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♦  » 


^ 


.# 

*■-< 


^■T,*fc* 


THE 


WORKS 


O    F 


SHAKESPE^R: 


VOLUME   the  FIRST. 


CON  TAIN  ING, 

^bt  T  E  M  P  E  S  T. 

A  Midsummer-Night's  Dream. 

!?2f  T^i^o  Gentleme  N  ^Verona* 
^be  Merry  Wives  o/" Windsor, 
Measure  for  Measure. 


m$^ 


Z  O  N  D  O  N: 

Printed  fo?  7.  and  P.  Knapton^  S.  Biru  T.  Legman  and 
T.  Shew<U^  H,  Lintot,  C.  Hitchy  J,  Brindley,  J,  and  JC.  7<w. 
fin  and  S,  Draprr^  R,  WtiUngim,  E,  NtWj  and  B.  Dad. 

MDCCXLVU. 


/aws','^ 


£    R    R    A    T    A, 

fAg*  *„%  M  ulc  'V  would  catch  ttfid  would  t  catch,  p.  loj.  L  £> 
y^i' thil  rrtrf  hi"  ^.■.  465.  1.  1.  jfflr  gords  rrdrf  gofd.  p.  jjfi^  t.  a|-/f** 
vrofd  rrdi  words,    p.  441*  J.  j6.  y«r  with  rwi  wJIb'd, 


r 


T    O 


M"^'  ALLEN 

O  F 

P   R    I    O   R-P   ARK 

NEAR    Bath. 


Madam, 

DDRESSES  of  this  Nature 

have  been  long  the  cuftomary 

Tribute  of  Letters  to  fuperior 

Merit:     And    tho'    Flattery 

may  have  thrown  them  into  Difrepute 

yet  this  concludes  no  more  againft  the 

Continuance  of  honeft  Praiie^  than  Hy- 

Vol,  I.  A  2  pocrify 


I 
I 


I 


DEDICATION. 

pocrify  docs  againft  the  Praftice  of  Re- 
ligion. But  Adulation  no  fooncr  began 
to  belye  its  Subject,  than  it  perverted 
the  very  Purpofe  of  its  Application ; 
while,  amongft  its  many  artful  tra- 
verfes,  it  would  now  beg  Protedion  for 
the  Book;  and,  now  again,  conftitute 
the  Patron  the  Ibvereign  Judge  of  its 
Merit. 

In  this  Light,    Madam,    you  might 
reafonably  wonder  to  fee  a  Colleftion 
of  Plays  dedicated  to   one  who  reads 
few  Books  befides   tliofe  of  Piety  and 
Moral ;    and    will  think,    the   Addrcfs 
might  have  been  made  with  fomewhat 
lefs  Impropriety  even  to  a  Bifhop.     This 
is  true :  but,  as  I  faid,  this  literary  Con- 
nexion is  not,    of  right,    between  the 
Patron  and  the  Work  ;     but   between 
him  and  the  Author,     Who,    to  carry 
on  his   Commerce  with  a  good    Con- 
fcience,  muft  therefore  fearch  narrowly 
for  a  Subjed  which  will  not  ^iftionour 

Letters, 


DEDICATION, 

Letters,  while  he  is  giving  that  to  Me-^ 
rit,  which  only  Letters  can  beftow.  But 
I  need  not  be  afham'd  to  iky,  that  the 
Knowledge  of  you,  has,  at  the  fame 
time>  abridged  my  Labour,  and  re^ 
Warded  the  Integrity  of  my  Purpofe. 
For  if  Friendfhip,  Generolityj  and  the 
Benevolence  of  Charity,  added  to  every 
female  Virtue  that  moft  adorns  your 
Sex,  demand  this  Acknowledgmentj  it 
would  be  hard  to  find  where  it  fhould 
be  earlier  paid,  or  to  whom,  in  fullei* 
Meafiircj  returned. 

If  any  now  fhould  affeA  to  ask. 
What  Stranger  this  is,  of  whom  fo  much 
is  faid  ?  Let  him  know,  that  this  his 
Ignorance  is  your  fupreme  Praife;  whofe 
Matron-modefty  of  Virtue  declines  all 
Notice,  but  where  the  Influence  of  your 
domeftic  Character  extends.  If,  haply, 
you  have  any  further  Ambition,  it  is 
only  this,  the  being  known  to  confli- 
tute  the  domeftic  Happinefs  of  a  Man 
A  3  who 


DEDICATION^ 

who  does  Honour  to  human  Nat 

The  mention  of  whofe  Relation  to  you, 
reminds  me  of  my  own  Happinefs  j  who 

'^cnjoy  fo  equal  and  ib  perfect  a  Share  ^ 
^n  both  your  FriendQiips,      This  too  is  ^ 

[-my  Fame  and  Reputacion,  as  well  as 
Happinefi  j  for  Ambition  would  lofe  its 
Aim,  were  I  to  wifti  that  any  thing  of 
me,  or  minej  fhould  laft  longer  than 
the  Memory  of  that  Friendfliip.     I  am, 


i 


MADAM, 


Thur  moji  obliged 


and  mojl  faithful  Servani^ 


W.  WaRburton* 


LM' 


<-^P^Ccr 


PREFACE 


IT  hath  been  no  unufual  thing  for  Writert,^ 
when  diffatisfied  with  the  Patronage  orjudg* 
mcnt  of  their  own  Times,  to  appeal  to  Pofle- 
rity  for  a  fair  Hearing.  Some  have  even  thought 
fit  to  apply  to  it  in  the  firft  Inftance ;  and  ta 
decline  Acquaintance  with  tlie  Public  till  Envy 
and  Prejudice  had  quite  fubfidcd.  But,  of  all 
the  Trufters  to  Futurity,  commend  me  to  the 
Author  of  tlie  following  Poems,  who  not  only 
left  it  to  Time  to  do  him  Juflice  as  it  would, 
but  to  find  him  out  as  it  could.  For^  what  be- 
tween too  great  Attention  to  his  Profit  as  a  Player, 
and  too  little  to  his  Reputation  as  a  Poet,  his 
Works,  left  to  the  Care  of  Door-keepers  and 
Prompters,  hardly  efcaped  the  common  Fate  of 
ihofe  Writings,  how  good  foever,  wliich  are 
abandoned  to  their  own  Fortune,  and  unpro- 
tefted  by  Party  or  Cabal.  At  length,  indeed,  they 
ftnigglcd  into  Light  \  but  fo  difguifed  and  tra- 
vefled,  that  no  clafTic  Author,  after  having  run  ten 
fecular  Stages  thro'  the  blind  Cloifters  of  Monks 
and  Canons,  ever  came  out  in  half  fo  maimed 
and  mangled  a  Condition*  But  for  a  full  Ac- 
count of  his  DiforderSj  I  refer  the  Reader  to  tb« 
excellent  Difcourfe  which  follows,  and  turn  my-^ 
felf  to  confider  die  Remedies  that  have  been  ap* 
plied  to  them. 

A  4  SbiikeJPfar^% 


iii  PREFACE, 

Sbakefpear^  Works,  when  they  clcapcd  the 
Pkyers,  did  not  fall  into  much  better  Hands 
when  they  came  amongll  Printers  and  Book- 
fcUers :  who,  to  iay  the  Truth,  had,  at  firft,  bat 
Cnall  Encouragement  for  putting  him  into  a  better 
Condidon.  The  ftubborn  Nonfenfe,  with  which 
lie  was  incruftcd^  occafioned  his  lying  long  neg- 
Jefted  amongtl  the  common  Lumber  of  the 
Stage.  And  when  that  refiftlefs  Splendor, 
which  now  (hoots  all  around  him,  had,  by  de- 
grees, broke  thro'  the  Shell  of  thofe  Impurities, 
hi?  dazzled  Admirers  became  as  fuddenly  infen- 
iiblc  to  the  extraneous  Scurf  that  ftill  ftuck  upon 
him,  as  they  had  been  before  to  the  native  Beau- 
ties that  lay  under  it.  So  that,  as  then,  he  was 
thought  not  to  defcrve  a  Cure,  he  was  now  fup- 
pofed  not  to  need  any. 

His  growing  Eminence^  however,  required 
that  be  Ihould  be  ufed  with  Ceremony:  And 
he  foon  had  his  Appointment,  of  an  Editor  in 
foftm.  But  the  Baokfcller,  whofe  dealing  vras 
with  Wits,  having  learnt  of  them,  I  know  not 
what  filly  Maxim,  that  none  but  a  Poet  jhouUprc- 
fume  to  meddle  with  a  Poet^  engaged  the  inge- 
nious Mr,  Row€  to  undertake  this  Employment. 
A  Wit  indeed  he  was;  but  fo  utterly  nnacqaaint- 
cd  with  the  whole  Bufmefs  of  Criticilin,  that  he 
did  not  even  collate  or  confult  the  hrft  Editions 
of  the  Work  he  undertook  to  publifli ;  but  con- 
tented himfelf  with  giving  us  a  meagre  Account 
of  the  Author's  Life,  interlarded  with  fome  com- 
mon-place Scraps  from  his  Writing?.  The 
Truth  is,  Stakefpejri  Condition  was  yet  but  ill 

underftood. 


PREFACE. 

undcrftood.  The  Nonfenfe,  now,  by  confent, 
received  for  his  own,  was  held  in  a  kind  of  Reve- 
rence for  its  Age  and  Author :  and  thus  it  con- 
tinued, till  another  great  Poft  broke  the  Charm  ; 
by  rtiewlng  us,  that  the  higher  we  went,  the 
Ids  of  it  was  ftil!  to  be  fourid. 

For  the  Proprietors,  not  dircouraged  by  their 
firft  unfucceGfal  Effort,  in  due  time,  made  a 
fecond  ;  and,  tho*  they  ftill  ftuck  to  their  Poets, 
with  infinitely  more  Succefs  in  their  Choice  of 
Mr.  Pope,  Who  by  the  mere  force  of  an  un- 
common Genius,  without  any  particular  Study 
or  ProfcfTion  of  this  Art,  difcharged  the  great 
Parts  of  it  fo  well  as  to  make  his  Edition  the  bert: 
Foundation  for  all  ftirther  Improvements.  He 
Separated  the  genuine  from  the  fpurious  Plays  : 
AnA  wich  equal  Judgment,  tho'  not  always  with 
the  feme  Succefs,  attempted  to  clear  tlie  genuine 
Plays  from  the  interpolated  Scenes :  He  then 
coniulted  the  old  Editions ;  and,  by  a  careful  Col- 
lation of  them,  rectified  the  faulty,  and  fupplicd 
tlic  imperfc<!l  Reading,  in  a  great  number  of 
Places :  And  laftly,  in  an  admirable  Prctace,  haih 
drawn  a  general,  but  very  lively.  Sketch  oi  Shake- 
Jp€sr\  poetic  Charafter ;  and,  in  the  corre^cd 
Text,  marked  out  thofe  peculiar  Strokes  of  Ge- 
nius which  were  moft'  proper  to  fupport  and 
niuflrate  that  Charadter.  Thus  for  Mr.  Pope. 
And  altho'  much  more  was  to  be  done  be- 
fore Shakefpcar  could  be  reftored  to  himfclf, 
(  fuch  as  amending  the  coirupted  Text  where 
the  printed  Books  afford  no  AffiUance  ;  ex- 
plaining his  licentious  Phrafcology  and  ob- 
icurc  Allulions ;    and  illuflrating    the  Beauties 

•f 


P  R  E  FA  C  E. 

of  his  Poetry  ;)  yet,  with  great  Modcfty  and 
Prudence,  our  illuftrious  Editor  left  this  to  the 
Critic  by  ProfelHon. 

But  nothing  will  give  the  common  Reader 
a  better  Idea  of  the  Value  of  Mr.  Pope*s  Edi- 
tioDj  than  the  two  Attempts  which  have  been 
fince  made,  by  Mr.  Theobald  and  Sir  Thomas 
Hanmer,  in  Oppofition  to  it.  Who^  altho' 
they  concerned  tliemfelves  only  in  tlie  ^rji  of 
thefe  three  Parts  of  Criticifin,  the  rcfloring  ihe 
Text^  (without  any  Conception  of  the  feconJ^ 
or  venturing  even  to  touch  upon  the  third)  yet 
fucceeded  fo  very  ill  in  it,  that  they  left  their 
Author  in  ten  times  a  worfc  Condition  than  they 
found  him.  But^  as  it  was  my  ill  Fortune  to 
have  fome  accidental  Connexions  with  thefe  two 
Gentlemen^  it  will  be  incumbent  on  me  to  be 
a  little  more  particular  concerning  them. 

The  One  was  recommended  to  me  as  a  poor 
Man  J  the  Other  as  a  poor  Critic  :  and  to  each 
of  them,  at  different  times,  I  communicated  a 
great  number  of  Obfervations,  which  lliey  ma- 
naged^  as  they  faw  fit,  to  tlie  Relief  of  their  fe- 
veral  DiftreiTcs.  As  to  Mr,  Tbeobaldy  who  want-^ 
cd  Money,  I  allowed  hini  to  print  what  I  gave 
him  for  his  own  Advantage:  and  he  allowed 
himfelf  in  the  Liberty  of  taking  one  Part  for  his 
own,  and  leqneftering  another  for  the  Benefit,  as  J 
I  fuppofed,  of  fome  future  Edition.  But,  as  to  H 
the  Oxford  Editor^  who  wanted  nothing,  but  i 
what  he  might  veiy  well  be  without,  the  Re- 
putation of  a  Critic,  I  could  not  fo  eafily  for-  ^ 
give  him  for  trallicking  witli  my  Papers  without  fl 


PREFACE.  xi 

my  Knowledge ;  and,  when  that  Prq}ei5t  £iil*d, 
for  employing  a  number  of  my  Conje<Shires  in 
his  Edition  againft  my  exprefs  Defire  not  to  have 
that  Honour  done  unto  me. 

Mr.  Theobald  was  naturally  turned  to  Induftiy 
and  Labour.  What  he  read  he  could  tranfcribc : 
but,  as  what  he  thought,  if  ever  he  did  think,  he 
could  but  ill  enre&,  fo  he  read  on ;  and,  by  that 
means  got  a  Character  of  Learning,  without 
rifquing,  to  every  Obferver,  the  Imputation  of 
wanting  a  better  Talent.  By  a  pun<ailious  Col- 
lation of  the  old  Books,  he  correded  what  was 
manifeiUy  wrong  in  the  latter  Editions,  by  what 
was  manifeftly  right  in  the  earlier.  And  this  is 
his  real  Merit  j  and  the  whole  of  it  For  where 
the  Phraie  was  very  obfblete  or  licentious  in  the 
common  Books,  or  only  flightly  corrupted  in  the 
other ^  he  wanted  fufficient  Knowledge  of  the  Pro- 
grefs  and  various  Stages  of  the  Englijb  Tongue, 
as  well  as  Acquaintance  with  the  Peculiarity 
of  Sbakejpear's  Language  to  underftand  what 
was  right ;  nor  had  he  either  common  Judg- 
ment to  fee,  or  critical  Sagacity  to  amend,  wlut 
was  manifeftly  faulty.  Hence  he  generally  ex- 
erts his  conjeftural  Talent  in  the  wrong  Place: 
He  tampers  with  what  is  found  in  the  com^ 
mon  Books ;  and,  in  the  old oneSy  omits  all  Notice 
of  Variations  the  Senfe  of  which  he  did  not  un- 
derftand. 

How  the  Oxford  Editor  came  to  think  him- 
&tf  qualified  for  this  Office,  from  which  his  whole 
Courfe  of  Life  had  been  fo  remote,  is  ftill  more 
difficult  to  conceive.  For  whatever  Parts  he 
might  have  either  of  Genius  or  Erudition,  he 

was 


^ 


xii  PREFACE. 

was  abfolutely  ignorant  nf  the  Art  of  Criticifm, 
as  well  as  of  the  Poetry  of  that  Time,  and  the 
Language  of  his  Author,  And  fo  far  from  a 
Thought  of  examining  ^^  firft  Editions,  that 
he  even  negleftcd  to  compare  Mr.  Pope's^  from 
which  he  printed  his  own,  with  Mr.  Theobald* 1 1 
whereby  he  loft  the  Advantage  of  many  fine 
Lines  which  the  other  had  recovered  from 
the  old  Quartos.  Where  he  trufts  to  his  own 
Sagacity,  in  what  affecfts  the  Senfe,  his  Conjec- 
tures are  generally  abfurd  and  extravagant,  and 
violating  every  Rule  of  Criticifm,  Tho\  in  this 
Rage  of  Correi£ting,  he  was  not  abfolutely  dcfti- 
tute  of  all  Art.  For,  having  a  number  of  my 
Conje^urcs  before  himj  he  took  as  many  of  them 
as  he  faw  fitj  to  work  upon;  and  by  changing 
them  to  fomething,  he  thought,  fynonimous  or 
fimilar,  he  made  them  his  own  ;  and  fo  became 
a  Critic  at  a  cheap  Expencc.  But  how  well  he  hath 
fuccceded  in  this,  as  like  wife  in  his  Conjedtures 
which  are  properly  his  own,  will  be  fcen  in  the 
courfe  of  my  Remarks:  Tho',  as  he  hach  de- 
clined to  give  the  Reafons  for  his  Interpolations,  - 
he  hath  not  afforded  nie  fo  fair  u  hold  of  him  as  Mr.  fl 
Theobald  hath  done,  who  was  lefs  cautious.  But  ™ 
his  principal  Objcft  was  to  reform  his  Author's 
Numbers  j  and  tliis,  which  he  hath  done,  on 
every  Occafion>  by  the  Infertion  or  OmiiTion 
of  a  fct  of  harmlefs  unconccrning  Expletives, 
makes  up  the  grofs  Body  of  his  innocent  Correc- 
tions* And  fo,  in  fpite  of  that  extreme  Negligence 
in  Numbers,  which  diflinguUhes  the  firft  Dra- 
matic Writers,  he  hath  tricked  up  the  old  Bard, 

from 


P  R  E  F/i  C  E. 

from  Head  lo  FooCj  in  all  the  finical  Exaftnefs  of 
a  modern  Meafurer  of  Syllables. 

For  the  reft,  all  the  Corredlions  which  thefe  two 
Editors  have  made  on  any  reafonable  Foundation, 
arc  iierc  admitted  into  the  Text ;  and  carefully 
affigned  to  their  refpe<^ive  Authors*     A  piece  of 

CJuftice  which  tlie  Oxford  Editor  never  did  ;  and 
^hich  thtOthtr  was  not  always  fcrupulous  in  ob- 
fcrving  towards  me.  To  conclude  with  them  in 
^  word,  They  ieparately  poflefled  thofe  two  Qua- 
lities wliich,  more  dian  any  other,  have  contri- 
buted to  bring  the  Art  of  Criticifin  into  dif- 
rcpute,  Dulneft  cf  jippreherifony  and  Extrava^ 
gance  ofCk^njeSure, 

I  am  now  to  give  fome  Account  of  the  prefent 
Undei  taking.  For  ;is  to  alt  thofe  Things,  which 
Jiave  been  publiflied  under  tlie  tides  of  Effays^ 
RtmarkSf  Obferv/ztionSt  &c.  on  Shaketpearj  (if 
you  except  fome  criucal  Notes  on  Macbefby  given 
a  Specimen  of  a  projected  Edition,  and  writ- 
ten, as  appears,  by  a  Man  of  Farts  and  Genius) 
the  fell  are  abfolutcly  below  a  ferious  Notice* 

The  whole  a  Critic  can  do  for  an  Author 
who  deferves  his  Service,  is  to  correct  the 
EiukyTcxt;  to  remark  the  Peculiarities  of  Lan» 
guagc;  to  iiluftrate  the  obfcure  Allufions ;  and  to 
explain  the  Beauties  and  Defers  of  Sentiment  or 
Compofition.  And  furely,  if  ever  Author  had  a 
Claim  to  this  Service,  it  was  our  Shake/pear :  Who, 
widely  excelling  in  the  Knowledge  of  Jiuman 
Nature,  hath  given  to  his  infinitely  varied  Pic- 
tures of  it,  fuch  Truth  of  Dcfig^n,  fuch  Force  of 
Drawing,  fuch  Beauty  of  Colouring,  as  was  hardly 

ever 


XIV 


PREFACE. 


ever  equalled  by  any  Writer,  whether  his  Ah 
was  ihe  UlCj  or  only  the  Entertainment  of  Man 
kind.     The  Notes   in   this  Edition,  therefore 
take  in  the  whole  Compafs  of  Criticifm. 

I.  The  firil:  Ibrt  is  employed  in  rdloring  thi 
Poet*s  genuine  Text  j  but  in  thofe  Places  onl 
where  it  labours  vnth  inextricable  Nonfenfe.    In 
which,  how   much  foever    I    may   have  given 
Scope  to  critical  ConjefturCj  where  the  old  Copies 
filled  me,  1  have  indulged  nothing  to  Fancy  or 
Imagination  ;    hut  have  rcligioufly  obferved  the 
levere  Canons  of  literal  Criticifm  ;  as  may  be  (ccrx 
from  the  RcLifons  accompanying  every  Alteration 
of  the  common  Text*     Nor  would  a  different 
Condudt  have  become  a  Critic^  whofe  greateft 
Attention,  in  this  part,  was  to  vindicate  the  cfta- 
bliflied  Reading  from  Interpolations  occafioncd  by 
the  fanciful  Extravagancies  of  others,   I  once  in- 
tended to  have  given  the  Render  a  body  of  Canons^ 
fbrlitcralCriticifm,drawnoutinformjaswellfuch 
asconccrn  tlie  Art  in  general,  as  thofe thatarife  from 
the  Nature  and  Circumftances  of  our  Author's 
Works  in  particular.    And  this  for  two  Rcafons. 
Firftj  Togivc  \hc unlearned ReaJcrzyn^  Idea, and 
confcquently  a  better  Opinion  of  the  ArtofCri* 
ticifm,  now  funk  very  low  in  the  popular  Ef^cem, 
by  the  Attempts  of  fome  who  would  needs  excr- 
cife  it  without  cither  natural  or  acquired  Talents; 
and  by  the  ill  Siicccfs  of  others,  who  fcemcd  to 
have  loft  both,  when  they  came  to  try  them  upon 
Engliih  Authors.     Secondly,  To  deter  the  //;;- 
Uarncd  14'rker   from  wantonly  triflini^  with  an 
Art  he  is  a  Stranger  to^  at  the  Expcnce  of  his 

own 


I 

I 


PREFACE, 

own  Reputation,  and  the  Integrity  of  the  Text 
of  eftabhJhed  Authors.  But  thefe  Ufes  may  be 
well  fupplied  by  what  is  occafionally  faid  upon 
the  Subjedj  in  the  Courfe  of  the  following 
Remarks. 

IL  The  fecond  fort  of  Notes  confifts  in  an 
Explanation  of  the  Author's  Meaning,  when,  by 
one,  or  more  of  tliefe  Caufesj  it  becomes  ob- 
fcure  ;  cither  from  a  Ikentiom  Ufe  of  7ermi ;  or 
a  bard  or  ungrammatical  ConftruStion  ;  or  laftly, 
from  far-fetched  or  quaint  Allufiom^ 

I .  This  licentious  \Jk  of  Words  is  almoft  pe- 
culiar to  tJic  Language  of  Sbakejpear,  To  com- 
mon Terms  he  hath  aflixed  Meanings  of  his 
own,  unauthofifcd  by  Ufe,  and  not  to  be  jufti- 
fied  by  Analogy,  And  this  Liberty  he  hath  taken 
with  the  nobleft  Parts  of  Speech,  fuch  as  Mixed' 
modes  J  which,  as  they  are  moft  fufceptible  of 
Abuft,  fo  their  Abufe  moft  hurts  the  Clearncft 
of  the  Difcourfe,  The  Critics  (to  whom  Shake* 
fear's  Licence  was  (till  as  much  a  Secret  as  his 
Meaning,  which  that  Licence  had  obfcured)  fell 

Einto  two  contrary  Miftakes ;  but  equally  injurious 
to  his  Reputation  and  his  Writings.  For  fomc 
of  them  obferving  a  Darknefs,  that  pervaded  his 
whole  Exprefilon,  have  cenfured  him  for  Confu- 
^on  of  ideas  and  Inaccuracy  of  reafoning.  In  the 
Neighing  ofaHorfe^  (fays  Rymer)  orin  tbeGrrrwU 
ingofa  Mafiiff  there  is  a  Meanings  there  is  a  live" 
Jff  ExpreJJion^  and^  may  Ifiy^  tnore  Humanity  than 
many  times  in  the  tragical  Flights  of  Shakcfpear. 
The  Ignorance  of  which  Cenfure  is  of  a  piece 
with  its  Brutality.  ThcTruili  is,  no  one  thocght 

clearer. 


PREFACE. 

clearer,  or  argued  more  clofcly  than  this  immor- 
tal Bard,  But  his  Superiority  of  Genius  leis 
needing  the  Intervention  of  Words  in  the  A6lof 
Thinking,  when  he  came  to  draw  out  his  Con- 
templations intoDifcourfCj  he  took  up  (as  he  \^s 
hurried  on  by  the  Torrent  of  his  Matter)  with 
the  firft  Words  thai  by  in  his  way ;  and  if, 
amonglV  thefe,  there  were  two  Mixed-modes  that 
had  but  a  principal  Idea  in  common,  it  was 
enough  for  him  ^  he  regarded  tliem  as  iynoni* 
mou^,  and  would  ufethe  one  for  the  other  with- 
out Fear  or  Scruplc,^^— Ajrain,  there  have  been 
others,  fuch  as  the  two  lalt  Editors,  who  have 
fallen  into  a  contrary  Extreme ;  and  regarded 
Shahfpear*%  Pix\om2\i^  (as  we  may  call  them) 
amongft  the  Corruptions  of  his  Text  \  which, 
therefore,  they  have  calhiered  Li  great  numbers, 
to  make  room  for  a  Jargon  of  their  own.  This 
hath  put  me  to  additional  Trouble  j  fi>r  I  had 
not  only  tlieir  Interpolations  to  throw  out  again, 
but  the  genuine  Text  to  replace,  and  eftablilli  in 
its  ftcadj  which,  in  many  Cafes,  could  not  be 
done  without  (hewing  the  peculiar  Senfe  of  the 
Terms,  and  explaining  the  Caufes  which  led  the 
Poet  to  fo  pcrverfe  an  ufe  of  them.  I  had  It 
once,  indeed,  in  my  Defign,  to  give  a  general 
alphabetic  Ghffary  of  thefc  Terms  ^  but  as  each 
of  them  is  explained  in  its  proper  Place,  there 
feemed  the  lefs  Occafion  for  fuch  an  Index, 

2.  The  Poet's  hard  and  unnatural  Conftnjc- 
tion  had  a  different  Original,  This  was  the  Ef-p. 
fed  of  miftaken  Art  and  Defign.  The  Public 
TaAc  was  in  its  Infancy;  and  delighted,    (as  it 

alwa 


PREFACE. 

's  docs  (luring  that  Stne)  in  the  high  and 
imt^ki :  which  leads  the  Writer  to  difguife  a  vul- 

Kcxprellion  with  Iiard  and  forc::d  conftnic- 
,  whereby  the  fentencc  frequently  becomes 
cloudy  and  dark.  Here^  his  Critics  fliew 
their  modcfty,  and  leave  him  to  himfelf.  For 
the  arbitrary  change  of  a  Word  doth  little  to- 
wards difpelling  an  obfcuriiy  that  arlfeth^  not  from 
the  licentious  ule  of  a  Tingle  Term,  but  from  the 
unnatural  arraiij;cment  of  a  whole  Sentence. 
^Ad  they  rifqued  nothing  by  their  fdence.  For 
Bfcjti'j^ftfr  was  too  clear  in  Fame  to  be  fufpeded 
of  a  want  of  Meaning;  and  too  high  in  Fafliion 
^^any  one  to  own  he  needed  a  Critic  to  find  it 
^L  Not  but,  in  hi^  beft  works,  we  ran  ft  al- 
^v,  lie  i^  often  fo  natural  and  flowing,  (b  pure 
Hi  corredy  tliat  he  is  even  a  model  for  Aile  and 
^gtiage. 

^^.  As  to  his  far-fetched  and  quaint  Altufions, 
H^c  ^^^  often  a  cover  to  common  thoughts  ^  juft 
a$  his  hard  conflruilion  is  to  common  cxpref- 
fion»     When  they  are  not  fo,    the  explanation 

tthem  has  diis  further  advantage,  that,  in  clear- 
[  the  Obfcurity,  you  frequently  difcover  fomc 
tnt  conceit  not  unworthy  of  his  Genius. 
[II,  The  third  and  laft  fort  of  Notes  is  con- 
ned in  a  critical  explanation  of  the  Author's 
Beauties  and  DefctSs;  but  chiefly  of  his  Beauties, 
whether  in  Stile^  Tliought,  Sentiment^  Chara^iler 
or  Compofuion.  An  odd  linmour  of  finding 
£uilt  hath  long  prevailed  amongft  the  Critics ; 
Hif  nothing  were  worth  remarking  that  did 
^VoL.  L  a  not, 


^^B 


xviii  PREFACE. 

I    ^  not,  at  the  fame  timej  deferve  to  be  reproved,^ 

BhA  Whereas  the  public  Judgment  hath  lefs  need  t< 

^^^1  be  aOifled  in  what  it  (hall  reject,  than  in  whi 

^^^H  it  ought  to  prize  ;  Men  being   generally  moi 

^^^H  ready  at  Tpying  Faults  than  in  difcovering  Bcai 

^^^H  ties.     Nor  is  tlie  value  they  fet  tipon  a  Work, 

^^^H  certain  proof  that  they  undcrrtand  it.  For  'tis  evei 

^^^1  feen,  that  half  a  dozen  Voices  of  credit  give  th< 

^^^1  lead  :     And  if  the  Publick  diance  to  be  in  gt 

^  humour,  or  the  Author  much  in  their  fevouri 

^H  the  People  are  fure  to  follow,     Her.ce  it  is  th: 

^^^^  the  true  Critic  hath  fo  frequently  attached  himfell 

^^^1  to  Works  of  eftabliflied  reputation  ;  not  to  teacl 

^^^H  the  World  to  admircy   which,  in  thofe  circuni- 

^^^"  ilances,  to  fay  the  truth,  tlicy  are  apt  enough  to  dd^ 

^H  of  thcmfelves  J  but  to  teach  them  now,  with  rcn^ 

^M  fin  to  admire:  No  cafy  matters  I  will  aflure  you, 

^H  on  the  fubjefl  in  queftion :  For  tho'  it  be  very  true, 

^K  as  Mr.  Pope  hath  obferved,  that  Shake/pear  is  the 

^H  fairejl  andfullejl  fubjeEl  for  criticifm^  yet  it  is  not 

^H  iiich  a  fort  of  cricicifm  as  may  be  raifed  mccha^H 

^H  nically  on  the  Rules  which  Dacier^  Rapin  znA^ 

^H  Bojfu   have  colJedted  from  Ajitiquity  j   and  of 

^H  which,  fuch  kind  of  Writers  as  Rymer^  Gildon^ 

^H  Dennis  and  Oidmixon^  have  only  gathered  and 

^H  chewed  the  Husks :    nor  on  the  other  hand  is  it 

^^^^  to  be  formed  on  the  Plan  of  thofe  crude  and  fu- 

^^^l  perficial  Judgments,  on  books  and  things,  with 

^^^^  which  a  certain  celebrated  Paper  fo  much  abounds 

^H  too  good  indeed  to  be  named  with  the  Writers  lal 

^B  mentioned,  but  being  unluckily  midaken  for 

^B  Mffdcl^  becaufe  it  was  an  Original,  it  hath  given 
^^^K  rtie 


Eh 

I 


PREFACE.  XIX 

rife  to  a  deluge  6f  the  worft  fort  of  critical  Jar- 
gon ;  I  mean  that  which  looks  moft  like  fenfe. 
But  the  kind  of  criticifm  here  required  is  fuch  as 
judgeth  our  Author  by  thofe  only  Laws  and 
Principles  on  which  he  wrote,  Nature,  and 
Common-sense. 

Our  Obfervations,  therefore,  being  thus  ex- 
tenfive,  will,  I  prefume,  enable  the  Reader  to 
form  a  right  judgment  of  this  fevourite  Poet, 
without  drawing  out  his  Charadter,  as  was  once 
intended,  in  a  continued  diicourfe. 

Thcfe,  fuch  as  they  are,  were  amongft  my 
younger  amufements,  when,  many  years  ago,  I 
ufed  to  turn  over  thefe  fort  of  Writers  to  unbend 
tnyfelf  from  more  ferious  applications :  And  what, 
certainly,  the  Public,  at  this  time  of  day,  had  ne- 
ver been  troubled  with,  but  for  the  condudl  of  the 
two  lad  Editors,  and  the  perfuaiions  of  dear 
Mr.  Po  p  E  J  whofe  memory  and  name. 

Sender  b&ttoratum  (fie  Divokifiis)  bahebo* 

He  was  defirous  I  ihould  give  a  new  Edition 
of  this  Poet,  as  he  thought  it  might  contribute 
to  put  a  flop  to  a  prevailing  folly  of  altering  the 
Text  of  celebrated  Authors  without  Talents  or 
Judgment.  And  he  was  willing  that  his  Edition 
(hould  be  melted  down  into  miney  as  it  would,  he 
laid,  afford  him  (fo  great  is  the  modefly  of  aa 
ingenuous  temper )  a  fit  opportunity  of  con- 
feuing    his   Millakcs  *.      In  memory  of  our 

*  See  his  Letters  to  me, 

a  2  Friend* 


XX  PRE  FA  C  E. 

Friend/hip,  I  have,  tliercfore,  made  it  our  joii 

^^  Edition.      His  admirable  Prefece  is  here  added 

^B  all  his  Notes  are  given,  with  his  name  annexed 

^H  the  Scenes  are  divided  according  to  his  reguk 

^H  tion  ;    and  ihc  moft  beautiful  palTages  diAi 

^V  .  guifhcd,  as  in  his  book,    with  inverted  comm^ 

W  In  imitation  of  him,  I  feave  done  the  fame  by 

I  many  others  as  I  thought  mod  defcrving  of  tl 

I  Reader's  attention,  and  have  marked  them  wii 

■  double  commas* 

I  If  J  from  all  this,  Shake/pear  or  good  Lettei 

^^  have   received  any  advantage,    and    the  Publii 

^^  any  benefit,  or  entertainment,    the  thanks  ai 

■  due  to  the  Proprietors^  who  have  been  at  the 
I  cxpence  of  procuring  this  Edition.  And  I 
I  fliould  be  unjuft  to  feveral  deferving  Men  of  a 
I  reputable  and  ufeful  ProfelTion,  if  1  did  notj  on 

■  this  occafion,  acknowledge  the  fair  dealing  I  have 
I  always  found  amongft  them  j  and  profefs  my 
I  fenfeofthe  unjaft  Prejudice  which  lies  againft 
I  them  ;  whereby  they  have  been,  hitherto,  un- 
I  able  to  procure  that  fecurlty  for  their  Property, 
I  wliich  they  fee,  the  reft  of  their  Fellow-Citizens 

■  enjoy.  A  prejudice  in  part  arifing  from  the  fre- 
K  c^utnt  Piracies^  (  as  they  are  called)  committed 
B  by  Members  of  their  own  Body.    But  fuch  kJn(^| 

■  of  Members  no  Body  Is  without.  And  it  woul<^^ 
I  be  hard   that  this  Hiould    be    turned    to    the 

I  difcredit  of  the  honefl:  part  of  the  ProfefTion, 

I  who  fufFer  more  from  ilich    Injuries   than  any 

■  other  men.  It  hath,  in  part  too,  urifen  fron^^ 
^^  the  clamours  of  profi!g:nc  Scriblcrs,  ever  rcadyj^ 
^B  for 


PREFACE. 


a  piece  of  Money,    to  proftitute  their  bad 
for  or  againft  any  Caufe  prophane  or  fi- 

ed ;    or  in   any   Scandal    public   or  private  : 

hcfc  meeting  with  little  encouragement    from 

of  account  in  the  Trade,  ( who  even  in 

enlightened  Age  are  not  the  very  worft 

udgcs  or  Rcwarders  of  merit )   apply   them- 

Ives    to    People  of  Condition  j    and  fupport 
their  importunities  by  falfe  complaints    agaiaft 

ookfetlers. 

But  1  fhould  now,  perhaps,    rather  think   of 
my  own  Apology,    tnan    bufy   myfelf  in   the 
defence  of  others.     I  Hiall  have  fome  Tartuffe 
ready,    on  the  firft  appearance  of  this  Edition, 
to  call  out  again,  and  tell  me,  that  I  fuffer  /wy- 
feif  to  U 'wholly  diverted  from  my  purpofe  h^  thefi 
matters  lejs  fidtable   to  my  clerical  Profeffion. 
**  Well,  but,  (ays  a  Friend,  why   not   take  fb 
**  candid  an  intimation  in  good  part?     VVith- 
•*  draw  yourfelf,  again*  as  you  arc  bid,  into  the 
•'  clerical  Pale ;  examine  the  Records  of  facred 
"  and  prophane  Antiquity ;  and,  on  them,  ereft 
**  a  Work    to    the   confufion    of  Lifidelity, " 
Why,  I  have  done  all  this,    and  more :     And 
bear  now  what  the    fame   Men   have  faid   to 
it.    They  tell  me,    /  have  wrote  to  the  nvrmg 
and  injury  of  Religion ^  and  furnl-Pjcd  out  more 
bandies  for  Unbelievers,    **  Oh  now  the  fecrct's 
**  out ;  and  you  may  have  your  pardon,  I  find, 
**  upon  eafier  terms.     'Tis   only,    to   write  no 

"  more," Good  Gentlemen  !    and  fliall  I 

pot  oblige  tlicm  ?   They  would  gladly  obJfruB 

a  3  my 


xxii  PRE  FA  C  E. 

my  way  to   tJiofe   things   which    every   Man, 
who  endeavours  well  in  his  ProfelHon^    niul 
needs  think  he  his  fome   claim  to,    when    h( 
fees  them  given  to  thofe  who  never  did  enJea* 
%)Ouri    at  the  fame  time  that  they  would  iIt*Ui 
me  from  taking  thofe  advantages  which   Lettei 
enable   me  to  procure  for  niylelf      If  then 
am  to  write  no  rnore  j   (tho*  as  much  out 
my  Profeffion  as  they    may    pleafe    to    repr( 
fent  this  Workj  I  fufpcft  their  modefty  wouli 
not  infift  on  a  fcrutiny  of  our  feveral   applica- 
tions of  this  prophane  profit    and   tlielr    pure] 
gains)  if>  I  lay,  I  am  to  write  no  more,   let  trn 
at  leaft  give  die  Publicj  who  have  a  better  pre- 
tence to  demand  it  of  me,  fome  reafon  for  my      i 
prefenting  them  with  thefe  amufements.  Which, 
if  I  am  not  much  miftaken,    may  be  excufed 
by  the  beft  and  faireft  Examples  ;    and,  what 
is  more,    may  be  juilified  oa  die  furer  reafon^ 
pf  things.  .■ 

The  great  Saint  ChRysostom,    a  name 
confecrated  to  immortality  by  his  Virtue  and  Elo- 
qucncCj  is  known  to  have  been  fo  fond  of  Arijlo^      i 
pbanes  as  to  wake  with  him    at  his   ftudies,      I 
and  to  fleep  with  him  under  his  pillow :   and      I 
I  never  heard  that  this  was  objected  either  to  his 
Piety  or  his  Preachings  not  even  in  thofc  times      i 
of  pure    Zeal  and    primitive    Religion.     Ycr,H 
i/i  refpeft  of  Shakejpear's   great  fenfe,   jffijlo- " 
fbams's    beft    wit  is  but   buifoonry  >   and,    in 
compaiifon  of  AriJiopbanes\  Freedoms,  Sbake^ 

fpear 


PRE  FACE. 

Jptar  writes  with  the  purity   of  a  Veftal.     But 
they  will  <ay,  St.  Chryjoftom  contradted  a  fond- 
nefs  for  the  comic  Voct  for  the  fakt  of  bh  Greek. 
To  thisj  indeed,  I  have  nothing   to  reply.     Far 
.be  It  from  me  to  infinuate  fo  unfchoJarlike  a 
thing,  as  if  We  had   the  feme   Ufe  for  good 
Eftglijb   that   a  Greek    had   for   his   J!tt:c  ele- 
gance.    Clitic  Ktifter^    in  a  tafte  and  language 
peculiar  toGrammariansof  a  certain  order,   hath 
decreed,    that    the   Htjlory   and   Chronology   of 
Greek  fVords  is  the  mo/l  SOLID   entertain-' 
tnent  of  a  Man  of  Letters. 

I  fly,   then,    to   a  higher  Example,    much 
j>earer  home,  and  ftill  more  in  point,  The  fa- 
lous  Univerfity  of  O  x  f  o  R  D*     This  illuflrious 
ly,    which   hath  long   fo  juRly  held,    and, 
with  fuch  equity,  difpenfed,  the  chief  honours 
of  the   learned   World,    thought  good   Letters 
fo  much  interefted  In  corre<5t  Editions  of  the 
beft  Bnglijh   Writers,    that   they,    very  lately, 
in  their  public  Capacity,  undertook  Ofje^  of  this 
very  Author,  by  fubfcription.     And  if  the  Editor 
hath  not  dilcharged  his  Task  with  fuitable  abi* 
lilies  for  one  fo  much  honoured  by  them,  this 
was  not  their  fault  but  his,  who  thruft  him- 
fdf  into  the  employment.      After  fuch  an  Ex- 
ample, it  would  be  weakening  any  defence  to 
leek  further  for  Authorities.     All  that  can  be 
now  decently  urged  is  the  reajott  of  the  t}?ing% 
and  this  1  fl^all   do,    more  for  the  fake   oi  that 
truly  venerable  Body  than  my  own. 


a  4 


Of 


mv  PRE  F  A  C  E. 

Of  all  the  ISterary  cxercitations  of  fpeculacivc 
Mcn>  whether  defigned  for  the  ufe  or  entertain- 
tnent  of  the  World,  there  arc  none  of  (o  much 
importance,  or  what  are  more  otir  immediate 
concern,  than  thofe  which  let  us  into  the  know* 
ledge  of  our  Nature.  Others  may  excrcile  the 
Reafon  or  amufe  the  Imagination;  but  thefe  only 
can  improve  the  Heart,  and  form  the  human 
Mind  to  wifdom.  Now,  in  this  Science^ 
our  Shakejpear  is  confeiTed  to  occupy  the  fore* 
mod  place;  whether  wc  confidcr  the  amazing 
fagacity  with  which  he  invcftigates  every  hidden 
Ipring  and  wheel  of  human  Action ;  or  his 
happy  manner  of  communicating  this  know- 
ledge, in  the  juft  and  living  paintings  which  he 
has  given  us  of  all  onr  Palfions,  Appetites  and 
Purfuits.  Thefe  afford  a  kiTon  which  can  ne- 
ver be  too  often  repeated,  or  too  conftantly  in- 
culcated :  And,  to  engage  the  Reader's  due 
attention  to  it,  hath  been  one  of  the  principal 
objeds  of  this  Edition. 

As  this  Science  (  whatever  profound  Pliilofi 
phers  may  think )  is,  to  the  reft,  in  Thingi ;  fo 
in  Wordi^  (  whatever  fupcrcilious  Pedants  may 
talk  )  every  one's  mother  tongue  is  to  all  oth 
Languages.  This  hath  ftill  been  the  Senti 
ment  of  Nature  and  true  Wifdom.  Hence,  ih 
greateft  men  of  Antiquity  never  thought  them 
felves  better  employed  than  in  cuUivating  thei 
own  country  idiom.  So  Lycurgm  did  hono 
to  Sparta^  in  giving  the  firll  compleat  Editio 
of  iJomcr  j  and  Ctccro^  to  Rome^    in  correding 

the 


i 


Kll       , 


PREFACE. 

ihc  Worlcs  of  Lucretius,  Nor  do  wc  want  Ex- 
|Ampk$  of  the  fame  good  fenfc  in  modern  Times, 
;even  amidit  tfie  cruel  inrodes  tint  Art  and  Fa- 
l^iion  have  made  upon  Nature  and  the  fimpli- 
ofWifdom,  Meriagfy  the  greateft  name  in 
France  for  all  kinds  of  philologic  Learning,  prided 
ilumiclf  in  writing  critical  Notes  on  their  beft 
flyric  Poet,  Mtilbcrhf:  And  our  greater  jS^-i/f//, 
■when  he  thought  ic  might  refledt  credit  on  his 
Country,  did  not  difJain  even  to  comment  a  very 
ordinary  Poet,  one  Michael  Dniyton.  But  the 
E^glsjb  tongue,  at  this  Juncture,  dcfcrves  and 
demands  our  particular  regard.  It  hadi,  by  means 
of  the  many  excellent  Works  of  different  kinds 
©ompofed  in  it,  engaged  the  notice,  and  become 
the  ftudy,  of  almofl  every  curious  and  learned 
Foreigner,  fo  as  to  be  thought  even  a  part  of 
literary  accomplifhmcnt.  This  muft  needs  make 
it  delerving  of  a  critical  attention  :  And  its  being 
yet  deftitute  of  a  Teft  or  Standard  to  apply  to, 
in  cafes  of  doubt  or  difficulty,  iliews  how  much 
it  wants  that  attention.  For  we  have  neither 
Grammar  nor  Dictionary,  neither  Qhart 
nor  Compafs,  to  guide  us  through  this  wide  fca 
of  Words*  And  indeed  how  fliould  we?  fmcc 
both  are  to  be  compofed  and  fini(hed  on  the 
Authority  of  our  beft  eftablilhed  Writers.  But 
iheir  Authority  can  be  of  little  ufe  till  the  Text 
hath  been  corrcdWy  fettled,  and  the  PJirafeology 
critically  examined.  As,  then,  by  thcfe  aids,  a 
Grammar  and  Di£isonar)\  planned  upon  the  beft 
pales  of  Logic  and  Pliilofophy,    (  and  none  but 

fucl^ 


PREFACE, 

fuch  will  dcfcrve  the  nsmc)  arc  to  be  procured  i 
the  fbrwirdiog  of  this  will  be  a  general  coocem  : 
For,  as  ^intilian  Gbfervc5,    '*  Vcrborum  pro- 
"  frutas  ac  differentia  omnibus,  qui  femionem 
"  cursE  habcnt»  debet  efle  communis/'   By  this 
way,  the  Italians  have    brought   their   tongue 
to  a  degree  of  Purity  and  Stability  which  no  liv- 
ing Language  ever  attained  unto  before.  It  is  with 
pleafure  lobfcrve,  that  thefc  things  now  begin  to  be 
umlerftood  ainongft  ourfelvcs  ;  and  that  1  can  ac- 
quaint thePubbc,  we  may  foon  expect  very  c!eg;ant 
Editions  of  Fkicber  and  Milton's  Paradife  hojl 
from  Gendcmen  of  diilinguifhed  Abilities  and 
I^eaming.     But  this  interval  of  good  fenfcj  as  it 
may  be  ihort,  is  indeed  but  new.  For  I  remem- 
ber to  have  heard  of  a  very  learned  Man,   who, 
not  long  fince,  formed  a  defign  of  giving  a  mors 
corrc^St  Edition  of  Spenfer  j  and,  without  doubt, 
would  have  performed  it  well;  but  he  was  dif- 
fuaded  from  his  purpofc  by  his  Friends,  as  be- 
neath the  dignity  of  a  Profefibr  of  the  occult 
Sciences.     Yet  thcfe  very  Friends,   I   fuppofe, 
would   have   thought   it   had   added    lu/be   to 
his  high  Station,    to  have    ncw-farbifhed    out 
feme  dull  northern  Chronicle,    or  dark  Sibyl- 
line itnigma.     But  let  it  not  be  thought  that 
what  \%  here  faid  infinuates  any  thing  to  the 
difcredit  of  Greek  and  Latin  critlcifin.      If  the       i 
follies  of  particular  Men  were  fufficient  to  bring .^ 
any  branch  of  Learning  into  difrepute,    I  don't  " 
know  any  that  would  ftand  in  a  worfe   ficuation 
than  that  for  which  I  now  apologize.     For  I 

hardly 


PRE  FA  C  E.  xxvd 

hardly  thiak  there  ever  appeared,  in  any  learned 
Language,  fo  execrable  a  heap  of  nonfenfe, 
under  die  name  of  Commentaries,  as  hath  been 
lately  given  us  on  a  certain  fatiric  Poet,  of  the 
|aft  ^e,  by  his  Editor  and  Coadjutor. 

I  am  fenfible  how  unjuftly  the  very  beft  daj^- 
pal  Critics  have  been  treat^.  It  is  faid,  that 
our  great  Philofoi^ier  fpoke  with  much  con- 
tempt of  the  two  fineft  Scholars  of  tliis  Age, 
Dr,  Bentley  and  Biihop  Hare^  for  fquabbli^, 
ias  he  expreiTed  it,  about  an  old  Play-book ; 
meaning,  I  fuppofc,  Terence's  Comedies,  But 
this  Story  is  unworthy  of  him ;  tho'  well  enough 
fuiting  the  fanatic  turn  of  the  wild  Writer  that 
relates  it ;  fuch  cenfures  are  amongft  the  follies 
of  men  immoderately  given  over  to  one  Science, 
and  ignorantly  undervaluing  all  the  reft.  Thofe 
{earned  Critics  might,  and  perhaps  did,  laugh 
in  their  turn,  (tho'  ftill,  furc,  with  the  fame 
indecency  and  indiicretion)  at  that  incomparable 
Man,  for  wearing  out  a  long  Life  in  poring 
through  a  Telefcope.  Indeed,  xh^  weakneiles  of 
Such  are  to  be  mentioned  with  reverence.  But 
who  can  bear,  without  indignation,  the  fafhion- 
able  cant  of  every  trifling  Writer,  whofe  infi- 
pidity  pafles,  with  himfelf,  for  politenefs,  for 
petending  to  be  fhocked,  forfooth,  with  the 
rude  and  lavage  air  of  vulgar  Critics  $  meaning 
fuch  as  Muretus,  Scaliger^  Cajaubon^  Sabmzfius^ 
Spanbeim^  Bentley.  When,  had  it  not  been 
^if    tlje   (leathle^  )a|K)iirs    of  fuch  as   theie, 

the 


xxviii  PREFACE. 

the  wcftcm  World,  at  the  revival  of  Let- 
ters, had  ibon  fain  back  again  into  a  fiate 
of  ignorance  and  barbarity  as  deplorable  as 
that  fi'om  which  Providence  had  juft  re- 
deemed it. 

To  conclude  with  an  obfervation  of  a  fine 
Writer  and  great  Phiiofophcr  of  our  own  ; 
which  I  would  gladly  bind,  tho'  with  all  honour, 
as  a  Phylaiflery,  on  the  Brow  of  every  awful 
Grammarian,  to  teach  him  at  once,  the  VJe^ 
and  Z/zW/i of  his  art :  Words  are  the 
Money  of  fools,  and  theCo0n- 
TERs  of  Wise  Men. 


Mr; 


Mj.      P    O    P    £'s 


PREFACE 


T  b  not  my  dcfign  to  ^rfcr  Into  a  Criti- 
cifm  upon  tliis  Author  ;  tho'  to  do  it  ef- 
ft^hjally  and  not  fuperficiaHy^  would  be 
the  hcil  occafion  that  any  juft  Writer 
could  take,  to  form  the  judgment  and 
taflc  of  our  nation.  For  of  all  Enghp  Poets  Shake- 
fpear  tr\\}(iht  confcffcd  to  be  ihe  fairefl  and  fulleft 
fubjeft  for  Cricicifm,  and  to  afford  the  moll  nume- 
rous, as  well  as  mod  confpicuous  inftances,  both  of 
Beauties  and  Faults  of  all  ibits.  Bac  t\\\s  far  exceeds 
ihc  bounds  of  a  Preface,  the  bufinefs  of  which  is  on!y 
to  give  an  account  of  the  fate  of  his  Works^  and  the 
difadvantages  under  which  they  have  been  tranfmitted 
to  us.  We  fhall  herebjr  extenuate  many  faults  which 
are  his,  and  clear  him  from  the  imputation  of  many 
which  are  not:  A  defign,  which  tho*  ic  can  be  no 
guide  to  future  Criticks  to  do  him  jufticc  in  one  way, 
will  at  leaft  be  ftjfTicicnt  to  prevent  their  doing  him 
an  injuftice  in  the  other. 

I  cannot  however  but  mention  fomc  of  his  principal 
am)  diaraftehfhc  Excellencies,    for  which   ( notwirh- 
ftanding  his  dcfcfts )   he  is  jufljy  and  univcrfally  ele- 
vated 


XXX 


Mr.  PopE^  PREFACE, 


vated  above  all  orhcr  Dramarick  Writers.  Not  th 
this  is  die  proper  place  of  praifing  him,  but  bccau 
I  would  not  omit  any  occafion  of  doing  it* 

If  ever  any  Ainlior  dcfcrvcd  the  name  of  an  Ori 
gsmiy  it  was  Shakejpem\  Hcmrr  himfclf  drew  not  hi 
art  fo  immediacely  from  the  fountains  of  Nature,  it 
proceeded  thro*  ^Egyptian  ftrainers  and  channels,  and 
tame  to  him  not  without  feme  riniflure  of  the  learn- 
ing, orfome  caft  of  the  models,  of  thofe  before  him. 
The  Poetry  of  Sbaiefpcar  was  Infpiration  indeed  ;  he 
is  not  fo  much  an  Imitator,  as  an  Inftrument,  of  Na- 
ture ;  and  *tis  not  fo  jufl  to  fay  that  he  fpealcs  from 
her,  as  that  (he  fpeaks  thro'  him. 

His  CbaraHers  arc  fo  much  Nature  herfclf,  that 
Yis  a  fort  of  injury  to  call  them  by  fo  diflant  a  name 
as  Copies  of  hen  Thofe  of  other  Poets  have  a  con- 
Itant  refembiancej  which  fhews  that  they  receiv*d  them 
from  one  another,  and  were  but  miiltiplieis  of  the 
fame  image  :  each  piifture  like  a  mock-rainbow  is  but 
the  reflexion  of  a  reflexion.  But  every  fingle  cha- 
raAer  in  Shake/pear  is  a&  much  an  Individual ,  as  thofe^H 
in  life  it  fclf ;  it  is  as  impolTible  to  find  any  two  alike  S^H 
and  fuch  as  from  their  relation  or  affinity  in  any  refpedt 
appear  moft  to  be  twins,  will  upon  comparifon  be  found 
remarkably  diftinift.  To  tliis  life  and  variety  of  Cha- 
rafter,  we  muft  add  tlic  wonderful  prefervation  of  it-, 
which  is  fuch  throughout  his  Plays,  that  had  all  the 
Speeches  been  printed  without  the  very  names  of  the 
Perfons,  I  believe  one  might  have  apply*d  them  with 
certainty  to  every  Jpeaker. 

The  Power  over  our  Pajficns  was  never  poiIc6'd 
in  a  more  eminent  degree,  or  dilplayM  in  fo  different 
inftances.  Yet  all  along,  there  is  feen  no  labour,  na 
pains  to  raife  them  \  no  preparation  to  guide  our 
guefs  to  the  effcrtft,  or  be  perceiv*d  to  lead  toward  it : 
But  the  heart  fwells,  and  the  tears  burft  out,  juft  at 
the  proper  places  ;   Wc  are  furpri2*d  the  luomcnt  we 

weep  I 


Hf.  Pop eV  VKEVACK  xxxi 

weqp ;  and  yet  upon  refledion  find  the  paflion  fb  juft, 
that  wc  fhou'd  be  furpriz'd  if  wc  had  not  wept,  and 
wept  at  that  very  moment. 

How  aflonifiung  is  it  again,  that  the  Paffions  di- 
re£tly  oppofice  to  thelc,  Lau^ter  and  Spleen,  are  no 
kfs  at  hiS  command !  that  he  is  not  more  a  mafter  of 
the  Crtai  than  of  the  Ridiculous  in  human  nature  ;  of 
our  nobleft  taricmeffes,  than  of  our  v^eft  foibles  \ 
of  our  ftrongeft  emodons,  than  of  our  idleft  fen- 
iations! 

Nor  does  he  only  excel  in  the  Paflions :  In  the  cool* 
nefs  of  Refleftion  and  Reafoning  he  is  full  as  admira- 
ble. His  Sentiments  are  not  on^  in  general  the  moft 
pertinent  and  judicious  upon  every  fubjcA ;  but  by  a 
talent  very  peculiar,  fomething  between  Penetration 
and  Fcficity,  he  hits  upon  that  particular  point  on 
which  the  bent  of  each  argument  turns,  or  the  force 
of  each  motive  depends.  This  is  perfeftly  amazing, 
ftoma  Man  oC  no  education  or  experience/ in  thofe 
great  and  puUick  fcenes  of  life  which  are  ufually  the 
{iibjed:  of  his  thoughts :  So  that  he  feems  to  have 
known  the  world  by  Intuition,  to  have  look'd  thro* 
human  nature  at  one  glance,  and  to  be  the  only  Au- 
thor that  gives  ^und  for  a  very  new  opinion.  That 
the  Philofopher  and  even  the  Man  of  the  world,  may 
be  Bom^  as  well  as  the  Poet. 

It  muft  be  own*d  chat  with  all  thefe  great  excd- 
lendes,  he  has  almoft  as  great  defefts  ;  and  that  as  he 
has  certainly  written  better,  (o  he  has  perhaps  written 
worle,  than  any  other.  But  I  think  I  can  in  fome 
meafure  account  for  theie  defeAs,  from  feveral  cauics 
and  acodents ;  without  which  it  is  hard  to  imagine 
that  lb  laige  and  fo  enlighten'd  a  mind  could  ever 
have  been  fufceptible  of  them.  That  all  thefe  Con- 
tingencies (hould  unite  to  his  difadvantage  feems  to 
IBC  almoft  as  flngularly  unlucky,  as  that  fo  many  va- 
rious 


oiiuM 


Mr.  Pope'/  P  RE  FACE. 

tious  (nay  comrary)  Taknts  fhould  mtct  in  one 
was  happy  and  extraordinary. 

It  muft  be  diowed  that  St^-Poctry  of  ail 
is  more  particularly  ItvcifM  to  picale  the  Popui 
and  its  fuccefs  more  immediately  depending  upon  the 
Cemmcn  Suffrage.  One.  cannot  therefore  wonder,  if 
Sbaktjpear^  having  at  his  firll  appearance  no  other  aim 
in  his  writings  than  to  procure  a  fubfiftence,  dircAed 
his  endeavours  ibleiy  to  hit  the  taftc  and  humour  that 
then  prevailed.  The  Audience  was  generally  com- 
pofed  of  the  meaner  fort  of  people  ;  and  therefore  the 
Images  of  Life  were  to  be  drawn  from  thofe  of  their 
own  rank :  accordingly  wc  find,  that  not  our  Author** 
only  but  almoft  all  ^e  old  Comedies  have  their  Scene 
among  Tradefmm  and  Mechankks :  And  even  their 
Hiftorica]  Plays  ftri(5tly  follow  the  common  Old  Sto- 
ries or  Vulgar  ^radiltons  of  that  kind  of  people.  In 
Tragedy,  nothing  was  fo  fure  to  Surprize  and  caufe 
Admrfldon^  as  the  moft  ftrang^,  uncxpeftcd,  and  con- 
Jequently  moft  unnatural.  Events  and  Incidents  ;  the 
moft  exaggerated  Thoughts  ;  the  moft  verbofe  and 
bombaft  Expreflion  V  the  mo(l  pompous  Rhymes,  and 
thundering  Verfification.  In  Comedy,  notliing  waa 
fo  fure  to  Pk^fe,  as  mean  buffoonry,  vile  ribaldry, 
and  unmannerly  jcfts  of  fools  and  clowns.  Yet  even 
in  theJe,  our  Audior*s  Wit  buoys  up,  and  is  born 
above  hU  fubjed :  his  Genius  in  thoie  low  parts  is 
like  Come  Prince  of  a  Romance  in  the  diiguiie  of  a 
Shepherd  or  Pcaiant ;  a  certain  Grcatncfs  and  Spirit 
now  and  then  break  out,  which  manifell  his  higher 
cxtradion  and  qualities. 

It  may  be  added,  that  not  only  the  common  Au-- 
dlcncc  had  no  notion  of  the  rules  of  writing,  but  few 
even  of  the  better  fort  piqu'd  thcmfelves  upon  any 
gTcat  degree  of  knowledge  or  nicety  that  way  ;  *till 
B^u  ycbtj/on  getting  pofll-fllon  of  the  Stage^  brought 

And  that  this  was  not 
d< 


critical  learning  into 


vogue 


Mk  Popej    P  REFACE. 


XXXM 


ithouc  difficulry,  may  appear  from  chofc  fre^ 
Icilpns  (and  indeed  almoft  Declamations)  which 
;  forced  to  prefix  to  his  firft  plays,  and  put 
mouih  of  his  Adlor^,  the  Grex,  Chorus^  &c. 
aovc  rjie  prejudices,  and  inform  flie  judgmenc 
hearers,  "fill  then,  our  Authors  had  no 
of  writing  on  the  model  of  the  Ancients  : 
ragedies  were  only  Hiftories  in  Dialogue ;  and 
Comedies  folJowed  the  thread  of  any  Novel  as 
bund  it,  no  icfs  implicidy  than  if  it  had  been 
tftorjr, 

judge  therefore  of  Shahjpear  by  Artftode^^^ 
\s  fike  trying  a  man  by  rhe  Jaws  of  one  Coun-"' 
^ho  adred  under  thofe  of  another.     He  writ  to  ^^ 
opie  ;  and  writ  at  firft  wichoiit  patronage  from 
:ccr  fort,  and  therefore  without  aims  of  pleafing 
without  afllftance  or  advice  fram  the  Learned^ 
hour  the  advantage  of  education  or  acquaincance 
them  :    without  that  knowledge  of  the  beft 
,  the  Ancients,  to  infpire  him  with  an  emula* 
them ;  in  a  word,  without  any  views  of  Re- 
n,  and  of  what  Poets  are  pleas'd  to  call    Im- 
ity  :  Some  or  all  of  which  have  encourag'd  the 
or  animated  the  ambition,  of  other  writers, 
fet  it  muil  be  obferv*d,    that  when  his  pcrfor- 
s  had  merited  the  proteftion  of  his  Prince,  and 
the  encouragenne/it  of  the  Court  had  fucceedcd 
of -the  Town  >  the  works  of  his  riper  years  arc 
railed  above  thofe  of  his  former.  The  Dates  i/ 
ys  fufficicntly  mdcncc  that  his  produftioni  " 
in  proportion  to  the  relpefl  he  had  for  his 
And  t  make  no  doubt  this  obfcrvatiori 
be  found  tnie  in  every  inftance,  were  but  Edi- 
extant  from  which  we  might  learn  the  exaft 
when  every  piece  was  compofcd,  and  whether 
the  Town>  or  the  Court. 


Another 


xxxiv  iWr,  P  o  p  e'/    PREFACE. 

Another  Cau&  (and  no  lefs  {}rong  than  the  former] 
may  be  deduced  from  our  Author*s  being  a  Playery 
and  forming  himfclf  firft  upon  the  judgments  of  that 
bod/  of  men  whereof  he  was  a  member.  They  have 
ever  had  a  Standard  to  themfclves,  upon  other  prin- 
ciples than  thofe  of  Arijhtk,  As  they  live  by  the 
Majority,  they  know  no  rule  but  that  of  pleafing  the 
prelent  humour,  and  complying  with  the  wit  in 
lalhion ;  a  confideration  which  brings  all  their  judgment 
to  a  fliort  point.  Players  arejuft  fuch  judges  of  what 
b  rights  as  Taylors  arc  of  what  is  graceful.  And  ia 
this  view  it  will  be  but  fair  to  allow^  that  moft  of  our 
Author's  faults  are  lefs  to  be  afcribed  to  his  wrong 
judgment  as  a  Poet,  than  to  his  right  judgment  ai  a  I 
Player.  ^j 

By  thefe  Men  it  was  thought  a  praife  to  Sbnkefptast^k 
that  he  fcacre  ever  bloittd  a  lint.     This  they  induftri^^ 
oufly  propagated,  as  appears  from  what  we  are  told 
by  Ben  J&hnfin  in  his  DifcovtrieSy  and  from  the  pre- 
face oi  Heminges  and  CsnMl  to  the  firfl  folio  Edition. 
But  in  reality  (  however  it  has  prevaiied  )  there  never 
was  a  more  groundJefs  report,  or  to  the  contrary 
which  there  are  more  undeniable  evidences.     As, 
Comedy  of  the  Merry  H'^rjes  of  Windfor^   which 
entirely  new  writ ;    the  Hijiory  of  Henry  the  6th^ 
which  was  firft  publifhcd  under  the  tide  of  the  Conh 
Ston  of  York  and  Lancailer ;  and  th  at  of  Henry  the  5/i 
extremely  improved  ;  that  of  Hamlet  enlarged  to 
moft  as  much  again  as  at  firft,  and  many  others. 
believe  the  common  opinion  of  his  want  of  Leami]  __ 
proceeded  from  no  better  ground.     This  too  might 
be  thought  a  Praile  by  fome,  and  to  this  his  Errors 
have  as  injudicioufly  been  afcribed  by  others.     For 
'tis  certain  >  were  ic  true,  it  could  coBcem  but  a  fmall 
part  of  them  ;  the  mofl:  are  fudi  as  are  not  property 
Dcfe<^5,  but  Superfcetarions :  and  arife  not  from  want 
of  learning  or  reading,  but  from  want  of  thinking  or 

judging 


JMk.Pope'^  preface. 


xx: 


ing:  or  rather  (to  be  more  juft  to  our  Author) 
►m  a  compliance  to  thofe  wants  in  odicrs.  As  to  a 
wrong  choice  of  the  fubjedt,  a  wrong  conduft  of  the 
incidents,  falfc  thoughts  forc'd  exprcJTions,  (^c.  if 
thcfe  arc  not  to  be  afcrib'd  to  the  forefaid  accidental 
rcafons>  they  muft  be  charged  upon  the  Pocchimlcif, 
and  there  is  no  help  for  it.  But  1  think  die  two  Dif- 
advantages  which  I  have  mentioned  (to  be  obliged  CO 
pJeaic  the  loweft  of  people,  and  to  keep  the  worft  of 
company)  if  the  conridcration  be  extended  as  far  as  it 
reafonably  mayj  will  appear  fufficient  to  miflcad  and 
dcprefe  the  greateft  Genius  upon  earth.  Nay  the 
more  modefty  with  which  fuch  a  one  is  endued, 
the  more  he  is  in  danger  of  fubmitting  and  conforming 
tootherSj  againCl  his  own  better  judgment- 

But  as  to  his  fFiafit  of  Leanmg^  it  nnay  be  necef-^ 
iary  to  fay  fomething  more :  There  is  certainly  a  vaft  "^ 
difference  between  Learning  and  Lartguages,  How  ^ 
far  he  was  ignorant  of  the  latter,  I  cannot  determine  ; 
but  'tis  plain  he  had  much  Reading  at  leall,  if  they 
will  not  call  it  Learning.  Nor  is  it  any  great  mat- 
ter, if  a  man  has  Knowledge,  whether  h^  has  it  from 
one  language  or  from  another.  Nothing  is  more  evi- 
dent than  that  he  had  a  tafte  of  natural  Philofophy, 
Mechanicks,  ancient  and  modern  Hiftory,  Poetical 
learning  and  Mythology  :  We  find  him  very  knovring 
in  the  cuftoms,  rites,  and  manners  of  Antiquity.  In 
Coriolanus  and  JtdiHS  Ctjar^  not  only  the  Spirit*  but 
Manners,  of  the  Romans  are  cxaftly  drawn  j  and  ftill 
a  nicer  diftinftion  is  fhown,  between  the  manners  of 
the  Romam  in  the  time  of  the  former,  and  of  the 
latter.  His  reading  in  the  ancient  Hiftorians  is  no  Jels 
conlpicuous,  in  many  references  to  particular  pailagcs : 
and  the  fpecches  copy'd  from  Plutarch  in  Coriclarsus 
may,  I  thinks  as  well  be  made  an  inftance  of  his 
learning,  as  thofe  copy'd  from  CkerQ  in  Cullmt^  of 
Bm  Jobnfos^s,     I'he  manners  of  other  nations  in  ge- 

b  2  pcral^ 


Mr.  PoPi^  P  RE  FACE. 

ncral,  the  Egyptians^  VmeliojUy  French^  &c.  ai 
with  equal  propriety.     Whatever  objcft  of  natiure,  c* 
branch  of  fcience,  he  either  fpcaks  of  cr  defcribcs  \  k 
is  always  with  competent,  \\  not  cxtenfivc  knowledge : 
his  defcriptions  are  flUl  cxadt ;  all  his  metaphors  ap-^ 
propriated,  and  remarkably  drawn  from  the  true  na- 
ture and  inherent  qualities  of  each  fubjetS.     When  he 
treats  of  Ethic  or  Politic,  we  may  conftantly  obfcnrc 
a  wonderful  juftnels  of  diftindtion,  u  wcU  as  extoit 
of  comprehenfion,     No  one  is  more  a  nriafter  of  the 
Poeticai  ftory,  or  has  more  frequent  ailufions  to  tl 
various  parts  of  it ;    Mr,  ^f^alicr  (  who  has  been  cch 
brated  for  this  laft  particular )  has  not  fhewn  moi 
learning  this  way  than  Shakefpcar.    We  have  TranI 
tions  from  Ovid  pubUJhed  in  his  name,    among  thoi 
Poems  which  pafs  for  his,  and  for  fome  of  which 
have  undoubted  authority,  ( being  publiJhcd  by  hii 
fclf,    and  dedicated  to  his  noble  Fatroji  the  Earl 
Southampton  *' )  He  appears  alio  to  have  been  conv< 
fimt  in  PlaiituSy    from  whom  he  lias  taken  the  piot 
one  of  his  plays  :  he  follows  the  Greek  Authors,    ai 
particularly  T>ari$  PingmSf  in  another:     ^alcho' 
will  not  pretend  to  lay  in  what  language  he  read  them.] 
The  modem  liaiiau  writers  of  N^'eis  he  was  mani- 
feftly  acquainted  with;  and  we  may  conclude  him  to 
be  no  Itfs  converf^it  with  the  Ancients  of  his  own 
couniry,  from  the  ule  he  has  made  of  Ci^aucfr  in 
^roiius  and  Crejftda^  and  in  the  "Two  N&kU  Kinfn 
if  that  Play  be  his,  as  there  goes  a  Tradition  it 
(and  indeed  it  has  little  refcmhlancc  of  FUnbtr^ 
more  of  our  Author  than  fome  of  thofe  wliich  hai 
been  received  as  genuine, ) 

1  am  inclined  to  think,  this  opinion  proceeded  ori- 
ginally from  the  zeal  of  the  Partizans  of  our  Author 
and  Bai  John/on ;  as  they  endeavoured  to  e3calt  the 
V  one  at  the  cxpence  of  the  other.     It  is  ever  the  naturt 
fif  Parties  to  be  in  extremes  j  and  nothing  is  fo  pro- 
^  babk/ 


d 


JfrPopEV   PREFACE.         xxxvii 

bable,  as  that  becaufe  Ben  Jobnfon  had  much  thc^"^ 
more  learning,  it  was  iatd  on  the  one  hand  that  Shake-  ^ 
ffear  had  none  at  all;  and  htcsxxkSbakejpearYidA  much  "^ 
the  moft  wk  and  fancy,  it  was  retorted  on  the  other, 
that  Jobnfim  wanted  both.     Becaufe  Shake/pear  bor-V 
rowed  nothing,  it  was  faid  that  Ben  Johnfon  borrowed  ^ 
every  thing,     Becauie  Jebn/on  did  not  write  extem- 
pore, he  was  reproached  with  being  a  year  about 
every  piece ;  and  becaufe  Shakefpear  wrote  with  eafe 
and  rapidity,  they  cry'd,  he  never  once  made  a  blot. 
Nay  the  fpirit  of  oppofition  ran  fo  h^gh,   that  what- 
ever thofe  of  the  one  fide  objefted  to  the  other,  was 
tal^m  at  the  rebound,  and  tumed  into  Praiies  ;  as  in- 
judicioully,  as  their  antagonifts  before  had  made  them 
Obje^ons. 

Poets  are  always  afraid  of  Envy  ;  but  furc  they 
have^as  much  reak)n  to  be  afraid  of  Admiradon.  They 
are  the  Scytta  and  Q>arybdis  of  Authors ;  thofe  who 
cfcape  one,  often  fall  by  the  other.  Peffimum  gemis 
immcorum  LaudanteSy  fays  Tacitus :  and  Firgtl  defirea 
to  wear  a  charm  againft  thofe  who  praife  a  Poet  withr 
out  rule  or  reafon. 

. Si  ultra  placitum  lauiarit^  haccare  froHtem 

Cingito^  ne  Vati  noceat-^— 

But  however  this  contention  mi^t  be  carried  on  by 
the  Partisans  on  either  fide,  I  cannot  help  thmking 
thefe  two  great  Poets  were  good  friends,  and  lived  oa 
amicable  terms  and  in  offices  of  fociety  with  each  other. 
It  is  an  acknowledged  fad,  that  Bm  Johnfon  was  ih- 
troduced  upon  the  Stage,  and  his  firft  works  encou* 
raged,  by  Shakefpear.  And  after  lus  death,  that 
Author  writes  To  the  memory  of  his  beloved  Mr.  Wil- 
liam Shakeipear,  which  (hows  as  if  the  inendfhip  had 
oonrioued  thro'  life.  I  cannot  for  my  own  pare  find 
any  thing  JnviMous  or  Sparing  in  thofe  vofes,  but 
wonder  Mr«  Dry4<»  was  of  that  opsaoKU    He  exalt*^ 

b  3  him 


XJUCVUl 


Mr.Vovh's   PRE  F^  C E. 


him  not  ody  above  all  his  Contemporari(rs,  but  above 
Chaucer  and  Spenfcr^  whom  he  wUl  not  allow  co  be 
great  enough  to  be  rank'd  with  him  i   and  challenge* 
tiic  names  of  SophocUs^  Euripidis^  and  .^fchylus^  nay 
all  Gruce  and  Rome  at  once,  to  equal  him  \  and  {wlijcli 
is  very  paiticularj  cxprcfly  vindi^tcs  him  from  thi^^ 
imputation  of  wanting  Jrt^  not  enduring  that  all  l^^H 
excellencies  fhou'd  be  artribured  to  Nature,     It  is  re^^ 
markabk  coo^    tlut   the  praife  he  gives  him  in  Jiis 
Di/covtries  fecms  to  proceed  from  a  perfonal  kindnefs  \ 
h^  tells  us  that  he  loy'd  the  man,  as  well  as  honoured 
hjs  mcniojy  ;  celebrates  the   honefty^   openncfs»   and 
frankneft  of  his  temper  \  and  only  diftingui(hcsj  as  he 
reafonably  ought,  between  the  real  merit  of  the  Au- 
thor, and  the  fiily  and  derogatory  applaufes  of  the 
Player^.     Bm  Jchnfon  might  indeed  be  fparing  in  his 
Commendations  (dio*  certainly  he  is  not  fo  in  this  in- 
ftance)  partly  jVpm  his  own  nature,  and  partly  from 
judgment.     For  men  of  judgment  tiiink  ihey  do  any 
iTian  more  fervtce  in  praifing  him  juftly^  than  lavifbly, 
t  fay,  I  would  fain  believe  they  were  Friends,  tho' 
the  violence  and  ill-breeding  of  their  Followers  and 
Flitterers  were  cnougii  to  give  rife  to  the  contrary 
report,     I  would  hope  that  it   may  be  with  PariUsy 
both  in  Wit  and  State,  as  with  thofe  Monfters  de- 
fcribed  by  tiie  Poets ;  and  that  their  Heads  at  Icaft 
may  have  (bmethmg  human,  tho^  their  B&dses  and 
yW/f  are  wild  beafts  and  ftrj>ents. 

As  I  believe  that  what  I  have  mentioned  gave  rife  to 
the  opinion  of  Shtikcfpear^h  want  of  learning  ;  fo  what 
Las  continued  it  down  to  us  may  have  been  the  many 
blunders  and  illiteracies  of  the  firft  Publiihers  of  his 
works*  In  thefe  Editions  their  ignorance  ihines  in 
almoft  every  page ;  nothing  is  more  common  than 
A^us  tenia.  Exit  omms.  Enter  tbree  Witches  folus. 
Their  French  is  as  bad  as  their  Latin^  both  in  con- 
ftjii(ftion  ind  ipdiing:    Their  very  IVJJb  is  falfc* 

Noi 


Mr.  Pop^V  PREFACE. 


XXXI X 


Nothing  is  more  likely  than  that  thofc  palpable  blun- 
ders of  Hf^Ur*s  quoting  Jlriftvtk^  with  others  of  rhat 
gmls  kind,  iprung  from  the  fame  root :  it  not  being 
at  all  credible  that  thefc  could  be  die  errors  of  any 
man  who  had  the  Icaft  tinfture  of  a  School,  or  the 
leaft  convcriacion  with  fuch  as  had,  Ben  Jobnfin 
(whom  they  will  not  think  partial  to  him)  allows  him 
at  leaft  to  have  \\^dfim2e  Latin  \  which  is  utterly  in- 
confiftent  with  mirtakes  like  thefe.  Nay  the  conftant 
blunders  in  proper  names  of  perfons  and  places,  are 
fuch  as  muft  have  proceeded  from  a  man,  who  had 
nor  ib  much  as  read  any  hiftory,  in  any  language :  fo 
could  not  be  Sbah/pear's, 

J  /hall  now  lay  before  the  reader  fome  of  ihofe  al* 
loft  innumerable  Errors,  which  have  rifen  from  one 
tree,  the  ignorance  of  the  Players,  both  as  his  aftors, 
and  as  his  Editors.  When  the  nature  and  kinds  of 
thefe  arc  enumerated  and  confidered,  I  dare  to  iky 
that  not  Shake/pear  only,  but  /IriJiotU  or  Ckero^  had 
their  works  undergone  the  fame  face,  might  have  ap* 
pcar*d  to  want  fenfe  as  well  as  learning. 

It  is  not  certain  that  any  one  of  his  Plays  wai  pub* 
liflied  by  himfelf.  Duiing  the  rime  of  his  employ- 
ment in  the  Theatre,  fcveral  of  his  pieces  were  printed 
icparately  in  Quarto.  What  makes  me  think  that 
moft  of  thefe  were  not  publifli^d  by  him,  is  the  cxcef- 
fivc  carciefsnefs  of  the  prefs ;  every  page  is  fo  fcanda- 
loufly  faJfe  fpelled,  and  almofl  all  the  learned  or  un- 
uiijal  wonisfo  intolerably  mangled » that  it's  plain  there 
ekher  was  no  Corrector  to  the  prcfe  at  all,  or  one  totally 
iUircrate.  Jf  any  were  fupervucd  by  himfelf^  I  ihould 
the  two  parts  of  Henry  tte  4/^,  and  Mdfummer* 
[it's  Dream  might  have  been  fo :  becaufe  I  find  no 
printed  with  any  cxaftncfs;  and  (contrary  to  the 
there  is  very  link  variation  in  all  the  fubfequcnt 
liDons  of  them.  There  arc  extant  two  Prefaces,  to 
ic  firft  quarto  edition  of  Trmbts  and  Creffiia  in  ifiog* 

b  4  and 


%]  Mr.Vovh'i   PEEFACB, 

B^  and  to  that  of  OibclU  ^  by  which  it  appears,  thuc  tht 

^H  fitft  was  pubitfbcd  wuhouc  hts  koowkdge  or  coiiieiic» 

^^1  zad  even  Dcforc  it  was  a&ci^  (b  late  as  levcn  or  eighc 

^^H  years  before  he  died  :   and  that  the  Utter  was  noc 

^^B  prkHfid  'dU  ^ccr  hts  death.    The  wbok  muxiber  of 

^^B  gcniiioe  pl^  which  we  have  been  able  to  find  princed 

^^P  in  his  hfe-timc,  aqioimts  but  to  deves.   And  of  ibtm 

^^^  of  tbcfc,  we  cneec  with  two  or  more  cdkioos  by  dif- 

H  £rrcnt  printers,  each  of  wluch  has  whole  heaps:  of  traih 

H  Afferent  from  the  odkcr  :  which  I  (hould  hncj  wis 

^^^  oceafion^d  by  their  bek^  bkcn  fiom  different  copies, 

^^B  brkmpng  to  different  Flay-houles. 
H^  The  folio  cdiiton  ( in  which  ali  the  {days  we  now 

H  receive  as  his,  were  ErUt  coUe^ed )  was  puhhibcd  bf 

H  two  Playo^,  Hamjtges  and  Comldi^  in   1623^  feven 

H  yean  aforr  hts  dcceafe.  They  declare,  that  aU  the  other 

H  cdidons  were  Oukn  and  furreptitious  and  affirm  tbdn 

H  to  be  purged  from  the  errors  of  the  former.     This  is 

H  true  as  to  die  literal  errors^  and  no  other  ;  for  in  aU 

H  icfpe^  elic  it  is  fir  worfe  than  the  Quarto's. 
H^  Firft,  becauie  the  additions  of  trifling  and  bo! 

^^H  pftfiages  are  in  tliis  edidon  far  more  numerous 

^^V  whatever  (tad  been  added,    fincc  thofe  Quano' 

■  the  achors,  or  lud  Aolcn  from  their  mouths  into  the 
^^K  written  parts,  wore  trom  thence  conveyed  into  the 
^^V  printed  text,  and  all  (laod  charged  upon  the  Author. 

■  He  himfelf  complained  of  this  ufage  iti  Hamkt^  where 
^^K  be  wiOies  that  tbofi  v:he  play  tb<  Qowm  ww^dfpe^ 
^^P  n^  mcrt  thm  is  jH  d&vm  fcr  tbtm^  ( Ad,  3.  Sc.  4.) 

■  But  as  a  proof  that  he  coukl  not  e^pe  it,  in  the  old 
^^K  editions  of  Rcmzc  and  Juliet  there  is  no  hint  of  a 
^^V  gr^^  number  of  the  mean  conceits  and  ribaldries  now 
H  to  be  found  there.  In  others,  the  bw  fcencs  of  Mobs, 
H  Plebeians  and  Clowns*  are  vaAly  ihorCer  than  at  prcM 
H  icnt:  And  I  have  ken  one  in  parGcufar  (which  r<fen]fl 

■  fo  have  belonged  to  the  play-houfe,  by  having  the 

■  parts  divided  with  lines,  and  the  Adors  immes  in  the 
H  margin) 


mba^l 
's,bP 


Afr.  PoptV    PREFACE. 

mir|^)  where  fevcral  of  chofe  very  paffages  were 
added  in  a  whttcn  hand^  which  arc  (incc  co  be  feuod 
in  the  folio* 

In  the  next  place,  a  number  of  beautiful  paflagei 
which  are  extant  in  the  iirft  fingle  editions,  art  omit- 
ted in  this :  as  k  fecms  without  any  other  reafon, 
than  thdr  willingncfs  to  fliorcen  feme  fccncs  :  Thcfe 
men  (as  it  was  faid  of  Prccrufics)  either  lopping,  or 
ftrctching  an  Authorj  to  make  hini  juft  fit  for  their 
Stage. 

Tim  edition  is  faid  to  be  printed  from  the  Oripnai 
Copies  ;  I  believe  they  meant  thofe  which  had  lain  ever 
Hoce  the  Author's  days  in  the  play-houfe,  and  had 
from  time  to  time  been  cut,  or  added  to^  arbitrarily. 
It  appears  that  this  edition,  as  well  as  the  Quarto*5» 
was  printed  (at  leaft:  partly)  from  no  better  copies 
than  the  Prompter's  Boek^  or  Piecemeal  Parts  written 
out  for  the  ufe  of  the  adtors ;  For  in  fomc  places  tlicir 
very  (dj  names  are  thro'  carele&ncis  let  down  indead 
cf  the  Ptrjma  Dramatis :  And  in  others  the  notes  of 
dircAion  to  the  Property-tnen  for  their  Mcvcaiki,  and 
to  the  Piifyers  for  their  Enlrtej^  are  inferted  into  tlic 
Text,  thro'  the  ignorance  of  the  Traricribcrs, 

The  Piays  not  having  been  before  fo  much  at 
diftinguifliM  by  Jifs  and  Sc&jej^  they  are  in  thii  cdi- 
tbn  divided  according  as  they  play*d  them  ;  often 
where  there  is  no  paufe  in  the  a^ion,  or  where  they 
thought  Er  to  make  a  breach  in  ir>  for  the  lake  of 
Mufick,  Mafqiics,  or  Monfters. 

Sometimes  the  firenes  arc  tranfpofcd  and  fhufflcd 
turkward  and  forward  ;  a  thing  which  could  no  other^p' 
wife  happen,  bur  by  thdr  being  taken  from  Separate 
yad  picce-meal-written  para. 

(tf)  Much  aio  dbouttiothiog^,  A^  t.  SMUr  print f  JjeantOf 
Ckodio,  AJT^  ]a«k  Wilfon*  infira^  i/BAUhitar.  Md  im  A^.  4. 
Cotricy,  *wi  Kemp,  (pfjtantij  thn*  a  icAc/*  Sentt. 

EdiLfol.  of  1623,  9Md  1631, 

Many 


I 


iUi  Mr.Povhs  PREFACE. 

Many  verfcs  arc  omicted  cntirdy,  and  others  trant 
pofed  i  from  whence  invincible  obfcurities  have  arifcn, 
palt  the  gucfs  of  any  CommE:ntator  to  clear  up,  but 
juft  where  the  accidental  gl  impfc  of  an  old  cdidoa 
cnlrghtcns  us,  ^M 

Some  Charadlcrs  were  confounded  and  mix*d,  oP 
two  put  into  one,  for  want  of  a  competent  number  of 
actors.  Thus  in  the  Quarto  edidoii  of  Afid/iwsmer'- 
Nighi*s  Dream,  A^  5.  Sbakifpear  introduces  a  kind 
of  Maflcr  of  the  Revels  called  Philcfiraie:  all  whofe 
part  is  given  to  another  character  ( that  of  Egeus )  in 
the  fubfrquent  editions  :  So  alio  in  Hamlet  and  King 
Lear.  This  too  makes  it  probable  that  the  Promp- 
ter's Books  were  what  they  calPd  the  Original  Copies 

From  liberties  of  this  kind,  many  fpecchesallb  were 
put  into  the  mouths  of  wrong  perfons,  where  the  A 
thor  now  feema  chargeable  with  making  them  Ipe 
out  of  charaftcr  :  Or  ibmetimes  perliaps  for  no  litter 
r^bn,  than  that  a  governing  Player^  to  have  the  \ 
mouthing  of  fome  favourite  fpcech  himfelf,  would  1 
Ihatch  it  from  the  unworthy  lips  of  an  Underling.  | 

Frofc  from   verfe  they  did  not  know,    and  they 
accordingly  printed  one  tor  the  other  throughout  tt^^ 
volume.  ^1 

Having  been  forced  to  iay  fo  much  of  the  PJayen~ 
1  think  I  ought  in  juftice  to  remark,  that  the  Judg- 
ment, as  well  ajs  Condition,  of  that  daft  of  people 
was  then  far  inferior  to  what  it  is  in  our  days.     As 
then  the  beft  Playhoufcs  were  Inns  and  Taverns  ( 
Glcbey  the  Hope^  the  Red  Bull^  the  Fcrlune,  Sec.) 
the  top  of  the  profeJTion  were  then  mcer  Players,  n 
Gentlemen  of  the  ftage  ;  They  were  led  into  the  But- 
tery by  the  Steward,  not  plac'd  at  the  Lord*s  table, 
Lady*s  toilette :  andconfequently  wereintirely  depriv'^ 
of  thofe  advantages  they  now  enjoy,  in  the  famili 
converfation  of  our  Nobility,  and  an  intimacy  (  not  to 
&y  deameft)  with  people  of  the  fifft  condition. 

Fro 


3ff.  P  0  P  eV  pre  fa  C  B,  xhii 

^rom  what  has  been  faid,  there  can  be  no  queftioD 
but  had  Sbakejpear  publiihcd  his  works  himfeU  (efpc- 
cially  in  his  latter  time,  and  after  his  retreat  from  the 
ftage)  we  fhould  not  only  be  ctTtain  which  are  ge- 
nuine i  but  fhould  find  in  thofe  that  are,  the  errors 
Icffcned  by  fome  thoufands,  H  1  may  judge  from  all 
the  diftinguifliing  marks  of  his  (tyle,  and  his  manner 
of  thinking  and  writing,  I  make  no  doubt  to  declare 
that  thofe  wretched  plays  Perkies^  Lscrine,  Sir  John 
OUcaJfU,  Torkjbiu  Tragedy^  Lord  Crontweil,  The  Pu- 
ritany  and  London  Prodigal^  cannot  be  admitted  as  his. 
And  I  ihould  conjedurc  of  fome  of  the  others,  (parti- 
cularly  Lyve^s  Lahmr'%  Loft,  Tie  iVtnter^i  Tale^  and 
Tiius  Andrcmcus)  that  only  fome  charadters,  fingle 
fcenes,  or  perhaps  a  few  particular  paffages,  were  of 
his  hand,  Jt  is  very  probable  what  occafionM  fome 
PUys  to  be  fuppofcd  Shake/pear*^  was  only  this  j  that 
tbey  were  pieces  produced  by  unknown  authors,  or 
fitted  up  for  the  Theatre  while  it  was  under  his  admi- 
niftrauon:  and  no  owner  claiming  them,  they  were 
adjudged  to  him,  as  they  giv«  Strays  to  the  Lord  of 
the  Manor:  A  miftake  which  (one  may  alfo  obferve) 
it  was  not  for  the  intcrcft  of  the  Houfe  to  remove.  Yet 
the  Players  chemfclves,  Hemlnges  and  Condelly  after- 
wards did  Sbakejpear  the  jufticc  to  rcjeft  thofe  eight 
plays  in  their  edition*  tho'  they  were  then  printed  in 
his  Name,  in  every  body's  hands,  and  aded  with  fome 
applaufe  J  (as  we  learn  from  what  Ben  Jobnfon  fays  of 
PtricUs  m  his  Ode  on  the  New  Inn,)  That  7itus  An- 
drmum  is  one  of  diis  clafa  I  am  the  rather  induced  to 
believe,  by  finding  the  fame  Author  openly  exprcfs  his 
contempt  of  it  in  the  Induiiim  to  Bartbokmew-Pair^ 
in  the  year  1614,  when  Shake/pear  was  yet  hving* 
And  there  is  no  better  authority  for  ihefe  latter  fort, 
than  for  the  former,  wliich  were  equally  publilhed  in 
tus  lifc^cime. 


If 


y 


IV 


Afn  PopeV   preface. 


If 


into  this 


how 


low 


opmiODi 

vicious  pans  and  paiTages  might  no  longer  reflect  upon 
this  great  Genius^  but  ajipcar  unworthily  charged  upon 
him?  And  even  in  thoie  which  are  really  his,  how 
many  faults  may  have  been  unjullly  laid  to  his  account 
from  arbitrary  Additions,  Expunftions,  Tranfpofi- 
tiona  of  fccnes  anti  lines,  confufion  of  Characters  and 
Perlbns,  wrong  application  of  Speeches,  corruptions 
of  innumerable  Pafiagcs  by  the  Ignorance,  and  wrong 
Correftions  of  'em  again  by  the  Impertinence,  of  his 
firft  Editors  ?  From  one  or  other  of  thefc  confide- 
rations,  I  am  verily  perfuaded,  that  tlie  greateft  and 
the  grolleft  part  of  what  are  thought  his  errors  would 
vanifh,  and  leave  his  charaAer  in  a  light  very  diffe- 
rent from  that  difadvantageous  one,  in  which  it  now 
appears  to  us, 

Thb  is  the  ftate  in  which  Sbakefpear*^  writings  lyc 
at  prefent  •,  for  fincc  the  abovementioned  Folio  Edi- 
tion, all  the  reft  have  implicitly  followed  it,  without 
having  recouWe  to  any  of  the  former,  or  ever  making 
the  comparifon  between  them.  It  is  impofTiblc  to  re- 
p:ur  the  Injuries  already  done  him  \  coo  much  time 
has  elaps*d,  and  the  materials  are  too  few.  In  what 
I  have  done  I  have  rather  given  a  proof  of  my  will- 
ingnels  and  dcfire,  than  of  my  ability,  to  do  him 
juftice,  I  have  difchargM  the  dull  duty  of  an  Editor, 
to  my  beft  judgment,  with  more  labour  than  I  cxpeft 
thanksi  with  a  religious  abhorrence  of  all  tnnovatioi 
and  without  any  indulgence  to  my  private  fenic 
conjcflure.  The  method  taken  in  this  Edition  wu 
fhow  itlelf  The  various  Readings  are  fairly  put 
th*  margifj,  fo  that  every  one  may  compare  *em  •,  ai 
thole  I  have  prcfcr'd  into  the  Text  are  conftantly 
fide  Ccdiatm^  ujx)n  authority.  The  AJtcraiions 
Additions  which  Shakefptar  himfelf  made,  arc  taken 
notice  of  as  they  occur  Some  fufpetfted  paflages 
which  arc  cxccfllvcly  bad,  ( and  which  leem  Interpo- 


1 


lauoi 


Mr.Vov%*s   PREPACK 

by  bcir^  fo  inferted  chat  one  can  imirdy  oink 

without  any  chafm,  or  dcfidence  in  the  context) 
degraded  to  the  bottom  of  the  page ;  with  aa 
ftcrisk  referring  to  the  places  of  their  infertion.  The 
Scenes  are  marked  fo  diftinftly  that  every  removal  of 
place  is  fpccily'di  wUch  h  more  neceflary  in  this 
Author  than  any  other,  fince  he  ihifcs  them  more 
frequently  :  and  ibtnedmes  without  attending  to  t)us 
particular,  the  reader  would  have  met  with  oh* 
fcuritics.  The  more  obfolete  or  unufual  words  arc 
explained.  Some  of  the  moft  fhining  paflagcs  arc 
ditlmguifti'd  by  comma*s  in  die  margin;  and  where 
the  beauty  lay  not  in  particulars  but  in  the  whole,  a 
ftar  is  prefix'd  to  the  fcene.  This  feems  to  me  a 
fhorter  and  kfs  oftcncatious  method  of  performing 
the  better  half  of  Criticifm  ( namely  the  pointing  out 
an  Author's  excellencies)  than  to  fill  a  whole  paper  with 
citations  of  fine  paflEiges^  with  general  A^plaufis^  or 
jy  Exdamaticns  at  the  tail  of  them.  There  is  alfo 
bjoin'd  a  Catalogue  of  thofe  iirft  Editions  by  which 
c  greater  part  of  the  various  readings  and  of  the 
corredbed  pafTagcs  are  authorited,  { moft  of  which  are 
fuch  as  carry  their  own  evidence  along  with  them.) 
Thefc  Editions  now  hold  the  place  of  Originals,  and 
the  only  materials  left  to  repair  the  deficienccs  or 
e  the  corrupted  fenfc  of  the  Author;  I  can  only 
fti  that  a  greater  number  of  them  (if  a  greater  were 
cr  publifliedj  may  yet  be  found,  by  a  fearcli  more 
ccclsful  than  mine,  for  the  better  accomplilliment 
this  end* 

1  will  conclude  by  laying  of  Shakifptar^  that  with 
all  his  faults,  and  with  all  the  irregularity  of  his  Drama^ 
lay  look  upon  his  works,  in  companion  of  thofe 
are  more  finilh'd  and  regular,  as  upon  an  ancient  ' 
ajeilick  piece  of   Got  hick  Arcliitefture,     compared  ' 
ith  a  neat  Modem   building;    l\\c  latter  is  more  ' 

clfgant 


M^' 

R^j 

'^c 


xlv" 


y 


xlvi  AfnPopEV  PREFACE. 

elegant  and  glaring,  buc  the  former  is  more  ftrong 
more  folemn-  It  muft  be  allowM,  that  in  one  of 
there  are  materials  enough  to  make  many  of  the  other. 
'  It  has  much  the  greater  variety,  and  much  the  nobler 
apartments;  the'  we  arc  often  condudled  to  them  by 
dark,    odd,  and  uncouth  PaHages.     Nor  does  th^M 
Whole  fail  to  ftrikc  us  with  greater  reverence,  tho^^ 
tnany  of  the  Parts  are  childi(h|  Ul-plac'd,  and  im- 
jrqual  to  its  grandeur. 


SOME 


^ 


SOME 

Account  offhe  Life,  ^c, 

o  F 
r.  WILLIAM  SHAKESPEAR. 

Written  *y  Mr.  R  O  W  E, 


T  fccms  to  be  a  kind  of  refpeft  due  to 
the  memory  of  excellent  men,  cfpedally 
of  thofc  whom  their  wit  and  learning 
have  made  famous,  to  deliver  fome  ac- 
count of  themfclves,    as  well  as    their 
»rks,  to  Pofterity,     For  this  reafbn,  how  fond  do 
wc  fee  fomc  people  of  difcovering  any  little  perfonal 
Ilory  of  the  great  men  of  Antiquity  !  their  families, 
fhc  common  accidents  of  their  lives,  and  even   their 
ihape,  make,  and  features  have  been  the  fubjedt  of 
■ridcal  enquiries.    How  trifling  foever  this  Curiofity 
^nay  feem  to  be,  it  is  certainly  very  natural ;  and  we 
are  hardly  fatisfy'd  with  an  account  of  any  remarkable 
pcribn,  till  we  have  heard  him  defcrib'd  even  to  the 
«  Tcry  cloaths  he  wears*     As  for  what  relates  to  men  of 
kttcrs*  the  knowledge  of  an  Author  may  fometimet 
conduce  to  the  better  underfUnding  his  book :   And 

tho' 


Some  Account  of  the  Life^  &c. 

tho*  the  Works  of  Mr.  Shakefpear  may  fccm  to  many 
not  to  wane  a  comment,  yet  I  fancy  fome  lircic  account 
of  the  man  himlelf  may  not  be  thought  improper  to 
go  along  with  them. 

He  was  the  fon  of  Mr.  John  Shake/pear,  and  wis 
bom  at  Stratford  upon  Avm^  in  h'arwkkjbire^  in 
April  1564.  His  family,  as  appears  by  the  Re^ftcr 
and  pubUck  Writings  relating  to  that  Town,  were  of 
good  figure  and  fafhion  there,  and  are  menrion'd  as 
gentlemen.  His  father,  who  was  aconllderable  dealer 
in  woo!,  had  fo  large  a  family,  ten  cliildrcn  in  aU, 
that  tho'  he  was  his  eldeft  fon,  he  could  give  him  no 
better  education  than  his  own  employment.  He  had 
bred  him»  'ds  true,  for  fome  time  at  a  Free-fchool, 
where  'tis  probable  he  acquired  what  L^ztin  he  was 
mafter  of:  But  the  narrownefs  of  hts  circumflrnnccs, 
and  the  want  of  his  affiftancc  at  home,  forc'd  his  fa- 
ther to  withdraw  him  from  thence,  and  unhappily 
prevented  his  fiirther  proficiency  in  cliat  language.  I|^| 
is  without  controverfy,  that  in  his  works  we  fcarce  finrf^ 
any  traces  of  any  thing  that  looks  like  an  imitation  of 
the  Ancients.  The  delicacy  of  his  tafle>  and  the  n 
tural  bent  of  his  owm  great  Cemus^  (equaJ,  if  not  (ljp<S^ 
rlor  to  fome  of  the  bcil  of  theirs)  would  certainly  have 
led  him  to  read  and  ftudy  'em  with  fo  much  pleafurr, 
that  fome  of  their  fine  imager,  u^ouid  naturally  have 
infinuated  thcmfelves  into,  and  been  mix'd  with  his 
own  writings ;  lb  rhac  his  not  copying  at  leaft  fome- 
thing  from  them,  may  be  nn  argument  of  his  never 
having  rearl  'em.  Whether  his  ignorance  of  the  An- 
cients were  a  difadvantage  to  him  or  no,  may  admit 
of  a  difpute  :  For  tho^  the  knowledge  of  'em  might 
have  made  him  more  corre^fl,  yet  it  is  not  improbable 
but  that  the  regularity  and  deference  for  them,  which 
would  have  attended  that  conetlnefs^  might  have  re* 
ftrmn'd  fome  of  that  fire,  impettiofity,  and  CT^en  beau* 
liful  extravagance  which  wc  adtnirc  in  Shaii^ear 


or 


of  Jfr William  Shakespear.     xlvii 

And  1  believe  we  are  better  pleas'd  with  thofe  thought*, 
altogether  new  and  uncommon,  which  his  own  ima- 
gination fupply'd  him  fo  abundantly  with,  than  if  he 
had  given  us  the  moft  beautiful  paJTagcs  out  of  the 
Creek  md  Latin  poets,  and  that  in  the  moft  agreeable 
nianner  that  it  was  poflible  for  a  mafterof  the  Englifi 
language  to  deliver  *em , 

Upon  his  leaving  fchcol,  he  Jecms  to  have  g^vcn 
entirely  into  that  way  of  living  which  his  father  pro- 
pos'dto  him  \  and  in  order  to  fettle  in  the  vorld  after 
a  family  manner,  he  thouglit  fit  to  marry  while  he  was 
yet  Very  young.  His  wife  was  the  Daughter  of  one 
Haibawayy  faid  to  have  been  a  fubftantial  yeoman  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  Straifcrd.  In  this  kind  of  fct- 
dcmcnt  he  continu'd  for  fome  time,  *till  an  extrava- 
gance that  he  was  guilty  of  forc'd  him  both  out  of  hi* 
country  and  that  way  of  living  whidi  he  had  taken  up ; 
and  tho'  it  fccm'd  at  firfl:  to  be  a  bicmifh  upon  his  good 
manners^  and  a  misfortune  to  him,  yet  it  afterwards 
happily  provM  ilie  occafion  of  exerting  one  of  the 
grcatcft  Gtntufs  that  ever  was  known  in  dramatick 
i^octry.  He  had,  by  a  misfortune  common  enough 
to  young  fellows^  fallen  into  ill  company  ;  and  amongft 
them,  fomc  that  matie  a  frequent  practice  of  Deer- 
ftealing,  engag*d  him  with  rhem  more  than  once  in 
robbing  a  Park  that  belong'd  to  Sir  Thomas  Lu£y  of 
Cbtrkcotj  near  SiratfQrd.  For  this  he  was  profecuted 
by  that  gentleman,  as  he  thought,  fomewhat  too  Ic- 
vcrely  *,  and  in  order  to  revenge  rliat  ilJ  ufage,  he  made 
A  bdUad  upon  him.  And  tho*  tliis,  probably  the  firft 
cflay  of  his  Poetry,  be  Joft,  yet  it  is  laid  to  have  been 
lb  very  bitter,  that  it  redoubled  the  Profecution  agsunft 
him  to  that  degree,  that  he  was  obligM  to  leave  his 
bufinefs  and  family  in  JVanvickJhiu^  for  fome  time, 
and  Ihclter  himfelf  in  London, 

It  is  at  this  time,  and  upon  this  accident,  that  he  is 
(aid  to  have  made  his  lirft  acquaintance  in  ihc  Play- 

houfc. 


xlviii  Same  Account  of  the  Life^  &ۥ 

hodc.  He  was  received  into  the  company  then 
being,  at  firil  in  ft  very  mean  rank  j  but  his  adm: 
ble  wit,  and  the  natural  turn  of  it  to  the  flage,  f< 
diftinguifh'd  him,  if  not  as  an  extraordinary  A<^or, 
yet  as  an  exceUenc  Writer.  His  name  is  pintcd,  a* 
the  cuftom  was  in  chofe  times,  amongft  thofe  of  the 
other  Players,  before  Jome  old  Plays,  but  without 
any  particular  account  of  what  fort  of  parts  he  u*M  to 
play  -,  and  tho*  I  have  enquired,  I  could  never  meet 
with  any  further  account  of  hrm  this  way,  than  that 
the  top  of  his  Performance  was  the  ghoft  in  his  own 
Hamiet,  I  fhould  have  been  much  more  pleas'd,  tO 
have  leam'd  from  fome  certain  authority^  which  wa» 
the  firft  Play  he  wrote  [a]  \  it  would  be  without  doubt 
a  jdcafure  to  ajiy  man,  curious  in  things  of  this  kind, 
to  fee  and  know  what  was  the  firft  ciTay  of  a  fancy 
like  Shake/pear's,  Perhaps  we  are  not  to  look  for  hii 
b^innings,  Fikc  thofe  of  other  authors,  among  thdr 
Icaft  pertetft  writings ;  art  had  fo  little,  and  nature  fa 
large  a  ihare  in  wiiat  he  did,  that,  for  ought  I  know, 
the  performances  of  his  youth*  as  they  were  the  moil 
vigorous,  and  had  the  moft  fire  and  ftrength  of  ima- 
gination in  'cm,  were  the  beft.  I  would  not  bi 
thought  by  this  to  mean,  that  his  fancy  was  fo  loofe 
and  extravagant,  as  to  be  independent  on  the  rule  and 
government  of  judgment  ^  but  that  what  he  thought, 
was  commonly  fo  great,  fo  jufUy  and  rightly  con- 
cdv'd  in  it  fclf,  that  it  wanted  little  or  no  corrcfticin, 
and  was  immediately  approved  by  an  impartial  judg- 
ment at  the  firft  figlir.  But  the'  the  order  of  time  in 
which  the  feveral  pieces  were  written  be  generally  un- 
certain, yet  there  are  paflages  in  fome  few  of  ch< 
which  feem  to  fix  iheir  daces.     So  the  Chorus  at 


1 


(a)  7h£  hightft  ^ait  of  ony   I  raitjfi/tt^,  //  Romeo  amj  }vl 
iV]S97f  vi»tH  tkt  Author  ^vmi  %iy fan  9id\  tf«^ Richftrd  the  j^« 
^nd  %^,  ift  ihf  mxt  jear^  viz.  ik4  ^^btfhiimgi. 

end 


cf Mr.WiLLiAM  Shakespear. 

end  of  the  fourth  Aft  of  Henry  V,  by  a  compliment 
very  handfomely  turn'd  co  the  Ear!  of  Effex^  fhews 
the  Play  to  have  been  written  when  that  Lord  was 
General  for  the  Queen  in  Ireland:  And  his  Elogy 
upon  Queen  Elizabeth^  and  her  fucceflbr  King  Jama^ 
in  the  lacter  end  of  his  Henry  Vill.  Is  a  proof  of  that 
Play's  being  written  after  the  accefllon  ofthe  latter  of 
thofe  two  Princes  to  the  crown  of  England.  What* 
ever  the  particular  times  of  his  writing  were,  the  peo* 
pie  of  his  age,  who  began  to  grow  wonderfully  fond 
of  diverfions  of  this  kind,  could  not  but  be  highly 
pleas'd  to  fee  a  Gemui  anie  amongft  "em  of  fo  plca- 
Jbrable*  fo  rich  a  veiij,  and  fo  plentifully  capable  of 
fumJihing  their  favounrc  entertainments,  Befides  the 
advantages  ol  his  wit,  he  was  in  himfclf  a  good-natur*d 
man,  of  great  fwectnelji  in  his  manners^  and  a  mod 
agreeable  companion ;  fo  that  it  is  no  wonder  if  with 
So  XDSUiy  good  qualities  he  made  himfelf  acquainted 
with  the  beft  converfations  of  thofe  times.  Queen 
Elizabeth  had  fevcral  of  his  Plays  afted  before  her, 
;and  without  doubt  gave  him  many  gracious  marks  of 
her  favour  :  It  \%  that  maiden  Princefs  plainly,  whom 
tends  by 


:lix 


AfairVeJial,  Thromd  by  the  fFift. 

Midfummer-Night^s  Dream, 


Ethait  whole  paJTage  is  a  compliment  very  properly 
ght  in*  and  very  handJbmely  appIyM  to  her.  She 
was  fo  weU  pleas'd  with  that  admirable  charafter  of 
Falfiaff,  in  the  two  parts  of  Hemy  the  fourth,  that  Ihc 
commanded  him  to  continue  it  for  one  PJay  more, 
and  to  (hew  him  in  love.  This  is  (aid  to  be  the  oc- 
^cafion  of  his  writing  ^he  Merry  IVrves  of  Windfor, 
How  well  (he  was  obeyed,  the  Play  itfelf  is  an  admi- 
rable proof.  Upon  this  occafion  it  may  not  be  im- 
proper to  obferve,  that  this  part  of  FaHiaff  is  i^d  to 
"'oL.  1.  c  hare 


Simte  Account  of  the  Life^  Sec. 

have  b:cn  written  originally  imder  the  name  of  («)  Old'' 
caJlU  y  iomc  ci  tliat  ramjiy  bting  then  remaining,  rhc 
Queen  was  pk.is'd  to  command  him  co  alter  it  v  upofl 
which  he  made  ufc  of  Fdljiaff,  The  prefent  offttKe 
was  indeed  avoided ;  but  I  don't  know  whether  the 
Author  may  not  have  been  fomcwhat  to  bkme  in  his 
fecond  choice^  fincc  it  is  certain  that  Sir  John  Falftaff^ 
who  was  a  Knight  of  the  garter,  and  a  Lieutenant- 
general,  was  a  name  of  diftinguifh'd  merit  m  the  wars  in 
frame  in  Henry  the  fifth's  and  Hemythc  fixth's  times. 
What  grace  foevcr  the  Qijeen  confer'd  upon  him»  it 
was  not  to  her  only  he  ow'd  the  fortunt:  which  the  re- 
putation of  his  wit  made.  He  had  the  honour  to 
meet  wiih  many  great  and  uncommon  marks  of  favour 
and  friendfhip  from  the  F^rl  of  SoutknmptOM^  famous 
in  the  hiftorics  of  that  time  for  his  friendfhip  to  the 
unfortunate  Earl  of  Effex.  It  was  to  diat  noble 
that  he  dedicated  his  Poem  of  yenus  and 
There  is  one  inftance  fb  fingular  in  the  magnlfii 
of  this  Patron  of  Stake/pear*s^  that  if  1  had  iiot  bc< 
aiTur'd  that  the  ftory  was  handed  down  by  Sir  fPl/liam 
D'jivenan/i  who  was  probably  very  well  acquainted 
with  his  affairs,  I  ftiould  not  have  venturM  to  have 
inferred,  that  my  Lord  Souibampton  at  one  rime  gave 
him  a  thoulimd  pounds,  to  enable  him  to  go  through 
with  a  purchafe  which  he  heard  he  had  a  mind  to.  A 
bounty  very  great,  and  very  rare  at  any  time,  and  al- 
moft  equal  to  that  profufe  generofity  the  preienc  age 
has  fhewn  to  Frinch  Dancers  and  Italian  Singers. 

What  particular  habitude  or  fricndfliips  he  con- 
tracted with  private  men,  I  have  not  been  able  to  learn, 
more  than  tlut  every  one  wiio  had  a  true  tafte  of  nxe* 
rir,  and  could  cUftinguiih  men,  had  generally 
value  and  elleem  for  him.  His  exceeding  candor 
gpod-natiirc  muil  certainly  liave  indin'd  ail  the  g< 


(»)  St0  thf  £^iUx^i  U  Henry  IVih. 


o/Jfr.  William  Shakespear. 

part  of  the  world  to  love  him,  as  the  power  of  his  wit 
oblig'd  the  men  of  the  moft  delicate  knowledge  and 
polite  learning  to  admire  him. 

His  acquaintance  with  Ben  Jobnfon  began  with  a 
remarkable   piece   of  humanity    and   good-nature  i 
Mr.  Jobnfon^  who  was  at  that  time  altogether  un- 
known to  the  world,  had  oiFer*d  one  of  his  Plays  to 
the  Players,  in  order  to  have  it  afted  ;  and  the  per- 
fons  into  whofe  hands  it  was  put,  after  having  tum*d 
it  carelefly  and  fupercilioufly  over,  were  juft  upon  re- 
turning it  to  him  with  an  ill-natur*d  amwer,  that  it 
would  be  of  no  fcnnce  to  their  Company  ;   when 
Shake/pear  luckilv  caft  his  eye  upon  it,   and  found 
Ibmething  fo  well  ia  it  as  to  engage  him  firft  to  read  it 
through,  and  afterwards  to  recommend  Mr,  Johnfon 
and  his  writings  to  the  publick.    Jobnfon  was  certainly 
a  very  good  fcholar,  and  in  that  had  the  advantage  of 
Sbakefpear ;  tho'  at  the  fame  time  I  believe  it  muft 
beallow'd,  that  what  Nature  gave  the  latter,  was 
more  than  a  balance  for  what  Books  had  g^vcn  the  for* 
mer ;  and  the  judgment  of  a  great  man  upon  this  oc- 
cafion  was,  I  think,  very  juft  and  proper.  In  a  converla- 
tion  between  Six  John  Sucklings  Sir  William  D^Avenant^ 
Endpfion  Porter j  Mr.  Haks  of  Eaton,  and  Ben  Jobn- 
fon ;  Sir  John  Suckling,  who  was  a  profcfi*d  admirer 
of  Sbakejpear,  had  undertaken  his  defence  ag^ft  Ben 
Jobnfon  with  ibme  warmth  ^  Mr.  Haks,  who  had  (at 
ffiU  for  Ibme  time,  told  *em,  Tbat  if  Mr,  Shakefpear 
bad  not  read  the  Ancients,  be  bad  likewife  not  ftolen  any 
tbir^  from  *em  ;  oftd  that  if  be  would  produce  airy  one 
Topick  finely  treated  by  any  of  them,  be  would  undertake 
to  fhew  fometbing  upon  the  fame  fubjeS  at  leajl  as  well 
written  by  Shakefpear. 

The  latter  part  of  his  life  was  fpcnt,  as  all  men  of 
good  fenfe  will  wifh  theirs  may  be,  in  eafe,  retire- 
ment, and  the  converlation  of  Us  friends.  He  had 
the  good  fortitfie  to  gather  an  eftate  equal  to  his  occa« 

-     *  c    2  fiWly 


lii  Some  Accomtt  of  the  Lifey  tec. 

fion,  and,  in  chat,  to  his  wiih  ;  and  is  (aid  to  have  fpen: 
Ibme  years  before  his  deach  at  his  native  Straif&rd.    \ 
His  pleafurable  wit^  and  good-nature,  cngag'd  him  in    , 
the  acquaintance,  and  entitled  him  to  the  friend fhip  of 
the  gentlemen  of  the  neighbourhood,    Amongft  them, 
it  is  a  ftory  almoft  ftill  remember'd  in  that  counrry,  that 
he  had  a  particular  intimacy  with  Mr.  Comkcy  an  old 
gemlcman  noted  thereabouts  for  his  wealth  and  ufury ; 
Ic  happcn'd  that  in  a  pleaiant  converCition  amongft 
their  common  friends,  Mr.  Combe  told  Shakcfpear  to   1 
a  laughing  manner,  that  he   fancy 'd  he  intended  to 
write  his.  Epitaph,  if  he  happtn*d  to  ouc-live   him||| 
and  ^\ncc  he  could  not  know  what  might  be  iaid  ^^k 
him  when  he  was  dead^  he  defirM  it  might  be  done   ' 
immediately  ;  Upon  wluch  Shahfpsar  gave  him  thcfc 
four  verfcs, 

Ten  in  the  hundred  lies  here  ingrav^d^ 

*7h  a  hundred  to  len  hh  foul  is  not  fav*d : 

If  ofT/  man  asky  Who  lyes  in  this  tomb  ^ 

Ob!  bo!  quoth  the  dn^ily  ^tis  wy  John-a-Combc. 

But  the  fliarpnefs  of  the  Satire  is  faid  to  have  (lung 
the  man  fo  feverely,  that  he  never  forgave  it. 

He  dy'd  in  the  53d  year  of  his  age,  and  was  bury'd 
on  the  north  fide  of  the  chancel,  in  the  great  Church 
at  Siratf^dy  where  a  monument,  as  cngrav'd  in  the 
platCf  is  plac'd  in  the  wail.  On  his  Gravt-llonc  un- 
demcath  is. 

Good  friend^  far  Jefus'  fake  forbear 
Tq  dig  the  duft  imlo/ed  here, 
Bleji  be  the  man  tbst  fpares  tbefe  fimeSy 
And  cwfi  be  he  that  moves  my  bones. 

He  had  three  daughters,   of  which  two  llv'd 
marry  *d  ;  Judith^  the  elder,  to  one  Mr.  Thomas 
ffey^  by  whom  fhe  had  three  Sons,  who  all  died  with- 
out children  j  and  Sufannah^  w]io  was  his  favourite, 


of  Mr.  William  Shakespear.        Itii 

Dr.  Jebn  HaU^  a  phyfician  of  gpod  reputation  in 

at  country.     She  kfi  one  child  only,   a  daughter, 

ho  was  marryM  firft  to  'Thomas  Najb^  Efq;  and  after- 

ards  to  Sir  John  Bernard  of  Abttngion^  but  dy'd 

cwife  without  ifTue. 

This  IS  what  1  could  learn  of  any  noie^  either  rflat- 
g  to  himfelf  or  family:  The  charafter  of  the  man 
beft  fcen  in  his  writings.  But  fince  Ben  Jobfffin  has 
ade  a  fort  of  an  eflay  towards  it  in  his  Difcoveries^ 
will  give  it  in  his  words. 

*'  1  remember  the  Players  have  often  nicntion*d  it 
as  an  honour  to  Sbakefpear^  that  in  writing  (what- 
foever  he  pcnn'd  )  he  never  blotted  out  a  line.  My 
anfwer  Iiath  been,  M'ouU  he  bad  bkttei  a  iboufmdl 
which  they  thoUghc  a  malevolent  fpeech*  I  had 
not  told  pofterity  this,  but  for  their  ignorance,  who 
chofc  that  circiimflance  to  commend  their  friend 
by,  wherein  he  moft  faulted :  and  to  juftifie  mine 
own  candour,  for  I  lov'd  the  man,  and  do  honour 
his  memory,  on  this  fide  idolatry,  as  much  a^  any. 
He  was,  indeed,  honeft,  and  of  an  open  and  free 
nature,  had  an  excellent  fancy,  brave  notions,  and 
gentle  exprcfllons  ;  wherein  he  flow*d  with  that  fa- 
cility, chat  fometimes  It  was  neceffary  he  fliould  be 
ftopp'd  :  Sufflaminandus  erai^  as  Auguftus  laid  of 
Haierlus.  His  wit  was  in  his  own  power,  would 
the  rule  of  it  had  been  fo  too.  Many  times  he  tcfl 
into  thofe  tilings  wliich  could  not  dcape  laughter  \ 
as  when  he  faid  in  the  peribn  of  Ce/jr,  one  fpcaking 
to  hun. 


*'  Csriar  tbou  dofi  me  wrong. 

He  repiy'd : 

*"•  C^iix  did  nrver  wr&rtgy  but  with  ji^  cauft, 

•*  and  fuch  like,  which  were  ridiculous.  But  he  re- 
**  dc«n*d  his  vices  with  his  virtues :  There  was  ever 
more  in  him  to  be  pr^'d  than  to  be  pardon*d. 

c  3  A 


liv  Some  Account  of  the  Life^  &c. 

I  As  for  chr  paflagc  which  he  mentions  out  of^^i 

1  fpear,  there  is  fomewhat  like  it  in  yulius  OtfoTy 

I  without  die  abiurdity  5  nor  did  1  ever  meet  with  it 

^H  any  edirion  that  I  hare  fcen,  as  quoted  by  Mr.  Jt 

^M  fin.   Bcfides  his  plays  in  this  edition,  there  are  two 

V  three  afcrlb^d  to  him  by  Mr.  Langbmn^  which  I  hai 

I  never  fecn,  and  know  nothing  of.     He  writ  Ukcwi 

I  Venus  and  Adorns^  and  Tarquin  and  Lucrecty  in  ftairza's, 

f  which  have  been  printed  in  a  late  coliedtion  of  Poems. 

I  As  to  the  charaifter  given  of  hinfi  by  Ben  Jobnfin^ 

I  tlierc  is  a  good  deal  true  in  it ;  But  I  believe  it  may 

I  be  as  well  cxprcfs'd  by  what  Horace  (ays  of  the  firft 

I  Remans^  who  wrote  Tragedy  upon  the  Greek  models, 

I  Cor  indeed  translated  *eni)  in  his  cjilllc  to  ^ugu/ius, 

^B  »  Nafurd  fuMimis  IS  atet, 

^H  Nam  fpirat  Tragicum  fatis  £ff  feUciier  Audet^ 

^1  Sed  turpem  pufat  tn  Chartis  metuitque  Utitram. 

^P         As  I  have  not  propos*d  to  myfelf  to  enter  into 

1  large    and    compleat    collcftion    upon    Shake/pear 

I  Works»  fo  f  will  only  take  the  liberty,  with  aii  d 

L  fubniifllon  to  the  judgment  of  othen,  to  obferve  lb; 

^H  of  thole  things  I  have  been  pleas' d  with  in  looking 

^"  him  over. 

I  His  Plays  are  properly  to  be  diftinguifh*d  only  into 

1  Comedies  and  Tragedies.    Thole  which  are  call 

I  Hiftories,  and  even  fome  of  his  Comedies   are  rcall 

I  Tragedies,  with  a  run  or  mixcuix:  of  Comedy  among 

I  *em.     That  way  of  Tragi-comcdy  was  the  common 

I  miftake  of  thacage,  and  is  indeed  become  fo  agrce- 

I  able  to  the  Englijh  tafte,  that  tho'  die  feverer  Critics 

[  among  us  cannot  bear  ir,  yet  the  generality  of  our  au- 

L  dicnces  fcem  to  be  better  pleas'd  with  it  than  with  an 

I  exafl:  Tragedy,     The  I^krry  fflves  cf  Windfor,   the 

I  Ccmedy  of  Errors,  and  the  Ti^ming  of  the  Shrew,  are 

I  all  pure  Comedy  j  the  rcft^  however  they  are  cali'd, 

I  have  fomcthine  of  both  kinds*     'Tis  not 


to 

I 


very  cafy 


fo 


ofMr.WiLLiAM  Shakbspear. 

determine  which  way  of  writmg  he  was  moft  excel* 
t  in*     There  is  certainly  a  great  deal  of  cntenain- 
nc  in  his  comical  humours ;  and  tho*  they  did  not 
en  ftrike  ac  alJ  ranks  of  people,  as  the  Satire  of  the 
prcfent  age  has  taken  the  libeny  to  do,  yet  there  is  a 
pleafing  and  a  well-di(Tringuilh*ti  variety  in  thoie   cha* 
rafters  which  he  thought  lit  to  meddle  with,    FalJIaff 
is  allow*d  by  every  body  to  be  a   mafter-piecci    the 
Character  is  always  wclJ-fuftain'd,  tho*  drawn  out  into 
the  length  of  thrte  Flays  i  and  even  the  account  of 
liis  death,  given  by  his  old  landlady  Mrs,  ^tkkly^  in 
the  firft  aft  o(  Hcnty  V,   tho  it  be  extremely  natural, 
is  yet  as  diverting  as  any  part  of  his  life.     If  there  be 
anv  fault  in  the  draught  he  has  made  of  this  lewd  old 
fdlowj  it  is,  that  rhu*  he  has  made  him  a  thief,  lying, 
I    cowardly,  vain-g!orvous,  and  in  fhort  every  yny  vi- 
^Hpus,  yet  he  has  given  him  fo  n>uch  wit  as  to  make 
^^m  aimoft  too  agreeable  ;  and  I  don't  know  whether 
ibme  people  have  nor,  in  remembrance  of  the  diver- 
fion  he  had  formerly  afforded  *em,  been  forry  to  fee  his 
friend  Hal  uk  him  fo  fcurvify,  when  he  comes  to  the 
crown  in  die  end  of  the  feiond  part  tXfknry  che  fodrth. 
Amongft  other  extravagancies,  in  che  Merry  fVives  of 
Windfor,  he  has  made  him  a  Dccr-flealtr,  that  he 
might  at  the  fame  time  remember  his  M'arwickpnre 
proiecutor,  under  the  name  of  Jufllce  Shallow  ;    he 
has  given  him  very  near  the  fame  coat  of  arms  which 
Dugdak^  in  his  antiquides  of  that  county,  defcribes 
for  a  family  there,  and  makes  the  ff^^ljb  parfon  dcfcant 
very  pleaiandy  upon  'em.     That  whole  play  is  admi- 
rable ;  the  humours  are  various  and  well  opposM  i  the 
main  defign,  which  is  to  cure  Ferd  of  his  unreafonabic 
jcaloufy,  is  extremely  well  conducted.     In  Tweifih- 
Night  there  is  fomething  Angularly  ridiculous  and  plea- 
£uic  In  the  f^taiHcal  fteward  Aiaholk,    The  parafite 
and  the  vain-glorious  in  ParolkSy  in  AlPs  well  thai  Ends 
'xeUy  is  asgood  as  any  thing  of  that  kind  in  Pkutus 

c  4  or 


^ 


m 


hi  Smt  Axmmt  itf  ikt  Uft,  Sec 


rr  Tv^sKs.  P^tndia^  ai  tseTming  if  tie  Stnm^m 
ati  TncrjsarasB.  pecs  of  bczncGr.  T&  oaiivuiJIaiaB  of 
Beuidt  and  Btama^  in  Jt&ctf  iid^  mac  JVdCJs^, 
xrr:  if  Rjjotimi  n  ^  jm  Jir  :r,  xetc  snxfi  vk  aad 
grcnrirrj  ail  aiccg.  Hs  downs*,  vichoiir  wfakk 
rharacsr  3crt  i^as  oardy  jct  play  wnt  in 
ar^  all  tstt  *r.rminng:  ixi,  I  beinrct 
x  r^^jeiar  sad  Cr^diu  sad  ^monir  ix  fa 
b;  aacw'd  03  be  mafto'-pKcss  of  S-oacnre,  aol  fiqn- 
caliiarSrg,  To  cfacfel33gizcaddf  dxat  iDCODpaabk 
c-.aracer  nxlt^adt  che  7^^?  i>^  ^  MenhgKt  tf  Te- 
racs  -,  bet  ds>'  wc  hzrc  fee  that  day  leud^M  and 
aosd  as  I  ccccedj,  and  dacpartof  meTnrpedonB'd 
br  an  <^*y^*'wr  Ccmrdrar,  yec  I  caiuut  boc  dnok  k 
was  dftfg-erf  tragicallj  br  die  Anchor.  There  ap- 
pears in  ic  a  deaclT  f^iiic  of  revenge,  toch  a  frvage 
fercenefi  and  feflnrft,  and  firh  a  Uoody  deignoni 
cc  cruekj  and  miJrhTrf,  as  carroc  agree  cscher  widi 
the  fiyle  or  cfaataders  (tf*  Cxnedr.  The  pbf  id% 
take  ic  alcogedier,  frrnw  to  me  to  be  cce  of  the  moft 
firafh'd  of  any  of  Siaie^w^s.  The  tile  indeed,  in 
chat  part  rdacng  to  the  cBkcts,  and  the  excrxvagpc 
and  unu£jal  kind  of  bond  ^ven  by  ^teja;«,  b  too 
much  remov'd  &om  the  rules  of  probabilky :  Bottak- 
s-«g  the  b&  fix-  ganrrd,  we  mu^  allow  it  to  be  very 
txautifLilj  written.  There  is  fbmething  in  die  friend- 
fhip  of  jMcma  to  Baffema  very  great,  generous  and 
CfTider.  The  whole  mzrch  act  ^fiippofi^  as  I  laidt 
the  b£t  to  be  probaUe)  is  extreme^  Ene.  But  dkcrc 
are  two  pa^^  diat  dc&rvc  a  particular  nodce.  The 
&ft  is,  what  Portia  fays  b  pnuie  of  mercv,  and  the 
ether  on  the  power  of  mufidc.  The  melanchdy  of 
Jffues^  in  Asycu  Siek,  is  as  fingularand  odd  as  it  is 
^verting.     AndL^,  what /^sr^r^  lays, 

Pfffidlt  efifr&pric  ammunla  d-cere^ 

'rwill 


^/ify.  William  Shakespear. 

'twill  be  a  hard  ta&k  for  any  one  to  go  beyond  him  in 
the  dcfcription  of  chc  feveral  degrees  and  ages  of  man's 
life,  though  the  Thought  be  old,  and  coinmon 
enough. 

■-     *All  ihe  world  is  a  Stage ^ 
And  all  the  men  andwentcn  meerfy  Players  ; 
7'hey  have  their  Exits  and  their  Entrances^ 
And  one  man  in  his  lime  piays  many  PiirtSj 
His  ABs  being  f^en  ages.     Firjl  the  Infani 
Mealing  and  puking  in  the  nurje*s  arms : 
And  tbaty  the  whining  SchQ&l-hoy  with  hisfatehefj 
Andfiifmg  m(fming-face,  creeping  like/nail 
Un^ttlingly  to  fchooL     And  then  the  Lover 
Sighing  like  furnace^  with  a  woful  ballad 
Made  to  bis  Mifirefs'  ^e-brow,     Then  a  Scldier 
Full  offtrange  Qoihs^  and  bearded  like  she  Pard^ 
Jealous  in  honcur,  fudden  and  quick  in  quarrel^ 
^^eking  the  bubble  Reputation 
^JEv'n  in  the  cann&n*s  mouth.     And  then  the  yuftice 
^fln  fair  round  beliy^  with  good  capon  lin^d^ 
Wff^rth  eyes/evercy  and  heard  of  formal  cut^ 
Full  of  wife  faws  and  modem  inftances  \ 
Andfo  he  plays  his  part,     tbejixth  agefbifts 
Into  the  kan  andjlipper'^d  Pantaloon^ 
'    ItbfpcSlacles  m  nofe^  and  pouch  on  fide  \ 
lis  youthful  hcfe^  weU  fav^d^  a  *-JDorld  tec  wide 
For  his  fijrunk /banks  j  and  his  big  manly  voice, 
Turning  again  toward  childijh  treble^  pipes 
And  whtftles  in  his  found.    Lafl  Scene  of  ally 
That  ends  thisjirange  eventful  Hijlory^ 
Is  fecond  Childifinefs  andmeer  cMivion^ 
^^ans  tteth^  fans  gw,  fans  tajie,  fans  every  thing, 
^f  VoL  2.  p.  203. 

His  Images  are  indeed  every  where  Co  lively,  thit 
t|jc  thing  he  would  rcprefcnc  ftands  full  before  you, 

and 


Ivii 


Iviii  Some  Account  of  the  Life^  &c. 

and  you  poflcis  every  part  of  it.  1  will  venture  to 
point  out  one  more,  which  is,  I  think,  as  ftroog  and 
2s  uncommon  as  ;uiy  (hing  I  ever  ^w  ^  *u$  an  image 
of  Fouoice.    ^leaking  of  a  maid  in  love»  he  fays, 


—  She  JUveriM  ier  kve^ 
But  kt  ccmeahuJtJy  like  a  worm  ?  ih*  hnd^ 
Pad  m  htr  Jamask  cbtek :  She  pin'd  in  sboug 
Andfai  Uki  Patience  Pn  a  monument^ 
Smling  at  Grief. 


What  an  Image  ts  here  given!  and  what  a  task  wouU 
it  have  been  for  the  greaceft  maftcrs  of  Gretce  and 
R€me  to  have  cxprefs'd  the  pafTions  dcfign'd  by  this 
sketch  of  Statuary  !  The  ftyJe  of  his  Comedy  is,  in  gc^i 
neral,  natural  to  the  chara<%er5,   and  ealy  in  i(ielfj^| 
and  tlic  wit  moft  commonly  fprighrly  and  plcafin^^ 
except  in  thofe  places  where  he   runs   into  doggril 
rhymes^  as  in  TieCcm£d)f  cf  Errors^  and  fome  other 
plays.     As  for  his  jingling  fometimes^  and  playing 
upon  words,  it  was  the  common  vice  of  the  age  he 
liv'd  in :  And  if  we  iind  it  in  the  pulpic,  made  ufc  of 
as  an  ornament  to  the  Sermons  of  fome  of  the  graveft 
Divines  of  thofc  times ;  perhaps  it  may  not  be  thought     , 
too  light  for  the  Stage.  ^M 

But  certainly  the  greatncfs  of  this  Author's  genit^^ 
do's  no  where  fo  much  appear,  as  where  he  gives  his 
imagination  an  entire  loole,  and  raifa  his  fancy  to  a 
flight  above  mankind  and  the  limits  of  the  vifible 
world.  Such  are  his  attempts  in  The  Temfejt^  Mid- 
fummer-Nighf s  Dream^  M^ckbetb^  and  Hamkt,  Of 
tlicfc,  Tbt  Tempcji,  however  it  comes  to  be  plac'd  the 
firft  by  the  Publifliers  of  his  works,  can  nevct  have 
been  the  firft  written  by  him  :  It  feems  to  me  as  per- 
feA  in  its  kind,  as  almoft  any  thing  we  have  of  hi 
One  may  obferve,  that  the  Unities  are  kept  here,  wit 
ap  cxa^cfs  uncommon  to  the  Hberties  of  his  writing 


of  ilfr. William  Shakespear.        lix 

tho*  that  was  what,  I  fuppofe,  hevalu'd  himfclf  leaft 
upon,  fince  his  cxceUencies  were  all  of  another  kind. 
I  am  very  lenfible  that  he  do's,  in  this  play,  depart 
too  much  from  that  likenels  to  truth  which  ought  to 
be  obienr'd  in  thefe  (brt  of  wridngs }  yet  he  does  it  lb 
very  finely,  that  one  is  eafily  drawn  in  to  have  more 
faith  for  his  fake,  than  reafondoes  well  allow  of.  His 
Ma^ck  has  fomething  in  it  very  folemn  and  very 
poetical :  And  that  extravagant  chara&er  of  Caliban  is 
mighty  well  fuftain'd,  fliews  a  wonderful  invention  in 
the  Author,  who* could  ftrike  out  fuch  a  particular 
wild  image,  and  is  certainly  one  of  the  fincft  andmoft 
uncommon  Grotefques  that  was  ever  feen.  The  Ob- 
iervadon,  which  I  nave  been  informed  (a)  three  very 
great  men  concurred  in  making  upon  this  part,  was 
extremely  juft ;  Hat  Shakelpear  bad  not  onfy  found 
out  a  new  CbaraHer  in  bis  Caliban,  but  bad  alfi  ^* 
vifd  and  adapted  a  new  manner  of  Language  for  tbat 
Chara^er. 

It  is  the  fame  magick  that  raifes  the  Fanes  in  Mid^ 
fimmer  Night's  Dream,  the  Witches  in  Mackbetb^ 
and  the  Ghoft  in  Hamlet j  with  thoughts  and  language 
io  proper  to  the  parts  they  luftain,  and  fb  peculiar  to 
the  talent  of  this  Writer.  But  of  the  two  laft  of  thefe 
Plays  I  ihalkhave  occafion  to  take  notice,  among  the 
Tragedies  of  Mr.  Sbakefpear,  If  one  undertook  to 
examine  the  greateft  part  of  thefe  by  thofe  rules 
whch  are  eftabliih'd  by  Ariftotle,  and  uken  from  the 
model  of  the  Grecian  Stage,  it  would  be  no  very  hard 
task  to  find  a  great  many  faults :  But  as  Sbakefpear 
liv*d  under  a  kind  of  mere  light  of  nature,  and  had 
never  been  made  acquanted  with  the  r^;ularity  of 
thole  written  precepts,  fo  it  would  be  hard  to  judge 
him  by  a  law  ne  knew  nothing  of.  We  are  to  con- 
iider  him  as  a  man  that  liv*d  in  a  ftate  of  almoft  uni* 
verfal  licenfe  and  ignorance :  there  was  no  eftabliih'd 

judge 

(a)  Urd?i\WarA,  LorJC^  J.Vanghzfi,  an  J  Mr,  Selden. 


Some  Account  of  the  Life,  &c. 

judge,  but  every  one  took  the  liberty  to  write  ac- 
cording to  the  dictates  of  his  own  fancy.     When  odc 
confiders*  that  tliere  is  not  one  play  before  him  of  a 
reputation  good  enough  to  entitle  ic  to  an  appearance 
on  the  prefcnt  Stage,   it  cannot  but  be  a  matter  of 
great  wonder  that  he  fhould  advance  dramatick  Poetry 
{q  far  as  he  did.   The  Fable  is  what  is  generally  placM 
the  firft,  among  thofe  that  are  reckoned  the  confbtu- 
cnt  parts  of  a  Tragick  or  Heroick  Poem  ^  not,  per- 
haps^  as  it  is  the  moft  difficult  or  beautiful,  but  as  it 
is  the  firft  properly  to  be  thought  of  in  the  contriv, 
and  courfc  of  the  whole  ,  and  with  the  Fable  ought 
be  confider'dj  the  fit  DiJpofition,  Order  and  Cond 
of  its  feveral  parts.     As  it  is  not  in  this  province 
the  Drama  that  the  ftrength  and  maftery  of  Sh> 
Jpear  lay,  fo  I  fhaJI  not  undertake  the  tedious  and 
natur'd  trouble  to  point  out  the  feveral  fiuks  he  was 
guilty  of  in  ic.     His  Tales  were  feldom  invented,  bi^j 
rather  taken  cither  from  true  Hiftory,  or  Novels  ai^| 
Romances :  And  he  commonly  made  ufe  of  Vm  ^^ 
that  order,  with  thofe  Incidents,  and  that  extent  of 
time  in  which  he  found  *cm  in  the  Authors  from 
whence  he  borrow *d  theiti.     Almoll  all  his  hiftoriokd 
Plays  comprehend  a  great  length  of  time,  and  ve^^ 
different  and  diftin^  places:  And  m  his  ^^iofry  znd 
Clecpafra,  the  Scene  travels  over  the  greateft  part  oU 
ihe  Roman  Empire,     But  in  recompense  for  his  car^H 
Icfsncfs  in  this  point,  when  he  comes  to  another  part 
of  the  Drama,  "The  Manners  of  bis  CharailerSy  in  aiding 
cr  fpeaking  what  is  proper  for  tbem^  and  fit  to  bejbown    I 
iy  the  Poct^  he  may  be  generally  juftifyM,  and  in  veiy 
many  places  gready  commended.     For  thofe  Plays 
which  he  has  taken  from  the  Englijh  or  Rofmn  hiftory, 
kt  any  man  compare  'em»  and  he  will  find  the  cha- 
rader  as  exaft  in  the  Poet  as  the  Hiftorian.   He  fee 
indeed  fo  far  from  propofing  to  himfcJf  any  one  a&i 
for  a  Subjefl:,  that  the  Titk  very  often  tells  you,  *U5 


o/Afr.WiLLiAM  Shakespear.       Ixi 

Tic  Life  f}f  King  John,  King  Richard,  C^c     What 
can  be  more  agrctabic  to  the  idea  our  hiftorians  give 
of  Henry  the  fixth^   than   the  pidlurc  Sbakefpe^tr   has 
drawn  ot  him  1  His  Manners  are  every  where  exa<5tJy 
the  iame  with  the  flory  ^  one  finds  him  ftill  dcfcribM 
wit)\  fimplidty,    pafTive  fand:ity»    want  of  couragp, 
wcakncfsof  mindj  and  eol'y  fubmiffion  ro  the  gover- 
nance of  an  imperious  Wife,  or  prevailing  Faction  : 
Tho'  at  the  fame  time  the  Poet  does  juftice  ro  his 
good  qualities,  and  moves  the  pity  of  his  audience 
for  him,  by  fhewing  him  pious,  difincerefledj  aeon* 
tcmner  of  the  things  of  this  world,  and  wholly  refign'd 
to   the  ftvercft  dilpenfations  of  God's  providencr. 
There  is  a  fliort  Scene  in  the  fecond  part  of  Henry  VL 
which  I  cannot  but  think  admirabJe  in  its  kind.     Car- 
dinal Beaufort^  who  had  murder*d  the  Duke  of  Glcu- 
ceJieTy  is  Ihewn  in  the  laft  agonies  on  his  death-bed, 
with  the  good  King  praying  over  him.     There  is  fb 
much  terror  in  one,  fo  much  tendancfs  and  moving 
piety  in  the  other,  as  muft  touch  any  one  who  is  ca- 
pable either  of  fear  or  pity.     In  his  Henry  VIII,  that 
Prince  is  drawn  with  that  grearnefs  of  mind,  and  all 
diole  good  qualities  which  are  attributed  to  him  in  any 
wmi  of  his  reign.     If  his  faults  arc  not  (hewn  in  an 
^  lal  degree,  and  the  fhades  in  this  pifture  do  not 
:ar  a  juft  proportion  to  the  lights,  it  is  not  that  the 
.rtift  wanted  either  colours  or  sktil  in  the  difpofition 
^em  J  but  the  truth,  I  believe,  might  be,  that  he 
>re  doing  it  out  of  r^ard  to  Queen  EUzahetb^ 
Cncc  it  could  have  been  no  very  great  rcfpect  to  the 
memory  of  his  Miftrefs,  to  have  expos'd  fome  certain 
part*  of  her  father's  life  upon  the  iUgc.    He  has  dealt 
miKrh  more  freely  with  the  Miniftcrof  that  great  King, 
and  certainly  nothing  was  ever  more  juffly  written, 
than  the  cliarafter  of  Cardinal  JVolfey.     He  has  ftiewn 
Mm  infolenc  in  his  profperity  •,  and  yet,  by  a  wonder- 
ful addrefs,  he  makes  his  fail  and  ruin  the  fubjefb  of 
K  general 


Izii  Sme  Accmatt  ef  tbe  L^^  &c. 

general  compafBon.     The  wiaak  man,  with  Ins 
and  vim2cs,  is  finely  and  cxyr-r  cc&dfd  in  the  le- 
cond  iccne  of  cbe  fouru  set.  Toe  db^rcfles  fikcwife  of 
Queen   Ca^hsnae^    in   this  Piar,  are  very  moviunh 
touch'd  }  and  tho*  th;  art  of  ihz  Poet  has  krcan 
King  Hemy  from  any  grou  LT.pina.-inn  of  iujufljoe^ 
yet  one  is  inclin'd  to  wiik,  the  Q^nn  had  met  wjA 
a  fortune  more  worthy  of  her    both   and    viniie: 
Nor  are  the  Manners,  proper  to  the  perions  fepie- 
fented,  ki  juftiy  obferv'd,  in  AcA  chataften  takcB 
from  the  /Snx^sf  Hutory ;  aad  of  this,    the  fiace- 
neis  and  irrpacecce  cf  Crizlxxi^  kss  course  and 
difdain  of  the  comnx^  peopi:,  the  virtue  and  pfai- 
loibphical  temper  of  Bnums,  and  the  irTq;uIar  gccac- 
ne&  of  mind  in  ^f,  Jk:ckj^  are  reiutinil  proQ&  For 
the  two  lail  efpecially,  you  nnd  'cm  tijjaif  as  they 
are  deicrib'd  by  Fl^SiSr^by  fhj.T.  whom  certainly  SbtJci' 
Jfear  copy*d  'em.     He  has  indeed  foilow'd  ms  origi- 
nal  pretc\'  dole,  and  taken  Li  feveral  litdc  incidents 
that  might  have  been  Ipar'd  in  a  Piay.     But,  as  I 
hinted  be.%rc,  his  deiign  fe? ms  r..ofr  axr.monIy  ratfaer 
to  defirribe  thole  great  men  Ln  iht  ievcral  fortunes 
and  acddcr.3  of  their  lives  chan  to  tike  any  iii^|e 
great  acbcn,  and  form  his  work  (imply  upon  due 
However,  there  are  fome  of  his  pieces,  where  the  Fa- 
ble is  icMTji^  upon  one  adion  only.     Such  arc  more 
efpecially,  R.Tfua  and  Ju^Uty  Hjvtl/:^  and  Othello,  Tfcc 
def^  L-.  k:m£j  and  Ju:U:^  is  plairJy  the  punifhmcnt 
of  thcr  :v,'o  laniies,  for  the  unrealbnable  tcuds  and 
arany/r.:-:;i  t:-a£  had  been  io  long  kept  up  between 
*cm,  £r.a  cccaficri'd  the  cffMilon  of  lb  much  blood. 
In  ihjt  mir.2gtn:tnr  cf  this  ilory,  he  has  Ihewn  fome- 
ihing  wondtrfully  tender  and  paflionate  in  the  love- 
part,    ar^   very  ptiful  in  the    diftrefs.      Hamlet  is 
founded  en  much  the  fame  Tale  with  the  EhHra  of 
ScpLecUs,     Jn  each  of  'em  a  young  Prince  is  engaged 
to  rcvcr.^-  :..c  death  of  his  father,  their  mothers  are 

equally 


^m^im^im 


a/ Jfr,  William  Shakespear.      Ixiii 


bach 


the 


conccrn''a  in  ine  murd«  of 
their  husbands,  and.  arc  afterwards  married  to  the 
murderers.  There  is  in  the  firft  part  of  the  Greek  Tra- 
gedy, fomething  very  moving  in  the  grief  of  Ekilra\ 
but  a*  Mr.  Dacier  has  obferv'd,  there  is  fontething 
very  unnatural  and  Ihocking  in  the  Manners  Jie  has 
given  that  Princels  and  Oreftes  m  tlie  latter  part. 
OrtfifJ  cmbrucs  his  liands  in  the  blood  of  his  own  mo- 
ther? and  that  barbarous  adion  is  performed,  tho'  not 
immediately  upon  the  (tage,  yet  fo  near,  that  the  au* 
dience  hear  Clytemnellra  crying  out  to  j^Ejryjlhus  for 
help,  and  to  iicr  fon  for  mercy  :  While  kldha  her 
daughter,  and  a  Princefs  (both  of  them  charafters  that 
ought  to  have  appearM  with  more  decency )  (lands 
upon  the  ftagc  and  encourages  her  brotlier  in  the  Par- 
hade*  What  horror  docs  this  not  raife !  Clytcmntfira 
was  a  wicked  woman,  and  had  deferv*d  to  die  j  nay, 
in  the  truth  of  the  ftory^  fiie  was  kilJ'd  by  her  own 
Ion  i  but  to  reprelent  an  a^lon  of  this  kind  on  the 
ftage,  is  certainly  an  offence  dgainfl  thofe  rules  of 
manners  proper  to  the  perfbns,  that  ought  to  be  ob^ 
fcrv*d  there.  On  the  contrary,  let  us  only  look  a  Jittic 
on  tfie  condu^  of  Sbakcfpenr.  Hamkt  is  represented 
with  the  fame  piety  towards  his  farher,  and  rcfoluiion 
to  revenge  his  deaths  as  Oreftes  \  he  has  the  fame  ab- 
horrence for  his  mother's  guiir,  which,  to  provoke 
liim  the  more,  is  heightened  by  inceft  :  But  'tis  with 
wtjnderful  art  and  jultnefs  of  judgment,  that  the  Poet 
rcftrains  him  from  doing  violence  to  his  mother.  To 
prevent  any  thing  of  that  kind,  he  makes  his  father's 
Ghoft  forbid  that  pare  of  his  vengeance* 

But  bvwfoever  thoupurftt*fl  this  y^ff, 
3'Mm  mt  thy  mind^  nor  let  thy  foul  contrive 
y^ainfi  thy  mother  ought  \  letrve  her  to  heav^Piy 
jfnd  to  thofo  thins  that  in  her  bo/cm  kdgCy 
Tofriik  andfting  her, 

Th5« 


Iziv         Same  JkcmtMi  ef  the  Life^ 


Tim  s  tD  CiftznguJIi  ng^T  bccveen  Hwrwt  jnd  9it^ 
rer.  Tbc  laoer  is  a  proper  poScc  of  Tragodj,  bat 
ce  fcrsser  ocghc  abirzp  ro  be  carctuHT  avoided.  And 
certasily  dg  dramatick  Wricer  era-  luccsedcd  bcncr  in 
n£u%  Terror  ia  the  mixsds  of  an  ludiaicc  than  Sbakt' 
fyim  has  dooe.  The  whole  Tngnir  of  Matkih^ 
bat  nxxe  c^xdaZr  die  fixne  where  the  King  is  mnr- 
dcr'd,  in  the  fecood  a&,  as  wcQ  as  this  PIaj»  is  a  no- 
ble proof  of  that  manly  j^)irit  with  which  he  writ; 
and  both  Ihew  how  powerful  he  wtt,  in  gnvg  the 
llr'uugcft  motions  to  our  fixils  that  they  arc  c^aneoL 
I  cacr/jt  leave  HamUty  without  takizig  notioe  of  the 
advantage  with  which  we  hive  &cd  this  Mafter^ieoe 
of  Sbdujptm-  diftii^uifh  ic&lf  upon  die  ftagc,  lif 
Mr.  Beiurtctf%  fine  performance  ot  that  port.  A  ma^ 
who  tfao'  he  had  no  other  good  qualities,  as  he  has  a 
great  mazxy,  muft  have  made  his  way  into  the  efleem 
of  ail  men  of  letters,  by  this  only  ezcdkncy.  No 
man  is  better  acquainted  with  Shajujfear^%  taaaaa  of 
expnSkxif  and  indeed  he  has  ftudy*d  him  fo  wd, 
and  is  lb  much  a  mafter  of  him,  that  ndiatcvcr  paicof 
his  he  perf(»ins,  he  does  it  as  'if  it  had  been  wrkttB 
on  puqx>le  for  him,  and  that  the  Author  had  exaiftlf 
concdv*d  it  as  he  j)Iays  it.  I  muft  own  a  paiticalar 
obligadon  to  him,  for  the  moft  confiderable  part  of  the 
paflages  relating  to  thi3  life,  which  I  have  here  trant 
mitted  to  the  publick  -,  his  veneration  for  the  me- 
mory of  Sbakefpear  ha\ing  engaged  him  to  make  a 
journey  into  tVarwick/hire^  on  purpofe  to  gather  up 
what  remains  he  could,  of  a  name  for  which  he  had 
fo  great  a  veneration. 


the 


T^e  following  Jnjlrument  was  iranfmit^ 
ted  to  m  by  John  Anftis,  Efq^  Garter 
King  at  Arms  :  It  is  markdy  G.  1 3. 

P-  349- 

\TI:erc  is  a(fo  a  Manufcript  in  the  Heralds 
Office^  marked  W.  2.  p.  7,^6;  ^j;here  mtice 
is  tiskcn  of  this  Coat^  and  that  the  Perfon  to 
^bom  it  wat  granted,  had  born  Magijlravy  at 
Stratford  upon  Avon,] 


TO  all  and  fingular  Noble  and  Gentlemen  of  all 
Eltatcs  and  Degrees,  bearing  Arms,  to  whom 
thcfe  Prelcnts  fhall  come  \  IVdliam  Dethkky  Ganef 
Principal  King  of  Arms  of  England^  and  fFHUam 
Camden^  alias  Clarencieuk^  King  of  Arms  for  the 
South,  Eaft,  and  Wtft  Parts  of  this  Realm,  fend 
Greetings,  Know  ye>  that  in  all  Nations  and  King- 
doms the  Record  and  Remembrance  of  the  valiant 
Fafts  and  virtuous  Difpofitions  of  worthy  Men  havt 
been  made  known  and  divulged  by  certain  Shields  of 
Arms  and  tokens  of  Chivalric  \  the  Grant  or  Tefli- 
mony  whereof  apperteineth  untoxjs,  by  virtue  of  our 
offices  from  the  Qucen*5  moft  Excellent  Majcfty,  and 
her  Highnefs's  mofl  noble  and  viif^orious  Progenitors : 
Wherefore  being  foilicired,  and  by  credible  Report 
ifkformed,  that  John  Shake/pen^  now  of  Stratford 
upon  /iv<tn  in  the  County  of  iV^irwick^  Gentleman, 
whoic  Great  Grandfather  for  his  faithful  and  approved 
Sorvice  to  the  hcc  moft  prudent  Prince,  King  fhnry 
VII.  of  famous  Memory,  was  advanced  and  rewarded 
with  Lands  and  Tenements,  given  to  him  in  thofc 
Parts  of  fV^rrtvuk/hire^  where  they  hare  continued  by 
feme  Defcents  in  good  Reputation  and  Credit ;  And 
for  that  the  fa;d  John  Shakefpere  having  married  the 
Daughter  and 'one  of  the  Heirs  of  Robert  jlrdcn  of 
Vol,  I.  d  IVeU'mgcott 


IViUingccU  in  the  faid  County,  and  alio  produced  tKj 
his  ancient  Coat  of  Arms,  hcrrtoiure  ailigncd  to  lum 
whilll  he  was  her  Majefty's  Officer  antj  BaihfFot  that 
Town.  In  confit]eranon  of  the  Preniifes,  and  far  the 
Encouragement  of  his  Poflerity,  unco  whom  fuch 
Blazon  of  Arms  and  Atchicvcments  of  Inheritance 
from  their  f^d  Motlier,  by  the  ancient  Ciiftom  and 
Laws  of  Arms,  may  lawfully  defcend  j  We  the  fawl 
CarUr  and  Clnrencieufx  have  affigned,  granted,  and 
confirmed,  and  by  th;fc  Freicnts  exemplified  unto  die 
faid  John  Sbakefpere^  and  to  his  Pofterity,  that  Shield 
and  Coat  of  Arms,  viz.  In  a  Field  of  Gold  upm  a  BtrJ 
Sables  a  Spear  of  tbe  fir^^  the  Pchn  upivnrd^  he^ 
Argent ;  and  for  his  Creft  or  Cognifance,  4  Faken^ 
with  bis  iVhigs  difplayed^  fiatiding  m  a  fVrscihe  cf 
Colours^  pfpporting  a  Spear  amied  headed^  er  jU^ 
Sih^y  fixed  upon  an  Hdmct  with  Mantles  and  Ti 
fois,  as  more  plainly  may  appear  depiftcd  in  tliis  M 
gent;  And  we  have  likewife  mipaJeil  the  fame  with 
ancient  Arms  of  the  laid  Arden  of  IVelHjtgcote  \  fi_ 
fying  thereby,  that  it  may  and  fliall  be  lawful  for  dw 
faid  John  Sbakefpere^  Gent,  to  bear  and  ufe  ilie  iamc 
Shield  of  Armsj  fingle  or  impaled,  as  aforcfaid,  dig 
jng  his  natural  Life  i  and  that  it  fhall  be  lawful 
his  Children,  Iffue,  and  Pofterity,  lawfiilly  bcgoi 
to  bear,  ufc,  and  quarter,  and  i'hew  forth  the  fa 
with  their  due  Differences,  in  all  lawfitl  warlike  F 
and  civil  \Jk  or  Exercifcsj  according  to  the  Laws 
Arms,  and  Cuftom  that  to  Gentlemen  bclongetli, 
without  Let  or  Interruption  of  any  Perion  or  Per(bit=, 
for  ufe  or  bearing  the  fame.  In  Wicnefs  and  T 
mony  whereof  we  have  fuhfcribcd  our  Names, 
faftiicd  the  Seals  of  our  Offices.  Given  at  the  Office 
of  Arms,  Lmdm^  the  Day  of  i:i  the  Forty 
fecond  Year  of  tlic  Rtign  of  our  mofl  Gracious  Sove- 
reign Lady  Elizabeih^  by  the  Grace  of  God,  Queen 
of  England^  Frana^  and  IrcUndy  Defender  of 
Faith,  {£<:.  1599, 


T  O    TH  E 

M  E  M  o  R  Y  of  my  beloved  the  A  u  T  h  o  R, 
Mr.  WILLIAM    SHAKESPEAR, 

And  what  he  hath  left  us. 

TO  draw  no  etrvy  (Shakclpear)  on  thy  Ndmc^ 
Am  I  thus  ample  to  thy  Book,  and  Fame : 
WbiU  I  confijs  thy  writings  to  be  fucb^ 
As  neither  Man,  n&r  IMufe  can  praefe  too  much, 
*Tis  true  J  and  all  mens  Suffrage,     But  tbefe  wayes 
Were  net  the  pubs  I  meant  unto  thy  praifc : 
FarfeeUeli  Ignorance  on  tbefe  may  lights 
fVbicb^  when  it  founds  at  beft^  but  ecchoes  right  % 
Or  bUnd  Affeftion,  which  doth  n^er  advance 
y&  truth,  but  gropes^  and  urgeth  all  by  chance ; 
Or  crafty  Malice  might  pretend  this  prasfe^ 
And  think  to  ruine^  where  it  feem*d  td  raife. 
^  Tbefe  are^  as  fome  infamous  Baud^  or  fybore^ 
Should  praife  a  Matron.    What  could  hurt  her  more  f 
But  thou  art  proof  againft  them,  and  indeed 
Above  tV  ill  fortune  oftbem^  or  the  need. 
/  therefore  will  begin^  Soul  of  the  Age ! 
The  applaufe !  delight  I  the  wonder  of  our  Stage  ! 
Afy  Slmkeipear  rife  *,  J  will  not  lodge  thee  by 
Qiaucer,  or  Spenfer,  or  bid  Beaumont  fye 
A  St tk  further 9  to  make  tbee  a  room  : 
Tbau  art  a  Monument  without  a  Tomb, 
And  art  alive  ftiUy  while  thy  Book  dotb  Uve^ 
And  we  have  wits  to  read^  and  praife  togive^ 
That  I  not  mix  tbee  foy  my  brain  excufes  ; 
Imeanhntbgrtatj  but  disproportion* d  M\&%: 
For  if  I  thought  myjttdpnent  iwere  of  years^ 
I  fiidd  comnit  tbeefurdy  with  thy  Peers, 

d  2  And 


And  tell  bow  far  ib&u  ds^  mr  Lily  4>ut-Jhine^ 
Or/pcrtiijg  Kjd,  pr  Marlow'j  mt^kfy  Line, 
And  though  ib&u  badft /mail  Laiin  and  irfs  Grcck^ 
From  thence  (q  honour  sbee^  I  wculd  not  jeck 
For  futmes  i  &u£  call  forth  thundering  ^fchylus, 
Euripides,  and  Sophocles  to  ta^ 
Facuvius,  Accius,  bim  of  Cordova  dead, 

7q  Isve  agatJ7^  to  hear  fby  Buskin  ireadj  

jindjhake  a  Stage;  Or^  when  tby  Socks  tvere^g^ 
Jjeave  thee  alone  for  the  comparijon 
Ofali^  that  infoknt  Greece^  or  haughty  Rome 
Sent  forth,  or  fime  did  from  their  ^s  come. 
Triumph,  my  Britain,  thQu  baji  one  tofhow^ 
To  whom  all  Scenes  of  Europe  homage  owe* 
fie  was  not  of  an  age,  hut  for  all  time  i 
And  all  the  Mufcs,  JiiUwerein  their  primif 
f^en  like  Apollo  be  came  forth  to  warm 
Oar  ears  J  or  like  a  Mercury  to  ebarm! 
Nacucc  herfelf  was  proud  of  his  dcfign€«j 
^And py*d  to  wear  the  dreffng  of  bis  Lines? 
^Wbich  "xere  fo  richly  fpun,  and  zvoven  Jo  fa, 
AsyJitJce^  fhe  will  vouch faft  no  other  wit* 
The  mtrry  Qi^z^,  fart  Ariftophanes, 
J<^tat  Terctice,  v:itly  Plautas,  no^j;>  not  pleafe  ; 
B^t  ajitlquated,  and  defer  ted  lye. 
As  they  were  not  of  l^ttmz's  family. 
Tet  muji  I  mt give  Nature  all:  Thy  Art, 
My  gentle  Shakcfpear,  muJl  enjoy  a  part ^ 
For  tb/^  the  Poet*j  matter  Nattire  ^f. 
His  Art  doth  give  the  Fafhion.  And^  (hat  i 
IVho  cafis  to  wrrte  a  living  line,  muJl  fweaf, 
(  Such  as  thine  are  )  andfirtke  the  fecond  heat 
Upon  (he  Mufes  Anvile  \  turn  the  fame^ 
{  And  himjdf  with  it )  that  be  thinks  to  fr 
Or  for  the  Laurel,  be  m^  gam  a  fcom^ 
For  a  good  Poct*j  made,  as  well  as  born* 
Andfueb  wert  tbou.  Look  bow  the  Father's  fae^ 
Lives  in  his  JJfue,  even  fo  the  race 


of  Shakefpear*/  mind  ofid  mamurs  irigbilj/ Jtims 

In  bis  well  tomedj  and  iruefiid  lines : 

In  each  of  which  hefeems  to  fiake  a  Lance ^ 

As  brattdifl>*d  at  the  eyes  of  Ignorance. 

Sweet  Swan  of  Avon  !  what  ajighi  it  were 

^ofee  thee  in  our  water  yet  appear^ 

And  make  thofe  flights  itpon  the  Banks  tf  Thames, 

Tiatfi  did  take  Eliza,  and  tmr  James !  . 

Butjiay^  I  fee  thee  in  the  Hcmifphcre 

Advan?dy  and  made  a  Conftellation  there ! 

Shine  forth^  thou  Siarre  of  Poets,  and  with  rage. 

Or  influence,  chide,  or  cbear  the  drooping  Stage, 

Wticb^fince  thy  flight  from  hence,  hath  mourned  like  nighty 

Andi^irsday^  butfaf  iby  Volume'i  Rgbt, 


Ben.  Johnson. 


TABLE 


OF    T  H  E 


Several  Editions  of  Shake/pear  %  P]ayi> 
whether  feparace  or  together,  made 
uie  ofj  and  collated  for  this  Editicm 
by  Mr.  Pope  and  Mr.  Warburtm. 


MR.  WWiam  Sbakejpear^s    Comedies,   I£ftoria 
and   Tragedies,    publilh'd    according  to  the 
O/i^nal  Copies,     the  firft  Edition  in  Folio,  1623. 

The  iecond  ImprefCon  in  Folio,  of  1632. 

The  Third  Impreflion  in  Folio,  of  1664. 

A  Midfuntmer  Night* s  dreame.  As  it  hath  been 
fundry  Times  publikely  acted,  by  the  Right  HonouF- 
able  the  Lord  Chambcrlaine  his  Servants.  Written 
by  fFiUiam  Shakefpeare.  Imprinted  at  Londm  for 
Thomas  Fifiefy  and  are  to  be  foulde  at  his  Shoppe  at 
the  Signe  of  die  White  Hart  in  Fleetftrecce,  1600. 
{Quarto.) 

fie  fame.  Printed  by  James  Roberts^  1600. 
{Quarto,) 

A  moft  plea&unt  and  excellent  conceited  Comedie 
of  Syr  John  Falftaffey  and  the  merry  Wives  of 
JVindfar.  Entermixed  with  fundrie  variable  and 
pleafirg  humors  of  Syr  Hugh  the   Welch  Knight, 

Juftice 


TABLE. 

J-uftice  Shallow,  and  his  wife  Coufin  M.  Slender, 
With  the  fwaggcring  Vaine  of  Aundent  Ptfioll,  and 
Corporall  Nym,  By  PVtlUam  Sbakefpeare,  As  it  hath 
bene  divers  times  aftcd  by  the  right  Honourable  my 
Lord  ChambcrJain*s  Servants  :  both  before  her  Ma- 
jcftie,  and  elfewhere.  London :  Printed  by  T,  C,  for 
jiritmr  Jobnfon,  and  are  to  be  fold  at  his  Shop  in 
Powles  Churchyard  at  ihe  Signe  of  the  Flower  de 
Leufe  and  the  Crowne,  1602.     (Quarto, ) 

A  moft  pleafant  and  excellent  conceited  Comedy 
of  Sir  John  Falftaffe,  and  the  Merry  Wives  of  IVind* 
for,  wth  the  fwaggering  Vain  of  Ancient  Piftol  an4. 
Corporal  Nym,  printed  for  Arthur  Johnfon,-  l6i9» 
Quarto. 

The  Merry  Wives  of  Windfor.  With  the  Yiyx- 
mours  of  Sir  John  Falftaffe  i  as  alfo  the  fwaggering 
Vaine  of  Andent  PiftoU,  and  Corporal  Nym.  Written 
by  William  S bake/pear e^  newly  correfted.  London : 
Printed  by  T.  //.  for  R.  Meighen,  and  arc  to  be  fold 
ac  lus  Shop,  next  to  the  Kiddie  temple  Gate,  and 
in  St.  Dunfian*&  Churchyard  in  Fleetfireet,  1630. 
(^arto.) 

Much  adoe  about  Nothing,  As  it  hath  been  fundrie 
times  publickly  aded  by  the  right  honourable  the 
Lord  Chamberlaine  his  Servants.  Written  by  Wil- 
Bam  Sbakejpeare,  London:  Printed  by  V,  S,  for 
Andrew  li4fe  zndi  WilUam  Jfplef^   1600.   (Quarto,) 

The  excellent  Hiftory  of  the  Merchant  of  Vefdee^ 
with  the  eiaream  Cruelty  of  Shylock  the  Jew  to- 
ward the  f^d  Merchant,  in  cutting  a  juft  Pound  of 
his  Fkfh,  and  the  obtambg  of  Portia  by  the  choice 
of  three  Caskets.  Printed  by  J.  Roberts,  1600, 
Quarto. 

Another  Edition  of  the  fame,  printed  by  J,  R. 
for  no,  Heyes,  in  the  fame  Year  (the  36th  of  his 
Age,) 

d  4  The 


TABLE. 

The  cxcclleot  Hiftory  of  the  Mcrchanc  of  FitmU. 
ATVith  the  extream  Cruelty  of  Sbylock  the  Jew  ;  vd 
the  obtaining  of  Pertia  by  the  Choice  of  three  Cm' 
Icecs  As  it  hath  been  fundn*  times  puhlikdjr  afted 
by  the  King's  Majctlies  Servants  at  the  Globe. 
\V  ritten  by  IK  Sbakejpearc,  Xewly  iUHeOdi, 
augmented,  and  arr.ended.  Lsndoa:  printed  br 
R,  2'6u/^  for  Jchx  Srmsbmcke,  and  are  to  be  fiin 
at  his  Shop  in  St.  Dunjlarts  Churchyard  in  Fbehfintt^ 
under  the  Dyall,  1637-     {^drte,) 

A  plcaiont  conceited  Comedy  called  L0va  L^ 
hour  li/ftj  as  it  was  prefcnted  before  her 
this  Ult  ChriilmASy  newly  corrected  and  au^ 
by  UlULim  Sbskcf:!C::r.  Imprinted  at  Lenjm  by 
IV,  JV,  fur  Cuikri  Buriy,    1 -9S. 

Levi's  Luicur^s  kji.  A  wiciie  and  plca&ntGo- 
medie  ;  as  it  was  aclcd  by  his  M^elties  Servants 
at  the  PLck-Fritrs  and  the  Gkie.  Written  by 
fyaUcm  Sbtikejp'crg,  L&ndcn :  Pnnted  by  IPl  S.m 
Jcbfi  Smetb^Ukiy  and  are  to  be  fckl  at  his  Sh^  in 
St.  Diihficnes  Churchyard  under  the  I^aU»  i6ji« 
{^arto.) 

A  plcalant  conceited  Hiilory  called  ne  Timing 
cf  a  Sbrcu\  as  it  kith  been  fundry  tinics  aded  fay 
the  Right  Honourable  the  Earl  of  Pembroke  htt 
Servants.  Printed  at  LcxdiM  by  P\  S.  for  NkK 
LtHgy  1607.  There  is  Icarce  a  line  of  dw  die 
fame  with  the  prcfcnt  Play,  yet  the  Plot  and  Sdc- 
nary  Icarce  diitcr  ar  all  from  ir.  i  (hou'd  think  k 
not  written  by  Slf^itjpi^ir ;  but  there  are 
Speeches  fin  one  or  two  Scenes  only^  the 
And  we  have  tiiere  the  conclufion  of  the  Play,  wUch 
is  manifciliy  wanting  in  all  the  fubfequent  Edkionfiy 
as  well  as  the  latter  part  of  the  laft  Act,  maoifeftlv, 
better,  and  clear  of  that  impertinent  Pkx)lisiry  whim 
is  in  the  common  Editions. 

A 


TABLE. 

A  wirty  and  plcafanc  Comcdie  called,  Tii  *Tam^ 
ing  of  the  Shrr^,  As  it  was  adcd  i^  his  Ma- 
jelbes  Servants  at  the  Blacke-Friers  and  the  Gl&^^^ 
Written  by  f/^;/A  Sbakefpeari.  London:  Prmted  by 
/^.  S.  for  J&hn  Snuibwtch^  and  are  to  be  fold  at  his 
Shop  in  St.  Duttjl&nes  Churchyard  under  the  Dial!, 
1631.     {S^uartQ.) 

Mr.  WtUiam  Shakefptar  his  true  Cronick  Hiftory 
of  the  Life  and  Deach  of  King  Lear  and  his  three 
Daughters  with  the  unfortunate  Life  of  Edgar  Son 
and  Heir  to  the  Earl  of  Giome/ier^  and  tiis  fullcn  and 
affuiued  humour  of  Tom  a  Bedlam,  A3  it  was 
pbyM  before  the  King*s  Majefly  at  fVbitehall  upOR 
St.  Stiphm  Night  in  Chrifttms  Hotydays,  By  His 
Majefty's  Servants  playing  ufually  at  the  Gl&bt  on 
the  Bank  fide.  Printed  for  !^a£b.  Biitkr^   160S. 

Mr.  IViliiam  Shakefpart^  his  true  Chronicle  Hi- 
Aory  of  tlie  Life  and  Dcarh  of  King  L^ar  and  fiis 
^H  Daughters,  With  the  Unfortunate  Urf e  of  Md- 
gar^  Sonne  and  Heire  to  die  Earle  of  Ghciflcr^  and 
his  fuUcn  aiTonncd  humour  of  Tom  of  Bediam.  As  it 
was  pbid  before  the  King's  Majefty  at  fVbit-haH 
upon  S.  SupbiTts  night,  in  Chrijimas  HoJHdaies.  By 
his  Majrftks  Servams,  playing  ufually  at  the  Globe 
on  the  Bank-Jide,  London,  Printed  by  Jmte  BcU^  and 
are  to  be  fold  at  the  Eaft-end  o^  Chrfjl-cbureb^  1655. 

The  firfl:  Part  of  the  croublefome  Reign  of  John 
King  of  Englajidy  with  the  Difcovery  of  Richard 
Ccrdciion*%  Bafc  Son,  vulgarly  cali'd  the  Baftard  Faw^ 
cs?jlrruige.  Aifo  the  Death  of  King  John  at  Swnjlead~ 
Abbey  ;  as  it  was  fundry  times  publiquely  a£led  by 
the  Queen's  Majefty's  Players  in  the  lionourable  Citty 
ot  Lo7jihru  imprinted  at  London  (or  Sampfrn  Clarke^ 
jEbld  at  his  Shop  the  Back-fide  of  the  Royal  Ex- 
change, 1591.    f^^/tf.) 

The 


•FABLE. 


^ 


The  ffcond  Part  of  the  troubidb.-ne  Rc^  of 
Johft  King  of  Ejgglandy  contcyimsg  cfae  Deuh  d 
Jnbur  Piantagenet^  the  bndjng  of  L^wts^  aid 
th^  poyfoning  oi  King  J^  at  Swa^Umd-AHief, 
As  it  was  £5f<  Imprimcd  &c,  159*-  (^f^o^»>) 

I'he  firft  and    Itcood  Part    of  the    axmbldbafie 
Raignc  of  John  King  of  EffgiaxJ,    Wkh  the  diica> 
veric  of  King  Riibard  C^dHm*%  Bale  Sonne 
gariy  named,  the  Bafbard  Fmocexiridge : )    alfi^ 
Death  of  King  J^bft  at  ^touj/ledJ-Amry.     As 
were  ( fundry  tknes  I  lately  afted   by   the  Qi 
Majdlries  Players.     Written   by  B^.  Sb.    Im[ 
at  l^ndon  by  Vaknsim  Simmu  for  7^*  Hfjne^ 
are  to  be  fold  at  hjs  Shop  in  5c.  Dimfi^tu  Churchi 
in  HutefirtHy  161  k    {^arts.) 

Ths  Sami,    As  they  were  ( fundry  times  }  h 
aaed.     Written  by  ff^.  Sbaktjpeare.  LoaitB^  Pi 
by  Aug.  Matbtwis  for  Tb^mas  Dewiy  jiod  are  to 
fold  ai  [us  Shop  in  St.  Dut^snes  Churchyard  in 
ftrtet^  162Z.     (Quarto.) 

Ihe  Tragedy  of  King  Ricbtxri  tbi  Secxmd^ 
it  hath  been  publickiy  adtcd  by  the  Ri^  Honour- 
able the  Lord  Cbaniberlain  his  Serraius.  By  ^tt- 
tism  Sbokijpior,  Printed  by  VaUnUnt  Shtsms  for 
AniroD  IVtft^  1598.  (the  34ih  Year  of  Sbakejpear^% 
Age.) 

The  Samtt    *ith  new  Additions,    of  the    Parlia^ 
Hienc  Scoic,    and  the  depofing  of  King  JiUbarJ^t 
As  it  haih  been  kiely  aded  by  the  King's  Majefty^^ 
Servants  at  the  Glci>f,     By  /K  Sbaktjptar,     Printed 
by  H\  tV,    for  Matthew  LaWj    i6o8»    and  again 
1613. 

1  he  Life  and  Death  of  King  Richard  the  Second. 
With  new  Additions  of  the  Parliamasi  Scene,  and 
tJic  Depofmg  of  King  Ricbard^  As  it  hath  beenc 
iaed  by  the  King's  Majclbes  Servants*  at  the  GM^, 

By 


as 


-m   t 


TABLE. 

By  fVilliam  Sbakefpeare,     London^  Printed  by  Johj^ 

The  Hiftory  of  hinry  the  ^h^  with  the  Battle  At 
Shrewsbury^  between  the  King  and  Lord  Henry 
Piercy^  Sirnamed  Henry  Hoifpur  oF  the  North, 
With  the  humourous  Conceits  of  Sk  John  Faijiaffe, 
newly  correftcd  by  H^tlUam  Shake/pear.  Pnnced  by 
P.  S.  iot  Andrew  ff^ffy  1599,  Quarto,  his  a^th 
Year- 

7ie  Same.   Printed  in  1 604. 

yjtf  Same,  Printed  for  Matthew  Law^  (^e,  in 
'1608,  Quarto. 

^e  Same.  London,  Printed  by  T,  P,  and  are  to 
be  fold  by  Mathnv  Lawe^  dwelling  in  Pauls  Church- 
yard, at  rhc  Sign  of  the  Foxe  neere  S.  ^ujiine^s  Gate, 
1622.     i^arto.) 

Tlie  Hiftorie  of  Hepify  the  Fourth  :  With  the 
Battel  at  Shrrimbury^  bctweene  the  King  and  Lord 
Henry  Percy^  furnamed  He^try  Helfpur  of  the  North, 
With  the  humorous  Conceits  of  Sir  John  Faljlaffe, 
Newly  corrected^  by  IVilliam  Shake-fpeare,  London^ 
Primed  by  John  Norton^  and  are  to  be  Ibid  by  Hugh 
Pcrry^  at  his  Shop  next  to  Ivic-bridge  in  the 
Strand,  1639.     {^arto,} 

Tht  Second  Part  of  Henry  the  ^th^  containing 
to  his  Death  and  Coronation  of  Henry  the  5  th. 
With  the  Humours  of  Sir  John  Fafftaffe  and  fwag- 
gering  Piftd.  As  it  hath  been  fundry  Ttmes  pubiickly 
a£bed  by  the  Right  Honourable  the  Lord  Cham- 
berlain his  Servants,  Written  by  IFilliam  Shake- 
^ar.  Printed  by  K  S.  for  Andrew  IVife  and  Wd- 
liam  Afpley^  1600,  Quarto,  f  the  36th  Year  of  his 
Age.) 

The  Croniclc  Hiftory  of  Henry  the  5/i',  with  hi* 
Bacde  fought  at  Agincourt  in  France^  Together 
wi^h  Ancient  PiJioL    As  it  hath  been  fundry  times 

played 


T     A     B     L    & 

pb^  bj  the  R%h£  Honourable  the  Lord  Cham- 
boiw't  Serrancs.  Piinted  by  Tb^.  Otde  for  72^. 
JffffmfwS  x6oo. 

AmbiT^  Priwcd  for  f.  /*.  1608,  Qimto,  Th< 
EiSDom  are  Ihorc  hi   many   Scenes   and    Speecht 
aod  trant  the  Chorus's ;  whkh  ( with  0iany 
nobie  Iiuprovcmeoes )    were    fince    added    by 
AodvK*,  nor  above  8  Yean  befort  his  D^th. 
was  one  of  the  bit  Plays  he  finiOi'd,  a  confiden 
time  after  Hcmj  die  6th  had  been  "writteD  and 
See  the  Epilogue  of  Hcmj  fch. 

Henry   the   6tb^    firft    Printed  under  this 
The  whole   Contention    between   the    two 
Houfe,  Lsncaficr  and  York  :     With  the  Tra^< 
Ends  6f  the  good   Duke  Humphry,  Rsdard  Dul 
of  Terk^  and  Kir^  Hrmy  the  Sixth  :    divided  ini 
two  parts*  and  newly  corrcfted  and  inlarged. 
ten  fc^  ff^.  ShakifpeaTy   Gent,     Printed  at 
T.  -P.  (without  a  dace)  Quano. 

This  was  the  firil    Sketch  only  of  the    pri 
fccofid  and  third  Parts  of  Henry  the  Sixth  \  w] 
were  fince  gready  inlarged,  and  the  Poetry  improvcdi 
the  Scenary  v/as  much  the  fame  as  at  prefent* 

Since  iTinied  under   the  fame  Xille  by  ^V^ 
for  Tbo,  MillifjpGn^  with  the  true  Tragedy  of 
cijard  D.  of  Tork,  and   the  Death   of  good  Kii 
H^ry  the  6th,  afted  by  the  Earl  of  Pembroke 
Serv^ts,     1600.  * 

The  Tragedy  of  King  Richard  the  Third,  Coc 
tuning  his  treacherous  Plots  ^ainft  his  Broth( 
Clarence:  the  ptttiefuU  Murther  of  his  innocent  N< 
phewes :  his  tyrannical  Ufuipatjon  ;  with  the  wliol 
Courfc  of  his  deteftcd  life,  and  mod  defei 
Death.  As  it  hath  bcenc  lately  acted  by  the 
Right  Honourable  the  Lord  Chambcrlaine  lus  Ser- 
vants, at  LmdoH.     Printed  by    ValeiJine  Sims^    fof 


T     A     B     L     E: 

Andrew  Wtfty  dwelling  in  Pauii^%  Chureh-y»rd,    ac 
the  Signe  of  the  Angeil,  1597.    {Quartet. ) 

The  Sam.     fiy  /^^  Stahjpioriy  Printed  by  tbo. 
Odd,  lor  Andrew  iVife^  i^^^.     (^ano.) 

Tb€  Sam.     Newly  augmented,  by  fViUmm  Skakf^ 
Jpiart.     Lsndm^    Printed    by    ^bmas   Cnedg^   f^c. 
J  602.     (^arto.) 
Hfi  Same  m   i6j2. 

The  Tragcdie  of  King  Richard  t\it  Third.    Con- 
yning   his  treacherous  Plots    againft    his    firodier 
'icreiue :    The  pittifiiJl  Murder  of  his  innocent:  Ne- 
wts :    his  tyrannical  Urarpacion  :    with  the  whole 
ourfe  of  his  detcftcd  Life,  and  mojt  delcrved  Death* 
s  it  hath   been   lately  afted   by  the  King*s  Ma- 
les  Servants,     ^3ewly   augaienCed .     By    fVtliiam 
ahfpearc.      London^    Priritcd  by  Thomas  Furfo&t^ 
d  arc   to   be  fold   by  Mathew  Law^  dwelling  in 
^auls  Churchyard  at  tlie  Signe  of  the  Fox^^   ncer© 
,  Jujiine*%  Gate,  1624.    {QnartQ.) 
Th<  Same.     Printed  by  y^^n  Norton^  and  arc  to  be 
Id  by  Aftf/^«tJ  L*m»,  &c.   1629,    {^iario,) 
f he  Same.  Printed  by  JohnNortm^  1634,  f.^/^r/p,) 
The  moft  lamentable  Tragedy  o(Ti/us  Andronictu, 
&  k  hath  been  fundry   times  played  by   the  King*s 
ajcfty's Servants.     Printed  for  Ed'W,  IFbitc^   16 ti. 
It  appears  from  B,  Johnfon'%  Jndtf^ion  fa  Bartb&L 
h^^ffr  diat  this  Play  was  of  25  Years  {landing,  in  the 
^Hcar  1614,  fo  that  if  it  was  Shake/pear's^  it  muft 
^Hjive  been  writ  in  the  2  5th  Year  of  his  Age. 
^"  The  famous  Hiltory  of  ItqUus  and  Creffeida^  tx^ 
cellently  expreffing  the  beginning  of  their  t^vcs,  with 
the  conceited  wooing  of  Pandarns  Prince  of  Lycia, 
Written  by  WilL  Sbakejpear.     Imprinted  by  C.  Eld^ 
Ibr  R,  Bonian  znd  H.  If' alley ^  1609,  Quarto,  with  a 
Preface  of  the  PubJilhcr.     (  This  was  8  Years  before 
his  Death.) 

The 


TABLE, 


TAf  Sam€^  as  it  was  a6tcd  by  the  Kmg's  Mi- 
jcfly^s  Servants  at  the  Ghbe.     Printed  by  che  (ame. 

An  excellent  conceited  Tragedy  of  Rome^  astd  Ju* 
Uet.  As  it  hath  been  often  with  great  Applaufe  play'd 
publickly,  by  the  Right  Honourable  tne  Lord  of 
Hufffd$n  his  Servants.  London^  Printed  by  JUv 
Dmifer,  iS97^  Quarto. 

The   moft  excellent  and  lamentable   Tragedy   of 
Romeo  and  Jutiet^  newly  corre^ed*  augmented, 
amended.     As  it  hath  been  fundry   times  publidd] 
a6led  by  the  Right  Honourable  rhe  Lord  Chan:iberJ 
Iain   his   Servants.     Printed  by  *Tbo,  Crede^  for  Cui 
hert  Eurbyy  1599*  Quarto. 

The  mofl  excellent  and  lamentable  Tragedy  oi 
mto  and  Juliet.     As  it  hath  been  fundry  times 
bckly  aftcd  by  the  Kings  Majefties  Servants 
Glcht.     Written  by  W,  Shake-jp^are.     Newly 
redled,  augmented  and  amended,     hondony    pnni 
by  /?,  Toung  for  John  Smdhwkk^^  and  are  to  be  fold 
at  his  Shop  in  St.  Dunftam  Churchyard  in  FUeifirttt^^ 
under  the  Dyall,   16^7.    (^ario.)  w^ 

The  Tragical  Hillory  of  HamUt  Prince  of  Denmark, 
By  ly.  Shakffienr,     Newly  imprinted  and  cnlarg'd  tO 
almofl  as  much  again  as  it  was,  according  to  the  truft, 
and  perfect  Copy.  Printed  by  J.  R.  for  N.  L.  160^ 
Quarto. 

The  Tragedy  of  HamUf  Prince  of  Deumariy  p< 
ly  imprinted  and  enlarged  according  to  the  true  and 
pcrfed  Copy  lately  Pnnted.     Printed  by  /^.  S.    for 
John  Smttiywicb^  1 6 1 1 , 

»i  The  Tragedy   of   Hamlet   Prince    of   Dtumarl 
Ncwjy  imprinted  and  iniarged,  according  to  the 
and  perfect  Copy  laft  printed*     By  M'illiam   Sht 
fpesre.     Jjmd^^n^    printed  by    K.  T^ui^e  for    Jabk 
Smeih%^'ieke,  ijc.  1637.  (^joric,) 


and 

for 

truiH 


aili 


TABLE. 

The  Tragedy  of  OtbeUo^  the  Moor  of  Venice.  As 
it  hath  been  divers  times  aftcd  at  the  Globe^  and  at 
the  Black  Fry  or s^  by  his  Majefty's  Servants.  Writ- 
ten by  WiU,  Shake/pear.  Publilhed  by  Tho,  Walkefy^ 
Quarto,  (foon  after  bis  Death,  as  appears  by  the 
Preface.) 

The  Trag£edy  of  Othello^  the  Moore  of  Vemce. 
As  it  hath  bccne  diverfc  times  aftetl  at  the  Glohe^  and 
at  the  Black- Friers^  by  his  Majefties  Servants.  Writ^ 
ten  by  fVillicm  Shakefpenre.  Lcndon^  Printed  by 
N.  O.  for  Tbcmas  fValkleyy  and  are  to  be  fold  at  his 
Shop,  at  the  Eagle  and  Child  in  BriUan's  Burffe^ 
1622.     (Quarto,) 

The  Tragedy  of  Ofhelloy  the  Moore  of  Venice. 
As  it  hath  been  divcrfe  times  a(5ted  at  the  Globe^  and 
at  the  Black-Friers^  by  his  Majefties  Servants.  Writ- 
ten by  fPi/liam  Sbakejpeare.  London^  printed  by 
^.  M.  for  Richard  Hawkins^  and  arc  to  b>e  fold 
at  his  Shoppe  in  Chancery- Lane^^  neere  Serjeants- 
Inne,  1630.     (^ario,) 


It  famed  Doe  amiis  to  introduce  the  following  Obttf' 
vatkxis  wth  one  general  Critidfm  on  our  Audior^s 
IDnunatkk  Worlcs,  by  dividing  them  into  four 
CkdTcsy  and  fo  g^vii^  an  eftimate  of  each  PI^ 
reduced  to  its  proper  Clafs. 

C  O  M  E  D  I  E  $• 

Class    I. 

i  fempeji.    Vol.  i. 

2  Merry  Wives  of  Windfor,     Vol.  i- 

3  Meafure  for  Meafure.    Vol.  i. 

4  Merchant  of  Venice.     Vol.  2. 

5  Twelftb-KigbL    Vol  3. 

Class    II, 

1  Mdfunmer-Nigbt^s  Dream,     Vol.  1, 

2  Much  Ado  about  Nothing,      Vol.  2. 

3  jis  you  Uke  it.    Vol.  2. 

4  Ms  well  that  ends  -m-dL     Voh   5. 

5  fHnter*s  Tale.    Vol.  3. 

Class    III. 

1  Twtf  Gentlemen  cf  Verona.    VoJ.  i, 

2  Love's  Labour's  Lofl.    Vol.  2. 

Class    IV. 

1  Taming  of  the  Shrew,    Vol.  2. 

2  Cmeiy  of  Errors,    Vol  3, 

TRACE- 


TRAGEDIES. 

Class   L 

1  Hcniy  IV.    Part  i  Vol  4. 

2  Henry  IV.    Part  a.  Vol.  4. 

3  King  Lear.     Vol.  6. 

4  M^rcbcth.     Vol.  6. 

5  Julius  Caslar.    Vol.  7. 

6  Hamlet,     Vol.  8. 

7  OthcDo.    Vol.  8. 

V       Class    IL 

1  JCffly  John.     Vol.  3. 

2  Henry  V.    Vol.  4. 

3  Richard  III.     Vol.  5. 

4  Henry  VIII.    Vol.  5. 

5  Timon  ^  Athens.     Vol.  6. 

6  Anthony  and  Qeopatra.    Vol.  7. 

7  Cymbelinc.    Vol.  7. 

Class    III. 

1  Richard  II.    Vol.  4. 

2  Coriolanus.    Vol.  6. 

3  Troilus  and  Creffida.  Vol.  7. 

4  Romeo  and  Juliet.    Vol.  8. 

Class    IV. 

1  Henry  VI.  Part  i.  Vol.  4. 
i  Henry  VI.  Part  2.  Vol.  5. 
3  Henry  VI.  P^r/  3.  Vol,  5. 
4.  Titus  Andronicus.     Vol.  6. 

The  Comedies  and  Tragedies  in  the  laft  Clafi  are 
crcainly  not  of  Shakefpear.  The  moft  that  can  be 
ikl  of  them  is,  that  he  has,  here  and  there,  correded 
he  diak^;uej  and  now  and  then  added  a  Scene.  Ic 
oay  be  juft  worth  while  to  obferve,  in  this  place,  that 
he  whole  firft  Aft  of  PJetcher's  Two  Noble  Kin/men 
ras  wrote  by  Shakefpear^  but  in  his  worft  manner. 

c  THE 


THE 


T  E  M  PEST. 


Vot.  I. 


B 


Dramatis  Perfona?. 


A  LONSO,  King  of  Naples. 

Scbaftian,  h/s  Brother, 

Prolpcro,  the  rigbtful  Duke  o/M\\2n, 

Anthonio,  bis  Broiher^  tbe  ufurping  Duke  ff/'Milaai 

Ferdinand,  Sen  So  tbe  King  e/" Naples. 

Gon/alo,  an  bonefi  cldCounfelkr  ^Naples. 

Adrian,     >  r    j 

:      \  Lords. 
rrancjico,  > 

Caliban,  a  Salvage,  mid  deformed  Slave. 

Trinculo,  n  Jejler. 

Stephano,  a  drunken  Butter.       ^   " 

Mafter  of  a  Sbip^' Bbatf*usdm^  wii  Mariners. 

Miranda,  Daughter  to  Proipero. 

Ariel,  an  aiery  Spirit. 

Iris, 


Ceres,         ^ 
Juno,         S  Spirits^ 


NymphSy     \. 

tat*ers.      J 


entpkfd  in  the  Mafiji«. 

Reapers^ 

Other  Spirit Sy  attending  on  Profpero. 

S  C  E  N  E,  .fe  uninhabited  IJUmi. 


THE 


'THE 


TEMPEST 


ACT  I.     SCENE  I. 

On  a  Ship  at  Sea. 

A  iempeftuous  noife  of  thunder  and  Ugbtmng  beard  i 
Enter  a  Sbip-mafter,  and  a  Boatjwain, 

Master. 

Oatfwan.* 

Boaif.  Here,  Maftcr :  what  cheer  ? 

Maft.  Good,  ipeak  to  th'  mariners  :  fidl 
to't  yarely,  or  we  run  our  felves  a-ground ; 
bcftir,  beftir.  [£w/. 

Enter  Mariners. 

Boatf.  Hey,  my  hearts  j  cheerly,  my  hearts ;  yare^ 
yare ;  take  in  the  top-fail ;  tend  to  th'  mafter's  wluftle  % 
bbw,  *till  thou  burft  thy  wind,  if  room  enou^. 

Enter 

1  The  fempeji.l  Thefe  two  firft  Plays,  the  Timpefl  and  the 
Mid/ummer-ttigbfs  Dreantt  are  the  nobleft  Efforts  of  chat  fublime 
and  amazing  Imagination,  peculiar  to  Shake/pear,  which  foan 
above  the  Bounds  of  Nature  without  Ibrfaking  Senfe:  or,  mors 
properly^  carries  Nature  along  with  him  beyond  her  eftablilhed 
limits.    Flitcber  fccms  particularly  to  have  admired  thefe  two 

B  2  P]«yi» 


»*i>^B^^b^.f^^^ 


7^^  Tempest, 


Mnier  Alonfo,    Scbaftiarij  Anthonb,  Ferdinand, 
Gonzalo,  and  ethers*  " 

jUcn.    Good  Boatfwain,  have   care:    whcre*$   the 
tnaftcr?  play  the  men. 

Boat/,   I  pray  now,  keep  below, 

j^nt.  Where  is  die  mafter,  boaclwain  ? 

Boaif.  Do  you  not  hear  him  ?  you  mar  our  labour 
keep  your  cabins  j  you  do  aflill  the  ftorm. 

Gcnz,  Nay,  good,  be  patient, 

B^atf.  When  the  fea  is.     Hence —  what  care  th- 
Roarers  for  the  name  of  King?   to  cabin  ;    filem 
trouble  us  not. 

Gonz.  Good*  yet  remember  whom  thou  haft  aboard, 

Bmif.  None,  that. I  more  love  than  my  felf.    You 
are  a  counfcUor ;  if  you  can  command  thcfe  dem 
to  filence,  aj^d  work  the  peace  o*t]ie  prerent,  we 
rot  hand  a  rope  more  ;  ufe  your  audiority*     If  y 
cannot,  give  dianks  you  have  Iiv*d  fa  long,  and  m 
your  ielf  ready  in  your  cabin  for  the  mifthance  of 
hour,  if  it  fo  hap.     Chccrly,  good  hearts :  out  of 
way,  I  fay.  [£ 

Gonz.  I  have  great  comfort  from  this  feUow  i 
thinks,  he  hath  no  drowning  mark  upon  him ;  his 
plexion  is  perfuL^  gdfows.     Stand  faH,  good  fete, 
his  hanging ;  make  the  rope  of  his  deftiny  our 
for  our  own  doth  litde  advantage  :   if  he  be  rot  bom 
to  be  hang'd,  our  cafe  is  miferable,  [Ex^iinL 


Play*,  and  hr^tli  wrote  rwo  in  ImitatJon  of  them,  the  Sro'^^ 
and  ihc  fuithfuiS^ephtrJeji*  But  when  he  prefomcj  to  br 
l>ance  with  ^hakr/p^ttr^  and  write  in  emiiladon  of  him,  as  he 
h\  tht  Fttij*  e*.f,  which  is  the  Rival  of  Anthony  and  QtecfairA 
\\  not  fo  (ucct'^ful.  Aficr  him,  Sir  John  SuikUng  and  Mi 
caichrd  the  brSghtcft  Fire  of  iheir  Imagination  from  ihefe 
Pliiyj  J  which  ihino  fantailically  indeed,  in  ihe  Ceit/in, 
Sfiuch  more  nobly  md  fcicndy  in  flff  Mask  at  Liidio*iv-Caf 


Re-enftr 


72>e  Tempest. 

Re-enter  Boafjwain. 

Boatf.  Down  with  the  top-maft :  yare,  lower,  lower ; 
bring  her  to  try  with  main-courfe.  A  plague  upon  this 
howling !' 

Aery  mtlnn.   Re-enter  Sebaftian,  Anthonio,  and 
Gonzalo. 

they  are  louder  than  the  weather,  or  our  office.  Yet 
ag^?  what  do  you  here?  fhall  we  give  o'er,  and 
drown  ?  have  you  a  mind  to  fink  ? 

Seb,  A  pox  o'  your  throat,  you  bawling,  bjaf- 
phemous,  uncharitable  dog. 

Boatf.  Work  you  then. 

Alt,  Hang,  cur,  hang;  you  whore(bn,  infblent, 
noxfcmaker ;  we  are  Icfi  afraid  to  be  drown'd  than 
thou  art. 

G0tz,  ril  warrant  Wm  from  drowning,  tho*  the 
fhip  were  no  ftronger  than  a  nut-fhell,  and  as  leaky  afl 
«n  unftanch'd  wench. 

Boatf,  Lay  her  a-hold,  a-hold  \  let  her  two  courfes 
off  to  fea  again,  lay  her  off. 

Enter  Mariners  tev/. 

Mar.  All  loft !  to  prayers !  to  prayers !  allloft  I  [Exe, 

Boatf.  What,  muft  our  mouths  be  cold  ? 

G&HZ,  The  King  and  Prince  at  pray'n !  let  us  aflift 
'cm. 
For  our  cafe  is  as  theirs. 

Seb,  Pm  out  of  patience.  [kards. 

Ant.  We're  mccrly  cheated  of  our  lives  bv  drun- 
TWs  widc-chopt  rafcal 'Would,  thou  might*ft  lye 

drowning. 
The  waflung  of  ten  tides  ! 

Gww.  Hc*ll  be  hang'd  yet, 
Thoi^  every  drop  of  water  (wear  againft  it, 
And  gape  at  wid'ft  to  glut  him. 

B  3  A 


^e   Tempest. 


A  eonfufed  noife  witbinJ]  Mercy  on  us  ! 
We  fplit,  we  i^lit !  Farewel,  my  Wife  and  Childzen! 
Brother,  farewel !  we  fplit,  we  Iplit,  wc  fplit  I 
Jnt.  Let's  all  fink  vnth.  the  King.  [Exit. 

Seb,  Let's  take  leave  of  him.  [Exit, 

Conz,  Now  would  I  give  a  thoufand  furlongs  of 
fea  for  an  acre  of  barren  ground,  *■  long  heath,  brown 
furze,  any  thing ;  the  wills  above  be  done,  but  I 
would  fain  die  a  dry  death !  [Esit, 

S    C    E    N    E      IL 

Changes  to  a  Part  of  the  IncbofUei  IJland  near  tbe^ 
Cell  of  Profpero. 

Enter  Profpero  and  Miranda. 

Mira.  *  TF  by  your  art  (my  dcareft  father) «yoi| 

■*•      have 
Put  the  wild  Waters  in  this  roar,  allay  them  : 
The  sky,  it  feems,   would  pour  down  flinking  {utchy 
But  that  the  fea,  mounting  to  th'  welkin's  cheek, 
Dafhes  the  fire  out.    O !  1  have  fuffer'd 
With  thofe  that  I  faw  fufFcr  :  a  brave  veflel 
(Who  had,  no  doubt,  fome  noble  creatures  in  her) 
Dafli'd  all  to  pieces.     O  the  cry  did  knock 
Againfl  my  very  heart :  poor  fouls,  they  perifh'd! 
Had  I  been  any  God  of  Pow'r,  I  would 
Have  funk  the  fea  within  the  earth  ;  or  ere 
It  Ihould  the  good  fhip  fo  have  fwallow'd,  and 
The  fraighting  fouls  within  her. 

2  iomg  beatb^'l  This  is  the  common  name  for  tlte  #r/V# 

hacciftra  ;  which  the  Oxfird  Editor  not  under Aandiiig,  coojrc- 
tared  that  Sbakefptar  wrote,  —  t.ing^  Heath  :  But»  unludolyf 
Heath  and  Liug  are  but  two  words  for  the  fame  plant. 

3  !/hj°^^  '''•'.  &c.  ]  Nothing  was  ever  better  contrived  to 
inform  the  Audience  of  the  Story  than  this  Scene.  It  is  a  con- 
verfation  chat  could  not  have  happcntd  before,  and  could  not  but 
happen  now. 

Pr9. 


7^e  Te m p est.  ^ 

Pro.  Be  colIc6tpd ; 
No  more  amazement  5  tell  your  piteous  hear^ 
There's  no  harm  done, 
Mira.  O  wo  the  day ! 

Pro.  No  harm.  •* 

1  have  done  nothing  but  in  care  of  thee, 
(Qf  thee  my  dear  one,  thee  my  daughter)  who 
Art  ignorant  of  what  thou  art,  nought  knowing 
Of  whence  I  am  -,  nor  that  I  am  more  better 
Than  Projperoy  matter  of  a  full-poor  cell. 
And  thy  no  greater  fether,  ; 

Mira,  More  to  know 
I^  never  meddle  with  my  thoughts. 

Pro.  *Tis  rime, 
I  fhould  inform  thee  ^her«     Lend  thy  hand. 
And  phick  my  ma^ck  garment  from  me :  lb ! 

[Lays  down  bis  mmik. 
Lye  there  my  Art.    Wipe  thou  thine  eyes,  have 

comfort 
The  direful  fpeftade  of  the  wreck,  whkh  touch'd 
■♦  The  very  virtue  of  compaffion  in  thee, 
I  have  with  luch  provifion  in  mine  art 
So  iafeiy  order'd,  that  there's  no  foul  loft. 
No,  not  fo  much  perdition  as  an  hair, 
Bedd  to  any  CTeature  in  the  veflel  down  ; 

Which  thou  heard'ft  cry,  which  thou  law'fl  fink:  fit 
For  thou  muft  now  know  farther. 

Mira.  You  have  often 
Begun  to  tell  me  what  I  am,  but  flopt, 

4  Th£  vify  Virtue  9/  ctmpajfhn  in  ibett  ]  We  maft  not  think 
that  the  mtry  Virtnt  was  incended  to  (hew  the  degret  of  her  com- 
psffion,  but  the  kind.  Compaffion  for  other's  Misfortunes  ofteneft 
arifes  from  a  fenfe  or  apprehension  of  the  like.  And  then  it  it 
SpKpaihy,  not  Virtue,  rnio'  the  want  of  it  may  be  efteemed  vicious 
as  ariiing  from  a  degeneracy  of  Nature,  which  cannot  happen  but 
by  oar  own  &alt.  Now  the  Compaffion  of  Miranda,  who  never 
ventured  to  Sea,  not  being  of  this  kind,  Shakejfear  with  great  pro* 
priety  calls  ic  the  *6ery  Virtue,  1.  <•  the  real  pore  Virtue  of  CW* 
paflfon. 

9  4  Aid 


8  72iJ    T  E  M  P  E  S  T. 

And  left  me  to  a  bootleis  inquifition  % 

Concluding,  AV/iy;  not  yet." 

Pro.  The  hour's  now  come. 
The  very  minute  bids  thee  ope  thine  car ; 
Obey,  and  be  attentive.    Canft  thou  remember 
A  time,  before  we  came  unto  this  cell  ? 
I  do  not  think,  thou  canft  ^  for  then  thou  waft  not 
Out  three  years  old, 
Mira.  Certainly,  Sir,  I  can. 
Pro.  By  what  ?  by  any  other  houfe,  or  perfon? 
Of  any  thing  the  image  tell  me,  that 
Hath  kept  in  tliy  remembrance, 

Mira,  'Tis  far  off; 
And  rather  like  a  dream,  tlmn  an  afTurance 
That  my  remembrance  warrants.     Had  I  not 
Four,  or  five,  women  once,  that  tended  mc  ? 

Pro.  Thou  hadft,  and  more,  7l/f>'^?Wa :  but  how  is  it* 
That  this  lives  in  thy  mind  ?  what  feeft  thou  clfe 
In  the  dark  back-ward  and  abyfme  of  time  ? 
If  thou  remembcr'ft  aught,  ere  thou  cam'ft  here  5 
How  thou  cam'ft  here,  thou  may'ft. 
Mira,  But  that  I  do  not. 

Pro.  *Tis  twelve  years   lirxc,    Miranda  j  twelve 
years  fincc. 
Thy  father  was  the  Duke  of  Mi'Uiny  and 
A  Prince  of  Pow'r. 

Mira.  Sir,  are  not  you  my  father? 
Pro.  Thy  mother  was  a  f'lcce  of  virtue,  and 
She  faid,  thou  waft  my  daughter ;  and  thy  father 
Was  Duke  of  Milcn^  and  iiii  only  heir 
A  Princtfs,  no  worfc  itru'ci. 

Mira.  O  the  heav'rs ! 
What  foul  play  had  we,  that  \vc  came  from  thence  ? 
Or  blefled  was't,  we  did  ? 

Pro.  Both,  both,  my  girl  : 
By  foul  play  (as  thou  fav'ft;  wci-c  we  hca^■'d  thtnce  -, 
But  bkftcdly  help'd  hi-her. 

Mira. 


"The  Tempest. 

Jfcffrtf.  O,  my  heart  bleeds 
To  think  o*th*  tcene  that  I  have  tum*d  you  to. 
Which  is  from  my  remembrance.    Pleafe  you,  farther. 

Pro.  My  brother,  and  thy  uncle,  call'd -^»/imi>—— 
I  pray  thee,  mark  me ;  —  (that  a  brother  ihould 
Be  fo  perfidious ! )  he  whom  next  thy  felf 
Of  ail  the  world  I  lov*d,  and  to  him  put 
The  manage  of  my  ftatc  ;  (as,  at  that  time. 
Through  all  the  fignories  it  was  the  firft; 
And  Proffero  the  prime  Duke,  being  fo  reputed 
In  dignity  ;  and  for  the  liberal  arts, 
"Widiout  a  parallel ;  thofe  being  all  my  iludy :) 
The  government  I  caft  upon  my  brother. 
And  to  my  ftate  grew  ftranger  \  being  traniported. 
And  rapt  in  iecret  ftudies.     Thy  falfc  unclc-^— 
(Doft  thou  attend  me  ? ) 

Mira.  Sir,  moft  heedfidly. 

Pro.  Bring  once  pcrfefted  how  to  grant  fuits. 
How  to  deny  them  ;  whom  t'advancc,  and  whom 
*  To  tralh  for  over-topping ;  new-created 
The  creatures,  that  were  mine ;  I  fay,  or  chang'd  *cntv 
Or  elfc  new  form'd  *em  ;  ha^nng  both  the  key 
Of  officer  and  office,  fet  all  hearts  i'th*  ftatc 
To  what  tune  ple'as'd  his  ear;  that  now  he  was 
The  ivy,  which  had  hid  my  princely  trunk,        [not. 
And  fuoct  my  verdure  out  on't.— — *  Thou  attend'ft 

Mira.  Good  Sir,  I  do. 

Pro.  I  pray  thee,  mark  me  then, 
I  thus  neglefting  worldly  ends,  all  dedicated 
To  clofenefi,  and  the  bettering  of  my  mind. 
With  that  which,  but  by  bring  fo  retired, 
0*er-priz'd  all  popular  rate,  in  my  £die  brother 

'  5  To  trafi>  ]  fignifies  to  cut  away  the  trafli  or  faperflnidei ; 
a? •  tQ  top,  fignifies,  to  cat  off  the  top.  The  Oxford  Editor  alters 
it  to  pf^,  not  coniideriiig  that  topmfl*  fignifics  to  bind  and  com* 
plicate  branches  together,  and  fo  ii  only  tued  tofignify  the  drefiing 
and  pleating  of  anlicdge. 

Awak'd 


20  T^e    T  B  M  P  E  S  T, 

Awaked  an  evil  rucure  ;  and  my  trufV, 

like  a  good  parent,  did  beget  of  him 

A  felfhood  in  its  contrary  as  great 

As  my  tmft  was  ;  which  bad,  indeed,  no  limit, 

A  confideAce  fani  bound*     He  being  thus  lorded, 

Not  only  with  what  my  Revenue  yielded. 

But  what  my  power  might  elie  exaft  ^ ;  like  one. 

Who  having,  unco  truth,  by  telling  ofr^ 

Made  fuch  a  finner  of  his  memory, 

To  credit  his  own  lie,  he  did  believe 

He  wasj  indeed,  the  Dukc^  from  fubftitution, 

And  executing  th'  outward  face  of  royalty. 

With  all  prerogative.  Hence  his  amtfldon  growing- 

Doft  thou  hear  ? 

Mira.  Your  tale,  Sir,  would  cure  dea&efs. 

Pro,  To  have  no  fcreen  between  this  part  he  pi 
And  him  he  plaid  ic  for,  he  needs  will  be 
Abfolutc  Milan.     Mc,  poor  man  !^ my  libn 
Was  Dukedom  large  enough  -,  of  temporal  roy; 
He  thinks  me  now  incapable :  confederates 
(So  dry  he  was  for  fway)  wi*  th*  King  of  Naples 

6  '  lih  ene 

Jfha  h^viMg  IVTO  trarh  hy  teiiing  ofit^ 
f4aii  f»^h  a  Sinner  of  l-h  memerj^ 
T^  tridit  his  otvn  lif]  The  corrupted  reading  of  ihe 
tine  has  rendered  thk  beautiful  Sinitlitud^  quite  isninteJHgible. 
what  i&  Ths^ifrg  into  /rwM]  ?  or  what  dotli  [//J  refer  ti>l  DOI  » 
[truth'],  becaufc  if  he  f&/d  truth  he  couW  never  rrfiiii  a  iif, 
yet  there  is  RO  other  corrdadve  to  which  [i>]  can  belong, 
1  rtad  aad  paiA(  it  thus, 

^^— ^^—  —  r    r  iikf  ant 

Wh9  having  t  unto  fntth^  h  f^^^i^g  OFT, 

Miidt  futh  a  StMrnr  of  hit  mtmory^ 

T0  trtdit  hii  onvn  iit, 
J.  t.  by  often  repeating  (be  fame  Story,    mide   his   memorT 
fuch  a  Sinner  Knt9  truth    :is   to  give  credit  to  hid  own  iie. 
mirerablf  dflufion  10  which  Scory-tetlcft  aie  firquenily  fulji 
The  Oxford  Bdilor  having,   by  thii  Cor«flion»  been  let  two 
S^ofe  ol  the  PifTagc,  gi^es  us  thU  Scnfc  in  his  oik  n  Word*, 

Who  /a^i»g  en  uaitutk,  and  itUtngi  9/tp 


T^e   Tempest.  i  i 

To  j^ve  him  annual  tribute,  do  him  homage  5 
Subjeft  his  coronet  to  his  crown ;  and  bqipd 
The  Dukedom,  yctunbow*d,  (alas,  poor  Mkm!) 
To  moft  ignoble  flrooping, 

Mra.  Otheheav'ns! 

Pro.  Mark  his  condition,  and  th*  event  j  then  tell  me. 
If  this  might  be  a  Brother? 

Mira.  I  fhould  fin. 
To  think  but  nobly  of  my  grand-mother  j 
'  Good  wombs  have  bore  bad  fons. 

Pro.  Now  the  condition  : 
Tlus  King  of  N^les^  being  an  enemy 
To  me  inveterate,  hearks  my  brother's  fuit ; 
Which  was,  that  he  in  lieu  o*th*  premifes, 
Of  homage,  and  I  know  not  how  much  tpbute. 
Should  prefently  extirpate  me  and  mine 
Out  of  me  Dukedom ;  and  confer  fair  Mikn^ 
With  all  the  honours,  on  my  brother.    Wh^toa 
A  treacherous  army  levy'd,  one  mid-night 
Fated  to  th'  purpoie,  did  jintbonio  open 
The  gates  of  Milan  \  and,  i'th'  dead  of  darknds» 
The  minifters  for  die  purpofe  huBry*d  thcnc^ 
Me,  and  thy  crying  fdf. 

Mira,  Alack,  for  pity ! 
I,  not  remembring  how  I  cry*d  out  then. 
Will  cry  it  o'er  ag^ ;  it  is  a  hint. 
That  wrings  mine  eyes  to*t. 
Pro.  Hear  a  little  fijrther. 
And  then  I'll  bring  thee  to  the  prefent  bufincfe. 
Which  now's  upon's ;  ^thoiit  th^  which  this  flory 
Were  moft  impertinent. 

7  Good  wombs  ba've  horo  had  font  ]  Mr.  Hfiohaid  would  give 
tbefe  words  to  Pro/pero^  becaufe  Miranda,  hrtdufin  the  defart 
JJlandfrom  her  infancy,  could  noi  ht  fuppo^d  to  he  furnijhod  *witb 
fke%  an  obfer*vai  ten  from  life.  An  idle  reafbn.  Pro^ero  tells  us, 
lie  had  edacatcd  her  more  carefullx  than  ufual.  Would  he  then 
folSSa  her  to  be  ignorant  of  the  moll  common  ct(et  in  human  life  ? 
Yet  the  Oxford  Editor  follows  Mr.  Theobalds 

"  Mra. 


I  2  71^^      T  E  Al  P  E  S  T. 

ASra,  Why  did  they  not 
That  hour  dcftroy  us  ? 

Pro,  Well  demanded,  wench ; 
My  tale  provokes  that  queflion.     Dear,  they  diuft  ooC 
(So  dear  the  love  my  people  bore  me ;)  fct 
A  mark  fb  bloody  on  the  bufinefs ;  but 
With  colours  fairer  p^ted  their  foul  ends. 
In  few,  they  hurry'd  us  aboard  a  bark ; 
Bore  us  Ibme  leagues  to  Sea  i  where  they  prepared 
.1  rotten  carcafs  of  a  boat,  not  rigg'd. 
Nor  taiki-.',  foil,  nor  maft;  the  very  rats 
Lv.rinctiveiy  had  quit  it:  there  they  hoift  us 
To  cry  to  th*  fea,  that  roar'd  to  us  5  to  ligh 
Tc  ta*  winds,  whofe  pity,  fighing  back  again. 
Did  us  but  loving  wrong. 

Mira.  Alack !  what  trouble 
Was  I  then  to  you  ? 

Pre,  O  \  a  cherubim 
Thou  waft,  that  did  preferve  me :  Thou  dklft  finiky 
Infufcd  with  a  fortitude  from  heav*n, 
•  (When  I  have  mock*d  the  fea  with  drops  full-lalt; 
Under  my  burthen  groan'd  0  which  rais'd  in  mc 
An  undergoing  ftomach,  to  bear  up 
Againft  what  fliould  cnfue. 

Mira,  How  came  we  a-fhore  ? 

Pro.  By  providence  divine. 
Some  food  we  had,  and  fome  frefli  water,  that 
A  noble  NeapolUaHy  Gonzalo^ 
Out  of  his  charity  ''being  then  appointed 
Matter  of  this  defign)  did  give  us,  with 
Rich  garments,  linnens,  ftufFs,  and  neceifaries. 
Which  fincc  have  fteeded  much.  So  of  his  gendeneis, 

8  When  I bo've  dick'o  the  fea^  i.  e.  honoured.  Bac  this  isl 
poor  thought.  The  Oxford  Editor  reads  bmcli'd^  which  is  fliO 
pcorer.  f  imagine  that ^'^^ifj^^fxrwrcce  mock^d^i.c.  lent  the Scft 
tcis  trirTng aadition  of  falt-uater :  For  when  ary  thing  is  given  or 
arsded,  the  effcAof  which  i<noi  feh  or  perceived,  it  W2S  in  the 
language  of  th^t  time  properly  called  nmeking. 

Knowing 


The    Tempest.  13 

Knowing  I  lpy*d  my  books,  he  fumifli*d  me 
From  my  own  library,  with  volumes  that 
I  prize  above  my  Dukedom. 

^ra.  Would  I  might 
But  ever  ice  that  man ! 

^  Fro.  Now,  I  arife : 
Sit  ftill,  and  hear  the  laft  of  our  fea-forrow. 
Here  in  this  ifland  we  arriv'd,  and  here 
Have  I,  thy  fchool-mafter,  made  thee  more  profit 
Than  other  Princes  can,  that  have  more  time 
For  vainer  hours,  and  tutors  not  fo  careful. 

Mira,  Hcav'ns  thank  you  for*t !  And  now,  I  pray 
you,  Sir, 
(For  ftiU  'tis  beating  in  my  mind)  your  reafon 
For  r^fuig  this  fea-ftorm  ? 

Pro,  Know  thus  far  forth. 
By  accident  moil:  ffa-ange,  bountiful  fortune 
(Now  my  dear  lady)  hath  mine  enemies 
Brought  to  this  ihore :  and,  by  my  preidence 
I  find,  my  Zenith  doth  depend  upon 
A  moft  auipcious  ftar ;  whoie  Influence 
If  now  I  court  not,  but  omit,  my  fortunes 
Will  ever  after  droop,——  Here  ceafe  more  queftions  \ 
Thou  art  inclin'd  to  fleep.     *Tis  a  good  dulnefs. 
And  give  it  way ;  I  know,  thou  caSl  not  chule— — 

[Miranda  ^^j. 
Come  away,  fervant,  come ;  Tm  ready  now : 
Approach,  my  AriiU    Come« 

9  fr;  No^  I  ari/t:''^']  i.t.  now  I  come  to  the  principal 
part  of  my  Story,  for  the  fake  of  which  1  told  the  foregoing ; 
namely  this,  that  I  have  now  my  Enemies  in  my  Power}  and  if 
I  omit  this  Opportonity,  I  Ihall  never  have  another  to  recover 
my  Dukedom.  The  word  is  ufed  to  oQier  in  a  matter  of  impor- 
UDce.  So  Richard  Ul.  when  he  comes  to  the  murder  of  hii  Ne- 
phews* (ays  to  Ttrrt/, 

_  Rife,  axd  lind  am  tar^ 

SCENE 


7%c   Tempest. 


C      E      N      E 


IIL 


Enter  Arid. 

Jri,  All  hail,  great  mafter !  grave  Sir,  hail  \  I  come 
To  anfwer  thy  beft:  pleafure :  Be*t  to  fiy  ; 
To  fwim  i  to  dive  into  the  fire ;  to  ride 
On  the  airi'd  clouds :  to  thy  ftrong  bidding 
Ariil^  and  all  his  qualities. 
Pro,  Halt  thou,  Spirit, 
PerformM  to  point  the  tempeft  that  I  bad  thee  ? 
,    Aru  To  every  Article. 
f  boarded  the  King's  fhip :  now  on  the  beak^ 
Now  iathe  wafte,  the  deck,  in  every  cabin, 
I  flam'd  amazement.     Sometimes,  I'd  divide. 
And  bum  in  many  places;  on  the  top-mafl. 
The  yards,  and  bolt-lprit^  would  I  fiame  diftinflly 
Then  meet  and  join.  y<n'e^*s  lightnings,  the  precurfi 
Of  dreadful  thimder-cbps,  more  momentary 
And  fight  out-running  were  not  \  the  fire  and  cr, 
0\  fulphurous  roaring  the  moft  mighty  Neptnne 
Scem'd  to  bcfiege,  and  make  his  bold  waves  tremble 
Ycai  his  dread  trident  fhake. 

Pre,  My  brave,  brave  fpirit ! 
Who  was  fo  firm,  fo  conftant,  that  this  coyi 
Would  not  infcft  his  rcafon  ? 

Ari.  Not  a  foul 
But  felt  a  feaver  of  the  mind,  and  plaid 
Some  tricks  of  dclperation :  all,  but  mariners, 
Plun^d  in  the  foaming  brine,  and  quit  the  veffej. 
Then  all  a-fire  with  mc :  the  King*s  Ton  FerJinand 
With  hair  up-flaring  (then  like  reeds,  not  hair) 
Was  the  firit  man,  tliat  leaped  ^  cry'd,  '*  hell  i$  empi 
*'  And  an  the  devils  are  here. 

Pr&,  Why,  that's  my  Spirit! 
But  was  not  diis  nigh  more  ? 

4ri^ 


cij^ 


T^e   Tempest;  tt 

Art.  rClofe  by,  my  Maftcr. 

Pro.  But  are  they,  Arfel^  lafe  ? 

Ari*  Not  a  hair  pcri(h*d : 
On  thrir  fuft^irtg  garments  not  a  blethilh. 
But  frelher  than  before.    And  as  thou  badft  me» 
In  troops  I  hare  dilpers*d  them  *bout  the  ifle : 
The  King's  fon  have  I  landed  by  himielf^ 
Whom  I  left  cooling  of  the  ar  with  fighs^ 
In  an  odd  angle  of  the  ifle,  and  fittinjg. 
His  arms  in  this  fad  knot. 

Pro.  Of  the  King's  j(hip 
The  mariners,  fay  how  thou  haft  dlfpos'd. 
And  all  the  reft  o'th'  fleet? 

Art.  Safely  in  harbour 
Is  the  King's  fliip ;  in  the  deep  nook.  Inhere  once 
Thou  cali'dft  me  up  at  midnight,  to  fetch  dew 
From  theftiO-vext '  Bermootbes,  there  flic's  hid : 
The  mariners  all  under  hatches  ftow'd. 
Who,  with  a  charm  join'd  to  their  luffered  labour,^ 
IVe  left  afleep  ;  and  for  the  reft  o*th'  fleet 
(Which  I  di^rs'd)  they  all  have  met  again^ 
And  arc  iipon  the  MeJiterrdnean  flote. 
Bound  iadly  home  for  Nicies ; 
Suppoflng^  that  they  faw  the  King's  ftiip  Wnrfct^ 
And  his  great  perfon  perifli; 

Pro.  AHely  thy  charge 

^  I  Fr§m  tbi  filll-njBxt  Betmoothes,]  TbeebaU  fayi  Btrmoothis  is 
printed  by  piiiUke  for  Strmudas.  No.  That  was  the  name  by 
which  th«  Ifiands  then  went,  as  we  may  fee  by  the  Voyagers  of 
that  time  ;  and  by  oar  Author's  contemporary  Poets.  F/eteifr, 
in  his  Woman  fleafeiy  fays,  ^h»  DtHfiljbouli  think  ofpurcbafimtr 
ibai  Eggfieii  to  vidual  out  a  Witch  for  tbo  Bermoothes.  ^mitb^ 
in  bis  account  of  thefe  Iflands  f.  172.  lays,  that  tb$  Bermudas 
mo^rififiarfitito  the  world,  that  manj  caltdthtm  the  Jfle  o/DevUs. 
-r-p.  174. — to  ail  Stamen  no  lefs  terrible  than  am  inchemteddem  tf 
Furies.  And  no  wonder,  for  the  clime  was  extremdy  fufajeft  to 
Storms  and  Hurricanes ;  and  the  liUnds  were  furrcnnded  %^th. 
Icattered  Rocks  lying  ftiallowiy  hid  under  the  Sor&oe  of  the 
Water. 

.     .  Exaftly 


^^^^^^^^^^m 


77)2    Tempest. 

Exaftly  is  pcrfonnM  ;  but  there's  more  w(x-k: 
•  What  is  the  dmc  o'th*  day  ? 

Ari.  Paft  the  mid  feafoa,  at  leaft  two  gbfics. 

Pro,  The  time  *t«i3Ct  fix  and  now 
Mufl  by  us  both  be  fpent  moil  predoufly. 

jtri.  Is  there  more  toil  -,  fince  thou  ddt  ^ve  me 
pains, 
Lee  me  remember  thee  what  thou  haft  pronus*d> 
Which  is  not  yet  pcrtbrm'd  me. 

Pro,  How  now?  moody? 
What  is'r  thou  canft  demand  ? 

Ari.  My  liberty. 

Pre,  Before  the  time  be  out  ?  no  more, 

Ari,  I  pr'ythec. 
Remember,  I  have  done  thee  worthy  lervicc  \ 
Toid  thee  no  lies,  made  no  miftakings,  icrv*d 
Without  or  grudge,  or  grumblings  \  thou  didft  pronufe 
To  bate  me  a  full  year, 

Pro,  Doft  thou  forget 
From  what  a  torment  I  did  free  thee  ? 

Ari,  No-  [com 

Pro,  Thou  doft ;  and  think'ft  it  much  to  tread  the 
Of  the  fait  deCT) ; 

To  run  upon  the  Iharp  Wind  of  the  North  i 
To  do  me  bulineis  in  the  veins  o*th'  earth. 
When  it  is  bak'd  with  froft. 

Ari,  I  do  not.  Sir, 

Pro,  Thou  ly'ft,  malignant  thing  ?  haft  thou  fbrgOC 
The  foul  witch  Sycorax^  who  with  age  and  envy 

2  Pro.  What  is  the  time  '*ti^  dcy  f 

Jri,  Paji  the  mid  feufsn. 

Pro,  At  leafi  tius  glajfes. 
Id  ihis  reading,  both  the  Quellion  and  the  Aofwer  are  mdt 
impotmeiicly.     Profpero  a&ks  what  time  of  day  it  waty  when  he 
knew  it  was  two  glalTcs  paft  the  mid  fcafon :    And  Jriwi  leplici 
iodefinitdy,  that  it  wat  poft  the  mid  fcafon. 
The  QucAion  and  Reply  fliould  be  divided  thas. 

Pro,  What  it  the  time  tUh'  dajf 

Ari,  Pafi  $ht  mid  feafon^  at  lea/i,  tiv$  l^ff't' 

Wai 


7^^    Tempest!  17 

Was  grown  into  a  hoop  ?  haft  thou  fotgot  her? 

JrL  No,  Sir.  [tell  me. 

Tro,  Thou  haft :    where  was  Ihc  bom  ?    Ipcak  j 

jtri.  Sir,  in  jlrgier. 

Pro,  Oh,  was.ftic  fo  ?  I  muft 
Once  in  a  month  recount  what  thou  haft  been. 
Which  thou  forgct'ft.     This  damn'd  witch  Sycorax^ 
For  mifchiefs  manifold  and  forcerics  terrible 
To  enter  human  hearing,  from  Jirper^ 
Thou  know'ft,  was  bamfh'd :  for  one  thing  (he  did. 
They  would  not  take  hd-  life.    Is  not  this  true  ? 

Au  Ay,  Sir.  [child, 

Fro.  This  blue-ey*d  hag  was  hither  brought  with 
And  here  was  left  1^  th*  falors  ;  thou  my  flave 
As  thou  rcport'ft  thy  felf,  waft  then  her  fervant. 
And,  for  thou  waft  a  Ipirit  tqo:delicate 
To  aft  her  earthy  and  abhorr'd  commands, 
RefuOng  her  grand  hefts,  ihe  did  confine  thee. 
By  help  of  her  more  potent  minifters. 
And  in  her  moft  unmitigable  rage. 
Into  a  cloven  pine  ;  within  which  rift 
Impriibn'd,  thou  did'-ft  painftilly  remain 
A  dozen  years,  within  which  fpace  flie  dy'd. 
And  left  thee  there  :  where  thou  didft  vent  thy  groans. 
As  faft  as  mill-wheels  ftrike.    Then  was  this  Ifland 
(Save  for  the  fon  that  ihe  did  litter  here, 
A  freckled  whelp,  hag-bom)  not  honour'd  with 
A  human  (hape. 

Art.  Yes ;  CaUban  her  (on. 

Pro,  Dull  thing,  I  %  fo  :  he,  that  CaUban, 
Whom  now  I  keep  in  fervice.    Thou  beft  know'ft. 
What  torment  1  did  find  thee  in  v  thy  groans 
Did  make  wolves  howl,  and  penetrate  the  brcafls 
Of  ever-angry  bears  \  it  was  a  torment 
To  lay  upon  the  damn*d,  which ^ww* 
Could  not  again  undo :  it  was  mine  art. 
When  I  arrived  and  heard  thee,  that  made  gape 
Vol.  I.  C  The 


1 8  7%e    Tempest. 

The  p':ne,  and  let  thee  out. 

yfri.  I  thank  thee,  mafter. 

Pro.  If  thou  more  murmur'ft,  I  will  rend  aa  oak, 
And  peg  thee  m  his  knotty  entrails,  *tiil 
Thou*ft  howl'd  away  twelve  winters. 

jfrL  Pardon,  maftcr. 
I  vfiU  be  conrfpondcnt  to  command. 
And  do  my  fp'ridng  gently. 

Pre.  Do  K> :  and  after  two  days 
I  will  dilchaige  thee. 

jin.  That's  my  noble  mafter : 
What  (hall  I  do  ?  fay  what  ?  what  (hall  I  do  ? 

Pro.  Go  make  thy  iclf  like  to  a  nymph  o*th*  fea. 
Be  fubjcA  to  no  fight  but  mine :  invifible 
To  every  eye-ball  elie.     Go  take  this  fhape. 
And  hither  come  in  it :  go  hence  with  dibgenoe. 

[Exit  Ariel 

Awake,  dear  heart,  awake !  thou  haft  flept  well } 
Awake 

A£ra.  The  ftrangenefi  of  your  ftory  put 
Hcavinefe  in  me- 

Pro,  Shake  it  off:  come  on  ; 
We'll  vifit  Caliban  my  (lave,  who  never 
Yields  us  kind  anfwer. 

Mira.  'Tis  a  villain.  Sir, 
I  do  not  love  to  look  on  — • 

Pro.  But,  as  'tis, 
Wc  cannot  mils  him :  he  does  make  our  fire. 
Fetch  ill  our  wood,  and  (crves  in  offices 
l^hat  profit  us.    What  ho !  (lave  !  CaUban  ! 
Thou  earth,  thou !   fpcak. 

Col.  [within,']  I'here's  wood  enough  within. 

Pro,  Come  forth,  I  fay;   there's  other  bufinefi 
for  thee.    • 
Come,  thou  Tortoilc  !  when  ?  ■ 

EMr 


The   Tempest. 

EfUer  Ariel  Uke  a  Water-Nympb. 

Fine  apparition  I  my  quaint  Ariel^ 
Hark  in  thine  ear. 

Aru  My  lord,  it  fliall  be  d(Hie.  [£*//. 

Pro,  Thou  poifonousQaye,  got  by  the  devil  himfclf 
Upon  thy  wicked  dam,  come  forth. 

SCENE        IV. 

Enter  Caliban. 

'  Cd,  "  As  wicked  dew,  as  e'er  my  mother  brufliM 
**  With  raven's  feather  from  unwhoUbm  fen, 
**  Drc^  on  you  both  I  a  Ibuth-wcft  blow  on  ye, 
*'  And  blifter  you  all  o*er!  [cramps. 

Pro,   For  this,  be  fure,  to  night  thou  Ihalt  have 
Side-ftidbes  that  ihall  pen  thy  breath  up  \  urchins 

}  Cal.  At  wicked  ^fou,  as  t*tr  my  moihtr  ^n$^V 
f^itb  ritven'i  featbtr  from  Mtrwbtiifem  fen, 
Drtf6kyou  hoik.'\  Shakefpe^r  Yizih  vtty  artificially  given 
the  air  of  the  antique  co  the  language  of  Cahhany  in  order  to 
heighten  the  grotefque  of  his  chara^er.  A$  here  he  ufes  wichd 
fat  mthju60i/oj»e.  So  Sir  yohn  MautiJtvti,  in  his  travels^.  334. 
Edit.  LonJ,  I72>.  ^— —  at  alU  tjmti  brtnnetbe  a  Ftffelli 
cf  GrifiaiU  fulU  of  Banvme  for  to  JCfvtn  voit  fmallt  and 
odour  to  the  Emperour^  and  to  *V9jden  mnuey  a&  w  Y  k  e  B  d  ■ 
Ejros  and  Corrttpciomns,  It  was  a  tradidon,  it  feemt,  that 
Lord  Falkland^  Lord  C.  J,  yauxban,  and  Mr.  Stldtn  con- 
curred in  obierving,  that  Sbaktfptar  had  not  only  found  out  a 
new  chanifier  in  his  Caliban,  but  had  alfo  derifcd  and  adapted  a 
ntvi  mannor  rf  langnago  for  that  charafter.  What  they  meant 
by  it,  without  doubt,  was,  that  S^ai#/^ar  gave  hit  languages 
certain  grotefque  air  of  the  Savage  and  Antique  ;  which  it  cer- 
tainly has.  But  Dr.  Bentlty  took  this,  of  a  new  language^ 
Jiterally  ;  for  fpcaking  of  a  phrafe  in  Miiton,  which  he  fuppofed 
dcogecher  abfurd  and  unmeaning,  he  fays,  Safan  bad  not  tbi 
fri^tiiege  m  Caliban  in  Shakefpear,  to  ufi  nettvpbraft  anddiStou 

mnknowM  to  all  otbirs^-^^  and  again to  praBict  iifiances  it 

fiU  aOiS^nJlile,  Koteoa  Mi lton*tparadi/glofif  1.  4.  v.  94;, 
Bat  I  know  of  no  facb  Caliban  file  m  Sbaktfpear  that  hath  new 
l^iraft  and  diflion  unknown  to  all  others. 

C  a  Shall, 


'9 


20  The  Tempest. 

Shall,  for  that  vaft  of  night  that  they  may  work. 
All  exercife  on  thee:  thou  fhalt  be  pinch'd 
As  tliick  as  honey-combs,  each  pinch  more  (lining 
Than  bees  that  made  'em. 

Cal.  "  I  muil  eat  my  dinner. 
**  This  Ifland's  mine  by  Sycorax  my  mother^ 
"  Which  thou  tak'ft  from  me.  When  thou  camcft  fiift, 
"  Thou  ftrook'cft  me,  and  mad'ft  much  of  me  5  and 

wculd'ft  give  me 
'^  Water  widi  berries  in't ;  and  teach  me  how 
*'  To  name  the  bigger  light,  xnd  how  the  left, 
*'  That  bum  by  day  and  night:  andthenllov'd  thee, 
**  And  fhcw'd  thee  all  the  qualides  o'th*  Ifle, 
'*  Hie  frclh  fprings,  brine-pits  i    barren  |rfskce,   and 

fertile. 
*«  Curs'd  be  I,  that  I  did  fo !  all  the  chaniis 
**  Oi Syccrax^  toads,  beedes,  bats,  light  on  you! 
•^  For  I  am  all  the  fubjects  that  you  have, 
*'  Who  firft  was  mine  owTi  King  ;  and  here  you  fty  me 
In  this  hard  rock,  whiles  you  do  keep  from  me 
The  reft  of  th*  Ifland. 

Pro,  Thou  moft  lying  flave. 
Whom  Stripes  may  move,   not   kindneft;    I  have 

us'd  thee 
(Filth  as  thou  art)  with  humane  care,  and  lodg'd 
In  mine  own  cell,  'till  thou  didft  feek  to  violate 
The  honour  of  my  child. 

CcL  Oh  ho,  oh  ho ! 1  wou'd,  it  had  been  done! 

Thou  didft  prevent  me,  I  had  peopled  elfc 
Tliis  I  lie  with  Calibans, 

Pro.  *  Abhorred  flave ; 
Which  any  print  of  goodnefs  wilt  not  take, 
Bcingcapableof  all  ill!  I  pity*d  thee. 
Took  pains  to  make  thee  Ipeak,  taught  thee  each  hoi* 

4  A^'horred finv€  \'\  In  the  common  Fditions  this  fpeeck 
«a«  given  to  Mirantia.  Mr.  Dryden'wk  hisalceracioQ  of  thispUf 
r.j^fc:/  triRifcr.-ed  ic  to  Profper§. 

One 


TTjb    Tempest.  2i 

One  thing  or  other.  *  When  thou  couldft  not,  favagc. 
Shew  thine  own  nneaning,  but  wouldft  gabble  like 
A  thing  moft  brutifh,  I  endow'd  thy  purpofes 
With  words  that  made  them  known.  But  thy  vile  race 
(Tho*  thou  didft  learn)  had  that  in't,    which  good 

natures 
Could  not  abide  to  be  with ;  therefore  waft  thou 
Defervcdly  confin*d  into  this  rock. 
Who  hadft  deferv'd  more  than  a  prifon 

CaL  You  taught  me  language,  and  my  profit  on't 
Is,  I  know  how  to  curfe :  the  red  plague  rid  you. 
For  learning  me  youf  language ! 

5  When  thou  didst  not.  Savage, 

%  V  o  w  thy  o-wji  meaning,  hut  ivouUft  gahble  like 
A  thing  mcfi  hrutijb,  I  endiru^dtby  furpefes 
IV^itb  *woris  to  make  them  hnotvnj]  The  benefit  which 
ProJperahcTC  upbraids  Caliham  with  having  beRovvcd,  was  reach- 
ing him  language.  He  (hews  the  greataefs  of  this  b^-neiic  by 
marking  the  inconvenience  Calihetn  lay  under  fur  wane  of  it. 
What  was  the  inconvenience  ?  This,  that  he  tliJ  not  kno^  his 
0wn  meaning.  But  furea  Brute,  to  which  he  is  compared,  dotli 
know  its  own  meaning,  that  is,  knows  what  it  would  be  at.  This, 
indeed,  it  cannot  do,  it  caanot>^<w  its  meaning  to  otliers.  And 
this  certainly  is  what  Profpero  would  fay^ 

—  When  thou  c  0  u  L  D  s  T  not%  $a*uagf, 

Shew   thy  o^wn  meanings  ■ 
The  following  words  makes  it  evident^ 

^^mmmm  hut  luouUft  gobhU  like 

A  thing  mofi  hrutifi>. 
And  when  once  [/he*w]  was  corrupted  to{^inow]  the  tranfcribers 
would  of  courfe  change  [could/f]  into  [didjl']  to  make  it  agree 
with  the  other  falfe  raiding.     There  is  indeed  a  Scnfe  in  which 

Knonjo  thy  own  meanittg may  be  well  applied  to  a  brute.   For 

it  may  iignify  the  not  having  any  reflex  knowledge  of  the  opera- 
tions of  its  own  mind,  whicli;  it  would  feem,  a  Brute  hath  not. 
Tho*  this,  I  fay,  may  be  applied  to  a  brute,  and  confequencly 
to  Ca/ihaMt  and  tho*  to  remedy  this  brutality  be  a  nobler  bene- 
fit than  even  the  teaching  language  i  yet  fuch  a  fenfe  would  be 
impertinent  and  abfurd  in  this  place,  where  only  the  hene/t  of 
language  is  talked  of  by  an  exad  and  learned  Speaker.  Bcfide^^ 
PraJ^era  exprefly  fiiys,  that  Caliban  had  purpofe*  j  which»  an 
other  words,  ia  that  he  did  hi¥w  kie  9wn  meeaiwg^ 

C  3  Pro, 


22  Tie   T  E  If  r  E  s  T. 

Pr&,  Hag-fccd,  hence! 
Fetch  us  in  fcwel,  and  be  quick  ( thou  wcrt'  bell) 
To  anfWer  ochcr  bufioe^.    9inig*ft  thou,  nnficc? 
If  thou  neglccc^ft,  or  daft  unwillingly 
What  I  command,  TU  rack  thee  with  old  cnmps; 
Fill  all  thy  bones  with  aches,  make  thee  loar. 
That  bcafts  fhall  tremble  at  thy  din. 

Cal.  No,  *pray  dicc. 
I  muft  obey ;  his  art  is  of  fuch  pow*r. 
It  would  oinnoul  my  dam's  god  Setehs^ 
And  make  a  vaflal  of  him. 

Pre.  So,  (lave,  hence!  [£xxrCaEbiB. 

SCENE      V. 

EfHer  Ferdinand  i  and  Ariel  imifiile^  f^V'V 
andjinpi^. 

ARIEL'%   SONG. 

Come  unto  tbefe  yellow  fimds^ 
And  iien  take  bands : 
CttrilfiedwbeMyeu  bave,  andiift 
(Tbe  wildwaves  wbifi  i) 
Foot  itfeatfy  bere  and  tbere^ 
Jlnd^  Jvaeet  ffritesy  tbe  burtben  bear. 

Burthen,  diiperlcdly. 
Hari^  bark,  bougb-^augb :  tbe  watcb-dogs  tark^ 
Baugb-waugb, 
An.  Hark,  bark,  I  bear 

^befirain  ofjbrutting  cbantickre 
Cry,  Cock-a-do9dk-dc. 

Fer.  Where  ihoiild  this  Mufick  be,  i'th*  sor,  er 
earth?  — 
It  founds  no  more :  and,  fore,  it  waits  upon 
Some  God  o'th*  Illand.    Sitting  on  a  bank. 
Weeping  agwil  the  King  my  Other's  wieck» 

The 


Tie  T  E  M  p  f  s  T. 

This  muiick  crept  by  me  upon  the  wicen  i 
Allaying  both  their  fury  and  my  paffion. 
With  its  fwcet  air  ;  thence  I  liavc  follow'd  it. 

Or  it  hath  drawn  me  rachcr but  *tis  gone. 

No,  u  begins  again, 

IJRIEVs   SONG. 
*  Full  fathom  five  thy  father  Isesy 
Of  his  hones  are  coral  made : 
Thofe  are  pear  is  ^  that  were  his  eyes  \ 
Nothing  of  h'lm  that  doth  fade y 


But 


6  Full  fathom  Jive  t fry  fa  the  f  lift,  &€.]  GU4sn^  who  has 
prcundrd  lo  cnticifc  our  Author,  wotilJ  ^ive  ihis  up  at  nn  in- 
fuft'crAblt  an<l  ftnfflcrs  piece  of  trifiing.  Antl  I  believe  tJiis  i^  tkx 
general  opinion  concernitig  it.  But  a  verj'  unjult  one.  Lcc  ua 
confidcr  ihe  buiinds  ArhT\%  hereupon,  and  his  manner  pf  exe- 
cuting il.  Tii«  CoiDEOiin^n  Profptrif  had  intruilcU  tg  him*  in  a 
whifpcr,  wdi  plaioly  ihis  ;  fo  condufl  ^«r//ffciW  to  the  iigbt  of 
MiretnJai  ana  todifpofe  him  to  the  quicic  ftntiineiit}  oi  tave, 
while  he,  on  the  other  hand,  prepared  his  daughicr  for  the  fame 
imprcffioni.  jfrir/ fcti^bouL  his  bufjnefj  by  ac«^iialn£ing  fer^i* 
nandt  in  an  rxtraordinary  numncr*  with  the  affli^ivercwi  ofhii 
fftthcr's  death.  A  very  odd  Apparatus^  one  would  chink,  for  a 
love- fit.  And  yet  is  odd  as  it  appears,  the  Poet  has  jhewn  in  it 
the  finert  conduit  for  carrying  oti  hb  plot.     Pro/ptro  had  f*id, 

I  find  my  Ztni/Jb  dott  dtptn4  vp^n 

A  m&fi  aufphioui  fiarr\  tMbofe  irrfiufKce 

If  ntfiij  I cO¥rf  iit\   hut  omit f   rny  FarJun// 

fViii  f^er  ^/}fr  dr&tp.-^ * 

In  confequence  of  this  hii  prefcience.  he  takes  ad  vtstage  ofevcij 
favourable circumlUnce  that  thcoccafion  offers.  ThcpiineipaJa^r 
il  the  Marriage  of  his  daughter  wiih  young  Ferdinand.  But  to 
fccurc  this  point  it  was  nectiTHry  they  fl'iould  be  contrafled  before 
the  affiir  came  to  Mnz9  the  Father**  knowledge.  For  Pto/ptn 
was  ignorant  how  th»  ftorm  and  fhipwrcck^  caulcd  by  him,  would 
work  upon  ^/d«xA  temper.  It  might  cither  fofccn  him,  or  in* 
irrcafe  his  av-erfion  for  Pro/pfr^  as  the  author*  On  the  mber  h.ind, 
to  cngige /Vrd';««nJ'»  without  the  confent  of  his  Father,  was  dif- 
ficult^ For  not  to  fpcak  of  his  Quality*  where  fuch  engagement 
■re  oot  made  without  thit  confent  of  the  Sovereign,  Ferdtmind  ia 
rtprcCcniod  ( to  fhcw  it  a  Match  worth  the  fccking  ;  of  a  moll 
C  4  f  iout 


^ 


The    Tempest. 

But  dotb fuffcr  a feach/if^e^ 
htto  Jomething  rich  andfirange. 
Sea-nytnpbs  hourly  ring  his  kneiL 
Barkt  now  I  bear  than^  ding-dong^  bell, 

[Burthen :  ding-d< 

Fer^  The  ditty  does  remember  my  drown'd  father  ^ 
This  is  no  mortal  bufincfs,  nor  no  found 
That  the  earth  owns :  I  hear  it  now  above  me, 

SCENE      VL 

Pro^  ^  The  fringed  curtains  of  thine  eyes  advance, 
And  fay,  what  thou  feeft  yond. 

Min 

piouB  temper  and  diTpofition^  ^vbk^  would  prevent  his  contr^^ii 
himlclf  without  Kb  F»lhcr*s  knowledge.  The  Poet  tlicrc/o« 
with  the  utmoil  ^ddrefj;,  h^  made  Arhl  pcrfuadc  him  of  hb  Fl 
therms  dcatli  to  remove  this  Rcmora,  which  might  oihcrwifchai 
ciiher  ftopM,  and  reWTdcd  beyond  ihc  time  of  ailioo,  or  qmt 
fpoiled  the  whole  Plot^ 

7  Tbt  fnngtd  eurtaini  9/ 1 hint  tya  advaxctj 
And  fay^  iv^at  thau  fiefi  yettd^l 
The  Daugheera  of  Profprro^  as  ihey  arc  drawn  by  Drydti 
Teem  rather  c^  have  h^id  their  Education  in  a  Couic  ^r  a  Pla] 
houfc,  than  undtr  the  fcvcre  preempts  ofa  Philofopher  in:i  Deft- 
But  the  Miranda  of  SMr/ptor  is  truly  what  the  Poet  give*  h^ 
out.  And  his  art  in  pr«(crving  the  unity  of  her  charaflcr  n  wqi 
dcffuL  Wr  murt  remember  what  was  fajd  in  rhc  foregoinjj  no, 
eS Pr a/p fro' iinieniif^n  to  jrike  his  Daughter  fall  in  love  at  iigh\ 
And  nu;w:tliitanLl  LhciW/*  may  fay^  or  the  Prtityft 

Irvni  think,  on  i]  .  n,  ic  was  no  fuch  eafy  matter  tobrij 

this  naturally  ihout.     Thofe  who  arc  the  Icsft   acquainrcd  wi 
human  nature  know  of  what  force  inflitmioo  and  education  are 
curb  ;ind  even  deface  the  very  ftrongcft  paiTions  and  afFe^flioi. 
She  had  bcm  brought  up  under  the  rough  difcipline  of  E^oicnl  M( 
TiUty*  and  misfotignej  generally  harden  the  morality  of  virtuot 
wen  into  Stoicifin.     Such  a  one  was  Prefper^^     And  he  telU  1 
that  his  daughter  fully  anfwcrcd  th«  care  he  beftowed  upon  ht. 
60  that  there  would  be  fome  difficulty  for  nature  to  regain  iti  ii^ 
flucnce  fo  fuddenly  as  the  Plot  recjuircd.     The  Poct^  thertfore, 
ivi(h  infinite  xA^rtU^  caufes  her  to  be  fofiened  by  the  tender  jlory 
It^  father  told  her  td  hit  mhfonaDCs.    For  pity  prcceeds  love, 

kod 


T^e  T  E  M  p  Es  T,  25 


Mira,  Whatis*t,  afpirit? 
Lord,  how  it  looks  about !  believe  me.  Sir, 
It  carries  a  brave  form.     But  'tis  a  fpirit. 

Pro,  No,  wench,  it  eats,   and  flecps,    and  hath 
fuch  fenfes 
As  we  have,  fuch.     This  gallant,  which  thou  feeft. 
Was  in  the  wreck :  and,  but  he's  fomething  ftain'd 
With  grief,  (that's  beauty's  canker)  thou  might'ft 

call  him 
A  goodly  perfon.     He  hath  loft  his  fellows, 
And  ftrays  about  to  find  'em. 

Mira.  I  might  call  him 
A  thing  divine  -,  for  nothing  natural 
I  ever  law  fo  noble. 

Pro.  It  goes  on,  I  fee,  \,4fi^' 

As  my  foul  prompts  it.    Spirit,  fine  fpirit,  I'll  free 

thee 
Within  two  days  for  this. 

Fer.  Moft  fure,  the  Goddefs 
On  whom  thefe  ayres  attend !  *  vouchfafe,  my  pray'r 
May  know,  if  you  rem^  upon  this  Ifland ; 

and  facilitates  its  entrance  into  the  mind.  But  this  was,  evidentTv. 
infufficienc.  Therefore,  to  make  the  way  the  eafier,  ihe  is  fup 
pofed  to  be  under  the  influence  of  her  Fad)er*8  charm,  which  wa« 
10  diiTolve,  as  it  were,  the  riffid  chains  of  virtue  and  obedience. 
This  is  inlinuated  to  the  Audience  when  Pro/pero,  before  he  be- 
gins his  fiory,  fays  to  her, 

1  Lenil  thy  band 
And  fimek  ibis  magick  garment  from  mt. 
The  touch  communicated  the  charm,  and  its  efficacy  was  to  lay 
her  to  deep.  This  is  the  reafon  that  Pr9j^tro  fo  often  queflions 
her,  as  he  proceeds  in  his  ftory,  whether  Ihe  was  attentive:  being 
apprehenfive  the  charm  might  operate  too  quick,  even  before  he 
mra  ended  his  relation.  Without  this  interpretation  his  frequent  re- 
petition will  appear  extremely  cold,  and  abfurd.  For  the  fame 
reafon,  likewire,  he  fays,  in  conclufion, 

Ibom  art  inclined  ttjltep.    *'lis  a  good  duintfs. 
And  give  it  n»ay:  I  know  choa  can'ft  not  chufe. 
9  i  tvoucb/afe  my  prof  r 

May  huWf J-  ]  For,  Imtty  knvvo.  Extremely  poetical ; 

Pffd  inoft  evpreffive  of  the  hamility  of  the  Speaker. 

And 


26  72^   T  E  Nf  P  I  S  T. 

And  that  you  wUI  feme  good  inflnidion  g^ve. 
How  I  may  bear  me  hrre :  my  prime  requcft 
(WhJdi  1  do  lift  fttt>nounce)  is,  O  you  wonder- 
If  jou  be  made  or  no  ? 

Mira,  No  wonder,  Sir, 
But  *  certainly  a  maid, 

Ftr,  My  language  \  h^v'ns  ! 
I  am  the  bdt  o/  them  that  fpcak  tWs  fpccch^ 
Were  1  but  where  'tis  fpoken ! 

Pro.  How?  thebcft? 
What  wcrt  thou,  if  the  King  ofNafUs  heard  thee 

Fer,  A  fingle  things  as  1  am  now,  that  wonders 
To  hear  thee  fpeak  of  NapUs,     He  docs  hear  me  ; 
And,  that  he  docs,  I  weep :  my  felf  am  Naples^ 
Who,  widi  mine  eyes  (neVr  Jlnce  at  ebb)  beheld 
The  King  my  fatlicr  wreckt, 

Mira.  Alack,  for  mercy ! 

ftr.  Yes,  faith ,  and  all  his  lords :  the  Duke  of 
And  his  brave  ion,  being  twain. 

Pro.  The  Duke  of  jW/Aw,  (thee, 

And  his  more  braver    daughter,    cotild   ■  control 
If  now  'twere  fit  to  do't :  — At  die  firfl  fi^t. 
They  have  chang'd  eyes :  ( delicate  Jritl, 
I'll  fct  thee  free  for  this.)    A  word,  good  Sir. 
]  fear,  youVc  done  your  felf  fomc  wrong:  a  word — 

9  —  (trtjihfy  a  Fvaid.  ]  Nothing  could  be  xnore  |(rttti 
inuglaed  to  illqilrate  the  Tin^uJ^Lriiy  of  her  chaxa6cr»  tbaii 
pleafant  millake.  She  had  been  bred  up  in  the  rough  and  p!&» 
acting  documents  of  moral  phtlofophy,  which  teaches  as  the 
knowledge  of  otu  felves ;  And  w&a  »n  utter  ftringer  io  the  lUt- 
ICf )-  ioTcnted  by  vitiuus  and  dei^gning  Men  to  corrupt  tli«  otJur 
Sex,  So  that  ii  could  noc  enter  into  her  imagiiuuon,  ihat  com- 
pf&iraace  sUkd  a  delirf  of  appearing  ajniahlft  qualities  ci  hunu* 
Dtty  which  (he  bad  been  inllru^ed,  itk  her  n^oral  kiroD.%  to  ci' 
tivaic,  could  ever  degenerate  into  fuch  excefs,  »i  that  any  oi 
flionTd  be  willing  tu  have  \ni  fcltow  creiuitre  believe  ittit 
thcnght  hei  a  GodJcft  or  an  Jmmortal. 


^pnirsul  thut  ]    /.  f.  (hew  #iee  thy  error. 


Sftri. 


77>e  Tempest.  27 

Mra.  Why  fpcaks  my  hthet  fo  ungcntly  ?  this 
Is  the  third  man,  that  I  c*cr  iaw;  the  firft. 
That  c*cr  I  figh'd  for.    Pity  move  my  &thcr 
To  be  inclin'd  my  way ! 

per.  O,  ifa  Vir;^, 
And  your  Affection  not  gcme  forth)  PU  make  you 
The  Queen  of  Naples. 

Pro,  Soft;»  Sir :  one  word  more.  i. 
They're  both  in  cither's  power :  but  this  fvrift  bufinefi 
I  muft  uneafie  make,  left  too  light  winning 
Make  the  prize  light.      Sir,   one  word  more^  I 

chaise  thee. 
That  thou  attend  me :  —  thou  doft  here  uTum 
The  name  thou  ow'ft  not,  and  haft  put  thy  m( 
Upon  tlm  Ifland,  as  a  ipy,  to  win  it 
From  me,  the  lord  on*t. 
.  Fer^  No.  as  Vm  a  man.  [pl^. 

Mk^  There's  nodung  ill  can  dwett  in  fuch  a  tern* 
If  the  ill  ipirit  have  fb  iair  an  houfe. 
Good  things  will  ftrive  to  dwell  inth't. 

Pro,  Follow  me 
Speak  not  you  for  faim  :  he's  a  traitor.    Come,, 
I'll  manacle  thy  neck  and  feet  together ; 
Sea- water  Ihalt  thou  drink  ;  thy  food  ftiall  be 
The  &e(h-brook  muflcls,  withered  roots,  and  husks 
"Wherdn  the  acorn  cradled.     Follow. 

Fer,  No, 
I  ^1  refift  iuch  entertainment,  'till 
Mine  enemy  has  more  power. 

[He  draws  J  and  is  cbarm^d  from  moving. 

•  Mira.  O  dear  father, 

Make 

2  Mira,  O  dear  fathtr. 
Make  not  too  ra/b  a  tryal  of  him ;  for 
Hf*t  gentle,  and  not  fearful. 
This  ieems  to  be  a  very  odd  way  of  exprcffiog  her  fenfe  of  her 
tovtr**  good  quatitiet.     It  u  certain  the  beauty  of  it  is  not  feen 
at  Mi  new.    Miranda^  *tiU  now»  had  never  fcen  any  Mortal 

(her 


f 


28  The    Tempest. 

Make  not  too  rafh  a  tryal  of  him  ;  for 
Hc*s  gentle,  and  not  fearful. 

Pro.  What,  1  %, 
My  foot  my  tutor  ?  put  thy  fword  up,  traitor. 
Who  mak*ft  a  (hew,  but  dar*ft  not  imke  5   tfiy  con- 

fcience 
Is  fo  poffeft  with  guilt :  come  from  thy  ward. 
For  I  can  here  difarm  thee  with  this  ftick. 
And  make  thy  weapon  drop. 

Mira,  Befeech  you,  father.    . 

Pre,  Hence  :  hang  not  on  my  garment. 

Mira,  Sir,  have  pity  ; 
1*11  be  his  furety. 

Pro,  Silence :  one  word  more 
Shall  make  me  chide  thee,  if  not  hate  thee.     What, 
An  advocate  for  an  impoftor  ?  hulh ! 
Thou  think'ft,  there  are  no  more  fuch  fhapes  as  he. 
Having  iecn  but  him  and  Caliban  ;  foolifh  wendi ! 
To  th*  moft  of  men  this  is  a  Caliban^ 
And  they  to  him  are  angels. 

Mira,  My  afFeftions 
Are  then  moft  humble :  I  have  no  ambidon 
To  fee  a  goodlier  man, 

(her  father  excepted)  hixt  Caliban.  She  had  freqaently  beheld 
him  under  that  kind  of  difcipline  which  her  father  here  threattni 
to  infli£l  upon  her  lover. 

rU  manacle  thy  neek  and  feet  together  z 
Sea-tvater  fiah  thou  drink,  tbyf—dftwll  he 
The  frtjh 'brook  muJjfleSf  'withered  roots  and  husks 
Wherein  the  acorn  cradled. 
The  fer*verfity  of  Calihan^s  DAture,  and  the  Cowardlinefi  ofit, 
made  punifhment  neceiTary,  and  eafy   to  be  inHi£led :    Finding 
therefore  Ferdinand  threatened  with  the  like  treatment,    out  i 

tcndemefs  both  to  her  Father  and  Lover  Ihe  cries He*s  gentU^ 

not  like  the  yatv^r  Caliban,  and  fo  deferves  not  puniihmenti 
this  fhe  gathered  from  his  prcccedingconverfation  with  her  —  and 
not  fearful^  like  that  co-ward,  and  fo  is  not  to  be  eafily  managed. 
This  (he  colIcAed  from  hb  drawing  his  fword»  and  llanding  oa 
his  defence. 


7^^  Tempest.  ag 

Pro,  Come  on,  obey  ; 
Thy  nerves  are  in  their  infancy  again. 
And  have  no  vigour  in  them. 

Fer.  So  they  are : 
'  My  fpirits,  as  in  a  dream,  are  a]l  bound  up. 
My  filler's  lofi,  the  weaknefs  which  1  feel. 
The  wreck  of  all  my  friends,  and  this  man*s  threats. 
To  whom  I  am  fubdu'd,  were  but  light  to  me 
Might  I  but  through  my  prifon  once  a  day 
Behold  this  maid :  all  comers  elfe  o*th'  earth 
Let  liberty  make  ufe  of  j  fpace  enough 
Have  I,  in  fuch  a  prifon. 

Pro.  It  works  :  come  on. 
(Thou  haft  done  well,  Bnej&iel:)  follow  me. 
Hark,  what  thou  elfe  fhalt  do  me.  [fo  Ariel. 

A£ra.  Be  of  comfort. 
My  father's  of  a  better  nature.  Sir,  . 
Than  he  appears  by  fpeech :  this  is  unwonted. 
Which  now  came  from  him. 

Pro,  Thou  fhak  be  as  free 
As  mountain  winds ;  but  then  exaftly  do 
All  points  of  my  command. 

jIH.  To  th'  fyllable. 

Pro.  Come,  follow  :  Ipeak  not  for  him.     [Exeunt. 


A  CT  II.     S  CE  N  E  I. 

jinot her  part  of  the  IJland. 

Enter  Alonfo,  Sebaftian,  Anthonio,  Gonzalo, 
Adrian,  Frandfco,  and  others. 

Gonzalo. 

BESEECH  you,  Sir,  be  merry :  you  have  caufc 
(So  have  we  all)  of  joy !  for  our  efcapc 

3  ^J^*"''.  ^»  inadresm^  art  alt  hwnd ap,'\  Alludlog  to 
a  common  renfation  in  dreams,  when  ^t  flruggle,  but  wich  a  to- 
tal impuiflance  in  our  cndeavoars*  to  run,  ftrikc«  ^c. 

Is 


w 


30 


Tie  Tempest, 

Is  mix:h  beyond  our  lols ;  ^  our  fiint  of 

Is  coinnx»  ;  cvoy  chy,  fomc  flex's  ^rife. 

The  maftcrs  of  fozne  mcrcfaaat^  and  the  mcrdumc^ 

Have  juft  our  tbcam  of  woe :  but  for  the  nnnde^ 

(I  mean  our  prcfervatioQ)  few  in  millions 

Can fpeak  like  us:  then  wifely,  good  Sr,  wo^ 

Our  ioTFOw  with  our  comfort. 

j&n,  Pr'ythcc,  peace.  * 

[Seb.  He  receives  comfort  like  cold  ponUge. 

Au.  The  *  •vifer  will  not  gm  o'er  fo. 

Set.  Look,  he's  winding  up  the  watch  of  lus  wit> 
by  and  by  it  will  ftrikc. 

Gen,  Sir,  — — 

Self.  One; — Tell, 

Can,  When  every  grief  is  cntertain'd»  thaif s  c&^d  ; 
comes  to  the  entertainer- 

Sa,  A  dollor. 

Gen.  Dolour  comes  to  him,  indeed;  you  have  ^pokfil 
truer  than  you  propos*d. 

Seb.  You  have  taken  it  wifelicr  than  I  mcanc  jou 
fliould. 

Gen.  Therefore,  my  lord,  ■ 

Alt.  Fie,  what  a  fpend-thiift  is  he  of  Us  tsooffti 

jflon,  I  pr*ythec,  fpare. 

Gen.  Well,  I  have  done:  but  yet— - 

Set.  He  w'dl  be  talking. 

4.  — —  9ur  H  I  X  T  e/  4»f  ]  lint  ef  <it«/,  can  fignify  calf 
prognoftic  of  v,-oe:  which  is  not  the  fcnfc  required.  We  IhooU 
read  stint,  f.  r.  proportion,  allounent. 

5  All  this  chat  follows  after  the  words  Pr^ythee^  peaze, 
the  words.  Ycu  cram  theft  r.\9rds,  &C.  fecms  CO  have' 
pclaied,  (perhaps  by  the  Piayers)  the  verfei  there  _ 
again  ;  and  all  that  is  between  in  profe,  not  only  being  rerjr  iB- 
percinent  fLuflr,  but  moll  improper  and  LU-plac'd  drollery*  u  the 
mooths  of  enbappj  0;ipwreckt  people.  There  b  moreof  ths  ftiic 
fort  iDterfperfed  in  the  remaining  part  of  the  Scene.       Mr.  Ptft* 

6  The  VISITOR  wiV/  nst  give  o'er  fi."]  This  Vifiur  Is  a  Con- 
forcer  or  Advifer.    We  mnS  read  then* 

*v  I  s  I K,  f .  r.  the  Advifer. 


Tie  T  E  M  P  B  S  T. 

Au.  Whidi  of  them,  he,  or  Jtbian^  for  a  good 
wager,  firft  begins  to  crow  ? 

S€i.  The  old  cock. 

jfnt.  The  cockrd. 

Sei,  Done  :  the  wager? 

jIjU.  a  laughter. 

Sd.  A  match. 

j^.  Though  this  ifland  ieem  to  be  defart— ^ 

Sei.  Ha,  ha,  ha, —  So,  you're  paid. 

Adr,  Uninhabitable,  and  almoft  inacceflible— « 

Sei.  Yet,- 

jiJr.  Yet 

jfnt.  He  could  not  mifs't. 

y^.  It  mud  needs  be  of  fubde;  tender,  and  deli- 
cate temperance.  * 

yht.  Temperance  was  a  delicate  wench. 

Sek.  Ar»  and  a  fubde,  as  he  moft  learnedly  de* 
liverM. 

jtJr.  The  tair  breathes  upon  us  here  moft  iweetly. 

Sei^  As  if  it  had  lungs,  and  rotten  ones. 

yhit.  Or,  as  'twere  perfiim'd  by  a  fen. 

Got.  Here  is  every  thing  advantageous  to  life. 

jht.  True,  iave  means  to  live. 

Sei.  Of  that  there's  none  or  little. 

Gon,  How  lufli  and  lufty  the  grafs  looks  ?  how 
green  ? 

jfnt.  The  ground  indeed  is  tawny. 

Sei.  With  an  eye  of  green  in't. 

jht.  He  miflfes  not  much. 

Sei.  No :  he  does  but  miilake  the  truth  totally. 

GcH.  But  the  rarity  of  it  is,  whidi  is  indeed  almoft 
beycmd  credit—— 

Sd.  '  As  many  voucht  rarides  are. 

G«».  That  our  garments  being  (as  they  were) 
drench'd  in  the  fea,  hold  notwithftanding  their  freflx- 

7  jfs  mtaij  fvmeht  raritiet  art.  ]  A  Satire  on  the  extravngnot 
ficcounu  that  Voyager*  then  toid  of  the  new  difcovcred  World. 

neft 


3« 


32 


72^    Tempest, 

nefs  and  glolTes;  being  rather  new  dyM,  than  ftain'd 
with  fait  water. 

Jnt,  If  but  one  of  his  pockets  could  ^ak,  would 
it  not  fay,  he  lies  ? 

Seb,  Ay,  or  very  falfely  pocket  up  Ws  report. 

Gon,  Methinks,  our  garments  are  now  as  frcfh  as 
when  we  put  them  on  firft  in  Africk^  at  the  mar- 
riage of  the  King's  fair  daughter  Qaribtl  to  the  Knf 
of  'Tunis, 

Seb.  'Twas  a  fweet  marriage,  and  we  proQ>er  wdl 
in  our  return. 

Adr.  Tunis  was  never  grac'd  before  with  fucfa  a 
paragon  to  their  Queen. 

Gon,  Not  fince  widow  Didoes  time, 

An,  Widow,  a  pox  o*  that :  how  came  that  m- 
dow  in  ?  widow  Dido  ? 

Seb.  What  if  he  had  laid,  widower  AEneas  too  ? 
Good  lord,  how  you  take  it ! 

.Adr.  Widow  Dido^  (aid  you  ?  you  make mc  fludy 
of  tliat :  Ihc  was  of  Carthage^  not  of  Tunis, 

Gon^  This  Tunis^  Sir,  was  Carthage, 

Adr,  Carthage? 

Gon,  I  affure  you,  Carthage, 

Ant.  His  word  is  more  than  the  miraculous  harp. 

Seb.  He  hath  rais'd  the  wall,  and  houfes  too.  - 

Ant,  Whatimpoflible  matterwillhe  makeeafynext? 

Seb,  I  think,  he  will  carry  this  ifland  home  in  fail 
pocket,  and  give  it  his  fon  for  an  apple. 

Ant.  And  fowing  the  kernels  of  it  in  the  fea,  bns^ 
fortli  more  iflands. 

Gon.  Ay. 

Ant.  Why,  in  good  time. 

Gon.  Sir,  we  were  talking,  diat  our  garments  leein 
now  as  frefh,  as  when  we  were  at  Tunis  at  the  mar- 
riage of  your  daughter,  who  is  now  Queen. 

Ant.  And  the  rareft  that  e*cr  came  there. 

Seb.  Bate,  I  bcfcech  you,  widow  Dido. 

Ant. 


Tie  Tempest, 

j^ni,  O,  widow  Dids  f  ay,  widow  Dtdo  f 
Gon,  Is  nor  my  duubkt^  irir,  as  (Vc/h  as  rhc  5x^ 
day  I  wore  it  i  1  mean^  in  a  fort. 
jint.  That  fort  was  well  fiih'd  lor, 
Gwr.  When  I  wore  ir  at  your  daugliter*s  marria^.] 
jlUn,  You  cram  thd'c  words  into  mine  ears  agaiiift 
The  ftomach  of  my  fenfc.     WouJd  I  had  never 
Married  my  daughter  there !  For,  coming  thence* 
My  foa  is  loft  ;  and,  in  my  rate*  fhe  too  \ 
Who  is  ib  far  from  Itafy  removed, 
1  ne*er  again  fliall  ice  her :  O  thou  mine  heir  * 

OfiVa/)(tjand  of  Milany  whatftrangc  fifh 
Hath  made  his  meal  on  thee  ? 

Fran,  Sir,  he  may  bve, 
I  ikw  him  beat  the  furges  under  him, 
And  Tide  upon  their  backs ;  he  trod  x\\c  watei*; 
Whofe  enmiry  he  flung  afide,  and  brcafted 
The  furge  moft  fwoln  tfiat  met  him :  his  bold  h&id 
*Bove  the  contentious  waves  he  kept,  and  oar'd 
Himtclf  with  his  good  arms  in  luily  ftrokes 
To  th'  fhore  \  that  o'er  his  wave-worn  bafis  bow'd^ 
As  ftooping  to  relieve  him  :  I  not  doubt^ 
Mc  came  ahvc  to  land, 
jlkn.  No,  no,  he's  gone, 

Scb,  Sir,  you  may  thank  yourielf  for  this  great  lofi^ 
That  would  nut  blcfs  our  Europe  with  your  daughter. 
But  rather lofc  her  to  an  Afrkuni 
Where  file,  at  Icafl,  is  b.inilh'd  from  your  eye, 
Who  bath  caulc  to  wet  the  griet  on'r. 
jlhv,  Pr^ythee^  peace. 

^V^.  You  were  knecrd  to,  and  importunM  othcrwife 
By  a!l  of  us  -,  and  the  fair  foul  herielf 
Wetgh'd  between  lothncft  and  obedience,  at 
Which  end  the  beam  fliould  bow.  We*ve  bit  your  ibo, 
I  fear,  for  ever;  MUan  and  Ncpks  have 
More  widows  in  them  of  thisbufincli'  making, 
Voi,.  L  D  Thstfi 


33 


24  7^^   Tempest. 

Than  we  bring  men  to  comfoft  tfacm: 
The  £ujk's  your  own. 

jSon.  So  is  the  deareft  o*  tfa'  lofi. 

Gon.  My  lord  Setaftian, 
The  truth,  you  ipcak,  doth  lack  ibmc  gtntlencfi^ 
And  time  to  {pcatk  it  in :  you  rub  the  fore. 
When  you  ihould  bring  the  plaifter. 

Sei.  Very  wcU. 

jht.  And  moft  chirurgeonly. 

Gon,  It  is  foul  weather  in  us  all,  good  Sr, 
When  you  are  cloudy. 

Seb.  Foul  weather? 

ytnt.  Very  foul. 

Gon.  Had  I  the  plantation  of  this  iile,  my  lord— ^ 

jfnt,  Hc*d  fow  't  wth  nettle-fccd. 

Sei.  Or  docks,  or  mallows. 

Gon,  And  were  the  King  on't,  what  would  I  do? 

Sei,  Scape  being  drunk,  for  want  of  wine. 

•  Gon.  "  Fth' commonwealth;  I  would  by  contraries 
"  Execute  all  things :  for  no  kind  of  traffick 
•*  Would  I  admit ;  no  name  of  magiftrate ; 
•'  Letters  Ihould  not  be  known ;  wealth,  poverty, 
•*  And  ufe  of  fcrvicc,  none ;  contract,  fucceffion,    . 
•*  Bourn,  bound  of  land,  tilth,  vineyard,  none ; 
••  No  ufe  of  metal,  com,  or  wine,  or  oyl ; 
*'  No  occupation,  all  men  idle,  all, 
"  And  women  too  -,  but  innocent  and  pure  : 
**  No  Sovereignty. 

Seb,  And  yet  he  would  be  King  on*t. 

Jnt,  ■  The  latter  end  of  his  commonwealth  forgets 
the  be^nning. 

*^  Gon.  AU  things  in  common,  nature  fhould  produce^ 

Without  fwcat  or  endeavour.     Treafon,  felony. 


C( 


8  Tlbe  latur  em^  tf  bis  commanmitaltb  forgtis  the  heginnM.I* 
All  thii  Dialogue  ii  a  line  Satire  on  the  Utefean  TrcAtifet  of  Gch 
vernment,  and  the  imprafticablc  inconfillcnc  Schemes  therein  ra- 
commended. 

«  Sword. 


A    Tempest. 

*'  Sword,  pikc<  knife,  gun,  or  need  of  any  en^e^ 
«*  Would  I  not  have ;  but  nature  fliould  bring  fonh^ 
**  Of  its  own  kind,  »  all  foyzon,  all  abundance 
**  To  feed  my  innocent  People, 

5/*.  No  marrying  *niong  his  fubjefts  ? 

All.  None,  man ;  all  idle  ;  whorts  .and  knaves. 

Gon.  I  would  with  fuch  perfcdlion  govern.  Sir, 
T*  excel  the  golden  age. 

Sei^  Save  his  Majefty  ! 

^/.  Long  live  Gonzalo  I 

Gon.  And,  do  you  mark  me.  Sir  ? 

jfhn,  Pr'ythee,  no  more ;  thou  doft  talk  nothing 
to  nrie. 

Gen.  I  do  well  believe  your  Highnels  ^  and  did  it 
to  minifter  occafion  to  theie  genuemen,  who  are  of 
fuch  ienfible  and  nimble  lungs,  that  they  always  ufe  to 
laugh  at  nothing. 

jint.  *Twas  you  we  laugh'd  at. 

Gon.  Who,  in  this  kind  of  merry  fooling,  am  no- 
thing to  you :  lb  you  may  continue,  and  laugh  at  no- 
thing  ftill. 

j^nt.  What  a  blow  was  there  g^ven  ? 

Set.  An  it  had  not  fallen  dat^long. 

Gon.  You  arc  gendemen  of  brave  metal ;  you  would 
lift  the  moon  out  of  her  ibhere,  if  ihe  would  continue 
b  it  five  weeks  without  changing. 

Enier  Ariel,  pk^ng  fokmn  Mujick, 

Seb.  We  would  fo,  and  then  go  a  bat-fowling* 

Ant.  Nay,  my  good  lord,  be  not  angry. 

Gon.  No,  I  warrant  you,  I  will  not  adventure  my 
difirction  io  weakly :  will  you  laugh  me  aQeep,  for  I 
am  Very  heavy  ? 

jint.  Go,  flcep,  and  hear  us. 

9  —  W/foyzotJi  all  ahundanct.1   (oyvaa  ^uiftt  tbi  gr*^ 
pttmtf  rfa^  ihitig, 

D  2.  ^n: 


3S 


36  7^^  Tempest- 

Aktt,  "What  all  fo  loon  afleq)  ?  I  wifh,  mine  ctc* 
Would  with  themfdves  ihuc  up  my  thoughts ;  I  tipd. 
They  arc  mdin'd  to  do  lb. 

Seb,  Pleaie  you.  Sir, 
Do  not  omit  the  heavy  offer  of  it : 
It  feldom  viTits  forrow  \  when  it  doth^ 
It  is  a  comforter. 

Ant.  We  two,  my  lord. 
Will  guard  your  perfon,  while  you  take  your  reft. 
And  watch  your  Ikfety, 

Ahn.  Thank  you:  wondVous  heavy 

IMficep  hut  SeK  mi  Ant. 

Seb.  What  a  ftrange  drowfincfs  poflcffes  them? 

Ant.  It  is  the  quality  o'  th'  climate. 

Sth,  Why 
Doth  it  not  then  our  cyc-Iids  fink  ?  I  find  not 
Myfelf  dilpos'd  to  fleep. 

Ant,  Nor  I,  my  fpirits  are  nimble: 
They  fell  together  all  as  by  confcnt. 
They  dropt  as  by  a  thundcr-ftroke.  What  might, 
Worthy  Sebi'Jlian  —  O^  what  might  —  no  more. 
And  yet,  methinks,  I  fee  it  in  thy  fece. 
What  thou  fhould'ft  be  :  th'  occafion  fpcaks  thee,  aod 
My  ftrong  imagination  fees  a  crown 
Dropping  upon  thy  head, 

Seb,  What,  art  thou  waking  ? 

Ant,  Do  you  not  hear  me  fpcak  ? 

Seb.  I  do  j  and,  furely. 
It  is  a  (leepy  language  ;  and  thou  fpcak*ft 
Out  of  thy  fleep  \  what  is  it  thou  didft  &y  ? 
This  is  a  ftrange  repofe,  to  be  adecp 
With  eyes  wide  open  :  ftanding,  Ipeaking,  moving  \ 
And  yet  fo  faft  adeep. 

Ant,  \\oh\t Sslajiian, 
Thou  let'ft  thy  fortune  fleep:  di«  rather:  wink'ft, 
Whilft  thou  arc  waking* 


7^e  Tempest,  ^j 

Sek  Thou  doft  fiiore  diftindUjrj 
Therc*s  meaning  in  thy  fiiorts* 

jint.  I  am  more  ferious  than  my  cuftom.    You 
Muft  be  fo  too,  if  heed  me ;  *  wmdi  to  do. 
Trebles  thee  o'er. 

Self.  Well ;  I  am  ftanding  water. 

jht,  ril  teach  you  how  to  flow. 

Sei.  Do  fo :  to  ebb 
Hereditary  floth  inftrufts  me. 

Ant.  O! 
If  you  but  knew,  how  you  the  purpoie  cheriOi, 
Whilft  thus  you  mock  it ;  how,  in  llrippii^  it. 
You  more  inveft  it :  ebbing  men,  indeed, 
Moft  often  do  fo  near  the  bottxmi  run. 
By  their  own  fear  or  floth. 

Seb.  Pry*thce,  lay  on  ; 
The  fetting  of  tiune  eye  and  cheek  prod^in 
A  matter  n-om  thee  %  and  a  birth,  indeed. 
Which  tliroes  thee  much  to  yield. 

-4w^  Thus^  Sir : 
Although  this  lord  of  weak  remembrance,  this, 
(Who  fhall  be  of  as  little  memory, 
W|ien  he  is  earth'd ;}  hath  here  ahnoft  perfuaded 
(For  he's  a  fpirit  of  perfuafion,  (Mily 
Profeffes  to  perfuade)  the  King,  Ws  fon*s  alive  : 
•Tis  as  impoffible  that  hc*s  undrown*d. 
As  he,  that  flceps  here,  fwims.  ' 

I  —  tuhtcB  to  do.  Trebles  thtf  ^-Vr.]  i.  e.  fellow  myadvlce* 
and  it  will  advance  thy  fortune  to  the  height.  So  Fittchtr  in  his 
tfhU  Ctntliman^ 

2u9wfiejour  Fmthr^s  hoMOurs 
Trebling  upan  you  — 
And  again  in  his  MuU  of  thi  Miih 

How  did  you  btar  her  U/s  f  ^ 

With  tbf  grief  tnhied. 

Yet  the  O;eford  Editor  alters  it  tOf  TrutB/n  thet  not. 

D  5  Seh 


38  The  Tempest. 

Sek  I  have  no  hope. 
That  he's  undrown*d. 

j^t,  O,  out  of  that  no  hope. 
What  great  hope  have  you  ?  no  hope,  that  way,  is 
Another  way  fo  high  an  hope,  that  even 
*  Ambition  cannot  pierce  a  wink  beyond. 
But  doubt  difcovery  there,  ^^'ill  you  grant,  with  me. 
That  Ferdinatrd  is  drown 'd? 

Sek  He's  gone. 

jint.  Then  tell  me 
Who's  the  next  heir  of  Naples  ? 

Seb.  ClaribeL 

Ant.  She  that  is  Queen  of  Tunis  \  flic  that  dwells 
Ten  leagues  beyond  man's  life ;  fliethat  from  N^fbt 
Can  have  no  note ',  unlefs  the  fun  were  poft, 
(The  man  i'th'moon'scoo  flow)  'till  new-born  chins 
Be  ro'jgh  and  razorable  ;  flie,  from  whom 
We  were  fea-fwallow'd  ;  tho*  fome,  caft  agadn^ 
May  by  that  deftiny  perform  an  aft. 
Whereof,  what's  paft  is  prologue ;  what  to  come^ 
Is  yours  and  my  difcharge ■ 

Seb,  What  ftufF  is  this  ?  how  lay  you  ? 
'Tistrue,  my  brother's  daughter's  Queen  of  TjoKf, 
So  is  fhc  heir  of  Naples ;  'twixt  v/hicii  regions 
There  is  fome  fpace, 

yf'?/.  A  fpace,  whofe  cv'ry  oibit 
5eems  to  ciy  out,  how  ftiall  that  Cl^ribel 
Meafure  us  back  to  N^les?  Keep  in  Tunis^ 

Z  jfmlifhv  carnot  pierce  a  rx'ink  hyonJ^ 

Bui  Jauht  difeGmery  there.; — ]  The  meaning  1%  t^at  mmhUkik 
wnuU  be  fo  afK^tcd  with  the  p;e?fing  profpcft,  th;.;  it  would 
<loi<bt  whether  the  difcovery,  it  there  made  of  fLi.re  greatnefs 
was  a  rci!  rep^efentation,  orcnly,  what^f^j^' *-*..t,  in  anocher 
p.'arf ,  callb  a  Dream  of  Advanta^^e,  Tlie  O-— '"  ■•*  Editor  changci 
dwht  to  drop^  and  to  makes  nonienfc  of  ttic  w  ;oic  Sentence ;  1$ 
fitree  a  ••'jjini  fignifie:  to  fre  or  difc*".":  ■  and  to  drop  d*fc6*o9fJ 
signifies  not  10  fee.  So  that  the  Scr.^  :  -^^  i5»  U  vou  Are  liirclMr 
into  this  matter  yoa  will  not  fee  at ..... 

3  A<7  advices  hj  Utter,     }fi,t',  fepe. 

And 


7^e     T  E  Xf  P  E  8  T. 

And  let  Sehdjiian  wake.     Say,  this  were  death 

That  now  hath  feiz'd  them,  why^  they  were  noworfc 

Than  now  they  are :  there  be,  that  can  rule  Naples, 

As  well  as  he  that  (leeps  j  lords  that  can  prate 

As  amply,  and  unneceflarilyj 

As  this  Gonzak  \  Imyfelf  could  make 

A  chough  of  as  deep  chat.     0»  that  you  bore 

The  tpmd  that  I  do ;  what  a  Qeep  was  this 

J'or  your  advancement  1  do  you  underftand  me  ? 

Seb,  Methlnks,  I  do. 

Ant,  And  how  does  your  content 
Tender  your  own  good  fortune  ? 

Self.  1  remember, 
You  did  fupplant  your  brother  Profp^rs. 

Ant,  True: 
And,  look,  how  well  ji^y  garments  fit  upon  mc  ; 
Much  feater  than  before.     My  brother's  lervanta 
Were  then  my  fellows,  now  they  are  my  men. 

Scb,  But,  for  your  conlciencc^^ 

jfni.  Ay,  Sir;  where  lies  that? 
If  'twere  a  kybc,  'twould  put  mc  to  my  flipper : 
But  I  feel  not  this  deity  in  my  bofom. 
Ten  conicienccs,  chat  ftand  *twixt  me  and  Mlafty. 
♦  Candy'd  be  they,  and  mek»  e'er  th^  molcft  ! 

Here  lyes  your  brotiier ' 

No  better  than  the  earth  he  lyes  upon, 

\i   he  were  diat  which  now  he's  like,  that*s  dead  ; 

Whom  I  with  this  obedient  ftcel,  three  inches  of  it. 

Can  lay  to  bed  for  ever :  you  doing  thus. 

To  tlie  perpetual  wink  for  ay  might  put 

4  CajTffVV  ht  thty^  and  /a///.  /Vr  fJfey  meffft  /]  i.  c,  did  ttn  COn- 
Ic(<i»cc5  j^Uy  all  their  cricki  with  mv  ;  fomctimci  proriog  very 
Uob6orn»  and  fome time?  agiin  a%  fupple ;  now  frozen  up  with 
jcM,  now  difTolved  with  heat,  yet  they  (houM  neVt  molefl,  i*f<, 
|Avlfj^Ar  explains  this  thought^  where  in  hii  'winter  tttlt  be  CSt- 

wio/i  hoatjiy  till  now 


Bftdurd  aii ^i^eattfen* 


D4 


Tlu$ 


^ 


^ttk 


40  77>e  Tempest. 

This  ancient  ^  Moral,  this  Sir  Prudence,  who 
Should  not  upbraid  our  courie.     For  all  riie  reiir. 
They'll  take  luggeftion,  as  a  cat  laps  milk  ; 
Tiiey'U  tell  the  clock  to  any  bufinds,  that. 
We  fay,  befits  the  hour. 

Sel^,  Thy  cafe,  dear  friend. 
Shall  be  my  precedent :  as  thou  got'ft  Milan^ 
I'll  come  by  Nirpks.    Draw  thy  fword  ;  one  ftroke 
Shall  free  thee  from  the  tribute  wlaich  thou  pay'ft ; 
And  I  the  King  fl^.all  love  thee. 

Atit,  Draw  together : 
And  when  I  rear  my  hand,  do  you  the  like 
To  fall  it  on  Gcnzalo, 

Seb.  O,  but  pne  word 

Enter  Ariel,  with  Mufuk  and  Song* 

A'i.  My  mafter  through  his  art  forefets  the  danger. 
That  you  his  friend,  are  in  ;  and  fends  me  forth 
(For  elfe  his  pcojeAdies)  *  to  keep  them  li^ang. 

[_Shtgs  in  Gonzalo'j  Ear. 

Ji'lMe  ycu  ben  do  fncariifg  l)e, 
Open-efd  confpircty 

His  time  dotb  take: 
If  of  life  you  keep  a  care^ 
Shake  off  Jlumher  aud  L€':i;arc : 

Awake!  av:akc! 

5  Thit  anaent  m  o  r  &  e  t.  titit  Sir  Prudenet^  &c.]  But  why 
Ttorftt?  How  ui'C&  this  charaflcrire  the  fcri'cu  tpukcaof?  We 
muil  rc.id,  This  ancient  moral. 

i.  e.  this  man  of  old  fafhicncd  konefty,  for  fnch  is  h»  Chander. 
•-^^n  ancitv.t  7r:0rir/ is  alnoU  provcttualy  in  the  snouths  of  lices* 
tious  peof  lt\  to  i:£.nify,  morals  tcc/cvcre^  snd  cot  fit  for  the  tiinn* 
This  way  of  frc-iking  is  familiar  with  oar  Author.  Rtm,^  Jal< 
And  w/^  tny  Lady  Wit'dcra  ?  hold  your  torgue,  good  Prudence. 

6  — /5  hep.  tie:3i  liv:ftj;.'\  i.  e.  jiU/tze  and  Anienio  ;  for  itwai 
on  their  lives  thn;  his  proje£fc  depended.  Yet  the  Oxford  Edittr 
alters  t£*emt  to jou,  t  «'ciufe  in  the  verfe  before,  it  is  faid  — jm  his 
friind  \  as  if,  becaufc  Ariel  "wza  fent  forth  Xofante  his  fritmd^  he 
could  not  have  another  purpofe  in  fending  him,  vik.  to/at/M  hit 
froje£i  too. 

dtU. 


T^e    Temp  est,  41 

Ant.  Then  let  us  both  be  fudden. 

Gon,  Now,  good  angels  preferve  the  King! 

\Xbey  wake^ 

Alon,  Why,  how  now,  ho  ?  awake  ?  why  are  you 
drawn  ? 
Wherefore  this  ghaftly  looking? 

Gon,  What's  the  matter? 

Seb.  While  we  ftood  here  fecuring  your  repoie, 
Ev*n  now  we  heard  a  hollow  burft  of  bellowing 
Oce  bulls,  or  rather  lions ^  did  't  not  wake  you? 
It  ftrook  mine  ear  moft  terribly. 

Alon,  I  heard  nothing. 

Ant,  0,  *twas  a  din  to  Bright  a  monfler's  ear  \ 
To  make  an  earthquake:  fure,  it  was  the  roar 
Of  a  "whole  herd  of  lions. 

Ahn.  Heard  you  this  ? 

Gon.  Upon  my  honour.  Sir,  I  heard  a  humming. 
And  that  a  firange  one  too,  which  did  awake  me. . 
I  ihak*d  you.  Sir,  and  cry'd  \  as  nune  eyes  opened, 
I  faw  their  weapons  drawn:  there  was  a  noiie. 
That's  verity.    'Tis  beft  we  ftand  <m  guard; 
Or  that  we  quit  this  place:  let's  draw  our  weapons. 

Ahn,  Lead  off  tlus  ground,  and  let's  make  furdier 
fearch 
For  my  poor  fon. 

Gon^  He^v'ns  keep  him  &om  thefe  beafts! 
For  he  is,  fiire,  i'th'  iiland. 

Alon,  Lead  away. 

4ri.  Pro^$ro  my  Iwd  Ihall  know  what  I  have  done. 
So,  l^ing,  go  &fely  on  to  leek  thy  Ion. 


SCENE 


7^^    Tempest* 


SCENE      n, 

Chartges  ta  another  pari  ef  the  IJland. 

Enter  C^ibsn^jih  a  burden  of  wood  \  a  mife  ef  ti 

heard, 

CaL   **"    ALL  the  mfeftions,  that  the  fvn  ft 

IX        "  up* 
**  From  bogs,  fens,  flats,  on  Prefer  fall,  and  m; 

**  him 
**  By  inch-meal  a  difeafe !  his  (pirirs  hear  me, 
*'  And  yet  I  needs  mull  cuHc,  But  they'll  not  pine 
"  Fright  me  with  urchin  fhews,  pitch  me  i'  ch'  oii 
"  Nor  lead  me^  like  a  fire-brand,  in  the  d^k 
*'  Out  of  my  way^  unlcfs  he  bid  'cm  ;  but 
**  For  every  trifle  arc  they  fct  upon  me, 
**  Sometimes  like  apes,  that  moe  and  chatter  at  me, 
**  And  after  bite  me ;  then  like  hcdgc-hogs,  which 
*'  Lye  tumbling  in  my  bare-foot  way»  and  mount 
*'  Their  pricks  at  my  foot-fall ;  ibmctime  am  I 
'*  All  wound  with  adders,  who  with  cloven  tongucj 
**  Do  hifs  me  mro  madnefs,     Lo !  now  \  lo ! 

Enter  Trinculo- 

Here  comes  a  fpi'rit  of  his,  ^d  to  torment  me 
For  bringing  wood  in  flowly.     VU  fall  flat ; 
Perchance,  he  will  not  mind  me. 

Trin.  Here's  neither  bufh  nor  flirub  to  bear  off] 
weather  at  all,  and  another  ftorm  brewing ;  I  hear 
fing  i'  rh*  wind :  yond  fame  black  cloud,  yond  huge 
one,  '  looks  like  a  foul  bumbard  that  would  fhcd 
his  liquon  If  it  fliould  thunder  as  ic  did  before,  I 
know  not  where  to  hide  my  head:  yond  fame  cloud 

7  Ltffh  iHf  mfmi  Bimbj^rd  ]     A  large  VefTcl  for  holdli^ 
Drnk,  •»  M«1l  as  like  Piece  of  Ordtunoe  (o  callM.     Mr.  Tl/w 

cannot 


HyB  Tempest. 

cannot  chufe  but  fall  by  pailfuls— ^What  have  we 
here,  a  man  or  a  fifh  ?  dead  or  alive  ?  a  fifh ;  he  fmells 
like  a  fifh :  a  very  ancient  and  fifh-Jike  fmell.  A  kind 
of,  not  of  the  newefl,  Pccrjchn:  a  ftrange  fifh? 
**  Were  1  in  England  now,  as  once  I  was,  and  had 
"  but  this  fifh  painted,  not  an  holiday -fool  there  but 
**  would  give  a  piece  of  filver.  There  would  this 
•*  monfter  make  a  man;  *  any  ftrange  bcaft  there 
*'  makes  a  man  i  when  ihey  will  not  give  a  doit  to 
"  relieve  a  lame  be^ar,  they  will  lay  out  ten  to  fee  a 
*'  dead  //fir'iw/*  L^g*d  like  a  man!  and  his  fins 
like  arms!  warm,  o'my  troth!  I  do  now  let  loofc  my 
opinion,  hold  it  no  longer,  this  is  no  fifh»  but  an 
Ifiander  that  hath  lately  fuffer'd  by  a  thunder-bolt. 
Alas  !  the  flrorm  is  come  again.  My  beft  way  is  to 
creep  under  his  gaberdine :  there  is  no  other  fheltcr 
hereabouts  '*  mifery  acquaints  a  man  with  ftrange 
**  bed-fellows:'*  I  %vill  here  Ihrowd,  'till  the  dregs  of 
the  ftorm  be  paft. 

EnUr  Stcphano,  /mpng, 

Stc .  Ifi^all  no  more  to  fia^  to  fea^  bcrejbaii  I  dii  a-Jhort, 
is  is  a  very  fcurvy  tunc  to  fing  at  a  man's  funeral ; 

Well,  here's  my  comfbrr.  [Drinh. 

SJngs,  7bc  tnafitr^  the  fwahbtr^  the  hoatfwmn  mi  /, 
"Jhe  gunnery  and  his  mate, 

Lov'd  Mall,  Meg,  and  Marrian,  and  Margery, 

8  A»y  Jfrafgf  hfafl  ihtrt  maht  «  man  \\  I  cannot  but  thiJilc 
this  Satirt  very  jull  upon  nurCountrymcfS :  who  have  been  always 
verf  rtAdy  to  make  Denifons  of  the  tvho!e  Tnbe  of  the  Pitbeci, 
snd  cornpHmetit  them  whh  tht  Dtnum  Civiiath,  as  appears  by 
%ht  namt>  in  ijic.  Tiiui  Motiley,  which,  the  Ecymologitts  tell  ti«» 
COmo  from  Monkin,  M^nlJetn,  homi^ncului.  Bshtmn^  from  B^^f, 
the  cenxjiQation  denotin?  addition  and  increment,  a  large  B^be. 
iktAntjfre  fpeaks  its  original.  And  w\\cw  they  ha\'e  brought  their 
SirOAnes  wjtK  them  from  their  native  Country,  u  jipi»  the  cem- 
jAon  people  have  u  it  were  Chriflcn'd  tlicm  by  the  zjdditton  of 
ysckenjtfi. 

Bat 


HThi 

^^ell 


^ 


7$e    T  E  M  1»  IB  S  T. 

Eui  nmc  (?/  us  car'd  for  Kate  j 

jppr  fie  bud  a  tpngae  wtib  a  tang^ 
lVo$dd  cry  to  a  faikry  go  hai^  : 
Sbt  hn/d  hH  d^^  favour  of  tar  ncr  cf  piub^ 
Tet  a  ti^kr  mgbtjcralcb  ber^  wben-e'^rfie  diditcin 

Tbm  So  ficy  boySy  and  lit  bergo  b^mg.      ^U 
This  is  a  icorvy  tune  too  \  but  here's  my  comfort.  ^^ 

iX>riMks^ 
CaL  Do  not  torment  mc,  oh! 
Ste.  What's  the  matter?  '  have  we  devils  here? 
you  put  triclcs  upon's  with  falvages,  and  men  of  Xi 
ha?  1  have  not  leaped  drowning,   to  be  afraid  now 
your  four  legs  i  for  it  harh  been  laid»  As  proper  a 
AS  ever  went  upon  four  legs,  cannot  make  him  g?i 
ground  V  and  it  ihali  be  faid  fo  again,  while  Sh 
breaches  zt  his  noftrils. 

Gil.  The  fpirit  torments  me :  oh  ! 
St^t,  Tins  n  Ibme  monllcr  of  the  ifle^th  four 
who  has  got,  as  I  take  it,  an  ague :  where  the  dei 
Ihould  he  learn  our  language?  I  w!l  give  him  foi 
relief,  if  it  be  but  for  that :  if  I  can  recover  him, 
keep  Iiim  ramc,  and  get  to  NapUs  with  himj  he*; 
prcRnt  for  any  Emperor  that  ever  u'od  on  ncai 
Icadtcr. 

C*/.  Do  not  torment  me,  p^rythec  \  Til  bring 
wood  home  faller. 

Sif»  He's  in  h»  fit  now;  and  does  not  talk 
the  wifert  :  he  Ihall  tallc  of  my  botde*     Jf  he  m 
drunk  wine  afore,  it  will  go  near  to  remove  his  fit  (j 

g  Itwvi  11.'/  Jiviii  herf? Sahjagis  and  men  o^Inde  ? — - 

yourfcur  ir^s ;]   All  this  is  a  pleafant  ridicule  of  MaitftJfvilt'i  rc- 
iufons  in   his   V^oyagcs.     H'ha  prtttndtd  to  htt^'t  trttvtUd  iM 
mn  tnthauKui  Vnh  depin  the  va/^-  &/  Dt^veltt,  'which  f^sUt 
ftpfi  hi,  t'j  alit  fuHt  of  Di'utUh  and  h^the  btn  uUt  tutyt, 
Mtn  fryn    iherf^    th^t   it   h   on   ef  th  eriinti  of  H^IU, 
fiimt:  AurKaf  Illrcwifc  la  hi?  account  of  the  Salvages  and  Mr 
hdch-^  tunfcribcd,  as  of  his  own  biowlcdgc,  all  the  £»bloJ 
Fiiwt  crtocf  rning  men  with  lone  £ar&»  one  Eye,  one  Foot.' 


7l>e  T  E  M  f  E  s  T.  45 

I  can  recover  him,  and  keep  him  tame,  I  will  not  take 
too  much  for  him:  he  Ihall  pay  for  him,  that  hath 
him,  and  that  foundly. 

Oil,  Thou  doft  me  yet  but  litde  hurt ;  thou  wilt 
anon,  I  know  it,  by  thy  trembling :  now  Pro/per  works 
upcm  thee. 

Ste.  Come  on  your  ways ;  open  your  mouth  -,  here 
is  that  which  will  give  language  to  you.  Cat ;  open 
your  mouth :  this  will  fhake  your  fhaking,  I  can  tell 
you,  and  that  foundly:  you  cannot  tell  who's  your 
fiiend ;  open  your  chaps  again. 

3n«r.  I  (houldknow  that  voice  :  it  fhould  be— 
but  he  is  drown*d ;  and  thefe  are  devils ;  O !  defend 
me— — 

Ste.  Four  legs  and  two  voices  -,  a  moft  delicate 
monftcr!  *'  his  forward  voice  now  is  to  ipeak  well  of 
♦'  his  friend ;  Ms  backward  voice  is  to  Jpattcr  foul 
«  fpceches,'^«nd  to  detraft."  If  all  the  wine  in  my 
bottle  wll  recover  him,  I  will  help  his  ague :  come : 
jfyten  !  I  will  pour  fome  in  thy  other  mouth, 
Trin\  Stepbano^  ■ 

Ste,  Doth  thy  other  mouth  call  me  ?  mercy !  mercy ! 
this  is  a  devil,  and  no  monfter :  I  will  leave  him  \  I 
have  BO  Icmg  fpoon. 

7rz«.  Stephano!  \i  thonhtt^  Stepbano^  touch  me, 
and  fpeak  to  me  ;  for  I  am  Trmcuh ;  be  not  afraid, 
thy  good  friend  Trinculo. 

Ste.  If  thou  beeft  7nwf«/o,  come  forth,  I'll  pull  thee 
by  the  lefler  legs :  if  any  be  TrincuIo*%  legs,  thefe  are 
they.  Thou  art  very  Trinculo^  indeed  :  how  cam'ft 
thou  to  be  the  fiege  of  this  *  moon-calf?  can  he  vent 
Trinculo's, 

Trin,  I  took  him  to  bekill'd  with  a  thunder-ftroke : 
but  art  thou  not  drown'd,  Stepbano  ?  I  hope  now, 
thou  art  not  drown'd :  is  the  ftorm  over-blown  ?  I  hid 

t  M$9n.calf?'\  It  was  imagined  that  the  Moon  had  an  ill  in- 
ildCQce  on  tbo  inf«ni*s  underflanding.    Heoco  Idiots  were  called 

me 


46  Tie    Tempest 

me  under  the  dead  moon-calPs  gaberdbe,  for  fear  of 
the  ftorm  :  and  an  thou  living,  SlepbaMof  O  Sscpbam% 
two  NcapoIirofTS  fcap'd! 

Sie.  Fr*ydiee,  do  not  turn  me  about,  my  ilomach 
is  not  conftint, 

Cai.  Thcfe  be  fine  things,  an  if  they  be  not  Ipr^ts: 
that's  a  brave  god,  and  bears  ccleftial  liquor :  I  m 
kneel  to  liim. 

Sie.  How  didft  thou  Icape  ?  how  cam' ft  thou 
ther  ?  fwear,  by  this  botde,  how  thou  cam'ft  hither 
I  eicap'd  upon  a  butt  of  fack,  which  the  lailors  heav*< 
over-board,  by  tJus  bottle !  wliich  I  made  of  the 
of  a  tree,  widi  mine  own  h^nds,  lince  I  was 
a-lhofc. 

CaL  ni  fwear  upon  that  botdcj  to  be  thy  true  (i 
ycQ ;  for  the  liquor  is  not  earthly, 

Sie.  Here;  fwear  then,  how  cIcapMft  thou  ? 

Trift.  Sworn  a-lhore,  man,  Ulce  a  duck  ;  1  can  fwi 
lUte  a  duck^  Til  be  fworn. 

Su.  Here,  kifs  the  book*     Though  chou  can' 
fwim  like  a  duck,  thou  art  made  like  a  gpofc. 

9'mi.  O  SicphanQy  haft  any  more  of  this  ? 

Ste.  The  whole  butt,  man;  my  cellar  is  in  a 


wmc 


ts  hid.     Hcyw  Q01 


by  th'  fca-fide,  wlicre  my 
moon-calf,  how  does  dune  ague  ? 

Cat,  Haft  thou  not  dropt  from  heav'n? 

Ste,  Out  o'  th'  moon,  I  do  alTure  thee. 
man  in  rh'  moon,  when  time  was, 

CaL  I  ti«ive  fcea  thee  in  her  ;  and  I  do  adore  cbec^^ 
roy  miftrefs  thew'd  me  thee,  and  thy  dog  and  thy  bu(b.p^ 

Stc.  Come,  fwear  to  tliat ;  kus  the  book :  I  will" 
fumifh  It  anon  witli  new  contents  :  fwean 

Trin.  By  this  good  light,  this  is  a  very  (hallow  rooR- 
ftcf :  *  I  afraid  ot  lum  ?  a  very  IhalJow  monllcr  :  the 

z  / sfr.'iiJ  of  him  }  a  *vef-t  flti^lkiv  mcnjier^  &c  ]  Jr  h  CO  be  ob- 
frrvcdihar  Trirtctihi\ic  I'pcakcr  li  not  ciiar^ed  with  bi'ing  afraid : 
bur  ir  us5  his  CoiiCcfourncfs  (hit  he  mi*  To  ctut  drew  this  bragg 


I  was  the 


7%e  Tempest.  47 

man  i'  th*  moon?- a  moft  poor  credulous  monfter : 

well  drawn,  monfter,  in  good  Iboth. 

Cal.  ril  (hew  thcc  every  fertile  inch  o*ch*  Ifle,  and 
I  will  kifc  thy  foot :  I  pr'ythce,  be  my  god. 

Trin,  By  this  light,  a  moft  perfidious  and  drunken 
monfter ;  when  hb  god's  afleep,  hc*ll  rob  his  bottle. 

Cal.  Pll  kils  thy  foot.  Til  fwear  my  felf  thy  fubjed. 

Ste.  Come  on  then ;  down,  and  fwear. 

Trin.  I  Ihall  laugh  my  feif  to  death  at  this  puppy* 
headed  monfter :  a  moft  fcurvy  monfter !  I  could  find 
in  my  heart  to  beat  him 

Su.  Come,  kifs. 

^m.— — But  that  the  poor  monfter's  in  drink :  an 
abominable  monfter ! 

Cal.  «  ril  (hew  thcc  the  beft  Iprings;  FU  pluck 
"  thee  berries, 
*'  Pll  fifli  for  thee,  and  get  thee  wood  enough. 
*'  A  plague  upon  the  tyrant  that  I  ferve  1 
**  rU  bear  him  no  more  fticks,  but  follow  thee, 
*'  Thou  wond'rous  man." 

SriH,  A  moft  ridiculous  monfter,  to  make  a  wonder 
«f  a  poor  drunkard. 

Cal.  "  I  pr'ythce,  let  me  bring  thee  where  crabs 
"  grow ; 
**  And  I  with  my  long  nails  will  dig  thee  pig-nuts  i 
•*  Shew  thee  a  jay's  ncft,  and  inftrudl  thee  now 
**  To  fnare  the  nimble  marmazet ;  I'll  bring  thee 
**  To  cluft'ring  filberds,  and  fometimcs  Til  get  thee 
•*  »  Young  Shamois  from  the  rock.    Wilt  thou  go 
"with  me?" 

Su.  I  pr'ythce  now,  lead  the  way  without  any  more 
talking.  Trimulo^  the  King  and  all  our  company  eUe 
being  drown'd,  we  will  inherit  here.  Here,  bear  my 
botde  i  fellow  Trinculo^  we'll  fill  him  by  and  by  again. 

3  TMtng ScA}Aiit/r$m th$ r«fi.] We ihouM lead Shamoi «« 
#•  r.  jrottng  ICids. 

Cal. 


48  ?^^   T  E  M  P  £  S  T. 

Cal.  [Sings  drunkenfy,'}   Farewely  mafter ;  faremdf 
farewel, 

7rin,  A  howling  monftet ;  a  drunken  monfter. 

Cal.  No  fftcre  dams  Fll  make  for  fijb^ 
Nor  fetch  in  firir^  at  requiring^ 
Nor  fcrape  trencher^  nor  wafh  dtjb^ 
Baif  Batfy  Cacalyban 
Has  a  new  mafier^  get  a  nevf  man. 
Freedom,  hey-day!  hey-day,  freedom !  freedom j  hey- 
day, freedom ! 

Ste,  O  brave  monftcr,  lead  the  way,  {Exmll, 


ACT   IIL     S  CEN  E  L. 

Before  Profpero'j  CelL 

Ehter  Ferdinand,  bearing  a  log, 

Ferdinand, 

THERE  be  fbme  j^^orts  are  painful,  but  thffl' 
labour 
Delight  in  them  fets  off:  Ibme  kinds  orbafenefi 
Are  nobly  undergone,  and  moft-poor  matters 
Point  to  rich  ends.     This  my  mean  task  wou'd  be 
As  heavy  to  me,  as  'tis  odious :  but 
The  miftrefs,  which  I  ferve,  quickens  what's  dead^ 
And  makes  my  labours  pleafurcs:  O,  fiic  is 
Ten  times  more  gentle,  than  her  father's  crabbed'; 
And  he*s  compos*d  of  harflinefs,     I  muft:  move 
Some  thoufands  of  thefe  logs,  and  pile  them  up. 
Upon  a  fore  Injunftion.     My  fweet  Miftrels 
Weeps  when  fhe  fees  me  work,  and  fays,  fuch  balencTs 
Had  ne'er  like  exccuter ;  I  forget ; 
But  thefc  fwcet  thoughts  do  ev'n  rcfrelh  my  labour, 
Mod  bufic-lefs,  when  I  do  it. 

Enter 


7$e  T  E  M  p  fi  s  T,  ^g 


Enter  Miranda  j  and  Prolpero,  at  a  Sftance  mfien. 

Msra,  Alas,  now,  pray  you. 
Work  not  fo  hard ;  I  would  the  lightning  had 
Burnt  up  thofe  logs,  that  thou*rt,.  enjoined  to  pile : 
Pray»  let  it  down  and  reft  you  }  when  this  bums, 
'Twill  weep  for  having  wearied  you  :  my  father 
Is  hard  at  ftudy ;  pray  now,  reft  your  felf ; 
He*s  iafe  for  thefe  three  hours^ 

Fer,  O  moft  dear  miftrefe. 
The  fun  will  fet  before  I  fhall  difchargc 
What  I  muft  ftrive  to  do. 

A£ra.  If  you*llfit  down, 
1*11  bear  your  logs  the  while.    Ptay,  g^vc  me  that; 
I'll  carry't  to  the  pile. 

Fer,  No,  predous  acature, 
I'ad  rather  crack  my  finews,  break  my  back. 
Than  you  ftiould  fuch  diftionour  undergo. 
While  I  fit  lazy  by. 

Mira.  It  would  become  me. 
As  well  as  it  does  you ;  and  I  fhould  do  it 
With  much  more  cafe ;  for  my  good  will  is  to  it. 
And  yours  it  is  agsunft. 

Pro.  Poor  worm !  thou  art  infcftcd ; 
This  vifitation  fhews  it. 

Mira,  You  look  wearily. 

Fer,  No,  noble  miftrcfs ;  'tis  frefli  morning  with  me. 
When  you  arc  by  at  night.    I  do  befeech  you, 
(Chiefly  that  I  might  fet  it  in  my  prayers) 
What  is  your  name  ? 

Mra.  MranJa,    O  my  father, 
I've  Ixoke  your  heft  to  fay  fo, 

Fer,  Admir'd  Miranda! 
Indeed^  the  top  of  admiration ;  worth 
What's  dcareft  to  the  world !  full  many  a  lady 
Pvc  cy*d  with  beft  regard,  and  many  a  time 
Hi'  harmony  of  their  tongues  hath  into  bondage 

Vot.  I.  E  Brought 


■ 

JO  7%e  Tempest. 


Brought  my  too  diligent  car;  for  fcvcral  viitucs 
Have  I  lik'd  fevcral  women,  never  any 
With  fo  full  foul,  but  fon:ie  dcfe£l  in  her 
Did  quarrel  with  the  nobleft  grace  fhc  ow*d. 
And  put  it  to  the  foU.     But  you,  O  you. 
So  perfed,  and  fo  peerlefs,  are  created 
Of  every  creature's  bcft. 
ASra,  I  do  not  know 
One  of  my  fex  ;  no  woman's  face  remember. 
Save  from  my  glafs  mine  own  ;  nor  have  I  fccn 
More  that  1  may  call  men,  than  you,  good  ftkndy 
And  my  dear  father ;  how  features  are  abroad, 
I'm  skillefs  of-,  but,  by  my  modefty, 
(The  jewel  in  my  dower)  I  would  not  wifh 
Any  companion  in  the  world  but  you ; 
Nor  can  imagnation  form  a  ihape, 
Befides  your  felf,  to  like  of     But  I  prattle 
Something  too  wildly,  and  my  father's  precq)ts 
I  therein  do  forget. 

Ffr.  lam,  in  my  condition, 
A  Prince,  Miranda-,  I  do  think,  a  King; 
(I  would,  not  fo ! )  and  would  no  more  endure 
This  wooden  flavcry,  than  I  would  fuflfer 
The  fiefh-fiie  blow  my  mouth.    Hear  my  Ibtd  ^leak; 
The  very  inftant  that  I  faw  you,  did 
My  heart  fly  to  your  fervice,  there  refidcs 
To  make  me  flave  to  it,  and  for  your  fake 
Am  I  this{)atient  log-man. 
Mira.  Do  you  love  me  ? 

Fer.  O  heav'n,  O  earth,  bear  witnefs  to  this  finindy 
And  crown  what  I  profcfs  with  kind  event. 
If  I  Ipeak  true ;  if  hollowly,  invert 
What  beft  is  boaded  mc,  to  mifchief !  I, 
Beyond  all. limit  of  what  elfe  i*th'  world. 
Do  love,  prize,  honour  you. 

AUra,  I  am  a  fool. 
To  weep  at  what  Tm  glad  of. 

Pri. 


7^e    Tempest.  51 

Pfp.  F«r  iencQunter 
Of  two  moft  rare  aSt£UoQS !  hcav'ns  nun  grace, 
On  that  which  breeds  between  *cm  I 

Fer,  Wherefore  weep  you  ? 

MIra.  At  mine  unworthineis,  that  dare  not  ofier. 
What  I  defire  to  give ;  and  much  Icfs  take. 
What  I  {jisH  die  to  want :  but  this  is  trifling ; 
And  all  the  more  it  fecks  to  hide  it  felf. 
The  bi^er  bulk  it  fliews.  Hence,  baflifiil  cunning  5 
And  prompt  me,  pLun  and  holy  innocence. 
I  am  your  wife,  if  you  will  many  me  ; 
If  not,  I'll  die  your  mud  :   to  be  your  feUow 
You  may  deny  me ;  but  Til  be  your  fervant. 
Whether  you  will  or  no. 

Fer.  My  miftrefi,  dcareft. 
And  I  thus  humble  ever. 

Mira.  My  husband  then  ? 

Fir.  Ay,  with  a  heait  as  willing 
As  bondage  e'er  of  freedom ;  here's  my  hand. 

MSra.  And  mine,    with  my  heart  in*t ;  and  now 
farewel. 
Till  half  an  hour  hence. 

Fer.  A  thouland,  thoufand.  {Exeunt^ 

Pro.  So  glad  of  this  as  they,  I  cannot  be. 
Who  arc  furpriz'd  withal ;  but  my  rejoicing 
At  nothing  can  be  more.     Til  to  my  book  \ 
For  yet,  ere  fupper-time,  muft  I  perform 
Much  bufinels  appertaining.  [Exit. 

S  C  E  N  E    11. 

Changes  to  ancther  fart  of  the  IJland. 

Enter  Caliban,  Stephano  and  Trinculo. 

Ste.  Tell  not  me  •,  when  the  butt  is  out,  we  will 
drink  water,  not  a  drop  before ;  therefore  bear  up, 
and  board  'em,  lervant-monfter  \  drink  to  me. 

E  2  Trin. 


52  The   Tempest. 

7rm.  Servant- monftcr!  rfic  ftdly  of  this  afland^ 
dicy  &y,  dierc's  but  five  upon  this  iQc  ;  we  arc  three 
of  man,  if  the  other  two  be  brain'd  hkc  us,  the  ftate 
totters. 

Su,  Drink,  fervant-monftcr,  when  1  bid  thcc ; 
eyes  are  alxnoft  let  in  thy  head. 

trin.  Where  Ihould  they  be  fet  dfc  ?  he  were 
brave  monftcr  indeed,  if  they  were  fct  in  his  taiL 

Ste,  My  man-monfter  hath  drown*d  Jus  tongue  15 
fade :  for  my  part,  the  fea  cannot  drown  me*  I  fwam, 
ere  I  could  recover  the  (here,  five  and  thirty  lcagaes» 
c)?  and  on  \  by  this  light,  thou  (halt  be  my  Ucutcnantt 
inonfter,  or  my  ftandaid, 

7ritt.  Your  lieutenant,  if  you  lift  ;  hc*s  no  ftandaid. 

Ste.  We'll  not  run,  monficur  monftcr, 

Trin,  Nor  go  neither :  but  you'll  he  like  dogs, 
yet  fay  nothing  ndther, 

Stc.  Moon-calf,  fpcak  once  in  thy  fife,  if  thou 
a  good  moon-calf. 

CaL  How  docs  thy  honour  ?  let  me  lick  thy  Ihoc  j 
I'll  not  ferve  him,  he  is  not  valiant. 

I'rin.  Thou  licft,  moft  ignorant  monfter,  I  am  ill 
cafe  tojuftlc  a  conftablc;  why,  thou  dcbofh'd  6ih 
chou,  was  there  ever  a  man  a  coward  that  hacb 
drunk  fo  much  iack  as  I  to-day  I  wilt  thou  tell  a 
monftrous  lie,  being  but  half  a  filh,  ami  half  a 
monftcr  ? 

Col,  Lo,  how  he  mocks  me  :  wilt  thou  let  him,  cay 
k)rd? 

Trin,  Lord,  quoth  he!  that  a  monftcr  (hould  be 
luch  a  natural  \ 

Cat,  Lo,  lo,  again  \  bite  him  to  deaths  I  pr^thct 

Sti,  Trimulc^  keep  a  good  tongue  in  your  head; 
if  you  prove  a  mutineer,  the  next  tree—  ^  thi 
poor  monfter*s  my  fubjcft,  and  he  ftiall  not  fuffia-  in- 
<li&iity. 


hJ^ 


T^e   Tempest, 

Cal.  I  thank  my  noble  lord.  Wilt  thou  be  pleasM 
to  hearken  once  ag^  to  the  fuit  I  made  to  thee  ? 

Sle.  Marry,  wll  I ;  kneel  and  repeat  it  5  I  will 
ftand,  and  lb  fhall  Trinculo, 

Enter  Ariel  hrvifihk, 

Cal,  As  I  told  thee  before,  I  am  fubjcd  to  a  tyrant, 
a  (brcerer,  that  by  his  cunning  hath  cheated  me  of  the 
Ifland. 

yfrL  Thou  lieft. 

GiA  Thou  lieft,  thou  jefting  monkey,  thou ; 
I  would,  my  valiant  maftcr  would  dcftroy  thee: 
I  do  not  lie. 

Su.  trincuhi  ifyou  trouble  him  any  more  in's  tale, 
by  this  hand,  I  will  fupplant  Ibmc  of  your  teeth. 

^rin.  Why,  I  faid  nothing, 

Ste,  Mum  then,  and  no  more  ;  proceed. 

Cd,  I  fay,  by  ibrcery  he  got  this  ifle  ; 
From  me  he  got  it.     If  thy  grcatnefs  will 
Revenge  it  on  him,  (for,  I  know,  thou  dar'ft. 
But  this  thing  dares  not.  ) 

Ste.  That's  moft  certab. 

Cd,  Thou  fhak  be  lord  of  it,  and  I'll  ferve  thee. 

Ste,  How  now  fhall  this  be  compaft  ?  canft  thou 
bring  me  to  the  party  ? 

Cd,  Yea,  yea,  my  lord,  ?I1  yield  him  thee  afleep. 
Where  thou  may'ft  knock  a  n^l  into  his  head. 

jirL  Thou  lieft,  thou  canft  not. 

Cd,  What  a py'd  ninny's  this?  thou  fcurvy  patch ! 
I  do  befeech  thy  greatneis,  ^ve  him  blows. 
And  take  his  bottle  fi*om  him  \  when  that's  gone. 
He  fhall  drink  nought  but  brine,  for  I'll  not  mew  him 
Where  the  quick  frefhes  are. 

'  Sie.  Trincuhj  run  into  no  further  danger :  interrupt 
the  monfter  one  word  further,  and,  by  th^s  hand,  I'll 
turn  my  mercy  out  of  doors,  and  make  a  ftock-Bfh 
of  thee. 

E  3  Tj/u. 


53 


54 


TTk  Tempest. 

fria.  Why,  what  did  I?  I  did  notUng}  I'll  go 
further  off. 

Su.  Didft  thou  not  fay,  he  ly*d  ? 

yiri.  Thou  licit 

Ste.  Do  I  fo  ?  take  you  that.  [Beafs  bim. 

As  you  like  this,  give  me  the  lie  another  time. 

Trin,  I  did  not  ^ve  thee  the  lie ;  out  o'  your  wits, 
and  hearing  too  ?  A  pox  o'  your  bottle !  this  canfiidc 
and  drinking  do.  A  murrain  on  your  monfter,  and  the 
devil  take  your  fingers  ! 

Cai  Ha,  ha,  ha. 

Ste,  Now,  forward  with  your  talc ;  pr'ythcc,  ftand 
further  off. 

CaL  Beat  him  enough  ^  after  a  litde  time 
ril  beat  him  too. 

Ste.  Stand  further.     Come,  proceed. 

CaL  Why,  as  I  told  thee,  *tis  a  cuftom  with  him 
Fch'  afternoon  to  fleep  ;  there  thou  may*ft  brain  him. 
Having  firft  feiz'd  his  books :  or  with  a  log 
Batter  his  skull,  or  paunch  him  with  a  ftake. 
Or  cut  his  wczand  with  thy  knife.    Remember, 
Firft:  to  pofTefs  his  books  ;  for  without  them 
He's  but  a  for,  as  I  am  ^  nor  hath  not 
One  Ipirit  to  command.    They  all  do  hate  him. 
As  rootedly  as  I.     Burn  but  his  books  ; 
He  has  brave  utenfils,  (for  fo  he  calls  them,) 
Wliich  when  he  has  an  houfe,  he'll  deck  withal. 
And  that  moll  deeply  to  confider,  is 
The  beauty  of  his  daughter ;  he  himfelf 
Calls  her  a  non-pareil :  I  ne'er  faw  woman. 
But  only  Sycorax  my  dam,  and  fhe  : 
But  fhe  as  far  furpaflcs  SycoraXj 
As  gre.iteft  does  the  leafl. 

Ste.  Is  it  fo  brave  a  Lafi  ? 

CaL  Ay,  lord  ;  fhe  will  become  thy  bed,  I  watrant, 
And  bring  thee  forth  brave  brood. 

Sit. 


72>e   Tempest, 

Ste.  Monftcr,  I  will  kill  this  man :  his  daughter  and 
1  will  be  King  and  Queen,  fave  our  Graces  :  and  Trin^ 
(ulc  and  thy  fclf  Ihall  be  Vice-Roys.  Doft  thou  lUcc 
the  plot,  Trinculo? 

Trin.  Excellent. 

Ste.  Give  me  thy  hand  ;  I  am  fony ,  I  beat  thee :  but, 
while  thou  liv'ft,  keep  a  good  tongue  in  thy  head. 

Cd,  Within  this  half  hour  mil  he  be  afleep ; 
Wilt  thou  deftroy  him  then  ? 

Sie.  Ay,  on  my  honour. 

Art.  This  will  I  tell  my  mafter. 

Cd.  Thou  mak'ft  me  merry ;  I  am  full  of  pleafurc; 
Let  us  be  jocund.     Will  you  troul  the  catch, 
You  taught  me  but  while-ere  ? 

Ste.  At  thy  rcqueft,  monftcr,  I  will  do  reafbn,  any 
realbn;  come  on,  trinculo^  let  us  fmg.  [Sin^^. 

Ffout  'emy  and  shut  *emi  and  shut  'em,  and  fiput 
*em\  thought  is  free. 

Cal,  That's  not  the  tunc. 

[Ariel  plays  tie  tune  on  a  Taker  and  Pipe. 

Ste,  What  is  this  fame  ? 

Trin.  This  is  the  tune  of  our  c^ch,  plaid  by  tte 
pifture  of  no-body, 

Ste.  If  thou  be'ft  a  man,  Ihcw  thy  felf  in  the  like- 
ncfs  \  if  thou  be'ft  a  devil,  take't  as  tbou  lift. 

Trin.  O,  forgive  me  my  (ins ! 

Ste,  He  that  dies,  pays  aU  debts:  I  defie  thee.  M^* 
cy  upon  us ! 

Ctf/.  Art  thou  afiaid  ? 

Ste  No,  monfter,  not  I.        .  . 

Cd.  Be  not  afrakl  $  the  iHe  is/idl^ndfes,    [not. 
Sounds,  and  fweet  airs,  that  g^ve.  delight,  and  hurt 
Sometimes  a  thoufand  cwangvig  in^b'Umcnts 
Will  hum  about  mine  ears,  and  fometiflEies  voices  j 
That,  if  I  then  had  wakM  after  kmg  fleep. 
Will  make  me  fleep  again ;  and  then  in  ^reaming. 
The  ck>uds»  methoiQ;h(>  would  open,  «)^  fliew  riches 

Ready 

E4 


55 


Tie  Tempest, 

Ready  to  drop  upon  me  ;  that  when  I  wak*d» 
I  cry'd  to  dr^m  again. 

St€,  This  will  prove  a  bnnrc  kingdom  to  me, 
I  ihall  have  my  miilick  for  nothing. 

Col.  When  Profpno  is  dcftroy*d. 

Su.  That  ihall  be  by  and  by ':  I  remember  the  ftory. 

^rin.  The  found  is  going  away  ;  let's  follow  k^  and 
after  do  our  work. 

St€.  Lead,  monller;  we'll  follow.    I  would  Icooid 
fee  this  taborer.     He  lays  it  on. 

Th'ff.  Wilt  come?  1*11  follow  5/^&nr0.       [fxem/. 

SCENE      III. 

ChoMgts  to  cMQtber  Part  of  the  IfiaaJL 

Enter  Alonlb,  Sebaftian,  Anthonio,  Gonzalo^  Addan, 
Frandico,  &c. 

Gcu.  T>  Y*R  lakin,  I  can  go  no  further,  Sr, 

•D  My  old  bones  ake :  here's  a  maze  trodt 
indeed. 
Through  forth-r^hts  and  meanders  \  by  your  piticnca, 
I  needs  muft  reft  me. 

Ahn.  Old  lord,  I  cannot  blame  thee, 
Who  am  my  felf  attached  with  wearinefi. 
To  th*  dulling  of  my  Spirits :  fit  down  and  reft. 
Ev*n  here  I  wll  put  off  my  hope,  and  keep  it 
No  longer  for  my  flatterer:  he  is  drowned. 
Whom  thus  we  ftray  to  find,  aixi  the  lea  modct 
Our  fruftrate  fearch  on  land.     Well,  let  him  go. 

Am,  I  am  right  glad  that  he's  io  out  of  hope. 
Do  not,  for  one  repulfe,  forego  the  purpole 
That  you  refohr'd  t'efieft. 

Seh.  The  nen  advantage 
Will  we  take  throughly. 

Ant,  Let  it  be  to  night ; 
For,  now  they  are  pt^dsM  wiUi  travel,  they 

'  wa 


Tie   Tempest, 

Will  nor,  nor  cannot,  ufc  fuch  vi^lancct 
As  when  they're  frdh. 

Sfk  I  lay,  to  night :  no  more* 

S^ttmn  andftrange  mufick  \  And  Proibero  m  the  t&p^ 
imiifible.  Enter  fevird  firmgt  Jnapes^  bringing  in 
a  banquet  ^  and  Jance  about  it  with  gentle  anions 
(ffalutati&n%  and^  inviting  the  King^  &:c.  i&  eat^ 
fiijt  depart, 

Alon.   What  harmony  is  this?   my  good  fticnds, 
hark! 

Gm»  Marvellous  fwect  muQck! 

jilon.  Give  us  kind  keepers,  heaven !  what  were  thcfc  i 

Seb,  A  living  drollery.     Now  I  will  believcj 
'hat  there  are  unicorns ;  that,  in  Arabia 

icrc  is  one  tree,  the  phoenix'  throne  j  one  phoenix 
At  this  hour  reigning  there. 

Jnt,  m  believe  both ; 

id  what  does  clfc  want  credit,  come  to  me, 

id  ril  be  fwom  *tis  true.     Travellers  ne'er  did  lie, 
'hoiigh  fools  at  home  condemn  *em# 

Gmu  If  in  Napks 

Ihould  report  this  now,  would  they  believe  mc? 
If  I  Ihould  lay,  I  faw  fuch  illandcrs  : 
(For,  certes*  thefc  are  people  of  the  illand) 
Who  tho'  they  are  of  monftrous  fhape,  yet,  note, 
Their  manners  are  more  gentie,  kind,  than  of 
Our  human  generation  you  fliall  find  ^ 

Many  i  nay,  almoft  any.  * 

Pro,     Honcft  lord. 
Thou  haft  faid  wcU  \  for  Ibme  of  you  there  prcfcnt 
Are  worfe  than  devils. 

jilon,  I  cannot  too  much  mufr. 
Such  (hapcs,  fuch  gefturc,  and  fuch  found,  exprcfllng 
(Although  they  want  the  ufc  of  tongue)  a  kind 
Of  excellent  dumb  difcouric* 

Pre. 


57 


58 


lie    T  E  MiP'i  s  T. 


♦  Pro,  Praife,  in  departing.—- rw—         r       ' 

Fran,  They  vanifh'd  ftrangely. 

Seb.  No  matter,  fince         . 
TheyVe  left  their  viands  behind ;  for  we  have  ftomachs. 
Wilt  pleafc  you  taftc  of  what  is  here? 

Alon,  Not  L  [boy^ 

Gon.  F^th,  SiVy  you  need  not  fear.  When  we  were 
Who  would  believe,  that  there  wiere  mountaineers, 
Dew-lapt  like  bulls,  whofc  throats  had  hang^i^  at 

'em 
Wallets  of  flefti,  or  that  there  were  fisch  men, 
Whofe  heads  flood  in  their  breafts  ?  which  now  wc  find, 
*  Each  putter  out  on  five  for  one  will  bring  us 
Good  warrant  of. 

Alon.  I  will  ftand  to,  and  feed. 
Although  my  laft  ;  no  matter,  fince  I  feel 
The  belt  is  paft.     Brother,  my  lord  the  Dukc> 
Stand  to,  and  do  as  we. 

SCENE      IV. 

Sunder  and  lightning.  E^tter  Ariel  like  a  barfjy  d^ 
bis  wings  upon  the  table^  and  with  a  qu'mt.  device 
the  banquet  vani/bes. 

Ari.  You  are  three  men  of  fin,  whom  deftinj 
(That  hath  to  inftrument  this  lower  worid, 

4  Pro.  Praifi  in  Jiparting.'\  This  is  a  farcatin.  Thqrwcfe 
prufmg  the  mufic  and  attendance  of  this  vilionrLry  Katertainment ; 
but  their  commendations  were  too  haHy.  for  the  Banquet  was  pre- 
fently  fnatcheU  from  them  :  fo  that  the  mufic  was  only  a  praude 
to  a  Mockery.  Profpero  therefore  fays,  Stay  your  prai/es  ^tiU  ysu 
have  tndedyour  enUrtaiMmemt.  .    . 

Prarfi  in  departing. 
The  phrafe  alludes  to  the  cultotn  o?  GueRs  praifing  their  enter- 
tainment when  they  rife  from  the  Banquet. 

5  Each  putter  9ut  on  five  far  one — ]  A  Satire  on  the  Voyi^eit 
of  that  time,  who  had  juft  oifcovered  a  new  World  ;  and,  ai  wa^ 
natunl.  gave  very  extravagant  accpunts  of  the  wonders  jof, i^ 
Their  Ventures  in  thefe  expeditions  arc  alluded  to  in  the  title, 
given  them,  ci  putters  out  onfvefar  pnt^ 

Anci 


The  Tempest. 

And  what  is  b't)  the  ncvtr-furfcited  fea 
Hatli  cauied  to  belch  up  •,  and  on  this  Ifland 
Where  man  doth  not  iohalric,  you  'mongft  men 
Being  moft  unfit  ro  live     I  have  made  you  mad  ; 
And  e^n  with  fuch  like  valour  men  hang  and  drowa 
Their  proper  felvcs.     You  fools !  I  and  my  fellows 
Are  mintfters  of  fate;  the  elements, 
Of  whom  your  fwords  are  tempered,  may  as  well 
Wound  the  loud  winds,  or  with  bcmockt-at  ftabs 
Kill  the  ftill^clofing  waters,  as  diminiJh 
One  down  that's  in  my  plume  :  my  fellow-miniflcrs 
Are  Uke  invulnerable.     If  you  could  hurts 
Your  fwords  are  now  coo  maflie  for  your  ftrengths, 
And  will  not  be  up-iifted.     But  remember, 
(For  that's  my  bufineis  to  you)  that  you  three 
From  Milan  did  fupplant  good  Projpero : 
Expos'd  unto  the  fca  (which  Juth  rcquit  it) 
Him,  and  his  innocent  child  :  for  which  foul  deed 
The  powers  delaying,  not  forgetting^  have 
Incens'd  the  feas  and  fhores^  yea,  all  the  creatmrs» 
Ag^nft  your  peace :  thee  of  thy  ibn^  Almfi^ 
Tney  have  bereft ;  and  do  pronounce  by  me. 
Lingering  perdition,  woric  than  any  death 
Can  be  at  once,  fhall  (tep  by  ftep  attend 
You  and  your  ways;  whofe  wrath  to  guaid  youfixim, 
(Which  here  in  this  moft  dcfolate  Ifle  clfc  falls 
IJpon  your  heads,)  is  nothing  but  hean's  Ibrrow, 
And  a  dear  \i[Q  enfuing. 

Ih  vimljhts  in  thunder:  fbm^  tafoft  mufuk^  Enter  ibe 
fiapes  agajrt^  and  dunce  with  mops  and  mowes^  and 
carrying  out  the  tahle» 

Pre,  Bravely  the  figure  of  this  harpy  haft  thou 
Pcrform'd,  my  Arid  \  a  grace  it  had,  devouring ; 
Of  my  inftruffion  hafl  tliou  nothing  'bared, 
In  what  thou  hadft  to  fay  :  fo  with  good  life, 
And  oblervattgn  itrange,  my  meaner  miisi  Iters 

Their 


6o  Tie  Tempest. 

Thdr  fcvcral  kinds  have  done ;  my  high  charms  vnxk^ 
And  thcfe,  mine  enemies,  are  all  knic  up 
In  their  diftraftions:  they  are  in  my  power  i 
And  in  thcfe  fits  I  leave  them,  whUft  I  vtfk 
Young  Ferdinand^  (whom  they  fuppofe  is  drown'd,) 
And  his  and  my  lov'd  darling.    . 

[Exit  Profpcro  from  above, 

Gon,  Fth*  name  of  fomething  holy.  Sir,  why  fiami 
you 
In  this  ftrangc  ftarc  ? 

Abn.  O,  it  is  monftrous  !  monftrous ! 
"  Methoughts,  the  billows  fpoke,  and  told  me  of  it; 
^*  The  winds  did  fing  it  to  me ;  and  the  thunder, 
'*  That  deep  and  dreadful  oi^an-pipe,  pronounced 
«*  The  Name  of  Pro/per:  it  did  bafe  my  treibafi. 
Therefore  my  fon  i*  th'  ooze  is  bedded  ;  and 
ril  feek  him  deeper  than  e*er  plummet  founded. 
And  with  liim  there  lye  mudded.  [Exii* 

Sek  But  one  fiend  at  a  time, 
ni  fight  their  legions  o'er. 

JnL  ril  be  thy  fecond.  [ExennL 

Gon,  All  three  of  them  are  dclpcrate  ;  **  their  great 
guilt, 
**  like  poifon  ^v'n  to  work  a  great  time  after, 
**  Now  *^ns  to  bite  the  fpirits.    I  do  befeech  you. 
That  are  of  fuppler  joints,  follow  them  fwiftly  % 
And  hinder  them  horn  wliat  this  ccftafie 
May  now  provoke  them  to. 

Adri,  Follow,  J  pray  you. 

{Exeunt* 


ACT 


77>e  Tempest.  Si 

A  CT  IV.     SCENE    I. 

Profpero'j  dll. 
Enter  Prolpero,  Ferdinand,  and  Miranda. 
Prosper  o, 

IF  I  have  too  auftenely  punilh'd  you. 
Your  compenfation  makes  amends ;  for  I 
Have  giv*n  you  here  a  {a)  thread  of  mine  own  life  ; 
Or  that  for  which  I  live ;  whom  once  again 
I  tender  to  thy  hand :  all  thy  vexations 
Were  but  my  tryals  of  thy  love,  and  thou 
Haft  (Irangely  ftood  die  teft.    Here,  afore  heaven, 
I  ratify  this  my  rich  gift :  O  Ferdinand^ 
Do  not  iinile  at  me,  that  I  boaft  her  off; 
For  thou  (halt  find,  ihe  will  outftrip  all  praife. 
And  make  it  halt  behind  her. 

Fer,  I  believe  it, 
Agiinft  an  orack. 

Pro.  Then  as  my  gift,  and  thine  own  acquifition 
Worthily  purchased,  take  my  Daughter.    But 
**  If  thou  doft  break  her  ^  yir^-knot,  before 
**  All  ianftimonious  ceremonies  may 
*•  With  full  and  holy  Rite  be  minifter'd, 
**  No  fweet  aiperiions  (hall  the  heav'ns  let  fall 
•*  To  make  this  contraft  grow  :  but  barren  hate, 
**  Sour-ey*d  difdain,  and  difcord  Ihall  befbrew 
«*  The  union  of  your  bed  with  weeds  fo  loathly, 
**  That  you  Ihall  hate  it  both :  therefore  take  heed. 
As  Hymcn*s  lamps  ihall  light  you. 

J  —  v/rg-/«.i«tf/^— ]    Allading  to  tht  Latim  phrafe  of 

[(«}  ^..^thnad^"''^  Mr.  7hf$haU,'^  Talg.  third.l 

Fit. 


62  Tie    Tempest. 

Fer.  As  I  hope 
For  qukt  days,  fdr  iflue,  and  long  life. 
With  iiich  love  as  'ds  now  ;  the  murkieft  den. 
The  moft  opportune  place,  the  ftrong*ft  fugg^on 
Our  worfer  Genius  can,  fhall  never  melt 
Mine  honour  into  lufl; ;  to  take  away 
The  edge  of  that  day's  celebration. 
When  I  fhall  think  or  Pbaius*  ftccds  are  foundcr*d. 
Or  night  kept  chain'd  below. 

Pro.  Fairly  fpoke. 
Sit  then,  and  talk  with  her,  fhe  is  thine  own. 
What,  j/rid;  my  induftrious  fervant,  j^iel    ■«  ■ 

SCENE      II. 
Enter  Arid. 

jfri.  What  would  my  potent  mafler  ?  here  I  am. 

Pro.   Thou  and  thy  meaner  fellow)  your  htt 
ftrrrore 
Did  worthily  perform ;  and  I  muft  ufc  you 
In  fuch  another  trick ;  go,  ^  bring  the  rabble, 
0*cr  whom  I  give  thee  power,  here  to  this  place : 
Incite  them  to  quick  morion,  for  I  mufi 
Bellow  upon  the  eyes  of  this  young  couple 
Some  vanity  of  mine  art ;  it  is  my  pronuie. 
And  they  cxpe£t  it  from  me. 

j&i,  Prefendy? 

Pro.  Ay,  with  a  twink. 

jfri.  Before  you  can  fay.  Come,  and  go. 
And  breathe  twice  ;  and  cry,  lb,  fo  5 
Each  one,  tripping  on  his  toe. 
Will  be  here  with  mop  and  mow. 
Do  you  love  mc,  matter  ?  no  ? 

Pro.  Dearly,  my  delicate  /iriel',   do  not  approach, 
*Till  thou  dolt  hear  me  call. 

jfri.  Well,  I  concdve.  [£xy/. 

4  -.^^  bring  tbt  rahhifjl   i.  e.  of  fpirics. 

Pr$. 


Tie  Tempest.  63 

Pro,  Lode,  thou  be  true ;  do  not  ^ve  dalliance 
Too  much  the  ran  $  the  ftrongcft  oaths  are  ftraw 
To  th*  fire  i*th*  blood :    be  more  abftemious, 
Orelfe,  good-n^ht,  your  vow!  ■ 

Fer,  I  warrant  you.  Sir ; 
The  wWte,  cold,  virgin-ffiow  upon  my  heart 
Abates  the  ardour  of  my  liver. 

Pro.  Well. 
Now  come,  my  jfrie!\  *  bring  a  corollary. 
Rather  than  want  a  fpirit ;  appear,  and  pertly' 
No  tongue  %  all  eyes ;  be  filent.  [To  Ferdinand. 

[Soft  Mufick. 

SCENE     III. 

A  MASQUE.    Enter  Im: 

Iris.    jCeres,  xnott  bounteous  lady*  thy  rich  kas 
Of  wheat,  rye,  barley,  fetches,  oats,  and  peafe ; 
Thy  turfy  mountains,  where  live  nibling  fliecp* 
And  flat  meads  thatch*d  with  ftovcr,  them  to  keep ; 
Thy  banks  with  ponied,  and  tulip'd  brims» 
Which  ipui^  jfyrilzt  thy  heft  betrims. 
To  make  cold  nymphs  chafte  crowns  *,  and  thy  («}  brown 

groves. 
Whole  fhadow  the  difmifTcd  batchelor  loves. 
Being  lafs-lom  ;  thy  *  palc-clipt  vineyard. 
And  thy  fea-mame  fteril,  and  rocky-hani» 

Where 

^   >■  hrinr  a  corollary,  ]    Ctro/Iarsum  fignlfies  what  wc 

CiU  fapernameraryt  or»  what  is  more  than  juft  fufficient.  The 
word  has  here  a  Angular  propriety  and  elegance.  For  coro/larim 
were,  amonga  the  Romans,  the  little  g^ts  given  to  the  people 
wiwa  Plays  were  exhibited  to  them  at  their  public  fefUvals  j 
and  foroiU  crowns  given  to  thofe  A&otb  who  plcaiiBd  more  than 
ordinary. 

6  .^— Ti&jr  poi.E-CI.iPT   vimeyardt 

Amd  thy  fia-marge  fttrii,  and  rod^hmrd.  ]    Gil^  who  has 
aade  what  he  calls  a  Gkffarj  on  Sbake/^ar^  Uyi^^-PolfcHft- 

cli^t      ' 

,  f  (i4  —  hrewnirovis,  O^eferd Edit.— Yulg.  hrom grtvrs,'^ 


J 


I 


64  72^  T  E  M  P  E  S  T. 

Where  thou  thyBf  do'ft  air;  the  Queen  o'  th*  skyj 

Whofe  wat*ry  arch  and  meffenger  am  I^ 

Bids  thee  leave  thefe  ;  and  with  her  Sovereign  GracCfl 

Here  on  this  grafs-plotj  in  this  very  place, 

To  come  and  fport  j  her  peacocks  fiy  amain 

Approach^  rich  C^eSt  her  to  entertaiu 

Enter  Ceres. 

Cfr.  Hail  J  many-colour*d  meffenger^  that  ne'er 
Doft  difobey  the  wife  of  Jupiter : 
Who,  wich  thy  faffron  wings,  upon  my  flowcr$ 
Diffuieft  honey  drops,  refrclhing  lliowers  % 
And  with  each  end  of  thy  blue  bow  do'ft  crown 
My  bosky  acres,  and  my  unflirub'd  down. 
Rich  fcarf  to  my  proud  earth  ;  why  hath  thy  Queett 
Summoned  me  hither,  to  this  ihort-grafc  green 

Iris.  A  cortraft  of  true  love  to  celebrate. 
And  fomc  donation  freely  to  cftate 
On  the  blefs*d  lovers. 

Cer.  Tell  me,  heavenly  bow, 
M  Venus  or  her  Ion,  as  chou  do*ft  know. 
Do  not  attend  the  Queen  :  fincc  they  did  plot 
The  means,  thac  dusky  Dts  my  daughter  got. 
Her  and  her  blind  boy*s  fcandal'd  company 
I  have  forfwom. 

7m.  Of  her  Ibciety 
Be  not  afraid  j  I  met  her  deity 

tlift  in  tht  i^rad.  What  he  fand  Iq  bii  head  is  net  wortK  inq 
ing.  Clipt  here  Cgnlfiw  tmhracr^i  but  p9lf'rtipt  ia  a  corrupt 
reading.  It  (bun<!«ti  wdl»  becaiife  vines  arc  fuppOTied  by  Poles, 
10  fay  poU  fiipt  tiuti^arJ.  And  found  was  what  the  PUJIC^ 
Editor)  only  attended  to.  But  a  little  fente  might  have  onghc 
thczn  thai  "j/nej  coold  not  be  cajled  poU-dtpt,  tho'  P»itt  might 
be  ullcd  ^int-clipt.         Shaktjfa^r  wrote 

Ti^    PAtE'CLirx   Vintyard. 

I,  t,  the  W»«r«r^  incloled  or  fenced  with  PaU$^  in  oppofidi 
to  the  wide  and  open  ft  a- marge  or  coaft.        ^—         ^»riy 
{hould  be  read  wlih  &n  hyphen.     It  i»  oi^e  of  the  epiihci^  to 
margu  m  h&rd  tit  a  rsek. 

Cutting 


rTBe  Temp tsrr  65 

Cutting  the  clouds  towaxds  Papbos^  and  her  fon 
Dove-drawn  i^dth  her ;  here  thought  they  to  have  done 
Some  wanton  charm  upon  this  man  and  maid. 
Whole  vows  are,  that  no  bed-right  Ihall  be  paid 
'Till  Hymen^s  torch  be  Hghted ;  but  b  vain 
Mars's  hot  minion  is  retum'd  again; 
Her  walpifh-headed  fon  has  broke  his  arrows ; 
Swears,  he  will  ihoot  no  more,  but  play  with  iparrows^ 
Aqd  be  a  boy  right-out^ 

Cer,  High  Queen  of  ftatey 
Great  Junoy  comes;  I  know  her  by  her  gate. 

[Juno  de/cendsy  and  enters. 

Jun.  How  does  my  bounteous  fitter?  go  with  mc 
To  blefs  this  twain,  that  they  may  proi^'rous  be, 
And  iionour'd  in  their  iilue. 

Jun.  HimouTj  ricbeSy  marriage-bleffingy 
'   Lcng  continuance  and  encreajingy 
Homiyjoys  be  fitU  upon  you  ! 
Ixino^ngs  ber  bl^ngs  on  you: 

Ccr.  Earth's  tncreafcy  and  foyfon-plentyy 
Sams  and  gmters  never  empty  y 
VineSy  with  chjtring  bunches  growingi 
Plant Sy  with  goodtf  burthen  bowingy 
Spring  come  to  yoUy  at  the  fartbefi^ 
In  the  very  end  of  harveft  ! 
Scarcity  and  want  JhaB  fiun  you  \ 
Ceres*  bleffing  Jo  is  on  you. 

Fer.  '  This  is  a  moft  majeftick  vifion,  and 
HArmcmious  chamning  Lays :  may  I  be  bold 
To  think  thefe  fpirits  ? 

Pr9\ 

« 

7  ^is  is  a  mofi  majtJHck  wfiam^  and 

Harmtnious  cbarminolt.}    What  was   intended  to 
be  here  commended  wai,  t.  The  vifion  of  the  Goddeffes.  2.  Their 
The  vifon  is  commended  in  thefe  Wordi,  This  is  a  mofi 


OMiJIse  ^Ji^n,  -fiut  for  they^iv',-'— weare  put  off  with  this 
V  o  X..  I. '  r  nonfcnfe 


66  7bi   T  E  M  p  £  s  t. 

Pr*.  Spirits,  which  by  mine  art 
I  have  from  chdr  confines  call'd  to  cnaft 
My  prefent  fancies* 

Fir.  Let  me  live  here  ever ; 
So  rare  a  wondcr*d  father,  and  a  wifV, 
Make  this  place  paradife, 

pTQ,  Sweet  now,  filence : 
'^um  and  dres  whifper  fcrioufly ; 
There's  fomething  elfc  to  do  \  hulh,  and  be  mute. 
Or  elfe  our  fpcU  is  marr*d, 

Juno  ^W  Ceres  whifper^  and  find  Iris  onk 

Iris.  You  nymphs,  callM  N^ads^  of  the  windi 
brooks, 
"With  your  fedg'd  crowns,  and  ever-harmlefi  looks> 
Leave  your  cri^  channels,  and  on  this  green  land 
Anfwer  your  fummons,  jfuna  does  command : 
Come,  temperate  nymphs,  and  help  to  celebrate 
A  contraft  of  true  love  5  be  not  too  late. 

Enfer  certain  Nymphs, 

You  fun-bum *d  ficklemen,  ot  Augufi  ^taxy^ 
Come  hither  from  the  furrow,  and  be  merry  j 
Make  holy-day  1  your  rye-ftraw  liats  put  on. 
And  thcfe  frefh  nymphs  encounter  every  one 
In  country  footing. 

noDrcnfe and  l^rmojtiout  Cbarmingh^    To  reftorc  S^nft,  uA 

the  othcf  part  of  ibe  commetidndon,  ^e  muA  needs  rtad 

-^- ^—  atid 

fiatfn9aUu4  charming  L  A  ¥  f » 

And  then  boih  chc  ivXe«/afid  the ^w^i  will  havethnr  dur] 
Tbc  word  efjurmi/ig  canrot  with  prcprieiy  be  kpplinl  to  Jii 
bot  muftc  ;LDd  poetry,   becaufc  thcfc  were  fuppdcd  to  opcrmcc,  u 
(harms.    In  our  Author's  iime  the  %voiJ  was  generally  foapplj 
tho'  i£  be  now  ufcd  ridjculovfly  on  every  <^je£t  of  plc&fufc. 


S  C  E 


SCENE      IV. 

Enter  certain  reapers y  properfy  habited  \  they  join  with 
the  fr/mphs  in  a  graceful  dance  j  towards  the  end 
whereof y  Prorpcro  ftarts  Jiiddenfyy  and  Jpeaks\  after 

•  vfbichy  to  arrange,  hollow  and  confufed  noifs^  they 
vamfb  heofuily. 

Pro.  I  had  forgot  that  foul  con^nracy 
Of  the  bead  CaUban^  and  his  confed'rates, 
Againft  my  Hfe  j  the  minute  of  their  plot 
Is  almoft  come.    Well  done,  avoid ;  no  more, 

Fer,  This  is  mod:  ftrange;  your  iadier's  in  IbnM 
paffion 
That  works  him  ftrongly. 

ACr,  Never  'tifl  this  day 
Saw  I  him  touched  with  anger  ib  diftemper'd. 

Pro,  You  look,  my  fon,  in  a  mov*a  fort. 
As  if  you  were  difmay'd ;  be  chearful.  Sir : 
Our  revels  now  are  ended :  *  '  thefe  our  adtors,' 
^  As  I  foretold  you,  were  all  Ijnrits,  and 

•  Alt 

%'  ■  7he/e  our  A3%r$^ 

As  l/ortioldytut  luere  atlj^irtft,  and 
Aft  mthed  into  Air,  into  thin  Air  } 
And  likt  the  haftltfi  FaBric  of  th it  %  "Viston, 
Tht  chttd-capt  Teweri,  ibe  gorgeous  Palacts^ 
nefohmn  Temples,  the  great  Glebe  h/elf^ 
Tea  all  *wbich  it  inherit^  &all  diffohv*  ; 
And  Me  this  un/ubjlantial  Pageant  faded, 

Ltwe  nft  a  Rack  behind •  J  In  this  readings  all  fublunary 

tlUngt,  on  account  of  their  fleeting  cxiflence,  are  compared  to 
'  d»  nuik  of  fpirict,  which,  at  the  beck  of  Proj^er,  vanifhed  fad* 
den]/  away.  But  then  there  is  a  wretched  uucology  in  the  linei* 
And  like  the  bafelefs  Fabric  5ec. 
And  like  this  unfrbfiantial  Pageant  &C 
NoC  to  mention  the  aukward  cxprefiion  of  [^thetr  Fifion^,  which 
Air.  Theobald,  upon  what  Authority  I  know  not.  hath  changed 
kio  {^tbis  Fi/on}.    I  fnppofe  to  make  the  expreffion  a  little  more 
MtBral.    I  wootd  read, 

Ad  like  the  bafelefs  Fabric  ^  T  H*  Az  a  V 1 1 1 0  H  t. 

Fa  He 


6Q  ^    T  B  M  f  E  S  T. 

*  Are  melted  into  air,  into  thin  air  j 

*  And^  like  the  bafclds  fabrick  of  th*  air-vifion* 

*  The  cloud-capt  towers,  the  gorgeous  palaces, 

*  The  folemn  temples,  the  great  globe  it  felf, 

*  Yea,  all,  which  it  inherit,  fhall  diflblve  i 

*  And,  like  this  infubftaiitial  pageant  faded, 


He  hsLd  jttft  before  (ai4t  that  the  Spnlti  wctc  melccd  — .~^«|9 
iMi«  tbiit  Air,    This  fumiflics  him  with  dic£ne  (imtliuide  of 
i^ifiont,    which  goierall/  appearing,   as  Sbsktfpear  In 
place  fays  Ulce 

A  iT^'tr'd  Cftidiit  a  pendant  J?vri, 
A  forked  Mountain^   or  ffiue  Fromentpry^ 
he  very  properly  calls  bafehfi  Fabrics^  which  doth  not  lb 
fgrce  with  fpirin  in  a  human  form,     fiy  this  cmendattoQ  UlC 
tology,  taken  notice  of  Above,  is  avoided  \  and  the  Poet, 
great  pcrfplcuity,  and  phy£caj  exaftnefs,  comparei  the  Globe; 
and  all  inanimate  things  upon  ic,  to  Air  Vifions ;  and  inea  anJ 

ammals  in  the  tvorda- jra  ailrwhicb  it  iabfrit — ^lo  thc^Jit» 

gfSpjritr,  which  the  Speaker  had  jail  before  prerenced  totf 
Further,  ibat  the  Compaxifon  wu  indeed  to  Air  yi/hmg  ii 
cridcnt  from  the  words^ 

— .  /ea^£  nst  a  Rack  hthiifdt 

which  can  refer  only  to  Air  Fifi^m.  For  Ua^k  is  the  veftJge  ef 
an  embodied  cloud  >  which  hath  been  broken  s-nd  difTipoCexi  )Sf  th< 
.Winds.  Blji  IaAIy»  to  put  the  emendntion  out  of  all  reafMi:^^!^ 
«|aeflif>n  r  ^c  have  this  very  Simili  titde  tAAir  F'tfioni  Djgtio  in  A»i*vf 
and  Chepatra,  with  tjils  difference  only,  that  it  ji  thiert  applied 
the  tranlicat  glory  of  one  man,  and  htrtt  to  that  of  human  i  hingt 
general. 

Anthony  and  Cleopatra. 

Ssm^tima  ^we  fie  a  C hud  that* s  dragotttfi, 

A  'vapour^  fimttimti  like  a  bear  or  JtM, 

A  t^^/rtd  Ciridetf  a  putdattt  HocJt, 

A  ftrhd  Mavntititt  er  blue   Prome/ttftyi 

^-^-^^  thtt^fi  fitn  ihfjt  ^gnt. 

They  are  bUct  Vcfper's  Pageants  — 

That  *wbi£b  ii  n&iv  a  Horft  even  nuttb  a  //vAg*/, 

^be  Rack  diJJimnt  artd  maktj  it  indi/fin^. 

As  *u:ater  if  in  fiwaUt  —  ^  ftt^TV  tbjr  Captain  il 

E^tn  fmh  tf  btdy  i  here  Fm  Anthony, 

Tet  tanntit  hid  tkis  *vrj$/e  Sbapt^  Ac.  ■ 

I  will  only  add,  chat  the  thought-' Tb^  are  llari  Ttfptr'i 

P^/*w/,  is  ^wonderfully  beautiful.     As  it  charaflerir-         '     "~ 
FifitKit  which  appear  only  i\x  the  Evening,  when  the 


l%e   Tempest.  69 

«  9  Leave  not  a  rack  behind!  we  are  fuch  fluff 
*  As  dreams  are  made  on,  and  our  little  life 
«  Is  rounded  with  a  fleep.'— '  Sir,  I  am  vext ; 
Bear  with  my  weaknefs,  my  old  brain  is  troubled : 
Be  not  difturb'd  with  my  infirmity  ; 
If  thou  be  pleas'd,  retire  into  my  cell. 
And  there  repofe :  a  turn  or  two  PU  walk. 
To  ftill  my  beating  mifld. 

F&r.  ASra,  We  wifh  your  peace, 

[Exe.  Fen  and  Mu". 
Pro. 
reflects  its  ligl\t  apon  the  oppofite  Clouds ;  and  as  it  gives  a  vaft 
force  to  the  Similitude,  which  iniinuatet  that  human  glory  is  as 
certainly  Tuccecded  by  Mifery,  as  thefe  gaudy  Appearances  by  a 
dark  cloudy  Night.  It  is  obfervable,  that  the  time  at  which  ^/v- 
j^rtf  ufes  this  Similitude  of  Air  Vifions^  is  the  Evening. 

9  Leavt  not  a  Rack  hthindt--^  The  Oxford  Editor  not  knowing 
wist  Mariners  call  the  Rack  of  a  Cloud,  namely  the  Veftige  of 
it,  after  it  has  been  broken  and  driven  by  the  wind,  alters  it  to 
Jrack. 

I  ■  I  ■  5/r,  lanfvext^ 

Star  tvitb  $ny  weaknefs,  irty  old  brain  is  troubled:  ] 
■  'Proffer*  here  difcovers  a  great  emotion  of  anger  on  his  fudden 
recolkdion  of  Caliban's  plot.    This  appears  from  the  admirable 
reflexion  he  makes  on  the  in{igni6cancy  of  human  things.    For 
thinkiog  men  are  never  under  greater  deprelEon  of  mind  than 
when  they  moralize  in  this  manner :  and  yet,  if  we  turn  to  the 
occafion  of  his  diforder,  it  does  not  appear,  as  firll  view,  to  be  a 
thing  capable  of  moving  one  in  Profpero^t  circuroftances.    The 
Plot  of  a  contemptible  Savage  and  two  drunken  Sailors,  all  of 
whom  he  had  ab{olutely  in  his  power.     There  was  then  no  ap- 
prehenfion  of  danger.     But  if  we  look  more  nearly  into  the  cafe, 
we  ihall  have  reafon  to  admire  our  Author's  wonderful  knowledge 
of  natare.    There  was  fomething  in  it  with  which  great  minds 
are  moil  deeply  affefted,  and  that  is  the  Senfe  of  Ingratitude,  He 
recalled  to  mind  the  Obligations  this  Caliban  lay  under  for  the 
inftruflioDS  he  had  given  him,  and  the  conveniencies  of  life  he 
had  caught  him  to  ul'e.    But  thcfe  reflexions  on  Caliban's  Ingra- 
titude would  naturally  recal  to  mind  his  brother^s :  And  then  thefe 
two  working  together  were  very  capable  of  producing  all  the  dif- 
oider  of  p^ion  here  reprefented. — That  thefe  two,  who  had 
feccived«  at  his  hands,  the  two  beft  Gifts  moruls  are  capable  of, 
when  rightly  employ^.  Regal  power  and  the  Ufe  ofrtafin ;  that 
thcie,  in  return,  fhould  conQrire  againft  the  hie  of  the  Donor, 
fnonld  furcly  aAli6t  a  generous  mind  to  iu  ocmoft  bearbg. 

F3 


70 


He  Tempest. 

Pro,  Come  with  a  thought  j 1  thank  you  i-^— 

Ar'uU  CCT.C. 

Profpero  cwus  fsrrDord  from  the  Cell ;  eater  Arid  to  bm. 

jti.  Thy  thoughts  I  dsavc  to ;  what's  thy  plcafinc? 

Pto.  Spirit, 
^Ve  muft  prepare  to  meet  with  CaUhan, 

Ari.  Ay,  my  commander ;  when  I  prefcntcd  Ceres^ 
I  thought  to  have  told  thee  of  it  j  but  I  fear'd. 
Left  I  might  anger  thee. 

Pro,  Say  again,  where  didft  thou  leave  thefc  varicts? 

Aru  I  told  you,  Sr,  they  were  red  hoc  with  drinlung} 
So  full  of  valour,  that  they  finote  the  air 
For  breathing  in  their  faces ;  beat  the  ground 
For  klHing  di  their  feet ;  yet  always  bending 
Towards  their  project.     Then  I  beat  my  tabor. 
At  which,  like  unbackt  colts,  they  piickt  their  ean^ 
Advanc'd  their  eye-lids,  lifted  up  their  noies. 
As  the}'  fmclt  mufick  •,  lb  I  charmed  their  can. 
That,  calf-like,  they  my  lowing  followed  through 
Tooth'd  briars,  fharp  furzes,  pric^ung  go(s  and  thonis» 
Wliich  cnterM  their  frail  fhins :  at  lall  I  left  them 
r  th*  filthy  mantled  pool  beyond  your  cell. 
There  dancing  up  to  th*  chins,  that  the  foul  lake 
O'er-ftunk  their  feet. 

Pro.  This  was  well  done,  my  bird ; 
Thy  fliape  in^fible  retain  thou  ftill ; 
*  The  trumpery  in  my  houfe,  go  bring  it  hither. 
For  ftale  to  catch  thefc  thieves. 

Ari,  I  go,  I  go.  [i&cr/. 

Pro.  A  devil,  a  bom  de\'il,  on  whofc  nature 
Nurture  can  never  ftick }  on  whom  my  p^uns, 

2  T-Pf  tru*rfery  in  my  hvuft^  go  bring  it  hither 

FarJIaif  to  <atcb  tbtfi  7hit<ve3 — J  If  it  be  a»ked  wfaxtne- 
cefTtty  there  was  for  this  apparatus  I  anfwer  that  it  was  die 
fuperflitious  hxizy  of  the  people,  in  our  Author's  time,  that 
Witches,  Conjuron,  &r.  had  no  power  over  thole  againft  «4iom 
chey  would  employ  their  Charms,  till  they  had  got  them  at  diii 
i4vgnuge,  COBimiKing  fome  fia  or  other«  ai  here  of  theft. 

Humanely 


I 


7%e    T  2  M  P  E  fi  T. 

Humanely  taken,  all,  all  Joft,  quite  loll ; 
Anil,  as  with  age,  his  body  tigtier  grows, 
So  Jiis  mind  cankers  5  I  will  plague  them  all, 
Even  to  roaring :  comtj  hang  them  on  this  tine. 

[Prolpero  retnatm  ifrvtfibk. 


SCENE      V. 

nier  Ariel  kadcn  with  glijlerw^  npparel^  &C*     Enttr 
Caliban,  Scephiino,  d/^^/ Trinculoj  all  wet. 

CaL  ftay  you,  tread  fofdy^  that  the  blind  mole 
may  not 
Hear  a  foot  fall ;  we  now  are  near  liis  cell, 

Si€,  Monftcr,  your  Fahy,  which  you  fay  is  a  harmlefi 
Fairy^  has  done  little  better  than  plaid  the  Jack  with  us. 

Trift.  Monfter,  I  do  finell  aU  horfe-pifs,  at  which 
my  note  is  in  great  indignation. 

Ste,  So  is  mine :  do  you  hear,  monfter  ?  if  I  fhould 
take  a  difpleafure  againft  you  ;  look  you 

frin.  Thou  wer't  but  a  loft  monfter, 

Cai,  Good  my  lord,  give  me  diy  favour  ftiJJ : 
Be  patient^  for  the  prize,  1*11  bring  thee  to. 
Shall  hood- wink  this  mifchance ;  therefore,  Ipeak  foftly  ; 
All's  hufht  as  midnight  yet. 

Trin,  "  Ay,  but  to  lofe  our  bot:!es  in  the  pool^ — 

Ste.  **  There  is  noc  only  diigrace  and  diihonour  in 

that,  monfter,  but  an  Infinite  !ofs. 

yViff.  *"  That's  more  to  mc  than  my  wetting;  yet 

this  is  your  harmlcfs  Fairy,  monfter. 

Su.  **  I  will  fetch  off  my  bottle,  though  I  beo*cr 

cars  for  my  labour." 

Cal.  Pr'ythec,  my  King,  be  quiet :  fecft  thou  here. 
This  is  the  mouth  o'  ch*  cell  i  no  noifc,  and  enter; 
Do  that  good  nuichief,  which  may  make  this  ifland 
Thine  own  for  ever  1  and  1,  thy  Caliban^ 
For  ay  thy  foot-Uckcr, 


4C 


«C 


F  + 


Ste. 


72 


77)B     T  E  M  P  E  s  f . 

Sis^  Give  me  thy  hand  :  I  do  begin  to  have  blocxJf 
thoughts*  \pbanol 

^rin.  '  O  King  Sfepbana!  O  Peer !   O  worthy  SOr 
Look»  what  a  wardrobe  here  is  for  thee! 
CaL  Let  it  alone,  thou  fool,  it  is  but  tralh. 
Tt'in,  Ohj  oil,  monfter  ^  we  know  what  belongs  ti 

ft  frippery  *, O,  King  Siepbano  f 

Ste.  Put  off  that  gown,  "trinculo  j  by  this  hand,  Fll 
have  tliat  gown, 

l^rin.  Thy  grace  fhall  have  it.  [mean, 

C^L  The  dropfie  drown  this  fool!   what  dp  y 
To  doat  thus  on  fuch  higgage  ?  lct*s  along. 
And  do  the  murder  firft  :  if  he  awake, 
from  toe  to  crown  hell  fill  our  skins  with  pinches; 
jyiake  us  ftrange  ftuff, 

§ie.  Be  you  quiet,  monfter.     Mlflrefs  line,  is  n 
this  my  jerkin  ?  now  is  the  jerkin  under  the  line :  no 
jerkin,  you  are  hke  to  lofc  your  hair,  and  prove  a 
jcrfein. 

ym.  Do,  do  i  we  fleal  by  line  and  level,  and' 
Bke  your  Grace, 

5/^.  *'  I  thank  thee  for  that  jeft,  here*s  a  garmcnc 
for*t ;  wit  ftiall  not  go  unrewarded,  while  I  ani 
King  of  cliis  country  :  fteal  by  line  and  level,  is  an 
excellent  pals  of  pate  5  there's  another  garment 
for'c. 

^rin,  Monfter,  come,  put  fomc  lime  upon  your 

fingers,  and  away  with  the  reft.  I 

CaL  I  will  have  none  on't ;  we  (hall  lofe  o\ir  timfj 

And  all  be  turn'd  to  barnacles,  or  apes 

With  foreheads  villanous  low. 


% 


«c 


«t 


3  Trin.  O  King  Stcplianof  O  Fterf  O  ^^riby  Steph4.n0  ! 

tS  chcfc  linci  confifls  in  their  being  an  allufion  to  an  old  celebi 
^lladt  which  begins  thus,  Kift^  Stephen  ^was  a  *ivorify  Petr 
and  cdebrates  tKac  King's  pnrfvmon)r  with  regard  to  liu 'U'ri 
rU*. Thttt  aic  two  Sudz»  of  this  ballad  jn  OthtiU, 


77>e    Tempest. 

Sie.  'Monftcr,  lay  to  your  fingers ;  help  to  bear  this 
aw^^  where  my  hogfhead  of  wine  is,  or  1*11  turn  you 
out  of  my  kingdom  ;  "jgo  to,  carry  this. 

^rrft.  And  this. 

S(c*  Ay,  and  this, 

^  noifi  of  hunters  heard.  Enter  divers  Jplrits  injhape 
of  bounds^  hunting  them  about ;  Profpero  and  Ariel 
fitting  them  on,  Calib.  Stcph.  and  Trine,  drhen  eutj 
roaring, 

Pre^  Hey,  Mountain^  hey. 

^1.  Silver;  there  it  goes.  Silver. 

Pro.  Fury,  Fury\  there.  Tyrant,  there;  hark, hark; 
Go»  charge  my  gobhns  that  they  grind  their  joints 
With  dry  convulfions  j  fliorten  up  their  finews 
With  aged  cramps ;  and  more  pmch-fpotted  make 

them, 
Than  pard,  or  cat  o'  mountain, 

jlri.  Hark,  they  roar* 

Pro,  Let  them  be  hunted  foundly.    At  tliis  hour 
Lye  at  my  mercy  all  mine  enemies : 
Shortly  fhall  all  my  labours  end,  and  thou 
Shalt  have  the  air  at  freedom  5  for  a  little. 
Follow,  and  do  me  fervicc*  [Exeunt^ 


73 


A  C  T    V,     S  C  E  N  E    L  *♦* 

Before    the    Oil. 
Epttr  Profpero  in  his  magick  RoheSy  and  Arid. 

PrO&P£R0. 

NO  W  does  my  projefl  gather  to  a  bead  ; 
My  charms  crack  not  i  my  ipirits  obey,  and  *  time 

Goes 

Ttmt 


Chs  wpright  iftith  ki*  Carnagt^']  Th«  thooglit  Is  pretty. 

— -Time 


Tie    Tempest. 

Goes  upright  with  his  carnage:  how's  the  6xy? 

Jri.  On  the  fixth  hour,  at  which  time,  my  lord^ 
You  faid»  our  work  fliould  ceafe. 

Pro.  I  did  iay  fo. 
When  firft  I  nus*d  the  tempeft;  lay,  my  Ijririt, 
How  fares  the  King  and  *s  followers  ? 

A^i,  Confined 
In  the  lame  fafhion  as  you  gave  in  charge ; 
Juft  as  you  left  them,  all  your  prifoners.  Sir, 
In  the  LJTTte-Grove  which  weather-fends  your  cdL 
They  cannot  budge,  'till  your  relcafe.    The  King^ 
His  brother,  and  yours,  abide  all  three  diftra£tea^ 
And  the  reminder  mourning  over  them. 
Brim-full  of  Ibrrow  and  difinay  ;  but,  chiefly. 
Him  that  you  term'd  the  good  cAd  lord  GmTsaU, 
His  tears  run  down  his  beard,  like  winter  drops 
From  caves  of  reeds ;  your  doarm  lb  Ihongly  works 

*em. 
That  if  you  now  beheld  them,  your  afie<5bions 
V/ould  become  tender. 

Pro.  Do'ft  thou  think  lb,  fpirit? 

JrL  Mine  would.  Sir,  were  I  human. 

Pro.  And  mine  Ihall. 
Haft  thou,  which  art  but  air,  a  touch,  a  feeliog 
Qf  their  afflidtions,  and  Ihall  not  myfelf. 
One  of  their  kind,  that  relifh  all  as  fharply, 
Pafllon  as  they,  be  kindlier  mov*d  than  thou  art? 
Tho'  witfi  their  high  wrongs  I  am  ftruck  to  th*  quick. 
Yet,  with  my  nobler  reafbn,  'gainft  my  fury 
Do  I  take  part ;  the  rarer  aftion  is 
In  virtue  than  b  vengeance ;  they  being  penitent. 
The  fole  drift  of  my  purpofe  doth  extend 
Not  a  frown  further;  go,  releafe  them,  jiriel\ 

— — Tim«  H  ufcally  re^yrerented  u  an  old  man  almoft  worn  oatt 
«nd  bending  under  his  load.  He  is  here  painted  as  ia  great  vi- 
goar,  and  walking  upright,  to  denote  that  things  went  profpe- 
roully  00. 

My 


1^)6  Tempest* 

My  charms  Tl!  break,  tKeir  fenfes  I'll  reftore. 
And  they  (hall  be  themfelves, 

M.  rU  fetch  than,  Sir.  [£;f;'/. 

SCENE      IL 

Pre.  *  Ye  elves  of  hillsj  brooks^  ftanding  lakes  and 

groves. 
And  ye,  that  on  the  fands  with  printlcfs  foot 
Do  chafe  the  ebbing  Neptune  ;  and  do  fly  him. 
When  he  comes  back ;  you  demy-puppets,  that 
By  moon<fhiae  do  the  green  four  ringlets  make. 
Whereof  the  ewe  not  bites ;  md  you,  whofe  paftime 
Is  to  make  midnight  muflirooms,  that  rejoice 
To  hear  the  folemn  curfew ;  by  whofe  aid 
(Weak  mafters  cho'  ye  be)  *  I  have  be-dimm'd 
The  noon-tide  fun,  c^'d  forth  the  rautinoua  wind*, 

*  And 


75 


/  ho^t  lf£*^imm'd 


^Lt  rni9n'tid(  Sun,  £aild  forth  tht  mattJiout  ^winJsg, 
And  ^i^ixt  thf  grctn  Sea  and  th^  ttzttr^d  vomU^ 
Sfi  roaring  lAmr  i  1$  the  drmd  ratling  thunder 
yja^e  I  giV^M  firtt  end  rifttd  Jove'j  (i^ut  Oak 
Wti^  his  rjjH  hoit :  tin  fironeeas*d  Prgmentery 
Ila*vf  I  madt  jhakt^  and  by  tht  /purs  pluckt  op 
7J&/  PtHf  mnd  Ctdar ;  Grava  «/  mj  commund 
Have  walked  their  tlccpers ;  opM,  and  Ice  them  ibrtti 
Bf  my  fa  paUnt  Art.]  Here  is  evidenEly  an  abfur^l  tranfpo- 
fition  of  the  words  in  the  la(l  line  bat  oae.     6m  Mr.  'Jht&hal^% 
delence  <ff  the  prcfem  reading  ia  ililj  more  abfiird.    He  juftifics  the 
ezpre£ru>n  of  Gravet  ^w^king  thtir  Sltep^rs,   hy  Beaum^m  and 

ficicbtr*\  faying- Fami  teaJteJii  tht  ruin'd  Monumintt  -^^ 

"whkh  is  2n  ejcprcdiQii  porcty  metaphorical,  to  fignify  thac  thofe 
monum^nta  ar?  brougliC  ag^in  into  remembrance;  zx^d  is  therefore 
juftifialile.  But— Cra^/j  aua*/^^  ihgirSitipers  murt  needs  be  un- 
dcfilood  literally-  For  Pr^fp^ro  wduld  infinuate  that  dead  men 
were  actual!/  raifed  lo  life  by  hi*  Art.  Therefore  the  expreffion 
ii  abfuid,  and  coafequendy  ngne  of  S&akrfp^ar's,  who  cenauil/ 
wrote 

1  Crafveff  A/  my  f^mmaad. 

Have  opened,  And  let  fonh  their  Sleepers,  wak*d 

Bjf  my  f9  fount  Art* 

Ai 


76  T^e  Tempest. 

*  And  'twixt  the  green  fca  and  the  azur*d  Tault 

*  Set  roaring  war ;  to  the  dread  ratling  thunder 

^  Have  I  giv'n  fire,  and  rifted  Jove^s  ftout  oak     " 

*  With  his  own  bolt:  the  ftrong-bas'd  prQmontOf7 

*  Have  I  made  fhake,  and  by  the  fpurs  pluckt  up 

*  The  [Hne  and  cedar :  graves  at  my  command 

*  Have  open'd,  and  let  forth  their  flcepers,  wak'd 

*  By  my  fo  potent  art.*     *  But  this  rough  magick 
I  here  aqure  \  and  when  I  have  requirM 

Some 

As  a  further  proof  that  Shake Atar  wrote  it  thus,  we  may  oblenre, 
that  he  borrowed  this  fpeech  from  MeJea^i  in  OviJ  : 
Stantia  cencutie  cantu  freta^  nuBila  pgUo  ; 
KMhilaque  inJttco :  ventos  abigoque  ifocoque  : 
Vtptrtajqut  rump9  'verbis  ^  carmi fie  fauces : 
Vi*tHtque  faxa  fua  connml/aque  rebora  terra^ 
Et  Jihias  moveo  :  jubeeque  trtsnefcert  Montis^ 
Ef  mugire  foium  m^nesqjte  exire  sepulcris. 
Kow  manefque  exire  fepulcris  is  julUy  exprefied  as  we  have  le- 
formed  the  lines, 

—  Graves^  at  my  command^ 
.Ha*v$  opened,  end  let  firtb  ibeir  Jieeperj,  nvaPd 

By  my  fi  petent  art 

The  third  line  cX  his  original  containing  an  atchievement  little  in 
uCe  amongft  modern  Inchancers  he  has  with  judgmeat  omitted  it 
in  his  imitation. 

6   '  But  this  rough  magick 

I  here  abjure,  Jind  nuhen  1  ha*ve  required 
Some  heavenly  mufick,  lAtbtch  e'vn  noijc  I  do^ 
(To  nvork  mine  end  upon  their  Senfes^  that 
This  airy  charm  is  for;)/'//  break  my  fiaff^  5fC.— ]  If 
the  prefent  reading  be  genuine,  then»  by  \airy  charm'\  is  meant 
the  hea*venly  mufick  two  lines  before.  But  this  admitted,  the  con- 
fequcnce  will  be,  I.  A  wretched  tautology;  He  had  faid  —  Sosue 
hea-venly  mufick  to  vtork  mine  end ;  and  then  immediately  adds  this 
4iify  charm  of  mofic  is/or  working  mine  end.  2.  As  anpardoo- 
able  a  de/eS ;  for*  according  to  this  fenfe  and  reading,  we  are  not 
informed  what  this  end  was,  by  not  being  told  the  State  of  their 
Senfcs.  We  muft  needs  then  by  [airy  charm]  anderftand  the  fire 
and  cracks  of  fmlphurous  roaring,  as  it  is  called  in  the  3d  Scene  of 
A&  I.  and  thunder  and  lightning  in  the  4th  Scene  of  Aft  III. 
which  had  in  the  higheft  degree  terrified  the  pcrfons  concenwd. 
That  this  was  the  airy  charm  is  farther  evident  from  thefe  words, 
ia  the  following  Scene,  The  charm  dijfohots  apace^  andets^  &c. 

It 


EST. 

Some  heavenly  mufick,  which  cv*n  now  I  do, 

(To  work  mine  end  upon  tbejr  fenibs,  th^t 

ThU  airy  cf^arcn  h^s  frail'd  i)  ^  Til  brwk  my  ftafTi 

Biiry'c  a  ccrum  Mom  in  the  earth; 

And  deepef  than  did  ever  plummet  founds 

ril  drown  ^Y  book*  [Solom  Mufich 

SCENE        ^11. 

Jlen  pU^rs  Ariel  before  \  then  Alonzo  with  afrantkk 
gefture^  attended {rfGom:x\o.  Sebartian^MwiAnthonio 

k     in  like  manner^  attended  ty  h.^XiKnand¥nT\c\ico.  ^bty 
all  enter  the  ctfck  wbkb  Profpero  bad  maie^  and  there 
Jtandcharnfd'^  which  Profp^TQ  c^ferviffv^  hfeais^ 
A  folcmn  air,  and  rhe  beft  comforter  ■  ' 

b  an  unfctded  fancy,  cure  thy  brains 
ow  ufelcfs,  boil'd  within  thy  skull!   There  ftand^ 
or  you  arc  fpcll-ftopi. 


^. 


A 

I 


Holy  Gonzab^  honourable  man, 


I 


\t  was  diffolved,  we  fee,  by  the  hea^ertfy  mujiek,  and  thcrefof* 
liilereiit  from  it.  But  if  this  be  the  fenfc  ot  airy  f/mrm,  then  we  ice 
thefeading  [n  for]  muil  be  corrupt  ^  and  chat  f^^jfr^r^r  wrote* 

^^htavenif  mufick—^ 

^  ^work  mint  tnd  ufon  tktit  ftnfii,  thui 
Thti  atry  chnrm  hAs   FitA.fL'D. 
t.  whidh  fenfes  tKc  airy  charm  of  ^r/f/ Above-mentioned  hat 
iHurbed  and  thattei'dr     For  that  thj$  was  thejr  condition  appeaii 
from  the  lines  which  follow  in  the  next  fcene.  i 

■  The  charm  diJfQl'ves  a^te ; 

And  0j  ihe  morning  Jltals  upon  tht  nighl, 
Mtlting  thi  dstkrtefs  j  fo  ihfiir  rifiagftrt/tt 
Btgiit  Hthujt  the  igiCrantfumet  Hat  aa»/U 
^btir  dtttr4r  rtaf»n* — ^ — — 
7  ■—  Pit hrtak  my  ^affi 

Bury  ft  CQXtam  fudoms  in  ihe  tBrth,'\    Ctrtain  in  it*  present 

gnification  i&  predicated  of  a  precife  deccrminate  number^     But 

U  fenfe  would  make  the  thought  flat  and  ridiClilou^.     We  muft 

oniider  the  word  ctrlain  there^fc  a>  ufed  in  its  old  fienificatioo 

if  A  many,  indeHflitely.     So  Bali  xn  hi*  AB$  9/  Engi>fi  Vetaritt 

ya, But  he  tooi  nsiilh  kim  a   c  e  r  t  e  n  0/  hit  idlt  €»mfa- 

ietit.  For  a  many.  So  chat  Shaitjptar^  I  fuppofe,  wrote  thc  line  thus, 
Bury*t  A  CERTAIN  Fodom  in  the  Earths 

You  I.  Mine 


M 


T^€  Tempest. 

Mitic  e^rcs,  even  ibcuble  to  th*  (hew  of  cbme. 

Fall  fdk)w*drops, The  charm  difiblvcs  apace ; 

And  as  the  mornir^  (icaU  upon  die  night, 

«  Mcking  che  darknefs;  ib  chcir  rifing  fenfcs 

*  Begin  10  chafe  the  •  ign'raoc  fames,  that  nunde 

<  Their  ckarcr  reaton/    O  my  good  dooAby 

My  true  preEervcr)  and  a  loyal  Sir 

To  him  thoG  foUow'rt  •,  I  will  pay  thy  graces 

Home  boch  in  word  and  deed. Moll  cmeOy 

Didll  ihoUt  j§omm^  ufe  mt  arKl  mf  daughter : 

Thy  brother  was  a  fortberer  rn  the  a^  s 

Thou'rt  pinch'd  for't  now,  Sf^afitan^  flefh  and  blood. 

You  brother  mmc^  that  entercain'd  ambfnon, 

ExpeiI'd  rcmorreand  nature;  who  with  Sf^^fiiaa       J 

(Whofc  inward  pinches  therefore  are  moll  Rrong) 

Would  here  have  krli'd  your  King  ;  I  do  for^ve  chcc, 

Unnat'ral  though  thou  arL     "  Their  underlUndinig 

"  Begins  to  fwell,  and  the  approaching  tkie 

*«  Will  fliortly  fiJl  the  realbiublc  fhore, 

'*  That  now  lies  foul  and  muddy.  Not  one  of  theSi^ 

That  yet  looks  on  me^  or  would  know  mc^^^-jiriclf 

Fetch  me  the  hat  and  rapier  in  my  cell; 

I  will  difcafc  me»  and  myfelf  prefcnt, 

[£»//  Ariel,  aj$d  rctums  immedUul 
As  I  was  fomaime  Milofs:  quickly,  S>pirit ; 
Thou  (halt  cVr  long  be  free. 

Ariel ^^/,  Mtd  bdps  So  attire  bxiM, 

*  Where  the  he  fu:h^  there  fuck  /j 
hi  a  eawjlip's  bell  I  He  z 

•  ig9*ramt  fijffW^  ]     IgmtrMf,  for  hartfiil  to  wafoo. 
.     8  U'lert  tit  ft*  fmh.  /f#r^fuck/;J    Mr.  T' 
Im  hij  htic  trtntmrt^  /a  twrj  frvm  thf  printed  t  J 

nnvmniUQi.  Hoi,  ..^r,  or  anv  other  good  Mcr*ph>ficu 

»oald  hari;  f*/r*^*rttoiupport  ihefe'SpiiJti,    had   ihey   been 
tiibr  own  making,  I  do  ttoiknow  :  But  the  people  who  £*ve  ilu 
Wiih  brought  diem  up  to  good  eating  ud  drinkiiig. 


The  T  E  M  ?  E  s  t, 

^birt  1  cmch^  when  e^ls  d$  <ry. 
On  tbi  bafs  back  I  do  fy^ 
Jffter  '  Summery  ifterrily, 
Marilyy  merrily^  Jhall  I  live  n^w^ 
Under  the  hkjfom^  that  bangs  on  the  hcugh. 

Pro,  Why,  that's  my  dainty  Jriel,,  I  ihall  mifs  thee ; 
But  yet  thou  ftialc  have  freedom.     So,  fo,  fo. 
To  the  King-s  fhipj  invifibie  as  tbou  art; 
There  (halt  thou  find  the  mariners  ailecp 
Under  the  hatches  \  the  mafter  and  the  boatfwain. 
Being  awakcj  enforce  them  to  this  place ; 
And  prefently,  I  pr'ythee. 

Art.  I  drink  the  air  before  me,  and  return 
Or  e'er  your  pulfe  twice  beat,  \_EitiK 

Gen,  All  torment,  trovibic,  wonder,  and  amazement 
Inhabits  here ;  (bme  heav'niy  power  guide  us 
Out  of  this  fearful  country ! 

9  Afttr  Summer,  mtrrifyJ]  This  is  the  reading  of  all  cht  Edt* 
tions.  Yet  Mr.  Thfohald  has  fubftiittted  Sttv/rt,  becaufe  Jtiel 
talks  <)f  riding  on  the  Bat  in  thii  expcditian.  An  idle  fancy,  Tii« 
CjfcumAancc  is  given  only  lo  defign  ihe  /if/rr  ef  night  in  which 
fairies  uaveL  One  would  think  the  confideration  of  the  circum- 
iUnces  ^oald  have  fee  him  right.  Jtt^l  was  a  fpirh  of  great 
delicacy^  bound  by  the  ch^m^o^  Profpero,  to  i  contUnt  aitcndancc 
on  his  occasions.  So  th;it  he  was  coi^iined  to  tlie  lilaod  Winter 
and  Summer.  But  the  roughnef^  of  Winter  js  reprefented  by 
Shaktfpear  is  difagrteable  to  fairies,  and  fiich  like  delicate  f|MritJ^ 
who  on  thii  account  conftantly  follow  Summty.  Was  not  thii  then 
the  ntoll  agreeable  circumtUnce  of  Arif^i  ne\v  rcco^^cr'd  liberty* 
that  he  could  now  avoid  ^Unter,  and  follow  Summrr  ^giic  round. 
the  Globe.  But  to  put  the  matter  out  of  quetlion^  let  uicoBfider 
the  mcaiitng  of  this  line. 

There  /  comeh,  when  O^lt  ^9  try, 
Whwrtr  in  the  Ci^^JIifi  hU,  and  *whtre  tht  Sit  fucJis^  he  tc]f« 
u%i  this  mart  needi  be  in  Summtr.     When  ?  fujhn  OWj  cry,  aisd 
Xhh  ii  in  H^tnter,     iVhen  hlacd  h  nipt^  and  tvayt  htfialt 

The  ^ng  of  Hlntiv  ia  Lruit  Lahtnr  Ltfi» 
The  cofifcquence  is,  ih*t  Ariii  pt%  Afitr-Zummtr.  Yet  th« 
OjeUrd  RJifer  Ka»  adopted   thb  iadiciouJ  emendatloji  of  Mr. 

Pr^, 


f  ^  Tlie  Tempest, 

Pro.  Behold,  Sir  King, 
The  wronged  Duke  of  Mian,  Fr&fpero : 
For  more  aflurance  that  a  living  Prince 
Does  now  fpeak  to  thee,  I  embrace  thy  body; 
And  to  thee  and  thy  company  I  bid 
A  hearty  welcome, 

Abn.  Bc'ft  thou  he  or  do. 
Or  fbme  inchanted  trifle  to  abufe  me^ 
As  late  I  have  been,  I  not  know ;  thy  pulfc 
BeatSj  as  of  flcfh  and  blood  ^  and  fincc  I  faw  thee, 
Th'  affliftion  of  my  mind  amendsj  with  whichj 
I  fear,  a  madnefs  held  me ;  this  mull  crave 
(And  if  this  be  at  all)  a  moft  ftrange  ftory : 
Thy  Dukedom  I  refign,  and  do  intreat. 
Thou  pardon  me  my  wrongs  j  but  how  IhouJd  Pn 
Be  living,  and  be  here  ? 

Pro,  Firft,  noble  friend, 
Let  me  embrace  thine  age,  whofe  honour  cannot 
Be  meafur'd  or  confin'd. 

Gon.  Whether  this  be. 
Or  be  not,  Til  not  fwcar. 

Pro,  You  do  yet  taftc 
Some  fubtiltiea  o'  th'  iilc,  that  will  not  let  you 
Believe  things  certain :  welcome,  my  friends  aiL 
But  you,  my  brace  of  lords,  were  I  lb  minded, 
I  here  could  pluck  his  Higluiels'  frown  upon  you. 
And  juIHfy  you  u-aitors  ;  at  tliis  time 
I'll  tell  no  talcs. 

SeL  The  devil  fpeaks  in  him. 

Pro*  No; 

For  youj  moft  wicked  Sir,  whom  to  call  brother 
Would  even  Infeft  my  mouth,  I  do  forgive 
Thy  rankeft  faults  ;  all  of  them  i  and  require 
My  Dukedom  of  thee,  which  perforce,  I  know. 
Thou  muft  rcflore. 

Alon.  If  thou  be'ft  Profpero^ 
Give  us  particulan  of  thy  preftrvation, 

H 


Tj^e  Tempest.  8i 

How  thou  haft  met  us  here,  who  three  hours  fincc 
Were  wreckt  upon  this  Ihore  ;  where  I  have  loft 
(How  Iharp  the  point  of  this  remembrance  is !) 
My  dear  fon  Ferdinand. 

Pro.  I'm  woe  for't.  Sir. 

Alon,  Irreparable  is  the  lofs,  and  Patience 
Says,  it  is  paft  her  cure. 

Pro,  I  rather  think. 
You  have  not  fought  her  help ;  of  whofe  foft  grace. 
For  the  like  lofs,  I  have  her  fovVeigii  aid. 
And  reft  my felf  content. 

Alon,  You  the  like  lofs  ? 

Pre,  As  great  to  me,  as  late;  and,  fupportable 
To  make  the  dear  lofs,  have  I  means  much  weaker 
Than  you  may  call  to  comfort  you ;  for  I 
Have  loft  my  daughter. 

Alon.  A  daughter  ? 
O  heav'ns!  that  they  were  living  both  in  Naples^ 
The  King  and  Queen  there !  that  they  were,  I  wifli, 
Myfelf  were  mudded  in  that  oozy  bed. 
Where  my  fon  lies.  When  did  you  lofe  your  daughter  ?• 

Pro,,  In  this  laft  tempcft.     I  perceive,  thefc  lords 
At  this  encounter  do  fo  much  admire. 
That  they  devour  their  reafonj  and  fcarce  think. 
Their  eyes  do  offices  of  truth,  their  words 
Arc  natural  breath  ;  but  howfoe'er  you  have 
Been  juftled  from  your  fenfes,  know  for  certain. 
That  I  am  Profp^ro^  and  that  very  Duke 
Which  was  thruft  forth  oi  Milan  \  who  moft  ftrangely 
Upon  this  fhorc,  where  you  were  wreckt,  was  landed 
To  be  the  lord  on't.    No  more  yet  of  this  ; 
For  'tis  a  chronicle  of  day  by  day. 
Not  a  relation  for  a  breakfaft,  nor 
Befitting  thig  firft  meeting.     Welcome,  Sir ; 
This  cell's  my  court ;  here  have  I  few  attendants. 
And  fubjeds  none  abroad }  pray  you,  look  in ; . 
My  Dukedom  fincc  you*ve  ^vcn  me  again. 

Vol.  I.  G  I  will       . 


y 


82  TT)2   Tempest. 

I  win  requite  you  with  as  good  a  thing; 
At  Icaft,  bring  forth  a  wordcr  to  content  f  e^ 
As  much  as  me  my  Dukedom. 

SCENE      IV. 

Opens  to  the  Entrance  of  the  Cell. 

Here  Proipero  difcovers  Ferdinand  and  Miranda  fbgof 

at  Chefs, 

Mira.  C  W  E  ET  lord,  you  play  mc  ftlfc. 

i3    Fer.  No,  my  dear  love, 
I  would  not  for  the  world. 

Mira.  '  Yes,  for  a  icore  of  kingdoms  you  Ihoukl 
wrangle. 
And  I  wou)d  call  it  fair  play. 

Alcn,  Ir  this  prove 
A  viTion  of  the  ifland,  one  dear  fbn 
Shall  I  twice  lofe. 

iieb,  A  moft  high  miracle ! 

Fer.  Though  the  feas  threaten,  they  arc  mcrdfol : 
I've  curs*d  them  without  caufe. 

Alon.  Now  all  the  blefUngs  [Ferd.  kne^. 

Of  a  glad  Father  compa&  thee  about ! 
Arife,  and  fey  how  thou  cam'ft  here. 

Mira.  O!  wonder! 
How  many  goodly  creatures  are  there  here  ? 
How  beauteous  mankind  is !  O  brave  new  world. 
That  has  fuch  people  in't ! 

Pro.  'Tis  new  to  thee. 

Jllon.  What  is  this  msud,  with  whom  thou  waft  at 
play  ? 
Your  eld'ft  acquaintance  cannot  be  three  hours : 
Is  /he  the  goddds  that  hath  fever*d  us^ 

I  Vft^fir  a  <core  0/  Kingd»ms]  i.  9.  If  the  fifbjefi  or  bet  utre 
K>ngduni*:  Sfrt  heie  not  fignifying  the  number  t^vtmty,  but 
U'  aunt. 

And 


n:)e    Tempest. 

And  bronglit  us  thus  together? 
.  Fer.  Sir,  fhe*s  mortaJ; 
But,  by  immortal  providence,  fhe's  mine, 
I'chofe  her,  when  I  could  noc  ask  my  lather 
For  his  advice ;  nor  thought^  I  had  one :  (lie 
Is  daughter  co  this  famous  Duke  of  MHan'^ 
Of  whom  fo  often  I  have  heard  renown. 
But  nev^r  faw  before  ;  of  whom  I  have 
Kcceiv'd  a  fecond  life,  and  fecond  father 
This  lady  makes  him  to  me, 

/Son,  I  am  hers  ; 
But,  oh,  how  oddly  wiJl  it  found,  that  I 
Mtift  ^k  my  chi!d  ftjr^venefs ! 

Pro.  There,  Sir,  flop; 
Let  us  not  burthen  our  remembrance  umh 
An  heavinefs  that's  gone. 

Gon.  I've  inly  wept. 
Or  ftiould  have  fpokc  ere  this,  l^ok  down,  you  Godfc, 
And  on  thi5roupie  drop  a  bicntd  crown  : 
For  It  is  you,  that  have  chalk*d  fofth  the  way^ 
Which  brought  us  hither ! 

jihn.  I  fay.  Amen,  Gonzafof 

Gon,  Was  Mian  thruft  from  Milun^  that  his  ilTuft 
Should  become  Kings  of  Napks!  O  rejoice 
Beyond  a  common  joy,  and  let  ic  dowa 
In  gold  on  lafting  pilkrs !  in  one  voyage 
Did  CUribel  her  husband  fmd  at  TunU  \ 
And  F^dhidfid,  her  bn-rther,  found  a  wiic. 
Where  he  himfelf  was  loft  ;  Profpero  his  Dukcdpm, 
In  a  pobr  iQt*  \  and  all  of  us,  ourfdvcs, 
When  rto  m;in  wa^  his  own. 

yUm.  Give  me  your  hands : 
Let  grief  and  forrow  ftill  embrace  his  heart, 
Th:^t  doth  not  wif1\  you  joy  t 

Gen.  Be't  lb.  Amen! 


8 


G   3 


SCENE 


§4  ^^  Tempest. 

SCENE      V. 

Enter  Ariel,  with  ths  Mafier  mi  Boatjwain  atmaxiSj 

following, 

0  look,  Sir,  look.  Sir,  here  are  more  of  us! 

1  prophcly'd,  if  a  gallows  were  on  land. 

This  fellow  could  not  drown.    Now,  bLift>hein7, 
That  fwear'ft  grace  o'erboard,  not  an  oath  on  iSossctl 
Haft  thou  no  mouth  by  land  ?  what  is  the  news  ? 

Boatf,  The  beft  news  is,  that  we  have  fafcly  found 
Our  King  and  company ;  the  next,  our  fhip, 
Whicli  but  three  glaflcs  fince  we  gave  out  lplit« 
Is  tight  and  yarc,  and  bravely  ri^'d,  as  when 
We  rirft  put  out  to  fca. 

Ari.  Sir,  all  this  fervicc 
Have  I  done  fince  I  went. 

Pro,  My  trickfty  Ipirit! 

Abn,  Theft  are  not  natural  events ;  they  flmigdien» 
From  ftrange  to  ftranger.  Say,  how  came  you  hither? 

Bcatf,  If  I  did  think,  Sir,  I  were  well  awakc^ 
I'd  ftrive  to  tell  you.     We  were  dead  a-fleep^ 
And,  how  wc  know  not,  all  clapt  under  hatches* 
Where  but  ev'n  now  with  ftrange  and  fcv'ral  noiles 
Of  roaring,  flirieking,  howling,  jingling  cluuns. 
And  more  diverfity  of  founds,  all  horriUe* 
We  were  awak'd ;  ftraightway  at  liberDf : 
»  Where  we,  in  all  her  trim,  freftily  bcneld 
Our  royal,  good  and  gallant  fhip  ;  our  mafter 
Capering  to  eye  her ;  on  a  trice,  fo  pleafe  you, 
Ev'n  in  a  dream,  were  we  divided  from  thetn. 
And  were  brought  moping  hither. 

Aru  Was't  well  done? 

2  Whire  otY  in  all  cur  trim*  P'^fih  htkeli 
Our  rouil.   osoJ  and guliint  Shtp  ;         ]  The  Trim  is  to  be 
undrrli'KxI  of  the-  Ship,  and  not  of  the  Crew»  fo  that  He  fboold 
re.d  htr  trim.  Dr.  7birily, 

Pn. 


n^e   Tempest.  85 

Pro,  Bravely,  my  diligence,  thou  Ihalt  be  free, 
jlkn.  This  is  as  ftrangc  a  maze  as  c*er  men  trod. 
And  there  is  in  this  bufinefs  more  than  nature 
Was  ever  conduft  of  j  fbme  oracle 
Muft  reftify  our  knowledge. 

Pro.  Sir,  my  Lieg^, 
Do  not  infeft  your  mind  with  beating  on 
The  ftrangcnefs  of  this  bufineis ;  at  pickt  Idfure 
(Which  fhall  be  Ihortly)  *  fingle  TU  rcfolve  you, 
Which  to  you  fhall  feem  probable,  of  every 
Thefe  happen*d  accidents ;  till  when  be  chearful. 
And  think  of  each  thing  well.    Come  hither,  Ipirit  ^ 
Set  CaUban  and  his  companions  free  : 
Untie  the  Ipell.    How  fares  my  gracious  Sir  ? 
There  are  yet  miffing  of  your  company 
Some  few  odd  lads,  that  you  remember  not, 

SCENE     VL 

Enter  Ariel,  driving  in  Caliban,  Stephana,  and  Tnn- 
culo,  in  their  ftokn  Apparel. 

-  Ste,  Every  man  fhift  for  all  the  reft,  and  let  no  man 
take  care  for  himfelf ;  for  all  is  but  fortune  \  Cor^^o^ 
buliy-monfter,  Coragio! 

Trin,  If  thefe  be  true  fpies,  which  I  wear  in  my  head, 
here's  a  goodly  fight. 

Col.  O  Setebos^  thefe  be  brave  ipints,  indeed  ! 
How  fine  my  mafler  is !  I  am  afhud. 
He  will  chaftife  me. 

Sek  Ha,  ha; 
What  things  are  thefe,  my  lord  jhtbonio! 
Will  money  buy  *em  ? 

Ant,  VeiyliKe;  one  of  them 
Is  a  pkdn  fim,  and  no  doubt  marketable; 

3  ^'^"-'finglt  ni rtfil^ut you^l  Becanfe  the  confinracy,  againft 
Ham,  of  his  Brother  SebaJUmn  and  hli  own  Brother  Anthnh,  wottld 
make  lort  of  the  lelatioa. 

G  3  Pro. 


iB6 


Pro.  Mark  but  the  badges  of  thcfe  men,  my  lords, 
Then  i^y,  if  they  be  true :  tlus  mif-fhap'd  knave. 
His  mother  was  a  witch,  and  one  io  ftroog 
That  could  controul  the  moon,  make  Bows  ap^  ^bhi, 
And  deal  in  her  command  without  her  power. 
Thefe  three  have  robb*d  me  \  and  tlus  demy-deivil 
(For  he's  a  baftard  one)  had  plotted  with  them 
To  take  my  life ;  two  of  theie  fellows  you 
Muft  know  and  own;  this  thing  of  darknefi  I 
Acknowledge  mine, 

Cd.  I  (hall  be  pincht  to  death. 

Jlon,  Is  not  ttus  Stepbano^  my  drunken  butler  ? 

Seb,  He*s  drunk  now :  where  had  he  wine  ? 

jihn,  ^  And  Trinculo  is  reeling  ripe ;  where  tbould 
they 
Find  this  grand  'lixir,  that  hath  g^ded  *em? 
How  cam*ft  thou  in  this  pickle  ? 

4  yffiii  TrinCMlo  is  reeling  ripe  i  *wberi  fiouli  they 

Find  this  grand  L  I  %y  o  r.,  that  hath  gilded  Vfl».]     ^hfiikt' 
'J^eetr^  to  be  fuie,  wrote  —  grand  *  l  i  x  i  R,  alluding  to  the  grand 
Elixir  of  the  alchymiib,  which  they  pretend  would  reilore  youth, 
and  confer  unmortality.     This,  as  chcy  laid,  being  a  ptcpantion 
Jof  Gold,  they  called  Aurum  potahile  i  which  Shake/pemr  allowed 
JK>  in  the  word  gilded;  as  he  does  again  in  Antb^my  amdCUt^rm* 
Hoiu  much  art  thou  unlike  Mark  Anthony  } 
Tet  comingfrom  him,  that  great  medicine  hath. 
With  his  Tin^f  gilded  thee. 
But  the  joke  here  is  to  inftnuate  that,  notwidiftanding  afl  tbe 
boads  of  t)ie  ChymiUs,  Sack  was  the  only  reftorer  of  youth,  jud 
bcftower  of  immortality.    So  Ben  Johnfoss  in  his  Evttj 


efhis  humour -^^Canarie  the  very  Elixar  andfpirit  ^fmsim^^-^ 
This  Teems  to  have  been  the  Cant  name  for  Sack,  of  whjdi  the 
Englijh  were»  at  that  time,  immoderately  fond.  JUmdo^  io  Im 
yeaious  Lovers,  fpeaking  of  it,  (tySt '^^'-^  A  Pottit  ff  Siixmr^t 
the  Pegafus  hravefy  cartm/ed.  So  again  in  Fletcber\  Mamfi€itt 
Thomas,  AQ.  HI. 

Old  rev  erend  Sack,  vohich,fir  ought  that  least  r^etd^^ 

Was  that  Phih/opher^s  ^ossg  th4  vsi/t  King  Ptolomeus 
Did  all  his  vjonders  by,  — 
The  phrafe  ttio  of  \)aD!^gilded  was  a  trite  one  on  this  4>cci4oB. 
Fletcher  in  bi&  Che^neee — Duke.  Js^e  mot  drutsk  too  f    Wiwce.  J 
little  gilded  o'er.  Sir  i  Old  Sack,  Old  Sack,  So;sf 


The    Tempest. 

^rin.  I  have  been  in  fuch  a  pickir,  fincc  I  faw  you 
laft,  that»  I  fear  me,  will  never  out  of  my  bones :  1 
fhall  not  fear  fly-blowing. 

Sek  Why,  how  now,  Siepbano?  [cramp. 

Sti.  *  O,  touch  me  not :  I  am  not  Stepbanoy  but  a 

Pro.  YouM  be  King  o*  th'  iQc,  Sirrah  ? 

Ste>  I  fhould  have  been  a  fore  one  then, 

jflon.  *T'\$  a  ftrange  thing,  as  e'er  I  Iook*d  on. 

Pro,  He  is  as  difpropomon'd  in  his  manners. 
As  in  his  fhape :  go,  Sirrah,  to  my  cell, 
Take  with  you  your  companions  ;  as  you  look 
To  have  my  pardon*  trim  it  handfbmJy, 

Co!.  Ay,  that  1  will  ^  and  m  be  wife  hereafter. 
And  feek  for  grace.     What  a  thrice-double  a& 

as  I,  to  take  this  drunkard  for  a  Qod  ? 

nd  worfhip  this  duli  fool  ? 

Pro.  Go  to,  away  \ 

Ahn.  Hence,  and  beftow  your  luggage  where  you 
found  it, 

Sib.  Or  ftolc  it  radier. 


87 


Nt 


J  O,  tettth  mt  n^t:  fam  mt  Stephano,  &0i  a  cramp.]  In  reading 
tKis  play.  1  aJ]  nlong  rufprftcd  ibac  Shaktfptar  had  token  it  from 
fome /iW/flfl  writer;  \WUtitits  being  ail  fo  regularly  obfenftd, 
which  no  dramatic  writers  but  the  Italian  obferved  fo  early  ai  our 
Author^  time  ;  and  which  Si?ahjpear  haa  obferved  no  where  but 
iu  ihis  Pliy.  Befidc*.  the  Pcrfons  of  the  Drama  are  ail  italiAHi. 
f  wu  much  conBrmed  \u  my  Sufpician  when  I  came  lo  chtfl  place. 
Ic  19  plain  a  jnke  wa^  intended  i  bat  whefc  ic  lies  is  hard  to  fif. 
1  fufpeA  there  was  a  quibble  in  the  Origini!  that  would  cot  bear 
to  be  iranlUtedy  which  mh  thus.  I  am  not  Stephano  lut  Staffilaio* 
StaJiiaU  fignifying,  in  IrM/ian,  a  maD  urdl  loflted  or  flsiyed,  which 
Wft4  the  real  bafe  of  ihde  viirleea. 

^^—  Toothed  hriiirtifi^rpfur%tit  ff'Uking  ge/s  and  iBoms 

Whitb  tnttr"i  their  fruil  Bkins.  

And  the  touching  a  raw  part  being  very  painful,  he  might  well 
cry  out  T^iKfh  mt  nor.  ScC>  In  RiccoBanri  Catalogue  of  liafian 
playi  are  thefe,  //  Kfgromavtt  t/i  L.  Ati^fte,  fr&fa  t  ^trfa,  (sf  Ji 
Wrgrema:fte  Paliiato  di  Gi^-Angth  Pit rucci^ pre/a.     But  whether 

sh*  Ttmpr/f  be  borrowed  from  either  of  thele,  not  having  feen  ibem, 
I  cannot  lay. 

G  4  Prp, 


88  TT^e   T  i  MP  E  s  t. 

Pro.  Sir,  I  invite  your  highneis,  and  your  trails 
To  my  poor  cell  j  where  you  fliall  take  your  reft 
For  this  one  night,  which  (part  of  it)  I'll  wafte 
With  fuch  difcourfe,  as,  I  not  doubt,  fliall  make  it 
Go  quick  away ;  the  ftory  of  my  life. 
And  the  particular  accidents  gone  by. 
Since  I  came  to  this  ifle :  and  in  the  mom 
rU  bring  you  to  your  ftiip ;  and  fo  to  Naples  % 
Where  I  have  hope  to  fee  the  nuptials 
Of  thefe  our  dear  beloved  folemniz*ds 
And  thence  retire  me  to  my  Milan^  where 
Every  third  thought  fhall  be  my  grave. 

Alon,  I  long 
To  hear  the  ftory  of  your  life,  which  muft 
Take  the  ear  flrangely. 

Pro.  ril  deliver  all; 
And  promife  you  calm  feas,  aufbidous  gales. 
And  fail  fo  expeditious,  that  fhall  catch 
Your  royal  fleet  far  off:  My  jiriel^  chick. 
That  is  thy  charge  ;  Then  to  the  elements 
Be  free,  and  fare  thou  well !  Pleafe  you,  draw  near. 

[Exewu 


£FI- 


EPILOGUE. 


Spoken  by  Profpero. 

NOW  wy  charms  an  all  e*er-thrcwHj 
And  what  ftrengtb  I  bave*s  mine  oum  j 
IVbicb  is  moft  faint :  and  n&w^  V/j  irue^ 
J  muft  be  here  confined  by  yoUj 
Or  Jent  to  Naples.     Let  me  noty 
Since  I  have  my  Dukedom  got^ 
Aid  pardoned  the  deceivery  dwelt 
In  this  bare  ijland  by  your  Jpett: 
But  releafe  me  from  my  bands^ 
With  the  help  of  your  good  bands. 
Gentle  breatb  of  yours  my  fails 
Muft  filly  or  elfe  my  p-oje^  failsy 
fVhicb  was  to  fleafe.    For  now  I  ivani 
Spirits  f  enforce^  art  to  enchant  j 
*  And  my  ending  is  defpair^ 
Unlefs  I  be  reUev*d  by  prater  j 
H^ch  pierces  foy  that  it  affaults 
Mercy  itfelfy  and  frees  all  faults. 

As  you  from  crimes  would  pardoned  hey 

Let  your  indulgence  fet  me  free! 

6  —  And  mf  ending  is  dej^tr^ 
Vnitfs  I  h  rgliev'd  by  frajtr  ;] 
This  alludes  to  the  old  Scones  Cold  of  the  defpair  of  Necromancera 
in  their  kft  momeati  %  and  of  the  efficacjr  of  the  prayers  of  their 
frkods  for  them^ 


M  I D  S  U  M  M  E  R  -  N  I  G  H  T'S 


DREAM. 


Dramatis  Perfonae. 

THESEUS,  Z)K*^<?/ Athens. 

Egeus,  an  Athenian  Ijird. 

Lyfander,  in  love  with  Hermia. 

iDemctrius,  in  love  with  Hermia. 

Philoftrate,  Mafter  of  the  Sports  to  the  Duke. 

Quince,  the  Carpenter, 

Snug,  the  Joiner, 

Bottom,  the  Weaver. 

Flute,  the  Bellows-mender, 

Snowt,  the  Tinker, 

Starveling,  the  Tailor, 

Hippolita,    Princefs  of  the  Amazons,    hetr$iVd  t9 

Thefeus. 
Hermia,  [Daughter  to  Egeus,  in  love  with  Lyiander. 
Helena,  in  love  with  Demetrius. 

Attendants. 

Oberon,  King  of  the  Fairies, 

Titania,"  ^een  of  the  Fairies, 

Puck,  or  Robin-goodfcUow,  a  Fairy, 

PeaJfebloflbm, 

Cobweb, 

Moth, 

Muftard-feed, 

Pyramus, 

Thisbc, 

Wall, 

Moonfhine, 

Lyon. 

Other  Fairies  attending  on  the  King  and  ^een. 


Fmries, 


CbaraSers  in  the  Interlude  perfemid 
by  the  Clowns. 


SCENE,  Athens  j  and  a  Wood  not  far  from  it. 


A    MID- 


A    MiDSUMME  R-N  I  G  H  t's 


REAM 


ACT     I.      SCENE     L 

I 

^  The  Duke'i  Palace  in  Athens, 

Enter  Theftus,  Hippolira,  Philoftratc,  witb  Atttnimtt. 

Theseus. 

O  W,  fair  HippdHa^  our  nuptial  hour 
Draws  on  apace  •,  four  happjr  days  bring  in 
Another  moon:  but,  oh,  methinks,  how 

now 
This  old  moon  wanes!   fhc  lingers  my 
dcfires. 
Like  to  a  ftep-dame,  or  a  dowager, 
'  L^ng  wintering  on  a  young  man's  revenue, 

H'tp.  Four  day  s  will  quickly  ftcep  themfelves  in  night  \ 
Four  nights  will  quickly  dream  away  che  time  : 
And  then  the  moon,  like  to  a  filver  bow» 

•zvithiting  oset  ij,   certainly,   not  good  En^ItJh.     I  raiKcr  liiinfc 
S^hjftar   wr^tc.    Long   wtHTKitii40     ON    a  y^ung  mart's 

New 


A  Midfutnmer-Nigbi^s  Dream^ 

New  benr  b  heaven,  fliall  behold  the  night 
Of  our  folcmnicies. 

Ti&r,  Go,  PhHofirat€y 
Sdr  up  th*  Athtnian  youth  to  merriments ; 
Awake  the  pert  and  nimble  Ipiric  of  mirth  % 
Turn  melancholy  forth  to  funerals. 
The  pnle  companion  is  not  for  our  pomp,    [Exit 
HippoUta^  I  woo'd  dice  with  my  fwordi 
And  won  thy  love,  doing  thee  injuries : 
But  I  will  wed  thee  in  another  key. 
With  pomp,  with  triumph,  and  with  revelling. 

Enter  Egeus,  Hermia,  Lyiander,  and  Demetrius. 

B^c,  Happy  be  Thefeus^  our  renowned  Duke  f 
The.  Thanks,  good£^^tfj;  what's  the  news 

thee  ? 
£jfff.  Full  of  vexation,  come  I  with  comphunt 
Againft  my  child,  my  daughter  Iknma, 

Stand  forth,  Demetrius.^ My  noble  lord» 

This  man  hath  my  confent  to  marry  her, 

Siandfiribj  Lyfandcr. And,  my  gracious  Di 

This  man  hath  witchM  the  boBmof  my  child  : 
Thou,  thou,  Lyfaikh\  thou  haft  giv'o  herrhimes. 
And  inttrchang'd  lovc-iokcns  with  my  child : 
Thou  liaft  by  moon-JigJit  ac  lier  window  fung. 
With  feigning  voice,  vcrfcs  of  feigning  love  •, 
And  *  ftoll* n  th^  imprefiion  of  her  fantaiie. 
With  bracelets  of  thy  hair,  rings,  gawds,  conceits. 
Knacks,  trifles,  nolegays,  fweet-meatsj  (mei&ngcn 
Of  ftrong  prtvaJlmenc  in  unharden*d  youth) 
With  cunning  haft  thou  filcli*d  my  daughter*s  heart, 
Tum*d  her  obedience,  which  isdue  to  me, 
To  ftubbom  harfhnefs;  And,  my  gracious  Duke, 
Be't  fo,  flie  will  not  here  before  your  Grace 

I  — 7?o/r*f  /A'  itiiprfjjivrt  of  hftfantffji*,']  The  cxprcffioD  i5 
g^iii  uriii  prcfty.     It  alludes  lo  the  talcing  the  imprclTion  of  a  Key 
in  Wax,  in  oitfcr  w  tuvp  another  m;ulc  to  unlock  a  Cabtncc. 

Confent 


^ — ^_^ 


^  Midfufmner^NightT  Dream.  95 

Confcm  CO  many  with  Demetrius  % 
\  beg  the  ancient  privilege  of  Aihms^ 
As  fhe  is  mine,  I  may  difpofe  of  her: 
Which  dull  be  etcher  to  this  gentleman, 
'  Or  to  her  death,  according  to  our  law* 
Immediately  provided  in  that  cafe, 

I'be,  What  fay  you»  Hcrmai  be  advis'd,  &ir  maid* 
♦  To  you  your  father  Ihouid  be  as  a  God, 
One,  that  composed  your  beauties  9  yea»  and  otie» 
To  wliom  you  are  but  as  a  form  In  wax 
By  him  imprinted  \  and  within  his  power 
To  Meve  the  figure,  or  disiigurc  it: 
Demetrius  is  a  worthy  gcndeman. 

Her.  So  is  Lyfamkr, 

The,  In  himfclf  he  is  ; 
But  iD  this  kind,  wanting  your  fathePa  voice. 
The  other  muft  be  held  the  worthier. 

Her.  I  would,  my  father  looked  but  with  my  cycs« 

lie.  Rather  your  eyes  muft  with  his  judgment  look* 

I  Or  t0  htr  itaih^  ateartlixg  U  sur  /«w J  B/  a  Law  of  Sohn\ 
Pi.rtots.hAd.  the  abfolute  power  of  life  aad  death  over  thdr  chil- 
dren* So  it  fuiltti  fhe  poet's  purpofe  well  cnougK  to  fuppofe  the 
At^rniam  had  ic  before.  Or  perlup}  he  neither  ckought  nor 
knew  any  thing  of  xkc  matter. 

4  7»  you  jrour  fathft  /hmU  k*  as  a  Gei^ 

Om€f  ^f^  t^m^s*4  y°*if  ireautict  ^  yta,  amd  w/* 

To  'wham  fpu  art  hut  a$  a  fsrm  in  tva/t 

By  i>im  if^printedi  i^nd  *within  his  ^v*wrr 

7f  L  K  *v  t  tht  Jig%r0  »r  dji5gure  f/*]    We  ibodd  re^t 

't.  ntfvt^  to  belg^hcfn  or  add  la  (he  beauty  of  the  figure*  v/hicii 
\%  fatd  to  be  imprlnitd  fy  hi»t.  *Th  from  the  Frttich^  rtUi/tr. 
Thu*  they  iay,  Tapijfrifi  tgii^uiu  J*#p.  In  the  (kre  i'enfe-^bejr 
ufe  xnU'ver»  whidi  AfttunJfviU  makes  Engfifo  of  in  [his  Mannar 
AnJ  aiU  tht  luaikt  ^wiihtHMt  htn  (wtrtd  ^utih  gefJ  smd 
lyhftr,  infyttPUut:  and  in  ikt  Flatti  htn  SiorUt  and  B^i^Ua 
•fKmyihut  KMLevED.  /.  128.  Rmhiaiir  widk  a  Jlrain  of  bu^boa 
humour*  that  equaU  the  fobcr  elegance  of  thii  paiTagc  la  our 
Poet,  calls  the  fmiit  gentry  -of  Frmwu,  <JfMti/h*mmgi  tit  i«i  rtJir/f 

Htr. 


'4 


96  A  Midfummir-Night  s  Dream* 

Her,  I  do  intreat  your  Grace  to  pardon  mc : 
*  1  know  not,  by  what  pow'r  I  am  made  bold  ; 
Nor  how  it  may  concern  my  modcfty. 
In  fuch  a  prtfcnoe  here,  to  plead  my  thoi^ts : 
But,  I  beie^di  your  Grace^  that  I  may  know 
The  word  that  may  bcfal  mc  in  this  cafc> 
If  1  rrfiife  to  wed  Dtmetrius, 

7hc,  Either  to  die  the  deaths  or  to  abjure 
For  ever  the  fociety  of  men. 
Therefore,  fair  Herman  qireffion  your  defircs ; 
Know  of  your  youth,  examine  wdl  your  blood. 
Whether,  if  you  yield  not  to  your  father's  chcwce. 
You  can  endure  the  livery  of  a  nun ; 
For  aye  to  be  in  fhady  cloifter  mew*d. 
To  live  a  barren  lifter  aU  your  Kfe, 
Chariting  faifit  hymns  to  the  cold,  fruitlefs,  moon 
Thrice  blefled  they,  that  mafter  fo  thdr  blood. 
To  undtrgo  fuch  maiden  pilgrimage ! 
But  eanhlicr  happy  is  the  roft  dilhli'd^ 
Than  that,  which,  withering  on  tlie  virgin  t 
Crows,  lives,  and  dies,  in  Tingle  blcflednefs. 

Her.  So  will  I  grow^  (o  live,  fo  die,  my  1 
Ere  I  will  yield  my  virgin  patent  up 
Unto  his  lordihip,  to  whofc  unwi(h*d  yoak 
My  foul  conlents  not  to  give  Sov'rcignty, 

The,  Take  time  to  paufe ;    and  by  the  \ 
moon, 
(The  fcaling  day  betwixt  my  love  and  mc, 
For  everlafling  bond  of  fcllowfhip) 
Upon  that  day  either  prepare  to  die. 
For  difobedicnce  to  your  father's  willj 
Or  clfe  CO  wed  Demelrius^  as  he  would  \ 

^    I  inmv  nnf,    hy  fwhat  po^vfr  I  am  m&de  i&/Ji^      ft  WM 
Optnion  of  (he  AnetcMt,  ihat  when  a  pcrion  did  or  Diid  any  ik 
thatexccfdcti  Kis  comman  iiicuUJcii  of  pcrfonnaDCe,  that  he  Sd 
by  the  Afliftanceof  fomcGod.     Sohereihe  infinunia,  tiutit  w«i 
Ldvt  (hat  enabled  lirr  to  pTcid  hJi  caufc* 


M 


A  Midfumfner-Nighi s  Dream.  97 

Or  on  Diana*s  altar  to  proteft. 
For  aye,  auftcrity  and  fingle  life. 

Dem.  Rdent,  iwcet  Hermia  j  and,  Lyfandery  yield 
Thy  crazed  title  to  my  certain  right. 

Lyf.  You  have  her  father's  love,  Demetrius  j 
Let  me  have  Hermans ;  do  you  many  him, 

Ege.  Scornful  Lyfander!  true,  he  hath  my  love } 
And  what  is  mine,  my  love  Ihall  render  him. 
And  Ihe  is  mine,  and  all  my  right  of  her 
I  do  eftate  unto  Demetrius. 

Lyf.  I  am,  my  lord,  as  well  derived  as  he. 
As  well  poffeft :  my  love  is  more  than  his : 
My  fortune's  every  way  as  fmrly  rank*d. 
If  not  with  vantage,  z&  Demetrius: 
And,  which  is  more  than  all  theie  boafts  can  be> 
I  am  belov'd  of  beauteous  Hermia, 
Why  Ihould  not  I  then  profecute  my  right? 
Demetrius  (Pll  avouch  it  to  his  head) 
Made  love  to  Nedar*%  daughter,  Hekna  \ 
And  won  her  foul ;  and  fhe,  fweet  lady,  doats. 
Devoutly  doats,  doats  in  Idolatry, 
Upon  tlus  ipotted  and  inconftant  man* 

The.  I  muft  confefs,  that  I  have  heard  ib  much. 
And  with  Demetrius  thought  t'have  Ipoke  thereof  ^ 
But,  being  over-full  of  ielf-aff^, 
My  mind  did  lofe  it.    But,  Demetrius^  come  % 
And  come,  Egeus  5  you  fhall  go  with  me ; 
I  have  fome  private  ichooling  for  you  both. 
For  you,  fmr  Hermia^  look,  you  arm  your  iclf 
To  fit  your  fancies  to  your  father's  will  % 
Or  elfe  the  law  of  Athens  yields  you  up 
(Wluch  by  no  means  we  may  extenuate) 
To  death,  or  to  a  vow  of  fingle  life. 
f  Come,  my  HippoUta  ;  what  cheer,  my  love  ? 

Demetriusy 

S'Come,  my  Hippdita  ;  nnhat  cheer^  my  /^v//]  Hippolita  had 

not  fiud  one  fingle  word  all  this  while.    Had  a  modem  poet  had 

Vol.  I.  H  thf 


9  8         A  Midfummer-Night' 5  Dream. 

Demetrius^  znd  EgeuSy  go  along; 
I  miift  employ  you  in  fome  buiinefs 
Againft  our  nuptials,  and  confer  with  you 
Oribmething  nearly  that  concerns  your  fclvcs. 
Ege.  With  duty  and  defire  we  follow  you. 


l^ExeunS, 


E      N      E        11. 


Manent  Lyfander  and  Herinia, 

Lyf,  How  now,  my  love  ?  why  is  your  cheek  lb 
pale? 
How  chance,  the  rofes  there  do  fade  fo  faft? 

Her.  Belike,  for  want  of  rain  ;  which  I  could  well 
'  Beteem  them  from  the  tempeft  of  mine  eyes. 

Lyf,  Hmnia,  for  aught  that  ever  I  could  read. 
Could  ever  hear  by  tale  or  hiftory. 
The  courfe  of  true  love  never  did  run  Imooth  ; 
But,  cither  it  was  different  in  blood  ■■■ 

Her,  O  crofsf too  high,  to  be  enthralled  to 

low !  —  (a) 

Lyf.  Orelfe  mifgraffed,  in  refpcft  of  years— — - 

Her,  O  ipi^t !  too  old,  to  be  engag*d  to  yoimg ! 

Lyf,  Or  elfe  it  ftood  upon  the  choice  of  friends.—— 

Her.  O  hell !  to  chufe  love  by  another's  eye ! 

Lyf,  Or  if  there  were  a  fympathy  in  choice. 
War,  death,  or  ficknefs  did  lay  fiege  to  it; 
Making  it  momentary  as  a  found. 
Swift  as  a  Ihadow,  fhort  as  any  dream, 

the  teaching  of  her,  we  Oiould  have  found  her  the  bufieft  amoagt 
them;  aiu),  without  doubt,  the  lovers  might  have  exptObad  • 
xiiore  equitable  decition.  But  Shake/pear  kuew  better  what  he 
vsas  alxfut ;  and  obfcrvcd  decorum. 

7  Befft'Mt  or  pnur  do'ivn  upon  I  hem,  Mr,  Ptpe* 

{(a)  - —  to  itnvt  Mr.  ThoMJ,  ^—  Vulg.  to  Uw,"} 

"•Brief 


A  Midfummer'NigM s  Dream.  99 

«  •  Brief  as  the  lightning  in  the  «  collicd  night, 
"  That  (in  a  Ipleen)  unfolds  both  heav'n  and  earth  5 
**  And  ere  a  man  hath  power  to  fay.  Behold ! 
"  The  jaws  of  darknefs  do  devour  it  up; 
So  quick  bright  things  come  to  confufion.  > 

Her.  If  then  true  lovers  have  been  ever  aoft. 
It  (lands  as  an  ediA  in  dcftiny  : 
Then,  let  us  teach  our  tryal  patience: 
Becaufe  it  is  a  cuftomary  crofi, 
As  due  to  love,  as  thoughts  and  dreams,  and  fighs^ 
Wilhcs  and  tears,  poor  fancy's  followers  \ 

Lyf,  A  good  periuafion ;  therefore  hear  mc,  Htrmid* 
I  have  a  widow-aunt,  a  dow^r 
Of  great  revenue,  and  (he  ham  no  cMd  5 
From  Athens  is  her  houie  removM  feven  les^es, 
And  flie  refpefts  me  as  her  oniy  fon. 
There,  gentle  HenmOy  may  I  many  thee ; 
And  to  that  place  the  fharp  Atbemait  law 
Cannot  purliie  us.     '  If  thou  lov'ft  me  then. 

Steal 

8  Brief  as  the  Ughi^niug  in  the  ceUiei  Night» 
Jbat,  in  a  Spleen*  unfeUs  both  Heaveie  and  Earthy 
And  ere  a  man  hath  power  tt/ajf  heboid  I 

7hejaivt  of  darknefs  do  devour  it  up.  ]  Tho'  the  word  SpUen 
be  here  employed  odiy  enoagh,  yet  I  believe  it  right.  Shakejpear 
always  harried  oa  by  the  grandear  and  muldtude  of  his  Ideas 
affomeSy  every  now  and  then,  an  uncommon  licence  in  the  afe  of 
his  words.  Particularly  in  complex  moral  modes  it  is  afual  with 
him  to  employ  one,  only  to  exprefs  a  very  few  ideas  of  that  num* 
ber  of  which  it  is  compoied.  Thus  wantii^  here  to  enrefs  the 
ideas  ^-*  of  a  fudden,  or  — — — /«  a  trite,  be  afes  the  word  Sp/een  i 
which,  partially  confidered,  fignifying  a  hally  fudden  lit  is  enough 
for  him,  and  he  never  troubles  himfelf  about  the  farther  or  fuller 
fignification  of  the  word.  Here,  he  ufes  the  word  Sp/een  for  « 
feMen  hafyfit ;  fo  joft  the  contrary,  in  the  Two  Gentlemen  of  Ve- 
rona, \ut^{c^  fudden  ixixfpleenatic fudden  quips.    And  it  muit 

be  owned  this  fort  of  converfion  adds  a  force  to  the  difUon. 

9  Coliied  m  black.  Mr.  Pope, 
I   Lyf.  —  /f  thou  lovy  me,  then 

Steal  forth  thy  father*!  houft  &Q, 
Her.  Mjf  good  Lyfanocr, 

H  2  I  fwear 


JOO        j4  Midfummer- Night's  Dream. 

Steal  forth  thy  father's  fioufe  to  morrow  night  •, 
And  in  the  wood,  a  league  without  the  town, 
Where  I  did  meet  thee  once  ^th  Hilaui 
To  do  obiervance  to  the  mom  of  Mi^y 
There  will  I  ftay  for  thee. 

Her.  My  ^Kxi  Lyfander^'  ■ 

Lyf,  1  fwcar  to  dice  by  Ckftd*s  ftrongeft  bo\ 
By  his  beft  arrow  with  the  golden  head. 
By  the  Simplicity  of  Vmus*  doves. 
By  that,  wHch  knittetli  fouls,  and  pro/pcrs  loves  ; 
And  by  that  fire  which  burn*d  die  Carthage  Queen, 
When  the  falie  Trojan  under  fail  was  leenj 
By  all  the  vows  that  ever  men  have  broke. 
In  number  more  than  ever  women  ^ke ;  i 

Her.  In  that  fame  place  thou  haft  appointed  mc. 
To  morrow  truly  wilJ  I  meet  with  thee. 

Ljf.  Keep  promife,  love.  Look,  here  conies  flWoM. 

I  f^tar  to  thte  hj  CMpid" ijlromgrjl  BofW^ 

By  £4EC.  &c. 

In  that  fami  plait  ihou  hap  sppaintid  mt 

*To  morroruj  ira/y  *will  J  mfft  ircvVA  thte.^  Ly/AnJtr 
but  juJl  propofe  her  running  aw^y  from  her  Father  at  izi>dm| 
and  Af^igbt  (he  is  at  her  oaihs  chac  flic  will  mtec  him  ftt  cIm 
of  ReotlEzvous.  Ncic  one  {ioubt  or  hffitacian^  not  one  cooffidbai 
durance  for  L\ftindzr*t  conAancy.  Either  {he  was  muciot 
coming  f  or  (he  had  before  jifted  him  \  and  he  could  not  believe 
ber  without  a  thoufand  Oaths.  But  Shakifprar  obfcrvcd  nitore 
A£  another  Rite.-— ^The  fpc^rchcs  are  divided  wroog^  tmi  moft 
be  thus  refilled;  when  Lyjsndtr  had  propofed  her  rumuiig  awaj^ 
with  hiiP,  [he  replies, 

Her,  Mj  gasd  Lyfatider  '—^■- — ^ 
astd  it  ^ing  oo»  10  aik  {ecufity  for  ht^  fidelity.     ThJt  he  prr- 
criro,  and  inierrupts  her  with  the  grAnc  af  what  fhe  dcounds, 

Lyf.    I frvrar  to  thir  h  Q\i^\6^ > firgngffi  i<nv  Itc. 
Bv  t^ii  if-'t  viiivt  that  tver  mm  havf  Str^kt^ 
Jtt  nattier  min  than  fvfr  *woMftn  fpeii  —^ 
Herf  Oie  imerruptf  him  in  her  tuin  :  dccUrrt  hcii'elf  iotiifieda 
confenu  to  meet  hirn,  in  the  following  words. 

H«r*  —  in  that famt  place  el'gu  hsfi  ttfp9imtf4  mt^ 
7*  metro'w  truly  luili  I  mut  naith  thtt, 
*\  n  of  the  lines,  hefidcj  prcfervmg  the  chandler,  gtvts 

t: :  r  inAaitcly  lAor^  fojce  ind  fpirit. 

SCENE 


j4  Micifummer-Nighix  Dream.         tot 


SCENE      III. 

Enter  Helena, 

Her,  God  ipeed,  i-m  Helena!  whither  away? 

He!,  Call  you  me  feir  ?  that  fair  again  unlay  j 
Demetrius  loves  you,  fair;  O  happy  fair  f 
Your  eyes  are  load-ftors,  and  your  rongue's  fwcet  air 
More  tuneable  than  lark  to  fliepherd's  car» 
When  wheat  is  green,  when  haw-thorn  buds  appear, 
Sicknefs  is  catcliing :  oh,  were  favour  lb  ! 
(a)  Tour's  would  I  catch,  fair  Hermia,  ere  I  go ; 
My  car  fliould  catch  your  voice,  my  eye  your  eye ; 
My  tongue  ftiould  catch  your  tongue's  fweet  melody. 
Were  the  world  mine,  Demetrius  being  *baced, 
The  reft  I'll  give  to  be  to  you  tran[lated, 
O  teach  me,  how  you  look ;  and  with  what  art 
You  fway  the  motion  of  Defnetriuf  heart, 

Her\  1  frown  upon  him,  yet  he  loves  me  ftill. 

Hd,  Oh,  that  your  frowns  would  teach  my  fmilcs 
fuch  skiU ! 

Her,  I  give  him  curfes,  yet  he  gives  me  love, 

Hel,  Oh,  that  my  pray'rs  could  fuch  afFcdion  move! 

Her.  Tlie  more  I  hate,  the  more  he  follows  me. 

Hei  The  more  I  love,  the  more  he  hacech  me. 

Her,  His  Folly,  Helena^  is  no  fault  of  mine, 

HsL  None,  but  your  beauty  ^  would  that  fault  were 
H^      mine! 

^^hr.  Take  comfort  \  he  no  more  fhall  fee  my  face ; 
Lyfomler  and  my  fclf  will  fty  this  place. 
Before  the  time  I  did  Lyfander  fee, 
Seem'd  Athens  like  a  Paradilc  to  mc. 
O  then,  wliat  graces  in  my  love  do  tlwcll. 
That  he  hath  tum'd  a  heaven  unto  a  hell  ? 

Lyf,  Helen^  to  you  our  minds  we  will  unfold  ^ 
To  morrow  night,  when  Phofk  doth  behokl 


'*J  /V«r'/  iv9n!d  cauh^  Oxf,  Ed. 


» 


Hj 


Vulg.  pttr  wordt  n 

t  Mcr 


102        -^  Midfumtner'Nighi s  Dream* 

Her  filver  vifage  in  the  wat'ry  glafs. 
Decking  with  liquid  pearl  the  bUded  graTa  \ 
(A  time,  that  lovers  flights  doth  (till  conceal) 
Through  j^thens*  gate  have  we  dms'd  to  (leal. 

H^r.  And  in  the  wood,  where  often  you  and  I 
Upon  faint  primroie-beds  were  wont  to  lye. 
Emptying  our  bofoms  of  their  counfrh  fweU'd  j 
There,  my  Lyfandir  and  my  fclf  fhali  meet  \ 
And  thence  from  yithens  turn  away  our  cyes^ 
To  fcek  new  Friends  and  ftrange  Companions, 
Fareweli  fwect  play-fdiow  ^  pray  thou  for  us. 
And  good  luck  grant  thee  thy  Demetrius! 
Keep  word,  LyfiVidt-r ;  we  muft  rtarvc  our  fight 
From  Lovers*  food,  till  morrow  deep  midnight. 

[Exit  Hermi 

Zyf*  I  wilt,  my  Herma, Ihkna^  adieu  \ 

As  you  on  him,  Demetrius  doat  on  you !  [£x;V  Lyfani 

Hd.  How  liappy  Ibme^  o*er  other  fome,  can  be! 
'through  Athens  I  am  thought  as  fair  as  Jhe. 
But  what  of  that  ?  Demetrius  thinks  not  fo  : 
He  will  not  know  ;  what  all,  but  he,  do  know. 
And  as  he  errs,  doating  on  llermia's  eyes. 
So  I,  admiring  of  his  qualities. 
Things  bafc  and  vile,  holding  no  quantity. 
Love  can  tianipofc  to  form  and  dignity : 
Love  looks  not  with  the  eyes,  but  with  the  mind  \ 
And  therefore  is  wing*d  Cupid  painted  blind. 
Nor  hath  love's  mind  of  any  judgment  taftej 
Wings  and  no  eyes  figure  unheedy  Iiafte ; 
And  therefore  is  Love  faid  to  be  a  child, 
Becaule  in  choice  he  is  lb  oft  beguiPd. 
As  waggifh  boys  themfclves  in  game  forfwcar. 
Bo  the  boy  Love  is  pcrjur'd  every  where. 
For  ere  Demetrius  look'd  on  Hermia*$  cyne. 
He  hailM  down  oaths,  that  he  was  only  mine; 
AnJ  when  this  hail  feme  heat  from  Hermia  felt, 
3o  he  diflblv'd,  and  Jhowers  of  oathi  did  melt. 

I 


te 


A  Midfummer-Nigbis  Dream.         103 

I  ^nil  go  tell  him  of  iair  Hermans  flight : 
Then  to  the  wood  will  he,  to-morrow  night, 
Purfue  her ;  and  for  this  intelligence 
If  I  have  thanks,  it  is  a  dear  expence. 
But  herein  mean  I  to  enrich  my  pain. 
To  have  «his  fight  thither,  and  back  again.       [Exit, 
his 

SCENE      IV. 

Changes  to  a  Cottage. 

Enter  Quince,  Snug,  Bottom,   Flute,  Snowt,    and 
Starveling. 

^/«.  T  S  all  our  company  here? 

A     Bot.  You  were  beft  to  call  them  generally 
man  by  man,  according  to  the  fcrip. 

^/»-  Here  is  the  fcrowl  of  every  man's  name, 
which  is  thought  fit,  through  all  Athens^  to  play  in 
our  interlude  before  the  Duke  and  Dutcheis,  on  his 
wedding-day  at  night. 

Bot,  Firft,  good  Peter  ^ince^  fay  what  the  pl^ 
treats  on;  then  read  the  names  of  the  aftors ;  and  to 
*  go  on  to  a  point. 

^n.  Marry,  our  play  is  the  mofl  lamentable 
comedy,  and  mofl:  cruel  death  oTPyramus  and  Thisby, 

Bot.  A  very  good  piece  of  work,  I  afliire  you,  and 
a  merry.  Now,  good  Peter  ^ince^  call  forth  your 
aftors  by  the  fcrowl.     Mailers,  fpread  yourfelves, 

S^uin,  Anfwcr,  as  I  call  you.  Nick  BottGrn,  the 
weaver. 

Bot,  Ready:  name  what  part  I  am  for,  and  proceed. 

^in.  You,  Nick  Bottomy  are  fct  down  for  Pyramus. 

Bot,  VJhzt IS  Pjramus,  a  lover,  or  a  tyrant? 

^in,  A  lover,  that  kills  himfelf  mofl  gallantly  for 
love. 

2  Grow  o»  to\ipoins^  read  Go  on  &c. 

H  4  Bot. 


104        -^  Midfummer-Nighi i  Dream. 

BcL  That  will  ask  fomc  tears  in  the  true  performing 
of  it;  if  1  do  it,  let  the  audience  look  to  their  eyes ;  1 
will  move  ftorms  \  1  will  condole  in  fome  mcalure.  To 

the  reft; yet,  my  chief  humour  Is  for  a  tyrant ;  ^  i 

could  play  Erclis  rarely,  or  a  part  to  tear  a  Capti|^l 

To  make  all  fplit **  the  raging  rocks^  and  fhiver^^ 

*'  ing  fhocks  Oiali  break  the  locks  of  prifon-gates 

**  and  Pbibbus^  can*  lliall  fliinc  from  far^  and  make 
**  and  mar  the  foolifti  fates,*'  ■  This  was  lofty^ 
Now  name  the  reft  of  the  players.  This  is  Erdi ' 
vein,  a  tyrant*s  vein ;  a  lover  is  more  condoling, 

^in,  Frmm  Fkte^  the  bellows-mender, 

Fhi.  Here,  Peter  ^eince. 

^in.  You  mtift  take  Tbisly  on  you. 

FIu,  What  hn'isby^  a  wand'ring Knight? 

^iin.  It  is  the  lady*  that  Pyramus  muft  love, 

FlUr  Nay,  faith,  let  not  me  play  a  woman  i  Ifta 
a  bcarci  coming, 

^ht.  That's  all  one,  you  fhall  play  it  in  a  mafqi 
and  you  may  fpcak  as  fmall^  as  you  will. 

B^f-  An  I  may  hide  my  face,  let  me  play  ^isi 
too;  rU  fpcak  in  a  monftrous  litde  voice,  ^bifn 
Thifng\  ah  Pyramus^  my  lover  dear,  thy  "fbuiy  de 
jmd  lady  dear. 

^in.  No,  nOj  you  inuft  play  Pyramui ;  and 
you,  ^bisby, 

£oi.  Well*  proceed. 

^n*  RoMn  Siarvelingy  the  taylor. 

3    /  etuld  ftay  Erclcj pari  rnri^^  er  «  /*r/  W  Uar  a  CAT 
l^e  ihou!d  read, 

A  piirt  19   ttar  ^   i: M'   in* 
for  a$  ji  raming  whorc  wa5  called  a  tettrfl?ift,  [id  part  xAHtm*  \ 
fo  a  laming  buJly  was  called  %  ftar  rfi^.    For  this  Tcafon  h  is.  the 
Poet  makf*  iraUj  B9itsm^   as  he  is  called  ftfterwATds,   wiih  for  « 
fan  u  uar  a  cap  /».     And  m  the  ancient  ptnyj,  the  bombaft 
ihcrant  held  the  place  of  the  fubtimeind  pacheuc  :  And  indi 
conllicuted  the  very  ciTtnce  of  their  frsgkai  Farces.     Thiu  j 
jn  hifi  AdB  of  £rtg up  Yoi^sUt^  f art  idC  Iajj*— ^»''»»y«j 
Ttrmagauntti  In  o  plt^n 

Star. 


rot  #     J 


A* 


J 


A  Mldfummer-Nighh  Dream.         iof 

Star.  Here,  Peter  ^mce, 

^in,  Robin  Starvelifig^  you  muft  play  Ihislf/s  mo- 
ther, 
T^m  Snewt^  the  tinken 

Smrw^  Here,  PeUr  ^ince, 

^in.  You,  Pyramu5\  father ;  myfelf,  *Thishy\  fa- 
ther; Snugy  the  joiner,  you,  the  lion's  part :  I  hope> 
there  is  a  play  fitted. 

5wKf .  Have  you  the  lion's  part  written  ?  pray  you» 
if  it  be,  give  ie  me,  for  I  am  How  of  ftudy. 

^in.  You  may  do  i:  extempore,  for  it  is  nothing 
but  roaring. 

BQt,  Let  me  play  the  lion  too ;  I  will  roar,  that  I 
will  do  any  man*s  heart  good  to  hear  me.  I  will  roar, 
that  I  will  make^he  Duke  iky,  let  him  roar  again,  let 
him  roar  again. 

^in.  If  you  fliould  do  it  too  terribly,  you  would 
fright  the  Dutchefs  and  the  ladies,  that  they  would 
Ihrick,  and  that  were  enough  to  hang  us  all, 

AIL  That  would  hang  us  every  mother^s  fon. 

Bet.  I  grant  you,  friends,  if  you  fhould  fright  the 
ladies  out  of  their  wits,  they  would  have  no  moredif- 
cretion  but  to  hang  us  j  but  I  will  aggravate  my  voice 
fo,  that  I  will  roar  you  as  gently  as  any  fucking  dove  i 
I  will  roar  you  an  'twere  any  nightingale. 

^in*  You  can  play  no  part  but  Pyramus^  for  Pyrn* 
mus  is  a  Twcct-fac'd  man  *,  a  proper  man,  as  one  Ihall 
ftc  in  a  fummcr's  day  ;  a  moft  lovely  gentleman-like 
man  :  therefore  you  mull  needs  play  Pyramus, 

Hoi,  Well,  I  will  undertake  it.  What  beard  were 
I  befl  to  play  it  in  ? 

^sn.  Why,  what  you  will. 

Bot,  I  will  difchargc  it  in  either  your  ftraw-colour'd 
bcaril,  y<jur  orange-tawny  beards  your  purple-in-grain 
beard,  or  your  French  crown-colour*d  beard  ;  your 
perfect  yellow. 


0 


tan. 


lo6        A  Midfummer'Nigbis  JDream. 

S^dn.  Some  of  your  French  crowns  have  no  bur  at 
all,  and  then  you  will  play  bare-fac'd.  But,  maflers, 
here  are  your  parts  ;  and  I  am  to  intreat  you,  requeft 
you,  and  defire  you,  to  con  them  by  to-morrow  night ; 
and  meet  me  m  the  palace-wood,  a  mile  without  tbe 
town,  by  moon-light,  there  we  will  rehearie ;  for  if  wc 
meet  in  the  dty,  we  fhall  be  dog'd  with  company,  and 
our  devices  known.  In  the  mean  time  I  wiU  draw  a 
biU  of  properties,  fuch  as  our  play  wants. '  I  pray  you, 
fail  me  not. 

Bot.  We  will  meet,  and  there  we  may  rehcarfe  more 
obfcenely  and  courageoufly.  Take  pains,  be  pcffe^ 
adieu. 

^in.  *  At  the  Duke's  oak  we  meet. 

Bot.  Enough ;  hold,  or  cut  bow-fhings.  * 

[Exeimt. 


ACT    IL     S  C  E  N  E   I.  •♦• 
A   fro  o  D. 

Enter  a  Fairy  at  one  Doory  and  Puck  (or  RoUn-good- 
fcllow)  at  another. 

P  u  c  K, 

HOW  now,  ipirit,  whither  wander  you? 
Fai,  Overnill,  over  dale. 
Through  bulh,  through  biiar, 

4  A/  the  Duke's  Oak  nve  mr/'/— hold,  or  cut  bowllrings.]  Tb» 
proverbial  phrafe  came  originally  from  the  Camp.  When  aJRcn- 
dezvcus  was  appointed,  the  militia  Soldiers  would  frequently 
make  excufe  for  not  keeping  word  that  their  Bowfiriags  were 
broke,  i.  e.  their  arms  unferviceable.  Hence  when  one  would 
give  another  abfolute  aflurance  of  meeting  him,  he  would  fay  pro- 
▼erbially  -—  bold  or  cut  how- firings i.  e.  whether  the  bow- 
firing  held  or  broke.  For  cut  is  ulcd  as  a  ceuter,  like  the  verb 
frttt.  As  when  wc  fay,  iht  firing  frets  —  \\itfilk  frets,  for  the 
paffive,  //  is  cut  axfrtttut. 

Over 


A  Midfummer'Nigys  Dream.        107 

Over  park,  over  pale. 

Through  flood,  through  fire, 
I  do  wander  every  where. 

Swifter  than  the  moon's  fpherc ; 

And  I  ferve  the  Fairy  Queen, 

To  dew  her  orbs  upon  the  green  ; 

The  cowflips  tall  her  penfioners  be, 

In  their  gold  coats  fpots  you  fee, 

Thofe  be  rubies,  F^ry-favours  : 

In  thofe  freckles  live  their  favours : 

I  muft  go  feek  fome  dew-drops  here. 

And  hang  a  pearl  in  every  cowflip*s  ear. 

Farcwcl,  thou  lob  of  Ipirits,  Til  be  gone. 

Our  Queen  and  all  her  elves  come  here  anon. 

Fuck,  The  King  doth  keep  his  revels  here  to  night. 

Take  heed,  the  Queen  come  not  within  his  fight. 

For  Oieron  is  paffing  fell  and  wrath, 

Becaufe  that  ihe,  as  her  attendant,  hath 

A  lovely  boy,  fioll'n  fix)m  an  Indian  King : 

She  never  had  fb  fweet  a  changeling  -, 

And  jealous  Oberon  would  have  the  child 

Knight  of  his  train,  to  trace  the  forefts  wild ; 

But  flie  per-force  with-holds  the  loved  boy. 

Crowns  him  with  flow*rs,  and  makes  him  all  her  joy. 

And  now  they  never  meet  in  grove,  or  green. 

By  fountain  clear,  or  ipangled  ftar-light  iheen. 
But  they  do  '  fquare,  that  all  their  elves  for  fear 
Creep  into  acorn  cups,  and  hide  them  there. 

Fd,  Or  I  miftake  your  ftiape  and  making  quite. 
Or  elie  you  are  that  Ihrewd,  and  knavifli  Iprite, 
Caird  Robin-goodfell&w.     Are  you  not  he. 
That  fright  the  msudens  of  the  villageree. 
Skim  milk,  and  fometimes  labour  in  the  qucm. 
And  boodefs  make  the  breathlefs  hufwife  chem  : 
And  fometime  make  the  drink  to  bear  no  barm, 
Mif-lead  night-wand'rers,  laughing  at  their  harm? 

I  /.  f,  qaarrd  or  jar,  iAx.PePs, 

Thofe 


io8         A  Midfummer- Night  s  Dream. 

Thofe  that  Hobgoblin  call  you,  and  fwcec  Puck^ 
You  do  th^ir  work,  and  they  (hall  have  good  luck. 
Are  not  you  he? 

Puck.  Thou  ipeak*ft  aright; 
I  am  that  merry  wajid'rer  of  the  njght: 
I  j  eft  to  Ohersn^  and  make  him  fmilc. 
When  I  a  far  and  bean-fed  horie  b^uilc. 
Neighing  in  likenefi  of  a  fil!y-foal  i 
And  fomctimcs  lurk  I  in  a  goOip's  bow]. 
In  very  likencfs  of  a  roafted  crab, 
And  when  Jlie  drinks,  againft  her  lips  I  bob. 
And  on  her  wither'd  dewlap  pour  the  ale. 
The  wifeft  aunr,  telling  the  faddefl:  tale, 
Sometime  for  three-foot  ftool  miftaketh  me ; 
Then  flip  I  from  her  bum,  down  topples  fhe. 
And  (a)  rails  or  cries,  and  falls  into  a  cough  ; 
And  then  the  whole  quire  hold  their  hips,  and  loffc. 
And  waxen  in  their  mirth,  and  neeze,  and  fwear, 
A  merrier  hour  was  never  wafted  tlierc* 
But  make  room,  .Fairy,  here  comes  Oberon, 

F<ii\  And  here  my  miftrefs:   would,  chat  he  wcj 
gone! 

SCENE     IL     *** 

'nter  Oberon  King  of  Fairies  at  one  door  with  bis  in 
and  the  ^een  at  another  with  hers, 

Ob.  Ill  met  at  moon-light^  proud  Titattza, 

!^fcn.  What,  jealous  Ob^on?  Fairies,  skip  hence, 
I  have  tbrfworn  his  bed  and  company. 

Oh.  Tarry,  ralh  Wanton i  am  not  I  thy  lord! 

^€m.  I'hen  I  muft  be  thy  lady ;  but  I  know. 
When  thou  haft  floll'n  away  from  fairy  land^ 
And  in  die  fliape  of  Corin  fate  ail  day. 
Playing  on  pipes  of  com,  and  vcrfing  love 

[(«}  rath  $r  crift,  Oxr  Ed, Vulg.  Ta^fhr  eritu 


A  Midfummer-Nighis  I^eam.         109 

To  amVous  PbilUda.     Why  art  thou  here. 
Come  from  the  fartheft  fteep  of  India  ? 
But  that,  forfboth,  the  bouncing  /^tnazofiy 
Your  buskin*d  miftreisand  your  warrior  love. 
To  Thefeus  muft  be  wedded  \  and  you  come 
To  give  their  bed  joy  and  profpcrity. 

Ob.  Hpw  can*ft  thou  thus  for  fhame,  Titaniay 
Glaoce  at  my  credit  with  Hippdita\ 
Knowing,  I  know  thy  Jove  to  Thefeus  ?  [night 

*  Didfl  thou  not  lead  him  glimmering,  through  the 
From  *  Perigune^  whom  he  ravifhed  ; 
And  make  him  with  tair  ^gle  break  his  faith. 
With  Ariadne^  and  Jntiopa  ? 

^een,  I'helc  are  the  forgeries  of  jcaloufie : 
'  And  never  fincc  *  that  middle  fummcr*s  fpring 
Met  we  on  hill,  in  dale,  fbreft,  or  mead, 
By  paved  fountain,  or  by  rufliy  brook. 
Or  on  the  beached  margent  of  the  fea, 

*  I>iift  than  not  had  him  throagh  the  glimmering  night]  Wc 
ftould  read, 

•Viifi  thou  not  had  him  glimmering,  through  the  night 
The  meaning  15,  She  conducted  him  in  the  appearance  of  fin 
through  the  dark  night. 

«  Perigenia,  Vid.  Plut.  vit.  Thefei.  Mr.  ?9p9. 

3  And  ntvtr  fine e  that  middle  fummer' s  Jpring,  &c.]  There  are 
fKK  many  paiTages  in  Sbahe/pear  of  which  one  can  be  certain  he 
has  Ixirrowcd  from  the  Ancients ;  but  this  is  one  of  the  few  that, 
1  think,  will  admit  of  no  difpure.  Our  Author*9  admirable  de- 
fcription  of  the  mifenes  of  the  Country  being  plainly  an  imitation 
of  that  which  OvrV  draws,  as  confequent  on  the  grief  of  Ctrtg, 
for  the  lofs  cf  her  daughter. 

Ne/cit  adhue  uhi  fit ;   terras  tamen  increpat  omnes  : 
Ingratafque  vocat,  nlec  frugnm  munere  dignas, 
•    •  Ergi^iliic  fie^a  vertenti^  glehat 

Fregit  aratra  flianu  pariliqmt  ireta  ctlonot 
Ruricolafque  brvts  ietho  dedii  ;  ar*oaoue  jujpt 
Falltrre  dcpoHtum  vitiataqae  ftmina  fecit. 
Fertilitas  terra  latum  vulgata  per  orbem 
Sparfa  jaeet,    Primis  fcgeces  moriuntur  in  herbis* 
Et  modo  fol  nimitu,  nimiiu  modo  corripit  imber : 
Sideraque  ventiqoe  noccnc. 

4  The  middle  Jkmmer^sjpring.]  We  ftiould  read  THAT.  For 
it  appears  to  have  been  fome  years  £acc  the  quarrel  firlt  began. 

Vol.  I.  To 


^^^^H 

tio        Ai 

Midfummer-Night's  Dream.         J 

To  dance  cnr  ringlets  (o  che  whirling  wtnd« 
But  with  thy  brawbihou  hafi  dilhirb'd  our  fport. 
Therdore  die  winds,  piping  to  as  in  vain. 
As  in  rcvcngc«  have  ftKX*d  up  from  this  ftm 
ConLagioos  fogs;  which  faJling  in  the  bod* 
Have  c\'er7  peJting  rivtr  made  lo  proud^ 
That  they  have  ovCT-bome  their  contineno. 
The  ox  hath  thcitfore  RrctchM  bis  yoak  in  Inihp 
The  ploughman  loQ  his  fweat^  and  the  green  cotfx 
Hath  rotced,  ere  its  ytwth  attain'd  a  bcwd. 
The  fold  (lands  empty  in  the  drowned  field. 
And  crows  art  flitted  with  the  mmrain  flock  i 
'  The  ninc-mens  morris  is  fiii'd  upwidi  iniid« 
And  the  queint  mazes  in  the  wanton  greets 
For  lack  of  tread,  arc  undifling^iAitbiie. 
^  The  human  mortals  want  their  winter  heried, 


^  9^  nint  mUMJ  marrh,']    A  Irinii  of  nml  ch)<^, 
6  Tht  hitman  m^rfjiti  'zuaat  thtit  ^mttr  k  |.i.£.  ]     But  five 
Vai  Dot  one  of  U^e  circumiUnct^  of  miiery,   here 
that  the  Sufferen  waaied  iheir  H'i^ur.     On  die  conovya  ^ 
poeckal  ddcriptions  of  vk^  golden  Age,  it  wks  aJways  one  ct 
flmcie  of  eiicir  happinef*  tiiat  ihey  wanted  Winier,     7*kt> 
tdk  bluoder  of  the  EditorS.   Skaktfptar  wirhont  qoefUoo 
7J/  iruMan  morfaii  wawi  th/ir  tvtntfr  jt£KY£0« 
i.  r.   praifed^  cclefarated.     The  wmd  iscbfolece:   Bat  uied 
fcr^  Chfu-er  and  Sptneer  in  chh  figm£cadoDt 

7m*  «*tt///^  /feai  Uawnt  t^   CAtOLL  sfht^^ 
Amd  H E  >  y  W/i  H  r  Mil  g s  /iy  Laffi*^  gluvf, 

'  l^e  following  fine  confirms  the  emendation^ 

}i&  night  ii  me*uj  •wifif  H\ma  9r  Cuol  hUft  % 
and  the  propriety  c^fthe  fentiment  is  evident*  ^or  the  winter  ■ 
the  icafbn  of  rural  Jtjoicing,  as thegEoomincft  of  it-and  iu  vncuiejf 
from  ci>untry  bboars  give  (hem  lEc  indlnaitht  Ami  ^fmimnit} 
Ibr  mirth  ;  antl  j^c  frujt$,  now  gaiheced  in,  the  £t^j««,  Wd 
titerdbrc  might  fhe  hy^  ^bcn  fhc  h^  defciibed  the  deutbiaf  d^ 
fiaitbru  and  h^^iUzh  toil  ofchc  hasbanJinenr  that 

^hi  httmuft  mtriejj  tvafU  ihcir  *tvtnter  herycd. 
Bat|  principally,  fincc  the  tonn'ng  ofCfariftianity  rhii  fiealba 
^omntcmora.eion  of  the  birth  of  ChriA,  faxs  b«en  particularly  < 

votc4 


rlvd^ 


A  Midfummer-Nighi s  Dream.        1 1 1{ 

No  liighc  15  now  with  hymn  or  carol  bleft; 

Therefore  the  moon^  the  govemeft  of  fioads 

Pale  in  her  anger,  wafhes  all  the  air  ; 

That  rheumatick  difeafes  do  abound. 

And  thorough  this  diftcmperature,  we  fee 

The  feafons  alter  ;  hoary-headed  frofts 

Fall  in  the  frefh  lap  of  the  crimlbn  rofe  ; 

And  on  old  Hyems  chin,  and  icy  crown. 

An  odYous  chaplet  of  Iweet  fummer-buds 

Is,  as  in  mockery,  fet,     '  The  Ipring,  the  fummer^ 

The  *  childing  autumn,  angry  winter^  change 

Thdr  wonted  liveries;  and  th*  amazed  world, 

voeefl  to  ieflmcy.  And  to  this  caftom*  noewichf^anJing  the  im- 
propriety, Hymm  #r  C^rtJ  hhfi  certainly  alludes.  Mr.  ^htplfsU 
fkys,  iff  JhouU  vmiouhteMy  h^vt  ttd^anfetl  this  (^i^wjf^urt  unto  the 
ttxi^  but  th&t  Shakcipcai  ferms  rather  fonti  ofha/fo^vif,  Raihtr 
than  what .'  hallin^td  is  not  fynonymous  to  herfcd  hiiT  to  /Ay?. 
What  wai  he  ibioking  of  }  The  ambiguity  of  the  Bngltjh  word 
£//^  CQafo«nd«d  him,  which  fignilics  cither  praii'd  w JaiiSi/i<4. 

J  fit  Springy  iht  Sumtturi 

7j&/  thiUing  Aufu/ntt^  ^Tsgry  Winter  chartgt 
Iheir  *wont€d  Llverics;  and  tb^  amazed  Wvrld 
By  tbtir  increase  nofu/  i/twjj  no/  nf^hish  it  *vj&ffi;— -] 
whoCc  incrnfc  }  or  what  iacrcafe?— -Let  ui  aucnd  to  the  Scnu- 
jnent— Spring,  Summer,  Autaam  and  Wioter  change  theif  Livt' 
Titf,  \.  e.  Spring  and  Summer  are  unfeafonably  coM  »  and  Auiomn 
mnd  Winter  armaturaUy  warm.  This  tcBvperAttirv  he  calls  the 
X/f^ir/j  or  the  covering  of  the  Seafons.  Which,  he  fay5,  con- 
founds the  ama^^d  world,  that,  now,  knows  cot  which  ts  vvhich. 
This  being  owing  ch«n  to  the  Seaton^  ch^aigiiig  their  g^b^  the  iaft 
line  was  dtmbtkis  wrote  chu«^ 

By  iJ/ttr  INCHASE  now  knofuis  ftsi  nvhich  is  ^ushieh. 
i.e.  by  the  temperature  in  which  they  arc  y<'r.    The  metaphor 
before  wju  uktn  frum   Cloihin^^    here  from  y^iuc/r,      Jttt/tajk 
coming   froxn  the  Frgni&f  Enthu^t-ure^   a   term  in   ufe  amongft 
Goldfrnithi  for  the  fctimg  a  jlotic  in  Gold. 

K  7^r  CH 1 0 1 »  c  j^Miitmn^  The  Qaarto  of  i6oo»  and  the  ?o\iq 
of  1623,  reid  cm  LDi  NQ,  and  this  is  right.  It  h  an  old  U'ord 
wkich  figailied  teeming^  bearing  fruit*    &q  Ctsucfr,  in  his  B^IUit 

Ch^fin  ef  Jofeph,  mjhdm  hi  tpJie  /»  ww/* 

VnJinfiwyfr^  lym,   CHILUIN^-  £y  miratU 
This  h  the  proper  epithet  of  Autumn,  aud  not  ^IWing, 

Br 


112         A  Midfumfmr-Nigbi 5  Dream. 

By  cbdr  indwfe,  now  knows  noc  which  is  which } 
And  this  fiime  progeny  of  evil  comes 
Fmm  our  defame,  from  cor  diflcnrion ; 
We  arc  thdr  p^mts  and  or^^ntl. 

OL  Do  you  amend  it  then,  it  lyes  in  you. 
Why  ihoukl  Tttama  crofs  her  Ohertm? 
1  do  but  beg  a  fitde  changclmg  boy, 
To  be  my  '  henchman. 

^een.  Set  your  heart  at  reft. 
The  fairy-land  buys  noc  the  child  of  me. 
His  momer  was  a  votrefe  of  my  order» 
And,  in  the  fpiced  Ijf£m  air  by  nigbr. 
Full  often  (he  hath  goffipt  by  my  fide  j 
And  lac  with  me  on  Nfpfufte'^  yeOow  fands. 
Marking  th*  embarked  traders  on  the  Bood, 
When  we  have  laught  to  fee  the  fails  conceive, 
And  grow  lag-bellied  with  the  wanton  wind  ; 
*  Which  flie,  with  pretty  and  with  (lemming 
Follying  (her  womb  then  rich  with  my  young 
AVould  imitate ;  and  tail  upon  the  land. 
To  fetch  me  trifles,  and  return  again. 
As  from  a  voyage  rich  with  merchandize. 
But  fhe,  being  mortal,  of  that  boy  did  die  j 
And,  for  her  fake,  I  do  rear  up  her  boy  ; 

9  Or  ufher.  Mr,  Ftfe. 

t   iFhuh  fiie  *ivith  pniry  and  ^iJ^  Rimming  gait 
FOLtowiN?  (hfr  '^j^^mL  thtn  ri(h  toilh  my  fom^ 

WqmU  rmjfatf — ]   Fc/Iipwing  what  I  fhe  did  M(        

(hip,  whofe  motion  ihe  imitaccd  ;  far  chai  failed  on  the  wstrr, 
on  ihe  land.      If  by  fsil^vimg  wc  are  to  undcrtland  imiiatiMgt 

will  be  a  mere  pleonttm tmitatswg  nt$^uU  imitau.      From 

FccE^A  dcfcrjption  of  the  A£lion&  U  plainly  appears  we  thooki 

F  Q  L  i  r  I  N  G  ' 

iVsitld  imitaU. 
i^t.  wantoning  in  8porc  ^od  G^ltty^     Thus  the  tMi^Mgiifi 

ttft and  they  htlrfpen    folyly    and faljly       «     (a)f»  Sv 

Mamnd^'VtlU^  from  and  in  the  fenfc  of/oidtrrr,  lo  play  tbc  wanton. 
Thli  cx2iXiy  £)grccs  to  the  afUon  deicrjbcd~/tt//  t/tfm  k^aj^ 
I9£ipt  hj  my  fidi^^Xi^'-'  njjhfm  tv*  ^v^  UKgh*d  t9  fee. 


7$e  Midfummtr'Nighh  Dream. 


And,  for  her  lakc»  I  will  noc  part  with  him. 

Oif.  How  long  widiin  rhis  wood  intend  you  Ray? 

^een.  Perchance,  'till  after  Tbe/^tts"  wedding-day. 
If  you  will  patifnrly  datice  in  our  round, 
And  lee  our  moon-light  revels^  go  with  us ; 
If  not,  fliun  me,  and  I  will  fparc  your  haunts. 

0^.  Give  me  that  boyj  and  1  will  go  with  thee, 

^uten.  Not  for  thy  fairy  kingdom.  Elves,  away: 
We  fhalJ  chide  down-right,  if  I  longer  (lay. 

[Exeunt  ^een  and  her  trmn. 

Ok  WelJ,  go  thy  way  j  thou  ftialc  not  from  thi» 
grove, 

'Till  I  tormt-nt  thee  far  this  injury. 

My  gentle  Puck^  come  hither;  "  thou 
Sixicc  once  I  lit  upon  a  promontory, 


rcmcmbcr'ft 
And 


Z  ' Then  nmtmhr'j} 

Simt  once  J  fat  up^n  a  prom^n/ory, 
jtnd  htari  a  mtrmaid,   on  a  doitfbin't  hatk^ 
Vtlirinr  Juch  tiultti  and  harmonious  breato^ 
^hat  toi  tuAi  jta  gtfuj  cintii  At  i^rr  fsng  | 
jfnJ  ffrfttia  fia.rs  p>ot  madly  fr^m  thrir  fph*r$s 

7i  htar  tht  Jea  maid's  rr.ufick ]  Thc  firtt  tiling  oKfer- 

VftbSe  on  clicfe  words  is,  that  [his  aflion  of  the  Mtrmaid  la  bid  ia 
the  fame  time  and  place  with  Cupi/s  attack  opgn  thc  ^r/inL  By 
tht  ^<'/*/  tvtty  one  knows  ts  ineiric  Qut«ii  Efiza^efl,  It  Is 
very  ni^ural  and  rrjjon^ble  then  to  ihinlc  tlidC  tht  AUrm^nt'd  (Undk 
for  fome  wnlnetit  perfonage  of  her  time.  And  if  fo,  the  allegorical 
covertncr,  In  uhich  ihrrc  ts  a  mixture  of  (a^tre  and  panegjrnCf 
Will  l»d  U4  to  conclude  th^E  this  pcri  (on  wa^  one  cfiA  horn  it  had 
been  iuconveiiwnE  for  the  author  to  (peak  opcniy,  elihtr  in  praif^ 
Or  dirpraifc.  All  this  agrees  wjlh  Msiy  ^ef»  sf  Scati,  and  with 
no  other.  C^cm  Eitz^h^th  could  oot  bear  to  hear  }^tt  com* 
iDcaJtrd  ;  and  her  fucccitor  would  not  forgive  her  fMirift.  BuC 
the  poet  b4ft  (o  wtll  marked  out  every  dMiingulihed  clrcumllance 
of  her  liie  And  charaflcr  in  this  btauiiful  fttlegOfXp  as  wi]{  leive 
no  room  to  doubt  abuut  his  fecret  meaning.  She  10  called  a  Afrr^ 
m^id,  I .  CO  denote  her  reign  over  a  Icnigfiom  dtu^te  ia  the  leap 
and  2.  her  beauty  and  iatemperate  luflt 
—  Ut  turpittr  atrum 
Dtjittftt  in  fffttm  mtditr  forms/a  fupfris}, 
fsr  as  Elit^Ahifi  for  her  chiftiiy  »*  tailed  a  rifiai,  thit  anfortu- 
Udy  on  1  contfary  accpuni  h  called  a  Mtrmaid,  y  An 
V  o  L.  I.  I  aQtieat 


u 


114        75?^  Midfummir^NigM s  Dream. 

And  heard  a  mermajd^  on  a  dolphin^s  back, 
Urrcring  fuch  dulcet  and  harmonious  breathy 
That  the  rude  fea  grew  civil  at  her  fong  \ 
And  cert^  ftars  ftiot  madly  from  their  fphcrcs,.! 
To  hear  the  fea-maid's  mufick. 

Put 

akntient  Hory  m&y  be  fuppofed  to  be  Kerc  atfudcd  to.  The  en* 
pcror  Juiian  tells  ut,  EpilUe  41.  that  the  Streii» (which,  wilb  ill 
the  modern  poet^  sre  Mirmatiis)  contended  for  precedcDcy  wiik 
the  Mure^ft  who  overcomihg  chem,  took  away  their  ivings.  ThC 
quarrels  hti^^uMary  and  EltKahtth  had  the  f^me  cuife,  nd 
the  Tune  iH'ue. 

—  Oiv  A  UoffhiuU  6a£kl\  This  cvidcDtly  markt  out  thu_ 
dieting  Eli  {King  circuinfbncc  of  Afdry's  forcuarf  her  manUgc 
ihf  dauphin  Q^ Franct,  Ton  ot  Hinry  \\, 

Utieriitg  /nth  ^tthti  and  harmonf^m  trtath.'\  Th)S  alludes  tO 
her  great  abiliues  of  genius  and  leamtng,  which  rendered  ho^ 
the  moil  accompltlhed  prtncefs  of  her  age.  Tbe  French  wni 
fcH  us,  that,  while  fhc  was  in  chat  court,  fhc  pronounced  a  Lai 
oration  in  the  eteat  hall  of  the  Cowvrr,  with  fo  much  gr^cc  a&d 
eloquence,  aa  hlled  the  whole  court  with  admiration. 

fhat  the  rttdt  fia  grrw  eivil  at  her  fong ^^  By  the   rud*  fa 
meant  Scot/and  encircled  with  the  ocean »  which  rofe  up  in 
againlt  the  regent,  while  Hie  was  in  France,      But  her 
home  prcfenily  quJeted  thofcdiforders:  And  had  not  her  flj 
ill  condufl  aftcrvtardt  more  violenily   inflamed  them,   (he  mij 
}iave  palled  her  whole  life  in  peace.     There  \%  the  greater  jafli 
and  beauty  in  this  image,  as  the  vuJgar  opinion  i?,  tbftt  the 
maid  always  fing&  in  {lorms. 

And  certain  Jlart  Jhot  madh  from  their  J^htrtt, 
Te  hear  the  Jta  maid's  mujick,1  Thus  concludes  the  defcripti 
with  that  remarkable  circumllance  of  thi&  unhappy    lady V  ' 
the  dellruflion  {lie  brought  upon  fevcral  of  the  En^ftjh  tMiW 
whom  (he  drew  in  to  hjppcrt  her  caufe.     This,  in  ihc  bofdcft 
cxpreffion  of  the  (ublime,  the  poet  images  by  certaim  flan 
ing  madh  fiQm  their  fpherrs :  By  whkh  he  mcunt  the  CarllJ 
l^orihumberlii*id  and  H'<jImQriatidt  who  fell  in  hcrquarrds 
principally  the  great  duke  of  NorJhJi,  whofc  puje^icd  marrl 
with  her  was  attended  wtih  fuch  fbtal  coniequences.     Here 
the  reader  may  obferve  a  peculiar  juflncfa  in  the  imag'ry. 
vulgar  opinion  bring  that  the  mermaid  aUured  men  to  Jdlruj 
by   her  fonw.    To  which  opinion  Shah/fear   tlludei  in 
Comedy  ef  error/, 

O  {ruin  me  jvvf,  Jhviet  mermaid,  with  thy  DOtCy 

Tt  drgwn  me  #»  tfy  f/n's  Jlwd  e/ ttfir». 


lac  I  am^ 

And  che  Inperni  Vi 
In  makkn 
Yet  mafk-dl 
h  hU  opooa  Ijak 
Before  milk-wfaiev 
^  And  nuidcBGH  k 

Oat|iefrWr»ii 

WTlttOi.     TW  briv  a  mftifjia^ 
dunAcr  oTttc  teJcer.    A^  oa  ^ 
wayi  oodi  fciifcfr     Ue  »  ban  v*^  ^  tke 
ikiui,  aid  hmttka  kk  t^Sa  ife^witk  kis 
ngkum  ^  fOBfry  t  bfdtat  power  ol 
6uc]r  lo  he  like  wks; 

^ OBm  Tammi  Tmuffat  tm^fK^rf^ 

3  G^  Att  Aiu'oi  — 1  Sonif  ckii  pM^BCi 
D&eUJ&cil  Jouge.    iBaaaotbaafctandaMBmaeatawcanrtrfiae 
Ctf^fV  vaed  wkk  »ore  (haa  Kk  Iwv  «d  anwn ;  aid  «kk  iMe 
we  £fld  y»  famtixd  m  att  liiwnnTi.    Thde  boo  »re  die 
anubeiiadoecK6n«^iatfcepcc£ii€tftiaB;   a 
one  (tun  tny  ^k  frictuh,  i^  dafic  ppca,  cm  anjiajtd  kirn 

Cj^V  a  t  a  km'p, 
Tb«  Gkai^B»«  I  xtkak<,  i^  (^  ^t:t,  u»d  tlie  beaarj  it  ^'res 
thoaght,  Cogmt,  thr.-,  we  ire  doc  to  bc&tiue  upon  Je. 

For  iKnr  grcu  an  3;dd:  >  cbe  cjamplimecc  on  thh  virgin 

Qoc^n'i  celibscr.  tfa^  it  a/mrmfj  tbe  poiirer  of  lore.  As  if  bta 
Mipire  wu  ia  danfer,  wliea  ihe  h^eriai  F^trtfi  had  dcdu^ 
'^  lor  a  fiagk  tile  :  So  great  xn  inSucncc  would  her  eKunpte 

amoogfl  hcT  fex.   Qgem  Eii^^hith  could  not  but  be  pic&led 
with  iKc  ddic^cy  gfthii  ccunplimcot. 

4  A  compliment  to  Queen  Elix.ahih^  Mr,  P^. 

5  ^nd  matdim  fa// it  Itvf  in  Uhnffs']  This  ii  u  fiiie  a  me- 
tamorpUoJjs  xi  xaj  io  OviJ:  Wiih  a  much  beucr  monJ,  init*, 
natiog  thatifregafar  love  hBOi>lr  power  when  pcopU  are  idle» 
01  ?iot  well  employed. 

Vol.  I.  I  Z 


reap 


Fetch 


ii6        A Midfummer-Nigbis  Dream. 

Fetch  me  that  flow'r  j  the  herb  I  flicw'd  thtc  onc^} 
The  juice  of  it,  on  flccping  eye-lids  laid. 
Will  make  or  man,  or  woman,  madly  doot 
Upon  the  next  live  creature  that  it  &s&. 
Fetch  me  this  herb,  and  be  chou  here  again. 
Ere  the  Leviathan  can  fwim  a  league. 

Puck,  V\\  put  a  girdle  round  about  the  earth 
In  forty  minutes.  \E»ik 

,0^.  Having  once  this  juice,  » 

ril  watch  Tilania  when  fhe  is  afleep. 
And  drop  the  liquor  of  it  in  her  eyes : 
The  next  thing  which  (he  waking  looks  upon, 
(Be  it  on  lyon,  bear,  or  wolf,  or  bull. 
On  medling  monkey,  or  on  bufie  ape) 
She  (hall  purine  it  with  the  foul  of  love : 
And  ere  I  cake  this  charm  from  off  her  light, 
(As  I  can  take  it  with  another  herb) 
ril  make  her  render  up  h^r  page  to  me. 
But  who  comc)  here  ?  lam  invifible ; 
And  I  will  over-hear  their  conference. 

SCENE       III. 

Enter  Demetrius,  Hekna  following  Irim. 

Bern,  I  love  thee  not,  therefore  purfiie  me  not. 
Where  is  l.yfander^  and  fair  Hermia? 
The  one  I'll  flay  ;  the  other  [a)  flayeth  me. 
Thou  told'fl  me,  they  were  floli*n  into  this  wood; 
And  here  am  I,  and  ^  wood  within  this  wood  s 
Bccaulc  I  cannot  meet  my  Hermia, 
Hence,  get  thee  gone,  and  follow  me  no  more. 

lieL  You  draw  me,  you  hard-hearted  adamant; 
But  yet  you  draw  not  iron  ;  for  my  heart 
Is  true  as  (IlcI.    Leave  you  your  powV  to  draw. 
And  I  ihall  have  no  pow'r  to  follow  you. 

6  Wood,  or  mridy  hiIJ,  raving.  Mr.  Ptfe,  - 

[  (a)  Slay,  jUyeth,   Dr.  ^hirlhy. — Vulg.  ftay,fi^tb,^ 

Dem. 


A  Midfummet 'Night's  Dream.         ii 

Dffli.  Do  I  entice  you  ?  do  I  fp<rak  you  fair  ? 
Or  rather  do  I  not  in  plaineft  irutli 
Tell  you,  I  do  not,  nor  I  cannot,  love  you  ? 

Hit   And  ev'n  for  that  do  I  iove  thee  die  more  \ 
I  am  your  fpaniel ;  and,  DmwriuSy 
The  more  you  beat  me,  I  wilJ  fawn  on  you  : 
Ufe  me  but  as  your  fpaniel,  fpum  me,  ftnke  mc, 
Negfcft  me,  lofe  me  \  only  give  me  leave, 
Unworthy  as  I  am,  to  follow  you. 
What  worfer  place  can  1  beg  in  your  love, 
(And  yft  a  place  of  high  refped  with  me) 
Than  to  be  uTsd,  as  you  ufe  your  dog  ? 

Dim.  Temptnor  too  much  the  hatred  of  my  fpiriti 
For  I  am  fick,  when  I  do  look  on  thee. 

Hth  And  I  am  Tick,  when  I  look  not  on  you. 

'Dtm.  You  do  impeach  your  modefly  too  mucli» 
To  leave  the  city,  and  commit  your  fcif 
Into  the  hands  of  one  that  loves  you  not  \ 
To  truil  the  opportunity  of  ni^ht, 
And  the  ill  counkl  of  a  defart  place. 
With  the  rich  worth  of  your  virginity. 

Hd,  Your  virtue  is  my  privilege  \  for  that 
It  is  not  night  when  I  do  iee  your  face, 
Therefore,   \  think^  I  am  not  in  the  night* 
Nor  doth  this  wood  lack  worlds  of  company  t 
For  you  in  my  rcfpcft  are  all  the  world. 
Then  how  can  it  be  faid,  1  am  alone  \ 
When  all  the  world  is  here  to  look  on  me? 

jDctw.  ril  run  horn  thee  and  hide  me  in  the  brakca. 
And  leave  thee  to  the  mercy  of  wild  Hearts. 

Htl,  The  wildcft  hath  not  fuch  a  heart  as  you  •, 
Run  when  you  will,  the  (lory  fliall  be  chang'd  : 
Ap^Uq  Hies,  and  Daphne  holds  the  chafe  i 
The  dove  purfues  the  grUTin  \  the  mild  hind 
Makes  fpecd  to  catch  the  tygcr.     Bootlcfs  fpeed ! 
When  cowardife  purfues,  and  valour  flies. 


1 1 8  A  Midfummer-Nighfs  Drea^ 

Bern,  I  will  not  ftay  thy  queftions;  kc  tne  ^s 
Or  if  thou  follow  me,  do  not  beUeve, 
But  I  fhall  do  thee  mifchief  in  th?  wood. 

HeL  Ay,  in  the  temple,  in  the  town,  the  fiddly 
You  do  me  mifchief,     Fie,  Demetrius^ 
Your  wrongs  do  let  a  fcandal  on  my  fcx : 
We  cannot  fight  for  love,  as  men  may  do  ; 
We  JhouM  be  vop'd,  and  were  not  nude  to  woo. 
I  follow  thee,  and  make  a  heav'n  of  hell  ^ 
To  die  upon  the  hand,  I  love  fo  well,  [Exaak^ 

SCENE     IV. 

Ok  Fare  thee  well,  nymph ;  ere  he  doth  kam  (hvl 
grove. 
Thou  ftialt  fly  him,  and  he  fhall  feek  thy  love. 
Haft  thou  the  flow'r  there  ?  welcome,  wanderer^ 

Enier  Puck, 

Puck,  Ay,  there  it  is, 

Oi.  I  pray  thcc,  "give  it  me  ; 
I  know  a  bank  whereon  the  wild  thyme  blowSi^ 
Wliere  ox-lip  and  the  nodding  violet  grows, 
O'er-canopy'd  with  lufcions  woodbine, 
With  fweet  musk^rofcs,  and  with  eglantine. 
There  fleeps  Titania^  Ibme  time  of  the  night, 
LuU'd  in  tncfe  flow'rs  with  dances  and  delight  j 
And  there  the  Jhake  throws  her  enammei'd  skin. 
Weed  wide  enough  to  wrap  a  fairy  in : 
And  with  theji/ice  of  this  I'll  ftrcak  her  eyes. 
And  make  her  full  of  hateful  fantafics. 
Take  thou  fome  of  it,  and  feek  through  this  grove  \ 
A  fweet  Athenian  lady  is  in  love 
With  a  difdainful  youth  \  anoint  his  eyes  ; 
But  do  it,  when  fhe  next  thing  he  efpies 
May  be  the  lady.     Thou  fhalt  know  the  Man, 
By  the  Jtbtnian  garments  he  hath  on. 

Eflfcft 


A  Mldfummer-'Nigbis  Dream.        ii^ 

EfFedt  it  with  fome  care,  that  he  may  prove 
More  fond  of  her,  than  Ihe  upon  her  love ; 
And,  look,  you  meet  me  ere  the  firft  cock  crow. 
Puck.  Fear  not,  my  lord,  your  fervant  fliall  do  lb. 

\^ExeunL 

SCENE      V. 

Enter  ^een  ofFairieSy  with  her  train. 

^ueen.  Come,  now  a  roundel,  and  a  Fairy  fong : 
*  Then,  for  the  third  part  of  the  midnight,  hence  j 
Some  to  kill  cankers  in  the  musk-rofe  buds. 
Some  war  with  rear-mice  for  their  leathern  wings. 
To  make  my  fmall  elves  coats  ;   and  Ibme  keep  back 
The  clamorous  owl,  that  nightly  hoots,  and  wonders 
At '  our  queint  fports.     Sing  me  now  aQcep : 
Then  to  your  Offices,  and  let  me  reft. 

Fairies  iing. 

Teufpottedfnakes  with  daubk  tongue^ 

Tbornf  hedgehogs  y  benotfeen\ 
Newts  and  blind  worms^  do  no  wrong  % 

Come  not  near  our  fairy  ^een. 

Philomel,  with  melodf^ 

Sing  in  your  fmet  hUaby  \ 

LuUa^  klla^  lullaby  \  luUa^  kUa^  lullaby: 

Never  barm,  nor  fpett,  nor  cbarmy 

Come  our  lovefy  lady  nigh  ; 

So  good  nigbt  with  lullaby. 

7  ^iHtfir  the  third  part  ef  h  |fTHVTi»  htne$  %  ]  Wt 
Ihonld  rm  third  part  of  the  midnioht.  The  commoa 
reading  is  nonfenie.  Poffibly  SkakiJ^tar  might  have  ufed  the 
Fr^f»  word  Minmit, 

U^mtr  ftuint  8  ? t  Rt T i.— ]  We  fhoald  read  sports. 
I  4  a  Fairy. 


j|^9         A  Midfummer'N%his  Dream. 

2  Fairy. 

fFesiing  fpiders  cemc  not  here ; 
liemt\  yoM  hng-ieg^d  [plnmn^  bcna  : 

Bulks  blacky  approach  not  near^ 
Worm^  nor  fnaily  do  no  offtme^ 

Philomel  "ii^itb  loekii^t  &c. 

I  Fairy, 

.    Uena^  away  i  nan;  all  is  v^il: 
On£t  ahof^  ftmi  Cmi'wd, 

[£xfM«/  Fatrks.    Titf  Queen. 

Enur  Obcron. 

OJ.  What  thou  feeft,  when  thou  doft  wake, 
Do  it  for  chy  true  love  take ; 
Love  and  lariguifh  for  his  fake  *, 
Be  it  oimcc^  or  cat,  or  bear, 
Fard,  or  boar  wuhbriftled  hair. 
In  thy  eye  that  fhall  appear, 
When  thou  wak*ft,  it  is  thy  dean 
Wake,  when  fomc  vije  thing  is  near*      \Ent  Ol 


SCENE     VL 
EnUr   Lyfander   and   Hermia» 

lyf^  Fdr  love,  you  faint  with  wandring  in  the  wood  \ 
And,  to  ipeak  troth,  \  have  forgot  our  way  ; 
We'll  reft  usj  Hertnia^  if  ihou  thijik  it  good, 
And  tarry  for  the  comfort  of  the  day. 

Her,  Be*t  fo,  Lyfander ;  find  you  out  a  bed. 
For  1  upon  this  bank  will  reft  my  head. 

Lyf.  One  turf  [hall  ferve  as  piJbw  for  us  both. 
One  heart,  one  bed,  two  bolbin^,  and  one  trcdi. 

Her.  Nay,  good  Lyfander  \  for  my  fake,  my  dearj" 
Lye  furchcr  off  yet,  do  not  lye  fonear. 


\ 


A  Midftimmer-Nigbi's  Dream.         1 2 

hyf,  '  O  cake  rhc  fcnic,  fwper,  of  my  conference ; 
Love  takes  the  meaning,  m  love's  innocence  j 
I  mean,  that  my  heart  ur>to  yours  is  knit ; 
So  that  but  one  heart  can  you  make  of  it : 
Two  buibms,  interchained  with  an  oath  \ 
So  then  two  boibms,  and  a  Grglc  troth  : 
Then,  by  your  fide  no  bed-room  me  deny  \ 
For  lying  fo,  Herma^  I  do  r:ot  lye. 

Her*  Lyfander  riddles  very  prettily  \ 
Now  much  bcfhrew  my  manners,  and  my  pride» 
If  Hermra  meant  to  lay,  Lyjander  ly'd. 
But,  gentle  friend,  for  love  and  cuncfie 
Lye  further  uff^  in  human  nwdcfty^ 
Such  feparation,  as,  may  well  be  f^d, 
Becomes  a  virtuous  batdiflor  and  a  maid» 
So  far  be  djftant  \  and  good  night,  fwcet  friend ; 
Thy  love  ;ic'er  alter,  rill  thy  fweet  life  end  ! 

Lyf  Amen,  amen,  to  that  fair  prayer,  fay  I ; 
And  then  end  life,  when  I  end  loyalty  1 
liere  h  my  bed ;  Qeep  give  thee  aJl  his  reft  \ 

Her.  With  half  diac  wiih  the  wiiher's  eyesbe  prefl ! 

[Theyjl€cf. 

Enter  Puck. 

Pack.  Through  the  foreft  have  I  gone. 
But  Afbenian  found  I  none. 
On  whofe  eyes  1  might  approve 
This  flower's  force  in  ftirring  love : 

Night 

9  O  tAU  th/iftft,  /ivftK  •f  «?  iAnocente: 

L^^t  takf$  tht  mtanirrg  in  /d^*f^t  contertncc]  HcfC, 
fcy  (qxhk  tui\ch^tiC<  01  otiier.  Imnocrnff  anci  Caa/frrnie  have  hec% 
jqmbled  into  unr  rtnrthtr's  places,  and  thcrrbj'  deprived  i  ycry 
ienGb'c  rrply  of  all  ktnd  of  meaning.       Rrtlofc  each  tg  in  right 

ere  aod  zirn  (onie  wtU  bt  thi&;  >  when  Ihe  kuui  mberpr«ic4 
wordi  t9  ao  evil  meaning,  he  re^Uctf 

O  inh  thf  ffnje,  /'Witt,  9/  my  confetcocc* 
i.  f.    ;udj[c  of  my  mnning  by  the  drift  of  my  whole  fpcech, 

ami 


f  22  A  Midfummer'Nigbis  Dream^ 

r<r^it  and  filence  I  who  is  here  ? 

Weitds  of  ji:'e€ns  be  doch  wear ; 

T.-U5  is  he,  my  mailer  taad, 

Defpiied  the  Jtbeman  maid. 

Ana  here  the  maiden  fieeptng  &uad 

On  the  dank  and  dirty  ground. 

Vvtizj  foui !  ihe  durft  not  lye 

Near  to  this  lack-love  Kill-mncfie. 

Churl,  upon  thy  eyes  I  throw 

AH  tbc  pow'r  this  charm  doch  owe : 

When  thou  wak*!l,  let  love  tbrbid 

Sleep  hiS  loar  on  thy  eye-lid  ; 

So  awake,  when  I  am  gone  : 

FcH- 1  muft  now  to  Oberon.  C^^ 

SCENE    vn. 

Enter  Demetrius  and  Helena  rumm^: 

HeL  Stay,  tho*  thou  kill  me,  f^eet  Demetrius  h 

Dem.  I  charge  thee,  hence,  and  do  not  haunt  me 
thus. 

Hel  O,  wilt  thou  darkling  leave  me  ?  do  not  lb. 

Dem.  Stay,  on  thy  peril  \  1  alone  will  go. 

\_Exit  Demettiui 

HeL  O,  I  am  out  of  breath  in  this  fond  chaoe  \ 
The  more  my  prayer,  the  lefler  is  my  grace. 
Happy  is  Hermia^  whcrelbe'er  fhe  lies  ; 
For  ihe  hath  blefled,  and  atrraftive,  eyes. 
How  came  her  eyes  fo  bright  ?  not  with  (alt  tears  s 
If  To,  my  eyes  are  oftner  wa(h*d  than  hers : 

and  do  not  pervert  the  fcnfe  of  an  ambignoat  wnrd  tea  mcuillg 
^aite  foreign  to  the  difcourfc,     Befid  :s,  fays  he, 

^^vt  tahs  the  mtaning  in  io^'i*s  innocence. 
I.  *.   The  innocence  of  your  love  may  teach  you  to  difcover  ths 
innocence  of  mine.    Thefe  are  the  kntiments,  which  were  quite 
loft  in  this  aakHard  traafpoJiuon. 


A  Midfummer-Nigy s  Dream.         ir 

No,  no,  I  am  as  ugly  as  %  bear  \ 
For  beafts,  that  meet  mc,  run  away  for  fear. 
Therefore  no  marvel,  tho*  DsmHrius 
I)o  (as  a  moiiftcr)  fly  my  pretence  thus. 
What  wicked,  and  diflcmbling,  glafs  of  mine 
Made  me  compare  with  Henma*%  fphery  eyne  ? 
But  who  is  here  ?  Lyfander  on  the  ground : 
Dead  or  afleep  ?  I  fee  no  blood*  no  wound  : 
Lyfander^  if  you  live,  good  Sir,  awake. 

Lyf  And  run  thro*  iire  I  wiJlj  for  thy  fwett  fake. 

Tranfparent  Hikn^  nature  here  (hews  art. 
That  through  thy  bofbm  makes  me  fee  thy  heart. 
Where  is  Dmetrim  ?    Oh,  how  fit  a  word 
Is  that  vite  name,  to  perifh  on  my  fword! 

Hd.  Do  not  fay  fo,  Lyfander^  fay  not  to  % 
What  tho*  he  love  your  Hermia  ?  lord,  what  tho'  ? 
Yec  Herma  dill  loves  you  i  then  be  concent, 

Lyf,  Content  with  Hemu'a  ?  no :  I  do  repent 
The  tedious  minutes  I  with  her  have  ipent ; 
Not  Hermia^  but  Helena  I  love  : 
Who  will  not  change  a  raven  for  a  dove  ? 
The  will  of  man  is  by  hi?  reafon  fway'd  i 
And  reafon  fays,  you  are  the  worthier  maid. 
Things,  growing,  are  not  ripe  until  their  feafon  i 
So  I,  being  youngs  'till  now  npe  not  to  reafon  j 
And,  touching  now  the  point  of  human  skill, 
Keafon  becomes  the  marfhal  to  my  will. 
And  leads  me  to  your  eyes ;  where  I  o'erlook 
Love's  {lories,  written  in  love*s  richeft  book. 

Htl.  Wherefore  was  I  to  this  keen  mock'ry  bornf 
When  at  your  hands  did  I  deferve  this  fcom  ? 
Is't  not  enough,  js't  not  enough,  young  man* 
That  I  did  never,  no,  nor  never  can, 
peferve  a  fweet  look  from  Demetrius*  eye, 
Put  you  muft  flout  my  infufficiency? 


r 

} 


Good 


<24         A  Midjummer-Nigbt^s  Dream. 

Good  m)th,  you  do  me  wrong  \  good  footh,  you  doi 

\xi  Uich  difdaKifui  manner  mc  to  woo  : 

B;*t  fare  youwrU.     Perforce  I  muft  eonfcis, 

I  thought  you  lord  iA  more  true  gcntlencfe : 

Ch,  that  a  lady,  of  one  man  refused, 

Should  of  an'.'thfr  cliercfore  be  abus*d  !  f  1 

Lj^.  SJxe  lct&  iK>t  Herima  \  ^^nmr^f  deep  chou  there 
And  never  may 'ft  thou  come  Lyjander  near  ^ 
For  as  a  fui  fcu  oi  the  fwcctelt  iWngs 
The  decpeft  loathing  to  the  ftomach  brings  | 
Or  as  the  herefies,  that  men  do  leave. 
Are  hated  moil:  of  thofe  they  did  deceive  i 
So  tbou,  my  forfeit  and  niy  herefie. 
Of  all  be  hated,  but  die  molt  of  me  I 
Anc,  all  my  jiow'rs  addreis  your  love  and  might 
To  honotif  Hekn^  and  to  be  her  Knight!  [Exk 

Her.  Hdp  me,  Ly fonder ^  help  nr^f  do  thv  bcft 
To  plu^k  this  crawling  lerpent  from  my  breaft  : 
Ay  mc,  for  pity,  what  a  dream  was  here  ? 
Ly fender ^  look,  how  I  do  quake  with  fcar  j 
Me-thought,  a  ferpcnt  eat  my  heart  away  j 
And  you  lat  finiling  at  his  cruel  prey: 
Jyfandcrl  what  removed ?  Lyfa?tdeF,  lord! 
What,  out  of  hearing  gone  ?  no  found,  no  word  ? 
A  lack,  where  are  you  ?  fpeak,  and  if  you  hear. 
Speak,  of  all  ioves ;  (I  fwoon  almoft,  with  fear.) 

Ko  ? '  then  I  weli  perceive,  \ou  are  not  nigl 

Or  deadi,  or  youj  TU  find  immediately,  lExiL 


""i  i 


0Sm 


A  Midfummtr  NigMs  Dream. 


C  T    III,      SCENE     i 


The   WOOD. 

Enter  Quince,  Snug,  Bottom,  Flute,    Snout   skM 
Starrcling. 

S'he  §ueen  cf  FaiHes  fying  ajktp. 

Bottom. 

ARE  we  all  mec? 
^m,  Pat,  pat  i  and  here's  a  marvcHom  con- 
venient place  for  our  rrhearlal  7  his  green  plot  (hal! 
be  our  ftage,  this  haurhorn-brake  our  tyring  houtev 
and  we  will  do  it  in  adion,  as  wc  will  do  it  before  the 
Duke 

Bet.  Pt!€r  §^me- 

^irH,  What  (?ly'{\  chou,  bully  Bsttmr? 

BH\  There  arc  thrngs  in  this  comedy  of  Pjramui 

d  Tbish^  that  wiJl  never  plcafe.     Firft,  Pyramus 
mull  draw  a  Iword  to  kill  himfclf,    which  the  ladies 
cK  abide.     How  aafwer  you  chat  ? 

Snout,  By'rlaken-,  a  parlous  fear. 

Star,  I  believe  we  muft  leave  the  killing  cot,  nrficn 
all  is  dune. 

Bet.  Not  a  whit,  1  have  a  device  to  make  all  well ; 
write  me  a  prologue,  and  !et  the  prologue  Icem  to  fty, 
we  will  do  no  harm  with  our  fwonJs,  and  that  PyramltK 
is  not  kiird  indeed  j  and  for  more  bccteraiTurance  tcH 

em,  that  I  Pyramus  am  not  PjtramuSy   but  Bottom 

e  weaver  ^  this  will  put  tbem  out  of  fear. 

Stum,  Well,  we  will  have  fuch  a  prologue,  and  it 
Oiall  be  written  in  eight  and  fix 

Bet.  No,  make  h  two  more  \   let  k  be  wxitcen  in 


i 


and  cigl 


at. 


Smut, 


A  Midfummir-Night's  Dream. 

Snout,  WiU  not  the  ladies  be  afraid  of  the  Don  ? 

Stiir.  I  fear  it,  I  promifc  you. 

B^*  MalierSf  you  ought  to  conTider  with  yixif 
fclvcs ;  to  bring  in,  God  fhidd  us,  a  lion  .arnor^  b- 
dks,  b  a  moft  dreadfijl  thing  i  for  there  is  not  a  mort 
fearful  wild-fowl  than  your  hon  living  ;  and  wc  ought 
to  look  to  it. 

^nout.  Therefore  another  prologue  muft  tcU,  be  is 
not  a  lion. 

Bot,  Nay  you  muft  name  his  name,  and  half  hk 
fiice  muft  be  fcen  through  the  lion's  neck  i  and 
Jumfclf  muft  fpcak  through,  fiiying  thus,  or  to 
lame  defe^  i  ladies,  or  fair  ladies^  I  would  wifli  yoo, 
or  I  would  requcft  you,  or  I  would  intrcac  you,  not  to 
fear,  not  to  trembie  i  my  life  for  yours  \  if  you  thinkt 
I  come  hither  ^  a  lJon»  it  were  pity  of  my  life  -,  tio, 
1  am  no  fuch  thing,  I  am  a  man  as  other  men  arei 
and  there  indeed  kt  him  name  his  name,  and  tcU  them 
pl^nly  he  is  Snug  the  joiner, 

^in.  Well,  it  fhall  be  fo  j  but  there  is  two 
things,  that  is,  to  bring  tlie  moon-light  bco  a  dtanv' 
ber  i  for,  you  know,  Pyramus  and  fbiiby  meet  by 
moon-light. 

Snug.  Doth  the  moon  ftiinc  that  night  wc  play  out 
play? 

Bot,  A  kalendar^  a  kalendar !  took  in  the  alnUDack} 
find  out  moon-iliinc,  find  out  moon^fhinc, 

^/ff.  Yes,  it  doth  (bine  that  night, 

B&t,  Why  then  may  you  leave  a  cafement  of  the 
great  chamber-window,  where  we  phy,  open  i  and 
the  moon  may  fhineln  at  the  cafement. 

^rn.  Ay,  or  cl&  one  mud  come  in  with  a  bufli 
of  thorns  and  a  lanthom,   and  iay^  he  comes  to 
figure,  or  to  prcfcnt,  the  peribn  of  moon-flunc,  T 
there  is  another  thing  :  we   muft  have  a  wall  in 
great  chamber,  for  Pyramm  and  liisij  (Ciys  the  ftory) 
did  talk  through  the  chink  of  a  wall. 


[hem   V 

harol 

tanvV 

I' 

I 


diAfl 


A  Midfufnmeh-Nighfs  Dteam.         127 

Snug.  You  never  can  bring  in  a  wall.  What  iky 
you,  BottGm? 

Bet,  Some  man  or  other  muft  prefent  Wall ;  and 
let  him  have  fbme  plafter,  or  fbme  lome,  or  ibme 
rough-caft  about  him,  to  fignify  wail :  Or  let  him  hold 
his  fingers  thus  ;  and  through  the  cranny  fhall  Pyra- 
mus  and  Tbisly  whisper. 

^irt.  If  that  may  be,  then  all  is  well.  Come,  fit 
down  every  mother's  fon,  and  rehearfe  your  parts. 
PyramuSj  you  b^n ;  when  you  have  fpoken  your 
ipeech,  enter  into  that  brake  ;  and  fo  every  one  ac- 
cording to  his  cue. 

S     C     E     J^     E       IL 
Enter  Puck  iebind. 

Puck.  What  hempen  home-fpuns  have  we  fwaggcr- 
inghere. 
So  near  the  cradle  of  the  fairy  Queen  ? 
What,  a  play  tow'rd  ?    TU  be  an  auditor  % 
An  After  too,  perhaps,  iflfeecaufe. 

^n.  Speak,  Pyramus ;  Tbisty^  ftand  forth. 

Pyr.  msiyy  the  flower  of  odious  lavours  fwcet 

^uin.  Odours,  odours. 

Pyr,  Odours,  favours  fweet. 

So  doth  thy  breath,  my  deareft  nisly^  dear  i 
But  hark,  a  voice  !  ftay  thou  but  here  a  whit  % 

And,  by  and  by,  I  will  to  thee  appear,     [Exit  "Pyr^ 

Puck,  A  flxanger  Pyramus  than  e'er  plaid  here !  [.^^£ip, 

7a/.  Muft  I  fpeak  now? 

^in.  Ay,  marry,  muft  you  ;  for  you  muft  undcr- 
ftand,  he  goes  but  to  fee  a  noife  that  he  heard,  and 
is  to  come  ^ain. 

Tbtf  Moft  radiant  Pyramus,  moft  UUy-white  of  huc^ 

Ofcolour  like  the  red  rofe  on  triumphant  bryer, 
Moft  brisky  Juvenik,  and  eke  moft  lovely  Jew, 

As  true  as  trueft  horfe,  that  yet  would  never  tire^ 
I'll  meet  thee,  Pjramus^  at  Ninny^  tomb. 


28  A  Midfummer-Night's  Dream*, 

^ffH.  Ktfmi*  tomb,  man  \  why  you  miift  noc 
that  yet :  that  you  aniwer  to  Pyramus  \  you  Ipeak  all 
your  part  at  once,  cues  and  all,  Pjrjtmui^  enter  i  your 
cue  is  part  \  it  is,  never  fire. 

Rt-enstr  Bottom,  with  m  Afs-heaL 

Tbif  0» As  true  as  trueft  horfc,  that  J^t  woi 

never  tire. 
Pyr,  If  i  werr  fair,  7JiV3y,  I  wtrc  only  chine. 

^in.  O  monilrous !    O  ftningc  !   wc  afe  haunted! 
pray,  mafters ;  rty,  maftcrs ;  help !  \Tbi  Clowns 

fuck.  rU  Ib'low  you^  Til  lead  you  about  t  roi 

Through    bogj    through  bulh,    through    bi 
through  bryf  r  ; 
Sonnetimcs  a  horie  Til  be,  fomctimcs  a  hound, 

A  hog,  a  headlels  bear,  fometimc  a  fire. 
And  n^igh,  and  bark,  and  grunt,  and  roar  and  bt 
Like  horle,  hound,  hog,  bear,  fire,  at  every  turn, 

Bct^  Why  do  they  run  away  ?  this  is  a  knavery 
them  to  make  me  afeard* 

Enier  Snout. 

Smut.  O  BoUom,  thou  art  changed ;  what  do  I J 
on  dice  ? 

BtH.  What  do  you  fee?  you  fee  an  afi-head  of  yo; 
own,  do  you  i 

Enter  Quince. 

^in.  Blels  thee,  Boftomy  blcfs  thee  5  thou  art 
ttanflated. 

Bot.  1  lee  their  knavery,  this  is  to  make  an  aft  of 
me,  to  fright  me  if  they  couid  \  but  I  will  not  fttr 
from  this  phicc,  do  what  they  can  ;  I  will  walk  up 
and  down  h^r^^  and  I  will  frng,  that  they  fhall  hear 
I  am  noc  afr^d,  [Single 


A  Midfummer-Nigbis  Dream.         129 

The  Oufel  cock,  fo  black  of  hue. 

With  orange-tawny  bill. 
The  throftle  with  his  note  fo  truc> 

The  wren  with  little  auill. 

^een.  Wliat  angel  wakes  me  from  my  flow'ry  bed  ? 

[fVaking. 

Bot.  The  finch,  the  fparrow,  and  the  lark,  [Sings. 

The  plsun-fong  cuckow  gray, 
Whofe  note  full  many  a  man  doth  mark. 

And  dares  not  anfwer,  nay. 
For,  indeed,  who  would  fet  his  Wit  to  fo  foolifh  a 
bird  ?   who  would  ^ve  a  bird  the  lyc,   tho*  he  cry 
€uckow  never  fo  ? 

^een.  I  pray  thee,  gefitlc  mortal,  iing  again; 
Mine  car  is  much  enamour'd  of  thy  note. 
So  is  mine  eye  enthralled  to  thy  fhape ; 
And  thy  fzur  virtue's  force  (perforce)  doth  move  me. 
On  the  lirft  view  to  fay,  to  fwear,  I  love  thee. 

Bot,  Methinks,  miftrefs,  you  ihould  have  little 
reafon  for  that :  and  yet,  to  fay  the  truth,  reafon  and 
love  keep  little  company  together  now-a-days.  The 
more  the  pity,  that  fome  honeft  neighbours  will  not 
make  them  friends.  Nay,  I  can  ■  glcek  upon  oc- 
cafion. 

^een,  Tho.u  art  as  wife,  as  thou  art  beaudful.    ' 

Bot,  Not  fo  neither :  but  if  I  had  wit  enough  to 
get  out  of  this  wood,  I  have  enough  to  ferve  mine 
own  timi.  ■ 

^ecn.  Out  of  this  wood  do  not  defire  to  go. 
Thou  ftialt  remain  here,  wfiether  thou  wilt  or  no,    • 
I  am  a  fpirit  of  no  common  rate ; 
The  funimer  ffiU  doth  tend  upon  my  ftate. 
And  I  do  love  thee  ;  therefore,  go  with  me, 
m  ^ve  thee  &ries  to  attend  on  thee  \ 

I  Joke  f  ftoff.  '  Mr.  P^. 

Vot.  L  K  And 


I'^b        A  Midfummer-Nighis  t)rea^. 

And  they  fliall  fetch  thee  jewels  from  the  deep, 
And  fing^  while  thou  on  preficd  fiowcrs  dull  ilocp 
And  I  will  purge  thy  mortal  grolsnefs  fo. 

That  thou  (halt  like  aji  airy  ipiric  go. 
Piafehl&jfom  I  Cohwtb!  Mo!hf3LndAlujlarJ/tcdf 


SCENE 
Enter  four  Fairies^ 

Fair.  Ready, 
Fasn  And  I. 
Fair.  And  L 
FatT'.   And  I :    where  fliall  we  go 


m. 


^ecn.  Be  kind,  and  courteous  to  this  gentleman 
Hop  in  his  watks»  and  gambole  in  his  eyes  } 
Feed  him  with  apricocks  and  dewberries^ 
^'ith  purple  grapes,  green  figs  and  mulberries. 
The  honey -bags  ftcal  from  the  humble  bees. 
And  for  night-tapers  crop  their  waxen  thighs 
And  light  them  at  the  fiery  glow-worm's  eyes^ 
To  have  my  love  to  bed>  and  to  arife: 
And  pluck  the  wings  from  painted  butter^ea. 
To  fan  the  moon-beams  from  his  fleeping  Eye*  i 
Nod  to  him  elves,  and  do  him  courtefies. 

1  Fair.  Hail,  mortal,  hail ! 

2  Fdir.  Hail! 

3  Fair.  Hail '  ■ 
BoL  I  cry  your  worfhip's  mercy  heartily  j   I 

fccch  your  wor(hip*s  name. 

Coif.  Cohwib, 

Bot.  I  fiiall  dcfjre  of  you  more  acquaincancCj 
mafter  Ccbweb  \  if  I  cut  my  finger,  I  fluil  make 
with  yoii.     Your  name,  honcft  gcntfcnwin. 

Peafi.  Peafchloffom. 

BoL  1  pray  you>  commend  me  to  .miftnrft 
your  mother,   and  to   vmSkx  Pcafcccd  your 


Good  mafttr  'Peafiiifffdm^  TftiaH  dcfire  of  you  more 
acquaintance  too.  Ybor  name,  1  befccdh  you,  St. 

Muf.  Mufiardfeed. 

Bot,  Good  mafter  Maftarifeei^  I  know  yottr  (n)  pa- 
frtitige  wefl :  tliac  fame  coWardly  giint-tke  Gx-fcetf 
hath  dcvomrM  tcmy  a  scritfefhan  -of  your  hdufe.  I 
promife  you,  ycnA*  KintfrcA  hath  made  ttiy  eyeS  witcr 
ere  now.  I  defire  mdre  xX  your  acquAitance,  godd 
mafter  Kfafiardfeed. 

^een.  Come,  wait  tlpon^Hn,  Icad'hhnto  mjr  boWcr. 

TKe  'moon,  Tnerfnriks,  looks,  with  a  w^tiy  eye ; 
And  when  ftie  Weeps,  Weep  ev^  Kttfc^oWer, 

tantentingibme  erffbrced  chaftity ! 
Tie  up  my  love's  tdAgdc,  bring  him  fllencly,  '[£x!Ar^, 

S      €      E      N      E       IV. 

Enter  King  of  Fairies, 

Ok  Iwo*ider,  if  TStW/r/ii  be  kWdk'd: 
Then  what  it  was  that  next  came  in  her  eye. 
Which  Ihe  miift  doat  oh  b  e5ttfemity. 

Enter  Puck, 

Here  comes  my  niefehger !  how  ixyw,  mad  ^i^ 
What  night^rurenoW  about  this  hsUiHted  grove? 

Puck.  My  niiftrefi  i/rith  a  nionfteris  in*Iovc. 
Nestr  to'her  ddfc  and  confehtted  bof^eer. 
While  (he  was  in  her  dull  and  fleeping  hour^ 
A  crew  ()f  patches,  rude  mechanicals. 
That  work  ibr  bread  upon  Athenian  ftaUs, 
Were  met  together  to  rehcarfe  a  play. 
Intended  for^g^t  ^Sefius*  'nuptial  day. 
J3|^  ihidk?w*ft  t^  batten  fdrt, 

Wte'PjW*iw  jMicfehtcd,  in  their fport 

I^m)  -::::«>«^/#/r.    Otlbrd  Edit.-*  Vulg.  fmhna  vu/lj 
k  2  Forfook 


3*       A  Midfummer-Nigbis  Dream. 

Forfook  his  fcene,  and  enter'd  in  a  brake ; 

When  I  did  him  at  this  ac vantage  take. 

An  Afs's  nole  i  fixed  en  his  head  \ 

Anon,  his  Tbisiy  nr.ul^  be  aniWered, 

And  forth  my  minnock  comes  :  when  they  him  ip]r« 

As  wile  geefe,  that  the  creeping  fowler  eye. 

Or  niiTet-pated  chougliS,  n.^my  in  ibrt, 

Riiing  and  cav.  ing  at  ;hc  gun's  rrport. 

Sever  themfdves,  and  madly  fweep  the  sky  } 

So  at  his  fighc,  away  his  fellows  fiy  ; 

And,  at  our  flamp,  here  o'er  and  o'er  one  falls; 

Pe  murder  cnti^^  and  help  Irom  ^iitens  caUs. 

Their  fenfe  thus  weak,  lor  with  their  fears  thus  ftrongi 

Made  fenilkl's  thi;.gs  begin  to  do  them  wrong. 

For  briars  and  thcrns  at  i  .vir  apparel  fnatch. 

Some,  ficeves  \  lbn;c,  hats ;  ht^m  yieldcn  all  tfaingp 

catch. 
I  led  them  on  in  this  diftracled  fear. 
And  left  fwect  P}ramus  tranllated  there: 
When  in  that  moment  (fo  it  came  to  pals) 
Titama  wak'd,  and  lln*:tway  lov*d  an  afi. 

Ob.  This  falls  out  better,  than  I  could  devile. 
But  haft  thou  yet  latch'd  the  Jtbenian*%  eyes 
With  the  love-juice,  as  I  did  bid  thee  do  ? 

Puck.  1  took  him  ilecping;  that  is  finifh'd  t00{ 
And  the  Athenian  woman  by  his  fide. 
That  when  he  wakes,  of  force  Ihe  muft  be  cy*d. 

SCENE         V. 

Enter  Demetrius  and  Hermia. 

Ob,  Stand  clofe,  diis  is  the  fame  Atbemam, 

Puck,  This  is  the  woman,  but  not  this  the  man. 

Bern,  O,  why  rebuke  you  him  that  loves  you  fof 
Lay  breath  fo  bitter  en  your  buter  toe. 

/;Vr.  Now  I  but  chide,  but  I  Ihould  ufe  thee  worie  % 
For  thou,  I  fear,  haft  given  me  caufe  to  curie: 

If 


A  Midfummtr-TTighis  Dream.         i%^ 

IF  thou  haft  llain  Lyfander  in  his  (leq), 

Being  o*er  fhoes  in  blood,  plunge  In  the  deep- 

And  kill  mc  too,  * 

The  fun  was  not  fo  true  unto  the  day, 

As  he  to  me.     Would  he  have  ftoU'n  away 

From  flecping  Hermia  ?  TU  believe  as  foon. 

This  whole  earth  may  be  borM  \  and  that  the  moon 

May  tl^rough  the  ccncer  creep,  and  fo  dilpleafe 

*  Her  brother's  noon-tide  i'tl/  Jrttipvdes. 

It  cannot  be,  but  thou  hall  murtherM  him  ; 

So  Ihould  a  murclierer  look,  fo  dreati,  fo  grim. 

Dem.So  fhould  the  miinhLT*d  look  -,  and  lb  fhould  I, 
PicrcM  through  tlie  heart  with  your  ftem  cruelty  : 
Yet  you  the  murtherer  look  as  brighti  and  clear* 
As  yonder  Fetms  in  her  glimrn'ring  fphere. 

Her,  What's  this  to  my  Lyfandcr?  where  is  he? 
Ah,  good  DcmctriuSy  wilt  thou  give  him  mc  ? 

Bmi,  Tad  ratlicrgive  hiscarcafs  to  my  hounds. 

//o*i  Out^  dog!  outj  cur!  thou  driv* ft  me  part  the 
bounds 
Of  maidtn^s  patience.     Haft  thou  flain  him  then  ? 
Henceforth  be  never  niimber'd  among  men. 
O!  once  fell  true,  and  even  for  my  fake, 
Purft  thou  have  look'd  upon  him,  being  awake  ? 
And  haft  thou  kiil'd  him  fleeping  ?  O  brave  touch ! 
Could  not  a  worrn^  an  adder  do  fo  much  ? 
An  adder  did  it,  for  witli  doublcr  tongue 
Than  thine,  thou  ferpent,  never  adder  ftung. 

Dim.  You  fpcnd  your  paiTion  on  a  niiJpris^d  mood; 
I  am  not  guilty  of  hyfander's  [ilood. 
Nor  is  he  dead,  for  aught  that  J  can  roll. 

Her,  I  pray  thee,  tell  mc  then  that  he  is  well, 

1  Hfr  hrubtr'i  mQfts  fidi  with  iV  Antipodes.]  She  hyu 
<he  would  .IS  foon  bclicvc»  thac  ihe  monn^  ihtn  ftiining,  could 
creep  :hroLigh  thccentfc,  arid  ni«f  ihc  fun'i  light  on  cbc  other 
£dc  the  Globe.     It  ir  pUin  tijcrcfore  wc  nioal<i  rrtid 

j'th'   Anti^odt^t     /.  *•  ia  the  j!^Jrfi/»^f#  where  Ihe 

Inn  wu  then  ihining. 


3j4r       A  Midfutnmer-Nighis  Dreanf, 

Lem,  And  if  I  could,  what  nK>uld  I  get  thercfejret 

Ner.  A  privilege  never  to  fee  me  more  5 
And  fr#n  tny  hated  prcfencc  part  I  ib : 
See  me  no  more,  whether  he's  dead  Qr  no.       {ExiL 

Dem.  There  is  no  following  her  in  this  fierce  v;ea 
Here,  therefore,  for  a  while  I  will  remun : 
So  forrow's  heavinefs  doth  heavier  grow. 
For  debt,  that  bankrupt  fleep  doth  ibrrow  owe; 
Which  now  in  ibme  flight  meafure  it  will  pay. 
If  for  his  Tender  here  I  make  fomc  ftay,  [Xi/j  dam. 

Ob.  What  haft  tliou  done  ?  thou  hs^  miftakcn  quite, 
And  laid  thy  love-juice  on  fome  true  love's  fight : 
Of  thy  milprifion  muft  perforce  enfuc 
Son:e  true  love  tum'd,  and  not  a  falfc  tum'd  true. 

Fuck,  Then  fate  o*er-rules,  that,  qt^  man  hddii^ 
troth, 
A  million  faU,  confounding  oath  on  oath. 

Ob,  About  the  wood  go  Iwifter  th^n  the  wizid. 
And  Hekm  of  Jtbens,  fee,  thou  find. 
All  fancy-fick  ftie  is,  and  pale  of  cheer  ; 
With  Hghs  ol  love,  that  coft  the  frefh  Uood  dor  % 
By  fomc  illufirn,  fee,  thou  bring  her  here  j 
I'll  cjurm  his  eyes,  aganft  fhe  doth  appear. 

Pu,ck.  I  go,  I  go ;  look,  how  I  go ; 
Swifter  than  arrow  fi-om  the  Tartar's  boW.        [£**!?• 

Ob,  Flower  of  this  purple  dye. 
Hit  with  Cupid's  archery, 
Sii/<  in  apple  of  his  eye  ? 
Wlien  his  love  he  doth  efpy. 
Let  her  fhine  as  glorioudy 
As  the  Venus  of  the  sky. 
When  thou  wak'ft,  if  Ihc  be  by. 
Beg  of  her  for  remedy. 

Enter  Puck, 

Puck.  Captain  of  our  fairy  band, 
Mclcna  is  here  at  band. 


Jl  Midfummer-NigM s  Dream*         13 

And  the  youth,  miftook  by  me, 
Pleaduig  for  a  lover*s  fee. 
Shall  we  their  ionc!  paE;eant  fee  ? 
Lord^  what  fools  thefe  mortals  be  \ 

Ok,  Stand  afidc  ;  the  noifc^  the/  make, 
"Will  caufe  Demetrius  to  awake. 

Puck,  Then  will  two  at  once  woo  one  ; 
That  muft  needs  be  fport  alone. 
And  thofc  things  do  beft  pleafc  me. 
That  bcfal  p'repoft'rouriy. 


VI. 


L  SCENE 

^H  Emer  Lyfander  and  Helena. 

W;  Lyf*  Why  fhoiild  you  think,  that  I  fhould  woo  in 
Icorni 
Scom  and  dcrifion  never  come  in  tears* 
Look,  when  I  vow,  I  weep  i  and  vows  fo  bom, 
'  In  their  nativity  all  truth  appears  : 
How  can  thefe  things  in  me  fecm  fcom  to  you. 
Bearing  the  badge  of  faith,  to  prove  them  true? 
HeL  You  do  advance  your  cunning  more  and  more ; 
When  truth  kills  truth,  O  de\alifK,  holy,  fray ! 
Thefe  vows  are  flcrmid^  i  will  you  give  her  o  er  ? 
*  Weigh  oath  with  oath*  and  you  will  nothing  weigh  \,  ^ 
y  our  vows  to  her  and  me,  put  in  two  Icalcs, 
Will  even  wei^,  and  bodi  as  light  as  tales. 
Lyf.  I  had  no  judgment  when  to  her  I  fworc, 
fhr.  Nor  none,  in  my  mind,  now  you  give  her  o'er. 
Lyf.  Demetrius  loves  her,  and  he  loves  not  you, 
Dtm.   [awakifi^.^  O  Hckny  goddcft,  nymph,  per- 
■   fedt,  divine, 
To  what,  my  love,  (hall  I  compare  thine  cyne? 
Cryftal  IS  muddy;  O  how  ripe  in  fhow 
Thy  HpS^  thofe  kiding  cherries  j  tertipting  grow ! 
That  pure  congealed  white,  high  Taurus'  foow^ 
Fanned  witli  tlte  eaftem  wind,  turns  to  a  crow 

K  4  Whca 


136 


A  Midftanmer-Nighis  Dreamt 

'When  thou  hold' ft  up  thy  hand.     O  \vt  mc  ktft 
(a)  This  Purenefe  of  pure  white,  this  fcal  of  bBiij 

HcL  O  fpight,  O  hcli !  I  fee  you  all  arc  bene 
To  fct  againil  mc^  for  your  merriment  t 
If  you  were  civil,  and  knew  ccuitcfie, 
You  would  not  do  me  thus  much  injury. 
5  Can  you  rot  hate  me,  as  1  know  you  do. 
But  muft join  infoltnts  to  mock  me  too? 
If  you  are  men,  as  men  you  arc  in  (how. 
You  would  not  ufe  a  gentle  lady  fo : 
To  vow  and  fwcar,  and  tupcr-praifc  my  pnrts  ; 
"When  I  am  fure,  you  hate  me  with  your  hearts. 
You  both  are  rivals,  and  love  Herma^ 
And  now  both  rivals  to  mock  Helena, 
A  trim  exploit,  a  manly  enterprize. 
To  conjure  tears  up  in  a  poor  maid*s  eyes 
"With  yoorderifion  !  none  of  nobler  Ibrt 
Would  fo  offend  a  virgin,  and  extort 
A  poor  foul's  patience,  al!  to  make  you  fport, 

Lyf  You  are  unkind^  Dcfneirins  \  be  not  fo  i 
For  you  love  Hermia  \  this,  you  know,  I  know. 
And  here  wich  all  good  will,  with  all  my  heart. 
In  Hcrmiii's  love  I  yield  you  up  my  part  1 
And  yours  of  Hckna  to  me  bequeadi, 
Whom  I  do  love,  and  will  do  to  my  death. 

Ht!,  Never  did  mockers  wafte  more  idle  breath. 

Dem.  Lyfandsr^  keep  thy  Hermia^  \  will  none  j 
If  e'er  I  lov'd  her,  all  that  love  is  gone. 

3   Ctt»  y^u  not  hait  mr,   aj  J  Jito'w  vou  ^4* 

Sut  YOU    mufi  J91H    IK    SOULS   10   M4ii  Ml  AM^] 

ii  rpokcn  to  DimttriuK     The  lail  line  i&  jionTetirc.    They  flit 
be  read  (Hu!i, 

Bit*  tnujl jQtM   iHSOLitirft  Iff  mack  mf  $49^ 
meaning  hffatidir^  who^  :»  ihe  ihuughr,   mucked  her  when 
dtcUrcd  Ku  puHion  for  h^r, 

[  (a)  Ihia  $*irtntji^  Oxibrd  Edit. Vulg.  Tii>  FrUetfi.^ 


j9  Midfummer-Nighis  Dream.         137 

My  heart  to  her  but,  as  gutft-wile,  foj6um*d ; 
And  now  to  Helen  it  is  home  returned, 
There  ercr  to  remain, 

ijt/I  It  is  not  fo. 

Dent,  Difparagc  not  the  faith,  thou  doft  not  know. 
Left  to-  thy  peril  thou  abide  it  dear. 
Look,  where  thy  love  comes,  yonder  is  thy  dear. 

SCENE      VIL 
Enter  Hermia. 

Her.  Dark  night,  that  from  the  eye  his  funAion  takes. 
The  ear  more  quick  of  apprehenfion  makes ; 
Whefcin  it  doth  imp^r  the  feeing  fenfc. 
It  pays  the  hearing  double  rccompence. 
Thou  art  not  by  mine  eye,  Lyfandery  found ; 
Mine  ear,  I  thank  it,  brought  me  to  thy  found. 
But  why  unkindly  didft  thou  leave  me  fo  ? 

Lyf,  Why  (hould  he  ftay,  whom  k)ve  doth  prefi  togo? 

Her.  What  love  could  prcfs  Lyfander  from  my  fide? 

Lyf,  Lyfander*^  love,  that  would  not  let  him*t»de. 
Fair  Helena ;  who  more  engilds  the  night» 
Than  all  yon  fiery  0*s  and  eyes  of  hght. 
Why  feek'll  thou  me?  could  not  this  make  thee  know. 
The  hate,  I  bear  thee,  made  me  leave  thee  fo  ? 

Her,  You  fpeak  not,  as  you  think  -,  it  cannot  be. 

HeL  Lo,  ihe  is  one  of  this  confed*racy  ; 
Now,  I  perc«vc,  they  have  conjoin'd  all  three. 
To  fafhion  this  falie  fport  in  fpight  of  me. 
Injurious. //fnw'tf,  moft  ungrateful  maid. 
Have  you  confpir*d,  have  you  with  thefe  contrived 
To  bait  me  with  this  foul  derifion  ? 
Is  all  the  counfel  that  we  two  have  ihar*d. 
The  fifters  vows,  the  hours  that  we  have  fpent. 
When  we  have  chid  the  hafty- footed  time 
For  parting  us  ^  O !  and  is  all  foigot  ? 
^U  ichool-^ys  fiiendihip,  childhood  innocence  ? 

We, 


f 


13?        ^  Midfummer-Nigh^s  Dreaf^. 

We,  Hermia^  like  two  artificial  ^ods, 

Creattcl  with  our  needles  both  one  flower. 
Both  en  (Mie  fahipler,  fitting  on  one  cudiion  } 
Both  warbling  or  one  fong,  both  in  ope  key  ^ 
As  if  cur  hands,  our  fides,  voices,  and  minds 
Had  been  incorp'rate.     So  we  grew  together^ 
Like  to  a  double  cheny,  ifet  ming  parted* 
But  yet  an  union  in  partition ; 
Two  lovely[  berries  molded  on  one  ftem» 
So  with  two  feeming  bodies,  but  one  heart ; 
I'wo  of  the  firft,   (-a)  like  coats  in  heraldry, 
pue  but  to  one,  and  crowned  with  6ne  crcft. 
And  will  you  rend  our  ancient  love  afundcr. 
To  join  with  nien  in  fcoming  your  poor  friend  ? 
It  is  not  friendly,  'tis  not  maidenly ; 
Our  fex,  "as  weil  as  I,  may  chide  you  for  it; 
Though  I  alone  do  feel  die  injury. 

Her.  I  am  amazed  at  your  pailionate  words : 
I  fcom  you*  not ;  it  feems,  that  you  Icom  me. 
•     Hel.  Have  you  not  fet  Lyfander^  as  in  icom. 
To  follow  me,  and  pr^lc  my  eyes  and  face  ? 
And  made  your  other  love,  Demetrius^ 
(Who,  even  but  now,  did  Ipum  me  with  his  foot) 
To  call  mc  goddefs,  nymph,  divine,  and  rare. 
Precious,  celeRial  ?  wherefore  (peaks  he  this 
To  her  he  hates?  and  wherefore  doth  Lyfander 
Deny  your  love,  fo  rich  within  his  foul. 
And  tender  me,  forfooth,  aficftion; 
But  by  your  fetting  on,  by  your  conlent? 
What  though  I  be  not  fo  in  grace  as  you. 
So' hung  upon  with  love,  fo  fortunate; 
But  mifcrable  moft,  to  love  unlov'd? 
This  you  Ihould  pity,  rather  than  delpifc. 

Her.  I  underftand  not  what  you  mean  by  this. 

HeL  Ay,  do,  perfever,  counterfeit  fad  looks, 

[  (m)  iiii.  M.  Fylks,  Efquirc. Vulg,  iife  ] 

Mak» 


vf  Midfummer^Nighh  Dream* 

Make  mouths  upon  mc,  when  t  turn  my  back  j 
Wink  each  at  othtFj  hold  the  fwect  jcft  up  : 
This  fport,  well  carried,  (hall  be  chronicled. 
IF  you  have  any  pity,  grace,  or  manners, 
You  would  HQt  nuke  n)C  fuc(>  an  a^gumenr; 
But  fare  ye  well,  'us  purtly  mine  own  fault. 
Which  dtadi  or  abfcnce  loon  HialJ  reniedy, 

Lyf  Stay,  ^ti\^t  HeUfsa  \  hear  my  excufe ; 
My  love,  my  life^  my  foul,  fdk  Helena} 

HeL  O  excellent! 

Her,  Sweety  do  noc  fcorn  her  Jo. 
^K   Dcm,  If  flie  cannot  entreat,  I  can  compel, 
^^   Lyf.  Thou  canit  compel,  no  more  than  fhe  entreat: 
Thy  threats  have  no  moje  Ibcngthj   than  her  weak 

Prjycrs, 
Helen,  I  love  ditei  by  my  life,  I  do\ 
I  fwear,  by  that  which  I  will  lofe  for  thee, 
To  provp  Jiin)  falfc,  that  iliys^  I  love  thee  not. 

Dem,  1  fay,  I  love  thee  pore  than  he  can  do- 

Lyf,  If  thou  fay  fo,  withdraw  and  prove  it  too* 

Detn,  Quick  J  come— — 

Her,  Lyfmtd^^  whereto  tends  all  this? 

I,yf,  Away»  you  Efbhpe! 

Bern.  No,  no,  he'll  feem 
To  break  away  ;  take  on  as  he  would  follow. 
But  yet  come  not;  you  are  a  tame  man,  go, 

Lyf  Hang  oil,  thou  cat,  thou  burr  i  vile  thing,  let 
loo(e  i 
Or  I  will  fliake  thee  fiom  me,  like  a  ferpent. 

Her,  Why  are  you  grown  lb  rude  f  what  change 
is  diis  ? 
Sweet  love! 

L\f.  Thy  love?  our,  tawny  Tartar^  out; 
Out,  toathed  mcdidne :  hated  poiion,  hence. 

Her.  Do  you  not  jeft  ? 

HeL  Yes,  fboth,  and  lb  do  you. 

Lyf,  Demetrius^  I  will  keep  my  word  with  thee. 

D/w. 


?3' 


40       A  Mtdfummer'NigM s  Dream* 

Dem.  I  would,  I  had  j'our  bond  ^  for,  I  pcrcei 
A  weak  bijnd  holds  youi  I'll  not  tjutt  your  word. 

/w:  VVhaC,  Jhould  I  hurt  her,  ftnkc  bcr,  kill  bi 
dead? 
Although  1  hate  her,  Tl]  not  harm  her  fb. 

Her.  What,  can  you  do  mc  greater  harm>  than  hate] 
Hate  nic!  wherctijre?  O  me!  what  news,  my  lovc?| 
Am  not  1  HoTnia  ?  arc  not  you  Lyfandir  f 
I  am  as  fair  now,  as  I  was  crc-while*  [me] 

Since  nig^c^  you  lovM  nie  \  yet,  fincc  night,  you  U 
Why  riien  you  left  me— (O  the  gods  forlwd  itl ) 
In  earneil,  fhall  I  fay  ? 

Lyf  Ay,  by  my  \\k\ 
And  never  did  dcfire  to  fee  thee  more. 
Therefore  be  out  of  hope,  of  qucftion,  doubt ; 
Be  certa^ni  nothing  truer  ^  *dsnojeft; 
That  I  do  hate  thee,  and  love  Hekna, 

Her.  O  mcj  you  juglcri  oh,  you  canker-blofTom, 
You  tlvK  f  of  love  J  what,  have  you  come  by  night. 
And  floirn  my  love's  heart  fron\  him  ? 

HcL  Fint,  i'faith! 
Have  you  no  modefty,  no  maiden  ftiamc. 
No  touch  of  ballifuinrfs  ?  what,  will  yovi  tear 
Impatient  anfwers  from  my  grndc  tongue? 
Fie,  6e,  you  counteifcit  i  you  puppet,  you- 

Her.  Puppet !  why,  fo  :  ay,  that  ^vay  gor^^tthcgami 
Now,  I  perceive,  that  Ihc  h.uli  maJc  compare 
Between  our  Raturcs ;  fhe  hath  urg*d  her  neight ; 
And  with  her  perfonage,  her  tall  pcrfonage, 
Her  height,  foifocxh,  ftie  hatli  pievnird  with  Kimu 
And  are  you  grown  ib  high  in  his  eftcein, 
Becaufc  1  am  fo  dwarfifh  and  fo  low? 
How  low  am  I,  thou  painud  maypole?  jpeak^ 
How  low  am  f  ?  t  am  not  yet  io  low. 
But  that  my  nails  can  reach  unto  thine  eyes, 

Hti  I  pray  you,  though  you  mock  me,  gcntl< 
Let  her  not  hurt  tiic :  1  \vas  never  curAl  i 

Iha^ 


A  Midfummer- Night* s  Dream.         141 

I  have  no  ^ft  at  all  in  flirewilhnels ; 

I  am  a  right  maid,  for  my  cowardice : 

Let  her  not  ftrike  me.     You,  perhaps,  may  think, 

Becaufe  (hc*s  fomcthmg  lower  than  myfelf. 

That  I  can  match  her. 

Her.  Lower!  hark,  again.  ■ 

HeL  Good  Hmniay  do  not  be  fo  bitter  mth  mc ; 
I  evermore  did  love  you,  Hermioy 
Did  ever  keep  your  counfcls,  never  wrong'd  you  ; 
Save  that,  in  love  unto  Demetrius^ 
I  told  him  of  your  flcalth  unto  this  wood : 
He  followed  you,  for  love  I  followed  him. 
But  he  hath  chid  me  hence,  and  threaten'd  me 
To  ftrike  me,  Ipum  me,  nay,  to  kill  me  too ; 
And  now,  fo  you  will  let  me  quiet  go. 
To  Atbtns  will  I  bear  my  folly  back. 
And  follow  you  no  further.    Let  me  go. 
You  fee,  how  fimple  and  how  fond  I  am. 

Her,  Why,  get  you  gone :  who  Wt  that  hindcis 
you? 

Hil  A  foolifh  heart,  that  I  leave  here  behind 

Her.  What,  with  Lyjandtr? 

HeL  With  Demetrius. 

Lyf.  Be  not  afraid,  ihe  (hall  not  harm  thee,  HeUns, 

Dem.  No,  Sir,  ihe  fhall  not,  though  you  take  her  part. 

HeL  O,  when  fhc's  angry,  flie  is  keen  and  fhrewd; 
She  was  a  vixen,  when  fhe  went  to  Ichool  j 
And  though  Ihe  be  but  little,  fhe  is  fierce.  ^ 

Her.  Little,  again?  nothing  but  low,  and  litdc? 
Why  will  you  futter  her  to  flout  mc  thus  j 
Let  me  come  to  her. 

Lyf,  Get  you  gone,  you  dwarf. 
You  ASnwmSy  of  hind'ring  knot-grafi  made ; 
You  bead,  you  acom.. 

Dem,  You  are  too  offidous. 
In  her  behalf  that  fcoms  your  lervices* 
Jjet  her  alone,  Ipeak  not  of  Hekna^ 

Take 


142         ^  Mfd/ummer-Ntghis  Dream.' 

Take  not  her  part:  for  if  thou  doft  incoxl 
Never  fo  little  fiiew  of  1o\t  to  her. 
Thou  fhilc  aby  it. 

Lyf.  Now  fte  holds  me  not  \ 
Now  foliow,  if  thou  dar*ft;  to  try  wlK>fe  pg^ 
Or  thincy  or  oiine,  is  moil  in  Tfelata. 

Ikm,  Follow?  nay,  T'^'  7    ~  --  -^ce  check  ^ 

[£  ^r  fiff^  Dcmcirii 

Her.  Yoiij  ni't(lrdls»  aii  this  coyl  is  Idng  oi  yoa 
Niy»  go  not  back. 

HfL  I  will  noc  tnift  you,  1 ; 
Nor  longer  ftay  in  your  cum  comp'smy. 
Ypur^hiindH  than  oiinc,  arc  quicker  for  a  fray; 
My  legs  are  kxigcr,  though,  to  run  away. 

[Ex^mjU:  Hcnma/snyiisi^He 

SCENE    VIII. 
£ii/rr    ObcTon    attd  PCick. 

Ok  This  k  thy  negligence :  flill  thou  mlftak'fl^ 
Or  elfe  ct>mmiti'ft  thy  knaveries  wiihngly, 

Psick.  Believe  me,  King  of  ihadows,  1  mifhxdc;* 
T)id  not  you  tcli  me,  1  Ihould  know  the  man 
By  the  Aibenian  garments  he  had  on  ? 
And  fo  far  blamelcls  proYcs  my  cntcrprizc» 
That  I  l^vc  •nointed  an  yUbenian's  eycsj 
AfkI  fo  far  am  I  glad  it  did  fo  fort, 
As  tlus  their  jaj^ling  I  cftecm  a  Ibort. 

Ob.  Thou  feed,  thele  lovers  feek  a  place  to  6ght| 
Hie  therefore^  Rohin^  overcaft  the  night  \ 
The  ftarry  welkin  cover  thou  nnon 
With  drooping  fogs,  as  black  as  Jcberon  % 
And  lead  thefc  tcfty  rivab  fo  aftray. 
As  one  come  not  within  another's  way. 
L*ikc  to  LyfandfTy  fometime,  frame  thy  tongue^ 
Then  (Br  Denj^irius  up  with  toter  wro(^  \ 
And  fometime  rail  thou,  like  Demetrius  v 

Aa4 


Micifummer-Nf^ht^s  'Dream. 

^nd  from  cadi  otli'i!r,  look,  thou  lead  diem  thujj 

*1T1|  b*er  clieir  brows  death-coiintcrfrifing  flccp 

With  leaden  legs  and  batty  wings  Jord  Lxccp  j 

Thcrn  crufh  this  herb  into  fyfander's  eyc^ 

Wtole  liquor  hath  this  vinuous  property, 

To  take  from  thence  all  error  >vif^  its  might ; 

And  make  his  eye-balls  roll  with  wonted  fight. 

When  they  next  wake,  all  tWs  dcri/lon 

J5hall  feem  a  dreamt  and  fruitless  vifioni 

And  back  to  Aihens  /hall  the  lovers  wend 

With  league,  whofedate  'till  dcach  {halJ  never  end, 

Wliiles  1  in  this  affair  do  thee  employ^ 

I'll  to  my  Qtiecn,  and  beg  her  Indian  boy  i 

And  then  I  will  her  charmed  eye  releafe 

From  monlter's  view*  and  al!  things  fliall  be  peace. 

Puck.  My  fairy  lord,  this  miift  oe  done  with  haite^. 
For  night^s  Iwift  dragons  cut  the  clouds  full  fait. 
And  yonder  fliines  .%-<3rtf's  harbinger  i  ..  ^ 

At  whcj^e  approach^  gholls  wandring  here  and  there 
Troop  home  to  church-yards ;  damned  Ipirits  all, 
Xhai  in  crofs-ways  ai^d  flood*  j^^v^  burial. 
Already  to  their  wormy  beds  are  gcne^ 
For  k^r  left  day  fhould  look  their  fliamps  upon, 
Trity  wilfully  exile  thciT)fclvcs  from  light ; 
Ami  muft  for  aye  confort  with  bjack-bf0w*d  night. 

Ob,  But  we  are  fpirirs  of  another  fort; 
1  with  ihc  tlvxniRg-iight  have  oft. ma(.!j?'(^orcv 
And»  like  a  forefter*  zhz  groves  may  trcad> 
*  I'-v*n  *tiU  the  c^fttrn  gatr»  all  fiery-red^ 
Opening  on  Ncpiune  with  far-Hlf  fling  beams. 


Turni  into  yellow  gold  bis  iait-grccn  llreains. 


But, 


4  £*'«  iiii  tht  ffif4rn  gate,  ali  jifrfrriy 

^umj  tnto   ytJ/mv  ^tid  his  /a/^  grftn  Jfrfaxti,^     The   Epi- 
i^ti /air  Sl^rti  Ai€  aa  uiiiptii  uurac^niiig  rxpietive*    Shsi^j^Ha^^ 

wuhvut  dttubt.  wrote.  ..  . 


144         A  Muifummer-Nighis  Dream. 

But,  notuithftandingj  hade ;  make  no  dday ; 

Wc  may  effc<5l  this  bufinefs  yec  ere  day.        \Eicit  Ob, 

Puck.  Up  and  down,  up  and  down, 
I  will  lead  them  up  and  down  : 
I  am  fcar'd  in  field  and  town. 
Gcbiin^  lead  them  up  and  down. 
Here  comes  one. 

Enter  Lyfandcr. 

Lyf.  Where  art  thou,  proud  Demetrius?  /peak  th( 

now. 
Puck.  Here,  villain,  drawn  and  ready.    Where 

thou  ? 
Lyf  1  will  be  with  thee  flraight. 
Puck.  Follow  me  then. 
To  plainer  ground.    [Lyf,  goes  out^  asfoUevsif^ 

Enter  Demetrius. 

Dim.  Lyfandcr^  fpeak  again  \ 
Thou  run-away^  thou  coward,  art  thou  fled  ? 
Speak  in  fome  bufh:  where  doft  thou  hide  thy  head? 

Puck.  Thou  coward,  art  thou  bragging  to  the 
Tclhng  the  bufhes  that  thou  look'rt:  tor  wars. 
And  wilt  not  come  I  come,  recreant ;  come,  thou  \ 
rU  whip  thee  with  a  rod  j  he  is  defil*d> 
That  draws  a  fword  on  thee. 

Dem.  Yea,  art  thou  there? 

Puck,  Follow  my  voice,  we'll  try  no  manhood 

Lyfander  comes  hack, 
Lyf.  He  goes  before  me,  and  fliil  dares  mc  on  ; 

i,  r.  whofe  grrisl  nfs  have  the  moH  cxtci^fivcinfluenee,     A 
ruplion  of  ihe  fittir  kind  we  rnctc  with  in  7'/m«ff, 

i,  r.  who  givBth  bleflings  wherever  it  ihrnn. 

When) 


A  Midfummer-Nighi s  Dream.         145 

When  I  come  where  he  calls  me,  then  he's  gone. 

The  villain  is  much  lighter-heerd,  than  I : 

I  followM  faft,  but  fafter  he  did  fly; 

That  fall'ti  am  I  in  daric  uneven  way. 

And  here  will  reft  me.    Come,  thou  gentle  day : 

For  if  but  once  thou  fliew  me  thy  gray  light, 
rU  find  DemetriuSy  and  revenge  this  Ipight. 

Enter  Puck  ami  Demetrius. 

Puck,  Ho,  ho,  ho,  coward,  why  c6m*ft  thou  hot  ? 

Dem.  Abide  me,  if  thou  dar'ft :  for.  well  I  wot. 
Thou  runn'ft  before  me,  ihifting  every  pbcc ; 
And  dar'ft  not  ftand,  nor  look  me  in  the  ikco. 
Where  art  thou  ?  . 

Puck.  Come  thou  Uther,  I  am  here. 

Dem.  Nay,  then  thou mock'ft  me}  thou  ihalt  buy 
this  dear. 
If  ever  I  thy  face  by  day-light,  fici 
Now,  go  thy  way  %  ^intnels  conftraineth  me 
To  meafure  out  my  length  on  this  cold  bed. 
By  day's  approach  look  to  be  vificedt        iLy^^  downi 

S    C  :E.  N    e':  X. 

Emer  Helena. 

HeL  O  weary  night,  O  long  and  tedious  nighty 
Abate  thy  hours  \  ihine,  comforts,  from  the  Eaft  j| 
That  I  may  back  to  Athens  by  day-light. 

From  theie,  that  my  poor  company  deteft; 
And  deep,  that  ibmedmes  (huts  op  lorrow's  eye. 
Steal  me  a  while  frorh  nunc  own  company.       [Sleefsi 

Puck.  Yet  but  three  ?  come  one  more, 
Tt?o  of  both  kinds  make  up  four. 
Here  ihc  comes,  curft  and  fad : 
£ufid  is  a  knandfli  lad. 
Thus  to  make  poor  fanales  mad. 

Vot.  L  L  Mntef 


14^         A  Midfummer'Nighi X  Dream 


Enter  Hcrmia. 

Her.  Never  fo  weary,  never  fo  in  woe, 

Bedabbled  witK  the  dew,  and  com  with  brian, 
1  can  no  Rirther  crawl,  no  further  go  \ 

My  legs  can  keep  no  pace  with  my  defircs : 
Here  will  I  reft  me,  *ull  the  break  of  day, 
Hcav'ns  Ihkld  Lyfander^  if  they  mean  a  fray  ? 

\^Ljis  dffwn 
Pmk,  On  the  ground 
Sleep  found, 
Y\\  apply 
To  your  eye. 
Gentle  lover,  remedy. 

[Squiezing  the  Juki  m  LyfanderV 
When  diou  w^'ft, 
X  Thou  tak'ft 

True  delight 
In  the  fight 
Of  thy  former  Jady's  eye ; 
And  the  country  proverb  known, 
That  every  man  jhoukl  take  his  own. 
In  your  waking  fliall  be  /hown. 
Jack  fliall  have  JiU,  naught  fliall  go  ill^ 
The  man  ihall  have  ixis  mare  agsun,  and  all  be  well. 

[£jriVPuck.  [Tbtyjlt^ 


I 


V-. 


A  C 


A  Midfumfner'Nigys  tyriatH.        147 
A  C  T    IV.       S  C  E  N  £    L 

Continued^    The    WOOD. 

Enter  ^een  df  Fairiesi  Bottom,  Fairies  atteniin^i 
and  the  King  behind  tbem. 

COME,  fit  thee  down  upon  this  flow*ry  bed. 
While  I  thy  aniiable  checks  do  coy, 
Atid  flick  musk-rofes  in  thy  fleek^  ihioodi'd  head  i 
And  ki^  thy  fair  large  cars,  my  gentle  joy. 

Bot.  Whtres  Peafeihffbm? 

Peafe.  Ready. 

Bot.  Scratch  my  head*  Peafehbffom,  Where's  moiH 
^t\ix  Cobweb? 

Cob.  Re^dy. 

Bdt,  Monfieur  Cobweb^  good  iftohfieur,  get  your 
weapons  in  your  hand,  and  kill  mc  a  red-hipt  numble- 
bee  on  the  top  of  a  thiftle ;  and ^  good  monfieur^  brin^ 
tne  the  honey-bag.  Do  not  fret  your  fclf  too  much  in 
the  action,  monfieur;  and,  good  monfieur,  have  a 
care,  the  honey-bag  break  not ;  I  fbould  be  loth  to 
have  you  oVer-flown  with  a  honey-bag,  fignior. 
Where's  monfieur  Mifiardfeed? 

Mufi.  Ready. 

Bot.  Give  mc  thy  '  neafe,  monfieur  Mujiardfeeds 
Jway  you,  leave  your  curtefie,  good  monfieur. 

Mt^.  What's  your  will  ? 

Bot.  N<^thing,  good  monfieur,  but  to  help  Cavaler9 
Cobweb  to  fcratch.  I  muft  to  the  barber's,  monfieur  \ 
SoTy  metbinks,  I  am  marvellous  hairy  about  the  face. 
Arid  I  am  fuch  a  tender  ais,  if  my  hair  doth  but  tickk 
me,  1  muft  fcratch. 

t  Neafe  (Torl^ire)  for  iift.  Mr.  P#/r. 

L  a  ^etn. 


148         A  Midfummer-N'ighfs  Dream. 

^etn.  What»  wik  chou  hear  fonic  muftck,  my 
fweet  love  ? 

BcL  1  have  a  reafonable  good  car  in  mufick  -,  fet  us 
have  d^e  congs  and  die  bones, 

Rural  Mu/ick,  ^ewfJ,  &c. 

^een.  Or  6y,fweet  love,  what  thou  dcfir'ft  to  e 

Bot.  Truly,  a  peck  of  provender ;  I  could  muni 
your  good  dry  oats.     Methinks,  I  have  a  great  dcfij 
to  a  bottle  of  hay:   good  hay,  fweet  hay  Ixaih 
fellow, 

^een,  I  have  a  venturous  Fairy  that  fhall  feek 
The  fquirrers  hoard,  and  fetch  rhee  thence  new  nu 

Bot,  I  had  rather  have  a  handful  or  two  of  d 
peafc.  But,  I  pray  you,  let  none  of  your  people 
mc  ;  I  have  an  expofition  of  fleep  come  upon  me. 

^eeff.  Sleep  thou,  and  I  "will  wind  thee  in  my  arn 
F^ries^  be  gone,  and  be  all  ways  away: 
*  So  doth  the  woodbine,  the  fweet  honey-ftickJe, 
Gently  cntwiil  the  Mapfe ;  Ivy  to 
Enrings  the  barky  fingers  of  the  Elm. 
O,  how  I  love  thee!  how  I  doac  on  thee? 

a  So  doth  the  *ivosdhine  the  fit'rtt  ^Mnty-fucih^ 

Etfttnii  tht  ifarhf  fingtn  ^f  iht  E^m.j  What  dors  tht' 
hint   cncwifl  f  The  h^my  juckU.     fine   the  *wi>od6ine  and  i«i 
/ackk  were,  till  now«  but  two  names  for  one  adij  the  fame 
FUth,    in    his  /fa/raft   Di^ionary*    interprets   MaJre  Sr/^vm 
-tjntodhifiife  or  honnh  fucUe,     Wc  mult  th«rtfore  find!  a  rLipporf 
the  nvas^hine  as  well  aa  fur  die  Ivy*     Whicli   id  lionc  b/  « 
the  lines  ihus. 

^^9  d^tb  the  ivoodBifft,  iht  fwett  hcnrj/uckUp 
Cffitfy  fnffivtfl  the  ^]  a  p  t  E  ;  hj  /9 
Emrin^j  ffje  ^ariy  Jiwgert  tf  the   Eim* 
The  corruption  might  hap^n  by  the  firll  blunderer  dfOpping 
/  in  writing  the  word  maple,  which  word  thence  bccune 
foflovvinp  tranfcTiber,  for  the  fake  of  a  little  fenfc  acd 
thought  iit  to  change  thl»  mt^ie  ittUt/ema/e  i  and  then 
an  epithet  lo  /v/. 


A  Midfummer-Night^s  Dream^  1 4.9 

Enter  Puck,  ,  ' 

Oh.  Welcome,  good  Robin ;  Sccfl:  thou  ihk  fwect 

fight  ? 
ycr  dotage  now  I  do  begin  Co  pity* 
Fofj  meeting  her  of  late  behind  che  wood. 
Seeking  fweet  favours  for  this  hateful  fool,  | 

I  did  upbraid  her,  and  fall  out  with  her ;  I 

For  ihe  his  hairy  temples  then  had  rounded  I 

With  coronet  of  frefli  and  fragrant  fiowers  ; 
Afld  that  fame  dew,  which  fomerime  on  the  budi  j 

Was  wont  to  fwell,  like  round  and  orient  pearls  j  i 

Stood  now  within  the  pretty  flourier*s  eyes,  I 

Like  tears  that  did  their  own  diigrace  bewail.  *    ! 

When  I  had  at  my  pleafure  taunted  her. 
And  fhe  in  mild  terms  be^*d  my  patience,  ' 

I  then  did  ask  of  her  her  changeling  child^  ' 

Which  ftrait  fhe  gave  me,  and  her  Fairy  lent 
To  bear  him  to  my  bower  in  Fairy-land. 
And  now  I  have  the  boy,   I  will  undo  , 

This  hateful  imperfeftion  erf"  her  eyes : 
And»  gentle  P/rfi*,  take  this  transformed  icalp 
From  off  the  head  of  this  Aibenian  fwain  \  \ 

That  he,  awaking,  when  the  others  do. 
May  all  to  Aibsm  back  again  repair  i 
And  think  no  more  of  this  night's  accidents,  I 

But  as  the  fierce  vexation  of  a  dream. 
But,  firft,  I  will  releafe  the  Fairy  Queen  5  j 

Be^  as  thou  wafi  "mom  to  ht\ 

See^  as  thou  wnji  wont  t&  fie: 

Dian'j  bud  (a)  e'er  Cupid'j  Jlowsr 

Hath  fuch  force  and  Hejfed  power,  I 

Now^  my  ^itania^  wake  you,  my  fweet  Queen*  I 

^teen.  My  Oberon!  what  vifions  have  1  Icen! 
M^thought,  I  was  enamoured  of  an  afs. 

l(m)  —  itr,  Dr.  nirtbu Vulg,  *r,]  | 

11  L  3  Ob. 


^5^  A  Mtdfumm$r'Nighfs  Dream. 

Ob.  Ti^cre  lies  your  love* 

^een.  How  came  thele  things  to  pafs  ?  ' 

Oht  how  mine  eyes  do  loach  this  vifagc  now ! 

Oi^.  Silence,  a  while  ^  Robin^^  take  ofFhU  head  \ 
^iiania^  mufick  call ;  and  ftrike  more  dead 
Than  common  fleep  of  all  diefe  (a)  five  the  fcnfc. 

^tm,  Mufick,  ho!   mufick j  iudi  as  cJ 
fleep. 

StiU  Muftck. 

Puck,  When  thou  awak*ft,  with  thine  own 
eyes  peep. 

O^,  Sound*  mufick  i  come>  my  Queen,  take  h 
with  me, 
And  rock  the  ground  whereon  thefc  fleepcrs  be. 
Now  thou  and  I  are  new  in  amity  j 
And  will  to*morrow  midnight  (blemnly 
*  D^mcc  in  Duke  'Tbefius^  houfe  triumphantly, 
And  blefs  it  to  all  tar  pofterity: 
There  (hall  tliefe  pairs  of  faithful  lovers  be 
Wedded,  "wxth  Thrfins^  all  injoUity. 

Pu€k^  Fairy  King,  attend  and  mark  \ 
I  do  hear  the  morning  lark. 

Ob.  ♦  Then,  my  Queen,  in  fiJence  fad  ; 
Trip  we  after  tlie  night's  fhadcj 

J  Dattft  in  Duke  THefens'  heafe  iriumphanth^ 
And  hhfi  it  t&  tdi  f  /v  in  pfi€rityi\  Wcihtmld 
-^— —  Ij  all  FAR  pofitritf, 

7.  f.   to  the  rtmotcft  poflerity. 

4  Thfitf  t»y  ^u/^H^  iM  Jilftkee  fad  \ 

"Trip  tvt  itfttfr  th€  ntjiiji'jfiaJt.)  Mr.  Thiahald  fiiys.  ^hy  fit 
FAtriti  art  fbajtd  io/^tfltrix}  nigh.  He  will  have  it  f^de  \ 
fo,  to  mend  the  rhimc^  fpoiU  o«b  %ht  fenfic  Bwd  gr^ftiour.  But 
he  mtJtakes  the  tneuning  of  fxi  %  il  figniiies  ooiy  g>«v«,  (bber^g 
Bt>il  is  oppof^d  to  ihdr  (lances  and  revfU,  which  were  now  MiiliS| 
at  th«  fingingof  tht  mi>»nirig  lark.  ^— So  fl^inftr^sTaU^  AA  ^H 
My  father  and  tkt  genrJtman  or*  nr  i  A  9  laM*   Fw  ~ 

/frisat^ 


Ua}  ^^/w.  Dr.  nir/fy,  — -  Vulg./*/.] 


w™ 


A  Midfummer-Nigbis  Dream. 

>  the  globe  can  compafs  foon» 
ifcer  than  the  wand'ring  moon, 
^ien.  Come,  my  lord,  and  in  our  flight 
Tell  me  how  ic  came  this  nighty 
That  I  fleeping  here  was  found,  [SUepers  liefliU, 

With  dicfe  mortals  on  the  ground,  [Exeunt, 

^^  [Wind  herns  within. 


firr 


SCENE      IL 

Enter  Thefeus,  Egeus,  Hippolita,  and  all  bis  Train^ 
The.  Go  one  of  you»  find  out  the  foreftcr. 


^■br  now  our  obfervation  is  performed, 

^^^nd  fince  we  have  the  vaward  of  the  day. 
My  love  fhall  hear  the  mufick  of  my  hounds. 
Uncouple  in  the  weftem  valley,  go, 

I    Difpatch,  I  lay,  and  find  the  forefter. 

^BK^e  will,  fair  Queen,  up  to  the  mountain's  top, 

^^nd  mark  the  mufical  confufion 
Of  hounds  and  echo  in  conjundlion. 

Hip^  I  was  with  Hercules  and  Cadmus  once. 
When  in  a  wood  of  Creel  they  bay'd  the  bear 
With  hounds  of  Sparta  ;  never  did  I  hear 
Such  gallant  chiding.     For  befides  the  groves, 
*  The  skies,  the  fountains,  ev*ry  region  near 
Seem'd  all  one  mutual  cry,     I  never  heard 
So  mufical  a  difcoai,  fuch  fwect  thunder. 

Thef  My  hounds  arc  bred  out  of  the  spartan  kind. 
So  RcwM,  fo  fanded,  and  their  heads  are  hung 
With  ears  that  fweep  away  the  morning  dew  j 
Crook-knce*d,  and  dew-lap'd,  like  Thejfalian  bulls ; 
Slow  in  purfuit,  but  match'd  in  mouth  like  bcUs, 

■^ach  under  each,     A  cry  more  tuneable 

^H^as  never  hallo*d  to,  nor  cheer'd  widi  horn, 
In  Creet^  in  Sparta^  nor  in  'Thejfaly  : 

;  T^t  ikiit^  ihf  r^VKTAiHs. — ]  I  bdicTC  the  erne  reading  ii 

L  4  JuJgc^» 


A  MiJfummer-Nigbfs  Dream. 

JudgCj  when  you  hear.     But  fofr,  what  rympJis 
thcfe  ? 

Ege,  My  lord,  this  is  my  daughter  here  aflcep, 
And  this  Lyfander^  dus  Dfmetrius  is. 
This  Hdoiaj  old  Kid^r^s  Helena  % 
1  wonder  at  their  being  here  together, 

^if.  No  doubt^  they  rofe  up  early  to  oblcrve 
The  Rite  of  M^  j  and,  hearing  our  intent, 
Came  here  in  grace  of  our  Solemnity, 
But  fpcak,  Egeus^  is  jiot  this  the  day, 
TiiztHennia  flio'uld  give  anfwer  of  her  choice? 

Ege.  It  is,  my  lord, 

^hef.  Go  bid  the  huntfincn  wake  them  with  th( 
horns. 

Ibrns^  andSbous  wiihjn  j  Demetrius,  Lyfander,  U 
and  ilclcna,  wakt  andfiarS  up. 

I'hef.  Good  morrow,  fi-icndsi  Saint  Vakndm  is  part 
Begin  thefe  wood- bird& but  to  couple  now? 

Lyf,  Pardon,  my  lord. 

Tbrf,  I  pray  you  all,  Hand  up: 
I  know,  you  two  are  rival  enemies. 
How  comes  this  gentle  concord  in  the  world. 
That  hatred  is  fo  far  from  jcaloufie* 
To  deep  by  hate,  and  Tear  no  enmity? 

Lyf  My  lord,  1  fliall  reply  amazedly, 
Half  flcep,  half  waking.     Bur  as  yet,  I  fwear, 
J  cinnot  truly  fay  how  I  came  here  : 
But  as  I  think,  (for  truly  would  I  fpeak,) 
And  now  1  do  bethink  mc,  fo  it  is ; 
I  came  with  Hivmia  hither.     Our  intent 
Was  to  be  gone  from  Athens^  where  we  might  be 
Without  the  peril  of  th'  Ashman  law. 

Ege,  Enough,  enough  ^  my  lord,  you  ha%'c  enoug 
I  beg  the  law,  rhc  law  upon  his  head : 
They  would  have  ftoll'n  away,  they  would,  Demetrius^ 
Thereby  to  have  defeated  you  and  mci 


I 


A  Midfummer-Night's  Dream.  153^ 


of 


wife 


of 


your  witci  and  mc,  or  my  conient; 
Of  my  confent,  that  flic  fliould  be  your  wife. 

Dim.  My  lord,  fair  Helen  told  me  of  rheir  Healthy 
Of  this  their  purpofe  liither  to  this  wood  \ 
And  I  in  fury  hvAvtr  folJow'd  them  ; 
Fair  Helena  in  fancy  following  me. 
But,  my  good  lord,  1  wot  not  by  what  power. 
But  by  fomc  power  it  is,  my  love  to  Hermia 
Is  melted  as  the  fnow;  fcems  to  me  now 
As  the  remembiance  q\  an  idle  *  gaudc. 
Which  in  my  childhood  I  did  doat  upon: 
And  all  the  faith,  the  virtue  of  niy  hearty 
The  objeft  and  the  pleallire  of  mine  eye. 
Is  only  Hekna,    To  her,  my  lord, 
Was  I  betrothed  ere  I  Heimia  faw  ; 
But  like  a  ficknefs  did  I  loath  thii  food ; 
But,  as  in  heakh,  come  to  my  natural  taAe, 
Now  do  I  wifli  itj  love  if,  long  for  it  i 
And  will  for  ever  more  be  true  to  it. 

'Tkif,  Fair  loversj  you  are  fortunately  met: 
Of  this  difcourfe  wc  fhail  hear  more  anon, 
EgeuSy  I  will  over-bear  your  wilt  5 
For  in  the  temple,  by  and  by  wirii  us, 
Thcfc  couples  fhall  eternally  be  knit; 
And  for  the  morning  now  is  fomething  worn. 
Our  purpos*d  hunting  ftall  be  fet  afide. 
Away,  with  us  to  Athens  \  three  and  three. 
We'll  hold  u  fcaft  in  great  Iblcmnicy, 
Come,  HtppoUla.     [Exeunt  Duie,  Hippol.  andTrain, 

i)flw,Thefe  things  feem  fmall  and  undiftinguifhablc, 
like  far-off  mountains  turned  into  clouds. 

Her,  Mechinks,  I  fee  thcfc  things  with  parted  Eye  ( 
When  every  thing  fcems  double, 

Hel.  So,  methinksi 


6  Gaude  ar  bawbk« 


Mr.  Ptpe, 


T  And 


154  ^  Midfumm^-Nighis  Dream. 

'  And  I  have  foimd  Demetrius  !tkc  a  GetncU^ 
Mine  Qtt-n,  and  not  mine  own. 

Dm*,  It  icems  to  mc, 
Thac  yet  wc  flccp,  we  dream.     Do  not  you  think. 
The  Duke  was  here,  and  bid  us  follow  him  i 

Her.  Yea,  and  my  father. 

Hei.  And  Hifpoiita^ 

Lyf  And  lie  did  bid  us  follow  to  the  temple. 

Dem.  Why  then,  we  are  awake  \  let*s  follow 
And,  by  the  way,  let  us  recount  our  dreams.  [£s 

SCENE      III. 
Js    ib^   gQ    mii^   Bottom  wakes. 

Est,  When  my  cue  comes,  call  me,  and  I  will 
fwcr.     My  next  is,  Mott  fair  Pyramt4J  —  hey,  ho,- 
FeUr  ^fki^  Muti  the  bellows-mender!   Sneui 
tinker!  Starveling!  god's  my  Ufe!  ftolI*n  hence, 
loft  me  alleep  ?  I  have  had  a  moft  rare  vifion.     I 
t  dream^  paft  tlie  wt  of  man  to  fay  what  dreain  it 

7  And  t  ha*oe  fiund  Dcwctriut  tih  ^  ;  v  w  C  k,, 

Mht  9'W9j  timd  not  miut  ^^n  ]   Hcrmia  h^d  obfcncd 
ihiDgs  Apfcircd  diuhk  to  her.     Hrhns  replies,  fo  merhtff^}\ 

her  own.     He  is  hcre»  ihen,  compiroi  Ko  fome  * 
(lit:  pa»j>trty   of  appcanng  to  be  one  thing  when  u  wa* 
Not  (he  property  turcul  ^yt-^il:  or,  \i  you  will,  of  n( 
Ulfeone.      We  Ihoutd  rra^ 

And  I  hcvr  foufid  DeiTietTms   Uh   a  C  f  MI  Lt, 
hit**  »n.vm,  am  J  «9t  my  ff*M^ff,  — — ^  Ki  oam  G*miiJnt  a  Ti 
P^mnriwi  had  fhat  night  z&.^d  cwq  fuch  diffi!i«nc  parts, 
could  hardly  think  them  boih  plarcti  by  one  and  the  fame 
friui\  buc  that  there  were  twin  £>fm/triuj*i  like  the  two 
io  the  FAfce*  —  From  Gimtllyt  c^mn  ihe  frtncht  Vfm*0m 
Jumtau^  and  in  the  femioiiie.  Gtmtilt  or  JuvtfiU  i  Soin  iVU^**! 

iranflnrion  of  the  Oframtt^n  af  Be^aci il  a^Qti  tr*ii  fiiUt  fUt 

Mag/zs  futhi  majffj,  dti  ^tulitt  kt  deux  <fui  (Jiaitnt  J  U  U  thtl* 
M%vsrne  juir:zi  &rtj.    Quiiftcraer  Jour.  Nov,  j, 

nivi 


A  Mid[utnmer-Night\  Dream.         1 5  5 

man  b  but  an  afs,  if  he  go  about  to  expound  this 

dream.  Mcthought  I  was,  there  is  no  man  can  tell 
what.  Mcthought  1  was,  and  mcthought  I  had,  — 
But  man  is  but  a  patch'd  foof,  if  he  will  offer  to  fay 
what  methot^ht  I  had.  The  eye  of  man  hath  not 
heard,  the  car  of  man  hath  not  fccn  \  man's  hand  it 
not  able  to  tafte,  his  tongue  to  conceive,  nor  his  heart 
to  report  what  my  dream  was,  I  will  get  Peier ^infi 
to  wrire  a  ballad  of  this  dream ;  it  Hiall  be  call*d 
Bottom's  Dream^  bccaufe  it  hath  no  bottom  ;  and  I  will 
fing  it  in  the  latter  end  of  a  play  before  the  Duke ; 
pcradventure,  to  make  it  the  more  gracious,  I  iliali 
fing  it  (a)  after  Death.  [Emt, 


SCENE        IV. 

Changes  to  the  Tawn^ 
Enter  Quince^  Flute^  Snout,  and  Starveling. 


tin,  rjAVE  you  fent  to  j?tf^/«fi's  houfc  ?  is  he 


^^m        EH  come  home  yet  ? 

^"  Star,  He  cannot  be  licard  of.     Out  of  doubfi  he  B 
tranfported. 

Flu,  M  he  come  not^  then  the  pky  b  marr'd.    It 
g0C5  not  forward,  doth  u  ? 

%i».  It  is  not  poffiblc ;  you  have  not  a  man,  in  all 
Athens^  able  to  difcharge  Pyramus^  but  he. 
^H   Fh.  No,  he  hath  funply  die  bcft  wit  of  any  handy- 
^^&fr  man  in  Athens* 

^^  ^tin.  Yea^  and  »thc  bcfl  perfon  tooj  and  he  is  a 
very  paramour  for  a  fweet  voice. 

Flu.  You  muft  fay,  paragon ;  a  paramour  is  (God 
bleis  U5 ! )  a  thing  of  naught. 

Enter  Snug. 
Snug,  Matters,  the  Duke  is  coming  from  the  tem- 
pje*  and  there  is  two  or  three  lords  and  ladies  more 

[  (a)  —  eftft  Diath,  Mr.  TbnhaU,  —  Vulg.  «/  htr  DfMif] 

married  i 


5$  A  Midfummer-Nighis  Dream. 

married  \  if  our  fport  had  gone  forward,  wc  htd 
been  made  men. 

Flu.  O  fwect  bully  Bmcml  thus  hath  he  ]oft  fix- 
pence  a-day  during  his*  fife ;  he  could  not  have  *(capM 
fix- pence  a*day  i  an  the  Duke  had  not  given  him  fix- 
pence  a-day  for  playing Pyr^zmtfJ,  Til  be  hanged: 
would  have  deferv'd  it,  Six-pcncc  a-day,  in  Pjrri 
or  nothing. 

Enter  Bottom, 

Bot.  Where  are  thefc  lads?  where  are  thefc  h< 

^in.  Boncm! O  moft  courageous  day !  O. 

happy  hour ! 

Bet,  Maften,  I  am  to  difcourfc  wonders, 
me  not  what  \  for  if  I  tell  you,  I  am  no  true  Ati 
I  will  tell  you  every  thing  as  it  fell  out. 

S^in.  Let  us  hear,  fweet  Bottom. 

Bot.  Not  a  word  of  me ;  all  I  will  tell  you  is,  tl 
the  Duke  hath  dined.  Get  your  apparel  together, 
ftrings  CO  your  beards,  new  ribbons  to  your  puj 
meet  prefcntly  at  the  palace,  every  man  look  o'er 
part  i  for  the  fhort  and  the  long  b,  our  fJay  is  pr 
ferr*d  :  in  any  cafe^  let  Tbhhy  have  clean  linnen  \ 
iec  not  him,  that  plays  the  lion,  pare  his  nails^  for  th< 
fliall  hang  out  for  the  lion's  claws  j  and,  moft  d< 
aftors  \  eat  no  onions,  nor  garlick,  for  we  are  to  iiti 
fwect  breath  ;  and  I  da  not  doubt  to  hear  them  fay, 
is  a  moft  fweet  comedy.     No  more  words ;  awaj 
go  away.  [- 


A  C 


m 


A  Midfummer-NigM t  Dream. 

ACT     V.     SCENE     L 

The    T  A  LAC  E. 

Inter  Thdcus,  Hippolita,  Egeus>  iLnd  his  Lords. 

HiPPOLlTA. 

*np  I S  ftrange,  my  7hefms^  what  thefe  lovers  fpcak  of. 
A      7b€f.  More  ftrange  than  true. 


ma/ 


_  I  never 

belitve 
hefc  antick  fables,  nor  thefe  fairy  toys; 

Lovers  and  madmen  have  fuch  fcething  brains. 

Such  ftiaping  fancafies,  that  apprehend 
ore  than  cool  realbn  ever  comprehends. 
The  lunarick,  the  lover,  and  the  poet. 
Are  of  imagination  all  compaft : 
One  fees  more  devils  than  vaft  hell  can  hold  ; 
The  madman.     While  the  lover^  all  as  francick, 
Sees  Helen's  beauty  in  a  brow  oi  Egypt. 
The  poet's  eye,  in  a  fine  frenzy  rowling. 
Doth  glance  from  heav'n  to  earth,   from  earth  to 

heav'n  \ 
And,  as  imagination  bodiei  forth 
The  forms  ot  things  unknown,  the  poet*s  pen 
Turns  them  to  (liape,  and  gives  fo  aiery  nothing 

**  A  local  habitation  and  a  name, 

**  Such  cricks  hath  ftrong  imagination, 

■*  *  That  if  it  would  but  apprehend  fomcjoy, 

**  It  comprehends  fome  bringer  of  that  joy  ; 

Or  in  the  night  imagining  fome  fisar, 

How  cafy  is  a  bufh  fuppos*d  a  bear  ? 

Hip.  But  all  the  ftory  of  the  night  told  over, 

t   TW  i/H%  lutttU  hul  a^rrhtad ]  The  Qii*rio  of  tSoo 

raibt  Tiai  tf  i  t i.  e.  the  imaginaiion ;  and  ibis  is  right. 

And 


A  Midfummer-Night's  Dream. 

And  all  chdr  minds  transBgur^d  lb  togedicr. 
More  witncflcdi  than  fattcy's  images. 
And  grows  to  Ibmethiog  of  great  conftancy  ; 
But,  hovrfocver^  ftrangc  and  admirable. 

Enier  Lyfendcr,  Demetrius,  Hcrmia  and  Helena. 

fjf/;  Here  come  the  Icyvers,  fbU  of  joy  and 
Joy,  gende  friends  j  joy  and  freih  days  of  love 
Accompany  your  hearts, 

Lyf  More  than  to  us^ 
Wait  on  your  royal  walks,  your  board,  your  bed. 

Tbcf.  Come  now,  what  masks,  whax  dances 
we  have^ 
To  wear  away  this  long  age  of  three  hours. 
Between  our  after-fupper  and  bed-time  ? 
Where  is  our  uftial  manager  of  mirth  ? 
What  f^vek  arc  in  hand  ?  is  there  no  play, 
To  eafe  the  anguiJh  of  a  torturing  hour  i 
Call  Pbilojirate. 

Enter  PhUoflrace, 

PbiJeft.  Here,   natghty  Tieffus.  fi 

The/,  Say,  what  abridgment  have  you  for  this 
What  mafque  ?  what  mufick  ?  how  Jhall  we  bcgirifc] 
The  lazy  time»  if  not  with  fome  ddight  ? 

Phileft*    There  is  a  brief,  how  many  Iporrs  arc 
Make  dioice  of  which  your  Highncfs  will  (re  firft 

{Grc'mg  a  Pi 

nef,  [reads,]  7be  bauU  with  (be  QntaurSy  f^  hcji 
By  an  Athenian  euntuh  to  the  bar-p. 
We'll  none  of  that.    That  I  luve  told  my  love,  ,^ 
In  glory  of  my  kinfn^an  Hercules. 
^bi  riot  of  the  tipfie  Bacchanals, 
TearJjJg  the  Thraciany?;;^rr  in  their  ra^e. 
That  is  an  old  device  ;  and  it  was  plaid. 
When  1  from  Thebes  came  laft  a  conqueror. 


^  Midfummer-Nighis  Dria*n.         159 

*  fbf  tbrki  tbrei  Mufis  mourmngfor  tbi  dtatk 
Ofkarmngj  kt$  deaas^d  in  bqgary. 
That  is  ibme  iktyr,  keen  and  cridcal  i 
Not  forcing  with  a  nupdal  cerenoony. 
/I  tedious  brief  fcene  ojyomig  Pyramus, 
And  bis  love  Thisbe ;  very  tragical  mirib, 
'  Meny  and  trag^?  tedioi»  and  brief? 
That  13  hot  Ice,  a  wondrous  ftrange  Shew« 
How  ihall  we  find  the  concord  of  this  dilcord  ? 

Pbiloft.  A  play  there  i%  niy  loid,  ibme  ten  wofds 
long  i 
Which  is  as  brief,  aa  I  have  known  a  play  ; 
But  by  ten  words,  my  lord,  it  is  too  long  ( 
Which  makes  it  tedious :  for  in  all  the  play 
There  b  not  one  word  apt.  one  player  fitted* 
And  tragical,  my  noUe  lord,  it  is : 
For  Pyranms  therdn  doth  HUl  himfelf. 
Which,  when  I  law  rehearsed,  I  muft  confefi. 
Made  mine  eyes  water ;  but  more  merry  te^rs 
The  paflion  of  loud  laughter  never  flied. 

^ej.  What  are  they,  that  do  play  it  ? 

Pbiloft.  Hard-handed  men,  that  work  in  Atbem  here* 
Which  never  laboured  in  their  minds  'till  now  $ 

2  tht  thrice  thret  Mufist  Ac  ]    This  feemt  to  be  intended  as 

a  compliment  to  Spencer^  who  wrote  a  poejn  ca!lcd  Tht  tears  cf 

the  Mufes.    He  fpcrai  to  have  paid  bis  friend  ftnothar,  in  the 

fe<9md  A&t  where  be  makes  the  queen  of  fairies  iay  to  the  king, 

— ^—  But  I  kaatv 

When  thou,  haft  fioWn  anxay  from  hXry  land, 

Ami^  in  thefiape  0/*Corin,  /ate  ail  d^ 

Playing  on  pipes  of  corst,  and  ver/ing  liv9 

%  anCrous  Phillida,  ■  incimatiog  tba»  the  paftorati 

of  that  {x>et  were  fo  fweet,  that  it  was  a  fuperior  being  under 
the  difguife  of  a  mortal  who  compofed  them. 

3  Merry  and  tragical  ?  tedious  and  hrieff 
7hat  is  hot  Ice,  and  voondrous ftrange  SHOW.]  7*he  BOn* 
fnfe  of  the  laft  litie  ftioald  be  correded  thus. 

That  is,  hot  Jce,  m  ^mndmts ftrange  sxiw  f 

And 


A  MidJummer^Night' s  Dreafn. 

And  now  have  toii'd  their  unbrcath'd  memoi 
With  this  fame  play  agauift  your  nuptlalt. 

^hef.  And  wc  will  htar  it. 

Pbilofi.  No,  my  noble  lord, 
Ic  is  not  for  you,     I  have  heard  it  over. 
And  it  is  nochingj  nothing  in  the  world  > 
Unlefs  you  can  find  Jport  in  their  intents. 
Extremely  ftrctch'd  and  conn*d  with  cruel  pain» 
To  do  you  lervice. 

Thef.  I  will  hear  that  pky  : 
*^  For  never  any  thing  can  be  amils, 
**  When  fimplenefs  and  duty  tender  it. 
Go,  bring  them  in,  and  take  your  places^  ladies. 

[Exit  PhiL 

Hip,  I  love  not  to  fee  wretchednefs  o'ercharg'd,    ^| 
And  duty  in  his  fervice  perithing. 

7bef.  Why,  gentle  fweet,  you  Ihallfcenofuch  tli 

Hip,  He  fays,  they  can  do  nothing  in  this  kind. 

^hsf.   The  kinder  we,    to  give  them  thanks 
nothing. 
Our  fport  fliall  be,  to  take  what  they  miflake  j 
And  what  poor  (wiliing)  duty  cannqt  do» 
Noble  relpedt  takes  it  in  might,  not  merir. 
**  Where  1  have  come,  great  clerks  have  purpoled 
*'  To  greet  me  with  premeditated  welcomes; 
**  Where  I  have  fecn  them  Ihiver  and  look  pakr, 
*'  Make  periods  in  the  midft  of  fentcnces, 
•*  Throttle  their  practisM  accent  in  their  fears, 
**  And,  in  condufion,   dumbly  have  broke  off, 
**  Not  paying  me  a  welcome.    Trufl  mc,  fwect, 
**  Out  of  this  filence  yet  I  pick'd  a  welcome: 
**  And  in  the  modefty  of  fearful  duty 
'^  I  read  as  much,  as  from  the  rattling  tongue 
*'  Of  fawcy  and  audacious  eloquence. 
Love  therefore,  and  tongue-ty*d  fimplicuy» 
In  lead  fpeak  moft,  to  my  capacity. 


•i/f  Midjurnmer-Nigbi's  DreOfn.         1 

Enter  PhiloJlrate. 

PhiL  So  pleafe  your  Grace,  the  prologue  is  addreft. 
Wkif^  Let  l«m  approach.  i^^^*  3ni^. 

SCENE        II. 

Enter  Qaincej  fm-  tbe  pralagtfe. 

Pro.  If  we  offend,  it  is  with  our  good  will. 

That  you  (hoiild  think,  we  come  not  to  offend. 
But  with  good  wilt.     To  fliew  our  fimple  slcill. 

That  is  the  true  beginning  of  our  end, 
Confidcr  then,  wc  cCmc  but  in  dcfpighc. 

We  do  not  cooic,  as  minding  to  content  you. 
Our  true  intent  is, — ail  for  your  ddigl^t,  [you, 

\Vc  an?  not  here,  — that  you  fiiculd  here  repent 

The  aftors  are  at  hand ; and  by  their  fhow, 

YoU  Ihall  know  all,  that  you  arc  likc^  to  know, 

I'bef,  This  iVlIow  doth  not  ft m  J  upon  j>oint5, 

Lyf,  He  hath  rid  his  prologue,  like  a  rouL;h  colt  i 
he  knows  not  the  flop*  A  good  mora!,  my  lord.  It 
U  not  enough  to  fpcak^  but  Co  I'peAk  true. 

Hi^.  Indeed  he  hath  playM  on  his  prologue,  like 
a  child  on  the  recorder  i  a  found,  but  not  in  go- 
vernmtnt, 

Tbef.  His  fpecch  was  like  a  tangled  chaJn  j  nothing 
impaired,  but  all  difordcr'd.     Wh6  is  the  next  ? 

Etrttr  Pyramus,  a>td  Thisbe,  Walh  MoonHiine,  and^ 
Lion,  as  indumhjbtw. 

Fro,  Gentles,  perchance^  you  wonierat  this  fhow, 
But  wonder  on,  till  truth  make  all  things  pbi.i. 

This  man  is  Pyramus^  it  you  would  know  j 
17ijs  beauteous  lady  Tbssbe  is,  ccrt^iin, 

Tliis  m^,  with  !ime  and  rou.crh-caft.  doth  prefenc 

Vol.  I.  :M  Wall, 


i62        A  Muifumtmr-Nights  Dream. 

Will,  the  file  wall,  which  did  thcfc  lovem  funder: 
And  through  walPs  chink,  poor  foub,  ihey  arc  contcz; 

To  whilpcr,  at  the  which  let  no  man  wonder, 
I'his  nianj  with  lanthorn,  dog,  and  btifli  of  chom, 

Prtfcnteth  monn-fhine :   Kor,  iFyou  will  know. 
By  moon-Oiine  did  thefc  lovers  think  no  fcom 

To  meet  at  Nimis'  tomb,  there,  there  to  woo. 
This  grifly  bcaft,  which  by  name  Uctj  hight. 
The  ttulty  Tbish,  coming  firll  by  nighr. 
Did  fcare  away,  or  rather  did  afFrighr  : 
And  as  (Ik  fied^  her  mantle  (he  let  fall  5 

Which  ZJo/i  vile  with  bloody  mouth  did  (lain. 
Anon  comes  Pyramus,  fweet  youth  and  i^ll. 

And  finds  his  crully  Thish*^  mantle  (lain  ; 
Whereat^  with  blade,  with  blootly  blameful  blade 

He  bravely  bronch'd  his  boiling  bloody  breaft. 
And  Thisbe^  tarrying  in  the  mtiiberry  fhadc. 

His  dagger  drew,  and  died.     For  all  the  retl, 
Tct  Lion^  Mocn-Jhim^  fPfjll,  and  lovers  twain. 
At  large  difcourie,  wfiile  here  they  do  remain, 

[Exeufit  aS  htt  Wal 

Thrf,  I  wonder,    if  the  Lhn  be  to  fpeak. 

Dcm.  No  wonder,  my  lord  j  one  Lion  may, 
m.iny  affcs  do. 

W'tiU,  In  this  fame  Interlude^  it  doth  befall. 
That  I,  owt  Sncut  by  namr,  jTrcfent  a  wall : 
And  fuch  a  wall|  as  I  would  have  you  think. 
That  had  in  it  a  crannied  hole  or  chink  ; 
Tliioiigh  svljich  the  lovers,  Pyr'mus  and  Tbisie^ 
Did  whHper  otten  very  fecraly. 
This  loam,  this  rovigh-c:ifl,  and  this  ftonc  dodi  flicw, 
That  I  am  that  i;ime  wall ;  the  truth  i*;  fo. 
And  this  the  cranny  is,  right  and  finiftcr, 
Through  which  tlie  fearful  lovtrs  arc  to  whtfper. 

T^ef.  Would  you  defire  lime  and  hair  to  fpeak  better? 

Dm.  Ir  IK  the  whtieft  parcrdon,  that  ever  I  htxid 
difcourfc,  my  lord. 


A  f/ttdfummer-'Nighfs  Dream.        163 

nef.  Pyramus  draws  near  the  wall :  filence ! 

Enter  Pyramus. 

Pyr.  O  grim-Iook*d  night !  O  night  with  hue  fo 
blade! 

0  ntg^t  which  ever  art,  when  day  b  not ! 
O  night,  O  night,  alack,  alack,  alack, 

1  fear  my  Tbiste'a  promife  is  forgot. 
And  thou,  O  wall,  O  fwect  and  lovely  wall. 

That  ftands  between  her  fathers  ground  3X)d  mine ; 
Thou  wall,  O  wall,  O  fweet  and  lovely  wall,     [eync. 

Shew  me  thy  chink,  to  blink  through  mtb  mine 
Thanks,  courteous  wall ;  Jove  Ihield  thee  well  for 
this! 

But  what  fee  I  ?  no  I'hijbe  do  I  ice. 
O  wicked  wall,  through  whom  I  fee  no  blifs } 

Curft  be  thy  ftoncs  for  thus  decdving  me  ! 

The/.  The  wall,  meihinks,  being  fenfible,  fhould 
curfe  ag^. 

Pyr.  No,  in  truth.  Sir,  he  (hould  not.  Decehit^ 
me^  is  Tbisi^s  cue ;  fhe  is  to  enter,  and  I  am  to  Cpy 
her  through  the  wall.  You  (hall  fee,  it  will  fall  pat 
as  I  told  you.    Yonder  (he  comes. 

Enter  Thisbe. 

77nf  O  wall,  full  often  haft  thou  heard  my  moans. 

For  pardng  my  fair.  Pyramus  and  me. 
My  cherry  lips  have  often  kifs'd  thy  ftones: 

Thy  ftones  with  lime  and  hair  knit  up  in  thee. 

Pyr.  I  fee  a  voice  ;  now  will  I  to  the  chink  ; 

To  fpy,  an  I  can  hear  my  Ashe's  face. 
Tbhie ! 

Thif,  My  love!  thou  art,  my  love,  I  think. 

Pyr.  Think  what  thou  wilt,  I  am  thy  lover's  grace* 
And  like  Umander  am  I  trufty  ftill. 

Tbif.  And  I  like  Helena  till  the  fates  tat  kill. 

P^.  Not  Sbafalus  to  Procrus  was  fo  true. 

^/,  As  Sbafalus  to  Proems^  I  to  you. 

M  %  Pyr. 


1 64       A  Miilfummer-Nigbis  Diream. 

Pyr.  O  kii's  me  througji  the  bole  of  tlus  vile  wL 

7bif.  I  kiis  the  wall's  hole,  not  your  lips  at  afl. 

Pyr,  Wilt  chou  at  Nwny's  tomb  meet  me  ftnuglt* 
way? 

^hif.  Tide  life,  tide  death,  I  come  mthour  ddaj. 

^W/.  Thus  have  I  Wall  my  part  diichargodft : 
And,  being  done,  thus  ff^aB  away  doth  {^.      {EA 

1'bef.  ^  Now  is  the  Mural  down  between  die  tm 
neighbours. 

Dem,  No  remedy,  my  lord,  when  walls  are  6  wil- 
ful to  rear  without  warning. 

Hip.  This  is  the  fiUieft  ftuflFthat  e'er  I  hcanL 

ibef.  The  bcft  in  this  kind  are  but  fliadows  $  »! 
the  worft  arenoworfe,  if  imagination  amend  chcm. 

Hip,  It  mult  be  your  imaginanon  then,  and  xxx 
theirs. 

Tbef,  If  weima^ne  no  worle  (rf'them  than  they  of 
themfelves,  they  may  pafs  for  excellent  men.  Hat 
come  two  noble  beads  in  a  man  and  a  lion. 

Enter  Lion  and  Moonfliine. 

JJcn.  You,  ladies,  you,  whole  gentle  hearts  do  ke 

The  fmalleft  monftrous  moufe  that  creqps  on  floor, 
May  now,  perchance,  both  quake  and  tremble  hcrci 

When  Lion  rough  in  wildcft  rage  doth  roar. 
Then  know  that  I,  one  Snug  die  joiner,  am 
No  Lion  frU,  nor  dfe  no  Lion's  dam : 
For  if  I  ihould  as  Lion  come  in  ftrife 
Into  tWs  place,  'twere  pity  of  my  life. 

Tbef.  A  very  gentle  beaft,  and  of  a  good  confiknce. 

Dem,  The  very  beft  at  a  beaft,  my  lord,  that  c'cf 
Ifaw. 

4  Thef.   AVw  h  tbi  mmral  ia^Kn  hti-ween  th§  i*u»  miifhitKrs. 

Dtm.  Ne  remedy^  my  hrd,  nvben  tjL'alls  art  fo  wilfmJi*  BlAt 

nx'ithoHt  'vjarKtng.']  SbaktJptMr  coald  never  write  tmt  aonfeifei 

we  OiouJd  rc»d io  rear  wit&wi  wurnitig.     i,  # .  ft  i>  '^ 

u-crdcT  that  walls  Ihould  be  fuddonly  down,  wMn  |hcy  wt'^  ** 
{udiierlv  up  j  —  rtmr'd  withfut  'wAtning. 


\/f  Midftimtner'Night s  Dream*         »6j 

Lyf^  This  Lion  is  a  very  fox  for  fils  valour. 

Thef  True  \  and  a  goofe  for  his  diicrction. 

Dem,  Nbt  fo,  my  lord  j  for  his  valour  cannot  carry 
his  difcretion,  and  the  fox  carries  r!ie  gpofe. 

^bif.  His  difcretion,  I  am  furc,  cannot  carry  his 
valour  ;  for  the  goofe  carries  not  the  fox.  It  is  well  5 
kave  it  co  his  diicretion,  and  la  us  hearken  co  the 
xxaoofL 

Aftwfl.  This  lanthomdoth  the  homed  moon  prefent. 

Dam.  He  fhould  hsive  worn  the  horns  on  his  hea<i 

Thef  He  is  no  crtfcent^  and  his  liorna  are  invifiblc 
within  the  drcuniference, 

Mem,  This  lanthorn  doth  the  homed  moon  prcfent: 
My  felf  the  man  i'th*  moon  doth  feem  to  be. 

Tbef.  This  is  the  grcateft  error  of  ail  the  reft  ;  the 
man  fliould  be  put  into  the  lanthorn  •  how  is  it  dfc 
the  man  i*th'  moon  ? 

Dtm.  He  dares  not  come  there  for  the  candle  ;  for 
you  fee,  it  is  already  in  IhufF. 

Hip,  I  am  weary  of  thi$  moon;  Vould,  he  would 
change  \ 

7hef,  It  appears  by  his  fmdl  light  of  difcretion,  that 
he  is  in  the  wane  \  but  yet  in  courteil^,  in  all  reafon, 
we  muft  ftay  the  time* 

Lyf.  Proceed,  Moon, 

Mom.  All  that  1  have  to  fay,  is  to  tell  you  chat 
the  lanthorn  i*  the  moon  j  I,  the  man  in  the  moon ; 
this  thom-bufh,  mythom-bufhi  and  this  dog^  my 
dog- 

Dtm.  Why,  all  ihefc  fliould  be  in  the  lanthorn ; 
for  they  are  in  the  moon.    But,  lilence  ;   here  cornea 

Enter  Thisbe* 
71//!  This  is  old  Nmnyh  comb  j  where  is  my  love  f 
Lion.  Oh.-—-      [TJ^Lion  rMrSy  Thisbc  rutt^  ^g^ 
Dm,  Well  roar*d,  Lion. 

.   M3  Tbif^ 


^^fe 


1 66         ^  Midfutmmr-Nigbt  %  Dream. 

fbef  Well  run,  7'hisbc. 
Hfp,  Well  ilione,  M(?on. 
Truly,  the  Moon  fhines  with  a  good  grace. 
Thef.  Well  mouz'd,  Utm, 
T^em.  And  then  came  Pynmus, 
Lyf,  And  fo  the  Lion  vanifli'd* 

Enter  Pyramus, 

Pyr.  Sweet  Moon,  I  chank  thcc  for  thy  funny 

1  thank  thee.  Moon,  for  fhining  now  fo  brighc  i 
For  by  thy  gracious,  golden,  glittering  ftremis, 

I  trull  to  tafte  of  trueft  Thtsie^&  fight* 
But  ftay :  O  fpight  [ 
Buc  mark,  poor  Knight, 

What  dreadful  dole  is  here? 
Eyes,  do  you  fee  I 
How  can  it  be ! 

O  dainty  duck  ?  O  deer! 
Thy  mantle  good, 
What,  ftain'd  with  blood  ? 

*  Approach,  you  ftiries  fell : 
O  fates !  come,  come : 
Cut  thread  and  thrutn  ; 

Quail,  crufli,  conclude,  and  quell. 

^hef.  This  paffion,  and  the  death  of  a  dear 
Would  go  near  to  make  a  man  look  fad. 

////*.  Beftirew  my  heart,  but  I  pity  the  man. 

Pyr.  O  wherefore,  nacure,  didft  thou  Lions 

Since  Lion  vile  hath  here  deflour'd  my  dear  : 
Which  is-      ■  no,  no —  wiiich  was  the  faireft  clanif, 

♦  Thatliv'd,  that  lov*d,  that  lik'd,  that  Jook'd  with 
«  cheer. 

Conic  tears,  confound  :   out  fword,  and  wound 

The  pap  of  Pyramus^ 
Ay,  that  left  pap,  where  heart  cioth  hop: 

Tlius  die  I,  tnus*  thus,  thus. 
Now  am  I  dead,  now  am  I  acd,  my  foul  is  ir 


A  Midfummer'Nigy s  Dream.         1 67 

Tongue,  lofe  thy  light :  moon»  take  thy  flight ; 
Now  die,  die,  die,  die,  die.  \pies, 

Dem,  No  die,  but  an  ace,  for  him  \  for  he  is  but  one^ 

Lyf.  Lefs  tliaii  an  ace,  man  j  for  he  is  dead  ;   he  i& 
notWng.  ' 

Tbef,  With  the  help  of  a  Surgeon  he  might  yet  reco- 
ver, and  prove  an  afs. 

Hip.  How  chance  the  Motmfinne  b  gone,  before  Tbish  . 
comes  back  and  finds  her  lover  ? 

Enter  Thisbc. 

Thiff.  She  will  find  him  by  ftar-Iight. 
Here  fhe  comes  j  and  her  paffion  ends  the  Play, 

Hip.  Methinks,  fhe  Ihould  not  ufe  a  lon^  one  for 
fuch  a  fyramus :  I  hopei'  Ihc  will  be  brief. 

Dem,  A  moth  will  nim  the  ballance,  which  Pyra--  • 
nms^  which  ThisiCy  is  the  better.  [eyes. 

'  Lyf.  She  bath  &r*d  him  already  with  thole  fweet 
'J)em.  And  thus  me  (a)  moans,  viirifff/^—i-a* 

Tbef,  Aflecp,  nty  hrc  ? 
What  dead,  xnydove? 
O  Pyramusy  arue: 
&>eak,  ipeak.    Quite  dumb  ? 
Doid,  dead?  a  tomb 
Muft  cover  thy  Iwect  eyes. 
Thefe  lilly  brows, 

?his  cheny  nofe, 
hefe  .yellow  cowflip  cheeks, 
Are  gorie,  are  gone : 
Lovers,  make  moan ! 
His  eyes  were  green  as  leeks, 
O  lifters  three. 
Come,  come  to  me. 
With  hands  as  pale  as  milk  \ 
hax^  tliem  in  gore. 


[{4, -Mm/—  Ut.fhi^U.^    Volg.  •««.] 

M4  Sincse 


1 68        A  Midfufnmer-Nigbis  Dreanu 

Since  you  have  fliore 

AN  ich  Ihears  his  thread  of  filk. 

Tongue,  not  a  word : 

Come,  trufty  fword  5 

Come,  blade,  my  breaft  imbrue  : 

Ami  farewcl,  fricixls. 

Thus  ^bisbe  ends ; 

Adieu,  adieu,  adieu,  [Act. 

nef,  Mconfiine  and  Uon  are  left  to  bury  die  H#»#l, 

Dem,  Ay,  and  Wall  too. 

Bot.  No,  I  afiure  you,  the  wall  is  down  that  ported 
their  Others.  \Yill  it  pleafe  you  to  iee  the  cpiJoguo^ 
or  to  hear  a  bergomask  dance,  between  two  of  our 
company  ? 

thef.  No  epbgue,  I  pray  you ;  for  your  p^ 
needs  no  excufe.  Never  excuie  ;  for  when  the  players 
are  all  dead,  there  need  none  to  be  blam'd.  Many, 
if  he,  that  writ  it,  had  play'd  Pjp-amuSy  and  hui^ 
himfelf  in  fbisbe\  garter  it  would  have  been  a  line  t«- 
gcdy  :  and  fo  it  is,  truly,  and  very  notably  diichaxg*d. 
But  come,  your  bei^omask ;  let  your  E{ttlGgpe 
alone. 

[Here  a  dance  efckwns* 
The  iron  tongue  of  midnight  hath  told  twelve. 
Lovers,  to  bed  ;  *tis  almoft  Fairy  dme. 
I  fear,  we  ihall  out-fleep  the  coming  mom. 
As  much  as  we  this  night  have  over-watch'd. 
This  palpable  grofs  Play  hath  well  beguil*d 
The  heavy  gate  of  night.     Sweet  fiiends,  to  bed. 
A  fortnight  hold  we  this  folemnity, 
Jn  nightly  revel  and  new  jollity,  \ExmUw 


S  C  E  If  K 


A  MidfutHmer-NigM s  Dream, 


SCENE'      Hi, 


ft< 


Enicr  Puck, 

Puck.   *  **  Now  the  hungry  Ibn  roars, 
"  And  the  wolf  behowls  the  moon : 
Whilll  the  heavy  plowman  Ihoars^ 
«  All  with  weary  cask  fore-done, 

<c  p^ow  the  wafted  brands  do  glow, 

'*  Whilft  the  fcritch-owl»  fcritching  loud, 

'*  Puts  the  wretch,  that  hcs  in  woe, 
"  In  remembrance  of  a  ihroud. 

«<  Now  it  is  the  time  of  night, 

**  That  the  graves,  all  gaping  wide. 
Every  one  lets  forth  his  fpright, 

In  the  church-way  paths  to  glide ; 
And  we  Fairies,  that  do  run 

By  the  triple  He^at^'s  teanij 
From  the  prefence  of  the  fun, 
**  Following  darknefs  like  3  dream, 

Now  are  frolick ;  not  a  moufe 

Shall  difturb  this  hallowed  houie: 

I  am  ient  with  broom  before. 

To  fwccp  the  dull  behind  the  door- 


it 


(C 


u 


tt 


cc 


5  N91V  tht  kugpy  //*T  rtAfJ, 

And  tht  iwfi/  B  £  K  o  L  D  s   t^e  tneoTt : 

•^11  with  -wfarj  f^ti/lrt-ffo/ff.]  Il  being  the  dcfigtl  ef 
ihefe  wordj  to  cham^crae  the  Tcvcr^l  animatt,  ^  chcy  prcicnc 
themselves  m  the  hour  of  midnight ;  and  the  wolf  not  beingjuflly 
Chara^rizcd  by  faying  he  MoJJj  the  moon^  which  all  other 
bealls  of  prey  then  awake  do  likewife,  I  make  no  cjiic^on  but 
the  pott  Wrut« 

Jnd  fht  'iL'^ff  &  E  H  o  w  L  s  tht  wflflff. 
which  is  his  cbarafleriftrc  prqprrcy.    And  further  to  fupport  iKii 
emcndnuan  we  may  obferYe>  thai  xhtftundt  thcfe  anlmalfl  cmiCi 
«t  iiii»  feAlba,  arc  pkinl/  intended  »  be  rcprefcntcd. 

Enter 


170        -^  Midfummer-Nigbis  Dream. 

Enter  King  and  ^een  c/ Fairies,  with  tbrir  tram. 

Ob.  Through  this  houie  give  gfimmering  lights 

By  the  dead  and  drowfie  fire. 
Every  elf,  and  fairy  fprite. 

Hop  as  light  as  tnrd  from  brier ; 
And  this  ditty  after  me 
Sing,  and  dance  it  trippingly. 

Stgeen.  Firft  rehearie  this  fong  by  roat. 
To  each  word  a  warbling  note. 
Hand  in  hand,  with  fiiry  grace. 
Will  we  fing  and  bkls  this  place. 

The  S  O  N  G. 

Now  until  the  break  of  da^y 

through  this  boufe  each  Fary  ftrfff^ 

To  the  beft  bride-bed  will  wr, 

JVbicb  by  usJbaU  bleffed  be  : 

And  the  ijfuty  there  create^ 

Ever  JhaU  be  fortunate  i 

Sojhall  all  the  couples  three 

Ever  true  in  loving  be: 

And  the  blots  ef  nature* s  band 

Shall  not  in  their  ijfueftand ; 

Never  mokj  bair-lip,  nor  fear ^ 

Nor  mark  prodigious^  fucb  as  are 

Dejpifed  in  nativity  ^ 

Shall  upon  their  children  be. 

With  this  field-dew  confecratCy 

Every  Fzny  take  his  gatCy 

And  each  feveral  chamber  blefsy 

Through  this  palace^  with  Jweet  peace. 

Ever  JhaU  it  fafefy  refty 

And  the  owner  of  it  bleft, 

Trip  awcr^y  make  no  flay ; 

Meet  me  all  by  break  of  day. 

Puck 


A  Midfummer-NigMs  Dream. 

Puck.  If  we  (hadows  have  ofFendedj 
Think  but  this^  and  aU  is  mended  j 
That  you  have  but  flumbrcd  hert^ 
While  thefe  viiions  did  appear. 
And  this  weak  and  idle  theam 
No  more  yielding  but  a  dream. 
Gentles,  do  not  reprehend  •, 
If  you  pardon,  we  will  mend. 
And  33  I  am  honeft  Puck^ 
If  we  have  unearned  luck 
Now  to  *fcape  the  ferpcnt^s  tongue. 
We  will  make  amends  ere  long  : 
Elfe  the  Puck  a  liar  call : 
So,  good  night  unto  you  alL 
Give  me  your  hands,  if  we  be  ftiends  $ 
And  Robin  Iball  reflorc  amends,  [Exeunt  0nnes^ 


171 


<^^ 


TH  S 


THE    T  W« 


GENTLEMEN 


0  F 


V  E  R  O  MA. 


m-xMs,- 


ar«J- 


Dramatis  Perfona* 

D  U  K  E  0/  MUan,  Father  to  SUvia. 

Sithcu?  }  ^^  '"^^  Gentlemen. 
Anthonio,  Father  to  Frotheus. 
Thurio,  afooltfo  Rival  to  Valentine. 
Eglamorc,  Agent  for  SAtvsl  inberEfcafe. 
Hoft,  where  Julia  lodges  in  Milan. 
I  Out-hws«    ... 
Speed,  a  clowmjh  Servant  to  Valcntbc. 
Launce,  the  like  to  Protheus. 
Panthion,  Servant  to  Anthonio, 

Julia,  m  Lady  of  Verona,  beloved  of  Fro^eos. 
Silvia,  the  Duke  ^  Milan  V  Daughter^  beloved  of  Va- 
lentine. 
Lucetta,  fVaiting-woman  /^  Julia.   , 

Servants^  Mificians, 


VS^  S  C  E  N  E,  fimetimes  inY txor\z%  fometimes  in 
Milan ;  and  on  the  Frontiers  of  Mantua. 


THE 


'THE 


WO    GENTLEMEN 


O    F 


V  E   R  O  N  A 


ACTL      SCENE     I. 

An  open  Place  in  Verona, 

Enter  Valentine  and  Prothcus. 

Valentine, 
EASE  to  peduaJe,  my  loving  Protbeus  \ 
Honic-kccping  youth  have  ever  homely 

wits  ; 

Wer't  not,  affcftion  chains  thy  render  days 
To  the  i'wcet  glances  of  thy  honour'd  love, 
I  rather  would  intrcat  thy  company, 
To  ice  the  wonders  of  the  world  abroad  j 
Than  (living  duUy  niiggardiz'd  at  home) 
Wear  out  chy  youth  with  '  Ihapelels  idiencis, 

I  It  isobfervabic  (I  Vwow  not  for  whatcaufej  that  ihc  fiile 
rf  (his  comedy  is  Ici&  ^gurative^  and  mort  natural  And  unifFedcd 
than  rhe  greater  pate  ol  ibts  Atj:hor*^.  tho'  fuppofcd  to  be  one 
of  eh<  firU  be  wrote.  Mr.  P*pt, 

z  paptie/$  iMtnifi.^    The  cxpreffion  is  fine,   ai  im- 

ph  ing  that  idUnt/t  prevcaii  the  giving  any  form  or  charaflcr  to 

But 


176        7%e  Two  Gentlemen  £/*  Verona. 

But  fince  thou  loT*ft,  love  fliU,  and  thrive  riicRai  % 

£v'n  as  I  would,  when  i  to  love  beg^. 

Pro.  Wilt  thc»i  be  gone?  fweet  Vakntim^  adieu  5 
Think  on  thy  Protbeus^  when  thou,  haply,  firft 
Some  rare  note-worthy  objeft  in  thy  travd : 
"Wifh  me  partaker  in  thy  happinefi. 
When  thou  doft  meet  good  hap ;  and  in  thy  dang^, 
If  ever  danger  do  environ  thee. 
Commend  thy  Grievance  to  my  holy  prayer ; 
For  I  will  be  thy  bead*s-man,  Falentine. 

Vul,  And  on  a  love-book  pray  for  my  fuccefi. 

Pro.  Upon  fome  book  I  love,  I'll  pray  for  thee. 

VaU  That's  on  fome  fhallow  (lory  of  deep  love. 
How  young  Leander  crofs'd  the  Helk^m. 
,     Pro.  That's  a  deep  ftory  of  a  deeper  love  i 
For  he  was  more  than  over  (hoes  in  love. 

VaL  *Tis  true ;  for  you  are  over  boots  ki  love. 
And  yet  you  never  fwom  the  Hellefpcnt. 

Pro,  0\'er  the  boots?  nay,  give  me  not  the  boots. 

P^ah  No,  I  will  not ;  for  it  boots  thee  not. 

Pro.  What? 

VaL  To  be  in  love,  where  fcom  is  bought  irith 
groans ; 
^  Coy  looks,  with  heart-fore  fighs ;  one  fading  moaicnt's 
mirth. 
With  twenty  watchful,  weary,  tedious  nig^tts. 
If  haply  won,  perhaps,  an  haplefs  gain  : 
If  loft,  why  then  a  grievous  labour  won  j 
However,  but  a  folly  bought  with  wit ; 
Or  elfc  a  wit  by  folly  vanquifhcd. 

Pro.  So,  by  your  ciraimftance,  you  call  me  fool. 

Vd,  So,  by  your  circumftance,  I  fear,  yeu'U  prove. 

Pro,  'Tis  love  you  cavil  at ;  I  am  not  love. 

VaL  Love  is  your  mafter  -,  for  he  mafters  you. 
And  he  that  is  Jo  yoaked  by  a  fool, 
Methinks,  fhould  not  be  chronicled  for  wile. 

Pro,  '  Yet  writers  lay,  as  in  the  fwcctcft  bud 

•  The 


*  Inbabics  in  ^%  fya/^  Y^'m  of  al}. 

Fal.  *  Afld  wnt^F?  %,  *s  t^  moft  forward  tud 

*  Is  eaten  by  the  qm^pr^  lere  it  i^k^ ) 

^  ^yep  fp  by  love  ithje  y ojui^  ajod  fq?d^r  ^t 

*  Is  tum'd  to  folly,  blaiting  in  t\^  bp^  i 

*  Lofing  his  verdure  even  in  the  prime, 
^  A^  all  the  fair  e^e£):s  of  future  iiQpes. 
But  wherefore  wafte  I  time  to  counfel  thee. 
That  9ft  a  vpt^ry  to  fond  dcTire  i 

Once  more,  adicy :  f[ff  f^hcr  $t  the  ^^oad 
Expe^U  my  Gop^xig^  t^ierc  to  jeip  jj^  fliipp'd. 

Pr^.  And  diitjier  ^ill  I  bting  ^^  VfllMint. 

Vfil.  5w€ct  Pr^b^iffy  no :  now  let  us  t^e  ouf  ^ve. 
^  fi/filfM^  let  fne  hq^r  ^^pm  chee  bf  Itxxtvs 
4pf  jtiy  fucce&  in  love ;  ^d  lyhat  mews  elfe 
Betideth  h^  in  ^^dcnce  of  thy  friend  : 
f^  I  )jkcmife  wiH  yifit  thee  with  mi;^. 

JPtjp.  All  happ^ie^  bechance ^o  ti^ec  in  Afilant 

y^fl.  A?  nuuih  :t9  you  at  hoonie ',  and  fo,  iareivcll 

Prp.  Hp^fter bo)w>Mr  hut^  i  sFfier Ipyej 
He  )eav^  ^  fik^ds  to  digr^fy  them  jpor^  \ 
I  leave  myilelf)  my  friends,  and  all  for  love. 
T^ou?  Jv^ft  thou  haljt  ^ct^n)prphos'd  me  \ 
jVbde  cne  oegl^  my  ft^iq^  lofe  my  time^ 
War  with  good  counfi^  &t  the  world  at  nought  % 
JM^e  wit  with  fnuTvig  w^»  hear^  fu;k  witl^  tljioi^t^ 

'  S    C    E    N    E      JL 

Enter  Speed. 
^/^^.  Sir  Pre^beus^  iave  you }  law  you  jny  n^adcr  ? 
JPrtf .  But  now  he  ported  hoice,  t*  imbark  for  ASila$^ 


3  This  whole  Scene,  like  miiif  others  in  tKefe  pltys  (fone  of 

which  I  believe  were  written  by  Shake/hear,  nnd  ocbcri  interpo* 

V  o  I.  I.  '  N  IiW 


^lyS  TTye  Tuv?  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 

speed.  Twenty  to  one  then  he  is  Ihipp'd  alrcadjj 
And  I  have  piay'd  the  fhcep  in  lofing  him, 

Pr9.  Indeed,  a  flieep  doth  very  o(tcn  ftray. 
An  If  the  Ihcpherd  be  awhiJe  away. 

Spffd.'YoM  conclode  that  my  maftcr  is  a  fh< 
chcfi,  and  I  a  fhecp  ? 

Pra.  I  do* 

Speed.  Why  then  my  horns  arc  hk  horns, 
I  wake  orflecp. 

pro,  A  Py  anfwer,  and  Btting  well  a  Ihecp. 

Speed,  This  proves  me  ftill  a  fliecp. 

Pre,  True;  and  thy  mailer  a  Ih^rfierd, 

Sperd.  Nay,  that  I  can  deny  by  a  circumltance^ 

Pre,  It  Ihall  go  hard,  but  I'll  prove  it  by  an< 

Speed.  The  fhepherd  feeks  the  fheep,  aixi  not 
ihcep  the%epherd;  but  I  feek  my  mafter,  and 
roafter  feeks  not  me ;  therefore  I  am  no  fheep. 

Pro,  The  fheep  for  fodder  follows  the  (hepbf 
the  fhepherd  for  the  food  follows  rot  the  fheep  ; 
for  wages  fblloweft  thy  mafter,  thy  mafter  for  i 
follows  not  thee  ^  therefore  thou  art  a  flieep. 

Speed.  Such  another  proof  will  make  mc  ay 

Pro.  But  dolt  thou  hear  ?  gaveft  thou  my 
Julia? 

Speed.  Ay,  Sir,  I,  a  loft  mutton,  gave  your  letter  to 
her,  a  lacM  mutton,  and  Ihe,  a  lac'd  mutton,  gavt 
me,  a  loft  mutton,  nothing  for  my  labour.  i 

•'    Pro.  Herc*s  too  finall  a  pafture  for  loch  ftore  of 
muttons. 

Speed.  If  the  ground  be  over<hargM,   you 
bcft  Itick  her. 

U«?d  by  the  phyeri),  »  corapofed  of  iht  hwtSk  and  neft 
/conceit^  to  be  ^iccourued  for  only  irom  the  grolV  taite  of  thcj 
,^c  lived  in  ;  P^puU  ut  plaetrtnt      I  wi(h  1  had  authorit/  to 

them  QDt ;  but  I  have  done  alt  I  could  :  fee  a  mark  of  trprtifaii 
*  upoD  thcDi  liirou^hout  xkh  edition.  Mr.  Ptf$» 


7%e  7h)0  Gentiefnen  o/VcTouH. 

Pro.  Nay,  in  that  you  are  a  ftray,  *twcrc  bcft  pound 
you. 

Speed,  Nay,  Sir,  Ms  than  a  pound  UiaU  icrvc  mc 
for  carrying  your  krter. 

Pr&,  You  midake :  I  mean  the  pound,  a  [^n-fo!cl. 

Speed,  From  a  pound  to  a  pin  ?  fold  it  over  and 
over,  'tis  threefold  too  little  for  carrying  a  letter  to 
■your  lover. 

Pro,  But  what  fild  fhe :  did  il:e  nod  ?  [Speed  rioJs^ 

Speed.  L 

Pro.  Nqd-I  ?  why,  that^s  noddy. 

Speed,  Tou  miflook,  Sir  ;  1  faid,  flie  did  nod: 
And  you  ask  me,  if  fiie  did  nod  -,  and  1  laid,  I. 
■  •   Pro,  And  that  fee  together,  is  noddy. 

Speed.  Now  you  have  taken  the  pains  to  fet  ic  toge- 
ther, take  it  for  your  pains. 

Fro.  Noj  no,  you  ihall  hsve  k  forbearing  the  letter. 

Speed,  Well,  1  percdvc,  I  muft  be  tain  to  bear  with 
you. 

Pro.  Why,  Sir,  how  do  you  bear  with  me?    '    * 

Speed.  Marry,  Sir,  the  letter  very  orderly  j 
Having  nothing  but  the  word  noddy  for  my  pains. 

Fro.  Befhrew  me,  but  you  have  a  quick  wit. 

Speed.  And  yet  it  cannot  overtake  your  flow  puHe. 

Pro,  Come^  come,  open  the  maucr  in  brief:  what 
iaidfhc? 

Spied.  Open  your  purfe,  that  the  money  and  the 
matter  may  be  both  at  once  deliver'd. 

Fro.  Well,  Sir,  here  is  tor  your  pains  j  what  faid  fhc  ? 
•    Spged,  Tmiy,  Sir,  I  think  yoo*U  hardly  win  her. 

Pro.  Why  ?  could'll  thou  perceive  lb  much  from 
her  ? 

Speed.  Sir,  I  could  perceive  nothing  at  all  from  hcr> 
No,  not  fo  much  as  a  ducket  for  delivering  your  lertcr. 
And  being  fo  hard  to  me  that  brought  your  mind, 
I  fear,  fhc'U  prove  as  hard  co  you  in  telling  her  mind. 
Give  her  no  token  but  flrones ;  for  fhe's  as  hard  as  fted. 

N  2  Prif. 


if 


1 80        The  Two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 

Pi'o.  What,  did  flic  nothing? 

Spt£i,  No,  not  fo  much  as-takc  this  for  thy 
To  tcftify  your bount)',  I  thank  you,  you  have  tcftem' 

me: 
In  requital  whereof,  henceforth  cany  your  letter  your- 
fclf:  and  fo,  Sir,  TU  commend  you  to  my  ma" 

Pro.  Go,  gOj  be  gone,  to  fave  your  Ihip  from 
Which  cannot  peri^,  having  thee  aboanl. 
Being  deftin'd  to  a  drier  death  on  fhoie* 
I  muft  go  fend  fomc  better  meffenger : 
I  fear,  my  Julia  would  not  deign  my  lines. 
Receiving  them  from  fuch  a  worthlefe  port:. 

[Exeunt  ft 


E       N       E 


m. 


Jul 


Changes  to  Julia*x  CbamAft^ 

Enter  Julia  and  Lucetta. 
T>UT  fay,  LucettUy  now  we  are  alone. 


Would'ft  thou  then  counfel  me  to  fall 
love? 
Luc*  Ay,  madam,  fb  you  ftumb!e  not  unlis 
7*/.  Of  all  the  fair  rcfort  of  gentlemen^ 

That  ev*ry  day  with  paric  encounter  me» 

In  thy  opinion  which  is  worthicft  love  ? 

Luc.  Pleafe  you,  repeat  their  names  j  TU  flicw 
mind. 

According  to  my  fhallow  fimple  skill. 

JuL  What  think*ft  tliou  of  the  fair  Sir  Egi 
Luc.  As  of  a  Knight  well  fpoken,  neat  and  fin* 

£ut  were  I  yo\i,  he  never  Jhould  be  mine. 

Jul  What  ttrmk'ft  thou  of  the  rich  Mercatio  f 
Luc,  Well  of  his  wealths  but  of  himfelf,  fo, 
Jul.  What  think'ft  thou  of  the  gentle  Prvtbftn 
Luc.  Lord,  lord !  to  foe  what  folly  reigns  m 


7%e  Two  Gentlemen  of  Verona.         i8r 

5^/.  How  now?  what  means  tJiis  pafllon  u  his 
name? 

Luc^  Pardon,  dear  madam  >  *a$  3  paDTing  fiiame. 
That  I,  unworthy  body  as  I  am. 
Should  ccnfure  thus  on  lovely  gentlemen. 

Jul.  Why  not  on  Proiheus^  as  of  all  the  reft  ? 

Lu€.  Then  thus;  ofmanygoodf  I  think  him  bcfr. 

Jul.  Your  reafon  ? 

Lm€.  I  have  no  odier  but  a  woman's  reafon  > 
I  think  him  lu,  becaufc  I  diink  him  fo. 

JuL  And  would'ft  thou  have  me  caft  my  Jove  oa 
him  ? 

kLuc,  Ay,  if  you  thought  your  love  not  caft  away. 
Jul.  Why,  he  of  ail  the  reft  hath  never  mov'd  me. 
Luc.  Yet  he  of  all  the  reft,  I  think,  beft  loves  ye, 
Jul  His  httle  fpeaking  ftiews  his  love  but  imaU. 
Luc,  The  fire,  rhat*s  clofeft  kept,  bums  moft  of  all. 
JuL  Tliey  do  not  love,  that  do  not  Ihew  their  love, 
Luc.  Oh,  they  love  Icaft,  that  let  men  know  their 

love. 
JuL  I  would,  I  knew  his  mind, 
Luc.  Perufe  this  paper,  madam. 
JuL  To  Julia  \  lay,  from  whom  ? 
Lm.  That  the  contents  will  fiiew, 
Juf.  Say,  fay ;  who  gave  it  thee  ? 
Luc,  Sir  Falmrinch  page;  and  fcoc,  I  think,  from 
Pratheuj. 
He  would  have  giv*n  it  you,  but  I,  bang  in  the  way. 
Did  in  your  name  receive  it ;  pardon  the  Fault,  I  pray. 

JuL  Nowj  by  my  modcfly,  a  goodly  broker! 
Dare  you  prefume  to  harbour  wanton  lines? 
To  whifpcr  and  conlpire  againft  my  youth  ? 
Now,  truft  me,  'us  an  office  of  great  worth ; 
And  you  an  officer  fit  for  the  place. 
There,  take  the  paper  •,  fee,  it  be  retum*di 
Or  clfc  return  no  more  into  my  fight. 

Luc.  To  plead  for  love  de&xves  more  fee  than  hate. 
N  5  7«^ 


i« 


iSz         The  Two  Gentlemen  ofVaonau 

JuL  wmycbegonc? 

Luc.  That  you  may  ruminate.  [Exit 

JuL  And  yet  I  would,  I  had  o'cr-4ook'd  the  kcnr. 
It  were  a  fhame  to  call  her  bock  again. 
And  pray  her  to  a  fault,  for  which  I  chid  her. 
What  fool  is  flie,  that  knows  I  am  a  maid. 
And  would  not  force  the  letter  to  my  view? 
Since  maids,  in  modefty,  fay  No,  to  that 
Which  they  would  have  the  proff^rer  conftrue,  jfy. 
Fie,  fie ;  how  wayward  is  this  foohlh  love. 
That,  iOce  a  tefty  babe,  ^ill  fcratch  the  nurfe» 
And  prelendy,  all  humbled,  ki(s  the  rod  ? 
How  diurlifhly  I  chid  Lucetta  hence. 
When  willingly  I  would  have  had  her  here! 
How  angerly  I  taught  my  brow  to  frown. 
When  inward  joy  enforced  my  heart  to  Imilel 
My  penance  is  to  call  Lucetta  back. 
And  ask  remiffion  for  my  foUy  paft. 
^filhzt)^o\  Lucetta! 

Ri-cnter  Lucetta. 

Luc.  What  would  your  ladyfMp? 

JuL  Is't  near  dinner-time? 

Luc.  I  would  it  were ; 
That  ycu  might  kill  your  ftomadi  on  your  meaty 
And  not  upon  your  maid. 

JuL  What  is't  that  you 
T<yok  up  fo  gingerly?  ' 
«•  Luc.  Nothing. 

JuL  Why  didft  thou  ftoop  then  ? 

Luc.  To  t^e  a  paper  up,  that  I  let  fall 

JuL  And  is  that  paper  nothing  ? 

Iaic.  '  Nothing  concerning  me. 

JuL  Then  let  it  lye  for  thofe  that  it  concerns. 

Luc,  Madam,  it  will  not  lye,  where  ic  concerns} 
Unltfs  it  have  a  falfc  interpreter, 
*  JuL  Some  love  of  yours  hath  wit  to  you  in  rimne. 

Luct 


The  Two  Q^tkmen  of  Verona.  -         185 

:  Luc.  That  I  mig^  fuig  it,  madam,  to  a  tune : 
Give  me  a  note ;  your  ladyfhip  can  fet. 

Jul.  As  little  ty  fi2ch  toys  as  may  be  poflible  : 
Beli  ling  it  to  the  tune  of  Light  0'  hve. 

Luc.  It  is  too  heavy  fox  fo  light  a  tune. 

JuL  Heavy  ?  belike,  it  hath  fomc  burthen  then. 

Luc.  Ay ;  and  melodious  were  it,  would  you  fing  it 

Jul,  And  why  not  you  ? 

Luc,  f  cannot  reach  fo  high. 

JuL  Let's  fire  your  fong : 
How  now,  minion? 

Imc,  Keep  tune  there  ftiU,  io  you  inll  fing  it  out: 
Vind  yet,  methinks,  I  do  not  like  this  tunc. 

Jul.  You  do  not  ? 

Luc  No,  madam,  'tis  too  (harp. 

JuL  You,  minion,  are  too  fawcy. 
,  Luc,  Nay,  now  you  are  too  flat. 
And  mar  the  concord  with  too  harfli  a  deicant : 
There  wanteth  but  a  mean,  to  fill  youi:  fbng. 

JuL  The  mean  is  drown'd  with  your  unruly  bafc. 

Luc,  *  Indeed,  I  bid  the  hde  for  Protbeus, 

Jul,  This  babble,  fhall  not  henceforth  trouble  me.  . 
Here  is  a  coif  with  proteftadonl  \X^ars  iL 

Go,  get  you,  gone ;  and  let  the  papers  lye : 
You  would  be  fingering  them,  to  anger  me. 

Lj4€.  She  makes  it  ibange,  but  Ihe  would  be  beft 
•    pleas'd  - 

To  be  ib  anger'd  unth  another  letter.  [Exit. 

,'  ^  Mttd  I  bid  the  bafe/tfr  ProtheuB  ]  The  fpeaker  here  turns 
the  allufion  (which  her  millrcfs  employed)  from  the  bMft  in  mufitk 
f.o  a  country  exercife  Bidtht  Safe:  In  which  fone  piirfuef  and 
Dchers  are  made  prifoneri.  So  that  Lucetia  would  intend,  by  this, 
to  fay,  indeed  I  take  puni  to  make  yoa  a  Captive  to  Pr9thtui*i 

Bailion. He  ufcs  the  fame  allufioo  in  hit  yemus  mnd  AJmu^ 

To  bid  tht  luiuds  a  baie  ht  now  freparts, 
and  in  his  Cymhalim  he  mentions  the  game, 

■  Lmds  mtrt  /iki 
:  To  run  the  coantry  Bafe. 

•  N  4  74 


eiDM^ 


The  7u^  Gentkmen  «f  V 

Jul,  Nity,  WcJoH  I  Isrert  fo  ax^cr*d  wich  the  fimc  t 
Oh  hateful  hands,  to  tear  fudv  losing  Wofdi  ! 
Injurious  warpi,  to  fired  on  foch  f#cfct  Honcjr, 
And  kill  the  bees,  that  yield  it,  "with  your  ftings ! 
Pll  ki&  each  ftvcral  paper  for  amends  : 
Look,  here  is  writ  kina  Julia ;— Uaklnd  JkUd  ! 
As  in  revenge  of  thy  ingratltlide, 
I  throw  thy  name  againft  the  bruifmg  ftones  j 
Trampling  contempcuouAy  on  thy  difdain. 
Look,  here  is  writ,  Lsve-w^mtded  Pfotheus* 
Poor  wounded  name'  my  bolbm,  as  X  bed. 
Shall  lodge  thee,  *nll  thy  wound  be  throughly  h^Te 
And  thus  1  fc4rch  it  with  a  fovYci^  kils. 
But  twice,  or  thrice^  was  Protbcus  written  down  j 
Be  calm,  good  wind,  blow  not  •3k  word  aWay, 
•Till  I  have  found  each  letter  in  the  letter. 
Except  mine  own  name :  That  fome  whirl-wind 
Unco  a  ragged,  fearful^  hanging  rock. 
And  throw  it  thence  into  th.t  raging  ica ! 
to,  iiere  in  one  Line  is  his  name  twice  wtftj 
Poorforktn  Protheus,  PqffloHate  ProtheuS, 
<r<?  -fbefweei  JuUa :  that  I'll  tear  away  j 
And  yet  I  will  not,  fith  fo  prettily 
He  couples  it  to  his  complanlng  names : 
Thus  will  I  fold  them  one  upon  another; 
|^0N¥  kifs,  embrace,  contend,  do  what  you  t^*ilf*. 

Efster  Lucettk. 

itftf.  Madam,  dinner  is  ready,  and  your  father 
yui.  Well,  let  us  go. 

Luc,  What,  fhall  thefe  papers  lye  like  tell-tales  hu- 
jtuL  If  thou  rcfpcft  them,  beft:  to  take  diem  up^, 
JLitf,  Nay,  I  was  taken  up  for  laying  chem  downj 

Yet  here  they  JhaU  not  lye,  for  catching  cold. 

jfuL  I  fee,  you  have  a  month's  mind  to  them.     , 
Luc.  Ay,  madam,  you  may  fay  what  fights  you  fcc- 

Ilfie  things  too,  although  you  judge  I  wink. 

^juL  ComCj  come,  wiD't  pleafc  you  go?     [Exfmtf. 

SCENE 


The  Two  Gentkmen  of  Verona*         185 


SCENE 


IV. 


Anthonio'i  Houfe. 
inter  Anthonb  and  Panthibn, 

jint.  '^ELL  inc,   Panibion^   what  fed  talk  was 

1  that, 

Whcrcvrith  my  brother  hdd  you  m  the  doifter? 

Pant,  *  T was  of  his  nephew  Pr^/£«/j  yourlbo. 

jfnt.  Why,  what  of  him  ? 

Pant,  He  wondcr'd  chat  your  lord/hip 
Would  fuffcr  him  to  fpcnd  his  youth  at  hocne^ 
Whik  otfier  men  of  (lender  reputation 
Put  forth  their  fons  to  feek  prefernient  out : 
Some  to  the  wars,  to  try  their  fortune  there } 
*  Some,  to  difcover  iQands  fer  away  j 
Some,  to  the  ftudious  univerGties. 
tor  any,  or  for  all  thefe  exercifes. 
He  iaid,  diat  Prothens  your  fon  was  meet: 
And  did  requeft  me  to  importune  you. 
To  let  him  Jpend  his  time  no  more  at  home  1 
Which  would  be  great  impeachment  to  hi?  age. 
In  having  known  no  travel  in  his  youth. 

Ant.  Nornced'ft  thou  much  importune  me  to  diat. 
Whereon  this  month  I  have  been  hammering, 
I  have  confidcr*d  well  liis  lofs  of  rime  i 
And  how  he  cannot  be  a  perfe<fl  mani 
Not  being  try*d,  and  tutor'd  in  the  world : 
Experience  is  by  induitry  atchkv^d, 

5  Somt  tt  diCcovcr  filandt  fat"  ffitr^jr.]  Id  ^h^J^mr*%  tiine« 
VoyAgcB  for  the  difcovcry  nSxh^  iflndB  of  America  wrrv  mach  lo 
V0gi»c.  And  we  lind,  in  the  jourriaii  of  th?  tiavctlers  of  that  um«« 
tK»t  the  Tont  of  nobtemea.  and  oF  others  of  the  befi  lamilia  In 
Eagtawd,  went  vtry  freqnentfy  cm  thefe  ad^tnrarcs.  9iteh«s  ritt 
Forttjtuti^  Celtittmt,  TharntiUhi  Fnroteri^  Pi(kir9mgit  liitiUt»at, 
Wilkmghhyu  Cht/itr$^  Ha^ttyt,  Br^mltys^  And  odiers.  To  thU 
prrvAiJiRg  fiifhiott,  otir  pocc  frctjiicntly  Eludes,  and  ooc  wiUiouC 
hrgh  commcndiUocu  of  it, 

And 


,^je  7po  Ge^Jtlemen  of  Vcroj|j5 

And  perfected  by  the  i-w^it  courib  of  dmc: 
Then  teU  nje,  whitlier  were  I  beft  to  fend  him  ? 

Pant**  I  think,  your  lordfhip  is  not  ignorant. 
How  his  companion,  youthful  yakniine^ 
Attends  the  Emperor  in  his  royal  court* 

Jnt,  I  know  it  well. 
^'Pant.  'Twerc  good,  I  tliink,  your  lordihip" 

him  thither  ; 
There  ftial!  he  pra^ftifc  tilts  and  tournaments, 
Hejrfwcecdifcourfe,  converfc  with  noblemen  •» 
And  be  in  eye  of  every  cxcrcife. 
Worthy  Ins  youth  and  noblenefs  of  birth. 

AkL*  I  lilce  thy  counfcl;  well  haft  thou  advis'd 
And  that  thou  may'ft  perceive  how  well  [  like  ir. 
The  execution  of  it  fhall  nnakc  known ; 
Ev*n  wfth  the  fpeedieft  expedition 
I  will  dirpacch  hkn  to  the  Emperor's  court. 

Pant,  To-morrow^  may  it  pleafc  you,  DonAipbofij 
With  other  gentlemen  of  good  eftecm. 
Are  journeying  to  faJute  the  Emperor ; 
And  to  commend  their  fcrvicc  to  his  will* 

jfnt.  Good  company :  with  them  Iball  Preth^us  g< 
Andj^in  good  time,  now  will  we  break  with  liira. 

-  Enter  Protheus. 

Pro,  Sweet  love^  fweet  lines,  Iweetlifc! 
T^cre  is  her  hand,  the  agent  of  her  hearty 
Here  is  her  oad^  for  love,  her  honour*s  pawn. 
Oh  !  that 'Our  fathers  would  applaud  our  loves, 
To  feal  our  happinefs  with  their  confents! 
Oh  heavenly  Julia  I 
yfnt.  How  now  ?  what  letter  are  you  reading  i\k\ 
Pro.  May*t  plcaie  your  lordihip,  'ds  a  word  or 
Of  commendation  lent  from  FaUmine  \ 
Dcliver*d  by  a  friend  that  came  from  lum. 
Ant.  Lend  me  the  letter  ^  In  me  fee  what  nci 
Pro^  1  her,'  is  no  news,  my  lord,  but  that  he 

How 


I'be  Two  GentUtnen  of  Vczonz.         tSj 

How  happily  he  lives,  how  well  beloved  ^ 
And  daily  graced  by  the  Emperor  i 
"Wiftiing  me  with  him,  partner  of  his  fortune* 

jini.  And  how  ftand  you  affcdtcd  to  his  wiflx? 

PfG.  As  one  relying  on  your  lordihip's  wilJ, 
And  not  depending  on  his  friendly  wifli. 

Ji3f.  My  will  is  fomerhing  fortcd  wich  his  wifli : 
Mufe  not  that  I  thus  fuddenly  proceed  j 
For  what  I  will,  I  will ;  and  dieie*s  an  end. 
I  am  refolv*d,  that  thou  (halt  fpend  fomc  time 
With  yalentinc  in  die  Emp'ror's  court: 
What  maintenance  he  from  his  friends  receives, 
Like  exhibition  thou  flialc  have  from  mc ; 
To-morrow  be  in  readinefs  to  go. 
Excufe  it  not,  for  I  am  peremptory. 

Pro,  My  lord,  I  cannot  be  fo  foon  provided  ; 
Pleale  to  deliberate  a  day  or  two.  [thee : 

Ant,  Look*  what  thou  want'ft,  (halJ  be  fent  after 
Ho  more  of  Hay  j  tomorrow  ihou  muft  go. 
ome  on,  Panthian  5  you  fhali  be  employ'd 
To  haften  on  his  expeditioa        [Exe,  Ant.  ^^JPant. 

Pro,  Thus  have  I  fliun'd  the  lire,  for  fear  of  burning  5 
And  drenchM  me  in  the  Sea,  where  I  am  drown*d; 
I  fcar'd  to  Ihew  my  father  Julia' %  letter, 

ft  he  IhouJd  take  excrations  to  my  fove ; 

d  with  the  vantage  of  mine  owti  excufr. 
Hath  he  excq^tcd  mofl:  againft  my  love. 
pOh,  how  ciiis  fpring  of  love  refemblcth 

Th'  uncertain  glory  of  an  April  day ; 

Hiich  now  fhews  all  the  beauty  of  tlie  liai. 

And  by  and  by,  a  cloud  takes  all  away ! 

Enter  Panthion. 

Pant.  Sir  Prethsus^  your  father  calls  for  you  j 
Ic  is  in  bafte»  therefore^  I  pray  you^  go. 
Pro.  Why,  this  it  is  !  my  heart  accords  thereto ; 
id  yet  a  thouland  times  ic  anfwers,  no*     [Exeunt. 

ACT 


fi 


T^t  Two  Gintiemcn  of  Verona/ 
ACT    11.     SCENE 

Changes  to  Milan. 

An  Apaitment  in  ibt  Dukc'i  PaUct. 

Enter  Va]entiiie  md  Speed. 

S   P   £    E   D» 

SI R,  your  glove—— 
V^h  Not  mine;  my  glows  are  on. 

Speed.  Why  then  tFus  may  be  yourSj  for  chit 
but  one. 

Vd,  Ha!  let  me  fee:  ay,  give  it  me,  k^&mine: 
Swc£t  ornament,  cKat  decks  a  dung  divine  ! 
All,  Sikia!  Silvia! 

Speed.  Madam  SIhia  /  Madam  Silvia  ! 

.Vai  How  now,  Sirrah  ? 

Speed,  She  is  not  within  hearing,  Sr» 

y^l.  Why,  Sir,  who  bad  you  call  her  ? 

Spcid,  Your  worfhip^  Sir,  or  clfc  I  miftook. 

Vol.  Well,  you'll  ftiU  be  too  forward. 

Speed.  And  yet  I  was  laft  chidden  for  bdi^  COO  Oow^ 

VaL  Go  to,  Sir ;  cell  me,  do  you  ktiow 
Silvia? 

Speed.  She,  that  your  worfhip  loves? 

VaL  Why,  how  know  you  that  I  am  in  love  ? 

Speed.  Marry,   by  thefe  fpedal  marks  •,   firR,    y< 
have  leam'd,  like  Sir  Pr&theus^  to  wreath  your  a\ 
like  a  male-content  \  to  relifh  a  love-fot^,  like  a  Ri 
hn-red-hreaft  j  to  walk  aJone,    like  one  that  had  il 
peftik^nce  i  to  figh,  like  a  fchool-boy  that  had  loft  li 
Ar  By  C\  to  werp,  like  a  young  wench  that  had  h\ 
ried  her  gnndam-,   to  fafl,  like  one  that  takes 
to  vratch,  Rke  one  that  fears  robbing;    to  fpeak  pi 
ling,  like  a  be^ar  at  Halhwmcfs.    You  were  wopi 


Tie  Two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 

^hen  you  laugh'd,  to  crow  like  a  cock ;  when  you 
walk'd,  to  w5k  like  one  of  the  lions  5  when  you 
fafted,  it  was  prefently  after  dinner  \  when  you  looked 
fadly»  it  was  tor  want  of  moay  \  and  now  you  are  mc- 
taniorphos'd  with  a  miftrefi,  chac,  when  I  look  on 
VoU^  I  can  hardly  think  you  my  maftcr. 

VaL  Are  ail  thefc  thing*  percciv'd  in  me  ? 

SfteL  They  arc  ail  percdv*d  'OMtheui  ye. 

VaL  Without  me  ?  they  cannot. 

Speed.  Without  you?  nay,  that's  certain  j  forwich- 
you  were  lo  fimple,  none  clfe  wouW  ;    But  you 

fo  without  thefc  Follies,  that  thcfe  folites  arc  wkhiti 

)ti«  and  fhine  through  you  like  the  water  in  an  uri- 

that  not  an  eye  that  fees  you,  but  is  a  phyfidan 

comment  on  your  malady. 

Vol.  But  tell  me,  dcrfl  thou  know  my  lady  Sitvm  ? 

Spnd.  She,  that  you  gaze  on  fo  as  fhe  fits  at  fupper  ? 

V4I,  Haft  d\o\i  obferv'd  tliat  i  ev*n  (he  I  mcwu 

Speed.  Why,  Sir,  I  know  her  not  ? 

Vol.  Doft  thou  know  her  by  my  goring  on  lier. 
And  yet  know 'ft  her  not  ? 

Speed.  Is  Ihe  not  hard-favourM,  Sir  ? 

VaL  Notfe  ftdr,  boy,  as  wcll-fkvour'd. 

Speed,  Sir,  I  know  that  well  enough. 

Vol.  What  doft  thou  know  ? 

Speed,  That  Jhc  is  not  fo  fair,  as  of  you  well  fa?otir*d* 

VaL  I  mean  that  her  beauty  is  cxquifite, 
But  her  Favour  infinite* 

Speed.  That*s  becaufc  the  one  h  painted,  and  the 
other  out  of  all  count. 

Vd,  How  painted  ?  and  how  out  of  count  ? 

Speed,  Marry,  Sir,  fo  painted  to  make  her  fair,  that 
no  man  counts  of  her  beauty. 

Val  How  dlcem'ft  thou  me  ?  I  account  of  her 
beauty. 

Speed.  You  never  faw  her  fince  flic  was  dcform'd* 

Val  How  iong  hadi  flic  been  ddbrm*d  ? 

Speed, 


190  7^  7^^  Gentlemen  ofVctODSU 

speed.  Ever  iince  you  lo^M  her. 

Fal.  I  have  lov'd  her,  ever  finoc  I  law  her  ; 
And  ihll  I  fee  her  beaudtuL 

Sfeed.  If  you  love  her,  you  cannot  lee  her. 

VaL  Why? 

Speed,  B^aule  love  is  blind.  O,  that  you  had  nuae 
eyes,  or  your  own  eyes  had  the  li^ts  they  were  woot 
to  have,  when  you  chid  at  Sir  Pretbcus  for  goii^  un- 
garter'd! 

Vol,  What  fhould  I  fee  then  ? 

Speed,  Your  own  prcfent  folly,  and  herpaflii^  dcs 
fbnnity  :  For  he,  being  in  love,  could  not  Kctoguter 
his  hole ;  and  you,  bdi^  in  love,  cannot  lee  to  put  00 
your  hole. 

Vol.  Belike,  boy,  then  you  are  in  love:  fer  laft 
morning  you  could  not  fee  to  wipe  my  Ihocs. 

Speed.  True,  Sir,  I  was  in  love  with  my  bed  \  I 
thank  you,  you  fwing'd  me  for  my  love,  which  makes 
me  the  bolder  to  diidc  you  for  yours. 

Vol.  In  conclulion,  I  ftand  afFeded  to  her. 

f^^^^.  I  would  you  were  fet,  fo  your  affection  wouU 
ceafe. 

VaL  laft  night  Ihe  injoin'd  me  to  write  feme  lines 
to  one  ihe  loves. 

Speed.  And  have  you  ? 

VaL  I  have. 

Speed,  Are  they  not  lamely  writ  ? 

VaL  No,  boy,  but  as  well  as  I  can  do  them  : 
.Peace,  here  flie  comes. 

Enter  Silvia. 

Speed.  Oh  excellent  motion !  Oh  exceeding  puppet  f 
Now  will  he  interpret  to  her. 

VaL  Madam  and  miftrefs,  a  thouiand  good  morrows. 

Speed,  Oh !  ^ve  ye  good  ev'n  ;  here's  a  million  rf 
manners. 

SU,  .Sir  VaUtttine  and  iervant,  to  you  two  thouGuid. 

Speed. 


•TheT^o  Gentlemen  of  Verona.         191 

•  speed.  He  Ihould  ^vc  her  intercft  -,  and  ftie  gives 

it  him. 

Val  As  you  injoin*d  mc,  I  have  writ  your  letter. 
Unto  the  fecret,  namelcfs,  friend  of  yours  ; 
Which  I  was  much  unwiUing  to  proceed  in. 
But  for  my  duty  to  your  ladyftiip.. 

SiL  I  thank  you,  gentle  fcrvant ;  *tis  very  clerkly 
done. 

Fal.  Now  truft  me,  madam,  it  came  hardly  off:  • 
For  being  ignorant  to  whom  it  goes, 
I  wnt  at  random,  very  doubtfuUy.  [pains  ? 

5/7.  Perchance,  you  think  too  much  of  to  much 
.    Vd.  No,  madam,  fo  it  ftccd  you,  I  will  write, 
Pleafe  you  command,  a  thoufand  times  as  much. 
And  yet- — - 

Sil.  A  pretty  period;  well,  I  guefs  the  fequel  -, 
And  yet  I  will  not  name  it ;  and  yet  I  care  not ; 
And  yet  take  this  again,  and  yet  I  thank  you  \ 
Meaning  henceforth  to  trouble  you  no  more. 

Speed,  And  yet  you  will ;  and  yet,  another  yet. 

{Jfide. 
VaL  What  means  your  ladylhip  ?  do  you  not  like  it  ? 
SiL  Yes,  yes,  the  lines  arc  very  quaindy  writ ; 
But  iince  unwillingly,  take  them  again  ;    • 
Nay,  take  them. 

Vol.  Madam,  they  are  for  you.  - 
5/7.  Ay,  ay ;  you  writ  them.  Sir,  at  my  requeft ; 
But  I  will  none  of  them ;  they  are  for  yoii : 
I  would  have  had  them  writ  more  movii^y. 
Vah  Pleafe  you,  I'll  write  your  ladyftnp  another. 
SiL  And  when  it*s  writ,  for  my  fake^tead  it  over ; 

•  And  if  it  pleafe  you,  fo ;  if  not,  why  fo. 

VaL  If  it  pleafe  me,  madam,  what  then  ? 
'  5/7.  Why  if  it-  pleafe  you,  take  it  jfor  your  labour ) 
And  fo  good  morrow,  fcrvant.  [Exit. 

Speed,  O  jeil  unfcen,  infcrutable,  inidfible. 
As  a  nofe  on  a*man*s  iacc, .  or  >a  weathercock  jon  a 
"    *.    fteeple!  My 


1^2         77jc  Two  Gentlemen  of  Veroni 

My  Qufter  fue5  to  hcr»  and  Ihe  iuth  taught  her 
He  being  her  pupil,  to  become  her  tutor : 
O excellent  device !  was  there  eyer  heard  a  better? 
That  my  maftcr,  being  the  fcribe,  to  himfdf 
write  the  letter  ? 

Vd.  How  now,  Sir,  what  are  you  reaibnlng  Wi 
yourfelf? 

Speed.  Nay,  I  was  rhiming ;  *ttt  you  that  have 
reaTotu 

Vai,  To  do  what  ? 

Speed,  To  be  a  fpokefinan  from  uiadaHi  Sthdm^ 

VaL  To  whom? 
Hcd,  To  yourfelf  i  why,  fhc  wooes  you  by  a  figure 

Jd.  What  iigure? 

Speed.  By  a  Jetcer,  I  ihould  fay. 

Vd,  Why,  Jhe  hath  not  writ  to  me? 

Speed.  What  need  Ihe, 
When  fhe  hach  made  you  write  to  youriilf  ? 
Why»  do  you  not  perceive  the  jeft  ? 

Vd^  No,  believe  me. 

Speed.  No  belie\Tng  you.  Indeed,  Sir :  but  did 
perceive  her  eamefl:  ? 

Vd,  She  gave  me  none,  except  an  angry  word* 

Speed,  Why,  Ihe  hath  given  yog  a  Ictier, 

yd.  That's  the  letter  I  writ  to  her  friend. 

Speed,  And  that  letter  hath  fhe  dcliver'd,  and  tb«c' 
anpKl 

Vd.  I  would  it  were  no  worfc. 

Speed.  I'll  warrant  you,  'tis  as  well : 
F&r  efien  hav€y$u  wris  io  her  5  mdjhe  in  m$dejly^ 
Or  elfifor  want  cf  idle  iime,  could  not  agmn  rephf  \ 
Or  fearing  elfefime  viejfefiger^  that  might  b€r  nund 

corner^ 
Herfelfhatb  iaugbt  her  love  him/elf  Is  write  unlt6  ber 

U'ver, 
All  this  1  fpeak  in  print  j  for  in  print  I  found  k. 
Why  mufe  you,  Sir  ?  'tis  dimcr  tinie* 


Tie  Two  Gentkmen  of  Verona, 

V&L  I  have  dinM, 

Spttd.  Ay,  but  hearken,  Sir;  tho'  the  Camekcn  love 
can  feed  on  the  air,  I  am  one  that  am  nourilh*d  by  my 
viSualSj  and  would  fain  have  meat :  Oh,  be  not  like 
your  miftrefs  ^  be  moved,  be  moved.  [Exeunt* 

B         SCENE       n. 

^K      Changes  to  Julia'j  Houfe  at  Verona. 
^P  EnUr  Prothcus  and  Julia. 

Pro.  T  T  A  V  E  patience,  gentle  7«jJr<j, 

JCT.     Jul.  I  mull,  where  is  no  remedy, 

Frtf.  When  polTibly  I  can>  I  will  return, 

Jul  If  you  turn  not,  you  will  return  the  fooner : 
Keep  tliis  remembrance  for  thy  Julia's  fake. 

\Giving  a  ring. 

Pro.  Why  then  well  make  exchange  \  here,  take 
you  this. 

Jul.  And  feal  the  bargain  with  a  holy  kife. 

Pre,  Here  is  my  hand  for  my  true  conftancy  i 
And  when  chat  hour  o'erflips  me  in  the  day. 
Wherein  1  figh  nor,  Julia^  for  thy  fake  ; 
The  next  enfuing  hour  fomc  foul  mifchance 
Torment  me,  for  my  love's  foigctfiilncis  ! 
My  father  ftays  my  coming  j  anfwer  not  t 
The  tide  is  now  ;  nay,  not  thy  tide  of  tears  \ 
That  tide  will  ftay  mc  longer,  than  I  Oiould  : 

[£xrV  JuDa. 

Jutia^  farewel. What !  gone  witliout  a  word  ? 

Ay,  fo  true  lo%"e  fliould  do ;  it  cannot  fpeak  \ 

For  truth  hath  better  deeds,  than  words,  to  grace  it. 

Enter  Fanthion. 

Pan.  Sir  Protheus^  you  arc  ftaid  for. 
Pr^.  Go  ;  i  come. 
Alas !  this  parting  ftrikes  poor  lovers  dumb,  [Exewtf, 

Vot.  L  O  SCENE 


^9 


1 94  72^  7ua  Gentlemen  of  Verona* 


SCENE      m. 

Changes  to  a  Street. 
Effter  Launce,  v;itb  his  dog  Crab. 

Laun, '  ^T  A  Yj  'twill  be  this  hour  ere  I  have 

<1.^   weeping i    allelic  kind  of  the   Jjameu 
'  have  this  very  fault  \    I  have  received  my  propob 

*  tion,  like  the  prodigious  Ion,   and  am  going 

*  Sir  Protheiis  to  the  Imperial's  court,    I  think, 

*  my  dog  be  the  fowreft-natur'd  dog  that  lives  :    my 

*  mother  weeping,  my  father  wailing,  my  fifter  ay- 

*  ing,  our  maid  howling,  6ur  cat  wringing  her 

*  and  all  our  houle  in  a  great  perplexity  ;  yet  did 
'  this  cruel -hearted  cur  ihcd  one  tear!  he  is  a  fton< 

*  very  pebbk-ftone»  and  has  no  more  pity  in  him  d 

*  a  dog ;   a  Jew  would  have  wept,  to  iuvc  Iccn  our 

*  parting  ;  why,  my  gnmdam  having  no  cye$,  1( 
'  you,  wept  herfelf  blind  at  my  parting.     Nay, 

*  fliow  you  the  manner  of  it :  this  ftioe  is  my  fat 

*  no,  this  left  fhoe  is  my  fadier;  no,  no,  this  left 

*  b  my  mother  5  nay»  that  cannot  be  fo  neither  j 

*  it  is  fo,  it  is  fb ;  it  hath  the  worier  Ible  ;  this 

*  with  the  hole  in  it,  is  my  mother,  and  this  my 

*  therj  a  vengeance  on't,  there 'tis:    now^    Sir/ 
'  ftaff  is  my  fifter  ;  fbr»  look  you,  fhc  is  as  ^1 
^  a  lilly,  and  as  fn'tall  a£  a  wana  \  thi&  hac  is  Nan^ 

*  maid  -,    I  am  the  dog  j    no,  the  dog  is 

*  and  1  am  the  dog  :    oh,  the  dog  is  me,  and  I 

*  my  fclf ;  ^,  fo,  fo;  now  come  I  to  my  fad 
-•  father,  your  blcffmg  ;  nowfhould  not  the  (hoc  (^ 

■  a  word  for  weeping  ;  now  Ihould  I  kifs  my  fai 

*  well,  he  weeps  on  ;  now  come  I  to  my  mother^ 
oh  that  fhe  could  Ipeuk  now  like  a  wodc  woman ! 


f  t 


t  O*  thstjht  HttUJ^eak  «w  //f#  am  o  c  L  D  WimA»  ]  The  M 

^Folim  rc3d  woutD.    It  fiioulU  be  woDis    mao.  cnsf* 
Hrwuick  whh  giief. 


The  Two  Gentlemen  <?f  Verona.  19, 

*  well,  I  kifs  her  J   why  there  'tis?    here's  my  mo- 

*  ther's  breath  up  and  down :    now  come  I    to  my 

*  fifter  \  mark  the  moan  fhe  makes  :  now  the  dog  aU 

*  this  while  fheds  not  a  tear,  nor  fpcaks  a  word  j  but 

*  fee,  how  I  lay  the  dull  with  my  tears. 

Enier  Panthion. 

Pant,  Launce^  away,  away,  aboard  ;  thy  maftcr  is 
fliipp'd,  and  thou  arc  to  poft  after  with  oars  :  what*s 
the  matter  ?  why  wcep'll  thou,  man  ?  away,  afi,  you 
Will  lofc  the  tide  if  you  tarry  any  longer. 

Laun.  It  is  no  matter  if  the  ty*d  were  loft,  for  it  is, 
the  unkindeft  ty'd  chat  ever  any  man  ty'd. 

P&nt.  What's  the  unkindeft  ride  ? 

Laun.  Why,  he  that's  ty'd  here  ;  Crah^  my  dog. 

Pant,  Tut,  man,  I  mean  thou*k  lofc  the  flood ;  and 
in  lofmg  the  flood,  lofe  thy  voyage  j  and  in  loling  thy 
voyage,  lofe  thy  mafter  \  and  in  lofing  thy  matter, 
lofe  diy  fcrvice ;  and  in  lofing  thy  fcrvice^  ■—  "^  why 
doft  thou  Hop  my  mouih  ? 

Zmuh.  For  fear  diog  Ihould'ft  lofe  thy  tongue. 

Ptmt.  Where  /hould  I  lofe  my  tongue? 

Lam.  In  thy  tale. 

Pant.  In  thy  tail?— 

Lam,  Lofe  the  flood,  and  the  voyage,  and  the 
mafter,  and  the  fcrvice,  and  the  tide  i  why,  man,  if 
the  river  were  diy,  I  ani  able  to  fill  it  with  my  tears ; 
if  the  wind  were  down^  I  could  drive  the  boat  with 
my  fighs. 

Pant,  Come,  come  away>  man ;  I  was  fcnt  to  call 
thee, 

Lai$n.  Sir,  call  me  what  thou  dar*ll. 

Pant,  Wilt  thou  go? 

Laun.  WcU,  I  wUl  go.  {Extmt, 


O  a 


SCENE 


196         7t>e  Two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


SCENE       IV. 

Changes  to  Milan. 
An  Apartment  in  the  Dvkjt*s.PaIa£f. 

Enter  Valentine,  Silvia»  Thiuio,  and  Speed 

SfACErvant, 

J     VaL  Miftrcfs? 

Speed,  Mafter,  Sir  Thuri&  frowns  on  you. 

Vd.  Ay,  boy,  it*s  for  love. 

Speed.  Not  of  you, 

VaL  Of  my  miftrefs  then. 

Speed,  *Tweregood,  you  knockt  him, 

SiL  Servant,  you  arc  fad. 

VaL  Indeed,  madam,  I  feem  fo. 

^hu.  Seem  you  that  you  are  not  ? 

VaL  Haply^   I  do. 

^bu.  So  do  counterfeits. 

Vol.  So  do  you. 

^bu.  What  feem  I,  that  I  am  not  ? 

VaL  Wife, 

Thu.  What  inftance  of  the  contrary  ? 

VaL  Your  folly. 

Tbu.  And  how  quote  you  my  folly  ? 

Vat^  I  quote  it  in  your  jerkin. 

Thu,  My  jerkin  is  a  doublet. 

VaL  Well  then,  I'll  double  your  foUy. 

7bu.  How? 

SiL  What,  angry,  Sir  Itburie?  do  you  change  co- 
lour? 

Vai.  Give  him  leave,  madam  j  he  b  a  kind  of  Cs- 
mikcn. 

Tbu.  That  hath  more  mind  to  feed  on  your  blood, 
than  live  in  your  air. 

Vat,  You  have  faid.  Sir. 

Tbi/.  Ay»  Sir,  and  done  too,  for  this  tim 


7^  Two  Gentlemen  of  Verona.  1 9 

VaL  I  know  ic  well.  Sir  \  you  always  end,  ere  you 
begin. 

SiL  A  fine  volly  of  words,  gentlemen,  and  quickly 
(hot  off. 

AW.  *Tis,  indeed,  madam  ;  we  thank  the  giver 

SiL  Who  is  rhar,  fervant  f 

Vol.  Your  felf,  fweet  lady,  for  you  gave  the  fire  \ 
Sir  Tburio  borrows  his  wit  from  your  ladyfliip's  looks, 
and  iptrnds,  what  he  borrows,  kindly  in  your  company, 

l*bu.  Sir,  if  you  ipcnd  word  for  word  with  me,  I 
fhall  make  your  wit  bankrupt, 

Val^  I  know  it  well,  Sir  j  you  have  an  exchequer  of 
words,  and,  I  think,  no  ochcr  treafure  to  give  your 
followers  :  for  it  appears,  by  rheir  bare  liveries,  that 
they  live  by  your  bare  words, 

SiL  No  more,  gentlemen,  no  more  :  Here  comes 
my  father* 


* 


E       N      E 
Enter  the  Duke. 


Duke.  Now,  daughter  Silvia^  you  are  hard  befet. 
Sir  Vahitine^  your  fathcr*s  in  good  health : 
What  fay  you  to  a  letter  from  your  friends 
Of  much  good  news  ? 

Ki/,  My  lord,  I  w*dl  be  thankful 
To  any  liappy  mefTengcr  from  thence. 

Duki.  Know  you  Don  Anthomo^  your  countryman  ? 

VaL  Ay,  my  good  lord,  I  know  the  gentleman 
To  be  of  worth  and  worthy  cftimation  ; 
And,  not  without  defert,  iQ  well  reputed. 

jyukt.  Hath  he  not  a  fon  ? 

Vd.  Ay,  my  good  lord,  a  fon  that  weU  deftrvcs 
The  honour  and  regard  of  fuch  a  father, 

I>uk€,  You  know  him  well  ? 

VaL  I  knew  him,  as  myfelf ;  for  from  our  infancy 
Wc  have  converft,  and  fpcnt  our  hours  together; 

O  3  And 


^ 


f  9?         7^^  Tow  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 

And  tho*  my  felf  have  been  an  idle  truant. 
Omitting  the  fweet  benefit  of  time. 
To  cloaSi  mine  age  with  angel-like  peifeftion  % 
Yet  hath  Sir  Protbeus^  for  that's  his  name. 
Made  ufe  and  f^  advantage  of  his  days  \ 
His  years  but  young,  but  his  experience  old  % 
His  head  unmcllow'd,  but  lus  judgment  ripe  \ 
And,  in  a  word,  ( for  idx  behind  his  worth 
Come  all  the  pn^es,  that  I  now  beftow  ; ) 
He  is  compleat  in  feature  and  in  mind. 
With  all  good  grace  to  grace  a  gentleman. 

Duke.  Befhrew  me.  Sir,  but  if  he  makes  dus  gpod. 
He  is  as  worthy  for  an  emprefs'  love. 
As  meet  to  be  an  Emperor's  counfellor. 
Well,  Sir,  this  gentleman  is  come  to  me. 
With  commendations  from  great  potentates  ; 
And  here  he  means  to  fpend  his  time  a  while. 
I  think,  *tis  no  unwelcome  news  to  you, 

VaL  Should  I  have  wifh'd  a  thing,  it  had  been  he. 

I>uke,  Welcome  him  then  according  to  his  worth: 
Silvia^  I  (peak  to  you ;  and  you,  Sir  ^urio  ; 
For  Valentine,  I  need  not  dte  him  to  it : 
I'll  fend  him  hither  to  you  prefently.         [Exit  Didce. 

VaL  This  is  the  gendcman,  I  told  your  ladyflup, 
Had  come  along  with  me,  but  that  his  miftrds 
Did  hold  his  eyes  lockt  in  her  cryftal  looks. 

SiL  Belike,  that  now  flie  hath  enfranchised  them 
Upon  fbme  other  pawn  for  fealty. 

VaL  Nay,  fure,  1  think,  fhe  holds  them  prisoners  ffiU. 

5/7.  Nay,  then  he  ftxould  be  blind ;  and,  bdng  bHnd, 
How  could  he  fee  his  way  to  frek  out  you  ? 

VaL  Why,  lady,  love  hath  twenty  pair  of  eyes. 

Tbu,  They  fay,  that  love  hath  not  an  eye  at  all. 

VaL  To  fee  fudi  lovers,  Tburio,  asyourlelf: 
Vpon  a  homely  objeft  love  can  wink. 

SCENE 


7if  Two  Gentlemen  of  Veroiwu  igi 

SCENE       VI. 

Enter  Prothcus. 

SiL  Have  done,  have  done  ;  here  comes  the  gen- 
tleman. 

Ftf/.  Welcome,  <\e^r  Prolicus:  miftreis^  I  befecch 
you, 
Confirm  his  wcicome  with  fomc  fpecial  favour* 

SiL  His  worth  is  warrant  for  his  welcome  hither. 
If  this  be  he,  you  oft  have  wifh'd  cohear  from. 

f^al,  Miftrefe,  it  is  ;  Sweet  lady,  entertain  him 
To  be  my  fellow-icrvanc  to  your  ladylTiip, 

SiL  Too  low  a  miftreis  for  fo  high  a  lervant. 

Pro*  Not  fo,  fwcet  lady  5  but  coo  mean  a  fervant, 
To  have  a  look  of  fuch  a  worthy  miftrefs, 

Fal,  Leave  off  dUcourfe  of  dilabi!ity  : 
Sweet  lady,  entertain  him  for  your  Jervant, 

Fro,  My  duty  will  I  boaft  of,  nodiing  clfe. 

Sil.  And  duty  never  yet  did  want  his  meed : 
Savant,  youVc  welcome  co  a  wortldefi  mtftrefs. 

Pre,  ril  die  on  him  that  lays  lb,  but  your  felf. 

SiL  That  you  are  welcome? 

iVtf.  That  you  arc  worthlefi. 

ErtUr  Servant. 

Serj.  Madam,  my  lord  your  father  would  Ipeak 

with  you, 
SiL  I'll  wait  upon  his  picafurc :  [/Ty/VJwx'. J  Come, 
Sir  Tburi&y 
Go  with  me.  Once  more,  my  new  fervant,  welcome ; 
Vll  leave  you  to  confer  of  home  affairs  j 
When  you  have  done,  we  look  to  hear  from  you. 
Frti.  We'll  both  attend  upon  your  ladyflup. 

{Exeunt  Sil.  and  Thu. 


04 


SCENE 


200         Hi  7w  Gentkmm  ef  Vercxia. 

SCENE      VU. 

Va!,  Now  ten  mc,  how  do  all  fnxn  whence  you 

came? 
Pro,  Your  friends  are  wdl,  and  hare  dicm  modi 

commcDded. 
Val.  And  how  do  yours  ? 

Pro.  I  left  them  ail  in  health,  jlove? 

Vd.  How  does  your  lady  ?  and  bow  duJTCs  your 
Pro.  My  talcs  erf" love  were  wont  to  weary  you? 
I  know,  you  joy  not  in  a  love-difcourfe. 

Val,  Ay,  Prctheusj  but  that  life  is  ahcr^d  now  ? 
I  have  done  penance  for  contemning  love ; 
Whofe  high  imperious  thoughts  have  pundlh'd  zne 
With  Utter  fafts,  with  penitential  groans  ; 
"With  lughtly  tears,  and  daily  hcart-forc  C^is. 
For,  in  revenge  of  my  contempt  of  love, 
Ijove  hath  chac*d  fleep  from  my  enthralled  eyes. 
And  made  them  watchers  of  mine  own  heart's  ibnow. 
O  gentle  Protbsus,  love's  a  mighty  lad  j 
And  hath  fo  humbled  me,  as,  I  confeis. 
There  is  no  wo  to  his  correftion  ; 
Nor  to  his  fervice,  no  fuch  joy  on  eardi^ 
Now  no  difcourfc,  except  it  be  of  love ; 
Now  can  I  break  my  hH,  dine,  fup,  and  flccp 
Upon  the  very  naked  name  of  love. 

Pro,  Enough :  I  read  your  fortune  in  your  eye. 
Was  this  the  idol,  that  you  worflup  fb  ? 

VaL  Even  (he ;  and  is  fhe  not  aheav'niy  £unc  i 
Pro.  No ;  but  fhe  is  an  earthly  paragon. 
VaL  Call  her  divine. 
Pro.  I  will  not  flatter  her. 
Vol.  O,  flatter  me ;  for  love  delights  in  pnufe. 
Pro.  When  J  was  fick,  vou  gave  mc  Utter  pilb  i 
And  I  muft  minifter  the  hke  to  you, 

Fal.  Then  fpeak  the  truth  bj  her;  if  not  ^mt^ 
Kt%  let  her  be  a  prindpalitjr, 


Tie  Two  Gentlemen  ^Verona*  201 

SovVeign  to  all  the  creatures  on  the  earth. 

Pro.  Except  my  miftrefs, 

Vd.  Sweet,  except  not  any ; 
Except  thou  wilt  except  againft  my  love* 

Ftq^  Have  1  not  reafon  to  prefer  mine  own? 

VaL  And  I  will  help  thee  to  prefer  her  coo : 
She  fhall  be  dignify*d  with  this  high  honour. 
To  bear  my  lady's  train,  Idt  the  bale  earth 
Should  from  her  vefture  chance  to  flea]  a  kils ; 
And,  of  fo  great  a  favour  growing  proud, 
Difd^  to  root  the  fummcr-fwclling  flower  ; 
And  make  rough  winter  evcrlaftingly. 

Pre.  Why^  Vaknt'me^  what  bragadifm  is  this? 

VaL  Pardon  me»  Proiheus  ;  all  1  can,  is  nothing 
To  her,  whofe  worth  makes  other  worthies  nothing  \ 
She  is  alone     ■  - 

Pro,  Then  let  her  alone* 

VaL  Not  for  the  world :  why,  man,  fhe  is  mine  own ; 
And  1  as  rich  in  having  fuch  a  jewel, 
As  twenty  feas,  if  all  their  fand  were  pear], 
The  water  ncftar,  and  the  rocks  pure  gold. 
Forgive  me,  that  I  do  not  dream  on  thee, 
Becaufc  thou  feeft  me  doat  upon  my  love. 
My  foolifh  rivals  that  her  father  likes, 
Only  for  his  pofleflions  are  fo  huge. 
Is  gone  with  her  along,  and  I  muft  after  5 
For  love>  thou  know*ft,  is  full  of  jealouJie, 

Pre,  But  fhe  loves  you  ? 

Vol,  Ay,  and  wc  are  betroth*d  \  nay  more,  our  mar- 
riage-hour. 
With  all  the  cunning  manner  of  our  flight. 
Determined  of  i  how  I  muft  climb  her  window. 
The  ladder  made  of  cords ;  and  ail  the  means 
Plotted  and  'greed  on  for  my  happinefs. 
Good  Proiheus,  go  with  me  to  my  chamber. 
In  thcfc  affairs  to  aid  me  with  thy  counfcl 
Pr^*  Go  m  before  i  I  fhall  enquire  you  forth. 

I  muft 


202         7X^  Two  Gentlemen  of  Verom^ 

I  tnuft  unto  the  road,  to  difembark 
Some  neceffaries  that  I  needs  muft  uie  ; 
And  then  I'll  prefently  attend  you. 

VaL  Will  you  make  hafte  ? 

Pro.  I  wiU.  [Exit  VaL 

Ev'n  as  one  heat  another  heat  expels. 
Or  as  one  n^  by  flxcngth  drives  out  another  5 
So  the  remembrance  of  my  former  love 
Is  by  a  newer  obje£i:  quite  forgotten. 
*  Is  it  mine  Eye,  or  Valentino*^  Pr^fc, 
Her  true  perfedipn,  or  my  Me  tranigreflion^ 
That  makes  mc,  reafonlefs,  to  reafbn  thus  ? 
She's  fair ;  and  ib  is  Jidia^  that  I  love ; 
That  I  did  love,  for  now  my  love  is  thaw'd  j 
Which,  like  a  waxen  image  'gainft  a  fire. 
Bears  no  impreflion  of  the  thing  it  was. 
Methmks,  my  zeal  to  VaUntine  is  cold  ; 
And  that  I  love  him  not,  as  I  was  wont. 
O !  but  I  love  his  lady  too,  too,  much  ; 
And  that's  the  reafon,  I  love  him  fo  little* 
How  Ihall  I  doat  on  her  with  more  adidce. 
That  thus  without  advice  begin  to  love  her  ? 
'Tis  but  her  pifture  I  have  yet  beheld. 
And  that  has  dazled  fo  my  reafon's  light : 

2  Is  it  mine  then,  or  ValentinoV  Pratfe^'\  Hoc  Prttitas 
qneftions  with  himfelf,  whether  it  is  his  own  praife,  or  Fmlem' 
tine'Sf  that  makes  him  h\\  in  love  with  VaUntimt^  miftrers.  Bat 
not  to  inilil  on  the  abfurdity  of  tailing  in  love  through  his  own 
praifes*  he  had  net  indeed  piaifed  her  any  farther  than  Kiviiig 
his  opinion  of  her  in  three  words,  when  his  friend  askm  it  a 
him.  In  all  the  old  editions,  we  find  the  line  printed  thus. 
h  it  mine,  or  Valentino*/  praife  f 

A  word  is  wanting.  The  line  was  originally  thas» 
Is  it  mine  eye,  or  VsAeDtiao^t  prai/t? 
Protheus  had  juft  feen  Valtntine'*%  miftrefs,  whom  her  lover  had 
been  lavifhly  prailing.  His  encomiums  therefore  heighming 
Prothtuit  idea  of  her  at  the  interview,  it  was  the  lefs  wonder  he 
ihould  be  uncertain  which  had  made  the  ilrongefl  imprdBopf 
VaUntime^  pnufei»  or  his  own  view  of  her« 

But 


The  Two  GentUfnen  of  Verona. 

But  1fl^wn  I  look  on  her  perfedions. 
There  is  no  rcafon,  but  I  Ihall  be  blind. 
I  f  I  can  check  my  erring  love,  I  will ; 
If  nor,  to  compaf$  her  I'll  itfe  my  skilL 


[EmL 


:      E      N      E 
Changes  to  a  Street^ 


VIII. 


Enter  Speed  end  Launcc. 

Speed.  T  AVNCEy  by  mine  honefty,  welcome  to 
-L*  '  Mian. 

Launce.  Forfwear  not  thy  felf,  fweet  youth  j  for  I 
am  not  welcome  :  I  reckon  this  always,  that  a  man  is 
never  undone,  *till  he  be  hang'd  ;  nor  never  welcome 
to  a  place,  till  fome  certain  fhot  be  p^d,  and  the 
hoftcls  fay^  welcome. 

Speed,  Come  on,  you  mad-cap ;  I'll  to  the  ale- 
houfc  with  you  prcfently,  where,  for  Ofie  fhot  of  five- 
pence,  thou  fliak  have  five  chouland  welcomes.  But, 
Srrah,  how  did  thy  mailer  part  with  madam  Julia  ? 

ELaun,    Many,  after  they  do5*d  in  cameft,  they 
rtcd  very  fairly  in  jeft. 
Speed,  But  fhail  flic  many  him  ? 
Laun.  No, 
Speed.  How  tlien  ?  fliall  he  marry  her  ? 
Lmtn.  No,  neither. 
Speed.  What,  arc  they  broken  ? 
Laun.  No,  they  arc  both  as  whole  as  a  fifli. 
Speed,  Why  then  how  ftands  the  matter  with  them  ? 
Laun.  Marry,  thus :  when  it  ftands  well  with  him, 
ic  (lands  wcW  with  her. 

Speed.  Wh:it  an  afs  art  thou?  I  undcrfland  thee  not. 
Laun.  What  a  Hock  art  thou,  that  thou  canft  not  ? 
My  rtatf  iindcrfl.inds  me. 
Speed,  What  thou  fay'fl  ? 


Ic  u  Padua  in  ihe  former   editiona. 
3.  Mr.  /»^/, 


See    the  novt  oa 
Laun. 


m 


20 


204         TZ^  Two  Gentlemen  of  Verona* 

Laun.  Ay,  and  what  I  do  too  ?  look  thee,  I'll  W 
lean,  and  my  ftafF  underftands  me. 

Speed,  It  (lands  under  thee  indeed, 

Laun,  Why,  ftand-under,  and  underftand,  is  all  one. 

Speed.  But  tell  me  true,  will't  be  a  match  ? 

Laun,  Ask  my  dog  :  if  he  fay,  ay,  it  will ;  if  he 
fay,  no,  it  will ;  if  he  Ihake  his  tail,  and  fay  nothiii^ 
it  will. 

Speed,  The  concluCon  is  then,  that  it  will. 

Laun,  Thou  fhalt  never  get  fuch  a  fecrct  from  mc^ 
but  by  a  parable. 

Speed,  ' Tis  well,  that  I  get  it  fb ;  but  Launce,  bow 
fay*ft  thou,  that  my  matter  is  become  a  notable  lover  J 

Laun.  I  never  knew  him  othcrwifc. 

Speed,  Than  how  ? 

Laun,  A  notable  Lubber,  as  thou  reporteft  lum  to  be. 

Speed,  Why,  thou  whorfon  afi,  thou  miftak'ft  me. 

Laun,  Why,  fool,  I  meant  not  thee  i  I  meant  thy 
matter. 

Speed,  I  tell  thee,  my  matter  is  become  a  hot  lover. 

Laun,  Why,  I  tell  thee,  I  care  not  tho*  he  bun 
himfelf  in  love :  If  thou  wilt  go  with  me  to  the  ale- 
houfe,  fo ;  if  not,  thou  art  an  Hebrew^  a  Jew^  and  not 
worth  the  name  of  a  Cbriftian. 

Speed,  Why? 

Laun,  Becaufe  thou  haft  not  lb  much  charity  in 
thee,  as  to  go  to  the  ale-houfe  with  a  Cbri^an:  wik 
thou  go  ? 

Speed,  At  thy  fervice.  {ExapU. 

SCENE     IX. 
Enter  Protheus  fobes. 

Pro,  To  leave  my  Julia^  fliall  I  be  forfwom ; 
To  love  lair  Silvia^  (hall  I  be  forfwom  % 
To  wrong  my  friend,  1  fliall  be  much  fbrfwom : 
And  ev*n  that  pow'r,  which  gave  me  fitft  my  oath, 
Provokes  me  to  this  threefold  perjury. 

Love 


T^e  Tw6  GmtUmen  ^/Verona.  205 

Ijove  bad  me  fwear,  and  love  bids  me  forfwear  : 

0  fwcet-fuggefting  love !  ♦  if  I  have  linn'd. 
Teach  mc,  thy  tempted  fubjeft,  to  cxcufe  it. 
At  ftrft  I  did  adore  a  twinkling  liar. 
But  now  I  worfhip  a  celcftial  fun, 
Unhtedful  vows  may  hcedfully  be  broken  i 
And  he  wants  wit,  that  wants  refolvcd  will 
To  leam  his  wit  t*exchangc  the  bad  Ibr  better. 
Fie,  fie,  unrevcrcnd  tongue  \  to  call  her  bad, 
Whofe  Sov'rdgnty  lb  ott  thou  haft  preferred 
With  twenty  thoufand  foul-confirming  oaths. 

1  cannot  leave  to  love,  and  yet  I  do  ; 
But  there  I  leave  to  love,  where  I  fhould  love: 
JuUa  \  lofe^  and  Vakmine  I  lofc : 
If  I  keep  them,  I  needs  muft  lofc  myfclf  ; 
If  I  Jofe  them,  this  find  I  by  their  lofs, 

For  FalcnfmCf  myfelf;  for  Julfa^  Silvia, 

I  to  my  fclf  am  dearer  than  a  friend ; 

For  love  is  ftill  moft  precious  in  its  felf : 

And  Silvia^  fwitnefs  heav'n,   that  made  her  fair  !^ 

Shews  Julia  but  a  fwarthy  Ethiape, 

I  will  forget  that  Julia  is  alive, 

Remembring  that  my  love  to  her  is  dead  : 

And  Valentine  VW  hold  an  enemy^ 

Aiming  at  Sihia  as  a  fweeter  friend. 

I  cannot  now  prove  conftant  to  my  felf, 

Without  fomc  treachery  us*d  to  Valenfine : 

This  night,  he  meancth  with  a  corded  ladder 

To  dimb  celeftial  Silvia's  chamber-window  ; 

My  felf  in  counlel  his  competitor. 

Now  prefentiy  1*11  givt!  her  father  notice 

Of  their  difguifmg,  and  pretended  flight ; 

Who,  all  cnrag'd,  will  banifh  Falenfine  : 

For  Thurso^  he  intends,  fliaU  wed  his  daughter. 


If  THOU    HAST  finn*d^    We  mufl  ccruinl/  ruj 

if  I    H  A  V  K  /flftV. 

But, 


2o6  The  Tv:o  GentUtmn  of  Verorx'. 

But,  Va!aitini  being  gonr.  Til  quickly  crofi. 
By  fome  fly  trick,  blunt  Tbitny$  dull  proceeding. 
Love,  lend  me  wings  co  make  my  purpofc  fwift. 
As  thou  haft  km  m^  wit  to  plot  this  drik  !  iEaL 

SCENE      X. 

Changes  to  JuLia*^  Houfe  in  Verona, 

En^cr  Julia  axd  Lucctta, 

Julf^OxaStl^LuceUa^  gentle  gjrl,  ailKl  mc 

^^  And,  even  in  kind  love,  1  do  conjure  thee^ 
Who  art  die  table  wherein  all  my  thoughts 
Are  vifibly  charafter'd  and  engrav'd. 
To  leffon  me ;  and  tell  me  fome  good  miean. 
How  with  my  honour  I  may  und^takc 
A  journey  to  my  loving  Proiheus. 

Luc,  Alas !  the  way  is  wearifome  and  long. 

JuL  A  true-devoted  pilgrim  is  not  weary 
To  meafure  kingdoms  with  his  feeble  ileps  ; 
Much  iefs  (hall  iKe,  that  hath  love's  wings  tq  fly  j 
And  when  the  flight  is  made  to  one  fo  dear> 
Of  fuch  divine  perfedion,  as  Sir  jPrff/itf«i, 

Luc*  Better  forbear,  'till  Profbius  make  pecum* 

JuL  Oh,  know'ft  thou  nor,  his  looks  are  my 
food? 
Pity  ihc  dearth,  that  I  have  pined  in. 
By  longing  for  that  food  fo  long  a  rime, 
Didft  thou  but  know  the  inly  touch  of  love. 
Thou  would*ft  as  ibon  go  kindle  fire  with  fnow, 
As  feek  to  quench  die  fire  of  love  with  words. 

Ltu,  I  do  not  feek  to  quench  your  love's  hot. 
But  qualifie  the  fire's  extrcam  rage. 
Left  ic  ihould  burn  above  the  bounds  of  reaibn. 


JuL  The  more  thou  damm'il 
bums: 


It 


up, 


the  more 


The 


T&e  TwQ  Gentlemen  of  Verona.  207 

<  The  current,  that  wkh  gentle  murmur  glides, 

»  Thou  know*ft,beingftopp'dj  impatiently  dorlirage; 

*  But  when  liis  fair  courfe  is  not  hindered^ 

*  He  makes  fweet  iriufick  with  th'  enamcrd  floncs ; 

*  Giving  a  gentle  kifs  to  every  fedge 
'  He  overtaketh  in  his  pilgrimage : 

*  And  fo  by  many  winding  nooks  he  (trays, 
«  With  willing  fport*  to  the  wild  ocean. 

*  Then  let  me  go,  and  hinder  not  my  courfe  5 

*  ril  be  as  patient  as  a  gentle  ftrcam, 

*  And  make  a  paftime  of  each  weary  ftcp, 

*  *Till  the  lafl:  ftep  have  brought  me  to  my  love  ; 

*  And  there  I'll  reft,  as  after  much  turmoil, 

*  A  blefled  foul  doth  in  Ely/mm. 
Luc.  But  in  what  habit  will  you  go  along  ? 
JuL  Not  like  a  woman ;  for  I  would  prevent 

The  loofe  encounters  of  lafcivious  men : 
Gendc  Luctitat  fit  me  with  fuch  weeds 
As  may  befeem  Ibme  wcll-repuced  page, 

Lh€,  Why  then  your  ladyfliip  muft  cut  your  hair. 

Jui  No,  girl ;  ril  knit  it  up  in  fUken  ftrings^ 
"With  twenty  odd-conceited  true-love-knots : 
To  be  fantmick,  may  become  a  youth 
Of  greater  time  than  I  fliall  flicw  to  be.      [breeches? 

Luc.  What  fafWon,  Madam,    fhall  I  make  your 

JuL  That  fits  as  well,  as — **  tell  me,  gpod  my 
lord, 
*•  What  compais  will  you  wear  your  farthingale  ? 
Why,  even  what  fafhion  thou  bcft  like'ft,  Lucetta^ 

Luc.  You  muft  needs  have  them  with  a  cod*piecc» 
Madam. 

JuL  Out,  out,  Lucefia  !  that  will  be  ill-favour*d. 

Luc.  A  round  hofe,  Madam,  now*s  not  worth  a pjn> 
Unlefs  you  have  a  cod  piece  to  ftick  pins  on, 

Jul.  Lucetsa^  a*j  rhou  lov'ft  me,  let  me  have 
What  rhou  think'it  mccr^  and  is  moft  mannerly  : 
But  tcU  mc,  wench,  how  will  the  world  repute  mc 

For 


2o8  Tie  Two  GentUmen  rf  VenoAa. 


For  undertaking  fo  unftaid  a  journey  ? 
I  fear  me,  it  will  make  me  Icandaliz'd. 

Luc,  If  you  think  fo,  then  ftay  at  home,  and  go  not. 

Jul.  Nay,  diat  I  will  not. 

Lmc.  Then  never  dream  on  infamy,  but  go. 
li  Protbeus  like  your  journey,  when  you  come. 
No  matter  who's  difpleas*d,  when  you  are  gone: 
I  fear  me,  he  will  fcarce  be  pleas'd  withal. 

Jul,  That  is  the  lead,  Lucetta^  of  my  fear : 
A  thoufand  oaths,  an  ocean  of  his  tears. 
And  inftances  as  infinite  of  love. 
Warrant  me  welcome  to  my  Protbeus. 

Imc,  All  thcfe  are  iervants  to  decdtful  men. 

JuL  Bafe  men,  that  ule  them  to  fo  bole  cffeft! 
But  truer  ftars  did  govern  Protbeus*  birth  i 
His  words  are  bonds,  his  oaths  are  oracles  ^ 
His  love  fincere,  his  thoughts  immaculate  ^ 
His  tears,  pure  meflengers  lent  from  hb  heart  % 
His  heart  as  far  firom  fraud,  as  heav*n  from  esuth. 

Luc.  Pray  heav'n  he  prove  fo,  when  you  come  to 
him ! 

JuL  Now,  as  thou  lov*ft  me,  do  him  not  that  ynoag, 
To  bear  a  hard  opinion  of  his  truth ; 
Only  defcrve  my  love,  by  loving  him ; 
And  prefendy  go  with  me  to  my  chamber. 
To  take  a  note,  of  what  I  ftand  in  need  o^ 
To  fiimilh  me  upon  my  lon^g  journey. 
All  that  is  mine  1  leave  at  thy  diipofe. 
My  goods,  my  lands,  my  reputation  ; 
Only,  in  lieu  thereof,  dilpatch  me  hence : 
Come,  anfwer  not ;  but  do  it  prefcntly  : 
1  am  impatient  of  my  taniancc.  [Exeiat- 


ACT 


The  Txv^  Gentlemen  of  Verona.        209 

ACT    III      SCENE     I. 

The  Duke's  Palace  in  Milan. 
Enter  Duke,  Thurio,  and  Prodieus, 


D  V 


K    Z, 


STR  "Tburi^j  give  us  leave,  I  pray,  a  while  j 
We  have  fomc  iicrcLS  to  confer  about. 

[^Exis  Thur, 
Now  tell  me,  TrotbtuSy  what*s  your  will  with  mc? 

Pro.  My  gracious  lord,  that  which  1  would  difcovcr. 
The  law  of  friendOiip  bids  me  to  conceal ; 
But  whi^n  I  call  to  mind  your  gracious  favours 
Done  to  rae,  undc^ierving  as  I  am, 
My  duty  pricks  me  on  to  utter  ihar, 
Which,  clfc,  no  worldly  good  fh'.Hi!d  draw  from  m'^. 
Know,  wortliy  Prince,  Sir  Vakntm  my  friend 
This  night  intends  to  ftcal  away  your  daughter; 
My  felf  am  one  made  privy  to  the  plot 
1  know,  you  have  determin'd  to  bellow  her 
On  TJww,  whom  your  gentle  daughter  hates; 
And  ftould  Ihe  thus  be  ftoirn  away  from  you. 
It  would  be  much  vexation  to  your  age, 
Tliiis,  for  my  duty's  fake,  I  rather  chofe 
To  crois  my  friend  in  hia  intended  drift  \ 
Than,  by  conccaJing  it,  heap  on  your  head 
A  pack  of  forrows,  which  would  prcfs  you  down, 
If  unpreventedj  to  your  timelefs  grave, 

l>uh,  Proibeus^  I  chai\k  thee  for  thine  honeft  care  \ 
Which  to  requite,  command  me  while  I  live. 
This  love  of  thrirs  my  ftlf  have  often  fcen. 
Haply,  when  they  have  iudg'd  me  faft  afleep ; 
And  oftentimes  Iiave  purpos*d  to  forbid 
$iz  yalcnsine  her  company,  and  my  court : 

Vol.  L  P  But, 


2 1  o  Tl^e  Two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 

But,  fearing  left  my  jealous  aim  might  err. 
And  fo  unworthily  difgracc  the  man, 
(A  rafhncfs  that  I  ever  yet  have  (hunn'd ;) 
i  gave  him  gentle  looks ;  thereby  to  find 
That  which  thy  fclf  haft  now  difclos'd  to  mc. 
And  that  thou  may'ft  perceive  my  fear  of  tlus. 
Knowing  that  tender  youth  is  foon  fuggeftcd, 
I  nightly  lodge  her  in  an  upper  tower. 
The  key  whereof  myfelf  have  ever  kept ; 
And  thence  (he  cannot  be  convey'd  away. 

Pro.  Know,  noble  lord,  they  have  dcvis'd  a  mean 
How  he  her  chamber-window  will  alcend. 
And  v,\th  a  corded  ladder  fetch  her  down  % 
For  w  hich  the  youthfU  lover  now  is  gone. 
And  this  way  comes  he  with  it  prefently : 
Where,  if  it  pleafe  you,  you  may  intercept  him. 
But,  good  niy  lord,  do  it  fo  cunningly. 
That  my  difcov'ry  be  not  aimed  at ; 
For  love  of  you,  not  hate  unto  my  fHend, 
Hath  made  me  publilher  of  this  pretence, 

Duke,  Upon  mine  honour,  he  Ihall  never  know 
That  I  had  any  light  from  thee  of  this. 

Pro,  Adieu,  my  lord :  Sir  Valentine  is  coming. 

[ExU  ?to. 

SCENE       II. 

Enier  Valentine. 

Duke,  Sir  Valentine,  whither  away  fo  faft  ? 

VaL  Pleafe  it  your  Grace,  there  is  a  mcflcnger 
That  ftays  to  bear  my  letters  to  my  fnends. 
And  I  am  going  to  deliver  them. 

Duke.  Be  they  of  much  import  ? 

VaL  The  tenour  of  them  doth  but  (ignific 
My  health,  and  happy  being  at  your  court. 

Duke.  Nay  then,  no  matter;  ftay  withmeawhik; 
I  am  to  break  with  thee  of  feme  affairs. 

That 


7^e  Two  Gentlemen  ofVtxonz. 

That  touch  me  near ;  wherein  thou  muft  be  fccret- 
*Tis  not  unknown  to  thee,  that  I  have  fought 
To  match  my  friend  Sir  Tburio  to  my  daughter, 

y^.  I  know  it  well,  my  lord  \  and,  fure^  the  match 
Were  rich  and  honourable  \  befidcs,  the  gentleman 
Is  full  of  virtue,  bouncy^  worth,  and  qualities 
Befecming  fudi  a  wile  as  your  fair  daughten 
Cannot  your  Grace  win  her  to  fancy  him  ? 

Duke,  No»  truft  me ;  Ihc  is  peevilh,  fullen,  froward, 
Proud,  difobedient,  ilubborn,  lacking  duty  j 
NdtJier  regarding  that  fhe  is  my  child, 
Nor  fearing  mc  as  if  I  were  her  father ; 
And  may  I  fay  to  thee,  this  pride  of  hers, 
Upon  advice,  hath  drawn  my  love  from  her  j 
And,  where  I  tliought  the  remnant  of  mine  age 
Should  have  been  cherifli'd  by  her  child-like  duty, 
I  now  am  full  refolv'd  to  take  a  wife. 
And  turn  her  out  to  who  will  take  her  in  : 
Then  let  her  beauty  be  her  wedding-dower: 
For  me,  and  my  pollefllons*  ihe  citcems  nor, 

VaL  What  would  your  Grace  have  me  to  do  in  this  ? 

Duke.  There  is  a  lady,  *  Sir,  in  Milan  here, 
Whom  I  affeft  \  but  Jlie  is  nice  and  coy. 
And  nought  eftcems  my  aged  eloquence : 
Now  therefore  would  I  have  thee  to  my  tutor  } 
(For  long  agone  I  have  forgot  to  court ; 
Befidcs,  the  faihion  of  die  nmc  is  chang'd,) 
How,  and  which  way,  I  may  bcltow  my  fclf, 
To  be  regarded  in  her  fun-bnght  eye. 

VaL  Win  her  with  gilts,  if  fl^e  refpecls  not  words  | 

t  ^^Sir,  \ti  MitiTH  here,]     It  ought  to  be  ihui,  tnneiJ   of 

— 1>  Verona  ^rr^.*- — for  ihe  Scene  ap^'ireoily  ia  in  Mi/arp 

as  it  clear  from  fcvcral  p,in"a^e(  in  the  firll  Aft,  and  in  the  t>cgiri* 
King  of  fhe  dtil  Scene  of  the  fourth  AO.  A  like  miftalce  has  crept 
ki(o  the  eighth  Scene  of  AA  11.  whtJC  Spu^hidt  hi*  fetlow  fer- 
runt  Lauact^  welcome  t^>  FaJua.  Mr.  Pifpf, 


P  a 


Dumb 


a  1 3        The  T^o  Genthpnen  of  Verona. 

Dumb  jewels  often  in  their  filentkind. 
More  than  quick  words,  do  move  a  woman's  mind. 
Duke.  But  fhe  did  fcom  a  prefent,  that  I  lent  her. 
Vd.  A  woman  ibmecimes  icorns  what  beft  contents 
her ; 
Send  her  another ;  never  ^vc  her  o'er  ; 
For  fcom  at  firft  makes  after-love  the  more. 
If  fhe  do  frown,  'tis  not  in  hate  of  you> 
But  rather  to  beget  more  love  in  you : 
if  fhe  do  chide,  'cis  not  to  have  you  gone  ) 
For  why,  the  fools  are  mad  if  left  alone. 
Take  no  rcpulfe,  whatever  fhe  doth  fay ; 
For,  get  you  gone,  fhe  doth  not  mean  away: 
Flatter,  and  pr^ie,  commend,  extol  their  graces  % 
Tho'  ne'er  fo  black,  fay,  they  have  angels'  fiuxs. 
That  man  that  hath  a  tongue,  I  fay,  is  no  man. 
If  with  his  tongue  he  cannot  win  a  woman. 

Duke.  But  fhe,  I  mean,  is  promised  by  her  fiicnds 
Unto  a  youthful  gentleman  of  worth. 
And  kept  fevcrely  from  refort  of  men. 
That  no  man  hadi  accefs  by  day  to  her. 

Val.  Why  then  I  would  refort  to  her  by  nig^ 
Di/^f.  Ay,butthedoorsbelockt,  and  keys  kept  £ife^ 
That  no  man  hath  recourfe  to  her  by  night. 

Val,  What  Jets,  but  one  may  enter  at  her  Window  ? 
Duke,  Her  duunber  is  aloft,  far  from  the  ground. 
And  built  fo  fhelving,  that  one  cannot  climb  it 
W'ithout  apparent  hazard  of  his  life. 

VaL  Why  then  a  ladder  quaintly  made  of  GOids, 
To  caft  up,  witli  a  pair  of  anchoring  horfts. 
Would  ferve  to  fcale another  Hero*%  tower; 
So  bold  Leander  would  adventure  it. 

Duke.  Now,  as  thou  art  a  gendeman  of  bloody 
Advife  me  where  I  may  have  fuch  a  ladder. 

Val.  When  would  you  ufe  it  ?  pray,  Sir,  tell  mc  that. 
Duke.  This  very  night ;  for  love  is  like  a  child. 
That  longs  for  ev*ry  thing  that  he  can  come  by. 

Val 


"' 


The  Two  Gentlemen  of  Verona.         ii 

Vai^  By  feven  a  dock  I'll  get  you  fuch  a  ladder. 

Duh.  But  hark  chce :  I  will  go  to  her  alone  ^ 
How  Cball  I  beft  conviey  the  ladder  thither  ? 

Fa!.  It  win  be  light,  my  lord,  rhucyoumay  bear  it 
Under  a  cloak  that  is  of  any  kiigth. 

Duke.  A  cloak  as  Icmg  as  thine  will  ferve  the  turn  ? 

Fal,  Ay,  my  good  lord* 

Duke.  Then  let  me  fee  thy  cloalc  ; 
ril  get  mc  one  of  fuch  another  length. 

fk/.  Why,  any  cloak  will  fervc  the  turn,  my  lord, 

Duke.  How  ftiall  J  fafhion  me  to  wear  a  cloak  ? 
I  pray  thee,  let  me  fecJ  thy  cloak  upon  me. 
What  letter  is  this  fame?  what's  here  ?  To  Sihia  f 
And  here  an  engine  fit  for  my  proceeding  ? 
rU  be  fo  bold  to  break  the  leal  for  once.     [Duke  readsl 
A'ly  tbougbts  do  barkmr  with  fjrt  Silvia  niiht-\\ 

Andflavestbey  arei&me^  thai  ftnd  them  JL 
Oh,  cmld  their  mafier  come  mtd  go  as  Ughifyy 

Hmftlf  would  hi^fj  where  finfikfs  they  arc  lytr.^  .- 
My  herald  th&ugbts  in  thy  pure  bofem  reft  them^ 

Wbik  /,  their  King^  that  thither  ihem  smpcrtmey 
•jj)6  curfe  the  grace,  that  wUbJuch  grace  hath  bkji  them^ 

Beeaufe  myfelfda  want  my  feroants*  fortune  ; 

curfe  myftlfj  for  they  crefent  by  me, 

hat  tbeyjhcfuld  harbmry  inhere  their  lord  wmild  be. 
What's  here  ?  Silvia,  this  night  will  Itnfranchifetbee: 
*Tis  k^  and  here's  the  ladder  for  the  purpofe. 
*  Why^  Phaeton^  for  thou  art  Mercfj'  fon. 
Wilt  thou  aJpire  to  guide  the  heavenly  car, 
^And  with  thy  daring  fotly  burn  the  world  ? 
Wilt  thou  reach  ftars,  becaufe  they  fhinc  on  chcc  ? 
Go,  bale  intruder !  over-weenlng  flave  ! 
Bellow  thy  tliwning  fmilcs  on  equal  mates ; 
And  think,  my  patience,  more  than  thy  dcfcrt, 

2  ti'^j  FKaeton,  fir  them  art  UBnOPft*  tO!l. 
I  tyUt  thou  Gfpir4  to  guidt  thi  himt^n^  tf^r.J    Mcnpi  /•», 

^i  e.  a  baflard,  kafc-boro. 

[  P  3  ^ 


114         7>5^  75^^  Gentlemen  ^Veronia, 

Is  privilege  for  thy  departure  hence  : 

Thank  me  for  this,  more  than  for  all  the  favours, 

"Which,  all  too  much,  I  have  beftow^d  on  thcc. 

But  if  thou  linger  in  my  territories, 

I-onger  than  fwifceft  expedition 

Will  give  tlice  time  to  leave  our  royal  court. 

By  heav*n,  my  wrath  fhall  far  exceed  the  love, 

I  ever  bore  my  daughter  or  thy  felf : 

Be  gone,  I  will  not  hear  thy  vain  cxcufe. 

But  as  thou  lov'ft  thy  Ufe,  make  fpced  from  hence. 

SCENE     III. 

VaU  And  why  not  death,  rather  than  liWng  torment  ? 
«  To  die,  is  to  be  bani(h*d  from  my  felf: 

*  And  Mvia  is  my  felf;  banifli'd  from  her, 

*  Is  felf  from  felf:  a  deadly  banifhment ! 

<  "What  light  is  light,  if  Silvia  be  not  fecn  ? 

<  What  joy  is  joy,  if  Silvia  be  not  by  ? 

*  Unlefs  it  be  to  think,  that  (he  is  by  ; 

*  And  feed  upon  the  Ihadow  of  perfc&ion. 

*  Except  I  be  by  Silvia  in  the  night, 

*  There  is  no  mufick  in  the  nightingale } 

*  Unlefs  I  look  on  Silvia  in  the  day, 

*  There  is  no  day  for  me  to  look  upon : 
She  is  my  cflcncc,  and  I  leave  to  be. 

If  1  be  not  by  her  fair  influence 
Fofter'd,  illumin'd,  cherifh*d,  kept  alive. 
I  fly  not  death,  to  fly  his  deadly  doom ; 
Tarry  I  here,  I  but  attend  on  death  : 
But  liy  I  hence,  I  fly  away  from  life. 

Enter  Prothcus  ani  Launcc, 

Fro,  Run,  boy,  run,  run,  and  fcek  him  out. 
Latin,  So-ho!  fo-ho!—— *^ 
Pro,  What  feeft  thou? 
Lam.  Him  we  go  to  find  i 

There's 


The  Two  Gentlemen  of  Verona.  2 1 

There's  not  a  hair  on's  head,  but  'tis  a  VcUntine. 

Pro.  Vahniney > 

VaL  No.  fl 

Pro.  Who  then  i  his  fpirit  ?  fl 

Vd,  Neither.  ■ 

Frd*  What  then  ?  ■ 

VaL  Nothing.  I 

Laun,  Can  notliing  fpeak  ?  mafter,  Jhall  I  ftrike  ?  I 

Pri?.  Whom  wouidft  thou  ilrikc  ?  m 

Laun.  Notliiiig.  ■ 

Pro,  Villsun,  forbear.  ■ 

Laun.  Why,  Sir,  Til  ftrikcnoiliing  i  I  pray  you, — 

Pro.  I  Tay,  forbear:  friend  F'akntine^  a  word. 

Vd.  My  ears  are  ftopt,  and  cannot  hear  good  news ; 

So  much  of  bad  already  hath  poffctl  them.  M 

Pro,  Then  in  dumb  filence  will  I  bury  mine  ;  I 

For  they  arc  harlh,  untuneable,  and  bad.  I 

VaL  Is  Sihia  dead  ?  I 

Pre,  No,    yakntme,  I 

Vd.  No  yalenrifitt  indeed,  for  facrcd  ^//fw  /  I 

Hath  fhe  forfworn  me  ?  m 

Pro.  No,  Vd^num,  I 

yd.  No  Vdentin^^  if  Sihia  liave  forfworn  me !  I 

What  is  your  news  ?  ■ 

Laun,    Sir,  there's  a  proclamation  that  you  are  ■ 

vanilh'd.  ■ 

Pro.  That  thou  art  banifh*d  ;  oh,  that  i.s  the  news. 

From  hence,  from  Silvia^  and  from  me  thy  friend. 

Fd,  Oh,  I  have  fed  upon  this  woe  already  ;  ■ 

And  now  exccfs  of  it  will  make  me  furleit-  I 

Doth  Silvia  know  that  I  am  banilhed  ?  M 

Pro,  Ay,  ay ;  and  Ae  hath  offcr'd  to  the  doom*  ■ 

Which  unrcvcrs'd  ftands  in  effectual  force,  I 

_      A  lea  of  melting  peari,  which  fome  call  tears :  I 

■jThofc  at  her  father's  churliih  feet  ffae  tcnder'd,  I 

^^^With  them»  upon  her  knees,  her  humble  fclf  v  ■ 
[     Wringing  her  liands,  whofe  whitcnels  fo  became  them, 
^^                                    P  4                                 Ap 


2x6        7he  Two  Gentlemen  <?/"  Verona. 

As  if  but  now  they  waxed  pale  for  wo. 
But  neither  bended  knees,  pure  hands  held  np. 
Sad  fighs,  deep  groans,  nor  filver-lhedding  tears. 
Could  penetrate  her  uncompaffionate  Sire  \ 
But  Valentine^  if  he  be  ta"en,  muft  die. 
Befides,  her  interceflion  chaPd  him  fo. 
When  Ihe  for  thy  repeal  was  fuppliant. 
That  to  dofe  priibn  he  commanded  her. 
With  many  bitter  threats  of  'biding  there. 

VaL  No  more  j  unlefs  the  next  word  that   thou 
fpeak'ft. 
Have  fome  malignant  power  upon  my  life  : 
If  fo,  I  pray  thee,  breathe  it  in  mine  ear,  ^ 

As  ending  anthem  of  my  endlcfs  dolour, 

Pro,  Ceafe  to  lament  for  that  thou  canft  not  hdp. 
And  ftudy  help  for  that  which  thou  lament'ft. 
Time  is  tne  nurfe  and  breeder  of  all  good  : 
Here  if  thou  ftay,  thou  canlt  not  fee  thy  love ; 
Befides,  thy  ftaying  will  abridge  thy  life, 
Hope  is  a  lover's  ftafF ;  walk  hence  with  that ; 
And  manage  it  againft  defpairing  thoughts. 
Thy  letters  may  be  here,  tho'  thou  art  hence. 
Which,  being  writ  to  me,  ftiall  be  dcliver'd 
Ev*n  in  the  milk-white  bofom  of  thy  love. 
The  time  now  ferves  not  to  expoftulate ; 
Come,  I'll  convey  thee  through  the  city-gate  % 
And,  ere  I  part  with  thee,  confer  at  large 
Of  all  that  may  concern  thy  love-affairs : 
As  thou  lov*ft  Sihia^  tho*  not  for  thyfelf. 
Regard  thy  danger,  and  along  with  me. 

VaL  I  pray  thee,  Launce^  an*  if  thou  feeft  my  boy, 
Pkl  him  make  hafte,  and  meet  me  at  the  north-gate. 

Pro.  Go,  Sirrah,  find  him  out :  come,  Valentine. 

Yal  O  my  dear  Silvia  !  haplcfs  Valentine  ! 

r£,v^«ff/ Valentine  and  Prothcus. 


SCENE 


The  Two  Gentlemen  of  Verona.         21 


N 


IV. 


ci 


<*  *  Lam.  I  am  but  a  fool,  look  you,  and  yet  I 
**  have  the  wit  to  tliink  my  maftcr  is  a  kind  of  a 
**  knave:  but  that*s  all  one,  if  he  be  bur  one  kind 
He  lives  not  now  that  knows  me  to  be  in  love»  yet 
I  am  in  love  ;  but  a  team  of  horfe  Ihall  not  pluck 
thai  from  me,  nor  who  *tis  I  love,  and  yet  'ds  a 
**  woman  \  but  what  woman  I  will  not  teJi  mylelf^ 
**  and  yet  'tis  a  milk-m^d  ;  yet  *&s  not  a  maid,  for 
**  ihe  hath  had  golfips;  yet  ^tis  a  maid,  for  Jhc 
**  bher  nufter's  maid,  and  fervea  for  wages:  fiic 
"  hath  more  qualities  than  a  water-Jpanicl*  which  is 
**  much  in  a  bare  chnftian.  Here  is  the  cat-log 
"  \Puliing  out  afaper}  of  her  condidons;  Imprmhy 
*'  ihc  can  fetch  and  cany  5  why,  a  horfe  can  do  no 
**  more  j  nay,  a  horfe  cannot  fetch,  but  only  cany ; 
**  tlicrefore  Ihe  is  better  than  a  jade,  Itemy  (he  can 
**  milk  \  look  you,  a  fweet  virtue  in  a  maid  with 
**  clean  hands- 

Enicr  Speed. 

Spnd,  How  now,  figmor  Latmce?  what  ncw3  with 
your  maftcrlhip  ? 
♦  Lauh,  With  my  maftcr*s  Ihip?  why,  it  is  at  fea. 

J  L^un.  Inmhuinfi&l^  leak  yam,  Anipt  I  ba'v4  ih^'mU  to  thi»k 
ffiy  majfir  is  a  kind  o/Antf-vf :  fuf  that^s  alt  ttni^  if  hi  he  hur  one 
knate.  ]  where  ti  ih«  fervfc,  of,  \t  you  won't  allow  the  Sp«J:c/ 
chat,  where  ia  tlie  huniour  of  this  fperch  ?  Nolliing  liAd  given 
the  fool  occafion  to  fufpeft  that  his  oiaftrr  was  become  double, 
lik«  Anti^hoih  in  tht  OmiJy  •f^rr^ru  The  laft  word  is  corrupt. 
Wc  <bou]d  read. 

tf  h4  hi   has  Mt    KIND. 

He  thought  his  miller  W3\  a  iinj  of  iaa'vf ;  however,  he  kecpp 
hLmfcIf  in  countciancc  with  this  reflexion,  iKit  if  he  was  a  knave 
Smi  0/ 9tit  kind,  he  mtglvt  p.-vfswdl  enough  asKkflgft  hii  ncigh- 
bourt'     Thi&  ia  iruly  humourous. 

4  With  my  ata/tr^jj^if}]  Thii  pan  rtftorcd  by  Mr*  Theohaid. 

Spetd, 


Afi 


2 1 8  7%e  7^0  Gemlemen  of  Verona. 

speed.  Well,  your  old  vice  ftiU ;  miftakc  the  word : 
what  news  then  in  your  paper  ? 

Laun.  The  blackeft  news  that  ever  thou  heard'ft. 

Speed,  Why,  man,  how  black  ? 

Lautt,  Why,  as  black  as  ink. 

Speed,  Let  me  read  them, 

Laun,  Fie  on  thee,  jok-head,  thoucan'ft  not  read. 

Speed.  Thou  lyeft,  I  can. 

Laun.  I  will  try  thee ;  tell  me  this,  who  begot  thee  i 

Speed.  Marry,  the  fon  of  my  grand-father. 

Laun.  O  illiterate  loiterer,  it  was  the  fon  of  dif 
grand-mother  ;  this  proves,  that  thou  canft  not  read. 

Speed.  Come,  fool,  come,  try  me  in  thy  paper. 

Laun,  There,  and  *  St.  Nicholas  be  thy  fpeed ! 

Speed.  Imprimis^  fhe  can  milk. 

Laun.  Ay,  that  (he  can. 

Speed.  Item^  fhe  brews  good  ale. 

Laun.  And  thereof  comes  the  provo-b,  Bkffingof 
your  heart,  you  brew  good  ak. 

Speed,  Item^  (he  can  fowe. 

Laun.  That's  as  much  as  to  fay,  Canjhe  fof 

Speed.  Item^  (he  can  knit. 

Laun.  What  need  a  man  care  for  a  ftock  -vnth  a  weiidi» 
when  (he  can  knit  him  a  ftock! 

Speed.  Item^  fhe  can  waih  and  fcour. 

Laun.  A  fpecial  virtue,  for  then  (he  need  not  to  be 
wa(h'd  and  (cour*d. 

Speed.  Item,  fhe  can  (pin. 

Laun:  Then  may  I  fet  the  world  on  wheels,  when 
(he  can  (pin  for  her  living. 

Speed.  Item,  ilie  hath  many  namelefs  virtues. 

Laun.  That's  as  much  as  to  fay,  Bajiard  Virtues^ 
that,  indeed,  loiow  not  their  fathers,  and  therefore  have 
no  names. 

i;  St.  Nicholis  ^e  thf  fpeed'\  St.  Nicholas  presided  o«r 
Scholars,  who  were  thercfoie  called  St.  Nicbolas*^  Chris.  Hence, 
by  a  qaibble  between  Nicholas  and  Old  Nid,  Hiffhwa/-inen,  ia 
liiC  £r)t  pa:;  of  IJerry  the  fourlb,  arc  called  NichSas'j  Clerks. 

Speed. 


^ 


The  "Iwo  Gentlemen  ^Verona.  219 

Speed.  Here  follow  her  vices. 

Laun.  Clofe  at  the  heels  of  her  virtues. 

Speed.  Item^  ftie  is  not  to  be  kift  tafting,  in  rcfpcft 
of  her  breath. 

Laun,  Well,  that  fault  may  be  mended  withabreak- 
faft :  read  on. 

Speed,  Item^  fhe  hath  a  fweet  mouth. 

Laun,  That  makes  amends  for  her  four  breath. 

Speed.  Jtem^  fhe  doth  talk  in  her  deep. 

Laun.  It's  no  matter  for  that,  fo  Ihe  fleep  not  in 
her  talk. 

Speed.  Itemy  fhe  is  flow  in  words. 

Laun.  O  villain !  that  fet  down  among  her  vices  ! 
to  be  flow  in  words  is  a  woman's  only  virtue :  I  pray 
thee,  out  with't,  and  place  it  for  her  chief  virtue. 

Speed.  Itemy  fhe  is  proud. 

Launi  Out  with  that  too  :  it  was  Eve'*%  legacy,  and 
cannot  be  ta'en  fi-om  her. 

Speed.  Itemy  fhe  hath  no  teeth. 

Laun.  I  care  not  for  that  neither,  becaufe  I  love 
crufts. 

Speed.  Itemy  fhe  is  curft. 

Lmin.  Well,  the  beft  is,  fhe  hath  no  teeth  to  bite. 

Speed.  Item,  fhe  will  often  praiie  her  liquor. 

Laun.  If  her  liquor  be  good,  fhe  fhall  ;  if  fhe  will 
not,  I  vnll ;  for  good  things  fhould  be  prmfed. 

Speed.  liemy  fhe  is  too  liberd. 

Laun.  Of  her  tongue  fhe  cannot,  for  that's  writ 
down,  fhe's  flow  of;  of herpurfe  fhe  fhali  not,  for 
that  I'll  keep  fhut ;  now  of  another  thing  fhe  may, 
juid  that  cannot  I  help.    Well,  proceed. 

Speed.  Itemy  fhe  hath  more  hairs  than  wit,  and 
more  faults  than  hairs,  and  more  wealth  than  feults. 

Laun,  "  Stop  here  ;  I'll  have  her ;  fhe  was  mine, 
**  and  not  mine,  twice  or  thrice  in  that  article,    Re- 
••  hearfe  that  once  more. 
Sfeid.  Item^  fhe  hath  more  Imr  than  wi£, 

Laun. 


220         lUfe  Two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 

Laun,  More  hair  tlian  wit,  it  may  b«  ;  I'll  prove 
it:  the  cover  of  the  fait  hides  the  fait,  and  therefore 
it  is  more  than  the  lalt ;  the  h^,  that  covers  the  wit, 
is  more  than  the  wit  j  for  the  greater  hides  the  lefs. 
What's  next  ? 

Speed.  And  more  faults  than  hairs. 

Laun.  That's  monftrous  :  oh,  that  that  were  out! 

Speed.  And  more  wealth  than  feults. 

Laun.  Why,  that  word  makes  the  feults  gracious: 
well,  ril  have  her  ;  and  if  it  be  a  match,  as  nochtog  is 
impoffible— — 

Speed,  What  then? 

Laun.  Why  then  will  I  tell  thee,  that  thy  mafter 
(lays  for  thee  at  the  north-gate. 

Speed.  For  me? 

Laun.  For  thee  ?  ay ;  who  art  thou  ?  he  hath  ftaid 
for  a  better  man  than  thee. 

Speed.  And  muft  I  go  to  him  ? 

Laun.  Thou  muft  run  to  him,  for  thou  haft  (laid  lb 
long,  that  going  will  fcarce  fcrve  the  turn. 

Speed.  Why  didft  not  tell  me  fooner?  pox  on  your 
love-letters ! 

Laun.  Now  will  he  be  fvnng'd  for  reading  my 
letter :  an  unmannerly  flave,  that  will  thruft  himfeU* 
into  feaets.^— -  I'll  after,  to  rejoice  in  the  boy's  cor- 
reftion.  [EsftmiL 

SCENE        V. 

Enter  Duke  and  Thurio. 

Duke.  SiiThuriOy  fear  not,  but  that  fhc  will  love 
you. 
Now  Valentine  is  banifh'd  from  her  fight. 

Thu.  Since  his  exile  Ihe  hath  dcipis'd  me  moft, 
Forfworn  my  company,  and  rail'd  at  me. 
That  I  am  delpcrate  of  obtiuning  her. 
Duke,  This  weak  imprefs  of  love  is  as  a  figure 

Trenched 


TT>e  Two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 

Trtnchcd  in  icc^  which  with  an  hour's  heat 
Difiblves  to  water,  and  dotli  lofe  his  iurtn. 
A  Uctle  time  will  melt  her  frozen  thoughts. 
And  woithlefe  Vdlentint  fliall  be  forgot. 

Enttr  Protlicus. 

How  now.  Sir  Prcthius?  Is  your  countrynian. 
According  to  our  proclamation,  gone  ? 

Pro,  Gone,  my  good  lord, 

Duke.  My  daughter  cakes  his  going  heavily. 

Pr&,  A  Uttle  timCj  my  lord,  will  kill  that  grief. 

Duke.  So  I  believe  j  but  Tburh  thinks  not  To. 
ProibeuSj  die  good  conceit  I  hold  of  thee, 
(  For  diou  haft  fhown  fome  fign  of  good  defert) 
Makes  me  the  better  to  confer  with  thee, 

Pf&,  Longer  than  I  prove  loyal  to  your  Grace, 
Let  me  not  live  to  look  upon  your  Grace. 

Duke.  Thou  Icnow'ft^  how  willingly  I  would  efFeft 
The  match  between  Sir  7T?urio  and  my  daughter. 

pre,  I  do,  niy  lord. 

DuJtc,  And  alio,  1  do  thinks  thou  art  not  ignorant 
How  fhe  oppofcs  her  againfl  my  will. 

Pro^  She  did,  my  lord^  when  yakniiffe  was  here. 

Dmke,  Ay,  and  pcrverfely  fhe  perfcveres  fo. 
"What  might  we  do  to  make  the  girl  forget 
The  love  of  Vakniine^  and  love  Sir  Thuric? 

Pre,  The  beft  way  is  to  flantier  Valattine 
With  fatfhood,  cowardice,  and  poor  dcfcent: 
Three  thbgs  that  women  highlv  hold  in  hate. 

Duke.  Ay,  but  fhe*ll  think,  that  it  5s  fpoke  in  hate. 

Prtf.  Ay,  if  his  enemy  deliver  it : 
Therefore  it  muft,  with  circumftance,  be  fpokcn 
By  one,  whom  flic  cfteemeth  as  his  friend. 

Duke.  Then  you  muft  undertake  to  flandcr  him. 

Pro,  And  tlut,  my  lord,  I  fliall  be  loth  to  do  j 
*Tis  an  ill  office  for  a  gentleman  \ 
Efpeciaify,  againft  hia  very  friend. 

Duh. 


aar 


btnii 


The  Two  Gentk^nen  of  Verona, 

Duki,    Where  your  good  word  cannoc  advanta 

him, 
Your  flaader  never  can  endamage  him ) 
Therefore  the  office  is  indifferent. 
Being  inrrcaced  to  ic  by  your  friend. 

Pro,  You  have  prevaii'd,  my  lord :  if  I  can  do  i^ 
By  aught  that  I  can  (peak  in  his  difpraife, 
She  ihall  not  long  continue  love  to  him. 
*  But  fay,  this  weed  her  love  from  Vakntine^ 
It  follows  noc,  that  fhe  will  love  Sir  Timri&. 

Thu,  Therefore  as  you  unwind  her  love  from 
Left  it  fhould  ravel,  and  be  good  to  none, 
You  nniifl:  provide  to  bottom  it  on  me  : 
Which  muft  be  done,  by  praifing  me  as  much 
As  you  in  worth  difpraifc  Sir  Fakntifie. 

Duke.  And,  Prothms-,  we  dare  truft  you  in  this 
Becaufe  we  know,  on  VaUntine*^  report, 
You  arc  already  love's  firm  votary ; 
And  cannot  loon  revolt  and  change  your  mind. 
Upon  this  warrant,  fiiall  you  have  accefs. 
Where  you  with  Silvia  may  confer  at  I^ge : 
For  fhe  is  lumpllh,  heavy,  melancholy, 
And,  for  your  friend's  fake,  will  be  glad  of  you 
Where  you  may  temper  her,  by  your  perfuafi 
To  hate  young  Valentine^  and  love  my  friend* 

Pro.  As  much  as  I  can  do,  I  will  effeft, 
But  you,  Sir  T'hurio^  arc  not  iharp  enough  j 
You  muft  lay  lime,  to  tangle  her  defires. 
By  wailful  fonnets,  whole  compofed  rhimes 
Should  be  full  fraught  with  fcrviceabic  vows. 

Duk€,  Much  is  the  force  of  hcav'n^brcd  poefie. 

Pr&.  "  Say,  that  upon  the  alcar  of  her  beauty^ 
*'  You  facrificc  your  tears,  yourfighs,  your  he 

6  But  fay^  thh  wftj  her  Imit  fnm  Valentine, 
h  falh*uit  Mor,  thatjhe  wjY/  Uvt  Sir  Thario. 

Rldiculuni  caput.     Quafi  neceffe  fit, 

Si  huic  tion  dar,  tt  i!Lim  uxorcm  dacere.  Ttr  Jm 

"  Wi 


i^J 


7%e  Two  Gentkfnen  of  Verona. 

'*  Write,  *tUl  your  ink  be  dry  \  and  wkh  your  tears 
**  Moift  ic  again  ;  and  frame  lame  feeling  line, 
<*  That  may  difcover  fuch  integriry : 
*'  T  For  Orpheus^  lute  was  (bung  with  poct*s  fmcvt's  ; 
**  Whofe  golden  toucfi  could  ibften  fleel  and  ftoncs, 
**  Make  tygcrs  tame,  and  huge  Leviathans 
*^  Forfake  unfounded  deeps  to  dance  on  fands. 
After  your  dire-lamenting  tlegicSi 
Vifit  by  night  your  lady's  chamber  window 
With  fome  fwcet  confort :  to  their  inftrumcnts 
Tune  a  deploring  dump ;  the  night*s  dead  filence 
Will  well  become  fuch  fweet  complaining  grievance* 
This,  or  elfe  nothing,  will  inherit  her, 

Duke,  This  dilcipline  fiiews,  tJiou  haft  been  in  love. 

Tbu.  And  thy  advice  this  night  I'll  put  in  pra^Hcc. 
Therefore,  fweet  Protbeus^  my  dircftion-giver, 
Let  us  into  the  city  prefcntly 
To  fort  fome  gentlemen  well  skilFd  in  mufick  \ 
I  have  a  fonner,  that  will  ferve  the  turn. 
To  give  the  oalet  to  thy  good  advice, 

Duh.  About  it,  gentlemen. 

Pro,  We'll  wait  upon  your  Grace,  'til)  after  fuppcr  \ 
And  aftei^wards  determine  our  proceedings. 

Duke.  Ev'n  now  about  it,    I  will  pardon  you, 

[£x«fff/. 

7  Tpr  Orplicu)*  Imtt  nvai  Jfrung  'with  poefi  fincwJ-]  Thi« 
JhewA  5Atfi^/^fir*8  knowledge  of  antiquity.  He  hcic  ;<flJgos  Or- 
^fM/ hii  true  charaftcr  of  Icgifliitor,  For  under  that  of  a  pwt 
only,  ox  lover,  ibc  quility  given  to  hU  lute  u  unimciligibk-. 
fiulf  confifJcred  u  a  lawjEiver,  thr  chougKt  h  noble,  anU  the 
imagery  cxquifitely  bnucmiK  For  by  liii  iuti  u  to  b=  undcrllood 
Jiij  fyfitm  &/  loMtt:  and  by  ihc^a«*i/«w/,  the  pmvcr  ot  num- 
bcr>,  which  Qr^htui  a^uaJly  cmployecl  in  thofc  bwj  to  mtlcc 
them  nctived  by  a  fierce  tnd  baut»»rous  people. 


22 


ACT 


a24>        Tie  Two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


A  C  T     IV.       S  C  E  N  E     I 

j1  Forejiy  leading  tmvards  Mantua, 

Enstr  certain  Out'lawSw 
I  Out-law. 

FELLOWS^  ftandfiift:  I  fee  a  paQcnger. 
2  Out,   If  there  be  ten,  fhrink  not*  but  doi 
with  *eiD, 

Enter  Valentine  and  Speed. 

3  Out.  Stand,  Sir,  and  throw  us  what  you 
about  you ;  if  nor,  we'll  make  you,  Sir^  and  rifl^ 
you.  '"''^^ 

Speed,  Sir,  we  are  undone ;  thcfe  are  tbe 
that  all  the  travellers  do  fear  fo  much, 

Val  My  friends, 

1  Out.  That's  not  fo,  Sir  J  we  are  your  enemST 
a  Out,  Peace  \  we'll  hear  him. 

3  Out.  Ay,  by  my  beard,  will  we ;  for  he  is  a  proper 
man. 

VaL  Then  know,  that  I  have  litde  wealth  co 
A  man  I  am,  crofs*d  with  adverfity  i 
My  riches  are  thefe  poor  habiliments, 
Of  which  if  you  fliould  here  disfurnifh  me. 
You  take  the  fum  and  fubftancc  that  I  have, 

2  Out.  Whither  travel  you? 
VaL  To  Verona. 
I  Out,  Whence  came  you  ? 
VaL  From  Milan. 

3  Out.  Have  you  long  fojoum*d  there  ? 

VaL  Some  fixteen  mon&s  i  and  longer  might 
ft^dj 
If  crooked  fortune  had  not  thwarted  me* 

I  Out.  What,  were  you  banifh'd  thence  ? 


j7je  Two  Gentlemen  of  Verona; 

VuL  I  was, 

2  Out,  For  what  offence  ? 

Val^  For  chat,  which  now  torments  mc  to  rchcarfc  : 
1  killM  a  man,  whofe  death  I  much  repent  \ 
But  yet  I  flew  him  manfulJy  in  fight* 
Without  falfe  vantage  or  bafc  treachery,       '  ; 

I  Oui,  Why  ne'er  repent  it,  if  it  were  done  fb. 
But  were  you  banifh'd  for  fo  fmaU  a  fault  ? 

YaL  I  was,  and  held  mc  glad  of  foch  a  doom« 

I  Out.  Have  you  the  tongues  ? 

Vd.  My  youdiftil  travel  therein  made  me  happy. 
Or  eJfc  I  often  had  been  miferablc. 

3  Out.  By  die  bare  fcaJp  of  Robin  Hqq$%  fat  friar. 
This  fellow  were  a  king  for  our  'wild  faction. 

1  Out,  Wc'U  have  him*     Sirs*  a  word. 

Sptsd.  MaAer,  be  one  of  them  :   it's  an  honourable 
kind  of  thievery* 

Vol,  Peace,  vili^ 

a  0%a»  Tell  us  this  J  have  you  any  thing  to  take  to  ? 

V&U  Nothing*  but  my  forcunc. 

3  Out.  Know  then,  that  fome  of  us  are  gentlcmea. 
Such  as  the  fury  of  ungovern*d  youth 
Thruft  from  the  company  of  awful  men  ; 
Myfelf  was  from  Verona  banifh'd. 
For  pra^liling  to  fteaJ  away  a  lady. 
An  heir,  and  ncice  ally*d  unto  the  Duke. 

2  Out.  And  1  from  Mantua^  for  a  gentleman 
Wbom^  in  my  mood,  I  flabb'd  unto  the  heart* 

1  Out  And  I  for  fuch  like  petty  oimes  aa  the& 
But  to  the  purpole ;  for  we  cite  our  faults. 

That  they  may  hold  cxcus'd  our  lawlds  lives  j 
And,  partly,  feeing  you  are  beautify'd 
With  goodly  fhape,  and  by  your  own  report 
A  linguill  \  and  a  man  of  fuch  per^:£Bon» 
Ai  we  do  in  our  quality  much  want ;  *■     ■ 

2  Out,  Indeed,  becaufe  you  are  a  banifh^d  man. 
Therefore,  above  the  rell,  we  parley  co  you  ^ 

Vol.  J.  CL  A« 


226  TZrf  7h:o  Ge?itlemen  of  Verona. 

Arc  you  content  to  be  our  General  ? 

To  make  a  virtue  of  ncccHky, 

And  live,  as  wc  do,  in  the  wildcrBcfs  ? 

3  Ota.  What  fcy'ft  thou?   wilt  thou  be  of  ow 
confort  ?  ~~ 

Say»  ay  \  and  be  the  captain  of  us  all : 
We'll  do  thee  homage,  and  be  rui'd  by  thcc  j 
Love  thee  as  our  commander,  and  our  king. 

t  Out.  But  if  thou  icom  our  courtclie,  thou  dy^ft, 

2  Out.    Thou  Jhalt  not  live  to  br^  miiat  we  hive 
offer'd. 

VaL  I  take  your  offer,  and  will  live  inrich  you  ; 
Proi'idcd,  that  you  do  no  outrages 
On  filly  women,  or  poor  paifengers. 

3  OuL  No,  we  deceft  fuch  vile  bafc  prafiices. 
Conic,  go  with  us,  we'll  bring  thee  to  our  crews. 
And  fhew  thcc  all  the  trcafure  we  have  got  j 
Which,  with  ourfelves,  iliall  reft  at  thy  difpofe. 

[Exi 

,r  SCENE      IL 

Changes  to  an  Cfpm  Place,    under  SilvJa'r 
Apartment^  in  Milan, 

Enter  Prothcus, 

Pn.   A  Lready  IVe  been  filfe  co  Vakniine^ 

-**  And  now  I  muft  be  as  iinjuft  to  nttrioJ 
Under  the  colour  of  commending  him, 
I  have  acccfs  my  own  love  to  prefer : 
But  Silvia  is  too  fair,  too  true,  too  holy. 
To  be  corrupted  with  my  worthlefs  giftSi 
When  I  proccft  true  loyalty  to  her, 
She  twits  me  with  my  fdflaood  to  my  friend  \ 
When  to  her  beauty  I  commend  my  vows. 
She  bids  me  think,  how  I  have  been  forfwotn 
In  breakii^g  &ith  with  Julia  whom  I  lov^d. 

Ami 


flu. 


77>i  Two  Gentlemen  of  Vetona.  it 

Andf  notwIdiRandmg  aJ]  her  fuddcn  quips^ 

The  leaft  whereof  would  quell  a  lover's  hope» 

Yet,  fpanicl-like,  the  more  Jhe  fpunis  my  love^ 

The  more  it  grows,  and  fiiwncdi  on  her  ftill. 

But  here  comes  Ttngria  :  now  muft  wc  co  her  window. 

And  give  fome  evening  mufick  to  her  ear, 

Enier  Thurio  anJ  Mt^am. 

How  nowj  Sir  Prothms^  are  you  crept  be* 
fore  us  ? 

Pro,  Ay,  gentle  51&kw  ;  for,  you  kjiow^  riut  lore 
Wil]  creep  in  fervice  where  it  cannot  go. 

Tbu.  Ay»  but  1  hopCj  Sir,  that  you  love  not  here. 

Pre,  Sir,  bat  I  do  ^  or  tlie  1  would  be  hence. 

tbu.  Whom,  Silvia  f 

Pro.  Ay,  Silvia^  for  your  fake. 

Titf.  I  thank  you,  for  your  own:  now,  gentlemen, 
Let's  tunc,  and  co  it  lulbiy  a  while. 

^  SCENE      III. 

^^  Enisr  Hoji^  and  Julia  in  be/s  ckath. 

Hoji.  Now,  my  young  gueft,  methinks,  you're  ally- 
cholly  :  I  pray  you,  why  is  it  ? 

JuL  Marry,  mine  hoft,  becaufe  I  cannot  be  merry. 

Hpjt.  Come,  weUihave  you  merry;  I'll  bring  yoa 
where  you  fhali  hear  muHck,  and  &£  the  gentleman 
dm  you  ask'd  for. 

Jut,  But  (hall  I  hear  him  fpcak  ? 

H&ji.  Ay,  that  you  {hall. 

JuL  Tlxat  will  be  mufick- 

Hofi.  Hark,  hark! 

JnL  Is  he  among  thefc  ? 

H^fi.  Ay  i  but  peace,  kt*s  hc«r  •em. 


0^2 


SONG, 


228         Tie  T'zo  Gentlemen  if  Vcrona« 

SONG. 

fFbo  is  Silvia  ?  'xcat  isfie^ 

Tbat  all  cur  ficaixs  csmmtad  ber  ? 

Hchj  fczr,  end  vnfe  isfise ; 

ibe  biov'nfttcb  grace  did  laid  ber^ 
Tta  Jbr  mtgbt  admred  be. 

h  ft>e  kind,  as  Jbe  is  fair  f 

For  beauty  lives  with  hndsufs^ 
Lfive  dctb  to  ber  ejes  refdr^ 

I'o  belp  kim  ef  bis  blistdmpz 

jbtd,  bei/ig  belf%  iubMis  Aert, 

fben  to  Silvia  let  usfir^^ 

Tbat  Silvia  is  excelling ; 
Sbe  excels  each  mortal  tbitf 

Upon  the  dull  eartb  dmeBisig: 
To  ber  let  us  garlands  bring^ 

Hoft,  How  now  ?   are  you  (adder  dim  you  were 
before  ?  how  do  you,  man  i  the  mufick  likes  you  noc. 

JuL  You  tniftake  ;  the  mufidan  likes  nc  not. 

Hoft.  Why,  my  pretty  youth  ? 

JuL  He  plays  falie,  father. 

Hoft,  How,  out  of  tuneondieftrings? 
.    Jul.  Not  fo ;  but  yet  fo  Me,  that  he  gncves  my 
very  heart-ftcings. 

Hoft,  You  have  a  quick  car. 

Jul,  Ay,  [  would  1  were  deaf!  k  makes  ine  have 
a  flow  heart. 

Hoft,  I  perceive,  you  delight  not  in  mufick. 

Jul,  Not  a  whit,  when  it  jars  fo. 

Hoft,  Hark,  what  fine  change  is  in  the  nuifick. 

Jul.  Ay  '^  that  change  is  the  ^»ght. 

Hoft.  You  would  have  them  always  play  but  one 
thing  ? 

JuL  I  wouU  always  have  one  play  but  one  dung. 


T'&e  Two  Gentlemen  of  Verona.  229 

But»  hoft,  doth  this  Sir  Pntheus^  that  wc  talk  Ofi, 
Often  reforc  unto  this  gentlewoman  ? 

Hoft.  I  tell  you  what  Launce^  his  man,  told  mc,  he 
*  lov"d  her  out  of  all  nick. 

Jul.  Where  is  Launce  ? 

Hqft.  Gone  to  feck  his  dog,  which  to-morrow,  by 
his  mafter's  command,  he  mull  carry  for  a  prefcnt  to 
his  lady. 

Jul.  Peace,  ftand  afide,  rhe  company  parts. 

Pro.  Sir  Tburio^  fear  not  you  ;  I  will  fo  plead, 
That  you  fliali  fay,  my  cunning  drift  excels. 

7hu,  Where  meet  we  ? 

Pro,  At  St.  Gregory*%  well. 
^^  J'^*-  Farewel.  {Extum  Thurio  md  MuficL 

H  S       C       E      N       E        IV. 

^^^■T  Silvia  ak^Cy  at  bcr  window, 

^^Fro,  Madam,  good  even  to  your  ladyfhip. 

S:L  1  thank  you  for  your  mufick,  gentlemen: 
Who  is  that,  that  fpokc  ? 

Pro.  One,  kdy,  if  you  knew  his  pure  hearths  tnich. 
You'd  quickly  learn  to  know  him  by  his  voice. 

Sri.  Sir  ProtbeuSy  as  I  rake  it. 

Pro.  Sir  Pmhetaj  gentle  lady,  and  your  fcrvant. 

SiL  What  is  your  will  ? 

pro.  That  V  may  compafs  yours, 

Sa,  You  have  your  wilh  j  my  will  is  even  diis, 
That  prclcnrly  you  hie  you  home  to  bod. 
Thou  fubtle,  pcrjur'd,  ialic,  ditloyai  man  ? 
Think'il  thou,  1  am  fo  fhallow^  lo  concciilefs, 
To  be  fcduccd  by  thy  flattery, 
That  halt  decdv*d  fu  many  with  rhy  vows  ? 
Return,  return,  and  make  thy  love  amende. 

t  /vofV  htr  9ui  of  nU  nid^l  t    ^     Out  of  nW  Count  I  that    u« 
;:rava^4ncly*     A  [ihr&fe  taken  ftcnn  accounts  whcti  ctUuUtWn* 
re  rnade  by  nicbng  on  numbers  upoQ  x  Hick. 

0^3  For 


z;iQ  7h^  Tk'O  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 

For  me,  by  this  pale  queen  of  nigbt,  I  fwear, 
f  am  fo  far  from  granting  thy  rcqu'.ft^ 
I'hac  )  dcipife  thee  for  thy  wrongful  iuic  i 
And,  by  and  by,  intend  to  chide  myfclf, 
Ev'n  for  this  time  I  fpend  in  talking  to  thee 

Prif,   I  grant,  fweet  love,  chat  1  did  love  a  hbAf\ 
But  Ae  is  dead. 

Jul.  yjide]  'Twere  faFe,  if  I  fliould  fpeak  it^  ^M 
For,  I  am  fure,  ihe  is  not  buried.  ^^ 

Sil:  Say,  that  fhc  be  i  yet  Valennne^  thy  friend^ 
Survives;  to  whom,  thyfelf  art  wknds, 
I  am  betroath'dj   and  arr  thou  noe  aiham*d 
To  wrong  him  with  rhy  importunacy? 

Pra»  I  likewife  hear,  that  FaUnune  is  dead, 

SiL  And  fo,  fuppofe,  am  I ;  for  in  his  gra^ 
Affurc  thyfelf^  my  Jove  is  buried^ 

Prtf.  Sweet  lady,  let  me  rake  it  from  the 

Sil,  Go  to  thy  lady's  grave  and  call  her  thcrxr^ 
Of  at  the  leaft,  in  hers  fcpulchrc  thine.  V 

Jul,  [afidc]  He  heard  not  that.  ^ 

Pro.  iVladam,  if  that  your  heart  be  lb  obduratet 
Vouchlafe  me  yet  your  pifture  for  my  love, 
T*he  picture  that  is  hanging  in  your  diamber : 
To  that  rillpcak,  to  that  I'll  figh  .isrd  wt^ep: 
For  fincc  the  Tubftance  of  your  pcrtid  fcif 
h  elfc  devoted,  1  am  but  a  Iliadow  \ 
And  to  your  fhadow  will  I  make  true  tove* 

JuL  y/fdi^  If  *twcreafubrtance,  you  would.  Cure, 
deceive  it> 
And  make  it  but  a  (hadow,  as  I  am. 

SiL  Vm  very  loadi  to  be  your  idol,  Sir  \ 
But  fmce  your  falfhood  (hall  become  you  well 
To  worlhip  (hadows,  and  adore  falfc  fhapes  \ 
Send  to  me  m  the  morning,  and  Til  fend  it : 
And  fo,  good  reft. 
,   PrQ.  As  wretches  have  o*cr  night, 
Thai  wait  for  execution  in  the  mom. 

[Exeuni  Protheus  dndS\ 

7W. 


"The  Two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 

Jul.  Hoft^  will  you  go? 

Hofi,  ^y  my  haJlidom,  I  was  fell  afleep. 

Jui  Pray  you,  where  lies  Sir  Pretheus  ? 

Hoft.  Marry,  «t  my  houfc:  oruft  me,  I  think,  'ds 
almoft  day* 

Jui  Not  fo  i  but  it  hath  been  the  longeft  night 
That  e'er  I  watch *d,  and  the  moll  hcavieft.    {Exeunt. 


^3« 


N 


V. 


■  S       C       E 

^f  Enter  Eglamour. 

EgL  This  is  the  hour  that  Madam  Sihia 
Entreated  mc  to  call,  and  know  her  mind : 
There's  fome  great  matter  flie'd  employ  me  in. 
Madam,  Madam! 

Silvia  aicve^  at  her  window, 

SiL  Who  calls  ? 

EgL  Your  fervant,  and  your  friend  ; 
One  that  attends  your  ladylhip's  command. 

Sil.  Sir  Eglamour^  a  thoufand  times  good  nionuw. 

EgL  As  many,  worthy  lady,  to  yourfelf; 
According  to  your  ladylhip's  impofe, 
I  am  thus  early  come,  to  know  what  fcrvioe 
It  is  your  plcafure  to  command  me  in. 

Sii.  O  Egkmoury  thou  art  a  gentleman, 
(Think  not  1  Batter,  for,  I  fwear,  I  do  not) 
Valiant  and  wife,  rcmorfcful,  well  accompli/h'd  j 
Thou  art  nor  ignorant,  what  dear  good  will 
I  bear  unto  the  baniih'd  Vakntine; 
Nor  how  my  father  would  enforce  me  marry 
Vain  Thurhy  whom  my  very  foul  abhon'd. 
Thyfclf  haft  lov'di  and  I  have  heard  thee  fay, 
No  grief  did  ever  come  fo  near  thy  heart, 
As  when  thy  lady  and  thy  tme  love  dy'd ; 
Upon  whofc  grave  thou  vow'dft  pure  chaftity^ 
Sir  Eglamour y  I  would  to  FalfnU/jfj 

Q4  Td 


232  Tie  Tito  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 

To  Mantua^  where,  I  hear,  he  makes  abode  r 

And,  for  the  ways  are  dangerous  to  pafs, 

I  do  de{ire  thy  wonhy  company ; 

-Upon  whofc  faith  and  honour  I  repofe. 

Urge  not  my  father's  anger,  Eglamour ; 

But  think  u^n  my  grie^  a  lady's  grief; 

And  on  the  juftice  of  my  flying  hence ; 

To  keep  me  from  a  molt  unholy  match. 

Which  heav'n  2nd  fortune  (till  reward  with  plagues* 

I  do  dcfire  thee,  even  from  a  heart 

As  full  of  forrows  as  the  fea  of  lands. 

To  bear  me  company,  and  go  with  me;» 

If  not,  to  hide  what  I  have  laid  to  thee. 

That  I  may  venture  to  depart  alone. 

EgL  Madam,  I  pity  much  your  grievances.; 
Which,  fmce,  I  know,  dicy  virtuoufly  are  plac'd, 
I  gve  confent  to  go  along  with  you  -, 
Recking  as  little  what  bctideth  me. 
As  much  I  wifh  ail  good  befortune  you. 
When  will  you  go  ? 

Sil,  This  evening  coming. 

Egl,  Where  fliall  I  meet  you  ? 

5/7.  At  friar  P^nVife's  cell ; 
Where  I  intend  holy  confeflion. 

£^/-  I  will  not  fail  your  ladylhip: 
Good  morrow,  gentle  lady. 

SiL  Good  morrow,  kind  Sir  Eglamoitr.       [Examt. 

SCENE        VI. 

Enter  Launcc  av/i&  bis  Dog, 
*  When  a  man's  fcrvant  (hall  play  the  cur  with  him, 
'  look  you,  it  goes  hard :  one  that  I  brought  up  of  a 
'  puppey,  one  that  I  fav*d  from  drowning,  when  three 

*  or  four  of  his  blind  brothers  and  lifters  went  to  it !  I 

*  have. taught  him,  even  as  one  would  fay  precilely, 

*  thus  I  would  teach  a  dog,    I  went  to  deliver  him,  as 
*■  a  pre- 


The  Two  Gentlemen  ^Verona. 

a  prefent  to  millrefs  J rfcxtf  from  my  mafter;  and  I 
came  nofooner  into  the  dining-chamber,  but  he  ftcp* 
me  to  her  trencher,  and  ftcals  her  capon's  leg.  O, 
*iis  a  foul  thing,  when  a  cur  canngt  kcqj  himfelf  in 
all  companies!  I  would  have,  as  one  Ihould  %,  one 
chat  takes  upon  him  to  be  a  dog  indecd>  to  be^  as-it 
were,  a  dog  at  all  things.  If  |  had  no  more  v?3t 
than  he^  to  take  a  fault  upon  me  that  he  did,  I  think 
verily,  he  had  been  hang*d  for't ;  fure  as  I  livr,  he 
had  fufferM  for't-,  you  fhall  judge.  Hcthrufts  mt 
himfelf  into  the  company  of  three  or  four  gentleman- 
like dogs,  under  the  Duke**  tabk :  he  had  not  been 
there  (blefe  the  mark)  a  pifllng  whiJe,  but  all  the 
chamber  fmelt  him.  Out  with  the  dog*  lays  one; 
\vh.it  cur  is  chat?  fays  another j  whip  him  out,  fays 
the  third  \  hang  him  up,  fays  the  Duke,  I»  haying 
been  acquainted  with  the  fmeH  before,  knew  it  was 
Crah-i  and  goes  me  to  the  fellow  that  whips  chedogj  \ 
Friend,  quoth  I,  you  mean  to  whip  the  dog?  Ay, 
marry,  do  I,  quoch  he»  You  do  him  the  more 
wrong,  quoth  I  \  'twas  I  did  the  thing  you  wot  of. 
He  makes  no  more  ado,  but  whips  me  out  of  the 
chamber.  How  many  maficrs  would  do  this  for 
their  fervant?  nay,  I'll  be  fworn,  I  have  fat  in  the 
ftocks  for  the  puddings  he  hath  ftoll*n,  ochenvifc  he 
had  been  executed  ;  I  liavc  flood  on  the  pillory  for 
the  gcefe  he  hath  kill'd,  otherwifc  he  had  fuffer'd 
fur't.  Thou  think'ft  not  of  this  novp^.  Nay,  I  re* 
member  the  crick  you  fcrv'd  me»  *  when  I  took  my 
leave  of  Madam  JuUa  \  did  not  I  bid  thee  flill  mark 
me,  and  do  as  1  do  ?  when  didft  thou  fee  me  heave 
up  my  legi  and  make  water  againft  a  gentlewoman's 
artUnfrale  ?  didft  thou  ever  fee  me  do  fuch  a  trick? 


oa 


3  aw/f»j  /  /wl  mf  ha^f  tf  Madam  S 1 1,  v  j  a  ;}   Wc  Ihould  cer- 
tainly read  J  i<  J.  I  A.  meaning  vviicn  bis  uutlcr  aiui  Kc  Icfl  yir$m^^ 

SCENE 


tedl 


ii 


*234*  ^^  ^^  Gentlemen  ^t^erona. 


SCENE       VII. 

£Mtet  Prothcus  and  JuUa. 

Pro.  Sibaftiojt  is  thy  name  ?  I  like  thee  welJ ; 
And  will  imploy  thee  in  feme  fervice  prdcndy. 

JuL  In  what  you  plcafc:  PH  do,  Sir,  what  \ 

Fro.  I  hupe^  thou  wilt*— How  now,  you  chorda 
pcafant, 
"Where  nave  you  been  rhefe  two  days  loitering  ? 

L^un.  Marry ^ir,  1  carry'd  miftrefs  Sihia  the  do^ 
you  bad  me. 

pro.  And  what  fays  fheto  my  litdc  jewel  ? 

Laun.  Marry,  fhe  lays,  your  dog  was  a  cur;  ai^ 
cells  you,  curitQi  thanks  is  good  enough  for  fuch  a 
prcfcnt. 

Ptq,  But  flic  recciv'd  my  dog  ?  ^H 

Lawt.  Noj  indeed,  fhc  did  not ;  here  have  I  brou^H 
him  back  again. 

Pre.  What,  didft  thou  offer  her  this  from  me? 

LaufJ,  Ay,  Sirv  the  other  fquirTcl  was  ftoll'n 
me  by  the  hangman*s  boy  in  the  market-place; 
dien  I  offer*d  her  mine  own,  who  is  a  dog  sk$  btg 
ten  of  yours,  and  therefore  the  gift  the  grearcr. 

Pn.  Go,  get  thee  hence,  and  lind  my  dog  again. 
Or  ne^er  return  again  into  my  fight: 
Away,  i  fay :  ftay'ft  thou  to  vex  me  here? 
A  Have,  that,  ftill  an  end>  turns  nie  to  fhame. 

[Exit 
Sebajiian^  I  have  entertained  thee, 
Partly,  that  I  hive  need  of  fuch  a  youth  j 
That  can  with  fome  difcretion  do  my  bufmels 
(For  *cis  no  fruiting  to  yon  fooh(h  lowt :} 
But,  chiefly,  for  thy  fece  and  thy  behaviour  -, 
"Which,  if  my  augury  deceive  me  not, 
W  itnefs  good  bringing  up,  fortune  and  truth : 
Jherelbre  know  thouj  for  this  I  cntenain  tlice 


Tie  Tho  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 

Co  prefcntly,  and  take  this  ring  with  theci 

Deliver  it  to  Matkm  Silvia. 

She  lov'd  me  well^  delivered  ic  to  me» 

Jul.  \i  fccms,  you  lov'd  not  her,  to  fcave  her  token : 
She's  dead,  belike. 

Prtf.  Not  fo :  I  think,  Ihe  lives. 

Jul  Ah%\ 

Pro.  Why  do'ft  thou  cry,  alas? 

Jui  I  cannot  chufc  but  piry  her. 

Pro,  Wherefore  fhouldft  thou  pi^  her? 

Jul.  Bccaufe,  methinks,  that  ihe  bv*d  you  as  well 
As  you  do  love  your  lady  Silvia : 
She  dreams  on  him,  that  has  for^t  her  love ; 
You  doat  on  her,  that  cares  not  for  your  love* 
*Tis  pity,  Jove  fhould  be  fo  contrary  ; 
And,  thinking  on  it,  makes  me  cry,  ala*i 

Prs,  Well,  give  her  that  ring,  and  ^vc  therewthal 
This  letter;  that's  hiT  chamber:  tell  my  lady, 
I  ckim  the  promife  for  her  heav'niy  pifturc. 
Your  meflage  done,  hie  home  unto  my  chamber. 
Where  thou  ihalt  find  me  fad  and  folitary. 

[Exit  Protheus. 

SCENE      VIII. 

JuL  How  many  women  would  do  fuch  a  mefljge? 
Aiat,  poor  Pn:':eus^  thou  haft  entertained 
A  fox  to  be  the  fticpherd  of  thy  lambs : 
Alas,  poor  fool,  why  do  I  piiy  him, 
Thar  with  his  very  heart  defpift^th  mc  ? 
Bccauic  he  loves  her,  he  defpifcth  me ; 
Bccaufe  I  love  him,  I  muft  pity  him  : 
This  ring  I  gave  him,  when  he  parted  from  me. 
To  bind  liim  to  remember  my  good  wiU* 
And  now  I  am,  unhappy  mcdengpr. 
To  plead  for  that,  which  \  would  not  obtain  ; 
To  carry  that,  which  I  would  have  rdus*d; 

To 


*%  /^  m 


236 


7%e  Two  GentUfKen  of  Verona. 

To  praifc  his  faith,  which  I  would  have  diiprats*d. 
I  dm  my  mafter's  true  confirnied  iove^ 
But  cannot  be  true  fervanc  to  my  maftcr, 
Unlefs  I  prove  falfe  traitor  to  mylclf. 
Yet  will  I  woo  for  him,  but  yet  fo  coldJy, 
Asj  heav'n  it  knows,  I  would  not  have  him  Ip 

Enttr  Silvia. 

Lady,  good  day  \  I  pray  you,  be  my  mean 
To  bring  mc  where  to  fpcak  with  Madam  Sshis. 

Sil,  What  would  you  with  her,  if  that  I  be  flic? 

Jul.  If  you  be  flic,  I  do  inrreat  your  patience 
To  hear  tnc  fpeak  the  meflage  1  am  fcnt  on. 

SiL  From  whom  ? 

Jul,  From  my  mafler.  Sir  Protheus^   Madam, 

SiL  Oh !  he  fends  you  for  a  pitfturc  ? 

Jul.  Ay,  Madam. 

Sil  Urfula^  bring  my  pii5lure  there. 
Go»  give  your  mailer  this:  tell  him  from  me. 
One  Juliay  that  his  changing  thoughts  foi^t. 
Would  better  fit  his  chamber  than  this  fliadow. 
.    Jul  Madam,  may't  pleafe  you  to  perulc  this 
Pardon  mcj  Madam,  I  have  unadvised 
Delivered  you  a  paper  thac  I  fhoultl  not  j   ' 
This  is  the  lener  to  your  ladyfhip* 

SiL  I  pray  thee,  let  me  Jook  on  that  again. 

JuL  It  may  not  be  ^  good  Madam,   pardon  mc.l 

SiL  There,  hold; 
I  will  not  look  upon  your  maftcr's  hnes; 
I  know,  ihry're  ftufft  with  protcftations. 
And  full  of  new-found  oaths ;  which  he  will  brcakj 
As  eafily  as  I  do  tear  bis  paper. 

Jul.  Madam,  he  fends  your  ladyfhip  this  ring. 

^'iL  The  mere  fliamc  tor  ium^  that  he  fends  it  mci 
For,  I  have  heard  him  fay  a  thoufand  times. 
His  Juha  gave  it  him  at  his  departure: 
Tho*  his  falfe  finger  have  propiian*d  the  ring. 


The  7*wo  Gentlemen  <?/ Verona. 

Mine  ftiall  not  do  his  Julia  fo  much  wrong, 

Jul,  She  thanks  you, 

SiL  What  fay'ft  thou  ? 

Jul.  I  thank  you,  Madam,  that  you  tender  her; 
Poor  gentlewaman,  my  maftcr  wrongs  her  much. 

Sii.  Doft  thou  know  her  ? 

Jul,  Almofl  as  well,  as  I  do  know  myfelf. 
To  think  upon  her  woes,  [  do  proteft 
That  I  have  wept  an  hundred  fevcral  times, 

Sii  Belike,  ihe  think5>  that  Prctbeus  hath  forfook 
her, 

JuL  I  think,  fhc  doth;  and  that's  hercaufe  of  Ibrrow. 

SiL  Is  fhe  not  paJTing  fair? 

JuL  She  hath  been  fairer,  Madam,  than  fhe  Is: 
When  fhe  did  think,  my  mafter  lov^d  her  well^ 
She,  in  my  judgment,  was  as  fair  as  you. 
^  But  fmce  fhe  did  negledt  her  looking-glafs. 
And  threw  her  fun-expelling  mask  away ; 
The  air  hath  ftarv'd  the  rofes  in  her  checks. 
And  pitched  the  lilly-tinfture  of  her  face. 
That  now  ihe  is  become  as  black  as  I. 

Sii  How  tall  was  ihe  ? 

JuL  About  my  ftature:  for  at  Pentecofi^ 

3  Buf  firtte  Jhe  did  nrgUSi  htr  h^kin^-ghfi. 
And  fhrfw  htr  {uncxpelling  mask  a*wsy% 
7in  air  hath  Jlsr^'*d  tbt  rofes  ia  hfr  ehffh, 
And  FiNCH*0   th€  hlly  HnBnrt  9/  htr  face^ 
Thai  ntnv /&e  at  hecome  at  black  at  /.J     To  ^arx*f    the 
Rofcf  »  certainly  a  very  proper (xprtRlon :  but  what  t;  sinthing  a 
iifi^mrt?  Hi^wty t f fi^r^ed^  in  the  third  line,  made  the  blandcring 
Ediiors  write ^/ttri^Vio  the  fourth  i  tho*  they  might  have  fecn 
that  ii  mrai  a  tinning  fcorcbi:ig,  iv6c  a  freezing  dr  ehaC  wai  fpokeit 
of.     For  how  could  i^l>  Utcer  qHality  in  the  «ir  To  affe£L  the 
whiceaefs  of  the  jkin  a$  to  rurfl  it  hhcle.     We  fhould  rod^ 

And   PtTCH'p   tbt   iiihf'ti^Burt  of  htr  fact. 
/.  #.   turneiJ  the  whiK'  tinflure  h/ack,  2.3  chc  following  Uneh^u  it* 

TJtut  m^  Jht  ft  Attemt  at  black  ^  / 
tsd  we  fAy.  in  comman  fprech,  tit  hUek  as  pitch,  —  By  eke 
fofe»  Ixing/tfrvV,  if  ooJy  moHit  their  being  withered,  «nd  lofing 
thar  cokar. 

When 


238         7^  Two  Gentlemen  of  Veronai 

When  all  our  pageants  of  dclig^  were  plaid. 
Our  youth  got  me  to  play  the  woman's  part. 
And  I  was  trim'd  in  Madam  JuU^s  ^wn  ; 
Which  ferved  me  as  fie,  by  all  mens  judgments. 
As  if  the  garment  had  been  made  for  me ; 
Therefore,  I  know,  (he  is  about  my  hf^^t. 
And  at  that  time  I  made  her  weep  a-good» 
For  I  did  play  a  lamentable  part. 
Madam,  'twas  ^/Wvr,  pauioning 
For  Tbefeus"  perjury  and  unjuft  flight; 
Which  I  fo  lively  aftcd  with  my  tears. 
That  my  ^ooc  miftrcfs,  moved  therewithal* 
Wept  bitterly ;  and,  would  I  might  be  dead. 
If  I  in  thou^  felt  not  her  very  ibrrow ! 

SiL  She  is  beholden  to  thee,  gentle  youdu 
Alas,  poor  lady!  deiolate  and  left! 
I  weep  myfelf,  to  think  upon  thy  words. 
Here,  youth,  there  is  my  purie  ;  I  ^ve  thee  this 
For  thy  fweet  miftreis'  lake,  becaule  thou  loVft  her. 
Farewel.  [Exit  Silvia. 

Jul  And  Hie  ihall  thank  you  foPt,  if  t?<x  you 
know  her. 
A  virtuous  gentlewoman,  mild  and  beautifiiL 
I  hope,  my  mafter's  fuit  will  be  but  cold  ; 
Since  Ihc  rcfpcfts  my  miftrefs'  love  fo  much, 
Alas !  how  love  can  trifle  with  itfelf ! 
Here  is  her  pifturc ;  let  me  fee ;  I  think. 
If  I  had  fuch  a  tire,  this  face  of  mine 
Were  full  as  lovely  as  is  this  of  hers : 
And  yet  the  painter  flatter'd  her  a  little, 
Unlefs  I  flatter  with  myfelf  too  much. 
.  Her  hair  is  auburn,  mine  is  pcrfcft  yellow. 
If  that  be  all  the  difFrence  in  his  love, 
rU  get  mc  fuch  a  colour'd  periwig. 
Her  eyes  are  grey  as  glafs,  and  fo  are  mine; 
Ay,  but  her  forehead  s  low,  and  mine  is  hi^ 
What  ihould  it  be,  that  he  reipeAs  in  her. 

But 


Tie  Two  Gentle^mn  of  Verona. 

But  t  can  make  refpcftive  in  myfeUi 

If  this  fond  love  were  not  a  blinded  god? 

Come,  fliadow,  come  \  and  take  this  !hadow  up ; 

For  'tis  thy  rival.     O  thou  fenfelefs  formj 

Thou  fhalc  be  worfhip'd,  kifs'd,  lov'd  and  ador*d  3 

And  were  there  t^x\{^  in  his  idolatry, 

♦  My  fubftance  fiiould  be  ftatucd  in  thy  ftead. 

ril  ulc  thee  kindly  for  thy  mtftrefs'  fake. 

That  us'd  me  fo  ;  or  elfe,  by  J<rv€  I  vow, 

I  Oiould  have  fcratch'd  out  your  unfeeing  eyes. 

To  make  my  mailer  out  of  love  with  thee.      [£^/, 


n 


ACTV.     SCENE   L 

N^ar  the  'Briar's  Cf//,  in  Milan. 
Entir  Eglamour. 

EctAMOQK. 

THE  fun  b^?ms  to  gild  the  weftem  sky. 
And  now  it  is  about  the  very  hour 
Sihia,  at  Friar  Patrick*^  cell,  fhould  meet  me. 
She  will  not  fiiil  1  for  lovers  break  not  hours, 
Unlefs  it  be  to  come  before  their  time : 
So  much  they  fpur  their  expedition. 
Sec,  where  Ihe  comes.     Lady^  a  haj^y  evening. 

Enter  Silvia, 

SiL  Amen,  Amen!  Goon,  good  E^lamcvr^ 
Out  at  chepoftern  by  the  abby-walli 
I  fear»  I  am  attended  by  fomc  ipies. 

EgL  Fear  not  i  the  foreft  is  not  three  leagues  off; 
If  we  recover  that^  we*re  fore  enough         [Exatni, 

4  Afy  /u/f^am^t fi^aid  It  ITATUB  /a  lA)f/«/]  It  H  eridenC 
chit  noun  ihoul^j  be  a  psnictple  sTATvfti>r  '• '•  pUced  on  »  pe- 
kcftal,  or  iixtd  in  ■  Oisiac  to  be  odom). 

SCENE 


240  Ith^  T^'o  Gentlemen  of  Verona, 

SCENE       IL 

Cbafiges  to  an  apartment  in  the  Duie^s  Palace, 

Enter  Thurio,  Protheus,  a>id  Julia. 
q'bu,  Q I R  Protbeus^  what  lays  Sikia  to  my  fiik? 

3  Pro,  Oh,  Sir,  I  find  her  milder  than  Ihe  wis. 
And  yet  (he  takes  exceptions  at  your  perGxu 

^bu.  What,  that  my  leg  is  too  long? 

Pro.  No ;  that  it  is  too  little. 
'   Tbn,  V\\  wear  a  boot  to  make  it  fome^^t  rounder. 
-  Pro,  But  love  will  not  be  fpurr*d  to  what  it  loadur 

yitf.  What  fays  flie  to  my  ftcc? 

Pro.  She  fays,  it  is  a  fair  one. 

^bu.  Nay,  then  the  wanton  lies ;  my  face  b  H^, 

Pro.  But  pearls  are  fair;  and  the  old  iayii^  is» 
*«  Black  men  arc  pearls  in  beauteoiis  ladies'  qrcs." 

Jul.  'Tis  true,  fuch  pearls  as  put  out  ladies'  eyes: 
For  I  had  rather  wink,  than  look  on  them.        [jjfifr. 

^bu.  How  likes  (he  my  dilcourfe? 

Pro.  Ill,  when  you  taUc  of  war. 

7biL  But  well,  when  I  difcouric  of  love  and  peace? 

Jul.  But  better,  indeed,  when  you  hold  your  pracf- 

fbu.  What  fays  Ihe  to  my  valour? 

Pro.  Oh,  Sir,  fhe  makes  no  doubt  of  that. 

Jul  She  needs  not,  when  fhe  knows  it  cowardice. 

Tbu.  What  fays  flie  to  my  birth? 

Pro,  That  you  are  well  derived. 

Jul.  True ;  from  a  gendeman  to  a  fooL 

7hu,  Confidcrs  Ihe  my  poiTeffions  ? 

Pro,  Oh,  ay,  and  pities  them. 

^bu   Wherefore  ? 

Jul,  That  fuch  an  als  ihould  own  them. 

Pro.  That  they  arc  out  by  leafc. 

Jul.  Here  comes  the  Duke. 


Enter 


^$e  7w$  Gentlemen  of  Verona*        i^t 

Mniir  Duke.  1 

2}uh.  How  now.  Sir  i*r<?^^f Of?  how  now,  liurhf 
Which  of  you  ^w  Sir  Egkmour  of  tate  ?  j 

TtH,  Not  I.  I 

Pro.  Nor  L  | 

Duke*  Saw  you  my  daughter? 

Pro.  Neither,  I 

Duke.  Why  then  j 

Shc*s  fled  unto  that  jUd&Sit  Vakntine^  I 

And  Eglamour  is  tn  her  company*  1 

'Tis  true  j  for  Friar  Laurence  met  them  both. 
As  he  in  penance  wandered  through  the  foreft; 
Him  he  knew  well,  and  gucfs^d  that  it  was  ihe; 
But,  being  mask'd,  he  was  not  fure  of  it.  I 

Bclides,  fhe  did  intend  conftnian  I 

At  PutricFs,  cell  this  Ev'n,  and  there  flie  was  not:  I 

Thcfe  hkelihoods  confirm  her  flight  from  hence.  | 

Therefore,  I  pray  you,  ftand  not  to  dillourfe. 
But  mount  you  prefently,  and  meet  with  me 
Upon  die  rifmg  of  the  mountain-foot  I 

1  hat  leads  tow*rds  Mantua^  whitlicr  dicy  are  fled.  ' 

Difpatch,  fweet  gentlemen,  and  follow  me.  {Exit  Duke 

Tbu,  Why,  this  it  is  to  be  a  pecvifh  girl. 
That  flies  her  fortune  where  it  follows  her  ;  I 

ril  after,  more  to  be  rcveng'd  oi  Eglamour^  I 

Than  for  the  love  of  reckiela  Silvia,  I 

Pffl.  And  I  will  follow,  more  for  $ilvia*s  love,  I 

Than  hate  of  Eglameur  that  goes  with  her.  \ 

Jul.  And  1  will  follow,  more  to  croii  that  love,  " 

Than  hate  for  Silvia^  that  is  gone  for  love,    [ExcunK 

S     C     E     N     E      in. 

Changes  to  the  Foreft,  I 

Enter   Silvia    and  Out-laws. 
Out*  /^O  M  E,  come,  be  patient  \  wc  muft  brlng^you 


Vol.  r 


to  our  Captain. 


H 


Sil. 


r^    A  raj'-Tlirr  rr irrt  — ,-.— .^^i  ^^  mar.  t2is  on^^ 


TaiTt  2  C'--  '"r-^7"  :  izZAi"^  '-— -  liar's 
The  t.-aci:^:  .1  iit:'tt,  ie  •^"^'^-g 


I  0*;.  C^cr^t,  i  r::::^ 

AtA  V32  ixc  ;s*  £  -ssociJQ  izvie^jr. 
i;/.  G  Vakmine'  tzm  I  eaf-jrc  nr  thee.      [Zcoxf. 

SCENE      IV. 

Vai.  TT  O  W  ufe  doch  bre-i  a  t*ir  in  a  nw! 

1.  J.  This  fhs^'.'xy  dei'art,  UAitiequentcd  ivood^ 
I  better  brvyk  rhan  ilourifhng  peopled  toviK. 
Here  can  I  f::  alone,  unfc£n  or  ar.y. 
And  tf>  the  nighringaie's  complairung  notes 
Turic  my  ciftrcfles,  and  record  m^v*  woes, 

0  thou,  triac  doft  inhabit  in  my  IvealL, 
L^ave  rot  the  ma.-^r:on  lb  long  renantie6  ; 
L/rft,  growing  ruinous,  the  building  fell. 
And  leave  no  memory  of  what  it  was. 
Repair  me  with  thy  prefcncc,  Sirjia  ; 

'J  hou  gentle  nymph,  cherifh  thy  foriom  fwain. 
What  hallo'ing,  and  what  ftir,  is  this  today? 
Thcfc  arc  my  mates,  that  make  their  wills  their  law, 

1  lave  fomc  unhappy  pafTenger  in  chafe. 
They  love  mc  wdl,  yet  I  have  much  to  do 
To  keep  tivm  from  uncivil  outrages. 
Withtirav/  thee,  VaUntine:  who's  Ais  comes  here? 

Enttr 


The  Two  Gentlemen  cf  Verona. 

Enter  Prodieu9,  Silvia,  and  JiJia. 

Pro.  Madam,  this  fervice  have  I  done  for  VQ^^l  ,7 
(Tho*  you  refpedl  not  aught  your  fcrvant  docJi) 
To  hazard  hfe^  and  refcuc  you  from  him. 
That  wou'd  have  forc'd  your  honour  and  your  l^vc, 
Vouchfafe  me  for  my  meed  but  one  fair  look : 
A  tnaller  boon  than  this  I  cannot  beg. 
And  lefs  than  this,  I*mfure,  you  cannot  give. 

VaL  How  like  a  dream  is  this,  I  fee,  and  hear! 
Love^  lend  me  patience  to  forbear  a  while.        \^4/ide. 

SiL  O  miferable,  unhappy  that  I  am!  f 

Pro,  Unhappy  were  you.  Madam,  ere  I  came  i 
But  by  my  coming  I  have  made  you  happy. 

SiL  By  thy  approach  thou  mak*ft  me  moft  unhappy. 

Jul.  And  mc,  when  he  approachcth  to  your  prefencc* 

SiL  Had  I  been  fcjzed  by  a  hungry  lion, 
I  would  have  been  a  breaklaft  to  the  bcafk. 
Rather  than  have  falfe  Protbeus  rclcue  me. 
Oh,  heav*n  be  judge,  how  I  love  Vakntine^ 
Whofc  life's  as  tender  to  me  as  my  foul  \ 
And  fnll  as  much,  for  more  there  cannot  be, 
I   '  it  falfc  peiJLrM  PrGlbtus: 

'I  be  gone,  foliicit  mc  no  more. 

Pro,  What  dangVous  aftion>  flood  it  next  to  de^th. 
Would  I  not  undergo  for  one  calm  iook? 
Oh,  *ti5  the  curfc  in  bvc,  and  Hill  approv'd. 
When  women  cannot  love,  where  tlicy*re  bclov*d. 

SU,  When  Proibeus  cannot  love,  where  he'sbclov'i 
Read  over  Julia*^  heart,  thy  firft  bcft  love. 
For  whole  dear  fake  thou  then  didft  rend  thy  Qiih 
Into  a  thouland  oaths;  and  all  rhofc  oarlis 
Defcended  Into  perjuri^,  tu  love  me. 
Thou  haft  no  taich  left  now,  unlefs  thou'dll  two. 
And  that's  far  worfe  than  none:  better  liave  ncjnc 
Tkan  plural  faith,  which  h  too  much  by  orc, 

R  2  Tho« 


Tie  Two  Genikmen  of  Verona. 

Thou  counterfeit  to  thy  true  friend ! 

Pre.  In  love. 
Who  rcfprfls  friend  ? 

SiL  All  men  but  Prctheus. 
Pre,  Nay,  if  the  gentle  fpirit  of  moving  words 
Can  no  way  change  you  to  a  milder  form  j 
V\\  move  you  hkc  a  foldicr,  at  arms  end. 
And  love  you  *gainft  the  nature  of  love  \  force  you. 
SiL  Ohhcav'n! 

Pro,  rU  force  thee  yield  to  my  defire. 
yni.  Ruffian,  lee  go  that  rude  uncivil  touch, 
'hou  friend  of  an  ill  fafliion! 
Pro,  l^akntifjc!  ■  -  -^ 

Vol,  Thou  common  friend,  that's  without  fiiidi  or 
Icvc; 

[For  fucli  is  a  fricncJ  now?  thou  trcachYous  man ! 
^Thou  haft  bcguird  my  hopes ;  nougl\t  but  mine  eye 
[Could  have  perfuadcd  me.     Now  J  dare  not  lay, 
have  one  friend  altve  •,  thou  wouldft  difprovc  me, 
IWlio  fliould  be  truftcd  now,  when  the  right  han" 
['Is  pcrjur'd  to  the  bofom?  Protbeus^ 
I'm  forry*  I  muft  never  truft  thee  more. 
But  count  die  world  a  ftrangcr  for  riiy  fake. 
T  he  private  wound  is  deepcft.  Oh  time,  moft  accurftf 
"Mongft  all  foes,  that  a  friend  fhould  be  the  word! 

Pre.  My  fhamc  and  guilt  confound  me  : 
TorgivL'  me,  Viikvthi€\  if  hearty  forrow 
Be  a  fufficient  ranfom  for  oIFencc, 
I  iendt:r*t  here ;  I  do  as  truly  fuffcr, 
As  c*er  I  did  commit* 

Vcl  Then  I  am  paid : 
1^  once  again  I  do  rcccii'c  thee  honeft. 
f^  by  rcjxrntance  is  not  fatisfy'd, 
\mx  of  bcav'n,  nor  earth ;  ibr  thefc  are  plcas*d  ; 
^flBtfDCDCC  til'  Eternal's  wrath*s  appeas'd. 
1      ^^  nty  love  may  appear  plain  and  free, 

AlL 


1 


72^  Two  Gtntler^er:  of  Verona.  24 


C^' 


v)Qom» ' 


AU,  that  was  mine  in  Silvia^  I  give  thcc 

Jul,  Oh  me  imKappy  ! 

Pre,  Look  to  the  boy. 

yal.  Why,  boy  !  how  now  ?  what's  the  matter?  look 
ip;  fpeak, 

.  Jui,  O  good  Sir,  my  matter  chargM  mc  to  deliver 
a  ring  to  Madam  Sihia^  which,  out  of  my  ncglc<t^ 
was  never  done. 

Pro.  Where  Is  that  ring,  boy? 

JuL  Here  'tis :  this  is  ir. 

Pro,  How  ?  let  me  fee : 
This  is  the  ring  I  gave  to  Julia, 

JuL  Ohj  cry  your  mercy,  Sir,  I  have  miflook  > 
This  is  the  ring  you  lent  to  Sihia, 

Pro.  How  cam*ft  thou  by  this  ring?  at  my  depart, 
I  gave  this  unto  Julia. 

Jui  And  Julia  herfelf  did  give  it  me* 
And  Jklia  herfelf  hath  brought  it  hither. 

Pre,  How,  Julin  ? 

JuL  Behold  her  that  gave  aim  to  all  thy  oarhi. 
And  entertain *d  *em  deeply  in  her  heart : 
How  oft  liaft  thou  with  perjury  cleft  the  mnt? 
Oh  Protbms^  let  this  habit  make  thee  hlufh ! 
Be  thou  afham*d,  that  I  have  took  upon  mc 
Suchan  immodeft  raymcnt;  if  fliamc  live 
In  a  difgiiife  of  love. 
It  is  the  leflcr  blot,  modefty  finds. 
Women  to  change  their  fhapes,  than  men  their  mind<. 

Pro.  Than  men  their  minds  ?  'ris  true  j  oh  heav'n  \ 
were  man 
But  conftant,  he  were  perfect ;  t!iat  one  error  ' 
Fills  him  with  faults ;  make^  him  run  through  all  fms : 
Inconltancy  falls  off*  ere  it  begins. 

t  It  is  [\  think)  very  oHJ  lo  give  up  \\\%  m't^itth  thus  at  once* 
without  any  reafon  alWg'd.  Bat  our  Author  probably  followed 
ihr  liOFLCs  jua  as  he  I'otmJ  thcrn  in  hii  novcli,  ai  well  aa  in  Ills 
bifterirs.  Mr.  F^^t^ 

R    ^  What 


246         77je  Thao  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 

What  is  in  SHvids  face,  but  I  may  ipf 
More  frefli  in  JtiUa'%  with  a  conilant  eye  ? 

yo:!.  Come,  come,  a  hxnd  from  cither : 
Let  me  be  bleft  to  make  this  hsppy  dole  } 
'Twere  pir,*,  tv.  3  fuch  friends  (hould  long  be  foes. 

Pro,  Bear  v.  imels,  heav'oy  I  have  my  wilh  for  ever. 

JuL  And  I  mine. 

SCENE      V. 
EfiUr  Out-hws,  a7/^  Duke  and  Thurio.- 

0«/.  A  prize,  a  prize,  a  prize ! 

VaL  Fomear,  foii)ear,  it  is  my  lord  the  Dute^ 
Your  Grace  is  welcome  to  a  maa  di%iac'd, 
'I  he  banifli'd  Vakntine. 

Duke,  SxxVakniine? 

^bu.  Yonder  IS  Silvia:  and  5//^*az's  mine. 

Fal,  I'hurioy  give  back  \  or  clfe  embrace  thy  death : 
ComL-  not  within  the  mcafure  of  my  wrath. 

Do  not  name  Silvia  tlune ;  if  once  again, 

A-lilan  fhal!  not  behold  thee.     Here  fhe  ftanda. 

Take  but  pofTeiTion  of  her  with  a  touch ; 

I  dart:  thee  but  to  breathe  apon  my  love, -• 

Thu,  Sir  VaUfitine^  I  care  not  for  her,  I. 
I  hold  him  but  z  fool,  that  will  endanger 
His  body  for  a  girl  that  loves  him  not. 
I  claim  her  not ;  and  therefore  flic  is  thine. 

Dtike.  The  more  degenerate  and  bale  art  thou^ 
To  make  fuch  means  for  her  as  thou  haft  done. 
And  leave  her  on  luch  flight  conditions. 
Now,  by  the  honour  of  my  anccftry, 
I  do  applaud  thy  fpirit,  Vnlentini^ 
And  think  th;.*e  v/orthy  of  an  emprcfe'  love : 
Know  tlun,  I  here  forget  ail  former  griefs  j 
Cancel  all  griKi-vr,  repeal  thee  home  again, 
Plcatl  a  new  Hzic.  in  thy  unrival'd  merit. 
To  which  I  thus  fubfcribe :  Sir  Valentine^ 

Thou 


7?je  Twa  Gentlemen  ofVtxoxvx.         247 

Thou  ajt  a  gendcman,  and  well  deriv'd  \ 

Take  thou  thy  SiLla^  for  chau  hart  dricrv^d  her. 

VaL  1  diank  your  Grace;  the  gifc  hath  made  mc 
happy. 
I  now  befecch  you»  for  your  dauglitcr's  lake. 
To  grant  one  boon  that  1  thai]  ask  of  you. 

Dukt.  I  grant  ic  for  thine  own,  whatc'cr  it  ba 

Vat.  Thcfe  banifh'd  men,  that  \  have  kept  withal. 
Are  men  endued  with  worthy  qaalities: 
Forgive  diem  what  they  have  committed  here. 
And  let  them  be  recall'd  from  their  exile- 
They  arc  rcfonncd,  civil,  full  of  good, 
And  fit  for  great  empioynicnt,  worthy  lord. 

Dukc^  Thou  haft  prevaii'd,  I  pardon  chem  and  thccj 
Difpofc  of  them,  as  thou  know'ft  their  dcfeits, 
Come>   let  us  go ;  we  will  include  all  jars 
With  triumphs,  mirth,  and  rare  folcninity. 

Vd.  And  as  we  walk  along,  I  dare  be  bold 
With  our  difcourfc  to  make  your  Grace  to  fmile. 
"What  think  you  of  this  Page,  my  lord  ? 

J}uke,  I  think,  the  boy  hath  grace  in  him  ;  he  bluHies. 

VaL  I  warrant  you,  my  lord,  more  grace  than  boy, 

l}uki.  What  mean  you  by  that  i Jying  ? 

VaL  Plcafe  you,  TU  tell  you  as  we  pafs  along. 
That  you  will  wonder  what  hath  fortuned, 
Come,  Prstbeus^  'tis  your  penance  but  to  hear 
The  ftory  of  your  loves  difirovcred : 
That  done,  our  day  of  marriage  fliall  be  yours, 
Onefcaft,  onehoufe,  one  mutual  happincfi. 

\_Ex€tint  omms. 


^^}^^ 


R4 


r  H  K 


I 


THE 


MERRY  WIVES 


O  F 


WI  N  D  S  0  R. 


Dramatis  Perfon«. 

SIR  JohnFalftaflF. 

Fcnton,  a  young  Gentleman  cf  fmaU  Fortune^    in  Love 

with  Mrs,  Anne  Page. 
Shallow,  a  Country  Jujiice, 
Slender,  Coufin  to  Shallow,  afooUJb  Country  Sfuire* 

M    F   d*  \  ^^  Gentlemen^  dwelling  at  Windfor. 

Sir  Hugh  Evans,  a  Welch  Parfon, 

Dr.  Caius,  a  French  Do^or,  '     ""   ' 

ttoft  of  the  Garter,  a  merry  talking  FeOow. 

Bardolph,  ^ 

Piftol,       (  Sharpers  attending  on  Falftaff. 

Nym,        3 

Robin,  Page  to  FalftafF. 

William  Page,  a  Bey^  Son  to  Mr,  Page, 

Simple,  Servant  to  Slender. 

Rugby,  Servant  to  Dr.  Caius.    .  .  ,. 

Mrs,  Page,  H^tfe  to  Mr,  Page.  '^  ^ 

Mrs.  Ford,  IVtfe  to  Mr.  Ford, 

Mrs.  Anne  Page,  Daughter  to  Mr.  Page,  in  Lavemth 

Fcnton. 
Mrs.  Quickly,  Servant  to  Dr.  Caius; 

Servants  to  Page,  Ford,  6f^.  '     . 

SCENE,  Windfor:   and  the  Parts  adjacent. 


THE 


'Merry Wives  o£ frnidfor 


ACT     I,      SCENE     I. 

Before  Page'x  Houje  In  Windfor, 
Enter  Juftics  Shallow,  Slender,  and  Sir  Hugh  Evani, 

Shallow, 

1 R  fiughy  pnfuade  me  nor ;  I  will  make  a 
Star-Chamber  matter  of  it:  if  he  were 
t^^'tnty  Sir  J<ihn  Faljlaffs^  he  ftiall  not 
abufe  Robert  Shallow^  fcfq; 

Slen,  In  the  county  Q\G!ouc€fi€r^]M^cc 
of  peaccj  and  Coram, 

Sbal.  Ay,  coufm  Slender^  and  Cuftalorum. 

SUn.  Ay,  and  Rnto-krum  tooj   ;uid  a  gcntkmaa 

1  This  Phy  was  written  in  the  Author'*  bcfl  and  ripefl  yr«r5, 
%htt  fts$try  the  Foarch,  by  ihe  CAinmand  of  Q^icen  kitxriA/th. 
Thcte  i»  a  trtiJJnon  thkc  it  Wha«  compofcd  iit     '  i.', ; 

But  that  mult  be  int'ant  only  of  ihc  6rlt  i  n 

Comedy,  which  is  yet  rxuii:  ia  an  o!d  Quaito  i:ii::ion  piniro  in 
i6ta.  TTiis  which  we  have  hcrf  wiu  alicrtd  »nd  impruvcd  by  iho 
Auihot  almoft  in  every  fpceUi,  hit.  Popf, 

born. 


252        77)e  Merry  Wives  of  Wxnd(or. 

bom,  mafter  parfon,  vfho  writes  inm&if  Armiger»  in 
any  bill,  warrant,  quittance,  or  obligation ;  J&m^ero. 
SbaL  Ay,  that  I  do,  and  have  done  any  time  thefe 

three  hundred  years, 

Slen.  All  his  fucceflbrs,  gone  before  him,  have  don't ; 
and  all  his  anccftors,  that  come  after  him,  may ;  they 
may  give  the  dozen  white  luces  in  their  Coat. 

Sbal.  It  is  an  old  Coat. 

Eva,  The  dozen  white  lowfes  do  become  an  old 
coat  weU  -,  it  agrees  well,  pafTant ;  it  is  a  familiar  bcaft 
to  man,  and  fignifies  love. 

Shal.  The  luce  is  the  frefh-fifh,  the  falt-fifh  is  an 
old  Coat. 

Slen.  I  may  quarter,  coz. 

SbaL  You  may  by  marrying. 

Eva.  It  is  marring,  indeed,  if  he  quarter  it. 

SbaL  Not  a  whit, 

Eva,  Yes,  per-lady  ;  if  he  has  a  quarter  of  your 
coat,  there  is  but  three  skirts  for  your  felf,  in  my  fim- 
pleconjcdtures ;  but  that  is  all  one :  if  Sir^^te  Falfiaff 
have  committed  difparagements  upon  you,  I  am  of 
the  Church,  and  would  be  glad  to  do  my  benevo- 
lence, to  make  atonemencs  and  compromifes  between 
you. 

SbaL  The  Council  fhall  hear  it ;  it  is  a  riot 

Eva,  It  is  not  meet,  the  Council  hear  of  a  riot;  there 
IS  no  fear  of  Got  in  a  riot :  the  Council,  look  you,  ihall. 
defire  to  hear  the  fear  of  Got,  and  not  to  hear  a  riot ; 
take  your  viza-ments  in  that. 

SbaL  Ha !  o*  my  life,  if  I  were  young  again,  the 
fword  fliould  end  it. 

Eva.  It  is  petterthat  friends  is  the  fword,  and  end 
it ;  and  there  is  alfo  another  device  in  my  prain,  which, 
pcradventure,  prings  good  difcrctions  with  it :  there 
is  Anne  Page,  which  is  daughter  to  matter  Gwr^tf  ■P'»?^» 
which  13  pretty  virginity. 

Sltn. 


l%e  Merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 

SUn.  Miftrds  Annt  Page  ?  (he  lias  brown  hair,  and 
fpeaks  fmall  like  a  woman, 

Eva,  h  is  that  ftrry  perfon  for  all  the  orld^  as  juft 
as  you  will  dcfire-,  and  fcvcn  hundred  pounds  of  mo- 
nies, and  gold  and  fUver,  is  lier  grancfire  upon  his 
""jach's-bed  (Got  deliver  to  a  joyful  rcfurrcdtions) 

^e,  when  fhe  is  able  to  overtake  feventeen  years  old ; 
it  were  a  good  mocion,  tf  wc  leave  our  pribbles  and 
prabbics,  and  defirc  a  marriage  between  mafter  Abraham 
and  miftrefs  Jnm  Page. 

Slen.  Did  her  grand-fsre  leave  her  fcven  hundred 
pounds  ? 

Eva.  Ay»  and  her  father  is  make  her  a  petter  penny* 

Sien,  1  know  die  young  gentlewoman  ^  Ihe  has  good 

Eva.  Seven  hundred  pounds,  and  poffibiliries,  U 
gpod  ^t5. 

ShaL  Well  j  let  us  fee  honell  Mr.  Page ;  is  Faljlaff 
there? 

Eva,  Shall  I  tell  you  a  lie  ?  I  do  dcfpife  a  liar^  a& 
1  do  defpifc  one  that  is  falfe  i  or  as  1  deipifl-  one  that 
is  not  true.  The  Knight,  Sir  Jchfi,  is  there  ^  and,  I 
befecch  you,  be  ruled  by  your  wcll-withers.  I  will 
peat  the  door  [Kmcks.]  for  mafltr  Pi^ge.  Whati  boa  ? 
Got  blels  your  houfe  here* 


r 


C    E    N    E      II. 
EnUr  Mr.  Page. 
Page.  Who's  there  ? 


Eva.  Here  is  Got's  plefling,  and  your  friend^  and 
Jufticc  Shallow  -,  and  here's  young  mafter  SUndtr  j  chat. 

t  S^ttki  tMAiL  iiki  a  Avontart  .'\  Thit  U  fxoRi  the  Folto 
of  1O23,  aittl  h  the  tftif  reading.  He  ^tdmltrs  her  for  the  fwcri- 
tvfh  of  hcf  voice,  But  (he  exprtflion  U  bigMy  humourous,  4S 
in.bkif;!^'  Let  fptaksn<^  i^malt  Hit  a  'ZA^irnan  one  of  hcf  mAnk*  of 
L  '.  and  cheambrguity  of  /mat/,  which  figniBes  /fV/Zr  «« 

U-.  ^  .--',  mik<">  iJic  cxpfcflion  lUJl  caorcploiant. 

per- 


254  ^  Merry  ffi^es  of  Windibr. 

pcnuivcntures,  ihall  tell  you  another  talc,  if  mttten 
grow  to  your  likings. 

Page.  I  am  glad  to  fee  your  worlhips  welL  I  diank 
you  for  my  venifon,  mafter  SbaRa^. 

Sbal,  Matter  PagCy  I  am  glad  to  fee  70U  ;  mudi 
good  do  it  your  good  heart :  I  wifh*d  your  vcnilaa 
better ;  it  was  ill  luU'd.  How  doth  good  mifticis  P^t 
and  I  thank  you  always  with  my  heart,  la  %  with  tESf 
heart. 

Page.  Sir,  I  thank  you. 

SbaL  Sir,  I  thank  you ;  by  yea,  and  no,  T  do. 

Page.  I  am  glad  to  fee  you,  good  matter  Slader. 

Slen.  How  do's  your  fallow  greyhound.  Sir  ?  I 
heard  lay,  he  was  out-run  on  Cotjale, 

Page.  It  could  not  be  judged.  Sir. 

Sim.  You'll  not  confefi,  you'll  not  con&fi. 

Sbal.  That  he  will  not;  'tis  your  faul^  'tis  your 
fault ;  'us  a  good  dog. 

Page.  A  cur,  Sir. 

Sbal.  Sir,  he's  a  good  dog,  and  a  fair  dog;  can 
there  be  more  faid?  he  is  good  and  £ur*  Is  Sir  Jibn 
Faljlaf  here? 

Page.  Sir,  he  is  within ;  and  I  would,  I  could  do  a 
good  office  between  you, 

Eva.  It  is  (poke,  as  a  chriftians  ought  to  fpeak. 

Sbal,  He  hath  wrong'd  me,  matter  Pagie, 

Page.  Sir,  he  doth  in  fomc  fort  confefs  it. 

Sbal.  If  it  be  confefs'd,  it  is  not  redre&*d  ;  is  not 
that  fo,  matter  Page?  he  hath  wrong'd  me  ;  indeed, 
he  hath ;  at  a  word,  he  hath  ;  believe  me,  Rabert 
Sballow  Eiquire  fiuth,  he  is  wrong'd. 

Page.  Here  comes  Sir  John. 


SCENE 


7%€  Merfj  Wives  ^Windfor.  255 

SCENE      III. 
£.nter  Sir  John  FalftafF,  BardoljA,  Nytn  andVAKA. 

Fal.  Now,  matter  Shallow^  you'U  complain  of  me 
to  the  Coundl  ?   . 

Shal.  Knight,  you  have  beaten  my  nnen,  killed  my 
deer,  and  broke  open  my  lodge. 

Fal.  But  not  kifs*d  your  keeper's  daughter. 

Shal.  Tut,  a  pin ;  this  fliall  be  anfwer*d. 

FaL  I  will  anlwer  it  ftrait :  I  have  done  all  this. 
That  is  now  anfwer*d. 

Sbal.  The  Council  fhall  know  this. 

Fal,  'Twere  better  for  you,  if  'twere  not  known 
in  Coundl ;  you'll  be  laugh'd  at. 

Eva.  Pauca  verha^  Sir  Jobn^  good  worts. 

Fal.  Good  worts  ?  good  cabbie.  Slender^  I  broke 
your  head  ;  what  matter  have  you  s^^ft  me  ? 

Slen.  Marry,  Sir,  I  have  matter  in  my  head  againfl: 
you,  and  againft  your  cony-catching-rafcals  Bardolpb^ 
Nym,  and  Fiji/?!, 

Bar,  You  Banhury  cliccfc  ! 

Slen.  Ay,  it  is  no  matter. 

Fiji,  How  now,  Mepboficpbiks  ? 

Slen.  Ay,  it  is  no  matter. 

Njm,  Slice,  I  fay ;  pauca^  pauca :  (lice,  that's  my 
humour. 

SUn.  Where's  Simple^  my  man  ?  can  you  tell,  coufin  ? 

Eva.  Peace  :  I  pray  you  :  now  let  us  undcrftand  ; 
there  is  three  umpires  in  this  matter,  as  I  underftand  ; 
that  is,  mafter  Page ;  fidelicct^  mafterPtf^r;  and  there 
is  my  {c\(\fJeScety  my  felf;  and  the  three  party  is, 
laftiy  and  finally,  mine  Hoft  of  the  Garter. 

Pag.  We  three  to  hear  it,  and  end  it  between 
them. 

Eva.  Ferry  goot ;  I  wdl  make  a  prief  of  it  in  my 
note-book,  and  we  will  afterwards  ork  upon  the  caufc 
with  as  great  difcreetly  as  we  can. 

Fal 


256         72^  Merry  Wives  of  Windfbr. 

Fd.  PiftoL 

.Fiji,  He  hears  with  cars. 

Eva,  The  tevil  and  his  tarn !  what  phrale  is  tU^ 
he  hears  with  ear  ?  why,  it  is  aflFefbdons. 

FaL  Pifioly  did  you  pick  mafter  Sknder*%  purfe? 

Skn.  Ay,  by  theic  gloves,  did  he ;  (or  I  would  I 
might  never  come  in  mine  own  great  chamber  agun 
cUe,)offeven  groats  in  mill-fixpences,  and  two  Edward 
ihovel-boards,  that  coft  me  two  ihilling  and  two  pence 
a-piece  oiTeadMiUer^  by  thefe  gloves, 

FaL  Is  this  true,  Pijiol? 

Eva,  No  ;  it  is  fkUe,  if  it  is  a  pick-purie. 

Pift.  Ha,  thou  mountain-foreigper !— .  Sr  Jolm^ 
and  mafter  mine. 
I  Combat  challenge  of  this  '  latten  bilboe : 
"Word  of  denial  in  thy  Labra*s  here ; 
Word  of  denial ;  fix)th  and  fcum,  thou  ly*ft, 

Slen.  By  thefe  gloves,  then  *twas  he, 

Nym.  Be  advis*d.  Sir,  and  pafs  good  humours :  I 
will  lay  marry  trap  with  you,  if  you  run  the  bafe  hu- 
mour on  me  ;  that  is  the  very  note  of  it. 

Slen,  By  this  hat  then,  he  in  the  red  face  had  it ; 
for  tho'  I  cannot  remember  what  I  did  when  you  oiade 
me  drunk,  yet  I  am  not  altogether  an  afs. 

FaL  What  fay  you,  ♦  Scarkt  and  John? 

Bard.  Why,  Sir,  for  my  part,  I  fay,  the  gentleman 
had  drunk  himfclf  out  of  his  five  fentences. 

Eva,  It  is  his  five  fenfes :  fie,  what  the  Ignofance 
is! 

Bard.  And  being  fap.  Sir,  was,  as  they  lay,  c»- 
fhicr'd  i  and  fo  conclufions  psdl  the  car-dres. 


3  —  latin  hilbot:'\  Vulg.  old  Quarto,  1619,  imttem^ 
is  right.     Latum  is  tinned  plates  beaten  out  ver/  thin. 

4  Scarlet  and  John  ?  ]  The  names  of  two  of  ^^I'sr  AMIi 
companions  ;  but  the  humour  confiftsin  theallufioa  to  BmrJt^t 
red  face ;  concerning  which  ice  the  fecond  part  of  Hfnry  the 
fourth* 

SkM. 


7^^  Merry  Wives  ^  Wind  for. 

^Im.  Ay,  you  fpake  in  Latin  then  too;  but  'tis  no 
matter  •,  1*11  never  be  drunk  wJiLlit  I  live  again,  but  in 
honeft,  dvil,  godly  company,  for  this  trick ;  if  I  be 
drunk»  INI  be  drunk  with  thofc  that  have  the  fear  of 
God,  and  not  with  dainken  knaves, 

Eva,  So  Got  udg  me^  that  is  a  virtuous  mind, 
FaL  You  hear  aJl  thcfe  matters  deny'd,  gen^mco  \ 
you  hear  it. 

Enter  Mrs.  Anne  Page,  wUh  wine. 

Page.  Nay,  daughter,  carry  the  wine  in-,  we'll 
drink  within.  [£y//  Anne  Page. 

Skn,  Oh  hcav'n !  this  is  miftreis  Jnm  Page, 

Enter  Miftrefs  Ford  and  Mifirifs  Page. 

P&ge.  How  now,  miftrefs  Fori? 

Fal.  Miftrefs  Ford^  by  my  troth,  you  are  very  wcQ 
met  i  by  your  leave,  good  miftrefs.  [Kijft^g  ber. 

Page.  Wife,  bid  thefe  gentlemen  welcome :  comc^ 
we  have  a  hot  vcnilon  pafty  to  dinner ;  come,  gentlc- 
inen  \  I  hope,  wc  Ihall  drink  down  ail  unkindnelii* 

[^Exeunt  Fal,  Page,  £f?r. 


SCENE      IV. 

Manent  Shallow,  Evans,   and  Slender, 

SIfn,  I  had  rather  than  forty  Ihillings,  1  had  my  book 
of  fongs  and  Ibnnets  here. 

Enter  Simple. 

How  now,  5'/>»p^j  .where  have  you  been  ?  I  muft  wait 
on  my  felf«  muft  I  ?  you  have  not  the  book  of  riddld 
about  you,  Iiave  you  ? 

Hirnp.  Book  of  riddles !  why,  did  you  not  lend  it  to 
Alice  Shortcake  upon  M-bdlc^vmai  Uft»  a  fonoighc 
afore  Michaelmas, 

Vou  I.  S  Si4k 


12  C 


I 


258  The  Merry  Wives  of  WlndCor, 

SbaL  Come,  coz ;  come,  cozt  wc  ftay  for  you 
word  with  you,  coz  -  marry  this,  coz :  there  ii, 
*tw«rc,  a  tender,  a  kind  of  tender,  made  aftvr  ofT 
ftr  //»(f i  here  5  do  you  urtderftand  mc  ? 

Slen,  Ay,  Sir,  you  ftulJ  find  me  reaionabic 
be  fo,  1  fliall  do  diat  tliat  is  reafon. 
i    ^bal.  Nay>  but  landerftand  tnc* 

Slcn.  So  I  do.  Sir. 

Eva,  Give  ear  to  his  motions^  Mr.  Slender:  I 
dcrcription  the   nutter  to  you,  if  you  be   capoorj 
tj'fk. 

Sttn.  Nay,  I  will  do,  as  my  coufm  Shallow  Gys 
pray  you,  pardon  me  ;  ftc*s  a  Juftkc  of  pe«ce  in 
counrry»  fimpit  tho*  1  Hand  here. 

E"^'a.  But  that  is  not  the  quetem ;  the  queftkn  tt 
concerning  your  marriage. 

SbaL  Ay,  thcre*s  tfc  point,  Sir. 

Eva»  ^arry,  is  it-,  the  very  point  of  it,  to  Mtl 

.y/f».  Why,  if  it  be  foj  I  will  marry  her  upon  any 
realbnable  demands. 

Eva,  but  can  you  affeftion  the  'oman  ?  Jet  us  com- 
mand to  know  that  of  your  mouth,  or  oFyotirbps; 
for  divers  philofophers  hold*  that  the  Bps  is  parcel  ol 
the  mind :  therefore  prccifely,  can  you  carry  your 
;Will  to  the  maid  ? 
^    SbdL  Goufin  jibrabam  Sk»der^  can  you  love 

Skn,   I  hope.  Sir,  1  will  do,  as  it  fhall  become  <iS 
that  would  do  reafon. 

Eva,  Nay,  Got's  lords  and  his  ladies,   you  moft 
(peak  pdrticable,  if  you  can  carry  her  your  dcfircs 
*wards  htr. 

SbaL  That  you  muft  j  will  you,  upon  good  d 
TTiarr^'her  ? 

^fen,  I  %vMI  do  a  greater  thing  than  that  u 
requcrt:,  coufin,  in  any  rcafoa 


^^^Jfa 


7^^  Merry  Wives  of  Wind  for. 

Shd>  Nay,  conceive  me,  conceive  me,  Aveet  coz  - 
what  I  do,  is  to  picsfurc  you>  coe  j  zm  you  love  cric 
maid  ? 

(SVtfi;,  I  will  marry  hcr^  Sir,  at  your  requcft :  bur  if 
there  be  no  great  love  in  the  beginning,  ycc  hcav'n 
may  dccreafe  it  upon  better  acquaintance,  when  we 
are  marry'd,  and  liavc  more  occafion  to  know  <?nc  anp* 
ther  \  I  hoj3e,  ujion  familkrity  *  will  grow  more  con* 
tempt :  buc  it  yoti  fay,  marry  her,  I  will  marry  hcff 
that  I  am  freely  diifolved,  and  diffolutely. 

Eva,  t  is  a  ferry  difcrtuon  anfwer,  fave,  the  faul* 
\&\x\^mt  diffoluuij:  the  ore  is,  according  to  our 
meaning,  nfokttly  ;  his  meaning  is  good. 

ShaL  Ay,  1  think,  my  coufin  meanc  well, 

Slen.  Ay,  ordJc  I  would  1  might  bchang^d^  la. 

SCENE        V, 

Entwr  Mifirifs  Anne  Page. 

Shal  Here  comes  fair  miftrefs  Anm:  'woiiW  I  were 
ng  for  your  fake,  miftrefs  jinf9e ! 
/bine.  The  dinner  is  on  the  table  \  my  fiuher  dcfircs 
your  worship's  company. 

Sbal,  I  will  wait  on  him,  fair  miftrcfi  Anm. 
Eva,  Od's  pleficd  wdl,  I  wil!  not  be  abfence  ac  the 
^Crace.  {^Exeunt  Shallow  and  Evam* 

^K  Jnne.  Wai*t  plcafc  your  worfhip  to  come  in,  Sir  ? 
^V  ^Icn,  No,  I  thank  you,  forfooth,  heartily  i  1  am 
^^cry  well. 

[         Aiim,  The  dinner  attends  you.  Sir, 
^H  ^/^.  I  am  not  a-hungry,   I  think  you,   Forfooth, 
^Co,  Sirrah,  for  atl  you  are  my  man,  go  wait  upon  my 
coufm  Shallow:  [£W/ Simple.]  A  Jufticc  oF  peace 
fumctimc  may  be  beholden  to  his  friend  for  a  man. 

^   nttiU  ^rpw   more  air/f*/:  ]     A    coni>ii!rtun  rfflor^  b/ 
Mr.  Tift  Iff /d. 

S  3  1  krcf 


26o  77)e  Merry  fVives  of  Windlbr. 

^  I  kcq>  but  three  men  and  a  boy  yet,  'till  my  mo- 
ther be  dead  ;  bu:  \\hat  though,  yec  I  live  like  a  poor 
gentleman  bom. 

Anne.  I  may  not  go  in  without  your  worflupi  thcj 
will  not  fit,  'tiil  you  come. 

Slen,  rfaith,  I  '11  eat  nothing ;  I  thank  you  as  mudi 
as  though  I  uid. 

jhine.  I  pray  you,  Sir,  walk  in. 

Slen.  I  had  rather  walk  here,  I  thank  you :  I  bruisM 
my  ftiin  th'oiher  day  with  playing  at  fword  and  dag- 
ger with  a  mafter  of  fence,  three  venq^s  for  a  difli  of 
ftew*d  prunes ;  and,  by  my  troth,  I  cannot  alnde  the 
fmell  of  hot  meat  fince.  Why  do  your  dogs  bark  ib? 
be  there  bears  i'th*  town? 

Anne,  1  think,  there  are.  Sir;  I  heard  them  talk*d 
of. 

5/^;^.  \  love  the  fport  well,  but  I  (hall  as  foon  quar- 
rel at  it  as  any  man  in  England.  You  arc  a&ud,  if 
you  fee  the  bear  loofe,  are  you  not  ? 

Anne.  Ay,  indeed.  Sir. 

8ien.  l^hat's  meat  and  drink  to  me  now ;  I  have 
ieen  Sackerfon  loofe  twenty  rimes,  and  have  taken  him 
by  the  chain  ;  but  I  warrant  you,  the  women  have 
fo  cry*d  and  (hriek'd  at  it,  that  it  paft :  but  women, 
indeed,  cannot  abide  'em,  they  arc  vciy  iU-favour^d 
rough  things. 

Enter  Mr,  Page. 

Page,  Come,  gentle  Mr«  Slender^  come ;  we  fiay 
for  you. 

Slen.  I'll  eat  nothing,  I  thank  you.  Sir. 

Page,  By  cock  and  pye,  you  ihall  not  chufe^  Sir  i 

come ;  come. 

6  /  keep  lut  three  men  mnd  m  hey  ytt,  &c.  ]  As  grot  t 
foci  as  the  poet  has  made  Slender^  ic  appears,  by  hit  boaiting  of 
his  'wealth,  his  breedings  and  his  eturagt^  that  he  knew  faow  to 
win  a  woman.  7his  u  a  fine  inftance  of  ShMkeJ^tmr^t  knamkiAfi 
of  nature. 

Slen. 


7he  Merry  Wives  ofWivx^hu  261^ 

SUn.  Nay»  pray  you,  lead  the  way- 

P^ge,  Come  on^  Sir. 

Skn,  Miftrefe  Anne^  your  fclf  Ihall  go  firft. 

Anne.  Not  I,  Sir  \   pray  you,  keep  on* 

Skn.  Truly,  I  will  not  go  firit,  cruly-la :  I  will  not 
do  you  that  wrong. 

j^nne,  I  pray  you.  Sir. 

Skn.  Til  rather  be  unmannerly,  than  trcublefome  \ 
you  do  your  felf  wrong,  indeed-la.  [Exeunt, 


C       E       N       E 
Re -enter  Evans  and  Simple. 


VI. 


Eva.  Go  your  ways,  and  ask  of  Doftor  Caiu^ 
houfe  which  is  the  way  1  and  there  dwells  one  miftrefe 
^ickiy,  which  is  in  the  manner  of  his  nurfe,  or  his 
dry  nurfe,  or  his  cook,  or  Iiis  laundry,  his  waChcr, 
and  his  wringer. 

Simp,  Well,  Sir. 

Eva.  Nay,  it  is  petter  yet  -,  give  her  this  letter;  for 
ic  is  a  'Oman  that  alrogcthers  acquaintance  with  miftrefi 
jtnne  Page  ;  and  the  letter  is  to  dcfire  and  require  her 
to  follidt  your  mailer's  dcfircs  to  miftrefs  jhne  Page  : 
I  pray  you,  be  gone  i  I  will  make  an  end  of  my  din- 
ner i  there's  pappins  and  chcdc  to  come. 

\^Exeunt  feverally^ 

SCENE        VII. 

Changes  to  the  Garter-Inn, 
Enter  Falllaff,  Hoft,  Barctolph,  Nym,  Piftol  ondRc&m. 


M 


I N  E  hoft  of  the  garter,- 


/«/.  __   _ 

Hcfi.  What  fays  my  bully  rock  ?  Ipeak 

fchollarly,  and  wifely, 

Fal.  Truly,  mine  hoft>  I  muft  turn  away  fome  of 
my  followers* 

S  3  H^, 


& 


262  Tie  Merry  TFivii  ^Windfiir. 

Eoft.  Difcard,  buily  Hercules^  caihicT}  let  them 
wag ;  trot,  trot. 

FcL  I  fit  at  ten  pounds  a  week. 

Hqft,  Thou^rt  anEmpcror,  CafoTt  Keifar  and  fbe&- 
%ar.  I  will  entertain  Bardolpb,  he  ihall  draw,  he  fhaU 
tap ;  faid  I  well,  bully  Heffor  ? 

FaL  Do  fo,  good  mine  hoft. 

IJeft,  I  have^oke,  let  him  follow ;  let  tne  fee  due 
froth,  and  live :  I  am  at  a  word  j  follQW. 

lExit  Hoft. 

Fal.  Bardclph^  follow  him ;  atapfteris  a  good  trades 
an  old  cloak  makes  a  new  jerkin  j  a  withered  ferving- 
man,  a  frefh  tapftcr ;  go,  adieu. 

Bard.  It  is  a  life  tliat  I  have  dcfir*d  :   I  will  thrive. 

lExit^xA, 

Fiji,  O  bale  Hungarian  wight,  wilt  thou  the  Ipgat 
wield  ? 

Nym.  He  was  gotten  b  drink,  is  not  the  humoir 
conceited  ?  ?  His  mind  is  not  heroick,  and  there's  the 
humour  of  it. 

FaU  I  am  glad,  t  am  fo  quit  of  this  tinderboxs 
his  thefts  were  too  open ;  his  filching  was  like  an  un- 
skilful finger,  he  kept  not  time. 

Nyra,  The  good  numour  is  to  fteal  at  a  minute's 
refl:. 

Pill,  Convey,  the  Wife  it  call :  fteal  ?  fbh  j  a  fico 
for  the  phrafe ' 

FaL  Well,  Sirs,  I  am  almoft  out  at  hecls» 

Fiji.  Why  then,  let  kibes  enfue. 

Fal  There  is  no  remedy  :  I  muft  conytatch,  I  muft 
fliift. 

Pijt.  Young  ravens  muft  haVe  food. 

Fal.  Which  of  you  know  Fori  di  this  town  ? 

Fiji.  I  ken  the  wight,  he  is  of  fiibftance  good. 

7  Hh  minil  is  not  beraick,  mni  theri:  th$  immemr  tfiiJ]  Added 

ftom  the  oM  Quarco  ot  i  619. 


The  Merry  Wives  of  Wind  for.  26 

Fd.  My  honeft  lad&y    I  will  tell  you  whac  I  am 

lUt, 

P\fi,  Two  yards  and  more.  . 

FaL  No  quips  now,  Ptjiol :  indeed,  I  am  in  chc 
waile  two  yards  about  %  but  1  am  now  about  no  waftc, 
I  am  abouc  thrift.  Briefly,  I  do  mean  to  make  love 
to  For^ii  wife :  I  (py  entertainment  in  her ;  fhe  dif- 
courfes^  Ihe  carves,  /he  ^ves  the  leer  of  invitation  \  I 
can  conilrue  the  action  of  her  familiar  llilc,  and  die 
hardeft  voice  of  her  behaviour,  to  be  engliih^d  right, 
is,  /  am  Sir  John  FalftatPj. 

Pijt.  He  hath  ftudy*d  her  well,  *  and  tranflatcd 
her  out  of  honefly  into  EngliJh. 

Nym>  The  anchor  is  deep  \  will  that  humour  pals  ? 

Fal  Now,  the  report  goes,  Ihe  has  all  the  rule  of 
bcr  husband^s  purTe :  Jhe  hath  a  legion  of  angels. 

Pift,  '  As  many  devils  entertaia  ^  and  to  her^  boy^ 
fey  I. 

Nym.  The  humour  riics  j  it  is  good  ;  humour  me 
thcangek. 

Fai,  I  have  writ  rae  here  a  letter  to  her ;  and  here 
another  to  Page"^  wife,  who  even  now  gave  me  good 
eyes  too,  examined  my  parts  with  moil  judraous 
*  oeillades  -,  fomctimes,  the  beam  of  her  \dcw  gullded 
my  foot  i  Jbmetimes,  my  portly  belly. 

Fiji.  Then  did  the  fun  on  dung-luU  Ihinc.    [4^^. 

Nym^  I  thank  thee  for  that  humour. 

8  Mnd  trmtfiatid  ktt  well,  Q»t  of  hontjh  ''fs  EmgUfi,  ] 
r\  t.  mta  a  cotrupE  f&nguagr.  Tins  h  cxtrrincfy  hiimorous :  But 
J  ihink  ihc  word  'ur/V^  cominj^  in  here  t  fecond  time*  \%  An  in- 
Xiu^oti,  ftnd  rbouLd  be  t^uU  «uc  again*  a-*  ic  buxiiou  the  (iifiiou 
and  obdru^  the  e&fy  turn  of  the  chougUt. 

9  At  many  di^ilitnurtain  -i — '-'\  i.e.  T:»ke  to  your  nfliftunce 
%%  inuiy  dcriLi  as  fhe  has  angeh.  and  then  you  vnAy  be  a  tnaich 
lor  her, 

I  - — *  mift  judituiu  Iliads;]  Rod  uUiadet,  gliacea. 
FrfKib,  Mr,  /*fl/tf, 

S  A  Fai, 


26+  The  Merry  Wives  ^  Windfor. 

Fal,  O  (he  dkl  fo  courfe  o*cr  my  eztoion  vith  fiidi 
a  greedy  intention,  that  the  appetite  of  her  eye  <fid 
ieem  to  fcorch  nie  up  like  a  buming-fjiafi*  Kier^s 
another  letter  to  hcr^  ihe  bears  the  purfe  too; 
(he  b  a  region  in  GuioMa^  all  gold  and  bounty.  *  I  wiH 
be  Cheater  to  them  both,  and  they  fhall  be  Excktfurs 
to  me  ;  they  fliall  be  my  Eaft  and  fFeft-InSa^  and  I 
Wl  trade  to  them  both.  Go,  bear  thou  dus  lettcrto 
miftrcfs  Page\  and  thou  this  to  miftrcfi  Ford:  wc  iriO 
thrive,  lads,  we  will  thrive. 

Pift.  Shall  I  Sir  Pandarus  of  Tr^jr  become. 
And  by  my  fide  wear  fteel?  then,  Lucifer  take  all ! 

i^flv.  I  iinll  run  no  bale  humour ;  here,  take  the  hu* 
mour-lcttcr,  I  will  keep  the  haviourof  reputadon. 

Pal.  Hdd,  Sirrah,  bear  you  theie  letters  t^tfy. 
Sail  like  my  pinnace  to  thefe  golden  ihcHes.  \To  Robia 
Revues,  hence,  avaunt !  vanifh  like  hail-ftones,  go^ 
Trudge,  plod  away  o'th'  hoof,  feck  fhelter,  pack  ! 
»  FalftaffmXi  learn  the  humour  of  the  age, 
French  thrift,  you  rogues  ^  my  felf,  and  skirted  page. 

[ExeufU  l^diSaSaid  iioy. 

s  /  tvill  ht  Cheater  /•  thtm  h§tb,  and  they/hmll  h  Exdieqnen 
t»  m^ij    I'he  fame  j  ike  is  intended  here,  as  in  the  iiecond  pait 

cf  Hemry  the  foiirrh,   A€t  z.  • /  'will  bar  it*  btmejl  mm» 

90  h^ufi^  nor  no  Cheater, .  By  which  is  meant  Efihtatturt^ 

an  officer  in  the  exchecuer,  in  no  good  repute  with  the  jtidtp^ 
people. 

3  FalAafT  ifnll  learn  the  humour  of  the  age^ 

French  ihri/t,  jrou  r^utj ;  my/tlft  and  tkirt$d  frngt-l  S^ 
Beaumont  and  Fltttber,  in  V^r  hoKefl  man^sfiriumg, 
—  ViV  the  eemfert^  that 
III  fortune  has  undone  me  into  thefa/hioui 
Tor  nwjOs  in  this  age,  majl  men  do  iogim 
To  keep  hut  nne  ^,  that  kept  many  mem. 


SCEN^ 


Tie  Merry  Wives  ij/'Windfon  26  c 


SCENE 


VIIL 


P//?.  Let  vxjltures  gripe  thy  gucs  j  ♦  for  gorc{<  and 
FuUam  holds : 
And  high  and  low  begiules  the  rich  and  poor. 
Tcftcr  rii  have  in  pouch,  when  thou  fhlt  lack> 
Bafe  Phrygian  Turk  / 

j^Tftr.  I  have  operations  in  my  head,  which  be  hu* 
moors  of  revenge. 

PiJL  Wilt  thou  revenge  ? 

Njm,  By  welkin^  and  her  ftar, 

Pijf.  "With  wit,  or  fteel  ? 

Nvm.  With  both  the  humours,  I : 
I  will  difcufs  the  liumour  of  this  love  to  E^rJ. 

Pfjt.  And  I  to  P^^e  ?haU  eke  unfold. 
How  Faljlaff,  varlet  vile, 
His  dove  will  prove,  his  gold  will  hold. 
And  his  foft  couch  defiJe. 

Nym.  My  humour  fliall  not  cool  i  I  wil]  incenfc 
Fard  to  deal  with  poifon  i  I  wiU  poflefs  him  with  yd- 
lowncfs ;  for  the  Revolt  of  Mien  is  dangerous:  that 
is  my  true  humour. 

Pift.  Thou  art  the  Mars  of  male- contents  :  I  fccond 
ihcc  i  troop  on« 

[ExeufH. 

(^  I  fgr  gourd,  err  J  Futtim  halJj: 

Aitd  high  end  luw  htiMiUi  tht  rkh  a»i  p09r,J  FttUam  \m 
M.  cant  term  tor  CaJfe  dice,  kigh  and  hta.  Tfirrtano,  in  his  Itatimn 
Di^ionary,  inicrprets  Pife  by  faJ/e  dut^  hiih  &kd  hia  mtm^ 
ht^h  FulUmi,  usd  itnuf  tyllum^.  yohrtjorif  in  hii  E'vrrj  man  tut 
ef  hii  IttmQW,  <]uibbles  upon  tht*  caiit  icrm.  ff'/j<r^  htffr>v€  f  Hi 
hfps  hijth  men  and  l<jw  men,  bt  kui  fffrir  U^tng  at  Futlam*— 
Aft  (Of  GsMrd,  or  rather  Csrd»  ic  wai  aAotb^r  inftrunient  of  gam* 
ittg,  ai  appeari  from  Bftiftmont  and  FUtchtr*^  Si^rnfmt  L^^ 
—  ^  ^jTi/  /^  ^77  ^ff/rr^  ran  rrAfiEr  df  mthimg  Mrw,  hnS  G  O  ft  D  I 
$r  iiinc-pioi. 


S  C  ENE 


266  Tfc  M^rry  Wives  of  Windlbr. 

SCENE      IX. 

Changes   t9   Dr.  CaiusV   Hcuje. 

Enter  JSp-efs  Quickly,  Simpie,  mi  John  Ri#r. 

W  the  ca&zr.ent,  and  fee  if  you  can  fee  my 
'mafter,  mafter  Doftor  Caius^  coming;  tf  hcdo,  i'Euth, 
and  find  any  body  in  the  houfe,  here  «ill  be  old  abs- 
ling  of  God's  packncfy  and  the  King's  Ei^Ufly, 

Rug,  I'll  go  watch.  [Em  Ri^. 

^mc.  Go,  and  we'll  have  a  pofTcc  for't  loon  at  nigio, 
in  faith,  at  the  latter  end  of  a  fea-coal  fiic.  An  ho- 
neft,  willing,  kind  fellow,  as  ever  icrvant  flialt  come 
in  houfe  withal ;  and,  I  warrant  you,  no  tell-tafe,  car 
no  breed-bate  ;  his  worft  fault  is,  that  be  is  gpn^cn  to 
pray'r  -,  he  is  fomething  peeidih  that  way  \  but  no 
body  but  has  his  fault ;  but  let  clut  pals«  Peter  Sm- 
fk^  you  lay,  your  name  is. 

Sim,  Ay,  ror  fault  of  a  better. 

^k.  And  matter  Slender's  your  mafter  ? 

Sim.  Ay,  forfooth. 

§uic.  Does  he  not  wear  a  great  round  beard,  fike  i 
gjover's  paring-knife  ? 

Sim,  No,  forlboth ;  he  hath  but  a  little  wee*£u^ 
with  a  little  yellow  beard,  a  Gun-colour'd  beard. 

^/V.  A  foftly-4)righted  man,  is  he  not ; 

Sim,  Ay,  forfooth ;  but  he  is  as  tall  a  man  of  his 
hands,  as  any  is  between  this  and  his  head  ;  he  hadi 
fought  with  a  warrcner. 

i^iV.  How  fay  you  ?  oh,  I  ihould  Feroember  him ; 
does  he  not  hold  up  his  head,  as  it  were  ?  and  ftrut  ia 
his  gate? 

Sim.  Yes,  'indeed,  does  he. 

^ic.  Well,  heav'n  fend  j^nne  Page  no  worft  for- 
tune 1    Tell  mafter  parfon  EvmfSy   I'll  do  what  I 

can 


The  Merry  Wives  of  Wind  for. 

can  for  your  mafter  :   Anne  is  a  good  girf,  and  I 

Enttr  Rugby. 

Rug,  Out,  alas !  here  comes  my  maftcr* 
^k.  We  lliall  all  be  lliejit  v  run  in  here,  goodi  young 
man ;  go  into  this  clofet  i  {fokU  Simple  in  ibe  chJtL  ] 
He  will  not  ftay  long,  What»  John  Rughy  /  John  ! 
what,  Johtf  I  fay  i  go,  Joh?jy  go  enquire  tor  my  ma- 
fieri  1  doubt  J  he  be  not  wdl,  that  he  couics  uot 
home  ;    ^td  dswn^  down^  a-down-a^  &c,  \Sh^s^ 


26 


C      E      N      E 

Enter  J)sfior  Caius. 


X. 


Cmas.  Vat  is  you  fuig  ?  I  do  not  like  des  toys  \ 
pray  you,  go  and  vetch  mc  in  my  dofct  mhsti£rvtrd\ 
a  box,  a  green-a  box  ^  do  intend  vat  I  fpeak  ?  a  green-a 
box, 

Siuic.  Ay^  forfooth,  TU  fetch  it  you, 
I  am  gkdy  he  Went  not  in  liimfelf ;  if  he  had   found 
the  young  man,  be  would  have  been  hom-mad.  [/ifide^ 

Cains.  Fe^/ft  ft,  fe^  mafsi^  iljtnt  f^t  ibtrnd-^  jc 
trfat  vats  a  la  CquT'—^Is  granit  affaire^ 

^fc.  Is  it  this,  Sir. 

Caius.  Oay^  me/tez  le  4m  mon  podicc  ^  D^chiz^ 
quickly  ;  ver  is  dat  knave  Ri^lj  I 

j^c.  What*  jfcbn  Rugiy!  J»t$$t 

Ri^,  Here,  Sir. 

Caiks.  You  anc  Join  Rs^h^  and  jcm  are  Jack 
Rt^  I  come,  takc-a  your  R^iicr,  and  come  attcr  my 
heel  to  the  Court. 

Rxg,  *Tts  ready,  Sir,  here  in  the  porch. 

Caius.  By  my  trot,  I  carr/  too  long  :  o  i's  me  !  ^ 
a/Je  cuhlii?  dcre  is  fome  fimplcs  in  n;y  clofet,  dat  I 
wiU  not  &r  tJic  varki  I  ihail  kave  bdiind. 


26  S  7Be  Merry  Wives  of  Windfon 

§ipc.  Ay-me,  he'll  find  the  young  man  therr»  and 
be  mad. 

Caius,  O  Liable^  Diab'e  !  vat  is  in  my  do(ct?  vil- 
tunc,  Larron  !  Rugby,  my  rapier, 

[Pitllj  Simple  Ota  o/iieckfd. 

Simc^  Good  matter,  be  content, 

Cmus.  Wherefore  fliall  I  be  content-a  ? 

^ic.  The  young  man  is  an  honcft  man. 

Caius.  What  ihall  de  honeft  man  do  in  my  dolec? 
dere  is  no  honeft  man,  dat  ihall  come  in  my  clofct. 

^uk,  I  bcfecch  you,  be  not  fo  flegmatick  ;  hor  Ac 
truth  of  it.  He  came  of  an  errand  to  me  from  parfon 
Hugh. 

Caius.  VcD. 

Sim,  Ay,  forfboth,  to  define  her  to        > 

§uie.  Peace,  I  pray  you. 

Caius.  Peace-a  your  tongue,  Ipeak-a  your  talc. 

Sim.  To  defire  this  honcft  gendewoman  your  ooaid, 
to  ft)eak  a  good  word  to  miftreis  Anne  Page  for  my 
matter  in  the  way  of  marriage. 

%/f .  This  is  all,  indeed-la  -,  but  I'll  never  put  my 
finger  in  the  Hre,  and  need  not. 

Caius,  Sir  Hugh  knA-z-joM^  Rugby^baiBez  me  fawc 
paper ;  tarry  you  a  httle-a-whilc. 

^ic.  I  am  glad,  he  is  fo  quiet ;  if  he  had  been 
thorouglUy  moved,  you  ttiould  have  heard  him  ib  loud, 
and  fo  melancholy :  but  notwithttanding,  man,  I'll  do 
for  your  matter  what  good  I  can  ;  and  the  very  yea 
and  the  no  is,  the  French  Doflor  my  matter,  ( I  may 
call  him  my  matter,  look  you,  for  I  keep  his  hode, 
and  I  watti,  wring,  brew,  bake,  icour,  '  drefs  meat 
and  make  the  beds,  and  do  all  my  felf.) 

Sim.  ^Tis  a  great  charge  to  come  under  one  body's 
hand. 

S   Jr^fi  Meat,    mmi  [i,Uk^  mfikt  $h$  Ms,    ftc.  ]      Ddt 

drink. 


315^  Merry  IViva  <!?/' Windfer. 

^mc.  Arc  you  a-visM  o'thar  ?  you  ftiall  find  it  a 
great  charge  ;  and  to  be  up  early  and  down  late.  But 
notwiti^ftanding,  to  tdl  you  in  your  ear,  f  would  have 
no  words  of  it,  my  mafter  himfelf  is  in  love  'Rith  miP 
trefs  Anne  P^tgt  %  h\xu  notwirhftanding  that,  I  know 
Ann^%  mind,  that's  neither  here  nor  there. 

Calus,  You  jacU'nape  \  give-a  this  Icaer  ioS'irHugh ; 
by  gar,  it  is  a  fhaUenge :  I  will  cut  his  croat  in  de  parkc» 
and  I  will  reach  a  fcurvy  jack-a-nape  pricft  to  meddle 

or  make you  may  be  gone ;  it  is  not  good  you 

tarry  here  ;  by  gar,  I  will  cut  all  his  two  ftones  \  by 
gar,  he  ihall  not  have  a  ftone  to  trow  at  his  dog. 

[Exit  Simple* 

^ic.  Aias,  he  fpeaks  but  for  his  friend. 

Casus.  It  is  no  mattcr*a  ver  dat :  do  you  not  tell- 
ame,  dat  I  fhail  have  Afwe  Page  for  myfclf  ?  by  gar,  I 
vill  kill  de  jack  pritit;  and  [  have  appointed  n)ine  hoft 
of  d€  Jarterrt  to  mcal'urc  our  weapon  j  by  gar,  I  will 
iDyfelf  have  Anne  Page. 

^k.  Sir^  the  maid  loves  you,  and  all  fhall  be  weH : 
vrc  muft  give  folks  leave  to  prate  ;  what,  the  good-jer ! 

Caius,  Rugly^  come  to  the  Court  with  me  ; by 

gar,  if  r  have  not  Aftne  Pcge^  I  l}iall  cum  your  head 
out  of  my  door  i  —  follow  my  heels,  Ru^Sy, 

[£*^«;;/Caiu5  afsd  Rugby. 

^k.  You  fhall  have  An  foolVhcad  of  your  own. 
No,  I  know  Anne's  mind  for  that ;  never  a  Woman 
in  Wmdjor  knows  more  of  Anne't  mind  than  I  do, 
fwr  can  do  more  than  I  do  vrith  her,  I  thank  hcav'n. 

Feni.  [wilbin.'\  Who's  within  there,  hoa? 

^k.  Who's  there,  I  trow  ?  come  near  the  houfe,  I 
pray  you. 


N 


XL 


Enter  Mr,  Fenton* 
pent.  How  now,  good  woman,  how  doft  thou  ? 
^k.  The  better  tiut  it  plcafes  your  good  worfliip 
CO  sdb  Fe/U, 


A^ 


270         73^  Merry  Wives  of  Wind /or. 

F£Ht,  What  news  ?  how  does  pretty  mtdrefs  4mK 

§uk.  In  truch.  Sir,  and  fhe  b  prcttjr^  and  faoDcS» 
and  gentle  ;  and  one  chat  is  your  friend »  I  can  tell  ]roo 
tliat  by  che  way,  I  praifc  hear'n  for  it* 

pint,  Shall  {  do  m^f  good,  dt2ck*£t  thou  ?  ihiB  i 
not  lofe  my  fcit  ? 

^M/V.  Troth,  Sir^  all  is  in  his  hands  above ;  hue 
notwitliiianding,  mailer  FemoTt^  I'lJ  be   ivorp  on 
book,  (he  iove£  you :  have  not  your  worihip  a  wui 
ibove  your  eye  ? 

ivM/.  Yes,  marry,  Iiavc  Ij  and  whnof  thac? 

^ir.  Weil,  rhtrcby  hangs  a  tale ;  good  /aixht  k 
fuch  ajiother  Nuit^  but,  I  deteft,  aji  honeft  maid 
ever  broke  bread  \  we  had  an  hour's  talk  of  that 
I  fliall  never  kugh  but  in  that  maid's  corapany  I  b 
indeed,  Jhe  is  given  too  much  to  allicholly  and  mufiogs 
but  for  you^    —■ ^WcU ^go  to  — -^^ 

Fm.  Well,  I  ihaJl  fee  her  to  day;  Add,  thctt'i 
mony  for  dKc :  let  me  have  thy  voice  in  my  bcfaslTi  if 
riiou  fceft  heri»efore  mc,  commend  me  .i'^' 

^c.  Will  I  ?  ay»  ftidi*  tliat  we  will  :  and  I  wiD 
tell  your  worfhip  more  of  the  wart>  the  next  time  wc 
have  cooiidence,  and  of  other  wooers. 

Fent.  Well,  farewel,  I  am  in  great  hafte  iv»w« 


^€.  Farewd  to  your  worflup.    Truly,  ao 
gentleman,  but  /Inne  loves  hun  not;  I  know  jImm^^ 
mind  as  well  as  another  docs.    Out  upoo'tt  vhac  hart 
1  forgot  ? 


7ii  Merry  Wives  of  Wind(bf.  27 

ACTIL      SCENE     L 


^^^K  Befire  PsigeV  Houfe, 

^^^K        EnUr  Mrs.  Page»  with  a  LcUsr. 
^m^-  Mrs,  Pace. 

*¥  T  THAT,  have  I  fcap*d  love-letters  in  the  holy* 
yy     day-ame  of  my  beauty,   and  am  I  now  a 
fubjeft  for  them  ?  let  me  fee : 

^  *  AA  me  no  reafin^  vtby  I  lave  you  \  for  '  tho^  lov^  ufi 
red/on  far  bis  frHtfim^  hi  admits  him  mt  for  bh  conn* 
Jtikr:  jm  ^e  not  youngs  no  m^re  am  I,  g^  f^  tben^ 
there* s £fmpaSby :  ym  are  merry ^  fo  am  1%   ha!  hat 
then  there* s  morefympatky ;  ym  love  Jack,  andfi  do  I ; 
^ould  ydu  iefire  better  fympathy  ?  let  U  fuffice  ibee^ 
mijirc/s  Page,  at  the  k^ft  if  the  bve  of  a  jdMer  em 
fi^U  that  I  love  thee.    I  will  not  fay^  pity  me^    *til 
not  a  foldier-like  pbrafe  \  but  I  fay^  love  me : 
By  me^  thine  own  true  Knigbt^  hy  dffjf  cr  nighty 
Or  any  kind  of  lights  vnth  all  his  mighty 
For  ibi:e  to  fight .  John  FalftafK. 

WhiU  a  Het'oi  of  Jewy  h  this  f  O  wicked,  wicked 
world  I  one  that  is  weU  nigh  woni  to  pieces  with  age, 
to  fhow  himfclf  a  young  gallant !  what  unwLigh'd  be- 
haviour hath  this  Fhmfi  drunkard  pickt,  »'ch*  devil'i 

I   /£#•  jSrur  uft  rt^fom  for  hit  prccifiaD.  h^  eimii$  him  not  fpr 
hit  tPmipikr  {\  This  i*  obfctiTC  J  but  Uic  metDtng  u,   f.^o'   /St'r 


fermti  rt&fsn  fc  tf/ftvhai  Ujit  H  he  4cntt  ht  /tU^m  fattrws  tit 
a4vUe.—^^\iyprfciJian,  is  meMi  'ine  hviiu  preGenis  :a  a  nio-e  liuQ 
erdintry  (l'-{>ncc  of  vkrcucftnd  fanSity.  On  which  nccomiE  (he/ 
y^vcr  ih»  rrkvne  to  (he  pDntias  of  thAC  time.  So  Oibtrmtt  ^^ 
C^nUrm  thtir  mtJf,  *\wrds  and  t9»h  f  linj*  p-k  iCItCAKi, 
Ani  M£tBr»  ill  Uh  City  mat<hf 

^       ■  /  MJ  eemmtnd 


jf  ftettt  ruffcuiAdt /a  htr,  fir  htr  ^.if^mam^ 


nacne 


272 


T%e  Merry  JVives  ^Windlbr; 

name,  out  of  my  converfatjon,  that  he  dares  in  da' 
manner  aflay  me?  why,  he  hatii  not  been  thrice  in  irj 
company  :  what  (hoiild  I  fay  to  him  ?  I  was  then  fo 
gal  of  my  minh,  heav'n  foi^ve  me:  why,  •I'll  exhi- 
bit a  Bill  in  the  Parliament  for  the  putting  down  c^ 
Mum  :  how  ftall  I  be  revengM  on  him  ?  for  revej^'d 
J  will  be,  as  fure  as  his  guts  are  made  of  pud- 
dings. 


C      E      N      E 

Enttr  ]^s.  Ford. 


11. 


*  Mrs,  Ford.  Mrs.  Page^  truft  mc,  I  was  gCMg 
youF  houfe. 

Mrs.  Page,  And  truft  me,  I  was  conning  to   you  1 

you  look  very  ill.  ^ 

I    ni  rxhihit  a   BiU  in    Ftrtiamtnt   fir  fmifimg   d^vn  f 

M&ti  ]  Mr.  Tbeohaidi^yii  we  mutl  ncctffafiJ)'  read, 

— •— for  putt iTTg  ifo^vff  0/  far  men.  But  how  h  tl>eni^ 
tci' mended  .^  or  the  though c  made  Wh  ridiculoM^f  ftiaif^tr 
wrote, 

—-^far  the  puffing  Jo^w  »/  m  vu,  f\  #.   tlic£iaeBtii| 

Hqtior  fo  calftfd.     So  Firtchrr  in  hi&   i^^tld  gd&ft  chafe  ;  ,Whmt  < 

mid  I ha^it  O'VtrmyJi^mach,   ilow/J  I  h^d  J&mr   hi  v  %t.    Xhii  U 

truly  hainorous,   and  Pt^recs  with  the  ghara^rr  ihc  had  j'jft  b^ 

fore  given  him  of  Firmi/k  drunkard.    But  the  grcatell  Con6rma6a 

.of  this  cor^jcfture  is  the  allufion  thc^  lyordi,  in  queHfon.  barm 

%  mauer  then  publickly  iranfoding.  The  A/rrry  iiT/^v/ ^  Wi«ifar 

appe^r^  tcr  hive  been  wro:e  in  i&oi ,  or  ver^  lliortly  aiitr.    And 

we  are  informed  by  Sir  ^m^n  W  E^ifij    yourtta/^   that  oo  hooe 

a&ir  made  more  noi^e  in  and  out  of  partkmcat    at  tKac  tiae* 

ibaQ  the  lupprcOioEi  ^d  regulauon  of  avctns,  itiua,  aJe-hoiciB, 

ill  ong  li{]uiiri  and  the  drinkers  of  chem      in  the  Parliament  bcM 

1^97,    a   bi!l    was    brought   into  both  houles,    ^^  /^fp'^fi't 

iht  tiadtilude  9f  Malflfft^  SfC.      Another,  To  riftraim    tbt  tMtth 

Jitie   makinj^  of  Ma/t,    and  dijbrdtriy   irrtv;iitg  */  firing  teir. 

Another,   For   rrgufsthn  ^f  inns,    Tatftrns^   &c.       Jn    ri^e   nen  _ 

P^rliatnent,    held    i6ot,  was  a   bi'L    Fcr  ff^  fttppr effing  ef  ti 

muhitude  of  Aie-bmfci  and  ^ipifng-iroufet.      Anoiltrr^    ^p*i\ 

etect£t'Of  and  (ommon  drunAfanefi  i  atyd  fever:!!  orheiftof  the 

oatyic.   Some  of  which»  after  much  cJutvafitoga  weie  throira  oa^ 

tnd  QihcTft  p&flVd  im;:  A&g. 

Mra. 


72^  Merry  Wives  of  Windfbr. 

Mrs.  Ford.  Nay,  flJ  nc*er  bdicvc  that  j  I  have  to 
Ihcw  to  [he  contrary* 

Mrs.  Pag€.  *Faith,  but  you  do,  in  my  mind. 

Mrs.  Fori.  Weil,  1  do  then ;  yet  I  Jay,  I  could 
fticw  you  to  the  contrary  ;  Q  miftrcS  Pag€y  give  mc 
Home  ccunfel^ 

Mrs.  Page.  'What*s  the  matter,  woman  ? 

Mrs.  Furd.  O  woman !  if  it  were  not  for  one  trifling 
refped,  I  could  come  EO  fuch  honour* 

Mrs.  Page,  Hang  the  trifle,  woman,  take  the  ho* 
nour;  what  is  ic?  difpenfe  wirh  tritlles;  what  is  it? 

Mrs.  Ford*  If  I  would  but  go  to  hell  for  an  eternal 
moment,  or  fo,  I  could  be  knighted. 

Mrs,  Page,  '  What, thou  Heft!  ZiiAUceFm-dX  thcfc 
Knights  wiB  lack,  and  fo  thou  (houldft  not  alter  the 
arridc  of  thy  gentry. 

Mrs*  Ford,  We  bum  day-light;  here,  read,  readj 
pcKcive,  how  I  might  be  knighted;  1  fiiall  think  the 
'Worfc  of  fat  men,  as  long  as  I  have  an  eye  to  make  dif- 
ference of  men*s  liking ;  and  yet  he  would  not  fwear ; 
praised  women*s  modefty  \  and  gave  fuch  orderly  and 
•welJ-behav'd  reproof  to  all  uncomt.'linefs,  that  \  would 
have  f^<'o^n  his  difpofition  would  have  gone  to  the  truth 
of  his  words  \  but  they  do  no  nrx)re  adhere,  and  keep 
place  together,  than  the  hundredth  Pfalm  to  the  tune 
ofGrcm  Sieves.     What  tempeftj  I  trow,   threw  this 


27Z 


J  W'itf  ^  ihu  iieft  f  Sir  Alice  Ford  i  ihtfe  Kti^hts'wii!  hack, 
mni /9  ihev  fiisnUjl  n&t  ahtr  ths  artick  s/  thy  gtntrj^  The  imia* 
ttlligiblc  nonfcnfe  of  ttis  rp;cch  is  hardly  \o  be  matched.  Th« 
chaflge  &f  SI  ftDgle  letter  has  occalloned  \U  which  h  thbl  eafilf 

r^tnaveJ.     Read  and  poinc, ^tifi  tCrttghti  naiil  lack,  end 

Jk  thau  ^stUjI  Kot  tfiirr  ihr  aiticU  ef  thy  g^^Hry^  The  other  had 
fsu\i,  1  cntid  It  inighftd,  meaning,  /  ^auU  h^^t  a  Knight  fir 
my  /^Jtr  i  her  compmion  took  it  in  the  other  fcnfe,  of  conferring 

the  title*  and  fayi.  ff^hat,  thu  litfi  f  Sir  Alice  Ford  !  iheic 

ICnfglita  will  lack  a /ji/e,  [V.  r.  riffjac  the  pumlhment  of  degra» 
dation]  r^thir  thitn  net  makt  a  Kvhore  ef  th<e.\  For  we  axe  to 
obferve  ih.iE  — ^iiWy&  thou  ihvuUJi  not,  h  a  mode  of  fpeech* 
amongft  the  \vriteft  ot  (hat  amCy  cquiv&lcnC  lo- rafhtr  (ham 

Vol.  I.  T  whalc» 


X74  ^^  Merry  Wives  of  Wind  for. 

while,  with  fo  many  tun  of  oyl  in  his  belly,  a*fhort] 
Windfcr  ?  how  fhall  I  be  reveng'd  on  him  ? 
the  beft  way  were  to  entertain  him  with  hope, 
wicked  fire  of  luft  have  racked  him  in  his  own 
Did  you  ever  hear  the  like  ? 

Mrs.  Page,  Letter  for  letter,  but  that  the  naroed 
Page  and  Ford  differs.  To  thy  great  comfort  in  tb 
myftery  of  ill  opinions,  here's  the  twin  brother  ofthf 
letter ;  but  let  thine  inherit  firlt,  for,  I  proteft,  mine 
never  fliill.  I  warrant,  he  has  a  thoufand  of  thdc  In- 
ters, writ  with  blank-fpace  for  diiferent  names ;  nay. 
more ;  and  thefe  are  of  the  fecond  edition  :  he  mD 
print  them  out  of  doubt,  for  he  cares  not  what  he  puD 
into  the  preis,  when  he  would  put  us  two,  I  had  n- 
dier  be  a  giancefs,  and  lyc  under  mount  Pciion,  Wdl 
I  will  find  you  twenty  lafcivious  turtles,  ere  one  dttb 
man* 

Mrs,  Fori.  Why,  this  is  the  very  fame,  the  vay 
hand,  the  very  words  v  what  doth  he  think  of  us? 

Mrs,  Page.  Nay,  I  know  not ;  it  makes  me  alinoA 
ready  to  wrangle  witli  mine  own  honefty,  I*l|  tsms* 
Cain  myfelf  like  one  that  I  am  not  acquainced  witU  \ 
for,  fure,  unless  he  knew  fome  Str;un  in  me,  that  I 
know  not  myfclf,  he  would  never  have  boarded  roe 
in  this  fury. 

Mrs,  Ford,  Boarding,  call  ic  you  ? 
keep  him  above  deck. 

Mrs.  P<ig^-  So  will  I ;  if  he  come  under  nxy 
ril  never  to  fea  again.     Let's  be  revcngM  on 
let's  appoint  him  a  meeting,  give  him  a  Xhow  of  cocxh 
fort  in  his  fuit,  and  lead  him  on  with  a  fine  baited  d^ 
lay,  till  he  hath  pawn'd  his  horfcs  to  mine  Hoft  fl^ 
the  Garter 

Mrs,  Ford,  Nay,  I  will  confcnt  to  aft  any 
againft  him,  that  may  not  fully  the  cliarinels  of  our 
ncfty  ;  oh,  that  my  husband  faw  this  letter!   ic  y^foM 
g?vc  eternal  food  to  his  jcalouCe, 

Mrs, 


ru  be 


n  nsirv 


7%B  Merry  Wives  of  Windlbr.  275 

Mrs.  Page.  Wlif ,  look,  where  he  comes,  and  my 
good  man  too;  he's  as  far  from  jealoufie,  as  I  am  from 
giving  him  cauie  \  and  that,  I  liope,  is  an  unmeafure* 
able  diftance. 

Mrs.  Ferd.  You  are  the  hsqjpicf  woman. 

Mrs.  Page.  Let's  confult  together  ag^ft  this  grea-* 
lie  Knight.     Come  Uthdr.  [Ti^p  ntirt^ 

SCENE      III. 
Enter  Ford  imtb  Piftol,  Fagefor/^  Nym* 

Ford.  Well,  I  hope,  it  be  not  ib. 

Pift,  Hope  is  a  curtal-dogin  ibme  afiairs. 
Sir  John  affefe  thy  wife.    - 

Ford,  Why,  Sir,  my  \wfe  is  not  young- 

Pifi,  He  wooes  bora  high  and  low,  both  rich  and 
poor. 
Both  young  and  old,  one  with  another,  Fori\ 
He  loves  thy  gally-mawfry,  Fordy  perpend. 

Ford,  Love  my  wife  ? 

Pift.  With  liver  burning  hot :  prevent,  or  go  thou, 
Bke  Sir  A^eon^  he,  with  Ring-wood  at  thy  heels — O^ 
odious  is  the  name. 

Ford,  What  namc^  Sr  ? 

fifi.  The  horn,  I  Iky  :  farewel* 
Take  heed,  have  open  eye  ^  for  thieves  do  foot  hf 

night. 
Take  heed  ere  fummer  comes^  or  cuckoo^birds  a& 

fright. 
Away,  Sir  corporal  Nym. 
Believe  it,  Page^  he  ipcaks  ienle, 

lExitPiSid, 

Ford,  I  will  be  patient ;  I  will  find  out  this. 

Nym.  And  this  is  true :  I  like  not  the  humour 
of  lying;  he  hath  wronged  me  in  fome  humours: 
I  fliould  have  borne  the  humour'd  letter  to  her  >  but 

T  2  I  have 


276         Tie  Merry  JVives  of  Wind(br. 

^  I  have  a  fword,  and  it  Ihalltite  upon  my  neceflify. 
He  loves  your  wife ;  there's  the  more  and  the  long. 
My  name  is  Corporal  Nym  i  I  feeak,  and  I  avoudi ; 
'tis  true  :  my  name  is  Nym^  and  Falftaff  loves  your 
Wife.  Adieu  \  I  love  not  the  humour  of  bread  and 
cheefe  :  adieu.  [£xi/  Nym. 

Page.  The  humour  of  it,  quodi  a* !  here's  a  fellow, 
frights  humour  out  of  its  wits. 

Ford.  I  will  fcek  out  Falftaff. 

Page.  I  never  heard  liich  a  drawling,  affcdingrogiK. 

Ford.  If  I  do  find  it :  well. 

Page,  ^  I  will  not  believe  fuch  a  Cataian^  tho*  the 
prieft  o'  th'  town  commended  him  for  a  true  man. 

Ford.  'Twas  a  good  fenfiUe  fellow :  well. 

5  IhtwemfworJ,  and  it  Jball  hitt  upon  my  meejiij,  HtUcts 
purwifti  &c.]  This  abfurd  pailage  mdy  be  pointed  into  fenft. 
J  have  a  fivordt  and  it  fitall  hitt — ^uptn  my  necejffity^  bt  Uvtt 

y»ur  ivi/e,  &c.< Having  faid  his  Jnvord  Jbould  hiie^  he  %xn 

ihorr,  as  was  fitting :  For  he  meant  that  it  (hould  hite  mfen  At 
higb-*vcay.  And  then  turns  to  the  fubjcd  of  his  conference,  aad 
fwears,  iy  his  necejity^  that  Fa/Jaff' loved  his  wife. 

5  /  <ui7/  not  beli£*v€fuch  a  Citaiaa, ]  Mr.  Tteci^U  has  hoe 
a  pleaiant  note,  as  ufual.  7his  is  *  pitct  •ffatirt  tkmM  Hd  mi 
want  itsftret  at  tht  timt  tfthisfUefs  appearing  ;  /A»*  the  bifmf 
pn  which  it  is  grounded  is  Become  ohjkUte,  And  then  Celli  a  loK 
flory  Q^  Martin  FroBiJber  attemptbg  the  north-weft  pafiaee,  lad 
bringing  home  a  black  (lone,  as  he  thonght,  rich  in  rad-ore: 
that  it  proved  not  fo,  and  that  therefore  Cataians  and  Fr^kijhen 
became  by-words  for  vain  boafters.—  The  whole  ia  aa  idk 
dream.  All  the  my  ftery  of  the  term  Cataiam.  for  a  liar,  uodIt 
this.  China  was  anciently  called  Cataia  or  Cathay^  by  the  fiii 
adventurers  that  travelled  thither ;  fuch  as  Af.  PanU,  and  oor 
Mandevi/ie,  who  told  fuch  incredible  wonders  of  this  new  & 
covered  empire,  (in  which  they  have  not  been  outdone  eva  fay 
the  ye/uits  thtmitWcst  who  followed  thom)  that  a  notoriou 
liar  was  ufually  called  a  Cataian. 


S  CE  NB 


Tie  Merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 

SCENE        IV. 
Mrs.  Page  and  Mrs,  Ford  ccme  forwards. 

Page.  Howrow,  iV4y? 

Mrs.  Page.  Whitiier  go  you»  George?  hark  you* 

Mrs.  Fcrd.  How  now,  fwcet  Franks  why  art  thou 
melancholy  ? 

Ford,  I  melancholy!  I  am  not  mekiKrholy,  Get 
you  home,  go, 

Mrs.  Ford,  Faith,  diou  hafV  fome  crotdicts  in  thy 
head.     Now,  will  you  go,  miftrcfs  Page? 

Mrs.  Page.  Have  witii  you.  You'll  come  to  din- 
ner, George  f  Look,  who  comes  yonder  j  fhe  fliall  be 
our  meffenger  to  this  paultry  Knight, 

Enter  Mijirefs  Quickly, 
Mrs.  ford,  Ti^  nie,  I  thought  on  her,  ihe*!I  fit  it. 
Mrs.  i*^^f.  You  are  come  to  fee  my  daughter ^^w/ 
^kk.  Ay,  forfooth  \  and,  I  pray,  how  does  good 
miftrcfs  Anne? 

Mrs.  Page.  Go  in  with  us,  and  lee;  we  have  an 
hour's  talk  with  you. 

[£.v.  Mrs.  Page,  Mrs.  Ford,  and  Mrs.  Qukkly. 

SCENE         V. 

Page.  How  now,  maftcr  Ford? 

F^rd*  You  heard  what  tFiis  knave  told  me,  did  you 
not? 

Page.  Yes ;  and  you  heard  what  the  other  told  me  ? 

F^rd.  Do  you  think  there  is  truth  in  them  ? 

Pi^tf.  Hang  *em,  flaves  1 1  do  not  think,  the  Knight 
would  offer  it ;  but  thefe,  that  accufe  him  in  his  intent 
towards  our  wives,  are  a  yoak  of  his  difcardcd  men  \ 
very  rogues,  now  they  be  out  of  fervice. 

Ford.  Were  they  his  men  ? 

Pa^e.  Marry,  were  they. 
^  '  T3  Ford. 


277 


278  TSe  Mtrry  fTiva  tf  Windfilr. 

FerL  I  like  it  never  the  better  for  that.  Does  k 
lye  at  the  Garter? 

Page.  Ay,  marry,  does  he.  If  he  Ihould  intend  his 
voyage  towards  my  wife,  I  would  turn  her  loofc  to 
him  \  and  v/hat  he  gets  more  of  her  than  ihatp  iroris, 
let  ic  lye  on  my  head* 

FcrL  I  do  not  mifdoubt  my  wife,  but  I  would  be 
loth  to  turn  them  together ;  a  man  may  be  too  coo* 
fident ;  I  would  have  nothing  lye  on  my  head  ;  I  cm* 
not  be  thus  fatisfy*d. 

Page,  Look,  where  my  ranting  Hoft  of  the  Garter 
comes ;  there  is  either  liquor  in  his  pate,  or  mony  k 
his  purfe,  when  he  lodes  fb  merrily.  How  nov, 
mine  Hoft? 

SCENE        VI, 

Enter  Hoft  And  Shdlow. 

Uofi.  How  now,  bully  Rock?  thou'rt  a  gendemaD} 
cavalerio-juffice,  I  fay. 

Sbal  I  follow,  mine  Hoft,  I  follow.  Good  even, 
and  twenty,  good  matter  Page.  Mafter  P^r,  will 
you  go  with  us  ?  we  have  fport  in  hand. 

Hoji.  Tell  him,  cavalicro-juflice  i  tcU  him,  bully 
Rock, 

Sbal.  Sir,  there  is  a  fray  to  be  fought  between  Sr 
Hugh  the  JVelcb  prieft,  and  Cains  the  French  dodor. 

Ford*  Good  mine  Hoft  o'th*  Garter,  »  vrord  wli 
you. 

HoJi.  What  fay'ft  thou,  bully  Rock? 

Sbal.  Will  you  go  with  us  to  behold  it?  0Q7  meflV 
Hoft  hath  had  the  mcafuring  of  then-  weapons,  «nd,  I 
think,  he  hath  appointed  them  contrary  phcca^  fer, 
believe  me,  I  hear,  the  parfon  is  no  jeftcr.  Hark,  I 
vi!l  tell  you  what  our  fport  ftiall  be. 

lioji.  Haft  thou  no  fuit  agjunft  my  Kiugfa^  my 
gueft-cavalicr  ? 

Fori 


The  Merry  Wives  of  Windlbr. 

Ferd.  None,  \  proccft  j  but  IMf  give  you  a  porcle  of 
burnt  fack  to  give  me  rccourfe  to  him,  anJ  tell  him, 
y  name  is  Brook  j  only  ior  a  jcft. 
Hifi*  My  hand,  bully  :    thou  fhalt  have  cgrcfs  and 
rcgrcfs  i  faid  [  wel[  ?  and  rhy  name  (hall  hcBrcQL    It 
is  a  merry  Knighr.     *  Will  you  go  on^  Hcris  ? 
SbaL  Have  with  you,  mine  holt. 
Page,  I  have  heard^  the  Frmcbman  hath  good  skill 
in  hib  rapier. 

^^  Sbal,  **  Tut,  Sir,  I  could  have  told  you  more;  in 
Hp  ihcfc  times  you  ftandondiftance,  your  pafTcs,  ftoc- 
^B*  cado*s,  and  I  know  noc  what :  'tis  the  hcarr,  maftcr 
^V*  Page  \  'tis  herc^  *Us  here.  I  have  fcen  the  limCt  with 
^Bf  my  long  fword,  I  would  liavc  made  you  four  tall 
^^*  fellows  skip  like  rats. 

Hojl,  Here,  boys»  hcre>  here  :  lliall  we  wag  ? 
Page,  Have  widi  you  ;  I  had  rather  hear  chem  fcold 
than  fight.  [Exeuni  Hoft,  Shallow  and  Page. 

Fcrd,  Tho*  Page  be  a  lecure  fool,  and  '  ftand  fb 
firmly  on  hia  wife's  frailty,  yet  I  cannot  put  off  my 
opinion  to  eafily.  She  was  in  his  company  at  Fags*% 
houfe;  and  what  they  made  there,  I  know  nor.  Wd!, 
I  will  look  further  tnto't  \  and  I  have  a  diJgujfc  co 

6  Wiiljeugo  AN  HEiKs  ?]  Thb  hanfeafe  J5  fpokcn  toShaf/jw, 

We  ihoulJ  read, 

/.  t.  Wit]  you  go  on,  iVlutlcr.    Htrh,  an  qlJ  5-'f/f j5  ^oj J  fox  mAHcr. 

y  fian^  foJiTmly  etr  hh  •wi/e^i  ffailty,]    Thus  all  ihc  CopSci.   Bat 

Ir.  'T^eoi^Jj  ha&  mo  ^'om  tptian  how  i^wy  msti  could  li<ind  tinnier  on 

III  wire*»  frailEy.     AnA  wJiy  \  BcCAuie  lie  had  no  coHctpnon  how 

be  could  t^and  upon  id  uuh^ue  knowing  what  it  was.     But  if  I 

_tcl1  4  rtungcf,  that  the  bfidgciieii  abjut  lo  crofs   is  iott«,   anJ 

"^     bclievca  it  not,  but  wifl  gt*  c»ii,  ma/  J  not  fay,  wbeo  I  Tec  him 

on  II.  (h.LihcJbnds  iirmly  on  a   rotten    ptHitk?    Yet  he  hu 

changed /Tii/VOf  fat  fialtf^  and  the  Oxford  Etfr't^r  has   followed 

him.     But  thry  took  the  phrafe,  n  Jt^d firmlf  an^  CO  fignify   f« 

imfifi  tt^an  ;   whci^ea&  it  fignitici  ^  r//?  ufon,  M'hich  the    ctarAdif 

^/rcuft/h^it  ^ivcn  lo  him>  ihcws.     bo  that  chc  comtnoa  raid* 

iaas  ftn  dr^ncc  thtt  would  be  loH  io  iJu  tJKrKion. 

Vot.  i  T  4  found 


2/9 


j8o         75&«  Mirrj  Wives  ^W\n6Sor. 


{bund  Fai/laf: 


if  I  find  her  honcft,  1  lolc  noc  tuy 
be  otbenvi^  'th  labour  well  beftow'd. 


N 


vn. 


1 


Changes  io  the  Gaiter-Ixm* 
EjUer  Falftaff  aift/  Piftol* 
Will  not  lend  thee  a  penny. 


Pi^,  Why  then  the  world's  mme  ojrfiov 
.which  I  with  fword  wUI  open —  *  I  will  retort  tibe  iioi 
m  Equipage, 

J  Fal.  Noc  a  penny,  I  have  been  content.  Sir,  yoa 
flibuld  lay  my  councenatice  to  pwn  \  1  have  gtctd 
upon  my  good  fricDds  for  three  reprieves  for  you,  and 
your  couch- fellow,  iV/w  ;  or  clfc  you  bad 
through  the  grate,  like  a  geminy  of  baboons, 
daain'd  in  hell  for  fwcaring  cogentlemeti^  my 
you  were  good  fold  iers,  and  tall  fellows.  And 
millrefs  Bridget  loft  the  handle  of  her  fan,  1 
upon  mine  honour,  ihou  hadft  it  nor. 
^  Piji.  Did(^  thou  not  Iharc  I  hadft  thcni  not 
pence  f 

Fal.  Reafon,  you  rogue,  reafon  :  think'fl  thou.  111 
endanger  my  foul  gratis  ?  At  2.  word,  hang  00  moft 
about  me,  1  am  no  gibbec  lor  you :  go,  '  a  Iboit  knife 
and  a  throng,  to  your  manour  of  Picii-baicbi  go, 
you*ll  not  bear  a  letter  for  mc»  you  rogue  !  you  ftuid 
upon  your  honour!  why,  (hou  unconEinable  bafcnc&i 
it  is  as  much  as  I  can  do  to  keep  the  term  of  mine  bo- 
'nour  precifc.  I,  I,  I  myfelf  fomecimes,  leaving 
fear  of  heaven  on  the  lek  hand,  and  hiding  mine 

8  ivii'/irenrr  tbi /um  in  9fmpagt.'\  This  it  added  froa 
^d  Quarto  of  16191  ^^  meant,  i  will  pay  you  agUa  in 
goods. 

9  A  ^rt  Inif*  uni  a  ttsrwg,  ]  So  Ltttr^  Wktm  Cmtfmrfit 
fitt  it  tkrtngi, 

opnr 


The  Merry  Wives  of  Wind  for. 

nour  in  my  neccffity,  am  fein  to  (hufBc,  to  hedge  and 
to  lurch  i  and  yet  you  rogue  will  cnfconfe  your  rags, 
'^ur  cat-a-mountain  looks,  your  red-letticc  phrafcs, 
and  *  your  bold-bearing  oathtj  under  tlie  flicker  of 
your  honour  !  you  will  not  do  it,  you ! 

Pijl.  I  do  relent  j  what  wouldil  thou  more  of  man? 

Enter  Robin. 

R^^,  Sir,  here's  a  woman  would  Ipeak  with  you. 
Fd.  Let  her  approach. 

SCENE        VIII. 

Enter  Msfirefi  Quickly. 

^/r.  Give  your  worfhip  good  morrow* 

/tf/.  Good  morrow,  good  wife, 

^tfrV.  Not  fo,  and*t  pleafc  your  worfliip, 

Fah  Good  maid,  then, 

^wV.  I'll  be  fworn,  as  my  mother  was,  the  fiift 
hour  I  was  born. 

FaL  I  do  believe  the  fwearer :  what  widi  me  ? 

^/V,  Shall  I  vouchfafe  your  worihip  a  word  or  two  ? 

FaL  Two  thoufand}  fair  woman,  and  Til  vouchiafc 
thee  the  hearing. 

^mc.  There  is  one  miflrefsiVi,  Sir:  I  pray*  come 
a  ttdc  nearer  this  waysi  I  myfelf  dwell  with  Mr, 
Dodor  Caius. 

FaL  Well,  on:  miftrefs  Fm-d^  you  fay— — 

^uic.  Your  worflup  fays  very  true :  I  pray  your 
woruiip,  come  a  little  nearer  thh  ways. 

Fd.  I  warrant  thee,  no  body  hears :  mine  own  peo- 
ple, mine  own  people, 

^/r.  Are  they  fo?  hcav'n  blefs  them,  and  make 
ihcm  his  &rvanrs ! 

Fat,  Well:  miftrcfe  Fi^ri, — what  of  her? 

xywrUliztKTx^xtimihvl  Wc  ihould  read  W/beakiko 


282  TIh  Merry  Wives  of  Wind  for. 

^k.  why.  Sir,  fhe*s  a  good  creature.  Lord, 
your  worfliip's  z  wanton ;  well,  hcav'n  foi^vt 

and  al!  of  US,  I  pray 

/W.  Miftrcis  fW, come,  miftrcfs  Ftfr</^— 

^w.  Marry,  this  is  the  ihcMt  and  the  long  of 


you  have  brought  her  into  ilich  a  canaries,  as  *tig 
derful :  the  bcft  courtier  of  them  all,  wheti  the  court 
lay  at  IVnidjoTy  couH  never  have  brought  her  to  fuA 
a  <»C»ry.  Yet  there  iias  been  knights,  and  lords,  and 
gentlemen^  vnth  chdr  coadics ;  I  warmnt  you,  coadi 
after  coach,  leiter  after  letter^  gift  after  gift,  Ciiclfeg 
fo  fwcccly  J  alt  musk  \  and  fo  rufsling,  I  warrant  ynu, 
in  filk  and  gold,  and  in  facli  alligant  terms,  and  i 
wine  and  fug^ir  of  thebcftv  and  \\vt  fairtft,  tJiat  xsnuu 
have  won  any  woman's  heart ;  and,  I  warrant  you, 
they  could  never  gir  an  eye-wink  of  her.  I  had  my- 
Jelf  twenty  ^gels  ^ven  mc  this  mornmg ;  but  I  ddic 
all  angels,  in  any  fucli  fort  ^^  tlicy  fay,  but  in  the 
of  honeftyi  and  I  warrant  you,  they  could  never 
her  fo  much  as  Hp  on  a  cup  with  the  proudcft  of  ih^ 
all ;  and  yet  there  has  been  earls,  nay,  which  is 
penfioners  \  but,  I  warrant  you,  all  is  one  with  her. 

FaL  But  what  fays  fljc  to  mc  ?  be  brief,  my 
She  Mercury. 

^ic.  Marry,  fhc  hath  teceivM  your kttcr,  (or 
whici  ibe  thanki  you  a  thoufand  times  %  and  ihe 
you  to  notifie,  that  her  husband  will  be  abfencc 
his  houfe  between  ten  and  ckyien. 

FtiL  Ten  and  eleven. 

%/f ,  Ay,  forfooth  \  and  then  you  may  come 
lee  the  prftute,  ihe  fays,  that  you  wot  of:  mafler 
her  husband,  will  be  from  home*     Alas!   the 
woman  leads  an  ill  life  with  Mm,  h<*s  a  very  jc; 
man ;  fhe  leads  a  very  frampold  life  with  hiin, 
heart. 

FaL  Ten  and  eleven  :  woman,  commend  mc  to  ha, 
I  will  not  f^l  her. 


7%e  Merry  IVives  of  Windfor. 

^V,  Why,  you  fay  well :  But  I  have  another  mcf- 
fengtr  to  your  worlhip  $  mi(lrcls  Page  has  her  hearty 
coiomendatiofis  to  you  too  \  and  let  mc  tell  you  in 
your  car,  (he's  as  fartuous  a  dvil  modcft  wife^  and  one 
(1  teU  you)  that  will  not  mifs  you  morning  nor  evco* 
log  prayer,  as  any  is  in  Winijsr^  whoe'er  be  the  other; 
and  ihe  bad  mc  tell  your  worftiipj  tliat  her  husband  \% 
fcldom  from  home,  but,  Jhe  hopes,  there  will  come  a 
(ime.  I  never  knew  a  woman  lb  doat  upon  a  mabi 
furely,  1  think  you  have  charms,  la  %  yes,  in  truth. 

FaL  Not  I,  I  aJTure  thee  ;  fetting  the  attraflion  of 
iny  good  parts  afide,  I  have  no  otiicr  charms. 

^ic.  BleOlng  on  your  heart  fbr't! 

FaL  But  I  praythcc,  cell  me  this  j  has /VriTs  wife, 
and  PiJjtf's  wile,  acquainted  each  other  how  they  love 
mc  ? 

^/V.  That  were  ajetl,  indeed;  tliey  have  not  lb 
little  grace,  I  hope  \  that  were  a  rrick,  indeed  !  bui 
miibeis  Fagt  would  defire  you  to  fend  her  your  htdc 
page,  of  all  loves :  her  husband  has  a  marvellous  in* 
fedhon  to  the  little  page ;  and,  truly,  xnafter  P^e  is 
an  honeft  man.  Never  a  wife  in  fViftdfar  leads  a  better 
life,  than  Ihe  does;  do  what  (he  will,  lay  what  fhe  will, 
take  all,  pay  all,  go  to  bed  when  fhe  lift,  rife  when  fhe 
lift,  all  is  as  fhe  will;  and,  truly,  Ihe  deferves  it ;  tor 
if  there  be  a  kind  woman  in  IVindfify  truly,  fhe  is  one. 
Yon  muft  fend  her  your  pagej  no  remedy, 

Fal  Why,  I  will. 

^uk.  Nay,  but  do  fo  then  \  and  look  you,  he  may 
come  and  go  between  you  both,  and  in  any  caic  have 
a  nay-word,  that  you  may  know  one  another's  mind : 
and  the  boy  never  need  to  underftand  any  thing  5  for 
'tis  not  good,  that  children  fhould  know  any  vndced* 
fiefs  :  old  folks,  you  know,  have  difcretion,  as  they  &y^ 
^d  know  the  world. 

Fid*  Fare  thee  well ;  commend  mc  to  them  both  : 

there's 


77j(r  Merry  Wives  of  Wind  for. 

there's  my  purfr,  I  am  yet  thy  debtor.  Boy,  go  along, 
with  this  woman.    This  news  diftraids  mc ! 

[£x«wr/  Quickly  and  Roto, 

Pffi.  *  This  pink  is  one  of  Cupids  carriers  : 
Clap  on  more  faiJs ;  purfue  5  up  with  your  fights; 
Give  fire  j  fhe  is  iny  prize,  or  ocean  whelm  them  all! 

[Exit  Piftol. 

Fa!,  Say'ft  thou  fo,  old  Jack?  go  thy  ways-,  TB 
make  more  of  thy  old  body,  than  1  have  done  ;  wiB 
they  yet  look  after  thee  ?  Wilt  thou,  after  the  expcna 
of  fo  much  mony,  be  now  a  gainer?  good  body,  1 
thank  theej  let  them  fay,  'tis  grofsly  done  \  lb  ic  be 
fairly  done,  no  matter. 


%  *nfii  runic  j'j  one  e/ Cupid*s  carriers^ 

Clap  en  mort  failn  par/uri  up  witli  your  lights, 
Gt*vs  fire.}  fif  it  wty  /r/zr]    f*j>  /««^  u  9iu^  cf  CufU 
tsrrUrt^  is  a  plaufiblc  readings  yc\  abford  on  CxaniinntJoB, 
aiC  not  all  punks  Cu|>i<i*&  iurrhrs?  Sh^iffftAr  Certainly 

^hit  PIW*  is  tnt  ^Cupiil^j  rarritrs^ 
ftnd  then  Uie  fcnfi:  I3  proper,  and  thr  meuphor,  which  i|  aU  die 
way  taken  from  the  maiinCi  tmlrt.  A  Pink  is  a  vrfTeJ  of  tkt 
fmnK  craft,  employed  as  a  carrier  (ind  fo  called)  for  mcrchtt^^ 
FUtchet  ufc3  the  word,  in  his  Tamtr  ^ameit. 

This  PINK,  t^is  paintfd Joijl,  ihn  t&cklt'h^mi^ 
^fl  hatjg  htr  fighis  ca^,  und  4ffy  jwr,  Tritnd^t  ^ 
A  'Wfifknuivn  mart  of 'war  ^— 
As  to  the  woTd/g$tj^  both  in  the  text  and  in  thequotstSbi^ 
then,   and,  fdr  ought  I  knoxtr,  may  be  now,  acomracm  tea*! 
Sir  Rifhard  Btvwkins  in  his  voyages,  p,  66*  iays,  ■     -Far  oM:t 
tlturtd  htr  dg^k,  and hsdtat  hurt  ahU  io  ha^vt  fpArti  ^mta  data 
mifi,  doubt h/s  ^iijt ^od  dont^ji^itb  hfr*u.'b^t'we 'Uiokldy  for  ft c  Kid 
noclofc  victm^  i.  r.  if  /  nndtrftaitd  it  ri^ht,  mo  Jmmil a 
So  that  ^y  fights  is  jcncani  any  manner  of  de^fe,  cither  £auU 
or  cantkon.    So  Drydcn,  in  his  tiage^dy  of  JmiffyMa^     ' 
U^  'With  jour  F  1  c H T 5 , 
^Jfd  your  nettings  frtpsrt^  ScC, 
But*  not  ctsmfiticrtng  thLs  lied  the  Oxford  Edit9rintt%  a,  CM  f 
jefluxc,  wKich  he  has  done  roe  the  hoiiGur  of  piutiog  mto/f/iiifxi 
Wbidi  13  indeed  a  proper  place  for  it, 

V^  %utt^  roMD'  rRjOAT, 

SC  E  N 


The  Merry  Wives  of  Windlbr:         285 

S      C      E      N      E       IX. 

Enter  Bardolph. 

BarL  'Sir  Jobrty  there's  one  mafter  '  Brook  belo^ 
would  fain  fpeak  witli  you,  and  be  acquainted  with 
you  \  and  hath  fent  your  worihip  a  morning's  draught 
of  fack. 

FaL  Brook^  is  his  name  ? 

Bard»  Ay,  Sir. 

FaL  Call  him  in ;  [Exit  Bardolph.]  fuch  Brdiks  are 
welcome  to  me,  that  overflow  with  fuch  liquor.  Ah ! 
ah !  miftrefs  Ford  and  miftrefiP/^jy,  have  I  encompafs'd 
you?  go  to,  via! 

Re-enter  Bardolph,   with  Ford  difpn^d. 

Ford,  Blefs  you.  Sir, 

FaL  And  you.  Sir;  would  you  fpeak  with  me? 

Ford.  I  make  bold  to  preis  with  fo  little  preparation 
upon  you. 

FaL  You're  welcome ;  what's  your  will?  ^ve  us 
kave,  drawer.  [Exit  Bardolph. 

Ford,  Sir,  I  am  a  gentleman  that  have  ipent  much  } 
my  name  is  Brook. 

FaL  Good  mafter  jSr^^^,  I  defire  more  acquaintance 
of  you. 

Ford.  Good  Sir  Jobn^  I  fue  for  yours ;  not  to  charge 
you ;  for  I  muft  let  you  underftand,  I  think  myfelf  in 
better  plight  for  a  lender  than  you  are,  the  which  hath 
ibmething  emboldened  me  to  oiis  unieaibn'd  intrulion^ 
for  they  fay,  if  mony  go  before,  all  ways  do  Jye  open. 

Fal.  Mony  is  a  good  foldier.  Sir,  and  will  on. 

Ford.  Troth,  and  I  have  a  bag  of  mony  here  trou- 

3  Edition  of  1619,  in  all  the  Tucceeding  editions  this  name  ot 
Bro§k  (I  can't  tell  why]  is  alter'd  to  Br^em :  whereas  it  is  maoifeft 
from  this  conceit  apon  the  Mine  that  it  ihould  be  Br^tk. 

Mr.  Popf- 

bles 


^86  7Z^  Merry  H^ivts  c/ Windfer. 

blcs  mc;  if  you  will  help  me  to  bear  it»  Sir  Jebny  takr 
all,  or  half,  for  cafing  mc  of  the  carriage, 

Fd.  Sir»  I  know  not  how  1  may  dcfervc  to  be  yar 


pore 


cr. 


Fbrd.  I  will  tell  you,  Sir,  if  you  will  ^ve  mc 
hearing. 

FaL  Spcuk*  good  maftcr  Brook^  I  fliall  be  glad 
be  your  ienrant, 

Ford*  Sir,  I  hear,  you  are  a  fcholari  (I  will  be  brief 
with  you)  and  you  have  been  a  man  Jong  known  w 
mc,  tno'  I  had  never  lb  good  means,  as  dcfire,  to  make 
myfelf  acquainted  with  you :  I  fhall  diicover  a  thii^to 
you,  wherein  I  muft  very  much  Jay  open  mine  o^ 
imperfc^^^ions ;  but,  good  Sir  John^  as  you  haTe  ok 
eye  upon  my  follies,  as  you  hear  them  unfolded,  aim 
another  into  the  regiftcr  of  your  own,  that  I  may  pab 
with  a  reproof  the  eafier ;  fith  you  yourTclf  know,  m 
cafie  it  is  to  be  fudi  an  offender. 

Fal,  Very  well:  Sir,  proceed, 

Ferd.  There  is  a  gendewoman  in  this  CO«n>  \0 
husband's  name  is  Ferd. 

Fat.  Well,  Sir. 

Ford,  I  have  lor^  lov'd  her  i  and,  I  proceft  to  yoOii 
bcftoVd  much  on  her;  foBowM  her  with  a  doflJM 
obTcrvanoev  ing^fs'd  oppofttinirica  to  meet  her;  fi»*d 
every  flight  occafion,  that  could  but  niggaxdly  ^ve 
me  fight  of  her  y  not  only  bou^t  many  prefioo  tx> 
give  her,  but  have  given  Ivgely  to  mmy,  lo  Impa 
what  (he  would  have  given :  briefly,  I  have  ptvfNi 
her,  i^  tove  hath  pttrfti'd  me,  which  hath  bocn  on  ifct 
wi^oi^allocca&ons.  But  whatfocvcr  I  have  niukd^ 
dtherki  my  miDdiOrinmy  means;  mecd,lamftie» 
I  have  received  none ;  unkfi  expetknce  be  a  icwd; 
That  I  have  purchasM  at  an  infimcc  rate,  aau  Thtf 
hatfatau^  me  to  iay  this; 


4( 


t« 


PMr/Uif  tim$  ibMtfiet^  mdjlfagwbMfmJm. 


!7&  Merry  Wives  a/' Wind  for. 


FnL  Have  you  recciv'd  no  promifir  of  latiflfa^oa 

at  her  hards  ? 

fiffi.  Never. 

Fal.  Have  you  importun'd  her  to  fuch  a  purpose? 

Ford.  Never. 

fd,  Oi  what  quality  was  your  love  then? 

/bri.  Like  a  fair  houJc,  built  on  another  man^i 
^und  \  fo  that  I  have  loft  my  edifice,  by  miftaking 
the  place  where  I  ereclcd  ir. 

Fal.  To  wliat  purpofc  have  you  unfolded  dm  to 
me  ? 

F(frd.  When  I  have  toki  you  that,  I  have  tolJ  you 
all,  iiQme  iay,  that  tho*  Ihc  appear  honeft  to  me,  yet 
in  other  places  ihe  enlargcth  her  mirth  fo  fur,  that  there 
is  flirewd  conftruilion  made  of  hen  Now,  Sir  John^ 
here  is  the  heart  of  my  purpofe ;  You  arc  a  gentleman 
of  excellent  breeding,  admirable  difcourfc,  of  great  ad- 
mittance, authentick  in  your  place  and  perfon,  gene- 
rally allow'd  for  your  many  war-like,  court-like,  and 
learned  preparations* 

FaL  O  Sir ! 

Fcrd.  Bdieve  ir^  for  you  know  it ;  there  is  mony, 
^>cnd  it,  fpend  it  i  foend  more,  fpend  all  I  have,  only 
give  me  fo  much  of  your  time  in  exchange  of  it,  as  to 

San  amiable  fiege  to  the  honcfty  of  diis  Ford'^  wife  j 
your  art  of  wooing^  win  her  to  confent  to  you;  if 
any  man  may,  you  may  as  foon  as  any* 

FiiL  Would  it  apply  well  co  the  vehemence  of  your 
tffe<%on,  that  I  fhould  win  what  you  would  enjoy  ? 
methinks,  you  prcfcribc  to  yourfcif  very  prepoftc- 
fX>uny, 

Ford.  O,  undcrdand  my  drift ;  fhc  dweUs  fo  fccurely 
On  the  excellency  of  lier  honour,  that  the  folly  of  my 
foul  dares  not  prefcnt  itfeit ;  Ihc  is  too  bright  to  be 
look'd  againft.  Now,  could  1  come  to  her  with  any 
detedhon  in  my  hand,  my  defircs  had  inlbnoe  and  ar- 
gument to  commend  themlclves  ^  1  could  dnve  her 

thca 


288  lie  Merry  IPlvii  of  Windfor. 

then  fipoin  the  ward  of  her  purky,  hrr  rrputatioo,  ht 
marriage-vow,   and  a  thodand  oihcr  her  defaxoi 

which  now  arc  coo  tcx>  ftron^y  embattel'd  agamft  ox: 

What  %  you  to't.  Sir  Jcbnf 

Fal.  Mafter  Brssk^  I  will  iirft  make  boW  with  yoar 

I  mony;  next,  ^vc  me  your  hand*  and  laft*  as  I  ami 

I  genclcnian,  you  (hall,  if  you  will,  e/ijoy  F<ifrd*s  wife. 
^^        Fard.  O  good  Sir ! 
^H        Fal.  Mafter  Brcok^  I  fay,  you  flulL 
^^        Ford.  Want  no  mony.  Sir  J&hj$^  you  (hall  mtf 

ft  none. 

I  F(j/.  Want  no  miftrcfe  Ford,  mafter  Brcok^  you  iUI 

I  wane  none  i  I  Ihall  be  with  her^  I  may  tell  you,  by  bff 

H  own  appointment.     Even  as  you  came  in  to  me,  bc( 

I  aififtanc,  or  go-between,  parted  from  me ;  I  &y,  I  ikall 

I  be  with  her  between  ten  and  eleven ;  for  at  that  rime 

■  the  jealous  rafcally  knave,  her  husband,  will  be  forth; 
I  come  you  to  me  at  night,  you  ftuU  know  bow  I 
B  Ipeed. 

■  Fprd,  I  am  blcft  in  your  acqu^tsmcc :  do  you  know 
I  Ford^  Sir? 

I  FaL  Hang  bim>  poor  cuckoldly  knave,  I  know  him 

I  not :  yet  I  wrong  him*  to  call  him  poori   they  fi^, 

W  the  jealous  wittolly  knave  hach  mafles  of  mony,  wr 

L  the  which  his  wife  fccms  to  be  wcll-fa\^ur*d.     I  iriB 

I  ufe  her  as  the  key  of  the  cuckoldly*rogvie's  coScr; 

■  and  there's  my  harveft-home. 
P  Ford.  I  would  you  knew  fori,  Sir,  that  you  m'^ 
r  avoid  him,  if  you  law  him. 

I  Fd.  Hang  him,  mechanical  fak-butter  rogue,  I 

I  will  ftarc  him  out  of  his  wits*,  I  will  awe  him  with 

I  cudgel ;  it  ftali  hang  like  a  meteor  o*cr  the  Cuckot 

\  boms.    Mafter  Brooke  thou  fhalt  know,  I  will  prcd' 

I  minate  over  the  peafant ;  and  thou  flialt  lye  with 

I  wife :  Come  to  me  foon  at  night ;  iwi's  a  knave,  and 

■  -I  will  aggravate  his  ftile:  thou,  matter  Brw*,  fliik 

■  know  him  for  knave  and  cuckold :  come  to  mc  foott^ 

■  at  lught.  C-^^fl 
^.                                                              S  C  £  N  n 


I 


The  Merry  JViv^s  of  Wind  lor. 


N 


X. 


Fufi-  What  a  damn*d  Epicurean  raical  is  this!  my 
heart  is  ready  lo  crack  with  imparicncc.     Who  fays, 
this  is  improvident  jcaloufic?  my  wife  hath  lent  to 
him,  the  hour  is  fixt,  the  match  is  made;  would  any 
man  have  thought  this?  fee  the  hell  of  having  a  falie 
woman  \  my  bed  Ihail  be  abus*d,  my  coffers  ranfack'd, 
fny  reputation  gnawn  at ;  and  I  fliall  not  only  receive 
this  vjllainous  wrong,  but  Hand  under  the  adoption  of 
abominable  terms,  and  by  him  that  does  me  the  wrong. 
Terms,  names  ■,  Jmaimm  founds  well  j  Lucifer^  well  j 
Barbajon^   well ;    yet   they  arc  devils*  additions^   the 
names  of  fiends :  fauc  cuckold,  wittol,  cuckold !  the 
devil  himfetf  hath  not  fuch  a  name.     P^ge  is  anals,  a 
fecure  af9,  he  will  truft  his  wife  ;  he  wilJ  not  be  jealous : 
I  will  rather  truft  a  Fleming  with  my  butter,   paribn 
Hugh  the  Wekhnum  with  my  chede,  an  Irijhman  with 
jniy  Apuvsta  bottle,  or  a  thief  to  walk  my  ambling 
gelding,  than  my  wife  with  herfelf:  then  Ihe  plots, 
then  i)ic  ruminates,  then  flie  devifes:  and  what  thcv 
think  in  their  hearts  they  may  effect,  they  will  break 
their  hearts  but  they  will  effect.     Hcav'n  be  prajs*^^ 
for  my  jealoufie !  Eleven  o'clock  the  hour;  I  will  pre- 
vent tnils  deted  my  wife,  be  rcveng'd  on  Falfiaffy  aa4 
laugh  at  Page:  ]  will  about  it :  better  three  hours  top 
foon,  than  a  minute  too  late.     Fie,  fie,  fi^^  cudcold, 
cuckold,  cuckold  J  {Ejnu 

SCENE        XI, 

OjangfS  to  Wind  for  Park* 
Entir  Caius#«ri/  Rugby, 
Cam.  \ACK  Rugby  I 
I      Rug.  Sir. 

*       Cuius,  Vat  is  de  clock,  'Jatkf 
Vol.  I,  U  Ri^x 


290  7^^  Merry  IVives  ^Windfor 

jRug,  'Tis  paft  t}ic  hour.  Sir,  chat  Sir  Hugh  proam'ij 

to  meet, 

Cmus.  By  ^i*,  he  has  lave  hb  foul,  dat  be  h  do 
come  \  be  has  pray  his  pibic  well,  dat  he  is  no  come. 
by  gar,  J^ck  Rugby ^  he  is  dead  already,  if  he  be  come 

Rug,  He  is  wife,  Sir  \  he  knew,  your  worihip  wcwli 
kJl  him,  it*  he  came. 

Oiitu.  By  gar»  de  herring  is  not  ^  &>  dead  as  is 
vill  make  him<  Take  your  rapier.  Jack  }  I  loO  cd 
you  how  I  wiU  kill  him. 

Rug,  Alas,  Sir,  I  cannot  faice* 

Quus.  Villany,  take  your  rapier. 

Rug.  Forbear ;  here's  company. 

Enier  Hoft,  Shallow^  Slender  mid  Page. 

Heft,  *Bkls  thee,  bully  Doftor. 

ShaL  'Save  you^  Mr.  Doctor  Cuius., 

Page,  Now,  good  Mr,  Doftor. 

Skn,  Give  you  good  morrow,  Sir, 

Caius,  Vat  be  all  you,  one,  cwo,  tree,  four, 
for? 

Hoft,  To  fee  thee  fight,  to  fee  thee  foignc,  to  fa 
thee  traveifr^  to  fee  thee  here,  to  fee  thee  there,  to  fa 
ihec  pais  thy  pundoj  thy  ftock*  thy  reverie,  ihy  dif 
tanccj  thy  montant.  Is  he  dead,  my  Ethiopua?  h 
he  dead,  my  Franfoyes?  ha,  buUy  ?  what  lay$  iny 
JEfculapius?  my  Galen?  my  hearc  of  eklcr?  ha?  it 
he  dead,  bdly-uale?  is  he  dead  ? 

Caius,  By  gar,  he  is  de  coward  Jnck-Prieft  of  dt 
vcrld ;  he  is  not  Ihow  his  face, 

H(^ft.  Thou  art  a  Ceftalim-king-Urin^tl :  Hc&9r  of 
Greccf^  my  boy. 

Cains,  I  pray  you  bear  wimcft,  that  me  have 
fixorieven,  two,  tree  hours  for  him,  and  he 
come. 

Sbal,  He  iS  the  wilcr  man,  Mr.Do(5lor;  he  b  a 

4  <^%rto  Ediuon^  iCi9.  Mr.  Pt^, 


7%B  Merry  Wives  ^Windfon  291 

of  fouls,  and  you  a  curcr  of  bodies:  if  you  IhouJd 
fight,  you  go  againfl  the  hair  of  your  profeflions  r  1% 
k  not  true,  mafter  Page? 

Pagf,  Mafter  ShaUow^  you  have  yourfelf  been  a 
great  fighter,  tho'  now  a  maji  of  peace, 

Sbal,  Body-kins,  Mr.  Page^  dio'  1  now  be  old,  and 
of  peace,  if  I  fee  a  fword  our,  my  finger  itches  to  nuke 
one;  tho*  we  arejuPjces^  and  doctors,  and  cliurch- 
Cicn,  Mr.  PagCy  we  have  ibmc  fait  of  our  youth  in  usi 
we  arc  the  ions  of  women,  Mr,  Pagi, 

Page.  'Tis  true,  Mr.  Sball<m. 

SbaL  It  will  be  found  lb,  Mr.  Page,  Mr.  Doftor 
Caius^  I  am  come  to  fetch  you  home  \  I  am  fwom  of 
the  peace ;  you  have  fhew'd  yourielf  a  wife  phyfician, 
and  Sir  Hugh  hath  Ihown  Jiimfclf  a  wife  and  patient 
churcli-nian;  you  muft  go  with  me,  Mr.  Doftor. 

Hoft,  Pardon,  gueft-jufticc  i  a  word,  Monfieur 
mock-water, 

Caius,  Mock-vater?  vatisdat? 

Hoft.  Mock-water,  in  our  Englijh  tongue^  15  valour^ 
bull}% 

Caius,  By  gar,  then  I  have  as  much  mock-vater  ai 
dc  Engltjhfmn^  fcurvy-jack-dog-prieft  i  by  gar,  me 
y^  cue  his  ears. 

Hofi,  He  will  clapper-claw  thee  tightly,  bully. 

Caius.  Clapper-de-claw  ?  var  is  dat  ? 

Hofi,  That  IS,  he  will  make  thee  amends. 

Cmits,  By  gar,  me  dobok,  he  £hall  dapper-do*d4W 
mc;  for  by  gar,  me  vili  have  it, 

Hofi.  And  I  will  provoke  him  to*t,  or  let  him  wag. 

Cmus.  Me  tank  you  for  dat. 

Hofi,  And  moreover,  bully  :  but  firft,  Mr.  Gucft, 
and  Mr.  Pag€^  and  eek  Cavalitr^  Skndtr^  go  you 
through  the  town  to  Frcgmore, 

Page.  Sir  Hugh  is  there,  is  he  ? 

HejL  He  is  there;  fee,  what  humour  he  is  jn*,  and 
I  will  bring  the  Do*5kor  about  the  fields:  will  it  do 
well? 

U  z  SiaJn 


292  7J>e  Merry  JVives  ^Windfbr. 

Sbal.  Wc  will  do  it. 

Jll,  Adku,  guod  Mr.  DoScflr, 

lExeufti  Page,  Shallow  artdSlaA!. 

Caius,  By  gar,  mc  vill  kill  dc  prieft;  for  he  fpeal 
for  a  jack-an^apc  to  Anftf  Page. 

Hoji.  Let  hini  die  5  but,  firft,  fheath  tliy  impadenttj 
threw  cold  water  on  rhy  choleri  go  about  mc  fiekk 
with  me  through  Frcgmffn ;  *  I  will  tmng  thee  wfa 
mftrcfi  /ime  Page  is,  at  a  ferm-houfc  a  fcafting  \  wi 
thou  fhalt  woo  her.   Cry  aim,  faid  I  well  ? 

5  /  tcrV/  Sriitg  tbi€  ^vhrrt  Anne  Page  iV,  mt  m  jArm- 

ff&jiirff  i  ani  t'mu  fa^ff  itetf  htr^   CItrV  fi  A  M  C  |  /Aid  Iwi 

Mr.  73"i^/-^alterj  thisnonfenfc  w  ^/^Vgtfftfi-f   rK^t  ii,  lo 

reafe  ol'x  worfc  complcxton.    ShaAe/petir  frroce  aod  p«»^*^ 

c  R.  V    A  J  M,  ^Ari/  /  'weii?  i.  e.  conTent  10  ic«   ftpproTC  of  it> 

Have  Doi  I  made  a  good  propofal  ?  for  i>  ri7  aim  figni^  10  cw* 

fcnt  to,  or  approve  of  any  thmg.     So  ag»in  in  ihi»  pUjr,  /.  5ce» 

Aitdi9  tht/t  ifhUmt pr4(te4i»j>t aU my  mtighUi^j ^fil>mH  ciT  aiv, 

i.  r.  approve  them.     And  again  in  King  J&hn^  Ad  a*   ScClfi  J« 

//  Hi  bif^ftft  thtj  prefiiti€  ta  CI.T   At  ic 

To  thtft  iU*tuited  npHittontf 

4,  e.  to  approve  of,  or  encoaragc  rhem.     The  phrxle 

oriatnally,  from  archery.     When  any  one  had  challenged 

^o  m<x)C  at  the  butis  (the  pcrpecual  d'lvtt^on,  as  w«U  as  cxcrctic, 

of  chat  time)   the  iUndcu  by   ufed  to  fay  oti«  to  tlie  ocbcr, 

"«/!«,  i.  c.  accept  ihe  challenge.     Thus  Staumcnr  and  fktcitf 

(he  Fair  mnid  af  the  inn,  A£k  5,  make  the  i?Hj|f  (ay, 

— ^— ^  ft*^  /  cfy  AIMS 

Tp  /A/j  mnhmrJ  of  infikntt  - 

I  r.  encourage  it,  and. igrcc  CO  the  rcquell  cf  the  duel,  which 

of  his  fubjcfls  had  infolcntly  demanded  againil  the  other. 

We  it  II  retnarkablcp  that  ihe  fcnkTcfs  tSkors  not  kskoivisg  m)A. 

to  make  of  the  phrafe  Cty  aim^  rend  it  thus, 

mufi   I  cry   AI-UE;   At   if  U   wa3   afiOtecf 


bwrjeftior.     So  again  ma^nger  in  his  GuardiiXM, 

J  ivi7/  CRY    MM*   arrd  in  anofhtr  revm 
f      '  Ottttmitte  ttf  my  ^ipigtanu         <    -   ■ 

IJ^nd  again,  in  his  Retifgadt, 


to  play  iht  Pawior 


To  t^e  Fi(froyj  i^ojt  tmhracet*  ir»/  CUT  A  f  M» 

}Fhfh  he  by  forte  er  fnifiry 


H 


feut  the  Oxfard  EMtar  rran&fnrms  it  to  C^ck  &*  /A*  C^m^  ;  and  Jiii 
improvements  of  SMe/pettr^i  language  abound  M^ith  iJtefe  BodcA 
tiegancicsof  fpeccb,  fuch  3»  Mjnhfrt,  BmJ/  Mfimgs,  Sic, 

^':  Caha, 


7%i  Merry  IFives  of  Windfor.         293 

Caius.  By  gar,  me  tank  you  vor  ^ :  |>y  g^r,  I 
love  you  ;  and  I  Ihall  procure  '4  you  degpod  gudt ; 
de  Earl,  de  Knight,  de  Lordf,  de  Genclenien,  my 
patients. 

Hoji,  For  the  which  I  toB  be  thy  advq-iary  towar4. 
.^^me  Page :  iaid  I  well  ? 

Cam.  By  gar,  'tis  good  j  vdl  6id. 

Hoft.  Let  us  wag  then. 

Caius.  Come  at  my  heels.  Jack  Rugly, 

{Exeunt, 


ACT    III.      SCENE    I. 

Frogmorc,  near  Wiadfor. 
Eftier  Evans  and  Slmpk. 

£  ▼  A  ir  t. 

I  Pray  you  now,  good  mafter  SknJer*s  fiavingman, 
and  friend  Simpk  by  your  name,  which  wav  have 
you  look'd  for  aurar  C^ritf ,  tib^tf  calls  Wfelf 
Do^or  of  Phsftckf 

Sin^.  Marry,  fflr,  the  Pitty-warfj  die  Park-ward^ 
vrtPf  way,  old  JVin^or  W3y,  and  every  way  but  the 
town  way. 

Eva,  I  moft  fehcmeatly  defice  you»  you   ^Hdll  alfo 
look  that  way. 
Simp.  I  will.  Sir. 

Eva.  Tlefs  my  foul,  how  full  of  diollars  I  am,  and 
trempling  c^  mind  !  I  fliall  be  glad,  it  he  iiavc  (ie- 
ceiv'd  me  5  how  mclancholhes  I  ami . I  will  kiK);^  his 
urinals  about  his  knave's  coftard,  when  1  have  good 
opportunities  for  the  orke:  'Plcfs  my  fou! ' 

[Srr.g,;^  being  afraid, 

U3  By 


The  Merry  Wives  of  Wind  for. 

■  ^jhiUow  rivers^  to  "ivhofc  falls 
MehdJotrs  birds  fmg  madrigalls  ; 
^hers  will  we  make  our  peds  of  r&fis  5 
^d  a  thmfmtd  vragrant  fqfits. 

ByfbaUow — *Mercyofime!  I  have  a  great   d3 
tjons  CO  cry.  Alekdious  birds  ftng  madrigalls — 

as  I  fat  in  Pabilon  \ mid  a  tbQuj&nd  vragn 

?fj.< Byfl^allo^y  &c 


I  ByJ^ali^nij  n'ven,  &C,  ]  Thi$  Is  p^rt  of  a  bcaodfal 
po£m  of  the  auchor's,  whkh  poem,  and  the  anfwer  tO  ^ 
itidcr  will  not  be  dilplwfed  to  find  here,  " 

^hc  Paffwnate  Shepherd  to  bis  Lcve. 

Live  wirh  me,  and  be  jny  Low, 
And  wewil]  alt  the  ri»rure  pruve. 
That  Hills  and  Vallirs,  Dak  and  Field, 
And  all  iht  craggy  Mounuins  yield. 
There  will  we  fit  opon  the  Rock:. 
And  kt;  (he  Shepherds  feed  their  Flocks^ 
By  Oiailow  Rivers,  by  whole  Fills     « 
Melodious  Birds  fing  Madiigales.. 
Thert  will  I  Diake  thee  Beda  ofRofes, 
With  a  thoufend  fragrant  Koffes  1 
A  Cap  of  Flowers,  and  a  Girdle 
Imbroider'd  all  with  Icav^ j^of  Myrtle  i 
A  Gown' made  of  (he  ^jitd  Woala 
Which  from  our  prrity  Lambs  we  pull  e 
Fair  Uned  Slippers  for  the  cold. 
With  Buckles  of  the  purcfl  Gold) 
A  Bdt  of  Straw,  «nd  IvicBuds, 
With  Coral  CUips,  snd  Amber  Studs* 
And  if  thcfe  Picaiures  may  thee  mOve» 
'Then  litff  with  me,  and  be  my  Love. 
The  Shepherds  Swams  (h^ll  daoce  and  ftng. 
For  ihy  Delight  each  May  Morning. 
Jf  thcfe  Delights  thy  mind  may  move. 
Then  live  with  mc,  and  be  sny  Love^ 


Tie  Merry  fVives  ^  Windfor. 

Simp.  Yonder  he  is  coming,  this  way.  Sir  Hugh, 

Eva.  He's  welcome.     By  fljoUc^  rivers^  t&  whofs 

falls 

H»av*n  profper  the  right!  what  weapons  is  he? 

Simp,  No  weaponSj  Sir  j  tht^re  comes  my  mafter, 
Mr.  Shallow^  and  another  gentleman  from  Frogmcre^ 
over  the  ftile,  this  way, 

Eva,  Pray  you,  gjvc  me  my  gown,  or  elfe  keep  it 
in  your  arms, 

The  Nympb*s  Reply  to  ibe  Shepherd. 

If  chat  the  World  and  Lovr  were  young. 
And  Truth  tn  every  Shepherd**  Tongue  i 
Thffe  pretty  PIcaTurej  rotght  jnc  move. 
To  live  with  the*,  and  be  ihy  Ldve. 
Time  drives  the  Flocks  fiom  Field  to  Fold, 
When  Rrveri  rage,  and  Ractcs  grow  cold  > 
Afid  Phikmri  becomeih  dumb. 
And  all  complaiik  of  Carci  lo  come : 
The  Flowers  do  fade,  and  wanton  Fieldi 
To  wayward  Wioter  reckoning  jictJ*. 
A  honey  Tongue,  a  Heart  of  Gall, 
1»  Fancy's  Spring,  but  borrowV  Fali.  ^ 

Thy  Gow[i£t  thy  Shve?^  ihy  Bed  of  Roiei^ 
Thy  Cap,  thy  Girdle,  and  thy  Pofics  .- 
Some  break,  fomc  wither,  fome  forggiten, 
In  Folly  ripe,  in  Re&i't>n  roitcsi. 
Thy  &U  or  Straw  ai»d  ivie  BadS| 
Thy  Coral  Ciafps  and  Amber  Stud*, 
All  thefe  in  me  no  me;ini  can  move* 
To  come  to  thee,  a«d  he  thy  Love. 
But  could  Youth  bit,  and  Love  IliU  breed. 
Hid  Joys  no  daie^  ^nd  Age  no  need  \ 
Then  thcfe  Delights  my  Mind  might  iMyvc, 
To  live  with  the«,  m^  be  thy  Love, 


V4 


SCENE 


7ht  Merry  fFiv^i  ^/'Wiftdfor* 


S    C    fi    N    E       11. 

Enter  Page,  Shallow,  anj  Slender. 

Sbal,  Fiowi;oiff,niaftcr  Pariofl?  goodnlorr6w,j_ 
Sjr  iJu^i,    Keep  a  gamcftcr  from  the  dice,  and  a  good 
liudcrtt  from  his  book,  and  it  is  wonderful, 

SUn.  Ah,  J'weec  yfftfjc  Page  ! 

Page.  Save  you,  good  Sir  Hufh. 

Eva.  Tlefs  you  Irom  his  mercy*fake,   all  of 

Sb^L  What?  die  fword  and  Vhe  i^ord  ?  do 
ftudy  them  borli,  Mr.  Pardon  ? 

Page,  And  youthful  ftiJi,  in  your  doublet  and  bofe, 
this  raw-rhcumacick  day  ? 

Eva.  There  is  reaJbns  and  (auf^s  for  it. 

Pagi^  We  are  c»me  to  you,  to  do  a  good  office^ 
Mr.  Parfon, 

Eva.  Ferry  well :  what  is  it  f 

Page.  Yonder  is  a  moft  rcvtrtnd  gentleman,  who, 
belike^  having  receiv'd  wrong  by  fomc  pcribn»  is  « 
moft  odds  with  his  own  gravity  and  paticrtcc,  dtat 
ever  you  faw, 

SbaL  I  ba^  liv'd  fourfcorc  years,  and  upward ; 
I  never  heard  a  rhan  of  his  place,  gravity  and  Icamir^, 
fo  wide  of  his  own  refpcd:, 

Eva.  What  is  he? 

Page.  I  think,  you  khoW  hifh  5  Mr.  Dodl^ 
the  renowned  French  phyfician. 

Eva,  Got*s  wiJi^    and  his  paOlbn  of  my   heart! 
had  as  lief  you  (hbuM  tell  mc  of  a  n>c6  of  pbtrit 

Pag^,  Why? 

Eva.  He  has  no  more  knowledge  in  HihccraUs  and 
Galm  ;  and  he  is  a  knave  befides  ;  a  cowardly  knave 
as  you  would  defire  to  be  acquainted  withal. 

Page,  I  warrant  you,  he's  the  man  ihogid  fight  with 
Jiim, 

Sieft.  G,  iwect  Anne  P^gf! 

S  C  E  N 


Tie  Merry  fFives  of  Wind&r, 


29 


SCENE 


la 


Enter  Hoft,  Caius,  ixnd  Rugby, 

JW,  It  appears  (o^  by  his  weapons :  keq>  them  afun* 
dtr :  here  comes  Dodor  C^ms. 

Page.  Nay,  good  Mr.  Parfon,  keep  in  yo\ir  weapon. 

Sbal,   So  do  you,  good  Mr,  Doftor. 

Hoji.  Difarm  them,  and  let  them  queftion  i  Jet 
them  keep  tlieir  limbs  whoJe,  and  hack  our  Engltjb^ 

Caius,  I  pray  you,  fct-a  me  ipeak  a  word  with  ytxir 
car  :  wherdbre  vill  you  not  meet-a  mc? 

Eva.  Pray  you,  uk  your  patience  in  good  time, 

Caises.  By  gar,  you  are  de  coward,  de  Jtui  dogi 
J$hn  ape, 

£uj.  Pray  you,  let  us  not  be  laughing  flocks  to 
other  mens  humours :  I  defire  you  in  fiicndfhip,  and 
npU  one  way  or  other  nnake  you  amends;  I  wiJi  knog 
your  urinal  about  your  knav€*s  cogs-comb  *  for  mil- 
Jing  your  meetings  and  appointments. 

Cuius.  Diablel  Jack  Rugly^  mine  ihji  de  jMrltre^ 
IiAve  I  not  lUy  for  him,  to  kill  him  ?  have  I  a^A.^  ne 
de  place  I  did  appoint  ? 

Eva.  As  1  am  a  chri(lian*s  foul,  flow  k>ok  you, 
dus  b  the  place  appointed  j  i'U  be  judgment  by  mine 
Hoft  of  the  Garter. 

Hoji,  Peace,  I  fay,  CalUa  and  Gasd^  French  and 
iVikh^  foul-curer  and  body-curer, 

€aius.  Ay,  dat  ts  very  good,  exccBent. 

Hcfi,  Peace,  I  lay  \  hear  fnine  H6ft  tif  the  Garter. 
Am  I  politfck  ?  am  I  fubtlc  ?  am  I  a  Mach^svei?  fhafl 
I  lofe  my  Doftor  ?  no ;  ht  ^va  mc  the  potions  and 
the  mowMis,     ShaH  1  Ibfe  my  Parftm  ?    my  PrK-ll? 

dK  proverbs  and 
id,  terrtflnali  fo; 


thy 


z  Thc(e  wordi  arc  aided  from  ihe  Erik  editIor«. 


Mr.  Pife. 

Gire 


29 S  TiSe  Merry  IFk^  of  WmdCor. 

Give  mc  thy  hand,  celeftial ;  fo.    Boys  of  ajt,  I 

decieivM  you  both  :  I  have  direScd  you  to  n 
places  ;  your  hearts  are  mighty,  your  skins  arc  whol^ 
and  kt  bum*d  fade  be  the  ilTuc.  Come,  lay  their 
f^vords  to  pawn.  Follow  me,  lads  of  peace,  fbUof, 
follow,  follow. 

Shot.  Truft  me,  a  mad  hoft.  Follow,  gcntkmcn, 
follow, 

Slen.  O,  fwttt  jffme  Page  ? 

[Exeunt  ShaJ-  Sien.  Page  anJU* 

Caius.  Ha!  do  I  perceive  dac?   have  you 
a-dc'fot  of  us,  ha,  ha  ? 

Eva.  This  is  well,  he  has  made  us  his  vioutipg' 
ftc^,  1  dcfire  you,  tliat  we  may  be  friends ;  and  Jet 
us  knog  our  prains  together  to  be  revenge  on  ifcai 
fame  ftSd^fcurvy-cogging  companion,  the  Hod  of  die 
Garten 

Guus,  By  gar,  with  all  my  heart ;  he  pftmnfe  » 
bring  mc  where  is  Anne  Page ;  by  gar,  he  decenre  oc 
too. 

Eva.  Well,  I  will  fmitc  his  noddles  j  pray  yoc, 
follow,  [£yflfitf, 

SCENE        IV, 
7he  Streety  in  Windfor. 

Enter  Mljlrefs  Page,  and  Robin. 

Mrs.  Page,  T^  A  Y,  keep  your  way,  little  git 
JJN  lant  J  you  were  wont  to  be  a  kil- 
lower,  but  now  you  are  a  leader.  Whether  had  yoo 
rather  lead  mine  eyes,  or  eye  your  mailer's  heels  i 

Rob,  I  had  rather,  forfooin^  go  before  you  like  4 
man,  than  follow  him  like  a  dwarf. 

Mrs,  Page,  O,  you  are  a  flattering  boy  i  now,  I  lo{ 
you'll  be  a  Courtier, 


7%e  Merry  IFives  ^Windfon 
Enter  Ford, 

Fori,  Well  met,  miftrefs  Page  j  whither  go  j«)U  ? 

Mrs*  Page,  Truly,  Sir,  ta  Ice  your  wife  5  is  fhcat 
home  ? 

F^d.  Ay  i  and  as  idle  as  fhe  may  hang  together^ 
for  want  of  company  ;  I  think,  if  your  husbands  were 
dead,  you  two  would  marry, 

Mrs.  Page,  Be  furc  of  that,  two  other  husbands. 

Ford.  Where  had  you  this  pretty  weather-cock  ? 

Mrs.  Psge,  I  cannot  tell  what  the  dickens  his  name 
is  my  husband  had  him  of:  what  do  you  call  your 
^Knight's  name,  firrah  ? 

Rob,  Sit  Jobfs  Falftaf, 
,     Ford.  Sir  ysin  Faljiaff? 

,     Mrs,  Page.  He,  he  \  I  can  never  hit  on*s  naine  j 
there  is  fuch  a  league  between  my  good  man  and  he 
Js  your  wife  at  home,  indeed  ? 
^     Ford,  Indeed,  flie  is. 

Mrs, -P^/f.  By  your  leave,  Sir ;  lam  fick,  *till  I 
^Kber.  [Exeunt  Mrs,  Page  and  Robin, 

r 

TO  ar 


2C9 


SCENE       V. 


^6rd,  Has  Page  any  brains  ?  hath  he  any  eyes  ?  hath 
any  thinking  ?  fure,  they  flcep  ;  he  lialh  no  ufc  of 
them.  Why,  this  boy  will  carry  a  letter  twenty  miJe, 
as  cafy  as  a  cannon  will  ftoot  point-blank  twelve-fcore  ^ 
he  pieces  cut  his  wife's  inclinaDon  \  he  gives  her  folly 
motion  and  advantage  ^  and  now  fhe's  going  to  my 
wife,  and  Falfia^^  boy  with  her.  A  man  may  hear 
this  fhower  fing  in  the  wind;  and  FalfiaJ^^  boy  with 
her!  good  plots  ;  they  are  laid,  and  our  revolted 
Iwivcs  fliare  damnation  together.  Well,  1  will  take 
him,  then  torture  my  wife  i  pluck  the  borow*d  veil 
of  modcfty  from  the  fo  (ceming  luiftrcfs  PagCy  divulge 
P^^tf  himfelf  for  a  fecurc  and  wilful  ASeon^  and  to 
xhdk  violent   proceedings  aU    my  neighbours  fhall 


300         7Z^  Merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 

cry  aim.  The  clock  gives  me  my  cue,  and  my  i- 
furancc  bids  me  fearch  j  there  I  fliall  find  Falftaff;  1 
fhall  be  rather  praifcd  for  this,  than  mocked  ^  for  it  is 
as  pofitivc  as  the  earth  is  firm,  that  Falftaff  is  there; 
I  will  go. 

SCENE       VI. 

JV  Ww,  Enter  Page,  Shallow,  Slender,  Hoft,  Evins. 

and  Caius. 

Shd.  Page,  tSc  Well  met,  Mr.  Ford. 
■   Ford,  Truft  me,  a  good  knot :  I  have  good  dw 
at  home,  and,  I  pray  you,  all  go  with  me. 

ShaL  I  muft  cxcufe  myiclf,  Mr.  Ford. 

Skn.  And  fo  muft  I,  Sir  *,  we  have  appointed  to 
dine  with  Mrs.  Anne,  and  I  woiddnot  break  with  her 
for  more  mony  than  1*11  Ipcak  of. 

ShaL  We  have  linger'd  about  a  match  between  Ami 
J^age  and  my  coufin  Slender,  and  this  day  we  ihsQ 
tavc  our  anfwer. 
•    Skn.  I  hope  I  have  your  good  will,  father  Page. 

Page.  You  have,  Mr.  Sknder ;  I  ftand  wholly  for 
you  i  but  my  wife,  matter  Doctor  is  for  you,  alro- 
gethcr. 

Caius,  Ay,  by  gar,  and  de  maid  is  love-a-zne :  mf 
XiVixih-z-^ickfy  tell  me  fo  mufh. 

Heft.  What  lay  you  to  young  Mr.  Fenton  ?  he  ca- 
pers, he  dances,  he  has  eyes  of  youth,  ^  be  writes 
verfes,  he  fpcaks  holy-day,  he  fmelis  April  and  Mg)\ 
he  will  carry*t,  he  will  carry't  \  'tis  in  his  buttons^  he 
will  carry't. 

3  He  otr/Vrj  nfcrfts^  lie  fpeaks  hoTy-day,  ]  V.  #.  in  a  bigfc- 
flown,  faHian  llile.  It  was  called  a  boly^imyfiih^  from  the  old 
•cuitom  of  aAing  their  Farces  of  the  mtjitriti  and  m^raUtith 
which  uere  turgid  and  bottiball,  on  holy  days.  So  in  Muth  «ii 
mh'iut-notbin^,  I  cannot  nvoo  in  feftivM  terms.     And  agiio 

in  the  hUrcbant  of  Venice, tbim  fftntTft  fuch  high-day  wit 

inprarjin^  him, 

Pag:- 


The  Meny  Wives  of  Windfor. 

Page.  Not  by  my  confent,  I  promile  you :  the 
Gentleman  is  of  no  Having,  he  kcpc  company  wich 
the  wild  Prince  and  Poinz :  he  is  of  too  high  a  region, 
he  knows  too  much  \  no,  he  fliall  not  knit  a  knot  in 
his  fortunes  wich  the  finger  of  my  fubftance.  If  he 
take  her,  let  him  take  her  fimply  ;  the  wealth  I  liave 
waits  on  my  conientj  and  my  confent  goes  not  that 
way. 

Fsrd.  I  befeech  you,  heartily,  feme  of  you  go 
home  with  me  to  dinner  ;  befidcs  your  cheer  you  (hall 
have  fport  \  I  will  ftiew  you  a  monfter.  Mr.  Doftor, 
you  mall  go ;  fo  fhall  you,  Mr,  Page  i  and  you* 
Sir  Hugh, 

ShaL  WeU,  fare  you  well,  we  (hall  have  the  freer 
wooing  at  Mr.  Pagf*s, 

Caius,  Go  liome,  Juhn  Rughy^  I  come  aiion. 

Haji,  Farewcl,  my  hearts;  1  will  to  my  honcK 
Knight  Fdfiaffy  and  drink  Canary  with  him. 

Ford.  \  think,  1  Ihall  drink  in  Pipe-wine  firft  with 
him  :    I'll  make  him  dance-     Will  you  go,  gendes  ? 

AU,  Have  with  you  to  fee  this  monfter.     [Extmt^ 

SCENE      VIL 

Changes  to  FordV  Houfi^ 

Eniir  Mrs,  Ford,  JWrj,  Page,  and  Servant 
VH$h  a  basket. 

Mrs.  Ferd.  \  T  7  HAT,  John!  what,  Rtfi^ert ! 

VV      Mrs.  Page,  Quickly,  quickly  :  it 
the  buck-basket 

Mrs.  F&rd,  I  warrant — Wliat,  Hcbin^  I  fay. 

Mrs.  Pag4*  Come,  come,  come. 

Mrs.  F^d.  Here,  fet  it  down* 

Mrs.  Page,  Give  your  men  the  charge,  we  muft 
be  brief, 

Mrs.  Fori 


301 


^^^^m 


302  7U  Msrry  Wives  ^  Windibr. 

Mrs.  Fer±  Nbnyy  as  I  told  you  before,  ^Uv  ic 
Rsberty  be  ready  hm  hard-by  in  the  brew-houlc,  si 
nvhcn  I  fuddcnly  call  m  you,  come  forth,  and  vkhoa 
any  paufe  or  ftaggering  take  dus  ba^cc  on  yosr 
ihoufdcrs  ;  diat  done,  trudge  with  it  in  all  haftc,  ^ 
carry  it  anx>ng  the  wbidters  in  ZXt/^^z-Mcad,  «i 
there  empty  it  in  the  muddy  ditch  dole  by  the  Tbmi 
fide. 

Mrs.  Page,  You  \rill  do  :t  ? 

Mrs.  Fcrd.  I  ha'  told  them  over  and  over ;  ti^y 
lack  Ro  direction.  Be  gone,  and  come  when  yoa 
arc  caU'd. 

Mrs,  Page.  Here  comes  fitde  Robin, 

Enter  Rolnn. 

Mrs.  F&ri,  ^  How  now,  my  Eyas-mudcec,  ^ix 
news  i^nth  you  ? 

Rob.  My  mafter  Sir  jGbn  is  come  in  at  your  bdk^ 
door,  miftrcfs  Fordy  and  requefts  your  company. 

Mrs.  Page.  You  little  Jack-a-lent,  have  you  been 
true  to  us  ? 

Rob.  Ay,  ril  be  fwom  ;  my  mafter  knows  not  of 
your  being  here,  and  hath  threatened  to  put  me  into 
cverlafting  liberty,  if  I  tell  you  of  it ;  for  he  fwcars, 
hc'il  tum  me  away. 

Mrs.  Page,  Thou'rt  a  gcod  boy ;  this  icody  of 
thine  fhall  be  a  tailor  to  thee,  and  Ihall  make  dice 
a  new  doublet  and  hole.     TU  go  hide  me. 

4  fftmv  irfftu,  jvjr  Ey&5-maskec,]  Eyas  is  a  young  nofiei^M 
liavlrk.  I  fuppofc  from  the  Italian  Niafi,  which  origuuUf  figni- 
ficd  any  young  bird  taken  from  the  neil  ucfledg*d»  afterwanli,  a 
young  hawk.  The  French^  Uoia  hence,  took  their  nsais^  and 
ufed  it  in  both  thofe  fignifications ;  co  which  they  added  a  thtfd. 
netaphorically  a  filhffelUw  \  un  garfon  fort  mimit^  mm  mimi*. 
'^•~— Musket  fignifies  a  /parrot  hamui,  or  the  fmalleft  rpecia  of 
hawks.  Thii  coo  is  from  the  lulian  Mufcbett;  a  fmaH  hawkt 
as  appear*  from  the  original  iignification  of  the  word,  namelyB 
m  trouhltfime  flinging  fly.  So  that  the  humour  of  calliiw  tBt 
little  page  an  £jms- musket  i%  very  intelligible. 

Mrs.  Fcrd. 


^be  Merry  Wives  ^  Wind  for,  303 

Mre.  Ford,  Do  fo ;  go  tdl  thy  mafter,  I  am  alone  j 
miftrefs  Ptfjf,   remember  you  your  cue. 

[Exit  Robin » 

Mrs,  Pagt.  I  warrant  thee ;  if  I  do  not  adt  it,  hifs 
mc.  [Exii  Mrs,  Page. 

Mrs.  Fi^rd.  Go  to  then  ;  we*ll  ufc  this  unwholfomc 

humidity,   this  grofs  watry  pumpion we*!!  teach 

him  to  know  curdes  from  jays. 


SCENE      VIIL 


^p  En$€r  Falftaff. 

^^Fal.  Havel  caught  thee, my  heav*nly jewel  ?  why, 
^mw  let  mc  die  ;  for  I  have  liv'd  long  enough  ;  this  is 
the  period  of  my  ambition ;  O  this  bklTcd  hour  ! 
Mrs.  Ford,  O  fwect  Sir  John  ? 
Fal.  Mrs<  F^rd^  1  cannot  cog ;  I  cannot  prate,  mif- 
trefs  Ferd:  now  fhall  I  fin  iii  my  wifti,  I  would,  thy 
hu.^band  were  dead  v  I'll  fpcak  \t  before  the  beft  lord,  I 
would  make  thee  my  lady. 

Mrs-  Ford,  I  your  lady.  Sir  J^bn?  alas,  I  fhould 
be  a  pitiful  lady. 

FaL  Let  the  Court  of  Franca  Ihew  me  fuch  ano- 
ther ;  I  fee  how  thine  eye  would  emulate  the  diamond ; 
thou  hall  the  riglic  arched  bent  of  the  brow,  *  that 
becomes  the  fhip-tire,  the  tirc-vailant,  or  any  'tire  of 
y^nctian  admittance. 

Mrs*  Ford, 

5  — — thmt  Ittomit  ihe  Jhip-iirt^  iht  tire-Y  A  L  t  AV  T,  ar 
mmy  Venetian  aicirc]  The  old  Quarto  reads,  Tirt-^elltr^^HiA  ihc 
old  FckHo  reacts.  Or  tttty  tirt  {)/ Venetian  admiitaitc*.  So  that  the 
rroe  feading  of  ihc  whole  is  this»  *Thiii  hfomn  the  Jhtp-tirt, 
thf  tirt  -  V-  A  1  L  A  N  r,  «r  any  ^/trt  fi/  VencCiAn  a^mittaxcf. 
The  fpeaker  tdls  Uh  roiflfd's,  H^c  had  a  fiice  that  would  become 
ft!l  «hc  headdreflirs  in  faHijon.  'T\\tjtip-tir*  wa*  an  open  head* 
drciV»  with  a  kind  offcarf  drpcndrng  from  bebmd.  its  namcof 
^ip'tirt  wa$>  I  prtfume,    from  it^  giving  the  wcurcr  ftMiie  rf 

feinbUnce 


i^ 


304  7J^^  Merry  Wives  of  Windlbr. 

Mrs.  F&ri.  A  plain  kerchief.  Sir  John  :   my  b^ 
tsccomc  nodnng  cUc>  nor  chat  wdl  ndchcr, 

her  petuualk  our^  s&d  llig^  And  ftrcamcn  fl*tiig.      Thoi  A/i 
in  Samfim  J'^oaJJtes,  piina  Dalih. 

female  ^f  ftx  it  feems, 

^hat  /0  htJc(kt,  ormMU  amd  gmjf^ 

Cemcs  this  li-ay  failing 

Like  m  fialth  fifif 

Of  Tarius,  ituwJfir  tSf'  Ifits 

Of  Javan  or  Gj^Licr, 

Wiih  alt  ber  hrm>^fy  on ^  And  t*tHt  trim, 

Ceure^t/  fy  all  tht  'wifr/t  that  l^ld  them  flay. 

ThU  w^  an  Im^ge  fajniliar  uwth  the  poeti  of  chae   disc     Hot 
Betfumunt  and  FUuhrr^    m   ihelr  ptay  di   Wit   'ndi^mt  tm^ 

•- •  ^ht  f^eadt  fattens  aj  the  King's  A^P*   ^  fiMi  #«fiy 

nvhere^  Jkt  ma/  ffAif  i*r  tn^jtm  \  &c.  ThU  wjJI  ilirrA  u  a 
reform  the  foUowiitg  word  of //r^-vd//4iff/,  which  1  I'vipcA  10  tc 
corrupt,  'valiAnt  beings  very  incongruous  epuhcc  for  x  woKsfe'i 
head-drefs,  I  fuppoie  Sl:aif/pe»r  wrote  trre-^aifmut.  Ai  dr 
^ip  tire  was  an  ^^^a  head-dre/s,  fo  the  tirt-nsailamt  vm  1  /iW^ 
one  %  iti  which  the  head  and  breail  wtre  covered  a«  widi  ■  «a/. 
i^nd  chefe  were«  In  ^fl,  the  two  diflcrcnt  head-dfcfics  ihcB  ii 
fkthioD.  22  we  may  fee  by  the  pictures  of  (hat  time.  One  of  tiiitck 
wa3  lo  upcn.  that  ihc  whole  fieCK^breatisand  &onMen,  wrcfcoKa"^ 
to  view :  du?  other »  fo  fccarely  inclofed  in  kcrchkfi.  d'c,  d« 
nothing  could  be  fcca  ^bo^c  the  eye:}  or  bctow  the  chia. 
■  or  afljp    l^cnctiar:    attire  J      Thi>   H  n  wrOAg 

a$  appcart  ^ojn  the  impropriety  of  the  word   attire  hi 


for  3  woman's  htad-drefs :  whereas  it  fignifc  ihedrci*  of 
Wcfl>ouUrcad  therefore.  Or  any  \nc  of  Venetuil  admui 
For  chc  word  attire,  reduced  by  ihe  Apb^redi,  to  V«>/^  calcEii 
new  tignJiicacion^  and  means  oniy  the  head-4f«r$«  Hcsce  tirt* 
^fjoman^  for  a  drclTer  of  the  head.  As  to  the  meuiing  of  de 
Utter  part  of  the  fcuLence,  fhi&  m^y  be  fcco  by  a  pnraphfifr  af 

the  whole  fpeech.  Vour  face  is  lo  good,  fey*  die  fpakarf 

ihAt  it  would  bccoitic  any  hcnd-drcf}  worn  at  court,  eiihcr  tk 
open  or  the  dofe,  or  indeed  any  rich  and  faftuoiubie  one  iiors^ 
adorning  with  ytneti^n  point,  or  nvhish  'wili  mdmit  H  kt 
tidsrnid,    [  Of  f^jfc/iaR  admittance  J    The  fajhiotabjc   lice,  tf 

Fd 


y5^  Merry  Wives  of  Windfbr.  305 

FaU  Thou  arc  a  traytor  to  fav  fo  ;  thou  would  *fl: 
make  an  abfoluce  Courtier ;  ana  the  firm  fixiTre  of  thy 
foot  would  give  an  excellent  motion  to  thy  gate,  in  a 
femi-drdcd  farthingale.  I  fee  what  thou  wert  \  if  for- 
tune thy  foe  were  not,  nature  is  thy  friend :  come, 
thou  canft  not  hide  it, 

Mrs<  Ford.  Believe  me,  there's  nofuch  thing  in  me, 

F&L  What  made  me  love  thee?  let  that  perfuade 
thee,  there's  fomething  extraordinary  in  thee.  Come, 
I  cannot  cog,  and  lay,  thou  art  this  and  that,  like 
a-many  of  thefe  hfping  haw-thorn  buds,  that  come 
like  women  in  mens  apparel,  and  fmcll  like  Bucklers* 
Bury  in  fimpling  timej  I  cannot:  but  I  love  chce, 
none  but  thee  ;  and  thou  delerveft  it. 

Mrs.  Ferd.  Do  not  betray  me.  Sir  >  I  fear  you  love 
miftrefs  Page. 

F4I.  Thou  might'ft  aa  well  fay,  I  love  to  walk  bv 
the  CtfK»/fr-gate,  whidi  is  as  hateful  to  me  as  the  rccfc 
of  a  lime-kiln. 

Mrs.  FcrJ,  Well,  heav*n  knows  how  I  love  you, 
and  you  fliall  one  day  find  it. 

FaL  Keep  in  that  mind  ;  1*11  deferve  it. 

Mrs.  Ford.  Nay,  I  muft  tell  you,  fo  you  doi  or 
clfc  I  could  not  be  in  that  mind* 

Rolf,  [wiiiin,]  Miftrefs  Fordy  miftrefs  Fcrdj  here's 
iTiiftrefs  Page  at  the  door,  fweating,  and  blowing,  and 
looking  wildly,  and  would  needs  Ipeak  with  you  pre- 
fently. 

Fal.  She  fhall  not  fee  me  v  I  will  enfconoe  me  be- 
hind the  arras. 

Mrs.  fvrd.  Pray  you,  do  foj  ihe*s  a  very  tatding 
woman. 

lFMti[  iides  hmfclf. 


VOL.     I. 


SCENE 


3o6         TU  Mmrry  Wives  of  Windlbr. 
SCENE       IX. 

Enttr  Mifirefs  Page. 

What's  the  nutter  ?  how  now  ? 

Mn,  Page.  O  miftrefs  Fcrd^  what  have  you 
you're  fham'd,  y'are  ovcnhrown,  you  arc  undone  iff 
ever. 

Mrs.  ford.  What's  the  matter,  good  miftrefi  Ptft^. 

Mrs,  Page,  O  well-a-day,  miftrefe  Ford^  having  an 

honeft  man  to  your  husband,  to  g^ve  him  fiich  aule 

of  fufpidon  \ 

Mrs.  Fcrd.  What  caufe  of  fufpidon  ? 
Mrs  Pagi,  What  caufe  of  fufpidod  ?  out  upon  you 
how  am  J  miftook  in  you  ? 

Mrs,  Fcrd.  Why»  alas !  what*s  the  matter  ?  _ 
Mrs.  P^g(*  Your  husband*s  coming  hither,  womm 
with  all  the  officers  in  ff^indfor^  to  fcarch  for  a  gald^ 
man,  thar^  he  fays,  is  here  now  in  the  houfe,  by  your 
confent,  to  take  an  ill  advantage  of  his  abfoKC.  Ifi^ 
ajc  undone, 

Mrs,  Ford,  Speak  louder I4ftdc^  'Tis  not 

I  hope. 

Mrs,  Page.  Pray  heav*n  k  be  not  fo,  chat  you  hive 
fuch  a  man  here  ;  but  'tis  moft  certain,  your  husbarafl 
coming  with  half  i^;?^^  at  his  hcels»  to  f^rchforfodi 
a  one.  I  come  before  to  tcU  you :  if  you  know  your 
felf  dear,  why,  I  am  glad  of  it ;  but  if  you  have  i 
friend  here,  convey^  convey  him  out*  Be  not  am 
call  all  your  Scnfes  to  you,  defend  your  reputation, 
bid  farcwcl  to  your  good  life  for  ever. 

Mrs.  Ford.  What  /hall  I  do  ?  there  is  a  gentl 
roy  dear  friend  »    and  I  fear  not  mine  own  fhamc, 
much  as  his  peril,  I  had  rather  than  a  thouland  pound, 
he  were  out  of  the  houfe. 

Mrs.  Page.  For  fhame,  never  ^kzsxdyou  had  rather^ 
^A  you  had  ratber  \   your  husband's  here  at  hand; 

beth 


The  Merry  Wives  of  Windfbr. 

bethink  you  of  Ibme  conveyance,  in  the  houlc  you 
cannot  hide  him.  Oh,  how  have  you  deceived  me  ? 
look,  here  is  a  basket,  if  he  be  of  any  reafbnable 
ftature,  he  may  creep  in  here,  and  throw  foul  linncn 
Upon  him,  as  if  \i  were  going  to  bucking :  or  it  is 
whiting  time,  lend  him  by  your  two  men  to  Datcbtt- 
mead* 

Mrs.  Ford.  He's  too  big  to  go  in  there :  what  fliaU 
I  do? 

FU-mcr  Falftaff. 

Fd.  Let  me  fce*t,  let  me  feeX  O  let  me  fee'tj  I'll 
in,  rU  in  -,  follow  your  friend*s  counfcl  >  I'll  in. 

Mrs,  Page,  What!  Six  John  Faljlaff?  arc  thcfc 
your  letters.  Knight  ? 

FaL  I  love  thee,  help  me  away  ;  let  me  creep  in 
here  :  Til  never- 

[^Htgoes  into  the  basket y  they  cover  him  wUbfoulUnnen, 

Mrs.  Page,  Hc!p  to  cover  your  mafter,  boy ;  call 
your  men,  miftrefs  Ford.     You  dincmbiing  Knight ! 

Mrs.  Ford,  What^  John^  Roberta,  JahUy  go  take 
up  thefe  cloaths  here,  quickly.  Whereas  the  cowl- 
ftzS^  look,  how  you  d  rumble :  carry  them  to  the 
landrels  in  Datchet-mtzd  i  quickly,  come. 

SCENE       X, 

Enter  Ford,  Page,  Caius,  and  Evans, 

F^rd.  Pray  you,  come  near  j  if  1  fufpeft  without 
csufe,  why  then  make  fport  at  me,  then  let  mt  be 
yourjeft,  I  defervc  it.  How  now?  whither  bear  you 
this  ? 

Serv.  To  the  landrefs,  forfooth. 

Mrs.  Ford,  Why,  what  have  you  to  do  whither 
they  bear  it?  You  were  belt  meddle  witli  buck- 
warning. 

X  2  iVA 


JO  8  Tie  Merry  Wives  of  Windfbr. 


Ford.  Buck  ?  I  would,  I  could,  wa(h  my  iclf  of  tk 
buck :  buck,  buck,  buck  ?  ay,  buck  :  I  warrant  you, 
buck,  and  of  the  feafon  too,  it  {hall  appear.  [£xaatf 
Servants  with  the  basket. 1  Gentlemen,  I  have  drcam'd 
tonight,  Pll  tell  you  my  dream :  here,  here,  here  be 
my  keys ;  afcend  my  chambers,  fearch,  leek,  find  ouL 
ril  warrant,  we'll  unkennel  the  fox.  Let  me  flsp 
this  way  firft.     *  So,  now  uncape. 

Page,  Good  matter  Ford^  be  contented :  you  wroog 
your  felf  too  much. 

Ford.  True,  matter  Page,  Up,  gentlemen,  you 
fhall  fee  fport  anon  ;  follow  me,  gendemen. 

Eva.  This  is  ferry  fantaltical  humours  and  jca- 
loufies. 

Cains.  By  gar,  *tis  no  the  fafhion  of  France ;  it  is 
not  jealous  in  France-^^ 

Page,  Nay,  follow  him,  gentlemen,  fee  the  ifliie  of 
bis  fearch.  [Exent. 

SCENE         XI. 

Manent  Miftrefs  Page  and  MJlreJs  Ford. 

Mrs.  Page.  Is  there  not  a  double  cxceUcncr  ia 
diis?  ^ 

Mrs.  Ford,  I  know  not  which  pleafes  me  better, 
that  my  husband  is  deceived,  or  Sir  John, 

Mrs.  Page,  What  a  taking  was  he  in,  when  your 
husband  ask'd  who  was  in  the  basket ! 

Mrs.  Ford.  I  am  half  afraid  he  will  have  need  of 
wattling  ;  fo  throwing  him  into  the  water  will  do  lum 
a  benefit. 

6  So  now  uncape.  ]  So  the  Folio  of  1623  ««d».  till 
rightly.  It  is  a  term  in  Fox-hunting,  which  fignides  to  ds  oat 
the  Fox  when  earthM.  And  here  is  as  much  as  to  lay,  take  oac 
the  foul  linnen  under  which  the  adulterer  lies  hid.  The  Oxfird 
Editor  reads  uncoupie,  out  of  pure  lovt  co  an  cmendadon. 

Mrs.  P<^, 


I 


The  Merry  JVives  of  Windfor.  30* 

Mrs.  Page,  Hang  hitn,  difhoneft  rafcal ;  I  woiiJd,  all 
of  the  fame  ftrain  were  in  the  feme  diftrefs, 

Mrs.  Ford.  I  think,  my  husband  hath  Ibme  fpecial 
fufpicton  of  Falftaff's  being  here !  I  never  faw  him  fo 
grois  In  his  jealoufic  till  now.' 

Mrs.  Page,  I  will  lay  a  plot  to  try  thaf,  and  we  will 
yet  have  more  tricks  with  Faljicff:  his  difTolutc  difcale 
will  Icarce  obey  this  medicine. 

Mrs,  Ford,  SJiali  we  fend  that  foolifh  carrion,  mif- 
trefi  Siukkfy^  to  him,  and  cxcuJe  his  throwing  into  the 
water,  and  give  him  another  hope^  to  betray  him  to 
another  punirtimcnt  ? 

Mrs.  Page,  We'll  do  it  i  let  him  be  fent  for  to- 
morrow by  eight  a  clock,  to  have  amends. 

Re-enUr  Ford,  Page,  ^c. 

F&rd.  I  camot  find  him ;  may  be,  the  knave  brag*d 
of  that  he  could  not  compafs. 

Mrs.  Page.  Heard  you  that  ? 

Mrs.  Ford.  I,  I;  peace: — You  ufc  me  well,  matter 
5?ri,  do  you  ? 

F0rd.  Ay,  ay,  I  do  fo. 

Mrs*  Ford.  Heav'n  make  you  better  than  your 
thoughts ! 

Fcrd,  Amen. 

Mrs.  Page,  You  do  your  felf  mighty  wrong,  Mr» 
Fcrd, 

Ford.  Ay,  ay  \  I  mufl  bear  it » 

Eva,  If  there  be  any  pody  in  the  houfe,  and  in  the 
chambers,  and  in  the  coffers,  a;id  in  the  prelles,  heav'n 
forgive  my  fins ! 

Cams.  By  gar,  nor  I  too  ;  there  is  no  bodies. 

P^e.  Fie,  fie,  Mr.  Ft^d^  are  you  not  afham*d  ? 
what  fpirit,  what  devil  fuggells  iliis  imagination  ?  I 
would  not  ha*  your  diftemper  in  this  kind,  for  the 
weakh  of  fVindfor  CaftU, 

Ford.  'Tis  my  fault,  Mr*  Page:  I  fuffer  for  it. 

X  3  Eva, 


310  7^^  Merry  Wwcs  af  Windfbr. 

Eva,  You  fuffer  for  a  pad  confcicncc  \  your 

as  honeft  a  o*mans,  as  I  ml  defires  among  five  tboo* 
fand,  and  five  hundred  too. 

(kius.  By  gar,  I  fee,  'tis  an  honeft  woman. 

Ford,  Wdlj  I  promis*d  you  a  dinner ;  come,  conae, 
walk  in  the  park.  I  pray  you,  pardon  me  ;  I  iril 
hereafrer  make  known  to  you^  why  I  have  done  cfaii 
Come,  wife ;  come,  miftrefs  Page  ^  I  pray  you  pardca 
me :  pray  heartily,  pardon  me. 

Piigc.  Let's  go  in,  gentlemen*,  but  truft  me,  wcT! 
mock  him,  I  do  invite  you  to  morrow  morning  Q 
my  Iioufe  to  breakfaft  \  after,  we*U  a  birding  togetfacr;j 
J  have  a  fine  hawk  for  the  buJh.    Shall  it  be  fb  ? 

Ford,  A^y  thing. 

Eva,  If  there  is  one,  I  fhall  make  two  in  the  ODm- 
pany* 

Caius.    If  there  be  one  or  two,  I  fhall  make-a 
turd, 

Eva.  In  your  teeth,  for  fhame* 

Ford.  Pray  you  go,  Mr.  Pagf^ 

Eva,  I  pray  you  now,  remembrance  to  fnorxovoil 
the  loufie  knave,   mine  Hoft. 

Caius,  Dat  is  good,  by  gar,  with  all  my  heart, 

Eva.  A  loufie  knave,  to  have  his  gibes,  and  his 
jnockeries.  [fir»i/. 


SCENE        XIL 

Changes  to  Page*j  Houfi, 

Enter  Fenton  and  Miftrtfs  Anne  Page. 

I5ce,  I  cannot  get  thy  father's  love  j 
Therefore  no  more  turn  me  to  him> 
Nan, 
Ann&.  Alas !  how  then  ? 
Fen.  Why,  thou  mufl  be  rhy  Iclf. 
He  doth  objc€l|  I  am  too  great  of  birth  ] 


fhr/. 


And 


7%e  Merry  Wives  of  Windfbr.  311 

And  that  my  ftatc  being  gall'd  with  my  expenoe^ 
I  feck  to  heal  it  only  by  his  wealth. 
Befides  thefr,  other  bars  he  lays  before  me. 
My  riots  paft,  my  wild  fociedes : 
And  tells  me^  'tis  a  thing  tmpofllble 
I  ihould  love  thee,  but  as  a  property. 

Jnne.  May  be,  he  tells  you  true. 

Fcnt,  No,  heav*n  fo  fpced  me  in  my  time  to  come  t 
Albeit,  1  will  confcfs,  thy  father's  wealth 
Was  the  firfl  motive  that  I  woo'd  thee,  Affne : 
Yet  wooing  thee,  I  found  thee  of  more  value 
Than  ftamps  in  gold,  or  fums  in  fealed  bags ; 
And  'ris  the  very  riches  of  thy  felf 
That  now  I  aim  at. 

Amc,  Gentle  Mr.  Fcntofty 
Yet  feek  my  father's  love  :  ftlll  feck  it.  Sir  ; 
If  opportunity  and  humbleft  fuit 
Cannot  attain  it^  why  then — ^ — —hark  you  hither, 

[Fenton  and  Mijirefs  Anne  go  apart* 

SCENE    xiii; 

Enier  Shallow,  Slender,  und  Miftn/s  Quickly, 

SbaL  Break  their  talk*  miftrcfs  ^ickfy  \  my  kinf- 
man  fhaJl  Jbeak  for  himfcit 

Slen.  ril  make  a  iliaft  or  a  bolton't:   *d'did,  *til 
but  venturing, 

ShaL  Be  not  difmay'd, 

Sten.  No*  flie  fhall  not  difmay  me  ?  I  care  not  for 
that,  but  that  I  am  affeard, 

^ik.  Hark  ye,  Mr.  Skndtr  would  fpeak  a  word 
with  you. 

j^ne,  I  come  to  him, — This  is  my  father's  choioc. 
O,  what  a  work!  of  vile  iU-favour'd  laults 
Look  handibme  in  three  hundred  pounds  a  year ! 

^k*  And  how  does  good  msdlcr  Fmtan?   pray 
you,  a  word  with  you, 

X  4  Sbal 


312  Tie  Merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 

Sbal.  She's  coming ;  to  her,  coz.  O,  boy,  thou 
hadft  a  father ! 

Slen,  I  had  a  father,  Mrs.  Anne^  my  unde  cantd 
you  good  jefts  of  him.  Pray  you,  uncle,  tell  Mrs.  Jm 
the  jeft,  how  my  father  ftole  two  gcefe  out  of  a  pen, 
good  unde. 

Sbd,  Miftrefs  Jnne^  my  coufin  loves  you. 

Slen.  Ay,  that  I  do,  as  well  as  I  love  any  womia 
in  Gloucefterjhire. 

Sbal.  He  will  maintain  you  like  a  gcntlevramaD. 

Skn.  Ay,  that  I  will,  come  cut  and  lorig-tail,  under 
the  degree  of  a  Squire, 

Sbai,  He  will  make  you  a  hundred  and  fifty  pounds 
jointure. 

yinne.  Good  mafter  Sballow,  let  him  woo  for 
bimfelf 

SbaL  Many,  I  thank  you  for  it  i  I  thank  you  for 
that.  Good  comfort ;  flie  calls  you,  coz  :  TU  leave 
you. 

Jnne,  Now,  mafter  Slender. 

Slen,  Now,  good  miftrefs  Jme. 

j^nne.  What  is  your  will  ? 

Slen.  My  will  ?  od's  heart-lings,  that's  a  pretty  jeft, 
indeed,  I  ne'er  made  my  Will  yet,  I  thank  neav'n  5  I 
am  not  fuch  a  fickly  creature,  I  ^ve  heav'n  praiie. 

jfnne*  1  mean,  Mr.  Slender,  what  would  you  widi 
me? 

Slen.  Truly,  for  my  own  part,  I  would  litde  or 
nothing  with  you  ;  your  father  and  my  uncle  have 
made  motions ;  if  it  be  my  luck,  fo  ;  if  not,  happy 
man  be  his  dole !  they  can  tell  you  how  things  go* 
better  than  I  can  5  you  may  ask  your  father  j  here 
he  comes. 


SCENE 


l%e  Merry  PFives  of  Windfor.  313 

SCENE       XIV. 

Enter  Page,  andmiftrefs  Page* 

Page,  Now,  mailer  SItnder :  love  him,  daughter 
Ame, 
«^Wby,  how  now  ?  what  does mafter  Fenion  here? 
You  wrong  me.  Sir,  thus  ftill  to  haunt  my  houfc  : 
I  told  you.  Sir,  my  daughter  is  difpos*dof. 

I'cnL  Nay^  mafter  Page^  be  not  impatient* 

Mrs.  Page,  Good   Matter   Fentort^    come  not  to 
my  child. 

Page.  She  is  no  match  for  you. 

Pent,  SiXTy  will  you  hear  me  ? 

Page.  No>  good  mailer  Fentm. 
Come,  mafter  Hball&w  5  come,  fon  SUnder^  in. 
Knowing  my  mind,  you  wrong  me,  mafter  Fenion, 
[Extuni  Page*  Shallow,  and  Slendor. 

^/f.  Speak  to  miftrefs  P^^ge. 

pent.  Good  miftrefs  Page^   for  that  I  love  your 
daughter 
In  fuch  a  righteous  falliion  as  I  do. 
Perforce,  againft  all  checks,  rebukes  and  manners, 
I  muft  advance  the  colours  of  my  love, 
And  not  retire.     Let  me  have  your  good  will. 

Jme.  Good  mother,  do  not  many  me  to  yon  fool. 

Mrs.  Page.  I  mean  it  not,  I  feek  you  a  better  hut 
band, 

^k.  That's  my  mafter,  mafter  Doftor. 

^  Anne,  Alasj  1  had  rather  be  fet  quick  i'th*  earth. 

^aV,  And  bowi'd  to  death  with  turnips. 

7   Ardc*  Alas,  I  had  ratbtr  hf  fif  fni<k  i*ii'*  iartk, 
And  hofwrd  la  df^th  *witb  iurntft* 
Can  wc  think  ihe  fpcal^cr  wouU  thus  ridicule  bcf  own  impreca* 
doTj  >    Wc  may  be  fure  the  Ull  line  ftiould  be  given  lo  the  r^*^ 
curets,  ^ickfy,  who  woaU  uioGk  the  yoaag  woroan's  avcrtioa 
l(>i  her  maflci  ike  Ds^or^ 

Mrs.  Page, 


tfk 


3*4  ^^  Merry  IVivet  of  Wmdfor. 

Mrs  Page,  Come,  trouble  not  your  felf  5  good 

I  will  not  be  your  friend  nor  enemy  : 

My  daughter  will  I  qudtion  how  fhe  loves  you. 

And  as  1  find  her,  fo  am  I  afFefted. 

*Tili  then»  farcwel.  Sir  \  fhe  muft  needs  go  in. 

Her  father  wUl  be  angry.  [Eatww/  Mrs  Page  and  Atst 

lent,  Farewel,  gentle  miftrefs ;  farewe!.  Nan. 

^tsc.  This  is  my  doing  now.     Nay*  iiid  I, 
you  caft  away  your  child  on  a  fooi,  and  a  phyfidaii 
kick  on  mafter  Fenton:  this  is  my  doing. 

Pent.  I  thank  thee  j  and  I  pray  thee,  once  to  nig^ 
Give  my  fweet  Nan  this  ring :  there**  for  thy  poim 

[£tf/. 

^k.  Now  hcav'n  fend  thcc  good  fortune !  A  kind 
heart  he  hath,  a  woman  would  run  through  fiicand 
water  for  fuch  a  kind  heart.  But  yet,  I  would  my 
mafter  had  miftrefs  Anne^  or  I  woirld  Mr,  Slender  had 
her?  or,  in  foorh,  I  would  Mr.  Fenton  had  her.  I 
will  do  what  I  can  for  them  all  three,  for  fo  I  have 
promis'd  ;  and  TJl  be  as  good  as  my  word,  but  fpe* 
cioufly  for  Mr*  Fsnton.  Well,  I  muft  of  another  er- 
rand to  Sir  John  Falftaff  from  my  two  miftfcflcs, 
what  a  beaft  am  I  to  flack  it  ?  [j 

SCENE       XV. 

Changes  to  the  Gartcr-lnn, 
^ntir*  FalftalF  md.  Bardolph, 

Fd.Tljird<fipb^  I  fay. 
O    Bard.  Here,  Sir. 
FaL  Go  fetch  me  a  quart  of  fack,  put  a  toaft 
[jEx//Bard.]  Hare  I  hv'd  to  be  carry'd,  in  a  bask< 
like  a  barrow  of  butchers*  offal,  and  to  be  thrown 
the  Thames?  well,  if  I  be  fcrv'd  fuch  another 
ra  have  my  brains  ca'en  out  and  buttcr'd,  and  gi^ 
*"  thcro 


The  Merry  Wives  of  Wind/or,  3  1 5 

tbcm  to  a  tlog  for  a  new-year's  gift.  The  rogues 
flighted  me  into  the  river  with  as  little  rcmor/e  as  they 
would  Juve  drown'd  a  bitch's  blifid  puppies^  fifteen 
i*th'  litter  ;  and  you  may  know,  by  my  lize,  that  I 
have  a  kind  of  alacrity  in  finking :  if  the  bottom  were 
as  deep  as  he!J,  I  fliould  down.  I  had  been  drown'd, 
but  that  the  ftiorc  was  fhelvy  and  fhallowr ;  a  death 
that  I  abhor ;  for  the  water  fwelb  a  man :  and  what 
a  thing  ihould  I  have  been,  when  I  bad  been  fwcUM  ? 
I  ihould  have  been  a  nwuntjun  of  mummy, 

Enier  Bardolph. 

Now,  IS  the  Sack  brew'd  ? 

BarL  Here's  Mrs.  ^mkfy^  Sir,  to  Ipeak  with  you. 

Fal,  Come>  let  me  pour  in  Ibme  fack  co  the  f Lames-' 
water  v  for  my  belly's  as  cold  as  if  1  had  fwallow'd 
iiiow-ballsj  for  pills  to  cool  die  reins.     Call  her  in* 

B^d.  Come  in,  woman* 


\ 


SCENE       XVL 
Enter  M^s,  Quickly. 

^ic.  By  your  leave :  I  cry  you  mercy.  Give  your 
worlhip  good  morrow. 

faL  Take  away  thefe  challiccs ;  go  brew  me  a  pottle 
of  fack  finely. 

Bard,  With  eggs.  Sir  ? 

FaL  Simple  of  it  Mi :  TJl  no  pullet-fpcrm  in  my 
brewage.     How  now  ? 

^/f.  Many^  Sir,  I  come  to  your  worlliip  from 
miftrefs  Ford. 

Fal  Miftrels  F^rd?  I  have  had  Ford  enough  %  I  was 
thrown  into  the  Ford  ;  1  have  my  belly  fall  of  Ford, 

S^c.  Alas  the  day  1  good  heart,  that  was  not  her 
fauk :  fhe  docs  fo  take  on  widi  her  men  -,  they  millook 
their  ercftion. 

FaL  So  did  I  mine,  to  build  on  a  foolilh  woman's 
prosnife. 


31 6  Tot  Merry  Wives  of  Wlndfor. 

^ic.  Well,  flie  laments.  Sir,  for  it,  that  it  would 
yern  your  heart  to  fee  it.  Her  husband  goes  this  mora- 
ing  a  birding ;  flic  defires  you  once  more  to  come  to  her 
between  eight  and  nine,  I  muft  carry  her  word  quickly ; 
{he'll  make.you  amends,  1  warrant  you. 

Fai.  Weil,  I  will  yifit  her;  tell  her  fo,  and  bid  her 
tlunk.what  a  man  is  :  let  her  confider  his  fr^ty,  and 
dien  judge  of  my  merit. 

^U.  I  will  tell  her. 

'Tal,  Dofo.     Between  nine  and  ten,  fay*ftthou? 

^/V.  Eight  and  nine.  Sir. 

Fd.  W^ell,  be  gone ;  I  will  not  mils  her. 

Siuic,  Peace  be  with  you.  Sir.  [Emt, 

Fat.  I  marvel,  I  hear  not  of  matter  Brook  \  hcfcnr 
ipe  word  to  ftay  within :  I  like  his  mony  well.  Oh, 
here  he  comes. 

SCENE       XVIL 

EnUr  Ford. 

Ford,  Blefs  you.  Sir. 

FaL  Now,  mafter  Brooky  you  come  to  know  what 
hath  pals'd  between  me  and  Ford's  wife. 

Ford,  That,  indeed.  Sir  Jobn^  is  my  bufinels. 

Fal  Mailer  Brook^  I  will  not  lie  to  you  j  I  was  at 
her  houfe  the  hour  Ihe  appointed  me. 

Ford,  And  you  fpcd.  Sir  ? 

Fal.  Very  ill-favour'dly,  mafter  Brook, 

Ford.  How,  Sir,  did  Ihe  change  her  determination  ? 

Fal.  No,  mafter  Brook ;  but  the  peaking  cornuto  her 
husband,  mafter  Brooke  dwelling  in  a  continul  latum  of 
jealoufie,  comes  me  in  the  inltant  of  our  encounter ; 
after  we  had  embrac*d,  kifs'd,  protefted,  and  as  it 
were,  Ipoke  the  prologue  of  our  comedy  i  and  at  his 
heels  a  rabble  of  his  companions,  thither  provoked  and 
inftigated  by  his  diftemper,  and,  forfooth,  to  learch  his 
houfe  for  his  wife's  love. 

Fori 


t 


■         1 


1%e  Merry  Wives  of  Windfor,  31^ 

Ford.  What,  while  you  was  there  ? 

FaL  While  1  was  there. 

Ford.  And  did  he  fearch  for  you,  and  could  -not 
End  you  ? 

Fd.  You  {hall  hear.  As  good  luck  would  have  it, 
comes  in  one  miftrefs  Page,  gives  intelligence  of  For d^ 9 
approach,  arid  *  by  her  invention,  and  F<?rd'^  wife's 

e<^onj  they  convey 'd  me  into  a  buck-basket, 

Fc^d,  A  buck-basicec  ? 

FaL  Yea,  a  buck-basket ;  ramm'd  me  in  with  foul 
flibts  and  fmocks,  focksj  foul  ftockings,  and  grcafic 
napkins ;  that,  maftcr  Brook^  there  was  the  rankeft  com' 
pound  of  vili^unous  fmell,  that  ever  offended  noftril. 

Ford.  And  how  long  iay  you  there  ? 

FaL  Nay,  you  Ihall  hear,  maftcr  Brook,,  what  i  have 
fufFerM  to  bring  tfiis  woman  to  evil  for  your  good.  Being 
thus  cramm'd  in  the  baskcr,  a  couple  ofFord*^  knaves, 
his  hinds,  were  caird  forth  by  their  miftrcis,  to  cany 
nne  in  the  name  of  foul  cloaths  to  DttUhet4ane  ;  they 
took  me  on  their  ihoulders,  met  the  jealous  knave 
their  maftcr  in  the  door,  who  ask'd  them  once  or  twice 
what  they  had  in  their  basket ;  I  quak*d  for  tear,  left 
the  lunatick  knave  would  have  fearch'd  it ;  but  fate, 
ordaining  he  Ihould  be  a  cuckold,  held  his  hand, 
Well^  on  went  he  for  a  fearch,  and  away  went  I  for 
foul  cloaths  ;  but  mark  die  iequci,  mailer  Brook  \  I 
fiiffcr'd  the  pangs  ot  three  egregious  deaths :  firit^  an 
intolerable  fright,  to  be  detedtcd  by  a  jealous  rotten 
bclUwcather  ^  next  to  be  compafs'd  like  a  good  bilbo, 
in  the  circumference  of  a  peck,  hilt  to  point,  heel  to 
head  \  and  then  to  be  (lopt  in,  like  a  ibx)ng  diflilla- 
cion,  with  {linking  cloaths  that  frctcd  in  their  own 
greafe  ;  think  of  that,  a  mafi  of  my  kidney  j  chink  of 

8  If  hir  iavf/teUn,  ettsd  Ftird'j  nvi/e*i  p  |  S  TfcA  CT  JOic ,] 
Wf  muji  rc;id  imtcTtDN.  For  tho' tlic  fpcaker  mij;ht  thinJc 
F^r^i  wife  mudi  trighicd  at  ilic  approach  uf  her  hu&batid,  yet  he 
U  hcrr  rpcaking  of  the  pirt  which  flic  bote  ID  an  ari/ul  contn- 
vsDce  CO  deceive  him. 

th9t» 


3 1 8  73tf  Merry  Wivtf  of  Windfbr. 

tfiat,  that  am  as  fubieft  to  heat  as  butter  j  a  man 
continual  diflblution  and  thaw  ;  it  was  a  mindc 
Ycape  Juffbcacion*  And  in  the  height  of  this  bath,' 
I  was  more  than  half  ftew*d  in  grcafe,  like  a  Dutch 
to  be  thrown  into  the  Thames^  and  coolM  glowing  hot,^ 
in  that  furge,  like  i  horle-flioc ;  think  of  that  j  inflii^ 
hot  i  think  of  that,  mafter  ^ree^. 

Ford,  In  good  ladncfs.  Sir,  I  am  ibrry  that  for  my 
fake  you  fufttrM  all  this.  My  fuit  is  dien  deipemci 
you*ll  undertake  her  no  mof e  ? 

FaL  Mafter  Brosk^  I  iffill  be  thrown  into  Eina^  as! 
have  been  into  ^hames^  ere  1  will  leave  her  thus.  Her 
husband  is  this  morning  gone  a  birding^  I  have  it- 
ceiv'd  from  her  another  cmbaiTie  of  meeting  ;  'twin 
eight  and  nine  is  the  hour,   mafter  Brock, 

Ford,  'Tis  paft  eight  already.  Sir. 

FaL  Is  it  ?  1  will  then  addrcls  me  to  my  appoiot- 
ment.  Come  to  me  at  your  convenient  leiiure,  and 
you  ihall  know  how  1  fpeed  ;  and  the  conclufion  ftuU 
be  crown'd  with  your  enjoying  her  j  adieu,  you  Ihall 
have  her,  mafter  Brook ;  mafter  Brock^  you  fliail 
cuckold  Ford.  [£wr. 

Fcrd.  Hum !  ha  I  is  this  a  vifion  ?  is  this  a  dream  ?  do 
I  fleep  ?  mafter  Ford^  awake  ;  awake,  mafter  Fprd; 
there's  a  hole  made  in  your  beft  coat,  mafter  Fcrd; 
this  *ris  to  be  married !  tliis  *tis  to  have  linnen  aod  bock- 
baskets  [  well,  1  will  proclaim  my  felf  what  I  am ;  I 
will  now  take  the  leachcr  \  he  is  at  my  houfc ;  he  can- 
not 'fcapc  me  i  'tis  impoffihkr,  he  Ihould  j  he  cannot 
creep  into  a  halfpenny  purfc,  nor  into  a  pepper-box. 
But  J  left  the  devil  that  guides  him  ftiould  aid  him,  I 
will  ftarch  impfliblc  places  j  tho'  what  I  am  1  cannot 
avoid,  yet  to  be  what  1  would  not^  ftiall  not  make  me 
tame  :  if  I  have  horns  to  make  one  mad.  Ice  tJic  pro- 
verb go  with  me,  I'll  be  horn-mad.  lAxsf. 


A  c 


P 


The  ^erry  IFfViS  of  Wirv^for-  3  j  9^ 


ACT     IV.     SCENE     L 

M^ttr  Mrs.  Page,  Mrs.  Quickly,  md  WiUiajaa. 


I 


Mrs.  Page. 

S  he  at  Mr,  Fonfs  already,  think'ft  thou  ? 

^ic.  Sure,  he  is  by  thb^  or  will  be  prefcntlv  $ 
buc  truly  he  is  very  courageotis  mad,  about  his 
growing  into  the  water  j    Mrs,  ford  defires  you  to 
come  fuddenly. 

Mrs.  Pa^^.  ril  be  with  her  by  and  by ;  TU  but 
bring  my  young  man  here  to  ichool.  Look,  where 
Ids  mafter  comes  ;  'tis  a  playing-day,  I  lee.  How 
now,  Sir  Hugbt  no  fchool  to  day  ? 

£«/^  Evans. 

fEva.  No  J   nufter  SUnda^  is  kc  the  boys  leaw 
play. 
^iV,  Blefling  of  his  heart ! 
Mrs.  F^ge,  Sir  Hugb^  my  husband  lays,   my  fon 
profits  nothing  in  the  world  at  his  book  ;  I  pray  you, 
ask  him  fume  queflions  in  his  Accidence. 

Eva,  Come  hither,  ^xUiam  i  hold  up  your  liead, 
come. 

Mrs.  Page,  Come  on.  Sirrah,  hold  i3p  your  head, 
anfweryour  mailer,  be  not  afraid. 

Eva.  Wiiliam^  how  many  numbers  is  kt  nouns  f 

mi  Two. 

^wV.  Truly,  I  thought  there  had  been  one  number 
more,  becaufe  they  (ay,  od's  nouns. 

Eva,  Peace  your  udings.    What  is  Fair^  Wilkam  f 

mi-  Pukher. 

^ic.  Poulcats?  there  arc  fairer  things  than  poul- 
catSj  furc. 

Bv4. 


^^  The  Merry  Wives  of  Wind  for. 

E^^a,  You  areavery  fimplidty 'otnan;  I  prayyc 
peace.     What  is  Laph^  WiUimn  ? 

WtL  A  ftonc. 

Eva,  And  what  is  a  ftone,  William  ? 

mi  A  pebble, 

Eva,  No,  \t\&  Lapis:  I  pray  you,  remember  inywr 
prain* 

mlL  Lapis. 

Eva,  That  is  a  good  ff^liiam :  what  is  he,  fFilUm, 
that  does  lend  articles  ? 

IFilL  Articles  are  borrow'd  of  the  pronoun*  and  be 
thus  decliji'd,  ftngulariter  nominativo^  hu-^  bac^  bo<» 

Eva*  NtfminativOy  bi^,  bag,  bog  \  pray  you, 
genitive  J  bujus :  well,  what  is  your  accufative  cafe  f 

fVill.  Accufaiive^  bine. 

Eva.  I  pray  you,  have  your  remembrance,  childij 
accufative^  bung,  hang^  bog. 

^ic.  Hang  hog  is  Latin  for  bacon,  I  warrant  ytm. 

Eva,  Leave  your  prabbles,  *oman.     What   b  tbc 
focaiivi  cafi,  fVitUam  ? 

WilL  O,  vocativo^  O. 

Eva.  Remember,  IVilliam,  focativc  is  car^f 

S^ic,  And  that's  a  good  root. 

Eva.  *Omanj  forbean 

Mrs.  p£ige.  Peace. 

Eva,  V^'b^t  hyovr  genitive  cafi plural f  WiUiamf 

iWilL  Genitive  cafi  ? 

Eva.  Ay. 

IPIU.  Genitive^  borum,  barum^  borum. 

^ic.  ^Vengeance  of  Ginefs  cafe ;  He  on  her !  neter 
name  her,  child,  if  flie  be  a  whore. 

Eva,  For  Jhame,  *oman, 

^ic   You  do  ill  to  teach  the  child  fuch  words 
teaches  him  to  hick  and  to  hack,  which  t!iey*li  do  &ft 
enough  of  thexniclves  *,  and  to  caU  h  or  urn  ^    fie  trpoo 
you! 


ill 

M 


The  Merry  PFives  of  Windfon  32 1 

Ev^,  'Oman,  art  thou  lunadcs?  haft  thou  no  un- 
derftandings  for  thy  cafes,  and  the  numbers  of  the 
genders  i  thou  art  as  foolifh  chriftian  creatures,  as  I 
would  defire. 

Mrs,  Page.  Pry*thee,  hold  thy  peace. 

Eva.  Shew  me  now,  JFtUiam^  iome  dedenfions  of 
your  pronouns. 

fViU,  Forfooth,  I  have  forgot. 

Eva.  It  is,  qiii^  qua^  wod\  if  yon  fbxgetyour^//, 
your  ^^es  and  your  quodsy  you  muft  be  preeches :  go 
your  ways  and  play,  go. 

Mrs.  Page.  He  is  a  better  fchokr,  than  I  though 
he  was. 

•  Eva.  He  is  a  good  fprag  memory.    Farewel,  Mrs. 
Page. 

Mrs.  Page.  Adieu,  good  Sir  Hugh.  Get  you  home, 
boy.    Come,  we  ftay  too  long.  [Exeunf. 

SCENE       IL 

Changes  to  Ford'j  Houje. 

Enter  FalftaflF  and  Mrs.  Ford. 

Fal.  \M  Iftrds  Ford^  your  fbirow  hath  eaten  up  my 
IVl  fufFerance ;  1  fee,  you  are  oblemiious  in 
your  love,  and  I  profefs  requiul  to  a  h^*s  oreadth  ( 
not  only,  miftrefs  Fordy  in  the  fimple  ofEce  of  love» 
but  in  all  the  accouftrement,  complement,  and  cere- 
mony of  it.    But  are  you  lure  of  your  husband  now  ? 
Mrs.  Ford.  He*sa  wrding,  ivrcttSvc  John. 
Mrs.  Page,  [w/iwf.]  Whathoa,  goflip  fW/ what 
hoa ! 
Mrs.  Ford.  Step  into  die  chamber.  Sir  John. 

lExitFUibffi 
Enter  Mrs^  Page- 
Mrs.  Page.  How  now,  fwect  heart,  who's  at  hpme 
befides  your  fdf? 

Vol.  I.  y  Un.Ford. 


7^  Merry  Wtvts  c/'Windlor* 

Mrs.  Tori,  Why,  txnc  bac  mine  own  peopfe» 
Mra.  /'(^'f*  Indeed  ? 

Mrs.  Fori.  No,  ccrtatoly — Speak  louder.    \Afiu 
Mrs  Fegt,  Truly,  I  am  £>  gbid  you  ka^re  no 

here. 

Mrs.  Fw^rf.  Why? 

Mrs.  Fag€,  Why,  woman,  your  husband  is  m  b 
old  lunes  again ;  he  fo  cakes  on  yonder  ^rirfi  my  hw- 
band,  fo  rmls  againft  ail  manied  mankind,  lb  coin 
all  Ev^%  daughters,  of  what  complexion  fbcvcr,  »i 
fo  buffets  himfelf  on  the  forehead,  crying,  fetr-xc, 
fetr-mi  !  that  any  madnefs  1  ever  yet  beheld  feoc'd 
but  tamencfs,  civility,  and  patience,  to    this 

£pr  he  is  in  now  ;   1  am  glad,  the  fac  knig^  iti 
ere. 

Mrf.  Fa7d,  Why,  does  he  talk  of  him  ? 

Mrs.  Page.  Of  none  but  him  ;  $s\d  fwears,  he  w» 
canry'd  out,  the  laft  time  he  fearch'd  for  liim,  in  i 
basket ;  protcfts  to  my  husband,  he  is  now  here  •,  wi 
hath  drawn  luni  and  the  reft  of  their  company  h 
their  Jporr,  to  make  another  experiment  of  his  ^^ 
cion  ;  but  1  am  ^ad,  the  knight  is  not  hiere  % 
Ihall  fee  his  own  foolery. 

Mrs.  Fcrd   How  near  is  he,  miftreis  Page  ? 

Mrs.  Page.  Hard  by,  at  ftreet's  end,  he  will  bebcfc^ 
anon. 

Mrs.  Ford.  I  am  undone,  the  kniglit  is  here. 

Mrs.  Page.  Why,  then  thou  art  utterly  fham'd, 
he*s  but  a  dead  man.  What  a  woman  arc  you  ? 
vf'ixh  him,  away  with  him ;   better  Oiame    than  mur- 
thcr. 

Mrs.  Ford.  Which  way  ihould  he  go?  how  fhoi 
I  beftow  him?    Hull   I    put  him  into  the 
tgain  ? 


S  C  E  N  & 


^^—    ^ ^ 


7%e  Merry  Wives  of  Windfor.  323 

SCENE      III. 

Entir  Falftaff. 

Fd.  No,  ril  come  no  more  i'th*  basket :  nuy  I 
not  go  out}  ere  he  come  ? 

Mrs.  Page.  Alas!  alas!  three, of  maftcr  Fori%  bro- 
thers watch  the  door  with  pUtols,  that  none  fhould 
iflue  out,  otherwife  you  might  flip  away  ere  he  came : 
but  what  make  you  here  ? 

Fd,  What  ihall  I  do  ?  I'll  creep  up  into  the  chim- 
Ky. 

Mrs.  Fori,  There  they  alwm  ufe  to  dilcharge  their 
sirding-picces  ;  creep  into  the  Kill-hole* 

Fd,  Where  is  it? 

Mrs,  Ford.  He  will  feck  there,  on  my  word :  nd- 
dter  prefs,  coffer,  cheft,  trunk,  well,  vault,  but  he  hath 
■n  abftrad  for  the  remembrance  erf*  luch  places,  and 
goes  to  them  by  his  note  \  there  is  no  hiding  you  in 
the  houfc. 

Fd,  ril  go  out  then. 

Mrs.  Ford,  If  you  go  out  in  your  omi  (cmblance* 
you  die.  Sir  Jobn^  unkfi  you  ^  out  di%uis'd.  How 
might  we  diiguife  him  ? 

Mrs.  Page.  Alas-die-day,  I  know  not ;  there  is  no 
iroman's  gown  big  enough  for  him ;  .otherwife,  he 
might  put  on  a  hat,  a  muffler,  and  a  kerchief,  and  ib 
efi:apc. 

fd.  Good  heart,  deinfe  fomething  j  any  extremity, 
rather  than  mifchief. 

Mrs.  Ford,  My  maid's  aunt^  the  fat  woman  of 
Brainford^  has  a  gown  above. 

Mrs.  Page,  On  my  word,  it  ^  feire  him ;  flie's 
IS  big  as  he  is,  and  tho^^s  her  thrOm  hat,  and  her 
muffler  too.     Run  up,  Sr  John. 

Mrs  Ford.  Go,  go,  fwcct  Sir  John ;  miftrefs  Page 
ind  I  will  k)ok  fome  linnen  for  your  head. 

Y  2  Mrs.  Page. 


TT^e  Merry  Wives  of  Windfor, 

Mrs.  Pa^i.  Quick,  quick,   weMl    come  drt6  ts 
ftraight  j  put  on  the  gown  the  while.      [Exit  FaL'ii 

Mrs.  fcrd,  I  would  my  husband  would  mctt 
iln  dus  Ihape ,    he  catmot  abide   the   old 
]Brainfcrd\  he  fwears^  fhc's  a  witch,  forbad  bcr 
loufc,  and  hath  thrcatncd  to  beat  her, 

Mrs.  Pcge.  Heav'n  guide  him  to  tliy  husha^* 
idgel,  and  the  devil  guide  his  cudgel  afcerwanb! 

Mrs.  Ford.  But  is  my  husband  CQirdng  ? 

Mrs.  Page,  Ay,  -in  good  l^ncls,  is  he ;    and  xh 
,€ti  die  basket  too,  however  he  hath  had  intelligcDCt. 

Mrs.  Ford.  Wc*ll  try  that  \  for  Y\\  appoint  myoo 
to  carry  the  basket  again,  co  meet  him  at  the  doo' 
with  it,  as  they  did  laft  time. 

Mrs.  Page.  Nay,  but  hell  be  here  prdcntlyi  Irfi 
go  drefs  him  like  the  witch  of  Brainford. 

Mrs.  F&rd.  Y\\  firft  dircfi  my  men-^  what  they  liil 
do  with  the  b^ket  j  go  up,  I'll  bring  linnea  fijr  to 
ftraighc, 

Mrs.  Page.  Hang  Iiirn^  diflioneft  varlct,  we 
mUufe  him  enough. 
Wc*ll  leave  a  proof,  by  chat  which  wc  will  dO| 
Wives  may  be  merry,  and  yet  honeft  too, 
Wc  do  not  aft,  that  often  jeft  and  laugh  ; 
'Tis  old  but  true,  StHl  fwine  eats  ail  the  draxgh^ 

Mrs.  Ford.  Go,  Sirs,  take  die  basket  again  on  JWf 
Ihoulders ;  your  mailer  is  hard  at  door  ;  if  he  hid  p<a 
fet  it  down,  obey  him:  quickly,  dilpatch. 

{Exeunt  Mrs.  Page  and  Mrs.  Feci 

Enter  Servants  mth  the  basket. 

1  Sen\  Come,  come,  take  up, 
^  Serv.  Pray  Jicav'n,  it  be  not  full  of  the 
again. 

I  Serv.  I  liopc  not,     I  had  as  lief  bear  fo  tnud\ 
lead. 

S  C  E  N^ 


Tie  Merry  TFsves  ^  Windfor.         325 

SCENE      IV. 

Enter  Ford,  Shallow,  Page,  Cmus  and  Evans. 

Ford.  Ay,  but  if  it  prove  true,  mafter  Page^  have 
you  any  way  then  to  unfool  me  again  ?  fit  down  the' 
basket,  lollain  ;  fomcbody  call  my  wife :  youth  in  a 
basket !  oh,  you  panderly  rafcals !  there's  a  knot,  a 
gang,  a  pack,  a  confpiracy,  againft  me :  now  fhall 
the  deidl  be  fliam'd.  What!  jffifc,  I  iay;  come, 
comt  forth,  behold  what  honed  doaths  you  fend  fordi. 
to  bleaching. 

Page,  ■  Why,  this  paflcs,  mafter  Fw^,— you  are" 
not  to  go  loole  any  longer,  you  muft  be  pinnion'd, 

Eva.  Why,  this  is  lunaticks  *,  this  is  mad  as  a  mad 
dog. 

Enter  Mrs.  Ford. 

Sk^.  Indeed,  mafter  Fardy  this  is  not  well,  bdeed. 

Fcrd.  So  fay  I  too.  Sir.  Come  hither,  miftreis  Ford^ 
cniftrefs  Fcrd^  the  honeft  woman,  the  niodeft  wife,  the 
-^rtuous  creature,  that  hath  the  jealous  fool  to  her  bus- 
band  !  I  fufped  without  cai^  miftreis,  -do  I  ? 

Mrs.  Ford,  Hcav'n  be  my  mtncfi,  you  do,  if  yott 
fiifpeft  me  in  any  diihonefty. 

Ford.  Well  (sad^  brazen-^ce ;  hold  it  out :  come 
£Drth,  Sirrah.  [Pulls  the  deaths  out  of  the  basket. 

1  Why,  this  pajfes,  Mr.  /Vr/  ]  No  phrafe  occurs  more  fre- 
quently in  Shakifpear  than  this— ^f/^a^,—- and itpaffti, 

it  is  ufed  oa  all  occaHons  treated  in  the  familiar  way,  and  always 
conveys  the  idea  of  excefs :  So  that  it  paffts  iigniuBt  it  fmrpa£t$ 
all  miafitTMt  imaginatioM,  «r  ixpnjjsw.  And  this  if  the  fenfe  of 
the  phrafe  wherever  it  is  ufed.  EngUJbmtn  hate  long  fpeecbes, 
wUch  hatk  ma<k  our  tongue  abound  with  half  fentences,  and, 
what  is  more,  with  half  words.  It  takes  is  another  phrafe  of 
the  iame  kind,  which  modern  uie  has  rendered  very  intelligiblet 
yet  in  it  iclf  it  is  a$  ambaguous  as  //  paffts.  The  whole  fentence 
bebg——f/ takes  or  captivates  the  J u^ment,  the  ftnpy,  thela- 
terett,  the  paiBons,  £:r«. 

Y  3  Page^ 


326  Ths  Merry  JVives  rf  Windfor. 


Page    This  paflcs 


Mrs.  Fcrd.  Arcyounotaftiam'd?  let  the  do^ 
alone. 

Fcrd.  I  (hall  find  you  anon. 

Eva,  'Tis  unrraibnable }  will  you  take  up  « 
vife's  doachs  ?  come  away. 

Ford.  Empty  the  basket,   I  fay. 

Mrs.  Ford.  Why,  man,  why*— — 

Ford.  MsAtr  Pagi^  as  I  am  a  man,  there  wis  ok 
convcy'd  out  of  my  houlc  yefterday  in  thb  baslui; 
why  may  not  he  be  there  again  ?  in  my  houie  I  am  liie 
he  is ;  my  intelligence  is  true,  my  jcaloufie  is  itakB- 
able  i  pluck  me  out  all  the  linnen. 

Mrs.  Fdf-d.  If  you  find  a  man  there^  he  fhall  xfe  a 
flea's  death. 

Page.  Here's  no  man. 

SbaL  By  my  fidelity,  this  is  not  well,  matter  Fffi\ 
this  wrongs  you. 

E'va.  Iviafcer  Ford^  you  muft  pray,  and  not  6&m 
the  ima^adons  of  your  own  heart ;  this  is  jeabuGes. 

Ford.  Well,  he's  not  here  I  feck  for. 

Page,  No,  nor  no  where  elfe  but  in  your  bnsL 

Ford.  Help  to  fearch  my  houfe  this  one  time}  if  I 
find  not  what  I  feek,  ihew  no  colour  for  my  cxir- 
mity  ;  let  me  for  ever  be  your  table  Iport  ;  let  then 
lay  of  me,  as  jealous  as  Ford^  that  iearchech  a  hotlov 
wall-nut  for  his  wife's  leman.  Sadsfic  me  once  mac, 
once  more  fearch  with  me. 

Mrs.  Ford,  What  hoa,  miltrels  Page  !  come  you, 
and  the  old  woman  down  j  my  husband  will  come  ioco 
the  chamber. 

Ford.  Old  woman !  what  old  woman's  that  ? 

Mrs.  Fcrd,  Why,  it  is  my  maid's  aunt  of  Bra- 
ford. 

Ford,  A  witch,  a  quean,  an  old  cozening  quean  5 
have  I  not  forbid  her  my  houfe  ?  (he  comes  of  enands, 
docs  fhe  ?  we  arc  ample  men,  we  do  not  know  what's 

brought 


The  Merry  IVives  of  Windfor.  327 

brought  to  pafs  under  the  profeiTion  of  fortune-telling, 
SJic  works  by  charms,  by  Ipells,  by  tJi'  figure  ;  and 
iiich  dawbry  as  this  is  beyond  our  element  ■,  we  know 
nothing.  Come  down,  you  witch  \  you  hag  you, 
come  down,  I  fay. 

Mrs.  Ford.  Nay,  good  fweet  husband  ;  good  gen- 
^knKn^  let  him  not  ftrike  the  old  woman. 


N 


V. 


Enter  FalftalF/»  wcmens  deaths^  and  Mrs.  Page. 


Mrs.  Page\  Conric,  mother  Prat^   come  give  me 
your  hand. 

Ford,  ril  Prai  ber. 
(^Beais  ^/w,]  you  hag, 
jTunnion!  our 
tell  you 


Out  of  my  door,  you  witch ! 

you  b^^agc,  you  poulcat,  you 

,  out,  out ;  I'ii  conjure  you,  I'll  fortunft^ 

[Exit  Fal, 


Mrs,  Page.  Arc  you  not  a{liam*d  ?  I  think,  you 
have  kil]*d  the  poor  woman, 

Mrs.  Ford.  Nay,  he  wiJJ  do  it  i  'tis  a  goodly  cre- 
dit for  you, 

Ferd,  Hang  her,  witch* 

Eva,  By  yea  and  no,  I  think,  tlie  *oman  is  a  mtcti 
indeed  :  1  like  not  when  a  'oman  has  a  great  pcard  i 
I  fj>y  a  great  peard  under  her  muffler. 

Fcrd.  Will  you  follow,  gentlemen?  I  befeech  you, 
follow ;  lee  but  tlie  liTue  of  my  jealouGc  ;  if  I  cry  out 
thus  upon  no  trail,  never  trull  me  when  I  open  agdn. 

Page,  Lee's  obqr  his  humour  a  little  further  :  come, 
gendemen.  [Exeuni. 

Mrs*  Page.  Truft  me,  he  beat  him  moft  piufully. 

Mrs,  Ford.  Nay,  by  th'  mafa,  that  he  did  not ;  he 
beat  him  moft  unpitifully,  mcthought, 

Mrs.  Page.  I'll  liave  the  cudgel  haUow*d  and  hung 
o'er  the  altar;  it  harh  done  meritorious  fervicc. 

Mrs,  Fcrd,  What  think  you  ?  may  we,  with  the  war- 
rant of  woman-hood,  and  the  witnels  of  a  good  con- 
fcicjice,  purfue  him  with  any  further  revenge  ? 

Y4  Mrs.  Page. 


ik 


328  The  Merry  Wives  ^/^  Wind  for, 

Mrs,  Page.  The  Ipirit  of  wantonncls  is,  fixrc,  far* 
uviC  of  him  %  if  the  devil  have  htm  not  in  fcc-fucfi 
with  fine  and  recovery,  he  will  ncv^cr,  I  think,  in 
way  of  wafte,  attempt  us  again. 

Mrs.  Ford,  Shall  we  tell  our  husbands  how 
fcrved  him  ? 

Mrs.  Puge.  Yes,  by  all  means;  if  it  be  but  ro! 
tlie  figures  out  of  your  husband's  brain.  If  theyofl 
find  in  their  hearts  the  poor  unvirruous  iat  lou^ 
ihallbeany  further  afflidcd^  we  tWQ  will  ftillbcik 
minifters. 

Mrs,  Ford,  Til  warrant,  they*  11  have  him  piADcklr 
fham*d;  and,  methinks^  there  would  be  no  penodte 
the  jeft,  flioutd  he  not  be  publickly  fhaxn'd. 

Mrs.  Page,  Come  to  the  forge  with  ic,  ihcn  fhipc 
it:  I  would  noc  have  things  cooL  {E*a^ 


N 


VI. 


Changes  to  the  Gartcr-Inn. 

Enter  Hofl:  and  Bardolph* 

Bard.  C  IR*  ^1^^  Gemmn  defires  to  have  three  of; 

*3  horfes  i  the  Duke  hlmfclf  will  be  co-i 
at  court,  and  they  are  going  to  meet  him. 

Heft,  What  Duke  fliould  that  be^  comes  fo  lex 
1  hear  not  of  him  in  the  court :  let  me  Ipeak  widi 
gentlemen;  they  (peak  Englijh? 

Bard.  Sir,  Fll  call  them  to  you. 

Hofi,  They  (hall  have  my  horfeSj  but  I'll  make 
them  pay,  I'll  fawce  them.  They  have  had  my  houfc 
a  week  at  command  \  I  have  turn*d  away  my  otkr 
gucfts;  *  they  muft  compt  offj  V\\  lawce  them, 
come.  [Exewif. 

Z    thty  mafi   COME    effi]    This  can  never   km  ojr  ToecV 
hi*  Hofl's  mta.ning.     Ts  €omt  off'  beirig  in  other  lemu  i^i/f/t 
frwi.    Wc  lay  ft  read,  cow  pt  eff,  h  t  dear  ih«r  reckoftif^ 


SCENE 


1 


The  Merry  Wives  of  Windfoj 


S      C 


N      E       VII, 


Changes  to  FordV  Houfe. 

Enier  Page,  Ford,  M^s.  Page,  Mrs,  Ford,  mdEvztit, 
IS  one  of  the  bcft  difcrctions  of  *oman*  as 


T 


ever  I  did  look  upon. 


■      Page.  And  did  he  fend  you  both  thefc  letters  at  an 
inftanc? 
.   Mrs.  Page.  Within  a  quarter  of  an  hour. 

Ford,  Pardon  mc,  wife.    Henceforth  do  what  thou 
wilt; 
I  rather  will  Ibfpe^  the  fun  with  cold. 
Than  thee  with  wantonnds;  thy  honour  ftands. 
In  him  that  was  of  late  an  heretick, 
^s  firm  as  faith. 

Page.  'Tis  well,  'ds  well;  no  more. 
Be  not  as  extream  in  fubmifiion,  as  in  offence  j 
But  let  our  plot  go  forward :  let  our  wves 
Yet  once  again,  to  make  us  publick  fport, 
Appoint  a  meeting  mth  this  old  fat  fellow, 
^'here  we  may  take  him,  and  difgrace  him  for  it. 

Ford.  There  b  no  better  way  than  that  they  fpoke  of. 

Page.  How?  to  fend  him  word  they*!l  meet  him 
in  the  park  at  midnight?  fie,  fie,  he^ll  never  come. 

Eva.  You  lay,  he  hath  been  thrown  into  the  river ; 
and  has  been  grievoufly  peaten,  as  an  old  *oman  -,  me- 
fhiaks,  there  (hould  be  terrors  in  him,  that  he  (hould 
HOC  come  i  methinks,  his  flefti  is  punilhM,  he  ibalj 
Jiavc  no  delires* 

Page,  So  think  I  too* 

Mrs.  Ford,  Devife  but  how  you*li  ufc  him,  when 
he  comes  i 
And  let  us  two  dcvile  to  bring  him  thither* 

Mrs,  Page.  There  is  an  old  ta!e  goes,  that  Hemt 
the  hunter, 

Sometime 


JO  7be  Merry  TPrues  (f  Windlbr. 

Somcdme  a  keeper  here  in  Winifor  fonA, 

Doth  all  the  winter-dznc  at  ftill  ofmidi^ibc 

Walk  round  about  an  oak,  with  ragged  hams ; 

And  there  he  Uafb  the  tree,  and  takes  the  catde; 

jAtid  mak£s  mikh-kine  yield  bIood,aiidfliakcsadB| 

In  a  moft  iudeous  and  dreadful  manner. 

You've  heard  of  fuch  a  IfHrit;  and  wcD  you  know, 

Xhe  fupcriticious  idle-beaded  BJd 

Recdv'd,  and  did  deliver  to  our  age. 

This  tale  of  Hirne  the  hunter  for  a  trudi. 

Pagi.  Why,  yet  there  want  not  mai^,  diat  ^  &r 
In  deep  of  night  to  walk  by  this  ffenttf's  oaki 
But  what  of  this  ? 

Mrs.  FotL  Many,  this  is  our  deiioe» 
That  Falfiaffzt  that  oak  Hiall  meet  widi  us. 
We'll  fend  him  word  to  meet  us  in  die  fickl, 
Dilguifcd  like  Hcrne^  with  huge  hoins  on  fab  head. 

Page.  Well,  kt  it  not  be  doubted,  but  hc'il  awsc 
And  in  this  fhape  when  you  have  brought  him  thidiffi 
What  (hall  be  done  with  him  ?  what  is  your  plot? 

Mrs.  Page.  That  likevrife  we  have  though  i^ 
and  thus: 
Nan  P^e^  (my  daughter)  and  my  little  fan. 
And  three  or  four  more  of  their  growth,  wc^l  drds 
Like  urchins,  ouphes,  and  fairies,  green  and  white, 
With  rounds  of  waxen  tapers  on  their  beads. 
And  rattles  in  thdr  hands  ^  upon  a  fudden. 
As  Falftaff^  ifae,  and  I,  are  newly  met. 
Let  them  from  forth  a  law-pit  ruih  at  once 
'  With  fome  difFufed  fong:  upon  their  Gght; 
We  two,  in  great  amazcdncfs,  will  fly  j 
Tbo)  let  them  all  encircle  him  about, 
^  And  fury-like  too,  pinch  the  unclean  knight; 

3  mtb  fin/e  diffuTca  >tf :  ]  A  diffujtdfoug  iigniiici  a  ibng  tktf 
iUU^a  out  iiuo  wild  fentiments  beyond  the  booooi  of  nature,  (iicfc 
as  chofe  whofe  fubjcd  i»  fairy-land. 

4  And  fairy-like  to  fiuch  tbi  uteltan  KaS^  i\  TkcGraAmtf 
rt^uirM  OS  to  read. 

And  falrj'likt  TOO,  fimth  th$  mMcleau  Kmifht, 

And 


■     715^  Merry  JFivcs  ^/ Wind  for- 

And  ask  him,  why,  that  hour  of  fury  Revel, 
III  their  fo  fiicred  pach^  he  darca  to  tread 
In  ftiape  prophsnc  ? 

Mrs,  ford.  And  'till  he  tcU  che  truth. 
Let  the  fuppofed  furies  pinch  him  round. 
And  bum  him  with  their  tapers. 

Mrs.  Page.  The  truth  being  known, 
Wc']l  all  prefent  our  felves  ;  dif-hom  the  Ipirit, 
And  niocK  him  home  to  Windfcr. 

Ford.  The  children  muS 
Be  pra6li5*d  well  to  this,  or  thcy*ll  ne'er  do*t. 

Eva.  I  v^iU  teach  the  children  their  behaviours ;  and 
I  will  be  like  a  jack-anapes  allb,  to  bum  the  knight 
with  my  tabcr. 

Ford.  This  will  be  excellent,  PIJ  gp  buy  them 
vizaids, 

Mrs.  Page.  My  Nan  fhail  be  the  Queen  of  aU  the 
fairies  -, 
Finely  attired  i&  z  robe  of  white. 

Page,  ^  That  filk  will  1  go  buy^  and  in  that  time 
Shall  Mr,  Sknder  ftcal  my  Nan  away»  {/ffidt. 

And  marry  her  at  Eaton,  Go,  fend  to  Faifiaff  Wrmg^t. 

F<^rd.  Nay,  i'U  to  him  again  in  the  name  oi Brook  i 
lie*ll  tell  me  alibis  purpofe.     Sure,  he'll  come. 

Mrs.  Pag(.  Fear  not  you  thac^  gpget  wpnopcnies 
and  tricking  for  our  fairies. 

^£va.  Let  us  about  it,  it  is  adnrurable  plcafures,  and 
^by  honeft  knaveries.  [Ex.  Pagis,  Fjord  trnd  Enrans* 
*Mrs.  Page.  Go,  Mrs.  Ford^ 

ed  ^ukty  to  Sir  John^  to  Isnj&w  his  mind, 
[Exi$  Mrs,  Ford* 
to  the  doflor ;  he  hath  my  gOod  wiU, 

ij  That  Ji!Jt  'iMsli  fj^o  Airt«  ai^d  i»  that  dme-^l  Mr.  Thi^lald 
rcfrrrins;  that  lime  to  rbc  rime  ot  buying  the  filjc,  Alccfi  il  (o  tirt, 
ButUiere  i*  no  nerd  of  any  change  :  fi>ar  timf  e^dent]y  rrUtifW 
to  the  .ime  of  ihr  maak  with  which  Fffl^ej^  wsa  to  be  cnicrainra» 
«ad  which  matce!i  the  whole  fubjcft  at  tha  dialogue.     Tkcr^fore 

t^onuno^  radiag  u  right. 

And 


3i» 


u> 


7he  Merry  Wives  of  Wind  for. 

And  none  but  he,  to  marry  with  Nan  Page, 
1  hat  Slender^  tho'  well  Janded,  \^  an  Idcot  \ 
j\x\d  he  my  husband  beft  of  all  affeifts: 
1  he  doftor  is  well  monyM^  and  his  friends 
Potent  at  court  j  he,  none  but  he  IhalJ  have  her  ;' 
Tho*  twenty  thoufand  worthier  came  Co  crave  her. 


C      E      N 


\\\L 


w 


changes  to  the  Garter-Inn, 

Ent^  Hoft  and  Simple. 

HAT  would'ft  thou  have,  boor?  wh; 
thick-skin  ?  ipeak, 


V  V    thick-skin  ?  ipeak,  breathe^  di£mls ; 
Jhort,  quick,  fnap 

Sin:p.  Marrys  Sir,   I  come  to  (peak  with  Sir  John 
Fdfi^^  from  Mr.  Skndtr, 

Ihfi.  There's  his  chamber,  his  houle,  his  cafUe, 
ftanding'bcd  and  rnickle-bcd ;  'tis  painted  about  wii 
the  ftory  of  the  Prodigal,  frefh  and  new  \  go,  kn< 
and  call ;  he'll  fpeak  like  an  andiropophaginian  un( 
thee :  knock,  1  fay. 

Simp,  There*s  an  old  woman,  a  fat  woman  gone 
into  his  chamber ;  I'll  be  fo  bold  as  ftay.  Sir,  'till 
come  down :  I  come  to  /peak  with  her,  indeed. 

Eofi.  Ha  \  a  fat  woman  ?  the  K  night  may  be  robb'dl 
rilciiU,     BuUy.Knight!  Bully-Sir 7^A«/  fpeak  fr( 
thy  lungs  military  :  ait  thou  there?  it  is  tJiine  Ho( 
ihinc  Epbcfian  caJis, 

FalflafT,  above. 

Fal,  1  low  now,  mine  Hoft  ? 

Hiijl,  Here's  a  Bohtmim-fartar  tarries  the  comi 
down  of  ihy  fat  woman ;  Jet  her  defcend,  buUy,  let 
dcfccndi  my  chambers  arc  honourable.   Fie^  priv; 
fie! 


Thd  Merry  IVives  of  Windloi^. 

Enter  Falftaff. 

TaL  There  was,  mine  Hofl:,  aa  old  fat  woman  even 

)w  with  mc,  but  Hie^s  gone. 

Simp.  Pray  you,  Sir,  was*c  not  the  wife  woman  of 

^ainfori  ? 

FaL  Ay,  marry  was  it,  niuflel-fhcll>  what  would 

)M  with  her  ? 

Simp^  My  mafter,  Sir,  my  mafter  Slender  fent  to 
T,  feeing  her  go  thro*  the  ftreet,  to  know,  Sir,  whe- 
ther one  Nymy  Sir,  tfut  beguilM  \nm  of  a  chain,  had 
die  chain,  orno, 

faL  I  fpake  with  the  old  woman  about  it. 

Simp,  And  what  fays  fhe,  I  pray.  Sir? 

FaL  Marry,  fhe  fays,  that  the  very  lame  man,  chat 
beguird  mafter  Slender  of  his  diain,  cozen*d  him  of  it. 

Simp,  I  would,  I  couJd  have  fpoken  widi  the  wo- 
man  hcrfelf  v  I  had  other  things  to  have  Ipoken  with 
her  too,  from  him* 

FaL  What  are  they  ?  let  us  know, 

Hoft,  Ay,  come  ;  quick. 

Simp,  1  may  not  conceal  them,  Sir. 

FaL  Conceal  them,  or  thou  dy'ft. 

Simp,  Why,  Sir,  they  were  nothing  but  about  miA 
trcfs  Anne  Page  \  to  know,  if  it  were  my  mafter  ^s  for- 
tune to  have  her  or  no. 

FaL  'Tis,  'tis  his  fortune. 

Simp.  What,  Sir? 

Fal.  To  have  her,  or  not  go;  fey,  the  woman  told 
mefo< 

Simp,  May  I  be  fo  bold  to  fay  fo,  Sir? 

FaL  Ay,  Sir ;  like  who  more  bold. 

Simp,  I  thank  your  worfliip :  I  fliall  make  my  mat 
ter  glad  with  thefe  tidings,  [Exif  Simple, 

Hoji.  Thou  art  darkly  5  thou  art  darkly,  Sir  Jsbn: 
was  there  a  wife  woman  with  thee  ? 

Fal,  Ay,  that  there  was,  mine  Hoft  \  one,  that  hath 
■^  taught 


2ZZ 


334  ^^  Merry  JVives  ^  Windfon 

taught  mc  more  wit  than  ever  I  leam'd  before  in 
life  -,  and  I  paid  notliing  for  it  neither,   but  was 
for  mj  learning, 

SCENE       IX, 

Enisr  BardoJph. 

Bari,  Out,  alas,  Sir,  cozenage  !  meer  cozenage! 

Hofi,  Where  be  my  horfes,  ipcak  well  of  thou,! 
varlttto.  I 

Bard.  Run  away  with  the  cozeners ;  for  lb  foon  < 
I  came  beyond  Eatort^  they  threw  me  off  from  bt^ 
one  of  them  in  a  (lougli  of  mire,  and  fet  fpun,  ni 
away,  like  rhree  German  devils,  three  Doctor  Fu- 

Hafi,  They  are  gone  but  to  meet  the  Duke ;  viUtt; 
do  not  fay,  they  aic  fled  i  Germans  are  honcft  meu 

Enter  Evans. 

E^i^a.  '^^^lcre  is  mine  Hoft  ? 

Hojl.  What  is  the  matter.  Sir? 

Eva.  Have  a  care  of  your  entertainments  ;  there  d] 
a  friend  o*  mine  come  to  town,  tells  me,  there  \s  three! 
cozcn-jermans  that  has  cozen'd  all  the  Hofts  of  Rid^ 
iffgi  of  Maidinbiod^  of  O/^ir^tf jf ,  of  horfcs  and  mocT- 
I  tell  you  for  good  will,  look  you  \  you  are  wife 
full  of  gibes  and  vlouting-ftocks,  and  'tis  not 
nieiit  you  fhould  be  cozenM  i  fare  you  weU,  [£««, 
I  Ent^  Catus. 

Caius,  Ver*  is  mine  Hoji  de  Jartere? 

Hoft.  Here,  maftcr  Docior,  in  perplexity  and  doubt* 
ful  dilemma, 

Caius.  I  cannot  tell  vat  is  dat ;  but  it  is  tell-a-me^j 
dac  you  make  a  grand  preparation  for  a  Duke  df^ 
Jam^fiy  j  but  my  trot,  der  is  no  Duke,  dac  the  Court 
IS  know,  to  come :  1  tell  you  for  good  wiUj  adieu. 


Tie  Merry  Wives  of  WIndfor.  ^i^ 

Hsft.  Hiwandcfy,  vilWn,  go!  affiftme,  Kn^t^ 
I  am  undone ;  fly,  run,  hoe  and  cry  I  Villain,  I  am 
UMlbne !  [fxi/. 

Fal,  I  woiild,  all  the  world  might  be  cozen'd,  for  I 
Kave  been  cozened  and  beaten  too.  If  it  fhould  come 
to  the  ear  of  the  Court,  how  I  have  been  transformed, 
and  how  my  transformation  hath  been  wafh'd  and 
cudgel'd,  they  would  melt  me  out  of  my  fet,  drop  by 
drop,  and  liquor  fifhermens  boots  with  me.  I  war- 
fant,  they  would  whip  me  with  their  ftie  wits  '^H  I 
were  as  crcft-faln  as  a  dry'd  pear.  I  never  profpcr'd 
fince  I  foriwore  myfelf  at  Primero.  Well,  ifmy  wind 
were  but  long  enough  to  &f  my  prayers,  I  would  re* 
pent-  '"  ■    ■■ 

SCENE        X. 

Enur  M0refs  Quickly. 
Now,  whence  come  you  ? 

^€,  From  die  two  pardes^  forfooth. 

Fal.  The  devil  take  one  party,  and  his  dam  the 
other,  and  fo  they  ihall  be  both  b^ow'd.  I  have  fuf* 
for'd  more  for  their  fakes,  more  than  the  ^Uatnous 
inconftancy  of  man's  diipofidon  is  able  to  bear. 

^ic.  And  have  not:  thqrfoffer'd?  yes,  I  warranty 
fpecioufly  one  of  them ;  miftrels  Ford^  good  heart,  is 
beaten  black  and  Uue,  that  you  cannot  iee  a  wlute 
fyot  about  her. 

FiiL  What  tell'ft  thou  me  of  black  and  blue  ?  I  wa» 
beaten  myfelf  into  all  the  colours  of  tlie  rainbow;  and 
I  was  bke  to  be  apprehended  for  the  witch  of  Brmh 
ford\  but  that  my  adminile  dexterity  of  wit,  coun* 
terfdting  the  a^on  of  an  old  woman,  deUvct'd  me> 
the  knave  conftable  had  fet  me  i- th'  ftocka,  i'th*  com* 
aion  flocks,  for  a  witch. 

^V.  Sir,  let  me  fpc^  with  you  in  your  chamber ; 
you  Ihall  h^  how  tiung;»  90,  and,  I  warrant,  to  your 

content 


jj6  'The  Merry  Wives  of  Windlbr. 

content.  Here  is  a  letter  will  hj  ibmcwhat.  G( 
hearts,  what  ado  is  here  to  bring  you  together  ?  fuit; 
one  of  you  does  not  ferve  heaven  well,  that  you  are  lb 
crofs*d* 
Fd.  Come  up  into  my  chamber. 


[£xo0tf. 


C       E       N      E 
Enter  Fcnton  mi  Heft. 


hofi.  Mailer  Fmton^  talk  not  to  me,  my  inicd 
heavy, 
I  will  give  over  all, 

Ftn.  Ytt  hear  mc  fpeak  ;  afiift  me  in  my 
And,  as  f  am  a  gentleman^  TU  give  thee 
A  hundred  pound  in  gold  more  than  your  lofe. 

Hofi.  I  will  hear  you,  matter  Fmtm  \  and  I  will,  at 
the  leaft,  keep  your  counfeL 

Fm,  From  time  to  rime  I  have  acquainted  you 
With  the  dear  love  I  bear  to  6ir  Anne  Page\ 
Who,  mutually,  hath  anfwer'd  my  afFeftion, 
(So  far  forth  as  herfdf  might  be  her  chufer) 
Ev*n  to  my  wiJh.     I  have  a  letter  from  her 
Of  fuch  contents,  as  you  will  wonder  at ; 
The  mirch  whereof's  (o  larded  with  my  matter. 
That  neither  fingly  can  be  manifeftcd. 
Without  the  fhew  of  both.     Fat  Sir  John  Falftaff 
Hath  a  great  Scene ;  the  image  of  the  jeft 
m  Ihew  you  here  at  large.     Hark,  good  mine  Hoft  > 
To  night  at  Heme's  Oak,  juft  *twixt  twelve  and  oaCf 
Mufl:  my  fwect  JVtf«  prclent  the  Fairy  Queen  j 
The  purpofe  why»  is  here  j  in  which  di^uifc. 
While  other  jcfts  are  fomething  rank  on  foot. 
Her  father  hath  commanded  her  to  (lip 
Away  with  Slender^  and  with  him  at  E^^n 
Immediately  to  marry  \  (ht  hath  confcnted.  —  No^ 

Sir, 
Her  mother,  ever  ftrong  againft  that  matchj 

And 


Th^  Merry  T^wei  of  Windfor.  337 

Afld  finn  for  Do&or  C^s^  hath  appointed 

That  he  fhall  likewiiib  fliuffle  her  away, 

(While  other  Iports  are  tasking  of  their  minds ;} 

And  at  the  Deanry,  where  a  piieft  attends^ 

Straight  many  her  3  To  this  ner  mother's  Plot 

She,  ieetpi^gly  obedient,  likewile  hath 

Made  promife  to  the  Doftor.— — Now,  thus  it  rcfts; 

Her  father  means  fhe  j(hall  be  ^  in  white. 

And  in  that  dreis  when  Slender  fees  his  time 

1\>  tfdce  her  by  the  hand,  and  bid  her  go. 

She  fliall  go  with  him. Her  mother  hath  intended^ 

ITie  bttter  to  devote  her  to  the  Dodlor, 
(For  they  muft  all  be  mask*d  and  vizarded) 
That,  qudnt  in  green,  ihe  fhall  be  loc^  emx)b*d. 
With  ribbands-pendcntj  flaring  *bout  her  hcadj 
And  when  the  DoAor  i^es  his  vantage  ripe. 
To  pinch  her  by  the  hand,  and  on  that  token. 
The  m^d  hath  ^ven  confent  to  30  wdi  him. 

Hofi,  Which  means  flic  to  deceive  ?  lather  or  mo- 
ther? 

Fen.  Both,  my  good  Hoft,  to  go  along  with  me; 
And  here  it  refts,  that  you'll  procure  the  Vicar 
To  ftay  for  me  at  church,  'tvnxt  twelve  and  one. 
And  in  the  lawful  name  of  marrying. 
To  give  our  hearts  united  ceremony. 

Hojt,  Well,  husband  your  device ;  FU  to  the  Vicar. 
Bring  you  the  maid,  you  fhall  not  lack  a  prieft. 

Fen.  So  fliall  I  evermore  be  bound  to  mee ; 
Befide,  Pll  make  a  prelent  recompenoe.         \Extunt* 

SCENE      XII. 

Ri-mier  Falftaff  ^  Mftrefs  (Juickly. 

Fd.  Pr'ythee,  no  more  pratling ;   go,  Pll  hold, 

Tlus  is  the  third  time  \  I  hope,  go(3  luck  lyes  in  odd 

Vol..  L  Z  numbers} 


338  The  Merry  fVives  o/"  Wind  for 

numbers;  away*  go;  they  fay,  *  there  b  diviiiry  i' 
odd  numbers,  dther  in  nacivityj  chance  or 
away. 

^ic.  ril  provide  you  a  chain,  and  1*11  dowlvcl 
can  to  g^t  you  a  pair  of  horns,     [Exit  IS^s, 

FaL  Away^  I  4y,  time  wears :  hold  up  your 
and  mince. 

Enter  Ford. 

How  now,  matter  Brook  ?  mafter  Brook^  the 
will  be  knovwi  to  night,  or  never,  Be  you  in  the  Psk 
'about  midnight,  at  Hirne*^  Oak,  and  you  fhal  k 
wonders. 

Fifrd,  Went  you  not  to  her  yefterday^  Sr,  as  f» 
told  me  you  had  appointed  ? 

F^^  I  went  to  her,  mafter^rofjt,  as  youfee,iikci 
poor  old  man  \  but  I  came  from  her,  mafter  Br^ 
like  a  poor  old  woman.  That  fame  knave,  F&ri  kr 
Jiusband,  hath  tlic  Jineft  mad  devil  of  jealoufic  m  him, 
mafter  Brook^  that  ever  governed  frenzy,  I  will  tdl 
you  i  he  beat  me  grievoufly,  in  the  (hapc  of  a  wofDSii 
Tor  in  the  fhape  of  a  mar,  mafter  Brook ^  ]  fcir  cat 
Coliab  with  a  weaver's  beam  ;  becaufe  I  know  alio,  Ife 
is  a  fhucde  •,  I  am  in  hafte  i  go  along  with  tne,  V\\  tcB 
you  all,  mafter  Brook.  Since  1  pluckt  gecfc,  j^'iJ 
truant,  and  whipt  cop,  I  knew  not  what  'twas  to  be 
beaten^  *tUl  lately.  Follow  me,  TU  tell  you  ibange 
things  of  this  knave  Fordy  on  whom  to  night  I  will  be 
reveng'd,  and  I  will  deliver  his  wife  into  your  band. 
Follow;  ftrangc  things  in  hand,  mafter  Brockl  fel- 
low.   [ 

4  Thirt  is  divinity  in  odd  vinmhrs,  tithtr  itt  matitfiff^ 
*r  diatff  i]  f .  f,  being  bom  in  ao  odd  >e&r.  having  an  ood 
ft]  a  laiiery,  and  tKe  clitni^ei^ic  years  of  7  uid  6). 


The  Merry  Wives  ^  Wind  for  339 


I. 


I  ACT    V.     SCENE 
Windfor  ParL 
Enur  Page,  ShaSow»  and  Slender, 
Page. 
OME,  comci  we'll  couch  i*ch'  caftle^duch,  'till 
we  fee  the  light  of  our  fairies.     Remember,  Ion 
iSlmder^  my  daughter. 

Skn,  Ay,  forfooch,  I  have  Ipoke  ml\i  her,  and  we 
ibave  a  nay-word  how  to  know  one  another.  1  come  to 
ier  in  white,  and  cry,  mum  ;  flie  cries,  i^udget ;  and  by 
[that  we  know  one  another. 

^Sbal.  That's  good  too;  but  what  needs  cither  your 
^■m,  or  her  budget  ?  the  white  will  decipher  her  well 
r^ugh.     It  hath  ftnjck  ten  o'clock. 

Png€.  The  night  is  dark,  light  and  fpirits  wUl  be* 
cx>me  it  well;  heav*n  prolpcr  our  Iport!  ■  No  ww 
means  evU  but  the  devil,  and  wc  fhall  know  him  by 
^U  horns.     Let's  away  i  follow  me,  {^Exeunt J 

B  S    C    E    N    E      11. 

F^  Enter  Miftrrfs  Page,  Mijirefs  Ford  and  Caius. 

Mrs.  Page,  Mr.  Doctor,  my  daughter  is  in  green ; 
^hen  you  fee  your  time,  take  her  by  the  hand,  away 
ynlh  her  to  the  Deanry,  and  difpatch  it  quickly  %  go 
before  into  the  Park ;  we  two  muft  go  together. 

Cuius,  I  know  vat  I  have  to  do;  adieu.         [£xi7. 

Mrs,  Page.  Fare  yoo  well,  Sir.  My  husband  will 
fwt  rejoice  lb  much  at  the  abufe  of  Palfiaff^  as  he  will 
chafe  at  the  Doftor's  marrying  my  daughter;  but  *VA 

X  N9  UAV  MiAKs  itiil  hut  tht  Jfni/.^  This  is  a  double  blunders 
fcrr  fome,  of  whom  iKif  wa»  fpoke^wcrc  wumen,     Wc  ihouM  read 


3i|0  7v5^  Merry  Wives  ^  Wind  for. 

no  matter;  better,  a  Utile  chiding,  than  a  great ddt 
heart-break. 

Mrs,  Fi^rd.  Where  is  Nan  now^  and  her  troop  i 
fairies,  (a)  and  thtlVeich  devil  Evans? 

Mrs.  Page.  They  are  all  couch'd  in  a  pit  hardir 
Hernc's  O^,  with  obfcurM  lights;  whidi,  attbcfO 
inftanc  of  FaIJiaff'%  and  our  meeting,  they  will  a  as 
difplay  to  the  night. 

Mrs,  F&rd.  That  cannot  chufe  but  amaze  him. 

Mrs.  Piige.  If  he  be  notamaz'd,  he  will  be 
if  he  be  amaz'd,  he  will  every  way  be  mock* 

Mrs.  Ford,  WeMl  betray  hum  finely. 

Mrs.  Pag€.  Againft  fiach  lewdftcrSj  and  their! 
Thofc,  chat  betray  them,  do  no  treachery. 

Mrs.  Fcrd.  The  hour  draws  on;  to  die  Oik,  ® 
the  Oak,  [Enotf. 

EnUr  Evans  and  Faincs. 

Eva.  Trib,  trib,  fairies ;  come,  and  rcmcml 
parts:  be  pold^  I  pray  you;  follow  me  into  the 
and  when  I  give  the  watch-*ords,  do  as  I  ptd  ytau; 
come,  come  i  trib,  trib,  ££Mif- 

SCENE    m. 

Enter  FaJftaff,  tmtb  a  Buck*s  head  m. 

FaL  The  mn^ar  bfll  hath  ftruck  twelve,  the 
nute  draws  on ;  now,  the  hot-blooded  Gods  affift 
Remember^  Jtn'e^  then  waft  a  bull  for  thy  EnrcfAi 
love  fet  on  tliy  horns.  Oh  powerful  love !  that,  c 
jbme  refpefts,  makes  a  bcaft  a  man  ;  in  fome  other,  a 
'  'man  a  t^aft :  You  were  alfo*  Jupiter^  a  fwan,  forth: 
•Jove  o(Leda:  Oh,  omnipotent  love!  how  near  rfc 
God  drew  to  the  complCToon  of  a  goofc  ?  A  faolr  done 
iirft  in  the  form  of  a  beaft, — O  Jove^  a  beaftly  fe«k» 


I  (o)  iFthh  Ae^'A  E^am  t  Dr.  UHiy,  —  Vtjfg.  Htfwf. 
c  :  -^ 


Ite  Merry  Waives  of  Windfiir.         J41 

and  then  another  fault  in  the  femblance  of  a  fowl :— — 
think  on*t,  Jcve^  a  foul  fault.  When  Gods  have  hot 
backs,  wl^t  (hall  poor  men  do?  for  me,  I  am  here  a 
Winifir  ftag,  and  the  fatteft,  I  think,  i*th*  forcft.  Send 
me  a  cool  rut-time,  Jtroey  or  who  can  blame  me  to  pifi 
my  tallow?  who  comes  hext  i  my  Doe? 

Enier  Miftrefs  Ford  and  Mfinfi  Page. 

Mrs.  ForL  Sir  Jubn  ?  art  thou  thoie,  my  deer  ?  my 
male-deer? 

Fal.  My  doe  with  the  black  fcut?  let  the  sky  r^ 
potatoes;  let  it  thvmder  to  the  tune  (£  Grem-Sktves ; 
n^  kiffing-comfits,  and  fiiow  eringoes  \  let  there' 
come  a  tempeft  of  provocation,  I  will  Ihdtcr  me  heit*' 

Mi3.  Ford^  Miftrels  P^e  is  come  with  me,  iweet 
lieart. 

Fal.  IXvide  me  like  a  (a)  bribe-buck,  each  a 
haunch ;  I  ¥nll  keep  my  iides  to  myielf,  my  fhoulders. 
for  the  feUow  of  tlus  walk,  and  my  horns  I  bequeath 
your  husbands.  Am  I  a  woodnuui,  ba  ?  Speak  I  Uke 
Heme  the  hunter?  why,  now  is  Cupid  a  dukl of  oon- 
iaence,  he  makes  reftitution.  As  I  am  a  true  ipsix^ 
welcome !  {Hinfe  witbmi 

Mrs.  Page.  Ahe!  whatnoife? 

Mrs.  Ford,  Heav*n  fos^ve  our  fins ! 

Fal.  What  (hould  this  be? 

\^bewmenrunouin 
Fd,  I  think  the  devil  i?rill  not  I^ve  me  damn'd,  left 
the  oil  that  is  in  me  (hould  let  hell  on  fire;  he  never 
would  elfe  oois  nie  thus. 

[  (a)  ^Irihf'hucK  Mr.  ntahaU, Volg.  hri^d  buck,} 


Z  3  SCENE 


34  2  lie  Meny  Wives  ^/Wind/or. 


N 


IV 


Enter  Sir  Hugh  like  a  Satyr  \  Quiddy,   attd  tfi 
dreji  like  Fairies^  with  I'aptrs^ 

^c.  Fairies,  black,  gray,  greoij  and  white. 
You  moon-lhine  revellers,  and  fhadcs  of  ni^t, 
•  You  Ouphen  heirs  of  fixed  deftiny. 
Attend  your  office,  and  your  quality. 
Crier  hobgoblin,  make  the  fairy  oyes. 

Eva.  Hives,  lift  your  names ;  fiJence,  you  airy  tt] 
Cricket,  to  IVindfir  chimneys  ihalt  thou  leap; 
Where  fires  thou  find'ftunrak*d,  and  hearths  unfwept, 
There  pinch  the  maids  as  blue  as  bilbcrj-. 
Our  radiant  Queen  hates  fluts  and  fluttcry. 

FaL  They're  fairies  y  he,  that  fpeaks  ro  thecn^ 
die. 

ril  wink  and  couch  ^   no  man  their  works  muft  eyt 

[Lyes  JewH  upon  bisfm. 
•'  Eva.  Where's  Pede?  go  you,  and  where  you  find 

a  mdd, 
That,  ere  ihe  fleep,  hath  thrice  her  prayers  iatdy 
■  Rein  up  the  organs  of  her  fantafic  j 
Sleep  (he  as  found  as  careleis  tnl'ancy  \ 

Bbt 

2  Tau  ORPHAW'WrJ  af/lxeJ  Jfjiimy.]  But  why  Orptsmlmrif 
Dediny.  whom  they  {ucceeded^  wa^  yet  iu  being.      iVoubdcAi^ 

POCC  WlQtCf 

Ton  OU>HKN-^f/j-i  ^f  fixd  difiiny, 
i.  i.  you  El'Vif^  who  mintilcr.  and  Tuccecd  in  forne  of  the  wctb 
of  deftltjy.  They  are  called,  in  chii  Play,  both  before  sod  ifta* 
VF^rds,  Ouphft  i  htjt  Oa^btn  \  en  bring  the  pliind  tcriOJiudoa  of 
S&xQii  no'jns.  For  the  word  is  from^tbe  Saxttt^  Alpcaoe,  iU«i>. 
d^mones.     Of  it  may  be  utiderJlood  CO  be  an  adjc^ix»  as  OKMJnr, 

3  %hi&l  wp  tht  organs  Pf  htr  fant^/e ;]  TTie  f^fi*  of  tUt 
rpecch  is~(hac  (he,  who  had  performed  her  re h'gioiu  dvtio, 
fhnnld  be  fccare  again  ft  tht  iilurioo  of  faneys  and  h^ive  fcrr  flcrp. 
hkt  mm  of  infancy,  utkdiliyrbed  by  &\(oTtieitd  drrms,  Tiiii  mai 
Uicn  tiic  pijpukf  Of  taion,  that  evil  fpincB  had  a  power  ov- 


The  Merry  IVives  ^  Windfor^  34 

But  thofc,  that  flccp,  and  thbk  not  on  their  fins. 
Pinch  them,  arms,  legSj  backs,  Qioulders^  fides  and 
fhins. 
^ck.  About,  about; 
Search  PP^mdf&r  calWe,  elves,  within  and  out. 
Strew  good  luck,  ouphcs,  on  every  lacred  room. 
That  it  may  ftand  *till  the  perpetual  Doom, 
♦  In  ftatc  as  wholfom,  as  in  ftate  *tis  fit  j 

tsxicy  I   and»  by  that  means,   could  infplre  wicked  dreimi  into 
(t  who*  on  [heir  going  lo  flecp,   had  not  rccommcDded  thcm- 


cbo 


So  Sh^ke/ptar  makes  one,  Oi 


Celvrs  to  the  prote^oa  of  heaven« 
||u  lying  down,  Oiy, 

Fr9m  fatritT,  and  tht  Umfttn  ef  iht  n'ght^  * 

Jki  eKi(  Is  the  knk,  let  us  fee  how  the  commOD  reading  cxprefles  it  * 

^AAie  vp  thi  organs  of  htr  f&ntafit^ 
J.  r»  inflame  her  loiagination  with  fenfual  ideas  3  which  is  jud  the 
contrary  co  what  ihe  Poet  would  have  the  fpeaker  fay.     We  can- 
not therefore  but  coacMe  he  wrote, 

RciM  up  tht  ^gum  of  her  fanrafit, 
^rf,  t.  rurithem,  that  fhebenomorc  difturbedby  irreguUrimagina- 
lioni,    than  children  in  iheir  fleep.     For,  he  adda  immedij^tdy, 

SUtp  fie  AS  found  ot  tartUft  infanty. 
So  in  the  ^tmfift^ 

Give  ttdi  daliiAMtt  /m  muck  the  Riti. 
Ajtd  in  M^nfmrtfcr  Mtafurfy 

I  give  my  Jenjual  r&(9  tht  ii£tB. 
fa^itfe  the  rein,  being  jutl   the  contrary  f9  rein  up.     The  (aiof 
UiQught  he  ha>  again  in  Muikbeth^ 

LL  Mireyful  pt^wirj  f 

RfJtratH  in  me  the  turfed  th^gba  thai  naimri 

GiifU  *way  to  in  repGje. 
4  In  fiau  ai  ^vb»(fom.]  The  Oxford  Editor  not  knowing  iht 
meaning  Q^'wk^ifim^  has  altei'd  tt  to, 

I/t  fitr  A I  wbei/hm, 
and  Co  hu  made  the  wifh  a  moft  aWard  mt.  For  the  file  or 
ficu4Uon  muft  need*  be  what  it  is,  till  the  general  dcftruaion. 
But  'wkolfom  here  fignlfies  tnttger.  He  wiiRes  the  caftle  may 
aand  in  lEs  prefent  ftate  of  perfe4Uon»  which  the  fuUowirtg  wordi 
pljunly  ftiew  ^— ^^^  snJtaU  *  lit  ft. 


Z4 


Worthy 


34+         7S^  Mef^  Wivif  c/'Wiftdibr. 

»  Wonhy  the  owner,  as  the  owner  it. 
Tbe  feveral  chairs  of  Order  look  jTou  fcour, 
Wiih  juice  of  balm  and  cv'ry  precious  fiow*r  : 
Each  fsur  InfUbnent-Coat  and  fcv*ral  Creft, 
With  loyal  blazon  evcnnore  be  blcft ! 
And  niglitly-mcadow-fairiesj  look,  you  Hng, 
Like  to  the  C«r/tT-compafs,  in  a  ring : 
Th'  cxpreflurc  that  it  bears,  green  let  it  be. 
More  fertiie-frcfli  than  all  the  field  to  fee  j 
And,  Hof^  Saii  ^wi  Maly  Penfe  wiitc, 
*  In  emrold-tuffs,  flowers  purflcd,  blue  and  whicct 
Like  faphire,  peart,  in  rich  embroidery,  1 

Buckled  below  fair  Knight-hood's  bending  knee;    r 
Fairies  ufe  flow'rs  for  their  charaficry.  ^ 

Away, 

5  Worthy  tht  tmrnerf  and  ikt  ^juner  i>.}  Aad  csmoc  be  tk« 
froc  reading.  The  contnrt  wtU  not  allow  it ;  and  |b<  cpoft  ift 
Qgccn  Eiixahdf  directs  us  to  another. 

■    AS   fhf  rwmfr  ii, 
for,  fure  he  had  moreadircfi  than  to  conirtt  himfelfv^th  *ubif 
a  thing  to  htt  which  hiicomplairaace  mu(l  fuppolc  ^€taal[j  v.m, 
mtinely,  the  worth  of  the  owner. 

6  Jn  tmr^Utuffit  fis^j^rs  puRrLB*  hht  and  <u-*^/. 
tlh  faphin^  pf^rif  AND  r»Vi  rmhretdfry.']  't^ititttna 

jnoft  niiferably  corrupted^  ]n  the  words^  —  FJitntrm  ^rfir* ' 
eniiii^hiitt  —  the /*«r^Af  is  left  unccunpwcd.  To  mccdr  tlw^ 
the  EditoTB,  M/ho  fecm  co  have  been  fendbfe  of  the  imperfrfiiM kf 
the  comparifon.  read,  and  ri^h  emhroTdtryi  that  b,  actOf ding  10 
them,  as  the  blue  and  white  Bowers  arc  c^jmpired  co  ftpbnciid 
pearly  the purpU  a  compareil  to  rich  imhnidery.  ^Fbti*  ifeAdd 
of  meadingone  falfe  flep  they  have  matle  c\vo,  by  bringia£/ij^W, 
p*arf  and  tifh  tmhr^idfry  under  osc  predicamcDt.  Tlie  liaa 
were  \\sxt>\t  thus  by  the  Poet, 

in  fmrifid-tuft,JSrM*r3  PmrLBD,  i/w*  tfW  ^whiif, 
tike  faphire,  fturl^    t  M  rii/i  tmhraidery. 
u  t.  let  there  be  blue  and  white  flow'r*  w^ried  on    the  g: 
^i^ard,  like  faphirc  and  pearl  it  rkh  embroidlei-y.     To  p*r 
to  ovcr-ky  with  tinfel,  told  ihrcid,  fe'r.  fo  out  anceftors  c^ 
certain  hcc  of  this  kioa  of  work  a  pur/img^laef'^     ^Tia  ftcn 
Frtn^h^  pourfhr.     So  Spenctr^ 
^— ^— '  ^#  •ujijj  yciad 
Ail  in  a  Jiikfn  Camuif  li/^ivhttt^ 
Pl/ftritD  #;^fl,  ix/itA  many  a  fddtd  f^g^^ 

z.  3.  xS. 


J 


k 


7%e  Merry  PFives  of  Windfor.  34 

Away,  difperfc  \  but,  'till  *tis  one  o*dock, 
Our  dance  of  cuftom  round  about  the  Oak 
Of  Heme^  the  hunter,  let  us  not  forget, 

Eva,  Pray  you»  lock  hand  ia  hand,  yourfclves  in 
order  let: 
And  twenty  glow-worms  fliall  our  lanthoms  be. 
To  guide  our  meafure  round  about  the  tree. 
But  flay,  I  Cnell  a  man  of  middle  earth, 

Fd,  Heav*ns  defend  me  from  that  Wtlcb  falryj  kit 
be  transform  me  to  a  piece  of  cheefe  I 

Eva.  Vild  worm,  tliou  waft  o'er-look*d  ev'n  in  thy 
birth, 

^ic.  With  tryal-fire  touch  me  his  finger-end  ^ 
If  he  be  chafte,  the  flame  will  back  defcend. 
And  rum  him  to  no  pan  -,  but  if  he  ftart. 
It  is  the  flefh  of  a  corrupted  heart. 

Eva.  A  tryal,  come. 


\The^  hum  him  with  iheir  tapers^  and  pinch  bim» 
Come,  vrith  this  wood  take  firCp 
FaL  Oh,  oh,  oh  ! 

^k.  Corrupt,  corrupt,  and  tainted  in  defirc; 
About  him,  fairies,  fing  a  icomfij  rhimc ; 
And,  as  you  trip,  ftill  pinch  him  to  your  time. 

Eva,  It  is  right,  indeed,  he  is  full  of  Icachcrics  and 
Ihiquity, 

The    SON  G. 
^^         Fie  en  fmful  pbantajte^ 
^K  Fie  on  lujt  end  luxury! 

^K  iMfi  is  iuf  (a)  iUh*  bhod^  a  frt^ 

^^L         Kindled  with  unchajte  dtfiriy 
^K  Fed  in  hearty  wboft  fiamu  ajpin^ 

^V      As  thoughts  to  bl(m  tkm^  higher  and  higher. 

'  Tlit  chanpr  of  at^d  mto  /»,  iq  tlic  fecond  verfe^  iinceefTary.  For 
flo*'r«  worked,  or  fmrjitdm  thcgt^fs  wttt  not  like  f,iphire  and 
pearl  rimply,  but  faphirc  and  peart  m  cmbroiJcry.  How  the  cor- 
rupt miingand  wai  introduced  into  thewxt,  we  have  ihcw» 
ftbovc. 

I  Fincb 


34^  7be  Merry  Wives  ^  Wind  for. 

Pimh  bimy  fairies^  mutually  % 

Pinch  bim  for  bis  villofry : 
Pinch  bim^  and  bum  bim^  and  turn  bim  abeut^ 
'7711  candlesy  andftar4igbt^  and  mo&n-Jbine  ht  mT. 

During  ibis  S&ngy  the^  finch  him.    Dolior  Caius  amt 

em  way^  and  Jieals  away  a  bey  in  green ;  Slender 

,  another  way^  and  be  takes  away  a  hey  in  white  \  ad 

^  Fenton  comes^  and  Jieals  away  Mrs.  Anne  Page*   A 

n&ife  of  bunting  is  made  within,     jfO  she  Fairits  m 

tfsftfy.     Falftaff^w//j  off  bis  Buck's  bead^  and  rifis 

SCENE       V, 

Enter  P;ige,  Ford,  6ff.     *fbey  lay  bold  en  bm. 

Page.  Nay,  do  not  fly  \  I  think,  WcVc  vmAtjoa 
now  i 
WiD  none  but  Heme  the  hunger  fcrve  your  cum? 

Mrs.  Page.  I  pray  you,  comej  hold  up  the  jeftoo 
higher. 
Now,  good  Sir  Jcbn^  how  like  you  Wind/or  wives? 
See  you  theic,  husbands  ?  do  not  thefe  fair  Yoaks 
Become  the  Foreft  better  than  the  Town  ? 

Ford.  Now,  Sir,  who*s  a  cuckold  now  ?  mafter 
Falftaff*%  a  knave,  a  cuckoldJy  knave,  liere  are  his  homsi 
maftcr  Brmk\  and,  mafter  Brvffky  he  hath  enjoy 'd  no- 
thing of  Ford^s  but  his  buck-basket,  his  cudgel,  md 
twenty  pounds  of  mony,  which  muft  be  pwd  to  maftrr 
Bre^k  i  his  horfcs  are  arrefted  for  it,  mafter  Brocks 

Mrs,  F^d,  Sir  Jobn^  we  have  had  ill  luck ;  wt 
could  never  meet.  I  will  never  take  you  ffar  my  k>w 
agnin,  but  T  will  always  count  you  my  deer. 

FaL  I  do  begin  to  perceive,  that  I  am  made  an  afr. 

Ford,  Ay,  and  an  ox  too :  both  the  proofs  arc  ex- 
tant, 

FaL  And  thcfe  arc  not  fairies  ?  I  was  three  or 
times  in  the  thought,  they  were  not  fairies  j  and  yet 


ivar 
BrJM 


Tl^e  Merry  Wives  of  VfmAtor.  34.7 

guUtmefs  of  my  mind,  the  fudden  furprize  of  mj 
powers,  drove  the  groflhefs  of  the  foppery  into  a  re- 
cciv'd  belief,  in  defpight  of  die  teeth  of  all  rhlme  and 
realbn,  that  they  were  fairies.  See  now,  how  wit 
may  be  made  a  jack-a-Ient,  when  *tis  upon  ill  imploy- 
mtnt ! 

Eva.  Sir  John  Falftaff^  ferve  Got,  and  leave  your 
defircs,  and  fairies  wiU  not  pinft:  you. 

FqtL  Well  laid,  fairy  Hugh. 

Eva,  And  leave  you  your  jealoufics  too,  I  pray  you. 

Ford.  I  win  never  miftruft  my  wife  again,  *cili  thou 
art  able  to  woo  her  in  good  Englijb, 

Fat,  Have  I  laid  my  brain  in  the  fun  and  dry*d  it, 
that  it  wants  matter  to  prevent  fb  groft  o*er-reaching 
as  this  ?  am  I  ridden  with  a  IVekb  goac  too  ?  fhall  I 
have  a  coxcomb  of  frize?  *ds  time,  I  were  choak'd 
■with  a  piece  of  toafted  cheefe. 

Eva,  Seefc  is  not  good  to  give  putter;  yourpelly 
b  all  putter. 

Fat,  Sttie,  and  putter?  have  I  liv'd  to  Band  in  the 
taunt  of  one,  that  makes  fritters  of  Engltjb  ?  this  is 
enough  to  be  the  decay  of  luft  and  late-walking, 
through  the  Realm. 

^k Mrs.  Page.  Why,  Sir  john^  do  you  think,  though 
H  would  have  tliruit  virrue  out  of  our  hearts  by  the 
head  and  ihoulders,  and  have  g^ven  ourfdvcs  wthout 
fcruple  to  hell,  that  ever  the  devil  could  have  made  you 
our  delight  i 

Ford.  What,  a  hodgc-puddirg  ?  a  bag  of  flax? 

Mrs.  Page.  A  puft  man  ? 
I     Page.  Old,  cold,  withered,  and  of  intolerable  tn- 
Bils? 

^fFord.  And  one  that  is  as  (landcrous  as  Satan  ? 
■  Page.  And  as  poor  as  Jot  ? 

F&rd.  And  as  wicked  as  his  wife  ? 

Eva,  And  ^vcn  to  fornications,  and  to  taverns,  and 
Ctcks,  and  wines,  and  mecheglins^  and  to  drlnkings,  and 
fwcarings,  and  ftarings,  pribblcs  and  prabbles? 

Fd. 


^^ 


aS         7be  Merry  Wives  of  Wind  Ton 

Td.  WcU,  I  am  your  theme ;  you  have  the  ftart  ol 
nie  i  I  am  dejcded  \  M  am  not  able  to  anfwa-  the 
IVtUh  flannel ;  ignorance  itfdf  is  a  plummet  o'er  roc 
ufe  me  as  you  will. 

Tori*  Marry,  Sir,  we'll  bring  you  to  Wlnipn-  to  oof 
Mr.  Brooky  that  you  have  cozen'd  of  mony,  to  wbon 
you  fhould  have  been  a  pander  :  over  and  above  thtf 
you  have  fuffer'd,  I  thiiJt,  to  repay  that  mony  vd 
be  a  biting  affliftion, 

Mrs.  Ford.  Nay,  husband,  let  That  go  to 

amends : 

Foi^ive  that  Summ,  and  lb  we*ll  all  be  Friends. 

Ford,  Well,  here's  my  hand  ;  ail's  for^vcn  at  hft. 

Pi^i,  Yet  be  cheerful,  Knight ;   thou    (halt  cat  % 

poffet  CO  night  at  my  houfe,  where  I  ^ill  deluc  iJitt 

to  laugh  at  my  wife,  that  now  laughs  at  thee.    Td 

her,  Mr.  Slender  hath  marry*d  her  dai^htcr. 

Mrs.  Page,  Dofliors  doubt  that  \    uyfnMe  Pitfrbe 
my  daughter,  fhe  is,  by  thisj  Do^or  Corns'^  wife 

SCENE         VL 

Enfer  Slender, 

Sim,  What  hoe  f  hoe  1  father  Page, 

Page.  Son,  how  now  }  how  now,  Ibn^  have  you 

patch'd  ? 

SUm.  Difparch'd  ?  TU  make  the  beft  m  Gtouafier 

Jhire  known  on*t  \  would  I  were  hang'd  la,  «Uc, 


Page,  Of  what,  fon  ? 


4 


ylifmm&t  a$U  te  an/'u.er  tht  Welch  TLANftEL,]  Sh^/^ 
po^bly  wroie  Wrtch  f  la  men.  As  Sir  Hugh  Witt  a  cboioric 
Pricft,  and  ^pt  to  lake  fire,  flamen  was  9  vfrjr  pro|)CT  cuubc,  it 
being  given  to  that  order  of  Latin  pricfts  from  the  fiamc  coloured 
habit  By  the  fame  kind  of  httmour  the  fculUon,  in  Tht  C^mMj^ 
Errgrt,  !£  called  ihcICitciem- refial,  it  being  hv  JMUinefi lo  kxxp 
the  iire  in  i«pair* 


sS^ 


7f>e  Merry  Tf^ives  of  Windibr.  349 

Sktt.  I  came  yonder  ac  Esion  to  matry  miftreis  jhtu 
Page^  and  ihe's  a  great  lubberly  boy.  If  it  had  not 
been  Tth  church,  I  would  have  iwing'd  him,  or  he 
fliodd  have  fwing'd  me.  If  I  did  not  think  it  had 
been  jbine  Page^  would  I  might  never  ftir,  and  'ds  a 
poft-mafter's  boy. 

Page.  Upon  my  life,  then  you  took  the  wrong. 

Slen.  What  need  you  tell  me  that?  I  think  fo,  when 
I  took  a  boy  for  a  ^1 :  if  I  had  been  marry'd  to  him^ 
for  dl  he  was  in  woman's  apparel,  I  would  not  have 
had  him* 

Page,  Why,  this  is  your  own  folly.  Did  not  I  tell 
you,  how  you  &ould  biow  my  dau^ter  by  her  gar- 
ments ? 

Slen,  I  went  to  her  in  white  and  cry'd  mum^  and 
fhe  cry'd  bu^ety  as  Jnne  and  I  had  appointed ;  and 
yet  it  was  not  ^ne^  but  a  poft-mafter*s-boy. 

Eva.  Jefiiu!  Matter  Slender^  cannot  you  fee  but 
marry  boys? 

Page,  O,  I  am  vext  at  heart.    What  (hall  t  do? 

Mrs.  Page.  Good  GeorgCy  be  not  angry ;  I  knew  of 
your  purpoie,  tum'd  my  daughter  into  ^een,  and,  in- 
deed, fhe  is  now  widi  ^  Dooor  at  the  Deamy,  and 
ti»e  married. 

SCENE     vn. 

Emer  Caius. 

Cmhs.  Ver  is  miftrefi P/s^f  ?  by  gar,  lam  cozen*d| 
I  ha'  marry'd  one  garfoon,  a  boy  ;  one  peaiant,  by 
gar ;  a  boy  %  it  is  not  Arm  Page  \  by  gar,  I  am 
cozened. 

Mrs.  Page.  Why  ?  did  you  not  take  her  in  green  ? 

Cmus,  Ay,  be  g^,  and  'ds  a  boy ;  be  gar,  I^  rai& 
aU  Windfm^. 

Fori.  This  is  ftrange !  who  hath  got  the  i^ht  Anne  t 

Page.  My  heart  mii^ves  me  \  here  comes  Mr.Fenten. 

Enier 


The  Merry  IVives  of  Wind  for. 

En^er  Fcnton^  4^f</ Anne  Page. 

How  now,  Mr*  Fentcn  ? 

Anne,  Pardon^  good  fadier ;    good  my   mother, 
pardon. 

Page,  Now,  miftrds,  how  chance  you  wcnc  ooc 
with  Mr.  Skndir  ? 

Mrs.  Page.  Why  went  you  not  with  Mr.  Dodor, 
maid? 

Pent.  You  do  amaze  her :  Hear  the  truth  of  it. 
You  would  have  marry'd  her  moft  fhamefiilJy, 
Where  there  was  no  proportion  held  in  love  : 
The  truth  is,  (he  and  I,  long  fince  contra<fted. 
Are  now  fo  fure,  chat  nothing  can  diflbJire  us, 
Th*  oiFence  ts  holy,  chat  ihe  hath  committed  \ 
And  this  deceit  lofes  the  name  of  craft. 
Of  difobedience»  or  unduteous  tide  ; 
Since  therein  flic  doth  evitatc  and  ftiun 
A  thoufknd  irreligious  curftd  hours, 
Which  forced  marriage  would  have  brought  upon  her. 

Ford,  Stand  not  amaz'd,  here  is  no  remedy. 
In  love,  the  heavens  themfelves  do  guide  the  ihttc  j 
Mony  buys  lands,  and  wives  are  fold  by  fate, 

FaL  I  am  glad,  tlio'  you  have  ta*en  a  ipedal  Stand 
to  ftrike  at  me,  thac  your  arrow  hath  glanc'd. 

Page,  Well,  what  remedy  ?  Fentm^  hcav*n  give  dwc 

joy! 
What  cannot  be  dchew'd,  muft  be  cmbrac'd. 

■  Eva,  I  wiU  alfo  dance  and  eat  plums  at  your  Wed- 
ding. 

FaL  When  night-dogs  run,  all  forts  of  deer  arc 
chacM, 

Mrs.  Page.  Well,  I  will  mufc  no  further.  Mr.  Ftni^it 
Heav*n  give  you  many,  many  merry  days  I 

t  Thla  Tpeeeh  ii  taken  fr^m  theedidon  of  1^19^      hinPtf$. 

^■1^  Good 


T^he  Merry  Wives  of  WinAhr.  351 

Good  husband,  let  us  every  one  go  home. 
And  laugh  this  Iporc  o'er  by  a  country  firCt 
Sir  jQhn2XiA^\. 

Ford.  Let  it  be  fo :  ^    -  Sir  John^ 
To  matter  Brook  you  yet  fliall  hold  your  word  j 
For  he,  to  night,  Jhall  lye  with  miftrcfs  Fcrd.    . 

\Eiitmt  mmesi 


MEASURE 


FOR 


M  EA  S  U  R  E. 


V©t.  I.  A  a 


Dramatis  Perfbnse. 

VINCENTIO,  Duke  of  Yiamz. 

Angdo,  Lord  Deputy  in  the  Duke*s  aifince, 

P^  1      7  jIn  ancient  Lord^  joined  vntb  Angdo  ii. 

Claudio,  a  young  Geniknum, 

Ludo,  a  Fant^ick. 

Two  Gentlemen. 

Varrius,  a  Gentleman^  Servant  to  the  Duke. 

Provoft. 

SerT"^  }  ^^  -^'^'^'• 

ji  Juftice. 

Elbow,  aftmple  Conjlabk, 

Froth,  a  foolijh  Gentleman* 

Clown,  Servant  to  M^s.  Ovcr-donej 

Abhoribn,  an  Executioner. 

Bamardinc,  a  dijfokte  Prifoner* 

Ifabella,  Sifter  to  Claudio. 
Mariana,  betrothed  to  Angelo.  ' 
Juliet,  beloved  of  QhxidsQ, 
Frandfca,  a  Nun. 
Miftrefs  Over-done,  a  Bawd* 

CuardSy  Officers^  and  other  jbteniantsl 

SCENE,  Vienna. 


MEV 


Measure  for  Measure, 


A   C   T    I.      SCENE 
rht  Duie's    PALACE. 

Enter  Duh^  Elcalus,  end  Lords. 


I. 


D   U    £    £. 


SCALUS,. 


EfcaL  My  Lord, 

Duki,    Of  Government  the  propertiej 
c'unfold, 
Would  fcem  in  me  c'affciS  ipccch  and  dif- 
courfe, 

'  Since  I  am  not  to  know,  that  your  own  Science 
Exceeds,  in  that,  the  lifts  of  aH  advice 
My  llrcngth  can  give  you :  then  no  more  remains : 

Put 

I    Tlie  (lory  is  ukeo  from  Cinthh^%  Novdt^    Dietm^  %• 

Nnftm^tr  j.  Mr  Pe^t. 

2  Sinu  I  am  not  U  kno^w,  that  ysur  envn  Science 
Excttdi,  iff  tkat^  tbi  lijit  ef  a  ii  adrift 
My  Jirengtb  cart  givt  ycu  :  thin  ma  mart  rtmaiMS  z 
put  /^n/ /ffjtftfr  fufHcieQcy,  mj  pur  ^trfh  ii  ahlr^ 
And  !et  them  *ujork,  ]   To  the  i&ccgrity  of  iJm  rcaifnj 
Mr.   7heohaU  <Ai]e&.it  and  fays »  What  ^txai  ^{ia\i\^  t9  put  t9  b!t 
/mficitrntyf   tvhy  hii  fcitnc^ :  B»t  h'j/cuifft  *nd  fr^cttmytvtrt 

A  ^  Z  hd 


356  Meafure  for  Meafure. 

put  that  to  your  fufEcicncy,  as  your  worth  is  abk. 

And  Jet  thtm  work.    The  nature  of  our  people. 

Our  dry's  inftitutions,  *  and  the  terms 

Of  common  juftice,  y*are  as  pre^iant  in. 

As  art  and  praftice  hath  enriched  any 

That  we  remember.     There  is  our  Commiffion^ 

From  which  we  would  not  have  you  warp»  Call 

I  fay,  bid  come  before  us  Angtk : 

What  figure  of  us,  think  you,  he  will  bear  ? 

<.  For  you  muft  know,  we  have  with  Ipecial  roll 

Elcfted  him  our  Abfcnce  to  fupply  \ 

Lent  him  our  Terror,  dreft  him  with  our  Love  $ 

And  giv'n  his  Deputation  all  the  organs 

Of  our  own  Power  :  fay,  what  think  you  of  it  ? 

Efi^dL  If  any  in  Vienna  be  of  worth 
To  undergo  fuch  ample  grace  and  honour. 
It  IS  lord  A^tb, 

hui  pnt  and  tht  fsmi  fhing,  Owt^^hai  thm  does  the  rflati^^iktM 
4*pfndf  He  will  have  it,  chereforc^  that  a  line  lui$  been 
dentally  dropt,  which  he  attempts  to  rcftore  by  dat  di/i^i 
Nedum  rfl  fiirpa  qurfrit.  And  all  for  want  of  knowiiig,  thai 
fst^cirnty  is  meant  authority,  the  power  delegated  by  the  DoIk 
Co  £/'d?»i.  The  plain  meaning  of  the  word  being  tiiis ;  ?al 
your  ikiil  /«  g$iffrni/ig  (  fays  the  Duke)  /a  fht  ^^"Wfr  ^ahith  t 
gi'Vi  you  to  ixtnift  it,  and  Ut  thttn  ^W9rk  itgtthtr^ 

5  ■  ^ad  iht  ttnB$  pftommQn  jvfiUty  ]    *.  r.    boiindi^ 

limit*. 

d|  For  yen  mmfi  knuno  otw  h^ve  *wit&/fie(ial  SOtTL 
Eh^fd  him  our  alfince  H  /up^i/t] 
JTius  nonfenie  muft  be  correfled  thus, 

nxitb J^tcial  ROLL 

im  t,  by  a  fpeclal  commidlcn,  For  it  appears^  froni  tha  fe(« 
'likat  Sftaiut  had  one  commiflion^  and  Angih  an^thtr.  Tbfi  Dofa 
liad  before  delivered  Efcaim  hta  commiHion.  He  now  dedm 
that  deflgned  for  jlngtla:  &nd  he  fays,  afterward^  tQ  bocb. 

Te  th^  hopt/ui  extcHthn  d^  I  /fat^ejeu 

Ofyour  c^mmijjlont. 

Why  Angth^ft  was  called  the  fpuml  rsll  wit,  becauCe  be  % 
tuihority  fupcrior  to  Efcaht. 

oid  Efcalui, 

Tit*  frji  ia  futfiian^  is  thyfictndmj. 


Meafure  for  Meafure, 


35 


E      N 


11. 


Enter  Angelo. 

Bukt.  Look,  where  he  comes, 
Jng.  Always  obedient  to  your  Grace's  wiU, 
I  come  to  know  your  plcafure, 

Duke,  jlftgelo^ 
There  is  a  kind  of  charafter  in  thy  life. 
That  to  th*  obfcrver  doth  thy  hiftory 
Fully  unfold :  thy  fcif  and  thy  belongings 
'Arc  not  thine  ovvn  fo  proper,  as  to  vrailc 
Thy  fclf  upon  thy  virtues  ;  thty  on  thcc, 
Hcav*n  doth  mx\\  us,  as  we  with  torches  do» 
Not  light  them  for  themfelves:  ^  for  if  our  virtues 
Did  not  go  forth  of  us,  'twere  all  alike 
As  if  we  had  them  not.   Spirits  arc  not  finely  touched. 
But  to  fine  ifiues  :  nor  Nature  never  lends 
The  fmalleit  fcrupic  of  her  excellence. 
But,  like  a  thrifty  Goddc6^  flie  determines 
Her  felf  the  glory  of  a  creditor. 
Both  thanks  and  ufc.    *  But  I  do  bend  my  fpecch 
To  one  that  can  I  my  part  in  him  advertife  i 

F^^m/fptilim  Jifiat  intrtia 

Cflata  virtus.- -^-  Horn. 

6  But  /  dc  he  tid  my  /pet  eh 

7*  ant  that  fax  my  part  in  him  md*oirtif*  \  ]  Tbii  is  Oib- 
fcvre.  The  meaning  i?,  i  dircft  nty  fpecch  to  one  wtio  i»  able  to 
t€adi  mc  how  to  govern :  my  pari  in  him,  ftguifying  Jny  ofitCC^ 
which  1  have  delegated  to  him, 

7  *  my  pari  ia  him  advirti/t ;  ]   i.  t.  who  knowj  whl( 

appCfUinj  to  the  character  of  tJeputjf  or  viceroy.  Can  ad-vtrtift 
my  part  in  him  (  th&t  is,  hfs  reprefentation  of  my  perfon.  Bat  all 
cheie  quaintnefTes  of  cxprefTioa,  the  Ox/hrd  E direr  {c^m^  {worn 
to  extirpate  ;  that  is,  to  take  away  one  o( ShsAt/pear\  chaTa«.^e- 
ri^lic  marks ;  which «  if  not  one  «f  (he  comlicftj  h  yet  one  of  the 
Jlrongeil.     So  he  alters  ihii  lo 

7a  am  that  cett^   in  my  port^  mt  adverti/t- 
A  better  expreiiioik  indeed,  buc,  for  all  ih&c^  noRC  ai  Shaii/^rarU. 

A  a  j  Hold 


35^  Meafure  for   Meafure, 

Hold  therefore,  Angeb  : 

In  our  Remove,  be  thou  at  full  our  fcIF. 

Mortality  and  Mercy  in  Vienna 

live  in  thy  tongue  and  heart :  old  Efcaius^ 

Though  firft  in  qucftion,  is  thy  Secondary. 

Take  thy  Commffion, 

j^ng.  Now,  good  my  lotd* 
Let  there  be  fome  more  teft  made  of  my  metal. 
Before  fo  noble  and  fo  ^tat  a  figure 
Be  ftampt  upon  it.  M 

Duke.  ■  Come,  no  more  CTrafion  : 
We  have  with  a  prepare  and  levcl*d  choice 
Proceeded  to  you  \  therefore  take  your  hotK)ur». 
Out  hafte  from  hence  is  of  fo  quick  condition. 
That  it  prefers  it  felf,  and  leaves  unqucIlionM 
Matters  of  needful  value.    We  fhall  write  to  you. 
As  time  and  our  conctmings  (hall  importune. 
How  ic  goes  with  us ;  and  do  look  to  know 
What  doth  befal  you  here.     So,  fare  you  well. 
To  th' hopeful  execution  do  I  leave  you 
Of  your  CommiiTions. 

Ang.  Yet  gi^  me  leave,  my  lord. 
That  we  may  bring  you  fomcthing  on  the  way. 

Duke,  My  hafte  may  not  admit  it ; 
Nor  need  you»  on  mine  honour,  have  to  do 
With  any  fcruple ;  your  fcope  is  as  mine  own. 
So  to  inforce,  or  qualify  the  Laws, 
As  to  your  foul  fcems  good.    Give  me  your  handi 
PU  privily  away.     1  love  the  people  ^ 
But  do  not  like  to  ftage  me  to  their  eyes  : 
Though  It  do  well,  I  do  not  relifh  weU 
Their  loud  applaufe,  and  Avc^s  vehement : 

%  Ceme,  Kc  mire  e*vaJton  : 
Wr  harve  ivith  e  prtP(ir*4  and  l  E  a  V  E  K  *  D  el^hi 
Pro^tfdrd  to  yesii^  //d'Vf  aV  has  no  jTenfe  in  thii  pljicct 
^louM  read  i^kvsl^o  tUui.    Tbe  aHufton  i»  to  archery,    whtM 
a  dim  has  fijtcd  upon  hh  obje^,  after  taki/»g  good  $Sm* 


jd 


Miofure  for  Meafure. 

JiJor  do  1  think  the  man  of  fafe  difcretion, 
That  docs  affctfl  it.     Once  more,  fare  you  wcU. 

jing,  The  heav'ns  give  fafcty  to  your  purpofes ! 

EJcaL  Lead  fbrtli  and  bring  you  bade  in  luppincfs ! 

Duke*  I  cliank  you,  fare  you  well.  [£w/. 

EfcaL  I  ihall  defirc  you.  Sir,  to  give  mc  leave 
To  have  free  Ipeech  witli  you  ;  and  ic  concerns  me 
To  look  into  the  bottom  of  my  Place :  c 

A  pow'r  1  have,  but  of  what  ftrength  and  nature 
1  am  not  yet  inftrufted. 

jing,  'Tis  fo  with  me  :  let  us  witi^draw  together,  i 
And  we  may  foon  our  (atisfaftion  have 
Touching  that  point,  i 

EfiaL  ril  wait  upon  your  Honour.  \Exeunt, 


359^ 


E      N 

The  Street. 


III. 


Enter  Lucio,  and  twc  Gemkmen, 

J^ucie,  T  F  the  Duke,  with  the  other  Dukes,  come  riw 
A  to  compofirion  with  the  King  of  Hungary^ 
vhy,  then  all  the  Dukes  fall  upon  die  King. 

1  Gent,  Heav'n  grant  us  its  peace,  bur  not  the  King 
oi  Hungarf%l 

1  Cent,  Amen,  „ 
Ltuw,  Thou  conchjd'ft  like  the  fanflinionious  Pi- 
rate, that  went  to  fca  with  the  ten  Commandment^ 
but  fcrap'd  one  out  of  the  Tabic. 

2  Gent,  Thou  Ihalt  not  fteal. * 

Ludo.  Ay,  that  he  raz/d. 

I  Gent,  Why, 'twas  a  Commandment  to  com-*""^^ 
the  captain  and  all  the  reft  from  their  funftions » 
put  forth  to  fteal ;  there's  not  a  foldier  of  us  all,  that* 
in  the  thankfgiving  before  mcat»  does  relifli  the  pcti- 
fion  well  that  prays  for  Peace.  ' 

1  Gent,  I  never  heard  any  fotdier  diflikc  it. 


A  a 


Luih. 


360  Meafure  for  Meafure. 

Lucio.  I  believe  thee :  for,  I  think,  thou  never  will 
where  grace  was  faid. 

i  GcrU,  No  ?   a  dozen  times  at  leaft* 

I  Gent,  What,  in  mccter  ? 

Lucio.  ^  In  any  proportion,  or  in  any  language. 

I  Gen£.  I  think,  or  in  any  religion. 

Lu£io,  Ay,  why  not?  grace  is  grace,  '  defpighiof 
all  controverfie ;  as  for  example,  thou  thy  fell'  art  a 
wicked  villain,  defpight  of  all  grace. 

1  Geni.  Well  i  there  went  but  a  pair  of  Dicers  lr» 
tween  us. 

Lud&.  I  grant ;  as  there  may  between  the  lifts  and 
the  velvet.     Thou  art  the  lift. 

J  Ge«t.  And  thou  the  velvet;  thou  art  good  K^ 
vet  i  chouVt  a  thrce-pil'd  piece>  I  warrant  thee :  I 
had  as  lief  be  a  lift  of  an  EngHJb  kerfey,  a^  be  xffi^ 
as  thou  art  pil'dj  lor  a  Fremb  velvet.  Do  I 
feelingly  now  ? 

Lucio.  I  chink,  thou  doftj  and,  indeed,  with 
patnfi:!  feeling  of  thy  Ipeech  ;  I  will,  out  of  thine < 
confeflicn»  learn  to  begin  thy  health  j   but,  whilft 
live,  forget  to  diink  after  thee. 

t  Gent,  I  think,  1  have  done  my  fclf  wroog,  h 
I  not? 

2  Gent.   Yes,  diat  thou  haft  j  whether  thou 
tainted,  or  free. 

Ijicio.  BeholJ,  behold,  where  Madam  Mtigati 
comes. 


9  ff*  afTf  pttftrtiffv,  h^J\  Here  the  Oitford  Eiit$r  rfi 
dialogue  c^rJbis  own.  inltud  ufEliii:   ind,  as  one  wouSi 
neither  fci  clear  eor  fa  lively.     And  all  for  w«nc  of  knoini^ 
jneaniogof  the  word  prcj^jithn^  which  fignific*  JB*»^r :  And 
fcra  to  itic  qucAion,    IFvue,   in  z/jfch-r  > 

]  Jr/piiht  of  at!  €^ntrQ*v€rfii  ;  ]  Satirically  biJiiraattiig  tlMt  tlic 
t^niT^^tffiii  about  j-r^rr  were  fo  miricaw  and  eodieJs.  tlwt  Uht 
dirjftitanu  unlculcd  every  tiling  but  (bis,  that  gract  ^4Mj  grscis 
whii^si,  however^  io  ipiie  of  coatcoveriy,  ftiU  renubcd  ccrtAiA. 


1  Geni^ 


Meafure  for   Meafurt. 

1  Gtnt,  I  have  purchased  as  many  difcafa  undo-  her 
roof,  ^  come  to 

2  GenL  To  what  I  pray? 

1  Gmt.  Judge. 

2  Gent,  To  uiree  thoufand  dolkrs  a  year. 
1  Gmt.  Ay,  and  more. 

Jjuao.  A  French  crown  more, 

I  Cent.  Thou  art  always  figuring  dUeafes  in  me  ; 
but  thou  art  full  of  error  i  I  am  found. 

Lucio.  Nay^  not  as  one  wouid  fay  healthy  i  but  fo 
fbtJnd,  as  things  that  are  hollow  \  chy  bones  are  hol^ 
low  i  ttrtpiety  hath  made  a  feaft  of  thee* 


361 


IV. 


^L  SCENE 

^H  Enter  Bawd. 

^P  1  Cent,  How  now,  wliich  of  your  liips  has  the  moft 
profound  fciatica  ? 

Bawd,  Well,  well  j  there's  one  yonder  arrefted, 
and  carry'd  to  prifon,  was  worth  five  thoufand  of 
you  all. 

1  Gent,  Who*s  that,  I  pr'ythec  } 

£awd.  Marry,  Sir,  that's  Claudia  i  Srgnior  Clattdw^ 

1  Gent.  Claudw  to  prilbi>  ?  'tis  not  fb. 

Bav)d.  Nay,  but  1  Know,  'tis  fo-,  J  faw  him  ar- 
refted J  law  him  carry'd  away  ;  and,  which  is  niore» 
within  thefe  three  days  his  head  is  to  be  chopt  off. 

Ludo^  But,  after  al]  this  fooling,  I  would  not  have 
it  fo !  art  thou  fure  of  this  ? 

Bawd,  I  am  too  fure  of  it  ^  and  it  is  for  getting 
madam  JuUetta  with  child, 

Lueio,  Believe  me,  this  may  be ;  he  promifed  to 
meet  me  two  hours  fincc,  and  he  was  ever  precife  in 
promifc-keeping, 

2  Gem.  Bcfidcs,  you  know,  it  draws  fomechingnear 
to  the  Ipeech  we  had  to  fuch  a  purptKfc, 

I  Cm. 


-62  Meajun  for  Meafure. 

1  Gtnl,  But  moft  of  all  agreeing  with  the  Proc^ 
m^on. 
Lucio,  AvrzY^  let'sgolcarn  the  truth  of  it,     [Ext 

Manet  Bawd. 

Sa^d.  Thus,  what  wich  the  war,  what   with 
fweat,  what  wich  the  gallows,   and   what    with 
Tcrty,  I  am  cuftom-flinmk.     How  now  ?  what's 
news  with  you  ? 


E      N 

Enter  Cbwn, 


V. 


Chwn.  Yonder  man  is  carryM  to  priiba^r 

Bawd,  Well ;  what  has  he  done  ? 

Clown.  A  woman. 

Bawd,  But  what's  his  offence  ? 

Clown.  Groping  for  trouts  in  a  pecuTiar  river. 

Bawd.  What  ?  is  there  a  maid  with  child  by 

Clown.  No ',  but  there's  a  woman  with  maid  by  I 
Tou  have  not  heard  of  the  Proclamation,  have  youT 

B^^d.  What  Proclamation,  man  ? 

Clown,  All  houfes  in  the  fuburbs  of  Vienna  tsaii 
Oe  pluck 'd  down. 

Bawd,  And  what  Ihal]  become  ofthofe  in  thedty? 

Cbwn.  *  They  fhalt  ftand  for  feed  \    they  had  gcw 
down  too,  btic  that  a  wife  burgher  put  in  for  them. 

Bawd,  BuE  fhall  all  our  houfes  of  rcfort  in  iJie  fi 
be  pull*d  down  ? 

Clo^PL  To  the  ^ound,  miftrefs. 


:hei]L 
fu^ 


Z  They  Jhall  ^^jid  for  feed  ;  ]  Sinifa,  iB  his  mock  A_ 
cX  Claudius,  ridiculing  him  for  hiving  CxtfAdfld  tbe  uffkn  d 
Roman  ckizCns  fo  immoderately,  makes  CUlhf  la/,  f'^t  mth<r' 
fuUt  pupUum  temper  is  adjictre  iHi  vsU^am,  dun  ^f  ptgjienkU 
ftti /up^r/unt,  tivitati  donartt :  canjlituerat  enfm  ^mttrs  G^^^KM 
GaUos^  Hs/paftos^  Britanitoj,  tfi^Ai&s  *vUtri,  Bid  fwmiamt  pl^^^ 
4tli^u9s  ptrtgrinQs  lu  dfiiisn  HELiN^jJit  ei  tm  iimjuhetfari,  ' 
fiat. 

Bffw4% 


Meafure  for   Meafure. 

'  Bawi.  Why,  here's  a  change^  indeed^  in  the  com- 
tnon-wealdi  j  what  fhall  become  of  me? 

Clffwn,  Come,  fear  not  you ;  good  counfcUors  lack 
no  clients  i  though  you  change  your  place,  you  need 
not  change  your  trade ;  Til  be  your  tapfter  ftiJJ.  Cou* 
rage,  there  wiU  be  pity  taken  on  you  ;  you  that  have 
worn  your  eyes  almoll  out  in  the  fovice,  you  will  be 
confidcred. 

Bofwi.  What's  to  do  here,  Thmas  HafJierF  let*$ 
wthdrave. 

Ckwn.  Here  comes  Signior  Qaudi&y  led  by  the 
Rovoft  to  prifon  j  and  there's  madam  yuliet, 

[^Excum  Bawd  dnd  Clownu 


363 


SCENE      VL 


tSnter  Provoft,  Claudio*  JuJict^  md  Oj^cers, 
end  two  Gentlemen. 


Lucio 


CUud,  Fellow,  why  dofl  rhou  fhow  me  thus  to  th* 
world? 
Bear  mc  to  prifon,  where  I  am  committed, 

pTQV^  I  do  it  not  in  evil  dif]X)fition, 
Sut  from  lord  Angela  by  ipecial  charge* 

Claud.  *  Thus  can  tKe  Demi-god,  Authority, 
Make  us  py  down^  for  our  offence*  by  weight. 
The  worus  of  heav'n ;  on  %vhom  it  will,  it  wiU  ; 
On  whom  it  Tftdll  not,  foj  yet  ftill  *risjuft. 

3  Tiaj  tan  the  Drtni-gtfd^  jfufJhrilff 

Maki  9i  /dX  ifonv»t  for  our  oftitci,  ij  ^*tigtt 
Thi  tvorit  ef  hta^in  i  oh  tvbom  it  %»ilL  tt  will  i 
On  ^Adtn  it  *tjjiil  Mt^  fi  ;  pt  ftll!  ^thjufi^  ]  ThC  Wwng 
pomllng  of  the  feeond  line  hath  made  the  paifage  iininreUi|ibtc. 
TTicre  ought  to  be  a  fill!  iiop  at  ^fight.  And  the  fcnfe  0?  the 
whole  31  Ais  ;  ^ht  Dtmi  ged^  Authority,  mahs  m  *4/  rhf/uUM^ 
malty  4f«mr  efftnUf  And  iif  di^rta  *r^  at  iittlt  to  he  ^nrjlio^fd  mi 
the  *'MorJi  ^fhtinjnti  ^ohUhproneuJieti  itt  pim/an  thm, —  Ipitni^ 
and  rtmit futtifomttt ai<^rdi*fg  te  mj  ewn 9fifvntrfi9(iiii>U i^iih  fti^ 


264  Meafurt  for  Meafure. 

Ijicio,  Why,  how  now,  Qaudio  ?  whence  coincs 

this  reftraint  ? 

CImiii.  From  too  much  liberty,  my  Lucio^  Ubcrqr; 
As  furfeic  is  the  father  of  much  faft. 
So  ev'ry  fcopc  by  the  immod*rare  ule 
Turns  to  reiVraint :  our  natures  do  purfue. 
Like  rats  that  ravin  down  their  proper  banc, 
A  thirfty  evil ;  and  when  we  drink,  wc  die. 

Lucie.  If  I  could  ipcak  fo  wifely  under  an  arrcft* 
would  fend  for  certain  of  my  creditors ;  and  yet,  to 
the  trutK»  I  had  as  lief  have  the  foppery  of  frcedc 
as  the  morality  of  imprironment :  what's  thy  offe 
Claudie  ? 

Claud.  What,  but  to  fiieak  of,  would  offend 

Litcio,  What  is' r J  murder? 

Claud,  No. 

Ijuw,  Letdicry? 

Gaud.  Call  it  fo. 

Prffv,  Away,  Sir,  you  mufl:  go. 

Claud.  One  word,  good  fi-icnd:-'^-*ZLttdtf,  a 
with  you, 

Lucio,  A  nundred ;  if  they'll  do  you  any  good 
letchcry  fo  looked  after? 

Claud,  Thus  ftands  it  wth  me  ;  upon  a  true  coni 
I  got  poflciTion  of  JulieUah  bed, 
(You  Icnow  the  lady,)  fhc  is  faft  my  wife ; 
Save  that  we  do  the  denunciation  lack 
Of  outward  order.     This  we  came  not  to. 
Only  for  propagation  of  a  dower 
Remaining  in  the  coffer  of  her  friends  j 
From  whom  we  thought  it  meet  to  hide  our  lovei 
,'Till  time  had  made  them  for  us.    But  it  chances, 

^/r  'who  cart  /hf  ^nhaf  ditft  M«i.  -  Mak*  kJ  ^*y  i^^n^ftr 

oftHce^  hy<ikrif^ht^  ij  a  fine  exprcllian,  to  figtjify  fnyitig  ibcfv^ 
penalty.  The  rattaphor  is  nkcn  from  paying  money  by  otw^W, 
ivhich  is  alwnvs  cxaii;   noc  fo  by  t^U,  on  accoura  of  Hit  pra&ce 


Meafure  for  Meafure* 

Theftealth  of  our  ♦  moft  mutual  entertainment, 
"With  charafter  coo  grofs,  is  writ  on  Juktt. 

Lucie.  With  child,  perhaps  ? 

ClauJ*  Unhappily,  even  lb, 
lAnd  the  new  deputjr  now  for  the  Duke, 
(Whether  ic  be  the  fault,  and  glimpfe,  of  newneii  j 
Or  whether  that  the  body  publick  be 
A  horfe  whereon  the  Governor  doth  ride, 
Whoj  newly  in  die  ftSLt^  char  it  may  know 
He  can  command,  lets  it  ftraigiic  fed  the  fpur ; 
"Whether  the  tyranny  be  in  his  Place, 
Or  in  his  eminence  that  fills  it  up, 
I  dagger  in : )  but  this  new  Governor 
j  Awakes  mc  all  th'  enrolled  penalties, 
"Which  have,  like  unfcour'd  armour,  hung  by  th*  wall 
So  long,  that  nineteen  Zodiacks  have  gone  round^ 
And  none  of  them  been  worn  ;  and,  for  a  name, 
Now  puts  the  drowfie  and  negk<5ted  A& 
;  FrcOify  in  me  i  *tis  furely^  for  a  name. 

Lucie.  I  warrant,  it  i&;  and  thy  head  (lands  fo  tickle 
on  thy  (houlders,  that  a  milk-maid,  if  (he  be  m  Jove, 
i  may  figh  it  off.     Send  after  the  Duke,    and  appeal 
lo  him. 
^Ciaud.  I  have  done  fo,  but  he*s  not  to  be  found, 
I  pr*ythec,  Lucio^  do  me  this  kind  fervicc  : 
This  day  my  Sifter  (fcould  the  Cloifter  enter. 
And  there  receive  her  Approbation. 
Acquit  her  with  the  danger  of  my  ftate. 
Implore  her,  in  my  voice,  that  ihc  make  friends 
To  the  ftrift  Deputy  j  bid  her  fclf  affay  him  j 
I  have  great  hope  in  that ;  for  in  her  youth 
There  b  a  prone  and  fpeechlels  dialed, 

as  moves  men  \  befide,  flie  hath  profp'rous  art 


365 . 


r 


-^  - — -. mvfi  mattt^l — ]  Le,  mo(l  intimate.     The  phf^fi;  *• 

extrcEndy  eicgant  on  thi«  occariun;  ycc  difliked  b/  the  Ox/afd 
£dri9r^  vvho  itrikft  om  'toft. 


Wh 


oi 


■ 


3  66  Meafure  for  Meafure^ 

Wlicn  flic  will  phy  with  rca(bn  and  difcourfe. 
And  well  fljc  can  pafuade. 

Lucia,  I  pray,  Ihc  may  \  ^  well  for  the 
ment  of  the  like,  which  dfe  would  ftand  under 
Tous  impofition;  as  for  the  enfoying  of  thy  life, 
I  would  be  forry  fhould  be  thus  fooli/hly  loft 
game  of  dck-tack.     I'll  to  her. 

Gaud,  I  thank  you,  good  friend  ZmcIo. 

Luck.  Within  two  hours^ 

Claud,  Come,  officer,  away.  [, 

SCENE       VU. 
ji    M  O  NA  S  T  E  R  r. 


Eniet  Duke,  and  Friar  Thomas. 


Duke. 


NO ;  holy  father,  throw  away  that  thouriit! 
Believe  not,  that  the  dribbling  dart  onovc 
CiJn  pierce  a  compleat  bofom  :  why  I  defire  thoc 
To  give  me  fccrec  harbour,  hath  a  purpofc 
More  grave,  and  wrinkled,  than  the  aims  and  codl 
Of  burning  youth. 

FrL  M  ay  your  Grace  fpeak  of  it  ? 

Duke,  My  holy  Sir,  none  better  knows  than  you.i 
How  I  have  ever  lov'd  the  life  removed  ; 
And  held  in  idle  price  to  haunt  Aflemblies, 
"Where  youth,  and  coft,   and  wiclels  bravery  keepSt 
I  have  dc!ivcr*d  to  lord  Jn^elo 
^  {A  man  of  ftrid  ure  and  firm  abftinence) 
My  ablblute  Pow'r  and  Place  here  in  Vicmta% 
And  he  fqppofes  me  cravell'd  to  Poland  t 
For  fo  I've  ftrew'd  it  in  die  common  car, 

5  Arnmn  tf  STtlCTtJ  dt  ami  firm  ahfiinenci]  firiSmft 
SO  fenfc  in  this  place.     We  fhoold  read, 

A  man  &f  s>r^\cr  vke  an^  firm  aifiiii€»^* 
f,  t,  a  man  ofrne  txaSfft  tot^tiSt  «ad  prsftii^d  in  clie  i^m-w-i 
hi*  palTions.     Ure  an  old  word  for  ufe^  pra£Ucc«   fg  t»mr*4p 
LdtUftEcd  CO. 


I" 

^uid  fo  it  I 


Meqfure  for  Meafure. 


367 


id  fo  it  is  receivM :  now,  |«ous  iiir. 
You  will  demand  of  me,  why  I  do  this  ? 

pri.  Gladly*  my  lord*  : 

'Duki,  We  havcftiidt  Statures  and  moft  biting  Laws, 
*  (The  needful  bits  and  curbs  for  head-flrong  Sreeds,^ 
"Which  for  thefe  nineteen  yean  '  we  have  lee  flecp  ; 
Even  like  an  o^er-grown  lion  3n  a  cave, 
That  goes  not  out  to  prey  :  now,  as  fond  fathers 
Having  bound  up  the  thrcat'ning  twigs  of  birch. 
Only  to  ftJck  it  in  their  cMldren*s  fight. 
For  terror,  not  to  ufc ;  in  tioie  the  rod 
Becomes  more  mock'd,  than  fear'd :  i^  our  Decrees, 
Dead  to  infliftion,  to  thcmfelvcs  are  dead ; 
And  Liberty  plucks  Jufticc  by  the  nofc  % 
"The  baby  beats  the  nurffj  and  quite  athwart 
Goes  all  decorum. 

Fri.  It  refted  in  your  Grace 
T*unloofe  this  ty'd  up  jullice,  when  you  pleas'd  : 
And  it  in  you  more  dreadful  woiild  mve  feem'd. 
Than  in  lord  Augeh. 

Duke,  I  do  feaTj  too  dreadful. 
Sith  *twas  my  fault  to  give  die  people  Icope, 
*Twould  be  my  tyranny  to  ftrike,  and  galJ  them. 
For  what  I  bid  them  do.     For  we  bid  this  be  done. 
When  ev'd  deeds  have  their  pcrmiflivc  pafs. 
And  not  the  punifhment.  Therefore,  indeed,  my  fatlier, 
I  have  on  Angela  imposed  the  office  : 
Who  may  in  th'  ambufh  of  my  name  ftrike  home. 
And  yet,  my  nature  never  in  the  fight 
To  do  in  flajidcr :  And  to  behold  his  fway, 

6  T-&/  B/f^i//bitiaff^furlM/tfr  Af*^#ir^  wEfiDS,  ]  Common 
^afe,  and  the  integrity  of  the  mctapharf  fhcws  that  Sh^itjptar 
mote  htaifir^ng  ^trsd^. 

7  -■  ■_     Wm  h&v*  i(t  s  LI F  ; 
Tk»  fimilitud*  ftew*  that  Sif^iffpf&r  wrote; 

I  will. 


Il 


j68  Meafure  for  Meafun. 

I  w3U  ^  *twcrc  a  Brother  of  your  Ordar, 

YiHt  both  prince  and  people ;  therefore,  pr'Ttheey 

Supply  me  with  the  habit,  and  inftnift  me 

How  I  may  formally  in  pcrfbn  bear. 

Like  a  true  Friar.     More  reafens  fcx*  dus  aSioa 

At  our  mcMT  leifure  (hall  I  render  you  ; 

Only,  this  one :  —  Lord  jhgek  is  predfe  ; 

*^  Stands  at  a  guard  with  envy ;  icarce  confeflcs 

**  That  Us  blood  flows,  or  that  hb  appetite 

*'  Is  more  to  bread  than  ftone :  hence  Ihatt  we  fee. 

If  pow'r  change  purpofe,  what  our  feeaicn  be.    [£xr. 

SCENE      VIIL 
A  Nunnery. 

Enter  Uabella  and  Frandlca. 

Ifab.  AND  have  you  Nuns  no  further  privileges? 
x\     Nun,  Are  not  thefe  large  cnougjh ? 

Ifab,  Yes,  truly ;  I  ipeak  not  as  defiling  more  ; 
But  rather  wifhing  a  more  ftrid  reftnunc 
Upon  the  fifter-hood,  the  votarifts  of  Saint  Clare, 

LMcie.  \witbin^  Hoa !  Peace  be  in  this  place! 

Ifab,  Who's  tHat,  which  calls  ? 

Nun.  It  is  a  man's  voice :  gentle  Ifabella^ 
Turn  you  the  key,  and  know  his  bulmels  of  him ; 
You  may ;  I  may  not-,  you  are  yet  unfwom : 
•  When  you^iave  vow'd,  you  muft  notipeakwithmcn* 
But  in  the  prcfcnce  of  the  Prioreis  ; 
Then,  if  you  ipeak,  you  muft  not  (hew  your  face  ^ 
Or,  tf  you  fhcw  your  face,  you  muft  not  ^)«dc. 

He 

%  U^benycu  hante  ^vffovV,  you  mufi  not/^ak  with  mtu. 
But  in  tbt  fnfinct  of  tht  Priorefs ; 
7<6m,  ifytmfpeakf  you  rnufl  not  jbenu  yomr  fact  % 
Or^  if  yom  f>e^  your  face ^  ym  muf  not  fi^mkJ\    Thisiia 
▼ery  artful  preparation  for  the  eflMls  that  lfaM%  fudicttadoB  haf 
«■  Augtk  in  the  folIowii»g  Scene,  as  it  ihewa  the  mifchieft  tk 

baatf 


Meafure  for  Meajure.  369 

He  calls  agan  5  I  pray  you,  anfwer  him.  [Exit  Franc 
Jfab.  Peace  and  prolpcrity  !  who  is*t  that  calls  ? 

Enter  Lucio. 

Lucio.  Hal,  virgjn,  (if  you  be)  as  thofe  check-rofcs 
Proclaim  you  arc  no  lefe  \  can  you  fo  ftcad  me. 
As  bring  me  to  the  fight  of  IfabeUa^ 
A  novice  of  tliis  place,  and  the  fair  filler 
To  her  unhappy  brother  Claudio  ? 

Jfab.  Why  lier  unhappy  brother?  let  me  ask 
The  rather,  for  I  now  muft  make  you  know 
I  am  that  Tfabella^  and  his  fifler.  [you  *, 

Lucio,  Gentle  and  fair,  your  brother  kindly  greets 
Not  to  be  weary  with  you,  he's  in  prifbn. 

Ifab,  Wo  me !  for  what  ? 

LMcia.  For  that,  which,  ifmyfelfmiehtbehisjudgc^ 
He  fliould  receive  his  punifliment  in  thariks  \ 
He  hath  got  his  friend  with  child. 

Ifab,  Sir,  make  me  not  your  ftory.  [liar  fin 

iMcio,  "Hs  true ; — I  would  not  (tho* » 'tis  my  fami- 
With  maids  to  ieem  the  lapwing,  and  to  jeft. 
Tongue  hx  from  heart)  play  widi  all  margins  fa 
I  hold  you  as  a  thing  en-sky*d,  and  l^ted  j 

beauty  to  be  fo  great,  t}>at  the  tUligtout  had  laid  down  rules  and 
r^ulations  to  prevent  its  iaordinate  influenoef  which  leiTcni  osr 
furprlfe  at  AmgtWz  weaknefs. 

9        ■       ■   V/j  mj  familiar  fin 

With  maids  ufttm  tht  lafwittg,-^]  The  OjefirJ  Edit9t^t 
note»  on  this  parage,  is  in  thefe  woras.  The  lafnaings  fy  with 
fitming  fright  and  amxiety  far  from  ihtir  ntfis^  to  dice  I've  tbofi 
m»b9  fool  tbiir  ytmng.  And  do  not  all  other  birds  do  the  fiunef 
But  what  has  this  to  do  with  the  Infidelity  of  a  general  lover,  to 
whom  this  bird  is  compared.  It  is  another  quality  of  the  lap- 
wing, that  is  here  alluded  to,  vis:,  its  perpetually  flying  fo  low 
and  fo  near  the  pafTenger,  that  he  thinks  ht  has  it,  and  then  U 
Ibddanly  gone  again.  This  made  it  a  proverbial  expreflion  to 
fip&ify  a  lover's  falfhood  :  and  it  feems  to  be  a  very  old  one  » 
for  Cbamctr,  in  his  FlanxmanU  falt^  &yi  iJmd  i^in^tlmi 
ivtti  €omitb  lit, 

Vot.  I.  B  b  Bjr 


370 


Meafure  for  Mtafure. 


By  your  renouncement,  an  immortal  Spirit  % 
And  to  be  taJk'd  with  in  finccrky^ 
As  with  a  Saint. 

IJab,  You  do  blalpheme  the  goodj  in  mt 

Lucfo.  DonotbcHevcit.  Fcwncfsand  truth,  *i 
Your  brother  and  his  lover  having  cmbrac'd. 
As  thofe  that  feed  grow  full,  as  bloffoming  dme 
*  That  from  the  fectJnds  the  bare  fallow  bnngs 
To  teeming  '  foyfon ;  fo  her  plenteous  womb 
Exprcffcth  his  full  tilth  and  Jiusbandry. 

Ifab.  Some  one  with  child  by  him  ?  -^-«  my 

iMcio.  Is  fhe  your  coufin  ? 

Ifab.  Adoptedly,  as  fchool-maids  change  th< 
By  vain,  tho*  api,  affcftion. 

LuctQ,  She  it  is, 

Ifab.  O,  let  Ilim  marry  her ! 

hucio^  This  is  the  point. 
The  Duke  is  very  ftrangely  gone  from  hence  5 
Bore  many  gentlemen,  myfelf  being  one, 
In  hand  and  hope  of  aftion  ;  but  wc  Jcam, 
By  thofe  that  know  the  very  nerves  of  ftacc. 
His  givings  out  were  of  an  infinite  diftance 
From  his  true-meant  dcfign.    Upon  his 
.And  with  full  line  of  his  authority^ 
Governs  lord  Angela  i  a  man  whofe  bfood. 
Is  very  fiiow-brodi  \  one  who  never  feels 
The  wanton  ftings  and  motions  of  the  fenfc  j 
*But  doth  rebate  and  blunt  his  natural  edge 
.Witli  profits  of  the  mind,  ftudy  and  fall, 
.He,  (to  give  fear  to  ufe  and  liberty, 
^«  "Which  have  long  rime  run  by  die  hideous  lawf 
As  mice  by  lyons  5 )  hath  pickt  out  an  afl» 
JJndcr  whofe  heavy  fenfe  your  brother's  fife 

i      t  ^kai  frem  tkt  feedtteft — ]    An  oM    worti   for  fe 
^60   the   Iiwyers  tranflate  fimtn    hytm&U  1$  V^^r^tf^ 
V'iikter  fttdniji^  and  [eat  Jtidnr/i, 
\  i*  I— /e^*]  Kanrclt«  Mr.  Ptfi. 


■ 


Meafure  for  Meafure^ 

Falls  into  forfeit  ^  he  arrefts  him  on  it ; 
And  follows  dofe  the  rigour  of  the  ftacute. 
To  make  him  an  example ;  all  hope's  gone, 
Unlefs  you  have  the  grace  by  your  fair  prayer 
To  foftcn  Jfigeh'f  and  that's  my  pith  of  bufuiefi 
'Twixt  you  and  your  poor  brother. 

Ifalf,   Dotli  he  ib 
Seek  for  his  life? 

Lndo.  H'as  cenfur'd  him  already  ; 
And,  as  I  hear,  ihc  Provoll  hath  a  warrant 
fbr*s  execution. 

Jfab.  Alas  1  what  poor 
Ability's  in  me,  to  do  liim  good? 

Luao.  AJTay  die  power  you  have. 

Jfib,  My  power?  AJas  \  I  doubt, 

Ijtdo,  Our  doubts  are  traitors  ; 
And  make  us  lofe  the  good,  we  oft  might  win, 
By  fearing  to  attempt.     Go  to  lord  AiJgeh^ 
And  let  him  Icam  to  know,   when  maidens  fue. 
Men  give  like  Gods ;  but  when  tliey  weep  and  kneel, 
AH  their  petitions  are  as  truly  theirs. 
As  they  themfelves  would  owe  them. 

Jfab,  VM  fee  what  I  can  do. 

Ludo.  But^  fpeedily. 

IJ^.  I  will  about  it  llrait ; 
No  longer  flaying,  but  to  give  the  mother 
Nonce  of  my  aflair.   I  humbly  thank  you ; 
Commend  me  to  my  brother :  foon  at  night 
1*11  iend  him  certain  word  pf  my  fucoeis* 

Ijido,  I  take  my  leave  of  you. 

Ifak.  Good  Sir,  adieu.  ]Extiasi^ 


37 


Bb  2 


ACT 


37^ 


Meafure  for  Meafure. 


ACTIL      SCENE 
7be  P  A  L  A  C  E. 

Enter  Angelo,  Efcalus,  a  Jujlke^  and  Aiiendanul 

A  N   c  £  L  o. 

WE  inufl:  not  make  a  fcarc-crow  of  the  law. 
Setting  it  up  CO  fear  the  birds  of  prey^ 
A  nd  let  i  c  keep  one  Oiape,  *  till  cy  ftom  mike  X 
Their  pearch,  and  not  cheir  terror, 

EfcaL  Ay,  but  yet 
Let  us  be  keen,  and  rather  cut  a  little, 
'  Than  fail,  and  bruile  to  death.   AJis  f  this  gcndcni? 
Whom  I  would  fave,  had  a  moll  noble  father  ^ 
Let  but  your  Honour  know. 
Whom  I  believe  to  be  moft  ftrait  in  virtue. 
That*  in  the  working  of  your  own  affeftioas. 
Had  time  coher'd  >vith  place,  or  place  with  wi 
Or  that  the  relblute  adting  of  your  blood 
Could  have  attained  th'  efiFe<5t  of  your  own  purpolc » 
Whedier  you  had  not  Ibmctime  in  your  life 
Err'd  in  this  point,  which  now  you  cenfurc  hias. 
And  puil*d  the  law  upon  you. 

Ang,  *Tis  one  thin<5  to  be  tempted,  E/cahs^ 
Another  thing  to  fall,     I  not  deny, 
The  jury^  paffing  on  the  prilbner's  life. 
May  in  the  fwom  twelve  have  a  thief  or  two. 
Guiltier  than  him  they  try  ^    what'*  opca 

^  jullice. 
That  juftice  feizes  on.     What  know  the  law^ 
That  thieves  do  pafs  on  thieves  ?  'tis  very 
The  jewel  that  wc  6nd,  we  Hoop  and  takc*t, 

1  ^hait  FALL,    «ffi/  ^rittYf  f9  dtiith,]    I    fhouH  ntto 
FELL,  I.  f.  ItrikedowD*  So  ta  Tfn^w  ^f  Jthtm^ 

Bccadc 


I 


Meafurt  for  Meafure, 

Becauft  we  f«  it ;  but  what  wc  do  not  ftc. 

We  tread  upon,  and  never  think  of  it. 

You  may  not  fo  extenuate  his  offence. 

For  1  have  had  fuch  faults ;  bur  rather  tell  mc, 

"When  I  that  ccnfure  him,  do  lo  offend. 

Let  mine  own  judgment  pattern  out  my  dcatJi, 

And  nothing  come  in  panial.     Sir,  he  mult  die. 

Enter  Provoft. 

EfcaJ.  Bc*rj  as  your  wifdom  will* 

jing    W  here  is  the  Provoft  ? 

Prov.  H^rCj  if  it  like  your  Honour. 

jing.  See,  that  QauMo 
Be  executed  by  nine  to  niorrow  morning. 
Bring  him  his  confeilor,  let  him  be  prepared  i 
For  that's  the  utmoft  of  his  pilgrimage, 

\^Exi£  Prov. 

EfiaL  Well,  heav'n  forgive  him  !  and  forgive  us  a!J ! 
Some  rii'e  by  fin,  and  fome  by  virtue  fall : 
Some  run  through  brakes  of  vice,  and  anfwer  none  \ 
ilnd  fomc  condemned  for  a  fault  alone. 


373 


SCENE 


IL 


Enter  Elbow,  Frothy  Clown,  and  Officers. 

Elh.  Come^  bring  them  away ;  if  theft  be  gotxl  peo- 
ple in  a  common-weal,  that  do  nothing  but  uic  their, 
abufes  in  common  houfes,  I  know  no  law  \  bring  them 
away, 

Jing.  How  now,  Sir>  what's  your  name  ?  and  what's 
the  matter? 

Eih.  If  itpleafe  your  Honour,  I  am  the  poor  Dukc't 
conftable,  and  my  name  is  Efhow  \  I  do  lean  upon  juP' 
lice.  Sir,  and  do  bring  in  here  before  your  good  Honour 
two  notorious  benefa<5tors. 

Jug,  Benefactors  ?  well ;  what  bcnefaftors  are  they  ? 
are  they  not  malefadors  ? 

B  b  3  Elh. 


37+  Meafure  for  Meafure. 

EB,  If  ir  pleafe  your  Honour,  I  know  not  wdl  ^rbat 
they  are ;  but  prtcife  ^nllains  they  are,  that  I  am  fint 
of;  and  void  of  all  profanation  in  the  world,  that  good 
chriltians  ought  to  have. 

£/caL  This  comes  oflFwell  j  here's  a  vnTe  officer. 

jfng.  Go  to  :  what  auality  are  they  of  ?  Eliaw  is 
your  name  ?  why  doft  tnou  not  Ipeak,  Elbow  ? 

Clcwrt,  He  cannot.  Sir ;  he's  out  at  elbow. 

Aig,  What  are  you.  Sir  ? 

Eli,  He,  Sir?  a  tapftcr.  Sir;  parcd-bawd;  ODe 
that  ferves  a  bad  woman ;  whole  houfe.  Sir,  was,  as 
they  fay,  pluckt  down  in  the  fuburbs  }  a^d  now  ihe 
profeffes  a  hot-boufe  -,  which,  I  think,  is  a  very  ili 
noufe  toa 

EfcaL  How  know  you  that  ? 

Eli.  My  wife.  Sir,  whom  1  deteft  before  hcav'oand 
your  Honour,— 

Efial.  How !  thy  wife  ? 

Eli,  Ay,  Sir  $  whom,  I  thank  heav'n,  is  ao^hooeft 
woman ; 

EfcaL  Doft  thou  deteft  her  therefore  ? 

Eli.  I  lay,  Sir,  I  will  deteft  my  fclf  alfo,  as  well  as 
flie,  that  this  houfe,  if  it  be  not  a  bawd's  houie,  it  is 
pity  of  her  life,  for  it  is  a  naughty  houfe. 

EfcaL  How  doft  thou  know  that,  conftahle? 

Eli.  Marry,  Sir,  by  my  wife  j  who,  if  fhe  had 
Ijeen  a  woman  cardinally  pven,  might  have  been  ac- 
cufed  in  fornication,  adultery,  and  all  uncleaonefi 
there. 

EfcaL  By  the  woman's  means  ? 

Eli.  Ay,  Sir,  by  miftrels  Over-done*s  means,  but 
as  fhc  Ipit  in  his  face,  fo  fhe  defy'd  him. 

Clown.  Sir,  if  it  pleafe  your  Honour,  tlus  is  not  fo, 

Eli.  Prove  it  before  thefe  varlets  here,  thou  honour- 
able man,  prove  it- 

EfcaL  Do  you  he^r  how  he  milplaces  ? 

ClotVM, 


«« 


«t 


4t 


Meafun  for  Meafure. 

^^  Gown,  Sir,  flie  came  in  great  with  cliild  %  and 
**  longing  (favingyour  Honour's  rcv€rcnccj  forftew'd 
prewns  j  Sir,  wc  had  but  two  in  the  houfc,  which 
at  that  veiy  diftant  time  fl;ooJ,  as  it  were,  in  a 
fruU-difh,  a  difh  of  fomc  three  pence  \  (your Ho- 
nours have  ten  fuch  difhes ;  they  are  not  Cbimk 
difhes,  but  very  good  dlfhes) 
EJcd.  Go  to,  go  to  i  no  matter  for  the  difh.  Sir. 
**  Ciiywn,  No,  indeed,  Sir,  not  of  a  pin;  you  are 
therein  in  the  right :  but  to  the  point  \  as  1  fay* 
diis  miltrcfs  Elbow^  being,  as  I  lay,  with  child,  and 
being  gccat  bellyM,  and  lon^ng,  as  !  faid,  for 
*'  prewns  ^  and  having  but  two  in  the  difh,  as  I  CuJ  i 
**  maftcr  Frotbh^xty  this  very  man,  having  eaten  the 
*^  reft,  as  I  faid,  and,  as  I  fay,  paying  for  them  very 
*'  honeftly  5  for,  as  you  know,  mafer  fr&th^  1  could 
*'  not  give  you  three  pence  again. 
Froth.  No,  indeed. 

•♦  Clown.  Very  well  1  you  belug  then,  if  you  be 
<*  rennembred,  cracking  the  ftones  of  the  forclaid 
**  prewns. 

Froth.  Ay,  fo  I  did,  indeed. 
**  Ckwn,  Why,  very  well ;   I  telling  you  then,  if 
•*  you  be  remembred,  that  fuch  a  one,  and  fuch  A 
**  one,  were  paft  cure  of  the  thing  you  wot  of,  un- 
"  kfs  they  kept  very  good  diet,  as  I  told  you. 
Froth,  All  this  n  true. 
**  Clown,  Why,  very  wtll  then, 
Eftni  Come,  you  are  a  tedjous  focJ  \  to  the  pur- 
pofc :  what  was  done  to  E/I^o^^s  wife,  that  he  hatK 
caufe  tocomplatn  of?  come  to  what  waA  done  to  her. 
"  Clown,  Sir,  your  Honour  cannot  come  to  that  yet, 
EfiaL  No,  Sir,  nor  1  mean  it  not. 
**  Clown,  Sir,  but  you  Jhall  come  to  k,   by  your 
•'  Honour's  leave:   and,  I  befcech  you,  look  into 
*•  matter  Froth  here,  Sir,  a  man  of  fourfcore  pounfi 

•*  a 

■  Bb  4 


375 


376  Meafure  for  Meafure. 

^  ayesr;  wbofe  facherdT*d  at  KaSnmas.     WaA 
**  noc  at  HaSemaas^  mailer  Frctb? 

Frztb.  JB-h^uand  eve 

*'  C«ni,  Why,  very  wirfl ;  I  hope  here  be  truths. 
**  He,  Sir,  Ctring,  as  I  &y,  in  a  lower  diair,  sir; 
**  'c^-as  m  the  bunch  of  grapes,  where,  indeed,  you 
**  have  a  delight  to  Gr,  have  you  not  ? 

Fr^tb.  I  have  fa^  becauie  k  is  an  open  room,  and 
good  for  Printer. 

^'  dennn.  Why,  vciy  well  then ;  I  hope  here  be 
**  truths. 

Aff.  This  will  laft  out  a  night  in  RmffiA, 
When  nights  are  loi^eft  there.     I'll  take  my  leave, 
And  leave  you  to  the  hearing  of  the  caufe  ; 
Hoping,  you'll  find  good  caufe  to  whip  them  all. 

SCENE        III. 

Efcal,  I  dunk  no  lels.  Good  nnorrow  to  your  lord- 
Hiip.  [ExiiAng!k>. 

Now,  Sir,  come  on :  what  was  done  to  Elbow's  wiki 
once  more  ? 

Cbmn.  Once,  Sir?  there  was  nothing  done  to  her 
once. 

Eib.  I  befeech  you,  Sir,  ask  him  what  this  man  did 
to  my  wife. 

Clown.  I  befeech  your  Honour,  ask  me. 

EfcaL  Well,  Sir,  what  did  this  gentleman  to  her? 

Qoum.  I  befeech  you.  Sir,  look  in  this  gentleman's 
face  5  good  matter  Frciby  look  upon  his  Honour ;  'dt 
for  z  good  purpof^  j  doth  your  Honour  mark  his  foce  f 

ijcaL  Ay,  Sir,  very  well. 

Ck%m.  Nay,  I  befeech  you,  mark  it  well, 

Efeal.  Well,  I  do  fo. 

C/no/r.  Doth  your  Honour  fee  any  harm  in  lA 
face  ? 

E/cal.  Why,  no, 

ChM. 


Meafure  for  Meafure. 

Chmn.  V\\  be  fuppos'd  upon  a  book,  his  face  is 
the  worft  thing  about  him  :  good  then  ;  if  his  face  be 
the  worft  thing  about  him,  how  could  maftcr  Frofb 
do  the  conftable's  wife  any  harm  ?  1  would  know  that 
of  your  Honour, 

EJcaL  Hc*s  in  the  right ;  conftabk,  what  lay  you 
to  it? 

tlh.  Firft,  an'  it  like  you,  tlic  houfe  is  a  rcfpedted 
houfe  i  next,  this  is  a  refpc6ted  fellow  ;  and  his  mif- 
trefs  is  a  refpe^ted  woman. 

Clown.  By  this  hand,  Sir,  his  wife  is  a  more  refpcftcd 
perfon  than  any  of  us  all. 

Elb,  Varlet,  thou  lieft  ;  thou  licft,  wicked  varfct  j 
the  time  is  ycc  to  come,  that  fhc  was  ever  rcipc£ted 
■with  man,  woman,  or  child. 

Ci&wn,  Sir,  flie  was  refpefted  with  him  before  he 
marry'd  with  her. 

Ej€aL  Which  is  the  wifer  here?  Jujlice^  or  /»/- 
^ity  i Is  this  true? 

Elb.  O  thou  caitiff!  O  thou  varlet!  O  thou  wick^ 
Hanmball  1  refpc^ed  with  her,  before  I  was  marry'd 
to  her  ?  If  ever  I  was  rripefted  with  her,  or  Oie  with 
me,  let  not  your  worfhip  think  me  the  poor  duke's 
officer  i  prove  this,  thou  wicked  Haiimbal^  or  I'll 
have  mine  action  of  battery  on  thee. 

EfiaL  If  he  took  you  a  box  o'th'  ear,  you  mighr 
have  your  action  of  ftander  too. 

Eib.  Marry,  1  thank  your  good  worfhip  for't : 
what  is't  your  worfhip's  plcafurc  I  fhall  do  with  this 
wicked  caitiff? 

Efidl.  Truly,  officer,  becaufc  he  hath  fome  offences 
in  him,  that  thou  wouldfl  difcover  if  thou  couldlt,  let 
him  continue  in  his  courfcs,  'till  thou  know'ft  what 
they  are. 

Elb,  Marry,  1  thank  your  worfhip  for  it  \  thou 
f^cfl,  thou  wicked  variet  powj  what*s  come  upon 

thee. 


377 


4j$  Msq/un  fir  Mea/ura, 

thee.    Thou  lit  to  coobmse  fiw,  thouyarlce}  diou 
arc  to  continue. 

EfcaL  Where  were  you  bora,  fiiend  ?     [fV  Frotb. 

frotk  Here  in  Fienwa,  Sir. 

E/cal.  Are  you  of  fouifcore  pounds  a  year  ? 

frotb.  Yts,  smd't  jJeafe  you.  Sir. 

EfcaL  So,  What  trade  are  you  of.  Sir  ? 

[Tc  the  QowD. 

Qown.  A  tapfter,  a  poor  widQi7*s  tapfter. 

EfcaL  Your  miftrefe's  name  ? 

Chwn.  Miftrefs  Over-done. 

Efcal.  Hath  fhe  had  any  more  than  fxit  husband  ? 

Ciffom.  Nine,  Sir:  Over*dane  by  the  bft. 

Efcal.  Nine?  come  hither  to  me,  mafter  Etati: 
tnafter  Frothy  I  would  not  hare  you  aoquainced  vnth 
tapfters  ;  They  wilt  draw  you,  mafter  J^^Ti&y  aid  you 
will  hang  them.  Get  you  gone,  and  let  me  hear  m 
Inore  of  you. 

Frotb.  I  thank  your  worfhip ;  for  mine  own  put,  I 
never  come  into  any  room  in  a  taphoufir,  but  I  am 
jdrawn  in. 

Efcal.  Well »  no  more  of  it,  mafter  Frotb ;  finwd< 

lExUFxodu 

SCENE        IV. 

Come  you  hither  to  me,  mafter  tapfter  j  what's  your 
name,  mafter  tapfter  ? 

Clown.  Pompey. 

EfcaL  What  clfe  ? 

Clown,  Bum^  Sir. 

EfcaL  Troth,  and  your  bum  is  the  greateft  tWng 
about  you,  fo  that,  in  the  beaftlieft  fenfe,  you  arc 
Pompey  the  Great.  Pompey,  you  are  partly  a  bawd, 
Pompey  \  howfoever  you  colour  it  in  being  a  tapfter; 
are  you  not  ?  come  tell  me  true,  it  fhall  be  the  better 
for  you. 


Meafun  for  Meafure.  jyg 

Oown.  Trulf,  Sir,  I  am  a  poor  fellow  that  would 
Dve. 

Efcal,  How  would  you  live,  Penney  ?  by  being  a 
bawd  ?  what  do  you  think  of  the  trade,  Pomfey  ?  is  it 
a  lawful  trade  ? 

Cl&wn.  If  the  law  will  allow  it.  Sir, 

EJcaL  But  the  law  will  not  allow  it,  Pcmpeji  nor 
it  fliall  not  be  allowed  in  Vtenna. 

ChwH.  Does  your  worfhip  n^ean  to  geld  and  ^lay 
rfl  the  youth  in  the  city  ? 

EfcaL  No,  Pompey, 

Clown.  Truly,  Sir,  in  my  poor  opinion,  they  will 
to't  then.  If  your  wor/hip  will  take  order  for  the  drabs 
stnd  the  knaves,  you  need  not  to  fear  the  bawds. 

EJeaL  There  are  pretty  orders  beginning,  I  can  tell 
you :  it  is  but  heading  and  hanging. 

Clown,  If  you  head  and  hang  all  that  offend  that  way 
But  for  ten  years  together,  youMt  be  glad  to  give  out  a 
commiflion  for  more  heads :  if  this  law  hold  in  Vienna 
ten  years,  *  1*11  fent  the  faireft  houfc  in  it,  after  three 
pence  a  bay  :  if  you  live  to  fee  this  come  to  pafs,  fay, 
Pempty  told  you  fo. 

EfcaL  Thank  you,  good  Pcmpey ;  and  in  requital 
«f  your  prophecy,  hark  you  ;  I  advife  you,  Ice  me  not 
find  you  before  me  again  upon  any  complaint  whatib- 
ever ;  no,  not  for  dwelling  where  you  do  ;  if  I  ^o^ 
Pcmpey^  I  fhall  beat  you  to  your  tent,  and  prove  a 
fhrcwd  C^fat  to  you  :  in  plain  dealing,  Pompey^  I 
fhall  have  you  whipt :  fo  for  this  time,  Pompfy^  fare 
you  well, 

t  rU  nni  tht  fsiffji  hou/t  lit  if,  fsr  tbnf  ftnci  m  Anj;  ] 
}4r,  T^'&f-oW^  found  that  this  was  the  reading  of  the  otclbooks*  ftiid 
he  follows  it  oat  of  pure  rcrerettcc  for  antiquity  j  for  he  knowj 
nothing  of  the  meaning  of  ic»     He  fuppafes  ^aj  to  be   that  pfo- 

icflion  called  s  Bay-window  {  as  if  the  way  of  rating  houfea  wij 
\y  tht  nombcr  of  their  Baywindowi.  But  it  is  quite  another 
thing,  a^nd  ^gnifies  the  fquated  fnine  of  z.  timber  houfe  i  each  af 
which  divifiona  or  f^juarei  \i  ca.Ue4  a  Bay.  Hence  4  buiUbgoffo 
many  Bayi. 

Ckwn. 


^m 


3  So 


Meafure  for  Meafure. 

Clc<vn,  I  thank  your  \vorfbip  for  your  good  coui 
but  1  Ihall  follow  it,  as  the  fleih  and  fortune 
ter  determine, 

Whip  me  ?  no,  no ;  iec  cannan  whip  his  jade  ; 
The  valiant  bean's  not  whipt  out  uf  his  trade. 


{Exit. 


SCENE 


Efcal,  Come  hither  to  me,  mafter  EJi0W\ 

hither,  malter  conftablc  \  how  long  have  you  been 
this  place  at  conJlablc  ? 

Jdb.  Seven  years  and  a  half.  Sir, 

Efcai  I  thought,  by  your  readinefs  in  the  offioC 
you  had  condnued  in  it  fome  time :  yoii  lay  kvca 
years  together  ? 

Elh.  And  a  ha!f^  Sir. 

tfcal  Alas !  it  hath  been  great  pains  to  you  {  rhey 
do  you  wrong  to  put  you  fo  oft  upon'c ;  are  there  ccc 
men  in  your  ward  fuffident  to  ferve  it  ? 

Elh.  Faith,  Sir,  few  of  any  wit  in  fuch  maacrs;  as 
they  are  cholen,  they  are  glad  to  chufc  mc  for  than, 
I  do  It  for  fome  piece  of  mony,  and  go  chrougj^ 
with  aiL 

Efcal,  Look  you,  bring  me  in  the  names  of  Ibaie  fix 
or  fcven,  the  moll  fufBcient  of  your  parifh. 

Elh,  To  your  worfhip's  hoL3le,  Sir  ? 

EfcaU  To  my  houfe ;  fare  you  well.  What's  a 
think  you  ?  {Exii  iilbow. 

Juji.  Eleven,  Sir. 

Efcal.  I  pray  you,  home  to  dinner  with  mc. 

Juft.  I  humbly  thank  you. 

EfcaL  It  grieves  me  for  the  death  of  Qokdio; 
But  there's  no  remedy. 

Juji,  Lord  /higcb  is  fcvere. 

EfiaL  It  is  but  needful : 
Merqr  is  not  it  felf,  that  oft  looks  foj 
Pardon  is  fliU  the  nurfc  of  fecond  woe ; 

Cut 


Meafure  for  Meafure. 

But  yec,  poor  ClauJio !  chere*s  no  remedy. 
Come,  Sir* 


[Exeunt, 


N 


VL 


Enter  Provoft,  anJ  a  Servam. 


Serv,  He*s  hearing  of  a  caufe ;  he  will  come  flr^ght : 
rU  tell  him  of  you. 

Pnyu,  Pray  you,  do  ;  1*11  know 
His  pJeafurc  i  't  may  be,  lie'U  relent ;  alas! 
He  hath  but  as  ofTended  in  a  dream  : 
All  faSs,  all  ages  fmack  of  this  vice  j  and  he 
To  die  for  it !  ^— 

Enter  Angclo. 

jifig.  Now,  what's  the  macter,  Prcvofi  ? 

Prov,  Is  it  your  will,  Ciaudio  ihall  die  to  morrow  ? 

Ang.  Did  not  I  tell  thee,  yea?  hadft  thou  not  order? 
Why  doft  thou  ask  again  ? 

Prav*  Left  I  might  be  too  raib. 
Under  your  good  corrcftion,  I  have  fecn. 
When,  after  execution,  judgment  hath 
Repented  o'er  his  doom. 

jing.  Go  to  i  let  that  be  mine. 
Do  you  your  office,  or  give  up  your  place. 
And  you  fhaU  well  be  fpar*d. 

Prov,  I  crave  your  pardon. 
What  ihail  be  done,  Sir,  with  the  groaning  Juliet  ? 
She's  very  near  her  hour. 

/Ing,  Difpofe  of  her 
To  fomc  more  fitting  place,  and  that  with  fpeed. 

Serv.  Here  is  the  lifter  of  the  man  condemn  *d, 
Defircs  accefs  to  you, 

Artg,  Hath  he  a  Cfter? 

Prov.  Ay*  my  good  lord,  a  very  virtuous  maid. 
And  to  be  fliortfy  of  a  fifter-hood. 
If  not  already. 


$2  Meafure  for  Meafure. 

Ang.  Well  i  let  her  be  admitted.         {Exit  Si 
See  you,  the  forricatrefs  be  removM  ; 
Let  her  have  needful^  but  not  lavjfli,  means  % 
There  ihall  be  order  for  it. 


SCENE 

Enter  Lucio  md  Ilabclla. 


vn. 


PrtiX.  *Save  your  honour. 

Ang,  Stay  yet  a  while. Y'are  welc<xnci  wha:'i 

your  will? 

Ifab.  I  am  a  woful  fuitor  to  your  Honour* 
Pleafe  but  your  Honour  hear  me. 

Ang.  Wen  \  what*s  your  fuit  ? 

IJah.  There  is  a  vice  tli;it  moft  I  do  abhor. 
And  moft  defire  fhould  meet  the  blow  of  jufticc  3 
For  which  I  would  not  plead,  but  chat  I  mufti 
For  which  I  muft  not  plead,  but  that  1  anv 
At  war,  *twb<t  will,  and  will  not. 

Ang.  Well  \  the  matter  ? 

Ijab,  I  have  a  brother  is  condemn'd  to  die  ; 
1  do  beieech  you,  let  it  be  his  fault, 
And  not  my  brother. 

Vrov.  Heav'n  give  thee  moving  graces! 

Ang.  Condemn  the  fault,  and  not  the  a&of  c 
Why,  every  fault's  condemned,  ere  it  be  done  5 
Mine  were  the  very  cipher  of  a  flindkion. 
To  find  the  faults,  whole  fine  ftands  in  record. 
And  let  go  by  the  aflor* 

Ifah.  Ojuft,  but  fevere  law! 
I  had  a  brother  then  \ heav'n  keep  your  Honoi 

Jjucio,  Give  not  o*er  fo :  to  him  again,  intreac  him. 
Knee!  down  before  him,  hang  upon  his  gown  \ 


You  are  too  cold  1  if 


You  could  not  with 
To  him,  I  fay* 


fliouid 
more  tamt  a  tongue 


pin. 
defire  it. 


IJab^  Mull  he  needs  die  ? 


Meafure  for  Me^fun. 

Atg.  Makien,  no  remedy, 

JJak    Yes  i  I  do  think  that   yog   might  pardon 
him  ; 
And  neither  heav*n,  nor  man,  grieve  at  the  mercy. 

jjng.  I  will  not  do't, 

Ifak,  But  can  you,  if  you  would  ? 

Aitg.  Look,  whnt  £  will  nota  that  I  cannot  do. 

Ifab.  But  might  you  do*t,  and  do   the  world   no 
wrong. 
If  fo  your  heart  were  touch'd  with  that  remorfe. 
As  mine  is  co  him  ? 

Afig.  He*s  fcntcnc'd  ;  *tis  cuokte. 

Lsicio,  You  are  too  cold. 

ifak  Too  late?  why,  noj  I,  that  do  (peak  a  word. 
May  call  it  back  again :  Well  believe  this. 

No  ceremony  th^t  to  Great  ones  'long?. 

Not  the  King*s  crown,  nor  tlie  deputed  fword, 

Themarfhal's  truncheon,  nor  the  judge's  robe. 

Become  them  with  one  half  lb  good  a  grace* 

As  mercy  does  :  if  he  had  been  as  you^ 

And  you  as  he,  you  would  have  flipt  like  him ; 

But  he*  like  you,  would  not  liave  been  fo  ftem. 

jing.  Pray  you,  be  gone. 

I/ak  I  wou'd  to  lieav'n  I  had  your  potency. 
And  you  were  Ifst&ei ;  fhould  it  then  be  thus  ? 
No  J  I  would  tell  what  'twere  to  be  a  judge, 
And  what  a  priibncr. 

Lucw.  Ay,  touch  him  \  there's  the  vdn. 

Ar:g,  Your  brother  is  a  forfeit  of  tlie  law. 
And  you  but  wafte  your  words. 

IJai.  Alas!  alas! 
**  Why,  '  all  the  fouls  that  arc,   were  forfeit  oncc: 
**  And  he,  that  might  the  Vantage  beft  liavc  took, 
**  Found  out  the  remedy.    How  would  you  be. 


(c 


4( 


C< 


I  — ^i tbt  fiuli  tiut  w£tt»]   Tbh  ii  fetlfe  dtTmity. 
thould  read  ake« 


W« 


If 


4^m 


354 


Meafure  for  Meafun. 


£C 


4i 


«( 


If  he,  which  is  the  top  oFjudgmoit,  fhould 

But  judge  you»  as  you  are  ?  oh,  think  on  chati 

♦  And  mcrq^  then  will  breathe  within  your  lips. 

Like  man  new  made. 

Ang.  Be  you  content,  fair  m^d  ; 
It  is  die  law,  not  I,  condemns  your  brother. 
Were  he  my  kinfman^  brother,  or  my  Ion, 
It  fhould  be  chus  with  him  \  he  dies  to-morrow. 

IJah.  To-morrow,  Oh !  that's  fudden.  Spare  him, 
Ipare  him, 
He*s  not  preparM  for  death :    Even  for  our  kitdun 
We  kill  the  fowJ,  of  feafon ;  ihall  wc  ftrvc  hcav*!! 
With  lefe  reiJDcft,  than  we  do  minifter  [yoo: 

To  our  grofs  fdves  ?  good»  good  my  lord,  betbiok 
Who  is  it,  that  hath  dy'd  for  this  offence  ? 
There's  many  have  committed  it, 

Lucio^  Ayj  well  faid. 

Ang.  The  law  hath  not  been  dead,  cho*  it  hath  D 
Thofe  many  had  not  dar'd  to  do  that  evil. 
If  the  firft  man  that  did  th'  edift  infringe. 
Had  anfwer^d  for  his  deed.     Now,  'tis  awake; 
Takes  note  of  what  is  done ;  and,  ^  like  a  prophet 
Looks  in  a  glafs  that  ihews  what  future  evils. 
Or  new,  or  by  remilsnefe  ncw-conceiv*d» 
And  fo  in  progrefs  to  be  hatch'd  and  bom. 
Are  now  to  have  no  Jucceflivc  degrees  j 
{a)  But  ere  they  live,  to  end* 


4  And  mtref  thin  ^wW  hrtathi  nvithin  yemr  itpi^ 

Like  man  nptu.'  tnaJr.'\  Thi*  is  3  fine  thoughti  and 
expreffed  :  The  meaning  h,  that  meny  ^wiU  &dJ  fiich  ^ra^*  ^ 
jQur  ptrkn^  thai  f9u  *wtfi  Appear  as  amfaSl*  «i  m4im  etmw  fr^ 
9Ui  e/iie  handt  of  his  mat^f. 

5 liki  a  pr^phftj 

Laoki  in  a  giafs^  Th'xs  alludes  CO  iKc  foppeiia  of  dtf 
Berril,  much  ufed  at  ch^c  cime  by  cheats  and  fortune  ccUen  n 


prcdift  by. 


[(d)  Bui  its  thtf  lii>ef  —  Oxford   Edit.  Vu]^^ 


Bmt  km 


^ 


Meafure  for  Meafure. 

Jjab.  Yet  fhew  fomc  pity. 

"  Ang,  I  rtiew  it  moft  of  all,  when  I  flicw  juftkci 
■*  For  then  1  plcy  thofe,  I  do  not  know  i 
**  Which  a  diimifs'd  offence  would  after  gaul ; 
And  do  him  right,  that,  anAvering  one  foul  wrongs 
lives  not  to  aft  another.     Be  latisfy*d  ; 
Your  brother  dies  to-morrow ;  be  content* 

Ifab.  So  you  muft  be  the  firft,  that  gives  this  fen* 
tence ; 
And  hCj  that  fuffers:  oh,  *ds  excellent 
To  have  a  giant's  (Irength  \  but  it  is  tyrannous. 
To  ufe  it  hke  a  giant. 

Ludo.  That's  weU  faid. 

I/aif,  Could  great  men  thunder 
As  yove  himfcif  docs,  J&ve  would  ne'er  be  quiet  5 
For  every  pelting,  petty,  officer 
"Would  ufe  his  heav'n  for  thunder  ; 

*  Nothing  but  thunder;  merciful  heav*n  ! 

*  I'hou  rather  with  thy  fharp,  and  fulph'rous,  bole 
Split'ft  the  unwedgeable  and  gnarled  oak, 
Than  the  foft  myrtle :  O,  but  man !  proud  man, 
Drelt  in  a  little  brief  authority, 
Moft  ignorant  of  what  he's  moft  aHlir'd, 
His  glafly  cflcnce,  like  an  angry  ape. 
Inlays  fuch  fancatlick  tricks  before  high  heav  n* 
*  As  makes  die  angels  weep ;  '  who,  with  our  fpleens. 


3S5' 


Wuuld  all  themfclves  laugh  mortal* 


Luch* 


6  ^s  maht  df  aii£f/t  'uteip ;  ]  The  aonoa  of  angcU    wcepiag 
for  the  Tins  of  men  is  rabbinical. OA  pfccstMot /entti  ««- 

7    -*Ci6fl*  *with  our  fpJttftSt 

t^otiU  ail  fhtmjelvti  hi»gh  mertAl]  Mr.  fhtoSalJ  iky* 
the  meaning  of  this  i*.  //>*/  if  tht^  *itnre  tnJrujed  ^til^  cnr ^Urnt 
^nd ptrijhiibh  ffrgant,  they  *svea/d  laugh  thtmfehts  out  of  immar- 
lality:  Which  amounts  eo  this,  thar  if  they  w«r€  morul  they 
woulcl  not  be  tmmorul.  Sh^iitfptar  mcuntno  fuch  nonfe^fe.  By 
f^Utnt^  he  meant  that  peculiar  torn  of  the  human  mind,  thai  al- 
wayi  vwlcntly  inclme*it  to  a  fpitcful,   unfcdfonablc  mirth.    Had 

VOL.   f.  €    C  Ul« 


386  Meqfure  for  Meafure. 

Luch,  Oh,  to  him,  to  him,  Wttich  ;  he  wll  rdcDt ; 
He's  coming :  I  percdve't, 

Pr&v,  Pray  heav*n,  (he  win  him ! 

JfaL  '  We  cannot  weigh  our  brother  with  yourfetf : 
Great  men  may  jeft  with  Sdnts ;   *ds  wit  in  them  5 
But,  in  the  leis,  foul  prophanation. 

Lucio,  Thou*rt  nffxt,  girl ;  more  o*  that. 

Jfai.  That  in  the  captain^s  but  a  ch(^rick  wwd. 
Which  in  the  foldier  is  flat  blalphcmy. 

Lucio,  Art  avisM  o*  that  ?  more  on't. 

jing.  Why  do  you  put  thefe  fayings  upon  me  f 

Ifi^.  Becaufe  authority,  tho'  it  err  like  others. 
Hath  yet  a  kind  of  medicine  in  itfelf. 
That  skins  the  vice  o*  th*  top :  go  to  your  bofimi ; 
Knock  there,  and  ask  your  heart,  what  it  doth  knov 
That's  like  my  brother's  fault ;  tf  it  confeis 
A  natural  guiltinefs,  fuch  as  is  his. 
Let  it  not  found  a  diought  upon  your  tongue 
Againft  my  brother's  life. 

jing.  She  fpcaks,  and  'tis  fuch  fenfe, 
f  That  my  fenfe  bleeds  with  it.     Fare  you  well, 

Ifab,  Gentle,  my  lord,  turn  back. 

u^ng.  I  will  bethink  me  5  come  again  to-morrow. 

Ifaif.  Hark,  how  I'll  bribe  you:   good  my  hriy 
turn  back. 

the  angels  that,  (ays  Shah/p^ar,  they  would  laagh  themielvo 
out  of  their  immortality,  by  indulging  a  paflion  which  does  00c  de- 
ferve  that  prerogative.  The  ancients  thought^  that  immoderate 
laughter  was  caufed  by  the  bignefs  of  the  fplcen. 

8  ff'e  cannot  iveigh  our  brother  nvith  o\ir/e/^:  ]  Why  CooM 
(he  not  ?  She  could  not  weigh  her  brother  with  the  Duke  indeed, 
their  qualities  being  fo  difproportioncd  as  to  aggravate  her  bro- 
ther's crimes,  and  extenuate  the  Duke's.  So  that  it  is  pkin  we 
ihould  read 

— • — ■ — 'with  yoaT/e/f. 

9  That  my  fenfe  bleeds  'u^ith  //.]  The  firft  Folio  reads  hntit, 
which  tho'  it  have  no  meaning,  yet  Mr.  Theobald  adopts,  uk 
diicards  a  \^ty  feniible  word,  to  make  room  for  it. 


Meafure  for  Meafure, 

ylng.    How  ?  bribe  me  ? 

Ifab.  Ay,  with  fuch  gifts,  that  heav*n  fhall  Ihare 
with  you. 

Lucio.  You  Iiad  marr'd  aD  elfe. 

Ifab,  Not  with  fc3nd  fhekks  of  the  '  tcfted  goldj 
Or  ftones,  whofe  rate  are  either  rich,    or  poor. 
As  fancy  values  them  ;  but  with  true  prayers, 
That  iTiall  be  up  at  heav'n,  and  enter  there. 
Ere  fun-rife  :  prayers  from  ^  prtrlerved  ibuls, 
From  fafting  maids^  whofe  minds  arc  dedicate 
To  nothing  CemporaL 

jing.  WelJ ;  come  to-morrow. 

Lucht.  Go  to  ;  'tis  well  ;  away, 

IJai.  Heav'n  keep  your  Honour  fafe ! 

jl^g.  Amen : 
For  I  am  that  way  going  to  temptation^ 
Where  prayers  crofs, 

Ifab.  At  what  hour  to-morrow 
Shall  I  attend  your  lord  (hip? 

ying.  At  any  time  *fore  noon. 

I/ai.  Save  your  Honour  I 

[^Exeuni  Lucio  and  Ifabella. 


38 


N     E 


VIIL 


j^jTg,  From  thee  i  even  from  thy  virtue. 
What's  this?  what's  this  ?   is  this  her  fault,  or  mine  ? 
'*  The  tempter,  or  the  tempted,  who  fim  moft  ? 
'*  Not  (he ;  nor  doih  fhe  tempt ;  but  it  is  I, 
**  That,  lying  by  the  violet  in  the  fun, 
**  Do,  a.s  the  carrion  does,  not  as  the  flower* 
•*  Corrupt  with  ^  virtuous  feafon.     Can  it  be^ 

I    n^ij  gold,]  t.  f.  &ttell«J»  or  marked  with  the  fUnJird 

lUmp, 

z  *"  ■  prtftr*vtd /&«//«]  i.e.  {yrcferved  from  the  corrupiion 
of  the  world.  The  metaphor  \i  itkcn  from  fruits  prcfervcd  ia 
fugar. 

3 'vfr/uffjjr  feaibn  ]     r\  r,  kindly  fcafofl.     But  ihc  fubjc^ 

bcrv  £ivei  the  figure  a  peculiar  elegance, 

Cc  2  •*  That 


il 


388  Meafure  for  Meafure. 

"  That  modcfty  may  more  betray  our  inntz^ 
**  Than  woman's  lighcnefs  ?   having    wafte 

enough  J 
*'  Shall  we  defire  to  raze  the  ian<fluary, 
*'  And  pitch  our  evils  there  ?  oh^  fie,  fie,  fie  ! 
What  dofl:  thou  ?  or  what  art  thou,  Angela  ? 
Doft  thou  defire  her  foully,  for  thoic  things 
That  make  her  good  ?  Oh,  let  her  brother  live 
Thieves  for  their  robbery  have  authorityj 
When  judges  ftealthemfclves.  What?  do  I  lovcbcr" 
That  1  defire  to  hear  her  Ipeak  again. 
And  fcaft  upon  her  eyes?  what  is*r  I  dream  on? 
Oh,  cunning  enemy,  that^  to  catch  a  Saint, 
With  Saints  doft  bait  thy  hook  !  moft  dangerous 
**  Is  that  temptation,  that  doth  goad  us  on 
"  To  fin  in  loving  virtue  :  neVr  could  the 
With  all  her  double  vigour^  art  ajid  nature^ 
Once  ftir  my  temper  \  but  this  virtuous  maid 
Subdues  me  quite  :  Ever  ^tilJ  this  very  Now, 
When  men  were  fond,  I  fmil'd,  and  wondcr'd 


SCENE 
Cbanga  to  a  Prifon^ 


IX. 


are. 
your 


Enter  Duke  hahiud  like  a  Friary  and  Pravcfi. 

Bukc,  rj  A I L  to  you,  Provoft !  fo,  I  think,  you 
XjL     Pr&v,  I  am  the  Provoft  j    what*s  5 
will,  good  Friar? 
Buke.  Bound  by  my  charity,  and  my  bleft  Order, 
I  come  to  vifit  tlie  afflided  fpirits 
Here  in  the  prilbn  \  do  me  the  common  right 
To  let  me  fee  them,  and  to  make  me  kjiow 
The  nature  of  their  crimes  i  diat  1  may  minifter 
To  them  accordingly, 

Prov,  1  would  do  more  than  that,  if  more 
needful 


Meafure  for  Meafure, 


^8. 


Enltr  Juliet. 

Look,  here  comes  one  ;  a  gentlewoman  of  mine, 
■*  Wlio  falling  in  the  fiames  of  her  own  youth, 
Hath  blilterM  her  report :  fhe  is  with  child  i 
AnA  he,  that  got  it,  Icncenc'd :  a  young  man 
More  fit  to  do  another  luch  oiTencc, 
Than  die  for  this. 

Duke.  When  muft  he  die  ? 

PrGV,  As  I  do  think,  to-morrow. 
I  have  provided  for  you  j  ftay  a  while,        [7i  Juliet. 
And  you  fliall  be  conduced, 

[Duke.  Repent  you,  fair  one,  of  the  fin  you  carry  ? 
,     Juliet,  I  do  ;  and  bear  the  fhame  moft:  patiendy. 
i  Duke,  ril  teach  you,  how  you  fhall  arraign  your 
"  conlcience, 

And  try  your  penitence,  if  it  be  found, 
Or  hollowly  put  on, 
Juliet,  ril  gladly  learn. 
Duke,  Love  you  the  man  that  wrong'd  you  ? 
I  Juliet,  Yes,  as  I  love  the  woman  that  wrong'd  him. 
'  Duke,  So  then.  It  feems,  your  mofl  offcnceful  ait 
Was  mutually  committed. 
Juliet.  Mutually. 

Duke.  Tlien  was  your  fin  of  heavier  kind  dian  his. 
Juliet,  I  do  confefs  it,  and  repent  it,  father. 
Duke.  'Tis  meet  fo,  daughter  i  but  repent  you  not* 
As  that  the  fm  liarh  brought  you  to  diis  fliame? 
Which  forrow's  always  tow'j'ds  ourielves,  not  hcav*n ; 
Shewing,  we'd  not  feek  heaven,  as  wc  love  itj 
But  as  we  ftand  in  fear. 

Juliet.  I  do  repent  me,  as  it  is  an  cv'd  ; 
And  take  the  ihame  with  joy, 

^   Who  /"ii/lifrg  in  the  flaws   tf  hir  invn  jfiatA 

Hath  blillciM  htr  rtport  :\     Who  dofh  not  fee  that   r1i« 
integrity  of  the  mcDptior  rcquiici  wc  Diuuld  r«&d  FLAMSf  •/ i>tr 

C  c  3  Duke. 


-no  Meafure  for  Meafure. 

Duke.  There  reft. 
Your  partner,  as  I  hear,  muft  die  to-morrow. 
And  I  am  going  with  inftruftion  to  Km  ; 
So,  grace  go  with  you !  benedicite.  [£af. 

Juliet,  Muft  die  to-morrow !   *  oh,  injurious  love, 
That  refpites  me  a  life,  whofe  very  comfc^t 
Is  flill  a  dying  horror ! 

Frov.  »Tispity  of  him.  [Exeat, 

SCENE        X. 

Changes  to  the  Palace. 
Enter  Angelo. 

v%.\T  7  HEN  I  would  pray  and  think,  I  tU 
V V  and  pray 

To  fev'ral  fubjefts :  heaven  hath  my  empty  words, 
^  Whilft  my  intention,  hearing  not  my  tongue, 
Anchors  on  IfabeL   Heav*n*s  in  my  mouth. 
As  if  I  did  but  only  chew  its  name ; 
And  in  my  heart  the  ftrong  and  fwcUing  evil 
Of  my  conception  :  the  ftate,  whereon  I  ftudied. 
Is  like  a  good  thing,  being  often  read, 
7  Grown  feared  and  tedious  ;  yea,  my  gravity. 
Wherein  (let  no  man  hear  me)  I  take  pride. 
Could  I  with  boot  change  for  an  idle  plume 
"Which  the  air  beats  for  vain.   Oh  place  !  oh  form ! 

5  —  ob,  injuricus  love^'\  Her  execution  was  refpited  oa  ac- 
count of  her  pregnancy,  the  ttFtds  of  her  love  :  thereroreffieaBi 
it  injurious}  not  that  it  brought  her  to  fliame,  but  thsc  it  fc»- 
dered  her  freeing  herfclf  from  it.  I.s  not  this  all  very  Bicnnlt 
yet  the  Oxford  Editor  changes  it  to  injurious  h*w. 

6  Whifjl  my  intention,  ]  Nothing  can  be  either  plainer  « 
exafler  than  this  expreflion.  But  the  old  blundering  Folio  hanii{ 
it,  invtntioHy  this  was  enough  for  Mr.  Theobald  to  prefer  aatho- 
rity  to  fenfe. 

7  Grown  feak*d  and  tedious  il  We  fltouTd  read  sear'p: 
;'.  e.  old.     So  Sbakf/pear  ufes,   in  tbe/tar,  to  {igmfy  old  ttff^ 

How 


Meafure  for  Meafure. 

How  ofte-n  doft  thou  with  thy  cafe,  thy  habit. 
Wrench  awe  from  fools,  and  tie  the  wifcr  fouls 
To  thy  falfe  feeming  ?  blood,  thou  art  but  blood  : 
'  Lct*3  write  goo(J  angel  on  the  devil's  horn; 
Tis  not  the  devil's  crcft^ 

Enttr  Servant. 

I- low  now,  who's  there? 

Serv,  One  Ifahel^  a  fifter,  defires  accefs  to  yoiu 

Ang,  Teach  her  the  way.     Oh  hcav'ns ! 

hy  does  my  blood  thus  niuJler  to  my  heart. 
Making  both  That  unable  for  itielf. 
And  diipoflfeflmg  all  my  other  parts 
Of  necellary  firncis  ? 

So  play  the  foolj/h  throngs  witli  one  that  fwoons  ; 
Come  all  to  help  him,  and  fo  llop  the  air 
By  which  he  fhould  revive  :  and  even  lb 
The  gen'ral  fubjetSs  to  a  well-wiflit  King 
X^uit  dieir  own  part,  and  in  obfequious  fondnels 
'rowd  to  his  prcfence,  where  their  untaught  love 

fuft  needs  appear  offence.     How  now,  lair  m^d? 

S  Let'*t  ivn'te  goed  angil  an  M*  devits  Inrn  ; 
*r/j  nM  the  Levitt  crtji.  ]    i.  /.    Let  the  moA  wicked 
thing  have  but  a  virtuous  pretence,  and  ic  ftuill  pfi  far  innocent. 
This  waj  bii  concliifion  frani  his  prececding  wor(b» 

^—^ ^ff  ferm  ! 

Menu  often  iafi  tbou  vjilh  thy  ^aft^  tfy  ba&it. 

Wrench  a^ufiframf&&Is,  ^JtJ  tit  th§^tjtrfruh 

Tq  tfjffaife  fetming  ?  ^-^ 
Eat  the  OM/nrd  Edmr  makes  him  conclude  jull  coanter  to  hii 
own  premifea ;  by  altering  it  t«>» 

///  ««/  tht  dibits  trtft. 
So  that,  according  co  chh  aUcration»  the  mfoning  flands  chus.^^ 
F^fe  feeming  wrenches  aive  from  fooU^  and  dcccivci  tbc  wife. 
ThercfbrCf  Ltt  us  hm  'writt  good  angti  on  tin  devifj  term  s 
( I.  r.  give  bim  the  appearafice  of  an  angd  » )  and  what  ihen2 
LV  Mi  the  dt^tts  tnfi  ^  (  i .  t,  he  (hall  be  dleem'd  a  devil.) 


391 


Cc  4 


SCENE 


jg^  Meafure  for  Meafure. 

SCENE        XL 

Enter  IfabcUa, 

Ifab.  I  am  come  to  know  your  plcalurc. 
Ang,  That  you  might  know  it,  would  much  better 
pleafe  me. 
Than  to  demand,  what  'tis.  Your  brother  caxmot  live, 
Ifab^  Ev*n  fo  ?  —  Heaven  keep  your  Honour ! 

Ang.  Yet  may  he  live  a  while ;  and,  it  may  be, 
As  longji^  you  or  I  ;  yet  he  muft  die. 

Ifab.  Under  your  lentence  ? 

Ang,  Yea. 

If^.  When,  I  befeech  you  ?  that  in  his  reprieve, 
Longer  or  fliorter,  he  may  be  fo  fitted. 
That  his  foul  fickcn  not. 

Ang.  Ha  ?  jie,  thefe  filthy  vices !  'twere  as  good 
To  pardon  him,  that  hath  from  nature  ftoPn 
A  m^n  already  made,  as  to  remit 
Their  fawcy  fweemels,  that  do  coin  heav*n*s  image 
In  (lamps  that  are  forbid  :  •  'tis  all  as  eafie, 
Falfely  to  take  away  a  life  true  made  j 
As  to  put  metal  in  reftr^ed  means. 
To  make  a  faife  one, 

Ifab,  'Tis  fet  down  fo  in  heav*n,  but  not  in  earth. 

Ang.   And  fay  you  fo  ?   then   I  fhall   poze  you 
quickly, 
^^hich  had  you  rather,  that  the  moftjuft  law 
Now  took  your  brother's  life  \  or,  to  redeem  him, 

9  — —  V/j  alias  eafie,  ]  Eafit  is  here  put  fw  light  or  trifling. 
'Tis,  fays  he,  as  light  or  trifling  a  crime  to  do  io,  as  To,  He, 
Which  the  Oxford  Editor  not  apprehending,  has  alterM  it  to jnjl I 
for  \is  much  eafier  to  conceive  what  Sbakejpear  flioald  fay,  than 
what  he  does  fay.  So  juft  before,  the  poet  iaid,  with  his  ufual 
Jicrncc,  x.hc\r fa'wcy  fwtetnefst  for  fwwcy  iudulgenct  of  the  op- 
t*tit$.  And  this,  ^rfooth,  muft  be  changed  xo  fepwcy  le^wdnefit 
fhu*  the  epithet  confines  us,  as  it  were,  to  uie  poct^s  word. 

Give 


Meafure  for  Meafure* 

Give  up  your  body  to  fucJi  fwcct  undeannefi, 
As  flie,  that  he  hath  ftain*d  ? 

Ifab,  Sir,  believe  this, 
I  had  rather  give  my  body  than  my  foul. 

Jng.  I  talk  not  of  your  Ibu] ;  our  compeird  fins 
Stand  more  for  number  tlian  accompt. 

Ifab.  How  fay  you  ? 

jing.  Nay,  I'll  not  warrant  that ;  for  I  can  ipeak 
Agaijift:  the  tiling  [  fay.    Anfwer  to  this  : 
I,  now  the  voice  of  the  recorded  law, 
Pronounce  a  fentence  on  your  brother*s  life  : 
Might  there  not  be  a  charity  in  fin. 
To  fave  this  brother's  life  ? 

If{ib.   Pleafe  you  to  do*r, 
ril  take  it  as  a  peril  to  my  foul, 
It  is  no  Cm  at  all,  but  charity* 

Afig.  Pleas'd  you  ro  dD*t  at  peril  of  your  Ibul, 
Were  equal  poize  of  fin  and  charity, 

Jfab.  That  I  do  beg  his  life,  if  it  be  fm, 
Heav'n,    let  me  bear  it !  you,  granting  my  fuit. 
If  that  be  Hn^  1*11  make  it  my  mom-pray'r 
To  have  it  added  to  the  faults  of  mine, 
And  nothing  of  your  anfwer, 

Ang*  Nay,  but  hear  me  : 
Your  lenfe  purfucs  not  mine  :  either,  you*rc  ignorant  \ 
Or  feem  fo,  craftily  i  and  that's  not  good. 

Ifab*  Let  me  be  ignorant,  and  in  nothing  good, 
But  gradoufly  to  know  I  am  no  better. 

Ang.  Thus  wifdom  wifhes  to  appear  moft  bright, 
When  it  doth  tax  itfelf :  as  thefe  black  masks. 
Proclaim  an  en-fhield  beauty  ten  times  louder. 
Than  beauty  could  Jifplay'd,    But  mark  me. 
To  be  received  plain,  I'll  fpcak  more  grofs ; 
Your  brother  is  to  die. 

Ifah.  So, 

kng.  And  his  offence  is  fo,  as  it  appears 
Accountant  to  the  law  upon  chat  pain, 


^ 


^ 


394  Meafure  for  Meafure. 


Ifab.  True. 

Ang.  Admit  no  other  way  to  five  his  life. 
(As  I  fubfcribe  not  that,  nor  any  other. 
But  in  the  lofs  of  qiaeftionj  that  you  his  filler. 
Finding  yourfelf  dcfir'd  of  fuch  a  peribn, 
Whofc  credit  with  the  judgCy  or  own  great  {dace. 
Could  fetch  your  brother  from  the  manacles 
Of  the  all-holding  kw ;  and  that  chere  were 
No  earthly  mean  to  fave  him,  but  diat  either 
You  muft  lay  down  the  treafures  of  your  body 
To  this  fuppos'd,  or  eUe  to  let  liim  iatkt  i 
What  would  you  do.? 

Ifaif.  As  much  for  my  poor  brother,  as  tnylclf : 
That  is,  were  I  under  the  terms  of  death, 
Th'  imprelfion  of  keen  whips  Td  wear  as  rubies. 
And  ftrip  myfelf  to  death,  as  to  a  bed 
That  lon^g  Tve  been  fick  for,  ere  Td  yield 
My  body  up  to  Ihamc. 

Jng.  Then  muft  your  brother  die. 
Ifak,  And  'twere  the  cheaper  way ; 
Better  it  were,  a  brother  dy*d  at  once  ; 
Than  that  a  fifter,  by  redeeming  him. 
Should  die  for  ever. 

Jng,  Were  not  you  then  as  cruel  as  the  lenteoce. 
That  you  have  flander'd  fo  ? 

JfaL  As  ignominious  ranfom,  and  free  patd<xi, 
Areoftwo  houfes;  lawflil  mercy,  fure. 
Is  r.otliing  kin  to  foul  redemption. 

^Hg.  You  feem'd  of  late  to  make  the  law  a  tynffiti 
And  rather  prov'd  the  Aiding  of  your  brother 
A  merriment,  than  a  vice. 

Ifab,  Oh  pardon  me,  my  lord  j  it  oft  falls  out. 
To  have  what  we  would  have,  we  Ipeak  not  what  wc 

mean  : 
I  fomething  do  cxcule  the  thing  I  hate. 
For  his  advantage  that  1  dearly  love. 


Meafure  for  Meafuri. 

Atg.  \Ve  a!rt  all  frait, 

Ifak  '  Elfc  !ct  my  brother  dfe. 
If  noc  a  fcodary,  but  only  he. 
Owe,  and  faccecd  by  weakneis  ! 

yhig*  Nay,  women  are  frail  too.  [firlvcs; 

10^  Ay,  as  the  glaflb  where  they  view  chcm* 
Which  ^rc  as  cafy  broke,  as  they  make  forms* 
Women?  help  hcav'n  ;  men  their  creation  mar. 
In  profiting  by  them  :  nay,  call  us  ten  times  frail  > 
For  we  are  foft  as  our  complexions  are, 
*  And  crcduloire  to  falfc  prints. 

jhg.  I  think  it  well ; 
And  from  this  teftimony  of  your  own  for, 
(Since  I  tlippofewe're  made  to  be  no  ftrongcpj 
Than  faults  may  fhakc  our  frames)  let  mc  be  bold  s 
I  do  arreft  your  words :  be  That  you  arc. 
That  is,  a  woman  i  if  you*re  more,  you're  BOne,- 
If  you  be  one,  as  you  arc  well  cxprcfe'd 
By  all  external  warrants,  Ihcw  it  now» 
By  putting  on  the  dcftia'd  livery- 

Jfai,  I  have  no  tongue  but  one ;  gentle,  my  lordj 
Let  me  intreat  you,  *  fpeak  the  formal  hnguage. 

jiftg.  Plainly  conceive,  I  love  you, 
^1.  My  brother  did  love  JulieS  i 
And  you  tell  me»  that  he  (hall  die  for  it. 

1  Ei/f  hi  mj  hrothtr  Mt^ 
Ifjt&t  a  fcudary ,  tut  etily  he,  &c,  ]  Thii  i)  fo  obfcarc,  but  tlit 
ftllufLon  iQ  fine,  that  it  deferves  to  be  cxplain'd.  hfniAry  was  ftne* 
that  in  (he  times  of  vaflMage  held  lands  of  the  chief  lord,  under  Um 
icnufc  of  paying  rent  and  fervice  :  which  tcniucf  were  caird//Bj!« 
amongll  the  Coshi.  Now*  fays  Angtk^  *'  wc  arc  all  frail ;  yci,  re- 
**  pUcs  l/nbtiia  \  ifaU  mankind  >i'ercnoty>0/<7r/»^  who  owe  whn 
**  they  arc  to  this  tenure  of  imhtciUiryf  and  who  fucceed  etch  other 
■'  by  the  f?.met?niire^aswella$iny  btother,  1  would  give  him  up." 
The  comparirig  mankind,  Jytng  andcr  the  weight  of  original  un« 
to  a/Wff?7,  who  owes  /uit  and  fir^ki  to  hi*  lord,  i*,  I  tbi^. 


fioc  ill  imagined 

1  And  irrdniaus  nfitift  prints.^  i,  g 


cake  any  Impredioa. 


fvbich  he  here  ufei  f&r  plain,  dircdl. 

Vol,  L  jb^. 


\gt  Meafure  fcr  Meafure. 


^ 


Ang.  He  (hall  not,  Ifal^ely  if  you  give  mc  love 

10,  •  1  know,  your  virtue  hath  a  licence  in'" 
Which  fccmsa  little  fouler  than  it  is. 
To  pluck  on  others, 

Ang,  Believe  me»  on  mine  honour. 
My  words  exprcfs  my  purpofe, 

If^.  Ha  !  little  honour  to  be  much  believ'd, 
And  moft  pernicious  purpofc !  Teeming,  Iccming!  — 
I  will  proclaim  thee,  Angeb  i  look  for'c  ; 
Sign  me  a  prefent  pardon  for  my  brother, 
Or,  with  an  out-ftretch'd  throat,   Til  tell  the  worL 
Aloud,  what  man  thou  art. 

Ang,  Who  will  believe  thee,  Jfahelf 
My  untbil'd  name,  th'  auftcrencfs  of  my  life, 
*  My  vouch  againft  you,  and  my  place  i*th'  ftatc, 
"Will  fb  your  accufation  over- weigh. 
That  you  fhall  *  ftifle  in  your  own  rcprt» 
And  fmell  of  calumny,     I  have  begun  ; 
And  now  I  give  my  fenfual  race  the  rein. 
Fit  thy  confcnt  to  my  fliarp  appetite, 
Lay  by  all  nicecy,  and  prolixiotis  blulhcs. 
That  banifti  what  they  fue  for  \  redeem  ihy  brother 
By  yielding  up  thy  body  to  my  will : 
Or  clfe  he  mult  not  only  die  the  death. 
But  thy  unkindnefs  fhaJl  his  death  draw  out 
To  lingVing  fufferancc,    Anfwcr  mc  to-morrt)w  \ 
Or  by  th*  affcflion  that  now  guides  mc  moft, 

*  /  kn^pmyatir  ^irtut  hath  a  licence  /n'^  J  Anoding  co  dtf  fr 
Mnccsgrven  by  Jwiitiliers  to  their  Spiw^  to  go  into  ali  fofpcAoi 
companies  and  join  in  the  language  of  Maiecontent*. 

3  JJ^r' vouch  e^ariBy7jfftt,]  Tbt  calling  his  dcniaj  of  her  chwfe, 
his  fe^tfi,  hac  fomeching  fine.  Fau^h  is  the  ciriHmooy  one  m* 
bears  for  another.  So  iiia%  by  thia,  he  infinusra  hw  auttoftff 
was  fo  gr«t*  diac  hi*  itnial  w.  ould  have  the  fame  cicdit  ikii  • 
^^kch  or  tcilimony  has  ia  ordinary  cafe*. 

4  flffi^  iny^urafmn  rtpari^  

And  fmtli  tf  rtthmnfj]    Metaphor  taken  fren  a  l«n 

Caodlc  going  out. 

ru 


» 


Meafure  for  Meafure.  397 

%   rU  prove  a  tyrant  to  him.    As  for  you, 

i   Say  what  you  can  j  my  falfe  o'crwcighs  your  true, 

{Exit, 
Ifab.  To  whom  (hould  I  complmn  ?  did  I  teU  tliis. 

Who  would  believe  me?  O  moft  perilous  mouths. 

That  bear  in  them  one  and  the  felf-lame  tongue, 
\    Either  of  condemnation  or  approof ; 
]    Bidding  the  law  make  curtCe  to  their  will  5 

Hooking  both  right  and  wrong  to  th*  appetite. 

To  follow,  as  it  draws.    TU  to  my  brother. 
(    Tho*  he  hath  fall'n  by  prompture  of  the  blood, 

Yet  hath  he  in  him  fucn  a  mind  of  honour. 

That  had  he  twenty  heads  to  tender  down 

On  twenty  bloody  blocks,  he'd  yield  them  up  ; 

Before  his  fifter  fhould  her  body  ftoop 

To  fuch  abhorred  pollution. 

Then,  Ifabel^  hvc,  chafte;  and,  brother,  die  ; 

More  than  our  brother  is  our  chaftity. 

rU  tell  him  yet  ofJngdo's  requcft; 

And  fit  his  mind  to  death,  for  his  foul's  Reft. 

[£x//. 


A  C  T    III.      S  C  E  N  E     L 

The    PRISON. 
Enter  Duke,  Claudio,  and  Provoft. 

Duke. 

SO,  then  you  hope  of  pardon  from  lord  Atgeb? 
Claud.  The  miferable  have  no  other  mcSicine, 
But  only  Hope :  I've  hope  to  live,  and  am  prepared 
to  die. 
Duke.  Be  abfolute  for  death :  or  death,  or  life. 


Meafure  for  Meafure, 

Shall  thereby  be  the  fwceter.    '  Realbn  thus  with 
<  If  1  do  lofe  thee,  I  do  lofe  a  thing, 

*  That  none  but  fools  would  reck ;  a  breath  thou 

*  Servile  to  all  the  skley  influences, 

*  That  do  this  habitation,  wliere  thou  kecp'Jt, 

*  Hourly  afflid  j  *  mcerly  thou  art  Death*s  Foolj 

*  For  him  thou  labour'ft  by  thy  flight  to  fhun, 

*  And  yet  runn^ft  toward  him  ftUl.     *  Thou  art 

noble; 


Rtofin  thut  ^xith  U/ti 


If  I  da  hfi  ihitt  I  d9  hfe  a  fl/ftg. 
That  mne  hut  faith  *tmuU  kctrp.]  Bai   thU   rcidiag  « 
only  contrary  to  all  fenfe  and  reaCoo  \  but  lo  the  drift  of  i£ui 
dilcourfe*     Tiie  ^uke^  In  his  aHAiniM  chara^er  ofa  Frtmr^  M 
desivouring  to  indij  into  the  condemned  prifooer  a  rdigi 
mind  to  hh  ffiitcfice;  but  the  fenfe  of  the  lines,  in  this 
a  dired  pcrfuafive  to  Svicrder  1  make  no  doubt,  bat  tk 
wrote, 

That  none  hut  Foah  'would  reck, 
f,  r<  care  for,  be  anxious  abou^  regret  the  toTs  of.    So  ii 
Tragedy  tti  Tamrfd  and  Gi/mundat  A&.  4.  Sccn^  3. 

■ AV  that  Jht  It  EC  K  5  sbii  Hf^ » 

And  Shahfpear  in  7hf  T<txi)  GentUmfM  o/'V^rona^ 

Recking  ai  iiitU  ^haf  hrtidetir  me  — — 

2 mffrfy  f/mt  art  Drath'a  Fool ; 

Fffr  him  thou.  Uhur'fl  tv  thy  fight  io  Jhnm^ 

And  yet  runti'f  ttnurd  Um  fi/l]  In  thofcold  Firta< 

MORALiTf£s,  the  Fop/ of  the  piece,  in  order  to  Ihew  tbei 
ble  approaches  of  Death,  i$  made  to  crnploy  alf  his  llrai 
avoid  him;  which,  as  the  matter  is  ordered*  bring  the  At(i 
every  turn,  into  his  very  jaws.     So  that  the  reprcfexiaiiois! 
thefc  fcenes  would  a.fFord  a  greac  deal  of  good  mir//^  snd 
mixed  together.     And  from  fuch  circfim£wces.    in  the  gcutuiir 
our  ancellora  publick  diverilons,    I  fuppofe   it  was,    tha.1  thecil 
proverb  arofe,  of  being  mfrry  ttnd  ivift, 

3  ■ ■    Thou  G  rt  net  »e6/r ; 

Ftr  itii  if/  accommodatiffrSf  thai  ihsa  i^ar"^, 
Are  nuri^d  i>j  hafine/t :  ]     This  emgmaticftl   fcnterr-     '• 
much  in  the  manner  ot  our  Amhar,  is  a  fine  proofof  hiskr 
of  human  nature.     The  meaning  of  it  being  this,   TIrr  m:, 
tveut  tt^hns  have  ajtifp  motive,   and  ttfin  th»ft  ef  thrr- 
4tppear  wtof  gtnirvvi,  ara  hut  thi  t/tort  ttrfful difguije$  rfj*ij  ^'•' 


va- 


Meafure  far  Meafsi 


For  all  til*  accommodations,  that  thou  bear*ft, 
Are  nurs'd  by  bafenefs :  thou'it  by  no  means 

liant ; 
For  thou  doft  fear  the  foft  and  tender  fork 
Of  a  poor  worm,     *  Thy  bed  of  Reft  is  flecp» 
And  that  thou  oft  provolc*fl:  \  yet  grody  fcar'ft 
I'hy  death,  which  is  no  more.  Thou'it  not  thy  felf  i 
For  thou  exift*ft  on  many  a  thouJand  grains. 
That  iffae  out  of  dull.     Happy  thou  art  not ; 
For  what  thou  haft  not,  ftill  thou  ftriv*ft  eo  get ; 
And  what  thou  haft  forget*ft.  Thou  art  not  certain ; 
For  d\y  complexion  fhifts  to  ftrange  cffe^s. 
After  the  moon.     If  thou  art  rich,  thou'rt  poor; 
For*  like  an  afs,  whofe  back  with  ingots  bows. 
Thou  bear'ft  thy  heavy  riches  but  a  journey. 
And  death  unloadeth  thee.     Friend  thou  hall  none  j 
For  thy  own  bowels,  which  do  call  thee  Sire, 
The  mecr  effufion  of  thy  proper  loins. 
Do  curfe  the  Gout^  Serpigo^  and  the  Rheum, 
For  ending  thee  nofooner.    *  Thou  haft  nor  youth, 

nor  age  % 

'But 


399 


4   f/zy  htfl  tff  ^efi  it  flrtp. 

And  that  tbM  of  I  prs^V^k'fi  i  fff  grojly  f/ar-'Jl 

fhf  tititth^  *wlid*  if  fn>  «flr/.]  EvJdendy  from  the  following 

hgc  af  Ctcfr9  :  Habet  fimnum  ima»imtm  M^f'tii^   tavti^ue  ^u9- 
l>  intuit  ^  (jf  Juffitai  fuin  /tn/ut  in  m^rtr  mulluijtt,  run  in  fjmt 
JimuUtrit  *^iitas  gffe  auflum  fenj'um.   Bui  che  Epicurriii  inrinuaiion 
isr  with  great  judgment,  omictcd  in  the  imitAtion, 

5  Th$u  haft  nsr  putB^- nor  ttg*  t 

But  ffi  it  *ivert  an  afttr  dinner' t  fietp, 
Drtaming  on  IfOth ',  far  all  thv  hhjfrd  \aHth 
B^csmfi  at  ^f^fdf  anJ  deth  beg  thn  ulms 

Of  pa(jtiJ  £//]  The  drift  of  this  pciiod  is  to  prove,  that 
neither  youth  nor  age  can  be  fnid  to  be  rc^ly  enjoyed^  which.  In 
pocticjl  UngQJige.  i*,—-  //V  hu'vr  Kfithtr ycttth  nsr  e^i.  By^  how 
is  thta  «»at]e  out  }  That  A^f  is  not  cojoyal  bcprovei,  hy  rrcapqra- 
!:Tt'rrrcT  the  infirmities  of  it»  which  deprive  that  period  of  life  of  all 
r  pleafure.  To  prove  that  Youth  is  not  enjoyed,  he  ofet 
s>orJ*a  /V  ail  thy  bhj^'d  yQmti^  l4<^mtt  at  agiiy  ami dsfl» 


4O0  Meafure  for  Meafure. 

*  But  as  it  were  an  afcer-dinner's  flctp, 

*  Drtammg  on  tx>ch  ;  for  paU'd,  thy  blazed  youth 

*  Becomes  affuaged,  and  doth  beg  the  alms 

*  Of  paified  Eld  ;  and  when  thou*rt  old  and  rich, 

*  Thou  haft  neither  *  heat,  affection,  Unnb,  nor  bountf 

*  To  make  thy  riches  pJeafant.     What's  yet  in  dm, 
'  That  bears  the  name  of  life  ?  yet  in  tlus  life 

*  Lye  hid  more  thoufand  deaths  ;  yet  death  wc  fear, 

*  That  makes  thefe  odds  all  even. 
Claud.  I  humbly  thank  you. 

To  fue  to  live,  I  fijid,  1  leek  to  die  ; 

And,  feeking  deadly  find  life :  let  it  come  on. 

Eiitcr  Ifabella* 

Jfab,  What,  ho?  peace  hcie,  grace  and  goodaxn- 

pany! 
Prov.  Who*s  there?  come  in;  the  wifli  defovcs 

welcome. 


^tf  tht  alms  ef  psffitd  Eld.    Out  of  which,   be  that  eta 

the  Gonctufii^nj  hiu  3  bctccr  k^^k  ac  logic  ihan  I  bare.    |  fosMfe' 

the  Poet  wrote* 

*  fir  paltJ^   iby  hlat.id  youth 

Buotnei  ftjfuageii;  And  dvtk  heg  tht  m/mi 
Of  falficJ  EUi  

/.  f.  when  \\\y  youthful  appetite  becomes  palled,  as  it  v^||  fcj  _ 
the  very  enjoyment,  the  bljze  of  youth  is  at  once  a^tueed,  «ai 
thou  immctiiaiely  contrafteft  the  inhrmiiies  of  old  age  j  a«,  fttfti- 

cularly,  the  palile  aiid  oilier  nervous  difordcrs^  confequnir*(^  »5c 
inordinate  gie  of  fcnfu^l  pleafurc  This  is  to  the  purpr-'r  ;  3  J 
proves  Yauth  is  net  enjoyed  by  Shewing  the  {hort  dur^ 
The  wordi  of  CfVfrtf,  of  which  this  ii  an  itnitation,  cl:... 
<nicnd;itic>n.  ^m*  *i^tT9  atai  knga  fjif  Aut  quid  ^mttimp 
ionium  ?  Naatti  mM  puirer,  tned'j  addtfienut^  in  curfa 
in/rquins,  uti  opittantfi  a^ifttta  e/l /ine^Ms? 

^  heat,  affalhn^  limh,  nnr  beauty]  ^'jt  how  doei  bc3 

ni,-jke  rU-h^f  pUaj.tnt ?  "Wc  fhould  fcad  bounty,  which 
pJciti  ihe  fenfc,  ^nd  is  thU;  Thou  h.ilHtither  ihe  plcafurc  of  w- 
jijving  rlchcichy  felf,  for  thou  w.intcll  viggur:  nor  of  fecio«  I'c 
ctjoyed  hy  otberi»  for  thou  wanted  hounty.  Where  the  mtlcrM 
Ihc  want  c^ houjtt)f  ai  infeparaWtr  fiom  old  age  as  the  ivant  d^m^ttf^ 
JACJttfcnKly  fjtyricjl  tho' not  dtogc:hei- julL 

DMhc 


Meafure  for  Meajurt.  401 

Duke.  Dear  Sir,  crcloftg  I'll  vifit  you  again. 
tUia.  MdtholfSir,  I  thank  you. 
Ifab.  My  Bufinefiisaword,  or  two,  wAiQaudio. 
Frav.  And  very  Wtkome.    Look,  Sigmor,  hcre*s 

your  ■fiftier. 
Duke*  iPtc^Jofi^  a  irord  with  you. 
Prov.  As  many  as  yoti  pleaie. 
Duke,  Bring  them  to  ipcok^  where  I  may  be  coh« 
ceal'd. 
Yet  hear  them.  [Exeunt  Duke  and  ftovoft, 

SCENE      IL 

Claud.  Now,  fitter,  what's  the  comfort  ? 
Jfab,  W^y,  as  aU  comforts  arc ;  moft  good  ip 
Deed: 
Lord  Anffloy  halting  atfl^irs  to  heav*n. 
Intends  you  for  his  fwdt  amibailador  ; 
"Where  you  fhall  be  an  everlafting  Idger. 
Therefore  your  beft  appcrintment  make  With  ipeed^ 
To-morrow  you  ?ct  on. 
Claud.  Is  there  no  remedy  ? 
Ifab.  Non<s  but  fuch  remedy,  as,  to  lave  a  head^ 
To  cleave  a  heart  in  twain, 
Claud.  But  is  there  any? 
Ifab.  Yes,  brother,  yOu  may  five : 
There  is  a  deviliih  mercy  in  the  judge. 
If  you'll  implore  it,  that  will  free  your  life, 
[   but  fetter  you  *till  death. 
a      Xiaud.  Perpetual  durance? 
■"-      Ifab,  Ay,jufti  perpetual  durances  areftraint, 

Tho*  all  the  world  s  vaftidity  you  had, 
a  ^o  a  determined  fcope. 

Claud,  But  in  what  nature  ? 
:       Jfab,  In  luch  a  one,  as  you,  confendn^to't, 
'  Would  bark  your  honour  from  that  trunk  yod  bear^ 
And  leave  you  nadced. 

Vol.  I.  Dd  C&kA 


« 


402  Meafure  for  Meafure. 

Claude   Let  jne  know  the  point. 

Jfab,  *'  Oh,  I  do  fear  thee,  Claudioi  and  I  qual 

Left  thou  a  fcvVous  life  fhould'ft  ertcertaia. 

And  fix  or  fevea  Winters  more  refbedt 
**  Than  a  perpetual  Honour,     Dar'ft  thou  die? 
**  The  fcnfe  of  death  is  moft  in  ^pprehenAoni 
"  And  the  poor  Beetle,  that  we  txad  upon, 
**  In  oorp'ral  fuffer^ce  finds  a  pang  as  great, 
**  As  when  a  Giant  dies. 

Claud.  Why  give  you  mc  this  fhamc  ? 
Think  you,  I  can  a  relbludon  fetch 
From  flowVy  tendemefs?  if  I  muft  dic» 
I  will  encounter  darknefs  as  a  bride. 
And  hug  it  in  mine  arms. 

Jffab.  **  There  fpakc  my  brother  ;  there  my  fidioV 
grave 
"  Did  utter  fordi  a  voice*     Yes,  thou  muft  die 
Thou  art  too  noble  to  conferve  a  life 
In  bafe  appliances.     This  outward-fainted  Deputy," 
Whofe  ferded  vi&ge  and  deliberate  word 
Nips  youth  i*th*  head  ;  and  follies  doth  emnicw. 
As  faulcon  doth  the  fowl  ^  is  yet  a  devil  : 
His  filth  within  being  caft,  he  would  appear 
A  pond  as  deep  as  hell, 

Ciaud.  -^  ThQ  PncMy  Jngelo? 

Ifah,  Oh,  'Els  the  cunning  livery  of  hell. 
The  damned*ft  body  to  invert  and  cover 
In  Prieilly  guards.     Doft  thou  think,  Ctaudioy 


7  The  PKiwcELY  Angclo>  —  j-atNCEtr  gm*rrJu']'Vhti\- 
pid  Editors  miftaking  guanit  for  facdliicSp  (tivhrrcu  it  hcrt  fij    **" 
htt)  altered  krjes tly.  in  both  pUca»  to  ruiMcvLy.   v 
2,%Shah/pe^r  v^rotc  ic  pjii£sTLYp   at  appears  fram  the 
thcfnielve»t 

*ih  tiji  fumaing  Jtvery  tf  htU, 

T^i  damntd'J}  bfdy  i9  tvvfjl  and  C9^er 

Wilk  PBIESTI.Y  guards. 

In  theSrll  place  we  fee  x^Atguardi  here  fignifies  Uct,  ai  r«ftrni| 
cp  li'pijji  and  u  having  do  knit  in  ihe  itgnificatloa  cfJsielUjm 


Meafure  for  Meafure.  403 

If  I  would  yield  bim  my  ^drg^tyy 
Thou  might'ft  be  freed  ? 

Qantd.  Oh,  heavens!  it  cannot  be. 

Ifah.  Yes,  he  would  (a)  gcvc  thee  for  this  rank 
offence, 
So  to  offend  1dm  itill.    Thb  n^ht's  the  dnie 
That  I  ffiould  do  what  I  abhor  to  name» 
Or  clfc  thou  dy'ft  to-morrow. 

Claud.  Thou  (halt  not  do*t. 

^itk.  Oh,  were  it  but  my  life, 
I'd  throw  it  down  for  your  deliveranoe 
As  frankly  as  a  pin. 

Gaud,  Thanks,  deareft  Ifaiel, 

Ifab.  Be  ready,  Qaudio^  for  your  death  to-morrow« 

Qaud.  Yes.  Has  he  affedions  in  him. 
That  thus  can  make  him  '  bite  the  law  by  th'  noie^ 
When  he  would  force  it  ?  fure,  it  is  no  fin  i 
Or  of  the  deadly  ieven  it  is  the  leaft. 

Ifab.  Which  is  the  leaft? 

Claud.  If  it  were  damnable,  he  bdnc  io  wife» 
Why  would  he  for  the  momentary  trii£ 
Be  perdurably  fin'd  ?  oh  Ifabel! 

Ifab.  What  fays  my  brother? 

Claud.  Death's  a  fearful  thing. 

Ifab,  And  fhamed  life  a  hatdU . 

Now  pritftfy  guards  mfiuu  fanSiH^  which  \%  the  fenie  required. 
Bnc/ri«r#^;»ar^/meuit  nothing  buc  rich  /«rf,  which  it  a  fcnft 
tlie  paflage  will  not  bear.  Amgik^  indeed*  as  Deputy,  mi^ht  b« 
called  xhitprinctiy  Angeh:  but  not  in  this  place,  where  the  unmc- 
^flCcly  preceding  words  of,  Jhis  $utward  fiumttd  Dtputf,  demand 
eke  tmiog  1  have  here  rcftored. 

8    I  hite  tbi  law  hy  th^lfft. 

When  be  'Would  force  itT  ]  i.r.  inlbrce  It.  This  it  but  a 
land  of  bear-garden  phrafe,  taken  from  the  coftom  of  driving  catdc^ 
and  fecting  a  dog  upon  them  to  catch  them  by  the  nofe,  and  flop 
thean  when  they  go  aftray. 

[  (a)  g'fve  the$for  tbh  ramk  •fftiM,  Oxf.  Edit—Valg.  giw^f 
gkii  i  frtm  this  rank  offintct."} 

Ddz  CkMi, 


j^04  Meafure  for  Meafure. 

Claud.  *■  Ay,  but  to  die,  and  go  we   know 

where ; 
To  lye  in  cold  obftnjftion,  and  to  rot  % 
This  lenfible  warm  motion  to  become 
A  kneaded  clod  ;  '  and  the  delighted  ipirit 
To  bathe  in  fiery  floods,  or  to  refide 
In  thrilling  regions  of  thick-ribb'd  icc; 
To  be  imprifonM  in  the  vicwlefe  winds. 
And  blown  with  reftlefs  violence  round  about 
The  pendant  world  j  or  to  be  worfe  than  w 
Of  thofe,  that  lawlefs  and  incertain  thoughts 
Imagine  howling ;  'tis  too  horrible ! 
'  The  wearieft  and  moft  loathed  worldly  life. 
That  age,  ach,  penury,  imprifonmcnt 
Can  lay  on  nature,  is  a  paradi^ 
To  what  we  fear  of  death* 
ffak  Alas!  alas! 
Claud.  Sweet  filler,  let  me  live  5 
What  fin  you  do  to  (ave  a  brother's  Bfc, 
Nature  difpenfes  with  the  deed  fo  far, 
That  it  becomes  a  virtue. 
Ifa,  Oh,  you  beaft  ! 

h,  faidileis  coward [  oh,  diflioncft  wretch! 
It  thou  be  made  a  man,  out  of  my  vice  ? 
Is*t  not  a  kind  of  inceft,  to  take  life 
From  thine  own  fifter*s  fhame?  what  fliould 
fieav*n  g?:antj  my  mother  plaid  my  father  fair! 


I  *- an^  iht  delighted  J^irit  ]   i.  £,  the  fpirit  t< 

liere  to  cafe  and  delight*.     This  was  properly  urged  as 
fation  to  iht  fhafpncfs  of  the  torments  fpflken  of.     The 
""iHfor  noi  apprehending  iha,  alteri  it  to  diUttd.     Ai 

teipincin  the  body  \%  iktd  to  be  iiriprifon^d,  it  was  crv^j^dtdmi 
frlikewifej  and  fo^  by  dearh^  nm  only  fee  free,  but  czinaR 
|oo  j  which,  if  true,  wc^uld  make  it  the  \th  JcnAbk  of  |«i£^ 
I  ^ht  ^iMtayhp^  &c.]  See  the  infamous  wiih  of  ALettmMj 
corded  by  Senem,  lOi  Ep, 

Qthiitm  fatiit 


Drhiiem  f^di^  coxa,  Ac, 

Fits  ditm  /uptrtfi^  h*f  efl^  kc. 


Meafure  for  Meafure.  405 

For  fuch  a  warped  flip  of  wildernds 
Ne'er  ilTu'd  fix>m  his  blood.    Take  my  defiance, 
Die,  periih  \  might  my  only  bending  down 
Rcpriere  thee  irom  thy  fate,  it  fliould  proceed, 
PU  pray  a  thoufand  prayers  for  thy  death  5 
!No  word  to  bctc  thee. 

Claud.  Nay,  hear  me,  IfaheL 

Ifai.  Oh,  fie,  fie,  fie! 
Thy  fin*s  not  acddental^  but  a  trade ; 
Mocy  to  thee  would  prove  it  felf  a  bawd  ; 
'Tis  bcft,  that  thou  dy'ft  quickly, 

Claud.  Oh  hear  me,  Ifaiella, 

SCENE      IIL 
To  tbem^  Enter  Duke  and  Provoft. 

Buke,  Vouchiafe  a  word,  young  fifter ;  but  ona 
word. 

Ifab.  What  is  your  will? 

Duke.  Might  you  dilpenfe  with  your  leifure,  I  would 
by  and  by  have  fome  ii3eech  with  you ;  the  fatiafafiiQa 
I  would  require,  is  likewiie  your  own  benefit. 

Ifi^,  I  have  no  fuperfiuous  Idfiire ;  my  ftay  muft  ' 
be  ftolen  out  of  other  afimrs :  but  I  v^  attend  you  a 
while. 

JMa.  Son,  I  have  over-heard  what  hath  p^  be- 
tween you  and  your  Sifter.  Angelo  had  never  the  pur- 
pofe  to  corrupt  her;  only  he  hadi  made  an  aflay  of  her 
▼irtue,  to  pra£tife  his  judgment  ^th  the  difpofition  of 
natures.  She,  haraig  the  truth  of  honour  in  her,  hath 
JBade  him  that  gradous  denial,  which  he  is  moft  g^ 
torecdve:  I  am  Confefibr  to  .^^^ii?,  and  Iknowthit 
to  be  true  5  therefore  prepare  your  felf  to  death.  *  Do 
mac  Mifie  your  refoludon  with  hopes  that  are  fallible ; 

to-morrow 

2  Do  not  iatisfie  your  nfoluthn  with  bopts  tbmt  arefallihU  \  ] 
A  condemned  many  whom  his  confefibr  had  brought  to  bear 

D  d  3  death 


40  6  Meafure  far  Meafure. 

to-morrow  you  muft  diej  go  Co  your  knees,  and 
ready. 

Claud.  Let  me  ask  my  fifter  pardon  %  I  am  lb  oa 
of  love  vnth  Ufc^  that  I  will  fue  to  be  rid  of  it 

[Exit  Claui 

Duh,  Hold  you  dierc  i  farewd*  Frevoft^  a  wocd 
with  you. 

ProD,  What's  your  will,  father? 

Buke.  That  now  you  arc  come,  you  wifl  be 
leave  me  a  while  with  the  maid :  my  mind  pn 
with  my  habit,  no  lofs  fhall  touch  her  by   my 
pany. 

Pr^.  In  good  time.  \Exh  Pmr. 

Tiuki.  The  hand,  chat  hath  made  you  fair,  bdi 
made  you  good  \  the  gCMDdnefs,  that  is  cheap  m  be»nt 
makes  beauty  brief  in  goodnefs ;  bur  grace*  being  the 
foul  of  your  complexion,  fhall  keep  the  body  of  itcrcr 
fair.  The  aflault,  dut  Angeio  hath  made  on  you,  for- 
tune hath  convey'd  to  my  undcrftanding ;  and  but 
that  frailty  hath  examples  for  his  falltng,  I  fboold 
wonder  at  jingtlo:  how  will  you  do  to  content  thas 
Subllitute,  and  to  fave  your  brodier  ? 

Ifah.  I  am  now  going  to  refolve  him :  I  had  rather 
my  brother  die  by  the  law,  than  my  fon  fhould  be  un- 
lawfully born.  But,  oh,  how  much  b  the  good  Duke 
dccciv'd  in  Aniek  ?  if  ever  he  return,  and  I  can  fpeak 

death  wkh  decttic:^  and  rcfoUtifyD,  beg»n  anew  to  cntertun  liapa 
of  liTe.  This  occaftrrned  the  sdvke  rn  ihi^  words  tbove.  But  h«V 
did  theTc  hopcB  /d//^r  his  refolution }  or  «rh»t  harm  wat  there » it 
they  didf  We  mufl  certainly  read,  D&  mH  v a i.%i^ im. y§Mr  nhh^ 
ihn  tufith  h^pn  that  are  fallible.  And  then  it  hcctviQ<«  a  iraloai 
ble  sdmonition.  For  bope$of  life,  by  drawinj:  h^n:  back  ialo  (kt 
wortd,  would  naturaJly  dude  or  weaken  the  virtue  ofthJt  rt) — 
«/ijB,  which  was  railed  only  on  motives  of  religion.  And  rhi* 
cnnfeffor  had  reafon  to  warn  him  ai.  The  tcrm/ttffiJS^  a 
jrom  fencing,  and  Signifies  the  pretending  to  aim  a  firokeia 
t»  draw  the  adverfary  off  hit  ]i;uaTd.     So  Fair/ax, 

•  Hrw jfriier  iff  tuff  tf"^  *«w  ^r  raLtcriCTH. 


Meafure  for  Meqfure. 

to  him,  I  will  open  my  Jips  in  vain,  or  difcover  his 
Government. 

Dtike.  That  fliall  not  be  much  amifs;  yet  as  the 
matter  now  ftands,  he  wiJ!  avoid  your  accufation;  he 
made  tryal  of  you  only.  Therefore  fatten  your  ear 
on  my  advifings :  to  the  love  I  have  in  doing  good,  a 
remedy  prefents  it  felf.  I  do  make  my  felf  bdieve^  chat 
you  may  mod  uprightly  do  a  poor  wronged  lady  a 
merited  benefit  j  redeem  your  brother  from  the  angiy  ; 
law  \  do  no  (tain  to  your  own  gracious  perfbn ;  and 
much  pleafe  the  abfentDuke,  if,  perad venture,  he  fliall 
ever  return  to  have  hearing  of  this  bufinefs. 

Ifab,  Let  me  hear  you  fpeak  farther ;  I  have  ipint 
to  do  any  thing,  that  appears  not  foul  in  the  truth  of 
my  ^irit. 

Duke,  Virtue  is  bold,  and  Goodnefs  never  fcarfuh  ' 
liave  you  not  heard  fpcak  of  Mariana^  the  fifter  of 
fridirick^  the  great  foldier  who  milcarricd  at  fea? 

Jfab,  I  have  heard  of  the  lady,  and  good  words 
went  with  her  name. 

Duke.  Her  fhould  this  Angela  have  marryM  ;  was 
afiianc*d  to  her  by  oath,  and  the  nuptial  appointed : 
between  which  time  of  the  conrra^,  and  limit  of  the 
Iblcmnity,  her  brother  Frederick  was  wreckt  at  (ca, 
having  in  that  pcrilh'd  vefleJ  the  dowry  of  his  filler* 
But  mark,  how  heavily  this  befcl  to  the  poor  gentle- 
woman ;  there  fhe  loft  a  noble  and  renowned  brothcr» 
in  his  love  toward  her  ever  moft  kind  and  natural } 
With  him  the  portion  and  finew  of  her  fortune,  her 
marriage-dowry ;  with  both,  her  combinate  hu^and, 
this  wcU-fccming  Angeh, 

Ifah.  Can  this  be  fo  ?  did  Angek  (o  leave  her  ? 

Duke.  Left  her  in  tears,  and  dry'd  not  one  of  chem 
with  his  comfort ;  fwallowM  his  vows  whole,  pretend' 
ing,  in  her,  difcoveries  of  diflionour:  in  few,  bcftow*d 
lier  on  Jicr  own  lamentation,  which  flie  yet  wears  for 


407 


Dd 


bii 


4oS  Meafure  for  MtaJuraM 

hisllikoi.4Qdhc,  a  marble  to  bar  var%t  ^  wafted 

tbcm,  but  relents  not. 

Ifab.  Wh^  a  merit  were  it  in  dsmh  to  take 
poor  maid  from  the  world  f  what  ccsrapckn  ms 
life,  that  it  will  let  this  man  live !  but  how  out  of' 
asi  Ifae  avail  ? 

Duke,  It  is  a  rupctire  that  yoo  fnay  eafily  heal ; 
the  cure  of  it  not  only  laves  your  brother,  but 
you  from  dishonour  in  dobg  it. 

Jfah,  Shew  mc  how,  good  father, 

hukf.  This  fore-nam'd  maid  hath  yet  in  hcri 
continuance  of  her  firft  affectioa;  his  unjuft 
nefs,  (that  in  all  rcafon  fbould  have  qucnclbcd  herlon£' 
hath,  like  an  impediment  m  the  current,  made  k  mot 
violent  and  unruly.  Go  you  to  Angeh^  anlwet  teit* 
quiring  with  a  plaufible  obedience  i  agree  with  ii»  de- 
mands to  die  point ;  only  refer  your  fcif  to  thiaadvifr^ 
rage :  firfl,  that  your  flay  with  him  may  not  be  kagi 
that  the  time  may  have  all  Ihadow  and  fUcncc  ia  %\ 
and  the  place  anfwer  to  convenience*  This  king 
granted,  in  courfe  now  follows  all;  we  fhall  advilc 
this  wronged  maid  to  (lead  up  your  appointment,  go 
ia  your  place  ;  if  the  encounter  acknowlcdgr  it  ra 
hereafter,  it  may  compel  him  to  her  recompcocc  ^  «d 
here  by  this  is  your  brother  laved,  your  Hdoout  tB»- 
taintcd,  the  poor  Mitriana  aclvantagcd,  and  the  comrupc 
Ejcputy  fcaled.  The  maid  will  1  frame,  and  make  lit 
fo  his  attempt :  if  you  think  well  to  carry  this  as  yoo 
may,  the  doublenefe  of  the  benefit  defends  the  dccdp 
from  rqjToot     What  think  you  of  it  ? 

Jfab.  The  image  of  it  gives  me  content  already, 
and  J  I  truft,  it  will  grow  to  a  raoft  profpcftyus  pcr- 
feftion. 

D^»  It  lies  much  in  your  holding  upj  haftc  yoo 
fpcodUy  to  J^elo  ;  if  for  this  night  he  ifttreac  you  to 
Kift  bed,  give  him  pronaife  of  faGs?a£bon.     1  will 

fc 


Meq/ure  for  Meafure.  409 

Andy  to  St.  Luke^s ;  there  at  the  moated  Grange  re^ 
fides  this  dejeAed  Mariana  \  at  that  place  call  upcm 
xne,  and  d]4)atch  ^th  jingeby  that  it  may  be  quickly. 

Ifab,  I  thank  you  for  this  comfort :  fare  you  wdl, 
good  father.  [Exeunt  feveral^. 

SCENE       IV. 

Changes  to  the  Street. 

Re-enter  Duke  as  a  Friary  Elbow,  Clown,  and^  Officers^ 

Eli.  1^  A  y ,  if  there  be  no  remedy  for  it,  but  that 
iN  you  will  needs  buy  and  fell  men  azidwomea 
like  beafts,  we  Ihall  have  all  die  world  drink  b'own  and 
white  '  baflard. 

I>uhe,  Oh,  heav'ns !  what  ftufF  is  here  ? 

Clown,  ♦  *Twa*  never  merry  world  lince  of  two 
ufuries  the  menieft  was  put  down,  and  the  wofier  al- 
lowed by  ordcrof  1^.***  a  furr'd  gown  to  keep  him 
warm,  and  fiirr^d  with  fox  and  lamb-skins  too,  to 
fignifie,  that  craft,  being  richer  than  innocency,  flands 
for  the  lacing. 

EW\  Come  your  way.  Sir:  blefsyou,  good  father 
Friar. 

Duke,  And  you,  good  brother  father  1  what  offence 
hath  this  man  made  you,  Sk  i 

Eli,  Marry,  Sir,  he  hath  offended  the  law ;  and. 
Sir,  we  take  him  to  be  a  Thief  too.  Sir ;  for  we  have 

3  haftardX  A  kind  of  fweet  wine  then  much  In  vogue.    From 

the  Italian,  Bafiardo, 

4  *T'was  ntnter  merry  ijiserld  finct  of  t*wo  ufurits  the  mirriejt 
moms  put  dowHf  and  the  nuorfer  allowed  by  order  t/h^w.  Afmrr  d 
grwn^  Sec]  Here  a  (acire  on  ufury  turns  abruptly  to  a  Tatire  on  the 
perionoftheufurer,  without  any  kind  of  preparation.  We  may 
be  ajTurcd  then,  that  a  line  or  two*  at  leaft,  have  been  loft.  The 
fubjcA  of  which  we  may  ealily  difcover,  a  comparifon  between  the 
two  uforen ;  as,  before,  between  the  two  ufories.  So  that  for  the 
future  the  paflTage  (hould  be  read  with  aftcriiks  tbos  «<*«  hy  •rder 
rf  law,  «  «  «    a  furred  gowm,  Sec, 

found 


lo  Meafure  for  Mtafure. 

found  upon  him,  Sir,  a  ftrangc  pick-lock,   w-hich 
have  fenC  to  the  Deputy. 

Duh.  Fie,  Sirrali^  a  bawd,  %  wicked  bawd ! 
The  evil  that  thou  caufeft  to  be  done, 
That  is  thy  means  to  Uve.     Dofl  thou  but  flunk. 
What  'tis  to  cram  a  maw,  or  doath  a  back, 
From  fuch  a  filthy  vice  ?  fay  to  thy  lelf, 
Froni  fheir  abominable  and  beaftjy  touches 
I  dri:  k,  1  cat,  {a)  array  my  fclf,  and  live. 
Canft  thou  believe  thy  living  is  a  life. 
So  Ibnkingiy  depending !  go  mend,  mend, 

LUws.  Indeed,  it  doth  ftink  in  fome  fort.  Sir ; 
yet.  Sir,  I  would  prove  ■ 

Duic.  Nay,  if  the  devil  have  giv'n  ihce  proofs  fcr 
fin, 
ThoTj  wilt  prove  his.     Take  him  to  prifon,  oiliceri 
Correftion  and  inftrudion  muft  both  work. 
Ere  this  rude  beaft  wUl  profit. 

Elk  He  muft  before  tlic  Deputy,  Sir ;  he  has  pvta 
him  waning;  the  Deputy  cannot  abide  a  w^ort* 
mafter  -,  if  he  be  a  whorc-monger,  and  comes  before 
hitn,  he  were  as  good  go  a  mile  on  his  errand. 

Duke.  That  we  were  all,  as  fome  would  fccni  w 
be,  ^ 

Free  from  all  faults,  *  as  faults,  from  fceming,  free! 


E       N       E 
Enter  Lucio. 


V. 


i 


E3.  His  neck  will  come  to  your  wafle,  a  cord.  Sir. 
Q$wn,  I  fpy  comfort ;  I  cry,  bail:  here's  a  fipptjc- 
man,  and  a  friend  of  mine. 


^ «/y^tf//j./^cfti  fceming, yVrf /]  /.  f ,  as  faalt<  jire 

ruce  of  all  conodiners  or /ffmittg      The  firtl  of  ihcfc  Jincs  nkn 
the  D^paif\  fanftfficd  hypocuf^i    tKc  fecoia<l»   co  ihr  CMvnS 
bfiiUly  oceupaeion.     But  the  Utrft 
IjW  fff  ihe  rhime. 

[  (a)  array  raj  ft  If.     Mr.  BiJHop.^—  Vulg.  tf-wwy  mj  frffJ] 

in  ,.  Luch. 


part  is  thus  ill  cxpfcJM  {or  iW 


tftntM 


Meafure  for  Meafure.  411 

Jmm.  How  now^  noble  Pmpgf  what,  at  die 
wheels  of  Oefar?  art  thou  led  in  triiunjph?  what,  is 
there  none  of  *  Pigmalien^s  images,  newly  made  wo- 
man, to  be  had  now,  for  putting  the  hand  in  die 
pocket,  and  extrafUng  it  clutch'd  i  what  reply?  ha? 
what  &y*tt  thou  to  tMs  tune,  matter  and  method  ? '  It's 
not  down  i'th'  laft  reign.  Ha  ?  what  lay'ft  thou,  tiot? 
is  the  world  as  it  was,  man  ?  which  is  the  way  ?  is  it 
iad  and  few  words  ?  or  how  ?  the  trick  of  it? 

Duke.  Still  thus  and  thus ;  ftill  worfe  ? 

Lucio,  How  doth  my  dear  moriel,  thy  miftrefi? 
procures  fhe  ftill  ?  ha  ? 

Clovm,  Troth,  Sr,  fhe  hath  eaten  up  all  her  beef, 
and  fhe  is  her  felf  in  die  tub. 

Lucio,  Why,  'ds  good ;  it  is  the  right  of  it ;  it  mufl 
be  fb.  Ever  your  frefh  whore,  and  your  powder'd 
bawd ;  an  unfhunn'd  confcquence,  it  mufi  be  fb*  Art 
going  to  prifon,  Pompey? 

Qown,  Yes,  ^th.  Sir. 

LmHo,  Why,  'ds  not  amifs,  Pmpey:  &ewd :  '  go»' 
lay,  I  fent  thee  thither  for  debt,  Pmpey  %  or  how«-« 

f,lb.  For  being  a  bawd,  for  being  a  bawd. 

ImcU.  Well,  then  imprifon  him }  if  imprifbnment 
be  the  due  of  a  bawd,  why,  *tis  his  Right.  Bawd  is 
he,  doubtlefs,  and  qf  antiquity  too ;  bawd  bom.  Fare- 
wel»  good  Pomptft   commend  me  to   the  prifon, 

6  PIgmalionV  imagij,  mvify  mad»  wmmx,]  <*.  #.  come  OOt 
cored  from  a  {kliration. 

7  Is*T  n^t  drowh'd  f*/^'  up  HA  m  ?  ]  This  ftrange  nonicafe 
ihoald  be  thus  corre£led,  It*s  mt  down  Vtif  Uft  iieigii,  u  i. 
theie  are  fevericies  unknown  to  the  oldOuk^'i  time,  And  this  ia 
to  the  pQrpoTe. 

8  G»,  fay,  Ifimt  thn  thither.  FtrMtVomfCf  f  «rMv^]  It 
iKoald  be  pointed  thus,  G«,  fief^  I  fint  thti  tiithr  fir  Mt, 
Fompey  ;  «r  htvt  *-T-t  / .  f .  to  hide  the  ignominj  of  thy  cafe» 
fiy,  I  font  thee  to  prifon  for  debt,  or  whatever  other  pretence 
thon  fancieft  better.  The  other  hnmourons  replies^  Far  Itixg  s 
k*wd.  fir  hting  a  hmtsi^  i.  e.  the  true  canfe  ii  the  moft  honoon* 
bit.   This  is  in  chancier. 


^ff^  Meafure  for  Meafure. 

Pon^\  you  will  turn  good  hiuiaaod  now,  Pompg\ 
you  Will  keep  the  houfe. 

Clown*  I  nope.  Sir,  your  good  Worftiip  will  be 
bail. 

Luch,  No,  indeed,  will  I  not,  Pompey%  k  is  not 
wear;  I  will  pray,  Pompef^  to  encrcafc  your  boodage: 
if  you  cake  it  not  patiently^  why,  your  mecrle  k  dbe 
more :  adieu,  trufty  Pomp^.    Bkfs  you,  Fria^. 

Duke.  And  you. 

Lucio,  Does  firfi^^^  paint  ftill,  Fompey?  ha? 

Bit.  Come  your  ways.  Sir,  come. 

Clown,  You  will  not  bail  me  then.  Sir? 

iMcio*  Then,  Pcmpej^  Ror  now.  Whac  newsabm^ 
trior  ?  what  news  ? 

SJb,  Come  your  ways.  Sir,  come* 

iMtk.  Go  to  kennel,  Pompey^  go. 

[Exruni  Elbow,  Clown  and  Ofian, 


N 


VL 


What  rews,  Friar^  of  the  Duke? 

Duke.  I  know  none:  can  you  tell  me  of  ajiy  ? 

Luch,  Some  iay,  he  is  with  the  Emperor  of 
other  Some i  he  is  in  Rome:  but  where  is  he, 
yog? 

Dnie.  I  know  not  where ;  but  wherc&ercr,  I  iriSi 
him  wclL 

Luch.  It  was  a  mad  fantailical  tnck  of  him  to  ikal 
from  the  State,  and  ufurp  the  beggary  he  was  ncvct 
bom  to.     Lord  /fng^h  dukes  it  well  in  his  abfcna 
he  puts  TranJgreffion  to't. 

Duke.  He  does  well  in*t. 

Ltuia*  A  little  more  lenity  to  Icacheiy  would  do 
harm  in  him  ;  Something  toocrabbed  that  way,  firiar. 

Duke,  *  It  is  too  gentle  a  nee,  and  fevcrity  m 
cure  it. 

9  //  isj9$  genera]  a  *ffV*,]  ITie  occafion  of  the  cbfcrration  • 
limC9'la/uig,   Ibat  w  ouglic  to  be  tnratcd   .ujV^  a  Uutt  tm^rt  < 

•/I 


1 


Meafure  for  Meafure. 

Lu^&.  Yes,  in  good  footh^  the  vice  is  of  a  great 
kindred  \  it  is  well  ally*d  ;  but  it  is  impofTible  to  cx- 
tirp  it  quite,  Friar^  'till  eating  and  drinking  be  put 
Ao^ii,  They  fay,  this  Angelo  was  not  made  by  man 
and  woman  after  the  downright  way  of  creation  j  is  tc 
true,  think  you  ? 

Duke.  How  ftiould  he  be  made  then  ? 

Lucie,  Some  report,  aiea-maid  ipawn'd  him.  Some, 
^hat  he  was  got  between  two  llock-fiflies.  But  it  is 
certain,  that  when  he  makes  water,  his  urine  is  con- 
geard  ice ;  that  I  know  to  be  true :  and  he  is  a  motion 
wngencrative,  that's  infaliible. 

Dkke,  You  are  piealant.  Sir,  and  ipeak  apace. 

Ludo,  Why,  what  a  ruthlefs  thing  is  this  in  him, 
for  the  rebellion  of  a  cod-piece  to  take  away  the  life  of 
a  man  ?  would  the  Duke,  that  is  abfent,  have  done 
this?  ere  he  would  have  hang'd  a  man  for  the  getting 
a  hundred  baftards,  he  would  have  paid  for  the  nurfing 
a  thoufand.  He  had  fbme  feeling  of  the  fport,  he 
knew  the  fcrvice,  and  that  inftrufted  him  ro  mercy, 

Duke.  I  never  heard  the  abtnc  Duke  much  detcfted 
for  women  i  he  was  not  inclinM  that  way. 

Ludo.  Oh,  Sir,  you  are  deceiv'd, 

Duke,  *Tis  not  poflible. 

Luch,  Who,  not  the  Duke  ?  yes,  your  beggar  of 
iifty  i  and  his  ufe  was^  to  put  a  ducket  in  her  clack- 
difh ;  the  Duke  had  crotchets  in  him.  He  would  be 
drunk  too,  that  let  me  inform  you. 

Duke,  You  do  him  wrong,  furdy. 

Lucie.  Sir,  I  was  an  inward  of  his :  a  fhy  fellow  was 
the  Duke;  and,  I  believe,  I  know  the  caufc  of  his 
withdrawing. 

9ttj  i  and  bis  anfwrer  lolt  is»  —  Thg  ^hr  u  ofirtikt  kiudni.  No- 
thing can  be  more  abfurd  than  ill  thii.  FroDi  the  occafion»  ind 
the  andvcr,  therefore,  it  appears,  that  Sbaktfitar  wiote, 

«r]\ich  figntfytfit;  both  ittditigtnt  andiv///  hrtd,  Lueh  humouToully 
uke»  it  in  the  Utter  fcnfe, 

Dnki. 


^^^ 


m 


^^^  Meafure  for  Meafure. 

Duh.  What,  pr'ychee,  might  be  the  caufc  ? 

LMdo»  No :   pardon  :    'tt*  a  fccret  muft  be 
within  the  teeth  and  the  lips;  but  this  I  can  let 
underftand,   the  greater  file  of  the  fubjeft  held 
Duke  to  be  wife. 

Duke.  Wife  ?  why,   no  queftion,  but  he  was, 

Lucio.  A  very  fuperficialj  ignorant,  unweighii^ 
low. 

Duke.  Either  this  is  envy  in  you,  folly,  or  mi 
the  very  ftream  of  his  tfe,  and  the  bufinefs  he 
helmed,  mufl:,  upon  a  warranted  Need,  ^ve  him  i 
better  proclamation.  Let  him  be  but  tcftimonied  ia 
his  own  bringings  forth,  and  he  ftiall  appear  to  tit 
envious,  a  fcholar,  a  ftarefman^  and  a  fbldier.  Tho^ 
fore,  you  fpeak  unskilfully;  or  if  your  knowledge  be 
reiore^  it  is  much  darken'd  in  your  malice 

Lu€w,  Sir,  I  know  him,  and  I  love  him, 

Duke.  Love  talks  with  better  knowledge^  and  \jo^ 
ledge  with  dearer  love. 

Lucio,  Come,  Sir,  I  know  what  I  know* 

Duke,  I  can  hardly  believe  that,  fince  you  know  oot 
what  you  fpeak.  But  if  ever  the  duke  return,  as  our 
prayers  are  he  may,  let  me  defire  you  to  make  ycur 
anfwer  before  him ;  if  it  be  honeft  you  have  Ipoke, 
you  liave  courage  to  maintain  it ;  I  am  bound  to 
upon  you,  and,  I  pray  you,  your  name? 

Lucio,  Sir,  my  name  is  Lucio^  well  known  to 
duke. 

Duh.  He  (hall  know  you  better,  Sir,  if  I  nxay  Dw 
to  report  you. 

Ludo.  I  fear  you  nor. 

Duke,  O,  you  hope,  the  duke  wiJl  return  no  mo 
or  you  imagine  me  too  unhurrful  an  oppolite  \  b 
indeed,  I  can  do  you  little  harm :  you'll  forfwcar 
again  ? 

Lucio,  I'll  be  hang'd  firft:  thou  art  deceived  in 
FHar.     But  no  more  of  this.     Caaft  thou  cell, 
Claudic  die  to-morrow,  or  no  ? 

IhrM 


Meafure  for  Meafure. 

Duki.  Why  (hould  he  die,  Sir? 

Lucio,  Why  ?  lor  iiUing  a  bocde  with  a  tun-difh :  I 
would,  the  duke,  wc  talk  of,  were  returned  ag^; 
this  ungenitur'd  agent  will  unpeople  the  province  with 
continency-  Sparrows  muft  not  build  in  his  houJc- 
cavcs,  bccaufe  they  arc  leacherous.  The  duke  yet 
would  have  dark  deeds  darkly  anlWcred;  he  would 
never  bring  them  to  light  j  would  he  were  retum'd! 
Marry,  this  ClmMo  is  condemned  for  untrufling,  Farc- 
wel,  good  Friar  5  1  pry'thee,  pray  for  me  ;  the  duke, 
I  fay  to  thee  again»  would  eat  mutton  on  Fridays, 
Hc*s  not  paft  it  yet  i  and  I  fay  to  thee,  he  would 
mouth  with  a  beggar,  tho'  fhe  fmelt  of  brown  bread 
and  garlick ;  fay,  that  I  faid  fo,  fareweJ,  [EkH* 

Duke.  No  might  nor  greatnefs  in  mortality 
Can  ceofure  fcape ;  back-wounding  calumny 
The  whiteft  virtue  ftrikes.     What  king  fo  ftrong. 
Can  tic  the  gaD  up  in  the  flandVous  tongue? 
But  who  comes  here? 


4« 


N 


VII. 


Enter  Efcalus,  Provoft,  Bawd^  and  O^cerSs 

Efcal  Go,  away  with  her  to  prifon. 

Bawd.  Good  my  lord^  be  good  to  me ;  your  Ho- 
nour is  accounted  a  merciful  man:  good  my  lord. 

EfcaL  Double  and  treble  admonition,  and  ftill  for- 
feit in  the  lame  kind  ?  this  would  make  *  mercy  fwcrvc, 
and  play  the  tyrant. 

Pfgv.  a  bawd  of  eleven  years  continuance,  may  it 
pleafc  your  Honour, 

Bawd.  My  lord,  this  is  one  LucioH  information 
againft  me :  miftrefi  Kate  Keep-down  was  with  child 
by  liim  in  the  duke's  time  j  he  promised  her  marriage  \ 

\  mtrrf  iwrAft]  We  ihou'd  read  cwekvk,  i,  r  ^er?«u 
f/om  her  n^ittite*   The  common  reading  give)  a»  di«  idea  of  « 

ria ■ 

his 


4' 


Meafure  for  Meafure. 

his  child  Is  a  year  and  a  quarter  old,  come  Philrp  and 
Jacob:  I  have  kept  it  myfcif  j  and  fee,  how  he  goes 
about  to  abufe  Tnc« 

EfcaL  Thh  frllow  is  a  fellow  of  much  licence ; 
him  be  call'd  before  us.  Away  with  her  to  pnibn^ 
go  to  s  no  more  words.  [^Exeunt  'xith  IfA^  Bawd  J  Pn- 
«oj8,  my  brother  Angeh  wil!  not  be  s!eer*d ;  ClattJrd 
muft  die  to-morrow :  let  him  be  fumifli'd  with  divines, 
and  have  all  charitable  preparation*  If  my  brother 
wrought  by  my  pity,  it  Ihould  not  be  fo  wi^  him. 

Fr&.  Sopleafc  you*  this  B-kr  has  been  with  hinij 
and  ad  vis*  d  him  lor  the  entertainment  of  death. 

Efial  Good  even,  good  father. 

Duk^.  Blifs  and  goodiid's  on  you  ! 

EfiaL  Of  whence  are  you  ? 

Duke.  Not  of  this  country,  tho*  my  chance  is  BO* 
To  ule  it  for  my  rime :  I  am  a  brother 
Of  gracious  order,  late  come  from  die  Set 
In  fpecial  bufinefs  from  his  holinefs, 

EfiaL  What  news  abroad  t*th'  world  ? 

Duie.  None,  but  that  there  is  fo  great  a  fever  on 
goodnels,  that  the  diflblurion  of  it  muft  cure  it.  No- 
velty is  only  in  requeft ;  and  it  is  as  dangerous  lo  he 
aged  in  any  kind  of  courfe,  as  it  is  virtuous  to  becon- 
ftant  in  any  undertaking.  There  is  fcarcc  truth  enoi 
aiive,  to  make  fociecies  fccure ;  but  ftcurity  enoi 
to  make  fellowfhips  acairfl:.  Much  upon  this  ridt 
runs  the  wifdom  of  the  workl ;  this  news  is  old  cnouj 
yet  it  is  every  day*s  news.  I  pray  you,  Sir>  of 
difpofition  was  the  duke  ? 

EfiaL  One,  that,  above  all  other  ftrifcs. 
Contended  fpecially  to  know  himfelf. 

D^kr,  What  plcafure  was  he  giv'n  to? 

EfiaL  Kather  rejoicing  to  fee  another  merry, 
merry  at  any  thing  which  profcft  to  make  him  rejoi 
A  gentleman  of  all  temperance.     Bur  leave  wc  ram 
his  events,  with  a  prayer  they  may  prove  prolp 

and 


Meafure  for  Meafure. 

mc  dcfire  to  know,  how  you  find  Claudio  pre- 
I  am  made  to  underftand,  that  you  have  lenc 
Htadon. 
jl^.  He  profcfles  to  have  received  no  finifter 
re  from  his  judge,  but  moft  willingly  humblca 
f  to  the  determination  of  judice;  yet  had  he 
i  to  himlelf,  by  the  inftruftion  of  his  frailty, 
deceiving  promifes  of  life ;  which  I  by  my  good 
have  dilcrcdited  to  funii  and  now  is  he  refoIv*d 

}al.  You  have  paid  the  heav'ns  your  function, 
he  prifoner  the  very  debt  of  your  caliing.  I  have 
r'd  for  the  poor  gentleman,  to  the  extremcft 

tpf  my  modefty  j  but  my  brother  Juftice  have  I 
fo  fcvcrc,  chat  he  hach  forc'd  me  to  tell  him, 
indeed  juftice. 

)ie.  If  his  own  life  anfwer  the  ftraitnels  of  his  pro- 
^,  it  fhall  become  him  well ;   wherein  if  he 
{C  to  fail)  he  hath  fcntenc'd  himlelf, 
W.  I  am  going  to  vifit  the  prifoner;   fare  you 

[ExU. 

SCENE         VIIL 

e.  Peace  be  with  you  ! 
vho  the  fword  of  heav'n  will  bear, 

be  as  holy  as  fcvcrc: 
n  in  himfclf  to  know, 
to  ftand,  and  virtue  goj 
nor  lefs  to  others  payings 
by  felf-offences  weighing, 
\  to  him,  whofe  cruel  ftriking 
"or  faults  of  his  own  liking! 

treble  fhame  on  Angeto^ 
eed  my  vice,  and  let  his  grow! 
may  man  within  him  hide, 
I  on  the  ourward  fide ! 
I.  E  c  *  How 


4171 


ii 


41  i>  Meagre  far  Meafure* 

*  Hov  may  that  likenefs,  made  in  crimes^ 

M^ng  practice  on  the  times. 

Draw  wim  idle  fpidcrs'  ftrin^ 

Moft  pond'rous  and  fubftanml  dungs  I 

Cmft  agajnft  vice  I  muft  apply. 

With  /higch  to  night  (hall  lye 

Hi*  old  &trothcd,  but  defpisM » 

So  diiguife  (hall  by  th'  difguii'd 

Pay  with  falfhood  falfe  exacting  % 

And  perform  an  old  contratfting. 

2   Hnv  tmtf   iikintp  madt  /#   trimei^ 
M^hn^  ^raaiif    »n    tht  iimfJ, 
To  Jrav/  'with  idU  fpidtrt*   ftrinpt 
Mn^ p«itdrtui  and /uhfiaHtimt  thimgi^  Tbos  a|lt|u 
ijcMis  rod  coriu  pil^  :  and  fo  have  made  an  obfcar*  poflj^  A  i 
quite  unintelligible.     Shak/f^tar  ^vroce  U  t)vu>. 

Hirw  ma<f  THAT   tihntfi,  madt  im  crimtu 
'   Maiing  pra^Uf  of  the  timiM, 

Orano  ^^- 

The  Tenfe  is  cKij,  How  mucK  wjckcdnefs  nuf  8  nubhide 
thp'  he  Appear  an  ^gel  without.     How  may  i^f  liJt^tfi  « 
inerimis,  i.e.    by  Hypocrify;  [a  pretty  pii^wlcocical 
^ttangi/  made  in  (rimei\  by  tnipoGng  upon  the  world 

^ie  And  M>lc  prctrncei  ih.uz\y  caWtd /pidm  JiriBg$\   the 
pondrnus  attd  fiibtUnEial  matters  of  che  worldi  u.  Bi^t|C$,  H.<t^9^t 
Power,  K«patation»  l^^. 


A  C 


Meafure  for  Meafure. 


419 


ACT     IV.     SCENE     L 


A    G  RANG  B. 

Efstir  Mariana*  and  Boy^n^ing. 

SONG. 

*  f  I   ^JKE^  ah,  take  thoft  lips  a^ay^ 
I         *  ^hat  fofwetdy  wertf&rjw&m  ; 

*  And  thofe  eyes^  the  break  q/ day^ 
*  Lights  that  do  mif-kad  the  morn  \ 

*  But  my  kijfes  tring  agasn^ 

*  Seals  of^Cy  hit  fiat' din  vain, 

Enfir  Duke. 

Mart.  Break  ofF  thy  fong,   and  hafte  chee  quick 
away  : 

Here  comes  a  man  of  comfort,  whofe  advice 

Hath  often  ftiird  my  brawling  difcontent. 

I  cry  you  mercy*  Sir,  and  welJ  could  wiOi, 

You  had  not  found  me  here  fo  mufical : 

Let  me  excufe  me,  and  believe  me  fo. 

My  mirth  is  much  difpleas'd,  but  picas'd  my  woe, 

Duke*  'Tis  good  ;  tho*  mufick  oft  hath  fuch  a  charm 
To  make  bad,  good  j  and  good  provoke  co  harm* 
I  pray  you,  tcJI  me,  hath  any  body  enquired  Cor  me 

]  Takr^  «^,  tske^  3cc  ]  Tfah  h  paxt  of  a  licde  fanoct  of  SiiMh* 
fpfar*^  own  '^riEtng,  confUliflg  of  two  SeanCfu,  and  fq  exir«nieJ/ 
ivvrer,  th:i:  the  r<«4er  won*c  be  difplearcti  co  Kavo  the  otkcr. 

jWiVr,  eAk  A*Vf  thoff  huh  ^y»#w, 
Whtch  thy  /ra^en  h^fom  htGrs, 
Oil  *wh^fi  topfy   the  pinh,  that  grcvf. 
Art  of  fh<ffe  that  April  *n.'fart^ 
Bki  my  poor  htari  firfl  fetfrt^t 


E  C   2 


here 


m^ 


4^o 


Meafure  for  Meajure. 

here  to  day  ?  much  upon  this  time,  have  I  pi 
here  to  meet. 

Mori.  You  have  not  been  cnqirir'd  after  ;    I  br 
(kte  hcrrc  all  day. 

Enter  Ilabel, 

Duke.  I  do  conflantly  believe  you :  the  tuncisi 
even  now*     1  Jhall  crave   your  forbearance  a 
may  be,  I  will  call  upon  you  anon  for  fome  advantage 
to  your  feir 

Mari.  1  am  always  bound  to  you,  [EjbH 


N 


II. 


Duke.  Very  well  met,  and  welcome : 
What  is  the  news  from  this  good  deputy  ? 

Ifab.  He  hath  a  garden  circummur'd  with  bfick, 
Whofe  weftem  fide  is  with  a  vineyard  backt  j 
And  to  that  vineyard  is  a  planchcd  gate. 
That  makts  his  opening  with  this  bigger  key : 
This  other  doth  command  a  little  door, 
"Which  from  the  vineyard  to  the  garden  leads ; 
There,  on  the  heavy  middle  of  the  nighty 
Have  I  my  promife  made  to  call  upon  him* 

Duke,  But  ihall  you  on  your  knowledge  find 
way  ? 

Ifab,  Pve  ta'en  a  due  and  wary  note  upon'r-. 
With  whifp'ring  and  moft  gudty  dUigcnce, 
*  In  aftion  all  of  precept,  he  did  fhcw  mc 
The  way  twice  o'er. 

Duke.  Arc  there  no  other  tokens 
Between  you  'greed,  concerning  her  obfervance 

Ifab.  No :  none,  but  only  a  repair  i'th'  dark  \ 
And  that  I  have  poflcft  him,  my  moft  ftay 

%  /«  aSipn  ^U  cfprttept, )    i.    e.    {hewing    iki«   Urv^- 

CDrniiig^  of  the  wa)^  with  hii  IiumI  ;  wKich  a^on   cooniocd  (a 
B»an)  precepts^  hcwg  givtn  for  my  dUcdion. 


Meafure  for  Meafure. 

Can  be  but  brief;  for  I  have  made  him  know, 
J  have  a  fcrvant  comts  with  me  along, 
That  ftays  upon  me  5  whole  perfuafion  is, 
1  come  about  my  brother. 

Duke,  'Tis  well  born  up. 
I  have  not  yet  made  known  to  Mariana 
A  word  of  this.    What,  hoa  !  within!  come  forth  ! 


421 


I 


SCENE         III. 

Enter  Mariana. 

pray  you,  be  acquainted  with  this  maid  ; 
She  comes  to  do  you  good. 
Ifab.  I  do  defirc  the  like* 

Duke.  Do  you  perfuade  yourielf  chat  I  refpeft  you  ? 
Mi^i,  Good  Friar^  I  know  you  do  j  and   1  have 

found  it. 
Duke,  Take  then  this  your  companion  by  the  hand^ 
Who  hath  a  ftory  ready  for  your  ear; 
I  fhaU  attend  your  kifure ;  but  make  hafte  j 
The  vaporous  night  approaches, 
Man,  Wilt  plcafe  you  walk  afide? 

[Exeunt  Mar,  and  Ifab. 
Dukt,  ^  '  O  place  and  greatnels  I  millions   of  falie 
eyes 
*  Are  ftuck  upon  thee  :  volumes  of  report 

3  O  plaif  and  greatit€fi*  &C  ]  It  plainly  appears  rhac  ihit 
£ac  ipecch  belongs  to  that  wtiidi  coQclydet  the  prccrding  Scene, 
lictvywo  the  Duki  and  Utit*.  Fur  they  arc  abfolutdy  fjrcigft  to 
the  fubleflor  this^  smd  ar«  the  natural  rcReftions  ariAng  from 
ihac,  BtfidcSf  the  very  words,  Runnviib  raEst/aJ/k  and  mtjl 
tontrarioks  qutjix,  evidently  refer  Co  Liicia*i  fcandaU  juft  preccd* 
ing  :  which  the  Oxf»rJ  EJitvr^  in  his  ul'yal  way,  ha*  emended, 
by  altering  tht/t  ro  thrsr.-^  But  th^t  ibme  time  mtgfat  be  given 
10  ihe  two  wiamen  to  confer  together^  ihe  players^  I  fuppofe,  look 
pift  of  the  fpeech,  begmning  at  Ne  might  nor  grtatne/tf  &C. 
and  put  it  here,  without  tfoubting  tbemfelves  about  its  pertinency. 
However,  wc  are  obliged  to  them  fox  not  giving  us  ibeir  own 
kQpvrtinciicy^  a»  they  have  freciuentiy  done  111  other  places. 

E  c  3  ■  Run 


€ 


^2  3  h^ajure  for  MfiofurB: 

<  Run  ^Koth  thefefaUe  aodiOQ^  contrarioas  qUoSs 

<  Upon  thy  doings :  thouland  'ic^KS  of  wic 
^  Make  thee  the  father  of  tb^  idle  dreams, 
K  And  radc  thee  in  their  bs^^\   wdoooK}  iM 

agreed  ? 

S      C      E     N     e        IV. 

Re-enter  Mariana,  and  Ifkbd. 

Jfab.  SheMl  take  the  cntetpnze  upon  her,  fidser. 
If  you  advife  it. 

Duke,  *Tisiiot  my  opnfcot^ 
But  my  intreaty  too. 

Ifab.  Little  have  you  to  lay. 
When  you  depart  from  him,  but  Ibft  9nd  low, 
•«  Rmember  now  mj  brother. 

Mori,  f^ear  me  not 

Duke.  Nor,  gentle  daughter,  fear  you  not  «t<D: 
He  is  your  husband  on  a  pre-contraft ; 
To  bring  you  thus  together,  -as  no  fin ; 
Sith  that  the  juftice  of  your  title  to  him 
♦  Doth  flourifh  the  deceit.    Come,  let  us  go ; 
Our  com*s  to  reap  j  *  for  yet  our  tilth's  to  fow, 

4  Doth  flourifh  the  deceit.  ]  A  metaphor  taken  Irom  embroi- 
dery^ where  a  coarfe  ground  is  Ailed  up  and  covered  with  %uA 
of  rich  materials  and  elegant  workmnnfhip. 

%  fvr  yet  our  ttthe's  to  finu.'\  As  before,  the  bino- 

dering  Editors  had  made  a  prinee  of  the  prieflif  Angth^  fe  hoe 
they  have  made  a /r>>/ of  the  prince.  We  ftiould  read  tiltv, 
/.  A  our  tillage  is  yet  to  make.  The  grain,  from  wkicli  «c 
Cjcpe^  our  harveft,  is  not  yet  put  into  the  ground. 


SCENE 


Meafure  for  Mtafuri. 


«»2 


SCENE 
Qjanges  to  the  Prifon. 
Enter  Ptofvofl:  and  Clown. 


V. 


Prev,  rf^^  O  M  E  hither,  firrah :  can  you  cut  off  i 

\^  man*s  head  ? 

Qown,  If  the  man  be  a  batchelor.  Sir,  I  can  :  but  if 
he  be  a  marry'd  man,  he  b  his  wife's  head,  and  I  can 
never  cut  oflFa  woman's  head, 

Prov,  Come,  Sir,  leave  me  your  fnatches,  and  yield 
me  a  dircft  anfwcr.  To  morrow  morning  are  to  die 
Ctnudio  and  Bernardsse:  here  is  in  our  prifon  &  com- 
mon executioner,  who  in  his  office  lacks  a  helper  ^  if 
you  will  take  it  on  you  to  aflift  him,  it  Ihall  redeem 
you  from  your  gyves :  if  not,  you  IhalJ  have  your 
full  rime  oif  imprifonmcnt,  and  your  deliverance  with 
an  unpiticd  whipfnng ;  for  you  have  been  a  notorious 
bawd, 

down.  Sir,  I  have  been  an  unlawful  bawd,  time 
out  of  mind,  but  yet  1  will  be  content  ro  be  a  lawfiil 
hangman  i  I  would  be  glad  to  receive  Ibme  inftruftion 
from  my  fellow-parincr* 

Prov.  What  boa,  Abhorfon  f  wherc's  j&b&r/on^ 
there? 

Enter  Abhorfon, 

jfkb^.  Do  you  cal],  Sir  ? 

Pr&v.  Sirrah*  here's  a  feDow  will  help  you  to  mor- 
^w  in  your  execution  j  if  you  think  it  meet,  compound 
with  him  by  the  year,  and  let  him  abide  here  with  you  ^ 
if  not,  ufe  him  for  the  prefent,  and  difinifs  him.  He 
cannot  ptead  hh  eftimation  tnth  you,  he  hath  been  a 
bawd. 


E  e  4 


Abbcr. 


Meafure  for  Meafure. 

Abhor.  A  bawd,  Sir  ?  fie  upon  liim,  he   "wiU  *Jit 
credit  our  miftery,  * 

Prov.  Go  CO,  Sir,  you  weigh  equally  ;    a  firada 


will  turn  the  fcale. 


[5iti. 


♦  ♦  # « 


Clcwn.  Pray,  Sir,  by  your  good  favour  ^ 
ly.  Sir,  a  good  favour  you  have,  but  that  you  havti 
hanging  look  ; )  do  you  call,  Str»  your  occupadoa  i 
miftery  ? 

Abhor,  Ay,  Sir  ;  a  miftery. 

Clm)n.  Painting,  Sir,  1  have  heard  (ay,  is  a  miffc- 
ry  ;  and  your  whores,  Sir,  being  members  of  my  oc- 
cupation, ufing  painting,  do  prove  my  occupation  a 
inilery :  but  ^  what  miftery  tliere  ihould  be  m  hang- 
ing, if  1  Ihould  be  hang'd,  I  cannot  imagine, 

Chwn.   Sir,  it  is  a  rniHery* 

Abhor.  Proof. 

Clown.  Every  true  man's  apparel  fits  your  rhief  If 
it  be  tfjo  Uttle  for  your  thief,  your  true  man  thinks  it 
big  enough.  If  it  be  too  big  for  your  thicl»  youfthirf 
thinks  it  little  enough  ^  fo  every  true  man's  appni 
fits  your  thief. 

Rt-mtr 

6  ^iifcridit  6ur  myfejf.]  I  (Kink  It  juft  worth  while  to  oM^t«<i 
iKat  the  word  myfiery*  when  ufed  to  fiynify  a  trade  or  u 
fcfllon,   (hould  be  f|MrU  with  aa  i,  %nd  not  a  r  ;    bccaut 
not  from  the  Grctk  Mur>/-/,  but  from  ;he  French,   Mffittr 

7  *what  myj}fry  thtrt  pyQtttd  hi  m  hanging,  if  I  Jh^wti  A#  ^>*^i% 
i  zaftHot  ifftagim. 

Ahhor.  5*V,   tt  if  a  myjliry. 

CICivn,     Frmf.' — — — 

Abhor.     Bn/wf^  '*''•'  mans  appartl  jift  J^ltr  ihitf. 

Clown.  If  it  ht  too  li  tilt  for  y^ur  thitf,  yaur  trmf  «•«»  thith 
hig  enough  :  if  it  h  /e#  big  f^r  yottr  thitf,  ywr  thitf  thimitt 
Sittir  ttttu^h :  to  f^'Cry  truf  ma'i't  a^parft ftt  your  tinff  \  Th 
it  Jl(Xid  in  aj]  ihe  editions  i\\\  Mr.  1hcohalX><,  and  Mas  mellkifii 
noE  yttti  dilEcuU  to  be  andcrltood.  Tbc  pl:uA  xad  humovrtxii 
{enrc  of  ihe  fpeech  is  this.  Every  tfuc  ijianS  arf»irel  wbi( 
Uic  thrcf  fobbs  him  of»  ms  the  thi  'f.  Why  *  titcaufr  if  h  ' 
TOO  litrle  for  the  thief,  the  iroe  man  chinks  it  bigenouch  l  i.  /. 
purchkK  roc  gooil  for  him  io  liiiil  ihi*  fit?  the  tliicf  in  ibe  o 
Aiou  ii{  the  Cfue  in^n.     tjut  \\ ;;  tfc  loc  big  for  the  thtcl,  /ft  tl 

tiu( 


Meafure  for  Meafure. 


425 


Prov.  Are 


agreed 


^ 


you 

Clown.  Sir,  1  will  ferve  htm  :  for  I  do  find,  your 
hangman  is  a  more  penitent  trade  than  your  bawd  \  he 
doth  ofcner  ask  foi^ivtncls. 

Prov.  You,  firrah,  provide  your  block  and  your 
ax  to  morrow,  four  o*  clock. 

Abhor,  Comeon^  bawd,  I  will  inflrufl  thee  in  my 
trade  ;  follow. 

thief  thitiki  it  little  ctioogh  ;  *.  t  ofvalue  li(tle  enoughs  So  th« 
this  flc?  titc  thief  in  Kis  own  opiuidn,  Wlicre  wc  Jec  that  Ibc 
pica  fsn  try  of^  (he  j'jlcc  con  fills  in  ihc  ec]uivoci)  renfeof  ^;^  tmugb 
Bnd  iittU  fh^uih.  Vet  Mr.  ^hi^hald  i\^^^  he  can  fee  tio  fcniJE 
iuailiii)^^  dnd  ihercri^trealtcji  the  whole:  thu;^,'—  Abhor.  Ei^fry 
Hrvt  man* J  a^partl  fji  y^ur  thhf,  CJuwA.  If  it  bt  f9«  /iu/t/ar 
ycur  ttur  rntttt,  your  ti'it/ ihitrAi  it  l^ig  ti^ouih  ;     if  it    h   too  iftg 

far  pur  true  tnan^  ycur  thlrf  tfjitiiii  rf  littU  fneu^h- And  for 

hjs  altfratton  gives  thh  extraordinary  rcaron. I  am  fniUfci 

t9£  p9tt  inttnitd  a  rrguLr  fylhgifji)  ;  and  I  fubmit  it  to  judg' 
mtm^  'i^d'tiher  my  rfgul^tlsfr  has  net  rtp&rd  that   nvit  and  k-u^ 

mtur  ii'brc6  ^vtu  omJu  hji  in  tht  Jeprn'Vtiiian Cut  iJic  pl^c 

if  ciirrtipt,  rho*  Mr  ^htaha id coM  w^i  And  it  out.  Let  us  cun* 
fader  it  it  !itdc.  The  Hffn^tnan  calls  hia  trade  a  uiifl ery ;  ihit 
Cleixn  t;an;iot  Conceive  lU  1  he  Hangman  ondcrtuki;^  to  prove  ii 
in  Thefe  wofdsp  Eitery  true  tttan'i  appttttf^  Sec.  but  this  pravet 
ihe  thtrft  trade  a  tniltery,  tiut  the  hangmnn'i,.  Hence  It  Appcairi 
that  thefpeech,  ia  which  ihe  hanpnan  proved  his  tradea  miltery, 
lA  M.  The  very  ward»  it  U  impofiible  to  retiit:ve,  but  one  nuy 
t-Ji\y  underUand  what  medium  he  employed  in  proving  it:  wiiK- 
Dur  doubt  the  very  Gmc  the  iicwa  em^iloyed  to  prove  tbe  ihiePf 
(fa«ica  raiilcry  *  namely^  that  all  fprt  ^f  ihtbes  fitted  the  haxgma^. 
The  C/s^un^  on  hearing  this  arj;umeni,  repliedi  I  fuppore^  to  ihti 
cffcfl:  ff'^hvt  by  tht  fame  kind  iff  rtafiittttg,  I  tan  prcu*  the 
ifftifj  tradt  iod  16  If  a  misery.  The  orhcf  a?ki  how,  and  the 
C/v^tt  goes  on  as  .tbovct  E^try  true  mufi^t  afpartfffjjour  tliffi 
if  ft  ht  i&fi  little^  &c.  l^hc  jocular  ConchuiOTi  ffi*in  ihe  whule 
U-ing  an  itiftnuitidn  thnt  thief  and  iiAngmaw  were  rgue*  alike. 
This  cooj<£luregivesa  fpiricaud  iniegrity  to  the  diAlogoe^ which, 
in  ill  prclcfit  mangled  condition,  i^  aUogeiher  vaunting:  and  ihcwi 
wliy  tlic  argument  of /o'l'r^  frut  man*i  appaTti^  Saz^  wax  in  all  Chc 
editions  given  to  the  Cia*wH,  to  whom  indeed  it  bctc^ng>;  and 
Jikewifc  thai  the  prtfeot  reading  of  that  argument  ii  the  true. 
The  l«li  fpecchei  c^mc  in  a:  the  place  mark^  hy  the  aftEriski, 


2  6  MeafuTi  for  MeafurB. 

Clomn.  I  do  defirc  to  Icam,   Sir  ;    and  I  hope, 
you  have  occafion  to  tife  me  for  your  own  turn, 
fhal!  find  me  {a)  yare :  for,  truly,  Sir,  for  your  i 
jicls  I  owe  you  a  good  turn.  (. 

Pt^v.  Call  lutSer  BamiirJifte^  and  CImidw  : 
One  has  my  pity  ;   not  a  jot  the  other, 
£ciag  a  murthVerp  tho*  he  were  my  brochtr. 


E       N 

Enter  Claudia. 


vx, 


"Look,  here's  the  warrant,  ClaudiOy  for  thy  death ; 
'Tis  now  dead  midnight,  and  by  eight  to  moiTOw 
Thou  muft  be  made  immortal.  Where's  Bamardimf 

Claud.  As  faft  lock'd  up  in  flecp^  asguiltlds 
When  It  lyes  ftarkly  in  the  cravellcr's  bones  : 
He'll  not  awake. 

Prov^  Who  can  do  good  on  him  ? 
Weil,  go,  prepare  your  fetf.  \^Exit  Claud.]  But,  hark, 
wha:  iiolfe  ?  [Kncck  wiiha, 

Hcav*n  give  your  fptrits  comfort !  - — -  by  and  by  i  -^ 
I  hope  it  js  fume  pardon,  or  aprieve. 
For  the  moft  gentle  Claudia,     Welcome,  father. 

Emtr  Duke. 

Duke.  Thebeftand  wholcfom'ft  fpirits  of  thenigfct 
Inveilop  you^  good  Proveft  f  who  call'd  here  of  liitti 

Prov.  None,  fince  the  curphcw  rung, 

Duke,  Not  Ifabel? 

Prev,  No, 

Duke.  They  will  then,  ere*t  be  long, 

Pr^,  What  comfort  is  for  ClauSo? 

Diiic,  There  is  fome  in  hope. 

Prov,  h  is  a  letter  deputy. 

Dutf^  Not  fb,  not  fo ;  his  life  is  paralld-d 
£v'n  with  the  (troak  and  line  of  Jus  great  jultice 

[(«)  yarr:  dir  oH  bocks* —  Vulg*  ymn,] 


Meafure  for  Meafure.  427] 

He  doth  with  holy  abftinence  fubdue 

That  in  himfclf,  which  he  fpurs  on  his  powV 

To  qualifie  in  others.     Were  he  ^  meal*d 

With  that,  wliich  he  corrcds,  then  were  he  tyrannous  ^ 

But  this  being  ib,  he"s  juft.    Now  they  are  come. 

\¥MQck  agmn.   Provoft  g^s  4iui* 
This  is  a  gentle  Provcfi  \  feidom^  whm 
The  (tcelcd  goaler  is  the  friend  of  men. 
How  now  ?  whatnoife  ?  dut  fpiric's  ponfcfl:  with  halle. 
That  wounds  th'  um'diJ.T;iiig  poftern  with  thefe  ftrokcs, 

[Prov<^  rgturtfs^ 
Prov.  There  he  muft  Ilay»  until  the  officer 
Arife  to  let  him  in  ;  he  is  call'd  up. 

Duke,  Have  you  no  cotmterraand  for  Claudio  yet. 
But  he  muft  die  to  morrow  ? 
Pr&v.  None,  Sir,  none. 
Duki,  Afi  near  the  dawning,  Prewjl^  as  it  is^ 
You  Ihall  hear  more  ere  morning, 

Prov.  Happily, 
You  fomcthing  know;  yet,  I  believe^  there  comes 
No  countermand  ;  no  fuch  example  have  wc: 
Bcfidcs,  upon  the  very  fiege  ofjufticc. 
Lord  ^ngek  hach  to  the  publick  car 
frofcft  the  contrary. 

SCENE        VIL 
Enter  a  Mefftngtr* 

Duke,  Tlufl  is  hb  lordihjp's  man, 

PrGV.  And  here  comes  Claudio  ^  pardon. 

Meff.  My  lord  hath  fcnt  you  this  note,  and  by  me 
this  further  charge,  that  you  fwerve  not  from  the 
finalleft  article  of  it,  neither  in  time,  matter,  or  other 
circumftance.  Good  morrow  j  for  as  I  take  it,  it  is 
silmoit  day. 

Prcv.  I  fhall  obey  iiim.  [Exit  Mefenger. 

Duke. 


8  Meafure  for  Meafure. 

Duke,  This  is  his  pardon,  purchas'd  by  fuch  fin> 
For  which  thepardoncr  himfelf  is  in  : 
Hence  hath  offence  his  qtiick  celerity* 
When  ic  is  borne  in  higli  authority  ; 
When  vice  makes  mercy,  mercy's  (b  extended. 
That,  for  the  fault's  love,  is  th'  offender  friended. 
Kow,  Sir,  what  news? 

Prov.  I  told  you :  lord  Angela^  be-Rke,  thinking 
me  remils  in  mine  ofRce,  awakens  me  with  this  t«K 
wonted  putting  on;  methinks,  ftrangely  j  for  he  hath 
not  usM  it  before, 

Duke,  Pray  you»  let's  hear. 

Provoft  reads  the  Utter. 

Whatfaever  you  m^*  bear  to  the  contrary^  let  Claudio 
ie  executed  iy  four  of  the  clocks  and  in  she  afta^o$t 
Barnardinc:  for  my  better  fatisfa^liony  let  me  h^itt 
Qaudio'j  head  fcnt  mi  by  five.  Let  this  be  Jufy  per* 
forni'dy  with  a  thQUght  that  more  depends  on  it  tbemm 
mujl  yet  deliver,  Thus  fail  not  to  do  your  office^  at  ym 
will  artfwer  it  at  your  peril. 


n 


What  fay  you  to  this,  Sir  ? 

Duke.  What  is  that  Bdrnardine^  who  is  co  be  czc 
cutcd  in  the  afternoon  ? 

Prov,  A  Bohemian  born  \  but  here  nurft  up  aod 
bred  \  one,  that  is  a  prifoner  nine  years  old- 

Duke.  How  came  itj  that  the  abfent  Duke  had  noc 
citho"  dclivcr'd  him  to  \m  hberty,  or  executed  him  J 
I  Jiave  heard,  it  was  ever  his  manner  to  do  lb. 

Prov,  His  friends  iVill  wrought  reprieves  for  him, 
and,  indeed^  hi.s  fodt,  *iill  now  in  the  government  ol 
lord  Aftgela^  came  not  to  an  undoubtful  proof. 

Duke.   Is  it  now  apparent  ? 

Prov,  Mod  manifeil^,  and  not  dcnyM  by  himfelf! 

Duie,  Hath  he  born  hitnlelf  penitent  in  pnfon  ? 
Jiow  feems  he  to  be  touch'd  i 

Prov. 


Miafure  for  Meafure. 

Prav.  A  man  that  apprehends  death  no  more  dread- 
fully,  buc  as  a  drunken  fleep  i  carelefs,  reckjefs,  and 
fearkfs  of  what's  part,  prefcnt,  or  to  conic ;  infcnriblc 
of  mortality^  and  defperatdy  inorlal. 

Dukt,  He  wants  advice, 

Prov.  He  will  hear  none  j  he  hath  evermore  had 
the  liberty  of  the  prilbn :  give  him  leave  to  eicapc 
hence^  he  would  not ;  drunk  many  times  a  day,  if 
not  many  days  entirely  drunk.  Wc  have  very  oft 
awakM  him,  as  if  to  carry  him  to  execution,  and  fhew*d 
him  a  fceming  warrant  for  it  \  it  hath  not  mov*d  him 
at  all 

Duke.  More  of  him  anon.  There  is  written  in  your 
brow,  Provojl^  honefty  and  conftancy  ;  if  [  read  it  not 
truly,  my  ancient  skill  beguiles  me  ;  but  In  the  bold- 
ncls  of  my  cunning,  I  will  *  lay  myfclf  in  hazard. 
Oaudioy  whom  here  you  have  warrant  to  execute,  is 
no  greater  forfeit  to  the  law  than  Jng€h^  who  hath 
fcntenc*d  him.  To  make  you  underftand  this  in  a 
inanifdicd  effect,  I  crave  but  four  days  refpitej  for 
the  which  you  are  to  do  me  both  a  prcienc  and  a  dan- 
gerous courtefie* 

PrGv.  Pray,  Sir,  in  what  ? 

Duke,   In  the  delaying  death. 

Prov.  Alack  !  how  may  1  do  it»  having  the  hour 
Bmited,  and  an  cxpicfs  command,  under  penalty,  to 
deliver  hii  head  in  the  view  of  Angelo  ?  I  may  make 
my  cafe  ^isCiauJro^s^  to  crofs  this  in  the  fmalfeih 

Duke.  By  the  vow  of  mine  Order,  I  warrant  you,  if 
tny  inftrudions  may  be  your  guide :  let  this  Barnar- 
dsfis  be  this  morning  executed,  and  his  head  borne  to 
Mgeh, 

Prcv.  jfngdo  hath  fcen  them  both,  and  will  difco- 
vcr  the  favour. 

Duke.  Oh,  death's  a  great  difguifcr,  and  you  may 
«dd  CO  it  V  ihave  the  head,  and  tie  the  beard,  and  fay 

it 


+  2 


■HA 


mm 


430  Meafure  for  Meaftdre. 

it  was  the  dcfire  of  the  penitent  to  be  fo  barb'd  befo^ 
fcs  death  \  you  know  tlie  courfe  is  commort.     If  any 
rtiing  M\  to  yoir  upon  this,  more  eban  thanks  and 
good  fortune  \  by  the  Saint  whom  I  profels,  J  nl 
plead  againft  it  with  my  JUc, 
Prifi}.  Pardon  mc,  good  father  \    \X  \%  ^^rinfb  my 

B^e.  Were  you  fwom  to  the  Duke,    or 

deputy  ? 

Prmj,  To  him,  and  to  his  fubftituteSp 
'Dnh,  Yoir  will  think  you  have  made  no  ofTencc, 
the  Duke  avouch  the  juftice  of  your  dealing  ? 
Prav.  But  what  likelihood  is  in  that  ? 
Duht.  Not  a  refemblance,  bur  a  certainty.  Yet 
I  fee  you  fearfuij  that  aeither  my  coar>  integrity,  ncr 
my  perfuafion,  can  with  eafe  attempt  you,    I   wUl  go 
ftsrthcrthan  1  meanr,  to  pluck  all  fears  out  of  yoo. 
Look  you,  Sir,  here  is  the  hand  and  ieal  of  the  Dukt; 
you  know  the  charafter,  I  doubt  not  j  and  the  figwt 
is  not  ftrange  to  you; 

Pmt;*  I  know  tliem  both.  ^H 

Dukt,  Thcconcencsofthisis  the  return  of  theDoki^^ 
you  fhall  anon  over-read  it  at  your  pleafurc ;  where  you 
Ihall  find,  within  theft  two  days  he  will  be  here.  This 
is  3  thing,  which  Angch  knows  not»  for  he  this  vtry 
day  receives  letters  of  ftrange  tenor ;  perchance,  of  the 
Duke's  death  \  perchance,  of  his  entering  into  (bfOc 
monaftery  ;  but,  by  chance^  '  nothing  of  what  is  here 
wrtr.  Look,  the  unfolding  ftar  calls  up  the  fhepbcrd  j 
put  not  yourfeif  into  amazement  how  thcfe  rhing> 
ihould  be  ;  all  difficulties  are  but  eafie  when  they  are 
known,  Cail  your  executioner,  and  off  with  Bamar- 
dt$t^%  head  :  I  will  give  him  a  prefent  flmft,  and  ad- 
vife  him  for  a  better  place.  Yet  you  ^re  amaz'd,  buf 
ttes  fball  abiblutely  reiblvc  you.  Come  away,  it  is^ 
moft  clear  dawn .  [  iSMr* 


I   nothing  cf  ^what  h  ivri/,  ]    Wt  fhouM  itti  -^-^r#  ««t/ 
the  Duke  romcio^  to  the  Ict.cr  in  his  hand* 

SCENE 


9 


Meafure  for  Meafure* 


43» 


E      N       E 
Enter  Clown. 


viir. 


Clown.  **  I  am  as  well  acquainted  heir,  as- T' was  in 
**  QUr  houfe  of  profcffioa ;  one  would  think,  it  were 
**  miftrefs  Over-d<fne*s  own  houfe;  for  here  be  many 
"  ofheroldcuftomcfs.  Firft,  here's  young  Mr. /fi^^  i 
he's  in  for  a  commodity  of  brown  pepper  and  old  gin- 
ger, ninefcore  and  feventeen  pounds ;  of  wluch  he 
made  five  marks  ready  mony  :  marry,  then,  ginger 
was  noc  much  in  reqocft  :  for  the  old  women  were  all 
dead.  Then  is  there  here  one  Mr.  Caper^  at  the  fuie 
of  mafter  'Tbree-PiU  the  mercer  j  for  Ibme  four  fuits  of 
peach-colourM  fattin,  which  now  peaches  htm  a  beg- 

far.  Then  have  we  here  young  Drzzy^  and  young 
Tr.  Deep-vow^  and  Mr.  Coppcr-fpur^  and  matter 
Siarvi'lacky  xbsi  rapier  and  dagger-man^  and  young 
J^rGp'heire  that  killM  lufty  Puddings  and  Mr.  Fcrth- 
right  che  tilter,  and  brave  Mr*  Shooter  the  great  tra- 
veller, and  wild  Half-canne  that  flabb'd  Potty  and,  I 
think,  forty  more ;  al!  great  doers  in  our  trade,  and 
i^HQw  '  in  for  the  Lord's  lake. 

Enter  Abhorfon- 

^h&r.  Sirrah,  bring  Barnardin^  hither. 

Qown,  Matter  Barnardtne^  you  muft  rife  and  be- 
hang'd,  matter  Burnardine. 

Mbar.  What,   hoa,  3an;ardine ! 

Bamar,  \whhin,']  A  pox  o*  your  throats  \  who 
makes  that  noifc  there  ?  what  are  you  ? 

Clo^n.  Your  friend.  Sir,  the  hangman :  you  muft  be 
fo  good,  Sir,  to  ric^  and  be  put  to  death. 

Barnar,  [tw/iw.]  Away,  you  rogue,  away  j  I  am 
Oeepy. 

z  /•  fif  the  Urdififh.  ]  I.  #.  to  beg  for  the  rcfl  of  ihcif 
Uvti. 

j&bor. 


I 


Meafure  for  Meafure. 


Abhor.  Tell  him,  he  iBuft  awake,  and  thatqi 
too. 

Clown,  Pray,  mafter  B<a^»4rJfWf,  awake  *till  you 
executed,  and  deep  afterwards. 

AhboT.  Go  in  CO  him,  and  fetch  him  out. 

Clown.  He  is  coming,   Sir,   he  is  coining  %  I 
the  ftraw  ruille, 

Enlsr  Bamardine, 

Abh^.  Is  the  ax  upon  the  block.  Sirrah  ? 

Ckwn,  Very  ready.  Sir. 

Barnar,  How  now,    Ahh&rfon?    what's  the  news 
with  you  ? 

AhhQT.  Truly^  Sir»  I  would  defire  you  to  clap  in» 
your  prayers  r  for,  look  you,  the  warrant's  come. 

Barnar,  You  rogue,  1  have  been  drinking  ail  nigl 
1  am  not  fitted  for'c* 

OWff.  Oh,  the  better.  Sir;  for  he  that  drinks 
night,  and  is  hang*d  betimes  in  the  mornings  in>f 
fleep  the  founder  all  the  next  day* 

EuUr  Duke. 

Abhor.  Look  you.  Sir,  here  comes  your  gbofflf 

father  -,  do  we  jell  now,  think  you  ?  I 

Duke.  Sir,  induced  by  my  charity,  and  Hearing  ho*    ' 
haftUy  you  are  to  depart,  lam  come  to   advife  you, 
comfort  you,  and  pray  with  you, 

Barnar,  Friar,  not  \  :    I  have  been  drinking  hafd 
aSl  night,  and  I  will  luve  more  time  to  prepare  tn^^ 
or  they  QialJ  beat  out  my  brains  wi[h  billets :   I  ^i^| 
not  confent  to  die  this  day,  that's  certain. 

Dttke.  Oh,  Sir,  you  mull ;  and  therefore,  I  bcfccc^ 
you,  look  forward  on  the  journey  you  fliall  go.        ^^ 

Barnar^  I  I'wcar,  I  will  not  die  to  day  for  any  man^^ 
pcrfuafion. 

Duke.  But  hear  you,'  ■      — 


Meafure  for  Meafun. 

Bamar,  Not  a  word  :  if  you  have  any  thing  to  fay 
to  mc,  come  to  my  ward  i  for  thence  will  not  I  to 
"  jT.  [Exit. 

SCENE      IX. 

Enter  Provoft. 

Duk€.  Unfit  to  live,  or  die :  oh,  gravel  heart! 
After  hini>  fellows  :  bring  him  to  the  block. 

Prcv,  Now,  Sir,  how  do  you  find  the  prifoncr? 

Duke.  A  creacure  unprepar*d,  unnicet  for  death  i 
And,  to  tranfporc  htm  in  the  mind  be  is. 
Were  damnable. 

PrGv.  Here  in  the  prifon,  father. 
There  dy'd  dus  morning  of  a  cruel  fever 
One  Ragexine^  z  moft  notorious  pirate, 
A  tnan  of  Claudia's  years  ^  his  beard,  and  head« 
luft  of  his  colour :  What  if  we  omit 
This  reprobate,  'till  he  were  well  inclin'd  i 
And  fatisfic  the  deputy  with  die  viJige 
Of  Ragozine^  more  like  to  daudio  f 

Duke.  O,  *tis  an  accident,  that  heav*n  provides ; 
Diipatch  it  prefcntly  i  die  hour  draws  on 
Prefixt  by  jhtgeh:  fee,  this  be  done. 
And  fcnt  according  to  command  »  while  I 
l^erfuade  diis  rude  wretch  wiUmgly  to  die. 

Prov,  This  fhall  be  done,  good  father,  prcfently  ; 
But  Barnardinc  muft  die  this  afternoon  : 
And  how  fliall  we  continue  Ciaudio^ 
|To  fave  mc  from  the  danger  that  might  come. 
If  he  were  known  aiivc  ? 

Duke.  Let  this  be  done ; 
i^jt  them  in  fccret  holds,  both  Bnrnardine  and  Claudia : 
Ere  twice  the  fun  hath  made  his  joumal  greeting 
{a)  To  ch*  under  generation,  you  IhaU  find 
jfour  fafcty  manifefted, 

Prcv,  I  am  your  free  dependent. 

[  ftf)  To  th*  vn^tr  g€^fr/^thn,  Oxfoii  Ediuwi.     Vttlg-  7*  ^*- 
^/r   ftfiwratian  } 

Vol.  I.  Ff  Z)«i#. 


433 


434  Me4^ure  fir  Meajure. 

Duke,  Quick,  tlifpatch,  and  fend  the  head  to 

Now  will  I  write  letters  to  Angeh^ 

(The  Pr<n}ofi^  he  (hall  bear  them  ; )  whole  coni 

Shall  witncls  to  him,  I  am  near  at  home  ; 

And  that,  by  great  mjunftionsj  I  am  bound 

To  enter  publickly ;  him  V\\  define 

To  meet  me  at  the  confecraced  fount, 

A  league  below  the  dty  i  and  from  thence^ 

By,  cold  gradation  and  wcal-halanced  form. 

We  ihaJl  proceed  with  Jngeh. 

Enter  Provoft, 

Prev.  Here  is  the  head,  PU  carry  it  mytlf. 

Duke.  Convenient  is  it :  make  a  fwift  return  ; 
For  I  wDl  coauniine  with  you  of  fuch  diings. 
That  want  no  ears  but  yours. 

Prffv,  V\l  make  all  fpecd.  [E£ 

Jfitb,  [wiibifi.}  Peacc»  boo,  be  here ! 

Duke,  The  tongue  of  IfaM. — Slie  comes  to  katfl^ 
If  yet  her  brother's  pardon  be  come  hither  : 
But  I  will  keep  lier  ign'rant  of  her  good. 
To  make  her  heavenly  comforts  of  delpoir. 
When  it  is  leaft  expeiSled- 


C 


E      N 
Enter  Ifabel 


X. 


ffdlf.  Hoa,  by  your  leave. 

Duke.    Good  morning  to  you,  fair  and 
daughter. 

Ifaif.  The  better,  giv^n  me  by  fb  holy  a  man 
Hack  yet  the  deputy  fent  my  brother's  pardon  ? 

Duke,  He  hath  released  him,  I/aielj  from  the  world] 
His  head  is  off,  and  fent  to  Angela, 

Jfab,  Nay,  but  it  is  not  fo* 

Duke.  It  is  no  ether. 
Shew  your  wiidom,  daughter,  in  your  clofcft 

//- 


Meafure  for  Meafufi^  43  j| 

tfab.  Oh,  I  wUl  to  him,  and  pluck  out  feis  c^cJ* 

Ikik$,  You  (hall  not  be  admited  to  hi$  fight. 

Ifub,  Unhappy  Claude!  wretched  Ifabel! 
Injurious  world !  moft  damned  Angela} 

Duke.  Thb  nor  hurts  him,  nor  profits  you  a  jot : 
Forbear  it  therefore,  gve  your  caufe  to  heav'n  : 
Mark,  what  I  fay  $  which  you  ihoU  furely  find 
By  ev*ry  fyllabk  a  faithful  verity. 
The  Duke  comes  home  to-morrow  ;  dry  your  eyrt  } 
One  of  our  convent,  and  his  confeflbr^ 
Gives  me  this  inAance  :  al|-eady  he  hath  carry'd 
Notice  to  EJcalus  and  Angehi 
Who  do  prepare  to  meet  him  at  the  gates^ 
There  to  give  up  their  pow'r.     If  you  can,  pace  youf 

wifilom 
In  that  good  path  that  I  would  wifh  it  go^ 
And  you  (hall  have  your  bofom  on  this  wrttchi 
Grace  of  the  Duke,  revenges  to  your  hearty 
And  general  honour. 

I/ak,  Fm  direftcd  by  you, 

Duie.  This  letter  then  to  Friar  Petet^  ^ve  1 
*Tis  That  he  lent  me  of  the  Duke*s  return  2 
Say,  by  this  token*  I  de(ire  his  company 
At  MariatM^s  houfc  to  night.  Her  caufe  and  yoitrS 
ril  perfect  him  withal,  and  he  Ihali  bring  you 
Before  the  duke,  and  to  the  head  of  Angeh 
Accufe  him  home,  and  home.  For  my  pocH-felf^ 
I  am  combined  by  a  facred  vow. 
And  (hall  be  abfeiit.    Wend  you  with  tWs  letter  5 
Command  thefe  fretting  waters  from  your  eyes 
With  a  light  heart ;  truft  not  my  holy  Order« 
If  I  pervert  your  courle.     Who's  here  ? 

SCENE        XI. 
Enter  Ludo. 

Lticio,  Good  even ; 
Friavy  Where's'  the  Prevojl  ? 

F  f  2  liui04 


430  Mcafure  for  Meafure. 

Duke.  Not  within.  Sir. 

LM£i».  Ohi  pretty  J/ahllay  I  2m  pale  at  mine  be^, 
to  fee  thine  eyes  fo  red  -,  thou  muft  be  panmc ;  I  sm 
£im  to  dine  md  fup  with  water  and  bran  -,  I  dare  ncc 
foi  my  head  fill  my  beUy :  one  frnirfUI  rncal  would  id 
jne  to*t.  But  they  fay  the  Duke  will  he  here  ro-morrov. 
By  my  troth,  Iff^ij  I  k>v*d  thy  brother :  it'theold  fii- 
tailljcal  Duke  oi  dajrk  comers  had  been  at  home«  hthni 
Irv^d,  {Exit  Ifibdli. 

Duh,  Sir,  the  Duke  is  marvellous  Hctle  beboldcnco 
your  lepons  i  bur  the  beft  i«,  he  Inrcs  not  in  than. 

Lum,  Friar,  thou  knoweft  not  the  Duke  fo  wd 
a&  I  do  ^  he's  a  better  woodman,  than  thou  tak*& 
him  tor. 

well. 

Lmh  Nay,  tarty,  TU  go  along  with  thcc :  I  cm 
tcIJ  ihce  pretty  tales  of  the  Duke. 

Duki,  You  have  told  me  too  many  of  him  alrtadyi 
Sir,  if  they  be  true ;  if  not  true,  none  were  enough. 

Ljuw,  I  was  once  before  him  for  getting  a  wcodi 
wirh  child. 

Duh,  Did  you  fuch  a  thir^  ? 

Luri?.  Yrs^  marry,  did  I ;  but  1  was  fain  to  forfwoT 
it  V  they  would  clfe  l;ave  marry'd  me  to  the  rtxscfi 
medlar 

Duke  Sir»  your  company  is  fairer  than  honcft  :  itR 
yfu  weir 

Luao.  By  my  troth,  I'll  go  with  thee  to  the  lane'* 
end :  if  bawdy  talk  offend  you,  wc'U  have  very  Ikdc 
ol  itj  nay,  fnar,  I  am  a  kind  of  bur,  I  ihall  ftick. 

[ExaiMt, 


Well ;  you'll  anTwcr  tWs  one  day,    Farr  jt 


1 


SCENE 


Meafure  for  Meafure. 


43 


C       E       N       E 

Changes  to  the  Palace. 


XII. 


Entgr 


gtlo  and  Efcatus. 

VERY  letter,  he  hath  writ,  hath  difvouchM 
mZ  other. 

Jng.  In  moll  uneven  and  diftraftcd  manner.  Hit 
actions  fhew  much  like  to  madnefs  :  pray  hcav'n,  his 
wifJom  be  nor  t-iinted!  and  why  meet  him  at  the 
gates,  and  deliver  our  authorities  there  ? 

EJcaL  I  gutfs  not. 

jing.  And  why  fliou]d  we  proclaim  it  in  an  hour  be- 
fore his  entering,  that  if  any  crave  redrefs  of  injuftice, 
they  Ihould  exhibit  their  petitions  in  the  ftreet  ? 
[  EfiaL  He  fliews  his  rcafon  for  that  ;  to  have  a  dif- 
patch  of  compJaints,  and  to  deliver  us  from  devices 
Hereafter,  wtuch  fhdJ  then  have  no  power  to  fland 
againil  us. 

^ng.  Well  i  I  befeech  you,  lee  it  be  proclaim'd  be- 
times i*th*  mom  ;  Til  call  you  at  your  houfe :  give 
notice  to  fuch  men  of  fort  and  fuit»  as  are  to  meet  him. 

EfcaL  I  fhall,  Sir:  fare  you  well.  [£yi/. 

Ang.  Good  night. 
This  deed  unlhapes  me  quite,  makes  me  unpregnant. 
And  dull  to  all  proceedings.     A  defloured  maid  ! 
And  by  an  eminent  body,  that  enforc*d 
The  law  againft  it !  but  that  her  tender  Ihamc 
Wil!  not  proclaim  againft  her  maiden  lofe. 
How  might  Ihe  tongue  me  ?  '  yet  reafon  dares  her  No. 
For  my  authonty  bears  a  credent  bulk  ; 
That  no  parncular  fcandal  once  can  touch. 
But  it  conlounds  the  breather.    He  ihould  have  liv*d, 

3   yft  reaf^s  4artt  htr :"]  The  old  Ff-Ifo  imprrffionB  reJw!» 

* ftt  rtafvn  ^nre*  hfr  Nif.     And  this  j&  right.     Tht  meanTnig 

is,  the  circumflancw  of  our  cafe  are  fuch.  that  fhe  will  ii«cf '«i- 
t^rt  to  contradifi  me;  dam  htr  to  rvply  A^#  lo  me,  whatever 

Ff  3  Save 


8  Meafure  for  Mtafure. 

Save  that  his  riotous  youth,  with  dangerous  fcnfe, 
Might  in  the  times  to  come  have  u'cn  revenge  j 
Py  fo  receiving  3  dilhonour'd  life, 
With ranlbm  of  fuch  fhamc.  'Would yet>  he  had 
Alack^  when  once  our  grace  we  have  forgot, 
NotWng  goes  right ;  we  would,  »id  wc  would  not 


SCENE      xia 

Changes  to  the  FieUs  without  the  T&wn, 

Enter  Duke  in  his  own  hahit^  and  Friar  Peter. 

Pifi'ir^'T^HESE  letters  at  fit  time  deliver  me. 

A       The  Provoft  knows  our  puipofc^  and  ow 
plot ; 
The  matter  being  afoot^  keep  your  inftru^Hon, 
And  hold  you  ever  to  our  fpedal  drift  \ 
Tho*  fometimcs  you  do  blench  from  this  to  that. 
As  caufe  doth  miniftcr :  go,  call  at  flaviuf'  hoirfe. 
And  tell  him,  where  I  ftay  ;  give  the  like  notice 
Unto  Falejstiuj^  Rowland^  and  to  Crrtffus^ 
And  bid  them  bring  tJic  trumpets  to  the  gate: 
put  fcnd  n^c  flavius  firft. 

Feler.  h  fhall  be  fpeded  well.  {Exit  F^iar. 

Enter  Varrius, 

Duie,  I  thank  thee,  Varrtus^  thou  haft  nnade  good 
hafte: 
Gome,  we  will  walk.    There's  other  of  our  friends 
^ill  greet  us  here  anon,  my  gendc  Varriiu,  [j 

SCENE        XIV, 

Enter  Ifabella  and  Mariana. 

Ifah.  To  fpeak  fo  indirciMy,  I  am  loth  : 
I'd  fay  the  truth  ;  but  to  accufe  him  fb. 
That  is  your  part  j  yet  I'm  advis'd  to  do  it. 


Meafiire  far  Meafuri.  439 

♦  He  lays,  to  v^  full  purpofe. 

Mart,  Be  rui'd  by  him. 

Ifab,  Befides,  he  tells  me,  that  if  peradventure 
He  fpeak  againft  me  (xi  the  adverie  lide, 
I  fhould  not  think  it  ftrange  \  for  'tis  a  phyfick. 
That's  bitter  to  fwcct  end. 
'    Mori,  I  would,  Fnsa  Peter 

J/ak.  Oh,  peace  J  the  Friar  is  come.        , 

Enter  Peter, 

Peter,  Come,  I  have  foiihd  you  oiit  a  Kan^iiioft  fit^ 
Where  you  may  have  fuch  vantage  on  the  Duke, 
He  fliall  not  oafs  you.    Twice  have  me  trumpets 

foojnded : 
The  generous  and  graveft  citizens 
Have  hent  the  gates,  and  very  near  upon 
The  Duke  is  eniring :  therefore  hence,  away,  [Exeunt. 


ACT    V.     SCENE  I. 

Apublick  Place  near  the  Gty. 

Enter  Duke,  Varrius,  Lords^  Angelo,  Efcalus, 
Lucio,  and  Citizens  atfeverd  Doors* 

D  U  K  s. 

MY  very  worthy  coufin,  fairly  met j 
Our  old  and  feithful  fiiend,  we're  glad  to  lee 
you. 
Ang.  and  EJctd,  Happy  return  be  to  your  royal  Grace  I 
Ddce,  Many  and  hearty  thanks  be  to  you  both: 
We've  made  enquiry  of  you,  and  we  hear 

4  Hefap,  to  vail  full  purfofi.']  Mr.  fhedBaU  alten  it  to 
H^/ayif  t*a*vailful  purpofe  i  becaufe  he  hu  no  idea  of  the  commoa 
reading.  A  good  rcsfon  I  Yet  the  common  reading  b  right.  Full 
is  ufed  for  bentficial\  and  the  meaning  ii»  Htfiyi^  it  is  to  hide  a 
htneJUial  pmrpifif  that  mufl  not  btjH  rfutaUm^ 

Ff  4  Such 


ihoold 


440  Meafure  for  Meafure. 

Surfigoodncfeof  your  juftkr,  chat  our  £>ul 
Cannot  but  yield  you  forth  to  publick  dianks. 
Forerunning  more  requttai. 

Ang.  You  make  my  bonds  flail  greater- 
Jhikt.  Oh^  your  dcfert  fpeaks  knjd  ;  and  I 
wrong  it. 
To  lock  it  in  the  wards  of  covert  boibm, 
A^hen  it  defirves  with  charaften  of  brais 
A  forced  refidence,  'gainll  the  tooth  of  rime 
And  razure  of  oblivion.     Give  me  your  hand. 
Arid  let  the  fubjeds  iee,  to  make  them  know 
That  outward  courtcfics  would  fain  proclaim 
Favours  that  keep  within*     Come,  Efcalus  \ 
You  muft  walk  by  us  on  our  other  hand  : 
And  good  fupporters  are  you.  [yf  j  tht  Duke is^mj^m. 


C       E       N       E 
Enter  Peter  ajtJ  ICdDcfla, 


11 


Pn^ffr,  Now  is  your  time :    fpeak  loud,    and  kocd 
before  him. 

I/ah,  Juftice,  O  royal  Duke  !  vail  your  regard 
Upon  a  wrong'd,  Td  fain  have  faid,  a  maid  : 
Oh,  worthy  Prince,  di(honour  not  your  eye 
By  throwing  it  on  any  other  obje<S, 
*rij|  you  have  heard  me  in  my  true  complaint. 
And  given  me  juftice,  juftice,  juflicc,  juftice, 

Dtikf.  Relate  your  wrongs ;  in  what,  by  whom  ?  bs 
brief : 
Here  is  lord  j^ngeh  fhall  give  you  juflice ; 
Reveal  yourlelf  to  him. 

Ifah.  Oh,  worthy  Duke, 
You  bid  me  feek  redemption  of  the  devil : 
Hear  me  your  felf,  for  that  which  I  muft  fpeak 
Mud  either  piinifh  me*  not  being  bcBev'd, 
Or  wring  redrefs  from  you :  oh,  hear  me,  hear  me. 

Jng.  My  lord,  her  wits,  I  fear  me,  are  not  firm  : 
She  hath  been  a  fuitor  to  me  for  her  brother, 
^C  oifby  cuurfe  ot  juibcc,  J/a^, 


Meafure  for  Meafure. 

-    Ifah.  Courfc  of  jufticc! 

f  jing.  And  (he  will  fpcak  moft  bitterly,  and  ftrangp, 

Ifah.  Moft  flrange,  buc  yet  moft  truly,  will  I  (peak; 
That  AngdQ*%  forfwom,  is  it  not  llrange? 
That  /ingeh^%  a  murthVcr,  is'c  not  ilrange? 
Tliac  Angela  is  an  adultVous  thief. 
An  hypocrite,  a  virgin- violatcr  j 
Is  it  not  ftrangc,  and  ftrange  I 

Duke.  Nay,  it  is  ten  times  ftrange. 

Ifai^.  It  Is  not  truer  he  is  Angekj 
Than  tlm  is  all  as  true,  as  it  is  ftrange: 
Nay,  it  is  ten  times  truer  ;  for  truth  is  truth 
To  th'  end  of  reckoning. 

Duke.  Away  with  her :  poor  foul. 
She  fpeaks  this  in  th'  infirmity  of  fenfc, 

I/ai.  O  Prince,  I  conjure  thee,  as  thou  believ'ft 
There  is  another  comfort  than  this  world. 
That  thou  ntgled  me  not  j  with  that  opinion 
That  I  am  touch*d  with  madncfs.  Make  not  impoffibic 
That,  which  but  feems  unlike ;  *tis  not  impoflibic. 
But  one,  the  wickcd'ft  caitiff  on  the  ground. 
May  fcem  as  Ihy,  as  grave,  as  juft,  as  abfolute. 
As  Angilo  J  even  fo  may  Angeh^ 
In  all  his  dreflmgs,  caraifls,  cities,  forms. 
Be  an  arch-villain :  believe  It,  royal  Prince, 
If  he  be  iefs,  he's  nothing  j  buc  he's  more> 
Had  I  more  name  for  badncfs. 

Duh,  By  mine  honefty, 
If  ftie  be  mad,  as  I  believe  no  other. 
Her  nriadnefc  hath  the  oddeft  frame  of  fenfci 
Such  a  dependency  of  thing  on  thing. 
As  e'er  I  heard  in  madnefs. 

Ifab.  Gracious  Duke, 
Harp  not  on  1  hat ;  nor  do  not  banifti  reafon 
For  inequality  i  but  let  your  reafbn  ferve 
To  make  the  truth  appear,  where  it  fccms  hid; 
■  Not  hide  the  falfe,  fcems  true. 

I  I  And  bi^  thffai/e,  fttmt  tm*.}    We  ftiouU  read  Nai  W/. 

^  Duke. 


44 


Meafurt  for  Meafure. 

Duke.  Many,  that  are  not  mad, 
Have»  fure,  more  lack  of  rcalbn. 
What  would  you  fay  ? 

Jfab.  1  am  the  fifter  of  one  Qaudh^ 
Condemn'd  upon  che  a£t  of  fornication 
To  lofe  hk  head  ;  condcmn*d  by  Angela  : 
],  in  probation  of  a  (ifterhood, 
Was  laic  to  by  my  brother ;  one  Lucio^ 
As  then  the  meflcnger,- 

Lucio.  That*s  I,  an't  like  your  Grace  : 
I  came  to  her  from  QaudiGy  and  defir*d  her 
To  try  her  gracious  fortune  with  Jord  jingih^ 
For  her  poor  brother's  pardon. 

If^.  That's  he,  indeed. 

Z>aitf,  You  were  not  bid  to  ipcak.^  £7V 

Lmw.  No,  my  good  lord,  nor  wifl&o  hold  mypcao, 

Duke.  I  with  you  now  then  ; 
Pray  you,  take  note  of  it :  and  when  you  have 
A  buiinefs  for  your  fdf  5  pray  hcav'n,  you  then 
Be  perfect- 

iMcio.  I  warrant  your  Honour- 

Duke.  The  warrant's  for  your  felf;  take  heed  tcrt. 

Ifdh,  This  gentleman  cola  fomcwhatof  my  talc* 

Lmcio.  Right. 

thike.  It  may  be  right,  but  you  are  in  che  vmx% 
To  fpeak  before  your  time.     Proceed, 

Ijab.  I  wenc 
To  this  pernicious  caitiff  Deputy. 

Duke.  That's  fomewhat  madly  fpoken, 

Ifab.  Pardon  it : 
The  phrafe  is  to  the  matter. 

Buke,  Mended  again :  the  matter; — proc< 

Ifab,  In  brief;  ito  fee  the  needkfs  Procels  by, 
How  I  perfuaded,  how  I  pray'd  and  kncel'd, 
{^ow  he  repelled  me,  and  now  I  reply'd  \ 
For  this  was  of  much  length)  the  vile  conclufion 
I  now  begin  with  grief  and  fliamc  to  utter. 
He  would  not,  but  by  ^fc  of  my  chafte  body 


^ 


Meafure  far  Meafure.  44^ 

To  his  concupircent  intcmp'rate  luft, 
Rekafc  my  brother  ?  and  after  much  dd>atcmeiic> 
My  fift^rly  Remorfc  confuces  mine  Honour, 
And  t  did  yield  to  him ;  But  the  next  morn  betimes, 
(jh  purpofe  furteiiing,  he  lends  a  Warrant 
or  my  poor  broclicr's  head. 
Duke.  This  k  moft  hkcly  ! 
Jjab.  *  Oh,  tliat  it  were  as  like>  as  it  is  true ! 
Duke.  By  heav'n,focid  wretch,thow  know'ft  not  what 
thou  fpeak'H, 
Or  elfe  thou  art  fubornM  againft  his  honour 
In  hateful  pra^ice.     Firft^  his  integrity 
Stands  without  bIcmiJh  1  next,  it  imports  no  rcifon. 
That  with  Tuch  vehemence  he  (hou)d  purlue 
Faults  proper  to  Jiimfelf:  if  he  had  (o  offended. 
He  would  iiave  weigh'd  thy  brother  by  himfcJf, 
And  not  have  cut  himoBF.  Some  one  hath  fet  you  on  % 
Confe&  the  truth,  and  fay,  by  whofe  advice 
Thou  cam'ft  here  to  complain. 

Jfiib,  Andisthkatl? 
Then,  oh^  you  bleifed  minifters  above  f 
Keep  me  in  patience  i  and  with  ripen'd  time. 
Unfold  the  evil  which  is  here  wrapt  up 
*  In  countenance  :  Heav'n  fhield  your  Grace  from  woc> 
As  I,  thus  wrong'd,  hence  unbdieved  go. 

Duki.  I  know,  you'd  fain  be  gone.     An  o/Ficeri 
To  prifon  with  her.     Shall' we  thus  permit 
A  biafting  and  a  fcandalous  breath  to  fall 
On  him  fo  near  us  ?  this  needs  muft  be  a  practice. 
Who  knew  of  your  intent,  and  coming  hither? 
Ifab,  One  that  I  would  were  here,  friar  Li^dowkk, 
Duke.  A  ghoftly  father,  belike : 
Who  knows  that  Lodowick? 

2  Ohf  ihaf  ii  <wtrt  at  like,  ai  it  it  truff}  Lih  it  not  htrt  pfcd 
for  pr^baifit,  but  for  famfy.  She  catchn  at  (he  Dukc*^  word,  »nd 
tarns  it  to  iiAothtr  feufe;  of  which  cticresre  a  great  caao/  exam- 
ples in  ShMktJpesr^  lod  the  writer?  of  (hat  time, 

3  h  €9u9UnaB^e ;  ]  i.  /«  in  panud  fevgur. 


444  Meafun  for  Meafure. 

Lxuia.  My  lord,  I  know  him ;  'tis  a  medlJDg  Fn4r% 
1  do  not  like  the  mm  -»  had  be  been  Lay,  my  krd« 
For  certain  words  he  (pake  agamfl  your  Grace 
In  your  rcdrement,  J  had  fwing'd  him  fbundly. 

Z>Kiif.Words againft  me?  this bagood  Friar^  bdikei 
And  to  fct  on  this  wretched  woman  hrrc 
Againft  our  Subftitute !  let  this  Friar  be  found. 

Lum.  But  yeftemight,  my  lord,  fte  and  tbac  Fritr, 
I  faw  tbcm  at  the  prifon :  a  iawcf  Friar^ 
A  very  fcurvy  tcllow. 

Peter,  Blefltd  be  your  royal  Grace! 
I  have  flood  by,  my  lord,  and  I  have  h^Jtl 
Your  royal  earabus*d.     Firft,  hath  this  woaun 
Moft  wrongftJJy  accus'd  your  SubtKtutc ; 
"Who  is  as  free  from  touch  or  ibil  with  her. 
As  flie  from  one  ungoc. 

Duke,  We  did  believe  no  lefs. 
Know  you  that  Frtar  Ledowuk^  which  flic  (peaks 

Ptttr,  I  know  him  for  a  man  divine  and  holy ; 
Not  fcurvy^  nor  a  temporary  mcdler, 
As  hc*s  reported  by  this  gentleman  ; 
Andj  on  my  Truft,  a  man  that  never  yet 
Did,  as  he  vouches,  mifreport  your  Grace, 

Jmcio.  My  lord,  moft  viliainoufly  \  believe  it. 

Peter.  WeiJ  j  he  in  time  may  come  to  clear  bimiclfj 
But  at  this  inftaiit  he  is  fick,  my  lord, 
Of  a  ftrange  fever.     On  his  meer  requcft, 
(Being  come  to  knowledge  that  there  was  Complunt 
Intended  *gaiiift  lord  Angela)  came  I  hither 
To  fpeak  as  from  his  mouth,  what  he  doth  know 
Is  true,  and  fallc  ;  and  what  he  with  his  oath 
By  all  Probaticn  wilj  make  up  fulJ  clear, 
*  Whenever  he*s  convented.  Hrflj  for  this  woman  ; 

To 

4  Wht^c-vtr  hg^  i  co»vEN*i>.]  Tht  firft  Folio  read*  cnwv  emtio* 
ind  thk  ia  right:  lor  to  ftn^tfft  fjgrn^  lo  iJIciuUe  «   bui  ctfr^/i^, 
tJ  t^iie,  or  furoiijons.     Yet,  because  (ottvenu^  huru  tlte  tneal'ui 
the  Oxfcrd  Ediftr  Ricks  to  renvrn'J.  tho"  ii  br  nonfeufc,  mud  £] 
nifieit  H'btnfutr  hi  ii  *J[tmhlei S9gtth4r .  But  tha>  i(  will  bc*  ^ '^ 


Meafure  for  Meafure.  445 

To  jirftific  this  worthy  Nobleman, 
So  vulgarly  and  perlbnaUy  accus'd. 
Her  ihall  you  hear  difprovcd  co  her  cyc»» 
'Till  ihe  herfclf  confefs  it. 

Duke,  Good  Frisr^  let*s  hear  it- 
Do  you  not  Imile  at  this,  lord  Angek  ? 
O  heav'n !   the  vanity  of  wretched  fools ! 
Give  us  fome  feats  ;  come,  Coufm  yingelo^ 
In  this  I'll  be  impartial :  be  you  judge 
Of  your  own  Caufe.    Is  this  the  wimefi.  Friar? 

[IfabcUa  is  carried  off^  guarded, 

S    C    E    N    E     la 

Enier  Mariana  veil'd. 

Firfl:  let  her  (hew  her  fecc  -,  and,  after,  Ipeak. 

Man.  Pardon,  my  lord  ^  1  will  not  fliew  my  face. 
Until  my  husband  bid  me, 

Duke.  What,  are  you  marry*d  ? 

Mori,  No,  my  lord, 

Dukf.  Arc  you  a  maid  ? 

M^ri.  No,  my  lord. 

Dukt,  A  widow  then  ? 

Msfi-  Neither*  my  lord. 

Duke,  Why,  are  you  nothing  then?  neither  maid, 
widow,  nor  wife  ? 

Lucio,  My  lord,  ftic  may  be  a  punk ;  for  many  of 
ihcm  are  neither  maid,  widow,  nor  wife, 

Dttki.  Silence  that  fellow:  I  would,  he  had  fomc 
caufe  to  prattle  for  himfelf. 

Lucio,  Well,  my  Iord< 

Mars.  My  lord,  I  do  confefs,  I  ne'er  was  many'd  ; 
And,  I  confefs,  befides,  I  am  no  maid  ; 

the  aJth^r  »  iHinking  of  one  thmg  and  hi*  cricic  ftf  another.  The 
poet  W39«tr«ntive  to  hJa  fenfc^  ind  che  Editor,  «]mte  [hroughout 
ni$  periormince,  ca  nothing  but  the  mealure:  which  Shakt/ptAr 
having  entirely  neglfded,  titce  alt  the  dr^nvattc  uriicn  cf  tluC^f^c* 
he  hw  *pruced  him  up  with  »1)  the  cua^ntG  of  a  modcrti meafaicr 
of  Syllafalci.  Tfais  being  here  caken  nguccof  c^nce  fur  ill,  ftiall, 
for  the  liicufe,  be  forgot,  M  if  it  had  never  been. 

I've 


44^  Meafurt  for  Meafure. 

I've  known  mv  husband^  yet  mj  hiwfaand  kncms 

Thar  ever  he  knew  mc 
LmmM^  wm  drank  dbQt,my  k«d ;  k  caobe 
I}ukt,  Fortbc  benefit  oTfUcDcetivoaki  thomictii 

Ijuto.  Well,  mykird. 

HiAm,  This  is  no  wknefe  &r  lord 

A/^.  Now  I  come  to't,  my  kinL 
She,  chac  accufes  htm  of^  fomic^cfH 
In  iclf-lame  manner  doth  accuJe  my  husbtairf  \ 
And  chargts  hrni,  my  lord,  wuh  fiach  a  dmc. 
When  rU  depofe  1  had  him  in  niinc  arms, 
Wirh  all  th'  effeci:  of  love. 

Ang,  Charges  (he  more  than  me  ? 

Mori.  Not  thac  I  know. 

'Duke,  No  ?  you  fey^  your  husband,    f TV 

hUn,  Why,  juft,  my  lord  ^  aiKl  diat  is  AKgtk\ 
Who  tlunks,  he  knows,  that  he  ne*er  knew  my  bodjr  \ 
But  knows,  he  thinks,  that  he  knows  lfabtP%. 

Ang,  This  is  a  ftrange  abufe  j  let's  fee  thy  face: 

Mar'u  My  husband  bida  me i  now  1  will  unmask. 

This  is  that  face,  thou  cruel  Aagth^ 

Which,  once  thou  Twor^ft,  was  worth  the  looking  on : 

This  is  the  hand,  wJiich,  with  avow'd  contraA, 

Was  faft  belock*d  in  thine;  this  is  the  body. 

That  to<^  away  the  march  from  Tfahcl% 

And  did  fupply  thee  at  thy  garden  houfc 

In  htT  ima^n'd  perfon, 

Duke*  Know  you  this  woman  ? 

Jjudo,  Carnally,  (he  fays. 

Duke.  Sirrah,  no  more. 

Lucfo.  Enough,  my  lord. 

zing.  My  lord,  I  muft  confefs,  I  knowthb  worn; 
And  five  years  flnce  there  was  (bme  Ipecch  of  mi 
Betwixt  my  felf  and  her*,  which  was  broke  off, 
Partly,  for  thac  her  promifed  proportions 
Came  fhorr  of  compofition  \  but,  in  chief. 
For  that  her  Reputation  was  difvalu'd 
Jn  levity  i  fuice  w]jich  time  of  five  years 


» 


Meafure  for  Mkafure.  4^7 

I  never  fpake  with  her,  law  her,  nor  beard  from  her. 
Upon  my  faith  and  honour. 

Mart,  Noble  Prince,  [breath. 

As  there  comes  light  from  heav'n,   and  words  from 
As  there  is  fenle  in  taith,  and  truth  in  virtue, 
]  am  affianc'd  diis  man's  wife,  as  ftrongly 
As  words  could  make  up  vows  :  and,  my  good  lord> 
B\it  Tuejday  night  laft  gone,  m*s  garden-houfe. 
He  knew  me  as  a  wife  5  as  this  is  true. 
Let  me  in  fafety  raife  me  from  my  knees  \ 
Or  elfe  for  ever  be  confixed  here, 
A  marble  monument ! 

jing,  I  did  but  fmilc  'tiU  now. 
Now,  good  my  lord,  give  me  the  icope  of  juflicc  \ 
My  patience  here  is  touch'd  j  I  do  perceive, 
Theie  poor  *  informal  women  arc  no  more 
But  inftruments  of  fome  more  mightier  member. 
That  fees  them  on.  Let  me  have  way,  my  lord. 
To  find  this  practice  out. 

Duke.  Ay,  with  my  heart ; 
And  punifh  them  unto  your  height  of  pleafure* 
Thou  foolifh  Friar^  and  thou  pernicious  woman, 
Compaft  with  her  that's  gpne ;  think'ft  thou,  thy  oaths, 
Tho*  they  would  fwear  down  each  particular  Salnr, 
"Were  ceftimonics  *gainft  his  worth  and  credit. 
That's  feal'd  in  approbation  ?  You,  lord  EJcatus^ 
Sit  with  my  coufm  ;  lend  him  your  kind  pains 
To  find  out  this  abufe,  whence  'tis  derived. 
There  is  another  Friar^  that  fee  them  on  \ 
Let  him  be  fent  for,  [deed, 

Peter.  Would  he  were  here,  my  lord  \  for  he,  in- 
Hath  fee  the  women  on  to  this  complaint : 
Your  Provcft  knows  the  pi  ace  j  where  he  abides  \ 

5  inftTinal  ^Kyamen  ]  / ,  f.  wom«»  who  ha^*^  ill  concerced 
their  Aory.  /iarma/ Ggnitln  Ut^x^ttaXv,  in  our  author,  a  thing  put 
inro  fomi  omi'thtid  .  To  r«/vrffra/,  oi^t  of  method,  ill  (onccrccd. 
Wovf  C3ty  is  it  tP  fay,  thuc  Sf^akt/p<ar  might  bcCfCr  have  wrote 
irr/b*t»tt^,  \.  r.  jrccujtng.  But  he  who  (ii  ihe  Oxford  Eiiiar) 
thinks  he  did  write  fo^  kf}i>K^  noihing  of  the  cbirt^ci  o^  hti  (tile* 

And 


n 


448  Mea/ure  Jar  Meafure* 

And  he  may  fetch  him. 

y  uki.  Go,  do  it  inftantly. 
And  you,  my  noble  and  well-warranted  coufin. 
Whom  it  concerns  to  hear  this  matter  forth  \ 
Do  with  your  injuries,  as  fecms  you  beft. 
In  any  clialhfemcnt :  I  for  a  while 
WUl  leave  you  j  but  ftirnoc  you»  'till  you  have  wc! 
Determined  upon  thefe  Qanderers.  [^^(s 

SCENE       IV. 

E^cd.  My  lord,  we'U  do  it  throughly.  Signior  Z>- 
r/>»  did  not  you  fay^  you  knew  that  /mr  LsiffmA 
to  be  a  di/honeft  ptrfon  ? 

iMcie.  CucuUus  nanfacU  monachum ;  honcft  „.  .„ 
thing)  but  in  his  doaihs ;  and  one  that  hath  ipoke  niafllj 
viliii lous  rpeeches  of  the  Duke,  ^B 

MJcaL  We  (hall  intreat  you  to  abide  here  'till  be 
come,  and  inforce  thcni  againft  him  i  wc  (hall  find 
this  Friar  a  notable  fellow, 

Lucio,  As  any  in  Fienna^  en  my  word. 

h'Jcal,  Call  chat  fame  Ifabelhtrc.  once  again  :  Iwo' 
fpeak  with  her :  pray  you,  my  lord,  give  me  leave 
qucllion  i  you  (hall  fee  how  I'll  handle  her* 

Lucio.  Not  better  than  he,  by  her  own  report. 

EfidL  Say  you  ? 

LuctQ*  Marry,  Sir,  I  think,  if  you  handled  her  pri 
vately,  fhe  (hould  fooner  confefs  i  perchance,  publick- 
ly  fhe^ll  be  afham'd.  ' 

Enter  Duke  in  ibi  Friar^s  habit ^  and  Provoft  j  liabclk 

is  brought  in.  ^H 

EfcdL  I  will  go  darkly  to  work  with  her.  ^^ 

Lticia^  That's  the  way  ;  for  women  arc  light  at 
midnight* 

EfiaL  Come  on,  miftrcfs :  here's  a  gcntlcwom 
denies  all  that  you  have  faid. 

Lucia.  My  lord,  here  comes  the  rafcal  I  fpokc 
here  with  the  Provoft, 

E/cal,  In  very  good  time  :  fpeak  not  you  to  hi 
till    we  call  upon  you. 


at 

0^ 


Meafuft  for  Meafure^ 

Luch.  M"um— 

Efcal,  Come,  Sir,  did  you  fct  thefe  women  on  to 
flandcr  lord  /in^eb?  rhey  have  confefs'd  you  did. 

Duke.  'TisfalTe, 
^^  EfcaL  How  ?  know  you  where  you  arc  ? 
^^  IJuks.  Relpeft  to  your  great  Place  \  and  let  the  devU 
^^Se  fbmctimc  honour'd  for  his  burning  rhrone* 
Where  is  the  Duke?  'tis  he  fhould  hear  me  fpeak. 

EfcaL  The  Duke*s  in  us  i  and  wc  wilJ  hear  you  fpeak :. 
Look*  you  fpeak  juftly. 

Duke,  Boldly,  at  leaft.     But  oh»  poor  foul5> 
Come  you  to  feek  the  lamb  here  of  the  fox  ? 
Gcxxi  night  to  your  redrefs :  is  the  Duke  gone  ? 
Then  is  your  caufe  gone  too.   The  Duke's  unjuft. 
Thus  t©  retort  your  manifeft  appeal  5 
And  put  yourtryal  in  the  vijlain^s  mouth, 
Which  here  you  come  to  accule. 

Lucia.  This  is  the  rafcal ;  this  is  he,  I  fpoke  of. 

EfcaL  Why,  thou  unrev^rcnd  and  unhaliow*d  Friar ^ 
Is*t  not  enough  choif  haft  fubom'd  chefe  Avomen 
T'accufe  this  worthy  man,  but  with  ibul  mouth. 
And  in  die  witnefs  of  his  proper  car, 
To  call  him  villain  ;  and  then  glance  from  him 
To  th'  duke  himfelf,  to  tax  him  v/ith  injuftice  ? 
Take  him  hence ;  to  th*  rack  with  hirn ;  we'll  touze  you 
Joint  by  joint,  but  we  will  know  his  purpofc  ; 
What?  unjuft  ? 

Duh,  Be  not  fo  hot ;  the  duke  dare  no  more  ftrctcli 
This  finger  of  mine,  tlian  he  dare  rack  his  own : 
His  fubjeft  am  I  not, 

Nor  here  prov^incial ;  my  buftnefi  in  this  ftatc 
Made  mr  a  looker  on  here  in  Fiatna ; 
Where  I  have  fcen  corruption  boil  and  bubble, 
*TiIl  it  o*er-run  chc  ftew  :  laws,  for  all  faults  i 
But  faults  fo  countenanc'd,  that  the  ftrongilaiutcs 
*  Stand  hke  the  forfeits  in  a  barber's  Ihop, 
Ai  much  in  mock  as  mark.  Ejk<d, 

$Sund'ithtlf/er/iitsinaUr&ir^tJloj>J  BjUri  [hop*  were, 
ftt  ill  timcf,  the  -icfor:  of  idl^  people. 

y^L,  1,  G  g  74nfin»* 


44 


rwos 


450  Mea/ure  for  Meafure. 

Efcal  Slander  to  th*  ftaie !  away  with  him  to  priToL 

Ang.  What  can  you  vouch  againft  him,  fignior  LmcU? 
Is  this  the  man,  that  you  did  tell  us  of  ?      [bald-patc ; 

Ltuic.  'Tis  he,  my  lord.  Come  hither,  goodman 
Do  you  know  mc  ? 

Duke,  I  remember  you,  Sir^  by  ihe  (bund  of  your 
voice :  I  met  you  at  die  prifon  in  the  ablence  of  the  duke. 

Lucio,  Oh,  did  you  fo?  and  do  you  remember  wbtt 
you  faid  of  die  duke? 

Duke,  Moll  notedly.  Sir, 

Luch,  Do  you  lb.  Sir  ?  and  was  the  duke  a 
monger,  a  fool,  and  a  coward,  as  you  then  rq>orted  him 
to  be  ? 

Duki.  You  mull,  Sir,  change  perfons  -mth  mc,  ert 
you  make  that  my  report;  you  fpoke  fb  of  him,  and 
much  more,  much  worfe. 

Luck.  Oh  tliou  damnable  fellow !  did  not  I  pbdc 
thee  by  the  nofe,  for  thy  fpeeches  ? 

Duke.  I  protcll,  I  love  the  duke  as  I  love  my  fell. 
*  jlng^  Hark'  how  the  villain  would  cloft  now,  after 
his  trcafonable  abufes, 

Efcal.  Such  a  fellow  is  not  to  bctalk'd  witha)  j  awi? 

with  him  to  prifon ;  where  is  the  Prcvoft  ?  away  witl) 

him  to  prifon  ;  lay  bolts  enough  upon  him  j   let  him 

Jpeak  no  more;  away  with  thofc  gigicts  too,  and  wi^ 

the  other  confederate  companion. 

Duii.  Stay,  Sir^  ftay  a-while. 

Afjg,  What !  refifts  he  ?  help  him,  Ludc. 

Lucio.  Come,  Sir  i  come.  Sir  j  come.  Sir  ;  foh,SiTi 

why,  you  bald-patcd  lying  rafcal ;  you  muft  be  hooded, 

Tanfirina  tret  futeJam  :  Mc  fiirhamuj  ftti 

Plrrufn^ut  earn  vf-prriri^ Which  D^n^ttu  callt  ^fit 

fiinnnifii,  Formerly,  wiih  ui,  the  better  fort  of  pfople  « 
;o  the  Rirbec^  fliop  to  Ijc  trimniM  \  who  then  prAflifcd  chc  ui 
parts  of  Stifgrry  '.  Co  that  h<?  had  occafion  for  DumeroiJi  ini 
men&t  which  ky  rhffC  ready  for  ufci  and  che  idle  people, 
whum  hii  ihop  wai  gcnci^Hy  crowded^ would  bcperpetu&Uy  hi 
ling  and  mirufmg  chem.    To  resinedy  which,  I  fuppofc,  there 

ble  of  forfcitorcj.  i4«ptcd  to  e 


i  wiu 

4 


placed  4jp  .-x^alnA  the  %v^11  &  rab! 

ofTc-ncc  ol  thii  tindi  ^hicji,  \\  \x  n&;  Hkr!/ 

k»  suthgrjij^. 


would 


to 
ang  prefer  £ 

mult 


r 


Mtafure  for  Meafure. 


45^ 


murt  >ou?  Ihow  your  knave*!  vifage^  with  a  pox  w 
you  i  Ihow  your  fhccp»bicing  face,  and  be  hang'd  an 
hour :  will't  not  off? 

{_PuUs  off  the  FriarV  Hoody  and  difiovirs  the  DljIcc. 

Pi^^i\Thouarcthcfirft  knave, that  e-er  mad'fta  duke, 
Firft,  Provofl^  lei  mc  bail  ihefe  genck  three. 
Sneak  not  away,  Sir ;  for  the  Friar  and  you 
Mlli\  have  a  word  anon  :  lay  hold  on  him. 

Liida.  This  may  prove  worfe  than  hanging, 

Duke.  Whac  you  luve  ipokcj  I  pardon  ;  (ic  you 
down:  [7(7  EfcaJus. 

We'll  borrow  place  of  hrm.    Sir»  by  your  Jeave  : 
Haft  tliou  or  word*  or  wir,  or  impudence, 
Thac  yet  can  do  thee  office  ?  if  ihoa  haft. 
Rely  upon  ic  *iiil  my  uic  be  heard. 
And  hold  no  longer  out- 

^^g.  O  my  tlrcad  lord, 
I  (hould  be  guikier  than  my  guiJtinefs, 
To  think  I  can  be  undifcernabJe, 
When  I  perceive  your  Grace,  like  pow'r  divine. 
Hath  looK*d  upon  my  pafles :  then,  good  prince. 
No  longer  fcffion  hold  upon  my  fhame ; 
But  let  my  tryal  be  mine  own  confefllon  : 
Immediate  (cnrence  then,  and  fcquent  death, 
h  all  the  grace  J  beg. 

Dukf.  Come  hither^  Mariana: 
Say  ;  waft  thou  cVr  contraded  to  this  woman? 

jfng.  I  was,  my  lord. 

Duke.  Go  cake  her  hence,  and  marry  her  inftantlyp 
Do  you  the  cfficc.  Friar  ;  which  confummare, 
^JReturn  him  here  again  :   go  wi:h  him,   Provoji. 
^V  \_Extunt  Angclo,  Mariana,  Pccer,  and  Provoft. 

H  S       C       E       N       E         V. 

■         Efcal.  My  lord,  lam  moreamaz*dachisdjfhonour, 
Than  at  the  flrangcncfs  of  it, 
Duke.  Come  hither^  Ifabdy 
Your  Friar  is  now  your  prince :  as  I  was  then 
Advertifing,  and  holy  to  your  bufincfe, 
Vol    I.  Gg  2  Not 


451  M€afur£  p>r  Meafure. 

Kot  cHangtag  heart  with  lubtCi  I  am  ftil 
Aciomkd  k.  your  femcr* 

Ifab.  Oh,  give  mc  pardon, 
Thtt  I,  "^our  v«AaI,  have  «mpIoy'd  and  p^io'd 
Your  untcndWfT  fbverejgnty* 

Duke.  Vou  are  pardoi/d,  Ifikel, 
And  now,  dear  maid,  be  you  as  free  to  us. 
Your  brochcfs  death,  I  knoWf  Tics  at  your  iicartT 
And  yoD  mve^  marvet,  why  {  obfcura  tnyleify 
Ltibourir^  to  ikve  his  iife^  and  would  ooc  rather 
Miikerafhtremonftrance  of  my  hidden 'poi»cr» 
Than  Ice  him  be  To  loft  :  Oh,  mod  kind'maiidy 
It  was  the  fwift  celerity  of  his  deaths 
Which,  I  did  think,  with  /lowcf  foot  came  on, 
•  That  bainM  my  purpofe:  but  peace  be  with  hin:j ! 
That  life  is  better  life,  paft  fearing  death. 
Than  chat  which  live*  to  Fear ;  mike  ic  your  comfcrtl 
So»  happy  is  your  brother. 

S       C      lE       N       E         VI. 

,fii/tfr  Angelo,  Mirtatja,  Peter,  md  Provoft. 

Ifah,  I  do,  my  lord.  _ 

hake.  For  this  new-marry'd  man,  approaching  bcr% 
Whofc  fait  imagination  yet  hath  wrong'd 
Your  well-defended  honour,  you  muft  pardon 
For  iW^jmwa's  fake :  but  as  he  adjudgM  your  broi 
Being  criminal,  in  double  vioJation 
Of  Jacred  ciiaftity,  and  of  promife-breach. 
Thereon  dependant  for  your  brother's  life, 
The  very  mercy  of  the  Uw  cries  out 
Moll  audible,  even  from  his  proper  tongye^ 
An  ^vgelo  for  Chudio\  death  for  death. 
Ha(te  iUll  pays  liafle,  and  leiilire  anfwers  leifurc ; 
Like  dodi  quit  like^  zxid  Miafure  flill  for  Mccfurt, 
Then  Angelo^  thy  faults  are  manifcfted  ; 
Which  tho*  thou  wouki'ft  deny,  *  deny  thee  vani 
\Vc  do  condemn  thee  to  the  very  blocks 

^tftroy'd. 

• itti^  thti^iXiXX&iA  famtari,  for  mcani,  opportttDiiv. 

wr 


Meqfure  for  Meafure. 

ere  Clnudto  ftoopM  to  death  j  and  with  like  haftc^ 
way  with  him. 

MarL  Oh,  my  moft  gracious  lord, 
hope,  you  will  not  mock  me  with  a  husband  ? 

Duke.  It  is  your  husband  mock'd  you  with  a  husband. 
Confenting  to  the  fafeguard  of  your  honour, 
I  thought  your  marriage  fit;  clfe  imputation, 
For  that  he  knew  you,  might  reproach  your  life. 
And  choak  your  good  to  come :  for  his  poffeffions, 
AJtho'  by  confifcation  they  are  ours, 
"We  do  enftate  and  widow  you  withal, 
■^o  buy  you  a  better  husband. 
fT  Mori,  Oh,  my  dear  lord, 
^B  crave  no  other,  nor  no  better  man. 

X>ttke.  Never  crave  him  j  we  are  deSnitive, 

MarU  Gentle,  my  liege 

Duh,  You  do  but  lofc  your  labour: 
Away  with  him  to  death.     Now,  Sir,  to  you. 

Mart.  Oh,  my  good  lord  !  Sweet  Ifaiel^  take  my  part  j 
Lend  me  your  knees,  and  all  my  life  to  come 
1*11  lend  you  all  my  life^  to  do  you  fervice, 

Buke,  ^  Againft  all  fcnfe  you  do  importune  her  j 
Should  flie  kneel  down,  in  mercy  of  diis  faft. 
Her  brother's  ghoft  his  paved  bed  would  break. 
And  take  her  hence  in  horror. 

Alari,  Ifaiei, 
Sweet  Jfaielj  do  yet  but  kneel  by  me  i 
Hold  up  your  hands,  fay  nothing  ;  TU  fpeak  all. 
They  fay,  bcft  men  arc  moulded  out  of  faults ; 
And,  for  the  moft,  become  much  more  die  better 
For  being  a  little  bad :  fo  may  my  husband* 
Oh,  Ifaki!  will  you  not  lend  a  knee  ? 

Duke,  He  dies  for  CMudio^s  deaths 

Ifab.  Moft  bounteous  Sir,  {Kneeling, 

Look,  if  it  pleafe  you,  on  tliis  man  condenm*d, 

7  jfgsin/  «//fcnfc  jwa  ^o  impArinnt  htr^l  The  meaning  required 
h.  ag^inll  all  teafoa  aiidnamr*!  afF^flion  ^  Shahf'pear,  ihcrefort, 

judidoully  ufe*  ^  finglc  tt-oriJ  that  implies  both  j    Sett/t  fignifying 
j?oth  rcaXba  and  ^Ec^oa, 

As 


45 


k 


"454  Meafure  for  Meafure. 

As  if  my  brother  liv'd :  I  partly  chiDk, 
A  due  fincerity  govcm'd  his  deeds, 
•Till  he  did  look  on  me;  fince  it  is  fo. 
Let  him  not  die.     My  brother  had  but  juflice. 
In  that  he  did  the  thing  for  which  he  dy'd  j 
For  Angela^  lus  aft  did  not  o'cftakc  his  bad  intent  j 
And  muft  be  bury'd  but  as  an  intent. 
That  perifh'd  by  the  way :  thoughts  arc  no  fubjeds  :^ 
Intents,  but  meerly  thoughts.  H 

Mart.  Meerly,  my  lord.  ^ 

Duke,  Yourruit*s  unproHuble;  ftandup,  Ifiy: 
1  have  bethought  me  of  another  fault. 
Frovcfiy  how  came  ic,  QaudtQ  was  beheaded 
At  an  unufua!  hour  ? 

Pronj.  It  was  commanded  fo. 
Buke.  Had  you  a  fpecial  warrant  for  rh^  deed 
Pr€V.  No,  my  good  lord  j  it  was  by  private  m< 
Duke.  For  which  I  do  difcharge  you  ^your  ofdct 
Give  up  your  keys. 

Prov,  Pardon  me,  noble  lord. 
1  thought,  it  was  a  fault,  but  knew  it  not  % 
Yet  did  repent  me,  after  more  advice  : 
For  teftimony  whereof,  one  in  the  prifon. 
That  fliouid  by  private  order  elfc  have  dy*d, 
1  have  referv'd  alive. 

Duke.  What's  he? 
,  Fr0V.  His  name  is  Barnardim, 

Duke.  I  would,  thou  had 'ft  done  fo  by  Clatidi§A 
Go,  fetch  him  hither  j  let  me  look  upon  him. 
EfcaL  Tm  forry,  one  fo  learned  and  fo  wife 
As  you,  lord  Angela^  have  flill  appear*d. 
Should  flip  fo  grofsly  both  in  heat  of  blocid. 
And  lack  of  tempered  judgment  afterward- 

Ang,  I'm  ic^m,  that  fuch  forrow  I  procure  % 
And  fo  deep  (ticks  it  in  my  penitent  heart. 
That  I  crave  death  more  willingly  than  mercy: 
'Tis  my  dcfcrving»  and  I  do  intreat  it< 


S  C  E  N 


Meafure  for  Meafure, 


455 


SCENE      VIL 

Enter  Provoft,  Bamardiae,  Claudio,  and  Julietta, 

Duke,  Which  is  that  Barnardine  f 
Pronj.  This,  my  lord. 

Duke.  There  was  a  Friar  told  me  of  diis  man: 
Sirrah,  thou'rt  faid  to  have  a  ftubborn  foul, 
That  apprehends  no  further  thaji  this  world ; 
And  fquar'ft  thy  life  accordingly :  tliou'rt  condcmn'd  j 
But  for  thofe  earthly  faults,  I  quit  them  all: 
I  pray  thee,  take  this  mercy  to  provide 
For  better  times  to  come :  Friar^  advife  him  5 
I  leave  him  to  your  hand.  What  muffed  fellow's  that  ? 

Prav,  This  is  another  prifbner,  that  I  iav*d. 
Who  (hould  have  dy'd  when  Qaudio  loft  his  head  j 
As  like  almoft  to  Claudio^  as  himlelf. 

Duke.  If  he  be  like  your  brother,  for  his  fake  [7i  Ifab. 
Is  he  pardon'd ;  and  for  your  lovely  fake, 
Give  mc  your  hand,  and  fay,  you  will  be  mine> 
He  is  my  brother  too  \  but  fitter  time  for  (hat. 
By  this,  lord  Angela  perceives  hc*s  iafe  \ 
Methinks,  I  fee  a  quickning  in  his  eye. 
Well,  Angehy  your  evil  quits  you  weU  >  [yours. 

Look,  that  you  !ove  your  wife ;  (a)  her  worch  works 
I  find  an  apt  remlllion  in  myfclf. 
And  yet  here's  one  in  place  I  cannot  pardon. 
You,  firrahi  that  knew  me  for  a  fool,  a  coward,  [r<?Luc. 
One  of  all  luxury^  anais,  a  mad-man  i 
Wherein  have  I  defcrved  fo  of  you. 
That  you  excol  me  thus  ? 

Lucio.  *Faith,  my  lord,  I  fpoke  it  but  *  according  to 
the  crick  ;  if  you  will  hang  me  for  it,  you  may  :  but  I 
had  rather  it  would  pleafc  you,  I  might  be  whipt* 

Dtike.  Whipc  firfl,  Sir,  and  hang'd  after. 
Proclaim  it,  Provoft^  round  about  the  city  % 

8  a{C9rJing  ta  tht  IrUk ;]  i,  /.  the  faftiioo.  $0  CP  /nVl  ^ 
ItgniAcs  lo  drcfa  in  clie  mode. 

[(a)  htr  tv^rti  inorit  j9Mrf,  Oxf.  Edit.  —  VmIj.  htr  ^wtrth 


^m 


i 


456  ,  ^  Meafure  for  Meafure. 

If  any  woman,  wrong'd  by  this  lewd  fellow, 
(As  I  have  heard  him  fwear  himfelf,  there's  one 
Whom  he  begot  with  child)  let  her  appear. 
And  he  ihall  marry  her;  the  nuptial  finUh'd, 
Let  him  be  whipt  and  hang'd, 

lucio,  I  befeech  your  highnefs,  do  not  marry  me 
to  a  whore :  your  highneis  i^d  even  now,  I  made  you 
a  duke ;  good  my  lord,  do  not  rccompence  me,  in 
making  me  a  cuckold. 

I>uke,  Upon  mine  honour,  thou  fhalt  many  her: 
Thy  (landers  I  forgive,  and  therewithal 
Remit  thy  other  forfeits ;  take  him  to  prilbn : 
And  fee  our  pleafure  herein  executed. 

Lucio.  Marrying  a  punk,  my  lord,  is  prefling  to 
deaPth ;  whipping  and  hanging. 

'Duke.  Slandering  a  prince  defcrvcs  it. 
She,  Claudia^  that  you  wrong'd,  look,  you  rcftore* 
Joy  to  you,  Mariana :  love  her,  Angelo: 
I  have  confefs*d  her,  and  I  know  her  virtue. 
Thanks,  good  friend  Efcalus^  for  thy  much  goodncis: 
ThereV-more  behind,  that  is  more  gratulate. 
Thanks,  Provoftj  for  thy  care  and  fccrcfie  j 
We  fhall  imploy  thee  in  a  worthier  place: 
Forgive  him,  Angelo^  that  brought  you  home 
The  head  of  Ragozine  for  Claudio^s ; 
Th*  offence  pardons  itfclf.    Dear  IfaM^ 
I  have  a  motion  much  imports  your  good. 
Whereto  if  you'll  a  v/illing  ear  incline. 
What's  mine  is  yours,  and  what  is  yours  is  mine : 
So  bring  us  to  our  palace,  where  we'll  (how 
What's  yet  behind,  that's  meet  You  all  (hould  know, 

[Exeunt^ 


7'be  End  of  the  Firjl  Volume^ 


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