Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].
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SCENE VI.
Changes to a Castle belonging to the Earl of Glo'ster.
Enter Edmund, with a Letter.
Edm.
5 noteThou, Nature, art my Goddess; to thy law
My services are bound; wherefore should I
6 note
Stand in the plague of custom, and permit
-- 19 --
7 noteThe courtesy of nations to deprive me,
For that I am some twelve or fourteen moon-shines
* noteLag of a brother? Why bastard? wherefore base?
When my dimensions are as well compact,
My mind as gen'rous, and my shape as true,
As honest Madam's issue? Why brand they us
With base, with baseness, bastardy, base, base,
8 noteWho, in the lusty stealth of nature, take
More composition and fierce quality;
Than doth, within a dull, stale, tired bed,
Go to creating a whole tribe of fops,
Got 'tween a-sleep and wake? Well then,
-- 20 --
Legitimate Edgar, I must have your land;
Our father's love is to the bastard Edmund,
As to th' legitimate; fine word—legitimate.
Well, my legitimate, if this letter speed,
And my invention thrive, Edmund the base
8 note
Shall be th' legitimate. I grow, I prosper;
9 noteNow, Gods, stand up for bastards!
Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].
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