 

"tilth  ^Wfvligiooa  love  floll'ftfitomi&ifte^pet   MauteE* 
'  In  oi/limat  o^mMMamOj'i    C0i$dabmem$^  Sbv  fmwn.  ^  ^  ^    - 

''^.«-*-4  'oM  moft  ineoneA^    ImoneM^  for  tuitutm^tl. 

'^  ?V  reaibn  moft  abfurd i'^'^'^    Rea/b^  Son  ojfdriatce* 

WAKSltaTOK. 

we  form  condufions  from  arguments.    Jo«ijw>k.      ^ 

^  And 'With  no  le/s  nobility  ^  hmi"]    NoHUty^  Sqit  magnitude. 

WAaavRToir, 
Ifciiiify  is  rather  gcnerojitf.    Johnson. 

Than 


PRINCE  OF.  DlENMARK.     i8j 

Than  that  whk:h  deaieft  father  bears  his  ion, 
s  Do  1  JKtipwt  toward  you.    For  your  intent 
In  going  back  to  khofA  m  Wittenberg, 
It  is  moft/etrograde  to  our  defire : 
And,  we  befeocb  you,  ^.bcod  you. to  remain 
Here,  in  the  dseav  and  comfort  of  our  eye,. 
Our  chiefeft  courtier,  jpouGn^  and  our  fon, 
^OL  Let  99C  thy  nootber  ioft  her  prayers,  Ham- 
:ieti       .    •    ;.    ,  c      ■ 
1  pray  thee,  QofLf  with  Ds,  go  not  to  "Wittenberg,  : 
Ham^  I  fliail  iyn  aD  vfff  beik  obey  you,  madam;  ^ 
Kinjg.  yv^kjt,  '6s,  a^lcmog  and  a  fair  reply  j    ,    * ' 
Be  asou^lJFin  Penoflark* — Madam,  come  i 
This  gicntlft  a{>d  unCorc'd  accord  of  Hintflet 
$its  i{f»il^g,  IQ  niy  hcarti:  in  grace  wheneof,       ^ 
7  No  jocund  h«aj|ih,.that  Dcainarjk  drinks  tOH^^  ^ 
But  the  great  cannoa  tadiccloiids  (haH  t^;       ^ 
And  the  king's  rouze  the  heaven  fhaH  bruit  agaxh^' 
Re4peaking  earthly  thunder.  Come,  away.  [^Examt. 

H$m.  Of  diat  this  too  too  foltd  fldh  would  melt, 

I  bdievc  imfart  is,  iafari  /^(f^  ctmmumcmu  whatever  I  caQ  U:* 

The  crown  of  D^tunark  was  eledUve.    So^  In  ^  CJpmon  lUgjht  rf 

**'  And  roe  poileis  for  fpottfed  wife^  who  in  ilfBhm  am 
**  To  have  the  ctowm  tf  Denmark  Jiere,  as  heir  unto  (be  (aoic.'* 
The  kii%  means,  that  as  Hamlet  flands  the  £ureft  chance  to  be^nekt 
defied,  he  vtrill  £bive  with  as  much  love  to  enfure  the  crown  to  hiin» 
«ia£Rber  Would  (hew  in  the  continuance  of  heirdom  to  a  foo. 

Stesvbns, 
*  *^hndjm  to  rtmmn\  u  e.  fubduc  your  indinatioa  to  ^  from 
hence,  and  rem«i|2.  Sec*    Ste^vens. 

^  }i0  jocmnd 'hetM,'-~-r^]  The  king's  intemperance  is  very 
ftfongty  in^iled  :  every,  thiiig  that  htpptm  to  him  gives  him  oc* 
cafion  to  dnnk.    Johnson. 

ft  Thaw, 


ipo  Ha  m  l  e  t. 

Thaw,  and  refolve  itfelf  into  a  deW  ® ! 

9  Or  that  the  Everlafting  had  not  fixM  *     " 

His  canon  'gainft  fclf- (laughter f  O  God!  OOodI 

How  weary,  ftale,  flat,  and  unprofitable 

Seem  to  tnc  all  the  ufes  of  this  world ! 

Fie  on't !  O  fie !  *tis  an  unWeeded  garden. 

That  grows  to  ftcd;  things  fank*,  and  gfofs  in  n^turej 

!l*offefs  it  merely.    That  it  fhould  Come  to  this  \ 

But  two  months  dead  ! — nay,  npt  fo  much,  not  two  J 

*  So  excellent  a  king ;  that  was,  to  this, 
Hyperion  to  a  latyr  :  fo  loving  to  my  mother, 

*  That  he  might  nbt  let  e'en  the  winds  of  heaven- 

:        '  .  Vifit 

•  —  xtioXvt  itfelf  into  a  Jtnx)!]     lifjohemtins  the  fanle  as  dtfi 
Johve.  Bchjonfon  ufes  the  word  in  hU  FoJfoHt\  knd  in  the  faiue  fenfc 

*♦  Forth  the  rcfilmd  corners  of  his  cycs^^  ■  t    - 

Again,  in  the  Camttty  Girl^  1647  • 

*«  --mv  ^oln  grief,  r^Ived'm^ fbefe  tears/'   SxjtEVEi^s* 

♦  Or  that  the  Everl^htg  had  npt  Jufd 

His  canon  *gainji  JetfJUughter  !'\  I'he  generality  of  Ujc  edi- 
tions read  thus,  as  if  the  poet's  thought  were^  Or  that  tb$  Alm^btf 
had  not  planted  his  artiilery;  or  arms  ^vengeance,  ag/^iffi  felf-murder. 
But  the  word  which  I  rellored  (and  which  was  efpoufed  by  the 
succMsteMr.  HugbeSf  who  gave;ane4i4(ui.of  tVis  play) , is  th«  true 
feadingt  i*  e.  that  he  had  not  refiratnedfuicide  hy  his  exprefs  law  and 
peremptoiy  prohibition.     Theobald. 

There  are  yet  thofe  who  fuppofe  the  old  reading  to  be  the  true 
one,  as  they  lay  the  ^^/ord  Jlxed  feems  to  decide  very  ftrongly  in  its 
£ivour.    I  would  a<}vi(e  fuch  to  recoiled  Virgil's  expreffion  r 
— — ^/V  leges  pretio)  atque  reSxit.    Steeveks. 
'  So  exceUoMt  a  Jting^  thaf.was^  to  this^  "* 

Hyperion  to  a  &i/yr:— ]    This  fimilitude  at  firft  fight 
feems  to  be  a  little  far-fetch'd ;  but  it  has  an  cxquifite  be^u^.     By 
the  Satyr  is  meant  Pan^  as  by  I^ferion^  ApoUo.    Pan  ana  Jfouo 
were  brothers,  and  the  allufion  is  to  the  contention  between  thoib 
'  gods  for  the  preference  in  mufick.    WarbuHton. 

An  our  English  poets  are  guihy  of  the  fame  falfe  quantity,  arid 
call  Hyp^ion  Hyperion;  at  Icaft  the  only  inftance  I  have. met 
with  to  the  contraiy,  is  in  the  old  jday  oiFuimus  Troes^  ibtr; : 
**  —  Blow  gentle  Africur, 
**  Play  on  our  poops,  when  Hyperion's  fon 
■'"  '       «<  Shall  couch  la  Weft.*    SxEErEifs/ 
•  Jp.  former  editions, 
that  he  permitted  not  the  windt  ef  hioven}    This  is  a  ibphi- 

ilkal 


P  R  I  N  C  E^o  f'  D E  N  M  a  R  K.     191: 

Vifit  her  face  too  roughly.     Heaven  and  earth  ! 
Muft  Ireiwmber?  why,  Ihe  would Ji*ig  on  him, 
As  if  increafe  of  appetite  had  grown 
By  what  it  fed  on :  Aiid  yet,  within  a  month, — 
ILct  me  not  think  on't; Frailty,   tKy  name  Is 

woman ! — 
A  little  month ;  or  ere  thofe  fhocs  were  old. 
With  which  Ihe  followed  my  poor  father's  body. 
Like  Niobe,  all  teari :— why  (be,  even  fhe,—' 
O  heaven !  a  beaft,  that  wants  difcourfe  ^f  reafon. 
Would  have  mourn'd  longer, —  marry*d  with  my 

uncle. 
My  father's  brother ;  but  no  more  like  my  father. 
Than  1  to  Hercules  :  Within  a  month  •, 
Ere  yet  the  fait  of  moft  unrighteous  tears  ' 
Had  left  the  flufliing  in  her  gauled  eyes,  ' 

She  marry *d. — O  moft  wicked  fpeed,  to  poft 
'  With  fuch  dexterity  to  inceftupXis  ftieets! 
It  is  not,  nor  it  cannot  come  to,  good :   ■ 
But  brc^,  n>y  heart ;  for  I  muft  hold  my  tongue  1 

ffical  reading,  copied  frdra  the  playem  in  fonle  rf  the  modett  tiSh 
tions,  for  want  of  underflanding  the  poet,  whofe  text  is  co^fi||^  in 
the  tild  impreflions :  all  of  which  that  I  hare  had  the  fortune  to 
fee,  concur  In  reading;'    '  .       n 

'         So  hnnng  tp  my  mcther^ 

That  be  might  not  beteenc  this  *9)hals  qf^beMvm  '      '    I 

rFi/u  her  face  t^  roughly.; 

Beiufie  is  a  corruption  without  doubt,,  but  not  fo  inveterate  a 

pnc,  but  that,  by  the  change  of  a  Cngle  letter,  and  the  feparariop  of 

^iWo  \*fordi  miftakenly  jiimbled  together,  I  am  vetlly  pcrfuSted,  ( 

hate  retrieved  the  poet's  reading—; — That  he  might  •»/  let  e^fen  the 

'i»mdi  efhemfntjtUc.    Theobald.    ' 

.  So^  in  the  Enterlude  of  the  Lyfe  and  Rtferttamce  qf  iH&i 
ilfi»gi&iifw«,&c.  by  Lewis  Wager,  1567  :  ^"  ' 

'      **  Bat  evermore  they  were  unro  me  very*  tender,      -    •'  • 
*<  They  Would  not,^^^  the  njopttk  on  me  t6  bkwe.**     I 

^TEEV*EWJ. 

So  again,  in  ftfarflonV  Infiiiate  Comt^^  idoj  ! 

**  flic  had  a  lord,     '   '     •  - 

"  Jealous  that  air  (hould  ravifli  her  chafte  looHrs.'*  'Mhtam. 

:      '  Enter 


i^  HAMLET, 

Enter  Hafotia^  BermMrd^^  and  ManeSm. 

Hor.  Hail  to  your  lordfiiip  I 

Ham.  I  am  glad  to  ice  yoa  well: 
Horatio^ — or  I  do  forget  myfelf  ? . 

Hor.  Tbc  iamc^  my  lord,  aod  your  poor  icrvanc 
ever. 

Ham.  Sir,  my  good  fneod;  Til  change  ibtt  name 
with  you  '• 
And  ^  what  makt  you  fipmWittnbei^HaratJi^?^^ 
Marcellus  ? 

MtT.  My  good  lord»— - 

Ham.  I  am  very  glad  tofee  your;  s  good  cvcn^  fir.«-«^ 
But  whaty  in  £utlH  make  you  from  Witteobeig? 

Ror.  A  truant  difpofitiop^  good  my  lord. 

Ham.  I  would  not  hear  your  enemy  lay  io* 
Nor  (hall  you  do  mine  ear  that  violence. 
To  make  it  tnifter  c^  your  own  report 
Ag^oft  yourfelf :  I  know,  you  are  oo  truaolr 
But  what  is  your  afl^  in  Elfinour  ? 
Well  teach  you  to  drink  dcex),  ere  you  depart 

Hot.  My  lord,  I  came  to  fce  your  fatbcr^s  fbncnl* 

Ham.  I  pray  thee,  do  not  mock  mc,  fcUow- 
ftudent; 
I  think,  it  was  to  fee  my  mother^  wedding. 

Har.  Indeed,  my  lord,  it  fbUow'd  hard  upon. 

*  ^  rU  ciani^  thai  namt—l  FH  be  your  ferraar,  jou  OM 
be  my  fiieftd.    LiiiNtoiir. 

^  .—  what  mtiiyou        ]    A  fiuaiittr  j^usift  £vfabi^i9vjMp 

<  --  nod  evtMf  Jk.}  So  the  oopiei.  Sir  Th.  HautMr  Mid 
Dr.  Warburton  ma  it,  g/^mormwg.  The akerptioii  isof  no im* 
portnoCy  but  all  licence  ndaogetouf.  There  is  no  neeil  of  any 
dumge*  Between  the  firfi  and  eighth  foene  of  this  zdi  it  is  app^^ 
tent,  that  a  natusal  day  muft  pais,  and  hoir  anich  of  it  is  aheai^ 
over,  there  b  nothing  that  can  deiennine.  The  king  has  held  ^ 
canaul*    k  ou^  nmr.  a»  wdl  be  n^rnffj^  as  aMr?Mii(>    Johnson* 

Ham^ 


t>  R  I  N  C  E;  OP  D  E  N  M  A  R  K.     193 

bam.  Thrifty  thrift,  Horatio !  the  funcfal  bak'4 
meats  ^ , 
bid  coldly  furnifh  forth  the  marriage  tables. 
*  Would  I  had  met  my  Tjdpareft  foe  in  heaven. 
Or  ever  I  had  fepn  tb^t  day,  Horatia! — r-^ 
My  father,— Methinks,  I  fee  my  father^ 
,  Hor.  O  where,  my  lord  ? 

Ham.  In  my  mind's  eye  ^,  Horatio* 

•  —  the  funeral  ha¥dmeaf5'\    It  w^  anci^nfty  the  general  cuftom 
to  give  a  cufti  cntertaiDinent  to  monrnerr  at  a  funeral.     In  dilhmt 
counties  this  practice  is  continued  among  the  yeomanry.    See 
ne  Tri^ique  tiiftorie  tfthe  Faire  Faieria  of  fjondon^  x^^98«     "  His 
corpes  ^ris  with  funerall  pompe  conveyed  to  the  church,  and  there 
£>llemnly  enterred,   Nothing  omitted  which  neceffltie  or  cufloni. 
could  claimc^  a  fermon,  a  iattquety  and  like  obfervations***    Again, 
in  the  old  romance  of  ^r  De^cre,  bl.  1.  no  date* 
"  A  great  ^<j^r  would  he  hold* 
•*  Upon  his  quenes  mornynge  day 
♦«  That  was  buryed  in  an  aobay;'^    CollHj^. 
'f  Deareft^  for  ^ixfi^  moil  dreadful,  mod  dangerous.    Jo  hi^  s  0  (l^ 
Dearefl  is  moji  immediafef  ^onjequenttal^  important*    Sb#  ia  Rnn^f 
midJuUet':    '     '  ^ 

«  —  a  fmg  that  I  muft  ufe    ' 
•*  In  <^tfr  employment*** 
Apiii,.in  B.  aQ4  Fletcher's  Matdintbe  flSH: 

You  meet  your  deare/i  enemy  in  love,  .      ' 
:  With  all  his  hatfe  about  him,  ^ 

Agun,  in  Ttmon: 

*«.***-»  In  our  i*ar  peril.** 
Again,  in  T^vr^tif  Nig^t: 

**  Wliom  thou  in  terms  fo  blobdy  and  fo  deaf  ^ 
**  Hall  made  thine  enemies.** 
Again,  in  JT.  Hemy  IV.  P.  j.  '_ 

•*  —  Which  art  my  neareft  and  dtartfi  enemy."  ~  . ' ' 

hf^n^tn  An}ffhtngfir  a  quiet  Llfej\6(yt\ 

**  He  was  my  neareft  and  deareft  enemy.**     Steevens,*  .^ 

^  Inntf  mhid^s  ^e*]     This  expreflion  occurs  «tg«in  in  our  au* 

iboi^9  JRafe  of  Lttcrece  f  .? 

*• himfelf  behind 

'«  Was  left  unfeeh,  fave  to  the  eye  of  mind?  'f    • 

Ben  Jonfon  has  borrowed  it  in  his  Maiquc  called  Lavfi  Trit^mfik 
ibrmigb  CalUfoUi ! 

<«  As  only  by  the  mnd\s  eye  tnay  be  fccn,** 
Vol*  Z#  0  TeiemadMif 


194  H    A    M    L    E    T, 

Hot.  I  iaw  him  once,  he  was  a  goodly  king* 

Ham.  He  was  a  man,  take  him  for  til  in  aU, 
9 1  (hall  not  look  upon  his  like  again. 

Hor.  My  lord,  1  think  I  faw  him  yefternight. 

Ham.  Saw  I  who  ? 

Hot.  My  lord,  the  king  your  father. 

Ham.  The. king  my  father ! 

Hor.  "  Seafon  your  admiriation  for  a  while 
Wi£h  an  attcnt  ear ;  'till  I  may  deliver. 
Upon  the  witncfs  of  thefc  gentlemen. 
This  marvel  to  you. 

Ham.  For  heaven's  love,  let  me  hear. 

Hor.  Two  nights  together  had  thefe  gentlemen^ 
Marcellus  and  Bernardo,  on  their  watch. 
In  the  dead  wafte  and  middle  of  the  night. 
Been  thus  encounter*^.     A  figure  like  your  father, 
Arm'd  at  all  points  %  exaftly,  cap-a-pe. 
Appears  before  them,  and,  with  folemn  march. 
Goes  flow  and  (lately  by  them  :  thrice  he  walk'd. 
By  their  opprcft  and  fear-furprized  eyes. 
Within  his  truncheon's  length  j  whilft  they,  diftill'd 
Almoft  to  jelly  ^  with  the  adt  of  fear. 

Stand 

Telemachus  lamenting  the  abfence  of  Ulyfles,  is  reprdented  ia 
like  manner : 

^Oa-ffOfAifOi  mari^  i^Sx©*  h\  ^m'*v,—         St£EV£NS« 

*  IJball  not  look  upon  bis  like  again,"]  Mr.  Holt  propofes  to  read 
from  Sir  ■  ■  Smnuel's  emendation : 

"  Eye  (hall  not  look  upon  his  like  again  ;" 
and  thinks  it  is  more  in  the  true  fpirit  of  Shakefpearc  than  the  otbef. 
So,  in  Sto^'is  Cbromde^  p.  746:  "  In  the  greateft  pomp  that  ever 
fye  bchelde."  Again,  in  Sandy ^s  Travfls^  p.  1^0:  *'  We  weiic 
thiii  day  through  dae  moil  pregnant  and  plea4nt  valley  that  ever 
eye  beheld.**    Steevens. 

*  Seafon^<w»-  admiration — ]  That  is,  temper  it.    Johns 0N« 

*  Arm*d  at  all  points^]  Thus  the  folio.  The  quartos — armed 
at  point.    Steevens. 

^  —  awrf/->  the  a6l  of/ear^]  Shakefpearc  could  never  write  €0 
improperfy  as  to  call  xht  pajpon  rffear^  the  aH  of  fear.  Without 
doubt  tlic  true  reaiding  is, 

--^—  i})ith  th'  effect  of  fear.        Warbukton* 

Here 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK,     195 

Stand  dumb  and  Ipe^k  pot  to  him.     This  to  me 
In  dreadful  feprely  impart  they  did  ; 
And  t  mtii  tt\em^  the  third  night,  kept  t|ie  watch : 
Where,  as  they  had  deliver'd.  both  in  tinie. 
Form  of  the  thing,  each  word  made  true  arid  good. 
The  apparition  comes :  I  knew  your  fatl^er ; 
Thefe  hands  are  not  more  like. 
Ham.  But  yhere  was  this  ? 
Mar.  My  lord,  upon   the  platforni  where    we 
watch'd. 

Ham.  Did  you  not  fpeak  to  it  ? 

H^.  My  lord,  I  did ; 
But  anfwer  made  it  none :  yet  once,  methpught. 
It  lifted  up  its  Jiead,  and  did  addrefs 
Itfelf  to  motion,  like  as  it  would  fpeak  :• 
But,  even  then,  the  morning  cock  crew  loud  ; 
And  at  the  found  it  (hrunk  m  hade  away. 
And  vantfli'd  from  pur  fight. 

Ham.  *Tis  very  ftrange. 

Her.  As  I  do  live,  my  honoured  lord,  *tis  true ;  . 
And  we  did  think  it  writ  down  in  our  duqr. 
To  let  you  know  of  it. 

Ham.  Indeed,  indeed,  firs,  but  this  troubles  me. 
Hold  you  the  watch  to-night? 

jUL  We  do,  my  lord. 

Ham.  Arm'd,  fay  you  ? 

JU.  Axm^d^  my  lord. 

Ham.  From  top  to  toe  I 

Here  is  an  afEcdatioa  of  Aibtilty  without  accuracy,    JPear  it 

every  day  confidcre^  as  an  ^agpw/.    Frar  hid  bel^  tmjfipf  j  fiardrom 

him  av30.    If  it  were  proper  to  be  rigorous  ia  cj^^ioing  trifles, 

it  might  be  replied,  that  Shakefpeare  would  write  iDore  erroncoufly, 

if  he  wrote  by  the  dircftion  of  this  critick ;  they  were  not  dijftUUd^ 

whatever  the  word  may  mean,'iy  the  cfeB  ef  fiar  ^  for  thaty^ 

tiiktianw^iidclf  the  efe^;  fear  w^  the  caufe,  the  attive  caufe, 

*  thai  di/iiUeJ  tliem  by  that  force  of  operation  which  we  ftn6tly  call 

j  a^  involuntary,  and  ^ewvr  in  involuntary  agents,  but  popularly 

j  call  41^  in  both.    But  of  this  too  much.    Johnson. 

I  Tte  folio  reads— &ml'd.    Steevens. 

O   2  JU. 


1^6  HAMLET, 

All.  My  lord,  from  bead  to  foot. 

Ham.  Then  faw  you  not  his  face. 

Hor.  O,  yes,  my  lord ;  he  wore  his  beaver  up. 

Ham.  What,  look'd  he  frowningly  ? 

Hor^  A  countenance  more 
In  forrow  than  in  anger. 

Ham.  Pale,  or  red  ? 

Hor.  Nay,  very  pale. 

Ham.  And  fix'd  his  eyes  upon  you  ? 

Hor.  Moft  conftantly. 

Ham.  I  would,  I  had  been  there. 

Hor.  It  would  have  much  amaz'd  you. 

Ham.  Very  like. 
Very  like  :  Stayed  it  long  ? 

Hor.  While  one  with  moderate  haftc 
Might  tell  a  hundred. 

Boib.  Longer,  longer. 

Hor.  Not  when  I  law  it. 

Ham.  His  beard  was'grizzPd  ?  no  ? 

Hor.  It  was,  as  I  have  feen  it  in  his  life^ 
A  fable  filver'd. 

Ham.  I  will  watch  to-night ; 
Perchance,  'twill  walk  again. 

Hor.  I  warrant,  it  will. 

Ham.  If  it  affume  hiy  noble  father's  perfon, 
111  fpeak  to  it,  though  hell  itfelf  (hould  gape^ 
And  bid  me  hold  my  peace.    I  pray  you  all. 
If  you  have  hitherto  concealM  this  fight, 
^  Let  it  be  tenable  in  your  filcnce  ftill ; 
And  whatfoever  elfe  fhall  hap  to-night. 
Give  it  an  underftanding,  but  no  tongue ; 
I  will  requite  ypur  loves  :    So,  fare  you  well  :- 

*  Let  it  if  treble  m^ur  Jtlena*  JJiS  :'\    If  treik  be  right,  m  pro* 
priety  it  (bould  be  read. 

Let  it  he  treble  inyourfiUnct  now : 
But  the  old  quarto  reads, 

Let  it  he  tenable  inyotirjikncejlitt. 
And  this  is  ri^ht.    Wa&burtok. 

Upon 


PRINCE  OF   DENMARK.     197 

Upon  the  platform,  'twixt  eleven  and  twelve, 
ril  vifit  you. 

All.  Our  duty  to  your  honour. 

Ham.  Your  loves,  as  mine  to  you :  Farewel. 

[Exeunt. 
My  father's  fpirit  in  arms !  all  is  not  well ; 
I  doubt  fome  foul  play :   'would,  the   night  were 

come! 
'Till  then  fit  ftill,  my  foul :  Foul  deeds  will  rife, 
(Though  all  the  earth  overwhelm  them)  to  men's  eyes. 

{Exit. 

SCENE        III. 

/     An  apartment  in  Pclanius*  boufe. 
Enter  Laertes^  and  Ophelia. 

Laer.  My  neceflaries  are  cmbarkM ;  farewel : 
And,  fifter,  as  the  winds  give  benefit. 
And  convoy  is  aflSftatit,  do  not  fleep. 
But  let  me  hear  from  you. 

Opb.  Do  you  doubt  that  ? 

Laer.  For  Hamlet,  and  the  trifling  of  his  favour^ 
Hold  it  a  falhion,  and  a  toy  in  blood  *, 
A  violet  in  the  youth  of  primy  nature. 
Forward,  not  permanent,  fweer,  not  laQ:ing, 
^  The  perfume  and  fuppliance  of  a  minute ; 
No  more. 

'  The  p&ffimu^  and  fuppiisnce ^4?  mnuU:\  Thus  the  quarto: 
€s^  folio  has  it, 

'  SkxMe/y  not  lafitng^ 

Tls»  fuppliance  tf  a  minute. 
It  IS  pbii^  t^^t  UrfuTne  is  Deceflaty  to  exemplify  the  idea  <X  fioeet, 
not  lofting.  With  the  word  fuppUanct  I  am  not  fatisHed,  and  yet 
dare  hamly  pffi^r  what  I  imagine  to  be  right.  I  iurpe£t  that  fof* 
fiance^  or  fome  fu^h  word,  formed  from  the  Italian,  \Fas  then  ufed 
for  the  a^t  of  fumigating  wtt^  fwest  fcents*    Johnson. 

The  perfume^  and  fupfUance  of  a  minute  ;  i.  e.  what  is-  fupplied 
to  us  for  a  minute.  1  he  idea  feems  to  be  taken  from  the  ihorc 
duratioa  of  Tcgeiable  perfumes.    Steevens.  ^ 

O  3  Opb. 


198  HAMLET, 

Oph.  No  more  but  fo  ? 

Laer.  Think  it  no  tiiorc : 
For  nature,  crcfcent,  does  not  grow  aloftc 
In  thews  ^,  and  bulk ;  but,  as  ttii^  teiliple  Waxes, 
The  inward  fervicfc  bf  the  mind  alid  foul 
Grows  vfride  withal.     Perhaps,  he,  loves  you  now  j 
7  And  now  no  foil,  nor  caiitel,  doth  befmirch 
The  virtue  of  his  will :  biii,  you  mtift  fear. 
His  greatncfs  weigb'd,  his  will  is  not  his  own; 
For  he  hiriifelf  is  fubje<S|;  to  his  birth : 
He  miy  ndt^  as  unvalued  perfons  do, 
Cir^c  for  himfelf ;  for  on  his  choice  depends 
5  The  fafety  and  the  health  of  the  whdlc  ftatc ; 
And  therefore  muft  his  choice  be  circumfcrib'd 
Unto  the  voice  and  yielding  of  that  body^ 

•  /«  thews,]  1.  c»  in  finfews,  iriufculdT  ftrength.    Steevens. 

^  jinJ  now  no  foiJy  nor  cautel,— ]  From  c^uteta^  which  fignifies 
i^nXy  ^friiJent  forefight  6r  (^ddtibti;  bur,  paflihg  through  French 
hands,  it  loft  its  innoctnoc,  and  lioW  figtiiBes^<»iri/,  Aceit.  And  1q 
he  ufes  the  adjedtlyc  in  Jtdim  Ckfar : 

Swear  priefts  and  cifwards^and  men  c«lutc!ou$« 
But  I  believe  Shakefpcaic  wrote, 

And  novo  mo  foil  of  caiitd  — 
which  the  tbllowink  Words  coiifirm : 
^(y/i*  beflnircb  , 
The  virtue  cf  his  'uoiU:-^ 
For  by  virtue  is  meant  the  fimplttiiy  of  his  will,  riot  virtuous  iviH^ 
and  both  this  and  hefmercb  refef  only  to  fiil,  and  to  the  foil  ^cratt 
and  in(inc^rtty«    Warburtov. 

So,  in  the  lecond  part  of  Greene's  Art  of  Coneycat^hii^y  '  W*  • 
•*  —  and  their  fubtill  cautels  to  amend  the  ftatute.**  To  arftend  tJjo 
ftatute  was  the  cant  phnlfe  for  cvadinjj  the  law.    Stee  ve  ns. 

Virtue  feems  here  to  camprife  both  excellence  and /<m.vr,  and  may 
bo  explai  ned  the  pure  effeH.     Johnson. 

•  The  fanttity  and  the  health  of  the  ivhok  fiate  %\  What  has  the 
fanHlty  of  the  ftatc  to  do  Wkh  the  prince's  difproportioned  marriage  f 

We  (hould  rehd  with  the  old  quarto  fcfir^,     W  a  r bit  r  t o n. 

Hanroer  reads  very  rightly,  fahity.  SanBity  is  dfewherc  printed 
for  fanity^  in  the  old  edition  of  this  play.     Joh  NsoN. 

Sanity  and  health  xa^j  have  the  fame  meaning,  I  therefore  read 
with  all  the  quartos. 

The  ///r/y  and  the  health,  &Ct     Stee ven$. 

Whereof 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.     199 

Whereof  he  is  the  head :  Then  if  he  fays^  he  loves 

you. 
It  fits  your  wifdom  fo  far  to  believe  it. 
As  he  in  his  particular  ad  and  place 
May  give  his  faying  deed ;  which  is  no  further. 
Than  the  main  voice  of  Denmark  goes  withah 
Then  weigh  what  lofs  your  honour  may  fuftain. 
If  with  too  credent  ear  you  lift  his  fongs ; 
Or  lofe  your  heart ;  or  your  chafte  treafure  open 
To  his  9  unmafter'd  importunity. 
Fear  it,  Ophelia,  fear  it,  my  dear  fiftcr ; 
And  '  keep  you  in  the  rear  of  your  affedion. 
Out  of  the  Ihot  and  danger  of  defire. 
The  charieft  maid  *  is  prodigal  enough. 
If  fhe  unmafk  her  beauty  to  the  moon : 
Virtue  itfelf  fcapcs  not  calumnious  ftrokes: 
The  canker  galls  the  infants  of  the  fpring. 
Too  oft  before  their  buttons  be  difclos'd ; 
And  in  the  morn  and  liquid  dew  of  youth 
Contagious  blaftments  are  moft  imminent. 
Be  wary  then :  bed  fafety  lies  in  fear ; 
Youth  to  itfelf  rebels,  though  none  elfe  near. 

Opb.  I  (hall  the  effed  of  this  good  leffon  keep. 
As  watchman  to  my  heart :  But,  good  my  brother, 
t>o  not,  as  ibme  ungracious  paftors  do, 
$hew  me  the  fteep  and  thorny  way  to  heaven  ; 
'  Whilft,  like  a  puft  and  recklefs  libertine, 

^  Himfelf 

^  '^wimafier^d'^l  ue.  iicefttious.    Johnson. 

*  —  keet  within  the  r$ar^  '&c.]  That  is,  do  not  advance  fo  far 
gs  your  affection  would  lead  you.    Johnson. 

*  The  charieil  maid'\  Cbaty  b  cautious.  So,  in  Greene's  A>t»<r 
tfolatij  i6i6  ;  **  Love  requires  not  chaftirj',  but  that  her  foldiers 
be  chary^  Again,  **  She  liTCth  chaftly  enough,  that  UTeth 
(bariiy,^    Ste£V£ns. 

^  IVbilft^  like  a  piffi  and  carekfs  lihertine^l  This  reading  gives  us 
a  i^ie  to  thifl  effect.  Do  not  you  be  Hie  an  ungracious  preacher^ 
who  is  like  a  carelefs  libertine.  And  there  we  find,  that  he  who  is 
io  like  a  carelefs  Hbenine,  is  the  carelefs  libertine  himfelf  This 
Could  not  come  fiom  Shakefpeare.    The  old  quarto  reads, 

O  4  WhiUi 


2QP  HAMLET, 

Himfelf  the  primrofir  path  of  dalliance  treadif 
And  ^  recks  not  his  own  read.    . 

Laer.  O,  fe^r  me  not.  * 
I  ftay  too  long  jr— But  here  my  father  comes. 

Enter  Polonius. 

A  double  blefling  is  a  double  grace  ;  t 

Occafion  fmilcs  upon  a  fecond  leave. 

Fol.    Yet    here,    Laertes!    aboard,   aboard,    fbr 
fh^ei 

Whiles  z  ptffi  and  veMit^^  Uheriinej 
wHich  d^re^s  us  to  the  right  readiog, 

fVhilfi  he,  apt(fi  and  recklels  libertine^ 
The  firft  impreffion  ot  ihefc  plays  being  tak^n  from  the  play-houfc 
copies,  and  tbofc,  for  the  better  direction  of  the  actors,  being  writ- 
ten as  they  were  pronounced,  thcfe'circumftanccs  have  occa£cned 
innumerable  errors,    So  a  for  A^  every  where* 

'  *a  'ixMi  a  good^  i'^» 

*A  WW  a  man  take  him  for  all  in  alU  ^  , 

■  /  warn't  //  w//?, 

(or  I  tvarroMi.    This  (hould  be  well  attended   to  in  corre^ng 
Shakefpeare.    Warburtok. 

The  emendation  is  not  amiis,  but  the  reafon  for  it  is  very  in- 
conclufive  :  we  ufe  the  fame  mode  of  fpeaking  on  many  oc- 
cafions.  When  I  fay  of  one,  he  fquamkrs  like  a  Jpendlhrfft^  oi 
another,  he  robbed  me  like  a  thief,  the  phrafe  produces  no  am- 
biguity ;  it  is  underflood  that  the  on^  is  uJfeMdtir^  md  the  other 
a  thief.    Johnson. 

*  — recks  not  his  cw^  read.]  That  is,  heeds  not  his  owq 
Icflbns.     Pope. 

So,  in  I^cke  Scorneri 

*.'  I  reck  not  a  feder.** 

B^  Jonfon  ufes  the  word  reed  in  his  Catili/us 

**  So  that  thou  couldd  not  move 

•*  Again  ft  a  public  reed.^* 
Again,  in  Sir  Tho.  North's  tranflatlon  of  Pluterch:    " — Dit 
patch,  I  read  you,  for  your  enterpiize  is  betrayM.**    Again,  in 
the  old  Morality  of  I^^ke  Scorner: 

"  And  of  thy  living^  I  reed  amend  thee." 
So  the  Old  Proverb  in  the  ¥wo  Angry  Jiomen  rf  Abinpmif  1599 ;    • 

**  Take  heed,  is  a  good  reed.^^ 
Again,  in  Warner's  Mion's  England^  160a,  book  5*  clmp.  17  : 

**  —  and  to  his  ;W already  bent."    JSteevens^ 

7  The 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.     201 

The  wiad  fits  in  the  «  (houlder  (tf  yodf  fail, 
And  you  arc  ftaid  for :  Thdre, — my  bleffings  with 
you ;  [L^yi^g  ^i^  ^^^^  ^^  Laertes*  bead^ 

And  thefe  ftw  precepts  in  thy  memoiy 
Look  thou  charaftcr.     Give  thy  thoughts  no  tongue. 
Nor  any  unproportion'd  thought  his  a<ft» 
Be  thou  familiar,  but  by  no  means  vulgar. 
Tbc  friends  thou  haft,  and  their  adoption  try*d. 
Grapple  them  to  thy  foul  with  hoops  of  ftecl ; 
^  But  do  not  dull  thy  palm  with  entertainment 
Of  each  new-hatch'd  unfledgM  comrade.    Beware   . 
Of  entrance  to  a  quarrel ;  but,  being  in. 
Bear  it  that  the  oppofer  may  beware  of  thee. 
Give  every  man  thine  ear,  but  few  thy  voice : 
Take  each  man's  cenfure  %  butreferve  thyjudgoaent* 
Coftly  thy  habit  as  thy  purfe  can  buy. 
But  not  exprefs'd  in  fancy;  rich,  not  gaudy : 
For  the  apparel  oft  proclaims  the  man ; 
And  they  in  France,  of  the  beft  rank  and  ftation, 
*  Are  moft  feledb,  and  generous  chiefs  in  that. 
Neither  a  borrower,  nor  a  lender  be  : 
For  loan  oft  lofes  both  itfelf  and  friend ; 
And  borrowing  dulls  the  edge  of  hufbandry. 

s  -^ibt  fiauUer  of  your  fiuW\    This  is  a  common  fca  phrafe. 

Steevens, 

*  But  io  not  dull  thy  f  aim  nvith  etttertainment 

Of  each  new-hatched^  unfU^d  comrade.]  The  literal  fcnfe 
is»  Do  not  make  thy  palm  callous  hy  Jhaking  every  man  by  the  hand. 
The  figurative  mea^iDg  may  be,  Do  not  by  promifcuom  converjatiom 
make  thy  mind  infenfible  to  the  difference  of  charaSlers .     Jo H  NS  o^r. 

^  -^each  man*s  cenfure,]      Cenfure  is  opinion.     So,  in  Kh^ 
Richard  111 :  —To  give  your  cenfures  in  this  weighty  bufinefs. 

Steevens. 

*  Art  moft  feleB  and  generous^  chief  in  that.]     I  thin)c  the  whole 
defign  of  the  precept  (hews  we  (hoiild  read, 

Are  moft  JeleH^  and  generous  chiefs  in  that. 
Chief  is  an  a^e^Uve  ufed  adverhialfy^  a  practice  common  to  our 
author.    Chiefly  generous.    Yet  it  muft  be  owned  that  the  punc- 
tuatioa  reoommeKtcd  is  very  ftiff  and  harfh.    Ste^teks. 

This 


204  HAMLET, 

Pol.  Affedbion  ?  puh !  you  Ipeak  like  a  green  girl, 
sUnfjftcd  in  fuch  perilous  circumftance. 
Do  you  believe  his  tenders,  as  you  call  them  ? 

Opb.  I  do  not  know,    niy    lord,   what  I  fiiould 
think, 

Pol.  Marry,  I'll  teach  you  :  think  yourfelf  a  ba^y; 
That  you  have  ta'en  thefc  tenders  for  true  pay. 
Which  are   not  fterling-     ^  Tender  yourfelf  more 

dearly ; 
Or  (not  to  crack  the  wind  of  the  poor  phrafc) 
Wronging  it  thus,  you'll  tender  me  a  tool. 

Opb.  My  lord,  he  hath  importuned  me  with  love. 
In  honourable  falhion. 

'  UnGftcd  in  fuch  perHous  ctratmftance,']     Unjrfied^  for  trntrkd. 
Untried  figDifies  cither  not  tempted^  or  not  nfintd^  u^fhd^  figaifici 
the  latter  onW^  though  thcfcale  requiroi  Htui firmer.  W  akbujitoV. 
•  —  Tender  your/elf  more  dearly ; 
Or  (not  to  crack  the  luind  of  the  poor  phrafe) 
Wronging  //  tbus^you^U  tender  me  a  fooh"]    The  partntheju 
is  clofed  at  the  wrong  pbce ;  and  we  muft  have  Hkewifea  flight 
corre^ion  in  the  laffverle.     Polonius  is  rackine  and  playing  on 
the  word  tmdery  till  he  thinks  proper  to  corrca  himfelf  for  the 
licence ;  and  then  he  would  fay — not  farther  to  crack  the  wind 
of  the  phrafe,  by  twijing  and  contorting  it,  as  I  have  done. 

Warburtok. 
I  believe  the  word  wronging  has  reference,  not  to  the  phrafe, 
but  to  Ophelia ;  if  you  go  on  wronging  it  tbus^  that  is,  if  you  eon* 
tintti  to  go  on  thus  wrong.  This  is  a  mode  of  fpeaking  perhaps  not 
"very  grammatical,  but  very  common ;  nor  have  the  befl  writers 
sefufed  it. 

To  fimer  it  or  faint  it^ 
is  in  Pope.    And  Rowe, 

—  Thus  to  coy  it, 

To  one  who  knows  you  too. 
The  folio  has  it, 

—  roaming  //  thns^^^ 

That  is,  letting  yonrfe^  loefe  to  fuch  improper  Uheriy.     But  awjffri^ 
feems  to  be  more  proper.     Johnson. 

*'  See  you  do  not  ccy  it^  is  in  Maffinger^s  "New  wof  to  pet^  old 
Dehts.  Mr.  Rowe  had  read  this  author,  and  borrowed  from  him 
the  plan  of  the  Fair  Penitent^  though  without  the  moft  trivial  ac- 
knowledgement.    St££V£NS. 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.     2oe 

Pol.  Ay,  7  falhion  you  may  call  it  -,  go  to,  go  to* 
Opb.  And  hat;h  given  countenance  to  his  fpeech, 
my  lord. 
With  almoft  all  the  holy  vows  of  heaven. 
PcL   Ay,  fpringes  to  catch  woodcocks  K    I  do 
know. 
When  the  blood  burns,  how  prodigal  the  foul 
Lends  the  tongue  vows :  Thefe  blazes,  daughter. 
Giving  more  light  than  heat, — cxtind  in  both. 
Even  in  their  promifc,  as  it  is  a  making, — 
You  muft  not  take  for  fire.     From  this  time. 
Be  fomcwhat  fcanter  of  your  maiden  prefence ; 
9  Set  your  entreatments  at  a  higher  rate. 
Than  a  command  to  parley.     For  lord  Hamlet, 
Believe  to  much  in  him.  That  he  is  young ; 
And  with  a  ^  larger  tether  may  he  walk. 
Than  may  be  given  you  :  In  few,  Ophelia, 
Do  not  believe  his.  vows :  for  they  are  brokers ; 
Not  of  that  dye  which  their  inveftments  Ihew, 
But  meer  implorators  of  unholy  fuits, 
*  Breathing  like  fandtified  and  pious  bonds. 

The 

7  •«  fiUhion jmr  nuty  edU  it:-^']  She  M{t%  faJhicM  for  manner^ 
and  he  ibr  a  tranfifnt proBice*     Joh n s on  . 

•  ,m^^ingfs  to  catch  woodcocks.']    A  proverbial  faying. 

**  Everjr  woman  has  a  ffringt  to  catch  a  tvooacocij^ 

StE£VEKS» 

•  Sety&ttr  entreatTftents]  Entreatments  here  means  company  coti" 
nKrfiuim^  from  the  French  entrktien,     f  o  h  s*  s  o  x . 

'  ^^  larger  tether — ]     A  firing  to  tie  horfes.     Pope. 

Tether  is  that  firing  by  which  an  animal,  fet  to  graze  in  grounds 
imtncloled,  is  confined  urithin  the  pro|icr  limits.     Johnson. 

So,  in  Greene's  Card  of  Fancy^  1 6o  i  :  "To  tye  the  ape  and  the 
bear  in  one  tedder***  Tether  is  a  firing  by  which  any  animal  is 
Mened,  whether  tor  the  fake  of  feeding  or  the  air..  Ste evens. 

•  Breathing  like  fan^rfied  and  pious  bonds,]  On  which  the  editor 
Mr.  Theobald  remarks,  Tho*  all  the  editions  have  faxiHofwcd  this  read^ 
hg  isitplidtjfy  it  is  certainly  corrupt ;  and  I  have  been  furprized  f^om 
men  rf  genim  and  learning  could  let  it  pafi  without  feme  fufplcion. 
What  ideas  can  we  frame  to  ourfe/ves  of  a  breathing  bond^  or  (fits 
king  fanHiJUd  and  pious  ^  &c«  ?  But  he  was  too  haily  in  framing  ideas 

before 


2o6  HAMLET, 

The  better  to  beguile.     This  is  for  all, — ' 

B  I  would  not,  in  plain  terms,  from  this  titpe  foftfa^ 

Have  you  fo  Oander  any  moment's  jeifiirey 

A$  to  give  words  or  talk  with  the  lord  Hamlet. 

Look  to*t,  I  charge  you  j  come  your  ways. 

Opb.  I  fliall  obey,  my  lord,.  {Exeunt. 

SCENE      IV. 

^be  Platform. 

Enter  Hamlet^  Horatio^  an4  Marcellus. 

Ham.  The  air  bites  fhrewdly  \  it  is  very  €old« 
Har.  It  is  a  nipping  and  an  eager  air. 
Ham.  What  hour  now? 
H$r.  I  think,  it  lacks  of  twelve. 
Mar.  No,  it  is  ftruck. 

Hot.  Indeed?  I  heard  it  not:  it  then  draws  near 
the  feaibn. 
Wherein  the  fpirit  held  his  wont  to  walk. 

[Noife  of  muJUk  vdtbin. 
What  does  this  mean^  my  lord  ? 

Ham. 

berore  he  uoderftood  tliofe  already  framed  by  the  poet,  and  fx* 
prelTed  in  very  plain  words.  Do  not  believe  (lays  Polonius  to  lus 
daughter)  Hamlet's  amorous  vows  made  tayou;  which  pretend  .re- 
ligion in  them  (t/je  hetter  to  beguile)  like  thofe  fandified  and  pipus 
vows  {or  honds'\  made  to  heaven.  And  why  (hould  not  this  faf$ 
Wthout  fujflcion  ?     WaRBURTON# 

Theobald  for  hoTtds  fubflitutes  bawds.    Jo  h  n  s  o k . 

^  I 'VDoulJ  Hot^  in  plain  xtxtta^from  this  timeforth^ 
Have  you  Jo  dander  any  moment^s  lelfure,]  The  hunoour  of 
this  is  fine.  The  fpeaker's  chara^er  is  all  affedtation.  At  lall  he 
fays  he  yN^Xfpcakphin^  and  yet  cannot  for  his  life;  his  plain  fpeech 
Qiflandtring  a  moments  leifure  being  of  the  like  fuftian  Ituff  with  the 
refl.    Warburton. 

Here  is  another  ^«^  paflagc,  of  which  I  take  the  beauty  to  be 
.only  imaginary.     Polomus  fays,  in  plain  termiy  that  is,  not  in  lan- 
guage 


PRINCE  OF  DEN  ^I  ARK.    207 

Ham.  The  king  doth  wkt  to-night,  and  takes  his 
Toufe  4, 
Keeps  waflfl,  *  and  *  the  fwaggerine  up-fbring  teds; 
And^  as  he  drains  his  draughts  of  Khenmi  down. 
The  kettle-drum,  and  trumpet,  thus  bray  out 
The  triucnpb  of  his  pledge. 

Hor.  Is  it  a  cuftom  ? 

Ham.  Ay,  marry,  is*t : 
But,  to  my  mind, — though  I  am  native  here. 
And  to  the  manner  born, — it  is  a  cuftom 
More  honoured  in  the  breach,  than  the  obfervancc.' 
7  This  heavy-teaded  revel,  eaft  and  weft, 

Makes 

guage  lefs  elevated  or  embellifhed  than  before,  but  in  terms  that  can" 
n&t  be  mfimderftm>d:  I  nmnU  not  have  you  fo  dijgrace  your  moft  idk 
moments^  as  not  to  find  better  emffoyment  fir  them  than  hrd  Hamlel^s 
comoerfatum*     Tohnsok* 

^  —  takes  bis  rou/e^}  A  roufe  i&  a  large  dofe  of  liquor,  a  de- 
bauch.    So,  in  Othello  : 

**  —  ibey  have -given  me  a  roufi  already*** 
It  ftould  feem  from  the  following  paifage  in  Decker's  Guls  Horn*' 
iook,  1609,  that  the  word  rouje  was  of  Daniih  extradlion.  **  Teach 
B^  thou  fovenugne  ikinker,  how  to  take  the  German's  upfy  freeze, 
4ke  J^^ni/b  rou/Oy  the  Switzer's  iloop  of  rheniih,  ^c?  Stee yens. 
'  KeeAs  tuajely]  See  Macbeth,  a£t  i.  Again,  m  the  Hcg  hatff 
1^  his  Fiorly  iti^i 

*<  By  Crocus  name  and  by  his  caftle, 
"  Where  ^ter  nights  he  keepeth  'voaJJelP    Steevens. 
•  —  thefwa^ring  up-lpring — ]     The  bluflering  upftart. 

JoHNsoy. 
It  appears  from  the  following  paflage  in  Alphonfus  Emperor  ofGtr^ 
man^y  by  Chapman,  that  the  up-fpritig  was  a  German,  dance  : 
**  We  Germans  have  no  changes  in  our  dances ; 
•*  An  aimain  and  an  up^j^ing^  ihaf  is  all." 
&r/ji^  was  anciently  *the  name  of  a  tune^  fo  in  B.  and  Fletcher's 
•^tepht^fs: 

**  —  we  will  meet  him, 
•*  And  flrike  him  fuch  ntwfprings — ** 
The  word  is  ufed  by  G.  Douglas  in  his  translation  of  Virgil,  and, 
\  thiftk,  by  Chaucer.    Again,  in  an  old  Scots  proverb.  *-  **  An- 
•^edier  would  play  ^Jpriog  ere  you  tune  your  pipes."    Steevens^ 

7  This  heavy-headed  revel^  eaft  and  <z^,J  i.  e.  This  revelling 
Ihat  pblerves  no  hours,  but  continues  from  morning  to  nighty 
)cc«    .Wa&iurton. 

I  (hould 


to8     .       H    A    M    L    E    t. 

Makes  us  traduc'd^  and  tax*d  of  ether  nations  i 

They  clepe  us^  drunkards,  and  with  fwiniih  phrafe 

Soil  our  addition  ^  and^  indeed,  it  takes 

From  our  atchievtments,  though  performed  at  he^ht^ 

^  The  pith  and  marrow  of  our  attribute. 

So,  oft  it  chances  in  particular  men. 

That,  for  fome  vicious  mole  of  nature  in  them. 

As,  in  their  birth,  (wherein  they  are  not  guilty. 

Since  nature  cannot  chufe  his  oqgin) 

By  the  o*er-growth  of  fpme  >  complexion, 

Oft  breaking  down  the  pales  and  forts  of  realbn  ; 

Or  by  fome  habit,  that  too  much  o'er-leavens 

The  form  of  plaufive  manners ; — that  thefe  men,—* 

Carrying,  I  fay,  the  ftamp  of  one  defed  ; 

Being  nature's  livery,  or  '  fortune's  ftart — 

Their  virtues  elfe  (be  they  as  pure  as  grace, 

•  As  infinite  as  man  may  undergo) 

Shall  in  the  general  cenfure  take  corruption 

From  that  particular  fault :  3  The  dram  of  bafe 

Doth 

I  ihould  not  hate  fufpefMI  this  pipage  of  ftmbiguity  or  ob* 
Icurity,  had  I  not  found  my  opinion  ot  it  cuffering  from  that  of  the 
learned  critic  I  conftrue'it  thus,  nis  heany-heaJed  renfel  mmhs  ta 
traducidtaft  d^d*iueji^  and  taxed  of  other  tiations.     John  sos. 

*  nffitlakd  marrm)  of  our  attribute^  Thebeft  and  moft 
Taluable  part  of  the  praife  that  would  be  othenrife  ^ributed  ta 

Ift.      JOHNSOW. 

*  —  complexion,]  /•  e.  humour;  as  fimguine,  mcUncholyi 
phlegmatic,^.    WARBtrkroN. 

»  ^^firtun/s  1bar,]     In  the  old  quarto  of  1657,  it  is 
^  fortunes  ^tx 
But  I  thhlk  fear  is  proper.    JoHwsosr. 
AH  the  quartos  teaA-^Jlar,    St££V£ns. 

*  Ai  if^nite  as  man  mq;^  tffdergo,]  As  larg^  as  can  be  aocil' 
mulated  upon  man*    Jokifsou* 

*  The  dram  tf  tkifi 

D^b  all  ibenMe  fmh/tance  of  a  doubt, 

To  his  mmfcandaLI  I  do  not  remember  a  paffiige  tbfoktgh* 
out  all  our  poet's  works,  more  intricate  and  depraved  in  the 
text,  of  left  meaning  to  outward  appearance,  or  mote  likelj^  fa 
ba£Bc  the  attempts  of  criticiifn  in  its  AL  .  It  is  ceitabi  there  \$ 


PRINCE.  OF  DENMARK,    ao^ 

Doth  all  tbe  nobk  fubftaiK^  of  worth  out  % 
To  hU  own  fcandal. 

Enter  Gb^. 

Hor.  Look,  my  lord,  it  comes ! 
Ham.  Angels  and  fninifters  of  grace  defend  us  5 1— 

Be 

neither  fenfe  not  grammar  as  it  taovr  fiands  ^  yet  with  a  ili|^t  al- 
teration,. HI  endeavour  to  cure  thofe  defedb,  am  give  a  featimeat 
too,  that  (hall  make  the  poet's  thought  clofe  nobly.  The  dram  of 
iafe  (as  I  have  corrected  the  text)  means  the  leaft  alloy  of  bafe« 
sels  or  Tice.  It  is  very  frequent  with  our  poet  to  ofe  the  aJje^ive 
of  quoTifv  infiead  of  the  fubffaintive  (ignifymg  the  thing,  liefides* 
I  have  obferved,  that  elfewhere,  fpeaking  of  vjortb^  he  delights  to 
confider  it  as  «  quality  that  adds  Wijeight  to  a  perfon,  and  conneds 
the  word  with  that  icka*    Theobald* 

*  Doth  all  the  nobk  finance  rftmrth  out^]  Varions  conjefturcs 
have  been  employed  about  this  pai&ge.  The  author  of  T/he 
Revj/id  would  read, 

**  Poth  all  the  noble  fubftance  oft  eat  entH^ 

Or, 
<*  Doth  all  the  noble  fubAimceyd/7  vsith  doubtP 
Mr.  Holt  reads, 

«*  Doth  all  the  noble  fubftance  tfi  adtft^ 
And  Dr.  Johnibn  thinks,  that  Theobsitd'a  reading  may  (land. 
I  wodd  read, 

Dotb  all  the  nolle  fubfiance  (t.  e.  the  fum  of  good  qualities)  oft 
do  ouU  Perhajps  we  (hould  fay,  To  its  own  fial^al.  HU  and  it$ 
are  perpetually  confounded  in  the  old  copies. 

As  I  underhand  the  paflage,  there  is  little  difficulty  in  \U  This 
is  one  of  the  low  colloquial  phrafes  which  at  prefent  are  neither 
employed  in  writing,  nor  perhaps  are  reconcileable  to  the  pro* 
priety  of  language*  To  Jo  a  thing  out^  is  to  extinguijb  iff  or  to 
efface  or  obliterate  any  thing  fainted  or  ^written. 

In  the  firH  of  thcfe  %niiications  it  is  ufed  by  Drayton>  in  the 
ph  Canto  of  his  Barons*  H'ors^ 

^*  Was  ta*en  in  battle,  and  his  eyes  ont^doneT*    Steb  vens. 

*  Angels  arid  minijers  Af  grace  defend  us  1"^  Hamlet's  fpeech  to  tho 
apparitioD  of  his  father  leems  to  me  to  con£il  of  three  parts* 
When  firft  he  fees  the  fpedre,  he  fortiti^  hlmfel^'  with  an  in- 
^yocatioo : 

Angeh  and  miniJUrs  of  graa  d^nd  us  ! 
As  the  fpe^ire  approaches,  he  deliberates  with  himCrff,  and  Je* 
termines,  that  whatever  it  ba  he  will  venture  to  addref^  it* 


no  U    A    M    L    £    T» 

Be  thou  a  rpirit  of  heakh^  ^  goblia  dama^d  <» 
Bring  with  thee  airs  from  heaven^  or  Uafts  from  lielV 
Be  thy  intents  wicked,  or  charitable. 
Thou  com'fl  in  fuch  a  7  queftionable  fhape. 
That  I  will  fpeak  to  thee ;  FU  call  thee,  Hamle^ 
King,  father,  royal  Pane  :  O,  anfwer  me ! 
Let  me  not  burft  in  ignorance  I  buc^  tell. 

Why 

Se  thou  a  Air  it  of  healthy  or  goblin  Aomfd^ 
Bring  with  thee  airs  from  heaven^  or  hltjisfirmn  heU^ 
Be  ^  intents  wtfieJ  or  ibaritghkp 
Thou  com]ft  in  fuch  a  queftiouabk  Jhtpf^ 
HatZ'-M'dljj^aktotbee^    rH csli  thte^  kc.      . 
This  be  fays  while  his  father  is  advanciDg;  he  then,  ss  he  bad 
decermiued,  j^^  ^  himp  aod  calls  bs'm^^&pnlet^  ^n^%  F^uheri 
BqyalDoMis  oh/  an^sxrnu.    Johnson. 

^  Be  thou  iuJUrit  of  htaltby  or^Mu  JtmniJ^  &c*]    So  in  Acoiq/lus 
'hij4fier'Wiifiooo: 

^*  Art  tbouagod,  amaoiorelfeaghofi? 
^  Com'ft  thoafrom  heaves,  where  hlifi  and  fbhce  dwell  i 
**  Orirom  the  airie  cold^eiigendring  cqafl? 
*«  Or  froQi  the  dafktomc  dimg^;hold  of  beUT  . 
.  The  €rfl  known  edition  of  this  plav  is  in  1604*    Steavens* 
7  -^quefiiofuAk  fbapi^     By  ^uefiiomAk  is  meant.  jjVOToking 
queftjon.    Hammer* 
So  in  Macbeth: 

Lvveyou^  or  ^tyms  aught 
That  man.  me^  qiieftion  ?    JoHNsov* 
^^iotusble^  I  believe  means  only  frofitious  to  c^PFoeJatian^  eajf 
mud<wiUin§t  to  bo  cmtfofed  puth*    So  m  jis  you  Hie  it^    ^*  An  uw 
^fiionabU  fpirit,  which  you  hare  not,**     Uuque/tumaUe/m  this  bft 
tnuance certainly  fimiifies  uumoilUug  to  be  talked  t^.    St^IE  vgNs* 

^ftionabk^  I  b^^eve^  only  means  a^M  rfhuufamoferfed  wtb^ 
To  fiteftion^  certunly  in  our  authpi^s  time  figqified,  i^  C9mmft. 
.^Oy  vci\A%Taruma  Wid  Ijucreci^  1593  : 

*^  For  after  fupper  long  be  qu^ioued 
Wkh  taodcii  Lucrcce— • 
A^kxti^m  dntoi^andClef^atra: 

««  Out  of  our  qumiau  wipe  him."    Malone. 

• hU, 

Why  thff  canoniT^d  boneSp  hearfed  in  6c2X}^^ 

Have  burfi  their  cearmeutsf]    Hamlet  here  ipeaks  witli  won^, 

diat  he  who  was  dead  fhouki  ri&  again  and  walk.    But  ^it,  ac« 

cording  to  the  vulgar  fuperfiition  here  followed,  was  no  wotidcr* 

Their  only  wonder  was,  that  one,  who  had  the  rites  rffepuUure  per- 

^  formed 


PRINCE  Of  DENMARK,     ui 

Why  thy  canonized  bones,  hcarfcd  in  death. 
Have  burft  their  cearments  ?  why  the  fepiilchre. 

Wherein 

formed  to  bim,  (hould  walk ;  the  want  oF  which  was  fuppofed  to 
be  the  reafoo  of  walkiog  ^o(b«  Hamlet's  wonder  then  fhould 
hare  been  pli^ced  here:  and  fo  Shakefpeare  placed  it,  as  we  fhall 
kt  preientfy.  For  bearfid  is  tiled  HguratiTelv,  to  fignify  retofind^ 
therefore  the  place  ^nbere  (hould  be  defigned :  but  death  being  no 
fiact^  but  a  frwatim  only,  hearfed  in  death  is  nonfenfe.  Wc 
Ihoiild  read, 

Why  Ay  catiiMi:id  idm^hemfid  memhf 
Have  iurft  their  ckarmentsT 

It  appears,  for  the  two  reafons  given  abore,  that  *4r*ti8  the  true 
leafing.  It  will  fardicr  appear  for  thefe  two  other  reafons.  Firft, 
Fnmi  the  words,  cammed  hones;  by  which  is  iK>t  meant  (as  one 
would  imagine)  a  corapHtnetit  for,  made  boi^  or  fainted;  but  for 
hones  to  which  the  rites  of  iepuhure  have  been  performed;  or 
which  were  buried  according  to  die  canon.  For  we,  are  told  he 
was  murdered  with  all  his  bns  fveih  upon  him,  and  therefore  in 
no  w^  to  be  fainted.  Bot  if  thia  Itoentknis  ufe  of  the  word 
canmmid  be  allowed,  tfaeii  em^  muft  be  the  true  reading,  for  in- 
hununj;  bofies  was  one  of  the  efienthd  parts  of  iepul<^ral  rites. 
SecoBofjTf  Peom  the  wo^  Ham  h$rjt  fbeir  cearments^  which  im- 
fkfiiie  precdfing  mention  of  inhuming,  but  no  mention  is  made  of 
It  in  the  common  reading.  This  enabled  the  Oxford  editor  to 
improve  upon  the  emendation ;  fo  he  reads, 
Why  tfy  hones  hearsed  in  canomned  earth. 

I  fuppofe  for  the  fake  (^harmony,  not  of  fenfir.  For  though 
tfie  ntet  of  iepalture/Ar^SfWA/ canonizes  the  body  heried;  yet  it 
does  not  canonize  (he  evth  in  which  it  b  laid,  unkfs  every  funeiil 
fervice  be  a  new  confecration.    WAttBvftTOir. 

R  were  tm  kmg  to  examine  this  note  period  by  period,  diough 
almoft  crery  period  feems  to  me  to  contain  fomethin^  reprefaen* 
iible.  The  crtttc,  in  Ins  zeal  for  change,  writes  with  u>  little  con* 
lideration,  at  to  fay,  that  Hamlet  cannot  call  fais  ^ther  coMmuasid^ 
becaufe  ««  are  tdd  he  'uoas  mnrderedwith  oil  ki^  fiasfiejb  uton  him. 
He  was  not  then  told  it,  and  had  ia  little  the  power  of  Knowing 
it,  that  be  was  to  be  told  it  by  an  apparition.  The  long  fucceffion 
of  reafons  upon  reafons  proves  nothing,  but  what  every  reader 
difcorers,  that  the  king  bad  been  buriec^  which  it  implied  by  fo 
many  adjunds  of  burial,  that  the  dire6^  mention  of  earth  is  not 
neo^ary.'  Hamlet,  amazed  at  an  apparidon,  which,  though  in 
all  acet  credited,  has  in  all  ages  been  eonfideivd  as  the  moft 
wonikrful  and  moft  dreadful  operation  of  fupernatural  agency, 
enquires  of  the  fpefire,  in  the  mod  emphauc  terms,  why  he 

Pa  breaka 


212  HAMLET, 

Wherein  we  faw  thee  quietly' in-urn'd  ^ 
Hath  op*d  his  ponderous  and  marble  jaws. 
To  caft  thee  up  again?  What  may  this  mcan,-*-^ 
I  That  thou,  dead  corfe,  again,  in  complete  fteel^ 
Revifit'ft  thus  the  glimpfes  of  the  moon>: 
Making  night  hideous  5  and  *  we  fools  of  nature 
So  horridly  '  to  Ihake  ourdifpofition, 

breaks  the  order  of  nature,  by  returning  fmm  tbe  dead ;  diis  le 
aflcs  in  a  very  confufed  circumlocution,  confounding  m  his  fright 
the  foul  and  body.  Why,  fayt  hc^  hire  ify  homs^  which  widi 
due  ceremonies  have  been  intombed  ,in  deathy  in  the  common  flaie 
of  departed  mortals,  hurji  the  folds  in  which  they  were  embalmed? 
Why  has  the  tomb,  in  which  we  faw  thee  <]uietiy  kid,  opened 
his  mouth,  that  mouth  which,  by  its  weight  and  (ubtlity,  feemed 
clofed  for  ever  ?  The  whole  femence  is  this :  Why  dofi,  thou  affcoTf 
vjhom  we  ifUhW  to  he  dead? 

Had  the  change  of  tbe  word  removed  any  obfcurity,  or  added 
any  beautyj  it  might  have  been  worth  a  ihuggle;  but  other 
re;(ding  leaves  the  fenfe  the  fame* 

If  there  be  any  afperity  in  this  controverfial  ntte,  it  muft  be 
imputed  to  the  contagion  of  peeviihnefs,  or  ibme  reientment  of 
the  incivility  (hewn  to  the  Oxford  editor,  who  is  rqyrefented  as 
fuppoting  the  ground  canonized  by  a  funeral,  when  \m  only  meant 
to  lay,  that  the  bod)^  was  depofited  in  hoh^  grwMd^  ia  ground  con* 
fecrated  according  to  the  fiZJK^.    Johnson. 

•  —  quietfy  in-um*d.]    The  quartos  read  interr^dn    Steevens. 

'  That  ihou^  dead  eorje^  again ^  in  complete  Jieely]  It  is  pro- 
bable that  Shakefpearc  introduced  his  ghoft  in  armour^  that 
it  might  appear  more  iblemn  by  fuch  a  dikrimi nation  from  the 
other  charadters  ;  though  it  was  really  the  cullom  or  the  Daniih 
kings  to  be  buried  in  that  maimer.  Vide  Oiaus  Wm-miusj 
cap.  7. 

*^  Struera  regi  nee  vedibus,  nee  odoribus  cumulant,  fia  cuiqut 

**  iatma^  quoi'undam  igni  ct  ecjuus  adjicitur." 

\*S'. -.  ■  -fed  poik]uam  m:iirnaniinus   ille   Danorum  rex  coUem 

;'^  iibi    matrnitiidinis    confpicux    extruxiHet    (cui    po(\    obitum 

/^*  regio  diademate  exornatimi,  or  mis  induttauy  inferendam  eflec 

^**  cadaver,"  &c.     Steevens. 

* — »— »i  fools  of  nature]  The  expreflion  is  fine,  as  inti- 
mating  we  were  only  kept  (as  formerly,  tools  in  a  gr^t  6imily) 
to  makei'port  tor  naiure,  who  lay  hid  only  q>  mock  and  laugh  at 
us,  for  ou(t  vain  fearches  into  her  myileries.     Warburton, 

i  — /^y/Aftfcf  wrdifpolition]  Dijfopiou^  iorframc^  WaRBWRTok. 

With 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.     213 

With  thoughts  beyond  the  reaches  of  our  fouls  ? 
Safy  why  is  this  ?  wherefore  ?  what  fhould  we  do  ? 

Hor.  It  beckons  you  to  go  away  with  it. 
As  if  it  fome  impartment  did  dclire 
To  you  alone. 

ikbr*  Look,  with  what  courteous  aAion 
It  waves  you  to  a  more  removed  ground : 
But  do  not  go  with  it. 

Hot.  No,  by  no  means. 

Ham.  h  will  not  fpeak  ;  then  I  will  follow  it. 

Hor.  Do  not,  my  lord. 

Ham.  Why,  what  Ihoutd  be  the  fear  ? 
I  do  not  fet  my  life  at  a  pin^s  fee  4 ; 
And,  for  my  foul,  what  can  it  do  to  that. 
Being  a  thing  immortal  as  itfelf  ? 
It  waves  me  forth  again ; — rii  follow  it. 

Hor.  What,  if  it  tempt  you  toward  the  flood,  my 
lord  ? 
Or  to  the  dreadful  fummit  of  the  clifF, 
That  beetles  o'er  his  bafe  into  the  fea  ? 
And  there  afliime  fome  other  horrible  form. 
Which  might  5  deprive  your  fovereignty  of  reafon. 
And  draw  you  into  madnefs  ?  think  of  it : 
[^  The  very  place  7  puts  toys  of  defpcration. 
Without  more  motive,  into  every  brain. 
That  looks  fo  many  fathoms  to  the  fea. 
And  hears  it  roar  beneath.  J 

Ham.  It  waves  me  ft  ill: — * 

*  ^tn*sfie :"]  The  value  of  a  pin.     Johnson. 

*  —-ikpnift' youT  fovereignty,  ^t*.]  Dr.  Warburton  would 
read  deprave ;  but  feveral  proofs  are  given  in  the  notes  to  Kiftg 
Lear  of  Shakefpcare^  ufc  of  the  word  deprive^  whkh  is  the  iruft 
reading.    Steevens. 

I  bdieve  deprive  in  thts  place  (igniiies  (imply  to  take  epujoj^ 

Johnson. 

*  The  nfftyfiace']  The  four  following  lines  added  from  the  firft 
edition.    Pope. 

'  "-fnrts  toys  efdej^mtim^  5%^,  for  mbim.    Warburton. 

P  3  Go 


ii4  HAMLET,  ; 

Go  orf,  Fll  Mow  thee. 

Mar.  You  (hall  not  go,  my  lord. 

Ham.  Hold  off  your  hands. 

Hor.  Be  rul'd,  you  fi)all  not  go. 

Ham.  My  fate  cries  ojut, 
And  makes  each  petty  artery  in  this  body 
As  hardy  as  the  Nemcan  lion's  nenre.*^— 
Still  am  I  callM— unhand  me,  gendemcn ;— — 

\BrUking  fnm them^ 
By  heaven.  111  make  a  ghoft  of  him  « that  lets  oie : — 

I  lay,  away : — Go  on, Fll  follow  thee 

[ExeuMi  Gbojlji  and  HamUt. 

Hot.  He  waxes  defperate  with  inu^inacioa. 

Mar.  Let's  follow ;  *tis  not  fit  thus  to  obey  him. 
*  Hor.  Have  after:— To  what  iflbc  will  this  come  2 

Mar.  Something;  b  rotten  in  t|ie  ^te  of  Deomark^ 

Hof.  Heaven  will  dircft  it  9. 

Mar.  Nay,  let's  follow  him*  [£AfA»if« 

SCENE     V. 

'A  more  remote  Part  of  tie  Platform. 

Re-enter  Ghqji,  and  Hamlet. 

Ham.  Whither  wil|:  thou  lead  me  ?  ipesds^  TU  g^ 

no  further. 
Qbofi.  Mark  me« 
Ham.  I  wilU 

Gbojl.  My  hour  is  almqft^  com^, 
.  "When  i  to  lulphurous  and  tormenting  flames 
Mufl;  render  up  myfelf. 
Ham.  Alas,  poor  ghoft } 

•  ——that  kts  me :]    To  let  among  pur  old  authors  fignifies  to 
prevent,  to  hinder,    oteevens.        ' 

^  Heaven  will  direft  it ;]    Perhaps  it  may  be  more  appofitc  to 
read  **  Heavfen  will /&/«?  it.*    Farmer. 

Gboji^ 


PRINCE  or  DENMARK.     215 

Gboft.  Pky  me  oot»  but  kiKi  thy  ferious  hearing 
To  what  I  iball  unfold. 

Ham.  Speaky  I  am  bound  to  hear^ 

Cbqft,  So  art  thou  to  revenge,  when  thou  &alc 
hear* 

Ham.  What? 
.    Gboft.  I  am  d»y  father's  fpirit  1 
Poom'd  for  a  certain  term  to  walk  the  night ; 
An4»  for  the  day,  >  confined  co  faft  in  fires, 
'Till  tbe^foul  crimes^  done  in  my  days  of  nature, 
» I^xt  bun)t  and  purgM  ^way.    But  diat  I  am  forbid 

•    To 

«  ^c$f^itofi4t  inj[ns;\    We  ftooM  letd^ 
— w*^  to9  fy/i  iujbres* 
u  i.  ^r^  c^iid^|)OQfiDedL    Tl^eptrtide  m  is  ofed  firquendy  for 
the  fuperUuive  ?noJfy  or  wry.    War  bur  ton* 

I  am  rather  incnoed  to  read,  tonfiid  /#  Ming  fires^  to  fires  -««>- 
ftmtud^xA  MHc^wmedf    The  diange  is  (light.    Jo^irsov* 
Dopnid  fir  ^  certain  time  /#  *ai^  the  mighty 
And  for  the  di^  confind  io  f?^  in  fires. 
Chaucer  has  a  fimilar  pailage  with  regard  to  the  puniihments  of 
hell.    Parfir^s  T^le^  p.  193.  Mr*  Urry^s  edition :     "And  more- 
over the  mifefe  t>f  heJl|  fli^ll  hp  in  de£iuce  of  mete  and  drink^.** 

Sbcit^* 
Nafli,  iA  )^Plerte  Fem^^i^9^flkmim  $0  the  tMi.  1595,  hat 
the  fame  idea :  **  Whether  it  be  a  place  of  horror*  ftench,  and 
darkoeist  where  men  fie  meat^  but  can  get  n9m%  and  are  erer  thirfty, 
^c.**  Before  I  had  read  the  ferfmus  Tale  of  Chaucer,  I  fuppofed 
that  he  meant  nther  to  diop  1^  ftri|ke  of  fiuiie  cm  iacerdotal  luxury* 
than  to  gWe  a  ierious  account  of  the  place  of  future  torment^ 
Chaucer,  however,  is  as  grave  as  Sha]cefpeare.  So  likewife  at  the 
condufion  of  an  ancient  pamphlet  called  fie  J^U  of  the  Denyil^ 
bL  1.  00  date : 

**  Thou  (halt  Ijre  in  ftofl  ^nd/i^ 

"  With  fickncflc  and  i^iig'^ ;  ^^.'*    SrpEVENS. 
*  Ate  burnt  efutifur^d  M^.r-}    Qawin  Douglas  really  changes 
tbe  Platonic  hell  into  the  «^  punytion  of  Smilis  in  purgaiory  :'^ 
fnd  it  is  obfenrable,  that  when  th^  ghoft  infonas  Hamlet  01  his 
doomthere, 

**  Till  the  foul  crimes  done  in  his  days  of  nature 
**  hit  burnt  and fetr^d  oFOMe^trr 
the  expieffion  is  very  fimiiar  to  the  biihop's :  I  will  give  you  his 
T^fion  as  condlely  as  I  ctn ;  '^  It  u.  a  (led^ful  thyng  to  fuifer 

P  4.  ♦*  panis 


4i6  HAMLET, 

To  tell  the  fecrets  of  my  prifon-houfc, 

I  could  a  tale  unfold,  whofe  lighted  word 

Would  harrow  up  thy  foul ;  freeze  thy  youAg  blood  i 

Make  thy  two  eyes,  like  ftars,  ftart  from  their  fpheres^ 

Thy  knotty  and  combined  locks  to  part. 

And  each  particular  hair  to  (land  on  end 

Like  quills  upon  the  fretful  porcupine ' : 

But  this  eternal  blazon  muft  not  be 

To  ears  of  flefh  and  blood  :~Lift,.lift,  O  lift !— •' 

If  thou  did'ft  ever  thy  dear  father  love,-— — 

Ham.  O  heaven ! 

Gbqfi.  Revenge  his  foul  and  moft  unnatural  mur«* 
der4. 

Ham.  Murder? 

Gboft.  Murder  moft  foul,  as  in  the  beft  it  is ; 
But  this  moft  foulj  ftrange,  and  unbaturaL 

•'  panis  and  tormcDt— Sura  in  the  wyndb*  fum  under  the  wtteer, 
•*  and  in  the  fire  whir  fum  t  thus  the  mony  vices-* 
**  Contrakkit  in  the  corpis  be  done  aw^ 

'        "  Jindftfrgft." 

*Sixti  Both  ef  Eruad&s^{o\.  p.  igr. 
Farmer. 

*  -^fretfid  p&ra^ine ;]  The  quartos  read  fiarfid  porcupine. 
Either  may  fervc.  This  animal  is  at  once  irafcible  and  tjmid.  The 
lame  image  occurs  in  the  Romant  of  the  Roje^  where  Chaucer  i«  de- 
fctibing  the  pcrfohagc  of  danger : 

•*  Lake  ftarpe  urchons  his  beere  was  grow.** 
An  urchin  is  a  hedge*hog.    Steevens. 

*  Revenge  hisf)ia  arid  mo/l  unnatural  murder.']  As  a  proof  that 
this  play  was  written  before  1597,  of  which  the  contrary  has  been 
aiferted  by  Mr.  Holt  in  Dr*  Johnfpn's  appendix,  I  muft  borrow,  as 
ulurd,  from  Dr.  Farmer.  **  Shakefpeare  is  faid  to  have  been  no 
•*  extraortiihary  ador;  and  that  the  tdp  of  his  performance  wat 
**  the  Ghofl  m  his"  own  Hatnlei.  Yet  this  cfxf  d*oeuvre  did  not 
**  p!eafe :  I  wiii  gtre  yon  an  original  ftroke  at  it.  Dr.  Lodge 
^  publifhed  in  th^  year  1596  a  pamphlet  called  Wlt*s  MtferU^  or  tfjc 
**  ffWId*s  Madnefs^  difcoverin^  the  incarnate  devils  of  the  age^ 
"  quarro.  •  One  bf  thefe  devils  is,  i/ii/^  Wr/«^  or  firro^  for  an^ 
**  otbrr  mail s good  fucctjfe^  who,  fays  the  dodor,  is  afcide  luhher^  an^ 
**  looks  as  i»Ie  as  th^  vizard  of  the  Gl<ift^  which  cried  fo  rnifera^ 
*♦  hXy  at  the  theatre,  Hamlet  revenge'^    Steevens. 

fJarn^ 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK^    ^17 

Ham.  Hafte  me  to  know  it ;  that  Ij  with  wing^  as 
fwift 
5  As  meditttioD^  or  the  thoughts  erf"  lov% 
May  (weep  to  ttiy  revenge. 

Gbcft.  I  find  thee  apt; 
^  And  duller  fhould^  thou  be  than  the  fat  weed 
1  That  rots  itfelf  ^  eafe  on  Lethe's  Wharf^ 
Wojildft  thou  not  ftir  in  this.    Notv,  Hamlet,  hear ; 
•Tis  given  out,  that,  fleeping  in  my  orchard, 
A  ferpcnt  ftung  the ;  fd  the  whole  ear  6f  Denmarl^ 
Is  by  a  forged  procefs  of  my  death 
Rankly  abus'd  :  but  know,  thou  nbbk  youth^ 
The  ferpent,  that  did  fling  thy  father's  )ife^ 
Now  wears  his  crown. 

'  As  meMtadon  &r  Ae  the$igt$s  ^kvi^]  *  Thh  finifitade  U'  ex» 
'  tretnely  beautiful.  The  word  meditaticn  it  confecrated,  by  the 
mufiics^  to  .fignify  that  ftretch  apd  flbht  of  tnirul  which  afpires  to 
the  enjoyment  of  the  fupreme  goocL  So  that  Hamlet,  confider- 
log  with  what  to  compare  the  fwiftnefi  of  his  feveoA^t  ohoofes 
tw/o  of  the  moft  rapid  things  in  nature^  theardenfcy  of  divine  and 
human  paffion,  in  an  tnihujiqlt  ;ind  a  lovtr.    Warbv&toh. 

The  commetit  on  t^e  word  meiitatim  is  {q  ingenious,  that  I 
hopeilisjuft.    Johnson, 

•  AndimUerJbouldft  tbou  U  than  the  fat  wee^ 
fiat  roots  itfelf  in  ea/r  oa  Letbe*s  'vobatf,  Sec.}  Sbakefpestv^ 
apparently  dirough  ignorance,  makes  Roman  CathoUcks  ot  theie 
Pagan  Danes ;  and  here  gives  a  defcription  of  pur|atory ;  but  yet 
nixes  it  with  the  Pagan  table  of  lathe's  wharf.  Whether  he  did 
k  toinfinuate  to  the  zealous  Proteilants  of  his  time^  that  the  Pagim 
and  Popilh  ^mrgatory  ftood  both  upon  the  iame  footing  of  credi*^ 
bility,  or  ^^ether  it  was  by  the  fame  kind  of  licentious  inid* 
Tcrtence  that  Michael  Angelo  brought  Charon's  bark  vaxo  bit 
pidure  of  the  Lafl  judgmetit,  is  not  eafy  to  decide.  Wahbu&ton. 

'  That  rots  itfelf,  l^c,\  The  quarto  reads— .That  wtf*  iticlU 
Mr.  Pope  follows  it.    Otway. has  the  (ame  thought:  r 

^        }  like  a  coarfe  and  ufeleft  dunghill  weed 
**  Fix*d  to  one  foot,  and  r^/ juft  as  1  grow.**     , 

The  fuperiori ty  of  the  reading  of  the  folio  is  to  pifr  apparent: 
to  he  in  a  crefcent  (late  (i.  c.  to  root  itfelf)  affords  an  idea  of 
a^vity;  to  rot  better  fuits  with  the  dullnefs  and  inafiion  to 
which  the  Oh.  ft  refers.  Neverthdeis,  the  accu^dvec^  Oifi^) 
may  ieem  to  demand  the  verb  roots.    Sts£V£Ns. 

Ham. 


ii»  H    A  .M    L    E    r, 

HmB^  0«  nay  pf^betidL  ibal !  my  undk  ? 

Gboft.  Ay,  that  inceftuous,  that  aduiierace  beaft^ 
With  witdioeaft  of  his  wit^  with  traiceroaa  gtfti» 
(O  wicked  wit^  and  gifb,  that  have  the  power 
So  to  feduce  1)  won  to  bis  (hamcM  loft 
The  will  of  iny  moft  feetiMig-wcuQiss  qtitcai: 
O,  Hamlet,  what  a  faifiiig-off  wa^tberel 
From  me,  whofc  love  was  «f  that  dignky, 
Th9t  it  went  hand  in  haod^ren  vim  the  vow 
I  made  to  bar  in  maitiigei  and  «o  decline 
Upon  a  wretch,  whofe  natural  giies  weie  j^oor 
To  tbofettfoiiaet 

But  virtup,  as.ir  never  will  be  flrarU, 
Though  lewdnefs  court  it  in  a  ftap&  of  hcavoD  \ 
So  lutt,  thpugb  to  a  radiant  angd  link^d^ 
.Will  &te  itfelf  in  a  oeleftial  bed, 
And  jpw  o^i^garbage. 

But,  loftl  metninks,  I  (cent  the  nu>ming  air— «^ 
Briif  let  nne  be  :--^lee(Hng  within  mine  br^hard  \ 
My  cuftom  j^lways  of  uie  aifternoon, 
XJpon  my  fccure  hour  thy  uncle  ftolc, 
f  With  juice  of  curied  hebenon  ipanal,  . 

_  ^_  -/  ',.  ••'  '  ;  ■  '  -And 

*  -^tmtitmiebarti^'\  CrtbMtribt  garAM.  So,  in  )K«Mer  fnf 
Jtiut: 

«*  Tte  ^krck&4  wdl#  ire  Iqgh,  txA  harf  to  dimb/ 
-    •     -  '•    -\    ^'''     •      ''  BrkftTEvs. 

f  WUbjata  tfatrjUhtbcxion  im^sviai^']  The  word  here  nM 
w»  iiHHe  pnMbiy  4digned  hy^  im^tatS^^tithet  of  the  poet  or 
cronlbriber,  fi^  Aherto,  thst  is,  hei^^me ;  of  triiich  the  moft  com* 
mm  kind  (i^cfiyawmf  wgtr)  n  ceftsthly  weuxvtic^  and  paiuipi»  if 
tdiiea  fa  YcdiiSdeftble  qinntityv  might  ptore  poifoaous.  Galen 
calb  it  cold  fo  the  thiid  degree ;  by  which  in  ^li,  as  wdl  as 
Pfhm^  \it  icmk  noe  to  mead  an  al^tial  cddnefi,  but  the  pow^  it 
hat  of  benUn^ing  the  fitcuhiei.  "Piofeoridet  afcribet  tb  it  the 
nopeity  of  producior  madnefe  (pi^!i^|A^'/M^N^O.  Thefe  qua- 
iidei  have  beeti  toftfirmed  by  feveral  esf^ietated  in  modem  ob« 
imadont.  ^li  Wepfer  we  hatea  ^sod  ioDoimt  of  the  Tarious 
eiete  of  diit  root  u^  moft  of  %e  members  of  a  cciwnt  in 
Germanyt  who  ^  of  at  for  fppper  t>y  imfiake,  mizcd  with  fuc* 

'  >  poryi 


PRINCE  OP  DENMARK.    %^ 

And  in  the  porches  of  nunc  ears  did  pour 
The  leperoos.diftilroenc ;  whofe  effea 
Holds  fuch  tn  emmty  with  blood  of  mim, 
That^  fwift  13  qutck-filrar,  it  courfes  through 
l%e  natural  sates  and  alleys  of  the  body  i 
And,  iR^  a  hidden  vigour,  it  doth  poflct 
And  cord,  hke  eaaer  droppings  into  milk^ 
The  tlun  and  whdefome  blood :  fb  did  it  miDe  § 
And  1  moft  iottant  tetter  bark'd  about, 
Jbf  oft  lazar-likc,  with  vile  and  ioathlbme  crui^  . 
AU  my  imooth  body. 
Thus  was  1,  deeping,  by  a  brdther^s  hand. 
Of  life,  of  crown,  dF  queen,  >  at  once  difpatch'd: 
«  Cot  off  even  in  the  bloflbms  of  my  fin^ 
I  UiUioufeird  4  difiippoiBtrd,  s  unaneal'd  f 

^ory ;— lieat  in  the  tbioat,  siddincfi,  dinmeilof  fi|K  aad  deli* 
tiina*    Ciqa*JfU0tu.  e.  I&    OiuiY* 
Sa  ia  Dnjuuf*  Marm/  War^  P»  f  <• 

f  *  Tiie  poisoning  beniwu^  and  the  munAnkt  iniJ^ 
Again*  in  the  Philpfi^phei't  4th  Satiie  of  Miurs,  by  Robert  AnioB, 

'  «'  The  poUbA*d/fAifa«r  whofe  coUJiicedMiUIL'' 
^^gsdn,in  Qlapchoroe^s  HMuubr^  1640: 

**  —chefe  toe  lean 
5'  Such  at  ififtiU  from  Adie«#  fiiU  of  prnfiNv** 
Agttn,  in  the  NM  SMter,  1634 : 

^  **  HeiAam  and  WW*  sod  that  magicil  weed.  Sec** 
In  Uefojooi^i  Jtw  tf  Maum^  1633,  tbe  wocd  ia  wntten  in  a 
^jficfcnt  ipanner,    '  ... 

*^  — -^hp  blood  of  Hy4n^  Leiiia*a  bane, 
^  The  fact  of  Hebmh  and  Cocytw^btttadH*  Sramvairt. 
?    1.    ,  </iwqr  difpatch'd;]  Dt/frntcVdySatien^   WAaBoaTOir. 
a  Cmi  ^tvaiu  thi  ikfi^s  ^'mifjbh  ^^}    The  irery  words  of 
this  part  of  the  fncecb  are  takltn  (as  1  have  be^  informed  by  m 
yntlBman  of  ufidoubced  ypfwdty)  from  an  old  X^f"^  tfSmmU^ 
irhere  a  man,  who  vat  accidentally  dvownedl  is  iattoduced  at 
maldnff  the  fim  complaint*    STaavaNt« 
'  VUm^rd^'\  Wiuiout  the  iacrameni  beaaf  tat«i»  PdPE« 

^  VmmomtidA  Without  extreme  undioo^    t^^rs*  . 
3  UmmifJi)  No  kndl  nmg^    Pof  a,   ,  -[  , 
In  odier  editions, 
Uititiapsltdf  MuiM^iMttif,  WMU^udtdi, 
The  ghoft,  ha?i^  recounted  the  pioceQ  ^  bis  murderi  proceeds 

to 


210  HAMLET, 

N6  reckoning  made,  but  fcnt  to  mjr  account 
With  all  my  impcrfcftions  on  my  head : 

Of 

Id  exaggerate  the  inhumanity  and  unnaturalnefi  of  the  &d»  from 
the  circum (lances  in  which  he  was  furprized*  But  thefe,  I  £nd^ 
have  been  ftumbling  blocks  to  our  editors ;  and  therefore  I  muil 
fiinend  and  explain  thefe  three  oompoUbd  ad^eflives  in  their  order. 
Inftead  of  unbouxzeFd^  we  mud  reHore,  vnbonfitd^  u  e*  viUJjout  the 
Jacrament  taken ;  from  the  old  Saxoa  word  for  the  facrameut,  boufih 
In  the  next  place>  unanaiftfedh  a  fophifli  cation  of  the  text :  the  old 
copies  concur  in  reading,  Sfappnnted.    I  cdrre^ 

Unhovjetel^  unappoimed, '  , 

i.  e*  no  conreffion  of  tins  rttade,  no  roconciliation  to  beajren^  no 
ap[)0jntment  o(  penance  by  the  church.  UnaneaPd  I  agree  to  be 
the  pd^t*s  genuine  v^ord ;  but  I  muft  take  the  liberty  to  diipute 
Mr.  Pope^s  expHcatioli  of  it,  -was.  no  knell  rung.  The  adje^ve 
ibrmed  from  ineltst  muft  have  been  wtkaeWd^  qc  mMTd,  There  b 
SM>  rule  in  orthography  for  (inking  the  k  iii  the  defle£kion  of  any. 
verb"  or  compound  formed  from  knell^  and  meltii)^  it  into  a  roweU 
Wh^t  fenfe  doe^  unaned^d  then  bear?  Skinner,  in  his  Lexicon  of 
old  ami  obfolcte  £ngli(h  terMs,  tells  us,  that  ane^dxz  umBus;  from . 
the  Teutonic  prepo(ition  an^  aad  #ilr,  i.  e.  eih  9>  that  uaaite^d 
muft  confequently  fignify,  unmrnnted^  not  having  the  extreme  unc» 
mn.  The  poefc^e  reding  and  explication  being  ascertained,  be 
vfix^  finely  makes  hh  ^.^fi  complain  of  thefe  four  dreadful  hard- 
fhips  :'  t^at  ^he  had  been  difpatched  out  of  life  without  receiving 
the  hofte^  or  facrament;  without  being  r«CMv«/*4^  19  heaven  and 
nyhlvd;  withbut  tte  benefit  ef  eeptreme  wiBi9n\  or  without  fo 
much  as  a  chnf^Jten  made  of  hisiios.  The  having  no  hull  rung, 
I  think,  i^  not  a  point  of  equal  oonfoqtience  to  any  of  the(e;  efpe*' 
cialJy,  if  tve  ton4i^er,  ihjw  the  Romihr  church  adniics  the  efficacy 
«t  ^w'jj^  for  the  v<W.    Theobald. 

1  hfs  is  a  x^ry  ^(Bo^lt  line.  I  think  Theobald*s  objc(^n  to 
the  feufc  t^ unancHtd^  for  itettfiediy  the  heU^  oiuft  be  owned  to  be. 
very  Ih-ottg.  Liiavc  tyot  yet  by  my  enquiry  fiuisfied  myfclf. 
Hanmer's  expllcatiort  of  uHMeatd  by  mprfpard^  becaufe  to  anneal 
metalr,  is  to  frtpare  ihem  in  manaht^ure,  is  too  general  and  vague  j 
there  is  no  reiemblance  between  any  funeral  cerismony  and  the 
pra^ice  of  <i;m/*ir//;i5^  mcratSr 

I>ifappointed  is  the  fame  as  vnaffointedj  and  may  be  properly 
explained  unprepared 'y  a  mim  well -tumilhod  with  things  neveilkry 
§0T  an^  enterpmc,  was  faid  to  be  well  appointed,    Jounsox.  . 

Dr.  Johufoa's  explnnatidn  of  ihe  word  dijappointed  may  be  coun- 
tenanced by  the  advice  which  Ifabella  gives,  to  her  brother  in 
fileafure  for  Meafure. 

**  Therefore  your  bcft  appointment  make  with  (peed.'* 

The 


P  R  I  N  C  E  OF  D  E  N  M  A  R  K.     221 

*  O,  horrible !  O,  horrible  !  moft  horrible ! 
If  thou  haft  nature  in  thee,  bear  it  not} 

Let 

The  hope  of  gaining  a  worthlefs  alliteration  is  all  that  can  tempt 
an  editor  to  prefer  unappointedot  untmointed  to  dijhptointcd.  Ml lton 
has  the  foHowine  lines,  confining  of  three  words  each,  in  whicH 
this  childifli  prarace  is  Conftamly  obiervecL 

J^nreJ^Hd^  wr^piHid^  VStffffrimf^d.     I^r.  lA>ft»  B«  3» 

— — muftrw*^*  ^ 

'S^njbaken^  ^nfeduc^d^  ymurriJUd,    B,  5. 

Vnbwnhied^  xxnrebentattt,  \xnrffarm^d.    Par*  Reg.  B*  J« 
Again,  in  Daniel's  OfmWors^  &c.    B»  a. 

•*  (^courted,  wrrefpedcd,  wabbcy'd,'' 
Again,  in  Spenfet^s  Baay  j^WKw,.  B.  2*  C.  la 

*•  C//rpeopled,  fwrmanur'dy  awprov^d,  iwrprais'd.'* 
In  the  Texhis  l^^Jfenfo  we  meet  with-  two  of  thefc  words-^ 
'*  The  monks  ofimng  themfdves  to  perfonaaU  prieftly  £ttn^oo« 
of  bsufilhg  and  avtyiU^'!^ .  Jkue^-nf^  I  believo,  is  milpcimod  for 
imeyling.     Steevens.^  .' 

Sec  Mort  d*  Artki^^  p.  iiiv  c.  1 7  J.  **  8a  when  he  wa*  hxai/ikd 
and  anekd^  and    had  all  that  a  Chriflian  luan  ought  .to^ase^. 

tc^r     TtRWHttr.  J        .        i     ;     .  ,       ^  \ 

TheTubfequeot  estfai^  from  a  very  fcarco  and  curions  cop^  of 
Fabian's  Chronieie^  prmtsd  by  Pynibo,  1516,  ^mSjCgt  remove 
eveiy  poflK)iHty  of  ooubi  concerning  tbe^ue  ikrnificatioa  of  the 
words  unhau/el^d  and  unawtid.  Tlie  hi^riao,  ^miking  of  P<^ 
lonocent^s  having  laid  the  whole  kiagdoin  of  ivn^labd  under  an 
interdid,  has  thde  words  t  ^^  Of  the  numer  of  this  interdiccion  of 
this  lande  have  I  ibtii  dy verfe  of^ayonsr-as  fome  ther  be  that  faye 
that  the  lande  was  emerdyted  thorowly .  and  the-;churchis  and 
hour's  of  tielygyon  doiyd,  that  no  where  was  ufed  made,  nor 
dyvyne  (ervyice,  -by  wbidie  cttitbn  none  of  the  VII  lacramentis  vM 
this  terme  ihould  be  mynylhed.Dr  ^occupyed,  nc»r  chyldrrj^/zr//, 
DOT  man  tctffvfid  n^v  manyed^  but  it  was  not  ib  ilrayght.  For 
there  were  dyveife  placyt  tn  £nglond^  whichjs.were  occupyed.  wi(h 
dyvyne  fervyce  all  that  ieaibn  by  lycence  purchaied  than  oj;  befoijKC* 
alfo  chyldrcn  were'  cryften^d  thorou^e  aU  the  lande  and  nKU 
JjQufilyd  9iti^  aneyd!^ .   FoLi4«  6eptima  Parsjohaunis. 

The  AngIo*^zpn  noun-tfubtlamives  l^Jel  (the.  cucbar;fl)  a\jJ  . 
4U  (oil)    are   plainly  the  roots  of  tliefe  l^fl-quot^d.  oo(i>paMl^d 
.•■.■.-...  adjcdivts 

'■■'■■       I      !■  m'.i       '1    I'r  I'      i I       II >  111  I 

.*  O,  horrthiel  O,  horrible !  mAft  bdrrible  f]  It  wa»  iagenioiitijf 
hinted  ^o  me  by  a  vcfry learned  lady,  that  this  linefteros  to  bekxig 
to  Hamlet,  in  whofc  mduth  ft  v^  a  pi^oper  and  natural' exdamat 
tion;  and  who,  according  to  the  ptuctice  of  the  ihi«;e,  may  be  iup* 
po^  to  interrupt  fo  long  a  ipecc  U,    J  g  h  :**  $  o  -s . 


%1L2  «    A    ^1    L    E    ti 

Let  not  the  roval  bed  of  Denmark  bi 
1  A  couch  for  luxury  and  damned  inceft. 
Boty  howfoever  thou  purfu'ft  this  aft. 
Taint  not  thy  mind,  nor  let  thy  foul  contrir 
Againft  thy  mother  aught ;  leave  her  to  he  a  n. 
And  to  tbofe  thorns  that  in  her  bbfom  lodge. 
To  prick  and  fting  her.    Fare  thee  well  at  ooce ! 
The  glow-worm  Ihews  the  matin  to  be  near, 
And  ^ns  to  pale  his  uneficftual  fire  *: 

adjeAiTe&— For  the  mtfmbg  of  the  afc  4!«  io<tlie  taft,  I  <)Mte 
SpdoMm^s  GlolC  in  Loco.  ^  OgMietclidiooUKis  (an)  tuiiQD?itur, 
fiquidem  yd  nugork  .nitmiUmis  gnukt  ik1  ad  Jtmlan  4i/lpu4^  ni 
makum  demonfbaDchitiu*  Hence  anei^  (hould  feem  to  fi/^dify  •iU^ 
ot  MMmMMf  by  way  of  eminenoe»  /.  e,  having  recdved  extteme 
iindioa.  For  ^heconfimiatioD  of  the  fenfe  ffwen.  here  there  u  the 
ftfOBgeft  hmoffi  eiUcfaoe  in  the  pafiffc*  The  hiflonan  it 
fiieakin^  of  the  VII  facraments,  and  he  eamiefiiy  namca  five  of 
Uiem,  VIZ.  hapdfm,  marriagei  auricular  conleffion,  die  eucharifti 
nadeKtreme  undion. 

The  antiquary  is  defired  to  coofuk  the  edition  of  FabiaB« 
printed  bjrPynfon»  15  i6y  bectaie  there  are  othoni  and  I  remember 
to  have  ieen  one  in  the  fiodkian  Libnry  at  Oxioid»  with  a  coo* 
tinuation  to  die  end  of  Q^jeeaMaiyiJLondoDi  ij^jh  ia  which  the 
language  t^  much,  modernized. 

Siwcaftk  tfcM  fyie.  J.  B. 

This  ooteia^taken  from  the  iSi.  yam/j  Cirmde.    Steevems. 

^  A  cmtch  fir  hamy*       J  i«  e.  fcf  X—ifcyg.    So^  in  J&  Lmt.* 

A^un,  in  fii  JtUvai^s  tragt^f^  2607,  where  the  old  duke^ 
who  u  remarkable  for  his  iaoontinenoe»is  rneated^  called 
-«— -a  parched  andjuiceUa  btxmr.    SrEsvEtrs* 
^  mmmm^fSnd  Jiru\  i.  e.  fliiniiu|  without  heat.  WaUUETOV. 
To^«fria,a.verbuted  by  Lady  fototrtt  QiisiWi  in  her  yf>y^ 

^  —  Deadi  can>fl2r  as  well 
<*  Acfa^  of  ao&s  as  a  cheek lefs  briahtJ* 
Again,  in  Urrv*s  Chaucer,  >  368 :   ''  The  VasmfAA  her  white 
^eres  bf  the  nunbes  of  the  ibnne,  ^c** , 

IhtgiSnalfirt^  I  bdievei  rather  means,  fire  that  is  no  longer 
ften  irtien  the  light  of  OMoming  approM^ies.  ^  in  Feridn 
Frm*fffyri,i6Qg: 

*'  ■—— likeE^i0W4i«fai^«— i» 
^^The  which  hathfii:e  in  darkne&i  none  m  light.** 

STSSTENf. 

Adieu^ 


AdkUf  $dkiax  adieu  1  ^  remeffber  me.  ££j«^4 

i2Mi.0^youhoftqf  heaven!  O  ^mh\   Wbac 

elfe? 
And  IbaU  I  couple  hili  l—Q  fie  !---Hold>  hQJd»  mr 

hcartj  , 

And  you»  my  fioews»|^w  not  )nftant<4d» 
But  bear  me  ftiffly  up  i-^^iB^ipeQii;^ 
Ay,  Aau  DOor  ghoft,  wbik^^neiBory  bfl^ 
In  this  diftraded  globe.    ^  Remembor  !tbee  i 
Yea^  from  the  table  of  oty  vAemory 
111  wipe  away  all  ti^vial  food  i^oi^s^ 
AH  faws  of  books,  aU  forms,  all  preiTures  paft^ 
That  youth  and  obfenration  copi^  there } 
And  thy  commandment  aU  alone  Ihall  live 
Within  the  book  and  volume  of  my  brain, 
Unnm^d  with  baier  matter :  yes,  bf  heaven; 
O  moft  pernidous  woman ! 
O  villain^  villain,  fmiKng,  damned  villain !' 
My  tablesjf-^meet  iris>  I  fist  it  dewn  % 

*  A^^;aMeu^4uUi9!  &c*3  '  ThefelioiesA: 

AiSco»  iklieu»  iiiudtt t  remctnbfi'  inc»   Srttrtyi^  * 

*  -—this  ^firaBed  jjidht^l  u  c  in  t)ui  b»d  ccmflifisl  widl 
tibot^ht.    Steetens. 

»  3$  tables,-*HM0ff  it  it  Tfet  ndown^']  This  Is  >  rUSetde  bf  Ae 
prafficeoftketime.  tiiUfiiyi;  m.hisclmmderafthe.^ij0«cri>^ 
**  HewiUererfitwheivhemtjrbe'icenebeft^  andmihe  oudft  (^ 
^  thejsrnxm  polks  out  hts  titles  in  haite,  as  if  1^  fieared  td  Idofe 
•*  diat  note,  Sec.**    Farmer.  ? 

Sa  in  die  indudion  t6  WeMei^s  Makton^,  ifiof  r   <«  IibH 
you  I  Ml  one  that  hath  feen  this  play  often,  auk  ca^r-jpte  than 
laidBgence feithdr aftkin :  ^hare  moft  6f ^e  jdb^6f  St hete  ia 
my  Mit'htL'* .  AgdnfinLa^s&Kr^^ibij^'     ^"^ 
**  You  are  one  kyves  oDUftSiip : ' 
^  Hehadibmechao^ofwords;  Awere^'bfthibour 
**  Tb SM your  tabkboohr 

**  Balurdo 'draws  out  his  writir^taiks  and^wiitei.^- 
«*  Rttm  and  §htw^  good  ^vords*  very  good  words,* 
Again,  in  Every  Wimam  in  ber  Hmunfry  1609  : 

<^  Let  jpoor  taiks  be&iend  yomr  memoiy  j  write  &c* 

Steeviits, 

That 


ti4         hamlet;- 

That  one  may  fmUe,  and  fmile,  and  be  a  vtllaio ; 
At  leaft,  I  anviurc,  it  may  be  fo  in  Denmark :  [ff^Sitig.^ 
So,  uncle,  there  you  are.    '  Now  to  my  word  j 
It  is,  Jdieu^  adieu  i  rememiir  mi. 
I  have  fworn  it. 

Hor.  My  lord,  my  lord,——  TfFitiin. 

Mar.  Lord  Hamlet, {IVithin. 

Hot.  Heaven  fecure  him  \  {H^itbin., 

Ham.  So  be  it! 

Mar.  Illo,  ho,  ho,  my  lord !  [WUhiik 

Ham.  HiUo^  ho,  ho,  boy !  4  ccmie,  bird^  come* 

Enter  Horatio^  and  MarceUus. 

Mar.  How  is't,  my  noble  lord  ? 

Hor.  What  news,  my  lord  ? 

Ham,  O,  wonderful  f 

Hor.  Good  my  lord,  tell  it. 

Ham.  No  ;  you  will  reveal  it. 

Hor.  Not  I,  my  lord,  by  heaven. 

Mar.  Nor  I,  my  lord« 

JFforn.  How  fay  you  then;  would  heart  of  maa 

once  think  it  ? 

But  youll  be  fecrct, — 

Both.  Ay,  by  heaven,  my  lord. 

Ham*  There's  ne'er  a  villain,  dwelling  in  all  Den* 
mark. 
But  he's  an  arrant  knave* 

i  —  ii#w/^mv«iwr//;]  Hamlet  alludes  to  the  cjtw«f^-<W!9r^eivea 
every  day  in  mitittuy  fervket  whidi  at  this  time  he  fiijt  if,  AMeu^ 
Adieu^  remember  me.  So,  in  Tfje  Devifs  Cbsaitr^  a  tragedy,  1607  : 
♦*  Now  to  my  ^iv^uh-^uoord^^^^^    SrEEVEif  6. 

*  —  come^  bird^  come.]  This  is  the  call  which  falooners  ufe  to 
their  hawk  in  the  air  when  they  would  have  him  come  do\ini  to 
them.     Hanmek. 

This  eiqireffion  it  ufed  in  Marfi0tfs  DtOcb  C&urt^^  and  bjr 
many  others  among  the  old  dramadc  \^rit€r»^ 

It  appears  from  all  thefe  paflages,  that  it  was  the  fakoner^a 
«all,  as  A»s/»rr  ha» obfenred.    Sieeveks. 


,     PRII^CE  OP   DENMARK.    22^ 

Hot.  5  There  needs  no  ghoft,  my  lord^  come  from 
the  grave. 
To  tell  us  this.  '  ^ 

Ham.  Why,  right ;  ypu  are  in  the  right  j 
And  fo,  without  more  arcumftance  at  all, 
I  hpld  k  fit,  tha(  we  fhake  hands,  and  part : 
You,  as  your  bufincfs,  and  dcfire,  ftiall  point  you  •,— • 
For  every  man  hath  bufinefs,  and  defire. 
Such  as  it  is, — and,  for,  my  own  pdor  jiart. 
Look  you,  I,  will  go  pray. 

Hot*  Thefe  are  but  wild  and  whirling  words,  rty  lord# 
.    tiitm.  I  am  forry  they  offend  you,  4H:artily  j 
Yes  'faith,  heartily. 

Hor.  There^s,  no  offence,  my  lord* 
iHam.;  Ye^,^  by  fairtt  Patrick,  but  there  h^  Hofatio,' 
And  much  offence  too.     Touching  this  vifion  hcre,-*^ 
It  is  an  honcft  ghoft,  that  kt  mc  tell  you : . 
Fpr  your  defire  to  know  what  is  between  us. 
O'er- matter  it  ias  you  may*    Add  now,  go(5d  friends  jj 
As  you  arfe  friends^  fcholar^,  and  fbldiers^ 
Giye  n^  bne  poor  requett.  \ 

Jfer.  What  is't,  my  lord  ?  we  will. 

Ham.  Never  make  known  what  ydu  have  few  to^ 
hight.    ;        '  ,;     ' 

Bdih.  Sfylord,  we  will  not* 

Ham.  Nay,  but  fwear  it.  . 

Hir.  In  faith,  my  lord,  ncft  U'  '      " 

Man  Nor  I,  mjr  lord,  in  faith. 

*  Tbtnmds  Mo  ^*^,,  &^.]  This  pVece  of  tumour  is  repeated 
by  our  author  \tt  ThfMty  ice.    A£i  5:  Sc.  2.  '  Stee  VENa* 

*  -^hfSt.  Phtridr,-i-]  'How  the  poet  comes  to  make  Hamlet 
fwear  by  St.  Patrick,  I  fctjovir  not^  However,  at  this  tiinc  all  the 
Whole  northern  world  had  their  learning  from  Ireland;  to  which 
place  it  had  retired,  and  there  flourifhed  under  th^  aurglcc*  of  this 
Saiot»  But  it  wiw,  I  fuppoft*,  only  faid  at  random  ;  lor  he  maket 
Hamlet  a  ftudent  of  Wittenberg.     Wateurtoj:. 

Dean  Swift's  •^Vferfca  on  the  fuddeh  orying-itp  of  St,,  Patrick's 
**  Wdi,  1726,**  contain  many  learned  allufions  to  the  early  cul« 
liTatloti  bf  literature  in  Ireland.    Nicaots, 

•    Vol*  X,  O  Ham. 


Ham.  Upon  my  fword* 

*  Mar.  We  have  fwOrn,  tny  lord,  already. 
Ham.  Indeed,  upon  my  fword,  indeed. 
Gboft.  [beneatb]  Swear*     ^ 

Ham.  Ha,  ha,  boy !  fay'ft  thou  fo  ?  art  thou  there^ 
true-penny  7  > 
^ome  on,— you  hear  this  fellow  in  the  cellaridgei—*^ 
Confent  to  Iwcar, 

Har.  Propofc  the  oath,  my  lord. 

Ham.  Never  to  fpeak  of  this  that  you  have  feen, 

•  Swear  by  my  fword* 

Gboft. 

i  ^^  true-petmy.}    This  word,  as  well  as  (bme  of  HamletTt 
former  exclamations,  we  find  in  the  MslecotOM^  1604 : 

**  Itto,  ho,  ho,  ho ;  art  thereold  Tme-femtyf*    Stssvsns. 
'  Swear  hf  m  fa)9rd.]   Here  the  poet  has pr^rved  the  manncts 
bf  the  ancient  Danes,  with  whom  it  was  religioM  to  fwear  udoq  didr 
fwords.    See  Bmrtb^Uttus^  De  caufis  cokWi^.  mart,  t^md  Dmu 

WaibijItok* 
I  was  once  inclinable  to  this  opinion,  which  is  fikewife  well  de* 
fended  by  Mr.  Upton ;  but  Mr*  Oanick  produced  me  a  paffiige,  I 
think,  in  Brdtu$me^  fix>m  which  it  appeared,  that  it  was  common  to 
fwear  upon  the  fword,  that  is,  upon  the  cro&  which  the  old  fwords 
always  had  upon  the  hilt.    Johkson* 

Shakefpeare,  it  is  more  than  probable,  knew  nothiog  of  the  an* 
cldnt  Danes,  or  thehr  manners.    Every  eztrad  from  Dr.  Farmci^s 
pamphlet  muft  prove  as  inftrudive  to  the  reader  as  the  foUowiag: 
**  In  the  Pahts  Primus  of  Pierce  Plawnum^ 
^*  David  m  his  daies  dubbed  knightes, 
*<  And  did  themytwr'/M^y«wr^  to  ferve  truth  ever.** 
^  And  in  Uiercttj^mo^  the  common  butt  of  our  author,  aad  the 
«•  wits  of  the  time,  fays  Lorenzo  to  Pedringano :-— - 
^  Swear  on  this  crtfsy  that  what  thou  Uy'ft  is  tnic^ 
**  But  if  I  prove  thee  perjur'd  and  unjuft, 
"  This  vtryfijoordy  whereon  thou  took*ft  thine  oath, 
«'  Shall  be  a  worker  of  thy  trapdy." 
To  the  authorities  produced  by  Dr.  Farmer,  the  foUowing  may 
be  added  from  HoUfJbeii^  p.  664 :    *^  Warwick  kifTed  the  crofs  of 
**  K.  Edward's  fword,  at  it  were  a  vow  to  his  promife.* 

Again»  p.  1038.  it  is  iaid,  *•*  that  Warwick  drew  out  his  (word, 
**  which  other  of  the  honourable  and  worihipful  that  were  then 
**  prefent  likewife  did,  whom  he  commanded,  that  each  one  fhouU 
"^^  kifs  other's  fword,  according  to  an  ancient  cufiom  amongft  wta 

i<  of 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.     227 

Gbofi*  {beneath']  Swear. 

Ham.  Hie  &  ubique  ?  then  we'll  (hift  our  ground  :— 
Come  hither,  gentlemen. 
And  lay  your  hands  again  upon  my  fword : 
Swear  by  my  fword. 
Never  to  fpeak  of  this  that  you  have  heard. 

Qbaft.  [beneath^ :  Swear  by  his  fword. 

Ham.  Well  faid,  old  mole !  can'ft  work  i'che  eanh 
fofaft? 
A  worthy  pioneer ! — Once  more  remove,  good  friends. 

Hot.  O  day  and   night,   but  this  is  wondrous 
ilrange  I 

Ham*  9  And  therefore  as  a  ftranger  give  it  welcome. 
There  are  nfK>re  things  in  heaven  and  earth,  Horatio, 
Than  arc  dreamt  of  in  your  philofophy. 
But  come ; — 

Here,  as  before,  never,  fo  help  you  mercy ! 
How  (Irange  or  odd  foe'er  I  bear  myfclf,— 
As  I,  perchance,  hereafter  (hall  think  meet 
To  put  an  antick  difpofition  on,-— 
That  you,  at  fuch  times  feeing  me,  never  fhall, 

•*  of  war  in  time  of  great  danger ;   and  herewith  they  made  a 
"  folemn  vow,**  &c.    Again,  in  Green's  Tu  quoque: 

**  By  the  crofs  of  thefe  hikes/* 
Again,  in  Decker's  comedy  of  Old  Fartttnatusy  i6oq: 

**  He  has  fworn  to  me  on  the  crofs  q\  his  pure  Toledo." 
Again,  in  the  Second  Part  of  Tfje  DownfaU  oj  Rohnrt  Earl  (f 
WmiingtoMy  i6oi : 

*♦  —  by  the  crofs  of  my  good  blade, 
**  An  excellent  mother  to  bring  up  a  maid.** 
Again,  in  Becker^ s  Satirom^tftix :    **  By  the  crofs  of  this  fword  and 
dagger,  captain,  you  (hall  take  it.** 

In  the  (oliloquy  of  Roland  addrefled  to  his  fword,  the  crofs  on 
it  is  not  forgotten  :  **  — -  capulo  eburneo  candidiffime,  cruce  aurea 
fplendidilfime,  ^c." 

Turpini  Hifi,  de  Geflis  Caroli  Mag.  cap.  aa. 

Steevens. 
•  And  therrfore  as  a  firanger  ginn  it  welcome.']  i.  e.  receive  it  ro 

Jourfelt;  take  it  under  your  own  roof;  as  much  as  to  <ay,  Ke.-fi  it 
crtu    Alluding  to  the  laws  ot  hol'pitality.     Warburton, 

Vol.  X.  Q^a  (Witl» 


228-  HAMLET, 

(With  arms  encumbered  thus;  orthishead-fliake; 

Or  by  pronouncing  of  fome  doubtful  phrafe. 

As,  JVell^  welU  we  know ;— or,  We  could,  an  if  we 

would 'i—ou  If  we  lift  to  ffeak\ — or,  ^bere  be,  an  if 

tbey  might ; — 

Or  fuch  ambiguous  giving  out)  denote  « 

That  you  know  aughc  of  me :  *  This  do  ye  fwcar. 

So  grace  and  mercy  at  your  nooft  need  help  you  1 

Swear. 

Gbofi.  [^beneath]  Swear. 

Ham*  Reft,  reft,  perturbed  fpirit ! — So,  gentlemen. 
With  all  my  love  I  do  commend  me  to  you : 
And  what  fo  poor  a  man  as  Hamlet  is 
May  do,  to  exprefs  his  love  and  friending  to  yoti, 
God  willing,  {hall  not  lack.     Let  us  go  in  together^ 
And  ftill  your  fingers  on  your  lips,  I  pray. 
The  time  iis.out  of  joint  ;~0  curfcd  Ipight ! 
That  ever  I  was  born  to  fet  it  right  !— 
Nay,  come,  let's  go  together.  [^Exeunt. 

»  *—  denote,']  The  old  copies  concur  in  reading  to  note.  The 
alterauon,  which  fecms  ncccflary,  is  Theobald's.    Steevens. 

If  we  read  "  Nor  by  pronouncing,"  the  paflagp  as  it  fland«  in 
the  folio,  though  embarrafled,  is  itill  intelligible,  provided  the 
punctuation  be  changed. 

That  you,  at  fuch  time  feeing  me,  never  (hall 
With  arms  encumber'd  thus»  or  thus,  head  (hake; 
Nor  by  pronouncing  of  fome  doubtful  phrafe, 
As,  welly  *ur  knozv,  or,  ^ar  couU  and  ifive  'uoould^ 
Or,  ifijoe  lift  to  /}>eakei  or,  tijere  be  and  if  there  might. 
Or  fuch  ambiguous  giving  out,  to  note 
That  you  know  aught  of  me ;  this  not  to  do 
(So  grace  and  mercy  at  your  mofl  need  help  you !) 
Swear.  Malone. 

•  —  this  dojcu  j\\3car^  fiic]     The  folio  reads,  thh  not  to  do. 

Steevens* 


AGf 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK,    22^ 

CkC  T    II,       SCENE    L 

Jn  apartment  in  ^olonius^  boufe^ 
Enter  Polonius^  and  Rsynaldo '. 

PoL  pive    him    this    money,   an4  thcfp  notes, 
Rcynaldq. 

Rey.  I  wiy,  my  lord. 

Pol.  You  fhall  do  marvellous  wifely,  good  ]^eynaldo^ 
Before  you  vifit  him,  to  make  enquiry 
Of  his  behaviour. . 

Rey.  My  lorcJ,  I  did  intend  It. 

PoL  Marry,  well  faid ;  very  well  faid.  Look  you,  fir, 
BitHjuire  me  firft  what  Danlkers  4  arc  iq  Paris ; 
And  how,  and  who,  wha;  m^n$,  and  wi^^re  they  keep. 
What  company,  at  what  expence ;  and  finding. 
By  this  enconipa0ment  and  drift  of  queftion. 
That  they  do  know  my  fon,  come  you  more  nearer ; 
Then  your  particular  demands  will  touch  it : 
Take  you,  as  'twere,  fome  diftant  knowledge  of  him  j 
As  thus, — 1  know  kis  fatker.^  and  bis  friends^ 
jindy  in  party  &»,— Do  you  mark  this,  Reynaldo? 

Rey.  Ay,  very  well^  my  lofd. 

Pol.  Andy  in  party  him  i — buty  you  may   fay, — not 
well:  / 
Buty  ifU  be  be  I  mean,  be*s  very  wild% 
jiddi^ed  fo  andfo  j — and  there  put  on  him 
What  forgeries  you  pleafe ;  marry,  none  fo  rank 
As  n)ay  difhonour  him ;  take  heed  of  that ; 
^ut,  fir,  fuch  wanton,  wild,  and  ufual  (lips. 
As  are  companions  noted  and  moll  knowa 
To  youth  and  liberty. 

Rey.  As  gaming,  my  lord,    • 

^  The  quartos  read,  Enter  old  Polomus  Kviti  his  man  or  t-^yd. 

Steeven^ 
^  Banjker{\     Danfie  (in  Warncr*$  Albions  England)  is  the 
iBcieot  xume  of  Denmark.  <  Steevens. 

0.3  N 


^30  HAMLET, 

PoL  Ay,  or  5  drinking,  fencing,  fwearing, 
Quairrelling,  drabbing : — 'You  may  go  iif>  w* 

Rey.  My  lord,  that  would  dilhonour  him.        -> 

FoL  Taith,  no ;  as  you  may  feafon  it  in  the  chai|;e« 
You  muft  not  put  ^  another  fcandal  on  htm. 
That  he  is  open  to  tocontinency; 
That's  not  my  meaning:  but  breathe  his  faultt  io 
r  quaintly, 

That  they  may  feem  the  taints  of  Hberty  1 
The  flalh  and  out-break  of  a  fiery  mindj 
^  A  favagenefs  in  unreclaimed  blood, 
5  Of  general  aflault. 

Rey.  But,  my  good  lord^ 

FoL  Wherefore  ihould  you  do  this  ? 

i6fy.  Ay,  my  kwd, 
I.would  know  that. 

PoU  Marry,  fir,  here^s  my  drift ; 
And,  I  believe,  it  is  a  fetch  of  warrant': 
You  laying  thefe  flight  fullies  on  my  fon. 
As  'twere  a  thing  a  little  foil'd  i*  the  working, 
Mark  you.  Your  party  in  converfe,  him  you  wou]4 

found. 
Having  ever  feen,  in  the  prenominate  crimes  »» 
The  youth,  you  breathe  of,  guilty,  be  aflur'd. 
He  clofes  with  you  in  this  confequence^ 

5  — drinking^  [fincif^y"]  foxaring^l  Fencings  $Xi  interpola- 
tion.    WaIiburton* 

How  fencing  can  be  an  interpolation,  I  knosfr  not*  I  find  it  in 
all  the  old  copies.    Steevens 

I  fOppofc,  hy  fencing  is  meant  a  too  diligent  ftequentadon 
of  the  tencing-fchool,  a  refort  of  violent  apd  lawleis  young 
men.    JoHK80^r• 

^  —  amother^  Thus  the  old  editions,  Theobald  reads,  m 
.  vtter.    Johnson, 

^  ^favagenefs— ]     Savagenefs^  fox  vjtldnefs.    Wahbui^ton. 

•  Of  general  ajfauk^  i.  e.  fuch  as  youth  in  general  is  liable 
to.    Warburton. 

•  And^  I  believe^  it  is  afktch  of  warrant :]  So  the  foHo,  The 
quarto  reads*  —  a  fetch  of  w/>.    Steevens, 

»  --^fremmuHou  aimes.]  i.  e,  crimes  already  named. 

SXEBVENf. 


PRINCE  OP  DENMARK.    231 

»  Good  fir ^  or  fo;  oxfrkniy  ox^entUman^ — 
According  to  the  pbrafe,  or  the  addition^ 
Of  man,  and  country. 

Rtf.  Very  gjood,  my  lord. 

FoU  And  then,  fir,  does  he  thi^— Hedoes-^What 
was  I     ' 
About  to  fay  ?  I  was  about  to  fay 
Sonjething :  Where  did  I  leave  ? 

Rey.  At,  dofcs  in  the  confequence, 

Tol.  At,  clofes  in  the  confequence, — Ay^  piarry  i 
He  clofes  with  you  thus  r-^  /  know  the  gentleman  j 
Jfaw  bimyejierd^j  or  f  other  dajj 
ur  then  J  or  then  I  with  fucb^  or  fucb  \  and^  ttsyoufoy^ 
fbere  was  be  gaming  •,  there  overtook  in  bis  roi^fe  % 

^  G^fir^  m'b^cr  friend^  &c.]    Wc  Ihould  ^cs^d, 
—— ^  fire, /.*•  father.    Waebprton. 

I  know  not  that  fir^  W38  ever  a  general  word  of  compliment*  as 
diftin^  from^ ;  nor  do  I  conceive  why  any  alteration  (hould  be 
made.  It  is  a  conunon  mode  of  colloquial  language  to  ufe^  tr  fi^ 
as  a  flight  intimation  of  more  of  the  (ame,  or  a  like  kind,  that 
mi^hc  be  mentipned^  We  ipiglu  fead,  but  we  need  not, 
Good^fir^  forfooth,  wfrind^  crgmakman. 

Forfiothy  a  term  of  which  I  do  not  well  know  the  original  metn<> 
ing,  was  ufed  to  men  as  well  as  to  women.    JoHNsoif . 

Good  Jop^  or  ib,  &(:•    pfr.  Johnibn  would  read— Good  fir,j&r« 
fioih^  &c. 

Forjootki  which  hat  been  fomatimes  fuppoied  to  be  a  form  of- 
addrefsy  ^»  fince  its  proppr  meting  has  oeen  forgot,  may  per- 
hajps  have  been  Ibmetimes  fo  appliea  by  vulgar  ignorant  people, 
originally  had  no  fuch  fignifica^oOf  }t  was  a  mofre  infbrcing  of 
an  aBevemtion,  Sooth  is  trvibj  and  hifootb  or  firfivth  fignify  on* 
nnally  and  properly  only  in  truth  and  for  tpttb.  In  Sh^kefpeare'a 
time  the  prooer  ieniip  was  not  left  out  of  ufe ;  and  therefore  I 
think  he  could  hardly  havp  \fSpaeA  fir/ooth  in  the  text,  as  a  form 
ofaddre&    Pe&cv, 

I  believe  we  (hould  read. 

Good  fir,  or  ^S  ^/ib,  fnen4  or  gpntktxuMi ; 
^  in  Humor's  Ordinarie,  a  collection  of  ancient  fatires,  no  date : 
"  Then  tells  hito,  brother,  friend,  oxfofirth^  heare  jpc.'* 
)b  the  Winter^ s  Tak^  the  fame  ezpreffion  occurs.    Aft  i. 

**  Sicilia  is  ttjbfirth/^ 
l^ay,  Polonius  uies  it  ag^un  9^  fittle  further  on  in  this  very  fpeedi# 

Steevbns* 
^  Wc  might  read  Ooodfir^  orjfr^  &c.    Tyrwhitt, 

CL4  Tbfre 


t^z  P    A    M    L    E    T, 

There  falling  out  at  tennis :  or^  perchance^ 

If  aw  him  enter  fucb  a  houfe  of  fale^ 

(Videlicet^  a  brothel)  or  fo  forth. — See  you  now  j 

Your  bait  of  falftiood  takes  this  carp  of  truth  4'« 

And  thus  do  we  of  wifdom  and  of  reach. 

With  windlaces,  and  with  ajQTays  of  bias^ 

By  indiredtions  find  direitions  out; 

So,  by  my  former  leCture  and  advice. 

Shall  you  my  fon :  You  have  me,  have  you  not  ^ 

R(y.  My  lord,  I  have, 

Pol  God  be  wi'you ;  fare  you  wclL 

Rey.  (Sood  my  lord, — 

PoU  Obferve  his  inclination  '  in  yourfelf, 
-^Rey.  J  (hall,  mjr  lord, 

PoL  And  let  him  ply  his  mjufick, 

Rey.  Well,  my  lord:  [£j^//* 

Enter  OfheUa^ 

PoU  Farewel. — How  now,  Ophelia  ?    what's  the 

'  matter  ?  .     .      >     •     . , 

Opb.  O,  my  lord,  my  lord,  I  have  been  fo  af- 
frighted I  •       '         '  '  X  .     .     \, 
Pah  With  what,  in  the  name  of  heaven  ? 
Oph.  My  lord,  as  I  was  fewing  in  my  clofett 
XiOrd  Hapilet,-^with  his  doublet  all  unbrac'd  \  * 
No  hat  upon  his  headf  "^  his  dockings  fouled, 

UngarterMj 

'  '-■^  h  yourft'Jf.l  Hanmer  reads,  e^en  yoqrfelf,  and  is  followed 
by  Dr.  Warbunbn;  b^t  perhaps  'i^  yqurfelf  mean?,  in  your  twni 
/^/^,  not  by  fpie».   jJoHNSON, 

Ungarier'dy  and  drjun-gprcd  to  bis  angky]  I  have  rcftored  the 
reading  of  the  elder  quartqs-^bis  Jcckiftis  look, — ^The  change,  I 
fufpedt,  was  firft  ffom  the  plavers,  who  law  a  contradi(ftion  in  hi% 
blockings  being  ioq/e^  and  yet  JkaMJ  down  at  ande*  But  they,  in 
their  ignorance,'  blundered  aWay  our  author's  word,  bccaufc  ^hcj\ 
did  not  underiiand  it :  .  ., 

Vngar/er*df  ajui  doixm-gyrcd^ 
i.  t.  turnc4.dowD,    So,  the  oldeft  copies]  an^,  fo  his  flocking^ 

.•    :: :     ..       .  .......     «H8 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK*    a^j 

Ungarter'd,  and  down-gyved  to  his  ancle  ^  ' 
Pale  as  his  ihirc ;  bis  knees  knocking  each  other) 
And  with  a  loojc  fo  piteous  in  purport. 
As  if  he  bad  been  loofed  out* of  hell. 
To  fpeak  of  horrors, — he  conies  before  me^' 
Pol  Mad  for  thy  love  ? 
Opb.  My  lord,  I  do  not  knowi 
But,  truly,  I  do  fe^t'  it;  -^ 

^Pol.  What  faid  he? 

Opb.  He  took  me  by  the  wrift,  and  held  me  hard[  | 
Then  goes  he  fo  the  length  of  all  bis  arm  i  '  ^ 

And,  with  his  other  hand  thus  o'er  his  brow, 
He  falls  to  fuch  perufal  pf  my  face,  * 

As  he  would  draw  it.     Long  ftaid  he  fo ; 
At  laft, — a  little  (baking  of  mine  arm. 
And  thrice  bis  bead  thus  waving  up  and  down,^ 

were  properly  looie^as  they  were  ungarter^d  and  rewind  dcam  to  the 
ancle.    Theobald.    • 

.    Theobald  is  unfaithful  in  his  account  of  this  elder  qnarto,    I  hajre 
all  the  quartos  and  the  foliofbefore  me,  and  they  concur  in  reaicU 

ing: 

*—  bisjlockings  fouiy# 
1  believe  gyred  to  be  nothing  more  than  a  falfe  print.  Demm* 
gyved  means  hanging  down  like  the  loofe  dndture  which  confines 
tbe  fetters  round  the  ancles.  -Gyre  always  fignifies  a  cincle  formed 
by  a  top,  or  any  other  body  when  pjut  into  motion. 
^  It  is  fo  ufed  by  Drayton  i^  the;  Black  Prince's  letter  to  Alic^ 
jountcis  of  Sali&ury :  ..'*.*. 

^'  **  In  little  circlets  firft  it  doth  arifc, 

**  Then  ibmewhat  fargpr  feemetK  in  mine  C3res; 

**  And  in  this^;^/»^  compafs  as  it  goes, 

**  So  more  and  more  my  love  in  grc^tnds  grows.** 
Again,  in  the  Second  Part  of  Hey  wood's  Iron  ^geyib^zi 
"  —  this  bright  and  flaming  brand 

**  Which  I  fo  ofticngyre  about  mine  cars.** 
^^gain,  in  Ungua^  &c*  1607 : 
^  ^     .  **  Rrlt  I  beheld  him  hovering  in  the  air, 

•*  And  then  down  looping  with  a  hundred  ^rw,  &c.* 
Again,  in  Batten  Holyday's  Poem,  called  the  l§^oes  ofEfi^:  ' 
•**         *•  His  chariot- wheels  wrapt  in  the  whiriwind*s^;>7r, 

V  His  horfes  hpofd  with  flinty  and  ihod  with  tire.*' 

»■    .;•.;       ....  y  y.-\,j    \         Steevens; 


^4  H    A    M    L    R    T, 

He  raisM  a  figh  fe  piteous  ^  profound. 
As  jit  did  feem  to  flutter  aU  bi^  bulk. 
And  end  his  being :  That  done^  he  lees  me  go : 
And,  with  his  bead  over  his  flioulder  turn*d^ 
He  feem^d  to  find  bis  wa^  wtthout  bis  eves ; 
For  out  o*doors  he  went  witlujut  their  helps. 
And,  to  the  laft,  bended  their  light  on  me. 

Pol.  Come,  go  with  me;  I  will  go  feek  the  king. 
This  is  the  very  ecftafy  of  love  % 
\Ybofc  violeiit  pircperty  foredpes  s  itfetf. 
And  leads  the  wiU  to  defper^te  undertakmgs. 
As  oft  a3  any  paflion  under  heaven. 
That  does  afflift  our  natures.    I  am  ferry,^-. 
What,  have  you  given  him  any  hard  words  of  late  ? 

Ofb.  No,  my  good  lord ;  hut,  as  you  did  command, 
.  I  dia  repel  his  letters,  and  deny'd 
His  accefs  to  me. 

Pol.  That  hath  made  him  mad, 
I  am  forry,  th^t  with  better  heed,  and  judgment, 
i  I  bad  not  quoted  him :  I  fear'd,  he  did  but  trifie, 

'  — ^^^«  itfelf.]     Tq  ^r^/&  is  to  dcftfoy.    So^mOthiJUs 

"  That  either  makes  me,  or ftredoes  me  quite,"  Steevens* 

♦  1  bad  net  (Quoted  him : — ]     The  old  quarto  reads  coteJ,     It  ^p- 

pears  Shakefpeare  wrote «£»W.    J^a^ifz/is  nonfenfe.  Warbukto^t^ 

To  quote  18, 1  befieve,  to  rec^H^  to  take  an  account  of,  to  take 

Ac  fuoHini  or  refult  of  a  computation.    Joh n son. 

Smce  I  propofed  a  former  ezplanationy  I  met  with  a  paflage  m 

the  ^  ^  G«iZf,  a  comedy,  by  John  Dqy^  1633,  which  provcf 

Dr.  Johmon*0  fenfe  of  the  word  to  be  nbt  hr  from  the  true  one ; 

_  «4  'twill  be  a  fcene  of  mirth 

**  For  me  to  qmfU  his  paffioos,  and  his  fipiles.'*  ^  • 

To  quok  on  this  occaiion  undoubtedly  means  to  o^erve.    Ag^un^ 

\n  Drayton's  Mooned^: 

"  This  honcft  man  the  prophecy  that  noted, 
<*  And  things  therein  moft  curioufly  had  gvoteJ; 
^    ««  Found  alfthefe  figns,  &c.* 
Again,  In  TUfe  Woman  Hater^  by  B.  and  Fletcher,  the  Intdligencor 
fays  —  ^^V\\  quote  him  to  a  tittle.**   i.  e.  I  will  obferve  him. 
Again,  in  Certaine  Satj^s^  1^98  : 

^  But  muft  our  moderne  crittick's  envious  eye, 
f  **  SeemethustOfMr/^fomegroffedefonnity?*   Steeveks. 

<  Ana 


PRINCE  o»  DENMARK.    ^35 

And  nneaat  to  wreck  thee ;  but^  beflsirew  cny  joalo^fy  ( 

It  feems,  7  it  is  as  proper  to  our  age 

To  caft  beyond  ourlelves  in  our  ppinipo^i 

As  it  is  common  fof  the  yoynger  fort 

Jo  lack  difcredon*    Come^  go  w^  to  th^  king : 

^  This  muft  be  known  i  whicht  ^U)g  kepc  cb^ 

might  move 
More  grief  to  faide^  th^  bate  to  utter  love. 
Come.  Z^^^t 

S   C   i:  N   E     n. 

The  palace. 

Enter  ISiigf  ^jueu^  Rofincrant:i;^  Guildeufiern^  and 
attendaMis. 

King.  Welcome,  dear  Rofincrantz,  and  Guilden* 
fiem! 
Moreover  that  we  much  did  long  to  fee  you^ 
The  need^  we  have  to  ufe  you^  did  provoke 

7  — —  //  is  qsfnper  t9  mr^ 
To  cafi  beyona  aurfihuei  m  our  cpimans^ 
Ai  it  is  common  for  the  joun^r  fort 

7o  loci  Jt/cretiofurr-]    This  is  not  the  remark  of  a  weak  maiu' 
The  vice  of  age  is  too  much  fuiptcion.    Men  long  accuflomed  to 
the  wilee  of  life  of/i  commonly  dfyoad  tbem/ehfes^  kx  their  cun- 
ning ^  further  than  realbn  can  attend  it.    This  is  always  the 
£iult  of  a  little  mind,  made  artful  by  long  commerce  with  th« 
ivorld.    Johnson. 
The  quartos  read^»J|v  heaven  it  is  as  proper  &c.    Stesvens. 
*  fhis  wujl  he  known ;  which^  heit^  hpi  ciofi^  might  move 
More  grief  to  bide^  than  hate  to  utter  love.]  /•  e.  This  mufi  be 
made  known  to  the  king,  for  (being  kept  fecret)   the  hiding 
Hamlet's  love  might  occafion  more  mifchief  to  us  from  him  ana 
the  queen,  than  the  uttering  or  revealing  of  it  will  occafion  bate 
and  refentroent  from  Hanuet.    The  poet's  ill  and  obicure  ex- 
preffion  feems  to  have  been  caufed  by  his  affis£tation  of  concluding 
the  fcene  with  a  couplet. 
"  Hanmer  reads. 

More  grief  to  hide  hate,  than  to  tttter  love.   Johnson. 

Our 


iiS  HAMLET, 

Our  hafty  fending.    Something  have  you  hear4 
Of  Hamlet's  transformation ;  fo  I  call  ir. 
Since  nor  the  exterior  nor  the  inward  man 
Refembles  that  it  was :  WHat  it  (hould  be. 
More-  than  his  father's  death,  that  thus  hath  put  him 
So  much  from  the  underftariding  of  himfclf, 
I  cannot  dream  of:    I  ent;reat  you  both, 
That,— being  of  fo. young dayisi  brought  up  with  him; 
And,fince,fo  neighboured  to  his  youth  ^nd  humour  9,-^ 
That  you  vouchlafe  your  reft  her^  in  pur  court 
Some  little  time :  fo  by  your  companies 
To  draw  him  on  to  pleafures ;  and  to  gather^ 
So  much  as  from  occafion  you  may  glean, 
jWhethqr  aqght,  to  us  unknown,  afflidts  him  thus. 
That,  opcn'd,  lies  within  our  remedy. 

^een.  Good  gentlemen,  he  hath  much  talkM  of 
"  you;  '     ' 

'And,  fure  I  am,  two  men  there  are  not  living. 
To  wl^om  he  tnore  adheres.  "If  it  will  plcafe  yoq 
•  To  (hew  us  fo  much  gentry,  and  good  wilL 
As  to  expend  your  time  with  us  a  while, 
^  For  the  fupply  and  profit  of  our  hope. 
Your  vifitation  Ihall  receive  fucl^  thanks 
^s  fits,  a  king's .  r^mcittbrancc* 

Rof.  Both  your  majcfties 
Might,  by  the  fovereign  power  you  have  of  us. 
Put  your  dread  pleafures  more  into  command 
Than  to' entreaty.  '. 

.  Cuil  But  .we  both  obey ; 
And  here  give  up  ourfclves,  4  in  the  full  bent, 

*  —  and  hunumr.'l    Thu^  the  folio.    The  quartos  read,  haviottr^ 

Steevens. 

*  ir%etheraught,UcJ\  This  line  is  emitted  in  th^foKo.  St  EEVTENS, 

*  To  Jbetw  us  Jo  much  gentry—]     Gentry^  for  compJaiJiinct. 

*  For  t^^fupph\  &c.]     That  the  hoj^  which  your  arrival  has 
raifed  ipay  be  completed  by  the  dcfircd  cifeft.    Johnson. 

^  — /V  tte  fuU  bentj     J?tf/j/j  for  tndeavour^  npflication. 

^  Warburtok. 

■    •To 


i>RINC^  OF  DENMARK,     ij;^ 

To  lay  cur  fcrvict  freely  at  your  feet. 
To  be  commaxuied. 

King^  Thanks,  Rolencrantz,  and  gentle  Guilden^ 
ftcrn. 

^een*  Thanks,  Guildenft^rn,  and  gentle  Rofeq* 
cramz : 
And  I  befeech  you  inftantly  to  vifit 
My  too  much  changed  fon.— Go,  forae  of  you. 
And  bring  thefe  gentlemen  where  Hamlet  is. 

GuiL  Heavens  make  our  prefence,  and  our  praftice^i 
IPleafant  and  helpful  to  him !     [^Exeunt  Rof.  and  Guil^ 

^uahk  Ay,  amen! 

Enter  FolomuSi 

'  FoL  Tfie  embaffadori  from  Norway,  iiiy  good 

lord. 
Arc  joyfully  feturnM. 
King.  Thou  ftill  haft  been  the  father  of  good  news.' 
Pol.  Have  I,  my  lord  ?  Affure  you,  my  good  UegCji 
1  hold  my  duty,  as  1  hold  my  foul. 
Both  to  my  God,  and  to  my  gracious  king  2 
And  I  do  think  (or  elfe  this  brain  of  mine 
Hunts  not  the  *  trail  of  policy  fo  fure 
As  it  hath  us'd  to  do)  that  I  have  found 
The  very  caufe  of  Hamlet's  lunacy. 
King.  O,  fpeak  of  that ;  that  I  do  long  to  hear* 
PoL  Give  firft  admittance  to  the  embaffadors  i 
My  news  fhall  be  s  the  fruit  to  that  great  feaft. 
King.  Thyfelf  do  grace  to  them,  and  bring  theni 
in.  [£xi/  Poloniuu 

He  tells  me,  my  dear  Gertrude,  he  hath  found 
The  head  and  fource  of  all  your  fon*s  diftemper. 

^een.  I  doubt,  it  is  no  ofher  but  the  main  % 
His  father's  death,  and  our  o'er-hafty  marriage. 

*  '"^tbe  trail  of  policy — ]     The  trail  is  the  courje  if  an  animal 
furfucd  hy  the  fient.    Johnson. 

f  —  tbejruli — ]    The  "dcfcrt  after  the  mCau    JbHNs  on. 

Re-enter 


Re-enter  Tolonius^  with  VoUimand^  mtd  CcmeUus. 

King.  Well,  wc  fhall  fift  him. Welcome,  my 

good  friends ! 
Say,  Voltimand,  what  from  our  brodier  Norway  ? 

VoU.  Moft  £dr  return  of  greetings,  tod  defires* 
Upo9  our  firft,  he  fent  out  to  fupprefs 
His  nephew's  levies ;  which  to  him  appeared 
7o  be  a  preparation  'gainft  the  Polack  \ 
^ut,  better  took'd  into,  he  truly  found 
It  was  againft  your  highnefs :  Wlwrcat  griev'd,— 
That  fo  his  ficknefs,  age,  and  impotence. 
Was  falfely  borne  in  hand  S — fends  out  arrefta 
On  Fortbbras ;  which  he,  in  brief,  obeys ; 
Receives  rebuke  from  Norway ;  and,  in  fine^ 
Makes  vow  before  his  uncle,  never  more 
To  give  the  aflfay  of  arms  againft  your  majefty* 
Whereon  old  Norway,  overcome  with  joy, 
^  Gives  him  threefcore  thoufand  crowns  in  annual  fee  ^i 
And  his  commilfion,  to  employ  thofe  foldierSj 
So  levied  as  before,  agamft  the  Polack : 
With  an  entreaty,  herdn  further  Ihewn, 
That  it  might  pleafe  you  to  give  quiet  pafs 
Through  your  dominions  for  this  enterprize ; 

^  — J0r«e  in  ianJ^-^}   u  e.  deodved#  impofed  on*     So,  in 
Macheth^  AA  5 : 

*'  How  yoa  \vere  borne  in  ism/9  hem  croft,  ^c." 
See  a  c(dte  on  this  paflage.     Steevens. 
"^  Gives  him  three  tfjou^nd  crowm  m  wuttudfie(\    This  reading 
firft  obtained  in  the  edition  put  out  by  the  players.    But  all  the  old 
quartos  (from  1605,  downwards)  read  as  I  have  reformed    the 
text. .  Theobald* 

*  —annual  fieJ\    Fee  in  this  place  fignifies  reward,  recm^ence, 
S09  in  AlTs  well  that  ends  weU: 

**  — -  Not  helping  death's  voijjeei 
**'  £ut  if  I  help,  what  do  you  promife  roe?** 
The  word  is  commonly  ufed  in  Scotland  for  wages^  as  we  fay 
lawj^^s  fie^  phxfi^ian^s  fee.    Steetbks*  ' 

<  Oa 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK,    eg^ 

On  fuch  regards  of  faAty^  aod  aUo^Mce^ 
As  therein  are  let  down. 

J^jig.  It  tikes  U6  well; 
And,  at  our  more  coofidei^d  time,  well  read> 
Anlwer,  and  think  upon  this  bufinefs. 
Mean  time,  we  thank  you  for  your  well-took  labour : 
Go  to  your  reft  j  »  at  night  we*H  feaft  together : 
Moft  welcome  hortit !  [Exeunt  Voli.  and  Cor% 

Pol.  This  bufinefs  is  well  ended, 
>  My  li^,  and  madam,  *  to  c^poftulate 

What 

•  — at  night  *coe^U  fiaft'^']  The  Icing^  intemperance  is  never 
filtered  to  be  fbrgocte'h.    Johiy sok. 

*  ^fy  Uege^  mtdfiuiiatn^  to  expoftu!ate\  Ihhe  ftrokes  of  humour 
Jn  this  foeech  are  admirable.  Polonius's  chiaradler  is  that  of  a 
Waky  pedant,  miniiler  of  date.  His  dedstmation  is  a  fine  fatire  oa 
die  impertinent  oratory  then  in  vogue,  which  placed  reafon  in  thd 
formahty  of  method,  and  wit  in  the  p^^  and  phy  of  words. 
With  what  art  is  he  made  to  pride  himielf  m  his  iioit: 

That  be  is  mad^  *tis  true:  *tis  tme^  Uis  fity ; 

Andfitf  Vrj,  V/i  trm :  A  fooltjh  figure. 

But  farewel  it< 

And  how  exquifitefy  does  the  poet  ridicule  the  reafoning  in  fy/bion^ 
where  he  makes  Poionius  remark  oh  Hamlet's  madnefs : 

Tboi^  this  irtnadneis,  j»rf  ft&nr/j  method  «fcV: 
As  if  nieth<xl,  which  the  wits  of  that  age  thought  the  moft  eflential 
QuaKty  of  a  gocxl  difcdurfe,  would  make  amends  for  the  madnefi. 
It  was  madnefs  indeed,  yet  Poionius .  could  comfort  himfelf  with 
diis  refledion,  that  at  leaft  it  was  method.  It  is  certsun  ShakeQ)eare 
vrcels  in  nodiing  more  than  in  the  prefervation  of  his  charaSers ; 
Tn  this  U/i  and  variety  rf  charaHer  (fays  our  great  poet  yi  his  ad« 
tnirable  preface  to  Shakefpeare)  w^  mttft  add  the  VMmderful  pre* 
ftrvatkn.  We  have  (aid  what  is  the  charader  of  Poionius ;  and  it 
is  allowed  on  all  hands  to  be  drawn  with  wonderful  lite  and  fpirit, 
■yet  the  unity  of  it  has  been  thought  by  fome  to  be  grofsly  violated 
m  the  czctyknx frecepts  and  inftruShms  which  Shakefpeare  makes 
his  ftatefman  give  to  his  (on  and  fia*vant  in  the  middle  of  the  firji^ 
and  beginning  o^  iSckt  fecond  aS.  But  I  will  venture  to  fay,  thefe 
cridcs  have  not  entered  into  the  poet's  art  and  addrefs  in  this  par« 
ticuhur.    He  had  a  mind  to  ornament  his  fcenes  with  thofe  fine 

leilbns 

^  •«-<#  expoftulate]    To  exp^nlate^  for  to  enquire  or  difcufs. 

Wa&bu&tok. 


il6  H    A    M    L    E    t. 

What  majtftf  (hoilld  be,  what  duty  is. 
Why  day  is  day,  night  night,  and  time  is  time. 
Were  nothing  but  to  waftc  night,  day,  and  time. 
Therefore,— Snee  brevity  is  the  foiil  of  wit,  -j 

And 

leflbtit  of  focial  life;  ,but  liis  Polonius  was  too  weak  to  be  auchor 
of  tl^ehiy  though  he  was  pedant  enough  to  have.met  wirh  them  i^ 
bis  reading,  and  fop  enough  to  get  them  by  heart,  and  retail  them 
for  his  own*.  And  thi^  the  poet  has  finely  (hewn  us  was  the  cafcy 
where,  in  the  middle  of  Pobnius's.infbrudionttohi8,fenrant,.he 
makes  him,  though  without  having  recdred  any.  interfuptioni  for* 
get  his  leflbn,  andiay. 

And  tbm^  fir^  Jois  be  this  \ ' 

tie  doii'^'^What  HKos  I  about  to  fiF^f 

I 'Was  about  to  Jgy  fime'tbimg        'Vobiri  Md  I  JesfVi? 
Tht  fervant  replies, 

At^  dofes  in  the  coniequencc  This  ibts  FoIonius~  right,  an^ 
fcc  ^pt$  on, 

Jt^  dofes  in  the  confequence. 

— ^  manyy 

He  clofes  thus :— — I  know  the  gentleman,  tic. 
which  ihews  they  were  words  got  by  heart  Which  he  was  rq>eaf«» 
ing.  Otherwife  clo/es  in  the  confequence^  which  conveys  no  par- 
ticular idea  of  the  fubje^  he  was  upon,  could  never  have  ma^e 
him  recoiled  where  he  broke  off*  This  is  an  extraordinary,  ii;* 
fiance  of  the  poet's  art,  and  attention  to  the  preiervation  of  cha- 
fader.    Warburton. 

This  account  of  the  chara&er  of  Polonius,  though  it  fufficiently 
reconciles  the  feeming  inconfiftency  of  fo  much  wifdom  with  to 
much  folly,  docs  not  perhaps  correfpond  exa£Uv  to  the  ideas  of 
our  author.  The  commentator  makes  the  charaaer  of  Polonium 
a  chara^r  only  of  maimei^  difaiminated  bv  properties  fuperiidia^ 
accidental,  and  acquired.  The  poet  inteiided  a  nobler  dehneatioa 
of  a  mixed  character  of  manners  and  of  n^re.  Polonius  is  ^ 
man  bred  in  courts,  exerdfed  in  buiinefs,  fiored  wit$  obfervation^ 
confident  of  his  knowledge,  proud  of  his  doquence,  and  decUn* 
ing  into  dotage.  His  mode  of  oratory  is  truly  reprefented.as  de« 
figncd  to  ridicule  the  prai^ice  of  thofe  times,  of  j)reiaces  that  ma^ 
no  introduction,  and  of  meUiod  that  embarraited  rather  than  ex- 
plaiQcd. .  This  part  of  his  charaifler  is  accidental,  the  refi  is  na* 
tural.  Such  a  man  is  poiitive  and  confident,  bec^ufe  he  knows 
that  his  mind  was  once  firong,  and  knows  not  that  it  is  become 
weak.  Such  a  man  excels  in  general  principles,  but  fails  in  the 
particular  application.  He  is  knowing  in  retrofpe^l,  and  ignorant 
la  forefighr,'^  While  he  depends  upon  hia.nK:mory,  and  can  dravi^ 

&014 


t>RlNCE  OF  DENMARK.     441 

And  teflioufnefs  the  limbs  and  outward  flourilhes,-^ 
1  will  be  brief:  Your  noble  fon  is  madt 
Mad  call  I  it ;  for,  to  define  true  madnefs. 
What  is't,  but  to  be  nothing  eife  but  mad  2 
But  let  that  go. 

^ueen.  More  matter,  with  Icfs  art; 

PoL  Madam,  I  fwear,  I  ufe  no  art  at  all.— - 
That  he  is  mad,  'tis  true :  ^tis  true,  'tis  pity  a 
And  pity  'ti^i  'tis  true:  a  foolifh  figure ; 
But  farewel  it,  for  I  will  ufe  no  art. 
Mad  let  us  grant  him  then  :  and  now  remains^ 
That  we  find  out  the  caufc  of  this  effe£t ; 
Or,  rather  fay,  the  caufe  of  this  defed ; 
For  this  effcft,  dcfeftive^  comes  by  caufe : 
Thus  it  remains,  and  the  remainder  thus  perpeddi 
I  have  a  daughter;  have,  whilft  Ihe  is  mine; 
Who,  in  her  duty  and  obedience^  mark. 
Hath  given  me  this :  Now  gather,  and  furmile. 

'  ^(p  the  cel^ialy  and  ntf  fouPs  idol,  the  mcft  beautified 
Opbeba^ 

that's 

fixmi  his  ttpoiiraries  of  knowledge,  he  utttn  weighty  fentences^ 
and  giTCt  ufefui  counfel ;  but  as  the  mind  in  its  enfeebled  ilatei 
cannot  be  kept  long  buiy  and  intent,  the ^ old  man  is  fubjed  to 
fuddea  dereli6Hon  of  his  taculties,  he  lofe^  the  order  of  his  ideas, 
and  entangles  himfelf  in  his  own  thoughts;  till  he  recovers  the 
leading  principle^  and  falls  again  into  his  former  train;  This  idea 
of  dotage  ehcroaching  upon  wifdom,  will  foWe  all  the  phsenomentf 
of  thq  charafter  of  Polonius*     To  h  n s  o n. 

^  7i  tire  celeftiak  and  m^  fauTs  idol^  the  mofi  beautified  Ophelia — ] 
I  have  ventured  at  an  emendation  here,  againft  the  anthority  of 
all  th^  copies;  but,  I  hope,  upon  examination,  it  will  appear  pro- 
bable and  reafonable.  The  word  heautified  may  carrr  two  di(lln£t 
ideas,  either  as  applied  to  a  woman  made-up  of  artificial  beauties, 
or  to  one  rich  in  native  eharms.  As  Shakespeare  has  therefore 
choie  to  ufe  it  in  the  latter  acceptation,  to  exprefs  natural  come- 
lineis ;  I  cannot  imagine,  that  here  he  would  make  Polonius  ex- 
cept to  the  phrafe,  and  call  it  a  vik  one.  But  a  (h-onger  objediion 
fiill,  in  my  mind,  lies  a^nft  it.  As  ctlefiial  and  fiuli  idol  are  the 
introdu6lory  characteriflics  of  Ophelia^  .what  a  dreadful  anticlimax 
k  it  to  defcend  to  fuch  an  epithet  as  beautified f    On  the  other 

Vol-  X.  R 


e4l       ^       H    A    M    J.    E    T, 

ThatV  an  ill  phrafe,  a  vile  phraif  ;•  liumii^i 

Is  a  vile  phrak;  but  you  fhl^ll  h«af:-f-^ 

^hefe  in  her  excellent  whiie  bafam^  ^  ibefdt  &€.—<• 
^ueen.  Catpc  this  from  Hamlet  to  her? 
Pol.  Good  madam^  ftay  a  whiles  I  will  be  faiths' 
fui— 

Douh  thoUy  the  Jiars  are  fire ;  [ReadiOff» 

Doubt ^  that  the  fun  doth  mQV4 ; 

Doubt  truth  to  be  a  liar  \ 
But  never  doubts  I  love. 

O  dear  Ophelia^  I  am  ill  at  tbife  numh^s ;  I  lktV0  n^t 

hand,  heatlficdy  as  I  have  coxijcAuredt  ralfes  the  ino;^ :  butBdlouui 
might  very  well,  as  a  Roman  Cachqlic»  call  it  a  viU  phitifr^i  i.  r. 
favouring  of  profanation  ;  fince  the  epithet  is  peculiarly  iQade,  a« 
adjund  to  the  Virgin  Mary*!?  honour,,  and  therelbre  ought  npt  to 
be  employed  in  the  praife  of  a  mew  mortal,     Theobald. 

Dr.  Warburton  has  followed-  Theobald ;  but  I  am  in  ckuht 
whether  hcautljlcd^  though,  a»Folonius  culls  ir»  a  nnUf^afi^  b&noC 
the  proper  word.  BeauiiJUd  feems  to  be  a  vile pbrq/i^  for  the  an»r 
biguity  of  its  meaning.     Johnson. 

The  mod  heautlfi-.d  Ophelia.]     Heyward,  in  his    Hifiory  cf 
EJivard  VI,  fays,    "  Katberine  Parre^   queen  ijowager  to  king 
i:i«nry  Vill,  \m.  a  wwnan  beau/tj/kd  Urith  many  czcelkck  vtp* 
toes."    Farmer. 

So,  in  T/jc  Hog  hmh  loft  his  Pearly  i6\^  : 

^'  A  maid  of  rich  endowments)^  heatalfiid 
*'  With  all  the  virtues  nanire  could  bellow,* 

Again,  Nafli  dedicates  his  Chvi/Ps  Tears  ^ver  Jervfdem^  l^— s 
*»  to  the  moft  beautified  lady  the  lady  Elizabeth  Care)'-" 

Again,  in  Greene's  Maaulliay  1593  !  **-^  altboiUgh  thy  petfon 
k  fo  bravely  beautified' wUh  tlie  dowries  of  nature." 

lit  and  vile  as  the  phraie  may  be,  our  autbui'  has  ufed  it  agMO 
in  the  T'wo  Gcntlemen.cf  Verona : 

—  feeing  you  are  heauiified 
With  good  ihape',  &c,    ^te£  v  e  v s, 
Ibcfe  to  her  exceUent  vjbite  bofam^]     Sii,  in.  the  T'Ma  Gentfemm  ef 


Vef% 


Thy  fcttCTi^- 


WhichK  Wing  writ  to  mc»  fliall  be  deliver'd 
Even  in  the  milk'zMte  bqf'om  rf  thy  hvcm. 
Sfce  a  note  on  thi»  pafliige;.    ST££VfiN&« 

art 


PRINCKoF  DENMARK.     243 

art  t(f  reckm  nty  gfoam :  hut  that  1  love  tbce  hjf^ 
0  mofi  hefi^  5  hliei)e  U.    Adieu. 

Tbine  everm&rif  miji  dear  ladyy  wbil^ 
tkis  machine  h  to  him,  HsmleU 

This,  in  obe^&cCy  kath  my  daughter  Ifaewn  ale : 
And,  ^  more  above,  hatb  his  foHcitinga, 
As  they  UA  out  by  time^  by  meiMi  and  place. 
All  giveo  to  mine  ear. 

King.  Buc  bow  hat^  flic 
Received  his  love? 

Pol.  What  do  jfbu  think  of  mc  ? 

King.  As  of  a  man  faiithfiiil  and  honoutlahfe. 

PqU  I  vtotild  faiin  prove  fo.     But  what  migkt  jrou 
think, 
When  I  had  feen  this  hot  love  on  the  wing, 
(As  I  perceivM  it,  I  ihuft  tell  you  that. 
Before  my  daughter  told  me)  what  might  yocr. 
Or  my  dear  majefty  your  queen  here,  think,. 
7  If  I  had  play'd  the  defk,  or  table-book ; 
^  Or  given  my  heart  a  working,  mute  and  dumb; 
Or  look'd  upon  this  love  with  idle  fight  ? 
What  might  you  think  I  no,  I  went  round  to  work, 

*  —  O  mofi  hefi*^     So,    in  Acolqftust   a    comedy,    x  J19 1 
••  —  that  fame  m^  heft  rcdreiler  dr  reformer,  is  God.*  Stee v^nri^ 
^  —  more  ^^««f,— }  is,  moreover y  hefides.    Johnson* 
y  If  lhadpia/dthedeJkortayie-hMk\ 
Or  glv*n  rf^  heart  a  iMorking,  mute  and  dumb  j 
Or  looHdupon  this  liwe  'i)Ath  idle  fight ; 
JVJ^at  might  you  think? — )    /.  e.  If  either  I  had  conveyed 
intelligence  between  them,  and  been  the  confident  of  their  amourti 
[pia/d  ihede/h  or  tahk'hoek]^  or  had  connived  at  ir,  only  ohferved 
them  in  fecret,  without  acquainting  my  daughter  with  mydifcovery 
^ghpem  wy  hcattt  a  mute  ami  dumb  ivorJding]  ;  or  laftly,  had  bccH* 
neglij^ent  in  obfervinj;  the  intrigue,  and  overlooked  it  [looked  upon 
this  love  ijoitb  idlefight"] ;  if  hat  would  you  have  thought  of  me?    . 

WARBURTOIf. 

•  Or  given  n)y  htzxt  a  iKHfriing^ — ]     The  folio  xtnedi^  a  ojitdt* 

a^f,      ST££Y^NSf 

R  2  And 


244  HAMLET,, 

And  my  young  miftrefs  thus  I  did  bcTpeak ; 

9  Lord  Hamlet  is  a  prince : cul  of  thy  fpbere% 

^ins  muft  not  be :  and  then  I  precepts  gave  her  't 
That  (he  (hould  lock  berfelf  from  his  refort. 
Admit  no  meflengers,  receive  no  tokens. 
Which  done *,  (he  took  the  fruits  of  my  advice: 
And  he,  repulfed,  (s  a  {hort  tale  to  make) 
Fell  into  a  I'adnels  \  then  into  a  faft ; 
Thence  to  a  watch    thence  into  a  weaknefi ; 
Thence  to  a  lightnefs ;  and,  by  this  declenfion^ 
Into  the  madiiefs  wherein  now  he  raves. 
And  all  we  mourn  for. 

King.  Do  you  think,  'tis  this  ? 

^ueen.  It  may  be,  very  likely. 

Pol.  Hath  there  been  fuch  a  time^  (Fd  fab  know 
that) 

9  Lord  Hamlet  is  a  prince  out  «f  thy  fpheie,]     All  princes  WCTt 
alike  eut  of  her  Jpbere.    I  give  it  thus : 

Lord  Hamlet  is  a  prince  t^^out  of  thy  J^here^ 
Two  of  the  quart08,  and  the  firft  tolio,  read  jUar.    Steeveks. 

*  — precepts  govt   her.]     Thus  the  iolio.     The  two  elder 
quartos  read,  prefcripts.     Steevens. 

*  Which  done^  (he  took  the  fruits  efmy  advice ; 
Andhe^reptdfed—I     The  fritits  of  advice  arc  the  efie6^s  of 

advice.    But  how  could  (he  be  faid  to  take  them  ?    The  reading  is 
corrupt.    Shakcfpeare  wrote, 

Jfhich  done^  fee  too  thefiitits  tfm^  adwce\ 

For,  ht  reddled  Warburton. 

She  took  the  fruits  of  advice  wtien  (he  obeyed  advice,  the  adrice 
was  then  made  fruitfrL  Johnson* 
5  —  ajhort  tale  to  make^ 
Fell  into  a  fadnefs  \  then  into  a  faft ^  &c.]  The  ridicule  of 
this  character  is  here  admirably  fufbined.  He  would  not  only  be 
thought  to  have  di(covered  this  intrigue  by  his  own  fagacity,  but  to 
have  remarked  all  the  flages  of  Hamlet's  diforder,  ircMn  bis  iiidDeft 
to  his  raving,  as  regularly  as  his  phyfician  couki  have  done; 
when  all  the  while  the  madnefs  was  only  feigned.  The  humour 
of  this  is  exquiiite  from  a  man  who  tells  us,  with  a  confidence 
peculiar  to  fmall  politicians,  chat  he  could  find 

Where  truth  was  hid^  though  it  were  hid  indeed 

within  the  cnttre.     W  ARSUR  T  on* 

That 


PRINCE   OF  DENMARK,    us 

That  I  have  pofitively'faid,  *Tis  fi. 
When  it  proved  otherwile  ? 

Ki/7g   Not  that  I  know. 

PoL  Take  this  from  this,  if  this  be  otherwife : 

^Pointing  to  bis  bead  andjboidder. 
If  circumftances  lead  me,  L  will  Bnd 
Where  truth  is  hid,  though  it  were  hid  indeed 
Within  the  centre. 

King.  How  may  we  try  it  further  ? 

PoL  You  know,  fometimes  he  walks  four  hours 
together  *, 
Here  in  the  lobby, 

^een.  So  he  does,  indeed. 

PoL  At  fuch  a  time  I'll  loofe  my  daughter  to  him: 
Be  you  and  I  behind  an  arras  then ; 
Mark  the  encounter :  if  he  love  her  not. 
And  be  not  from  his  reafon  fallen  thereon^ 
Let  me  be  no  afliftant  for  a  date. 
But  keep  a  farm,  and  carters.   . 

King.  We  will  try  it. 

Enter  fiamlet,  reading. 

^ueen.  But,  look, « where  fadly  the  poor  wretch 
comes  reading. 

PoL  Away,  I  do  befeech  you,  both  away ; 
Pll  board  him  prefently:— O,  give  me  leave. — 

[^Exeunt  King^  and  ^en. 
How  does  my  good  lord  Hamlet f 

ffam^  Well,  god-a'-mercy. 

PoL  Do  you  know  me,  my  lord  ? 

Ham.  Excellent  well; 
You  are  a  fiflimongcr. 

PoL  Not  I,  my  lord^ 

4  ^fitfr  hours  tog^er,]    Perhaps  it  would  be  better  were  wc 
to  read  indefinitely, 

— -jir  hours  together^    Ty& whi  tt. 

R  3  Ham. 


i^$  M    A    M    L   E    T> 

Ham.  Then  I  would  yoq  were  fo  hoocil  a  mtfi^ 

PoL  Honcft,  my  lord  ? 

Ham*  Ay,  fir ;  to  be  honeCt,  a$  this  world  goes,^ 
Is  to  be  Qqe  man  fick'd  out  of  ten  tbouCuid* 

J?^/,  That's  very  true^  my  lofd. 

Ham.  5  For  if  the  fun  breeds  maggoty  in  a  dead  diog. 
Being  a  ^d^  kiOing  carrioo^-p^Have  joq  a  daughter) 

*  iV  ifthtfuH  hreed  maggots  in  a  deaddog^ 
Being  a  good  kififg  carrien  -■  ■  ■  > 

Havcyou  a  daughter  ^]  The  editors  (eelng  Kopkt  counterfeit 
madnefs,  thought  they  might  fafely  put  ftfkf  Ropi^nfe  i^to  kit 
mouth.  But  this  ftrange  paffagc,  when  fct  right,  wBl  be  t^Ga  to 
contain  as  great  and  uiblime  a  reflci^lion  as  auy  the  poet  puts  into 
his  heK/«  inoulk  throughout  th«  whole  play.  We  fhafl  firfb  give 
the  true  reading,  which  i«  this ; 

For  if  tie /m  hrced  m^jigoU  in  #  dead  4^^ 
Being  a  god,  kij^fig  carriifn  <  ■ 
As  to  the  feiife  we  may  obferve,  that  the  illative  paiticlc  [for] 
(hews  the  fpeaker  to  be  /caf©iii«g  from  fomething  he  ha^  faW 
before :  what  that  was  we  legrn  ip  theft  wor^i,  ta  £:  homfL^  ms  An 
ifjorld  goesy  is  tff  be  one  picked  out  often  tkoi^ftmd*  Hating  fnid  tbisy 
the  chain  of  ideas  led  him  to  refle(5t  upon  the  argument  which 
libertines  bring  againft  Providence  from  the  circumilance  of 
abounding  eviU  In  the  be^  fpeecK  therefore  he  endeavours  to 
anfwer  that  objertion,  and  vindicate  Providence,  even  on  a  fup- 
p^fition  of  the  iadV,  that  almod  all  noen  were  wicked.  His  argu- 
ment in  the  two  lines  in  quelHon  is  to  chw  purpofe;  But  nx>hy  need 
we  wonder  at  this  abounding  ofsvd  t  For  ^  thefiin  hrotd  ma^^  in 
a  dead  dt^g^  vjbkh  though  a  god,  jetjbcddtng  its  heat  and  tHjheifCOt 
irbon  r^rr/(7?r**— Here  he  llops  fhort,  lell  tafkingtoo  ConfequentiaHy 
tiie  hearer  (bo^td  fufpe^  his  madnefs  to  be  feigned  ;  and  fo  turns 
him  off  from  the  fubjecft-^  by  enqqiripg  of  his  daughter.  But  tbo 
inference  which  he  intended  to  make,  was  a  very  noble one»  and  to 
this  purpofe.  It  th^  (fays  he)  be  the  cafe,  that  the  efibdt  follows 
the  thing  operated  upon  \caxrion\  and  not  the  thing  operating 
[a  god\  3  why  need  we  wonder,  that.the  fupverae  caufe  of  ^  things 
diftufing  its  bleilings  on  mankind,  who  is^  as  it  were,  a  cbad  car- 
rion, dead  in  original  fin,  man,  inftead  of  a  proper  return  o!t  dpty, 
(hould  biccdonly  corruption  and  vi(?cs  ?  This  is  the  argument  at 
length ;  and  is  a3  noble  a  one  in  behalf  of  Providence  as  could 
eome  itom  the  fchools  of  dirimty.  But  this  wonderful  man  had 
an  art  not  only  of  acquainting  the  audience  with  what  his  a^ort 
Ji^i  but  with  what  ^^Utink    The  lentimeBt  too  hahogerher  in 

chara^CTj 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK,     24? 

Pri.  I  hwc,  my  lord. 

'HMm.  Let  her  rtot  walk  i*  the  fun  :  ^oncet^tion  is  a 
bkfiing  * ;  but  not  as  your  daughter  may  conceive  ; 
friend,  kK)k  to't. 

Pot.  How  fty  you  by  thftt  ?  {^A/ide.]  ftill  harpmg 
on  my  daughter : — yet  he  knew  nre  not  at  firft  ;  he 
faid,  I  was  a  fiftimonger  :  He  is  far  gone,  far  gone  : 
and,  truly,  in  my  youth  I  fuffcr'd  much  extremity 
for  kive;  very  near  this. — Fll  fpcak  to  him  again.— 
What  do  you  read,  my  lord  ? 

Ham.  Words,  words,  words ! 

ToL  What  is  the  matter,  my  tord  ^ 

Ham.  Between  who? 

Pol.  I  mean,  the  matter  that  you  read,  my  terd. 

Ham.  7  Slanders,  fir :  for  the  fatirical  rogue  fays 
here,  that  old  men  have  grey  beards  ^  that  their  faces 

are 

cHarader,  for  Hamlet  is  perpetually  moralizing,  and  his  circum* 
ilanccs  make  this  reflexion  very  natural.     The  fame  thought^  fomc- 
thins  diverfifiecl,  as  on  a  dilferent  occaflon,  he  ufes  again  in  Mga^ 
furejar  Meafure^  which  will  ferre  to  confirm  thefe  obtervatiom : 
77je  tempter  or  the  tempted^  HX)boJins  mqft  ? 
Notjbe ;  nor  doth  Jhe  tempt ;  hut  it  i$  I 
Tbat  fyi/ig  by  tf>e  *violet  in  tbefun^ 
Do  as  the  carrion  Joes^  not  as  the  Jlower^ 
Corrupt  fy  virtuous  feafon. 
And  the  fame  kind  o^ exprejffson  is  in  Cymbcline^ 
Common^h'JJing  Titan.     War  BUR  TON, 
This  is  a  nobk;  emendation,  which  almoft  (ets  the  critic  on  a 
level  with  the  author.     Johnson. 

•  —  conception  is  a  hlfj}ing\  &c.]  Thus  the  folio.  The  quartos 
read  thus : 

—  conception  is  a  bleiEng ; 

But  as  your  daughter  may  conceive ^  friend,  look  to*r. 

The  meaning  fccms  to  be,  conception  (i.  e.  uudcrftanding)  is  a 

Welling ;  but  as  your  daughter  may  conceive  (i.  e.  be  pregnant), 

Jriendlcok  t(>t^  i.  e,  have  a  care  of  that.    The  fanK  quibble  occuf« 

in  the  firft  fcene  of  K,  Lear: 

**  Kent,  I  cannot  conceive  you,  fir. 

**  Glo,  Sir,  this  young  fellow^s  mother  couIJ.**      Stek  vrni. 
'  Slanders.,  fi':  fin-  the  fatirical  Jtcp9e  fctys  here,,  that  old  men^  &c,] 
By  ^vi  fatirical  jianjt  he  means  Juvenal  in  his  tenth  fatirc : 

R4  X>« 


248  HAMLET, 

are  wrinkled ;  their  eyes  purging  thick  amber,  and 
pipm-iree  gum ;  and  that  they  have  a  plentiful  lac)( 
of  wit,  together  with  moft  weak  hams :  All  which^^ 
fir,  though  I  moft  powerfully  and  potently  believe, 
yet  I  hold  it  not  honefty  to  have  it  thus  fct  down ; 
for  youri'elf,  fir,  (hall  be  as  old  as  I  am,  if,  like  a 
crab,  you  could  go  backward. 

Pol.  Though  this  be  madncls,  yet  there's  method 
in't-  [Afidi. 

Will  you  walk  out  of  the  air,  my  lord  ? 

Ham.  Into  my  grave  ? 

Tol.  Indeed,  that  is  out  o'  the  air.  —  How  preg- 
nant ^  fometimes  his  replies  are!   a  happinels  tb^t 

Dajpatium  vii^^  multcs  da  Jupiter  annos: 
Hoc  reSo  vultu^  folum  hoc  et  palUdus  optas» 
Scd  quam  continuis  et  quantis  longa  jcneBus 
PlenamaUs!  dcformem,  et  tetrum  ante  omnia  vultum, 
Diflimilemouc  fui,  {ffr. 
Nothing  could  be  nner  imagined  for  Hamlet,  in  his  circumibu^ces, 
thsin  the  bringing  bim  in  reading  a  defcription  ot  the  evils  of  long 
life.     Warburton. 

Had  Shakefpeare  read  JuvcTtal  in  the  original,  he  had  met 
with  **  De  temoTie  Britanno^  Excidet  Arviragui*-^ 
and 

— "  Uxorem,  Pofthume^  ducisr" 
We  (hould  not  then  have  bad  continually  in  tymMi/Uf  Arvirl^u^ 
and  Poftbumus,  Should  it  be  faid  that  the  quantity  in  the  firmer 
word  might  be  forgotten,  it  is  clear  from  the  miftake  in  the  latter^ 
that  Shakefpeare  could  not  poflibly  have  read  any  one  or  the  Roman 
poets. 

There  was  a  tranflation  of  the  loth  farire  of  Juvenal  by  Sir 
John  Beaumont,  the  elder  brother  of  the  famous  Francis :  but  I 
cannot  tell  whether  it  was  printed  in  Shakefj)eare's  time.  In  that 
age  of  quotation,  every  claffic  might  be  picked  up  by  piece-meal, 

I  forgot  to  mention  in  its  proper  place,  that  another  defcriptioii 
of  Old  jige  in  As  you  like  it^  has  been  called  a  parody  on  a  paflage 
in  a  French  poem  of  Gamiert  It  is  trifling  to  lay  any  thing  about 
this,  after  the  obfervation  I  made  in  MacheW:  but  one  may  remark 
once  for  all,  that  Shakefpeare  wrote  tor  the^^^ilr ;  and  could  not 
have  been  (b  abfurd  to  bring  forward  any  allufion,  which  had  not 
been  familiarized  by  fome  accident  or  other.  Farmer. 
^  How  pregnant  &c.]     Pregnant  if  readyi  dexterous,  apt. 

Steevens. 


PRINCE  OP  DENMARK.     249 

often  madnefs  hits  on,  which  reafon  and  fanity  could 
notfoprofpcroufly  be  delivered  of.  I  will  leave  him, 
and  fuddenly  contrive  9  the  means  of  meeting  be* 
tween  him  and  my  dayghtcr.— My  honourable  lord, 
I  will  moft  humbly  take  my  leave  of  you. 

Ham.  You  cannot,  fir,  take  from  me  any  thing  that 
I  will  more  willingly  part  wiihaU  except  my  life,  ex- 
cept my  life,  except  my  life. 

Pol  Fare  you  well,  my  lord. 

Ham.  Thefe  tedious  old  fools  I 

Enter  Rofencrantz^  and  Guildetfftem. 

Pol  You  go  to  feek  lord  Hamlet ;  there  he  is.' 

lExii, 

Rof.  God  fave  you,  fir  \ 

Guil  Mine  honoured  lord  !— 

Rof.  My  moft  dear  lord  ! — 

Ham.  My  excellent  good  friends !  How  doft  thou, 
Guildenftern?  Ah,  Roiencrantz!  Good  lads,  how  do 
ye  both  ? 

Rof.  As  the  indifferent  children  of  the  earth. 

Guil  Happy,  in  that  we  are  not  over-happy; 
On  fortune's  cap  we  are  not  the  very  button. 

Ham.  Nor  the  foals  of  her  (hoe  ? 

Rof.  Neither,  my  lord. 

Ham.  Then  you  live  about  her  waift,  or  in  the 
middle  of  her  favours  ? 

Guil.  'Faith,  her  privates  we. 

Ham.  In  the  fecret  parts  of  fortune?  O,  moft 
true ;  (he  is  a  ftrumpet.     What  news  ? 

Rof.  None,  my  lord  j  but  that  the  world's  grown 
boneft. 

Ham.  Then  is  dooms-day  near :  But  your  news  is 
not  true.    [Let  me  »  queftion  more  in  particular: 

»  Andjuddenlf  &c.l  This,  and  the  greatcft  part  of  the  tWQ 
following  lines,  are  omitted  in  the  quartos.    St  eevens. 

'  \Ltt  mehiQ^  All  within  the  crotchett,  is  wanting  in  th^ 
^rtos*    Steetsks* 

What 


250  H    A    M    I.    E     T, 

What  hare  you^  my  wood  finemb,  defcrved  at  the 
hands  of  fortune^  that  ftie  &a&i  yso  to  prifixi  faither  ? 

-  GjiH.  Prifon,  ID  jr  lord ! 

liatns  Deiunark's  a  prifoiu 

Rof.  Then  is  the  world  one. 

Ham.  A  goodly  one ;  m  y^ich  them  are  many 
cdaafiocs,  wards,  and  duageoas^  Demnark  being  one 
of  the  worft. 

Rof.  We  think  not  lb,  my  lord. 

Ham.  Why,  then  'tis  none  to  yon ;  for  there  is 
nothing  either  good  or  bad^  but  thinking  makes  it 
lb  :  to  me  ft  is  a  prribn. 

Rof.  Why,  then  your  ambition  oukcs  it  one ;  'tis 
too  narrow  for  your  mind. 

Ham.  O  God  !  I  could  be  bounded  in  a  ntit  Ibdl^ 
and  count  myfelf  a  king  of  infinite  ijpace  i  were  dt 
not  that  I  have  bad  dreams. 

GuU.  Which  dreams,  indeed^  are  ambition;  for 
t)ie  very  fubftance  of  the  ambitious  is  meteiy  *  cbe 
flfiadow  of  a  dream. 

Ham.  A  dream  itielf  is  but  a  (badow. 

Ro/s  Truly,  and  I  hold  ambition  of  fo  airy  and 
light  a  quality,  that  it  is  but  a  (hadow's  fbadow. 

Ha'r».  5  Then  are  our  beggars,  bodies;  and  our 
monarchs,  and  out-ftretch'd  heroes,  the  beggars*  (ha- 
doifvs ;  Shall  we  to  the  court  ?  for,  by  my  fay,  I 
cannot  reafon. 


*  -^  flig  Jhadovj  of  a  ifrfovu^    Shakeipease  ba»  accidentally  in- 
verted an  ex  predion  ot  Pindar,  that  fhe  lUte  of  humanity  is  ffwuti 
•►o^,  the  /if  earn  oF  aJ/joJoiv,     Johnson. 
So  I>4vlr8, 

*'  INIan's  life  is  but  a  clrcjHrie,  nay,  Jefs  than  fo, 
* '.  -^  JLaJoiv  if  a  drcAtuer     F  A  a  M  £  R  • 
So,  in  the  trai;edy  ot  Darius  >6o^,  by  Lord  Sterlinc  : 

**-  Whiifc  bed  U'as  but  ih^Jhiuiovj  of  a  iiream^    Sl*£E  TENS. 
3  I'hcu  are  cur  ic^^^rs,  bodies ; — ]     Shakefpeare   fccms  here  to 
i^r^n  n  ndicitfe-tot  thcfe  decIanvatiorTS^'agpinft  Vjrcalili  and  greacnels, 
thu;  fecui  to  mitkc  happiacfi  conlifl  in  poverty.    JoarfSON*. 

I  Both. 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK,     2^1 

B^tk.  We'll  ivatt  upon  you. 

Hmtk.  No  fuch  matter :  I  will  not  ibrt  you  vmk 
tbe  reft  of  my  icrvants ;  &r,  to  fpeak  to  you  like  an 
hoocft  nati,  I  am  nooft  dreadfully  attendedj  But, 
ift  the  heateiQt  way  of  friendfhip^  what  make  you  ac 
El&0ourf 

£p/.  Jo  vifit  youy  my  lord ;  no  otlier  oocafiom 

Ham.  Beggar  that  lam;  lamevenpoorinthankss 
but  I  thank  you :  and  fure,  dear  friends,  my  thanks 
aie  GOO  dear  at  a  half-penny.  Were  you  not  fent  for{ 
Jb  it  your  own  inclining?  Is  it  a  free  vifitatioo? 
Come,  come;  dealjudly  wkhme:  come^  corner  nay, 

QuU.  What  ibould  we  fay,  my  lord  ? 

Ham*  Any  thmg — but  to  tbe  purpofe.  You  were 
fent  for ;  and  there  is  a  kind  of  confeflion  in  your 
k)oks,  which  your  modeflics  have  not  craft  enough 
to  colour :  I  know,  the  good  king  and  queen  have 
fent  for  you. 

Rof.  To  what  end,  my  lord  ? 

Ham.  That  you  mufl:  teach  me.  But  kt  me  con- 
jure you,  by  the  rights  of  our  fcllowfiiip,  by  the  con- 
ibaancy  of  our  youth,  by  the  obligation  of  our  ever- 
prefcrved  love,  and  by  what  more  dear  a  better  pro- 
pofcr  could  charge  you  withal,  be  even  and  direct 
with  me,  whether  you  were  fent  for,  or  no  ? 

Rof.  What  fay  you  ?  [To  Guilden. 

Ham.  4  Nay,  then  I  have  an  eye  of  you ; — if  you 
love  me,  hold  not  off*. 

Gnil.  My  lord,  we  were  fent  for. 

Ham.  I  will  tell  you  why ;  fo  (hall  my  anticipation 
prevent  your  difcovery,  and  your  fccrccy  to  the  king 
and  queen  moult  00  feather.    5 1  have  of  late,  (bur, 

wherefore, 

4  J^,  then  I  bmfe  m  ^e  y*>Mf>— ]  Aa  #)»  (f  you  tncaat,  I 
have  a  glimpfe  of  your  meaning.    Steevens. 

'  I  htpvt  if  Uut^  iLQ.'\  Thi«  18  an  admirable  ddcription  of  a 
fOQie4  melancholy  fprung  from  thicknefs  of  blood ;  and  art- 
fully 


25t  HAMLET, 

wherefore,  I  know  not). loft  all  my  mirth,  foregone  all 
cuftom  oi:  exercifes :  and,  indeed,  it  goes  fo  neavily 
with  my  difpofition,  that  this  goodly  frame,  the  earth, 
feems  to  me  a  fteril  promontory ;  this  moft  excellent 
canopf,  the  air>  look  you,  this  brave  oVr-hanging 
firmament,  ^  this  nuyeftical  roof  fretted  with  goldea 
fire,  why,  it  appears  no  other  thing  to  me,  than  a 
foul  and  peftilent  congregation  of  vapoure.  What 
a  piece  or  work  is  a  man !  How  noble  in  reafon ! 
how  infinite  in  faculties  I  in  form,  and  moving,  bow 
CXprefs  and  admirable  I  in  adion,  how  like  an  angel  1 
in  apprehenfion,  how  like  a  god  !  the  beauty  or  the 
world!  the  paragon  of  animals!  And  yet,  to  me,  what 
is  this  quinte(ftnc9  of  duft  ?  man  delights  not  me,— 
nor  woman  neither  ^  though,  by  your  fmiling,  y^u 
feem  to. fay  fo. 

Rcf.   My  lord,  there  was  no  fuch  ftuff  in  my 
thoughts. 
^  Ham.  Why  did  you  laugh  then,  when  I  (aid  Mob 
delights  not  mt  ? 

Rof,  To  think,  my  kwrd,  if  you  delight  not  in 
man,  what  Icnten  entertainment  7  the  players  Ihall  re- 
ceive from  you :  we  coted  them  on  the  way  ^  j  and 
hither  are  they  coming,  to  offer  you  fervice. 

Ham. 

fully  imagined  to  hide  the  true  caufe  of  his  diforder  from  the 
peaetration  of  tbefe  two  friends,  who  were  fet  over  him  .as 
fpics.    Wareurtoh. 

•  —//&//  bra<ve  over 'hanging  firmament,]  Thus  the  quarto* 
The  folio  reads,  —  this  brave  oVr  hanj;ing,  this  &c.     Steevens. 

'  — >  ihi^  eurerainment]  i  e,  fpaniig,  like  ihe  entertainments 
given  in  Lent*    So,  in  the  Dukc^s  miftrc/i^  by  Shirly,  163 1 2 
'*  —  to  mainrain  you  with  biflcer, 
••  Poor  John,  and  half  a  livery,  to  read  moral  virtue 
**  And  Zpw/<w  lec'turcb.**    Steevens. 

•  We  coiva    ibem  on  the  il'^, — ]     To  cote  is  to  overtake.    I' 
meet  with  this    word  in   Tfje  Return  from  Pamajfits^  a  comedyi 
x6o6  : 

**  —  marry  we  prcfenily  coted  and  outftript  ihem.** 

Ihave 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.    253 

ffsm*  He  that  plays  the  kine,  (hall  be  welcome ; 
his  m^efty  iball  have  tribute  of  me:  the  adventurous 
knight  (hall  ufe  his  toil,  and  target :  the  lover  (ball 
not  (igh  gratis  %  the  humorous  man  9  (hall  end  his 
part  in  peace:  the  clown  (hall  make  thofe  laugh, 
whofe  lungs  are  tickled  o*  the  fere ;  and  ^  the  lady 

I  have  obfenret)  the  fame  verb  to  be  ufed  in  fevcral  more  of 
the  old  plays.    So,  in  the  Second  Part  of  Mariton's  jijttonio  and 

**.  —  quick  obienration  icud 
"  To  c^e  the  plot.**— 
Again,  in  our  author's  iT.  Henry  VI.  P.  Ill : 

•*  Whofe  haughty  tpu'it^  winged  with  define, 
•*  Will  cote  my  crown.** 
Again*  in  the  23d  Song  of  Drayton's  Po^lhion: 

"  Which  dog  firft  turns  the  hare,  which  firil  the  Other  coats^ 
L  c.  ootttrips  the  other  in  the  courfe. 

Again,  in  Warner's  AUfians  England,  1602,  book  6.  chap.  30 : 
*♦  Was  of  the  gods  and  ^oddefles  tor  wmt  nnels  oxxi-couJ^ 
Again,  in  Drant's  tranflation   of  Horace's  latires,  1567  : 
«♦  For  he  that  thinks  to  coat  all  men,  and  a}!  to  ovcrgoe.'' 
Chapman  has  more  than  once  ufed  the  word  in  his  verfibn  or  the 
2^iL  Iliad* 

In  the  laws  of  courfing,  fays  Mr.  Toilet,  "  a  cou  is  when  a 
greyhound  goes  endways  b;^  the  (ide  of  his  fellow,  and  gives  the 
bare  a  turn.      This  quotation  fcems  to  point  out  the  etymology  ' 
of  the  verb  to  be  from  the  French  coti.  the  fide.     Stee  yens. 

•  — Jball  end  his  fart  in  peace :"]  A  \  ter  theie  words  the  folio  adds,' 
the  chrMn  Jball  make  thofe  laugh  vjhofe  iujigs  are  tickled  0^  th*  fere^ 

Warsurton. 
This  paiTage  I  have  omitted,  for  the  fame  reafon,  I  fuppofe,  aa 
the  other  editors  :  I  dt)  not  underlland  it.     Johnson. 

The  clown  Jball  make  thrje  lau^b  v:hofe  iungs  are  tickled  0*  th*  Jere^ 
i.  e.  thofe  who  are  adhma^icaJ,  and  to  whom  laughter  is  mo£k 
•uneafy.  This  is  the  cafe  (as  I  am  told)  with  thofe  whole  Iup^  afie 
tickled  by  the  fere  or  Jerum :  bur  about  this  palfage  I  am  neither 
▼ery  contident,  nor  very  fulicitous. 

The  word  feare  occurs  as  unintelligibly  in  an  ancient  Dialogue 
ieiweene  the  Comen  Secretary  andJeUmJyy  touclynge  the  unjlahlenes  of 
harlotUSf  bl.  1.  no  date  : 

"  And  wyll  b) de  wh}'fper\nge  in  the  care, 
"  Thynke  jre  her  tayie  is  not  lyght  of  the  feare!* 
Tht  Jere  is  likewife  a  part  about  a  hawk.     Stee  VEfTs. 
»  —the  lady  JbaU^^Q.]     The  lady  Jball  h<rt)€  no  obJIruHion^  wilefs 
from  tbi  lamenefs  of  the  verji.    Joh  N  son. 

7  IhaU 


^54-  HAMLET, 

fhM  &y  het  tniad  fceelj^  or  the  hktktetA  ftittlialt 
for*t^~Wha«  players  aro  ih^  ? 

RoJL  £ireQthofe  ^\x  ncre  wMt  tO'taki^fudl.de^^ 
lighc  in,  the  tra^gediaos  of  the  cicy. 

/idMi.  Hovr  ehaoQceS'  it^  «key  tf  a  vet  ?  tlfeir  refidenee^ 
both  in  reputation  and  profit,  was  bwier  both  ways. 

Rof,  >  I  think,  their  inhibition  comes  by  the  means 
of  the  late  inriovation. 

Ham.  Do  they  hofd  the  fame  eftimation  they  did 
when  I  was  in  the  city?  Are  they  fa foUow^'d  ? 

Rof.  No,  indeed,  they  are  not. 

*  [Ham.  How  comes  it  ?  Do  they  ^oW  rufty  f 

^  If/jini,  their,  inb^itUn^]  I  fancy  thift  Is  tranTpoftdr:  Hamkt 
.enquires  not  about  an  inb'thiiion^  h^t  zxi  inH9'Oation ;  the  an  Aver 
therefore  probably  was,  /  tbink^  tbcir  innavaiion,  tbut  is,  their  new 
pradtice  of  flroUing,  cames  by  means  of  the  ku  iahibitioo. 

The  drift  of  Hamlet'a  quefUon  appearr  to  be   thia* — Ho«r 
cbabces-it  they  travel  ^ — i.  e.  How  ba^fkns  i$  that  tbeof^  art  h^oomt 
Jirolkrs  ^-— Their  refidence,  both  in  reputation^  and  profit,. was  batter 
both  ways, — i«  c.  to  bave  remained  in  a  fettled  tbcatrc^  was  the  mof^ 
honourable  as  well  ai  the  mort  bicratifve  fatuuUw.     To  this,  Ro^- 
crant^  replies— Their  iMbiSUion  GOmes  by  means  of  the  late  im- 
no'uatiort.'^u  c,  tbeir  permlJJIon  to  oH  <wy   lon^  at  am  efiahjybed 
houje  is  taken  awqy^  in  confequence  of  the  new  custom  of  introdetch^ 
fcrfbnal  abufe  into  their  comedies.     Several  conipftnies  of  adon  in 
the  time  of  our  author  were  iileiured  ou  account  of  this  licentious 
praftice.     See  a  dialogue  between  Comedy  and  Enny  at  the  con*- 
cluiion  of  Mucedorus,  1598,  as  well  as  the  Preludium  to  jdfiF^]|pj9r/, 
or  tbe  Jovial  Fbilofopher^  1 6 30,  from  whence  the  following  paflogip 
is* taken :    *^  Shews  having  been  long  intermitted  and  forbiduen  by 
authority,  ^r  tbeir  ahufes^  could  not  be  rai fed  but  by  oonjuriiig** 
Shrji  enters,  whipped  by  two  furies,  and  the  prologue^&ys  to  her : 
**  —  with  tears  wafh  off  that  guihy  fin, 
**  Purge  out  thofe  ilWigeftcd  dregs  of  wit, 
**  That  ufe  their  ink  to  blot  a  fpotkfs  name : 
**  Lci's  have  no  ox\z  partlctdar  man  traduc'd-^ 
**  '■        fpare  ihe.perfons  &c." 
Alteration  therefore  in  the  order  of  the  woi^  (eemt  to*  be  quite 
vnnecellary*    Steevens. 

*  The  lines  enclofed  in  crotchets  arc  in  tlic  folio  of  t6«j,  but 
Opt  in  the  ^uano  of  1637,  nor,  I  fuppofe,  in  any  of  the  quartas* 

JjCmN«oir« 

Rcf. 


iPRINCE  or  DENMARK.     %^ 

Raf.  Na7>  their  endeavour  keeps  in  the  wonted 
pace :  But  ckere  idy  fir^  an  mtvy  oi  ckitdren,  b  Iktk 
€fsihsy  that «  cry  out  oa  th&  top  of  quef^ion,  and 

1^  '^amJkof  ffchtUrtn^  ^,J  Rdftdtisj  to  ^hc  pl^-houfc»  then 
€00tendin(;»  the  BagJ^^  the  For/uttf^&ce,  played. by  the,  chiMrtn 
of  hU  majefty's  chapel.     Pope. 

If  nrfattrs  t<r  the  yonn^  finging  men  of  St.  Paul\  concerning 
mhah  pcrfionnances  and  iuccei?  in  attradtiog  the  befl  company,  I 
M^  (ho  UtHov^mg  p&i*Age  ki  yn^ck  M>irn?t^t  Mtaei^taiMntau^  or 
Fq/^l  and  Katbcrinc^  1601 : 

*'  I  few  the  children  ffPovjJes  \2SJL  night ; 
**  And  wothr  they  plcasM  me  petty,  pretty  well„  , 

♦^  Tke  apei*  in  tine,  wil  ^  i3t  Handibmely. 
-^'«  I  iil^tjia  audience  thai:  ft^Qtfuemeththprc 
*<  With  m¥chiq>platif€:  a  tnaaihail  not  bei  chQa)i*d 
*^  W^th  the  ftench  of  garlick,  nor  be  paikd 
•  T^  the  barmy  jacket  of  a  beer- brewer. 
— **  'Tis  a  good  gentle  audiewcty  3k  J* 
Iti«  faid   in  Richard  flecknoe's  Sknrt  Difaoujfe  ^' ibe  Ekg/ijh 
Sta^y  167^    that  **boib.the  children  of  ilic  chapel  and  St* 
hdft,  aditd   playes,  the  one  in  White-Frier's,  the  other  hehindc 
the  Convocation-houfe  in  Paul's ;  till  people  growing  nib  re  pre- 
ciie,  and  playes  mdret'  licODtiouB,  the  ihecMje  of  Faults  wm  c^uite 
llmpcdX  and  that  ol[  the  children  of  the  ehaj^)c)  conjperted  i^  the 
ule  of  the  chitdren  of  the  revels."'    Steevens. 

UttJe  Yafcs,  tbat  cry  out  on   the  top  of  quefiton^ ]      The 

poet  here  fle^s  out  of  his  fubject  to  give  a  lafli  at  home,,  and  fneer 
tt  ti£.pBeiraiiing^  fashion  of  ibUoiipiD||r  plays  perforated  by  the  chil- 
dren of  the  chapel,  and  abandoning  the  eflabliihed  theatrag^  Btit 
%ttf  aiie  tbey  called  Ikiik  Yafi^?  A«  he  firft  caH»  'em  an  Jtxry  of 
dbil4rea  (aow,  an.  jj&rres  Eyery\%  a  haw^^  or  eagle's  nei^) ;  thei% 
k  Bet  tbA  ikaft  qvut^Qi^  but  we  ought  to  re^bre-^— iL'rr/f  fcyafcs ; 
1.  e.  youni^  ntiUings  ereat\»«8  juft  out  of  tlie.egg.  Theobald.- 
dn^  b  the  Bo3u  tf  Hauhf^^  &e.  bl.  1.  no  date:  **  /tnd  fo 
b^wanfe  the  beft  knowledge  is  by  the  «v,  they  be  called  o^'Jpd. 
Ye  oMiy  alfo.  knowe  an  iy»fft  by  the  paleneTs  of  the  feres  ot  hor 
legges,  or  the  fere  over  the  beake."    Sieevlns. 

♦•  -^  aty  out  on  ihe^iop  ofqucfiion^ — ]  The  meanin?^  fecms  to  be, 
Aeyt  aiL  a  conmiuhqueflion  in  the  h't^eii  m^tes  of  the  rotce.  ^ 

JoirxsoN'. 
Ji\n/kaf/tqmfii0n^  m  thir  place,  as  in  many  others,  f.gnifics  cos- 

va^kHotty  dialogue,     S^   in  T^jc  Merchmit  of  Tenkc :  ** Think 

"  yotf  fuefium  with  a 'Jew.**  The  meaning  of  the  paflngv  ma)' 
iMebie  b^^-^C/jddmM  thmt  pmfetua^y  recipe  in  d^e  hi^hcft  jwfes  pf 
voict  thati^aM  he  uUtnd.    Steevens* 

are 


256  H    A    M    L    E    Ti 

are  moft  tyrannically  clapped  for^t:  thele  ire  ho\4^ 
the  tafliion  ;  and  fo  berattle  the  common  ft^eSt  (fo 
they  call  them)  that  many,  wearing  rapiers,  are  afraid 
of  goofe- quills,  and  dare  fcarce  come  thither. 

Ham.  What,  are  they  children  ?  Who  maintains 
'em  ?  how  arc  they  4  efcoied  ?  ^  Will  they  purfu6 
the  quality  no  longer  than  they  can  fing  i  will  they 
not  fay  afterwards,  if  they  (hould  grow  themfelves  to 
common  players,  (as  k  is  moft  like  ^  if  their  means 
are  no  better)  their  writers  do  them  wrong,  to  tnakt 
them  exclaim  againft  their  own  fucceflion^? 

Rof.  'Faith,  there  has  been  much  to  do  on  both 
fides ;  and  the  nation  holds  it  no  fin,  to  tarre  them  on 
to  controverfy  ^ :,  There  was,  for  a  while,  no  money 
Ind  for  argument,  unlefs  the  poet  and  the  player  went 
to  cuffs  in  the  queftion* 

Ham.  Is  it  poflible? 

Guil.  O,  there  h^s  been  much  throwing  abottt  6f 
brains* 

Ham.  Do  the  boys  carry  it  away  ? 

Rof.  Ay,  that  they  do,  my  lord  i  9  Hercules  and 
bis  load  too.] 

4  ^  efcotedf}  Pai<L  Frotti  the  French  ejcoi^  ^  Aot  oritckon^ 
11^.    Johnson. 

^  frill  tbeypurfue  tbi  quality  no  hmgertbait  they  cam  fa^?^  WiH 
ttiey  foUoMT  ihtprtfiffion  of  players  no  boger  than  they  keep  the 
Tcnces  of  boys  }  So  aftcrwaixls  he  fays  to  the  player,  Corm^  gnm  ui 
alafle  efyow  quality;  come^  a  fajjionaie J^h*    Johnson. 

•  —  moft  Uke^ — ]     The  old  copy  -reads,  —  like  mfi.  Steevsks. 
^  —  their  ^writers  Jo  them  vjrong^  &c.)    I  (hould  have  been  wf 

much  furprized  if  t  had  not  found  Ben  Jonfon  among  the  wrheni 
here  alluoed  to.    Steetens. 

•  —  to  taire  them  om  to  coMtrover^i]  To  profoke  tny  animal 
to  rage,  is  to  tarre  him.  The  word  is  (aid  to  come  from  the  Oitck 
*f^ia9m.    Johnson* 

9  —  Hercules  and  hit  load  too.]  /•  e.  they  not  onW  carry  avtray 
the  world,  but  the  world-bearer  too :  alluding  to  the  flory  of  Her* 
cules's  relieving  Atlas.    This  is  huntorous.     Warbveton. 

The  allufion  may  be  to  the  Glo^  playhoufe,  on  the  Bankfidc^ 
iht  ^gno£nhiQhy¥9$Hercuki  carrying  tbeGloU.    St^btsns. 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.    257 

Ham.  '  it  is  not  very  ftrange :  for  my  uncle  is 
king  of  Denmark;  and  thofe,  that  would  make 
mouths  at  bim  while  my  father  liv'd^  give  twc^nty, 
forty,  fifty,  an  hundred  ducats  a-piece,for  his  pidlurc 
in  little  *•  There  is  fomething  *  in  this  more  than 
natural^  if  philofophy  could  find  it  out. 

[Flourijb  of  trumpet.  - 

CmU  There  are  the  players. 

Ham.  Gentlemen,  you  are  welcome  to  Elfinoun 
Tour  hands.  Come  then :  the  appurtenance  of  wel- 
come is  fafhion  and  ceremony :  4  let  me  comply  with 
you  in  this  garb;,  left  my  extent  tp  the  players,  which, 
I  tell  you,  muft  (hew  fairly  outward,  fliould  more 
appear  like  entertainment  than  yours.  You  are  wel- 
come: bur  my  uncle-father,  and  itunt- mother,  ate 
deceived. 

GwL  In  what,  my  dear  lord  ? 

Ham.  I  am  but  mad  nprtl^north-weft :  when  tho 
wind  is  foutherly  5, 1  know  a  hawk  from  a  haud-faw  ^. 

Enter 

*  bis  wt  nmyjlrtmgt:  fir  mine  mnck*^']  I  do  not  wonder  that 
tlie  new  pluyers  have  lo  fiidd^nlj  rifen  to  reputatloDf  my  uncle  fup- 
pltet  another  example  of  the  facility  with  which  honour  is  conferred 
upon  new  claimants.    Johnson. 

^  —  M  Uttk.1  *•  ^*  '^  miniature.    So,  in  the  Nohle  SoUiery  1634: 
*•  The  perfeftion  of  all  Spaniards,  Mars  in  UttleJ* 
Agun,  in  Dray  ton*8  Shepherd* s  Sirena : 

"  Paradife /«  iWZf  done.** 
Again)  in  Maflinget's  N<ew  vMtf  to  pa^  old  dehts: 

"  His  father^s  picture  in  little.**    StetEVkns, 
s  Tbenisfimetbing-^]    The  old  editions  read,r-'i^/?^  there 
is,  &c    Steevens. 

4  «« itttiu  comply—]  Hanmer  reads,  Lit  me  compliment  vjitb 
j9tu    Johnson. 

»  fFhcu  the  *mnd  is  fQUtherly,  &**■•]  So,  in  Damon  and  Pythias^ 
Ji82  : 

**  But  I  perceive  now,  either  the  winde  is  at  thefiutb^ 
**  Or  dfe  your  tunge  cleaveth  to  the  rooffc  of  your  mouth.*' 

Steev£;ks* 

•  —  /  hiow  a  bawh  from  a  hand^faw^  This  was  a  common 
proverbial  fpeech.  The  Oxford  Editor  alters  it  to,  I  know  a  bavd^ 
from  an  l^ernjbarx'^  as  if  the  other  had  been  a  comiction  of  the 

V9L.  X.  S  pUyenj 


«58  H    A    M    L    E    T, 

Enter  Palonius. 

Pol.  Well  be  with  you,  gentlemen ! 

Ham.  Hark  you,  Guildcnftcrn ;— and  you  too;— 
at  each  ear  a  hearer:  That  great  baby,  you  fee  there, 
is  not  yet  out  of  his  fwadling-clouts. 

Rof.  Haply,  hc*8  the  fecond  time  come  to  them ; 
for,  they  fay,  an  old  man  is  twice  a  child. 

Ham.  I  will  prophefy,  \\t  comes  to  tell  me  of  tb« 
players  ;  mark  it. — You  fay  right,  fir :  on  monday 
morning;  *twa$  Chen,' indeed. 
'    Pol.  My  lord,  I  have  news  to  tell  you. 

Ham.  My  lord,  I  have  hews  to  tell  you. — When 
Rofcius  was  an  aftor  in  Rome, 

Pol.  The  aftors  are  come  hither,  my  lori 

Ham.  7  Buz,  buz ! 

PoL  Upon  mine  honour,-*- ' 

Ham.  ®  Then  came  each  aSlor  on  bis  afs^--^ 

PoL  The  beft  adlors  in  the  world,  either  for  tra- 
gedy, comedy,  hittory,    paftoral,    paftoral-comical, 
hiftorical-paftoral,  [9  tragical- hiftorical,  tragical-comi- 
cal, 

p]a}'crs;  whereas  the  poet  foiin'dl  die  proverb  thus  cormpfed  ia  th^ 
mouths  of  the  people :  fo  that  this  critic's  aheration  only  fenrcs  to 
(hew  us  the  original  of  the  cxprcfHon.    WarbuRton. 

Similarity  of  found  is  the  Iburce  of,  many  lirerary  comiprions. 
In  Holbom  ^e  have  ftlll  the  (ign  of  the  Bull  and  Gaff ^  which  ex- 
hibits but  an  odd  combination  of  images.  It  was  originally  (as  \ 
learn  from  the  dtje  page  of  an  old  play)  ilte  Bulingne  Gate,  /.  #.  one 
of  the  gates  of  Bulhgnei  deiigned  perhaps  as  a  eoropliment  to 
Henry  VIII.  who  took  that  place  in  1544. 

The  BuUo^e  mouthy  now  ilie  Bull  and  Movth^  had  probably  tho 
'  fame  origin,  i.  e.  \\\z  mouth  of  ihe  harbour  cfBulkyte.     Steevens, 

^  Bu%^  huz!-^]    Merc  idle  talk,  the  hz  pt  the  fulgar. 

7oHMtOK« 


StiZy  huz  !  are,  I  believe,  only  iirtcricftions  employed  to  inter- 
rupt Polonius.  B-  Jonfon  ufes  them  onen  for  the  fame  purpoic»  as 
well  as  Middleton  in  A  Mad  fForldmy  Mafters^  1 608.    Stee  v£  m s« 

*  Ihen  came^  &c.]    This  feems  to  be  a  line  of  a  batlad, 

JOHKSOK. 

t  »-m  iragtcaf  SccJ]    The  words  within  the  crotchets  I  have  re- 

ooTcred  from  the  folio,  and  fee  no  reafpn  why  they  were  hitherto 

I  omitted. 


PRINCB  OF  DENMARK.    %3^ 

f^  biftorica^p«flora] J  iceoe  unidividable«  or  poem 
unlimited :  >  Seneca  cannoc  be  too  heavy,  norPlaycui 
too  light:  ^For  the  law  of  writ,  and  the  libertjTj 
tbefe  are  the  only  men. 

Ham.  Q  Jtpbtha^  ju^e  cf  Jfrack-^^h^tX  a  trejjT 
fatt  hadft  thou  1 

Pol  Wha^  a  treafure  had  he,  my  lord  ? 

Hm*  ^\^%—Q»e  fair  daughter^  and  99  vtore^ 
The  wbkb  be  lovfd  pa^tng  wefi^ 

PoL  Still  on  my  daughter.  t4/^ 

Ham.  Am  I  not  i*  th^  right,  oM  Jepbtha  f  , 

PoL  If  you  call  me  Jephtba,  my  lord,  |  b(^v9  4 
daughter,  that  I  love  pafling  well* 

Ham.  Nay,  that  follows  not* 

PoL  What  follows  then,  my  lord  ? 

Ham.  '  Why,  as  By  lot,  God  wot^ — and  then,  yoq 
know,  //  came  to  pafi^  jif  tfiqfi.  Uh  if  wfis^^^^  The 

firft 

omitted.    Tb^re  are.  many  ^|aya  of  the  age,  if  not  of  SlMikefpeare^ 

that  anfwer  to  thefe  dercnptions.     Stsevews. 

*  ScBifa  cannot  ht  too  btavy^  nor  Pi^at^s  $00  Ugfyt,^  The  tra* 
gcdiei  of  Seneca  were  tranflated  into  Euglilh  by  Tho,  NewMO, 
and  publifhed  in  t^Sit  One  comcdv  of  Plaatus^  M^.  th«  Me-* 
ii4itri&;itr/,  ^aslikewifetranflacesiandpubKflied  in  1(95.  Ste^vens^ 

*  For  the  Aytu  ^writ,  (pul  the  liberty^  thefe  are  the  only  men,']  AU 
the  modern  editions  have,  the  law  ofwit^  ami  the  liberty ;  but  both 
roy  old  copies  have,  the  Uiu  ^writ,  I  bclipre  righrly.  fTrtt^  for 
wittfigj  compofitlon.  JiHt  was  not,  in  our  author's  timo,  takeii 
lather  for  imagination^  or  aaiteneft^  or  hQtb  together^  but  for  aw^t 

JianJing^  for  the  fdculiy  by  which  we  appreheiui  and  juifge,  Tboff 
who  wrote  of  the  human  mind,  diflinguKhed  its  primary  powerf 
into  <zvi/  and  *w}il,  Afcham  diflinguiihes  heys  of  tarpy  ^nflot  aciivf 
Acuities  into  q^ick  nxits  and  Jhw  *a:its.    Johnson, 

'  Why,  as  by  lot ^  God^wot^^c]  The  old  fong  from  whicl^ 
thefe  quotat;ons  are  taken,  I  communicated  to  Dr,  Percy,  ^hQ 
hat  honoured  it  with  a  place  in  the  fecpnd  and  third  ediiioos  of 
his  Retiques  of  ancietft  Engli/b  Poetry.  In  the  books  belonging  tp 
the  Stationers*  Company,  there  is  a  late  enrry  of  this  Balkd  amopg 
ethers.    ?*  Jcffajud^rflfracl^*  p.  J3.  vol.  iii.  JDcc.  14,  1624. 

STjsyj&jfj, 

4  the  pious  cbanfoH"^']  It  is  fans  cl^fins  Iq  the  firj|^  folio  edi^ 
tioo.  The  old  ballads  fung  on  bridges,  tod  firom  tbenc9  palle^ 
fi§s  clf4nfoas.     Ham}c:  u  heie  repeating  cads  Qf  old  Ibns^  Pp^Ef 


^6o         k  A  M  L  E  r; 

firfl:  row  of  the  pious  chanfon  will  (hew  you  moM  i 
for  look|  where  s  tny  abridgment  comes. 

£ntfr  four  or  five  Players. 

You  arc  welcome,  matters ;  welcome,  all : — ^I  ant 
glad  to  fee  thee  well : — welcome,  good  friends. — O, 
old  friend !  Why,  thy  face  is  valanc'd  fince  I  faw 
thee  kft;  Com'ft  thou  to  beard  me  in  Denmark  ?— * 
What!  my  young  lady  and  miftrefs!  By-Vlady, 
your  ladylhip  is  nearer  to  faeiven,  than  when  I  faw 
you  laft,  ^  by  the  altitude  of  a  chioppine.    Pray 

God, 

It  is  p&ns  cbanfins  in  the  quarto  too*  I  know  not  whence  the 
rubric  has  been  brought,  }-ct  it  has  not  the  appearance  of  an  ar- 
bicrary  addition.  The  tiucs  of  old  balladt  were  never  printed 
red ;  but  perhaps  ruhk  may  {land  for  mar^htd!  exflart^lcfu 

Johns  otr« 

There  are  five  lai^  vols,  of  bdkds  in  Mr.  Pepys's  collection 
in  Maedalen  college  library,  Cambridge,  fome  as  ancient  as 
Henry  vlTs  rdgn,  and  not  one  red  letter  upon  any  one  of  the 
titles.    Gray. 

The  firft  row  rf  the  RVBiiiC  w///i  &c.]  The  words,  of  tbe 
ruhric  were  firft  bferted  bv  Mr.  Rowe,  in  his  edition  in  1709. 
The  old  auartot  in  1604,  x^5»i^d  161  ijXC$A  pious  chart/on^  which 
gives  the  lenfe  wanted,  and  I  have  accordingly  inferred  it  in  the  text. 

The  pious  chanfim  were  a  kind  ci  Chrtftmas  carols^  containing 
ibme  icriptural  hiftory  thrown  into  loo{<s  rhiraes»  and  fang  about 
the  ftreets  by  the  common  people  when  they  went  at  that  (eafbn 
to  foHcit  alms.  Hamlet  is  lierc  rcpctting  Ibme  fcraps  from  a  fong 
of  this  kind,  and  when  Polonius  enquires  what  folio^vs  them,  he 
refers  him  to  the  Jlrft  row  (i.  e.  divrfion)  of  one  4f  thefe,  to  ob- 
tain the  information  he  wanted.    8teeve»s. 

5  -.1— ./wy  abridgmoit — ]He  calls  the  players  a^terWaida,  the 
bri(f  chronicks  (f  the  tiTtu ;  but  I  think  he  now  meant  only  tbefe 
sjoho  wiUJborun  t?ty  talk.    Johnson. 

.  An  abridgement  is  ufed  for  a  dramatic  piece  in  thef  hUfummt 
KighisDream^h^^.    Sc.  i.  ^       ^     -    ^ 

**  Say  what  abridgment  hare  yoU  for  this  evening  r" 
but  it  does  not  commodiouflv  apply  to  this  pailage.    StekveKs. 

*  — ^  the  altitude  of  a  chioppinc,']     A  ehioppine  is  a  high  ihoc 
^  worn  by  the  Italians,  as  in  Tho.  Hey  wood's  Cl^Ueage  of  Beauty^ 
Ad  C.    Song. 

The 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK*    961 

Cod,  your  voke,  like  a  piece  of  uncurrent.gold,  7  be 
not  crack'd  within  the  ring. — Matters,  you  are  al) 
welcome.  We'll  e'en  to't  ^  like  French  falconers^  fly 
at  any  thing  we  fee :  We'll  Ittve  a  fpeecb  firai^t : 

The  Ualian  in  her  high  chopieniy 

Scotch  hff  and  lovdy  firoe  too ; 
The  Spanifli  Donna,  French  Madame,* . 
Vt  doth  not  feare  to  go  to. 
So,  in  Ben  jonibn's  Q^thkis  Revels : 

*•  I  do.wifli  QoyicJf  one  of  ray  miflrefs's  G^Mni.^  Another  de- 
mands, why  woittd  he  he  ooe  of  bis  mifireirt  Ctof^nif  a  thin) 
aufweri,'^^  becaulb  be  woidd  make  her  i6/j^itfr.'' 

Agaio,  10  Dedsei't  Matsb  me  in  Lonaon^  1631 :    **  Fm  only 
takii^  indnitSions  to  make  her  a  lower  Cbofeene  ^  (he  finds  fault 
that  She's  lifted  too  high." 
Ag^f  in  Chi^n[ian's  Cafar  md  FonAey^  1631 : 
*• -rr^  and  thou  ihalt 
^*  Have  Cboptms  at  oommandement  to  any  height 
«  Of  life  thou  canft  wifh."    Steevrni^i    -  ,     , 

^  •^henci  crafJP<i  witlun  the  rittg^l     That  ii,  pracVJ  too  muck 
fir  u/e^    This  is  faid  to  a  young  pU^er  who  aAed  the  parts  bf 
women.    Jqhnbon. 
)  find  the  fame  phrafe  in  Tie  Caffiain^  bv  fi.  an^  Fletchers 
♦♦  Gnne  to  be  mairied  to  my  lady^  woman, 
M  After  ihe*s  eroded  in  the  rh^r 
Again,  in  Ben  Jonibn*»  Magnetic  La^:         '  ' 

"-  LiglU  jold,  and  cracl^d  ixntbit^  the  rv^J^ 
Again*  in  i?<iw-uWb>  <^i*  MerryTHckf^  tfkii} 
•*  -^  not  ,9  P^ny  the  worie 


«*^  You  \yill  not  kt 
fOf  oaiths  be  craaVd  in  the  rlng^  will  you  ?    Stee  vkns. 

•  '^Uke  fricndly,/&^tf«fri— ]  Hanmer,  who  has  much  illuflr^ted 
the  allufions  to  fklconry,  r6ub,  like  YxcncYi  fidconers.    Johnson. 

French  fidconeri  ^  not  a  corr^6a  by  Hanmer,  but  the  reading 
of  the  firu  folio* 

The  amuicment  of  falconry  w^  much  cultivated  in  France. 
In  ^s  Will  that  ends  t^ell^  Shakefpe^  has  introduced  an  aftringer 
tut  falconer  at  the  French  courti  Mr.  Toilet,  who  has  mentioned 
the  &me  circumfbnce,  likewife  adds  that  it  is  faid  in  Sir  Thc^ 
Prfiwnc's  Tra^Sy  p.  11^.  that  ♦*  the  French  fccm  to  have  been  the 
firfi,  and  noblell  talpoiiers  in  the  w^fiem  part  of  Europe ;''  and« 
^at'  (be  French  king  fent  over  his  falconers  to  (hew  that  f^rt  to 
^g  Jjuncs  the  firft.*^  See  Wcldon's  Court  rf  K}ng  ^ameu 

Ste^vens^ 

S  J  Come^ 


Comt)  jgtvt  OB  ft  talte  of  your  quftlitjr ;  vconoe^  a  |i^^ 

.  1  Pbff.  WiiM  fpeecln  my  good  lord  ? 
Had.  t  heart}  thee  fpeik  me  i  fptech  onccy—bfit 
it  was  never  adcd;  or,  if  it  was,  not  above  once: 
for  the  play,  I  remember,  plcas'd  not  the  million  { 
^twas  9  caviare  to  the  geoeral :  but  it  was  (as  I  re* 
CeivM  it,  and  others,  whofc  judgments, ^  m  fuch 
matters,  «  cl-ied  in  the  top  of  mine)  aa  ezcdleat 
play  \  well  digcfted  in  the  fcehfes^  *  fee  down  with  as 

*  C^bnv^  fi  ihi  general :)  Caviare  h  thfe  tptwn  df  fttt^gttm 
l^ickled,  «Dd  is  imported  hither  from  Ruffia.'  Sir  )•  Hawkins* 

The  Cation  is  not  the  fpawo  of  the /«ij^i^  but  of  the  jKrrZtff, 
k  fi(h  of  the  ihirg^  kind,  w^ich  fcldom  grows  above  thirty  inches 
long»  It  is  feoi^  in  many  ot  the  HveTs  or  Ruffia,  but  the  Volga 
l^oducestbe  fated  and  in  the  greatrft  plenty. 

Btr  Ben*8  Journryfrom  Faerjktrgh  tb  IJjtahm^ 
B.  jon^  ftas  ridiruled  the  lotrodu^ioh  of  tbefe  foreign  deli* 
taciea  In  his  Cinthiji  Hebtb, — *•  He  doih  icam  to  eat  AnchoYiesi 
Macaroni,  Bovoli,  Fagioli,  and  Ca^iitre^  &c» 

Again^in  the  Mtfii  Inking  OUfi^  by  Randolph,  1638 1' 
«( A^thepkaTure  that  1  take  in  fpendlng  it^ 
*•  Ttt  feed  on  Cmnart  and  eat  anchovies.^ 
Agidtt,  itt  the /^^iCf  iVi«4  1612  : 

««.M^  tone  citizen 
«'  t^lofdof  two  ftir  manors  that  caH^d  you  mafle^^* 
**  Only  K>r  Caviart^ 
AgtiH,  in  Marfton's  Hlyatyou  yAUy  1  fc  J  : 

**  -r-  a  ijiao  can  fcarce  egt  gOod  nieal,    ' 
**  Anchovies,  CMare^  bat  ht*s  SuiVei'' 
Mr*  Malone  obferves  that  lotd  Clarendon  ufcs  the  f^^ht 
^hi.feodc^  in  the  fam^  mannca     And  fo  by-undervaliung  many 
j)ariicuiars  (which  t>iey  truly  cfteemed)  as  rather  to  be  confentcd  to 
than  that  the  general  (Tiould  futfcr.'*    B*  5.  p.  530,     S-re*vi.its» 

'  '^  crhd  in  tht  tffp  ef  mine-^X  K  e^  wiiqle  jndgment  I  had  At 
highei^  opinion  of.     WakbuAtov. 

I  think  ir  means  only  that  vxre  higher  than  mine,     JohXSO*. 
WhoCe  judgmet^t.  in  foch  matters,  was  in  ibuch  higher,  vqgol 
than  mine.     RsvjsaL. 

Pcrhaxys  it  means  nnly-*^who(e  judgment  was  more  damoronfly 
delivcrea  than  mine.  We  ft  ill  fayofabawKng  aftor,  that,  he 
fj^enks'  0s  the  tup  ef  his  voic$,     Steeyens* 

^'^JiiJhvM  with  ett  mttch  modefty-^J    Mfde/fy^  fbrjfti^^. 

Warboitok* 
much 


PRINCE  o?  DENMARK.    263 

much  modefty  as  cunning.  I  remember,  one  faid, 
there  were  no  faJlets  ^  in  the  lines,  t()  make  the  mat- 
tcr  fa*oury  j  nor  no  matter  in  t*he  phrafe,  4  that 
might  indite  the  author  of  affeftion :  s  but  Caird  it, 
an  hon^ft  method;  [as^  wholefomc  as  fweet,  and 
by  very  much  more  handfome  than  fine.]  One 
fpecch  in  it  I  chiefly  lov*d :.  'twas  -ffineas*  tale  to 
Dido ;  and  thereabout  of  it  efpecially,  ivhcre  he 
fpeaks  of  Priam's  Daughter :  If  it  live  in  your  me- 
mory, begin  at  this  line ;  let  me  fee,  let  me  fee  v— 
The  rugged  Pyrtbus^  like  the  Hyrcanian  beajly — 
^tis  not  fo  J  it  begins  with  Pyrrhus* 

^be  rugged  PyrrhuSj-^^be^  whoje  Jhhle  armu 
Black  as  bis  purpofe^  did  tbt  ftigbl  refembte 
When  be  lay  touched  in,  the  ominous  horfe^-^ 
Hatb  now  this  dread  and  bhck  com^JixionfrfieaY^d 

t  —  theff  nofTf  wo  fallefg,  See.)  SucK  is  the  rei(Bng  Tbf  thd-oli 
copitti  I  know  nor  wby  the  Uter  edko»  c^ntii»i<9di(o»do|icthe 
alteration  of  j\ir.  Pope,  and  leadi- q<>  y27i^,  If6.   ^  ^^ 

Mr.  P^i^  idteration  may  ,^uked  be  u).fvi^«t  ilcgree  fupported 
by  the  following  paflage  in  Ikcifiys  Sutifom^ix:  **  ^  a  pre- 
pared troop  of  gtllaarg^  who  flmU  diltafie  evt ry -^Jilfed  line  in 
their  fly-blown  comedies.**  Thoo^  thcathtrpbri^  was  ulod  as 
late  as  in  the  year  1665^  ia  a  S^^uet  rf  J(fiu  £cc*  ,**  — for 
junkets,  jocz;  and  for  curiou^y^^/i,  tales.***   bT£CV£NS. 

*  —  i/?at  mtgbt  indite   the  auilnir^^]     Jnditt^  fi>r-fiiv^. 

'  -\     -,,.-.        .  ,  WiWH^URTON. 

^^^tuMte  the  anthor  o(sfff^hn:^  i.  e.  convi^^^U^  a^.-h6r  of 
being  a  fantailtcal  ij^iSir^' writer^  -  jMarla  %4\  Ma^oU^^.ap  af" 
fi^lwHfJ'd&i' u  4.  an  afff^d  t&i  and  in  Ijn^fi  Lf^K^\L^^ 
Natbamd  teP»tihe  Pedant,  that  his  reafons  '^  ifovt-  hen  '(wi$t.  witif- 
49t  gdSc^onJ^  v, ;, ., 'i  :     . 

Agaiiw,ij|  th^,nw(Wp«  A^  CfAigiiiw/ji  C^nrtiffi^^hS  Hobby, 
1556  :  *^  Among  thechiefe  conditions^  aiid  qualityes  in  a  watting 
gentlewoman,"  is  *•  to  flee  ^i^^«  oj: curlofity."  '^teevjns. 

much  Tiis  jiudgnjlent  differed  ftom  that  01  others,    Otif-fiud,-  ibne 

«tV75  no  fak  in  the  lines^  &c.  hui  caUidU  an  h^neft  method.  '  Thejra* 

thor  probably  gaireic,  But  J c^hd it iuiiionrfi mctBod^Zx.  JoH^'soi^. 

—  an  honeft  mthod^ — J     Ihneft^  (t>r  thaften     W X K »'u t ton. 

•  ^^vshokfome  &c.l  This  paflage  W36  rccoycred  liom  the 
quartos  by  Dr»  Iohnion^  SteCven** 

S-4  '    With 


%$i  HAMLET, 

fTitb  heraldry  more  difmal-^  bead  to  foot 
.  Now  is  be  total  gules  7 ;  horridly  tricked 
With  blood  of  father Sy  mother s^  daughter s^  fons  j 
Bak*d  and  impafted  with  the  parching  ftreets, 
That  lend  a  tyrannous  and  a  damned  light 
To  their  lonFs  murder :  Roamed  in  wrath,  andfre^ 

'  And  thus  dier-fized  with  coaguhte  gore^ 
With  qes  Hie  carbuncles^  tlk  helfijb  Pyrrhus 

. ,  Oldgrandfiri  Priam  feeks ; -So,  proceed  you.. 

Pol.  Tore  God^  my  lord,  well  fpoken ;  with  gopd 

accent,  and  good  difcretion. 
I  Play.  Anon  he  finds  bim^ 
StHkiHg  toofhort  at  Greeks ;  his  antique  Jword^ 
RebelUiks  td  his  am^  lies  where  it  faHs% 
Repugnant  to  command:  Unequal  matcFd^ 
Pyrrhus  at  Priam  drives \  in  rage,flrikes  wide; 

.    But  with  the  whiff  and  wind  of  his  fell  fword^ 
The  unnerved  father  falls*  -  Thenfmfelejs  Iliumf 
Seeming  to  feel  this  Uow,  with  flaming  top 

.    Stoops:  to  bis  bafe;  and  with  a  hideous  crajh 

.    Takes  prifoner  ryrrh^s\  ear :  for^  lo !  hisjwqf 
Which  was  declining  on  the  milky  bead 
Of  reverend  Priam^fiem^df  the  air  toftick  : 
Soj  as  a  painted  tyrant,  Pyrrhus  flood  \ 
And^  like  a  neutral  to  bis  will  and  matter^ 
Did  nothing. 

£utj  as  we  often  fee,  againfl  fpmeflorm^ 
..AJilence  {nJh^  heavens^  'the  rack  flafidfliU^ 
The  bold  winds  fpeecble/s^  and  the  orb  belgw 

As  bujh  as  death :  anon^  the  dreadful  thunder 

....  , 

^  N^iAi  h  hi  i9ia!  g^j'esi]  G'J€s  ii  a  tenp  io  the  barbajrowft 
jaroon  peculiar  \o  heraldry,  nnJ  fignlfics  fiJ.  ^hakcipcare  has  it 
again  in  Tiraf»* 

*'  With  man's  blooJ  pa Inc  th c  gro u od  ;  ^les^  guttsJ^ 
Hcvwoodj  m  hU  Second  Pjrt  of  ihe  Iren  A^Cy  has  made  a  verb 
ffOip  lU  .  .         . 

«*  —  old  Hecuba's,  reverend  locks 
«*  Be^Winflaughifer"'^    Steev^ns*  ^ 

Dotk 


^  R  1 N  C  E  o  /  D  E  N  M  A  R  It.    a65 

i)oSb  tend  the  region :  So^  after  Pyrrhus^  pMfi^  ; 
jt  roufed  vtngeance  fets  bif»  new  a-work^^ 
Jnd  never,  did.  the  Cyclops^  hammers  fall 
On  Mar^s  armour^  for£d  for  $r4)ofettrni^     .    - 
With  kfs  remorfe  thi^hPyrrhu/  bleeding  fwori 
Ifo^  falls  on  Priam.^^r-'^ 
Out  J  out ^  thou  firumpet  Fortune  \  Myougois^ 
In  general  f/nod^  tah  aw^  bfr^  t^er^  \ 
Break  all  thefpokes  and  fellies  froft^^  her  wheel f^ 
And  hwl  the  found  nave  down  the  hill  of  heaved 
As  low  as  to  thefiendsl 
PoL  This  is  too  lonfc  ,     , 

Ham:  It  ihall  to  the  oarbcr's,  with  your  bealrd.-^ 
!Pr*ythee,  fay  on :— He*s.for  a  jigg,  or  a  talc  of  tow- 
dry,  or  hd  ^ps  : — fay  on ;  come  to  Hecuba.  ^ 
I  Play. .But  wbo^  a  woe!  had  feen^  the  mohled 

queettf —  '  ..     .  \ 

flam.  The  rtic^bled  q\iccr>  ?       ., 

^  —1^  mobted  queen — ]j  iMkdov  maUed  f&iifies  veiled.'  So 
Sandys,  fpaiking  of  ih^  Turkifii  wi^men,  fa)i^  tbUr  bkads  andfaeis 
0ire  xtiidf^M^tn  firn  Une%  ihm  no  mortis  tobejiviif  thertiA^n,  Mat 
pes.    Travds.    Warburtojt.  ^, 

Mailed  i^ifies  huddled^  grofsfy  eo^ered.  TdgNsoN,  '  * 
The  folio  read9-=-<he  imrled  queen ;  anid  iH' all  profcatiltff  'ftlg 
the  troe  teading.  Thii  .pompous  but  Qnmeanlng  epithel^  might 
be  introduced  merdy  to  make  her  Phrygian  majcuy  appear  110095 
lidtculous  in  the  following  lines,  where  (he  is  reprdented  as  wear- 
ing a  'cloat^6^  j^ef  head  i  br,  ituioiled ^^exn  may  however  fignify 
the  queeo  imndbkd^  u  c,  divefted  of  her  former  dignities.'  IVrf. 
tfptoo  ttould  read  mohled  queen' :  Ui^nar  camitMte  catervom  ' ' 
*  I  am  informed  that  mah^led,  In  Wan^ickihire  (w^ere  it  it  {»{b« 
noimced  »b>b-led)  ^gta£a  ied  i^ftray-fy  a  mil  0*  the  wijPf  an  i^^ 
$ttwis.    Steevens. 

**  The  mohhled  <juecn.** 
I  neet  with  thii  word  in  ^SberWs  Oenikman  ^^enice^ 

«  The  moon  does  mMk  up  herfdf/^  Fa* MEM.- 
|a  tke  Utter  end  of*  die  reign  of  King  Chades  IL  the  tabbte 
ithat  attended  the  Eari  of  ShaMbury^s  partizane  Vas  firft^eaOed 
^sMhTtuiilgusj  and  afterwards,  by  tontradtion,  the  ^nM;  afid'ever 
^nce^  tberword  ffM^.ksQ' become  proper  fingHfii.  Confequentljr 
|i|r*  Upton's  fuppofition  mufi  &U  to  the  ^011^    l*OLtfiT« 


2f6        u  A  u  h  %  r, 

Pol^  That's,  goad ;  mobled  aueen  is  gopd» 

I  ^hy.Rutt  bare-foot  ujk  $Mdovm^  tbriai^ning^ 

flames 
9  JVltb  bipn  rhtUin ;  a  clout  Upon  that  beai^ . 
ft^h^c  late  tbe  diadem  flood  I  ind^for  a  rohL    • 
About  bet  knk  dnd M  li';er-teemel loiif^,      1  .' 
A  blanket^  in  the  alarm  ^Jetfr  Caught  up^  t  *    .  \^ . 
W%o  this  had  km ^  with  tongue  in  ve^omfleej^J^^ 
^Gainjifortum  sflate  would  treafon  h(tojs  fron0(ifi^d: 
But  if  the  gsds  iBenifeke^  did  f^e  her  then^,,  ■ 
Pf^enjbe  Ja^u}  Pyrrbm  ma%e  maUcious  J^ort 
In  mincing  uitb  bis  fjt^crd her  hufbani^s  lwifis\ 
Thf  i^ani  burft  of  clctmour  thaf  fl>e  Ifta^^ 
(Vnkfs  things  niortat  move  them  not  at  all) 
IVould  bav£  made  milch  *  the  jhrnfug  ^es  of  heainen^ 
'    And  pafllon  in  tie  gods. 

ToL  Look/ whcV  he  lias  not  turned  hil  colour, 
and  has  tears  in^s  eyes.-— Pr'yfhcev  no  more.       -  ^ 

Ham.  *Tis  well ;  Til  nave  thee  fpcak  out  the  reft 
.^f  this  fopn* — Goodly  lprd|^  will  yau  kt.  the  players 
vvcH  belbw'd  ?  po  you  hcar».  let  thecn  be  well  ufed{ 
iet  they  are  the  abftradV,  and  brief  chrbuicicsi  oif  the 
time  :  After  your  deathj  you  were  better  h^Vd  a  bad 
^{litwh^  than  their  ill  report  yirbile  you  Uv^w  h 
u  Fol^  My  k>rd>  I  will  ufe  them  accQfdios  to  their 
^defent;  '•/'        '^       :     . 

]}'  ;fjlm^''66d*^  bodikiw,  jtian,  much  better :'  Ufc 
"hytfry  man  ^fter  his  defcirt^  and  wJio  fliall  Tcape  whip- 
ping.? Cife  them  after  your  owrt  honour  and  dignity : 
The  left  they  defertre,  the  more  merit  is  in  j*our 
'teUttty.     Take  theta  in.      • 

•  ff^f/j  biflbft  *^m^]  Bipn  or  ^a,  u  q.  blkid.     A  V'Ord 
tlill  i  n.  ufe.  i  n  ftme  '^r<l  rf  (the  ttofih  ot  Engbnd. 
•!-:  JSf>  in  Cqt¥>iafM4r  \  V  Wh^t  \aixsk  c«tt  yout  Ar^  cbnij^cAittks 
i.gfci^:<)ut  of  <h^  charii4tcff*^  •STEit\iB>^s*  >     ,,    .     , 

.  .  /  ~  n)^e  mlch^\  ^  Diiytoh  ip  tbe  j  jth  ^oag  of  hit  F4^i9n 
^r^iiVCB  Ibii^piUiet  todtwo  r^^ExfatBng  them/Vbk  dew»  ifs^' 

! .        *  .  STEEV8«tS. 

Pol. 


^ol    Cocncfii*.  [Eidt  Palqmt^ 

/iTmu  Follow  htOH  fv\tnA% :  we*ll  hear  ^pky  £<>- 
ihorrow.*— Doft  thou  hear  me,  old  friend  j,  can  you 
play  the  murder  ofGoMa^o? 

s  Phiy.  Ay^  my  lord.  .        \    • 

ffam.  Well  lu'c  to-morrow  ,  night.  You'could^ 
for  a  need>  ftudy  a  ^ch  of  fiibie-  dozen  oryCxxecn 
li^fSt  whicii  t  Wpul4  fee  dowi^  and  ki&n  ui^'c/ opuld 
yDUJV?t?         "  ,.  ..       V/     1    •  '  -      • 

Ham.  Vetyii  ^^  Follow,  that '  lord ;  and  iocJt 
you  nKKk  hhi^  hou— Mjr  good  friendi  [;/fl.J2(^^>«rf 
<;«rii/.]  rU  teavt  you.  *tdl  m^ht:\ydu  are  wckoinc 
to  Elfinour. .  ,,  \*j 

Rif.  Good,  fliylord.        '\hctuni  Rof.  and  GtdU 
,    Ham.  Ajc^fp,  God  be  wi*  yop  r—Now  I  am  alone 
O,  what  ,i^*ro^c  and  peafa^t  jlave  airi  If^'  '  ^ 
1$  is  not  mon^rbusj  that  this  player  here  *> 
But  in  a  fifHoo;  th  a  dream  e(  p^fiioh. 
Could  force  frts  fout  ft  to  ftis  6wrt  Contekj^ 
That>  from'^l^iir  ^orking^  i  iU  hls  vijfage  warmM ; 

•     .  '  '    •    ^  '  Tears 


^  iSrd«0rjBM%<b»ivii«^^>^iiflp«v.}  It  ft(Siu]d  ftm  from 
^le  coonpUcated  .nature- «£  fiich.fMitsu Hamlo^  I^ew^.^c*  that 
Uie  tme  of  ShakefpcaM  Had  prod^tced  tafi^y  exsdkM  fwtormcrt* 
He  would  force  unre  taken  the  paint  to  torm  cbaraoev^  ^xoh 
lit  had  iio.^>*^fi9ed<o£fi!;Mgi^r«feac«dwlth  fionxt  imdpfopriciy 

9  >-^dli ku  .0ifi^A^vn^Ttid;X  .Tl^.nughtdo*  dt4iB9t  t^  old 
lyiarco  kad  us  ro  a  more  eza^^  apd . pwdnent  K^ilmg,  wbiphJsi 

*n   »r ty^j^  Wan*d  r  •  >  ■   » 

i  ir.^ tursU^tfi^  or  ^n^oii*     Fur  Co  tb«  Wra^  ai^eiM-s  Uribes  theinind 
Isduiaalfettioncd^' and  notfutfna^i/arAtiih'J,    WAKaui^XP^- 

Tbc  working  or  the  £oaU  and  the  t:^rt  to  dad  tears*  wiUr  give 
t  ooJour  to  the  a^odf .  fzuc^  JnfieM.  oi  taking  it  s^ws^t  /The 
l4iM  it  always  suarm^d  and  .^uOi'd  by  any  unufual  exertion  in  a 
pgfifenaie  i|jK:edii  .but  no  performer  waajever  yet  f^nd,  Ii>dieve» 
.  whefe  Aehflgs^^Were  of  (uch^txaifi^te  iciiribiii^.  as  i^  produce 
tttlends iBhapi  fimatkm  in  wbicQ  the.driuxiA  could  ^1^-  bttn. 
mcif  pb^eis  were  mdecd  poilefied  of  that  power,  tbere  is  no 

iuch 


t69  H    A    M    LET, 

4  Tears  b  his  eye^t  difti^dion  in  *s  arpe6l:, 

A  broken  vcuce,  and  his  whole  funAion  futdng 

With  forms  to  his  conceit  J  And  aH  fernodim^!     ' 

For  Hecuba! 

s.What^s  Hecuba  to  htm,  or  he  to  HeeiAa, 

That  he  fhould  weep  for  her^  What  would  he  do^ 

Had  he  the  motive  and  ^  the  cue  for  pafiion. 

That  I  have  ?  He  would  drown  the  ftage  wi^  tearsj 

And  cleave  ^  the  general  ear  with  horrid  fpeech ; 

M^kc  mad  the  guilty,  and  appall  the  free. 

Confound  the  ignorant;  ami  annMze^  iodeedt 

The  vcrf  faculty  of  cyts  m^  e4r$, 

Tetl;-'  .  '    ^  •■:•-• 

A  dull  and  muddy-mettkd  rafca),  peak* 

fticti*  circumftvnce  in  the  fpeech  uttered  before  Ifiunle;,  as  couU 
latrodacc  the  wannefs  for  which  Dr,  Warburtoa  contends. 

-      •  StEEV£N&* 

♦  f*  Tears  m  hi?  eyes,  dlftra^on  in  *s  aj^n  .The  woid 
4^^  (as  Dr,  Farmer,  v/sxy  Drpperlv  .obferrcs)  wai  b  Shakefpeue*s 
tiiT)QaQcented  on  the  fecond  ^Uablj^.  The  folio  exhibits  the  naf- 
(9^  as  i  have' primed  It.    Steeyens,  -     • 

>  lU^hetts  Hecuba  to  hlm^  &c.]  The  exprciBon  of  Hamlet,  Whah 
Hccuha  $0  him^  or  Jbe  to  Hecuha^  is  plainly  an  allufion  to  a  poflj^ 
In  riutarcik  L^  rf  fidtfidoirifi  exquifitely- bcaiidiiil,  and  fb  per-« 
lincnt,  thur  I  wander  it  has-never  yet  been  taken  tiotkt  o/^ 
..  <«  And  another  time,  t)etng  in  9  thcacsc  where  the  ttmdy  of 
^  fi-oadts  sfEuripidti  •  was  ph|yed^  he  [Alexander  PhetanisJ  w«it 
u  opt  Qf-ihe  tbean^,  and  feist  word  to  the  players  nocwithftaiid^ 
^^  ing,  that  they  (hould  go  on  with  thetr  pl^,  as  if  he  had  tan 
S^  jH^  aitioBg  them')  if^ingt  that  he  camt  not  away  for  any 
^S  m^fl^liHig  he  had  of  t^ttp  or  of  the  play,  but  becauiebewts 
V'  aAmmed  his  people  (hould  iec  him  wetzi,.  to4ee  the  mi(eries  of 
i^  iftc^AtjcA  AAdrotijache  played,  and  that  they  ne^^  ifft  Uta 
<^  p)ty  the  death  of  any  one  man,  oi  ib  BMny-ttf  hit  ot^KaEiB  ts 
^  lie  bad  caufed* to  be^tlain.''    Sir  J^hn  Hawkins. 

This  obf(^ation  had  been  already  made  by  lAu  UfHon. 

.  -   \  '       .  SXVBVEWS^ 

I       <  ^mmthi  cwfir  fiafim.']    The  luMt,  the  Jbtf^Vat.  .  JoHNSoif.     , 
t  n^iife  general  fOT'^'i    The  ears  oi  all  maakii^d.    So  beiwe^ 
•  C0Vi^f  f  ^  gC9<^l|  ^  ^h  ^9  ^^^  niukiu^de^    J[QMlisoJf» 


l^RlNCE  ot  DENMARK.     i$^ 

•  Like  John*a-dreams,  ^  unprcgnant  of  my  caufei 
And  can  fay-xKuhiog ;  ikh  tiot  for  a  king» 
Upon  whofe  pnopcrtyi  and  woA  dear  lifc^ 

*  A  damn'd  defeat  was  made.    Am  I  a  coward  i 
Vfho  calb.oie  vtlkin  ?  breaks  my  pate  acrds  > 
Pludcs  off  my  beards  and  blows  it  in  my  face^ 
Tweaks  me  by  the  nafe?  gives  the  the  lye  i'cbc.throati 
As  deep  as  to  the  lungs  }  Who  does  mc  this  i 

Ha !  Why  I  Ihould  take  it :  for  it  cannot  b#| 
But  I  am  pigeen^linfer'dt  and  lack  ffM 
To  make  oppreflion  bitter ;  or»  ere  thiS« 
I  fhould  have  fatted  all  the  reg^)n  kites 
With  this  flave*s  offal :  Bloody,  bawdy  villam  t 

^  Like  yjnMt'Jream^-^l    Plerliapi  this   name  ai  eomipte^ 

?olm»s-^lrfpies  feems  to  have  been  foine  well  known  ch^ii^er,  al 
bant  met  with  more  than  one  allufion  to  hitn.'  So,  in  Haoi 
njoith  y&u  f6  Saffron  H'hideny  cr  Oahriel  Harw^s  Hunt  U  tf^\ff 
Naflie,  1596  :  **  The'd^cripcion  of  that  poor  J^n-m-^qput  his 
man,  whom  he  had  'hired,  &c.'*  J9hn  a  Drtynes  is  Ukewife  * 
foolifh  €hara£^  in  Whetfione*t  Promos  and  Cajfanira^  1 578,  who 
is  (axed  by  tn^Drtners,  has  not  much  to  &y  in  his  defence^  and 
is  cheated  out  of  his  monej'.    Steevexs. 

9  — -^-  unpregnant  of  m^  caufey']    Unpregtumt^  for  (ufOtf^  no  <&» 
fenjiof.    WarbVrtok, 

Rather,  woi  ^^kenedmtb  a  ne^  defire  of*veiigeanci\  not  teeming 
nvith  rtvengti    Johwson.  , 

•  AAmtt'd  defeat  u%m  made,-^'}    Dfftai^  for  dfJfruHlon, 

WarburToh* 
Rather,  ^^pjlt/n.    Jt>HKiOK. 

The  wiord  defeat  is  very  T'centionfly  dcd  by  the  old  writcn* 
Shakefpeare  in  another  play  employs  it  yet  more  quaintly »*-h 
•*  Defrai  my  favour  with  an  ufufped  beard  f*  and  Middleton,  in 
his  comedy  caHed  An^  Thing  fir  a  ^iet  Lift^  fays— *•«*  I  have 
heard  oi  your  defeat  made  upon  a  mercer.** 
Again,  in  Revenge  fir  Htmonr^  by  Chapman  : 

**  That  he  might  mcanlinie  make  a  fare  defint 
^*  On  ourageti  father's  lile.*' 
A|atn,  in  the  IVitSy  by  Sir  W.  D^Avenant^  1637  •     "  —-Not  all 
the  ftiU  I  have  can  pronounce  him  tree  of  the  dtfiia  upon  my  gold 
and  jewels.** 

Ag«n,  in  the  Iflc  of  Gulls,  1635  :    **  My  late  fhipwrcck  hat 
made  a  defeat  both  of  my  friendb  iind  treafure."    St  e evens. 

Rcmorfclcfsi 


%j^  H    A    M    L    E    T, 

Remorfelefi,  treacherous,  lQeheit>uSy  *  kioditif  vUblnf 

>  Why,  what  an  a(s  am  H  Tbit  ii  moft  brave  i 

That  I,  the  Ion  of  a  dear  fa^ct  mufdcr'd^ 

Prompted  to  my  revenge  by  heaven,  and  bell, 

Muft,  like  a  wnore,  unpack  my  heart  with  wofdi| 

And  fait  a  curfing,  like  a  very  dr^, 

AfculHon4! 

Fie  upon'i!  fob! 

5  About,  my  brains !  Hum !  I  have  heard| 

^  That  guilty  creatures,  fitting  at  a  p};;(y. 

Have  by  the  very  cunning  or  the  fccne 

Been  ftruck  fp  to  the  foul,  that  prefentiy 

They  have  proclaimed  thek  mal^a^ons : 

For  murder,  though  it  have  no  tongue,  will  fpeak 

With  moft  miraculous  organ.     Til  have  thefeplayert 

play  fon>cthing  like  the  murder  of  my  father, 

before  mine  uncle :  I'll  obferve  h'o  looks ; 

JMl  7  tent  him  to  the  c^uick  j  ®  if  he  do  blench, 

I  know 

*  — kindlifs^']     Vnaatural^     JoHNfiiON, 

?  //^^';  what  an  afs  am  IT  Thii  is  mojl bravt^   The  folio  reatb| 
'*  O  vengeance! 
«  Who  ?  what  an  a&  am  I  ?  Sure  this  \%  moft  bimve,** 

Steeveks, 

♦  hfcHUion!^     Thus  the  foHo.    The  quartoi  read,  ^JiaUJm* 

Steexems* 
^  Ah*uiy  my  hraiin  /]     WitSy  to  your  work.     Brain^  go  about  cfaq 
prefent  bulineft*    JoHifSOif. 

This  cxprcffion  ocQun  la  the  Second  Part  of  the  Iron  A^^  ly 
iUyvMody  1 632  : 

'^  My  brain  abota  i^ain  !  for  thou  haft  found 
**  New}]roje£h  nowtp  work  onj*    Steevens, 

•  ^ Vvtheard^ 

That  guilty  creatuns^  fating  at  a  play^"]    A  number  of  theft 
iiorles  arecolledkd  together  by  Tbo«  Ueywocxif  ia  tils  j^ffoo^^ 
I'lndication*    Steevens. 
7  .^  ti'„t  hi/n^'\  Search  his  wounds.    JopifspH. 

•  —.  if  he  but  blench,!     If  hejbrini,  or  ftart, 

1  he  word  is  ufed  by  £.  and  Fletcher  in  the  IftUGoi^/e  Ci^^: 
"  Your  fifter,  fir  ?  Do  you  blench  at  that  ^"-^ 

AffLitt^  \n  The  Xi^/jt'ivaUtcr : 

^^  Blench  at  no  danger,  though  U  be  the  gallows*** 


PRINCE  Of  DENMARK,    ^71 

I  know  my  courfc.    The  fprit,  that  I  have  •fcen. 

May  be  a  •devil ;  and  the  devft  hath  power 

To  affume  a  pleafing  ftape ;  yea,  and,  perhaps. 

Out  of  my  weakncfs,  ana  my  melancholy, 

(As  he  is  very  potent  with  fach  spirits) 

Abufes  me  to  damn  me :  TU  have  grounds 

9  More  relative  than  this ;  The  play's  the  thing, 

Whcrete  111  catch  the  confcience  of  the  king,  {^Exst. 


ACT   III.      S  C  JE  N  E  X 

The    P  J  I  AC  £^. 

Enter  King^  ^een,  Polonm,  O^eB^y  Rpfencra^^^ 
and  Cuildenftern^ 

K^.  And  can  you  by  no  drift  of  conference  » * 
Get  from  him,  why  he  puts  on  this  coafuQon ; 
Grating  io  barlhly  all  his  days  o£  quiet 
With  turb^nt  #nd  dangeroqs  lunacy  ? 

Rof.  He  does  confefs,  he  feels  himfclf  diftrafted  a 
But  from  what  cayfe  he  will  by  no  m^ans  fpeak* 

GmU  Nor  do  we  find  him  forward  tp  be  founded  s 
But^  with  a  crafty  madnefs,  keeps  aloof. 
When  we  would  bring  him  on  to  Ibme  confeffion 
Of  his  true  ftate.  ^ 

^een.  JKd  he  receive  you  well  ? 

Again  in  Gower,  De  Confijfm^  Amanth^  Eb,  vi.  fc4«  Ii8  s 
"  Without  hUnchlngeai  mine  cic/*    Steeteics. 

•  Jdon  relative  than  //6i>;— ]    Rdatinn^  for  couviBivf. 

WAKBURtOK^ 

ComnBpoe  is  only  the  confeqaential  ienl^«    Rck^ive  is,  iuar}f 
r$MteJ^  ckfely  conneSled.    Jo  H  N'  s  o N. 

*  ^^coifinn^l    yhc  tplio  r^ads,  ^Ir^wrjt^uu    StS^v^scs. 


tji  H    A    M    t    fc    t^ 

Rof.  Moft  like  a  gentleman. 

GuiL  But  with  much  forcing  of  his  difpofitioii.* 

R&f.  *  Niggard  of  queftion  i  buc^  of  our  demandl^ 
Moft  free  inhis  reply. 

^een^  Did  you  aflay  hlmk 
To  any  paftime  ? 

Rq/,  Madam,  it  fo  fell  out,  that  certain  players 
We  '  o'cr-raught  on  the  way :  of  thefe  wc  told  him  j 
And  there  did  feem  in  him  a  kind  of  joy 
To  hear  of  it :  They  are  here  about  the  court; 
And,  as  I  thii^k,  they  haye  already  order 
This  night  to  play  before  him. 

Pol.  'Tia  moft  true: 
And  he  befeech'd  me  to  entreat  your  majeftiۤ| 
To  hear  and  fee  the  matter. 

JCf^«  With  all  my  heart ;  and  it  doth  much  €(m< 
tent  hk: 
To  hear  him  fo  inclined. 
Good  gentlemen^  give  him  a  further  edge. 
And  ^cSive  his  purpofe  on  to  thefe  delights. 

Rof.  Wc  fliall,  my  lord.     ^Exeunt  Rof.  and  Gml^ 

King.  Sweet  Gertrude,  leave  us  too: 
For  wc  have  clofely  fent  for  Hamlet  hither  j 
That  he,  as  'twere  by  accident,  may  here 

^  Niggard  afquefiton ;  lut^  cf'our  demands^ 
Monhtt  in  his  refiy.]    This  is  given  at  the  defirriptiofi  of 
the  converiation  of  a  man  whom  the  fpeaker  fitmd  tM  firoxird  t» 
he  JmmJedi  and  who  hpt  alorf  when  they  would  bring  him  to  cmh 
J^h:  butfuch  adefcription  can  nerer  pafs  but  at  cro^-porpdibf 
Shakefpeare  certainly  wrote  it  juft  the  other  way : 
Moft  free  rf  queftion  \  hu^  efntr  dem^nds^ 
Niggard  in  his  repfy^ 
That  this  is  the  true  reading,  we  need  but  turn  back  to  the  pre^ 
ceding  ic«ne»  for  Hamlet's  condud,  to  be  fatisfied*  WARfius.Toy« 
*-^o*er-^aught  ^  the  wwjr;— J     Ov^'^au^ht  is  enm^nached^ 
that  iS|  otvr-/^?.    Johnson. 

So,  in  Spcnier's  taery  S^een^  b.  6.  c  3  s 

**  Having  by  chance  a  clo^e  advantage  viewM, 
♦♦  He  overdraught  him,  &€#**    Steev^ns, 


?RtNCE  tiF  DENMARK.     173 

4  Affi'ont  Ophelia. 

tier  father,  and  myfclf  (lawful  elpials  5) 
yrill  fd  bcftow  ourfcives^  jhat,  feeing  unfeen. 
We  may  of  their  encounter  frankly  j.udge  3 
And  gather  by  him,  as. he  is  behayM, 
ift  be  the  affiiftioh  of  his  love,  or  npj 
That  thu3  he  fiiffers  foir^  . ,    * 

^een.  t  (hall  obey  you  : — -^ 
And,  for  my  part,  Ophelia,  I  do  wifh, 
That  your  good  beauties  be  the  happy  caufe 
Of  Hamkt^s  wildnefs  1  fo  Ihali  1  hope,  your  virtuei 
Will  bring  him  to  his  wonted  way  again. 
To  both  your  hdfiours* 

Opb.  Madatti,  I  wifli  it  niay.  (^Exit  ^ein. 

Pol.  Ophelia^  walk  you  here  :-^Grdcious,  fo  pleafd 
you. 

We  will  bcftow  ourfelves : ^Rcad  on  this  book } 

[TV  Ophi 
^hat  (how  of  fuch  an  exercife  may  colour 
iTour  lonelinefs. — ^  We  are  oft  to  blame  in  this,— ^ 
7  ^Tis  too  nwch  prov'd,— that,  mth  devotion's  vif^^ 
And  pious  aCtion^  vire  do  fugar  o'er 
'The  devil  himfelf« 

King.  O,  'tis  too  true !  how  fmart 
A  lalh  that  fpcech  doth  give  my  confcldnce  I  [Afide. 

^  MboiaxOpheUaA  Torfront^uonXjiotHeitdireBi^*  JohnsoK. 
J^omidn.  hoL    So,  in  the  DeviCs  Charter ^  1 607 : 

^*  fronting  that  port  where  proud  Charles  fhodld  enter.* 
Again,  in  Sir  W,  D'Avenant's  Cruel  Brotbery  1630  3 

^*  Id  fofferance  qffrbnts  the  winter's  rage."    StEE  v£ns. 
i  .^  ij^als]  u  e.  fpies.    So  in  oiie  of  oar  author's  hiflorieal 
{>Iayt:  -^as  he  piarch'd  along 

BvymireAiais  were  diicov^td 
Iwo  mightier  troops. 
The  words — lawful  tffials^  are  wanting  m  the  folio. 

Steetbns. 
^  Taiir  lonelinefs.]    Thus  the  folio.     The  firft  and  ^fecond 
quartos  read  lowlineJ}»    StEEVENS. 

^^  *Tis  too  much  /rw^^,— ]    It  it  found  by  too  frequent  ex- 
perience.   Johnson. 

Vot.  X.  T  The 


274  HAMLET, 

The  harlot's  check,  beauty'd  with  plaft'ring  ait. 
Is  not  ^  more  ugly  to  the  thing  that  helps  it, 
Tha'n  is  my  deed  to  my  moft  painted  word ; 
O  heavy  burden  I 

Pol.  I  hear  him  coming ;  let's  withdraw,  my  lord. 
lExeuntKin^^  and  Pvlonius. 

Enter  Hamlets 

Ham.  9  To  be,  or  not  to  be,  that  is  the  queftion  :— 
Whether  'tis  nobler  in  the  mind,  to  fuffer 

The 

«  —  mate  ugl^  to  the  thing  that  helps  //,]  That  is,  compared 
av//<6  the  thiog  that  helps  ir.     Johnson. 

'  To  be ^  or  not  to  he  f —'^  Of  this  celebrated  foliloquy,  which 
buriling  trom  a  man  diftraded  with  contrariety  of  dclires,  and 
overwhel^ned  with  the  magnitude  of  his  own  purpofes,  is  con- 
nected rather  in  the  fpeaker's  mind»  than  on  his  tongue,  \  iball 
endeavour  to  difcover  the  train,  and  to  fhew  how  one  rentin;icnt 
produces  another. 

Hamlet,  knowing  himfelf  injured  in  the  mod  enormous  and 
atvocious  degree,  and  ieeitig  no  n^eans  of  redrefs,  but  fuch  as 
inuil  expofe  him  to  the  extremity  of  hazard,  meditates  on  h'ls 
fituation  in  this  manner  :  Before  I  can  firm  ary  rational  jlheme  of 
jiHion  uiuicr  this  prejfure  of  dijircjsy  it  is  neceflary  to  decide,  whe- 
ther, after  our  prcjent  Jiate^  iw  are  to  be,  or  not  to  be.     That  is 
the  queilion,  which,  as  it  Ihall  be  anfwered,  will  determine,  'vjbe' 
tbtr  tii  nobltTy  and  more  fuitable  to  the  dignity  of  reaibii,  to  fitjfer 
the  outrages  of  fortune  patiently,  or  to  take  arras  againft  them^  and 
by  oppfingend  them,  thon^h  perhaps  vf\\h  thelofs  of  life.    If 
to  diey  w^xt  to  JUepy  no  more^  and  hy  a  fleep  to  end  \ht  miferies  of 
our  nature,  fuch  a  fleep  were  devoutly  to  he  wi/hed ;  but  if  to  Jleep 
in  death,  be  to  dream^  to  retain  our  powers  of  fenfibility,  we  mull 
paaje  to  conlider,  im  that  Jleep  of  death  w/w/   dreams  may  come. 
This  confideration  makrs  -calamity  fo  long  endured ;  for  'uoho  would 
hear  the  vexations  of  life,  which  might  be  ended  hy  a  ietre  bodkin^ 
but  that  iie  is  afraid  of  fomething  in  unknown  futurity  ?  This  fear 
it  is  that  gives  efficacy  to  confcience,  which,  by  turning  the  mind 
upon  thhregardy  chlllo  the  ardour  oi  refolution^  checks  the  vigour  of 
:/:*erprizCy  and  makes  the  current  of  deiire  llagnate  in  inactivity. 

VVe  may  fuppofe  that  he  \\ould  have  applied  thefe  general 
cblcTvations  toiiis  own  cafe,  but  that  he  Jifcovered  Ophelia. 

John SOX. 

I  cantK):  but  think  that  Dr.  Johnfirfs  explication  of  this  pafTage, 

thoi»t;h  e.xcelieiit  on  the  whple,  is  wrong  in  the  outfet.— He  cx- 

'phunt 


i>Ril^CE  OF  DENMARK.    27^ 

^hc  flings  and  arrows  of  outrageous  fortune  '  ; 

*  Or  to  take  arms  againft  a  fea  of  troubles^ 

And,  by  oppoljng,  end  theno?-— '  To  die; — toflcep ;-** 

J^o  more  ?— and,  by  a  fleep,  to  fay  we  end 

The  hfeart-ach,  and  the  thoufand  natural  ftiocks 

Th^t  flcih  is  heir  to,— tis  a  confumm^tioii 

plains  ttie  words — ^o  be,  or  not  t6  ^r— "  Whether  after  our  prdciit 
lUte,  we  arc  to  be,  or  not  ;**  whereas  the  obvious  fenfe  of  them-— 
To  Uvcy  or  to  put  an  atd  to  zm  ^,  fecms  cJearly  to  be  pointec)  out 
by  the  following  wdrds,  which  are  m'anifedly  a  paraphraie  on  the 
iotCffAn^^fFhether  Uts  nobler  in  the  mind  to /ttffer,  &:c.  or  to  take 
arms^-'T^t.  train  of  Hamlet^s  reafbnin^,  which  Dr.  John/on  has  fo 
Well  cxplaintd,  is  fufficiently  clear,  whi^h  ever  way  the  words  arc 
tinderilood«    Malone; 

*  -^  artows  ef&tttrageous  fortune  ;]  ^*  Homines  nos  ut  eflc  me- 
minerimus,  ei  lege  natos«  ut  omnibus  telis  fortune  propofita  fa, 
vita  noffra."    Cic.  Epitf.  Fam.  v.  i6.    Ste evens. 

^  Or  to  take  arms  againft  a  fea  of  troubles^  Without  cjueftion 
Shakefpeare  wrote, 

-  '■■  a^^nft  aflail  of  trouBki^ 
/•/.  aifault.    Warburton,  . 

Mr.  Poj?c  propofed  fte^e.  I  kndw  pot  why  thciie  ihoiild  te  fo 
much  folicitude  aboUt  this  metaphor.  Shakeipeare  breaks  his  mc« 
taphors  often,  and  in  this  defultory  fpeech  there  \vas  lefs  need  of 
preferving  them;    Johmsqn. 

The  change  which  Mr.  Pope  wduld  recommend,  may  be  juflilied 
fifom  a  paflagc  in  Romeo  and  Juliet,  fcene'the  laft : 

you-*-to  remove  x)x!itfiege  of^ef  fix)m  her—      Ste£  VE  NS# 
Again,  from  another  in  Timon: 

i«  —  Not  even  nature 
**  To  whom  all  fores  layjiege,** 
The  fame  metaphor  is  ufed  by  Marfton,  m  the  Second  ?art  of 
jhtonio  and  ]^Il(da^  1 6o2 : 

"Uniom  fretful  galls  of  chance,  ftcrn  fortune's /fjri** 
figivif  in  Romeo  and  Juliet : 

•>  She  will  not  ftav  the  /ege  of  loving  terms.'* 
AgaiDi  in  our  author's  65th  Sonnet: 

*♦  Or  how  (hall  fummcr*8  honey-breath  hold  out 

«*  Aj;ainftthewrackfiili%f  of  battering  days— *  MAtOKft^ 

*  -*— ^  dit,-^to  Jkety — J  This  palliagc  is  ridiculed  in  the 
Ikomjul  Lady  of  B.  and  Fletcher,  as  follows  i 

*^  -^— -  be  dcceas'd,  that  is,  afleep,  for .  fo  the  T^ot-d  il  takehf 
•*  T^ftf'h  '^  ^-^^  ^  '*''  tojleepi  a  very  figure^  fir.**  arc  a^c. 

6TBEVE»rf^ 

T  a  PcVQUtl/ 


276  HAMLET, 

Devoutly  to  be  wi(h*d.     To  die ;— to  flcep  ;— 
To  flcep t  perchance,  to  dream; — Ay,  therc'i  d^ 

rub; 
For  in  that  (Icep  of  death  what  dreams  may  coote. 
When  we  have  fliufiled  off  this  *  mortal  coil, 
Muft  give  us  paufe  :  There's  the  rcfpcd. 
That  makes  calamity  of  fp  long  life  : 
For  who  would  bear  5  the  whips  and  fcorns  of  time. 

The 

4  -^  m^d  coil,]  i.  e.  tunnotl^  bufile.    Waubvuton. 

^  ^-^tbe  ^hips  Md/coms  of  time,]  ^  The  evils  here  cotnt^ned 
of  are  not  the  produi5t  of  time  or  duration  fimp^  but  of  a  corrupted 
agp  or  manners.    We  may  be  fure,  then,  that  Shakeipeare  wrcxe : 

^-  the  ivhifs  and  fimms  of  th'  time. 
And  the  deicription  of  the  evils  of  a  corrupt  a|(e,  which  foOowi, 
confirms  this  emendation*    Warburton. 

I  doubt  whether  the  corruption  of  this  paflaee  is  not  more  than 
the  editor  has  fnibeded.  Whips  and  fiwju  have  no  great  con- 
nexion with  one  omery  or  with  time:  v$hips  and  fcorns  are  evils  of 
veiy  different  magnitude»  and  though  at  all  times  /cam  may  be  en- 
dured, yet  the  limes  that  put  men  ordinarily  in  danger  of  'uabifs 
are  very  rare.  Falflaff  has  laid,  that  the  corn-tiers  <uM!|(i^whip  bim 
with  tbeirfine  wits;  but  I  know  not  that  whip  can  be  ufed  for  a 
feoff  ot  infidtf  unlefs  its  meaning  be  fixed  by  the  whole  expreflioD. 

I  am  afraid  left  I  ihbuld  venture  too  far  in  correding  this  paf« 
fiige.    If  whips  be  retiuned,  we  may  read. 

For  who  wouU  hear  the  whips  anA  fcorns  of  tyrants. 
But  I  think  that  qmh^  a  fneer, .  a  farcafm^  a  coutewiptuous  jeft,  is 
the  proper  word,  as  fuitin^  veiy  exactly  with  fcorn.  What  then 
nuft  be  done  with  tim^f  it  fuits  no  belter  with  the  new  reading 
than  with  the  old,  and  pratu  is  an  image  too  bulky  and  ferious. 
I  read,  but  not  confident^ : 

For  who  would  hear  the  quips  and  fcorns  ^tltle. 
It  may  be  remarked,  that  Hamlet,  in  his  enumeration  of  miieries, 
forgets,  whether  pro^rly  or  no^  that  he  is  a  prince,  and  menriona 
many  evils  to  which  infinrior  ilations  only  are  expofed.   Johnson. 

I  think  we  might  venture  to  read  the  whips  and  fcorns  dth* 
dmes,  i.  e*  of  times  iadrical  as  the  age  of  Shakcfpeare,  which 
probaUy  fornifhed  him  with  the  idea.  . 

In  the  reigns  of  Elizabeth  and  James  (particularly  in  the  former) 
there  was  more  illiberal  private  abufe  and  peeviih  fatire  publifhed, 
than  in  any  others  I  ever  knew  of,  except  the  prefent  one.  I  have 
many  of  thefe  publicationsi  which  were  almoft  all  pointed  at  indi- 
viduals* 

Daidd^ 


P  R  I N  C  E  OF  D  E  N  M  A  R  K.     277 

The  opprcflbr's  wrongs  the  proud  roan*s  contumely. 
The  pangs  of  dcfpb'd  love>  ^  the  Uw's  delay. 
The  infolence  of  office,  and  the  fpurns 
That  patient  merit  of  the  unworthy  (ak^s. 
When  he  himfelf^  might  his  quietus  make 

With 

i>ant€li  in  hit  MitfipbiluSy  1^9,  bat  the  (kme  oomplaiiu': 
<*  Do  you  noc  iee  thde  pamphletsi  Uheb^  rhimet, 
*^  Thele  ftrange  coofufed  tumuitt  of  the  mind, 
^*  Are  grown  to  be  thefickneft  §f  theft  tams^ 
^  The  great  diieafe  inflidedon  mankind?'* 
Whips  and  Jc^nts.  are  furcly  at  infeparable  companiont,  at  public 
puniibaient  and  infuny. 

j^w^y  the  word  which  Dr.  Johnibn  would  introduce,  it  derived, 
by  all  etytnologifls,  ftatu  nuhifis. 

Hamiet  it  introduced  as  realbning  on  a  queflion  of  ^nerai  con- 
cernment. He  therefore  takes  in  all  fuch  evik  at  could  befall 
mankind  in  ^enl,  without  confideriog  himfelf  at  prefent  ad  a 
prince,  or  wiihing  to  avail  himfelf  of  the  few  czempdont  which 
hidi  pisce  might  once  have  claimed. 

In  part  of  |C.  Jamet  Ill's  Emertainmni  fafing  to  his  C^renatiom^ 
bf  Ben  Jonfon  and  Decker,  it  the  following  line,  and  note  on  that 
line; 

^^  Andfirjt  acemmi  hfyears^  rf months^  OF  time." 
^  By  ^nu  we  underibind  thefrrfent^    This  explanadon  affords 
j^  ienie  for  which  I  have  contended,  and  without  alteration. 

Steevens. 
•  ^  e^  delpUM  kve,'\    The  folio  rndp-^f  Jijpriz'd  love. 

Steeveks* 
f  .^.^  might  hit  S^etms  make 
With  a  bare  hcMnf-^]     The  firft  acpreOion  probably  al- 
luded to  the  writ  of  dilcharge,  which  wat  formerly  granted  to  thoie 
barons  and  ^nigl^t*  who  pofonally  attencied  the  king  on  any  foreign 
expedition.    ^Diis  dilcharge  was  called  a  $lmetus* 

it  is  at  this  t\me  the  term  for  the  acquittance  which  every  Iheriff 
receives  on  fetthng  his  accounts  at  the  exchequer. 

The  word  is  uled  for  the  dilchai]ge  of  an  account,  by  Webfier, 
in  his  Dutehefs  of  Ma^  1623 : 

«*  You  had  the  tridc  in  audit  time  to  be  fick 
♦*  Till  I  had  fign'd  your  ^etusP 
Again,  .     . 

^^  And  'caufe  you  Ihall  not  come  to  me  in  debt  1 
^^'  (Being  now  my  fteward)  here  upon  your  lipa 
*•  I  fign  your  ^etus? 
A  hdim  was,  I  believe,  the  ancient  term  for  si//fu$li  di^er. 
Gaicoigne,  (peaking  of  Jmus  Cafiar^  lays. 


?7«  H    A    M    L    £    T, 

With  a  bare  bodkin  ?  who  would  fardels  bea>| 
*To  groan  and  fw^at  under  a  weary  life ; 
3ut  that  the  dread  of  Something  after  death,-* 
The  undifcoyer*d  country,  from  whof«  bourn 
No  traveller  returns » —  puzzles  4:he  will  ^ 

.*'  At  lad  With  iciUi/ts^  dub'd  and  douft'to  death 

**  All  all  his  glory  vanilhM  with  his  breath.** 
In  the  margin  of  Stowe^j  Chrenivkj  edit.  1614,  it  is  faid,  th;tt 
Cxfar  was  flain  with  bddkins ;  and  in  Tin  Mufrf  L^ohn^-^f^fs^  bv 
^Randolph,  1638 : 

"  Apbo.  A  rapicr^s  but  a  lodkin^ 

"  Deil  And  a  hodhm 

*v  I5  a  moft  dang'rous  \veapo«  ;  fiace  I  read 

"  Of  Julius  Cafar's  death,  I  diiril  not  irenture 

**  Into  a  taylor's  (hop  for  fear  of  todkinsj* 
Again,  in  The  Cuftomcftbe  Country^  by  B.  and  Fletcher : 

" Out  with  your  bodkU^ 

**  Your  pocket-dasger,  your  ftilletto."-7- 
Again,  in  Sapfjo  and  PTjoo^  1 591 :    "  —  ih^re  will  be  a  derperate 
fray  between  two,  made  at  all  weapons,  from  the  brown  bill  to  the 


f> 


^odktn, 

A^ain  in  Cbauccr^  as  he  is  quoted  at  the  end  of  a  pamphlet 
called  the  Sirpent  of  Divifion^  .&€.  '•j^hercunt.o  is  amtexed  ti^e  Tr^edf 
^tf  Gwhoduc^  ike.  I  f  9 1 : 

**  With  hQdk'ms  was  Caefar  Julius 

"  Murdered  at  Ronlfe,  of  Brutus  Craflu?.**     Steeven*. 
•  7b  groan  and  /'■Meat-*-']     All  thfi  old  copies  have,  to  grunt  and 
fweat.    It  is  undoubtedly  the  true  reading,  but  can  icarcely  be 
borne  by  modern  ears.     Johnson. 

.  This  word  occurs  in  the  Death  ef  Zoroasy  a  fragment  in  blank 
ycrfe,  printed  at  the  end  of  LordSurry*^  Poems  t        ■ 

**         ;  boqc  ihe  charge  could  give ; 
*'  Here^»»/^ ;  here  grones  5  ec^whcre  Uropg  youth  is  fpcnt.** 
And  Stanyhkrft  in  his  tr^nflaiion  of  Virgil,  1582,  for  fupremun^ 
coTt^tfrtuit  gives  us :  *' —  for  iighing  \t  grunts**    Steevens. 
^  That  undilcover'd  countiy^  fiom  ^bcfi  bourn 
No  traveller  returns — j     This  has  been  cavilled  at  by  Lord 
Orrery  and  othen,  but  without  rf  afon.     The  idea  of  a  traveller  in 
Shakelpeare*8  time,  was  of  a  pcrfon.  who  gave  an  account  of  his 
adventures.     Every  voyage  was  a  i)ifcovery.    Jobn  Taylor  has 
**  A  Dyl'overy  by  fea  from  London  to  Salifbury.^    Farmer. 
Again,  Mar  lion's  Infatiate  Countefs^  1603  : 

** wrcftled  with  death, 

^*  From  whofe  flern  cave  none  tracks  a  backward  path.^« 

Qui  nunc  it  per  iter  tcnebricofum 

llluc  unde  negant  redire  queri<]uam.    CatuUus.      Steeve^JS. 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.     279 

And  makes  us  rather  bear  thofe  ills  we  have^ 
Than  fly  to  others  that  we  know  not  of  ? 
Thus  confcience  does  make  cowards  of  us  all ; 
And  thus  the  native  hue  of  refolution 
l3  fickly*d  o*er  with  the  pale  caft  of  thought ; 
And  enterprizes  of  great  pith  >  and  moment, 
With  this  regard,  their  currents  turn  awry  *, 

And  lofe  the  name  of  aftion. Soft  you,  now ! 

[Seeing  Ophelia. 
The  fair  Ophelia  ? — '  Nymph,  in  thy  orifons 
Be  all  my  fins  remembered. 

Opb.  Good  my  lord. 
How  docs  your  honour  for  this  many  a  day  ? 

Ham.  I  humbly  thank  you ;  well. 

Opb.  My  lord,  I  have  remrmbrances  of  yours, 
That  I  have  longed  long  to  re-deliver ; 
I  pray  you,  now  recei«re  them. 

Ham.  No,  not  I  •, 
I  never  gave  you  aught. 

Opb.  My  honour'd  lord,  you  know   right  well, 
you  did ; 
And,  with  them,  words  of  fo  fweet  breath  composed 
As  made  the  things  more  rich  :  their  perfume  loft, 
Take  thefe  again  ^  for  to  the  noble  mind 
Rich  gifts  wax  poor,  when  givers  prove  unkind. 
There,  my  lord. 

Ham.  Ha,  ha  !  arc  you  honcft  ? 

Opb.  My  lord  ? 

Ham.  Arc  you  fair  ? 

'  — great ///^]  Thus  the  folio.  The  quartos  read,  of  great 
fitch.    Steevens. 

•  —  turn  awryy]    Thus  the  quarto?.     The  folio-— turn  tnva^. 

Steevens. 

•  '^^Nyfftfihf  in  dy  erifinst  ^fc")  This  is  a  touch  of  nature. 
Hamlet,  at  the  fight  oif  Ophelia,  decs  not  immediately  recolle^Jt, 
that  he  is  to  pcrfonate  madrref?,  but  makes  her  an  addrrfs  grave 
and  folemn,  fuch  as  the  foregoing  meditation  excited  in  his 
thoughts.    Johnson* 

T  4  Opb. 


28o  HAMLET, 

Opb.  What  means  your  }ord(hip  ? 

Ham.  4  That,  if  you  be  honi^,  and  fair^  you  (houlcT 
admit  no  difcourfe  to  yoqr  beauty. 

Opb. .  Could  beauty,  my  lordly  have  better  coo^- 
merce  than  with  honefty  ? 

Ham.  Ay,  truly;  for  the  power  of  beauty  will 
fooner  transform  hpnefty  from  what  it  is  to  a  bawd» 
than  this  force  of  honelty  can  trahflatc  beauty  intq 
its  likenels  :  this  was  fome  time  a  paradox,  but  now 
the  time  gives  it  proof.     I  did  loye  you  oncie. 

Opb.  Indeed,  my  lord,  you  made  nie  believe  fo. 

Ham.  You  (hpuld  not  have  believed  me :  for  vir- 
tue cannot  fo  inoculate  ^  our  old  ftpck,  bi|t  we  ihalT 
relifli  of  it :  I  loy'd  you  not. 

Opb.  I  was  the  more  deceived.  i    . 

Ham.  Get  thee  to  a  nunnery ;  Why  would'u  thoii 
be  a  breeder  of  fmners  ?  I  am  ihyfelf  indifferent  ho- 
neft ;  but  yet  I  could  accufe  me  of  fuch  things,  that 
it  were  better,  my  mother  had  not  bpme  me :  I  aiii 
very  proud,  revengeful,  ambitious;  w^th  more  6f- 
^ces  ^  at  my  beck,  dian  I  h^ve  thoughts  to  put 

^  Thai  ify^  be  honeft  oful  fair^  you  Jb^dd  aJn^it  nfi  dijcatarfe  t/^ 
your  heputyJ]  This  is  the  reading  of  all  the  modem  edidons,  and 
is  copied  from  the  quarto*  The  folio  ifcads,  yo\xr  honefty  Jbntii 
admit  no  difcourfe  to  your  beauty.  The  true  reading  ieems  to  be  this, 
Jfyou  be  honeft  and  fair ^  you  Jboydd  adv^it  your  hone(ty  0  no  di/courfe 
with  your  beauty.  This  is  the  fenfe  evidently  required  by  the  pro- 
cefs  of  the  converfation*    Jo  h  n  s  o  ^» 

$  — inoculate]  This  it  the  read bg;  of  the  firft  folio.  The 
fird  qi'arto  reads  euocutat;  the  fecond^  euacuat;  and  the  third, 
ivacuate.    Steevens, 

^  -~^at  my  beck, — ]     That  is,  ahjqys  ready  to  come  about  me.. 

IVtth  more  offences  at  my  beck^  than  I  have  thot^hts  to  put  them 
in,  imagination  togin^i  them  Jbape^  or  time  to  aSi  them  /«.j  What 
is  the  meaning  oi  thoughts  to  put  them  in?  A  word  U  d^pt  out* 
^C  (hould  read, 

— -^  thoughts  to  put  them  in  name* 
This  w.s   the  pro^efs.    The  offences   are  firft  conceived  and 
pamed,  then  projeded  to  be  put  in  ad,  then  executed* 

W'ARBURTON, 

yi  put  a  thing  into  thought^  is  to  think  on  it.    Johnson* 

'   '  them 


PRJNCE  OF  DENMARK,     iti 

^rti  iOf  imagination  to  give  them  ihape,  or  time  to 
a^  theni  in :  What  Ihould  fuch  fellow3  as  I  do 
crawling  between  earfh  and  heaven  i  We  are  arrant 
khavesy  all  i  believe  n^ne  of  us :  Go  thy  Ways  to  i 
imnnery,    Where's  your  father  ? 

Opb.  At  home,  my  lord. 

Ham.  Let  the  doors  be  (hut  upon  him ;  that  ht  txi&f 
play  the  fool  np  where  but  in'sowri  houfe.   FareweU 

Opb.  0»  help  him,  you  fweet  heavens! 

Ham.  If  thou  dbft  marry,  Pll  ^ive  thee  this  plagi^ 
for  thy  dowry;  Be  thou  as  cha^e  as  ice,  as  pure  an 
fnow,  thbii  (halt  hot  efcape  palumny.  Get  thee  tQ 
a  nunnery;  farewel:  Or,  if  thou  wilt  nced^  marry, 
marry  a  fool ;  for  wife  men  know  well  enough,  what 
monfters  yoii  make  of  them.  To  a  nunnery,  go  i 
and  quickly  too,     Farcwel. 

Opb.  Heavenly  powers,  reftore  him  ! 

liam.  7 1  have  heard  of  your  paintings  too  well 
enough;  God  hath  given  you  one  face,  and  ybu 
make  yourfelves  another :  you  jig,  you  amble,  and 
you  \i^  and  nick-name  God's  creatures,  and  ^  make 

7  /  imfe  hear  J  afywr  paindnn  tooy  well  itrngh^  &q]  Thb  ii 
according  to  the  c]uaito ;  the  foHo,  forfatttiutfj  hsA  frattlrngs^  and 
fer  fiut^  has  pacty  which  agrees  with  what  roUows,  youjig^  ytm 
kiakk.  Probably  the  author  wrote  both.  I  think  the  comtnob 
leading  befl.    Johi^son.    , 

I  would  continue  to  read,  fatntUgs^  becauie  thefe  deibudive 
aids  of  beauty  feein^  in  the  time  ot  Shakefpeare,  to  have  beea 
general  objedh  of  iatire.    So,  in  Drayton's  MooncaJ^z 
"  Nafooner  got  the-teens, 
**  But  her  own  natural  beantv  ihe  difdsdns ; 
'*  With  o]^ls  and  broths  jnoir  venomous  and  bafe 
*^  She  plaifters  over  her  well*  favoured  £Ke; 
<*  And  thofe  fweet  veins  by  nature  righdy  placed 
*^  Whewwifh  ihe  feems  that  white  Ikin  to  have  lac^d, 
^  She  foon  doth  alter;  and  with  fading  blue, 
f<.  Blanching  her  bolbm,  ihe  m^kes  others  new/' 

Steevens* 

^     •  makt  your  wamtmuufs  your  ignorance^]    You  miflake  by 

vwuon  affisdation,  and  pretend  to  miSake  by  ignonmcu  Johnsok. 

your 


48i  HAMLET, 

your  wantonncfs  your  ignorance:.  Go  to;  Til  M 
inore  on*t  j  it  hath  made  me  mad.  I  fay,  we  will 
have  no  tnore  marrkges:  thofe  that  are  married 
already,  all  but  one,  fliall  five  •,  the  reft  fhall  keep  as 
they  are.     To  a  nunnery,  go.  ^Exif  Hamlet. 

Opb.  O,  what  a  noble  mind  is  here  overthrown ! 
*The  courtier's,   foldier^k,  fcholar's,    eye,  tongue, 

fword  I  . '  ,     , 

Tf he  expectancy  and  rofe  of  the  fair  ftatc,  * 
The  glafs  of  falhion,  and  » the  qiduld  of  form. 
The  obferv'd  of  all  obfervers !  quite,  quite  down  I 
And  I,  of  ladies  moft  dcjcft  *  and  wretched. 
That  fuckM  the  honey  of  his  mufic  vo\Vs, 
Now  fee  that  noble  and  moft  fovereign  reafon. 
Like  fwcet  bells  jangled,  out  of  tune  '  &nd  harfli  j 
That  unmatched  form  and  feature  4  of  blown  youth, 
Blafted  with  ecftafy  s : .  O,  woe  is  m$ ! 

To 

:  ^  The  afurtter*SyfiUier^s,/c^iar*s^  eye^  to^pte^Jwrdi]  The  poet 
peruinly  meant  to  have  placed  hi    words  thus: 

The  c7urticr\/c^r!ar\/?Uur\  eye,  tongue^  fix)ord) 
otherwife  the  excellence  or  tongue  is  appropriated  to  xhtfiUiir^ 
and  the  fcholar  wears  the  fword,     Warner.' 
•fhis  regulaiion  is  nc^lers*     So,  in  Titrftun  and  Lturece : 
**  Princes  are  the glafi^  the  jOfooly  the  Aw^t, 
"  Where  fubjofts  eyes  do  leam^  do  rWf  do  hoi.^ 
And  in  .^uiMtUian :  ^f  IVJuluino  agit  fexus,  etas,  conditio ;  ut  in 
foLminis.JenihuSypuptlUs^  lihros^  farentfs^  cfff^ttge^  alligantibus.*' 

Farmer. 
...y-.-^tU  mould  offirm^']  The  roDdd  by  whom  all  endeavoured 
to  form  themielves.     Johnson. 

»  —  moft  dcjiH'\    So,  in  H<-ywood'«  Sihrr  Age,  1613  : 
t*  —  VVhat  knij^ht  is  that 
•*;^  palhonately  d^eBf'    Steevjeni^ 
J  —out  oihifu']    Thus  the  folio.    The  quarto-^oiit  of //«^. 

Steevens. 
^  •^and/fl/«r^]    Thus  the  foBo.    The  quartos  read /a/irre. 

Steevens. 
5  —  \v!th  ecfia/y.^    The  word  ecftafy  wa$  anciently  ufcd  to 
fignifv  forae  tlegrce  of  alienauon  of  mind. 
.  So'G.  Douglus,  xr^^mvig'-'Jietit  acri fixa  d^e : 
.  i"  Id  ^f^  (he  floodt  and  mad  alQiaifl,'' 

I  So, 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK*   983 
Yp  h?vp  fcen  vyhait  I  h^ye  f?^n,  fee  what  I  fee  I 

fteenter  tCing^  and  PoUmifUf 

Kiffg^  Love  !  his  affeftioris  do  not  that  wny  tend  | 
Nor  what  he  fpake,  though  it  lack 'd  form  a  little^ 
Was  Dot  like  tnadpefs.    There's  fomething  in  his  b\x]p 
Cyer  which  his  melancholy  fits  on  brood  ; 
And,  I  do  doubt,  the  hatch,  and  the  difclofe, 
^ill  be  fome  danger  $  Which  for  to  prevent, 
I  have>  in  quick  ^terminatbu. 
Thus  fet  it  down ;  He  (hall  with  fpeed  to  Engl4nd| 
For  the  demand  of  our  negleded  tribute ; 
Hapljr,  the  feas,  and  countries  djflferent^ 
With  variable  objefi^  fball  expel 
This  fomething-'iettled  matter  in  his  heart ; 
Whereon  his  brains  Hill  beating,  puts  him  thus 
Fronr  fifkion  of  bimfelf;     What  thbk  you  on't } 

Pol.  It  ihall  do  well :  But  yet  da  I  believe 
The  origin  and  commencement  of  his  grief 
Sprung  from  neglected  love.  — How  now,  Opbelig?  , 
You  need  not  tell  qs  >yhat  lord  Hamlet  fajd  ^ 
We  heard  it  all. — My  lord^  do  as  you  pleafe  ; 
But,  if  you  hold  ir  fit,  after  the  play^  - 
t^et  his  queen  mother  all  alone  entreat  hint 
To  dicw  his  grjef  ^  let  her  be  round  with  him  ^  j    , 
And  ril  be  plac*d,  fo  plealc  you,  in  the  ear 
Of  all  their  conference:  It  (he  find  him  not. 
To  England  fend  him ;  or  confine  him,  wh<re 
Your  wifdom  beft  (haft  think. 

Ki^g.  It  (hall  be  fo  :  ,      - 

Madncfs  in  greatones  mull  pot  unwatch'd  go.  £Epcetmt, 

So,  in  Mtcheil^  : 

««    ■  on  the  torture  of  the  mind  to  lie 

*^  In  xti\\t^%  ecfiajy,"^     STEKVEflr*.  ' 
^  m^ke  round  lui/i^  ^'«;]     To  be  round  with  a  pcrfon,  i«  to 
-  rrprlinand  him  with  freedom.    So,   in  -<^ yfad_  World  tn^  Ma/Ins^ 
by  MiddletoD,  1640 :  **  She's  rguad  with  her  i'iaiih.**    Malon  e. 

SCENE 


284  HAMLET, 

SCENE      II. 

J  HalL 

Miner  Hamlitf  and  two  er  three  of  the  flayers. 

Ham.  Speiik  the  fpeedh,  I  pray  yoUt  as  I  pro- 
jiounc'd  it  to  yau,  trippingly  on  the  tooguc :  but  if 
you  mouth  it^  as  many  of  our  pUyefs  do,  I  had  as 
iieve  the  towu-criisr  fpoke  my  lin^s.  .  Nor  do  not 
£iw  the  air  too  much  with  your  hand,  thus ;  but  \}Sb 
all  gently :  for  in  the  very  mteot,  tcmptft,  and  (as 
I  may  fay)  whirlwind  of  your  paffion^  yoa  muft  ac« 
quire  and  b^et  a  temperance,  that  may  give  tc 
fmoothnefs.  O*  it  ofiends  me  to  the  foUl^  to  hear 
a  mbuftious  perriwig-pated  7  fellow  tear  a  pafliOQ  to 
catters,  to  very  xz^^  to  fplit  the  ears  of  ^  the  grouml- 

lingsj 

'  "^  —-/frrriwV-patcd]  This  is  a  ridicule  on  the  quantity  of  faJfc 
hair  worn  in  Shakefpeare's  time,  for  wigs  were  not  in  oommoo 
life  till  the  reign  of  Charles  IL  In  the  Ttua  Getukmem  tf  Ferma^ 
Julia  fays—**  111  get  ipe  fuch  a  oolour'd  pmiwg^ 

Gcfft  who  wrote  leveral  plays  in  the  reign  of  J[ani(es  L  and  wai 
DO  mean  fcholar,  has  the  following  lines  in  his  tragedy  of  die 
Cow4^e9us  Turki^  163a :        **  —  How  now,  you  heavens^ 

**  Ofow  you  fo  proud  you  muft  needs  put  on  eutlM  lodcst 
**  And  dpthe  yourfelvea  xnferrrwigs  of  fire?* 
Players»  however,  feem  to  have  worn  them  moft  gcliehdiyv 
So,  in  Etfety  fToman  in  her  Humour^  1609 :    **— as  none  wear 
hoods  but  monks  and  ladies ;  and  fisothers  but  fiaie-hoiies,  &c  ;— 
novntferriwigs  but  players  and  pi£hu:es.     Stbevens. 
^  *  '^thi  grotmakngs; — ]    The  meaner  people  then  feem  to 
have  fat  bdow,  as  they  now  fit  in  the  upper  gaUerV,  who,  not 
well  underftanding  poetical  lan^ge,  were  fometimes  ^ptified  by 
a  mimical  and  mute  reprefentation  of  the  drama,  pre^toos  to  thi 
dialogue.    Johnson. 

Betbre  each  a<ft  of  the  tragedy  of  Joct^^  traniUted  from 
Etitifides^  by  Geo.  Gafcoigne  aud  Fn.  Kinwehnerih,  the  order 
of  thefe  dumb  (hews  is  very  minutely  defcribed.  This  play  was 
prefented  at  Gray's  Inn  by  them  in  1^66.  The  mute  exbilutions 
included  in  it  are  chiefly  emblematical,  nor  do  they  difplay  a 
7  pourc 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.    .2J55 

lings  i  who,  for  the  moft  part,  are  capable  pf  no- 
thing but  ^  inexplicable  dumb  Ihews,  and  lioife :  I 

piduit  otMt  ingfe  fcetie  which  ia  afterwards  perfonned  on  the 
SMgs.    In  fome  other  jkneces  I  have  obfenred^  that  they  ienre  to 
introduce  fudi  ciicumuance$  at  the  fitniti  of  a  play  wouU  not 
admit  to  be  reprefented* 
Thmia  BertJ  ami  Jniifaier,  16221 

•*  ■      '  Ljt  me  new 
^^  Intreaiyowr  voerfby piOtenci  to  cantam 
'^  Mmcb  im  imaginatiom ;  tmiy  *vobat  vjcrds 
^  Canmi  hofue  time  te  utter ^  let  your  eyes^ 
**  Out  ef  this  DUMB  SHOW,  teUyowr  memories!* 
In  ihort,  dumb  (hews  ibmethnes  fupplied  deficiencies,  and,  at 
others,  filled  up  the  fpace  of  time  which  was  necefikiy  to  paft 
while  Dufinefs  was  fuppofed  to  be  trania^ed  in  foreign  parts.  Wkh 
this  method  of  preierving  one  of  the  unities,  oiir  anceflors  appear 
to  have  been  iatisfied«    Ben  Jonfon  mentions  the  grounJUugs  with 
equal  contempt*    **  The  underfbmding  gentlemen  of  the^mou/ 
«  here.**. 

Agaitb  in  The  Cafe  is  jBtet^d^  1609  :•— ^  a  rude  barbarous  crew 
that  have  no  bnuns,  and  yet  grounded  judgments ;  they  will  hifa 
any  thing  that  mounts  above  their  ^^xM^Jcapacities*'' 

A?ain,  inXflfa^  'AUmmff^  i^^9*  **  Be  your  flage^curtains  arti* 
fidafly  drawn,  and  {o  covertly  ihrowded  that  the  (quint-q^d 
grouuaUug  may  not  peep  in  ?**  In  our  early  play-houfes  the  pit 
had  neither  floor  nor  benches.  Hence  the  term  of  grouadOngs  tor 
thoie  who  fipequented  it.  ^ 

The  grotmdlingt  in  its  primitive  fignification,  means  a  ${h  which 
always  keeps  at  the  bottom  of  the  water.    Stee  yens. 

*  '^iuexfUcshle  dumhjhe<ws^'\  I  believe  the  meaning  is,  JbeivSy 
VJtthout  guards  to  explain  them*    JOHKSON. 

Rather,  I  believe,  (hews  which  are  too  eonfuiedly  conduced 
to  explain  themfelves. 

I  meet  with  one  of  thefe  in  Heywood*s  play  of  the  Four  Prentices 
ef  Loudon^  163  s,  wheip  the  Printer  fays, 

**  I  mud  entreat  your  patience  to  forbear 
•*  While  we  do  feaft  your  eye  and  ftarve  your  ear. 
^  For  in  dun^Jbews^  which  were  they  writ  at  hu^ 
«  Would  aik  a  long  and  tedious  circumfbnce, 
*^  Their  infim't  fortunes  I  will  foon  eiprefs  :**  &c^ 
Then  follow  the  dumbjhews^  which  well  deferve  the  charaSer 
*  Hamlet  has  already 'given  of  this  fpecies  of  entertainment,  as  may 
be  feen  from  the  foUowing'pafiage :    **  Enter  Tancred,  with  Bella 
Franca  richly  attired,  Ihe  jomewbdt  affeBing  him^  though  fiie  makes 
mjbew  of  it  J     Surely  this  may  be  caued  an  inexfUcable  dumhjbewj* 

Stestens. 

would 


286  H    A    M    L    fi    f , 

/would  Hav$  fucb.a  fclIoW  whipp'd  for  oVHloioc'f 
*  Termagant;  it  out-herods  Herod*:  Pray  yoi^ 
svoid  it. 

1  Piaj^ 

*  ^^Tirmagtuit ;— j  termagoHi  wzi  a  Saracen  ddtjv  TCiy  da- 
mdrous  and  violent  in  the  old  moralities.     Percy. 

Tenfu^ant  is  mentioned  'by  Spenfer  in  his  Fairy  ^teti,  and  hy 
Chaucer  in  The  Tale  of  Sir  Topas ;  and  by  B.  and  Fletcher  in  Kb^ 
§r  no  King^  as  follows : 

*^  This  would  make  a  iaini  fwear  like  a  foklieri  and  a  filler 
"  like  Temag^^ 
Again,  in  Kant-  4llejf^  or  Merry  Tricks,  i6i  i : 
«<  --  fWean,  God  blefs  us^ 
**  Like  a  very  Tenrtagdni/* 
AgaiOy  in  Tie  PiHure,  by  Maffinger: 

♦*  «—  a  hundred  thouland  Turki 
"  Aflaird  him,  every  one  a  Termagamf^    StfiEVEKs. 

•  —  out'berods  JleroJ:]  The  character  of  Herod  in  the  ancief^t 
inyftcrics  was  always  a  violent  one  : 

Sec HitOrventriaLudus among theCotton MiT.  Vefpafian n,  vi il« 
"  Now  I  regne  lyk  a  kyng  arayd  ful  rych, 
•*  Rollyd  in  rynggs  and  robys  of  array, 
**  Dukys  with  ctentys  I  dry vc  into  the  dych  j 
*'  My  dedys  be  ful  dowty  dcmyd  be  day."  • 

Again,  in  the  Chefier  Whitfun  Ph^Sy  Mf.  Harl.  1013 1 
**  I  kynge  of  kynges  nf5n  foekeene^ 
^*  I  fovraigne  fir  as  well  is  feene, 
*'  I  tyrant  that  maye  bouth  take  and  teeae 
**  Caftell  tower  and  towne» 

*•  I  weldc  this  worlde  wlchouten  were, 

*^  I  beaten  all  tbofe  unbuxome  hp^ne  \  ^ 

•*  I  drive  the  devills  alby  dene 

**  Dccpe  in  hell  a  dowue. 

^  For  I  am  kinge  of  all  mankinde, 
"  I  byd,  I  bcate,  I  lofe,  I  bynde,  ! 

**  I  mafter  the  moone,  take  this  in  royndo  ' 

•*  That  I  am  moft  of  mighte.  ^ 

**  1  ame  the  greateft  above  degree 

**  That  is,  tlmt  was,  or  ever  (hall  be ; 

**  The  fonnc  it  dare  not  ibine  on  me,  "5 

^*  And  I  byd  him  goe  downe. 

^  No  raine  to  fall  (hall  now  be  free, 
"  Nor  no  lorde  have  that  liberty 
**  That  dare  abyde  and  I  byd  fleeyi 
^  Put  1  ihali  crake  his  crowne." 

i>ee  the  Fhuna^s  Fhff^o.6f4 
Chaucer 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.     287 

I  Thrf*  I  warrant  your  honour. 

Hdm.  Be  not  too  tame  neither,  but  let  your  owd 
difcretion  be  your  tutor:  fuit  the  aft  ion  to  the  word, 
the  word  to  the  aftion  5  with  this  fpecial  obfervance^ 
that  you  o'er-ftep  not  the  modefty  of  nature :  For 
any  thiqg  fo  overdone  is  from  the  purpofe  of  play- 
ing, whofe  end,  both  at  the  firft,  and  now,  was,  and 
is,  to  hold  as  'twere  the  mirror  up  to  nature  \  to  . 
fliew  virtue  her  own  feature,  fcorn  her  own  image, 
and  the  very '  age  and  body  of  the  time  his  form 
and  4  preflure.     Now  this,  over- done,  or  come  tardy 
off,  though  it  make  the  unfkilful  laugh,  cannot  bi\t 
make  the  judicious  grieyej   the  cenfure  of  which 
one,  muft:,  in  your  allowance,  o*cr- weigh  a  whole 
theatre  of  others.     O,  there  be  players  5,  that  I  have 
fccn  play, — and  heard  others  praife,  and  that  highly,-?— 
^  no(  to  fpeak  it  profanely,  that,  neither  having  the 

accent 

Chaucer  defcribing  a  parHh  clerk,  in  his  MUet^s  Taky  iays, 
"  He  playiih  Hero€ie  on  a  ikafFold  high.** 
The  parifh  clerks  and  other  fubordinate  eccleliafticks  appear  to 
hare  been  our  firft  adtors,  and  to  have  reprefented  their  chara6tert 
on  diftin^  pulpits  or  fc^Ms.  Thus,  in  one  of  the  llage-direftioos 
to  the  27th  pageant  in  the  Coventry  colledion  already  mentioned; 
**  What  tyipe  that  piV^ceiTyon  is  entered  into  y*  place,  and  the 
Herowdys  takyn  his  fchaJahU,  and  Annas  and  Cayphas  their 
/cbafal^s^  &c.      Steevens. 

*  ^z^anJ  body  of  t/je  time, — ]  The  age  of  the  time  can 
hardly  pfs.  May  we  not  read,  the  face  and  My^  or  did  the  au- 
thor wnt^,  ihcfage?  Thefage  fuits  well  with  form  and  frejfure^ 
but  ill  with  ho^.     Johnson. 

Ta  exhibit  the  form  aTtdpicJfure  of  the  ^^f  of  the  tinUy  is^  to  re* 
prcfcnt  the  manners  of  the  time  luitable  to  the  period  that  is  treated 
of, according  as  it  may  be  ancient,  or  modern.  Steevens. 
^  '^prejfure — ]  KcfemblJmce,  as  in  a /r//x/.  Johnson. 
^  — O,  thoe  he  players']  1  would  read  thus:  "  There  be 
players,  that  I  have  fcen  play,  and  heard  others  praife,  and  that 
highly  (nnt  to  fpeak  profanely)  that  neither  having  the  accent 
nor  the  gait  of  Chriftian,  Rigan,  nor  Mujpilman^  have  fo  ftruttpd 
and  bellowed,  that  I  thought  loine  of  nature's  journeymca  haii 
made  tbcmen^  and  not  made  them  ^'cll,  ^c."    Farmer. 

♦  — (not  to  jpeak  it  ptiyfanvly) — ]     Fnfanejy  fecms  to  relate,  not 
(o  the  praife  which  he  ha»  mcnilonec!,  bu:  ^)  the  cenfure  ^  hicl) 

he 


s88  H    A   M    L    E    f, 

aceetit  of  chriftians,  nor  the  gait  of  chriftiatf^  p^^i 
nor  man,  have  fo  ftrutted.  and  bellowy,  that  lnsLv€ 
tiiought  fomc  of  nature's  journeymen  had  madcf 
men,  and  not  made  them  well,  they  imitated  Jiu- 
manityfo  abominably. 

I  Pli^.  I  hope,  we  have  tcfoffl[iM  thatindi&erentljr 
with  us* 

Ham.  O,  reform  it  altogether.  Artd  let  thofe,  that 
play  your  clowns,  fpeak  no  more  than  is  fct  down  for 
them  7 :  For  there  be  of  them^  that  will  them^ves 
laugh,  to  fet  on  fome  quantity  of  barren  fee6tators 
to  laugh  too  i  though,  in  the  mean  time,  fome  ne- 
ceflary  queftion  of  w^  play  be  then  to  be  c6n(idered5 
that's  villainous ;  and  fhews  a  nioft  pitiful  ambitiod 
in  the  fool  that  ufes  it^    Go,  make  you  ready. — 

.  ^Exeunt  PUt/erk 

Enter  PoUmnsy  Rojinctantz^  and  Gmldtnftem. 

How  now,  my  lord  ?*  will  the  king  hear  this  piectf 
of  work  ? 

lie  it  about  to  utter.    Any  grofi  of  indelicate  Idngtage  vm  calfed 
frtfane.    JoHKSoif. 

^  "^fpiok  no  more  than  is  fit  dwm  for  thm^  So^  in  f  A^ 
Jbi^pode$^  by  Brome,  1638 : 

•*  —  you,  fir,  are  incorrigible,  and 
•*  Talcc  licence  to  yourfclf  to  add  unto 
•*  Your  pant, your  own  free  faney.&c* 

—  **  That  It  a  way,  my  lord,  hat  been  altow'd 
•*  On  dder  ftaget,  to  move  mirth  and  laurfitcr.** 

—  ^  Yet,  in  the  dayt  of  Tarlfon^  and  ^Kempe^ 

^  Before  the  fiage  wat  purg'd  from  barbarifm,  &c.* 
'  Stowe  infbrmt  ut  (p.  697,  edit.  161  j),  that  among  the  twdf<^ 
players  who  werefworn  the  queen't  (mantt  in  i  c9j,  **  were  twa 
rare  men,  viz.  Thomas  WilTon^  for  a  quicke  deucate  refined  ix-f 
temporaii  vntte  \  and  Richard  Tarleton,  for  a  wondiout  plemifull^ 
pleafant  extmporaU  wlu^  iccJ* 

Again,  in  Taritom*^  Netws  from  Pargatoty :  **  —  I  aUented  iny«' 
fdf  TOm  all  pldes,  at  wanting  that  merrye  Roicius  of  plaiers  t^ 
femofed  idl  ^omediet  fo  with  his  ple»anr   a»d  txtefnforaS  *«»• 

VitUfOn/*     STEKVEIft* 


4>  R  I  N  fc  E  OF  D  fe  1^  M  A  R  K.     it^ 

FoL  And  the  queen  too,  and  that  prefchtly. 

•  flam.  Bid  the  players  make  hafte. — [Exit  Polonius. 
Will  you  two  help  to  haften  them  ? 

Both.  Ay,  my  lord.  [Exeunt  Rof.  and  GuiU 

Hnm.  Whit, ho; 'Horatio! 

Enter  Hbratio. 

Har*  tierct  fwcet  lord,  at  your  fervicfe; 

Ham.  Horatio,  thou  art  e'en  as  juft  a  matt 
As  e'er  my  converfation  cop'd  withal; 

Hot.  O,  my  dear  lord,^ — 

fltf«i..Nay,  do  nbt  think  I  flatter : 
tor  what  advancement  tpay  I  hope  from  thee. 
That  no  revenue  haft,  but  thy  good  ipirits. 
To  feed,  andcloath  thee,^  Why  fliould  the  poor  be 

flattcrM?   „ 
No^  let  the  candy'd  tongue  lick  abfurd  pomp; 
And  crook  ^thc  pregnant  hinges  of  the  knee, 
Where  thrift  naay  follow  fawning*    Doft  thou  hear  ? 
Since  ^  my  dear  foul  was  miftuefs  of  her  choice. 
And  could*  of  men  (diftir^guifli  \  her  cledion 
Hath  fcal^d  thc6  tor  hcrfelf :  for  thou  haft  been 
As  one,  in  fuffering  all,  that  fuffers  nothing  \ 
A  man,  that/ortune^^  buffets  and  rewards 
Haft  ta'en  with  equal  thanks:  and  bleft  are  thofe^ 
MYhofebiood  and  j^dgmentrare  To  well  ea-mingled^ 

«  -^tbe  pregn^nHinges  oftbikhliy^     rbellevfethe  fcnfc  oifrtg* 
M4mt  in  tbis  pU^e  isi  qmk^  rea^^pKot^t^    John$pk." 

•  — /fjy  dear  yS«^— ]     Perhaps,  hiy  rW  ibul.     Johnson, 
Dear  foul  is  an  expreilioii  equivalent  .to  the  fiAa  y^^r^k,   f(Xof 

ii%^  df  Hpmer.-    StEEVE^s.    . 

*  j^ad  could  of  men  dijiinpii/b^  her  eleBioh 
Hath  feoM-  t^ee  for  berjef:]    T^ui  the  foUo.    'the .  qUarto 
ztlittk:       .      !  '  '  - 

And  could  of  men  diftingdifh  hfer  clcflioni,  ■    : 
^    ^••liftth  fcafd  tiiec,  &c,    Steevens. 

•  fFhofi  blood  and  judgment — ]     According  to  the  doArinedf 
the  four  humours,  deftre  and  confdeifce  were  feAtcd  in  t}ie  blood, 

•ftnd  jitdgf^nt  in* the  phlegm,  and  the  .due  mixture  of  €h«  humours 
.m^b^a  perfect  charader*    Johnson, 

Vol.  X.  U  That 


290  H    A    M    L.  E    T, 

That  tbey  arc  not  a  pipe  /or  fortunc'3  finger 
To  found  what  ftop  me,  pleafe :  Give  me  that  oumi 
That  is  not  paflion^s  flave,  and  I  will  wear  him 
lo  my  heart's  core,  ay,  in  my  h«rt  of  hf art»^ 
As  I  do  thee.— Something  iDOp  nouphof  thi$^— 
There  is  a  play  to-night  before  the  king ; 
One  fcene  of  it  comics  near  the  drcumUanGCy 
Which  I  have  told  thee,  of  my  father's  death« 
I  pr'ythee,  when  thou  fee*ftthat  ad  a-foot;. 
Even  w'rch  the  very  comment  of  thy  foul 
pbferve  my  uncle:  if  his  dcculted  guik 
t)o  not  itfelf  unkennel  in  one  fpeechf 
It  is  a  dajmned  ghoft  that  we  have  feen; 
And  my  imaginations  are  as  foul* 
As  ^  Vulcan's  ftithy :  Giv^  him  heedful  hole  : 
tor  I  mine  eyes  will  rivet  to  hb  jpic? ;   ^^ 
And,  after,  we  will  both  our  judgments  jDin 
In  cenfure  of  his  feemxng. 

Hor.  Well,  my  lord: 
if  he  (leal  aught,  the  whiH!  this  play  is  playing^ 
And  f<:apc  dctcdiqg,  I  wiR  pay  the  thrfit. 

Ham.  They  are  coming  to  the  play;  I  tuDft  be  idk: 
:  Gtt  yon  a  place.  ^.  .   .  ^ 

;.  Danifi  march,    jf  Jhar^,^ 

£iU0r  Khfgi^  ^m^  P^hmm^  Of^Kdi  IbfeiurgmZf^ 
Gmldenjlimy  tmi^th^rs. 

King.  How  ikits  oar  coofin  Hamlet  >  \ 

'       3  ^  t^alcsn^i  {!lthy.— ]     Stithy  11  a  fouVi  JT^I^A     I^SysOJIlt 

Notv  by  i\\tfirg€  that  j^iihtatMinU  l|elQ|»'  -  r 
So,  in  GrcentV  Carti sfPangf.  i6oS  :— "  dccemuned  to.flnkt 
on  die //^A  while  the  iroD.w«sopt»**      ^ 

Again^  in  C^aucerV  cdebrat^/de^cnjKio^  pt}i/t..T€mfk  ^ 
HtfTi,  latp  edk,  vt,uiQi%x       "  .  '.'.  ^ 

«  — thefipith       ,.        \    ,,  ...  , 
^  I'hat  fof^ljet^  !auR;pe  f#e«des  o^  iA$JliA?!' .  ^&lTEvt« 


PRlNCfi  of  fitNMAkJC.    i9t 

flam.  .T^xcellent,  i*  faith ;  of  Ae  'feamelibfi's  difhi 
1  eat  the  alr^  prptnhe-cramm*d  i  Yoti  cannot  feed 
capons  lb.    ,  .         .     ,  ,  ^  - , 

King,  t  Bavji  nothing  With  Ibis  Anfwei^,  Htnilct  j 
thde  y^btAs  are  ndt  mine, 

Ami.  ,No^ '4  not  tckine  now.**My  lort3,  ydu  played 
once  i*  the  uttlverfity,  j^oti  fay  ?  To  Polonius^ 

PoL  That  did  t^  my  ]ocd :  and  was  accounted  a 
good  zGt^f. 

Ham.  AtiA  what  did'  yod  eitaft  f 

PoU  I  did  eqad  JUliUs  Csfefar  :  1  Wal  killed  i'  the 
Capitol ;  BrutUs  kiird  me* 

Ham.  Ir  was  a  brute  part  of  him  ^  to  kill  fp  ca* 
(kal  a  calf  tbeie.-^Be  the  playen  ready  f 

Jt<!/1  Ay,  my  lorf  5  ^  they  Aay  tipon  ycHii"  patieriter 

^een.  Come  hi^hcr^  my  dear  Hamfct,  fit  by  ihe*    ' 

Haml  No;  good  mother^  here^s  metal  more  ittrac-* 
tive* 

FoL  O  ho !  do  you  mark  that  ?        [T0  the  kw^^ 

Him.  IJLdjp  (hall  I  lie  in  your  lap  ? 

[Lying  do^m  at  Oflniia^s  f^H^^ 

^  —  «fr  mm  itffvt]  A  itian'f  words,  iayj  the  prasrctb>  are  bit 
jvn  no  bnger  than  he  keeps  them  uafpolien*    Jon  nsona 

>  — /f  tiMsi  s  biHite  jfiTttf  4>/>,— *]  Si^r  Joha  Harrin  jcqh,  iH  his 
MetammfiKfit  (fAjaJcii^^tj  has  the  fame  <^uibbk  !  '^  0  bl^ve^ 
jBtmled  Brtauil  but  thn  1  muft  truly  %^  they  were  tiiro  trktijb 
/«m4)oth  of  btti.aBdyou^  .oofrrtt  kiUhisib^s  ivc  heidbbf  the 
other  to  kill  his  fatW.  ia  trcaibn.^ .  .Sxjuiy SK6  • 

^  — *  the^Jlajf  iiiomyomr patiemftt.l  May  it  not  be  itsitt  4i)ore  in* 
idUpbly,  n^  Mtmfjmr^)9^^M^  .In  Afa**r^^  it  i»i 

**  NuWe  Macbeth,  we  ftay  upoa  your  kifmir    Jorkson« 

^  -TT  |tf  OpffeUifsJyj.1    T^J**  *^  ^^  C«*t  o^  *  roiftreit  during 
ftty  dinimatic  feprmiitation,  (eems  to  hate  b^eii  a  corhmca  aA 
•f  griliniiyt    ^,10  auJ^n  f  G^tnth^  by  B.  an4  Fletcher : 
.  ^*  Uftjert  ter  to  1^  coachg /^  <»/ A^  ^/ ' 
*^  Ji  fiitin  maAiftff  applauding  wh^t  flie  laugtil  afi>? 

••  ToUi  aUtif^n  ladies  Ufppes.  fitc.'* 
This  &Auott  which  ShskeCp!^  ptobabl^  dtfigned  to  ridicviill 
by  appropriatinc  it  tn  Hancjlct  duting  hb  (tiiTeinbled  inadncft,  is 
fikdrife mfoMhf  D^tk^i^  id  hvi  Ouis  firfiMt^  1609. 
fat  an  iktraft  ictn  it  ataong  the  Mreiiic^    Stjubvsms. 

U  4  C^l 


.292  H    A    IVI    L    E    T, 

Opb.  No,  my  lord. 
.  Ham.  I  mean,  my  head  upon  your  bp  ^  ? 

Opb.  Ay,  my  lord. 

Ham.  9  Do  you  think,  I  meant  country  matters  ? 

Opb.  I  think  nothing,  my  lord. 

Ham.  That's  a  fair  thought  to  lie  between  maids'^ 
legs. 

Opb.  What  is,  my  lord  ? 

Ham.  Nothing. 

Opb.  You  are  merry,  my  lord. ' 

Ham.  Who,  I  ? 

Opb.  Ay,  my  lord. 
•    Ham.  O !  your  only  jig-maker  '*    What  lhoufi[l  a 
man  do,  but  be  merry  ?  for,  kx)k  you,  how  chfei^ 
fully  my  mother  looks^  and  my  fathci:  died  within 
thcfc  two  hours. 

Opb.  Nay,  'tis  twkc  two  months,  my  kvd* 

Ham.  So  long  ?   *  Nay,  then  let  the  devil  wear 
black,  for  Til  have  a  fuit  of  fables.    O  hej^nns ! 

die 

'  Imeoftyicc.']  This  fpeedi  ami  C^/Ztf^i  reply  to  it,  are  OHuttcd 
in  the  quartos.    Steeyems. 

^  Doyou  think  I  meant  amnlty  matters  ?]  I  think  wc  muft  read, 
Dfi^ou  think  1  meant  cftantry  mflnners?  Do  you  inogioe  that! 
meant  to  fir  in  your  lap,  with  fach  rough  gallantry  as  cloHrns  ufe  cb 
their  lailes  ?    Johnson.  ' 

'  '^jouronfy  jig^ maker.]    There  may  have  been  fonie  humoar 
'in  this  paf&ge,  the  force  of  which  is  mow  diiniatibtd : 

ci many  gentlemen 

*•  Are  riot,  as  in  the  days  of  underftanding, 

•*  Now  fetisfied  without  a  jig^  which  fince 

•*  They  cannot;  with  their  honour,  call  for  rfter 

*•  The  play,  they  look  to  be  fcrv*d  up  in  the  middfew" 

Chanps^  or  Live  in  a  Maze,  by  ^htrley^  l^jf. 

In  the  Hcg  has  iofi  his  PearL,  1614,  one  of  the  players  comfs-  lo 

(blicit  a  gentleman  xo'Vtjrrte  ^jrg  for  him.   -AJ^  was  not  in 

Shakeipeare's  time  a  dance^  but  a  ludicrous  dialogue  in  metre, 

and  of  the  lowefl  kind,  like  Hamlets  crmverfaiion  whh  Dpbgtm. 

^any  of  tbefe  jiggs  are  entered  in  the  books  of  the  Stationers* 

'  Company  :— -**  Phifins  his  Jigg  of  theflyppess,  1595.    Kempe^t 

•  J^o**thr  Kitchen-ftutf-woman,  1595."    5T£9V£.diS/. 

*  — Nay^  then  let  t/je  4tv*/  txyar  blacky  4  of  VU  have  a  fiflt*^ 
/a^Jis.^^fTke-  conceit  -©I  -th^le  Words  is  aoi  -taken*  They  mrt  an 
.V  ■  ,*  t      J  urontcal 


PRINtE  OF   DENMARK.    293 

life  two  months  ago,  and  not  forgotten  yet?  Then 
there's  hope,  a  great  nian's,  memory  may  outlive  his . 
life  half  a  year:    But,    byV-lady,   he   muft   build 
churches  then :  or  elfe  fhall  he  fufier '  not  thinking 

on^ 

ironical  apolb^  for  hii  taotber's  cheerful  looki :  two  months  was 
long  enough  in  confcience  to  make  ^ny  dead  hufband  forgotten. 
But  the  editors,  in  their  nonienfical  blunder,  have  made  Hamlet 
fay  juft  the  contrar}%  That  the  devil  and  he  would  both  go  into 
mourning,  though  his  mother  did  not.  The  true  reading  is  this, 
Ifqy^  then  lei  tie  devil  tswor  hiack^  'fore  PU  harje  a  fuit  of  fable. 
^Fere^  L  ۥ  ^forc.  As  much  as  to  fay.  Let  the  devil  wear  bbick 
for  me,  Til  have  none.  The  Oxford  Editor  defpifes  an  ^enda« 
tion  fo  eafy,  and  reads  it  thus,  Nqy^  then  let  the  devil  wear  blacky  for 
m  have  a  fuit  of  ermine.  And  you  could  expe6t  no  \t^  when 
fuch  a  critic  had  the  dreffing  of  him.  But  the  blunder  was  a 
pfeafant  one.  The  fenfeleii  editors  had  wrote  y2r3iSfi,  the  fur  fo 
called,  for  fable^  black.  And  the  critic  only  changed  this  fiir  for 
that ;  bv  a  like  figure,  the  common  people  fay,  Ton  rejoke  the 
cockles  ^  vt^  hearty  for  the  nrnfcUs  of  my  heart ;  an  unlucky  miftake 
©feme  fheli-fifli  for  anot^r.    Warburtpn. 

I  know  not  why  our  editors  (hould,  with  fuch  implacable  an|;erf 
periecute  their  predeceilbrs.  6t  nxpol  fjA  loLwucn^  the  dead,  k  if 
true,  can  make  no  refinance,,  they  may  be  attacked  with  great 
lecurity ;  but  fince  they  can  neither  &cl  nor  mend,  the  fafety  of 
mauling  them  feems  greater  than  the  pleafure ;  nor  perhaps  would 
it  moch  mrfbeiecm  us  to  reoierober,  amidfl  our  triumphs  over  the 
noi^fhal  and  the  fmfelefs^  that  we  likewife  are  men ;  that  dehemur 
morti^  and;  as  9wiit  obferved  to  Burnet,  (hall  foon  be  among  the 
dead  ourfelves. 

I  cannot  find  how  the  common  reading  is  nonfenfe,  nor  why 
Hamlet,  when  fae  hud  afide  hift  drefs  of  mourning,  in  a  country 
where  it  was  bitter  cold^  and  the  air  was  nipping  and  eager^  fhould 
not  have  tifuit  rf Jobless  I  fuppofe  it  is  well  enough  known,  that 
^the  fur  of  fables  is  not  black.    Johnson. 

hfuit  of  faUes  was  the  richefl  drefs  that  could  be  worn  ih 
Denmark.    STEEV£Nf. 

Here  again  is  an  equivoque.    In  Mafflnger^s  Old  Low,  we  haye 
*— **  A  cunning  grief, 
•*  That's  only  laced  w'wlijiiblei  for  a  (how, 
"  But  gawdy-heartcd.** —    Farmer. 

*  ''^fuffcr  not  thinking  on^  with  the  hohhy-horfe ; — ]     Amongft 

the  country  may-games  there  was  an  hobby-hoife,  which,  when 

'  Ae  puritanical  humour  of  thofe  times  o|.)p()led  and  difcreJitcJ  thefe 

games,  was  brought  by  the  poets  and  bailad«makers  as  an  inlliu^ee 

i   .         ;  U  J  of 


^94  H    A    M    L    E    T, 

on*  with  the  habby-h^fo;  wbiQfe  tfif^k^  U  Jir ^  0» 

fiffter  a  king  and  tmeen  \  very  lovingly ;  the  queen  em^ 
krafing  him,  ana  be  her.  Sbe  kneels,  and  makes  Jhti» 
cf  protefiation  unto  bim.  He  tahs  her  up^  and  di" 
dines  bis  bead  ftpoH  her  neck:  lays 'him  down  afon  a 
hank  of  fiowers  \  fhe^  feeing  him  ajeep^  leaver  bim% 
4^on^  comes  ii^a  felloWftake^.  off  bis  croum3  kifffS 
it^  and  fours  foifon  in  (bt  Kt^'s  4eirs^  and  $xi^ 
^be  jueen  rettcrnss  finds  the  ting  ^Mk  4^4  m^tiiS 

of  tlie  nHiculQus  zeat  of  the  fe^hnes't  from,  0ie(c  baSaids  Hsbd^r 
Quotes  a  line  or  two,     WARByitTqif. 

'^O^ibi  hDhfybfirfe  U  firgou]  In  LofU£*i  Lahwr'j  Lcfi^  lhi| 
line  is  iiifo  introduced.  In  ^  fipati  black-letter  boolc^  inddedi 
flayes  Gvtfiifed^  by  Srepbeti  QoiToa,  ]  fiod  the  M^-horJe  eocr 
derated  hi  the  lift  of  dances.  *'  For  the  devil  (fay*  tbli  author) 
**  becftde  the  beautic  of  the  hoafea,  i|n !  the  iUges*  fendetli  m 
^  gearlfh  apparcll,  rnafites,  vautlni;,  nxmblina^,  davmcing  of  giggOj 
P  g^iardes,  monfces,  hohhirhorfis^'  fcc.  aii^in  Gr^a's  Ttt  qm^ftt^ 
1 599  the  fame  exprcflion  occurs  : 

••  The  other  hokfy-horfi^  I  jijercdtrc,  it  not  forgott^-^ 
In  TEl^NOFAMlA,  or  Tb^  Marriage  rf  tie  Jrti^   i6i5.  U  tbt 
foHowing  ftage-dsr^ion. 

*f  Eiiter  a  hohly^orfi.  dancing  the  monkc^"  Bee, 
Again,  in  B.  and  Fletchers  Womn  Pfeafid: 

Soto,  *^  Shall  the  M^'horfi  be  focgot  then, 
«*  The  hopeful  hohhy-harfe^  (hall  he  lie  fbundei'J?*' 
The  (cene,  \p  ^hich  this  pall'age  is^  win  very  aimdy  confirm 
sll  that  Dr.  Warburton  has  Sid  concerning  the  Mfy'oarfe. 

Again,  in  Ben  j[onfon*s[  Entcra^MmtMi  fir  tie  ^weea  a^J  Prha 
^Jbborpe: 

**  But  fee;  the  bohfy-hcrfi  is  forgot. 
^        *'  Fool,  it  muft  be  your  lot» 

^*  To  lb pply  his  w^nt  with  facet, 
^*  And  ibmc  other  butfoon  gmtc^." 
See  figure  e  in  thcplate  at  the  eSd  of  the  Firfl:  Part  of  JBy 
Jitftiy  IV,  with  Mr,  ToWs  obfervationt  on  it.    SrkEV^Ks. . 

*  EnUr^  &c  1  In  our  former  edition  feveral  norps  on  ibis  ptf- 
£ige  were  aifembled ;  but  being  all  founded  qn  a  miil^ben  readingi 
fhey  are  now  omitted^    Sisevs^s^  . 

fajiondt^ 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.    295 

fnffiondn  iffioH.  ^Thi  po^aner^  vnth  fome  tuoo  ar 
three  mutts,  tomes  in  again^  fetming  to  lamint  with 
her.  The  dead  iody  is  carried  away.  The  poifoner 
wooes  the  queen  with  gifts  \  Jbe  fiems  loath  and 
ttnwUUtig  a  wUk,  dkt  in  the  end,  mcepts  his  love. 

,      (^Exeunt. 
Opb.  What  means  this,  my  iqrdi    . 
aim.  5  Marry»  this  is  miching  maiicho ;  it  means 
mifehief. 


'  Mtmy^  this  is  mkbing  roalicho ;  //  means  mi/chiif}  The  Qjifird 
MMtoTf  iuMginiag  that  the  fpeaker  had  htrc  engLlfhcd  his  own 
caDt  phrafe  of  micbing  mttUcbo^  tells  us  {hy  UU  gbiljiry)  tbac  it 
§gnifies  m^chitf  fying  biJ^  and  that  malicboii  the  5put>ilh  malhcco^ 
woereais  it  fignifies,  ^'^  in  *oxLit  for  the  psifinen  Which,  the 
ipeaker  tells  us*  was  the  very  purpofe  of  wU  rcprefeiittttiafi.  It 
ihouki  therefore  be  read  mtdhecbor  Spanifli,  \\i^p&ipmtr^  So  tiikh 
figuified,  originallv,  to  keep  hid  ana  out  of  6ght ;  ^ind,  ;i5  iucb 
men  generally  did  it  for  the  pur|X)ie8  of  j^'mg  hi  ^iv///,  it  then 
fignified  to  roD.  And  in  this  tenfe  Sbakefpearc  \x\^.^  the  nouu,  a 
micbefy  when  fpeaking  of  prince  Henry  amongft  a  gang  of  robbers« 
SbaU  tbe  blejfid  fun  ef  beaven  frone  «  roicher  ?  SLaU  Oh  fin  e/^  Eng- 
hxi^jbroye  a  thief?  And  in  this  fenfe  it  :s  ufed  by  Chaucer,  in  his 
trandation  of  Li  Roman  di  la  Rofi,  where  he  turns  the  woid  Uerre 
(which  is  hrron^  vokurj  by  micber.     Waruurtok. 

I  think  Hnnmer*8  exposition  mofl  likely  to  ht  right.  Dr.  War- 
burton,  to  juitify  his  interpretation,  mufb  write,  micbing  for  mak^ 
cboTy  and  even  then  it  vrill  be  hadh,     Johnson. 

Dr.  Warburton  is  right  in  his  explauation  of  the  word  micbing. 
So,  in  the  Rising  Turk,  i6ji : 

«*  ■         wilt  thou,  envious  dotard, 
**  Strangle  mv  greatnefs  in  a  micbing  hol^i** 
Again,  ID  Sianyhurlrs  ?7r^//,  1^82  :^ 

**  —  wherefore  thus  vaiuely  in  fand  Lybye  mifci^  you  f^ 

The  quano  xeziAs'^muncJbing  mallico.    St^evens. 

Micbing^t  fecret,  covered^  lying  hid.  In  this  fenfe  ChapmaiH 
our  author's  coteroporary,  ufea  the  world  in  7h  U^idow^j  Tearji, 
T>odf.  Old  PL  vol.  iv.  g.  ^91.  Lyfander,  to  try  his  wife's  fidelity, 
dopes  from  her ;  his  iriends  report  that  he  is  dead,  and  make  a 
mock,  funeral  for  him  :  his  wile,  to  (hew  exceflivc  forrovv  fur  the 
iois  ojf  her  bulbapd»  ihuts  hcrfelt  up  in  his  monuineot ;  to  which 
he  comes  In  drfgurfe,  and  obtains  her  love,  QOtwithJIlanding  he 
had  aiTured  her  in  the  mean  time,  that  he  was  the  ma^  who  mur* 
4ered'hcr  hulband.    On  which  he  exchums^ 

U4  -^Oat 


296  p    A    M    I,    E    T, 

Opb.  Belike^  this  fliow  im^rts  the  arg^meht  pf 

Enter  Prologue. 

Ham.  Wc  fliall  know  by  this  fellow  :  the  players 
Cfinnot  keep  counfcl  -,  they'll  tell  all. 

Opb.  Will  he  tell  us  what  this  (hew  meant? 
.  Ham.  Ay,  or  any  ihew   that  yqu'U   (hew  him : 
Be  not  you  afham'd  to  fhcw  ^,  he'll  not  ftiame  to  tcU- 
you  what  it  means, 

Opb   You  arc  naught,  you  arc  naught ;  TU  ma^k 
the  play. 

Pro.  For  us,  and  for  cur  tragedy,^ 
Here  ftooping  to  your  clemency^ 
We  beg  your  bearing  patientfy. 

Ham.  Is  this  a  prologue,  or  t|ie  pofy  of  a  ring  2 
Opb.  'Tis  brief,  my  lord.  ' 

//mi.  As  woman'^  love. 

Out  upon  the  monftcr ! 

Go  tell  the  governour,  let  me  be  brought 

iTo  die  for  that  moft  Yimous  villany  ; 
'  Not  tot  this  micbifig  bafe  tranfgrcuion 

Of  truant  negligence.— 
And  again,  p.  301. 

—  My  truant 

Was  michty  fir,  into  a  blind  corner  of  the  tomb. 
In  this  very  fenfe  it  occurs  in  the  Phllaftcr  of  Beaumont  and 
Fletcher,  vol.  i»  p.  142.  "A  rafcal  miching  in  a  meadow.'*  That 
is,  aj.  the  ingenious  editors  (who  have  happily  fubfHtuted  mitcbing 
for  milking)  remark,  '*  A  lean  deer,  creeping,  folitary,  and  witlS 
•*  drawn  trom  the  herd.**    War  ton. 

•  —  J?^  not  you  qfham^J  to  Jhevj^  &c.]  The  conrerfation  of 
Hamlet  with  Ophelia,  which  cannot  fail  to  difguft  every  modem 
reader,  is  probably  fuch  as  was  peculiar  to  the  young  and  fa(hion- 
able  of  the  age  of  Shakc(i'>eare,  which  was,  by  no  means,  an  age 
of  ddicacy.  ■  The  poet  is,  however,  blameable ;  for  extravagance 
ht  ihought,  not  indecency  of  expre(Iit)n,  is  the  chara(5kriiUc  of 
mrtdnefs,  at  lead  of  fuch  roadnels  as  (hould  be  reprelented  on  the 
fccnc,    Steevens.  ... 

'^     '  Enter 

4  «  •- '•'* 


PRINCE  or-DEN'MA'RK.    897- 

*  •      * 

Enter  a  King^  and  a  ^an. 

P.  King.  Full  thirty  times  hath  Phoebus'  cart  ?  gone 
round 
Neptune's  fait  wa(h,  ancj  Tellus'  orbed  ground ; 
And  thirty  dozen  moons^  with  borrowed  ^  (been 
About  the  world  have  times  twelve  thirties  beei>; 
Since  love  our  hearts^  and  Hymen  did  our  haods^ 
Unite  com  mutual  in  mod  facred  b^nds. 

P.  ^^n.  Romany  journeys  may  the  fqn  and  mooQ; 
Make  us  again  covjnt  o'er,  ere  Ipve  be  done! 
But,  woe  is  me,  you  are  fo  Gck  of  late, 
So  far  from  cheer,  and  from  your  former  ftatc. 
That  I  diftruft  you.    Yet,  though  I  diftruft, 
l)ifcomfort  you,  my  lord,  it  nothing  muft : 
For  wotncn  fear  too  much,  9  even  as  they  love. 
And  woixien's  fear  and  love  hold  quantity ; 
In  neither  ought,  or  jq  extremity. 
Now,  what  my  love  \%  proof  hath  made  you  knowj 
^  And  as  my  love  is  fiz  d,  my  fear  is  fo.  • 

7  —  cart]  A  chariot  was  anciently  {6  callod*  Tbut  Chaucer 
in  the  Knlghh  Taie^  late  edit.  yer.  2024 ; 

The  carter  overridden  with  his  cart.    Steevens. 

•  -^^JlfeeH]    Splendor,  lufire.    Johnson. 

9  ^-even  oi  thejf  hve.'\  Here  feems  to  be  a  line  bft,  which 
frould  have  rhymed  to  love^    Johnson. 

This  }ine  is  omitted  in  the  folios.     Perhaps  a  triplet  was  de« 

fignedy  tai  then  indead  of  love,  we  fhould  read,  kfi.    The  folio 

gives  the  next  line  thus :  , 

**  For  women's  feai;  and  love  holds  quantity*"    Steevens. 

*  And  as  my  love  is  fijt*d,  my  fiar  is  Jo.]  Mr.  rope  fays,  I  read 
Jrz'd;   and,  indeed,  I  do  fo;  becaufe,  I*  obferve,  the  quarto  of 

160;  reads,  ciK*d;  that  of  161 1,  cizfi;  the  folio  in  1632,  jfs; 
and  that  in  j6 2^,  Jiz*d:  and  becaufe,  beiides,  the  whole  tenor  of 
^e  context  demands  this  reading :  for  the  lady  evidently  is  talk* 
ing  here  of  the  quantity  and  proporrion  of  her  love  and  fear  t  not 
01  their  continuance,  duration,  or  fbbility.  Cleopatra  expreflet ' 
herfelf  much  in  the  fame  manner,  with  regard  to  her  grief  for 
ihc  lofi  of  Antony: 

•  our  iize  ofJorroWf 


Proportioned  to  our  caufe,  muft  he  as  great 
^  that  njijbicb  makes  it.    Theobald. 


Where 


2$«         Hamlet, 

Where  love  Is  fffm  %  the  Ikticft  doubtt  are  fear ; 
Where  licde  fisars^grow.  grceit,  gre^t  love  gmws  there. 
P.  Kipg^  'F^bt  IiflQ^  kftve  thee,  love,  and  Ihortly 
tfloj;    .     .         .  , 
My  operant  {lowers  %  thek  fundioos  leave  to  do : 
And  tbou  (hfilc  live  in  this  fair  world  behind. 
Honoured,  belov'd ;  and,  haply,  one  ju  kind 
for  hufband  fhaU  thou-- 

P.  SiifM^  0»  confound  the  reft ! 
Such  love  muft  needs  be  creafon  in  my  breaft: 
In  fecond  hufband  let  noe  be  ikxurd ! 
None  wed  the  fecond,  but  who  killM  the  firll. 

Ham'.  That^  wormwood* 

P.  ^jif^«,^Tbe  inftaoces,  that  fecond  marriq|i 
move, 
Are  bafe  refpefts  of  tbrifr,  but  none  of  love ; 
A  fecond  time  I  kill  my  hufband  dead. 
When  fecond  bufbatfd  KiQea  me  in  bed. 

T.Kiffg.  Ido  believe,you  thiink what  now  youfj^ak : 
But,  what  we  do  dereraline»^  we  break. 
Purpofe  is  but  the  fiave  ca  mtmory ; 
Of  vbkat  birthf  but  poor  validity : 
Which  notf?,  like  &vk  unripe,  fticks  on  the  tree ; 
But  fail,  ufiih^Q,  when^y  mellow  be« 
Moft  necefiary  'tis,  that  we  forget 
To  pay  ouricdves^  what  to  ourfelves  is  debt : 
What  to  ourfelves  in  paAion  we  propofc. 
The  puflion  edding,  d6th  the  pqrpofe  lofe. 

*  mmbm^k^    Tfae6 tm liaes «e ocnitied ia  tlic felio. 

SrEEVBirt* 

'  ~Qperanc/Mm}    Chwmv^n/Bi^t.    SEakicifttregiv««U|a 

TtftwH  at  an  epithet  to  ^«^/^    Heywood  ksis  bluwUe  ufed  ili^ 

*^  ~  nwf  tKf  tftrimt  paiti 
<*  Eacb  one  forg^  tbeir  oOkt  i^ 
>t*he  word  U  oow  ohMete,    Steevehs. 

*  Tie  vi/fofKis^^    The  mcikfts*    JOKVlov. 

^  m^wbai  to  0Mirfihes  isdfii:}  Tha  porforoMOce  ef  a  refnlci- 
tipn,  in  which  only  iba  rf/fiher  U  wneR^  it  a  debt  only  to 
himfeK^  which  he  may  ihen^re  romt  at  pkafiue,    John toN. 

5  .  Th« 


PRINCE  or  D£NM ARK.    i^p 

«  The  viDlencr  of  eitl^r  grM  m  jof^  \ 
Their  ova  eaaAum  widv  tii€flifdfv«»  ckAiOf  ? 
Whent  joy.  moft  remls^  grkf  docfaioidft  kuneiKi 
Grief  joys,  Joy  grieves,  oa  flender  acddAU 
This  MK^ld  i»  Aoclbr  sye^  ikh*  ftk  iim  ^Mge^ 
Thsc   eveo  m^x  k^res .  fliMild  vich  oiir  foraiQei 

change;   .     . 
For  'cii  a  que(Hoo  left  us  yet  to  preyfe^ 
Whether  love  lead  fortune,  or  elfii  fortune  iove« 
The  great  man  doKrii^  you  mark,  hit  fifvourite  flies | 
The  poor  advanced  OMkafrieihds  of  eMmea. 
And  hicberta  doth.bvr  on  fortune  tend : 
For  who  opt  necds^  (haU  never  tack  a  friend  i 
Am)  who  in  want  a  halknr  friend  ilotk  try^ 
PireAly  fbafoaa  httn  lus  eneosy. 
But,  orderly  to  end  where  I  begun^ — 
Our  wills,  a«d  faces,  do  lb  contrary  run^ 
That  our  devices  ftill  are  overthrown^ 
Our  thoughts  are  ours,  their  ends  noaeof^ttr  owhc 
3o  think  thou  wilt  no  (ecood  huftKuid  wod  % 
But  die  thy  thoughts,  when  thy  firft  lord  is  dead. 

P^^jfiin.  Norearthtogiveniefbod,iiorheav«nHghcl 
Sport,  and  repofe,  lock  ham  me,  day^  and  night  I 
To  defperation  7  turn  my  tMb  and  hbpt  I 
^An  anchor's  chorrm  piftm  be  my  fipoifet 

Eadi 

•  The  mektfce  rf  iitbir  grUf  9r  jf^  - 
Vnir  m»n  enaaures  y^  Wemfihes  ^'i^ff ;)  ^  WfeU  gnaf  OT 

atmiS  or  deten^ine  in  their  violence,  is  xtvdM  itt  their  sknt* 
IT.    tmOmis  it  the  word  it)  die  ^pnto;  aK  tIiD  moderaedU 
tMMM  have  naders.    Johnion, 

^  T9iMfr4^Mi^icc.\  Thii  aMitbefolIawiailiaaai^^aitoel 
ifi  the  mvOf    $T£Evtirf» 

•  -A  mmba^s  cbeer  /»  pj(9H  h  f^  fi^'}  Mqr  s^  wbdfi 
Sberty  aod  enjoyment  be  to  Uve  on  hennit^  fi|te  ia  a  prifixw 
Jbebir  if  for  andmtu    JdttKiav* 

This  tbbreviation  of  the  word  mAcnt  it  vety  aftoient    I  fa4 

'    A  b  the  Itomance  oC  Robert  tim  Bmily  priottd  -Imf  A^niiioii  ir 

|r«ri^:   *  We  have  i^bbed  and  killed  noiuiei,  iidtf  mudaen^ 

BiecAet,  cierket,  ftc."*    AfUtti  <*  d^  £»a  wiU  be  an  M»tr  ij|» 

KteOWftktowertig.^ 


Spo     r  *   H  :A   ML    E   X 

Each  oppofite,  that  blanks  the  face  of  joy. 
Meet  what  I  would  have  well,  and  it  deftroy  f 
Botbiicre,  arid  licncc,  prirfac  me  lading  ft  rife. 
If,  once  a  widow,  ever  I  be  wife ! 

Ham.  If  Ihe  Ihould"  bneak  it  now, [To  Opb. 

lP,  King.  'Tis  deeply  ;fworn.    >8wectj  leave  me  herd* 
a  while; 
My  fpirits  grow  dull,  and  fain  I  would  beguile 
The  tedious  day  with  fleep.  [^Sleeps. 

:P*  ^een.  Sleep  rock  thy  brain  j 
And  never  come  mifchance  betwixt  us  twain  1     [£*//. 

Ham.  Madam,  how  like  you  this  play  ? 

^een.  The  lady  doth  proteft  too  much,  methinks,^ 

Ham.  Pi  bot  Ihe'll  keep  her  word. 

King.  Have  you  heard  the  argument  ?  Is  there  no 
offence  in't  ? . 

Ham.  No,  no,  they  do  but  jeft,  poifon  in  jeft ;  no 
offence  i*  the  world. 

King.  What  do  you  call  the  play  ? 

liam.  The  mQufe-'trap9.  Marry,  how  ?  Tropically. 
This  play  is  the  image  of  a  murder  done  in  Vienna  i 
Cionzago  ia  the  duke's  name;  bis  wife,  >Baptifl;a: 
you  flial)  fee  anon ;  'tis  a  knavilh  piece  of  work :  But 
what  of  that  ?  your  majefty,  and  we  that  have  free 
fouls,  it!touches  us  not :  Let  the  gall'd  jade  wince  ^\ 
Dtir' withers  are  unwrung,— 

;    Again,  in  Tht.Fifim  efPierct  Pfywfmm: 

^     **  As  ankers  and  hermits  that  hold  hem  in  her  felles,    ^  ^  ^ 
Tliia  arid  the  foregoing  line  arc  not  in  the  folio.    I  befieve  we 
ihould  read— 4iichor'f  cbair.    So,  in  the  fecond  Satij:c  of  Hall*^ 
#wmh  book  edit.  1602,  p.  18.:  ....:" 

^  Sit  fevcn  yeares  pining  in  an  anchor^s  <heyr€     •   .   , 
**  To  win  fomc  parched  (hreds  of  minevere."  Stibve^s. 
•    ♦  T/«   moitfe'traf.']      He   calls  it  the    metfe^^    becaufe  k 
i^    ■■  the  thihg 

In  which  he'll  cmcb  the  confipience  of  the  king* 

..    Steeven^ 
f  Bafftiffahj  I  think,  in  Italian,  the  name  always  of  a  num. 
;     *  Let  ile goQ^J  jodie  ivince^  ice]    This  is  a  proverbial  faying. 
80|  in  Damon  and  Pythias^  ijjSa  :  '  ^ 

♦*  I  know  x\itgairdborfev9Vi\  fooneft  mnce.**    Steeven^. 

*     ^  ^  Enier 


PRIIdXK  o£  D'ENtlvnARK.     jot 

•    '    ^     v'  '      ^'JB;^/^  Lutiatnti.  "         *  *  ^    ■''"  '*^ 

■''■■'•'         II 

This  is  one  Lwianus^  D^pkowr.Ci^  the  ^luke^    '      .,3 
^i&.  You  aj-c  afi  jjopd  a$'4i?b9JrM%  lac^y  li«"^. :;:;.;  r 
tHm.  I  copJdtinwrBi[?|:J)9ijBeffl.yoq,?^ 
love,  if  I  could  fe«  the  pppppt^;  ^^llying.;      1  a 

Opb.  You  are; keen,  my  lQrdi,..y9u;are  kegn.* ,,  ,,,^ 
r-Ham.  l£  wguM^o^  ^y^a  groaning,  to.takeoff 
my  edge.  .  ,:-..     :    •       m.;  ;-.:.':•       ^r       x;:.V* 

.  Ofb.  4StiU  b^twfr>^n4  W<yfe,  -^;p:;-;  ;;;; ; 

..  Htfi»..  5Sp,yovpiiffiakq  ypur  hufb^nds,     ,  .r.v  ..f 
Begin,  murde|er.-i — L.c%v?  thy.dpmwblc ,  fpM;c$,.w4 

begin.  .^j;;,        i  «,  /  .a  0 

Come — Thex;poakfpg;.i^Yen.4othJ?eUo^  fijr  xpiOjo^. 

»  Ham.  /  coM  intufretl  icc.*\  Tfiis  jcelers'to'thc  interpreter, 
who  fonncrly  fat  o/i  the  ftagc  at  ^11  moiionioxfufpet-Jbc^MSj  ^jJl  in- 
ter|>reted  to  the  aiid^BbM      :     1  .  -  "     ij!  t  *       -j  A 

So,  ill  the  ywG^//pw^5^A5fr«Ptr;:  r^       /  '  v  "  -^   •^-** 
**  01^  cxcdlal^^»«^/^/ t]^  «ceedii^^ 
•*  Now  \v'»lf  ne  mw^rei  for  her.*  ^  .  ♦, ,  , , 

Again,  in  Cfrecne'ai  G¥oMhorth  of  mv,\hi\  •'«<' — ^i^ftSias  I 
chatpeno'd  the  .motalor.|TttDVifit,  tbtf  dialogue  of  Dives,  and 

Steev£ns. 

♦  StiU  letter,  imB  -"^fi/)^  i.  e,  better  in  Veg^ard  to  tlxc.  wit  jiif 
^ar  dkukk  enten^^  l)ifww<e  Si  rdlpetf of  t he  gr(9flnclr;J6^J^&(ir 
meinki^    SrEfirmiw..*'  ;:-.;i    :  :.:  :rn:j:r..      .:  ij  :ijt 

s  S^ym^y^^'^  yfntr  bufiandi.'l    Read,  <&jtfif  muft  takejfMr 

*  Inlands  \  t&at  is^^  bettary  firnuorfe.    JpHi^soNt .   ^     ^.,^ 

*  Hieobald  propoftd  the  fame  readiisg  4n  Us  ShakeJ^are  "Riflor^ 
bovvevtf  he  loft  it  afterwards.    ST^Ev:irNt;' "* 

^     "^^  ^ir  i«?/Kfc  yoiir  fiuibatidg,4»"  ^    >     ^"  ./     ■      ^  ^ 
^1  beHcrc  this  to  be  rjriit :  the  wor4  i?  fon^ftfmcs  «HW  ia'  tMr  ft- 
*di<5t!as  manner.  '^Your  true  trick,  nk^^ifkys  Vrfulk^Ml  fi^'- 
* tboiomej}  Fmr)  miift^be  to  be  ever  .bUfie,;i4nkfw|Ji^  it^f  flie 
'txfttles  a(hd  cans,  before  they  to  half  dqit^l^tAf.'''  ^i^aiifti.  '^' 

*  A^nV  in  Ben  Te^oi^'s  J%J**  ^  -Ajjrrj  /  **— To  iJfjfFMT  ftc 
'  torches  from  the  chandnr,  and  give  ihem^one.** '       i  .  .wi.  r.  :    \\ 

'"     Agan:,in*Aifi£lder brother  of  Fletcher:  '-        -  ^    ^-[^  \^^ 
**  I  fear  he  will  perfuade  mcto  mj^fike  him.'*'*  SriErH^. 
I  bdiere  the  meaning  is*<^j^  do  an^ffrlbr^^ourfelm  to  take 
'  hufbands   fi>r  the  worfe.    You  itioM  tjdce'lhem;  onfy  kt  th« 
.'better;    Tollet.     •  ^  -  •  - . ..        •;;... 

,:  '•     -' .;-•.-.       --•  I  .-. :-  .^  *i.a  v>,  j^^ 


iM.  Thoug^tt  «ack^  i^amb  apt,  drags  fit,  and 
time  agreeing ; . 
Confederate  feafo^,  elfe  no  eitature  fbeing} 
Thou  *wtc«f  w«fc,  of  irtkhligbt  breeds  coHedei^ 
With  Htd«V  bw  thrfeb  bfeftid,  thiic6  ihfcaed^ 
Thy  iw^ur^armtgJe,  vA  dii«e  propeitf. 
On  whetefem?  fife  ufibrp^  t^Hnediacefy. 

-        \Pmtts  ihe^^H  int^  bh  tars. 
fftf«k  H^ifons  him  i'^the  garcfcp  for  hts  eftace. 
His  nainejs  Qgna^agc^:  the  ftory  is  extant,  and  written 
in  ifcrjr  choice  IcriiaUT  You  flndl  fee  anon,  how  the 
tmrderer  gets  the  levt  of  Gonzago'a  ^nfe. 
Opb.  The  king  rifcs. 
Jiam.  Wbifrf  lngbttdwtth.£dfefit^! 
i^oiw^  How  fiues  coy  lord  f 
PMGivc  o'er  the  play.  *  • 

^     i&>^.  GKvc;  Bie  fonac  light  r—wsRir  I 
: :.  ^  iui^hts,  Ughti^lighta^f 

iExiUHt  jOlbttt  Hamlet,  and  IJ^afi^. 
;  \lfm.  \Wjr,  Jet  the  ftru(?ken  d^r  go  wecft; 

-  ^     ^     Thus  twis  the  iwhM  >way,^     ^ 
Wosfld  flot  m  fir^  aiuj  a  M*  of  feaaicrii,,:(^  the 
reft  of:  my  iqrtunes  cwn  Turk  wkhinej^):  wtttli  two 

TO  duattd*.  "STEEVEir*.  "'..;. 

:- ^  ngl,h;6g%i\,  li^tsn     t&  qVUrtoi  gJft'  tlui  1|^   to 

jftJ^»ct,(Wi<iifiiif  J^^^gl  andsIJit^e  oMivk&itM  ftycralold 
v^noi^ieikv  $q»  ift  GticoA  Tu  ^^tie^  1599:  ^  Tbb  it  is  10 
z^^nm^vJk  Jmi  i«a.  i^^foliite  jiod^  aioft-  coiaplflat  pwitfemam  to'a 
mod  &bfuf4  fMBcalQin»  M^dr&adlover."  .  It  ilttani;  J  trikve,  00 
jnore  than  to  change  cQviuioa  irtitaflk%«  ^fiMt  in  Dm^^s^ 
,i|«i|f  ffSbnr,  t6|sj 

"  If  )W  rw»j2irik«gaku?' 
Perhabt  tlie  phnie  kki  mrife  froei  fime  pq^uhr.ilwy  IQce  d«M 
#f  ^^W  Mi  ^iiiii^ri  tke  tw9  finnous  piiaM;  aa  awMiac  of 

wlMfa 


P  R I N  G  E  t)F  DENMARK,    gog 

Provencial  rofes  ^  on  my  rayed  ihpq^  gplaie  a  feUow- 
Ihip  in  »  a  cry  of  players,  fir  ? 

:         >  ^^• 

wliofe  overthrow  wa»  j>u|bUAed  ^  A*  Baite  1609;  aod«  in  i6za, 
ajj^y  was  written  on  the  fame  A^oA  caUe^  -dCbtcffiiam  twn/d 

•  Provincial  rofis^  Why  fro^nMI  voUi^f  Umlotibtcdly  wc 
^leiild  read  Proveticiml,  or  (iridi  due  Jreach]^)  Fronrnt^  He 
means  rofet  of  Prommc^^  a  beaudiul  (peciet  of  rofe,  and  foimer^ 

*— —  w/^  Mt»  prtjvhicid  r^  w»  rtPf  nyed  >5toj  J  When  iho^. 
fcrtng*  were  w«m,  they  wei^  eorerod^  Trtere*  th^  met  in  the 
taiddle, ^ acibba^gatbeied  iitfOilhe^rAnf STOfew  So, in ak 
ohi  (bngt 

*^  GB-de-Koy  wj«  a  Innmy  bcy^  ' 

*  xnd  Tiyts  tull  nTS./9Mni*  ^ 

JCM^ihoes,  ate  Iboet  ^lOif^in  fintk .  jUffKsoW 

Tbdc  re^  arc  ofttji  iTi<MtfbD(ed  b]ro(uMa)ci«B(4i^WKk  Hfixet^m 
^,  inthe  ftv//!i  L#a;-ni5fr»i623:    ,   .  ,  ,         ;:      ' 

*•  With  over-blown  nj^'tQ  hicte  your  jjooty  andes." 
Agahfc  inthe^*4iifcry07i^,  t€iy:  **^— ^iffanVhandlbfne  legj 
in  fi&  fipdungs  have  TiiUijiocia^ayibet,    IbrjtU  their  craic 
n^ar  -  \.  ^  '•'    .,;A  v>    .        /    -^ 

The  r^d(ii)g  of  the  cjuaijoa  Jbj5:#«yjiari  t'  that  of.*c  fdib  r^if 
jbw.  ftobaoly  Ac'|)c>et  Wrote  ^ratfed finest  1/i  /hoes  with  ^if^ 
^W!f  J  fudi  as  by  adding  tiQtlN^  tbdc^  ^  Uippdfhd  to  increafe  me 
i^golhr^ikr  4e  player;  Iv  9MMi  JtmmieifJBlffis  ijpf,  there 
ift  a  chapter  on  the  egrMJbsfs^  in  E|iglaq4iif*r^^ch  (he  (ayt^ 
heaie  |hefn  op  two  inches  or  morq  Iroro.the  graoBd,.  Vj^  fytttc-  6£ 
iinL'yaclcc/&c.  rat^i^  carrirf,  tut,  axrf  "ftifB&edi  &c/^       \  * 

^Thvv^iffifrt  thc^ihoes  of  eaie»now  of  an  ihA-hrozd^inrJUahigfj.^ 

"ScoMre^  Chronide,  anno  i}5h  ra^Qtiops  woipim^  liQodar^x>r 

*fcipea.  ^'iRj/rlithe  Fitiichwofji  for  a^lrip;/ ;J4^d&n*$  (Uii^n 

ff  fleM^fd  Lmm  infbn^s  xe^  under  wbjfeaxi'  u^  and  Xii^t 

.  '■    \^  ;>^>M-. — . , X ' ■:  • — r"= •'   ■^' 'jii/v'^  ■  ^-  ■"  ■'/  . 

-  ji  '' <  •  ■  •  :t     i  . 'KFikiBweiiim. 

Mf^fmk^  iMMidiL'msx^&ct-lidleri  a;  rrytof iiMbidsi^- £%46 

...  I.    ,  •M^«i4i>~.aMt>wdMMrt iMiAbr'd^^; :'•  ^  ^'  ••  --'  -^-- 
•«  To«deep<c^of  honDdt^"  .1  --- 

JiiBui».U.clieJtfi^U«r^^^#32feiW/    ^^/  — ': 

**«-—- a  ay  mere;  nnUMr    o- *'  *• 
-^  111^  i«ver4»ikntito4)r  dMii^^  ^. 

ini0%UkewUivhir«!ii^^A<r8roffeU«hDui^^  Stt^tii^ 


504     '     rf    A    M    L    E    f,     ■ 

'    jfifer.  Half  afharc. 
Ham.  A  whole  one,  I.  .    .        .  - 

For  thou  doft  know,  *  O  Damon  dear^ 

This  realm  difmantled  was 
Of  Jove  himfelf ;  and  now  reigns  herjC 
'  A  very,  very — ^peacock* 

Hori 

that  in  diibbecJiencc  of*  the  canon,  the  .ckiWs  (hoci  were  chec^ 
yur€dmx\i  red  and  gveeo,  exceeding  long,  a^  varioufly  pinked. 

The  reading  of  the  quartos  may  likewiie  be  fupportedL 
Bul^uoery  in  his  "Artificial  Cbatigdis^^  ipeaks  of  gallants  who 
pink  and  raze  their  fatten  damaik,  and  Duretto  (kins*  To 
raze  and  to  race^  alike  fignify  to  fireak.  Sec  Minfbew's  bid# 
The  word  is  ufed  in  the  fame  fi^ification  in  MarkhamV  Coumtiy 
Farm.  p.  58^.  tlrrrbakiiig  aU  (u  e.  wafer  cakes)  together  be- 
tween .two  irons,  ^  having  within  them  many  raced  and  checkered 

"draughts  after  the  manner  of  fmall  fguares.      It  (houki  be  remeo^ 
bered  th^l  rafd  \%  the  conJeAure  of  Mr.  ?ope.    Steevens. 
^  —  O  Damon  dear^    Hamlet  calls  Horatio  by  this  name,  ia 

jsillufion  to  the.  celebrated  friendlhip  between  Damon  and  P^thiai. 

^  A  play  on  thlt  fubje^  Wiis  written  by  Rich.  Edwards,  and  puuifhed 

,  in  1581,     Steevehs, 

I     1  jf  »tvr>,  ^jftj pcacnk*}    This  alludes  to  a  feble  of  the  birds 

d^ooHug  a  kin^.  bAc»d  oi  the  eagle,^  peacpck.    Pops. 

~  ^  The  old  cii^n^s  ha^c  ii  fai^k^  faicockt^  zndi  piyocke.  I  fubfiitute 
f^Ji/ackf  a&  ncareft  to  the  traces  of  the  cortupted  reading.  1  hav^, 
as  Mr,  Pojk;  Gys,  been  ^viUiai;  10  fubfiitute  any  thing  in  the  place 
of  hu  pf^t^ik^  He  thinks  ^  uble  allude^  to,  of  the  birds  choofii^ 
SI  kiDM  i  jnClond  of  ihe  fo^^t  d  peacocks    1  liappofe,  he  nuiik  meaa 

.  the  fiu>}c  Qt*  Biiibi^^MS,  in  \4  hkh  it  is  iaid,  the  birds,  bong  weary 
of  their,  iliit^  of  aii^cby^  moved  for  tlie  fetting  up  oJFa  king;  and 
th^  pcaciK^\yis  elcdai  ori  account  of  his  gay  feathers.  But,  with 
fabmiiri£>n^  in  ihh  P»fl^^  of  our  Shakespeare^  there  is  not  theleaft 

'  meniton  "madc'oT  me  r^^^i-  in  antithefis  to  the  peacock ;  and  it  inuft 


^lqr:faitrfiftber*s  death  the  (bite  was  flripp'd  of  a  godlike  monarchy 
^an(i  that,  now  in  his  ffaesid  reign*d  ihe  moil;  defmcable  p^iftfeous 
animal  thac.coaklixtr'a:mere/adUKi^  or#M«/«  FAD^iifijraika 
major;  a  toad.  This  word,  1  take  to  be^of  Hamlet's  own  fub-* 
fiituting.  The  verfes,  repeated,  ieem  to  be  from  fome  old  ballad ; 
in  which,  rhyme  being  oeceflary,  I  doubt  ma^  but  the  laft  toife 
ran  thus :  •         ' 

A^feiy^wfy  ■■    aft,      Thboiaid, 

*  *  J.  '*  ^  i.  -  •  •  1      -         -    „  •  •  •*  ^pttCOCk 


•  PRINCE  o;f  DENMARK.     303 

iflir.  Yo*i  might  have  rhytn'd. 
Ham.  O  gooaHoratio,'  V\\  take  the  ghoft*s  wor<| 
^athQufaod  pouQfl*    Didfl:  perceived 
Hot.  Very  well,  mjr  lord. 
Ham.  Upon  the  talk  of  (he  poifoning^-^r- 
.  Hor.  I  did  very  well  note  him. 
Ham.  Ah,  bal-rCoroe,  fpme  mufic;  come^  ^thfi 
recorders. — 
For  if  the  king  like  not  the  comedy, 
4  Why  then,  i)eUke,  be.Ukes  it  not,  perdy  s,— 

Ijtttr  RofmcrantT^  and  GuUdmftem. 

Come,  fomc  mufic. 

Guil.  Good  my  lord,  vouchfafc  me  a  word  with 
you. 

Ham.  Sir,  a  whole  hiftory. 

Ctnl.  The  king,  firy— 

Ham.  Ay,  fir,  what  of 'him  ? 

GuiL  Is,  in  his  retirement,  marvelous  diftemper'd. 

iittw.  ^  With  drink,  fir?      . 

Guil.  No,  my  iord,  with  choler. 

Ham.  Your  Wifdom  fhould  (hew  itfelf  more  richer, 
to  fignify  this  to  the  dodlor ;  for,  for  me  to.  put  him 

A  peac9ck  feems  proverbial  fer  a  fboL     Thus  Gafc^izne  in 

**  A  thccfe,  a  cowardc,  and  ^ptacoc^  fode.**     Farmer.. 
I  beUere  padJack  to  \k  the  true  reading.    In  the-  lall  fcene  of 
this  a£t,  (&m1et,  fpeaking  of  thef  king^  ufes  the  fame  espreffion ; 
«*  Would  m>m  a  padJ^  from  a  bat,  a  gib, 
**  SucbK}fat€pi)cei|imeots  htde?"        Malone. 
^  Wby^  f^j  helikt*^     Hamlet  was  going  on  to  ^aw  the  coq« 
iequence,  when  the  counters  entered.     Jqhktson'. 

*  —  i&r  Ukrs  /7.«o/,  f>erdy.]    Perefy  is  a  corruption  of  pst  Dieu^ 
abd  is  not  uocommoa  in  .the  old  piap;    So,  in  Tfje  FL^  tf  tkt 

*^  In  that,  ^ou  Pahner^  as  deputie* 

"  jd'iy  cleerly  difcharge  hi m  fardic^'*  .Steevens. 

•  U^ih  drink^firT']    Hamlet  takes  particular  care  that  his  unde'i 
love  of 'drink  (hall  not  be  lor^otten.    Johnsom* 

Xoj"  X.  X  (q 


*^o6  HAMLET, 

to  his  purgation^  would,  perhaps,  plunge  him  into 
«nore  cholcr. 
.  GuiL  Good  my  lord,  put  your  difcourfe  into  ibmc 
frame,  and  ftarc  not  fo  wildly  from  my  affair* 

Ham.  I  am  tame,  fir : ^pronounce 

GuiL  The  queen »  your  mother,  in  moft  great  af« 
Cidion  of  fpirit,  hath  fent  me  to  you. 

Ham.  You  are  welcome. 

GuiL  Nay,  good  my  lord,  this  courtefy  is  not  of 
the  right  breed.  If  it  fhall  pleafe  you  to  make  me 
a  wholfome  anfwer,  I  will  do  your  mother's  com** 
mandment:  if  not,  your  pardon,  and  my  return, 
fhall  be  the  end  of  myc  bufinefs. 

Ham.  Sir,  I  cannot. 

GuiL  What,  my  lord  \ 

Ham.  Make  you  a  wholfome  anfwer;  my  wit's 
difeas'd :  But,  fir,  fuch  anfwer  as  I  can  make,  you 
(hall  command ;  or,  rather,  as  you  lay,  my  mother : 
therefore  no  more,  but  to  the  matter :  My  mother, 
you  fay, — 

Rof.  Then  thus  ffiefays;  Your  behaviour  hath 
(truck  her  into  amazement  and  admiration* 

Ham.  O  wonderful  fon,  that  can  fo  aftoniOi  a 
mother  1 — But  b  there  no  fequel  at  the  heels  of  this 
mother's  admiration?  impart. 

Rof.  She  defires  to  fpeak  with  you  in  her  cloiet, 
ere  you  go  to  bed. 

H(^.  We  (hall  obey,^ere  (he  ten  times  our  mother.^ 
Have  you  any  7  further  trade  with  us  ? 

Rof.  My  lord,  you  once  did  love  me. 

Ham.  And  do  ftill  ^,  by  thefe  piekers  and  ftealers. 

Raf.  Good  my  lord,  what  is  your  caufc  of  dif- 
temper  ?  you  do,  furely,  bar  the  door  upon  your  own 
liberty,  if  you  deny  your  griefs  to  your  friend. 

1  >~»Jurtbcr  tradc-^"]    Further  bufinefs ;  further  dealing. 

JOBNiO!T, 

•  —  ^  tb^fickerif  8cc.]    By  thefe  hands.    JoKKSOV. 

Ham. 


I^RIKCE  ot  DENMARK,     jo; 

Ham.  Sir,  I  lack  advancement. 

Rof.  How  can  that  be,  when  you  have  the  voice 
of  the  king  himfelf  for  your  fucceffion  in  Denmark  ? 

Ham.  Ay,  fir,  but  fFbiie  the  grafs grows, ^ihQ  pro* 
verb  is  fomething  mufty* 

Enier  tpe  Flayers,  with  Recorders  ^ 

O,  the  recorders :— let  mc  fee  one. — To  withdraw 
with  you  : — Why  do  ypil  go  about  to  recover  the 
wind  of  me,  as  if  you  Would  drive  me  ihto  a  toil  ? 

GmH.  »  O,  my  lord,  if  my  duty  be  too  bold,  my 
love  is  too  unmannerly. 

Ham.  I  do  no*  well  uriderftand  that.  Will  yoti 
play  upon  this  pipe  ? 

Guil.  My  lordj  I  cannot^ 

Ham.  I  pray  jtoo. 

Guil.  BeUeve  me,  I  cannot. 

•  —  Rtcorders.l  i.  e.  a  kind  of  flute,  tn  the  Anilpo^s^  ^ 
comedyy  by  Brome,  16389  is  **  A  folema  leifon  upon  the  reconiersJ* 

Agsun,  in  Suinfy^s  Arcadia  :  **  — J-  the  other  (hephcrds  palling 
out  rtcmrdtri,  which  pofleft'ci  the  place  of  pipet^  &c.'* 

Again,  in  die  old  enterludc  of  the  Repentance  tf  Maiy  MagidUne, 
1567^ 

•«  If  that  you  can  pby  upon  the  recerJery 

^  I  have  as  faire  a  one  as  any  is  in  this  border  i 

**  Trucly  you  have  riot  feene  a  more  goodlie  pipe-** 

To  record^  anciently  figriified  to  fing  or  modulate.    Stievbn^* 

^  Ony  lord^  ifny  duty  he  io9  holly  jqjf  lot^e  is  I0O  UHmanner^\ 
L  e*  if  my  duty  to  the  Itia^  makes  me  prei's  yuu  a  little,  my  love  to 
you  makes  me  ftill  more  importimate.    If  that  makes  mt  hold,  this 
makes  me  even  unmrnaer^    WaibuAtok. 

I  believe  we  ihould  read«-Mv  love  i$  not  amiuumerfy.  My  con* 
cepdon  of  this  palTage  is,  that,  in  .confequence  of  Hamlet*9 
moving  to  take  the  recorder,  Guildtnflern  alfo  ihifts  his  ground, 
in  onxr  to  place  himfelf  heneatb  the  princ^  in  his  new  polition. 
This  Hamlet  ludictouily  calls  *'  going  about  to  reefer  tkt  vitmd,  iicJ* 
and  Guiidenflem  may  anfvver  properly  enough,  I  think,  and  like  a 
courtier;  ^^  if  my  duty  to  the  king  makes  me  /m»  ^A/ in  prefiing 
you  upon  a  difagreeable  fubjedl,  my  love  to  you  will  make  mc  mt 
wMupmerlyy  in  (hewing  you  all  pofHble  marks  of  refpe^  sUid  at* 
fMtion.^    Tyrwhitt. 

X  a  Ham. 


308  HAMLET, 

Ham.  I  do  befeech  you. 

GuiL  I  know  no  touch  of  it,  my  lord. 

Ham.  'Tis  as  eafy  as  lying :  govern  thcfe  *  ven- 
tages with  your  fingers  and  thumb  %  give  it  breath 
with  your  mouth,  and  it  will  difcourfe  mod  eloquent 
mufic.     Look  you,  thefe  are  the  ftops. 

Guil  But  thefe  cannot  I  command  to  any  utterance 
of  harmony;  Ihave  not  the  (kill. 

Ham.  Why,  look  you  now,  how  unworthy  a  thing 
you  make  of  me  ?  You  would  play  upon  me ;  you 
would  fcem  to  know  my  ftops;  you  would  pluck 
out  the  heart  of  my  myftery ;  you  would  found  mc 
from  my  loweft  note  to  the  top  of  my  compafs  :  and 

*  — fjentages — ]  The  holes  of  a  flute,  Fohnson. 
3  —  and  tbumij'^']  The  firft  quarto  tesm — with  your  fingers 
and  the  0umber.  This  may  probably  be  the  ancient  name  for  ibat 
piece  of  moveable  brafs  at  the  end  of  a  flute,  which  is  either  raifed 
or  depreflcd  by  the  finger.  The  word  umber  is  ufed  by  Stowe  the 
chronicler,  who,  defcribing  a  Angle  combat  between  two  knights — 
fays,  •*  he  brad  up  his  umber  three  times.'*  Here,  the  umher  meant 
the  vifor  of  the  helmet.  So,  in  Spenfer's  Faery  ^neene^  b.  ^. 
c.  I.  11.42: 

*'  But  the  brave  maid  would  not  difarmed  be, 

**  But  only  vented  up  her  umbrierey 
**  And  fo  did  let  her  goodly  vifage  to  appere.** 
Again,  b.  4.  c.  4:     ^ 

'*  And  therewith  fmote  him  on  \\\{ umbrlere!* 
Again,  in  the  lecond  book  of  Lidgate  on  the  Trojan  War,  1 5 13  : 

"  Thorough  the  umber  into  Troylus*  face."  SVfiEVENS. 
If  a  rrrw^^r  had  a  brali  key  like  the  German  Flute^vre  ai-e  to 
follow  the  reading  of  the  quarto ;  for  then  the  thumb  is  not  con- 
cerned ii>  the  government  of  the  ventages  or  flops.  If  a  recorder 
was  like  a  tabourer^s  pipe^  which  lias  no  brafs  key,  but  has  a  flop 
for  the  <humb,  we  are  to  read — Govern  thefe  ventages  with  your 
finger  and  thumb.  In  Cotgrofvis  Di^ionary^  ombre j  ombraire^ 
ombrierey  and  'omhrellc^  are  all  from  the  Latin  umbray  and  fignify  a 
ihadow,  an  umbrella,  or  anything  that  Ihades  or  hides  the  tacc 
from  the  fun  ;  and  hence  they  may  hare  been  applied  to  any 
thing  that  hides  or  covers  another ;  as  for  example,  they  may  have 
been  applied  to  the  brafs  key  that  covers  the  hole  in  the  Grcrmaii 
flute.  So  Spcnfer  ufed  umhriere  for  the  vifor  of  ihc  helmet,  as 
Rou/s  hiftory  of  the  Kings  of  England  ufes  umbrella  in  the  faii>.c 
fcnle.    ToLLET, 

•  there 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.     30$ 

tliere  is  much  m\i(ic,  excellent  voice,  in  th^  little 
organ;  yec  cannot  you  make  it  fpeak.  Why,  do 
you  think,  that  I  am  eaficr  to  be  play'd  on  than  a 
pipe  ?  Call  me  what  inftrument  you  will,  though  you 
can  fret  me,  you  cannot  play  upon  mc  lEnter 
JPolcnius.'] God  blefs  you,  fir  I 

Ppl.  My  lord^  the  queen  would  fpeak  with  you, 
and  prefently. 

Ham.  Do  you  fee  ybnder  cloud,  that's  almoft  in 
ihape  of  a  camel  ? 

Pel.  By  the  mafs,  and  'tis  like  a  camel,  indeed. 

Ham.  Methinks  it  is  like  a  weazel  4* 

Pol.  It  is  back'd  like  a  weazel. 

Ham.  Or,  like  a  whale  ? 

Pol.  Very  like  a  whale. 

Ham.  Then  will  I  come  to  my  mother  by  and  by.-— 
5  They  fool  me  to  the  top  of  my  bent.— I  will  come 
hy  and  by. 

Pol.  I  will  fay  fo. 
.   Ham.  By  and  by  is  cafily  faid.— Leave  me,  friends. 

^Exeunt  Rof.  Guil.  H^u  &c. 
^Tis  now  the  very  witching  time  of  night ; 

♦  Metbinlis^  &c.]  This  paflagc  has  been  pririicd  in  modem 
editions  thus : 

Methinks  it  Is  like  an  ou%U^  Sec.    Pol.  It  is  ilaci  like  an  cuzle. 

The  firft  folio  read?,  //  is  like  a  weazeU 

PoL  It  is  backed  like  a  'voeaj'cl^' :  and  what  occafion  for  alteration 
there  was,  I  cannot  difcover.  The  ^H:af(l  is  remarkable  for  the 
length  of  its  hack\  but  though  1  believe  a  Hack  weafil  is  not  eafy 
to  be  found,  yet  it  is  as  likely  that  the  cloud  fhould  refcmble  a 
Kveafel  in  (hape,  as  an  cuzle  (i,  e.  black-bird)  in  colour. 

Mr.  Toilet  obierves,  that  we  might  read — "  it  is  hecUd  like  ^ 
wcafel,'*  /.  e.  weafel^fnouted.  So,  in  Holinflied's  Bcfcription  of 
PngJand^  p.  17a  :  **  if  he  be  ivefett-heckcd.**  Quarlcs  ufcs  this 
tenn  of  reproach  in  his  Firgin  fVidovj:  **  Go  you  Vixa^cl-fnouted^ 
addle-pated,  &c.**  Mr.  Toilet  adds,  that  Milton  in  his  Lyddas^ 
calls  a  promontory  leaked^  \.  e.  prominent  like  the  heak  of  a  bird. 

Steevens. 

*  They  fool  mi  to  the  top  of  my  lent — ]  They  compel  me  to  play 
^C  fool,  till  I  can  endure  to  do  it  no  longer.    Joiix^sox. 

X  3  "Wheft 


310  H    A    M    L    E    T» 

When  church' yards  yawn,  and  hell  itfelf  4)rcathc«  out 
Contagion  to  this  world:  Now  coulil  1  drink  hoc 

blood, 
•  And  do  fuch  bufincfs  as  the  bitter  day 
Would  quake  to  look  on.    Soft  ^  now  to  ipy  mth 

ther. — 
O,  heapt*  lofe  not  thy  nature}  let  not  ever 
1  he  foul  of  Nero  enter  this  firm  bofom : 
Let  me  be  cruel^  not  unnatural : 
I  will  fpeak  daggers  to  her  7^  but  ufe  none ; 
$Ay  tongue  and  foul  in  this  be  hypocrites : 
Jiow  in  my  words  foever  Ih^  be  ihcnt  \ 

To 

•  Ami  do  fucb  bitter  hufiiiefs  as  the  da^ 
Would  quake  t§  look  <w«-^]    The  ezprcffiop  U  i3/aooA  bur* 
lefquCf     The  old  quarto  readi , 

jfttd  da  fuch  buflnefs  as  the  bitter  dtgf 
Would  quake  $o  look  qn»\  x^ 
This  18  a  little  corrupt  indeed, 'but  much  nearer  Shake(pear^t 
words,  who  wrote, 

-T better  day^ 

whi^h  givff  the  feptiment  great  force  and  (figoity*  At  this  rery  time 
(iays  he)  hell  breathes  out  oontagion  to  tl^  world,  whereby  mgbt 
becomes  poUtued  and  execrable;  the  horror  therefore  of  this  feuqn 
iits  roe  for  a  deed,  which  the  fure  uadjaarddajtwoiiid  quake  to 
Ipok  on.  This  is  faid  with  great  daflical  propriety.  According  to 
ancient  A:(per{titiony  night  was  prophane  and  cztoat>le ;  and  da^^ 
pqi^  and  holy.    WiyRByRTQN. 

And  do  luch  hitter  hufiue/s — ]  The  expreffion  titter  ImJ^s  ia 
(liU  in  ufe,  and  though  at  prefent  a  vulgar  phraie,  might  not  haro 
been  fuch  in  the  age  oif  Shakefpeare.  The  hitter  day  is  the  dav 
gendered  hatefu.l  or  hitter  i>y  thp  coofimiffion  of  (bine  ad  of 
{nifchieif. 

Watts,  in  l^is  hnglc^  fays!  ^  Kitter  it  an  equivocal  word; 
thprc  is  hitter  wormwood,  there  are  hitter  words,  there  are  htUer 
f  nemies,  and  a  hitter  cold  morn'^.**  It  is,  in  fliort,  any  thing 
unpleafipg  or  hqnful.    Steevens. 

'  /  willjpeak  daggers  to  her^"]  A  fimilar  ezp^effion  occurs  in  th^ 
fteturnfrom  Panu^us:  **  They  arc  peftilent  fdtevfs,  they  fpeak 
pothine  but  hodJ^insV  It  has  been  already  oblervpd,  th^U  a  ho&im 
miciently  fignified  a  Jbort  dagger.    Steevens. 

•  ^  he  jir«/,]    To  Jhiud,  is  to  reprove  hadbly.  to  treat  with 
injurious  language.    So,  in  The  Coxcemh  of  B.  and  Fletcher : 
♦!  -^^e  (haU  be  >«/  fouudly.* 

Apit^ 


PRIT^CE  Of  DENMARK.    |if 

>  To  give  them  fcals  never,  irty  foul,  conleht !' 

SCENE        IIL 
A  rewn  in  the  palace^ 

Enter  King^  Rc/enerantz^  and  GuUdsnfiern. 

King.  I  like  him  not }  nor  (lands  it  fafc  with  us. 
To  kt  his  madncfs  range.     Therefore,  prepare  you ; 
I  your  commiffion  will  forthwith  difpatch. 
And  he  to  England  (hall  along  with  you : 
The  terms  of  our  eftatc  may  not  endure 
Hazard  fo  near  us,  as  doth  hourly  grow 
'  Out  of  his  lunes. 

Guil.  We  will  ourfelves  provide  i 
Mod  holy  and  religious  fear  it  is 
To  keep  thofe  many  many  bodies  fafe. 
That  live,  and  feed,  upon  your  majcfty. 

Rcf. 

Again,  m  Daaidand  BetlMe^  1599 : 

♦*  And  iing  h'w  pniife  who  fienJeih  David*«  fiwac.** 
Again,  in  TEXNOFAMIA,  1618  :     **  I  had  rather  undertake  my 
performsd  journey  about  the  world,  than  thou  (houidd  be  JIfau 
Ibrmc,** 

Again,  in  Cufid^s  WhirU^lgy  1653  : 

**  I  (hall  be  fl)ent  for  letting  you  in.** 
Again,  in  Lylijfs  End^frnmiy  1591 : 

^  1  could  ftay  all  day  with  him,  if  I  feared  not  to  htjbeut.^ 

Steetens. 

•  Togvv€  thmfiah—l  i.  c.  put  them  m  execution. 

Wakbu&ton* 

*  Out  rf  his  lunaciei.]    The  old  quartos  read. 

Out  rf  bis  brows. 
This  was  from  the  ignorance  of  the  iirft  editors;  as  is  this  un* 
ncceflary  Alexandrine,  whkh  we  owe  to  the  players*    The  poet, 
I  am  penuaded,  wrote, 

as  doth  iwrjtgrow 
Out  cf  his  lunes. 
i.  e.  })ii9  fnad/tefi^  frtns^.        Theobald. 
Lunacies  is  the  reading  of  the  folio. 

I  take  hvws  to  be,  properly  read,  frows^  which,  I  think,  is  a 
proynndslvtQsiiixfrrver/e  humours  i  which  being,  I  fuppofe,  not 
'^  X4  undcrftoo4, 


^i»        tt  A  u  t  Sr  r> 

Rop  The  ftngle  andpeculiair  ^e  is  h^XinS^^ 
With  all  the  ftrength  and  armour  of  the  mind. 
To  keep  itfelf  from  *noyancc  5  but  much  more, 
*  That  fpirit,  upon  whofe  weal  depend  and  reft 
The  lives  of  many.     The  ceafe  of  majefty 
Dies  not  alone ;  but,  like  a  gulf,  doth  draw 
What's  near  it,  with  ie :  It  is  a  mafl^^  w^l, 
Fix'd  on  the  fummk  of  the  highest  mounjt» 
To  whpfe  huge  fpokes  ten  thouiand  lefler  thinga 
Are  mortised  and  adjoined;  which,  when  it  falls. 
Each  fmall  annexment,  petty  confequence, 
Attends  the  boifterous  ruin.    Never  alone 
Did  the  king  ftgh^  but  ^itb  a  general  gcoan. 

King.  Arm  you,  I  pray  you,  to  this  fpeedy  voyage; 
For  we  will  fetters  put  upon  this  fear^ 
[Which  now  goes  too  free-footed, 

Both.  We  Will  hade  u^      [Exewtt  Rof.  mI  GuU. 

Enter  PQknius. 

PoL  My  lord,  he's  gding  to  his  rhother's  clofetj 
Behind  the  arras  FU  convey  myfelf, 
To  hear  the  procefs  j    I'll  warrant,  ibe'll  tax  him 

home : 
And,  as  you  faid,  and  wifely  was  it  faid, 

ttoderfloddy  was  changed  to  Itptaciesm    But  of.tbb  I  am  not  con- 
fident.    Johnson, 

I  would  receive  Theobald's  emepditiod,  becanfe  Shakcfpeare* 
.ufcs  tbc.word  Iuhcs  in  the  fame  lenfc  in  T/be  Merry  IFives  cflVin<flor^ 
and  Vjc  IFinter^s  TaUy    From  the  Hedunflancy  of  the  nalcaTure  no^ 
thing  c^n  be  inferred. 

Since  this  pan  of  my  note  was  writtsen,^  I  hare  met  with  ail  lo- 
fiance  in  fupport  of  Dr.  Johofiso's  conjcduic :  • 

**  —  were  you  but  as  favourable  as  you  ^^pa^Jh — '* 

^nlhfs  Lmtf^  hy. Greene,  1616. 

Perhaps,  however,  Shakefpeare  defignei  a  metaphor  Irom  horned 
cattle,  whofe  powers  of  being  dai^eifous,  eoereflTe  with  the  growth 
of  their  brows.     Steevens.. 

»  Thatfpirittiifentvh€fcw'ed\^^']  So  the  quarto.  The  folio  ^vcs. 
That  fpirit,  upon  whofe  JpirU'^    Steevens. 

*Ti5 


PRINCfi  OF  Dfel^MARK.     jij 

^Tis  meet,  that  fomc  more  aadtenee  than  a  mother, 
*  Since  nature  makes  them  panial,  fhould  oV-heai* 
The  fpeech,  4  of  vantage.    Fare  you  well,  my  liege ; 
ni  call  upon  you  ere  you  go  to  bed. 
And  tell  you  what  I  know. 

King.  Thanks,  dear  my  lord.  {^Exif. 

O,  my  offence  is  rank,  it  fmcUs  to  heav«  j 
It  hath  the  primal  eldeft  curfc  upon't, 
A  brother's  murder ! — Pray  can  I  not, 
5  Though  inclination  be  as  fharp  as  will ; 
My  ftronger  guilt  defeats  my  ftrong  intent;  *- 

And,  like  a  man  to  double  bufinefs  bound, 
1  (land  in  paufe  where  I  fhall  6rft  begin,  • 

And  both  ncgfeft.    What  if  this,  turfed  hand    •'  ' 
Were  thicker  than  itfclf  with  brotltei^s  blood? 
Is  there  not  rain  enough  in  the  fwcet  heavens. 
To  Wafti  it  white  as  fnow  ?  Whereto  ferves  m«rey^ 
But  to  confront  the  village  of  offence  ?  -*     i 

And  what's  in  prayer,  but  this  two-fokJ  force,— 
To  be  fore-ftalled,  ere  we  com*  <o  fall. 
Or  pardoned,  being  down  ?  Then  I'll  look  up ; 
My  fault  is  paft.     But  O,  what  form  of  prayer 
Can  fcrve  my  turn  ?  Forgive  me  my  foul  murder  !— 

i  Since  nature  makes  tJjem  partial^  &c  J 

** -i— — -Maire&oinne^tiliis  .  ' 

**  In  peccato  adjutriccs,  auiilii  inpaterna  injuria 

«•  Solent  clTc/ ^  Ter.  HeauU  A6^.  f.  Sp.  2. 

SrtfiVENS. 

*  —  ofn/anfage,']    By  fomc  opportunity  of  fecrct  obfcrvariori. 

JbHN30\. 

'  Though  ittchnation  he  asjbarp  as  will ;]  Dr.  Warbunon  would 
read,  .  . 

Though  inclination  be  as  (harp  as  th*  ilL 
The  old  reading  is— ks  fharp  as  wilt.    Steevens. 

I  have  followed  the  cafiier  emendation  of  Theobald  received  by 
Hanroer:  i.e.  ^^*(wiiL    Johnson. 

ff^m  19  coMhfonii,  {iireHion.  Thus,  Eccluf,  iCCviU  i6.  "  — apdat 
his  'toiltxht  foUth  wihd  Movveth.**  The  king  fays,  his  mind  is  in 
too  great  confufion  to  pray,  ev^  rtiTvu^  his  inclination  were  as 
^ng  as  the  command  which  requires  that  duty.    Steevens. 

That 


jf4  HAMLET, 

That  cannot  be ;  fince  I  am  ftill  poflrcfs'd 
Of  thoferffcfts  for  whkh  I  did  the  murder. 
My  crown,  mine  own  ambition,  and  my  queen. 

*  May  one  be  pardoned,  ind  retain  the  oflfence  ? 
In  the  corrupted  currents  of  this  world. 
Offence's  gUdied  hand  may  (hove  by  juftice  j 
And  oft  'tis  feen,  the  wicked  prize  kfelf 
Buys  out  the  law  :  But  'tis  not  fo  above : 
There  is  no  fliuffling,  there  the  aftion  lies 

In  his  true  nature;  and  we  ourfelves  conipeird. 
Even  to  the  teeth  and  forehead  of  rur  fauirs. 
To  give  in  evidence.     What  then  ?   what  refti  ? 
Try  what  repentance  can  :  What  can  it  not  ? 
7  Yet  what  can  it,  when  one  cannot  repent  ? 
O  wretched  ftateTO  bofom,  black  as  death! 

•  O  limed  foul ;  that,  ftruggling  to  be  free, 
-i^rt  toore'engag'd!  l^elp,  angels,  makeaflfay! 

^ppw,  ^qbt^q^n  k«cesl  and»  heart,   with  (Itings  of 

iBe  ibft  as  0newa  of  the  ncw-bom  babe ; 

All  may  !;«  ^ell!  [The  King  knah. 


Enter  tiamkt. 
'  'Hi«».'Mow  mi^htl  do  it,  pat,  now  he  is  prayings ; 

\  *  M^^^m.tip9ri$ftd.  md  Mmm  /fe ofence?]  He  that  doe% 
not  amend  what  can  be  amended,  retains  hUoffrace.  The  Ifmg 
Jiept  the  crown  from  the  right  heir*    Johnson. 

7;  IGr^  <miu0  di9>  ii^  witk  me  cannot  refientf]     What  com.  rt* 
penitnce  i^  fit^  m'jmm  thM  cmnot  be  penitent,  kx  a  man  who  has 
^  0rij(part  of  fkeniteoo^  dHheft  of  conicience,  without  the  other 
part,  refoludon  of  amendment  ?    Ji>UNtoN« 

'  O, iM«/fbal;w]  This  iiUudes  to  iir^Hm*    Shakefpeare  ufea 
dtt  CuBC  #ord  i^;asn,  Hemy  VL  P.tu 

«  «-i^Dtt#  miv  'irk^qyii^;]    Thuftthe  fo6(h    The  cjuarto^ 
read  w^  ha  now,  &c.    dT£«vfiNa« 

And 


PRINCE  OP  DENMARK.     31^ 

And  now  Til  do'c }~  And  fo  be  goes  10  heaven : 

And  fo  am  I  revenged  ?  T|iat  would  be  Icano'd ': 

A  villain  kills  my  father ;  and,  for  that, 

» I,  his  fole  foa>  do  this  fame  villain  fend 

To  heaven. 

Why,  this  is  hire  and  falary  %  not  revenge. 

He  took  my  father  grofsly»  full  of  br^  i 

With  all  his  crimes  broad  blown,  as  flulh  as  May ; 

And«  how  his  audit  ftands,  who  knows,  fave  heav«n? 

But,  in  our  circumftance  and  courfe  of  thought,  . 

*Tis  heavy  with  him  ;  And  am  I  then  reveng'd. 

To  take  him  in  the  purging  of  his  foul. 

When  he  is  fit  and  leafon'd  for  his  pailage  i 

4  Up,  fword  \  and  know  thou  a  more  horrid  beat : 

'  -^Tbat  voouldhi  fiwrn^d:"]  i.e«  tbat  il^uld  hi  QOoGdenpI^ 
^ipjited.    Steevens, 

*  /,  his  fole  fin^  do  this  fame  vlUaiti  fend\  The  fcfio  Tcsdi  fitdi 
foD,  a  reading  jipparentlv  corrupted  from  the  quarto.  The  mean* 
ipg  18  plaip. '  /,  bU  only  foih  who  am  bQuad  to  pmuffli'Ui  intir* 
derer.    Johnson. 

3  — hire  and  falary,]  Thus  the  folio.  Tlie  quaite  tcad«- 
lafe  and  filf.    Steevens. 

^  U^fajord'y  and  huw  tbou  a  mare.Urridhexxt\\  lotbcoooi^ 
moo  editions, 

l^^  fijoardt  and  inc^  tbou  a  mort  horrid  time.]  This  it  a 
{bpliiflicated  reading,  warranted  by  nooeof  thp  oofiet  of  any  in* 
tbority.    Mr.  Pope  fays,  I  fcad  ponjeOunilly ; 

I  a  mere  horrid  bent. 
Idpfb;  and  why?  tbetwooUeft  qwrtot,  iffH^atih^two^ler 
foii(Dt,  read : 

.     '  a  men  horrid  hentw 
Bttf  a9  there  is  no  fuch  £ogliih  Itib^intive,  it  ftem^  ^vcry  natund 
to  conclude,  that  with  the  change  of  ^  fiag1#  Idiei^  our  audioi^f 
genuine  word  was,   heni^   Le*  dr^f  fifi  imUmaiou^  P^Jhfi> 
fee.    Theobald. 

Thif  leading  is  foflowed  Inr  ^  T.  Hsniner  and  Dr.  Warburton  i 
but  ir«/ is  probably  the  right  word*  To  i«sri9.olc(tbvSUe* 
foeare  for,  Xojeixt,  to  catdf^  to  Uf^  boidm.  Mm  it,  therdbre, 
foid,  or  Jeitxre.  Lq^  Mold  on  \ds^%  firord,  at  a  nx)ia  horrid 
fime.    Johnson, 

Viet 


3f6         "    M    A    M    L    E    1*, 

When  he  is  drunk,  aflecp,  or  in  his  rage  5  j 

Or  in  the  inccftgous  pleasures  of  his  tccJ  ; 

At  gaming,  fwearing ;  or  about  fonic  a& 

That  has  no  relifli  of  falvation  in*t : 

Then  frip  him,  that  his  bccKmay  kick  at  heaven  *| 

And  that  his  foul  m^y  be  ^  damned,  and  black, 

7  As  hell,  whereto  it  g6c$^    My  mother  ftays : 

^fiis  phyfic  but  prdongs  thy  fickly  days,        [£xi>, 

5  irj«f  he  is  dftrnk^  ^J^'P^  or  In  his  rage ; 
Ot  U  thi  incejiiams  fU^hrH  (f  bii  Ud\\     So,  m  Marfton'^i 
'  Infatiate  Covntefs^  l6aj :        . 

Didft  thou  oot  kill  him  drunk  ^ 

Thou  ihouldft,  or  in  th*  embraces  of  his  luH. '  Ste evens* 
•  —  tb^t  bis  /jeeis  may  kick  at  hcamen ;]     So,  in  Heywoocfs  Sthtf^ 

-^^i6i3:  

**  Whofc/v^/r  triptw^^kicltdgainfi  the  firmament!* 
b-     •  ,  .  .  Steevei^s. 

•  ^  AsheTl^  thereto  hgoes.^\  This  fpeech,  in  which  Hamlet^ 
ttprefented  as  a  yirtuout  chara^er,  Js  not  content  with  taking  blood 
tor  blood,  but  contrives  damnation  fpr  the  man  that  he  woul4 
puniih,  IS  too  hprrible  to  be  read  or  to  be  uttered,    Johnson* 

The  fame    fiend-like    difpofirion  is  (hewn  by  La/iowick^    }A 
l^ebilcr'jj  Fittoria  Cfromhcna^  idizi  ' 

"      ' '^    **— to  have'poiibn'd 
,,         <«  Thcrbatidle  of  his  racket*    0,  that,  that  !-— 
**  That  while  he  had  been' bandying  at  tennis, 
,  ^.      •'^^Hemigl^t  have  fwom  hirnCcif  to  belli  and  flrud^ 
.  p    ^r  **  flis  J!m  UUP  the  hazard !" 
Again,  in  Tlje  Honeft  LrFvp'er^  i6i6  ; 

**  I  then  ihoiild  ftrike  his  body  wiih  his  foul^ 
"  And  Jink  ihcm  bojh  together,^ 
Again,  in  the  third  of  Beaumont  and  Fletcher's  Four  Plays  in  one: 
"  No,  take  him  dead  drunk  now  ^without  repentance.** 

Steevens. 
The  (amc  horrid  'thougtt  has  been  adopted  by  Lewis  Machin, 
in  the  Dumb  Ktiight^  1 65^ : 

•    '  **  Nay,  but  be  patient,  fmooth  your  brow  a  littk, 
. ,   .,     -**  And  you  ihall  tako  them  ^s  they  clip  ^ch  other, 

*'  Even  in  the  height  of  fin;  thep  damn  them  both, 
,.  *'  And  let  thei»  (link  before  they  alkGod  pardon* 
!  ^^  *Thzx jour xr^ci^c  mayjiwcff  Hnto  their  j'ovls!*  MAA.Q'tiM* 


PRINCE  ot  DENMi^RK.     yiy 

The  TQng  rifcs. . 

KiH*  ^7  words'flyaip^  my  chougbcs  iclmain 
below:  . 

Words,  without  thoughts,  ucwr  to  heaven  go,  [Exit. 

S    C    EN    E        IV. 

]^tr  ^en,  and  Polomus. 

Tol  He  will  come  ftraight.    Look;  you  lay  home 
to  him : 
Tell  him,  his  pranks  haYC  been  ^oo  broad  to  bear 

with; 
And  that  your  grace  hath  fcreen'd  and  fl?dod  between 
Much  heat  and  him.     \  Til  filence  me  "e?en  here. 
Pray  you,  be  round  With  Him. 

Ham.  [within.']  Mother,  mother,  mother  f 
^een.  TU  warrant  you  5  fear  me  not. 
Withdraw,,!  hear^him  coming. 

[Polonius  bides  himfelf. 

Enter  Hamlet. 

Ham.'  Now,  mother ;  what's  the  matter? 
^^«f.  Hamlet,  thou  haft  thy.  father  much  of- 
fended. .      '        ' 
Ham.  Mother,  you  have  my  fathef  mudi  oflfcfldod. 

•  m  filcncc  me  e'en  ^ere: 

Pray  you,  be  round  ixsith  hlmJ]     Sir  T.  Hanmcr,  who  is  fol- 
lowed by  Dr.  Warburton^  reads,    . 

■'  ■    ^rU  fcoDce  me  here.  1 

R(tirc  to  a  place  oijccurity.  Thqr  forget  tbat  the  contrivsmce  pf 
Pokmius  to  overhear  the  cooforence,  was  no  more  toldia  the  c^ccn 
than  »  HMxnkt.-^rU'fievce  me  trtn  hcrs^  is,  l^U  vfc  mmvrt  nvorl/s. 

JoilNfrOJi. 

^  ^ecn* 


jrf  HAMLET, 

^uiit^  Come,  come,  you  anfwer  with  an   idle 

tongue. 
Hsm.  Go,  go,  you  queftion  with  a  wicked  tongue,^ 
^ueen.  Why,  how  now,  Hamlet  ? 
,    Bam.  What's  the  matter  now  ? 
^een.  Have  you  forgot  me  ? 
Ham.  No,  by  the  rood,  not  fo : 
You  are  the  queen,  your  hufband^s  brother's  wife ; 
And — 'would  it  were  not  fo !— you  are  my  mother. 
^CH.  Nay,  then  111  fet  thofe  to  you  that  caa 

fpeak. 
Ham.  Come,  come,  and  fit  you  down ;  you  (tail 
not  budge; 
Ypu  go  not,  'till  I  fet  you  up  a  glafs 
Where  you  may  {ee  the  inmoll  part  of  you. 
^ueiM.  What  wilt  thou  do  ?  thou  wilt  not  niurder 
me? 
Help,  help,  ho ! 
Pel.  [Behind]  What,  ho  I  help ! 
Ham.  How  now  1  a  rat '  ? 
Dead,  for  a  ducat,  dead. 

tHamlef  ftrikes  at  PehMhfs  tbrct^b  the  arrau 
Bibimf]  O,  I  am  Oain. 
^ecH.  O  me,  what  haft  thou  done  ? 
Mm.  Nay,  I  know  not : 
Is  it  the  king  ? 

f^een.  O,  what  a  ra(h  and  bloody  deed  is  this ! 
am.  A  bloody  deed  i — almoft  as  bad,  good  a»- 
ther, 
As  kill  a  king,  and  marry  with  his  brother. 
^een.  As  kill  a  k'mg  >  ? 

*  Haw  iH^,  atatT'^1  This  fas  Dr.  Farmer  hat  obfenr«d)  ii 
an  oprdfoh  borrowed  mm  71!^  Htfimyt  rf  HmMetty  a  tnmfl«tio» 
from  the  French  of  BeUeforoft.    Steivens. 

'  Ai  kiU  a  kmff}  This  iaterrogadon  may  be  cxxifidered  ar 
fbme  hinty  that  die  queen  ha4  no  hand  in  the  murder  of  Hamk^s 
Stther.    STtETKMs* 

S  Ham. 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.   515 

Ham.  Ay,  lady,  'twas  my  word. 

Thou  wretched,  raft,  intruding  fool,  farewcl ! 

;  [3V  Pgknius. 

I  took  thcc  for  thy  better  j,  uke  thy  fortune : 
Thou  find'rt,  to  be  tQo  bufy,  is  fonK  danger^-;*- 1 
Leave  wringing  of  your  hands:  Peace;  fityoudown^ 
And  let  me  wring  your  heart :  for  fo  I  fludl,i 
If  it  be  made  of  penetrable  ftuflF; 
If  damned  cuft'om  have  not  brazed  it  fb,    . 
That  it  be  proof  and  bulwark  a^akift  |enfe* 

^een.  What  have  I  done,  that  thou  dar'ft  wag  th/ 
tongue 
In  noife  fo  rude  againfl  me  ? 
.   Ham.  Such  an  ad. 

That  blurs  the  grace  and  blulh  of  modedy ; 
Calls  vinue,  hypocrite  *,  ^  takes  off  the  rofe 

From 

^  -stakes  if  the  rofc]  Alluding  to  the  cuftoiu  of  wiring  roies 
•n  the  fide  of  the  face.  See  a  note  on  a  pafiTage  in  Kin^  Jobu^ 
A£t  I.    Warburton. 

I  believe  Dr.  Warburton  is  midaken ;  for  it  muft  be  allotred  that  • 
there  b  a  material  difference  between  an  ornament  worn  on  the 
JireheaJy  and  one  exhibited  on  tfjijfde  tfihefice.    Some  have  un- 
derltood  ihefe  words  to  be  only  a  metaphorical  enlargement  of  the 
ftntiment  contained  in  the  preceding  line: 

-*  blurs  the  grace  and  ^Iq/h  oT  modefty  : 
but  as  the  firebeaJ  li  no  proper  fituation  for  a  2i^  to  be  diiplayed 
in,  we  may  have  ttcourfe  to  another  explanation. 

It  was  once  the  cuftom  for  thofe  who  were  betrothed,  to  wear 
iome  flower  as  nn  external  and  confpicuous  mark  of  their  mutual 
engagement.    So,  in  ^n/h^s  Sbrpherd^  Ci^endar  fit  ^fUs 
**  Bring  ccrwuaions  and  fofs  in  fviat      \ 

Lyte,in  his  Herbal,  11^7 S,  enumerates  ,^  in  wine  among  Urn 
finaUer  kind  of  fingle  gilliflowers  or  pinks. 

Figure'  4,  in  the  Morrke^nce  (a  plate  of  which  is  annexed  to 
the  rirll  Part  of  K^Uewy  IV.)  has  a  flower  fixed  on  his  forehe^^ 
and  feems  to  be  meant  for  the  paramour  of  the  female  chara^er. 
The  flower  might  be  defigned  tor  a  r^,  as  the  oolour  of  it  is  red 
in  the  painted  glais,  though  its  form  is  exprefli^  tfiritti  as  little  ad- 
herence to  nature  as  that  of  the  marygold  m  the  hand  of  the  lady. 
It  may,  howe?er,  conduct  us  to  affix  a  new  meaning  to  the  1^^ 
so  qudftion.  This  flower,  as  I  have  fince  difcovered,  is  exaAlj 
flnqpcd  like  the  ^  i^  wiw,oow  caUed  ^q  Deftfird  Pink. 

•ett 


320  H    A    M    L    E    T, 

From  the. fair  forehead  of  an  innocent  love. 
And  fets  a  birder  there ;  makes  marriage  vow9 
As  feMeas  dicers*  oaths  :  O,  fuch  a  deed. 
As  3  from  the  body  of  contraction  plucks 
The  very  foul ;  and  fwcet  religion  makes 
A  rhapfody  of  words  :  4  Heaven's  face  doth  glow| 
Yea,  this  folidity  and  compound  mafs, 
"With  triftful  vifage,  as  againfl:  the  doom. 
Is  thought-fick  at  the  ad. 
^een^  Ay  me,  what  aft. 

Sets  a  iiifitr  there,  has  the  fame  meaning  as  in  Meafiinfif 

Meafure: 

Who  falling  in  the  flaws  of  her  own  youth, 
'      Hath  bUfter^d  her  report. 
See  a  note  on  this  paiTage,  A6t  i.  Sc.  3*        Stseve^s.' 
»  — from  the  hutfy  ^  co!fea(ftion---]    ContradioH  for  marrU^ 
€mtra^.    War  bur  ton. 

*  "-^  Heaven^ s  face  doth  glo-iVy 
Tea^  this  folidity  and  compound  mafs^ 

With  triftful  vifage^  as  againft  the  doom,  ' 

.  Is  thought-fick  at  the  aH,'\     If  any  fenfe  cart  be  found  here,  it 

is  this.   The  fun  glows  [and  does  it  not  always  ?]  and  the  very  foM 
mafs  of  earth  has  a  triflrul  vifage,  and  is  rhought-iick*     All  this  if 
(ad  fluflf.    The  old  quarto  reads  moch  nearer  to  the  poet*s  fenfe : 
Heofvens  face  does  glo^My 
O'tx  this  folidity  aftd  compound  mafs^t    ' 
With  heated  'vifage^  as  againfi  the  doom^ 
Is  thovght'fkk  at  the  aSl. 
From  whence  it  apjxiars,  that  Shakeipeare  wrote : 
Heamtns  face  doth  gloVJ^ 
O'er  this  folidity  and  compound  mafs^ 
With  trijiful  vifage ;  and,  as  Againfi  the  d^om^ 
Is  thought-fick  at  the  a^. 
This  mi^kes  a  tine  fenfe,  and  to  this  etibSt,    The  fun  looks  upon  ouf 
globe,  ihe  fcene  of  this  murder,  with  an  angry  and  moilrnful  coun- 
tenance, half  hid  in  eclip'.c,  as  at  the  day  of  doom.   WARBURToif. 
The  word  heated^  though  it  agrees  well  enough  with  ^Mv,  is, 
I  think^.not  fo  flriking  as  trijful^  which  was,  i  luppofe,  chofen  'at 
the  revifal.    I  believe  the  whole  palTage  now  fbtnds  as  the  author 
gave  it.     Dr.   Warburton*8    reading   rcftores    two  improprieties, 
which  Shakefpeare,  by  his  alteration,  had  removed.     In  the  firft, 
and  in  the  new  reading,  Hcavetis  face  glo^s  nvith  tnj? fid  v\£igt: ; 
and,  H(aven*s  face  is  thought-fick.     To  the  common  reading  there 
if  no  jult  objeiSlon*    JoHXSo^r, 

'    '     That 


t^RINCE  OF  DENMARK.    321 

5  That  roars  fo  loUd,  and  thunders  in  the  index  ? 

Ham.  ^  Look  here,  upon  this  pifture;  imd  oil  this ; 
The  counterfeit  prefentmcnt.  of  two  brothers. 
See,  what  a  grace  was  feated  on  this  brow : 
Hyperioh^s  ciirls  7  5  the  front  of  Jove  himfclf ; 
Art  eye  like  Mars,  to  threaten  and  command  ; 
A  ftation  ^  like  the  herald  Mercury, 
New-lighted  on  a  heavcn-kilfing  hill  •  . 
A  combination,  and  a  form,  indeed^ 

5  That  roars  Jo  loud^  &c.]  The  meaning  is.  What  is  this  a^» 
pF  which  the  dlfcwery^  or  mention^  cannot  be  made,  but  with  thii 
violence  of  clamour?    Johnson. 

and  thunders  in  the    iiidcx^?]      Mr.    Edwards    obfervcs, 

that  the  indexes  of  many  old  books  were  at  ;hat  tin^c  infened 
at  the  beginning,  indea^  of  the  end,  as  il  now  the  cttftoni.  'I'hia 
<A>icfTation  I  hav^  often  fcen  confirmed. 

So,  in  OlbcUo:^  A£l  i.  Sc.  7.  an  index  and  a^^^MXt  frologiU 

Co  rhe  hiftory  of  luft  and  foul  thoughts.    Steevexs^ 

*  Look  on  tbispiSurey  and  im  this  ;J  It  is  evident  from  the  fbl* 
loiving  words, 

AJiatiqn^  like  the  herald  Mercui^,  &c. 
<hat  thefe  injures,  whith  are  introduced  as  miniature  on  t1)e 
fiage,  were  meant  idx  whole  lengths,  being  part  of  the  furniture  of 
the  queen's  irlofet. 

■  "■    ■    ■   Ukc  Mdia^s  fin  ifejoody 

And  Jbook  his  plumes. Mihon,  B.  V.      Stee^enb. 

.  ^  Hypcrion^s  turb; — ]  .  It  is  ob fcrvable  that  Hjperion  is  ufed  by 
Spcnftrr  with  the  fame  enor  ip  quantity.     FaR-Mer^ 

I  have  never  met  with  an  earlier  cdirion  of  Mar  lion's  Tnfattaii 
Cpnntrfi  than  that  in  1603.  In  this  the  fallowing  linSs  occur; 
which  bCiir  si  cbfe  relembiance  to  Hamlet's  defcri|)Uoa  of  hi» 
father; 

^*  A  donative  he  hath  of  erfety  go<J  i 
.      .  **  JpoUo  gave  him  &tvtf ,  Jove  h is  )\\^froiH^    St E  E  v E M 8 .' 

*  dilation — ]  Station  in  this  inl^ance  does  not  mean  tU  /pot 
rjjicTe  any  4me  is  placed^  but  the  aH  of  Jlmidui^*  So,  in  Antcn^ 
dndCUopdtra^  A«5t  3.  Sc.  3  : 

Her  motion  and  her  ftation  arc  as  on^. 
J3a  turning  to  Theobald's  firil  edition^  I  find  that  \ik  hacl  riia^pi 
the  feme  remark;  and  fupporred  it  by  the  latnc  inftanc*.  Tht 
4>biervation  is  noreflary,  fur  othcrwife  the  compliment  defigne^  to 
i^he  attitude  of  the  king,  wouM  he  beAowed  on  the  place  where 
Mercury  is  reprefentcd  as  (landing.    ST££V£Ni; 

Yai;  X;  Y  WJ»c*» 


j«  HAMLET, 

W[icre  every  god  did  fccm  to  fet  his  feal. 

To  give  the  world  affurancc  of  a  roan  : 

This  was  your  hufband. Look  you  now,  what 

follows : 
Here  is  your  hufband;  like  a  mildew'd  ear% 
Blading  his  wholfome  brother.    Have  you  eyes  ? 
Could  you  on  this  fair  mountain  leave  to  feed. 
And  batten  «  on  this  moor?  Ha !  have  you  eyes? 
You  cannot  call  it,  love  ;  for,  at  your  age. 
The  hey-day  in  the  bk>od  *  is  tame,  it's  humble. 
And  waits  upon  the  judgment ;  And  v^hat  judgment 
Would  ftep  from  this  to  this  ?   '  Senfe,  fjure,  you 

have, 

Elfc, 

»  —  like  a  mildewM  car, 
Blailing  bis  vohoUfime  Irotber^     This  alludes  to  Pbaraoth*s 
Vream  in  the  41ft  chapter  of  Gcnefis.    Steevens, 

'  ^hatu»^    u  €•  to   grow  hu     So,  i&  Claudius  Tiicrius 
Nero^i6oj: 

"  ——  and  for  milk 
**  I  hatUn^d  was  with  blood,** 
Again,  in  Marlow's  Jew  cf  Malta^  1653  : 

"  — make  her  round  and  plump, 
**  And  hauen  more  than  you  are  aware." 
Bat  is  an  ancient  word  for  incr^afe.    Hence  the  adjet^live  hatful^ 
fo  often  ufed  by  Drayton  in  his  FolyolL'on,    Steevens* 

*  ne  hey-day  in  the  hlood'\    This  exprellion  occure  in  Ford's 
'Vis  Pitjjhe's  a  J^^hore^  1633  : 

"  muft 

**  The  hey-day  of  your  luxury  be  fed 
"  Up  to  a  furfeit  ?"    Steevens. 
3  Sen^^fure^you  havey-^']     In  former  editions, 
«  '       Sen/it  fure^you  hmn^ 

Eljk^  coullyou  not  have  motion  :— ]  But  from  what  philo* 
fophy  our  editors  learnt  this^  I  cannot  tell.  Since  nwtion  depends 
fo  little  upon  fenfi^  that  the  greatefl  part  of  motion  in  the  univerfe, 
is  araongll  bodies  devoid  oifenje.    We  (hould  read, 

Elfi^  could  you  not  boFve  notion, 
i.  e.  intelleift,  reafon,  &c.  This  alludes  to  the  famous  peripatetic 
principle  of,  Wdjit  in  intelle^lu,  qitod  non  fuerit  in  ienfu.  And  how 
k>nd  our  author  was  of  applying,  and  alluding  to,  the  principles  of 
this  philolbphy,  we  have  given  fevcral  inilances*  The  principle 
in  particular  has  been  iince  taken  lor  the-  foundation  of  one  of  the 
Aobleft  works  that  thefc  lattec  ages  hare  produced.  Wa&bvktok. 
I  Tha 


JPRINCE  01^  DENMARK,     ^tj 

%\(c,  could  you  not  have  mbtidn :  But,  fure,  that  fenfe 
Is  apoplex^d  :  for  madncfs  would  not  err ; 
J>lor  fcnfe  to  ecftafy  was  ne'er  fo  thralFd, 
But  k  rcferVd  fdme  quantity  of  choice, 
To  ferve  in  fuch  a  difference.     What  devil  was't. 
That  thus  hath  cozenM  you  at  hoodman-blind  4  ? 
£yes  without  feeling  5,  feeling  without  fight. 
Ears  without  hands  or  eyes,  "fmelling  fans  all. 
Or  but  a  tiekly  part  of  one  true  ferife 
(Could  not  fo  mope  ^. 

O  Ihame !  where  is  thy  blufti  ?  7  Rebellious  hell,    . 

If 

The  whole  jpaflage  is  wanting  in  the  folip  ;  and  whichfoever  of 
the  readings  be  the  true  one,  the  poet  was  not  indebted  to  this 
boaftcd  philofophy  for  his  choice.     SteevEns. 

Motiou  is  frequently  ufed,  by  Shakefpeare  and  others,  for  impulfe 
of  vi'niwxt^^^libidlHoks  inclination^  Taking  it  in  this  fenfe,  the 
paifage  is  fufficiently  intelligible  without  any  alteration.  So,  ia 
OtheUo:  "  —  we  have  renfon  to  cool  our  raging  motions^  our  carnal 
flings,  oiir  unbitted  lufli.'* 
Again,  in  Cymbeline ; 

<^  —  for  there's  no  motion 
**  That  tends  to  vice  in  man,  but  I  affirm 
*'  It  is  the  woman's  part.'* 
Again,  in  Brathwaite's  i'«r^£y  fl/'iif//<7r/Vj,  1614:    "Thcfer«»* 
tinent  relations  will  reduce  thy  flragling  motloni  to  a  mgre  fettled 
^nd  retired  harbour.**     M  a  J-o  t:  e  . 

♦  —  at  hcodman-UltidT'\     This  is,  I  fuppofe,  the  fame  as  lUni^ 
inohs-huff.    So,  in  the  Merry  De^M  vf  Rclmoiuon^  1626  ; 

'*  And  ever  fince  hath  (hot  at  hordfricn-hiind^'* 
Again,  in  thfc  Tvjo  Maids  of  Moorcl^ch,  i  609  : 
'•  — was  I  bevvirched, 
"  That  thus  at  hoodman- blind  I  dallied  r" 
Again,  in  the  tVije  Woman  of  Hogfden^  1638  :  • 

**  Whv  (hould  I  play  at  hood- man-blind i^     SxtEVEKt. 
5  Eye%  ivft/jout.6cc,]     This  .and  the  three  following  li^c5  V9 
omitted  in  the  folio.     Steevens. 

*  Could  not  Jo  ipope,]  i.  c.  cotld  not  exhibit  fucb  jnarks  of 
fiupidity.     The  fame  word  is  ufed  in  the  Tempsfl^    SCf  ult.»^ 

A nd  were  brouijht  rto^mg  hitlier."    Steev^ks^ 

»  i» RficIii.US  /m'u^ 

If  thou  cofffi  mutiny  in  a  matron^ s  bones^  &c.]  Alluding  |p 
what  he  had  tpld  her  bcfot£,  that  htr  cuormous  coxidui^  ilieweii  ^ 
kind  of  poneiTion^ 


3H  H    A    M    I^    E    T, 

If  thou  canft  mutiny  ®  in  a  matron's  bones. 
To  flaming  yauth  let  virtue  be  as  wax. 
And  melt  in  her  own  fire :  proclaim  no  (bame. 
When  the  compulfive  ardour  gives  the  charge; 
Since  froft  itfelf  as  actively  doth  bum. 
And  '  reafon  panders  wilL 

^een.  O  Hamlet,  fpeak  no  more  : 
Thou  turn'ft  mine  eyes  into  my  very  foul ; 
And  there  I  fee  fuch  black  and  >  grained  fpots. 
As  will  not  leave  their  tindt  *. 

Ham.  Nay,  but  to  live 
In  the  rank  fweat  of  an  '  inceftuous  bed ; 

Stew'd 

—  If^kat  devil  wtfjV, 
That  thus  hath^  &c.— 

And  again  afterwards : 

Fcr  uje  tan  almnfi  change  the  fiamp  ef  nature^ 

And  mafter  cjcn  tfx  dc^i%  or  throzv  him  cut 

With  wondrous  poteNcy^^ 
But  the  Oxford  Editor^  not  apprehending  the  meaning,  altera  it  t» 

—  rchellious  heat, 
Ifthoucavji^  &:c. 

And  fo  makes  honfcnfc  of  ir.  For  muft  not  rehilUoMS  luft  mutinj 
wherever  it  is  quartered  ?  That  it  fhould  get  there  might  fecm 
ftrangc,  but  that  it  fhould  do  it«  kind  when  it  was  there  feems  to 
be  natural  enough.     War  bur  ton, 

I  think  the  prefent  reading  right,  but  cannot  admit  that  Hanmer's 
emendation  produces  nonfenfe.  May  not  what  is  faid  ot  heai^ 
be  faid  ol"  A?//,  tliat  it  will  mutiny  wherever  it  is  nuarrered  ? 
Though  the  emendation  be  elegant,  it  is  nor  necelTary.    Johnson. 

*  — mutiny]  The  old  copies  read  mutific,  Shakefpeare  caUt 
mutlucevi'^mutines^  in  afubfcqucnt  fcenc.     Steevexs. 

*  — rfflfon  pandeisiu/7/,]  So  the  folio,  I  think  rightly;  but 
ihe  reading  of  the  quarto  is  defenfible : 

—  reafon  pui  dons  «r v/i/.     Johnson. 

^  -~^graljied^\   . Dyed  in  erain,     Johnson. 

*  As  'iknlUiot  have  fixir  tifi^J]     The  quartos  l^ead  : 

**  As  will  icave  there  their  tind.**       Steevens. 
.  *  -^incel^uous  iedi]     The  folio  has  enfeamed^  that  is,  grcetfy- 
bci^    Johnson. 

Ikaumotit  and  Fletcher  ofe  the  word  if/eamed  ia  the  fame  fcnCs, 
in  the  third  of  their  Four  Piavs  in  one: 

**  His  leachery  infian^d  upon  him*** 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.    325 

StewM  in  corruption  •,  honying,  and  making  love 
Over  the  Aafty  ftye ; 

Slueen.  O,  fpcak  to  me  no  more; 
Thefe  words  like  daggers  enter  in  mine  ears; 
No  more,  fweet  Hamlet, 

Ham.  A  murderer,  and  a  villain  : 
A  flave,  that  is  not  twentieth  part  the  tythe 
Of  your  precedent  lord  : — a  4  vice  of  kings : 
A  cutpurfe  of  the  empire  and  the  rule ; 
}  That  from  a  Ihelf  the  precious  diadem  ftole, 
/^nd  put  it  in  his  pocket ! 

^ecn.  No  more, 

Enter  Ghoft. 

Ham.  ^  A  king  of  (hreds  and  patches : 

Save  me,  and  hover  o'er  me  with  your  wings. 
You  heavenly  guards  1 — What  would  your  gracious 
figure  ? 

^een.  Ah^,  he's  mad. 

Ham.  Do  you  not  conrre  your  tardy  fon  to  chide. 
That,  7  laps'd  in  time  and  paffion,  lets  go  by 
The  important  ading  of  your  dread  command  ? 
O,  fay ! 

In  the  Book  of  Haufyng^  &c.  bl.  1.  no  diite,  we  are  told  that 
**  Enfqyme  of  a  hauke  is  tht  grece^^ 

In  mod  places  it  means  the  greafc  or  oil  with  which  clothiers 
|)efmear  their  wool  to  make  it  draw  out  in  fpinning. 

lacffiuoui  is  the  redding  of  the  ouano,  i6ii,     SrEEVEi«rs« 

*  —  mce  of  kings  /]  a  low  mimick  of  kings.  The  vice  is  the 
foolof  a  farce;  from  whom  the  modem  punch  is  defcended. 

Johnson. 

^  I'bat  from  a  Jbelff  ^c")  This  is  faid  not  unmeaningly,  but 
to  ihew,  that  the  ufurper  came  not  to  the  Qxown  by  any  glorious 
villainy  that  carried  danger  with  it,  but  by  the  low  cowardly  theft 
of  a  common  pilferer.     Warburton. 

^  4  king  of  Jbffdi  aud  patches:^  This  is  faiJ,  purfuing  the 
idea  of  the  vice  of  kings.  The  vice  was  dreiTed  as  a  tool,  in  a  coat 
of  party-coloured  patches,    Johnson. 

^  — l^pi^din  tim  a9i4 paffion t"^"]  That,  having  fuOered  iimeXo 
Jlif^  and  pajfion  to  ccol^  lets go^  He.    Johnson, 

Y  3  Gbt^p. 


346  H    A    M    t    E    Ti 

Gboji.  Do  not  forget ;  Thw  vifitation 
Is  buc  to  whet  thy  almoft  blunted  purpofe* 
But,  look  !  amazement  on  thy  mother  fits  i 
O,  ftep  between  her  and  Tier  fighting  foul ; 
Conceit  in  weakeft  bodies  ftrongcft  works;' 
Speak  to  her,  Hamlet, 

Ham.  How  is  it  with  you,  lady  ? 

^een.  Alas,  how  is^t  with  you  i 
That  you  do  bend  your  eye  on  vacancy. 
And  with  the  incorporal  air  do  hold  difcpurfe  ?v 
Forth  at  your  eyes  your  fpirics  wildly  peep ; 
And,  as  the  flceping  foldicrs  in  the  alarm. 
Your  bedded  hair,  ^  like  life  in  excrements. 
Starts  up,  and  ftands  on  end.     O  gentle  fon, 
Upon  the  heat  and  flame  of  thy  diftemper    * 
Sprinkle  cool  patience.     Whereon  do  you  look?. 

Ham.  On  him  !  on  him  ! Look  you,  how  pale 

he  glareai!      .  -     * 

His  form  and  caufe  conjoined,  prcacliing  to  ftones. 
Would  make  ihem  capable. — Do  not  look  upon  me  j 
Left,  with  this  piteous  adion,  you  convert  ' 

My  ftern  effects :  then  what  I  have  to  do. 
Will  want  true  colour ;  tears,  •  perchance,  for  blood, 

^ecn.  To  whom  do  you  fpeak  this  ?•  ;  / 

ham.  Do  you  fee  nothing  there  ? 

^een.  Nothing  at  all  -,  yet  all,  that  is,  I  ke. 

Ham.  Nor  did  you  nothing  hear  ?      -    *     ^ 

^ieen.  No,  nothing,  but  ourielvcs. 

Ham.  Why,  look  you  there !  lookj  how  it  £kals 
away  !  .      ,       :    .      ■' 

>  My  father,  in  his  habit  as  he  liv'd! 

^    '  Look, 

*  —  Hki  life  in  excrements,]  The  hairs  are  excrement itioiis^" 
that  is,  without  life  or  fcnfation  j  yet  thofe  very  hairs,  as  if  tkey. 
had  life,  dart  up,  &:c.     Pope.  ...  ^ 

'  ^  I^fathcKy  in  his  hahit  as  he  Md!]  If  the  \ptt  means  by  this 
cxpicliion,  that  his  father  appeared  in  his  o\v\x  familiar  hahit^  he* 
b^is  either  forgot  that  he  had  originally  introduced  him  in  armtnry 
or  mull  haTe  meant  to  vaiy  Itis  drefs  at  this  his  lail  appearance, 

u     .     1.  .  • .   . .   .      ..       ■  .    ,    ■  Tlic- 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.    327 

Look,  where  he  goes,  cren  now,  out  at  the  portal ! 

[Exif  Gboft. 

§ueen.  This  is  the  very  coinage  of  your  brain  : 
This  bodilefs  creation  ecftafy 
Is  very  cunning  in. 

Ham.  Ecftafy » ! 
My  pulfe,  as  yours,  doth  temperately  keep  time. 
And  makes  as  healthful  muHc :  It  is  not  madnefs^ 
That  I  have  wter'd:  bring  me  to  the  ted. 
And  I  the  matter  will  re-word ;  which  madnefs 
Would  gambol  from.     Mother,  for  love  of  grace. 
Lay  not  that  flattering  undtion  to  your  foul, 
That  not  your  trefpafs,  but  my  madnefs,  fpeaks  : 
It  will  but  (kin  and  film  the  ulcerous  place ; 
Whiles  rank  corruption,  mining  all  within, 
Infefts  unfeen.     Confefs  yourfelf  to  heaven  ; 
Repent  what's  paft ;  avoid  what  is  to  come  ; 
And  •  do  not  fpread  the  compoft  on  the  weeds. 
To  make  them  ranker.     Forgive  me  this  my  virtue : 
For,  in  the  fatnefs  of  thefe  purfy  times. 
Virtue  itfelf  of  vice  muft  pardon  beg; 
Yea,  ^  curb,  and  woo,  for  leave  to  do  him  good. 

^een.  O,  Hamlet !  thou  haft  cleft  my   heart  in 
twain. 

Ham.  O,  throw  away  the  worfer  part  of  it. 
And  live  the  purer  with  the  other  half. 

The  difficulty  might  perhaps  be  a  Httk  obviated  by  pointing  the 
Ubc  thus : 

Myfather^in  his  hahit^as  he  llv^d,     Ste E  V E  N-S, 

*  Ec/!a^!'\  Ecfta(y  in  this  place,  and  many  others,  means  a 
temporary  alienation  of  mind,  a  fit.  So,  in  Ell<fio  Llhldlnofi^  a 
noveU  by  John  Hindc^  1606:  *'  -*-  that  buriling  out  of  an  ecftajy 
wherein  ihe  had  long  (lood,  like  one  behuUiing  Medufa's  head, 
lamenting,  ^c.**     Stkevens,. 

*  — do  not  Jpread  the  contfoji^  Uz.\  Do  not,  by  any  new  ia- 
dulg/ence,  heighten  your  former  offences.    Johnson. 

I  — f»r^— .]  That  is,  bend  and  truckle.  Fr.  courier.  So,  in 
F,Ur<e  Flcwman: 

*•  Then  I  cottrhld  on  my  knees,  &€•*•       Steevexs, 

Y  4  Good 


3a«  HAMLET, 

Good  night :  but  go  pot  to  mine  uncle*3  bed  % 

AflTume  a  virtue,  ifvou  have  it  not. 

'^  That  mpnftcr,  cultotn,  who  all  fenfc  doth  eat. 

Of  habits  devil,  is  angel  yet  in  this ;  ^ 

That  to  the  ufe  of  aftions  fair  and  g')od 

He  likcwife  gives  a  frock,  or  livery^ 

That  aptly  is  put  pn  :  Refrain  to-night ; 

And  that  (hall  lend  a  kind  of  eaGnefs 

To  the  ncXft  abftinence  2  the  next,  more  eafy  5 : 

For  ufc  fan  alrnoft  change  the  ftamp  of  nature. 

And  either  matter  the  devil,  or  ^hrow  him  out' 

With  wondrous  potency,     Qnc^  more,  good  night  I 

And  when  you  are  defirous  to  be  bleft, 

1*11  bleffing  beg  of  you. — Fot  this  fepic  lord, 

[^Pointing  to  Polonm. 
I  do  repent ;  But  heaven  hath  pleas'd  it  fo, — 
•  To  punilh  him  with  me,  and  nie  with  this,— 
That  I  muft  be  jhcir  fcourgc  and  mjnifter, 
J  will  beftpw  him,  and  will  anfwcr  well 
The  death  I  gave  him.     So,  again  good  nigbt ! — 
1  muft  be  cruel,  only  to  be  kind  : 
Thus  bad  begins,  and  worfe  remains  behind— « 

*  That  mtmfifr  cufiom^  ivho  all/cn/e  doth  eai^ 
Gf  habits  devil,  h  mtgelytt  in  tJns ;]     This  paflage  is  left  out 
in  the  t\v(5  elder  folios ;  it  is  ccrrainly  corrupt,  -jLVid.  the  players  did 
the  difcrect  part  to  (lifle  what  they  did  not  under{land.     Hablh 
iitrvil  Certainly  arofc  from  fome  conceited  tampcrer  with  the  text, 
who  thought  it  was  ncceflfary,  in  contrail  to'an^ieL    The  emenda- 
tion of  the  text  I  OM'C  to  the  fagacity  of  Dr.  Thirlby  : 
^hat  monfiir  cufioMy  ivSi  all  Jenft  doth  eat 
Of  habits  evil,  w  ^^W,  &c.      Theobald. 
I  think  Thirlhy's  conje^^^ure  wrong,  though  the  fuccecding  cdl* 
tors  have  followed  it ;  /xM^r/ and  ^v/V  are  evidemly  oppoled. 

JOHNSO!f, 

'  —  the  nrxty  more  cajy ;]     This  palTage,  as  far  as  fotetuy^  \% 
omitrwl  in  the  folio.    Steevens. 

•    •  To  piavjh  him  'with  me^  &c,]    This  is  Hanmer's  reading ;  the 
other  editions  have  it,  •    •  , 

t  J  lofunijh  me  viith  thls^  unci  this  vjtth  me.     JOimsoy. 

One 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.    ^^^ 

One  word  more,  good  lady  '. 

^een.  What  fhall  I  do  ? 

Ham.  -Not  tfcis^  by  no  means,  that  1  bid  you  do : 
Let  the  bloac  king  ^  tempt  you  again  to  bed 
l^inch  lyanton  on  your  cheek ;  call  you,  his  moufe  9  • 
And  let  him,  for  a  pair  of  recchy  kiflcs  «, 
pr  padling  in  your  neck  with  Ms  damn'd  fingecsy 
*Make  you  tp  rayel  all  this  matter  out, 
^  That  I  eflTcntiatly  »m  not  in  madncfs. 

But 

7  Ofte 'ojord  moTf^  &c.]    Tlji?  pafTage  I  }iavc  |:eftorcd  from  th« 
quartos.  *^t6even8, 

•  Let  the  fond  ^/«^— ]     The  oW  <juarto  rcadif  »  • 

■    Let  the  bloat  king  • 
u  c.  blbatcd,  wKicb  is  better,  as  more  cxpreffivc  of  thp  (peaki^« 
'  contempt.     Warburton. 

9  — bis  mBu/e\\    Mouje  was  once  a  term  of  endearment.    Soy 
ih  "WiXntiW  jfi^ons  England^  1602,  b.  2.  chap.  10 : 
'^        '  **  G<SJ  blefs  thee  moufi^  the  bridegroom  faid,  Sfc,** 

Again,  ill' the  Meruechimiy  159^:  ^*  Shall  1  tell  thee,  fweet 
iwff/??  I  never  look  upon  thee,  but  lam  quite  put  of  love  with 
iny  u^ife.**    Steevens. 

•  X  ^  retc^)^  Wit%^  Reechy  is  fmoky.  The  author  meant  to 
convey  a  coarfe  idea,  and  was  not  very  icrupulous  in  his  choice  of 
'an  epitlier.  The  fame,  however,  is  applied  with  greater  pro- 
toriet}-  to  the  neck  of  k  cook-maid  in  Coriolanus*  Again,  in  Hans 
Beer  P6t*s  htvifibU  Comed^y  1618: 

■        "  —  bade  him  go 
*f  And  wa(h  his  face,  he  look'd  lo  reecJ/ilyy 
**  Like  bacon  hanging  on  the  chimney^s  roof,* 

Steevens.. 
*  72>tf/  7  eJftnttaUy  am  not  in  madnefs^ 

"^  But  mad  in  craft,'^]  The  reader  will  be  pleafed  to  fee  Dr. 
Farmer's  extract  from  the  old  quarto  Wfiorie  efHamhlet ^  of  which 
he  had  a  fragment  only '  in  his  poiTciTion. — **  It  was  not  without 
*'  caufe,  and  jufte  occafion,  that  my  geft ores,  countenances,  and 
^*  words,  feeme  to  prixreed  from  a  madman,  and  that  I  deiire  to  - 
*•  hauc  all  men  efteeme  mee  wholy  depriued  of  fence  and  rea- 
**  (bnablc  underftanding,  bycaufe  I  am  well  aflured,  tliat  he  that 
•*  hath  made  no  confciencc  to  kill  his  owne  brother  (accuilomed 
<*  to  inurthers,  and  alluied  with  defirc  of  eouernement  without 
**  controll  in  his  treafons)  will  not  fpare  to  laue  himfelfe  with  the 
•*  like  crueltie,  in  the  blood,  and  fiefh  of  the  loyos  of  his  brother, 
<*  by  him  maflacred :  and  therefore  it  is  better  for  me  to  faync 
^  xnadnefle,  then  to  ufe  my  right  fences  as  nature  hath  bellowed 

"  them 


^|o  M    A    M    L    B    T, 

But  mad  in  craft.    Twcrc  good,  you  kt  him  knosrt 
For  who,  that's  but  a  qucea,  fair,  fober,  wi£c^ 
Would  from  a  paddock,  from  a  bar,  a  gib  *, 
Such  deav  cos^ffDings  bide  ?  who  wo4ld  dojb  ^ 
No,,  in  dejfpight  of  feafe,  and  fecrccy, 
5  Unpeg  the  bi^lfcet  oa  the  hooftf s  top. 
Let;  ^the  bird$  fiy  i  and,  like  the  famous  zpe. 
To  tijy  coaclyfions  4,  in  the  balket  creep, 

^  tl^em  upop  m^.  The  bright  (h'ming  cleames  thereof  I  im, 
**  forced  to  hide  vndec  this  ^adow  of  didiraulation,  as  the  fun 
*dothhir  beams  vtider  feme  great  cloud,  when  the  wether  in, 
•*  (ummer  time  ouercafteth  :  the  face  of  a  madman  ferueth  to  couer 
•*ftny  gallant  countenance,  and  the  gellures  of  a  fool  are  fit  for 
"  me,  t^o  the  end  that,  guiding  rnvfelt'  wifely  therin,  I  may  pre- 
*Yerue  my  life  for  the- Danes  ana  the  memory  of  my  late  de- 
**  ceafed  father,  for  that  the  defire  of  rei:cHging  his  death  is  fo. 
*^ingrauen  in  my  heart,  that  if  I  dye  not  flwrtly,  I  hope  to  take 
**  fuch  and  fo  great  vengeance,  that  ihefe  couniryes  (hall. for  euei; 
«*  fpeake  thereof,  Neueriheleffe  I  muil  f.ay  the  time,  raeaoes, 
•*  and  occafion,  left  by  making  ouer  great  haft,  I  be  nowr  the 
♦*  caufe  of  mine  owiit  fodaine  ntinc  artd  ouerihrow,  and  by  that 
♦*  meancB  end,  before  I  beginne  to  effed  my  hearts  defire:  hee 
y  riiat  hath  to  due  with  a  wickeJ,  difloyall,  crueli,  and  difcour- 
'**  teous  man,  mull'vfe  cfaft,  and  poHtike  inuentions,  fuch  as  a 
•*.  fine  witte  can  beft  imagine,  not  to  difcouer  his  interprifc:  for 
*•  feeing  that  by  force  I  cannot  etfe(5t  my  defire^  reafon  alloweth 
"  me  by  diffimulatiou,  -fubtiltje,  and  fccret  pra^tifes  to  proceed 
«*  therein.**    Steevens. 

*  — agi^y]     So,  in  Drayton*8  Epldlc  from  Elinpr  CAham  to 
Duke  tinmphrey  : 

**-  And  call  me  beldam,  j^/^,  witch,  night-raare,  trot*" 
Gib  was  a  common  name  for  a  cat.     So,  in  Chaucer's  Ronu  rf, 
l?ji  Rnje^  vcr.  6204: 

**  ^^gihhe  our  car, 

**.  That  waiteth  mice  and  rats  to  killen.'*  Stejeven5., 
3  Unpeg  the  hrtfket  on  the  honjeitop^ 
Let  the  birds  fy ; — ]  Sir  John  Suckfing,  in  one  of  his  letters,, 
may  pofllbly  allude  to  the  fame  rtory,  "  It  is  the  llory  of  the' 
•*  jacLanapcs  and  the  parti  idges  ;  thou  ftareft  after  a  beauty  till  it, 
•'  is-  loft  to  thee,  and  then  lei*ft  out  another,  and  ftareft  afjer  that 
•'  rill  it  is  gone  too.*'    Warner. 

'     ♦  To  try  conclujwns^l    i,  e.  exi^^rim^nts.     So,  in  Anlottf  md; 
Cleopatra: 

*'  She  has  purfuM  fflfff/«/^;zj  infinite 

♦V  Of  eaty  ways  to  die."    Sf  e e  v  li n &• 

•  .  And, 


And  break  yoitt..nccJc  down. 

'   §uein.  Be   thou'  aflury^  if  wojd?  be  nwJ^  9^^ 

^      '     breathy  "        '  . 

And  bceat;h  of  life,  I  hav?  no  life  to  breathe^ 
What  thou  haft  faid  to  me,      ' 

Ham,  I  muft  to  England;  you  knpw^tbat^  - 
^een.  Alack,  1  had  forgot ;  'tis  fo  concluded  on.^ 
H^m.  fThcrcVlettysrsfeard:  and  mjr  twi^ fchool- 
'.'    '     fclkBys,—  . 

Wbom  Iwill  trufl:,  a?  I  wilH  adders  fang'd, — • 
They  bear  the  mandate  \  they  rnufl:  fwecp  my  wayj, 
And  marflial  me  to  knavery  :  Let  it  work  5 
For  *m  thefpoit,  to  have  the  eo^eier 
|Ioi(l  i  with  hjs  own  petar  :  and  it  (hall  go.  hard^ 
]put  I  will  delve  one  yard  below  their  mines; 
And  blow'  them  at  the  moon :  O,  'cis  moft  fweet^ 
tVhen  m  one  line  two  crafts  direaly  meet!—' 
This  man  ihall  fet  me  packing. 
^TTIu^  the  guts"^  into  the  neighbour  toom  : — • 
Mother,  good  night.— Indeed,  this  counfellor 
Is  now  moft  ftill,  moft  fegrct,  and  moft  grave, 
"Who  was  in  life  a  foolifh  prating  knave, 

5  TJfere^i  letters  fear d^^c.']    The  nine  following  vcrfcs  are  ad.^ 
ded  out  of  th^  old  eclitioD.    Po^&.  .    - 

•  •  — a^ikrs  fang^d^Y    That  is,  adders  with  lW\x  fangs^  ox p^i^ 
fimoui  itethy  undrawn.     It  has  been  the  pradice  of  mountebanloi  to 

boail  the  efficacy  of  their  antidotes  by  playing  with  vipers,  but 
they  firft  dilabled  tlieir  fangs.    Johnson. 

•  ^  Hotfiikc.]     HQtJiioihoiftd]  2$  fafi  fox pajfed.      STKEVENi. 
*  ^^tbi  guts — ]     The  word  gut^  was  npt  anciently  fo  offenfive 

to  ^licacy  as  k  is  at  prefent ;  but  W9s  ufed  by  I^il^  (who  made 
the  firft  attempt  to  polifh  our  language)  in  his  fertoys  Com* 
^fitions.  So,  in  his  ^tfydas^  <  59^ :  'f  Could  not  the  trcafure  of 
Phrygia,  nor  the  tributes  of  Qreeqe,  nor  mountain^  in  the  £a(V, 
whoie^^  are  gold,  fatisfy  thy  mind  ?**  In  (hort,  gutt  \yas  ufed 
where  we  now  ufe  entrails.  Staxyhurft  ofttn  ha^s  it  in  his  traniladop 
^  Virgili  1581:     .  .    * 

Pdftoribus  inhians  fpirantia  confulit  exta. 

**  She  weens  her  fortuop  by^/i  hoate  finoakye  to  cot^r.'' 
''     '   ■    '        "  "       .•  .  ^  .      Steevens. 

Come, 


S3^  H    A    M    L    E    T,  • 

9  Conac,  fir,  to  draw  toward  an  end  with  you :— • 
(^ood  night,  mother, 

[Exi^  the  ^eeriy  and  HamUt  dragging  in  Pohnius^ 


^A  C  T   IV.       S  C  E  N  E    L 

A  rtyal  apartment^ 

Enter  Kingj  ^tn^  RofencrantZy  and  Guildenfiem. 

King.  Therc'§  Rafter  in  thcfc  fighs,  iHefe  profoun4 
Jieavesj 
You  n^uft  tranflatt ;  'tis  fit  W€  uqdf jftand  them : 
Where  is  your  fon? 

^een.  Bellow  this  place  on  us  a  little  while  *. — 
[To  Rof.  and  GuiL  wbo  go  out^ 
Ah,  my  good  lord  J,  what  havp  I  fecn  to-night  ? 
King.  What,  Gertrude.?  How  cjocs  Hamlet? 
^een.  Mad  as  the  fea,  and  wind,  when  both  coq* 
:  ^^nd 
Which  is  the  mightier :  In  his  lawlefs  fit, 

^  Come^  fir^  to  drcrM  tavoard  an  end'uoithyou:']  Shakdpeare  has 
-been  unfortiinatc  in  his  management  of  che  ftory  of  this  play,  the 
moft  {hiking  circumftances  of  which  arife  fo  early  in  its  formation, 
as  not  to  leave  him  room  for  a  conclufion  fuitable  to  the  import- 
ance oi  Its  beginning.  After  this  laft  intervic^y  with  the  Gbofi^ 
the  chara6^er  of  Hamlet  has  loil  all  its  confequence.    Steevens. 

*  AH  IV,]  This  play  is  printed  ih  the  old  editions  without 
any  feparation  of  the  a^^ts.  The  diviiion  is  modern  and  arbitrary; 
and  is  here  not  very  happy,  for  the  paufe  is  made  at  a  time  when 
there  is  more  continuity  of  action  than  in  ahnofl  any  other  of  the 

'ftenes.    Johnson, 

*  Bejioc-M  this  place  on  us  a  Utile  w-6/Zp.1  This  line  is  wanting  m 
the  folio,    Steevens. 

^  '^^  good  lord^^    The  c^artos  read— «tt»^  #««r  lord. 

Steevens. 

Behind 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.     3^^^ 

Behind  the  arras  hearing  fomething  (lir^ 

He  whips  his  rapier  out,  and  cries,  A  rat  I  a  rati 

And,  in  this  brainilh  apprehenfion,  kills 

The  unfeen  good  old  man. 

.    King.  O  heavy  deed  ! 

It  had  been  fo  with  us,  had  we  been  there: 

His  liberty  is  full  of  threats  to  all ; 

To  you  yourfelf,  to  us,  to  every  one. 

Alas  !  how  fliall  this  bloody  deed  be  anfwer'd  ? 

It  will  be  laid  to  us ;  whofe  providence 

Should  have  kept  Ihort,    reftrain'd,  and  4  out  of 

haunt. 
This  mad  young  man:  but,  fojhuch  wasourlpve» 
We  would  not  underftand  what  was  moft  fit ; 
But,  like  the  owner  of  a  foul  difeafe. 
To  keep  it  from  divulging,  let  it  feed 
Even  on  the  pith  of  hfe.     Where  is  he  gone  ? 

^ueen.  To  draw  apart  the  body  he  hath  kill'd : 
O'er  whom  his  yery  madnefs,  5  like  fonfie  ore^ 
Among  a  mineral  of  metals  bafe. 
Shews  itfclf  pure ;  he  weeps  for  what  is  done* 

King.  O,  Gertrude,  come  away ! 
The  fun  no  fooner  (hall  the  mountains  touch. 
But  we  will  (hip  him  hence  :  and  this  vile  deed 
We  muft,  with  all  our  majefty  and  Ikill, 
Both  countenance  and  excufe.^-Ho !  Guildenllern ! 

*  —  0ut  fffhaunu]  I  would  rather  read,  eut  ^arm.    Johns oy. 
Out  ofbatmt^  means  out  of  company.     So,  in  Antony  and  Ckofatra : 
**  Dido  and  her  Sichaus  (ball  want  troops, 
"  And  all  the  baunt  be  ours." 
Again,  in  Warner's  Alhion^s  England^  1602,  book  5.  chap.  36: 

*^  And  from  the  fmith  of  heaven's  wife  aliufe  the  amorous 
baunt.^ 
The  place   where  men  alTemble,  is  often  poetically  called  the 
haunt  ofjmn.     So,  in  Romeo  and  Juliet : 

*•  We  talk  here  in  the  public  baunt  of  men."    Srr  evens. 
^  ^^Uke  fomt  cre'\     Shakefpeare  feems  to  think  ore  to  be  <v, 
that  Is,  goUl.    Bafe  metals  huve  ore  no  lefs  than  precious.  > 

Johnson. 

.  Enlir 


134  fe    A    M    L    ft    f  i 

Enter  ibJincfMZj  and  duildenfi&n. 

JFriends  both,  go  jbin  yOu  with  fomc  fbith'er  aid  \ 
Hamlet  in  madnefs  hach  Pblonins  flain^ 
And  from  his  mother's  clofct  hath  he  dragged  him : 
Go,  feek  him  out;  fpeak  fair,  arrf  bririg  the  body 
Into  the  ct^apeU     I  pray  you,  hatbe  in  this. 

[^Exeuni  Kof.  akd  Gait 
Come,  Gertriidc,  we'll  call  up  our  wifeft  friends  i 
And  let  them  know,  both  what  we  mean  to  do^ 
And  what*s  untimely  done :  for  haply,  flandcr, 
^  Whofc  whifpcr  o'er  the  world's  diamfetcr. 
As  lerel  as  the  cannon  to  his  blank, 
iTranfports  his  potfon*d  Ihbt,  may  mife  oar  name; 

•  Whoji  *whffffer  ^er  the  world* s  diameter y 
Ai  level  as  the  cannon  to  his  blank ^ 
Tranfports  its  poiforidjhoi^  me^  niifs  our  name^ 
,  And  hit  tlje  'SjouTidlffs  ain'^^^  come  away  /}  Mr,  Pope  tsVes 
motice,  that  1  risplace  foule  verib  thit  were  imperfe^  (and,  chough 
of^moi^m  date,  feem  to  be  ffenuine),  by  iniertiti^  two  words. 
But  to  tee  what  an  accurate  and.  faitKful  collator  he  is,  I  produced 
thefc  verfes  in  my  Shakffpeare  Bejidred^  from  a  quirto  edition  of 
Hamlet,  printed  in  1637,  and  happened  to  fay,  th4t  th^  had  not 
the  autkoricy  of  any  earuer  date  in  printt  tbat  I  knew  of^  than  that 
cjuarto.  Upon  the  fbength  of  this  Mr.  Pq>e  comes  and  calls  the 
Unes  modefm\  though  they  are  in  the  quartos  of  i6qc  and  1611J 
which  I  had  not  then  feen^  \\\\  both  of  which  Mr:  Pope  pretcndi 
to  have  collated.  The  yerfes  carry  thfe  very  rtamp  of  Shakefpearti 
upon  thetn.  The  coin,  indeed,  \\ii  been  dipt  from  oar  iirft  re« 
l?eiving  it ;  but  it  is  not  fo  diminifhed,  but  that  with  a  fmall  af^ 
lifbmce  we  may  hope  to  make  it  pafs  current.  I  am  far  froni 
affirming,  that,  by  infening  the  words,  For  hdffy^  Jlmd&y  1  have 
given  the  poet's  very  words  j  but  the  fuppletneni  is  fuch  as  die 
lentiment  naturally  feehis  to  demand.  The  poet  has  the  fam^ 
thought,  concerning  the  diffufivc  pdw^rs  oiJUmdcr^  in  another  of 
las  plays : 

i<  '■,.  No,'  ^mjlamter ; 

*'  Whofe  edge  is  (harper  than  the  fword,  ^h6(e  tongutf 

*•  Out- venoms  all  the  worms  of  Nile,  uiiofe  breath 

'^  Rides  on  the  pofling  wiiids,  and  doth  bely 

^  All  comcn  ol  the  worid^**    C^^mbcUne*    Tu^osAtni 


PRlNCfe  OF  Dt:NMAkit.    :^ 

And  hit  the  woUtKile&  air. — O,  come  away  1 

My  foul  is  fuU  of  difcord>  and  difmay.         [Ex^Kith 

S    C    E    N    E      IL 

Another  room. 
Enter  Hamlet. 

Ham.  Safely  ftow'd.    But  foft  ^— 

Rof.  6?r.  within.  Hamlet !  Lord  Hamlet ! 
.  ,Ham.  What  xioifc?  who  calls  on  Hamlet?   0> 
here  they  qome. 

Enter  RofencrantZj  and  Guildenjiem. 

Rof.  What  have  you  done,  my  lord,   wth  the 
dead  body  ? 

Ham.  Compounded  it  with  duft,  whereto  *tis  tin* 

Rof.  Tell  us  where  'tis;   that  we  may  take  it 
thence. 
And  bear  it  to  the  chapel. 

Ham.  Do  not  believe  it. 

Rof.  Believe  what  ? 

Ham.  That  I  can  keep  your  counfel,  and  not  mine 
own.  Befides,  to  be  demanded  of  a  fpunge ! — ^what 
xeplication  fhould  be  made  by  the  Ton  of  a  king  ? 

Rof.  Take  you  me  for  a  fpunge,  my  lord  ? 

Ham.  Ay,  fir  -,  that  foaks  up  the  king's  counte- 
nance, his  rewards,  his  authorities.  But  fuch  officers 
do  the  king  beft  fervice  in  the  end  :  He  keeps  them^ 
*  like  an  ape,  in  the  corner  of  his  jaw ;  firft  mouth'd, 

ta 

^  —  Butfifi^']    I  htwe  added  thefe  two  words  from  the  quartps* 

Steevexs* 
•  -*.  Ukt  an  ape,—-]    The  quarto  has  aptle^  which  is  gene- 
rally followed.    The  folio  has  ape^  which  Hanmer  has  received^ 
and  illuftrated  with  the  following  note. 

**  It  is  the  way  of  monkeys  in  eating,  to  throw  that  part  of 
*•  ihcir  food|  which  xhsy  talte  up  fuir,  iato  a  pouch  thcv*  are  rro- 

'  *w!ded 


536  HAMLET, 

to  be  \i&  fwallow'd :  Wheii  he  needs  what  ybu  bare 
gleao^d^  it  is  but  fqueezing  you^  and^  ^unge;  yo^ 
(hall  be  dry  again.  .     . 

Rof.  I  undefftand  you  not,  my  Jord. 

Ham.  I  am  glad  of  it :  A  knavifh  fpeech  fleeps  id 
a  fooliih  ear. 

Rcf.  My  lord,  you  moft  tell  tis  where  the  body  is^ 
and  go  with  us  to  the  king. 

Ham.  ?  The  body  is  with  the  king,  but  the  king 
is  not  with  the  body.     Thp  king  is  a  thing « 

GuiL  A  thing,  my  lord? 

Ham.  '  Of  nothing  :  bring  me  to  him.  *  Hide 
fox,  and  all  after.  [^Exeunt. 

SCENE 

^  vidcd  with  on  the  fide  of  their  jaw,  and  then  they  keep  It,  till 
**  they  have  done  with  tl?c  reft.'*    JoDnson. 

Surtfly  this  (houki  be  'VUke  an  ape  an  a/f!e.**    Farmer. 

*  fhe  hoq^  Is  vji'tb  the  i/W^,— ]  This  anfwcr  I  do  not  oompre- 
liend.  Perhaps  it  (hould  be.  Tot  hody  is  not  v^itb  the  kit^^  tor  tbc 
hingii  nofMith  the  botfy.     Jou:isoN. 

Perhaps  it  may  mean  this.  The  body  is  in  the  king's  houfe 
(u  e.  the  prefcnt  king's)  yet  the  king  (i.  e.  he  wliQ  (hould  hale 
been  king)  is  not  with  the  body;  Intimating  thstt  the  ufurper  is 
here,  the  true  king  in  a  better  place.  Or  it  may  me^ — ibeguiU 
^  the  murdtr  lies  withjhe  ii^,  but  tht  king  is  Moi  f^jkere  the  boif 
lies.  The  affedcd  obfcurity  of  Hamlet  mufi  eicufe  fb  many  at- 
tempts to  procure  fomeihing  like  a  meaning.     Steevens. 

*  Of  nothing, — ]  Should  it  not  be  re-ad,  Or  nothing?  When 
the  courtiers  remark,  that  Hamlet  has  con'emptuoully  called  the 
iifig  a  ihiMg^  Hamlet  defends  himfcU'  by  obfervlng,  that  the  king 
mull  be  a  tbiifg^  or  nothing.    Johnson. 

The  text  is  right.     So,  ih  the  Spanith  tragedy  i 
*♦  In  troth,  my  lord,  it  is  a  thi^g  ofnMmgJ^ 
And,  in  one  of  Harvey^s  letters,  **  a  Slly  bug-bearer  a  fcny  puft 
of  winde,  a  thing  efnoihi»gP      Farmer. 

So, 
*  •    I  ■      ■    •    »■  ^ 1^.  .<■■■■■  ,  ..      '  '      ^ 

*  Hidefixi — ]  There  is  a  play  among  children  called,  Hidt 
fox ^  and  all  after,     Hanmer. 

The  fame  fport  is  alluded  to  in  VecUr^s  Satiromafiix:  **  —  ou# 
iinhandfame-taccd  poet  does  play  at  bo-peep  with  your  grace,  ac4 
^'iCS'^j^U  bidf  as  hoys  dt>^^ 

Tittft  paii^^f  is  not  in  the  qu^to.    Steevens* 


^RiNCE  o^  DENMARK.    337 

SCENE     ra» 

Jbuiiber  rovm^ 

Enter  King. 

King.  I  have  fent  to  feek  him^  and  to  find  the  body* 
How  dangerous  is  it^  that  this  man  goes  loofe  ? 
Ifet  muft  not  we  put  the  ftrong  law  on  him  : 
He's  lov^d  of  the  diftrafted  multitude. 
Who  like  not  in  their  judgment,  but  their  eyes ; 
And,  where  *tis  fo,  the  ofFender's  fcourge  is  weigb'd^ 
But  never  the  oflFence,     To  bear  all  fmooth  and  cvcn^ 
This  fuddeii  fending  him  away  muft  feem 
Deliberate  paufe :  Difeafes,  defperate  grown. 
By  defperate  appliance  are  relieved. 
Or  not  at  alU->-How  now  i  what  hath  befallen  ? 

Enter  Rofencrantz. 

Rof.  Where  the  dead  body  is  beftow'd,  my  lord^ 
We  cannot  get  from  him. 
King.  But  where  is  he  ? 
Rof.  Without,  my  lord ;  guarded,  to  know  your 

pleafure. 
IGng.  Bring  him  before  us. 
Rof.  Ho,  Guildcnftern  !  bring  in  my  lord* 

SO|  in  Deckcr^s  Match  me  iti  London^  1631: 

^*  At  what  dofl  thou  laugh  ? 

**  At  a  thing  of  nothings  at  theCi** 
Ag^D|  in  Ijoak  about you^  i6cx> : 

««  And  bclic\c  a  little  thing  would  pleafe  hcr^ 

"  A  very  little  thing,  a  thing  rf  nothing^'* 
Again,  iii  the  Interlude  of  Jacob  and  Efau^  1 568 : 

**  But  a  matter  of  a  Hraw,  and  a  thing  rf nought. 
Agsiin,  in  Ben  Jonfon's  Magnetic  Lady : 

"  A  toy,  a  thing  of  nothing,^ 
Again»  in<}hapiTian's  iranllation  of  ihc  9th  Book  of  the  Odyflry  5 

*'  When  now,  a  weakling  came,  a  dwarfy  thing, 

**  A  thing  of  nothing.*'     Steevens. 

Vol*  X.  Z  Enur 


338    -  HAMLET, 

Enter  Hamlet^  and  GuUdenftern. 

King.  Now,  Hamlet,  where's  Polonius  ? 
Ham.  Ac  fupper. 
King.  At  fupper?  Where? 
Ham.  Not  where  he  eats,  but  where  he  is  eaten  z 
a  certain  convocation  of  politick  worms  are  e'en  at 
him.     Your  worm  is  your  only  emperor  for  dret :  we 
fat  all  creatures  elfe,  to  fat  us  -,  and  we  fat  ourfckcs 
for  maggots  :  Your  fat  king,  and  your  lean  beggar, 
is  but  variable  fervice  j  two  difties,  but  to  one  table j 
that's  the  end. 

King.  Alas,  qlas  M 
•  Ham.  A  man  may  fifh  with  the  worm  that  hath 
eat  of  a  king;  and  eat  of  the  fifh  that  hath  fed  of 
that  worm. 

Kir.g.  What  doft  thou  mean  by  this  ? 
Ham.  Nothing,  but  to  (hew  you  how  a  king  may 
go  a  progrefs  through  the  guts  of  a  beggar. 
Kiyig.  Where  is  Polonius  ? 

Ham.  In  heaven  •,  fend  thither  to  fee  :  if  your 
mcITenger  find  him  not  there,  feck  him  i*  the  other 
place  yourfelf.  But,  indeed,  if  you  find  him  not 
within  this  month,  you  fhall  nofe  him  as  you  go  up 
the  ilairs  into  thejobby. 
King.  Go  feek  him  there. 
Ham.  He  will  ftay  'till  you  cofne. 

\^Exeunl  Altendnnis. 
King.  Hamlet,  this  deed,  for  thine  efpecial  fafcty, — 
Which  we  do  tender,  as  we  dearly  grieve 
For  that  which  thou  haft  done, — mult  i'end  thee  hence 
With  fiery  quicknefs4:  Therefore,  prepare  thyfelf ; 
The  bark  is  ready,  and  5  the  wind  at  help, 

2  J^ds^  aJas  f^    Tliift  fpeecb,  and  the  following,  arc  omitted  in 

tljC  to-'o.       SXr-kVENS.^ 

^  // Ifh  fitry  q'n/K.itJi ;]     Thcfc  woidi  arc  not  in  ihc  quartos. 

bXEEVENS. 

5  — '  tho^^'U'^  at  bel;->,'l     ^  fuppc'c  it  flu  ul.l  be  read, 
^Ibe  har'i  U  wa.h^  cn.i the  vclhdat'  helm.     Jo:::;tON, 

■        The 


PRINCE  OF  DENvMARK.     ^39 

The  aflfociates  tend,  and  every  thing  is  bent 
For  England. 

Ham.  For  England  ?  . 

King.  Ay,  Hamlet. 

Ham.  Good. 

King.  So  is  it,  if  thou  knew'fl:  dur  purpofes. 

Ham.  I  fee  a  cherub,  that  fees  them. — But,  come  i 
for  England ! — Farewel,  dear  mother. 

King.  Thy  loving  father,  Hamlet. 

Ham.  My  mother:— Father  and  mother  is  man  and 
wife ;  man  and  wife  is  one  flefli  5  and,  fo,  my  mother. 
Come,  for  England.  [£;«/. 

King.  Follow  him  at  foot ;  tempt  him  with  fpccd 
aboard ; 
Delay  it  not.  Til  have  him  hence  to-night : 
Away ;  for  every  thing  is  feal'd  and  done 
That  elfe  leans  on  the  affair :  Pray  you,  make  hafte. 

[Exeunt  Rof.  and  GuiL 
And,  England !  if  my  love  thou  hold'ft  at  aught, 
(As  my  great  power  thereof  may  give  thee  fcnfe  j 
Since  yet  thy  cicatrice  looks  raw  and  red  . 
After  the  Danifli  fword,  and  ihv  free  awe 
Pays  homage  to  us)  thou  may*ft  not  coldly  ^  fct 
Our  fovereign  proccfs  •,  which  imports  at  full, 
7  By  letters  conjuring  to  that  cfTcdl, 
The  prefent  death  of  Hamlet.     Do  it,  England  ; 
For  like  the  hedlic  in  my  blood  he  rages, 
And  thou  muft:  cure  riie :  'Till  I  know  *tis  dbne^ 

"ftt  by 


Our  jWrcign  prrccfs^ — ]      So   Hanmsr.      The  Others   havd 
oxi\y  Jet.     Johnson, 

— fct 

Our  fv^ereign  proccfsy — ]  I  adhere  fo  the  reading  of  the 
quarto  and  folio.  To  fet^  is  an  cxprcirun  taken  trom  the  gamint^* 
table.     Stekvens. 

^  By  letters  conjuring — ]    Thus  the  folio.     The  qusrto  readj, 
"  By  \iiiiQi%  cot'gruing.^*        Steevens. 

Z  a  HowcVr 


1 


340  H    A    M    L    E    T, 

^  Howc'cr  my  haps,  my  joys  were  ne'er  beguD.  [£«*r. 

SCENE        IV. 

The  frontiers  of  Denmark. 

Enter  FortinbraSy  with  an  army. 

For.  Go»  captain,  from  me  greet  the  Danish  king; 
Tell  him,  that,  by  his  licence,  Fortinbras 
Craves  ^  the  conveyance  of  a  promised  march 
Over  his  kingdom.     You  know  the  rendezvous 
If  that  hisv  majefty  would  aught  with  us^ 
We  (hall  exprefs  our  duty  in  his  eye> 
And  let  him  know  fo, 

Capt.  I  will  do*t,  my  lord. 

For.  Go  foftly  on.  [Exit  Fortinbras^  ^c 

Enter  Hamlet y  RofencrantZy  Gitildehjiemy  6?r# 

Ham.  Good  fir  ^  whofe  powers  arc  thefe  ? 

Gapt.  They  arc  of  Norway,  fir.   • 

Ham.  How  purposM,  fir,  I  pray  you  ? 

Capt.  Againft  fomc  part  of  Poland, 

Ham*  Who  commands  them,  fir  ? 

Capt.  The  nephew  of  old  Norway,  Fortinbras. 

Ham.  Goes  it  againft  the  main  of  Poland,  fir, 

^  Hff^er  my  baps^  mj^  J/ys  will  fi/er  itgin.^  This  being  the 
terminatioa  of  a  fcene,  (hould,  according  to  our  author *s  ctubm, 
be  rhymed.    Perhaps  he  wrote, 

Ho^er  my  hopes ,  my  joys  arc  not  begun. 
If  hats  be  retain^  the  meaning  will  be,  *iiU  I  huw  ^tis  thne^  I 
JhaU  he  miferahle^  whatever  befall  me.     Jo h  n so n. 

The  fotio  reads,  in  confirmaiion  of  Dr.  Johnfon's  remark,-— 
Ho  we'er  my  haps,  my  joys  were  ne'er  begun,    Steevens. 

^  Craves^  Thus  the  quartos.  The  folio-— fi^wi-—    Steevens. 

'  Good  fir ^  &:c.]    The  remaining  part  of  this  fccne  is  omiued  in 

the  folios.      SlkKVENS. 

Or 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.     341 

Or  for  fome  frontier  ? 

Capt.  Truly  to  fpeak,  and  with  no  addition. 
We  go  to  gain  a  little  patch  of  ground. 
That  hath  in  it  no  profit  but  the  name. 
To  pay  five  ducats,  five,  I  would  not  farm  it  j 
Nor  will  it  yield  to  Norway,  x)r  the  Pole, 
A  ranker  rate,  ihould  it  be  fold  in  fee. 

Ham.  Why,  then  the  Polack  never  will  defend  it* 

CapL  Yes,  'tis  already  garrifon'd. 

Ham.  Tvfo  thouiand  fouls,  and  twenty  tboufand 
ducats. 
Will  not  debate  the  queftion  of  this  ftraw : 
This  is  the  impofthume  of  much  wealth  and  peace; 
That  inward  breaks,  and  fhews  no  caufe  without 
Why  the  man  dies. — I  humbly  thank  you,  fir. 

Capt.  God  be  wi*ye,  fir.  [£x/V  Captain. 

Rof.  Wiirt  pleafe  you  go,  my  lord  ? 

Ham.  I  will  be  with  you  ftraight.   Go  a  little  before. 

[Exeunt  Rof.  end  the  reft. 
How  all  occafions  do  inform  againft  me. 
And  fpur  my  dull  revenge !  What  is  a  man. 
If  his  I  chief  good,  and  market  of  his  time. 
Be  but  to  fleep,  and  feed  ?  a  bcaft,  no  more. 
Sure,  he,  that  made  us  with  fuch  *  large  diicourfe^ 
Looking  before,  and  after,  gave  us  not 
That  capability  and  god-like  reafon 
To  fuft  in  us  unus'd.     Now,  whether  it  be 
Beftial  oblivion,  or  fome  craven  fcruplc 
Of  thinking  too  precifely  on  the  event,— ~ 
A   thought,   which,  quartered,  hath  butone  pare 

wifdom. 
And,  ever,  three  parts  coward, — I  do  net  know 

'  -^  cbtif good  and  Moriit'^'l     If  hit  higheft  good,  ntktbatfir 
mduch  be  Jills  his  time^  be  to  fliccp  and  feed.    Johnsox. 

*  "^  large  dt/tour^j]     Siicb   latitude  of  comprehenfion,  fuch 
jx>wer  of  reviewing  the  paft,  and  anticipating  the  future. 

Joiinsok. 

Z  3  Why 


34X  H    A    M    L    E    T, 

Why  yet  I  live  to  fay,  This  thing's  t9  i^ ; 

Sith  I  have  caufe,  and  will,  and  ftrength,  and  means 

To  do'r.     Exanaples,  grofs  as  earth,  exhort  me : 

Witnefs,  this  army,  of  fuch  mafs,  and  charge. 

Led  by  a  delicate  and  tender  prince ; 

Whofe  fpirit,  with  divine  ambition  puft. 

Makes  mouths  at  the  inviGblc  event; 

Expofing  what  is  mortal,  and  unfure. 

To  all  that  fortune,  death,  and  danger,  dare. 

Even  for  an  egg-fhcll.     '  Rightly,  to  be  great 

Is  not  to  ftir  without  great  argument; 

But  greatly  to  find  quarrel  in  a  draw. 

When  honour's  at  the  ftake.     How  ftand  I  then. 

That  have  a  father  killed,  a  mother  ftain'd, 

4  Excitements  of  my  reafon,  and  my  blood. 

And  lej:  all  fleep  I  while,  to  my  (hame,  I  fee 

The  imminent  death  of  twenty  thoufand  men. 

That,  for  a  fantafy^  and  trick  of  fame, 

Go  to  their  graves  like  beds  ;  fight  for  a  plot. 

Whereon  the  numbers  cannot  try  the  caufe. 

Which  is  not  tomb  enough,  and  continent «, 

t   _«_  Right^  to  hegreaty 
L  not  to  fir  ^Mhouty  Arc]     This  paflage  I  have  printed  ac- 
cording td  the  cdj5y.     Mr..Theobald  had  regulated  it  thus  : 
'Tis  not  to  he  great ^ 
Ne^jer  tojlir  without  great  argumni ; 
But  greatfyy  &c. 
The  fentimtnt  of  Shakefpeare  is  partly  jufl-,  and  partly  romantic, 
—  Rightly  to  he  great ^ 
Is  not  tojlir  ijoitbout  great  argument '^ 
is  fixaftly  philolbphiajl. 

But  greatly  to  find  quarrel  in  afira-JO^ 
^  Wbcyi  honour  is  atjlake^ 
is  the  idea  of  a  modern  hero.     But  then,  fays  he,  hon<fur  is  an  argw 
Plenty  or  fubjcH  of  de},ate,  fufficienily  great,  and  when  honour  is  at 
itakc,  yN^mw^  find  caufe  of  quarrel  in  ajtraw,     JOHNsON. 

*  Excite  me  un  of  my  reafon  and  my  bloody]     Provocations  whick 
.excire  buth  my  reafon  and  my  pallions  to  vengeance.     Johnsok. 

5  —  continent']     Continent,  io  our  author,  means  that  which  com- 
prehends or  enclofes.     So,  in  Ki.g  Lear: 

tf  lliveyour  ccn'wealiiiga7A//;?r/iW.''    Steevexs. 

To 


PRINCE   OF  DENMARK.     3^3 

To  hide  the  flain  ?— O,  from  this  time  forth, 

My  thoughts  be  bloody,  or  be  nothing  worth !  [ExiL 

S    C    E    N    E        V. 

Ei/imur.     A  room  in  the  palace. 
Enter  ^een,  and  Horatio. 

^een. 1  will  not  fpeak  with  her. 

Hor.  She  is  importunate  :  indeed,  diLlraft  j 
Her  mood  will  needs  be  pity*d. 

^een.  What  would  fhe  have  ? 

Hot.  She'fpeaks  much  of  her  father;  fays,  fnc 
hears, 
There's  tricks  i*  the  world  ;  and  hems,  and  beats  her 

heart ; 
^  Spurns  envioufly  at  ftraws ;  fpeaks  things  in  doubt, 
That  carry  but  half  fenfe :  her  fpccch  is  nothing. 
Yet  the  unfhaped  ufe  of  it  doth  mov^e 
The  hearers  to  colleftion7;  they  aim  at  it^ 

*  Spurns  envioufly  at  Jinny^s ;]  Etny  is  much  oftener  put  by 
our  poet  (and  thofc  of  his  time)  ior  (X\xck1  avajiony  than '  tor 
malignity  conceived  at^he  Jight  of  atioiheri  exccdeuce  or  happinejs. 

So  in  Henfy  Vlll.  Ad  i  : 
"        -        No  black  emy 
**  Shall  make  my  grave.""'     ■' 
Again,  A6t  3 : 

'*  You  turn  the  good  we  offer  into  envy^* 
Again,  in  Herod  and  Antipater^  1622  : 

•*  —  alrhough  his  words 
"  Accus'd  my  Mariam,  it  is  his  fin, 
**  Not  perfon,  that  I  r/pr>*." 
Again,  ,in   God^s    Revenge    again fi  Murder ^    162 1,  Hiji.  VL 
**  — .  She  loves  the  memory  of  Sypontus,  and  envies  and  dcicUs 
that  of  her  two  hufbands."    SrEiiVENS.  . 

^  — /<?  coUedion ;]    i.  c.  to  deduce   confcquences   from  fach 
premifes.     lio,  in  CymhcUng^  Scene  uie  la  J  : 
—  whofe  containing 
^s  lb  from  fenle  to  hardnefs,  ihat  1  can 
Make  no  collcHlon  of  it, 
Stt  th^  note  on  this  paliage*    Steevens. 

*  —  tijiy  aim  at  .'/,J     I'he  quartos  read— they j<jiu«  at  it.  ' 

To  aim  Is  to  ^uefs.     St  p.  e  v  t  c^ s . 

Z  4  And 


344  HAMLET, 

And  botch  the  words  up  fit  to  their  own  thoughts  i 
Which^  as  her  winks^  and  nods,  and  gedures  yield 

them, 
Indeed  would   make  one  think,   there  might   be 

thought, 
9  Though  nothing  fure,  yet  much  unhappily. 

^een.  *  'Twere  good,  Ihe  were  fpoken  with  ;  fo* 

fhe  may  ftrew 
Pangerous  conjedures  in  ill-breeding  minds : 
Let  her  come  in.  [£xi/  Horatii^ 

To  my  Tick  foul,  as  fin's  true  nature  is. 
Each  toy  feems  prologue  to  fome  great  amils  ^ : 
So  full  of  artlefs  jealoufy  is  guilt. 
It  fjpills  icfelf,  in  fearing  to  be  fpilt* 

Ke-enter  Horatio^  with  Ophelia. 

Opb.  Where  is  the  bes^uteousmajefty  of  Denmark? 
^ueen.  How  now,  Ophelia  ? 

*  Tbmtgb  Mo^hii^  /iere,  yet  much  unhappily.]  i.  e.  though  her 
tficanine  cannot  be  cenainly  colkded,  yet 'there  is  enough  to  put 
a  mifchievous  interpretation  to  it.     War  burton. 

That  unbap^  once  fignified  mtfibievous^  may  be  known  from 
F,  Holland's  tranflation  or  P/fffyVJVii/. /f^.  b.  19.  ch.7.  **  —  the 
fhrewd  and  unbafpie  foules  which  lie  upon  the  lands,  and  eat  up 
the  leed  new  fowne."    We  ftill  ufe  unlucky  in  the  fame  fcnfe. 

Steevens, 

*  ""TiMtre  good Jhe  i^e  fpoken  w//i&;— ]  Thefe  lines  are  given 
to  the  Queen  in  the  folio,  and  to  Horatio  in  the  quano. 

JoHNSOK« 

*  n^  to  fome  great  amifs ;")  Shakefpeare  is  not  fingular  in  his 
ufe  of  this  word  as  a  fubflantivc.  So,  in  the  Am^gnment  of 
Faris^  1584: 

"  Gracious  forbearers  of  this  worH's  amifs,^ 
Again,  in  Lylly's  JVoman  in  the  Moon^  ^597  • 

"  Pale  be  my  looks  to  witnefs  my  amifsJ* 
Again,  in  Greene's  Dijputation  ietvxen  a  He  Concycatcho',  t^c* 
1 592 ;   *'  —  revive  in  tjicm  the  meipory  of  my  great  amifs,^ 

Steevens. 

0|)b, 


PRINCE  oif  DENMARK.     ^4$ 
Oph.  ^  Hawfi^^  Iy$ur  0rue  low  kMW 

*  By  bis  cockle  hat,  and  fi^^ 

And  iy  bisfandal  Jbcwn.  [Singing. 

^fitn.  AIa9|  fweet  Udy»  what  imports  this  fong? 
Opb.  Say  yovi  ?  oay»  pray  you^  mark. 
Hr  is  dead  ami  gcne^  lady^ 

He  is  dead  and  gone ; 
At  his  head  a  grafs-guen  turf^ 
Ai  his  heels  a  ft  one. 

^en.  Nay,  but  Ophelia, 

Ofh.  Pray  you,  mark. 

fVhite  hisjhroud  as  the  mountain  fnow^ 

Enter  King, 
^en.  Alas,  look  here,  my  lord. 

3  Hawjbould  I  your  tna  hve^  &c.]    There  it  no  part  of  this 
*  play,  in  its  reprefentation  on  the  flage,  is  more  patheac  than  this 
lcene»  which  I  fuppofe  proceeds  from  the  utter  infenfibility  fhe  hat 
to  her  own  misfortunes. 

A  great  fen£bility,  or  none  at  all,  feems  to  produce  the  fameeflfed. 
In  the  latter  the  aodience  fupply  what  ibe  wants,  and  with  tho 
Iprmer  they  fympathize.  Sir  J.  Reynolds* 
♦  By  bis  cockle  bat  and  f^af^ 
Jnd  hy  bis  fandal  Jboon!\  This  is  the  defcription  ofapil* 
grun.  While  this  kind  of  devotion  was  in  favour,  love-intrigues 
were  carried  on  under  that  maik.  Hence  the  old  ballads  mod 
novels  made  pil^mages  the  fubjedls  of  their  plots.  The  cockle* 
fhell  hat  was  one  of  the  eflential  badges  of  this  vocation  :  for  the 
chief  places  of  devotion  being  beyond  fea,  or  on  the  coalls,  the 
pilgrims  were  accuflomed  to  put  cockle-fhdb  upon  their  ha^,  to 
denote  the  intention  or  performance  of  thdr  devotion. 

Waeburton, 
Spi  m  Greats  Never  too  late,  1616,  a  Pilgrim  is  defcribed: 
**  A  hat  of  flraw  like  to  a  fwaiui 
•*  Sheker  for  the  fun  and  rain, 
W  With  a^ji!iy:/&ri/ before^  ^t**    Steeyeni. 

Oph, 


,34^  H    A.    M    L    E    T, 

Oph.  5  Larded  all  with  fweet  flewirs ;   . 
IVbich  bewept  to  the  grave  didgo^, 
IVitb  true'-bve  jhtmers. 
King.  How  do  you,  pretty  lady  ? 
Opb.  Well,  God  'ieW  you !  They  fay,  7  the  owl 
was  a  baker*s  daughter.     Lord,  we  know  what  wc 
«re,  but  know  not  what  wc  may  be.     God  be  at 
your  table! 

King.  Conceit  upon  her  falthcr. 
*    Oph.  Pray,  let  us  have  no  words  of  this;  but 
when  they  afk  you,  what  it  means,  fay  you  this : 
To-morrow  is  Saint  Valentine*s  day  ^y 

All  in  the  morning  betimc^ 
Jnd  I  a  maid  at  your  window,  - 

To  be  your  Valentine : 
Then  up  be  rofe^  and  don'd  9  bis  cloatbs, 

"  /Ind  dupt  the  chamber  door ; 
Let  in  the  maid,  that  out  a  maid 
Never  departed  more. 

King. 

'  Larded  all  X}j:th  fijjeet  ftaivers :]    The  cxprcflion  is  taken  from 
cookery.     Johnson*. 

•  — rl:/ig0y]    The  old  editions  read, —  M  not  go.     Steeveks. 
'  —//;<•  o-jjI'-mos  a  baker* s  tiaughtcr.l     This  was  a  metamorphofis 

of  the  common  people,  an  ling  from  the  mealy  appearance  of  the 
owl's  feathers,  and  her  guarding  the  bread  from  ,mice. 

Warburtox. 
To  guard  the  bread  from  mice^  is  rather  the  office  of  a  cat  than  an 
#:u/.  In  barns  and  granaies^  indeed,  the  fervices  of  the  wd 
are  ftill  acknowledged.  This  was,  however,  no  mctamorphojh  ef 
tbc  c^mnnn  peffUy  but  a  Icgcnd.iry  Hory,  which  both  Dr.  Johnfon 
and  myielf  have  read,  yet  in  what  book  at  lead  I  cannot  recollect. 
— Ojt  Saviour  being  refufed  bread  by  the  daughter  of  a  baker ^  is 
defcribed  as  punifhing  her  by  turning  her  into  an  o^Ji'L 

Steevens. 

•  To'f:iorroz^  isy  Src]  '  Wirhout  ti<)nbf , 

'*  Good  mornr^v^  'tis  SaJnt  Fakntlne^s  day.     Farmer. 

•  —  don'd  his  deaths.     To  don^  is  to  do  on^  to  put  on,  as  ^£^is  to 
do  cff^  pMt  oil'.     Steevens. 

•  -^/;^dupt  iIk  chamher-door  ;]     To  dt/b^  i^Xo  do  ub'^  Jo  lift  tbc 
latch.     !»'  u  ere  cafy  to  write, 

Arid  Qp*d  ■'  Johnson, 

To 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.     347 

King.  Pretty  Ophelia ! 

Opb.  Indeed,  without  an  oath,  PU  make  an  end 
on't, 

*  By  Gis,  and  ly  Saint  Charity  y 

Alack y  and  fie  for  Jhame ! 
Toung  men  ^ill  do'^tj  if  tbey  come  to*t  5 
By  cock-^y  they  are  to  blame. 

To  dvpy  was  a  common  contraclion  of  to  do  up.  So,  In  Damom 
and  Fjtbias,  1582  :  **  —  the  porters  are  drunk,  will  they  not  <Ar^ 
the  gate  to-day  r 

Lord  Surry,  in  his  tranflation  of  the  fecond  ^ncid,  renders 
Tandunturporta^  ike.  <*  The  gales  cafi  upy  we  iflued  out  to  play.* 
The  phrafe  feems  to  have  been  adoptW  either  from  doing  up  the 
huh ^  ox  drawing  up  the /<>r/f/////i.  Again,  in  the  Gw>t^'i  Piayy  in 
the  Chefter  collecfllon  ot  myileries,  Ml*.  Harl  Joi  j,  p.  140  : 

**  Open  up  hell-gaics  anon." 
It  appears   from  j\Iarti?i  Mark-alt^s  j^paiogie  to  the  Bel-man  ff  Lfm^ 
don  J  1 6 10,  that  in  the  cant  of  gy  plies,  ficc.    Dup  the  gigger^  fignified 
to  open  tJjt  doorcm    Steevens. 

*  By  Gis, — ]     I  rather  imagine  it  ihould  be  read, 

^Cis, ^ — 

That  is,  by  St.  Cecily.     Johnson. 

by  &w/?/  Ciantyy]  Saint  Charity  is  a  known  faint  among 
tW  Roman  Catholics.    Spcnfer  mentions  her,  Eclog.  5-  255 : 

•*  Ah  dear  loid,  aiid  fwect  Saint  Charity  P' 
I  find,  by  Gijfe^  ufed  as  an  adjuration,   both  by  Gafcoigne  in  his 
Poem:,  by  Fredcn  in  his  Camhyfes^  and  in  the  comedy  of  Set  /nr, 
ajsd  See  me  noty  i6ii,  ' 

**  By  Gije  I  fwear,  were  I  fo  fairly  wed."  &c 
Again,  in  if.  Edward  I,  1599  : 

*•  By  G/V,  fair  lords,  ere  many  dnies  be  pad,  Sec/* 
Again,  in  Hey  wood's  23d  Epigram,  Foonh  Hundred  : 

**  Nay,  by  G/V,  he  looketh  on  you  maiftcr,  quoth  he.** 
Again,  in  The  Do-wnfall  of  Roh*  E,  0/ Huntington^  160 1  : 
'•  Therefore,  fvve«t  maftcr,  for  Saint  Charity,^* 

Steevens. 

There  is  not  the  leaft  mention  of  any  faint  whofe  name  cor- 
refponds  with  this,  either  in  the  Roman  Calendar^  the  icrvitc  in 
Ujum  Sarum^  or  in  fhe  Bencdidtionary  of  Bifticp  AtheUvold.  I 
believe  the  word  to  be  only  a  corrupted  abbreviatioii  of  Jffus.  the ' 
letters  J.  H.  S.  being  anciently  all  that  was  fet  down  to  denote 
that  iacrcd  name,  on  altars,  the  covers  ot  books,  S.c.      Ridley. 

^  By  cocL]  This  is  likewiTe  a  corruption  of  the  facrcd  name. 
Many  inlknces  of  it  arc  given  in  a  note  at  the  beginning  of  the  5  th 
A61  of  the  Second  Part  of  AT.  Henry  IV.     Stee  vens. 

I  ^uotb 


348  HAMLET, 

^otbjbe^  before  you  tumbled  me^ 
.  Tou  promised  me  to  wed :     He  anfwers  4» 
So  would  I  ba^  done,  by  yonder  fun. 
An  thou  baifi  not  come  to  my  bed. 
King.  How  long  hath  (he  been  thus  i 
Opb.  I  hope,  all  will  be  well.    We  nioft  be  pa- 
tient :  but  I  cannot  choofe  but  weep,  to  think,  they 
Ibould  lay  him  V  the  cold  ground  :  My  brother  ihaU 
know  of  it,  and  fo  I  thank  you  for  your  good  counieL 
Come,  my  coach  I  Good  night,  ladies ;  good  night, 
fweet  ladies  :  good  night,  good  night.  |[JExrV. 

King.  Follow  her  clofe ;  give  her  good  watch,  I 
pray  yoO.  [Exit  Horatio. 

O  \  this  is  the  poifon  of  deep  grief;  it  fprings 
All  from  her  father's  death:    And  now  behold, O 

Gertrude,  Gertrude, ' 
When  forrows  come,  they  come  not  fingle  fpies. 
But  in  battalions !  Firft,  her  father  flain ; 
Next,  your  fon  gone ;  and  he  mod  violent  author 
Of  his  own  juft  remove :  The  people  muddy'd. 
Thick  and  unwholfomein  their  thoughts,  and  wbil^ers. 
For  good  Polonius'  death;  and  we  have  done ^  but 

greenly, 
^  In  hugger-mugger  to  inter  him :  Poor  Ophelia 

Divided 

^  He  igMfajers.]    Thefe  words  I  have  added  from  the  quartos. 

Steeveks, 

5— Ja/  greenly,]     But  unJkiJfuJ^i   with  greenn^si    that  is 
without  maturity  of  judgment.    Johnson. 

*  In  hugger-mugger  to  inter  /Am  \ — ]     All  the  modern, editions 
that  I  have  confultcd,  give  it. 

In  private  to  inter  him  ;— 
That  the  words  now  replaced  are  better,  I  do  not  undertake  to 
prove;  it  is  fufficient  that  they  are  Shakefpeare's :  ifphnfeology 
IS  to  be  changed  as  words  grow  uncouth  by  difufe^  or  grois  by 
vulgarity,  the  hiftory  of  every  language  will  be  loft ;  we  (hall  no 
longer  have  the  words  of  any  author  5  and,  as  thefe  alterations 
will  be  ofrcn  unlkilfuUy  made,  we  (hall  in  time  have  very  Uttk  of 
hb  meaning.    Johnson. 

This  cxpreffion  is  ulcd  in  The  Reven^er^s  Tragedy  1609 : 

*«*^hf 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.     i4f 

Divided  from  hcrfelf,  and  her  fair  judgment ; 
Without  the  which  we  arc  pictures,  or  mere  beafts, 
Laft,  and  as  much  containing  as  all  thefe. 
Her  brother  is  in  fecret  come  from  France: 
7  Feeds  on  his  wonder,  keeps  himfclf  in  clouds^ 
And  wants  not  buzzers  to  infedt  bis  ear 
With  peftilent  fpeeches  of  his  father's  death ; 
•  Wherein  neceffity,  of  matfer  beggar'd. 
Will  nothing  flick  our  perfon  to  arraign 
In  car  and  ear.    O  my  dear  Gertrude,  this, 
9  Like  to  a  murdering  piece,  in  many  places 
Gives  mp  fuperflupus  death  !  [^A  noife  within. 

^een. 

,  **  —  he  died  like  a  politician 
**  In  bugger-mugger** . 
Shakefpcarc  probably  took  the  cxprcffion  from  the  folkwing 
paflagc  in  Sir  T.  North's  tranflation  of  Plutarch.—"  Antoniua 
•*  thinking  that  his  body  fliouki  be  honourably  buried,  and  not  in 
**  buggn^mugger^ 

Again*  in  Harrington's  Ariojio: 

So  that  it  might  be  done  in  hugger '-mugger. 
Sec  alio,  B.  2.   St.  13*.  It  is  likewife  in  Spenfer's  MotJnr 
IhMard's  Tale.  , 

Again,  in  Decker's  Satiromafiix  : 

**  One  word,  Sir  Quintilian,  in  hugger-mugger  J* 
It   appears  irom  Greene's    Greundvjok  ef  Cone^catchhgy   i^^^z*, 
that  t9. bugger^  was  to  lurk  about.     Steevkms. 
'  Feeds  on  bis  *;x}omler^ — ]     The  Iblio  reads. 
Keeps  on  bis  «tw«ii5rr,— 
The  quano, 

Feeds  on  this  wonder,^ 
Thus  the  true  reading  \%  picked  out  from  between  them.    Hanmcr 
reads  unneceirarily, 

Feeds  on  his  anger. JoHNsoy. 

•  Wherein  neccjjity^  &c.]     Hanmer  reads, 

Whence  animofity,  of  matter  beggared. 
He  fecms  not  to  have  undertlood  the  conncifHon.     Wherein^  that 
is,  in  luhich  peftilent  Jpecches,  necejjity,  or,  the  olligation  of  an  accufr 
to  fnpport  his  charge^  *wiU  nothing  Jtick^  Sec.     Johnson. 

*  JLrke  to  a  murdering  piccty — ]  Su/h  a  piece  as  alfaffins  ufc, 
wit*-  many  barrels.  It  u  necdiary  to  apprehend  this,  to  fee  the 
juflnefs  ol  the  limiiitude.    Wa£burt9n. 


J50  HAMLET^ 

^een.  Alack !  what  noife  is  this '  ?  * 

Enter  a  Gentkman. 

King.  Attend.     Where  are   my    Switzers?    tjct 
them  guard  the  door  :— 
What  is  the  matter  ? 

Gen.  Save  yourfelf,  my  lord  j 
»  The  ocean,  over-peering  of  his  lift. 
Eats  not  the  flats  with  more  impetuous  hafte. 
Than  young  Laertes,  in  a  riotous  head, 
O'cr-bears  your  officers  !  The  rabble  call  him,  lord ; 
And,  as  the  world  were  now  but  to  begin,    - 
Antiquity  forgot,  cuftom  not  known, 
^  The  ratificrs  anjl  props  of  every  ward,  * 

They 

Llh  a  muntering  pUce^ — ]     This  explanation  of  Dr.  Warbur- 

lon's  is  right ;   ai.d  a  paiTrge  in  TU  Douhli  Marriage  of  BeaumonC 

and  Fletcher  will  juflily  it : 

"  And,  like  a  mw dcring piece ^  aims  not  at  one, 
*'  But  all  I  hat  (land  within  the  dangerous  level.** 

Again,  in  Aid  lof,  by  Lufi^  a  tragedy,  by  Cyril  Turner^  1633 : 

*'  If  thou  trtiril  too,  the  King  coraes  with  a  murdering  picce^ 
y  In  the  rear." 

Again,  in  A  Fair  i^arrel^  by  Middleton  and  Rowlty,  itiz  : 
*'  There  is  not  fuch  another  murdering  puce 
•*  In  all  the  Hock  of  calumny."    Steevexs. 

*  Alack  I  &c.]  This  fpeech  of  the  Queen  is  omitted  in  the 
quartos.    Ste  evens. 

*  The  ocean y  orjer -peering  (f  his  lift,]  The  lifts  are  the  barnen 
which  the  fpc^lators  of  a  tournament  muft  not  pafs.     Johnson. 

*  The  Aiifiers  and  prtfs  of  every  word  ;]  The  uhOie  tenor  of 
ihe  context  is  fufficient  to  ft^ew,  that  this  is  a  miftaken  reading. 
What  can  antiquity  and  cuftom,  being  the  props  of  vjcrds^  have 
to  do  with  the  butmcfs  in  hand  i  Or  what  idea  is  conveyed  by  it? 
Certainly  the  poet  wro:e  : 

^'he  ratifiers  and  props  of  every  ward. 
The  meiTen^er  is  complaining  that  the  riotous  fccad  bad  overborne 
the  king's  officers,  and  then  I'ubjoins,  that  antiquity  and  cuftom 
wei-e  forgot,  which  n-era  the  ratifiers  and  props  of  every  'voard^ 
1.  e.  of  every  one  of  thofe  fecurities  that  nature  and  law  place 
abotit  the  pcrfon  of  a  king.  AU  this  is  rational  and  confer 
cjucntiaL    War  bur  ton. 

With 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.    3^51 

They  cry,  Cboofe  we  %  Laertes  Jball  be  king! 
Caps,  hands,  and  tongues,  applaud  it  to  the  cjouds, 
Laertes  jhall  he  king^  Laertes  king !  ' 

^een.  How  cheerfully  on  the  falfe  trail  they  cry!  • 
4  O,  this  is  counter,  you  falfe  Danifh  dogs. 

King.  The  doors  are  broke.  *  [Noife^wUbin. 

Enter  Laertes^  with  Withers. 

Laer.  Where  is  this   king  ?— Sirs,  (land  you  all 

without. 
AlU  No,  let's  come  in* 
Laer.  I  pray  you,  give  me  leave. 

With  this  emencUcipn,  which  was  in  TheohaldV  edition,  Han- 
mer  was  not  fatisfied.  It  is  indeed  harfh.  Hanmer  tranfporet 
the  lines,  and  reads, 

They  ay,  "  Chufe  we  Laertes  for  our  king;'* 
The  ratifiers  and  props  of  every  word,  '  *    ' 

Caps^  hands  J  and  tongues,  applaud  it  to  the  clouds. 
I  think  the  fault  may  be*  mended  at  lefs  expence,  by  readiAg^ 
Antiquity  forgot,  cujlom  not  kuinvny 
The  ratifiers  and  props  of  every  weal. 
That  is,  of  every  ^^wrr/TOTf/f/,     Johnson.' 

The  ratifiers  and  props  ff  every  word.}  '  By  qwrrfis  here  mipant 
a  declaration,  or  propofal ;  it  is  determlDCitl  to  ihU  fenie,  by^  the 
inference,  it  hath  to  what  had  juft  preceded, 
Tlje  rabble  call  him  lord,  5dc. 
This  accIamatioD,  which  is  the  ^ojord  here  fpoken  of,  was 
made  without  regard  to '  antkjuity,  or 'received  cuftgni,  whdfc 
concurrence,  however,  is  necelFarily  required  to  confer  validhy 
and  ftabiUty  in  every  propofal  of  this  kind.     Uevisal. 

Sir  T.  Hanmcr  would  tranfpofe  the  two  la  ft  li^gs.  Dr.  War- 
burton  propofes  to  read,  ivard;  and  Dr.  Johnfon.  *vi'eal,  iniltad 
of  I'-'ord.     I  (hould  be  rather  tor  reading,  «iiw /J.     Tyrvvhitt. 

The  ratifiers  and  ptrps  of  e*veiy  word.]  In  il.e  iirlt  folio  ihcic 
is  only  a  comma  at  the  end  ot  the  above  l^ie ;  and  will  nor  ihti* 
paflage  bear  this  conilru^ftion  ?— •  The  rabble  call  Mm  loid,  and 
as  it  the  world  were  now  but  to  beg'n,  and  as  if  the  imcient 
cvjftoin  of  hereditary  fuccefficn  were  unki;own,  they,  the  laiifitis* 
and  props  of  c-'ciy  ix^ord  he  utters^  ciy,  Let  us  make  choiLC,  ihitt 
J^aerics  ll  all  be  king.     Toli.et. 

-♦  O,  this  is  cou flier ^  you  filfe  DaniJJj  do-^,,']      Iluunvls  run  cvunter 
when  ihey  trace  the  trail  'jacLward. ,     J  oh  :.  -  o  n  . 

All. 


5iJi  «    A    M    L    E    T^ 

AU.  We  will,  wc  wilh  [ixtunt. 

Lmr.  I  thank  you  t— ^Kerp  the  &M. — O  thou  vife 
king. 
Give  me  my  fither. 

^een.  Calmly^  gOod  Laertes. 

LaH-.  That  drop  of  bkwd,  that*s  calm,  prochito^ 
me  baftard ; 
Cries,  cuckold,  to  my  father ;  br^^ridi  the  harlot 
Even  beit^  between  the  chafte  $  unfmirched  brow 
Of  my  true  mother. 

King.  What  is  the  caufe,  Laertes, 
That  thy  rebellion  looks  fo  giant^Iike  ? — 
Let  him  go,  Gertrude  ;  do  not  fear  our  perfon  ; 
There's  luch  divinity  doth  hedge  a  king^ 
That  treafon  can  but  peep  towSat  it  would, 
Afts  little  of  his  wilL — TeH  me,  Laertes, 
Why  thou  art  thus  incensM ; — Let  him  go,  Grf- 

trude  i— * 
Speak,  HKin. 

Laer.  Where  is  my  father  ? 

King.  Dead. 

^uem.  But  not  hj  him; 

King.  Let  him  demand  his  fill. 

Laer.  How  came  he  dead  ?    V\\  not  be  juggled 
with ; 
To  hell,  allegiance !  vows,  to  the  Wackeft  devil! 
Cpnfcience;  and  grace,  to  the  profoundcfk  pit ! 
I  dare  damnation  :  To  this  point  I  ftaud,-r- 
That  both  the  worlds  I  give  to  negligence. 
Let  come  what  comes  ;  only  V\\  be  revenged 
Moft  throughly  for  my  father. 

King.  Who  Qiall  flay  you  ?  . 

'  — *  vnfmirched  hrcrx^^  u  e«  clean,  not  defiled.  To  hcfmirchj 
our  auchor  ufcs  h€t  i.  8c.  5. 

This  fecms  tp  be  an  alludon  to  a  proverb  often  introduced  i& 
the  old  comedies.  Thus,  in  ^i  Lnndtm  Protllgal,  160 ^i  **  — a» 
irue  u  the  Ikia  bctwceo  any  maa's  brrJ:$.^    Steeve(^s^. 


1^  R  IN  CE   OT   DENMARK.     35^' 

Laer.  My  will,  not  all  the  world's : 
And,  for  my  means.  Til  hufband  therti  fo  well. 
They  (hall  go  far  with  little. . 

King.  Good  Laertes, 
If  you  defire  to  know  the  certainty 
Of  your  dear  father's  death,  is*c  writ  in  your  revenge^ 
Thaty  fweep-ftake,  you  will  draw  both  friend  and  foe> 
Wihnfcr  and  lofer  ? 

Laer.  None  but,  his  enemies* 

King.  Will  you  know  theno  then  ? 

Laer.  To  his  good  friends  thus  wide  V\\  ope  my 
arms; 
And,  like  the  kind  life-rendVing  pelican  \ 
Repaft  them  with  my  Wood. 

King.  Why,  now  you  fpeak 
Like  a  good  child,  and  a  true  gentleman. 
That  I  am  jguiltlefs  of  your  father's  death. 
And  am  moft  fenfible  in  grief  for  it, 
it  fhall  as  level  7  to  your  judgment  'pear. 
As  day  docs  to  your  eye. 

Crowd  within.  Let  her  come  in. 

Laer.  How  now  I  what  noile  is  that  ? 

•  ^■^lifi'TeMJ'rug pelicafif]     So,  In  the  ancient  ItUerhtde  of  Vd* 
fwre^  bL  1.  no  date  : 

•*  WIio  taught  the  cok  hyi  watche-bowres  to  obferve, 
**  Andfyugof  corage  wythftiryil  throte  on  lux? 
**  Who  taught  the  fellycan  her  lender  hart  tu  carve  ? — 
•«  For  (he  noIJe  futtcr  her  b\  rdys  to  Jye  V* 
it  it  almoft  needlet's  to  add  that  this  account  ot*  the  bird  is  entirely 
fiibulous.     Steevens. 

f  ''^to  your  juJgmint  'pear,]     So  the  quanb  ;  the  folio,  and  all 
the  later  editions,  read : 

■'  to  your  judgment  pierce^ 
left  tntelligibiyk     Johnson. 

This  elilion  of  the  verb  to  appear^  is  common  to  Betiumont  and 
Fletcher.     So,  in  S7^  Maid  in  the  Miilt.  "  —They  >^iw  fo  hand- 
fomely,  I  will  go  forwaid.** 
A^n, 

**  And  where  ihey  ^pesr  fo  excellent  in  little,      .    '• 
**  They  will  but  flame  in  great.**    Steevens. 

Vet.  X.  A  a  Enter 


354  H    A    M    t    E    T, 

Enter  OpheUa^  fantafiically  drefs^d  wiib  Jiraws  and 
flowers. 

O  heat,  dry  up  my  brains !  tears,  fevcn  times  Mty 
Burn  out  the  icnfe  and  virtue  of  mine  eye  f — 
By  heaven,  thy  madncfs  (hall  be  pay^d  with  weight, 
*Till  our  fcale  turn  the  beam*    O  rofe  of  May  \ 
Dear  maid,  kind  fitter,  fweet  Ophelia ! — 
O  heaVens !  is*t  poffible,  a  young  mcaid^s  wits 
Should  be  as  mortal  as  an  old  man's  life  ? 
•  Nature  is  fine  in  love :  and»  where  *ris  fine; 
It  fends  fome  precious  inflance  of  itfelf 
After  the  thing  it  loves. 

Oph.  ^  Tbtf  Pore  him  hare-fac^Z  on  the  Bier  ^ ; 
Hey  no  nonny,  nonny  bey  noUny^ 
And  on  bis  grave  rnitfd  many  attar  ;— 
Fare  you  well,  my  dove j 

Laer.  Hadft  thou  thy  wits^  and  didft  perfuade  re- 
venge. 
It  could  not  move  thus. 

•  Nature  is  fiDC  in  Idvt:  aruf^  vAerc  ^tisjUe^ 
It  finds  fomefreebus  infiance  tf  i^^ 

j^fr  the  tbii^  it  loves.']  TbdTe  line*  ate  iMt  to  the  qoaiftnv 
and  might  have  been  omitted  in  the  folio  without  great  k>(s,  tor 
the^  are  oblcure  and  afieded ;  bat,  I  think,  the^  requite  no  emcn- 
dauon.  Loive  (favi  Laertes)  is  die  paffion  by  which  mature  is  moj! 
exalted  and  t^/£mv/;  and  aftfuUbmoes,  rf/iited  and  fubtiliied,  caiUj 
obqr  amr  impulfib,  or  follow  aiw  artnidion^  fome  part  of  nature, 
lb  purimd  and  refiiedy  flie»  off  aher  the  attnhing  opjeO^  after  the 
thing  it  loves. 

As  into  air  the  pwper  J^kits  ^w. 
And  feparate  from  their  kindred  dregs  helo^ 
So  jie^  ijer  fouL  JoUNsoM. 

The  meaning  of  the  paflage  may  be-— that  Ivcr.wita,  Uke  tht 
fptrit  of  finedlences,  flew  off  or  emporated.    S-TEfivaNs^ 

^  Th^  hore  bim  hare-Jac^d  m  the  Uer,  &c.]    $q^  in.Ghtiicer^ 
'Kmihtfs  TaUy  late  edit,  ver,  287^ :    . 

'*  HekudhimbaretheYtfageoiitheberey 

^  Therwuh  he  wept  that  pUtt  was  tc^  \kp^    Stbsvsks.  . 

0|)h, 


PRilrfCE  or  OEHMARlt.    35^ 

Opb,  You  muft  fing,  Down  a-down  %  akyou  caUbim 
a-down-a. 
*  O,  how  the  wheel  becomes  it !  It  is  the  fallb  fteward^ 
tfasc'ftdte  hts  milter's  daughler. 

Laer^  This  nothing's  more  than  matter. 
Ofh*  ^  There'a  refemary,  thaic's  for  remetnbrance  } 
pray  yoQ,  lovey  remember  i  and  there  is  panfies^  that'i 
for  thoughts. 

Lain 

t  .^fingylitFOA  a-iff^n^  l^d-hapiij  SliaVcf]>cait  alludes  to  P^a^A 
Zonnti^  by  Tbo.  1-odge,  i^hich  the  t^der  may  find  in  England's 
HtUc0a^  1614: 

Dowke  a-dovivaf 
Thiw  PhillU  funjfi 
By  fincy  once  dilircflec!  i  fee; 
And  Co  fin^,  £,  ivith  Wiocv*^  d-downei^  fcc* 
^iy^WM  a-^wm  is  Ukewifethe  burthen  of  afongiti^^  T^rf  Z^/Vi 
^LonJon^  15^4)  ^^^^  perhaps  common  to  many  others;  Ste evens* 
•  O  bow  tie  wheel  becomes  it !]    \^e  (hould  read  wr^/.     She  is 
ikow  nmblidg  on  the  batlad  df  the  ileward  and  his  lord^s  daughters 
And  in  thefc  woixis  ipeaks  of  the  ftate  he  aflbmed.  WARBURTONi 
I  do  dot  fet  why  i^dl  is  better  thari  nJjtel.    The  ftor)'  alluded 
to  I  do  not  know;  but  perhaps  the  lady  Holeti  by  the  Reward  was 
teduced  to  J^in.     Jo  h  fr  s  o  n. 

Tnt  nnfi  fing^  2)«tt«-i*-4wr»i  &C; 

•*  O  how  the  vjikel  becomes  it  !**-=»•]  The  'tsjheel  may  meaa 
too  lUorc  thdn  ^  htrthen  tfihe  Jortg^  which  (he  had  Juft  repeated^ 
atid  as  fucb  was  formerly  ufed.  I  met  with  the  following  ob- 
fb^atfon  in  an  old  quano  Mack  letter  boolf,  publiflied  before  the 
dme  of  Shakefpeare. 

••  The  ibng  was  accounted  a  good  one,  thogh  it  was  not  moche 
•*  ^ced  by  ^nc  ^v^jftle^  which  in  no  wife  accorded  with  the  fubjcft 
•*  mitter  thereof.** 

I  quote  this  ftora  memory,  and  from  a  book,  of  which  1 
cannot  recollect  the  exa6t  title  or  date;  bdt  the  paflage  was 
in  a  preface  to  foiiic  fongs  or  fonhets,  1  ttdl  remember  to 
llave  met  with  the  word  in  the  fame  fenfc  in  other  old  books* 
The  iMllady  dluded  to  by  Ophelia,  is  perhaps  entered  on  the 
b(X>ksof  the  aitaiioners*  Company.  **  O^ober  1580.  Four  balladea 
tf  Che  Lord  of  Lorn  and  the  Fal/e  Stt^vanff  Sec,**  Stekveks. 
*  Therms  rtjematy^  thah  fir  remembrance:  dnd  there's  panJUs^ 
tbafs  fir  thcttgbls.']  There  i4  probably  fome"  mythology  in  the 
choice  ^f  theQ^  herbs,*  but  I  cannot  explain  it.  Panfies  is  for 
Awghts%  becaufe  of  its  name,  Penfas ;  but  why  rofemary  indicates 

A  a  remembrMci^ 


35^  HAMLET, 

Laer,  'A  document  in  madnds ;  thoughts  and  rS 
mcmbrance  fitted. 

Opb.  There's  fennel  for  you,  and  columbines  * : 
«  There's  rue  for  you; — and  here's  fomc  for  oic :— i 

we 

remembrance^  except  that  ic  is  an  eyer-green,  and  carried  at  funeoli^^ 
I  have  not  difcovered.     Johhsojc, 
So,  in  All  Fools,  a  comedy,  by  Chapman,  1605: 
**  What  flowers  are  thelc? — 
**  The  Pan/e  this. 
**  O,  that's  for  lovers'  thoughts  P* 
Rofemary  was  anciently  fuppofed  to  ftrcngthen  the  memory,  and 
was  not  only  carried  at  funerals,  but  worn  at  weddings,  as  appearsfrom 
a  pafTage  in  Beaumont  and  Fletcher's  EUer  Brother^  Ad  3.  &•  j. 
And  from  another  in  Ram-AUey^  or  Meny  Tricks^  i6n  : 
"  —  will  I  \^  <wed  this  morning, 
"  Thou  fhalt  not  be  there,  nor  once  be  graced 
**  With  a  piece  o^  rnjemofy,^ 
Again,  in  the  Nolle  SpaniJIj  SoUicr^  1634. :     '*  I  meet  few  biit  are 
iluck  with  rnjemary :  every  one  a/ked  me  who  was  10  be  marrie^ 
Again,  in  Qxcznt^  Never  too  la/e^  it  16:    "  —  (he  hath  given 
thee  a  nofegay  of  flowers,  wherein,  as  a  top-gallant  for  all   the 
red,  is  ^Qt  in  roji maty  for  rcmcfujrance,^     Steevens* 

^  Tlcrc^s  tennel^V^vv,  aTt.'i  columbine^ :]  Greene,  in  his  J^f 
for  an  U^art  Courtier^  16  20,  Cd^XsfcnHtly  i\:on:cn*srJCccds  :  *'  fit  ge- 
nerally lor  that  fex,  fith  while-  they  are  maidens,  tlicy  wiflx  wan- 
tonly.^ 

\  I  know  not  of  what  columbines  were  fuppofed  to  be  emble- 
matical. They  are  again  mentioned  in  All  Fools^  by  Chapman, 
1605  : 

"  What's  that  ?— a  colnmllne  7 

"  No ;  that  thanklcfi  flower  grows  not  in  my  garden." 
Gerard,  however,  and  other  herbalins,  impute  few,  if  any,  vir- 
tues to  thcin  ;    and  they  may  theietore  be  fliled  thanhlejs^  bccaufc 
they  appear  to-  make  no  grateful   return  tor  their  creation. 
Ag^in,  in  the  i^ih  Song  of  Drayton's  Polyolhion: 

"  The  columUne  anioogil,  they  fparingly  do  fet," 
From   the  Cahha  Poctarum^  i599>  i^  fliould  feem  as  if  this  flower 
was  the  emblem  of  cuckoldom  : 

*'— the  blew  rt?r«»/r// columbine,^ 
"  Like  to  the  crooked  horns  of  Acheloy.  .  SteeYens. 
'  Tljeris  Tuf  for  you  ; — and  herc*s  feme  for  me:^^-^  may  caU  it 
herb  of  grace  o'  Sundays  :]  Hcrlf  af grace  is  the  name  the  country 
people  give  to  rue.  And  the  reafon  is,  becaufe  that  herb  was  a 
principal  ingredient  in  the  potion  which  the.  Romifli  priefts  ufed  to 
tbrce  the  poi.cfled  to  fwallow  down  when  they  cxorcifcd  them. 

Now 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.    357 

tvc  may  call  it,  herb  of  grace  o'  fundays : — ^  you 
toay  wear  your  rue  with  a  difference. — Thcre*s  a 
daify : — I  would  give  you  fome  violets  ;  but  they 
wither^  all,  when  my  father  died  : — They  fay,  he 
made  a  good  end, — 

7  For  hnf^  fweet  Robin  is  all  my  joy, 

Laer.  Thought,  and  affliftion,  paffion,  hell  itfelf. 
She  turns  to  favour,  and  to  pretfinefs. 

Oph. 

Now  thcfe  ciorcifms  being  performed  ^ncrally  on  a  Sunday,  in 
the  church  before  the  whole  congregation,  is  the  rcafon  why  (he 
fays,  we  may  call  it  herh  tf  grace  o^  Sumiays.  Sandys  tells  us,  tnat  at 
Grand  Cairo  there  is  a  fpccies  oirue  much  in  requefl,  with  which 
the  inhabitants  perfume  themfelvcs,  not  only  as  a  prefervative 

r'nft  infection,  but  as  very  powerful  againft  evil  (piritB.  And 
cabaliftic  Gaffarel  pretends  to  have  dii'covered  the  reafon  of 
its  virtue,  La  fimence  de  rue  cjl  fai^e  comme  une  crbix^  et  c^ eft  par a^ 
n^nturt  la  caufe  queUe  a  font  de  vcrtu  conire  les  pojrdezy  et  que  PEgilfe 
s^en  firt  en  les  exardfani.  It  was  on  the  fame  principle  that  the 
Greeks  called  fulphur^  Sirov,  becaufe  of  its  ufe  in  their  fuperflitious 
pursationt  by  nre.  Which  too  the  Romifh  priefbs  employ  to 
fumigate  in  their  exorcifms  ;  and  on  that  account  hallow  or  con- 
tooTXt  it.    Warburton. 

There* s  rue  for  you  \  and  her^s  fome  fir  me^  tcci  I  believe 
there  is  a  quibble  meant  in  this  paflagc;  rue  anciently  fignifying 
the  fame  as  Ruth^  i.  e.  fonovv.  Oph^ilia  gives  the  queen  fome, 
and  keeps  a  proportion  of  it  for  berfelf.  There  is  the  fame  kind 
of  play  with  the  fame  word  in  King  Richard  the  Second. 

Herb  cf  Trace  is  one  of  the  titles  which  Tvcca  gives  to  William 
RufuSf  in  Becker* s  Satiro*naf:lx.  I  fuppofe  the  fiill  fyllabie  of  the 
furname  i?«fu8  introduced  the  quibble.     Steevens. 

•  You  may  wear  your  rue  ti///^  a  dijjlrence.}  This  feems  to 
icfer  to  the  rules  of  heraldry,  whtre  the  youn:;er  brothers  of  a 
family  bear  the  fame  arms  vjiih  a  differ e nee ^  or  mark  of  dillindtion/ 
So,  in  Holinlhed's  Reign  of  King  Richard  II.  p.  445  :  "  —  becaufe 
he  was  the  youngeil  of  the  Spenfers,  he  bare  a  border  gules  fur  a 
difference!^ 
'  There  may,  howev^,  he  fcmeivhat  more  implied  here,  than  is 
cxpreiTed.  Jlw,  ihadam  (ihys  Ophelin  to  the  Queen),  7na^  call 
your  It  U  E  ^  iti  Snnday  name^  1 1 E  R  2  o  F  C  R  A  C  E ,  and  fo  ^ji^ar  it  ivi^ 
a  difference  to  dtfiinguifh  it  from  minc^  ivhicb  can  Ttever  he  aiiy  thing 
hut  merely  rue,  \,c,firrfK:\     Steevens, 

'^  For  bonny  fivcet  Rchin  is  alhm  j'^\ — ]     This  is  part  of  an 
©!d  long,  mentioned  likenafc  by  Beaumont  and  Fletcher.     Tuv 
Nobk  Kinfttten,  A6t  4.  So.  i  : 
7  •  A  a  3  "  —  I 


^8  HAMLET, 

Oph.  4nd  will  be  UBi  c$me  again  ? 
4nd  will  if  HBt,  c$me  again  ? 

No^  noj  hf  is  dead. 

Go  to  thy  dcatlhbed^ 
fie  never  will  come  again. 

*  His  heard  was  as  white  ai  fnev;^ 
411  fiaxen  was  bis  pelt: 
He  is  gone  J  be  is  gone. 
And  we  cajl  away  moan  \ 
God  a*  mercy  on  bis  fouh! 
^nd  of  all  chriftiah  fp^ls !  I  pray  Gpd^     God  be 
wi'yo^. 

[EnUOfk 
Laer.  Do  you  fee  this,  O  God  ? 
King.  Laertes,  I  muft  common  with  your  grief, 
Or  you  deny  me  right.     Go  but  apart. 
Make  phojce  of  whom  your  wifcft  friends  yoa  will, 
And  they  fliall  hear  and  judge  hfii&  ypu  iw4  nie : 

*•  —  I  can  (ing  the  broomi 
<*  And  Bom  ftSfln.'' 
In  the  books  of  the  Statboert*  Cpmpapy,  a6  April,  i^4f  if 
f  ntetcd  ^*  A  balla4,  intituled,  A  doleful  adewre  to  the  lad  Erie  (y 
Parbie,  to  the  tune  ii(  Bofixyfumt  Robin?    Stesvsvs. 

*  His  heard *W€U  as  ^jite  as  fnvasy  &c.]     Thii,  and .  feveral  cir* 
cumilances  in  the  character  of  Ophelia^  feem  to  have  been  ridi- 
culed in  Eaft^voard  Hoe^  a  comedy  written  by  Ben  Jon&o,  Chap> 
ipan,  and  Mirdon,  printed  1605,  A^  3: 
**  His  bead  as  ^jchite  as  mitk^ 
**  All  Jiaxen  was  his  bmr ; 
**  But  now  bi^s  diady 
*^  And,  laid  in  his  hfd^ 

*'  And  mver  'usill  come  again* 
**  God  be  at  your  labour  \        STESVtNi. 
•  God  c^miffy  on  his  foul! 
And  of  all  Chri^ian  fouls  /]    This  ii  the  coflQfloon  ConduftOA 
fo  many  of  the  ancient  monumental  iurcriptions*    See  Weevtr's 
Funeral  Monuments^    p.  657,  658.     Beithelettey  the  publifiier  of 
C70wef*8  Conftjio  Amantis^  1554,  fpeaking  firft  of  the  funeral  of 
Phaucer,  and  then  of  Gowcr,  fays,  <*  —  he  lieth  buried  in  the 
monailene  of  Seynt  Peter's  at  Weftminiter,  &c»  On  wbo/i  fiukt 
ittd aU cbrifien^  Jefu  have  nurcieP    St££ YfiNt* 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.    359 

If  by  dircft  or  by  collatend  hAnd 

They  find  us  couch'd,  we  will  our  kingdom  give. 

Our  crown,  our  life,  and  all  that  we  cfdl  ours^ 

To  you  in  fatisfadiion  ;  but,  if  not. 

Be  you  concent  to  lend  your  patience  to  us, 

And  we  fhall  joinriy  labour  with  your  foul 

To  give  it  due  content. 

Laer.  Let  this  be  fo ; 
His  oieans  of  death,  his  o^ure  funeraj, — 
I  No  trophy,  fword,  nor  hatchment  o'er  his  bones. 
No  noble  rite,  nor  formal  oftentation^ — 
Cry  to  be  heard,  as  'twere  from  heaven  to  earth. 
That  I  muft  call't  in  queftion. 

King.  So  you  Ihall  j 
*  And,  where  the  offence  is,  let  the  great  axe  fall* 
T  pray  you,  go  with  me*  [Exeunt. 

SCENE       VL 

Another  Room* 

Enter  Horatio,  with  a  Servant. 

Hor.  What  are  they,  that  would  fpeak  with  me  ? 
Serv,  Sailors,  fir ; 
They  fay,  they  have  letters  for  you. 

*  Ko  tropljyyfvoord^  or  haichmnnt — ]  It  was  the  cuftom,  in  the 
tiroes  of  our  author,  to  hang  a  fword  over  the  grave  of  a  knight. 

•JOHN»ON. 

AV  irofhy^JvMfrd^  nor  hatchment  o\r  bis  homsjl  This  pra^ice  is 
vnitbrmfy  kept  up  to  this  day.  Not  only  the  ft^ord»  but  the 
helmet,  gauntlet,  fpurs,  and  taburd  (i,  e.  a  coat  whereon  the 
armorial  enfigns  u-ere  anciently  deptd^ed,  from  whence  the  term 
coat  of  armour)  are  hung  over  the  grave  of  every  knight* 

Sir  J.  Hawkins* 

•  Aiid  wJjert  iho  offtnco  is^  itt  thi  ptat  9X<cJkIL]  We  (hould 
ready 

— •  ki  the  great  tax  falL 
I.  r,  penalt)',  puniihment*     Warburtok. 
Fali  correiponds  better  xo  axe.    Jo h  ti s  oa^ 

A  a  4  Hor. 


s6o  H    A    M    L    E    r, 

H$r.  Let  them  come  in. — 
I  do  not  know  from  what  pure  of  the  world 
I  Ihould  be  {greeted^  if  not  frocA  lord  Hamlets 

Enler  Sailors. 

Sail.  God  blefs  you,  fir. 

Hor.  Let  him  blefe  thee  too. 

SaiL  He  fluO,  fir,  an't  pleafc  him.  There'$  ^^ 
letter  for  you,  fir :  it  comes  from  the  embaffadoif 
that  was  bound  for  England ;  if  youi:  name  be  Ho- 
ratio, as  I  am  let  to  know  it  is. 

Horatio  reads  the  letter. 

HORATIOt  when  thou  Jhalt  have  overbok^4  fbis^ 
give  tbefe  fellows  fome  means  to  the  king  j  they  have 
letters  jor  Jbi^*  Ere  we  were  two  days  old  at  fe^^  a 
firute  of  very  warlike  appointment  gave  us  cbacei 
Finding  our f elves  too  flow  of  fail^  we  put  on  a  com* 
feWd  valour  \  and  in  the  grapple  I  boarded  them  :  on 
the  injiant^  they  got  clear  of  our  Jhip  \  fd  I  alone  be- 
came  their  prifoner.  ^hey  have  dealt  with  me^  like 
thieves  of  mercy  5  but  they  knew  what  they  did ;  /  am 
to  do^  a  good  turn  for  them.  Let  the  king  have  the 
Utters  I  have  fent  [  and  repair  thoft  to  me  with  as 
much  hajie  as  thou  would'Ji  fly  death*  I  have  words 
tofpeak  in  thine  tar^  will  make  thee  dumb ;  yet  are  they 
much  too  light  ^  for  the  bore  of  the  matter.,  Tbefe 
good  fellows  will  bri^ig  thee  where  lam.  Rofencrantz 
and  uuildenjlern  hold^  their  courfe  for  England:  of 
them  I  have  much  to  tell  thee.     Farewel.  -j 

Ht  that  thou  knowefi  thine^  Hamlet, 

J  ^fir  the  bore  of  the  matter,']  The  hifre  is  the  caliber  of  a  gun, 
a^  the  capacity  of  the  barrel.  Tbi  matter  (fap  Hamlet)  would  carrji 
heamicr-sxiOTds.    Johnson. 

Comei 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK,     361 

Come,  I  will  make  you  way  for  thefe  your  letters  ; 

And  do't  the  fpeedier,  that  you  may  dircft  me 

To  him  from  whom  you  brought  them.       lExeunt^ 

SCENE        VII. 

Another  Roam. 

Enter  Ktng^  and  Laertes. 

I^ing.  Now  muft  your  confcience  my  acquittance 
feal. 
And  you  muft  put  me  in  your  heart  for  friend  ; 
Sith  you  have  heard,  and  with  a  knowing  ear. 
That  he,  which  hath  your  noble  father  flaiq^ 
^rfu'd  my  life. 

Laer.  Ic  well  appears  : — But  tell  me, 
Why  you  proceeded  not  againft  thefe  feats. 
So  crimeful  and  fo  capital  in  nature. 
As  by  your  fafety,  greatnefs,  wifdom,  $\\  things  elfe. 
You  mainly  were  ftirr*d  up? 

King.  O,  for  two  fpecial  reafons ; 
Which  may  to  you,  perhaps,  feem  much  unfinew'd,' 
And  yet  to  me  they  are  ftrong.     The  queen,  his 

mother, 
Lives  almoft  by  his  looks ;  and  for  myfelf^^ 
(My  virtue,  or  my  plague,  be  it  either  which) 
She  is  fo  conjunftive  to  my  life  and  foul. 
That,  as  the  ftar  moves  not  but  in  his  fphere, 
I  could  not  but  by  her.     The  other  motive. 
Why  to  a  publick  count  I  might  not  go. 
Is,  the  great  love  4  the  general  gender  bear  him : 
Who,  dipping  all  his  faults  in  their  affedlion, 
s  Work,  like  the  fpring  that  turneth  wood  to  ftone, 

^  '^  the  gtneral  genJer]     The  common  race  of  the  people. 

Johnson, 

5  Work,  like  tU  J^rlag^^']    Thi»  fiipile  is  neither  very  fcafon- 
able  in  the  deep  interell  of  this  convcrfation,  nor  very  accuraicly 
fippHfed.     If  the  Jpn'fig  had  changed  bafe  metals  to  gold,   the 
.tj^ought  had  been  more  proper.    Johnson.  ' 
• -•TnC  folioj  infUad  of— iwr^,  read8<^-aw«/r/.    St££V£ns. 

Convert 


36s  HAMLET, 

Convert  bis  gyves  to  graces }  £>  tbac  my  mroivn^ 
Too  fliehtly  timber'd  for  fo  loud  a  wind  ^ 
Would  nave  reverted  to  my  bow  «g^ 
And  not  where  I  had  aim'd  them* 

Laer.  And  fo-have  I  a  n#blc  fadifr  kft; 
A  fitter  driven  into  defperate  terms  ; 
Whofe  worth,  ?  if  praifes  may  go  back  again. 
Stood  challenger  oo  cnooiit  o£  ail  tfae  ige 
For  her  perfedions  :— But  my  revenge  will  come 

King,  creak  not  your  fleeps  for  chat :  you  muft 
not  think, 
That  we  are  made  of  fluff  ib  flat  and  .dull. 
That  we  can  let  our  beard  be  (hook  with  '  danger  \ 
And  think  it  paftimc.    You  Ihortly  (hall  bear  more ; 
I  lov'd  your  wther,  and  we  love  ourfelf ; 
And  that,  I  hope,  will  teach  you  to  imagbe, — 
How  now  ?  what  news  9  ? 

Enter  a  Mejfenger. 

Meffl  Letters,  my  lonl,  from  Hamlet  < : 
This  to  your  majefty  ;  tkk  to  the  queen, 

/Sw.  From  Hamkt !  Who  brought  them  ? 

Meyl  Sailors,  my  lord,  they  fay :  I  faw  them  not ; 
They  were  givtca  me  by  Claudio,  be  receivM  them 

*  — fii'fi  i^uda  wi/ui,']  Thui  the  foUo.  One  of  the  quartot 
reads—  for  (b  loveJ^  artttd.  If  thcfe  words  have  ^ny  meaoing,  it 
ihould  fccin  to  be — The  inftruments  of  offence  I  employ,  would 
have  proved  too  weak  to  injure  one  who  is  fi>  lovtd  and  armdhy  the  * 
afife6tion  of  the  people.  Their  love,  like  armawry  would  xevert  the 
arro9¥  to  the  bow.    Steevens. 

^  *—  if  praifes  ma;^  go  hack  ogaiMf']    If  I  may  praife  what  hii 
been*  but  is  now  to  be  found  no  more.    Johnson. 

'  fhai  we  can  lei  0ttr  heard  hi  Jbook  wiw  ,daftger^^     It  is  wonder- 
ful that  none  of  the  advocates  for  the  learning  of  Shsd^efpeare  have 
told  us  that  this  line  is  imitated  from  Perflusy  Sat.  2 : 
Idcirco  ftoUdamprabet  tihi  'vellere  harham 
Ju^erf     Steevens. 

•  HtFMmvo?  &c.]    Omitted  in  the  quartos.    Theobald* 
'  Letters.  5ccr1    Omitted  in  the  quanos*    St&eyens. 

*  Of 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.    363 

Of  turn  that  Voiigbt  them  \ 

King.  Laertea>  you  0iall  hear  them  ;-^ 
IjsaLWt  us.  [Eptit  Mfjf. 

HIGH  and  migity^  yw  jAaUin^v,  I  am  fit  wM 
m  your  kingdom.  It^-morrcw  JbaU  I  teg  leave  t9 
fee  your  kingly  eyes:  wbem  I  JMl^  firfi  i^ing  y^ur 
far  don  thereunto  y  reeoum  tbececafitm  ofw^Jnddm  and 
morejlrange  tetmm.  Hamkt* 

What  (hould  this  mean  \  Are  all  the  reft  come  batik? 
Or  is  it  fome  abufe^  and  no  fuch  thing  ? 

Laer.  Know  you  the  hand  P 

Kii^f  *T\%  Hamlet^s  charafter.    Nakedy^^ 
And,  in  a  poftfcript  here»  he  fays^  alone  :^ 
Can  you  advifc  me  ? 

Laer.  I  am  loft  in  it,  my  lord.    But  let  him  come^ 
}t  warms  the  very  fiqkneft  in  my  heart. 
That  I  fhall  live  and  tell  him  to  his  teeth, 
fbus  diddeji  thou. 

King.  If  it  be  ib,  Laertes,— 
4^s  how  fliould  it  be  fo  ?-T-faow  othopwifei'*^ 
Will  you  be  rul'd  by  mef 

Laer. .Ay f  my  lord; 
3o  you  will  not  o'er-rule  me  to  «  peace. 

King.  To  thine  own  peace.    If  be  be  now  re*' 
turned, — 
$  As  checking  at  his  voyage,  and  that  be  mean) 

^  Of  bim  4bat  hrmight  fbemJ]    I  bave  reftored  diis  hemiftich 
Ikdid  the  quartos.     Stsetens. 

*  jis  liking  not  his  'wy^^,-^-]    The  folio. 

As  CMcking  at  bis  vqyare. 
Oifekmg  18, 1  think,  the  beS  reading.    The|&fafb  k  fc^m  fal« 
pomy ;  and  may  be  juftified  from  the  following  paflage  in  HuulAs 
'    £S^0  UHJinofi^  1606 :  *^  —  For  who  knows  not,  quoth  (he,  that 
fhis  hawk,  which  comes  now  fo  fair  to  die  fifl,  may  to*inonroiw 
fkidk  at  the  lure  ?** 
i^ain,  in  G.  Whetftone*8  Caflle  if  Delight,  tijS: 
*•  Bttt  as  the  hawke,  to  gi>d  which  knowes  the  way, 
ffWiQ  hardly  leave  to  ciwnlrafcamen  Crowes,  ^c.**  6ti£1^cv«« 
5  No 


364  H    A    M    L    E    T, 

No  more  to  undertake  it,-^I  will  work  him 
To  an  exploit,  how  ripe  in  my  device. 
Under  the  which  he  (hall  not  choofc  but  fall : 
And  for  his  death  no  wind  of  blame  (h^l  breathe } 
But  even  his  mother  (hall  uncharge  the  pradlice. 
And  call  it,  accident, 

Laer.  4  My  lord,  I  will  be  rul'd ; 
The  rather,  if  you  could  devife  it  fo. 
That  I  might  be  the  organ. 

King.  It  falls  right. 
You  have  been  talked  of  (ince  your  travel  muck. 
And  that  in  Hamlet's  hearings  for  a  qualiry 
Wherein,  they  fay,  you  (hine:  your  fum  of  parts 
Did  not  together  pluck  fuch  envy  from  him^ 
As  did  that  one ;  and  that,  in  my  regard, 
5  Of  the  unworthFeft  fiege. 

Latr.  What  part  is  that,  my  lord  ? 

King.  A  very  ribband  in  the  cap  of  yOuth, 
Yet  needful  too ;  for  youth  no  lefs  becomes  : 

The  light  and  carelefs  livery  that  it  wears. 
Than  fettled  age  his  fables,  and  his  weeds, 
^Importing  health,  and  gravenefs. — Two   month< 

fince. 
Here  was  a  gentleman  of  Normandy, — 
I  have  fecn  myfelf,  and  fcrv*d  againtt,  the  French, 

^  IjurJ]    The  next  fixteen  lines  are  omitted  in  the  folio. 

Steevens. 
»  Cf  the  um)frtbieft  ^'^gz.']    Of  the  lowcH  rank.    Sltgt^  ior  Jht^ 
place,    Johnson. 

So,  in  Othello :     *'  —  I  fetch  my  birth 

"  From  men  of  royz\  Jtcge,^*    "Steevens. 
•  Imporiing  health  and gravene/s.'^'\     But  a  warm  furr'd  gown 
rather  in>plies  ficknei's  than  health,    Shokefpeare  wrote. 

Importing  v/td\i.)x  and gravencjs,—^ 
u  e*  that  the  wearers  are  rich  burg^ieFS  and  magidrates. 

VVarburtoi^ 
Importing  here  may  be,  not  infirriMg  by  logical  confequen^  but 
producing  by  phyiical  effcd.     A  young  man  regards  ihoW  inliia 
drefs,  an  old  man, /'f «///'.    Johnson^ 

2  And 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.     365 

And  they  can  well  pn  horfeback :  but  this  gallant 
Had  witchcraft  in't;  he  grew  unto  his  feat;     I 
And  to  fuch  wondrous  doing  brought  his  horfe. 
As  he  had  been  incorps'd  and  dcnny-natur'd 
With  the  brave  beaft :  fo  far  be  topp'd  my  thought. 
That  1, 7  in  forgery  of  (hapes  and  tricks. 
Come  fliort  of  what  he  did. 

Laer.^  A  Norman,  was't? 

King.  A  Norman.  ... 

Lapr^  Upon  my  life,  Laniond. 
,.  King.  The,  very  iame.  4 

Laer.  1  know  him  well :  he  is  the  brooch,  indeed,  , 
And  gem  qf  all  the  nation.  .       ^ 

King.  He  made  COTfefljon  of  you;  ;    -  .  ' 

And  gave  you. fuch  a  mafterly  report,      ^    ,      . 
For  art  and  exercife  ^  in  your  defence. 
And  for  your  rapic.c  npioft  efpccial. 
That  he  cried  out,  'Twoiild  be  a  fight  indeed. 
If  one  could  match  you :  ^nhe  fcrimers  of  their 

nation, 
He  fwore,  had  -neither  motion,^guard,  nor  eye,     . 
If  you  oppds'd  them  :  Sir,  this  repotr  of  his 
Did  Hamlet  fo  envenom  with  his  enVy,  .   v    . 

That  he  could  nothing.do,,  but  wilh  and  beg 
Your  fudden  coming  o'er,  to  play  with  him.  ", 
Now  out  of  this,-T —  :        '     '   ' 

Laer.  What  out  of  this,  ray  Iwd  ?        ... 

King.  Laertes,  was  your  father  dear  to  you.? 
Or  are  you  like  the  painting  of  a  forrow,  ; 
A  face  without  a  heart  ?  ' 

I^aer.  Why  alk  you  this  ? 

^  — /a^^^jrry  dfjbapts  and  trkh^     I  coukl,  not  contrive  fo 
ny«iy  proofs  of  dexterity  as  he  couW  perform.    Johnson. 

•  ^^  in  your  defence;]    TJiat  is,  in  ihc/aence  ^defence. 

Johnson* 

•  .^tbe  /crimers-^l    Th^fincers.    Johnson. 
This  paflage  Is  not  in  thc-ioUo.     Sxtfi v£^  $. 


36ft 


H    A    M    L    E    r. 


7  A  fword  .unbatedi  aod^  in  ^  a  pals  of  pra^c^ 
llequite  him  for  your  father. 

haer.  I  will  do't : 
And,  for  the  purtx)(c,  FU  anoint  my  fword; 
I  boi^ht  an  pndion  of  a  mountebank^ 
So  mortal)  that,  but  dip  a  knife  in  it^ 
Where  it  draws  blood,  no  cacaplalin  fo  rare; 
Cplleftc^i  from  all  fimples  that  have  virtue 
Under  the  moon,  can  fave  the  thing  from  deatbji 
That  is  but  fcratch'd  withal :  fH  touch  my  point 
*With  this  contagk>n ;  that,  if  I  gall  him  (lightly. 
It  may  be  death. 

King.  Let's  further  think  of  this ; 
Weigh,  what  convenience,  both  of  time  and  oieansj 
9  May  fit  us  to  our  (hapc  -•  If  this  fhould  fail. 
And  that  our  drift  look  through  our    bad  per^ 

formance, 
/Twere  better  not  aflay'd  ;  therefore,  this  projedt 
Should  have  a  back,  or  fecond^  that  might  hold, 

^  A  fi^iord  unhaiedy — ]  /.  <,  not  blunted  as  foils  arc.  Or,  * 
•one  edition  has  it,  embaited  or  emfenomed,     PdPE. 

There  is  no  fuch  reading  as  emhahed  5n  any  ediridn.  In  Sir 
Thomas  North's  Tranflation  of  Plutarch,  it  is  faid  of  one  of  the 
Mttellij  that  **  he  fliewcd  the  people  the  cruel  fight  of  fcnc^  it 
tun-i^ed {words.**    Steeyens.  " 

•  -^aia/s  if  praBice^    Practice  is  often  by  Shakefpearc,  and 
other'  writers,  taken  for  an  infidlous  Jlriitagemj  or  privy  treafon,  a 
(enfe  not  incongruous  to  this  paflage,   where  yet  I  rather  believe, 
that  nothing  more  is  meant  than  a  thrufl  fir  exerctfe.    Jobnson; 
-  •  So,  in  Look  ahoutyeny  i6oO  : 

**  I  pray  God  there  be  no  pra^lce  in  this  change.** 
Again,  *•  —  the  man  is  like  to  die  : 

"  PraHicty  by  th'mafs,  praBife  by  the,  &c.— i» 
"   ■  •    **  FraBlJi  by  the  Lordy  praBitey  f  fee  it  clear.'* 
Again,  more  appofitcly  in  our  author's  Twelfth  Nlgbk^   A61  ^# 
€c.  ult. 

This  praB/fi  hath  moft  (hrtwdly  pa//d  upon  thee. 

SxEfi^E/ff. 
•  Mi^  fit  us  fo  our  fiuipt: — ]     May  enM  us  td  ^Jfume  proper 
tbaroBers,  and  to  att  our  pan.    Johnson. 


I^IttNCE  o#  DENMARK.     369 

If  this  Ihould  '  blaft  in  proof.    Soft ; — let  mi  fee :  ^^ 

^We'll  make  a  folemn  wager  oo  your  cunniogs>**^ 

Iha't: 

When  in  your  motion  you  are  hot  and  dry, 

(As  make  your  bouts  more  violent  to  that  end) 

And  that  he  calls  for  drink,  *  111  have  prepared  him 

A  chalice  for  the  nonce;  whereon  but  iipping^ 

If  he  by  chance  pfcape  your  venom'd  fiuck^ 

Our  purpc^  may  hold  there.    Bat  ftay^  what  noife '  ? 

EfUsr  ^ifu 

How  flow,  Iweet  queen  ? 

^een.  One  woe  doth  tread  upon  another's  heel  4^ 
So  faft  they  follow : — ^Your  fitter's  drown'd,  Laertes* 

Laer.  DrownM  !  O,  where  ? 

Sijfecn.  There  is  a  willow  grows  afcaunt  the  brook  5, 
That  Ihews  hii  hoaf  leaves  in  the  glafly  ftream  \ 
Therewith  fantaftic  garlands  did  (he  make, 
Of  crow-flowers,  nettles,  daifies,  ^  and  long  purples. 

That 

*  —  blafi  in  pro(^,\  T^his,  1  b^vej»  it  a  metaphor  taken  fixwi 
a  mine,  which,  in  theproof  orexecution|  ibmeumM  breaks  out 
likrith  an  ineffe^al  hUfi^,    JouNSom 

The  word /TM^  (hews  the  metaphor  to  be  taken  from  the  trying 
or  proving  fiie-arms  or  cannoni  which  often  hk^  or  hafi,  in  tb9 

froaf.     STfiBVENS, 

^  —  TU  h»ve  prepared  biin'\  Thus  the  folio.    The  tjnartos  read» 

I'll  have/r{/^V  him.    Stke  v£Ns» 
^  ^^But  ftqy^  vjIhu  MctftT]    J  have  recovered  this  from  tba 
quartos.    S-teevens* 

^  O/u  woe  dotb  tread  tifom  an0tber^s  iM»]  A  fimiW  thought  QC« 
curs  in  Pericles  Prince  rf  ^re^  1609  ' 

'^  One  forrow  never  comes,  but  brings  an  heir 
<*  That  may  fuccoed  as  his  inheritor*      St^KTENs; 
<  «-«>  afcaunt  tife  hrooky'\    Thus  the  (]uartos*    The  tblio  readf| 
eiflani.    Afcaunce  is  interpreted  in  the  Gioflary  to  Chkycer— ^^^btv^ 
afiJeffitkwa^s^    Stebvbns. 

•  -^ow^long  purples,]  By  long  fwrfU  is  meant  a  pUmt;  the 
ooodem  botanical  name  of  which  is  orchis  morio  jorof,  ancicorljf 
tefiiculus  morionis.  The  ^o/Jer  name  by  which  it  ^fles,  is  fut« 
&ien|ly  known  in  many  pans  of  Enghind,  and  particularly  in  the 

Vou  X  B  b  «ouoty 


|7o  HAMLET, 

That  liberal  fhephcrds  give  a  groflfer  name^ 

But  our  cold  maids  db  dead  men's  fingers  call  them : 

There  on  the  pendant  boughs  her  coronet  weedi 

Clambering  to  hang,  an  envious  diver  broke ; 

"When  down  her  weedy  trophies,  and  herfelf. 

Fell  in  the  weeping  brook.     Her  cloaths  i^read  wide; 

And,  mermaid-like,  a  while  they  bore  her  up : 

7  Which  time,  (he  chaunted  fnatches  of  old  tunfes  j 

As  one  incapable  of  her  own  diftrefs, 

Or  like  a  creature  native  and  indued 

Unto  that  element }  but  long  it  could  not  be, 

'Till  that  her  garments,  heavy  with  their  drink,* 

Pull'd  the  poor  wretch  from  her  melodious  lay 

To  muddy  death. 

Laer.  Alas  then,  is  fiie  drowned? 

^een.  Drown'd,  drown'd. 

Laer.  Too  much  of  water  hafl:  thou,  poor  Ophelia, 
And  therefore  I  forbid  my  tears:  But  yet 
It  is  our  trick  •,  nature  her  cuftom  holds. 
Let  fhame  fay  what  it  will :  when  thefc  arc  gone. 
The  woman  will  be  out. — Adieu,  my  lord  ! 
I  have  a  fpcech  of  fire;  that  fain  would  blaze. 
But  that  this  folly  drowns  it,  [Exih 

King.  Let's  follow,  Gertrude  : 
How  much  I  had  to  do  to  calm  his  rage  ! 
Now  fear  I,  this  will  give  it  ftart  again ; 
Therefore,  let's  follow.  [Exeunt. 

county  where  Shakefpeare  lived.  Thus  far  Mr.  Warner.  Mr. 
Collins  adds,  that  in  Suilex  it  is  l^ill  called  ikmi  men*s  hands ;  aod 
that  in  Lyte's  Herbal,  1578,  its  various  nan\es,  toogrofs  for  re- 
petition, arc  prcferved.    bxEEVENs. 

7  in/tch  fime^Jhe  clyaunitd  Jnatcbes  if  oJd  tnnes  i\    Fletcher,  in 
his  Scornfiil  Lady^  very  invidiouily  ridicules  this  incident : 
**  I  will  run  mad  lirll,  ami  if  that  get  not  pity, 
"  I'll  drown  my  fel  f  to  a  mod  difmal  ditty.      War  bxtr  ton* 
The  quartos  read**-**  fnatchc*  of  old  imds^*  u  e.  hymns* 

SxEEVENSf 

ACT 


t»RINCE  Qi  DENMARK.    371; 

AC  TV.      S  C  E  N  E   I. 

jf  Cburch-yard. 

^nter  two  Clowns^  with  Jpadts,  tSc. 

1  Clown.  Is  (he  to  be  bury'd  in  chriftian  buria]» 
^t  wilfully  feeks  her  own  falvation  I 

2  Clown,  i  tell  thee',  (he  is ;  therefore,  ^  make  her 

t'  rave  ftrai^hc :   the  crowner  hath  fat  on  her,  and 
nds  it  chhftian  burial. 

1  Clown.  How  can  that  be,  unlefs  (he  drown'd  her- 
JTelf  in  her  own  defence  ? 

2  Clown.  Why,  'tis  found  fo. 

I  Clowh.  It  muft  bey^  offendendo ;  it  cannot  be  elfe* 
JFor  herie  lies  the  point :  If  I  drown  myfelf  wittingly, 
it  argued  an  z6t :  and  '  an  a&  hath  three  branches^^  it 

•  .^makebergranji  ftraight :]  Make  her  grtvc  from  caft  ta 
wed  in  a  direct  line  paraUel  to  the  church ;  not  from  north  to 
ibutb,  athwart  the  regular  line;    This^  I  thmk,  is  meant. 

JoHNsoy« 
I  cannot  think  that  this  means  anymore  than  make  her  grave 
immediatefy.  She  is  to  be  buried  in  chriftian.  hmiaU  and  confe- 
quentlv  the  grave  is  to  be  made  as  ufual.  My  interpretation  may 
be  juuified  from  the  following  paifa^  in  K.  Henry  V.  and  the 
tilay  before  us :  '^  — We  cannot  lodge  and  board  a  dozen  or 
^3urteen  gentlettromen  who  live  by  the  prick  of  their  needles,  b^ 
it  will  be  thought  we  keep  a  bawdy-houfe^/J;^^/,** 
Again,  in  Hamlet^  Aa  3.  Sc.  4  : 

PoL  He  will  come  Jiraigbt, 
Again,  in  the  Lovet^s  Progrefs^  by  Beaumont  and  Fletcher  2 

**  Uf.  Do  you  fight  ftraight  f 

"  Off.  Ye8,prefcntly.'* 
Again,  in  the  Merry  frhes  rf  Windfor  : 

•i  — ^ell  come  and  drefs  you  Jira/glt/* 
Agsun,  in  Ot6elU  / 

**  Farewel,  my  Derden[K>na,  I  will  come  to  thttjraight,^ 

STEEV£Nf# 
*  — an  aB  hath  three  hranchs ;  it  is  to  oB^  to  3o^  and  to  perform.^ 
Ridicule  on  fcholaftic  divifions  without  diftin«5tion ;  and  of  dif« 
tindiont  without  dilfcrence.     W  a  r  b u  r  t  o n . 

B  b  2  Is, 


iji  MA    M    LET, 

19,  to  ad,  to  do,  and  topcrform :  Argal,  (he  drowned 
hcrfelf  wittingly.  . 

2  Clown.  Nay,  but  hear  you,  goodman  delver. 

1  Clown.  Give  ipe  leave.  Here  lies  the  water; 
good :  here  (lands  the  man  ;  good  :  If  the  man  go 
to  this  water,  and  drown  hinDfelf,  it  is,  will  he,  mil 
he,  he  goes ;  mark  you  that :  but  if  the  water  come 
to  him,  and  drown  him,  he  drowns  not  himfelf : 
Argal,  he,  that  is  not  guilty  of  his  own  death, 
Ihortens  not  his  own  life. 

2  Clown.  But  is  this  law  ? 

1  Clown.  Ay^  marry  is't ;  '  crownerVqueft  law. 

2  Clown.  Will  you  ha'  the  truth  on't?  If  this  had 
not  been  a  gendewoman,  (he  (hould  have  been  bury'd 
out  of  chriltian  burial. 

I  Clown.  Why,  there  thou  fay'ft:  And  the  more 
pity ;  that  great  folk  (hould  have  countenance  in  this 
world  to  drown  or  hang  themfelves,  more  than  *  their 
evea  cbriHian.    Come;  my  fpade.    There  is  no  an- 
cient 

*  —  crtnmers  queft-lai\:.'\  I  ftrongly  furpe<^  that  this  is  a  ridi- 
cule on  the  cafe  of  Dame  Hales,  reported  by  Plowden  in  his  com- 
iDenraries,  as  determined  in  3  Eliz. 

It  feems  her  hu(band  Sir  James  Hales  had  drowned  himfelf  in  « 
river,  and  the  queilion  was,  whether  by  this  adt  a  torl^iture  of  a 
leale  from  the  dean  and  chapter  of  Canterbury,  which,  he  wa* 
pofleired  of,  did  not  accrue  (o  the  crown;  an  inquilifiun  was 
tound  before  ilie  coroner,  which  tbund  him  felo  de  fe.  The  legal 
and  logical  fubtiities,  arihng  in  the  courfe  of  the  argument  of  this 
cafe,  gave  a  very  tiair  opportunity  for  a  fneer  at  crovoner^s  ^uefi-lav,*. 
The  expreiiion,  a  litile  before,  that  an  oB  hath  three  branches^  &c» 
\a  (b  pointed  an  allufion  to  the  cafe  I  mention,  that  I  cannot  doubt 
but  that  Shakelpeare  was  acquainted  with  and  meant  to  laugh  at  it. 

It  may  be  added,  that  on  this  occalion  a  great  deal  of  fubtiky 
was  uicd,  to  afcertain  whether  Sir  James  was  the  4^ent  or  the 
patient ;  or,  in  other  words,  whether  Ih  vxnt  to  the  water^  or  fl^ 
<v9ater  came  to  him.  The  caufe  of  Sir  James's  madnefs  wis  the  cir- 
cumilance  of  his  having  been  the  judge  who  condemned  La/fy 
Jane  Grc^.    Sir  J.  Hawkins. 

»  .^  their  even  chrjftian^  So  all  the  old  books,  and  rightly. 
An  old  Engliih  exprelfion  tor  feilow-chriiliaos.    Tui&lby. 

So, 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.     373 

cient  gentlemen  but  gardincrs,  ditchers,  and  grave- 
makers  ;  they  hold  up  Adam's  profeffion. 

2  Clown.  Was  he  a  gentleman  ? 

1  Clown.  He  was  the  firft  that  ever  bore  arms. 

'  2  Clown.  Why,  he  had  none. 

1  Clown.  What,  art  a  heathen  ?  How '  doft  thou 
uaderftand  the  fcripture  ?  The  fcripture  fays,  Adam 
djgg'd  5  Could  he  dig  without  arms  ?  Til  put  an- 
other queftion  to  thee :  if  thon  anfwcr'ft  me  not  to 
the  purpofe,  confefs  thyfelf — 

2  Clown.  Go  to. 

1  Clown.  What  is  he,  that  builds  flronger  than  ei- 
ther the  mafon,  the  (hipwright,  or  the  carpenter  ? 

2  Clown.  The  gallows-maker }  for  that  tramc  out- 
lives a  thoufand  tenants. 

I  Clown.  1  Kke  thy  wit  well,  in  good  faith ;  the 
gallows  does  well :  But  how  does  it  well  ?  it  does 
well  to  thofe  that  do  ill :  now  thou  doft  ill,  to  fay,  the 
gallows  is  built  ftronger  than  the  church ;  argal,  the 
gtUows  may  do  well  to  thee.     To*t  again ;  come. 

2.  Clown.  Who  builds  ftronger  than  a  mafon,  a 
Ihipwright,  or  a  carpenter  ? 
*  I  Clown.  4  Ay,  tell  me  that,  and  unyoke. 

2  Clown. 

Sot.in  Chaucer's  Jack  Upland t  "  If  frcres  cannot  or  mow  not 
excufc  *hcm  of  tbefe  quelVions  afkcd  of  *hcm,  it  fcmeth  that  they 
be  horrible  gihie  againil  God,  and  ibereven  ch  ijlian ;  ^c." 
:  Again,  in  Gower,  De  Confijfione  Amautisy  lib.  ^.  fol.  20a : 

**  Of  beautie  (ighe  he  never  hir  f^v/;." 
Again,  Chaucer's  Ferfuncs  Tale:    *'  — of  his  neighebour,  that  13.  to 
layn,  of  his  even  criftcn^  &c."     Steevens. 

5  2  Clifwn*^  This  fpeech,  and  the  next  as  far  zi^^zvibout  armsj 
is  not  in  the  quartos.    Steevens^ 

.  *  Jy^  uU  me  tbat^  ^d m^okc.']  i.e.  when  you  have  dome  that, 
ni  trouble  you  no  more  with  tbefe  riddles.  The  phrafe  it  taken 
from  hufbandry.    Wareur.ton* 

Alluding  to  what  (he  Qreeks  called  l^y  one  word  BaXvro;,  the 
iHne  for  unyokins;.    Horn.  11.  n.  779. 

SchoU  It^  r^y  \9%i{%V   ^$^$9    naS^  e/  atrci'of  01  /?o#(^  aroXv^rrca 
;r*  r  i^y^i.    Up  ton. 

B  b  3[  If 


374  H    A    M    L    E    Ti 

e  Clown.  Marry^j  npw  I  can  tclL 

1  Clown.  To't. 

2  C/^u;;;.  Mafs^  I  cannot  tell. 

Enter  Hamlet,  and  Horatio ,  at  a  dijlanei. 

1  Clown.  Cudgel  thy  brains  no  more  about  it ;  fof 
your  dull  afs  will  not  mend  his  pace  with  beating : 
and,  when  you  are  aflcM  this  qucftion  next,  fay,  a 
grave- maker;  the  boufes  that  he  makes,  laft  'tilt 
doomfday.  Go,  get  thee  to  Yaughan,  and  fetch 
me  a  ftoup  pf  liquor.  [£x/V  2  CloWtt4 

He  digs,  and  fings. 

I U  youth  when  I  did  love^  did  love^ 

Metbouj^bty  it  was  very  fweet^ 
To  contrary  0,  the  time,  for^  ah,  my  hebovi 

P,  metbougbt,  tbere  was  ^  niabing  meet. 

Ham. 

If  it  be  not  fufficient  to  fay,  mx\i  Dr,  Warburton,  that  the  phrafc 
tnight  be  taken  from  buibandiy,  without  much  depth  of  readiagy 
we  may  produce  it  from  a  dittie  of  the  workmen  of  Dovcrj  pre^ 
ierved  in  the  additions  to  Holin(hed»  p.  1^46. 
"  My  bow  is  broke,  I  would  w^^^ 
*♦  My  foot  is  fore,  I  can  worke  no  more,**    Fauwex. 
Again,  in  Drayton's  Pcfy0lbion^  at  the  end  of  Song  I. 

**  Here  ihl  unyoke  a  while  and  turnc  my  ftecds  to  meet.** 
Again,  in  P.  HoiiaHd*s  Tranilation  oiPUt^i  NaU  Hjfi.  p,  J93  5 
f*  in  the  evening,  and  when  thou  do^  uTryoke,**    Steevejis. 

5  In  youth  vjhen  Ididlove^  &c.]     The  three  ihinzas,  fung  here 

by  the  grave-digger,  are  extrai5tcd,  with  a  (light  variation,  from  a 

little  poem,  called  ITh  Arcd  Lonnr  renounath  Love^  written  by 

^  Henry  Howard  earl  of  Surrey,  who  flouciihed  in  the  reign  <? 

*king  Henry  VIII.  and  who  was  beheaded  in  15471  on  a  ^ined 

^cufationoftreafon,    Theobald,         - 

^  —  nothing  mrct.]    Hanmer  reads. 

■'   "'    nothing  fo  meet^     JoH N 8 ON, 
The  original  poem  from  which  this  flanxa  is  taken,  lika  the  other 
fuccccding  ones,  is  preferred  among  lord  Surrey's  poems  ;  though; 
US  Dr*  l^ercy  has  oblerved,  it  is  attpba^  to  lord  Yaux  by  George 

Oafcoignc^ 


PRINCJS   OF  DENMARK.    375 

JJam.  Has  t^b  fellow  no  feeling  of  bis  bulinefs  ? 
he  fings  at  grave-making* 

Hor.  Cuftom  hath  made  it  m  him  a  property  of 
calJnefs* 

Ham.  'Tis  e'en  fg :  the  hand  of  little  employ- 
fq^xA  hath  the  daintier  fenfe. 

Clown  fings. 

But  age^  with  his  fieaUng  fteps, 

Hatk  cUnxfd  me  in  his  clutch^ 
And  hath  Jhippcd  me  inio  the  land^ 

As  if  1  had  never  been  fuch  7. 

Ham.  That  fcuU  had  a  tongue  in  it^  and  could 
£ng  once :  How  the  knave  jowls  it  to  the  ground^ 
as  if  it  were  Cain's  jaw4x>ne,  that  did  the  Brft 
murder!    Xliis  might  be  the  pate  of  ^  a  politician^ 

Gafcoigne.    See  an  epifUe  prefixed  to  one  of  his  poems,  printed 
with  the  reft  of  his  works,  ^75.    By  others  it  is  fuppofqd  to  have 
pccn  written  by  Sir  Thomas  Wyatt* 
liathe  iiai  IdiiHove; 

Injfouth  that  I  thoi^bt  fayu  : 
As  time  requires  for  n^  behove^ 
Mctbinks  they  are  not  mete. 
^  The  entire  foog  is  publiflbed  by  Dr.  Percy,  in  the  firR  volume  of 
\i\%  RtUques  cf4^cient  EngUjb  Poetry.     Steevens. 
7  As  if  llad never  heenjiich,']    Thus,  in  the  original* 
For  age  lAjitJf  Jiealingjlcps 

Hath  clawde  me  with  his  erowch  \ 
And  luftyyouthe  away  he  leapes^ 

As  there  had  hene  none.  fuch.  Ste E y E l^ s • 
^  '^  a  politiciaut'^'one  that  would  circumvent  God 'tl  .This  cha- 
rafter  is  imely  touched.  Our  great  hiftorian  has  well  explained  it 
in  an  example,  where,  fpeaking  oF  the  death  of  cardinal  Sfa- 
wrine,  at  the  time  of  the  iCcftoraiion,  he  fays,  *'  The  cardinal  was 
*'  probably  ftruck  with  the  wonder,  if  not  the  agony  of  that 
V  undreamM-of  profperity  of  our  kine's  aflfairs;  as  if  he  had  taken 
^*  it  ill,  and  laid  it  to  heart,  that  God  Almighty  would  bring  fuch 
**  a  work  to  pafs  in  Europe  without  his  concurrence,  and  even 
\\  againft  all  his  machinations.'*    Hifivry  of  RchcWony  'book  i6. 

Warburton. 

B  h  4  which 


57«  HAMLET^ 

9  which  this  afs  now  oV-reaches ;  one  diat  wouU 
circumvent  God,  might  it  not  ? 

Hor.  It  might,  my  lord. 

Ham.  Qt  of  a  courtier;  which  could  fay.  Good- 
fnorrcofy  fweet  lord!  How  dofi  tbou^  good  lord? 
This  might  be  my  lord  fuch-a-onc,  that  praised  n^ 
lord  {uch*a-one*s  horfe^  when  he  meant  to  beg  it  > ; 
might  it  not? 

Hot.  Ay,  my  lord. 

Ham.  Why,  e'en  fo :  *  and  now  my  lady  worm's ; 
thaplefs,  arid  knocked  abom  the  mazz^  with  a  fex* 
ton's  fpade :  Here's  fine  revolution,  an  we  had  the 
trick  to  fee't.    Did  thefe  bones  coft  no  more  the 

»  — .  iwhich  this  ofs  oW-fffices;^  The  mining  il  thi$.  People 
in  office,  at  tk«c  time>  were  £o  «Yer-beanng,  diac  ShiJ^efpeue, 
i^aklogof  infoleooe  at  the  bei^c,  calls  it^  Ltfilence  in  $^f. 
And  Il^onne  fays, 

tVUisU,. 

If  ho  officars*  rage  <Uid  fuitors*  mifery 

Can  nvria  in  jef.  ■  ■  Sat. 
Alluding  to  this  character  of  minUlers  an4  politlctant,  the  (beaker 
obfervcs,  that  this  infolent  officer  is  now  ^n^Jkef^dhj  the  iexton, 
%vho,  knocking  his  fcull  about  with  his  fpade,  appars  to, be  as 
infoleut  in  his  office  as  they  were  in  theirs.  This  is  iaid  with 
tnuch  humour*    Warburtok. 

In  the  quarto,  for  over-^ffica  is,  otfer-reachis^  which  agrees  better 
with  the  lentence :  it  is  a  (Irons  exaggeration  to  iiemark,  that  an  q/s 
can  ovtr-ytach  him  who  would  once  have  tried  to  eircumnmit^'^l 
believe  both  the  words  were  Shakefbeare's.  At}  author  in  revifing 
his  work,  when  his  original  ideas,  have  faded  from  his  mind,  and 
new  obiervations  have  produced  new  fentiinents,  eafily  introduces 
images  which  haxe  been  moip  nei^rly  imprefled  upon  him,  without 
obfervidg  their  want  of  congruity  to  the  general  texture  of  his 
original  defign*     JoHNspN. 

The  folio  reads — oUr^officti.     StEEyE^s. 

*  ThU  mrgbt  be  «y  iori  fuch-A'^one^  tbatprai^d  fny  lord/ucb-a'Onis 
hor/e^  vjheu  he  meant  to  heg  it ;]     So,  in  ^mon  ef  Athens y  Ad  i  : 

— *  my  lord  you  gave 
Good  wordi  the  other  day  of  a  bay  courfer 
I  rode  on  j  it  is  yours,*becaufe  you  lik'd  it.    Sxf  evens, 

•  -— tf»^  nvixj  17^  hufy  }Pofm^s'y]  The  fcull  that  was  «y  lori 
^h-a'oni?s.,  Js  no w  A»y iad)^  Worms.    Johnson* 

I  Ibrecdingi 


PRINCE  OP  DENMARK.     377 

breeding,  but  to  '  play  at  loggats  with  thcip  ?  mipp 
ache  to  think  on't. 

Clown  fings. 

A  pick-axi,  and  a  fpadcy  a  fpdie^ 

For-^-ani  a  jbrowding  ftteet : 
O,  a  pit  of  day  for  to  be  made 

For  fucb  a  guefi  is  meet  *. 

Ham.  There's  apothpr :  Why  may  hot  Uiat  be 
the  fcuil  of  a  lawyer?  W^iere  be  his  quiddits  5  now, 
bis  quillets^  his  cafes,  his  tenures,  and  his  tricks  ? 
why  does  he  fuffer  this  ruqle  knave  now  to  knock 

s  ^r-^tla^  at  loggats — ]  A  play,  in  which  pips  ^re  (bt  up  to  be 
beaten  clown  with  a  bowl.    Johns  oif  • 

—  to  pUsf  at  loggats  ijoith  ^em  f— ]    Tins  is  a  game  played  in 
iereral  parts  of  England  even  at  this  time*    A  ft&e  is  fixed  ihto 
the  ground ;  thofe  who  play,  throw  hggats  at  it,  and  he  that  .is 
Cleared  the  (lake,  wins  ;  1  have  feen  it  played  in  difterept  counties 
at  their  {heep-(heering  feafis,  where  the  iVtnner  was  entitled  to  a 
black  fieece,  which  he  afterwards  prefented  to  the  farmer's  maid  to 
ifpin  for  the  purpofe  of  making  a  petticoat,  and  on  condition  that 
^e  knelt  down  on  the  fteece  to  be  kiiied  by  all  the  rufticks  prefen^ 
So  Ben  Jonfon,  TaUcfaTub,  Aa  4,  Sc.  6. 
>*  Now  are  they  toiEng  his  legs  and  armS| 
^  Like  i^tf/i  at  a  pear-tree. 
SJ9  in  an  dd  collection  of  epigrams,  fatires,  &c. 
**^  To  play  at  Icggats,  nine  h^les,  or  ten  pinnes,** 
Aguo,  in  Dedt^'s  Iftiis  he  not  a  goid  Play^  tie  Devil  is  in  it^ 
x6 1 2 :  < »  _  two  hundred  crowns ! 

"  Tve  loft  as  much  at  loggats.*^ 
It  is  one  oT  the  unlawful  games  enqmerated  in  the  ftatute  of 
33  of  Hen.  VIII.    Steevbns. 

♦  For  fucb  agwft  is  meet.]    Thus  in  th^e  origipaU 
Apichroxe  and  a  J^adc^ 

^d  eke  a  Jbrc^Hding  fbeet  \  • 
A  bovfi  of  clay  fir  to  be  made^ 
.  For  fucb  agueft  tnoft  meet.     Steevens. 
9  ^idditsy  &c.]  i.  e.  fubtihies.    So,  in  Soliman  and  Pcrfeda  ; 
*«  I  am  wife,  but  quiddits  will  not  anfwer  death." 
AS*^;  in  Ram^j^Ueyj  or  Merry  Tricks^  x6i  1 : 

**  Nay,  good  Sir  Throat,  forbear  your  fuilUts  now." 

Steevsns/ 

him 


J75  H    A    M    L    E,  T, 

Jhim  about  the  fcooce  ^  with  a  dirty  ihoveU  ;awl  wiH 
not  tell  him  of  his  aftion  of  batteiy ,?  Hutn  !  TbiJ 
fellow  might  be  in*s  time  a  great  buyer  of  land,  with 
his  ftatutes,  his  reoognizances,  his  fines,  his  double 
vouchers,  his  recoveries :  Is  this  the  Ho^  of  hjis  fines ', 
and  the  recovery  of  his  rccoverii^j  to  l^ve  his  fine 
pate  full  of  fine  dirt  ?  ^will  his  vpucHers  vwch  him 
no  more  of  his  purchafes,  and  4ou]3le  ^tpts  too,  than 
the  length  and  breadth  of  a  p^ir  of  i^ideoijgres  i  The 
very  conveyances  of  his  lands  will  hardly  Ke  in  this 
bor ;  and  muH:  the  inheritor  himfelf  h^ve  no  more  ? 
ha?    * 

Hor.  Not  a  jot  more,  my  lord. 
,  Ham.  Is  not  parchment  made  of  (heep-fkins  I 

Hvrl  Ay,  my  lord,  and  of  calves-ikins  too. 

M4U».  They  areiheep,  and  calves,  which  feek-out 
aflurance  in  that^  I  wiil  fpeak  to  this  fellow:— » 
\Whofc  grave's  this,  firrah  ? 

Qown.  .Mine,  fir^-,-,— 

0,  a  pit  of  clay  for  to  Is  m<idir-^ 
.For  fucb  agueft  is  meet. 

Ham*  I  think  it  be  thine,  indeed ;  for  thou  ly'ft 
in't. 

Clown.  You  lie  out  on't,  fir,  and  therefore  it  is  not 
yours :  for  my  part,  I  do  not  lie  in't,  yet  it  ^s  mioc^ 

•  .^tbefconce]  Le.  the  head.  So,  in  Lilly's  Motfxr  Bmii^ 
1594: 

**  Laudo  i^igenium,  I  like  thy  fconct!* 
AgaiD,  in  Mtnj  Tricks^  otRam^AUey^  16111 

**  —  I  iky  no  more, 
*•  But  *ti8  Within  this  fconce  to  go  beyond*  them*" 

Steeveks. 
7  Is  this  the  fine  rf  his  fines ^  and  the  recovery  tf  bis  recoverifh] 
Omitted  in  the  quartos.     Steevens, 

•  —  aifurance  in  tbat.l  A  quibble  is  intended.  Deeds,  which 
are  ufually  wfttten  on  parchment,  are  called  the  common  ajfuraacti 
of  the  kingdom.    M alone, 

a  '  //<*»• 


PRII^CE  t)F  DENMARK.     37j> 

Jiam^  Thou  doft  lie  m'r,  to  be  in't,  and  fay  it  is 
^hinc :  Yis  fqr  the  dead,  not  for  the  quick  ;  there- 
fore thou  ly'ft.   .         # 

Clown.  ^Tis  a  quick  lie^  fir  ^  'twill  away  agabj . 
from  me  to  you. 

Ham  What  oian  doll  thou  dig  it  for  ? 
Cfov^  For  no  man,  fir. 
Ham.  What  woman  then  ? 
Gaum.  For  aone  neither. 
Ham.  Who.  is  to  be  buried  in't  ? 
Ckwrt.  One,  th^t  was  a  woman,  fir;  but,  reft  her/ 
fouU  (he's  dead. 

Ham.  How  abfolute  the  knave  is  !  we  muft  fpcak 
^by  ihe  card,  oft  equivocation  will  ii^^do  us.  By  the 
lord,  Horatio,  thefe  three  years  I  have  taken  note 
of  it }  '  the  age  is  grown  fo  picked,  that  the  toe  of 
the  peafant  come;sib  near  the  heel  of  the  courtierj, 

•  —  3y/>&^card,— ]    The  earih  the}](aperon  which  the  dif- 
ferent points  of  the  compag  were  defcnbed*     To  ti§  ar^  thing  fy 
the  card^  i«,  to  do  it  vnth  nice  ohfirvationt    John  SON*. 
So,  in  Macbeth: 

**  And  the  very  p^ns  tihey  blow,  &c. 
•*  On  Ae  ihipfian^s  card,^    Steevbns. 
^  ^^  the  age  is  grown  fo  picked, — ]     So  Jkarfj  (6  Jharf>/^yt 
Hanmer,  ycry  pt0|>erly ;  but  there  waa,  I  think,  about  that  time, 
nficled  (hoe,  that  it,  ajhoe  nvrth  a  ionj^  pointed  toe^  in  fBfhion^  to 
whkh  the  allufidn  i^stKot  likeivife  to  be  made.    Kn^ety  man  now  is 
fmart\  and^eryman  nonfj  is  a  man  cfjh/bion.    Johnson, 
.    This  fafhion  of  weiiring  ihoes  with  long  pointed  toes  was  car- 
jied  to  fuch  exceft  in  England,  that  it  was  reftrained  at  laft  by 
))roclamation  fo  long  ngo  as  the  fifth  vear  of  Edward  IV.  when  it 
was  ordeied,  ^  that  the  beaks  or  pyices  d  (hoes  and  boots  iheuld 
•♦  not  pafs  two  inches,  ujpon  pain  of  curfing  by  the  clergy,  and 
**  forfeiting  twenty  fhilhngs,  to  be  paid  one  noble  to  the  kin^ 
**  another  to  the  cordwainers  of  London,  and  the  third  to  the 
♦«  chamber  of  Loudon  ;— and  for  other  countries  and  towns  the 
♦*  like  order  was  taken. — Before  this  time,  and  finoe  the  year  1583, 
♦*  the  pykes  of  fliocs  and  boots  wcw  of  iiich  length,  that  they 
^  were  fain  to  be  tied  up  to  the  knees  with  chains  of  lilver,  and 
y  ^lt|  or iu  Icail  widi  filken  laces*^   St££Vens. 


3to  HAMLET, 

be  galls  his  kibe.— How  long  haft  thou  been  a  grave* 
maker? 

Clown.  Of  all  the  days  i*  the*jrear,  I  came  to^t  that 
day  that  our  lail  kin^  Hamlet  overcame  Fortihbras. 
Ham.  How  long  is  that  fincc  I 
Clown.  Cannot  you  tell  that  ?  every  fool  can  tell 
that :  It  was  that  very  day  that  young  Hiamlet  was 
born  •,  he  that  is  mad,  and  fent  into  England* 
Ham.  Ay,  marrj^  why  was  he  fent  into  England  ? 
(^lown.  Why,  becaufe  he  wis  mad :  he  ftall  re- 
cover his  wits  there  >  or>  if  he  do  not,  'tis  no  great 
matter  there. 
*  Ham.  Why  ? 

Clown.  'Twill  not  be  feen  in  him  there ;  there  the 
men  are  as  mad  as  be. 

Ham.  How  came  he  mad  ? 
^   Clown.  Very  llrangely,  they  fay* 
Ham.  How  ftrangcly  ? 
Clown.  *Faith,  e*en  with  lofing  his  wits. 
Ham^  Upon  what  ground  ? 
Clowfu  Why,  here  in   Denmark:   I   have    been 
fexton  here,  man,  and  boy,  thirty  years. 

Ham.  How  long  will  a  man  lie  i*  the  earth  ere  he 
rot? 

Clown.  'Faith,  if  he  be  not  rotten  before  he  die, 
(as  we  have  many  pocky  corfcs  now-a*days,  that  will 
fcarce  hold  the  laying  in)  he  will  laft  you  fome  eight 
year,  or  nine,  year  :  a  tanner  will  Jaft  you  nine  year. 
Ham.  Wjiy  he  more  than  another? 
Clown.  Why,  fir,  his  hide  is  fo  tann*d  with  bis 
trade,  that  he  will  keep  out  water  a  great  while ;  and 
your  water  is  %  fore  dccayer  of  your  whorefon  dead 
body.     Here's  a  fcujl  now  has  lain  you  i'  the  earth 
three-and-twenty  years. 
Ham,  Whofe  was  it  ^ 

Clown.  A  whorefon  maid  fcllow'3  it  w^s ;  Whole 
do  you  think  it  was  ? 

Hanif 


P  R  I  N  C  E  or  D  E  N  M  A  R  K.     381 

Ham.  Nay,  I  know  not.  ^ 

Clown.  A  peftilence  on  him  for  a  mad  rogue !  he 
poured  a  flaggon  of  Rhenilh  on  my  head  once.  This 
lame  fcuU,  fir,  was  Yorick's  fcull,  the  king's  jefter. 

Ham.  This? 

Clown.  E'en  thaL 

Ham.  Alas,  poor  Yorick! — I  knew  him,  Horatio; 
a  fellow  of  infinite  jeft,  of  moft  excellent  fancy :  he 
hath  borne  me  on  his  back  a  thoufand  times ;  and 
now,  how  abhorr'd  in  my  imagination  it  is!  my  gorge 
rifes  at  it.  Here  hung  thofe  lips,  that  I  have  kifs'd 
I  know  not  how  oft.  Where  be  your  gibes  now  ? 
your  gambols  ?  your  fongs  ?  your  flalhcs  of  merri- 
ment, that  were  wont  to  fet  the  table  on  a  roar?  Not 
one  now,  to  mock  your  own  grinning  ?  quite  chap- 
fallen  ?  Now  get  you  to  my  lady's  chamber  %  and  tell 
her,  let  her  paint  an  inch  thick,  to  this  favour  (he 
muft  come;  make  her  laugh  at  that.-^Pr'ythee, 
Horatio,  tell  me  one  thing. 

Hor.  What's  that,  my  lord  ? 

Ham.  Doft  thou  think>, Alexander  look'd  o'  this 
falhion  i'  the  earth  ? 

Hot.  E'en  fo. 

Ham.  And  fmelt  fo  ?  pah ! 

Hor.  E'en  fo,  my  lord. 

Ham.  To  what  bafe  ufes  we  may  return,  Horatio! 
Why  may  not  imagination  trace  the  noble  duft  of 
Alexander,  'till  he  find  it  flopping  a  bung-hole  ? 

Hor.  'Twere  to  confidcr too  curioufly,  to  confider  fo. 

Ham*  No,  'fai^h,  not  a  jot  \  but  to  follow  him 
thither  with  modcfty  enough,  and  likelihood  to  \eiA 
it :  As  thus  -,  Alexander  died,  Alexander  was  buried, 
Alexander  returneth  to  duft  ;  the  duft  is  earth  5  of 
earth  we  make  loam  5  And  why  of  that  loam,  whereto 
he  was  converted,  might  they  not  flop  a  beer*  barrel? 

'  my  lmfy*s  chamber,]  Thus  the  folio.  The  cjuartos  read — 
jny  lady's  tahle^  meaning,  I  fuppofc,  Yiti  JreJ/tfig-tahUt    StEEVExs. 

Imperial 


2H  HAMLET, 

Imperial  Csefar^  dead,  am)  turned  to  chfi 
Might  ftop  a  boie  to  keep  tHe  wind  away : 
O,  that  that  earth,  which  kept  the  World  in  aw^ 
Should  patch  a  wall  to  expel  the  ^  winter's  flaw  I 
But  foft !  but  foft,  alide; — ^Here  comes  ihe  kiiig» 

Enter  Kifig,  ^een^  taerns^  the  c^rpfe  rf  OpbeUai 
with  Lerds  wd  Pri^s  aitmding. 

The  queen,  the  courtiers  :  Who  is  this  they  follow? 
And  with  fuch  '  maimed  rites  !  This  doth  betoken^ 
The  corfe,  the/ follow,  did  with  defperate  hand 
Fordo  its  own  life  4.    'Twas  of  5  fome  eftate : 
Couch  we  a  while,  and  mark. 

Laer.  What  ceremony  clfc  ? 

Ham.  That  is  Laertes, 
A  very  noble  youth :  Mark. 

Laer.  What  ceremony  clfe  ? 

*  Prieft.  Her  obfequies  have  been  as  far  enlarg'a 
As  we  have  warranty  :  Her  death  was  doubtful ; 
And,  but  that  gieat  command  o'erfways  the  order; 
She  (hould  in  ground  unfandify'd  have  lodged 
*Till  the  laft  trumpet ;  for  charitable  prayers, 
Shards,  flints,  and  pebbles,  fliould  be  thrown  on  her  i 


^ 


^  ^^  winter's Jtav^j I]    Winter*9  ^lafi.    joHKSON. 
So,  in  Marius  and  Sylia,  1 594 : 

**  *i-  no  (ioubt  this  ftoriny  Javjf 
**  That  Neptune  fent  to  caft  us  on  this  (hore.** 
The  quartos  read— to  expel  the  wdter^s  flaw.    Steevens. 
%    — matmtdritni — ]     Impef fed  obfequies.    Johnson.     ^^ 

♦  Fordo  its  «oji  UfeJ\    To  fordo^  is  to  undo,  to  &&xoj.    So,  ia 
Otbelh:  *^  —  this  is  the  night 

*'  That  either  makes  me  oxfirdoes  me  quite.** 
Aga^D)  in  JcoUiftUs^  a  comedy,   1529:     ♦•  — woldc  to  God  it 
might  be  leful  for  me  xofordoo  myielf,  or  to  make  an  end£  of 
me!*    Srsfivsifs. 

i  ^^fimeefiate:']    Sof^e  pcrfon.  of  high  rank.     JoHNSOtr. 

•  Pri^.1    This  Pritft  in  the  old  quarto  is  called  DeBtr. 

STfiEVENi. 

yet 


PRINCX  OF  DENMARK,   glj 

Yet  here  Ihe  is  7  allowed  her  Virgift  cranes, 
Her  maiden  ftrewmcnts,  and  the  bringing  home 
9  Of  bell  and  buriaU 

Ijur.  Muft  there  no  more  be  done  ? 

FHejt.  No  more  be  done ; 
Vit  ftould  profane  the  fervice  of  the  dead, 
^To  fing  a  nqaitm^  and  fuch  reft  to  her 
As  to  peace-parted  fouls. 

haer*  Lay  her  V  the  earth  ; — 
And  from  her  fair  and  unpolluted  fle(h 
May  violets  fpring! — I  tell  thee,  churlifh  prkft, 
A  miniftring  angel  fhall  my  fifter  be^ 
When  thou  Weft  howling. 

H&m.  What,  the  fair  Ophelia ! 

^een.  Sweets  to  the  fweet :  Farewel ! 

[Scattering  flowers* 
I  hop'd,  thou  (houldft  have  been  my  Hamlet's  wife ; 
I  thought,  thy  bride-bed  to  have  deck'd,  fweet  maid, 

7  —  alhv^d  ixr  <virgiti  rites,]  T!Tie  old  qiMrto  reads  nnrgin 
crants,  evidently  corrupted  from  chauts,  which  ia  the  true  word. 
A  fpccific  rather  than  it,  generic  term  bci^g  here  required  to  anfwer 
to  maijfnjircwmcntw    War  BUR  ton, 

I  have  been  inibrroed  by  an  anonjinout  com^ondent,  that 
crants  is  the  German  word  for  garlands^  atid  I  fuppofe  it  was  re- 
tained by  us  from  the  Saxons.  To  cAxry  garlands  before  the  bier 
of  a  maiden,  and  to  hang  them  over  her  grave,  is  iHll  the  prance 
in  rural  parilhes. 

Crants  therefore  was  the  original  word,  which  the  author,  dif- 
covering  it  to  be  provincial,  and  perhaps  not  underftood,  changed 
to  a  term  more  intelligible,  but  lefs  proper. •  Maiden  rites  give  no 
certain  or  definite  image.  He  might  have  put  maiden  <vureaffjSj  or 
maiden  garlands^  but  he  perhaps  heflowed  no  thought  upon  it, 
and  neither  genius  nor  practice  will  always  fiipply  a  baiiy  writer 
with  the  moft  progcr  diction.    Johnson. 

In  Minihew  s  Di^ionary^  fee  Beades^  where  ronfen  krants  means 
fertum  rofarium ;  and  fuch  is  the  name  of  a  charader  in  this  play. 

TOLLET, 

•  Of  hell  and  huriaL]  Burial,  here,  %fiific6  interment  lu  con- 
fecratod  ground.    Warburton. 

•  To  fing  a  Requiem^ — ]  A  Requiem  is  a  mafs  performed  ia 
Popi(h  churches  tor  the  reft  of  the  foul  of  a  perlon  deceafed. 
The  tolio  reads  —fing  fc^e rcqu iem.     Steevens, 

And 


384  H    A    M    L    E    f ^  _^ 

And  not  ha^c  ftrew'd  thy  grare. 

Lati^,  O,  treble  woe 
Fall  ten  times  treble  on  that  curfed  head^ 
Whofe  wicked  deed  thy  moft  ingenious  fenfe 
Deprived  thee  of! — Hcdd  off  the  eardi  a  while, 
^'Till  I  haVe  caught  her  once  more  in  mine  arms  3 

{Laertes  leaps  into  the  gravH 
Now  pile  your  dud  upon  the  quick  and  dead  1 
'Till  of  this  flat  a  mountain  you  have  made. 
To  o'er-top  old  Pelion,  or  the  (kyilh  head 
Of  blue  Olymp^is* 

Ham.  [advaniing]    What  i^  he,  whofe  gficf 
Bears  fuch  an  emphafis  ?  whofe  phrafe  of  torrow 
Conjures  the  wandring  flars^  and  makes  them  ftand 
Like  wonder-wounded  hearers  ?  this  is  I, 

[Hamlet  leaps  into  the  grave. 
Hamlet  the  Dane. 

Laer.  The  devil  take  thy  foul!  [Grappling  witbbim^ 

Ham.  Thou  pray'ft  not  well 
I  pr'ythee,  take  thy  fingers  from  my  throat ; 
For,  though  I  am  not  ^lenetive  and  ralh, 
Yet  have  I  in  me  fomething  dangerous. 
Which  let  thy  wifdom  fear :  Hold  off  thy  hand« 

King.  Pluck  them  afunder. 

^een.  Hamlet,  Hamlet  I 

^  Jll.  Gentlemen, — 

Hor.  Good  my  lord,  be  quiet. 

[The  attendants  part  them* 

Ham.  Why,  I  will  fight  with  him  upon  this  theme, 
Until  my  eye-lids  will  no  longer  wag. 

^een.  O  my  fon  I  what  theme  i 

Ham.  I  lov'd  Ophelia  *,  forty  thoufand  brothers 
Could  not  with  all  their  quantity  of  love 
Make  up  my  fum. — ^What  wilt  thou  do  for  her  i 

King.  O,  he  is  mad,  Laertes. 

f  4U.  IcQ.I    This  is  reftored  from  tbe  quartos*    ST£EVBifs# 


l»RINeEdF  DENMARK;    38^ 

^eetii  For  love  of  God,  forbear  him; 
Ham*  ShUw  me  what  thou'lt  do  : 
Woo't  weep?  woo't  fight?  woo't  faft?  Woo't  tcaf 

thyfclf? 
•  Woo*t  drink  up  Efil  i  cat  a  crocodile  ? 

Ill 

*  ffWt  drink  vp^  Efill?  M  a  crocodile  f^  This  word  has 
ibroii^h  all  the  editions  been  dlftinguifhed  by  Italick  charadters,  as 
if  it  were  the  proper  name  of  ibnie  river ;  and  fo,  I  dare  fay,  all 
the  editors  have  from  rime  to  time  underwood  it  to  be.  But  then 
this  muft  be  Tome  river  in  Denmark ;  and  there  is  none  there  fo 
ddled ;  nor  b  there  any  near  it  in  name,  that  I  know  of,  biit  Tjfel^ 
from  which  the  province  of  Oferyflel  derives  its  title  in  the  German 
Flanders*  Befides,  Hamlet  is  not  propofing  any  impoffibilities  t0 
I^aertes,  as  the  drinking  up  a  river  would  be :» but  he  rather  feemt 
to  mean.  Wilt  thou  refolve  to  do  things  the  mod  (hocking  and  dif- 
tad^Ail  to  human  nature?  aod|  behold^  I  am  as  itfolute*  1  ani 
porfuaded  the  poetwrote  a 

fTik drink  up  ^{zU  it^  a  crocodile? 
!•  e.  Wilt  thou  fwallow  down  large  draughtv  of  nn'fkgarf  Hie 
proportion,  indeed,  b  not  very  ^aixi :  but  the  doing  it  might 
be  as  diftadeful  and  unfavoury,  as  eating  the  fleih  of  a  crocodile^ 
And  now  there  is  neither  an  impoffihility,  nor  an  anticlimax :  and 
the  lownefs  of  the  idea  b  in  ibmefoeafure  renmved  by  the  uncom^ 
snon  term.  Theobald. 
Hanmer  has, 

mii  driid  up  ^\\t}  or  eat  a  crocodile  f 
Hamlet  certainly  meant  (for  he  fays  he  will  ram)  to  dareLaertei 
to  attempt  any  thing,  however  difficcrtc  ftr  unnatural ;  and  might 
filfely  pitNiiiie  to  foUow  the  example  hb  antagontft  wa^  to  fee,  iii 
dnuning  the  channel  of  a  river,  or  trying  his  teeth  on  an  animal^, 
whofe  Kales  are  fuppofed  to  be  impenetrable.  Had  Shakci'p^e 
meant  to  make  Hamlet  fay—  Wilt  thou  drink  vinegar  f  he  probably 
would  not  have  nitd  the  term  drink  up%  which  means,  totaify  to  he* 
Jkaufi;  neither  is  that  challenge  very  magoilicenty  which  only  pro- 
vokes an  adverfary  to  hazard  a  fit  ot  the  hean-burn  or  the  colic. 

The  commentator's  T^I  would  fcrve  Hamlet's  turn  or  mine^ 
Ttis  river  is  twice  mentioned  by  Stowe,  p.  735.  ^^^  It  fhindeth  a 
yood  diflance  from  the  river  Jffilly  but  h^h  a  iconce  on  JffiJ  of 
incredible  flreogth.'* 

Again,  by  Drayton,  in  the  24th  Song  of  his  FojfoAioMT 
The  one  OV  J/elTs  banks  the  ancient  Saxons  taught ; 
At  Over  JjfU  refts,  the  other  did  apply  : 
Ai^  ifl  JST.  Richard  Ih  a  thought  in   part  the  fame,  occin?^ 
Ai^  a*  Sc*  1 :      **  -^  the  tafit  he  undertakes  •  » 

**  is  numbering  iaddi,  and  drink^s  oceans  dry? 
Vot,  X,  C  c  But 


386  HAMLET, 

ru  do't.— Doft  thou  come  here  to  whine  ? 
To  out-face  me  with  leaping  in  her  grave  ? 
Be  buried  quick  with  her,  and  to  wiU  I : 
And,  if  thou  prate  of  niountains^  let  them  throw 
Millions  of  acres  on  us  ^  'till  our  ground, 
Sinseing  his  pate  againft  the  burning  zone. 
Make  OfTa  like  a.  wart !  Nay,  an  thou*It  moutix, 
ril  rant  as  Y^ell  as  thoq. 

^een*  This  is  mere  madnefs : 
And  thus  a  while  the  fit  will  work  on  him ; 
Anon,  as  patient  as  the  female  dove, 
3  When  that  her  golden  couplets  are  difclos'dy 
His  filence  will  fit  drooping. 

Ham0 

But  in  aa  old  Latin  account  of  Dtmiark  and  tbe  ndghbouring  . 
provinces,  I  find  the  names  of  feveral  rivers  little  dilfering  froca. 
£fil,  or  Eljillf  in  fpelling  or  pronunciation.  Such  are  the  J^Si,  the 
OcjSly  and  {bme  otoers.  The  word,  like  ^any  more,  may  indeed 
be  irrecoverably  corrupted ;  but»  I  rouft  add,  oiat  no  authors  bier 
than  Chaucer  or  Skelton  make  ufe  offjfel  for  vifiq;ar:  nor  has 
Shakefpeare  employed  it  in  any, other  of  hb  plays*  The  poci 
might  have  written  the  ff^ifil,  a  confiderable  river  which  fidb  into 
the  Baltic  ocean,  and  could  not  be  unknown  io  any  prince  of 
Denmark.     Steevens, 

Mr.  Steevens  appears  to  have  forgot  our  autboi^s  iiiih  fimnetc 
«'  I  will  drinke 
**  Potions  of  EjfeS."* 
I  believe  it  has  not  been  obferved  that  many  of  thefe  fonnett  aif 
addrefled  to  his  beloved  nephew  fVilUam  Harte.    Faamsk. 

I  have  iince  obferved,  that  Mumlewle  has  the  (ame  word. 

Steevevs. 

*  When  that  her goUen  ampleu-^']  We  (hould  read,  B^eribat^ 
for  it  is  the  patience  of  birds,  during  jthe  time  of  incubation,  that 
is  here  fpoken  of.  The  pigeon  generally  fits  upon  two  em; 
and  her  young,  when  firft  difdofed,  are  covered  with  a  ycSow 
down.     Warburtok. 

Perhaps  it  (hould  be, 
JSre  yet 
Tet  and  that  are  eafily  confounded.    Johns  ok. 

To  Ji/clofi  was  anciently  ufed  for  to  /jatdb.  So,  in  the  Book  ef 
J&Mtyng^  Haukittgj  Fyjbyng^  &c.  bl.  1.  no  date :  *«  Fffft  they  .bctf 
9g»i  and  after  they  ben  difchfed^  haukes ;  and  commonly  gof- 
nauket  ben  dtfchfeduM  fone  as  the  choughes.'*    To  ixcluJe  is  the 

techpical 


PRINCE  QF   DENMARK.    387 

Ham-  H^ar  yod,  fir  -, 

What  is  the  reafon  that  you  ufe  me  thus  ? 
I  lov'd  you  ever:  But  it  is  no  matter; 
liCt  Hercules  himfelf  do  what  he  may, 
The  cat  will  mew,  and  dog  will  have  his  day.  [^Exif^ 
King.  I  pray  thee,  good  Horatio,  wait  upon  him.— 

lExit  Hot. 
Strengthen  your  patience  in  our  laft  night's  fpeech ; 

[To  Laertes. 
We*n  put  the  matter  to  the  prcfent  puui. — 
Good  Gertrude,  fee  fome  watch  over  your  fon.— 
This  grave  (hall  have  a  living  monument : 
An  hour  of  qui^t  fhortly  4  (ball  we  fee ; 
'Till  then  in  patience  our  proceeding  be.    [^Exeunt. 


SCENE       n. 

j1  hall  in  the  palace. 

Enter  Hamlet ^  and  Horatio. 

Ham.  So. much  for  this,  fir:  now  fliall  you  fee 
the  other ;— . 
You  do  remember  all  the  circumftance  ? 
Hor.  Remember  it,  my  lord  ! 
Ham.  Sir,  in  my  heart  there  was  a  kind  of  fight*-; 

technical  term  at  prefent.  I  believe  oeitber  commentator  hat 
rightly  explained  ims  image.  During  three  dap  a^er  the  pigeon 
has  batched  her  coupkts  (for  ibe  lays  no  m<  re  than  tvcp  eggs),  (he 
never  <!|ttits  her  neft,  except  for  a  few  moments  in  qued  ot  a  little 
food  for  herfelf ;  as  all  her  young  require  in  that  early  ftate,  is  to  be 
kept  warm,  an  office  which  (he  never  entrufls  to  the  male. 

Steevsns. 
4  ^^Jbartlil    The  fcccad  and  diird  quartos  read,  {hm^.    Fer- 
tly^rightly.    Steevens* 

Cc  a  That 


388  HAMLET, 

That  would  not  let  me  fleep ;  methought^  I  lay 
Worfe  than  the  s  mucines  in  the  bilboes.     *  Raibly, 
And  prais'd  be  raihne(s  for  it — Let  us  know. 

Our 

*  —  mutincs  m  the  hllh^esJ]  Mutlnes^  the  French  word  for  (edi- 
tions OT  difobedicnt  fellows  in  the  army  or  fleet.  BiHoes^  xhc^ifs 
prifin.     To  HNS  ON, 

The  l:lboa  is  u  bar  of  iron  with  fetten  an* 
nesed  to  it,  by  which  mutinous  or  diforderly 
(ailors  were  anciently  linked  together.  The 
word  is  derived  from  Bilboa^  a  phce  in  Soain 
,  where  inllruments  of  Heel  were  fabricated  in 
the  utmoft  perfection*  To  underdand  Shake- 
fpeare^s  allufion  completely^  it  (hould  be 
known,  that  as  thefe  trtters  conned  the  legs 
•f  the  offenders  vcty  cbfc  together,  their  at- 
tempts to  reft  muft  be  as  fruitlefs  as  thofe  of 
Hamlet,  in  whofe  mind  there  Vi)as  a  kind  ef 
fighting  ifjat  wcitU  not  lei  him  JUep.  Evety 
motion  of  one  muft  difhirb  his  partner  in  con- 
iincment.  The  hUboes  are  ftill  (hewn  in  the 
Tower  of  London,  among  the  other  fpoib  of 
the  Spani(h  Armada.  The  following  is  the 
figure  of  them.    Steevens. 


• /?^, 

Andfraiid  be  rajhnefs  fir  it'-^Lets  us  kmw^ 
Our  indifcretiM  fome times  fimxs  ta  weil^ 
H^^  Sec]    The  icnle  in  this  reading  is.  Our  rqflnte/s  lets  ns 
tncw  that  Mtn  i/u/ifiretioM  Jlrves  us  'weil^  wh^en,  &c»     But  this  could 
never  be  Shakefpeare's  feofe.     We  (hodd  roul  and  point  thus : 
krf?nefi 
( And  praised  he  r^/hnrfs  for  it)  lets  its  Jduw ; 
Or  imdifcretion  fimetitnes  ferves  us  nxjeli^ 
Wben^  &c.]   r  e»  Ra(line(s  acquaints  ut  with  what  we  caa^ 
'4iot  penetrate  to  by  plots.     Wa&bu&ton. 
Boih  my  copies  read, 
Ralhly, 
Jhdfnut^d  hf  rqfimefs  fir  it^  let  us  biiVO. 

Haml«» 


PRINCE  OF  DEN.MARK.     389 

Our  indifcrecion  fomctimc  ferves  us  well. 

When  our  deep  plots  do  fail :  and  that  (bould  teach 

us, 
There's  a  divinity  that  (hapes  our  ends. 
Rough-hew  them  how  we  will. 

Hor.  That  is  mod  certain. 

Ham.  Up  from  my  cal^n. 
My  fea-gown  (carf  d  about  me,  in  the  dark 
Qrop'd  I  to  find  out  them  :  had  my  defire ; 
Fingered  theu*  packet ;  and,  in  fine,  withdrew 
To  mioe  own  room  again  :  making  fo  bold. 
My  fears  forgetting  manners,  to  unfeal 
Their  grand  commifiion  •,  where  I  found,  Horatio, 
A  royal  knavery  \  an  exaft  command, — 
Larded  with  many  fevcral  forts  of  reafons. 
Importing  Denmark's  health,  and  England's  too, 
7  With,  ho !  fuch  bugs  and  goblins  in  my  life>— 

Hamlcf,  delivering  an  account  of  Ms cfcapc,  begins  with  feyinj^ 
That  he  rajky  ,       and  then  is  carried  into  a  reflection  upon  the 
weakneft  of  human  wifdom,    I  rafhly— »— praifed  be  raftnefs  for 
jc— — L</  us  not  thinV  thele  events  cafual,  but  kt  n$  hi^-j^y  that  is, 
taie  notice  and  remenAer^  that  we  fomctimes  fucceed  by  htdifcrethng 
when  wc  Jail  by  deed  plots^  and  infer  the  perj)etual  fiiperintendance 
and  ogfNcy  of  the  Divinity.     The  obfervation  is  juft,  and  if  11!  be 
allow^  by  every  human  being  who  (hall  refied  on  the  courfe  of 
his  own  lite.    Johnsom,     • 
This  palFage,  I  think,  (hould  be  thus  diftribntcd.— Raihiy 
(And  praisM  berafhncfs,  for  it  lets  us  know. 
Our  indifcretion  fomctimes  ferves  us  well, 
When  our  deep  plots  do  fail ;  ^d  that  ihould  teach  tis, 
There*s  a  divinity  that  (hapes  our  ends, 
Rough  hety  them  how  we  will  j— 
Hot.  That  is  moft  ccrtain.-r-) 

Ham,  Up  from  my  cabin,  Jkc.    So  that  rajbfy  xaxf  be  joined  in 
COnOru^^n  with  //»  the  dark  grvfdl  to  find  out  them.  Tyr  wh  i  tt. 
'  ffith^  hot  fuch  hugs  and  gohiins  in  my  life  \]     With  fuch  carfe^ 
ofterrm-y  riling  from  my  character  and  defigns.    Jonr^soK. 

A  hug  was  ho  le&  a  terrific  being  than  a  gobltn.  nSo,  inSpenfer't 
Faery  Ulneen^  B.  J.  c.  3  : 

"  As  ghaftly  huz  their  haire  on  end  does  rearc*** 
We  call  it  at  jirefent  a  £v^Aevr.    Bteevems*  .        - 

C  c  3  .  That^ 


390     .         HAMLET. 

That,  on  the  fupervize, »  no  Icifurc  batec^ 
ISio,  not  to  day  the  grinding  of  the  axc^ 
My  head  Ihould  be  ft  ruck  off. 

Hot.  '  Is*t  poffiblc  ? 

Ham.  Here's  the  commiffion  \  read  it  at  more  lev 
Aire. 
But  wilt  thou  hear  now  how  I  did  proceed  ? 

Hor.  Ay  *befecch  you. 

Ham.  '  Beine  thus  benetted  round  with  villanicsi* 
Ere  I  could  mak^  a  prologue  to  my  brains. 
They  had  begun  the  play  ;-t-I  iat  mc  down; 
DevisM  a  new  commiflion  \  wrote  it  isix : 

•  — nohijwre  bated,!  Baitdy  for  alloMed.  TaifAclr^  figB%etta 
deduSi ;  this  dedudion,  when  applied  to  the  perfeo  in  who(c  ^wvir 
it  is  m^de,  is  called  an  all(wance.  Hence  he  takes  the  liberty  of 
ufing  hafed  tor  allcwed,     W  a  i;  BU R  ton. 

^  Meiitg  thus  henetted  round  voith  mlkdns^ 
Ere  I  could  make  aprol'tgue  to  n^  brains, 
y^fv  had  begufi  the  pl^:-^']    The  iSccoad  Kne  is  noofafei 
The  whole  ihould  be  read  thus  : 

Being  thus  henetted  round  <Mith  viUains^ 
Ere  I  could  mark  the  prologue  to  my  b^m^ 
T/?ey  bad  begun  the  pl^» 
2.  e.  they  be^un  to  aB^  to  my  dedru^Uoo,  before  I  Ime^r  theto 
was  2^piay  towards.     Ere  I  could  mark  theprol^^e*     For  it  appeals 
by  what  he  fays  of  \i\%  forebodings  that  it  was  that  only,  and  not  any 
apparent  mark  ot  villainy,  which  fet  him  Mya[xfingerif^  tbeir^packH^ 
Ere.  I  could  ma^e  the  prologue ^  it   abfurd :    both,   as  he  had  no 
thau^^hts  of  playing  them  a  trick  till  they  had  played  him  one; 
and  becaufe  his  counterplot  could  not  be  called  ^prologue  to  theic 
plot.    War  BUS  TO  If* 

In  my  opinion  no  alteration  is  necefTarv*  Hamlet  is  telling 
how  luckily  every  thing  fell  out ;  he  groped  out  their  comroiffioi\ 
in  the  dark  without  waking  ihem ;  he  found  himfelf  doomod  to 
imm&iiate  deilru(^n.  Something  was  to  be  done  fer  his  pie- 
i!bf:v2i;  ion.  An  expedient  occurred,  not  produced  by  the  companiiyi 
of  one  method  with  another,  or  by  a  regular  dedudion  of  confe- 
quences.  but  before  he  could  make  a  prologue  to  his  brains^  tbe^  had. 
begun  the  play,  Betore  he  could  funmion  his  faculties^  and  propoft 
to  htmVit  what  ihould  be  done,  a  complete  fcheme  of  a£lion  pse- 
femed  itfelf  to  him.  His  mind  operated  before  be  .had  eacited  ic« 
This  appears  to  ipe  to  be  the  i^eamng,    Johnson* 

.  S  I  once 


PRINCE  o*  DENMARK.    391 

I  once  did  hold  it^  >  as  our  flatifts  do^ 
A  bafetiefs  to  write  fair^  and  laboured  much 
How  to  forget  that  leirning ;  but,  fir,  now 
It  did  mc  •  yeoman*s  fervice :  Wilt  thou  know 
The  eflFcdJ:  of  what  I  wrote  ? 

Her.  Ay,  good  my  lord. 

Itain.  An  earneft  conjuration  from  the  king, — 
As  England  was  his  faithful  tributary  ; 
As  love  between  them  like  the  palm  might  flourifh,' 
3  As  peace  (hould  ftill  her  wheaten  garland  wear. 
And  fiand  a  comma  'tween  their  amities ; 

And 

^  '^as&ur  (latifts  d^,"]    hfiatift  U  ^.Jtatefman.    So,  in  Shirley^ 
fLaim'§us  Camrtier^  1640 : 

**  —  that  he  is  wife,  ^Jtatlfi? 
Ag^n,  in  Ben  Jon(bn*s  Magnetic  Lady : 

••  Will  fcrew  you  out  a  fecrct  fixMn  zj^tiftJ*  Stieveits. 
*  •  '^jeomaifsfirvice:']  The  noeanbg,  I  believe,  is,  nis yeoman jf 
fnaUficatiatt^ojas  a  mofi  i^efitf ftmuau^  oryeoman^  u  me;  i*  e.  did  me 
eminent  fenrice.  The  andent.>vmv/3i  were  funous  for  their  milr- 
tary  valour.  Thefe  were  the  good  archers  in  times  jiaft  (fays  Sir 
Thomas  Smidi),  and  the  ftable  troop  of  footmen  that  attraide  aR 
f'ranoe.'*    Ste^it^ns. 

3  AsfeaceJhouU  fiiU  her  'Vnbeaten  garland  wear^ 
Andfiemd  a  comma  ^tween  their  amities  ;]     Peace  is  here  pro* 
perly  and  finely  perlbnalized  as  the  goddefs  of  good  league  and 
iiriendlhip ;  and  very  dafiically  drefled  out.    Ovid  ikys. 

Fax  Certrem  murit^  pacts  alumna  Cereg. 
And  Tibullui, 

At  nohis^  pax  abna  !  veni^Jfacamquetenetor^ 
But  the  placing  her  as  a  comma^  or  ftop,  between  the  amities  of  two 
ki^igdoms,  makes  her  r^her  Hand  like  a  cypher*    The  poet  with<^ 
«at  doubt  wrote : 

And /land  d  coi^mett  ^tween  tmr  amities. 
The  term  is  taken  from  a  trafikker  in  love,  who  brings  people  td« 
Iphert  a  procurefs.  And  this  idea  is  well  appropriated  to  the  fati* 
nod  torn  which  the  fpeaker  gives  to  this  wicked  adjuration  oi  the 
king,  who  wo'old  lay  the  foundation  of  the  peace  ot  the  two  king- 
doms iathe  blood  of  the  heir  of  one  of  them.  Periers,  in  his 
novels,  ufes  the  word  cemMere  to  fignify  a  ibe- friend.  A  tons  fis 
gensy  chacun  une  commere.  And  Ben  Jonfon,  in  his  DeviTs  an  Afs^ 
en^ftiftes  the  word  by  a  middling  ^oj^. 

Or  what  do  you  fay  to  a  middling  goffip 

To  hringyon  together  f    Warburton. 

C  c  4  Hanmef 


59^  HAMLET, 

And  many  fuch  lijcc  4  as*s  of  great  charge,— 
Xhat,  oq  th^  view  and  knowing  of  thcfe  contents^ 
Without  ^eb^tcment  further,  mor^,  or  lefs. 
He  (hauld  the  bearers  put  to  fudden  dqitb. 
Not  fhriving  time  allowed. 

Hor.  How  was  this  feal'd  ? 

Ham*  Why,  even  in  that  was  heaven  ordina&t| 
I  had  my  father's  Cgnet  in  my  purfe, 
WJiich  was.  th^  n)od^l  of  th^t  Danifh  fcal: 
Folded  the  writ  up  in  form  of  the  other ; 
SubfcribM  it  i  gave /t  the  impreffion ;  placed  it  lafely^ 
;  The  changeling  never  known  :  Now,  the  next  day 
Was  our  fea-fight;  and  what  to  thi^  was  icqueo^ 
Thou  know'ft  "already^ 

flanmer  reads, 

\^ndjiand  a  cement— —rr 

I  am  again  inclined  to  vindicate  the  old  readiBA,  That  'tiif 
nrord  commert  is  French,  will  not  be  denied  \  bu(  wEen  or  where 
y/2»  it  £|igli(h^ 

The  expreffion  of  our  author  if,  Uk^  many  of  hia  p)iraiei,  (uf* 
(iciently  co()£liained  and  a^eded»  bjut  it  is  not  incamble  of  ci^pla- 
nation.  The  comma  is  the  note  oi  amHeSion  ana  co|itinui^  pf 
fentcnces ;  the  feriod  is  the  note  of  ahvptiom  and  disjaoOTon. 
Shakespeare  had  it  perhaps  in  bis  mind  to  write,  Tba(  unlefs  £ng« 
Jaud  complied  with  the  mandate,  swmt  J^imld  f^  a  period  t»  tf^ 
amity  \  t:e  altei-ed  his  mo4e  of  didion,  and  thought  that,  in  an  op- 
polite  fenfe,'  he  Miight  put,  that  PcaceJbouldJUuida  comma  between 
iheir  amities.  This  is  not  an  eafy  ilile ;  but  is  it  not  (he  Hile  (jf 
Shakefpeare  ?     Johnson. 

♦  — as's  rf  great  char^ge^]  .4^^  "heavily  loaded^  A  qt^hblpit 
intepded  between  as  the  conditional  ^rticle,  and  afs  th^  beaft  of 
lunhcn.  That  ci6^V  anciently  fiemfied  Z^^^/,  may  be  pfo^ed 
jfix3m  the  following  j^age  \n  fbe  fVldt/vifs  Tears^  by  Chapmani 
f6ij: 

««  Thou  ipuft  be  the  afs  charged  with,  crowns  to  make  way.** 

JOHNSOK. 

Shakpfp^re  has  fo  many  quibbles  of  his  own  to  anfwer  fer« 
^hat  there  are  thofe  who  think  i^  hat^d  he  (hould  be  enlarged  witli 
others  which  he  never  thought  of.     St^£V£NS. 

*  Tfje  ch^geling  »ww  known :— )  A  changelif^  is  a  chUdyAjich 
the  fairies  are  fuppofed  to  leave  in  the  ru)n^  of  that  wl^^h  tbffir 

ilcaL     JOHNSOM.  .       ' 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.     39^ 

/f^f  So  Guildenftern  and  Rofencrantz  go  to^t. 

Ham.  Why,  man  S  they  did  make  love  to  this 
employment  5 
They  are  not  near  my  confcience  5  their  defeat 
7  Doch  by  their  own  inlinuation  grow : 
*Tis  dangerous,  ^  hen  the  bafer  nature  comes 
Between  the  pafs  and  fell  incenfed  points 
Of  mighty  oppofites. 

/for.  Why,  what  a  king  is  this ! 

Ham.  Does  it  not^   think  thee^  (land   mc  now 
upon? 
He  that  hath  kiU'd  my  kuig,  and  whored  my  mother; 
Popt  in  between  the  eleftion  and  my  hopes ; 
Thrown  out  his  angle  for  my  proper  life. 
And  with  fuch  cozenage;  is't  notperfeft  confcience^ 
^  To  quit  him  with  this  arm  ?  and  is't  not  to  be 

damn'd^ 
To  let  this  canker  of  our  nature  come 
Jn  further  evil  ? 

Hot.  It  muft   be  Ihortly  known  to  him  froa> 
England, 
What  is  the  iflue  of  the  bufinefs  there. 

Ham.  It  will  be  Ihort :  the  interim  is  mine  % 
And  a  man's  life's  no  more  than  to  fay,  one, 
3ut  I  am  very  forry,  good  Horatio, 
That  to  Laertes  I  forgot  myfclf  j 
For  by  the  image  of  my  caufe,  I  fee 
The  portraiture  of  his :  111  count  his  favours  ' : 

*  fFfyf  wuvtf  Sec]    This  line  is  omitted  in  the  auartos.' 

OTE»FEW8. 

V  2}«r J  fy  tbcir  (Fim  iofitiuadoti  |T9fv  .*]  L^bmathm^  Sat  cmrupdy 
^ruding  rhemfelves  into  his  ferric^    WAtSu&TON. 

^  To  qmi  him — ]    To  requite  him ;  topty  him  his  due. 

J0HK8OK. 

"piis  parage,  as  well  as  the  three  ibOowmg  ipeecbes,  is  not  in 
ll^  quartos.    Ste^vens. 

9  Pll  count  bbfavottrs:')  Thus  the  folio.  Mr.  Rmm  bO, 
pade  the  alteratipn,  whiph  Is  tmneceflaiy.  rU  anad  his  ftvours 
}»^ItfnU  make  acccwti  of  themy  i.  e.  nchpt  tjf^i  ttfmf-viJm  themm 

SrssrENs* 

Butt 


354  H    A    M    t    fi    Tj 

]^ut,  Aire,  the  bravery  o£  his  grief  did  put  mo 
]nto  a  towering  pafllon. 

Hor.  Peace  j  who  comes  here? 

Efiter  OJrick. 

Of.  Your  lordfhip  is  right  welcome  back  to  Den** 
mark. 

Ham.  I  humbly  thank  you,  fir. — »  Poft  know 
this  water-fly  ? 

Hor.  No,  my  good  lord. 

Ham.  Thy  Hate  is  the  more  sracious}  for  Visa 
Vice  to  know  him  :  He  hath  much  land,  and  fertile ; 
let  a  bead  be  lord  of  beads,  and  his  crib  (hall  ftand 
at  the  king's  mefs :  ^  'Tis  a  chough  \  but,  as  llay, 
fpacious  in  the  poflellion  of  dh-t. 

0/V.  Sweet  lord,  if  your  lordlhip  were  at  leifure, 
I  (hould  impart  a  thing  to  you  from  his  majefty. 

tiam.  1  will  receive  it,  fir,  with  all  diligence  erf 
fpirit :  Put  your  bonnet  to  his  right  ufc ;  ^tis  for 
uie  head. 

Off.  I  thank  your  IcH'dlhip^  \h  very  hot. 

Ham.  No,  beueye  me,  '^tis  very  cold  \  the  wind  is 
northerly.  ^ 

Ofr.  It  IS  indiflrrent  cold,  my  lord,  indeed. 

Ham.  '  But  yfct,  methinks,  it  is  very  fultry  aQ4 
hot ;  or  my  conriplexion  4 — 

O/k.  Exceedingly,  my  lord ;  it  is  very  fultry, —  aa 
'twere, — I  cannot  tell  now— My  lord,  his  majcily 

*  ^^B^  huw  this  water-Jlyf]  A  vjater-fy  ll^ps  up  and 
*down  xifftm  die  ibrfiweof  the  water,  without  any  apparent  &ur- 

pofe  or  reafon,  aod  k  tbence  the  proper  emblem  of  a  hafj  tnlle^. 

JORNSOM. 

*  ^'^  It  is  a  cbo9^b ; — 1     A  kind  of  jackdaw*    Johnson. 

*  Butjeif  metbinkt^'ii  is  v^  yi^O^^ftc.]  Hamlet  is  here  play- 
ing over  the  fame  ^rce  with  Ofrick,  which  he  had  formeriy  dobe 
with  Polonioa,    Sts  E  v  b  ffg . 

*  -**^iay  complcflBion.J     The  foKo   read— "^  my,  com* 

■     ^  bade 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.     $j|5 

bade  me  figmfy  to  you,  that  be  has  laid  a  great  wag^ 
on  your  head :  Sir,  this  is  the  matter,—? 

Ham^  I  bcfccch  you,  remember— 

\Hamkt  moyes  bim  to  put  on  Ids-  ha». 

Ofr.  Nay,  good  my  lord  ;  for  my  eafe  5,  in  good 
faith, — SirS  here  ia  newly  come  to  court,  Laertes: 
believe  me,  an  abfolute  gentleman,  7  full  of  moft 
excelleot  tliffercnees,  of  very  Ibft  fociety,  and  great 
Jhewing :  Indeed,  to  fpeak  feelingly  ^  of  him,  he  is 
9  the  card  or  calendar  of  Rentry.;  » for  you  (If all 
find  in  him  the  continent  or  what  part  a  gentleman 
would  fee*  .      . 

Ham.  *  Sir,  his  .defincment  fuffers  no  perdition  im 
you  I — though,  I  know,  to  divide  bim  inventorially, 

would 

5  **  Nay,  in  good  faith-^  mine  ea/i.^^  Thu  fccms  to  baiwe 
been  the  a&6led  phraie  of  the  dme^^^Thus  in  Mmftons  Makcom^ 
tent^  "  I  befccch  you,  fir,  be  covered." — **  No,  in  good  faith  fir 
my  eafe!^    And  in  other  placet.     Fa&mer. 

*  Sir^  &c.]  The  folio  omits  this  and  the  following  fourtceti 
fpeeches;  and  in  their  place  fubflitutea  only,  **  Sir,  you  are  not 
ignorant  of  what  excellence  Laertes  ia  at  his  weapon.^ 

Steevens* 
T  -— ^i/  of  mofi  txceUeta  dlffertaces^-^l     Full  of  diftinffii/bing 
^cellcncies.    Johnson. 

•.  -^ fpeak  feelingly]     The  firft  quarto   reads,  filUngly. 

Stebvens* 

*  m^ the  card  or  calendar  of  geniry  \'^'\  The  general  preceptor 
of  degance ;  the  card  by  which  a  gendeman  is  to  direct  his  courfe; 
the  calendar  by  which  he  is  to  choole  his  time,  that  what  he  does 
may  be  both  excellent  aod  feafonaUe.     Johnson* 

*  — for  youfhaU  find  in  bim  the  continent  of  what  fart  agentk* 
puta  wotddjee,]  Toujbailfnd  him  containing  and  compriiinfir  every 
anali^f  which  sl  gentleman  would  defire  to  contert^ate  for  imitatioo. 
1  know  not  but  it  (hould  be  read.  Ton  Jball find  bim  the  continent. 

Johnson*. 

*  Sirj  bis  difinemeni^  &c.]  This  is  defigned  as  a  foecimen, 
aod  ridicule  of  the  court-jargon  amongil  ih^firecieux  of  that  time* 
The  fenfe  in  Englifh  is,  ^*  Sir,  he  fuffers  nothing  in  your  ac- 
**'  count  of  hinii  though  to  enumerate  his  good  qu^dicies  pard- 
*^  cularlv  would  be  endiefs ;  yet  when,  we  bud  done  our  bell,  it 
**•  would  Hill  come  (hort  of  hinu  However,  in  ilri^nds  of  tru'h, 
^f  he  is  a  great  g,ciuu8»  and  of  a  chamber  fo  raieiy  to  be  net 

••  with, 


J9«  H    A    M    L    E    T, 

would  dizzy  the  arithmetic  of  memory;  «  and  yet 
but  raw  neither^  in  refped  of  his  quicic  lail.  But,  ii> 
the  verity  of  extolment^  I  take  him  to  be  4  a  fool  of 
great  article;  and  his  infufion  5  of  fuch  dearth  and 
rarenefs,  as,  to  make  true  di<5Hon  of  him,  his  fern* 
blable  is  his  mirrour  i  and^  who  elfe  woukl  trace  him^ 
his  umbrage,  nothing  more. 

0/r.  Your  lordfhip  fpeaks  moft  infallibly  of  him. 

Ham.  The  concernancy,  fir?  why  do  we  wrap 
the  gentleman  m  our  more  rawer  breath  i 

(^r.  Sir? 

Hor.  ^  Is't  not  poflible  to  underftand  in  aootber 
tongue  ?  You  will  do't,  fir*  really. 

Ham.  What  imports  the  nominataon  <tf  this  gentle^ 
man? 

'^^  with,  tliat  to  find  any  tliinfi^  like  him  we  mufi  look  into  bis 
'^  mirrouri  and  his  imitstort  win  appear  no  more  than  hts  (hadow;.^ 

Warburtoit. 

•  -*  anJjet  ItU  raw  neither — ]    We  ihould  residjiffw. 

WARBtTRTON. 

I  believe  raw  to  be  the  right  word;  it  is  a  word  of  great  lati* 
tudei  raw  lignifies  unripe^  immature^  thence  w^hrmtdy  tmperftB^ 
imjklffuh  The  bell  account  of  him  would  be  impeffiR^  in  re^ed 
«t  his  quick  fail.  The  phrafe  ^clt  fail  was,  1  fuppofe,  a  prcH 
Terbial  term  for  oBtvity  efmituU    Johnson. 

^  —  rf  Jbul  ff  great  article ;— ]  Thia  is  obfcurc.  I  once 
thought  it  might  have  been,  a  fiul  ef  great  akitwU\  but,  I  fup- 
poic,  afoul  of  great  article^  means  afoul  ^large  comprehcnfion,  of 
many  contents ;  the  particulars  of  an  inventoiy  are  called  articles, 

JOHNSOK. 

$  —  if  fuch  de^ih — ]  Dearth  is  deamcfs^  value,  price.  And 
his  intemd  qualities  of  fuch  value  and  rarity.    Johnson. 

*  /i*/  not  pojpbk  to  underfieend  in  another  tongue  f  you  will  do\  , 
fir^  realtf.\  Of  this  interrogatory  remark  the  fenfe  is  very  ob- 
fbure.  The  queition  may  mean,  Might  not  all  this  he  unAerftood  m 
plainer  language.  But  then,  jwir  will  do  ity  fir^  reallj/y  feems  to  have 
no  uie,  for  who  could  doubt  but  phun  language  would  be  intel- 
ligible  ?  I  woukl  therefore  read,  ts*t  pojphle  not  to  be  underfiood 
in  a  mother  tongue.    You  wiH  do  it,  fir,  really.     Tohnson^. 

Suppofe  we  were  to  point  the  paiFa^e  thus  :  Is\  not  |x>i]]b]e  to 
vndeHtand  ?  In  another  tongue  you  wilt  do  it,  fir,  really. 

The  fpeech  feems  td  be  addreiTed  to  Ofiriek^  who  is  pnzxied  by 
Hamlet's  Imitation  of  hb  own  iSk&xA  language,    Steevens.     * 

QJu 


PRINCE  dp  DENMARK*    3^7 

Ofr.  Of  Laertes? 

Her.  His  purfc  is  empty  already;  all's  golden 
words  are  fpent. 

Ham.  Of  him^  fir. 

Ofr.  1  know,  you  are  not  igooraht— ~ 

Ham.  I  would,  you  did,  & ;  yet,  in  fiaith,  1  if 
you  did,  it  would  not  much  approve  me: — Well,  fir. 

Ofr.  You  are  not  ignorant  of  what  excellence 
Laertes  is. 

Ham.  ^  I  dare  not  confefs  that,  left  I  fhould  com- 
pare with  him  in  excellence  %  but^  to  know  a  man  well, 
were  to  know  himfelf. 

Ofr.  I  noean,  fir,  for  bis  weapon;  but  in  the  im- 
putation laid  on  him  by  them^  9  in  his  meed  he's  un* 
feUow'd. 

Ham.  What*s  his  weapon? 
f    Ofr.  Rapier  and  dagger^ 

Ham.  That's  two  of  his  weapons :  but,  well. 

Ofr.  The  fcingj^,  fir,  hath  wagerM  with  him  fix  Bar- 
bary  horfes :  againft  the  which  he  has  >  impon'd,  aS 
I  take  it,  fix  French  rapiers  and  poniards,  with  their 
aflSgns,  as  girdle,  hangers  S  and  fo :  Three  of  the 

carriages^ 

7  .^  if  yon  did^  it  would  not  much  approve  me.']  If  you  kqeMt 
I  was  not  ignorant,  your  eileem  would  not  much  advance  roy  re- 
putatibn*    To  4^ovif  \%  to  recommend  to  apfrobatton.    J  oh  n  s  o  n  • 

*  1  dan  not  confefs  that,  left  IJhould  compare  with  him^  ^. )  I 
^re  not  pretend  to  know  him,  left  I  ihould  pretend  to  an  equa- 
fity  :  no  man  can  completely  know  another,  but  by  knowing  him- 
felt,  which  18  the  utmoft  extent  of  human  wifdom.    Johnson* 

^ -^  in  his  meedy^^    In  his  excellence.    Johnson. 
.   «  —  zmfo^df^]  Perhaps  it  fhould  be,  defot^d.    So  Hudibras, 
t-  **  I  would  upon  this  caufe  depone^ 

**  As  much  as  any  I  have  known.'' 
But  perhaps  imponed  is  pledged,  impawned^  fo  fpelt  to  ridicule  the 
aife&ation  of  uttecing  EngUfti  woids  with  French  pronunciation. 

JOHNSOX. 

*  —  hangers,]  It  appears  from  ieveral  old  plays,  that  what  was 
called  a  Ca^  tf  Hangers^  was  anciently  worn.  So,  in  the  Birth  ef 
MkrUn^  i66a  t 

^  He haia^fair  (word,  but  hit  hangert  art  ^iien.'* 

Agalil, 


carriages,  in  faith,  are  very  dear  m  ftocy,  Terjr  re* 
fpon^vc  to  the  hilts,  moft  delicate  carriages,  and  o^ 
very  liberal  conceit. 

Ham.  What  call  you  the  carriages? 

Hot.  I  knew,  3  you  muft  be  edified  bjr  the  mar* 
gent,  ere  yoo  had  done. 

Off.  The  carriages,  fir,  are  the  hangers. 

Ham.  The  pbraie  would  be  4  nioregenAane  to  the 
matter,  if  we  could  carry  a  cannon  by  our  fides ;  I 
would,  it  might  be  bangers  ^till  then*  But,  on  :  Six 
Barbary  borfes  againft  fix  French  fwords,  their  aiffigo^ 
and  three  liberal-conceited  carriages;  that's  the  French 
bett  againft  the  Danilh :  Why  is  this  imponM,  as 
you  call  it  ? 

OJr.  5  The  king,  fir,  hath  lay'd,  that  in  a  dozen 
pafifes  between  yourfelf  and  him,  he  fimU  not  exceed 

you 
Again, 

^  He  hli  a  Gather,  aad  &ir  langtrs  tod.* 
AgaiD»  in  RhodoH  and  lri$^  1631  :  ^*fc— a  rajMe): 

**  HatchM  with  gold,  with  hilt  and  hangers  of  the  &ew  fiilhioD.* 

^TBBVIKS^ 

*  — jw«  miifi  he  tJified  ^  the  margmii^  Dr.  Warburton  voy 
{Moperly  ot^fenres,  that  in  the  old  books  the  gloif  or  comment  was 
ufuallv  printed  on  the  margent  of  the  le£  So,  in  Decker't 
Hm^  Wbere^  part  2d,  1630 : 

«<— Iread 
^  Strange  comments  in  diofe  margins  of  your  looki.^ 
This  fpeech  is  emitted  in  the  folio,    StEEVEKS* 

*  •^-  m9re  germane'^']     More  a-kin^    Johnsoiv. 

'  T)je  kit^,  Jtr^  bath  taid^'^']  This  wager  I  do  not  underfltlli. 
In  a  dozen  pafles  one  muft  exceed  the  other  more  or  lefs  thaa 
three  hits.  Ner  can  I  compre^nd,  how,  in  a  doxcn,  there  caa . 
be  twdre  to  nine.  The  paffi^  is  •f  no  importance ;  it  ts  fuf- 
ficient  that  there  was  a  wager.  The  quano  has  the  pa^ge  as  it 
ilands.    The  folio.  He  hatb  one  twelve  fir  mine.    Johkson. 

The  king  ha^  iaiiithai  in  a  denen  faffes^  &c.  This  psilage  COOS' 
pared  with  two  others  in  which  this  wager  is  i^n  mentioned,  it 
certainly  obfcure ;  yet  with  a  flight  corr^on  already  made  by  Sir 
T.  Hanmer  in  the  hift  of  them,  the  three  paiTages  m^,  Itfaink, 
be  reconciled. 

By  a  dozen  pajfes  hetween  ycnr/e^  and  bim^  I  underibad  a  dosen 
paOei  fir  each.    The  meaning  then  is^^  TIm  king  hath  laid* 

that 


PRINCE  or  DEN  MAkK.    ^99 

you  thra  hits:  he  hath  lay'd  on  twelve  for  xmci 
and  it  would  come  to  immediate  trial,  if  your  lord^ 
Hap  would  voucbfafe  the  anfwen 
.  Ham.  How  if  I  anfwcr,  no  ? 

Cfn  I  mean,  my  lord,  the  oppofitbn  of  your  per*" 
fbn  in  trial. 

.,  Ham.  Sir,  I  will  walk  here  in  the  hall :  If  it  pleafe 
his  majefty,  it  is  the  breathing  time  of  day  with  me ; 
let  the  foils  be  brought :  the  gentleman  willing,  and 
the  king  hold  his  purpole,  I  will  win  for  him,  if  I 
can ;  if  not,  I  will  gain  nothing  but  my  (hame,  and 
the  odd  hits. 

Off.  Shall  rdcfiver  youfo? 

Ham.  To  this  cSeSt,  &t  ;  after  what  flouri(h  your 
nature  will. 
^    Ofr.  I  commend  my  duty  to  your  lordlhip.  [^Exit. 

Ham.  Yours,  yours. — He  does  well,  to  commend 
it  himfelf ;  there  are  no  tongues  elfe  for's  turn. 

Hor.  ^  This  lapwing  runs  away  with  the  fliell  on 
hb  head. 

.  Ham. 

that  in  a  dooen  paflb  apiece  between  you  and  Laertes,  he  (haU 
HOC  ha?e  the  advantage  of  vou  by  three  hits.  He  (viz.  the  king) 
hath  laid  9m  the  terms  of  X«aertes  making  twelve  hits  fir  Hin$ 
which  you  (hall  make."— tOr  perhaps  the  laft  h  means  I^ertes^  and 
then  it  will  run— ^*  Hi  (Viz.  Laertes)  hath  laid  on  terms  of  mak* 
ingMehe  hits  for  ning  which  you  (hall  make.** 

This  juft  exceeds  Hamlet's  number  by  three.— If  thereforo 
Laertes  m  his  la  pailes  (hould  make  la  hits,  and  Hamlet  in 
nis  12  but  9,  the  kmg  would  bfe.— -If  on  the  other  hand,  La- 
ertes (hould  makebut  11  htts*  and  Ibmlet  9,  or  Laertes  la  atA 
Hamlet  10,  his  ms^efiy  would  win.— The  other  two  paflagcs  in 
which  this  bett  is  mentioned,  (halt  be  confidered  in  thrir  proper 
fiacot.    Maxoks. 

^  Thh  Itfwif  rams  mwf^  with  the  JbeU  on  bis  bead,']     I  fe<  no 

particuUur  propriety  in  the  image  of  the  lapwing.    Ofrick  did  not 

^nin  till  he  had  done  bis  bufinefs.    We  may  read^  This  lap^::ng 

ran  tfawy—That  is,  tbisfiikw  *toas  fidl  of  ummfortaU  ht^U  ficm 

\hisHrtb»    JoHNsoN« 

The  iame  image  q^uc^in  Ben  Jonfon's  Stt^  ofNevUf 


4TO  HAMLET, 

Ham.  7  He  did  compliment  with  his  dug,  before  hi 
fuck*d  it.  Thus  has  he  (and  many  more  of  the  fame 
breed  •,  that,  I  know,  the  drofly  age  dotes  on)  o»lf 
got  the  tune  of  the  time,  and  outward  habit  of  en- 
counter ^  i  «  a  kind  erf  ycfty  colledion,  which  carries 
them  through  and,  through  the  motk  fond  and  win* 

nowed 

**  •——and  coachmca 
'«*  To  mout^c  their  boxes  reverently,  and  drive 
^  Like  lafwings  with  aJbeU'wf^n  their  heads 
*«  Thorough  tie  ftrccU.'* 
And  I  have  fince  met  with  it  in  feveral  other  plays.    The  mean- 
ing, I  believe,  is— This  is  a  fir^vard  feUow.    5o,  in  Fiiunria  Ch 
rcmbcita^  or  the  White  Devil^  i6i a : 

••  —  F^rvwri/.  lapwing, 
«  be  flies  with  the  (heU  on's  head.** 
Ag^m,  in  Greenes  Never  too  late^  1616 :    **  Are  you  no  iboncf 
hatched,  with  the  UfFming^  but  you  will  run  away  with  the  JbtU 
mtymtrheadl* 

Again,  in  Revenge  fir  HoMomr^  by  CSiapman : 

*^  Boldnefs  enforces  youdi  to  hardatchievements 
**  Before  their  time ;  makes  them  run  forth  IWccli^nvhp 
**  From  their  warm  neft,  part  of  the  JbeUyetJtidi^    . 
^  Unto  their  downy  heads.**    Steevens. 
t  HSr  did  (b,.  fir,  v)itb  Us  dug^  .&c.]     What,  *  run  away  with 
it?  The  folio  reads,  He  did  comply  voitb  his  dug.    So  th;it  ^ 
true  reading  appears  to  be,  A  ^^T'oompliment  with  his  ^,  i.  e* 
fland  upon  ceremony  with  it,  to  (hew  he  was  horM  a  courtier. 
This  is  extremely  humorous.-    Warburton, 
Hanmer  has  tne  fame  emendation.    Johnsoj/. 
I  doubt  whether  any  alteration  be  neralary. .  Shakefpeare  icemi 
to  have  ufed  cof^  in  the  (enfc  in  which  we  uie  the  verb  c9mf>B^ 
ment.    See  before,  Ad  a.  Sc  2.  let  me  comply  with  jou  im  tint 
^jgarb^    Tyewhitt. 

•  ^  the  fame  breed,]  It  is  *f<r^  in  the  firft  folic^  and  thef% 
may  be  i  propriety  in  it,  as  he  has  juft  called  him  a  lading. 

Toi.LET» 

«-  astd  pMny  m^re  of  the  (ami  breed.  The  flriV  folio  has-* 
and  mine  more  of  the  fame  heavy.  The  lecond  folio— iHu/  nine 
wurre^  &c.    Perhaps  the  lalt  is  the  true  reading.    Steeten's. 

•  —  emsvaard  bahit  tf  encounter ;]  Thus  the  folio.  The  cjuaitM 
read — m/ ^««  habit  of  encoumef.    Steevens. 

•  —  tf  nind  of  yt&y  ceikSion^  which  carries  Vjem  thrtntgh  anJt 
eiroagh  the  mofi  fond  and  winnowed  opinions  \  anddo  hut  bbnv  tbem  tm 
tUr  trials^  thi  Mbles  are  out^l    The  metaphor  is  Aiangdy  mangleA 


P  R  I  N  C  E  Of .  D'E  N  M  ARK.     401 

Aowed  opinions ;  and  *  do  but  blow  them  to  their 
trials  thU!  bubbles  are  oiit. . 

Enter 

by  the  intnifion  bf  Ac  *Wor3  >fti^*  which  undoubtedly  Ihould  be 
icad  j&M'i;  diK  ttlufion^  being. to  com  ieparated  by  the  fan  ftom 
chaff  and  duiib..  But  the  editors  feeing,  ^oni  the  chafoiSter  of  this 
y^  cdkHioH^  tHat  the  tfinions,  through  which  th'^  were  fo  cur- 
itntty  carried,  were  falfc  opiiitons ;  and  fantid  and  ^intw^d  opl* 
mimUf  in  the  moft  obvious  fenfe,  fignifying  tried  and  furj/ied  opi- 
nions ;  they  thought  ^/Sdm'i/  mull  needs  be  wroqg«  aod  therefore 
made  it  Jimd^  which  word  fignified,  in  our  author's  time,  lboliih«. 
weak,  or  childiih*  They  did  not  confider  that^^xV  and  winfuw^J 
apimoHs  had  alfe  a  di^rent  fignification :  for  it  may  mean  thet 
opinions  of  great  men  and  courriers,  men  iepar^ted  by  their  auality 
from  the  vukar,  as  com  is  feparated  from  chaff  This  yejfj  ca^^ 
U&i^n^  iays  i&mlet,  infinuates  itfelf  into  people  of  the  highefl 
quality,  as  yell  into  the  fined  flour.  The  courders  admire  him^ 
when  he  comes  to  the  trial,  a^c.    WAHBtiRTOM, 

This  is  a  very  happy  eitieddation ;  but  I  know  not  wh^  the  critic 
Ihouid  iuppoie  that  fmd  was  printed  iox  fantid  in  conlequence  of 
nay  reafbn  or  reflection.  -  Such  errors^  to  which  there  is  no  t^mpta* 
tlon  but  idlenefs,  and  of  which  there  was  no  caufe  but  ignorancCy 
are  in  every  page  of  the  old  editions.  This  paflage  in  the  quarco 
ftands  thus:  ^  They  have  eot  out  of  the  habit  ot  encounter,  a 
'^  kind  of  roifty  coUedtion,  which  carries  iheni  throu^^h  and  through  - 
*^  the  moft  profane  and  trennowned  opinions."  If  this  prinrer 
preferved  any  traces  of  the  original,  our  author  wrote,  "the  moft 
^  fane  and  renowned  opinions,"  which  is  better  than  fann*d  and 
tVinnow'd. 

The  meaning  ii,  •*  thefc  men  have  got  the  cant  of  the  day,  a 
*'  fiiperficial  rcadinefs  of  fli!:^ht  and  curiory  conver&tion;  a  kind 
•*  of  hxKhy  collection  of  fafliionable  prattle,  whtch  y- 1  carried 
**  them  through  the  moft  feleCt  and  approved  judgmens.  This 
•*  airy  facility  of  talk  fometimes  impofes  upon  wife  men." 

Who  has  not  ieen  this  obiervation  verified  ?    Johns  oh. 

Pond  is  evidently  oppofed  to  winnowed,  Fond^  in  the  language 
of  Shakefpeare^s  age,  {\^\^tA  JhoUjbi  So,  in  the  Merchant  rf 
Venice : 

Thou  naught)'  jailer,  why  art  thou  fo  find,  &c. 

fFinttswed 

•  — do^uf  hlmv  them,  &c.]  Thcfe  men  ot  0*  )W,  without  foHdlty, 
are  like  bubbles  raifed  from  foap  and  waccr,  vihich  dance,  and 
fflitter,  and  plcafe  the  eye,  but  if  you  extend  thetn,  by  blowing 
nard,  ieparate  into  a  mift ;  lb  if  you  oblige  theie  fpecious  talkers 
to  extend  their  compafs  of  convenation,  they  at  once  diicover  tho 
triHiity  of  their  intellects.    Johnson. 

Vol.  X.  D  d 


40*-  HAM    LET, 

Efiier  a^Lord^ 

LorJ^  Mjr  lord  %  his  majefty^comciMmded  him  to 
you  by  young  Ofrick,  who  brings  back  to  him,  that 
you  attend  hinfi  in  the  hall :  He  fends  to  know,  if 
your  pleafurc  hold  to  pliy  with  LacrteSj^  or  that  you 
will  take  longer  time. 

Ham^  I  am  conftant  to  my  pnrpofes^  they  foUo«r 
^h4  king's  pleaftire :  if  his  fitnefs  fpeaks,  mine  U 
rjcadyv  how,  or  whenfoever,  provided  1  be  fo  able 
as  now,, 

Lord.  The  king,  and  queen,  and  all  are  coming 
down. 

Ham.  In  happy  time. 

Lord.  The  queen  dcfires  you,  to  ufe  fomc  4  gende 
entertainment  to  Laertes,  before  you  fall  to  play. 

Ham.  She  well  inftruds  me.  {i^rnt  iJri^ 

Uar.  You  will  lofe  this  wager,  my  lord. 

Hum.  I  do  not  think  fo ;  fmce  he  wetic  into  Ffanee, 
\  have  been  in  continual  pradice  \  I  fliall  win  at  the 

If^tmt&vssd  nj^ml,  4xamiMed.  The  ienfe  ia  then^  that  thdroon*^ 
Tcrlktion  was  yet  fuccefsRil  enough  to  make  them  pailable  not  only 
with  the  weak,  but  with  thofeoflbiHidcr  judgment.  The  Iknie  ap- 
poiitioa  in  terms  ia  vifible  in  the  reading  v^hich  the  quaciof  odnr. 
FnjfoMe  or  vulgar^  is  oppoied  to  tr^iuwmd^  or  thrke  nmmmed. 

St££V£KS. 

FanfCd  anyd  wimm^J  fecms  right  to  me.  Both  wotds  wimmmmd, 
fojiJ*  ami  ^ve&9  occur  together  in  IMbrkham's  St^glifi  H^fimd* 
mofh  P»  <  i  7*  So  do  £inV  and  winnow*^*  (savned  and  vnsaiomditk 
his  at^handjy^  p.  i8.  76^  at\d  77.  So  Shakeljpearc  aientioos.«H> 
gether  thc^  and,  vnttd  in  Tro'tlus  and  CrtJ/kia^  A£t  5.  Sc*  j. 

TbtLXT. 

\  '  4&  Mtdy  &c.}    All  that  paiTes  between  Hamkt  and  this  Lord 
Is  omitted  in^ the  toUo.    Steeveks. 
^  r^g^Mil^^MUrUfiMmMt'^}    Mild  and  temperate  cMirerfatinn. 

Johnson^ 

*  So  wcktea  vncUaut  tho  apoihophe,  and  eafily  might  in  MS.  be  aif^ 
taken  for/9W» 

odd^ 


bclds  5.    But  thou  wpuld'ft  not  thinks  how  ill  all's  here 
dbout  mv  heart :  but  it  is  no  maticvi 
,  Ky.  Najr.good  rt^y  lofrd^-^ 
;  HamVlt  is  but  foolery ;  but  it  is  fudh  fa  kind  ot 
gain- giving;,  as  wotJld,  perhaps,  trouble  a  WDtt>an/ 

H^r*  7  If  your  piind  diflike  any  thing,  ob^ey  it :  I 

win  forcftal  their  ttym  hiAer,  and  fay,  you  arcr  not  fie. 

Uamf  I<ot  a  wnir,  we  defy  augury ;  there  i^  a 

Tpccial  providence  in  the  fall  of  a  fpaf  row*     If  it  be 

'^now,  'tis  not  to  come ;  if  it  be  not  to  come,  it  will 

\^  now ;  if  it  be  not  now,  yet  it  will  come :  the  readi- 

nefs  is  all  r  ^  Since  no  man  knows  aught  of  what  he 

leaves,  what  is't  to  leave  betimes  i   Let  be« 

Entet 

,^.IJbaH^liiat,tb9»o6ii^']  By  oJds  are  generally  uftdcrftooi 
either  unequal ^akcs^  or  anjidvantagi giviif  to  ok  mJwrfary.  Th at  no 
Ms ,  was  laid  ia  the  former  fcnfe,  appears  from  the  bet  kfelf^ 
wMch  has;  afread^  bee*  porticukffy  fiR^tionetik  When  Hniiiler; 
tli€M!f<»re,  Usfi^  //Mf<rv/4iff  9hi4ms,  be  mesini  i  ftall  tiiceced  with 
Jbe  adDAnct^  \tfaich  I  am  alldi^e^  I  Ml  ftiiikeniovv  tball  nmi  hiti 
fior  Laertes' /lu^iitf^    Maloks. 

'  •  ^-^M  kind  of  gain-givhig}    OMhhg^ti^  \i,  tlie  iaine  as  nUfi^ 

^hn'l^.      StE  EVENS. 

.  f  ^jtmt  mM  ajlfke  09  thhtg^Seffif:}  WWf  theft  pi^fages  of 
Ibtute  evils  ai|6a^'fn  the  mind,  •the  pott  has  Ib^^aA  IK^ifjr  eventi 
wfaioh  are  to  happen  at  the  eodclufioM  of  bitf  pta^^s  t  anJ  (bme* 
Qmea  ib  partkuUirly,  thai  even  &tt  ciftuiy^a«c<%  ^(^'  <lkifotili«y  are 
minutely  hmted  at,  as  in  the  infhince  of  Juliet,  who  tetls  her  lOTe^ 
frem  thenvindow,  that  he  app^rs  like  one  dead  in  fhe  bottom  ef  d 
mnk  Tfaedii>pc^on  tlmctNe  genius  of  the  mind  ^te  the  aiarM 
iMiMw^ipptemin^diMifiimi*  isa  ve^  ancient  one,  and  p^rhapi 
aatmntA)i  «ofat^ii^hriaw  out  1  yf^  if  mu^  be  allowed  the  merit  oi 
Mi\im^  beaocy  l04>odtiy^  hc^vever  itl^urious  ir  rimjr  fytM6tik^  pto^ 
to fheweiidcKMNi tht^fuperftincftH.    StE£vrN9< 

•  i^  fibre  tto  mam  bas  ought  of  what  he  leaves^  ^Aeii  i/i  U  kertM 
-iotrmes^^  7%il  the  editors  billed  reafoding^  '  t  fheiild^  ha^ 
thought  the  pftfAtfes  concluded  jud  otherwHe :  M  fiteee  deaiilk 
S^^^ftm^ii^MiiffMng^  it  is  but  ^  he  (hdMld  AKin  afMdtaloid 
;th€.de%oiler«  Th«  old  quarto  feadis,  Sinee  no  many-  tf  o^ngbf  ^ 
leaves^  knows,  'Viihat  i/t  to  leave  betimes  t  Let  Be.  This  il  fhe  trH*! 
t^in^tf  Hem  the  premifes  condlude  rights  and  the  argttftient 
d?aw»  OMt  at  length  is  to  this  effed :   *Mt  «s  itue,  that;  by  dctfrti^ 

^  we  lofc  all  the  gooda  ofi  li^ ;  y^  ie^ing  tbn  \oi&  ie  tib  ofhefwM 

D  d  4  ^  ao 


404  HAMLET, 

Enler  Ksngf    $gi^  Laertes^  .  Lords^  Qfiickf  and 
att^Mts  witb  foils^  i^c. 

Jp'i^.  Come,  Hamlet^  come,  and  take  this  hand 

\tbi  KiMg  puts  tbi  band  of  Laertes  into  tbat  of  Hamlet. 
Ham.  ^Givemejrourpardotiyfir:  I  ha^  done  you 
wrong ; 
But  pardon  it»  as  you  are  a  gentleman. 
This  prefence  knows,  and  you  muft  needs  have  heard. 
How  I  am  punUh'd  with  a  fore  diftra£Hon« 
What  I  have  done. 

That  migkc  your  nature,  honour,  and  exception. 
Roughly  awake,  I  here  proclaim  was  madnds. 
Was^t  Hamlet  wrong'd  Laertes  i  Never,  Hamlec : 

««  to  evil  than  at  we  aie  ienfibk  6f  it:  and  fioce  death  reowvet 
^  allfenfeof  ic,#hatiiiatteiiikliaw(o6&  weloietfaeal?,Tllcre- 
V  fore  coine  what  mil,  I  am  prepared*''  But  the  ill  pointiiig  in  the 
old  book  hindered  the  editors  from  (eeing  Shalu:(beare's  feiue,  and 
encoufaged them  to  venture  at  one  of  their  own,  though,  as  ufoal, 
ch^  are  come  vm  lamdy  oE    Warbu&ton. 

The  rcadiBgoc  the  quarto  was  tij^btv  but  in  fome  other  copy  the 
harihneis  of  ue  tranfpofition  was  ioitmd,  and  due  paflagje  flood 
ihcir:  Smctn0^-mm hinut  mt^ ^.nubfit  be  kaneu .  Imcmt  Imtntt  was 
printed  in  ibe  later  copies  A^«  by  a  flight  blunder  in  fuch  typo* 
gruphers* 

:  I  do  not  diink  Dr.  Warbuxton's  inttfpfeiatk)ft.v»f  the  yeS^gt 
the  bcft  that  it  will  admit-  The  roqi|it9g  may  be  this.  Since  m 
mm  knows  €m^  e^the  flate  of  life  which  i&^  Uofim^  finoe  he  cannot 
judge  what  other  years  niay  produce,  why  (hotild  he  be  afraid  of 
teaviag  life  betimes/  Why  mould  he  dread  an  early, death,  of 
wludi  he  camiot  tell  whether  it  is  an  exclufion^f  haaptnefi,  or  an 
Jpteroeption  of  calamity.  I  defpife  the  fuperitition  of^augunr  and 
omoB^  which  has  no  ground  in  reafon  erpietjr;  ny  a>mfort.iS| 
jt]^t  I  cannot  fiill  btit  by  the  dire^on  of  Profidcooeb 

Haamer  has,  Simi  no  man  owes  ai^bt^  a  conjeAme  noc  vcnr 
•fcpidienfible,  Sfxnctnoman  com  coil a»y  fogkjfiom cer^ain^  what  b  ic 
CD  leave?    joHirsoN, 

;  »  Gkfe myoior.  JfaraoMj  fir:"]  I  wlh  Hamlet  had  made  fi)me 
other  4^fence ;  it  is  unfuitable.to  the  charader  of  a  good  or  a  heave 
jBKuiy  to ihcltcrhimiclf  in  wifehood.    Johnsok. 


PRINCE  OF  DENMARK.    405 

If  Hamlet  from  himfelf  be  ta'en  away^ 

And,  when  he's  not  himftlf,  does  wrong  Laertes, 

Then  Hamlet  does  it  not^^  Hamlet  denies  it. 

Who  does  it  then  ?   His  madneis :  ITt  be  fo,  ' 

Hamlet  is  of  the  £i^on  that  is  wrong'd ; 

His  madnefsr  is  poor  Hamlet's  enemy. 

Sir,  in  this  audience  % 

Let  my  difclaiming  from  a  purposed  evU 

Free  me  fo  fir  in  your  moft  generous  thoughts^ 

That  I  have  (hot  my  arrow  o'er  the  houfe. 

And  hurt  my  brother. 

LMtr.  *  {  am  fatisfy'd  in  natttre, 
AVhofe  motive,  in  this  cafe,  Ihould  (Hr  me  moft 
To  mv  revenge:  but  in  my  terms  of  honour 
I  (land  alo(^i  and  will  no  reconcikment, 
'Till  by  fome  elder  matters,  of  known  honour, 
I  have  a  voice  and  precedent  of  peace. 
To  keep  my  name  ungoi^d :    But,  'till  that  time, 
I  do  receive  your  oSerd  love  like  love. 
And  will  not  wrong  it. 

Ham.  I  embrace  it  fredy ; 
And  will  this  brpther's  wager  firankly  play«— *  , 
Give  us  the  foils  %  come  00. 

Lacr.  Come,  one  for  me. 

Hatm.  Ill  be  your  foil,  Laertes ;  in  mine  ignorance. 
Your  fkill  (hall,  like  a  ftar  i'  the  darkeft  night. 
Stick  fiery  off  indeed. 

Laer.  Jovl  mock  me,  fin 

Ham.  No^  by  this  hand. 

'  Sif^  &c.}    This  pa^^  I  laare  lefloied  from  the  fUio. 

Steevens. 
*  lamfati^ud  oi  Mmrey  4rc.]    Thjlt  was  t  piece  of  £itirc  on 
ftntsftkal  honour.    Though  muure  is  fatisfied,  yec  he  wiU  aft 
advice  of  oMer  men  bf  the  nriExrd,  whether  4rrj)&.*W  Ammt  ought  t» 
ke  oonmiied  wkh  Uamlet^t  fiihpdiffioiu 
There  it  a  paflace  ibmewhat  fimilar  in  the  Maid^s  Tr^^gidy: 
^  Efwid.  mU  you  forgive  me  then  ? 
^  JMUSr  Stay,  I  mufl  i$  mim bmmr  fiifti*      Ste£ven». 

Dd  3  King. 


King.  Give(bem  tbe£9U^]WWgO&ickv«^Cat^ 
Handel* 
you  know  tb*  fngat  ? 

Ham.  yeqf^wtW^wylm^l 
3  Your  grace  hath  U|d  tlie  0fiA%  o*  cbe  wcal^r  ikk.  i 

X/>^,  I  do  not  fc^  it  $ ,  J  ha? «  ^Q  yftu  isath  ;.^ 
But  fmce  he's  better'd,  we  have  j^)$nl^)^<>ddfir 

I^^n  Thii  is  tpo  beftv^,  let  mc  6ot  Mqibfr* 

//tfffV  Thia  lil^  m^  weU  ;  Tbefe  £pUs  haw  all  k 
IcngA?  .  [^bo  t''$p0r4 1$  fiof, 

Ofr*  Ay,  my  good  lord,  -  * 

ICfVfi-,  Set  me  the  ftoupa^  ^  mat  upoi»  ^%t  taib)^>-> 
Jf  H^tolst  give  the  firft,  qr.  fccopd  hk. 
Or  quit  in  anfw.er  0i  chis  third  exchf^i^^ 
J.et  all  th^  hvi%\smtxm  their  ord'B«iM3e  ^nri 
The  king  Audi  driok  tp  Hamtet'$  bettfr  bptatHt 
f  An4iq  tbc(:vip4PV^90  4h9Hbp<WQ»:»  . 

/    ::  ,  Ripbff 

'  Tourgra^  h^tb  hud  upon  tU  weattr  JUh}    Thui  HamDaii 
^11  the  others  read^ 

Tour  grace  hatb  Iflid  tb«  dddi  </  /*^  oueAfrr^^ 
When  the  6d<b  were  on  the  fide  of  Lacn^  who  «f^  t#  1i(| 
^amlet  twe)ve  (imes  to  nioe,  u  «ri|f  perkapt  dpe  aM<¥<9n|  4^ 

JoiiNmN. 

For  the  reafoD  i^vj^n  in  a  fprroor  9ot^  ^  tl^iqlc  i^re  AVgl^  |p  read 

trtth  Hsnmer,  ' "  '  '  ' 

Yourgcac^  hftik  IM  w^nxht  weitb^fidf.  "  : 
*|*he  king's  anfwer  is  then, pertinent  atvi  clfiur,<>^'** >I  ^m  BDi|k 
prehen^ons,  for  I  ^  acquaintetf  with  the  (kill  oJF  each  of  you. 
Jlowever,  as  Laertes  is  injproved  by  prai^ce  in  \at^  ti^v^  we 
(viz.  Hamlet  and  t\kt  Kjng)  'haVe  dH  a^wnai^  gfiaem^  mt.^ 
The  compofitor  at  th^  prelk  probiably  caught  the  imd  Ms  froni 
^he  lifse  nesbt  hni^  one,  aod  machrerreiitly  mfatod  it  i^  ^>liikt*| 
fteecfc.  Mxi^oNE. 
'    ^  ^ifje^o^  of  whie]    hfim^  {a  a.>ftg[^  or  i#«& 

*    f  ylbe/iv/^ai^iioifioioii^lwj/iietffcviWf]    In  fiNiie  editions, 

jfmi  iM  the  of  OH  onyr  JM  be  iSrmsh,  This  ism  varimiireaA' 
}ng  ifi  feyiDrat  of  t}ie  old  copies ;  but  tmhm  feeffl$  Co  me  to  be  the 
frue  t^rd.  l[f  I  nm  Dotttittoken,  neitber  the  mjot,  'iior;pr^^SN()u^ 
ffc  j^tvds  which  cxrcr  fbuttd  place  io  an  impeoalstoM;  *  An  ^«c 
H  fljt  ^^  fort  of  pcaiLffid  ^  49  fh^  in  aU  cro^rm  yid  coro- 


PRIN>CE^  OB  DENMARK,    jfoy^ 

Richer  than  thiit  which  foot  fiKXcffivc  kings 

In  Denmark's  crown  J^avjp  worn :    Gi vf  mo  the  cups ; 

And  let  the  kettle  to  the  trumpet  fpeak^ 

The  trumpet  to  th^  cannoneer  withour. 

The  xanoons.  to  the  hej^vens,  the  lieavens  to  eartli, 

JViwy  ibe  ki^g  drinks  tp  //4w»^/.— Come,  begin  |-^ 

And  you,  the  judges,  bear  a  wary  eye.  < 

Ham.  Come  on,  fir* 
•  Xi^^fv  Come,  my  lord*  {^Tjbej^fiay. 

Laer.  No^  '. 

Ham*  Judgment* . 

0/r.  A  hit,  a  veiy  pfjpable  hit.  ^    ^ 

Laer.  Well, again,— 7— 

'  King*  Staff  gfv«  mc  diinh :  Hamlet j  this  pearl  is  ^ 

.    .  .  thine; 

Here's,  tp  (hy.  bealth.-H^iy^  him  the  Gup.x 

r'/.l  [Trumpets  found •,  JbH goes  off. 

Ham.  V\\  play  tbi^  fcwwt  firft,  4t  if  by  a  wnije*     ; 

^  ^  irbtyfJkf, 

net9.,  3e/uies,  let  ua  coofidcr  what  |be  kijig  fays  on  Hamiet*s.  mr« 
ingL«cnt$  the  firft  biti  ^^ 

^tfj^,  ^iW  medritj^:    Hamkt^  this  pcari  w  i^Ar^  ;•» 

liirilto  fhy  bn^.  . 
Tlienefore^  if  a&  jovmi  be  a  /KVfn^  and  ari  #j^  si  genv  ^  fto|M», 

?u4te  cUffenog  ia  1I6  nature  from  tearb ;  .the  king  fuyiiigy  tlM|t 
[.Miilet^has^earnM  the  pMo-li^  I  think,  amounts  t^  a  denioiiiivaitoii 
that  it'  was  an  mhin  pearl,  which  hie  meant  xs^  throw  inio  thte 

/<;Up.     .T,HE,OBAjLD^  . 

.      So,  m^l^i«^^i*fi3ieA:.  >      .  '       • 

..    V  .*^  Aj%  were  it  Cleopatra's  «Mi/jKu**  " 

•T^e^W^isthoft  meniioned/m  P.  Holland's  tnmllatlan  cS  Fliwfs 

Nat.  nijt.   ^*  And  hereupon  it  is  that  our  daimies  ikkI  ddioitet 

here%  ^t  Rome^.&o  call  tMo)  wtmi^  as  a  ma^  would  ii^  fingOlar 

s|nd  by  themfelvcs  alone,**    Steevens. 

*  -^this  pearl  «  /i6f«f.;]v  Under  pretence  4if  throwing  a.^4r/ 

into  the  cup,  the  king  may  be  foppofed  cp  dr6j>  ibme  |K>irooous 

■drug  into  the  wine*    Haml^  feems  to  fuipo^  this^wb^n  he  ^y* 

.  wards^  difcovers  the  efio^  of  the  poifon,  ^d.  tapi^nngly  aiks  hun, 

^r^b  iht  mm  bn-ct    SxEivxis. 

'    '..u  .•^' .-.■..  .."•:-  '^  MDd,4,.  .  t/  u:       Cotrio. 


4o8  HAMLET,  ^ 

Come. — Another  hit  •,  What  fay  you  ? 

Latr.  A  touch,  a  touch,  I  do  con^« 

King.  Our  fon  ihall  win. .. 
•    ^een.  He's  fat,  and  fcant  of  breath  7.—         » 
Here,  Himlct,  takp  my  napkin,  rub  thy  bmwt : 
The  queen  caroufes  to  thy  fortune,  Haoolec  *. 

flam.  Good  madam^-^  • . 

King.  Gertrude,  do  iiot  driok? 

Slj^ten   I  will,  my  lorcj ;— I  pray  you,  pardon  me. 

King   It  is  the  poifon'd  cup ;  it  is  too  late;  \A^d^ 

Ham.  I  dare  not  drink  yet,  madam ;  by  and  by. 

^een.  Come,  let  me  wipe  thy  faee.     • 

X4aer.  My  lord.  Til  bit  hiai  now. 

IGng.  I  do  hot  think't. 

Laer.  And  yet  it  is  almofl:  againft  my  cqnicicncet 

Ham.  Come,  for  the  third,  Laertei :  YoQ  do  but 
-dally  5    ,      '  ;        \ 

I  pray  yoj^  pafs  with  your  bed  violenceb-,'      * 
I  am  afraid,  9  you  make  a  w^ton  of  me, 

,  Laer. 

^  Oilmen.  Ws  hty'^nwi  /cant  (fireaihj^  It  feems  diac  7^ 
Lewiff^  whQ  was  the  original  Pajfiaffy  trte  nolefir  cdeteuedU  for  « 
his  per^rmance.ot  Hin^yilh  1^lfir.flMr^  :Sce  tke  Ut/ima 
fiiftrtamca^  &c.  If  he  was  adapted,  by.  the  coipiiU:llce.of.hit  &^, 
fQ  appear  with 'jropnccy  m  thetwoformd:  of  tbeie  charaaers, 
Shakefpeare  might  jiave  put  tbis  oBfenratioft'  inta  thc^-mqbtli  qf 
her  m^flv ,  tQ  i^i;q)9£^.  fbr  the.nmat  of  {u^  elc^[a(noe)of  ^jferte 
as  an  audicjice  might  exped  to  meet , with  ip  the  jr^pKfeniflOlit  f^ 
the  youthful  ^^rincc',  tU*  Denmark,  if  horn  Oph^  ^^^^  ^  •« 
**  the  giafs  of  falliibh  atid  the  mbttld  of  ,forfn.*^  'Thisi  hdwcver,U 
fnereconje^uvetw  J^y^^ey^liluAllr^  ^EkA  Jbrnrnhxrixki^^ 
life  of  Sh^^^eaijCA  >Hx*£Fens.       i  i    •.       ..      .... 

'  7^  qiiccn  cgioufes ^o  tkyforiw^^  Harnkt,}  ^  Sq, . mDavui^^ 
J?^/^3f,  I  r99 :  '  .      ,.      , 

.  -5  *  V*  Witli  UH  carotijfs  to  hit  fbrtune'vpaft.^  ,  !^' 

*'  And  bind  that  promife  with  «  full  c^rn^!^-    Ilxd* 
M  Nqw,  lord  Unas,  one  cioroit^  to  me.*^    Ibid. 

SxEEysKS. 

a  — jr9«  ffiwlf  tf  wanton  cf  me  J]    A  iu«itfM  waa  a  maa  feebie 
god  9^waate«    la  Cymhfinc,  Iiqogen  iTay  s, 


P  R  I N  C  E  o  F  D  E  N  M  A  R  K,     409 

Xmt.  Say  you  fb?  come  on.       '  - '         CP%« 
Ofr.  Kothing  ndther  way.      * 
Laer.  Have  at  you  now. 

\J^aerUs  wounds  Hamkt\  Aen^  "infatffling,  ibey 
change  rapitrs^  and  Hamkt  wounds  Laertes. 
JK/if.  Part  them,  they' arc  incehs'd. 
flam.  Nay,  come  again. 
Ofr.  Look  to  the  queen  there,  ho! 

-  '     irbi^enfdls. 

Hot.  They  Wcpd  on  both  fi^^— How  is  it,  my 

O/f-.  How  is't,  Laeitds  f   ' 

itf^.  Why,  as  i  woodcock  to  mj  own  fpringe^ 
CMHcki 
I  am  juftly  kilKd  with'  mine  own  treachery, 
.  Ham.  How(doe$  the  queen  ? 

King.  She  fwoons  to  fee' them  bleed. 

Siueen.  No,  no,  -Ae  drink,  the  drink,— O  my  dear 
Hamletl — 
The  drinks  tb^  drmfc  5 — 1  tni  poifon^d-^ 

[Tbe^endks. 

Ham.  Q  villainy  !--rHo I  let  the  door  be  locked:- 
Xr^achery !  fcek  it  out.' 

haen  It  is  hfercj'Hainlet :   Hana!W,^houartflain^ 
No  medicihe  iA  the  wortd  cad  do  thee  good^ 
In  thee  there  W  hot 'half 'an  hour's  life;  -^    .  *  " 

The  treacherous  inftrunient  is  in  thy  hand, 
UBbatl»},  and  envenoni'd :  the  foul  ^raftice        *  - 
Hath  turned  itfclf  on  me  j  lo,  here  I  lie,  • 
Never  to  rife  again  :    Thy  mother's  poifon'd ; 
I  caa  Jio  more  i — ^the  king,  the  kiftg^s  to  bUflCie. 

/r4rw.  The  point  enveriomM  too ! — 
T'hen;  venoip^  to  thy  work,  *  \^$tais  the  King. 

.^  Trevor)' !  treafon  I 

•*  I  am  not  Co  citizen  a  niMmton^ 

M  To  die,  ercl  be  fidu"    Johnson. 

King: 


Kmg.  O9  yet  defend  mtp  frknds,  I  am  ht9t  bum  ^ 

Ham.  Here,  thou  jnceftuoas  mutd'cw^fdaoio^ 
Dane,  .    . 

Drink  oflF  this  focion  :-**JU  tbc  umoo  h^m  >  > 
Follow  my  mptber.  ijKing  dies. 

Laer.  He  is  juftly  &fv*d  I  - 

It  is  a  poifon  tempered  by  bimiiblf.^^ 
Exchange  forgivoiers  with  ioC;' noble  Haoalet : 
Mine  and  my  ikiier's  death  come  not  upon  thee ; 
Nor  thine  an  fne4  £jDr^ 

Mam.  Heaven  make  thee  fne  of  it !  I  foUowthee^ 
I  am  dead,  Horatio  :*»WirKbed  qisaen»  adieu  l^^ 
you  tfafit  look  pale  jaod  cnei^Ue  mz  this^chapce^ 
^  That  are  but  mutes  or  audience  to  this  aft^. 
Had  I  but  time,  (utimiek  4ei3«aot|  deacJ^U     ^    « 
Is  ftrift  in  his  arreftj  O5 1  cpuU  ^1  you/^ 
But  let  it  be  i-^Horaiip,  I  ^m  d^ul ; . 
Thou  U v^ft ^  report  n^  ai^l  my  4cau^  anght 
To  the  unfatisSed.  -  ,  ^ .  >  - 

Hor.  Neycr.bejipvf  it|  •     ;  ; :.  -     *    i 

]  aip  i^ore  jm.  antique  Roman  tK^  a  Dane^ 
Hpre's  yet  fo<pe  Jiquor  left^    .    .r    . 

liam.  As  thou'rt  a  many^^  .,  .    '       ^        ^ 

<5iTP  B»c  thd  <:^p A ,  Jipc  g9  ^  %.  ^vi?n^  I'U^^ve  it.— 
O  God !— llpratioy  wljSit  A^^fSW^pd^?!?)^^  *. 
Things  (landing  thu«:  ^];4^K7Psc  ^^  ^TC  ^bigd 

If  thou  didft  e;vcr  Jhpld  me  jij  thy  ^rt,  ^  ^_ 
Abfent  thee  fuoqti  ftiicity  a  wk^k  .     i  :; V.. :  ^-'i 

^»jf;r.    Steevens*'      .      .^...    w.,  ■     ..* '»     ,;^  . 

,   *  'TTfo^  are  hi  mutes  or  audlqt^  to  tlAi  «^,]    lliat  .arc  oAcr 
'l^ere  Auditors  of  this  cataftr^fjc^oit  zixnofk  only  mute^fk^ificnmi^ 
that  fill  the  flage  without  any  part  ^the  action.    }0iiif  soft. 

3  — JhaU  Uv€  hibindm  7\    Thug  the  foUo.  TbeqiUMtQi  itad-^ 
^all//ptfwf  bdundmc.    Steev^jN^w 

Atid 


PRIN-CE  OF.  DENMARK.   411 

And  in  iJut  haiih  world  draw  thy  breath  in  pm, 
To  tcU  any  ftory.— •  [March  afar  ^,  anijbot  wiMm, 
What  warlike  noife  is  this  ? 

Off.  Young  Fordnbras,  with  cooqu^  come  ftom 
Poland, 
T#  the<«mbaflppdors  ^  &iclw4  0vat 
This  warUke  voUcjr* 

/&«!•  O,  I  dicj  Mohitio;  •    - 
The  potent  poilbn  quite  o'cr-gfows  my  fpirit  ^4 
\>  canaot  live  to  hear  the  jiews  mm  Eagfaindi 
Bat:  I  ^o  prophefy,  tbe<ieftion  l^fact 
.  On  Fomnbras ;  be  tete  %  ffyiipg;  vcSpe  j 
So  tell  hiaa,  witli  the  pccurrtnts  ^^  mere  and  lefs^ 
<  Which  liaix9iUmMd,-rrThfiiieftiafilenoe.    iDUs. 

H^.  9  Now  cmdct  a  noble  heait :— Good  night, 
fweet  prince; 

»'•'.;.       ^'  And 

♦  rhejmtmf^H  «tt5flf  o*cr*growi  ffiyjiirh}]    The  ft*  qoarto 
;aid  fhemft  folio  reaci,  ^ 

^er-troyus^  my  feifk; 

ftlhidinj^  oeiiiapj  to  a  vJaonous  code  cxuj^^ig  ov^  M*  conquci^ 
wtagomff.    Tlic  fame  word  ocean  in '/L^wtfjiic.  1607-: 

*^  ShiH  irrti^ciiib^aWreft^  gods  and  meo,    "^     '  ^ 
**  Th?c  pdll»d  prood  P!ra?bc  from  lucif  W>tibme  f|4icre» 
■•^  And  datVd  Apollo'?  cotrntcnamce  with  a  Wort!, 
^  Be  over^c^soed^  and  breathe  Withbdi  ^cvcngp  J^- 
Again,  viLHaffsSattreSy  l£k^^  c.  {ix.  1 1  .  ^        ,    / 

««  Like  the  vain  bubble  of  Ibcri^  pride^ 
*«  Th^t  owr^tnutth  all  tthc  worH  bcfidc,* 
Tliisphrafe  often  occors  in  the  controvcrfial  pieces  of  CWmd 
Jfaryey,  1593,  &c.    SrtErEirs, 

'  *-^«Af  occotrentt— ]  i.e.  incidentt^    Hie  wotdb  pow  jfif- 
pfed,    So,  ill  The  Hog  Lub  loft  bis  Pw/,.  1614 1 

^  Su^h  ihanee  tfcjrarrf/srfi  of  my  fore-paft  life.* 
'^jpin,  m  the  BunmfWan^  by  Bitiyott,  (piito  1. 
^  ^*^^^^  €»<*  ^^'^rw' ng*»t  in  fcis  degree,*    St-kefens. 
•^  iFB/rfr  *wf  foUcitcd— ]    SoMkd^  for  brought  on  the  event. 

♦  ikr  «*        „  ,  ^       '  .  Waej^urton^ 

^  i>&w  cracks  a  mk  hem.    Goodnight^  ftueetfrinctz 

.4ndjligbts  tf  angds  fag  tbn  to  t^  reftt]    Let  ut  revicur.  for 

•  i  PfW?nt  the  behaviour  of  Hamlet^  on  the  ftrength  of  whidi 

S  ^        Horace 


412  HA    ML    E    T, 

And  flights  of  angels  fing  thee  to  thy  reft  !  — 
Why  docs  the  drum*  come  hither  ? 

Enfer 

Horatio  founds  this  dulogy^  and  recommepds  him  to  the  patronage 
,of  an2;el8. 

Hnmlet,  atthe  ^otnn^Dd  of  kis  fetbA-'s  g;hofly  unddtatoes  ivkh 
feeming  a'acrity  to  re^renge  the  mutder ;  adcTdcclarei  he  will  h^paaSk 
all  other  thoughts  from  his  mipd.    He  rmakes,  bptvever,  but  one 
effort  to  keepnis  wor^^.a^^that  i8»  .when  he  millakes  Polonius  for 
the  kinfr.     On  anotf.it'  occafiifl,  he  d[efers  his  purpofe  tin  he  can 
find  an  o{>porr4Aiif3r  oT'ti^tig^ti*  U^M  wlien  ke  i»kaft<pMtDnI 
fordca-h,  that  he  mjiyiDfiirc  dMOoltlQnito-hif  ^k    Trbpu|^'be 
aiTafliaaied  Polonius*^  ^cdflf^  i^  l^deUberatelyjm-ocurqs  the 
execution .  jof  hi^  fc&ool-fcllowsy   Kofezicramz  and  Guilderftem, 
who  appear  toiiave  been  unacqiifaiilfetf"iHih '  the'  tl-eaeliefotii  ^* 
pofes  Dt  the  tnandate  which  they  ircre<eiii|fcldfi9i  to  cmy^  ^  Hn^ 
death  [as  h^  dtc^aretj^a  fttbTeqiieitf  cokMrer^atioii  wtt^  l^pi^o) 
give!^  him  no  concern^  for  they,  obtruded  thpijelT^  into  the  feiVice» 
and  he  thought  he  had  a  right  to  defiroy'm^m.    He  h  not  Icfi  ac- 
countable for  the  diftraftion  and  death  of  Ophelia.    He  comes  to 
interrupt  the  funeral  defi^ncd  in  honoor  oT  thb  lady«  at  whidi 
both  ticking  and  queen  wcx^  pieientf  and«  by  {iich.aoouti;aga.tD 
decency,  renders  if  ftilJ  more  na:eiraTy  for  the  ufurpcr  to  by  ^ 
fecond  flratagem  for  his  life»  though  thie  firft  had  proved  aSbrtift* 
He  comes  xo  iniuJt  the  brother  of  the  dead,  and  to  boaft  of  an.^« 
feiftioD  ijDi-  hia  fiAer,  which,  bcfort^  he  h^  denied  lo  licr  five; 
and  yet  at  thi^  very  tmie  muil  be '  confidered  at  d^fitOQi  oi  icB^ 
pQiUag,  rhe  charadcr  of  a  Lnadmaa,  £x  that  the  openoeft  of  hia 
confefioii  ii  not  to  be  imputed  to  hhn  ar  a  ▼iitiie«    He  apobgjoea 
to  Horario  afLerwardi  for  the  abfurdity  of  this  behAviooTy  to 
ivhich,  he  fays,  he  was  protroked  by  that  noblenefs  of  ftatmal 
Knef,  which,  indeed^  he  ought  rather  to  have  appUuded  than  con^ 
deinncd.     Dr,  Johnfon  has  obferved,  that  to  bring  about  ja  reoon- 
^  cifianoti  with  Laenes,  he  has  availedhimfelf  of  adiihoneftfaQacy; 
ami  to  conclitde,  it  is  obvious  to  the  moft  careleb  fpediatoc  Or  rea^* 
ilcr,  that  he  kills  the  king  at  lali  to  revenge  hirofdf,  and  not  his 
father.  .  '  ' 

H  mlet 'cannoVb<^  (aid  to  have  purftied  hii  endt  by  veiy  war- 
rant ibie  means  ;  and  if  the  poet,  when  he  facHficed  Jbam  at  lai^ 
meant  to  have  enforced  fuch  a  moral,  it  is  not  the  worft  ^that  can 
b^  deduced  from  the  play;  for,  aaifftriaiw,  in  BeaofBont  mait. 
'  Fletcher*&  Falcntlnian^  fajys,  " 

^  Although  his  juHice  were  as  white  as  tnitb, 
"  His  way  was  crdoked  to  it ;  that  condemns  Uio,' 
The  rat0  pr,  Akinfide  once  obfervcd  to  me,  that  the  ooodod  ^ 
Hamlet  was  every  way  unnatural  and  indefeafible^  uiyeis  h»  were 

t# 


P R  I N  C  B: or.  D  jp  N M .^R K.     4^ 

Fcrt.  Where  is  this  fight  ? 

Hitr.  What  is  it,  you  would  fee  ? 
If  aught .  o£  woCf  or  wooder^  ceafe  pur  fearch« 

f^rt.  ^This/quany Scries,,  on  Havockl— Oproud 
4cath!       .    *| 
What  i^  is  towardXn  thin?  infernal  cell  9, 
That  thou  (o  maay.priqcc^y.at  a  fhot^ 
So  bloodily  haft  f^rack? 

AmK  The  fight  i<  djfkial  i  . 

And  our  affairs  from  .EjDgland  come  too  late: 
The  ears  are  fen&lcis,  thattfliould  give  us  hcaringi . 
To  tell  bim^  bis  commandment  is.fulfiird» 
That  ^olRbccjmtz  and  JGuildenfiem  are  dead : 
WhoreiflKHildi we  have  pur  thanks?, 

U»r^  Not  from  hi^  mouth  %       .    . 
J^z&  it  the  abifitj  of  life  to  thank  you  % 
Hencvei  gave  cp<nmanjlcncnt  for  their  death.   , 

to  b^rmrdod  a»  a  you^g  nuu^  \irhofe  intelledb  were  in  (bme  degree 
iBMMiM  by  hteowi^  jmsfif^mines ;  1^  the  death  of  his  ^ther,  the 
loto  ofeniMAed  ioviutigpty,  and  a  lenfe  of  ihame  refuldng  from 
the  faad^  and  kccftuoM^  marri^e  of  his  mother. 

Ibciovdwek  the  longeron  mis  fubje^,  becaafe  Hamlet  Teemft 
to  baire  been  bithaito  r^^ed  as  a  hero  not  undeferying  the  pity 
of  the  audfooGCi  and  becaufe  no  wrirer  on  Shakefpeare  has  taken, 
the  pwiB  tQ  p<mit  ouc  tl^  immoial  tendency  of  bis  chara6h:r. 

Steevens. 
^nhptaf^arks^mhavfickf]    Haniner  nads^ 
^^^^r  ^^i  o^t^  bavock  f 
*To  ay  My  was  to  exclaim  againft^    I  fuppofe,  when  unfair  fportf- 
nen  deployed  more  ^uany  or  ganu^  than  was  reafonafoley  the  ceh- 
ftire  WW  to  a7^./£9Mw;j(.    Johksok. 

*  Wbm  mSi  is  ^wmrain  thine  infer  md  ciU^'\  Shakefbeare  has 
almdj  fnJoye4  thif  alUiiion  to  the  0)$^,  or  fiafts  ef  the  ekaJ^ 
wbkh  were  anciently  celebrated  at  Athens,  and  are  mentioned  by 
Plutarcb  in  the  life  of  jHtomus.  ^  Qur  author  likewife  makes  Talhci 

,  figr^o  his  4bn  in  the  f  irft  Part  of  Ki/tj  Hemy  VI : 

^  Now  aft  thou  come  unto  ajf<j^  ^  death.^*    Stke V£ns».  - 

*  '^^ klf  mnub^l  he,  thekiag's. '  Ste^yens, 

But 


But  fince,  fo  jump  upon  this  bloody  queftfoci, 
Tdu  fVom  tlMi  FolskCk  w^ci,  Aikf  jovkff(m  En^xnd 
Are  here  arrived  ;  give  order»  that  thefe  bodies 
High  on  a  ftage  be  placed  to  the  vici<r  j 
And  let  me  fj^ak,  to  the  yet  ohtnbwmg  worlJ,    * 
How  thefe  thmg!^  came  about :   So  fhan  you  fecial  *  ^ 
Of  cruel  %  bloody,  and  unnaturaV  «Sts ; 
Of  accidental  judgnients,  cafual  daughters ; 
Of  deaths  put  on  by  cunning,  and  ftjrc'd  caiife  ^  j 
And,  in  this  upfhot,  purpofes  miffook 
Fairn  on  the  inventors*  heads :  all  this  can  1 
Truly  deliver. 

Fart,  ter  tis  haftri  to  hear  it, 
Afid  call  the  nobfcft  to  the  aucKeticc. 
For  me,  with  forfow  I  embnlce  nly  fortune;  . 
I  have  Tome  rfghts  of  memory  m  thw  kingdom. 
Which  now  to  claim  my  vantage  cforti  frrrtte  me. 

Har.  Of  that  f  (hall  have  alfo  caufe  td  Ifj^dc,  . , 
*  And  from  his  mouth  whofe  voice  wHI  drair  cto more: 
But  let  this  fame  be  pnsfently  perform'df^        ' 

Even 

*  Cycroel,  &C.1  Thui  Ac  more  modcttf  tdTifbn.  The  Urft 
quarto,  and  the  folio^  read«-Of  carnal^  tec.  i€AMti^  I  Appole, 
to  the  ufoiper's  criminal  intercourfe  with  th^  motheinof  ffamlo. 

t  —Ai^fixtrU  caufe.]  Thus  the  folio.  11l«qttim6s  read*- 
and  ^«#  caufe.    St££vens. 

^  And  from  bit  fwufh  'vobifi  wee  vnU  draw  no'  *Mtt:^  *rti$  h 
the  reading  of  the  old  quartos^  but  certainly  a  mifiaken  on6.  We 
fay,  «  man  vnlt  no  m(n-e  drmu  treath ;  but  that  ztistfi^^he  'ooiA 
draof  wmore^i&yl  believe,  an  czofeffion  without  aify  authoiiq^ 
I  choo&  to  e^ouic  the  reading  of  the  elder  foGo :  *      '  , 

Akdjrom  Ibis  tuouth^  ^bo/e  voict  voiU  draw  on  mm^* 
Aodthitis  tbepoetV  ncamng.    Hamler^  ;ufi  btfeib'  )SSL  i^ 
Badfidd:  '    * 

Sutldofnpb^.tbiABwnBihts  ^^ 

^     On  Prntimhras  :  he  has  ngy  d^ing  voice; 

Acpordlagly.  Horano  hme  deKven  that  meilagp ;  zx^^'^etf\^Xtf 
xnters^'diat  namle^t  vomv  wiff  be  ieeonded  bv etherS|  itfidjpoaift 
.  tbiyki  m  favour  of  Fordnbras's  fUCcdlioo.    Tjifioa  ald. 


PRII^CE  or  l^EWMARK.     4X« 

£veniyhife' men's  itwids.aie  wild;  kft  more  mUr 

\  cjiance 
On  p1dts»  and  errors^  happen*    . 

Jar/.  Let  fojur.  captauis. 
Bear  Hamlet,  like  a  toldicr,  to  the  ftage ;  • 
For  hif  was  fikely,  had  he  been  put  on. 
To  have  jf>rov'd  mofl:  royal^ :  and,  for  his  padlage^ 
The  foldiers^  mpnc,  and  the  rites  o£  war. 
Speak  loudly  for  hiro.— 
Take  up  the  bodies :'— Such  a  fight  as  this 
Becomes  the  fields  bat  here  fhews  nauch  amifs. 
Go>  bid  the  foldiers  ihoot« 

[^Exeffnt:  4^ter  wbicb^  a  ped  rf orfl^nancc 
ixjboi  off.    • 

"  Iftheckamasof  Shakd^tewereto  be  cfaani^benied,  each  hf 
4tLt  portkuto  excellence  tvbich  (tf  ^goifhes  it  from  the  reft,  we 
muft  oUoi^  IP  the  tragedy. of  Hamlet  chepmie  of  yariery*.  The 
lAcUkenti  are  fo  numeroos,  that  the  argument  of  the  play  would 
moke  a  long  tale.  '!f  he  fcen69  are  interchangeably  diverfifieii  with 
afei'f  ihnem  tnd  folemnity ;  with  merriment  that  includes  judicious 
•nd  ioftrndive  obiorvatioDsi  afldTolemnity^  not  (brained  by  poetical 
wiplaMe  above  the  natural  fenrtments  ot  man.  New  charafbn 
appear  from  time  to  time  in  continual  fucceilion,  exhibitbg  various 

'  liuittft  Off  Hfeaad  partiootor  modes  of  converfation.  The  pretended 
jDodfieft  of  Hamlet  catkies  much  minh,  the  mournful  didradion  of 
OpI^lia  &Us  the  heart  with  tendemefs,  and  every  perfonage  pfo« 
iluces  the  efie£k  intended,  from  the  apparition  that  in  the  firft  a<St 
chills  theMoodwfth  bpii^r»,^  the  h^p  in  the  iafl»  that  cxpofet 
tffe^httioii  to  jud  contempt. 
The  eottiliid  is  perhaps  not  wholly  fecure  ag^nft  obje^ons* 

^  The  afiKN^  it  indeed  for  the  moll  part  in  continual  pro^re^n,  but 
thqneaie  fome  ^ne^  which  nc;tber  forward  nor  retard  it.  Of  the 
fe^^inailncfs  of  Hamlet  there  appears*  no  adecpate  caude^  for  )ie 
<)oes  DOtli^ng  which  he  mi^;hr  not  have  done  wkh  the  reputation  of 
fimity*  4^^  plays  the  madman  nu>ft>  ivhen  he  ntats  Ophelia  with 
(b  much  rj^enefs,  wdich  feems  to  he  uidefsand  wanton  cruelty* 

Hamlet  is,  throu^  the  whole  pieoc»  rather  an  inih-umen^  than 
tfn  :tg^ift«  Alter  he  has»  by  the  Anitogem  of  the  play,  conyi^led 
tlie  king*  he  makes  no  attempt  to  punifli  him,;  $m  his  death  is 
«t  Ulk  eifisdM  by  an  incident  which  Hamki  had  oo  part  in  pro* 


TTie  cataflrophe  is  not  ▼i?iy  h«ppily  ^duced ;,  the  eoichaii^  ef 
weapons  is  ratlier  aa  expedicm  of  necdhty,  than  ^Ibuke  oi  art.  A 

fwhemt 


4i6  HA    M    L    K    T^ 

icbsoieimgbteifiljrbQfbhMdtoluUHMktmdidie  di^ffrfCni 
Laertes  with  the  bowl* 

The  poet  U  accufed  of  hamg  (hewn  little  regard  to  poetical 
juftice»  and  may  be  ^tr^  with  equal  oegjeft  of  po^od  prd»bi<r 
lity.  The  amHuritioo  left  the  re^ootof  t&  dead  ta little  ptopoie ; 
the  revenge  which  he  demands  u  not  obtained,  but  by  the  death  of 
him  that  was  required  to  take  it ;  and  the  gn|ti&ation»  which 
would  arife  from  the  dedrudtion  of  an  ufurper  ^  k  inunkrer,  it 
ahiiedby  the  untimely  death  of  Ophda,  theyoung^  ^bemmfol, 
the  harmleis,  and  the  pious.    Johhsdn. 


A  C  T    II.        Scene  2. 

The  rugged  Pyrrhus^  ht^  &c.]  The  two  greateft  poets  tf  t&is  and 
the  lafl  a^»  Mr.  I^yden,  in  the  pre&ce  to  Trems  and^  OrfiJop 
and  Mr.  rope,  in  his  note  on  this  place*  have  concurred  m  think* 
ing  that  Shakefpeare  produced  this  long  paiTag^  with  defign  to  ridi'^ 
cule  and  expofethe  bombaft  €ti  the  |>hi^  from  whence  it  wastaken^ 
and  that  Hamlet's  commendation  of  it  is  purelv  ironicaL  This  it 
become  the  general  opinion.  I  think  juil  othcfwife ;  and  that  it 
was  given  with  commendation  to  upbraid  the  falfe  tafle  of  the  an* 
dience  of  that  ttme^  which  would  not  fufo  them  to  do  juftice  to 
the  fimpiicity  and  fablime  of  this  produffioa.  And  I  reaibn,  ficft, 
from  the  charadkr  Hamlet  gives  of  the  play,  from  whence  the  paP- 
(age  is  taken.  Secondly^  from  the  pa&ge  itfelf.  And  thifdlyy 
from  the  efied  it  had  on  the  audience. 

Let  us  confider  the  chara6ter  Hamlet  ^tes  of  it,  The  plof^  J  n^ 
member^  fUafid  mt  the  miliiou,  *twas  Catiiare  t$  tbegeaerali  kmi  it  vms 
(as  J  received  itf  and  other s^  'vohoft  judgmuiimfuch  matters  cried  imtU 
top  of  mine)  an  excellent  piay^  *uxll  digejledin  thefcenes^  Jet  down  ^vit6 
as  much  modefy  as  cunning*  I  remember^  .omtfidd^  there  was  mo  Jolt  m 
the  lines  to  maie  the  mauer  faoouiy  \  nor  no  matter  in  the  phrti/i  thai 
tmght  indite  the  author  efaffeBion\  hut  caUed  it  an  hoa^  method,  Thcj 
who  fuppofe  the  paiiage  given  to  be  ridiculed,  muft  needs  fuppow 
this  charader  to  be  purely  ironicaL  But  if  fo»  it  is  the  fbangeft 
iiDoy  that  ever  was  written.  //  pleafid  m>t  the  mukitade.  This  we 
muu  conclude  to  be  true,  however  ironical  the  reft  be.  Now  the 
reafon  given  of  the  defigned  ridicule  is  the  fuppofed  bomhaft.  BMt 
thole  were  the  very  plays,  which  at  that  time  we  know  took  with 
the  muhitude.  And  Fletcher  wrote  a  kind  oiRehearjal  puspofely  to 
expoie  them.  But  (ay  it  is  bombaft,  and  that  therefUc  it  took  not 
with  the  multitude.  Hamlet  prefently  tdls  us  what  it  was  thtt 
diipicafed  them,  llxre  uw  no  fait  in  the  Unes  to  make  the  matter 
Javoury ;  nor  no  matter  in  the^hra/e  that  mig^t  indite  the  author  rfe^ 
-kSion ;  hut  called  it  an  honejt  method.  Now  whether  a  peribn  Ipeaks 
ironically  or  no,  when  he  quotes  ocherS)  yet  common  Kufe  requirot 

he 


fe  flmU  c|«oie  wlMt  thtjr  %*    Now  it  couU  tkK  bq;  if  tiii9  t>la3^ 
tf^plniddbocaoieofthebombaft,  ihgt  thoib  i^hbm  it  dirptcafed 
iicnAi  giTt  this  fctiba  for  their  diflike.    The  fkihe  inconMenctel 
and  ftMimlitiet  abound  in  e?erv  other  pait  of  HamteA  fpisechy  fup* 
pofing  it  to  be  ironical:  but  take  him  is  fpeaking  hit'  fetitimentl^ 
tte  whole  it  of  a  piMr;  and  to  tfait  p\irfcffb.    The  plajr,  I  rdneni* 
ber,  pteftd  not  the  mukitode,  iuid  the  reafoti  wi^,  itb  being  wrotiii 
on  the  nilei  of  ^e  ancienr  drama ;  to  which  thejr  were  entire 
Aranm,    But,  innqropmion^  aod  in  the  opinion  of  thofe  Anr 
.  wha&  judgment  I  haf«  the  higfaeft  efteem,  it  wat  an  excellent  playi 
mftUi^i/M  in  tbijctmst  ue.  where  the  three  Unities  Were  well 
yrsferfod*    Bet  doim  *u)ith  as  nUkb  m&df/ty  as  cuMng^  u  e.  wheri 
not  only  the  art  of  compofitioni  but  the  liraplictty  of  nature,  wal 
carefuQy  attended  to*    Thd^cliaraAers  were  a  fiiithfid  pi^lure  of 
tife  and  manners,  in  ^which  tiothing  was  oTerchargjM  imo  fitiKe. 
Bottbdequaiitjicsy  which  gained  my  efleem*  loft  th0  public^s.   For 
J ratmbir omJoid^Tbere  wsssnajmk  intbeliHis  to  make  the  mattet' 
fofomay^  i*  e.  there  was  not,  according  to  the  mode  of  that  time,  i 
fool  or  down  to  joke,  quibb)e«  and  talk  freely.    J^or  no  matter  in 
ike  fhr4^  that  tmgkt  indite  the  antUrefn^e^ion^  u  t,  nor  none  of 
chofe  paflkmate,  pathetic  lawt  icenes,  fo  eilential  to  modern  tragedy; 
But  be  adtid  it  an  honeft  method^  u  e.  he  owned,  hdW^ver  tqfteift 
^is  method  of  writing,  on  the  ancient  plan,  was  to  our  times,  yek 
it  was  chaile  and  pure ;  the  diitinguiflimn;  charaAei'  of  theGteek 
diavML     I  need  only  make  one  oblehrarton  nn  all  xVit ;  thatp  th^ 
interpieted,  it  isthejulieil  pi£ture  of  a  good  tragedy,  wmte  on  the 
ancienc  rules*  And  that  I  hate  righdy  inter  pre  ted  iij  appcan  t^rther 
from  what  we  find  In  the  old  quarto.  An  ht^Mffi  method^  ai  ivholf/jmi 
gu/h/eetf  andlffiktymnehmon  haKdsome  than  ^inE|  L  e*  U  had 
n  natural  beauty,  but  none  of  the  fucus  of  falle  art, 

a  A  ieoond  pr6of  that  this  (beech  w^  givcE)  to  be  ad  mired »  >• 
fipom  thcintridnc  itierit  of  the  (peeehltfelf;  which  ccEitaina  the  de* 
Ibr^on  of  a  drcumftance  very  happily  ithagined^  namely^ 
nium  and  Prhm%  falling  together,  with  the  efted  it  had  bn  tb4 

■  ^•'   ■   ilebtUifiTyrrifny^  he. 
T&y  Refiignani  to  comniand. 

The  unnerved  f other  fal^^  ice. 
To,  «•■   *    .  S^ifierPyrrhus^fdstfe,  •    ^ 

Now  this  circumftance,  ill  unrated  with  th^  line  fiihilitode  of  the 
ftorm,  is  fo  highly  worked  up^  is  to  have  wetl  defenred  a  place  itt 
Virgil's  fecorid  book  of  the  JEneid^  even  though  the  work  had 
been  carried  on  to  that  perfbdlion  which  the  Ronlan  pote  had  con^ 
ceived. 

^  The  third  proof  is,  from  the  efiefb  whidl  followed  oti  the 

fidtal*    Hamlet,  his  bed  chara^r,  approves  it;    the  player  is 

deeply  afieded  in  repeating  it;   and  only  the  foolifli  PobnioA 

ditd  with  it«    We  ha? e  bid  enough  before  of  Hamfct'i  fentiments* 

Vn£.X.  fie  Ab 


4it  H    A    M    L    E  T\ 

Aff  for  the  player,  hecbaof^cobor,  and  the  teanflait  horn  int 
eyes*  But  our  author  was  toe  good  a  judge  of  nature  id  make 
bombaft  and  uooatural  feotiaoent  prodace  fiidi  aa  eSoSU  Umam 
SLod  Horace  both  intruded  him. 

Si  vis  miJUre^  doUndum  efi 
Priwnm  iffi  tthi^  twmc  tna  wu  i/rforhmia  Mni^ 
Tclepbe^  wlP^u.    Male  «i  handata  xooFE&iat 
Aut  dwrmittio  mut  rideho, 
Aod  it  may  be  worth  obfenrtnff,  that  Horace  gives  this  precqe 
prticulaiiy  to  (hew,  that  bomMft  and  unaacural*  ieotiaieiiti  aie 
incapable  of  moving  the  tender  paffioos,  which  he  b  dire^ng 
the  poet  how  to  raife.    For,  in  thfe  lines  juft  befiMre^  Jie  givci 
this  rule, 

TelfiusfiPekuSy  cumpattperii  imd  uterque^ 
Fnpdi  AmfuUas^  t^ fi/qutpeMia  verba. 
Not  hat  i  would  deny,  that  very  bad  lines  in  bad  tn^edies  have 
liad  thia  efieiU    But  then  it  alwap  proceeds  from  one  or  other  of 
thefe  caufes. 

!•  Either  when  the  fubjcd  is  domeflic,  and  the  fcene  liessa 
home  ;  the  fpccVators,  in  this  cafe,  become  imerefted  in  the 
fortunes  of  the  diArdled  ;  and  their  thoughts  are  (o  much  taken 
up  with  the  iiibjed,  that  chey  are  not  at  liberty  to  attend  to  the 
poet;  who,  otherwife,  by  his  faulty  femiments  and  di^ioo, 
would  have  Aifled  the  emotions  fpringing  \ip  from  a  fenfe  of  the 
diilrefs*  But  this  is  nothing  to  the  ca:e  in  hand.  For,  as  Hamlet 
Ays, 

iVbafs  HcctiJba  to  him^  cr  bi  to  Hecidia  t 
2.  When  bad  lines  raife  this  afff^ion,  they  ore  bad  in  tlie  other 
extreme ;  low,  abject,  and  grovoling,  indead  of  being  highly  fi- 
gurative and  fwelUng;  yet,  when  attended  widi  a  natural  fimpli- 
city,  they  have  force  enough  to  ilrike  illiterate  and  finsfde  minds* 
The  tragedies  of  Banks  will  juClify  both  thefc  obfervatious* 

But  it  any  one  will  ilill  fay,  thai  Shakefpeare  intended  to  repre- 
feot  a  player  unnaturally  and  fanuiUcally  H0x;cted,  we  muft  appeal 
to  Hamlet,  that  i?,  toShakeii>ej*ie  himfcit  in  this  matter;  wh9» 
on  the  refle£lion  he  makes  up ju  the  player*:?  emotion,  in  onler  to 
excite  his  own  revenge,  givca  not  the  le^ll  hi:it  that  the  pla)rer  was 
»»nnatura;ly  or  iniudicioully  moved.  Oi\  tnc  contrary,  hisftne  dc? 
fciiption  of  the  actor's  emotion  Ihews,  he  thought  julik  otherwife : 

*    thizpUp^'er  hcrc^  . 

But  in  aJiMipft^  in  a  ilrtam  qfpaffion^ 
Coidd  farce  hisjhul  fe  to  bis  o^ivn  conceit^ 
That  from  her  ^vorLiag  ail  bis*vifajrc  -vt'.jaV,* 
^Tcars  in  hii  eycs^  diftraHlcn  in  im  affeSi^ 
A  broken  *Doice,  ficc. 
And  indeed, hud  Hamlet  eilcemrti  this  emotion. any  thing  unna- 
tural, it  hud  l>eea  a  very  impiopcc  circumllance  to  fpur  him  to  his 
pur]X)fc.      _  .  .... 

a'  '  .  .  ..  Aa 


l^RINCE  o#  DENMARK.    419 

At  Slud(efpe«|c  has  here  (hewn  the  eifcdt  which  a  fioa.deicrip* 
0011  of  nature^  heiflhtenecl  with  all  the  ornaments  of  art,  had 
upon  an  intdligent  ^ayer»  whofe  bufinefs  hMbituates  him  to  enter 
intimately  and  deeply  idto  the  charaders  of  men  and  mannefs,  and 
to  give  nature  its  (ree  workings  on  all  occaiions ;  fo  he  has  artfully 
Ihewn  what  efie^  the  very  fame  (cane  would  have  upon  a  quite 
diftnsnt  man)  Polonius ;  fy  nahtn^  very  weak  and  very  artificial 
[two  quatttiiesy  .though  commonly  enough  joined  in  life,  yet  gene** 
rallv  fo  much  difguited  as  not  to  be  leen  by  common  eyes  to  be  to« 
gmner ;  and  which  an  ordinaiy  poet  durft  not  have  brought  fo  near 
one  another] ;  yMipUne^  pni6kiied  in  a  fpecies  of  wit  and  elocjuencOi 
^hich  was  ftiflT,  forced^  and  pedantic;  and  hy  trade  a  pohticiany 
and  therefore^  of  confequence,  without  any  of  the  atfeding  notices 
of  humanity.  Such  is  the  man  whom  Shakelpeare  has  judlcioufly 
chofen  to  leprefent  the  falic  taHe  of  that  audience  which  had  con- 
demned the  play  here  reciting*  When  the  a6tor  comes  to  the  fineft 
and  moft  pathetic  part  of  the  fpeechy  Polonius  cries  out,  This  is 
too  hag  \  on  which  Hamlet,  in  contempt  of  his  ill  judgment,  re- 
plies, hjbaU  to  the  harher^s  with  thy  hard  [inrimating  t)^  by  thia 
judgment^  it  appeared  that  all  his  wifdom  lay  in  his  lengthr  of 
b«wl,]  Ffjftbee^faf  on.  He's  fir  a  jig  or  a  tale  cf  hawdty  [the 
common  entertainment  of  that  timci  as  well  as  this,  of  the  people] 
wr  heJUtpSy  fisf  on.  And  yet  thb  man  of  modern  tafle,  who  flood 
an  this  dme  perfe^ly  unmoved  with  the  forcible  imagery  of  the 
lelatoc,  no  fooner  hears,  amongft  many  good  things,  one  quaint 
and  faotailical  word,  put  in,  I  luppofe,  purpofely  for  this  end,  than 
he  profeiTes  his  approbation  of  the  propriety  and  dignity  of  it.  Tha^$ 
good^  MoUedqwen  is  good*  On  the  whole  then,  I  ihink,  it  plainly 
appears,'  that  the  long  quotation  is  not  given  to  be  ridiculed  and 
.laughed  at,  but  to  be  admired.  The  cbara^er  ^vcn  of  the  play, 
.by  Hamlet,  cannot  be  ironical.  The  paiTage  itfelf  is  extremely 
beautiful.  It  has  the  effed  that  ail  pathetic  relations,  naturally 
written,  (hould  have ;  and  ic  is  condemned^  or  regarded,  with  in- 
diffirrence,  by  one  of  a  wrong,  unnatural  tafie.  from  hence  (to 
obferve  it  by  the  way)  the  actors,  in  their  reprefentation  of 
this  play,  liiay  learn  how  thi:.  fpeecii  ought  to  be  fpuken,  and  what 
appearance  Hamlet  ought  to  ail'ume  duribg  the  recital. 

That  which  fupports  the  common  opinion,  concerning  this  paf^ 
dge,  is  the  turgid  ezpreilion  in  fbme  pans  of  it ;  u  hich,  they 
think,  could  never  be  given  by  the  poet  to  be  cominendcJ.  We 
ihall  therefore,  in  the  next  place,  examine  the  Imes  mull  obnoxious 
to  cenfure,  and  fee  how  much,  allowing  the  charge,  this  wiU 
make  fpr  the  indudlon  of  their  concluHon. 

Fyrrhus  at  Priam  drives^  in  rt^ej^rikes  'Mtde^ 

Jikt  sjjttb  the  vjhiffand  vjind  rf  bis  fiU fviord 

The  untarvtd fawtr  fdli,' 
And  again, 

Out^  out  J  thoujlrumpetfirtunel  All ^qu  gods  ^ 
'  Jn  ^ehertiljynodi  take  awqy  herpov^trr 


420  HAMLET, 

Andk^ihe  round  mmfidtvmAibiU^hHtvttt^ 

At  Uw  as  $9^  the  fiends. 
Now  whether  iheiie  b€  bombtft  or  Mt,  k  nottbfeftftiwi  t  but 
ijjhether  Sbakefpf^are  eftcctned  them  (b«  TBat  he  did  not  ti  emem 
Ihem  tupipmnftovk  his  having  ufed  the  toy  fame  tkoiifhti  ki  thi 
Qmt  expreffimis,  in  hi»  befi  playSi  sml  |p'vctt  them  to  hii  prindpal 
charadieri,  where  he  aimi  at  the  fubhme.    As  in  the  taOawinf 

Tn>iiii%  in  Ttmba  mid  Crefida^  fin'ootftrains  the  meemm  «f 
Pyrrhu^'s  fw^iKd,  in  the  chanU^r  he  gives  of  Heftor't:. 
fneH  Mktfgy  ilmes  ffx  caitive  Grecums  fall 
Even  in  the  fan  and  wind  of  your  box  fwoid,  . 
TmiUdAemrifiemdUvim 
Cleopatra,  in  .^^W^«m/OS0i]^«^  nik  at  f 
manneri  .    , 

N^UtmeJ^Mkf  mid Iti me raihp bigb^ 
That  tbe  falfe  hufwife  Fortune  break  her  wheci| 
FrenkltdeUw^oJenct. 
But  another,  ufe  niay  be  made  of  rhefe  qviotvitioiii ;  %  4irct>?ery  of 
this  recited  play :  which,  letting  m  itito  a  circuinflincc  of  our 
^author's  life  (41  a  writer)  hkherto  unkDov^  n,  was  ihe  reafon  I  have 
4)Cen  iohn^ttponthisqueftion.  I  thti^k  rben  U  appcurt,  irvm 
what  has  been  iaid,that  the  pUiy  in  difpmc  was  Shaktlpearc^  own; 
and  that  this  was  the  oocafion  of  wri  ling  it.  He  was  de(]fi>u&,  s 
foon  as  he  had/ound  his  firength,  of  rd^onng  the  cb^lVndt  and 
regtdarity  of  the  ancient  (lage:  and  i  here  tore  compofed  thU  tragedy 
on  the  model  of  the  Greek  drama,  ns  may  be  fecn  by  tbro«bg4 
n)uch  4^#«  into  reii0//tf».  But  lik  ancmpt  prnved  frtiitkf^;  ^nd 
the  taw,  unnatural  tafie^  then  prevalent,  tbrccd  him  ba^  a^m 
into  his  old  Gothic  manner.  For  which  he  cook  this  revenge  upoo 
his  audience.    WARsvaToif, 

The  praife  which  Hamlet  beftowf  on  tlvis  piece  »  ccrcainly  dif* 
fembled,  and  agrees  very  well  with  the  char^dcr  of  tnsdne^  which, 
4>e(bre  wisnefllMy  he  tlK>ugh€  it  neceifar^'  to  fupport.  The  fpcechn 
before  ua^ave  fi>  linle  merit,  that  notning  but  an  aficdation  cf 
jfiM^ubrit}*,  could  have  influenced  Dr*  W^irburton  to  undortijie 
tbfirdefenoe.  The  poet,  perhaps,  roe^mt  ta  othibk  »  jyA  rdem* 
bbtiee qf  ibmeof the  pkys  of  biav^owD  a^e,  in  which  the  fsub 
.  were  top  "g^neralapd  too  gbviog  tqcpeimit  a  fev^  fpIeniJid  paHi^ 
to  atone  tor  them*  The  ptayer  knew  his  trade,  ^nd  fupke  the 
-  linet  in  an  affe^og  maooer,  becauieH;imIer  had  declareci  them  to 
be^tlietic,  or  might  be  in  reaK^  a  Mctlc  luuvcd  by  them ;  tW> 
^  Thero.  ane  left  d^^ives  of  nature  (fays  Drvden)  by  which  kmm 
'*  fiunt  emocipiuoi  pity  and  terror  are  raifed  in  us»  aa  a  le(s  ctig^- 
^  will  raife  a  left  proportion  of  weight,  though  aol  fo  much  aa 
<<  one  of  Ar^ hiiuedes'  malcing.'*  The  mind  of  chie  jrinpe,  it 
OMift  beconfaledr  was  fitted  for  the  reception  of  gloomy  ideas. 


PRINCE  o»  DENMARK.    411 


att4lMleai^Wfpeieidyatiiflt|^iidictt8t!oiu  It  ii  by  no  meraf  * 
proved,  ihit  Shdfcipeare  \il»  tmpl^ the Jkme  thoughts  Aoatbidin 
dM  fitmiiMfr^fmu^  in  his  kfi ^s.  If  he  hidt  tlefidfi  hufsoifi 
P^mm  hnegf  her  nnhid,  fee  A>et  not  defire  lier  to  hrcak  ail  its 
J^fkes  I  my%  tveu  its  psriptjtiy^  wsi  make  idi  <f^  $kne  afkrvoardi 
Jhr  fitch  a*  imrnea/ltreahk  ca/i.  Though  if  what  Dr.  Wart>unoii 
hm  -t6A  tbaM  be  fotrad  tn  any  inihuice  ro  be  exadty  tnie,  what 
can  ire  kifer  from  ^lence,  but  that  Shakefpeare  wat  ibmetimea ' 
ifrong  U  ^le  of  convi^ion,  aM  tm  the  hurry  of  vmtiagcbmnntced 
tlioic  very  Iviulfi  which  lut  jodgroent  could  dated  in  others  ?  Dr. 
Warburteo  k  iocooiifteat  in  hia  afierdons  coBcamttg  the  Ktera- 
tore  of  Sbakefpeare.  In  a  ootcf  oar  Tr$itus  ami  Ctrfida^  he  affirm^ 
tliaa  bia  want  g3F  learnbg  kept  him  from  being  acquakfted  with  the 
writinga  of  Hpfner ;  ami,  in  this  inAaoce,  Wotdd  foppbfe  him  ca» 
pabk  of  productDg  a  complete  tra]gedy  <tvnianr  m  the  mtciiut  rules  ; 
aaid  that  the  ^»eech  before  ut  had  fulficient  merit  to  entitle  it  to  a 
dimt  iM  the  fecoad  heck  df  f^iPs  JRtteid^  ^ipru  theugi  the  wort  had 
btmcmrie4t9  that  perfiBkm'Aieh  the  Rimian  feet  had  eemehtHd^ 

Had  Shakefpeare  made  one  unfuccefsRd  attempt  in  the  manner 
of  the  ancients*  (that  he  had  any  knowledge  of  their  ff^,  remaina 
tt>  be  prored)  it  would  ceminly  have  bmi  recoid^  by  comea^- 
Borary  wriccra,  among  whom  den  Joofon  wbuld  have  been  the  Miw 
Hiid  nis  darling  ancients  been  unltTlfally  imitated  by  a  ri?ai  paet,> 
ie  would  at  leiil  have  prefenred  the  mcmoty  of  the  fe^  to  ftieir 
how  uttfafe  it  was  for  any  one,  who  was  not  as  thorough  a  fchohur 
aa  himlelf,  to  have  meddled  with  their  facred  remaini. 
.  ^  Within  that  circle  none  durft  walk  but  he.**  He  has  repre* 
tented  Inigo  Jones  as  being  ignorant  of  the  very  names  of  thofe 
daffic  autluirs,  whofe  archite^re  he  undertook  to  corre«5t :  in  his 
Peetqfier  he  has  in  fevend  places  hinted  at  our  poem's  injudidous 
uife  of  words,  and  feemstahave  pointed  his  ridicule  mom  than 
once  at  ibme  of  his  deibriptions  and  charadere.  It  is  true  that  he 
has  pmifed  him,  but  it  wiis  not  while  that  praife  could  have  beed 
of  any  fervice  to  him;  and  polHiumous  applaufe  it  always  to  be 
had  on  eafy  conditions.  Hbppy  it  was  ibr  Shakef^ieare,  that  hd 
took  nature  ibr  his  guide,  and,  engaged  in  the  warm  purfait  of  her 
beauties,  lett  to  Jon^  therepofitories  of  learning :  lb  tun  he  efeaped 
n  oooteft  which  might  have  rendeied  his  liie  uneafy,  and  bequeathed 
to  our  poflbfion  the  more  ^hiable  copes  from  nature  het^lf  t 
fer  Shakefpeare  was  (lays  Dr.  Hurd,  in  hit  notes  on  Horace^  Art 
of  Pbetry)  <^  the  firft  that  broicc  through  the  botidage  of  daffical 
fupeiftition>  And  he  owed  this  feficity^  as  he  did  ibme  others,  to 
bis  want  of  what  is  called  the  advantage  of  a  l^piMd  educations 
Thus,  uninfluenced  by  the  weight  of  early  pMpoffisffiois,  he  ftrudp 
at  once  into  the  road  of  namre  and  common  wnfe :  and  without 
defigning,  without  knowing  it,  hath  left  ua  in  Ids  hiflorkal  plays, 
with  all'thcir  anomdies,  an  exader  Tefembfaunn  of  the  Athenian 
E  c  3  ftage, 


4if  tl   A   M   L   E    T, 

fiftge,  tban  !s  any  whbre  tobe  fbuncl  in  its  moft  pmfefied  admircrl 
aoa  copyifti.^  Again,  ibid.  **  It  it  pbflible,  there  are,  who  think 
a  *ukmt  rf readings  as  weU  as  vaft  fuperiority  of  genius,  bath  con* 
trtbuted  to  lift  this  aftonifhing  man,  to  the  glory  of  b^ngefteemed 
the  moft  ori^nal  thinker  and  speaker,  fince  the  times  of 
Homer.** 

'  To  this  extrad  I  may  add  the  ientiments  of  Dr.  Edward  TouRg 
on  the  Dune  occafion.  ^*  Who  knows  whether  Shakefpeare  might 
not  have  thought  lefs,  if  he  had  read  more?  Who  knows  if  he 
might  not  have  laboured  under  the  load,  of  Jonfon's  learfting,  at 
Enceladus  under  iEtnaf  His  mighty  genius,  indeed,  throu^the 
iDoft  mountaious  oppreffion  would  have  breathed  out  foroe  of  his 
inextinguilhable  fire  \  yet  poffibly,  he  might  not  have  liien  up  into 
that  giant,  that  much  more  than  common  map,  at  which  we  now 
Mze  with  amazement  and  delight.  PeHiaps  ite  was  as  learned  at 
hit  dramatic  province  required;  for  whatever  other  learning  be 
wanted,  he  was  mafter  of  two  b^joks,  which  the  lad  conilagratioii 
alone  can  defiroy ;  the  book  of  nature,  and  that  of  man.  Thde 
be  had  by  heart,  and  has  tranfcribed  miiny  admirable  pages  of 
them  into  his  immortal  wt>rks.  Thefe  are  the  roUntidn-head» 
whence  the  Cafialian  {beams  of  wigiiuil  comp<)fition  fiow :  and 
thefe  are  often  ilniuJdcd  by  other  water?,  though  waters  In  their 
difiiii6t  channel,  moft  wholefome  and  j>ure:  as  two  chemical  li« 
quoTS,  feparately  clear  as  cryftal,  grow  foul  by  mixrure,  and  offend 
the  iight.  So  tnat  he  had  notonfy  as  much  learning  as  his  dra- 
matic province  r^uircd,  but,  fjcrhaps,  as  it  could  fatcly  bear. 
If  Milton  had  fpartd  fome  of  his  learning,  his  mule  would  have 
|;ained  more  glory^  than  be  would  have  lofl  l^  it/* 

i^orgeHures  on  Wiginal  t^omfditiotm 

The  firft  remark  of  Voltaire  on  this  tragedy,  is  that  the  former 
king  had  been  pbifoned  by  his  brother  and  hh  queen.  Theguik 
of  the  latter,  however,  is  far  from  being  afcertained.  The  C%oft 
forbears  to  accufe  her  as  an  acceflary,  and  very  forcibly  recom- 
mends her  to  the  mercy  of  her  fon.  I  may  add,  that  her  coa- 
fcience  appears  undrfiurbed  during  the  exhibition  of  the  mock 
tragedy,  wnich  produces  fo  vilible  a  disorder  in  her  hulbandwho 
,  was  realty  crliTiinaL  The  laft  obfervation  of  the  (kme  author 
has  no  greater  degree  of  veracity  to  boaft  of;  for  now,  fays  he, 
all  the  a£lors  ta  the  piece  are  fwept  away,  and  one  Monfieur  Fort- 
enbrat  it  inrrodiiced  to  conclude  it.  Can  thit  be  true,  when 
HoratiQ  Ofrick,  Vokimand,  and  Comeliut  furvive  ?  Thefe,  xxm^ 
ther  with  tbit  whole  court  of  Denmark,  are  fuppoied  to  be  prefect 
at  the  cataftruphe,  fo  that  we  are  not  indebted  to  the  Nonv^i^a 
chief  for  haYtog  kept  the  ftage  from  vacant  y. 

Monfieor  de  Voltaire  hat  nnce  tranfmittcd  in  an  Epiftle  to  the 

Academy  of  Bellet  Lettret  ibme  remarks  on  the  late  French  tranf* 

Jatioi^  o|  Shake^eare ;  but  alat !  no  traces  of  genius  or  vigbnr 

•      •  '      ••  arc 


PRINCE  OP  PENMARIC.    4*3 

sre  difonrcrable  in  this  cramhe  repetiia,  which  is  notorioui  only 
for  iu  iniifndity,  fallacy,  and  malice*  It  ferves  indeed  to  fliew  an 
apparent  decline  of  talents  and  fpirit  in  its  writer,  who  no  longer 
fdies  on  his  own  ahility  to  depreciate  a  riva1«  but  appeals  in  a 
plaintiTe  ftrain  to  the  queen  ana  princefles  of  France  tor  their  af- 
fi^mce  to  flop  the  further  circulation  of  Shakefpeare's  renown. 

Impardality,  neverthelefs,  mull  acknowledge  that  bis  private 
corrnpondence  difplays  a  fuperior  degree  of  animation.  Perhaps 
an  ague  ihook  him  when  he  appealed  to  the  public  on  this  fubjedi ; 
but  the  eife^  of  a  fever  feem  to  predominate  in  bis  fubfequent , 
.  letter  to  Monfieur  D*Argenteuil  on  the  fame  occafion ;  for  fuch  a 
letter  it  is  as  our  John  Dennis  (while  his  frenzy  laded)  might  be 
Cuppofed  to  have  written.  **  Ceft  moi  qui  autrefois  parlai  le  pre* 
inter  de  ce  Shakcfpeare :  c*e(t  moi  qui  le  premier  montrai  aux 
Franfois  qudques  perles  quels  j'avois  trouve  dans  fon  enorme 
fimier!*  Mrs.  Montague,  the  juflly  celebrated  autborefs  of  the 
JEJpSf  on  the  genius  and  writings  of  our  author,  was  at  Paris,  and  in 
the  cirde  where  thefe  ravings  of  the  Frenchman  were  iirft  publickly 
jpccited.  On  hearing  the  illiberal  expreflion  already  quoted,  with 
no  lefs  elegance  than  readinefs  (he  replied-^'^  Celt  un  fiimier  qui 
a  fertilize  uoe  terre  bien  ingrate.''-«>In  (hprt,  the  author  of  Z^r, 
JAahemet^  and  Scmramis^  poises  all  the  miichievous  qualities  of  a  . 
midnight  felon,  who.  in  the  hope  to  concea^  his  guilty  fcts  thehoufc 
which  he  has  robbea  on  fire. 

As  for  MefHeurs  D^Alembert  and  Marmontel^  they  might  fafely 
.  be  palTed  over  with  that  neglect  which  their  imjpotence  of  criticifm 
deferves.  Voltaire,  in  fpite  of  his  natural  diipolition  to  vilify  ai^ 
Englifh  poet^  by  adopting  fentim<SQts»  chata£ter8»  and  lituations 
firom  Shakcfpeare,  has  beilowed  on  him  involuntary  praife.  Hap^ 
mly,  he  has  not  been  difgraced  by  the  wortfUefs  encomiums  ox, 
disfigured  by  tlie  aukward  imitations  of  the  other  p^ir,  who  '*  fpllow 
in  the  chace  not  like  hounds  that  hunt,  but  like  thofe  who  fill  up 
the  cry.^  When  D'Alembert  dfbclares  that  n^pre.ilerling  fenfe  is 
ID  be  met  with  in  ten  French  verfes  than  in  ,t;hirty  Englifh  ones, 
contempt  is  all  that  he  provokes,— fuch  contempt  as  can  onlybe 
Receded  by  that  which  cverv  fcholar  will  exprefi^  who  may  chance 
to  look  into  the  profe  tranliation  pf  Lucan  by  Marmontel,  with 
^e  vain  expe^ation  of  dlfcovering  either  the  Icnfc,  tl^p  fpiri^  or 
^e  whole  of  the  original.    SteeVens^        *,    ,..      \  " 


?«4  .  OTHELL  r^ 


Suppkmental  Note  on  Hamlet^  p.  2^3  and  429« . 

The  rugged  Pjrrbus^  &c.]  * 

Mr.  MaloD^  once  oWcrtrcd  to  me,  dtot  ^4ati  edittr  fuppofed 
the  fpecch  uttered  by  the  Playa-  before  Hamlet^  to  h^te  been 
taken  from  an  ancient  di^ma,  entitled  **  Dido  Queen  of  Carthage.** 
I  had  not  then  the  means  of  julVifying  or  confuting  his  'remark, 
the  piece  alluded  to  having  eicapcd  the  hands  of  the  molt  liberal 
and  induftrious  coiled^or?  of  fuch  curiofities.    Since,   however, 
our  laft  fheet  was  printed  otF,  I  have  n*t  With  this  |>erf<5rmancc, 
and  am  therefore  at  liberty  to  pronounce  that  it  did  not  furniih 
our  Author  with  itiOre  Than  a  general  hint  {for  his  deferi]ptib%  of 
the  death  of  Priam,  &c :  unleft,  with  reference  to 
— the  wWff  and  vAnioi  his  fell  fwoni 
The  unnerted  father  falls,-*— 
uvc  read,  vcr,  23 1  -  . 

And  with  the  ^nd  thereof  thfe  k^ng  M  dottn  ; 
and  can  make  out  a  refembiance  between 

3o  as  a  painted  tyrant,  Pytthus  ftd6^t 
and  Ter.  32 : 

So  leaning  on  his  fword,  he  (loi6d  (lone  fiOL 
The  greater  part  of  the  following  lin^  are  furtly'morei'idiculous 
in  themfelves,  than  even  Shakfefpearc's  happieft  vein  of  bilrlelquc 
•r  parody  could  have  ntade  them  :  .  .         — 

*'  At  laft  came  Pirrhus  fell  and  full  of  ire,         '      -.  .    . 
•*'  His  harnefte  iJroppiBg  Woud,  and'On  his^peare 
•*  'The  mangled  head  of  Priami  yo^geft.fonii^, 
"  And  after  him  his  band  of  Mirmidons, 
"  With  balles  oi  wllde  fire  in  their  murdering  pdwes, 
**  Which  made  the  fiincnill  flame  that  burfatlalre  wy:  ' 
*'  All  which  heftid  me  Ubour,  crying,  this  is  h^,  - 

«*  D'rdo*     Ah,  how  could  poore  i^neaa  fcafpc  their  hands ? 
**  ^n.     My  mother  Fenus  jealou^  of  my  health, 

**  Convaid  me  from  their  crooked  nets  and  bands:  "". 

**  So  I  cfcapt'the  furious  Pirrhus  wralh : 
"  Who  then  ran  to  th^  pallace  of  the  King^       * 
«*  And  at  Jow^s  Altar  finding  Prtamusy 
*<  About  vvhofe  withered  necke  hui.g  Hfecubi^         *..--: 
«*  Foulding*  hi8*h«ld  ih  herbj-attd  jpyn^ly  fcoih 
• '     ••  Beating  their  breafts  and  falling  xiit  Afe'  ^);^\ihd| 
**  He  with  his  faulchions  point  raifde  up  at  once ; 
V  And  with  Megeras  eyes  ftarcd  in  their  tace, 
«*  Threatning  a  thoufand  deaths  at  every  glauncc. 
"  To  whom  the  aged  king  thus  trembling  fpoke  :  &c.— « 
*f  Not  mov'd  at  all,  but  fmiling  at  his  teares, 
\\  This  butcher,  whii'il  his  hands  were  yet  held  up, 

3  **  Treading 


•*  Treading  upon  his  brctft,  ftrookc  off  his  hatdt.  , ' 

^'3!Ja.   O  end  iEncat,  I  can  hes^rc  no  mOrc. 
**  jEtt»     At  which  the  franiicke  q  aeene  leapt  on  his  face, 
^  And  in  His  e}'elids  hanging  by  the  uayles, 
**  A  little  while  probng'd  her  huiband's  life : 
•*  At  la  ft  the  fouldiers  puld  her  by  the  heeles, 
•*  And  fwong  her  howling  in  the  emptie  ajrre, 
*(  Which  fent  an  eccho  to  the  wouiKled  king: 
**  Whereat  he  lifted  up  his  bedrc^  lims, 
•*  And  would  have  grappeld  with  Achilles  fonne, 
^*  FoTjE^cing  both  his  wan(  of  ftnength  and  haods  ; 
**  Which  he  disdaining,  whiikt  his  mord  about, 
J5,  ^  And  with  the  wound  thereof  the  king  fell  downe: 
**  Then  from  the  navell  to  the  throat  at  once, 
**  He  lipt  old  Priam;  at  whofe  latter gafpe 
<*  Jove*s  marble  ftatuc  gan.  to  bend  the  brow, 
**  As  lothing  Pirrhus  for  this  wicked  ad ; 
*^  Yet  he  undaunted  tooke  his  fathers  flagge, 
**  And  dipt  it  in  the  oki  kio^  chill  cold  bloud* 
**  And  then  in  triumph  ran  into  the  flreetes, 
'^  Through  which  he  could  not  paife  for  ilaughtred  men : 
32.  **  So  leaning  on  his  fward  he  ftood  (lone  ftill, 

•*  Viewing  die  fire  wherewith  rich  Ilion  burnt.**  A£^.  a. 
The  cxs£t  title  of  the  Play  from  which  thefe  lines  are  copied,  b 
as  follows:  The  |  Tragedic  of  Dido  |  ^^ene  of  Cwriha^.  j 
Played  by  the  Children  of  her  |  MaUfites  CbaffelL  \  Written  by 
Chriflopher  Marlowe,  and  |  Tbmai  Nii/b.  Gent.\  — A£iors  |  Ju* 
piter,  I  Ganimcd*  \  Venus.  \  Cupid.  \  Juno,  j  Mtrcurie,  or  |  Hermes. 

I^neas.  |  Afcanius.  \  Dido.  {Anna. — AcbaUs.  \IUoneus.\  lorhos. 
Cloamibes.  [^rgefius.  \  At  London,  |  Printed,  by  the  Widdowe 
Orwin^  fat  Thomas  fFiodcocke^  and  |  are  to  be  folde  at  his.  (hop,  ia 
Paules  Church-yeard,  at  |  the  fi^rne  of  the  blacke  Beare«  i594«  | 

In  the  Tempefif  P*  43*  ^  bad  likewife  imagined  fome  allunoo  to 
this  piece ;  but,  on  reading  it  over,  have  difcovered  not  the  fltghteft 
grounds  for  mv  fuppofttion. 

In  Machetby  p.  448*  [—  unfeam*d  him  from  the  nave  to  tbt 
chops]  I  have  idly  llrove  to  fupport  Dr.  Warburton,  who  reads 
nqpe  infte«d  of  nave  i  the  hitter  being  juflified  by  a  pallage  quoted 
gbovei  fix>m  IMo: 

Then  fromthe^MOf/tothe/^raor,  atooce 

JHc  1^  lold  Priam.  Steevens« 


OTHELLO. 


y 


Perfpns  ReprdenteA 

DUKE  of  Venice. 

^bantio^  a  fenator^ 

Tw$  0tber  fenators. 

Qratiano^  Protber  to  BrahMtk. 

JLodovico^  kin/man  /#  Brabaniio  and  GnUioMn 

Othdi<H  the  Mm. 

Caffio^  bis  tieuUnanU 

IagO|  bis  amitni* 

Roderigo,  a  Venetian  gentleman^ 

Montano,  tbe  Moor^s  predecefar  in  tbe  govemment  off 

^Cyprus.  ,        .^. 

C^m$y  feryant  to,  tie  Mq^ 
Herald. 

Defdemona^    daugbter  t9  Brakantio^   ^nd  wify  i% 
qtbello.  ^     ^ 

iEmiKa,  wife  t$  lagc. 
Bianca,  miftrefs  to  Cafflo. 

Offieers^  gentlemen^  mejfengers^  muficians^  fmhrs^  emd^ 
attendants. 

SCENE^  for  tbefirji  aa^  in  Venice  \  during  tbe  r{4 
§ftbefhy^  inOfprus. 


O   T   H   E   L   L   0\ 


I    •H^ 


AC  T   1.      SCENE    I. 

I.  * 

VfiNlCE. 

4Jireet.^ 
*      "  Enter  Roderigo^  and  lag^l 

Rod.  Never  tell  me%  I  uke.k  xxuicb  uakindlj^  .  • 
That  thoii,  tago, — who  haft  had  myiHirfey 
As  if  the  ftrings  were  thine, — ffiouldft  koQW  <^  this^ 
I  logo.  But  you'll  not  hear  me ' : 
if  ever  I  did  dream  of  fuch  a  nuitter;  abber  noe^  r . 
'  R^d.  Thou  toldft  me,  thou  didft  hold  him  in  dif 
hate.  ^ 

Jagc.  Defpife  me,  if  I  do  not.    Tbree  great  QMS 
of  the  city^ 
In  perfonal  fuit  to  make  me  his  lieutenant. 
*Oft  capped  to  him ;— -and,  by  the  faith  cj  man> 
I  know  my  price,  Tarn  worth  no  worie  a  place*: 
^ut  he,  as  loving  his  own  pride  and^puipoibs   -^ 

*  OtHeilo.']    The  flory  is  taken  from  Cyntbi^i  Tfonfets.    Pope.'  * : 
I  have  not  hitherto  met  with  any  tranflation  of  this  novel  (the 

&ventfa  in  the  thiid.decad)  of  fo  early  a  date  as  the  age  of  Shake* 
Ipeare;  but  undoubtedly  many  of  thofe  little  pamphlets  hftt 
penflied  betWecn  his  time  and  ours.  '  ,  ?. 

.  This  play  was  firft  entered  at  Stationers'  Gtall  CXSt.  6,  2621,  b/ 
Xhonas  Walkcly.     Steevens. 

I  have  feen  a  French  tranflation  of  C^nthlo,  by  Gabriel  Chap* 
puys.  Par.  1584.  This  is  not  a  faithful  one;  and  I  fufpecl^ 
|hrough  this  medium  the  work  came  into  £ngli(h,    Farmba. 

*  Ntver  tell  /w,]  'The  quartos  read,  Tttfi?^  never  tell,  &c. 

SxEEVEWf, 

^  Bmtyou^U  not^  &c.]*  The  firft  quarto  reads,  ^5;$iW  but  yoq^ 
^.    Steevens, 

*  Oft  tapfd to  h:m i-^l  Thui  the  quarto,'  The'fopo  tcads, 
faf-capp*diohim,    St^eVIns.      *         '    .*  ^^        . 

Evades 


428  O    T    H    E    L    L    O, 

Svadct  checPs  with  a  tx>mhiii|  circQixiftancCj, 
Horribly  ftuffd  with  epithets  of  war  j 
AntT^'in  concluiiony 
Non-fuits  mjr  tnec&itors  vfatf  urtes  $,  £iys  lie^  . 

And  what  was  he  ? 
Porfooth,  a  sreat  ^^lithqiedcuii^  '  - 
One  Michael  Caifio  7,  a  Flpremiiie, 
A  fellow  almoft  damned  *in  a  fair  wife; 

,%  Tbae 

'  ^^ftfift^  u  %.  oertttoly,  ia  tfiriu  Oblbloie.  SbSpcnlo^  ia 
the  A»9»  %M%  b»  4v  #•  9: 

^  Cnm  hm  Me  tmlr M  tataw  i9o(L*   Stvi wit% 

cmotayti  ^^--^^ooethatfigbtibyd^bool^  of  jrrViaK/i^.^ 

STEicrAira, 

7  '^anfaiim.J^  ^tfjmM  hem  ■uni7pt6^<»f  ^Mi^agf 
(9i|j|^tl3f^^»dtfi)Md>  ttei  CUfe  im  a  Floi^^ 
cian*    HANMfti., 

'  -«•/«  M^mk^i]  In  tbe  .fepnor  editions  tfat^hath  been 
trinted,  tiJUr  -wik  r  butfiwe^  k  miift  Aom  ibe  be^amig,  i«fe 
been  a  miftake»  becauie  it  appears  frooi  n  frUwripg.  part  of  the 
play,  that  CaA»^«ai^ii0aiarin9d.i9aot  oa  the  other  baixL  hit 
oeauty.U.Qff^  biiiH^  ai^  which  it  is  natural  enough  for  roujli 
ftUfierB  to  treat  with  fcorn  and  ridiode.    Iread  ther^Mic: 

AfiOmu  €dmofi  d^tmidin  mfair  njo'fii\  But  it  was  la^o,  ana 
IKK  CaSpf  who  was  the  Flprentife,  f»  *PP^»«  komhSc^.  Sc^  x. 
Thi^'paflage  thcicibre  (honld  be  read  4hu6 :     ^ 

■  >         4  fUmttififyf 

AjiSfiW  aimofi  dfumidin  a  fair  vsifiH  Theib  are  the^wonli 
of  Ochdlo  (whiek  lagp  in  this  relation  repeats)  and  fi^fy>  ritat  a 
Fl*rentioe  waa  «i  u^  perfim  for  command,  as  being  aiwm^ 
ibve  toa  fiur  wife;  which  was  the  cafe  of  Jagck  The  Oxmrd 
S4iM9  fappofii^'  thiSi  wan  iaid  by  lipgo  of  Caffio*  will  hare  Gsffio 
tahftlJbeFlorcMpies  ^Vi^  \^\^yi^  u  ^m  from  mairj^  faff^ 
thefd^  rtghi^  w^derfiood^  But  b^u&  Caffio  was  m  mamea  maa 
(thoii^b  I  wonder  it  did  aoi  appe^  he  ftw,  firom  ibme  f^iOv^ 
rjjgbi^  wdtf[/ld0d)  he  alters  the  unt  thus: 

A  fiUtw  dm^  dfomtd  in  mjair  jjb^u . 
'A  Whtte-frien'  ohraie.    WAiBttaroir. 
.  Aa  Mr,  Theaoald's  note  on  this  pafla|[e  tppean  to  bare  beei 
Written  in  concert  with  Dr.  War bunWf  it  were  uielefs  to  infcrt 
ihsgRbaHi.  The  fiMrnier,howevcr,coiidu^  his  obfenrations  thus i 


THB  MOOI^  ov  VEKtCE.     %if^ 

That  neter  fee  «  (buddroii  in  the  fidcU  ' 
1^  the  diviiioQ  of  a  batck  knows 

Mone 

«« lago^  not  C^»  #«B  Hie  Amite;  i^tt^.  flDt  Cgfb^  wis  the' 
vmmi  awn{  J^<^i  wife  itttenda  D^itmna^  lo  9i^r««t  ^jp^ 
•  miHrefs  theie,  a  oomnioa  ibmnpet;  abd  %•.  telli  Ufa  m  ^ 
fiB«och«£t: 

wbkh  would  be  abQitd,  xiC^m  hMi  l»eti  alrradjr  nttntiedl  at 
Femcf%  Befidet,  one  poec  fgikuft^  die  aadwiit]^  of  hit  aoffil  m 
^vtng  the  tUiaiiiout  enfisn  a  fair  wife.**    Steevrns. 

This  it  one  of  the  piiUg^  which  muft  for  the  prefem  he  m^ 
fifi^d  to  comiptioB  And  obfturitf ;  I  Itove^  sMhiiif  that  I  cais 
with  aay  approwh  to  coniideDce,  propoilr.  I  o^aoribttilr  it  vKf 
plain  litxn  Ad  3.  Sc.  u  that  C^  was  vrwai  not  n^f^ie^Atbifu 

Othello  lifet  the  narac  of  l^tftiftim  at  a  tm»(iif  rfjiroach ;  and 
perhai*,  the  rcafon  is  becaufe  th^  FUnnttMts  were  fUU  10  oppofition 
to Ihii  FeMtfid^  ^    '    «cePh|S^  de^  ConTiae^  K  5.  c»  I. 

jijUkw0imt/i  dmufJimmimt^,}  Thito>Mrrii%dt 
in  the  UrA  iolio;  and  fome  n%ht  have  ne  •bje(%oa  to  Miid» 
A  fettow  idmoft  din»n'dtett-^  wife;  m  tbe>aoiit  Ptrd  in 
neMtrr^ff^tvet^ff^iii4^  BStU.  Bc.^.  %«»  '^^ttth^hA  of 
having  a  J^»w0nwmi'^h«t*ihe'Origiihd  aq»  aiy  ^aiewi  a  fcBow 
iteoft  V  «)Sihapp]r  aa  the  dAinmed  #id)  j<^vfj^  of  a  £ur  wife« 
Iflgonfienn^aidAi  Ada.  St.  I.and  Ad  j^So-a*  in  w#fd4  equally 
badcalthui  owna  the  MRtringa  «f  Mi  MilMt,  whik  te  pi^ 


For  that  I  do  fufped  the  lufty  Manr 
iitillleap'^intoiAjrftar.    The tho«{^ whersef 
Dotfa^^ke  a  pdvftttbai  miMiral  gttwnijrinwaidi*'^^ 
^  But,  oh,  what  j^bMMiA/tninaffcattlii  he  tf^ar^  •  • 
Who  doats,  yet  doubtt  5  fttijped% ^efr^ArAOgljr  Jevet,* 

The  mV  £ficti)tY  i»4a  nnderlhM 

Uiniber  pi^pofiil  to -tdif .    I  caitoac  %oA  aiigr  fgfowi^Sm  tm* 
pdftng  that  either  the  ottfc  or  Ae  other  ha»i  berti  itpiiiri  ante 
SmhnaUeAii  in  an/^W^    TKe.yoei  hm^oAfitMimit^  Siodt 
•fo^reffioD  in  the  MtrSxM  ^  tTMHy  A£tiU  ^  t>: 
*«  O  my  Anthonio,  I  do  Jcnow  ♦f  thofe ' 
••  Who  therefore  onjy  afe  ttpultdwlfe,^ 
^  For  laying  nothings  who»  iW^^eiy  ft«^     ^ 
<«  If  they  ihould  ^leadc^  '«Mild*'iMba^'^tift9iitaCM8an» 
^  Winch;  heftring  them,  would  call  their  bfotl^  feali.* 
Jltia  dto  th»  aaifcihia^^t»idgiin»the  yOfrtyitnnm  mmik 


43<l  O   T    H    B   L    t  .0. 

More  than  a  Ipinfter  ^  uokfit  the  bookifli  cheoric  *; 

fSkokp  who  call  their  brothen  fbob*    I  am  therefore  indined  to 
believe,  that  the  true  reading  here  it, 

<«  A  fellow  almoft  damaM  in  a  Mt  Ufti** 
end  that  Shakefpeare  alludes  to  the  judgment  denooaced  in  the 
fofod  agmnft  thole  effjobpm  mU  mm  fpetik  wdL 

The  charader  of  Caffio  if  certainly  fuch,  as  would  be  ^vny 
likely  to  draw  upon  him  all  the  peril  a(  this  denunciadon,  Itte- 
nlly  underftood.  Well^bted^  eafy,  foeiable»  good-natured  f  widf 
s^iuties  enough  to  make  him  agreeable  mod  iHefuU  but  not  fyf* 
ficient  to  excite  the  envy  of  his  equals,  or  to  alarm  the  jeabufy 
cf  his  fuperiors.  It  may  be  obierred  too,  tbtt  Shakefpeare  has 
dbought  It  proper  to  make  lago,  in  feveral  other  paflages,  bear 
his  tefHmony  to  the  amiable  qualities  of  his  rival.  In  ABt  <« 
Scene  I*  he  fpeaks  thus  of  him ; 

««  IfCaffio  do  remain, 

**  He  hath  a  daily  katftj^  imiis  l^^ 

^^  That  makes  me  ugly.** 
I  will  only  add,  that,  however  httrd  or  far-fetchM  dus  aUufioA 
(whether  bhakefpeare^s,  or  only  mine)  may  feem  to  be,  ardibilhop 
Sheldon  had  exadly  the  (ame  conceit,  when  he  made  that  fin* 
cubur  compliment,  as  the  writer  caUs  ir,  [Biog.  Britan.  Art 
Temple]  to  a  nephew  of  Sir  Wtltiam  Temple,  that  ^  he  had  the 
^  curfe  of  the  goipd,  beqmfe  all  men  fpoke  well  of  him.** 

Ttrwhxtt* 

Mr.  Tjrrwhitt's  ingenioas  emendation  is  iupported  by  a  paflage 

in  the  Mrty  Wivts  ^  Wind^^  where  good^  is  ufed  £ar  a^inr 

tharoEUr :    *^  Defend  your  repuution,  or  bid  Crewel  to  your  ^Mif 

i^  forever.**    MALONg. 

The^xiety  I  think,  does  not  appear  to  have  meant  lago  to  be  a 
Florentine,  which  has  hitherto  been  iuferred  from  the  following 
pdlage  in  AGt  3.  Scene  i*  where  Caffio,  fpeaktng  of  Iago^*fayS| 
/  never  knew 

A  Florentine  more  kind  and  honejl* 
It  is  furely  n<^  uncommon  for  us  to  fay  in  praife  of  a  foreigner; 
that  we  never  knew  one  t)f  our  own  countrynoen  of  a  more  fiiendl)r 
-  difpofition*    This,  I  believe,  is  all  that  Caffio  meant  by  his  ob- 
fervation* 

From  the  already-mendk>ned  paflage  in  A6t  j.  Scene  5.  it  b 
certain  (as  Sic  T.  Hanmer  has  obferved)  that  lago  was  a  Ve« 
netian : 

*^  I  know  our  country  dijpojition  well, 

**  In  Venice  they  do  let  heaven  fee  the  prank) 

**  They  dare  not  fhcw  their  hulbands,'* 
.  Agaifl^ 

.     W— ^.  II  M      T       I  I  III  II         i^J 

^:^^0^iieoriCf]     Tbeoric^  for  tteory.    Steeyens, 


THp.MOOK  t>F  VENICE.      431 

*  Wherein  the  togcd  confuis  can  propofer  "^ 

As  mafterly  as  he :  mere  prattle,  without  pradice^ 

*    U 

^*  Alas,  my  friend  and  my  dear  coMutrymoM 
**  Roierigo,  &c.** 

*«  Gra.  What  oi  Venice  f 

^  I^o»  EVcn  he,  &C, 

That  Caffio,  however  was  married^  is  not  fufficiently  implied 
jn  the  word^  afcHtw  dun^  damt^d  in  a  fair  wifif  fipce  rhey  may 
^ean,  according  to  lago's  licentiout  manner  of  escpreffing  him* 
felf,  no  more  than  a  man  very  near  being  married*  This  feems  to 
havt,  Jbcen  die  caie  in  reipeft  of  Camo,  A£t  4.  Scene  tp^  Ia0v 
ipeaking  to  him  of  Bianca,  (ays— -Xf^  the  ay  goes  that  you  jSaS 
many  btr*  Caffio  acknowledges  tliat  fuch  a  report  has  been  raiied^ 
and  adds.  This  is  the  monkey  s  own  giving  out :  Jhe  is  perfuaded  I 
'Mill  marry  her  out  ef  her  own  love  and  Jeff-fiaitety^  not  out  of  my 
fromifi,  lago  then,  having  heard  this  rejport  before,  very  natu- 
rally circulates  it  in  his  prefent  converf^tion  with  Roderi^o.  tF 
^bakefpeare,  however,  defigned^wj/fftf  for  a  curtizan  olTQjnrMS 
(where  CaHio  had  not  yet  been^  and  had  therefore  never  feen  her) 
Ibgo  cannot  be  fuppofed  to  sulude  to  the  report  concerning  hit 
marriage  with  her,  and  confequcntly  this  pan  of  my  argumea  - 
maft  fall  to  the  ground* 

Had  Shakdpearc, .  confiftendy  with  lago%  chara6lcr,  meant  tp 
make  him  (ay  that  Caflio  was  oBuaUy  damned  in  being  married  /# 
a  handfime  woman^ '  he  would  have  made  him  fay  it  outright,  and 
not  have  interpofed  the  palliative  almojl*  Whereas  what  he  fay^ 
at  prefimt  amounts  to  no  more  than  that  (however  near  his^mar- 
Tiage)  he  is  not  yet  <omflet€ly  damnd^  becaufe  he  is  not  ahfilutely 
married.  The  fucceeding  parts  of  Iago*s  con  ver  fat  ion  fufficiently 
'evince,  that  the  poet  thougnt  no  mode  of  conception  or  exprcflion 
too  brutal  for  the  charaAer.    St  e  e  v  e  n  s. 

*  IVherein  the  tongucd  confuh — ]     So  the  generality  of  the  im- 

preifions  read ;  but  the  oldeft  quarto  has  it  togedi  the  fenators^ 

that  affifted  the  duke  in  council,  in  their  proper  ^^iww.— But  let 

'  me  explain  why  I  have  ventured  to  fubltitute  couvJeUors  in  the 

room  of  confuls :  the  Venetian  nobility  conftltute  the  great  council 

•of  the  fenate,  and  are  a  part  of  the  adminiftration;  and  fura- 

moncd  to  affirt  and  counfel  the  Doge,  who  is  priuce  of  the  fenate. 

So  ihat  they  may  very  properly  be  called  Counplhrs.    Tho^jgh 

'the  government  of  Venice  was  democratic  at  firft,  yirAzx'conj'u^s 

and  tribunes  \  that  form  of  power  has  been  totally  abrogated,  lincp 

Doges  have  been  elcc'ted.     Theobald,:  ,  ** 

n%rr€ln  tke  toged  confuh ^^     Confuls^  iox  counfeUors. 

_  Warbuji^n. 


4tt  OTHELLO, 

Is  all  hb  foMierflup.    But  he,  fir,  had  the  ebaiflili 
And  h*"-^  whom  his  eyes  hid  foeQ  the  proofs 
Ac  Rhodes,  at  Cyprus ;  and  on  other  grounds 
Chriftian  and  heathen, — *  muft  be  be-ke'd  and  cstm% 
By  debtor  and  creditor,  this  counter-cafter  i  % 
lie,  in  good  time,  muft  his  lieutenant  be. 
And  I,  fir,  (blefs  the  mark  4 !)  his  Moor*ihtp*i  <  ao-^ 

cient. 
jR^  Bt  heaven,  I  rather  would  have  been  hil 

hangman* 
.    Jagp.  But  there's  no  remedy,  'tis  the  euHe  of  feiw 

vice; 
Jh^erment  goes  ^  by  ktter,  and  alledion, 

Hy  ^^  perhaps  it  tntUitpmeeMt  m  oppofitioo  to  the  mforiik 
fluahficatioos  of  which  he  had  been  &eakuig»  He  mif^  ImH 
ionacd  the  word,  in  allufion  to  the  Latin  ad«y  *CeMmi  snm 
ieg^,    Stsbv£ns. 

*^tmtJlbe\tA  MiJcmUJ]  So  die  old  quarto.  Thefirftfiilli 
leads  he-k^d:  but  that  (poilt  the  meafiire.    I  read  kt^  hindered. 

WARBOmTOV. 

Be-Md^xiti  to  <«iii*4aiid  theneafiire  is  notkAperfD&  than  ia, 
tnaDy  other  places.    Johnson. 

JSe'ke^d  mnd  ie^a!m*d^rt  terms  of  luiTifttioB. 

I  have  been  informed  that  one  veflel  is  ikid  to  be  in  the  X^r  of 
another  when  it  is  lb  placed  that  die  wind  is  intercepted  from  kt 
Iago*s  meaning  therefore  is,  that  Caffio  had  got  the  wind  of  hia^ 
and  ie-ot/bV  him  from  going  on. 

To  be-cakt  (as  I  kam  from  Fahxmei^  Mtrim  ZHHimmf)  is 
tikewife  to  obftru6t  the  current  of  the  wind  in  its  pifflige  toa(hi{% 
by  any  oootiguous  object    Steevsms. 

>  — /A£icounter*Gulern  Itwasandendythepm^cetoreduia 
yp  fums  with  comnters*  To  this  Shakelpeare  allodcs  again  io 
QfmM/Uf  AGt  J.  **  -*-  it  fums  tip  thoufands  in  a  trice :  you  hafi 
no  true  debtor  and  creditor,  but  it :  of  what's  pafi,  is,  and  to  oome^ 
the  dilcharge.  Your  neck,  (ir,  is  pen,  bool^  and  oMotfen,*  to 
Ag^D»  in  Jc§lqfius^  a  comedy,  1529 :  *^  I  wyl  caft  my  €mmtr^ 
or  wadi  iMMMri,  make  all  ray  reckenjnges.*    Steevens. 

^  ^^iUithetmrrk!]  Kelly,  in  his  comments  on  Scots  pro* 
irerbs,  obfmes,  that  the  Scots,  when  thqr  compare  perfim  to  per» 
ftn,  ole  this  ezdamadon.    Stbevens. 

^  ^JUs  Moofffliip's— ]    Thefirft quarto  reads-^his  vtmr/k^s^ 

St£eVins« 

^m^^kturtmm\    Jjy  Htmmmdiktim  from^  powerful  friends. 

JouMsoir* 

Noc 


THi  MOOR  OF  VENICE:      43s 

»  - 

7  JNot  by  the  old  gradation,  where  each  fecoftd 
^tood  heir  to  the  firft*     Now;  fir,  be  judge  yourfclfi 
?  Whether  I  iii  any  juft  term  am  afiin'd 
To  love  the  Moor, 

Ro4^.  I  wotild  not  follow  him  then. 
,    logo.  O,  fir,  Content  you; 
I  follow  him  to  ferve  my  turn  upon  him : 
We  cannot  all  bfc  maftersj  nQr  all  mafters  .. 
fcannot  ht  truly  followed.    You  Ihall  mark 
Many  a  dtiteous  and  knee-crooking  knave. 
That,  dotihg  on  his  own  dbfequious.  bondage; 
Wears  put  his  (iihe,  ^much  like  his  mafter'is  afs; 
For  nought  but  provender,  knd;  when  he's  old,  ci- 
,  (hier'd ;  .  ^ 

Whi^  liic  fuirh  9  h'ortcft  knaves  :  Others  there  are. 
Who,  trimmed  in  forms  and  vifages  of  dutyi 
Keep  yet  their  hearts  attending  on  thcmfplves  ; 
i^nd,  throwing  bUt  (hows  of  fervice  on  their  lords. 
Do  well  thrive  by  f hem;  and^  when  they  have  lin'd 

their  coats. 
Do  themfelves  homage  t   thefe  fellows   have   fomc 

foul ;    . 
And  fach  a  one  do  I  jprofels  myfclf; 

*     '  '  '        (      •     ,         .1 

„  ;  Not  hy  the  M  gradation<t — ]  What  is  old  gradation  ?  He  im* 
mediately  pplains  gradation  very  properly.  But  the  id^  of  oli 
does  not  cbme  into  it: 

*  nMhne  each  fecond 

Stood  heir  to  the  Jirft*     . 
1  read  therefore, 

Not  (^s  of  old)  grddationr^x.  e.  it  does  not  go  by  gfadaiion,  aj 
JtdiHot'old.    Warburton. 

Old z^adatioit^  \i  gradation  eftabliflied  by  ancient  pra<5tice.  Where 
is  the  difficulty  ?     Johnson, 

•  If  1  in  airp  juft  terttt  ani  aflinM]  Jj^ined  is  the  feadiriij  of  the 
third  qtiario  knd  the  fit  ft  folio.  The  lecotvi  quano  and  all  the 
modern  editions  have  tijjt^nd.  The  mcaniiiji  is.  Do  I  fond  wiihii> 
arty  Jach  terms  tf  pro^imiuity  crretatioHtQ  the  3Ivqr^  0S  that  it  ii 
my  duty  to  love  him  t    JbHNsoN. 

^  —  honeft  knaves. — J  Knave  is  here  for  fimUfUy  but  with  a 
jnmurc  of  fly  contcmpii    Johnson. 


434  OTHELLO, 

For,  fir, 

It  is  as  fure  as  you  are  Roderigo, 
•  Were  I  the  Moor,  I  would  not  be  Tago : 
In  following  him,  I  follow  but  myfelf ; 
Heaven  is  my  judge,  not  I  for  lore  and  duty. 
But  fecming  fo,  for  my  peculiar  end : 
For  when  my  outward  adion  doth  demonftrate 
The  native  adt  and  figure  of  my  heart 
<  In  compliment  extern,  'cis  not  long  after 
But  I  will  wear  my  heart  upon  my  flecve 
For  daws  ^  to  peck  at :  I  am  not  what  I  am. 

Rod.  What  a  full  fortune  does  the  thick-lips  owe?. 
If  he  can  carry't  thus  ! 

lago.  Call  up  her  father. 
Route  him :  make  after  him,  poifbn  his  del%ht. 
Proclaim  him  in  the  ftreets ;  incenfe  her  Idnfmen^ 
And,  though  he  in  a  fertile  climate  dwell. 
Plague  him  with  flies :  though  that  his  joy  be  joy. 
Yet  throw  fuch  changes  of  vexation  on'c. 
As  it  may  lofe  fome  colour. 

Rod.  Here  is  her  father^s  houfe;  V\\  call  aloud. 

lago.  Do;  with  like  timorous  accent,  and  dire  yell, 
*  As  when,  by  night  and  negligence,  the  fire 
Is  fpy*d  in  populous  cities. 

Rod. 

■  Ift  compliment  extern^ — ]     In  that  which  I  do  only  for  an  out- 
ward  {hew  of  civility.     Johnsoi/. 

So,  in  Sir  /^  DAvenant^s  Albovine^  1629 : 
**  —  that  in  fight  extern 
**  A  patriarch  feems."    Steevens. 

*  For  daws — ]  The  firft  quarto  reads,  for  daves-^  Steevens. 
J  IVbat  a  full  fortune  docs  the  thick-Ufs  owe  ?]     Fuil  firtmt 

11,  I  believe,  a  complete  piece  of  good  fortune,  as  in  another 
fcene  of  this  play  ixfull  Jhldicr  is  put  for  a  compete  foldier.  To 
9V)e  is  in  ancient  lanj^uage,  to  ovju^  to  poflefs.     STEEVENt. 

*  As  ifihen^  by  night  and  nedigence^  tin  fire 

Is  {py*d  in  pofuUns  cities^  This  is  not  (enfe,  take  it  which 
way  you  will.  It  m'ght  and  negligence  relate  to  ^ed,  it  is  abfurd  to 
iay,  the  fire  vms  fpied  fy  negUgence,  If  night  and  negligence  refer 
only  to  tlie  time  and  occafiony  u  Ihould  then  be  nighty  and  tbrm^h 

nrgiigenctm 


THE  MOOR  OF  VENICE;      435 

Rod.  What  ho!  Brabantio!  figniorBrabando,  ho! 

lago.  Awake  !    what,   ho  !    Brabantio !    thieves !  ^ 
thieves ! 
Look  to  your  houfe^  your  daughter,  4nd  your  bags ! 
Thieves !  thieves ! 

Brabaniio^  ahve,  at  a  window. 

Sra.  What  is  the  reafon  of  this  terrible  fummons  ? 
What  is  the  matter  there  ? 

Rod.  Signior,  is  all  your  family  \^ithin  ? 

lago.  Are  your  doors  lockM  *  ? 

Bra.  Why  ?  wherefore  alk  you  this  ? 

lago.  Sir,  you  arc  robb*d  j  for  ftiamCi  put  On  your 
gown; 
Your  heart  is  burft  ^ j  you  have  loft  half  your  foul ; 

.  ntgligenet,  Othcrwiie  the  particlie  fy  would  be  made  to  fignify  time 
applied  to  one  word,  and  cauje  iapplied  to  the  other.  VVe  fhouli 
read  therefore,  Is .  fpred^  by  which  all  thefe  faults  are  avoided. 
But  what  isof  mo^  weight,  the  fimilitude,  thus  emended,  agrees 
bcft  with  the  fa6t  it  is  applied  to.  Had  this  notice  been  given  to 
Brabantio  before  his  daughter  ran  away  and  married,  it  might  then 
indeed  have  been  well  enough  compared  to  the  alarm  given  of  si 
fire  juft^^'VJ^  as  foon  it  as  was  begun.  But  being  given  after  thi 
forties  ^were  bedded^  It  Was  moh;  fitly  compared  to  a  firC  Jpred  h^ 
night  and negUgenctj  fo  as  not  to  be  extinguifhed.     W  arbur ton. 

The  particle  is  ufed  equivocally  \  the  fame  libeny  is  taken  by 
writers  more  correft. 

The  wonderfui  crtature  !  a  woman  tf  reafon  i 
NiFvergran>e  out  offriAtf  nevct  ge^  out  oi  fcafin. 

JoUNSONi 

Dr.  Warburton  (e^ms  to  have  forgot  that  the  marriage  was  not 
.confammat«d  till  the  parties  arrived  at  Cyprus  : 
Come,  my  dear  love  I 
The  piirchafb  made,  the  fruits  are  to  enfue; 
That  profit's  yet  to  come  ^twizt  me  and  you. 

StEEVENS. 

^  Art  your  doors  locked?}  The  firft  quarto  reads,  Ah:  aU  doori 
Igck'd?    Steeveks. 

•  —  ij  burft,]  i.  e,  broken.  JBurft  for  h-oie  is  ufed  in  our 
author's  King  HeniyVV.  P.  i:  **  — and  then  he  hurfi  his  bcild 
for  crowding  among  the  marih:^l*8  men."    Ste e tens. 

F  f  11  Ev«a 


43^  O    t    rt    E    L    L    O, 

Even  now,  very  now,  an  old  black  ram 
Is  tupping  your  white  cwc.     Arife,  arife ; 
Awake  the  fnorting  citizens  with^the  bell. 
Or  clfe  the  devil  will  make  a  grand  fire  of  you : 
Arife,  I  fay. 

Bra.  What,  have  you  loft  your  wits  ? 

Rod.  Moft  reverend  fignior,  do  you   know  xrvf 
voice  ? 

Bra.  Not  I ;  What  are  you  ? 

Rod.  My. name  is — Rodcrigo. 

Bra.  The  worfe  welcome  : 
I  have  charged  thee,  not  to  haunt  about  my  doors : 
in  boneft  plainneis  thou  haft  heard  me  fay. 
My  daughter  is  not  for  thee ;  and  now,  in  madnefs. 
Being  full  of  fupper,  and  diftempering  draughts. 
Upon  malicious  bravery,  doft  thou  come 
To  ftart  my  quiet. 

Rod.  Sir,  fir,  fir, — 

Bra.  But  thou  muft  needs  be  fure. 
My  fpirit,  and  my  place,  have  in  them  power 
To  make  this  bitter  to  thee. 

Rod.  Patience,  goodiir« 

Bra.  What  teirft  thou  me  of  robbing  ?  this  is 
Venice ; 
My  boufe  is  not  a  grange ''. 

Rod. 

^  Grange,']    — —  this  is  Venice  ; 

My  houfe  is  not  z grange. 
That  isi  *•  yoti  are  in  a  populous  city,  not  in  a  lom  houfiy  where 
a  robbery  might  eafily  be  comjniitcd.**  Gratge  is  Hn&iy  and 
jjTopcrly  the  tarm  of  a  monaftery,  whcr«  the  religious  repofited 
their  corn.  Grangia  Lat.  from  GranMm,  But  in  Lincolnfhire» 
and  in  other  nonhern  counties,  they  call  every  lone  houfe,  or  farm 
which  ftands  folitary,  a jTtf«^^.  Warton. 
So,  in  T.  Haywood's  Eagiijb  trofveUtr^  1633  : 

^*  Who  can  blame  him  to  abfent  himieif  from  home; 
"  And  make  his  father's  houfc  btu  as  ti grange,  Sec  ^ 
Again,  in  DanielS  Complaint  ef  Rojammdy  1 599 : 
«•  ..^  foon  was  I  trainM  from  coiut 
«•  To^fiUtarygrangi^tiiQ.** 

Again 


THE   MOOR  OP  VENICE.      437 

Rod.  Mod  grave  Brabantio, 
In  fimple  and  pure  foul  I  come  to  you, 

lago.  Sir,  you  arc  one  of  thofe,  that  will  not  fervc 
God,  if  the  devil  bid  you.  Becaufe  we  come  to  do 
you  fervice,  you  think  we  are  ruffians :  You'll  have 
your  daughter  covered  with  a  Barbary  horfe ;  you'll 
nave  your  nephews  ^  neigh  to  you :  you*ll  have  cour- 
iers for  coufins,  and  gennecs  for  germans  ?. 

Bra.  '  What  profane  wretch  art  thou  ? 

lago.  I  am  one^  fir,  that  comes  to  tell  you*  ^  your 

daughter 

Again,  in  Meafurefir  Meafure: 

"  — ac  the  vnosxtS  graftgi  rt^i^tz  this  dejoSied  Mariana.** 

6TEEVEN3i 
•  —-'your  nephews  neigh  to  you :]     Nephr.v^  in  this  inlhiDCC,  haf 
the  power  of  the  Latin  word  nepos^  and  Hgi>ifi(*s  a  grandfon,  or  any 
lineal  defcendant,  hovyever  remote.     So,  in  Spenler  : 

•♦  And  all  the  fons  of  hcfe  fi^a  breihten  reigu'd 
**  Ay  d'jc  fuccels,  and  all  their  nephews  late, 
•*  Even  thrice  eleven  defcents  the  crowm  obtainM'** 
A^n«  in  Chapman^s  verGon  of  the  Od)  liey»  B.  24,   L^rtes  (ays 
or  Teionachus  \i\&  grandfhn: 

**  —  to  behold  my  (on 
**  And  nepbe^vj  cloie  in  fuch  pontentiont** 
Sir  W.  Ougdaie  very  often  empl  >  s  the  word  in  this  fenfe ;  an4 
wirhout  it,  it  would  not  be  very  eafy  to  Ibew  how  Brabemtio  could 
have  nephews  by  the  marriage  of  itis  iiau^hter.  Ben  Jnnfon  like- 
wife  ufes  it  with  the  famt:  nieanin^.  The  alliteration  in  thif 
paflage  caufed  Shakefpfarc  ro  '..ave  recourfe  to  it.     Stk evens. 

•  —  gen  nets  fir  germans.]  Ajenncf  is  s|  Sp^nlfh  horfe.  So,  iq 
KcywoOii^s  Rape  n/Lucrecey  16^0: 

**  —  there  flays  within  my  tent 
"  A  winged y^*^/,"        Stekvens. 

•  What  profane  wretch  art  thpif  ?}  That  is,  what  v.refch  of  graft 
Slid  licentious  loKgtiagef  Iq  th^t  i$;nfe  Shakefpearc  often  i^fes  the 
word  profane.    Johnson. 

It  is  fo  ufed  by  other  writers  of  the  i^me  ^gp : 
*'  How  far  otf  dwells  thf  hpufe  fur^eon  I 
•*  *—  You  are  a  profane  teUow,  i'taiib.'* 
Again^  in  Ben  Jonfon's  Tale  of  a  Tub; 

«*  By  the  fly  jiilHce,  and  his  clerk /r/^."    Steevens.* 

•  ^^yoitr  daughter  and  the  Moor  are  making  the  beaft  with  two 
backs.]  lliis  18  an  ancient  proverbial  expreffion  in  the  French 
language,  \fhcace.Shakdpeare  prqli^abjy  boiro\ved  it|  for  in  the 

"    F  f  3  •     ».     •  piSlioHair^ 


438  OTHELLO, 

daughter  and  the  Moof  are  noW  making  the  bcaft 
yrith  two  backs. 

Bra.  Thou  art  a.  villain. 

lago.  You  are — a  Icnator. 

Bra.  This  thou  flialt  anfwer ;  I  kpow  thee.  Rode* 
rigo. 

Rod.  Sir,  I  will  anfwer  any  things    Bnt  I  befeech 
you, 
[j  Ift  be  your  pleafure,  and  moft  wife  confent, 
(As  partly,  I  find,  it  is)  that  your  fetr  datighter. 
At  4  this  odd  even  and  dull  watch  o*  the  night, 
Tranfported — with  no  worfe  fior  better  guard. 
But  with  a  knave  of  conrin;)on  hire,  a  gondatter,— 
^o  the  grofs  clafps  of  a  lafciviaus  I^oor : — 

piHionaire'des  Proverhes  Frmt^oljei^  V^^\  ^»  B»  BniiR^ef,  "tqxQ^ 
1 2 mo,  I  6nd  the  following  article ;  ^*  f'aire  U  Bite  a  deux  Dot** 
pour  dire  fai re  I'amour.     Fercy.' 

*  In  the  DiHionaire  Comiquif  par  Ic  Roux,  1 7^0,  this  tlirafe  i| 
more  particularly  explained  under  the  article  Bete.  **  Fmre  ia  heu 
a  itux  dos. — Maniere  de  parler  qui  fignifie  etre  cqucfae  avec  uno 
jfemme;  ^ire  le  deduit.*^— >^^  £t  faifoient  tous  deux  fouvent  en- 
fcmble  la  hete  a  deux  dos  joyeufement," — Rabelais,  liv.  I.  There 
^as  a  tranflation  of  Rabelais  publiihed  in  the  tune  of  Shakefpetre. 

Malone. 

3  Iff^t  le^  &c.]  The  lines  printed  in  crotchets  are  Qot  in  thefirft 
^ition,  but  in  the  folio  of  1623.    Jqhnson. 

4  .~^this  odd  even — ]  The  even  oi  night  is  midnight^  the  dme 
when  night  is  divided  into  even  parts.     Iohnijon. 

Odd  is  here  ambiguouily  ufed,  as  it  fignifies  firange^  mMcoMth,  of 
fn^vonted;  and  as  it  is  oppofed  to  evenm 

This  expredion,  however  ezplainecly  is  veiT  barfli ;  and  the 
poet  might  have  written — At  this  odd  jieven.  Sttvtm  is  an  ancieat 
^ord  fignifying  timi.  So,  in  the  oki  ballad  of  R^bim  HM  and  Gw^ 
rfGiJborne: 

*'  We  may  chance  to  meet  mth  kobia  Hood 
**  Her^  at  fome  unfelt  JNven.^ 
Agaiq^  in  the  Booh  of  the  mqfle  viHwyons  Pfyuce  G^y  efWanxidiy 
^L  1.  no  date : 

V  Nowc  we  be  mette  at  unfette  Jle^n^ 
*•  Therefore  we  (hall  mafce  us  even.** 
Again,  in  Chaocer*8  Knighis  Ttde^  late  edit.  ter.  iet6 : 

}*  ForaUajmeteniimatunte^^niiM,''    Steefehs. 


THE   MO  Oil  or  VENICE.      439 

If  this  be  knpwn  to  you,  and  your  allowance. 

We  then  have  done  you  bold  and  faucy  wrongs ; 

But,  if  you  know  not  this,  my  manners  tell  me. 

We  have  your  wrong  rebuke.     Do  not  believe. 

That,  from  the  fenfc  of  all  civility,  . 

I  thus  would  play  and  trifle  with  your  reverence  : 

Your  daughter,— .if  you  have  not  given  her  leave, — 

I  fay  again,  hath  made  a  grofs  revolt ; 

Tying  her  duty,  beauty,  wit,  and  fortunes. 

To  an  extravagant  5  and  wheeling  ftraneer. 

Of  here  and  every  where:  Straight  fatisty  yourfelf:] 

If  fhe  be  in  her  chambei?,  or  your  houfe, 

Let  loofe  on  me  the  juftice  of  the  ftate 

For  thus  deluding  you  <^. 

Bra.  Strike  on  the  tinder,  ho ! 
Give  mc  a  taper  \ — call  up  all  my  people : — 
This  accident  is  not  unlike  my  dream. 
Belief  of  it  oppreiles  mc  already : — 
Light,  I  fay  I  light ! 

lago.  Farewel  5  for  I  muft  leave  you : 
It  feems  not  meet,  nor  w.holcfome  to  my  place. 
To  be  produced  7  (as,  if  I  ftay,  I  (hall) 
Againft  the  Moor :  For,  I  do  know,  the  ftate, — 
However  this  may  gall  him  with  ®  Ibme  check, — 
Cannot  with  fafety  9  caft  him  ;  for  he*s  ^mbark'd 
With  fuch  loud  reafon  to  the  Cyprus'  war, 
(Which  even  now  Hands  ia  aft)  that,  for  their  fouls. 
Another  of  his  fathom  they  have  not, 

^  To  an  exfravagoHtf  A^c]  The  old  copies  read,  Im  an  extra- 
yaga  nt,  2iic.   Mr  .Pofie  made  this  change,  which  fecms  to  be  neccirary . 

ExtravngaHi  is  here  tifed  in  its  Latin  iiguificarion,  for  «wa»- 
^ing.    Thus  in  I^^unUt :  *'  —The  extrav^ant  and  erring  fpirit.** 

STEEVElfg, 

•  For  thui  deluding  you^^  The  firft  quarto  reads,  For  this  de* 
lujUn.     St£EVEns. 

■   ^  7i  ^  produced]     The  folio  reads, /r^^^^S?^^.     Steevens. 

•  — fome  r/^/f^,]    Some  rebuke.    Johnson, 

•  — caft  /'iw.— ]  That  is,  difmlfi  him;  rtjeH  him.  We  AiU 
fay,  a  caR  coat,  and  a  cafi  lerving-man.    Johnson. 

F  f  4  To 


449  OTHELLO, 

To  lead  their  bufincfs  :  in  which  regard. 

Though  I  do  hate  him  as  I  do  hell  pains. 

Yet,  for  ncceffity  of  prcfent  Ijife, 

I  muil  (hew  out  a  flag  and  (ign  of  loye. 

Which  is  indeed  bpt  fign.     That  you  (hall  fureb 

find  him, 
Lead  to  the  Sagittary  f he  r^is*d  fearch  j 
And  there  will  f  be  with  him»    So,  farewcU    lEs^(* 

E»fer,  belcw^  BrahntiOy  and  fervants. 

Bra.  It  is  too  true  an  evil :  gone  fhe  is ; 
'And  what's  to  dofne  ci  iny  defpifed  time,' 
Is  nought*  buj  bitternefs. — Now,  Rpderigo, 
Where  didft  thou  lee  her  ?— O  unhappy  girl  Ir— 
With  the*  Mo6r;  fay 'ft  thou  ?— Who  would  be  2^ 

father?—     •    -     -' 
How  didft  thou  know  'twas  flic  ?-^*  O,  thou  deceiv'ft 

me 
JPaft  thought ! — What  faid  flie  to  you  I —  Get  more 

tapers;  

Raifc  all  my  kindred. — Are  they  marry'd,  think  you  J 
^   Rod.  Truly,  I  think',  they  arc*    •     •     • 

'  And  '•Mhai's  to  come  of  pty  deijnred  timt^'\     WJiy  delptfed  time  ? 
WcflioUlUreH;  •    .-       ■    -     •   '.       i      - 

defpucd  time, 
i.  e.  ▼cx'atious.  '  VVarbtjrton. 

DejpifcJ  ti  tCy  \%  time  of  no  vafue;  time  in  which 
'        "  Thcn's  notliing  ferious  in  mortality, 

**  The  wine  of  iifc  is  drawn,  and  the  mere  dregs 
**  Are  left  ihis  ▼ault  to  brag  of,"    Macbeth.  '    Johk$ok« 
Affun,  in  Romeo  a/id  Juliei:  ■  ' '• 

««  — empire  the  term 
**  Ofn  deJ^fJeJWfc  clos'd  in  my  bread.'*    Steevehs. 
*  --^X)ytboudcccii?Jl  me     ■'--.. 
Fajithottgfjt! — 1     Thus  the  quarto  1622.     The  folio  iCij, 
and  the  Quartcs  1630  and  165^  read,  '  '  • 

:  Oyjhe  dece)*vei  me     «  ,; 

P(tfi  thought. 
I  have  cholcn  the  apoftrophc  to  his  abfent  daughter,  as  the  moft 
(piritedof  the  two  readings.    Steeven?; 

'i- .^  .*.   .  jjrfl. 


THE  MOOR  OF  VENICE.      441 

Bra^  6  heaven  !— How  got  (he  out  ?— O  Xxt^So^ 
of  the  blood!— 
Fathers,  from  hence  truft  not  your  daughters*  minds 
By  what  you  fee  them  a^.— Arc  there  not  charms^ 
3  By  which  the  property  of  youth  and  maidhood  4 
May  be  abus'dr  Have  you  not  read,  Rodcri^o, 
Df  fome  fuch  thing  ? 

Rod.  Yes,  fir;  1  have,  indeed. 

Bra.  Call  up  my  brother*— O,  'would  you  had 
had  her  !-:- 
Some  one  way,  fome  another. — Do  you  know 
Where  we  may  appretiend  her  and  the  Moor  ? 

Rod.  I  think,  I  can  difcdver  him ;  if  you  pleafe 
To  get  good  guard,  and  go  along  with  me* 

Bra.  Pray  you,  lead  op.    s  At  every  houfe  PU  call; 
I  liiay  command  at  mod  : — Get  weapons,  ho ! 
And  raife  fome  fpecial  officers  of  might  ^.— 
On,  good  Roderigo ;  V\\  dcferve  your  paix^.  [Exeunt. 

3    C    E    N    E        n. 

4notber  fir  net. 

Enter  Othello^  lago^  and  attendants. 

Jago.  Though  in  the  trade  of  war  I  have  (lain  men, 
Yet  do  I  hold  it  very  ftufF?  o'  the  confcience 

"•  •'  ••  ^  • ■••  ;  To 

J3  £y  which  the  properp  cfyojtth  and  matdbood 

M^  he  aJ>U8^  ^— -J  By  which  the  faculties  of  a  young  Virgin 
niay  be  in^tuated,  ax^d  made  fubjedt  to  illufions  and  to  falfe  ima- 
gination : 

**  Wicked  dreams  abufi 

**  The  curtain'd  flcep.**    Macheih.      Johnson. 
4  ..  and  maidhood^^    The  quartos  read — ^aad  manhood'^^ 

Steevens. 
>  Pray  you,  lead  on.]    The  firft  quarto  reads,  Pray  lead  me  on. 

Steevens. 

J  — ^misht.]     The  firft  quarto  reads — of  mght.    Steevens. 

?  — fiuiF^  /i&f  confcience]     This  expreflion  to  common  readers 

j^ppears  har(h.    Stuff  of  the  confcience  is,  fuhftance^  or  efpnce  of  the 

*',  ■    •        ^     '  tonfciencc. 


44^  OTHELLO^ 

To  do  no  contrived  murder ;  I  lack  iniquky 
Sometimes,  to  do  me  fervice :  l^fine  or  ten  times 
I  had  thought  to  have  jerk'd  him  here  under  the  ribs* 

Otb.  'Tis  better  as  it  is. 

lago.  Nay^  but  he  prated. 
And  fpoke  fuch  fcurvy  and  provoking  terms 
Againft  your  honour. 
That,  with  the  little  godlinefs  I  have, 
I  did  full  hard  forbear  hiou     But,  I  pray  you,  fir. 
Are  you  faft  marry'd  ?  for,  be  fure  of  this,— 
That  tbie  ^  roagnifico  is  much  belov'd  ; 
And  hath^  m  his  e0e£b,  a  voice  potential 
9  As  double  iss  the  duke's :  be  will  divorce  you ; 

Or 

conicietice.  Stuff  n^vrori  of  great  force  in  the  Tcutoak  lan- 
guages. The  dementft  are  called  ia  Dutch, /£M)^^«^is,  or  bead 
Jluffs.    Johnson. 

Again,  in  King  Henry  VIII : 

You*rc  full  of  heaYcnly.^»^  Sec. 
Frifch's  German  DiSiionary  rives  this  explanation  of  the  word 
^^^>— matcrics  ex  qua  aliquid  fieri  porerit.    Steevens. 

•  —  /^tf  ma^ifico]  "  The  chiet  men  of  Venice  are  by  a  pecu- 
liar name  called  Magntficiy  i.  e.  magmficoes!*  Minfttenr's  DiBUnay. 
See  too  Folpane.    To l let. 

>  As  doubiU  as  tfx  duk^s : — ]  Rymer  (eems  to  have  had  his  ere 
on  this  pai&ge,  amonj^ll  othcrsi  where  he  talks  (b  much  of  the  im- 
propriety and  barbarity  in  the  (lile  of  this  play.  But  it  is  anelo- 
gant  Grectfrn*  As  double^  figniiies  as  large^  as  emtnfhe ;  for  thus 
the  Greeks  ufe  ^«•Xfaf^  Dio/c.  1.  a.  c*ii3.  And  in  the  fame 
manner  and  conUru^ion,  the  Latins  fometimes  ufed  dt^dex.  And 
the  old  French  writers  f^y,  haplm  doubk.  Dr.  B^ntlcy  has  been  as 
fevere  on  Milton  for  as  elegant  a  Grecifm  : 

Tet  virgin  of  Proforpina  from  Jove,  lib.  9.  ver.  396. 
It  is  an  imitation  of  the  n«^OfMf  m  %mX%itM  of  Theocritus,  for  an 
unmarried  virgin^     WarburTON. 

This  note  has  been  much  cenfured  by  Mr.  Upton,  who  denies 
that  the  quotation  is  in  Diojcoridesy  and  difputes,  not  without  rea- 
fon,  the  interpretation  of  Theocritus. 

All  this  learning,  if  it  had  even  been  what  it  endeavours  to  be 
thought,  is,  in  this  [^ace,  fuperftuous.  There  is  no  ground  of 
fuppofing,  that  our  author  copied  or  knew  the  Greek  i)hrafe  \  nor 
does  it  tollow,  that,  becaufe  a  word  has  two  fenfcs  in  one  lan- 
guage, the  word  which  in  another  anfwcrs  to  one  fcnfe,  fliould  an- 
5  fwcr 


THE  MOOR  ap  VEmCE.      44J 

Or  put  upon  you  what  reftraint  and  grievance 
The  law  (wkh  all  his  mighty  to  efiforcer  it  on) 
"Will  give  him  cable. 

Otb.  Let  him  do  his  fpite: 
My  fervices,  which  I  have  done  the  figniory, 
6haH  out-tongue  his  con^laitnts*    'Tis  yet  to  know, 
(Which^  when  I  know  that  boafting  is  an  honour^ 
I  fliall  promulgate)  I  fetch  my  life  and  being 
From  '  men  of  royal  fiege  j  *  and  my  demerits 

May 

iWer  to  botlu  Mmms^  in  Latin,  fignifies  both  a  hami'ATid  a  troop  ef 
fildiersy  but  we  cannot  fay,  that  the  caftahi  marched  at  the  head  of 
his  hand  I  or,  that  be  laid  his  troop  upoti  hisfword.  It  is  not  al« 
ways  in  books  that  the  meaning  is  to  be  fought  of  this  writer^ 
who  was  much  more  ac(|uainted  with  naked  realon  and  with  living 
manners. 

DouhU  has  here  its  natural  fenfe.  The  prefident  of  every  dcli- 
beratire  aflembly  has  a  double  voice*  In  our  courts,  the  chief 
julUce  and  one  of  the  infericH*  judges  prevail  over  the  other  two» 
pecaufe  the  chief  judice  has  a  doM  voice. 

Brabantio  had,  in  his  effe^y  though  not  by  law,  yet  by  nvei^ 
and  influertce^  a  voice  not  aMual  and  formal,  hyittotential  and!  opera- 
tive, as  douiie^  that  is,  a  voice  that  when  a  oueftion  was  fufpended, 
wouU  turn  the  balance  as  effedually  as  the  aukis.  Potential  i$  ufed 
in  the  fenfe  of  fcience ;  a  camjlic'^s  ctilled potential  fire.    Johnson. 

I  believe  here  is  a  miilake.  The  chief  juftice  and  one  of  the 
uiferior  judges  do  not  prevail  over  the  other  two.  The  lord  mayor 
in  the  court  of  aldermen  has  a  double  voice.    Tollet. 

'  — men  of  royal  fiege';—]  Men  who  have  fat  upon  royal 
\hrones.     The  quarto  has, 

■■        men  rf royal  height. 

^iege  is  ufed  lox  feat  by  other  authors.  So,  in  Stowe*s  Chronicle^ 
p.  57  c :    **  —r  there  was  fet  up  a  throne  or  fiege  royaU  for  the 

^  ^^in,  in  Greene's  Never  too  late^  1616 : 

**  Thy  yfonitAfege  of  honour  fafely  climb.* 

Again,  in  Spcnfer's  Faery  ^ueen^  b.  2.  car 

**  From  loityfege  began  thcfe  words  aloud  to  found.** 

Ag^n,  b.  a.  c.  7  : 

**  A  flately^^of  foversugne  majeftye.**    Steevens. 
*  "- and  my  dementi]    Demerits  has  the  fame  meaning  in  our 

§uthor,  and  many  others  of  that  age,  as  merits : 

^'  Opinion  that  fo  flicks  on  Martius,  may 

f^  pf  his  detmriis  rob  G)ixumus.'*    Coridaxus. 

So, 


444  OTHELLO, 

3  May  fpeak,  unbonnetted,  to  as  proud  a  fortune 
As  this  that  I  have  rcach'd  :  For  know^  lago. 
But  that  I  k>ve  the  gentle  Defdemona, 
I  would  not  my  ^  unnoufed  free  condition 
Put  into  circumfcription  and  confine 
5  For  the  Tea's  worth*     But^  look  !  what  lights  come 
yonder  ? 

Enter 

^0)  in  Shirley *8  Humorous  Courtier f  1640 : 

**  —  wc  have  heard  fo  much  of  ypur  tJemmis, 

•*  Thitt  *twerc  injufttcc  not  to  cherim  Vou-** 
./Vgain*  in  DugdaWs  fVarwickJhire^  p.  850*  emt.  1730:   **  Henry 
Conway,  efq*  for  his  fingular  demerits  received  the  dignity  of 
knighthood,** 

Slerco  and  demereo  had  th^  f^me  tneaning  in  the  Reman  bn- 
guage.    Steevens. 

5  '^Jpeak^  unbonncttcd,-*-]  Thus  all  the  ,copies  read.  It 
ihould  be  unhot^netting^  i.  e«  without  puttir^g  off  the  bonnet.    Pope. 

■   ■   ■     ■  and  npf  demerits 

Mc^  fpeqk  unbonnetted  to  as  f(roud  a  fortune 

Jis  this  that  1  have  reached,  ^j  Thus  all  the  copies  read 
this  pailage.  put,  10  fpeak  unhonnrtted^  is  to  {peak  wth  the  cap 
cff\  which  is  dwe^ly  oppofitc  to  the  poet\  meaning.  Othello 
means  to  fay^  that  his  birth  and  fervices  fet  him  upon  iuch  a  rank, 
that  he  may  fpeak  to  a  fenatof  or  Venice  with  his  hat  <w ;  i.  e; 
without  (hewing  any  marks  of  deference  or  inequality.  I  thcrc«» 
fore  am  inclinej  to  think  Shakcfpeare  wrote : 

3^  ^^A',  and  boi  ncttcu,  (:?V.    Theobald. 
I  do  not  Ice  the  propriety  of  Mr.  Pope's  emendation^  though 
adopted  by  Dr.  Warburton.     UnHonnftting  may  as  weU  be,  not 
ftutiing  on^  as  not  putting  off^  the  bonnet.     Hanmcr  reads  fen  bon-» 
netred.    Johnson. 

Bonneter  (fays  Cotj^rave)  is  to/«/  offonfs  cap.  So,  in  CorioUmusz 
•*  Thole  who  are  fupple  and  coun^ous  to  the  people,  honnetted 
without  any  funher  deed  to  heave  them  at  all  into  their  elHma« 
tion.*'  Uubonncted  may  therefore  lignity,  ^ibout  taking  the  cap  offl 
We  mighty  I  think,  venture  to  read  imhonnctted.  It  is  common 
with  Sliakefpeare  to  make  or  uie  words  compounded  in  the  faipc 
manner.  Such  are  imfar\my  impaint^  impak^  and  immajk*  '  Of  all 
the  readings  hitherto  propofed,  that  of  Theobald  is,  1  t^ink,  the 
bed.     Steevens.  ."**'' 

*  — unljoufed—\  Free  from  domejiic  cares.  A  thought  natural 
to  an  adventurer.    Johnson. 

*  for  the  fea^s  worth,']  I  would  not  marry  her,  though  (he 
were  as  rich  as  the  Adiiaiic,  which  the  Doge  annually  matries. 

• '  '         *  '  Johnson. 

I  believg 


THE  MOOR  OP  VENICE.      445 

Enter  Caffio,  with  others. 

lago.  Thcfe  arc  the  raifed  father,  and  his  friends : 
You  were  beft  go  in. 

Otb.  Not  I :  I  muft  be  found ; 
My  parts,  my  title,  and  my  pcrfeft  foul. 
Shall  manifeft  me  rightly.    Is  it  they  ? 

lago.  By  Janus,  I  think  no. 

Otb.  The  fervants  of  the  duke,  and  my  lieutenant; 
The  goodnefs  of  the  night  upon  you,  friends! 
What  is  the  news  ? 

Caf.  The  duke  does  greet  you,  general ; 
And  he  requires  your  hafte,  poft-haftc  appearance. 
Even  on  the  inftant. 

Otb.  What  is  the  matter,- think  you  ? 

Caf.  Something  from  Cyprus,  as  I  may  divine; 
It  is  a  bufinefs  of  feme  heat :  the  gallies 
Have  fent  a  dozen  fcquent  mcflengers  ^ 
This  very  night,  at  one  another's  heels ; 
And  many  of  the  7  coafuls,  rais'd,  and  met. 

Are 

I  believe  the  common  and  obriow  mcamng  is  *e  true  one. 
The  lame  wordi  occur  in  Sir  W.  D'Avenant*t  Cruel  Brother^ 
,6 JO :  *•  —  he  would  not  lofe  that  privilege 

^^  F*rthe  fidivmth? 
IVrhapi  the  phrafe  is  proverbial.  ,       . ,       ^    ?    >. 

Pliny  the  naturalift  has  a  chapter  on  tbi  riches  of  the  fea. 
hufHtky  in  *e  iVintet^s  Tmk: 

— .  for  all  the  fun  fees,  or 
The  dofc  earth  wombs,  or /i6f/re/&iMw/>»  ^/^ 
In  unkmmm  fathems^  &c. 
Agaiv,  In  King  Hewy  V.  Aft  i : 

— -  as  rich  with  praife^ 
As  is  the  ouze,  and  bottom  of  the  fea^ 
With  funken  wreck,  and  fomlcfii  tteafuries.    Steevens^ 
«  —feqnent  mcflengers]     The  firfl  quarto  Tezd%'-Jrf^uent  mcf- 
(enters.    Steevens. 

7  _  con/ulj,]     Hanmer  reads,  cotmciL    Theobald  would  have  ut 

te«d  counfe^rs.    Venice  was  originally  governed  bv  confuls:  and 

conjkh  fc«ms  to  h«we  been  comnwinly  ufed  for  counfillprs^  as  before 

in  this  play.     In  Mion's  Triumth^  a  mafqu^,  i6ji,  th«  emperor 

I  Albaaaa 


44^  OTHELLO, 

Are  at  the  duke's  already :   You  have  been  hotly 

called  for; 
When,  being  not  at  your  lodging  to  be  found, 
8  The  fcnate  hath  fent  about  three  fevcral  qucfts. 
To  fearch  you  out.  » 

Oib.  *Tw  well  I  am  found  by  you. 
I  will  but  fpend  a  word  here  in  the  houie. 
And  go  with  you.  [Exil. 

Caf.  Ancient,  what  makes  he  here  ? 

tago.  T^th,  he  to-night  hath  boarded'  a  laiul- 
carrack  % 
If  it  prov,e  lawful  prize,  he*a  made  for  ever. 

Caf.  I  do  not  underlland. 

lago.  He's  married. 

Caf.  To^wbo'? 

Albanad  it  i^d  tcVbe  attended yfinartmm  confilh  :-*«gun,  the  hah'tts 
rfthe  confuls  <zwr«  after  dn  fam  maamr.  Gccrfferv  of  Moomoath, 
and  Matthew  Paria  after  huni  call  both  dukes  ana  earU,  amfids. 

*  Steeveks. 

'  The  fenate  hath  fent  aio^    The  early  quartos,  and  all  the 
modern  editors,  have, 

The  JinaU  fent  2\>OTt  three  fiveralquejs. 
The  fdio. 

The  fenate  hath>^  about,  <^r.  that  is,  aboMt^aff*    I  have 
adopted  the  reading  of  the  folio.    Johnson. 

^efi  are,  on  this  occafion,  feaicfaes.    So,  in  Heywood's  Branen 
Age^\6i%i 

*'  Now,  if  in  aU  his  ^irs^faebe  withekL'*—  Srsfivaiif . 
*  — '  tf  land'carraek ;—     A  carrack  k  a  ihip  of  great  bulk,  and 
commonly  of  great  value;  perhaps  what. we  now  odl  a  pdlem. 

Johnson. 
So,  in  Beaumont  and  fletcherV  Cajtcomb : 

««  they'll  be  freighted ; 

^  They're  made  like  carrach^  all  for  fifength  and  fiewage." 

Steevens. 
>  To'oAo?'\    It  b fomewhat  finguhur  that  Caffio  fiiould  a& thit^ 
qucftion.    In  the  3d  Scene  of  the  3d  A61,  logo  fays : 
Did  Midiad  Caffio^  when  you  woo'd  my  tody^ 
Know  of  your  love  ? 
Otb.  From  firjt  to  U/l. 
He  who  was  acquainted  with  the  «ljeft  courted  by  his  finead, 
could  have  little  leafon  fixr  doubdng  to  whom  he  wouM  be  mar- 
tied.    Stsstsks* 

Rs-aait 


THE  MOOR  cvF  VENICE.      447 

Reenter  Othello. 

lago.  Marry,  to — Come,  captain,  will  you  go  ? 

Otb.  Have  with  you  *. 

Caf.  Here  comes  another  troop  to  fcek  for  you. 

Enter  Braiantio^  Roderigo^  with  Officers. , 

lago.  It  is  Brabancio  t^-^general,  '  be  advis'd ; 
He  comes  to  bad  intent. 
Otb.  Hola!  ftand  there! 
Rod.  Signior,  it  is  the  Moor. 
Bra.  Down  with  him,  thief ! 

[fTbey  draw  on  both  fides, 
lago.  You,  Roderigo !  come,  fir,  I  am  for  you. ' 
Otb.  Keep  up  your  bright  fwords,  for  the  dew  will 
ruft  them. — 
Good  fignior,  you  (hall  more  command  with  years. 
Than  with  your  weapons. 

Bra.  O  diou  foul  thief!  where  haft  thou  ftow*d 
my  daughter? 
DamnM  as  thou  art,  thou  haft  enchanted  her : 
For  I'll  refer  me  to  all  things  of  fenfe. 
If  (he  in  chains  of  magic  were  not  bound. 
Whether  a  maid — fo  tender,  fair,  and  happy. 
So  oppofite  to  marriage,  that  fhe  (hun*d 
4  The  wealthy  curled  darlings  of  our  nation, — 

Would 

*  Havewtthyw.]  This  ezpreflloQ  denotes  readinefs.  So,  ia 
tke  ancient  Interlude  rf  Naim-e^  bl.  1.  no  date : 

**  And  faw  that  Glotony  wold  ncdys  be  gone ; 
**  Haw  nxutb  ibce^  Glotony,  quoth  he  ^non, 
**  For  I  mull  go  U7ih  thee***    Steevens. 
s  — fc  aJviidi\    That  is,  be  cooli  be  cauiints ;  be  difcrea. 

J[aHNSOK. 

^  ITh  wtakfy  curled  JarUugs  rf  cur  natiofh}  Curled  is  el^anty 
and  ofieutatienfy  drejjed.  He  had  not  the  hair  particularly  in  hit 
thoughts.    Johnson. 

On  another  occafion  Shakefpeare  employs  the  fiune  cxprcflion, 
and  evidently  alludes  to  the  hair. 

If  ftie  fir fi  meet  the  eurkd  Antony,  &c» 

Sir 


44>  6    T    tt    E    L    L    6, 

Would  ever  have,  to  incur  a  general  mock; 
Run  from  her  guardage  to  the  footy  bofom 
Of  filch  &  thing  as  thoti ;  to  fear  ^  not  id  deligbV; 
[^  Judge  me  the  world,  if  'ti<  not  grofs  in  fenfe. 
That  thou  hsift  pradis'd  on  her  with  foul  charms ; 
7  Abused  her  delicate  youth  with  drugs,  or  minerals^ 

Thie 

Sir  IF.  D^Avenam  ufes  the  fUin6  expreflioa  in  his  Jufi  ludiM^ 
1630? 

«♦  The  currJand  iilken.noblcs  of  the  towii.'* 
Again, 

"  Such  as  the  rwrfc/youth  df  Italy.** 
I  believe  Shakefpeare  has  the  lame  meaning  in  the  jTrefent  inilance. 

SrEEvtsi* 
i  -^  /tf  Jiar^]  i.  e.  to  tCTfifjr.    So,  in  Kh^  Hairy  VI : 

For  Warwick  was  a  bug  that^^r*^  us  all:    STEBVENf  • 
*  y^^  "'^  ^^  ^rA/,  UcJ]    The  lines  following  in  crotchets  are 
not  in  the  firft  edition.     Pope.* 

^  Ahu^d  her  diUcaUyouth  with  drugs ^  or  mineraU^ 
That  voeaken  motion !]  Brkbdntio  is  here  atxnifing  OthcJlo 
of  having  ufed  fome  ibul  play,  and  iotoxieatcd  DeiSe^nona  by  dr\igs 
and  potions  to  win  her  ovdr  to  his  Ipve.  But  whyy  drugs  to  weaken 
motion  T  How  then  could  (he  have  run  away  with  him  vdluntanly 
from  her  father's  houfe  ?  Hod  (he  been  arerfe  to  choofing  Odiello, 
though  he  had  giVen  her  medicines  that  took  away  the  i&  of  her 
limbs,  might  (he  not  fHH  have  retained  her  fenfes,  and  oppofed  the 
marria^  ?  Her  father,  it  is  evident,  foom  ieveral  of  his  fpeechcs, 
is  poiitive,  that  ihe  muft  have  been  oin^d  in  her  rational  £aculdes  i 
or  (he  could  not  have  made  fo  prepoderous  a  choice^  as  to  wed  with 
a  Moor,  a  Black,  and  refufe  the  iineft  young  g^ntliemen  in  Venice. 
What  then  have  we  10  do  with  her  motion  being  weakened  ?  If  I  ua- 
derftand  anything  of  the  poet's  meaning  here,  I  cannot  but  think 
he  muft  have  wrote : 

Ahu^d  her  deUcate youth  wiih  <^>/,  or  miutrahi 
That  'Weaken  notion.  .     ' 

i.  e.  her  apprehenjion^  right  tonteptioH  and  uba  of  tMngSi  taJnfimd^ 
i^gy  j^f"^^7  &<*•    Theobald, 

Hanmer  reads  with  eqw«l  probs(bility  i 

7i^  waken  motion.—    Joi^i(soi#^  , 

Motion  in  a  fubfequent  fcene  of  tliis  play  is  ufed  in  die  very 
fenfe  in  which  Hanmer  would  emptoy  it:  "  But  vtt  hive  ireafon 
to  cool  our  raging  motiom^  our  carnal  nings,  our  oobftted  luib." 

SrESVSYf^; 
Again>  InQfmheUnet 

«  — For  there's  no  «w//>« 
**  That  tends  to  vice  in  man,  but  1  affinff 
♦*  It  is  the  woman's  paru"  , 

Agaitfs 


TH|   MOOR  OF  VENICE.      44^ 

That  weaken  motion : — PU  Tiavc  it  difputcd  on ;    . 

*'Fis  probable,  artd  palpable  to  thinking. 

I  therefore  apprehend  and  do  attach  thee,] 

For  an  abufer  ^  of  the  world,  a  praftifer 

Of  arts  inhibited  and  out  of  warrant :— » 

Lay  hold  upon  him ;  if  he  do  refift^ 

Subdue  him  at  his  peril. 

Otb.  Hold  your  hands, 
Both  you  of  my  inclining/ and  the  reft: 
Were  it  my  cue  to  fight,  I  fhould  have  known  it 
Without  a  prompter. — Where  ^ill  you  that  I  go 
'  To  an(wer  this  your  charge  ? 

Bra.  To  prifon  j  'till  fit  time 
Of  law,  and  courfe  of  dire£l  (efiian,   s 
Call  thee  to'  anfwer. 

Olb.  What  if  I. do  ob<?y..?.    . 
How  may  the  duke  be  therewith  fatisfied ; 
Whofc  meflengers  ^rc  here  about  my  fide. 
Upon  fome  prefent  bufinefs  of  the  ftatc,  _ 

Again,  in  J  Mad  World  my  Mafters^  ^7  Mvidlo^OO,  ^640  ; 

**  And  in  myfelf  footh  up  adulterous  motiont^ 

"  And  fuch  an  appetite  as  I  knov^  damn^  nie,^ 
Again,  in  A  JVamlng  for  fa'trc  ff^omcn^  >  599  • 

*'  Pray  God  that  captain  Browne  hath  not  been  mov'd.* 

"  By  Ibmc  ill  motion** 
Drugs  or  lovc-powdcrs,  as  they  ar^  ibmetimes  called,  may 
operate  as  cnflamers  ot  the  blood  —  may  vsahit  morion.  But  I 
believe  no  drugs  have  yet  be«?n  f  )und  out  that  can  fafciiiate  rhe  un- 
derltanding  or  affedions  ;  that  can  i\3iaken  the  jud^mtnt  without 
entirely  fubvetting  it.  Opiiites,  or  intoxicating  potions  may  fet 
the  fcnfes  to  deep,  but  cannot  diftort  or  i>ervcrt  the  intcllecls  but 
by  dcilroyin*;  them  for  a  time.  Howcrcr,  it  may  be  f«iid,  thut 
Brahaxtio  believed  in  the  eificacy  of  fuch  drugs,  and  therefore 
might  with  propriety  XdW  oi  \\^c\r  vjcakeniftg  the  undei-ftunding,-^ 
The  reading  propofed  byTlieobalJ  is,  it  muft  be  acknowledged, 
Urongly  fupported  by  a  p:jfr4t;e  in  King  Lrar,  Ad  2,  Sc.  4  : 

—  His  notion  I'ccakcnSy  hi:J  dirccrnings 

Are  lethargy'd.**    Maloke. 
•  For  an  abufer^  ficc]     The  firll  quarto  reads,   Such  an  abufer, 
tec*     Steeven's.- 

yoL.  X,  G  g  T9 


450  b    i*    H   E   L    L   C^ 

To  bring  ^  mc  to  him  ? 

Offi.  *Tis  true,  moft  worthy  (ignior, 
The  duke's  in  council  $  and  your  noble  felf, 
I  am  fure,  is  fcnt  for. 

Bra.  How !  the  duke  in  council ! 
In  this  time  ofthen^t! — Bring  him  awny: 
Mine's  not  an  idle  caufe  :  (he  duke  him&lf^ 
Or  any  of  my  brothers  of  the  ftate. 
Cannot  but  fed  this  wrongs  as  'twere  dhetr  own  i 
For  if  fuch  aftions  may  hare  paflage  ireci 
I  Bond-flaves,  and  pagans^  fhall  our  fbttclmen  be. 

S    C    E    N    fi       i!L 
A  Council-chamhtf. 

Dukiy  and  Senators^  fitting. 

Duke.  *'  There  is  no  compofition  in  thefc  liews. 
That  gives  them  credit* 

•  7^ bring — J    "f  lie  Quartos  read — ^To  Scar —    SrEEVENir 

'  Bomi-Jlanm^  «»/ pagans,— ]  Mr*  Theobald  akers  pagams  to 
pageants  for  this  reafon,  **  That  pagans  are  as  ihi^  and  moral  all 
the  virorld  over,  as  the  moft  regular  ChriiUans,  in  the  prefcrvation 
of  private  property .*•  But  what  then  ?  The  fpeaker  had  not  this 
high  opinion  of  pagan  morality^  as  is  plain  from  hence,  that  this 
important  difcotery,  fo  much  to  the  honour  of  paganifiD,  was  firit 
made  by  our  editor,     Warburton. 

The  meaning  of  thefe  expreifions  of  Brabantio  (eems  to  have 
been  miftaken.  1  believe  the  morality  of  either  chriftians  or 
pagans  was  not  in  the  author's  thoughts.  He  alludes  to  the  com- 
mon condition  of  all  blacks^  who  conoe  from  their  own  country^ 
both  JUwes  2xA  pagans ;  and  ufes  the  words  in  contempt  of  OtheUo 
and  \k\%  complexion.*— If/  this  Moor  is  now  fuffered  to  efcape  with 
impunity,  it  will  be  fuch  an  encouragement  to  his  black  country 
men,  that  we  may  expet^  to  fee  all  the  firft  offices  of  our  ihte  filled 
up  by  ^c pagans  and  Und-Jiauts of  Africa.     Steevens. 

*  Thre  is  no  compofition—]  C9a^Jitim\  for  confificH^^  am^ 
€erJancy.     WARBURtONi 

i  Sm 


Tiu  MOOR  OF  VENICE.      4^^ 

1  Sen.  Indeed^  they  are  di^<^)ortionVl ; 
My  letters  hy,  a  hundred  and  feven  gallies* 

Dui€.  And  mine,  a  hundred  ftnd  forty* 

2  S^.  And  mine,  two  hundred : 

But  though  they  jump  not  on  a  juft  accouoty  . 
(5  As  in  thefc  cfife  where  they  aim  reports, 
•iTis  oft  wit h  diflfiBieflOc)  yet  do  ihey  all  confirm 
A  TurkHh  fleet,  and  bearing  up  to  Cyprus. 

Duke.  Nay,  it  is  poflible  enough  to  judgnleDti 
1 1I0  not  fo  fecure  me  in  the  error. 
But  the  main  article  I  do  approve 
}n  fearful  fenfe. 

Smlir  mtbin.'}  What  ho  I  what  ho!  whathal 

E$Uir  mi  Officer^  vn^  0  Sailor^ 

Offi.  A  meflehger  from  the  galUes, 

Duke  Now  ?  the  bufincfs  ? 

Sail.  The  Turkifh  preparation  makes  for  Rhodes; 
So  was  I  bid  report  here  to  the  ftate. 
By  fignior  Ahgclo  *. 

Duki.  How  £iy  you  by  thb  change  ? 

•  As  tM  thtfi  cafis  where  they  aim  reports^']  Thefe  Vcoetiaos  teem 
to  have  hftd  a  very  odd  fort  ot'  perfons  in  empbytuenty  who  did  all 
by  hazard,  as  to  what^  and  bew^  they  (hould  report ;  tor  this  is 
the  fenfe  of  man's  aiming  ref^ru.  The  true  reading,  without 
<]ueilioDy  is, 

— -  'Mhere  the  aim  reports. 
U  e.  when  there  is  no  better  ground  fir  infirmatitm  than  conjeBkre  : 
which  not  only  improves  the  Icnfe,  but,  by  changing  ihc  verb  into 
a  noun,  and  the  noun  into  a  verb,  mends  the  ezprelBon. 

VVarburton. 
The  folio  has, 

■  ■*  the  aim  reports* 
But,  thr^  aim  reports^  h»s  a  fenfe  fudkiently  eafy  and  commodious. 
Where  men  report  not  by  certain  kuowlcdge,  but  by  aim  apd  con- 
je<flurc.     JoKKsoN, 

To  aim  is  to  conjecture.     So,  in  the  Two Gent^n^n  of  Verona: 

**  Bot  fearing  Icil  my  jealous  aim  might <-r»."    Steevens. 
^  By  Signior  j^ftgeio,]    This  hemiftich  is  wanting  in  the  fink 

C|UarC0,      STEEVi^.NS, 

G  g  2  1  S^n. 


:452  O    T    H    E    L    L    Oi 

I  5^.  This  canftot  be, 
5  By  no  aflay  of  rcafon  ;  *tis  a  pageant. 
To  keep  us  in  falfe  gaze  :  When  we  confidcr 
The  importancy  of  Cyprus  to  the  Turk  ; 
And  let  ourfelves  again  but  underftand. 
That,  as  it  more  concerns  the  Turk  than  Rhodes^ 
So  may  he  with  more  ^  facile  queftion  beat  it, 
7  For  that  it  ftands.  not  in  fuch  *  warlike  brace, 
fluft  altogether  lacks  the  abilities  - 
That  Rhodes  is  dre(s*d  in :— if  vfc  make  thought  of 

this,    - 
We  muft  not  think,  the  Turk  is  fo  unfkilfiil. 
To  leave  thit  iSaccft,- which  concerns  him  firlt; 
Neglefting  an  attempt  of  eafe,  and  gain. 
To  wake,  arid  wage  9,  a  danger  proficlcfs. 

Duke.  Nay,  in.  allconfidepce,  bc:s  not  for  Rhodes* 

Offi.  Here  is  mbre  news. 


Enler  a  Mejfengcr. 

Mef,  The  Ottomites,  reverend  and  gracious. 
Steering  with  due  courfc  toward  the  ifle  of  Rhodes, 
H^ve  there  injointed  them  with  an  after  fleet. 
;    r  Sen.  Ay,  fo  I  thought ' ; — How  many,  as  you 
gucfe  ? 

^  By  nn  affay'  of  reafon. — ]  Bring  it  to  the  //yf,  examine  it  by 
rcafon  as  we  examine  meials  by  the  ajjay^  it  will  be  found  coun- 
ter reir  by  all  trials.     Johnson. 

6  — facile  queflion — ]  ^ejiion.  is  for  the  oB  rffeekirrg.  Wirh 
ni  o  1  e  eajy  endeavour.     Johnson. 

7  For  thatitfandi  noty  &c.]  The  feven  fnllowing  lines  area  d 
ded  fmce  the  f\r{i  edition.     Pope. 

•  —  zvarliJte  brace,]  Slate  of  defence.  To  arm  was  called  to 
^race  on  the  armo ur,     Johnson. 

'  To  -wakey  and  wa^c,  a  danger  profidcfs.']  To  <;vage  here,  as  in 
many  other  places  in  Shakelpeaie,  fignifies  to  figbt,  to  combat. 
Thus,  in  King  Lear : 

To  ^vj^e  againll  the  enmity  of  the  air. 
It  took  its  rife  irom  the  more  common  expicfllon,  to  ^^age  var, 

Steeven?. 

*  jiyyjby  ScCj]    This  line  is  not  in  the  firll  quarto.   Ste evens. 

Mcf. 


THE  MOOR  OF  VENICE.     4S3 

Me/.  Of  thirty  fail :  and  now  they  do  re-ftcm » 
Their  backward  courfc,  bearing  with  frank  appear* 

ance 
Their  purpofcs  toward  Cyprus,     Signior  Montano, 
Your  trufty  and  moft  valiant  fervitor, 
"With  his  free  duty,  recommends  you  thus, 
'  And  prays  you  to  believe  him. 

Duke.  'Tis  certain  then  for  Cyprus.— 
^frcus  Luccheft,  is  not  he  in  town  i  .     -  • 

1  Sen.  He*s  now  in  Florence. 

Vuke.  Write  from  us ;  wifli  him,  poft,  poft-hafte  i 
dilpatch. 

I  5^.  Here  comes  Brabantio^  and  the  valiant  Moor. 

Bftler  Brabantioy  Othello j  Jago^  RoderigOy  and  Officers. 

Duke.  Valiant  Othello,  we  muflr  ftraight  employ 
you 
Againft  the  general  enemy  Ottoman. — 
I  did  not  fee  you  \  welcome,  gentle  fignior ;  [?*(?  Brah. 
We  lack'd  your  coynfel  and  your  help  to-night. 

Bra.  So  did  I  yours :  Good  your  grace,  pardon  me; 
Neither  my  place,  nor  aught  I  heard  of  bufincfs. 
Hath  rais'd  me  from  my  bed  ^  nor  doth  the  4  general 

care 
Take  hold  s  on  mc ;  for  my  particular  grief 

*  — the)i  do  re-flcm]     The   cjuartoj  pican  tq  read   re-ficrnt^ 
though  in  the  firfl  of'ihem  the  word  is  mifpelt.    Steeveks. 

^  Andfrqysyou  to  believe '^//w.]    The  la  re  learned  and  ingenious 
Mr*  Thomas  Clark,  of  Lincoln*^  lan^  read  thcpailkge  thus  : 
Andpra^syou  to  relieve  him^ 

But  the'pfelcnt  reading  may  ftand.     ^(?  intreats  you  not  to  doubt 
the  truth  of  tbi$  intelligence.     John  SON. 

^  — general i:^xt\     The  word  carcy  which  encumbers  the  verfe, 
was  probably  added  by  the  players.     Shakefpeaic  ufcs  tbt  general  as 
a  fubllantive,  though,  I  think,  not  in  this  fenl'e.    Johnson. 
*    5  Tirfif  hoU^I     The  iirfl  quarto  readfii  T^ke  any  holu — 

Steevens. 

G  g  3  U 


45*  0    T    H    E    L    L    O,      ' 

Is  of  (o  flood-gate  aod  o'er-beariiig  nature^ 
That  it  cngluts  and  fwallows  other  forrow% 
And  yet  is  ftill  itlelf. 

I>uke.  Why,  what's  the  matter?  ^ 

£ra.  My  daughter i  0»  my  daughter! 

Sen.  Dead  ? 

Bra.  Ay,  to  me  j 
She  is  abus'd,  ftoro  from  me,  and  corrupted 
<  By  fpells  and  medicines  bought  of  aaounttbttfiks  ^ 
For  nature  fo  prepofteroufly  to  err,^ 
Being  hot  7  deficient,  blind,  or  lame  of  fimle. 
Sans  witchcraft  could  not 

Duie.  Whopper  he  be,  that,  in  this  fbut  proceedings 
Hath  thus  beguii'd  your  daughter  of  herfelf. 
And  you  of  her,  the  bloody  book  of  law 
You  ftiall  yourlclf  read  in  the  bitter  letter, 
After  your  own  fenfe ;  yea,  though  our  proper  fott 

^  By  fieUs  animeJUiMS  Iwght  qfmotmfdsMis:)  'Rymet  im  riJ^ 
euled  this  ckcumftance  as  unbecoitiiiig  (both  for  iu  weaknefe  tm 
foperftiiion)  the  jjravity  of  the  accuftr,  and"  the  dignity  of  the  tri-* 
bunal ;  but  hit  cnticlfm  only  expo  et  hn  own  ignorance.  The 
drcutnibuice  was  not  only  eiafijy  in  chander^  but  urged  with  the 
created  addrefs,  as  the  thing  chi<^y  to  be  infilled  on.  For^  by  th^ 
Venetian  law,  the  giving  love-potions  was  very  crimkuut  a* 
Shakefpeare  without  queftion  well  underdood.  Thus  the  law,' 
Deiii  makficii  et  berbarie^  cap.  ly*  of  the  Code,  intitled,  *^  '■  Delb 
**  promiflion  del  maleiicib.  StstuimoetiamdiOfCbe-feaktihliomQ, 
*'  o  femina  harra  fatto  makficii,  iouali  (e  dihiaodano  Yulgarmente 
*^  amatorte^  o  veramente  alcuhi  altrf  maleficii,  che  aknin  homo  o 
*^  femina  fe  haveiibn  in  odio,  iia  frufta  et  boUado,  et  che  hara 
*'  conf^liado  patifca  fimile  pena."  And  therefore  in  tke  precede 
ing  fcene  Brabantio  calls  them» 

*—  Arts  inbihited,  amiotti  tfnxHtrrant.    WakBVRTOK. 

Though  I  believe  Shakefpeare  knew  no  nM>re  of  this  Venetiaa 
law  than  I  dov  ytt  he  was  Well  acquainted  with  the  edidt  of  thaC 
lapient  prince  king  James  the  tirfV,  againfl 
-      -^ — pra^fers 
Of  arts  inhibited  and  out  of  Warrant.    Stee  v£m4. 
'  Bting  ttot^  &:c.  j  This  line  is  wahting  in  the  £rfb  quarto. 

^•'..     i  ...     ,  .  V  ..    .  .   .  •.  .     ..    ...   ♦  8t£IV£KS4 

Stoo^ 


THE.  MOOR  o>  VENICE.     45^ 

'  Stood  in  your  aAtom 

Bra.  Haiably  I  thank  yow  grace. 
Here  is  the  man,  this  Moor  \  whom  now,  it  fcems^ 
Your  fpecial  mandate,  for  tb:  ft^^  affairst 
Jiath  Either  brought. 

All.  We  are  very  forry  for  it. 

J)ukt.  What,  in  your  own  part,  can  you  fay  to  this  ? 

\Xo  Othello. 

Bra.  Nothing,  but  this  is  fa 

Otb.  Moft  potent,  grave,  and  reverend  figniors, 
My  very  noble  and  approved  good  m^ers,— • 
That  I  have  ta^en  away  this  olfl  man's  daughter^ 
|t  is  moft  true ;  true,  I  have  married  her; 
9  The  very  he^d  and  front  of  my  ofiendmg 
fiath  this  extent,  no  more,    ^ude  am  I  in  my  fp^echi 

*  And  little  blefs'd  with  the  f^t  phralc  of  peace ; 
For  fince  thefe  arms  of  mine  had  feven  years'  pith, 
^Till  now,  fome  nine  moons  wafted,  they  have  us'4 

*  Their  de^reft  aftion  in  the  tented  field ; 
And  little' of  (his  great  world  can  I  fpeak. 
More  than  pertains  to  feats  of  broil  and  battle ; 
And  therefore  little  fball  I  grace  my  caufe, 

|n  fpeaking  for  myfelf :  Vet,  by  your  gracious  pa« 
tipnce, 

^  Stood  in  jour  aBiofu]  Wp«  tb^  nian  ezpofed  tp  your  cbargt 
et  accufatiou.     JoHjfsoN. 

f  fhe  very  head  and  front  ofwf  offendingl  The  «r/i/«,  the  vjbok^ 
unextenuated.     Tohnson, 

■  4fdlittk  hleffd  vnthtbe{ohpbra/i(ifpeaci\]  This  apology, 
|f  addreflcd  to  his  roiftrefs,  had  been  well  cxprefTpd.  But  what  he 
wanted,  in  fpeaking  before  a  Venetian  fenatc,  was  not  the  foft 
6landi(hment8  of  fpeech,  but*  the  art  and  method  of  mafculine 
eloauence.  The  old  quarto  reads  it,  therefore,  as  I  am  pQffua^ed 
Shakefpeare  wrote : 

—  the  ktphri^e  of  peace.    Warburton. 

Soft  is  the  reading  of  the  folio.    Johnson. 

*  Their  deareft  oBion — ]    That  is  dear^  for  which  much  is  paid, 
whether  money  or  labour ;  dear  oHiouy  is  adion  performed  at  great 
expeuce,  either  of  eafe  or  iafety.    Johnson* 
"^  Gg\j  I  will 


45^  0    T    H    E  X    L    0,    - 

I  will  a  round  unvarniftiM '  talc  deliver 

Of  my  whole  courfc  of  lovc;   what  drugs,  what 

charms^  ; 

What  conjuration,  and  ivbat- mighty  magic, 
(For  fuch  proceeding  I  am  charged  withil) 
I  won  his  daughter  with. 

Bra.  A  maiden  never  bold  ^ 
Of  fpirit  fo  ilill  and  quiet,  that  her  motion 
4Blu(h'd  at  herfclf;  And  {he, — in  fpitc  c^nat^ir^ 
Of  years,  of  country,  credit,  every  thing,— 
To  fall  in  love  with  what  fiic  fear'd  to  look  on? 
It  is  a  judgment  maim'd,  and  moft  imperfed. 
That  will  confcfs — pcrfedion  fo  could  err 
Againft  all  rules  of  nature;  and  mufl  be  driven 
To  rind  out  pradices  of  cunning  hell. 
Why  this  (hould  be.     I  therefore  vouch  agsdo. 
That  with  fomc  mixtures  powerful  oVr  the  blood. 
Or  with  fome  dram  conjur'd  to  tfeis  cflfcft. 
He  wrought  upon  her. 

Duke.  To  vouch  s  this,  is  no  proof; 
Without  more  certain  and  more  ^  overt  tcft. 
Than  thefc  ^  thin  habits,  and  poor  likelihoods 
Of  modern  feeming,  do  prefer  againft  him. 

5  — wKvami/bed^    The  fccond  quarto  reads — Mnrav\fi)ed'^ 

"     '  Steevew«# 

♦  Blufljdat  herfclf; — ]  Mr.  Pope  reads— at  /^^  but  without 
neceffity.  Shakcfpeare^  like  other  writers  of  his  age,  frequently 
ufes  xhc perfinal^  inltead  of  the' ff^/r^/ pronoun.     Steevens.      , 

*  To  vouch^  i^c.l  The  firft  folio  unites  ibis  fpeech  with  thfe 
preceding  one  of  Brabant  to ;  and  inilead  of  certain  reads  nvider,     < 

t  Steevens* 

•  — overt  ff^^]    Open  proofs,  external  evidence,    Johnson.    • 
^  —  t/jin  habits^ 

Of  modern  fecming^ — ]     Weak  fhew  of  flight  appearance, 

•  Johnson. 
The  firft  quarto  reads  : 

Tljcfe  are  thin  habits,  and  poore  likelyhoods 

Ot  modern  fccmltigsy$u  prefer  againlt  him.     Steevens* 


*H^  MOOR  OF  VENICE.     <5j?, 

i  Sen.  But,  Othello,  fpcak ; — 
l)id  you  by  indircdt  and  forced  courfes 
Subdue  and  poifon  this  young  maid's  affe<ftions  ? 
•  Or  came  it  by  rcqueft,  and  fuch  fair  qucftion 
As  foul  to  foul  affjrdcth  ? 

Ofb.  I  do  befeech  yoxx. 
Send  for  the  lady  to  the  '  Sagittary  •, 
And  let  her  fpcak  of  me  before  her  father : 
If  you  do  find  me  foul  in  her  report. 
The  triiff,  thc'office,  1  do  hold  of  you  ^ 
Not  only  take  away,  but  let  your  fentence 
JEven  fall  upon  my  life. 

Duke.  Fetch  Defdcmona  hither. 

[Exeunt  ^wo  or  Three. 

Otb.  Ancient,  conduft  them  ;  you  beft  know  the 
place. —  [Exit  laga. 

And,  *till  the  come,  as  truly  *  as  to  heaven 
I  do  confefs  *  the  vices  of  my  blood. 
So  ju|lly  to  your  grave  ears  Fll  prefent 
How  did  I  thrive  in  this  fair  lady*s  love. 
And  (he  in  mine. 
'Duke.  Say  it,  Othello. 

Oib.  Her  father  16v*d  me ;  oft  invited  me ; 
Still  queftion'd  me  the  ftory  of  my  life, 
Ffom  yckr  to  year,  the  battles,  fieges,  fortunes, 
That  I  have  pafs'd  :  * 

I  ran  it  through,  even  from  my  boyifh  days. 
To  the  very  moment  that  he  bade  me  tell  it. 
Wherein  I  fpakc  of  moft  difaftrous  chances. 
Of  moving  accidents,  by  flood,  and  field ; 
■    Qf  hair- breadth  fcapes  y  the  imminent  deadly  breach ; 

*  ^^tlje  Sagittary,]  Means  the  fign  of  the  ii^flittous  creature  (b 
called,'  /.  h  an  animal  com^unded  of  man  and  horfe>  and  armed 
with  a  bow  and  tjuiver;    Ste evens.' 

^  The  trvji^  &ci]  '  This  line  is  wanting  in  the  firft  quarto. 

Stkevens. 

*  — a$  truly]    The  firft  quarto  reads,  ViS faithful.    Steevens. 

^  /  do  coj^^i^  &-c«J    T^is  line  is  omit(^  in  the  firft  quarto. 

-  .  :■  ■ '   .        f      ..:•'.•.   .  Steeveks. 

Of 


45ff  a  T    H    E    L    L    O, 

Of  being  takei\  by  the  ihfolent  foe, 

And  fold  to  flavery  •,  of  my  rcdemptba  tbence^ 

^  And  portancc  in  my  travcPs  hiftoiy  : 

4  Wherciii  of  antrca  yaft,  and  dcfarts  idle, 

Rou^ 

3  AndtoriOHce^  &C.1    I  haye  reftortdy 
And  with  U  au  «v  traioeCi  bifloty : 
From  the  old  edition.    It  is  in  the  reft, 
AjfdportancA  in  ng^  iraoeis  hifltny^ 
Rjmer,  in  hisi  crkidifai  o^  thiy  pipy,  lias  cbfUifed  it  to  ^^ 
Unt$y  inftead  of /ar/<M)p^.    Pop^. 

Mr.  Pope  has  reilored  a  line,  to  which  there  is  little  objcdion^ 
but  which  has  no  force.  I  believ^  portancc  was  the  author'^ 
word  in  fome  reviled  copy.    I  read  thus^ 

Qfhehii 'JMr 

i'ojlamtyf  rfnp  redottpibn  ilnnce^ 
Andportanct  irft\  ttfy  trarjeVs  hlfiory* 
M]:  redemption  from  flavery,  and  behaviour  in  it.    Josnso:^^ 

Ptfr/tfff^  i%  a  wood  alfea^y  ^?^  ^'^  ^^'^^^' - 
—  took  f^pna  you 

The  apprebenfio;!  of  his  prefent  pcrtana^ 

Which  mo^  gibingly,  ungravelv,  he  did  falhion,  ^c« 
Ag^n,  in  the  comedy  oF  Mununar^  1910 : 

•*  What  a  grave /<»r/tf«c^/** 
Spenfer,  in  the  3d  Canto  of  the  id  Bdok  of  tl^  Faay  ^ueen^  like^ 
wife  ufes  it :  • 

•*  But  for  in  court  ^jportaun^  he  perceive.** 
Again,  ibid. 

•*  And  by  her  iis^xtXj  fmrtance^  bqmc  of  hearcnly  birth,*! 
Again,  b.  2.  c.  7  ; 

**  }¥\%portaunce  terrible,  ^d  ftature  tall.^  Steevens. 
*  Wherein  t^anires  *oaft^  &c.]  Difcourfes  of  this  nature  mate 
the  fubje^  of  the  pdlitetl  oonvtHarions,  when  voyages  into,  and 
ditcoveriq  of,  the  new  world  were  aU  in  vogue.  So  when  the 
Baftard  I'aulconbridge,  in  King  Jobn^  defcribes  the  behaviour  of 
vfMftart  greataefs,  he  makes  one  of  the  eflcntial  circumftances  of 
ft  to  be  thiii  kind  of  table-talk.  The  fitfliibn  then  running  alto^ 
ffether  in  this  way,  it  is  no  wonder  a  young  bdy  of  qu^it^ 
&ould  be  fijTMck  With  t^e  hi^ory  of  an  adventure^.  So  that 
nymeri  who  profefledly  ridicules  this  whole  circumftuKe,  and 
the  ^blcr  audior  of  the  C^ar^erifiies^  wbo  more'  obliquely 
filters  «,  only  cxpofe  their  own  ignorance.'  Warburton. 

Whoever  ridicules  this  account  of  the  prpgrefs  of  lovei  (hews 

his  ignorance,  not  only  of  hiuory,  but  of  nature  and  tnannos. 

It  is  no  wonder  diat,  ^^  any  age^  or  iu  any  natipni  a  laidy,  re* 

■■"'■'•■       '    ^'    -  ■  ■■    ■   dufe^ 


THE  MOOK  ^>  VENICE.     4531 

llough  quarries,  rocka,  aiid  luU^  wbofit  heads  touch 

lieaven^ 
$  |t  was  my  bine  to  fpeak,  fuch  was  the  pvoceis  ; 

dufe,  dqiorousy  and  ddicate,  (hcHiId  defire  to  hear  of  erents  anjl 
{cenet  which  flic  could  never  fee,  and  (hould  admire  the  man  whQ 
had  endured  dftftgersy  and  perjfonned  actions,  which,  however 
great,  were  yet  magniped  hj  her  dini<fity.    Jqrhsok. 

Whmin  if  aturts  niaft^  off^defarts  idle,  &c.}  Thus^  it  b  in  alt 
the' old  editions;  hut  Mr. Pope  has  thought  fit  to  change  the 
epithet.  "^  Defarts  iJIe ;  in  the  former  editions  (favs  he)  doubtlcfs,  a 
corruption  from  nuiU^^^lB^i  he  muft  pardon  me,  if  I  do  not  concur 
In  thinkti^  thJB  b  doubiIc(s.  I  do  not  k^ow  whether  Mr.  Pop« 
has  obferved  it»  but  I  know  that  Shakefpeare,  efpecially  in  de- 
icriptions,  is  fond  of  ufin^  the  more  uncommon  word  in  a  poetic 
latitude.  And  /cflJr,  in  letcral  other  paffages,  he  employs  in  thcfe 
acceptations,  w/iU^  ufiile/Sj  uncultivatid^  &c.     Theob a  ld. 

Every  mind  is  liable  to  abfence  and  inadvertencj^,  elfe  Pope  could 
never  have  rejei5ted  a  word  fo  poetically  beautiful.  IdU  is  an 
epithet  ufed  to  expreis  the  infertility  of  the  chaotic  ilate,  in  the 
Saxon  tranflation  of  the  Pentateuch.    -Johnson. 

So,  in  the  Comedy  of  Errurrs : 

Ufutping  ivy,  briar  or  f/^  mofs.    Steevens. 
The  fame  epithet  is  confirmed  bjj  another  pailage  in  this  aft  of 
Oibelk:  ***- Ether  have  it  ftcril  with  idlentfs^  or  manured  with 
induftry.'*    M alone.  '         ,' 

Mr.  Pope  might  have  found  the  epithet  wU  in  all  the  three  laft 
folios.    Steevens. 

—  antrti — ]    French,  grottos.    Pope. 

Rarher  r«Tw  and /a^ffj.    Johnson. 

»  //  fxai  vtf  hint  /p  fpeak^ — ]  This  implies  it  as  done  by  a  trap 
kid  for  her :  but  the  old  iquarto  reads  beni^  i«  e.  ufe,  cuflom. 

Warburton. 

Hint  is  not  ufe  in  Shakefpcare,  nor,  I  believe,  in  any  other 
author.  Hint^  or  cue^  is  commonly  ufed  for  occafion  of  fpeech, 
which  is  explained  by,  fuch  tvas  theprocefsy  that  is,  the  courfe  of 
the  tale  required  it.  If  bent  be  reflored,  it  may  be  explained  by 
handle.    I  had  a  handle^  or  opportunity^  to  fpeak  of  cannibals. 

JoHNSOK. 
Hint  occurs  at  the  conclufion  of  the  4th  Afl  ofMMfurefor  Mea- 
furt.    It  is  derived  from  the  Saxon  Hentan^  and  means,  to  take  bold 
bf.tojiize.  '       A    . 

**  —  the  graveft  citizens 
«*  Have  he^t  the  gates.*' 
But  in  the  very  next  page  Othello  fays : 
—  Upon  this  hint  I  fpake. 
2t  18  certain  therefore  that  change  is  unnecefTary*    Steevens* 

I.'-;   .      .    .       •    .*•        •■..;  '■'■  ^.-        And 


4fo  OTHELLO, 

And  of  the  Cannibals  that  each  other  cat. 

The  Anthropophagi,  and  ^  men  whofc  heads 

Do  grow  beneath  their  ihoulders.     Tbefe  things  to 

hear,  / 

Would  Defdemona  fcrloufly  incline :  / 

But  ftill  the  houfe  afFairs  would  draw  her  thence  ; 
Which  ever  as  fhe  could  with  hafte  difpatch^^ 
She*d  come  again,  and  with  a  greedy  ear  7 
Devour  up  my  difcourfe:  Which  lobfcrving. 
Took  once  a  pliant  hoqr ;  and  found  good  oceans 
To  draw  from  her  a  prayer  of  earneft  heart. 
That  I  would  all  my  pilgrimage  dilate, 
■yVhereof  by  parcels  (he  had  fomcthing  heard, 
•  But  not  intentivcly :  I  did  f onf^nt ; 

And 

•  men  nxjho/e.  hcadf 

Do  grow  hcmaih  their  Jhoulders.-^"]  Of  thcfc  mpo  there  is  an 
account  in  the  interpolated  travels  of  MandeviUe,  a  book  of  that 
Ijfncr     Johnson. 

The  C^nnibc^ls  and  Anthropophagi  were  known  to  an  Englifli 
audience  before  Shakefpeare  introduced  them.     InxheHifiory  (f. 
Orlando  Furiojb^  play'd  ior  the  entertainment  ot  Queen  EUs^aheih^ 
they  are  mentioned  in  the  very  firft  fcene ;  and  Raleigh  fpeaks  of 
people  whole  heads  appear  not  ahwe  their  (boulders* 
Again,  in  the  Tragedy  of  Locrine^  f  595  • 
"  Or  where  the  bloody  Anthropophagi^ 
**  With  greedy  jaws  devour  the  wandring  wights.** 
The  poet  might  likewife  have  read  of  them  in  Pliny's  AW.  HlJK 
.  tranflatcd  by  P.  Hgllan^,  i^i|  Atni  in  ^Xjim^^  Chronick. 

*  '  '         .  Steevens, 

^  — and  with  a  greeify  ear 
Devour  up  my  diftourfe :]     So,  in  Marlowe^ X«^j  Dominion: 
**  Hang  both  your  ^rrr/^  ears  upon  my  lips ; 
'*  L^  them  Jlfvour  nry  j]ieech7**    M  a i^oN  e . 

•  J^K/«^/ inten lively  :—]  .  Thus  the  eldcll  nuarto,    Th<;  folio 
reads,  viftin^i've^.     Perhaps  it  ftiould  be,  diftinmnfel^ 

'The  old  Word,  Howdver,  may  Hand.  Intention  and  attention 
were  once  fynonymous.  So,  in  a  play  called  the  Ifi  rf  Guks^ 
1633  :  '*  Grace !  at  fitting  down  they  carihot  intend  it  tor  hun- 
ger," i.  e.  attend  to  it,  Dcldcmona,  who  was  ohen  called  out 
of  the  room  on  the  fcoreof  houfe- aiFairs^  could. hot  have  heard 
Otbclloi  talc  iiftentive/y^  u  c.  with  attention  to  all  its  parts* 

'     '     '  •    •   ■•     Aga^l^ 


THE  AlOOR  OF  VENICE.      461 

And  often  did  beguile  her  of  her  tears. 
When  I  did  fpeak  of  fonae  diftrefsful  ftrokc 
That  my  youth  fuffer'd.     My  ftory  being  done, 
She  gave  me  for  my  pains  »  a  woUd  of  fighs  : 
She  fwore,— In  faith,*  'iwas-  ftrange,  'twas  paffing 

,    ftrange ; 
*Twas  pitiful,  'twas  wondrous  pitiful : 
She  wifti'd,  (he  had  not  heard  it ;  yet  (he  wi(h*d 
That  heaven  had:  made  her  fiicb  a  man  :  flie  t|iairic*d 

me ; 
And  bade  me,  if  I  had  a  friend  that  iov*d  her, 
I  Ihould  but  teach  him  how  to'telj  my  ftory, 
And  that  wouM  woo  her.     UporT'thisvhinfy  I  fpake  t 
She  lov*d  me  for  the  dangers  I  had  paft; 
And  I  Ipv'd  her,  that  (he  did  pij:y  them. 
This  only  is  the  witchcraft  I  have  us*d ; 
Here  comes  the  lady,  let  her  witncfs  it. 

Enter  Befdemonay  lago^  -and  Antndants. 

Duke.  I  think,  this  tale  would  wirf  my;  daughter 
too.—    • '  •  /  . ' . '  ■  ^     ■ 

Good  Brabantio,  .  -     -  :  ' 

Take  up  this  mangled  matter  at  the  bcft : 
Men  do  their  broken  weapons  rather  ufc, 

Again,  In  Chapman's  Verfion  of  the  Ifiad.  B.  6 : 

*•  Hector /«/»w/i  his  i)rDther'8  will;  but  firft,.^tC^'  - 
Again  in  the  tenth  Book ;  "  -—  all  with  intentlvt  car 

"  Converted  to  the  enemies*  tents—" 
Again,  in  the  eighth  Book  of  the  Odyflev  : 

"  For  our  (hips  know  th'  expicircd  minds  of  men;  .< 

**  And  will  fo  moll  intent lv:ly  rctaine 

"  Their  fcopes  appointed,  that  they  never  erre." 

Steevens. 
•  ■  a  iwrU  ^f  fighs  :'\     It  was  lijjis  in  the  licr  editions  : 

but  this  is  evidently  the  true  readinjr.  The  lady  had  been  for- 
ward indeed  to  give  him  a  ^\)orld  of  kijjes  upon  the  bare  recital  of 
hi^  ilory ;  nor  docj  it  agtcc  wiih  ihc  following  lints.    Pope. 

Than 


46a  6    T    H    E    L    t    Oi 

Than  their  bare  hahch. 

,    Bra*  I  pray  you,  hear  her  fpeak  j 

If  ihc  contefs,  thic  fliie  was  hulf  the  wooer^ 

Dcftrudion  oh  tfiy  heAd  %  If  my  ba^  bUmc 

Lijght  on  the  man  !*— Come  hither,  gentle  mlftrefi  | 

Do  you  perceive  ih  all  this  noble  'cOiiq>aHy, 

Where  moft  yOO  o>ve  obedience  ? 

Def.  My  noble  father, 
I  do  jicrccive  here. a  ^ividtd  duty : 
To  you  I  am  bound  for  life,  and  education ; 
My  )ife,  Ud  education,  both  do  learn  me 
How  to  refpeft  you.;  you  are  the  lord  of  duty  *, 
i  i2m  hitheif to  yOur  daughter  t  But  here's  n)y  bafbadd  ; 
And  fo  nwch  duty  as  my  mother  fhew'd 
To  you,  preferring  you  before  her  £ather. 
So  much  1  challenge  that  I  may  profefs 
Due  to  the  Aloor,.  my-iord. 

Bra.  God  be  with  you! — 1  have  done  : — 
Pkafe  it  your  grace,  on  to  the  flate affairs; 
1  had  rather  to  aclopt  a^child,  than  get  it,— r 
Gome  hither.  Moor : 

1  here  dd  give  thee  that  with  air  my  heart. 
Which  \  but  thou  haft  already,  with  all  my  heart 
I  would  keep  from  thee. — For  your  fake,  jewel, 
1  am  glad  at  foul  I  Have  no  other  child  i 
Flor  thy  efcape  would  reach  me  tyranny. 
To  hang  clogs  on  them. — I  have  done,  my  lord. 

J>uk£.  4  Lee  me  fpe^k  like  yourfelf;    and  lay  a 
ftntence, 

Which, 

'  Drfiru^lon^  8jc.]    The  quartoi  read,  deftruclion  irght  «•  me. 

ST££V£N9« 

•  To»  are  the  lord  afduty^l    The  firft  quarto  reads, 

You  arc  lord  of  all  my  duiy.    Steevens. 
'  Whictj,  2cc.]    This  Hue  it  omitted  la  the  tiift  quarto. 

Steevens. 

♦  Let  me  ffeak  like  your  filf\^-^'\     It  (hould  be  like  ourjelft'i.  c. 
let  mc  nieUiute  bctweeu  you  a«  f)ccome$  a  prince  aad  common 

Mm 


T^E  MOOR  OF  VENICE.      4(5^ 

\Vhicbi  ^  as  a  grife^  or  ftep^  may  hdp  ihefe  lerera 

♦  Into  your  favour. 

When  remedies  are  paft,  the  griefs  are  ended. 
By  feeing  the  worft,  which  late  on  hopes  depended^ 
To  mourn  a  mifcliicf  chat  is  pad:  and  gone> 
Is  the  next  way  to  draw  new  naifcbief  on  % 
What  cannot  be  preferv'd  when  fortune  takes. 
Patience  her  injury  a  mockery  makes. 
TheTobb*d,  that  fixulcs,  fie^  fomeriung  from  th0 

thief; 
He  robs  himfelf,  that  fpends  a  bootlcfe  grief* 

Bra.  So  let  the  Turk»  of  Cyprus  us  beguile ; 
We  lofe  it  not,  (o  long  as  we  can  fmiie. 
He  bears  the  fencence  well,  that  nothing  i^tan 

•  But  the  free  comfiMt  which  frorti  thence  he  bears : 

father  of  his  people :  for  the  prince's  opinion,  here  delivered,  was 
quke  contrary  to  Brabantjo's  fentimeni.    Wahburton, 

JEianmer  reads, 

Ltt  me  now  fpcak  mffre  like  your  fclf, 
Dr,  Warburion's  emendation  is  fpecious ;  but  I  do  not  fee  bow 
Hanmer's  makes  any  alteration.    The  duke  feems  to  mean,  when 
he  (ays  he  will  (peak  like  Brabantio,  chat  he  will  fpeak  firnten*- 
tioufiy.    Johnson,' 

Lei  me  6>eak  Uke  yourfilf:-^  i.  c.  let  rac  ipejdc  as  yo^tlf 
would  rpeak,  were  you  not  too  much  heated  with  paflion. 

Sir  J,  REYN0Lt>8. 

$  — /n  tf  grize, — ]  Grivjt  fix)m  degrees.  A  ^ize  is  a  fiep,  So 
tn  Timon: 

"  .1  for  every  grize  of  fortune 

**  Is  fmoothM  by  that  below/'— 
Ben  Jonfon,  in  his  Sgtutus^  gives  the  original  word. 

**  Whom  when  he  faw  lie  fpread  oh  the  (Ugr^,^ 

In  the  will  of  K,  Henry  VI.  where  die  dimenhons  of  King^t 

College  cliapel  at  Cambridge  are  fet  down,  the  word  occurs,    as 

fpelt  in  fome  of  the  old  edinoiK  of  Shakefpeare.  "  —  From  the  pro- 

vqft's  Hall,  unto  the  Greece  called  Gradus  Cbori^  90  feet.'*  Stee  vens. 

•  Into  your  favour  J\  This  is  wanting  in  the  folio»  but  found 
in  the  quarto'.    Jou.^so.v. 

^  }\e'M  mifchict  on,]    The  quartos  read— «wrtf  mifchief-^ 

SxEEVEfes. 

*  But  the  free  comfort  lublch  from  thence  he  hears  /]  But  the 
moral  precepts  of  confolation,  which  arc  liberally  bellowed  on 
occaHon  of  thcfcntencc.   '  J  o  u  n  s  o  x  • 

But 


'464  Q    T    tt    E    t.    L    6, 

But  he  bears  both  the  fontence  and  the  Ibrrow, 
That,  to  pay  grief,  muft  of  poor  patience  borrow, 
Thefe  fentences,  to  fugar,  or  to  gall. 
Being  ftrong  on  both  fides,  ar^  equivocal : 
9  But  words  are  words  5  I  never  yet  did  bear. 
That  the  bruis'd  heart  was  pierced  through  the  ear, 

I  humbly 

.  «  But  'wards  are  vjcrds ;  I  neper  yet  did  hear^ 
^  -  I'hat  the  brmiJ  heart  '•mos  pierced  through  the  ^4r,]  Tbe 
duke  had  by  (age  fentences  been  exhoning  Brabancio  to  patience, 
and  to  forget  tlvc  grief  of  bis'daughter'3  Holen  marriage,  to  which 
Brabantio  is  made  very  pertinently  to.  reply  tothiscffe£t:  *' My 
*'  lofd,  I  apprehend -rety  well  the  wifdom  of  your  advice;  but 
*^  though  you  would  comfort  me.  Words  are  but  words ;  and  the 
*'  heart,  already  hrmsd^  was  never  piercd^  or  wouaded^  through 
t*  the  ear^*     It  is  obvious  that  the  text  mull  be  reftorcd  thus  i 

That  the  bruised  heart  *ix}as  pieced  through  tl>e  ear. 
i.  e.  that  the  wounds  of  forrow  were  ever  cured,  or  a  man  made 
'  heart-fwhole  merely  by  words  of  confolation.  Warburton. 
Thai  t)H  bruifed  heart  was  pierced  through  the  ear."]  Shakc- 
fpeare  was  continually  changing  his  firft  exprcflion  for  another, 
either  Ib-onger  or  more  uncommon  ;  fo  that  very  6ftcn  the  reader, 
who  has  not  the  fame  continuity  or  fucceflion  of  ideas,  is  at  a  lofe 
for  its  meaning.  Many  of  Shakefpeare's  uncouth  iirained  epi- 
thets may  be  explained,  by  going  back  to  the  obvious  and  fimple 
exprefiion,  which  is  m  jft  hkely  to  occur  to  the  mind  in  that  fiate, 
I  can  imagine  the  firft  mode  of  expreflion  that  occurred  to  the 
poet  wtis  this  :  t 

"  The  troubled  heart  was  never  cured  by  words,** 
To  give  it  poetical  force,  he  altered  the-phrafe: 

*'  The  wounded  heart  was  rever  reached  through  the  car.** 
Wounded  heart  he  changed  to  h-oken^  and  that  to  bruifed,  as  a 
more  uncopamor^  exprcflion.  Reach  \t  ^tered  to  touched^  and  the 
tranlirion  is  then  eafy  to  pierced^  i.  e.  thoroughly  touched.  When 
the  fcnriment  is  brought  to  this  flare,  the  commentator,  without 
this  unraveHing  clue,  expounds //trr/ff^  the  heart  in  its  common  ac- 
ceptation i\*ounding  the  hearty  which  making  in  this  place  nonfenfc, 
is  correiSted  to  pieced  the  Jjeart,  which  is  very  ftiff,  and,  as  Polonius 
diys,  is  a  vile  phrafe^     Sir  J.  Reynolps. 

Pierced  may  be  ri^t.  The  consequence  of  a  hruife  is  foinc- 
times  matter  colledlea,  and  this  can  no  way  be  ciued  without 
tierclng  or  letting  it  out.     Thus,  in  Hamlet : 

"  It  will  but  flcin  and  film  the  ulcerous  place, 
**  While  rank  corruption  mining  all  within^ 
♦•  lulccts  uufceUf" 


*HB  NiOOR  OF  VENICE.      465 

1  iitimbly  befecch  you,  proceed  16  the  ^flairs  of  date* 
Duke.  The  Turk  with  a  moft  mighty  preparatiori 
hiakcs  for  Cyprus : — Othello,  the  fortitude  of  the 
place  is  bcft  known  to  you :  And  though  we  have 
there  a  fubftitute  of  moft  allow'd  fufficiency,  yet 
opinion,  a  fovercign  miftrcfs  of  feffedsj  throws  a  more 
Me  voice  on  you  :  you  muft  therefore  be  concent  to 
flubber '  the  jglofs  df  youf  new  fortunes,  with  ihia 
more  ftubborn  and  boifterous  expedition. 

Osb.  The  tyrant  cuftom,  moft  grave  fenatbrs| 
Hath  made  the  flinty  and  fteel  couch  of  war 
My  *  thrice-driven  bed  of  down :  I  do  agnizd  \ 
A  natural  and  prompt  alacrity^ 
I  find  in  hardneis ;  and  db  undertake  ' 
This  prefent  war  againft  the  Otcomites; 
Moft  humbly  therefore  bending  to  your  ftati^^ 
4 1  crave  fitdifpofition  for  nly  wife  j 

Du« 

««  This  U  th^hnpofthumc  of  miicii  weattK  ztii  pcacd, 
**  That  inward  breaks,  and  (hews  no  caufe  without, 
** 'Why  the  man  dies."    Steevens* 

*  To  flubber  tSegJo/i,  to.]  To  Jhhber^  on  tKU  occafibn,  U  to 
^bfatre^    So,  in  the  Firft  I^art  of  ^eronlmo^  &c»  1 60^5 : 

•^  The  evening  too  begins  to  Jluhhr  day.**    Stee ViEN 8. 

•  '^tbrice^driveji  bed  rf d^Mnt'^'\  A  drivtn  bed,  i^a  bed  fof 
which  the  feathers  are  fele^ed,  by  dnt)tng  with  i,  fan^  which  fept* 
rates  the  light  ftom  the  heavy,    JoiiNsoN; 

3  _/^i>  agnize}  /.  r.  acknowledge,  confeft,  iVdw;  So^  in  the 
M  play  of  Camfyfcs : 

•*  The  tenor  of  your  princdv  will,  from  you  for  to  ^^'jb^.** 
In  this  inftanice,  however,  it  fignines  to  knbW  j  as  likeWile  in  the 
following,  from  the  fame  piece : . 

•  ♦•  Why  fo  ?  I  pfay  you  let  me  agniu!*    SrEtVENs* 
'^  I croM fit  dl^tftion  fir  rny^vsifi \ 
Dm  reierence  ofpbuc^  and  exhibition,  ic  J     I  ^fire,  tnat  pro* 
per  dijpofiion  be  made  for  my  wife,  that  (he  may  ha?e  frecedeug^^ 
and  revenuiy  accommodation,  and  comfajiy^  fuit«lble  to  her  rank. 

For  n;^«K'5. of  place,  the  old  quanos  have  reverence^  which, 
Hanmer  ha&  receiv^.     I  fhould  read, 

Dui  ]^feiBCnce  o/^flacrt '--    JoHNsbK* 

Exbjhitiom  is  allowance.    The  word  is  at  prefent  ufed  only  ac 
the  univerfitics. 
VoLX.  Hh  80| 


48(  OTHELLO, 

pye  Itferenca  of  placf,  and  exhibidoQ ; 
With  fuch  accommodatioo,  and  belort. 
As  levels  with  her  breedipg« 

Duh.  If  you  pleafc, 
Be't  at  her  father's. 

Bra.  I  will  not  have  it  fo. 

Oib.  Nor  L 

Dtf.  Nor  1 5  I  would  not  there  reGdc, 
To  put  my  father  in  impatient  thoughts* 
By  t^eiog  in  his  eye.     Moft  gracious  dukg. 
To  my  unfolding  lend  a  gracious  ear  ^ ; 
And  let  me  find  ^  a  charter  in  yoMr  vpice. 
To  affift  my  fimplenefs  7. 

Duke*  What  would  you,  Defdemona  ? 

Def.  Thv  I  did  love  the  Moor  to  live  with  him, 
s  My  down-right  violence  and  ilorm  of  fortunes 
May  trumpet  co  the  world ;  my  heart's  fubdii'd 

Evca 

S09  in  the  Ttv$  GendemeM  pf  Femta: 

<<  What  maintenance  he  from  his  friends  receiTe^ 

*•  like  exhibition  thou  Aalt  have  from  mc/ 
Again,  in  Kii^  Bldward  IV.  by  Hcywood,  162b : 

**  Of  all  the  exbihitim  yet  beftow'd, 

•*  Thii  woman's  liberality  likes  me  befL*    Steeteks. 
<  —  Mffi  eracious  dukcf 
fo  my  m^kCtig  knd a  gracious  ear ;]     Thus  the  quarto  1622* 
The  felio,  to  avoid  the  repetition  of  the  (kme  epithec»  reads : 
«t  —  your  tro/perous  car ;"  i.  e,  your  propitious  car.     Stee  ve vs. 

*  —  <f  ctmrter  injottr  nwiai]     Let  your  ikvour privilege  me. 

JoHNsotr. 
V  To  e0i  mpjmp^nefi.^    The  firft  quarto  reads  this  as  an  uo- 
finidied  ientence : 

And  if  my  fimplenefs  —      Stee  vens. 

•  Mp  dawn^riglft  violence  and  f^onn  oi  firtunes]  But  what  tio- 
knee  was  it  that  drove  her  to  run  away  with  the  Moor  ?  We 
ihould  ready 

Afy  4owi^right  violence  to  forms,  my  firtunes. 

Warburtok. 

There  is  no  need  of  this  emendadon.    Fhknce  is  not  vioiewa 

fiff^^  ^ut  "Violence  aBed*    Breach  of  common  rules  and  obligs- 

cions.    The  old  quarto  has,  /corn  of  fortune,  which  is  periuips  the 

irue reading.    Johnson. 

IwouU 


tttE  MOOR  0*  VENICE.     46^ 

fivcn  to  the  very  quality  of  my  lord  >  1 

>  I  faw  Othello's  vifage  in  his  mind ; 

And  to  his  honours,  and  his  valiant  partsj 

Did  I  my  foul  and  fortunes  eonfccrate. 

So  that,  dear  lords,  if  I  be  left  behind^ 

A  moth  of  peace^  and  he  go  to  the  war^ 

The  rites,  for  which  I  love  him,  arc  bereft  m<i 

And  I  a  heavy  interim  Ihall  fupport 

By  his  dear  abfence  :  Let  me  go  with  him. 

Osb.  Your  voices,  lords  * :— -I  do  befcech  you>  kl 
Her  will  have  a  free  way. 
Vouch  with  me  heaven,  I  therefore  beg  it  not  *j 
To  pleafe  the  palate  of  my  appetite  5 
4  Nor  to  comply  with  heat^  Tthe  young  aflfefts^ 
In  me  defun£t)  and  proper  utisfafHon  i 

BtiC 

I  would  rzther  cotttinde  to  ttad  Sicrm  effirhmes  cm  account  of 
die  words  that  folbw,  vxz.   Mq^  trumpet  to  tbe  vtorld^ 
So,  in  KagHtnry  IV#  P.  i : 

—  the  fouthern  winJ 
Doth  play  the  tnmfet  to  his  purpoiei • 
A^fl,  in  froths  ami  CreffidA : 

**-— fy 

**  Doth  Talouf^s  fhevtr  and  valour's  wortli  ditide 
^  \xx  ftarm  if fortunt!^    St££VEN9« 
^  IS.ven  to  the  very  quatity  of  my  hrd:'\     Th6  firfi  quarto  lead^ 
Even  to  the  utr/iofi fiia/ure^  ice.    Steeve^s* 

*  I  fifvii  OtheB^i  tfifige  in  bis  fftinJ;}  It  muft  raile  ho  wonddr^ 
that  I  loved  a  man  of  an  appearance  fo  little  en^i^ng;  I  faw  hia 
lice  only  in  his  mind ;  the  greatnefs  of  his  charter  reconciled  me 
to  his  form.    Johnson. 

*  ToMT  voices f  lords :]    The  fUlo  reads,  Let  ber  baveyottr  nmce^ 

Steevans^ 
>  Fouib  viith  me-^'l    Thus  the  fecofid  quarto  dnd  the  folio. 

STEEVElfS^ 

^  Vot  to  eompfy  *wi/b  beat  (theyottng  t^eBs^ 
In  nry  defund)  and  proper  fatQaSlion  \\  As  this  has  beed 
hitherto  printed  and  Hopped^  it  feems  to  me  a  period  of  as  fiubbonf 
nonf^nfcy  as  the  editors  have  obtruded  upon  poor  Shakefpearc^ 
throughout  his  works.  What  a  prepofierous  creature  is  thii 
Othello  made^  to  fall  in  love  with  and  many  a  fine  young  lady« 
^rhen  apfetito  and  beat^  ^sAproper  faiisfaBion^  are  dcaa  and  d^nA 
H  h  4  lA 


j^€S  OTHELLO, 

But  to  be  free  and  bounteous  to  her  mind  i 

And 

in  him !  (For,  d^n^  fignifies  Dothlne  elfe,  that  I  know  of,  dtber 
primicivdy  or  metaphorically :)  but  ifwe  may  take  Othdlo*»  owa 
word  in  the  afiair,  he  was  not  reduced  to  this  fatal  Aaie. 

■  or^  fir  I  am  decUtCd 

Into  the  ^aie  qfyeats ;  yet  that's  not  much. 
Again,  Whj  fliouki  our  poet  fay  (for  fo  he  lavs,  as  the  pa&ge 
has  been  pointed)  that  the  young  sffcH  heat  i  Youth,  certainly, 
bos  it,  and  has  no  occafion  or  pretence  of  afediitg  it.  And,  again, 
after  defun^^  would  he  add  fo  abfu^  a  collateral  epithet  as  prtfert 
B«t  aJMt  was  not  defigned  there  as  a  verb,  and  defunB  was  not  de- 
iigued  here  at  all.  I  have,  by  reading  diftiiiHy  for  defkitHy  refcued  the 
noet*6  text  from  abfuidity ;-  and  this  I  uke  to  be  the  tenor  of  what 
he  wooUl  fay  ;  *'  I  do  not  beg  her  company  with  me,  merely  to 
**  pleaie  m3rfclf ;  nor  to  indulge  the  heat  and  iffeBs  (i.  e.  aHeftions) 
^  of  a  new-married  man,  in  my  own  diftinift  and  proper  iatif* 
^^  fat^on ;  but  to  comply  with  her  in  her  requed,  and  defire,  of 
<(  accompanying  me.''  AffeSis  for  t^tHions^  our  author  m  Several 
other  parages  uies*    Theobald. 

lior  to  complf  'with  heat^  tJjejounjr  afftSh 

In  my  JefutiB  and  proper  fatisfoBion ;]  i.  e.  with  that  heat 
and  new  affections  which  the  indulgence  of  ihy  appetite  has  raifed 
and  created.  This  is  the  meaning  of  d^mH^  which  has  made  all 
the  difficulty  ofthepai&ge.    Warburton. 

I  do  not  think  that  Mr.  Theobald's  emendation  clears  the  text 
from  embarrailinent,  though  it  if  with  a  little  Imaginary  impcove* 
ment  received  by  Hanmer,  who  reads  thus : 

*^  jVi^r  to  comply 'With  heat^  afifefts  the  young 

In  my  diiHnt^  and  proper  fatiifaHion. 
Dr.  Warburton's  explanadon  is  not  more  (atisfitdory:  what 
made  the  difficulty  will  continue  to  make  it.    I  read^ 
■  /  heg  it  MOtf 

Toplei^  the  palate  of  my  appetite, 

tJor  to  comfiy  'with  heat  (the young  aJfeBs 

In  me  defunB)  and  proper  fatisflaHion ; 

Bui  to  he  free  and  bounteous  to  her  mind. 
AffeBi  ftands  here,  not  for  love^  but  ior  paffions^  for  that  by  which 
any  thing  is  alfofled.  /  ajk  it  not^  fays  he,  topkafe  appetite,  or 
fatisjy  loofe  defires,  the  paifious  of  youth  which  I  have  now  outlived, 
iix  for  aiey  particular  gratification  of  ftryfelf  but  merely  thai  I  may  in' 
dnlge  the  voiJhes  of  my  vjtfi, 

Mr.  Upton  had,  before  me,  changed  n^tomex  but  he  has  printed 
young  effeBsf  not  feeming  to  know  that  offeBt  coukl  be  a  noun. 

JOHNSO?^, 

..  Theobald  has  obierved  the  impropriety  of  making  Othello  coa- 
ieis,  that  all  youthful  pailions  wcrcdf/unB  in  him ;  andHanmer^s 

reading 


THE  MOOR  OF  VENICE.      4% 

And  heaven  defend «  your  good  fouls,  that  you  think 
1  will  your  ferious  and  great  bufmeis  fcant. 

For 

reading  may,  I  think,  be  received  with  qnly  a  flight  akeratioQ. 
I  would  read, 

*«  — — .  I  beg  it  not, 

**  To  pleafe  the  palate  of  my  appetite^ 

^*  Nor  to  comply  with  heat,  anJ young  a£Ec£ts» 
**  In  rov  ^JiinB  and  proper  fatiauufUon ; 

•«  But  to  be,  &C.'' 
AjfeBs  fiands  for  affeBions^  and  is  uied  in  that  fenfe  by  Ben  Jonfon 
in  Tbi  Cafe  is  abcrd,  1609 :  - 

**  ■  I  (hall  not  need  to  urge 

**  The  facied  purity  of  our  affeSlsr  . 
So^  in  Middletoo's  Innur  len^le  Mafqut^  1619  : 

**  No  doubt  affcfls  will  be  (ubdu'd  by  rcafon.* 
Again,  in  Lavis  Lahour^s  Lofi  : 

For  every  man  with  his  afe£ls  is  born. 
Again,  in  The  ti^ars  of  (^rusy  1594 ; 

**  The  fiail  ijfeBs  and  errors  of  my  youth.* 
Again,  in  the  P/s»er^^i^/f^Zc/,  1599: 

**  Shut  up  thy  daughter,  bri(Uc  her  mfeBsJ' 
There  ii,  however,  in  The  Boniiman^  by   Maifinger,  a  pafTage 
which  feems  to  countenance  and  exphin   — —  the  young  at* 
fedls  in  me  JkfiuiRy  Uc» 

"  — —  youthful  heats, 

<*  That  look  no  further  than  your  outward  form, 

**  Arc  bng  fince  Juried  in  me.'* 
Jimoleon  is  the  fpeaker.    Stbevens. 
I  would  venture  to  make  the  two  lad  lines  change  places* 

•*  ■  (     ■  I  therefore  beg  it  not, 

**  To  pleafe  the  palate  of  my.  appetite, 

**  Nor  to  comply  with  heat,  the  young  affe^b ; 

^  But  to  be  firet  and  bounteous  to  her  mind, 

*^  In  my  defund  and  proper  fatisfadtion/* 
And  would  then  recommend  it  to  confideration,  whether  the  word 
d^imH-  (which  would  be  the  only  remaining  difficulty)  is  not  cana- 

5  ^^JcftHdy  &c.]    To  Jefrtuiy  is  to  forbid.    So,  in  Chaucer'# 
Ulfi  of  Bathes  Pr^ogue^  late  edit,  ver,  5641  : 

^  Wher  can  ye  feen  in  anv  maner  age 

**' .  That  highe  God  <kfkn4ed  manage, 

**  By  exprciTc  word  r 
From  e^fendre   Fr.    Steevi^^s. 

Hh  1 


4T«  O    T    H    E    L    L    O, 

For  (he  is  with  tne ;  No, '  when  Kght-wii^'d  toys 

Of  feathered  Cupid,  feel  with  wanton  dulnefs 

My  fpeculative  and  adive  inftruments. 

That  my  disports  corrupt  and  uin(  my  bvifinclss 

Let  houfewives  make  a  fkillet  of  my  helm, 

^nd  all  indign  and  bafe  adverfities 

M^I^C  head  againft  my  eftimation  7 ! 

ble  of  a  (igiiificationy  drawn  from  the  pnmitirc  (enfe  of  its  Ladii 
W^ndl^  which  would  very  wcU  agree  with  the  context. 

Tyrwhitt* 
I  would  propofe  to  read.  In  my  deftnH^  or  J^c^d^  &c  i.  e, 
I  do  not  beg  her  company  merely  to  pleafe  the  palate  of  my  ap- 
petite, nor  to  comply  with  the  heat  of  luft  which  the  jj»«^  roan 
iifeHsy  i.  e.  loves  and  is  fond  of,  in  a  gratificadon  which  I  have 
\>y  marriage  deftnfd^  or  inclofed  and  guarded,  and  made  mv  own 
property,  Xfuproper  htds^  in  this  play,  mean,  beds  not  peculiar  or 
fippropriate  to  the  right  owner,  but  common  to  other  occupiers. 
Jn  the  Mmy  Whues^  &c.  the  marriage  vow  is  reprefented  by  F§ri 
as  the  ward  and  d^u  of  purity  or  conjugal  fidelity.  "  I  could 
ihrive  b^  then  from  the  ward  of  her  punty,  her  reputation,  and  a 
tbouiand  other  her  defincis^  which  are  now  too  ftrongly  embattd*d 
againft  me."  The  verb  afi^  is  more  generally,  among  ancient 
authors,  taken  in  the  coniiru^on  which  I  have  given  to  it,  than 
as  Mr.  Theobald  would  interpret  it.  It  is  fb  in  this  very  play, 
f '  Not  to  ofeH  many  propofed  matches,"  means  not  to  Uk^  or  ht 
iond  tf  many  propoied  matches. 

I  am  perfuaded  that  the  word  defunB  muft  be  at  all  evenn 
^je£ied.  Othello  talks  here  of  his  appetite^  and  it  is  very  plain  that 
Pefdem6na  to  her  death  was  fond  of  him  after  wedtodc,  and  that 
he  loved  her.  How  then  could  his  conjugal  defires  be  dead  or 
^unH  f  or  how  could  they  be  drfunB  or  diicharged  and  per^roe^ 
^ben  the  marriage  was  not  ponfummated  ?    Tollit, 

Oifeathp'^d  Cu^^ktX  with  wanion  Mneft 
il^  Jfeculative  and  offic'd  inftrumettt-^     Tl|UI    ib/t   fofiOi 
T1|C  quarto  reads — 

I         wheix  light-wing'4  toys 
Ahd  feathered  Cupid  foih  with  wanton  duliieft 
My  fpeculative  and  aHive  inftruments— * 
All  thefe  words  (in  either  copy)  mean  no  more  than  this :  IF&i 
$he  pUi^ures  ^»d  idle.  toy$  &f  love  mqke  me  tmfit  either  far  J^ii^  thf 
^ies  of  my  t^ffice^  or  for  fix  ready  fetfirmance  jf  them^  &(r. 

SxEEVEMlf 

!  5?  ^  flUwiion  n    n^us  thie  Wio  J   Ap  quarto— r^/tf/i«% 

Steevens, 


THE  MOOR  cf  VENICE.      471 

Dkie.  Be  ft  at  you  fhall  private^  determine^ 
Either  for  her  ftay^  or  going:  the  affair  cnes— >bafie. 
And  fpeed  mud  anfwer  it ;  you  muft  hence  to-nigbt« 

Def.  To-night,  my  lord? 

Duki.  This  night. 

Otb.  With  all  my  heart, 

Duke.  At  nine  i'  the  morning  here  we'll  nneet  agaiot 
Othello,  leave  (bme  officer  behindi 
And  he  (ball  our  commiflion  bring  to  you  % 
And  fuch  thin^  elfe  of  quality  and  refped):. 
As  doth  import  you« 

Otb.  Pleafe  your  grace,  niy  ancient ; 
A  man  he  i%  of  honefty,  and  truft : 
To  his  conveyance  I  affign  my  wife. 
With  what  elfe  needful  your  gtxM]  grace  ihall  think 
To  be  fent  after  me. 

Duke.  Let  it  be  fo.— 
Good  night  to  every  one.-^And,  BoUe  fignior, 

•  If  virtue  no  delighted  beauty  lack. 

Your  fon-in-law  is  far  more  fair  than  black* 

■  Ifvrrttte no delightedJwwf/y  lacJt^]    This  ii  a  fenfeleft  efrftheti 
We  (hould  read  beligbted  hamfy^  i.  e.  white  and  fair.  War  bur  ton* 
Haomer  reads,  more  plauiibly,  Jklighting^    I  do  not  know  ths^ 
hJigbted  has  any  autbonty«    I  ibould  rather  read^ 

Ifvirtae  no  delight  or  heavty  lack. 
DeUgh^  for  deleSiaiwn^  or  fewer  of  pkafhtg^  as  k  is  ffequentljr 
tifcd.    Johnson. 

There  is  no  fuch  word  9s-^Migi'jted,  The  j^ain  meaning,  I 
bclicre,  is,  if  virtue  comprehends  every  thing  in  itfelf,  then  your 
Tirtuous  fon-in-law  of  courfe  is  beautiful :  he  has  that  beauty 
which  delights  every  one.  Delighted,  for  delighting ;  Shakcfpeare 
often  ufes  the  active  and  paffive  participles  indifcriminately.  Of 
this  practice  I  have  already  given  manyinftances.  The  fame  fcnti* 
ment  ieems  to  occur  in  Twelfth  Night: 

In  nature  is  no  blrmiiih,  but  the  mind ; 
None  can  be  call'd  dcform'd,  but  the  unkind ; 

Ftrtue  is  heauty. Steevens. 

Deligbted  is  ufed  by  Shakefpeare  in  the  fenfe  of  de'ightingf  01 

iclighffuL    Sec  CymMiMe,  A^S'^ 

Whom  beft  I  bve,  I  crofs,  to  make  my  gift, 
The  more  delay'd,  delighted.    Ty^WHJTTf 

H  h  4  Sen^ 


4y»  OTHELLO, 

.    Sen.  Adieu,  brave  Moor !  ufe  Delidemona  well. 

Bra.  Look  to  her,  Moor  %  *  have  a  quick  eve  to 
fee;  ' 

She  has  deceived  her  father,  and  may  thcc.    - 

[Exeuni  Duke,  and  Senai&r^^ 

Otb.  My  life  upon  her  faith. — Honeft  lago. 
My  Dcfdcmona  muft  I  leave  to  thee  : 
I  pr'ythee,  let  thy  wife  attend  on  her ; 
And  bring  them  after  in  the  »  bed  advantage.— r 
Come,  Deldemona  •,  I  have  but  an  hour 
Of  love,  of  worldly  matter  and  direftion, 
Tq  fpeQd  with  thee :  we  muft  obey  the  time. 

[Exeuni  Otbelh,  rndDefdeifMa. 

Rod.  Iago,Tr^ 

Jago.  What  fay*ft  thpu,  noble  heart? 

Rod.  What  will  I  do,  think'ft  thou? 

lago.  Why,  go  to  bed,  and  floep. 

Rod.  I  will  incontinently  drown  royfelf. 

lago^  Well,  if  thou  doft,  I  fhall  never  love  thee 
frfter  ir.     Why,  thou  fillf  gentleman  I 

Rod.  It  is  flUincis  to  live,  "when  to  live  is  a  torment  i 
}ind  then  have  we  a  prefcriptiqn  to  die,  when  death  13 
our  phyfician. 

laga.  O  villainous!  I  have  looked  upon  the  worl4 
for  four  times  (even  years  :  apd  fince  I  could  diftin- 
guiflx  betwiift  a  b^efic  and  an  icyury,  I  nev?r  found 
man  that  knew  how  to  love  himfelf.  Ere  I  would 
fay,  I  would  drown  myfelf  for  the  love  of  *  a  Guine2( 
^en,  \  W0u]d  cbapgp  my  humanity  with  a  b^bopn. 

Rod. 

f  — havi,  a  qulch  eye  to  fie  i]  Thus  tlie  cldcft  c^uarto.  The 
folio  reads, 

^  if  thou  hqfi  eyes  to^  fee,     8te  E  ve  n  S . 

\  .-^hcfi  advantage, '^'\     Fai reft  opportunity.    JoKNSOfK* 
*  'r^  a  Guinea'/i>eny^']     A  fhowy  bird  with  fiae  fcathcri. 

JoHWsoy. 
A  Guinca-ben  was   anciently  the  cant  tenp  for  a  pioilitute. 


TH«  MOOR  OF  VENICE.      473 

Red.  What  (hould  I  do  ?  I  confefs,  it  is  my  Ihame 
to  be  fo  fond ;  but  it  is  not  in  my  virtue  to  amend  it, 

TagOi  Virtue  ?  a  fig  !  *tis  in  ourfelves,  that  we  arc 
thu^  or  thus.  Our  bodies  are  our  gardens ;  to  the 
^hich,  our  wiHs  are  gardeners:  fo  that  if  we  will 
plant  nettles,  or  fow  lettuce ;  fet  hyffop,  and  weed  up 
thyme;  fupply  it  with  one  gender  of  herbs,  or 
diftrad  it  with  many  ;  either  have  it  fteril  with  idle* 
nefs,  or  manur'd  with  induftry;  i/i^hy,  the  power 
and  corrigible  authority  of  this  lies  in  our  wills.  If 
the  balance '  of  our  lives  had  not  one  fcale  of  rea* 
ipn  to  poife  another  of  fenfuality,  the  blood  and 
bafenefs  of  our  natures  would  condud  us  to  aK>ft 
prepofterous  conclufions:  But  we  have  reafon,  to 
cool  our  raging  motions,  our  carnal  ftings,  our  un« 
bitted  lulls  j  whereof  I  take  this,  ^t  you  call— -^ 
iove,  to  be  a  fe&,  or  fq^on  4, 

Rod.  It  cannot  be. 

Jago.  It  is  merely  a  luft  of  the  blood,  ^d  a  per- 
jxiifTion  pf  the  will*  Come,  be  a  man :  Drown  thy<^ 
felf  ?  drown  cats,  and  blind  puppies.  I  hav^  pro* 
fefs*d  me  thy  friend,  and  I  confefs  me  knit  to  thjr 
deferving  with  cables  of  perdurable  toughnefs ;  I 
pould  never  better  ftea4  thee  than  now.  Put  money 
in  thy  purfe :  follow  thou  thefe  #ars ;  s  defeat  thy 
favour  with  an  ufurped  beard  ;  I  fay,  put  money  in 

thf 

Po,  in  Aihertus  WitUenfian^  1640 : 

*♦  —  Tondei't  the  cock  o*thc  game 
**  About  to  tn»d  yon  Guuua^hemi  they're  hUling.'* 

STESVIirS« 

1  Iftht  balance]    The  folio  reads— If  the  hmn.     Stieveks. 

4  —  tf  fed  or  fcycn.}  Thus  tjjc  folio  and  quaito.  A  JeH  h 
frbat  the  more  modern  gardeners  call  9i' cutting.  The  rnqdeni 
editors  rcad-ra ^/.    Stbevens, 

'  -r- defeat /^^virrw//A  an  it/urpei  heard.*^\  Thia  is  not 
Engliib,  We  (hould  read  difiat  thy  favour,  /•  #.  turn  it  out  of  its 
feat,  change  it  fur  anotha.  .TheiK>rdi^/^ki20tti/Aied»  ui.to  tbit 
Reading*    Waebvrton.  ^ 

1% 


474  OTHELLO^ 

thy  purfe.  It  caimoc  be^  that  Defdcinou  AMiId 
long  continue  bcr  love  to  the  Meor^ — pot  nsMey  in- 
tfay  puric ; — nor  be  his  to  her :  ^.tt  was  t  yk^ni 
commencement  in  her^  and  thou  fliak  fee  mi  an<» 
iwerabie  feque(trgtion  ^*-put  but  money  in  thy 
porfe. — Theie  Moote  are  changeable  b  their  wills  $ — 
fill  thy  purfe  with,  money :  the  food  that  to  him 
now  is  7  as  luicious  as  locufts,  (hall  be  to  htm 
fiiortly  as  biccer  as  cc^oquintida.    She  muft  change 

It  18  more  EagIUh»  toJffiat^  thsn  J^/Jtat^  Tojefimf^  U  to  tpui^ 
t^  eiojtge,    Jo  H  N  SON  • 

I^fcdt  h  irbm  t&faA'}^  Fr,  W  UnJh.  Of  tU  ufe  of  this  I  hare 
ir^sufy'^en  feverai  ih^ce»w    8f  ee^bn^. 

m^rable  fcqueftmtioiu^-l  Tkereicen^to  be  ah  oppo&tiob  of 
•criTis  here  intended,  wlxicJi  lias  btcii  loft  m  tfanrcription^  We 
iJiay  tedd,  //  4iiwJ  Tt  mioknt  cOnjunEHot),  M  /ixmjbab  fa  in  ioifv^^ 
shU  fiqwftraiion\  or»  what  (eeniB  to  i(>e  pf^ferabl^  //  was  m  vieleni 
tomrnemtmeHty  and  thou  Jtmlt  fee  tm  anfiuenMe  fc(|ael.     J)t>HiQ  96 k. 

.1  believe  the  poet  \ik%  Jeq^iftraHoa  (ot-feqmi.  He  might  con* 
c\\\q%  !hat  it  was  immediately  derived  From  fefw*  Sequefiraiion^ 
^i^hitf  bay  mean  no  molt;  than  fepatieidk.  9o»  in  this  plaj^ 
-«^**  ajafSjii?^' frond  Hbftriy.**    ^tEtva***. 

^y  -»<w  i4ifi:iSus  as  iocufis^ — ^}  Whether  yon  uodeHhmd  by  Ala 
infefl  or  the  fruity  it  cannot  be  given  as  an  Inilance  of  a  de- 
dus  morfel,  hotwith Handing  the  exaggerations  of  lying  traveU 
fcrs*  The  true  readitig  is  hhtKksy  a  very  pleafant  confevSlion  i*» 
Produced  imonie^ciiie  b^  the  Arabiaii  fihyflciaitft;  mid  ib  verf 
^y.  oppofinl  both  to  Che  bittcroeft  a^d  ufe  of  ooloooinckbu 

Warburton, 
I  ,i^hitter  m  cohqwifiti'dAj  The  old  quarto  reads —  as  acerb  as 
coloquintida. 

Dr.  Warbtiitesi^  thixAifh  hit  M^  to  iatroduce  an  uncommoa 
word^  U  vM9Si4tu  At  fmt^um  the  mied  £m^  are  coniidered 
j»<i.  great  delicacy,  hot  only  by  the  poor  but  by  the  rich ;  and  ar9 
ibki  m  the  markeiii'  aalatls^  add  ^miU  ave  ih  Europe.  It  may  be 
i^My  that  the  Leiritkai  hw  jiennits  four  Ibru  of  them  td  be 


An  anonymous  correlpondent  informs  m^  that  the  fmicc^thc 
locult-tree  is  a  long  bhkx  pod,  which  contains  the  reeds,  among 
which  tbete  is  a  very  fweet  hifeious  Hiioe  of  much  the  fame  coo- 
IMeocy.  as  tke&  hojoiy.    This  (%s.  he)  I  h«ve  ^ten  tafted. 

SriUTKirt* 

for 


THE  MOOR  Of  VENICE.      475 

ibr  youth :  when  (he  b  &ted  with  his  body,  fhe  will 
find  the  error  of  her  chotoe.-^She  muft  have  change, 
flie  liiuft:  therefore  put  money  in  thy  purfe,— -If 
thou  wilt  needs  damn  thyfelf,  do  it  a  more  delicate 
way  than  drowning.  Make  all  the  money  thou 
canft  :  If  fandimony  and  a  frail  vow,  ^  betwixt  an 
erring  Barbarian  and  a  fuper-lubtle  Venetian,  be  not 
too  hard  for  my  wits,  and  all  the  tribe  of  bell^ 
thou  (halt  enjoy  her;  therefore  make  money«  A 
pox  of  drowning  thyfclf !  it  is  clean  out  of  the  way: 
feek  thou  rather  to  be  hang'd  in  compa(fing  thy 
joy,  than  to  be  drown'd  and  go  without  ber« 

R$d.  Wilt  thou  be  faft  to  my  hopes',  if  I  depend 
on  the  i(rue  9  ? 

lai^o.  Thou  art  fure  of  me  j — Go,  make  money:— 
I  have  told  thee  often,  and  I  re-tell  thee  agwi  apd 
again,  I  hate  the  Moor :  My  caufe  is  hearted  %  thino 
hath  no  lefs  reafoo  :  Let  us  be  conjundive  *  in  our 
revenge  againft  him :  if  thou  canft  cuckold  hinit 
thou  dofl:  thyielf  a  pleafure,  and.  me  a  fport.  There 
are  many  events  in  the  womb  of  time^  which  will . 
be  delivered.  Traverfei  go^  provide  thy  mon^* 
We  will  have  more  of  this  to-morrow«    Adieu« 

Rod.  Where  (hall  we  meet  V  the  ooorniog^ 

Jagv.  Ac  my  locking. 

•  —  letwixt  an  erring  Piiri^frZ/wi—— ]     Wc  ihould  read  errant  i 
that  is,  a  vagabond,  one  who  hat  no  houfe  nor  country. 

WAiiBtTRTOy. 
tiaamer  readi,  arrani.  Erring  if  u  i^lt  as  chher*  j^H^i^oHm 
$0,  in  Hamlet: 

**  Th*  extravagant  and  erring  ipirit  hiei 
**  To  his  confine.''    Steevens. 
Ad  trrif^  Barbarian ;  perhaps  meaning  a  rover  from  Barheay. 
He  bad  before  faid,  **  You'll  have  your  daughter  covered  wish  a 
Barhay  horfe."    MalonC. 

♦  — if  I  depend  en  the  ijfuef'\    Tfaefe  woids  are  wanting  b  the 
^rft  quarto.     Steevens. 

^  fojptm^ive.    The  firft  quarto  reads,  €9mmMiucatsw. 

8TE£r£}rs» 

Rod* 


47^  OTHELLO, 

Rod.  FU  be  with  thee  hctimes. 

lago.  Go  to ;  farcwcl.    Do  you  hear,  Roderigo  ? 

if^.  What  fay  you  *  ? 

lago.  No  more  of  drownitig,  do  you  hean 

RoL  I  am  chang'd  ^     Til  go  fell  all  my  land. 

logo.  Go  to  J  farewel :  put  money  enough  in  your 
purfe  4.  {Exit  Roderigo. 

Thus  do  I  ever  make  my  fool  my  purfe : 
For  I  mine  own  gainM  knowledge  ihould  profane. 
If  I  fliould  time  expend  with  fuch  a  fnipe. 
But  for  my  fport,  and  profit.     I  hate  the  Moor ; 
And  it  is  thought  abroad,  that  ^t^'xxt  my  fheets 
He  has  done  my  office :  I  know  not,  ift  be  true ; 
But  I,  for  mere  fuipicion  b  that  kind. 
Will  do,  as  if  for  lurety.    He  holds  me  well ; 
The  better  fliall  my  purpofe  work  on  him. 
Cafllio's  a  proper  man :  Let  me  fee  now ; 
To  get  his  place,  and  to  plume  up  my  will  5, 
A  double  knavery, — How  ?  how  ? — Let  me  fee :— p 
After  fome  time,  to  abufe  Othello's  ear. 
That  he  is  too  familiar  with  his  wife  :-^ 
He  hath  a  perfon,  and  a  fmooth  difpofe. 
To  be  fufpedted  ;  fram'd  to  make  women  faUfct 
The  Moor  is  of  a  free  and  open  nature  ^, 
That  thinks  men  honeft,  that  but  feem  to  be  fo  j 
And  will  as  tenderly  be  led  by  the  pofe. 
As  aflcs  are, 

I  have't ; — it  is  engendered  : — Hell  and  night 
Mud  bring  this  monftrous  birth  to  the  worki's  light, 

[EMt. 

*  Wl^affyyou  ?]  This  fpccch  is  omitted  in  the  folio.  Stee  veks. 
^  lam  changed,']    This  is  omitted  in  the  folio,    Steeveks.  ^ 

*  Gotoiforewel:  fttt  mone^  emugb  in  your  furfe,"]    The  folio 
omits  this  line.    Steevens. 

«  —  /<r  plume  «/,  &c.]    The  firft  quarto  reads— to  mah  ujs 
&c.    Steevens. 

*  The  Mo9r  is  tf  afire  and  &pen  nature,']     The  firft  qUarto  jrcads 

Tht  Moor,  a  free  and  open  nature  too, 
That  thinks,  &c.    Steevens. 

ACT 


THE  MOOJL  or  VENICE.      477 
A  C  T    II.       S  C  E  N  E    I. 

The  capital  of  Cyprus. 
A  platform. 

Enter  Montano^  and  two  Gentlemem 

Mont.  What  from  the  cape  can  you  difcern  at  Tea  ? 

t  Gent.  Nothing  at  all :  it  is  a  high- wrought  floods 
I  cannot,  'twixt  the  heaven  and  the  main, 
Dcfcry  a  fail. 

Mont.  Mechinks,  the  wind  hath  fpoke  aloud  at 
land ; 
A  fuller  blaft  ne'er  (hook  our  battlements  2 
If  it  hath  ruffian'd  fo  upon  the  fea, 
What  ribs  of  oak,  when  mountains  melt  on  them  7, 
Can  hold  the  hiortice  ?  What  (hall  we  hear  of  this  ? 

2  Gent.  A  fegregation  of  the  Turkifti  fleet : 
For  do  but  (land  upon  the  foaming  (hore  ^, 
The  chiding  billow  feems  to  pelt  the  clouds ; 
The  wind-(hak'd  furge,  with  high  and  monflrous 

main. 
Seems  to  caft  water  on  the  burning  bear, 

7  — «iv/inr  mountains   melt  en  them,}     Thus  the  folio.    The 
quarto  reads: 

—  when  the  huge  mountain  melts. 
This  latter  readine  might  be  counrenanced  by  |he  following  ^^ 
iage  in  the  Second  Part  of  King  Henry  IV : 
■'         the  continent 
Weary  of  folid  firmnels,  melt  itfelf 
Into  the  fea——    Steeven«. 
•  —  the  foaming^^^,]    The  elder  quarto  reads    tanning  (KorT) 
which  ofifers  the  bolder  image ;  /•  e.  the  (hore  that  execrates  the 
lavage  of  the  waves.    So,  in  King  Henry  VI,  P.  i : 

**  Fell,  banning  hag,  enchanirrfs,  hold  xhf  tongue.** 

And 


/ 


47l  OTHELLO, 

^  And  quench  the  guards  of  the  ever^fixed  pole  : 
I  never  did  like  moleftatioti  view 
On  the  enchafed  flood. 

MfHt.  If  that  the  Turkifli  fleet 
Be  not  inftieltcr'd,  and  enabay'd,  ^they  arc  drown'd  ; 
It  is  impofldble  they  bear  it  out. 

Enter  a  third  Gentleman. 

3  Gent.  News,  lords  !  our  wars  arc  done  t 
The  defperate  tcmpcft  hath  fp  bang'd  the  Turks, 
That  their  defignmcnt  halts :  A  noble  ftiip  of  Venice 
Hath  feen  a  grievous  wreck  and  fufi^erancc 
On  mod  part  of  their  fleet. 

Mont.  How !  is  this  true  ? 

3.  Gent.  *  The  ftiip  is  here  put  in, 
A  Veronefe :  Michael  Cafllo, 

Lieutenant 

t  Jjid  Munch  theguarJs  eftie  nvr^fized /tfZf ;]    Alludiiig  to  the 
iasArBMyUuu    Johnson. 

The  elder  quarto  reads— cvcr;;{r^</  pole.    Stee tens. 

»  ^he  Jbif  is  here  put  in^ 
A  Fironefex  Michael  CaJjU^  &c.]  The  author  of  The  Re^ 
^fii  18  pf  opinion,  that  the  poet  intendrd  to  iofonn  us,  that 
OtheUo's  iieucenant  Ca^  was  of  Verona,  an  inland  city  of  the 
Venetian  ftate ;  and  adds,  that  the  editors  have  not  been  pleafed 
to  iky  what  kind  of  ftip  is  here  denoted  by  a  Feronejpu  By  a 
Veromjfa  or  Ver^neft  (for  the  Italian  pronunciation  niuil  be  ro* 
tained,  otherwife  the  meafure  will  be  dcfeftive)  a  Ihip  of  Verona 
is  denoted ;  as  we  fay  to  this  day  of  (hips  in  the  river,  fuch  a  one 
is  a  Dutchman^  a  Jamaica-man^  &c.    Steevens, 

Vcrmcjfa^  a  (hip  of  Verona«     But  the  true  reading  is  Venn^ 
'{Bonounced  as  a  quadrifyllable. 

The  (hip  is  here  put  in, 

A  Verweji. — 

It  was  common  to  introduce  Italiam  words,  and  in  their  proper 
pronunciation  then  familial^  So  Spenfer  in  the  Faerift  Queeoc, 
B.  iii.  C.  xiii.  10. 

With  flccves  dependant  Alhentsi  *ivifi. 
The  author  of  the  tWvifai  obierves,  that  ^'  rhe  editors  have  not 
**'  been  plealed  to  inform  us  what  kind  of  (hip  is  here  denoted 
**  by,t)i^  name  of  AFironeJfa?    But  even  fuppofing  that /">/»- 


THE  MOOR  OF  VENICE.     47^ 

Lieutenant  to  the  warlike  Moor,  Othello^ 
Is  come  on  Ihore :  the  Moor  faimielPs  nt  fca. 
And  is  in  fiill  commiffion  here  for  Cyprus. 
Mont.  I  ana  glad  on*t  5  tis  a  wQrthy  goreriKHV 
3  Gent.  But  this  fame  CaICo, — though  he  fpesdc 
of  comfort. 
Touching  the  Turkilh  lofs, — ^yet  he  looks  iadly^^ , 
And  prays  the  Moor  be  fafe  ;  for  they  were  parted 
With  foui  and  violent  te^npelt 

Mont.  Pr^y  heaven  he  be ; 
For  I  have  fcrv*d  him,  and  the  man  commands 
Like  a  full  foldier.    Let's  to  the  fea  fide,  ho  I 
As  well  to  fee  the  veflel  that's  come  in. 
As  to  throw  out  our  eyes  for  brave  Othello ; 
Even  'ciil  we  make  the  main  %  and  the  aerial  bhie^ 

mejja  is  the  mse  reading,  there  is  no  fort  of  difficulty.  He  nriglic 
jull  as  well  have  inquired,  what  kind  of  a  (hip  is  a  Hamhurgtr^ 
This  is  exadly  a  parallel  form,  for  it  is  not  the  fpecies  of  the 
ihip  which  is  implied  in  this  appellation.  Our  critic  adds,  ^'  the 
^  poet  had  not  a  (hip  in  his  thoughts, — He  intended  to  infonn 
^  us,  that  Othello^s  lieutenant/ Caflio,  was  sfF^rcMd.  We  AmmiU 
**  certainly  read, 

— — **  The  ftip  is  here  put  in. 
**  A  Vcroncfe,  Michael  C^,  (&c.) 
**  Is  conae  on  ihore.**— -^ 
This  regulation  of  the  lioea  is  ingenious.    But  I  agree  with 
Hanmer,  and  I  think  it  appears  fipom  many  parts  of  the  play,  that 
Caffio  was  a  Fbrentine.    In  this  ipeech,  the  third gentUmMM^  who 
brings  the  news  of  the  wreck  ottke  Turki(h  fleet,  returns  hit 
tale,  and  relates  the  circumftances  more  diflindly.    In  his^narr 
ipeech  he  fays,  "  Awobkjbip  rf  Ftnict  faw  the  diilrefs  of  the 
Turks .•    And  here  he  adds,  *'  The  very  (hip  is  juft  now  put 
tnto  our  port,    and   (he  is  a  Verowcfer    That  is,  a  ihip  fitted 
out  or  furnifhed  by  the  people  of  Verona,  a  city  of  the  Venetian 
fiate.    Warton. 

I  believe  we  are  all  wrong,  Terona  is  an  inland  cicy.  Every 
inconliftency  may,  however,  be  avoided,  if  we  read  The  Veroneia, 
f.  #.  the  name  of  the  ihip  is  the  Feroatffa^  Verona,  however, 
might  be  obliged  to  fumiih  (hips  towofd^  the  general  defence  of 
Italy.    St£EV£N8. 

*  Emen  ^tlU  tu^  make  the  maifty  &:c.]     Tl)i«  line  and  half  is 
-  warning  in  the  ekkfl  quarto.    St££V£ns«  , 

An 


480  O    T    H    £    L    L    On 

An  indKtinft  regard*  r 

Gent.    Come,  let's  do  fo ; 
For  every  minute  is  expedancy 
Of  more  arrivance. 

,   Enter  Caffio. 

Caf.  Thanks  to  the  valiant  of  thb  warlike  ifle ', 
That  fo  approve  the  Moor;  0>  let  the  heavens 
Give  him  defence  againft  the  elements, 
For.  I  have  loft  him  on  a  dangerous  fea  I 

^»/.  Is  he  well  Ihipp'd  ? 

Caf.  4  His  bark  is  ftoutly  timbered,  and  his  pilot 

Of 

s  -^  warlike  i/ky^    Thus  die  folio.    The  firft  quarto  read^^ 
fU0r/^ifle«     Steevens. 
*  His  hark  hjlouiiy  timier^ 
therefore  m  fjopes^  not  Jhrftiui  to  Jeatb^ 
Stand  in  ioUcure,]    I  donotunderfbodthefcliiiei.     Iknoir 
not  bow  Lope  can  be  Jwfeited  to  deatb^  tbat  is^  can  he  emcrealedy  tiS 
it  h  deflr(iyed\  nor  what  it  is  to  fiand  in  held  cure;  or  why  h^ 
flioukl  be  confidered  as  a  diieafe.    In  the  copies  there  it  do  va- 
riation*    Shidl  we  read 

There/ore  my  fears,  not  fwfiited  to  deatb^ 
Stand  in  hold  cure  T 
This  is  better,  but  it  is  not  well.    Shall  we  flrike  a  bolder  ibok^ 
and  read  thus? 

^htrrforenn  hopes,  not  forfeited  to  duub^ 
Stand  holiy  not  lure.     Torkson. 
Therefbre  ffp  bopeSy  not  fitrpited  to  deatby 
Stand  in  hold  cure^     Prefumptuous  hopes,  which  have^  no 
foundation  in  probabihty,  may  be  iaid  to  furfeit  themielves  to 
death,  or  forward  their  own  diflblution.    To  ^and  in  hoidcur^ 
is  to  ere£t  themfdves  in  confidence  of  being  fulfilled.    A  pa- 
rallel expreffion  occurs  in  K.  Lear^  A€t  v  Sc.  6. 

**  This  reft  might  yet  have  balmM  his  broken  feoles, 
^  Which,  if  con?eniency  will  not  allow, 
**  Standim  hardcure!^ 
Again, 

—  his  life,  with  thine,  &c. 
Stand  in  ajjuredlofs. 
In  hold  curt  means,  in  confidence  of  being  cured.    Stbetess. 

A  furfeit  being  a  ficknefs  ariling  irom  an  excfjpve  over-cbargo 

«^  the  ibmacb,  the  authoTi  with  his  ufual  licence,  ufea  it  inr 

S  -X 


*ilB  MOOft  6P  VENICE,     j^U 

OF  very  expert  artd  approved  allowance ; 
Therefore  my  hopes,  not  furfeited.to  death. 
Stand  iri  bold  cure.  ' 

Within.']  A  fail,  a  fail,  a  fail ! 

Caf.  What  noife  ? 

Gent.  The  town  is  empty  i  on  the  brow  o'  the  fca 
Stand  ranks  of  people,  and  they  cry — a  fail. 

Caf.  My  hopes  do  (hape  him  for  the  governor. 

Gent.  They  do  difcharge  their  (hot  of  cou reefy  j 
Our  friends,  at  leaft.  [Guns  heard* 

Caf.  I  pray  you,  fir,  go  forth,. 
And  give  us  truth  who  'tis  that  is  arrived. 

Cent.  I  (hall.  [Exit. 

Mcnt.  But,  good  lieutenant,  is  your  general  wiv'd? 

Caf.  Moft  fortunately  :  he  hath  atchiev'd  a  maid 
That  paragons  defcription,  and  wild  fame ; 
One  that  excels  the  quirks  of  blazoning  pensj 
f  Andi  in  the  effential  vefture  of  creation, 

Does 

any  ipCcies  of  e^cefs'. — The  meaning,  1  thmk,  M'^Th^efort  my 
hcfcsy  not  being  dtftrc^tAhy  their  «wn  exccfs^  hut  being  ret^onable  ana 
hwJerdte^  •  are  iikf/y  fa  he  fulfitted. 

The  word  furfeit  having  occurred  to  Shake(J)eartf,  led  Kim  to 
confider  hope  as  a  difeafe^  and  to  talk  of  Its  cure.  A  pniTage  in 
T'voeffib  Nighty  Whfere  a  limilar  phraieology  is  ufed,  may.  lervc  to 
ilrengthea  this  interpretation,  while  at  the  (aiHe  time  it  (hews  that 
there  is  here  no  corruption  in  the  text : 

Give  me  exccfs  of  it ;  that  fnrfetting^ 
The  aippctitemay/ci<'»,  and  fo^V,       Malone. 

*  Cfvery  expert  and  approved  allozva^rcc ;]     I  read, 

Feiy  expert^  and  ofappro^d  iiUa-wance,       To  h  N  s  o  w.    . 
Expert  and  approved  allowance  is  put  for  alkrvo^d  and  apprtrJd  ex* 
pertnejs.    This  mode  of  ex|^re(Bon  is  not  unfrequent  in  Shako* 
ipeare.     Steevens. 

•  jittd^  in  the  eflenti^l  veflure  of  creation^ 

Difes  bear  all  excellency ]     It  is  plain  that  ibmething  very 

h3rperbolical  was  here  intended.  But  what  is  there  as  ir  ttands  i 
Why  this,  that  in  the  eflence  of  creation  fhe  bore  all  excellency. 
The  expreffion  is  intolerable,  and  coulwl  never  come  from  one  who 
ib  well  underflood  the  force  of  words  as  our  poet.  The  eJfcHtial 
^vefture  is  the  fame  as  effential  form.  So  that  the  expreffion  i*  iioo- 
fcnfe.  For  the  vefiure  of  creation  fignifies  the  firms  iri  which 
Vol.  X.  I  i  created 


482  0    T    H    E    t    L    a 

Does  bear  all  excellency • — How  now?    wto  hit 
put  in? 

Re-enief 

.treated  ocings  art  caft;    Ahd  ^nce  relfltei  not  to  ^tfirm^  but  to 
the  matter.    Shakefpeare  certainly  wrote : 

.And  in  terreftrial  vefittre  efcreatiotu 
And  in  this  lay  the  wonder,  that  all  created  excellence  flxould  be 
contained  within  an  earthly  mortal  form*    WARfiUitroN. 

I  do  not  think  t&e  preient  reading  inei^plicable*  The  authof 
feemt  to  ufe  effentidij  fbr  tkiftetiU  rid.  She  excels  the  pnufes  of 
ioventionf  ikfs  he^  and  in  real  qualities^  with  which  crfatwm  ha 
ifpvejied  her,  iears  all  excelUncy.     Johnson. 

Does  bear  all  excellency — ]  Such  is  the  reading  of  the  (pnrtoc  ; 
for  which  the  foHo  has  this  : 

And  in  the  tffential  veftUre  qf  criaiiotl 
Do's  tyre  the  ifigeniuct; 
Which  I  explain  thus, 

Dtffi  tire  the  ingenious  veHe, 
This  is  the  bell  residing,  and  t^  Which  the  author  fi&f&tufe^ 
in  his  revifaltf    Johnson. 

The  reading  of  the  quarto  is  fo  flat  and  unpoetical,  when 
^compared  with  that  fehfc  which  feems  meant  to  have  been  given 
in  the  folio,  that  I  heartily  wifli  fome  emendation  could  be  hie  on^ 
which  might  entitle  it  taa  place  in  the  text.  I  believe  the  word 
tire  was  not  introduced  to  fignify — *o  fatigue^  but  to  attire^  td 
drefi.  The  verb  to  attire^  is  often  fo  abbreviated.  So,  in  UoU 
land's  Leagwer^  1^33  * 

"  —  Cupid's  a  boy, 
**  And  would  you  tire  him  like  a  (enator  ?" 
Again,  in  the  Comedy  of  Errors^  Ad  2«  Sc.  2. 

•*  —  To  fave  the  money  he  fpends  in  tiring^  6cc.^ 
Tie  effential  vefturt  ef  creation  tempts  me  to  believe  it  was  fo  uferf 
on  the  preient  occaiion;    I  would  read  fometbing  like  this : 
And  in  the  ejffenilal  <vefture  of  creation 
Does  tire  the  ingenuous  virtue, 
/.  ei.  invcfls  her  artlcfs  virtue  in  the  faireft  fof  m  of  earthly  fubflaBce^ 
In  the  Merchant  of  Vetiice^  A6t  5.  Lorenzo  calls  the  boJy— ' 
**  the  muddy  'oeflure  of  decay.** 

it  may,  howevftr,  be  obfervcd,  that  the  word  ingener  did  nc5t 

SiSciciltly  figniiy  om  whd  niam^es  the  enj^ines  or  artilleiy  of  an  anrty^ 
lOt  any  ingenious  ferfon^  any  mafter  of  liberal  fcience. 
So  in  B.,Jonron's  ^^VvM^i,  A(5l  i.  Sc.  i  : 
*'  No,  Silius,  we  arc  no  good  ingeners^ 
*^  Wii  want  the  fine  arts,"  &c. 
Ingtnef  therefore  may  be  the  true  reading  of  this  pailage:  and 
a  limilar  thought  occurs  .in  the  lempefl^  /^  4.  Sc.  1  : 


frHte  MOOR  OF  Venice^    483 

Re-enter  Gentleman. 

*Gent.  *Ti8  one  lago,  ancient  to  the  grhdral. 

C4/I  He  has  had  moft  favourable  and  happy  fpeed  t 
^empefts  themfelves,  high  feas,  and  howUnfg  windS| 
The  guttered  rocks«  and  congregated  fands,— 
7  Traitors  enftedp^d  to  clog  the  guiklefe  keel,-^ 
4^s  hi^ving  fenfe  of  beauty,  do  omit 
Their  mortal  natures,  letting  go  fafdy  by 
The  divine  t)cfdemona* 

Mont.  What  is  (he  ? 

Caf.  She  that  I  jfpake  of,  our  great  captain^  cap<» 
tain, 
Left  in  the  cohduft  of  tlie  bold  lago ; 
Whofe  footing  here  anticipates  our  thoughts^ 
A  fe*nhight*s  fpeed* — Great  Jove,  Othello  guard. 
And  (well  his  lail  with  thine  own  powerful  breath  i 
That  he  may  blefs  this  bay  with  his  tall  (hip, 
JVtak^  IdVe's  quick  pants  in  Defdemona's  arms  '| 
Give  renewed  fire  to  our  extinfted  fpirits. 

For  thoA  ftalt  find  (he  will  dutftrip  all  praift, 
And  make  h  tah  behind  her* 

in  the  A-gument  of  S^mts^  Jonfon  fikewife  fay»,  that  V\%  heni 
«»  worketh  with  all  hi«  ingtm^  apparently  from  the  Latin  #«* 
jenhn^.     Steeven^. 

»  Traitors  eitjietfi ]     Thus  the  folio  and  one  of  the  quartot^ 

The  firH  copy  reads— ^^jfep?]^//,  of  which  every  reader  may  makS 
Whit  he  pleales.  PerhapB  tnfc^tttd  was  ati  old  Englilh  word  bor- 
rowed from  the  French  tfcarpl^  which  Shake&eare  not  finding 
)congruoi!k8  to  the  image  of  cloge;ing  the  keel^  anerwards  chahsed, 

1  once  thought  thit  the  poet  had  written— ^traitdrs  enfiatf^J^  i.  ei 
muffled  in  their  robes,  al  in  yjr/uM  Cafar.  So,  in  tiOjftktt  **  My 
lea-gown  fiarf^d  about  me ; '  and  this  agrees  better  with  the  idesi 
irf  t  traitor :  yet  whateter  is  gainM  ohc  way  is  loft  amitbet.  'f  he 
poet  too  often  adopts  circuiblhnccs  from  erery  image  that  aroid 
ia  his  mind*  and  employing  them  wirhout  attention  to  the  pro* 
priety  of  their  union,  his  metaphorical  ezprefions  bccomt  inex« 
Iricably  confiifed.    StEEirfiitS. 

•  Make  love's  quick  pants  in  Defdemtufs  tfN^,]  ThUf  tBf 
folio.    The  quarto,  with  lefs  animation  t 

Md j''vi)iftlj  come  to  Defdemona's  arms.    STESYBirSt 


484  O    T    H    E    L    L    d. 

And  bring  all  Cyphis  '  comfort  I — O,  behblcf, 

Enier  De/demona,  lagc,  R^derigo^  and  Mmligm 

The  riches  of  the  flftp  is^  come  on  Ihorc ! — 
Tc  men  of  Cyprus,  let  her  have  your  knees : — 
Hail  to  thee,  lady !  and  the  grace  of  heaven. 
Before,  behind  thee,  and  on  every  hand, 
Enwhecl  thee  round ! 

Def.  I  thank  you,  valiant  CafEo. 
What  tidings  can  you  tcU  me  of  my  lord  ? 

Caf.  He  IS  not  yet  arrived ;  nor  know  I  aught 
But  that  he*s  well,  and  will  be  Ihortly  here, 

Def.  O,  but  I  fear ;— .How  loft  you  company  ^ 

Caf.  The  great  contention  of  the  fea  and  fkies 
Parted  our  fcllowfhip  :  But,  hark  !  a  lail. 

Within.']  A  fail,  a  fail !  [Guns  heard. 

Gent.  They  give  this  greeting  to  the  Citadel  •, 
This  likewife  is  a  friend. 

Caf.  See  for  the  news  '. —  \Jln  Attendant  goex  cut. 
Good  ancient,  you  are  welcome ; — Welcome,  miftrcfs. 

[To  j€milia. 
Let  it  not  gall  your  patience,  good  lago. 
That  I  extend  my  manners;  'tis  my  breeding 
That  gives  me  this  bold  (hew  of  courtefy.  [Kijfes  her. 

lago.  Sir,  would  Ihe  give  you  fo  much  of  her  lips. 
As  of  her  tongue  fhe  oft  beftows  on  me. 
You'd  have  enough.  ^ 

Def.  Alas,  ihe  has  no  fpeech« 

logo.  In  faith,  too  much  * ; 
I  find  it  ftill,  when  I  have  lift  to  fleep : 
Marry,  before  your  ladyftiip,  I  grant, 

'  jisJ  hring  all  Cyprus  comfort  /]     This  pafiage  is  only  found  ic 
the  quartos.    Steevens. 

.    '  See  for  the  ne^\u.'\    The  firft  quarto  reads,  8q /peaks  this  twicfs 

Steevens. 
*  In  faiths  too  much  \]    Thus  the  folio.    The  firft  quarto  thus : 
/  know  too  much ; 
I  find  it,  J;  for  wben^  &c.    Steevens* 

She 


THE  MOOR  OF  VENICE.      485 

'she  puts  her  tongue  a  little  in  her  heart. 
And  chides  with  thinking. 

jEmiL  You  have  little  caufe  to  fay  fo. 
lago.  Come  on,  come  on  j  you  are  pidurcs  out  of 
doors. 
Bells  in  your  parlours,  wild  cats  in  your  kitchens, 
5  Saints  in  your  injuries,  devils  being  oflFendcd, 
Players  in  your  houfewitcry,  and  houfewives  in  your 
beds. 
Def.  O,  fie  upon  t;hce,  flandercr  4 ! 
logo.  Nay,  it  is  true,  or  elfe  I  am  Turk ; 
You  rife  to  play,  and  go  to  bed  to  work. 
JSmiL  You  fliall  not  write  my  praile. 
lago.  No,  let  me  pot* 
Def.  What  wouldft  thou  write  .of  me,  if  thou 

ihouldft  praife  me  ? 
lago.  O  gentle  ladv,  do  not  put  me  tp*t ; 
For  I  am  nothing,  it  not  ^  cricicaU 

'  S^nu  hyour  tj^uries^  &c.]  Wlien  irou  liave  a  mind  to  do 
injuries,  you  put  oa  an  air  of  fan^tity.    Johnson. 

In  Futtenham's  Art  of  Poetry ^  1589,  I  meet  with  almoft  the 
lame  thoughts :— '*  We  limit  the  comely  parts  of  a  w<»man  to 
<*  condfl  in  four  points ;  that  is,  to  be  a  fhrew  in  the  kitchen, 
**  a  faint  in  the  church,  an  angel  at  board,  and  an  ape  In  the 
**  bed ;  as  the  chronicle  reports  by  miflrefs  Shore,  paramour  to 
"  K.  Edward  the  Fourth." 

A»ln,  in  a  play  of  Middleton^  called  Blurt  Mafter  Conftahk ; 
or,  ne  Spaniards  Nigbt-waliy  1 602 :  , 

**  -^according  to  that  wife  faving  of  you,  you  be  faints  in  the 
«  church,  angels  in  the  ftrect,  aeviis  in  the  kitchen,  aiid  apes  in 
♦«  your  bed.** 

Again,  in  the  Mijeria  rf'mfhrc^d  M4rriage^  1 607  :  **  Women  are 
in  churches  faints^  abroad  angels j  at  home  dcvilf*^ 

Puttenham,  who  mentions  all  other  contemporary  wrircrj^  has 
not  once  tpoken  of  Shakelpeare ;  lo  thai  it  is  probable  he  had  not 
produced  any  thing  of  fo  early  a  date.    St  sevens. 

*  O^jU  upon  tlxcy  Jlanderer  l^  This  (hort  fpeech  is,  in  the 
miarto,  *  unappropriated ;  and  may  as  well  belong  to  jEmiUa  as  to 
DcfdcmoTia* '  oteevens. 

*  —  tr/i/(w/.}    T\ax\zj  ctttjbrious*    Johnson. 

I  i  3  W^ 


486  O    T    H    E    L    L    0. 

Def^  Come  on,  affay :— There's  one  gone  to  tj^ 
harbour  ? 

lago.  Ay,  madam. 

"Def.  I  am  not  merry  ;  but  I  do  beguile. 
The  thing  I  am,  by  fecming  otherwife. — i 
Come,  how  wouldft  thou  praifc  me  \ 

lago.  I  am  about  it ;  but,  indeed,  my.  mventiofl 
Comes  from  my  pate,  as  bird-lime  does  from  frize^ 
It  plucks  out  brains  and  all :  But  my  mufe  tabours^ 
And  thus  fhe  is  delivered. 

If  (he  be  fair  ^nd  wif^, — fairnefe,  ;^q(}  wi^. 
The  one's  for  ufe,  the  other  ufcth  it. 

Def.  Well  prais'd  1  How  if  flic  bo  bkcfc  and  witty  ?, 

Jaga.  If  flie  be  black,  a.nd  thereto  have  a  wit. 

She'll  find  a  white  that  fliall  her  bUckneis  fit  ^ 

Hef.  Worfe  ^nd.  worfe. 

MmiU  How,  if  fair  and  fboKlh  ? 

lago^  7  She  never  yet  was  foolilh  that  was  fek  j 
For  even  her  folly  help'd  her  to  an  heir. 

J}ef:  Thcfe  are  old  fond  paradoxes,  to  piake  fboU 
laugh  i'  the  alehoufe.  What  miferable  praife  haft  thou 
for  her  that's  foul  and  foolifh  ?     . 

lago.  There's  none  fo  foul,  and  fooUfli  thereunto. 
But  does  foul  pranks  which  fair  and  wife 
ones  do. 

Def.  O  heavy  ignorance  I— thou  praifeft  the  worft. 

•  ~  ^<^  hlachufs  fit.]     The  firft  quarto  reads  hiu    Steevens. 
^  3be  never  yet  was  fiol{/by  fcc]     We  may  read. 
She  ne'er  was  yet  fo  fioHfi  that  'stw  /&/>, 
But  en;en  her  folly  belfd her  to  an  heir^ 
Yet  I  believe  the  common  reading  to  be  right :  the  law  makes  tkc 
^powcr  of  cohabitation  a  proof  that  a  man  is  not  a  natural^  there- 
Tore,  fince  the  foolifheft  woman,  \S  pretty y  may  have  a  child,  no 
prftty  woman  is  ever  fooliih,    Johnson. 


iTHE  MOOR  OF  VENICE.      487 

)>efl:«  But  what  praife  couldft  thou  bellow  on  a  de« 
icrving  woman  indeed  ?  ^one,  that,  in  the  authority 
of  her  merit,  did  juftly  put  on  the  vouch  of  very 
fpalicc  itfelf  ? 

Jago.  She  that  was  (ever  fair,  and  never  proud  ; 
Had  tongue  at  will^  and  yet  was  never  loud ; 
Never  lacked  gold,  and  ypt  went  never  gay; 
Fled  from  her  wifh,  and  yet  faid, — now  Imay-^ 
She  that,  being  anger'd,  her  revenge  being 

nigh. 
Bade  her  wrong  ftay,  and  her  difpkafure  fly ;   , 
She  that  in  wifdom  never  was  fo  frail, 
To  change  the  cod's  head  for  the  falmon'$ 
tail  9  J 

f  *-  pge^  that  in.  tJ)e  atuhority  rf  her  merits  did  jufty  put  on  the 
wouch  rf  nfcry  malice  it/effT']  Though  all  the  printeid  copies  agree 
\n  this  reading,  I  cannot  help  fufpeding  it^  If  the  text  fhould  be 
genuine,  I  confefs  it  is  :»bove  my  underibnding.  In  what  fenfe 
can  merit  be  faid  to  put  on  the  vouch  of  malice  ?  I  (hould  rather 
think,  merit  was  fo  iafe  in  itfelf,  as  to  repel  and  put  off  all  th^t 
inalice  and  envy  could  advance  and  affirm  to  its  prejudice.  I  have 
ventured  to  reform  the  text  to  'this  conflru£tion,  by  writing  put 
drMftf  a  very  flight  change  that  makes  it  intelligible.  Theobald. 
onf^  that  in  the  authority  rf  her  merit  did  jujify  put  on  the 
fuouch  rf  very  m0iice  i/JelfT]  The  editor,  Mr.  Theobald,  not  un* 
derfbinding  the  phrafe,  Topift  on  fhe  vouch  rf  malice ^  has  altered  it  to 
put  dywMy  and  wrote  a  deal  c\i  unintelli|^ible  fluff  to  juflify  his 
plunder.  7oput  on  t^  vouch  rf  any  one^  hgQifies,  to  call  upon  any 
•ne  to  vouch  fqr  another.  So  that  the  lenfe  of  the  place  is  this, 
one  that  was  fo  f  onfcious  of  her  own  merit,  and  of  the  authority 
her  chancier  had  witji  every  one,  that  (he  durfl  venture  to  caU 
ypon  malice  itfelf  to  vouch  for  her.  This  was  fome  commendation. 
And  the  chara^f^r  only  of  clearefl  virtue ;  which  could  force  malice* 
pvcn  againft  its  nature,  to  do  juflicc.     Warpprton. 

To  put  on  the  vouch  rfmalice^  is  to  affiime  a  charader  vouched  by 
the  teitimony  of  malice  irfelf.    Johnson. 

-^-^^put  on  the  vouch.]  To  put  om  is  toprovoie^  to  incite.    So,  in 
JJacheth :       —  the  powers  above 

Put  on  their  indruments.    Steevens. 

*  To  change  the  cod's  hendfirthe  falmon*8  tail;]    /•  r.  to  ex« 
change  a  dchcacy  for  coarfcr  fare.    Steeybns* 

114  $hq 


48^  OTHELLO^ 

She  that  could  tbbk^  and  ne'er  difclofe  hep 

mind. 
Sec  fuitors  following,  and  not  look  behind  ^ ; 
She  was  a  wight, — it  ever  fuch  wight  wcrc,-r 

J)ef.  To  do  what  ? 

la^o.  »  To  fuckle  fook,  ?nd  (chronicle  fmall  beer. 

Def.  O  moft  lame  and  impotent  conclufipn ! — Dq 
pot  learn  of  him,  Emilia,  though  he  be  thy  huf- 
band. — How  fay  you,  Caflio?  is  he  not  a  moft' 
prof^c  and  4  J^beral  cpunfeUor  ? 

Caf. 

•    ?  Sec  fuitors  filiowing^  and  n^i  Jeok  hebind\^    The  fir/l  quarto 
omits  this  line.     Steevens. 

^  To  fucklc  fools^  and  chronicle  fmall  hcer^  '  After  enumerating 
tjie  perfe<5HQns  gf  a  woman,  lago  ^ds,  that  if  ever  there  was  {uch 
a  one  as  he  had  been  dcfcribing,  (he  was,  at  the  beft,  of  no  other 
ufe,  than  /<»  fuckle  children^  and  keep  the  accounts  efa  houfebold.  TFp 
cxprdlions  to  fucklefools^ and tbronicle  fmall  ieer,  nre  only  inflanccs  of 
the  want  of  natural  affecftlon,  and  the  predominance  of  a  critical 
cenforiou^nefs  in  lago,  which  he  allows  himfelf  to  be  pofleiled  of, 
where  he  fays,  O/  I  amncthing^  if  mt  critical.     SrEEVENS. 

*  — frcfane — ]     Grofs  of  language,  of  expreffion  broad  and 
t>rutal.     So  Brabantio,  in  the  firfl  a<^,  calls  l^gof^efane  wretch. 
'  Johnson-. 

♦ — liberal  f^Kw/f/V  ^]     Liheral^  for  licentious,    Warburton. 
So,  in  the  Fair  Maid  of  Briflow^  1605,  bl.  1.  ' 
**  But  Valledger,  moft  like  a  USeral  villain, 
**  Did  give  her  fcandalous,  ignoble  terms.'* 
SojXH  Hamlet  r     *  * 

•*  That  //3rrij/(hepherds  give  a  groffer  name.'^ 
BIr.  Malone  adds  another' inftancc  from  JVomas^s  ef  Weaiber-cocly 
by  N.  Field,  1612: 
^  •*  —  Next  that,  the  fome 

*«  Of  jrour  nc^le6t*and  Uberal  talking  tongue, 
**  Which brecdt  my  hoiiour  an  leternal  wr6ng.**  Steevens. 
How  fe^you^  CaJSoy  is  be  not  a  fnojt' frofang  and  liberal  co\xvs![€OioT  ?] 
But  in  what  refpe(i  wag  la^  si  councilor  T  He  caps  fentences,  in- 
feed':  but  they  are  not  by  Way  of  adt^ice^  but  dcfcriptitm  :  what  he 
j^ys,  is,  reflexions  on  chara61er  and  conduft  in  life.  For  thk 
icalbn,  1 4m  yery  apt  to  think,  our  author  wrote  cenfkrer. 

Qiafillor 


THE  MOOR  OF  VENICE.      499 

Caf.  He  fpeaks  home,  madam ;  you  may  relili| 
\kvai  moc^  io  the  foldier,  than  in  the  fcholan 

lago.  {Aftde^^  He  takes  her  by  the  palm:  Ay,' 
well  faid^  whifper :  with  as  little  a  web  as  this,  will 
I  enfnare  as  great  a  fly  as  Caflio.  Ay,  fmile  upon 
her,  do  ;  5 1  will  gyve  thee  in  thine  own  courtlhip. 
You  lay  true;  'tis  fo,  indeed:  if  fuch  tricks  as 
thefe  ftrip  you  out  of  your  lieutenantry,  it  hac}  been 
better  you  had  not  kifs'd  your  three  fingers  fo  ofi^ 
which  now  again  you  are  mod  apt  to  play  the  fir  in^ 
Very  good  ;  ^  well  kifs*d  !  an  excellent  courtcfy ! 
>*tis  fo,  indeed.  Yet  again  your  fingers  to  your  lips  ? 
*  would,  they  wprc  clyfter-pipes  for  your  fake ! — 

The  Moor, — I  know  his  trumpet. 
Caf.  'Tis  truly  fo. 

Def.  Let's  meet  him,  and  receive  him* 
Caf.  Lo,  where  he  comes  I 

Enter  Othelkj  and  Attendants. 

ptb,  O  my  fair  warrior  | 

Bef.  My  dear  Othello  ! 

Otb.  It  gives  me  wonder  great  as  my  content. 
To  f^e  yoii  here  before  me.     O  my  foul's  joy  ! 
If  after  every  tcmpeft  come  fuch  calmnefs. 
May  the  winds  blow  'till  they  have  waken'd  death  1 
And  let  the  labouring  bark  climb  hills  of  feas, 
Olympus  high  ^  and  duck  again  as  low 

Ow^llor  fccms  to  meany  not  (o  much  a  man  that  gives  comfeJ^ 
as  one  that  difcourfes  fearlefsly  apd  volubly*    A  talker. 

JOHNSOK., 

*  — I  win  gyve  tJ!?ee^]  i.e.  catch,  fhacklc.     Pope. 

The  firft  quano  reads—**  I  will  catcif  you  ip  your  own  rwtr- 
^rjies;**  the  fecond  quarto — **  I  will  cafe// yo\x  in  your  own  couit* 
ihip.**    The  folio  as  it  is  in  the  text.     St  £  evens* 

•  — 'weli  kij^d  and  exctlknt  cpurufy  ; — ]  This  1  think  fhould  be 
printed,  «iuf  A' i//iV/  ^x\  cxccUem  courtrfy  !  Spoken  when  Caffio  kiiles 
bis  hand,  and  Dcfdemona  courtefic^*    JpHNSOV.. 

.'^be  old  quarto  confirms  Dr.  Johni'ou's' emendation. 

Steevens. 
♦  A. 


;^jo  i)    T    H    E    L    L    O^ 

J^  hell's  from  heaven!  If  k  wei«  now  to  cSc^ 
^Twere  now  to  be  moft  hippy ;  for,  I  for> 
My  foul  bath  her  cqatent  io  abfolute, 
^hat  not  another  comfort  like  to  tbi$ 
^^cceeds  in  unknown  fuc. 

JP(/;  The  heavens  forlnd^ 
But  th^t  Qor  loves  and  comfoft;  ibouki  f ncrq^ 
^ven  as  our  days  do  grow ! 

Qtlu  Amen  to  that,  fweet  powers  h-r 
I  ciimiot  fpeak  enough  of  this  co{itent> 
Jt  flops  me  here  \  it  is  too  much  of  joy  : 
And  thisy  and  this,  the  greatieft  difcords  b^^Ki^f^beir'^^ 
That  e'er  our  hearth  0iaU  make ! 


lagOm  Of  you  are  well  tun'd  now  ! 

Jul  rn 


Put  ril  kl  down  the  pqg)  that  make  ^i$  mufic, 
As  honed  as  I  am.  [/^^^^ 

Otb.  Come,  let  us  to  the  caftle.— 
f  Ncws^  friends  -,  oi?f '  wars  arc  done,  tke  Tvirl^  affC 

drowned.  '' 
How  dp  our  old  acquaintance  of  thi$  iflc  ?-ni 
Hpney,  you  fliall  be  well  defir'd  in  Cyprus, 
i  have  found  great  love  fimongft  them.    O  my  fweet| 
?  I  prattle  out  of  faihion,  and  I  dote 
\ti  mine  own  comforts. — I  pr*ythee,  good  lago, 

?  Andibh^  and  thisy  &c.  Kljfinghtr^    So,  in  Marlow'f  Li^\ 
'^amnion: 

i         ^^  I  prythee  cbide  if  I  hsve  done  amifi, 
\^  But  let  my  puniihnient  be  this  ^id  this? 

'     ♦«  Kifin^theMiHfrr 

Malonc* 
Mnrlow^s  Play  was  written  before  tbat  of  Shakefpeare,  whp 
might  poiriblyhave  adc(J  in  it,    Steevens^ 

^  }^c^j:s^  friends ;— ]     The  modern   editors  read    (after  Mr, 
Kowc)  Now^  friends,    I  would  obferve  once  for  afl,  that  (in  nuro* ' 
berlcfs  inftances  in  this  play,  as  well  as  in  others)  where  mV  prtf- 
fleceifors  had  filently  and  without  reafon  made  alterations,  1  hare 
fis  fikntly  rcftored  the  old  readings.    Steevens. 

«  I pratile  iKit  of  fq/biony — ]     Out  of  l^Cthod,  lyithqut  ^V  fettW 
wder  of  difcouife,    JpiiNsofiir. 

Go 


¥hb  MOOR  OF  VENJCfi.     4^1 

fto  to  the  bay,  wcj  difembark  ipy  coffers : 

ferin^  thou  "  the  matter  ta  the  citadel  j 

He  IS  a  good  one,  and  hi§  worthincis 

Does  challenge  eiuch  refpc^.r^Cpme,  Deidenwmii 

pncc  more  well  met  at  Cyprus*. 

rSsceum  OtbcUo^  OtjUmonay  and  JiUndntx. 

Ja^Q.  Do  thou  meet  nae  prefently  at  the  harbow. 
jCome  hither.  If  thou  be'ft  valiant  5  as  (they  fay)  bafe 
men,  being  in  love,  have  then  a  nobility  in  their  nn- 
turcs  more  than  is  native  to  theoi,-<-lift  me.  The 
iieutenint  to-night  watches  QP  the  court  of  guard  * : 
^Firft^  I  muatelUhpc  this»— Defdemona  U  diredly 
in  love  with  hirn. 

Rod.  With  him  1  why,  'tis  not  poffiWe^ 
^  lijgo.  3  Lay  thy  finger— thus,  and  let  tby  faul  h6 
inftruated.  Mark  me  with  what  vioteace  ftc  fiift 
lov*d  the  Moor,  but  for  bragging,  and  telling  bar 
fantaftical  lies :  And  will  Ihc  love  him  ftiU  for  pra- 
ting 4  ?  let  not  thy  difcreet  heart  think  it,  Hcf  eye 
muft  be  fed  j  and  what  delight  ihall  fee  have  to 
jook  on  the  devil  ?  s  When  the  blood  is  made  dull 
y^ith  the  aft  of  fport,  there  fliould  be,— again  to  in- 

flame 

^^^themajfer^']    The  pilot  of  the  Aid.    JfoHN'sow. 
--tbe  court  rf^guard^l  u  e,  the  phce  where  the   euard 
ipuftCTf .    So,  in  The  Family  rf  tovt^^  i6o8  : 
'      ^     «  Thus  hare  I  pafs'd  the  round  and  court  of  guar  J."" 
Afi9IP,  in  xht  Bear's  Bttjb,  by  Beaumont  and  Fletcher : 

"  Vifit  your  courts  rf  guard^  view  your  munition.'* 

^  r      .JL   i?         7         1    ^     ,  Steevens. 

^  Lay  thy  finger  thus,— ]  On  thy  mouth,  to  flop  it  while  thou 
W  liltening  to  a  wifer  man.    Johnson. 

"^  And  yiiUJhe  Jove  him  Jill  fir  pratingt]    The  folio  reads— 
To  love  htm  JiiU  fir  fnrati^  !    Steevens. 

«  When  the  blood  is  made  dull  ivitb  the  a£l  offyort,  there  Jhouldhe 
a  game  to  inflame  it,  and  to  give  fatiety  afr^b  appetite  %  kveUncfi  in 
Jan^our,  Jympat/jy  m  years,  manners,  and  beauties  j— ]  This  it  is 
true,  IS  the  reading  of  the  generality  of  the  copies  :  but,  methinks, 
itisavenr  peculiar  acpenraent,  whep  the  blood  and  fpirits  arc 
auU<^  and  echauftcd  with  fport,  to  raife  and  recruit  them  by  fport : 
lipl^Jfort  ^n^gqme  are  but  two  words  fdr  the  ^me  thing.    I  have 

'     '        "     \     '     '■  retrieved 


49*  OTHELLO. 

flame  it^,  and  to  give  fatiety  a  frclh  appetite^— ^ 
lovelinefs  in  favour ;  fympathy  in  years,  manners, 
and  beauties ;  all  which  the  Moor  is  defedive  in  : 
l^Jow,  for  want  of  thefc  required  conveniences^  hef 
delicate  tendernefs  will  find  itfelf  abus'd,  begin '  to 
heave  the  gorge,  difrelifh  and  abhor  the  Moor ;  very 
nature  wiH  inRruA  her  in  it,  and  compel  her  to  (omp 
iecond  choice.  Now^  fir,  this  granted,  (as  it  is  a 
nioft  pregnant  a[nd  unforc'd  pofition)  who  ftands  fo 
eminently  in  the  degree  of  this  fortune,  as  Caflio 
does  ?  a  knave  very  voluble ;  no  farther  confcion- 
^ble,  than  in  putting  on  the  mere  form  of  ci?il  and 
humane  feemine,  for  the  better  compafCng  of  his 
fait  and  moft  hidden  loofe  afFedionr  why,  none; 
why,  none:  A  flippery  and  fubtle  knave-,  a  finder 
out  of  occafions ;  that  has  an  eye  can  ftamp  and 
counterfeit  advantages,  though  true  advantage  never 
prefent  itfelf:  A  devilifti  knave  !  befides,  the  knave 
is  handfome,  young ;  and  hath  all  thole  requifites  in 
him,  that  folly  and  7  green  rnind^  look  after:  A  pe- 
Hiknt  complete  knav^ ;  an^  the  woman  hath  fbun4 
him  already. 

Rod.  I  cannot  believe  that  in  her;  (he  is  full  of 
moft  blefty  ^  coodition. 

lag^.  Blefs'd  figs'  end !  the  wine  (he  drinks  is 
made  of  grapes  :  if  (he  had  been  blcf^'d,  fhe  wouki 
never  have  lov'd  the  Moor :  Blefs^d  pudding !  Didft 

retrieved  the  pointing  and  reading  of  the  elder  ouarto^  which  cer- 
tainly gives  09  the  poet*§  ^fe ;  that  when  the  blood  is  dulled  with 
the  exercife  of  pleafure,  there  fhould  be  proper  incentives  on  each 
fide  to  r^fe  it  agai\  as  the  charms  of  beauty,  equality  of  ycajs, 
and  agreement  of  manners  and  difpphnon ;  which  are  waonng  ia 
Othello  to  rekindle  Defdemona^s  paH)on»    Theobald. 

•  —  again  fo  inftame  it,)  Thus  the  quarto  162 1^  It  is  the  folio 
reads — a  game.    Ste  evens* 

'  — gf^f^  mindi'-^l    Minds  unripe  minds  not  yet  fully  formed. 

jORCtSOtC. 

^  «-*  am^tlcnJl    Qualities  diipofitioo  of  mind.    JpHNf  on* 

tkoa 


titB  MOOR  Of  VENICE.      49JI 

thou  not  fee  her  paddle  with  the  palm  of  hts  hand  i 
didft  not  mark  that  ? 

Rod.  Yes,  that  I  did ;  but  that  was  but  courtefy^ 

lago*  Lechery,  by  this  hand  I  an  index^  and  ob- 
fcure  prologue  9  to  the  hiftory  of  lufl:  and  foul 
thoughts.  They  met  fo  near  with  their  lips,  that 
their  breaths  embraced  together*  Villainous  thoughts, 
Roderigo  I  when  thefe  mutualities  {6  marihal  the  way, 
hard  at  hand  comes  the  matter  and  main  exercife, 
the  incorporate  conclufion  :  Pi(h  1 — But,  fir,  be  you 
rul'd  by  me :  1  .have  brought  ^you  from  Venice. 
Watch  you  to-night;  for  the  command.  Til  lay't 
upon  you  :  Caflio  knows  you  not; — I'll  not  be  far 
from  you  :  Do  you  find  fome  occafion  to  aneer 
Calfio,  either  by  fpeaking  too  loud,  or  ^  tainting  his 
difcipline ;  or  from  what  other  courfe  *  you  pleafe, 
which  the  time  fhall  more  favourably  minifter. 

Rod.  Well. 

lago.  Sir,  he  is  ra(h,  and  very  s  fudden  in  choler ; 
and,  haply,  with  his  truncheon  may  ftrike  at  you : 
Provoke  him,  that  he  may :  for,  even  out  of  that, 
will  I  caufe  thefe  of  Cyprus  to  mutiny  ;  4  whofe  qua- 
lification fhall  come  into  no  true  tafte  again,  but  by 

9  <^an  index  and  obfcure  probpte^  &c,]  That  indezci  WCfC 
fbrm^ly  frefixtd  to  books,  Appears  from  a  pailage  in  Troilui  and 
Crejida: 

**  And  in  fuch  indexes  though  but  fmall  pricka 
To  their  fubfequcnt  volumes,  there  is  feen 
The  baby  figure  of  the  giant  ma(s 
Cf  things  to  come  at  large."     Maloite. 

*  *^  tainting'^^    Throwing  a  flur  upon  hig  dircipliae* 

Johnson. 
«  —  tft^courle— ]    The  firft  quarto  reads,  cauje.  SrEErENS, 

•  -^fudden  in  choler  i— ]    Sudden^  is  precipitately  violent. 

Johnson. 

♦  —  wioft  aualification^/j/?  come^  &c.]  Whofe  refentment  ihall 
not  be  fo  quaUjied  or  temfered^  as  to  be  voeU  tafted^  as  not  to  retain 

J^me  bitttmejh  The  phrafe  is  harlb,  at  leaft  to  our  ears*    Johnson. 
Perhaps  qualification  means  fitnefs  to  preferve  good  order ^  or  /fc 
regularity  of  military  difcipline*    Stee  yens* 

the 


4M  O    T   rt   fe   L   t   (5, 

the  difplatitiflg  of  Cafllo.  So  (hill  you  have  2 
fliorter  journey  to  your  defires,  by  the  means  I  ihall 
then  have  to  prefer  them  j  and  the  impediment  moft 
profitably  removed,  wjthout  the  which  there  were  no 
cxpeftation  of  oar  proQjerity. 

Rod.  I  will  do  tnis,  if  you  can  bring  ic  to  an/ 
opportunity. 

lago.  I  warrant  thee.    Meet  me  by  and  by  at  the 
citactel :  I  muft  fetch  his  neccffaries  amore.    Farewel. 

Red.  Adieu.  [E:diis 

logo.  That  Oaflio  loves  her,  I  do  well  believe  lt| 
That  fhe  loves  him,  'ris  apt,  and  oi  treat  Credit : 
The  Moor — howbclt  that  I  endure  mm  nor,-* 
Is  of  a  conftant,  teving,  noble  nature; 
And,  I  dare  think,  he'll  provt  to  Defdemona 
A  moft  dear  hufband.    Now  1  do  love  hef  too  % 
Not  out  of  abfolute  hift,  (though,  peradVenturS^ 
I  (land  accountant  for  as  great  a  fln) 
But  partly  led  to  diet  my  revengt^ 
For  that  I  do  fiifpeft  the  lurty  Moor 
Hath  lctap*d  into  nry  feat  t  the  thought  whefSof 
Doth,  5  hkc  a  poifonous  mineral,  gnaw  mv  inward*  t 
And  nothing  can  or  Ihall  content  my  foul, 
'Till  I  am  even  with  him  *,  wife  for  wife  j 
Or,  failing  fo,  yet  thar  1  put  the  Moor 
At  leaft  into  a  jealoufy  lo  ftrong 

»  ^^Uhapaifitttmmiueraft^  Thh  i*  phUbfo|>Kleal.     Mincrd 
poi  fons  kill  by  corrofion.     J  o  h  M s  o N . 

•  ^Tilllam  even  iOitb  bi/tt,^    Thus  the  quarto,  l6ii  ;  the firfi 
folio  ide^  t 

Ttll  I  am  evetfd  with  him« 
i.  r.  THi  I  am  ott  a  level  with  kim  by  itfaliatioh. 
So,  in  lleywoodV  hm  J^e^  x6Ji,  Sfccohd ?art : 

••  The  flately  walls  he  rcar*d,  IcrcU'd,  and  «f«U* 
Again,  in  Tancrn^ i^GiJmund^  xypi  .* 

•'  For  now  the  walls  are  eoef^A  wiA  iheptaln.** 
Agrffl,  in  StatyhutJTs  tranflation  of  the  firlf  book  of  Virgil  J 
^ntldj  15B2  :    -^  nwnerum  cum  navibus^^//^?/.— 

4t  .^  with  the  ihips  the  number  is  fit»U**    StEE vei^si 
»  That 


^hat  judgment  cannot  cure.    7  Which  tbiiw  to  do,-^ 
If  this  poor  tr^fli  of  Y enitie^  ^  UMhom  I  cram 

For 

♦  rf-;—  ^ici  thing  fdj§^ 

If  this  poor  traih  of  P^enlce^  w^m  /trace 

For  his  quick  hinting^  JianJ  the  tutting  on^"]  A  trifling,  itl- 
figniflcant  fcnow  may,  in  fomc  rtljpeas,  very  well  be  called  trajb ; 
but  the  metaphor  is  not  preierved.  For  what  agreement  16  ther^ 
betwixt  trajbj  and  quick  huntings  arid  fiatuUng  the  putting  oh  t  Th^ 
illuiion  to  the  chace^  Shakeipeare  feems  to  be  fond  of  applying  tot 
tlodengo,  who  iays  of  himfelf  towards  the  condufion  of  this  Acl :    - 

I  fiSomjbertiA  the  chace,  not  like  a  hound  that  hunts,  lui  one  thai 
.fiUs  vp  the  cry. 

I  fnppofe  dierefoTe  that  the  poet  wrote^ 
^  this  poor  hrach  ef  Fenice^  '  ■ 
Which  18  a  low  ipedes  of  bounds  of  the  chace,  and  a  terni  generally 
iifed  in  GDntempt :  and  this  completes  and  perfeds  the  nieta^horical 
allufioriy  and  makes  it  much  more  fatiricali  Vlitius,  in  his  notes 
on  Gratius^  fays,  Racha  Saxonihus  canem  ^gntficaiat^  unde  Scoti  hodie 
Vachtpro  cdne  fimina  baheni^  quodAigUs  eft  JSrache.  Nos  verd  (he 
(peaks  of  the  Hollanders)  Brach  non  quemvis  cdnem  fed  Jagacem 
^uocamus.    So  the  French,  Braque^  ef^  de  cbien  de  cbajc*    Menage 

BcimoU     WAHBURTONi 

•  —  whom  I  do  trace 

For  his  quick  huntings         ]     Juft  the  contrary.    He  did  not 
trace  him,  he  put  him  on,  a|  he  fays  immediately  after.    The  old 
quarto  leads  to  this  true  itading : 
—  vohom  I  do  crulh 
For  his  quick  hunting,— -^-^ 
Plainly  cofrupted  from  cheri/i,     War  b t r  Toil. 

^— .  whom  I  do  trace]  It  is  a  term  of  hunting  or  fieldlport  i 
«o  trace  fometimes  iignifics  to  ^llow,  a^  Henry  VIII.  Adt  3. 
Scene  a : 

Now  all  joy  trace  the  conjunHion ; 
and  a  dog  or  a  man  traces  a  hare :  but  to  trace  a  dog,  in  thofe  fpoftsj 
is  to  put  a  trace,  ov  pair  of  couples,  upon  him  }  and  fuch  a  dog  is  faid 
to  be  traced.    The  ienfe,  then,  of 
■.  ■    ■'  whom  I  do  trace 
For  his  quick  hunting,  '    ■' 
Is  this,  whom  I  do  afTociate  to  me  for  the  pUrpoleof  ruihingCaffld ' 
the  foobcr.    T.  Row.     . 

If  this  poor  tralh  rf  Venice,  whom  I  trace 

For  his  quick  hunting,  fiofid  the  putting  wr,  j  l5r,  \frarbur- 
ton,  with  his  ufual  happy  fagacity,  turned  the  old  reading 
hritjb  into  hrach.  But  it  feems  to  me,  that  trajh  belongs  to  ari- 
bthcr  part  of  the  line,  and  that  we  (hould  read  trofl?  for  trace. 
The  old  quanos  ^in  the  &rae  port  ofc"  the  Moc)  fea.l  auj}?,  fignify- 

mg 


49^  OTHELLO, 

For  his  quick  hunting,  Hand  the  putting  oil; 
9  I'll  have  our  Michael  Calfio  on  the  hip ; 

ibg  indeed  the  fame  as  trajb^  but  plainly  corrupted  from  if# 
To  trq/b  a  bound  is  a  term  of  hunting  uill  ufed  in  the  norths  and 
perhaps  not  uncommon  in  other  parts  of  England.  It  is,  to  cor* 
rc6t,  to  rate,  Crujb  was  never  the  iechMtcal  exprcfltion  on  this  oc- 
cafion  ;  and  only  found  a  place  here  as  a  more  familiar  word  with* 
the  printers.  The  fenfe  is,  **  If  this  tound  ft.oderigo,  whom  I 
rate  for  quick  hunting,  for  over^running  the  fcent,  will  but 
Jfand  the  putting  on,  W\\\  but  have  patience  t6  be  fiirly  and  pro- 
perly put  upon  the  fcent,  &c."  This  very  hunting  term  to  ira0 
18  metaphorically  applied  by  our  author  in  the  ^cmpejt^  V.  I.  Sc,  i. 

p.  13- 

FroJ^.  Being  once  pcife«^ed  how  to  grant  fuits, 

How  to  deny  them,  whom  t*^vance,  and  whom 
"f  o  *  tr^fh  for  overtopping,^ 
5to  trq/h  fir  overtopping  \  1.  e.  *'  What  fuitors  to  check  for  their 
too  great  forvvardnels."    liere  dnother  phrafe  of  the  field  is  joined 
with  to  trajb»    To  overtop  is  when  a  hound  gives  his  tongue  above 
ihe  reft,  too  loudly  or  too  readily  j  for  which  he  ought  to  be  trq/h^d 
or  rated.     Topper^  in  the  good  fenfe  of  the  word,  is  a  common 
name  for  a  hound.     Shakefpehre  is  fond  of  alluHons  to  huntingi , 
and  appears  to  be  well  acquainted  with  its  language.     This  exph- 
cation  of  tr^  illuftrates  a  paiTage  in  the  Bonduca  of  Beaumont  and 
Fletcher,  which  has   been  hitherto  mifunderilood  and  mifrcpre- 
fented ;  and  where  the  ufe  of  the  word  ecjually  refleitts  light  on  oui 
author.    Aft  i*  Sc.  x.  voL  vi.  p.  274, 

Car.  I  fled  too. 

But  not  fo  faft  :  your  jewel  had  been  loff  then. 
Young  Hengo  there ;  he  trajb^d  me. 
Heretionduca  and  Nennius  are  accufing  Caratach  of  running  away 
from  the  Roitians.  Caratach  anfvvers,  *'  It  is  very  true,  Nennius, 
that  I  tied  from  the  Romans. — ^But  recoiled,  I  did  not  run  (b  fad  as 
you  pretend:  I  foon  flood  ftill  to  defend  your  favourite  )routh  Ha^o: 
—He  STOPPED  vnyjligbtj  and  I  faved  his  life.**  In  this  paflage, 
where  trq/b  properly  fignifies  cbeck^  the  commehtators  fubiHtute 
trace :  a  correiftion,  which  entirely  dellroys  the  force  of  the  con- 
text, and  the  fpirit  of  the  reply.     W a  R  t  o  n  . 

To  trqfb  likewife  fignifies  to  foUo^M.  So,  in  the  Puritan  W^tdow, 
160; :  *•  A  guarded  lackey  to  run  before  it,  and  pyM  liveries  to 
come  trajbittg  after  it.**  The  repetition  of  the  word  trajb  is  much 
in  Shakefpeare's  manner,  though  in  his  word.  In  a  fubfequent 
fcene,  lago  calls  BiaiKa— ^/r^/^,     Steetens. 

•  ru  have  our  Micbael  Ca£0  on  the  bip  f  J  A  phcale  fros^  the  art 
of  wrefiling.    Johnson. 

•  Sir  7;  H.  reads /J^,  which  lee 

Abufe 


THt  MOOR  OF  VEN  ICE*      49;^ 

Abufe  him  to  the  N^oor  » in  the  rtink  garb, — 

tor  I  fipar  Caffio  with  my  night- cap  fcoo-, 

Make  the  Moor  thank  me,  love  me,  and  reward  me. 

For  making  him  egregioufly  an  afs, 

And  praftifing  upon  his  peace  and  quiet 

Even  to  madnefs.    *Tis  here^  but  yet  eohfus^d  i     "^ 

*  Knavery's  plain  face  is  never  fecn,  ^till  iis'dt  [£;^//« 

SCENE       IL 

A  ftneii 

knter  Herald^  with  a  proctamation* 

Hdr.  It  is  Othello's  pleafure,  our  nobte  and  va- 
liant general,  that,  upon  certsdn  tidings  now  arriv'd, 
importing  the  *  mere  p^frdttion  ot  the  Turkifti  fleet, 
every  man  put  himfelf  into  triumph  ;  fome  to  dance, 
ibme  to  make  bonfires,  each  man  to  what  fpnrt  and 
revels  his  addition  ^  leads  him ;  for,  brfides  thele 
beneBcial  news,  it  is  the  celebration  of  his  nuptials : 
So  nduch  was  his  pleafure  (hould  be  proclaimed      AU 

^  *^m  the  right  gwrhi\  The  cjuartr .  reads  in  the  rank  gjarb, 
which  I  thiok  is  righu  Rankgarh^  I  believe,  means^  g^'*fih^  «•  e. 
nvithotu  mincii^  the  matter^  So,  in  Marlton^s  Dutch  Courtezan, 
1604: 

^  Whither,  in  the  r^k  name  of  madnels,  whithc^r  ?** 

STB£VEKf, 

*  Knavery s  plain  foci  £l  never  feen^-^]  An  honcft  man  z6k» 
iijpdn  a  plaoy  and  forecafts  his  defigns ;  but  a  knaYe^dtpends  \^potk 
temporary  and  local  opporrunities,  and  never  knows  his  own  pur* 
i)ofe,  but  at  the  dnie  of  execUdon.    Joh^tson. 

i  ^  mere /rrit^iM—]  Mete  in  this  ifiwt  fignifles  entire.  So, 
\xkHamlei: 

**  ■  polfefs  It  merely^    SteeVens. 

Sd,  in  A  Warning  fir  faire  JFomHk^  a  trairedy,  i  J99 1 
•*  Why  then  you  arc  pcrt'uadcd  certainly, 
**  That  miftrefs  Saunders  ig  mere  innocent.**    Malonb. 
^  '^bis  addition]    The  firft  quarto  reads,  hii  ^'W. 

Stbevens* 

YoL.  X*  K  k  Offices 


49$  OTHELLO, 

offices  are  open ;  and  thctt  is  full  Tiberty  of  feait!i£g^ 
from  this  prefcnt  hour  of  five,  'cill  the  bell  hath  told 
eleven.  Heaven  blefs  the  iflc  of  Cyprus,  and  our 
noble  general  Othello !  [£xi/« 

SCENE        IIL 

ne  caftU. 
Enter  OthcHo^  Defdemona^  Cajffio,  and  Attendants, 

0th.  Good  Michael>  look  you  to  the  guard  to 
night : 
Let^s  teach  ourfehres  that  honourable  fbp. 
Not  to  eut-iport  difcretion* 

Caf.  lago  hath  direfUon  what  to  do ; 
But,  notwithl^anding,  with  noy  peribnal  eye 
Will  1  look  to't. 

Oih^  lagQ  is  nioft  honeft^ 
Michael,  good  night; :  To-morrow,  viith  your  earKeft,r 
Let  me  have  fpccch  with  you.-^— Come,  my  dear  k>ve; 
The  pprchafc  made,  the  fruttt  are  to  cnfqe  ^  [fi  IkJL 
That  profit's  yet  to  come  'twixt  me  and  you. — 
Good  ^ht.  [EtiHWit  OtbiUoj  and  Dijdimcmu 

Enter  lag^ 

Caf.  We?icome,  lago :  We  muft  to  the  watcb^ 
lap.  Not  thi^  l^w",  lieutenant ;  *tis  not  yet  ten 
0*  clock  I  5  Our  general  caft  u^  thus  early,  for  the 

'  Our  giner^  caft  us — J  That  is^  appMitedus  U  ovrjlaiimu^ 
To  caji  Hie  ^,  ii,  ia  the  ftilQ.of  the  thcatrW;  to  affign  to  cvciy 
a^or  his  proper  part.    Johnjon. 

Perhaps  cafi  us  only  means  ^{m\Sti  ui,  oir ^  rid  tf  mtr  e^m* 
f»Sf^  So,  in  one  of  the  followii>g  fccncs,  "  ToU  arc  6ut  now  ct^ 
ID  kis  mood  j'^'i.  c.  fnru^d:  out  of  jour  office  in  his  anger  ^  and  in  tbt 
frft  fceqe  it  means  to  difmifs, 

So^  in  the  Witch,  a  MS.  Tragi-comcdy»  by  Middlcton : 
^'—Shccajiof 
••  My  company  botimes  ta  nighty  by  tricks,  *c" 

'  StXEVllfS,. 


THfi  ^ibOR  OF  VEi^iCE.      499 

lovg  of  his  Dcfdcmona :  whom  let  us  not  therefore 
blame  j  he  hath  not  yet  made  wanton  the  night  with 
fcer  ;  and  fhe  is  fport  for  Jove. 
'    Caf.  She's  a  moft  cxquiGte  lady. 

la^i.  And,  Til  warrant  her,  full  of  game. 

Caf.  indeed,  (he  is  a  moft  frelh  and  delicate  creature. 

lagv.  What  an  eye  fhe  has !  methinks,  it  founds  a 
|)arley  of  provocation. 

Caf.  An  inviting  eye;  and  yet,  ttiethinks,  right 
taodeft; 

lago.  And^  when  fhe  fpeaks,  is  it  not  ^  an  alarum 
to  love  7  ? 

C4/I  She  is,  indeed,  perfeftion. 

lago.  Well,  hdppincfs  to  their  fheets !  Come,  lieu- 
tenant, 1  havfe  a  (loop  Cii  wine ;  and  here  wirf\put  are 
a  brace  of  Cyprus  gallants,  that  would  fain  have  a 
mealure  to  the  health  of  the  black  Othello. 

Caf.  Not  to-night,  good  lago ;  I  have  vety  poor 
and  unhapfiy  briins  for  drinking :  1  could  well  wifh 
courtefy  would  invent  fome  other  cuftom  of  enter- 
tainment. 

lago.  O,  they  are  out-  friends ;  but  otic  cup^ :  Flf 
drink  for  you* 

Caf.  I  have  drunk  but  one  cup  to-night,  and  that 
>ras  ^  craftily  qualified  too,  and,  behold,  what  inno- 
vation it  makes  here  :  I  am  urifortunate  in  the  infir- 
tnity,  and  dare  not  talk  my  weaknefs  with  any  more. 

lagt.  What,  man !  'tis  a  night  of  revels  i  the  gaU 
iants  defire  it. 

Caf.  Where  are  they  ? 

lago.  Here  at  the  door ;  1  pray  ydu,  call  therti  in* 

Caf  ril  do't ;  but  it  diflikes  me.       [Exit  CafftOk 

lago.  If  I  can  fallen  but  one  cUp  bpon  him^ 

•  — an  alarwffh^]     The  w/<r  mzj  found  an  dlarm  more  pto* 
jjcrly  than  the  eye  can  found  ^tarky*    JoHnsok. 

y  —  ii  it  not  an  alarum  to  lovef]     The  quartos  read,  -^  iis  an 
alarm  to  love.     Steevens. 

•  —  tr^:^ qualifeJ^    Slily  mlacd  with  water.     Johnson. 

K  k  2  With 


50^  OTHELLO, 

With  that  which  he  hath  drunk  to-night  already; 

He'll  be  as  full  of  quarrel  and  offence 

As  my  young  miftrefs*  dog.    Now,  my  fick  fool^ 

Roderigo, 
Whom   love   hath  turn*d  almoft  the   wrong  fide 

outward. 
To  Defdemona  hath  to-night  carouz'd 
Potations  pottle  deep ;  and  he's  to  watch  : 
Three  lads  of  Cyprus  9, —  noble  fwelling  fpints. 
That  hold  their  honours  in  a  wary  diftance, 

*  The  very  elements  of  this  warlike  ifle^ — 
Have  I  to-night  flufter'd  with  flowing  cups. 

And  they  watch  too.    Now,  'mong^  this  flock  of 

drunkards, 
.  Am  I  to  put  our  Caflio  in  fome  adioti 
That  may  oflend  the  ifle ; — ^But  here  they  cotne  : 

*  If  confequence  do  but  approve  my  dream. 

My  boat  lails  freely,  both  with  wind  and  ftreanu 

Enter  Cafia^  Montam^  and  Gentlemen. 

Caf.  *Forc  heaven,  they  have  » given  mc  a  roufe 
akeady. 

Mm. 

*  JJr^fladse^Qj^nw^]    The  folio  reads— Three  f^^fCypra. 

Steeveks* 

*  netfifyekmeiUs^  As  qutrrdfome  as  the  HfioriSa/cmaa 
rerumi  as  quick  iooppoGtion  as  lire  and  water,    Johnson. 

*  Ifscnfifitettce  d§  tut  aptrwtmf  dream^]  All  the  printed  coptfs 
concur  in  this  reading,  Dut»  1  think,  it  does  not  come  up  to  die 
poet's  btendon ;  I  rather  imagine  that  he  wrote. 

If  confequence  do  hut  improve  my  deem, 
(•  #.  my  opinion,  the  judgment  I  hare   fi:mned  of  what  muft 
bapcMm.     So^  in  Tr<n]us  and  Crejpda  : 
CreC  I  true?  Bow  now  f  what  wicked  deem  is  this? 

Treobali>« 
This  rea£ng  is  followed  by  the  fucceedii^  edictons.     I  rather 
read, 

ff' confequence  do  hut  approve  my  fckeme. 
But  why  ^oxXk  dream  be  rejetfcd  ?   Every  fchemc  fubfifting  only 
in  the  imagination  may  be  termed  a  id^£tf;97.    Johnsox. 

*  — gi'ven  mc  a  route,  &c.}  A  roufe  appears  to  be  a  quanti^of 
liquor  rather  too  lar^ 

89 


THE  MOOR  OF  VENICE.      501 

M(mf.  Good  faith^  a  little  one  i  not  paft  a  pint. 
As  I  am  a  foldier. 

lago.  Some  wine,  ho !  [Ja^o  Jings. 

And  lei  me  the  canakin  dinky  clink  % 
And  let  me  the  canakin  clink : 

A  /okHer^s  a  man ; 

A  life's  hit  afpan^i 
Whj  tbeny  let  a  foldier  drink. 

Some  wine,  boys ! 

Caf.  Tore  heaven,  an  excellent  feng. 

lago.  I  leam'd  it  in  England^  where  (indeed)  they 
are  moft  potent  in  potting :  your  Dane^  your  Ger- 
man^ and  your  fwag-bellied  Hollander, — Drink,  ho  I 
•—are  nothing  to  your  Englilh. 

Caf.  Is  your  Englifiiman  s  fo  exquifite  in  his  drinks 
ing? 

lago.  Why,  he  drinks  yoo,  with  facility,  your 
Dane  dead  drunk ;  he  fweats  not  to  overthrow  your 
Almain ;  he  gives  your  Hollander  a  vomit,  ere  the 
next  .pottle  can  be  fiird. 

Caf.  To  the  health  of  our  gcneraU 

M$n.  I  am  for  it,  lieutenant^  and  Til  do  yoti 
jtiftice, 

lagOf  O  fweet  England ! 

So  in  Hamlet ;  and  in  The  CSbrifllan  Umtd  Twrlt^  1612  c 
**  —  our  friends  may  tell 
"  We  drank  a  roufe  to  them.**    Steevbns. 
^  A  lifers  hut  aJpoK  ;]    Thus  the  quarto.    The  folio  reads : 

^ "  Oh^  man*s  life's  but  a  fpan.**    Stee'VENS. 
f  — y^  exquifite — ]     The  quarto  reads  fo  expert*    This  accom^ 
l^iihment  in  the  £ngli(h  is  likewif^  njientioned  by  B^Qmont  fu^4 
Fletcher  in  ne  Captain : 

Lod.  "  Are  the  Engliihmcn 

*•  Such  ftubbom  drinkers  f 
Pifo.  "  — —  not  a  leak  at  fej| 

^'  Can  fuck  more  liquor ;  you  fhall  have  their  children 
**  Chriilen'd  in  mull  d  fsick^  and  at  five  years  old 
H  4ble  to  knock  a  Dane  down.**    Steevbns, 


502  O    T    H    E    JJ    L    O^ 

*  King  Stephen  was  a  W9rtby  peer  ?, 
His  breeches  coft  him  but  a  crowH  i 

He  held  them  fix-pence  all  too  deary 
With  that  he  caWd  the  taylgr — « lown^ 

He  was  a  wight  of  high  renown^ 

And  thou  art  but  of  lo%o  degree : 
*Tis  pride  that  pulls  the  country  (lo^n^ 

Then  take  thine  auld  (Ipak  about  thee* 

Some  winc^  ho ! 

Caf,  Why,  this  is  a  more  exquifitc  foog  than  thd 
other, 

lago.  Will  you  hear  it  again  ? 

Caf.  No ;  for  I  hold  him  to  be  qnworchy  of  his 
place,  that  does  thofc  things.— rWcll, — Heaven'sabovf 
all ;  and  there  be  fovils  that  mull  be  faved^  and  there 
be  fouls  muft  not  be  faved. 

Jago.  It's  true,  good  lieutenant. 

Caf.  For  mine  own  part, — no  offence  to  the  genera}| 
por  any  man  of  quality, — I  hope  to  be  fayed. 

lago.  And  fo  I  do  too,  lieutenant. 

Caf  Ay,  but,  by  your  leave,  not  before  mc ;  the 
lieutenant  is  to  be  faved  before  the  ancient.  Let's 
have  nq  more  of  this  ;  let's  to  our  affairs. — Forgive 
us  our  fins  ! — Gentlemen,  let's  look  to  our  bufinels. 
Do  not  think,  gentlemen,  I  am  drunk  -,  this  is  m 


my 


ancient  \ — this  is  my  right  hanfl,  and  this  is  my 

*  A^'>}^  Stfphffi^  &c.]  Thcfc  (lanzas  arc  t^cn  from  an  oW  fong, 
uhi  ti  t!ie  reader  will  fij^d  recovered  and  prefcrved  in  a  curious 
\v<j\x  I'.j'y  prinrcd,  incitled,  Relicks  of  Ancient  Poetiy^  confifiing  of 
old  V.  r  >!    hiila.ts,  fongs,  &c.  3  vols.  1 2^,    Johnson, 

S),  in  Greene's  ^ff  fir  an  Ufftart  C§urtier :  ^*''King  Siefhea. 
Wfjr.:  A  ,)  :'r  of  cloth  brcediCf  of  a  noble  a  pair,  and  thought  tbcm 
pi  .  iig  ^\.rt!y."     Steevens  ' 

'  —a  iv'»fly  [)eer,]  /.  e.  a  worth v  fellow.  In  this  fcnfc  peer^ 
f'  e  lid  l-'^tcr^^  rtre  oiten  ul'cu  by  the  writers  of  our  earlieil 
r -r.-.^'^ces.     SrEKVENS. 

^  — loj.'n,']    Sorry  felIow%  pall lywrrcich,    Johnson. 

hand: 


^HB  MOORo#  VENICE:      503 

hand: — I  am  not  drunk  now;  I  can  (Und  wcli 
enough,  and  I  ipeak  well  enough. 

JU.  ExiCeUeot  well. 

Cirf.  Why,  very  well  then;  jrou  niuft  not  think 
then  that  I  ana  drunk*  [Exit. 

MmU.  To  the  platform,  matters ;  come,  let's  fee 
the  watch. 

logo.  You  fee  this  fellow,  that  is  gone  before ; — 
He  is  a  foldier,  fit  to  ftand  by  Ca»far 
And  g^ve  direAioH :  and  do  but  fee  his  vice ; 
•Tis  to  his  virtue  a  juft  equinox. 
The  one  as  long  as  the  other :  'tis  pity  of  him. 
I  fear*  the  truft  Othello  puts  him  in^ 
On  ibme  odd  time  of  his  infirmity^ 
Will  fliakethis  iOand. 

Mont.  But  is  he  often  thus  ? 

lago.  *Tis  evermore  the  prologue  to  his  fleep  2 
9  Hc*ll  watch  the  horologe  a  double  fet. 
If  drink  rock  not  his  cradle.  .   \ 

Mont.  It  were  well. 
The  general  were  put  in  mind  of  it. 
Perhaps,  he  fees  it  not ;  or  his  good  nature 

*  Ht^U  <ix)atch  tJye  hifrobtge  m  ilonhk  Jet^]     If  he  have  bo  drin1c» 

hc*l\  kec])  awake  while  the  clock  ilrikes  two  rounds^  or  tipur-aiidr 

twenty  hours. 
Chaucer  ufc«i  the  word  horologe  in  more  places  than  one, 
"  Well  (ikerer  was  hi«  crowing  in  his  logc 
*'  Than  is  a  clock  or  abbw  horologe.**    Johnsoh. 

5o  Hcywood  in  his  Ef'tgrams  on  Proverbs^  1561 : 

**  The  divcll  is  in  thorob^e^  the  houres  to  trye,    . 
'*  Scarchc  houres  by  the  lunnc,  the  devyl's  dyall  wyll  lye, 
*•  The  deT>i  is  in  thdrohge^  nowc  cheere  in  bowles, 
"  Let  the  dcvyl  kepc  our  clockes,  while  God  kccpc  our 
**  foules.'* 

Agaitl,  in  Tfje  DeviPs  Charter ^  1607  : 
"  -~fny  gradout  Vx^ 
•*  By  ISitWs  horologe  'tis  ftruck  eleven.* 

Again,  in  the  Miracles  of  Mofes^  by  Drayton  : 

**  The  cock  the  country  horologe  that  ringi 

**  The  chearfiil  warning  to  the  ^%  awake/'    Stee  ve  wf « 

K  k  4  Prizes 


504  OTHELLO, 

Prizes  the  virtue  that  appears  in  Caflio, 

And  looks  not  on  his  evils  ^  Is  not  this  true  i  - 

Enier  Roderiga. 

Jago.  How  now,  Rodcrigo  t 
I  pt   V  you,  after  the  lieutenant;  go.         [Exit  R$4f 

Mont.  And  'tjs  great  pity,  that  the  noble  Moor 
Should  hazard  fpch  a  place,' as  his  owp  fecond, 
With  one  of  an  *  ingraft  infirmity  : 
It  were  an  honeft  aAion,  to  fay  fo 
Unto  the  Moor. 

lagd.  Not  I,  for  this  fair  ifland : 
J  do  love  Caflio  well ;  and  would  do  much 
To  cure  him  of  this  evil.    But,  hark  I  what  noife  2 

[Cry  w/fo»,— Help  I  help  I 

Reenter.  Caffio^  driving  in  Rpderigo. 

Caf.  You  rogue !  you  rafcal ! 

Mbnt.  What's  the  matter,  lieutenant  i 

Caf  A  knave  l~teach  me  my  duty ! 
}fll  beat  the  knave  ^  into  a  twiggeo  bottlct 

Rod.  Beat  me! 

Caf.  Doft  thou  pra(e,  rogue  i 

Mont.  Nay,  good  lieutenant ;,  l,^*^^  ^'fy 

I  pray  you,  fir,  hold  your  hand.  '^     - 

Caf.  Let  me  go^  fir, 
Or  ril  knock  you  o'ier  the  mazzarc). 

Mont.  Come,  cotiie,  you*re  drunk. 

Caf  Drunk?  [TbeyJigbL 

Jago.  Away,  I  fay !  go  out,  and  cry — a  mutiny/ 

[Mdeto  Rod. 
\^xit  Roderig^. 

*  —  ingri^  infifmi^  .*]  t^  infirmity  rooted^  JetiUd  in  his  co&« 
ftituuoo.    Johnson. 

ft  ^^in*j  a  twif^^  iattlej]  A  twiggen  bottte  is  a  ^otxckn^d 
i0ttk ;  and  lb  the  quarto  readt.    Steeven*. 


THi  MOOR  or  VENICE.      S9S^ 

Nay,  good  lieutenant, — alas,  gentlemen,-?- 
Help,  ho !— Lieutenant, — ^fir, — Montano, — fir ;— • 
help,  mafters !  Here's  a  goodly  watch,  indeed  l-^ 
Who's  that  that  ringi|  the  bell  ?— Diablo  %  ho ! 

I  Bell  tings^ 

You  viU  ^  fliamM  for  ever. 

Enter  Otbello^  and  jbt^vdants. 

Otb.  What  is  the  matter  here  ? 

Mont.  I ^1^  ftill,  ^  I  am  hurt  to  the  death;»lie 
dicst 
.   Otb.  Hold,  for  yoqr  live*. 

Jago.  Hold,  hold,  lieutenant, — fir,— Montano,— 
gentlemen, — 
Have  you  forgot  ^  all  fenfe  of  place  and  duty  ? 
Hold,  hold'  the  general  fpeaks  to  you|  hold,  for 
'        ^    ■   fliamc !  ^ 

Otb.  Why,  how  now,  ho  I   from  whence  arifedl 
this? 
Are  we  tu'rn'd  Tiirks  ;  and  to  qurfflves  do  that, 
Which  heaven  hath  forbid  the  Ottomites  ? 
For  cfiriftian  (hame,  put  by  this  barbarous  brawl: 
Jrte  that  ftirs  next  to  carve  forth  his  own  rage, 
^olds  his  foul  light ;  he  dies  upon  His  motion*— 

'  — 2>/4t^iS9-->]  }  rocft  wuh  this  exclamation  in  Marlow'n  JE2i|f 
Edward  IL  1622:    ^'  Diabb  f  what  paHions  call  you  thefe  ^ 

Steeveki. 

4  ,^lam  hwri  to  dtatb-^  he  dies.]  Montano  thinks  he  ii  mor* 
fally  wounded,  yet  by  theie  words  he  feema  dettnrmined  to  continue 
the  dudy  and  to  kill  his  antagooiA  Caffio.  So  ^hen  Roderigo  runs 
iit  Cafr:,  in  the  Sth  Aa,  he  (ays,—  **  Villain,  thou  dy'5.** 

TOLLET. 

A  diis^  u  t.  he  (haU  die.  He  may  be  fuppofed  In  lay  this  as  he 
Itoews  the  fiyht.    St'sevens. 

*  .  ^ajiiift  rf place  and  duly  f  ]    So  Hanmer.    The  itft, 
wmmm^aUfia^^^/ew^Mtddut^t    Johnson. 

Silence 


^6  OTHELLO, 

Silence  that  dreadful  belU  ^  u  frights  the  iOe 
From  her  propriety. — ^What  ia  the  matter,  matters  ?— 
Honed;  lago,  that  look'lt  dead  with  grievii^. 
Speak,  who  began  this  i  on  thy  love,  I  charge  thee. 

Jago.  I  do  not  know  5 — ^friends  all  but  now,  even 
now, 
7  In  Quarter  and  in  terms  like  bride  and  groom 
Divefiing  them  for  bed  :  and  then,  but  now, 
(As  if  fome  planet  bad  unwitted  men) 
Swords  out,  and  tilring  one  at  other's  breaft. 
In  oppofition  bloody.    I  cannot  fpcak 
Any  beginning  to  this  peevifli  odds ; 
And  'would  in  adion  glorious  I  had  loft 
fhcfc  legs,  that  brought  me  to  a  part  of  it  f 

Otb.  How  comes  it,  Michael,  you  are  thus  forgot  •  ? 

Caf.  I  pray  you,  pardon  me,  I  cannot  fpcak. 

Otif.  Worthy  Montano,  you  were  wont  be  civil  j 
.The  gravity  and  ftillnefs  of  your  youth 
The  world  hath  noted,  and  your  name  is  great 
in  mouths  of  wife  ft  cenfure ;  What's  the  matter^ 
9  1  hat  you  unlace  your  reputation  thus. 
And  '  fpend  your  rich  opinion,  for  the  name 
Of  a  night- brawler  ?  give  me  anfwer  to  it. 

Mon.  Worthy  Othello,  I  am  hurt  to  danger^ 
Your  officer,  lago,  can  inform  you— r. 
While  I  fpare  fpcech,  wh^ch  fomething  now  offend^ 

me,— 
pf  all  that  I  do  know ;  nor  know  I  aught, 

•  ^''^^^  it  frights  the  ifle 
Fr0m  her  propriety.-—]    From  her  regular  und  proper  fette^ 

JOHNSOff, 

^  Infutrttr^ — ]    In  their  ciuartert;  at  their  lodging. 

JOHKSOlf. 

P  ~*^you  art  thus  firgJt  /]  i.  e.  you  have  thus  forgot  yourfelf. 

Stee7£Ns. 

>  Ihat  yu  unlace — ]     Slacken,  or  kf0fen.    Put  m  danger  of 
propping;  or  perhaps  llrip of  its  omamems.    Johnson. 

'  ^^fpfnSytmr  rich  cftnion,^ )    Throw  away  aiid  fquaoder  a  re* 
njtaiioo  fo  Talu  ;ble  as  yours.    Joff  nsok^ 


THE  MOOR  OP  VENICE,      507 

Uy  me  that's  faid  or  done  amifs  this  night ; 
Unlcft  *  felf-charity  be  fomctime  a  vice  j 
And  to  defend  ourfelves  it  be  9  fin. 
When  violence  gffails  us. 

Oib.  Now,  by  heaven, 
My  blood  begins  my  fafer  guides  to  rule ; 
3  And  paflion,  having  my  beft  judgment  colUed, 
Aflays  to  lead  the  way ;  if  I  once  ftir, 
Or  do  but  lift  this  arm,  the  beft  of  you 
Shall  fink  in  my  rebukp.    Give  me  to  know 
How  this  foul  rout  began,  who  fet  it  on ; 
And  4  he  that  is  approved  in  this  offence. 
Though  he  had  twinn'd  with  me,  l)oth  gt  a  birth, 
Shall  lofe  me, — What  I  in  a  town  of  war. 
Yet  wild,  the  people's  hearts  brim-full  of  fear. 
To  manage  private  and  domeftic  quarrel, 
In  night,  and  on  the  court  and  guard  of  iafety  ! 
'Tis  monfterous. — lago,  who  began*t  ? 

Mojtf  If  partially  affin'd  ^  or  leagued  in  office, 

Thoa 

»  ^filficbarify^    C^rc  of  ooe*t  fdf.    Johnson. 

'  ,Atd  faJfioHy  halving  my  heft  judgment  collied,]  Thus  the  folio 
reads,  and  I  believe  rigbtly.  Othello  means,  thatpaffion  has  dif* 
coloured  his  judgment.  The  word  is  ufed  in  The  Micjfummer 
Nights  Dream: 

"  —  like  lightning  in  the  collied  night,** 

To  colly  anciently  (u^nijied  tp  b^mut^  to  bJacken  as  wiib  coal.     So, 

in  a  corhedy  called  Tje  Famfy  of  Love^   1608. **  carry  thv 

^nk  aVother  fide  the  way,  thou  colUrji^ft  me  and  my   ruffe.^' 
Thp  word   (as  I  am  aifured)  is  (lill  uied  in  the  midl^d  counties^ 

Mr,  Toilet  informs  mp  that  WalUi^s  Hi/l.  of  Northumberlandy 
p,  46.  fays,  *'  —  in  our  northern  counties  it  [/.  e,  a  fine  black 
clay  or  ochre]  is  commonly  known  by  the  name  of  CoUow  or 
JiCilloWf  by  which  pamc  it  is  known  by  Dr.  Woodward,  6ccJ^ 
The  Dodor  fays  it  tiad  its  name  from  Koliauj,  by  which  name,  m 
the  North,  the  Jhfut  or  grime  oh  the  hacks  of  chimneys  is  called* 
Co^f  however,  is  from  coal^  as  collier.    Hanmer  tesLdsr—chokr^J. 

Stbeven^. 

4  _^  fj^f  £,  approved  in  this  ogenct^  He  that  is  convi^ed  by 
proof,  of  having  hren  engaged  in  this  offence.    Johnson. 

'  If  partially  aflin'd, — J  JJflnd  is  bound  by  proximity  of  rela- 
tionihip ;  but  here  it  means  related  by  neamef^'  of  office^  In  the 
^  fce|ie  it  is  uffd  in  thf;  fprmq:  of  thefe  len^ss ; 


5oS  OTHELLO, 

Thou  doft  deliver  more  or  lefs  than  trutfa. 
Thou  art  no  foldier. 

lago.  Touch  me  not  fo  near : 
I  had  rather  have  this  tongue  cut  from  my  noouth. 
Than  it  (ho\iId  do  offence  to  Michael  Caflio; 
Yet,  I  perfuadc  myfelf,  to  fpcak  the  truth 
Shall  nothing  wrong  him. — Thus  it  is>  general. 
Montano  and  myfelf  being  in  fpeech. 
There  comes  a  fellow,  crying  out  for  help; 
And  CaflSo  following  him^  with  determined  fword. 
To  execute  upon  him  :  Sir,  this  gentleman 
Steps  in  to  CalTio,  and  entreats  his  paufe; 
Myfelf  the  crying  fellow  did  purfue. 
Left,  by  his  clamour  (as  it  fp  fell  out) 
The  town  might  fall  In  fright :  he,  fwift  of  foot, 
Outrrai)  ipy  purpofe ;  and  I  returned  the  rather 
For  that  I  heard  the  c|ink  and  fall  of  fwords. 
And  Caflio  high  in  oath  j  which,  'till  to-night, 
1  ne'er  might  fay  before :  When  I  came  back, 
(For  this  was  brief)  I  found  them  clofe  together. 
Ax.  blow,  and  thruft ;  even  as  again  they  were^ 
When  you  yourfclf  did  part  them. 
More  of  this  matter  can  I  not  report  :— 
But  men  are  men ;  the  beft  fometimes  forget : 
Though  Caflio  did  fome  little  wrong  to  him, — 
As  men  in  rage  fl:rike  thofe  that  wilh  them  bcft,— » 
Yet,  furcly,  Cafljo,  I  believe,  received, 
jprom  him  that  fled,  fome  ftrange  indignity. 
Which  patience  could  not  pafs, 

0th.  I  know,  Jago, 
Thy  hotiefty  and  love  doth  mince  this  matter. 
Making  it  light  to  Caflio : — Caflio,  I  love  thee  j 
Buf  never  more  be  oflicer  of  mine. — 

Enter  Befdetnon^  attended. 
\^\iy  if  my  gentle  love  be  not  rais-d  up;— 

*♦  If  I,  in  any  juft  term,  am  4^V 
!*  Tv)  love  ihc  Moor,**    Steevens, 

n 


THE  MOOR  OF  VENICE.      $o^ 

ril  make  thee  an  example. 
Def.  What  is  the  matter,  dear  ? 
Otb.  All's  well  now  fweeting :   Come  away  to  bed* 
Sir,  for  your  hurts,  myfelf  will  be  your  furgeon : —    . 
Lead  him  o(L —  [To  Montano^  who  is  led  off. 

lago,  look  with  care  about  the  town ; 
And  filence  thofe  whom  this  vile  brawl  diftraded.— 
Come,  Defdemona ;  'tis  the  foldiers'  life. 
To  have  their  balmy  (lumbers  wak'd  with  ftrife* 

[JEy/V  ^c.  ManM  lago^  and  Caffioi 
lago.  What,  are  you  hurt,  lieutenant  ? 
Caf.  Ay,  paft  all  furgery. 
lago.  Marry,  heaven  forbid ! 
Caf.  Reputation,  reputation,  reputation!    O,  I 
have  loft  my  reputation  !  I  have  loft  the  immortal 
part,  fir,  of  mylelf,  and  what  remains  b  beftial*— 
My  reputation,  lago,  my  reputation. 

lago.  As  I  am  an  honeft  man,  I  had  thought  you 
had  received  fome  bodily  wound ;  there  is  more  of- 
fence^ in  that,  than  in  reputation.  Reputation  i^ 
ah  idle  and  moftfalfe  impofition;  oft  got  without 
merit,  and  loft  without  deterving :  You  have  loft  no 
reputation  at  all,  unlefs  you  repUte  yourfelf  £uch  a 
lofer.  What,  man!  there  are  ways  to  recover  the 
general  ag^n :  You  are  but  now  ^  caft  in  his  mbbd^ 
a  puniftiment  more  in  policy  than  in  malice  5  even 
fo  as  one  would  beat  his  offencelefs  dog,  to  affright 
an  imperious  li^:  fue  to  him  again,  and  he's  yours, 
Caf.  I  will  rather  fue  to  be  dcfpis'd,  than  to  de- 
ceive fo  good  a  commander,  with  To  flight,  fo  drunken, 
and  fo  indifcreet  an  officer.    Drunk  ?  7  and  fpeak 

parrot  ? 

*  —  there  is  more  offcncf ,  &c»]    Thus  the  quartos.    The  folip 
reads,  —  there  is  vvib^  Jhtje^  &c.     Steevens. 

•  — caft  m  hh  mdod^ — ]     Bjedled  in  his  an<;er.     Johmson*. 

1  ^^  and  J^ak  parrot  f — ]     A  phraie  figni^ying  to  act  foolishly 
and  childi(h1y.    00  Skclion, 

"  Tbtfe 


1 


^io  O    T    H    £    L    L    C5, 

J)arrot  ?  and  fquabble  ?  fwagger  ?  fwear  ?  and  dif- 
courfe  fuftian  with  one*s  own  fhadow  ? — O  thou  in- 
vifible  fpirit  of  wine,  if  thou  haft  no  name  to  btf 
known  by,  let '  us  call  thee — devil ! 

lago.  What  was  he  that  you  foUowM  with  your 
fword  ?  What  had  he  done  to  you  ? 
Caf.  I  know  not. 
logo.  Is  it  poffible  ? 

Caf.  I  remember  a  mafs  of  tliibgs,  but  nothing 
diftinftly ;  a  quarrel,  but  nothing  wherefore. — O, 
that  men  fhould  put  an  enemy  in  their  mouths,  to 
ileal  away  their  brains !  that  we  fhould^  with  joy^ 
^vd^  pleafure^  and  applaiife^  transform  ourfelves 
into  beafts ! 

lago.  Why,  but  you  arc  now  well  enough  \  How 
came  you  thus  recovered  ? 

Caf.  It  hath  pleased  the  devil^  drunkennefs,  to  givtf 
place  to  the  devil,  wrath  :  one  unperfeftnefs  (hews  mci 
another,  to  make  me  frankly  defpife  myfelf. 

lagc.  Come,  you  are  too  fevere  a  moraler  i  As  thd 
time,  the  place,  and  the  condition  of  this  country 
itaods,  I  could  heartily  wi(h  this  had  not  befallen  i 
but,  fince  it  is  as  it  is,  mend  it  for  your  own  good. 

Caf,  I  will  a(k  him  for  my  place  again ;  he  (halt 
tell  me,  I  am  a  drunkard  f  Had  I  as  many  mouths 
as  Hydra,  fuch  an  anfwer  would  ftop  them  alL  Td 
be  now  a  fenfible  man,  by  and  by  a  fool^  ind  pre- 
fently  a  beaft!  O  ftrange! — Every  inordinate  cupl 
Is  unblefs'd,  and  the  ingredient  is  a  devil* 

lago.  Come,  come,  good  wine  is  a  good  familiar 
^reature>  if  it  be  well  u^d  ^  exclaim  no  more  againd 


*•  Thefe  maidem  full  mckdy  with  many  a  dirers  flour, 

"  Freihly  they  drcfl  and  make  fwecte  my  hourct 

**  With  ^^e  parrot  I  pray  you  full  couneoofly  thei  ikyz/* 

WARBURTOfCi 
So,  in  Lylly^s  Woman  in  the  Moom^  le^y  : 
*'  Thou  pretty  parrot  jpeak  awhile.** 
Thefc  lioet  are  wanting  ia  the  firil  quarto*    St££Y2Ns. 


THE  MOOR  or  VENICE,      su  ' 

it.    And,  good  Kcutenant,  I  think,  you  think  I  love 
you. 

Caf.  I  have  wdl  approved  it,  fir. — I  drunk  ! 

lago.  You,  6r  any  man  living,  may  be  drunk  at, 
fome  time,  man.  I  tell  you  what  you  fhall  do.  Our, 
general's  wife  is  now  the  general  j — ^I  may  fay  fo  tti 
this  refjped.  •  for  that  he  hath  devoted  and  given  up. 
himfelr  to  the  contemplation,  mark,  and  denotement/ 
of  her  parts  and  graces :— confefs  yourfelf  freely  to 
her;  importune  her;  lhe*ll  help  to  put  you  in  youc 
place  again :  flic  is  of  fo  free,  fo  kind,  fo  apt,  fa 
blefled  a  difpofuion,  that  flie  holds  it  a  vice  in  hcr# 
goodnefs,  not  to  do.  more  than  ihe  is  requefted  :, 
This  broken  joint,  between  you  and  her  hufband, 
intrcat  her  to  j4)linter;  and,  my  fortunes  againft  any, 
lay  worth  naming,  this  crack  of  your  love  fhaJt 
grow  fl:rongpr,  than  it  was  before. 

Caf.  youadvife  mc  well. 

lago.  I  protcft,  in  the  fincerity  of  fove,  and  honeft: 
kindnefs. 

Caf.  I  think  it  freely  5  and,  betimes  in  the  taprn^ 
ing,  I  will  befeech  the  virtuous  Defdemona  to  un- 
dertake for, me:  lam  defperate  ofrtiy  fortunes, /if 
theyxheck  me  here. 

lago.  You  are  in  the  right.  Good  night,  lieo^ 
tenant;  I  muft  toth^  watch. 

'.'*"J^  '^  ^  ^««^  dfWfttJf  andgivin  up  hiv^e^to  the  C0itffm^. 
flaticn^  marif  ami  devotcment,  ^  htr  parts  and  graces. — ]  I  rc« 
mcmb^,  it  is  (aid  of  Antony,  in  the  beginning  othis  tragedy,  thai 
he,  who  ufcd  to  fix  hU  eyes  altogether  en  the  dreadful  ran«s  of 
war:  «>       * 

**  -—  now  bewUt  now  turns, 
•*  Thcoiliccand/iiiw//V>»of  thcdj?  view 
•*  Upon  a  ilrumpet*s  front,'* 
Thif  i«  finely  cxpreifed;  but  I  cannot  perfuadc.  ro)rfelf  that  our 
,po«  would  ever  have  faid,  any  one  devoted  himfelf  to  the  devote* 
w#^any.  thing.    All  the  copies  agree;    bat  the  roiftnlic  ^cr-r 
iwnlj?  .a^fe  Aom  *  fiog}#  Ictic*  b«ui|r  toiaed  upiide  dovrn  at  pr^i. 

'Theobald. 
Caf, 


5i4  O    T    rt    E    L    L    a 

ddf.  Good  night,  honcft  lago.  [Exii  Ct0i 

logo.  And  what's  he  then,  that  fayi — I  play  thi' 
villain  ? 
When  ^  this  advice  iS  ittt  I  give,  and  ho'neft^ 
Probable  to  thinking  ",  and  (indeed)  the  doUrii 
To  win  the  Moor  again  ?  For  'tb  moft  cafy 
The  inclining  Dcfdemoha  to  fubdue 
In  any  honeft  fuit ;  (he's  framed  as  fruitfiil 
As  the  *  free  elements :  And  then  for  her 
To  win  the  Moor, — were't  to  renounce  his  bapdfin^ 
All  feals  and  fymbols  of  redeemed  fin, — 
His  foul  is  fo  enfettered  to  her  love. 
That  (he  may  make,  unmake,  dd  what  (he  lift. 
Even  as  her  appetite  fliall  pUy  the  gdd 
With  his  weak  funftion.     How  sim  I  then  a  villaibi 
To  counfcl  Caffio  ^  to  this  parallel  tourfc, 
IXreftly  to  his  good  ?  Divinity  of  hell ! 
When  devils  will  their  blackeft  fins  put  oot 
They  do  fuggeft  at  firft  with  heavenly  IhewSf 
As  I  do  now :  For,  while  this  honeft  fool 
Plies  Defdemona  to  repair  his  fortunes. 
And  (he  for  him  pleads  ftrongly  to  the  MooT^ 

4  ril  pour  this  peftilence  into  his  ear,*^- 

5  That  Ihe  rep^Us  him  for  her  body's  luft ; 
And,  by  how  much  fhc  ftrives  to  do  him  good, 

»  —  thh  a^ice  isfi-ee^}  This  counfcl.  hai  an  tp|)cirMicc  d 
boneft  opcnncfs,  of  frank  good-will    Johnson.         ,  ,     ,^    , 

«  friaik]  The  old  dudons  concur  in  reading /riM.  Ther< 
may  be  fuch  a  contraaion  of  the  word,  but  I  hate  not  met  with  ft 
in  any  other  book.  Yet,  abbroriatioDS  as  tkdcnt  occur  in  our  an^ 
dent  writers.    Steevens.  ^  ^^ 

•  ^frte  ekmetas:]  Liberal,  bountiful,  as  the  dements,  otft  of 
which  all  things  are  produced.    Johi^son. 

s  -.  t0  tins  parallel  ci>urfi^]  Parallel,  for  even ;  becaufe  ptfdki 
lines  run  ercn  and  equidiftant.     Waebueton.  ^  ^^ 

ParsUil^cwjii  i.  c.  a  courfe  Icfcl,  and  even  with  his  defign. 

JOHNSOlf^ 

♦  rUpour^p^lkna^^  Peftilence,  for  poifon.WAEBUETON» 
«  TmA  ffpcab  Mn^J    That  is,  recatts  hiAu    Jobus oir^ 

SllC 


THE.  MOOR  or  V'ENICE.     sf$ 

Jshe  fljall  undo  her  credit -with  ^ft  Moor,  -  -.    - 
iSo  will  i  turn  her  virtue  into  pitch;  t  ' 

And  out  of  her  own  goodnefs  make  the  net 
<,That  (hall  enmcfli  them  all.— ^How  now,  Rodengo  ? 

Enter  Rader^o. 

Rod.  I  do  follow  here  in  the  chac^,  not  like  a 
hound  that  hunts,  but  one  that  fills  up  the  cry.  My 
money  is  almoft  fpcnt;  I  have  beeh  tbnight  ex- 
ceedingly wril  cudgeird  ;  and,  I  think,  the  iflue  will 
fete — I  fhall  hav£  fo  much  experience  for  my  pains  i 
iand  fo,'  with  no  money  at  aU,  and  a  little  more  wit  7, 
return  to  Venice. 

lago.  How  poor  are  they,  that  have  not  patience ! — 
What  wound  did  ever  heal,  but  by  degrees  ? 
I'hou  kqow'ft,  we  work  by  wit,,  and  not  by  witch- 
craft; 
And  wit  depends  on  dilatory  time. 
Docs't  not  go  well  ?  Caflio  hath  beaten  thee, 
And  thou,  by  that  fmall  hurt,  had  cafhier'd  Caflio  : 
^  Though  other  things  grow  fair  againft  the  fun. 
Yet  fruits,  that  bloflbm  firft,  will  ftrft  be  ripe : 
Content  thyfelf  a  while.— By  the  mafs,  *tis  morning; 

•  T^tf/  JbaU  enm^  them  all. — ]     A  metaphor  from  taking  birda 
inmdhes.    Poi^K. 

^  —  ^  Uttli  mm  «w>|]    Thus  the  foUo.    The  firft  <}uar^  reads 
—and  ivith  that  wit.    Steevens. 

•  Though  other  things  grow  fair  againft  the  fun^ 
Tltt  p-uits^  that  hloffbm  Ji^^  wilLjirft  he  rife.]  '  Of  manjr  dif* 
ferent  things,  all  planned  with  the  fame  art,  and  promoted  with 
the  fame  diligence,  fome  mull  fucceed  fooner  than  others,  by  tho 
order  of  nature.  £very  thing  cannot  be  done  at  once ;  We  inuft 
|)roceed  by  the  neceflary  gradation.  We  are  not  to  Jejpair  of  Hovr 
^ents  any  more  than  of  tardy  fruits,  while  the  caufes  are  in  regular 
brogrtfs,  and  the  fruits  gr(rw  fair  agairift  thejun.  Hanmer  has  noft^ 
1  think,  rightly  cottceived  the  fentiment ;  for  he  reads, 

Thojfejruits  'which  blojfom  firft y  arc  not  firll  ripe. 
I  have  therefore  drawn  it  out  at  length,  for  there  arc  few  to  whom 
that  will  be  eafy  which  was  difficult  to  Uanmer.    Johnson. 

Vol*  X.         s  LI  Pleafurc, 


514^  O    t    It    E    is    L    Of 

Fleafure,  and  aftton^  malbe  die  hours  faem  fhorb-^ 

Retire  thee ;  gp  where  thou  art  billeted : 

Away,  I  fty ;  thou  (halt  know  more  hereafters— 

Nay,  get  dice  gone. —  ^Exil  R$dirig9ii 

Two  things  are  to  be  done, — 

My  wife  muft  move  for  Gaffio  to  her  mtftrefe  ; 

Vll  fet  her  on ; 

Myfelf,  the.  whilcy  will  draw  ^  the  Moor  apari^ 

And  bring  him  jump  when  he  may  Cafllafind 

Soliciting  bis  m(t  :-^ Ay,  that's  the  way  ^ 

Dull  not  device  by  coldaefs  and  deUy.  [Exil^ 


ACT   III-       SCENE    K 

Biffrs  the  caJtU. 

Enter  Cajfio^  with  Mufitimu 

Caf.  Mafiers,  play  here,  I  will  content  your  pain$^ 
Something  that's  bricfi  and  bid — good-morrow^  gc* 
ntraL 

[Mi/kk  pl^s  \  Md  enter  Gowu. 
Clown.  <  Why,  matters,  have    your  inftrumenu 
been  at  Naples,  that  they  fpeads  i'  the  nofe  thus  ? 
Muf.  How,  fir,  how ! 
Clown*  Are  thefe,  1  pray  you,,  caird  wmd  inftru- 

ments  ? 
Muf.  Ay,  marry,  afe  they,  fir. 

•  —  will  /Avnv]  The  old  copies  read— •/tf  dx%w,  which  may  be 
right,  and  coniiilent  with  the  tenor  of  this  intorupted  ipeecb. 
lago  IS  itill  debating  with.  himfeU  coQccrniog  the  means  to  perplex 
Othello,    SxEEVEiVS, 

*  ^Hy^  maften^  l^moeyowr  inflntmenu  been  in,  N^^Us^  tlmihhjfuk 
P  Oh  nofc  thus  ^]  The  veneseal  difeafe  fiiil  appeared  ac  the  u«^  of 
Naples.    Johnson, 

Clown^ 
3 


THE  MOOR  oi  VEiriOE.     s^S 

tlown.  O,  theftby  fumgf :«  MHl  -  V 

Muf.  Whereby  hangs  a  taler£?  ?  '  • 

CUwn.  Mar^/fir,  by  ni^^  it  wind  ihftrunie'tit 
thac  I  know;  mnif  mafte^,  bolt's  money  M  jo^i 
^andthettMral^foMkes  yourmjufKri  thtt  he ^defi^tl 
you^  *  di  all  Ic^es^  to  niake  no  more  noife  with  \u 

Mkf.  Wen,  fif,  Wfe  will  flOt. 

Gbu^.  If  you  hare  any  Ai^ftc  that  tMtf  mi  bf 
heard,  to't  asain :  but,  as  they  fay,  to  hear  mufic> 
the  fiumeral  does  not  grfardy  care. 

Muf^  We  have  none  fuch,  fin 

CAkM.  Then  put  up  your  pipes  in  your  h^  ^  for 
111  away :  Ga ;  ^4  vamfli'  into  air )  away. 

Caf.  tXQ&:  thou  bear,  ootjr  honefl;  friend  2 
Chwn.  No^  i  hear  not  you  hbne&  friend  ^  I  bear 

Ccj^  Pr'ytbtti  kee))  up  thy  quiUets.  There's  z 
poor  piece  of  gold  for  thee:  if  the  gentlewoman 
lluuattdidsthegdKral's  wifcft  beilirring,  tell  her. 
there'i  dne  Caffio  catiMts  her  a  Utde  favour  oc 
fpeech :  Wilt  thdu  dd  this  ? 

Cl9wn.  She  is  ftirritlg^  fir  ^  if  Ihe  will  ftir  hither, 
t  ihall  feem  u^  Aocify  unto  her*  {Exit  Ckwi^ 

Enter  lag^ 

Cap  Do,  good  my  friend; — In  happy  lime,  lagd^ 
lago.  You  have  not  been  a-bed  then  ? 
Cap  Why^  no;  the  day  had  broke 
Before  we  parted.     I  have  made  bold,  lagb^ 
I'o  fend  in  for  your  wife :  My  fuit  to  her 

«~^4aMfi,-^]    The  feKo  ftsd»-:^  W/>k 

^  — ^  rUanjoof^']  Hadmef  readb,  oMbieawq^.     Johnson; 
4  ^^^^oMi/b  int0  air*']    So  the  folio  and  one  of  the  quflrtoi4 
Tks  ddtft  quarto  reads — Vanifli  away.    STSEVBNt, 

L  1  a  Is, 


Sx6,     .    O    T    H    E'    L    L    a 

Is,  that  {he  will  to  vimiQus  Defdemonar 
Procure  me  fome  accela. 

Jag0.  ru  fend  her  to  you  prefcntly : 
And  ru  devife  a  niean  to  draw  the  Moor 
Out  of  the  way,  that  your  conyerfeand  buluiels 
May  be  naore  free,  [£rf/r. 

Caf.  I  humbly  thank  you  foPt*    I  never  knew 
A  Floccntme  more  kind  and  honefL 

Enter  j^tmlra. 

j^ml^  Good  morrow,  good  lieutenant :  I  am  forry , 
For  your  difpleafure;  bdt  all  will  foon  be  well. 
The  general,  and  his  wife,  are  talking  of  it  \ 
And  (he  fpeiks  for  you  ftoutly :  The  Moor  replies,  > 
That  he,  you  hurt,  is  of  great  feme  in  Cyprus, 
And  great  affinity  \  and  that,  in  wholfome  wifdom,! 
He  might  not  but  refufe  you  :  but*  he  protefts,  he 

loves  you  J         '       <         . 
And  needs  no  other  iuttor;  but  his  likings. 
To  take  the  fafeftoccafion  by  the  front.*. 
To.  bring  you  in  a^ain. 

Caf.  Yet,  I  befeech  you,— 
If  you  think  fit,  or  that  it  may  be  done,-^ 
Give  me  advantage  of  fome  brief  difcourfe 
With  Dcfdemona  alone. 

jEtniL  Pray  you,  come  in  ; 
I  will  beftow  you  where  you  flball  have  time 
To  fpeak  your  bofom  freely. 

Caf.  I  am  much  bound  to  you  ^.  [ExentU. 

5  To  take  the  fi0  occqfioH  fy  tBe  frMt^^  This  fine  u  wanting  ift 
the  folio*    Steevens. 

^  lam  mkcb  bomid  to  juitf.]  This  fpecch  it  omitted  ift  te  fiill 
quarto.    Steevens^ 


SCENE 


THE  MOOR  o*  VENICE.      ^17. 

S    C    E    N    E  -    II.  : 

.  A  fwm  in  the  ea/Ue. 

'  Enter  Othello ^  lagOy  and  Gentlemen.  *  '     - 

Otb.  Thefc  letters  give,  lago,  to  the  pilot  ;*.    . 
And,  by  him,  do  my  duties  to.  the  (late : 
That  done,  I  i/vill  be  walking  on  the  works,  . 
Repair  there  to  me. 

Iflgo.  WelJ,  my  good  lord,  Til  do't. 

Otb.  This  fortification,  gentlemen, — (hall  wc  fee't  ? 

Gent.  We'll  wait  upon  your  lord(hip*       [E^ceunt. 

SCENE        Ml. 

Another  room  in  the  cafile. 
Enter  Defdemona^  Cajfio^  and  Mmilia. 

Def.  Be  thou  aiTur'd,  good  Caffio,  I  will  do 
All  my  abilities  in  thy  behalf. 

£miL  Good  madam,  do ;  I  know,  it  grieyes  my 
huiband. 
As  if  the  cale  were  his  7. 

Def.  O,  that's  an  honeft  fellow. — Do  not  doubt, 
Caffio, 
But  I  will  have  my  lord  and  you  again 
As  friendly  as  you  were. 

Caf.  Bounteous  madam. 
Whatever  (hall  become  of  Michael  Caflio, 
He's  never  any  thing  but  your  true  fervant. 

Def.  O,  (ir,  I  thank  you  :  You  do  love  my  lord; 
You  have  known  him  long ;  and  be  you  well  a(rur*d, 
He  (ball  in  ftrangcneis  (land  no  farther  off 
Than  in  a  politic  diHance. 

"f^As  iftfje  cafe  'voere  bis.']    The  folio  reads— As  if  the  caufe 
srerp  his.    Steevens;         «  .  -  "     . 

L  1  3  Caf, 


5i0  p    T    H    fi    L    I.   «^ 

Caf.  Ay,  but,  |ady, 
«  That  policy  may  cithpr  lfi|l:  fo  long. 
Or  feed  upon  fuch  nice  and  waterifli  diet, 
pr  breed  itfelf  fp  out  of  circumftance, 
That,  I  being  abfent,  and  my  place  iru|>plyVl, 
l^y  general  will  forget  my  loyc  and  fcrvice. 

Def.  Do  noc  4oQbc  that ;  before  &mXi9L  heep^ 
I  givb  thfe  warrant  of  tby  phure ;  aflMo^  thee; 
If  1  do  vow  a  fnendftiip,  I'll  Dcrtorm  it 
To  the  laft  article :  my  lord  (ball  never  reft ) 
f  rU  watch  hiflo  tame,  and  talk  him  out^  patience  | 
His  bed  ibaU  feeni  a  fdiool,  bis  bqiRl  a  <h^; 
rU  intermingle  every  thing  he  doe^ 
W  ith  Caffio's  fuit :    Therrfore  bp  mcny,  Caflip  i 
For  thy  folicitor  ihall  rather  die| 
Than  give  thy  caufe  away* 

Enter  OtfffUp^  m^  la^f^  ft  u  i^f«f ^ 
MfiniU  Macjam,  here  coqpes  my  lor^* 

•  f^j/  poU^  may  either  Iqft  fo  Z?^,]  He  m^y  cither  of  himlelf 
tUnk  It  politic  to  keep  me  out  of  office  fo  lone,  or  he  may  be  fittif" 
£ed  with  fuch  flight  reafonst  or  fo  many  accu&ats  m(iy  make  htm 
think  my  re-admiffion  at  that  tiipp  ifiiprqper»  that  I  may.be<^Mii6 
fomottep.    JoijKtoN. 

*  ^  m  watch  himtamey'^']  Jt  is  faid,  that  the  fijrocity  of  bcafb, 
Jofuperable  and  irreclaimable  by  any  other  means,  ts  fubducd  by 
keeping  them  fmm  ileep.    JouNSoif. 

Hawks  and  other  birds  are  tamed  hy  k^Qping  tbcm  from  AQe^ 
and  it  ii  to  the  management  of  thofe  Sbakdpear^  aUlidfis.  S^  la 
partwright'i  jLjj^  £rraff^.* 

**—-•  we^l  keep  you, 
'*  At  diey  ^  hatvks,  nwacbing  umillyDU  leave 
fyourwildnefs/ 
So,  in  MMevr  ^Dlive^  >6i6:  <^  ^ ^rour only  way  to  deal  wUl^ 
ticpmen  andpn'ots,  is  to  ir^ /i6<^  w^i/TO'.^ 
'   Again,  in'^r )i^  D*AvenmMi*s  Ju&  Itdtkmf' i^^o ; 
t*  They've  «)w/f-6V  my  harcJyvwlcncpib-iMii^.'^ 

Again,  in  the  Sceke  ef  tiaufyng^  Huniyng^^  &c.  bL  L  no  date : 
f<  Wake  her  all  nyghr,  ^ud  oo  the  morrowe  all  d^y^  aad  ihca  (he 
^  be  ntn enough  (pl]|crt^yiD^^   Sr^p^Ns. 


THK  MOOR^F  VENICE.      51^ 

Caf.  MadaiDi  1*11  tak#  my  leave. 

Ikf.  Why,  ftay,  and  hc^r  me  fpeak. 

Caf.  Madam,  not  aow  1  I  md  veiy  iU  at  eafe^ 
Unfic  for  mine  own  pttr4>ofe8. 

Def.  Well,  do  ywr,diforeiiojD.  [ExitCqfii. 

fygd.  Ha !  I  lil^e  not  that* 

Otb.  What  doll  thou  fay  ? 

Jagp.  Notfaii^  my  lord :  or  xf^mji  know  notivhat 

Otb.  Was  aot  that  Caffio^  ptuted  from  my  wife } 

laga.  Ciiflio,  my  lord  ?  No, fure, Icaonot  thmk  tit. 
That  be  would  fieal  aws^  So  ^uilqr-like^ 
fieeing  you  <:«ming. 

Oib.  I  do  believe,  'twas  ht, 

Drf.  How  now,  my  lord? 
I  have  been  talking  with  a  (uitor  here» 
A  man  that  langui0ie$  in  yopr  difpllcafore^ 

OA.  Who  Wu  you  mean  i 

Dif.  Why,  your  lieutenant  Ci^^o.    Good  my  lord. 
If  I  have  any  grace,  or  power  to  move  you, 
■  His  prefent  recc>nciliatbn  take ; 
For,  if  he  be  not  ope  that  truly  ioves  you, 
That  errs  in  ignqrance,  *  and  pot  in  cMnoingy 
1  have  no  judgment  ii|  an  l)oneft  fjace  : 
i  pr'ythee,  call  him  back. 
Osb.  Went  h^  hence  now  I 
Z)|/I  Ay,  fooch  I  {o  hi^mbledy 
TThat  he  hath  left  part  of  hi$  grief  with  me, 
7*0  fuflfer  with  him  :    QCod  love,  call  him  back. 
Qlb.  Not  now,  fwcct  Defdemona  j  lomc  other  time, 
Def.  But  fhalVt  be  fliortly  ? 
0/i.  The  fooncr,  fwcet,  hjr  you. 

?  Hisfre/eMt  reconciUatioM  take  i^  Caflio  was  to  be  reconciled  to 
his  general,  not  his  general  to  hiiii|  therefore  ia^e  cannot  be  right*. 
We ihpuld  read /voir.    W^rbuetqn, 

Tff  take  bis  reeoiuitiat'ton^  may  be  to  accept  the  fubmiffion  whicl^ 
be  makes  in  ofder  to  be  reconciled.    Johns  ok. 

*  -.  and  mot  in  cunning,]  Cpmhg^  foi^  dciign,  or  puijiore, 
firoply.    Wakbuxton. 

LI4  ptf. 


519  OTHELLO, 

Def.  Shairt  be  to-night  at  fuppcr  ? 

Otb.  No,  not  to-nighc. 

Brf.  To-morrow  dinner  then  ? 

Otb.  I  fhall  not  dine  at  home ; 
I  meet  the  captains  at  the  citadel. 

Def.  Why    then,    to-morrow  nighty  or  tueic]a| 
mom ; 
Or  tuefday  noon,  or  night ;  or  wednefday  mom  \ — 
I  pray  thee,  name  the  time ;  but  let  it  not 
Exceed  three  days :  in  faith,  he's  penitent ; 
And  yet  his  trefp^s,  in  our  common  reafon, 
(Save  that,  they  fay, '  the  wars  muft  make  cxampks 
Out  of  their  beft)  is  not  almoft  a  fault 
To  incur  a  private  check  :   When  (hall  he  come  i 
Tell  me,  Othclk).    I  wonder  in  my  foul. 
What  you  could  aik  me,  that  I  fhould  deny, 
Or  (land  fo  mammering  on  4.  What!  Michael  Caflio, 
That  came  a  wooing  with  you  ^ ;  and  fo  many  a  time, 
When  I  have  fpoke  of  you  difpraifingly. 
Hath  ta'en  your  part ;  to  have  fo  much  to  do 

Out  ef  their  ^»— ]  l^hc  fercrity  of  imfitary  difdplinc 
muft  not  fpare  the  befi  men  of  the  army,  whei^  their  punUhmeot  nay 
zihx^  2^  v/)xp\cX6TDit  example.    Johnson. 

*  — ySf  roammering  onf]  To  hefitatc,  to  ftand  in  fufpencel 
The  word  often  occurs  ii>  oid  Englifh  writings,  and'  probably  takes 
its  original  Froni  the  French  ^Amonr^  which  nien  werq  apt  often 
to  rq)eat  when  they  were  not  prepared  to  give  a  dirp6t  anfwer. 

Hanmek. 
I  find  the  fiune  word  in  Acohfim^  a  comedy,  K29 :    *'  1  ftand  in 
doubt,  or  in  a  mamorynge  between  hope  and  fear. 

Again,  in  Thomas  Dr^nt-s  tranft^ion  of  the  third  S((dre  of  th^ 
(econd  Book  of  Horaice,  i  ^67  : 

**  Ye,  vhen  flie  daygnes  to  fend  for  him,  then  mammfyKg  b< 
'dothe  doute."      Steevens. 

'  ^^tf// Michael  Caffio, 

^bat  came  aiwein^  ixjitb  you\ — ]  And  yet  in  the  firft  aft 
^affio  appears  pcrfcdly  ignorant  of  the  amour,  and  is  indebted  to 
)ago  for  the  information  of  OtheUo*s  marriage,  and  of  the  f^Ssc^ 
<p  whom  he  h  married.    StBtvENs,         "      ' 

• -  ■  •  •  Tr 


1 


THE  MOOR  OF  VENICE.      521 

^o  bring  him  in  I  Truft  me,  I  could  do  much, — 
Olb.  Pr*ythee,  no  more :   let  him  come  when  he 
will  I 
I  will  deny  thte  nothing. 

Def*  Why,  this  is  not  a  boon ; 
*Tis  as  I  Ihould  entreat  you  wear  your  gloves. 
Or  feed  on  nourifhing  dilhes,  or  keep  you  warm; 
Or  fuc  to  you  to  do  a  peculiar  profit 
To  your  own  pcrfon :    Nay,  when  I  have  a  fuit. 
Wherein  I  n^an  to  touch  your  love  indeed. 
It  (hall  be  full  of  pciize  ^  and  difficulty. 
And  fearful  to  be  granted. 

Otb.  I  will  deny  thee  nothing  : 
Whereon,  J  do  befeech  thee,  grant  me  this, — 
To  leave  me  but  a  little  to  myfelf. 

Def.  Shall  I  deny  you  ?  no :  Farewel  j  my  lord. 
Ofb.  Farewel,  my  Defdemona :  I  will  come  to  thee 

ftraight. 
Def*  uSmilia,  come : — Be  it  as  your  fancies  teach 
you; 
Whatever  you  be,  I  am  obedient.    ^Exit  with  Mmil. 
Otb^  7  Excellent  wretch !    Perdition  catch  my  foul^ 

•  I fiill  of  poize — ]    /.  e.   of  weight.    So,  in  ne  Dumk 

'  **  They  ar^  offoize  fufficicnt— * 
'  Again,  \ 

•  "  But  wc  are  all  prei^down  with  other  poize/*  SteeveKi. 

?  Exdillent  Vitt!(Q\i\'r-'Perditwn  catch  my  fiuly 
But  I  do  love  thee!  &c.]  The  meaning  of  the  word  tvretch^ 
\s  not  generally  underi^ood.  It  is  now,  in  fome  parts  of  England, 
a  term  of  the  ibfteft  and  fondeft  tendemefs.  It  exprei&8  the  ut- 
moft  degree  of  amiablencfs,  joined  with  an  idea,  which  perhaps 
^11  tenderpefs  includes,  of  fecblenef?^  Ibftncfs,  and  want  of,  pro- 
"  te^Hon.  Othello,  conlidering  Defdemona  as  ^celling  in  beauty 
and  virtue,  foft  and  tinnorous  by  her  fex,  and  by  her  fituation  ab- 
fclutely  in  his  powef,  calls  her^  Excellent  ixretcb!  It  may  be  cx- 
preiTea:  "      . 

Dear ^  harmJrfs^  he^lep  Excellence.     Johnson. 
Sir  ^  lyAvenant  ufes  the  fame  expreffion  in  his  Cruel  Brother^ 
1630,  and  with  the  fame  meaning.  It  occurs  twice :  "  —  ExcelletU 
^tchl  with  a  timorous  modedy'ihe  ftifleth  up  her  utterance.** 

Steevens. 

But 


itt  OTHELLO, 

But  I  do  love  th^ !  «od  ^irbM  I  love  dice  not^ 
Chaos  is  come  again. 

logo.  My  noble  lord,— 

Ofb.  What  doft  cbou  Tay^  lago  ? 

Iaj;0.  Did  Michael  Cft0i<H  ^^ett  you  liOo'd  my 
lady^ 
Know  of  your  love  ? 

0/ifr.  Hedid^fromfirfttolaft;  Why  doft  thou  aik? 

Im.  But&caiadsfa&ioaof  Aychoi^ht; 
No  turtber  harm. 

Oa.  Whyof  €hf  thoiig^Iago? 

lago.  I  did  not  think,  he  had  botn  acquainted  wtih  it. 

Otb.  Ot  yes ;  aad  went  bacircen  us  very  ofb 

CJI?afis  u  cfime  ^gain.]     When  my  love  b  far  4  monKot  fiif- 
pended  by  fufpicion,  I  have  nothing  in  my  mu»d  but  dircord, 
tumult,  perturbation,  a|id  confufion.    Johkson. 
■       '  whm  J  bvf  iite  mt9 

Cbws  iscmm  i^aimA  There  if  another  meaiiing  poffiUe. 
Wbm  I  ctsfc  to  icm  weh  ^  '^^^^  ^  ^  AM>  ^^i  ^^  ^^^  cemaiDi 
nothing  valuable  or  impc^nt.  The  firil  expknation  maj  be 
more  .elegant,  the  fecond  is  perhaps  more  ray.  Shakefpeare 
baa  the  ume  thought  in  hu  Kemu  mJfA^oius  : 

**  For  he  being  de^d,  with  him  is  beauty  ikin, 
f^  And,  beauty  dead,  black  Chtm  fmes  tigaimT  Steeteni^ 
Tlie  paflage  does  not  ih-ike  me  in  the  fame  light  in  which  it  ap- 
peared to  Dr.  Johnfbn ;  as  0^i|«^  had  not  at  this  time  the  fmalleft 
itbubt  of  hit  wifc^  fiddity.    Mwretus^  a  poet  of  the  i^  ccatMiyi 
^s  extt&ly  the  £une  thought : 

^  Tune  meo  elabi  polfis  de  pe&ore,  Lacxn, 

**  Aut'ego,  dum  Tivam,  npn  meminiile  tui? 
^  Ante  vel  ifiius  mundi  corapage  foluta 
^  T^tz,  in  OMiiquum  fit  rtditwra  Chaos '^ 
The  meaning  of  Shakefpeare  appears  very  dearly  from  die  fid* 
lowing  pailage  in  the  Wmter^s  7«i!r,  where  the  liune  ihoij^bt  i| 
more  tu&y  eapreffed : 

"  -—^  It  cannot  fail 
^  But  by  the  violation  of  my  fiuth— and  then 
*^  Let  future  crufh  the  fides  of  the  earth  tog^ther| 
«*  And  suu  the  feeds  within***    SiALONB. 


TH«  MOD*  ofv  VENICE.      SH 

l^ib.  Indeed  I  ay,  indeed  j-^OifefP^'ft  lim  am^ 
in  that? 
f  s  he  not  hqwSt  i 

logo.  Honeft,  vfXf  lord  ? 

Otb.  Honeft!  ^y^honctu 

/tg^t  My  lord,  ^  aMght  I  Jcmw^ 

0/i&.  What  doft  thou  tbieki 

l0Sf.  Tlmik»  iny  lord  i 

Oibk  Think,  my  loud  ii~By  isMveii,  he  echoes  oie,* 
As  if  there  were  fo«ie  monfter  m  his  thought:  % 
^00  Jbideow  to  b^  (bcvrn. — Thou  doft  mean  (bmcY 

thing: 
I  hof^  thee  fay  but  now, — Thoulik'dil  not  thatt 
When  Cailio  left  my  wife ;   What  <jlid'&  net  like  f 
And,  when  I  tdd  thw~»fae  <was  of  osy  coun&l 
^n  my  whole  ioourlc  of  wooing,  cbou  cry^dft.  Indeed? 
And  didft  contraft  and  purfe  thy  brow  togccber^ 
As  if  thou  then  hadft  fhut  up  in  thy  brain 
Some  horrible  conceit :   If  thou  doit  lore  me« 
^hew  me  thy  thought* 

Jago.  My  lord,  you  know  I  love  you. 

Oib.  I  thinks  thou  doft ; 
And^— for  I  know  thou  art  full  of  love  and  honcfty^ 
And  yyeigh'fi  thy  words   before  thou  giv*ft  them 

breath,-* 
Therefore  ^b^fe  ftops  of  thine  fright  me  the  mores 
For  fuch  things,  in  a  falfe  difloyai  knave. 
Are  tricks  of  cuftom ;  but,  in  a  man  that^s  juft, 
}  They  are  clole  delations^  working  from  the  heart, 

T^at 

•  ^^  By  heaven  he  echoes  m^^ 
^s  if  there  luere  fame  monfier  in  bis  th0i^hty  &g]     Thui  il|^ 
ddeft  cjoaito.    The  fecond  quarto  reads  : 

— —  Why  doft  thou  echo  me. 
As  Sf  there  were  fome  tnonfter  in  thy  thought,  &c« 
^o  folio  reads : 

—  Alas  thou  echo*ft  me. 
As  ifi  to»"  ■■      >        Steevens. 
f  They  are  cold  dilations  vcorking  from  the  hearty 
That  faffim  ctftmot  ruk.1  i.  e«  tbefe  flops  and  breaks  are  tM 

diktknSf 


5«4  OTHELLO, 

That  paffion  cannot  rule, 

lago.  For  Michael  Calfio, — 
I  dare  be  fworn,  I  think  that  h^  is  honed. 

Otb.  I  think  fo  too. 

lago.  Men  fhould  be  what  they  feem  ; 
•  Or,  thofe  that  be  not,  'would  they  might  feem  oooc ! 

Otb.  Certain,  men  fhould  be  what  they  feem. 

lago.  Why  tlien,  I  think  Caflio's  an  hooeft  rean. 

Oib.  Nay,  yet  there's  more  in  this : 
I  pray  thee,  fpeak  to  me  as  to  thy  thinkings. 
As  thou  doft  ruminate;    and  give  thy  worft  of 

thoughts 
The  worft  of  words. 

logo.  Good  my  lord,  pardon  me ; 
Though  I  am  bound  to  every  ad  of  doty, 
lam  not  bound  to  that  all  flaves  are  free  to. 
Utter  my  thoughts?    Why,  fay,  they  arc  vile  and 

falfe,— 
As  whereas  that  palace,  whereinto  foul  things 
Sometimes  intrude  not  ?  who  has  a  breaft  fo  pure, 

£Uti0HSy  or  cold  keqMDg  back  a  fecret,  which  men  of  pblegmsuic 
oonflitutioDt,  whofe  hearts  are  not  fwrayed  or  governed  by  thek 
paffions,  we  find,  can  do :  while  raore  (anguine  tempers  reteal 
themfclves  at  once,  and  without  rtferve.  But  the  Oxford  Editor 
for  fold  dilations^  reads  dift illations.    War  burton. 

I  know  not  why  the  modern  editors  are  iktisfied  with  this  lead- 
ing, which  no  explanation  can  clear.  Thej  mi^t  eaGly  harp 
found,  that  it  is  introduced  without  authority.  The  old  copies 
uniformly  give,  clyje  dilations^  except  that  the  earlier  quarto  has 
doje  denoumoMis  \  which  was  the  author's  ftrft  exprcffion^  afterwards 
changed  by  hi m,  not  to  cold  dilations^  for  cold  is  read  in  no  andent 
copy ;  nor,  I  believe,  to  chfi  dilations^  but  to  clo/g  Jclmiom ;  to 
fcculi  stndficret  aecu/ations^  ^working  involuntarily  ^tf«r  ibe  hearty 
which,  though  refolved  to  conceal  the  fault,  cannpt  rule  its  ft^f^^ 
ofrefentment.    Johnson. 

•  Or,  thofe  that  he  not^  *<vi}ould  the^  might  Jkm  none !]  There  if 
no  fenfe  in  this  reading.     I  fuppofe  Shakespeare  wrote, 

—  *womidtheym^ht  feem  knaves*         .  Warburton, 

I  believe  the  meaning  is,  'voould  they  might  no  longer  fetm^  or  bear 
theihapeofxwM.    Johnson. 

But 


i-HE  M<>OR  or  YiENIGE.     515 

But  fome  uncleanly  apprehepfions 

'  Keep  leecs,  and  law-days,  and  in  fe^Qn  (it 

\^ith  meditations -law/ul  ? 

Ofb.  Thou  doll  cpnfpire  ^gainjft  thj^  friend,  lago,  : 
If  thou  but  think'il  him.  wro^'dy^  ^  ^ak'ft  bis  ear 
A  ftranger  to  thy  thoughts* 

lago.  I  do  befeech  you^  .  , 

4  Though  I— — p^/qhance,  am  vicious  in  my  gucfs, 

:  •        •        :         .        (As, 

'  Xitefi  leets  and  iaw^days^-^'j  e.  govern •  A  metaphOTy 
ftmcbcdfy  forced  and  quainu    Warbu&tok. 

Rather  vifa  than  govern^  but  vifit  with  authoritative  intnifion. 
.-,-/.  *  Johnson* 

Neither  of  the  learned^  commentators  feem  to  have  explained 
thefeword^prt^periy^  ^Liehi,  and  Imxj-dayh,  are'fyn<A)ymou<  term«. 
<<  Leei  (&ys  Jacob,  in  his  Laruj-Di^ionary)  i»  od^enrife  called  a 
kr^ihj^r  They  are  there  es^laincd  to  be  courts,  or  n^eetinss  of 
the  hundred^  ^^  to  certify  the  king  of  the  good  manners,  and  go- 
vernment, tfi  the  inhaoitants,^  and  to  enquire  of  ^1  offences  tnac 
are  not  capital.-  The^poet^s  meaning  Will  now  be  plain.^-Jf^  hiU. 
a  hreaft  fi  Utile  apt  to  form  ill  opinions  of  others^  hut  that  foul fufpicions 
IfM'fimiimfs  imtiWitb  hi  J  ffir^  and  mofl  candid  t  bough t^y  and  ere3 
a  court  in  his  mindy  to  enquire  of  the  offences  apprehended.  Stee  vens. 

♦  Though  lyperchaace^  am  vicious  in  f»ygue/s,]  Not  to  mention 
Aat,  ill, this  reading,  the  fentence  is  abrupt  and  broken,  it  is  like- 
vnfc  highly  abfurd.  I  beieech  you  give  yourfelf  no  uneaiinefs  from 
my  unfoxe^obfervancca'  thoti^  I  am  vicious  hi  my  gueis.  For  hit' 
being  an  ill  guefler  wasa.rearon  why  Othello  Should  not  be  un* 
eafy :  in  propriety,  therefore,  it  (bould  either  have  been,  though  I 
am  ne»  incious^  or  iecaufe  I  am  vicious.  It  appears  then  we  fhould 
read: 

/  do  hcfeechyou^   ■ 
Think  I^perchance^  am  vicious  in  fnyguefs^ 
Which  makes  the  fenie  pertinent  and  per£»:ii.    Warbustok.  '• 

Though  I-^-perchance^  am  vicious  in  tny  gue/s^J  That  abruptnefs  \fL 
the  fpeech  which  Dr.  Warburton  complains  of,  and  would  alter, 
may  be  eaiitv  accounted  for*  lago  feems  defirous  by  this  ambigu* 
ous  hi|$,  Thot^h  /— ta  inflame  the  jealoufy  of  Othello,  which  he 
.knew  would  be  more  effectually  done  In  this  manner,  than  by  any 
czpreffion  that  bore  a  determinate  meting*  The  jealous  Othello 
would  fill  up  the  paufe  in  the  fpeech,  which  lago  turns  off  at  laft 
to  another  purpole,  and  find  a  more  cenain  caufe  of  difcontem, 
and  a  g|:eater  dq^ree  of  torture  ariUng  from  the  dovbtful  confidera- 
ti«A  bow  it  might  have  concluded,  tnan  he  could  have  experienced 

hadt 


S%S         6   f  H  B   t  t  6, 

(As,  I  confeis,  it  U  mfnivartti  pii^ 

To  fpy  into  abufesi  and,  tfk,  my  jealottfy 

Shapes  faults  that  are  hot!  thstt  ytMir  wiflottt  jMt^ 

From  one  that  St  ^  hnperwaijr  cooccitSi 

Would  take  no  nrace ;  dot  build*  yoitflblf  »  ttottbte 

Out  of  his  fcattering  and  m(iiit  obfttvance:-- * 

It  were  not  for  your  quiet,  nor  your  good^ 

Nor  lor  my  manhood^  honeft^^  or  Wifdom,- 

To  let  you  knpvf  my  thoughts* 

Oib.  What,  doft  thou  mean  .^ 

la^o.  Good  name,  in  i0io,  add  ^^oaamp  dttr  naif 
lord, 
ts  the  immediate  jewel  of  their  foub: 
Who  fteals  my  pimb^  deals  tva/b  ;  ^tis  femcrhfngy  oo^ 

thing; 
Twas  mine,  'tis  hh,  andhas  Beeti&t««Hhoutelife} 
But  he»  that  fUches  from  me  my  goofd  name^ 
Roba  me  of  that^  which  not  enrich^  kiiiH. 

Bad  tbe  whole?  of  what  ht  cnqtlhtd  after  b«i  ii[>tfHiiti5  Mm  WUI 
every  circtmuance  of  agrnmdto* 

Wb  may  Aippofe  him  lihuMmg  M  hhaOl^  fte  laymcfcuJfly 
comimied  thethought  tfau^  ^1M^  i^MlMb jh»^  iiter  I  d$^ 9$ 
Jftskrf. 

rtci9U  t  ik  mf  gu^  doei  TM  fttM  tfcitf  lie  b  jtf  /gj  w^hs  bat  that 

tftt  ne  a 


he  is  apt  to  put  the  worft  confirudiott  oa  ^N^eiy  dm^ 
to  account  fou    SrsBTEKt* 

^  '^Aatjimr  nxnfdHnjet;\  Thus  tlife  feCflb    Tfce^U^rtlllOtg 
—  I  entreat  you  then 
From  one  that  ib  imperfedlydM^/i 
You'd  take  no  notice^— -^ 
To  cmjeHy  L  e;  to  km^eHun^  if  atefb  uitt  hf  t/&m  Wftttn« 
toy  in  ^IIewZi;/^,  a  ooniedy,  1529: 

<^  Nour leaibn  I,  mtat^eA  wWi  ihyftif^ 
Again, 

•«  I  canort  fbrgct  dqr  iaying*  or  itxftm§tShig  wovlk^ 

•  -*-  Impel fcaiyfgwr/i?!,]    In  theoU^tttrto  Itil, 
^_         ■  ■"' '  improbn^  conctits^ 
Which  I  thtnkiAvferable*    JoHwaoir; 
There  it  no  luek  reading  9MVf^0^Sjf  W  ciAef  €jpt(rt6. 

And 


THi  MOOR  or  TEKICE.      527 

And  makes  me  poor  indttck 

OfHi  By  heaven,  TU  kne^  thy  thought. 

lago.  Yoa  cannot^  if  my  heart  were  in  your  hand ; 
Ken'  fthilL  not,  whUft  'tis  in  my  cuAody. 

Oa.  Ha! 

Iag0*  O^beware^my  tordy  of  jealouiy; 
It  is  the  groen-ey^d  mmfter,  r  which  dodi  mock 

The 

■    ■■■"  VfiffCV  MtUfOOCm. 

Thi  wuai  itjtids  m— ]  L  c  loaths  tbat  whidi*  iioiiri{hc»  and 
fuftaint  it*    This  beinjr  a  miferable  ibte,  lago  bids  him  bewarr 
«fit.    TIteCMbrd  Editor  reads: 
■  *a)bicb  dotb  make 

Implying  that  iti  uifpicions  are  unreal  and  gnnmdlefsy  which  it  the 
verycontraiy  to  whathewotM  he^  iliakie  his  genersd  ththk,  as  ap« 
taur»  ftom  what  ^)Bovrs : 

Tbat  cuMJ  iives  im  Mfrsf  ^^ 
Ih  a  word)  tfae^iOaki  i^  for  fixing  him  jealotis :  tnd  therefbm  bi& 
btm  baimre  of  jealoufy,  not  that  it  was  an  mrtafimMe^  but  a  mykt* 
tAle^\t\  and  thSl  ^onget  him  into  tt,^  at  we  fte by  hirre^, 
whichr  it  only 

O.n^tiy!       Warboh^ow*     - 

I  have  reoeited  H^nmer^t  emondation  ;  \mk^  Uxmnk^  dbM  not 
fignify  to  loatb ;  and  bectf uie,  when  lago  bf di  Othelb  he^»are  ef 
jt^drnt^^  tbi  greiM-iyeJ  mdtifitr,  iti^  natural  to  ceU  whv  he  Ihoula 
beware,  and  for  caution  he  gtret  him  two  reafons,  that  jealou^ 
j/?Mr*creacet  its  own  caufe,  arid  that,  when  the  caiAsF  are  real, 
jealottfy  it  mifeiy.    JoH»rtoN« 

In  tfait  place,  and  fome  othert,  to  mock  feema  the  fiune  «ifUitit 
mammdck.    Farmer. 

If  Shakefipeate  had  written-^-^  gteen*ey*d  monfter^  we  might 
Iktvc  ftippoled  him  to  refer  to  fome  creature  exiifcing  only  in  hit 
particular  imagination ;  hut  the  green*ey*d  mon^rieems  to  hate 
reference  to  ap  ob]e£t  at  familiar  to  his  readers  9%  to  himlHf. 

It  it  known  that  the  tyger  kind  hare  gnett  i^is^  and  alwayt  pkty 
With  the  vi^m  to  their  hunger,  before  the}*  devour  it*  So,  in  our 
Aothor^t  Tarqu'iH  and  Lucrece: 

**  Like  foul  night-waking  cof  he  doth  but  dU^ 

While  in  his  h6ki^feft  toot  the  weak  moufe  pantetlp**** 
Thut,  a  jealout  hufbandf  who  difcovers  no  certain  caufe  why  he 
may  be  divorced,  continues  to  fport  whh  the  woman  whom  he 
fuipc£b,  and,  on  more  certain  evidence,  determines  to  puniftitf 
There  it  no  beaft  that  can  be  literally  laid  to  make  its  own  food, 
and  therefoie  I  am  unwilling  to  receive  the  emendation  of  Hanmer, 

cfpeci)dly 


52$  O    T    H    E    L-V    d. 

The  meat  it  feeds  on :   Ttu|t  cqckold  lives  in  bli^ 
Who,  certain  of  his  fate,  loves  not  his  wronger ; 
But,  O,  what  damned  minutes  fells  he  o'er. 
Who  dotes,  yet  doubts  j  fufpeds,  yet  (trongly  loves  • ! 

Otb.  O  mifery ! 

lago.  Poor^  and  content,  is  rich,  and  rich  enough  9 
9  But  riches,  finelefs,  is  '  as  poor  as  wiqter. 
To  him  that  ever  fears  he  ftiall  be  poor : — 
Good  heaven,  the  fouls  of  all  my  tribe  defend 
From  jealoufy! 

eTpecially  as  I  flatter  myfelr  that  a  giimpre  of  meatuog  May  bt 
produced  from  the  ancient  reading. 

In  Antomyand  Ckopatra  the  confidlcd  lyprd  ocean  agaio : 
— —  tell  him 
He  mocks  the  paufes.that  he  makes. 
I.  f.  he  plays  wantonly  with  thofe  incenralt  of  Ume  which  h* 
ihould  improve  to  his  own  preCervation* 

Should  fuch  an  explanation  be  admiffible,  the  adnce  {^ven  by 
;o  will  amount  to  this  \~Be^Mare^  my  lord,  of  yielding  to  afafim 
icb  as  yet  has  no  proofs  to  jufiiff  its  exccjs,  Think  how  the  imterval 
het'joeen  fuj^icion  and  certainty  mujl  he  filled.  Though  yom  donit  her 
fidelity^  yom  cannot  yet  r(fi^  her  yottr  hod^  ordrivi  her  from  your 
heart ;  hut^  liki  the  capricious  firvagef  muft  coutimi  to^ort  ww  out 
whom  you  wait  fitr  an  optortunity  to  deftrqy. 

Such  is  the  only  (enie  that  I  am  able  to  draw  from  die  Qriginal 
text.  What  I  have  faid,  may  be  liable  to  Tome  objedions,  but  I 
have  nothing  better  to  propofe.  That  Jealoufy  is  a  monfier  which 
often  creaas  the  fufpicions  on  which  it  feeds,  may  be  wdl  admitted 
according  to  Hanmer*s  propoficion  ;  but  is  it  the  monfier  ?Y^*  ^* 
a  well-known  and  confpicuous  animal)  or  whence  has  it  greeu 
eyes?  Tellow  is  the  colour  which  Sbakelpeare  pippropriates  to  jea« 
loufy.  It  mufi  be  acknowledged  that  he  a&erwards  charaflerizts 
it  as  "    'I     '     a  monftcr, 

**  Begot  upon  itfelf,  born  on  itfelf,** 

but  yet  I ^^  What  damned  minutes  counts  he  oW,  Scc^^  is  die 

beft  iUufiiatipn  of  my  attempt  to  explain  the  paflage.  To  pro- 
duce danmer's  meaning,  a  change  in  the  text  is  necefliiry.  I  am 
counfel  for  the  ok)  reading.    Steevens. 

*  ^Jirottgly  loves!]  Thus  the  quarto;  the  folioi^fiuMdjf 
loves«    Steevehs.  , 

•  But  riches^  /««?^f~]      Unbounded,   endlefs,    uimttmbered> 
treafurcs.    Johnson. 

—  as  poor  as  winter,]    Finely  expreHcd :  <ivijv/rr producing  as 

Otht 


I 

fruits»    Was  BURTON » 


^•HE  MoOR  of  Vfel^lCE.      519 

htb.  -Why  ?  why  is  this  ? 
Think*ft  thou,  Td  make  a  life  of  jealoufy. 
To  follow  ftill  the  changies  of  the  moon 
With  frelh  fufpicions  ?  No;  to  be  once  irt  doubts 
Is — once  to  be  rcfolv'd :  Exchange  mfe  for  a  goat, 
Wlien  I  fhall  turn  the  bufinefs  of  my  foul 
*  To  fuch  cxfuSblate  and  blown  furmifes, 
Matching  thy  inference.    *Tis  not  to  make  me  jealous^ 
To  fay — my  wife  is  fair,  feeds  wtll,  loves  company^ 
Is  free  of  fpccch,  fings,  plays,  and  dances  well ; 
3  Where  virtue  is,  thefe  ztt  fnoi-e  virtuous : 
Nor  from  mine  own  weak  merits  will  I  draw 
The  fmalleft  fear,  or  doubt  of  her  revolt ; 
For  He  had  eyes,  and  chofc  me :  No,  lago ; 
ni  fee,  before  I  doubt;  when  Ldoubt,  prove; 
And,  on  the  proof,  there  is  no  more  but  this,— 
Away  at  once  with  love,  orjealoufy. 

lagOn  I  am  glad  of  this;   for  now  I  Ihall  have 
reafon 
To  fliew  the  love  and  duty  that  I  bear  yoii 
With  franker  fpirit ;  therefore,  as  1  am  bound, 
Receive  it  frofn  me  : — I  fpeak  not  yet. of  proof. 
Look  to  your  wife;  obfcrve  her  well  with  Caflio; 

*  7(0  yZrf i  exfuffblatc  and  hl(n\:n  /urmifis^']  Tliis  odd  and  far- 
fcrched  word  was  made  yet  more  uncoutli  in  all  the  editions  before 
Hanmers,  by  being  printed,  cxfuffluate.'  The  allufion  is  to  a  bub- 
blc.  Do  not  think,  fays  the  Moor,  that  I  (hall  change  the  noble 
defigns  that  now  employ  my  thoughrs,  to  fufpicions  which,  like 
bubbles  blown  into  a  wide  dxtcnt,  have  only  an  empry  (lievv  without 
folldiry  j  or  that,  in  con(equencc  of  fuch  empty  Icars,  I  will  clofe 
with  thy  inference  againf^  the  virtue  of  my  wife.     Johnscnt. 

'  Wfjere  mrtue  /V,  tbeje  are  moft  virtuous ;]  An  ac^on  in  itfelf 
imlifferent,  grows  virtuous  by  its  end  and  application.     Johnson. 

I  know  not  why  the  modem  editors,  in  oppolidon  to  the  liril 
quarto  and  folio,  read  moji  inl'tead  ot  mon^ 

A  palfase  in  j4li'j  sw/l  that  endi  <vofU^  is  perhaps  the  bcft  com- 
ment on  the  feutimcrit  of  Oihello  :    **  1  have  ihols  good  ho{>e8  of 
her,  education  prom ifes  :  his  difpoHtlon  ilie  inherits  ;  v^Wich  makes 
^"*  gifi^  fairer.^*     Graiior  f  pu!chro  *v::i::tis  c:  corf  ore  virtus. 

Steevkxsi 

VoLi  X,  M  m  Wear 


S30  OTHELLO, 

\ycar  your  eye— thus,  not  jealous,  nor  fecure  t 

I  would  not  have  your  free  and  noble  nature^ 

4  Out  of  felf-bounty>  be  abus'd  ;  look  to't : 

I  know  5  our  country  difpofition  well ; 

In  Venice  they  do  let  heaven  fee  the  pranks 

They  dare  not  (hew  their  hulbands  j  their  heft  con* 

fcience 
Is— not  to  leave  undone,  but  keep  unknown  ^. 

Olb.  Doft  thou  fay  fo  ? 

lago.  She  did  deceive  her  father,  marrying  you ; 
7  And,  when  (he  feem*d  to  Ihake,  and  fear  your  looks. 
She  lov*d  them  moft. 

Otb.  And  fo  Ihe  did. 

lago.  Why,  go  to,  then  ; 
She  that,  fo  young,  could  give  out  fach  a  feeming, 
•  To  feel  her  father^s  eyes  up,  clofe  as  oak, — 

He 

*  Out  of  felf-bounty  he  dbui^dy-^    Se^-lovn^^  fbr  inheitnt  gc- 
mcrofity.    Warburton. 


I 


*  '^^  our  country  di/hofitii 
InFenke ]  Here  lago  fccms  to  be  a  Venetian.  Johns  ox. 

*  Is  not  to  leave  undone^  out  keep  a»i^»0w«.]  The  fbbo  perhapt 
more  cleariy  reads : 

Is  not  to  leave'/  undone,  but  keep'/  unknown.    Steevens. 

^  And,  ^lihen  Jhe  fcenCd — "]  This  and  the  following  argument 
of  lago  ought  to  be  deeply  impreflcd  on  every  reader.  Deceit 
iihd  falfehood,  whatever  conveniencies  they  may  for  a  time  pro* 
mife  or  produce,  are,  in  the  fum  of  life,  ohftaclcs  to  faappioeis. 
Thofe,  who  profit  by  the  cheat,  diftrull  the  deceiver,  and  the  aft, 
by  which  kindncfs  was  fought,  puts  an  end  to  confidence. 

The  fame  objtnStion  may  be  made  with  a  lower  degree  of  (hmgth 
againft  the  imprudent  generofity  of  difproponionate  marriages. 
When  the  firll  heat  of  paffion  is  over,  it  is  eaiily  fucceeded  by  fulpl- 
don,  that  the  fame  violence  of  inclination,  which  caufed  one  irregula- 
rity,  may  (limulate  to  another ;  and  th jfe  who  have  ihewn,  that  their 
paffions  are  too  powerful  for  their  prudence,  will,  with  very  {light 
appeanincps  againil  them,  be  cenfuicd,  as  not  very  likely  to  rclinui 
them  by  their  viriuc.     JoH Nsok. 

•  J'o  fid  her  fatfxr^s  eves  ttp^  clofe  as  oak,—]  There  ii  little  re* 
lation  between  eyes  and  oak.     I  would  read  : 

She  jccPd  bcrfatfjer^s  eyes  up  clofe  as  owl's* 
As  hlind  as  an  «v/,  is  a  proverb.    Johnson. 

7i 


tH£  MOOR  o#  VENiCE.      531 

tie  thought,  'twas   witchcraft: — But  J  am  much 

to  blame ; 
1  humbly  do  bcfcech  you  of  yoUr  pardon^ 
For  too  much  loving  you. 

Otb,  I  am  bound  to  thee  for  ever. 

logo.  I  fee^  this  hath  a  little  dafh'd  your  fpirits* 

Otb.  Not  a  jot,  not  a  jot. 

lago.  Truft  me,  I  fear  it  has. 
I  hope,  you  will  conGder,  what  is  fpoke 
Comes  from  my  lore : — But,  I  do  fee,  youareraov^d  j— * 
I  am  to  pray  you,  not  to  ftrain  my  fpeech 
9  To  grofler  iflues,  nor  to  larger  reach^ 
Than  to  fufpicion. 

Otb.  I  will  not. 

lago.  Should  yoii  do  fo,  my  lo^dj 
^  My  fpeech  Ihould  fall  into  fuch  vile  fuccefs 
As  my  thoughts  aim  not  at.    Caflio*s  my  worthy 
friend : — 

To  feel  her  father^ s  eyes  upy  cbfe  as  oak, — ]  The  eak  is  (I  believe) 
the  moil  clo/e-graineS  wood  of  general  ufe  in  England.  Clofi  as 
aak^  means,  clofr  as  the  grain  of  the  oak,  I  fee  no  caufe  for  altera* 
tion. 

To  feel  is  an  expnsffion  taken  from  falconry*  So,  in  Btn  Jon« 
foa^s  CatiUne : 

«  —  would  have  kept 
**  Both  eyes  and  beak  fecfd  up,  for  fix  fcHcrces." 

STfifiVENS. 

•  Ti^^fr  iflues,]     ij^j,  for  conclufions.    Warburton. 

*  My  fpeech 'would  fail  into /itch 'Vik  {occcf$y^  Succifs,  for  fuc- 
/Kflion^  i.  e,  conclufion ;  not  prolpcrous  iffuc.     War  BUR  ton. 

I  rather  think  there  is  a  depraxlition,  and  would  read : 
3^  fpeech  ivould  fall  into  fuch  vile  exccfs. 
li  fuccefs  be  the  right  word,  it  feems  to  mean  confeqmnei  dr  events 
tsfuccejfo  is  ufed  in  Italian*    Johnson. 

I  think  fuccefs  may,  in  this  mfhince,  bear  its  common  interpreta- 
tion. What  lago  means,  feems  to  be  this :  "  Should  you  do  fo, 
my  lord,  my  words  would  be  attended  by  fuch  an  infamous  degree 
ot  fuccefs,  as  my  thoughts  do  not  even  aim  at."  lago,  who  coun- 
terfeits the  feelings  of  virtue,  might  have  faid  fall  into  fuccefs^  and 
*vile  fuccefs^  bccaufe  he  would  appear  to  Othello,  to  wi(h  that  the. 
enquiry  into  Defdcmona's  guilt  might  prove  fiuitlefs  and  unfuc-^ 
•efsful.    Stec:v£Ns. 

M  m  2  Mf  • 


532  O    T    H    E    L    L    Oi 

My  lord,  I  fee  you  are  mov'd. 

Otb.  No,  noe  much  mov'd  : — 
I  do  not  chink,  but  Defdemona's  honeft. 

lago.  Long  live  Ihe  fo !  and  long  live  you  to  think 
fol 

Otb.  And  yet,  how  nature  erring  fix)m  itfelf, — 

lago.  Ay,  there's   the  point:    As, — to  be  bold 
with  yop, — 
Not  to  afifeft  many  propofed  matches. 
Of  her  own  clime,  complexion,  and  degree ; 
Whereto,  we  fee,  in  all  things  nature  tends: 
Foh !  one  may  fmell,  in  fuch,  a  ^  will  moft  rank^ 
Foul  difproportion,  thoughts  unnatural. 
But  pardon  me ;  I  do  not,  in  pofitipn, 
Diftinftly  fpeak  of  her :  though  I  may  ftar. 
Her  will,  recoiling  to  her  better  judgment. 
May  fall  to  match  you  with  her  country  forms^ 
And  (hapily)  repent. 

Otb.  Farewcl,  farewel : 
If  more  thou  doft  perceive,  let  me  know  more ; 
Set  on  thy  wife  to  obferve  :  Leave  me,  lago. 

lago.  My  lord,  I  take  my  leave.  [Going. 

0th.  Why  did  I  marry  ? — This  honeft  creature, 
doubtlefs. 
Sees  and  knows  more,  much  more,  than  he  unfolds. 

lago.  My  lord, — I  would,  I  might  entreat  your 
honour 
To  fcan  this  thing  no  further ;  leave  it  to  time : 
And  though  it  be  He  that  Cadio  have  his  place, 
(For,  fure,  he  fills  it  up  with  great  ability) 
Yet,  if  you  plcafe  to  hold  him  off  a  while, 
3  Yqu  (hall  by  that  perceive  him  and  his  means : 

«  — will  mofi  raniy"]     Wtll^  is  for  wilfulnefs.    It  is  fii  ufcd  by 
Afcham.    A  rauk  w///,  is  fe^-'volU  overgrown  and  exuberant. 

Johnson* 
5  YiiuJbaU  hy  that  perceive  him^  and  his  meatu^     You  ihall  dif» 
cover  wli€ther  he  thinks  his  beft  meam^  his  molt  power rul  intarfi^  is 
^y  the  rolicitatiou  of  your  lady.    Johnson, 

Note, 


*rHE  MOOR  OF  VENICE.      533 

Note,  if  your  lady  4  ftrain  his  entertainment 
With  any  ftrong,  or  vehement  importunity  ; 
Much  will  be  feen  in  that.    In  the  mean  time. 
Let  me  be  thought  too  bufy  in  my  fears, 
(As  worthy  caufc  I  have,  to  fear — I  am) 
And  hold  her  free,  I  do  befeech  your  honour. 
Otb.  5  Fear  not  my  government. 
lago.  I  once  more  take  my  leave.  [ExiU 

Otb.  This  fellow's  of  exceeding  honefty. 
And  knows  all  qualities,  *  with  a  learned  fpirit. 
Of  human  dealings :  7  If  I  do  prove  her  haggard, 

*  -^Jlraln  his  entertainment]  Prels  hard  his  rc-admiffion  to  \C\% 
pay  and  office.  Entertainment  was  the  military  term  for  admiffioa 
of  fbldiers.    Johnson. 

'  Fear  not  iny  government^]  Do  not  diftruft  my  ability  to  contain 
mypaffion.    Johnson. 

«  — w//^  tf  learned  ^/>//,]     Learned^  for  experienced. 

Warburton, 

The  conflru6lion  is.  He  knows  with  a  learned  fpirit  all  qualities 
of  human  dealings.    Johnson. 

'  "-^  If  I  do  fn-ove  her  haggard,]  A  haggard  hawk,  is  ao:ild 
hawk,  a  haivi  unreclaimed^  or  irreclaimable.     Johnson. 

A  haggard  is  a  particular  fpecies  of  hawk.  It  is  difficult  to  he  re^ 
^laimedf  but  not  irreclaimable* 

From  a  paiTage  in  Fittoria  Coromhona^  it  appears  that  haggard 
was  a  term  of  reproach  fometimes  applied  to  a  wanton :  "  Is  this 
your  perch,  you  haggard?  fly  to  the  llews." 

Turhervile  fays,  that  "  the  haggart  falcons  are  the  moft  excellent 
birds  of  all  other  falcons.  Latham  gives  to  the  haggart  only  the 
iecond  place  in  the  valued  Jile,  In  Holland* s  Leaguer^  a  comedy, 
by  Shakerly  Marmyon,  1635,  i?  the  following  illuftrativc  paf«» 
iage: 

"  Before  thcfe  courtiers  lick  their  lips  at  her, 
**  ni  truft  a  wanton  haggard  in  the  wind.'* 
Again, 

♦*  For  fiie  is  ticklifli  as  any  haggard^ 
*♦  And  quickly  loft." 

Again,  in  Tica  Wife  Men^  and  all  the  Reft  Fools^  f  619  :  "  the  ad- 
mirable conqucft  the  faulconer  maketh  in  a  hawk*s  nature;  bring* 
ing  the  ixjild  haggard  hamng  all  the  earth  and  feas  to  four  over  uncon-» 
troulabh^  to  attend  and  obey,  ^c."  Haggard^  hou'ever,  had  a  po- 
pular i^fe,  and  was  ufed  for  'wild  by  thofe  who  thought  notion 
tii^  ian^ag^  of  falconers*     St  e  £  v  £  n  s  • 

M  w  3  Though 


534  OTHELLO, 

«  Though  that  her  jefies  were  my  dear  heart-ftringt, 
9  rd  whiftle  her  off,  and  let  her  down  the  wind^ 
To  prey  at  fortune.     Haply,  for  I  am  blavk  ; 
And  have  not  thofe  i'oft  parts  of  convcrfation 
That  chamberers  »  have  :  Or,  for  I  am  declined 
Into  the  vale  of  years ;-— yet  that's  not  much  ; — 
She's  gone ;  I  am  abus'd  ;  and  my  relief 

•  Though  that  her  jcffet  ^Mere  wy  dear  beart-Jirings^  J^^^  *rc 
ihort  ilraps  of  leather  tied  about  the  toot  of  a  hawk,  by  which  (he 
18  held  on  the  fift.    I{ a  n  M  e  r  • 

In  Heywood's  comedy,  called  A  Woman  kiHed  vjtth  Kinint^ 
l6i  7,  a  number  of  thefe  terms  relative  to  hawking  occur  together ; 
"  Now  Ihc  hath  fetz'd  the  fowl,  and  'gins  to  plume  her ; 
'^  Rebeck  her  not ;  rather  Hand  Hill  and  check  her. 
*'  So :  feize  her  gets,  Yitxjejfes^  and  her  belk**  St ee  veins  • 
•  Ttl'UohiftU  biT  offy  and  ht  her  down  iht  ivind 
To  prey  at  firtune.r--']     The  falconers  always  let  fly  thehaw1( 
^infi:  the  wiod ;  if  (he  flics  with  the  wind  behind  her»  flie  iekiora 
returns.     If  therefore  a  hawk  was  for  any  realbn  to  be  difmifled, 
(he  was  kt  down  the  wind^  ^nd  from  that  time  fliirted  for  herfelf, 
txid preyed  at  fortune.    This  was  told  me  by  the  late  Mr.  Clark. 

JoUNSON> 

ni  whiftle  her  off^  &c.]  This  paflTagemay  pofliWy  receive  il- 
luflrat ion  from  afimilar  one  in  Button^  A-natomy  of  Melancholy, 
p.  2.  fe^.  I.  mem.  3.  **  As  a  Ign^-winged  liawke^  when  he  is 
t*  firft  wfjifiiede^'thejifi^  mounts  aloft,  and  for  his  pleafurc  fetcheth 
V  many  a  circuit  in  the  ayi^,  Hill  foaring  higher  and  higher,  till 
**  he  come  to  his  full  pitch,  and  in  the  end,  when  the  gan^e  is 
**  fprung,  comes  down  amaine,  and  Jioupes  upon  a  fudden.** 

Perct. 
Again,  in  The  SpamJbGipfify  16^5,  by'MIddleton  and  Rowl^ : 

"  —  That  young  tamterd^ 
'    *'  Whom  you  havefuch  a  mind  to ;  if  you  can  whiftle  fjer 

•*  To  come  to^,  make  trial,  play  the  young  falconer,^ 
A  lannerd  is  a  fpecies  of  hawk.     Again,   in  Beaumont  aD4 
Fletcher's  Bonduca :         **  —  he  that  bafely 

**  //-^//Zf^  his  honour  fl^/^ /^<f  «rwv/,  Src.***   Steevens. 
■  Chamierers]  i.  e.  men  of  intrigue.     So,  4n  the  Counted  of' 
Pembiokc'^  Antonius^  1 590 : 

**  Fal'n  from  a  fouldier  to  a  chamherer!* 
Again,  in  Chaucer's  Romaunt  of  the  Roje^  ver.  4935  : 

**  Only  through  youth  the  chamberere!* 
^bus,  in  the  French  Poem  : 

^*  P^r  la  jeunefl'e  la  ehamherkreP    SteeveNS. 

Muft 


THE  MOOR  OF  VENICE.      53s 

Muft  be — to  loath  her.     O  curfe  of  marriage. 

That  we  can  call  thefe  delicate  creatures  ours, 

i^nd  not  their  appetites  !  I  had  rather  be  a  tpad^ 

And  live  upon  the  vapour  of  a  dungeon, 

Than  keep  a  comer  in  the  thing  I  love. 

For  others'  ufes.     Yet,  *tis  the  plague  of  great  ones; 

Prerogative  are  they  Ids  than  the  bafc : 

*Tis  deftiny  unfhunnabk,  like  death ; 

Even  then  this  *  forked  plague  is  fated  to  us. 

When  we  do  quicken.     Deidemona  comes  ^ : 

Enter  J)e/demoHa,  and  Emilia. 

If  flie  be  falfe,  O,  then  heaven  mocks  itfelf  !— 
FU  not  believe  it. 

Def.  How  now,  my  dear  Othello  ? 
Your  dinner,  and  the  generous  iflanders  4 
By  you  invited,  do  attend  your  prefcncc. 

*  — fbrkcii  plague — ]     In  alluiion  to  a  harhed  or  forked  arrow', 
which,  once  lofixed,  cannot  be  extracted.     Johnson. 

Or  rather,  the  forHeJ plague  is  the  cuckold's  horns.     Percy. 
Dr.  Johnfon  may  be  riv(ht.     I  meet  with  the  fame  thought  ia 
^liddleton's  comedy  of,  A  Mad  fforUmy  Mafirrsy  1608  : 
"  While  the  broad  arrow,  with  tYi*:  forked  beadj 
**  Miffes  his  brow3  but  narrowly." 
Again,  ill  King  Lear :  —  though  the  fork  invqde 

The  region  of  my  heart. 

Mr.  Malone  fupports  the  explanation  of  Dr.  Percy,  by  the  fol? 
lowing  pa{l'a;;e  in  Machines  Dumb  Knight^  1633  : 

*'  Women,  why  were  you  made  for  ma ti's  affliction  ? 
"  You  devils,  fhapM  like  ani^els,  through  whofe  deed$ 
"  0\yx  forked  Jhames  are  made  moft  vifible." 
Again,  frjm  7 ar  lions  Ncvoes  out  0/ Pur  gator  ie :    **  —-dub  the  old 
Squire  Knight  of  the  forked  onierJ*    Stee  vens. 

'  Dcjdcmotta  comes:]      Thus   the  quartos.     The  folio  reads: 
Look  where  Jhe  comes.     Ste evens. 

♦  —  the  generous  iflanders]  Are  the  iflanders  of  rank^  diJlinHlon. 
So,  in  Meafure  fiir  Meaju^e  :  > 

The  generous  and  graved  citizens 
Have  hent  the  gates. 
Generous  has  here  the  power  of  gemrofus^  Lat.    This  explana^. 
tjoni  huweveri  may  be  tix>  uarticular.    ^TfifiVfiNSf 

M  o)  4  OtL 


536  OTHELLO^ 

0th.  I  am  to  blame, 

Def.  Why  is  your  fpcech  fo  faint  ?  arc  you  not  weUl 

O^b.  I  have  a  pain  upon  my  forehead  here. 

Def.  Why,  that's  with  watching ;  'twill  away  again! 
Let  me  but  bind  it  hard,  within  this  hour 
It  will  be  well. 

Otb.  5  Your  napkin  is  too  litdc ; 

[She  drops  b$r  handkercbUf. 
Let  it  alone.    Conie,  1*11  go  in  with  you. 

Def.  1  am  very  forry  that  you  are  not  w«ll, 

[Exeunt  De/d.  and  Olbf 

yEmil.  I  am  glad,  I  have  found  this  napkin ; 
This  was  her  firtt  remembrance  from  the  Moor : 
My  wayward  hulband  hath  a  hundred  rimes 
Woo'd  me  to  fteal  it  j  but  (he  fo  loves  the  toket)^ 
(For  he  conjur'd  her,  fl^  (hould  ever  keep  it) 
That  (he  refervcs  it  evermore  about  her. 
To  kifs,  and  talk  to«     Fll  have  the  work  ta^cn  out^ 
And  give  it  lago  :  , 

What  he'll  do  with  it,  heaven  knows,  not  I  % 
^  I  nothing,  but  to  pleafc  his  fantafy. 

Enter  lago. 

lago.  How  now !  what  do  you  here  alone  ? 
jEmil.  Do  not  you  chide  j  I  have  a  thing  for  yod* 

'  Tour  napkin^  &c.]  Ray  fays,  that  a  pocket  handkerchief  is  (b 
called  about  Shcifield  in  Yoikfliirc.  So,  in  Greene's  Never  too 
latc^  i6i6  : 

<*  \  can  wet  one  of  my  new  lockeram  napkins  with  weeping,** 

Napery  figaifies  Unncn  in  general.  So,  in  Decker's  Hoa^  fVhare^ 
1635  :  **  —  prithee  put  me  into  wholfome  naperyP 

A?;ain,  in  Chapman's  Mi^^^  i6ii ;  *'  Befides  your  muDlti9A 
of  manchet,  n^fcfy^  plates,  ficc," 

Again,  in  Hirle  Park^  by  Shirley,  1637  :  "  A  gentleman  that 
loves  clean  napery^*     Naperia^  Ital.     Steevens. 

*  /  nothings  liut  to  fka/e  bis  fantOj^.']  Thus  the  folio.  The 
c^uartOy  1622,  reads: 

1  nothing  knovj  htt  for  his  faatafy.     SxEEVEjfSr 


tHE  M  (5  O  R  Of  V  E  N  !  C  £•      s^i 

fago.  You  have  a  thing  for  mc  ? — it  is  a  common 
thing. 

JEmiL  Hal 

Jago.  To  have  a  foblilli  wife. 

yEmil.  Oy  is  that  all  ?  What  will  you  give  me  no^ 
For  that  fame  handkerchief? 

lago.  What  handkerchief^ 

jEmil.  What  handkerchief? 
Why,  that  the  Moor  firft  gave  to  Defdemona; 
Xhat  which  fo  often  you  did  bid  me  fleal« 

Iag$.  Haft  flolen  it  from  her  ? 

JEmiL  No ;  but  fiie  let  it  drop  by  negligence ; 
And,  7  to  the  advaptag;?,  I^  being  here,  took  it  up. 
Look,  here  it  is. 

lago.  A  good  wench ;  give  it  me. 

jEmil.  What  will  you  do  with  it,  that  you  have 
been  fo  earneft 
To  have  me  filch  it  ? 

lago.  Why,  what  is  that  to  you  ?      [SmtMng  iU 

jEmiL  If  it  be  not  for  fome  purpofe  of  import. 
Give  it  me  again  :  Poor  lady  !  ftie*ll  run  mad. 
When  ihe  (hall  lack  it. 

lago.  5  Be  not  you  known  on't ;  I  have  ufe  for  it. 
Go,  leave  me.  [Exit  /Emil. 

I  will  in  C^fBo*s  lodging  lofe  this  napkin. 
And  let  htm  find  it :  Trifles,  light  as  air, 

♦  — ^  to  the  advantage^  &c.]  I  being  opp(frtunef)f  here,  took  It  up, 

Johnson* 

•  Be  not  you  inown  on*t ;  ]    Should  it  not  rather  be  read, 

Be  Ttofjou  kno^VH  in't  ? 
The  folio  reads. 

Be  not  unknown  osPt. 
The  fenfc  is  plain,  but  of  the  escpreffion  I  cannot  produce  anj^ 
example.    Johnson, 
The  folio  reads— 

Be  not  ackno^j^ne  on*t. 
i^erhaps  (fays  Mr,  Malone)  achtown  was  a  participial  adjcflive  fitwn 
the  verb  to  ackftonviet/^e,^^Do  not  ^cknowkd^  any  thing  of  thia 
patter.    Steevens.  ' 

?  Arc, 


! 


538  OTHELLO, 

Arc,  to  the  jcabus,  cenfirmations  ftrong 

As  proofs  of  holy  writ.     This  may  do  ibmcthiog. 

The  Moor  already  changes  with  my  pcMlbn : — 

Dangerous  conceits  are,  in  their  natures,  poifons^ 

Which,  at  the  firft,  are  fqarce  found  to  diftaftc  j 

But,  with  a  little  ad  upon  the  t^lood. 

Burn  like  the  mines  of  falphur* — I  did  fay  fo : — 

Enur  Qthllo. 

♦ 

Look,  where  becomes!  Not  poppy,  9  nor  mandra- 

gora. 
Nor  all  the  drowfy  fyrups  of  the  world, 
>  Shall  ever  med'cine  thee  to  that  fweet  fleep 

Which 

•  ■  nor  matufragora,']  The  mandragoras  or  mandrake  bas  a 

Ibporific  quality^  and  the  ancientB  uied  it  when  they  wanted  an  opiate 
0£  the  moD:  powerful  kind.     So  Ant.  andCUop.  hOi.  i .  Sc.  6. 
**  give  me  to  drink  mand' agcra^ 

^*  That  I  may  fleep  out  this  great  gap  of  time 
•*  My  Antony  it  away.** 
So,  in  HcywoodV  Jtvo  tfMalta^  ^^JS* 

«<  I  draok  of  poppy  and  cold  nuuuiraieyn^^ 
*•  And  being  arfeep,"  &c. 
AgaiHi  in  MukaJJes  the  Turi^  1610  : 

^*  Image  of  death,  and  daughter  of  the  nighty 
♦«  ^er  to  Lethe,  all-oppreiling  deep, 
«  Thou,  that  aniongil  a  hundm  thoufand  dreams, 
**  Crown'd  with  a  wreath  of  mandrakes^  fit'fl  as  (^ueeo, 
**  To  whom  a  million  of  care-clogged  fouls 
**  Lye  quaffing  juice  of  poppy  at  ihy  icti^ 
^^  Retign  thy  ufurpation V     Steevehs. 
'  ShaU  ever  medicine  thee  to  that  fweet Jleep^ 

Which  thou  had{ljf^rr/ibvO    The  old  quarto  reads. 
Which  thou  o\s^^yeJlerdir^, 
And  this  is  right,  and  of  much  greater  force  than  the  comiBon  read- 
ing :  not  to  fleep,  being  finely  called  delrauding  the  day  of  a  debt 
ol^natuce.    Waubxtrton. 

To  ^uif  is,  in  eur  author,  oftener  to  pojjefs^  than  to  he  indeh^ 
and  fuch  was  its  meaning  here ;  but  as  that  fenfe  was  growing  lefs 
ufual,  it  was  changed  uuoecefiarily  by  the  editors  to  had/i ;  to  th« 
Cune  meaning,  vro^q  intelligibly  exprefled.    Johnson. 
So  in  TheKenfenger*s  Tragedy^  by  Cyril  Tonrneur,  1607  • 
**  The  duke  my  father's  murdered  by  the  va^ 
**  Who  tFwes  this  habiu** 


TH5  MOOR  OP  VENICE.      539 

Which  thou  ow*clft  yefterday. 

Otb.  Ha  !  ha  !  falfc  to  nnic  ?  to  mc  ? 

JagQ.  Why,  how  now,  general  ?  no  more  of  that. 

Qtb.  Avaunt  1  be  gone  I  thou  haft  fet  me  on  th^ 
rack :  — 
I  fwear,  'tis  better  to  be  much  abus*d. 
Than  but  to  know't  a  little. 

lago.  How  now,  my  lord  ? 

Ofh.  What  fenfe  had  I  of  her  ftolen  hours  of  luft  *? 
I  faw  it  not,  thought  it  not^  it  harm'd  not  me : 

lOcpt 

So,  in  /£lmnun^^  1610 : 

•* Who  art  thou  ?— — 

**  Th*  unfortunate  poflbJTjr  of  this  houfc^-r- 

**  Thou  ly'il,  bafe  iycophant;  my  worihip  awes  it," 

Steeveni. 
^  What  ftnfe  bad  /,  &c.]  A  ilmilar  pai&ge  to  this  and  what  fol- 
lows it,  is  found  in  an  unpublljbcd  tragi-comoiy  by  Thorny  Middk« 
ton,  called  The  Witch, 

♦*  I  feele  no  cafe,  the  burthen*8  not  yet  off 
*^  So  long  as  the  abufe  fiicks  in  my  knowledge. 
.    **  Oh,  'lis  a  painc  of  hell  to  know  one's  ihame ! 
*^  Had  it  byn  hid  and  don,  it  had  ben  don  happy, 
**  For  he  that's  ignorant  lives  long  ^nd  mtrry. 
Again : 

**  Had'ft  thou  byn  fecrct,  then  had  I  byn  happy, 
*^  And  had  a  hope  (like  man)  of  joies  to  come. 
*'  Now  here  1  iland  a  flayne  to  my  creation, 
*'  And,  which  is  heavier  than  all  torments  to  me, 
*•  The  underilanding  of  this  bafe  adultery,  fcc." 
This  is  utter'd  by  a  jealous  hulband  who  fuppoies  himfclf  to  bavt 
juft  dclhoy'd  his  wife.— 
Again,  lago  fays: 

Dangerous  conceits,  &c.— 

with  a  little  act  upon  the  blood 
Burn  like  the  mines  of  fulphur. 
Thus  Scbajiian^  in  Middletou's  play  ;■■ 

*•  When  a  fufpe<5t  doth  catch  once,  it  burnes  raayncly." 
A  fcene  between  Fraucifca  and  her  brocber  Antoni^^  when  (h« 
Brfl  excites  his  jealoufy,  has  likewife  ievcral  circumflanccs  in  com* 
mon  with  the  dialogue  which  paHes  between  U^  and  OtbdU  on  the 
fame  fubje<5b. 

This  ^iece  contains  alfo  a  paiTage  ▼ery  firongly  refembliig 
another  in  HamUt^  who  lays ;— «*  1  am  but  road  north-north- 
weft  I 


Ui  OTHELLO, 

1  flept  the  next  night  well  %  was  free,  and  merry  j 
I  found  not  Caflio's  kifles  on  her  lips  : 
He  that  is  robb'd,  not  wanting  what  is  ftolen. 
Let  him  not  know  it,  and  he's  not  robb'd  at  all, 

lago.  I  am  forry  to  hear  this. 

Cfb.  1  had  been  happy,  if  the  general  camp^ 
l^ioneers  and  all,  had  tailed  her  fweet  body. 
So  I  had  nothing  known :  O  now,  for  ever, 
iFarewel  the  tranquil  mind !  farewel  content ! 
Farewel  the  plumed  troop,  and  the  big  wars. 
That  make  ambition  virtue !  O,  farewel ! 
4  Farewel  the  neighing  fteed,  and  the  Ihrill  trump. 

The 

4veft :  when  the  wind  is  fouthcrly,  I  know  a  bawk  from  a  hand- 
faw." — ^Thus,  AlmachiUes : — *^  There  is  fome  difference  betwixt 
my  joviaU  condition  and  the  lunary-ilaic  of  madnes.  I  am  not 
cjuight  out  of  my  witts :  I  know  a  bawd  from  an  aqua- vitse  (hop,  a 
lirumpet  from  wild  fire,  and  a  beadle  from  brunftone.** 

For  a  further  account  of  this  MS.  play,  fee  a  note  on  Mr.  Ma- 
lone's  Attanpt  to  afcertmn  the  order  in  ^juhich  t^x  pieces  of  Shakefpearc 
*ivere  <ijcrittem .— Ar tide,  Macheth.      S T£  E  v  E  N  s . 

^  I  Jkpt  the  next  night  well,  was  free  and  merry  \\  Thus  the 
quartos.     The  lUio  reads : 

I  flept  the  TiGLXf  night  well,  fed  well  \  was  free  and  merry, 

Steevens. 

♦  Farewel  the  neighingftced^  and  thejhrill  trump^ 

Thejfurit-ftirring  drum^  theEAVL-TiEKCiSG  fife^  Dr.  Warbur- 
ton  hat  ehtxeAfear-Jhcrfitg^  iox fear-difperjivg.  But  lar-piercing  is  an 
epithet  fo  emmently  acfipted  to  ihe^,  and  fo  diflin<5l  from  the 
flirillnefs  of  the  trumpet,  that  it  certainly  ought  not  to  be  changed. 
Dr.  Warburton  has  been  cenfured  for  this  propoied  emendation 
with  more  noife  than  honeily,  ibr  he  did  not  himlelf  put  it  in  tiie 
text.     Johnson. 

The  jpirit'f.irring  drum^  th^  ear -piercing  fifi^^  In  mentioning  the 
fife  joined  with  the  drum^  Shakefpcare,  as  ufual,  paints  from  the 
iile;  thofe  inftruments  accompanying  each  other  being  u(ed  in 
his  ages  by  the  Englilh  foldiery.  The^/^,  however,  as  a  martial 
inllrument,  \i*as  afterwards  entirely  dlfcontinued  among  our  rroope 
for  many  years,  but  at  length  revived  in  the  war  betbrc  the  laft.  It 
is  commonly  fuppofed  that  our  foldiers  borrowed  it  from  the  High- 
landers in  the  hiil  rebellion  :  but  1  do  not  know  that  the^  is  pe« 
ruliar  to  the  Scotch,  or  even  ufed  at  all  by  them.  It  was  firft  uied 
within  the  memor)'uf  man  among  our  troo})6  by  the  Eiritiih  guards,  by 

9rd^ 


\ 


THE  MOOR  OP  VENICE.      541 

The  fpilrit-ftimng  drum,  the  ear-piercing  fife, 
The  royal  banner;  and  all  quality. 

Pride, 

order  of  the  dulcc  of  Cumberland,  when  they  were  encamped  at 
Maedrichty  in  the  year  1747,  and  thence  foon  adopted  into  other 
fngliih  regiments  of  intantry*  They  too4c  it  from  the  Allies  with 
whom  they  ierred*  This  inib'ument,  accompanying  the  drum^ 
19  of  confiderable  antiquity  in  the  European  armies,  particularly  the 
German.  In  a  curious  pi<5ture  in  the  Afhmolean  Mufeum  at  Ox- 
ford, painted  15259  rcprefenting  thefiegeof  Pavia  by  the  French 
king,  where  the  emperor  was  taken  prifoner,  we  (ecf,fi^  and  drums. 
In  an  old  Englifti  treaiife  written  by  William  Garrard  before  ij87> 
and  pubiilhed  by  one  captain  Hichcock  in  1591,  intitled  7he  Art  of 
Wurrt^  there  are  feveral  wood  cuts  of  military  evolutions,  in  which 
thefe  infhiiments  are  both  introduced.  In  Rymer^s  Foedcray  in  a 
diary  of  king  Henry's  fiegc  of  Bulbigne  1544,  mention  is  made  of 
the  drojjimes  and  vifUurs  marching  at  the  head  of  the  king's  army. 
Tom.  XV.  p.  ^3. 

The  drum  2LTidiffe  were  alfo  much  ufed  at  ancient  feftivals,  (hews, 
And  p^ocellions.  Gerard  Leigh,  in  his  Accidence  tfAmioriey  printed 
in  1576,  defcribmg  a  Chriftmas  magnificently  celebrated  at  the  Ip^ 
»er  Temple,  fays,  "  We  entered  the  prince  his  hall,  where  anon 
**  we  heard  the  noyfe  of  drum  and  j^^"  p.  119.  At  a  ftately 
malque  on  Sbrove-Sunday  1510,  in  which  Henry  ^''III.  was  an 
a^lor,  Holinihed  mentions  the  entry  •'  of  r»  dntm  imAffc  iipparelled 
♦*  in  white  damafke  and  erene  brnnettes."  Chron.  'iiJ.  805.  col.  2. 
There  are  many  more  inltancci  in  Holinfhcd,  and  Srowe's  Survey  of 
London. 

From  the  old  French  word  f'^rry  nborc-cited,  came  the  Englifh 
word  ^u^/^T,  which  anciently  was  ufl-d  in  its  proper ///^m/  fenie, 
Strype,  fpcaking  ot'a  grand  tilting  before  the  court  m  qnecn  Mary's 
rcjgn  1554,  fays,  from  an  old  journal,  that  king  Philip  a.id  the 
challengers  enieicd  the  liib,  preceded  by  '*  their  cc^/^rr/,  tht-ir 
**  footmen,  and  ihclr  armouicrs."  FccleC  Memor.  iii.  p.  21 1.  This 
explains  the  ufe  of  the  word  in  Shakeifcarc,  Where  ids  alfo  literally 
applied.     Htn,  V.  A^l.  4,  Sc.  ult. 

■<  behold  the  Britiih  beach 

*'  Pales  in  the  flood  with  men,  with  wives  and  boys, 
**  Whofc  fhoiits  and  claps  out-volce  the  deep-mouth'J  fea, 
**  Which 'liivc  a  w/j^^/y  "-sh'prr  'lore  the  kine, 
**  Seems  to  prepare  his  wu)  .** 
By  degrees,  the  word  ^j^hlffier  hcpce  acv-jaired  the  metaphorical 
meaning,  which  it  at  piccn  oLtaifis  in  common  fpeech',  and  be- 
came an  appellation  of  contempt,     ll'l.if.vry  it  light  tiivial  charader, 
mjeilovj  hired  tv  ///;  a:  /*u\ '  ':\ ,1;.     \V  a R  roN . 


542  OTHELLO, 

Pride,  pomp^  and  circumftance  of  glorious  war  <  t 
And  O  you  mortal  engines,  ^  whole  rude  throats 
The  immortal  Jove's  dread  clamours  counterfeit, 
Farewcl !  Othello's  occupation's  gone ! 

lago.  Is  it  poffible  ? — My  lord, — 

Otb.  Villain,  be  fure  thou  prove  my  love  a  whore  ; 
Be  fure  of  it ;  give  me  the  ocular  proof ; 

[Catching  bold  en  bim. 
Or,  by  the  worth  of  mine  eternal  foul  ^, 
Thou  hadft  been  better  have  been  born  a  dog. 
Than  anfwer  my  wak'd  wrath. 

Jago.  Is  it  come  to  this  ? 

Otb.  Make  me  to  fee  it;  or  (at  the  leaft)  fo  prove  it. 
That  the  probation  bear  no  hinge,  nor  loop. 
To  hang  a  doubt  on  :  or,  woe  upon  thy  life ! 

lago.  My  noble  lord,— 

Otb.  If  thou  doll  (lander  her,  and  torture  me. 
Never  pray  more  :  ^  abandop  all  remorfe ; 

On 

Li  the  old  dramatic  piece,  inticled  JFine^  Beer^  Ale^  and  Tohacco^ 
sd  edit.  1630.  Tobacco  fays  to  Beer: 

"  ——it  will  become  your  duty  to  obey  me.* 
To  which  Wint  replies: 

"  You  our  fovereign !  a  mere  vihlffler!^ 
Again,  in  Ram- alley,  or  Meny  Tri$ks,  1611 : 
**  '         he  was  known 
"  But  only  for  a  fwaggering  fxjhifiirj*     SxEBTEirt. 
5  Pride^  pomp^  and  circumjiance  of  glorums  war  r\     Sir  fftHiam 
jyAvenoMt  does  not  appear  to  have  been  fcrupulout  of  adc^ng 
almoll  Shakefpeare's  own  words.    So,  in  Aiiovine,  1 629 ; 
**  Then  glorious  war,  vokd  sM  fraud  circw^fiwtcf 
**  Thai  gives  a  folJIer  noife,  for  evtrnwre farevMU!* 

St^evsvI* 

*  —  wbofi  rude  throats]     So  Milton,  P.  L.  B.  6. 

**  From  thofe  deep^tbroated  engines,"  &c. 
The  quarto  1622.  reads—**  whofe  wide  throats"    Streveks* 
'  —  mine  eternal  foul,]    Perhaps  the  quarto,  1622,  nunre  fold* 
bly  reads : 

— ^  man*s  eternal  foul. 
Shdkefpeare  might  have  defigned  an  oppoiitbn  between  mam  and 
dog.    Steevens 

*  «-'  abandou  iii/ remorfe ;]    Rtmorfe^  for  repentance. 

WAEEUETOir. 

J  IracfafT 


THE   MOOR  OF  VENICE.      542 

On  horror's  head  horrors  accumulate; 
Do  deeds  to  make  heaven  weep  ^^  all  earth  amaz*d  i 
For  nothing  can  ft  thou  to  damnation  add. 
Greater  than  that. 

lago.  O  grace !    O  heaven  defend  me ! 
Are  you  a  man  ?  have  you  a  foul,  or  fenfc  ?— 
God  be  wi*  you ;  take  mine  office. — O  wretched  fool. 
That  liv'ft  «  to  make  thine  honefty  a  vice  ! — 

0  monftrous  world  !  Take  note,  take  note,  O  world^ 
To  be  dire£t  and  honeft,  is  not  fafe. — 

1  thank  you  for  this  profit;  and,  from  hence, 
ril  love  no  friend  *,  nth  love  breeds  fuch  offence^ 

Oib.  Nay,  ftay :— Thou  fhould'ft  be  honeft. 

lago.  I  ihould  be  wife ;  for  honefty *s  a  fool. 
And  lofes  that  it  works  for. 

OtL  '  By  the  world, 
I  think  my  wife  be  honeft,  and  think  fhe  is  not ; 
I  think  that  thou  art  juft,  and  think  thou  art  not; 
ni  have  fome  proof:  Her  name,  that  was  as  frefh 
As  Dian's  vifagc,  is  now  begrim*d  and  black 
As  mine  own  face. — If  there  be  cords,  or  knives, 
Poifon,  or  fire,  or  fuffbcating  ftreams, 
1*11  not  endure  it, — ^'Would,  I  were  fatisfied ! 

lago.  I  fee,  fir,  you  are  eaten  up  with  paflionj 
I  do  repent  me,  that  I  put  it  to  you. 
You  would  be  fatisfied  ? 

I  rather  think  it  is.  Let  go  all  fcrupTcs,  throw  afide  all  reftraintf. 

Johnsons 
I  believe,  remorfe  in  this  inftance,  as  in  many  others,  (ij^nifies 
^//y.    Steetens. 

*  Do  deeds  to  make  heaven  *weef^'\     So,  in  Meafurt  fir  Meajnrt: 

♦*  Plays  fuch  fantaftick  tricks  betbre  high  heaven 
**  As  mah  tfye angels  weep.     Steevens. 

*  That  Ht'II]    Thus  the  quarto.    The  folio— /^^z  lo^i^ft^ 

Steeveni, 

*  ^^fith^^^    The  word  anciently  ufed  inftead  o(  Jince ;  and  fii 
the  quartos  read.    Steevens. 

?  By  tfji  iwr/d^  &c.]    This  fpeech  is  not  in  the  firft  edition. 

Pope. 


J44  O    T    H    E    L    t    d, 

Otb.  Would  ?  nav,  I  wilK 
.  lago.  And  may;   Buc^  how?   how  fatisfied^  niy 

lord? 
Would  you,  the  fupervifor,  grofsly  gape  on  ? 
Behold  her  tupp'd4? 

Otb.  Death  and  damnation !  O ! 

lago.  It  were  a  tedious  difficulty,  I  think. 
To  bring  'em  to  that  profpeft :  Damn  them  thcDjj 
If  ever  mortal  eyes  do  fee  them  bolfter. 
More  than  their  own !    What  then  ?  how  then  ? 
What  Ihall  I  fay  ?  Where's  fatisfadliori  ? 
It  is  impoffible,  you  (hould  fee  this, 
5  Were  they  as  prime  as  goats,  as  hot  as  monkeys^ 
As  fait  as  wolves  in  pride,  and  fools  as  grofs 
As  ignorance  made  drunk.    But  yet,  I  lay. 
If  imputation,  and  ftrong  circumftances,— 
Which  lead  dircdily  to  the  door  of  jtruth, — 
Will  give  you  fatisfadion,  you  might  have  it. 

Otb.  *  Give  me  a  living  reafon  that  (he's  difloyal| 

lago.  I  do  not  like  the  office : 
But,  fith  1  am  entered  in  this  caufe  fo  far, — 
Prick'd  to  it  by  foolilh  honefty,  and  love,—* 
I  will  go  on.     I  lay  with  Caffio  lately  j 
And,  being  troubled  with  a  raging  toothy 
I  could  not  deep. 

There  are  a  kind  of  men  fo  loofe  of  foul. 
That  in  their  fleeps  will  mutter  their  aflfairs  j 
One  of  this  kind  is  Ca(tio ; 

^  Behold  her  tuppM  ?]    A  ram  in  StafFordflxire  and  fbine  oihef 
coundcs  ii  called  a  tup.    So,  in  the  firll  ad  : 
■  ■    an  old  black  ram 
Is  iuffping  your  white  ewe.      Steetens, 
'  H'ere  they  as  prime  as  ^<w/^,-^]     Prime  is  prompt^  from  tb^ 
Celtic  or  Britifh prim,     Hanmer. 

So,  in  the  FrM-breahr^  or  tlje  Faire  Maid  of  Clifton^  1 636 ; 
**  More  prime  than  goat3  or  nionkics  in  their  prides.'^ 

Stebveks^ 
•  Qive  me  a  living  nafon — ]     Liviftf^  for  fpcaking,   maax-» 
{%&*     WAa»VIlTON, 


\ 


tHi  KtOdR  OF  VENiCfii      541 

th  flcep  I  heard  him  fay, — S^ett  iiefdemona^ 
ijCt  us  be  wary^  Ut  us  bide  ^ur  loves  /'* 
And  then,  fir,  would  he  gripe,  and  wring  ttij  hand  j 
Cry f-^Ofweet  creature!,  and  then  kits  nie  hard. 
As  if  he  pluckM  up  kiffes  by  the  roots^ 
That  grew  upon  my  lips  i  then  lay  his  leg 
Over  my  thigh,  and  figh^  and  kirai  and  i^en 
Cry, — Curfedfatel  that  gave  thee  to  the  Moor  I 

Oih.  O  monftrous!  n^onftrous! 

lago.  Nay,  this  was  but  his  dream; 

OJh.  But  this  denoted  ^  a  foregone  conclufion ; 
^  'Tis  a  ihrewd  doubt,  though  it  be  but  a  dream* 

tago.  And  this  may  help  to  thicken  other  proofs^ 
That  do  demonftraie  thinly* 

Otb.  I'll  tear  her  all  to  pieces* 

lago.  Nay,  but  be  wUe:.9yct  we  fe*  nothing 
dooe; 
She  may  be  hbneft  yet.    Tell  me  but  this, — 
Hare  you  not  fometimetf  feen  a  handkerchief. 
Spotted  with  ftrawbetries,  in  your  wife's  hand  ? 

0th.  I  gave  her  fuch  a  on?  s  'twas  my  fipft  gift. 

lago.  I  know  not  that  t  but  fuch  a  handkerchief^ 
(I  am  fure,  it  was  your  wifc'sj)  did  I  to-day 
See  Caflio  wipe  his  beard  wUL 

Otb.  If  it  be  that,— 

lago.  If  it  be  that,  ot  any>  if  ^twas  hers^ 
tt  fpeaks  agiinft  her^  with  the  other  proofs, 

Otb.  O,  that  the  flave  had  forty  thoufand  lives  i 
Chie  is  too  poor,  too  weak  for  my  revenge ! 

^  -^  afi/rtj^  coBdofioii :]  iS0»^tt/mi  for  USu 

WAilBuaTOirii 
•  Othcl.    *fi/  ujbrewddemhi^  Ice]  The  old  quarto  gives  thii 
&)e»  vMk  ^  two  fottowibg,  to  lago;  and  rightW* 

WARiiratofr. 
i  fliink  it  toxstt  nattbvUy  (jpokdh  by  Otbdio,  who)  bj  dwelling 
fo  long  upon  the  proof,  encouraged  la^  to  enforce  tc«    loHNtoN* 

> ^t  %ve  fee  notbi/^  ^ne ;  JThift  is  an  oblique  and  (octet  mock 

At  OtheUo*s  faybg.  Give  mt  the  oaiiarfrtnf,    WAKBt 

Vol,  X.  N  n  Now 


546  OTHELLO, 

»  Now  do  I  fee  Ms  true. — Look  here,  lago ; 

All  my  fond  love  thus  do  I  blow  to  heaven  : 

*Tis  gone. — 

Arire,  blaok  vengeance,  from  thy  *  hollow  cell  f 

Yield  up,  O  love,  thy  crown,  and  '  hearted  throne. 

To  tyrannous  hate !  4  fwell,  bofom,  with  thy  fraught^ 

*  Aw/^/y^^Vitnic— — ]  The  old  quarto  reads. 

Now  Jo  I  fee  Uis  time>-    ■ 
And  this  is  Shakefpeare's,  and  hat  in  it  much  more  force  and  fii* 
lemninr,  and  preparation  for  what  follows :  as  alluding  to  what  he 
had  ikid  before : 

—.— jVtfy  larot 

rU^ttheforelJouht^tuhenlJouht^fr^Hi 

And^  on.  thefroift  there  is  no  more  hut  tbU^ 

Away  at  once  with  love  orjeabug^. 
This  time  was  now  come.    Warburtok. 

*  —  boUow  hell !]  This  is  a  poor  unmeaning  epithet.  The 
old  quarto  reads* 

!AriJe  black  venieanee^rm  thy  hollow  cell ! 
Which  the  editors  not  knowmg  what  to  make  of,  altered  It  a$  above* 
It  ihould  be  read  thus  : 

Arije^  black  vengeance^  from  the  unhallowed  ceU! 
Meaning  the  infernal  regions.    Warburtok. 

The  boUoxv  hell  is  the  reading  of  th^  folio.  I  do  not  perceive  that 
the  epithet  boUow  is  at  all  unmeaning,  when  applied  te  hell,  as  it 
gives  the  idea  of  what  Milton  calls 

*«  the  void  profound 

*<  Ofuneflcntialnighu'*    Steevens. 
I  —  hearted  tbrone'\  Hearted  throne  is  fbrange  nonfenfe.    The 
old  quarto  reads, 

— —  and  harted  throne ; 
Which  the  editors  took  for  a  word  mif-Jpelt^  whereas  it  was  a  wofd 
mijcaUed.    We  (hould  read, 

Tield  up^  oh  kve^  thy  crown  and  parted  throne  :  * 
i.  f.  thy  throne  which  was  parted  between  me  and  Deideroona :  dni 
piefents  us  with  a  fine  image.    The  union  of  Othello  and  Def" 
demona  was  fo  perfed,  that  K>ve  divided  his  throne  between  them : 
wluch  he  is  now  bid  to  refume,  and  give  to  hatred. 

Warburton. 
Hearted  throne,  is  die  heart  on  which  thou  wall  enthroned. 
Farted  throne  has  nc  meaning.    Johnson. 

lago  uies  the  fame  word,  though  with  a  meaning  (bmewhat  dif- 
ferent :     **  —  My  caufe  is  hearud,**    Steevens. 

4  ^^Jkuelif  bofom^  &c.]  i.  e*  f^-^H^  hecaufe  the  fraught  is  of  poi- 
fon.    Warburton. 

For 


THE  MOOR  Of  VENICE.      547 

l^or 'ds  of  afpicks*  tongues^! 

lago.  Pray,  be  content. 

Otb.  O,  bloody  laso,  blood ! 

lago.  Patience,  I  lay ;  your  mind,  perhaps,  may 
change. 

Otb.  Never,  lago :  [s  Like  to  the  Pontic  fea, 
Whofe  icy  current  and  compuUive  courfe 
Ne'er  feels  retiring  ebb,  but  keeps  due  on 
To  the  Propontic,  and  the  Hellefpont ; 
Even  fo  my  bloody  thoughts,  with  violent  pace. 
Shall  ne'er  look  back,  ne^r  ebb  to  humble  love, 
^Till  that  a  capable  *  and  wide  revenge 
Swallow  them  up. — ^Now,  7  by  yond'marble  heaven,] 
In  the  due  reverence  of  a  facred  vow       IHe  kneels. 
I  here  engage  my  words. 

'  '^Uke  to  the  Pontic  fia^  te.]  Thi«  fimilc  ii  omitted  \n  the 
firft  edition :  I  think  it  (hould  be  fo,  as  an  unnatural  ezcurfion  in 
this  place.    Pope. 

—  Like  the  Pontic Je^i]  Evety  reader  will,  I  durft  fay,  abide  by 
Mr.  Pope's  ctnfure  on  this  paiTage.  Whei^  Shakefpcare  grew  ac- 
quainted  with  fuch  particulars  of  knowledge,  he  made  a  dSplay  of 
ttneoL  as  fbon  as  opportunity  offered.  He  found  this  in  the  Second 
Book  and  97th  Chanter  of  Pliny's  Nat.  Hlft.  as  tranilated  by 
Philemon  Holland,  160 1 :  ''  And  the  fea  Pontus  evermore  floweth 
and  runneth  out  into  Propontis,  but  the  fea  never  redreth  backe 
againe  within  Pontus." 

Mr.  £dwards,  in  his  MiT.  notes,  conceives  this  flmile  to  allude 
to  Sir  Philip  Sidne/s  device,  whole  imprefs,  Camden,  in  his 
Remains^  fa3rs,  was  the  Cafpian  fea,  with  this  motto,  SINE 
REFLUXU.    Steevens. 

*  —  tf  capable  an  J  wide  revenge 
Cafaik]     Ample;  capacious.    So,  injisyou  like  ii : 
The  cicatrice  and  capable  imprelTure. 

So,  in  Pierce  Pcnnilefi  his  Supplication  to  the  Dcvil^  by  Nafhe, 
^  595  •  "  Then  belike,  quoth  I,  you  make  this  word,  Daemon,  a 
capable  name,  of  Gods,  of  men,  and  of  devils.'*    M  a Lo  ri e. 

7  ^^^yond  marble  heaven^']  In  Soliman  and  Perfcda^  1^99,  I 
find  the  fame  expreffion : 

**  Now  bythew/ir^// face  of  the  welkin,**  &c.  Steevens. 

So,  in  Marlton  8  Antonio  and  MelUda^  1602  : 

**  And  plea&*d  the  marble  heavens.**      M alone. 

,    '  N  n  z  lago. 


548  OTHELLO, 

lago.  Do  not  rife  yet.—  [/^  kneib. 

Witncfs,  you  evcr-burning  lights  above  J 
You  elements  that  clip  us  round  about ! 
Witnefs,  that  here  lago  dQtb  give  up 
The  execution  ®  of  his  wit,  hands,  heart. 
To  wrong'd  OthcUoV  fep^ioe  f  >Iet  him  command. 

And 

•  7^  execution — }    The  firft  quarto  rtsii!^  exceUemy, 

Steeveks. 

•  ■    ■  kt  bim  command. 

And  to  ohejy  JbaH  he  in  f»e  remorfe^ 

ffhai  bloody  bufinefs  ever,}  Thus  all  the  old  copies,  to  the  wmk 
nifcft  depravation  of  the  poet's  fenfe.  Mr.  Pope  has  attempted  as 
emendation,  hut  with  his  old  luck  and  dexterity : 

Not  io  obfy^  Jball  be  in  me  refnorfe,  &c. 
I  read,  with  the  change  only  of  a  fingle  letter: 
Nor,  to  obey^  jball  be  in  me  nmorfe^  tx» 
1.  e.  Le^  your  commands  be  ever  fo  bloody,  remorfc  and  compafiioo 
fliall  not  relhain  me  from  obeying  them.    Theobald. 

■         L,et  him  command. 

And  to  chey^  JhaU  be  in  me  rcmorfe, 

JVfjat  bloody  bufinefs  ever,]  Thus  the  old  copies  read,  but  evi- 
dently wrong.  Some  editions  read,  Not  to  obey ;  on  which  the 
editor  Mr.  Theobald  takes  occafion  toalter  it  to,  7V#r /i»«^;  and. 
thought  he  had  much  mended  matters.  But  he  roiflook  the  found 
end  of  the  line  for  the  corrupt;  aud  {o  by  his  emendation,  the 
deep-deiigning  lago  is  foolifhly  made  to  throw  off  his  male,  when 
he  had  raoft  occafion  for  it ;  and  without  any  provocation,  fbnd 
before  his  captain  a  villain  confefled  ;  at  a  time,  when,  for  the 
carrying  on  his  plot,  he  fhould  make  the  Icaft  (how  of  it.  For 
thus  Mr.  Theobald  forces  him  to  fay,  /JbaQ  harje  no  rcmorje  to  obe^ 
your  commands^  hov)  bloo^  foever  tl^  bufinefs  be.  But  this  b  not 
Shakefpeare's  way  of  preferving  the  unity  of  cbara<5ter.  lago,  till 
now,  pretended  to  be  one,  who,  though  in  the  trade  ot*  warhe  had 
(lain  men,  yet  held  it  the  very  ftuff  ofthe  confcience  to  do  no  con- 
trived murder;  when,  of  a  fudden,  without  caufe  or  occaiion,  ht 
owns  himfelf  a  ruffian  without  remorfi.  Shakefpeare  wrote  and 
pointed  the  paflage  thus : 

i         Let  him  command^ 
And  to  obey  JhaU  be  in  me,     R  £  M  O  R  D 
TVIjot  bloody  bufinefs  ever, 
f  •  e*  however  the  buiiners  he  lets  me  upon  may  (hock  my  honour 
and  humanity,  yet  I  promife  to  go  through  with  it,  and  obey  wrtb- 
out  refcrve.    Here  lago  fpeaks  in  character,  while  the  fenfe  and 
ip-ammar  are  made  better  by  it.    So  Skelton : 

Aud 


THE.  "M  0  O  R  OP  V  E  N  I  C  E.      549 

And  to  obey  (hall  be  in  me  remorfe. 

What 

And  ^fi  bim  fortune  i9  'Write  and  plmne^ 
As  fometimes  he  mujl  nfica  remorde. 
And  again : 

Squire^  inight^  and  krd^ 
nus  the  circle  remorde.  W  a  a  b  u  r  tok. 
Of  thefe  two  etnendations,  I  believe,  Theobald's  will  have  the 
greater  ntimber  of  fuifrages;  it  has  at  leaft  mine.  The  objcftion 
againd  the  propriety  of  the  declaration  in  lago,  is'  a  cavil ;  he  does 
not  lay  that  he  has  no  principle  of  rcmorfe,  but  that  it  (hall  not 
operate  againft  Othello  s  commands.  To  obeyJhaU  be  in  me^  for  / 
wiU  ehey  you^  is  a  mode  of  exprdlzon  not  worth  the  pains  here 
taken  to  introduce  it ;  and  the  word  remorde  has  not  in  the  quo- 
tation the  meaning  of  nvitbboldy  or  make  relaxant,  but  of  refrove^ 
or  cen/ure;  nor  do  I  know  that  it  is  ufed  by  any  of  the  concera- 
poraries  of  8hakefpeare. 

I  will  oifer  an  interpretation,  which,  if  it  be  received,  will  make 
alteration  unneoenkr)',  but  it  is  very  haHh  and  violent.  lago 
devotes  himfelf  to  wronged  Othello,  and  fays.  Let  him  command 
nxshatever  bloody  bnfinefi^  and  in  me  it  (hall  be  an  a;fl,  not  of  cruelty, 
but  cf  tendernefs^  to  obey  lum ;  not  of  malice  to  others,  but  of 
tcndcrnefs  for  him.  It  this  (enfe  be  thought  too  violent,  I  fee 
nothing  better  than  to  follow  Hope's  reading,  as  it  is  improved 
by  Theobald.    JoHr^soii* 

■  Let  him  command^ 
And  to  obeyjhall  be  in  me  remorfe^ 

What  bloody  "Mork jheverJ]     Mr.  Vpton,   in  his  Critie,  Ob' 
firo.  p.  200,  propofcs  to  read  : 

And  to  obeyjhali  be  in  mc  no  rcmorfe^ 
This  reading  the  author  of  The  Revifal  approves ;   and   Mr, 
Edwards  fecms  to  acquiefce  in  that  of  Theobald. 

The  different  emendatiens  of  different  commentators  are  laid 
before  the  public  iox  its  determination  on  their  merits ;  and  I 
believe  the  prefent  one,  who  is  to  throw  in  his  conjedure  with  the 
reft,  inay  fay  at  la(l  with  Deiphobus, 

■  ■■■  explebo numerum^  reddarque  tenebris, 

lago  o&rs,  in  the  moil  folemn  manner,  to  riique  himfelf  for  the 

fervice  of  Or  hello.     Let  him  command^  fays  he,  luhatcver  bioody 

bufinefs^  and  the  remor/e  that  follows  the  perpetration  of  fuch  a  deed 

(hall  be  entire^  jwy  o^\:n.     It  (hall  be  remor/e  in  me^  in  me  aiatfe,     I 

not  only  undertake  to  execute  the  bloody  part  of  the  bufineis,  but 

likewife  take  upon  myfelf  the  horrors  of  remorfe  infeparable  rroni^ 

the  a^ion.     lago  makes  ufe  of  this  fpecious  argument,  the  better 

to  prevail  on  Othello  to  entrufi  the  murder  to  his  hands. 

After  9ily  I  believe  Pr,  Johnfon's  interpretation  to  be  the  bsd ; 

N  u  }  and 


55©  OTHELLO, 

What  bloody  work  foever ». 


} 


OA. 


«nd  can  only  claim  the  merit  of  fiippoiting  his  ioile  of  the  word 
rcmorfe^  i,  e.  //Vy,  by  the  following  inftanccs. 
Thus,  in  Mea/urefor  Meafurt^  AGt  i  : 

But  you  might  do't,  and  do  the  world  no  wrong, 
If  fo  ^rour  heart  was  touched  with  that  remarje 
At  mme  is  to  him. 
Again,  -^i  * 

My  ufterlv  remorfi  confutes  mine  honour^ 
And  I  did  yield  to  him. 
Again,  in  JuUus  Cajar^  Adt  2  : 

The  abufe  of  greatnefs  is,  when  it  disjoint 
Remorfe  from  power. 
In  Lord  Surrey^ s  ffanjlation  V*  the  4/^  jEneid^  Dido  €xy9  to  her 
fiflcr :     "  Sifter  I  crave  thou  have  renurfe  of  me." 

Again,  in  Kif^  EdivarJlil,  15999  that  Prince  fpeaking  to  the 
Citizens  of  Calais  :^ 

**  But  for  yourfelves,  look  j'ou  for  no  remmfe^ 
Again,  in  SirCfyomtm  Knight  of  the  GoUen  Shield^  1599 : 

"  Who  taketh  no  remorfe  of  womankind.* 
Again,  in  Sir  John  Oldcaflle^  i6oe  ; 

*'  Here  ftand  1  craving  no  remorfe  at  alL" 
I  could  add  many  more  inilances,  but  ihall  content  myfclf  to  ob- 
ferve  that  the  fentiment  of  lago  bears  no  (mall  refemblance  to  that 
of  Arviragus  in  Cymheline: 

<*  I'd  let  a  pari(h  of  fuch  Clotens  blood, 
*•  And  praifc  myfelf  for  charity.**        Steeveks. 
If  I  am  not  deceived,  this  paHage  has  been  entirely  miftakea« 
I  read: 

'*  Let  him  command. 
**  An*  to  obey  Hiall  be  in  m^  remorfe, 
♦*  What  blood}  bufinefs  ever——** 
jjnd  for  if  is  fufficientlv  common :    and  OtheUo^s  impatience 
breaks  off  the  femence;  \  think,  with  additional  beauty. 

Fa&mek. 
Before  I  faw  Dr.  Toknfoii's  edition  of  Shakefpeare,  my  opinion 
of  this  paflage  was  formed,  and  written,  and  thus  I  underdood  it : 
**  Let  him  command  any  bloody  bullntfs,  and  to  obey  ihall  be  in 
me  an  adl  of  pity  and  compafHon  for  wroug'd  Othello.  Rtmarfr 
fiequently  fignifies  piry,  mercy,  compalfion,  or  a  tendemeis  ot 
heart,  unattended  with  the  flings  of  a  guiiry  confcience.    So,  in 

*  What  hloody  ixjork  fic*ver,'\     So  the  quartos.     The  folio ; 
What  bloody  bujincfs  ever. 


THi  MOOR  or  VENICE.      S5i 

Otl.  I  greet  thy  love. 
Not  with  vain  thanks,  but  with  acceptance  bounteous. 
And  will  upon  the  inftant  put  thee  to't : 
Within  thefc  three  days  let  me  hear  thee  fay. 
That  Caffio*s  not  alive. 

lago.  My  friend  is  dead ;  'tis  done,  at  your  requeft : 
But  let  her  live. 

0th.  Damn  her,  lewd  minx !  O,  damn  her ! 
Come,  go  with  me  apart ;  I  will  withdraw, 
To  furnilh  me  with  fome  fwift  means  of  death 
For  the  fair  devil.    Now  art  thou  my  lieutenant. 

lago.  I  am  your  own  for  ever.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE        IV. 

Another  apartment  in  the  cafik. 
Enter  Defdemona^  jEtnilia^  and  Clown. 

Def.  Do  you  know,  lirrah,  where  lieutenant  Caflio 

lies? 
Clown.  I  dare  not  fay,  he  lies  any  where. 
Def.  Why,  man  ? 

Clown.  He  is  a  foldier;  and  for  me  to  fay  afoldier 
lies,  is  (tabbing. 

hef.  Goto;  Where  lodges  he  ? 

the  7«»  Gentlemen  rfFerona^  Aft  4.  Sc,  3.  the  crimelcfs  Eglamoir 
it  call^  re/fwrfefuU.    So,  in  Khig  Richard  III,  Ad  3.  Sc.  7. 
*♦  As  well  wc  know  your  tendcrncfs  of  heart. 

And  gentle  kind  effeminate  remorftJ* 
Again,  in  King  Leaty  A61  4.  Sc.  2  : 

A  fervant,  that  he  bred,  thrillM  with  renwrfe^ 

Oppos'd  againll  the  a£t 
Here  the  lervant  had  committed  no  previous  crime,  but  touched 
with  pity  and  compafTion  for  Gloucefter's  fuffcrings  oppofcd  the 
aggravation  of  them.  So,  in  HolinAed's  Conqueft  rf  heUmd^ 
p.  I  J.  "to  have  remorfe  and  compaflion  upon  others  diflreiics  ;** 
and  m  the  dedication,  •♦  to  have  regard  and  remrfi  to  your  find 

N  n  4  ,  Clown. 


JS2  OTHELLO, 

ClcwH.  To  tell  you  *  where  he  lodges,  b  to  tell  jpoM 
where  I  lie. 

Def.  Can  any  thing  be. made  of  this? 

Clown.  1  know  not  where  he  lodges ;  and  for  mo 
to  devife  a  lodging,  and  fay — he  lies  here,  or  he  lies 
there,  were  to  lie  in  mine  own  throau 

*Def.  Can  you  enquire  him  out  ?  and  be  edify'd  by 
report? 

'  Clown*  I  will  catechize  the  world  for  him ;  dia^ 
is^  make  queftions^  and  make  theqi  anfwer. 

Dcf.  Seek  him,  bid  htm  come  hither:  tell, him,  I 
have  mov'd  my  lord  in  his  behalf,  and  hoipe,  all  will 
be  well. 

Clown.  To  do  this,  is  within  the  compafs  of  man's 
wit ;  and  therefore  I  will  s^ttempt  the  domg  <^  it. 

•    [Exit, 

Def.  Where  (hould.I  lofe  that  handkerchief,  jEwx^ 
Jia? 

/EmiL  I  know  nqt,  madam. 

Def.  Believe  me,  I  had  rather  have  loft  my  purfo 
Full  of  4  cruzadoes :  And,  but  my  noble*  Moor 
Is  true  of  mind,  and  made  of  no  fuch  bafenefs 
As  jealous  creatures  are,  it  were  enough 
To  put  him  to  ill  thinking. 

jEmil.  Is  he  not  jealous? 

Def  Who,  he  ?  I  think,  the  fun,  where  hie  was 
born, 
Prew  9II  fuch  humours  from  him^ 

*  To  tellyou^  &c.]  This  and  the  following  fpcech  arc  wanting 
5n  the  flrft  quarto.    Stkevrks, 

5  Clown,  /  nvill  catechize  the  ^orldfor  him ;  ihat  /V,  mak^  ^nefiums^ 
find  by  them  anfwerJ]  This  Clown  is  9  fool  to  fome  purpofc.  H9 
was  to  gofeek  for  one;  he  fnys,  he  will  a(|c  for  him,  J^od  by. bid 
own  queftions  make  anfwer.  Without  doubt  we  (hould  read,  and 
t)id  them  anfwer  j  i.  c,  the  world  j  thofc  whon^  he  oueiHons. 

WAR^UXTOIf. 

*  —  cruxadoes: — ]  A  Portugvwzc  coiq,  ih  value  three  ihiJliDgi 
^erling.     Grey. 

Sfr^^^  ftouji  tl^  ^rqfs  ilamfe4  upoQ  itt    JoaiigOiy, 


THi  MOOR  OF  VENICE*      |5j 

JEml.  Look,  where  be  comes. 
De/.  I  will  not  leave  him  now,  *tiU  Caflio  be 
Caird  to  him. — How  is  it  with  you,  ray  lord  ? 

Enter  Othello. 

Otb.  Well,  my  good  lady ; — {4Jide.'\  Q,  hardncft 
to  diflcmblc  !— 
How  do  you,  Dcfdemona  ? 

Dtf/.  Well,  my  good  lord, 
^  0/k  Give  me  your  hand ;  This  hand  is  moid,  my 
lady. 
Def.  It  yet  hath  felt  Ho  age,  nor  known  no  for- 

row. 
Otb.  This  argues  fruitfulnefs^  and  fiberal  heart }-« 
Hot,  hot,  and  moift :  5  This  hand  of  yours  requires  j 
A  fcquefter  from  liberty,  fading  and  prayer. 
Much  caftigation,  exerqfc  devout; 
For  here's  ^,  young  and  Iweating  devil  here. 
That  commonly  rebels.    'Tis  a  good  hand^ 
A  frank  one. 

Def.  You  may,  indeed,  fay  lo ;     ^ 
For  'twas  that  hand  that  gave  away  my  heart.. 
Otb.  A  liberal  hand :  *  The  hearts,  of  ok),  gay^ 
hands ; 
But  our  new  heraldry  is-f-hands»  not  hearts. 

Def. 

5  Hoi^  bcty  andmolfi:^    Ben  Jopfon  (bema  to  have  attempted  a 
ridicule  on  this  palTage^  in  Every  man  out  of  bis  Humour^  Mi  $• 
^.  2.  where  Sc^krdb  (ays  to  Saviolioa  :     ^^  How  does  my  fweet 
Lady?  hot  andmoijlf  bcautifid  and  lufly r*^    Stesvens. 
•  —  \[be  hearts  J  cf  oU^  gave  bands  j 

iut  our  new  heraldry  is  bands^  not  hearts.}    It  is  evident 
that  the  Sr(l  line  fhould  be  read  thus. 
The  bands  ^  old  gave  hearts  ; 
Otherwife  it  would  be  no  reply  to  the  proceding  words,  ' 

For*  twos  theft  hand  tb^t  gave  awqyn^  heart: 
Not  foy  fays  her  hullMmd :  The  hands  of  old  indeed  gave  hearts ;  hut 
the  cnftom  now  is  to  give  hands  without  hearts.    The  cxpreiTion  of 
fru}  heraldry  was  a  fatirical  allufipn  to  the  times.    Soon  a&cr 

James 


SS4  OTHELLO, 

Def.  I  cannot  fpeak  of  this.    Come  now^  youf 

promHie. 
Oib.  What  promife,  chuck  ? 
Def.  I  have  fcnt  to  bid  Callio  come  fpeak  with  you. 

lamm  tbc  Fiifl.ctme  to  the  crown,  be  created  the  new  dignitf  of 
baronets  for  money,  Amongft  their  other  prerogadves  of  ho- 
nour, they  had  an  addition  to  Sieir  paternal  arm^  of  a  hand  gmia 
in  an  efcutcheon  argem.  And  we  are  not  to  doubt  but  that  this 
was  the  new  btraUiy  alluded  to  by  our  author :  by  which  he  xn- 
finuates,  that  ibme  then  created  had  bands  indeed,  but  not  hearts  ; 
that  is,  money  to  pay  fnr  i^e  creationy  but  no  'uirtiu  to  puicfaaie  the 
honcttr.  But  the  nned  part  of  the  poet's  addieis  in  this  allufion^ 
is  the  compliment;  he  pays  to  his  old  miftrds  ^izabetfa*  For 
James's  pretence  for  raifing  money  by  this  creatioD,  was  the  re- 
du^lion  of  Ulfler,  and  other  puts  of  Ireland ;  the  memory  of 
tPtucfa  he  would  nerpetuate  by  that  addition  to  tbnr  arms,  it  being 
the  arras  of  Ulller.  .  Now  .the  method  uied  by  Elizabedi  in  the 
ledudion  of  that  kingdom  was  fo  different  from  this,  the  digoidea 
fhe  conferred  being  on  thofe  who  employed  thdr  Jieei^  and  noc 
their  gfild  in  this  fervice,  that  nothing  could  add  more  to  her 
glory,  thaA  the  Mng  compared  to  her  fuccefTor  in  this  point  of 
view :  nor  was:  i(  uncommon  for  thc^  dramatic  poets  of  that  time 
to  faiirize  the  ignominy  of  James's  reign.  So  Fletcher,  in  fhe  Fmr 
Mai  J  of  the  Inn.  One  fays,  /  will.^ful  thee  to  Ambeyna  in  the  Eaft 
Indies  for  pepper.  The  other  replies,  To  Ambcyna  f  fi  lim^  he 
pepper  d^  A^in,  in  the  lame  pjay,  a  failor  fays,  De^  not  this 
fife^d  ^arevas^  the  time  wets  wt  lave  imwn  them  lined  nuitb  ^amjh 
ducats,    Warburton. 

The  hiflorical  obfenration  u  very  judicioils  and  acute,  but  of  the 
emendation  there  is  no  need*  She  fajjrs,  that  her  hand  gare  away 
her  heart.  He  goes  on  with  his  fufjncion,  and  the  hand  which  he 
had  before  call^  franh^  he  i^ow  terms  iiheral;  then  proceeds  to  re- 
mark, that  the  hand  was  firmerhf  given  hy  the  heart ;  hut  now  it  nei- 
ther gives  it,  nor  is  given  by  it.    Johnson. 

—  our  new  heraldry,  &c.  J  I  believe  this  to  be  only  a  figurative 
expreifion,  without  the  lead  reference  to  Kin£  James's  creatioa  of 
baronets.  The  abfurdity  of  making  OtheHo  fo  familiar  with 
Britifh  heraldry,  the  utter  want  of  confiflency  as  well  as  policy  in 
any  fneer  of  Shakefpeare  at  the  badge  of  honours  inftitutcd  by  a 
Pnncc  whom  on  all  other  occafions  he  was  foHcitous  to  Batter^ 
and  at  whoie  court  this  very  piece  V/ns  a^ted  in  i6i  5,  very  ftron^ly 
incline  me  to  quedion  the  propriety  of  Pr.  Warburton's  hi{toric4 
explanation.    Steevens. 


THE  MOOR  OF  VENICE.      555 

Otb.  I  have  a  7  fait  and  fullen  rheum  offends  Qde; 
Lend  me  thy  handkerchief. 

JDef.  Here,  my  lord. 

Otb.  That  which  I  gave  you. 

Def.  I  have  it  not  about  me. 

0/i&.  Not? 

Def.  No,  indeed,  my  lord. 

Otb.  That  is  a  fault :  That  handkerchief 
Did  an  Egyptian  to  my  mother  give : 
She  was  a  charmer,  and  could  almoft.  read 
The  thoughts  of  people :    fhe  told  her,  while  (he 

kept  it, 
HTwould  make  her  amiable,  and  fubdue  my.fathtf 
Intirely  to  her  love ;  but,  if  fhe  loft  it. 
Or  made  a  gift  of  it,  my  father's  ieye         \   , 
Should  hold  her  loathly,  and  his  fpirits  Ihould  hunC 
After  new  fancies :  She,  dying,  gave  it  mo ; 
And  bid  me,  when  my  fate  would  have  me  wive. 
To  give  it  her.     I  did  fo  :  and  take  heed  on*t> . 
Make  it  a  darling  like  your  precious  eye ; 
To  lofe*t,  or  give't  away,  were  fuch  perdition. 
As  nothing  elfe  could  match. 
Def.  Is  It  poffible  ? 

Otb.  *Tis  true ;  there's  magic  in  the  web  of  it: 
A  fibyl  •,  that  had  ^  numbered  in  the  world 

7  .mm  Jiii  and  forty  rheum^-"']     The  old  quarto  hfl», 

'  fait  and  fullen  rbeum  r 

That  is,  a  rbeum  obftinatey  trouhUfome.     I  think  this  better. 

JOHKSOir. 

•  AJtfy!^  &c.]  This  circumflance  perhaps  is  imitated  by  Ben 
Jonfon  in  the  SadSbrpberd: 

^^  A  Gypfan  lady,  and  a  right  beldame, 

"  Wrought  it  by  moon-ihine  for  mty  and  fbur*lirhr,  &c* 

Steeveics. 
f  —  numberd 
The  fud  to  cottrfi        ]    i.  e.  numbered  the  fun's  courfes : 
badly  cxpreffed.    War  bur  ton. 

The  expreffion  is  not  very  infrequent :  we  fays  /  counted  the  clock 
to  fir'ike  four ;  fo  ihe  numbered  the  fun  to  courji^  to  run  tvso  hutidred 
fomfajfesf  two  hundred  annual  circuiu.    Johnson. 


S56  OTHELLO, 

The  fun  to  cowfe  *  two  himdttecl  c^mpafleSt 
In  her  prophetic  fury  fcw'd  the  work : 
The  worms  were  hallow'd,  that  did  breed  the  fille ; 
»  *  And  it  was  d/d  in  munnny,  which  the  fldUul 
Conferv'd  of  maidens*  hearts  K 

Def.  Indeed !  is  it  true  ? 

Ofb.  Mod  veritable  ^  therefore  look  to  it  wclK 

Def.  Then 'would  to  heaven^  that  I  had  never  feen  itf 

Otb.  Ha!  whcrcfbre? 

Vef.  Why  do  you  fpeak  fo  ftarringly  and  4  rafli  ? 

Ow.  Is  it  k>ft  ?  is  it  gone  ?  fpeak,  is  it  out  of  the 
way  ?  • 

Dif.  HeJiven  blafs  us ! 

Oib.  Say  you? 

Dcf.  It  is  not  toft  I  But  what  an  if  k  were  ? 
^Oa.  Hal 

Def.  1  iay,  it  is  not  loft. 

Oft.  Fetch  it,  let  me  fee  it« 

Di/l  Whj^,  fo  I  can,  fir,  but  I  will  not  now : 
This  is  a  trick,  to  put  me  from  my  (uit ;    - 
I  pray,  kt  Cai&o  be  received  again. 

'  «-  /«  ^urlb— J    The  firfl  quarto  reads,  •^  to  Moir— 

•  ^  '       '  ST£ET£Nt« 

*  Aid  ii  was  ^d  im  mummy,—]  The  balfamic  liquor  run- 
ning from  mummies  was  formerly  celebrated  for  its  antiepilepdc 
virtues.  We  are  bow  ^ife  enough  to  kuow,  that  the  cfualitiet 
•fcribed  to  it  are  all  imaginary ;  and  yet  I  have  been  informed, 
that  this  fanciful  medicine  ilUl  holds  a  place  in  the  (bops  whem 
.drugs  are  fold.  So»  in  The  Bird  in  a  Cage^  by  Shirley,  1633 ; 
:f*  —  naakeiWMM^of  my  flefii  and  fell  me  to  the  apothecari^a.* 
Again,  in  The  Honeft  Lawyer^  x6i6 : 

<*  That  I  might  tear  their  flefh  inmamocks,  raife 
^^  Sfy  lofltSft  fsom  their  carcafes  turn'd  mnmmy^^ 

Steetens, 

3  ^mohicb  thijki^ 

Cm^hr^d  ^  mmidens^  hearts:^    Thus  the  folio.    The  quarto 

Ifads 'with  the  Jkiykl 

Confenmicc.  Steevens. 

4  mm  rq/b?'\   l^vebemcnt^  violent.    Johnson* 

OtiK 


THE  MOO  ft  or  VENICE*      ^f 

Otb,  Fetch  me  that  handkerchief :  my  mind  fiiif* 
givea. 

T>ef.  Come,  come;  * 

Youll  never  meet  a  more  fufBcient  man. 

Otb.  The  handkerchief,— 

jai/:  I  pray,  talk  me  of  Caflio  s. 

Otb.  The  handkerchief— 
'X>if  A  man  that»  all  his  timCt 
Hath  founded  hi^  good  fortunes  on  your  love ; 
Sha^*d  dangers  with  you ; — 

Otb.  The  handkerchief,— 

Def.  Infooth,  yoU  are  to  blame. 

Otb.  Away !  ^  \Exit  Otbelh. 

JEmiL  Is  not  tUs  man  jealous  ?.    ~ 

Dcf.  I  ne'er  few  this  bdFore. 
Sure,  there's  fome  wonder  in  this  handkerchief: 
I  am  moft  unhappy  in  the  lofs  oi  k. 

jEmiL  ^  'Tis  not  a  year  or  two  fhews  us  a  man : 

'  Ifra^  talk  me  cf  Cqffk.'^  This  aod  the  following  fhott  fpeeeh 
are  omitted  in  allandent  editions  but  the  firft  quarto.    Stee  V£Na» 

*  '77i  not  ajtmr  or  twp  Jbe^atu  us  a  wum  •"]  From  this  line  it 
mav  be  conjectured,  that  the  author  intended  the  adion  of  tins  play 
fo  M  oonfidered  as  lo^er  than  is  marked  by  any  no^e  of  time* 
Since  thdr  arrival  at  Cyprus,  to  which  they  were  hurried  on  thdr 
wedding-nighty  the  fable  feems  tahave  been  in  one  continual  pro* 
grefs,  nor  can  I  fee  any  vacuity  into  which  2k  year  ar  two^  or  even 
ft  month  or  two,  could  be  put.  On  the  night  of  Othello's  arrival^ 
a  feafl  was  proclaimed ;  at  that  feaft  Caflio  was  d^rraded,  and  im- 
mediately  applies  to  Defderoona  to  get  him  redored.  lago  indeed 
adviles  Othello  to  hold  him  off  a  while,  but  there  is  no  reafon  to 
think,  that  he  has  been  held  off  long.  -  A  little  lon^  inverval 
would  increafe  the  probability  of  thorflory,  though  it  might  violate 
the  rules  of  the  drama.    SeeAd;.Sc.  2.    Johnson. 

This  line  has  no  reference  to  die  duration  of  the  action  of  thit 
plav,  or  to  the  length  of  time  that  Defdemona  *had  been  married* 
What  Emilia  fays,  is  a  (brt  of  proverbial  remark,  of  general  ap^ 
plication,  where  a  definite  time  is  put  jfor  an  indefinite,  fiefides^ 
there  is  no  neceffity  for  ^ng  the  commencement  of  Emilia^s^ifr 
or  twof  to  the  time  of  the  marriage,  or  the  opening  of  the  piece. 
She  would  with  more  propriety  refer  to  the  beginning  of  the  ac- 
quaintance and  intimacy  between  the  married  couplej  which  might 
extend  beyond  that  period.    Steevens. 

3  They 


V 


55«  O    T    H    E    L    L    O, 

They  are  all  but  ftomacbs,  and  we  aU  bat  food  % 
They  eat  us  hungcrly,  and,  when  they  are  full. 
They  belch  us.   Look  you  I  CaffioiandmyhufbanL 

Enter  lago^  and  Cqffioi 

Ic^o.  There  is  no  other  way ;  *tis  flie  muft  do't  % 
And,  lo,  the  happinefs !  go,  and  importune  her. 

Dif.  How  now,  good  Caffio  ?  what's  the  news  with 
•    you  ? 

Caf.  Madam,  my  former  fuit :  I  do  befeech  you. 
That,  by  your  virtuous  means,  I  may  again 
Exift,  and  be  a  member  of  his  love. 
Whom  I,  with  all  i  the  duty  of  my  heart, 
Intirely  honour  %  I  would  not  be  dclay'd : 
If  my  offence  be  of  fuch  mortal  kind. 
That  neither  fervice  paft,  nor  prefent  forrows^ 
Nor  purposed  merit  m  futurity. 
Can  ranfom  me  into  his  love  again, 
*  But  to  know  fo  muft  be  my  benefit ; 
So  fhall  I  clothe  me  in  a  forced  content, 
9  And  ihut  myfelf  up  in  fome  other  courfe^ 
To  fortune's  alms* 

Bef. 

f  mm^thi  office  cf/fgf  beart^    The  elder  quarto  readsi 
—  the  duty  ffmy  bears* 
The  author  ufed  the  more  proper  word,  and  then  changed  it,  I 
fuppofey  for  fashionable  dioion ;  but,  as  faihion  is  a  very  wcsdc 
proteArtfsi  the  old  word  is  now  ready  to  refume  its  place. 

JoHKsoy« 

*  But  to  know  fif  muft  he  ffty  henejit,'] 

*'  Si  nequeo  pUcidas  afiari  Caefaris  aures, 

•*  Saltern  aliquis  veniat,  qui  mihi  dicat,  abi,**      Johnsow. 

•  j^iu/ (hoot  myfelf  vt        ]     This  is  the  reading  of  one  of  the 
early  quartos.    The  folio,  and  all  the  modem  editions,  have^ 

jindf\\\xtmyfe^up''^^^        Johnson. 
The  quarto  1630  (like  the  folio)  reads, 
Ajiditwxt  myfilfttp  — 
I  cannof  help  thinking  this  reading  to  be  the  true  one.    The  idea 
feetns  Caken  from  the  confinement  of  a  monadic  life.    The  words, 
fore'd  content^  help  to  confirm  the  fuppblitioo.    The  meaning  will 

thcreibre 


THi  MOOR  OF  V^ENIGE-      559 

2)^  Alas!  tbrke-gentle  Caflio, 
My  advocation  is  oot  now  in  tune ; 
My  lord  is  not  my  lord;  nor  (hould  I  know  him^ 
Were  he  >  in  favour,  as  in  humour,  alter'd. 
So  help  me  every  ipirit  lanAified, 
As  I  have  fpoken  for  you  all  mv  beft ; 
And  ftood*  within  the  blank  ot  his  difpleafure. 
For  my  free  foeetb !  You  mull  a  while  be  patient: 
What  I  can  ao,  I  will ;  and  more  I  will. 
Than  for  myfelf  I  dare  ;  let  that  fuffice  you, 
l0go.  Is  my  lord  angry  ? 
^mil  He  went  hence  but  now, 

And,  certainty,  in  ftrang^  uoquietnefs. 

lago.  Can  he  beS^ry  ?  I  have  fecn,  the  cannon 

When  it  hath  blown  his  ranks  into  the  air; 

And,  like  the  devil,  from  his  very  arm 

PuflTd  his  own  brother ; — And  can  he  be  angry  ? 

Something  of  moment,  then :  I  will  go  meet  him ; 

There's  matter  in*t  indeed,  if  he  be  angry.      [Exit. 
Def.  I  pr'ythec,  do  fa — Something,  fure,  of  ftate,— 

Either  from  Venice ;  or  '  fome  unhatch'd  pradicc, 
•  Made  demonftrable  here  in  Cyprus  to  him, — 

Hath  puddled  his  clear  fpirit :  and,  in  fuch  cafes. 

Men's,  natures  wrangle  with  inferior  things. 

Though  great  ones  are  their  objed. 

therefore  bc,^  •«  I  will  put  on  a  conftrained  appearance  of  being 
«*  contented,  and  (hut  mjfelf  up  in  a  different  courfe  of  life,  no 
••  longer  to  depend  on  my  own  eiForts,  but  to  wait  for  relief  from 
*^  the  accidental  hand  of  charity.** 

Shakefpearc  ufes  the  fame  exprefllon  in  Machtth: 
tmdjbui  up 
In  meafurelefs  content. 
Again,  in  AWs  voeU  that  ends  well: 

Whofe  bafeU  fhirs  do^/ w  */ in  wifhes.     Steevens, 
'  — in  favour^         ]     In  look/xn  countenance,    Johnson. 
*  -i-  'L\:ithin  the  blank  of  his  difpleafure^']     Within  the  Jbat  of  hit 
anger.    Johnson. 

3  — fome  unhatch^d  fraHice^    Some  trpafon  that  has  not  taken 
•ffipft.    Jou^'so^^ 

•Tis 


56o  0    1*    tt    E    L    L    0, 

•Tis  even  fo ;  4  for  kt  our  finger  achi 

i^nd  it  endues  our  other  healthful  tnembers 

Even  to  that  fenfe  of  pain  :  Nay,  We  muft  thinki 

Men  are  not  gods^ ; 

Nor  of  them  look  for  fuch  obfervaricy 

As  fits  the  brkiaU— Beflii^w  mo  much,  JEmilia^ 

I  was  (^  unbandfome  warrior  as  I  aA)) 

Arraigning  his  unkindnefs  with  my  foul ; 

But  now  1  find>  I  hid  fuborn'd  the  wimefs^ 

And  he's  indited  f^ifely^ 

JEmiL  Pray  heaven,  it  be  ftate  matters,  as  yoti 
think  I 
And  no  conception,  nor  no  jealous  toy. 
Concerning  you* 

Def.  Alas  the  day  !  I  never  gave  him  caufei 

JEmil.  But  jealous  fools  will  not  be  anfwer'd  6}% 
They  are  not  ever  jealous  for  the  <!aufc. 
But  jealous  for  they  are  jealous :  'tis  a  monfter, 
Begot  upon  itfelf,  born  on  itfelf. 

Def.  Heaven  keep  that  monfter  from  OtheUo*^ 
mind! 

^mii.  Lady,  amen. 

Dif.  1  will  ^  feek  him.— Calfio,  wdk  hereabout  I 
If  I  do  find  him  fit,  Til  move  your  foit, 
And  feek  to  effed  it  to  my  uttermoft« 

♦  Ftr  kt  tmr  fitter  dcb,  and  it  endues 
Our  §tber  beMtkjul  members  *ontb  aftnfe 

Cf  pMn*""''-^}  Endues  with  afenfi  cf  fdin^  it  an  6Xpre^% 
wbichy  though  it  might  be  eodured,  if  it  were  genuine*  cannot  de^ 
ferve  to  be  intrDduoed  by  artifice*  The  copies^  both  quarto  and 
folio,  read,  Endues  our  other  healthful  members  even  to  afiufe  efpmu 
I  believe  it  (hould  be  rather,  Subdues  Mrr^^i^r  healthfil members  to  4 
fenfe  of  pain.    Johnson* 

s  .^  (unband/bme  warrior  as  I  am)}    How  this  came  to  be  b 
blundered,  I  cannot  conceive.    It  is  plain  Shakefpeare  wrotey 

'  ■■   ■-  unbandfome  wrangler  as  lam* 
So,  in  Antowf  and  Cleopatra: 

'^^^fie  wrangling  queen.        WaeburtoK.'* 
Unhandfom  v:qrrior^  is  eyidcntty  unfair  ^Jpulaitt.    Johhson.  . 

Caf. 


fHB  MOdk  OP  VENICE.     Sit 

Caf.  I  humbly  thank  your  ladyfhip. 

[Exeunt  Defdemona^  and  jEmitia* 

Enter  Bianca. 

Stan.  Save  you,  friend  CalEo ! 

Caf.  What  make  you  from  home  t 
How  is  it  with  you,  my  mofl  fair  Bianca  ? 
Indeed,  fweet  love,  I  was  coming  to  your  hquf^i 

Bian.  And  I  was  going  to  your  lodging,  Caflid. 
What  I  keep  a  week  away  ?  feven  days  and  nights  I 
]£ightfcore  eight  hours  ?  and  lovers'  abfent  hdurs^ 
More  tedious  than  the  dial  eightfcore  times  ? 

0  weary  reckoning! 

Caf.  Pardon  me,  Bianca  i 

1  have  this  while  with  leaden  thoughts  beetl  pfefe'd  i 
But  I  (hall,  in  a  ^  more  continuate  time^ 

Strike  off  this  fcore  of  abfence.    Sweet  Bianca, 

(Giving  her  Defdemona's  handkerchief. 
7  Take  me  this  work  out. 

•  .^  more  coiiTement  time']    The  folio  has^ 
'       more  continuate  time ; 
Time  kfs  intermptetly  time  which  I  can  call  more  ray  own.   It  gi?iBS 
a  more  didind  image  than  comwuenf.    JdHNsolr. 
The  word  occurs  agam  in  ftmon^  Sc.  i. 

—  breathM»  as  it  were. 
To  an  Untirable  and  contimuue  goodnefs*      St e  £  v  EN s  • 
^  Take  me  tBis  work  wtf.]     The  meaning  is  not,  **  Pick  out  tlie 
«*  work,  and  leave  the  ground  plain  ;•*  but,  **  Copy  this  work  in 
^  another  handkerchief.      Johnson, 

So,  in  a  comedy,  by  MidcUeton,  called  Women  beware  Wmen  : 
*'  ■  ■  ■    (he  intends 
•*  To  Uike  out  other  works  in  a  new  (ampler.* 
Agun,  in  the  pitface  to  P.  Holland's  Pliny,  1601 :    <*  Nicophan<ii 
(a  tiunous  painter)  gave  his  mind  wholly  to  antique  pi^res,  partly 
to  exempline  and  take  out  their  oattems,  after  that  in  long  con-» 
linuance  of  time  they  were  decaied.^    Steevbics. 

So,  in  Heame*s  Liber  Niger  Scaccarii^  vol.  ii.  p*  5Jr8.  581* 
*ad  58J,  ^  to  takt  out  the  arms,**  means  to  copy  them. 

ToLLit« 

Vqu  X.  O  9  Biaih 


/;52  o   T   H   6   L   L    O; 

Bian.  O  Caffio,  whence  came  this  ? 
This  is  lome  token  from  a  newer  friend. 
To  the  felt  abfcncc  now  I  feel  a  caufe : 
Is  it  come  to  this  ?  Well,  well. 

Caf.  Go  to,  woman  ! 
Throw  your  vile  guefles  in  the  devil's  teeth. 
From  whence  you  have  them.    You  are  jealous  now. 
That  this  is  from  fome  miftrcfs,  fomc  remembrance : 
No,  in  good  troth,  Bianca. 

Bian.  Why,  whofe  is  it  ? 

Ca/l  I  know  not,  fweet :  I  found  it  in  my  cbam« 
ber. 
I  like  the  work  well ;  ere  it  be  demanded, 
(As  like  enough,  it  will)  I'd  have  it  copy'd : 
Take  it,  and  do't ;  and  leave  me  for  this  timet 

Bian.  Leave  you  !  wherefore  ? 

Caf.  I  do  attend  here  on  the  general  j 
And  think  it  no  addition,  nor  my  wift). 
To  have  him  fee  me  woman'd. 

Bian.  Why,  I  pray  you  ®  ? 

Caf.  Not,  that  I  love  you  not. 

Bian.  But  that  you  do  not  love  me. 
I  pray  you,  bring  me  on  the  way  a  little ; 
And  fay,  if  I  fhall  fee  you  foon  at  night  ? 

Caf.  'Tis  but  a  little  way,  that  I  can  bring  you. 
For  I  attend  here :  but  TU  fee  you  foon. 

Bian.  'Tis  very  good;  >I  muft  be  circumftaBo'd, 

[^Exeunt: 

■  y/%,  If>rayynu  f]  This  and  the  following  fpeech  ai«  want- 
in;;  in  the  firft  quarto.     Ste:£vi:ns. 

♦  • — 1  mtfl  he  ctrcumjlanci.l'\  i.e.  your  civility  if  now  growa 
conditional.    War  burton. 


ACT 


THE  MOOR  OF  VENICE.     563 
A  C  T    IV.       Sf  C  E  N  E     I. 

I 

Jn  apartment  in  the  cajile. 

Enter  Otbelh^  and  lago. 

lago^  Will  you  think  fo  ? 

0th.  Think  fo,  lago? 

lago.  What, 
To  kife  in  private  ? 

0th.  An  unauthorized  kifs. 

Ia%o.  Or  to  be  naked  with  her  friend  abed. 
An  hour,  or  more,  not  meaning  any  harm  ? 

Otb.  » Nak^d  abed,  lago,  and  not  mean  harm  ? 
It  is  h)rpocrify  againft  the  devil : 
They  that  mean  virtuoufly,  and  yet  do  (Oy 
*  The  devil  their  virtue  tempts,  and  they  tempt  heaven, 

lagoy 

'  Naked  in  hed^  Jago^  and  not  mean  barm? 
It  is  hypocrijy  againft  the  devil:]  This  obietration  fecms 
flrangely  abrupt  and  unoccalioncd.  We  mull  fuppofc  that  lago 
had,  Defore  they  appear  in  this  fccnc,  l)cen  applying  cafes  of  falfe 
comfort  to  Othello ;  as  that  though  the  parries  had  been  even 
found  in  bed  together,  there  might  be  no  harm  done  ;  it  might  be 
only  for  the  trial  of  their  virtue ;  as  was  reported  of  the  Romiih 
iaint,  Robert  D'ArbriiTel  and  his  nuns.  To  ihis  we  mull  fuppofc 
Othello  here  replies ;  and  like  a  good  proteftant.  For  fo  the  fcnri- 
ment  docs  but  iuit  the  character  of  the  fpeaker,  Shakcfpeare  little 
heeds  how  thefe  fentimcnts  are  circumllanccd.    Warburtov. 

I^focri^  agai/ifi  the  devil,  means  hypocrify  to  cheat  the  devil. 
As  common  hypocrites  cheat  men,  by  leeming  good,  and  yet  living 
wickedly,  thefe  men  would  cheat  the  devil,  by  giving  him  flatter* 
ing  hopes,  and  at  lad  avoiding  the  crime  which  be  thinks  them 
ready  to  commit.    Johnson. 

*  The  devil  their  virttte  tempts,  and  tl?ey  tem^t  hearenj]  It  i?  plain, 
firom  the  whole  tenor  of  the  words,  that  the  fpeaker  would  dif- 
dnguifh  this  llrange  fantaftical  prcfumption  trom  other  leiler  kinds 
of  mdifcrction,  where  prudence  is  oiF  its  guard.  But  this  rending 
lloes  not  diflinguifh  it  from  any  other,  it  being  true  of  all  who  run 

O  0  2  into 


T 

I 

r 


564  OTHELLO, 

Ta^o.  So  they  do  nothing,  ^tis  a  venial  ffip  : 
But  if  I  give  my  wife  a  handkerchief^ — 

Oib.  What  then  ? 

lago.  Why,  then  'tis  hers,  my  lord ;  and,  bdng 
hers, 
She  may,  I  think,  be(low*t  on  any  man* 

Otb.  She  is  prote£befs  of  her  honour  too; 
May  (he  give  that  ? 

lago.  Her  honour  is  an  eilence  that's  not  ieen ; 
They  have  it  very  oft,  that  have  it  not : 
But,  for  the  handkerchief, — 

Ofb.  By  heaven,  I  would  molt  gladly  have  forgoC 
it:— 
Thou  faidft, — O,  it  comes  o'er  my  mcnaory. 
As  doth  the  raven  o'er  the  infeded  houfe, 
5  Boding  to  all,— .he  had  my  handkerchief. 

lago.  Ay,  what  of  that  ? 

into  temptstion,  that  the  devil  their  virtue  ten^s,  end  iiejf  iemfi 
haveiu    The  true  reading,  therefore,  without  qudBon,  is  thit : 

The  devil  their  virtue  tempts  not ;  they  temft  heavetu 
u  e.  they  do  not  give  the  devil  the  trouble  of  throwing  teropCatioiit 
in  their  way :  they  feek  them  out  themfelves,  and  to  tempc  heaven  ^ 
by  their  prefumptioo.    This  is  a  juft  charader  of  tbeextravaeancc 
here  coodenmed,  and  diftinguilhes  it  from  other  ioferior  indif«> 
cretions.    War  bur  ton. 

Shakefpeare  had  probably  in  view  a  very  popular  book  of  hit 
time,  The  Beehive  of  the  Roman  Church.  *•  There  was  an  old  wife, 
called  Juliu^  which  would  take  the  young  men  and  maides»  and 
ky  them  together  in  a  bed.  And  for  that  they  (hould  not  one  byte 
another,  nor  kidce  backewardes  with  their  heeles,  fhe  did  lay  a 
crucifix  betweene  them.**    Farmer. 

>  Boding  to  idl^]  Thus  all  the  old  copies.  The  modems,  kfs 
grammatic^y. 

Boding  to  iU-'''^      Johnson. 
The  raven  was  thought  to  be  a  conftant  attendant  on  a  houfe  in 
which  there  was   infection.     So»  in  Marlowe's  yew  of  HUts^ 
2633: 

<^  Thus  like  the  iad  prefa^ng  rmxn^  that  tolls 

<*  The  fick  man's  palTport  in  her  hollow  besdc, 

**  And  in  the  ihadow  of  the  filent  night 

<^  Does  ihake  contagion  from  her  tMc  wing.**    Malone* 

Olb. 


THE  MOOR  OF  VENICE.     ^65 

Otk  That's  not  fo  good  now. 

lago.  What  i£  I  had  faid^  I  had   feen  him  do  you 
wrong  ? 
Or  heard  him  fay, — As  knaves  be  fuch  abroad. 
Who  having,  by  their  own  importunate  fuit. 
Or  voluntary  dotage  of  fome  miftrefs, 
4  Convinced  or  fupplied  them,  cannot  choole 
But  they  muft  blab. 

Otb.  Hath  he  faid  any  thing  ? 

f4fg9.  He  hath,  my  lord ;  but,  be  you  well  affur 'd. 
No  more  than  he'll  unfwear. 

Otb.  What  hath  he  faid  ? 

lago.  Why,  that  he  did,— I  know  not  what  he  did. 

Oib.  What?  what? 

Jag^.  Lie- 

0th.  With  her  ? 

logo.  With  her,  on  her ;  what  you  will. 

0th.  Lie  with  her !  lie  on  her ! — We  fay,  lie  on 
her,  when  they  belie  her :  Lie  with  her  !  that's  ful- 
fome.  Handkerchief, — confcflions, —  handkerchief* 
—  To  confefs,  and  be  hang'd  for  his  labour  5. — 

Firft, 

*  Conmincd  or  fupplied  thtm^  I  cannot  underhand  the  rulgar 
reading.  I  read,  convinced  or  luppled.  My  emendation  makes  the 
fenie  of  the  paffage  eafy  and  intelligible :  that  there  are  fome  fuch 
long-tongued  knaves  in  the  worM,  who,  if  they  through  xhf:  force  of 
intporhinity  extort  a  favour  from  their  miHrefs,  or  if  through  her  t^iva 
JhnJneft  they  make  her  /tliant  to  their  deiires,  cannot  help  boafting 
of  their  fucccfs.  To  cofruinfc^  here,  is  nor,  as  in  the  common  ac- 
ceptation, to  make  fenfible  of  the  truth  of  any  thing  by  reafons  and 
arguments ;  but  to  overcome ^  get  the  Letter  of\  &c,  Theobald. 
Convinced]  Convincd,  for  conquer'd,  fubdued.  Warburtov. 
So,  in  Macbeth*: 

*'  —  his  two  chamberlains 
**  Will  I,  with  wine  and  wafTel  fo  convince.^* 
Again^  in  the  fame  play ; 

** ^  their  malady  convinces 

'*  The  great  affay  of  an,**        Steevens, 
5  —  ff,  confefs  and  he.  hanged — ^  This  is  a  proverbial  laying.     It  it 
llibd  by  Marlow,  in  his  Jcvj  ofMalia^  1633 : 

*'  Bhirac  us  not,  but  ihG^roycrb--C4W2/^  and  h  ban£d!^ 

O  O   3  l! 


S66     '       OTHELLO. 

Firft,  to  be  hang'd,  and  thep — to  confcfs : — ^I  trcm-* 
blc  at  it. — Nature  would  not  inveft  herfelf  in  fuch 
^  fhadowing  paffion,  7  without  fome  inftrufUon.  It 
is  not  words,  that  (hake  me  thus : — Pilh ! — ^Nofcs, 

ears. 

It  ocelli's  again»  in  92fe  Travels  rf  the  %  Er^li^  Brodters^  1^95 : 
And  in  one  of  the  old  coUedions  of  fmall  Poems  there  is  an 
epigram  on  it.  AH  that  remains  of  this  (peech»  including  the  words 
to  confifs^  is  wanting  in  the  firft  quarto.     Steevens. 

*  — Jhad&iving  pajjion^—'l  The  modem  editions  have  left  out 
paffion,     Johnson. 

7  — i\:ithout  fame  inftruBioti.'^']  The  ftaits  and  broken  re- 
fledions  in  this  fpeech  have  fomcthing  very  terrible^  and  {hew  the 
inind  of  the  fpeaker  to  be  in  inexprefiible  agonies.  But  the  word» 
we  are  upon,  when  fet  right,  have  a  fublime  in  them  that  can  never 
be  enough  admired.  The  ridiculous  blunder  of  writing  inJintHiem 
for  induhion  (^r  fo  it  (hould  be  read)  has  indeed  funk  it  into 
arrant  nonrenfe.  Othello  is  jud  going  to  M  into  a  fwoon; 
and,  as  is  common  for  people  in  that  circumdancei  feds  an  un- 
ufual  mid  and  darknefs,  accompanied  with  horror,  coming  upon 
him.  This,  with  vaft  fublimity  of  though t,  is  compared  to  the 
feafon  of  tiie  fun's  cclip'c,  at  which  time  the  earth  becomes 
(liaJoucJ  by  the  induBlcn  or  bringing  over  of  the  moon  between  it 
and  the  fun.  Th's  being  the  allulion,  the  reaibning  ftandsthus: 
**  My  nature  could  ne%er  be  thus  ovcrlhadowed,  and  falling,  as  it 
*'  were,  into  diflbluiion,  for  uo  caufe.  There  muft  be  an  ittduBicn 
**  of  fcmething  :  there  muil  be  a  real  caufe.  My  jealoufy  cannot 
"  be  merely  imaginary.  Ideas,  worsts  only,  could  not  fliake  me 
"  thus,  and  raifc  all  this  diforder.  My  jealoufy  therefore  mud  be 
**  grounded  on  matter  of  la^l.**  Shukcf|.eare  ufes  this  word  in  the 
fame  fe n  1  "e,  in  Richard  ill. 

"  A  dire  induhion  am  I  witnefs  to." 
Marfton  feenis  to  have  read  it  thus  in  fome  copy,  and  to  allude  t© 
it  in  thefe  words  of  his  Fame  : 

"  Plots  ha' you  laid  ?  /W*t?/W  dangerous  !**    War  bur  ton. 

This  is  a  noble  conjetfturc,  and  whether  right  or  wrong  does 
honour  to  its  author.  Yet  I  am  in  doubt  whether  there  is  any 
xiecclluy  of  emendation.  There  has  always  prevailed  in  the  world 
an  opinion,  that  when  any  great  calamity  happens  at  a  diftance, 
notice  is  given  of  it  to  the  fuffercr  by  fome  deje<^ion  or  penur- 
bation  ©f  mind,  of  which  he  difcovers  no  external  caufe.  This  is 
afcribed  to  that  general  communication  of  one  part  of  the  unlverfe 
with  another,  Hhich  is  called  fympnthy  and  antipathy  ;  or  to  the 
fccret  monition,  inJlruSllcn^  and  influence  of  a  fuperior  Being, 
which  fupeuntCiid&  the  order  or  nature  and  of  life.     Othello  fays, 

ISatuTt 


THE  MOOR  OF  VENICE.      567 

fears,  and  lips  ^ : — Is  it  poffible  ? — Confefs ! — ^Hand- 
kerchief !— ^  devil ! — .  -   , 

[Falls  in  a  trance, 
lago.  Work  on. 
My  medicine,  work!    Thus    credtilous    fools    arc 

caught ; 
And  many  worthy  and  chafte  dames,  even  thus, 
All  guiltlefs  meet  reproach. — ^What,  ho  !  my  lord  ! 
My  lord,  I  fay !  Othello  ! — How  now,  Caffio  ? 

y 

Enter  CaJJio. 

Caf.  What's  the  matter  ? 
lago.  My  lord  is  fallen  into  an  epilepfy ; 
This  is  his  fecond  fit  •,  he  had  one  yefterday; 

Nature  could  not  itrveft  her/elf  in  fuch  Jbfadowiitg  paffion,*vcitboKt  in* 
flrudion*  //  is  Tiot  vjords  that  Jbake  me  thus.  This  pnllion,  which 
fpreads  its  clouds  over  me,  is  the  effect  of  fome  agency  more  than 
the  operation  of  words ;  it  is  one  of  thofe  notizes  which  men  have 
of  uofcen  calamities.    Johnson. 

Nature  could  not  uevejl  herje^  in  fuch  Jbadcvoing  f^^fficn  without 
fome  inftruBion.']  However  ingenious  Dr.  Warburtou  s  note  may 
.  be,  it  is  certainly  too  forced  and  far-fetched.  Orhello  alludes  only 
to  Caffio's  dream,  which  had  been  invented  and  told  him  by  lago. 
Wh«a  many  confufcd  and  very  intcreftingf  ideas  pour  in  upon  the 
mind  all  at  once,  and  with  fuch  rapidity  that  it  has  not  time  to 
fhape  or  digeft  them,  if  it  does  not  relieve  itfelf  by  tears  (which 
we  know  it  gftcn  does,  whether  for  joy  or  grief)  it  produces  ftupe- 
fa^ion  and  iaintiog. 

Othello,  in  broken  fentcnccs  and  finglc  words,  all  of  which  have 
a  reference  to  the  caufe  of  his  jealoufy,  ihews,  that  all  the  proofs 
are  prefent  at  oncp  tp  his  mind,  which  fo  over-powers  it,  that  he 
falls  into  a  trance,  the  natural  confequence.     Sir  J.  Reynolds. 

•  Nojes^  ears^  and  lips:"]  Othello  is  imaging  to  hi  mftlf  the  fa- 
miliarities which  he  fuppofes  to  have  pafled  between  Caifio  and  his 
wife.     So,  in  the  Winters  Tale: 

Cheek  to  cheek, — meeting  nofcs^-^ 
Killing  with  infide/j^,  &:c.— 
If  this  be  not  the  meaming,  we  muft  fuppofe  he  is  meditating  a 
f  ruei  punifhment  for  Defdemona  aod  ber  fufpedted  paramour : 

■raptig. 
AuTtbus^  ct  truncas  inhoneflo  vulncre  narf^*      Stehvens. 

'O  o  4  Caf. 


568  OTHELLO, 

Caf.  Rub  him  about  the  temples.  . 

lagQ.  No,  forbear: 
The  lethargy  muft  have  his  quiet  courfe : 
If  not,  he  foams  at  mouth  *,  and,  by  and  by. 
Breaks  out  to  favage  madnefSf    Look,  he  ftirs : 
po  you  withdraw  yourfelf  a  little  while» 
He  will  recover  firaight ;  when  he  is  gone, 
I  would  on  great  occalion  fpeak  with  you. — 

[Exit  Ca£i$, 
flow  is  it,  general  ?  have  yqu  riQt  hurt  your  h^  ? 

Otb.  Doft  thou  mock  me  ? 

Idgo.  I  mock  you !  no,  by  heaven : 
fWould,  you  would  bear  your  fortunes  like  a  man. 

Otb.  A  horned  ipan's »  «  monfter;  and  a  bcaft 

lagQ.  There's  many  a  b^aft  tbep  ia  a  pQpiUoQ« 
city. 
And  many  a  civil  monfter. 

Otb.  Did  he  confefs  it  ? 

lago.  Good  fir,  be  a  m^  ; 
Think,  every  bearded  fellow,  that's  but  yok'df 
May  draw  with  you  :  there's  millions  now  alive. 
That  nightly  lie  >  in  thofe  unproper  beds, 

Whkrh 


*  A  horiMBd  numrr]  In  MuchAJio  tiont  Nofbing^  I  oraitted  to 
attempt  the  iUuftrtcion  of  a  pailag^  where  Benedick  fayt —  ^  there 
18  no  (biflrniore  honourable  than  one  tifi  with  icm/*  '  Perhaps  he 
alludee  to  the  ftaff  which  tfas  andendy  carried  before  a  challei^^. 
Thus,  in  Stowed  Cbram'cle,  edit.  161^9  p.  669 :  **  -rr  bis  bafton  (a 
fiaiie  of  an  elle  long,  made  taper-wife,  ii/i  wki  b«rm)  kc  wai 
borne  before  him.**    Steevens. 

■  — in  thcfi  unproper  Ms^    V^^x^fp^t  fof  common. 

WAEivaToy* 
Soy  in  Tbi  ArcaS^  by  Shiriey^  16^: 
**  Every  woman  (hall  be  coromofi.rr 
*^  Every  woman  common !  wha(  AhU  we  do  yith  all  thi 
^  >r«^  wompi  in^r#«dPtff 

•*  They  (ball  be  common  too.*^ 
Again,  inGower  Df  fSmtfefitm  AmattAf  B.  a.  fol. 

<f  And  is  his/r^  by  the  hiwe.** 
Again,  in  thi  Mqflivf^  te.  ai|  i)nqq4  cpBcQiop  of  epigraw  ^ 
^r€f,npdi|te; 


THE  MOOR  OF  VENICE,     5^ 

Which  they  dare  fweai  peculiar  i  your  cafe  is  betteft 
D,  'tis  the  fpight  of  bell^  tb^  fiend's  arch«mock^ 
To  lip  a  wanton  in  a  fecure  coueb. 
And  to  fuppofe  her  chafte !  No,  let  me  know ; 
And,  knowing  what  I  am,  I  know  wba(  ihe  ihall  be* 

Otb.  O,  thou  art  wife;  'tis  certain. 

Iag0.  Siand  you  a  while  apart ; 
Confine  yoyrfelf  but  in  a  patient  *  lift. 
Whilft  you  were  here,  ere  while,  mad  with  your 

(A  palfion  moft  unfuitin^  fuch  a  man) 
Caifio  came  hither :  I  fbifted  him  away. 
And  laid  good  *fcufe  upon  your  ecftafy ; 
Bade  him  anon  return,  and  here  fpeak  with  me ; 
The  which  he  promised.    Do  but  4  encave  yourlclf, 

**  Rofc  18  a  foyre,  but  not  t^frofir  woman, 

^*  Can  any  creature  froptr  be,  that's  common  ?** 

Steeteks. 
^ -r«^0    For  attention;  a6^  of  liftening.    Johnson, 
It  appears  tp  me  that  a  plain  fenfe  is  on  this  occafiooi  r^e£lcd  in 
favour  of  one  more  remote ;  and  ^rhaps  no  inflance  of  fuch  a  u(e 
of  the  word  lift  pan  be  brought  in  fupport  of  it.    The  obvious 
meaning  oflift^  or  lifts^  is  harriers^  hounds.    Keep  your  temper, 
fays  lago,  within  the  haimJs  rf patten^.    So,  in  Hamlet : 
The  ocean  over-peering  of  his  Uft^ 
Eats  not  the  fiats  with  more  impetuons  hafle,  &c«  Colli  vs^ 
Again,  \n  King  Hatty  V,  Adj.  Sea.  ^*— -you  and  I  cannot  be 
f:onfined  within  the  weak  lift  of  z  country  fafhion." 
Again,  in  JOng  Henry  IV.  P.  1 :     ' 

The  very  ilfi^  the  very  utmc^  bound. 
Of  all  our  fortunes. 
Chapman,   ijfi  his  tranflation  of  the  i6th  Book  of  Homer*! 
Pdyiiey,  has  exprcfied  the  lame  thought : 

**  — —  let  thy  heart 
'       ^*  Bfsat  in  fixM  confines  of  thy  boiom  ftill.^ 
Afi^in,  in  AlTs  well  that  ends  wU^  A6k  a.*  Sc.  i :    **  —  you  hav« 
reitrain'd  yourfelf  \vithin  the  l{fi  of  too  cold  an  adieu.**  Steevsns* 
*  ^~ere  while^  mad  laitb  your  griefs]    Thus  the  firft  quarto. 
The  folio  reads : 

—  overwhelmed  with  your  grief.         Steeyens. 
^  ^^iMcaveyoMT/iffi]    Hide  yourldf  in  a  private  pUoc, 

Johnson* 
And 


570  OTHELLO, 

And  mark  the  fleers,  the.  gibes,  and  notable  fcornSj 
That  dwell  in  everv  region  of  his  face  •, 
For  I  will  make- him  tell  the  tale  anew, — 
Where,  how,  how  oft,  how  long  ago,  and  wHca 
He  hath,  and  is  again  to  cope  your  wife ; 
I  fay,  but  mark  his  gefture.     Many,  patience  j 
^  Or  I  (hall  fay,  you  are  all  in  all  in  fpleen^ 
And  nothing  of  a  man. 

Ofh.  Doft  thou  hear,- lago  ? 
I  will  be  found  moft  cunning  in  my  patience; 
But  (doft  thou  hear  ?)  moft  bloody. 

lago.  That's  not  amifs  j 
But  yet  keep  time  in  all.     Will  you  withdraw  ? 

'  [OthcUo  mtbiraws^ 
Now  will  I  qutftion  Caflioof  Bianrca, 
A  houfewife,  that,  by  felling  her  defircs. 
Buys  hcrfclf  bread  and  cloaths  :  it  is  a  creature. 
That  dotes  on  Cafllo, — as  'tis  the  (trumpet's  plague^ 
To  beguile  many,  and  be  beguil'd  by  one  ;— 
fc[e,  when  he  hears  of  her,  cannot  refrain 
From  the  exccfs  of  laughter  :— -Here  he  comes ;— ^ 

Enter  Caffio. 

As  he  Ihall  fmile,  Othello  (hall  go  mad  5 
*  And  his  unbookilh  jealoufy  muft  conftruc 
Poor  Caffio's  fmiles,  geftures,  and  light  behaviour. 
Quite  in  the  wrong. — How  do  you  now,  lieutenant  ? 

5  Or  JJbaUJajyyou  are  aU  in  aU  in  ffl^n,"]     I  read  : 
Orjhall  I  Jt^yyou^re  all  in  all  a  Jpkeu. 
I  think  our  author  ules  this  cxprdfion  cllewhere,    Johnson. 

A  hare-brain'il  Hotfpur,  govcrn'd  by'  ^iffken, — ^The  old  read- 
ing, however,  is  not  inexplicable.  We  Hill  fay,  fuch  one  is  im 
wrath,  in  the  dumps,  &c.  The  fenfc  therefore  is  plain.  Again, 
in  the  Mldfummer  ^iglxf^i  Dream : 

That,  in  a  JpUcn,  unfolds  both  heaven  and  earth— 

Steevens. 
*  jiiul  hi^  unbookLh  jcal&ttfy^^     U/ilookifij  for  ignorant. 

WaRBURtox. 


tttB  MOOR  OF  VENICE,      ^yi 

Caf.  The  worfcr,  that  you  give  me  the  addition, 
Whofc  want  even  kills  me, 

lago.  Ply  Defdemona  well,  and  you  are  fure  on't* 
Now,  if  this  fuit  lay  in  Bianca's  power, 

[Sfeaking  lower^ 
How  quickly  ihould  you  fpced  ? 

Caf.  Alas,  poor  caitiff! 

Otb.  Look,  how  he  laughs  already  !  [/Ifide. 

lago.  I  never  knew  a  woman  love  man  fo. 

Caf.  Alas,  ppor  rpgvie !  I  think,  indeed,  Ihc  loves 
me. 

Ofh.  Now  he  denies  it  fajntly,  and  laughs  it  out. 

I4fide. 

lago.  Do  you  hear,  Caflio  ?  ' 

0th.  Now  he  importunes  him 
To  tell  it  o'er :  Go  to  ;  well  faid,  well  faid.  Vyifide. 

lago.  'She  gives  it  out,  that  you  (hall  tnarry  her  ; 
Do  you  intend  it  ? 

Caf.  Ha,  ha,  ha ! 

Otb.  7  Do  you  triumph,  Roman?  do  you  triumph? 
•      '  {Jftde. 

Caf.  I  marry  her! — what?  ^acufto^ncr!  I  pr'y- 
thee,  bear  fome  charity  to  my  wit  ^  do  not  think  it 
fo  unwholcfome.     Ha,  ha,  ha  1 

Oih.  So,  fo,  fo,  fo  :  They  laugh,  that  win.  [Aftde. 

la^o.  Why,  the  cry  goes,  that  you  fhall  marry  her. 

Caf  Pr'ythee,  fay  true. 
.    lago.  I  am  a  very  villain  elfe. 

0th.  9  Have  you  fcor'd  me  ?  WclL  \^A/:de. 

Caf 

7  Do  you  tnumplj  T  Roman  ?  ^loyou  triumph  7'\  Othello  calls  him 
Roman  ironicall).  Triumph^  which  was  a  Roman  ceremcmyy 
brought  Roman  into  his  thoughts.  Wjat  (i'ays  )^t)ym  wre  nov$ 
tri u mphing  as  gnat  as  a  Roman  ?     Johnson. 

•  — a  ciijiomfrl ]     A  common  woman,  one  that  invites 

cuftom.     Johnson. 

So,  in  AWs  ivcU that  en^s^joell: 

I  think  thee  no'.v  fome  common  cujlcmer,       Steeveks.  • 

*  Have  you  feared  meT — ]     HaTC  you  n:ade  my   rcckooing? 

have 


57«  OTHELLO. 

Caf.  This  is  the  monkey's  own  giving  out :  flic  U 
perfuaded  I  will  marry  her,  out  of  her  own  love  and 
flattery,  not  out  of  ray  promife. 

Otb.  lago  beckons  me ;  now  he  begins  the  ftory. 

lAftde. 

Caf.  She  was  here  even  now ;  flie  haunts  me  in 
every  place.  I  was,  the  other  day,  ulking  on  the 
ica-bank  with  certain  Venetians ;  and  thither  comes 
the  bauble ;  by  this  hand  '  ihe  falls  thus  about  my 
neck ; — 

Otb.  Crying,  O  dear  CaflSo  I  as  it  were :  his  gef- 
ture  imports  it.  \_j^e. 

Caf.  So  hangs^  and  lolls,  and  weeps  upon  me ;  fo 
hales,  and  pulls  me :  ha,  ha,  ha ! — 

Otb.  Now  he  tells,  how  flie  pluck'd  him  to  my 
chamber  :  O,  I  fee  that  nofe  of  yours,  but  not  that 
4og  I  (ball  throw  it  to.  .     \jtjide. 

Caf.  Well,  I  muft  leave  her  company. 

lago.  Before  me !  look,  where  fhc  comes. 

Enter  Bianca. 

Caf.  'TIS  fuch  another*  fitchew!  marry,  a  per- 
fumed 

hare  you  fettled  the  terra  of  ray  life  ?   Tht  old  quarto  reads, 
fiortdxx^.    Have  you  difpofed  of  me  ?  hav^  you  laid  me  up? 

Johnson* 

To  fccre  originally  meant  no  more  than  to  cut  a  notch  upon  a 

tally,  or  to  mark  out  a  form  by  indenting  it  on  any  fabftance. 

Spenfer,  in  the  iirll  Canto  of  his  Faery  ^ueen^  fpeakin^  o£  thf 

^ois,  lays : 

**  Upon  his  fliield  the  like  was  alfo  Jcor^Jj* 
Again,  b.  a.c.  9 :     '«  —  why  on  your  (hield,  fo  goodly  Jeered, 

♦*  Bear  yoii  the  pidure  of  that  lady's  head  ?" 
But  it  was  ibon  figuradvely  ufed  for  fetting  a  hramJox  mark  ofdif-: 
grace  on  any  one.    '*  Let  us  fiore  their  backs,**  fays  Scarus,  in 
Anunr^  €md  Ckopatra  ;  and  it  is  employed  in  the  fame  fenfe  on  die 
prefent  occafion*    Steevens, 

*  —  ^  //j/j  hand^l    This  is  the  reading  of  the  firft  quarto. 

Steetens, 

•  '^ fitchew  l-^'\    A  polecat.     Pope. 

^hakefpeare  baa  in  a^iotber  place  roeqtion^  the  luft  of  this 

unin^^U 


THE  MOOR  OF  VENICE.      57^ 

fumM  one. — ^Wbatdoyou  mean  by  this  haimtiog 
of  me  ? 

Bian.  Let  the  devil  and  his  dam  haunt  you  I  What 
did  you  mean  by  that  fame  handkerchief,  you  gave 
me  even  now  ?  I  was  a  fine  fool  to  take  iL  I  muft 
take  out  the  whole  work. — A  likely  piece  of  work^ 
that  you  (hould  find  it  in  your  chamber,  and  not 
know  who  left  it  there !  Thb  is  fome  mbx^s  token» 
and  I  muft  take  out  the  work  J  There, — give  it 
your  hobby-horfe :  wherefoever  you  had  it,  FU  take 
out  no  work  on't. 

C^  How  now,  my  fweet  Bianca?  how  now  I  how 
now? 

Otbf  By  heaven,  that  fhould  be  my  handkerehiefl 

I4fid€. 

Bian.  An  you'll  come  to  fupper  to-night,  you  may : 
an  you  will  not,  come  when  you  are  next  prepared  for. 

lago.  After  her,  after  her. 

Caf.  I  muft,  (he*ll  rail  in  the  ftreet  elfe. 

lago.  Will  you  fup  there  ? 

Caf.  Yes,  I  intend  fo. 

lago.  Well,  I  may  chance  to  iee  you ;  for  I  would 
very  fain  fpeak  with  you. 

Caf.  Pr*ythee,  come ;  Will  you  ? 

lago.  Go  to ;  fay  no  more.  {Exit  Ca^. 

Oth.  How  (hall  I  murder  him,  lago  ? 

lago.  Did  you  perceive  how  he  laugh'd  at  his  ^ce  \ 

Oth.  O,  lago ! 

lago.  And  did  you  fee  the  handkerchief  ? 

Oth.  Was  that  mine  ? 

lago.  Yours,  by  this  hand :  and  to  iee  how  lie 
prizes  the  foolifti  woman  your  wife!  (he  gave  it 
him,  and  he  hath  given  it  his  whore. 

animaL    He  tdli  IagO|  that  (he  is  as  lewd  as  the  tAcat^  but  of 

^cter  fcent,  the  poleotc  beiog  a  veiy  ftinktog  aDimat.    Johnsov. 

tifok-q€t  uras  atu^eotly  ont  of  the  cant  tenns  for  a  firumpet. 

Oti. 


574  OTHELLO, 

Otb.  I  would  have  him  nine  years  a  killing :— ^ 
A  fine  woman  !  a  fair  woman  !  a  fweec  woman  ! 

lago*  Nay,  you  muft  forget  that* 

Ofb.  Ay,  let  her  rot,  and  perifh,  and  be  damn'd 
to-night ;  for  fhe  (hall  not  live :  No,  my  heart  is 
tum*d  to  ftone  ;  I  ftrike  it,  and  it  hurts  my  hand  ^ 
O,  the  world  hath  not  a  fweeter  creature :  (he  might 
lie  by  an  emperor's  fide,  and  command  him  taflcs. 

lago.  Nay,  that's  not  your  way*    . 

Ofb.  Hang  her !  I  do  but  fay  what  Ihe  is  : — So 
delicate  with  her  needle ! — An  admirable  mufician ! 
O,  (he  will  fing  the  favagenefs  out  of  a  bear ! — Of 
fi>  high  and  plenteous  wit  and  invention  !-— 

lago.  She's  the  worfe  for  all  this. 

Otk.  O,  a  thoufand,  a  thoufand  times  : — And  then. 
of  fo  gentle  a  condition ! — 

lago.  Ay,  too  gentle. 

Ofb.  Nay,  that's  certain  :  But  yet  the  pity  of  it, 
lago ! — O,  lago,  the  pity  of  it,  lago  ! 

lago.  If  you  are  fo  fond  over  her  iniquity,  give  her 
patent  to  offend  5  for,  if  it  touch  not  you,  it  comes 
near  nobody. 

Otb.  I  will  chop  her  intomefles: — Cuckold  me! 

lago.  O,  'tis  foul  in  her. 

Ofb.  With  mine  officer ! 

lago.  That's  fouler. 

Otb.  Get  me  fome  poifon,  lago ;  this  night : — I'll 
not  expoftulate  with  her,  left  her  body  and  beauty 
unprovide  my  mind  again  : — this  night,  lago. 

.'  —  Ncj  «ry  ieart  is  turtt*d  to  fione ;  IJirtkt  it^  and  it  hurts  wy 
hand. — ]    This  thought^  as  often  as  it  occurs  to  Sbakeipeare>  is 
(tire  to  be  received,  and  as  often  counteradls  his  pathos.    So,  in 
Antotff  and  Cleopatra^  Ad  4.  Sc.  8: 
*'  —  throw  my  heart 
.  ^*  Aeainfl  the  iiint  and  hardnefs  of  my  fau!% 
**  Which,  being  dried  with  grief,  will  break  to  powder,     "^ 
*•  An4  fiuifli  all  foul  thoughts."    Steeyens. 

lago. 


\ 


THE  MOOR  OF  VENICE.      575 

lago.  Do  it  not  with  poilbn  5  ftraogle  her  in  her  bed, 
even  the  bed  flic  hath  contaminated. 

Otb.  Good,  good :  the  juftice  of  it  pleafes  j  very 
good. 

lago.  And,  for  CafliOj^—let  me  be. his  undertaker : 
You  fliall  hear  more  by  midnight.  {A  trumpet  wiibin. . 

Otb.  Excellent  good.— What  trumpet  is  that  fame? . 

lage.  Something  ixotii  Venice,  fare.     'Tis  Lodo- 
vico, 
Come  from  the  duke :  and,  fee,  your  wife  ia  with 
him.  \ 

Entir  Lpdovico^  Defdemna,  and  Atiendants. 

Lod.  Save  you,  worthy  general ! 

Otb.  With  all  my  heart,  fir. 

Lod.  The  duke  arid  fcnators  of  Venice  greet  yow.' 

[Gives  bim  a  letter. 

Otb.  I  kifs  the  inftrument  of  their  pleafures. 

Def.  And  what's  the  news,  good  coufin  Lodovico? 

lago.  I  am  very  glad  to  fee  you,  fignior  \ 
Welcome  to  Cyprus. 

Lod.  I  thank  you :  How  does  lieutenant  Cafllo  ? 

lago.  Lives,  fir. 

Def.  Coufin,  there's  fallen  between  him  and  my 
lord 
An  unkind  breach :  but  you  (hall  make  all  well. 

Otb.  Are  you  fure  of  that  ? 

Def.  My  lord  ? 

Otb.  *  ^his  fail  you  not  to  doy  as  you  will — ' 

[Reads. 

Lod.  He  did  not  call ;  he's  bufy  in  the  paper. 
Is  there  divifion  'twixt  thy  lord  and  Caflio  ? 

Def.  A  moft  unhappy  one ;  I  would  do  much 
To  4  atone  them,  for  the  love  1  bear  to  Caffio. 

^  — atone  tbemy'^\  Make  them  <7;?f ;  reconcile  them.  Johnsok. 
So,  in  Cymbeline : 

1  did  atone  my  countryman  and  vou.      Steevews. 

Otb. 


576  O    T   tt    £    L    L    Oi 

0th.  Fire  and  brimftooe  I 

Def.  My  lord  ? 

Oib.  Arc  you  wife  ? 

Def.  What,  is  he  angry  ? 

Lpd.  'May  be,  the  letter  mov'd  him  j 
For,  as  I  think,  they  do  conunand  him  home^ 
Deputing  Caffio  in  his  government 

bif  Sy  my  troth,  1  am  glad  on'c 

0/ift.  Indeed? 

Def.  My  lord? 

Otb.  I  am  glad  to  fee  you  mad. 

Def.  Why,  fweet  Othello? 

Otb.  DevU!  [Strikh^bet* 

Def  I  have  not  deferv'd  this. 

Lod.  My  lord,  this  would  not  be  believed  in  Venice^ 
Though  I  ihould  fwear  I  faw  it :  'Tis  very  much  ) 
Make  her  amends,  fhe  weeps. 

Oib.  O  devil,  devil ! 
5  If  that  the  earth  could  teem  with  woman's  teariy 
Each  drop  fhe  falls  ^  would  prove  a  crocodile  :— 
Out  of  my  fight  I 

Def  I  will  not  ftay  to  oflfend  you.  [Grii^. 

Lod.  Truly,  an  obedient  lady : — 
I  do  befeech  your  lord(hip,  call  her  back^ 

Otb.  Miftrefs,— 

Def  My  lord? 

Otb.  What  would  you  with  her,  fir  ? 

Lod.  Who,  I,  my  lord  ? 

Otb.  Ay ;  you  did  wilh,  that  I  would  make  her  turn : 
Sir,  fhe  can  turn,  and  turn,  and  yet  go  on, 

'  Iftbst  iie  earii  ctM  teem^  &c.]  If  womens  torn  could  im* 
pr^^e  the  earth.  By  the  do^ne  of  equiyocal  generation,  oer 
ammab  were  fuppofed  pioducible  by  new  comhinacioDt  <^  matter^ 
See  Bacon.    JoHHtoir. 

•  EmcbdnfJb€bX\M:\    To>U7 U  here  a  veib  a^te.    So,inthe 

—  when  I  rear  raj  hand,  do  you  the  lik^ 
To>tfitanOonaak>.       Stutsms. 

And 


fkE  Mo6r  Of  VfeNltCE.     577 

And  turn  again  5  and  (he  can  weep,  fir,  weep ; 
And  fhe's  obedient,  as  you  fay, — obedient,— 
Vtry  obedient;— ^7  Proceed  you  in  your  tears.—* 
Concerning  this,  fir, — O  well-painted  paffion  !-^-* 
I  am  conlmahded  honle  : — Get  you  away ; 
ril  fend  for  you  anon. — ^Sir,  I  obey  the  mandate. 
And  will  return  to  Venice  j-^Hence,  avaunt ! — 

(Exit  Defdmotal 
Caflio  Ihall  have  my  p'^ce  ^.    And,— fir,  to-night, 
I  do  entreat  that  we  may  fup  together. 
You  are  welcome,  fir,  to  Cyprus* — Goats  and  mon* 
kies  9 !  [Exit^ 

Lod.  Is  this  the  noble  Moor,  whom  our  full  i'enate 
Call — all-in-all  fufiicient  ?  This  thfc  noble  nature 
Whom  paffion  could  not  fhake  ?  »  whofe  folid  virtue 
The  fhot  of  accident,  nor  dart  of  chance. 
Could  neither  graze,  nor  pierce  ? 

^  —  Proceed  you  in  your  tears."^'}  t  cannot  tliink  ttiat  the  poet 
iDCMnt  to  make  Othello  bid  Defdcmona  ito  continue  *iX)eef>ing^  which 
proceed  you  inyour  tearj  (as  xht  pafTage  is  at  prefent  pointed)  muft 
toean.    tie  rather  would  have  faid, 

■'        Proceed  you  inyour  tears  T 
What !  will  you  ilill  continue  to  be  a  hypocrite  by  a  diiptay  of  thii 
'well-painted  iajiom  t      W  A  it  N  E  R . 

■  CaJJtoJballhamen^place.^  Perhaps  this  is  addreflcd  XoBcf" 
imona^  who  bad  juft  exprelTcd  her  joy  on  hearing  Caljio  was  deputed 
in  the  room  of  her  hufband.  Her  innocent  fatisfodtion  in  the  hope 
pf  returning  tb  her  native  place,  is  conftrued  by  Othello  into  the  plca- 
fure  flic  received  from  the  advancement  of  his  rival.       S  tee  yens* 

*  Goats  and  moniies/]     In  this  exclamation  Shakefpeare  has 
(hewn  great  art.    la^o^  in  the  tir(k  feene  iii  which  he  endcavoun 
to  awsScen  his  fufpicion,  being  urged  to  give  fome  evident  proof 
of  the  gaWt  of  Qi^o  zud  De/demontif  tells  him  it  were  iropodible  to 
tiave  oculai-  demonftration  of  it,  though  they  fliould  he  *^  as  prime 
^godts,  as  hot  as  moniies/*i^Tht(e  words,  we  may  fuppofe,  flill 
linfir  in  th^  ears  of  Othello^  who  being  now  fully  convinced  of  his 
wife's  infidelity,  nifties  out  with  this  emphatic  exclamation : — Iago*f 
words  were  but  too  true-^now  indeed  I  am  convinced  that  they 
fu«  as  hot  as  **  goats  and  moniiesj*    M aloKe* 
'  -"-^^  txJjoJe  folid  virtue 
7heJbot  ^accident,  nor  dart  ^chanc^, 
Could  neither  mat  nor  pierce,^     But  it  is  to  cottim^ndatiotl  to 

Vol.  X*.  Pp  the 


57S  OTHELLO, 

lago.  He  is  much  chan^'d. 

Lod.  Are  his  wits  fafe  ?  is  he  not  light  of  brain  ? 

lago.  He  is  that  he  is;  I  may  not  breathe  my 
cenfure. 
What  he  might  be, — if,  what  he  mig^t,  he  is  not,—* 
I  would  to  heaven,  he  were. 

Lod.  What,  ftrike  his  wife ! 

Iag$.  Taith,  that  was  hot  fo  well ;  Yet  'would  I 
knew. 
That  (Iroke  would  prove  the  worft. 

Lod.  Is  it  his  ufe? 
Or  did  the  letters  work  upon  his  bk)od, 

the  mod  folid  Ttrtue  to  be  free  from  the  attacks  of  fbrtune :  but  th^f 
it  is  fo  impenetrable  as  to  fufier  no  impreffion*  Now  to  grasu 
iignifies  only  to  teucb  tfje  fuperficies  of  any  thing.  That  is  the  at- 
ttck  of  fortune :  and  by  that  virtue  is  tried|  but  not  difcrcditcdtf 
We  ought  ceruinly  therefore  to  read : 

Can  neither  raze  nor  fierce, 
i.  e.  neither  li||;htly  touch  upon»  nor  pierce  into.    The  ignorant 
tranfcribers  bcmg  acquainted  with  the  ^Yixz,^  of  %  httUef  irazing^ 
and  Jkot  being  mentioned  in  the  line  before,  they  corrupted  the  truer 
word.    Belidesi  we  do  not  (ay,  ^aze  a  thing ;  but  graze  on  it. 

WARBUaTOWtf 

I  have  veiiturcd  to  attack  another  part  of  this  fentence,  which  my 
iti^nious  friend  flipped  over.  1  cannot  fee,  for  my  heart,  the 
difference  betwixt  tb*  (hot  q( accident  and  dart  o\' chance^  The  wordt 
and  things  they  im(>ly  are  purely  fynonimous  ;  but  that  the  poec 
intended  two  ditferenc  things  feems  plain  from  the  ^Jcrttive  adi^erb. 
Chance  may  afflict  a  man  in  fume  circamftances ;  but  other  dif- 
treifcs  are  to  be  accounted  for  irom  a  different  caufe,  I  am  per* 
fuaded  our  author  wrote : 

The  Jbot  ^accident,  nor  dart  ^chan^je,  ^c. 
And,  in  a  number  of  other  places,  our  poet  ixiduftrioufly  putsthefe 
two  words  in  oppofition  to  each  other.    Theobald. 

To  grazi  is  not  merely  to  touch  fuperficially,  but  to  firike  net 
dire<5tly,  not  fo  as  to  bury  the  body  of  the  thmg  ilrikiog  in  the 
matter  ftruck. 

Theobald  triflesi  as  is  ufual.  Accident  and  chance  may  admit  a 
fubtle  difUndUon;  accident  may  be  confidered  as  the  aR^  and 
chance  as  the  totvr  or  agency  of  fortune ;  as,  //  vyai  hy  chance  thai 
this  accident  Ufil  me.  At  lead",  if  we  fuppofe  all  corrupt  that  is  in- 
accunue,  there  will  be  no  end  of  emcn4atioxi,    Johnson. 

And 


THE  MOOR  OP  V EN  ICE,      579 

And  ncw'Crcatc  this  fault  ? 

lago.  Alas,  alas! 
it  is  not  honefty  in  me^  to  fpeak 
What  I  have  feen  and  known.  You  (ball  phfervc  him  j 
And  his  own  courfes  will  denote  him  fo, 
^hat  I  may  fave  my  fpeech  :  Do  but  go  after, 
vAnd  mark  how  he  continues. 

Lod.  1  am  forry,  that  I  am  deceivM  in  him.  [Elfiimh 

S    C    E    N    E       II. 

Another  apartment  in  the  caftU. 
Enter  Othello^  and  jEmilia.  « 

()th.  You  have  feen  nothing  then  ? 

^mil.  Nor  ever  heard ;  nor  ever  did  fufpcft. 

Otb.  Yes,  you  have  feen  Caflio  and  (he  together. 

£miL  But  then  I  faw  ng  harm ;  and  then  1  heard 
]£ach  fyllable,  that  breath  made  up  between  them. 

Otb.  What,  did  they  never  whifper  ? 

jEptil.  Never,  my  lord. 

Otb.  Nor  fend  you  out  o*  the  way  ? 

jEmil  Never. 

Otb.  To  fetch  her  faft,  her  gloves^  her  maik,  nor 
nothing? 

JEmil.  Never,  my  lord. 

Oib.  That's  ftrange. 

£mil.  I  durft,  my  lord^  to  wager  (he  is  honelt. 
Lay  down  my  foul  at  (take :  if  you  think  other. 
Remove  your  thought ;  it  doth  abufe  your  bolosn. 
if  any  wretch  hath  put  this  in  your  head. 
Let  heaven  requite  it  with  the  ferpent's  cur(e  I 
For,  if  (he  be  not  honefl:,  chafte,  and  true. 
There's  no  man  happy ;  the  piireft  of  their  wives 
Is  foul  as  danderi 

P  p  a  Cib. 


l%3  OTHELLO, 

Ofb.  Bid  her  come  hither ;— go*—  [^Exit  ^miUa. 
She  fays  enough ; — ^yet  (he's  a  fimple  bawd. 
That  cannot  (ay  as  much.     This  is  a  fubtle  whore, 
A  clofet  lock  and  key  of  villainous  fecrets : 
And  yet  fhe'U  kneel,  and  pray ;  I  have  feen  her  do*U 

Re-entfr  jEmilia,  with  Defdemona. 

Def.  My  lord,  what  is  your  will  ? 

Otb.  Pray,  chuck,  come  hither* 

Bef.  What  is  your  pleafurc  ? 

Otb.  Let  me  fee  your  eyes  ; 
Look  in  my  face. 

Def.  What  horrible  fiancy's  this  ? 

Otb.  [TojEmUaJ]  Some  of  your  fundbn,miftrcfss 
Leave  procreants  alone,  and  (hut  the  door ; 
Cough,  or  cry — hem,  if  any  body  come  : 
Your  myftery,  your  myftery  \ — nay,  difpatch. 

[ExitjEmilia: 

Def.  Upon  my  knees,  what  doth  your  Ipeech  inw 
port  ? 
I  underftand  a  fury  m  your  words, 
*  But  not  the  words* 

Otb.  Why,  what  art  thou? 

Def.  Your  wife,  my  lord  i 
Your  true  and  loyal  wife. 

Otb.  Come,  fwear  it,  damn  thyfelf ; 
Left,  being  like  one  of  heaven,  the  devils  themlehres 
Should  fear  to  feize  thee :  therefore  be  double-damn'd, 
Swcar-^thou  art  honeft. 

Def.  Heaven  doth  truly  know  it 

Otb.  Heaven  truly  knows,  that  thou  art  falfe  as 
hell. 

Def.  To  whom,  my  lord  ?  With  whom  ?  How 
am  I  falfe  i 

*  But  not  your  wcrJf.}    This  Uac  is  added  oat  of  die-firft 
odition.    FoPE. 

Otb. 


THE  MOOR  Of  VENICE.      5»i 

Oib.  O  Dcfdcmona ! — away !  away  I  away  ! 

Def.  Alas,  the  heavy  day  ! — Why  do  you  weep  ? 
Am  I  the  occalion  of  thefe  tears,  my  lord  ? 
If,  haply,  you  my  father  do  fufped. 
An  inhrument  of  this  your  calling  back. 
Lay  not  your  blame  on  me  ^  if  you  have  lofl  him^* 
,Why,  I  have  loft  him  toa 

Oib.  Had  it  pleas'd  heaven 
To  try  me  with  afflidion ;  ha4  he  rain'd 
All  kind  of  fores,  and  Ihames,  on  my  bare  head  ; 
Steeped  qie  in  poverty  to  the  very  lips  5 
Given  to  captivity  me  and  my  utmoft  hopes ; 
I  Ihould  have  found  in  fome  place  of  my  foul 
A  drop  of  patience :  but  (alas !)  to  make  me 
A  fixed  figwt>  for  the '  Unie  of  fcorn 

To 

^  — /£[»#  iffcorn\    The  re^dbg  of  both  the  eldefl  quartos 
atKl  the  folio  is, 

••  — —  for  the  time  of  icom.* 
Mr.  Rowe  reads  **  band  of  fcorn;**  and  facceediog  editors  have 
filently  followed  him. 

I  would  (though  in  oppofidon  to  fo  many  great  authorities  in 
fkvour  of  the  change)  continue  to  read  with  the  old  copy ; 

—  the  time  effcom. 
We  call  the  hour  in  which  we  are  to  &,  the  hour  rf  death-^th^  time 
when  we  are  to  be  judged — the  ifay  cf  ju^^ment-^tht  infant  when 
we  fufller  calamity—//'^  moment  rf  evH\  and  why  may  we  not  dif- 
tinguilh  the  time  which  brings  contempt  abng  with  it,  by  the  titlo 
pf  the  time  rffcom  f    Thus,  in  Soliman  and  Petfida,  1 599 : 

**  So  fings  the  mariner  upon  the  (hore, 

♦*  When  he  hath  paft  the  dangerous  time  rfJhrmsP 
Again,  in  Marfbn's  hfatiate  Countefs^  1603 : 

*^  ni  poiibn  thee ;  with  murder  curbe  thy  paths, 

^  And  make  thee  know  a  time  of  iffamy. 
OthtUo  takes  his  idea  from  a  dock.    To  mai^  me  (fays  he)  afixea 
fgure  (on  the  dial  of  the  world)  for  the  hour  rffcom  io  point  and 
^e  afltHftopat!    Stkevens. 

Might  not  Shakefpearc  have  written— 
•—  for  the  fcorn  of  time 

To  point  his  flow  unmoving  fing  r  at  ? 
U  e.  the  marked  objedt  for  the  contempt  of  all  ages  and  all  time* 
$0|  |n  Hamlet: 

for  who  would  bear  the  whips  and  form  of  time  f 

P  P  J  HovfCiwr* 


Stt  O    T    H    B    L    L '  O, 

To  point  his  flow  unmovkig  finger  at,— 

O!  O! 

Yet  could  I  bear  that  too ;  well,  very  well ; 

But  there,  where  I  have  4  gamer'd  up  my  heart ; 

Where  either  I  muft  Jive,  or  bear  tio  life ; 

The  fountain  from  the  which  my  current  runs. 

Or  elfc  dries  up ;  to  be  difcarded  thence ! 

Or  keep  it  as  a  ciftern,  for  foul  toads 

To  knot    and  gender  in!— 5  turn  thy  compiexkMi 
there ! 

Patience,  thou  young  and  rdfe-Kppy  cherubim ; 

Ay,  there,  look  grim  as  hell ! 

Def.  I  hope,  my  noWe  lord  tftcerrts  me  honed** 
Oib.  O,  ay ;  as  fummer  flics  are  in  the  (bambleSj 

That  quicken  even  with  blowing.    ^  O  thou  weed. 

Who 

However,  in  fupport  of  the  reading  of  tbc  bid  copies,  it  roiy  be 
obt'erved,  that  our  author  has  peifonified  Jiwrn  in  hit  88th 
Sonnet: 

•♦  When  thou  (halt  be  difposM  to  fet  me  light. 
And  place  my  merit  in  the  ryeoi  Jion/*'^ 
The  epithet  urnnoving  (which  fome  of  the  editors  changed  to 
m^  atui movit^)  may  Ukcwife  be  fupported  by  Shakefpcarc's  104th 
Sonnet,  in  which  this  ver^'  thought  is  exprcflcd  : 
*'  Ah!  yet  doth  beauty,  like  a  tiiaUhandy 
Steal  from  hisfigur^^  and  no  pace  fercervnl^ 
So  your  fwect  hue,  which  methinks  Hill  doth  ftand, 
Hath  motion,  and  miiie  eve  mav  be  deceived."    Mai.qwe« 

*  '^ gdrnC}^ d  up  my  heart  \\  That  is,  trra/Mred  up ;  xhcgarmer 
and  the  fountain  are  impropei  ly  conjoined.     John  son* 

^  —  Turn  thy  complexion  ihrre^  t^  c]  At  fuch  an  objef^  do  tho«, 
patience^  thyfeJf  change  colour -y  at  this  do  thou,  even  thou,  refy 
cberuh  as  thou  arr,  look  grim  as  beli.  The  old  editions  and  the  new 
have  ir, 

I  here  look  grim  as  /jelL 
7  was  written  for  ay,  and  not  fince  correfted.    Johnsok. 

•  —  O  thou  ouTtt//]  Dr.  Johnfon  has,  on  this  occadon,  been 
unjuftiy  cenfured  for  having  llifltd  difficulties  where  he  could 
jK)t  remove  them.  I  would  therefore  obferve,  that  Othello's 
fpecch  is  printed  word  for  word  trom  the  folio  edition,  ijhoi^h  the 
<luarto  reads:   • 

—  O  thou  black  zveeill 

Hai 


THE  MOOA  o#  VENICE.      sH 

Who  art  fo  lovely  fair,  and  ikielPft  fo  fwcet. 
That  the  fenfe  acfae$  at  thee^-^'Would,  thoa  hadft 
ne'er  been  born ! 

Dif.  Alas,  what  ignorant  &fi  have  I  conineutted  ? 

Olb.  Was  this  fair  paper  7y  this  moft  goodly  book. 
Made  to  write  whore  upon  ?  What  committed  I 
Committed  ®  !-»-0  thou  public  commoner  I 
I  Ihould  make  very  forges  of  my  cheeks. 
That  would  to  cinders  vum  up  modefty, 
Pid  I  i)uc  fpeak  thy  deed. — What  committed  I 
Heaven  ftops  the  jiofe  at  it,  and  the  mo(Mi  winks ; 
The  bawdy  wind,  that  kiflfes  all  it  meets. 
Is  huih'd  within  the  hollow  mine  of  earth. 
And  will  not  hear  it ;  What  committed ! — Impudent 
ftrumpet ! 

De/.  By  heaven,  you  do  me  wrong, 

Osb.  Are  not  you  a  ftrumpet  i 

Had  this  epitbety  Hack,  been  admitted,  there  would  Aill  have  re* 
mained  an  incomj>lete  veife  in  the  fpeech :  no  additional  beau^ 
would  have  been  introduced  ;  but  inflead  of  it,  a  paltry  antithefti 
t)etween  the  words  hlacJk  zndfitlr.    Ste e y£ ^s • 

'  IFas  this  fair  MiTy  6u\j    Maffinger  has  imitated  this  paibgr 
in  The  Emperor  of  the  Eafi: 

**  ■     -  can  you  tWnk 
''  This  mafterpiece  of  heaven,  this  precious  vdlum 
**  Of  fuch  a  purity  and  virgin  whitenefs, 
*^  Could  be  oefignM  to  have  perjury  and  wht>redom 
"  In  caoital  letters  writ  upon  t  r        Stebtens, 
'  Committed i\    This,  and  the  three  following  lines,  are  omitted 
in  the  firft  quano.    Steevens. 

This  word  in  Shakefpeare's  time,befides  its  general  fignification, 
^eems  to  have  been  applied  particularly  to  unlawful  a^  of  love« 
Hence  perhaps  it  is  fo  often  repeated  by  OthcUo^^^o^  ip  Sir  Tho. 
Ovcrbury's  Fery  Woman^  1610:  **  She  commits  with  her  ears  for 
certain ;  after  that  (he  may  go  for  a  n)atd,  but  (he  has  been  lain 
with  in  her  underllanding.''  The  word  is  ufed  in  the  fame 
iftnie  in  Kit^Lear:  ^<  Commt  not  with  man^s  fwom  fpoufe.^ 
Again,  in  Decker's  Honeji  Wbore^  firft  P^t : 

*^  — ^—  if  all  committers  flood  in  a  rank, 
^*  Th^M  make  a  lane  an  which  your  fhame  might  dwdl," 

Malons. 

F  p  4  M' 


J84  OTHELLO, 

jyef.  Noy  as  I  am  a  chriftian : 
If  to  prcfcrve  this  veflfcl  for  my  lord. 
From  any  other '  foul  unlawful  touch, 
fie — not  to  be  a  ftrumpet^  I  am  none^ 

0th.  What,  not  a  whore  ? 

T>tf.  No,  as  I  ihall  be  faved. 

Otb.  Is  it  poflible  ? 

JDr/I  O,  heaven  forgive  us ! 

Oth.  I  cry  you  mercy,  then ; 
I  took  you  for  that  cunning  whore  of  Venice^ 
,That  married  with  OtheUa— You^  midrefs, 

Enter  Mmxlia. 

Tb^t  have  the  office  oppofite  to  Saint  Peter, 
And  keep  the  gate  of  hell ;  You !  you !  ay,  you  f 
We  have*  done  our  courfe^  there's  money  for  your 

pains; 
I  pray  you',  turn  the  key,  and  keep  our  counfel. 

[Exit, 

Mmih  Alas,  what  does  this  gentleman  conceive  ?-t 
|iow  do  you,  madam  ?  how  do  you,  my  good  lady  ^ 

Bef.  Taith,  half  afleep. 

^miU  Good  madam,  what's  the  matter  with  mj 
lord?  ^ 

T>ef.  With  who  ? 

jEndl.  With  my  lord,  madam  ? 

Bef.  Who  is  thy  lord '  ? 

JE.miL  He  th^t  is  yours,  fwect  lady. 

Btf.  I  have  none :  Do  not  talk  to  me,  Emilia  § 
I  cannot  w|5cp  %  nor  anfwer  have  I  nqne. 
But  what  ibbuld  go  by  water,    Pf'ythee,  to-night^ 

^  -r-^iQy  other,]    Thus  the  follo^    The  quarto  reads— any 

*  Who  is  thy  lordt'K   This,  and  the  Ibllowiog  fpecch,  ar^  omitte4 
i|»  the  firft  qiWfnp^    §TBfiV£N«^  ^        • 


THE.  M  O  O  R  OF  V  E  N  I  C  £•      5S5 

Lay  on  my  bed  my  wedding  IheecS|-^remember  §— 

^nd  call  thy  huiband  hither. 

JSfftiL  Here  is  a  change  indeed !  [£xf/« 

De/.  *Tis  meet  I  (hould  be  us'd  fo,  very  mccu 

How  have  I  been  behaved,  that  he  might  ftick 

f  The  fmall'ft  opinion  on  my  great'ft  abufe^ 

Enier  Ia^$^  wiih  JEmiBa. 

Ugo.  What  i$  your  pleafure^  madam  ?  How  1$  h 
with  you  ? 

Def.  I  cannot  telL    Thofe^  that  do  te^ch  young 
babes. 
Do  it  with  gentle  means^  and  eafy  taiks  : 
He  might  liave  chid  me  fo ;  for,  in  good  faith, 
J  am  a  child  to  chiding. 

lago.  What  is  the  matter,  lady  ? 

^miL  Alas,  lago,  my  lord  hath  fo  bewhor'd  her,' 
Thrown  fuch  defpight  and  he^vy  tfrmj  upon  her, 
As  true  hearts  cannot  bear. 

pef.  Am  I  that  name,  lago  ? 

iago.  What  name,  fair  lady  ? 

Def.  Such  as,  fhe  fays,  my  lord  did  fay  I  was. 

jEmiL  He  callM  her,  whore;  a  beggar,  in  his  drinlCg 
Cou)d  not  have  laid  fuch  terms '  upon  his  caller. 

f  Tl^ f/nalPJl  obinioHonm^\eB& m\M<t}']    Tbc pld  qoarto reads ) 
Tbi  fmalTfl  opinion  on  my  great  ft  abufet 
Which  I  think  is  better.    Johnson. 

3  — upon  his  callct.]  Cnliet  is  a  lewd  womnn ;  (b  called  (fayt 
Dr.  Grey)  from  the  French  calote^  which  was  a  fort  of  head-dreft 
yfom  by  country  girls.  This  head-drefs  is  mentioned  by  Ben 
Jonfon  in  his  Magnetic  Lxufy : 

**  The  wearing  the  caM^  the  politic  hood.** 
The  word  is  likewife  found  in  Cocke  Lordks  fioto^  fl  fatyre,  U.  L 
printed  by  Wynkyn  de  Worde  j  no  date : 

*'  Yf  he  call  her  calat^  (he  callcth  hyro  knave  agaync.* 

Steevens. 
^^fuch  terms  upon  his  callet.]    This  word  is  of  great  antiquity 
|n  the  Englifh  language.    Chaucer  has  it  in  his  Reme^  ef  Love: 
C,  for  calet,  tor  of,  we  have  O, 
J-i  for  Icudc,  D,  for  dcmcanure,  8^c.         Perot. 


S$i  OTHELLO, 

Ji^c.  Why  did  be  fo  ? 

J)e/.  I  do  not  know ;  I  am  iure«  I  lun  n(aie  fiic^ 

logo.  Do  not  weepi  do  not  weep ;  Aliis»  the  day  !, 

jjEmiL  Hath  jhc  forfix>k  fo  many  noble  maischcs. 
Her  father,  and  her  country,  and  iier  friends. 
To  be  caU'd — whore  ?  would  itnot  make  one  iveep  f 

Def.  It  is  my  wretched  fortune. 

logo.  Belhtew  him  for  it ! 
^ow  comes  this  trick  upon  him  ? 

Dtf.  Nay,  heaven  doih  know. 

Mml.  I  will  be  ^an^d,  if  fome  eternal  yillaivs 
Some  bufy  and  infinuatmg  rogue. 
Some  cogging  cozening  Gave,  to  get  fome  office^ 
Has  not  devis'd  this  flander;  Til  be  hang'd  oUe. 

lago.  Fie,  there  is  no  fuch  man  ;  it  is  impoflible. 

Jitf.  If  any  fuch  tiKre  be>  heaven  pardon  him ! 

JEmiU  A  baiter  pardon  him !  and  hdl  ^naw  his 
bones! 
Why  fliould  he  call  her,  whore  ?  who  keeps  jier 

company  ? 
*What  place  ?  what  time  ?  what  form  i  what  likeli- 
hood? 
The  Moor's  abus'd  by  fome  moft  villainous  knave, 
Some  bafe  4  notorious  knave,  fome  fcurvy  fellow :— ^ 
O,  heaven»  that  fuch  companions  ^  thou'dft  unfold  i 
:j&nd  put  in  every  boneft  band  a  whip. 
To  laih  the  rafcal  naked  through  the  worlds 
J£vefi  from  the  eaft  to  the  weft  ! 

'    A  •^n6i§ri(ms — ]    For  ffrsfs^  not  in  ict  proper    meaning  for 
Invw«.        Johnson. 

'  — fuch  companions]  C^mpamony  in  the  time  of  Shakefpeaic 
4Rr88  ufed  as  a  «4>rd  of  contempt  in  the  fame  fcnfe  as  fkUi^  is  at 
this  day.  So,  in  the /T/ViS^^i  Tt^ztj,  by  Chapman,  16x2  :  **  How 
BOW,  bafe  C4mpani0n  /** 

Again,  in  the  Span/Jb  Tra^edyt  1605 : 
^*  And  better  'tis  that  Iq/e  eonpoMiMs  die^ 
Than  by  their  life  to  hazard  our  good  haps.**      MAL02fB« 


THB  MOOR  or  VENICE.      5*7 

Jago.  ^  Speak  within  door. 

^mU.  O,  fie  upon  him !   fimie  iiich  fquire  bo 

That  turned  your  wit  ^  the  feamy  fide  withoutt 
And  made  you  to  fufpefi  me  with  the  Moor* 

lago   You  are  a  fool ;  go  to. 

Def.  O  good  lago, 
What  (haH  I  do  to  win  my  lord  again  ^ 
Good  friend,  go  to  him ;  for^  by  this  light  of  h6aven9 
I  know  not  how  I  loft  him.    Here  I  kneel  ^ : — 
If  e'er  my  will  did  trefpafs  ^gainft  iiis  love, 
Either  in  difcourfe^  or  thought  %  or  a&ual  deed ; 
Or  that  mine  eyes,  mine  ears,  or  any  fenfc. 
Delighted  them  in  any  other  form  \ 
Or  that  I  do  not  yet,  and  ever  did^ 
And  ever  will, — ^though  he  do  fh^ke  me  off 
To  beggarly  divorcement, — love  him  dearly. 
Comfort  forfwear  me !  Unkindnefs  may  do  much  | 
And  his  unkindnefs  may  defeat  my  life. 
But  never  udnt  my  love.    I  cannot  fay,  whore; 
It  does  abhor  me,  now  I  fpeak  the  word ; 
To  do  the  aft  that  might  the  addition  earn. 
Not  the  world's  mafs  of  vanity  could  make  me. 

logo.  I  pray  you,  be  content  \  'tis  but  his  humour  j 
The  buGnefs  of  the  ftate  does  him  offence. 
And  he  does  >  chide  with  you. 

Def.  If  'twere  no  other, — 

Jago.  It  is  but  fo,  I  warrant  you.  [trumpets. 

H^rk,  how  thefe  inftruments  fummon  to  fupper ! 

*  Speak  within  door.']    Do.  not  damour  (b  at  to  be  beard  beyond 
^houfe.    Johnson. 

7  —  the  feumy  fide  w»hout:'\     That  xtyimfide  out.        Johnsok. 

'  Here  I  kneel^  &c.]    Tbefirit  quarto  omits    tbe  reft  of  due 

fpeech.  Steevens. 

•  Eitixr  m  d!^uffe^  or  thot^bt^    Theiblio  feadt— diicourfe  of 
thought — ^and  perhaps  rightly.    See  Mtltou,  P.  L.  B.  V.  h  488. 

Steevens, 
<  ..  eUdi  voitby9tu\    This  lioe  is  from  the  quarto^  1622. 

Steevens* 
7  And 


5»a  OTHELLO, 

•  And  the  great  mcflfengers  of  Venice  ftay : 
Go  iDj  and  weep  not ;  all  things  (hall  be  well. 

lExeuni  De/dmona^  and  jEmiUiil 

Enter  Roderigo. 

How  now,  Roderigo  ? 

Rod.  I  do  not  find,  that  thou  deaPft  juftly  with  meJ 

logo.  What  in  the  contrary  ? 

Rod.  Every  day  thou  dofi^ft  me  with  fome  device, 
lago ;  and  rather  (as  it  feems  to  me  now)  keep'ft  from 
me  all  conveniency,  than  fupplieft  me  with  the  leaft 
advantage  of  hope.  I  will,  indeed,  no  longer  endure 
it :  Nor  am  I  yet  perfuaded,  to  put  up  in  peace  wh^ 
already  I  have  foolilhly  fuflFered. 

lago.  Will  you  hear  me,  Roderigo  ? 

Rod.  Faith,  I  have  heard  too  much;  for  your 
words  and  performances,  are  no  kin  togedier* 

lago.  You  charge  me  moft  unjuftly. 

Rod.  With  nought  but  truth.  I  have  wafted  myfetf 
out  6f  my  mesons.  The  jewels  you  have  had  from 
me,  to  deliver  to  Defdemona,  would  half  have  coi;- 
rupted  a  votarift  :  You  have  told  me — Ac  hath  re-, 
f  eiy'd  them,  and  returned  me  expedtations  ^d  com- 
forts  of  fuddcn  rcfpeft '  and  acquaintance  ^  but  \ 
£nd  nonCt 

lago.  Well  5  go  to  ;  very  well. 
'    Rod.  Very  well!  go  to!  I  cannot  go  to,  man; 
nor  'tis  pQt  very  well :  By  this  hand,  I  lay,  it  is  very 
fcurvy ;  and  begin  to  find  myfelf  fobb*d  in  it. 

lago.  Very  well. 

Rod.  I  tell  you,  Ms  not  very  weH.    1  wiH  make 
myfelf  known  to  Defdemona ;  if  fixe  will  return  me 

*  ^</  tie  great  mejengers  iff  Fiuice  Jlq^ ;]    Thus  die  quarto^ 
The  folio  reads : 

The  mejjengers  cf  Fenice  fiq^  the  meat.      Ster VEWK 
3  '^ofuiacqitaifttaMcei'^]   Thus,  the  folfi).    The  quarto  rcads-^ 

4itiil  d^fmttance^    ^teeyins. 

my 


THfe  MOOR  OF  VEKICE.      58^ 

iny  jewels,  I  will  give  over  my  fiiit,  and  repent  mr 
tinlawful  folicitation  5  if  not,  affure  yourfclf,  I  will 
feek  fatisfadlibn  of  youJ 
'    lago.  You  have  laid  now. 

Rod.  Ay,  and  I  have  faid  nothing,  but  what  I, 
proteft  intendment  of  doing. 

Iaff>.  Why/  now  I  fee  there*s  mettle  in  thee; 
and  even  from  this  inftanc,  do  build  on  thee  a  better 
opinion  than  ever  before.  Give  me  thy  hand,  Ro- 
derigo :  Thou  haft  taken  againft  me  a  mod  juft  ex« 
ception ;  but  yet,  I  proteft,  I  have  dealt  moft  di- 
rcaiy  in  thy  affair. 

Rod.  Ic  hath  not  appeared. 

Jago.  I  grant,  indeed,  it  hath  not  appeared  ;  and 
your  fufpicion  is  not  without  wit  and  judgment.  But^ 
Roderigo,  if  thou  haft  that  within  thee  indeed,  which 
I  have  greater  realbn  to  believe  now  than  ever, — 
I  mean,  purpofe,  courage,  and  valour^ — this  night 
fhew  it :  If  thou  the  next  night  following  enjoyeft  noc 
Defdemona,  take  me  from  this  world  with  treachery, 
and  devife  engines  for  my  life. 

Rod.  Well,  what  is  it  ?  is  it  within  reafon,  and 
compafs  ? 

lago.  Sir,  there  is  efpecial  commifCon  come  from 
Venice,  to  depute  Caflio  in  Othello's  place. 

Rod.  Is  that  true  ?  why,  then  Othello  and  Def* 
defmona  return  again  to  Venice. 

lago.  O,  no ;  he  goes  into  Mauritania,  and  taketh 
away  with  him  the  rair  Defdemona,  unlefs  his  abode 
be  lingered  here  by  fome  accident ;  wherein  none  can 
be  fo  determinate,  as  the  removing  of  Caflio« 

Rod.  How  do  you  mean — removing  of  him  ? 

lago.  Why,  by  making  him  uncapable  of  OtheUo^i 
place ;  knocking  out  his  brains. 

Rad.  And  that  you  would  have  me  to  do  ? 

Jago.  Ay ;  if  you  dare  do  yourfelf  a  profit,  and  2 
jight.    He  fups  to-night  with  a  harlot,  and  thither 

will 


j90  OtIiELLO, 

will  I  go  to  him ;— ^he  knows  not  )ret  of  his  donfiuf- 
abte  fortune :  if  yoa  will  watch  his  going  thence^ 
(which  I  will  fafhiod  to  fall  out  between  twdve  and 
one)  you  may  take  him  at  your  pleafure ;  I  will  be 
near  to  fecond  your  attempt^  and  he  (hall  fall  between 
us*  Come,  ftand  not  amaz'd  at  it^  but  ^  along  with 
me  \  I  will  (hew  you  fuch  a  neceflity  m  his  deatl^ 
that  you  (hall  think  yourfelf  bound  to  ^ut  it  on  him« 
It  is  now  high  fupper*time^  and  the  night  grows  to 
wafte :  about  it. 

Rod.  I  will  hear  further  reafon  for  this. 

lago.  And  you  (hall  be  fatisfied.  lEtumt^ 

SCENE       III. 
A  room  in  the  cajile. 

Enter  Otbella^  Lodcvieo^   Defdew§ona^  yEmilid^  mi 
Attendants. 

Lod.  I  do  befeech  you^  fu*,  trouble  yourfelf  no 
further. 

Otb.  O,  pardon  me ;  'twill  do  me  good  to  walk. 

hod.  Madam^  good  night ;   I  humbly  thank  youi" 
lady(hip. 

Def.  Your  honour  is  moft  welcome. 

Otb.  Will  you  walk,  fir  ?— O,  Defdemona  !— 

Def.  My  lord? 

Otb.  Get  you  to  bed  on  the  mftant ;  I  will  be  re- 
turned forthwith  :  di(mi&  your  attendant  there  $  look^ 
n  be  done.  [E:dt4 

Def.  I  will,  my  lord. 

mmiL  How  goes  it  now  ?   be  looks  gpntler  thad 
he  did. 

Def.  He  fays^  he  will  return  incontinent : 
He  hath  commanded  me  to  go  to  bed« 
And  bade  me  to  diUniTs  you. 


tHE  MOOR  of   VENICE*      $^t 

Mmil  DifmHs  me  I 

Def,  It  was  his  bidding  i  therefore,  good  ^mili% 
Give  irie  my^  nightly  wearing,  and  adiea : 
We  mud  not  now  difpleafe  him. 

£mil.  I  would,  you  had  never  leen  him! 
Def.  So  Would  not  I  \  my  love  doth  fo  approve  him^ 
That  even  his  ftubbomnefs,  his  checks,  and  frowns^— ^ 
Pr'ythee,  unpin  me^ — have  grace  and  favour  in  them* 
V  jEmiL  I  have  laid  thoie  fheets  you  bade  me  on 
the  bed. 
Def.  Airs  one: — Good  father!  how  fooliih  are 
our  minds  ? — 
If  I  do  die  before  thee,  pr'ythee^  fhroud  me 
in  one  of  thoie  iamc  Iheets* 
^    ^ml  Come,  come,  you  talk. 

Def.  My  mother  had  a  maid,  calFd— ^Barbara ; 
She  was  in  love ;  4  and  he,  Ihe  lov*d,  provM  oiad, 
'And  did  forfake  her :  Ihe  had  a  fong  of  willow. 
An  old  thing  'twas,  but  \t  exprels'd  her  fortune. 
And  (he  dy'd  finging  it :  That  fong,  to-nigh^ 
Will  not  go  from  my  mind  \  <  I  have  much  to  do^ 

Bue 

And  did  firfake  hir.'^'K    We  fhould  reads 
—  andht^Jbe  Md,  firfiok  ber^ 

jMdJbtfrc^dmad.  WaibuktoiT. 

I  beUere  that  mad  only  fignifies  wildyfrantick^  uncertmn. 

Johnson^ 
We  ftUl  call  a  wild  girl  a  mad-cap ;  and,  in  the  fim  Part  of 
Kin^  Henry  VI,  arc  mentioned, 

Mad^  natural  graces  that  exdngidfii  art. 
Again,  in  the  T*ViJo  Gejitkmen  of  Verona  : 

Come  on,  you  mad-ctip. 
Again,   in    Lovers    Lahour^s  Lojii     "  Do  you  hear,  toy  mad 
Wenches  ?*•        Steevens. 
*  —  Tn^e  much  ado. 
But  to  go  hang  tny  head^    I  bam  much  ado  to  do  any  thing 
tut  hang  my  bead.     We  might  read : 
Not  to  go  hofig  my  head. 
This  is  perhaps  the  onlv  infertion  made  in  the  latter  editions 
which  has  improved  the  play.    The  reft  ieem  to  hafc  been  added 

for 


5^1  O    t    k    E    L    L    O^ 

But  to  go  hang  my  head  ail  o'  one  fidct 
And  ling  It  like  poor  Barbara.     Pr*ythee,  difpatdh* 
JEfHiL  Shall  I  go  fetch  your  night-gown  ? 
Def.  No,  unpin  me  here. — 
This  Lodoyico  is  a  proper  man. 
Mndl.  A  very  handfome  man* 
Def.  He  fpeaks  well. 

^ndl.  I  know  a  lady  in  Venice,  would  hiVe  WalVd 
barefoot  to  Paleftine,  for  a  touch  of  his  nether  lip. 
Def.  ^  The  poor  foul  fat  Jinging  7  hy  afycamore  tree^ 
Sing  all  a  green  willow  \  [Singing* 

Her  hand  on  her  bofom^  her  bead  on  ber  knee. 

Sing  willow  f  willow,  willow : 
The  frejb  ftreams  ran  by  ber^  and  murmured  iff 
moans; 
Sing  willow  p  6fr. 
Her  fall  tears  fell  from  ber^  andfhfUftd  the  fitmts  ; 
Lay  by  thefe: 

Sing  willow,  &fr. 
Willow^  willoWy  &?r. 
Pr'ythcc,  hye  thee ;  he'll  comfc  aflon.-^ 

Sing  all  a  green  willow  mufi  be  my  garland. 

2. 

Let' no  body  blame  bim^  bis  f corn  I  approve^-^ 
|lay,  that's  not  next.— Hark  !  who  is  it  that  knocks  ? 

for  the  fake  of  amplification,  or  of  ornament.  When  the  imagioa-* 
tion  had  fubfidedy  and  the  mind  was  no  longer  agitated  by  the 
horror  of  the  a£lion»  it  became  at  lelfure  to  look  round  for  fpecious 
addidons.  This  addition  is  natural.  Defdemona  can  ac  firll 
liardly  forbear  to  fing  the  fong ;  (he  endeavours  to  change  her 
train  of  thoughts,  but  her  imagination  at  lad  prevails,  and  ih6 
fin|^  it.    Johnson. 

r  rom  /  have  much  to  Jo^  to  Naj  ihat^s  not  next^  was  inferted  afief 
the  firfl  edition,  as  likewife  the  remaining  part  of  ihe  fong. 

*  The  poor fiid^  &rc.]  This  fong,  in  two  parts,  is  printed  in  a  late 
oolledion  of  o!d  ballads  ;  the  lines  prefer ved  here  differ  (bmewhac 
firom.the  cofy  difcovered  by  the  ingenious  coUet'ior.    Johnson. 

^  ^^  fat  unging—- ]  Thus  the  old  copies :  but  the  fong  as 
publiflied  by  Dr.  Percy,  in  the  firft  volume  of  his  Reliques  efJM" 
€iftu  Bngtilb  Foitry^  reads— ♦«  fat  fghm^!*    Stee yens. 

MmiU 


*HE  MOOR  ot  VENICE,     sg^ 

jEmil.  It  U  the  wind. 

Def.  ®  /  calN  my  love,  falfe  love\  hut  what  /aid  hi 
then  ? 
Sing  willow^  6? r. 

If  I  court  more  womiHj  you'll  couch  with  more  men. 
So,  get  thee  gone ;  good  night.     Mine  eyes  do  icch  | 
Doth  that  bode  weeping  ? 

jEmil.  'Tis  neither  here  nor  there. 

Def.  I  have  heard  it  laid  fo  ^.-i— O,  thefc  men,  thefc 
inen! — . 
lioft  thou  in  confcicnce  think, — tell  me,  ^milia,-^ 
That  there  be  women  do  abufe  their  huibands        ^ 
In  fuch  grofs  kind  ? 

^mil.  There  be  fome  fuch,  no  queftion* 

t)ef.  Would^ft  thou  do  fuch  a  deed  for  all  the  world  t^ 

jEmiU  Why,  would  not  you  ? 

Def.  No,  by  this  heavenly  light ! 

jEmii.  Nor  I  neither,  by  this  heavenly  light  i 
I  might  do't  as  well  i'  the  dark. 

Def.  Wouldft  thou  do  fuch  a  deed  for  all  the  world  ? 

i£miL  The  world  is  a  huge  thing :  *Tis  a  great 
prige 
For  a  fmall  vice. 

Def.  In  troth^  I  think  thou  wouldft  not* 

jEmih  In  tfoth  I  think  I  fhould;  and  undo't^ 
when  I  had  done.  Marry,  I  would  not  do  fuch  a 
thing  for  a  joint-ring ;  nor  for  meafures  of  lawn ; 
nor  for  gowns,  petticoats,  nor  caps,  n6r  any  petty 
exhibition :  bur,  for  all  the  whole  world, — Why, 
who  would  not  make   her  hufbatid  a  cuckoldi  to 

•  /  calTd  my  lovt  falfe  lon^e}'^]  This  couplet  is  not  in  the 
ballad,  which  is  the  complainr,  not  of  a  woman  forfaken^  but  of  a 
man  rejed^ed.  Thefe  lines  were  probably  added  when  it  was  ae« 
commodated  to  a  woman.    Johnson. 

^  lintve  beard  it  faid  fo.']  This,  as  Well  ^%  the  foUowitig  fpcc:h, 
It  omitted  in  the  firft  quarto.    Steevens. 

Vol.  X.  Q^q  make 


S9i  OTHELLO, 

make  him  a  monarch  ?  I  fhould  venture  purgatory 
for't. 

Def.  Bcfhrcw  me,  if  I  would  do  fuch  a  wrong 
For  the  whole  world. 

jEmil^  Why,  the  wrong  is  but  a  wrong  i'  the 
world  i  and,  having  the  world  for  your  labour,  'tis 
a  wrong  in  your  own  world,  and  you  might  quickly 
knake  it  right. 

Def.  I  do  not  think,  there  is  any  fuch  woman. 

\£fniL  Yes,  a  dozen;  and  as  many  to  the  vaa" 
tage%as 
Would  ftore  the  world  they  play'd  for. 
But,  I  rfo  think  *,  it  is  their  hufband^s  faults^ 
If  wives  do  fall :  Say,  that  they  flack  their  duties. 
And  pour  our  treafures  into  foreign  laps  \ 
Or  elfe  break  out  in  peevifli  jealoufies. 
Throwing  reftraint  upon  us  •,  or,  fay,  they  ftrikc  us. 
Or  fcant '  our  former  having  in  defpigbt ; 
Why,  we  have  galls ;  and,  though  we  have  fome  grace. 
Yet  have  we  fome  revenge. .  Let  hulbands  know. 
Their  wives  have  ienfe  like  them  j  they  fee,  and  fmell, 
And  have  their  palates  both  for  fwcet-and  four. 
As  hufbands  have.     What  is  it  that  they  do. 
When  they  change  us  for  others  ?  Is  it  fport  ? 
1  think,  it  is ;  And  doth  affedion  breed  it  ? 
I  think  it  doth  ;  Is't  frailty,  that  thus  errs  ? 
It  is  fo  too :  And  have  not  we  afitdions  ? 
Dcfircs  for  fport  ?  and  frailty,  as  men  have  ? 
Then,  let  them  ufe  us  well :  elfe,  let  them  know. 
The  ills  we  do,  their  ills  inftrud  us  to. 

*  — /(» t^e  vantage^l  i,  e.  to  boot,  orer  and  above.  Steeveks. 

•  But  I  do  think^  &c.]     The  remaining  part  of  this  fpeech  is 
•mitted  i n  the  firft  quarto.     Steevens. 

»  —  our  former  having — ]    Our  tbripcr  allowaice  of  cxpcncc 

Johnson. 

Def, 


tHB  Mookof  Venice.    s9$ 

jbef.  Good  night,  good  night :  4  Heaven  me  fuch 
ufage  fend, 
)7oC  to  pick  bad  froih  bad }  but,  by  bad^  ihend ! 

[Exeunt^ 


ACtV.       SCENE    L 

A  ftreef. 

Enter  lago,  dUi  Roderigo. 

fag^.  Here,  (land  behind  thii  bulk;  drdight  will 
he  come : 
Wear  thy  good  rapier  bare,  atid  put  it  honne ; 
tjuick,  quick  j  fear  nothing ;  V\\  be  at  i;hy  elbow  : 
It  makes  us,  or  it  mars  us ;  think  on  that. 
Am}  fix  moft  firni  thy  refolutioh. 

Rod.  Be  near  ^  hand ;  I  may  mifcarry  in*t*. 
lagb.  Here,  at  thy  hand  \  bie  bold,  and  take  thy 
fword* 
,  Rod.  I  have  no  jgreat  devotion  to  the  deed ; 
^nd  yet  he  hath  given  me  fatisfying  reafons  : — ; 
[T\%  but  a  man  gone :— forth,  my  fword ;  he  dies. 

[Stands  apart. 
Jago.  5 1  have  riibb'd  this  young  quae  almoft  to  the 
fcnfe, 

And 

^  »—  heaven  me  fuch  ufes  JenJy']     Such  is  the  reading  of  th^ 
jfblio,  and  of  the  fubfequent  editions  ;  but  the  old  quarto  has : 

fuch  ufage  fend,  ■     — 
fyfage  18  an  old  word  for  cuflont^  and,  I  think^  better  than  ifes. 

JOHNSQkf 

'  In  ibme  editions, 
r*0€  ruhVdthlsyoung  gnat  almjt  to  thefenfe^ 
And  he  grovjs  angry.]     T)iis  is  a  paHage  niuch  controverted  - 
anK)ng  the  editors*    Sir  T.  Hanmcr  readi  quah^  a  gui^egn ;  not 
(hat  a  gudgeon  can  be  rubUd  to  much  fenfe^  but  that  a  man  grofsly 

Q^q  2  deceived 


59fi  O    T    H    E    L    L    Ot 

And  he  grows  angry.    Now,  whether  he  kill  Caflio^' 

Or  Caflio  him,  or  each  do  kill  the  other, 

Every  way  maJces  my  gain  ^  :   Live  Roderigo^ 

He  calls  me  to  a  reftitution  large 

Of  gold,  and  jewels,  that  I  bobb*d  from  him. 

As  gifts  to  Defdemona  •, 

It  muft  not  be :  if  Calfio  do  remain. 

He  hath  a  daily  beauty  in  his  life. 

That  makes  me  ugly ;  and,  belides,  the  Moor 

May  unfold  me  to  him ;  there  ftand  I  in  much  periL 

No,  he  muft  die :— But  fo,  1  hear  him  coming. 

Enter  Caffic. 

Rod.  1  know  his  gait,  'tis  he ; — Vilbin,  thou  dy^tt. 
[He  runs  at  Caffio^  and  'mounds  bim. 
Caf.  That  thrult  bad  been  mine  enemy  indeed,  ' 
But  that  my  coat  is  better  than  thou  think'ft ; 
I  will  make  proof  of  thine. 

[Fight.  Caffio  wounds  Roderigo:  logo  cuts  Caffio 
behind  in  the  /^,  and  exit. 
Rod.  O,  lam  (lain! 

deceived  is  often  called  a  gtu^eon.  Mr.  Upton  reads  qadil^  which 
he  proves,  by  much  learnine,  to  be  a  very  choleric  bird.  Dr. 
Warburton  retains  gMot^  which  is  found  in  the  early  quarto, 
Theobald  would  introduce  btct,  a  fmall  bird  of  that  name.  1  have 
followed  the  text  of  the  folio,  and  third  and  fourth  quartos. 

A  quat  in  the  midland  counties  is  z pimple^  which  by  rubbing 
is  made  to  fmart,  or  is  rtihhei  to  fenfe.  Roderigo  is  called  a  quat 
by  the  fame  mode  of  fpeech,  as  a  low  fellow  is  now  termed 
in  low  language  a  fcdb.  fo  ruh  to  the  femfe^  i%  to  rub  to  the 
quick.    Johnson. 

SOi  in  The  Dfvi^s  LaW'cq/e^  1623:  **  O  young  quat  f  incoa- 
tinence  is  plagued  in  all  creatures  in  the  world.^ 

Again,  m  Deckar's  GuTs  Homhooi^  1 609  s  *<  —  whether  he  bt  a 
jfoti^  quat  of  the  firft  yeeres  revennew,  or  fome  audere  and  fulkn« 

Such  another  thought  occurs  in  Ben  Jonfbn's  Catiline : 

**  —  muft  have  thdr  diffi;races  ft  ill  new  ruhPd^' 
•*  To  make  them  fmart,  &c.  Steevens. 

• -^»jy ;«/«;]    The  quartos  read— -my ^aw.    Steevens. 

Caf. 


THB  MO  OH  OF  VENICE.     597 

Ca/.  I  am  maimed  for  ever : — Help,  ho !  murder ! 
murder  1 

jpnfer  Othello^  aiovf. 

Otb.  The  voice  of  Caffio  :~Iago  keeps  his  WQrd» 

Rod.  O,  villain  that  I  am  ! 

Otb.  Hark  !  'tis  even  fo. 

Caf.  O,  he}p,  ho !  light !  a  furgeon ! 

0th.  Tb  he ; — O  brave  lago,  honeft,  and  juft. 
That  haft  fuch  noble  fcnfe  of  thy  friend's  wrong  I 
Thou  teacheft  me, — Minion,  your  dear  lies  dead. 
And  your  fate  hies  apace  ? :— Strumpet,  I  come : 
Forth  of  my  hearth  thofe  charms,  thine  eyes,  are 

blotted; 
Thy  bed|  luft-ftain'd,  ihall  with  luft's  blood  be  fpotted. 
^  [Exit  Othello. 

Enter  Lodovico^and  Gratiano^  at  a  dtftance. 

Caf.  What,  ho !  no  watch  ?  ^  no  paflage  ?  mur- 
der! murder! 
Ctfl.  'Ti;  fbme  mifchance ;  the  cry  is  very  dire- 
ful. 
Caf.  O,  help! 
I^^.  Hark! 

jR^.  O  wretched  villain  ! 
X^d.  ip^o  or  three  groans  •,— -it  is  «  a  heavy  night : 

Thefe 

7  Aid  your  fat^f  bies  apace :]    Thus  the  firft  quarto.    The  fecood 
quarto  and  the  folio  resiid — And  your  unbUfifate  bies.    Steevens, 
•  Forth  of  my  beariy  &c.]    Thus  the  firft  quarto.    The  folio 
^eads,  For  of:  perhaps  the  true  reading  is»  For  ^  &c. 

Steevens. 
f  — •  nopajfi^e  ^— ]    No  pafibngen  ?  noMy  going  bv  ? 

Johnson* 
So,  in  the  Come^  of  Errors  : 

**  Now  in  the  ftirring/tf^/  of  the  day.'*    Steevens* 
^  —  a  heavy  night ;]     A  thick  chuJy  night,  in  whi^  sui  ambu(h 
'Viay  l>c  commodioufly  laid.    Johnson. 

Q^qj  So, 


%^t  O   T   H   i:   t    L   0. 

Thefe  may  be  counterfeits ;  let's  tbiok't  qpfiifil 
To  come  in  to  the  cry,  without  more  help. 
Rod.  No  body  come  ?  then  fhall  I  bleed  to  dqatl^ 

Enter  la^d,  v^iik  a  li^bl. 

tod.  Hark ! 

Crs.  Here's  one  comes  m  l^$  Q\irU  with  light;  «i4 
weapons. 

J^0.  Who^s  there  i  wbofe  nqUe  is  this,  that  c^ 
out  murder? 

Lod*  We  do  not  know. 

1^0.  t)id  not  you  hear  a  cry  il 

Caf  Here,  here ;  for  heaven's  fake^  b^Ip  m^    I 

Jago.  What's  the  matter  ? 

Gra.  This  is  Othello's  ancient,  a|  I  tfske  it* 

i^d.  The  fame,  indeed  ;  a  very  valiant  fellow. 

lago.  What  are  you  here,  that  cry  fo  grievoufly  } 

Caf.  lago  I  O,  I  am  fpoil'd,  undone  by  villains ! 
Give  me  lome  help. 

lago.  O  me,  lieutenant !  what  villains  have  ddn^ 
this? 

Caf.  I  think,  that  one  of  them  is  hcfcaboutt 
And  (rannot  make  away. 

logo.  O  treacherous  villains  ! — 
^^hat  are  you  there  ?  come  in,  and  givp  feme  belp# 

[X^  Lcd^  and  Gra^ 

Rod.  O,  help  me  here ! 

Caf.  That's  one  of  them. 

Jago.  O  murderous  flave !  O  villain ! 

Rod.  O  damn'd   lago!    O  injiuman    dog! — 6j 
O,  O ! 

Jkgo.  Kill  men  i'  the  dark  1— Where    be   the|^ 
bloody  thieves  ? — 

^  in  Mtdfure  fir  Meafitre: 

*   Upon  thfe  bea^  middle  of  the  nights    dtee  vfiNi* 

■ ^  ■-"'■'  m 


THE  MOOR  OF  Vf:NlCE.      599 

Howfilentisthis  town!— Hoi  murder  I  murder!—. 
What  may  you  be  ?  arc  you  of  good,  or  evil  i 

Lod.  As  you  (hall  prove  us,  praife  us. 
/  lago.  Signior  Lodovico  ? 

Lod.  He,  fir. 

Jage.  I  cry  you  mercy  j  Here's  Caflio  hurt  by  ' 
villains. 

Gra.  Caffio! 

lage.  How  is  it,  brother  ? 

Caf.  My  leg  is  cut  in  two. 

logo.  Marry,  heaven  forbid  !— 
JLight,  gentlemen  j — I'll  bind  it  with  my  fliirt* 

Enter  Bianca. 

Bian.  What  is  the  matter,  ho?  who  is*t  that  cry'd  ? 

lago.  Who  is't  that  cry*d  ? 

Bian.  O  my  dear  CaflTio !  my  fweet  Caffio ! 
O  Caffio !  Caffio !  Caffio ! 

Jago.  O  notable  ftrumpet! — Caffio^    may    you 
fufpeft 
Who  they  ihould  be,  that  have  thus  mangled  you  ? 
•    Caf.  No. 

Cra.  I  am  forry,  to  find  you  thus ;  I  haye  been 
to  feek  you. 

logo.  Lend  me  a  garter » :  So. — O,  for  a  chair, 
•JTo  bear  him  eafily  hence ! 

Bian.  Alas,  he  faints  :— O  Caffio!  Caffio!  Caffio! 

lago.  Gentlemen  all,  I  do  fufpcdk  this  tralh 
To  be  a  party  in  this  injury. 
Patience  a  while,  good  Caffio. — Come,  come ; 
Lend  me  a  light. — Know  we  this  face,  or  no  ? 
Alas !  my  friend,  and  my  dear  countryman  •% 

*  Lend  me  a  garter^  &c.]  This  ipecch  is  omitted  in  the  firft 
quarto.    Steevens. 

'  jllas  ny  frkndy  and m dear  K:xs\xtiXxjm2Xi\'\  ThispaiTage  in- 
conicftably  proves  ^kat  lago  was  meant  for  a  Vemtlan. 

N,  B.  All  the  notes  to  which  no  names  arc  fubfcribed,  are  takca 
from  the  lail  Oxford  edition.    Steevens. 

C^q  4  Roderigo? 


6e^  OTHELLO, 

Roderigo?  no: — Yes, Aire j — O heaven!  Roderigo, 

Gra.  What,  of  Venice  ? 

lago.  Even  he,  fiF ;  did  you  know  him  ? 

Gra.  Know  him  ?  ay. 

logo.  Signior  Gratiano  ?  I  cry  you  gentle  pardon  j 
Thcfe  bloody  accidents  muft  excufe  my  manners, 
^That  fo  negledVcd  you. 

Cra.  I  am  glad  to  fee  you. 

lagQ.  How  do  you,  Caffio  ?— O,  a  chair,  a  chaur ! 

Gra.  Roderigo ! 

Jago.  He,  he,  'tis  he : — O,  that's  well  faid ;— the 
chair : —  [A  chair  brought  in^ 

Some  good  man  bear  him  carefully  from  hence ; 
V\\  fetch  the  general's  furgcon.— For  yoii,  miftre|5, 

♦  \^o  Bianca. 

Save  you  your  labour. — He  that  lies  flain  here,  Caffio, 
Was  my  dear  friend ;  What  malice  was  between  you  ? 

Caf.  None  iq  the  world  $  nor  do  I  know  the  man. 

lago.  {To  Bian.']  What,  look  you  pale  ? — O,  bear 
him  out  o'  the  air.-r-     [Caffio  is  borne  off. 
Stay  you,  good  gentlemen  4. — look  you  pale,  miftrefs? 
Do  you  perceive  the  gaftneft  5  of  her  eye  ?-r  ' 
Kay,  if  you  ftare  ^,  we  (hall  hear  more  anon  : —    . 
Behold  her  well ;  I  pray  you,  look  upon  her ; 
Do  you  fee,  gentlemen  ?  n^y,  guiltineft  will  fpeak^ 
'^hough  tongues  wprc  oqt  pf  ufe. 

Enter  ^Emilia. 

JEmil.  Xas,  what's  the  matter  ?  what's  the  mat? 

ter,  huftiand  ? 
lago.  Caffio  hath  here  been  fet  on  in  the^  dark| 
5y  Roderigo,  and  fellows  that  are  fcap'd ; 

^  TS^  gentlemen.]    Thus  the  folio.    The  quju^  read, 
gentlewoman,     Steevens. 
'    ^  -^iife  gaftnefs]     So  tlie  folio.    The  quartos  read, /g^«rfx. 

Steevens^ 
f  Nayt  ifyoujlare^l    So  the  folio.    The  quartos  read,  Jlirre. 

'     "  *  Steevbns. 

Hc'§ 


THE  MOOR  OF  VENICE.      Cot 

He's  aimoft  flain,  and  Roderigo  dead. 

JSmiL  Alas^  gcx)d  gentleman !  alas,  good  CaQlo ! 

Jago.  This  is   the  fruit  of  whoring, — Pr'ythcc, 
Emilia, 
Go  know  of  Caffio  where  he  fupp'd  to-night : — 
What,  do  you  (hake  at  that  ? 

Bian.  He  fupp'd  at  my  houfe ;  but  I  therpforc 
Ihake  not. 

U^o,'  0\  did  4ie  fo  ?  I  charge  you,  go  with  me. 

jEmiL  Fie,  fie  upon  thee,  (trumpet ! 

Bian.  I  am  no  (trumpet ;  but  of  life  as  hone(^ 
^s  you  that  thus  abufe  me. 

JEmil.  As  I  ?  fgh !  fie  upon  thee ! 

la^o.  Kind  gentlemen,  let's  go  fee  poor  Caffio 
drefs'd : — 
Qome,  mijflrcfs,  you  muft  tell  us  another  tale* — 
JEmilia,  run  you  to  the  citadel. 
And  teW  my  lord  and  lady  what  hath  hap'd.— 
Will  you  go  on,  I  pray  ? — This  is  the  night,  [^AJidc^ 
yhap  cither  makes  pie,  or  fordoes  7  mc  quite. 

{Exeunt. 

SCENE       n. 

4  hed-cbamber :  Defdemona  in  ied,  nfleef.    A  light 
burning. 

Enter  Othello. 

0th.  ®  It  is  the  caufe,  it  is  the  caufe,  my  foul,— - 
Let  me  not  name  it  to  you,  you  chafte  ftara ! — 

It 

7  «.  ^  fordoes  me  quite  J]    To  firdei  is  to  undo,  to  piin,  to  de- 
flroy.    Sa,  in  Hamlet :    "  — did  with  deiperate  hand 

•«  Fordo  its  own  life." 
^gain,  in  the  Interlude  oi  Jacob  and  Efau^  1568  : 

**  If  Got  were  fo  pleafed,  I  would  that  v/citfardonner 

St^evens. 
^  It  is  the  cattfey  it  is  the  caufky  myfoul^'^ 

Let  me  not  name  it ]     The  abruptnefs  of  this  ibliloqoy 

pudces  it  obfcure.    The  meaning,  \  think,  is  this :  ^M  am  here 
-      ^  "(layi 


6o%  O    T    H    E    L    L    O. 

It  is  the  caufc. — Yet  Vl\  not  flicd  her  blood; 
Nor  fear  that  whiter  ikin  of  hers  than  fiiowt 
And  fmooth  as  monumental  alabafter. 

[Takes  cffbisfa^dn 
Yet  (he  mull  die,  t\k  {bell  betray  more  men  K 
>  Put  out  the  lights  and  then — Put  out  cIk  light  f 
If  I  quench  thee,  thou  flaming  minifter, 
I  can  again  thy  former  light  reftore, 
Should  I  repent  me : — but  onoe  put  out  thy  light  % 

^  ((ayi  CXheUo  io  hU  mind)  oiFcrwhelined  wkh  horiDr.  Wfaac 
^<  IS  the  reaibn  of  thb  perturbation  }  Is  it  want  of  reiblution  to  do 
V  juftice  ?  Is  it  the  dread  of  (heddmg  blood  ?  No ;  it  is  not  the  adioo 
^  that  (hbcks  me,  but  it  is  the  cmjt^  it  is  the  cmtfij  w^fi&li  lei  me  mat 
^  nam  it  uyu^yt  chaftejiars!  it  is  the  ctn^.^    Johnson. 

Othello,  full  of  horror  at  the  cruel  a^ion  which  he  is  ^XMit  to 
perpetrate,  feems  at  this  inftaat  to  be  feeking  his  jufti6cadoD»  from 
reprefenting  to  himfclf  the  caufiy  i.  e*  die  greauoefi  of  the  proTOn 
cation  he  had  received.    Steevens. 

•  Yttjbe  rmtfi  die^  elfeJht^U  betray  mere  «r«r.]  This  it  the  fecood 
attempt  of  Othello  to  jufiify  what  he  has'  undertaken.  Firfi  h* 
fays,  //  is  the  cauje^  u  e.  his  own  cau/e ;  now  he  is  willing  to  Aippofe 
himfclf  the  preventer  of  fucce«*ding  raifchief  to  others*  Steepens. 

*  Pui  cut  the  lights  and  tfjen — Put  out  the  light!]  So  it  (bouki 
be  printed.  The  meaning  is,  I  will  put  out  the  light,  and  them 
proceed  to  the  execution  of  my  purpofe.  But  the  czpreffion  of 
futting  out  the  light  ^  bringing  to  mind  the  efie^  of  the  extindion  of 
die  light  of  life,  he  breaks  (hort,  and  queilions  himidf  aboot  the 
efie^h  of  this  meuphorical  eztin^ion»  introduced  by  a  repetition 
of  his  fird  words,  as  much  as  to  fay,  But  hold,  let  me  firfi  wdgh 
^e  reflections  which  this  en>re(SQn  (b  naturally  excites. 

Warburton. 
This  has  been  confidcred  as  a  very  difficult  line.    FieUiing  makes 
Betterten  and  Booth  difpute  about  it  with  the  aatjbor  ^npx^in  the 
pther  world.     The  puuduation  recommended  by  Dr.  Waiburton, 
cives  a  fpirit  to  it  which  I  fear  was  not  intended.    It  fe^s  toha?^' 
been  or.fy  a  play  upon  Kvords,     To  put  the  light  out  ff«t  a  |i>hnife  fo^ 
IP  kilL     In  the  Maid's  tragedy,  Melantius  la}'s, 
■  ■      *Tis  a  juftice,  and  a  noble  one, 
"  7i/»/ /i6^ /r]^^/ w/ of  fuch  bafe  offenders.**    Faimei^. 
Put  out  tbelirht.    This  phrafe  is  twice  ufcd  in  Sidjie/s  Arca£a 
ior  killing  a  laJy,  p.  460  and  470.  edit.  1633.     Steeveks. 
»  — put  out  thy  light ^']     Thus  the  folio.    The  quaito  wads—; 

?utout//^/W.    Steevens. 
Thoq 


THE  MOOE  o»  VENICE. 

fthov  ppnning'ft  yztxtm  of  ncplliflg  n^mrc^ 

i  know  not  where  is  that  Promcihcaa  heat, 

That  jpaq    thv    light  rclumioe  3,     When  I  hi^vf 

pluck*d  thy  4  rofe, 
1  cannot  give  it  vital  growth  again, 
it  needs  'muft  wither : — Fll  fmell  it  on  the  tree*— • 
O  balmy  breathy  that  doft  almoft  perfuade 
Juftice  herfelf  to  break  her  fword !— Once  more.-^ 
Be  thus  when  thou  art  dead,  and  I  will  kill  tbet. 
And  love  thee  after :— Once  more,  and  thi^  (he  laft: 
So  fweet  wa$  ne'er  fo  fatal.    I  muft  weep. 
But  they  are  cruel  tears:  s  This  lorrow*s  heavenly | 
It  ftrikes,  where  it  doth  love. — She  wakej-^" 

Def.  Who's  xhfitci  Qthclb? 

Otb.  Ay,  Defdemona. 

Def.  Will  you  come  to  bed,  my  lord  ? 

Oib*  Have  you  pray'd  to-nigh^  Defdemona  I 

Def.  Ay,  my  lord* 

Oib.  If  you  bethink  yourfelf  of  any  crime| 
pnreconcird  as  yet  to  heaven  and  grace. 
Solicit  for  it  ftraighc. 

Def.  Alas,  my  lord,  what  may  you  mean  by  that? 

?  -^relumlne,']    The  folio  reais — relume.    The  firft  qi«ulo-i4 
^ftum :  thie  fecoQcl  qu arto — relumlne.    Steevens. 
■»  -•  /^  r^(?,]    Thus  Ac  foKb.    The  quarfo  readf| 
the  roje.  '     ,        ' 

^gaiD,  the  quarto  reads, 

"  ru  iinell  it  on  the  tree.'* 
,  The  folio, 

**  1*11  fmell  thnm  the  tree.**    Steevens. 
5  ^^fbis  firrorjs  hfiwen^i]     This  tcndcrncft,  w^th  wWch  ^ 
lameat  the  puniibipeat  whidi  juiHce  compel^  inc  to  ioflii^  i«  a  holy 
pafflon, 

^   1  wi(h  thefe  two  lines  tould  be  honcfHy  c5e6ted.    h  is  ihc  fate 
pf  Shakefpeare  to  counter^  his  own  pathos.    Johnson* 

Perhaps  the  poet  would  pot  have  retained  both  thefe  images  had 
lie  publiihed  the  play  himiel^  though  in  the  hurry  of  compofition 
tie  threw  them  both  upon  paper.  The  firil  feems  adopted  from 
khfi  fabulous  hidory  of  the  croc^x&lei  the  fecond  from  a  pailage  in 
^fefcri^ittre.    Steevekj,  ' 


«e4  O    T    H    E    L    L    O, 

0/A.  Well,  do  it,  and  be  brief;  I  will  walk  by : 
I  wQuld  not  kill  thy  unprepared  fpirit ; 
No,— Heaven  forefcnd ! — ^I  wouW  not  kill  thy  fool  ^, 

Def.  Talk  you  of  killing  ? 

Otb.  Ay,  I  do. 

J)ef.  Then,  heaven 
Have  mercy  on  me ! 

Otb.  Amen,  with  all  my  heart  1 

Def.  If  you  fay  fo,  I  hope  you  will  not  kill  me^ 

Otb.  Hum! 

Def.  And  yet  I  fear  you  %  for  you  are  fatal  then^ 
^When  your  eyes  roll  fo ;  Why  I  Ihould  fear,  I  know 

not. 
Since  guilcinefs  I  know  not  i  but  yet^^  I  fed,  I  fi^t 

Otb.  Think  on  thy  fins. 

Hef.  They^are  loves  I  bear  to  vou. 

Otb.  Ay,  and  for  that  thou  dy^. 

Def.  That  death's  vmnatural,  that  kills  for  loving, 
Alas,  why  gnaw  you  fo  your  nether  lip  ? 
Some  bloody  pafljon  ihakes  your  very  frame  ; 
Thefe  are  portents  5  but  yet,  I  hope,  I  hope, 
They  do  not  point  on  me. 

Otb.  Peace,  and  be  ftiil ! 

Def.  I  will  fo  :  What's  the  matter  ? 

Otb.  That  handkerchief,  whict\  I  fo  lov'd,  an4 
gave  thee, 
Thou  gav'ft  to  Caffio. 

Def.  No,  by  my  life  and  foul; 
Send  for  the  man,  and  alk  him, 

Otb.  Sweet  foul,  take  heed. 
Take  heed  of  perjury ;  thou  art  on  thy  death-bedt' 

Def.  Ay,  but  not  yet  to  die* 

•  Iw0M  fufi  kiU  tfyfpul']    Sir  JF.  D'Avenant  has  bon:ow«| 
this  thought  in  his  Aihivimt  King  rf  LenAardj^^  1629 ; 
"  1  am  not  fraught  iidth  devil's  ipleen  \  I  irouI4 
*^  Not  hurt /^>;r/.''     Steev£N5. 


THE  MOORofVENICE*     6%$ 

Oik  Yes,  prefendy :  . 

Therefore  confefs  thee  freely  of  thy  (in ; 
For  to  deny  each  article  with  oath. 
Cannot  remove,  nor  choak,  the  ftrorig  conception 
That  I  do  groan  withal.     Thou  art  to  die. 

Def,  O,  heaven  have  mercy  on  mc ! . 

Otb.  I  fay,  amen. 

Def.  And  have  you  mercy  tool — I  never  did 
Offend  you  in  my  life ;  never  lov*d  Caffio, 
But  with  fuch  generial  warranty  of  heaven 
As  I  might  love :  I  never  gave  him  token, 

Ofb.  By  heaven,  I  faw  my   handkerchief  in  fais 
hand. 

0  pcrjur'd  woman  1  thou  doft  ftone  my  heart,     , 
And  mak'ft  me  call,  what  I  intend  to  do,— 

7  A  murder,  which  1  thought  a  facrifice: 

1  faw  the  handkerchief. 

Def.  He  found  it  then ; 
I  never  gave  it  him :— Send  for  him  hither. 
And  let  him  confefs  a  truth. 

Ofb.  He  hath  confefs'd. 

Def.  What,  my  lord  ? 

Otb.  That  he  hath— us'd  thee. 

Def.  How  ?  unlawfully  ? 

Ofb.  Ay. 

Def.  He  will  not  lay  fo. 

;  7.^  murder^  which  I  dxn^ht  a  facrifice.^  This  line  is  diflScult; 
Thtm  haft  hardened  nrjf  hearty  and  mdkcft  mt  kill  thee  with  the  rage  of 
a  murderer 9  when  /  thm^ht  to  have  facrificed  thee  to  jufUccAvith  the 
calmnefs  of  a  prieft  Mking  a  vidim. 

It  roiiA  not  be  omitted^  that  one  of  the  elder  quartos  reads,//^ 
deft  ftone  thy  heart ;  which  I  fufpeft  to  be  genuine.  The  meaning 
then  will  be,  thou  firc^ft  me  to  difinift  thee  from  the  wotld  in  the 
{late  of  the  iKr«r/^r// without  preparation  for  death,  wAr«  I  intended 
that  thy  punifhrnent  ihould  have  been  a  facrifice  atoning  fo(  thy 
crime. 

i  am  glad  that  I  have  ended  my  reviftl  of  this  dreadful  iccnc. 
It  is  not  to  be  endured.    Jounsox. 

Otb. 


6b5        6  t  n  t  t  t  6i 

Otb.  No,  hU  mouth  is  ftoppM ; 
Honcft  lago  hath  ta'cii  order  for*t^. 

Dtf.  O,  my  ftar  interprets  then,— Wha^i  is  M 
dead? 

Otb.  >  Had  all  his  hairs  been  lives,  my  great  rci 
venge 
Had  fjomach  for  them  all 

Vef.  Alas !  be  is  betrayed,  and  I  undone. 

Otb.  Out,  llrumpet !  Wccp^ft  thou  for  him  to  mi 
face?  ^ 

J)ef.  Oi  banilh  me,  my  lord,  biit  kill  me  noe* 

Otb.  Down,  ftrumpct! 

Def.  Kill  me  to-morrow,  let  ts^  live  to-aightf 

Otb.  Nay,  if  you  ftrivc,— 

Hef.  Bur  half  an  hour* 

Otb.  Being  done  % 
There  is  no  paufe. 

lief.  But  while  I  fay  one  prayer. 

Otb.  *  It  is  too  late.  [^Hefmrtbcrs  »cri 

*  —  bath  ta'en  order  >//.]  i.  «.  b«  iahK  rnqfia-es.  Sb^  ii| 
iioWxdaxcd^B^tiffiofKingJobn:  ****** be i^oi iuch:<^aW< ftr him, thai 
he  was  defpoilM  of  all  bit  goods  and  benefices,''   p.  174. 

9T5ErBN«; 

^  HadmU  bis  bairs  been  Zici^jy-— }    ThUdidught  appears  to  have 

been  very  common,  as  it  occurs  frequently  in  dramatic  performance^ 

mior  to  ShakeTpeareV  Othollo*    So,  !»  the  DauiVs  Cbarttrf  bf 

Bamaby  Batnes>  1 6o7 : 

•*  Know  Cs&r,  had  I  now  as  mauy  lives 
^  M  there  are  ftones,  or  hairs  upon  my  head, 
"I  would,"  &c. 
Again,  m  Beaumont  and  Eetchei's  M^  andno  Kingi 

but  if  all 

J^  bair's  were  Uves^  I  would  not  be  iSngaged 
In  fuch  a  caufe.  St^aybms* 

*  Being  Jone, 

Then  is  n0  pau/e.^     The  firft  quartor  pmits  this  fpeecb; 

SrsfiVsKs. 

*  //  is  i<»laie.']    After  this  fpccch  of  Othello,  the  ddcr  quartb 
'  *  I  an  invocation  firom  Defdemonai  confiiting  onl^  of  the  iacroi 


THi  MOOR  OF  VENICE.      60^ 

MmiUa  within. 

My  lord,  my  lord  !  what  ho !  my  lord,  my  lord ! 

Ofb^  What  notfe  is  this?— ^ot  dead?   not  yet 
quite  dead  ? 
I^that  am  cruel,  am  yet  merciful; 
I  would  not  have  thee  linger  in  thy  paiiu*^ 
So,.fo. 

Mml.  What  ho !  my  lord,  my  lord ! 

Otb.  Who's  there? 

JEmU  O,  good  my  Iord>  I  would  fpeak  a  word 
with  you. 

Oib.  Yes^; — ^'tis  AmiKa: — by  and  by. —  She's 
dead. 
'Tb  like,  fiie  comes  to  fpeak  of  Caffio's  death ; 
The  noife  was  high. — Ha !  no  more  moving  ? 
Still  as  the  grave. — ShaH  (he  come  in  ?  Wcre't  good? 
I  think,  (he  ftirs  again:— No.— What's  the  bcft  ? 
If  (he  come  in,  (he'll  fure  fpeak  to  my  wife : — 
My  wife  I  my  wife !  what  wife  ?  I  have  no  wife  ^ : 

name,  thrice  re]peated.  As  this  mvift  be  fuppofed  to  have  been  ut^ 
tered  while  ihe  is  yet  firuggling  with  death,  I  think  an  edftor  roa^r 
be  excufed  from  inferting  fuch  a  circumdknce  of  fupereroeatory 
borror,  efpecially  as  it  b  round  in  but  one  of  the  ancient  copies. 

StEEVBNS4 

This  alteration  was  probably  made  by  the  players,  in  confc- 
quence  of  a  (latute  of  the  aift  of  James  I.  to  reform  prophaHC 
curling  and  fwearing.     Sir  John  Hawki.vs. 

The  flatute  was  ncceflary ;  for  not  only  the  ancient  moralities, 
but  the  plays  (thoie  of  Cbupman  in  particular)  abound  with  the 
rood  wanton  and  (hocking  repetitions  oft  name  which  never 
ought  to  be  mentioned  in  fuchan  irreverend  manner  on  the  ftage. 

STEEVENSi 

Sir  John  Hawkins  ihoukl  have  refcn^  to  the  ftatute  of  rhc  3d 
of  James  I.  c.  21,  which  lays  a  penalty  for  the  profane  ufc  of 
the  name  of  God,  &c,  in  flage*plays,  enterludcs,  Way-games,  &c« 

TOLLET. 

'  Mf  tvift!  nt;  wife!  what  *:vf/e T^^I  ban^e  mfwrfe:'\  Filium 
unicum  adoleicentulum  habeo :  ah !  quid  dixi  habere  me  f  imo 
Vftbuii  Chremc.  ?rr.  Hcmttpm,    Steevens. 

O  infup-* 


6o»  OTHELLO, 

O  infupportablc  F  O  heavy  hour ! 
Methinks,  it  (hould  be  now  ^  huge  eclipfe 
Of  fun  and  moon ;  and  that  the  affrighted  globtf 
Should  yawn  at  alteration. 

JEmiL  I  do  bcfeech  you  I  may  fpcak  with  jou'j 
O,  good  my  lord  ! 

Otb.  I  had  forgot  thee  :  O,  come  in,  Emilia  i— & 
Soft, — by  ^nd  by  :— Let  me  the  curtains  draw. — 
Where  art  thou  ?  What's  the  matter  with  thee  now? 

[Unlocks  she  doer 4 

Enter  jEmilid. 

JEmil.  O,  my  good  Jord^  yonder's  foul  mufdef 
done. 

Otb^  What?  now? 

JEmiL  But  now,  my  lord  ? 

Oib.  It  is  the  very  error  of  the  noooi) ; 
She  comes  more  near  the  earth  than  (be  was  wont. 
And  makes  men  mad, 

£mil  Caflio,  my  lord,  hath  kill'da  young  Vcnetiafli 
Caird— Roderigo. 

0th.  Roderigo  killed ! 
And  Caffio  kilPd  !— . 

Mmil.  No,  Caflio  is  not  kiird. 

Otb.  Not  Caffio  kill'd  ?  Then  murder's  out  oi 
tune. 
And  fwect  revenge  grows  harfli* 

Def.  4  O,  falfcly,  falfcly  murdered ! 

JEmih 

4  O  folfil^yfalfely  ffUtr^er^J!]  It  cannot  be  fuppofed  that  a  perfon 
who  had  been  cifoftually  JirangieJ or  fmotbcred^  could  fpeak  again ; 
for  if  the  power  of  breathing  returned  after  the  inilrument  of 
fuffocation  was  Fenioved>  no  ad  of  violence  had  in  reality  taken 
place  by  which  the  condufion  of  lite  could  be  brought  on.  But 
fuch  is  the  peculiar  fate  of  Defdemona,  that  (he  is  fuppoied  to  be 
fmothered,  revives  to  acquaint  us  1^^x  Jhe  Jmotbtred  berfe^j  and 
then  dies  without  any  olleniible  caufe  of  death.  I  am  of  opinion 
that  fome  theatrical  diie^Uon  has  been  omitted ;  and  that  when  ^ 
Othello  (ays : 

Not 


THE  MOOR  OF  VENICE.      609 

JEmL  Aks !  what  cry  is  that? 

Otb.  That!  what? 
,    yjEmil.  Out^  and  abs !  that  was  m^  lady^s  voice  :— 
Help  !  help)  ho !  help !— O  lady^  ipeak  agaia  1 
Sweet  Defdemona  I  O^  fweet  miilrefs,  fpeak  I 

Dif.  A  guiklefs  death  I  die. 

JEmiL  Oj  who  hath  done  n 

This  deed  ? 

Def.  No  body  j  I  myfelf ;  farewel : 
Comnoend  me  to  my  kind  lord ;  O^  farewel*   [^Dies. 

Otb.  Why,  how  (hould  (he  be  murder'd  ? 

JEmii  Alas,  who  knows  ? 

Otb.  You  beard  ber  lay  herfelf,  it  was  not  L 

JEmiL  She  faid  fo  \  I  muft  needs  report  the  truth. 

Not<iead?  notyet  quite  dead? 
I,  that  am  cruel,  am  yet  merciful ; 
I  would  not  have  thee  Hncer  in  thy  pain !— 

He  then  (labs  her,  repeating  the  two  laft  woid%  as  he  oepeati  th* 
blow.    ThiA  Virgil : 

—*— ^,^  iuvat  ire  fuh  umbras. 
After  a  repetition  of  wounds,  I>erdemona  might  fpealc  again,  witk 
proprietyi  and  yet  very  foon  expire  j  as  fays  Caflio  of  Rodengo : 
' — ^  even  but  now  he  ^pske^ 

After  lon^;  feeming  dead. 
Tile  fird  relblution  of  Othdlo  was  to  poifon  her,  but  from  thit 
meafure  he  is  diffuadcd  by  the  pojicy  of  lago.  He  is  next  deter- 
mined to  ufe  the  poniard ;  but,  his  tendemefs  awaking,  he  cannot 
bear  to  deform  tbofe  beauties  which  he  had  io  often  approached 
with  other  fenfations  and  for  dUferent  purpof^s*  Therefore, 
fays  he : 

— —  V\\  not  (bed  her  blood. 

Nor  fear  that  whiter  Ikin  of  hers  than  fnow. 

And  iinooch  as  monumental  alabader: 
And  this  refolution  we  are  to  imagine  he  would  have  kept,  but  that 
he  was  avede  to  employing  thofe  means  again,  which  had  already 
appeared  to  be  uncertain  in  their  etife^. 

If  this  apparent  want  of  a  play-houfe  dire^ton  had  occafioned  any 
abfurdity  in  the  original  repre^ntation  of  the  play,  probably  it  is 
glanced  at  by  Ben  jonfon  in  the  Akhemift^  kdi  5  :  **  Did'ft  hear 
a  cry,  iiud'fl  thou  ?  Yes,  iir,  like  unto  a  man  that  had  \ttXi  ftntngled 
an  hour,  and  could  not  fpcak,"    Stkevins. 

Vol.  X.  R  r  Oth. 


6io  OTHELLO, 

Ofb.  She's^  like  a  liar,  gone  to  burning  heU  $ 
*Twas  I  that  kiird  her. 

£mH.  O,  the  more  angel  Ihe^ 
And  you  the  blacker  devU ! 

O/b.  She  turned  to  folly,  and  fhe  was  a  whore. 
J£mil.  Thou  doft  bely  her,  and  thou  art  a  devil, 
0th.  She  was  s  falfe  as  water. 
^miL  Thou  art  rafh  as  fire,  to  lay 
That  Ihe  was  falfe  ;  O,  Ihe  was  heavenly  true ! 
>  Olb.  Caffio  did  tup  her;  alk  thy  hufband  elfc  : 
O,  I  were  damn'd  beneath  all  depth  in  hell. 
But  that  I  did  proceed  upon  juft  grounds 
To  this  extremity ;  Thy  hulband  knew  it  all- 
.  jEmil.  My  hufband? 
Otb.  Thy  hulband. 

jEmil.  That  Ihe  was  falfe  to  wedlock  ? 
Otb.  Ay,  with  Caffio.    Nay,  had  Ihe  been  truc^ 
If  heaven  would  make  me  fuch  another  world 
Of  one  entire  and  perfect  chryfolite, 
I'd  not  have  fold  her  for  it. 
jEmil.  My  hulband? 
Otb.  Ay,  'twas  he  that  told  me  firfl  ^ ; 
An  honeft  man. he  is,  and  hates  the  llimc 
That  (licks  on  filthy  deeds. 
jEw/7.  My  hufband? 
Otb^  What  needs  this  iteration  7,  woman  ? 
I  fay,  thy  hulband. 

Jimii.  *  O  miftrcfs,  9  villainy  hath  made  mocks 
with  love ! 

5  ^falfr  as  wafer.]     As  water  that  will  fupport  no  weiglit^  nor 
kcrp  ahy  imprcffion.    Jo  h  n  s  on  . 

«  — that  tvUmeJr/t ;]     The  folio  reads,  "  —  that  toid  me  «» 
/^rrtirft."     Steevens. 

^  '^tteraiioft^—]     The  folio  reads— i>rtf»rf.     Steetens. 
.      •  jEmiLI  The  firfl  quano  omits  this  and  the  following  fpecch* 

Steevehs. 

^  —  villaitiy  bos  made  mocks  with  Itfve  /]     nilainy  has  taken  ad- 

vantajj;e  to/^  t^n  the  weaknefs  of  a  violent  paHion.      Jo  a  ns  o  v. 

My 


5phe  Moor  op  veni6e.    Cu 

iny  hulband  fayi  that  Ihe  w^  falfe  ? 

Ofb.  He,  woman ; 
t  fey,  thy  hulband  i  Do'ft  undcrftand  the  word  ? 
My  friend,  thy  hufband,  honefr,  honeft  lago. 
'  jEmil*  U  he  fay  fo,  may  his  pernitious  foul 
ko^  half  a  grain  a  day !  he  lies  to  the  heart ; 
She  was  too  fond  of  her  moft  filthy  bargain, 

Ofb.  Ha!    . 

JE)mL  Do  thy  worft :      • 
^his  deed  of  thine  is  no  mdi-e  worthy  heaven^ 
Than  thou  will  i^orthy  her. 

Otb.  Peace,  you  were  bcft. 

jEmil.  »  Thou  haft  not  half  that  power  to  do  ttob 
'  harrtt> 

As  I  have  to  be  hiirt.    O  gull !  O  dolt ! 
As  ignorant  asdirt  J  thou  haft  done  a  deed, — • 
i  care  not  for  thy  fword  ;  Til  make  thee  known,. 
Though  I  loft  twenty  lives:— Help!  help,  ho!  belpt 
The  Moor  hath  killed  my  mlftrcfsj  Murder!  murdpr! 

Enter  MontanOj  Gratiano,  lago,  and  others^ 

Mom  What  is  the  matter  ? — How  how,  general  ? 

•  J£miL  O,  are  you  come,  lago  ?  you  have  done 

well, 
l*hat  men  muft  lay  their  murders  on  your  ncck» 
Gra.  What  is  the  mauer  ? 

*  Thou  baft  not  Ijalftbat  pavjer  to  Jo  me  harm^ 
,  As  I  have  to  be  hurt.  — ]  Pavjer  for  ii'/// ;  for  'w///  figplfyl ng 
both  ability  dnd  inclination,  and  ^^xu^r  fit^nifyi ng  ability,  he  ui'ei 
power  for  inclination.  But  the  Oxford  Editor,  not  underflaading' 
his  author's  phhfeology  any  better  when  he  had  ended  than  when 
he  had  begun  with  hiiti,  alters,  As  I  havs  to  be  hurt^  to,  As  1  have 
th\i^2LV  hurt :  which  yet  docs  not  niend  thj?  matter,  had  the  poet 
here  ufcd/^tvr  in  the  fenfeof  nbilit}'.     Warburtom. 

The  Oxford  Editor  faw  well  the  meaning  of  his  author,  but 
weakened  his  exprclTion.  She  means  to  fay,  /  hai>e  in  this  cai^t 
foiven  to  endure  more  thttn  thou  haft  po  -:^er  to  i»Jilcl%    J  d  h  ir«  o  n  • 

•  -  R  r  2  £miU 


6i2  O    T    H    E    L    L    Q, 

j€mil.  Difprove  this  villain,  if  thou  bc'ft  a  maa :- 
He  fays,  thou  told'ft  him  that  bis  wife  was  falfc; 
I  know,  thou  did'ft  not,  thou'n  not  fuch  a  villain  ; 
Speak,  for  my  heart  is  full. 

Jago.  I  told  him  what  I  thought :  and  told  no  ixK>r« 
Than  what  he  founcj  himfelf  was  apt  and  true. 

jEmiL  But  did  you  ever  tell  him,  Ihe  was  falfe  I 

1^0.  I  did. 

JEmil.  You  told  a  lie :  an  odious,  daauicd  Ue^ 
Upon  my  foul,  a  lie  ;  a  wicked  lie.: — 
She  falfe  with  Caffio  I— Did  you  fay,  with  Caflio  ? 

lago.  With  Caflio,  miftrefe  j  Go  to,  *  charm  yopr 
tongue. 

jEmil.  I  will  not  charm  my  tongue ;  I  am  bound 
to  fpeak ; 
My  miftrefs  3  here  lies  murder*d  in  her  bed, 

yfll.  O  heavens  forefend ! 

JEmiL  And  your  reports  have  fettbe  murder  qiu 

*  — .  charm  your  tongterj]  I  ktiovt  not  whether  I  have  read,  or 
whether  my  own  thoughts  have  fuggefled,  an  alteration  of  this 
paiiage.  It  fccms  to  me  not  improbable,  that  Shakefpcare  wrote 
clam  your  tongue ;  to  ilam.o.  bell,  is  to  cover  the« clapper  with  felt^ 
which  drowns  the  blow,  and  hincfers  the  found*    Johnson, 

—  charm  your  tot^gue.']  By  this  expreflSon,  Cbarmyomr  iiMg^vr, 
the  poet  meant  no  more  than  to  make  lago  fey,  Apply  fome 
power,  ftrong  as  a  charm  would  be,  to  your  tongue ;  for  notfaing 
Icfs  can  ftop  its  volubility.     So  Henry  Vl.  Part  3 : 

**  reace,  wilful  bov,  or  I  will  charmyour  trnpu? 
So  Ben  Jonfbn,  in  Cynthia  s  Revtb : 

** c^<ir/»  your  Ikipping  tongue.** 

Again,  in  Spcnfer's  faery  ^ueen^  b.  j.  c.  9  : 

<*  That  well  could  charm  his  tongue^  and  time  his  ipcedk* 
Again,  in  the  Torkjbire  Tragedy^  1619: 

"  The  furell  way  to  charm  a  woman's  ton^, 

**  Is  to  break  her  neck  : — a  politician  did  it.** 
Pliny  informs  us,  xh^xfofvete  Unguis  was  the  confbint  exclamation 
before  any  religious  charm  was  applied.  From  this  circumilaooe 
the  phrafe  to  charm  a  tongue  might  have  originated.  Stscvbns* 
'3  —  i1^  niiflrefs^  &c.]  This  line,  and  the  toUowiog  fix  i^eeches, 
are  wanting  in  the  firft  quarto.    Stee  vens. 


THE'  MOOR  or  V  E  N I C  E.      613 

Oib.  Nay^  ilare  not,  maftor^  %  it  is  truc^  indeed. 

Cra.  Tis  a  ftrange  truth. 

Mm*  O  monftrous  ad  I 

jEfHtL  Villainy,  villainy,  villainy! — 
I  think  upon't, — I  think, — I  fmeirt ; — O  villainy  I 
I  thought  fo  riicn; — 111  kill  myfelf  for  grief.— 

0  villainy,  villainy ! 

Jag^^  What,  are  you  mad  ?  I  charge  you,  get  you 
home. 

^mil.  Good  gentlemen,  let  me  have  leave  to  fpeak ; 
TTis  proper  I  obey  him,  but  not  now : — 
Perchance,  lago,  I  will  ne'er  go  home. 

Otb.  O!  O I  O !  [Oibcllo  looking  im  kis  wfi, 

MmU  Nay,  lay  thee  down,  and  roar  ; 
For  thou  haft  kill'd  the  fweeteft  innocent. 
That  e'er  did  lift  up  eye. 

0th.  O,  fhe  was  foul !-«-  {Rifing^ 

1  fcarce  did  know  you,  uncle :  There  lies  your  niece, 
Whofe  breath,  indeed,  thefe  hands  have  newly  ftopp'd: 
I  know,  this  aft  Ihews  horrible  and  grim* 

Gfd.  Poor  Defdemona!   I  ^m  glad  thy  father's 
dead-, 
Thy  match  was  mortal  to  him,  and  pure  grief 
Shore  his  old  thread  in  twain  :  did  he  live  now. 
This  fight  would  make  him  do  a  defperate  turn  j 
Yea,  curfe  his  better  angel  from  his  fide. 
And  fall  to  reprobation. 

0th.  *Tb  pitiful :  but  yet  lago  knows, 
That  (he  with  CalTio  hath  the  aft  of  (hame 
4  A  thoufand  time^  comn^itted  \  Caffio  confefs'd  it; 

And 

*  A  thcufand times  commiiied;^}  This  W  another  pallage  which 
ieems  to  fuppofe  a  longer  fpace  comprifed  in  the  iE(iot^  of  thi# 
play  than  the  (cenes  include.    Johnson. 

fhatJbewithCaffubadthiaBafJbMMii 
A  tbaufani  umu  cmmmtttd.^-^'^ 
^nd  apain : 

^Ju»^t  syear  or  tvoojbews  m  a  sMxr.J    I  am  qoC  conTmced 


£i4  O.  T-,H  ,E    L    L    0* 

Apd  flic  did  gratify  his  amorous  works 
With  that  recognizance  and  pledge  of  love 

from  thefe  paiTages  onlY>  that  a  longer  fpace  is  c^mprifed  in  tbc 
>6Vion  ot  this  play  than  the  fcenes  indude. 

■  What  Oihel'o  mcnrions  in  the  firll  injflance,  might  have  pafled 
ft  ill  more  ohcn,  betore  they  wcrf  married,  when  v^^ffio  went  be- 
tween them ;  for  (he,  who  could  find  means  to  elude  the  vieUancc^ 
of  her  father  in  rcfpcdof  Othello,  might  have  done  fo  in  re§>e^  of 
Caffio,  wh^n  there  was  time  enough  fbr  the  oQcarrence  fuppdfedto 
havf  happened.'  A  jealous  perfon  will  aggravate  all  he  thinks,  or 
fpeaks  of;  and  might  ufe  a  thoujiuidiox  a  much  leis  numb^,  only 
to  give  weight  to  his  cenfure :  nor  would  it  have  anfwer^  any 
purpofe  to  have  made  OtheHoa  little  nearer  or  further  off  froni 
truth  in  his  calculatipn, '  W9  might  apply  tl^  poet>  own  woid| 

**•  — -  fpar^  your  arithmetic } 
**  Once,  and  a  millibn.*^ 

The  latter  is  a  proverbial  expreffion,  and  might  have  fae«i  in« 
produced  with  propriety,  had  they,  been  married  only  a  day  or  two. 
^Bmilia's  reply  perhaps  was  dictated  by  h^  own  pnvate  ex- 
perience; and  fcems  to  mean  only,  **  that  it  is  too  foon  to  judg^ 
«*  of  a  hufband's  difpofition  ;'  or  that  Defdemona  muft  not  be  fur- 
*«  pri^  a^  the  difcovery  of  Othello's  jealoufy,  for  it  is  not  even  a 
*'  year  or  two  that  will  difplay  all  the  failings  of  a  man."  ' 

Mr.  Toller,  however,  ou  this  occafion  has  produced  ieveral  in- 
llanccs  in  fopport  oi  Dr.  [ft>hufon*s  opiuioti ;  and  as  I  anii  unable 
to  explain  them  in  favour  of  my  own  fuppofition,  I  (hall  lajf 
them  before  the  public. 

What  fenlc  had  I  of  her  flolep  houi:8  of  luft  i 
I  law  it  not,  thought  it  not,  it  harm'd  not  me  : 
JJlept  the  next  n^gJH  ivell,  was  free  and  merry : 
I  found  not  CaHio's  killes  on  her  lips. 
On  OtieIlo*s  wedding  night  he  and  Caflio  embarked  from  Venice^ 
where  DejHemona  was  leh  under  the.  care  of  Ji^o.    They  all  meet 
at  Cyprus ;  and  fince  their  arrival  there,  the  icenes  include  only 
one  night,  the  night  of  the  celebration  of  their  nuptials.    la^ 
liad  not  then  iufufed  any  jealouly  into  Othello^s  mind,   nor  did  he 
fufpc£t  any  former  intimacy  b^twepn  CaJKo  and  DeJAcmon^^  but 
only  thought  it  "**  apt,  and  of  great  credit  that  (he  loved  him." 
What  night  then  wai  there  to  intervene  between  CaJfU^i  kifles  and 
QthMs  ileeping  the  next  night  well?   logo  has  {kid,  **  \  lay  with 
Cajjio  lately, .  whicK  he  could  not  have  done,  u^lefs  they  had  been 
longer  at  C^rui  than  is  reprefented  in  the  play;  nor  could  C^ 
have,  kept  away,  for  jhc  fpace  of  a  whole  week,  from  Sianca^     ' 
-         .       "     -         \  •  .,.     .  .     YfhicI^ 


THB  MaOR  OF  VENICE.      615 

Which  I  firft  gave  her ;  I  law  it  in  his  hand ; 
^  It  was  an  handkerchief,  an  antique  tollmen 
My  father  gave  my  mother.         ,    , 
.  ^miL  O  heaven!  O  heavenly  powers! 
lago.  Come,  hold  your  peace. 
^mil.  Twill  out,  'twill  out  :—l  hold  my  peace, 
fir?  no,      :  >         . 

No,  I  will  fpeak  as  liberal*  as  the  north-. 

Let 

'  //  wai  am  bandkercblef^  &c«]    Othello  tells  his  wife.  Ad.  y 
Sc.  10 : 

■         that  handhr chief 
Did  aii  Egyptian  to  wy  mother  give* 
And  here  he  fays : 

It  waf  an  handkerchiefs  ■  ^ 
My  father  gave  my  mother  * 
This  laft  pafTage  has  been  cenfured  as  an  overfight  in  the  poet : 
but  perhaps  it  exhibits  pnly  a  trelh  proof  of  his  art.  The  firft  ac- 
count of  the  handkerchief,  as  given  by  Othello,  was  purpofely 
oftentatious,.in  order  to  alarm  bis  wife  the  more.  When  he  men- 
tions it  a  fecond  time,  the  truth  was  fuffident  for  his  purpofe. 

This  circumftance  of  the  handkerchief  is  perhaps  ridiculed  by 
Ben  Jonfon,  in  his  Foetajler —  **  you  ihall  fee  me  do  the  Moor ; 
mafter,  lend  me  your  fiarf**  Steevens. 
,  I  queftion,  whether  Othello  was  written  early  enough  to  be  ridi- 
culed in  the  Poetafier.  There  were  many  other  Moon  on  the  ftagc. 
It  is  certain  at  leaft,  that  the  paflage, 

•*  Our  new  heraldry  is  ^^i«aSf,  not  ^^tfr/i/* 
popld  not  be  inferred  betore  the  middle  of  the  year  i6ii. 

Farmer. 
If  the  allufion  in  the  Poetajler  (which  was  printed  in  1601) 
were  to  Othello^  it  would  fix  its  date  much  earlier  than  I  conceive  it 
to  have  been  written. — But  the  allufion  in  the  paiTage  quoted,  is 
Dot  to  Othello^  but  to  an  old  play  called  the  iattle  of  Alcazar^ 
1594.— In  the  Poetafier^  Pyrgus,  who  fays,  ♦*  you  (hall  fee  me  do 
the  Moor^  proceeds  in  the  lame  fcene,  and  repeats  an  abfurd 
fpeech  of  the  Moor's  in  the  Battle  of  Alcazar^  l^ginnlqg  with 
this  line: 

*'  Where  vt  thou,  boy  ?  where  is  Calipolis  ?*• 
|(rhich.afcertains  the  allufion  to  be  to  th^t  play.     M^ifONSf 
•  —  as  the  north ;]     The  old  quanp  reads, 

rU  be  in  Jpeaking  liberal  as  the  ^ir. 
Liberal^  is  free,  under  no  contron).    This  quality  of  the  Northr 
l^ind  is  mentioned  in  ViHoria  Corambona^  &c.  1612: 

**  And  let  ih*  irregular  North  wind  fweep  her  up.** 

R  r  4  Againi 


6x6  O    T    Kf   B    L    L    0, 

Let  heavQOy  and  men,  and  devils,  1^  them  all^ 
All,  all,  cry  fiiame  againft  me,  yet  Til  {pe$k. 

laga.  Be  wife,  and  get  you  home. 

jEmii  I  will  not,  [logo  o^frs  U  fiah  bU  ^€. 

Gra.  Fie! 
your  fword  upon  a  woman  ? 

j^mil.  O  thou   dull  Moor!  that  handkerchieft 
thou  IpeakUtof, 
I  found  by  fortune,  and  did  give  my  hulband ; 
For  often,  with  a  folemn  e^rneftnefs, 
(More  than,  indeed,  belonged  to  fuch  a  trifle) 
He  begg'd  of  me  to  fteal  it. 

iago.  Villainous  whore ! 

jEmil.  She  give  it  Caffiol  no,  alas ;  I  found  it. 
And  I  did  give  it  my  hulband.        ' 

Jago.  Filth,  thou  lieft. 

jEmil.  By  heaven,  I  do  not ;  I  do  not,  gentlemen : 
O  murderous  coxcomb  !  what  fliouid  fuCh  a  fool 
Do  with  fo  good  a  wife  ? 

[Ugojiabs  bis  wife,  then  rtms  ouh 

Otb.  7  Are  there  no  ftones  in  heaven. 
But  what  fcrvc  for  the  thunder  f — Precious  villaiil ! 
'-  Grs. 

Again,  ift  Jrronzmfi^  i.  c.  the  firfl  part  of  the  Sfant/b  Tr^^^  i6o^ ; 

**  Now  1^  your  bloods  ht  Ghcral  as  thcfea."    t>T£EVENSt 

^  Are  there  noftones  in  hearoen^ 

But   what    fervc   for   the    thunder  T        ■  ]     What  occafion 

for  other,  when  ihofc  would  fervc  his  purpofc?    For  he  wanted 

i  thunderbolt  for  lago.'  Without  qucllion,  Shokefpeare  wrote 

and  pointed  the  tine  thus  :    '• 

Are  there  no  ft  ones  In  heaven  ? 

For  what  then  fervcs  the  thunder  f 

/.  e.  Are  there  no  bolts  in  heaven  for  this  villain  ?  for  what  pur- 
poie  then  ferves  the  thunder,  that  inflrument  of  his  vengeance  ? 

WA&BURTONr 
Are  there  no  ftones  in  heaven^ 

But  ^hat  Jerve  for  the  thunder  ?^^Thi9  emendation  of  Dr« 
Warburton's  is  furely  unncceffary. 

Othello  does  not  want  a  thunderbolt  for  lago.    Heonl^  aiks,  if 

there  arc  no  Icflcr  degreet  of  chaftifemeni  more  proportioned  to 

.......       ^  xbi$ 


THi  MOOR  dP  VEtflCi^      €if 

fOrd^  Thfi  woman  falk ;  farc^  he  has  Idll'd  hi« 
wife. 

jBmil.  Ay,  ay ;  CX  hy  me  by  my  roH!rcis»^  fide! 

Gra^  He's  gone  ^  but  his^  wife's  kill'd. 

Mon.  'Tis  4  Mtorioua  Tillaiiu    lake  you   diif 
weapon. 
Which  I  have  here  mcover'cf  from  the  Moor: 
Come^  guard  the  door  without ;  let  him  iM>t  paii^ 
But  kill  him  rather :  Yti  after  that  fame  villain, 
iFor  'cis  a  damned  flave.         [ExeutU  Mon.  and  Gr^^ 

Otb.  I  am  not  valiant  neither. 
But  every  puny  whipiSer  gpts  my  fword  :— 
But  why  Ihould  honour  out-live  hpnefty  I 
Let  it  go  all. 

jEiml.  What  did  thy  fong  bod^  lady? 
^ark»  can'ft  thou  hear  me  f  I  will  play  jthe  fwaOf 
And  die  in  muGck.    WillaWy  willow^  wSbmK^^ 
Moor,  (he  was  chafte ;  flie  lov'd  thee,  crud  Moor; 
So  corae  my  foul  to  blifs,  as  I  fpeak  true ; 
So  fpeaking  as  I  think,  |  die,-^l  die.  [pUs. 

'    Otb.  I  have  another  weapon  in  this  chamber, 
|t  is  a  fword  of  Spain,  9  the  ice-brook's  temper  ;«- 
O,  here  it  is : — Uncle,  I  fnuft  come  forth. 

Grs. 

the  guilt  of  mortals,  ready  to  drop  down  on  fuch  Tillains  at  la^ 
though  Omnipotence  withholds  its  thunder,  as  too  nobk  ah  w 
^rument  for  tne  punUhment  of  crimes  like  his^ 

The  fame  thought  occurs  in  The  Rivei^er^s  Trage^  l6o9« 
•      **  Is  there  no  thunder  left  f  or  is't  kept  up 

**  In  flock,  for  heavier  vengeance  ?** 
Shakefpeare  niieht  however  mean,    does  heaven  referve  iff 
thunder  only  to  mue  a  noife  ?  has  it  no  implements  of  mifchief 
to  puniih  as  weU  as  terrify  ? 
J  <i  ...^^  quum  fiilmina  torques 

*^  Neccjutcquam  horremus  ^  decique  in  nubibus  ignet 
*^  Temfieant  animoSy  et  inania  murmura  mifcent}'* 

SteI VINSJ 

*  And  die  ht  mufic^  &c«]  7^i'>  ^^^  ^^  ^^^  tormer  lines  of  th« 
i^peech,  are  wanting  in  the  flrft  quarto.    Steevens. 

^  -^the  ice-lro§Ks  temper ;]  In  the  firft  edition  it  it,  Ifehrekfi 
0mfef<,    Thence  corrupted  to  Ja^eoVs.^EMs  temferi   the 

waters 


^ift  OTHELLO, 

Cra.  [within.']  li  thou  attempt  it,  it  wiU  coft 
thee  dear ; 
Thou  haft  no  weapon,  and  perforce  muft  fuffer. 

0$b.  Look  in  upon  me  then,  and  fpeak  with  mc^ 
pr,  nak^  as  I  am,  I  will  9flau)t  thee, 

-    Re-enter  Gratian9^ 

Cra.  What  is  the  matter  ? 

Otb.  Behold !  I  have  a  weapon ; 
'A  better  never  did  itfclf  fuftain 
Upon  a  foldicr's  thigh :  I  have  feen  the  (Jay^ 
That,  with  this  little  arm,  and  this  good  fword, 
I  have  madie'iny  way  through  more  impediments 
^       » 

waters  of  that  river  of  Spain  arc  particularly  femous  for  tctnper-j 
ine  of  fteel.  The  fineft  arms  ia  the  world  are  the  Gataloman 
futo.    Pope, 

1  believe  the  old  reading  chapged  to  Ut-iraok  is  right.    Steel  is 
l^dened  by  being  put  red  hot  into  very  cold  uratcr.    Johnsok. 

The  particular  name  of  the  ice-hook  may  be  determined  by  the 
feirowing  paiTagea  in  Martial*  It  wa^  undoubtedly  the  krook  o( 
rivulet  called  S^^lo  (now  Xalon),  ntMBUhiUs  in  Ccltiberia.  In 
this  the  Spaniards  plunged  all  their  (words  and  other  weapons 
while  hot  from  the  forge ;  and  to  the /Vy  quality  of  the  waters^ 
|)iey  wcre-iadebted  for  their  fhibbom  temper : 
}  Ssvo  fiilbilin  optimam  metallo 
Et  ferro  Plateam  fuo  fonantcn^ 

3u2im\flu^u  tenui  led  inquieto 
rmorum  Salo  temperator  ambit* 
Aggin^    •  ,  . 

Quibus  remiffum  corpus  allringjis  brevi| 
Salone  qui  ferrum  z<^lat. 

Pugio,  quem  curvi^  fignat  brevis  orbita  veni% 
Stridentem  geliJis  hunc  Solo  tinxit  aquis* 
Again/  in  J^fiin^  1.  44«  "  Pracipua  his  quidem  fern  materia  fed 
aqua  ipfa  ferro  vjolentior;  quippe  temperamento  qus  ferruin 
acrius  redditur ;  nee  ullum  apud  eo^  teluro  probatur  quod  non  aut 
in  Biiiili  fiuvio  aut  Chalybe  tingatur.  Unde  etiam  Chalybes  fluYit 
tiujus  finitimi  appcllati,  ferroque  catteris  praeibure  dici^nwir.** 
Thefe  pans  of  Sj>ain  have  been  at  all  times  famous  ^  th(  tf^ppe^ 
of.thcir arras,    oteevens, 


¥hb  MOOR  or  VENigE.     6i$ 

Than  twenty  tiqics  your  ftop :— But,  O  vain  boaft  I 
Who  can  controul  his  fate  i  'tis  not  fo  now* — 
Be  not  afraid,  though  you  do  fee  me  weapqn'd  j 
Here  is  my  journey^s  end,  here  is  my  butt. 
The  very  fp^-mark  of  my  utmoft  fail. 
Do  you  go  back  difmay'd  ?  'tis  a  loft  fear;  "* 

IVIan  but  a  rufli  againft  Othello's  bregft. 
And  he  retires';— Where  (hould  Odiello  gp? 
I^ow,  JiQw.^oft  tho\i    look  now?    0    ill-ftarr'd 

wench ' ! 
Pale  as  thy  fmock!  when  we  (hall  m?et  at  compt,  ^ 
This  look  of  thine  will  hurl  my  foul  from  heayen. 
And  fiends  will  fnatch  at  it,    CqU,  cold,  my  girl  I 
Even  like  thy  chaftity— 
O  curfed,  curfed  Qave !— Whip  me,  ye  devils. 
From  the  ppffeffion  pf  this  heavenly  fight ! 
Blow  me  about  in  winds  I  roaft  me  in  fulphur ! 
Walh  me  in  ftecp-down  gulfsf  of  liquid  fire  !— 
O  Defdemona  ^  Defdemona  1  dead  i 
Pead?  p!  O!  01 

fini&  Lodovico^  Caffio  brought  in ;  Mont  am  ^  with  Iag(^ 
frifoneri  and  Officers. 

.    Lod.  When^'is  this  ra(h   and  moft  unfortunatq 
man? 

?  —  O  iU-ftarr^d'-Mench!^  Tf^is,  and  thp  fix  preceding  fines, 
are  omitted  in  the  Qril  quarto.  Wench  originally  fignified  onhr  a 
young  woman.  Cdjfandra^  in  Whetfione't  rromos^  &c.  I57t»fayt 
pf  herfelf  ^ 

*f  Oh  wretched  wencb^  where  may  I  firft  complayne?** 

"  Therefore,  fweet  nvencbe^  helpe  me  to  rue  niy  Woe/      ' 
ITic  word  18  ufe<}  without  any  diflionourable  meaning  in  th(; 
^  Pible.     "  And  a  wench  told  him,  &c.* 

And  again,  by  Gawin  Douglas,  in  his  vcrfion  of  the  ^neld: 
**  •?-  audetque  viris  concurrerc  tfim.** 
ii  This  wen/che  ftoqtljrc  rpncoqntcr  durU  with  men." 

SxEfVENS. 


6i&  b    T    H    E   t    L    O, 

Otb.  That^s  he,  that  was  Othello ;  here  I  am; 

Led*  Where  is  that  viper  ?  bring  the  villain  fyrthm 

Otb.  I  look  down  *  towards  bis  feet| — but  thzCi 
a  fable: 
If  that  thou  be'ft  a  devil,  I  cannot  kill  thee^ 

[ptbeSo  W0$mds  Idg^. 

Led*  Wrench  his  fword  from  him. 
.   lag^.  I  bleed,  fir;  but  not  kill'd. 

Otb.  lam  not  forry  neither ;  Fd  have  thee  five; 
For,  in  my  fenfe,  'tis  happinefs  to  die  \ 

'  Led.  O  thou  Othello,  that  waft  once  fo  good, 
FalTri  4  in  the  pradice  of  a  curfed  flave, 
What  (hall  be  faid  to  thee? 

Oib.  Why,  any  thing : 
An  honourable  murderer,  if  you  will^ 
por  nought  I  did  in  hate,  but  all  in  honour. 

Led.  This  wretch  hath  part  confefsM  his  villainy  ; 
Pid  you  and  bo  confent  in  Caflio's  death  ? 

Oib.  Ay, 

Caf.  Dear  general,  I  never  gave  you  caufc. 

oib.  I  do  believe  it^  and  I  a(k  your  pardon. 
Will  you,  I  pray,  demand  that  demi-devil. 
Why  he  bath  thus  enfnar'd  my  foul  and  body  ? 

Jage^  Demand  me  nothing:   What  you  kiioW| 
you  know : 
Jprom  this  time  forth  T  never  will  fpeak  word« 

Led  What  ?  not  to  pray  ? 

Gra.  Torments  will  ope  your  lips, 

Otb.  Well,  thou  ^oft  belt. 

» ,— towards  his  feet ; — ]    To,  fee  if,  accordiog  to  die  commoa 
opinion^  hi»  feet  be  cloven.    Johnson. 

'  For^  in  my  Jenfcy  *fis  baf^inefs  to  ^>.]     The  fame  thoo^C  Ittl 
already  occurred  in  Antov^  and  Cleopatra  : 
—  •Tis  well  thou*rt  gone— 
If  it  be  well  to  live.  Stekvek«. 

^  m^ia  thefra^lce^     la  theyW"^,  by  fliC Jratagm. 

JoHirso9« 


THE  MOOR  OP  YEVriCE.      6tt 

Lod.  &ir,  joa  Aall  ttodorftasdl  wbii  Jiatfa  fa0&U'n» 
"Which,  as  I  thtfik^  you  know  not:  Here  is  a  ktxes. 
Found  m  the  pocket  of  the  flain  Roderigo ; 
And  h^ty  another :  the  one  of  them  iaiportt 
The  death  of  Caffio  to  be  uaderteek 
By  Roderigo. 

Ofb.  O  villab ! 

Caf*  Moftiifiathenifh^andmoftgni&l 

Lod.  Now  here's  another  difconteHted  pi^)fr^ 
Found  in  his  pocket  too ;  and  tliia,  it  ibems, 
Roderigp  meant  to  have  fent  this  dananod  villaimi 
But  that^  belike,  la^  5  ia  the  tmerim 
C^ine  in  and  facisBed  him. 

Olh.  O  the  pernicious  caitiflf! — 
How  came  you,  Caflio,  by  that  handkerchief  . 
That  was  my  wife's  ? 

Ca/.  I  found  it  in  my  chamber : 
And  he  himfelf  confcfs'd^  but  even  now^ 
That  there  he  dropped  it,  for  a  fpecial  purpofe. 
Which  wrought  to  his  defire. 

Olb.  Ofool!  fool!  fool! 

Caf.  There  is,  befides,  in  Roderigo's  letter,—* 
How  he  upbraids  lago,  that  he  made  him 
Brave  me  upon  the  watch ;  whereon  it  came 
That  I  was  caft :  And  even  but  now  he  fpake^ 
After  long  feeming  dead^—Iagq  hurt  bim^ 
lago  fet  him  on. 

Lod.  You  muft  forfake  this  room,  and  go  with  us ; 
Tour  power  and  your  command  is  taken  ofT, 
And  Caffio  rules  in  Cyprus.    For  this  flave^^^ 
If  there  be  any  cunning  cruelty, 
That  oan  torment  him  much,  and  hold  him  long» 
tt  Ihall  be  his :  You  Ihall  clofe  prifoner  reft, 

*   »  — i/tihe  in/irim]    The  firft  copy  hat,  in  the  nick.    It  wai, 
I  fuppofc,  thought  upon  rcvifaJi  that  nick  was  too  familiar. 

JoHitaoif. 

Till 


gii  O    T    nt    L    L    Oi 

*TiU  that  the  nature  of  your  fault  be  known 

To  the  Venetian  ftatc.: — Come,  bring  him  away/    ' 

Ofb.  Soft  you-,  a  word  or  two,  before  you  go. 
I  have  done  the  ftateTome  fervice,  and  they  know  it  j 
No  more  of  that: — Lpray  you,  in  your  letters^ 
"When  you  Ihall  thefe  unlucky  deeds  relate, 
^  Speak  of  me  as  I  am ;  nothing  ekteniiate. 
Nor  fet  dowh  aughf  in  malice :  then  muft  you  Ipeak 
Of  one,  that  lovM  not  wifely,  but  too  wdl ; 
Of  one,  hot  eafily  jcatous,  but,  being  wrought, 
Pcrplcx'd  in  the  extreme  ;  7  of  one,  whofe  hand,    - 
Like  the  bafe  Judcan,  threw  a  pearl. away 

Richer 

•  Sfeai  rfm  as  lam;^]  Tht  firft  quarto  reads,  S^akoftbeak 
es  tbey  are.  The  prcfimc  rtOding,  which  \t  the  reaAng  of  the 
folio,  has  more  force  ,  JoHNloKi 

Uke  the  hafe  Indian,  threw  a  pwl  awa^ 

Richer  than  all  bis  tribe ; — ]  I  have  rclWred  JuJiOn^  fioni  the 
elder  quarto,  as  the  genuine  and  more  digible  readme;.^  Mr.  Pope 
thinks  this  was  ocoafioned  prpbd>l7  by  the  word  inSe  juft  after :  I 
have  many  reafons  to  oppote  this  opinion.  In  the  firll  place,  <hc 
moft  ignorant  In4ian^  I  believe,  is  lo  far  the  reverfe  of  the  ^k^- 
hill'cock  in  the  fahle^  as  to  know  the  efHmation  of  a  pearl  beyond 
that  of  a  barley-corn.  So  that,  in  that  refped,  the  thought  kictf- 
would  not,  be  juft.  Then,  if  our  author  had  defigned  to  refled 
on  the /^^<wf^  of  the  Indian  without  any  farther  reprpach,  he 
would  «have  called  him  ruJe,  and  not  hqfi.  Again,  t  ath  jxir- 
fuaded,  as  my  friend  Mr.  Warburton  long  ago  obfcrved^  the 
phrafe  is  not  here  literal^  but  metaphorical :  and,  by  his  pearly  oat. 
author  ^eiy<prpperly  means  a^/u  womoM.  But  Mr.  Pope  objcds 
ftrthcr  to  jeadfng  Judiany  becaufc,  to  makcfcnfe  of  this,  w^  muft- 
pre-fuppofc  Tome  particular  ftoryofajew  alluded  to;  ^hith  i« 
much  lefs  obvious :  but  has  Shakefpcare  never  done  this,  but  m 
this  fingle  inftance  ?  I  am  fatisfied,  in  his  Judiany  he  is^uding 
to  Herod ;  who,  m  a  fit  of  bUnd  jealoufy,  threw  away  fuch  « 
jewel  of  a  wife  as  Mariamne  was  to  him.  What  can  be  more 
parallel  irt  circumftance,  than  the  conduct  of  Hei*od  and  Othdlo? 
Nor  was  the  ftory  fo  little  obvious,  as  Mr.  Pope  feems  to  imagine : 
for,  in  the  year  1613,  the  lady  Elizabeth  Carew  publilhed  a  tra- 
gedy calkdMARiAii,-rAeFtfir  ^eenof  ]2.xvily.  I  (haU  only, 
add,  that  our  author  might  write  ywUan^  or  Ju^leaH  (if  that  ffiould 
be  aUcdged  at  any  objcftioiO  ia^ead  oijud^any  with  the  fame 


THE  MOOR  oi  VENICE.      6%i^ 

Richer  than  all  his  tribe;  of  one,  whofe  fubdu*d 

:    eyes. 
Albeit  unufed  to  the  melting  rnood^ 

Drog, 

Ikenct  and  change  of  accent,  as,  in  his  Arub&tff  and  Ckiftarm^ 
he  fhortens  the  fecond  fyllablc  pf  Euphrates  in  pronunciation  3 
which  was  a  liberty  likewife  taken  by  Spencer,  of  whom  our* 
author  was  a  fludious  imitator.    Theobald. 

Like  the  ia/e  Indian,  threw  a  pearl  mvay}  The  elder  qwto 
fcads  Judian^  and  this  is  certainly  right.  And  by  ^ejuditm  U 
meant  Herod,  whofc  ufagc  to  Mariamne  is  fo  appoute  to  the 
ipcakcr*8.cafe,  that  a  more  proper  inftance  could  not  be  thoD^far 
of.  Befides^,  he  was  the  fubjc6tof  a  tragedy  at  that  time,  as  ap- 
peals fipom  the  words  in  Hamlet,  where  an  ill  player  is  defcrib^y 

**  —  to  out-herod  Herodw" 
The  metaphorical  term  of  ^ pearl  for  a  fine  woman,  is  fo  ct>mmoa 
as  fcarce  to  need  examples.     In  Tik>ilus  and  Qreffida^  a  lover  iayt 
of  his  midrefs, 

"  There  (he  lies  a  pearl.*— 
And  again, 

"  Why  (he  is  'k pearly  whofe  price,**  &c.  WARBtyttOPR^ 
hike  the  bafe  Judearty  threw  a  pearl  avMty 
Richer  than  all  his  tribe J\  1  canpot  join  with  the  leamc^d 
critics  in  conceiving  this  paflage  to  refer  either  to  the  ignorance 
of  the  natives  of  India,  in  refpcifl  of  pearls^  or  the  well-knowil 
ftory  of  Herod  and  Mariamne.  The  poet  might  juft  as  fairly  \m' 
fuppofed  to  have  alluded  to  that  of  Jeptha  and  his  daughter. 

Othello,  in  deteftation  of  what  he  had  done,  feems  to  contpare 
himfelf  tq  another  perfon  who  had  thrbwn  away  H  thing  of  vak^^ 
with  ibme  clrcumftances  of  the  mtaneft  villainy ^  which  the  epithet 
hafe  feems  to  imply  in  its  general  ftnfe,  though  it  is  fometimes  uf^d 
only  for  low  or  mean^    The  Indian  could  not  properly  be  termed 
iafe  in  the  former    and' moft  common  fcnre,^wnofc  fault  was 
ignorance^  which  brings  its*  own  excufe  with  it ;  -and  the  crime  of 
Herod  furely  deferves  a  more  aggravated  diftindifin*.     For  though 
in  every  crime,  great  as  well  as  Imail,  there  ^s^  degree  of  bafencis^ 
yet  tht/tp-iis  agifatus  amory  fuch  as  tonirtbuted  to  that  of  Hettxty 
'feems  to  aik  a  ftrongerword  to  characterize  it ;  as  thcrefWas^iWi 
at  leaft  in  what  he  did,   though  the  fpirit  of  a  fi^nd,  and  the  epi- 
thet hafe  would  better  fuit  with  petty  Uircet^  rhah  royal  guilt,     Bc- 
lides,  the  fimile  appears  to  me  too  appolite  alrtioft  to  be  ufed  on 
the  occafiou,  and  is  little  more  than  bringing  the  fedt  into  com- 
parifon  with  itfelf.     Each  through  jealouly  hid-  deftroyed  an  in* 
nocent  wife,  circumftanccs  fo  parallel,  as  hardly  to  admit  of  that 
•  ▼aricty  which  wc  generally  find  iu  one  aliufida,  which  ii  mcan^ 
^         .  ..  ^  .  •  ....  IQ 


6ft4  O    T    H    E    t   1    d^ 

Drop  tctn  as  iiaft  as  the  ArabiaD  trees 
Their  incd*cinable,gum :  Set  you  down  tWs  t 

16  Hluftrate  asodier,  and  at  the  ianoic  time  to  appear  ai  moie  than 
a  Aip«#Q9U»  oHMincQf*    Of  a  like  kiiid  of  imperfettoat  ttierc 
is  an  MkibuiGe  ui  Virgil,  3.  Xi*  where  after  CamiUa  Aodher  ac*- 
Uwdavai  have  bean  de^ibed  at  abibbi^  Amazons ; 
**  At  mediasimerciadesexui^d  Amazon 
<'  Unuai  ezeita  latus  pogoc  fbar^traa  Camilla* 
"  At  (circvvi  Ic^  comi^  &c. 
lee  find  them,  moe  lines  a^,  compared  lathefAmazooa  diem- 
ftUi^^AQ  IfippolTta  or  Penthefiica,  fumunded  by  their  compaoiooa : 
«*  Q^ales  Throici«,  cum  ftumijoa  Thermodontit 
<'  P^irant,€tp'i(^beUanturAa>azQoesjairmJs: 
•«  Seu  circum  Hypolieep,  &!Jif\m  fe  mania  oirni 
**  Peathefika  tefert.'' 
What  is  this  but  brining  a  hiBt  idto  companioa  with  itf^te 
Neither  do  I  believe  the  poet  intended  to  make  the  piefeot  fimile 
coincide  with  all  the  accumftances  of  Othello's  fituarion,  but 
merdy  with  the  finglc  aa  of  having  ktftif  (as  he  hiroiaf  tetoa  i^ 
^jftwyodthat-onwich  he  oMght|#  have  let  a  greater  value.    A* 
die  pearltaxf  bear  a  literals  wdl  as  a  «irt<5^Aar»iw/  f^ok^^  ^^^ 
lather  choofe  to  <akc  it  in  the  UteraJ  ojae,  and  receive  Mr.  Pope  a 
idcaed  cxplanatioo,  fre:fuf4^  Jhpu  My  <^  f^  -^  ^» 
which  might  be  weU  undciitood  at  that  time,  thouch  now  perhapi 
fbreptten,  or  at  kaft  imperfcaiy  rcmember*d,    I  have  read  la 
feme  hook,  aa  andent  as  the  time  of  Shakefpearc,  the  toUowmg 
«ile;  thcMigb,  «t  prefent,  I  am  uaajble  either  torecollea  the  ntk 
pf  the  piece,  orthe  author's  name.  .     sa.         ^ 

A  Jew,  who  had  been  prii9ner  for  many  yean  m  *ltant  parts^ 
bcought  with  him  at  his  return  to  Venice  a  great  number  ot  pearls, 
(Which  he  oficrcd  on  the  change  among  the  merchants,  and  (one 
lOone  excepted)  dilpofed  of  them  to  his  faustaaion.  Oajug 
■earL  whiA  was  the  hurgeft  ever  ihewn  at  market,  he  had  feed  an 
JCnoden«e  price,  nor  could  be  perfkwled  to  make  the  ^^ 
»aBt.  Many  of  the  magniiicos,  as  wcU  as  traders,  ^Saed  hiy 
confiderabk  fums  for  it,  but  he  was  rcfolute  m  his  firft  dmand. 
At  latt,  after  iqicated  and  unfuccefsfiil  applications  to  uKUviduals^ 
ke  aflemWed  the  merchants  of  the  city,  by  proclamaaon,  to  meet 
mm  on  the  Rialto,  where  he  once  more  expofed  it  to  lidc  on  me 
Ibrmer  terms,  but  to  no  purpofe.  After  having  expatiated,  tor 
.^le  M  time,  on  the  fingular  beauty  and  value  of  it,  be  threw 
h  fuddcnly  into  the  fea  befinre  them  alL  Though  thu  anecdote 
may  appear  inconfiftent  with  the  avarice  ot  a  Jcwr,  yet  it  liO- 
^ficwQt^lgtecs  with  the  fpirit  fo  rcmark^bk  ^t  aU  times  w  tjie 
.fcatier'd  remains  of  that  TindiOife  natioa,  j^i^^caiA 


THE  MOOR  o^  VENICE.      6a$ 

And  fay,  btfidcs, — that  in  Aleppo  once. 

Where 

Shakcfpeare*5  fecraing  averfion  to  the  Jews  iii  general,  and  his 
cotoftatit  dcfire  to  cxpofe  their  avarice  and  bafencji  as  ofren  as  he 
had  an  opportunity,  may  fcrve  to  ftrcngtheh  my  fuf^pofltioa ; 
and  as  that  nation,  in  his  timd,  and  iince,  has  not  been  tampus 
for  crimct  daring  and  confpicuous^  but  has  rather  contented  itfelf 
to  thrive  by  the  nrjcaner  and  more  fuc(5cr8ful  arts  oihafimfs^  there 
ieems  to  be  a  particular  propriety  in  the  epithet.  When  FalllatF 
is  juftifying  himfelf  in  Henry  IV,  be  adds,  "  If  what  I  have 
**  faid  be  not  true,  I  am  a  Jew,  an  Ebrcw  Jew,**  /.  e,  one  of  the 
rooft  fufpe^ted  characters  of  the  time.  '  The  li^^er  of  a  Jew  is  aa 
ingredient  in  the  cauldron  of  Macbeth;  and  the  vigilance  foir 
gain,  which  is  defcribed  in  Shylock,  may  afford  us  reafon  to  fup* 
pofe  the  poet  was  alluding  to  a  ftory  like  that  already  quoted. 

Richer  than  all  his  trihe^  feems  to  point  out  the  Jew  again  iti  a 
tnercantile  light ;  and  may  mean,  that  the  pearl  ^jcas  richer  than  all 
the  gems  to  be  fittnd  among  afet  qfmen  generally  trailing  in  iljcm. 
Neither  do  I  rccollcdt  that  Othello  mentions  many  things,  but 
what  he  might  fairly  have  been  allowed  to  have  had  knowledge 
of  in  the  courfe  of  his  peregrinations.  Of  this  kind  are  the  fimi&s 
of  the  Euxine  fea  flowing  into  the  Propontick,  and  the  Arabian 
trees  dropping  their  gums.  The  refl  of  his  ipeeches  are  more 
free  from  mythological  and  hiftorical  alluiions,  than  almoft  any 
to  be  found  in  Shakefpeare,  for  he  is  never  quite  clear  from  them ; 
though  in  the  delign  of  this  charaiSier  he  feems  to  have  meant  it 
for  one  who  had  (pent  a  greater  part  of  his  life  in  the  Reld,  than 
in  the  cultivation  of  any  other  knowledge  than  what  would  be 
of  ufe  to  him  in  his  military  capacity.  It  ihould  be,  obferved^ 
that  moft  of  the  flouriihes  merely  ornamental  were  added  after 
the  firit  edition ;  and  this  is  not  the  only  proof  to  be  met  with, 
that  the  poet  in  his  alterations  fometimes  forgot  his  original  plan. 

The  metafhorkal  term  ff  a  pearl  for  a  fine  Kjjomanf  may,  for 
aught  I  knowy  be  very  common  ;  but  in  the  inftanccs  Dr.  War- 
burton  has  brought  to  prove  it  fo,  there  are  found  circuroftances 
that  immediately  (hew  a  woman  to  have  been  mcanti  S0|  ia 
Troilus  and  Crcjida : 

*•  Her  bed  is  India,  there  shb  lies  u  pearl. 

«*  Why  SHE  is  z pearl  whofe  price  hath  launched,**  &c* 

In  Othello^s  fpeech  we  find  no  fuch  leading  expreflion ;  and  are 
therefore  at  liberty,  I  think,  to  take  the  paflage  in  its  literal  mean* 
ing. 

Either  we  are  partial  to  difcovcries  which  we  make  fpr  our- 

felves,  or  the  fpirit  of  controvcrfy  is  conugious ;  tor  it  ufually 

happens  that  each  pofleiTor  ot  an  anci^t  copy  ot^  our  author  is 

.  led  to  alTert  the  fupenority  of  all  fucb  teadbgs  as  have  not  been 

Vol.  X.  S  s  exhibited 


Pi6  OTHELLO, 

^  Where  a  malignant  and  a  turban'd  Turk 

Beat  a  Venetian,  and  traduced  the  (late, 

I  took  by  the  throat  the  circumcifed  dog. 

And  fmote  him — thus*  [Staps  bimfelf. 

LoL  O  bloody  period ! 

Gra^  All,  that  is  fpoke,  is  marr*d. 

Otb.  \  kifs'd  thee,  'ere  I  kill'd  thee ;— No  way 

but  this,  {FaUing  upon  Difdeni. 

Killfng  myfelf,  to  die  upon  a  kifs  ^  [JDw. 

exhibited  in  the  note»,  or  received  into  the  text  of  the  laft  edition, 
bn  this  account,  our  prcfent  republication  (and  more  efpecially  in 
^he  celebrated  plays)  affords  a  greater  number  of  ihefc  diverfities 
^han  were  ever  before  obtruded  on  the  public.    A  time  however 
pay  arrive,  when  a  complete  body  oi  variations  being  printed, 
our  readers  may  luxuriate  in  an  ample  fenft  of  tbats  and  ^bicbesi 
snd  thenceforwaid  it  may  be  prophecied,  that  all  Will  uniie  in  a 
wift  that  the  fele^f^ion  had  been  made  by  an  editor,  rather  than 
Submitted  to  their  own  labour  and  fagacity. 
*    To  this  note  fhoUld  be  fubjoined  (as  an  apology  for  many  others 
which  may  hot  be  thought  to  bring  conviction  with  them)  that 
ihe  true  fenfe  of  a  paffagc  has  frequently  remained  undctcrinined, 
till  repeated  experiments  have  been  tried  on  it ;  when  one  com- 
mentHtor,  making  a  proper  ufe  of  the  errors  of  another,  has  at  lalt 
explained  it  to  univcrfal  fadsfadtion.    When  miftake»  have  fuch 
ictfecSs,  who  would  regret  having  been  miftaken,  or  be  forry  to  prove 
the  means  of  dire^^ng  others,  by  that  affinity  which  a  wrong 
reading  or  interpretation  fometimes  has  to  the  right,  though  he 
has  not  been  fo  lucky  as  to  produce  at  once  authorities  which  could 
fiot  be  queftioned,    or  decifions  to  wliich    nothing  could   be 
idded?    Steevens. 

•  I  abide  by  the  old  text,  ««  the  bafe  Jttdian^  Shakefpearc  fcems 
to  allud^  to  Herod  in  the  play  of  Mariamne: 
"*       *   **  I  had  butone  ineuimableyntr/*— 
•*  Yet  I  in  fuddaiiie  cholcr  caft  it  downe, 

f*  And  daifht  it  ail  to  pieces.** '    Farmer. 

•  fVbere  a  ' malignant  and  a  turhand  Turh'\     I  am  told  that  it  is 
immediate  death   for  a  ChriAian  to  Urike  a  Turk   in  A^eppol 
Othello  is  boafling  of  his  own  audacity.     Ai^'oN. 
'   ?  Killing  myfilfy  to  die  upon  a  k]fs,'\     So,  in  the  Second  Part  of 
l^arlow's  Tanihurlaine^  1 590 : 
*''  *        **  Yet  let  me  kiile  my  lord  before  I  dye, 

J^  And  let  me  dye  with  kiffing  of  my  lord."     Steevens. 


^nu   MOOk  oi   VENICE.      627 

Cqf.  This  did  I  fear,  but  thought  hfc  had  no  tvca- 
pon; 
For  he  was  great  of  heart. 
. '  Lod.  »  O  Spartan  dog» 
More  fell  than  anguilh,  hunger^  or  the  fea ! 
Look  on  the  tragic  loading  of  this  bed ;     [To  Ingt)'. 
This  IS  thy  work  :  the  objefl  poifons  fight  j — ^ 
t^ct  it  be  hid. — Gratiano,  keep  the  houfe, 
And  feize  upon  the  fortunes  of  the  Moor^ 
For  they  fucceed  on  you. — *  To  you;  lord  gdvemor^ 

Remains 

'  O  Sfariun  dcg!]    The  dogs  of  Spartan  race  ^ere  reckoned 
among  thofe  of  the  moft  fierce  and  favage  kind.    Hanmer. 

*  —  TayoUf  iifrJ  governor  J 
Rtmains  the  cenfure  rf  this  hellt/b  vtltain ;]  R3rmer^  whb  tad 
iieither  vigour  of  imagination  to  make  a  poet,  nor  ftrength  of 
judgment  to  make  a  critic,  as  appears  from  bis  Edgar^  aud  hi4  - 
Remarks  on  Shakeffteare^  had  yet  juu  enough  to  plav  the  buifbon  and 
caviller*  His  criticifm  on  the  Poets  of  the  lafi  age^  vrith  only  d 
mixture  of  trite  remarks,  tranfcribed  froiti  the  French  commentatort 
on  AriflotUy  are  one  continued  heap  of  ignorance  and  infolencc. 
Almoft  the  only  remark  on  Shakefpeare,  which,  I  think,  deferves 
an  anfwer,  is  upon  lago's  charadcr,  which  he  thus  ccnfures.  ..Tq 
entertain  the  audience  ((zys  ht)  with  ybmetbing  new  and /arfrifingp 
agoing  common  fenje  and  nature^  he  would pafs  upon  us  a  ciofe^  dijjem" 
hlin^^  falffy  ungrateful  rajcal^  injlead  of  an  openrheartedy  frank^  plainr 
dealing  foldier^  a  charaHer  coTtfiantly  worn  iy  them  for  fome  thoujands 
qfyears  in  the  world.  This  hath  the  appearance  of  fenfe,  being 
founded  on  that  rule  of  Nature  afad  Ariftotky  that  each  charadter 
ihould  have  manners  convenient  to  the  age,  fex,  and  condition* 

jEtatis  cu/ujfue  kotandt/itnt  tibi  mores^  &c.  , 
fays  Horace,  But  how  has  our  critic  applied  it  ?  According  to 
•this  rule  it  is  contefled,  that  a  foldier  ihould  be  brave,  generous^ 
and  a  man  of  honour.  This  is  to  be  his  draniatic  character* 
But  eitht^r  one  or  more  of  any  order  may  b(5  brought  ini  If  only 
bne,  then  the  character  of  the  order  takes  its  denomination  froiti 
the  manners  of  that  one.  Had  therefore  the  only  foldief  in  ihis 
play  bcea  lago,  the  rule  had  been  tranfgrefled,  and  Rymcr's  cen- 
fure .well  founded.  For  then  this  eteriud  villain  muft  have  giveii 
the  charader  of  the  foldiery ;  which  had  been  unjuft  and  uttna-f 
tural.  But  it  a  number  of  the  fame  order  be  reprefented,  theri 
the  chflraQtr  of  the  order  is  taken  from  the  manners  of  the  ma- 
S  s  1  jorityj 


628  OTHELLO, 

Rf  Riains  the  ccnfure  ^  of  this  hellifh  villain ;    * 
The  time»  the  place,  the  torture, — O  inforce  it ! 
Myfclf  will  ftraight  aboard  ;  and,  to  the  date. 
This  heavy  aft  with  heavy  heart  relate  4.      [Exeunt. 

jority ;  and  thig,  according;  to  nature  and  common  fcnfe.  Now 
in  this  pby  rheic  aie  m^ny  of  the  order  of  the  foldiery;  and  all^ 
cxccptiiig  lago,  rcprefented  as  ojien,  generous,  and  brave,  f'lon^ 
tlr/e  the  ru'd'>t:)*s  charatfler  is  to  betaken;  and  not  from  lago, 
uho  is  brought  as  ^n  exception  to  it,  nnlefs  it  be  unnatural  to 
fuppofe  there  could  be  an  exception  ;  or  xh^  a  villain  ever  in- 
fnuated  himleU'  into  that  cnps.  And  thus  SUakefpeare  iUnds 
dear  of  this  imjxrrinent  criticifm.     Warburtok* 

^  — f/je  cenfurc]  i.  e.  the  fentence.  So,  in  Hinde*|  EUqfia 
Libldinojhy  1606 :  "  Eliofto  and  Cleodora  were  afloni/h^  at 
luch  a  hatil  cenfurc ^  and  went  to  Limbo  mod  willingly.** 

Steevbks. 

♦  This  Jjcaijy  afl  'with  beany  heart  reluu\  The  beauties  of  this 
play  imprefs  thtinfelves  fo  llronely  upon  the  attention  of  the  rear 
cler,  that  rhcy  can  drav^r  no  aid  from  critical  illuftration.  The 
<iery  openneis  of  Othello,  magnanimous,  artlefs,  and  credulous, 
boundkfs  in  his  confidence,  ardent  in  his  affe^ion,  inflexible  in 
bis  refolution,  and  obdurate  in  his  revenge  >  the  cool  malienity 
of  lago,  fileut  in  his  rcfentment,  fubtle  in  his  defigns,  and  (hi* 
dious  at  once  of  his  intereft  and  hii  vengeance;  the  foft  dm* 
pUcity  of  Defdemona,  confident  of  merit,  and  confcious  of  iimo- 
cence,  her  artlefs  perfcverance  in  her  fqit,  and  her  llowncfe  to 
fufpedt  chat  ^a^  c^n  be  iafpei^ed,  are  fuch  proofs  of  Sbakefpeare*s 
ikill  in  human  nature,  as,  I  fuppofe,  it  is  vain  to  feck  m  any 
modern  writer.  The  gradual  progrefs  which  lago  makes  in  the 
Moor's  conviction,  and  the  circun^ftanccs  which  he  employs  to 
;niiame  him,  are  ib  artfully  natural,  that,  though  it  will  perhapt 
not  be  faid  of  him  as  he  fays  of  himfelf,  that  be  is  a  mfm  Moi 
tafily  jealous^  yet  we  cannot  bu^  pity  him,  whcnatlaft  we  find 
^Lim  ferpUxed  in  the  extreme^ 

There  is  always  danger,  left  wickcdnefs,  coi^oioed  with  abili- 
ties, ftiould  deal  upon  e^eem,  though  it  fpilTe^  of  approbatioo ; 
but  the  charader  of  lago  is  fo  conduiSted,  that  he  is  ^om  thie  &rft 
fcene  to  the  laft  hated  and  defpifed. 

Even  the  inferior  charaiSters  of  this  play  would  be  very  coo- 
fpicuous  in  any  other  piece,  not  only  for  their  jullnefs,  but  their 
llrengrh.  Caifco  is  brave,  benevolent,  and  honeft,  ruined  only  by 
his  want  of  ilubbornnefs  to  reiifl  an  infidious  invitation.  Kode* 
rigo's  fufpicious  credulity,  and  impatient  fubmiffion  to  the  cheau 
yyhich.hefees  pra^f^ifed  upon  him,  and  which  by  perfuafipi\  he 

J  '  ■        '  fuficri 


THE  MOOR  OP  VENICE.      629 

fufFcre  to  be  repeated,  exhibit  a  ilrong  pi<5ture  of  a  weak  mind 
betrayed  by  unlawful  defires  to  a  falle  friend  ;  and  the  virtue  of 
Emilia  is  fuch  as  we  often  find  worn  loofely,  but  not  caft  of^ 
eafy  to  commit  fmall  crimes,  but  quickened  and  alarmed  at  atro- 
cious villainies. 

The  fcenes  from  the  beginning  to  the  end  arc  bufy,  iraried 
by  happy  interchanges ,  and  r^ularly  promoting  the  progreflioa 
of  the  ft6ry ;  and  the  narrative  in  the  end,  though  it  tells  but 
what  is  known  already,  yet  is  neceilary  to  produce  the  death  ok 
Othello. 

Had  the  fcene  opened  in  Cyprus,  and  the  preceding  incident* 
been  occafionally  related,  there  had  been  little  wanting  to  a 
«irama  of  the  moll  exa&  and  fcrupulous  regularity.    Johnson, 


THE     END. 


Vol.  X.  laftLeaf. 

ACCIDENTAL    OMISSIONS,    &c* 

I    N 
V  O  L  U  M  E     L 


Jdd  the  folUwiMjf  account  rftht  difeendants  of  our  great  poet  ^  su 
a  note  to  the  name  ^ John  Hall.    Fol^  L    Preface^  page  ziZm 

John  Hair  — -  Sufanna  daughter  and  cohekeft 

J         of  William  Shakfpearc 

Elizabeth  Hall  =:  Thomas  Nafh,  Efq. 

I 

A  daughter        =z=  Sir  Reginald  Forfter  of 
I         Warwicklhire. 

*  ■      ■  ■     ■  ^ 

Franklyn  Miller  =  Jane  Forfter, 
ofHideHall,Co. 
Hertford. 


Nicholas  Miller  =r  Mary* 


Nicholas  Franklyn  Miller 
of  Hide  Hall,  the  only 
furviving  branch  of  the 
family  ot  Miller. 

This  defcent  appears  from  the  old  writings  in  the  pofleflion  of 
that  family.  I  am  indebted  for  it  to  the  kindnefs  of  the  Rcr.. 
Mr,  Whalley ,  the  learned  editor  of  the  Works  of  Ben  Jonfon. 

Add  to  the  Lift  of  Plays  altered  from  Shalfpeare^  p.  2^^. 

^  Pyramus  and  Thlfbe,  a  Comic  Mafque,    by  Richard  Leve* 
ridge,  performed  at  Lincoln's  Inn  Fields*    8vo. .  1 7  z6» 

Add  page  244.  '' 

A  Cure  for  a  Scold,  a  Ballad  Opera,  by  James  Worfdalf^  8to^ 
Taken  from  the  Taming  of  a  Shre^%   .x2iftob   2738»   /^ ' 

Jdl 


Aiit9  the  Lijl  o/DetacMFiices  efCritid/m  #a»  Sbaiffiari^  tsfr. 
page  2^1. 

Notes  and  Various  Readings  on  Shakfpcare,  Part  tbc  Firft, 
&c.  with  a  feencral  Gloflary.     By  Edward  Capcll,  410.  1775. 

Merry  Wives  ofWindfor^  page  357. 

het  ihejfy  rain  potatoes^ — hculkiffing  comfiH^  and /now  eringoes: 
let  there  come  a  tempeji  ofprQVocationJ\ 

On  tbispajjage  add  the  folhvoiug  ncte* 

HolinHied  informs  us,  that  in  the  year  1 583,  for  the  entertain- 
ment of  prince  Alafco,  was  performed  **  a  verie  ftatelie  trage- 
dic  named  Dido^  wherein  the  queen's  banket  (with  iEncas  nar- 
ration of  the  deftrudion  of  Troie)  .  was  livelie  defcribcd  in  a 
marchpalne  patterne,— /i^^  tempeft  wherein  it  hailed  fmall  cemfeHs^ 
rained  rofewater^  and /hew  an  artificiall  kind  effnow^  all  fl  range, 
marvellous  and  abundant.*'  On  this  circumftance  very  probably 
Shakfpeare  was  thinking,  when  he  put  the  words  quoted  above 
iato  the  mouth  of  FalftaBf*    Ste£  y£ns. 


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