Note return to page 1 [1] (1) &lblank; or to see a Fellow In a long motly Coat,] Alluding to the Fools and Buffoons, introduc'd for the Generality in the Plays a little before our Author's Time: and of whom he has left us a small Taste in his own.

Note return to page 2 [2] (2) &lblank; Think ye see The very Persons of our noble Story,] Why the Rhyme should have been interrupted here, when it was so easily to be supplied, I cannot conceive. It can only be accounted for from the Negligence of the Press, or the Transcribers: and therefore I have made no Scruple to replace it.

Note return to page 3 †The old romantic legend of Bevis of Southampton.

Note return to page 4 [3] (3) Which Action's self was Tongue to. Buck. All was royal. To the disposing of it Nought rebell'd; Order gave each Thing View. The Office did Distinctly his full Function. Who did, &c.] Thus hitherto these Speeches have been regulated: but, I think, mistakingly. Buckingham could not with any Propriety say This; for he wanted Information as to the Magnificence, having kept his Chamber with an Ague during the Solemnity. I have therefore ventur'd to split the Speeches, so as to give them Probability, from the Persons speaking; without hazarding the Author's Sense by this new Regulation.

Note return to page 5 [4] (4) &lblank; whence has he that, If not from hell? the Devil] Thus has this Passage been pointed in all the Editions; but the very Inference, which is made upon it, directs the Stops as I have regulated them; and as Mr. Warburton likewise communicated to Me, they should be.

Note return to page 6 [5] (5) One Gilbert Peck, his Counsellour.] So the Old Copies have it, but, when I publish'd my Shakespeare restor'd, I, from the Authorities of Hall and Holingshead, chang'd it to Chancellour. And our Poet himself, in the Beginning of the second Act vouches for this Correction. At which; appear'd against him his Surveyor, Sir Gilbert Peck his Chancellor &lblank; Mr. Pope, in his last Edition, has vouchsaf'd to embrace my Correction.

Note return to page 7 [6] (6) Michael Hopkins?] So all the Old Copies had it; and so Mr. Rowe and Mr. Pope from them. But here again, by the Help of the Chronicles, I have formerly given the true Reading; which Mr. Pope has likewise adopted in his last Edition.

Note return to page 8 [7] (7) By a vain Prophecy of Nicholas HENTON] We heard before, from Brandon, of one Nicholas Hopkins; and now his Name is chang'd into Henton; so that Brandon and the Surveyor seem to be in two Stories. There is, however, but one and the same Person meant, Hopkins; as I have restor'd it in the Text: nor will it be any Difficulty to account for the other Name, when we come to consider, that He was a Monk of the Convent, call'd Henton, near Bristol. So both Hall and Holingshead acquaint us. And he might, according to the Custom of those Times, be call'd as well Nicholas of Henton, from the Place; as Hopkins, from his Family. I formerly set the Text right; and Mr. Pope has since acceded to my Alteration.

Note return to page 9 [8] [8] under the Commission's Seal He solemnly had sworn,] So all the Editions down from the very Beginning. But, what Commission's Seal? That is a Question, I dare say, none of our diligent Editors ever ask'd themselves. The Text must be restor'd, as I have corrected it; and honest Holingshead, from whom our Author took the Substance of this Passage, may be call'd in as a Testimony. —“The Duke in Talk told the Monk, that he had done very well to bind his Chaplain, John de la Court, under the Seal of Confession, to keep secret such Matter.” Vid. Life of Henry VIII. p. 863.

Note return to page 10 [9] [9] And spoil your noble Soul:] Mr. Rowe's Edition, I think, first sophisticated this Passage: The oldest Copies read, nobler. And it seems very proper for a pious Queen to say, the Soul of any Person was of a nobler Regard than the Life of the most noble Person.

Note return to page 11 [10] (10) Men in to such strange Mysteries?] What Mysteries were these? Why, new fantastick Court-Fashions. But to prove it beyond Doubt to be a spurious Reading, let us consider the Nature of those Superstitions; that the Metaphors in the foregoing Line allude to. It was the Opinion of the Common People at that time, that Conjurers, Jugglers &c. with their Spells and Charms could force Men to commit idle fantastick Actions; or change their Shapes into something grotesque and ridiculous. This being alluded to here, tis plain, we must read in the 2d Line; Men into such strange Mockeries. a Word, which very well expresses the whimsical Fashions here complain'd of. Mr. Warburton.

Note return to page 12 [11] (11) &lblank; h'as wherewithal in him; Sparing would shew &c.] Thus this has hitherto been falsely pointed. The wherewithal, intended by Lord Sands, was not in the Cardinal's internal Wealth, the Bounty of his Mind; but the Goods of Fortune, his outward Treasures, large Revenues: which would have aggravated the Sin of Parsimony in him. The ingenious Dr. Thirlby likewise corrected this Passage, as I have done.

Note return to page 13 [12] (12) As, first, good Company, good Wine, &c.] As this Passage has been all along pointed, Sir Harry Guilford is made to include All these under the first Article; and then gives us the Drop as to What should follow. The Poet, I am perswaded, wrote; As first-good Company, good Wine, good Welcome, &c. i. e. he would have you as merry as these 3 Things can make You, the best Company in the Land, of the best Rank, good Wine, &c.

Note return to page 14 [13] (13) For my little Cure,] This Word I have restor'd from the first Folio. Some of the modern Editions read, Cue. But Lord Sands seems to me to prosecute the Idea of penance, mention'd by the Lord Chamberlain, and humourously alluded to the Cure of Souls.

Note return to page 15 [14] (14) Yet if that quarrel,] The Sense is somewhat obscure, and uncertain, here. Either quarrel must be understood metaphorically, to signify a shaft, a dart; as it is used by Chaucer; and as, among the French, they say, un Quarreau d'arbaleste, an Arrow peculiar for the Cross-bow: or we must read, as Mr. Warburton has conjectured; Yet if that quarr'lous Fortune. &lblank; And Shakespeare, I remember, somewhere uses this Expression—as quarr'lous as a Weazel.

Note return to page 16 [15] (15) I've perused her well:] From the many artful Strokes of Address the Poet has thrown in upon Queen Elizabeth and her Mother, it should seem, that this Play was written and perform'd in his Royal Mistress's time: if so, some Lines were added by him in the last Scene, after the Accession of her Successor, King James.

Note return to page 17 [16] (16) &lblank; on my Honour I speak, my good Lord Cardinal, to this Point.] In all the Editions, excepting Mr. Rowe's, this passage has been pointed mistakingly, as if the King were speaking to the Cardinal: but This is not the Poet's Intention. The King, having first address'd to Wolsey, breaks off: and declares upon his Honour to the whole Court, that he speaks the Cardinal's Sentiments upon the Point in Question; and clears him from any Attempt, or Wish, to stir that Business.

Note return to page 18 [17] (17) &lblank; This Respite shook The Bosom of my Conscience,] Tho this Reading be Sense, and therefore I have not ventur'd to displace it; yet, I verily believe, the Poet wrote; The Bottom of my Conscience, &lblank; My Reason is this. Shakespeare in all his Historical Plays was a most diligent Observer of Hollingshead's Chronicle; and had him always in Eye, wherever he thought fit to borrow any Matter from him. Now Hollingshead, in the Speech which he has given to King Henry upon this Subject, makes him deliver himself thus. “Which Words, once conceived within the secret Bottom of my Conscience, ingendred such a scrupulous Doubt, that my Conscience was incontinently accombred, vex'd, and disquieted.” Vid. Life of Henry 8th p. 907.

Note return to page 19 [18] (18) &lblank; my Oppression I did reel,] This Word first got place in Mr. Rowe's Edition; all the Old Copies read, as I have restor'd in the Text, reek; i. e. Sweat under the Burthen, and Agony of my Anxieties.

Note return to page 20 [19] (19) &lblank; I then mov'd You, My Lord of Canterbury, and got your Leave To make this present Summons unsollicited.] Thus all the Impressions. But these Sagacious Editors have palm'd a strange Piece of Nonsense upon us, from a false Pointing. What! did the King move the Bishop, nay, and so move him as to get his Leave, and yet could the Summons be said to be unsollicited? I have rescued the Text from such an absurd Contradiction: and, again, done it upon the Authority of honest Holingshead.—“I moved it in Confession to You, my Lord of Lincoln, then ghostly Father. And forasmuch as then you yourself were in some Doubt, you mov'd me to ask the Counsel of all these my Lords. Whereupon I moved you, my Lord of Canterbury, first to have your Licence, in as much as you were Metropolitan, to put this Matter in Question; and so I did of All you, my Lords.” Hollingshead. ibid. p. 908.

Note return to page 21 [20] (20) We are to cure such Sorrows, not to sow 'em.] There is no Antithesis in these Terms, nor any Consonance of the Metaphors: both which my Emendation restores. We are to ear such Sorrows, not to sowe 'em. i. e. to weed them up, harrow them out. So our Poet uses this Word in his Anth. and Cleop. Act 1. &lblank; O then we bring forth Weeds, When our quick Winds lie still; and our Ills, told us, Is as our earing. i. e. as, rooting them up. This Word with us may be deriv'd not only from arare to plow; but the old Saxon Word, Ear, which signified a Harrow.

Note return to page 22 [21] (21) &lblank; when did he regard The Stamp of Nobleness in any person Out of himself?] Mr. Warburton thinks, this borders upon the absurd, both in the Expression and Matter: and advises to read, &lblank; when did he regard The Stamp of Nobleness in any Man, Out of't himself? This adds a Poinancy, 'tis certain, and Satyrical Reflection to Suffolk's Speech; and accounts, why Wolsey should not regard Nobility in another, who had no native pretensions to it, upon which to value himself.

Note return to page 23 [22] (22) Marry this is but young,] All the Old Copies read with me, Marry, this is yet but young; But the modern Editors have expung'd this harmless Monosyllable, yet; supposing, the Verse would scan more smoothly without it. M&abar;r r&ybar; &break; th&ibar;s &ibar;s &break; b&ubar;t yo&ubar;ng &break; I should not take Notice of so trifling a Variation, were it not proper to observe, that They herein advance a false Nicety of Ear against the Licence of Shakespeare's Numbers: nay, indeed, against the Licence of all English Versification, in common with that of other Languages. They do not seem to apprehend, that M&ashort;rr&yshort; th&ibar;s is in Scansion plainly an Anapest; and equal to a Spondee, or Foot of two Syllables. I shall take an Opportunity, when I come to Hamlet, to speak of the Pes proceleusmaticus, so frequent in Homer, Virgil, and other the best Classical Poets. I'll only add here, that I could produce at least two thousand of our Poet's Verses, that would be disturb'd by this modern, unreasonable, Chastness of Metre.

Note return to page 24 [23] (23) Worse than the scaring Bell, &lblank;] This absurd Reading has only found place in Mr. Pope's two Editions. I have restor'd, from all the best Copies, sacring Bell. That Gentleman, sure, should know, that in Roman Catholick Countries the little Bell, which is rung to give Notice of the Hoste approaching when it is carried in procession, as also in other Offices of that Church, is call'd, the Sacring, or Consecration Bell; from the French Word, Sacrer. And Chaucer, I find, in his Dream, has made Use of the Word Sacre, to signify Consecration, or holy Office. Which Tent was Church Parochial, Ordaint was in especial For the Feste, and for the Sacre; The facetious Rabelais, Book 2d. ch. 26. particularly mentions the sacring Bell. Pleust à Dieu, que chascun de vous eust deus paires de Sonnettes de Sacre au Menton. I wish to God, every one of you had two Couples of Sacring Bells dangling at your Chins. And sacring is frequently mention'd by Writers about our Author's time. In K. Richard the First's time, a Fray happen'd, on the Day of his Coronation, against the Jews, who, contrary to the King's own Proclamation, would needs enter the Church to see him Sacred. Stow's Survey of London. In the mean time being near to a Church, he heard a little Sacring Bell ring to the Elevation of a Morrow-Mass. Scot's Discovery of Witchcraft. You shall ring the Sacring Bell, Keep your hours, and tell your Knell. Merry Devil of Edmonton.

Note return to page 25 [24] (24) Castles, and whatsoever,] I have ventur'd to substitute Chattels here, as the Author's genuine Word, for this good Reason: because, as our Law-books inform us, the Judgment in a Writ of Præmunire is, that the Defendant shall be from thenceforth out of the King's Protection; and his Lands and Tenements, Goods and Chattels forfeited to the King; and that his Body shall remain in prison at the King's pleasure. But because it may be objected, that Shakespeare had no Acquaintance with the Law-Books, it will be proper to take notice, that this very Description of the Præmunire is set out by Holingshead in his Life of K. Henry VIIIth p. 909.

Note return to page 26 [25] (25) &lblank; trod the ways of Glory,] Mr. Warburton, who thinks the Metaphor here miserably mangled, conjectures the Poet wrote; &lblank; rode the Waves of Glory. 'Tis certain, the Words, Sounded, Depths, Shoals, Wreck, which follow, all countenance this Emendation; and therefore tho' I have not ventur'd to disturb the Text, still I think it very worthy of consideration.

Note return to page 27 [26] (26) &lblank; cherish those Hearts that hate thee.] Tho this be an admirable Precept in private Life, and full of the Divinity that first inspired it: yet it was never calculated, nor design'd, for the Direction of the Magistrate or Publick Minister. Nor could this be the Precept of an experienced Statesman for his Pupil's future Conduct. This would make a good Christian, but a very ill and very unjust Statesman: and we have nothing so infamous on Record as the suppos'd Advice given to K. Charles the 2d, to cherish his Enemies, and be in no pain for his Friends. I am of Opinion, that our Poet wrote; &lblank; cherish those Hearts, that wait thee: i. e. thy Dependants. For the contrary Practice had been Wolsey's Ruin. He was not sollicitous enough of making Dependants by his Bounty, but too intent on amassing Wealth for himself. The following Line likewise seems to confirm the Emendation; Corruption wins not more than Honesty. i. e. You will never find Men won over to your temporary Occasions by Bribery, of so much Use to You, as Friends made by a just and generous Munificence. Mr. Warburton.

Note return to page 28 [27] (27) Arrested him at York,] The Earl of Northumberland, and Sir Walter Walsh, one of the King's Privy Chamber, arrested Wolsey of Treason, at his house at Cawood in Yorkshire on Friday the 4th of November 1530. On Sunday Evening following, in order to be brought up to London, he was remov'd to Pomfret; on Monday, to Doncaster; and on Tuesday, to the Earl of Shrewsbury's Seat at Sheffield-Park. Here he was indulg'd to stay upwards of a Fortnight; and here, on Tuesday the 22d, was seiz'd with his last Illness. On Thursday the 24th he began his Journey afresh, tho not recover'd of his Flux, and was carried to another House of the Lord Shrewsbury's call'd Hardwick Hall; the next day, to Notingham; and on Saturday Evening, in a languishing Condition was brought to the Abbey at Leicester. He immediately took his Bed, and on Tuesday following, being the 29th of November, and Eve of St. Andrew, expir'd there.—This short Journal, of the last Stage in Life, of so considerable a Man, I have thought proper to trace backwards; as imagining, it might not be displeasing to certain curious Readers.

Note return to page 29 [28] (28) His Faults lie buried with him!] This Reading was first adopted by Mr. Rowe; all the old Copies have it, as I have restor'd in the Text. The Poet seem'd to have in his Eye the customary Wish among the Latins,—Sit tibi terra levis! Which Beaumont and Fletcher have express'd in their Maid's Tragedy; Upon my buried Body lay lightly, gentle Earth! The opposite to this Expression of our Poet's here, his Faults lie gently on him!—occurs frequently in Menace to Richard 3d, from the Ghosts of those whom he had murther'd: Let me sit heavy on thy Soul to morrow! Let us be laid within thy Bosom, Richard, And weigh thee down to Ruin! &lblank;

Note return to page 30 [29] (29) &lblank; This Cardinal Though from an humble Stock, undoubtedly Was fashion'd to much Honour. From his Cradle He was a Scholar, and a ripe, and good one;] Thus this Passage has hitherto been most absurdly pointed. That Wolsey should be a ripe Scholar from his Cradle, is most extraordinary and incredible. My Alteration of the Pointing, I dare be positive, gives us the Poet's Meaning; and expresses that Character, which, Holingshead tells us, Edmund Campian, in his History of Ireland, had given of the Cardinal, that he was a Man undoubtedly born to Honour.

Note return to page 31 [30] (30) Chan. Speak to the Business,] This Lord Chancellor, tho a Character, has hitherto had no place in the Dramatis Personæ. In the last Scene of the fourth Act, we heard, that Sir Thomas Moore was appointed Lord Chancellor: but it is not He, whom the Poet here introduces. Wolsey, by Command, deliver'd up the Seals on the 18th of November 1529; on the 25th of the same Month, they were deliver'd to Sir Thomas Moore, who surrender'd them on the 16th of May, 1532. Now the Conclusion of this Scene taking Notice of Queen Elizabeth's Birth, (which brings it down to the Year 1534.) Sir Thomas Audlie must necessarily be our Poet's Chancellor; who succeeded Sir Thomas Moore, and held the Seals many Years.

Note return to page 32 [31] (31) She shall be to the Happiness of England, An aged Princess;] The Transition here from the Complimentary Address to King James the First is so abrupt, that it seems obvious to me, that Compliment was inserted after the Accession of that Prince. If this Play was wrote, as in my opinion it was, in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth; we may easily determine where Cranmer's Eulogium of that Princess concluded. I make no question but the Poet rested here; And claim by those their Greatness, not by Blood. All that the Bishop says after this, was an occasional Homage paid to her Successor; and evidently inserted after her Demise. How naturally, without this Insertion, does the King's Joy, and satisfactory Reflection upon the Bishop's Prophecy come in! King. Thou speakest Wonders. O Lord Archbishop, Thou'st made me now a Man. Never, before This happy Child, did I get any Thing, &c. Whether the King would so properly have made this Inference, upon hearing that a Child of so great Hopes should dye without Issue, is submitted to Judgment.

Note return to page 33 [32] (32) Would I had known no more: but She must dye, She must, the Saints must have her; yet a Virgin, A most unspotted Lilly, &c.] Thus the Editors hitherto, in their Sagacity, have pointed this Passage, and destroy'd the true Sense of it. The first part of this Sentence is a Wish: The other should be a sorrowful Continuation of the Bishop's Prophecy. But, sure, Cranmer was too wise and pious a Man, too well acquainted with the State of Mortality, to make it a part of his Lamentation that this good Princess must one time or other go to Heaven. As I point it, the Poet makes a fine Compliment to his Royal Mistress's Memory, to lament that she must dye without leaving an Heir of her Body behind her. Palamon and Arcite, in the Two Noble Kinsmen of Beaumont and Fletcher, being made Prisoners to Theseus, and fearing they shall dye in that Captivity, lament their Fate, I remember, in much the same manner. &lblank; Here the Graces of our Youths must wither, Like a too timely Spring; here Age must find us, And, which is heaviest, Palamon, unmarried.

Note return to page 34 [33] (33) And you good Brethren,] But, the Aldermen never were call'd Brethren to the King. The Top of the Nobility are but Cousins and Counsellors. Dr. Thirlby, therefore, rightly advised; And your good Brethren &lblank; i. e. the Lord Mayor's Brethren; which is properly their Style. So in the Chorus before the 5th Act of Henry V. The Mayor, and all his Brethren in best Sort, Like to the Senators of antique Rome, With the Plebeians swarming at their Heels, Go forth, and fetch their conqu'ring Cæsar in.

Note return to page 35 [1] (1) And prize me at her Worth. In my true Heart,] Mr. Bishop prescrib'd the Pointing of this Passage, as I have regulated it in the Text. Regan would say, that in the Truth of her Heart and Affection, she equals the worth of her Sister. Without this Change in the Pointing, she makes a Boast of her self without any Cause assign'd.

Note return to page 36 [2] (2) Cor. Here's France, and Burgundy, my noble Lord.] The Generality of the Editions, antient and modern, stupidly place this Verse to Cordelia. But I have, upon the Authority of the old 4to, restor'd it to the right Owner, Glo'ster; who was, but a little before, sent by the King to conduct France and Burgundy to him.

Note return to page 37 [3] (3) As monstrous is,] This bald Reading is a modern Sophistication: the eldest and best Copies read; That monsters it &lblank; i. e. that makes a Monster, a Prodigy, of it: And our Poet uses this Verb elsewhere in such a Sense. So Albany, afterwards in this Play, says to Goneril, his Wife; Thou chang'd, and self-converted Thing! for Shame, Be-monster not thy Features. And so, in Coriolanus; I'd rather have One scratch my Head i'th' Sun, When the Alarum were struck, than idly sit To hear my Nothings monster'd.

Note return to page 38 [4] (4) And well are worth the Want that you have wanted.] This is a very obscure Expression, and must be piec'd out with an implied Sense, to be understood. This I take to be the Poet's Meaning, stript of the jingle which makes it dark: “You well deserve to meet with that Want of Love from your Husband, which you have profess'd to want for our Father.”

Note return to page 39 [5] (5) The Nicety of Nations.] This is Mr. Pope's Reading, ex Cathedrâ; for it has the Sanction of None of the Copies, that I have met with. They all, indeed, give it Us, by a foolish Corruption,—the Curiosity of Nations; but I some time ago prov'd, that our Author's Word was, Curtesie. So, again, in As You like it; The Courtesie of Nations allows you my better, in that You are the first born. And again, in Cymbeline, this Word stands for Birth-right; &lblank; aye hopeless To have the Courtesie your Cradle promis'd. Nor must we forget that Tenure in our Laws, whereby some Lands are held by the Curtesie of England. And I ought to take Notice, that I had the Concurrence of the Ingenious Dr. Thirlby, who hinted to me this very Emendation, before he knew I made it.

Note return to page 40 [6] (6) Who, in the lusty Stealth of Nature,] These fine Lines are a very signal Proof of our Author's admirable Art, in giving proper Sentiments to his Characters. And such a Proof, as hath in it something very extraordinary. The Bastard's Character is That of a confirm'd Atheist; and the Poet's making him ridicule judicial Astrology was design'd as one Instance of that Character: For that impious Juggle had a religious Reverence paid it at that Time: and Shakespeare makes his best Characters in this very Play own, and acknowledge the Force of the Stars Influence. The Poet, in short, gives an atheistical Turn to all his Sentiments; and how much the Lines, following this, are in this Character, may be seen by that strange monstrous Wish, which Vanini, the infamous Neapolitan Atheist, made in his Tract De Admirandis Naturæ; printed at Paris in 1616, the very Year that our Author dy'd. “O! Utinam extrà legitimum & connubialem thorum essem procreatus! Ità enìm Progenitores mei in Venerem incaluissent ardentiùs, ac cumulatim affatimque generosa Semina contulissent; è quibus Ego formæ blanditiam et elegantiam, robustas Corporis Vires, mentemque innubilam consequutus fuissem. At quià Conjugatorum sum Soboles, his orbatus sum bonís.”—Now had this Book been publish'd ten Years before, who would not have sworn that Shakespeare hinted at this Passage? But the Divinity of his Genius here, as it were, foretold what such an Atheist, as Vanini was, would say, when he wrote upon this Subject. Mr. Warburton.

Note return to page 41 [7] (7) We make guilty of our Disasters, the Sun, the Moon, and Stars:] It was the Opinion of judicial Astrologers, that whatsoever good Dispositions the Infant, unborn, might be endow'd with, either from Nature or traductively from its Parents; yet if, at the hour of Birth, its Delivery was by any casual Accident so accelerated, or retarded, that it fell in with the Predominancy of a malignant Constellation; that momentary Influence would entirely change its Nature, and byass it to all the contrary ill Qualities.—This was so wretched and monstrous an Opinion, that it well deserved and was well fitted for the Lash of Satire. Mr. Warburton.

Note return to page 42 [8] (8) Idle old Man,] The following Lines, as they are fine in themselves, and very much in Character for Gonerill, I have restor'd from the Old 4to. The last Verse, which I have ventur'd to amend, is there printed thus; With Checks, like Flatt'ries when they are seen abus'd.

Note return to page 43 [9] (9) And can my Speech disuse,] This Reading we deriv'd first from Mr. Rowe's Edition; and from thence it has taken possession in the two Impressions given us by Mr. Pope. But the Poet's Word was certainly, diffuse: And Kent would say, “If I can but so spread out my Accents,” (de telle sorte espandre, as the French term it;) “vary my Tone, and Utterance, so widely from what it used to be as to disguise it; &c.” And diffused in this Sense of obsolete, disguised, our Poet has more than once employ'd. Let them from forth a Saw-pit rush at once, With some diffused Song: &lblank; Merry Wives of Windsor. To swearing, and stern looks, diffus'd Attire, King Henry Vth. Vouchsafe, diffus'd Infection of a Man, King Richard IIId.

Note return to page 44 [10] (10) Fool. That Lord, that counsel'd thee &lblank;] These four Lines I have restor'd from the old 4to; and, surely, the Retrenchment of them by the Players was very injudicious. For, without them, how very absurdly does Lear reply, Do'st thou call me Fool, boy?

Note return to page 45 ‡A little is the common reading; but it appears, from what Lear says in the next Scene, that this number fifty was requir'd to be cut off, which (as the editions stood) is no where specify'd by Gonerill. Mr. Pope.

Note return to page 46 [11] (11) With cadent Tears,] Mr. Warburton very happily here suspects our Author wrote, candent; as an Epithet of much more Energy, and more likely to effect Lear's Imprecation. He brings in Confirmation, what the King says presently after; That these hot Tears, that break from me perforce, And what he says towards the End of the 4th Act: &lblank; but I am bound Upon a Wheel of Fire, that mine own Tears Do scald like molten Lead.

Note return to page 47 [12] (12) Th' untender Woundings,] I have here restor'd the Reading of all the genuine Copies, which Mr. Pope had degraded; as it seems the most expressive, and conveys an Image exactly suiting with the Poet's Thought. 'Tis true, untender signifies, sharp, severe, harsh, and all the Opposites to the Idea of tender. But as a Wound untented is apt to rankle inwards, smart, and fester, I doubt not, but Shakespeare meant to intimate here; that a Father's Curse shall be a Wounding of such a sharp, inveterate Nature, that nothing shall be able to tent it; i. e. to search the Bottom, and help in the Cure of it. We have a Passage in Cymbeline, that very strongly confirms this Meaning. I've heard, I am a Strumpet; and mine Ear (Therein false struck) can take no greater Wound, Nor Tent to bottom that.

Note return to page 48 [13] (13) My worthy Arch and Patron.] I can meet with no Authority of this Word used in this manner, to signify, my Prince, my Chief; but always as an epitatic Particle prefix'd and annex'd to another Noun: and therefore I have ventur'd to suppose a Transposition of the Copulative, and that we ought to read, Arch-patron, as Arch-duke, Arch-angel, Arch-bishop, &c.

Note return to page 49 [14] (14) &lblank; threading dark-ey'd Night,] I have not ventur'd to displace this Reading, tho I have great Suspicion that the Poet wrote, &lblank; treading dark-ey'd night. i. e. travelling in it. The other carries too obscure, and mean an Allusion. It must either be borrow'd from the Cant-phrase of threading of Alleys, i. e. going thro bye-passages to avoid the high Streets; or to threading a Needle in the dark.

Note return to page 50 [15] (15) Like rats, oft bite the holy Cords atwaine, Which are t' intrince, t' unloose;] Thus the first Editors blunder'd this Passage into unintelligible Nonsense. Mr. Pope so far has disengag'd them, as to give us plain Sense; but by throwing out the Epithet holy, 'tis evident, he was not aware of the Poet's fine Meaning. I'll first establish and prove the Reading; then explain the Allusion. Thus the Poet gave it; Like rats, oft bite the holy Cords in twain, Too 'intrinsicate t' unloose &lblank; This Word again occurs in our Author's Antony and Cleopatra, where she is speaking to the Aspick; &lblank; Come, mortal Wretch; With thy sharp Teeth this Knot intrinsicate Of Life at once untie. And we meet with it in Cynthia's Revels by Ben. Jonson. Yet there are certain puntilio's, or (as I may more nakedly insinuate them) certain intrinsicate Strokes and Wards, to which your Activity is not yet amounted; &c. It means, inward, hidden; perplext; as a Knot, hard to be unravell'd; it is deriv'd from the Latin adverb intrinsecùs; from which the Italians have coin'd a very beautiful Phrase, intrinsicarsi col uno, i. e. to grow intimate with, to wind one self into another. And now to our Author's Sense. Kent is rating the Steward, as a Parasite of Gonerill's; and surposes very justly, that he has fomented the Quarrel betwixt that Princes and her Father: in which Office, he compares him to a sacrilegious Rat: and by a fine Metaphor, as Mr. Warburton observed to me, styles the Union between Parents and Children the holy Cords.

Note return to page 51 [16] (16) &lblank; cackling home to Camelot.] As Sarum, or Salisbury, Plain is mention'd in the preceding Verse, I presume this Camelot to be That mention'd by Holingshead, and call'd Camaletum, in the Marshes of Somersetshire, where there was an old Tradition of a very strong Castle. Langham in his Account of Queen Elizabeth's Reception at Kenilworth, says, from King Arthur's Acts, that That Prince kept his Royal Court at Camelot: but whether this be the Place already mention'd, or some other of that Name in Wales, or the Camelot in Sterling-County in Scotland, I am not able to say.

Note return to page 52 &lblank; put all my Hair in Knots;] This is a modern Reading: All the old Copies intended to read, and the first folio actually does; &lblank; elfe all my Hair in knots. i. e. twist it in the manner of Elfe-locks: i. e. Hairs so intricately interwove, as not to be disengag'd; and by Superstition suppos'd to have been twisted by Elves, or Fairies. We find them mention'd in our Author's Romeo and Juliet; That plats the manes of horses in the Night, And cakes the Elf-locks in foul sluttish Hairs, Which once untangled, much Misfortune bodes. And in the Induction to Ben. Jonson's Magnetick Lady. &lblank; But if you light on the wrong End, you will pull all into a Knot or Elf-lock; which Nothing but the Sheers, or a Candle, will undo or separate.

Note return to page 53 [18] (18) Do you but mark how this becomes the House?] This Phrase is to me unintelligible, and seems to say nothing to the purpose: Neither can it mean, as I conceive, how this becomes the Order of Families. Lear would certainly intend to reply, how does asking my Daughters Forgiveness become me as a Father, and agree with common Fashion, the establish'd Rule and Custom of Nature? And therefore it seems no Doubt to me, but the Poet wrote, as I have alter'd the Text. Let us examine, how he has express'd elsewhere upon this Sentiment. Alonso says, in the Tempest; But, oh, how oddly will it sound, that I Must ask my Child Forgiveness? And Volumnia, in Coriolanus, says to her Son; I kneel before thee and, unproperly Shew Duty as mistaken all the while Between the Child and Parent. Now what is odd, and improper, and mistaken, must be concluded to be against Rule and Custom: And that Shakespeare employs Use in this Signification, is too obvious to want a Proof.

Note return to page 54 [19] (19) Look'd black upon me,] This is a Phrase which I do not understand; neither have I any where else met with it. But to look blank is a known Expression, signifying, either to give discouraging Looks to another, or to stand dismay'd and disappointed one's-self. The Poet means here, that Regan gave him cold Looks, as he before phrases it in this Play. In Hamlet, he has chang'd the Adjective into a Verb; Each Opposite, that blanks the Face of Joy. Milton (a studious Imitator not only of our Poet's Words, but Phrases;) often uses blank in our Author's Sense here; There without Sign of Boast, or Sign of Joy, Sollicitous and blank, he thus began. Par. Reg. B. 2. And with Confusion blank his Worshippers. Samps. Agonist. And noble Grace, that dash'd brute Violence; With sudden Adoration and blank Awe, Masque at Ludlow-Castle. &lblank; Adam, soon as he heard The fatal Trespass done by Eve, amaz'd, Astonied stood and blank. Par. lost. B. 9. And in another Passage, with an equivalent Expression; Thus while he spake, each Passion dimm'd his Face. Ibid. B. 4.

Note return to page 55 [20] (20) Thy tender-hearted Nature.] This, as I presume, was Mr. Pope's Sophistication; I have restored from the Old Copies, tender-hefted; (which, I am satisfied, was the Poet's Word) i. e. whose Bosom is heav'd with tender Passions. So in Winter's Tale. &lblank; But if one present Th' abhor'd Ingredient to his Eye make known How he hath drunk, he cracks his Gorge, his Sides, With violent Hefts. And again afterwards in the same Play; &lblank; 'Tis such as You, That creep like Shadows by him, and do sigh At each his needless heavings. So, speaking of Cordelia's Grief, in our present Play, Once, or twice, She heav'd the Name of Father Pantingly forth. And so the Dauphin, in King John. Lift up thy Brow, renowned Salisbury; And with a great Heart heave away this Storm.

Note return to page 56 [21] (21) &lblank; if your sweet sway Allow Obedience,] Could any Man in his Senses, and Lear has 'em yet, make it a Question whether Heaven allow'd Obedience? Undoubtedly, the Poet wrote—Hallow Obedience,—i. e. if by your Ordinances you hold and pronounce it sanctified; and punish the Violators of it as sacrilegious Persons, Mr. Warburton.

Note return to page 57 [22] (22) &lblank; and chuse To wage against the enmity o'th' Air, To be a Comrade with the Wolf and Owl, Necessity's sharp Pinch.] The Breach of the Sense here is a manifest Proof, that these Lines were transpos'd by the first Editors. Neither can there be any Syntax or Grammatical Coherence, unless we suppose Necessity's sharp Pinch to be the Accusative to wage. As I've plac'd the Verses, the Sense is fine and easie; and the Sentence compleat and finish'd.

Note return to page 58 [23] (23) touch me with noble Anger.] It would puzzle one at first, to find the Sense, and Drift, and Coherence of this Petition. For if the Gods sent this Affliction for his Punishment, how could he expect that they would defeat their own Design, and assist him to revenge his Injuries by touching him with noble Anger? This Question cannot well be answer'd, without going a little further than ordinary for the Solution. We may be assured then, that Shakespeare had here in his Mind those Opinions the antient Poets held of the Misfortunes of particular Families. They tell us, that when the Anger of the Gods (for any Act of Impiety) was rais'd against an offending Family, that their Method of Punishment was this: first, they inflamed the Breasts of the Children to unnatural Acts against their Parents; and then, of the Parents against their Children; that they might destroy one another: and that both these Outrages were the Acts of the Gods. To consider Lear as alluding to this, makes his Prayer exceeding pertinent and fine. Mr. Warburton.

Note return to page 59 [24] (24) I will have such Revenges on you both, That all the World shall &lblank;] This fine abrupt Breaking off, and Suppression of Passion in its very height, (a Figure, which the Greek Rhetoricians have call'd, &gras;&grp;&gro;&grs;&gri;&grwa; &grp;&grh;&grs;&gri;&grst;) is very familiar with our Author, as with other good Writers, and always gives an Energy to the Subject. That, by Neptune in the first Book of the Æneis, is always quoted as a celebrated Instance of this Figure: Quos ego—Sed enotes præstat componere fluctus. What Lear immediately subjoins here, I will do such Things,—What they are, yet I know not—seems to carry the visible Marks of Imitation. &lblank; Magnum est quodcunque paravi;   Quid sit,adhuc; dubito. Ovid. Metam. 1.6. &lblank; Haud, quid fit, scio;   Sed grande quiddam est. Senec. in Thyest.

Note return to page 60 [25] (25) Who have, as who have not, &lblank;] The eight subsequent Verses were degraded by Mr. Pope, as unintelligible, and to no purpose. For my part, I see nothing in them but what is very easie to be understood; and the Lines seem absolutely necessary to clear up the Motives, upon which France prepar'd his Invasion: nor without them is the Sense of the Context compleat.

Note return to page 61 [26] (26) Crack Nature's Mould, all Germains spill at once.] Thus all the Editions have given us this Passage, and Mr. Pope has explain'd Germains, to mean, relations, or kindred Elements. Then it must have been germanes (from the Latin Adjective, germanus;) a Word more than once used by our Author, tho' always false spelt by his Editors. So, in Hamlet; The Phrase would be more germane to the matter, if we could carry Cannon by our Sides: And so in Othello; You'll have your Nephews neigh to you; You'll have Coursers for Cousins, and Gennets for Germanes. But the Poet means here, “Crack Nature's Mould, and spill all the “Seeds of Matter, that are hoarded within it.” To retrieve which Sense, we must write Germins; (a Substantive deriv'd from Germen, &grs;&grp;&gro;&grr;&grag;: as the old Glossaries expound it;) and so we must again in Macbeth; &lblank; Tho the Treasure Of Nature's Germins tumble all together, Ev'n till Destruction sicken. And to put this Emendation beyond all Doubt, I'll produce one more Passage, where our Author not only uses the same Thought again, but the Word that ascertains my Explication. In Winter's Tale; Let Nature crush the Sides o'th' Earth together, And marr the Seeds within.

Note return to page 62 [27] (27) Tremble, thou wretch,] Thus Juvenal in his 13th Satire; Hi sunt qui trepidant, & ad omnia fulgura pallent, Cum tonat; &c.

Note return to page 63 [28] (28) Thou perjur'd, and thou simular man of Virtue,] The first Folio leaves out man in this Verse; and, I believe, rightly to the Poet's Mind. He would use a Simular of Virtue to signify, a false Pretender to it; a Dissembler, that would make an outward Shew of it: as he elsewhere employs perjure substantively, for a perjur'd Creature. So in Love's Labour lost; Why, he comes like a Perjure, wearing Papers. And so, in his Troublesom Reign of King John, in two Parts: But now black-spotted Perjure as he is.

Note return to page 64 [28] (28) There is part of a power already landed.] This Reading, notwithstanding Mr. Pope's Declaration in his Preface, is not ex fide Codicum. All the authentick Copies read, footed, i. e. on foot, on their March. If this Gentleman's nice Ear was offended at the Word in this place, how came he to let it pass undisturb'd in some others? As, for Instance, afterwards in this Play; And what Confed'racy have you with the traytors, Late footed in the kingdom? And again, in Henry Vth. Dispatch us with all Speed, lest that our King Come here himself to question our delay; For he is footed in this Land already.

Note return to page 65 [29] (29) Didst Thou give all to thy Daughters? and art thou come to this?] Here Lear's Madness first begins to break out. His Mind, long beating on his Afflictions, had laid a Preparation for his Frenzy: and nothing was wanting but such an Object as Edgar, to set it on Work, as it were by Sympathy. In this our Author has shewn an exquisite Knowledge of Nature; as he has, with no less Propriety, distinguish'd the King's real, from the Other's assum'd Passion. What Lear says, for the most part, springs either from the Source and Fountain of his Disorder; the Injuries done him by his Daughters; or his Desire of being reveng'd on them. What Edgar says, seems a fantastick Wildness, only extorted to disguise Sense, and to blunt the Suspicion of his Concealment. This makes it, that we are always most strongly affected with the King's Madness, as we know it to be a real Distress. But tho what Edgar says, seems Extravagance of Thought, and the Coinage of the Poet's Brain only, to the End already mention'd; yet I'll venture to assure my Readers, his whole Frenzy is Satire levell'd at a modern Fact, which made no little Noise at that Period of Time: and consequently, must have been a rapturous Entertainment to the Spectators, when it was first represented. The Secret is this: While the Spaniards were preparing their Armado against England, the Jesuits were here busiely at Work to promote the Success by making Converts. One Method they used, to do this, was to dispossess pretended Demoniacks of their own Church: by which Artifice, they made several hundred Converts among the common People, and grew so elate upon their Success, as to publish an Account of their Exploits in this wonderful Talent of exorcising. A main Scene of their Business, in this seeming-holy Discipline, lay in the Family of one Mr. Edmund Peckham; where Marwood a Servant of Antony Babington's, (who was afterwards executed for Treason) Trayford an Attendant upon Mr. Peckham, and Sarah and Friswood Williams and Anne Smith (three Chambermaids in that Family) were supposed to be possess'd by Devils, and came under the Hands of the Priests for their Cure. The Parties either so little lik'd the Discipline, or the Jesuits behav'd with such ill Address, that the Consequence was, the Imposture was discover'd: the Demoniacks were examin'd; and their Confessions taken upon Oath before the Privy Council. The whole Matter being blown up, the Criminals brought to the Stake, and the Trick of Devil-hunting brought into Ridicule; Dr. Harsenet (who was Chaplain to Archbishop Bancroft, and himself afterwards Archbishop of York) wrote a smart Narrative of this whole Proceeding under the following Title: “A Declaration of egregious Popish Impostures, to withdraw the Hearts of her Majesty's Subjects from their Allegiance, &c. under the pretence of casting out Devils, practis'd by Edmunds, alias Weston, a Jesuit; and divers Romish Priests, his wicked Associates, Whereunto are annex'd the Copies of the Confessions and Examinations of the Parties themselves, which were pretended to be possess'd and dispossess'd, &c. Printed by James Roberts, in 1603.”—This Transaction was so rife in every Body's Mouth, upon the Accession of King James the Ist to the Crown; that our Poet thought proper to make his Court, by helping forward the Ridicule of it. I need only observe now, that Edgar thro' all his Frenzy supposes himself possess'd by Fiends; and that the greatest Part of his dissembled Lunacy, the Names of his Devils, and the descriptive Circumstances he alludes to in his own Case, are all drawn from this Pamphlet, and the Confessions of the poor deluded Wretches. The Address of our Author in this popular Piece of Satire, and that excentrick Madness he has built upon it, made me imagine, the stating a Fact, so little known, might apologize for the Length of this Note on the Occasion.

Note return to page 66 [30] (30) &lblank; that curl'd my Hair, wore Gloves in my Cap;] A learned Gentleman, whom I have no Privilege to name, intimated to me, that Shakespeare's Reading must have been—wore Cloves in my Cap,— alluding to the prevailing Mode, in those days, among the spruce Gallants, of quilting Spices and other Perfumes within the Linings of their Hats. I thought it but Justice to mention a Hint so serviceably design'd; tho, with Deference, I must be oblig'd to dissent in Opinion, and think that the Text calls for no Alteration. It was a frequent Custom to wear Gloves in the Hat, upon three different Motives; either as the Favour of a Mistress; in Honour of some other respected Friend; or as a Mark to be challeng'd by an Adversary where a Duel was depending. And to this Custom in all these three Cases, has our Author at different Times alluded. King Richard II. His Answer was, he would unto the Stews, And from the common'st Creature pluck a Glove, And wear it as a Favour. King Henry V. Here, Uncle Exeter, fill this Glove with Crowns, And give it to this Fellow. Keep it, Fellow, And wear it for an Honour in thy Cap. And, again, in the same Play. K. Henry. Give me any Gage of thine, and I will wear it in my Bonnet; then if ever thou darst acknowledge it, I will make it my Quarrel. Will. Here's my Glove.

Note return to page 67 [31] (31) Swithold footed thrice the old,] What Idea the Editors had, or whether any, of footing the old, I cannot pretend to determine. My ingenious Friend Mr. Bishop saw it must be Wold, which signifies a Down, or champion Ground, hilly and void of Wood. And as to St. Withold, we find him again mention'd in our Author's Troublesom Reign of King John, in two Parts: Sweet St. Withold, of thy Lenity, Defend us from Extrémity;

Note return to page 68 [32] (32) Fraterrito calls me,] As Mr. Pope had begun to insert several Speeches in the mad Way, into this Scene, from the Old Edition; I have ventur'd to replace several others, which stand upon the same Footing, and had an equal right of being restor'd.

Note return to page 69 [33] (33) &lblank; opprest Nature sleeps:] These two concluding Speeches by Kent and Edgar, and which by no means ought to have been cut off, I have restored from the Old Quarto. The Soliloquy of Edgar is extreamly fine; and the Sentiments of it are drawn equally from Nature and the Subject. Besides, with Regard to the Stage it is absolutely necessary: For as Edgar is not design'd, in the Constitution of the Play, to attend the King to Dover; how absurd would it look for a Character of his Importance to quit the Scene without one Word said, or the least Intimation what we are to expect from him?

Note return to page 70 [34] (34) And quench'd the steeled fires.] The sagacious Editors have all blunder'd in this Word without the least Variation: It is indisputable, that the Author must have wrote. And quench'd the stelled fires. i. e. the starry Fires; an adjective coin'd from Stella. The Romans form'd both a Participle active, and Adjective passive from this Word. &lblank; extemplò, cælo stellante, serena Sidera respondent in Aquâ radiantia mundi. Lucret. l. 4. Hinc illum Corythi Tyrrhenâ ab sede profectum Aurea nunc solio stellantis regia cæli Accipit; Virg. Æn. 7. &lblank; atque illi stellatus Iaspide fulvâ Ensis erat. Idem. Æn. 4. I am aware, that neither stellans, nor stellatus are entirely adequate in Sense, or Usage, to stelled in our Author. As the Word, however is aptly deriv'd, I hope, Shakespeare will stand protected by Horace's Precept; Dixeris egregiè, notum si callida Verbum Reddiderit junctura novum.

Note return to page 71 [35] (35) I'll never care what Wickedness I do,] This short Dialogue I have; inserted from the Old Quarto, because I think it full of Nature. Servants, in any House, could hardly see such a Barbarity committed on their Master, without Reflections of Pity; and the Vengeance that they presume must overtake the Actors of it, Is a Sentiment and Doctrine well worthy of the Stage.

Note return to page 72 [36] (36) &lblank; To be worst, The lowest, most dejected thing of Fortune,] This Sentiment is so much a-kin to a passage in Ovid, that it seems to be copied directly from it. &lblank; Fortuna miserrima tuta est; Nam timor Eventûs deterioris abest. Epist. 2. lib. 2. ex Ponto.

Note return to page 73 [37] (37) World, World, O World! But that thy strange Mutations make us hate thee,] The Reading of this Passage, as it has thus stood in all the Editions, has been endeavour'd to be explain'd severally into a Meaning; but not satisfactorily. Mr. Pope's mock-reasoning upon it has already been rallied in Print, so I forbear to revive it: and the Gentleman, who then advanced a Comment of his own upon the Passage, has since come over to my Emendation. My Explanation of the Poet's Sentiment was, “If the Number of Changes and Vicissitudes, which happen in Life, did not make us wait, and hope for some Turn of Fortune for the better, we could never support the Thought of living to be Old, on any other Terms.” And our Duty, as human Creatures, is piously inculcated in this Reflection of the Author. Apollodorus, the Comic Poet, has left us a moral Precept, upon which Shakespeare's Reflection might have very well been grounded. &grO;&grus;&grd;&grea;&grp;&gro;&grt;&grap; &gras;&grq;&gru;&grm;&gre;&gric;&grn; &grt;&grog;&grn; &grk;&gra;&grk;&grwc;&grst; &grp;&grr;&graa;&grt;&grt;&gro;&grn;&grt;&gra; &grd;&gre;&gric; &GRAsa;&grn;&grd;&grr;&gre;&grst;, &grt;&grag; &grb;&gre;&grl;&grt;&gria;&grw; &grd;&grhg; &grp;&grr;&gro;&grs;&grd;&gro;&grk;&grac;&grn; &gras;&gre;&gria;. No Body, good People, ought to despond under Misfortunes, but always wait for a better Turn.

Note return to page 74 [38] (38) Might I but live to see thee in my touch,] I cannot but take Notice, that these fine Boldnesses of Expression are very infrequent in our English Poetry, tho familiar with the Greeks and Latins. We have pass'd another signal One in this very Play. Such Sheets of Fire, such Bursts of horrid Thunder, Such Groans of roaring Wind and Rain, I never Remember to have heard. For tho the Verb hear properly answers to the Thunder, the Wind, and Rain; yet it does not so, but figuratively, to the Sheets of Fire. I have observ'd an Instance of this implex Sort, exactly parallel, in the Hero and Leander of Musæus the Grammarian. &grN;&grh;&grx;&groa;&grm;&gre;&grn;&groa;&grn; &grt;&gre; &grL;&grea;&gra;&grn;&grd;&grr;&gro;&grn; &gror;&grm;&gro;&gruc; &grk;&gra;&grig; &grl;&grua;&grx;&grn;&gro;&grn; &gras;&grk;&gro;&grua;&grw;. I hear Leander swim, the Candle burn. The elder Scholiast upon Æschylus tells us very judiciously, [&grm;&gre;&grt;&grha;&grg;&gra;&grg;&gre; &grt;&grag;&grst; &gras;&gri;&grq;&grha;&grs;&gre;&gri;&grst; &grp;&grr;&grog;&grst; &grt;&grog; &gres;&grn;&gre;&grr;&grg;&grea;&grs;&grt;&gre;&grr;&gro;&grn;] that the transferring the Properties of one Sense to another, was used to add the greater Force and Energy. His Remark is upon this Passage in the Seven Captains before Thebes; &grK;&grt;&grua;&grp;&gro;&grn; &grd;&grea;&grd;&gro;&grr;&grk;&gra;, &grP;&graa;&grt;&gra;&grg;&groa;&grn; &grt;&grap; &gro;&grus;&grx; &grer;&grn;&grog;&grst; &grd;&gro;&grr;&groa;&grst;. Alack! I see the Sound, the dreadful Crash, Not of a single Spear. The late Learned Dr. Gataker, in his Treatise upon the Style of the New Testament, has amass'd Examples of this Figure in Holy Writ, as well as from Heathen Writers, both Greek and Latin.

Note return to page 75 [39] (39) Five Fiends have been in poor Tom at once;] This Passage Mr. Pope first restor'd from the Old 4to; but miserably mangled, as it is there. I have set it right, as it came from our Author, by the Help of Bishop Harsenet's Pamphlet, already quoted. We find there, all these Devils were in Sarah and Friswood Williams, Mrs. Peckham's two Chambermaids; and particularly Flibbertigibbet, who made them mop and mow like Apes, says that Author. And to their suppos'd Possession, our Poet is here satirically alluding.

Note return to page 76 [40] (40) She that herself will shiver, and disbranch,] Shiver, in this place should bear the Sense of disbranch; whereas it means, to shake; to fly a-pieces into Splinters; in which Sense he afterwards uses the Word in this Act; Thou'd'st shiver'd like an Egg; So that we may be assured, he would not have used the Word in so contrary and false a Sense here; especially, when there is a proper Word to express the Sense of disbranching, so near this in Sound, and which he uses in other places, and that is, sliver: which, without doubt, is the true Reading here. So in Mackbeth; &lblank; and Slips of Yew, Sliver'd in the Moon's eclipse; And, again, in Hamlet; There on the pendant Boughs, her Coronet Weeds Clamb'ring to hang, an envious Sliver broke; Mr. Warburton. The old 4to reads Sliver. But I owed this Note to my Friend's Sagacity, who never once saw that Copy. On the other Hand, what an Instance is it of Mr. Pope's Inaccuracy in Collation, who first added this Passage from the old Quarto?

Note return to page 77 [41] (41) From her material Sap,] Thus the old 4to; but material Sap, I own, is a Phrase that I don't understand. The Mother-Tree is the true technical Term; and considering, our Author has said but just above, That Nature, which contemns its Origine, there is little Room to question but he wrote,—From her maternal Sap. And so our best Classical Writers. Hic plantas tenero abscindens de corpore matrum; Virg. And again, Cum semel in sylvis imâ de stirpe recisum Matre caret, &lblank; And Valerius Flaccus; Quæ neque jam frondes, virides neque proferet umbras, Ut semel est avulsa jugis, & matre perempta. And Seneca in his Trojan Captives. Quæ tenera cæso virga de trunco stetit, Par ipsa matri &lblank; And more Instances I might have produced from Rutgersius, in his Variæ Lection. l. 4. c. 16.

Note return to page 78 [42] (42) &lblank; that not know'st, Fools do these Villains pity,] This I have retriev'd from the first Quarto. It seems first to have been retrench'd by the Players, for Brevity's sake: but, besides that the Lines are fine, they admirably display the taunting, termagant Disposition of Gonerill, and paint out her Contempt of her Husband's mild pacifick Spirit.

Note return to page 79 [43] (43) Thou chang'd, and self-converted Thing!] This Reply of Albany to his imperious Wife was likewise retrench'd; but ought not for the future to be lost to our Author.

Note return to page 80 [44] (44) &lblank; her Smiles and Tears Were like a better day.] Mr. Pope, who thought fit to restore this Scene from the old 4to, tacitly sunk this Passage upon us, because he did not understand it. Indeed, it is corrupt; and he might have done himself some Honour in attempting the Cure; but Rhyme and Criticism, he has convinc'd us, do not always center in the same Person. My Friend Mr. Warburton with very happy Sagacity struck out the Emendation, which I have inserted in the Text. And in Confirmation of it I must observe, that it is very familiar with out Poet, in the Description of Persons, to allude to the Seasons of the Year. To give a few Instances; Much Ado about Nothing. Despight his nice Fence and his active Practice, His May of Youth and Bloom of Lustihood. Rich. 2d. My Queen to France, from whence, set forth in Pomp, She came adorned hither like sweet May; Sent back, like Hallowmas, or shortest day. Timon of Athens; She whom the Spittle-house and ulc'rous Sores Would cast the Gorge at, this embalms and spices To th' April day again. Hamlet; &lblank; O Rose of May! Dear Maid! kind Sister! &c.

Note return to page 81 [45] (45) And Clamour-moisten'd,] This Passage, again, Mr. Pope sunk upon us; and for the same Reason, I suppose. Mr. Warburton discover'd likewise, that this was corrupt: for tho Clamour, (as he observes,) may distort the Mouth, it is not wont to moisten the Eyes. But clamour-motioned conveys a very beautiful Idea of Grief in Cordelia, and exactly in Character. She bore her Grief hitherto, says the Relater, in Silence; but being no longer able to contain it, and wanting to vent it in Groans and Cries, she flies away and retires to her Closet to deal with it in private. This He finely calls, Clamour-motion'd; or provok'd to a loud Expression of her Sorrow, which drives her from Company!—It is not impossible, but Shakespeare might have form'd this fine Picture of Cordelia's Agony from Holy Writ, in the Conduct of Joseph; who, being no longer able to restrain the Vehemence of his Affection, commanded all his Retinue from his Presence; and then wept aloud, and discover'd himself to his Brethren.

Note return to page 82 [46] (46) Crown'd with rank Fenitar;] There is no such Herb, or Weed, that I can find, of English Growth; tho all the Copies agree in the Corruption. I dare say, I have restor'd its right Name; and we meet with it again in our Author's Henry V. and partly in the same Company as we have it here; &lblank; her fallow Leas The darnel, hemlock, and rank fumitory Do root upon. For this Weed is call'd both Fumitory and Fumiterr, nearer to the French Derivation Fume-terre: which the Latin Shopmen term Fumaria. It is the same, which by Pliny (from Dioscorides and the other Greek Physicians) is named &grk;&gra;&grp;&grn;&grog;&grst;: because the Juice of it has the Effect, which Smoke has, of making the Eyes water. And as to the Growth of it, Pliny tells us particularly that it springs up in Gardens and Fields of Barley; (Nascitur in hortis et segetibus hordeaceis) which our Author here calls, in our sustaining Corn.—I observe, in Chaucer it is written Femetere; by a Corruption either of the Scribe, or of vulgar Pronunciation; if of the latter, it might from thence easily slide, in progress of time, into Fenitar.

Note return to page 83 [47] (47) Ten Masts attach'd &lblank;] This is Mr. Pope's Reading; but I know not from what Authority. Mr. Rowe gave it us, Ten Masts at least— a poor, dragging Expression. All the old Copies read, as I have restor'd in the Text, Ten Masts at each. 'Tis certain, 'tis a bold Phrase, but I dare warrant, it was our Author's; and means, Ten Masts placed at the Extremity of each other.

Note return to page 84 [48] (48) Think, that the dearest Gods &lblank;] This too is Mr. Pope's Reading. All the authentick Copies have it, clearest Gods; i. e. open, and righteous, in their Dealings. So, our Author again, in his Timon; Roots, ye clear Heav'ns!

Note return to page 85 [49] (49) That Fellow handles his Bow like a Cowkeeper.] Thus Mr. Pope in his last Edition; but I am afraid, I betray'd him into the Error by an absurd Conjecture of my own, in my Shakespeare restored. 'Tis certain we must read Crowkeeper here; as likewise in this Passage of Romeo and Juliet: We'll have no Cupid hooded with a Scarf, Bearing a Tartar's painted Bow of Lath, Scaring the Ladies like a Crowkeeper. And, it seems, in several Counties to this day, they call a stuff'd Figure, representing a Man, and arm'd with a Bow and Arrow, (set up to fright the Crows, and other Birds of Prey, from the Fruit and Corn;) a Crowkeeper; as well as a Scare-crow. To some such Figure our Author again alludes in Measure for Measure. We must not make a Scare-crow of the Law, Setting it up to fear the Birds of Prey, And let it keep one Shape, till Custom make it Their Perch, and not their Terror. But Beaumont and Fletcher in their Bonduca have a Passage which will excellently well explain our Author's Reading. &lblank; Can these fight? They look Like empty Scabbards all; no Metal in 'em: Like Men of Clouts, set to keep Crows from Orchards;

Note return to page 86 [50] (50) O well flown Bird,] Lear is here raving of Archery, and shooting at Buts, as is plain by the Words i'th' Clout, that is, the white Mark they set up and aim at: hence the Phrase, to hit the White. So that We must certainly read, O well-flown, Barb! i. e. the barbed, or bearded Arrow. Mr. Warburton.

Note return to page 87 [51] (51) Thou hast seen a farmer's dog bark at a Beggar? &c.] This exquisite Piece of Satire, drest up in a Figure and Method of Imagining from absent Circumstances, has greatly the Air of Imitation from the Antients. It is that sort of Figure, by which (as Minturnus has observ'd in his elaborate Treatise De Poetá) ostenditur interdum, quasi ante oculos sit, ficta Imago: a feign'd Image of Things is sometimes represented, as if really in View. Plautus is very full of this Imagery: and I'll subjoin two Instances that have very much the Cast of this in our Author, only more ludicrous in their Turn: In his Menæchmei, Act 1. Sc. 2. Men. Dic mihi, nunquàm tu vidisti tabulam pictam in pariete, Ubi Aquila Catamitum raperet, aut ubi Venus Adoneum? Pen. Sæpè. Sed quid istæ Picturæ ad me attinent? Men. Age, me aspice. And in his Mostellaria. Act 3. Sc. 2. Tra. Viden' pictum, ubi ludificatur Cornix una volturios duo? Cornix astat, ea volturios duo vicissim vellicat. Quæso, huc ad me specta, cornicem ut conspicere possies.

Note return to page 88 [52] (52) Oh, undistinguish'd Space of Woman's Will!] This is the Reading of the first Folio, which Mr. Pope very unhappily degrades, and substitutes, Wit, the mistaken Reading of the 1st Quarto. What Idea he form'd to himself of the undistinguish'd Space of a Woman's Wit, I can't tell; I am quite at a loss to understand any Meaning in it. But the other Reading gives us, as Mr. Warburton observes to me, a most elegant Expression, and most satirical Thought: and more delicate than the— Varium & mutabile semper Fæmina—of Virgil. 'Tis not the Extravagance, but the Mutability, of a Woman's Will that is here satiriz'd. The Change of which (our Author would be understood to say,) is so speedy, that there is no Space of time, no Distance, between the present Will and the next; but it is an undistinguish'd Space. This Sentiment may not be ill explain'd further from what honest Sancho, in Don Quixote, with infinite Humour says upon the Subject. Entre el Si y el No de la muger, no me atreveria yo à poner una punta d' Alfiler. Betwixt a Woman's Yea, and No, I would not undertake to thrust a Pin's Point.

Note return to page 89 [53] (53) To stand against the deep,] The following three Lines and an half, in no wise unworthy of our Author, I have restor'd from the Old 4to.

Note return to page 90 [54] (54) Gent. Holds it true, Sir?] This short Dialogue, which was retrench'd by the Players in their Edition, I have restor'd from the Old 4to. The Matter of it is natural and easie; and tho' the Language be not pompous, it is to the Subject: and the Uncertainty of common Report, with Regard to Kent and Edgar, must be very pleasing to the Audience, who knew how Rumour was mistaken in representing them to be abroad.

Note return to page 91 [55] (55) &lblank; he's full of Alteration, And self-reproving brings his constant Pleasure.] Thus in the Impressions by Mr. Pope is this Passage most nonsensically read, and pointed. But some better Copies have assisted to set it right.

Note return to page 92 [56] (56) Gon. I'd rather lose the Battle, &lblank;] This I have restor'd from the Old 4to; and, considering the Jealousy of the Princesses on each Side, it comes very naturally from Gonerill, upon her seeing Regan and Edmund together: as well as helps to mark the Business going on, to the Reader.

Note return to page 93 [57] (57) &lblank; for this business, It touches us, as France invades our land, Not holds the King, with Others whom I fear Most just and heavy Causes make oppose,] I have made a slight Variation in these Lines, which are added from the old 4to. Albany's Speech seems interrupted, before finish'd: and this I take to be the Purport of what he was going to say. “Before We fight this Battle, Sir, it concerns me, (tho' not the King, and the discontented Party;) to question about your Interest in our Sister, and the Event of the War.”—And Regan and Gonerill, in their Replies, both seem apprehensive that this Subject was coming into Debate.

Note return to page 94 [58] (58) &lblank; thy great Employment Will not bear Question;] All the Copies concur in reading thus; but, without doubt, erroneously. The Person, whom Edmund is here speaking to, was of no higher Degree than a Captain; and therefore, certainly, accountable to his Superiours. Edmund, 'tis plain, must mean; “I leading one of the Conquerors' Forces, and having employ'd thee in this Business, will be thy sufficient Warrant, and will secure Thee from being question'd about it.”

Note return to page 95 [59] (59) &lblank; at this time, We sweat and bleed; &c.] These very necessary Lines I have restor'd from the Old 4to. and they were, certainly, first left out by the Indiscretion of the Players, merely for the Sake of shortning. But without them, as Edmund's Speech is made to end, 'tis plain, he does not pretend to advise, but submits the whole Process to Albany. How absurdly then does the other reply, that he holds Edmund but a Subject of the War?

Note return to page 96 [60] (60) Alb. Save him, save him. Gon. This is Practice, Glo'ster:] Thus all the Copies have distinguish'd these Speeches: but I have ventur'd to place the two Hemistichs to Gonerill. 'Tis absurd, that Albany, who knew Edmund's Treasons; and his own Wife's Passion for him, should be sollicitous to have his Life sav'd.

Note return to page 97 [61] (61) Edg. This would have seem'd a Period, &c.] This fine and necessary Description I have thought fit to restore from the Old 4to; as it artfully opens to Albany the Concealment of Kent at home, during his Banishment; and gives a beautiful Picture of the Emotions that good Old Man felt for the Death of his Friend Glo'ster, and the Piety of Edgar towards his distrest Father. Edmund had taken Notice, that Edgar seem'd to have something more to say; but Albany was already so touch'd with Compassion, that he was for hearing of no more Sorrow. From the different Behaviour of these two different Characters, with how exquisite a Reflection, drawn from the very Fountain of Nature, has our Poet furnish'd his Introduction to Edgar's second Narrative! As the Passage first was left out by the Players, in their Edition; we are not to doubt, but it was one of their judicious Retrenchments. However that be, some Readers, I am perswaded, will owe me their Thanks for retrieving it to the Author.

Note return to page 98 [62] (62) He's a good Fellow, I can tell you that, He'll strike and quickly too: he's dead and rotten.] We have seen Lear mad; but, never, a stark Fool till this Moment; to tell us, that a dead and rotten Man will strike quickly. But it was a Stupidity of the Editors, and not chargeable on the Poet.

Note return to page 99 [63] (63) Do you see this? Look on her, look on her Lips; Look there, look there. &lblank;] Our Poet has taken the Liberty in the Catastrophe of this Play to depart from the Chronicles; in which Lear is said to be reinstated in his Throne by Cordelia, and to have reign'd upwards of two Years after his Restoration. He might have done This for two Reasons. Either, to heighten the Compassion towards the poor old King: or to vary from another, but most execrable, Dramatic Performance upon this Story: which I certainly believe to have preceded our Author's Piece, and which none of our Stage-Historians appear to have had any Knowledge of. The Edition, which I have of it, bears this Title . The true Chronicle History of King Leir, and his three Daughters, Gonorill, Ragan, and Cordella. As it hath bene divers and sundry times lately acted. London; Printed by Simon Stafford for John Wright, and are to be sold at his Shop at Christes Church dore next Newgate Market. 1605. That Shakespeare, however, may stand acquitted from the least Suspicion of Plagiarism, in the Opinion of his Readers, I'll subjoin a small Taste of this other anonymous Author's Abilities both in Conduct and Diction. Leir, with one Perillus his Friend, embarks for France to try what Reception he should find from his Daughter Cordella. When they come ashore, neither of them has a Rag of Money: and they are forc'd to give their Cloaks to the Mariners to pay for their Passage. This, no doubt, our Playwright intended for a Mastery in Distress: as he must think it a notable Fetch of Invention to bring the King and Queen of France disguis'd like Rusticks, travelling a long way on Foot into the Woods, with a Basket of Provisions, only that they may have the casual Opportunity of relieving Leir and Perillus from being starv'd. Now for a little Specimen of Style, and Dignity of Thinking. Cordella, now Queen of France, and in her own Palace, comes in and makes this pathetick Soliloquy. I have been over negligent to day In going to the Temple of my God, To render thanks for all his Benefits, Which he miraculously hath bestow'd on me; In raising me out of my mean estate, Whenas I was devoyd of worldly Friends; And placing me in such a sweet Content, As far exceeds the Reach of my Deserts. My kingly Husband, myrrour of his Time, For Zeal, for Justice, Kindness, and for Care, To God, his Subjects, Me, and Common weale, By his Appointment was ordayn'd for me. I cannot wish the Thing that I do want; I cannot want the Thing, but I may have; Save only This which I shall ne're obtayne, My Father's Love; Oh, This I ne're shall gayne. I would abstayne from any nutryment, And pyne my body to the very bones: Barefoote I would on pilgrimage set forth, Unto the furthest Quarters of the Earth, And all my Life time would I sackcloth weare, And mourning-wise powre dust upon my head: So he but to forgive me once would please, That his gray haires might go to heaven in Peace. And yet I know not how I him offended, Or wherein justly I've deserved Blame. Oh Sisters! You are much to blame in This; It was not He, but You, that did me Wrong. Yet, God forgive both Him, and You, and Me, Ev'n as I do in perfect Charity. I will to Church, and pray unto my Saviour, That, e're I dye, I may obtayne his Favour. [Exit. This is, surely, such Poetry as one might hammer out, Stans pede in uno; or, as our Author says, “it is the right Butter-Woman's Rank to Market: and a Man might versify you so eight years together, dinners, and suppers, and sleeping hours excepted.”—Again, Shakespeare was too well vers'd in Holingshead not to know, that King Lear reign'd above 800 years before the Period of Christianity. The Gods his King talks of are Jupiter, Juno, Apollo; and not any Deities more modern than his own Time. Licentious as he was in Anachronisms, he would have judg'd it an unpardonable Absurdity to have made a Briton of Cordella's time talk of her Saviour. And, his not being trapt into such ridiculous Slips of Ignorance, seems a plain Proof to me that he stole neither from his Predecessors, nor Contemporaries of the English Theatre, both which abounded in them.

Note return to page 100 [64] (64) Alb. The Weight of this sad Time, &c.] This Speech from the Authority of the Old 4to is rightly plac'd to Albany: in the Edition by the Players it is given to Edgar, by whom, I doubt not, it was of Custom spoken. And the Case was this: He who play'd Edgar, being a more favourite Actor, than he who personated Albany; in Spight of Decorum, it was thought proper he should have the last Word.

Note return to page 101 [1] (1) Each Bound it chases. &lblank;] How, chases? The Flood, indeed, beating up upon the Shore, covers a Part of it, but cannot be said to drive the Shore away. The Poet's Allusion is to a Wave, which, foaming and chasing on the Shore, breaks; and then the Water seems to the Eye to retire. So, in Lear, &lblank; The murmuring Surge, That on th' unnumber'd idle Pebbles chases, &c. And so in Jul. Cæsar. The troubled Tiber, chasing with his Shores.

Note return to page 102 [2] (2) Happy Men! ] Thus the printed Copies: but I cannot think the Poet meant, that the Senators were happy in being admitted to Timon; their Quality might command That: but that Timon was happy in being follow'd, and caress'd, by those of their Rank and Dignity.

Note return to page 103 [3] (3) 'Tis conceiv'd, to scope This Throne, this Fortune, &c.] Thus all the Editors hitherto have nonsensically writ, and pointed, this Passage. But, sure, the Painter would tell the Poet, your Conception, Sir, hits the very Scope you aim at. This the Greeks would have render'd, &grt;&grec; &grs;&grk;&gro;&grp;&gro;&gruc; &grt;&gru;&grx;&gre;&gric;&grst;, rectà ad Scopum tendis: and Cicero has thus express'd on the like Occasion, Signum oculis destinatum feris. This Sense our Author, in his Henry 8th, expresses; I think, you've hit the Mark. And in his Julius Cæsar, at the Conclusion of the first Act; Him, and his Worth, and our great Need of him, You have right well conceited.

Note return to page 104 [4] (4) Therefore he will be, Timon.] The Thought is closely express'd, and obscure: but this seems the Meaning. “If the Man be honest, my Lord, for that Reason he will be so in this; and not endeavour at the Injustice of gaining my Daughter without my Consent.” Mr. Warburton.

Note return to page 105 [5] (5) That I had no angry Wit to be a Lord.] This Reading is absurd, and unintelligible. But as I have restor'd the Text, it is satyrical enough of all Conscience, and to the Purpose: viz. I would hate myself, for having no more Wit than to covet so insignificant a Title. In the same Sense Shakespeare uses lean-witted, in his Richard 2d. And thou a lunatick, lean-witted, Fool. Mr. Warburton.

Note return to page 106 [6] (6) E're we depart, &lblank;] Tho the Editions concur in this Reading, it is certainly faulty. Who depart? Tho Alcibiades was to leave Timon, Timon was not to depart from his own House. Common Sense favours my Emendation.

Note return to page 107 [7] (7) There taste, touch, all, pleas'd from thy Table rise: They only now &lblank;] The incomparable Emendation, with which the Text is here supply'd, I owe to my ingenious Friend Mr. Warburton. The five Senses, as he observes, are talk'd of by Cupid, but only Three of them made out; and those in a very heavy, unintelligible Manner. But now you have them all, and the Poet's Sense, compleat, viz. The five Senses, Timon, acknowledge thee their Patron; Four of them, the Hearing, the Touch, the Taste, and Smell, are all regaled at your Board; and these Ladies come with me to entertain your Sight, in presenting a Masque.

Note return to page 108 [8] (8) &lblank; he'd be cross'd then if he could:] The Poet does not mean here, that he would be cross'd, or thwarted in Humour; but that he would have his Hand cross'd, as we say, with Money, if he could. He is playing on the Word, and alluding to our old Silver-penny, used before K. Edward the 1st his Time, which had a Cross on the Reverse with a Crease, that it might be more easily broke into Halves and Quarters, Half-pence and Farthings. From this Penny, and other subsequent Pieces that bore the like Impress, was our common Expression deriv'd, I have not a Cross about me; i. e. not a Piece of Money. I thought, this Note might not be unnecessary, because it serves to explain several other Passages, where the Poet has punn'd on this Term. For Instance, in the 2d Part of Henry IVth. Falstaffe asking the Lord Chief Justice to lend him a thousand Pounds, he replies; Not a penny, not a penny; you are too impatient to bear Crosses. In Love's Labour lost; Arm. I love not to be cross'd. Moth. He speaks the clean contrary: Crosses love not him. And in As you like it; Clown. &lblank; Yet I should bear no Cross, if I did bear you: for, I think, you have no Money in your Purse. In all which Places, 'tis clear, that Money is signified by the Word Crosses.

Note return to page 109 [9] (9) Serving of becks,] I have not ventur'd to alter this Phrase, tho I confess freely, I don't understand it. It may be made intelligible two Ways, with a very slight Alteration. Mr. Warburton acutely propos'd to me, Serring of Becks, &lblank; from the French Word serrer, to join close together, to lock one within another; by a Metaphor taken from the billing of Pigeons, who intersert their Bills into one another.—Or, we might read, Scruing of Backs, and jutting out of Bums! For Apemantus is observing on the ridiculous Congées, and complimental Motions of the flattering Guests in taking their Leave. Both Conjectures are submitted to Judgment.

Note return to page 110 [10] (10) I fear me, thou wilt give away thyself in paper shortly.] i. e. be ruin'd by his Securities entred into. But this Sense, as Mr. Warburton observes, is cold; and relishes very little of that Salt which is in Apemantus's other Reflections. He proposes, &lblank; give away thyself in proper shortly. i. e. in Person; thy proper Self. This latter is an Expression of our Author's in the Tempest; And ev'n with such like Valour Men hang and drown Their proper selves. And of B. Jonson in the Induction to his Cynthia's Revells; &lblank; If you please to confer with our Author by Attorney, you may, Sir: our proper Self here stands for him. And the other Phrase, thy self in proper—without the Substantive subjoin'd, I believe, may be justified by similar Usage. B. Jonson in his Sejanus; My Lords, this strikes at ev'ry Roman's private. i. e. private Property, or Interest. And again, in the same Play; Macro, thou art ingag'd; and what before Was publick, now must be thy private. i. e. thy private Concern. And, to quote one Authority from an Author of more modern Date; Milton in his Paradise lost, B. 7. v. 367. By Tincture, or Reflection, they augment Their small peculiar. i. e. peculiar Body, or Brightness: for it is spoken of the Stars.

Note return to page 111 [11] (11) Thou wilt not bear me now, thou shalt not then. I'll lock thy Heaven from thee.] So, in Cymbeline, Imogen says; &lblank; if he should write, And I not have it, 'tis a Paper lost As offer'd Mercy is. i. e. not to be retriev'd. In both these Passages our Poet is alluding to a Theological Opinion, that the Holy Spirit by secret Whispers in the Mind, the still Voice, inward Suggestions, offers its Assistance very often when it is not attended to: either when Men are drag'd away by the Violence of the Passions, or blinded by too great Attention to worldly Avocations. This by Divines is call'd the Loss of offer'd Mercy: and when it is for a Length of Time rejected, or disregarded, the Offender's case is look'd upon to be the more desperate. Mr. Warburton.

Note return to page 112 [12] (12) Ask nothing, give it him, it foals me streight An able horse,] The Stupidity of this Corruption will be very obvious, if we take the whole Context together. “If I want Gold, (says the Senator) let me steal a Beggar's Dog, and give it to Timon, the Dog coins me Gold. If I would sell my horse, and had a Mind to buy ten better instead of him; why, I need but give my Horse to Timon, to gain this Point; and it presently fetches me an horse.” But is that gaining the Point propos'd? Sense and Reason warrant the Reading, that I have restor'd to the Text. The first Folio reads, less corruptly than the modern Impressions, &lblank; And able Horses. &lblank; Which Reading, join'd to the Reasoning of the Passage, gave me the Hint for this Emendation.

Note return to page 113 [13] (13) &lblank; take the Bonds along with you, And have the Dates in. Come.] The Absurdity of this Passage is so glaring, that One cannot help wondering, None of our Poet's Editors should have been sagacious enough to stumble at it. Certainly, ever since Bonds were given, the Date was put in when the Bond was enter'd into: And these Bonds Timon had already given, and the Time limited for their payment was laps'd. The Senator's Charge to his Servant must be to the Tenour as I have amended the Text; viz. Take good Notice of the Dates, for the better Computation of the Interest due upon them. Mr. Pope has vouchsafed to acknowledge my Emendation, and cry recte to it in the Appendix to his last Impression.

Note return to page 114 [14] (14) How goes our Reckoning?] Mr. Warburton gave me so ingenious a Conjecture on this Passage, that tho' I have not ventur'd, against the Authority of all the Books, to insert it in the Text, I cannot but give it a place here. “This Steward, (says he) methinks, talks very wildly. His Master, indeed, might well have ask'd, How goes our Reckoning? But the Steward was too well satisfied in this Question: I would read, therefore, “Hold good our Reckoning?” If the Text, however, should be without Fault, in this manner it must be expounded. Sir, we have not enough left hardly to satisfy present Demands; and others are drawing on apace: how shall we guard against intervening Dangers, and what a deplorable Reckoning will Things come to at last?

Note return to page 115 [15] (15) Cold moving Nods,] All the Editions exhibit these as two distinct Adjectives, to the Prejudice of the Author's Meaning: but they must be join'd by an Hyphen, and make a Compound Adjective out of a Substantive and a Participle, and then we have the true Sense of the Place; cold-moving, cold-provoking, Nods so discouraging that they chill'd the very Ardour of our petition, and froze us into silence. We meet with a Compound, exactly form'd like this, in K. John, Act. 2. where Lady Constance says; His Grandam's Wrong, and not his Mother's Shames, Draws those heav'n-moving Pearls from his poor Eyes.

Note return to page 116 [16] (16) But prolong his hour!] Mr. Pope, in both his Editions, without any Authority or Reason assign'd, has substituted or instead of but here: by which the Sense is infeebled; and the Servant only made to say, Let my Master's Meat in his Belly, when he comes to be sick, neither be of Force to expel his Sickness, nor to put off the Time of his Death, one hour. Whereas but finely exaggerates the Servant's intended Curse, to this effect: Let Diseases only work upon that Food in him, which my Master paid for; let it not prove a Nutriment able to expel the Malady; but on the contrary, the Fewel to his Distemper, and the Means of prolonging his Torture!

Note return to page 117 [17] (17) That I should purchase the day before for a little part, and undo a great deal of Honour?] Tho' there is a seeming plausible Antithesis, in the Terms, I am very well assur'd, they are corrupt at the bottom. For a little Part of What? Honour is the only Substantive that follows in the Sentence; but Men don't purchase for Honour, tho' sometimes they may turn Purchasers out of Ostentation. How much is the Antithesis improv'd by the Sense which my Emendation gives? “That I should be so unlucky to make this Purchase, for the Lucre of a little Dirt, and undo a great deal of Honour!” This Manner of expressing contemptuously of Land, is very frequent with the Poets. So Hamlet, Act 5, speaking of Osrick, &lblank; he hath much Land and fertile;—tis a Chough; but, as I say, spacious in the Possession of Dirt. So Beaumont and Fletcher in the Scornful Lady, Act I. &lblank; your Brother's house is big enough; and, to say truth, he has too much Land; hang it, Dirt. And again, in the 2d Act; &lblank; Noble Boy, the God of Gold here has fee'd thee well; take Mony for thy Dirt. And the Elder Brother, Act. 3d. Had y' only shew'd me Land, I had deliver'd it, And been a proud Man to have parted with it: 'Tis Dirt and Labour. More Authorities would be superfluous.

Note return to page 118 [18] (18) Is every Flatterer's Sport.] This senseless Corruption has hitherto run through all the Editions; and, as I suppose, without Suspicion.

Note return to page 119 [19] (19) &lblank; his Friends, like Physicians Thriv'd, give him over?] I have restor'd this old Reading, only amended the Pointing which was faulty. Mr. Pope, suspecting the Phrase, has Substituted Three in the room of thriv'd, and so disarm'd the Poet's Satire. Physicians thriv'd is no more than Physicians grown rich: Only the Adjective Passive of this Verb, indeed, is not so common in Use; and yet it is a familiar Expression, to this day, to say, Such a One is well thriven on his Trade. This very Sarcasm of our Author is made Use of by Webster a Contemporary Poet in his Dutchess of Malfy, the Cloathing only a little varied, &lblank; Physicians thus, With their hands full of Mony, use to give o'er Their Patients.

Note return to page 120 [20] (20) &lblank; and minute Jacks Of Man and Beast, the infinite Malady Crust you quite o'er!] I had reform'd the bad Pointing of this Passage in my Shakespeare Restor'd, and have accordingly rectified it here. In what Sense could the Senators be call'd minute Jacks of Man and Beast? The Poet just before calls them Vapours; and certainly means to inforce that Image, by saying, they were Jacks not of a Minute's Trust, or Dependance. Then what could the infinite Malady signify, without something subjoin'd to give us a clearer Idea of it? As I point the Passage, it plainly means, May the whole Catalogue, the infinite Number of Distempers, that have ever invaded either Man or Beast, all be join'd to plague you. Coriolanus curses his cowardly Followers, in our Author's Tragedy so call'd, in a Manner not much unlike; All the Contagion of the South light on you, You Shames of Rome, you! Herds of Boils and Plagues Plaister you o'er, that you may be abhorr'd Farther than seen! &c.

Note return to page 121 [21] (21) To gen'ral Filths Convert o'th' instant, &c.] This passage was very faulty in the Pointing, till I first reform'd it in my Shakespeare Restor'd; and Mr. Pope vouchsaf'd to copy my Correction in his last Edition.

Note return to page 122 [22] (22) &lblank; Bankrupts, hold fast, Rather than render back; out with your Knives, And cut your Trusters throats.] Thus has this Passage hitherto been most absurdly pointed; even by the poetical Editors, Mr. Rowe, and Mr. Pope. I had reform'd the Pointing; but am, however, to make my Acknowledgements to some anonymous Gentleman, who by Letter advised me to point it as I have done in the Text.

Note return to page 123 [22] (22) Raise me this Beggar and deny't that Lord,] Where is the Sense and English of deny't that Lord? Deny him what? What preceding Noun is there, to which the Pronoun It is to be refer'd? And it would be absurd to think the Poet meant, deny to raise that Lord. The Antithesis must be, let Fortune raise this Beggar, and let her strip, and despoil that Lord of all his Pomp and Ornaments, &c. which Sense is compleated by this slight Alteration, &lblank; and denude that Lord. Mr. Warburton. I will beg Leave to add, in Confirmation of my Friend's fine Conjecture, that our Author has contrasted the same Thought, only varying the Terms, in his Venus and Adonis, Stanz. 192. Pluck down the Rich, enrich the Poor with Treasures.

Note return to page 124 [23] (23) It is the Pasture lards the Beggar's Sides,] This, as the Editors have order'd it, is an idle Repetition at the best; supposing it did, indeed, contain the same Sentiment as the foregoing Lines. But Shakespeare meant a quite different Thing: and having, like a sensible Writer, made a smart Observation, he illustrates it by a Similitude thus: It is the Pasture lards the Weather's Sides, The Want that makes him lean. And the Similitude is extremely beautiful, as conveying this Satirical Reflection; there is no more Difference between Man and Man in the Esteem of superficial or corrupt Judgments, than between a fat Sheep and a lean one. Mr. Warburton. I cannot better praise the Sagacity of my Friend's Emendation, than by producing the Reading of the first folio Edition, (which, I know, he had not seen,) where we find it thus exhibited; It is the Pasture lards the Brother's Sides, &c. Every knowing Reader will agree, that this Corruption might much more naturally be deriv'd from Weather's, than from Beggar's, as far as the Traces of the Letters are concern'd; especially, in the old Secretary Handwriting, the universal Character in our Author's Time. I will only add, that our Poet, in his As you like it, makes a Clown say the very same Thing in a more ludicrous manner. That the Property of Rain is to wet, and Fire to burn; that good Pasture makes fat Sheep; &c.

Note return to page 125 [24] (24) To the Fubfast, and the Diet.] One might make a very long and vain Search, yet not be able to meet with this preposterous Word Fubfast, which has notwithstanding pass'd currant with all the Editors. The Author is alluding to the Lues Venerea, and its effects. At that Time, the Cure of it was perform'd either by Guaiacum, or Mercurial Unctions: and in both Cases the Patient was kept up very warm and close; that in the first Application the Sweat might be promoted; and least, in the other, he should take Cold, which was fatal. “The Regimen for the Course of Guaiacum (says Dr. Friend in his Hist. of Physick, Vol. 2. p. 380.) was at first strangely circumstantial; and so rigorous, that the Patient was put into a Dungeon in Order to make him sweat; and in that manner, as Fallopius expresses it, the Bones and the very Man himself was macerated.” And as for the Unction, it was sometimes continued for thirty seven days; (as he observes, p. 375) and during this Time there was necessarily an extraordinary Abstinence requir'd. Mr. Warburton. Shakespeare himself, I remember, in another of his Plays, alludes to the Custom of this Tub-Discipline. Meas. for Meas. Act 3. where the Clown is speaking of the Bawd; Troth, Sir, she hath eaten up all her Beef, and she is her self in the Tub. And Beaumont and Fletcher in the Knight of the Burning Pestle; Prisners of mine, whom I in Diet keep, Send lower down into the Cave, And in a Tub, that's heated smoaking hot, There may they find them, &c. And afterwards, in the same Play, some of these pin'd Prisoners are produc'd, complaining of their Tub-sweat, and spare Diet. But enough of these unsavoury Proofs.

Note return to page 126 [25] (25) That thro' the Window-barn bore at Men's Eyes.] I cannot for my Heart imagine, what Idea our wise Editors had of a Virgin's Breast thro' a Window-barn: which, I am satisfied, must be a corrupt Reading. In short, the Poet is alluding to the decent Custom in his Time of the Women covering their Necks and Bosom either with Lawn, or Cyprus; both which being transparent, the Poet beautifully calls it the Window-Lawn. Vid. Twelfthnight, Act 3. &lblank; to one of your Receiving Enough is shewn; a Cyprus, not a Bosom, Hides my poor Heart. Beaumont and Fletcher in their Scornful Lady. Lady. Pray, put in good Words then. El. Love. The worst are good enough for such a Trifle, such a proud piece of Cobweb-Lawn. B. Jonson in his Sejanus, spoken by Agrippina. Were all Tiberius' Body stuck with Eyes, And ev'ry Wall and Hanging in my House Transparent as this Lawn I wear. And in his Every Man out of his Humour. &lblank; She speaks, as she goes tir'd, in Cobweb-Lawn, light, thin: And in his Every Man in his Humour. &lblank; and shadow her Glory as a Milliner's Wife does her wrought Stomacher with a smoaky Lawn, or a black Cyprus.

Note return to page 127 [26] (26) And to make whore a Bawd.] The Power of Gold, indeed, may be suppos'd great, that can make a Whore forsake her Trade; but what mighty Difficulty was there in making a Whore turn Bawd? And yet, 'tis plain, here he is describing the mighty Power of Gold. He had before shewn, how Gold can perswade to any Villany; he now shews that it has still a greater Force, and can even turn from Vice to the Practice, or, at least, the Semblance of Virtue. We must therefore read, to restore Sense to our Author, And to make whole a Bawd. &lblank; i. e. not only make her quit her Calling, but thereby restore her to Reputation. Mr. Warburton

Note return to page 128 [27] (27) Dry up thy Marrows, Veins, and plough-torn Leas.] Mr. Warburton thinks, the Uniformity of the Metaphor requires that we should read, Dry up thy harrow'd Veins, and plough-torn Leas. 'Tis certain, the Verse is render'd much more beautiful by this Reading; but as, unctious Morsels following, by Marrows the Poet might mean what we call the Fat of the Land, I have not ventur'd to insert the Conjecture into the Text.

Note return to page 129 [28] (28) Shame not these Woods.] But how did Timon any more shame the Woods by assuming the Character of a Cynick, than Apemantus did? The Poet certainly meant to make Apemantus say, don't disgrace this Garb, which thou hast only affected to assume; and to seem the Creature thou art not by Nature, but by the Force and Compulsion of Poverty. We must therefore restore, &lblank; Shame not these Weeds. Apemantus in several other Passages of the Scene reproaches him with his Change of Garb.   &lblank; Why this Spade? this Place? This Slave-like Habit?   &lblank; Do not assume my Likeness.     If thou did'st put this sowre cold Habit on     To castigate thy Pride, 'twere well; but thou     Do'st it enforcedly: thou'dst Courtier be,     Wert thou not Beggar, &lblank; Mr. Warburton.

Note return to page 130 [29] (29) Tim. Always a Villain's Office, or a Fool's. Do'st please thy self in't? Apem. Ay. Tim. What! a knave too?] Mr. Warburton proposes a Correction here, which, tho it opposes the Reading of all the printed Copies, has great Justness and Propriety in it. He would read; What! and know't too? The Reasoning of the Text, as it stands in the Books, is, in some sort, concluding backward: or rather making a Knave's and Villain's Office different: which, surely, is absurd. The Correction quite removes the Absurdity, and gives this sensible Rebuke. “What! Do'st thou please thy self in vexing me, and at the same time know it to be the Office of a Villain or Fool?”

Note return to page 131 [30] (30) First mend thy Company, &lblank;] Thus the old Copies; but common Sense and the whole Tenour of the Context warrant that it should be—my Company.—I observe, Mr. Rowe in his 8vo Edition of our Poet has likewise made this Correction.

Note return to page 132 [31] (31) Apem. Yonder comes a Poet, &c.] Apemantus is suppos'd to look out here, and to see the Poet and Painter at a distance, as traversing the Woods in Quest of Timon. This Preparation of Scenary Mr. Pope did not conceive; and therefore, I don't know by what Authority, has peremptorily thrown out some Part, and transposed another Part of this and the next Speech to the Place where Apemantus goes off. None of the old Books countenance such a Transposition.

Note return to page 133 [32] (32) A Plague on thee! Apem.—Thou art too bad to curse.] In the former Editions, this whole Verse was placed to Apemantus: by which, absurdly, he was made to curse Timon, and immediately to subjoin that he was too bad to curse. In my Shakespeare restor'd I gave the former Part of the Hemistich to Timon, and the latter part to Apemantus; as it is now regulated in the Text: and Mr. Pope, in his last Edition, has vouchsaf'd to embrace this Regulation.

Note return to page 134 [33] (33) &lblank; you want much of meat.] Thus both the Player and poetical Editors have given us this Passage; quite Sand-blind, as honest Launcelot says, to our Author's Meaning. If these poor Thieves wanted Meat, what greater Want could they be curs'd with, as they could not live on grass, and berries, and water? But I dare warrant, the Poet wrote; &lblank; you want much of meet. i. e. Much of what you ought to be: much of the Qualities befitting you as humane Creatures. In the very same manner is the Word used again in Coriolanus, speaking of Tribunes being chosen at an unfit Time; &lblank; In a Rebellion, When what's not meet, but what must be, was Law, Then were they chosen. And in a little Poem of our Author's, call'd, The Tryal of Love's Constancy, we find him employing the Substantive in the like Sense. To bitter Sawces did I frame my Feeding; And sick of Wellfare, found a kind of Meetness To be diseas'd ere that there was true Needing.

Note return to page 135 [34] (34) The Sea's a Thief, whose liquid Surge resolves The Moon into Salt Tears.] The Sea melting the Moon into Tears, is, I believe, a Secret in Philosophy, which no body but Shakespeare's deep Editors ever dream'd of. There is another Opinion, which 'tis more reasonable to believe that our Author may allude to; viz. that the Saltness of the Sea is caused by several Ranges, or Mounds of Roch-Salt under Water, with which resolving Liquid the Sea was impregnated. Varenius in his Geography is very copious upon this Argument: After having touch'd upon another Opinion, that the Saline Particles were coeval with the Ocean itself, he subjoins; Si ea Causa minùs placet, alteram eligemus; nimirùm salfas istas particulas à terrâ hinc inde avulsas esse, & in aquâ dissolutas. Li. I. cap. 13. prop. 8. This I think a sufficient Authority for changing Moon into Mounds: and I am still the more confirm'd, because Mr. Warburton, who did not know I had touch'd the Place, sent me up the very same Correction. Of the Sea thus encroaching upon the Land, our Author has made Mention more than once in his Works. See 2 Henry IV. &lblank; see the Revolution of the Times Make Mountains level; and the Continent, Weary of solid Firmness, melt it self Into the Sea. And again, in a Poem of his, call'd, Injurious Time: When I have seen the hungry Ocean gain Advantage on the Kingdom of the Shore. And in a Play, ascrib'd to him, call'd Pericles Prince of Tyre. Act 4. Thetis, being proud, swallow'd some Part o'th' Earth. It may not be amiss to observe, that in all the Editions of this Play, except one old Quarto printed in 1609, the Name of Thetis is lost, and nonsensically corrupted into these two Words: That is, being proud, &c.

Note return to page 136 [35] (35) &lblank; by a Composure stoln From gen'ral Excrement:] I have restor'd from the old Editions, Composture; and there is no doubt but that was our Author's Word here. For he is speaking of that artificial Dung, call'd Compost. So Haml. Act 3. And do not spread the Compost on the Weeds, To make them ranker.

Note return to page 137 [36] (36) 1 Thief. Let us first see Peace in Athens: &c.] This and the concluding little Speech have in all the Editions been placed to one Speaker: But, as Mr. Warburton very justly observ'd to me, 'tis evident, the latter Words ought to be put in the Mouth of the first Thief, who is for repenting, and leaving off his Trade.

Note return to page 138 [35] (35) While the day serves, &c.] This Couplet in all the Editions is placed to the Painter, but, as it is in Rhyme, and a Sequel of the Sentiment begun by the Poet, I have made no Scruple to ascribe it to him.

Note return to page 139 [36] (36) 'Tis thou that rigg'st the Bark, and plow'st the Foam, Settlest admired Rev'rence in a Slave;] As both the Couplet preceding, and following this, are in Rhyme, I am very apt to suspect, the Rhyme is dismounted here by an accidental Corruption; and therefore have ventur'd to replace Wave in the Room of Foam.

Note return to page 140 [37] (37) Let it go, naked Men may see't the better;] Thus has this Passage been stupidly pointed thro' all the Editions, as if naked Men could see better than Men in their Cloaths. I think verily, if there were any Room to credit the Experiment, such Editors ought to go naked for the Improvement of their Eye-sights. But, perhaps, they have as little Faith as Judgment in their own Readings. The Poet, in the preceeding Speech haranguing on the Ingratitude of Timon's false Friends, says, he cannot cover the Monstrousness of it with any Size of Words; to which Timon, as I have rectified the Pointing, very aptly replies; Let it go naked,—Men may see't the better. So, our Poet in his Much Ado about Nothing. Why seekst Thou then to cover with Excuse That, which appears in proper Nakedness.

Note return to page 141 [38] (38) &lblank; let him take his Taste;] I dont know, upon what Authority Mr. Pope in both his Editions has given us this Reading; I have restor'd the Text from the Old Books, and, I am perswaded, as the Author wrote. Timon's whole Harangue is copied from this Passage of Plutarch in the Life of M. Antony: “Ye Men of Athens, in a Court-yard belonging to my House grows a large Fig-tree; on which many an honest Citizen has been pleas'd to hang himself: Now, as I have Thoughts of building upon that Spot, I could not omit giving you this publick Notice; to the End, that if any more among you have a Mind to make the same Use of my Tree, they may do it speedily before it is destroy'd.” And Rabelais, who, in the oldest Prologue to his fourth Book, has inserted this Story from Plutarch, thus renders the Close of the Sentence. &lblank; Pourtant quiconque de Vous autres, et de toute la ville aura à se pendre, s'en depesche promptement.

Note return to page 142 [39] (39) In our dead Peril.] Thus Mr. Rowe and Mr. Pope have given us this Passage; but is it not strange that the Athenians Peril should be dead, because one of their Hopes was dead? Such a Disappointment must naturally give fresh Life and Strength to their Danger. We must certainly read with the Old Folio's; In our dear Peril. i. e. dread, deep. So in As you like it; For my Father hated his Father dearly. So in Jul. Cæs. Would it not grieve thee dearer than thy Death, &c. And in Hamlet; Would I had met my dearest Foe in Heav'n &c. And in an hundred other passages, that might be quoted from our Author.

Note return to page 143 [40] (40) Some Beast read this: here does not live a Man.] Some Beast read what? The Soldier had yet only seen the rude Pile of Earth heap'd up for Timon's Grave, and not the Inscription upon it. My Friend Mr. Warburton ingeniously advis'd me to amend the Text, as I have done; and a Passage occurs to me, (from Beaumont and Fletcher's Cupid's Revenge) that seems very strong in Support of his Conjecture: &lblank; Comfort was never here; Here is no Food, nor Beds; nor any House Built by a better Architect than Beasts. The Soldier, seeking by Order for Timon, sees such an irregular Mole, as he concludes must have been the Workmanship of some Beast inhabiting the Woods; and such a Cavity, as either must have been so over-arch'd, or happen'd by the casual Falling in of the Ground. This latter Species of Caverns, produced by Nature, Æschylus, I remember, in his Prometheus, elegantly calls &gras;&gru;&grt;&groa;&grk;&grt;&gri;&grt;&grap; &grasa;&grn;&grt;&grr;&gra;, self-built Dens.

Note return to page 144 [41] (41) &lblank; So did we wooe Transformed Timon to our City's Love By humble Message, and by promis'd means:] Promis'd Means must import a Supply of Substance, the recruiting his sunk Fortunes; but that is not all, in my Mind, that the Poet would aim at. The Senate had wooed him with humble Message, and Promise of general Reparation for their Injuries and Ingratitude. This seems included in the slight Change which I have made—and by promis'd 'mends: and this Word, apostrophe'd, or otherwise, is used in common with Amends. So in Troilus and Cressida; Let her be as she is; if she be fair, 'tis the better for her: an she be not; She has the Mends in her own hands. And so B. Jonson in his Every Man out of his Humour: Pardon me, gentle Friends, I'll make fair Mends For my foul Errors past.

Note return to page 145 [42] (42) Shame, that they wanted Cunning in Excess, Hath broke their Hearts.] i. e. in other Terms,—Shame, that they were not the cunning'st Men alive, hath been the Cause of their Death. For Cunning in Excess must mean this or nothing. O brave Editors! They had heard it said, that too much Wit in some Cases might be dangerous, and why not an absolute Want of it? But had they the Skill or Courage to remove one perplexing Comma, the easy and genuine Sense would immediately arise. “Shame in Excess (i. e. Extremity of Shame) that they wanted Cunning (i. e. that they were not wise enough not to banish you;) hath broke their Hearts.”

Note return to page 146 [43] (43) Here lies a wretched Coarse,] This Epitaph the Poet has form'd out of two separate Distichs quoted by Plutarch in his Life of M. Antony: the first, said to have been compos'd by Timon himself; the other is an Epitaph on him made by Callimachus, and extant among his Epigrams. The Version of the latter, as our Author has transmitted it to us, avoids those Blunders which Leonard Aretine, the Latin Translator of the above quoted Life in Plutarch, committed in it. I once imagin'd, that Shakespeare might possibly have corrected this Translator's Blunder from his own Acquaintance with the Greek Original: but, I find, he has transcrib'd the four Lines from an old English Version of Plutarch, extant in his Time. I have not been able to trace the Time, when this Play of our Author's made its first Appearance; but I believe, it was written before the Death of Q. Elizabeth; because I take it to be hinted at in a Piece, call'd, Jack Drum's Entertainment; or, The Comedy of Pasquill and Katherine, play'd by the Children of Powles, and printed in 1601. &lblank; Come, come, now I'll be as sociable as Timon of Athens.

Note return to page 147 [44] (44) &lblank; yet rich Conceit Taught thee to make vast Neptune weep for aye On thy low Grave, on faults forgiven. Dead Is noble Timon, of whose Memory Hereafter more. &lblank;] All the Editors, in their Learning and Sagacity, have suffer'd an unaccountable Absurdity to pass them in this Passage. Why was Neptune to weep on Timon's Faults forgiven? Or, indeed, what Faults had Timon committed, except against his own Fortune and happy Situation in Life? But the Corruption of the Text lies only in the bad Pointing, which I have disengag'd, and restor'd to the true Meaning. Alcibiades's whole Speech, as the Editors might have observ'd, is in Breaks, betwixt his Reflections on Timon's Death, and his Addresses to the Athenian Senators: and as soon as he has commented on the Place of Timon's Grave, he bids the Senate set forward; tells 'em, he has forgiven their Faults; and promises to use them with Mercy. The very same Manner of Expression occurs in Antony, and Cleopatra. SoldierAnto. Well; what worst? Mess. The Nature of bad News infects the Teller. Anto. When it concerns the Fool or Coward:—On;— Things, that are past, are done with Me. &lblank;

Note return to page 148 [1] (1)Titus Andronicus.] This is one of those Plays, which I have always thought, with the better Judges, ought not to be acknowledg'd in the List of Shakespeare's genuine Pieces. And, perhaps, I may give a Proof to strengthen this Opinion, that may put the Matter out of Question. Ben Jonson in the Induction to his Bartlemew-Fair, (which made its first Appearance in the Year 1614) couples Jeronymo and Andronicus together in Reputation, and speaks of them as Plays then of 25 or 30 Years standing. Consequently, Andronicus must have been on the Stage, before Shakespeare left Warwickshire to come and reside in London: and I never heard it so much as intimated, that he had turn'd his Genius to Stage-Writing, before he associated with the Players, and became one of their Body. However, that he afterwards introduc'd it a-new on the Scene, with the Addition of his own masterly Touches, is incontestable: and thence, I presume, grew his Title to it. The Diction in general, where he has not taken the Pains to raise it, is even beneath that of the Three Parts of Henry VI. The Story, we are to suppose, merely fictitious. Andronicus is a Sur-name of pure Greek Derivation: Tamora is neither mention'd by Ammianus Marcellinus, nor any body else that I can find. Nor had Rome, in the Time of her Emperours, any Wars with the Goths, that I know of: not till after the Translation of the Empire, I mean, to Byzantium. And yet the Scene of our Play is laid at Rome, and Saturninus is elected to the Empire at the Capitol.

Note return to page 149 [2] (2)Hail Rome, victorious in thy mourning Weeds!] Mr. Warburton and I concurr'd to suspect that the Poet wrote; &lblank; in my mourning Weeds. i. e. Titus would say; “Thou, Rome, art victorious, tho I am a Mourner for those Sons which I have lost in obtaining that Victory.” But I have not ventur'd to disturb the Text; because, on a second Reflexion, mourning Weeds may relate to Rome for this Reason; The Scene opens with Saturninus and Bassianus canvassing to be elected to the Empire: and consequently the State might be in Grief for their last Emperour just deceas'd.

Note return to page 150 [3] (3)Sufficeth not, that we are brought to Rome, To beautify thy Triumphs, and return Captive to thee and to thy Roman Yoak?] It is evident, as this Passage has hitherto been pointed, none of the Editors understood the true Meaning. If Tamora and her Family return captive to Rome, they must have been before Prisoners of War to the Romans: and that is more than what is hinted, or suppos'd, any where in the Play. But the Truth is, return is not a Verb but a Substantive; and relates to Titus and not to Tamora: The Regulation I have given the Text, I dare warrant, restores the Author's Intention. To beautify thy Triumphs and Return.

Note return to page 151 [4] (4)The self-same Gods, that arm'd the Queen of Troy With opportunity of sharp revenge Upon the Thracian Tyrant in his Tent, &c.] I read, against the Authority of all the Copies.—in her Tent; i. e. in the Tent where she and the other Trojan Captive Women were kept: for thither Hecuba by a Wile had decoy'd Polymnestor, in order to perpetrate her Revenge. This we may learn from Euripides's Hecuba; the only Author, that I can at present remember, from whom our Writer must have glean'd this Circumstance.

Note return to page 152 [5] (5)Lavinia, live; out-live thy Father's days: And Fame's eternal date for Virtue's praise] Were the Text to be admitted genuine, nothing could be so absurd as for Titus to wish, his Daughter might out-live the eternal Date of Fame. This, as my Friend Mr. Warburton merrily observes, is like the loyal Patriot in the last Reign, who wish'd, King George might reign for ever, and the Prince and Princess after him! I have, by the Change of a single Monosyllable restor'd the Passage to a sensible and kind Wish.

Note return to page 153 [6] (6)Fair Lords, your Fortunes are alike in all.] This is address'd by the Tribune to all his Brother's Sons, as well dead as alive. But how could it be then said, that their Fortunes were all alike? The Expression seems liable to an open Absurdity. Perhaps, we may reconcile ourselves to it, thus: “Some of you are return'd safe, and with Glory; you, that have not liv'd to return, share the Glory of your Brethren's Fortune, in having dy'd for your Country: And tho you cannot partake in the Joy of their Triumph; yet still you enjoy a safer Triumph, exempt from Chance and Casualty.”

Note return to page 154 [7] (7)The Greeks upon Advice, did bury Ajax, That slew himself; &lblank;] As the Author before shew'd himself acquainted with a Circumstance glean'd from Euripides, we find him there no less conversant with the Ajax of Sophocles; in which Ulysses and Teucer strenuously contend for permission to bury the Body of Ajax, tho he had been declar'd an Enemy to the Confederate States of Greece.

Note return to page 155 [8] (8)Now climbeth Tamora Olympus' top, Safe out of Fortune's Shot; and sits aloft, Secure of Thunder's Crack, or lightningflash;] The Images here seem to be borrow'd from Claudian's Description of the Summit of Olympus, in his Poem on Mallius Theodorus's Consulship. &lblank; ut altus Olympi Vertex, qui spatio ventos hiemesque relinquit, Perpetuum nullâ temeratus nube serenum, Celsior exurgit pluviis, auditque ruentes Sub pedibus nimbos, & rauca tonitrua calcat. Mr. Warburton.

Note return to page 156 [9] (9)Upon her Wit doth early Honour wait,] I don't know for what Reason, or whether by Chance, Mr. Rowe and Mr. Pope adopted this Reading: I have restor'd with all the old Copies, earthly.

Note return to page 157 [10] (10)&lblank; Not I, till I have sheath'd My Rapier in his Bosom, &lblank;] This Speech, which has been all along given to Demetrius, as the next has been to Chiron, I have, by the Advice of Mr. Warburton, vice versâ given to Chiron and Demetrius: for it is Demetrius, as it appears from the Tenour of the Scene, who had thrown out reproachful Speeches on Chiron.

Note return to page 158 [11] (11)&lblank; and are you such Fools To square for this?—Would it offend you then &lblank; Chi. Faith, not me. Dem. Nor me, so I were one.] This is Verbum sat sapienti, with a Vengeance. The two Brothers shew more Sagacity in this Passage, than they do throughout the Play besides; for they make their Answer to Aaron, without ever staying to hear him propound his Question. But there is no Occasion for this Spirit of Divination. The Supplement, which I have made, is restor'd from the Old Quarto, which Mr. Pope pretends to have collated.

Note return to page 159 [12] (12)I come, Semiramis, nay barbarous Tamora,] By an Inaccuracy of the Pointing, the Editors have all along made Nonsense of this Passage. But the Poet's Meaning is this; Lavinia, seeing her Husband stabb'd by the Queen's two Sons, expects and invites the Queen to serve her in the same kind, and put an End to her Miseries.

Note return to page 160 [13] (13)And with that painted Hope she braves your Mightiness.] Lavinia, say they, stands on her Chastity, her Nuptial Vow, and Matrimonial Faith; and upon the Merit of such Qualifications braves the Queen. But in what Sense can these Things be call'd a painted Hope? What Image, or Idea does this Expression give? The ingenious Mr. Warburton furnish'd me with the Emendation I have inserted in the Text, And with that painted Cope,—i. e. this gay Covering: a Figure very pretty and common among the Poets. So we say, cloath'd with Virtue: as of other Qualities we say, they are used as a Cloak. Then, painted is a very proper Epithet to Cope, it being a splendid Ecclesiastical Vestment of various Colours. Besides, painted may be here ironically intended; to insinuate, this Virtue was only pretended in Lavinia.

Note return to page 161 [14] (14)&lblank; those sweet Ornaments, Whose circling Shadows Kings have sought to sleep in, And might not gain so great an Happiness, As half thy Love!] As half her Love? But might they gain any part of her Love? Or would she not consent to embrace 'em so much as with one Arm? The Poet had no such Stuff in his Thoughts. My Correction restores the true Meaning; that tho Princes languish'd to sleep in her Arms, they could not obtain their Suit, or have her Love. The very same Corruption has obtain'd in our Author's Tale of Cephalus and Procris: And looks, as do the Trees by Winter nipt, Whom Frost and Cold of Fruit and Leaves half stript. For Grammar shews, that we must likewise read here—have stript.

Note return to page 162 [15] (15)Than Youthful April shall with all her Show'rs;] This is the Reading of our poetical Editors only; the older Copies have it rightly—with all his Show'rs. If they had not remember'd Ovid in his Fasti, lib. IV. ver. 89. (Aprilem memorant ab aperto tempore dictum:   Quem Venus injectâ vindicat alma manu.) They might, at least, have remembred the first Rule in their Propria quæ maribus, that all Months and Winds are Masculines.

Note return to page 163 [16] (16)&lblank; what accursed Hand Hath made thee handless in thy Father's Sight?] But tho' Lavinia appear'd handless in her Father's Presence, she was not made so in his Sight. And if that be the true Reading, it can at best bear but this poor Meaning, What curs'd Hand hath robb'd thee of thy Hands, for thy Father to see thee in that Condition? The slight Alteration, I have given, adds a much more reasonable Complaint, and aggravates the Sentiment. What cursed Hand hath robb'd thee of thy Hands, only in Despight to thy Father, only to encrease his Torments?

Note return to page 164 [17] (17)Which of your Hands hath not defended Rome, And rear'd aloft the bloody Battle-axe, Writing Destruction on the Enemies Castle?] This is a Passage, which shows a most wonderful Sagacity in our Editors. They could not, sure, intend an Improvement of the Art: Military, by teaching us that it was ever a Custom to hew down Castles with the Battle-Axe. Or could they have a Design to tell us, that they wore Castles formerly on their heads for defensive Armour? There is, indeed, a Passage in Troilus and Cressida, which such Commentators might alledge in Support of such a wise Opinion. &lblank; And, Diomede, Stand fast, and wear a Castle on thy Head, &c. I ventur'd, some time ago, to correct the Passage thus; Writing Destruction on the Enemies 'Cask, i. e. an Helmet; from the French Word, une Casque. A broken k in the Manuscript might easily be mistaken for tl, and thus a Castle was built at once. But as I think it is much more feisible to split an Helmet with a Battle-axe, than to cut down a Castle with it, I shall continue to stand by my Emendation.

Note return to page 165 [18] (18)Ah, now no more will I controul my Griefs;] I read,—thy Griefs. Marcus had before perswaded Titus to be temperate and restrain the Excess of his Sorrows: but now, says he, that so miserable an Object is presented to your Sight as a dear Daughter so heinously abus'd, e'en indulge your Sorrows till they put an End to your miserable Life.

Note return to page 166 [19] (19)A buz lamenting Doings in the Air.] Lamenting Doings is a very idle Expression and conveys no Idea. The Alteration, which I have made, tho' it is but the Addition of a single Letter, is a great Encrease to the Sense: and tho, indeed, there is somewhat of a Tautology in the Epithet and Substantive annext to it, yet that's no new Thing with our Author. I remember One of the very same kind in his Locrine; And gnash your Teeth with dolorous Laments.

Note return to page 167 [20] (20)&lblank; Magni Dominator Poli, Tàm lentus audis Scelera! tàm lentus vides!] Thus this Quotation has pass'd thro all the printed Copies, as well those put out by the Players, as those by the more learned Editors. The latter of these Verses is copied from the Hippolytus of Seneca; but the Address to Jupiter there, which precedes it, is in these Terms—Magne Regnator Deûm, Tàm lentus audis Scelera! &c. Where Shakespeare, (or whoever else was the Author of this Play) met with the Hemistich substituted in the place of Seneca's, I can't pretend to say. But were our poetical Editors so little acquainted with the Numbers of a common Iambic, as to let &lblank; Mag-&break;n&ibar; D&oshort;m&ishort;-&break;nator&break;Poli, pass them without Suspicion? Have they ever observ'd a Dactyl in the Fourth Foot of an Iambic Verse, either in the Greek Tragedians, or in Seneca? If not, I must believe, our Author found this Hemistich thus: &lblank; Mag-&break;n&eshort; D&oshort;m&ishort;-&break;nator&break;Poli, Thus the 4th Foot is a Tribrachys, (and equal in Time to an Iambic,) a License perpetually taken by all the Tragic Poets.

Note return to page 168 [21] (21)That we will prosecute (by good Advice) Mortal Revenge upon these traiterous Goths; And see their Blood, or die with this Reproach.] But if they endeavour'd to throw off the Reproach, tho' they fell in the Attempt, they could not be properly said to dye with that Reproach. Marcus must certainly mean, that they would have Revenge on their Enemies, and spill their Blood, rather than they would tamely sit down, and dye, under such Injuries. For this Reason I have corrected the Text, &lblank; ere dye with this Reproach. And the same Emendation I have made on a Passage in Cymbeline, where it was as absolutely necessary. I am not to learn, that or formerly was equivalent to ere.—Or, before, ere: Gloss. to Urrey's Chaucer.— Or, for ere: quod etiamnùm in agro Lincolniensi frequentissimè usurpatur. Skinner in his Glossary of Uncommon Words.—But this Usage was too obsolete for our Shakespeare's Time.

Note return to page 169 [22] (22)Here's no sound jeast;] But, I think, I may venture to Say, here's no sound Sense. Doubtless, the Poet wrote, here's no fond jeast, i. e. no idle, foolish one; but a Sarcasm deliberately thrown, and grounded on Reason.

Note return to page 170 [23] (23)Chi. Thou hast undone our Mother, Dem. And therein, hellish Dog, thou hast undone. &lblank;] There is no Necessity for this Break, had our Editors collated the old Quarto, and restor'd the supplemental half Line which I have added from thence. They did not, I dare say, suppress it out of Modesty. It contains a mode of Expression, which, tho somewhat coarse, is used by our Author in other Places. Clown. Yonder Man is carried to Prison. Bawd. Well; What has he done? Clown. &lblank; A Woman. Meas. for Meas. &lblank; who, if I Had Servants true about me, that bear Eyes To see alike mine Honour, as their Profits, Their own particular Thrifts, they would do That Which should undo more Doing. Winter's Tale.

Note return to page 171 [24] (24)Enter Nuntius Æmilius.] Thus the old Books have describ'd this Character: and I believe, I can account for the Formality, from the Ignorance of the Editors. In the Author's Manuscript, I presume, 'twas writ, Enter Nuntius; and they observing, that he is immediately call'd Æmilius, thought proper to give him his whole Title, and so clapp'd in Enter Nuntius Æmilius.—Mr. Pope has very critically follow'd them; and ought, methinks, to have given his new-adopted Citizen Nuntius a place in the Dramatis Personæ. If this Gentleman has discover'd any Roman Family, that had the Prænomen of Nuntius; it is a Secret, I dare say, more than Carisius, Diomedes Grammaticus, or the Fasti Capitolini, were ever acquainted withal. Shakespeare meant no more than, Enter Æmilius as a Messenger. This sort of Character is always distinguish'd in the Greek and Roman Plays by the single Title of &grasa;&grg;&grg;&gre;&grl;&gro;&grst;, and Nuntius.

Note return to page 172 [25] (25)Aar. Get me a Ladder. Lucius, save the Child.] All the printed Editions have given this whole Verse to Aaron. But why should the Moor here ask for a Ladder, who earnestly wanted to have his Child sav'd? Unless the Poet is suppos'd to mean for Aaron, that, if they would get him a Ladder, he would resolutely hang himself out of the Way, so they would spare the Child. But I much rather suspect, there is an old Error in prefixing the Names of the Persons; and that Lucius ought to call for the Ladder, and then Aaron very properly entreats of Lucius to save the Child. I ventur'd to make this Regulation in my Shakespeare restored, and Mr. Pope has embrac'd it in his last Edition.

Note return to page 173 [26] (26)See, here he comes, and I must play my Theme.] Tho this Reading has obtain'd as far back as the first Edition in folio,—to play a Theme, I think, is no justifiable Expression, nor one that our Author would have chose to use. The Reading, I have given, has the Authority of the oldest Quarto's.

Note return to page 174 [27] (27)The Villain is alive in Titus' house, And as he is, to witness this is true.] The Villain alive, and as he is, surely, can never be right. The Manuscript must have been obscure and blindly writ, so that the first Editors could not make out the Word which I have ventur'd to restore. The Epithet, I have replac'd, admirably sorts with the Moor's Character: and Lucius uses it again, speaking of him at the Conclusion of the Play. See justice done on Aaron that damn'd Moor. Besides, damn'd as he is—is a Mode of Expression familiar with our Author. So in Othello: O thou foul Thief! where ha'st thou stow'd my Daughter? Damn'd as thou art, thou ha'st enchanted her. And the same Fashion of expressing himself he likewise uses in bestowing Praise. 2 Henry VI. But, noble as he is, look, where he comes.

Note return to page 175 [1] (1) As whence the Sun 'gins his Reflection, Shipwracking Storms, and direful Thunders break;] Mr. Pope has degraded this Word, 'gins, against the general Authority of the Copies, without any Reason assign'd for so doing; and substituted, gives, in the Room of it. But it will soon be obvious, how far our Author's good Observation and Knowledge of Nature goes to establish his own Reading, 'gins. For the sense is this;—“As from the place, from whence the Sun begins his Course, (viz. the East,) Shipwrecking Storms proceed; &c.”—And it is so in Fact, that Storms generally come from the East. And it must be so in Reason, because the natural and constant Motion of the Ocean is from East to West: and because the Motion of the Wind has the same general Direction. Præcipua & generalis [Ventorum] causa est ipse Sol, qui igneo suo jubare aërem rarefacit & attenuat; imprimis illum, in quem perpendiculares Radios mittit, five suprà quem hæret. Aër enim rarefactus multo majorem locum postulat. Inde fit, ut Aër a Sole impulsus alium vicinum aërem magno impetu protrudat; cumque Sol ab Oriente in Occidentem circumrotetur, præcipuus ab eo aëris Impulsus fiet versus Occidentem.—Quia plerumque ab aëris per Solem rarefactione oritur, qui cùm continuè feratur ab Oriente in Occidentem, majori quoque impetu protruditur Aër ab Oriente in Occidentem. Varenii Geograph. l. i. c. 14, &c. 20. prop. 10. and 15.—This being so, it is no Wonder that Storms should come most frequently from that Quarter; or that they should be most violent, because here is a Concurrence of the natural Motions of Wind and Wave. This proves clearly, that the true Reading is 'gins, i. e. begins: for the other Reading does not fix it to that Quarter: for the Sun may give its Reflection in any part of its Course above the Horizon; but it can begin it only in One. Mr. Warburton.

Note return to page 176 [2] (2) So from that Spring, whence Comfort seem'd to come, Discomfort swell'd.] I have not disturb'd the Text here, as the Sense does not absolutely require it; tho Dr. Thirlby prescribes a very ingenious and easie Correction: So from that Spring, whence Comfort seem'd to come, Discomforts well'd. i. e. stream'd, flow'd forth: a Word that peculiarly agrees with the Metaphor of a Spring. The Original is Anglo-Saxon peallian, scaturire; which very well expresses the Diffusion and Scattering of Water from its Head. Chaucer has used the Word in these Acceptations. For whiché might She no lengir restrain Her Teris, thei ganin so up to well. Troil. & Cress. l. iv. v. 709. I can no more, but here out cast of all welfare abide the daie of my deth, or els to se the sight that might all my wellynge Sorowes voide, and of the flode make an Ebbe. Testament of Love.

Note return to page 177 [3] (3) &lblank; I must report they were As Cannons overcharg'd with double cracks,] Cannons overcharg'd with Cracks I have no Idea of: My Pointing, I think, gives the easie and natural Sense. Macbeth and Banquo were like Cannons overcharg'd; why? because they redoubled Strokes on the Foe with twice the Fury, and Impetuosity, as before.

Note return to page 178 [4] (4) Norway himself, with Numbers terrible, Assisted by that, &c.] Norway himself assisted, &c. is a Reading we owe to the Editors, not to the Poet. That Energy and Contrast of Expression are lost, which my Pointing restores. The Sense is, Norway, who was in himself terrible by his own Numbers, when assisted by Cawdor, became yet more terrible.

Note return to page 179 [5] (5) Till that Bellona's Bridegroom, lapt in Proof, Confronted him with self-Comparisons, Point against point, rebellious arm 'gainst arm, Curbing his lavish Spirit.] Here again We are to quarrel with the Transposition of an innocent Comma; which however becomes dangerous to Sense, when in the Hands either of a careless or ignorant Editor. Let us see who is it that brings this rebellious Arm? Why, it is Bellona's Bridegroom: and who is He, but Macbeth. We can never believe, our Author meant any thing like This. My Regulation of the Pointing restores the true Meaning; that the loyal Macbeth confronted the disloyal Cawdor, arm to arm.

Note return to page 180 [6] (6) He shall live a Man forbid:] i. e. as under a Curse, an Interdiction. So, afterwards, in this Play; By his own Interdiction stands accurs'd. So, among the Romans, an Outlaw's Sentence was Aquæ & Ignis interdictio. i. e. He was forbid the use of Water and Fire: which imply'd the Necessity of Banishment.

Note return to page 181 [7] (7) The weyward Sisters, hand in hand,] The Witches are here speaking of themselves; and it is worth an Enquiry why they should stile themselves the weyward, or wayward Sisters. This Word in its general Acceptation signifies, perverse, froward, moody, obstinate, untractable, &c. and is every where so used by our Shakespeare. To content ourselves with two or three Instances; Fy, fy, how wayward is this foolish Love, That, like a testy Babe, &c. Two Gent. of Verona. This wimpled, whining, purblind, wayward Boy. Love's Labour lost. And, which is worse, All you have done Is but for a wayward Son. Macbeth. It is improbable, the Witches would adopt this Epithet to themselves, in any of these Senses; and therefore we are to look a little farther for the Poet's Word and Meaning. When I had the first Suspicion of our Author being corrupt in this place, it brought to my Mind the following Passage in Chaucer's Troilus and Cresseide. lib. iii. v. 618. But O Fortune, executrice of wierdes. Which Word the Glossaries expound to us by Fates or Destinies. I was soon confirm'd in my Suspicion, upon happening to dip into Heylin's Cosmography, where he makes a short Recital of the Story of Macbeth and Banquo. These Two (says He) travelling together thro' a Forest, were met by three Fairies, Witches, Wierds, the Scots call them, &c. I presently recollected, that this Story must be recorded at more Length by Holingshead; with whom I thought it was very probable that our Author had traded for the Materials of his Tragedy: and therefore Confirmation was to be fetch'd from this Fountain. Accordingly, looking into his History of Scotland, I found the Writer very prolix and express, from Hector Boethius, in this remarkable Story; and in p. 170. speaking of these Witches, he uses this Expression. But afterwards the common Opinion was, that these Women were either the weïrd Sisters, that is, as ye would say, the Goddesses of Destiny, &c. Again, a little lower; The Words of the three weïrd Sisters also, (of whom before ye have heard) greatly encouraged him thereunto. And, in several other Paragraphs there, this Word is repeated. I believe, by this Time, it is plain beyond a Doubt, that the word Wayward has obtain'd in Macbeth, where the Witches are spoken of, from the Ignorance of the Copyists, who were not acquainted with the Scotch Term: and that in every Passage, where there is any Relation to these Witches or Wizards, my Emendation must be embraced, aud we must read weïrd.

Note return to page 182 [8] (8) Were such Things here, as we do speak about? Or have we eaten of the insane Root, That takes the Reason prisoner?] The insane Root, viz. the Root which makes insane; as in Horace, Pallida Mors; nempè, quæ facit pallidos.— This Sentence, I conceive, is not so well understood, as I would have every part of Shakespeare be, by his Audience and Readers. So soon as the Witches vanish from the Sight of Macbeth and Banquo, and leave them in Doubt whether they had really seen such Apparitions, or whether their Eyes were not deceiv'd by some Illusion; Banquo immediately starts the Question, Were such Things here, &c. I was sure, from a long Observation of Shakespeare's Accuracy, that he alluded here to some particular Circumstance in the History, which, I hop'd, I should find explain'd in Holingshead. But I found myself deceived in this Expectation. This furnishes a proper Occasion, therefore, to remark our Author's signal Diligence; and Happiness at applying whatever he met with, that could have any Relation to his Subject. Hector Boethius, who gives us an Account of Sueno's Army being intoxicated by a Preparation put upon them by their subtle Enemy, informs us; that there is a Plant, which grows in great Quantity in Scotland, call'd Solatrum Amentiale; that its Berries are purple, or rather black, when full ripe; and have a Quality of laying to Sleep; or of driving into Madness, if a more than ordinary Quantity of them be taken. This Passage of Boethius, I dare say, our Poet had an Eye to: and, I think, it fairly accounts for his Mention of the insane Root. Dioscorides lib. iv. c. 74. &grP;&gre;&grr;&grig; &grS;&grt;&grr;&grua;&grx;&grn;&gro;&gru; &grm;&gra;&grn;&gri;&grk;&gro;&gruc;, attributes the same Properties to it. Its Classical Name, I observe, is Solanum; but the Shopmen agree to call it Solatrum. This, prepar'd in Medicine, (as Theophrastus tells us, and Pliny from him;) has a peculiar Effect of filling the Patient's Head with odd Images and Fancies: and particularly That of seeing Spirits: an Effect, which, I am perswaded, was no Secret to our Author. Bochart and Salmasius have both been copious upon the Description and Qualities of this Plant.

Note return to page 183 [9] (9) &lblank; present Fears Are less than horrible Imaginings.] Macbeth, while he is projecting the Murther, which he afterwards puts in Execution, is thrown into the most agonizing Affright at the Prospect of it: which soon recovering from, thus he reasons on the Nature of his Disorder. But Imaginings are so far from being more or less than present Fears, that they are the same Things under different Words. Shakespeare certainly wrote; &lblank; present Feats Are less than horrible Imaginings. i, e. When I come to execute this Murther, I shall find it much less dreadful than my frighted Imagination now presents it to me. A Consideration drawn from the Nature of the Imagination. Mr. Warburton. Macbeth, speaking again of this Murther in a subsequent Scene, uses the very same Term; &lblank; I'm settled, and bend up Each corp'ral Agent to this terrible Feat. And it is a Word, elsewhere, very familiar with our Poet. I'll only add, in aid of my Friend's Correction, that we meet with the very same Sentiment, which our Poet here advances, in Ovid's Epistles; Terror in his ipso major solet esse periclo. Paris Helenæ. ver. 349. And it is a Maxim with Machiavel, that many Things are more fear'd afar off, than near at hand. E sono molte cose che discosto paiono terribili, insopportabili, strani; & quando tu ti appressi loro, le riescono humane, sopportabili, domestiche. Et però si dice, che sono maggiori li Spaventi che i Mali. Mandragola. Atto 3. Sc. II.

Note return to page 184 [10] (10) Thou art so far before, That swiftest Wind of Recompence is slow To overtake thee.] Thus the Editions by Mr. Rowe and Mr. Pope: whether for any Reason, or purely by Chance, I cannot determine. I have chose the Reading of the more authentick Copies, Wing. We meet with the same Metaphor again in Troilus and Cressida. But his Evasion, wing'd thus swift with Scorn, Cannot outfly our Apprehension.

Note return to page 185 [11] (11) &lblank; and our Duties Are to your Throne, and State, Children and Servants; Which do but what they should, by doing every thing Safe towards your Love and Honour.] This may be Sense; but, I own, it gives me no very satisfactory Idea: And tho' I have not disturb'd the Text, I cannot but embrace in my Mind the Conjecture of my ingenious Friend Mr. Warburton, who would read; &lblank; by doing every thing, Fiefs towards your Love and Honour. i. e. We hold our Duties to your Throne, &c. under an Obligation of doing every thing in our Power: as we hold our Fiefs, (feuda) those Estates and Tenures, which we have on the Terms of Homage and Service.

Note return to page 186 [12] (12) Your Face, my Thane, is as a Book, where Men May read strange Matters to beguile the Time. Look like the Time,] I have ventur'd, against the Authority of all the Copies, to alter the Pointing of this Passage: and, I hope, with some Certainty. The Lady certainly means, that Macbeth looks so full of Thought and solemn Reflection upon the purpos'd Act, that, she fears, People may comment upon the Reason of his Gloom: and therefore desires him, in order to take off and prevent such Comments, to wear a Face of Pleasure and Entertainment; and look like the Time, the better to deceive the Time. So Macbeth says, in a subsequent Scene; Away and mock the Time with fairest Shew. So Macduff says to Malcolm. &lblank; the Time you may so hoodwink. i. e. blind the Eye of Observation, and so deceive people's Thoughts.

Note return to page 187 [13] (13) But here, upon this Bank and School of Time.] Bank and School—What a monstrous Couplement, as Don Armado says, is here of heterogeneous Ideas! I have ventur'd to amend, which restores a Consonance of Images, &lblank; on this Bank and Shoal of Time. i. e. this Shallow, this narrow Ford of humane Life, opposed to the great Abyss of Eternity. This Word has occurr'd again, before, to us in the Life of King Henry VIIIth. And sounded all the Depths and Shoals of Honour.

Note return to page 188 [14] (14) &lblank; or Heav'n's Cherubin hors'd upon the sightless Couriers of the Air.] But the Cherubin is the Courier; so that he can't be said to be hors'd upon another Courier. We must read, therefore, Coursers. Mr. Warburton.

Note return to page 189 [15] (15) How is't with me, when ev'ry Noise appals me?] This Reflection is not only drawn from the Truth and Working of Nature; but is so exprest, as that it might have been copied from this Passage of Sophocles, which Stobœus has quoted in his Chapter upon Fearfulness; &grasa;&grp;&gra;&grn;&grt;&gra; &grg;&graa;&grr; &grt;&gro;&gri; &grt;&grwci; &grf;&gro;&grb;&gro;&gru;&grm;&grea;&grn;&grwi; &gry;&gro;&grf;&gre;&gric;. Each noise is sent t' alarm the Man of Fear.

Note return to page 190 [16] (16) Here's an Equivocator—who committed Treason enough for God's sake, &c.] This Sarcasm is levell'd at the Jesuits, who were so mischievous in the Reigns of Q. Elizabeth and K. James 1st. and who then first broach'd that damnable Doctrine. Mr. Warburton.

Note return to page 191 [17] (17) Here's an English Taylor come hither for stealing out of a French hose:] The Archness of this Joak consists in this; That a French Hose being so very short and strait, a Taylor must be a perfect Master of his Art, who could steal any thing out of it. As to the Nature of the French hose, we have seen that in Henry VIIIth: our Poet calls them short-bolster'd Breeches. Mr. Warburton.

Note return to page 192 [18] (18) To countenance this horror. Ring the Bell.] I have ventur'd to throw out these last Words, as no part of the Text. Macduff had said at the Beginning of his Speech, Ring out th' Alarum-Bell; but if the Bell had rung out immediately, not a Word of What he says could have been distinguish'd. Ring the Bell, I say, was a Marginal Direction in the Prompter's Book for him to order the Bell to be rung, the Minute that Macduff ceases speaking. In proof of this, we may observe, that the Hemistich ending Macduff's Speech, and that beginning Lady Macbeth's, make up a compleat Verse. Now if Ring the Bell had been a part of the Text, can we imagine the Poet would have begun the Lady's Speech with a broken Line?

Note return to page 193 [19] (19) And Duncan's Horses, (a Thing most strange and certain!) Beauteous and swift, the Minions of their Race,] I am pretty certain, all the Copies have err'd, one after Another, in this Reading: and that I have restor'd the true One. The Poet does not mean, that they were the best of their Breed; but that they were excellent Racers: in which Sense he very poetically calls them, the Minions of the Race. This is a Mode of Expression, which he seems very fond of. So, before, in this Play. Like Valour's Minion, carved out his Passage; King John. Fortune shall cull forth Out of One side her happy Minion. 1st. Henry. IV. Who is sweet Fortune's Minion, and her Pride. And again; &lblank; Gentlemen of the Shade; Minions of the Moon.

Note return to page 194 [20] (20) Let ev'ry Man be Master of his Time Till sev'n at night, to make Society The sweeter welcome: We will keep our self Till Supper Time alone.] I am surpriz'd, none of the Editors should quarrel with the Pointing. How could ev'ry Man's being Master of his own Time till Night, make Society then the sweeter? for, so, every Man might have gone into Company in the mean while, and pall'd himself for the Night's Entertainment. My Regulation, I dare warrant, retrieves the Poet's Meaning. “Let every Man (says the King,) be Master of his own time till Seven o' Clock: and that I may have the stronger Enjoyment of your Companies then, I'll abstain from all Company till Supper-time.”

Note return to page 195 [21] (21) for't must be done to Night, And something from the Palace: always thought, That I require a Clearness;] The latter Branch of this Sentence Mr. Pope has sunk upon Us, in both his Editions, tho' it is authoriz'd by all the preceding Copies. If I may venture to guess at the Reason of his suppressing these Words, it was because he did not understand them: but Macbeth means, that the Murtherers must in every step remember, he requires not to be suspected of the Fact; to stand clear from all Imputations, which might affect him in the Opinions of People. I have frequently observ'd, how minutely Shakespeare is used to follow his History in little particular Circumstances. This is One signal Instance. Let us hear honest Holingshead (from whom he has copied this whole Tale) in his History of Scotland p. 172.—He willed therefore the same Banquho with his Son named Fleance to come to a Supper that he had prepared for them; which was, indeed, as he had devised, present Death at the hands of certain Murtherers whom he hired to execute that Deed; appointing them to meet with the same Banquho and his Son without the Palace, as they returned to their Lodgings, and there to slea them, so that he would not have his House slandered; but that in time to come he might clear himself, if Any thing were laid to his Charge upon Any Suspicion that might arise.

Note return to page 196 [22] (22) We have scorch'd the Snake, not kill'd it, She'll close, and be herself;] This is a Passage, which has all along passed current thro' the Editions, and yet, I dare affirm, is not our Author's Reading. What has a Snake, closing again, to do with its being scorch'd? Scorching would never either separate, or dilate, its Parts; but rather make them instantly contract and shrivel. Shakespeare, I am very well perswaded, had this Notion in his head; that if you cut a Serpent or Worm asunder, in several Pieces, there is such an unctuous Quality in their Blood, that the dismember'd Parts, being only placed near enough to touch one another, will cement and become as whole as before the Injury receiv'd. The Application of this Thought is to Duncan, the murther'd King, and his surviving Sons. Macbeth considers them so much as Members of the Father, that tho' he has cut off the Old Man, he would say, he has not entirely kill'd him, but he'll revive again in the Lives of his Sons. Can we doubt therefore but that the Poet wrote, as I have restor'd to the Text, We have scotch'd the Snake, not kill'd it? To scotch, however the Generality of our Dictionaries happen to omit the Word, signifies, to notch, slash, hack, cut, with Twigs, Swords, &c. and so our Poet more than once has used it in his Works. Coriolanus. He was too hard for him directly, to say the Troth on't: Before Corioli, he scotch'd him, and notch'd him, like a Carbonado. Antony and Cleopatra. We'll beat 'em into Bench-holes: I have yet Room for six Scotches more. I made this Emendation, when I publish'd my Shakespeare restor'd; and Mr. Pope has vouchsafed to embrace it in his last Edition.

Note return to page 197 [23] (23) &lblank; come, sealing Night, Skarf up the tender Eye of pitiful day;] Mr. Rowe and Mr. Pope, neither of them were aware of the Poet's Metaphor here, and so have blunder'd the Text into Nonsense. I have restor'd from the old Copies, &lblank; come, seeling Night, i. e. blinding. It is a Term in Falconry, when they run a thread thro' the Eyelids of a Hawk first taken, so that she may see very little, or not at all, to make her the better endure the Hood. This they call, seeling a Hawk.

Note return to page 198 [24] (24) He needs not to mistrust, &lblank;] Mr. Pope has here sophisticated the Text, for want of understanding it. I can easily see, that he conceiv'd This to be the Meaning; that Macbeth had no Occasion to mistrust the Murtherers he had employ'd, and plant another upon them. But the Text in the Old Copies stands thus, He needs not our Mistrust &lblank; Macbeth had agreed with the two Murtherers, and appoints a Third to assist them. The Two are Somewhat jealous of him at first, but finding that he was So particular and precise in his Directions, that he knew every part of their Commission, they agree, that there is no need to mistrust him, and so bid him stand with them.

Note return to page 199 [25] (25) Ere humane Statute purg'd the gentle Weal.] Thus all the Editions: but Mr. Warburton very justly advis'd, as I have reform'd the Text, gen'ral Weal: “And it is a very fine Periphrasis (says He) to signify, ere civil Societies were instituted. For the early Murthers, recorded in Scripture, are here alluded to: and Macbeth's apologizing for Murther from the Antiquity of the Example is very natural.”

Note return to page 200 [26] (26) Avaunt, and quit my Sight! Let the Earth hide thee!] i. e. As thou art a dead Thing, the Earth, thy Grave, ought to overwhelm and cover thee from humane Sight. Thus lo (in the Prometheus chain'd, by Æschylus) in her Frenzy fansying that she saw the Apparition of Argus, complains that the Earth does not hide him tho dead. &grO;&grn; &gro;&grus;&grd;&greg; &grk;&gra;&grt;&grq;&gra;&grn;&groa;&grn;&grt;&gra; &grg;&gra;&gric;&gra; &grk;&gre;&grua;&grq;&gre;&gri;.

Note return to page 201 [27] (27) Augurs, that understood Relations, have By Magpies, and by Choughs, and Rooks, brought forth The secret'st Man of Blood.] Conscience, as we may learn from Plutarch, has sometimes supply'd the Office of Augury in this Point. One Bessus, he tells us, who had a long Time before murther'd his Father, going to sup at a Friend's House, suddenly with his Spear pull'd down a Swallow's Nest, and kill'd all the Young Ones. The Company enquiring into the Reason of his Cruelty, Don't you hear, says he, how they falsely accuse me of having kill'd my Father? Vid. Plutarchum de Serâ Numinis Vindictâ. As remarkable a Story is recorded by him, in another Tract, upon which the Greeks founded their Proverb, &grA;&grira; &gris;&grb;&grua;&grk;&gro;&gru; &grg;&grea;&grr;&gra;&grn;&gro;&gri;. Ibycus the Poet being surpriz'd by Robbers in a Desart, as they were about to kill him, call'd out to a Flock of Cranes, that flew over his Head, to bear Witness of his Murther. These Murtherers sometime afterwards sitting in the Theatre, and seeing a Flight of Cranes, said in Triumph to one another; Behold, Ibycus's Avengers! The Words being overheard, the Robbers were apprehended, rack'd upon Suspicion, and brought to a Confession of the Murther. And thus, as Ausonius says, Ibycus ut periit, vindex fuit altivolans Grus. Monsieur. Le Fevre, in his Lives of the Greek Poets, has concluded with remarking on Ibycus, that as he liv'd a Poet, so he dy'd a Prophet.

Note return to page 202 [28] (28) There is not One of them,] Thus the modern Editors. But, One of Whom? Macbeth has just said, thathe heard, Macduff meant to disobey his Summons: and he would immediately subjoin, that there is not a Man of Macduff's Quality in the Kingdom, but He has a Spy under his Roof. This is understood, not express'd, as the Text as yet has stood. The old Folio's give us the Passage thus; There's not a one of them &lblank; Here we again meet with a deprav'd Reading; but it is such a One, as, I am perswaded, has led me to the Poet's true Word and Meaning. There's not a Thane of them, i. e. a Nobleman: and so the Peers of Scotland were all call'd, till Earls were created by Malcolme the Son of Duncan. The Etymology of the Word is to be found in Spelman's Saxon Glossary, Wormius's Danish History, Casaubon de Linguâ Saxonicâ, &c. And my Emendation, I conceive, is sufficiently confirm'd by what Holingshead, from whom our Author has extracted so many Particulars of History, expressly says in proof of this Circumstance. For Macbeth had in every Nobleman's House one sly Fellow or other, in fee with him; to reveal All that was said or done, within the same: by which Slight he oppress'd the most part of the Nobles of his Realm.

Note return to page 203 [29] (29) We're yet but young indeed.] If we transpose these Words, we shall find, they amount to no more than This, We are yet indeed but young. But this is far from comprizing either the Poet's, or Macbeth's, Meaning. I read,—in Deed, i. e. but little inur'd yet to Acts of Blood and Cruelty: for Time and Practice harden Villains in their Taade, who are timorous till so harden'd. So Macbeth says before; Things bad begun strengthen themselves in Ill. So, afterwards, Direness, familiar to my slaught'rous Thoughts, Cannot once start me. So in 3d. Henr. VI. Made impudent with use of evil Deeds.

Note return to page 204 [30] (30) The Sons of Duncan From whom this Tyrant holds the Due of Birth] I have set right this Passage against the Authority of our unobserving Editors. And the Proofs of my Emendation are obvious. In the first place, Macbeth could not be said to hold the Due of Birth from Both Duncan's Sons. The Succession to the Crown was the Right of Malcolm; and Donalbaine could have no Right to it, as long as his Elder Brother or any of his Issue were in Being. In the next place, the Sons of Duncan did not Both shelter in the English Court. Upon the Discovery of their Father's Murther, we find them thus determining. Malc. &lblank; I'll to England. Donal. To Ireland I; our separated Fortune Shall keep us both the safer. &lblank; This Determination, tis plain, they immediately put into Act, or Macbeth had very ill Intelligence: We hear, our bloody Cousins are bestow'd   In England and in Ireland. Nor were they together, even at the Time when Malcolm disputed his Right with Macbeth. Who knows, if Donalbaine be with his Brother? Len. For certain, Sir, he is not. Besides, Hector Boethius and Holingshead (the latter of whom our Author precisely follows;) both inform us, that Donalbaine remain'd in Ireland till the Death of Malcolm and his Queen; and then, indeed, he came over, invaded Scotland, and wrested the Crown from One of his Nephews.

Note return to page 205 [31] (31) Thrice and once the Hedge-pig whin'd.] I have ventur'd, against the Concurrence of the Copies to read, twice and once: because, as Virgil has remark'd, Numero Deus impare gaudet: and three and nine are the Numbers us'd in all Inchantments, and magical Operations.

Note return to page 206 [32] (32) &lblank; tho' the Treasure Of Nature's germains tumble all together,] Thus all the printed Copies; and Mr. Pope has explain'd Germains by Kindred: but I have already prov'd in a Note upon K. Lear, that we must read, Germins, i. e. Seeds.

Note return to page 207 [33] (33) Apparition of an armed Head rises.—Apparition of a bloody Child.—Apparition of a Child crown'd, with a Tree in his hand.] I was at a Loss, why this particular Apparatus and Furniture was employ'd to these three Apparitions. I propos'd the Question to my ingenious Friend Mr. Warburton, and he gave me the following Solution. “Did our Author only use it for Show, we should not, I think, quarrel with him for it. But on Examination you will find, that the Insignia of these three Ghosts exactly answer to their Speeches. The first bids Macbeth beware of Macduff; this is therefore an armed Head, the Emblem of Caution, and Circumspection. The Second Ghost encourages him to persist in his bloody Courses; for None of Woman born should harm him. This Ghost has therefore the Figure of a bloody Child: insinuating, that the Height of Barbarity is the Murther of Children. The Third Ghost tells him, He should never be vanquish'd till Birnam Wood remov'd from its Situation: and conformably to the Subject of its Speech, It has a Branch in its hand and is crown'd; insinuating, that He should wear the Crown till Birnam-wood remov'd.”

Note return to page 208 [34] (34) Rebellious Dead, rise never till the Wood Of Birnam rise, &c.] Thus all the Impressions, from the very Beginning, exhibit this Passage: but I cannot imagine what Notion the Editors could have of the Dead being rebellious. It looks to me, as if they were content to believe the Poet genuine, wherever he was mysterious beyond being understood. The Emendation of one Letter gives us clear Sense, and the very Thing which Macbeth should be suppos'd to say here. We must restore Rebellious Head rise never, &lblank; i. e. Let Rebellion never make Head against me, till a Forest move, and I shall reign long enough in Safety. Shakespeare very frequently uses this Term to this Purpose; of which I'll subjoin a few Examples. 1 Henr. IV. &lblank; Douglas and the English Rebels met, Th' Eleventh of this month, at Shrewsbury; A mighty and a fearful Head they are. 2 Henr. IV. For his Divisions, as the Times do brawl, Are in three Heads; one Pow'r against the French, &c. Again, in the 1st. Henr. IV. We were inforc'd for Safety's Sake to fly Out of your Sight, and raise this present Head. Henr. VIII. My noble Father, Henry of Buckingham, Who first rais'd Head against usurping Richard. Coriolanus. When Tarquin made a Head for Rome, he fought Beyond the mark of others. &c. &c. &c.

Note return to page 209 [35] (35) Eight Kings appear and pass over in order, and Banquo last, with a Glass in his hand.] The Editors could not help blundering even in this Stage-Direction. For tis not Banquo, who brings the Glass; as is evident from the following Speech: And yet the Eighth appears, who bears a Glass, Which shews me many more:—and Some I see, That twofold Balls, and treble Scepters carry. I have quoted the last Line, because it will not be amiss to observe, that this fine Play, tis probable, was not writ till after Q. Elizabeth's Death. These Apparitions, tho very properly shewn with Regard to Macbeth, yet are more artfully so, when we consider the Address of the Poet in complimenting K. James I. here upon his uniting Scotland to England: and when we consider too, that the Family of the Stuarts are said to be the direct Descendants from Banquo.

Note return to page 210 [36] (36) &lblank; I'm young, but something You may discern of him through me, &c.] If the whole Tenour of the Context could not have convinced our blind Editors, that we ought to read deserve instead of discern, (as I have corrected in the Text,) yet Macduff's Answer, sure, might have given them some Light,—I am not treacherous. There is another Passage, in which vice versâ the same Error has been committed upon the other Word: K. Lear. (Old 4to in 1608) &lblank; an Eye deserving Thine Honour from thy Suff'ring. &lblank; where the Sense evidently demands, discerning.

Note return to page 211 [37] (37) &lblank; grows with more pernicious Root Than Summer-seeming Lust.] Mr. Warburton concurr'd with me in observing, that Summer-seeming has no Manner of Sense: We therefore both corrected conjecturally, Than Summer-teeming Lust. i. e. the Passion, which lasts no longer than the Heat of Life, and which goes off in the Winter of Age. Besides, the Metaphor is much more just by our Emendation; for Summer is the Season in which Weeds get Strength, grow rank, and dilate themselves. 2 Henry VI. &lblank; Now 'tis the Spring, And Weeds are shallow-rooted; suffer them now, And they'll o'ergrow the Garden. The same Image our Author in another Passage conveys by an equivalent Epithet, summer-swelling. 2 Gent. of Verona. Disdain to root the summer-swelling Flow'r, And make rough Winter everlastingly.

Note return to page 212 [38] (38) &lblank; and tis spoken, To the succeeding Royalty he leaves The healing Benediction.] Mr. Warburton acutely observ'd to me upon this Passage, that as, it must be own'd, Shakespeare is often guilty of most strange Absurdities; so, on the other hand, in this Instance he has artfully avoided One. He had a Mind to hint, that the Cure of the Evil was to descend to the Successors in the Royal Line. But the Confessor was the First, who pretended to this Gift: How then could it be at that Time generally spoken of, that the Gift was to be, hereditary?— This he has solv'd by insinuating, that Edward had a heavenly Gift of Prophecy; by which He was inform'd, the Cure should remain in his Posterity. 'Tis certain, he was resolv'd to throw in the Tradition as a Compliment to K. James I. who was very fond of practising this Superstition; and, I doubt not, had great Faith in the Sanctity of his Hand upon this Occasion.

Note return to page 213 [39] (39) &lblank; gracious England hath Lent us good Siward, and ten thousand Men.] This Siward was Earl of Northumberland; and an approv'd old Soldier. But it was not for this Reason alone, probably, that Edward the Confessor appointed him his General against Macbeth: but because the Earl, by his Daughter, was nearly link'd with Malcolme's Family. We find Malcolme afterwards calling him Uncle. It may not be displeasing to the curious if I subjoin a Pedigree, which will at one View shew Siward's Relation to Malcolme, and Macbeth's to the Scotch Crown. So that Duncan and Macbeth were Sisters' Children: and Siward was Malcolme's Grandfather by the Mother's Side.

Note return to page 214 [40] (40) Let's make us Med'cines of our great Revenge, To cure this deadly Grief. Macd. He has no Children. &lblank;] This may appear at first Sight very abrupt, and foreign to the Sentiment we must suppose the Speaker then agitated with. But, on Examination, we shall have Reason to confess it an Instance of our Author's great Knowledge of Nature. Old Hobbes has observ'd, that we always think in a Chain, and that our Ideas are concatenated one with another. We shall find this Observation very true in the Instance before us. Macduff's Thoughts are all employ'd now on Revenge: He first considers the Manner of it: and, in his first Transports, nothing appears so suitable as Retaliation: but this brings him to reflect, that he can't have it here, for that Macbeth had no Children: on which he breaks out into this sorrowful Reflection. Mr. Warburton. We must, indeed, acknowledge this Sentiment to have its Source from the Reflection of an intended Revenge; or from an other Reflection purely of Tenderness, that if Macbeth had had any Children, he could not have been capable of such a Barbarity on Macduff's Offspring. So Constantia, in K. John, when Pandulfe would comfort her for the Loss of her Son, cries; He talks to me, that never had a Son! And so Queen Margaret, (in 3 Henry VI.) when her Son is stabb'd in her Presence, thus exclaims against his Murtherers. You have no Children, Butchers; if you had, The Thought of them would have stir'd up Remorse.

Note return to page 215 [41] (41) &lblank; for their dear Cause Would to the bleeding and the grim Alarm Excite the mortified Man.] i. e. the Man, who had abandon'd himself to Despair, who had no Spirit or Resolution left. So Caius Ligarius replies to Brutus; S&lblank; Soul of Rome, Brave Son, deriv'd from honourable Loins, Thou, like an Exorcist, ha'st conjur'd up My mortified Spirit. Jul. Cæsar.

Note return to page 216 [42] (42) &lblank; there is Siward's Son, And many unruff'd Youths, that even now Protest their first of Manhood.] This unruff'd is a tacit Sophistication put upon us by Mr. Pope, in his extraordinary Sagacity; implying, that Malcolm had many Soldiers in his Ranks too young to wear a Ruffe. This happy Construction might seduce One into an Error, who was not acquainted with that Gentleman's Spirit of Criticism. 'Tis true, the old Editions read—unruffe Youths; and our great Orbilius did not discern that this was the antiquated way of spelling, unrough, i. e. smooth-chin'd, imberbis. And our Author particularly delights in this Mode of Expression. To subjoin a few Instances; &lblank; a twelvemonth and a day, I'll mark no Words that smoothfac'd Wooers say. Love's Labour lost. Now, Jove, in his next Commodity of Hair, send thee a Beard! Twelfth-night. &lblank; or who knows, If the scarce-bearded Cæsar have not sent His pow'rful Mandate to you. Anto. and Cleop.   For who is he, whose Chin is but enrich'd   With one appearing hair, &lblank; Henry V.   &lblank; Till newborn Chins Be rough and razorable. Tempest. When with his Amazonian Chin he drove The bristled Lips before him. Coriolanus. This unhair'd Sawciness, and boyish Troops The King does smile at. K. John.

Note return to page 217 [43] (43) &lblank; Fly, false Thanes; And mingle with the English Epicures.] I thought this Passage might deserve a Note, if it were only to excuse our Author from any Imputation of throwing a Slur on the English of his own Times, for Gluttony and Epicurism. He had no such Intention; but artfully throws in a Satyrical Reflection in which he is countenanc'd by History. The Fact is this. Hardicanute, (or Canutus III.) the Dane, a Contemporary of Macbeth, and who reign'd here just before the Usurpation of the latter in Scotland, was a Prince of a courteous and liberal Nature; but, withal, such a Lover of good Cheer, that he would have his Table cover'd four times a day, and largely furnish'd. So that the Englishmen were said to have learn'd from him excessive Gluttony in Diet, and Intemperance in Drinking. He reign'd barely two Years, and was succeeded by Edward the Confessor. Now as Edward sent a Force against Scotland, Macbeth malevolently is made to charge this temperate Prince (in his Subjects,) with the Riots of his Predecessor. And the Insinuation may seem to bear the harder, because Hardicanute and Edward were allied by a double Tye of Affinity. It may please some Readers, if I subjoin a short Sketch of their Pedigree and Relation to one another. So that Edward and Hardicanute were Brothers by the Mother; and Edward married Hardicanute's own Sister's Daughter.

Note return to page 218 [44] (44) &lblank; My way of Life Is faln into the Sear:] i. e. The Progress of my Life. So, in a Fragment of Menander; &lblank; &gres;&grp;&grig; &grg;&grha;&grr;&grw;&grst; &gror;&grd;&grwci;. Tho, I am aware, that some Commentators have thought, &gror;&grd;&grwci; by a poetical Licence, and with Regard to the Measure, is put for &gro;&grus;&grd;&grwci;. scil. upon the Threshold of Old Age.

Note return to page 219 [45] (45) And all our yesterdays have lighted Fools The way to study death. &lblank;] This Reading is as old as the 2d Edition in folio; but, surely, it is paying too great a Compliment to the Capacities of Fools. It would much better sort with the Character of wise Men, to study how to die from the Experience of past Times. I have restor'd the Reading of the first Folio, which Mr. Pope has thrown out of his Text. The way to dusty Death. i. e. Death, which reduces us to Dust and Ashes. &grM;&gre;&grt;&grw;&grn;&gru;&grm;&gria;&gra; effecti pro efficiente. Or, perhaps, the Poet might have wrote; The way to dusky Death. i. e. dark; a Word very familiar with him. My self, as far as I could well discern For Smoak and dusky Vapours of the Night: 1 Henr. VI. Here dyes the dusky Torch of Mortimer. Ibid. And when the dusky Sky began to rob, &c. 2 Henr. VI. Untimely smother'd in their dusky Graves. Rich. III.

Note return to page 220 [46] (46) I 'gin to be a weary of the Sun; And wish, &c.] Macbeth seems here exactly in the Circumstance of Dido in Virgil. He knows his Fate; and his Misfortunes sit so heavy upon him, that he is weary of being longer in the World. Tùm vero infælix fatis exterrita Dido Mortem orat: tædet cœli Convexa tueri,Æneid. IV.

Note return to page 221 [47] (47) The which no sooner had his Prowess confirm'd, In the unshrinking Station where he fought, But like a Man, he dy'd.] The Resolution, with which young Siward is describ'd to have dy'd, seems very much a Copy of Cataline and his desperate Associates Behaviour, in a much worse Cause. Nam ferè, quem quisque vivus pugnando locum ceperat, eum amissâ animâ corpore tegebat.Salust.

Note return to page 222 [48] (48) &lblank; This, and what needful else That calls upon Us, by the Grace of Heaven.] This is a Reading only of Mr. Pope; for all the Copies, that I have seen, read; &lblank; by the Grace of Grace. It is an Expression our Author is fond of: and so he often styles the Divinity himself, as well as his Attribute. Whilst I, their King, that thither them importune, Do curse the Grace that with such Grace hath blest them. 2 Gent. of Vero. Hop'st thou my Cure? Hel. The greatest Grace lending Grace, &c. All's Well, &c. In the like Manner he loves to redouble other Words: And spight of Spight needs must I rest awhile, 3 Henr. VI. Now, for the Love of Love and his soft hours, Anto. and Cleop. &c. &c.

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