UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 AT LOS ANGELES
 
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 RI C HARB III . 
 
 Scene II. 
 
 ecp&p /n ,&, of tPvr&t 
 
 ,me.
 
 King RICHARD the THIRD, 
 
 A TRAGEDT, by SHAKESPEARE. 
 
 AS PERFORMED AT THE 
 
 THEATRE-ROYAL, DRURY-LANE. 
 
 Regulated from the PROMPT-BOOK, 
 
 Wtb PERMISSION of the MANAGERS,, 
 
 By Mr. HOPKINS, Prompter. 
 
 An INTRODUCTION, and NOTES 
 CRITICAL and ILLUSTRATIVE, 
 
 ARE ADDED BY THE 
 
 A.UTHORS of the DRAMATIC CENSOR. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 Printed for J H N BELL, near Exeter-Exchange, in the Strand , 
 and C. ETHERiNGTON.ai Vork. 
 
 MDCCLXXIIl.

 
 INTRODUCTION, 
 
 CrHERE is no pajjage or perfortage in Englifh Hi/for^ 
 better chofen for the drama, than ivhat vjejind in t/je 
 following piece ; whatever doubts may arife as to the real 
 character and figure of our Third Richard, Shakefpear& 
 ''Mas mojl undoubted^ right to make him a confirmed, uni- 
 form villain : nothing in the medium way 'Mould have been 
 half fo Jlriking on the ftage, and it <was equally prudent to 
 prefent him deformed in figure^, as well as in mind; though 
 the unities aregrojsjy,yet they are almyft imperceptibly, broken^ 
 in this play ; the events appear fo admirably connected with, 
 and confequential to, each other : nature /peaks in all the 
 characters with plain, intelligible dignity ; no bombaft jkveflf 
 vpon the ear, no improbability intrudes on belief; upon the 
 whole it mvj? always read well, but atf better. 
 
 B 2 ERA-
 
 DRAMATIS PERSONS. 
 
 Drury-Lane. Coven t -Garden t 
 
 KingHENRY, Mr. REDDISH. Mr. KNIVETON-. 
 V. of" WALES, Mifs ROGERS. Matter HARRIS. 
 IXofYoRK, MifsP.HopKiNS. Mailer JONES. 
 D. of GLO'S- j Mn GARRICK . Mr . SMITH . 
 
 TER, J 
 
 BUCKINGHAM, Mr. JEFFERSON. Mr. HULL. 
 
 RICHMOND, Mr. AICKIN. Mr. WROUGHTON. 
 
 NORFOLK, Mr. HURST. 
 
 RATCLIFF, Mr. WRIGHT. Mr. LEWES. 
 
 CATESBY, Mr. PACKER. Mr. DAVIS. 
 
 TRESSEL, Mr. CAUTHERLEY. Mr.DvE-'B., 
 
 OXFOUD, Mr. WHEELER. 
 
 LI r^r, the }Mr.FAWCETT. 
 P>T.UNT, Mr. GRIFFITH. 
 
 J-ord Mayor, Mr, BADDELEY. 
 
 TlRREL, Mr.WRIGHTEW, 
 
 FOREST, Mr. LINGS. 
 
 DlGHTON. 
 
 Queen, Mrs.HopKiNS. Mifs MILLER. 
 
 L-ady ANNE, Mifs YOUNGE. Mrs. LESSINGHAM* 
 
 Gentlemen, Ladies, Guards, and Attendants, 
 
 THE
 
 c * ] 
 
 THE 
 
 TRAGICAL HISTORY 1 
 
 O F 
 
 King RICHARD III*. 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 SCENE, A Garden In the Tower. 
 Enter Lieutenant and Servant. 
 
 Lieut. TT A S king Henry walk'd forth this rnorn 
 IT ^g ? 
 
 Scrv. No, fir, but it is near his hour. 
 
 Lieut. At any time when you fee him here, 
 Let no Granger into the garden ; 
 I would not have him Itar'd at See, who's that, 
 Now ent'ring at the gate ? [Knocking witmat 
 
 Serv. Sir, the lord Stanley. 
 
 Lieut. Leave me [Exit Serr^ . 
 
 Enter Lord Stanley. 
 
 My noble lord, you're welcome to the Tower : 
 I heard lalt night you late arriv'd with news 
 Of Ethvard's victory, to his joyful queen. 
 
 Stanley. Yes, fir, and I am proud to be the man 
 That firit Brought home the lail of civil-broils ; 
 The houfes now of .-Fork and Lanca/lix, 
 Like .bloody brothers fighting for a birth -right, 
 No more ftiall wound the parent that would pact 'c\.:. 
 Edward now fits fecure on England's throne^. 
 
 * This Tragedy being admirably altered from the original,.. V/ 
 tiiat excellent judge aad ornament of the fbgr, Cdley Cither f we foul 
 bive few obfeivatims to make.
 
 6 KING RICHARD III. 
 
 Lieu. Near^mt/&*?y my lord, I think they fought; 
 Has the enemy loft any men of note? 
 
 Stanley. Sir, I was pofted home, 
 Ere an account was taken of the ilain ; 
 "But as I left the field, a proclamation 
 From the king was made in fearch of Edward, 
 Son to your prifoner, king Henry the fixth, 
 Which gave reward to thofe difcover'd him, 
 And him his life, if he'd furrender. 
 
 Lieut. That brave young prince, I fear,'s unlike his 
 
 father, 
 
 Too high of heart to brook fubmiffive life: 
 This will be heavy news to Henry's ear, 
 For on this battle's call, his all was fet. 
 
 Stanley. King Henry and ill-fortune are familiar ; 
 He ever threw with an indifferent hand, 
 But never yet was known to lofe his patience; 
 How does he pafs the time, in his confinement ? 
 
 .Lieut. As one whofe wifhes never reach'd a crown *; 
 The king feems dead in him but, as a man, 
 He fighs fometimes in want of liberty. 
 Sometimes he reads, and walks, and wifhes 
 That fate had blefs'd him with an humbler birth, 
 Not to have felt the falling from a throne. 
 
 . Stanley. Were it not poffible to fee this king ? 
 They fay he'll freely talk with EchuarcTs friends, 
 And even treats them with refpccl: and honour. 
 
 Lieut. This is his ufual time of walking forth 
 (For he's allow'd the freedom of the garden) 
 After his morning prayer; he feldom fails ; 
 behind this arbour we unieen may ftand 
 A while to obferve him. \bfy retire* 
 
 Enter King Henry -f. 
 K. Henry. By this time the decifive blow is flruck, 
 
 * This defcrlptive preparation, for Henry's appearance, is very 
 happily exprefled. 
 
 f- The unfortunate monarch {hould be reprefented by aperfon cf 
 c'i$.nity, with features capable of eaprefling manly forrow ; a full 
 Liit -melodious voice. 
 
 Either
 
 KING RICHARD III. 7 
 
 Either my queen and fon are blefs'd with victory, 
 Or I'm the caufe no more of civil broils. 
 Would I were dead, if heaven's good-will were fb, 
 For what is in this world but grief and care ? 
 What noife and buftle do kings make to find it; 
 When life's but a fliort chace, our game content, 
 Which moil purfu'd, is moft compell'd to fly ; 
 And he that mounts him on the fwiftefl hope, 
 Shall often run his courier to a ftand : 
 While the poor peafant from fome dillant hill, 
 Undanger'd and at eafe, views all the fport, 
 And fees content take fhelter in his cottage *. 
 
 Stanley. He feems extremely mov'd. 
 
 Lieut. Does he know you ? 
 
 Stanley. No, nor wou'd I have him. 
 
 Lieut. We'll fhew ourfelves. \fbey come forward. 
 
 K. Henry. Why, there's another check to proud 
 
 ambition ; 
 
 That man receiv'd his charge from me, and now 
 I'm his priibner he locks me to my reir. 
 Such an unlook'd for change who could fuppofe, 
 That faw him kneel to kifs the hand that rais'd him ; 
 But that I fhould not now complain of, 
 Since I to that, 'tis poffible, may o\ve 
 His civil treatment of me 'Morrow, Lieutenant. 
 Is any news arriv'd Who's that with you ? 
 
 Lieut. A gentleman that came laft night exprefs 
 From Te-ivkjlmy We've had a battle. 
 
 K. Henry. Comes he to me with letters, or advice ? 
 
 Lifuf. Sir, he's king Edward' 's officer, your foe. 
 
 K. Henry. Then he won't flatter me You're wel- 
 come, fir ; 
 
 Not lefs becaufe you are king Edward's friend, 
 For I have almoit learn'd myfelf to be fo j 
 CouU I but once forget I was a king, 
 I might be truly happy, and his fubjedh 
 You've gained a battle ; is't not fo ? 
 
 * This is a moft beautiful reflection exprefled with much fimple 
 tlfgiacc* 
 
 Stanley*
 
 $ KING RICHARD III. 
 
 Stanley*. We have, fir, how, will reach your ear to 
 foon. 
 
 TO* Henry. If to my lofs, it can't too foon pray 
 
 fpeak, 
 
 For fear makes milchief greater than it is. 
 My queen ! my fon ! fay, fir, are they living ? 
 
 Stanley. Since my arrival, fir, another poft 
 Came in, which brought us word your queen and Ion 
 Were prifoners now at Tewk/bury. 
 
 K. Henry, Heaven's will be done! the hunters have 
 
 'em now, 
 And I have only fighs and prayers to help 'em. 
 
 Stanley. King Edward, fir, depends upon his fword, 
 Yet prays heartily when the battle's won ; 
 And foldiers love a bold and a&ive leader. 
 Fortune, like women, will be clofe purfu'd ; 
 The Englijb are high mettled, fir, and 'tis 
 No eafy part to fit 'em well King Edward 
 Feels their temper, and 'twill be hard to throw him. 
 
 K. Henry. Alas ! I thought them men, and rather 
 
 hop'd 
 
 To win their hearts by mildnefs than feverity. 
 My foul was never form'd for cruelty : 
 In my eyes juflice has feem'd bloody, 
 When on the city gates, I have beheld 
 A traytor's quarters parching in the fun, 
 My blood has turn'd with horror at the fight j 
 I took 'em down, and bury'ii with his limbs 
 The memory of the dead man's deeds Perhaps 
 That pity made me look lefs terrible, 
 Giving the mind of weak rebellion fpirit ; 
 For kings are put in trufr. for all mankind, 
 And when themfelves take injuries, who is fafe ? 
 If fo, I have de.ferv'd thefe frowns of fortune*. 
 
 Enter Servant. 
 
 Serv. Sir, here's a gentleman brings a warrant, . 
 For his accefs to king Henrys prefence. 
 
 * It is undoubtedly, as had for a king to be too indolent and paf- 
 fiye, as .to be too ambitious and arbitrary. 
 
 Lieut,
 
 KING RICHARD III. 5 
 
 'Lieut. I come to him. 
 
 Stanley. His bufmefs may require your privacy; 
 I'll leave you, fir, wifhing you all the good 
 That can be wifli'd not wronging him I ferve. 
 
 K. Henry. Farewel ! {Exeunt. 
 
 Who can this be ! a fudden coldnefs, 
 Like the damp hand of death, has feiz'd my limbs ; 
 I fear fome heavy news ? 
 
 Enter Lieutenant. 
 
 Who is it, good Lieutenant ? 
 
 Lieut. A gentleman, fir, from Teu.'kjliaiy he feeing 
 A melancholy meflenger for when I aik'd 
 What news, his anfwer was a deep-fetch'd Ugh; 
 I would not urge him, but I fear 'tis fatal. 
 
 Enter Treflel. 
 
 K. Henry. Fatal indeed ! his brow's the title-page, 
 That fpeaks the nature of a tragic volume. 
 Say, friend, how does my queen ! my fon ! 
 Thou trembleft, and the whitenefs of thy cheek 
 Is apter than thy tongue to tell thy errand. 
 . Ev'n fuch a man, fo faint, fo fpiritlefs, 
 So dull, fo dead in look, fo woe be gone, 
 Drew Priam's curtain in the dead of night j 
 And would have told him half his Troy was burn'd., 
 But Priam found the fire ere he his tongue, 
 And I my poor fon's death ere thou relat'ft it. 
 Now would'lt thou fay your fon did thus and thus, 
 And thus your queen ! fo fought the valiant Oxford i 
 Stopping my greedy ear with their bold deeds ; 
 But in the end, (to flop my ear indeed) 
 Thou haft a figh, to blow away this praife, 
 Ending with queen and fon, and all are dead. 
 
 Tref, Your queen yet lives, and many of your friends^ 
 But for my lord your fon 
 
 K. Henry. Why, he is dead ! yet fpeak, I charge 
 
 thee! 
 
 -Tell thou thy matter his fufpicion lies, 
 And I will take it as a kind difgrace, 
 
 .And
 
 io KING RICHARD IIP. 
 
 And thank thee well, for doing me fuch wrong. 
 
 Tref. Would it were wrong to fay; but, fir, your 
 fears are true. 
 
 K. Henry. Yet for all this, fay not, my fon is dead. 
 
 Tref. Sir, I am forry I muft force you to 
 Believe, what would to heav'n I had not feen t 
 But in this laft battle near Tewkjbury^ 
 Your fon, whofe a&ive fpirit lent a fire, 
 Ev'n to the dulleft peafant in our camp,, 
 Still made his way where danger flood to oppofe him* 
 A braver youth, of more courageous heat, 
 Ne'er fpurr'd his courfer at the trumpet's found. 
 But who can rule the uncertain chance of war ? 
 In fine,, king Edward won the bloody field, 
 Where both your queen and fon were made his pri- 
 foners. 
 
 K. Henry. Yet hold ! for oh ! this prologue lets me 10 
 To a moll fatal tragedy to come. 
 Dy'd he a prifoner, fay'it thou ? how ? By grief? 
 Or by the bloody hands of thofe that caught him ? 
 
 Tref. After the fight, Edward in triumph alk'd 
 To fee the captive prince the prince was brought. 
 Whom Edward roughly chid for bearing arms; 
 Aflting what reparation he, could make 
 For having flirr'd his fubjefts to rebellion ? 
 Your fon, impatient of fuch taunts, reply'd, 
 Bow like a fubjeft, proud ambitious Tork, 
 While I, now fpeaking with my father's mouth, 
 Propofe the felt-fame rebel words to thee, 
 Which, traitor, thou would'il have me anfwer to : 
 From thefe, more words arofe ; till in the end 
 King Edward^ fwell'd with what th' unhappy prince 
 At fuch a time too freely fpoke, his gauntlet 
 In his young face with indignation u ruck. 
 At which, crook'd Richard, Clarence, and the reft, 
 Bury'd their fatal daggers in his heart. 
 In bloody ftate I faw him on the earth, 
 From whence with life he never more fprung up *. 
 
 * TreJJeft description is wrought up with a fine folemn climax 
 of the pathos : indeed the whole fcsne merits ftrift attention. 
 
 K. Heaty.
 
 KING RICHARD III. u 
 
 X. Henry. Oh ! had'il thou fjabb'd at every word's 
 
 deliverance, 
 
 Sharp poniards in my flefli while this was told, 
 Thy wounds had given lefs anguifh than thy words. 
 Oh heav'ns ! methinks I fee my tender lamb 
 Gafping beneath the ravenous wolves fell^ripe ! 
 But fay, did all did they all$rike him, fey'lt thou? 
 
 Tref. All, fir; but the firft wound duke Richard 
 gave. 
 
 K. Henry. There let him flop ! be that his lail of ills ! 
 Oh barbarous a& ! unhofpitable men ! 
 Againft the rigid laws of arms to kill him ! 
 Was't not enough, his hope of birth-right gone, 
 But muft your hate be level'd at his life ? 
 Nor could his father's wrongs content you ? 
 Ner could a father's grief difluade the deed ? 
 You have no children (butchers if you had) 
 The thought of them would fure-have ftirr'd remerfe. 
 
 Tref. Take comfort, fir, and hope a better day. 
 
 K. Henry. Oh ! who can hold a fire in his hand, 
 By thinking on the frofty Caucafus ? 
 Or wallow naked in December's fnow, 
 By bare remembrance of the fummer's heat ? 
 Away by heaven I mall abhor his fight, 
 Whoever bids me be of comfort more ! 
 If thoa wilt footh my farrows, then I'll thank thee ; 
 Ay ! now thou'rt kind indeed ! thefe tears oblige me. 
 
 Tref. Alas ! my lord, I fear more evils towards you. 
 
 K. Henry. Why, let it come, I fcarce fhall feel it 
 
 now, 
 
 My prefent woes have beat me to the ground ; 
 And my hard fate can make me fall no lower. 
 What can it be-give it its uglieft mape- 
 Oh my poor boy ! 
 
 Tref. A word does that ; k comes in Glojier's form. 
 
 K. Henry. Frightful indeed ! give me the worft that 
 threatens. 
 
 Tref. After the murder of your fon, {tern Richard^ 
 As it unfated with the wounds he had given, 
 With unwafh'd hands went from his friends in haite ; 
 
 And
 
 12 KING RICHARD III. 
 
 And being afk'd by Clarence of the caufe, 
 He, lowring, cry'd, Brother, I muft to the Tower j 
 I've bufinels there; excufe me to the king: 
 Before you reach the town, expect fome news : 
 This faid, he vanifh'd and I hear's arriv'd. 
 
 K. Henry. Why then the period of my woes is fet ; 
 For ills but thought by him, are half perform'd. 
 
 Enter Lieutenant, ivitb an Order. 
 
 Lieut. Forgive me, fir, what I'm compell'd t'obey. 
 An order for your clofe confinement. 
 
 K. Henry. Whence comes it, good Lieutenant 
 
 Lieut. Sir, from the duke of Glo'Jicr. 
 
 K. Hemy. Good-night to all then ; I obey it 
 And now, good friend, fuppofe me on my death-bed, 
 And take ot me thy laft, fhort living leave. 
 Nay, keep thy tears till thou halt leen me dead : 
 And when in tedious winter nights, with good 
 Old folks, thou fitt'rt up late 
 To hear 'em tell the difmal tales 
 Of times long paft, ev'n now with woe remember'd, 
 Before thou bid'll good-night, to quit their grief, 
 Tell thou the lamentable fall of me, 
 And fend thy hearers weeping to their beds. [Exeunt, 
 
 Enter Glo'fter *. 
 
 Gloft. Now are our brows bound with victorious 
 wreaths f, 
 
 * We think thefe lines which begin the fpeech in Sbaktfreare 
 we worthy notice : 
 
 ffow ii tie winter ef our discontent 
 Made frloriaut faimer ty the fun of York ; 
 slr.d all the cloudi that kwfr'd upon our toufe t 
 In the deep tofom of the tcean buried. 
 
 ) Some lines from the original have been judicioufly reftored 
 in this fpeech by Mr. Garrick ; whoever have feen the great after 
 juft now mentioned, feelingly know what are the proper and per- 
 fect requilites for this difficult, complicate character ; to others lefs 
 happy, we fay that Richard as to figure is artificially made ; but 
 his eyes fhouffl be fpirited, his features flexibk and full of deep 
 defign j his voice powerful, and his aftion vigorous. 
 
 Our
 
 KING RICHARD III. 13 
 
 Our bruifed arms hung up for monuments, 
 Our item alarms are chang'd to merry meetings ; 
 Our dreadful marches to delightful meafures : 
 Grim-vifag'd war has fmooth'd his wrinkled front, 
 And now, imleud of mounting barbed iteeds, 
 To fright the ibuls of fearful adverfaries, 
 He capers nimbly in a lady's chamber, 
 To the lalcivious pleafing of a lute : 
 But I, that am not made for fportive tricks, 
 Nor made to court an am'rou? looking glafs, 
 I, that am rudely itamp'd, and want love's majelty, 
 To itrut before a wanton ambling nymph ; 
 I, that am curtail'd of man's fair proportion, 
 Cheated of feature by diflembling nature, 
 Dcform'd, untinifh'd, fent before my time, 
 Into this breathing world, fcarce half made up, 
 And that fo lamely and untafhionable, 
 That dogs bark at me, as I halt by 'em ; 
 Why I, in this weak piping time of peace, 
 Have no delight to pals nway my hours, 
 Unlefs to fee my madow in the fun, 
 And defcant on my own deformity : 
 Then, (ince this earth affords no joy to me, 
 But to command, to check, and o'erbear fuch 
 As are of happier perfon than myielf ; 
 Why then to me this refllefs world's but hell, 
 Till rhis mif-fliapen trunk's afpiring head 
 Be circled in a glorious diadem 
 But then 'tis fix d on fuch a height ; oh ! I 
 Mu it ilretch the utmoft reaching of my foul. 
 I'll climb betimes, without remorle or dread, 
 And uiy firit itep lhall be on Hearts head. 
 
 [Exit. 
 
 S C E N E, a Chamber in the Tower. 
 King HENRY Jleeplng. 
 
 Enter Lieutenant. 
 
 Lieut. Afleep fo foon ! but forrow minds no feafons. 
 The morning, noon, and night, with her's the fame ; 
 -You III. C She's
 
 KING HI CHARD III. 
 
 u^s fond of any hour that yields repofe. 
 
 K. /&*ry. Who's there ! Lieutenant ! is it you ? 
 
 Come Slither! 
 
 'J. !*<, You fhake, my lord, and look affrighted. 
 K. Hv/ry. Oh ! I have had the fearful! I'll dream:! 
 
 Juch fights, 
 t, as i live, " 
 I would not pafs anetker hour fbdreadful, 
 Tho' 'twere to buy a world of happy days, 
 Beach me a book Fll try if reading can 
 Divert diefe melancholy thoughts. 
 
 Enter Glo'fter, 
 
 *'GlcJl. Good day, my lord,; What, at your book fa 
 
 hard? 
 1 diftufb you. 
 
 K. Henry. Ycra do, indceiU 
 
 Glofr. Friend, leave us to ourfelves, we muft confer. 
 
 ,. -Henry* What bloody fcene has Rofcius now to art ? 
 [Exit Lieutenant. 
 
 Gloji. S ifplcion always haants the guilty mind: 
 The thief does fear each'bulh an officer. 
 
 K. Hwy. Where thieves without controlment rob 
 
 and kin, 
 
 Tlie traveller does fear each -buih a thief: 
 The poor bird chat has been already lim'd, 
 With trembling wings miltloubts of ever}- bufh; 
 And I, the haplefs male to one fweet bird, 
 Ha-ve now the fatal object in my eye, 
 By whom my young one bled, was caught, and kiii'd; 
 
 Giojt. Why, what a peevifh fool was that of Crete, 
 TJiat taught liis fon the office of a fowl ? 
 And ret for all his wings, the fool was drown'd : 
 Thou fhould'il have taught thy boy his prayers alone, 
 And then he had not broke his neck with climbing. 
 
 K. Hemy. Ak ! kill me with thy weapon, not thy 
 words ; 
 
 * This conference, and the foliloquy which coachdes the Aft, 
 let us fully and properly iato Richard' i charaflcr. t 
 
 a My
 
 KING RICHARD III, i* 
 
 My breaft can better brook thy dagger's point,. 
 
 Thau am my cars that piercing ftory: 
 
 .But where fare doir. thou come I is't tor my 1'fe ? : 
 
 Glo'JJ. Think'ir. thou I- am an executioner ? 
 
 K. Henry. If murdering innocents be executi J\ 
 Then thoujjt the worir. of executioners^ 
 
 Gl<?ft. Thy fon I kill'd, for his prefumprionv 
 
 K. Hcn>y. "Hadil thou-been kill'd, when firft thou diUit 
 
 prefume, 
 
 Thou hadft not liv'd to kill a fbn of mine : 
 But tiiou wert born to maflacre mankind. 
 How many old men's lighs, and widows' moans ; 
 How many orphans water-itanding eyes, 
 jYlen for their fous, wives for their hufbands fate. 
 And children for their parents' timelefs death,. 
 Will rue the hour that ever thou wen born ?- 
 The owl ftmek'd at thy birth, an evil iign ! 
 The night-crow cry'd, foibouing lucklefs tiir<e," 
 Dogs howl'd, and hideous tempeiis (hook down trees ; 
 1'he raven rook'd her on the chimney's- top,. 
 And chattering pies in di final ditcord fung;: 
 Thy mother felt more than a mother's pain, 
 And yet brought forth lefs than a mother's hope.. 
 Teeth hacW thou in thy head, when thou wert born,- 
 Which/plainly faid, thou cam'ft to bite mankind , 
 And if the reft be. true which I have heard, 
 Thou cam'il 
 
 Glolfl. I'll hear no more Die, prophet, in thy fpeech ; 
 For this,. amongit the rett, was I ordain'd. [St-jbs b'.m. 
 
 K. Henry. Oh ! and for much more (laughter alter* 
 
 this ;. 
 Juft heav'n forgive my fins, and pardon thee ! l \-^l e; 
 
 Gloft. What! will the afpiring blood of Lancafter 
 Sink in the ground ? I thought it would hate-mourned. 
 See how my fword weeps for the poor kind's death. 
 Oh, may fuch purple tears be always fried, 
 From thofe that with the downfal ot our ho Ue ! 
 If any fpark of lire be yet remaining, 
 Down, down to hell, and fay I fent thee thither } 
 I that have neither pity, love, nor fear : 
 
 C.a Indeed
 
 16 KING RICHARD III. 
 
 Indeed, 'tis true, what Henry told me of; 
 
 For I have often heard my mother fay, 
 
 I came into the world with my legs forward ; 
 
 The midwife wonder'd, and the women cry'd, 
 
 Good heaven blefs us ! he is born with teeth ! 
 
 And fo I was, which plainly fignified, 
 
 That I fhould fnarl, and bite, and play the dog. 
 
 Then fmce the heav'ns have (hap'd my body fb, 
 
 l^et hell make crook'd my mind to anfwer it; 
 
 I have no brother, am like no brother, 
 
 And this word Love, which grey-beards call divine, 
 
 Be refident in men, like one another, 
 
 And not in me I am myfelf alone. 
 
 Clarence, beware, thou keep'it me from the light ; 
 
 But if I fail not in my deep intent, 
 
 Thou'ft not another day to live ; which done, 
 
 1 leav'n take the weak king ILdv:ard to his mercy, 
 
 And leave the world for me to buftle in. 
 
 But loft I'm fharing fpoil, before the field is won.' 
 
 Clarence tfill breathes, /utototf ftill lives and reigns, 
 
 Whea they are gone, then I muft count my gains 
 
 [Exit. * 
 
 This Aft depends a good deal on manly Pathos ; at the 
 fame time, Ricbird't character is extremely well opened in it. 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 S C E N E, St. Paul's. 
 Enter Treflel, meeting Lord Stanley. 
 
 Trff. T\ /T Y lord, your fervant ; pray what brought 
 
 1V1 you to St. Paul's f 
 Stanley. I came among the crowd, to fee the corpie 
 Of poor king Henry- 'tis a difmal fight : 
 Eut yeilerday I law him in the Tkirr ; 
 His talk is itill fo frefli within my memory, 
 That I could weep to think how fate has us'd him. 
 1 wonder where's duke Rk-bard's policy, 
 
 In
 
 ' 
 
 KING RICHARD III. 17 
 
 In fuffering hirs to lie expos'd'to view ; 
 Can he believe that men will love him for't? 
 
 Tref. O yes, fir, love him, as he loves his brother?. 
 When was you with king JSttytunf, pray, my Ijid ?- 
 I hear he leaves his food, is melancholy j 
 And his phyficians fear him mightily. 
 
 Stanlty. 11s thought he'll fcarce recover. 
 Shall we to court, and hear more news of him ? 
 
 Tref. I am oblig'd to pay attendance here : 
 The lady Anne has licence to remove 
 King Heniys corpfe to be interr'd at Cbertcfyi ; 
 And I'm engag'd to follow her. 
 
 Stanley. Mean you king Henry's daughter-in-law? 
 
 Tref. The fame, fir, widow to the late prince EekvartL,' . 
 Whom Glojhr kill'd at Tewkfiuiy. 
 
 Stanley. Alas ! poor lady, {he's feverely us'd ; . 
 And yet I hear Richard attempts her love : 
 Methinks the wrongs he's done her might difcburagehnn. 
 
 Tref, N-eithe-r thole wrongs,- nor -hia own-fhape, can 
 
 fright him : 
 
 He fent for leave to vi lit her, this mor-ning,. 
 And fhe wns forc'd to keep her bed to avoid him : 
 But fee, fhe is arriv'd Will you along 
 To Ice this doleful ceremony?: 
 
 Stanley, I'll .wait on you. \IZxiiint, 3 . 
 
 Enter Glo'fter. 
 
 Glf ft. 'Twas her excufe to avoid me. Alas I 
 She keeps no bed 
 
 She has health enough to progrefs far as Chertfcy^ 
 Tho' not to bear the fight of me, . 
 I cannot blame her - 
 
 Why, love for! wore me in my mother's womb *,'. 
 And, for I fhould not deal in his foft laws, 
 He did corrupt frail nature with a bribe, 
 To fhrink my arm up like a wither'd fhrub, 
 To make an envious mountain on my back, 
 
 * It is very natural to rnske a deformed man, though ' he docs 
 not like to hoar mention of his deformity firm other people, ru- 
 sniaaie.on it. himfelf. 
 
 C 3 Where
 
 i& KING RICHARD III. 
 
 Where fits deformity to mock my body ; - 
 
 To ftiape my legs of an unequal lize, 
 
 To difproportion me in every part. 
 
 And am I then a man to be belov'd? 
 
 Oh monflrous thought ! more vain than ray ambition. 
 
 Enter Lieutenant baftlly* 
 
 Lieut. My lord, I beg your grace 
 
 Glo\ft. Be gone, fellow ! I'm not at leifure, 
 Lieut. My lord, the king your brother's taken ill, 
 Gtift. Fll wait on him : leave me, friend. 
 
 Ha ! JS/fci'Wtaken ill ! 
 
 Would he were wafted, marrow, bones, and all, 
 
 That from his loins no more young brats may rife, 
 
 To erofs me in the golden time I look for 
 . 
 
 SCENE drams, and dlfcovers Lady Anne in mourning ,_ 
 Lord Stanley, TreiFel, Guards #</Bearers, with King 
 Henry's body. 
 
 But fee ! my love appears Look where {he fhines^ 
 Oarting pale luftre, like the filver moon, 
 Thro* her dark verl of rainy forrow ! 
 So mourn'd the dame of Epbejws her love,- 
 And thus the foldier, arrad with refolution, 
 Told nis foft tale, and was a thriving wooer.- 
 'Tis true, my form perhaps may little move her r 
 But I've a tongue {hall wheedle with the devil : 
 Yet hold, {he mourns the man that I have killed.. 
 Firlt let her forrows take fome vent ftand here, 
 1'il take her paffion in its wain, and turn 
 This ftorm of grief to gentle drops of pity, 
 For his repentant murderer. [He retires, 
 
 La. Aiuie. Hung be the heav'ns with bla<:k; yield day 
 
 to night ; 
 
 Comets importing change of times and flates, 
 Brai-difh your fiery trefTes in the fky, 
 And with thesn Icourge the bad revolting flars, 
 That have confirmed to king Henry's death. 
 Oh be accurit the hand thaUhedhis blood, 
 
 Accurfi
 
 KING RI CHARD IIL 19 
 
 Accurft the head that had the heart to do it; 
 If ever he have wife, let her be made 
 More miferable by the life of him, 
 Than I am now by Edward's death and thine. 
 
 Glo'Ji. Poor girl, what pains fhe takes to curfe her- 
 felf! [4/<v 
 
 La. Anne. If ever he have child, abortive be it, 
 Prodigious and untimely brought to light ; 
 Whofe hideous form, whofe moft unnaturalafpec"r, 
 May fright the hopeful mother at her view, 
 And that be heir to his unhappinefs. 
 Now on to Cbertjey t with your facred load. 
 
 Glo'Jt. Stay, you that bear the coarfe, and fet it down. 
 
 La. Anne. What black magician conjures up this 
 
 fiend, 
 To flop devoted charitable deeds ? 
 
 Gloft. Villains, fet down the coarfe, or, by St.PauI, 
 1*11 make a coarie of him that difobeys. 
 
 Guard. My lord; Hand back, and let the coffin pafs. 
 
 Cf!o'jL UnmannerM flave ! {land thou when I com* 
 
 mand. 
 
 Advance thy halbert higher than my breaft, 
 Or, by St. Paul, I'll ftrike thee to my foot, 
 And fpurn upon thee, beggar, for thy boldnefs. 
 
 La. Anne. Why doll thou haunt him thus, unfated fiend? 
 Thou hadft but power over his mortal body ; 
 His foul thou canft not reach, therefore be gone. 
 
 Glo'Jt. Sweet faint, be not fo hard, for charity. 
 . La. Anne. If thou delight to view thy heinous deeds. 
 Behold this pattern of thy butcheries. 
 Why didft thou do this deed ? could not the laws 
 Of man, of nature, nor of heaven, difluade thee ? 
 No beait fo fierce, but knows fome touch of pity. 
 
 Glo'Jt. If want of pity be a crime fo hateful, 
 Whence is it thou, fair excellence, art guilty ? 
 
 La. Anne. What means the llanderer ? 
 
 Glo'Jt. Vouchfafe, divine perfection of a woman, 
 Oi thefe my crimes fuppos'd, to give me leave, 
 By circumftance, but to acquit myfelf. 
 
 La. Ann. Then take that fword, whofe bloody point 
 ilill reeks With
 
 20 KINGRICHARD III. 
 
 With Henry's life, with ray lov'd lord's, young EJkuarft} 
 And here let out thy own, to appeafe their ghoits. 
 
 Glifjl. By luch defpair I ftiould accufe rnyfelf. 
 
 La. Anne. Why by defpairing only canft thou ftand 
 
 excus'd ? 
 Didft thou not kill this king ? 
 
 Glo'Jl. I grant ye. 
 
 La. Anne. Oh ! he was gentle, loving, mild, and vir- 
 tuous; 
 But he's in heav'h, where thou canft never come. 
 
 Glolft. Was I not kind to fend him thither, then ? 
 He was much fitter for that place than earth. 
 
 \js...Annc. And thou unfit for any place, but hell. 
 
 Gltfft Yes, one place elfe it you will hear me 
 name it. 
 
 La. Anne. Some dungeon. 
 
 GIo'Jl. Your bed-chamber. 
 
 La. Anne. Ill reft betide the chambenvhere thou ly'it, 
 
 Glo'Jl. So it will, madam, till I lie in yours. 
 
 La. Aftne. I hope fo. 
 
 Glo*p. I know fo. But, gentle lady Anne^ 
 To leave this keen encounter of our tongue? , 
 And tall to fcmething a more ferious meihtui; 
 Is not th' cuufer of the untimely deaths, 
 Of thefe Plant agenc ts t Henrv and <.V<m/, 
 As blameful as the executioner ? 
 
 La. Anne. Thou wert. the caufe, and moft accuv/d 
 effect. 
 
 Glo'Ji. Your beauty was the caufeof that effeft, 
 Your beauty ! that did haunt me in my fleep, 
 To undertake the death of all the world, 
 So I might live one hour in that foft bofom ! 
 
 La. Anne. If I thought that, I (ell thee, homicide, 
 Thefe hands fhould rend that beauty from my cheeks. 
 
 Gtiji. Theie eyes could not endure that beauty's 
 
 wreck ; 
 
 You fhould not blemifh it, if I ftood by: 
 As all the world is nourifh'd by the fun, 
 So I by that It is my day ! my life ! 
 
 La, Antic. I would it were, to be reven^'d on ther.
 
 KING RICHARD III. 25 
 
 Gafft. It is a quarrel moil unnatural, 
 To vvifh revenge on him that loves thee. 
 
 La. Anne. Say rather 'tis my duty, 
 To feek revenge on him that kill'd my hulband. 
 
 Glo'JJ. Fair creature, he that kill'd thy hufband, 
 Did it to help thee to a better hufband. 
 
 La. Aime. His better does not breathe upon the earth. 
 
 Gttjl. He lives that loves thee better than ke eould. 
 
 ~L.2i.Anne. Name him. 
 
 Glo'Jl. Plantagenet. 
 
 La. Anne. Why that was he. 
 
 Glo'Ji. The felf-fame name, but one of fofter nature. 
 
 La. Anne. Where is he ? 
 
 Glolfl. Ah; take more pity in thy eyes, and fee 
 him here. 
 
 La. Anne. Would they were bafilifks, to ftrike thee 
 dead. 
 
 Gl<?ft. I would they were, that I might die at once, 
 For now they kill me with a living death ; 
 Darting;, with cruel aim, defpair and love j 
 I never fued to friend or enemy ; 
 My tongue could never learn loft fmoothing words j 
 But, now thy beauty is propos'd my fee, 
 My proud heart fues, and prompts my tongue to fpeak. 
 
 La. Anne. Is there a tongue on earth can fpeak fof 
 
 thee ? 
 Why do ft thou court my hate * ? 
 
 Tref. Where will this end ? {he frowns upon him yet. 
 
 Stanley. But yet fhe hears him in her frowns I fear 
 him. 
 
 Glo'Jl. Oh teach not thy foft lip fuch cold contempt- 
 If thy relentlefs heart cannot forgive, 
 Lo, here I lend thee this (harp-pointed fword, 
 Which, if thou pleafe to hide in this true breaft, 
 And let the honefl foul out, that adores thee ; 
 
 * In this fcene of ftrange court/hip, the hypocrify of a d .-figntug 
 man, and the credulity of a weak woman, are finely depi&cd j 
 though the latter feems rather too highly finifhed. Ricbnrft 
 looks, aftion, and utterance, through this maftcrty fcene, fhould b 
 ncre than commonly plaufible, 
 
 Hay
 
 aa KING RICHARD III. 
 
 I lay it naked to the deadly ftroke, 
 
 And humbly beg that death upon my knee. 
 
 La. Anne. What fliall I fay or do ! dired me, heav'n ^ 
 When {tones weep, furethe tears are natural; 
 And heaven itfelf inftructs us to forgive, 
 When they do flow from a rincere repentance. 
 
 Glo]ft. Nay, do not paufe, for I did kill king Henry* 
 But 'twas thy wondrous beanty did provoke me ; 
 Or, now difpatch 'twas I that ftabb'd you 
 Bat 'twas thy heavenly face that fet me on : 
 And 1 might ilill perfift (fo ftubborn is 
 My temper) to rejoice at what I've done ; 
 But that thy powerful eyes (as roaring feas 
 Obey the changes of tbe moon) have turn'd 
 My heart, and made it flow with penitence. 
 
 [&bc drops tbefaarct. 
 Take up the fword again, or take up me. 
 
 La. Aiuie. No, tho' I wilh thy death, 
 I will not be thy executioner. 
 
 Glo% Then bid me kill myfelf, and I will do it. 
 
 La. Anne. I have already. 
 
 Gk'fl. That was in thy rage; 
 Say it again, and even with thy word 
 This guilty hand, that robb'd thee of thy lovte, 
 Shall, for thy love, revenge thee on thy lover. 
 To both their deaths (halt thou be acceflary. 
 
 Tref. By heav'n (he wants the heart to bid him do't. 
 
 Stanley.. What think you now, fir ? 
 
 Tref. I'm ftruck ! I fearce can credit wbat I fee. 
 
 Stanley. Why, you fee a woman. 
 . Tref. When future chronicles (hall fpeak of this, 
 They will be thought romance, not hiftory. 
 
 Gltft. What, not a word to pardon, or condemn me ? 
 But thow art wife and canft with filence kill me: 
 Yet ev'n in death my fleeting foul purfues thee ; 
 Dafh not the tears ot penitence away 
 
 La. Anm. Would'il thou not blame me,, to forgive thy 
 crimes ? 
 
 GMft. They're not to be forgiven ; no, not even 
 Penitence can atone 'cm Oh mifery 
 
 Of
 
 KING RICHARD III. 23 
 
 Of thought ! that ftrikes me with at once repentance, 
 And deipair tho' unpardou'd, yield me pity. 
 
 La. Anne. Would I knew thy heart. 
 
 Glo'Jl. 'Tis figur'd in my tongue. 
 
 La. Anne. I re.tr me, both are filfe. 
 
 Glo'jt. Tlien never man was true. 
 
 La. Anne. Put up thy fword. 
 
 Glo'jt. Say then, my peace is made. 
 
 La. Anne. That flialt thou know, hereafter. 
 
 G/<?'/. But fliall I live in hope? 
 
 La. Anne. All men, I hope, live fo. 
 
 Glo'jt. I fwear, bright faint, I am not what I was. 
 Thole eyes have turn'd my ftubborn heart to woman ; 
 Thy gooduefs makes me foft in penitence, 
 And my harfli thoughts are turn'd to peace and love. 
 Oh ! if thy poor devoted fcrvant might 
 But beg one favour at thy gracious hand, 
 Thou would' ft confirm his happinefs, forever, 
 
 La. Anne. What is't ? 
 
 Glo'jt. That it may pleafe thee, leave thefe fad defigns, 
 To him that has moft caufe to be a mourner, 
 And prefently repair to Cr0/>' houfe ; 
 Where, after I have folemnly interr'd 
 At Chertfy monaii'ry this injur'd king, 
 And wet his grave with my repentant tears, 
 I will with all expedient duty fee you : 
 For divers unknown reafons, I befeech you 
 Grant me this favour. 
 
 La. Anne. I do, my lord and much it joys me too 
 To fee you are become fo penitent. 
 Trejfel and Stanley, go along with me. 
 
 Glojl. Bid me farewel. 
 
 La. Ann;. 'Tis more than you deferve. 
 But lince you teach me how to flatter \ on, 
 imagine I have faid farewel, already. [Exit, 
 
 Guard. Towards Chert fey, my lord ? 
 
 Glcfjl. No, to Wbite-Frye rs ; there attend my coming. 
 [Exeunt Guards^ ivi(/j the body, 
 Was ever woman in this humour woo'd ? 
 \\i\s ever woman in this humour won ? 
 
 m
 
 24 KING RICHAR.D III. 
 
 I'll have her,- but I will not keep her long. 
 
 What ! I that kill'd her hufband and his father, 
 
 To take her in her heart's extremeft hate, 
 
 With curfes in her mouth, tears in her eyes, 
 
 The bleeding witnefs of my hatred by, 
 
 Having heav'n, her confcience, andthele bars againil me, 
 
 And I no friends to back my fuit withal, 
 
 But the plain devil, and diflembling looks ! 
 
 And yet to win her ! all the world to nothing ! 
 
 Can (he abafe her beauteous eyes on me, 
 
 Whofe all not equals Edward's moiety ? 
 
 On m, that halt, and am mif-ftiapen thus ! 
 
 My dukedom to a widow's chaftity, 
 
 I do miftake my perfon, all this while : - 
 
 Upon my life ! fhe finds, altho' I cannot, 
 
 Myfelf to be a marvellous proper man. 
 
 I'll have my chambers lin'd with looking-glafs ; 
 
 And entertain a fcore or two of taylors, 
 
 To ftudy fafhions to adorn my body. 
 
 Since I am crept in favour with myfelf, 
 
 I will maintain it with fome little colt ; 
 
 But firft, I'll turn St. Harry to his grave, 
 
 And then return lamenting to my love. 
 Shine out, fair fun, till I falute my glafs, 
 That I may lee my fliadow as I pals, JLxit, 
 
 SCENE, the Prefence. 
 Enter * Buckingham bo/lily^ meeting Lord Stanley. 
 
 jRuck. Did you fee the duke ? 
 
 Stanley. What duke, my lord ? 
 
 Buck. His grace of GLfJler, did you fee him ? 
 
 Stanley. Not lately, my lord I hope no ill news, 
 
 Buck. The worit that heart e'er bore, or tongue can 
 
 utter, 
 Edward the king, his royal brother, 's dead 1 
 
 Bucklnglam ffiould look like a man of Duality, and fpeak like 
 a man of feafe ; little more is wanted. 
 
 Stanley.
 
 KING RICHARD III. 25 
 
 Stanley, 'Tis fad indeed I wifli, by your impatience 
 To acquaint him tho', you think itfo to him : \Afi<k* 
 Did the king, my lord, make any mention 
 Of a protector tor his crown and children ? 
 
 Buck. He did Duke Richard has the care of both. 
 
 Stanley, That fad news you are afraid to tell him too. 
 
 \_-AfiJe, 
 
 Buck. He'll fpare no toil, I'm fure, to fill his place. 
 
 Stanley. Pray heav'n he's not too diligent. \_AjiJe 
 
 My lord Is not that the dutcheis of York. 
 The king's mother? coming, I fear, to vifit him. 
 
 Suck. 'Tisfhe little thinking what has beiaii'n u. 
 
 Enter Dutcbefs of York, 
 
 Dot. o( ForL Good day, my lords; how takes the 
 king his reft? 
 
 Buck. Alas ! madam, too well he fieeps for ever. 
 
 Dut. of Tork. Dead ! Good heav'n, fupport me ! 
 
 Puck. Madam, 'twas my unhappy lot to hear 
 His laft departing groans, and dole his eyes. 
 
 Dut. of Tork. Another taken from me, too ! why, juit 
 
 heav'n, 
 
 Am I ftill left the laft in life nnd woe? 
 Firft I bemoan'd a noble hu (band's death, 
 Yet liv'd with looking on his images * : 
 But now my laft fupport is gone firft Clarence, 
 Now Edicani is for ever taken from me : 
 And I muft now ot rorce link down with forrow. 
 
 Buck. Your youngeft ion, the noble Richard, lives : 
 His love, I knou', will feel his mother's cares, - 
 And bring new comfort to your latter days. 
 
 Dut. of Tork. 'Twere new indeed! for yet of him 
 
 I've none, 
 
 Unlefs a churlifh difpofition may 
 Be counted from a child a mother's comforr. 
 Where is the queen, my lord ? 
 
 Buck. I left her with her kinfmen, deep in forrow, 
 Who have with much ado perfuaded her 
 To leave the body Madam, they are here. 
 
 * A beautiful maternal idea th : s ; finding a palliation for the 
 lofs of a hulband. in his furviving femblancer. 
 
 VOL. III. D Enter
 
 26 KING RlrCHAUD HI, 
 
 Enter * Queen, Rivers, ow/Dorfet. 
 
 Queen. Why do you thus oppofe my grief? unlcfs, 
 To make me rave, and weep, the fafter ? ha ! 
 My mother too in tears ! frefh forrow itrikes 
 My heart, at fight of every friend that k>v'd 
 My Edward living Oh, mother, he's dead ! 
 Edward, my lord, thy fon, our king, is dead ! 
 Oh ! that my eyes could weep away my foul, 
 Then I might follow worthy of his hearfe. 
 
 Stanley. Your duty, madam, of a wife, is dead> 
 And now the mother's only claims your care. 
 Think on the prince your fon fend for him flraight, 
 And let his coronation clear your eyes. 
 Bury your griefs in the dead Edward''* grave, 
 Revive your joys on living Edward's throne. 
 
 JS^&mr. Alas ! that thought but adds to my afflictions. 
 New tears for Ed-ward gone, and fears for Edward 
 
 living; 
 
 An helpleis child in his minority, 
 Is in the truit of his ftern uncle Glo\ftcr ; 
 A man that frowns on me, and all of mine. 
 
 Buck. Judge not fo hardly, madam, of his love; 
 ; Your fon will find iu him a father's care. 
 
 Enter Glo'fter behind. 
 
 -Gfo'j?. Why, ay ! thefe tears look well Sorrow's tBc 
 
 mode, 
 
 And every one at court muft wear it now : 
 With all my heart ; I'll not be out of faftiioru \.-^fi^ 
 Siceen. My lord, jufl heaven knows, I never hated 
 
 Glower: 
 But would on any terms embrace his friendship. 
 
 Buck. Thefe words would make him weep I know 
 
 him yours : 
 See where he comes in forrow for our lofs. 
 
 Glo"'jl. My lords, good- morrow Co\ifwo(J3xckig/jam, 
 I am yours. \Weeps* 
 
 Buck. Good morning to your grace 
 
 * Thw queen flwuld have an elegant figure, with very pathetic
 
 KING RICHARD III. 27 
 
 Glo'Jt. Methinks, 
 We meet like men that had forgot to fpeak. 
 
 Bu k. \Ve may remember but our argument 
 Is now too mournful to admit much talk. 
 
 Gldft. It is, indeed ! Peace be with him thnt made ivfo ! 
 Sitter, take comfort 'tis tme, we've all caufe 
 To mourn the dimming of our fliining itar ; 
 But forrow never could revive the dead-; 
 And, if it could, hope would prevent our tears j- 
 So we mud weep becaufe we weep in vain. 
 Madam, my mother I do cry you mere)', 
 iMy grief was blind- I did not fee your grace. 
 jNIott humbly on my knee I crave your bldling.*".- 
 
 Dut. of Tork. Thou had it, and may thy charitable 
 Heart and tongue love one another ! may heav'n 
 Endow thy breaft with meeknefs and obedience ! 
 
 Gltfft. Amen, and make me die a good old man f 
 That's the old but-end of a mother's bleffing.j 
 I marvel that her grace did leax'e it our. [^/4*-. 
 
 Buck. My lords, I think 'twere fit that now prinsc 
 
 Edwarrf 
 
 Forthwith from Ludlcfiu fhould be fent for home, 
 In order to his coronation. 
 
 Glo'Jf. By all means, ray lords Come, let's in to 
 
 council, 
 
 And appoint who (hall be the meflengers : 
 Madam, and you, my filter, pleafeyou go 
 To give your fentiments on this occafion. 
 
 Queeen. My lord, your wiftlom needs no help from rrc, 
 'My glad confent you have in all that's juft ; 
 Or for the people's good, tho' I fuffer by'r. 
 
 Glo'Jt. Pleafe you to retire, madam ; we {hall propofe 
 What you'll not think the people's wrong nor yours. 
 
 ^ucen. May heaven profper all your good intent ! 
 
 [Exeunt all but Glo'Tter and Buck . 
 
 Glo'Jl. Amen, with all my heart for mine's the crow:; : 
 And is not that a good o'ne ha ! pray'd (he not well, 
 coufln ? 
 
 * Glyjtcr'i hypocrify Is admirably /upported through this fcen*, 
 and mould be lirongly charadltril'ed by ths aftor. 
 
 D 2 &C*.
 
 aS KING RICHARD IT!. 
 
 Suck. I hope (he prophefy'd you now fraud fair. 
 Glofi. Now, by St. Fault I leef it here methinks 
 The mafly weight on't galls my laden brow : 
 What think'ir. thou, couiin, wert not an eafy matter 
 To get lord Stands hand to help it on ? 
 
 Buck. My lord, I doubt that ; for his father's fake, 
 He loves the prince too well j he'll fcarce be won 
 To. any thing againft him. 
 
 G&ft. Poverty, the reward of honeft fools, 
 Overtake him for't ! What think'it thou then of Ha/!- 
 
 ings f 
 
 Buck. He (hall be try 'd, my lord I'll find out Cattfly. 
 Who fhall at fubtle diftance found his thoughts : 
 But we muft iiill fuppofe the worft may happen : 
 What if we find him cold tn our defign ? 
 
 Glajl. Chop off his head Ibmething we'll fooa 
 
 determine ; 
 
 But hade, and find out Catefly, 
 That done, follow me to the council-chamber ; 
 We'll not be feen together much, nor have 
 It known that we confer in private therefore 
 Away, good coaftn. 
 
 juztL I ftin gone, my lord. 
 Gtfft. Thus far we run before the wind ; 
 My fortune fmiles, and gives me all that I dare aft. 
 The conquerM lady Ann is bound in vows ; 
 Fall as the prieft can make us, we are one. 
 The king my brother fleeps without his pilkr.r, 
 And I'm left guardian of his infant heir. 
 Let me fee 
 
 The prince will foon be here let him! the cro-v 
 Oh yes ! he fiiall have twenty ; globes and icepters, too. 
 !New ones made to play withal but no coronation 
 No, nor any court-flic's about him no kinfmen. 
 Hold ye where (hall lie keep his court? The. Tower ? 
 Ay the Tower. Exit. * 
 
 * The fecond Al contains a great deal of regular Jnterefting 
 matter, and new can be flat, but tbrough deficient performance. 
 
 ACflT
 
 KING RICHARD III. 29 
 ACT III. 
 
 S C E N E I. nc Palace. 
 
 EnUr Prince Edward, Glo'fter, Buckingham, Lord' 
 Stanley, Treflel, and Attendants. 
 
 O W, my royal coafin, welcome to Louden: 
 Welcome to all thofe honour'd dignities, 
 Which by your father's will, and by your birth, 
 You Hand the undoubted heir poflefs'd of:. 
 And, if my plain fimplicity of heart 
 May tarke the liberty to {hew itfelf, 
 You're farther welcome to your uncle's care 
 And love Why do you figh, my lord? 
 The weary way has made you melancholy. 
 
 P.. Ed. No, uncle ;.. but our erodes on the wavy 
 Have made it tedious, wearifome, and heavy: 
 I want more uncles here, to .welcome me ! 
 
 Tref, More uncles.! what means his highnefs ? 
 
 Stanley. Why, fir, the careful duke of Glu'fter has 
 Secur'd his kinfmen on the way Lord Rivers, Cry, 
 Sir T/jomas Vangban, and others of his frlends,- 
 Are prifoners now in Pom/ret caitle ; 
 On what pretence it boors not there they are, 
 Let the devil and. the duke alone to ajcufe 'em. 
 
 Glojl. My lord, the mayor of London comes to 
 greet you. 
 
 Enter Lord Mayor and Citizens. 
 
 Ld. Mayor. VouchGtfe, moil gracious fovereign, to 
 
 accept 
 
 The g neral homage of yoar loyal city : 
 We tanner beg your royal leave to fpeak 
 In detp condolement ot your father's lots ; 
 And, as far as our true forrow would permk, 
 To '.jarulate your acceffion to the throne. 
 
 P. Ed. I thank you, good my lord, and thank you all, 
 
 my youth is yet unfit to go 
 
 vern 
 
 JO 3 There-
 
 3 Q KING RICHARD lit. 
 
 Therefore the iword of juftice is in abler hands: 
 But be allur'd of this, fb much already 
 I perceive I love you, that tho' I know not yet 
 To do you offices 'of good ; yet this I know, 
 I'il fooner die, than bafely do you wrong. 
 
 GI<?Ji. So wife fo young, they fay, dj ne'er live long. 
 
 P. Ed. My lords, 
 I thought my mother, and my brother 1"o>-l, 
 Would long ere this have met us on the way : 
 Say, uncle GMJicr, if our brother come, 
 Where fhall we fojourn till our coronation? 
 
 Glojl. Where it fhail feem beft to your royal felf. 
 May I advife you, fir, fbme day or two 
 Your highnefs (hall repofe you at the Tower ; 
 Then where you pleafe, and fhall be thought moil fit 
 For your belt health and recreation. 
 
 P. Ed* Why at the Tower ? But be it as you pleafe, 
 
 Buck. My lord your brother's grace of fork. 
 
 Enter Duke and Dutdrf <f York. * 
 
 P. E3, Rii-bard- of York ! how fares our deareft bro- 
 ther ? ^Embracing. 
 
 D. of2V, Oh, my dear lord! So I muft call you, 
 now. 
 
 P. Ed. Ay, brother, to our grief, as it is yours. 
 Tq^pon he dy'd who might have better worn 
 T^K title, which in me will lofe its majefty. 
 
 Gloji. How fares our coulin, noble lord of Yo r k ? 
 
 D. of York. Thank you kindly, dear uncle Oh my 
 
 lord, 
 
 You faid that idle weeds were fair, in growth ; 
 The king my brother has out-grown me far. 
 
 Gkffl. He has, my lord. 
 
 D. of York. And therefore is he idle ? 
 
 GWJl. Oh, pretty coulin, I muft not fay fo. 
 
 * The duke of YorKs part is fo well written, that even a tolera- 
 ble child muft gain great applaufe, and, though forcewhat ludicrous, 
 is not at alt cenfurabie, being highly natural,
 
 KING RICHARD III. 3 t 
 
 D. of Tork. Nay, uncle, I don't believe the fay- 
 
 ing's true, 
 
 For, if it were, you'd be an idle weed. 
 Glojl. How fo, coufin ? 
 D. of Tork. Becaufe I have heard folks fay, you grew 
 
 fo faft, 
 
 Your teeth would gnaw a craft at two hours old : 
 Now 'twas two years ere I could get a tooth. 
 Glo]fl. Indeed ! I find the brat is taught this 
 
 Who told thee this, my pretty merry coufin? 
 D. of Tork. Why, your nurfe, uncle. 
 Glojl. My nurfe, child! fhe was dead Yore thoa 
 
 wert born. 
 
 D. of Tork. If 'twas not (he, I can't tell who told me. 
 So fubtle, too 'tis pity thou art ftiort-liv'd. 
 
 leflbn 
 
 P. Ed. My brother, uncle, will be crofs in talk. 
 
 Glo'Jl. Oh, fear not, my lord : we ihall never quarrel. 
 
 P. Ed I hops your grace knows how to bear with 
 him 
 
 D. of Tork. You mean to bear me not to bear witk 
 
 me 
 
 Uncle, my brother mocks both you and me : 
 Becaufe that I am little like an ape, . 
 He thinks that you fhould bear me on your fhoulders, 
 
 P. Ed. Fye, brother, I have no fuch meaning. 
 
 Stanley. With what a {harp, provided wit he reafops J 
 To mitigate the fcorn he gives his uncle, 
 He prettily and aptly taunts himfelf. 
 
 Trcf. So cunning and fo young is wonderful ! 
 
 Gl<fji, My lord, wilt pleafe you pafs along ? 
 Myfelf and my good con fin of Buckingham^ 
 "Will to your mother, to intreat of her 
 To meet and bid you welcome at the Tower. 
 
 D. of TorL What ! will you go to the Tower, my 
 dear lord ? 
 
 P. E,d. My Lord Protestor will have it fo. 
 
 D. of Tork. I (hant't deep in quiet at the Tower. 
 
 Gyjl. I'll warrant you King Htsnrj lay there, 
 And he fleeps in quiet.
 
 $2 KING RICHARD IK. 
 
 P. Ed. What fhould you fear, brother ? 
 
 D. of Tork. My uncle Clarence* ghoft, my lord ; 
 Mv grandmother told me he was kill'd there. 
 
 P. Ed. I fear no uncles dead. 
 
 Glo'jl. Nor any, fir, that live, I hope. 
 
 P. Ed. I hope fo too but come, my lords, 
 To the Tower, fince it muft be fo. 
 
 [Exeunt all but Glo'fter and Buckingham. 
 
 Buck. Think you, my lord, this little prating Tort 
 Was not inftruded by his fubtle mother, 
 To taunt and fcorn you thus opprobrioufly ? 
 
 Glojt. No doubt; no doubt; oh, 'tis a fhrewd young 
 
 mafter ; 
 
 Stubborn, bold, quick, forward, and capable ! 
 He is all the mother's, from the top to the toe : 
 But let them reft now what fays Catefty ? 
 
 S-uck. My lord, 'tis much as I fufpefted, and 
 He's here himfelf to inform you. 
 
 Enter Catdby. 
 
 Glfft. So, Catefoy haft thou been tampering ? 
 What news? 
 
 Catejly. My lord, according to th'inftrucYion given me, 
 With words a'^diftance dropt, I founded Hajiings y 
 Piercing how far he did affect your purpofe ; 
 To which indeed I found him cold, unwilling ; 
 Thefum is this he feem'd a while to underirand me no*. 
 At length, from plainer fpeaking urg'd to anfwer, 
 He faid in heat, rather than wrong the head 
 To whom the crown was due, he'd k>fe his own. 
 
 Gltf/l. Indeed ! his own then anfwer for that faying : 
 He ftiall be taken care of mean while, Cattjby, 
 Be thou near tne Coufin of Buckingham, 
 Let's lofe no time the mayor and citizens 
 Are now at bu!y meeting in Guild-Hall: 
 Thither I'd have you hafte, immediately, 
 A*S at your meeteft Vantage of the time, 
 Improve thofe hints I gave you late to fpeak of: 
 But above all, infer the baftardy 
 Of Edward's chiklre.i ; 
 
 Doubt not, my lord, I'll play the orator, 
 
 As
 
 KING RICHARD III. 33 
 
 As if myfelf might wear the golden fee, 
 For which I plead. 
 
 Gkfft. If you thrive well, bring 'em to fee me here,. 
 Where you fhall find me feriomly etnploy'd, 
 With the moft learned fathers of the church. 
 
 Buck. I fly, my lord, to {erve you. 
 
 Glo'Jl. To ierve thyfelf, my coufin ; 
 For look, when I am king, claim thou of me 
 The earldom of Hereford, and all thofe moveables 
 Whereof the king my br.ot.her flood poflefs'd. 
 
 Buck. I fhall remember that your grace was bountiful. 
 
 Glo% Coufin, I have faid it. 
 
 Suck. I am gone, my lord. [Exit. 
 
 Glo'Jl. So, I've fecur'd my coufin here. Thefe move- 
 ables 
 
 Will never let his brains reft, till I'm king. 
 Catejby t go you with fpeed to doctor Kbaw, 
 And thence, to friar Keuker bid 'em both 
 Attend me here, within an hour at fartheft ; 
 Mean while my private orders (hall be given, 
 
 [Exit Catefbj% 
 
 To lock out all admittance to the princes. 
 Now, by St. Paul, trie work goes bravely on. 
 How many frightful Hops would confcience make, 
 In fome foft heads, to undertake like me ? 
 
 Come, this confcience is a convenient fcare-crow * ; 
 It guards the fruit which priefts and wife men taite, 
 
 Who never fet It up to fright tbemfelves ; 
 They know 'tis rags, and gather in the face on't ; 
 While half.ftarv'd fhallow'daws thro' fear are honed. 
 Why were laws made, but that we're rogues by nature ? 
 Confcience ! 'tis our coin, we live by parting with it ; 
 And he thrives bell:, that has the moil to fparc. 
 
 The protefting lover buys hope with it, 
 
 And the deluded virgin mort-liv'd plea fu re : 
 
 Old grey -beards cram their avarice with it ; 
 
 Your lank-jaw'd hungry judge will dine upon't, 
 
 And hang the guiltlefs, rather than eat his mutton coll : 
 
 * This dificrtation upon conference, exhibits a melancholy pic- 
 tv.re to moral feelings j but we fear it is by no means exaggerated. 
 
 Ttve
 
 34 KING RICHARD - Iff. 
 
 The crown'd head quits it for defpotic fway, 
 
 The flubborn people for unaw'd rebellion. _ 
 
 There's not a {lave but has his fhare of villain : 
 
 Why then {hall after-ages think my deeds 
 
 Inhuman 1- fince my worit are but ambition. 
 
 Ev'n all mankind to fome lov'd ills incline-: 
 
 Great men choofe greater fins, ambition's mine. [Exi\ 
 
 SCENE J/vnw, and dijcovers Lady Anne fitting on a- 
 couch. 
 
 * La. Anne. When, when fhall I have reft ! Was mar- 
 
 riage made 
 
 To be the Icourge of our offences here ? 
 Oh ! no 'twas meant a bleffing to the virtuous ; 
 It once was fo to me, tho' now my curfe. 
 The fruit of Edward's love was ivveet and pleafmgj 
 But oh ! untimely cropt by cruel Glo'Jter ; 
 Who rudely having grafted on his flock, 
 Now makes my lite yield only fbrrow. 
 Let me have mufic to compofe my though s. 
 
 [Soft mufif* 
 
 It wiU not benought but the grave can clofe my eyes. 
 But fee, 
 He comes, the rude diflurberof my pillow. 
 
 Enter Glo'fler. 
 
 Glfjt. Ha ! flill in tears ! let them flow on ; they're 
 
 figns _ 
 
 Of a fubitantial grief why don't flic die ? 
 She muft, my intereft will not let her live. 
 The fair Elizabeth hath caught my eye ; 
 My heart's vacant, and (he fhall fill her place. 
 They fay that women have but tender hearts : 
 'Tis a miftake, I doubt I've found 'cm tough j 
 They'll bend, indeed but he mull ftruin that cracks 'eiA. 
 All I can hope's to throw her into fickncfs, 
 That I may lend her a phyfician's help. 
 
 Lady Anrit fliould be very delicate, in perfcn, features, voice, 
 jnd manners. 
 
 So,
 
 KING RICHARD III. 35 
 
 So, madam, what ! you flUl take care, I fee, 
 To let the world believe I love you not. 
 This outward mourning now, has malice in't, 
 So have theie fullen difobedient tears ; 
 I'll have you tell the world -I dote upon you. 
 
 La, Anne. I wifh I could but 'twill not be believ'd. 
 Have I deferv'd this ufage ? 
 
 Glo'Jl. You have you do not pleafe me, as at firft. 
 La. Anne. What have I done ? what horrid crime 
 
 committed ? 
 Gltfft. To me the worft of crimes; outliv'd my 
 
 liking. 
 
 La. Anne. If that be criminal, juft heav'n, be kind, 
 And take me while my penitence is warm ; 
 Oh fir, forgive and kill me. 
 
 Glai/1. Umph! no the meddling world will call that 
 
 murder, 
 
 And I would have them think me pitiful : 
 Now, w.ert thou not afraid of felf-deftruclion, 
 Thou hail a fair excufe for't. 
 
 La. Anne. How fain would I be friends with death ! 
 Oh name it, 
 
 Glo^Ji. Thy hufband's hate : nor do I hate thee, only 
 From the dull'd edge of fated appetite, 
 But from the eager love I bear another. 
 Some call me hypocrite what think'il thou, now ? 
 Do I diflemble ? 
 
 La. Anne. Thy vows of love to me were all di Hem- 
 bled. 
 
 Glo'Jl. Not' one for when I told thee fo, I lov'J : 
 Thou art the only foul I never yet deceiv'd ; 
 And 'tis my honefty that tells thee now, 
 With all my heart I hate thee. 
 
 If this have no efFeft, fhe is immortal. [AjtJf, 
 
 La. Anne. Forgive me, heav'n, that I forgave this 
 
 man. 
 
 Oh may my ftory, told in after- ages, 
 Give warning to our eafy fex's ears ; 
 May it unveil the hearts of men, and {hike 
 Them deaf to their dirlimulated love ! 
 
 Enttr
 
 3 6 KING RICHARD III. 
 
 Enter Catefby. 
 
 GWJl. Now, Catijby 
 
 Catejby. My loid, his grace of Buckingham attends 
 
 your highnefs' pleafure. 
 Gloft. Wait ooa him I'll expeft him here. 
 
 [Exit Catefby. 
 Your abfence, madam, will be necefliiry. 
 
 La. Anne. Would my death were fo ! [Exit, 
 
 Glo'Ji. It may be, fhortly. 
 
 Enter Buckingham. 
 
 My couiin, what fay the citizens ? 
 
 Buck. Now, by our hopes, my lord, they arc 
 
 fenfelefs ftones : 
 Their hefitating fear has frruck 'em dumb. 
 
 Glo'Jh Touch'd you the baftardy of Edward's 
 children ? 
 
 Suck. I did, with his contract to lady Lucy; 
 Nay, his own baftardy, and tyranny for trifles, 
 Laid open ail your victories in Scotland, 
 Your difcipline in war, wifdom in peace ; 
 Your bounty, pftice, fair humility; 
 Indeed left nothing that might gild our caufe, 
 <Untouch'd, or {lightly handled, in my talk : 
 And when my oration drew towards an end, 
 I urg'd of them that lov'd their country's good, 
 To do you right, and cry, Long live King Richard. 
 
 Glo'Jt. And did they fo ? 
 
 Buck. Not one, by heav'n -but each, like ftatues 
 
 fix'd, 
 
 Speechlefs and pale, ftar'd in his fellow's face : 
 Which when I faw, I reprehended them, 
 And aflc'd the Mayor what meant this wilful fiknce ? 
 His anfwer was, the people were not us'd 
 To be fpoken to but by the Recorder ; 
 Who then took on him to repeat my words ; 
 Thus faith the duke, thus hath the duke inferr'd ; 
 But nothing urg'd, in warrant from himfelf. 
 When he had done, ibme followers of my own, 
 
 6 At
 
 KING RICHARD III. 3- 
 
 At th' lower end of th' hall, huri'd up their caps, 
 And fome ten voices cry'd, Godfarjc Kh'% Richard? 
 At which I took the 'vantage of thofe few, 
 And cry'd, Thanks, gentle citizens, nnd friends, 
 This general applaufe and chearful front, 
 Argues your wifdom, and your love to Richard. 
 And even here broke oif, and came ai 
 
 Glofr. Oh tonguelefs blocks ! wodci they not fpeak? 
 Will not the Mayor then, and his brethren, corr.e ? 
 
 Buck. The Mayor is here at hand feign you fome 
 
 tear, 
 
 And be not fpoke with, but by mighty fu't. 
 A prayer-book in your hand, my lord, we;e well) 
 Standing between two churchmen of repute ; 
 For on that ground I'll make an holy default : 
 Yet be not ealily won to our requeits ; 
 Seem, like the virgin, fearful of your wifhcs. 
 
 do*jl. My other felf- my counfel's confiltory ! 
 My oracle ! my prophet ! my dear coufin ! 
 I, r-s a child, will go by thy direction; 
 
 'Bud. Hark ! the lord Mayor's at hand awav, \\\\- 
 
 lord ; 
 Ko doubt, but yet we reach our point propos'd. 
 
 Giofi. \Ve cannot fail, my lord, while you are pilot ! 
 A little flattery- Ibmetimes does well. [V. ;. 
 
 Enter Lord Mayor and Citizens. 
 
 . Welcome, my lord ; I dance attendance here. 
 I am afraid the duke will not be fpoke withal. 
 
 Enter Catefby. 
 
 Now, Catpfly y what fays your lord to my requeft ? 
 
 Catefly. My lord, he humbly does intreat your grace 
 To vifit him tr-.norrow, or the next day : 
 He's now retir'd with two right reverend fathers, 
 Divinely bent to meditation; 
 And in no worldly fuits w r ould he be mov'd, 
 To interrupt his holy exercife. 
 
 Buck. Return, good Catejby, to the gracious duke ; 
 Teil him, myfelf, the mavor, and citizens, 
 
 VOL. III. ' E la
 
 38 KING RICHARD IH. 
 
 In deep dcfigns, in matters of great moment, 
 No leis importing thnn our general good, 
 .Aie come to have fome conference with his grace. 
 Catcjly. My lord, I'll inftantly inform his highnefs. 
 Buck. Ah, my lord i this prince is not an Edward i 
 He is not lolling on a lewd love-bed, 
 But on his knees at meditation ; 
 Not dallying with a brace of courtezans ; 
 But with two deep divines in facred praying: 
 Happy were England, would this virtuous prince 
 Take on himfelf the toil of fbv'reignty. 
 Ld. Mayor. Happy indeed, my lord. 
 He will not, fure, refufe our proffer'd love. 
 
 Buck. Alas, my lord ! you know him not : his mind's 
 Above this world he's for a crown immortal. 
 Look there, his door opens : now where's our hope ? 
 Ld. Mayor. See where his grace ftands, 'tween two 
 
 clergymen ! 
 Back. Ay, ay, 'tis there he's caught there's his 
 
 ambition. 
 Ld. flavor. How low he bows, to thank 'em for their 
 
 care ! 
 And fee ! a prayer-book in his hand ! 
 
 Buck. Would he were king, we'd give him leave to 
 
 pray : 
 
 Methinks I wifii it for the love he bears the city. 
 How have I heard him vow, he thought it hard 
 The Mayor ffiould lofe his title with his office * ! 
 Well, who knows ? He may be won. 
 Ld. Major. Ah, my lord ! 
 
 Buck. See, he comes forth my friends, be refolute ; 
 I know IK'S cautious to a fault; but do not 
 Lea>e him, till our honeft fuit be granted. 
 
 Enter Gio'iter, ivitb a Book f. 
 X Coufin of Buckingham, 
 
 *"* palpable bakfordty ^ the *' 
 
 I do
 
 KING RICHARD IB. 39 
 
 I do befeech your grace to pardon me, 
 Who, earneft in my zealous meditation, 
 So long deferr'd the fervice of my friends. 
 Now do I fear I've done fame ftrange offence, 
 That looks difgracious in the city's eye. If fo, 
 'Tis juft you mould reprove my ignorance. 
 
 Buck. You have,, my lord ; we wifh your grace, 
 On our intreaties, would amend your fault. 
 
 Glo'Jt. Elle wherefore breathe I in a Chriflian land? 
 
 Buck. Know then, it is your fault, that you refign 
 The fcepter'd office of your anceitors, 
 Fair England's throne, your own due right of birth, 
 To the corruption of a blemifh'd flock ; 
 While in the mildnels ot your fleeping thoughts 
 (Which here we waken to our country's good) 
 This wounded ifle does want her proper limbs, 
 Which to re-cure, join'd with thefe loyal men, 
 Your very worfhipful and loving friends, 
 And by their zealous inftigation, 
 In this jufl caufe, I come, to move your highnefs, 
 That on your gracious felf you'd take the Charge, 
 And kingly government of this your laud, 
 Not as protestor, ileward, fubititute, 
 Or lowly factor for another's gain ; 
 But as fucceffively from blood to blood, 
 Your own by right ot birth, and lineal glory, 
 
 Glo'Jl. I cannot tell, if to depart in lliencc, 
 Or bitterly to fpeak in your reproof, 
 Fits beft with my degree, or your condition ; 
 Therefore to fpeak in jult refufal of your fuit, 
 And then in fpeaking not to check my friends, 
 Definitively thus I anfwer you : 
 Your love deferves my thanks ; but my defert, 
 Unmeritable, (huns your fond requeft ; 
 For, heav'n be thank'd, there is no need of me; 
 The royal flock has left us royal fruit, 
 Which, mellow'd by the ftealing hours of time, 
 Will well become the feat of majefty, 
 And make us (no doubt) happy by his reign. 
 On him I lay what you would lay on m*, 
 
 E 2 T.i
 
 4 o KING RICHARD HI. 
 
 The right and fortune of his happier ftafs ; 
 
 Which heav'n forbid ray thoughts ihoukl rob him of? 
 
 Ltl. Afawr. Upon our knees, my lord, we beg 
 
 your grace 
 
 To wear this precious robe of dignity, 
 Which on a child mull fit too loofe and heavy ; 
 'Tis yours, beHtting both your vvifdom, and your birth* 
 
 Catejly. My lord, this coldnefs is unkind, 
 Nor fuits it with fuch ardent loyalty. 
 
 Buck. Oh make 'cm happy ! grant their lawful fuif. 
 
 Glj'J?. Alas ! why would you heap this care on me :" 
 I am unfit for (late and majeity. 
 I thank you for your loves, but muft declare 
 (I do beseech you take it not amifs) 
 I will not, dare not, muft not, yield to you. 
 
 Bud. If you refufe us, thro' a foft remorie, 
 Loth to depofe the child your brother's fon 
 (As well we know your tendernefs of heart) ; 
 Yet know, tho' you deny us to the laft, 
 Your brother's fon {hall never reign our king, 
 But we will plant forne other in the throne, 
 To the difgrace and downfai of your houle : 
 And, thus refolv'd, I bid you, fir, farewel. 
 ?.ly lord, at:d gentleman, I beg your pardon, 
 i'or this viiin trouble my intent was good, 
 F would have ferv'd my country, and my king : 
 But 'twill not be Farewel. till next we meet. 
 
 Ld. Mayor. Be not too rafh, my lord : his grace re- 
 lents. 
 
 JBxd. Away, you but deceive yourfelves. [Exit* 
 
 Catejby. Sweet prince, accept their fuit. 
 
 Ld. Major. If you deny us, all the land will rue it. 
 
 Gttft. Call him agiin \Exit Catelby.] you will en- 
 force me to 
 
 A world or cares I am not made of ftone, 
 Hut penetrable to your kind intreaties j 
 Tho , heaven knows, againft my own inclining. 
 
 Safer Buckingham and Catelby. 
 Coufin of Buckingham, and fa.ge, grave men, 
 
 Sinc-
 
 KING RICHARD III. 41 
 
 Since you will buckle fortune on my back, 
 To bear her burden, whether I will or no, 
 I mult have patience to endure the load ; 
 But, if black fcandal, or foul-fac'd reproach, 
 Attend the fequel of your impofition, 
 Your mere enforcement mall acquittance me ; 
 For heaven knows, as you may partly fee, 
 How far I am from the defire of this. 
 
 Ld. Mayor. Heaven guard your grace ! we fee it, 
 and will fay it. 
 
 &o]fl. You will but fay the truth, my lord. 
 
 Buck. My heart's fo full, it fcarce has vent for 
 
 words ; 
 
 My knee will better fpeak my duty, now ! 
 Long live our fovereign, Richard, king of England. 
 
 Glo'ji. Indeed, your words have touch'd me nearly, 
 
 eoufin f 
 Pray rife I wifh you could recall r em. 
 
 Buck. It would be treafon, now, my loi'dj to- 
 morrow, 
 
 If it fo pleafe your majefty, from council 
 Orders ihall be given for your coronation. 
 
 Gloft. E'en wheri you pleafe, for you will have it fb. 
 
 Buck. To-morrow then we will attend your majelty, 
 And now we take our leaves with joy. 
 
 Glo'ji. Coufin, adieu my loving trienls, farewel. 
 I muu unto my holy work again, 
 
 {Exeunt ail but Richard. 
 * Why, now my golden dream is out 
 Ambition, like an early friend, throws back 
 My curtains with an eager hand, o'erjoy'd 
 To tell me what I dreamt is true A crown I 
 Thou bright reward of ever-daring minds ! 
 Oh ! how thy awful glory wraps my foul ! 
 Nor can the means that got thee dim thy kiilre : 
 For, not men's love, fear pays thee adoration, 
 
 * This foliloquy affords a fine tranfition for adling merit to fliew 
 itfelf} from the losv fpirhlefs ramonftrances of aflumed diffidence, 
 to the malicious enjoyment of the fair road his villainous famines 
 appear to be in, 
 
 E 3 And
 
 4 2 KING RICHARD IIL 
 
 And fame not mgre furvives from good than evil deeds-. 
 r l'\i -afpiring youth that fir'd the Epheiian dome, 
 Outlives, in tame, the pious fool that rais'd it. 
 Confciencc, lie itill; more lives muft yet be drain'd ; 
 Crowns got with blood, muft be with blood maintain'd. 
 
 [*//. * 
 
 * It is a Tery peculiar merit in this play, that each aft rifes 
 above the other, and that the whole piece is alive, with increafing- 
 fjMrir, to the end. 
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 SCENE,**/ Tower. 
 
 Enter Queen, Prince Edward, Duke of York, Dutchefs- 
 of York, and Lady Anne in tears. 
 
 P. -E^.T) RAY, madam, do not leave me yet, 
 
 JL F r I have many more complaints to tell you* 
 
 Queen. And I unable to redrefs the leaft. 
 What would'ft thou fay, my child ? 
 
 P. Ed. Oh, mother, fmce I have lain i'th' Tower, 
 My reft has ftill been broke with frightful dreams, 
 Or (hocking news has wak'd me into tears : 
 I'm fcarce allow'd a friend to vifit me ; 
 AH my old honeft fervants are turn'd off, 
 And in their rooms are ftrange ill-natur'd fellows, 
 \Vho look fo bold as they were all my mailers ; 
 Ann I'm afraid they'll fhortly take ^-ou from me. 
 
 D. of Tork. Oh, mournful hearing! 
 
 I A. Anne. Oh, unhappy prince! 
 
 D. of Tork. Dear brother, why do you weep fo ? 
 You make me cry too ! 
 
 Alas, poor innocence! 
 
 P. Ed. Would I but knew at what my uncle aim 
 Ir" 'twere my crown, I'd freely give it him, 
 So he'd but let me 'joy my lite in quiet. 
 
 D. of Tork. Why, will my uncle kill us, brothe 
 l\EJ. I hopejie wcii't ; we never injur'd him.
 
 KIN 7 G RICHARD III. 4 j 
 
 Queen, I cannot bear to fee 'em thus- [J/^/ajv 
 
 JLnter Lord Stanley.- 
 
 Stanley. Madam, I hope your majefty will-pardoii 
 What I am griev'd to tell, unwelcome news ! 
 
 Queen. Ah me ! more forrow, yet ! my lord, we've 
 
 long 
 Defpair'd of happy tidings ; pray what is't ? 
 
 Stanley. On Tuejlty laft, your noble kinfmen, Rivers^, 
 Grey, and iir Thomas Vaugban, at Pom/ret, 
 Were executed on a public fcaffold. 
 
 Dut. of Tork. Oh difmal tidings ! 
 
 P. E.d. Oh poor uncles ! I doubt my turn is next. 
 
 La. Anne. Nor mine, I fear r far off. 
 
 S>ueen. Why then let's welcome blood and maflacre, 
 Yield all our throats to the fell tiger's rage, 
 And die lamenting one another's wrongs j. 
 Oh ! I fbrefaw this ruin of our houfe. 
 
 Enter Catefby, 
 
 Catejly. Madam, the king 
 Has fent me to inform your majetfy, 
 That you prepare (as is advifed from council)' 
 To-morrow for your royal coronation. 
 
 S>u.cen. What do I hear ! fupport me, heav'n f 
 
 La. Anne. Defpightful tidings ! Oh y unpleafing ne\V3 ! 
 Alas, I heard of this before, but could not, 
 For my foul, find heart to tell you of it. 
 
 Catefby. The king does farther wlm yourrnajefty 
 Would kfs employ your vilits at the Tower ; 
 He gives me leave t'attend you to the court, 
 And is impatient, madam, till he fees you. 
 
 La. Anne. Farewel to all ; and thou, poor injur'd 
 
 queen, 
 Forgive the unfriendly duty I muft pay. 
 
 Queen. Alas, kind foul, I envy not thy glory ; 
 Nor think I'm pleas'd thou'rt partner in our ibrraw, 
 
 Catejby. Madam. 
 
 La. Anns. I come. 
 
 Queen, Farewel, thou woeful welcomer of glory
 
 44 KING RICHAREX III. 
 
 Catejby. Shall I attend your majelty ? 
 La. Anne. Attend me ! whither ? to be crown'd ? 
 Let me with deadly venom be anointed, 
 And die ere man can fay, Long live the >ueen ! 
 
 ^yen. Poor grieving heart ! I pity thy complaining* 
 
 La. Anne. No more than with my foul I mourn tor 
 
 yours. 
 A long farewel to all. [Exit with Catefby. 
 
 Stanley. Take comfort, madam. 
 
 Queen. Alas ! where is it to be found ? 
 Death and deltru&ion follow us fo clofe, 
 They fhortly mult o'ertake us. 
 
 Stanley. In Britany, 
 
 My fbn-in-law, the earl of Richmond, {till 
 Refides, who with a jealous eye obferves 
 The lawlefs aftions of afpiring Glo'fter ; 
 To him would I advife you, madam, fly 
 Forthwith, for aid, protection, and redrefs : 
 He will, I'm fure, with open arms receive you. 
 
 Dut. of Tork. Delay not, madam, 
 For 'tis the only hope that heav'n has left us. 
 
 S>uetn. Do with me what you pleafe for any change 
 Muft furely better our condition. 
 
 Stanley. I farther would advife you, madam, this inftant 
 To remove the princes to fome 
 Remote abode, where you yourlelf are miitrefs. 
 
 P. Ed. Dear madam, take me hence; for I mall ne'er 
 Enjoy a moment's quiet here. 
 
 D. of Tork. Nor I ; pray, mother, let me go too. 
 
 ^utsn. Come then, my pretty young ones, let's away, 
 For here you lie within the falcon's reach, . 
 Who watches but th' unguarded hour to feize you. 
 
 Enter Lieutenant. 
 
 Lieut. I beg your roajeity will pardon me; 
 But the young princes mult, on no account, 
 Have egrefs from the Tower. 
 Nor mult (without the king's efpecial licence) 
 Of what degree foever, any perfon 
 Have admittance to 'em all mult retire.
 
 KING RICHARD III. 4^ 
 
 Queen. I am their mother, fir; who elfe commands 
 
 'em? 
 
 If I pafs freely, they {hall follow me. 
 For you I'll take the peril of your fault upon myfelf, 
 
 Lieut. My inclination, madam, would oblige you; 
 But I am bound by oath, and mult obey; 
 Nor, madam, can I now with farety anfwcr 
 For this continued vifit. 
 Pleafe you, my lord, to read thefe orders. 
 
 Queen. Oh heav'nly pow'rs ! fliall I not ilay with 'em? 
 
 Lieut. Such are the king's commands, madam. 
 
 Queen. My lord ! 
 
 Stanley, "f is too true and it were vain t'oppofe 'em. 
 
 Queen. Support me, heav'n ! 
 
 For life can never bear the pangs of fuch a parting* 
 Oh, my poor children ! oh, diiiracting thought! 
 I dare not bid 'em (as I mould) farewel ; 
 And then to part in filence, ftabs my foul ! 
 
 P. Ed. What, muft you leave us x mother ? 
 
 Queen What fliall I fay ? \Afee* 
 
 But for a time, my loves we mail meet again, 
 At leaft in heaven. 
 
 D. of Tork. Won't you take me with you, mother ? 
 I fliall be fo 'frajd to Itay, when you are gone. 
 
 Queen. I cannot fpeak to 'em, and yet we mufl 
 Be parted then let thefe kifles fay farewel. 
 Why ! oh why ! juil heav'n, mult thefe be our laft ! 
 
 D. of Tork. Give not your grief fuch waybe.- 
 fudden when you part. 
 
 Queen. I will fince it muft be -to heav'n I kaye- 
 
 'em: 
 
 Hear me, ye guardian powers of innocence ! 
 Awake or fleeping Oh, protect 'em itill ! 
 Still may their helplefs youth attract men's pity,. 
 That when the arm of cruelty is rais'd, 
 Their looks may drop the lifted dagger down 
 From the flern murderer's relenting hand, 
 And throw him on his knees in penitence T 
 
 Both Princes. Oh, mother ! mother ! 
 
 Queen. Oh, my poor children ! [Exeunt feverafy. 
 
 SCENR
 
 46 KING RICHARD IIL 
 
 SCENE the Prefence. 
 
 DXccverin? Glo'fter feated t Buckingham, Catefby, 
 Ratcliff, Lovel,feV. 
 
 olft. Stand all apart Coufin of 
 
 Suck. My gracious fovereign. 
 
 Glojl. Give me thy hand,- 
 At length by thy advice and thy affiftance, 
 Is Glofter feated on the Englijb throne. 
 But fay, my coufin 
 
 What ! {hall we wear thefe glories for a day ? 
 Or fliall they laft, and we rejoice in them ? 
 
 Buck. I hope for ages, fir long may they grace you f 
 
 Glojl. Oh, Buckingham ! now do I play the touch- 
 
 ilone*, 
 
 To try if thou be current friend indeed. 
 Young Edward lives, fo does his brother Tork. 
 Now think what I would fpeak. 
 
 Buck. Say on, my gracious lord. 
 
 Glo"Jl. I tell thee, coz, I've lately had two fpiders 
 Crawling upon my ftartled hopes 
 Now tho' thy friendly hand has brufli'd r era from me, 
 Yet ftiil they craw! offenfiye to my eyes ; 
 I would have fome kind friend to tread upon 'em 
 I would be king, my coufin. 
 
 Buck. Why, fo I think you are, my royal lord. 
 
 Glo'J}. Ha ! am I king ? 'tis fo but Edward live*. 
 
 Buck. Moft true, my lord. 
 
 Glo'Jl. Coufin, thou wert not wont to be fo dulL 
 Shall I be plain I wifli the baftards dead ; 
 And I would have it fuddenly perform'd : 
 Now, coufin, canft thou anfwer me ? 
 
 Buck. None dare difpute your highnefs' pleafure. 
 
 GbJ}. Indeed ! methinks thy kindnefs freezes, coufin. 
 Thou dolt refufe, me then ! they (hall no.t die. 
 
 Buck. My lord, fince 'tis an action cannot be 
 
 * This round-about method of working on Buckingham to make 
 a cat s paw f him, is rery confident with the depths of Rkbarfs 
 policy. 
 
 Recall^
 
 KING RICHARD III. 47 
 
 'Recall'd, allow me but fbme paufe to think, 
 
 I'll infcantly refolve your highnefs. [Exit, 
 
 Catejly. The king feems angry ; fee, he gnaws his lip. 
 
 GlojL I'll henceforth deal with fhorter-lighted fools. 
 None are for me, that look into my deeds, 
 With thinking eyes 
 
 High-reaching Buckingham grows circumfpecl: ; 
 The belt on't is, it may be done without him, 
 Tho' not fo well, perhaps had he confented, 
 Why then the murder had been his, not mine. 
 We'll make a fhift as 'tis Come hither, Catefby ; 
 Where's that fame Tirrelv/ horn thou told'ft me of? 
 Hail thou given him thofe fums of gold I order'd ? 
 
 Catcjly I have, my liege. 
 
 Gl/ft. Where is he ? 
 
 Catejly. He waits your highnefs' pleafure. 
 
 Glo'jt. Give him this ring, and fay myfelf 
 Will bring him farther orders inftantly. [Exit Catefby. 
 The deep-revolving duke of Buckingham 
 No more (hall be the neighbour to my councils : 
 Has he fo long held out with me untir'd, 
 And flops he now for breath ? Well, be it fo. 
 
 Enter Lord Stanley. 
 
 How now, lord Stanley, what's the news ? 
 
 Stanley. 1 hear, my liege, the lord marquis of Dorfct 
 Is fled to Richmond now in Britany. 
 
 Gloft. Why let him go, my lord : he may be fpar'd. 
 Hark thee, Ratdij}\ when faw'ft thou Anne, my queen ? 
 Is (he ftill weak ? has my phyfician feen her ? 
 
 Ratcllff. He has, my lord, and fears her mightily. 
 
 Glrfji. But he's exceeding Ikilful, flie'll mend fhortly. 
 
 Ratdlff. I hope {he will, my lord. 
 
 Gloft. And if fhe does, I have miftook my man. 
 I mull be marry'd to my brother's daughter, 
 At whom I know the Briton, Richmond, aims ; 
 And by that knot looks proudly on the crown. 
 But then to ftain me with her brother's blood ; 
 Is that the way to wooe the lifter's love? 
 No matter what's the way for while they li, r o, 
 
 * My
 
 4 KING RICHARD III, 
 
 JVly goodly kingdom's on a weak foundation. 
 
 'Tis done, my daring heart's refolv'd they're dead! 
 
 -Enter Buckingham. 
 
 Buck. My lord, I have confider'd in fny mind, 
 The late requeft that you did found me in. 
 
 Glojl. Well, let that reft Dor/et is. fled to Riclmonct. 
 
 Buck. I have heard the news, my lord. 
 
 "Gltfjl. Stanley, he's your near k'mfman well, look 
 to him. 
 
 Bud. My lord, I claim that gift, my due by pro* 
 
 miie, 
 
 For which your honour and your faith's engag'u ; 
 The earldom of Hereford, and thofe moveables, 
 Which yott have promifed I frail pofiefsi. 
 
 Glojl. Stanley, look to your wife ; if (he convey 
 Letters to Richmond, you {hall anfwer it. 
 
 Buck. What fays your highnefs to my juft requefr, ? 
 
 G'o]/}. I 'do remember me, Harry the fixth 
 Did prophefy, that Richmond fhould be king, 
 When Richmond was a little peevilh boy. 
 Tis odd 1 a king, perhaps 
 
 Enter Catefby. 
 
 Catejby. My lord, I have obey'd your highnefs' or- 
 ders. 
 
 Buck. May it pleale you to refolve me in my fuit. 
 G/o'Jf. Lead Tirrel to my clofet, Til meet him. 
 Buck. I beg your highnefs' ear, my lord. 
 Glojr. I'm bufy-rthou troubleft me I'm not i'th 
 vein.. [Exif. 
 
 Suck. Oh patience, hfeav'nl is't thus he pays my 
 
 fervice? 
 
 \V as it for this I rais'd him to the throne ? 
 Oh ! if the peaceful dead have any fenfe 
 Of thofe vile injuries they bore, while living ; 
 Then fare the joyful fouls of blood-fuck'd Eikar% 
 Henry, Clarence, Haft ings, and all that through 
 His roul corrupted dealings have mifcarry'd, 
 
 .Will
 
 KING RICHARD III. 49 
 
 Will from the walls of heav'n hi fmiles look down, ^ 
 To fee this tyrant tumbling from his throne, > 
 
 His fall unmoun&lj and bloody as their own. [Exit.) 
 
 SCENE an Apartment in the Tower. 
 Enter Tirrc!, Dighton, /.v/ Foreft. 
 
 Tirnl. Come, gentlenren, 
 Have you concluded on the means ? 
 
 Fore/I. Smothering will make no noiie, fir. 
 
 Tirrel. Let it be done iVn' dark for fhould you fee 
 Their young faces, who knows how far their looks 
 Of innocence may tempt you into pity? 
 Stand back Lieutenant, have you brought the keys ? 
 
 Enter Lieutenant* 
 
 Lieut. I have 'em, fin, 
 
 Tirrel. Then here's your warrant to deliver 'em. 
 
 [Giving a Ring* 
 Lieut. Your fervant, fir. 
 
 What can this mean ! why at this deul of ni^ht 
 To give 'em too ! 'Tis not for me t'inquire. [Exit, 
 
 Tirrel. There, gentlemen ; 
 That way you 'have no farther need of me. 
 
 [ Exeunt fzvera l!y. 
 Enter Glo'fter. 
 
 (.n,)"Ji. Would it were done : 
 There is a bufy fomething here, 
 That fooiilh cuifom has made terrible, 
 To the intent of evil deeds ; and nature to?, 
 As if (he knew ine womanifh, and wtak, 
 Tugs at my heart-firings with compk ining cries, 
 To talk me from my purpole 
 And then the thought of what men's tor g i^s v.iil fi/, 
 Of what their hearts muft think ; 
 To have no creature love me living, nor 
 My memory when dead. 
 Shall future ages, when thefe children's ta'e 
 Js told, drop rears in pity of their hapkfj fate, 
 
 Vo.., III. F Ami
 
 ,0 KING RICHARD IIT. 
 
 And read with detection the mifdeeds of GlJJter, 
 
 * The crook-back'd tyrant, cruel, barbarous, 
 
 .And bloody ? will they not fay too, _ 
 
 That to poffefs the crown, nor laws divine 
 
 Nor human ftopt my way ? Why let 'em fay it ; 
 
 They can't but fay 1 had the crown ; 
 
 I was not fool as well as villain. 
 
 Hark! the murders doing : princes, farewel; 
 
 To me there's mufick in your parang-bell. [Exit. 
 
 Enter Tirrel. 
 
 TZrrel. 'Tisdone; the barbarous bloody aft is done. 
 Ha ! the king his coming hither, at this 
 Late hour, Ipeaks him impatient for the news. 
 
 JEuter Glo'iter. 
 
 GtiJ{. Now, my 7/nr/, how are the brats difpos'd ? 
 ! ay. -am I happy? haft thou dealt upon 'em ? 
 
 'Tirrel. If to have done the thing you gave i recharge, 
 Beget your happinefs then, fir, be happy, for it is-done. 
 
 GtijL But did'ft thou fee 'em dead-? 
 
 Tirrel. I did, my lord. 
 
 Glo]ft. And bury'd, my good Tirrel ? 
 
 Tirrel. In that 1 thought to aik your grace's pleafure. 
 
 Giojl. I have it I'll have 'em lure get me a coffin 
 Full of holes, let 'em be both cram'd into it, 
 And 'hark thee, in the night-tide throw 'em down 
 The Thames once in, they'll find the way to the bot- 
 tom ; 
 
 Mean time, but think how I may do thee good., 
 And be inheritor of thy defire. 
 
 Tirrel. I humbly thank your highnefs, 
 
 City. About it ftrait, good TirreL 
 
 fin el. Conclude it done, my lord, \_Exit. 
 
 Gieijl. Why then my loudeft fears are humM ; 
 The fens of Edward have eternal reft, 
 And Anr.e my wife has bid this world good-night ; 
 
 * There is ftrift prefervation of tharafler in making RiclarJ 
 advert to his own deformity. 
 
 While
 
 KING RICHARD IIL 
 
 While fair Elizabeth, my beauteous niece. 
 Like a new morn, lights ouward to my 
 
 Enter Catefby, 
 
 Catejly. My lord 
 
 Gltfji. Good news, or bad, that thou com'il in io 
 
 bluntly ? 
 Catijly. Bad news, my lord ; Morton is fled to Rlc'j- 
 
 mond, 
 
 And Buckingham, back'd with the hardy We[/hmcrt t 
 Is in the field, and ftill his power increafes. 
 
 Glcfft. Morton with Richmond touches me more near, 
 Than Buckingham, and his rafli levy'd numbers. 
 But come, dangers retreat, when boldly they're con- 
 fronted, 
 
 And dull delays lead impotence and fear ; 
 7'hea fiery expedition raife my arm, 
 And fatal may it fall on crum'd rebellion ! 
 Let's mufter men, my council is my fhield, 
 We mull be brief when traitors brave the field. 
 
 [J&V. 
 
 SCENE, tie Tower. 
 E.-iter Queen, and Dutchefi of York. 
 
 >ueen. Oh, my poor children ! Oh, my tender babes ' 
 My unblown flowers, pluck'd by untimely hands ; 
 If yet your gentle fouls fly in the air, 
 And be not fix'd in doom perpetual ; 
 Hover about me with your airy wings, 
 And hear your mother's lamentation.. 
 Why flept their guardian angels, when this deed was 
 done? 
 
 Dut of Tork. So many miferies have drain'd my ey;, 
 That my woe-wearied tongue is ft ill and mute ; 
 Why mould calamity be full of words ? 
 
 S>ueen. Let's give 'em fcope j for tho' they can't re- 
 move, 
 Yet do they eafe affliction. 
 
 F 2 D-.rt.
 
 52 KING RICHARD 1IL 
 
 Dut. of York. Why then, let us be loud in exclama- 
 tions, 
 To' Richard hafte, and pierce him with our cries ; 
 
 [ Trumpet founds a March. 
 
 Hark ! his trumpet founds this way lie inuit pafs. 
 Queen* Alas ! I've not the daring to confront him. 
 Dut. of Tork. I have a mother's right, I'll force him 
 hear me. 
 
 Enter Glq'fier cud Catefby, with Forces. Trumpet 
 founds a March. 
 
 Gl<?jl. Who interrupts me in my expedition ? 
 
 Dut. of York. Doit thou not know me ? Art thou not 
 my fon ? 
 
 Glojl. L cry you mercy, madam, is it you ? 
 
 Dut. of York. Art thou my fon ? 
 
 Gtijl. Ay, I thank heav'n, my father, and yourfelf. 
 
 Dut. of Tork. Then I command thee, hear me. 
 , Glo'J}. Madam, I have a touch of your condition, 
 That cannot brook, the accent of reproof. 
 
 D"ut. of -Tort. Stay, I'll be mild and gentle in my 
 words. 
 
 Gljjl. And brief, good mother,, for I am in hafte. 
 
 Dut. of York. Why, I have itaid for thee (jufl heaves 
 
 knows) 
 In torment and in r.gony. 
 
 Glojl. And came I not at laft to comfort you ? 
 
 Dut. of Tork.'No, on my foul ; too well thou know'fl it, 
 A grievous burden was thy birth to me, 
 Teeny and wayward was thy infancy, 
 Thy prime of manhood, daring, bold, and ftubborn, 
 Thy age confirrh'd, molt fubtle, proud, and bloody. 
 
 Gloft. If I am fo difgracious in your eye, 
 I>et me' march on, and not offend you, madam ; 
 Strike up the drum. 
 
 Dut. of Tork. Yet itay, I charge thee hear me. 
 
 S^uecn. It not, hear me for I have wrongs will fpeak, 
 Without a tongue Methinks the very fight 
 Of me ftipuld turn thee into ftone ; 
 Where are my children, Glofiff-? 
 
 Dur. of York. Where is thy brother Clarence? 
 
 Where Hajlings? ,Dut.
 
 KING RICHARD III. 53 
 
 Dut, of York. Riven? 
 
 Queen. Vaugban? 
 
 Due. of York. Grey? 
 
 * Glojl. A flourish, trumpets ; flrike alarum, drums.. 
 Let not the heav'ns hear thefe tell-tale women 
 Rail on the heav'n's anointed Strike, I fay. 
 
 [Alarm of Drums and Trumpets-,. 
 Either be patient, and intreat me fair, 
 Or with the clamorous report of war 
 Thus will I drown your exclamations... 
 
 Dut. of TorK. Then hear me, heav'n, and heav'n at 
 
 his lateit hour 
 
 Be deaf to .him, as he is now. to me ! 
 Ere from this war he 'turn a conqueror,, 
 Ye power?, cut off his dangerous thread of life, 
 Left his black lins rife higher in account, 
 Than hell has pains to punifh ! 
 Mifchnnce and forrow wait thee to the field ! 
 Heart's di (content, languid, and lean defpair, 
 With ail the helts of guilt, puriuc thy fteps, for ever T 
 
 {*&. 
 
 Queen. Tho' far morecaufe, yet- much kfs power tv 
 
 curfe, 
 Abides in me I fay Amen to her. 
 
 Glojt. Stay, mad'am, I would beg feme words with, 
 you, 
 
 Qefa. What canll thou afk, that I have now to grant? 
 Is't another fon ? Glo'Jter, I have none. 
 
 Gloft. You have a beauteous daughter, cafl'd.^fo.-J? 
 b(tb. 
 
 Qteen. Muft fhe die, too? 
 
 Gh'Ji. For whole fa ir fake I'fl br 5 n g. more good to yo a, .. 
 Than ever you or yours from me had harm: 
 So in the Lethe of thy angry foul 
 Thou'it drown the fad remembrance of thofe. wroncp- 
 Which thou fuppofeft me the cruel caufe of, 
 
 Queen. Ee brief, left that the procefs of thykindneft 
 La It longer telling than thy kindneis' date. 
 
 * It is finely imagined to make a zaaa loaded "with confcJo-45 
 j'^iU dy abruptly from the fubjedh 
 
 F- 3 fiiv,
 
 54 KING RICHARD III. 
 
 Glo'ft. Know then, that from my foul I love the fair 
 Elizabeth, and will, wirh your permiffion, 
 Seat her on the throne of England. 
 
 Queen. Alas ! vain man, how canft thou woo her ? 
 
 Glojt. That I would learn of you, 
 As one being beft acquainted with her humour. 
 
 Vueru. If thou wilt learn of me, then woo her 
 
 thus : 
 
 Fend to her, by the man that killed her brothers, 
 A pair of bleeding hearts thereon engrav'd, 
 Edward and York then haply will me weep. 
 On this prefent her with an handkerchief, 
 Stain'd with their blood, to wipe her woeful eyes : 
 If this inducement move her not to love, 
 Read o'er the ' hiitory of thy noble deeds; 
 Tell her, thy policy took off her uncles, 
 Clarence, Rivers, Grey, nay, and, for her fake, 
 Made quick conveyance with her dear aunt Anne* 
 
 Gloji. You mock me, madam; this is not the wr.y 
 To win your daughter. 
 
 gheen. What fnall I fay? ftill to affront his love, 
 I fear will but incenfe him to revenge ; 
 And to confent, I fhould abhor myfelf : 
 Yet I may feemingly comply, and thus, 
 By fending Richmond "word of his intent, 
 Shall gain fome time to let ray child elcape him.. 
 It ftiall be fo. \AJMe ^ 
 
 \ have confider'd, fir, of your important wifhes, 
 And could I but believe you real 
 
 Glo'J}. Now. by the facred hofts of ainrs above 
 
 S>uccn+ Oh do not fwear, my lord ; I afk no oath, 
 XJnlefs my daughter doubt you more than I. 
 
 Glo'jl. Oh, my kind mother ! (I muft call you fo) 
 Fe theu to her my love's foft orator ; 
 Plead xvhat I will be, not what I have been, 
 Not my dderts, but what I will deferve. 
 And when this warlike arm fnall have chailis*d 
 The audacious rebel,' hoi-brain's "Buckingham; 
 Bound with triumphant garlands will I come, 
 And Jead your daughter to a conqueror's bed.
 
 KING RICHARD IIT. 55 
 
 . My lord, farewel in fome few <kiys ex- 
 pect 
 
 To hear how fair a progrefs I have made : 
 Till when, be happy as you're penitent. 
 
 Glojl. My heart goes with you to my love. Farewd, 
 
 \Exit Queen- 
 Relenting, fhallow-thoughted woman ! 
 
 .Ea/w Ratcliff. 
 
 How now ! the news ! 
 
 Ratcliff. Moft gracious fovereign, on the \veftern 
 
 coafts, 
 
 Rides a moft powerful navy, and our fears 
 Inform us Richmond is their admiral. 
 There do they hull, expecting but the aid 
 Of Buckingham, to welcome them a/h ore. [ZvvV. 
 
 Gtift. We muil prevent him then Come hither, 
 Catejby. 
 
 Catejby. My lord, your pleafure ! 
 
 GlfjL Pofl to the duke of Norfolk, inflantly, 
 Bid him ftraight levy all the llrength and power 
 That he can make, atid meet me fuddenly, 
 At Salijbury Commend me to his grace away. 
 
 {Exit Catefby, 
 
 Enter Lord Stanley. 
 
 Well, my lord, what news have you gather'd ? 
 
 Stanley. Richmond is on the feas, my lord ? 
 
 Glo'Jl There let him link and be the feas on him, 
 White-liver'd renegade' u'hat does he there ! 
 
 Stanley, I know not, mighty fovereign, but by guefs.. 
 
 Glo'Ji. Well, as you guefs,' 
 
 Stanley. Stirr'd up by Dorjet^ Buckingham* and Morton r 
 He makes fotJEngkay, heie to claim the crown* 
 
 Gloft. Traitor ! the crown ! 
 Where is thy power then to beat him back ? 
 Where be thy tenants, and thy followers ? 
 The foe upon our coait, and thou no friends to meet 
 ^afcfi 
 
 Qx
 
 5 6 KING. R I C H- A R D II f. 
 
 Or huft thou march'd them to the weftern fhore, 
 To give the rebels conduft from their (hips ? 
 
 Stanley. My lord, my friends are ready all i'th' North. . 
 
 Gloft. The North ! why what do they do i'th North, 
 When they (hould ferve their ibvereign in the Weft ? ' 
 
 Stttnlfy. They yet have had no orders, fir, to move : 
 If 'tis your royal pleaCure they fhould inarch,. 
 I'll lead them on with utmoft hafte to join you, 
 Where, and what time, your majefty (hall pleafe. 
 
 Glo'Ji. What, thou would'ft be gone to joia with. 
 Richmond? 
 
 Stanley. Sir, you have no caufe to doubt my loyalty,. 
 I ne'er yet was, nor ever will be, falfe. 
 
 Glo'jL Away then to thy. kiends,,and lead 'em on 
 To meet me hold, come back I will not trull thee. 
 I've thought a way to make thee (lire your fon, 
 George Stanley, fir, I'll have him left behind ; 
 And look your heart be firm, 
 Or elfe his head's afiurance is but frail. 
 
 Stanley. As I prove true, my lord, fo deal with him. 
 
 [Exit. 
 Safer RatcliiK 
 
 Raf cliff". My lord, the army of great Buckingham). 
 By ("widen floods, and fall of waters, 
 Is half loft, and fcatter'd : 
 And he himfelf wander'd away alone, 
 No man knows whither. 
 
 Glo'Ji. Has any.carejul officer proclaim'd 
 Reward .to, him that brings the traitor in ? 
 
 Ratdiff. Such proclamation has been made, my lord. 
 
 Enter Catefby*. 
 
 Catefly. My liege, the dyke of Buckingham is taken. 
 Glo'J}, Off with his head- fo much for Buckingham* 
 Catejby. My lord, I am forry I muft tell more news, 
 
 * There is a remarkable, quick, and animating fuccefTicn of in- 
 ident>.tbrough the whole fourth Aft, which. concludes with jn- 
 e^prcffible fpirit.
 
 PC ING RICHARD III. 5 > 
 
 GlojJ. Out with it. 
 
 Catcjbv* The earl of Richmond^ with a mighty power, 
 Is landed, fir,atM/M/; 
 And, to confirm the news, lord mnrq-jis Dorftf, 
 And fir Thomas Love-vjel, are up in Torkjblre, 
 
 Glo'JJ. Why ay, this looks rebellion Ho ! my hone ! 
 By heuv'n the news alarms my itirring foul ; 
 Come forth, my honeit fword, which here I vow, 
 By my foul's Hope, (hall ne'er again be fheruh'd ; 
 Ne'er (hall thefe watching eyes have needful reft, 
 Till death has clos'd 'em in a glorious grave, 
 Or fortune given me meafure of revenge. [-E.v/V. * 
 
 ;; - Richard's full revelation of charafler, with the remarkable 
 buftle of bufinefs which the fourth A& contains, invigorates it very 
 much, and places an audience on the topmoft bent of expectation. 
 
 ACT V. 
 
 SCENE I. The Country. 
 Enter * Richmond, Oxford, Blunt, Herbert, and others* 
 
 Rich.* I' A HUS far into the bowels of the land 
 
 JL Have we march'd on without impediment, 
 Glojlcr, the bloody and devouring boar, 
 Whofe ravenous appetite has fpoil'd your fields, 
 Laid this rich country wafte, and rudely crept 
 Its ripen'd hopes of fair pofterity, 
 Is now even in the center of the ifle, 
 As we're inform'd, near to the town of Ldcefler : 
 From Tarn-worth thither is but one day's march j 
 And here receive we from our father Stanley, 
 Lines of fair comfort and encouragement, 
 Such as will help and animate our caufe ; 
 
 * Richmond fliould be a fliowy foldier-like figure, fuch as may 
 engage by externals, with aneafy flow of utterance, neither folemn 
 nor light.' 
 
 On
 
 58 KING RICHARD .III. 
 
 On which let's cheerly on, courageous friends, 
 
 To reap the harveft of a lafting peace, 
 
 Or fame more Infting from a well- fought war. 
 
 Oxford. Your words have fire, my lord, and warm our 
 
 men, 
 
 Who look'd, methought, but cold before difhearten'd 
 With the unequal numbers of the foe. 
 
 Rich. Why, double 'em itill, our caufe would con- 
 
 quer 'em. 
 
 Thrice is he arm'd, that has his quarrel juit ; 
 And he but naked, tho* lock'd up iii Heel, 
 Whofe confcience with injuflice is corrupted : 
 The very weight of Gh'Jler's guilt fhall crufli him. 
 
 Blunt. His bell friends, no doubt, will icon be ours. 
 
 Oxford* He has no friends, but what are fuch thro* 
 fear. 
 
 Rid. And we no foes, but what are fuch to heav*n. 
 Then doubt not, heav'n's for us let's on, my friends.. 
 True nope ne'er tires, but mounts with eagle's wing ; 
 Kings it nukes gods, and meaner creatures kings. 
 
 \Extwtt. 
 
 SCENE, 
 
 Enter Glo'iter, Norfolk, Ratcliff, Surrey, 
 
 Gtf/1. Here pitch our tent, even in 
 My good lord of Norfolk, the cheerful fpeed 
 Of your fupply has merited my thanks. 
 
 Norfolk. I am rewarded, fir, in having power 
 To ferve your majeity. 
 
 Glo'Jl. You have our thanks, my lord : up with my 
 
 tent: 
 
 Here will I lie, to-night but where, to-morrow ? 
 Well, no matter where has any careful friend 
 Difcover'd yet the number of the rebels ? 
 
 < Norfolk. My lord, as I from fpies am well inform'd, 
 Six or feven thoufand is their utmoft power. 
 
 Glo.Ji Why, our battalions treble that account ; 
 Betides, the king^s name is a tower of ftrength, 
 Which they upon the adrerfe faftion want. 
 
 Norfolk..
 
 ICING RICHARD III. 59 
 
 Norfolk. Their wants are greater yet, my lord thofe e'en 
 Of motion, lite and fpirit did you but know 
 How wretchedly their men difgrace the field j 
 Oh, fuch a tatcer'd hoil of mounted fcare-crows ! 
 So .poor, fo familh'd ; their executors, 
 The greedy crows, fiy hovering o'er their heads, 
 Impatient for their lean inheritance. 
 
 Glojl. Now, by St. Paul, 'we'll fend 'em dinners 
 
 and apparel ; 
 
 Nay, give their rafting horfes provender*, 
 And after fight 'em How long muil we llay, 
 My lords, before thefe delperate fools will give 
 Us time to lay them with their faces upwards ? 
 
 'Norfolk. Unlefs their famine faves our fwords that 
 
 labour, 
 
 To-morrow's fun will light 'em to their ruin ; 
 So foon, I hear, they mean to give us battle. 
 
 Gtijl. The fooner ftill the better Come, my lords, 
 "SPow let's furvcy the Vantage of the ground. 
 Call me fome men of found direction. 
 
 "Norfolk. My gracious lord 
 
 Glo'Jt. What fay'ft thou, Norfolk ? 
 
 Norfolk. Might I advife your majefty, you yet 
 Shall fave the blood that may be ihed to-morrow. 
 
 GUJl. How fo, my lord ? 
 
 Norfolk. The poor condition of the rebels tell me$ 
 That, on a pardon offer'd to the lives 
 Of thofe who initantly fhall quit their arms, 
 Young Richmond, ere to-morro\v's dawn, were friendlefs. 
 
 Glo]fl. Why that indeed was our fixth Harry's way, 
 Which made his reign one fcene of rude commotion. 
 I'll be in men's deipite a monarch ; no, 
 Let kings that fear, forgive Blows and revenge for 
 me. [Exeunt, 
 
 .SCENE* Wood. 
 
 Enter Richmond, Ox-ford, Blunt, Sir William Bran- 
 don, &c. 
 
 Rich. The weary fun has made a golden fet, 
 
 * This, and part of the preceding fpeeeh, are taken from Henry 
 Vrt i-'iflh. 
 
 And
 
 60 KING RICHARD III. 
 
 And by yon ruddy brightnefs of the clouds, 
 Gives tokens of a goodly day to-morrow. 
 Sir William Brartdoa, you {hall bear my ilandarcU 
 Here ha%e I drawn the model of our battle, 
 Which parts in juft proportion our fmall power: 
 Here may each leader know his feveral charge. 
 My lord of Oxford, you fir Walter Herbert, 
 And vou, Sir W'llliam Brandon, iby with me : 
 The earl of Pembroke keeps his regiment. 
 
 Enter Soldier. 
 
 Sol. Sir, a gentleman that calls himfelf Sfanhy, 
 Deliies admittance to the earl of Richmond. 
 
 Rich. Now by our hopes, my noble father-' n-law ; 
 Admit him my good friends, ycur leave au'hiie. 
 
 Enter Lord Stanley. 
 
 My honour'd father ! on my foul, 
 
 The joy of feeing you this night, is more 
 
 Than my mofl knowing hopes prefag'd what news ? 
 
 Stanly. I by commiflion blefs thee from thy mother, 
 Who prays continually for Richmond's good : 
 The queen too, has with tears of joy confented 
 Thou fhouldit efpoufe Elizabeth her daughter, 
 At whom the tyrant Richard clofely aims. 
 In brief (for now the fhorteft moment of 
 My ftay is bought with hazard of my life) 
 Prepare thy battle early in the morning, 
 {For fo the feafon of affairs requires) 
 And this be fure of, I, upon the firft 
 Occafion ofter'd, will deceive fome eyes, 
 And aid thee in this doubtful fliock of arms, 
 In which I had more forward been, ere this, 
 But that the life of thy young brother George, 
 (Whom for my pawn of faith ilerh Richard keeps) 
 Would then be forfeit to his wild revenge. 
 Farewel, the rude enforcement of the time, 
 Denies me to renew thole vows of love, 
 Which fo-long-funder'd friends fhould dwell upon. 
 
 Rich. We may meet again, my lord 
 
 4 ftto/
 
 KING RICHARD III. 61 
 
 Stanley. Till then, once more farewel berefolute, and 
 conquer. ['&/. 
 
 Rich. Give him fafe conduft to his regiment. 
 Well, fir=, to-morrow proves a bufy day ; 
 But come, the night's far (pent let's in to council ; 
 Captain, an hour before the fun gets up, 
 Let me be wak'd I will in perfon walk 
 From tent to tent, and early chear the foldiers. 
 
 [Exeunt. 
 
 SCENE, BflfvMrtb-FicU. 
 Enter Glo'iler, RatclifF, Norfolk, and Catefby, 
 
 Glof. Catejly. 
 
 Catejly. Here, my lord. 
 
 Glo'jL Send out a purfuivant at arms, 
 To Stanley s regiment ; bid him 'lore fun-rife 
 Meet me with his power, or young George's head 
 Shall pay the forfeit of his cold delay. 
 What, is my beaver eafier than it was, 
 And all my armour laid into my tent ? 
 
 Ctitcjhy. It is, my liege ; all is in readinefs. 
 
 Gloji. Good Xo>foti\ hie thee to thy charge ; 
 Uie careful watch choo'.e trufty ceatinels. 
 
 Norfolk, Doubt not, my lord. 
 
 Glo^fl. Be ftirring with the lark, good Not folk. 
 
 Norfolk. 1 (hall, my lord {Exit. 
 
 Glojl. Saddle WlAte Surry for the field, to-morrow. 
 Is ink and paper ready * ? 
 
 Catejly. It i?, my lord. 
 
 Glo'Jl. An hour after midnight, come to my tent, 
 And help to arm me a good night, my friends. [Exit. 
 
 Catejly. Methinks the king has not thatpleas'd alacrity, 
 Nor chear of mind that he was wont to hav e. 
 
 Ratcliff. The mere effect of bufmeis ; 
 You'll find him, fir, another man i'th' field. 
 When you fhall ee hiir. with his beaver up, 
 Ready to mount his neighing fteed, with whom 
 
 * Rhba-'-fs disjointed manner of e-rpreffirg hirrf -If is highly 
 agita'ed ; h . features fliould freni p's-gn^nt wi;h a.ixiciy. 
 
 VOL. III. G ITc
 
 62 KING RICHA11D HI 
 
 Ik fir.iling feems to have fome wanton talk, 
 Clapping his pamper'd fides to hold him lull ; 
 Then, w.ith a motion fvvift and light as air, 
 Like fiery Mars, he vaults him to the laddie ; 
 Looks terror to the foe, and courage to his foldiers. 
 
 Catcjly. Good- night to Richmond then; for, as I hear, 
 His numbers are fo few, and thofe fo Tick, 
 And faraifh'd in their inarch, if he dares fight us 
 He jumps into the fea to cool his fever. 
 }4ut come, 'tis late Now let us to our tents, 
 W& 'v-e few hours good, before the trumpet wakes us. 
 
 [Exeunt. 
 
 Glo'Her's Tent. 
 Enter Glo'iter front bis Vent *. 
 
 GWjl. 'Tis now the dead of night, and half the world 
 
 fs in a lonely folemn darknefs hung,- 
 
 Yet I (fo coy a dame is fleep to me) 
 
 \VIth all the weary courtfhip of 
 
 My care-tir'-d thoughts can't win her to my bed; 
 
 'luo' ev'n the liars do ivink, as 'twere with over- 
 watching ; 
 
 I'll forth, and walk awhile the air's refrcfhing, 
 .And the ripe harvefc of the new-mown hay 
 
 Gives it a fwect and wholefom odour; 
 
 I low avviul is .this gloom i and har.k, from camp to 
 camp 
 
 The hum of either .army ftil'.y founds ; 
 
 That the tixt centinels almoft receive 
 
 The lecret whifpers of each other's watch : 
 
 Steed threaten^ ileed in high and boaftful neighings, 
 
 Piercing the night's dull ear Hark, from the tents 
 
 The armourers accomplifhing the knights, 
 
 With clink ot hammers clofing rivets up, 
 
 Owe .dreadful :note of preparation ; while fome, 
 
 * This follloquy is poetically defcriptive and awfully folemn, 
 the imagery fine, and the exprefiion fluently Spontaneous : great 
 p*K of it k taken from Henry the Fifth. 
 
 Like
 
 KING RICHARD-EL 63 
 
 Like facrifices, by their fires of watch, 
 With patience lit, and inly ruminate 
 The morning's danger By yon heav'n, my item * 
 Impatience chides this tardy -gai ted night, 
 Who, like a foul and ugly witch, doe,s limp- 
 So tedioufly away I'll to my couch, 
 And once more try to ileep her into morning, 
 
 [Lies down ; a gruan is fejrJ*. 
 Ha ! what means that difmal voice ? fure 'tis- 
 The echo of foine yawning grave, 
 That teems with an untimely ghoft 'tis gone t 
 *Twas but my fancy, cr perhaps the wind, 
 Forcing his entrance thro' forne hollow cavern^ 
 No matter what I feel my eyes grow heavy. [Sfo'jXf, 
 
 King Henry a Gbojl rlfes *, 
 
 K. Hewy. Oh ! thou vvhoie unrelenting thought^ 
 
 not all 
 
 The hideous terrors of thy guilt can fhake, 
 Whole confcience, with thy body, ever ileeps,. , 
 Sleep on ; while I, by heav'n's high ordinance, 
 In dreams of horror wake thy frightful foul : 
 Now give thy thoughts to me ; let 'em behold 
 Thefe gaping wounds, which thy death-dealing hand 
 Within the Tower gave my anointed body : 
 Now (hall thy own devouring confcience gnaw 
 Thy heart, and terribly revenge my murder. 
 
 Lady Anne's Gbofl rij'es.. 
 
 La. Anne. Think on the wrongs of wretched Aiim 
 
 thy wife, 
 
 .E'en in the battle's heat remember me r 
 And edgelefs 1 full thy fword defpair, and die.- 
 
 * We are inclined to pardon the old womanifh circum(Unce * 
 gbofts here, becaufe Clbber has brought them forth bat oiice 
 are produced them twice.. 
 
 G 2 G^s
 
 64 KING RICHARD HI. 
 
 Ghqfti of Prince Edward and the Duke of York rife. 
 
 P. Ed. Ricbard, dream on ; and fee the wand'ring, 
 
 fpirits 
 
 Of thy yoimo' nephews, murder'd in the Tower: 
 Could' not our youth, our innocence, perfuade 
 Thy cruel heart to fpare our harmlels lives ? 
 Who, but for thee, alas, might have enjoy'd 
 Our many promis'd years of happinefs. 
 No foul, lave thine, but pfties our inifufage ; 
 Oh, 'twas a cruel deed ! therefore alone, 
 Unpitymg, unpitied, {halt thou fall. 
 
 K. Henry. The morning's dawn has fumraon'd me 
 
 away j 
 
 Now, Richard, wake in all the hells of guilt ! 
 And let that wild defpair, which now does prey 
 Upon thy mangled thoughts, alarm the world. 
 Awake, Richard) awake, to guilty minds 
 A terrible example ! \_Alltbe Gboflsfofi. 
 
 GUft. Give me.a horfe bind up my wounds ! 
 Have mercy, heav'n ! ha ! foft ! 'twas but a dream j 
 But then fo terrible, it (hakes my foul ; 
 Cold drops of fweat hang on my trembling flefh ; 
 My blood grows chilly, and I freeze with horror : 
 Oh, tyrant conference ! how doft thou afflii5t me ? 
 When I look back, 'tis terrible retreating; 
 I cannot bear the thought, nor dare repent r 
 I am but man; and, fate, do thou difpofe me. 
 Who's there? 
 
 Enter Catefby. 
 
 Catrfiy, Ti s I, my lord : the early vilkge cock 
 Has thrice done falutation to the. morn : 
 Your friends are up, and buckle on their armour. 
 Git? ft. Oh, Catejly ! I have had fuch horrid dreams. 
 Catejby. Shadows, my lord below the foldier's heed- 
 ing. 
 
 Glo]ft. ^Now, by my this day's hopes fhadows to- 
 night 
 liave ilruck more terror to the- foul ef Rid>artf t 
 
 Thaa
 
 KING RICHARD HI. 6> 
 
 Than can the fublbince often thoufnnd (bWiers, 
 Arni'd all in proof, and led by (hallow RichmcnJ. 
 
 Catefly. Be more yourfelf, my lord ; conlider, iir, 
 Were it but known a dream had frighted ycu > 
 How would your animated toes prefume on't ! 
 
 Gld'Ji. Perim that thought ! no, never be it faid' 
 That fate itfelf could awe the foul of Richard 
 Hence, babbling dreams ! you threaten here in vain ; 
 * Confcieuce, avaunt ! Richard's himfelf again : 
 Hark ! the fiirill trumpet found? to horfe ; away : 
 My foul's in arms, and eager for the fray. [Exeuxf* 
 
 S C E N E, a V r oc<l. 
 Enter Richmond, Oxford, Soldier s, fetv 
 
 Rich. Halt. ' 
 
 &>ld. Halt-halt! 
 
 Rich. How far into the morning, is it, friends ? 
 
 Oxford. Near four, my lord. 
 
 Rich. Tis well 
 I am glud to find we are fuch early {Hirers. 
 
 Oxford. Methinks the foes lefs forward than \ve 
 
 thought *em ; 
 , r orn as we are, we brave the field before 'em.. 
 
 Rich. Coine r there looks life in fuch a cheerful hade ; 
 If dreams fhould animate a foul reiblv'd, 
 I'm more than pleas'd with thofe I've had, to-n\i;ht; 
 P.Iethought that all the ghoih of them, whofe boUics. 
 Richararcn\iiT&sx'& l came mourniug to my tent,. 
 And roub'd me to revenge 'em. 
 
 Oxford. A good omen, fir [Trunget* .feunJ a -.i'f^.Vit 
 
 March.'} hark, the trumpet oi" 
 The enemy: it fpeaks them on the march. 
 
 Rich. Why then let's on, my friends, to face 'em j. 
 J n peace there's nothing fo becomes a mail 
 As mild behaviour and humility : 
 
 * Thefe twa words fliou!d not be roared out, as theyufually ar-, 
 bet fpoke with deep difcoattiued anguiih : the reit of' [];-' line i it';s 
 oi" couf fe. 
 
 G -5 But
 
 66 KING RICHARD III. 
 
 But when the blaft of war blows in our ears, 
 
 Let us be tigers in our fierce deportment: 
 
 Tor me, the ran Com of my bold attempt 
 
 Shall be this body on the earth's cold face ; 
 
 But if we thrive, the glory of the action 
 
 The meaneft here (hall {hare his part of: 
 
 Advance your flandard?, draw your willing fwords ; 
 
 Sound drums, and trumpets, boldly and chearfully, 
 
 The word's St. George, Richmond, and Victory. 
 
 [Exeunt. 
 
 Encer Glo'fler, Catcfby, EsV. 
 
 Glf/l. Who faw the fun, to-day ? 
 
 Catejby* He has not yet broke forth, rnylord. 
 
 GUJL Then he difdains to fhine for by the clock 
 He fhould have brav'd the eaft an hour ago : 
 -Not {hine to-day ! Why, what is that to me, 
 More than to Richmond! for the felf-fame heav'rr, 
 That IroH'ns on me, looks lowring upon him *. 
 
 Enter Norfolk, viitb a paper. 
 
 Norfolk Prepare, my lord, the foe is in the field. 
 
 Gldft. Come, buftle, buftte, caparifon my horfe, 
 Call forth lord Stanley, bid him bring his power; 
 Myielf will lead the foldiers to the plain. 
 
 [Exit Catefoyv 
 Well, Norfolk, what thinkM: thou, now ? 
 
 Norfolk. That we {hall conquer but on my tenf, 
 This morning early, was this paper found. 
 
 Gtift. [Reads'] " Jockey of Norfolk, be not too boldj 
 " For Dickcn thy maiter is bought and fold." 
 A weak invention of the enemy ! 
 Come, gentlemen, now each man to his charge, 
 And, ere we do beftride our foaming fleeds, 
 Kemember whom you are to cope withal, 
 A fcum of Britons^ raicals, runaways, 
 Whom their o'er-cloy'd country vomits forth 
 To defperate adventures, and deftruttion : 
 
 * This is a wdl-introduced feofible flroke at ominous ap- 
 pearances.
 
 KING UI CHARD IIL 67 
 
 Enter Catefby. 
 
 What fays lord Stanley? will he bring his power? 
 
 CatcJIy. He does refufe, my lord he will not ilir. 
 
 GtoJL Off with his fon George's head. 
 
 Norfolk. My lord, the foe's already paft the marfli 
 After the battle, let young Stanley die. 
 
 Glojl, Why, after be it then. 
 A thoufand hearts are {welling in my bofom ; 
 Draw, archers, draw your arrows to the head, 
 Spur your proud horfes hard, and ride in blood ; 
 And thou, our warlike champion, thrice renown'd, 
 St. George, infpire me with the rage of lions : 
 Upon 'em Charge follow me. [Exeutif. 
 
 Several Excwfans, Soldiers driven, acrcfs the Jlage &y 
 Glo'iler, fcV. 
 
 Re-enter Glo'iler. 
 
 Gl(?Jl. What ho ! young Richmond, ho ! 'tis Richard 
 
 calls; 
 
 I hate thee, Harry, for thy blood of Lancajlcr ! 
 Now it thou doft not hide thee from my iword, 
 Now while the angry trumpet founds alarms, 
 And dying groans tranfpierce the wounded air ; 
 Richmond^ I fay, come forth, and nngly face me; 
 Richard is hoarfe with daring thee to arms '*. [Exit. 
 
 Euter Catelby and Norfolk in Diforder. 
 
 Catf/ly. Refcue ! refcue ! my lord of Norfolk, hafte ; 
 The king ena5ts more wonders than a man, 
 Daring and oppofite to every danger: 
 His horfe is flain, and all on foot he fights, 
 Seeking for Richmond in the throat of death ; 
 Nay hafte, my -lord the day's againft us. [Exit. 
 
 * Here the a&or Is called upon for an uncommon glow of rage, 
 and a moft rapid climax of expreflion, 
 
 EatfK
 
 65 KING RICHARD IIL 
 
 Enter Glo'iter and Ratcliff. 
 
 Clo'Jl. A horfe ! a horfe ! my kingdom for a horfe.. 
 
 Raicllff. This way, this way, my lord below yon 
 
 thicket 
 
 Stands a fwift horfe away, ruin purfues us ; 
 Withdraw, my lord, for only flight can fave you, 
 
 Glojl. Slave ! I have fet my life upon a caft,. 
 And I will ftand the hazard of the die : 
 I think there be fix Richmond; in the field, 
 Five have I flain to-day, inftead of him : 
 A horfe ! a horfe ! my kingdom for a horfe, 
 
 [Exeunt* 
 
 * Re-enter GloTler and Richmond, meeting. 
 
 Gl(fjt. Of one, or both of us, the- time Js come. 
 Rich. Kind heav'n, I thank thee, for my. caufe is 
 
 thine ; 
 If Richard 's lit to live, let Richmond fail. 
 
 Glolft. Thy gallant bearing, Harty, I could 'plaud, 
 But that the ipot:ed rebel Itains the foldier. 
 
 Rich. Nor fhould thy prowefs, Richard, tvant rny 
 
 praife, 
 
 But that thy cruel deeds have (rampt thee tyrant, 
 So thrive my iword, as heav'n's h'u^h vengeance drav.'s it.. 
 Glo'Ji. My foul and body on the adlion both. 
 Rich. A dreadful lay here's to decide it. 
 
 [Fight; Richaid/fl/.V.. 
 Glift. Pcrduion catch thy arm the chance is. 
 
 thine. 
 
 But oh ! the vdt renown thou baft acquir'd, 
 In conquering Richard^ does ah'lict him more 
 
 * There cannot be a ftronger proof of a very fingalar imprefHea 
 upon an audience, than ihat general murmur which the meeting of 
 Richmond and Richard always occafions, followed by the eager ap- 
 plai?fe that attends the tyrant's fill; and we may without fear cf 
 cenfure fay, that this play, as afled, fhows that the alterations have 
 been produced from a very extenfive and fettled knowledge of ftage 
 efFitt : we have bcea Hudious to fiud error, but could aot ma- 
 terially. 
 
 z. Than
 
 KING RICHARD IIT. 63 
 
 Than even his body's parting with its foul. 
 Now let the world no longer be a itage 
 To feed contention in a lingering aft ; 
 But let one fpirit of the nfu-born Cain, 
 Reign in all bofoms ; that, each heart being fet 
 On bloody actions, the rude fcene may end, 
 And darknefs be the burier of the dead *. - [Dies. 
 
 Rich. Farewel, Richard! and from thy dreadful end 
 May future kings from tyranny be warn'd ; 
 Had thy afpiring foul but ftirr'd in virtue, 
 With half the fpirit it has dar'd in evil, 
 How might thy fame have grac'd our Englijb annals ! 
 But, as thou art, how fair a page thou'it blotted? 
 Hark ! the glad trumpets fpeak the field our own. 
 
 Enter Oxford, Lord Stanley, and Soldiery luit/j King 
 
 Richard's Crown. 
 
 Oh welcome, friends ! my noble father, welcome ! 
 Heav'n and our arms be prais'd, the day is ours \ 
 See there, my lords, item Richard is no more. 
 
 Staa'ey. Victorious Richmond, well haft thou acquitted 
 
 thee! 
 
 And fee, the juft reward that heaven has fent thee : 
 Amongft the glorious ipoils of Bo/taattb field, 
 We've found the crown, which now in right is thine : 
 'Tis doubly thine, by conqueit, and by choice. 
 Long live Henry the Seventh, king of England ! 
 
 Rich. Next to juft heav'n, my noble countrymen, 
 I owe my thanks to you, whofe love I'm proud of, 
 And ruling well mall ipeak my gratitude. 
 But now, my lords what friends of us are miffing ? 
 Pray tell me, is young George Stanley living ? 
 
 Stanley. He is, my liege, and fafe in Leicejler town, 
 Whither, ifyoupleafe, we may withdraw us. 
 Enter Blunt, 
 
 Blunt. My lord, the queen, and fair Elizabeth^. 
 Her beauteous daughter, fome few miles off, 
 
 * The fix lad lines of RicSard's dying fpeecb, is taken fron* 
 Henry the Fourth, fecond Part. 
 
 Are
 
 70 KING RICHARD IIL 
 
 Are on their way to gratulate your victory. 
 
 Rich. Ay, there indeed, ray toil's rewarded t 
 Let us prepare to meet 'em, lords and then, 
 As we're already bound by folemn TOWS, 
 We'll twine the roies red and white together, 
 And both from one kind ftalk fhall rlourifh ; 
 England has long been mad, and fcar'd hcrielf ;. 
 The brother blindly {hed the brother's blood ; 
 The father rafhly fiaughter'd his own fon ; 
 The bloody ion, compell'd, has kill'd his fire- 
 On, now, let Henry and Elizabeth, 
 The true fuccefibrs of each royal houfe, 
 Gonjoin'd together, heal thofe deadly wounds \ 
 And be that wretch of all mankind abhorr'd, 
 That would reduce thofe bloody days again ; 
 Ne'er let him live to tafte our joy's increafe, 
 That would with treafon wound fair England?; peace ! * 
 
 * The fifth Act of this j>iece is more replete with intarcflinfc 
 kufaefc and fpirir, than any other we know. 
 
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 CRITICAL and ILLUSTRATIVE, 
 
 AUTHORS of the DRAMATIC CENSOR. 
 
 L O N D O N i 
 
 Printed for j OH N BELL, near Exeter-Exchange, in tht Strand j 
 aad C, ETHERINGTON, at York,
 
 INTRODUCTION, 
 
 T-F, ai we a>~c told, $>neen Elizabeth relifaed the former 
 -* parts of FulltafTy0 much, as to exprejs a wifh of feeing 
 him produced in love, it was a great compliment to the Au- 
 thor, andj:ich n cnc as r,.ot a tjthe of female Jpeflalors, from 
 that time to this, would pay the Knight. Rhodwunitades, lies, 
 awl jollity, have but an awkward relijb 'with the fofter Jex : 
 h&ivever, he zs, beyond doubt, a rich, well-drawn,' ably- 
 finijlied portrait > and ma'rntaining him with J'o much, though 
 not equal) vigour, through three pieces, Jhows mojl evidently 
 arrlcb and powerful genius, JBy royal command we learn this 
 comedy ivas written, and tv-f/j remarkable expedition. We 
 may place it then under two dij'advantages ; firft, being a fub~ 
 jcft not f'ug^efted by the author, but as we may fay impofed '; 
 fetondly, the hurry with which it ivas corrpofed ; in this light, 
 rMejhould rather dwell upon its beauties, than its faults. The 
 characters are numerous, and well controlled ; the bufinrji 
 tolerably good, andfome of FalttatF's fcenes admirably writ- 
 ten. There arefeveral pajjages which trifle very much with 
 patience, but a lejjon of uff flows from the whole ; vain 
 cotcupi/ccnce and groundless jealoujy are ridiculed in a com' 
 tnendfible wanner.
 
 2) R A M A r / S P E R S O 
 
 Druiy-Lane. 
 
 Ccvent-Gardcn* 
 
 Sir JOHN 1 
 FALSTAFF, j 
 
 Mr. LOVE. 
 
 Mr. SHUTER. 
 
 FEN TON', 
 
 Mr. WHEELER. 
 
 Mr. LEWES. 
 
 SHALLOW, 
 
 Mr. HARTRY. 
 
 JMr. GUSHING. 
 
 bLENDER, 
 
 MI-XAUTHERLEY 
 
 , Mr^ WOODWARD. 
 
 Mr. PAGE, , 
 
 Mr. PACKER. 
 
 Mr. HULL. 
 
 Mr. FORD, 
 
 Mr. AICKIN. 
 
 Mr. Ross.. 
 
 Sir HUGH ~[ 
 
 Mr P 4i SONS 
 
 Mr. LEV,'IS" 
 
 EVANS, j 
 
 
 
 
 Dr. CAIUS, 
 
 Mr. BADDELEY. 
 
 Mr. QUICK. 
 
 Hoft of the! 
 
 Mr. BRANSBY. 
 
 Mr. DUXSTALL. 
 
 BARDOLPH, 
 
 Mr. WRIGHT. 
 
 Mr. WIG NELL. 
 
 Pi SI OL, 
 
 Mr. ACKMAN. 
 
 Mr. SMITH. 
 
 NYM, 
 
 Mr. WATKINS. 
 
 Mr. BUCK. 
 
 ROBIN, 
 
 Mifs CoLLETT. 
 
 Mifs V ALOIS. 
 
 SIMPLE, 
 
 iVTr. \V. PALMER. 
 
 Mr. MORGA.V. 
 
 KUGLY, 
 
 Mr. MARK. 
 
 Mr. C. SMITH. 
 
 Mrs. PAGE, Mrs. EGERTOX. Mrs. BAKER. 
 Mrs. FORD, Mrs. ABINGTON. Mrs. BULKLEY. 
 
 Mrs. K.VIVETON. 
 . Mrs. PITT. 
 
 Mrs. QUICK- 
 
 J 
 Servants to PAGE, FORD, &c. 
 
 SCENE, 
 
 THE
 
 [ 5 ] 
 
 The Merry Wives of Wlndfor. 
 
 A C T I. 
 
 SCENE I, before Page's tioufe, in Windfor. 
 Enter Juftlce Shallow, Slender, anJ Sir Hugh Evans. 
 
 * Slial. Q I R Hugh, perfuat'e me not ; I will make a 
 j^ Star-Cbamlcr matter of it : if he were twenty 
 Sir John Falftafs, he mail not abufe Robert Shallow^ 
 El quire. 
 
 Slat. In the county tfGkitcefier, juftice of peace, and 
 Coram. 
 
 Shal. Ay, coufin Slender, and dtftalorum, 
 
 Slen. Ay, and Rotulorum too ; and a gentleman born t 
 Mailer Paribn, who writes him felt Ai-mi^cro, to any bill, 
 warrant, quittance, or obligation Armlgero. 
 
 Vhal. Ay, that I do, and have done, any time thefe 
 tliree hundred years. 
 
 Slen. All his 1'uccevTors, gone before him, havedone't: 
 and all his anceftors, that come after him, may: they 
 ni.iy give the dozen white Luces, in their coat. 
 
 VW. It is an old coat. 
 
 Eva. The dozen white Lowfes f do become an oU 
 coat well ; it agrees well Palfant ; it is a familiar beull 
 10 man, and fignifies love. 
 
 *'/(''/. I may quarter, coz. 
 
 Sbal* You may, by marrying; 
 
 * Sl * Hew is an odd kind of an huraorift, and requires rifibls 
 features, with arch antiquated expreflion ; Sl.'i.ff cannot be too 
 vacant in face nor utterance ; volubility and the H'i!Jh contra&ion 
 of dia!e<3 will eqnip Sir Hu*b. 
 
 f This pun upon the word I*ic(, wh r ch mean* a pike, may 
 contain for forac people humour ; but to us k conve ; s more difguft, 
 sban pleasure, 
 
 H i Eva.
 
 4 THE MERRY WIVES 
 
 Eva. It is marring indeed, if he quarter it. 
 
 Shal. Not a whit. 
 
 Eva. Yes, per lady; if he has a quarter of your coat, 
 there is but three fkirts for yourfelf, in my fimple con- 
 jeftures ; but that is all one : if Sir John Falftaf have 
 committed difparagements upon you, I am of the church, 
 and will be glad to do my benevolence, to make atone- 
 ments and compromifes between you. 
 
 SbaL The counciffhall hear it ; it is a riot. 
 
 Eva. It is not meet the council hear of a riot ; there 
 is no fear of Got in a riot : the council, look you, (hall 
 defire to hear the fear of Got, and not to hear a riot ;. 
 take your vizaments in that *. 
 
 Sbal. Ha ! o' my life, if I were young again, the 
 fword fhould end it. 
 
 Eva. It is petter that friends is the fword fliould end 
 it ; and there is alfo another device in my prain, which 
 peradventure prings good difcretions with it : there is 
 Anne Page, which is daughter to Mafte* Gcwge Page, 
 which is pretty virginity. 
 
 Slen. Mrs. Anne Ptige f Ihe has brown hair, and fpeaks 
 fmall, like a woman. 
 
 Eva. It is that ferry pcrfou for all the orld, as juft as 
 you will defire : and feven hundred pounds of monies, 
 and gold, and filver, as her grandfire upon his death-bed 
 give her, when fhe is able to overtake feventeen } ears 
 old: it were a good motion, if we leave our pribbles 
 and prabbles, and defire a marriage between Maitec 
 Abraham Sle?u!er r and Mifhefs Anne Page*. 
 
 Slen. Did her gracdlire leave her feven hundred 
 pounds ! 
 
 Eva. Ay, and her father is make her a petter penny. 
 
 Slfn. I know the yoiuag gentlewoman : fhe has good 
 gifts. 
 
 Eva. Seven hundred pounds and poffibilities is goot 
 gifts. 
 
 Sfial. Well; let us fee honeil Mr. Page; is Falftaf 
 there ? 
 
 * The parfon here urges peace, pleafantly enough ; but his fr.a- 
 ^uent mention of the Divinity is not fit for Itage reprefentatibn.
 
 OF WINDSOR. 7 
 
 * Eva. Shall I tell you a lye ? I do defpife a Ivar, as 
 I do defpife one that is falfe ; as I defpife one that is ncl 
 true. The knight, Sir John, is there : and I befeech 
 you be ruled by your well wifhers. I will peat the 
 door [Knocks.'] ' for Mailer Page. What, hoa 1 Got 
 blefs your houfe here. 
 
 Enter Mr. Page* 
 
 Page. Who's there ? 
 
 Eva. Here's Got's pleffing and your friendj and 
 Juftice Shallow ; and here's young Matter Slender, that 
 peradventure fhall tell you another tale, if matters grow 
 to your likings. 
 
 Page. I am ghid to fee your woifhip's well : I thank 
 you tor my veniibn, Mafter Shallow. 
 
 Shal. Mailer Page, I am glad to fee you : much good' 
 do it your good heart ; I wifh'd your veniibn better ,~ it 
 was ill kill'd. How doth good 'jVIiltrefs Page? And I 
 thank you always with my heart, la.; with my heart. 
 h Sir Join Fatfafherc ?. 
 
 Page. Sir, he's within ; and I would I could do a goodr 
 office between you ! 
 
 EVJ. It is fpnke as a Chriilians ought to fpeab* 
 
 Sbal. He hath wrong'd me, Matter Page. 
 
 Page. Sir, he doth in fome fort conrels it. 
 
 Sba!. If it be confefs'd, it is- not redrefs'd ; is not that 
 fo, Matter Page? He hath wrong'd me, indeed he hath), 
 at a word he hath : believe me, Robert Shallow, Efquire, 
 faith, he is wrong'd f . 
 
 Page. Here comes Sir John. 
 
 j Enter Sir John Falftaff, Bardolph r Nym, WPiftoL 
 
 Fal. Now, Mailer Shallow, you'll complain of me to 
 the king ? 
 
 * Evans, as a Wel/bman, fhould fay Hur inftead of 7. 
 
 f The refeatrnent of Shallow is exprefled in terms ludicroufly 
 entertaining ; indeed prefervation cf charafter, whether natural or 
 antk, feems to be S-takefrearii conftant care. 
 
 J For theftage r^quifites to do Sir Jtbn, Scc-juftice j vide Firft 
 Bait of llen-y the Fourth.
 
 8 THE MERRY WIVES 
 
 ShaL Knight, you have beaten my men, kill'd my 
 deer, and broke open my lodge. 
 
 FaL Bat not kifs'd your keeper's daughter. 
 
 Sbal. Tut, a pin ; this {hall be anfwer'd. 
 
 FaL I will anfwer it, ilraight ; I have done all ihis. 
 That is now anfwer'd. 
 
 SbaJ. The council (hall know this. 
 
 FaL 'Twere better f:/r you, if it were not known iij. 
 council ; you'll be laugh r d at. 
 
 Eva. Pauca verba, Sir John, good worts. 
 
 FaL Good worts? Good cabbage. Skw/er, I broke 
 your head: what matter have you again il me ? 
 
 S/cu. Marry, fir, I have matter in my head againfl, 
 you, and againit your coney-catching rafcals, Sarat'fh,. 
 Nym, and Piftol. 
 
 Bar. You Banbury cheefe. 
 
 Slen. Ay, it is no matter. 
 
 Pift. How now r Mepbojhpbilui t 
 
 Skn. Ay, it is no matter. 
 
 tym. Slice, I fay, pauca, pauca: Slice, thnt's my 
 humour. 
 
 Sleu. Where's Simple, my man ? Can you tell, coulin ? 
 
 Ei-a. Peace, I pray you ; now let us undei thuid ; 
 there is three umpires in this matter, as I underitand ; 
 that is Matter Page.fidelicet, Mailer Page ; and there is 
 imfelf, fidcticet, myielr"; and the third party is, laitly, 
 and finally, mine hoft of the Garter. 
 
 Mr. Page. We three to hear it, and end it between 
 them. 
 
 Eva. Ferry goot : I will make a prief of it in my 
 note book, and we will afterwards ork upon the cnuie 
 with as great difcretions as we can. 
 
 FaL Piftol. 
 
 P'Jl. He hears with ears. 
 
 Eva. The tevil and his tarn ; what phrafe is this, he 
 hears with ears ? Why it is affectations. 
 
 FaL Piftoly did you pick Mailer Slenders purfe ? 
 
 Slen. Ay, by thefe gloves, did he, or I would I might 
 never come in mine own great chamber again eife, of 
 feven groats in mill-fixpences, and two Edward iliovel - 
 
 boards^
 
 OF WINDSOR. 9 
 
 "boards, that coil me two fhilling and two pence a-piece, 
 of '1'tad 3/7/t.T ; by thefe gloves. 
 
 Fal. Is this rrue, Piftol? 
 
 Eva. No ; it is falle, if it is a pick-purle. 
 
 Pift. Hn ! thou mountain foreigner ; Sir John, and 
 Mailer mine, I combat challenge of this Latin bilbo ; 
 word of denial in thy labras* here; word of denial; 
 froth and fcum, thou iy'ir.. 
 
 Slen. By thefe gloves, then, 'twas he. 
 
 Ny/a. Be advit'd, fir, and pals good humours: I will 
 fay many-trap with you, if you run the bale humour on 
 me; that is the very note of it f. 
 
 Ska. By this hat, 'then, he in the red face had it ; for 
 tho' I cannot remember what I did when you made me 
 drunk, yet I am not altogether an afs. 
 
 Fal. What fay you, Scarlet sain John? 
 
 Bard. Why, fir, for my part, I fay, the gentleman 
 had drunk himfelf out of his five fentences. 
 
 Eva. It is his five ienfes : rye, what the ignorance is. 
 
 Sard. And being fap r fir, was, as they fay, cafhier'd, 
 and fo concluiions pad the carriers. 
 
 Slen. Ay, you fpoke in Latin then too ; but 'tis no 
 matter; I'll ne'er be drunk whilil I live again, but in 
 honeit, civil, godly company, for this trick ; and not 
 with drunken knaves. 
 
 Eva. So got udge me, that is a virtuous mind. 
 
 Fal. You hear all thefe matters ceny'd, gentlemen, 
 you hear it. 
 
 Enfer Mrs. Anne Page, uvV& v)ine. 
 
 Page. Nay, daughter, carry the wine in ; we'll diiok 
 v.'ithin. [ Exit Anne Page. 
 
 Ska. Oh heaven ! this is Mlilrefs Anne Page. 
 
 * Labras for lips. 
 
 f- Thefe Jargonite followers of the fat Knight, utter what we 
 think very inlipid tiafli} an obfcure kind of knock-me-down 
 fiang; the whole fcene we think compered of obfolete immaterial 
 quibble j PiJiiFi hat, boots, and whUkcri, are ihe merritft part of 
 it.
 
 20 THE MERRY WIVES 
 
 Enter Mifircfs Ford and Mlflrefe Page, meeting. 
 
 Page. How now, Miilrefs Ford? 
 
 Pal. Miitreis Ford, by my troth, you are very weli 
 met ; by your leave, Miitrefs Ford* 
 
 Page. Wire, bid thele gentlemen welcome; come, 
 we have a hot venifon palty to dinner ; come, gen- 
 tlemen, I hope we thall drink down all unkindnefs. 
 
 [.r>> Falftarf, Page, fcV.. 
 
 AlaKfnt Shallow, Evans, and Slender. 
 
 Ska. I had rather than forty /hillings, I had my book 
 of fongs and ibnnets here. 
 
 JEa/rr Simple. 
 
 Mow, now &>;>&, where have you been ? I muft wait on 
 myfelf, muft I ? you have not' the book of riddles about 
 you, have you ? 
 
 Simp. Book of riddles ! why, did you not lend it to 
 Alice Short-cake, upon Allballcwmas laft, a fortnight afore 
 Martlcmas ? 
 
 Sbal. Coma, eoz ; come, coz ; we May for you : a 
 word with you, coz : marry this, coz ; there is, as 'twere, 
 a tender, a kind of tender, made afar off, by Sir Hugb 
 here: do you underftand me? 
 
 Slcn. Ay, fir, you fhall find me reafonable ; if it be fo, 
 I will do that is reafon. 
 
 Skal. Nay, but underiland me. 
 
 Wat. So I do, fir. 
 
 Eva. Give ear to his motions, "blr. .Slender : I will 
 rfefcription the matter to you, if you be capacity of it.. 
 
 Skn. Nay, I will do as my coulin Shallow fays : I pray 
 you, pardo"n me : he's a juftice of peace in his country, 
 fiBiple tho' I itand here. 
 
 Eva. But that is not the queftio-n : the queftion is 
 concerning your marriage. 
 
 Sbal. Ay, there's the .point, fir. 
 
 Slcn. Why, if it be fo, I will marry her, upon any rea- 
 fonable demands. 
 
 Eva.
 
 OF WINDSOR. it 
 
 Eva. But can you affection the 'oman ? let us com- 
 -inand to know that of your mouth, or of your lips : for 
 divers * philofop'oers hold that the lips is parcel or the 
 mouth : therefore, precifely, can you carry your good 
 will to the maid ? 
 
 Sbal. Couftn Abraham Slender, can you love her? 
 Slen. I hope, iir, I will do as it.ihall beceine one 
 that would do reafon. 
 
 Eva. Nay, Got's lords and his ladies ! you mull fpeak 
 poffitable, if you can .carry her your delires towards 
 her. 
 
 Sbal. That you muft.: 
 Will you, upou good dowry, marry her? 
 
 Slen. I will do a greater thing than that, upon your 
 requeft, coufin, in any reafon. 
 
 Shal, Nay, conceive me, conceive me, fweet coz ; 
 what I do, is to pleafure you, coz : can you love the 
 .maid? 
 
 Ska. I will marry her, fir, at your requeft; but if 
 there be no great love in the begin! ng, yet heaven may 
 decreafe it upon better acquaintance, when we are mar- 
 ried and have more occafion to know one another ; I 
 hope upon familiarity will grow more contempt. But 
 if you fay, marry her, I will marry her, that I am freely 
 diflblved, and diffolutely f. 
 
 Eva. It is a ferry diicretion anfwer ; fave, the fault 
 is in th' ort diflblutely : the oit is, according to our 
 meaning, refolutely ; his meaning is goor. 
 Sbal. Ay, I think my coulin meant well. 
 Slat. Ay, or elfe I would I might be hang'd, la. 
 
 Eater Miftrefs Anne Page. 
 
 Sbal. Here comes fair Miftrefs Anne. Would I were 
 young, for your fake, Miltrels Anne ! 
 
 * Sir Hugb"i circumftantiality, and calling in phiJofophers to 
 prove that the lips are a part of the mouth, is laughabJe, and de- 
 fcriptive of a whimficai methodical pedagogue. 
 
 f We are rather apt to think, however weak Slender may be 
 Aippofed, that our author has here fwrniflied him with too ftrained 
 a cjnfufion of words.
 
 12 THE MERRY WIVES 
 
 Anne. The dinner is orj the table ; my father defiles 
 your Worship's company. 
 
 Shal I will wait on him, fair Miftrefs Anne. 
 
 Jva* Od's pleiled will, I will not be ablence at the 
 grace. [Exeunt Shallow ami Evans.. 
 
 Anne. Will't pleafe your worfhip to come in, fir? 
 
 Slen. No, I thank you iorfooth, heartily, I am very 
 well. 
 
 Anne. The dinner attends you, fir. 
 
 <S7i-/7. I am not an hungry, I thank you, forfooth : go, 
 firrah, for all you are nay man, go wait upon my coulin 
 $!.->allo<iv. [Exit Simple.] A juftice of peace ibmetime 
 may be beholden to his friend for a man. I keep but 
 three men and a boy yet, till my mother be dead j but 
 what tho', yet I live a poor gentleman born. 
 
 Anne. I may not go in without your Worfhip ; they 
 will not fit, till you come. 
 
 Ska. I'hiith, I'll eat nothing; I thank you as much 
 as though I duL 
 
 Anne. I pray you, fir, walk in. 
 
 Slen. * I had rather walk here, I thank you ; I bruis'd 
 my fiiin th'other day, wiih playing at fwoid and dag. 
 per, with a mafter ot fence, three veneys f fora dilh or 
 itewed prunes, and by my troth, I cannot abide the fmell 
 of hot meat, iince. Why do your dogs bark fo? be 
 there bears i'th' town ? 
 
 Anne. I think there are, fir, I heard them talk'd of. 
 
 Slen. I love the Iport well, but I ihall as ibon quarrel 
 at it, as any man in England. You are afraid, if you fee 
 the bear loole, are you not ? 
 
 Anne. Ay, indeed, fir. 
 
 Skn. That's meat and drink to me, now ; I have feen 
 Sackerfon loofe, twenty times, and have taken him by the 
 chain ; but, I warrant you, the women have fo cry'd and 
 fhriekt at it, that it pait : but women, indeed, cannot 
 abide 'em ; they are very ill-favour'd rough things. 
 
 * Sknder's maidenly ftiynefs, and his ridiculous evaficn of going 
 in to dinner, always create mirth in reprefentation ; bis turn to 
 the bears is very natural, and exceeding laughable. 
 
 f Veneys bouts } the d:fh cf ftewed prunes is a moll charac- 
 terifoc bet for Stoub* 
 
 Enter
 
 OF WfNDSOR. 13 
 
 Enter Mr. Page. 
 
 Page, Come, gentla Mr. Slender, come ; we flay for 
 you. 
 
 Slen. I'll eat nothing, I thank you, fir. 
 
 Page. By cock and pye, you (hall not choofe, fir ; 
 come, come. 
 
 Slen. Nay, pray you lead the way. 
 
 Page. Come on, fir. [Exit Page. 
 
 Slen. Miftreft ./itarf, yourfelf fnall go firth 
 
 Anne. Not I, fir ; pray you keep on. 
 
 Slen. Truly, I will not go firil, truly-la : I will not do 
 you that wrong. 
 
 Aunt. I pray you, fir. 
 
 Slen. I'll rather be unmannerly, than trcub 1 efome ; 
 you do yourfelf wrong, indeed-la. [Exsuntk 
 
 SCENE IT. 
 Re-enter Evans and Simple. 
 
 JF.->a. Go your ways, and alk of Doftor Caws' hou'e 
 which is the way ; and there dwells one Miftrefs 
 (Quickly ) \vhich is in the manner of his nurfe ; or his dry 
 nurSe, or his cook, or his laundry, his waiher, and his 
 wringer. 
 
 Simp. Well, fir. 
 
 .Eva. Nay, it is petter yet ; give her this letter ; for 
 it ii a'omen that altagether's acquaintance with Miilrefs 
 Aunt Page, and the letter is to def;re and require her to 
 fulicit your mailer's delircs to Mrs. Anne Page : I pray 
 you be gone ; I will make an endofiny dinner : there s 
 and cheefc to come. \JLxcunt federally. 
 
 S C E N E III, the Garter Inn. 
 Enter FaUlaff, meeting Nym, "Piftol, and Robin. 
 
 * Fal. Which of you know Ford, of this town ? 
 
 * The third fcene commences better heie, than with that page of 
 r'.baldry in the original^ which is properly rated off. 
 
 VOL. III. I Pi/I.
 
 14 THE MERRY WIVES 
 
 Pift. I ken the wight, he is of fubfrance good. 
 
 Fal. My honeft lads, what think you I am' about* 
 
 Fiji. Two yards and more. 
 
 Fal. No quips now, Piftol: Indeed I am in the wafte 
 two yards about , but I am now about no wafte, I am 
 about thrift. Briefly, I do mean to make love to Ford's 
 wife ; I fpy entertainment in her ; fhe difcourfes, fhe 
 carves, (he gives the leer of invitation ; I can con- 
 ilrtie the acTion of her familiar ftile, and the harden: 
 voice of her behaviour, to be englifh'd right, is, lam 
 ArJohnFalftafPs. 
 
 /.</?. He hath iludy'd her well, and tranflated her will, 
 out of honeiry into EvgliJJ}. 
 
 Fal. Now the report goes, fhe has all the rule cf her 
 hufband's purfe : he hath a legion of angels. 
 
 Nym. The humour rifes ; it is good ; humour me the 
 angels. 
 
 Fal. I have writ me here a letter to her ; and here 
 another to Page's wife, who even now gave me willing 
 eyes too, examin'd my parts ; fometimes fhe kindly 
 view'd my goodly leg?, fometimes my portly belly. 
 
 Pift. Then did the fun on dunghill fhine. 
 
 Av/v. I thank thee for that humour. 
 
 Fal. O fhe did fo courte o'er my exteriors with Rich 
 a greedy intention, that the appeti'e or her eye did feem 
 to fcorch me up like a burning-glafs : here's another 
 letter to her; fhe bears the purfe too; fhe is a legion 
 in Guiana, all gold and bounty. I will be cheater to 
 them bcth, and they fhall be exchequers to me; they 
 fhall be my Eaft and Weft Indies, and I will trade to 
 them both. Go, bear thou this letter to Mrs. Page, 
 and thou this to Miilrcfs Ford: we will thrive, lads, 
 we will thrive *. 
 
 Pijt. Shall I Sir Pa/ttfarus of Tray become ; 
 And by my fide wear lleel ? Then, Lucifer, take all ! 
 
 Kyn':. I 'will run no bafe humour:' here take the 
 
 * Talfajff ridiculous vanity is well fet forth, by the fuppodtion 
 that Mrs. F>rd and Mrs. Page are fo deeply captivated, as not only 
 to facrif'te the honour, but the purl'es, of their buibaads, to him. 
 
 humour
 
 O F W I N D S O R. 15 
 
 humour letter, I will keep the 'haviour of reputation *. 
 
 Fa/. Here, boy, bear you thefe letters as they arc 
 directed. [To Robiru 
 
 Sail like my pinnace to thefe golden mores. 
 "Rogues, hence, avaunt, vanifli like hail itones; go. 
 Trudge, plod away o'th'hoof, feek melter, pack: 
 ~Fa!ft off' \v\\\ learn the humour of the age. 
 French thrift, you rogues, myfelf, and Ikirted Page. 
 
 [Exit Pal. and Biy. 
 
 Pift. Let vultures gripe thy guts ; for gord and 
 \fitllam holds : and high and low beguiles the rich and 
 poor. Teiter I'll "have in pouch, when thou (halt lack, 
 bafe Phrygian Turk. 
 
 Nytn. I have operations in my head, 
 Which be humours of revenge. 
 
 Pift. Wilt thou revenge ? 
 
 "Nym. By welkin and her {tar. 
 . Pift. With wit, or ikel ? 
 
 2pm. With both the humours, I : 
 I will difcufs the humour of this love, to Ford. 
 
 Pift. And I to Page (hall eke unfold 
 How Falftaff, varlet vile, 
 His dove will prove, his gold will hold, 
 And his foft couch defile. 
 
 Nym. My humour mall not cool; I will incenfe Ford 
 to deal with pnifon. I will polfefs him with yel- 
 low nefs, for the revolt of mien is dangerous : that is 
 my true humour. 
 
 Pift. Thou art the Man of male-contents : I fecond 
 thee ; troop on. [E.\euut. 
 
 SCENE IV, 'DjftorCal-M'Hoa/e. 
 Ettfcr Miftrefi Quickly, Simple, and John Rugby. 
 Quick. What, John Rugby .' I pray thee go to the 
 cafement, and fee if you can fee my matter, matter 
 
 * There is fomewhat not to beexpefted in this behaviour ofthofe 
 worthy gentlemen, Nym and Piftoi j when profit was propofed, we 
 could not fuppofe fons ef rapine would entertain fuch delicate 
 fcruples. 
 
 J- Grd andfullam implements of gaming, then in ufe. 
 
 I 2 doctor
 
 16 THE MERRY WIVES 
 
 do&or Caiui, coming ; if he do, I'faith, and find any 
 body in the hcufe, here will be an old abufihg of 
 heav'n's patience, and the king's Ekplijb, 
 
 Rug. I'll go watch. [Exit TUigby. 
 
 Quit: Go, we'll have a poffet for't focn at night, in 
 faith, at the latter end of a fea-coal fire : an honeft, 
 willing, kind fellow, as ever fervant fhall come in heufe 
 withal, and I warrant you no tell-tale, nor no breed- 
 bate*; his worft fault is, that he is given to canting; 
 he is fomething peeviih that way; but nobody but 
 has his fault ; but let that pafs. Peter Simple you fay 
 your name is. 
 
 Simp. Ay, for fault of a better. 
 
 %uic. And, mafter Slender 's your matter ? 
 
 Simp. Ay, foriboth. 
 
 j^.'/V. Does he not wear a great round beard, like a 
 glover's p iring-knife ? 
 
 Sixip. N"o, rbrfooth j he hath but a little wee face, 
 with a little yellow beard, a Cain-colour'd beard. 
 
 S>ulc. A fofrly-fprighted man, is he not ? 
 
 Simp. Ay, foriboth ; but he is as tall a man of hig 
 hands, as any is between this and his head ; he hath 
 fought with a warrener. 
 
 Qiic. How fay you ? Oh, I (hould remember him ; 
 does he not hold up his head, as it were, and flrut in 
 his gait? 
 
 Sli.'p. Yes, indeed, does he. 
 
 Qtic. Well, heav'n fend^fo/w Page no worfe fortune. 
 Tell mafttr parfon Evans I will do what I can for 
 your mafter : Anne is a good girl, and I wifh 
 
 Enter Rugby. 
 
 Rug. Out, alas ! here comes my mafter. 
 >nic. We fhall ail be undone ; run in here, good 
 young man; go into this clofet; [Jbuts Simple in fie 
 clofit.} He will not ftay long. What, Jhn Rugby! 
 John ! What John, I fay ; go Joiti, go inquire lor 
 my mafter, I doubt he be not well, that he comes 
 not home j and dawn, down, down tf , &c. [Sings* 
 
 * Brttdbatt a Itirrcr of contention. 
 
 Enter
 
 OF WINDSOR. 17 
 
 Enter Dotfor Caius *. 
 
 Cains. Vat is you fing ? I do not like cles toys ; pray 
 you go and vetch me in myclofet, un bojtiervcrd\ a box, 
 a green-a-box ; do intend vat I fpeak? a green a-box. 
 
 S>uic. Ay, forfooth, I'll fetch it you. 
 I am glad he went not in himlelf ; if he had found 
 the man, he would have been horn-mad. [AfiJt. 
 
 Caius. Fe, /, fe, fe, ma foi. II fait fert cbaui!, je 
 me'n vaie a la Cour la grande affaire. 
 
 >uic. Is it this, Sir r 
 
 Caius. Ouy, mette k an mon pocket, elepecb^ quickly : 
 Ver is dat knave Rugby ? 
 
 $vic. What, John 'Rugby! John! 
 
 Rug. Here, Sir. 
 
 Caius. You are John Rugby, and you are Jack Rugby; 
 come, take-a your rapier, and come after my heel to 
 the court. 
 
 Rug. 'Tis ready, fir, here in the porch. 
 
 Caius. By my trot I tarn' too long, Od's me, Qu'ayje 
 eublie : dere is fome limples in my clol'et, dat I vil not 
 for the varld I (hall leave behind. 
 
 %uic. Ay me, he'll find the young man there, and be 
 jnn^. 
 
 Caius. O Dialle, Diabk; vat is in myclofet? 
 Villaine, Larro/i, Rugby! my rapier. 
 
 \Pulh Simple out of the cln/et. 
 
 >H!c, Good matter, be content. 
 
 Caius. Wherefore (hould I be content-a ? 
 
 Quic. The young man is an honeit man. 
 
 Cams. What fhall de honeft man do in myclofet? 
 dere is no honeit man dat fhall come in my clofet. 
 
 Quit. I befeech you be not (b phlegm itic ; hear the 
 truth ot it. He came of an errand to me from parfon 
 
 Jfafc 
 
 Caius. 
 
 Veil. 
 
 '* DoQor Caius rtiould perfonate an antiquated Fren:b phylician, 
 as much as pofiiblej he fliould break the Englijh will, be full of 
 aftion ar.d grimace, with expreflion peculiarly emphatic and vehe-
 
 18 THE MERRY WIVES 
 
 Simp. Ay forfooth, to defire her to 
 
 Quic. Peace, I pray you. 
 
 Calus. Peace a your tongue, fpeak a your tale. 
 
 Simp. To defire this honeir. gentlewoman, your maid, 
 to fpeak a good word to Miitrefs Anne Pagf> for my 
 mailer, in the way of marriage. 
 
 3>uic. This is all, indeed la; but I'll ne'er put my 
 finger in the fire, and need not. 
 
 Coats. Sir Hugh fend-a you ? Rugby, baillez me feme 
 paper ; tarry you a little a-\vhi!e. 
 
 %uic. I am glad he is fo quiet; if he had been thorough- 
 ly moved, you fhould have heard him fo loud, and fo 
 melancholy : but notwithstanding, man, I'll do ior your 
 mailer what good I can ; and the very yea and the no is, 
 the French docftor, ray matter, I may call him my mailer, 
 look you, for I keep his houfe, and I wafli, wring, brew, 
 bake, fcour, drefs meat and drink, make the beds, and 
 do all, myfelf *.- 
 
 Simp* 'Tis a great charge to come under one body's 
 hand. 
 
 3>uic. Are you advis'd o' that ? you fhall find it a great 
 charge ; and to be up early, and down late. But not- 
 withftanding, to tell you in your ear ; I would have no 
 words of it, my waller himfelf is in love with Miftrefs 
 Anne Page, but norwithftanding that, I know Aiuvis 
 mind, that's neither here nor there. 
 
 Ca'us. You jack a-nape; give a this letter to Sir 
 Hugh ; by gar it is a (halienge : I- will cut his troat in de 
 parke, and I will teach a fcurvy jnck-a-nape prieii to 
 meddle or make You may be gone, it is not good you 
 tarry here. [Exit Simple. 
 
 Sfuic. Alas, he fpeaks but for his friend. 
 
 Caius. It is no matter a ver dat : do you not tell-a me 
 lat I (hall have Anne Page for myfelf? by gar, I will 
 kill de jack preeft ; and 1 have appointed mine hoil of 
 de Jarteer to meafure our weapon j by gar, I will myfelf 
 have Anne Page. 
 
 * This Mrs. Qulskfy, though changed into Dol*r Cains' s fervant, 
 by her ftyle and loquacity is no other than the hoftefs of that name ; 
 file Hould be reprefented, as we hare kid elfewhere.
 
 OF WINDSOR. 19 
 
 $>nic. Sir, the maid loves you, and all fhall be well : 
 we muit give folks leave to prate ; what the good-jer. 
 
 Caius. Rugby, come to the court with me ; by gar, if 
 I have not Anne Page, I fliall turn your head out of my 
 door ; follow my heels, Rugby. [Ex. Caius </Rogby. 
 
 >uic. You (hall have a fool's head of your own. No, 
 I know Anne's mind for that ; never a woman in Windfir 
 knows more ot Anne's mind than I do, nor can do more 
 than I do with her, I thank heav'n. 
 
 Pent. \nuitbin\ Who's within there, hoa ? 
 
 S>uic. Who's there, I trow ? Come near the houfe, I 
 pray you. 
 
 Enter Mr. Fenton. 
 
 Ffnt. How now, good woman, how doft thou ? 
 
 Quic. The better that it pleafes your good worfliip 
 to alk. 
 
 Pent. What news ? How does pretty Miftrefs Anne ? 
 
 uic. In truth, fir, and Ihe is pretty, and honeft, and 
 gentle, and one that is your friend, I can tell you that, 
 by the way, I praife heav'n for it. 
 
 Pent. Shall I do any good, thmk'fl thou ? Shall I not 
 lofe my fait ? 
 
 S>uic. Troth, fir, all is in his hands above ; but not- 
 withitandtng, Mailer Fenton, I'll be fworn on a book 
 Ihe loves you : have not your worihip a wart, above your 
 eye * ? 
 
 Pent. Yes, marry have I ; and what of that ? 
 
 >uic. Well, thereby hangs a tale ; good faith, it is 
 fuch another Nan ; but, I deteft, an honeit maid as ever 
 broke bread ; we had an hour's talk of that wart : I fhall 
 never laugh but in that maid's company ! but, indeed, 
 Ihe is given too much to aHicholly and muting ; but for 
 you Well <jo to 
 
 Pent. Well, I lhall fee her, to-day ; hold, there's mo- 
 ney for thee :. let me have thy voice in my behalf; if 
 thou feeft her before me, commend me > 
 
 * Quickly fliews herfelf here, as well as hereafter, to be a moft 
 pliant able go-between, e<nwlly difpofed to oblige all employers.
 
 ao THE MERRY WIVES 
 
 QUIC. Will I? Ay, faith, that we will: and I will tell 
 your worfhip more of the wart, the next time we have 
 confidence ; and of other wooers. 
 
 Pent. Well, farewel, I am in great hafte now. [Exit. 
 
 *uic. Farewel to your worfhip. Truly an honeft 
 gentleman ; but Anne loves him not ; I know Anne's 
 mind as well as another does. Out upon't, what have 
 I forgot? [Exit.* 
 
 * To the firft Al we muft allow a good deal of bufinefs, with 
 fome humour; we are well made acquainted with the charaders, 
 and the plot opens properly, but a little more life is wanting. 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 S C E N E I, a Street before Mr. Page's Hott/e* 
 Enter Mrs. Page, with a Letter. 
 
 Mrs. pa S e '\\ 7 HAT, have I Ycap'd love letters in 
 VV the holy-day time of my beauty, and 
 am I now a iubjeft for them ? let me fee : 
 
 Afk me no reafons ivhy 1 love you, for though love vjes 
 Rea/oti for his phyfician, he admits him not for his cov.n- 
 fdlor : you are notyowg, no more am I; go to then, t hen's 
 iympathy. Tou are merry, fo am I ; ha! ha ! then there's 
 more Jympathy : you love Jack, and fo do I; ivould you. 
 dejire letter jympathy ? Let itfuffice thee, Miftrefs Page, at 
 the leaji if the love of a foldier can fuffice, that I love tljce. 
 I will not fay, pity me, 'tis not a foldier-like phrafe ; but 
 I fay, love me. 
 
 By me t thine o r jj,i true knigbt t 
 
 By day or nighty 
 
 Or any kind of light t . 
 
 With all his might, 
 
 For thee to fight. John Falflaff. 
 
 What a Herod of Jewry is this! O wicked, wicked 
 world ! what unweigh'd behaviour hath this Flemijlj 
 drunkard pickt out of my converfation, that he dares 
 
 in
 
 OF WINDSOR. 21 
 
 in this manner afTay me ? why, he hath not bee.n 
 thrice in my company : how mail I be revenged on him ? 
 for reveng'd I will be. 
 
 Enter Mrs. Ford *. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Mrs. Page, truft me, I was going to your 
 houfe. 
 
 Mr?. Page, And truft rne, I was coming to you; you 
 look very ill. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Nay, I'll ne'er believe that. I have to 
 fliew to the contrary. 
 
 Mrs. Page. Faith, but you do, in my mind. 
 
 Mrs, Ford. Well, I do then ; yet I fay, I could fliew 
 you to the contrary : O Miftreis Page> "give me foine 
 counfel. 
 
 Mrs. Page. What's the matter, woman ? 
 
 Mrs. Ford. O woman ! if it were not for one trifling 
 refpecl, I could come to fuch honour. 
 
 Mrs. Page. Hang the trifle, woman, take the honour j 
 what is it ? difpenfe with trifles ; what is it ? 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Why, I could be knighted. 
 
 Mrs. Page. What ! you jeft. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. We burn day- light here, read, read, 
 perceive how I might be knighted : I mall think the 
 worfe of fat men as lorfg as I have an eye to make 
 difference of men's liking ; and yet he would not fvvear, 
 praife women's modeity, and give fuch orderly and 
 well-behaved reproof to all uncomelinefs, that I would 
 have fworn his difpofition would have gone to the 
 truth of his words ; but they do no more adhere and 
 keep place together, than the hundreth pfalm to the 
 tune of Green Jleeves. What tempeft, I trow, threw this 
 whale afhore at Windfor ? How lhall 1 be reveng'd on 
 him ? Did you ever hear the like ? 
 
 Mrs. Page. Letter for letter, but that the name of 
 Page and Ford differs. To thy great comfort in this 
 
 * Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Page fliould both be fightly women ; but 
 the former requires more fpirit, arciincfs and plaafantry, than the 
 htter. 
 
 myfteyy
 
 22 THE MERRY WIVES 
 
 myftery of ill opinions, here's the twin-brother of thy 
 letter ; but let thine inherit firft, for I proteft mine never 
 fhall. I warrant he hath a thoufand of thefe letters 
 writ with blank fpaces, for different names. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Why, this is the very fame, the very hand, 
 the very words : what doth he think of us ? 
 
 Mrs. Page. Nay, I know not ; it makes me almoft 
 ready to wrangle with mine own honefty * : I'll enter- 
 tain myfelf like one that I am not acquainted withal j 
 for fure unlefs he knew fome ftrain in me, that I know 
 not inyfelf, he would never have boarded me in this 
 fury. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Boarding, call it you ? 
 
 Mrs. Page. Let's be reveng'd on him, let's appoint 
 him a meeting, and lead him on with a fine baited de- 
 lay, till he hath pawn'd his horfes to mine hoft of th 
 Garter. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Nay, I will confent to aft any villany 
 againft him, that may not fully the charinefs of our ho* 
 nelty f : O that my hufband faw this letter, it would gir 
 eternal food to his jealoufy. 
 
 Mrs. Page/Why, look where he comes, and my good 
 wan too : he's as far from jealoufy as I am from giving 
 him caufe, and that, I hope, is an unmeafurable diitance. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. You are the happier woman. 
 
 Mrs, Page. Let's confult together againft this greafy 
 knight. Come hither. [They retire. % 
 
 Enter Ford and Page. 
 
 Ford. You heard what this knave told me, did you 
 not || ? 
 
 * We think Mrs. Page's fpeech fhould end here : fome indelica- 
 cies are omitted, and the introduction to them fhoukl be omitted alfo. 
 
 f Cbarinefs, the delicacy of our honefty. 
 
 J There is a low uneffential fcene of Piftoland Nym, putting in 
 execution what they propofed when laft we faw them, properly cut 
 off here. 
 
 || Page requires but moderate abilities ; Ford a/ks for an aclor of 
 confiderable talents; the generous unfufpeling, therefore happy 
 hufband, oppofed to the fufpicious, and confcquently tormented one, 
 is a good inftruclive contrail. 
 
 Page.
 
 OF WINDSOR. 23 
 
 Page. Yes ; and you heard what the other told me ? 
 
 Ford. Do you think there is truth in them ? 
 
 Page. Hang 'em, ilaves, I do not think the knigl t 
 would offer it ; but thefe that accufe him in this intent 
 towards our wives, are a yoke ot his difcarded men, very 
 rogues now they be out or fervice, 
 
 Ford. Were they his men ? 
 
 Page. Marry were they. 
 
 Ford. I like it never the better for that. 
 Does he lie at the Garter? 
 
 Page. Ay, marry does he. If he would intend his 
 voyage towards my wife, I would turn herlooie to him ; 
 and what he gets more of her than flurp words, let' it lie 
 on my head. 
 
 Ford. I do not mifdoubt my wife, but I would be loth 
 to turn them together ; a man may be too confident : I 
 would have nothing lie on my head ; I cannot be thus 
 fatisfy'd. 
 
 Page. Look where my ranting hoft of the Garter 
 comes : there is either liquor in his pate, or money in 
 his purfe, when he looks ib merrily. How now, mine 
 hoft? 
 
 Enter Hoft and Shallow. 
 
 Haft. How now, bully-rock ? thou'rt a gentleman, 
 cavaliero-juilice, I lay. 
 
 Shal. I follow, mine holt, I follow. Good even, and 
 twenty, good Matter Page. Mailer Page^ will you go with 
 us ? we have fport in hand. 
 
 Hoft, Tell him, cavaliero-juflice ; tell him, bully- 
 rock. 
 
 Shal. Sir, there is a fray to be fought between Sir 
 Hugh, the Weljb prieft, and Calus, the French doctor. 
 
 Ford. Good mine hoft o'th Garter, a word with you. 
 
 Haft, What lay'ft thou, bully-rock ? 
 
 Sbal. Will you go with us to behold it ? my merry 
 hoft hath had the meafuring of their, weapons, and, I 
 think, hath appointed them contrary places ; for, be- 
 lieve m>, I hear the parfon is no jeilcr. Hark, J will 
 te.l you what our fiort ftiall be. 
 
 6 Hoft.
 
 2 4 THE MERRY WIVES 
 
 Hofl. Hail thou no fuit again ft my knight, my gueft, 
 tavalier ? 
 
 Ford. None, I proteft ; but I'll give you a pottle of 
 burnt fack to give me recourfe to him, and tell him my 
 name is Brook ; only for a jefl. 
 
 Hoft. My hand, bully ; thou {halt have egrefs and re- 
 grefs ; faid I well ? and thy name fnall be Brook. It is a 
 merry knight. Will you go on, heris * ? 
 
 Sbal. Have with you, mine hoft. 
 
 Page. I have heard the Frenchman hath good fkill ia 
 his rapier. 
 
 Shah Tut, fir, I could have told you more ; in thefe 
 times you ftand on dillance, your pafles, ftoccado's, and 
 I know not what : 'tis the heart, Mailer Page; 'tis here, 
 'tis here. I have feen the time, with my long fword, I 
 f would have made you tour tall fellows Ikip like rats. 
 
 Hoft. Here, boys, here, here ; ihall we wag ? 
 
 Page. Have with you; 1 had rather hear them fcold, 
 than fight. \E.xcunt Hoft, Shallow, and Page. 
 
 Ford. ThougbuPig? be a fecure fool, and ilands ib firm- 
 ly on his wile's fealty, yet } cannot put off my opinion 
 fo eafily. She was in his company, at PagSs houfe, 
 and what they made there I know not. Well, I will 
 look further into't; and I have a difguife to found 
 Fatftaff : If I find her honeil, I lofe not my labour ,* if 
 flie be otherwife, 'tis labour well beftowed. ^Exlt. 
 
 S C E N E II, the Garter-Inn. 
 Enter Falflaff, Piftol, and Nym. 
 
 Fal. I will not lend thee a penny. 
 
 Pifl. Why then the world's mine oyiler, which I with 
 fword will op^n. I will retort the fum in equipage j. 
 
 Fal. Not a penny. I have been content, lir, you 
 fhould lay my countenance to pawn; I have grated 
 
 * Hern an old EngTijh word for Mafttr. 
 
 f- Shall'tiv in this fpeech is pleafantly defcrlptive of the vain 
 opinion commonly indulged by old men j that every thing declines 
 as they personally do, and that nothing pre&nt can equal their 
 youth. 
 
 t Stolen goods.
 
 OF WINDSOR. 23 
 
 Upon my good friends for three reprieves for you, an .1. 
 your couch-fellow, Nym; or elfe you had look'd through 
 the, grate, like * a geminy of baboons. I am damn'd 
 in 'hell tor {"wearing to gentlemen, my friends, you 
 were good foldiers, and tall fellows. And when Mrs. 
 Bridget loft the handle ot her fan, I took't upon mine 
 honour thou hadll it nor. 
 
 FIJI. Didft thou not mare ? Hadft thou not fifteen- 
 pence ? 
 
 Fal, Reafon, you rogue, reafon : think'it thou I'll en- 
 danger my foul gratis? At a word; hang no more about 
 me, I am no gibbet for you : go, you'll not bear a les 
 ter for me, you rogue ; you ftand upon your honour ? 
 why, thou uncontinable bafene5>, it is as much as I 
 cm do to keep the term of my honour precife. I, I, I 
 myfelf, fometrmes, leaving the fear of Heaven on the 
 lett hand, and hiding mine honour in my neceffity, am 
 fain to fhuffle, to hedge, and to lurch ; and yet you 
 rogue will enfconfe your rags, your cat-a-mountain 
 looks, your f red lattice phrafer-, and your bold-beating 
 oaths, under the flicker of your honour ! You will no; 
 tlo it, you ! 
 
 Enter Robin. 
 
 Rob, Sir, here's a woman would fpeak with you, 
 Fal. Let her approach. 
 
 Enter Mljtrefs Quickly. 
 
 >u!c. Give your worfhip good-morrow. 
 Fal. Good-morrow, good wife. 
 >uic. Not fo, an't pleafe your worfliip. 
 Fal* Good maid, then. 
 Quc. I'll be f\vorn, 
 As my mother \vas, the fiift hour I was born. 
 
 Fal. I do belieVe the: : what would']! thou witk me. 
 *uic. Shall I vouchfafe your worfliip -a word x>r two ? 
 
 * dgtmlay a couple. 
 
 f Red lattice pbrafn a!s-hsufe wit. 
 
 VOL. III. K r<$.
 
 26 THE MERRY WIVES 
 
 Fal. Two thoufand, fair woman, and I'll vouchfafe 
 thee the hearing. 
 
 J^//rV. There is one Miftrefs Ford, fir ; I pray come a 
 Tittle nearer this ways : 1 myfelf dwell with Mr. Doctor 
 
 Fal. Well on Mrs. Ford, you fay. 
 
 >uic. Your worfhip fays very true ; I pray your wor- 
 fhip come a little nearer this ways. 
 
 Fal. I warrant thee nobody hears : mine own peo- 
 p!e ; mine own people. 
 
 >uic. Are they fo ? Heav'n blefs them, and make 
 them his fervants \ {Exeunt Piflol and Nym. 
 
 Pal. Well : Mrs. For/f what of her ? 
 
 >uu: Why, fir, fne's a good creature. Lord, lord, 
 your woi (hip's a wanton ; well, heav'n forgive you, and 
 all of us, I pray 
 
 Fa!. MiltrefsFwv/, come, Miftrefs Ford 
 
 >v:c. Marry this is the fliort and the long of it ; you 
 have brought her into fuch a canaries *, as 'tis wonder- 
 Jul : the bell: courtier of them all, when the court lay at 
 WinJfor, cculd never have brought her to fuch a canary. 
 Yet "there has been knights and lords, and gentlemen, 
 \vith their coaches ; I warrant you, coach after coach, 
 letter after letter, gift after gift, fmeUing fo fweetly ; all 
 r.uifk ! and fo ruiling, I warrant you, in filk and gold ; 
 and in fuch alligant terms, and in fuch wine and fugar 
 r the belt, and the faireii, that would have won any 
 woman's heart; and, I warrant you, they could never 
 get an eye-wink of her. I had myfelf twenty angels 
 given me, this moming; but I defy all angels, in any 
 iiich fort as they fay, but in the way of honeily ; and, I 
 warrant you, they could never get her fo much as lip in 
 a cup with the proudeft of them all; and yet there "has 
 been earls, nay, which is more, penfioners : but, I 
 warrant you, all is one with her f . 
 
 * Canaries here implies a Mutter. 
 
 -\ This is as natural and humorous a round- atcnt fpetc\ ai 
 could be written on the occafion ; the method Mrs. Ford and 
 Mrs. Pagt clevife to punift Falflaff, is juft and pleasant, but ir.ight 
 j ct. in real life, terminate fo happily as it does in this jJay. 
 
 Fal.
 
 OF WINDSOR. 27 
 
 fa!. But what fays flie to me r be brief, my good fncr 
 f 
 
 %uic. Marry, (he hath received your letter, for the 
 which flie thanks you a thoufand times ; and Ibc gives 
 you to notify, that her htifband will be abfence from his 
 houfe, between ten and eleven. 
 
 Fal. Ten and eleven. 
 
 S>ulc. Ay, forfooth ; and then you may come and fee 
 the picture, (he fays, that you wot of: Mafter Ford, her 
 liufband, will be from home. Alas ! the fweet woman 
 leads an ill life with him, he's a verv jealoufy man ; (he 
 leads a very frampold ~~ life with him, good heart ! 
 
 Fal. Ten and eleven ; woman, commend me to her ; 
 I will not tail heiv 
 
 QL'.C. Why you fay well : But I have another rneflen* 
 ger to your worfhip ; IV^rs. Page has her heaity com- 
 mendadoHS to you, too ; and let me tcli you in your ear, 
 {he's as fartuous a civi'-modeft wire, ar.done (I tellyoti) 
 that will not mils your morning and evening pravsr f, as 
 any is in Windfjr-, whoe'er be the other ; ana (he hud me 
 teil your worihip that her hulband is kidom nciii ' . 
 but flie hopes there will come a time. .1 never knew a 
 woman fo doat upon a man; iwely, I think, you have 
 charms, la ; yes, in truth. 
 
 Fal. Not I, I allure thee; fetting the attract km 01 my 
 good parts afide, I have no other charms. 
 
 Shiic. Bleiling on your heart for't ! 
 
 Fal. But, I pray thee, tell me this; has Fcrrfs wife and 
 Page's wife acquainted each other ho'.y th?y love me? 
 
 ^u:c. That were a jefl indeed ; they have not fo lit- 
 tle ^race, I hope ; that were a trick indeed ! Bar 
 Miltrefs Page would defire you to- fend her your littler 
 page, of all loves: Her hufoand has a marvellous in- 
 fection to the little page ; and truly IVJaircr Page is 
 very honeft man. Never a wite in U'lu^br leads a. 
 
 * F'-ampold, boifterons. 
 
 f Qiiiktfs dsfcanting on the virtue ar-j piety of a womnu, 
 from whom flie brings a rntffage cf ad ..'la- ous tendency, is the 
 right language of a proturtfs : loth gentry a! \va\s love a lanftilied 
 teik 
 
 K 2 better
 
 28 THE MERRY WIVES 
 
 better life than fhe does ; do what fhe will, fay what 
 ihe will, take all, pay all, go to bed when (he lift, rife 
 when fhe lift, all is as ihe will; and truly fhe deferves 
 it, for if there be a kind woman in Win^or^ truly fhe 
 is one. You mull fend her your page no remedy. 
 
 Fal. Why, I will. 
 
 guic. Nay, but do fo then ; and, look you, he may 
 come and go between you both ; and in any cafe, have 
 a Bay-\voni, that you may know one another's mind, 
 and the boy never need to underftand any thing ; for 
 'tis not good that children fhould know any wickednefs : 
 (,;tl folks, you know, have difcretion, as they fay, and 
 know the world. 
 
 Pal. Fare thee well ; commend me to them both : 
 There's my purfe, I am thy debtor. Boy, go along 
 with this woman. This news diftrafts me. 
 
 [Exit Quic. and Robin. 
 
 Say'ft. thou fo, old Jack ? go thy ways ; I'll 
 make more of thy old body than I have done ; will 
 they yet look after thee ? wilt thou, after the ex pence 
 ef fo much time and money, be now a gainer ? Good 
 body, I thank thee ; let them fay, 'tis grofly done, fo 
 it be fairly done, no matter. 
 
 Enter Bardolph. 
 
 Bard Sir John, there's one Matter Brook below would 
 fsin fpeak with you, and be acquainted with you ; and 
 hath lent your worfhip a morning's draught of fack. 
 
 Fa!. Brook is his name ? 
 
 JiarJ. Ay, Sir. 
 
 Fal. Call him in [Exit Bard.] Such Brooks are 
 welcome to me, that o'erflow with fuch liquor. Ah ! 
 hu! Miltrefs Ford, and Miltrefs Pagti have I cncorrt 
 j.a: a 'J you ? Go to, -via. 
 
 Enter Ford dr*M V, and Bardolph. 
 
 Ford. Blefs you, fir. 
 
 Fal, And you, fir ; would you fpeak with me ? 
 
 Ford.
 
 O F W I N D S O R. 29 
 
 Ford I make bold to prefs with fo little prenara:i.>;i 
 upon you. 
 
 Fal. You're welcome; what's your will? r/ive -i; 
 leave, Bardo^b. [Exit Bard. 
 
 Ford. Sir, I am a gentleman that have fpent math ; 
 my name is Brook. 
 
 Fal. Good Mailer Brook, I defire more acquaintance 
 of you. 
 
 Ford. Good Sir John, I fue for yours ; not to charge 
 you; for I muft let you underibmd, 1 think myi'df ,':i 
 better plight lor a lender, than you are, the \\hich hath 
 fomething emboldeii'd me to this unfeafon'd intrufiou; 
 for they fay, if money go before, all ways do lie open. 
 Fal. * Money is a good foldier, fir, and will on. 
 Ford. Troth, and 1 have a bag of money here troubles 
 me; if you will help me to bear it, S\rju/jn t take all, or 
 half, for eating me of the carriage. 
 
 Fal. Sir, I know not how I may deferve to be ycur 
 porter, 
 
 ForJ. I will tell you, fir, if you will give me the hear- 
 ing^ 
 
 Fal. Speak, good Mr. Brook ; I fhall be glad to be your 
 fervnnt. 
 
 Ford. Sir, I hear you are a fcholar I will, be brief 
 with you and you have been a man long known to me, 
 though I had never ib good means as deiire to make my- 
 felf acquainted with you; I fhall dilcover a thing to 
 you, wherein I rauft very much lay open mine own ini- 
 perfetHons; but, good Sir Jobn y as you have one eye 
 ctpon my follies, as you hear them unfolded, turn an- 
 other into the regiiier of your own, that I may pafs wirh 
 a reproof the eafier, lith you ypurfeli know how eaiy it 
 is ro be fuch an offender* 
 
 Fal. Very well : Sir, proceed. 
 Ford. There is a gentlewoman in this town, her hu'l* 
 band's name is Ford. 
 
 * Every age complains of gold's irrefiftibl* influence ; yet from 
 all authors we may colkt, that its power lias been and co:vinv,i-s 
 much the f^me : corruption is a d.fordcr of ii,g liaws.nt;, and prt- 
 vaik is every nation, according to its wejlth. 
 
 K 3 Fa'.
 
 30 THE MERRY WIVES 
 
 Fat. Well* fir. 
 
 Ford. I have long lov*d her, and, I proteft to you, 
 bellowed much upon her, follcnv'd her with a doting 
 obfervance, ingrofs'd opportunities to meet her, tee'd 
 every flight occafion that could but niggardly give me 
 fight of her ; not only bought many prefents to giver 
 her, but have given largely to many, to know what fhe 
 would have given : briefly, I have purfued her. as love 
 hath purfued me, which hath been on the wing of all 
 Derations. But whatfoever I have merited, either in my 
 mind, or in my means, meed * I am fure I have received 
 none, unlefs experience be a jewel ; that I have purchafed 
 ut an infinite ra;e, and that hath taught me to fay this ; 
 
 " 7-,0've like f.jtmt&tu&izrji 'when fijghatck levcpurfucs ; 
 
 tl Purfiting ti.a!, thc.tfl'-es, aitd-flyiug ivbat purj'ua f." 
 
 Fah Have you receiv'd no promv'e of fatisJaction at 
 her hands? 
 
 Ford. Never. 
 
 FaL Have yon importun'd her to fuch a purpoie ? 
 
 Ford. Never. 
 
 FaL Of what quality was your love, then ? 
 
 Ford. Like a fair hou'e built on another man's/ 
 ground ; fo that I have lofl my edifice, by millaking the- 
 place where I creeled ft. 
 
 FaL To wJiat purpofe have you unfolded this to me ? 
 
 Ford. When I have told you that, I have told you all : 
 feme fay, that though fhe appear honeil to me, y. 1 in 
 other places (he enlargeth her mirth fo far, that there is 
 ihrewd conft ruction made of her. Now, Sir John, here- 
 is the heart of my purpofe: you are a gentleman cf ex- 
 cellent breeding, admirable. difcourfe. "of great admit- 
 tance, authentic in your place and perfon, 'generally al- 
 lowed for your many war-like, court- like, and learned- 
 preparations. 
 
 fal. O, fir ! 
 
 * Meed, return, compenfation. 
 
 J- Ford carries on his views with great plaufihility, 2nd we thin* 
 this whole fcene exrremely well written; his introducing himfelf 
 with lack, foJicitinj countenance with money, and flattering Sir 
 J(.Ln as a niin of diftingiufiied abilities, are all points well con- 
 iciveij. 
 
 ForJ.
 
 OF WINDSOR; 3* 
 
 Ford. Believe it, for you know it ; there is money ; 
 Ipend ir, fpend it; fpend more, fpend all I have, only 
 give me fo much of your time in exchange of it, as to 
 lay an amiable fiege to the honefty of this Ford's wife ; 
 ttle your art of wooing, win her to confent to you ; if 
 any man may, you may, as foon as any. 
 
 Fal. Would it apply well to the vehemence of your- 
 affetftion, that I mould win what you would enioy ? Me- 
 thinks you prefcribeto yourfelf very prepofteroully. 
 
 Ford. O, underftand my drift ; me dwells fo fecurely 
 on the excellency of her honour, that the folly of my 
 foul dares not prefent itfelf; fhe is too bright to be 
 look'd againft. Now could I come to her with any de~ 
 teftion in my hand, my defires had intlance and argu- 
 raent to commend themfelves ; I could drive her then 
 from the ward of her purity, her reputation, her mar- 
 riage-vow, and a thoufand other her defences, which 
 now are too ftrongly embatteled figainfl me. ' What fay 
 you to't, Sir John? 
 
 Fal. Matter Break, 1 will firil make bold with your 
 money; next, give me your hand ; and laft, as I am a. 
 gentleman, you (hall, if you will, enjoy Ford's wife*; 
 
 Ford. O,"good fir! 
 
 Pal. I fay you (hall. 
 
 Ford. Want no money, Sir Jbfa, you mail want 
 none. 
 
 FaL Want no Miftrefs Ford; Mailer Brook, you fliall 1 
 want none ; I fhall be with her, I may tell you, by her 
 own appointment. Even as you came in to me, her 
 ailiftanr, or go-between, parted from me ; I fay 1 fhall be 
 with her, between ten and eleven ; for at that time the 
 jealous rafcally knave, her hufband, will be forth ; come 
 you to me, at night, you fhall know how I fpeed. 
 
 Ford. I am blelt in your acquaintance : do you know. 
 Ft>r f l, fir ? 
 
 : * The knight's avarice and felf-fufficiency make him here open 
 himfelf with laughable confidence ; which gives Furd, though he 
 endeavours to fmother them, an opportunity of /hewing the fecret 
 workings of jealoufy. 
 
 Fa/.
 
 32 THE MERRY WIVES 
 
 Fal. Hang him, poor cuckoldiy knave, I know him- 
 not : yet I wrong him to call him poor ; they lay thd 
 jealous wittolly knave hath mafles of money,' for the 
 which his wife feems to me well favour'd. ' I will ufe 
 her as the key of the cuckoldiy rogue's coffer, and there's 
 my harveit-home. 
 
 Ford. I would you knew Ford, fir, that you might 
 avoid him if you faw him. 
 
 Fal. Hang him, mechanical falt-butter rogue ; I will 
 flare him out of his wits ; I will awe him with my 
 cudgel ; it {hall hang like a meteor o'er the cuckold's 
 horns ; Matter Brock, thou (halt know I will predominate 
 over the peafant, and thou fhalt lie with his wife ; come 
 to me foon at night ; Ford's a knave, and 1'il aggravate 
 his fiyile : thou, Mailer Break , fhalt know him for a 
 knave and cuckold : come to me foou at night. [Exit. 
 
 Ford, * What a damn'd Epicurean rafcal is this ! My 
 heart is ready to crack with impatience. Who fays 
 this is improvident jealoufy ? My wife haih fent to him, 
 the hour is fix'd, the match is made. Would any man 
 have thought this ? See the hell of having a falfe wo- 
 man .! My bed (hall be abufed, my coffers ranfacked, my 
 reputation gnaw n at ; and I (hall not only receive this 
 villainous wrong, but (land under the adoption of abomin- 
 able terms, and by him that does-me the wrong. Terms r 
 names ; Amaimon (bunds well, Lucifer well, Barlafon 
 well, yet they are devil's addiiions, the nun.es of fiends ; 
 but cuckold, wittol, cuckold! the devil himfelfhath not 
 fuch a name. P->^ is a n afs, a fecure afs, he will truft 
 his wife; he uiii not be jealous ; I \vill rather truft a 
 Fleming with my butter ; parfon Hugh, the ll'(lcb>xan r 
 with my cheefe ; an Irifyman with my Atpi&vike bottle ; 
 or a thief to walk my ambling gelding ; than mv wile 
 xvith herfelf: then (he plots, then (he lumui.ire'-, then 
 fhedevifes; and what they think in their hearts they 
 may effe<5r., they will break their hearts but they will 
 
 * This foliloquy pofTilTes remarkable fpirit, force, and propriety j 
 it happily fets fonh the rapid, crowding ideas of a much agitated 
 mind, and never fails, when well delivered, to command apptobation..
 
 OF WINDSOR. 33: 
 
 effeft. Heaven be praifed for my jealoufy ! Elevea. 
 o'clock the hour ; I will prevent this, detect my wife, be 
 revenged on Faftaff, and lau^h at Page : I will about 
 it ; better three hours too foon, than a minute too late. 
 Fy, fy, fy ; cuckold, cuckold, cuckold j O, the devil ! 
 
 SCENE III. Windfor Park. 
 Enter Caius and Rugby. 
 
 Caius. Jack Rugby.. 
 
 Rug. Sir. 
 
 Caius. Vat is de clock, Jack. 
 
 Rug. 'Tis paft the hour, fir, that Sir Hugh promifed 
 to meet. 
 
 Caius. By gar, he has fave his foul, dat he is no come ^ 
 he has pray his pible well, dat he is no come : by gar^ 
 Jack Rugty, he is dead already, if he be come. 
 
 Rag. He is wife, fir; he knew your worQiip would 
 kill him if he came.. 
 
 Caius. Fy gar, de herring is not fo dead as me vilf 
 maks him ; take your rapier, Jack, 1 vill teil you how 
 I vill kill him. 
 
 Rg. Alas, fir, I cannot fence- 
 
 Caius. Villany ; take your rapier. 
 
 Rug> Forbear j here's company. 
 
 Enter Hoft, Shallow, Slender, and Page. 
 
 Haft. 'Blefs thee, Bully-doctor. 
 
 Sbal. Save you, Mr. Doctor Caius. 
 
 Page. Now, good Mr. Doftor. 
 
 Slcn. Give you good-mon'ow, lir. 
 
 Ca'ms. Vat be all you, one, two, ee, four, come for-^ 
 
 Hoft. To fee thee fight, to lee the foigne, to fee the. 
 traverie, to fee the here, to fee the there, to fee the pafs 
 by punclo, thy ftock, thy reverie, thy diftance, thy. 
 montant. Is he dead, my Ethiopian ? Is he dead, my 
 Frandfco ? Hn, bully ! What fays my ^Efculapius ? M_v- 
 
 GaIcK.%
 
 34 THR MERPvY WIVES 
 
 Galen? my heart of elder ? Ha! is he dead, bullv-itale ' 
 Is he dead * ? 
 
 Calus. By gar, he is de coward Jack prieft of de vorlJ; 
 he is not fnoiv his face. 
 
 Hoft, Thou art a Cajlalian King Urinal: Hefter of 
 Greece, my boy. 
 
 Caius. I pray you bear witnefs, that me have ftay fix, 
 or feven, two, tree hours, for him, and he is no come. 
 
 Shal. He is a wifer man, Mr. Doctor ; he is a curer 
 of fouls, and you are a curer of bodies: if you mould 
 fight, you go againft the hair of your profeffions : Is it 
 not true, Mailer Page ? 
 
 Page. Mafter Shallow, you have yourfelf been a great 
 fighter, tho' now a man of peace. 
 
 Shal. Body-kins, Mr. Page, tho' I now be old, and of 
 peace, if I fee a fword out, my finger itches to make 
 one ; tho' we are juftices, and doctors, and church-men y 
 Mr. Page, we have fome fait of our youth in us; we are 
 the fons of women, Mr. Page* 
 
 Page. Tis true, Mr. Shallow, 
 
 Shal. It will be found fo, Mr. Page, Mr. Dr. Caius, 
 I am come to fetch you home; I am fworn of the 
 peace; you have {hewed yourfelf a wife phyfician,. 
 and Sir Hugh hath {hewn himfelf a wife and patient 
 church-man : you muft go with me, Mr. Doc'tor. 
 
 Haft, Pardon, gueit-juitice; a word, Monfieur Mock- 
 water. 
 
 Caius. Mock-vater ? Vat is dat ? 
 
 Hojl. Mock-water, in our JLnglifb Tongue, is valouiy 
 bully. 
 
 Caius. By gar, then I have as much mock-vater ns 
 de fcurvy jack-dog-prieft j by gar me will cut hi 
 tars. 
 
 Hoft. He will clapper-claw thee tightly, bully. 
 
 Caius, Clapper de-claw ? Vat is dat f ? 
 
 * This is a very whimfical, pompous rhapfody of nothingnefs, 
 yery full of found, with, as was plainly intended, mighty little 
 meaning. 
 
 f The whole humour of this fcene lies in the Frcatbmaa's mif- 
 taking the meaning of words.
 
 OF WINDSOR. 35 
 
 flqft. That is, he will make thee amends. 
 
 Cains. By gar me do look he fiiall clapper-de-claw 
 me ; for by gar, me vill have it. 
 
 Hqft. And I will provoke him to't, or let him wag. 
 
 Cains. Me tank you for dat. 
 
 Hoft. And moreover, bully ; but firft, Mr. Gurjl, and 
 Mr. Page, and eke Cavakrio Slender, go you through the 
 town to Frogmore. 
 
 Page. Sir Hugh is there, is he ? 
 
 Hojl. He is there ; fee what humour he is in ; and I 
 will bring the doctor about the fields : will it do well ? 
 
 Sbal. We will do it. 
 
 All. Adieu, good Mr. Doftor. 
 
 \Rxit Page, Shal. and Slen. 
 
 Cains. By gar, me vill kill de prieft ; for he fpeak for 
 a jack-an ape to Anne Pa^e. 
 
 Hqft. Sheath thy impatience ; throw cold water on 
 thy choler ; go about the fields with me through Frog- 
 more', I will bring thee where Miftrefs Anne Page is, 
 at a farm-houfe a feailing, and thou fhalt woo her : 
 faid I well? 
 
 Caius. By gar, me tank you vor dat ! by gar, I love 
 you ; and I will procure 'a you de good guelt ; de earl, 
 de knight, de lords, de gentlemen, my patients. 
 
 Hqft. For the which I will be thy adverfary toward 
 Anne Page : faid I well ? 
 
 Caius. By gar, 'tis good; veil faid. 
 
 Hqft. Let us wag, then. 
 
 Caius. Come at my heels, Jack Rugby. \Exeunt.* 
 
 * This Aft is much bej'ond the firft, more bufy, better In dia- 
 l-ague, and mere impregnated with intelligible humour. 
 
 ACT
 
 3f> THE MERRY WIVES 
 ACT III. 
 
 SCENE I. 'Fragmore, near U^indfor, 
 
 Enter Evans and Simple. 
 
 Eva. TT PRAY you now, good Mailer Sknaer's ferving- 
 JL man, and friend Simple by your name, which 
 way have you look'd for Mailer Caius, that calls hhnfelf 
 Dottcr ofPbyjick ? 
 
 Simp. Marry, fir, the Pittj^wary, the Park-ward, 
 erery way, Old Windfor way, and every way, but the 
 town way. 
 
 Eva. I moft fehemently defire you, you will alfo look 
 that way. 
 -Sim. I will, fir, 
 
 Eva. 'Fiefs my foul, how full of cholars I am, and 
 trempling of mind ! I fliall be glad if he have deceived 
 me; how melancholies I am ! I will knog his urinals 
 about his knave's coltard, when I have good oppor- 
 tunities for the ork; 'plefs my foul: 
 By JJyallow rivers to whofe Jails 
 Melodious birds Jing madrigals ; 
 ybere iuz'// we make our pea's ivitb rafts, 
 And a thoujand vagrant pojes. 
 
 tyjbalfovu Mercy on me, Ihave agreatdifpofitiontocry! 
 Melodious birds Jing madrigals 
 When as I fat in pabilon ; 
 And a tbcufand vagrant pofcs, 
 Byjballwa *, &C. 
 
 &n. Yonder he is coming, this way, Sir Hvgk. 
 
 Eva. He's welcome. By Jkallo\v rivers to i\}boje 
 falls Heaven profper the right ! what weapons is he. 
 
 Khii. No weapons, fir; there comes my mailer, Mr. 
 Shallow, and another gentleman from Frogwcrc, over the 
 fHle, this way. 
 
 Eva. Pray you, give me my gown, or elfe keep it 
 in your arms. 
 
 Enter Page, Shallow, and Slender. 
 
 Shai. How now, Matter Parfon ? Good-morrow, good 
 
 * Making the parfon fmg, while in expe&ation, marks a whim- 
 Ccal ctldity of difpofition, and genera% crcat much laughter . 
 
 Sir
 
 OF WINDSOR. 
 
 37 
 
 Sir H?tgb. Keep a gameiler from the dice, and a good 
 iludcnt from his book, and it is wonderrul. 
 
 Slen. Ah, fweet Anne Pitgc .' 
 
 Page- Save you, good Sir ILygb. 
 
 Eva. 'Pies you from his mercy fake, all of you. 
 
 Sbal. What the fword and the word? 
 Do you it-iidy them both, Mr. Parfon? 
 
 Page. And youthful 11111, in your doublet and hofe, 
 this raw rheumatic day : 
 
 Eva. There is reaibns and caufes for it. 
 
 Page. We are come to you to do a good office, Mr. 
 Parfon. 
 
 A,Vvr. Ferry well: what is it? 
 
 Page. Yonder is a moft reverend gentleman, who, be- 
 like, having received wrong by fome perfon, is at moil 
 odds wil'h his own gravity and patience, that ever you 
 faw. 
 
 8/>aJ. I have lived fourfcore years and upwards ; I 
 never heard a man of his place, gravity, and learning, fu 
 wide of his own refpect. 
 
 F.-ja. What is he ? 
 
 Page- I think you know him J\lr. Doctor Cains, the 
 renowned French phyfician. 
 
 Eva. Got's will, and his palfion of my heart ! I had 
 as lief vou fhpuld tell me of a me Is of porridge *. 
 
 Page. Why? 
 
 Eva. He has no more knowledge in Hipocrates and 
 Qiilfn ; and he is a knave befides. a cowardly knave, as 
 you would defire to be acquainted withal. 
 
 Page. I- warrant you, he's the man ihould fight with 
 him. 
 
 S'en. O fweet Amic Page ! 
 
 Enter Hoir, Caius, and Rugby. 
 
 Ska!. It appears fb by his weapons : keep ft em afun- 
 der ; here comes Doctor Caius. 
 
 Page. Nay, good Mr. Parfon, keep la your weapon. 
 
 * Falling fo fuddenly Into the violence of pafTion at mention of 
 his antagonist's name, is much in the ftvle of Will) vehemence. 
 
 VOL. III. L BhaL
 
 jS THE MERRYWIVES 
 
 Shot. So do you, good Mr. Doftor. 
 
 Hqft. Difarm them, and let them queflion : let them 
 keep their limbs whole, and hack our EngliJJj *. 
 
 Caius. I pray you, let a me fpeak a word with the 
 ar : wherefore will you not meet a me ? 
 
 Eva. Pray you, vile your patience in good time. 
 
 Caius, By gar, you are de coward, de Jack dog, John. 
 ape.- 
 
 JEva. Pray you, let us not be laughing flocks to other 
 men's humours ; I deiire you in friendfhip, and will one 
 way or other make you amends ; I will knogyour urinal 
 about your knave's cog's comb, for miffing your meetings 
 and appointments. 
 
 Caius. Diablel Jack RiigJy, mine hofl de Jarter, have 
 not I ftay for him, to kill him ? have I nut, at ihe phce 
 I did appoint? 
 
 Eva. As I am a ChritHan foul, now look you, this is 
 the place appointed; I'll be judgement by mine hoft of 
 the Garter. 
 
 Hoft. Peace, I fay ; Ga&a and Gaul, French and fF e -!/b t 
 ft ul-curer and body-curer. 
 
 Caius. Ay dat is very good, excellent. 
 
 lloji. Peace, I fay ; hear mine hoit of the Garter. 
 Am I politic ? am I fubtle ? am I a Macblavel ? Shall 
 1 lofe my doclor ? no; he gives me the potions- and 
 the motions. Shall I lofe my parfon ? my priefl ? -my 
 Sir. Hugh? no; he gives me the proverbs, and the no- 
 verbs. Give me thy hand, terreftrial ; fo give us thy 
 hand, celeittal : fo, boys of art, I have deceived you both, 
 I have dimmed you to wrong places ; your hearts ire 
 rnh v, your fkina are whole, and let burnt lack be 
 theillue. Come, lay their fwords to pawn. Follow me, 
 lad of peace, follow, follow, follow f. 
 
 SSbal. Trufc me, a mad holt ! follow, gentlemen, 
 follow. 
 
 Ska. O fweet Anne Page! [Ex. Shal. Page, WHoft. 
 
 * The Ilr.ft fcsre is not unpleafant. 
 
 a The Hufl s playing on the folly of two romantic, fcientific 
 i is well deviftd : his own words, with his ftation in life, fuf- 
 fjciently fliew whit an appearance and utterance he Ihould have. 
 
 Caius.
 
 Of WINDSOR. 39 
 
 Cains. Ha ! <!o I perceive dat ? Have you make a- 
 
 cle for of us, hu, ha ? 
 
 /VTW. This is well, he has made us his vlouting-itog : 
 I udire you that \ve may be friends, and let us knog our 
 prains together, to be revenge on this fame icall'd fcurvy 
 cogging companion, the holt of the Garter. 
 
 Cains..- By gar, with all my heart ; he promife to bring 
 me where is Amu Page ; by gar, he deceive me too. 
 
 j&!<(i. .Well, I will finite his noddies; pray you 
 follow. \Exeunf, 
 
 SCENE II, a Street in Windfor. 
 Enter Mijlrefs Page mid Robin. 
 
 Mrs. Page. Nay, keep your way, little gallant, you' 
 *'ere wont to be a follower, but now you are a leader,: 
 whether had you rather lead mine eyes, or eye your 
 matter's heels ? 
 
 Rob. I had rattier, forfooth, go before you like a man,- 
 than follow him like a dwarf. 
 
 Mrs. Page, O you arc u flattering boy, now you'll be 
 a courtier. 
 
 Enter Ford. 
 
 Font. Well met, Miftrefs Page; whither gp you ? 
 
 Mrs. Page. Truly, fir, to fee your wife; is foe at 
 Some ? 
 
 Ford. Ay, and as idle as me may liang together, W 
 want of company ; I think, if your hufbands were dead, 
 you two would marry. 
 
 Mrs. Page. Be fure of that, two other hufbands. 
 
 Ford. Where had you this pretty weather-cock ? 
 
 Mrs. Page. I cannot tell what the dickens his name is, 
 rny hulband had him of: what do you call your knight's 
 ^ame, firrah ? 
 
 Rob. Sir John Fal/Iaf. 
 
 Ford. Sir John Fatfaff! 
 
 Mrs. Page. He, he ; I can never hit his name ; there 
 is fuch a league between my good man and he ; is your 
 good wife at home, indeed? 
 
 L 2 Ford.
 
 40 'THE MERRY WIVES 
 
 Ford. Indeed, {he is. 
 
 Mrs. Page. By your leave, fir ; I am nek till I fee 
 her. [Exeunt Mj-s. Page and Robin. 
 
 * Ford. Has Page any brains ? hath he any eyes? hath 
 he any thinking r. fure they fleep; he hath no ufe of 
 them. Why this boy will carry a letter twenty miles, as 
 enfy as a cannon will fhoot point-blank twelve fcore : 
 he pieces cot his will's inclination, he ;ives her folly 
 motion and advantage : and now {he's going to my wife, 
 and falftajj"*; boy with her. A man may hear this 
 fhower fing in the wind ; and Fa.fiaff's boy with her ! 
 good plots, they are laid. Weil, I will take him, then 
 torture my wile, pluck the borrowed veil of modetfy 
 troin the fo ften:ing Mrs. Page, divulge Page himfeif 
 for a fecure and wilful dfteon [Clock Jirikes ten."] The 
 clock gives me my cue, and my afTurance bids me 
 fearch ; there (hall I find Falftaff: I (hall be rather praifed 
 for this, than mocked ; for it is as pofitive as the earth is 
 firm, that Falfiaffis there. 
 
 Enter Page, Shallow, Slender, Hoft, Evans, #</ Cains. 
 
 Sbal Page, &c. Well met, Mr. Ford. 
 
 Ford. Truit me, a good knot : I have good cheer at 
 home, and I pray you all go with me. 
 
 Sbal. I mult excufe myfelf, Mr. Ford. 
 
 Slen. And fo mult I, fir : 
 
 We have appointed to dine with Miftrefs Anne ; 
 And I would not break with her for more money 
 Than Hi fpeak of.^ 
 
 Shal. W T e have linger'd about a match between Aunt 
 P.t^e and my coufin Sle/idtr; and this day \\e (hall have 
 our anuver. 
 
 Si'en. I hope I (hall have your gcod will, fisher Page. 
 
 Page. You have, Mr. Slender.. I ihuid wholly for you j 
 but my wife, mailer dcctcr, is for you, ali-together. 
 
 * Here again Ford exprtfies his ilarmed feelings, with fpirited 
 propriety j and his fpeeeh tells fairorably fcr the atlor, whenever 
 ths ador deals favourably by it} hdj> is reciprocal between them. 
 
 Cam
 
 OF WINDSOR. 41 
 
 C'alus. "Ay, by gar, and de maid is love a-me : my 
 
 irfti-a-J^Wr^ tell me fo mufti. 
 
 Hift. What fay you to young Mr. Fenton? he caper?, 
 he dances, he has eyes of youth, he writes verfes, he 
 fpeaks holy-days, he fmells dpril and May ; he will 
 carry't, he will carry't, he will carry't. 
 
 Page. Not by my content, I promife you: Tha 
 wealth I have, waits on my confent, and my confent 
 goes not that way. 
 
 Ford, \ befeech you- heartily, fome of you go home 
 with me to dinner ; befides your cheer, you (hall have 
 fport ; and I will (hew you a monfter. Mr. Doctor, you 
 fhall go; fo mall you, nftvjPdjgr, and you Sir Hugh. 
 
 S'jal. Well, fare you well ; 
 We (hall have the freer wooing at Mr. Page's. 
 
 Caius. Go home, Jobn Rugly ; I come anon.- 
 
 Hoft, Farewel, my heart ; I will to my honeil knight- 
 Faljlaf) and drink canary with him.- [Exeunt*- 
 
 SCENE III. Ford's Hafc. 
 
 Efiter "Mtjlrefi Ford,. Miftrcfs Page, and fervants with a 
 bajketi 
 
 Mrsi For What John! what Robert ! 
 
 Mrs. Page. Quickly, quickly : Is the buck-bafket 
 
 Mrs Ford. 1 warrant. What, Robin^ I fay. 
 
 Mr.. Pag?' Come, come, come. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Here, fet it down. 
 
 Mrs. Page. Give your men the charge, we mud be 
 brief. 
 
 Mrs, Ford. Marry, as I told yon before, John and : 
 Rc'>c,-t, be ready here hard- by in the brewhoufe ; and'- 
 when I fuddenlv call you, come forth, and, without any 
 pauie or Daggering, -ake this-balkct on your moulders; 
 that done, trudge with it in all hade, and carry it ! 
 among the whititers in Datchet mead, and there empty 
 ir in the muddy ditch, dole by the Thames fide. 
 
 Mrs. Prt^t* You will do it ? 
 
 ^
 
 42 THE M E R R Y WIVES 
 
 Mrs. Ford. I ha' to!d them over and over ; they lack 
 no direction. Be gone, and come when you are called. 
 Mrs. Page. Here comes little Robin. 
 
 Enter Robin. 
 
 Mrs, Furd. How now, my eyas-muflcet *, what news 
 with you r 
 
 Rolf. My matter, Sir John, is come in at your back- 
 door, Miftrefs Ford, and requeits your company. 
 
 Mrs. Page. You little jack-a-lent, have you been true 
 to us r 
 
 Rob. Ay, I'll be fworn ; my matter knows not of your 
 being here, and haih thteaten'd to put me into evei- 
 laiting liberty, if I tell you of it ; for he fwears he'll 
 turn me .away. 
 
 Mrs. Page. Thou art a good boy ; I'll go hide me. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Do fq ; go tell thy mailer I am alone ; 
 Miitrefs Pdgfi remember you your cue. [Exit Rob. 
 
 Mrs. Page. I warrant thee ; if I do not act it, hils me. 
 [Exit Jljrs. Page. 
 
 Mrs. Fird Go to, then ; we'll ufe thi? unwholfome 
 humidity, ! his grofs watry pumplon we'll teach him to 
 kno;v turtles horn jays. 
 
 Enter Falilaff. 
 
 Fa!. Have I caught thee, my heavenly jewel? This 
 is the period of my ambition : O this blended hour ! 
 
 Mrs. Frrtf. O iweet Sir John ! 
 
 FaL Mitlrefs Ford, I cannot cog ; I cannot flatter, 
 Miilrefs ForJ. Jsow fhali I fin in my wifh. I would 
 thy hufband were dead, L'H fper.k it before the belt 
 lord in the land, I would make thee my lady. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. I your lady, Sir John? Alas, I would be 
 a pitiful lady. 
 
 Fal. Let the court of France {he.v me fuch another : I 
 fee how thine eve would emulate the diamond : thou 
 halt the right arched bent of the bro'.v. 
 
 * Ejii-mtfiit in Italian, implies a troubkfome ftirging fly. 
 
 Mrs.
 
 OF WINDSOR. 43 
 
 Mrs. Fort?. A plain kerchiffe, Sir John : 
 My brows become nothing clfe, nor that well, neither. 
 
 Fal. Thou art a tyrant to fay fo, thou would'ft make 
 an abfolute courtier. If Fortune's thy foe, Nature is 
 thy friend : come, thou canlt not hide it. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Believe me, there's no fuch thing in me. 
 
 Fal. What made me love thee ? let that perfuade 
 thee. There's fomething extraordinary in thee. Come, 
 I cannot cog, and fay, thou art this and that, like a 
 many of thefe lifping haw-thorn buds that come like 
 women in men's apparel, and fmell like Bucklers-Bury 
 in fimpling-time : I cannot ; but I love thee, none 
 but thee ; and thou deferveft it. 
 
 Ford. Do not betray me, lir; I -fear you lore Miilrefs 
 Page. 
 
 Fal. Thou might')} as well fay I love to walk by the 
 Counter-gate t which is as hateful to me as the reek of a 
 lime-kiln *. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Well, 'tis certain I love you, and you 
 fliali one d.iy find it. 
 
 Fal. Keep in that mind ; I'll deferve it. 
 Mrs. Ford* Nay, I muft tell you, fo you do : or elfe I 
 could not be in that mind. 
 
 Rob. \witbin\ Miftrefs Font, Miftrefs Font, here's 
 Miitrefs Page- at the door, and mull: needs fpeak with 
 you prefently. 
 
 Fal. She fliall not fee me ; I will enfconce me behind 
 the arras. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Pray you do fo; - (he's a very tattling 
 woman. 
 
 Enter Mrs. Page. 
 
 What's the matter ? how now ? 
 
 Mrs. Page. O Mirtrefs Ford t what have you done, 
 now ? You're fham'd, you're overthrown, you're undone, 
 for ever. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. What's the matter, good Miit 
 
 * It is no wonder Sir John, whofe finances were moflly low, 
 ftould make fo unfa.-ory a limile to a prifon-ate. 
 
 Mrs.
 
 44 THE MERRY WIVES 
 
 Mrs. Page. O well a day, Miftrefs PorJ, having an 
 honeit man to your hufband, to give him fuch caule of 
 lufpicion ! 
 
 Mrs. Ford. What caufe of fufpicion ? 
 
 Mrs. Pa^e. What caufe of fufpicion ! Out upon you; 
 how am I mi (took in you ! 
 
 Mrs. Ford. What alas ! what's the matter ? 
 
 Mrs. Page. Your hufband's coming hither, woman, 
 with all the officers in Wirulfor, to fearch for a gentle- 
 man that he fays is here now in the houfe, by your 
 confent, to take an ill advantage of his abience. You 
 are undone. 
 
 Mrs. Ford, 'Tis not fo, I hope. 
 
 Mrs. Page. Pray heav'n it be not fo, that you have 
 fuch a man here ; but 'tis moir, certain your hufband's 
 coming with half WmJfor at his heel?, to fearch for fuch 
 a one. I come before to tell you : if you know your- 
 f. -If clear, why I am glad of it; but if you have a friend 
 here, convey, convey him out. Be not amaa'd, call all 
 your fenfes to you, defend your reputation, or bid fare- 
 wel to your good life, for ever *. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. What (hall I do? there is a gentleman, 
 my dear friend ; and I fear not mine own fhame fo much 
 as his peril. I had rather than a thoufand pound he 
 were out of the houfe. 
 
 Mrs. Page. For fhame, never itand you had rather, 
 and you had rather ; your hufband's here at hand, be- 
 think you of fome conveyance ; in the houfe you cannot 
 hide him. Oh, how you have deceived me ! look, here 
 is a bafket j if he be of any reafonable ilature, he may 
 creep in here, and throw foul linen upon him, as if it 
 were going to bucking : or it is whiting time, fend him 
 by your two men to Datcbet mead. 
 
 ' Mrs. F^rd. He is too big to go in there : what (hall 
 I do! 
 
 * This converfation between Mrs. Page and Mrs. FWis moflr 
 entertainingly conceived to heighten faljinff's, cnleromaj and 
 the audience's enjoyment of it plainly proves the merit.
 
 OF WINDSOR. 45 
 
 Rente 
 
 Fat. Let me fee'r, let me fee't, O let me fee't, 
 Til in, I'll in ; follow your friend's counfel; I'll in*. 
 
 Mrs. Page. What, Sir John Faljiaf? are thefe your 
 letters, knight ? 
 
 Fal. 1 love thee, help me away ! let me creep in here : 
 111 never 
 
 [He goes into tb'e bo/bet, they cover him with foul linen. 
 
 Mrs. Page. Help to cover him ; call your men, Mrs. 
 ford. You diilembling knight ! 
 
 Mrs. Ford. What, John, Robert, Jokn, go take up thefe 
 cloaths here quickly. Where's the cowl-ftaft'? Carry 
 thm to the laundrefs, at Datchet mead ; quickly, come. 
 
 Enter Ford, Page, Caius, and Evans. 
 
 Ford. Pray you come near ; if I fufpecl, without caule, 
 why then make fport at me, then let me be your jell, I 
 deferve it. How now ? whither bear you this ? 
 
 Ser. To the laundrefs, forfooth. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Why, what have you to do whither they 
 bear it ? You were beil meddle with buck-wafhing ! 
 
 Ford. Buck ? I would I could wa(h myfelf of the 
 buck : buck, buck, buck, ay, buck : I warrant you, buck, 
 and of the feafon too, it (hall appear. 
 
 [Exeunt Servants vjith the lafiet. 
 
 Gentlemen, I have dreamt to night, I'll tell you my 
 dream : here, here, here, by my eyes ; afcend my cham- 
 bers, fearch, feek, find out.' I'll warrant we'll unkennel 
 the fox. Let me itop this way, firit : fo, now uncape. 
 
 Page. Good Matter Ford, be contented : 
 You wrong yourfelf too much. 
 
 Fcrd. True, Matter Page. Up, gentlemen, you fnall 
 fee fport anon ; follow me, gentlemen. 
 
 E-Ja. This is ferry fantaifical humours and jealou Ties. 
 
 Cains. By gar, 'tis no the iafhion ot France ; it is not 
 jealous in France 
 
 * Nothing can be more laughable than the overgrown lover's 
 trembiing readinsfsto cram himfeJf any where. 
 
 Page.
 
 46 THE MERRY WIVES 
 
 Page. Nay, follow him, gentlemen ; fee the iflue of 
 his iearch. [Exeunt. 
 
 Manent Miftrcfi Page and Mljlrefe Ford. 
 
 Mrs. Page. Is there not a double excellency in 
 this ? 
 
 Mrs. Ford. I know not which pleafes me better, that 
 my hufband is deceived, or Sir John. 
 
 Mrs. Page. What a taking was he in, when your 
 hufband alk'd who was in the bafket ! 
 
 Mrs. Ford. I am half afraid he will have need or 
 wafting ; fo throwing him into the water will do him a 
 benefit. 
 
 Mrs. Page. Hang him, difbor.eit rafcalj I would all 
 of the fame ftrain were in the fame diftrefs. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. I think my hufband hath fome fpccial 
 ftfpicion of Falftajfs being here ! I never faw him fo- 
 grofs in his jealoufy, till now. 
 
 Mrs. Page. I will lay a plot to try that, arid we will- 
 yet have more tricks with Falflaff. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Shall we fend that foo^ifh carriou, Miflreft 
 Qutckfy, to him, and excufe his throwing into the water, 
 and give him another hope, to betray him to another 
 punifhment ? 
 
 Mrs. Pagg. We'll do it ; let him be feat for, to-mor- 
 row, by eight o'clock, to have amends- 
 
 Re-enter Ford, Page, fefc. 
 
 Ford. I cannot find him : may be, the knave bragg'd* 
 of that he could not compafs. 
 
 Mrs. Page. Heard you that ? 
 
 Mrs. Ford. I, I, peace j you ufe me well, Muiler 
 Ford, do you ? 
 
 Ford. Ay, ay, I do fo. 
 
 Mrs.Page. Heav'n make you better than your thoughts! 
 
 Ford. Amen. 
 
 You do yourfclf mighty wrong, Mr. Ford.
 
 OF WINDSOR. 47 
 
 fo;- t l. Ay, ay j I muft bear it. 
 
 Enter Evans. 
 
 Eva. If there be any pody in the houfe, and in the 
 chambers, and in the coffers, and in the prefies, heav'n 
 forgive my fins ! 
 
 Ca> us. By gar, nor I too : there is no bodies. 
 
 Pa^c. Fye, fye, Mr. ForJ, are you not afliamed? 
 What Ipirit, what devil, fuggefts this imagination ? I 
 would not have your diilemper in this kind, for the 
 wealth of Wlndfiir-Caflltf. 
 
 Fr.nl, 'Tis iny fault, Mr. Pagf, I fuffer for it. 
 
 Eva. You fuffer for pad continence , your wife is as; 
 honeft a 'oinans, as I will delires among five thouliuid, 
 and five hundred too. 
 
 Cams. By gar, I fee 'tis an honeft woman. 
 
 FonL Well, I promifed you a dinner ; come, come, 
 walk in the park. I pray you, pardon me ; I will here- 
 after make kno'.vn to you why I have done this. Come, 
 wife ; come, Miflreis Page; I pray you pardon me: 
 pray heartily pardon me. 
 
 ~*Page. Let's go in, gentlemen; but, tru ft me, we'll 
 mock him. I do invite you to-morrow morning to my 
 houfe to breakfaft ; after, we'll a birding togecher ; I 
 have a fine hawk for the bufh. Shall it be fo ? 
 
 Ford. Any thing. 
 Pray you go, Mr. Page* 
 
 Eva. I pray you now remembrance to-morrow on the 
 loufy knave, mine holt. 
 
 C'aius. Dat is good, by gar, with all my heart. 
 
 Eva. A loufy knave ! to have his gibes, and his 
 mockeries. [Exeunt. 
 
 SCENE IV. Mr. Page's Houfe.* " 
 Enter Fenton, and ^Ttftrefi Anne Page. 
 
 Pent. I fee I cannot get thy father's love ; 
 Therefore no more turn me to him, fweet Nan.
 
 48 THE MERRY WIVES 
 
 Anne. Alas ! how then ? 
 
 * pent. He doth obie^t I am too great of birth, 
 Arid that, my itate being gall'd with my expence, 
 I leek to heal it only by his wealth. 
 Befides thefe, other bars he lays before me, 
 My riots paft, my wild iocieties ; 
 And tells me, 'tis a thing impoiiible 
 I fliould love thee, but as a property. 
 
 Anne. May be, he tells you true. 
 
 Fc-uf. No, heav'n Ib ipeed me in my time to come ! 
 Albeit, I will co.:tefs, thy father's \vealth 
 Was the riril motive that I woo'd thee, Anne: 
 Yet, wooing thee, I found thee of more value, 
 Than {tamps in gold, or fums in iealed bags ; 
 .And 'tis the v;-ry riches of thyielf, 
 That now I aim at. 
 
 Anne. Gentle Mr. Fcnton, 
 Yet feek my lather's love, llill feek it, fir : 
 If opportunity and humblcil fuit 
 Cannot attain it, why then hark you hither. 
 
 Enter Shallow, Slender, and Hfii/trtfi Quickly. 
 
 &>a'. Break their talk, Miftrefs S&'u-ky. 
 My kinfman (hall fpcak for himfeTf. 
 
 Sic*. I'll make a fiiaft or a bolt on it : 'D'llid, 'tis 
 but venturing. 
 
 Sbal. Be not difmay'd. 
 
 Slen. No, fhe fhall not difmay me : 
 I care not for that, but that I am afeard. 
 
 >uic Hark'ye ; Mr. Slender would fpeak a word with 
 you. 
 
 Aftne. I come to him. This is my father's choice. 
 O what a \vorld of vile il'-favour'd faults 
 Look handfome in three hundred pounds a year ! 
 
 J^K/'f . And how does good Maiter Fcnton ? 
 Pray you, a word with you. 
 
 Sbal. She's coming : to her, coz. 
 O boy, tl^ou hadit a" father! 
 
 Slen. I had a father, Mrs. Anne; my uncle can tell you 
 
 good jefts of him. Pray you, uncle, tell Mrs. Anne the 
 
 5 je ft
 
 OF WINDSOR. 49 
 
 jeft, how my father ftole two geefe out of a pen, good 
 uncle. 
 
 Sbal. Mrs. Anne, my coufin loves you. 
 
 Skn. Ay, that I do, as well as I love any woman in 
 (rloucefterjliire. 
 
 Sbal. He will maintain you like a gentlewoman. 
 
 Skn. Ay, that I will; come cut and long tail, under 
 the degree of a fquire. 
 
 Sbal. He will make you a hundred and fifty pounds 
 a year jointure. 
 
 Awe. Good Matter Shallow, let him woo for himfelf. 
 
 Sbal. Marry, I thank you for it ; I thank you for that 
 good comfort ; (he calls you, Coz. I'll leave you, 
 
 Anne. Now, Matter Slender. 
 
 Skn. Now, good Mrs. Anne. 
 
 Anne. What is your will? 
 
 Skn. My will ? Od's-heart-lings, that's a pretty jeft 
 indeed : I ne'er made my will yet, I thank heav'n ; I am 
 not fuch a fickly creature, I give heav'n praife. 
 
 Anne. I mean, Mr. Slender, what would you with me? 
 
 * Slea. Truly, for my own part, I would little or no- 
 thing with you ; 'your father and my uncle have made 
 motions; if it be my luck, fo ; if not, happy man be 
 his dole ! They can tell you how things go, better than 
 I can ; you may afk your father ; here he cojnes. 
 
 Enter Page, and STifircfi Page. 
 
 Page. Now, Matter SleKJcr: love him, daughter Anne. 
 Why how now ? What does Matter Fcnton, here ? 
 You wrong me, fir, thus ftill to haunt my houie : 
 I told you, fir, my daughter is difpos'd of. 
 
 Fen. Nay, Matter Page, be not impatient. 
 
 Mrs. Page* Good Malter Fenton, come not to my child. 
 
 Page. She is no match for you. 
 
 Pent. Sir, will you hear me ? 
 
 Page. No, good Malter Fcnton. 
 Come, Matter Shallow ; come, Son Slender, in. 
 Knowing my mind, you wrong me, Matter Fenton. 
 
 \Fxcunt Page, Shallow, and Slender, 
 
 * The fliame-faced unmeaning cub is here naturally fet forth. 
 
 VOL. III. M
 
 5 o THE M E R R Y W I V E S 
 
 >u'tc. Speak to Miftrefs Page. 
 
 Pent. GoodMiihefs/V^, for that I love your daughter. 
 In fuch a righteous fafhion as I do, 
 Let me have your good will. 
 ' Anne. Good mother, do not marry me to yon fool. 
 
 Mrs. Page. I mean it not, I leek you a better huiband. 
 
 >uic. That is my maiter, Matter Doctor. 
 
 Anne. Alas, I had rather be fet quick i' th' earth. 
 
 Mrs.Prt^c". Come, trouble not jourfelf, good Mailer 
 
 Fenton. 
 
 I will not be your friend, nor enemy : 
 My daughter will I queftion how (lie loves you ; 
 And as I find her, Ib am I affected. 
 'Till then rareweJ, fir ; fhe mull needs go in, 
 Her father will be angry. [Exeunt Mrs. Page and Anne, 
 
 Pent. Farewel, gentle miflrefs; farewel NM, 
 
 >u!c. This is my doing, now. Nay, laid I, will you 
 Cail away your child on a fool and a phylician ? 
 Look on Mailer Fcnton : this is my doing. 
 
 Pent. I thank thee ; and I pray thee once to night, 
 Give my fweet Nan this ring. There's for thy pains. 
 
 [xit, 
 
 >jt'-c. Now heaven fend thee good fortune ! A kind 
 heart he hath ; a woman would run through fire "and 
 water, for fuch a kind heart. But yet, I would my 
 mailer had Miftrefs Anne, or I would Mr. Slenekr had 
 her ; or, in footh, I would Mr. Ftnion had her. I will 
 co what I can for them all three, for fo I have pro- 
 rnfied ; and I'll be as good as my word, but fpeciouilv 
 lor Mr. Fenton. Well, I mud of another errand to Sir 
 John Falftajf, from my two miilrefles ; what a beail ain 
 l,,oilackit! 
 
 SCENE V. The Garter Inn. 
 Enter Falilaff and Bardolph. 
 
 Fal. -Bardolpb! 
 
 Hard. Here, fir, 
 
 Fal. Go fetch me a quart of fack, put a toafl in't. \Ex. 
 B .rd.] Have I liv'd to be carry'd in abaiket, like a barrow 
 c i liutcher's offal, and to be tbro',\-a into the Tbama ? Well, 
 
 if
 
 OF WINDSOR. 51 
 
 tf I be fervcd fuch another trick, I'll have my brains 
 tn'cn out and butter'd, and give them to a dog for a 
 new-year's gift. The rogues flighted me into the river, 
 with as little remorfe as they would have drovvn'd a 
 bitch's blind puppies, .fifteen i' th' litter; and you may 
 know, by my iize, that I have si kind of alacrity in 
 linking: if the bottom were as deep as hell, I fhould 
 down. I had been drown'd, but the fhore was fhel/y 
 and {hallow ; a death that I ablwr ; for the water f\vel!s 
 a man : and what a thing would I have been when I; 
 had been fwelled! I fhould have been a mouiHaiu. 
 t mummy *. 
 
 Enter Bardolpb,- 
 
 Eard. Here's Mrs. QuickC fir, .to fpeak with you.. 
 
 Fal. Come, let me pour in fome fack to the Thaws 
 water ; for my belly's as cold, as it I had fwallow'dfuov/-- 
 balls, for pills. Call her in,. 
 
 Bard. Come in, woman. 
 
 Enter Mrs. Quickly. 
 
 %ulc. By your leave : I cry you mercy.. 
 Give your worfhip good-morrow, 
 
 Fal. Bardolpb! 
 Go brew, me a pottle of fack, finely.. 
 
 Sard. With eggs, fir ? 
 
 Fal. Simple of itfelf: I'll no pullet- fperm in myv 
 brewage. How now ? 
 
 Quick. Marry, fir, I come to your worfhip, from 
 Mittrefs Ford? 
 
 Fal. Miilrefs Ford? I have had ford enough ; I was 
 thrown into the ford ; I have my belly-full of iord, 
 
 Quic. Alas the day ! good heart, that was not her 
 fault : She does fo take on with her men ; they mittook 
 their erection. 
 
 Fwl. So did I mine, to build on a foolifh woman's 
 promife. 
 
 * This fpeech of the unfortnnate knight's, is luxuriantly hu- 
 morous, and ilriftly pifturefque j he ftates hw lamentable cafe, 
 moft feelingly. 
 
 M 2 3'V.
 
 52 THE MERRY WIVES 
 
 $u>c. Well, (he laments, fir, for it, that it would 
 jearn your heart to fee it. Her hufband goes this 
 morning a birding ; (he defires you cnce more to come 
 to her, between eight and nine. I mult carry her word, 
 quickly : (he'll make you amends, I warrant you. 
 
 * Fal. Well, I will vifit her; tell her fo, and bid her 
 think what a man is : let her confider his frailty, and 
 then judge of my merit. 
 
 %u!c. I will tell her. 
 
 Fal. Do fo. Between nine and ten, fay 'ft thou ? 
 
 >uic. Eight and nine, fir. 
 
 Fal. Well, be gone, I will not mifs her. 
 
 Quic. Peace be with you, fir. [Exit. 
 
 Fal. I marvel I hear not of Mailer Brook ; he fent 
 me word to ftay within : I like his money well. Oh, 
 here he comes. 
 
 Enter Ford. 
 
 Forcl. Blefs you, fir. 
 
 Fal. Now, Matter Brook, you come to know what 
 hath pafs'd between me and ForiFs wife. 
 
 Fix?. That, indeed, Sir John, is my bufinefs. 
 
 . Ivlafter Brock, I will not lye to you ; 
 I -.-. ..s at her houfe the hour (he appointed me. 
 
 Ffrd 1 . And you fped, fir. 
 
 j-al. Very ill-favour'dly, Mailer Brook. 
 
 rcrd. How, fir, did (he change her determination ? 
 
 Fal. No, Matter Brook ; but the peaking cornuto, her 
 hi; (band, Mailer Brook, dwelling in a continual larum of 
 jtaloufy, comes in the inttant of our encounter, after we 
 had embraced, killed, protefted, and as it were fpoke 
 the prologue of our comedy; and at his heels a rabble 
 rf his companions, thither provoked and inftigated by 
 his diftemper, and forfooth, to fearch his hotife for his 
 .wife's love. 
 
 * For a man ofFafiafs timidity, after the peril he has been 
 fo lately in, to confent to another hazard, without more perfuafion, 
 kenu a flight deviation from character. 
 
 Ford.
 
 OF WINDSOR, 53 
 
 Ford. What, while you were there ! 
 
 Fat. While I was there. 
 
 Ford. And did he fearch for you, and could not fin! 
 you ? 
 
 Fal. You fliail hear. As good luck would have it, 
 comes in one Miftrefs Page, gives intelligence of Ford's 
 approach, and, by her invention, and Ford's wife's d;- 
 rection,- they convey'd me into a buck-bafket. . 
 
 Font. A buck-baiket? 
 
 Fal. Yea, a buck-balket ; rammed me in with fo'A 
 fhirts and Imocks, focks, foul ftockings, and greafy nap- - 
 kins, that, Matter Brook, there was the rankeft com- 
 pound of villainous fmell that ever offended nollril. 
 
 Ford. And how long lay you there? 
 
 Fal. Nay, you fliall hear, Mailer Brook, what I hiv 
 faffer'd to bring this woman to evil, for your good. Be- - 
 Ing thus cramm'd in the bafket, a couple of Ford's knaves, , 
 his hinds, were called forth by their miftrefs, to carry me r - 
 in the name of foul cloaths, to Datcbet-lane. They took - 
 me on their fhoulders, met the jealous knave their mailer, 
 at the door," who afk'd them once or twice what they had 
 in their bafket : I quaked for fear, left the lunatic knave 
 would have fearched it ; but fate, orduming he fiiould 
 be a cuckold, held his hand. . Well, on went he, for a 
 fearch, and away went I, for foul cloaths ; but mark the 
 iequel, Mailer Brook, I luffer'd the pangs of three egre- 
 gious deaths : Firii, an intolerable fright, to be detected 
 by a jealous rotten bell-'-veather ; next, to be comparted 
 like a good * bilbo, in the circumference of a peck, hilt 
 to point, 'heel to head ; and then to be itopt, like a Itrong 
 diltillation, with itinking cloaths, that fretted in their 
 own greater thinkof that, a man of my kidney ; think 
 of that, that am as fubjecl to hear, as butter-; -a man of 
 continual diflblution and thaw; it was a miracle to 
 Tcape fclFocation. And in the height of this bath, when 
 I was more than half ilcwed in greafe, like a Dutch difh,-\ 
 to be thrown into the Tbumes y and cool'd, glowing hot a . 
 
 Bllbc a flexible Sfanijb blade, that may bs wrapped round in 
 afs. 
 
 M 3. M
 
 54 THE MERRY WIVES 
 
 in that furge, like a horfe-flioe ; think of that; hiflTng 
 hot ; think of that, Matter Brook*. 
 
 Ford. In good fadnefs, fir, I am forry that for my 
 fake you have fuffer'd all this. My fuit is then defpe- 
 rate ; you'll undeitake her no more ? 
 
 Fal. Matter Brook, I will be thrown into JEtna, as I 
 have been into the Thames , ere I will leave her thus. 
 Her huiband is this morning gone a birding ; I have re- 
 ceived from her another embafiy of meeting ? 'Twixt 
 eight and nine is the hour, Mailer Brook. 
 
 Ford. 'Tis paft eight, already, fir. 
 
 Fal. Is it ? I will then addrefs me to my appointment* 
 Come to me at your convenient leifure, and you fhall 
 know how I fpeed ; and the conclufion fnall be crowned 
 with your enjoying her ; adieu, you fhall have her, Mailer 
 Brook ; Matter Brook, you fhall cuckold Ford. [Exit^ 
 
 Ford. Hum ! ha ! Is this a vifion ? Is this a dream ? 
 Do I fleep ? Matter Ford, awake; awake, Matter Fcrd\ 
 there's a hole made in your beft coat, Matter Ford; this 
 *tis to be married ! this 'tis to have linen and buck- 
 bafkets \ Well, I will proclaim myfelf what I am ; I 
 will now take the letcher ; he is at my houfe ; he can- 
 not 'fcape me, 'tis impoffible he fhould ; he cannot creep 
 into a half-penny purfe, nor into a pepper-box. But, 
 left the Devil that guides him (hould aid him, I will 
 fearch impoffible places. Though what I am I can- 
 not avoid, yet to be what I would not, fhall not make 
 me tame; if I have horns to make one mad, let the 
 proverb go with me, I'll be born mad. \lLxit. -j- 
 
 * After the fpeech noted at the beginning of the fcene, it i 
 hard to imagine that the fame circumstance could fo foon be enter- 
 tainingly recited ; yet the picture is here fo varied and fo heighten- 
 ed, that it comeE upon ocr feelings with additional force. 
 
 f Fi.rd is uniformly characlereftic, and his part contains as much 
 matter as dueling fo long on the fame fubjeft would admit j the. 
 wheie third Aft is much, better than any other in the piece. 
 
 ACT
 
 OF WINDSOR. 55 
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 SCENE I. Ford's Shaft. 
 * Enter Falitaff and Mtfrefs Ford. 
 
 <F<z/.T%/T I STRESS Ford, yourforrow hath eaten up 
 J. V A m y Sufferance ; I fee you are obfequious in 
 your love, and I profefs requital to a hair's breadth ; not 
 only, Mrs. Ford, in the fimple office of love, but in the 
 accouftrement, compliment, and ceremony of it. But 
 are you fure of your hufband, now ? 
 
 Mrs. Ford. He's a birding, fweet S\r John. 
 Mrs. Page, [within] What, hoa, goffip Ford ! what 
 hoa! 
 
 Mrs. Ford, Step into the chamber, Sir John. 
 
 {Exit Faifhff. 
 Enter Mflrefs Page. 
 
 Mrs. Page. How now, fweet heart, who's at home, be- 
 fides yourielf ? 
 
 Mrs. Ford* Why none but mine own people. 
 
 Mrs. Page. Indeed? 
 
 Mrs. Ford. No, certainly Speak louder. 
 
 Mrs. Pave. Truly I am glad you have nobody here. 
 
 Mrs. .FW. Why? 
 
 Mrs. Page. Why, woman, your hufband is in his old 
 lunes, again ; he fo takes on, yonder, with my hufband, 
 fo rails againft all married mankind; I am glad the fat 
 knight is not here. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Why, does he talk of him ? 
 
 Mrs. Page, Of none but him, and fwears he was car- 
 ried out, the lafl time he fearched for him, in a bafketj 
 protefts to my hufband he is now here; and hath drawn 
 him and the reft of their company from their fport, to 
 make another experiment of his fufpicion ; but I am 
 
 * Thit ridiculous excrefcence of fcene in the original, xvhich 
 begins the fourth At with an examination of youne Page in 
 grammar, is juftly cut off, the act commencing much better here. 
 
 glad
 
 56 THE MERRY W IV E S 
 
 glad the knight is not here; now he fhall fee his own< 
 foolery. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. How near is he, Mrs. Page ? 
 
 Mrs. Page. Hard, by, .at flreet's end, he will be here 
 anon. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. I am undone : the knight is here. 
 
 Mrs. Page. Why then thou art utterly fhamed, and 
 he's bxit a dead man. What a woman are you ! away 
 with him, away with him : better fhame than murder. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Which way fliould he go ? How mould I . 
 bellow him, fhall I put him into the balket, again ? 
 
 Enter Falffaff. . 
 
 Fal. No,. 1 11 come no more i'th' bafket: . 
 May I not go out, ere he come ? 
 
 Mrs. Page. Alas, alas, three of Mailer Forties bro- 
 thers watch the door, with piilols, that none fhould ifl'ue 
 out; otherwife you might ilip,.away, ere he came : but 
 what make you here ? 
 
 Fal. I'll creep up into the chimney. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. There they always ufed to difcharge their? 
 birding pieces ; creep into the kill-hole. 
 
 Fal. Where is it? 
 
 Mrs. Ford. He will, feek .there, on my word ; neither 
 prefs, coffer, chell, .trunk, well, vault, but he hath an 
 abtfraft for the remembrance ot fuch places, and goes 
 to them by. his note.; therevis.no hiding you .in the . 
 houfe. 
 
 Fal. Ill go out, then. , 
 
 Mrs. Ford. If you go out in your own femblanee, you. 
 die, Sir^^w, unlefs you go out difguiied. How might 
 W difguife him ? 
 
 Mrs. Pa^c. Alas the- day,. I know not: there 5s no- 
 woman's gown big enough lor him, other.wife he might 
 put on a hat, a mufiier, and a kerchief, and fo efcape. 
 
 Fal. Good heart) devifefomething; any extremity,: 
 rather than mifchief. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. My maid's aunt, the fat woman 
 ford, has a gown above,
 
 OF WINDSOR. 57 
 
 Mrs. Page. On my word, it will ferve him ; fhe^s as ' 
 big as he is ; and there's her thrumb hat, and her muffler 
 too. Run up, Sir John. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Go, go, fweet Sir John ; Mrs. Page and I 
 will look fome linen for your head. 
 
 Mrs. Page. Quick, quick, we'll come drefs you 
 Straight ; put on the gown the while. [Exit Falftaff. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. I would my hufband would meet him in 
 this fhape : he cannot abide the old woman of Brentford > 
 he fvvears flic's a witch, forbade her my houfe, and hath 
 threatened to beat her. But is my hufband coming ? 
 
 Mrs. Page. Ay, in good fadnefs is he, and talks of 
 the bafket too, however he hath had intelligence. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Well try that ; for I'll appoint my men 
 to carry the bafket again, to meet him at the door with 
 it, as they did laft time. 
 
 Mrs. Page. Nay, but he'll be here, prefently ; let's go 
 drefs him like the witch of Brentford. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. I'll firft direft my men what they (hall do 
 with the bafket ; go up, I'll bring linen for him, ftraight. 
 
 [Exit Mrs. Page. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Here, John, Robert. Go, firs, take the 
 bafket again on your fhoulders ; your mafter is hard at 
 door ; if he bid you fet it down, obey him ; quickly, 
 difpatch. [Exit Mrs. Ford, 
 
 Servants take up tbe lajket. 
 Enter Ford, Shallow, Page, Caius, and Evans. 
 
 Ford. Ay, but if it prove true, Mafter Page, have you 
 any way then to unfool me again ? Set down the bafket, 
 villains ; fomebody, call my wife : youth in a bafket ! 
 Oh you pandarly rafcals, there's a knot, a gang, a pack, 
 a confpiracy againil me ! now fhall the devil be fhamed. 
 What, wife ! I fay ; come, come forth, behold what ho- 
 neft cloaths you lend forth to bleaching. 
 
 Page. Why this is extravagance, Mafter Ford; you 
 are' not to go loofe, any longer ; you mufl be pinioned. 
 
 Eva, Why this is lunatics ; this is mad as a mad 
 doe.
 
 5S THE MERRY WVES 
 
 SbaL Indeed, Mafter Ford, this is not well, indeed. 
 
 Ford. So lay I too, fir. [Ent. Mrs. Ford.] Come hf- 
 ther, Miftrefs Ford, Miftrefs Ford, the honeft woman, the 
 modeft wife, the virtuous creature, that hath the jealous 
 tool to her hulband : I fufpecl without caufe, nuitrefs. 
 do I? 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Heav'n be my witnefs, you do, if you 
 fit {peel me in any diftionefty. 
 
 Ford. Well faid, brazen- face, hold it out : come forth, 
 llrrah. [Pulls the cloatbs out of the lafl.tt, 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Are you not afhamed f Let the cloath* 
 alone. 
 
 Ford. I {hall find you, anon. 
 
 Eva. 'Tis unreaibnable ; will you take up your 
 wife's * cloaths? Come away. 
 
 Ford, Empty the balket, I fay. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Why, man, why ? 
 
 Ford. Mafter Page, as I am a man, there was one con- 
 veyed out of my houfe, yeiterday, in this bafket ; why 
 may not he be there again ? In my houfe I am fure he 
 is ; my intelligence is true, my jealoufy is reafonable, 
 pluck me out ail the linen. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. If you find a man there, he {hall die a 
 flea's death. 
 
 Page. Here's no man. 
 
 Sbal. By my fidelity, this is not well, Mafter Ford^ 
 tiiis wrongs you. 
 
 Eva. Mafter Ford, you muft pray, and not follow the 
 imaginations of your own heart; this is jealoufies. 
 
 Ford. Well, he is not here I feek for. 
 
 Page. No, nor no where elfe, but in yonr brain. 
 
 Ford. Help to fearch my houfe, this one time ; if I 
 find not uhat I ieek, fhew no colour for my extremity; 
 let me for ever be your table-fport ; let them fay of me, 
 " as iealous as Ford, that fearched a hollow walnut tor 
 his wife's love." Satisfy me, once more, once more 
 iearch with me. 
 
 * This vdtticifm of Sir Bugti't, might very well be fpared. 
 
 Mr*.
 
 OF WINDSOR. 59 
 
 Mr3. Fjrd. What hoa, Miitrefs/^*/ come you and 
 -the old woman down ; my hufband will come into the 
 chamber. 
 
 Ford. Old woman ! Avhat old woman's that ? 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Why, it is my maid's aunt of Brentford. 
 
 Ford. A witch, a quean, an old cozening quean ! have 
 I not forbid her my houfe ? foe comes of errands, does 
 (he ? Come down, you witch, you hag you, come down, 
 I fay. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Nay, good fweet hufband ; good gentle- 
 men, let him not ilrike the old woman. 
 
 Enter FalilatF, in -Momcns cloatbs *. 
 
 Mrs. Page. Come, mother Prat, come, give me your 
 hand. 
 
 Ford. I'll Prat her, out of my door, you witch, \beatt 
 bl)ii\ you -hag, you baggage, you polecat, out, our, 
 ut ; I'll conjure you, I'll fortune-tell you. [Exit FalilatF. 
 
 Mrs. Page. Are you not afhamed ? 
 I think you have kili'd the poor woman. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Nay, he will do it ; 'tis a goodly credit 
 for you. 
 
 Ford, Hang her, witch. 
 
 Eva. By yea and no, I think the 'oman is a witch, in- 
 deed : I like not when a 'oman has a great peard : I fpy 
 a great peard under her muffler. 
 
 Ford. Will you follow, gentlemen ? I befeech you 
 follow ; fee bin the iffae of my jealoufy ; if I cry out 
 thus upon no trail, never trull me when I open again. 
 
 -Page. Let's obey his humour, a little further : 
 Come, gentlemen. [Exeunt, 
 
 Mrs. Page. Trull me, he beat him mofl pitifully. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Nay, by the mafs, that he did not ; he 
 beat him moil unpitifully, methought. 
 
 .Mrs. Page. I'll have the cudgel hallowed, and hung 
 o'er the altar; it hath done meritorious fervice. 
 
 * This metamorphofe of Faljlafi, be fides being a good varia- 
 tion of puniftnieBt, naturally produces a moft rifible appearance. 
 
 Mrs.
 
 6o THE MERRY WIVES 
 
 Mrs. Ford. What think you ? May we, with the war- 
 rant of woman-hood, and the witnefs of a good con- 
 fcience, purfue him with any further revenge ? 
 
 Mrs. Page. The {pint of wantonnefs is fure feared 
 out of him. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Shall we tell our hufbands how we have 
 ferved him ? 
 
 Mrs. Page. Yea, by all means; if it be but to fcrape 
 the figures out of your hufband's brain. If they can 
 find in their hearts the poor unvirtuous fat knight fliall 
 be any farther airlifted, we two will ftill be the minifters. 
 
 Mrs. Ford* I'll warrant, they'll have him publicly 
 fhamed ; and methink there would be no period to the 
 ieft, mould be not be publicly fhamed. 
 
 Mrs. Page. Come, to the tbrge with it, then mape it. 
 I would not have things cool. \Exeunt. 
 
 SCENE II. Tie Garter Inn. 
 Enter Hofl and Bardolph. 
 
 Bard. Sir, the German defires to have three of your 
 horfes ; the duke himlelf will be to-morrow at court, 
 and they are going to meet him. 
 
 Hqft. What duke mould that be comes fo fecretly ? I 
 hear not of him in the court : let me fpeak with the 
 gentlemen ; they fpeak Englijb. 
 
 Bar. Sir, I'll call them to you. 
 
 Hoft. They (hall have my horfes ; but I'll make them 
 pay; I'll fawce them. They have had iny houfe a \vctk 
 at command, I have turned away my other guells ; they 
 mult compt off; I'll fawce them ; come. \Exeunt, '* 
 
 SCENE III. Ford's Houfe. 
 Enter Page, Ford, Mi/lrefs Page, Miflrefe Ford, and Evans. 
 
 Eva. 'Tis one of the bell difcretions of a 'oman, as 
 ever I did look upon. 
 
 * The time allowed by thefe four fpeeches, for The Merry 
 Wives to eiplain Fa.jlaff'i amour, is ftrangely fhort } thought 
 the Hi/I and JSardslfb arc merely thruft in, to give them paufe. 
 
 4 Pa &
 
 OF WINDSOR, '61 
 
 Page. And did he fend you both thefe letters, at an 
 inllant ? 
 
 Mrs. Page* Within a quarter of an hoar. 
 
 Ford. Pardon me, wife; henceforth, do what thou wilf: 
 T rather will fufpec"l the fun with cold, 
 Than thee with wantonnefs ; now doth thy honour MIH?. 
 In him that was of late an heretic, 
 As firm of faith. 
 
 Page. 'Tis well, 'tis well ; no more. 
 EC not as extreme in fubmiilion as in offence, 
 But let our plot go forward : let our wives,- 
 Yet once again, to make us public fport, 
 Appoint a meeting with this old fat feibv", 
 Where we may take him, and difgrace him for it. 
 
 Fonl. There is no better way than that they ipoke of. 
 
 Page. How ? to fend him word they'll meet him in 
 the park, at midnight ? Fy, fy, he'll never come. 
 
 Eva. You fay he hath been thrown into the river.; 
 and hath been grievoufly peaten, us an old 'oman ; me- 
 thinks, there fhould be terrors in him, that he fhoulcl not 
 come; methinks his flcih is jK'.uiilied, he lhall have no 
 <!e fires. 
 
 Page. So think I too. 
 
 Mrs. P<it-J. Devife but how you'll ufe him when h-s 
 monies ; and let us two deviie to bring him thither. 
 
 Mrs. Page, There is an old tale goes, that Herns the 
 
 hunter, 
 
 Sometime a keeper here in Windjov foreft, 
 Doth all the winter time, at ft ill of midnight, 
 Walk round about an oak, with ragged horns ; 
 You've heard of fuch a fpirit, and well you kno;r 
 The fiiperditious idle-headed Eld* 
 Reeeiv'd, and did deliver to our age, 
 This tale of HcrtK the hunter, for a truth. 
 
 Page. Why yet there want not man-.-, th.it do fear 
 In deep of night to walk by this Herne\ oak ; 
 But what of this ? 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Marry, this is onr device, 
 is oak mall meet with us. 
 
 * OH people. 
 VOL. III. N p lt
 
 flua 
 
 --F.-2 THE MERRY WIVES 
 
 J>a&'. 'Well, let :t not be doubted but he'll come. 
 And in this fhape when you have brought him hither, 
 \Vhat fhall be done with him ? What is your plot ? 
 
 I\Irs. Page. That likewife we have thought upon *. 
 
 JZrja. Let us about if ; 
 it is admirable .pleafures, and ferry honeft knaveries. 
 
 \Exeimt Page, Ford, and Evans. 
 
 S C E N E IV. Tie Garter Inn. 
 Enter Holl and Simple. 
 
 Hoft. What wouldft thou have, boor? what, thick- 
 'n ? fpeak, breathe, difcuis; brief, fhort, quick, fnap. 
 
 Simp. 'Ma' ry, fir, I come to fpeak with Sir John Fal- 
 , from Mr. Slender. 
 
 . There's his chamber, his houfe, his caftle, his 
 fu'.ndir.g-bed raid truckle-bed ; 'tis painted about with 
 the (lory of the Prodigal, fr-efh and new : go, knock 
 :>.nd call ! he'ii ip-.ak like an Anthrcpophaginian unto 
 tfcfe: knock, I fay. 
 
 SLrnf. There's an old woman, u fat woman, gone up 
 int his chamber; I'll be fo bold as to.ftay, fir^ till fix: 
 ccme down I come to fpeak with her, indeed. 
 
 i^J 1 . Ha ! a fat woman ? the knight may be robb'd ; 
 ]',' call. Bully knight! bully Sir Jo)m! fpeak from 
 thy lungs military: art thou there.? -It is thine Hajt, 
 u me Ej>br/fait t culls. 
 
 Enter FalibfE, 
 
 Fa 7 . Ilcjv now, mine Ho/1 ? 
 
 Ilrjl. lire's r Eobcmlan Tartar ta-rries the coming 
 wn of tiy fat woman: let her defcend, bully, let her 
 iVevia; my chambers are honourable : iy. privacy ! fv. 
 Fat. There was, mine holt, an old fat woman even 
 
 now with ir.e ; but (lie's gone. 
 
 Simp. Pray you, iir, was't n >t the wife woman of 
 
 Brentford? 
 
 * Aittr this, there i; a j : ge o r urwncerary explanation judi 
 cioufly CL-. out j the fcen^ iii . s pufen; iu,c ; hangs more than we 
 ctulJ vv:il. 
 
 2 Fal.
 
 F W I N D S O K. 
 
 arry was it, muficl-fhell *, w 
 
 . My rnafler, fir, my mailer Stcuder, feat to her r 
 
 Pal. Ay, marry was it, muficl-fhell *, what would yo* 
 with her ? 
 
 ein her go thro' the Tercet, to know, fir, whether one 
 AV.w, lir, that beguil'd him of a chain, had the shaui 
 
 frei 
 
 A 
 
 or no. 
 
 Fa!. I fpake with trie old woman about it- 
 
 Simp. And what fays (he, I pray, fir ? 
 
 Fal. Marry, (he fays, that the very fame man that be- 
 guii r d Mailer Slender of his chain, cozen'd him of it. 
 
 &>. I would I could have fpoken with the woma.n 
 herfclf. I had other things to have fpoken with her toc^ 
 from him. 
 
 FaL What are they ? let us know. 
 
 iLjh Ay, come ; quick. 
 
 Si/up. I may not conceal them, fir. 
 
 lioft. Conceal 'em, or thou dv'il. 
 
 Simp. Why, fir, they were nothing but about Mi itrc"s 
 Anne Page, to know if k were my mailer's fo;taae co- 
 have her or no. 
 
 Fal. 'Tis, 'tis his fortune. 
 
 Simp. What, fir ? 
 
 Flat* To have her, or no : go, fay the woman told in- 
 fo. 
 
 Simp. May I be fo bold to fay fo, fir ? 
 
 Fal. Ay, fir j like who more bold. 
 
 Simp. I thank your worfhip : I {hall make my VK-\\:r 
 jlad with thcfe tidings. [Exit Simp. 
 
 H<lft. Thou art clerkly ; thou art clerkly, Sir Jobi : 
 was there a wife woman with thee ? 
 
 Fal. Ay, that there was, mine Iloft, one that hat It 
 taught me more wit, than ever I learn'd before, in my 
 life; and I paid nothing for it neither, but was paid f<x 
 jny learning. [Exit Hoft..] It it (hould come to the 
 car of the court, how 1 have been transformed, and how 
 my transformation hath been wafhed and cudgeled, they 
 would ttielt me out of my fat, drop by drop, and liquor 
 fiihermens boots with-it." I warrant, they would, 
 
 * Mitffil-fiell is well applied to open mouth'd fiinplicity 
 N 2
 
 64 THE MERRY WIVES 
 
 me with their fine wits, till I were as creft-fal'n as a. 
 dry'd pear. I never profper'd fince I forefwore myfelf 
 at Primero. Well, if my wind were but long enough to- 
 fay my prayers, I would repent. Now, whence come 
 you ? 
 
 Enter Miftrefs Quickly. 
 
 f^ulc. From the two parties, forfooth, 
 
 FaL The devil take one party, and his dam the other,, 
 and fo they fhall be both bellowed ; I havg {'uttered more 
 ior their lakes, more than the villainous inconitancy of 
 man's difpofition is able to bear. 
 
 >u ; c. And have not they iuffered ? yes, I warranr,, 
 fpecioufly one of them ; Miltrefs Ford, good heart, is 
 beaten black and blue, that you cannot fee a white fpot 
 about her. 
 
 Fal. What tell'ft thou me of black and blue ! I was 
 beaten myfelf into all the colours of the rain-bow ; and I 
 v/ns like to be apprehended for the witch of Brentford j 
 but that my admirable dexterity of wit, counterfeiting 
 the attion of a mad woman, delivered me, the knave 
 tonftable had fet me i'th' flocks, i'th' common Hocks, for 
 a vviteh. 
 
 Qfic. Sir, let me fpeak with you, in your chamber j 
 you fhall hear how things go, and, I warrant, to your 
 content. Here is a letter will fay fomewhat. Good 
 hearts, what ado is here to bring you together ! 
 
 Fal. Come up into my chamber. {Exeunt.* 
 
 * The fourth Aft, though much reduced In the performance,. 
 is iVill long ervougli for any matter it contains, and its conclufion is 
 sridrred more agreeable, by getting rid of that iafyid ftene which, 
 taciaed to it, 
 
 ACT
 
 O F W I N D S O R. 65 
 
 ACT V. 
 
 SCENE I, The Garter Inn. 
 Enter Falilaff and Mlflrefs Quickly. 
 
 Fd/.T)R.'ythee no more pratling--; go r I'll hold. This 
 X is the third time ; 1 hope good luck lies in odd 
 numbers ; away, go ; they fay there is divinity in odd. 
 numbers, either in nativity, chance, or death ; away. 
 
 Quic. I'll provide you a chain, and I'll do what 1 can r 
 to get you a pair of horns. [Exit Miftrcfs Quickly.. 
 Vol. Away, I fay, time wears ; hold up your head,, 
 and mince. 
 
 Enter Ford. 
 
 How now, Mailer Brook ? Mailer BrooK, the matter 
 will be known, to-night, or never. Be you in the park v 
 :ibout midnight, at Her tie 3 oak, and you fhah ice 
 wonders. 
 
 Ford. Went you not to her, yeilcrday, fir, as you told 
 me you had appointed ? 
 
 . Fal. I went to her, Mafter Brook, as you fee; like a 
 poor old man ; but I came from her, Mailer Break, like 
 a poor old woman. The fame knave, Ford, her Imf- 
 tond, hath the fined mad devil of jealoufy in him,. 
 Mafter Brook, that ever govern'd phrenzy. I will 
 tell you, he beat me grievoufly, in the fhape of a' 
 woman; lor in thefhapcof a man, Mafter Break, I fear 
 not Goliab with a weaver's beam, Mailer Brook, fmce T 
 pilickt geefe, play'd truant, and whipt top, I knew ! it. 
 what 'twas to be .beaten, 'till lately. Follow me, I'll teU 
 vou ftrange things or this knave J-wv/, on \vbom to-night 
 I will be revenged, and I will deliver liis wile into 
 your hand?. Follow; ilrange things in hand, Mailer 
 * ; follow. [Exeunt.. 
 
 S C E N E II. Windfoi- Park.. 
 Faster Page, Shallow, and Slender. 
 
 , come, we'll couch i'ch caftlerditch, 'till 
 N ? *e
 
 THE MERRY WIVE,? 
 
 we fee the light of olr Fairies. Remember, Son V;.v" : r, 
 ray daughter. 
 
 Ska. Ay, forfooth, I have fpoke with her, and we 
 hr.ve a nay-word how to know one another, I come to 
 her in white, and ciy mum, {he cries budget, and by 
 that we know one another. 
 
 S/jal. That's good too; but what needs either your 
 /#> or her bitdgtt ? The white will decy.pher her, well 
 enough. It hath ftruck ten a clock.. 
 
 Page. The night is dark, light and fpirits will become 
 i: well ; heaven profper our iport ! No man means evil,, 
 but the devil, and we fhall know him by his horns. 
 J^et's aivay ; follow me.. -[Exeunt* 
 
 SCENE III. 
 Enter Mi/Irefs Page, MlflrefiYot^arJ Caius. 
 
 Mrs. Pag?. Mr.. Doctor, my daughter is in green : 
 when yow iee your time, take her by the hand, away 
 with her to the Deanry, and difpatch it quickly; go 
 before in'o the park ; we two mull go together. 
 
 Caius. I know vat I have to do; adieu. 
 
 Mrs. Page.. Fare you well, fir. [Exit Caius.] My 
 bufband will not rejoice fo much at the abufe of Falftaft'^ 
 as he will chafe at the Doctor's marrying my daughter : 
 but 'tis no matter; better a little chiding, than a great 
 denl of heart-break. 
 
 Mrs. jFW. Where ia Narr t jiow, and her troop of 
 Fairies, and the Wcljb devil, iLians ? 
 . oJ*-?. Page- They are all couch'd in 3 pit, hard by 
 L'i >-;n's oak, with obfcur'd lights; which at the very 
 J4jftant cf Falftaff's and our meeting, they will at once 
 daJplay to, the knight.. 
 
 Mrs. Ford.. That cannot chufe but amaze him. 
 
 Mrs. Pa?!^ If he be not amazed, he will be mock'd. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Well betray him finely. 
 
 Mr?. Page. Againft fuch lewdrter?, 
 Thofe that betray them do no treachery.. 
 
 Mrs. ForJ, The hour diuws on; to the oak, to the 
 *>ak^ [Exeunt.. 
 
 SCENE
 
 OF WINDSOR. 6j 
 
 SCENE IV. 
 
 Enter Evans and Fairies. 
 
 Eva. Trib, trib, fairies ; come, and remember your 
 parts : be bold, I pray you, follow me into the pit, and 
 when I give the watch-'ords, do as I bid you : come, 
 some ; trib, trib. [Exeunt 
 
 SCENE V. 
 
 Enter FalftaiF. 
 
 FaL The tflndfor bell hath tiruck twelve, the minute 
 draws on ; I am here a llliidfir flag, and the ratteft,. 
 I think, i'th' foreft_ Who comes here ? my doe ? 
 
 Enter Miflrefs Ford 'and Mljlrefi Page. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Sir John? Art thou there, my deer?- ' 
 My male-deer ? 
 
 Fal. My doe ! Let the fky rain potatoes, let it 
 thunder to the tune of Green 'Sieves, hail kiffing-com- 
 fits, and fuow eringoes ; let there come a tempeft of 
 provocation, I will flicker me here. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Miilrefs Page is come v/ith me, fweet 
 heart. 
 
 Fa!. Divide me like a bribe buck, each a haunch ; 1 
 will keep my fides to myfelf, my Ihoulders for the fel- 
 low of this walk, and my horns I bequeath your hut- 
 bands. Am I a woodman, ha ? Speak I like Heme the 
 hunter ? why, now is Cupid a child of confcience, he- 
 makes reftitution. As 1 am a true fpirit, welcome. ' 
 
 [Noije- ivitbin* 
 
 Mrs. Page. Alas ! what noife ? 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Heav'n forgive our fins ! 
 
 Fal What (hall this be? 
 
 Mrs. Ford, Mrs. Page, away, away. 
 
 \ftte womtn run oitt*. 
 
 Enter Evans and Fairies, they pinch Falllaff, and exeunt*. .
 
 $8 THE MERRY WIVES 
 
 Enter Page, Ford, fee. Thy lay bold of him *. 
 
 Page. Nay, do not fly, I think we have watch'd you 
 
 now: 
 Will none but Herne the hunter ferve your turn ? 
 
 Mrs. Page. I pray you, come ; hjld up the jeil no- 
 higher. 
 
 Now, good S.r J->bn, how like you Wind/or wives ? 
 See you theie hufbands ? Do not thefe fair yokes 
 Become the toreft better than the town ? 
 
 Ford. Now, lir, who's a cuckold, now ? 
 Mailer Brook^ Falftaff"'* a knave, a cuckoldly knave, 
 Here are his horns, Matter Brock. 
 And, Matter Brook, he hath enjoy'd nothing offbnt'z, 
 but his buck-baiket, his cudgel, and twenty pounds o; 
 moneys which muft be paid to IS Matter Brook ; his horfes 
 are arrelted for it, Mailer Braox. 
 
 Mrs. Ford. Sir John, we have had ill luck we could 
 never meet. I will never take you lor my love again, 
 but I will always count you my deer. 
 
 Fal. I do begin to perceive that I am made an afc. 
 
 Ford. Ay, and an ox too : both the proois arc extuntv 
 
 Fal. And thefe are not Fairies : 
 
 I was three or four times in the thought they were net 
 Fairies, and yet the gmltinefs of my mind, the fudden 
 furpi ize of my powers, drove the groflhels of the foppery 
 into a receis'cd belief, that they were Fairies. See now. 
 how v,;t may be made a-Jack-a-lent, when 'iis upon 
 ill employment. 
 
 E-.-a. Sir yohnFalftaff, fcrve heav'n, and Leave your 
 defires, and Fairies will not pinfe you. 
 
 Ford. Wellfaid, Fai^/f^. 
 
 . And leave vour iealoufies too, I pray you. 
 
 Ford. -I will never rmilruft my wite again, 'till tbe\; 
 art able to woo her in good Englijb. 
 
 '- This third pnifliment of T^af, ar.d their bsitirg him ii 
 tbe Ikape of Herat the hunter, dees not rift and operate upon is 
 viih catastrophic force j \vs are r.cifo cjuctoottrefted as weihoulJ 
 be this place.
 
 OF WINDSOR. 63 
 
 Fal. Have I laid my brain in the fun and dry'd it, 
 that it wants matter to prevent fo grofs o'er-reaching as 
 this ? Am I ridden with a Weljlj goat, too? Tis time 
 I were choak'd with a piece of toailed cheefe. 
 
 Eva. Seefe is not good to give putter ; your belly is 
 all putter. 
 
 Fal. Seefe and putter? Have I iiv'd to fknd in the 
 taunt of one that makes fritters of EngUJb? 
 
 Mrs. Page. Why, Sir John^ do you think, though we 
 would have thruft virtue out of our hearts by the head 
 and fnoulders, that ever the devil could have made yoit 
 our delight ? 
 
 Mrs. Ford. What a hodge pudding ? A bag of fiax * 
 
 Mrs. Page. A puft man ? 
 
 Page. Old, cold, wither 'd, and of intolerable entrails ? 
 
 Ford. And one that is as flanderous as Satan ? 
 
 Page. Old, and as poor as Job ? 
 
 Ford. And as wicked as his wife ? 
 
 Eva. And given to fornications, and to taverns, an<3 
 fack, and wine, metheglins, and to dri-nkings, and f wear- 
 ings, ilarings, pribbles and prabbles ? 
 
 Fal. Well, I am your theme ; you have the ftart of 
 rne, I am dejected ; I am not able to anfwer the Wtljb 
 flannel : ignorance itfelf is a plummet o'erjne, ufe me as 
 you will. 
 
 Ford. Marry, fir, well bring you to Windfor) to one 
 Mr. Brook) that you have cozen'd of money, to whom 
 you (hould have been a pandar : over and above that 
 you have fuffer'd, I think to repay the money will be 
 a biting affliction. 
 
 Page. Yet be cheerful, Knight, thou ftialt eat a poflet, 
 to-night, at my houte, where I will defire thee to laugh at 
 my wife, that now laughs at thee. Tell her, Mr. Slendtr 
 hath marry'd her daughter. 
 
 Mrs. Page. Dodors doubt that ; 
 
 If Anne Page be my daughter, {he is, by this, Doctor 
 Caius's wife. 
 
 Enter Slender. 
 Ska* What hoe ! hoe ! Father Page t
 
 70 THE MERRY WIVES 
 
 Page. Son? How now? How now, fon ? 
 Have you difpatch'd ! 
 
 Slcn. Difpatch'd ? I'll make the bed in Gkuc^c-Jhlrr 
 know on't; would I were hang'd-lu, eife. 
 
 Page. Of what, fon ? 
 
 Skn. I came yonder at Eaton to marry Miftrefs Ann* 
 Page, and (he's a great lubberly boy. It" it had not been 
 i'th' church, I would have fwiag'd him, or he fhould have 
 fwing'd me. If I did not think it had been Anne Page t 
 would 1 might never ftir, and 'tis a port-matter's boy. 
 
 Page. Upon my lite then you took the wrong. 
 
 S!en. What need you tell me that ? I think fo, whea 
 I took a boy tor a girl ; if I had been marry'd to him, 
 for all he was in woman's apparel, I would not have had 
 hijru 
 
 Page. Why, this is your own folly. 
 Did not I tell'you how you (hould know my daughter by 
 her garments ? 
 
 Slen. I went to her in white, snd cry'd /K,V.W, a;:t! (he 
 cry'd budget, as Anne and I had appointed; and yet it 
 was not Anne , but a pof!-;natter's boy. 
 
 Mrs. Page. Good George, be not angry; I knew of 
 your purpofe, turn'd ray daughter into green, and in- 
 deed (he is now with the Dottor at the Deaury, and 
 there married. 
 
 Enter Caias * r 
 
 Calm. Vere is Miitrefs Page ? by gar, I am cozen'd ; I 
 fea* marry'd one garibon, a boy ; 'one peafant, by gar. 
 A boy ; it is not Anne Page ; by gar, I am cozen'd. 
 
 Mrs. Page. Why, did you take her in green ? 
 
 Caius. Ay, by gar, aud 'tis a boy ; by gar, I'll raife 
 all Windfar. 
 
 Ford. This is ftrange \ who hath got the right Anne ? 
 
 Page. My heart mifgives me ; here comes Mr. Fenian. 
 
 Enter Fenton and Anne Page. 
 How now, Mr. Fenton ? 
 
 * The cheats put upon Sltr.dtr and Calm threw a gleam of fpirlt 
 coon this fcene. 
 
 Annf*
 
 OF WINDSOR. 71 
 
 Anne. Pardon, gaod father; gooJ my mother, pardon. 
 
 P-'gs* Now, miitrefs, 
 Ho'.v chance you went not with Mr. Slender ? 
 
 Mrs. Page. Why went you not with Mr. Doctor, raaid? 
 
 Ftnt. You do amaze her. Hear the truth of It. 
 You would have marry'd her nioft lhamefully, 
 Where there was no proportion held in love : 
 The truth is, fhe and I, long fince contracted, 
 Are now fo lure that nothing can diflblve us *. 
 
 Ford. Stand not amaz'd ; here is no remedy. 
 In love, the heavens themfelves do guide the'ihue; 
 Money buys lands, and wives are fold by fate. 
 
 Pal. I am glad, tho' you have ta'en a fpecial finnd to 
 firike at me, that your arrow hath glanc'd. 
 
 Page. Well, what remedy ? Fenian^ heav'n give thce 
 
 joy ! 
 What cannot be eichc-w'd, mufi be embrac'd. 
 
 Fal. When night-dogs run, all forts of deer are chac'd. 
 
 Mrs. Pa*e. \\ ell, I will mufe no further, Mr. Fentou* 
 Heav'n give you many, many merry days ! 
 Gjod hufband, let us every one go home, 
 And laugh this iport o'er, by a country fire, 
 Sir 'Join and all, 
 
 Forth Let it be fo, Sir Join : 
 To Mailer Brook you yet lhall hold your word ;. 
 For he to-night mall lie with Miilreis Ford. 
 
 [Extant omnes. {- 
 
 * Thefe lines, though they ufually are, fliould not be omitted s 
 77)' offence is loly that foe kc.th committed, 
 And this deceit lofes the name cf crafty 
 Of difvbedisnce, or undutctus title ; 
 Since therein Jhe doth e jitate andfiun 
 A tbo:ifand irreligious curfed hour-, 
 Which forced marriage nvould ha ~je brought upon her. 
 
 f The lath Al is fo fpiritlefs, that it throws a damp upon the 
 preceding ones; the greatett mer't \vc find is its brevity, for the 
 f.hole, as adled, does ri^f extend above fsvtn pages. 
 
 End /The Merry Wives of Windfor.
 
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 HAMLET . 
 
 AtfV. 
 
 Scenel. 
 
 j,/w(n~ ^f/o 
 
 <*<*<,></. * . ^ *
 
 H A M L E T, 
 
 PRINCE of DL;:.MARK. 
 
 A TRAGEDT, by SHAKESPEARE. 
 
 A3 PERFORMED AT THE 
 
 THEATRE-ROYAL, COVENT-GARDEN. 
 
 Regulated from the PROMPT-BOOK, 
 
 With PERMISSION of the MANAGERS, 
 
 By Mr. YOUNGER, Prompter. 
 
 An INTRODUCTION, and NOTES 
 
 CRITICAL and ILLUSTRATIVE, 
 
 ARE ADDED BY THE 
 
 AUTHORS of the DRAMATIC CENSOR, 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 Printed for JOHN Bi-LL, near Exeter-Exchange, in tie Strand 5 
 and C. ETHERJNGTON-, at York, 
 
 KDCCLXXIIIt
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 T-TAMLE, T has long been counted one cf our jtrft'rate 
 * dramatic productions, and mufi continue to enjoy tba: 
 praife ; and indeed with great jujtice, for it contains many n- 
 parallekd beauties, with fame egregiousblemffies. j$s originally 
 written, it miift take up four hours in aRion ; an intolerable 
 time ; however, from this, as ivell as all his plays, it may 
 be lurmifed, that the vitiated tajle 0/"Shakefpeare's audiences 
 required occajtonal trifling ; that, going to the play fo early a, 
 four oclcclt, they did not mind an hour extraordinary, and 
 pojfibly 'xantc d as much as they could get fur money. Thi 
 plot of this, is rather irregularly carried on, and the winding 
 up exceeding lame ; /Zv Dramatic Cenfbr^//j out this, mrc 
 at large, than ourfcheme will admit. Therefore to that work 
 ive refir, for further information. We may offer t, that the 
 principal charafter, which males it a great weight for an 
 attar to bear, is not only the chief, but fole f upper t ; /\*-v- 
 ever, he isfurnijbcd with excellent materials, fir t(\: 
 pofc. 
 
 Oa BRA-
 
 DRAMATIS PERSONS. 
 
 I)rury-'L.ane. 
 
 Mr. JEFFEUSON. 
 Mr. GARRICK. 
 
 Mr. B-iDDELEY. 
 
 Mr. PACKER. 
 Mr. J. AICKIN. 
 Mr. DAVIES. 
 
 Mr. FAWCETT. 
 
 Mr. DODD. 
 Mr. ACKMAN. 
 Mr. WRIGHTEN T . 
 Mr. GRIFFITH. 
 Mr. KEEN. 
 Mr. BR ANSEY. 
 Mr .'PARSONS. 
 diggers, J Mr. W A J, o R o x , 
 
 King, 
 HAMLET, 
 POLONIVS, 
 HORATIO, .. 
 LAERTES, 
 ROSENCR AUS, 
 
 GuiLOEN- 1 
 STERN, J 
 
 OSTR ICK, 
 
 MARCELLUS, 
 
 BERNARDO, 
 
 FRANCISCO, 
 
 Player King, 
 
 Ghoir, 
 
 Two Grave- 1 
 
 Ccvcnt- Garden. 
 
 Mr. GARDNER. 
 Mr. SMITH. 
 Mr. SHUTER. 
 Mr. HULL. 
 Mr. DAVIS. 
 Mr. R. SMITH. 
 
 Mr. LEWIS. 
 
 Mr. DYER. 
 Mr. THOMPSON". 
 Mr. BATES. 
 Mr. HOLTOM. 
 Mr. WIGNEJ.L. 
 Mr. BENS LEY. 
 Mr. DUNS TALL. 
 Mr, STOPPELAE*. 
 
 Mrs. HOPKINS. 
 OPHELIA, Mr?. SMITH. 
 Player Queen, Mrs. JOHNSTON, 
 Ladies attending on the Queen. 
 
 IVlifs MILLER, 
 Mrs. MATTOCKS* 
 Mrs. PEARCE. 
 
 SCENE, ELS I NO OK. 
 
 HAMLET-
 
 f s ] 
 HAMLET. 
 
 A C T I. 
 
 An open Place bifore the Palace.. 
 Enter Bernardo and Franclfco, two Centinels *. 
 
 Fran. Nay, aafwer me : ftand, and unfold 
 yourfelf. 
 Ser. Long live the king ! 
 Fran. Bernardo ? 
 Eer. He. 
 
 Franc. You come moft carefully upon your hour. 
 Bfr. Tis now llruck twelve -, get thee to bed, Fran- 
 
 cifco. 
 
 Fran. 'For this relief, much thanks : 'tis bitter cold, 
 And I am fick at heart, 
 
 Btr. Have you had quiet guard? 
 Fran. Not a moufe itirring. 
 
 Eer. Well, good-night. It" you do meet Horatio 
 and Marcellus, the rivals of my watch, bid them make 
 kaile. 
 
 Enter f Horatio and Marcellus. 
 
 Fran. I think I hear them. Stand, hoa ! who's there ? 
 llor. Friends to this ground. 
 Mar. And liege-men to the Dane. 
 Fran. Good-night. 
 
 * The opening of this tragedy, is happily preparative to the fu- 
 t\..rc incidents and fubjeft- 
 
 f The requifites for Horot'n are an eafy deportment, genteel 
 rgure, and f.nooth levsl delivery. 
 
 O 3 filar.
 
 6 HAMLET. 
 
 Mar. Farewel, honefl foldier. Who hath /eliev'd 
 you ? 
 
 Fran. Bernardo has my place: good-night. [^-.Frnn. 
 
 Mar, Holla ! Bernardo ! 
 
 JRi-r. Say, what, is Horatio there ? 
 
 Hor. A'pie:e of him. 
 
 JJtr. Welcome, Horatio : welcome, good Marceflus. 
 
 Mar. What, has this thing appear'd again, to-night ? 
 
 Her. I have feen nothing. 
 
 Mar. Horatio fays 'tis but a phantafy, 
 And will not let belief take hold of him, 
 Touching the dreadful light, twice feen of us : 
 Therefore I have entreated him, along 
 With us, to watch the minutes of this nighr, 
 That, if again this apparition come, 
 He may approve our eyes, and fpeak to it. 
 
 Hor. 'Twill not appear. 
 
 " JRer. Come, let us once again aflialyour ear?, 
 That are fo fortified againft our ilory, 
 What v.e have two nights feen. 
 
 liar. Well, let us hear Bernardo fpeak of thi?. 
 -Jier. Laft night of all, 
 
 When yon fame ftar, that's weilward from the Pole, 
 Had made his courfe to enlighten that part of heaven, 
 Where now it burns, Manellus and myfelf. 
 The bell then beating one 
 
 Mar., Peace, break thee off-~ 
 
 Enter Ghoit *. 
 
 Look, where it comes again. 
 
 Ber. lu the fame figure, like the king that's dead. 
 
 Mar. Sj eak to it, Horatio. 
 
 Jicr. Looks it not like the king ? 
 
 Hor. Moil like : it frartles me with fear and wonder*. 
 
 * If criticifm cr common fenfe can forgive the idea of a Ghoft, 
 ibis of y.itntet's father lays the foremoft claim to pardon and praife^j 
 it fhotild br figured above the middle fize, and uttered by a round 
 deep mellow voice ; ihr mode cf exprtflSon rather pompous, to 
 mark a fupernatural Being,
 
 HAMLET. 7 
 
 Set: It would be fpoke to. 
 
 Mar. Speak to it, Horatio. 
 
 Hor. What art tbou, that ufurp'll this time of night, 
 T .gether with that fair and warlike form, 
 In which the majefty of bury'd Denmark, 
 Did fometimes march ? I charge thee (peak. 
 
 Mar. It is offended. 
 
 Bcr. See ! it ftalks away. 
 
 Hor. Stay, fpeak, fpeak ; I charge thee fpeak. 
 
 [.v//GhoiK 
 
 Mar. 'Tis gone, and will not anfwer. 
 
 Ser. How now, Horatio'? you tremble, and look pale. 
 Is not this fbmething more than phantafy ? 
 What think you of it ? 
 
 Hor. I could not this believe^ 
 Without the fenfible and true avouch 
 Of mine own eyes. 
 
 Mar. Is it not like the king ? 
 
 H'or. As thou art to thy felt : 
 Such was the very armour he had on, 
 When th' ambitious Norvjay he combated. 
 
 Mar. Thus twice before, and jutt at the fame hour* 
 With martial ilalk, hath he gone by our watch. 
 
 Hor. In what particular thought to work, I know not, 
 But in the fcope of mine opinion, 
 This bodes fome ftra<:ge eruption to our ftate. 
 
 Mar. Pray tell me, he that knows *, 
 Why this lame ftrift and molt obiervant watch . 
 So nightly tolls the fubjecb of the land ? 
 And makes the night joint labourer with the day ?- 
 Who is't that can inform me ? 
 
 Hor. That can I ; our laft king-, 
 Whofe image e'en but now appear'd to us, 
 Was, as you know, by Fortlnbrafs of Norway, 
 Dar'd to the combat ; in which our valiant Hamlet 
 Did flay this Fortinbrafs; who, by leal'd compact, 
 
 : " We cannot be altogether of opinion, that perfons flruck by fo 
 a\vful and unufual an appearance, could fo foon turn to another, 
 fubjeft of converfation,
 
 8 HA M L E T. 
 
 Well ratify'd by law and heraldry, 
 Did forfeit (with his lire) all thefe his lands, 
 Which he ilood feis'd of, to the conqueror r 
 Now, fir, young Fortnibraf;, 
 Of unimproved mettle, hot and full, 
 Hath, in the Ikirts of Nonvay, here and there^ 
 Shark'd up a Hit of Inwlefs refoliitej, 
 To recover thole aforefaid lands 
 So by his father loft. And this, I take if, 
 Is the main motive of our preparations. 
 Ber. I think it is no other, but even fo. 
 
 Enter Ghoft again. 
 
 Hor. But foft ! behold ! lo, where it comes again ! 
 I'll crofs it, tho' it biait me. Stay, iilufion ! 
 
 \_SprcatiLag bis aritij. 
 
 If thou haft any found, or ufe of voice, 
 Speak to me If there be any good thing to be done, 
 That may to thee do eafe, and grace to me, 
 Speak to me. 
 
 It thou art privy to thy country's fate, 
 Which happily foreknowing may avoid, O fpeak ! 
 Or if thou halt uphoarded in thy life, 
 Extorted treaiure in the womb of earth, 
 For which, they fay, you ipirits oft walk in death, 
 
 [Cock cro:\.'.-, 
 Speak of it. Stay and fpeak Stop it, Marteilus. 
 
 Mar. *Tis gone [>.-; Ghoft 
 
 We do it wrong, being fo majeflical, 
 To offer it the Ihevv of violence ; 
 It is ever, as the air, invulnerable, 
 And our vain blows malicious mockery.. 
 
 Bcr. It was about to (peak, when the cock crew. 
 
 Hor. And then it ilarted like a guilty thing, 
 Upon a fearful furamons. I have heard, 
 The cock, that is the trumpet to the morn, 
 Doth with his lofty and fhrill founding throat, 
 Awake the god of day : and at his warning, 
 Whether in fca.or fire, in earth or air, 
 
 Th'
 
 HAMLET. 9 
 
 Tli extravagant and erring fpirit hies 
 
 To his confine *. 
 
 But look, the morn, in ruflet mantle clad, 
 
 Walks o'er the dew of yon high eaftern hill ; 
 
 Break we our watch up, and by my-advice 
 
 Let us impart what we have i'een to-night, 
 
 Unto young Hamlet : Perhaps 
 
 This fpirit, dumb to us, will fpeak to him. 
 
 SCENE II. The Palace. 
 
 Enter King, Qteen, Hamlet f, Polonius, Laertes, Gentle- 
 men, and Guards. 
 
 King, j Tho' yet of Hamlet our dear brother's death 
 The memory be green, and that it us befitted 
 To bear our hearts in grief, and our whole kingdom 
 To be contracted in one brow of woe ; 
 Yet fo far hath difcretion fought with nature, 
 That we with wifeft forrow think on him, 
 Together with remembrance of our.elves. 
 Therefore, our fometime filter, now our queen, 
 Th' imperial jointrefs to this warlike itate, 
 Have we, as 'twere, with a defeated joy, 
 Taken to wife. Nor have we herein barr'd 
 Your better wifdoins, which have freely gone 
 With t is affair along. 
 
 But now, Laertes, what's the news with you ? 
 You told us of lome fuit. What is't, Laertes ? 
 
 Laer. My dear lord, 
 Your leave and favour to return to France', ' 
 
 The former part of this fpeech, though founded on a fuper- 
 flittous opinion, we muft be pleafed with ; the latter is beautifully 
 poetical. 
 
 f The character of Hamlet fliould be a good, if not a ftriking 
 figure ; with very flexible, fpir.ted, marking features ; a fonorous 
 voice, capable of rapid climaxes, and folemn gradations j if not fo 
 foft as the upper notes of exprefiion, nor fo deep as the lower ones, 
 if otherwife fufficient in articulation and compafs, it may do the 
 part juilice. 
 
 J Four and twenty lines of this fpeech, with a brace of ufelef? 
 ambaffadors, are omitted, commendably. 
 
 From
 
 io HAMLET. 
 
 From whence, tho' willingly I came to 
 
 To fhew my duty in your coronation ; 
 
 Yet now I muft confefs, that duty done, 
 
 My thoughts and wifhes bend again tow'rds France ; 
 
 And bow them to your gracious leave and favour. 
 
 King. Have you your father's leave? what fays 
 Polonlus ? 
 
 Pel. He hath, my lord, by labourfome petition, 
 Wrung from me my flow leave ; and at the laft, 
 Upon his will I feal'd my hard confent : 
 I do befeech you, give him leave to go. 
 
 King. Take thy fair hour, Laertes ; time be thine, 
 And thy belt graces fpend it at thy \ ill. 
 But now, my coulin Hamlet, and my fori 
 
 Ham. A little more than kin, and le:s than kind. 
 
 King. How 1$ it, that the clouds ftill hang on you ? 
 
 Ham. Not fo, my lord ; I am too much i' th' fun. 
 
 $>ueen. Good Hamlet, caft thv nightly colour off, 
 And let thine eye look like a friend or. Denmark ; 
 Do not, for ever, with thy veiled lids, 
 Seek fou thy noble father in the dull ; 
 Thou know'ft 'tis common, all that live mull die,. 
 Faffing through nature to eternity. 
 
 H&t* Ay, madam, it is common. 
 
 ^cenf&IL'it be, 
 Why fe^Byt fo particular xvith thee ? 
 
 HajfBjjjeK^ Madam ! Nay, it is ; I 
 'Tis not alone this mourning fuit, good mother, 
 Together with all forms, modes, ihapes of grief, 
 That can denote me truly. Thefe indeed feem, 
 For they are actions that a man might play ; 
 But I have that within, which paileth {hew ; 
 Thefe but the trappings, and the fuits of woe*. 
 
 King. 'Tis fweet and commendable in your nature^ 
 
 To give theie mourning duties to your father : 
 
 ; This reply Is fenfibly pathetic, and infinuates with ftrift 
 truth, that the jtem-.ng is but a fliadowy fejnblance of forrow } 
 fubftaatial grief dwells in the heart. 
 
 But
 
 HAMLET. 
 
 ii 
 
 But you muft know, your father loft a father, 
 
 That father his, and the furvivor bound 
 
 In filial obligation, for fome term, 
 
 To do obfequious forrow. But to perfevere 
 
 In obftinate condoleinent, does exprefs 
 
 An impious ftubbornefs. 
 
 We pray you throw to earth 
 
 This unavailing woe, and think of us, 
 As of a father ; and let the world take note. 
 You are the moft immediate to our throne, 
 Our chiereil courtier, coufin, and our fon *, 
 
 S>ucen. Let not thy mother loie her prayers, Hamlet; 
 1 pray thee ilay with us, go not to Wittenberg. 
 Ham. I (hall in all my bell obey you, madam. 
 King. Why, 'tis a loving and a fair reply : 
 Be as ourielf in Denmark, Madam, come; 
 This gentle and unforc'd accord of Hamlet^ 
 Sits fmiling at my heart ; in grace whereof, 
 No jocund health that Denmark drink?, to-day, 
 But the great cannon to the clouds {hall tell it. [Exeunt. 
 
 Manet Hamlet f. 
 
 Ham. O that this too, too folid flefli would melt, 
 Thaw, and refolve itfelf into a dew ! 
 Qr that the EverlaiHng had not fix'd 
 His canon Vainft felf-murder! 
 How we-iry, ftale, and unprofitable, 
 Seem to me all the ufes of this world ! 
 Fie on't ! O fie ! 'tis an uii weeded garden, 
 That grows to feed ; things rank and grofs in nature 
 Pofieis ii meerly. That ir fhould come to this ! 
 But two months dead ? nay, not fo much ! not two 
 So excellent a king, 
 So loving to my mo. her, 
 
 * Here again, as written, the King was unpardonably prolix. 
 
 f This foiiloquy is admirably adapted to the fituation of Ham- 
 let's mind ; which is op,.refled with grief, noi only for the lofs of a 
 father, but by the fudden and flrange fecoai marriage of his 
 mother. 
 
 That
 
 ig HAMLET. 
 
 That he permitted, not the winds of heav'n, 
 Vifii her face too n. n^hly ! 
 Why, fhe would hang or him, 
 As if Jnc'ea-le ot app, iite had grown 
 By what it ted en ; yet, within a month I- 
 Let me not n.". k irailrv, thy name is woman! 
 A litcle month ! or ere thole flioes were old, 
 With which Ihe follow'd my poor lather's body, 
 Like Niel-e, all tears fhe 
 Married with mine uncle, 
 
 My father's brother; but no more like my father, 
 Th-T. I to Hercules. 
 It is not, nor it cannot come to good. 
 But break, my heart, for I muft hold my tongue. 
 
 Enter Horatio, Bernardo, and Marcellus *. 
 
 Hor. Hail to your lord/hip ! 
 
 Ham. I'm glad to fee you well : 
 Horatio, or I do forget myfelf. 
 
 Hor. The fame, my lord, and your poor feryant ever. 
 
 Ham. Sir, my good friend ; 1'il change that name 
 
 with you : 
 
 And what makes you from Wfttenberg, Horatio ? 
 Mar cell us ! 
 
 Mar. My good lord ! 
 
 Ham. I'm very glad to fee you ; good morning, fir. 
 But what, in faith, makes you from Wittenberg? 
 
 Hor. A truant diipofition, gcod my lord. 
 
 Ham. I would not hear your enemy fay fb ; 
 Nor ihall you do my ear that violence, 
 To be a witnefs of your own report, 
 Againft yourfelf. I know you are no truant ; 
 But what is your affair in Etfinoor ? 
 We'll teach you to drink deep, ere you depart. 
 Hor. My lord, I came to fee your father's funeral. 
 Ham. I pr'ythee do not mock me, fellow iludent; 
 I think it was' to fee my mother's wedding. 
 Hor. Indeed, my lord, it follow'd hard upon. 
 
 * This fcene unfolds the circumftance of the Ghoft to Hamlet ; 
 happily, and his interrogative curiofity is highly in aatuid 
 
 3 Ham*
 
 HAMLET. 13 
 
 Ham. Thrift, thrift, Horatio ; the funeral bak'd meats 
 Did coldly furnifh forth the marriage tables. 
 Would 1 had met my direft foe in heav'n, 
 Ere I had feen that day, Horatio ! 
 My father methinks I fee my father *. 
 
 Hor. Where, my Lord ? 
 
 Ham. In my mind's eye, Horatio, 
 
 Hor. I fa\v him once ; he was a goodly Kjng. 
 
 Ham. He was a man, take him for all in all, 
 I mall not look upon his like again. 
 
 Hor. My Lord, I think I favv him, yeilernighr. 
 
 Ham. Saw ! who ? 
 
 Hor. The King your father ! 
 
 Ham. The King my father ! 
 
 Hor. Defer your admiration, for a while, 
 With an attentive ear; till I deliver, 
 Upon the witnefs of thefe gentlemen, 
 This wonder to you. 
 
 Ham. Pray let me hear. 
 
 Hor. Two nights together had thefe gentlemen, 
 Marcellus and Bernardo, on their watch, 
 In the dead walle and middle of the night, 
 Been thus encounter'd : a figure like your father, 
 Arm'd at all points exailly, cap a pe t 
 Appears before them,. and with folenm march 
 Goes (low and irately by them : thrice he walk'd 
 Within their rapier's length ; whilft they (diiUUM 
 Almoft to jelly with their tear) 
 Stand dumb, and fpeak not to him. This to me 
 In dreadful fecrecy impart they did. 
 And I with them the third night kept the watch; 
 Where, as they had deliver'd, both in time, 
 Form of the thing, each word made true and good, 
 The apparition comes f. 
 
 Ham. 
 
 * This is a moft natural and feeling introduction to the uncom- 
 mon circumftance Htratio and Marcellus have to relate ; it faves 
 them the trouble of an abrupt or painful mention of fod.Jicats 
 and interefting a point. 
 
 f As we find by the beginning of this fcene, that H^-afh his 
 not, paid his refpe&s to the prince before, 'tis odd he fliouki n * 
 
 VOL. III. P have
 
 i 4 HAMLET. 
 
 Ham. But where was this ? 
 
 Mar. My Lord, upon the platform where we watch'd. 
 
 Ham. Did you not fpeak to it ? 
 
 Hor. My lord, I did. 
 
 But anfwer made it none ; yet once methought 
 It lifted up its head, and did addrefs 
 Itfelf to motion, like as it would fpeak : 
 But even then the morning cock crew loud; 
 And at the found it fhrunk in haile away : 
 And vanifh'd from our fight. 
 
 Ham. 'Tis very llrange ! 
 
 Hor. As I do live, my honour'd Lord, 'tis true: 
 And we did think it then our duty 
 To let you know it. 
 
 Ham. Indeed, indeed, firs, but this troubles me : 
 Hold you the watch, to-night ? 
 
 Both. We do, my Lord. 
 
 Ham. Arm'd, fay you ? 
 
 Both. Arm'd, my Lord. 
 
 Ham. From top to toe ? 
 
 Both. From head to foot. 
 
 Ham. Then faw you not his face ? 
 
 Hor. O yes, my Lord, he wore his beaver up. 
 
 Ham. What, look'd he frowningly ? 
 
 Hor. A countenance more in Ibrrow, than in anger. 
 
 Ham. Pale, or red? 
 
 Hor. Nay, very pale. 
 
 Ham. And rix'd his eyes upon you ? 
 
 Hor. Moft conilantly. 
 
 Ham. I would I had been there ! 
 
 Hor. It would have much amaz'd you. 
 
 Ham. Very like : (laid it long ? 
 
 Hor. While one with mod'rate hafte might tell a 
 hundred. 
 
 Ml. Longer, longer. 
 
 Hor. Not when I faw't. 
 
 havt :one it ; and equally odd, that a Ghofl fliould be feen three 
 nijhts together by the guaras, without public mention being made ; 
 it rows, the JDan</k ibldur* more capable of fecrecy, than ours 
 ivould be. 
 
 Ham,
 
 HAMLET. i 
 
 Ham. His beard was grifly ? 
 
 Hi: It was, as I have feen it in his life. 
 A fable filver'd *. 
 
 Ham. I'll watch to-night ; perchance 'twill walk, 
 again. 
 
 Hor. I warrant you it will. 
 
 Ham. If it afl'ume my noble father's perfony 
 I'll fpeak to it, tho' hell itfelf fhould gape, 
 And bid me hold my peace. I pray you all, 
 If you have hitherto conceal'd this fight, 
 Let it be treble in your iilence ftill : 
 And whatlbever elfe may hap, to-night, 
 Give it an undemanding, but no tongue ; 
 I will requite your loves. So tare you well. 
 Upon the platform, 'twixt eleven and twelve, 
 I'll virit you. [Exeunt. 
 
 All. Our duty to your honour. 
 
 Ham. Your loves, as mine to you : farewet ; 
 My father's fpirit in arms ! all is not well ; 
 I doubt fome foul play ; would the night were come ! 
 Till then fit ftill, my foul : foul deeds will rile, 
 Tho' all the earth o'erwhelm them to men's eyes. [-EVtv 
 
 Enter Laertes and Ophelia. 
 
 Laer. My neceflaries are embark'd ; farewel. 
 And, filler, as the wind permits, pray 
 Let me hear from you. 
 
 Oph. Do you doubt that ? 
 
 Laer. For Hamlet, and the trifling of his favours, 
 Hold it a faihion and a toy in blood, 
 A violet in the youth and prime of nature, 
 Forward, not permanent ; tho' fweet, not lading ; 
 The perfume of a minute. 
 
 Oph. No more but fo ? 
 
 Laer. Think it no more : 
 He may not, as inferior perfons do, 
 
 * There is an unfpeakable degree of eafy fignificant dialogue,, 
 in theft (hoit-well-put interrogations, and the replies. 
 
 P z Carve
 
 16 M A M L E T. 
 
 Carve for himfelf ; for on his choice depends 
 The fanity and health of this whole ftate. 
 Then weigh what lofs your honour may fuftein, 
 If with too cred'ious ear you hear his paffion. 
 Fear it, Ophelia, fear it, my dear fitter : 
 * The charieit maid is prodigal enough, 
 If fhe unmafk her beauty to the moon f. 
 
 Oph. I fhall th' effect of this good leflbn keep 
 About my heart : but, good my brother, 
 Do not, as fome ungracious paftors do, 
 Shew me the fteep and thorny way to heaven ; 
 Whilft like a careleis libertine, 
 Himfelf the primrofe path of dalliance treads. 
 
 Laer. Oh, fear me not. 
 I Hay too long ; but here my father comes. 
 
 Enter Polonius. 
 
 Pol. Yet here ? Laertes! get aboard, for fhame, 
 The wind fits in the Ihoulder of your fail, 
 And you are Itaid tor. j 
 
 JLaer t 
 
 * Tbecbarieft is the ccyeft the moft cautiou*. 
 
 -} This advice from Laertes to his fifter, is a prudent caution j 
 tlie fa'ir fruit of good fenfe and fraternal affection. 
 
 t The following lines, ufually omitted, fliould certainly be re- 
 tained : 
 
 There ; 
 
 Afy bleffing with you, 
 An'dtkefe few precepts in thy memory, 
 Sre ibou char -after. Give thy thoughts no tongue, 
 Nor any unproportlon d thought his ai. 
 Be thou familiar, but by no means "vulgar. 
 The friends thou baft, and their adoption try"d t 
 Gr tip fie them to thy foul ivitb hooks ofjleel : 
 Lut do not dull thy palm with entertainment 
 Of each new-batch' d, unfledged comrade beivart 
 C>f entrance to a quarrel ; but being in, 
 Bear '/ that th' oppofer may beware ofthee. 
 Git-c every man thine ear -, but few thy voice, 
 lake each man's cenfure ; but referve thy judgement. 
 Cojily thy habit, as thy purfe can buy, 
 But not exprefs"d infancy rich) but not gaudy.. 
 
 Natter
 
 HAMLET. *y 
 
 Laer. Moft humbly I do take my leave, my Lord; 
 Farewel, Ophelia, and remember well 
 What I have faid to you. 
 
 Opb. Tis in my mem'ry lock'd, 
 And you yourfelf (hall keep the key of it. 
 
 Laer. Farewel *. [Ex. Laer.. 
 
 Pol. What is't, Ophelia, he has faid to you ? 
 
 Opb. So pleafe you, fomething touching the Lord: 
 Hamlet. 
 
 Pol. Marry, well bethought ! 
 'Tis told me he hath very oft of late 
 Giv'n private time to you ; and you yourfelf 
 Have of your audience been molt free and bounteous^. 
 if it be fo (as (b 'tis put on me, 
 And that in way of caution) Lmuil tell you v 
 You do not underftand yourfelf fo clearly, 
 As it behoves ray daughter, and your honour. 
 AVhat.is between your give me up the truth. 
 
 Oph. He hath, my Lord, of late made many tenders 
 Of his affeftion to me. 
 
 Pol. Afte5tion ! pugh ! you fpeak like a green giuL> 
 Unfifted in fnch perilous circumuance. 
 Do you -believe his tenders, as you call them ? 
 
 Oph. I do not know, my Lord, what I ihould think v 
 
 Pol. Marry, I'll teach you; think yourfelf a baby. 
 That you have ta'en thefe tenders for your pay, 
 Which are not fterling. Tender yourfelf more dearly 3 .; 
 Of you'll tender me a fool. 
 
 Neither a borrower, nor a lender be ; 
 For loan oft lofes both itfelf and friend, 
 And borrowing dulls the edge of hujbandry. . 
 This above all, to thine ownfelf be true ; 
 And it tnuft folloia, as the night the day t 
 Thou canft not then be falje to auj one. 
 
 There is a compadl richnefs of inftruftion fet forth in thefe lines, 
 which well deferves attention in public, and perufal in private. 
 
 * Laertes may be fupported by the fame requifites as Horatio,. 
 but more animated; Polonius, in performance, fhould maintain a. 
 juaint, felf-important fhrewdnefs of expreflion, but ftadioufiy avoil 
 all low comedy tricks ; delicacy of appearance, and. harmonious 
 utterance, will do juftice to Ophelia. 
 
 JP 3 - Opkl.
 
 18 HA M L E T, 
 
 Opb. My Lord, he hath importun'd me with love, 
 In honourable fafhion. 
 
 Pol. Ay, fafhion, you may call it : go to, go to. 
 
 Opb. And hath giv'n countenance to his fpeech, my 
 
 lord, 
 With almoil all the holy vows of heaven. 
 
 Pol. Ay, fpringes to catch woodcocks. I do know, 
 When the blood burnc, how prodigal the foul 
 Lends the tongue vows. This is for all : 
 I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth, 
 Have you fo flander any moment's leifire, 
 As to give words or talk with the lord Hamlet: 
 Look to't, I charge you ; conic your way. 
 
 Opb. I fhall obey, my lord. {ExcuaU 
 
 SCENE III. tte Platform before the Palace. 
 Enter Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus. 
 
 Ham. The air bites mrewdly ; it is very cold *. 
 
 Hrr. It is a nipping and an eager air. 
 
 Bam. What hour, now ? 
 
 Hor. I think it lacks of twelve. 
 
 Mar. No, it is ftruck. 
 
 Hor. I heard it not : then it draws near the feaforr-, 
 Wherein the fpirit held his wont to walk. 
 
 [TiTimpcts a tunt,- 
 What dees this mean, my Lord ? 
 
 Ham. The King doth wake, to-night, and takes his 
 
 roufe, 
 
 And as he takes his draught of rhenifti down, 
 The kettle-drum and trumpet thus proclaim 
 The triumph of his pledge. 
 
 Hor, Is it a cuftom ? 
 
 Ham. Ay, marry is't : 
 Put to my mind, tho' I am native here, 
 And to the manner born, it is a cuftom 
 More honour'd in the breach, than the obfervance* 
 
 * This fcene begins fo diftant from its main fubjeft, that our 
 nvr3 are diverted from the Ghoft, till he returns with double 
 luce oi impreCioQ, and awful feufations. 
 
 Enter
 
 HAMLET. 19 
 
 Enter Ghoft. 
 
 Hor. Look, my Lord, it comes ! 
 
 Ham. * Angels and ministers of grace d fend us ! 
 Be thou a fpirit of health, or goblin damn'd ; 
 Bring with thee airs from heav'n, or blafts from hell j 
 Be thy intent wicked or charitable, 
 Thou com'fl in fuch a queftionable fhape, 
 That I will fpeak to thee. Ill call thee Hamlet^ 
 King, Father, Royal Dane : Oh ! anfwer me, 
 Let me not buril in ignorance ; but tell 
 Why thy bones, hears'd in canonized earth, 
 Have buril their cearments ? Why the fepulchrc^ 
 Wherein we faw thee quietly interr'd, 
 Hath ope'd his ponderous and marble jaws, 
 To call thee up again ? What may this mean ? 
 That thou, dead corfe, again in complete fleel, 
 Revifi teft thus the glimpfes of the moon, 
 Making night hideous ; and us fools of nature, 
 So horridly to make our difpolition, 
 With thoughts beyond the reaches of our fouls ? 
 Say, why is this ? wherefore ? what fhould we do ? 
 
 \Gbqft beckons Ham*. 
 
 Hor. It beckons you to go away with it, 
 As if it fome impartment did defire 
 To you alone* 
 
 Mar. Look with what courteous action 
 It waves you to a more removed ground ; 
 But do not go with it. 
 
 Hor. No, by no means. [Holding Hamlet.. 
 
 Ham. It will not fpeak ; then I will follow it. 
 
 Hor. Do not, my Lord. 
 
 Ham. Why, what mould be the fear ? 
 I value not my life ; 
 
 * There is a ftriking folemnity in this addrefs to the Ghoft ; rt 
 begins with a natural degree of intimidation, preceeds in a beau- 
 tiful climax of imagery, and warms into a juft manly confidence of 
 interrogation 5 the Author has been fo correct, as not to introduce 
 an idea orexpreffion, but what fuch a perfonage might be fuppofed 
 tn this occafion to form.
 
 20 HAMLET. 
 
 And for my foul, what can it do to that, 
 
 Being a thing immortal as itfelf ? 
 
 It waves me forth again. I'll follow it. 
 
 Hor. What if it tempt you tow'rd the flood, my Lord ? 
 Or to the dreadful fummit of the cliff, 
 And there aflume fome other horrid form, 
 And draw you into madnefs ?.- 
 
 Ham, It waves me {till:. 
 Go on, I'll follow thee 
 
 2[far. You fhall not go, my Lordj 
 
 Ham. Hold off your hand. 
 
 Hor. Be rul'd, you ftiall not go. 
 
 Ham. My fate cries out, 
 And makes each petty art'ry in this body, 
 As hardy as the Nemean lion's nerve : 
 Still am I call'd ? unhand me, gentlemen 
 
 [Breaking from them* 
 
 By heaven, I'll make a ghoft of him that lets me 
 I. fay, away-~Go on I'll follow thee. 
 
 [Ex. Ghort and Hamlet ; Hor. flWMar. retiring 
 on the oppojite fide. 
 
 Enter Ghoft and Hamlet. 
 
 Ham. Whither wilt thou lead me ? Speak, I'll go no 
 further. 
 
 Ghojl. Mark me. 
 
 Ham. I will. 
 
 Ghqft. My hour is almoft come, 
 When I to iulph'rous and tormenting flames 
 Mult render- up myfelf. 
 
 Ham. Alas, poor ghoft ! 
 
 Gboft. Pity me not, but lend thy ferious hearing 
 TJO what I (hall unfold. 
 
 Ham. What? 
 
 Gbqft. I am thy father's fpirit; 
 Doom'd for a certain term to walk the night, 
 And for the day, conhVd to faft in fires *, 
 
 * It is juftly remarked by Warburtnn, that Sbakefprart has ad-, 
 verted to the Roman Carbolic purgatcry, though the Danes were 
 at that period Pagans; however, we believe, without reference to. 
 an intermediate Irate, he could not have a fiiadow of excufe for 
 bringing in a ghoft, 
 
 Til!
 
 H A M LET. 21 
 
 Till the foul crimes done in my days of nature, 
 
 Are burnt and purg'd away. But that I am forbid 
 
 To tell the fecrets of my prifon-houie, 
 
 I could a tale unfold, whofe lighteft word 
 
 Would harrow up thy foul, freeze thy young blood, 
 
 Make thy two eyes like ftars ftart from their fpheres, 
 
 Thy knotted and combined locks to part, 
 
 And each particular hair to ftand on end, 
 
 Like quills upon the fretful porcupine. 
 
 But this eternal blazon muft not be 
 
 To ears of flefh and blood : lilt, lift, o lift ! 
 
 If thou did'il ever thy dear father love * 
 
 Ham. O Heaven ! 
 
 Gboft. Revenge his foul and moft unnat'ral murder. 
 
 Ham. Murder! 
 
 Gboft. Murder moft foul, as in the beft it is ; 
 But this moft foul, ftrange, and unnatural. 
 
 Ham. Hafte me to know't, that I with vvings as fvvift 
 As meditation, or the thoughts of love, 
 May fly to my revenge. 
 
 Gbnft. I fintl thee apt. Now, Hamlet, hear : 
 'Tis given out, that, fleeping in my garden, 
 A lerpent ftung me : fo the whole ear of Denmark 
 Is by a forged procefs of iny death, 
 Rankly abus'd ; for know, thou noble youth, 
 The lerpent that did fting thy father's life, 
 Now wears his crown. 
 
 Ham. O my prophetic foul ! my uncle ? 
 
 Gboft. Ay, that inceituous, that adulterate beafr, 
 Won to his fnameful lull 
 The will of my moft feeming virtuous queen. 
 O, Hamlet, what a falling off was there ! 
 From me, whofe love was of that dignity, 
 That it went hand in hand even with the vow 
 I made to her in marriage ; and to decline 
 Upon a wretch, whofe nat'ral gifts were poor, 
 To thole of mine 
 
 * This fpeech may be ftyled a moft melting, heart-rending, 
 fenfe- alarming aJdrefs. 
 
 But
 
 22 HAMLET. 
 
 But fbft, methinks I fcent the morning air- 
 Brief let me be : Sleeping within my garden, 
 My cuitom always in the afternoon, 
 Upon my fecure hour thy uncle itole, 
 With juice ofcurfed hebonon in a phial, 
 And in the porches of mine ears did pour 
 The leperous diftilment, whofe effe&s 
 Hold fuch an enmity with blood of man, 
 That fvvift as quickfilver it courfes thro* 
 The nat'ral gates and allies of the body ; 
 So did it mine. 
 
 Thus was I fleeping, by a brother's hand, 
 Of life, of crown, of queen, at once bereft: 
 Cut off ev'n in the bloflbm of my fin, 
 Unhoufel'd, unanointed, unanneal'd ; 
 No reck'ning made, but fent to my account, 
 With all my impeife&ions on my head. 
 
 * Ham. O horrible ! horrible ! moft horrible ! 
 Ghqft. If thou hail nature in thee, bear it not; 
 
 Let not the royal bed of Denmark be 
 
 A couch for luxury, and damned inceft. 
 
 But, howibever thou purfu'ft this ad, 
 
 Taint not thy mind, nor let thy foul defign 
 
 Againft thy mother aught; leave her to heav'n, 
 
 And to thofe thorns that in her bofom lodge, 
 
 To goad and fling her. Fare thee well, at once ! 
 
 The glow-worm fliews the morning to be near, 
 
 And 'gins to pale his ineffectual fire f. 
 
 Farewel; remember me. [Exit* 
 
 Ham. O hold, my heart 
 And you, my finews, grow not inftant old : 
 But bear me flrongly up. Remember thee ! 
 Ay, thou poor gholl, while memory holds a fear, 
 In this diffracted globe ; remember thee 
 
 * This line in reprefentation is very judicioufly given to Ham- 
 Jet, as ths remark more fitly comes from him ; and it pleaiingly 
 divides the Ghoft's fpeech, which in the original is very tedious. 
 
 f- The idea of the glow-worm is very poetical j and the warn- 
 ing not to bear refentment, inculcates a regard for the living, after 
 nature's debt is paid. 
 
 Yen,
 
 HAMLET. 23 
 
 Yea, from the table of my memory 
 I'll wipe away all trivial fond records, 
 All regifter of books, all forms and prefllires part, 
 That youth and obfervation copied there, 
 And thy commandment all alone mall live 
 Within the book and volume of my brain, 
 Unmix'd with bafer matter. Yes, by heav'n : 
 O moft pernicious woman ! 
 
 villain, villain, fmiling damned villain ! 
 My tables meet it is I fhould fet down, 
 
 That one may fmile, and fmile,- and be a villain ; 
 At lead I'm fure he may be fo in Denmark. \Writing* 
 So, uncle, there you are ; now to my word : 
 It is, farewel^ remember me. 
 
 1 have fworn it. 
 
 Hor. within. My Lord, my Lord ! 
 
 Mar. ivitbin. Lord Hamlet ! 
 
 Hor. ivitbin. Heaven fecure him ! 
 
 Ham. So be it. 
 
 Hor. within. Illo, ho, ho, my Lord ! 
 
 Ham. Hillo, ho, ho, boy, come, bird, come. 
 
 Enter Horatio and Marcellus. 
 
 Mar. How it't, my noble Lord ? 
 
 Hor. What news, my Lord ? 
 
 Ham. O wonderful ! 
 
 Hor. Good my Lord, tell it. 
 
 Ham. No, you'll reveal it. 
 
 Hor. Not I, my Lord. 
 
 Ham. How fay you then, would heart of man once 
 
 think it ? 
 But you'll be fecret ? 
 
 Both. As death, my Lord. 
 
 Ham. There's ne'er a villain dwelling in all Denmark^ 
 But he's an arrant knave. 
 
 Hor. There needs no ghoft, my Lord, come from the 
 
 grave, 
 To tell us this. 
 
 Ham. Why, right ; you're in the right ; 
 And fo without more circumftance at all, 
 
 4 I hold
 
 24 HAMLET. 
 
 I hold it fit that we fhake hands, and part ; 
 You as your bufmefs and defires fhall point ; 
 (For every man has bufinefs and defire, 
 Such as it is) and for my poor parr, 
 I will go pray *. 
 
 Hor. Thefe are but wild and windy words, my Lord. 
 Ham. I'm forry they offend you, heartily. 
 Hor. There's no offence, my Lord. 
 Ham. Yes, by St. Patrick, but there is, Horatio. 
 And much offence, too. Touching this viiion, here- 
 It is an honeft ghoft, that let me tell you : 
 For your defire to know what is between us. 
 O'er-mafter't as you may : and now, good friends, 
 As you are friends, fcholars, and foldiers, 
 Grant me one poor requeft. 
 Hoi: What is't, my Lord ? 
 
 Ham.- Never make known what you have feen, to- 
 night. 
 
 Both. My Lord, we will not. 
 Ham. Nay, but fwear'f. 
 Hor. In faith, my Lord, not I. 
 Mar. Nor I, my Lord, in faith. 
 Ham. Upon my fword. 
 liar. Propufe the oath, my Lord. 
 Ham. Never to fpeak of this you have feen 
 Swear by my fword. 
 Gboft, below. Swear. 
 
 Hor. O day and night ! but this is wond'rous llrunge. 
 Ham. And therefore as a ilranger give it welcome. 
 There are more things in heav'n and earth, Horatio. 
 Than are dreamt of in our philofophy. But come> 
 Here, as before, Never, fo help you mercy, 
 How ftrange or odd foe'er I bear myfelf, 
 (As I perchance hereafter (hall think meet, 
 To put an antic difpofition on) 
 That you, at fuch times feeing me, never lhall 
 
 * Hamlet's dalliance with the natural, yet improper, curiofky of 
 his friends, is well imagined ; it varies action, and turns the main 
 
 With
 
 HAMLET. 25 
 
 With arms encumbred thus, or head thus ftak'd, 
 Or by pronouncing of fome doubttul. pbrafc, 
 As well we know or, we could, an if we would- 
 Or lltch ambiguous giving out, denote 
 That you know aught of me. This do ye fvvear, 
 So grace and mercy at your mofc need help you ! 
 
 Gbojl. Swear. 
 
 Ham. Rert, reft, perturbed fpirit. So, gentlemen, 
 With all my love I do commend me to you; 
 And what Ib poor a man as Hamlet is, 
 May do t'e;<prefs his love and Iriendfnip to you, 
 Shall never rail : Let us go in together ; 
 And lliil your ringers on your lips, I pray. 
 The time is out of joint: oh curled Ipight, 
 That ever I was born to let it right ! [Exeunt. * 
 
 * This Aft, though exceedingly well Supported by character, 
 incident, and writing, is, after gvecit reduction, too long ; Mr. 
 (;.in;:k, in a laie alteration of this play, has judicioufly ihunencd 
 jr. The Ghoil is certainly too mu-Ji in view. 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 S C E N E I. AH, Apartment in Polonius's Hsitfe. 
 
 Enter Ophelia, meeting Polonius. 
 
 /",.>' T T" O W now, Ophelia, what's the matter? 
 
 i J[ Oph. O, my Lord, my Lord ! I have beeu fo 
 
 a r righted 
 
 Pol. With what? 
 
 Oph. My Lord, as I was reading in my clofet, 
 Prince Hamlft, with his. doublet all unbrac'd, 
 Pale as his fliirt, his knees knocking each other 
 Thus he conies before me. 
 
 7V. Mad for thy love ! 
 
 VOL. III. Q. Oj>b*
 
 S 6 HAM -L E T. 
 
 Opl. My Lord, I do not know, 
 "Bur truly I. do fear it. 
 
 Pol. What faid he ? 
 
 Oj>l>. He took me by the wrlft, and held me hard , 
 Then goes he to the length of all his arm, 
 And with his other hand thus o'er his brow 
 Hj? falls to luch pcru fal of my fa.e, 
 As he would draw it : that done, he lets me go, 
 An^l, with his head over his ftioulder turn'd, 
 He ieem'd to find his way without his eyes ; 
 For out of doors he went, without their help, 
 And to the laft bended their light oa me *. 
 
 Pol. This is the very extacy of love 
 -Have you given him any hard words, of late ? 
 
 Of>h. No, my good Lord ; but, as you did command, 
 I did repel his letters, and deny'd 
 Hi: Scceis-to me. 
 
 Pol. That hath made him mad : 
 Come, go with me to the King, 
 This muft be known. 
 Come, come away. \Excunu 
 
 SCENE II. The Palace. 
 
 Enter King, S>necn, Rofencraus, a?ui Guildenftern. 
 
 Kin*. Welcome, good Rofencraus, raid Guiltknjlcrru 
 Besides that we did long to fee you, 
 The need we have to life you did provoke 
 -Our hafty fending. Something you have heard 
 Of" Hamlet's transformations ; what it fhould be, 
 More than his father's death, 
 I caenot dream of. I entreat you both, 
 That you vouchfafe your reft here in our court, 
 
 This is an exceeding pretty and fignificant account of Ham- 
 k: . behaviour. 
 
 Some
 
 H- A M L E T. 27 
 
 rfnine little time, fo by your companies 
 To draw him on to pleafures, and to gather 
 It" aught, to us unknown, arlikfts him thus, 
 That lies within our remedy. 
 
 S^uccn. Good 'gentlemen, he hath much talk'd of you, 
 And lure I am, two men are not living 
 To whom he more adheres : it" it will pleafe you, 
 So to employ your time with us a-whi!c, 
 Your vifitation mall receive Tuch thanks, 
 As fits a King's remembrance. 
 
 Roj'. Both your Majeilies 
 
 Might, by the (bv*reign power you have o'er" us, 
 Put your dread pleafure, more into command, 
 Than to entreaty. 
 
 Guil. But we both obey, 
 And here give up ourfelves in the full bent, 
 To lay our fcrvicc freely at your feer. 
 
 King. Thanks, Rojencraiu and gentle Guihk.ijlcrn. 
 ' Queen. I do befeech you inftantly to vifit 
 My too much changed 'fon. Go, Tome of you, 
 And bring thefe' gentlemen where Hamlet is. 
 
 [Exeunt Rol". ami Guil. 
 
 Enter Polonius. 
 
 Pol, Now I do think, or elfe this brain of mine 
 Hunts not the trail of policy fo f.ire, 
 As it had us'd to do, thac I have found 
 The very caufe of Hamlet's lunacy. 
 
 A7ijv O fpeak of that, that \ do long to hear. 
 
 Pol. My Liege and Madam, to expy'itui:;tc 
 What majeity Ihould be, what dnry is, 
 Why day is day, night night, and "time is time, 
 Were nothing but to waite night, day, and time. 
 Therefore, as brevity is the ioui ot wit, 
 And tedioufnefs the linib:; and outward Houri,' C", 
 I will be brief : your noble fon is mad, 
 Mad call 1 itj lor to define true madnefs, 
 
 C2 Wfiat
 
 2$ H A M L E T: 
 
 What ij't but to be nothing elfe but mad ? 
 But let that go *. 
 
 S>ufen. More matter, with lefs art. 
 
 Pol. Madam, I fvvear I ufe no art at a!i. 
 That he is mad, 'tis true, 'tis pity ; 
 And pity 'tis, 'tis true ; a foolifh figure, 
 But farewel it, for I will ufe no art. 
 Mad let us grant h'm, then; and now remains 
 That we find oiit the caufe of this eftedt, 
 Or rather fay the ciufe of this defect ; 
 For this eftec} defective comes by caufe ; 
 1 hus it remains, and the remainder thus. Confine*, 
 I have-a daughter; have, while fhe is mine, 
 V, h , in her duty and obedience, mark, 
 Hath giv'n me this : Now gather and furmife. \Rtad>. 
 
 To the celeftial, and my foufs idol, the m-]ft beautified 
 Crhelin: That's an ill phrai'e, a vile phrafe; beautijudis 
 a \ilephrafe; but you fhall hear Thus in her excellent 
 vtl'itc bfijem, ihcji, &c. 
 
 !%ucen. Came this from Hamlet to her ? 
 
 Poi. Good madam, ftay a-while, I -will be faithful. 
 D- ubt thou fhr f.ars are fire, 
 Doubt that the fun doth move; 
 Duult truth to be a liar, 
 But never dt-ubt I love. 
 
 O ih-ar Ophelia, lam ill at thefe numbers; I have-not 
 art to reckon my groans ; but that I love thee bcft, O rr.ojt 
 bef, beln ve it : Ad:i n. Thine evermore, mojl dear laity^ 
 while this machitie is to him, Hamlet. 
 This in ui e^litnce hath my daughter fhewn me, 
 Ami' more concerning his iolicitings, 
 As they fel. out by lime, by means, and place. 
 
 K'ng. But how hath fhe received his love? 
 
 Pol. \Vhat do you think of me ? 
 
 King. As of a man faithful and honourable. 
 
 Pot. I would fain prove io ; but what might you, 
 
 * By this fcene, one rrr'ght fuppofc Po'anius intended for th 
 Jiidicrous ; th^t he is \vhiiri.-,y, aU thr..u;h, we admit, but never 
 frouid deicend vulgariv lew io lace-making, 5cc. 
 
 Or
 
 HAMLET. 29 
 
 Or my dear Majefty your Queen, here, think, 
 If I had play'd the deflc or table-book, 
 Or look'd upon this love with idle fight. 
 No, I went round to work, 
 And my young miftrefs thus I charted : 
 Lord Hamlet is a Prince above thy inhere, 
 This muft not be : and then I precepts gave her, 
 That flic mould lock heffelffrom his refort, 
 Admit no mcilengers, receive no tokens : 
 Which done, (he took the fruits of my advice j 
 And he, repelled, a mort tale to make/- 
 Fell to a faabefs, then into a wcaknefs, 
 Thence to a lightnefs, and by this declenfion, > 
 Into the madneis wherein he now raves, 
 And all we wail for. 
 
 King. Do you think 'tis this ? 
 
 >i!cft. r . It may be very likely, - 
 
 Pol. Hath there been iuclv a time (I'd fain know 
 
 that) 
 
 That I have pofitively faid that, 'tis ib, 
 When it proved otherwrfe ? 
 
 Kin$. Not that. 1 know. - 
 
 Pol. Take this trom this, if this be otherwifet 
 
 \ Pointing to hh head and body. 
 If circumtlances lead me, I will find 
 Where truth is hid, tho' it were hid indeed, 
 Within the centre. -. 
 
 King. H"W may we try it farther ? 
 
 Pi. Sometimes he walks, for hours together, 
 Here in the lobby.- 
 
 Queen. So l-.e doe-, indeed. 
 
 Pah At HUM a time I'll loofe my daughter to him, 
 S'i fie.i'e your Majflly to hide yourfelr 
 Behind the arras, then 
 Mark the encounter; if he love ber not, 
 And be not from his reafon fall'n thereon, 
 Let me be no ailUlant foi a ftate, 
 But ktt-p a la: m and carters. 
 
 A. ;> ^'. We will try it.
 
 30 H A M L E T. 
 
 Enter Hamlet reading '*. 
 
 Queen. But look, where fadly the poor wretch comes 
 reading. 
 
 Pol. Away, I do befeech you both, away. 
 
 [Exeunt King and ^ucen t 
 I'll board him, prefently. 
 He'.v does my good Lord Ha>ttlet? 
 
 Ham. Excellent well. 
 
 Pol. Do you know me, my Lord ? 
 
 Ham. Excellent well ; you are a fishmonger. 
 
 Pol. Not I, my Lord. 
 
 Ham. Then I would you were as honeft a man. 
 
 Pol. Honert, my Lord ? 
 
 Ham. Ay, fir, to be honeft, as this world goes, 
 Is to be one man pickM out of ten thoufand. 
 
 Pol That is very true, my Lord. 
 ''Ham. For if the fun breeds maggots in a dead dog, 
 feeing a god, killing carrion have you a daughter f 
 
 Pol. I have, my Lord. 
 
 Ham. Let her not walk i* fh' fun? Conception is a 
 bkfling : but not as your daughter may conceive. Friend, 
 look to*t. 
 
 Pol. Still harping on my daughter! yet he knew 
 [Sljidf] me not, at firft, but laid, I was a fifhmonger ; he 
 is tar gone-; and truly in my youth I fuffered much 
 extremity, for love ; very near this. 1'il fpeak to hin>, 
 aga ; n. What do you read, my Lord ? 
 
 Ham. -Words, wo ds, words. 
 
 Pel. What is the matter, my Lord ? 
 
 1'im, Between who? 
 
 Pol. I mean the matter that you rend, my Lord. 
 
 Ham. Senders, lir; tor the fatirical rogue fays here, 
 tl ut old men have grey beards, that their laces are 
 \vri klej, their e\es pu> :. ing thkk amber, and plurob- 
 tre-.-^uin, anv thut they have a molt plentiful Uuk of 
 
 * The L J ea of zn .(Turned msinefs in tfaxtttr, is Taftly well con- 
 ceives, us it occaficns a fiae variation. ol chiracler and aciion : 
 ihstc is a fcene of an (irbafly previous to this, in the original, 
 vkith we tiiiak j-ro^crly ojiiited.. 
 
 wit,
 
 H AM L E T. 31 
 
 wit, together with moft weak hams ; all which, fir, 
 tho' I moil potently believe, yet I hold it not honefty 
 to have it thus let down ; f.,r you yourielf, fir, fhall- 
 grow old, as I am, if, like a crab, you could go back- 
 ward *. 
 
 Pol. Tho' this be madnefs, yet there's method in't: 
 Will you walk out of" the air, my Lord ? 
 
 Ham. Into my grave. 
 
 Pol. Marry, that's out of the air, indeed : how preg- 
 nant his replies are ! a happinefs that often madneis 
 hits on. My Lord, I will take my leave. 
 
 Ham. You cannot take from me any thing (hat I 
 would more willingly' part withal, except my lite. 
 
 Pol Fare you well, my Lord. 
 
 Ham. Thefe tedious old tools ! 
 
 Enter Guilderiftern and Roiencnws. 
 
 P'ol. You go to feek Lord Hamkt t there he is. \_Ex. 
 
 Ro/'. Save you, fir. 
 
 Guild. My honoured Lord. 
 
 Rof. My dear Lord. 
 
 Ham. My excellent good friends ! how doff, thcfti, 
 Gurhlenftern? ah, Rtfeucraus ! good lads, 'how do you 
 both ? well, what news ? 
 
 Ro/'. None, my Lord, but the world's grown honefr.. 
 
 Hani. Then is doom: day near; fure your news is 
 not true ? But, in the beaten way of iViendiliip, what 
 make-; you at Eljmocr ? 
 
 Rof. To vifit yon, my Lord ; no other -ccaon. 
 
 Ham. Beggar that [ am, I am even p<rOT in thanks~r 
 but I thank you. Were you not 1-j; t ;r? Is it y. T 
 own inclining? Is it a tree vifitatmut come, come, 
 t'ealjuflly uith me; nay, i'pe.ik. 
 
 Gu/l. What fliould we fay, nr. i td ? 
 
 Ham Any thing, but to the } p ' 'c. Y ai were fent 
 for; there is a kind of confeil;^; in yuar ioukj, Xvhich 
 
 * H^m'.et plays upon Pr.lon'ui with ?rea* f :r"f, and much [ilea- 
 fant fatirical perfpicuity, in th s fcene j i: iCjU.itS iienzicd ea-.e of 
 deportment and looks, to fwport it. 
 
 your
 
 32 H A M L. E TV 
 
 your modefties have not craft enough to colour. I know 
 the good King and Queen have fent for you. 
 
 P.<f. To what end, my Lord ? 
 
 Hem. Nay, that you muft teach me : but let me con- 
 jure you, by the rights of our fellowships, by the con- 
 Ibnancy ot our youth, by the obligation ct our love, 
 and by what more dear a better propofer could charge 
 you withal ; be even and direct with me, whether you 
 were ent tor, or no. 
 
 JRo/l What fay you? 
 
 Ham. Nay, then I have an -eye of you ; if" you love 
 me, hold not off.' 
 
 Gull. My Lord, vve were fent for. 
 
 Ham. I will tell you why ; Jo fiiall my anticipation 
 prevent your difcovery, and your fecrefy to the King and 
 Queen moult no feather: I have, of late, but where- 
 fore I know noV loft all my mirth, foregone all cuftom 
 of exerciies ; and indeed it goes fo heavily with my dif- 
 pofition, that this goodly frame the earth, feems to me 
 a fleril promontory ; this moft excellent canopy the 
 air, this majeiHcal roof fretted with golden fire, why, 
 it appears nothing to me, but a foul and peflilent con- 
 gregation of vapours. What a piece of work is man * 
 how noble in reafbn ! how infinite in. (acuities ! iu form 
 and moving how exprels and admirable ! in action how 
 like an angel f in apprehension how like a God ! the 
 beauty O f riie world, the ptragon of animals! And yet 
 to n,e wijat is this quinteUence of dull ? Man de.ights 
 not me nor woman neither $ though by your failing 
 yo i leem to lay fr. 
 
 A'tf/.' ]VJy Lord, there was no fuch ftuffin mv thoughts. 
 
 Ham. \Vh. did you laugh then, when. I laid. Man 
 delights not me? 
 
 Raf. To think, my Lord, ifyou delrghr not in mar,, 
 what lenten eutertainment the players (Vail receive trom 
 you: vve met with them on the way, and hither are 
 they coming, to offer you fervice. 
 
 * We do not recolleft to have met, in any auth~r, a more con- 
 cife or .elegant panfgyrc on human nature, ;han .his fpeech c> n- 
 tains : fonne part of ibis fv.ene is properly curtailed. 
 
 Ham.
 
 H A M L E T. 33- 
 
 Il.im. He that plays the kino;, faallTje welcome; his 
 majeily /hull have tribute of me; the adventurous kni^bc 
 fha!l ule his foil and target ; the lover fhull not fiijh 
 gratis i the humorous man (hall end his part in peace ; 
 and the lady fnail fpeak her mind freely, or the blank, 
 verfe (hall ha't for't. What p! avers are 'the;,- ? 
 
 Rof. Even thofe you were wont to take luch delight 
 in, the tragedians of the city. 
 
 Ham. How chances it they travel? Their residence 
 both in reputation and profit was better, both ways. Do 
 they hold the fame eftimation they did, when I was in. 
 the city ? Are they fo followed ? 
 
 Rof. No, indeed, they are ii'.;t. 
 
 Ham. It is n >t very 1 trance ; for my uncle is King of 
 Denmark, and thofe that would make mouths at hinv 
 while my father lived, now give twenty, forty, fifty*. 
 Hay a hundred ducats apiece, for his picture in little : 
 there is fomething in this, more than natural, if philofo* 
 phy could find it out. 
 
 GuiL Shall we call the players, my Lord ? 
 
 Ham. Gentlemen, you are welcome to Elfinoor : your 
 h.'.nds ; th' appurtenance of welcome is fafnion aiul 
 ceremony: but my uncle-father and aunt-mother are 
 deceived. 
 
 Gull. In what, my dear lord ? 
 
 Ham. I am but mad north north-weft ; when the 
 wind is foutherly, I know a hawk from a hernfhaw. 
 
 Enter Pclonius. 
 
 Pol. Well be with you, gentlemen* 
 
 Ham. Hark you, Guildenftcrn and Rofencram, tliat 
 great baby that you fee there, it not yet out of his ftvad- 
 ttling-clouts. 
 
 Rof. Haply he is the fecond time come to them ; for 
 they fay an old man is twice a child. 
 
 Ham. I prophecy that he comes to tell me of the 
 players ; mark it : you fay right, fir, a Mo-,:djy morn- 
 ing, 'twas then, indeed. 
 
 Pol. My Lord, I have news to tell you. 
 
 Ham.
 
 34. B A M L E. TV 
 
 Ham. My Lord, I have news to tell you j when Refr 
 clus was an uCtor hi Rome 
 
 Pol. The afters are come hither, my Lord. 
 
 Ham. Buz, buz. 
 
 Pol. Upon mine honour 
 
 Ham. Then came each a6tor on his afs 
 
 Pol. The belt -actors in the world, either for Tra- 
 gedy, Comedy, Hiftory, ^aftoral, Pattoral-Coinical r/ 
 Hiftorical-Paltoral ; * Scene undividable, or poem un- 
 limited :' Seneca cannot be too heavy, nor Plautus too . 
 light.. For the law of wit and liberty, thefe are the. 
 only men. 
 
 Ham. O Jepbtba, judge of lj'rael t what a treafure 
 Kadit thou ! 
 
 Pol t What treafure had he, my Lord ? 
 
 Haw. Why, one f.iir daughter, aud no more ; the 
 which he loved paffihg well." 
 
 Pol. Still on my daughter!' \dj1Jc*. 
 
 Ham.- Am not I i'fh* right, old Jepbtha? 
 
 Pel. If you, call me Jcphtba^ my Lord, I have a- 
 daughter that I love paffing well.. 
 
 Ham* Nay, that follows not. 
 
 Pol. Nay, what follows then, my Lord? 
 
 Ham. Why as by lot, God wot, ' and then you know, 
 it came to pafs, as moft like it was :' the firft row of 
 the rubrick will (hew you more j for look where my 
 abridgment comes. 
 
 Enter Players *. 
 
 You nre welcome, mafters. O my old friend ! why 
 thy face is valanced f, fince 1 faw thee lail ; com'il 
 thou to beard me, in Denmark ? What, my young lady 
 and -mi it. re Is ! marry, your ladyfliip is grown nearer to 
 heaven than when I law you la it, by the altitude ot a. 
 chopin|: I wilh your voice, like a piece of uncunent 
 
 * The introduction of players, and a mock play, realizes the 
 rpain aflion, admirably. 
 
 f- Valanced appears to mean, fringed with a beard. 
 
 J Chopin in French, a pint ; in Scotch, a quart : fo that ths 
 prince fays fhc is taller by fo much. 
 
 goldj
 
 H A M L E T. 35 
 
 gold, be not cracked within the ring. Matters, vou 
 are all welcome, we'll e'en to't like friendly falconers, fly 
 at any thing we lee : we'll have a ipeech ilrait ; conic, 
 give us a tafte of your quality; come, a paflionate fpeech . 
 
 Play, What fpeech, my good Lord ? 
 
 Ham. I heard thee fpeak me a fpeech once, but it was 
 never acted ; or, if it was, not above once; for the play, 
 I remember, pleafed not the million ; 'twas caviare to the 
 multitude. One fpeech in't I chiefly loved, 'twas 
 JEneah tale to Dido ; and thereabout of it efpecially, 
 where he fpeaks of Priam $ (laughter. If it live in yoiir 
 memory, begin at this line, let me fee, let me fee 
 The rugged Pyrrbus, like the Hyrcanixn beail 
 Bead! no, that's not it, yet it begins with Pyrrbus. 
 The rugged Pyrrbus, he whofe fable arms, 
 Black as his purpofe, did the night refemble, 
 Old Grandiire Priam feeks. 
 
 Pol. My lord, well fpoken, with good accent, and 
 good difcretion. 
 
 Ham. So proceed you. 
 
 Play. * Anon he finds him, 
 
 Striking too fhort at Greeks, His antique fu'ord, 
 Rebellious to his arm, lies where it falls, 
 Repugnant to command ; unequal inatch'd, 
 Pyrrbas at Priam drives, in rage ftrike" wide^ 
 But with the whiff and wind of his fell fword, 
 The nnnerv'd father falls. 
 But as u-e often fee, againrt fome ftorm, 
 A iiience in the heav'ns, the rack Hand ilill, 
 The bold wind fpeechle s, and the orb below 
 As hu(h as death : anon the dreadful thunder 
 Doth rend the region : fo, after Pyrrbus paufe, 
 A roufed vengeance fets him new a- work; 
 And never did the Cyclop? hammers fall 
 On Mars' s armour, torg'd for proof eterne, 
 With lefs remorfe than Pyrrtitu* bleeding fword 
 
 * There is great force in this defcription ; and, though the play 
 exhibited by thefe itinerants, is certainly a mock tragedy, we can- 
 not think the above fpeech any way burlefque, though bad fyeakers 
 often make it fuch, by vile utterance, 
 
 Now
 
 3'5 HAMLET. 
 
 Now falls on Priam. 
 
 Out, out, thou ilrumpet Fortune! 
 
 Pal. This is too long. 
 
 Ham. It (hall to the barber's, with your beard, Pritlio.*. 
 fay on ; he's tor a jig, or a tale of bawdry, or he ikeps. 
 Say on, and come to Hecuba. 
 
 Play. But who, alas, had ieen the mobled queen 
 
 Ham. The mabled' queea ! 
 
 Po 1 . That's good, 
 
 Play. Run bare foot, up and down, threatening the 
 
 flames ; 
 
 A clout upon that head, 
 Where late the diadem ftood, and for a robe, 
 A blanket in th' alarm of fear caught up : 
 Who this had ieen, with tongue in venom iteep'd, 
 'Gain it fortune's irate would treafon hare pronounc'd? 
 
 Pol. Look whether he has not turned his colour, and 
 has tears in's eye:. Prithee no more. 
 
 Ham. 'Tis well, Fll have thee fpeak cut the reft of 
 this, focn. Good my Lord, will you fee the players well 
 beitowed? Do you hear? let them be well u fed, rbr 
 they are the abihact ad brief chronicles of the time: 
 after your death, you were better to have a bad rpitaph, 
 than their ill report, while you live. 
 
 Pol. My lord, I will ufe them according to their de- 
 fer t. 
 
 Ham. Much better ; ufe every man, fir, according to 
 * his defert, and who {hall efcape whipping ? Ufe them 
 after your own honour and dignity. Tr.e lefs they de- 
 ierve, the more merit is in your bounty. Take them in. 
 Pol. Come, firs. 
 
 Ham. Follow him, friends ; we'll have a play, to- 
 morrow. Doll tiicu hear me, old friend ? My good 
 friends, I'll leave you till night : you're welcome to 
 Elfmocr. 
 
 Rrf. Farewcl, my lord. [Exit Rof. and Guild. 
 
 Ham. Can vou play the murder of Gonzago ? 
 
 [To Player. 
 
 * A more benevolent expreffive fentiment never dropped from 
 the pen or mouth of any mao, than this fpeecb tuiat upon. 
 
 6 Pty.
 
 HAMLET. 37 
 
 Play. Ay, my Lord. 
 
 Ham. We'll have it, to-norrow night ; you could for 
 need fludy a fpeech of fome dozen lines, which I would 
 fet down, and infert could you not ? 
 
 Play. Ay, my Lord. 
 
 Ham. Very well ; follow that Lord, and look yon 
 mock him not. [Exeunt all but Hamlet. 
 
 what a wretch and peafant flave am I ! 
 Is it not monftrous that this player here, 
 But in a fiction, in a dream ot paffion, 
 Could force his foul fo to his own conceit, 
 That from her working all the vifage warra'd, 
 Tears in his eyes, diffraction in his afpett, 
 
 A broken voice, and his whole funftion fuiting 
 
 With forms to his conceit, and all for nothing 
 
 For Hecuba ? 
 
 What's Hecu&a to him, or he to Hecuba, 
 
 That he fhould weep for her ? what would he do, 
 
 Had he the motive and the ground for paffion, 
 
 That I have ? he would drown the itage with tears, 
 
 Make mad the guilty, and appal the free, 
 
 Confound the ign'rant, and amaze indeed 
 
 The very faculties of eyes and ears : 
 
 But I am pigeon-liver'd, and lack gall. 
 
 To make oppreffion bitter, or ere this 
 
 1 (hould have fatted all the region kites 
 With this flave's offal. 
 
 " * Remorfelefs, treacherous, letcherous, kindlefs villain! 
 " Why, what an afs am I ! This is moll brave, 
 ' That I, the fon of a dear father rmirder'd, 
 ** Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell, 
 " Muft, like a whore, unpack my heart with words, 
 " And fall a curling, like a very drab, a fcallion ; fie 
 
 " upon't ! foh ! 
 
 " About my brain! Hum !" I have heard, 
 That guilty creatures, luting at a play, 
 Have by the very cunning of the fcene, 
 
 * The lines matkt " are fometimes, and fliould always be, lift 
 ut, as the fpeech is full long enough without them, 
 
 VOL. III. R
 
 3 8 H A M L E T. 
 
 Been ilruck fo to the foul, that prefently 
 
 They have prociaim'd their mdefactions : 
 
 For murder, tho' it have no tongue, will ipeak 
 
 With molt miraculous organ *. I'll have thefe players 
 
 Play fomething like the murder of my father, 
 
 Before my uncle. I'll obferve his looks, 
 
 I'll tent him to the quick ; if he look pale, 
 
 I know my courfe. The Spirit that I have feen, 
 
 May be a devil, and the devil may have power 
 
 T'affutne a pleafing (hape ; yea, and perhaps, 
 
 Out of my weaknefs, and my melancholy, 
 
 As he is very potent with fuch fpirits, 
 
 Abufes me, to damn me. I'll have grounds 
 
 More relative than this ; the play's the thing, 
 
 Wherein I'll catch the confcience of the King. [Exit, f 
 
 * The idea that confcience always haunts the guilty, efpecially 
 thofe concerned in murder, is moft certainly juft, and properly in- 
 troduced here. 
 
 f The fecond Aft is by no means fo (hiking or folemn, as the 
 rft, yet has fpirk to pjeafe, and beauties to charm. 
 
 ACT III. SCENE I. 
 
 Queen, Polonius, Ophelia, Ro 
 iidenftern, G^ntkntcn^ and Guards, 
 
 Enter King, Queen, Polonius, Ophelia, Rofencraus, 
 
 Guii 
 
 King. /\ ND can you by no drift of conference, 
 
 j[\. Get from him why he puts on this con- 
 fufion ? 
 
 Rof. He does confefs he feels himfelf diftracted ; 
 But from what caufe, he will by no means fpeak. 
 
 >ueen. Did he receive you well ? 
 
 Rof. Molt civilly. 
 
 Gull. But with much forcing of his difpofition. 
 
 Rof. Unapt to queition ; but of our demands 
 Mofl free in his reply. 
 
 {gucen. Did jou invite h'.m to any paltinie?
 
 H A M L . E - T. 
 
 Rof. Madam, it fo fell out, that certain players 
 We o'ertook on the way ; of thefe we told hiin, 
 And there did feem in him a kind of joy, 
 To hear of it ; they're about the court, 
 And (ns I think) they have already orders, 
 This night to play before him. 
 
 Pol "'Tis moll true : 
 
 And he befeech'd me to intreat your Mtjeiiies 
 To hear and fee the matter. 
 
 King. With all my heart, 
 And it doth much content me 
 To hear him fo inclin'd : 
 Good gentlemen, give him a further edge, 
 And urge him to thefe delights. 
 
 Rof. We fhall, my Lord. [Exeunt Rof. 
 
 King. Sweet Gertrude, leave us, too ; 
 For we have clofely fenf for Hamlet hither, 
 That he, as 'twere by accident, may meet 
 Ophelia here : her father and myfelf 
 Will fo bellow ourielves, that, leeing and unfeen, 
 We may of their encounter judge. 
 
 Queen. I fhall obey you : 
 And for my part, Ophelia. I do wifh 
 That your good beauties be the happy caufe 
 Cr Hamlefs wildnefs : fo I hope your virtues 
 Will bring him to his wonted way again, 
 To both your honours. 
 
 Oph. Madam, I wifn it may. [Exit Queea. 
 
 Pol. Ophelia, walk you here, whilft we 
 (If fo your Majefty {hall pleaie) retire conceal'd. 
 
 Oh. I hear him coming : retire, my Lord. 
 
 [Exeunt King and Pol. 
 
 Enter Hamlet. 
 
 Ham. * To be, or not to be ? that is the question. 
 Whether 'tis nobler in the mind, to fuffer 
 
 The 
 
 * Thsre never was fo much philofophical reafoning exprelTed 
 
 fo nervoufly, in fo narrow a compafs, by any author; as in this ex- 
 
 ceUent, we may fay unparalleled, folilo^uy, which gives a go*d 
 
 R- z orator
 
 40 HAMLET, 
 
 The flings and arrows of outrageous fortune ; 
 
 Or to take arms againft a fea of troubles, 
 
 And by oppofcng end them ? To die, to deep 
 
 No more ; and by a fleep, to fay we end 
 
 The heart-ach, and the thoufand nat'ral (hocks 
 
 That flefh is heir to ; 'tis a consummation 
 
 Devoutly to be wifli'd. To die, to fleep ;- 
 
 To fleep f perchance, to dream : ay, there's the rub ; 
 
 For in that lleep of death what dreams raay come, 
 
 When we have fhuffled off this mortal coil, 
 
 Muft give us paufe : There's the refped, 
 
 That makes calamity of fo long life. 
 
 For who would bear the whips and (corns of time, 
 
 Th' oppreffor's wrong, the proud man's contumely. 
 
 The pangs of defpis'd love, the law's delay, 
 
 The infolence of office, and the fpurns, 
 
 That patient merit of the unworthy takes, 
 
 When he himfelf might his quietus make, 
 
 'With a bare bodkin ? Who would fardels bear, 
 
 To groan and fweat under a weary life ? 
 
 But that the dread of fomething after death, 
 
 (That undifcover'd ' ntry, from whofe bourne 
 
 * No traveller reruns) puzzles the will ; 
 
 And makes us rather bear thofe ills we have. 
 
 Than fly to others that we know not of. 
 
 Thus confcience does make cowards of us all ; 
 
 And thus the healthful face of refolution, 
 
 Is ficklied o'er with the pale caft of thought ; 
 
 And enterprizes of great pith and moment, 
 
 With this regard their currents turn awry, 
 
 And lofe the name of aftion. Soft you, 'now. 
 
 The fair Ophelia ! nymph, in thy orifons, 
 
 Be all my fins remember'd. 
 
 rator great latitude for the exertion of his abilities the thought 
 of death being a delirable confummation 5 the doubts arifing from 
 that tranfition ; the pidture of life, which our uncertainty forces 
 us to bear, are admirably conceived and expreffed. 
 
 * It ftould feem as if Hamlet had furprifingly forgot the Ghoft ; 
 for if no traveller returns, how came that fupernatural vifitant in 
 view? To fave contradiction, we muft admit the author means in 
 a corporeal fenfc..
 
 R A M L E TV 41 
 
 Opb. Good my Lord, how do you ? 
 
 Ham. I humbly thank you, well. 
 
 Opb. My Lord, I have remembrances of yours, 
 That I have long'd to re-deliver ; 
 Pray you now receive them. 
 
 Ha:n. No, not I ; I never gave you aught. 
 
 Oph. My honour'd Lord, you know, right well, you 
 
 did, 
 
 And with them words of fo fiveet breath compos'c:, 
 As made thefe things more rich : their perfume loll, 
 Take thefe again ; for to the noble mind, 
 Rich. gifts wax poor, when givers prove unkind. 
 There, my Lord. 
 
 Ham. Ha, ha, are you honeft ? 
 
 Opb. My Lord ! 
 
 Ham. Are you fair ? 
 
 Opb. What means your Lordftiip ? 
 
 Ham. That, if you be honeii and fair, you fhould ad- 
 mit no dilcourfe to your beauty. 
 
 Opb. Could beauty, my Lord, have better commerce, 
 than with honefty ? 
 
 Ham. Ay, truly ; for the power of beauty will fooner 
 transform honefty from what it is, to a bawd, than the 
 force of honefty can tranflate beauty into its likenefs : 
 this was fqme time a paradox, but now the time gives 
 proof. I did love you, once. 
 
 Opb. Indeed, my Lord, you made me believe fo. 
 
 Ham. You fr.ould not have believ'd me; for virtue 
 cannot fo inoculate our old ilock, but we (hail relilh of 
 it : I lov'd you not. 
 
 Oph. I was the more deceiv'd. 
 
 Ham. Get thee to a nunnery : why fhould'ft thou be a 
 breeder of finners ? I am myielf indifferent honed ; but 
 yet I could accufe me of inch things, that it were bet- 
 ter my mother had not borne roe. I am very proud, re-> 
 vengeful, ambitious ; with more offences at my back, 
 than I have thoughts to put them in, imagination to 
 ive them {hape, or time to adt them in : what fhould 
 .felknvs, as I, do crawling betwee* earth and hea- 
 R 3 ven?- 
 
 give 
 luch.
 
 42 HAMLET. 
 
 ven ? we are arrant knaves, believe none of us ; go tBy 
 ways to a nunnery. Where's your father ? 
 
 Opb. At home, my Lord. 
 
 Haw. Let the doors be (hut upon him, 
 That he may play the fool no where but in's own houfe j 
 Farewel. 
 
 Opb. O help him, you fweet heav'ns ! 
 
 Ham. If thou doit marry, I'll give thee this plague 
 for thy dowry : be thou as chaite as ice, as pure as 
 fnow r thou malt not 'fcape calumny. Get thee to a 
 nunnery. Or if thou wilt needs marry, marry a fool, 
 for wife men know well enough what monfters you 
 make of them ; to a nunnery, go. 
 
 Qpb* Heav'nly powers reftore him L 
 
 Him* I have heard of your paintings, well enough : 
 nature hath given you one face, and you make your- 
 ielves another ; you jig, and you amble, and you lifp,you 
 nickname heav'n's creatures, and make your wanton- 
 nefs your ignorance. Go to ; I'll no more on't, it hath 
 made me mad: I fay, we will have- no more mar- 
 riages ; thofe that are married already, all but one, 
 IhaiLH-e; the reft ihall keep as they are. To a nun- 
 nety, go, go, go. [Exit *.. 
 
 Oph. O what a noble mind is here o'erthrown ! 
 The expectation and rofe of the nr ffate, 
 Th' obferv'd of all obfervers, quite, quite down,. 
 And I of ladies mod deject and wretched, 
 Now fee that noble and moll fov'reign reafon, 
 Like fweet bells jangled out of tune, and harfti. 
 O woe is me ! 
 T'have feen what I have feen, feeing what I fee ! [Exit.. 
 
 Enter King and Polonius. 
 
 King. Love ! his affeftions do not that way tend ; 
 For what he fpake, tho* it lack'd form a little, 
 Was not like madnefs. 
 
 * This fcene is admirably fuppored for Hamlet by the author, 
 and contains many excellent itrokes of /furtive, lively, well-adopted- 
 Jiatire, fkafinely couched.
 
 HAMLET. 43; 
 
 He Hi all with fpeed to Englinil, 
 
 For the demand of our neglected tribute,. 
 
 What think you on't ? 
 
 Pel. It fhall do well r 
 But, if you hoid it fit, after the play 
 Let his Queen- mother all alcne entreat him, 
 To (hew his grief; let her be round with him : 
 And I'll be plac'd (fo pleate you) in the ear 
 Of all their conf'rence : if (he find him not, 
 To Engla?id fend him, or confine him where 
 Your wifdom beft (hall think. 
 
 King. It (hail be fo ; 
 Madnefs in great ones muft not unvvatch'd go. [Exeunt.- 
 
 Enter Hamlet, and three Players. 
 
 Ham. Speak the fpeech, I pray you, as I pronounced 
 it to you, trippingly from the tongue : but if you mouth 
 it, as many of our players do, I had as lief the town- 
 crier (poke my lines. And do not faw the air too 
 much with your hand, thus; but ufe all gently; for 
 hi the very torrent, tempeft, and, as I may lav, xvhirl- 
 wind of paiTion, you mult acquire and beget a temper- 
 ance that may give it fmoothnefs. O ! it offends me 
 to the foul, to hear a robullious periwig-pated fellow 
 tear a paffion to very rags, to fplit the ears of the 
 groundlings ; who, for the mofl p?.rt, are capable of 
 nothing but inexplicable dumb mews and noife : I 
 would have fuch a fellow whipp'd, for o'er-doing Ter- 
 magant ; it o\3\.-berods Herod. Pray you avoid it. 
 
 Play. I warrant your Honour. 
 
 Ham. Be not too tame,, neither, but letr>yourown dif- 
 cretion be your tutor. Suit the action to the word, 
 the word to the adtion ; with this fpecial obfervance, 
 that you o'er-ilep not the modelty of nature ; for any 
 thing fo o'erdone, is from the purpofe of playing, whofe 
 end, both at firft and now, was and is, to hold, as 'twere, 
 the mirror up to nature ; to (hew virtue her own feature, 
 fcorn her own image, and the very age and body of the 
 time, his form and preflure. O, there be players, that 
 I have feen play, and heard others praiie, and that high- 
 
 1>V
 
 4# FT A M L E T.. 
 
 ly, not to fpeak it prophanely, that, neither having the 
 action of ChrifUan, nor the gait of Chriitian, Pagan, . 
 nor man, have fo ilrutted and bellowed, that I have 
 thought fome of nature's journeymen had made men, 
 snd not made them well, they imitated humanity fo 
 abominably. 
 
 Play. I hope we have reformed that indifferently, 
 with us ? 
 
 Ham. O reform it, altogether : and let thofe that play 
 your clowns, fpeak no more than is let down for them j 
 for there be of them that will themfelves laugh, to fet 
 on fome quantity of barren fpettators to laugh too,, 
 though in the mean time fome neceflary question of 
 the play be tiu:n to be confidered : that's villainous, and 
 fhews a mod: pitiful ambition in the fool that ufes it_ 
 Go, m:.ke you ready *.. 
 What, ho ! Horatio f 
 
 Enter Horatios. 
 
 Hor. Here, my Lord, nt your fervice. 
 
 Earn. Horatio, thou art e'en as juft a marjj 
 As e'er my converfation met withal. 
 
 Kor. O my dear Lord ! 
 
 Ham. Nay, do not think I flatter;. 
 For what advancement may I hope from thee ? 
 That hail no revenoe, but thy good fpirits, 
 To feed and cioath thee f , 
 Doft thou hear ? 
 Since my dear foul was miftrefs of her choice, 
 
 * If all the theatrical performers would adhere ftriclly to the- 
 rules hers laid down, they would come nearer nature than they do, 
 or perhaps ever have done; indeed fome Hamltts deliver them> 
 and the whole part, in fuch a manner, as to violate the intention 
 aJrrcft through ever^ fentence, which rather turns the inflruftion. 
 to ridicule, by telling what ought to be, and {hewing, us what ougkt 
 not. 
 
 -{ It is cruel to leave out what follows : 
 
 Jbould the poor be flattered ? 
 No, let the candied tongue lick abfurd pomp, 
 And crook the pregnant binges of the knee^ 
 Where thrift may foilo-iv fawning 
 
 And=
 
 HAMLET. 45 
 
 And could of men diftinguifii, her election 
 Hath feal'd thee for herfelf : for thou haft been, 
 As one, in fuffering all, halt fuifer'd nothing ; 
 Give me the man 
 
 That is not paffion's flave, and I will wear him, 
 In my heart's core ; ay, in my heart of hearts, 
 As I do thee. Something too much of this. 
 There is a play, to-night, before the King ; 
 One fcene of it comes near the circumftance, 
 Which I have told thee, of my father's death : 
 I prithee, when thou feeit that ad on foot, 
 Ev'n with the very comment of thy foul, 
 Obferve my uncle : if then his occult guilt 
 Do not itfelf difcover in one fpeech, 
 It is a damned ghoft that we have leen *. 
 Give him heedful note ; 
 For I mine eyes will rivet to his face ; 
 And after we "will both our judgments join, 
 In cenftire of his feeming. 
 Hor, I will, my Lord. 
 
 Enter King, Qvieen, Polonius, Ophelia, and Gentlemtn, 
 
 Ham. They are coming to the play, I mud be idle i 
 Get you a place. 
 
 King. How fares our coufin Hamlet ? 
 
 Ham. f Excellent, 'faith, 
 Of the camelion's difh. I eat the air; 
 Promife-cramm'd. You cannot feed capons ib 
 
 King, I have nothing with this anfwer, Hamlet ; 
 Thefe words are not mine. 
 
 Ham. No, nor now mine, my Lord 
 You play'd once in the univerfity, you fay. \To Pol. 
 
 *- It is a very probable method of difcovering hidden guilt, to 
 bring its counterpart to viewj but by no means infallible, for a 
 man over-modeft may change countenance at what does not con- 
 cern him, and a villain juftly accufed may preferve rigid features. 
 
 f- The levity and vague behaviour of Hamlet, in this Scene,, 
 which fhould be fupported by a great flow of forced fpirits, is ex-- 
 cellently defigned to cover his deep intention of criminating the 
 King. 
 
 PoL.
 
 46 HAMLET. 
 
 Pol. That I did, my Lord, and was accounted a vary 
 good after. 
 
 Ham. What did you enat ? 
 
 Pol. I did enaft JuKut Cafar. I was kill'd i' th' ca- 
 pitol. Brutu; kiii'd me. 
 
 Ham. It was a brute part in him,. to kill fo capital a 
 
 calf, there. 
 Be the players ready ? 
 
 Rof. Ay, my Lord, they wait uporr your patience. 
 
 ^Keen, Come hither, my dear Hamlet, fit by me. 
 
 Ham. No, good mother, here's metai more attractive. 
 
 Pol. O ho, do you mark that ? 
 
 Ham. Lady, {hail I lie in your lap ? 
 
 Opb. You are rnerrv, my Lord, 
 
 Ham. Your only jig-maker ! what fhould a man do- 
 but be merry? for look you, how chenrfally my mother 
 looks, and my father died within thtiettvo hours. 
 
 Oph. Najk'tis twice two months, my -Lord. 
 
 Ham. So long ? nay, then let the devil wear black, 
 for I'll have a fuit of fables. O heavens ! die two 
 months ago, and not forgotten, yet ! then there's hope a 
 great man's memory may out-live his. life, half a year ;. 
 but he muir. build churches then. 
 
 Opb. What means the piny, my Lord ? 
 
 Ham. It i miching Maliico ; it means mifchief.. 
 
 Opb. But what's the argument? 
 
 Enter i'rologue*. 
 
 Ham. We (hall know by this fellow : 
 The players cannot keep fecret ; they'll (hew all. 
 Opb. Are they fo good at (hew, my Lord ? 
 Ham. Aye, at any (hew, that you will Ihew them. : b 
 not you aihamed to fhew, and they will not bluih to teiL 
 you what it means. 
 
 Opb. You are naught, you. are naught, I'll mark the 
 
 play. 
 
 Prol, Far us. and for cur tragedy. 
 Here jiopping to your clemency, 
 ff'e be* your bearing patiently. 
 If an:. Is this the prologue, or the pofey of a ring ?
 
 HAMLET. 47 
 
 Of>h. 'Tis brief, my Lord. 
 Haiti* As woman's love. 
 
 Enter Player King and Queen *. 
 
 PL King. Full thirty times has Phoebus' car gone 
 
 round, 
 
 Since Love our hearts, and Hymen did our hands 
 Unite, in folding them in facred bands. 
 
 PI. Queen. So many journeys may the fun and moon 
 Make us again count o'er, 'ere love be done. 
 But woe is me, you are fo fick, of late, 
 And fo far different from your former ilate, 
 That I diftruft ; yet, tho' I diftruft, 
 Difcomfort you, my lord, it nothing muft. 
 Now what my love is, proofs have made you know; 
 .And as my love is great, my fear is fo ; 
 Where love is great, the fmalleft doubts are fear ; 
 Where little fear grows great, great love grows there. 
 
 PL King. I mull leave thee, love, and fhortly, too ; 
 My working powers their functions leave to do j 
 But thou {halt live in this fair world behind, 
 Henour'd, belov'd, and haply one as kind, 
 For hufband fhalt thou 
 
 PL >ucen. O, confound the reft ! 
 Such love muft needs be treafon in my breaft ; 
 In fecond hufband let me be accurft ! 
 None wed the fecond, but. who kill'd the firft. 
 
 Ham. That's wormwood ! 
 
 PL King. I do believe you think what now you fpeak; 
 But what we do determine, oft we break; 
 What to ourfelves in paffion we propofe, 
 The paifion ending, doth the purpoie loie : 
 Think ftill thou wilt no fecond hufband wed ; 
 But thy thoughts die, when thy firft lord is dead f. 
 
 PI. Qyeoi. Nor earth, oh ! give me food, nor heaven 
 
 light, 
 Sport and repofe lock from me, day and night ! 
 
 * This fcene of the mock play is properly much /hortened. 
 f It is very odd Sbakefptare (hould have fo often jumbled rbime, 
 blank verfe, and profe, together in one piece. 
 
 3 Both
 
 4 H A M L E T, 
 
 Both here and hence purfue me lafting itrife, 
 If once I widow be, and then a wife ! 
 
 Ham. If (he fliould break it, now 
 
 PI. King. Tis deeply fworn; fweet, leave me here 
 
 a while ; 
 
 My fpirits grow dull, and fain I would beguile 
 The tedious day with ileep. [Sleeps. 
 
 PI. >ueen. Sleep rock thy brain, 
 And never come mifchance between us twain ! [Exit* 
 
 Ham. Madam, how like you the play ? 
 
 >ueen. The lady doth proteit too much, methinks. 
 
 Ham. O, but (he'll keep her word. 
 
 King. Have you heard the argument? is there no 
 offence in't ? 
 
 Ham. No, no, they do but jeft, poifon in jell no 
 offence. 
 
 King. What do they call the play ? 
 
 Ham. The Moufe trap : marry, how ? tropically. 
 This play is the image of a murder done in Vienna* 
 Gonzago is the King's name, his wife Rapti/ia ; you 
 (hall fee anon, 'tis a knavifh piece of work ; but what 
 of that ? your Majefty and we have free fouls, it 
 touches us aot : let the galled jade winch, our withers 
 are unwrung. 
 
 Enter Lucianus. 
 
 This is one Lucianus, nephew to the Duke. 
 
 Opb. You are as good as a Chorus, my Lord. 
 
 Ham. I could interpret between you and your love, 
 If I could fee the poppets dallying. Come, begin, 
 murtherer ; leave thy damnable faces, and begin. 
 The croaking raven doth bellow forth revenge. 
 
 Luc. Thoughts black, hands apt, drugs fit, and time 
 
 agreeing, 
 
 Confed'rate feaibn, and no creature feeing ; 
 Thou mixture rank, of midnight weeds colle&ed, 
 With Hecate's bane, thrice blaited, thrice infected ; 
 Thy nat'ral magic and dire property, 
 On wholfome lite ufurp immediately. 
 
 [Pours the poifon into bis ears.
 
 H A M LET. 4 , 
 
 Ham. He poifons him i'th' garden, for his eftate; his 
 mime's Gonzago', the ftory is extant, and written in 
 very choice Italian: you mall fee anon how the mur- 
 derer gets the love of Gofizago's wife. 
 King. Give me fome lights : away ! 
 Pol, Give over the play. Lights, lights, lights ! 
 
 [Exeunt all but Ham. and Hor. 
 Haw, Why let the ftricken deer go weep, 
 
 The hart ungall'd go play ; 
 For fome mull watch, while fome mufl fleerj ; 
 Thus runs the world away *. 
 
 good Horatio, I'd take the G hoii's word for a 
 thoufand pounds. Did'ft perceive ? 
 
 Hor. Very well, my Lord, 
 
 Ham. Upon the talk of the poifoning ? 
 
 Hor. I did very well note him. 
 
 Ham. Come, fome mafic : the recorders. [ Exit Hor. 
 
 Enter Rofencraus and Guildenftern. 
 
 Gull. Good my Lord, vouchfafe me a word with you. 
 
 Ham. Sir, a whole hiltory. 
 
 Gull. The King fir. 
 
 Hum. Ay, fir, what of him ? 
 
 Gull. Is in his retirement marve.lous diftemrer'd. 
 
 Ham. With drink, fir ? 
 
 Gull. No, my Lord, with choler. 
 
 Ham. Your wifdoin would fliew itlelf richer to fignliy 
 this to the do&or; for me to put him to his purgation, 
 would perhaps plunge him into more choler. 
 
 Gull. Good my Lord, put your difcourfe into fome 
 frame, and ftart not fo wildly from my bufinefs. 
 
 Ham. I am tame, fir, pronounce. 
 
 Gull. The Queen your mother, in moil great i.-f- 
 flidion of fpirit, hath fent me to you. 
 
 Ham. Sir, you are welcome. 
 
 Gull. Nay, good my Lord, this courtefy is not of tl-e 
 
 1 ight breed. If it {hall pleafe you to make me a wholc- 
 
 * We think Ham'et's exprefiion, upon the full eonvi&ion of hii 
 uncle, much too light and inadequate. 
 
 VOL, III. S foil*
 
 So H A M L E T. 
 
 fjrne anfwer, I will do your mother's command; if 
 not, your pardon, and my return, (hall be the end of the 
 bafmefs. 
 
 Hani. Sir, I cannot. 
 
 Rof. What, my Lord ? 
 
 Ham. Make you a wholefome anfwer : my wit's dii- 
 eafed. But, fir, fuch anfwer as I can make, you fhall 
 command ; or rather, as you fay, my mother. 
 
 Rof. Then thus fiie fays ; Your behaviour of late 
 hath llrnck her into amazement and admiration. 
 
 Ham. O wonderful fon, that can thus aftonifh a mo- 
 ther ! But is there no fequel, at the heels of this mo- 
 ther's admiration ? Impart. 
 
 Rof. She defiies to fpeak to you in her clofet, ere you 
 go to bed. 
 
 Ham. We fhall obey, were me ten times our mother. 
 If are you any further trade with us ? 
 
 Rof. My Lord, you once did love me. 
 
 Ham. And do fo itill, by thefe pickers and Healers. 
 
 Rof. Good my Lord, what is the caufe of your dif- 
 umper? You do furely bar the door upon your own 
 liberty, if you deny your griefs to your friend. 
 
 Ham. Sir, I lack advancement. 
 
 Ref. How can that be, when you have the voice of 
 the King himfclf, for your fuccellion in Denmark ? 
 Enter Horatio, ivlth Recorders. 
 
 Ham. Ay, fir, but while the grafs grows the proverb 
 is ibmething muity. Oh, the recorders ; why do you 
 go about to recover the wind of me, as if you would 
 drive me into a toil ? 
 
 Gull. Qh, my Lord, if my duty be too bold, my love 
 is too unmannerly. 
 
 Ham. I do not well underitand that. Will you play 
 upon this pipe ? 
 
 Gull. My Lord, I cannot. 
 
 Ham. I pray you. 
 
 Gull. Beiieve me, I cannot. 
 
 Ham. I beleech you. 
 
 I know no touch of it, my Ltrd. 
 
 Ham.
 
 H A M L E T.. > S i 
 
 Ham. 'Tis as eafy as lying ; govern thofe ventat;< *, 
 with your fingers and thumb ; give it breath with your 
 mouth, and it will difconrie molt excellent ir.uiic : 
 look y HI, thefe are the flops, 
 
 Gull. But thefe cannnot I command, to any utterance 
 of harmony. I have not the fkill. 
 
 Ham. Why look you, nor,-, how unworthy a thin;* 
 you make of me ; you would p'.ay upon me ; you would 
 ieem to know my flops ; you would pluck out the heart 
 of my myflery ; you would found me from my lau-eii 
 note, to the top of my compafs ; and there is mudi 
 inufic, excellent voice, in this little organ, vet cannot: 
 you make it fpeak. 'Sdeath, do you think I'm eafier 
 to be p'.ay 'don, than a pipe? call me what iniitunaear 
 you will, tho T you can fret me, you cannot p.av upun 
 me *. 
 
 E>:fcr Polonias. 
 
 Pol My Lord, the Queen would fpeak with you. 
 
 iiu:-n. Do you fee yonder cbud, that's almolt in ffrant 
 *: a came! ? , 
 
 Pol. Tis like a came!, indeed. 
 
 Ham. Methinks 'tis like a weazel. 
 
 Pol. It is black like a weazel. 
 
 Ham. Or like a wha!;-. 
 
 Pol. Very like a whale -J-. 
 
 Hum. Then will I come to my mother, by and by 
 they fool me to the top of my bent. I rtitl C-...U, 
 by and by. 
 
 Pol I will fay fo. _ 
 
 Ham. Leave me, friends. [Exettnt t 
 
 'Tis now the very witching time of night, 
 When church-yards yawn, and hell itlelf breathes out 
 Contagion to the world ; now could I drink hot b!o )\, 
 And do fuck deeds, as day itfelf 
 Would quake to look on. Soft ! now to my mothei : 
 
 ''* This is a mafterly turn of fatire on court fpics, ani a tin: 
 rebuff to the mean ready agents of power. 
 
 f Pelofi-us is here pl'.ycd oft", in a pleafant chaiaclerulic man- 
 ner. 
 
 82 O hearf,
 
 52 HAMLET. 
 
 heart, lofe not thy nature ! let not ever 
 The foul of Nero enter this firm bofom ! 
 Let me be cruel, not unnatural : 
 
 1 will fpeak daggers to her, but ufe none. [ Exit. 
 
 Enter King, Rofencraus, 
 
 King. I like him not, nor {lands it fafe with us, 
 To let his madnefs range. Therefore prepare you ; 
 For we will fetters put about this fear, 
 Which now goes too free- footed. 
 
 Jfcf. We will make hafte. (Exeunt Rof. aa^/Guil. 
 
 Enter Polonius. 
 
 Pol. Sir, he is going to his mother's clo/et ; 
 Behind the arras I'll convey myfelf, 
 To hear the procefs ; I'll warrant (he'll tax him horae, 
 And, as you laid, and wifely was it faid, 
 Tis meet that fome more audience than a mother, 
 Since nature makes them partial, fhould o'erhear 
 Their fpeech. Fare you well, my liege ; 
 I'll call upon you ere you go to bed, 
 And tell you what I hear. ' [E#it. 
 
 King. Thanks, dear my Lord *. 
 Oh ! my offence is rank, it fmells to heav'n ; 
 It hath the primal, eldeft curfe upon't, 
 A brother's murder. Pray I cannot, 
 Tho* inclination be as (harp as 'twill, 
 M/ ftronger guilt defeats my ilrong intent ; 
 nad, like a man to double bufmefs bound, 
 1 itand in paufe where I (hall firil begin, 
 And both neglect. What if this curled hand 
 U ere thicker than itfelf with brother's blood? 
 Js there not rain enough in the fweet heav'ns, 
 To wafh it white as fnow f whereto ferves mercy, 
 But to confront the vifage of offence? 
 
 * This foliloquy of the King exhibits, in a fine flew of poetical 
 exprefljon and juft reafoning, the agitation of a guilty foul, wi/hing, 
 but afraid, to kok towards heaven ; the ftrugglings of imperfel 
 t<.i;ri:ion, and the laborious, thorny flate of a mind, fo fituated, 
 and Thus feelingly piftured, muft make every fenfible heart flirink. 
 
 Then
 
 HAMLET. 53 
 
 Then I'll look up : 
 
 My fault is path But oh ! what form of prayer 
 
 Can ferve my turn ? Forgive me my foul murder ! 
 
 That cannot be, fince I am ftill poiTefb'd 
 
 Of thofe effects for which I did the murder ! 
 
 My crown, mine own ambition, and rny Queen. 
 
 May one be pardon'd, and retain th' offence ? 
 
 In the corrupted currents of this world, 
 
 Offence's gilded hand may fliove by jultice ; 
 
 And oft 'tis feen, the wicked prize itfelf 
 
 Buys out the laws ; but 'tis not fo above : 
 
 There is no muffling ; there the action lies 
 
 In its true nature, and weourfelves compell'd, 
 
 Ev'n to the teeth and forehead of our faults, 
 
 To give in evidence. What, then ! what rCits ? 
 
 Try what repentance can : what can it not ? 
 
 Yet what can it, when one cannot repent ? 
 
 O wretched ftate ! O bofom black as death ! 
 
 O limed foul, that, ftruggling to be free, 
 
 Art more engag'd ! Help, angels ! make efllty ! 
 
 Bow, ilubborn knees ; and hearts with firings of ileel, 
 
 Be fort as fmews of the new born babe. 
 
 All may be well *. [Exit.. 
 
 Eater Queen and Polonius. 
 
 Pol. He will come ftrait, look you lay home to him ; 
 Tell him his pranks have been too broad to bear with, 
 And that your Grace hath flood between 
 Much heat and him. I'll here conceal myfelf ; 
 Pray you be round with him. 
 
 Queen. Withdraw, I hear him coming. 
 
 [Pol. exit behind tie arras. 
 
 Enter Hamlet. 
 
 Ha/u. Now, mother, what's the matter ? 
 
 fifteen. Hamkt, thou haft thy hither much offended. 
 
 Haw. Mother, you have my father much offended. 
 
 - A long fpeech of //j/'j is here commendably thrown afi Je, 
 iirft, a* being unnectiiary, and next, as tending to vitiate and dc- 
 grad.- his charafler, miK-h. 
 
 '
 
 54 H A M L E T. 
 
 >^cen. Come, come, you anfwer with an idle tongae. 
 
 Ham. G", go, you queftion with a wicked one. 
 
 3>ucen, Why, how now, Hamlet ? 
 
 H-im. What's the matter now ? 
 
 S^ueen. Have you forgot, me ? 
 
 Ham. No, by the rood, not fo ; 
 You are the Queen, your hufband's brother's uife; 
 And, would it were not fo ! you are my mother. 
 
 Qi ecu. Nay, then I'll fet thofe to you that can fpeak. 
 
 H.im. Come, come, fit you down ; you ftiall nqr budge ; 
 You go not, till I fet you up a glafs,' 
 Where you may fee the inmoft part of you. 
 
 Queen. What wilt thou do ? Thou wilt not murder 
 me? Help, hoa! 
 
 Pel What hoa, help ! [Behind the arras. 
 
 Ham. How now, a rat ! dead for a ducat, dead. 
 
 [Kills Pol. 
 
 Pol O ! I am flain *. 
 
 What haft thou done ? 
 
 Ham. Nay, I know not: is it the King ? 
 
 A-Vcv/. O What a rafli and bloody deed is this ! 
 
 Ham. A bloody deed, almoft as bad, good mother, 
 As kill a king, and marry with his brother. 
 
 %ucsn. As kill a king? 
 
 Ham. Ay, lady, 'twas my word. 
 
 Thou wretched, 'rafh, intruding fool, farewel : [To Pol. 
 I took thee for thy betters ; take thy fortune : 
 Thou find'ft, to be too bufy is fome danger. 
 Leave wringing of your hands : peace, lit you down, 
 And let me wring your heart ; for fo I lhall, 
 It it be made of penetrable fluff; 
 If damned cuftom have not braz'd it fo, 
 That it is proof and bulwark againft fenfe. 
 
 %ucen. What have I done, that thou dofl wag thy 
 
 tongue, 
 In noife fo rude againft me? 
 
 Ham. Such an art, 
 That blurs the grace and blufh of modefty, 
 
 * In the cataftrnphe of Pdonius, we think the author fports with 
 ciih, and iheds blood unaccefiarilv. 
 
 Calls
 
 HAMLET. 55; 
 
 Culls virtue hypocrite, takes off the rofe 
 From the fair forehead of an innocent love, 
 And fets a blifter there : makes marriage-vows, 
 As falfe as dicers' oaths : oh fuch a deed ! 
 As from the body of contraction plucks 
 The very foul, and fweet religion makes 
 A rhapfody of words. 
 Ah me ! that act ! 
 
 S>necn. Ah me ! what aft ? 
 
 Ham. Look here upon this picture, and on this, 
 The counterfeit prefentment of two brothers ; 
 See what a grace was feated on this brow, 
 Hyperions curls, the front of Jove himfelf ; 
 An eye, like Mars, to threaten or command ; 
 A ftation like the herald Mercury, 
 New lighted on a heaven-killing hill ; 
 A combination, and a form indeed, 
 Where every God did feem to fet his feal, 
 To giv-e the world aflurance of a man : 
 This was your hufband Look now what follows, 
 Here is your hufband, like a mildew 'd ear, 
 Blalling his wholfome brother. Have you eyes ? 
 Could you on this fair mountain leave to feed, 
 And batten on this moore ? Ha ! have you eyes ? 
 You cannot call it love ; for at your age 
 The heyday of the blood is tame, 'tis humble, 
 And waits upon the judgment; and what judgment 
 Would Hep, from this, to this ? 
 O fhame, where is thy blufh ? 
 Rebellious hell, 
 
 If thou can'ft mutiny in a matron's bones, 
 To flaming youth let virtue be as wax, 
 And melt in her own fire *. 
 
 i^uccn. O Hamlet, fpeak no more ! 
 Thou turn'ft mine eyes into my very foul. 
 
 Ham. Nay, but to live 
 In the rank fweat of an incefluous bed 
 
 '' His reasoning and remonftrances, in this fcene,, are truly pa- 
 thetic and perfuafive.
 
 56 HAMLET. 
 
 Queen. No more, fweet Ham-let. 
 
 Ham. A murderer,, and a villain ! 
 A flave, that's not the twentieth part the tyrhe 
 Of your precedent Lord : a vice of Kings'; 
 A cutpurfe of the empire and the rule, 
 That from a fhelf the precious diadem ftole, 
 And put it in his pocket. 
 
 Enter Ghofl *. 
 
 Save me, and hover o'er me with your wings, 
 You heavenly guards ! What would your gracious 
 figure ? 
 
 Queen. Alas, he's mad. 
 
 Ham. Do you not come your tardy fon to chide, 
 That, laps'd in time and paffion, lets go by 
 Th' important acting of your dread command ? O fay ! 
 
 Gboji. Do not forget : this vilitation 
 Is but to whet thy almoft blunted purpofe. 
 But look ! amazement on thy mother fits : 
 O llep between her .and her righting foul ! 
 Conceit in weakeft bodies Itrongeft works. 
 Speak to her, Hamlet. 
 
 Ham. How is it with you, madam ? 
 
 Queen. Alas, how i ; with you ? 
 That you do bend your eye on vacancy, 
 And with th' incorporeal air do hold difcourfe ? 
 Forth at your eyes your fpirits wild!y peep. 
 XVhereon do you look ? 
 
 Ham. On him ! on him ! look you how pale be 
 
 glares ! 
 
 His form and caufe conjoia'd, preaching to flones, 
 Would make them capable. Don't look upon me, 
 Left with this piteous aifrion you convert 
 My ftern effects j then what I have to do, 
 Will wajtit true colour, tears perchance tor blood. "? 
 
 Quetn. To whom do you fpeak this ? 
 
 * For ftage a&son, the Ghoft is moft happily introduced here ; 
 >fs appearance enlivens the p.lot, vaftly, and relieves the fcenc, very 
 much. 
 
 Ha*.
 
 HAMLET. 57 
 
 Ham. Do you fee nothing, there ? 
 
 Queen. Nothing at all ; yet all that's here, I fee. 
 
 Ham. Nor did you nothing hear? 
 
 Queen. No, nothing but ourfelves. 
 
 Ham. Why look you there; look, how it ilalks away ! 
 My father in his habit as he liv'd ; 
 Look where he goes, even now, out at the portal. 
 
 [Exit Ghoft. 
 
 Queen. This is the very coinage of your brain. 
 
 Ham. My pulfe, as yours, doth tetnp'rately keep time, 
 And make as healthful mufic: 'tis not madnefs 
 That I have utter'd ; bring me to the teir, 
 And I the matter will re-word, which madnefs 
 Cannot do. Mother, for the love of grace, 
 Lay not this flatt'ring unftion to your foul, 
 That not your trefpafs, but my madnefs, fpeaks ; 
 Confefs yourfelf to heav'n, repent what's pail, 
 Avoid what is to come. 
 
 Queen. O Hamlet ! thou haft cleft my heart. 
 
 Ham. Then throw away the worfer part of it, 
 And live the purer with the other half. 
 Good-night, but go not to my uncle's bed ; 
 Aflume a virtue, if you have it not. 
 Once more, good-night ! 
 And when you are defi rous to be bleft, 
 I'll bleiiing beg of you. For this fame Lord, 
 
 [Pointing to PoL 
 
 I do repent ; but heav'n hath pleas'd it fo, 
 To punifh me with this, and this with me, 
 That I muft be their fcourge and minifter. 
 I will beftow him, and will ahfwer well 
 The death I gave him ; fo again, good-night ! 
 I mull be cruel, only to be kind ; 
 Thus bad begins, and worfe remains behind*. 
 
 [Exit Ham. Bagging out Pol. f 
 
 * There are about thirty lines lopped off the end of this feene, 
 very jxftifiably. 
 
 f The third Aft is fupported greatly by fpirit, bufmefs, fenti- 
 m :nt, rni dialogue; if Hamlet is equal to it, the conclufive fcene 
 muit fend him off with remarkable eclat. 
 
 ACT
 
 S 8 HAMLET. 
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 S C E N E I. A Royal Apartment* 
 Enter King and Queen. 
 
 King. r~lT\ HERE's matter in thefe fighs, 
 
 JL You muft expound them : 
 How does Hamlet f 
 
 Queen. Mad as the fea and wind, when both contend 
 Which is the mightier ; in his lawlefs fit, 
 Behind the arras hearing fomething itir, 
 He whips his rapier out, and cries, A rat ! 
 And in his brainifh apprehenfion^ kills 
 The unfeen good old man. 
 
 King. O heavy deed ! 
 
 It had been fo with us, had we been ther. 
 Where is he gone ? 
 
 Queen. To draw apart the body he hath kill'd. 
 
 King. Gertrude, come away ; 
 The fun no fooner fhall the mountains touch, 
 But we will (hip him hence; and this vile deed 
 We muft, with all our majeily and (kill. 
 Both count'nance and excufe Ho, Guihlcnjlern ! 
 
 Enter Rofencraus ami Guildenflern. 
 
 Friends both, go join you \i ith fome farther aid ; 
 Hamlet in madnefs hath Polonius flain, 
 And from his mother's clofet he hath dragg'd him : 
 Go feek him out, fpeak fair, and bring the body 
 Into the chapel ; I pray you haite in this. 
 Come, Gertrude. 
 
 Enter Hamlet. 
 
 Ham. Safely ftow'd. [#?//,/.] Hamlet! 
 Ham. What noife? Who calls Hamlet? 
 Rof. What have you done, my Lord, with the dead 
 
 body ? 
 
 Ham. Compounded it with the dull, whereto it is akin. 
 
 R,,f.
 
 H A M L E T. 59 
 
 Rof. Tell us where 'tis, that we may take it thence, 
 And bear it to the chapel. 
 
 Ham. Do not believe it. 
 
 Rof. Believe what? 
 
 Ham. That I can keep your counfel, and not my 
 own ; befides, to be demanded of a fponge, what repli- 
 cation fhould be made by the ion of a King ? 
 
 Re/'. Take you me for a fponge, my Lord ? 
 
 Ham. Ay, fir, that foaks up the King's countenance, 
 his rewards, his authorities : but fuch officers do the 
 King beft fervice in the end ; he keeps them like an ap- 
 ple in the corner of his jaw, firft mouth 'd, to be laft 
 Iwallow'd ] when he needs what you have glean'd, it is 
 * butfqueezingyou, and, fponge, you mall be dry again. 
 
 Rof. I underftand you not, my Lord. 
 
 Ham. I am glad of it : a knavifh fpeech fleeps in a 
 foolifti ear. 
 
 Rof. My Lord, you muft tell us where the body is, 
 and go with us to the King. 
 
 Ham. Bring me to him. [Exeunt. 
 
 Enter King and Gentlemen. 
 
 King. How dang'rous is it, that this man goes loofe! 
 Yet muft we not put the ftrong law upon him ; 
 He's lov'd of the diffracted multitude, 
 Who like not in their judgment, but their eyes ; 
 And where 'tis fb, th' offender's fcourge is weigh'd, 
 But never the offence. To bear all fmooth and even, 
 This fudden fending him away muft feem 
 Delib'rate paufe : difeafes defperate grown, 
 By defperate appliance are reliev'd, 
 Or not at all. 
 
 Enter Rofencraus and Guildenftern. 
 
 King. How now ? What hath befallen ? 
 Rof. Where the dead body id beftow'd, my_Loid, 
 We cannot get from him. 
 
 ' The (bulking fcycophants of royalty are here touched off witfa 
 ftriit truth, and uncommon keennsis. 
 
 King.
 
 60 HAMLET. 
 
 King. But where is he ? 
 
 Rof. Without, my Lord, guarded, to know your 
 
 pleafure. 
 
 King. Bring him before us. 
 Ref. Hoa, bring in the Lord Hamlet, 
 
 Hamlet and Guards. 
 
 King. Now, Hcunkt, where's Polonius ? 
 Ham. At f upper. 
 King. At fupper ! where ? 
 
 Ham. Not where he eats, but where he is eaten ; a 
 certain convocation of politic worms are e'en at him. 
 King. Where is Polonius ? 
 
 Ham. In heaven ; fend thither to fee : if your mef- 
 fenger find him not there, feek him i'th' other place, 
 yourfelf: but indeed, if you find him not within this 
 month, you ftiall nofe him as you go up flairs into the 
 lobby. 
 
 King. Go feek him there. 
 Ham. He will ftay till you come. 
 King. Hamlet, this deed, for thine efpecial fafety, 
 Mil ft fend thee hence ; 
 Therefore prepare thyfelf, 
 The bark is ready, and the wind fits fair, 
 For England. 
 
 Ham. For England? 
 King. Ay, Hamlet. 
 Ham. Good. 
 
 King. So is it, if thou knexv'll: our purpofes. 
 Ham. I fee a cherub that fees them j but come, for 
 England: Farewel, dear mother ! 
 King. Thy loving father, Hamlet. 
 Ham. My mother : father and mother are man and 
 wife ; man and wife lire one flelh ; and fo my mother. 
 Farewel, mother ! Come, for England*! \Exit-* 
 
 King. Follow him, 
 Tempt him with fpeed aboard ; 
 
 : Harnlit fupports his feigned madnefs exceeding well and di- 
 vertingly ; but, in his circumstances, confenting fo tamely to depart 
 for England, leuns to fliow hkn pufillaniraous and impolitic. 
 
 Away,
 
 HAMLET. 61 
 
 Away, for every thing is feal'd and done, 
 
 And,' England ! if my prefent love thou hold'il at aught f 
 
 Let it be teftify'd in Hamlet's death *. [-E*//! 
 
 Enter Queen, Horatio, and a Gentleman* 
 
 Queen. I will not fpeak with her. 
 Gent. She is importunate, 
 Indeed diftracted, and deferves your pity. 
 Queen. I will net fpeak with her. 
 HOT. 'Twere good flie were fpoken with, for fhe may 
 
 ftrew 
 
 Dang'rous conjectures in ill-breeding minds. 
 S^ucen, Let her . come in. 
 
 Enter Ophelia. 
 
 Oph. Where is the beauteous Majefty of Denmark ? 
 Queen. How now, Ophelia ! \Jhe fings. 
 
 Oph. IIo-iv JJjould I your true love know from another 
 
 one ? 
 
 By his cockle hat and Jl off, and his fandal Jhoon. 
 Queen. Alas, .fweet lady, what imports this fong? 
 Oph. Say you ? nay, pray you mark : 
 He is dead and gone ^ ladj^ he is dead and gone ; rSin^S. 
 At his head a grafs -green turf, at his heels aftone* 
 Queen. Nay, but Ophelia. 
 Oph. Pray you mark. 
 
 Uljite hisjhroudas the mountain fnovj y ' 
 
 Larded all withfvxet flowers , 
 II hich be-~vcpt to the grave did %o 
 W~itb true love-Jliowci's -J-. 
 
 * The author has here introduced a very unefTential fcene, un- 
 worthy the clofet and iVage, therefore properly configned to obli- 
 vion ; though Hamleis foliloquy, in Mr. Garrlck's alteration, is 
 preferved not cenfurably in the original (late of the play, the 
 whole is quite fuperftuous ; befides, the Prince feems to fake a 
 violent refolution ; yet is no more heard of, till we find he has been 
 ihipwrecked. 
 
 f The tranfitions of this young lady's frenzy, are extremely well 
 conceived for reprefentation, and render her a very intercfting ob- 
 ]cfi : too much extravagance, or a figure too much diihevelled, 
 fliould be avoided. 
 
 You III. T Enter
 
 62 HAMLET. 
 
 Enter King. 
 
 Queen. Alas ! look here, my Lord ! 
 King. How do you, pretty lady ? 
 Opb. Well, God yield you ! they fay the owl was a 
 baker's daughter. We know what we are, but we know 
 not what we may be. 
 
 King. Conceit upon her father. 
 Opb. Pray let's have no words of this ; but when they 
 aik you what it means, fay this : 
 
 To-morrow h St. Valentine's day, [Sings. 
 
 jj.ll in the morn betimc ; 
 And I a maid at your window, 
 
 To be your Valentine. 
 King. Pretty Ophelia! 
 
 Opb. Indeed, without an oath, I'll make an end on't. 
 Then up be aroji; and dond bis deaths, and ope'd his cbam- 
 
 ber~door t 
 
 Let in the maid, that out a maid, never departed more. 
 King. How long hath fhe been thus ? 
 Opb. I hope all will be well j we muit be patient ; 
 but I cannot chufe but weep, to think they fhould lay 
 him i' th' cold ground : my brother {hall know ot it, 
 and fo I thank you for your good counfel 
 Come, my coach j good-night, ladies, good-night ; 
 Sweet ladies, good-night, good-night *. 
 
 King. Follow her clofe, give her good watch, I pray 
 
 you. 
 
 This is the poifbn of deep grief; it iprings 
 All from her father's death. [A noife within. 
 
 Enter Gentlemen. 
 
 Gen. Save yourfelf, my Lord. 
 Young Laertes, in a riotous head, 
 O'er-bears your officers ; the rabble call him Lord ; 
 They cry, Chufe we Laertes for our King : 
 
 * The author has fancied Qpl>cl\as madnefs well, affeftingly, 
 and furniflied it with fuitable e.xprefllon ; we like the objedV, are 
 entertained wiih her flights, and co mmiferate the frenzy. 
 
 Caps,
 
 HAMLET. 63 
 
 Caps, hands, and tongues, applaud it to the clouds, 
 Laertes fhall be King, Laertes King ! [A noife within. 
 Laer. [cwV/6/a.] Where is the King ? Sirs, Hand you 
 all without. 
 
 Enter Laertes. 
 
 O thou vile King ! give me my father. 
 
 >ueen. Calmly, good Laertes. 
 
 Laer. That drop ot blood that's calm, proclaims me 
 
 baftard, 
 
 Cries cuckold to my father, brands the harlot, 
 Ev'n here, between the chafte unfmirched brow 
 Of my true mother. 
 
 King. What is the caufe* Laertes, 
 That thy i%bellion looks fo giant-like ? 
 Let him go, Gertrude : do not fear our perfon ; 
 There's fuch divinity doth hedge a King, 
 That treafon dares not reach at what it would. 
 Let him go, Gertrude. 
 
 Laer, Where's my father? 
 
 King. Dead. 
 
 S^ueen. But not by him. 
 
 King. Let him demand his fill. 
 
 Laer. How came he dead ? I'll not be juggled wkh. 
 To hell, allegiance ! vows, to the blackelt devil ! 
 To this point I fland, 
 
 That both the worlds I give to negligence, 
 Let come what will ; only I'll be reveng'd, 
 Molt thoroughly for my father. 
 
 King, Who ft all ilay you ? 
 
 Laer. My will, not all the world : 
 And for my means, I'll hufband them (b well, 
 They mall go far with little *. 
 
 King. Will you, in revenge of your 
 Dear father's death, deitroy both friend and foe ? 
 
 Laer. None but his enemies. 
 
 * Though Laertes has great provocation to roufe him, yet fuch 
 
 peremptory violent and abufive behaviour to his fovereign, breaks 
 
 through the bounds of decorum and allegiance, unpardooably ; and 
 
 we by no means fee why the rabble ffiould offer to chuie him King. 
 
 T Z KiHj.
 
 64 HAMLET. 
 
 King. Will you know them, then ? 
 
 Laer. To his good friends thus wide I'll ope my 
 
 arms, 
 
 And, like the kind life-rend'ring pelican, 
 Relieve them with my blood. 
 
 King. Why, now you fpeak 
 Like a true gentleman. 
 That I am guihlefs of your father's death, 
 And am moil fenfible in grief for it, 
 It (hall as level to your judgment lie, 
 As day does to your eye. 
 
 Hor. \v:iihin.~\ O poor Ophelia f 
 
 Laer. Let her come in. 
 
 Enter Ophelia. 
 
 O rofe of May ! 
 
 Dear maid, kind lifter, fweet Ophelia ! 
 
 O heav'ns ! is't poffible a young maid's wits 
 
 Should be as mortal as a lick man's lite ? 
 
 Oph. They bore him bare-fac'il on the b/er, [Sings. 
 And in his grave rained many a tear. 
 
 Laer. Hadil thou thy wits, and didft perfwade revenge, 
 It could not move thus. 
 
 Oph. You mult fi tig, down-a-down. 
 And you call him a-down-a. O bow the' wheel be- 
 comes it ! 
 it is the falfe fteward that ftole his matter's daughter. 
 
 Laer. This nothing is much more, than matter. 
 
 Oph. There's rofemaryj that's for remembrance ; 
 pray you, love, remember : and there's pancies, that's 
 lor thoughts. 
 
 Laer. A document in madnefii ! thoughts and remem- 
 brance fitted. 
 
 Oph. There's fennel for you, and columbines ; there's 
 rue for you, and here's ibme for me. We may call it 
 herb of grace, o' Sundays : O, you may wear your rue with 
 a difference. There's a daify ; I would give you fome 
 violets, but they withered all when my poor father died. 
 They fa}- he made a good end. 
 
 For
 
 HAMLET. 65 
 
 For bonny j\veet Robin is all my joy. [Sings. 
 
 Lacr. Thought and affliction, paffion, hell itfelf ! 
 She turns to favour, and to prettinefs. 
 Oph. And will bs not come again ? 
 
 And 'Mill he not come again ? 
 
 No, no, be is dead, gone to his deatb*bcd t 
 
 He never will come again. 
 
 His beard was while as fnow, 
 
 All flaxen was his pole ; 
 
 He is gone, be is gone, and we caft away moan ; 
 
 And peace be with his foul, and with all lovers 
 
 fouls. * [Exit. 
 
 ' King. Laertes, I muft fhare in your grief, 
 Or you deny me right : go but apart, 
 Make choice of whom your wifeil friends you will, 
 And they (hall hear and judge 'nvixtyou and me; 
 If by direct, or by collat'ral hand, 
 They find us touch'd, we will our kingdom give 
 To you in fotis faction : but if not, 
 Be you content to lend your patience to us ; 
 And we (hail jointly labour with your foul, 
 To give it due content. 
 Laer. Let this be ib. 
 His rneans of death, his obfcure funeral, 
 No trophy, fword, or hatchment o'er his bone?, 
 No noble rite, nor rormal ollenration, 
 Cry to be heard, as 'twere from earth to heaven, 
 That I mult call't in queftion. 
 
 King. So you fliall ; 
 
 And where th' offence is, let the great ax fall. 
 I pray you go with me. [Exeunt. 
 
 Enter Horatio and Gentleman. 
 
 Hor. What are they that would fpeak with me ? 
 Gent. Sea-faring men, fir ; they fay they have letters 
 for you. 
 
 * Making Ophelia fing fo frequently, fo disjointly, and fuiting 
 the words fo ftrictly to her fituation, (hew great judgement. 
 
 T 3 Her.
 
 66 HAMLET. 
 
 Hor. Let them come in. 
 I do not know from what part of the world,. 
 I fnouid be greeted, if not from Lord Hamlet. 
 
 Enter t*uco Sailors. 
 
 1 Sail. Save you, fir. 
 
 2 SaiK Here are letters for voii, fir ; if your name be 
 Horatio, as we are informed it is. 
 
 Horatio reads the letter. 
 
 1 Horatio, when thou (halt have overlooked this, give 
 thefe fellows fome means to the King; they have let- 
 ters for him. Ere we were two days old at fea, a 
 pirate, of very warlike appointment, gave us chace. 
 Finding ourfelves too flow of fail, we put on a com- 
 pelled valour, and in the grapple I boarded them : on 
 the inflant they got clear of our-fhip, and fo I alone 
 became their prifoner. They have dealt with me like 
 thieves of mercy, but they knew what they did. I 
 am to do a turn for them. Let the King have the let- 
 ters I have fent, and repair thou to me, with as much 
 fpeed as thou wouldft fly death. I have words to 
 fpeak in thine ear, will make thee dumb, yet are thsy 
 much too light for the matter. ' Thefe good fellows 
 will bring thee where I am. Refencratti and Giuldsn- 
 flern hold their courfe for England. Of them I have 
 much to tell thee. Farewel. HAMLET.' 
 
 Come, I will make you way for thefe your letters ; 
 
 And do't the fpeedier, that you may direct me 
 
 To him from whom you brought them. \Exeunt. 
 
 Enter King and Laertes. 
 
 JCmg. Now mult your confcience my acquittance 
 
 feal, 
 
 And you muft put me in your heart for friend ; 
 Since you have heard, and with a knowing ear, 
 That he who hath your noble father flam, 
 Purfu'd my life. 
 
 3 , - Laer.
 
 HAMLET. 67 
 
 Laer. It well appears. But tell me, 
 Why you proceed not againft thefe crimes, 
 So capital in nature. 
 
 King. For two fpecial reafons, 
 Which may perhaps to you feem weak, 
 But yet to me they're ftrong. The Queen, his mother, 
 Lives almoft by his looks. 
 The other motive, 
 
 Why to a public court I might not go, 
 Is the great love the people bear him, 
 Who, dipping all his faults in their affection, 
 Would, like the fpring that turneth wood to ftone^ 
 Convert his gyves to graces. 
 
 Laer. And fo I have a noble father loft, 
 A lifter driven into defperate terms, 
 Whofe worth, if praifes may go back again, 
 Stood challenger on mount of all the age 
 For her perfections. But my revenge will come. 
 
 King. Break not your deep for that : you mult not 
 
 think 
 
 That we are made of ftuff fo flat and dull, 
 That we can let our beard be fhook with danger, 
 And think it paftime : you {hall foon hear more. 
 I lov'd your rather, and we love ourfelf. 
 
 Enter a MeJJenger. 
 
 How now ! what news ? 
 
 Mejf. Letters, my Lord, from Hamlet. Thefe to your 
 Majefty : this to the Queen. 
 
 King. From Hamlet ? Who brought them ? 
 
 Mejf. Sailors, my Lord. 
 
 King. Laertes, vou mall hear them : leave us. 
 
 \ExitMefc 
 
 * High and Mighty, you mall know I am fet naked on 
 * your kingdom. To-morrow (hall I beg leave to fee 
 ' your kingly eyes ; when I mail (firft afking your par- 
 ' don) thereunto recount the occanon of my fudden 
 ' and moft ftrange return.' 
 
 What mould this mean ? Are all the reft come back ? 
 Or is it fome abufe, and no fuch thing ? 
 
 Laer.
 
 68 H A M L E T. 
 
 Laer. Know you the hand ? 
 King. 'Tis Hamlefs charader. Naked ! 
 And in a poftfcript here, he fays, alone : 
 Can you advife me ? 
 
 Laer. I'm loft in't, my Lord ; but let him come. 
 It warms the very ficknefs of my heart, 
 That I fhall live and tell him to his teeth, 
 Thus didft thou. 
 
 King, If it be fo, Laertes, 
 Will you be rul'd by me ? 
 
 Laer. Ay, my Lord, fo you will not over-rule me to a 
 peace. I 
 
 King. To thine own peace : if he be now return'd, 
 As liking not his voyage, and that he means 
 No more to undertake it, I will work him 
 To an exploit now ripe in my device. 
 Under the which he fhall not chufe but fall : 
 And for his death no wind of blame fhall breath*, 
 But even his mother fhall uncharge the practice, 
 And call it accident. 
 
 Laer. My Lord, I will be rul'd, 
 The rather, if you could devife it fo, 
 That I might be the inftrument. 
 
 King. It falls right. 
 
 You have been talk'd of fince your travel much, 
 And that in Hamlet's hearing, for a quality, 
 Wherein they fay you fhine. 
 
 Laer. What part is that, my Lord ? 
 King. A very feather in the cap of youth, 
 Yet needful too. Two months iince, 
 Here was a gentleman of Normandy : 
 He made confeffion of you, 
 And gave you fuch a mafterly report, 
 For art and exercife in your defence, 
 And for your rapier moft efpecially, 
 That he cry'd out, 'Twould be a light, indeed, 
 To fee Laertes match'd. The fencers of their nation, 
 He fwore, had neither motion, guard, nor eye, 
 If you oppos'd them. Sir, this report of his, 
 Did Hamkt fo envenom with" his envy, 
 
 That
 
 HAMLET. 69 
 
 That he could nothing do, but wifh and beg 
 Your fudden coming over to play with him. 
 Now out of this 
 
 Laer. What out of this, my Lord ? 
 
 King. Laertes, was your father dear to you ? 
 Or are you like the painting of a forrow, 
 A face without a heart ? 
 
 Laer. Why aft. you this ? 
 
 King. Not that I think you did not love your father. 
 But to the bufmefs : 
 
 Hamlet comes back : what would you undertake 
 To fliew yourfelf indeed your father's fon, 
 More than in words ? 
 
 Laer. To cut his throat i' th' church. 
 
 King. No place indeed mould Ihield a murderer, 
 "Revenge fhould have no bounds : but, good Lacrtts, 
 Keep clofe within your chamber ; 
 Hamlet return'd, (hall know you are come home ; 
 We'll put on thofe fhall praife your excellence, 
 And fet a double varnifh on the fame 
 The Frenchman gave you ; bring you, in fine, together,. 
 And wager on your heads. He, being remifs, 
 Moil generous, and free from all contriving, 
 Will not per ufe the foils ; fo that with eafe, 
 Or with a little muffling, you may chufe 
 A fvvord imbated, and, in a pafs of practice, 
 Requite him for your father's death *. 
 
 Laer. I'll do't ; 
 
 And for the purpofe I'll anoint my fword : 
 I bought an unction of a mountebank, 
 So mortal, that but dip a knife in it, 
 Where it draws blood, no cataplafm fo rare, 
 Collected from all fimples that have virtue, 
 Under the moon, can fave the thing from death, 
 That is but fcratch'd withal : I'll touch my point 
 
 * This treacherous plot upon the lift of Hamlet, is truly villain- 
 ous on the part of his Majefty, and pitifully mean in Laertes, though 
 ha has loft a father; for no revenge can be juft, that is not open 
 and manlike ; it is a bad feeling of the human heart, in its beft 
 ftape ; what muft it be. in the worft ? 
 
 With
 
 70 HAMLET. 
 
 With this contagion, that if I gall him (lightly, 
 It may be death. 
 
 King. Let's further think of this j 
 I hav't when in your motion you are hot, 
 And make your bouts more violent to that end, 
 And that he calls for drink, I'll have prepar'd him 
 A chalice for the purpofe ; whereon but tafting, 
 If he by chance efc-.pe your vencm'd (word, 
 It fhall be death. 
 
 Enter Queen. 
 
 Sguien. One woe doth tread upon another's heel, 
 So faft they follow : your lifter's drown'd, Laertes. 
 Laer. Drown'd ! O where ? 
 
 There is a willow grooving o'er a brook, 
 That (hews his hoary leaves i' th' glafly Itream, 
 Near which fantaftic garlands Ihe did make 
 Of crow-flow'rs, nettles, dailies, and long purples : 
 There on the pendent boughs her coronet weeds 
 Clamb'ring to hang, an envious fliver broke ; 
 When down her weedy trophies, and herfelf, 
 Fell in the weeping brook *. 
 
 Laer. Too much of water haft thou, poor Ophelia, 
 And therefore I forbid my tears : but yet 
 It is our trick. Nature her cuitom holds, 
 Let lhame fay what it will. Adieu, my Lord ! 
 I have a fire that fain would blaze, 
 But that this folly drowns it. [Exit. 
 
 King. Let's follow, Gertrude, [Exeunt. \ 
 
 * This description of Ophelias end, is exceeding pretty ; but we 
 perceive no abfolute occafion for deftroying the young lady. 
 
 f The fourth Aft is much more languid, than any other in the 
 piece; Hamlet has too little, the King and Laertes too much, to 
 fay ; Ofbelia, as a new, pitiable, yet agreeable object, feems the chief 
 Cuppon. 
 
 ACT
 
 H A M L E TV 7I 
 
 A C T V. S C E N E I. 
 
 Enter two Grave-diggers *, 
 
 \ Grave.'T S (he to be buried in Chriitian burial, when 
 j. (he wilfully feeks her own falvation ? 
 
 2 Grave. I tell thee (he is ; therefore make her grave 
 flraight; the crowner hath fat on her, and finds it 
 ChritHan burial. 
 
 i Grave. How can that be, unlefs fhe drowned herfelf, 
 in her own defence ? 
 
 z Grave. Why 'tis found fo. 
 
 1 Grave. It muft be J'e offcndf-ndo, it cannot be elfe. 
 For here lies the point; if I drown myfelf wittingly, it 
 argues an act ; and an al hath three branches : it is to 
 aft, to do, and to perform ; argal, fhe drowned herfelf 
 wittingly. 
 
 2 Grave. Nay, but hear you, Goodman Delver. 
 
 i Grave. Give me leave ; here lies the water, good : 
 there (lands the man, good : if the man go to the water, 
 and drown himfelr, it is, will he, nil he, he goes ; mark 
 you that ; but if the water come to him, "and drovva 
 him, he drowns not himfelf : argal, he that is not guilty 
 of his own death, fhortens not his own life. 
 
 z Grave. But is this law ? 
 
 1 Grave. Ay marry is't, crowner's quell-law; 
 
 2 Grave. Will you have the truth on't ? if this had 
 not been a gentlewoman, fhe would have been buried 
 without chriilian burial. 
 
 i Grave. Why, there thou faid'ft ; and the more pity 
 that great folk fhould have countenance in the world, 
 
 * Thefe gentry, and their quibbling humour, certainly trefpafs 
 upon decorum j but the moral reflections occasioned by the grave, 
 &c. make ample amends j and though their dialogue is often ftig- 
 matized as mere allery fluff, yet we think that fenCible boxes 
 may be pleafed and inftrufted by it } for which reafon it is caufe 
 of concern to think Mr. Garnck has too politely frenchified his 
 alteration, by endeavouring to annihilate what, though Mr. Vol- 
 taire could not like it, has indubitable merit. 
 
 to
 
 72 HAMLET. 
 
 to drown or hang themfelves, more than we. Come, 
 my fpade ; there is no ancient gentlemen but gardeners, 
 ditchers, and grave-diggers ; they hold up Adants pro- 
 feffion. 
 
 2 Grave. Was he a gentleman ? 
 
 1 Grave. He was the firil that ever bore arms. 
 1'llput another queftion to. thee : if thou anfwereft me 
 not to the purpofe, confefs thyfelf 
 
 2 Grave. Go to. 
 
 1 Grave. What is he that builds ftrenger than eithei 
 the mafon, the fhipwright, or the carpenter ? 
 
 2 Grave. The gallows-maker, for that frame out- 
 lives a thoufand tenants. 
 
 1 Grave. I like thy wit well ; the gallows does 
 well : but how does it well ? It does well to thofe that 
 do ill: now thou doft ill to fay the gallows is built 
 fironger than the church : argal, the gallows may do 
 well for thee. To't again, come. 
 
 2 Grave. Who builds itronger than the mafon, the fhip- 
 wright, or the carpenter ? 
 
 i. Grave. Ay, tell me that, or unyoke. 
 2 Grave. Marry, now I can tell. 
 
 1 Grave. To't." 
 
 2 Grave. Mafs, I cannot tell. 
 
 i Grave. Cudgel thy brains no more about it ; for 
 your dull afs will not amend his pace with beating ; 
 and when thou art afked this queftion next, fay, a grave- 
 digger. The houfes he makes lait till doomfday. 
 Go, get thee in, and fetch me a iloup of liquor. 
 
 {Exit zd Grave. 
 Liyoutb when 1 did love, did love^ 
 
 Mctbougbt it was very facet ; 
 To contraft, O, the time for, ah, my belwvc j 
 0, mcthoiight there <was nothing fo meet. 
 
 Enter Hamlet and Horatio. 
 
 Ham. Has this fellow no feeling in his bufinefs, that 
 he fings at grave-making ? 
 
 Hot: Cuitom hath made it in him a property of eafi- 
 nefs, 
 
 Ham.
 
 HAMLET. 73 
 
 Ham, 'Tis even fo, the hand of little employment 
 hath the daintier fenfe *. 
 
 Grave. But age with Dealing ficps 
 
 Hath clarjj'et me in bis clutclj ; 
 And batbjbipi?& me into the land, 
 As if I bad never beenfucb. 
 
 Ham, That Ikull had a tongue in't, and could fin, 
 once; how the knave jowls it to the ground, as if 'twere 
 Calrfs jaw-bone, that did the firft murder ! This might 
 be the pate of a politician ; might it not ? 
 
 Hor. It might, my Lord. 
 
 Ham. Did thefe bones coil no more the breeding, but 
 to play at loggers with them ? Mine ache to think o,n't. 
 
 Grave. A pick-ax and afpade, afpade^ 
 For and ajbrovjdingjheet ! 
 O, a pit of clay -for to be made^ 
 Forfucb a giteft is ntctt. 
 
 Ham, There's another : why may not "that be th 
 fkull of a lawyer? Where be his quiddities, now? hi 
 quillities? his cafes? his tenures and his tricks ? Wlv 
 does he fuffer this rude knave to knock him about the 
 iconce, with a dirty (hovel, and will not tell him of 
 his atiion of battery ? I will fpeak to this fellow. 
 Whofe grave's this, firrah ? 
 
 Grave. Mine, fir 
 
 O, a pit of clay, &c. [Sizgs. 
 
 Ham. I think it's thine, indeed ; for thou Heft in't. 
 
 Grave. You lie out on't, fir, and therefore 'tis not 
 yours : for my part, I do not lie in't, yet it is mine 1 . 
 
 Ham. Thou doft lie in't, to be in't, and fay it is thine ; 
 'tis for the dead, and not for the quick j therefore thou 
 licit. 
 
 Grave. 'Tis a quick lie, fir ; 'twill again from m? 
 to you. 
 
 Ham. What man doft thou dig it for ? 
 
 Grave. For no man, fir. 
 
 * Thefe two fpeeches convey a fine idea of that infioei" 
 cuftom has on the human mind, making iiu moll asvt'ul a :d .::- 
 agreeable obje&s familiar, at laft, 
 
 VOL. III. U /S ~-
 
 74 HAMLET. 
 
 Ham. What woman, then ? 
 
 Grave. For none, neither. 
 
 Ham. Who is to be buried in't ? 
 
 Grave. One that was a woman, fir ; but reft, her 
 foul! (he's dead. 
 
 Ham. How abfolute the knave is ! We inuft fpeak by 
 the card, or equivocation will undo us. How long hail 
 thou been a grave-maker ? 
 
 Grave. Or all the days i'th' year. I came to't that day 
 our lail king Hamlet overcame 1'nrtinbras. 
 
 Ham. How long is that fince ? 
 
 Grave. Cannot you tell that? every fool can tell 
 that ; it was that very day that young Hamlet was born, 
 he that is mad, and lent into L,>gland? 
 
 Ham. Ay, marry ; why was he fent into Englandf 
 
 Grave. Becaufe he was mad ; he fhall recover his 
 \vits there ; or if he do not, 'tis no great matter there. 
 
 Ham. Why ? 
 
 Grave. 'Twill not be feen in him there ; they are 
 a,ll as mad as he. 
 
 Ha:n. How came he mad ? 
 
 Grave. Very ftrangely, they fay. 
 
 Ham. How ftrangely ? 
 
 Grave. Faith, e'en with lofing his wits. 
 
 Ham. Upon whaf ground ? 
 
 Grave. Why, here, in Denmark ; where I have been 
 fcxton, man and bcj-, thirty years. 
 
 Ham. How long will a man lie i'th' earth ere, he rot ? 
 
 Grave. Faith, if he be not rotten before he die, he 
 will laft you fome eight, or nine years : a tanner now, 
 will laft you nine years. 
 
 Ham. Why he more than another ? 
 
 Grave. Why, fir, his hide is fo tanned with his trade, 
 that .he will keep out water, a great while; and your 
 water is a fore decayer ot your whorefon dead body : 
 here's a fcull new, hath lain i'th' earth, three and twenty 
 years. 
 
 Ham. Whofe was it ? 
 
 Grave. A whorefon mad fellow's it was j vvhofe d 
 jrti think it was ? 
 
 Hay/. Nay, I know not. Grave*
 
 H A M L E T. 75; 
 
 Grave. A peftilence on him for a mad rogue ! he 
 poured a flawgon of rhenifti oa my head, once: thi*- 
 fame fkull, fir, was ToricVs fcull, the King's jeiler.- 
 Ham. This ? 
 Grave. Even that. 
 
 Ham. Alas, poor Torick! I knew him well, Horatio; 
 a fellow of infinite jefts ; of moft excellent fancy : he 
 hath borne me on his hack, a thoufand times : here hung 
 thofe lips that I have kitted, I kno'.v not how oft. Where 
 be your gibes, now ? your jefts ? your fongs ? your 
 flafhes of merriment, that were wont to fet the table in a 
 roar ? Not one now, to mock your own grinning? Quite 
 chop-fallen ! Now get you to my lady's table, and tell 
 her, let her paint an inch thick, to this complexion fhe 
 jnv.il come at lail ; make her laugh at that. 
 Prithee, Horatio, tell me .one thing. 
 Hor. What's that, my Lord ? 
 
 Ham. Doft.thou Atu&Jfle#aiuIrr looked o' this faflnon, 
 i'th' earth ? 
 Hor. Even fo. 
 
 Ham. And fmek fo ? paru [Smelling to ihejkull. 
 
 Hor. Even fo, my Lord. 
 
 Ham. To what bale ufes may we return, Hdraf'w! 
 Why may not imagination trace the noble duft of Alex-- 
 tmder, till we find it flopping a bung-hole? 
 
 Hor. 'Twere to coniider too curioufly, to confider fo. 
 Ham. No, faith, not a jot ; but to follow him thither, 
 with modefty enough, and likelihood to lead it ; as thus^ 
 Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alexander return- - 
 eth to duft ; the duft is earth ; of earth we make loam ; 
 and why of that loam, whereto he was converted, might 
 they not flop a beer- barrel ? 
 
 Imperial Cafar, dead and turn'd to clay, 
 Might flop a hole, to keep the wind away : 
 O, that that earth, which kept the world in awe, - 
 , Should patch a wall t'expel the winter's flaw * ! 
 
 * Read this fpeech, titled Pomp, with due attention, and fluiflk 
 iafaxthy original nothingnsfs. 
 
 U z - &^
 
 76 H A M L E T. 
 
 Scene draws, and di/covers the King, Queen, Laertes, Knii 
 Fried, ivith a Corfe. 
 
 But foft, but foft a while, here comes the King, 
 The Q^een, and all the court. Who's this they follow. 
 And with fuch maimed rites ? This doth betoken, 
 The coarfe they follow did with defperate hand, 
 Deftroy its own life ; 'twere of fbme eilate ; 
 Stand by, a while, and mark. 
 
 Laer. What ceremony, elfe ? 
 
 Ham, That is Laertes^ a very noble youth. 
 
 Laer* What ceremony, elfe ? 
 
 Prieft. Her obfequies have been as far enlarg'd, 
 As we have warrantry ; her death was doubtful ; 
 And, but that great command o'er-fvvays the order, 
 She fiiould in ground unfanclify'd be lodg'd : 
 For charitable prayers, 
 
 Flints and pebbles fhould be thrown upon her; 
 Yet here (he is allow'd her virgin rites, 
 Her maiden ftrewments, and the bringing home, 
 Of bell and burial *. 
 
 Laer. Muft there no more be done ? 
 
 Prieft. No more ; 
 
 We friould prophane the fervice of the dead, 
 To fins; a Requiem, and fuch reft to her, 
 As to peace-parted fouls. 
 
 Laer. Lay her i'th' earth ; 
 And from her fair and unpolluted flefli, 
 r.Iay violets fpring ! I tell thee, churlifh prieft, 
 A :niniitring angel fhall my fifler be, 
 When thou iy'lt howling. 
 
 Ham. \\ ; hat, the fair Ophelia! 
 
 ^ueen. Sweets to the fweet, farewel ! 
 
 [Throws in a garland ofJloiKen^ 
 I hop'd thou fliould'it have been my Hamlefs wife ; 
 
 * The rites are not only maimed, but the funeral itfelf is a 
 maimed circumflance. 
 
 This pui.iftment of fuicide, and tbe idea of confecrated ground, 
 fhow that i-bakej'pcare meant this for a Chriftian prieft, diametri- 
 cally oppofite to the opinion of Warburtwi) which we have men- 
 tioned, that the Dane: were then Pagans. 
 
 I thought
 
 HAMLET. 77 
 
 I thought thy bride-bed to have deck'd, fvveet maid, 
 And not have ftrew'd thy grave. 
 
 Laer. O treble WCK, 
 
 Fall ten times double on that curfed head, 
 Whofe wicked deeds depriv'd -thee of 
 Thy moft ingenious ferrfe! Hold off the earth, awhile, 
 Till I have caught her once more in my arms : 
 
 [Leaps into the grave* 
 
 Now pile your duft upon the quick and dead, . 
 Till of this flat a mountain you have made, 
 I' 5 o'er t p old Pellon, or the Iky im head 
 Of blue Olympus. 
 
 Ham. * What is he, whofe griefs 
 Bear fuch an emphafis ? Whole phrafe of forrow 
 Conjures the wandering itars, and makes them fland r . 
 Like wonder-wounded hearers? It is I, 
 Hamut he Dam. [Leafs into the graven 
 
 Laer. f erdition catch thee ! [Grappling ivii/j him. 
 
 Ham. Thou pray'ft not well. 
 
 I prithee take thy fingers from my throat 
 
 For though I am not plenetive and rafh, 
 Yet have I in me foinething dangerous, 
 Which let thy wifdom fear hold off thy hand. 
 
 King. Pluck them afunder, 
 
 Ham. Why, I'll fight with him upon this theme, , 
 Until my eye-lids will no longer wag. 
 
 Queer:. O my fon ! What theme ? 
 
 Ham. I \o\& Ophelia ; forty thoufand brothers 
 Could not, with all their quantity of love, 
 Make.up my fum. What wilt thou do for her ? 
 
 King. O, he is mad, Laertes. 
 
 Ham. Shew me what thou wilt do. 
 Wilt weep? Wilt fight r Wilt fall : Wilt tear thyfclf? 
 Wilt drink up eifeif? Eat a crocodile ? 
 I'll do't. Doft thou come hither, but to whine ? 
 To out- face me with leaping in her grave ? 
 
 This violent frantic climax of paflitm, is very indecent, at fuch 
 a time and phcr. thereto: e highly difgraceful to //-. 
 
 f if, a; Mr, -'ibidbald thinks, vinegar is meant, the idea is rather 
 poor. 
 
 U Be
 
 73 HAM L E T. 
 
 l?e bury'd quick with her ; and fo will I, 
 And if thou prate of mountains, let them throw 
 Millions ot acres on us, till our ground, 
 ^ inging his pate againft the burning zone, 
 Make Ojja like a wart ! nay, and thou'lt mouth, 
 I'll rant as well as thou. 
 
 Queen. This is mere madnefs ; 
 / nd thus a while the fit will work on him : 
 f: r on, as patient as the female dove, 
 V hen firlt her golden couplets are difclos'd, 
 His filence will fit drooping. 
 
 Ham. Hear you, lir. 
 
 What is the reaibn that you ufe me thus ? 
 1 lov'd you ever: but it is no matter 
 Let Hercules himfelf do what he may, 
 The cat will mew, the dog will have his day. [Exit. 
 
 King. I pray thee, good Horatio, wait upon him. 
 
 [Exit Hor. 
 ' 'rengthen your patience in our lafl night's Ipeech. 
 
 [To Laertes. 
 
 We'll put the matter to the prefent pu(h* 
 Good Gertrude^ fet fome watch over your fon. 
 This grave fhall have a living monument. [Exeunt* 
 
 Enter Hamlet and Horatio. 
 
 Ham. So much for this, 
 ^o you remember all the circumftance ? 
 Hor. Remember it, ray Lord ? * 
 
 Eater Ofrick. f 
 Ofr. Your Lordfhip is right welcome back to Denmark* 
 
 * There are eighty odd lines of the original, left out here : we 
 tliink retaining a dozen or fifteen of them, would make the plot 
 r ire clear. As to the fcene, upon the whole, it would be dreadfully 
 udicus, and moft unneceflarily circumftantial. 
 
 .-} This fopling, whofe charadler, as well as bufinefs, we diflike, 
 
 msy be fufficiently fupported by frr-artnefs of figure, pertnefs of 
 
 ceiiveiy, and affedtednefs of gefliculation ; Mr. Garrifk hns re- 
 
 tfltd him indeed, as Siakfffcare favs he fpeaks an infinite deal of 
 
 oibii.g. 
 
 Ham.
 
 HAMLET. 7f 
 
 Ham. I humbly thank you, fir*. 
 Doft know this waterfly ? 
 
 Hor. No, my good Lord. 
 
 Ham. Thy ftate is the more gracious ; for 'tis a vice, 
 to know him. 
 
 Ofr. Sweet Lord, if your Lordfhip were at leifure, I 
 fliould impart a thing to you, from his Majefty. 
 
 Ham. I will receive it, fir, with all diligence of fpirit; 
 your bonnet to its right ufe; 'tis for the head. 
 
 Ofr. I thank your Lordfhip, 'tis very hot. 
 
 Ham. No, believe me, it is very cold; the wind is 
 northerly. 
 
 Ofr. It is indifferent cold, my Lord, indeed. 
 
 Ham. But yet, methinks, it is very fultry and hot ; or 
 ;ny complexion 
 
 Ofr. Exceedingly, my Lord, it is very fultry, as 'twere,. 
 I cannot tell how my Lord, his Majefty bid me fignify 
 unto you, that he has laid a great wager, on your head :- 
 lir, this is the matter 
 
 Ham. I befeech you, fir, remember. 
 
 Ofr. Nay, good my Lord, for my eafe. Sir, here is 
 newly come to court Laertes ; believe me, an abfolute. 
 gentleman, full of moft excellent differences, of very 
 toft fociety, and great fhew : indeed, to fpeak feelingly 
 of him, he is the very card or kalendar of gentry; 
 for you fliall find in him the fubftance of what part a 
 gentleman would fee. 
 
 Ham. What imports the nomination of this gentle- 
 man ? 
 
 Ofr. Of Laertes f 
 
 Ham. Of him, fir. 
 
 Ofr. You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes 
 is. 
 
 Ham. I dare not confefs that, left I fhould compare 
 with him in excellence ; for to knew a man well, were 
 to know himfelf. 
 
 Ofr. I mean, fir, for his weapon. 
 
 Ham. What's his weapon ? 
 
 Ofr. Single rapier. 
 
 The King, fir, hath wager'd with him foBarktry 
 
 horfes,
 
 SO H A M L E T. 
 
 horfes, againit the which he has impawn'd, as I take if, 
 fix French rapiers and poniards, with their affigns, as 
 girdle, hanger, and fo three of the carriages are very 
 dear to fancy, very refponfive to the hilts, moil delicate 
 carriages, and of very liberal conceit. 
 
 Ham. What call you the carriages ? 
 
 Ofr. The carriages, fir, are the hangers. . 
 
 Ham. The phrafe would be more germain to the mat- 
 ter, if we carry'd cannon by our fides. 
 
 Ofr. The king hath laid, fir, that in a dozen paries 
 between yourfelf and him, he (hall not exceed you three 
 hits ; he hath laid twelve to nine, and it would come 
 to immediate trial, if your Lordfhip would vouchiafe 
 the anfwer. 
 
 Ham. How if I anfwer no ? 
 
 Ofr. I mean, my Lord,, the oppofltion of your pcrfon 
 in trial. 
 
 Ham. Sir, I will walk here in the hall; ifitpleafe 
 his Majefly, it is the breathing time of the day with 
 me; let the foils be brought, the gentleman willing, 
 and the King hold his purpofe, I will win for him if 
 I can ; if not, I fhall gain nothing but my fhame, and 
 the odd hits. 
 
 O/'r. Shall I deliver it fo ? 
 
 Ham. To this effect, fir, after what flourifli your 
 aatiire will. 
 
 O/'r. I commend my duty to your Lordfhip. [Ex!f. 
 
 Hor. You will lofe, my Lord. 
 
 Hani. I do not think fo; fince he went into France, I 
 have been in continual practice ; I fhall win at the odds. 
 Thou would'!! not think how ill all's here, about my 
 heart ; but it is no matter. 
 
 Hor. Nay, good my Lord. 
 
 Ham. Jt is but foolery ; but it is fuch a kind of bod- 
 ing, as would perhaps trouble a woman. 
 
 Hor. If your mind diflike any thing, obey it: I 
 will foreital their coming hither, and fay you are not 
 lit. 
 
 Ham. Not a whit, we defy augury. \Exeunt. 
 
 Scttte
 
 HAMLET. 81 
 
 &eae draws, and dijlovers King, Queen, Laertes, Gentle- 
 men, and Guards. Re-enter Hunilet and Horatio- * 
 
 King. Come, Hamkt, come, and take this hand from 
 me. \Prefenting Laertes. 
 
 Ham. Give me your pardon, fir ; I've done you wrong ; 
 But pardon't, as you are a gentleman: this prefence 
 
 knows 
 
 And you muft needs have heard, how I am punifh'd 
 With a fore diftrattion. What I have done, 
 That might your nature, honour, and exception 
 Roughly awake, I here proclaim was madnefs. 
 Let my difclaiming from a purpos'd evil, 
 Free me fo far in your moft gen'rous thoughts, 
 That I have fhot mine arrow o'er the houle, 
 And hurt my brother. 
 
 Laer. I am fatisfy'd in nature, 
 Whofe motive in this cafe, mould flir me moil 
 To my revenge. 
 
 I do receive your offer 'd love like love, 
 And will not wrong it. 
 
 Ham. I embrace it, freely, 
 And will this brothers wager frankly play. 
 Give us the foils. 
 
 Laer. Come, one for me. 
 
 Ham. I'll be your foil, Laertes ; in mine ignorance 
 Your Ikill mall like a ftar i'th' darkeil night appear. 
 
 Laer. You mock me, lir. 
 
 Ham. No, on my honour. 
 
 King. Give them the foils, young OJrick. Coufin 
 Hamlet, you know the wager. 
 
 Ham. Very well, my Lord : 
 Your Grace has laid the odds o' th* weaker fide. 
 
 King. I do not fear it, I have feen you both ; 
 But lince he's better'd, we have therefore odds. 
 
 Laer. This is too heavy, let me fee another. 
 
 * We think the laft fcene of this play very reprehenfible ; it 
 teems with (laughter, and, though the plot in many places is dif- 
 guftful to criticifm, even with latitude, we have no fcrupleto pro* 
 Bounce its cataftrophe the worir. part of it.
 
 82 HAMLET. 
 
 Ram. This likes me well: thefe foils have all a length ? 
 
 Ofr. Ay, ray good Lord. 
 
 King. Give me a bowl of wine. 
 It Hamlet give the firil or leccnd hit, 
 Or quit in anfwer ot the third exchange, 
 Let all the battlements their ordnance tire : 
 The King fhall drink to Hamlet's better breath : 
 And in the cup an onyx fhall he throw, 
 Richer than that which- four fuccerlive kings 
 In Denmark's crown have worn. Give me the cups,. 
 And let the kettle to the trumpet fpeak, 
 The trumpets to the cannoneer without, 
 The cannons to the heav'ns, the heav'ns to earth : 
 Now the King drinks to Hamltt. Come, begin ; 
 
 [Trumpet f the vs/jilti. 
 And you the judges bear a wary eye. 
 
 Ham. Come on, fir. 
 
 Laer. Come, my Lord. 
 
 Ham. One. 
 
 Laer. No. 
 
 Ham. Judgment. (andjhout* 
 
 Ofr. A hit, a very palpable hit. [Drums, trumpets^ 
 
 Laer. Well again. FUiarijb, a piece goes off* 
 
 King. Si<y, give me the drink, hamlet, this pearl is 
 thine. Here's to thy health. Give him the cup. 
 
 Ham. I'll play this bout firir., fet it by, a while. \They 
 Come another hit what fay you ? (pky 
 
 Laer. I do confefs't. 
 
 King. Our fon (hall win. 
 
 ^uetn. The Queen falutes thy fortune, Hamlet. 
 
 Ham. Good madam 
 
 King. Gertrude^ do not drink. 
 
 >uec*. I have, my Lord ; I pray you pardon me. 
 
 King. It is the poifon'd cup, it is too late. \-4fiJe. 
 
 Ham. I dare not drink yet, madam ; by and by. 
 
 Laer. I'll hit him, now/ And yet it is almoft againil 
 my confcience. {/IJtie. 
 
 Ham. Come, for the third ; Laertes, you but daily ; 
 I pray you prefs xvith your beft violence, 
 I'm fure you make a wanton of me.
 
 HAMLET. * 3 
 
 X/rcr. Say you fo ? Come on. [Play. 
 
 [Laertes rounds Hamlet ; fl.^n infcuffllitg they change ra- 
 piers, and Hamlet Bounds Laertes. J 
 
 King, Part them, they are iacens'd. 
 
 Ham. Nay, come again. 
 
 Ofr. Look to the Queen there, ho ! 
 
 Hor. How is it, my Lord ? 
 
 Ofr. How is't, Laertes f 
 
 Lacr. Why, as a woodcock caught in mine own 
 fpringe ; I'm juftly killed with mine own treachery. 
 
 Ham. How does the Queen ? 
 
 King. She fvvoons, to fee them bleed. 
 
 S>uecn. No, no, the drink, the drink O my dear 
 
 Hamlet. 
 The drink, the drink I am poifon'd. [She dies. 
 
 Ham. O villainy ! hoa ! let the door be lock'd : 
 Treachery ! leek it out. 
 
 Laer. It is here. Hamlet, thou art flam ; 
 No medicine in the world can do thee good ; 
 In thee there is not half an hour of life ; 
 The treach'rous inftrument is in thy hand, . 1 
 Unbated and envenom'd : the foul practice 
 Hath turn'd itfelfon me. Lo ! here I lie, 
 Never to rife again : thy mother's poifon'd ; 
 I can no more the King, the King's to blame. 
 
 Ham. The point envenom'd, too ? Then, venom, do 
 thy work. [Stabs the King. 
 
 Here, thou inceftuous Dane ; 
 Follow my mother. \King tfies, 
 
 Lacr. He's juftly ferv'd : it is a poifon temper'd by 
 
 himfelf. 
 
 Exchange forgivenefs with me, noble Hamtet; 
 Mine and my father's death come not on thee, 
 Nor thine on me ! [Dies. 
 
 Ham. Heaven make thee free of it ! I follow thee. 
 Wretched Queen, farewel ! 
 You that look pale, and tremble at this chance, 
 That are but mutes or audience to this aft, 
 Had I but time (as this fell ferjeant Death
 
 84 HAMLET. 
 
 Is ftrift in his arreft) O ! I could tell you- 
 But let it be Horatio, I am dying. 
 Thou liv'ft ; report me and my caufe aright, 
 To the unfatisfy'd. 
 
 Hor. Never believe it : 
 I'm more an antique Roman than a Dane, 
 Here's yet fome liquor left. 
 
 Ham. As thou'rt a man, 
 Give me the cup ; let go, 111 hav't. 
 O good Horatio, what a wounded name, 
 Things {landing thus unknown, fliall live behind me. 
 If thou did'ft ever hold me in thy heart, 
 Abfent thee from felicity a while, 
 And in this harih world draw thy breath in pain, 
 To tell my ftory. O ! I die, Horatio: 
 The potent poilbn quite o'ergrows my fpirit ; 
 * I cannot live to hear the news from England. 
 But I do prophefy, th' election lights 
 On Fortinbi-afs ; he has my dying voice, 
 So tell him, with th' occurrents more or lefs, 
 Which have folicited. O the reft is filence. [Dies. 
 
 Hor. There crack'd the cordage of a noble heart. 
 Good night, iweet Prince ; 
 And choirs of angels fing thee to thy reft. 
 Take up the bodies ; fuch a fight as this, 
 Becomes the field, but here Ihews much amifs. [Exeunt.^ 
 
 * As the play is cut, thefe five lines fliould, we think, be omitted j 
 for they are unintelligible to all thofe who remember the original 
 play, and are quite unneceflary here, and foreign to the repre- 
 lentation, as it now ftands. 
 
 f The fifth Aft of this play is by no means fo good as we 
 could wifh ; yet it engages attention in public, by having a good 
 deal of buitle, and, what EngHJb audiences love, many deaths. 
 
 Tbt End /HAMLET.
 
 TEMPE T 3
 
 THE 
 
 TEMPEST. 
 
 A COMEDT, by SHAKESPEARE. 
 
 AS PERFORMED AT THE 
 
 THEATRE-ROYAL, DRURY-LANE, 
 
 Regulated from the PROMPT-BOOK, 
 
 With PERMISSION of the MANAGERS, 
 
 By Mr. HOPKINS, Prompter. 
 
 An INTRODUCTION, and NOTES 
 
 CRITICAL and ILLUSTRATIVE, 
 
 A * I ADDED BY THE 
 
 AUTHORS of the DRAMATIC CENSOR. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 Printed for JOHN BELL, near Exeter-Exchange, in the Strajid ; 
 and C. ETHERINGTON, at York.
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 c ~f HE following dramatic romance, for Jo it Jl'oitld cf- 
 * tai/ily be titled, is an odd, improbable, yet agrecab:: 
 mixture ; though fenfe attacks it ivitb Jevere jlritiures. 
 Some fine fentiments fcattered yf and down through high- 
 fnijhcd characters, Profpero, Miranda, and Caliban : 
 with the occaftonal aid of mujic and machi?icry, render (i 
 plcajing. Of Shakefpeare's original t'.v may fay, it is mar, 
 nervous and chft/fe, but not jo vjell fuelled v:it/j bitmcitr 
 tr lufine/s, as Dryden's ; making the failors get drunl . 
 inftead of the latidmcn, is hfghly cbarafteriftic ; as thefornn' 
 muft be fuppofed much Icfs ajfetfed bj a Jfafrjcrcck, ihande 
 latter ; therefore more ready to indulge in c.vafs. At the con- 
 clufion of the alteration, there is a mafjue very -Me II intro- 
 duced; and nfon the vjho.'e, we are of opinion, that by frth 
 ferly bletuli;ig,as in Lear,, a better piece than either, might. 
 be produced. 
 
 Xa DRA-
 
 DRAMATIS PERSONS. 
 
 L \J- 
 
 Drury-Lane. 
 
 ALONSO, 
 
 Mr. BRA NTS EY. 
 
 SEBASTIAN, 
 
 Mr. KEEN. 
 
 PR os PER o, 
 
 Mr. PACKER. 
 
 ANTHONIO, 
 
 Mr.HuRSr. 
 
 FERDINAND, 
 
 Mr. VERN.O.V. 
 
 GON7.ALO, 
 
 Mr. J. AICKIN. 
 
 FRANCISCO, 
 
 Mr. GRIFFITH. 
 
 CALIBAN, 
 
 Mr. ACKMAN. 
 
 TRI N'CULO, 
 
 Mr. BADDELEY. 
 
 STEPHANO, 
 
 Mr. LOVE. 
 
 I'oattivuin, 
 
 Mr. WRIGHTEN 
 
 MIRANDA, 
 ARIEL, 
 
 HYMEN, 
 CERES 
 
 N "' j Spirits. 
 
 Mrs. SMITH. 
 Mrs. SCOT, 
 
 fMr.KEAR. 
 
 | Mrs. WRJGHTE.V, 
 
 Reapers, 
 
 Other Spirits, attending on PJIOSPERO. 
 SCENE, an uninhabited Ifland. 
 
 THE
 
 5 J 
 THE 
 
 TEMPEST*. 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 S C E N F, On a Ship at Sea. 
 
 .1 tempejluous noij'e of thunder and lightning heard, 
 
 Ship-mailer, and a Boatfwain. 
 
 Maft."JT% Oatfwain 
 
 J3 Boatf. Here, Matter : what cheer ? 
 Maft. Good ; fpeak to th' mariners : fall to't yarely, or 
 ue run ourfelves a-ground : beiHr, beftir. [Exit. 
 
 Enter Mariners. 
 
 Roaif. Hey, my hearts ; cheerly, my hearts : yare, 
 . .t;e, take in the top-fail : tend to th* mailer's whittle ; 
 blow, till thou burft thy wind, if room enough. 
 
 Enter Alonfo, Sebaitian, Anthonio, Ferdinand, and 
 . Gonzalo. 
 
 Alon. Good Boatfwain, have care : where's the maf- 
 ter ? Play the men. * 
 
 Boatf. I pray now, keep below. 
 
 Ant. Where is the maikr, Boatfwain ? 
 
 Boatf. Do you not hear him ? you mar our labour; 
 keep your cabins : you do affiit the llorm. 
 
 Gonz. Nay, good, be patient. 
 
 * The name, and firft material incident of this piece, are ei- 
 ceeJingly contraftic to comedy ; however, there is a good oppor- 
 tunity afforded, for pUifine fcenery and curious mcchanifm. 
 X 3
 
 6 THE TEMPEST. 
 
 Boatf. When the fen is. Hence what care thefc 
 Roarers for the name of King ? to cabin ; filence ; trou- 
 ble us not. 
 
 Gonz. Good, yet remember whom thou haft aboard. 
 
 Boatf. None, that I more love than myfelf. You 
 are a counfellor ; if you can command thefe elements to 
 filence, and work the pence, o'the prefent, we will not 
 hand a rope more ; ufe your authority. If you cannot, 
 give thanks you have lived fo long, and make yourleU 
 ready in your cabin, for the iniithance of the hour, it 
 it fo hap. Cheerly, good hearts : out of our way, I 
 fay. [Exit. 
 
 Gonz. I have great comfort from this fellow ; me- 
 thinks, he hath no drowning mark upon him ; his com- 
 plexion is perfect gallows. Stand fart, good fate, to hi 
 hanging ; make the rope of his cleltmy our cable, for 
 our own doth little advantage : if he be not born to be 
 hanged, our cafe is miferable. \JLxrunU 
 
 Re-enter Boatfwain. 
 
 Boatf. Down with the top-mart : yare, lower, lower; 
 bring her to try with main-courfe. A plague upon this 
 bowling! * 
 
 A cry within. Re-cater SebaiUan, Anthonio, and 
 Gonzalo. 
 
 &. A pox o' your threat, you bawling, blafphemov.?, 
 uncharitable dog. 
 
 Boatf. Work you, then. 
 
 Ant. Hang, cur, hang ; you whorefon, infolent, noife-- 
 maker ; we are lefs afraid to be drowned, than thou art. 
 ' Gonz. I'll warrant him horn drowning, though the 
 ftiip were no ftronger than a. nut-fl-.ell, and as leaky as 
 an unitanched wench. 
 
 Boatf. Lay her a-hold, a r hold ; fet her two courfes 
 off to fea again ; lay her- off. 
 
 * This fcene, we think, very ill written j in D<y Jen' s alteration,. 
 which feems to us a bettf r aftmg play than that before us, it ii 
 mended j but the fea teons, ia coih, to be chsrafterittic, want 
 much to be modernized, 
 
 Euity
 
 THE TEMPEST. 7: 
 
 Enter Mariners ivet. 
 
 Mar. All loft ! to prayers, to prayers ! all loft ! 
 
 [Exeunt,. 
 
 SCENE changes to a Part of the Inchoated 7/7W, 
 near the Cell of Profpero. 
 
 * Enter Profpero and Miranda.. 
 
 3J/7VX. If by your art (my deareft father) you have 
 Put the wild waters in this roar^ allay them : 
 The fky, it feems, would pour down {linking pitch, 
 But that the fea, mounting to th' welkin's check, 
 Dafhes the fire out. O ! I have fufter'd, 
 With thofe that I faw fuffer : a brave veflel 
 (Who had, no doubt, fbme noble creatures in her) 
 Dafh'd all to pieces. O ! the cry did knock 
 Againll my very heart: poor fouls, they perifh'd! 
 Had I been any God of Pow'r, I fhould 
 Have funk the fea within the earth, or ere 
 Jt fliould the good ihip fo have fwallow'd, and 
 The freighting fouls within herf. 
 
 Pro. Be collected; 
 
 No mere amazement ; tell your piteous heart, 
 There's no harm done. 
 
 Mira. O woe the day ! 
 
 Pro. No harm. 
 
 1 have done nothing but in care of thee, 
 (Or thee, my dear one, thee, my daughter) who 
 Art ignorant of what thou art, nought knowing 
 Or whence I am ; nor that I am more better , 
 
 * Baing profeflid foes to all fentiraents and characters which 
 inculcate ideas of enchantment, conjuration, or fupernatural ap- 
 pearances, we necefiarily declare ourfelves againft the very founda-. 
 tipn of this play j however, as whit Profpero utters, in point of 
 fentiment, is, all through, both nervous and fenlible, he requires a 
 performer of oratorical ability to fupport him : venerable ap- 
 pearance is likewife requifite. Miranda /hould defcribe an elegant 
 Cmplicity. 
 
 f There is fomething enchantingly humane in the ideas of this 
 ipecch. 
 
 J /i/w letter is a verj- ftrange degree of compsrifon. 
 
 Than
 
 8 THE TEMPEST. 
 
 Than Prrjfa-c, mafter of a full-poor cell, 
 And thy no greater father. 
 
 Mira. More to know 
 Did never meddle with my thoughts. 
 
 Pro. "Tis time, 
 
 I (hould inform thee farther. Lend thy hand, 
 And pluck my magic garment from me ; fo ! 
 
 [Lays do-iva bis 
 Lie there, my art. Wipe thou thine eyes, have com for u 
 The direful fpeAacle of the wreck, which touch'd. 
 The real virtue of companion in thee^ 
 I have with fuch provifion in mine art* 
 So fafely order'd, that there is no foul toft, 
 No, not fo much perdition as an hair, 
 Betid to any creature in the veflel 
 
 Which thou heard'ft cry, which thou faw'ft fink.: attend; 
 For thou muft now knov/ farther. 
 
 Mira. You have often 
 Begun to tell me what I am, but ftopr,, 
 And left me to a bootlefainquifition.j 
 Concluding, Stay, notyet. 
 
 Pro, The hour's now come, 
 The very minute bids thee ope thine ear; 
 Obey, and be attentive. Canft thou remember- 
 A time, before we came unto this cell ? 
 I do not think, thou canlt ; for then thou waft not 
 Out three years old. 
 
 Mira, Certainly, fir, I can. 
 
 Pro. By what? by any other houfe, or perfon ? 
 Of any thing the image tell me, that 
 Hath kept in thy remembrance *. 
 
 Mira. 'Tis tar offj 
 
 And rather like a dream, than an af!u ranee, 
 That my remembrance warrant?. Had I not 
 Four or rive women, once, that tended me ? 
 
 Pro. Thou hadil, and more, .Miranda : but how is it, 
 That this lives in thy mind'? what feeil thou elfe, 
 
 * There is a pleafing natural eafe in the manner of 
 fifting his daughter's recolleftion j it leads on the fcene agree- 
 ably. 
 
 In
 
 I 
 
 THE TEMPEST. 9 
 
 In the dark back- ward and abyfme of time? 
 If thou remember'ir. aught, erethou cam'ii here ; 
 How thou cam'ft here, thou may 'ft. 
 
 Mira. But that I do not. 
 
 Pro. "Pis twelve years lince, Miranda ; twelve years 
 
 fince, 
 
 Thy father was the Duke of Milan, and 
 A Prince of pow'r. 
 
 Mira. Sir, are not you my^ father? 
 
 Pro. Thy mbtherwas a piece of virtue, and 
 She laid, thou waft my daughter; and thy father 
 Was Duke of Milan, and thou his only heir 
 A Princefs, no worfe iflu'd. 
 
 Mira. O, the heav'ns ! 
 
 What foul play had we, that we came from thence I 
 Or blefled was't, we did ? 
 
 Pro. Both, both, my girl: 
 
 By foul play (as thou lay'ft) were we beav'd thence 
 But bkfledly help'd hither. 
 
 Mira. O, my heart bleeds 
 To think o'th' teene that I have turn'd you to, 
 Which is from my remembrance. Pleafe you, farther. 
 
 Pro. My brother, and thy uncle, call'd Antbonlo- 
 1 pray thee, mark me; (that a brother fhould * 
 Be fo perfidious !) he whom next thyfelf 
 Of all the world I lov'd, and to him put 
 The manage of my ftate ; (as, at that time, 
 Through all the figniories it was the firft ; 
 And Proj'pcro the prime Duke, being fo reputed 
 In dignity ;*and for the liberal arts, 
 Without a parallel ; thofe being all my ftudy :) 
 The government I caft upon my brother, 
 And to my ftate grew ftranger ; being tranfported, 
 And rapt in fecret ftudies. Thy falfe uncle 
 (Doft thou attend me ?) 
 
 Mira. Sir, moft needfully. 
 
 Pro. I pray thee, mark me, then. 
 He being thus lorded, 
 
 * Our Author has been in thisfpeecb, as well as in other places, 
 too liberal of digreflive parenthefcs. 
 
 Not
 
 io THE TEMPEST. 
 
 Not only with what my revenue yielded,. 
 
 But what my power might elfe exa& ; like one,. 
 
 Who having unto truth, by telling oft ; 
 
 Made fuch a finner of his memory, 
 
 To credit his own lie, he did believe 
 
 He was, indeed, the Duke ; from fubftrtution, 
 
 And executing th'outward face of royalty, 
 
 With all prerogative. Hence his ambition srrowin<*- 
 
 Doft thou hear ? 
 
 Mira. Your tale, fir, would cure deafnefs.. 
 
 Pro. To have no fcreen between this part he playd. 
 And him he playd it for, he needs will be 
 Abfolute Milan. Me, poor man ! my library 
 Was Dukedom large enough ; of temporal royalties 
 He thinks me now incapable: confederates 
 (* So dry he was for fway) wi'th' King of Naples 
 To give him annual tribute, do him homage ; 
 Subject his coronet to bis crown ; qnd bend. 
 The Dukedom, yet unbow'd, (alas, poor Milan ! ) 
 To inoft ignoble ftooping. 
 
 Mra. 5 the heav'ns ! 
 
 Pro. Mark his condition, andth'event; then tell trie 
 It" this might be a Brother ? 
 
 JMt'ra. Ifhould fin, 
 To think but nobly of my grandmother. 
 
 Pro. Now the condition : 
 This King of Naples^ being an enemy 
 To me inveterate, hearks my brother's fuit 5 
 Which was, that he in lieu o'th' premifes, 
 Of homage, and I know not how much tribute, 
 Should prefeatly extirpate me and mine, 
 Out of the Dukedorn ; and confer fair Milan,. 
 With all the honours, on my brother. Whereoa 
 A treacherous army levy'd, one mid-night, 
 J- Fated to th' purpofe, did Antlwnio open, 
 
 ' * Si dry he was for fway j we think this very impoverished 
 phrafeology j a ftrall change in our apprehenfion might mend it- 
 toe tb'vfed fo for fway. 
 
 f Fatt4-~-is rather an exaggerated term, here. 
 
 The
 
 THE TEMPEST. u 
 
 The gates of Milan ; and, i'th* dead of darknefs, 
 The minifters for the purpofe hurry'd thence 
 Me, and thy crying felf. 
 
 Mira. Alack, for pity ! 
 I, not ranembring how I cry'd out then, 
 Will cry it o'er again ; it is a hint, 
 That wrings mine eyes to't. 
 
 Pro. Hear a little further, 
 And then I'll bring thee to the prefent bufineis, 
 Which now's upon's ; without the which, this llory 
 Were moft impertinent. 
 
 Mira. Why did they not 
 That hour deilroy us ? 
 
 Pro. Well demanded, wench ; 
 
 My tale provokes thai queftion. Dear, they durft not 
 (So dear the love my people bore me) let 
 A mark fo bloody on the bufinefs; but 
 With colours fairer painted their foul ends. 
 In few, they hurry'd us aboard a bark ; 
 Bore us feme leagues to lea ; where they prepar'd 
 A rotten carcafe of a boat, not rigg'd, 
 Nor tackle, fail, nor maft ; the very rats 
 Inftintrively had quit it : there they hoifl us, 
 To cry to th' fea, that roar'd to us ; to figh 
 To th' winds, whofe pity, fighing back again, 
 Did us but loving wrong *. 
 
 Mira. Alack ! what trouble 
 Was I then to you ? 
 
 Pro. O! a cherubim f 
 
 Thou wad, that did prelerve me : Thou didft fmile, 
 Infufed with a fortitude from heav'n, 
 (When I have deck'd the fea with drops full-falt ; 
 Under my burden groan'd ;) which rais'd in me 
 An undergoing ftomach, to bear up 
 Againit what mould enfue. 
 
 * Prufpiro defcribes the treatment himfelf and his infant 
 daugh'er met, with the deplorable filiation they were turned a* 
 drift in, in ftrong ertns. 
 
 f There is mach paternal underaefs and delicacy, in this very 
 afic&ionatc remark.
 
 12 THE TEMPEST. 
 
 31ira, How came we afhore ? 
 
 Pro. By providence divine. 
 Some food we had, and fome frefh water, that 
 A noble Neapolitan, Gonzalo, 
 Out of his charity (being then appointed 
 Matter of this defign) did give us, with 
 Rich garments, linens, fluffs, and neceflavies, 
 Which fince have fteaded much. So of his gentlencfi. 
 Knowing I lov'd my books, he furnifh'd me 
 From my own library, with volumes that 
 I prize above my Dukedom. 
 
 Mint. Would I might 
 But ever fee that man ! 
 
 Pro. Now, attend : 
 And hear the laft ot our fea-forrow. 
 Here in this iflaud we arriv'd, and here 
 Have I, thy fchool-mafter, made thee more profit, 
 Than other Princes can, that have more time 
 For vainer hours, and tutors not fo careful* 
 
 Mir a. Heav'ns thank you for't! And now, I pray 
 
 you, fir, 
 
 (For fall 'tis beating in my mind) your reafoH, 
 For raifing this fea-ftorm ? 
 
 Pro. Know thus far forth, 
 By accident moil ftrange, bountiful Fortune 
 (Now my dear lady) hath mine enemies 
 Brought to this fhore : and, by my prefcience *, 
 I find, my Zenith doth depend, upon 
 A moll aufpicious ilar ; whofe influence, 
 If now I court not, but omit, my fortunes 
 Will ever after droop. Here ceafe more queflions ; 
 Thou art inclined to deep. 'Tis a good dulnefs, 
 And give it way ; I know, thou canil not chufe - \_Afidi. 
 
 [Mir 
 
 Come away, fen-ant, come ; I'm ready, now ; 
 Approach, my Ariel, come. 
 
 "* This foreknowledge, joined with magic, we by -no means 
 like? they are ticklifli ideas for young or weak minds, therefor: 
 ill calculated for public utterance, or private
 
 THE TEMPEST. 13 
 
 Enj* Ariel*. 
 
 At-':. All hail, great matter ! grave fir, hail ! I co;r.e 
 To anfiver thy belt pleafure : be't to fly, 
 To f'.vim, to dive into the lire ; to ride 
 On the curl'd clouds : to thy ilrong bidding, tafk 
 A:-icl, and all his qualities, 
 
 Pro. Hail the u, 1 pi ;it, 
 Perform'd to point the tempeft that I bade theef 
 
 An. To every article. 
 
 I boarded the King's <hip ; now on the beak, 
 Now in the wade, the deck, in every cabin, 
 1 flain'd amazement. Sometimes, I'd divide, 
 And burn in many places ,- on the top marl, 
 The yards, and lolt-iprit, would I flame diitinftly ; 
 Then meet and joia. Jo--Ss lightnings, the prec'urfers 
 Of dreadful thunder-claps, more momentary . 
 And fight out-running, were not; the fire and cracks 
 Of fulphurous roaring, the moft mighry \ct,tunc 
 Seem'd to befiege, ar.d make \\\-. bukl waves tremble ; 
 Yea, his dread trident fhake. 
 
 Pro. My brave, brave fpirlr ! 
 Who was ib firm, fo conftant, that this coyl 
 Would not in feel his reafon ? 
 
 Ari. Not a foul 
 
 But telt a fever of the mind, and play'd 
 Some tricks of desperation : a!i, but mariners, 
 Pkmg'd in the foaming brine, and quit the vellel, 
 Then all a-fire with mo : the King's ion Fa-iUuam?, 
 With hair up-ilaiing (then like reeds, not hair) 
 Was the firit man, that Icap'd ; en 'd, " f ieil h empty ; 
 " And all the devils are .here." 
 Pro. Why, that's my Spirit ! 
 But was not" this nigh fliorfc ? 
 A'i. Ciofe by, my ?.Ialter. 
 Pro. But areihef, Ariel, fafe ? 
 
 * A-':el /hould be remarkably delicate in app-srance and e*- 
 prcffion, v.i^ a good muGcal voice ; the deknption of his op .-ration, 
 ujon the fh-p, is ren-.arkal.])' animated and poetical. 
 
 VOL, III. Y Ari.
 
 i 4 THE TEMPEST. 
 
 Ar':. Not a hair perifh'd : 
 On their fuftaining garments not a blemifli, 
 But frefcer than betore. And as them badrt me, 
 In troops I have difpers'd them 'bout the ifle : 
 The King's fon have I landed by himfelf, 
 Whom I left cooling of the air with fighs, 
 In an odd angle of the ille, and fitting, 
 His arms in this fad knot. 
 
 Pro. Of the King's fliip 
 The mariners, fay, how thou haft difpos'd, 
 And all the reft o'th' fleet ? 
 
 Ari. Safely in harbour 
 
 Is the King's Ihip ; in the deep nook, where once 
 Thou call'clft me up at midnight, to fetch dew 
 From the ilill-vext Bermudas, there (he's hid : 
 The mariners all under hatches ftow'd, 
 Who, with a charm join'd to their fuffer'd labour, 
 I've left afleep ; and for the reft o'th' fleet, 
 (Which I difpers'd) they all have'met again, 
 And are upon the Mediterranean flote, 
 Bound fadly home for Naples ; 
 Suppofing, that they faw the King's fhip wreckt, 
 And his great perlon perifh. 
 
 Pro. Ariel, thy charge 
 
 Exactly is perform'd ; but there's more work. 
 What is the time o'th' day ? 
 
 Ari. Paft the mid feaibn. 
 
 Pro. At leail two glafles ; the time 'twixt fix and now, 
 ]\!uU by us both be Ipent moft precioufly. 
 
 Ari. Is there more toil ? fince thou doft give me pains, 
 Let me remember thee what thou haft proiiuVd, 
 Which is not yet perrorm'd me. 
 
 Pro. Ko\v now ! moody ? 
 What is r t thou cnnft demand? 
 
 Jlri. My liberty. 
 
 Pro. Before the time be out ? no more. 
 
 Ari. I pr'ythee, 
 
 Remember, I have done thee woithy feme-; 
 Told thee no lies, made no miit; kings, ferv'd 
 
 Without
 
 THE TEMPEST. 15 
 
 Without or grudge, or grumblings ; thou didft proraiie 
 To bate me a full year *. 
 
 Pro, Doll thou forget 
 From what a torment J did free thee ? 
 
 An. No. 
 
 Pro. Thou ly'fl, malignant thing ! haft thou forror 
 The foul witch Sycorax, who with age a id envy 
 Was grown into a hoop ? hall thou forgot her ? 
 
 Ari. No, fir. 
 
 Pro. Thou haft : where was flic born ? fpeak ; tell 
 me. 
 
 Ari. Sir, in Argler. 
 
 Pro. Oh, was fiie fo ? I mufl 
 Once in a month recount what thou haft been, 
 Which thou torget'il. This damn'd witch Sycorax, 
 For mifchiefs manifold and ibrceriej terrible, 
 To enter human hearing, from Argler^ 
 Thou know'il, was banifli'd : for one thing fne diJ, 
 They would not take her life. Is not this true ? 
 
 Ari. Ay, fir. 
 
 Pro. This blue-ey'd hag was hither brought with 
 
 child, 
 
 And here was left by th' failors ; thou, my fiave, 
 As thou report'lt thyfelf, was then her lervant, 
 And, for thou waft a fpirit too delicate 
 To a<St her earthy and abhorr'd commands, 
 Refufing her grand hells, {V,e did confine thee, 
 By help of her more potent minifttrs, 
 And in her moil unmitigab!e rag", 
 Into a cloven pine ; within which rift 
 Imprifon'd, thou didil paintuiiy re:nrn 
 A dozen years, within which fpace fhe d\'d, 
 And left thee there : where thou didil vent thy gron is, 
 As fafl as mill-wheels lliike. Then was this Ifland 
 (Save for the foa that flie did litter here, 
 
 * Thefpirk's fquabbling h;re with ?r-.'p re, fliows too muc!i of 
 the fulky-mortal lervant ; a being of this kind, and of fuch po\v.v, 
 muft previoufly know that fuch refiiiance could be of no e.Ts 51, 
 therefore fuperflaous. 
 
 Y 2 A frcck-
 
 i6 THE TEMPEST. 
 
 A freckled whelp, hag-born) net honour'd with 
 A human fhape *. 
 
 Ari. Yes ; Caliban her fon. 
 
 Pro. Dull thing, I f;;y fo : he, that C 
 Whom now I keep in iervice. Thou belt know'ft, 
 What torment I did find thee in ; thy groans 
 Did make wolves howl, and pent-trite the breads 
 Of ever-angry bears ; it was a torment 
 To lav upon the damn'd, which Sycorax 
 Could not again undo: it was mine art, 
 When I arriv'd and heard thee, that made gape 
 The pine, and let thee our. 
 
 Art. I thank thee, mailer. ' 
 
 Pro. Ir thou more murmur'it, I will rend an oak, 
 And peg thee in his knotty entrails, 'till 
 Thou'it bowi'd away twelve winters. 
 
 Ari, Pardon, maiter. 
 I will be ccrrefpondent to command, 
 And do my fp'nting gently. 
 
 Pro. Do fo : and, after two days, 
 I will difchargethee. 
 
 Ari. That's my noble matter : 
 What (hall I do ?" fay what ? what (hall I do ? 
 
 Pro. Go make thyfelf like to a nymph o'th' fea. 
 Be fubjecl to no fight, but mine : inviiible 
 To every eye-ball elfe. Go take this Pnape, 
 And hither come in it : go hence with diligence. 
 
 [Exit Ariel. 
 
 Aw.-.ke, clear heart, awake ! thou haft fiept we'll ; 
 A>v..ke 
 
 M:,-a. The ftrangenefs of your ft cry put 
 Heavinefs in me. 
 
 . c h.;ke it off: ccme on ; 
 I'll vitit Cat-ban rey flave, who never 
 Yields us kind anlwer. 
 
 : ' Tre only ufe we fee in this quarrel, between mafter and at- 
 tendant, is to eke cut a feme rather too long b-fcrei and to make 
 nu-ntion of Sy.o-ox, which might have been done as well elft- 
 \\ here. 
 
 Mirit,
 
 THE TEMPEST. 17 
 
 Mlra. 'Tib a villain, fir, 
 I do not love to look on 
 
 Pro. But, as 'tis, 
 
 We cannot mifs him : he does make our fire, 
 Fetch in our wood, and ierves in offices 
 That profit us. [Ex. Miranda.] What hoa ; f ave ! 
 
 Caliban ! 
 Thou earth thou ! fpeak. 
 
 Cal. \voitlrim,\ There's wood enough within. 
 
 Pro. Come forth, I fay ; there's other bufmefs for 
 
 thee. 
 Come, thou tortoife ! when ? 
 
 Enter Ariel, like a Water Nymjib* 
 
 Fine apparition ! my quaint Ariel, 
 Hark in thine ear. 
 
 An. My Lord, it (hall be done. [F.x : t. 
 
 Pro. Thou poifonous Have, got by the devil hiiiiieif, 
 Upon thy wicked dam, come forth. 
 
 Enter Caliban *. 
 
 Cal. As wicked dew, as e'er my mother brufh'd, 
 With raven's feather from unwholfom fen, 
 Drop on you both ! a fouth-wei.1 blow on you, 
 And blifter you all o'er ! 
 
 Pro. For this, be fure, to-night thou (halt have cramps, 
 Side-ftitches that {hall pen thy breath up ; urchins 
 Shall, tor that vaft of night that they may work, 
 All eA-erciie on thee : thou (halt be pinch'd 
 As thick as honey-combs, each pinch more Hinging 
 Than bees that made 'em. 
 
 Cal. I muft eat my dinner. 
 This Ifiancf's mine by Sycontx my mother, 
 Which thou tak'ir. from me. When thou earned firth 
 Thou ftroak'd'lt me, and mad'it much of me ; and 
 would'ft give me 
 
 '' : The fircre of Caiibai is totally maJa ; his language, which is 
 moft admirably adapted, fljculd be uttered v>ilh a tough, m* ; 
 eoftiveneis 01" Kxpreffion. 
 
 Y 5 Warer
 
 i8 THE TEMPEST. 
 
 Water with berries in't ; and teach me how 
 
 To name the bigger light, and how the Ids, 
 
 That burn by day and night : and then I lov'd thee, 
 
 And {hew M thee all the qualities o'th' Ille, 
 
 The frefh fprings, brine pits ; barren place, and fertile. 
 
 Curs'd be I, that I did fo ! all the charms 
 
 Or" Sycora.v, toads, beetles, bats, light on you ! 
 
 l-"or I am all the Subjects that you have, 
 
 Who firft was mine own King ; and here you fty me, 
 
 In this hard rock, whiles you do keep from me 
 
 The reft of th' Ifland. 
 
 Pro. Thou moft lying flave, 
 
 Whom ftripes may move, not kindnefs ; I have us'd thee 
 (Filth as thou art) with humane cave, and loclg'd 
 In mine own cell, 'till thou didit feek to violate 
 The honour of my child. 
 
 Cak Oh ho, oh ho ! I would it had been done ! 
 Thou didit prevent me, 1 had peopled cl:e 
 This Ifle with Calibans. 
 
 Pro. Abhorred flave * ! 
 Which any print of goodnefs wilt not take, 
 Keing capable of all ill ! I pity'd thee, 
 Took pains to make thee fpeak, taught thee, each hour, 
 One thing or other. When thou dkill not, favage, 
 Know thine own meaning, but would'ft gabble like 
 A thing moil brutifh, I endow'd thy purpoies, 
 With words that made them known. 
 
 Cul. You taught me language, and my profit on't 
 Is, 1 know how to curfe : the red plague rid you, 
 l-'cr learning ir.e your language ! 
 
 Pro. Hag-feed, hence ! 
 
 .Fetch us in Jewel, and be quick (thou wert beft) 
 To anfwer other bufinefe. Shrug'll thou, malice ? 
 If" thou neglecVft, or doit unwillingly, 
 \\'hat I command, 1'il rack thee with old cramps ; 
 
 r As ingratitude is a ve-y deep mark cf a bad, unprincipled 
 htait, and which is never found among the brute creation, when 
 kirdly ufed, fixing a politive charge of it on Catiian, heightens hia 
 tiiit my tharaiter much. 
 
 2 Fill
 
 THE TEMPEST. 19 
 
 Fill all thy bones with aches, make thee roar, 
 That bealls fhal! tremble at thy din. 
 
 CaL No, 'pray thee. 
 I muft obey; his art is of fuch poiv'r, 
 It would control my dam's god Sctebos t 
 And make a vaflal of him. 
 
 Pro. So, flave, hence ! [Exit Caliban. 
 
 Enter Ferdinand, ami Ariel iwvijiblc, playing and Jinging. 
 A R IE Us SONG. 
 
 Come unto thefe yellow fands, 
 And then take hands : 
 Curfficd when you have, and kift^ 
 The vj'dd waves whift ; 
 Foot itfcaily here and there, 
 Andjj'vjeet jprites, the burden bear. 
 
 [Burden difperfedly, 
 Hark, hark, lough-waugh : the watch-dogs lark, 
 
 Baugh vcaugh. 
 Ari. Hark, hark, 1 hear 
 
 Thejlrain ofjlrutting chantlclere t 
 Cry, Cock-a- doodle-do. 
 
 A Dance of Sprint?. 
 
 Per. Where fhould this mufick be, i'th' air, or earth? 
 It founds no- more: and fare, it waits upon 
 Some God o'th' liland. Sitting on. a bank, 
 Weeping a^ain the King my father's wreck, 
 This muiick crept by me upon the waters ; 
 Allaying both their fury and my paffon^ 
 With its fweet air ; thence I have folio vv'd it, 
 Or it hath drawn me, rather but 'tis gone. 
 
 No, it begins again. ' 
 
 ARIEL'S SON G. 
 
 Full fathom five thy father lies, 
 
 Of his bones are coral made ; 
 Thoje are pearls, that <xere his eyes ; 
 
 Nothing ofhit?t t that dotbfoat\
 
 20 THE TEMPEST. 
 
 But d\)th fuffer a feu-change, 
 Into fometbing rich andjirange. 
 Sea-nymphs hourly ring his kttell. 
 Hark) now I hear them, ding-dong, bell, 
 
 [Burden : ding dong. 
 
 Per. The ditty does remember my drown'd father ; 
 This is no mortal bufmefs, nor no found 
 That the earth owns \Mujk again.'] I hear it now 
 above me. [Exit Ferd. and Ariel. 
 
 SCENE. Another part of the IJland. 
 
 Enter Ariel and Ferd. on one fide ; and Profpero and 
 Miranda, on the other. 
 
 Pro. The fringed curtains of thine eyes advance, 
 And lay, what thou fee'li yond. 
 
 Mira. \Vhiit is't, a fpirit? 
 Lord, how it looks about ! believe me, fir, 
 It carries a brave form. But is't a fpirit * ? 
 
 Pro. No, wench, it eats, and ileeps, and hath fuch 
 
 fenfes 
 
 As we have, fuch. This gallant, which thou feed, 
 Was in the wreck : and, but he's fomething llain'd 
 With grief, (that's beauty's canker) thou might'ft call 
 
 him 
 
 A goodly perfon. He hath loft his fellows, 
 And itrays about to find 'em. 
 
 Mira. I might call him 
 A thing divine ; for nothing natural 
 I ever law fo noble. 
 
 Pro. It goes on, I fee, \_-flJMe, 
 
 As my foul prompts it. Spirit, fine fpirit, I'll free thee, 
 Within two days for this. 
 
 Per. Moft fure, the goddefs 
 On whom the'e airs attend! vouchfafe, my pray'r 
 May know, if you remain upon this ifland : 
 And that you will fome good inuruction give, 
 
 * M-rardai fim.-'licity of furprize at feeing Ftrdiisad for the 
 tuft time, is natural, and finely iraag ned. 
 
 How
 
 THE TEMPEST. ar 
 
 How I may bear me here : my prime rcqueft 
 (Which I do lalt pronounce) is, O you wonder ! 
 If you be maid or no ? 
 
 Mlra. No wonder, fir, 
 But certainly a maid. 
 
 Fer. My language ! heav'ns ! 
 I am the belt of them that fpeak this fpeech, 
 Were I but where 'tis fpoken. 
 
 Pro. How ? the beft ? 
 What wert thou, if the King of Naples heard thee ? 
 
 Fer. A lingle thing, as I am now, that wonders 
 To hear thee fpeak of Naples. He does hear me; 
 And, that he does, I weep : myfelf am Naples, 
 Who, with mine eyes (ne'er fince at ebb) beheld 
 The King my father wreckt. 
 
 Mlra. Alack, for mercy ! 
 
 Fer. Yes, faith, and all his Lords : the Duke of Milan,. 
 And his brave Son, being twain* 
 
 Pro. The Duke of Mian, 
 
 And his more brave daughter, could control thee, 
 If now 'twere fit to do't : At the firil light, [To Ariel 1 . 
 They have chang'd eyes : 
 A word, good fir, 
 I fear, you've done yourfe'f fome wrong: a word 
 
 Mira. Why fpeaks my father, fo urgently ? this 
 Is the third man that I e'er faw ; the firft, 
 That e'er I figh'd for. Pity move my father 
 To be inclin'd my way * ! 
 
 Fer. O, if a virgin, 
 
 And your affection not gone forth, I'll make yoir 
 The (^ueen of Naples, 
 
 P,-f>. Soft, fir; one word mere 
 
 They're both in cither's power: but this fwi ft bufmefs 
 
 [^fe, 
 
 I nnift uneafy make, left too light winning 
 Make the prize light. Sir, one word more ; I charge 
 thee, 
 
 * The young lady, we think, is rather forward in declaring her 
 inclination, efpecially confidering the abftra&ed, lonely ilate (he has 
 been brought up in nature has fuJden feelings, bat fenfc and deli- 
 cacy check thum. 
 
 That
 
 22 THE TEMPEST. 
 
 That thou attend me : thou dolt here ufurp 
 The name thou ow'it not, and hail put thyielf 
 Upon this Ifland, as a fpy, to win it 
 From me, the Lord on't. 
 
 Per. No, as I'm a man. 
 
 Mlra. There's nothing ill can dwell in fuch a temple* 
 If the ill fpirit have To fair an houfe, 
 Good things will ilrive to dwell with t. 
 
 Pro. Follow me 
 
 Speak not you for him : he's a traitor. Come, 
 I'll manacle thy neck and feet together ; 
 Sea-water {halt thou drink : thy food fhall be 
 The frem-brook muflels, witiier'd root, and hulks 
 Wherein the acorn cradled. Follow. 
 
 Per. No, 
 
 I will refiil fuch entertainment, 'till 
 Mine enemy has more power. 
 
 [He draws , and is charm J from moving*. 
 
 Mira. O dear father, 
 Make not too rafh a trial of him ; for 
 He's gentle, and not fearful. 
 
 Pro. What, I fay, 
 
 My foot my tutor ? put thy fword up, traitor, 
 Who mak'ft a {hew, but dar'fl not iirike ; thy conference 
 Is fo pofleft with guilt : come from thy ward, 
 For I can here difarm thee with this flick, 
 And make thy weapon drop. 
 
 Mir a. Befeech you, father. ' [Kneels. 
 
 Pro. Hence : hang not on my garment. 
 
 Mir a. Sir, have pity ; 
 I'll be his furety. 
 
 Pro. Silence: one word more 
 Shall make me chide thee, if not hate thee. What ! 
 An advocate for an impoflor ? hufh ! 
 Thou think'ir, there are no more fuch fiiapes as he, 
 Having feen but him and Caliban ; fooliih wench ! 
 To th' moil of men this is a Caliban, 
 And they to him are angels *. 
 
 * The ftern behaviour of Pr^ffero is well conce'ved, to checkfor 
 a time, though it, in reality, increafes the precipitate affeftion f<r 
 each other, entertained by the young pair. 
 
 Mira.
 
 THE TEMPEST. 23 
 
 Wra. My affections 
 
 Are then moil humble : I have no ambition 
 To fee a goodlier man. 
 
 Pro. Come on, obey ; 
 Thy nerves are in their infancy again, 
 And have no vigour in them. 
 
 Per. So they are : 
 
 My fpirits, as in a dream, are all bound up. 
 My father's lofs, the weaknefs which I feel, 
 The wreck of all my friends, and this man's threats, 
 To whom I am fubdu'd, were but light to me, 
 Might I but through my prifon, once a day, 
 Behold this maid : all corners elfe o'th' earth, 
 Let liberty make ufe of; Ipace enough 
 Have I, in fuch a prifon. 
 
 Pro. It works : come on. 
 (Thou haft done well, fine Ariel:) follow me. 
 Hark what thou elfe fhalt do me. [To Ariel. 
 
 Mira. Be of comfort, 
 My father's of a better nature, fir, 
 Than he appears by fpeech: this is unwonted. 
 Which now came from him. 
 
 Pro. Thou lhalt be as free, 
 As mountain winds ; but then exactly do 
 All points of my command. 
 
 Ari. To th' fyllable. 
 
 Pro. Come, tallow : fpeak not for him. [Exeunt. * 
 
 * The firft Act, exclufive of the bufiling firft fcene, and two 
 agreeable fongs, we deem exceeding heavy ; though Caliban muft 
 be admitted a very original objeft, and well wortky particular no- 
 tice : the fentiments and language are good, tut fpirit and variation 
 are wanting. 
 
 ACT
 
 .24 THE TEMPEST. 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 SCENE, Another Part of the \flana~. 
 
 * Enter Alonfo, Sebaftian, Anthonio, Gonzalo, ami 
 Francifco. 
 
 Con. "O ESEECH you, fir, be merry: you have 
 
 JJ caufe, 
 
 (So have we all) of joy I for our efcnpe 
 Is much beyond our lofs: our hint of woe 
 Is common every day, ibme failor's wife, 
 The mailer ot fome merchant, and the merchant, 
 Have jull our theme ot woe : but lor the miracle, 
 (I mean our prefervation) few in millions, 
 Can fpeak like us : then wifely, good fir, weigh 
 Our ibrrow with our comfort. 
 
 Alon. Pr'ythee, peace, f 
 
 Gon. Methinks our garments are now as frefh, as 
 \vhen we put them on n'rft in dfrick, at the marriage of 
 the King's fair daughter Claribel, to the King ot Tunis. 
 
 ^4lon. You cram thefe words into mine ears, aga'mtt 
 The ftomach of my feufe. Would I had never " 
 ?Jarried my daughter there ! For, coming thence, 
 My fon is loft. 
 
 Fran. Sir, he may live. 
 I fa\v him beat the furges under him, 
 And ride upon their backs ; his bold head 
 'Bove the contentious waves he kept, and oar'd 
 Himfelf with his good arms, in luily ftrokes, 
 To th' fhore : I not doubt, 
 He came alive to land. 
 
 Aicn. No, no, he's gone. 
 
 * If this half-drowned King, and his fea-foufed attendant?, 
 are decent figures arid decent fpeaksrs, they walk through well 
 enough. 
 
 f There are near three pages of the fcene fucceeding this fpeech, 
 lo the original, very properly ieft cut, as they are ftraogdy trifiir.g, 
 and therefore cot worthy either utterance or peiufal.
 
 THE TEMPEST. 25 
 
 'Sc&. Sir, you may thank yourfelf for this great lo r s, 
 That ivould not blefs our Europe with your daughccr, 
 But ir.ther lofe her to an African - T 
 Where (he, at lead, is banjfh'd from your eye, 
 Who hath caufe to wet the grief on't. 
 
 Alon. Pr'ythee, peace. 
 
 Sel>. You werekneel'd to, and i in portun'd other wife, 
 By all of us ; and the fair foul herfdf, 
 Weigh'd between lothnefs and obedience, at 
 Which end the beam fhould bow. We've loft- your fon, 
 1 fear, for ever : Milan and Naples have 
 More widows in them, of this bufinefe' making, 
 Than we bring men to comfort them : 
 The fault's your own. 
 
 Alon. So is the deareft o'th' lof?. 
 
 Go/i. My Lord Se&q/fiak, 
 
 The truth, you fpeak, doth lack fome ^entlenefs, 
 And time to fpeak it in: you rub the Fort, 
 When you fhould bring the plaifter *. 
 
 Alon.. Still let me hope. Good Francijco, look 
 Out again, fcout round the rocks, and bring my 
 Heart fome comfort with my ion. [Exit Francifco. 
 
 Gon. Had I the plantation of thi's ific, niy Lord, 
 And were a King on't, what would I do ? 
 I would wi:h luch perfection govern, fir, 
 T' excel the golden a^e. 
 
 Alon. Pr'ythee, no more Thou doft talk 
 Nothing to me Let us fit down upon 
 This bank, and reft our forrow-. 
 
 Gon. I will, my Lord; for I am very heavy. 
 
 [ They lie dew: upon iht lu;<'. f . 
 
 Feb. Pleafe you, fir, 
 Do not omit the heavy offer of it : 
 It feldom viiits forrow ; when it doth, 
 It is a comforter. 
 
 * This rebuff Gonxalo gives SeboJJian, for rerr. arks me-, 
 ill timed, and moft indecently cruel. 
 
 f- Wu think, fltep is too oMen tilled upon ; Miranda has had a 
 nap, in the firlt adt, to very little ufy, and here we are pr:fcntcci 
 with anoiher, to kfs, 
 
 VOL. Ill, Z
 
 26 THE TEMPEST. 
 
 Ant, We two, my Lord, 
 
 "Will guard your perfon, while you take your reft, 
 And watch your fafety. 
 
 Alon. Thank you. : wond'rous heavy 
 
 [Ailjkcp but Seb. and Ant. 
 Snft mufic is played* 
 
 Seb. What a ftrange droivfinefs pohelles them ! 
 
 Ant. It is the quality o' th' climate. 
 
 Seb. Why 
 
 Doth it not then our eye-lids fink ? I find not 
 Myfelf difpos'd to fleep. 
 
 Ant. Nor !, my fpirits are nimble : 
 They fell together all as by confent, 
 They dropt as by a thunder-itroke. What might, 
 Worthy Sebaftian O, what might no more. 
 And yet, methinks, I fee it in thy face, 
 What thou mould' ft be: th' occafion fpeaks thee, and 
 My itrong imagination fees a crown 
 Dropping upon thy head. 
 
 Seb. What, art thou waking ? 
 
 Ant. Noble Sebaftian> 
 Thou let'ft thy fortune fleep. 
 
 Scb* Pr'ythee, fay on ; 
 
 The letting of thine eye and cheek proclaim 
 A matter trom thee, and a birth, indeed, 
 Which throes thee much to yield. 
 
 Ant. Thus, fir: 
 Will you grant, with me, 
 That Ferdinand is .drown'd ? 
 
 Seb. He's gone. 
 
 Ant. Then tell me 
 Who's the. next heir of Naples ? 
 
 Seb. What mean you ? 
 
 Ant. Say, this were death 
 
 That now hath feiz'd them, why, they were no worfe, 
 Than now they are : there be that can rule Naples, 
 As well as he that fleeps ; 
 O, that you bore 
 
 The mind that I do ; what a fleep was this, 
 For your advancement ! do you underirand me?
 
 THE TEMPEST. ^ 
 
 S3. Methinks, I do. 
 
 Ant. And how does your content 
 Tender your own good fortune ? 
 
 Se&. I remember, 
 You did fupplant your brother Profpro *. 
 
 Ant. True: 
 
 And, look, how well my garments fit upon me ; 
 Much feater than before. My brother's lervants 
 Were then my fellows, now they are my men. 
 
 Sel. But, for your conference 
 
 Ant. Ay, fir ; where lyes that ? 
 Ten confciencesy thatftand 'twixt me and Milan, 
 Candy'd be they, and melt, e'er they moleii ! 
 Here lyes your brother 
 No better than the earth he lyes upon, 
 It he were that which now he's like, that's dead r 
 Whom I with this obedient fteel, three inches oi if, 
 Can lay to bed for ever : you doing thus, 
 To the perpetual wink'for aye might put 
 This ancient morfel, this Sir' Prudence, who 
 Should not upbraid our courfe. For all the reft, 
 They'll tell the clock to any buiinefs, that, 
 We fay, befits the hour f . 
 
 Seb. Thy cafe, dear friend, 
 Shall be my precedent : as thou got 'it Milan, 
 I'll come by Naples. Draw thy fword ; one ftroke 
 Shall free thee from the tribute which thou pay'il ; 
 And I the King (hall love thee. 
 
 Ant. Draw together : 
 
 And when I rear my hand, do you the like, 
 To fall it on Gonzalo, 
 
 Seb. O, but one word 
 
 Enter Ariel. 
 Ari. My matter through his art forefees the danger, 
 
 * There is above a page of this dull fcene moft neceflarily flked 
 cut ; patience muft otherwife cry out loudly. 
 
 f This ilrange fuggeftion of murdering a King for dominion 5 , 
 which they know not they {hall ever fee again, and by people fo 
 lately faved themfdves, appears ftrain of probability, and is. be- 
 fides fuperfiuous, 
 
 Z 2 That
 
 aS THE TEMPEST. 
 
 Th you, his friend, are in ; and fends me forth, 
 (For clfe his project dies) to keep them living. 
 
 [Slugs in Gonzalo'i 
 
 While you here do f nor ing lye t 
 Opcu-ey'd Conjp'racy 
 
 His time doth take : 
 If of life you keep a care, 
 kfjake offjlumber and letvarc : 
 
 A-tvake ! 
 
 .Ant. Then let us both be fudden. 
 
 Gen. Now, good angels preferve the King! 
 
 [ They ivakf. 
 
 Akn. Why, how now, ho ? awake ? why are you 
 
 drawn ? 
 Wherefore this ghaftly looking ? 
 
 Gon. What's the matter ? 
 
 el. While we flood here fecuring your repofe, 
 F.v'n now we heard a hollow burft of bellowing, 
 Like bv"s, or rat'-.er lions; did't not wake you? 
 It lii'uck mine ear moil terribly. 
 
 Alon. I heard nothing. 
 
 Ant. O, 'twas a din to fright a mender's ear ; 
 To make an earthquake : fure, It was the roar 
 Or" a whole herd of lions. 
 
 Aim. Heard you this ? 
 
 Gon. Upon my honour, fir, I heard a humming* 
 And that a ilrange one too, which did awake me. 
 I fhak'd you, fir, and cry'd ; as m'me eyes open'd, 
 I faw their weapons drawn ; there was a noife, 
 That's verity. 'Tis betl we ftand on guard ; 
 Or that we quit this place: let's draw our weapons. 
 
 Aion. Lead off this ground, and let's make further 
 
 fearch, 
 For my poor fon. 
 
 Gon. Heav'ns keep him from thefe beafts ! 
 F ac is, lure, i'th' ifland. 
 
 Alon. Lead away. [Exeunt. 
 
 SCENE
 
 THE TEMPEST. 29 
 
 SCENE changes to another part of the I/land. 
 
 Enter Caliban, with a burden of wood; a noife trf thundir 
 heard. 
 
 * Cal. All the infections that the fun fucks up , 
 From bogs, fens, flats, on Profpero fall, and make him 
 By inch-meal a difeafe ! His fpirits hear me, 
 And yet I needs mufl curie. But they'll not pinch, 
 Fright me with urchin (hews, pitch me i'th' mire, 
 Nor lead me, like a fire-brand, in the dark, 
 Out of my way, unlefs he bid 'em ; . but 
 For every trifle are they fet upon me. 
 Sometimes like apes, that moe and chatter at me, 
 And after bite me ; then like hedge-hogs, which 
 Lye tumbling in my bare-foot way, and mount 
 Their pricks at my foot-fall ; fometime am I 
 All wound with adders, who with cloven tongues 
 Do hifs me into maduels. Lo ! now ! lo ! 
 
 Enter Trinculo. 
 
 Here comes a fpi'rit of his, and to torment me, 
 For bringing wood in flowly. I'll fall fiat ; 
 Perchance, he will not mind me. 
 
 Ti-itt. Here's neither bum nor ftirub to bear off any 
 weather at all, and another itorm brewing; I- hear it 
 ling i'th' wind : yon fame black cloud, yon huge one, 
 looks like a foul bumbard that would ftied his liquor. 
 If it fhould thunder as it did before, I know not wheie 
 to hide my head : yon fame cloud cannot choofe but 
 fall by pailfuls What have we here, a man or a fifh ? 
 ilead or alive? a fifh ; he fmells like a fifh : a very. an- 
 cient and fifh-like fmell. A kind of, not of the newefr r 
 Poor John : a ftrange fifh ! Were I in England now, :is 
 once I was, and hud but this fifh painted, not an holiday- 
 fool there but would give a piece of filver. The:e 
 would this monfter make a man : any ftrange beaft there 
 
 * This fpeeeh i$ extremely and peculiarly piftarefque, nothing 
 could be better conceived, or expreflerf, for a mongrel monfter j the 
 ideas are abundantly rich, and happy in their kind. 
 
 Z 3 makes
 
 50 THE TEMPEST. 
 
 makes a man ; when they will not give a doit, to reHeve 
 a lame beggar, they will lay out ten, to fee a dead Indian. 
 Legged like a man ! and his fins like arms ! warm, o'my 
 troth ! I do now let loofe my opinion, hold it no longer ; 
 this is no fifh, but an lilander, that hath lately fuffered 
 by a thunder-bolt. Alas ! the ftorm is come again. 
 My belt way is to creep under his gaberdine : there is 
 no other fhelter, hereabout ; mifery acquaints a man 
 with ftrange bed-fellows : I will here fhrowd, 'till the 
 dregs of the ftorm be paft *, 
 
 Enter Stephano, fnging* 
 
 Step. IJball no more to fees, tojea; beiejkall I diea-foore. 
 This is a very (curvy tune to ling at a man's funeral ; 
 well, here's my comfort. \Drinks ; thenjtngs. 
 
 The majler, the fivabbcr, the boatfixain, and I, 
 
 The gunner, and his mate, 
 Lovd Mall, Meg, and Marrian, and Margery, 
 
 But none of us car d for Kate ; 
 
 Forjbe bad a tongue ivit/j a tang, 
 
 Wcvld cry to a jailor , %o hang : 
 Sbe lovd not the favour of tar nor of pitch, 
 y.~ct a fay 'or r-iight (cratch her, ivhere-e'er Jbe did !tc/.> 
 
 Thcx to ft a, boys, and let her 
 
 This is a fcurvy tuae, too; but here's my comfort. 
 
 [Drin&s. 
 
 Cxi. Do not torment me, oh ! 
 
 Step. VVhr.t's the matter r liave we devils here ? do 
 you put tricks upon's with favages, and men of /We? 
 ha ? | have not icap'd drowning, to be afraid now of 
 your four legs ; for it hath been laid, As proper a man, 
 us ever went upon four legs, cannot make him give 
 ground ; and it (hall be laid lo again, while Suphanq 
 breathes at his nollrils. 
 
 * There is confiderable fpirit and humour in this fpeech, wh : cb, 
 as well as the reft of 'frinculo, requires a good lew corr.edian : bis 
 remark on the Er.glifb tafte for ftrange fights, is tart, pleafant, and 
 juft j Steftnao is oearJy in thefljleof his companion. 
 
 6 Col.
 
 THE TEMPEST. 3 i 
 
 Cal, The fpirit torments me : oh ! 
 
 Step. This is fome monfter of the ifle, with four legs, 
 who has got, as I take it, an ague : where the devil 
 fhould he learn our language ? I will give him fome re- 
 lief, if it be but for that : if I can recover him, and 
 keep him tame, and get to Naples with him, he's a pte- 
 fent for any Emperor that ever trod on neats-leather. 
 
 Cal. Do not torment me, pr'ythee ; I'll bring my 
 wood home failer. 
 
 Step. He's in his fit now ; and does not talk after the, 
 wifelt : he fhall tafte of my bottle. If he never drunk 
 wine afore, it will go near to remove his fit ; if I can 
 recover him, and keep him tame, I will not take too 
 much for him : he fhall pay for him, that hath him, 
 and that foundly. 
 
 Cal. Thou doll me yet but little hurt ; thou wilt 
 anon, I know it, by thy trembling : now Proper works 
 vipon thee. 
 
 Step. Come on your ways ; open your mouth ; here 
 is that which will give language to you, cat ; open your 
 mouth ; this will fhake your making, I can tell yon, and 
 that foundly : you cannot tell who's your friend ; open 
 your chaps again. 
 
 Trin. I fhould know that voice : it fhould be but he 
 is drowned ; .and thefe are devils ; O ! defend me < 
 
 Step. Four legs and two voices ; a moil: delicate mon- 
 fter ! his forward voice now is to fpeak well of his friend ; 
 his backward voice is to fpatter foul fpeeches, and to 
 detrair. If all the wine in my bottle will recover him., 
 I will help his ague : come : Amen! I will pour fome 
 in thy other mouth. 
 
 Trin. Stephana- 
 
 Step. Doth thy other mouth call me ? mercy ! mercy ! 
 this is a devil, and no monfter : I will leave him ; I 
 have no long fpoon. 
 
 Trin. Stcpban) ! if tho'i beeft Stephana, touch me, and 
 fpeak to me ; for I am Trhiculo ; be not afraid, thy good 
 friend Trinculo. 
 
 Step. If thou beeft Trinculo, come forth, I'll pull thee 
 ty the Idler legs : if any be Trinculo's legs, thefe are 
 
 they.
 
 32 THE TEMPEST. 
 
 they. Thou art very T';inculo, indeed: how cam'll 
 thou to the fiege of this moon-caif? can he vent 
 Trhiculo's ! 
 
 Trhi. I took him to be killed with a thander-ftroke : 
 and art thou living, Stepbano ? O Stephana, two Neapo~ 
 litans fcap'd ! 
 
 Step. Pr'ythee, do not turn me about, my ftomach is 
 not conftant. 
 
 Cal. Thefe be fine things, an if they be not fprights: 
 that's a brave god, and bears celeftial liquor : 1 will 
 kneel to him. 
 
 Step. How didft thou fcape ? how cam'ft thou hither ? 
 fwear, by this bottle, how thou earn 'ft hither : I efcap'd 
 upon a butt of Tack, which the iailors heaved over-board, 
 by this bottle I which I made of the bark of a tree, 
 with mine own hands, lince I was caft a-fhore. 
 
 Cal. I'll fwear upon that bottle, to be thy true fubjeft ; 
 for the liquor is not earthly. 
 
 Step. Here : fwear then, how efcap'ft thou ? 
 
 7r/*. Swam a-fhore, man, like a duck ; I can fwim 
 like a duck, I'll be fworn. 
 
 Step. Here, kifs the book. Though thou canfl fwim 
 like a duck, thou art made like a goofe. 
 
 Trim. O Stephana, haft any mcie of this ? 
 
 Step, The whole butt, man ; my cellar is in a rock by 
 th' fea-fide, where my wine is hid. How now, moon- 
 calf, how does thine ague ? 
 
 Cal, Haft thou not dropt from heav'n ? 
 
 Step. Out o'th' moon, I do allure thee. I was the man 
 in th' moon, when time was. 
 
 Cal. I have feen thee in her ; and I do adore thee : 
 my miitrefs fhew'd me thee, and thy dog and thy bufli. 
 
 Step. Cone, fwear to that; kits the book: I will 
 furniih it anon with new contents : f\\ear. 
 
 Cal. I'll fhew thee every fertile inch o'ch' Ifle, and I 
 will kifs thy foot : I pr'yihee, be my god. 
 
 Trin. By this light, a molt perfidious and drunken 
 monfter ; when his god's afleep, he'll rob his bottle. 
 
 Cal. I'll (hew thee the belt fprings ; I'll pluck thee 
 terries, 
 
 I'll
 
 THE TEMPEST. 33 
 
 Fll fifh for thee, and get thee wood enough. 
 A plague upon the tyrant that I ferve ! 
 I'll bear him no more flicks, but follow thee, 
 Thou wondrous man. 
 
 Trin, A moil ridiculous monfler, to make a wonder 
 of a poor drunkard ! 
 
 Cal. I pr'ythee, let me bring thee where crabs grow ; 
 And I with my long nails will dig thee pig-nuts - r 
 Shew thee a jay's neft, and inflru6t thee how 
 To fnare the nimble marmuaet : I'll bring thee 
 To cluft'ring filberds, and fometimes I'll get thee 
 Young (hamois from the rock. Wilt thou go with me? 
 kfef. I pr'ythee now, lead the way without any more 
 talking. Trinculo, the King and all our company elfe 
 being- drovvn'd, we will inherit here. Hear, bear my 
 bottle ; fellow Trinculo, we'll fill him by and by again. 
 Cal. [Sings drunkenly.~\ farewel, viajier ; jarcwef, 
 
 farewel. 
 
 Trin. A howling monfler; a drunken monfter ! 
 Cal, No more dams Pll make forjtfb, 
 Nor fetch in firing at requiring, 
 Nor (crape trencher, nor tvaj]] dijh t 
 Ban* Ban, Cacatyban, 
 Has a new majler ; get a ne-\v man. 
 Freedom, hey-day ! hey-day, freedom ! freedom, hey- 
 day, freedom ! 
 Step* O brave mohiler, lead the way. [Exeunt. * 
 
 * Though this lad fcene has fome humour, we canot help 
 thinking the fecond Aft more languid and inconfiderable than the 
 firft ; the actors, in the grave part, have a moft infipid load to 
 fuftain. 
 
 ACT
 
 34 T H E. T E M P E S T- 
 
 ACT in, 
 
 SCENE, leforc Profpero's Celt. 
 Ferdinand dtfcover W, bearing a Log, 
 
 FerS F^HERE be fome fports are painful, but their 
 
 JL labour 
 
 * Delight in them fets off: fome kinds of bafenefs 
 Are nobly undergone, and mod poor matters 
 Point to rich ends. This ray mean tafk would be 
 As heavy to me, as 'tis odious : but 
 The miftrefs, which I ferve, quickens what's dead, 
 And makes my labours pleafure : O, (he is 
 Ten times more gentle, than her father's crabbed j 
 And he's composed of harfhnefs. I muft. move 
 Some thousands of thefe logs, and pile them up, 
 Upon a fore injunction. My fweet miftrefs 
 Weeps when {he lees me work, and lays, fuch bafe- 
 nefs 
 
 Had ne'er like executor ; I forget ; 
 But thefe fweet thoughts do ev'n refrcfli my labour, 
 Moft bufykfs, when I do it. 
 
 Enter Miranda. 
 
 Mira. Alas, now, pray you, 
 Work not fo hard ; I would the lightning had_ 
 Burnt up thofe logs, that thou'rt enjoined to pile : 
 Pray, fet it down, and reft you ; when this burns, 
 'Twill weep for having wearied you ; my father 
 Is hard at itudy ; pray now, reft yourfelf ; 
 He's fafe for thefe three hours. 
 
 * This fentiment, though rery well exprefled here, is delivered 
 more concifely in Macbeth : 
 
 ' The hbour ive dtt-gbt in fljfoi fain." 
 
 Fcr,
 
 THE TEMPEST. S5 
 
 'JFVr. O mod dear miftrefs, 
 The fun will let, before I (hall difcharge 
 What I mil it ilrive to do. 
 
 Mira. If you'll fit down, 
 
 I'll bear your logs the while. Pray, give me that -; 
 I'll carry' t to the pile. 
 
 Fer. No, precious creature, 
 Ji'd rather crack my imews, break my hack, 
 Than you mould fuch difhonour undergo, 
 While I fit lazy by. 
 
 Mlra. It would become me, 
 As well as it does you ; and I fhould d-> it 
 With much more eale ; for my good will is to it, ' 
 And yours it is againih 
 You look wearily. 
 
 Fer. No, noble miftrefs ; 'tis frefli morning with me, 
 When you are by at night. I do befeech you, 
 (Chiefly that I might fet it in my prayers) 
 What is your name ? 
 
 Mira. Miranda. O my father, 
 i've broke your heft to fay fo. 
 
 Fer, Admir'd Miranda ! 
 Indeed, the top or admiration ; worth 
 What's dearelt to the world ! full many a lady 
 I've ey'd with bed regard, and many a time 
 Th' harmony of their tongues hath intp bondage 
 Brought my too diligent ear ; tor feveral virtues 
 Have I lik'd feveral women, never any 
 With fo full foul, but fome defeft in her 
 Did quarrel with the nobleft grace (he ow'd, 
 And put it to the foil. But you, O you, 
 So perfect, and fo peerlefs, are created 
 Of every creature's belt. 
 
 Mira. I do not know 
 
 One of my fex ; no woman's face remember, 
 Save from my glafs mine own ; nor have I feen 
 More" that I may call men, than you, good friend, 
 And my dear father : how features are abroad, 
 I'm flcill-lefs of; but, by my modelty, 
 
 (The
 
 36 THE TEMPEST, 
 
 (The jewel in my dower) I would not wifh 
 Any companion in the world, but you j 
 Nor can imagination form a ftnipe, 
 Befides yourielt, to like or. 
 
 Fer. I am, in my condition, 
 A Prince, Miranda; I do think, a King; 
 (I would, not fo !) ami would no more endure 
 This wocden ilavery, than I would fufter 
 The fieih-fly blow my mouth. Hear my foul fpeak; 
 The very inftant that I faw you, did 
 My heart fly to your fervice, there refides 
 To make me flave to it, ami for your lake, 
 Am I this patient log-man. 
 
 Mira. Do you love me ? 
 
 Fer. O heav'n, O earth, hear witnefs to this found, 
 And crown what I profefs with kind event, 
 If I fpeak true ; it hollowly, invert 
 What heft is boded me, to mifchief ! I, 
 Beyond all limit of what elfe i'th' world, 
 Do love, prize, honour you *. 
 
 Mir a. I am a fool, 
 To weep nt what I'm glad of. 
 
 Fcr.. Wherefore weep you ? 
 
 Mlra, At mine unworthinefs, that dare not offer, 
 What I defire to give ; and much lefs take, 
 What I fiiall die to want : but this is trifling ; 
 And all the more it fetks to hide itfclf, 
 The bigger bulk it fhews. Hence, biifhful Cunning \ 
 And prompt me, plain and holy Innocence. 
 I am your wife, if you will marry me ; 
 If not, I'll die your maid : to be your fellow, 
 You may deny me ; but I'll be your fervant, 
 Whether you will or no. 
 
 Fir. My miitrefs, deareft, 
 And I thus humble ever. 
 
 * We know not a prettier, or more delicate, pattern of love, 
 than this fcene exhibits ; it is not quite fo warm as that in the 
 fecond Aft of Rcmco and Juliet ; but, conlidering Miranda 1 i te- 
 ^ueftered education, hse equal merit. 
 
 Mlra,
 
 THE TEMPEST, 37 
 
 Mira. My hufband, then ? 
 
 Per. Ay, with a heart as willing, 
 As bondage e'er of freedom ; here's my hind. 
 
 Mira. And mine, with my heart in't; and now, fhrevvel, 
 Till half an hour hence. 
 
 Fa-. A thoufand, thoufand. [Exeunt. 
 
 SCENE changes to another part of tie Ijla;iJ. 
 Enter Caliban, Stephano, end Trinculo. 
 
 Step. Tell not me; when the butt is out, we will 
 drink water, not a drop before ; therefore bear up, 
 and board 'em, fervant monfter ; drink to me. 
 
 Trin. Servant-monfter! the folly of this iiland ! they 
 fay there's but five upon this ifle ; we are three of them ; 
 if the other two be brain'd like us, the ftate totters. 
 
 Step. Drink, fervant-monfter, when I bid thee ; thy 
 eyes are almoft let in thy head. 
 
 Trin. Where fliould they be let elie ? he were a brave 
 monlter indeed, if they were let in bis tail. 
 
 Step. My man-monfter hath drown'd his tongue la 
 fack : for my part, the fea cannot drown me. I fwam, 
 ere I could recover the more, iive and thirty leagues, oft" 
 and on ; by this light, thou fhalt'be my lieutenant, rnon- 
 fter, or my ftandard. 
 
 Trin. Your lieutenant, if you lift ; he's no Hiimkvi'. 
 
 Step. We'll not run, monlieitr monfter. 
 
 Trin* Nor go neither : but you'll lie like dogs, and 
 yet fay nothing, neither. 
 
 Step. Moon-calf, fpeak once in thy life, if thou beeft 
 a good moon-call". 
 
 Cal. How does thy honour ? let -me lick thy fnoe ; 
 I'll not ferve him, he is not valiant. 
 
 Trin. Thou Heft, moft ignorant monfter; I am m cafe 
 to juftle a conftable ; why, thou debolh'd fifii, thou, was 
 there ever a man a coward that hath drunk fo much 
 hick as I, to-day? wilt thou tell a monilrous He, being 
 bur half-a fifh, and half a monfter r 
 
 VOL. III. A a Or/.
 
 3 8 THE TEMPEST. 
 
 Cat. Lo, how he mocks me : wilt thou let him, my 
 Lord ? 
 
 Trin. Lord, quoth he ! That a monfter mould be fuch 
 a natural ! 
 
 Cal. Lo, lo, again ; bite him to death, I pr'ythee. 
 
 Step. Tnnculo, keep a good tongue in your head ; if 
 you prove a mutineer, the next tree the poor rr.onfter's 
 iny lubjetr, and he (hall not fuffer indignity. 
 
 Cal. I thank my noble Lord. Wilt rhou be pleas'd 
 to hcaiken once again to the fuit I made to thee r 
 
 Step. Marry, will I ; kneel and repeat it j I will {land, 
 and fo fhall Tratfuk* 
 
 Enter Ariel invipblc. 
 
 Cal. As I told thee before, I am fubjeft to a tyrant, 
 a forcerer, that by his cunning hath cheated me of the 
 illand. 
 
 Art. Thou lieft. 
 
 Cal. Thou Heft, thou jefting monkey, thou ; 
 I would, my valiant matter would deftroy thee: 
 I do not lie. 
 
 Step. Trinculo, if you trouble him any more in's tale, 
 by this hand, I will fupplant fome of your teeth. 
 
 Trin. Why, 1 laid nothing. 
 
 Step. Mum then, and no more ; proceed. 
 
 Cal. I lay, by forcery he got this Ifle ; 
 From me Ire got it. It thy greatnefs will 
 Revenge it on him, (for, I know, thou dar'ft, 
 But this thing dares not ) 
 
 Sttp. That's moil certain. 
 
 Cal. Thou fhalt be Lord of it, and I'll ferve thee. 
 
 Step. How now fhall this be compaft ? canfl thou bring 
 me to the party ? 
 
 Cal. Yea, yea, my Lord, I'll yield him thee afleep, 
 Where thou may'lt knock a nail into his head. 
 
 Art. Thou Hell, thou canlt not. 
 
 Cal. What a py'd ninny's this ! thou fcurvy patch ! 
 I do befeech thy Greatnefs, give him blows/ 
 
 And
 
 THE TEMPEST.. 39 
 
 And take this bottle from him ; when that's gone, 
 He fhall drink nought but brine, for I'll not fliew him 
 Where the quick irefhes are. 
 
 Step. Trine ulo, run into no further danger : interrupt 
 the monfter, one word further, and, by this hand, 1'ls 
 turn my mercy out of doors, and make a itock-rifh ot 
 thee. 
 
 Trin. Why, what did I ? I did nothing ; I'll go fur- 
 ther off. 
 
 Stfp. Didft thou not fay, he ly'd ? 
 
 An. Thou Heft *. 
 
 Step. Do I fo? take you that. [Beats blm. 
 
 As you like this, give me the lie another time. 
 
 Trin. I did not give thee the lie ; out o'your wits, 
 and hearing too ? A pox o'your bottle ! This can fnck 
 and drinking do. A murrain on your monftcr, and thu 
 devil take your fingers ! 
 
 Cal. Ha", ha, ha. 
 
 tcf. Now, forward with your ta!e; pr'ythee, ftaml 
 further off. 
 
 Cal. Beat him enough ; after a little time, 
 I'll beat him too. 
 
 Step. Stand further. Come, proceed. 
 
 Cal. Why, as I to'd thee, 'tis acuftom with lu'm, 
 I'th' afternoon, to fleep ; there thou may'rt brain him, 
 Having firlr. fci/Al his books ; or with a log, 
 Batter his fkull, or paunch him with a llake, 
 Or cut his weazsnd with thy knife. Remember, 
 Firlt to polleis his books ; tor without them, 
 He's but a fot, as I am ; nor hath not 
 One fpirit to command. They all do hate him, 
 As rootedly as I. Burn but his books ; 
 He has brave utenfils (for fo he calls them), 
 Which when he has an houfe, he'll deck withal. 
 And that moil deeply to confuler, is 
 The beauty of his daughter ; he himfelf 
 
 ; The invifibility of Ariel, with his interruptions, give a zefl to 
 this fcene, which, in other refpe&s, has considerable humour. 
 
 A a 2 Culls
 
 40 THE TEMPEST. 
 
 Calls her a nonpareil : I ne'er fr.w woman, 
 But only Fycorax my dam, and fhe ; 
 But fl-.e as far furpafUes ty/cora*, 
 As greateit does the leaft. 
 ttcp.. Is it fo brave a lafs ? 
 
 Cat. Ay, Lord ; fhe will become thy bed, I warrant, 
 And bring thee forth brave brood. 
 
 Step. Moniier, I will kill this man : his daughter and 
 I will be Kinsj and Queen, favc our Graces : and Trincnlo 
 and ihylelf fi:all be Vice-roys. Dolt thou like the plot, 
 ZrinctOo f 
 
 fria. Excellent. 
 
 I'tfp. Give ir.e thy hand; I am ferry, I beat thee,: "but, 
 v; hilcr thou liv'li, keep a. good tongue in thy head. 
 
 Cal. Within this half hour will he be aileep ':. 
 Wilt thou dellroy him, then ? 
 Step. Ay, on my honour. 
 dri. This will I tell my matter. 
 Cal. Thnu inak'il me merry ; I am full of pleafure ; 
 I <*f u-5 be }i::i;il ''-. Will yov4 troul the catch, 
 ' ; M.;..;.' :. e '.;! .U/lc-er??- 
 
 l /./. Ar thy requcli, mouiler, I will do reafun, any 
 
 reafon : come on, Trixcnfo, let us fing. [Stags* 
 
 Ftcaf't'M, and ficut 'cm: tindjkout. Vw, and JlvUt'itfr, 
 
 tbqugfe is free* 
 Cal. Tnat's not the tune. 
 
 [Ariel plays tie Tune on a labour and Pipe. 
 .''/,-/. What is this lame ? 
 
 Trin. This is the tune of our catch, play'd by the 
 picture of nobody. 
 
 Step. If thou be'it a man, fhew thyfelf in the like- 
 nefs ; if thou be'ir. a devil, take't as thou lift. 
 fria. O, forgive my fin; \ 
 
 Step. He that dies, pays all debts : 1 defy thee. Mercy 
 upon us! 
 
 Cal. Art thou afraid ? 
 &tfp. No, mbnlter, not I. 
 
 * Jocund Is a very improper word for Caliban. 
 
 Cau
 
 THE TEMPEST. 41 
 
 Cal Be not afraid ; the ifle is full of noifes, 
 Sounds, and fweet airs, that give delight, and hurt not. 
 Sometimes a thoufand twanging inftruments 
 Will hum about mine ears, andfometimes voices ; 
 That, if I then had wak'd after long deep, 
 Will make me deep again; and then in dreaming, 
 The clouds, methought, will open, and (hew riches 
 Ready to drop upon me ; then, when I wak'd, 
 I cry'd to dream again. 
 
 Sicp. This will prove a brave kingdom to me, where 
 I (hall have iny muiic for nothing. 
 
 Cal. When Profpero is deftroy'd. 
 
 Step. That fhall be, by and by : I remember the {lory. 
 
 Triit. The found is going away ; let's follow it, and 
 after do our work. 
 
 Step. Lead, monfter ; we'll follow. I would I could 
 fee this taborer. He lays it on. 
 
 Trin. Wilt come ? I'll follow, Stephana. [Exeunt. 
 
 SCENE changes to another part of the JJlancl+ 
 
 Enter Alonfo, Sebaftian, Anthonlo-, Gonzalo, 
 Francifco, &c 
 
 Gon. By'r lakin, I can go no further, fir, 
 My old bones ake : here's a maze trod, indeed, 
 Through forth rights and meanders ! by your patience, 
 1 needs mult reft me. 
 
 Alon. Old Lord, I cannot blame thee, 
 Who am myfelf attach'd with wearinefs, 
 To th' dulling of my fpirits : fit down, and reft. 
 Ev'n here I will put off my hope, and keep it 
 No longer for my flatterer : he is drown'd, 
 Whom thus we ftray to find, and thefea mocks 
 Our frullrate fearch on land. Well, let him go. 
 
 Ant. I am right glad that he's fo out of hope. 
 Do not, for one repulfe, forego the purpofc, 
 That you refolv'd t'effeft. 
 
 A a 3 "Set.
 
 42 THE TE'MPEST. 
 
 &l>. The next advantage 
 Will we take throughly. 
 
 Ant. Let it be to-night ; 
 For, now they are opprefs'd with travel, they 
 Will not, nor cannot, uie fuch vigilance, 
 As when they're frefh. 
 
 Set. I fay, to-night : no more. 
 
 Solemn anAftrange mufick. 
 
 Alon. What harmony is this ? my good friends, hark ! 
 
 Gon. Marvellous fweet mufick ! 
 
 Alon. Give us kind keepers, heaven ! what were thefe ? 
 \_A. dance of fautqftic Jpirits.. 
 
 Seb. A living droller}'. Now I will believe, 
 That there are unicorns ; that, in Arabia, 
 There is one tree, the phoenix' throne; one phanix 
 At this hour reigning there. 
 
 Ant. I'll believe both ; 
 
 And what does elfe want credit, come to me, 
 And 111 be fworn His true. Travellers ne'er did iie, 
 Though fools at home condemn 'em. 
 
 Gon. If in Naples, 
 
 I fhould report this now, would they believe me ? 
 If I (hould lay, I faw fuch illanders, 
 (For, certcs, thefe are people of the iiland) 
 Who tho* they are of monflrous fhape, yet, note, 
 Their manner* are more gentle-kind, than of 
 Our human generation yt>u {hail find 
 Many ; nay, ahnoft any. 
 
 Akn. 1 cannot too much mufe, 
 
 Such fliapes, fuch geftunyand fuch found, expreffing 
 (Although they want the ufe of tongue) a kind 
 Of excellent dumb difcourfe. 
 
 Fran. They vanilh'd ftrangely. [Thunder. 
 
 Two Devi Is rife out of the Stage, iuitb a Table decorated. 
 
 Seb. No matter, fince 
 
 They've
 
 THE TEMPEST. 43 
 
 They've left their viands behind ; for we have ftomachs. 
 Will't pleafe you tafte of what is here ? 
 
 Alon. Not I. 
 
 Gon, Faith, fir, you need not fear. 
 
 Alon. I will Hand to, and feed, 
 Although my laft ; no matter, iince I feel 
 The beft is part. Brother, my Lord the Duke, 
 Stand to, and do as we. 
 
 [ The Devils vanijb ivitb the Tabk+ 
 
 Thunder and Lightning. Enter Ariel. 
 
 Art. You are three men of fin, whom deftiny 
 The never-furfeited fea 
 
 Hath caufed to belch up; and on this Ifland, 
 Where man doth not inhabit, you 'mongtt men 
 Being moft unfit to live. I have made you mad; 
 And ev'n with fuch like valour men hang and drown 
 Their proper felves. You fools ! I and my fellows 
 Are minifters of fate ; the elements, 
 Of whom your fwords are temper'd, may as well 
 Wound the loud winds, or with bemockt-at itabs, 
 Kill the fHll-clofing waters, as diminifh 
 One down that's in my plume : my fellow-mimfters 
 Are like invulnerable. If you could hurt, 
 Your fwords are now too mafly for your ftrengths, 
 And will not be up-lifted. But remember, 
 (For that's my bufinefs to you) that you three 
 From Milan did fupplant good Profpcro ; 
 Expos'd unto the- fea (which hath requit it) 
 Him, and his innocent child ; for which foul deed,. 
 The powers delaying, not forgetting, have 
 Incens'd the feas and mores, yea, all the creatures, 
 Againil your peace : thee of thy fon, Alonfo, 
 They have bereft ; and do pronounce by me, 
 Ling'ring perdition, worfe than any death 
 Can be at once, (hall llep by ftep attend 
 YOU and your ways; whofe wrath to guard you from, 
 (Which here in this moil defolate Ifle elfe tails 
 
 Upon
 
 44 THE TEMPEST. 
 
 Upon your heads,) is nothing but heart's forrovv, 
 
 And a clear life enfuing *. [Ex. Ariel. 
 
 Gon. I' th' name of iomething holy, fir, why Hand you 
 In this ilrange flare ? 
 
 Akn. O, it is monftrous ! monftrous ! 
 Methought, the billows fpoke, and told me of it ; 
 The winds did fmg it to me ; and the thunder, 
 That deep and dreadful organ-pipe, pronounc'd 
 The name of Proffer: it did bafe my trefpafs. 
 Therefore, my fon i'th' ooze is bedded ; and 
 I'll feek him deeper than e'er plummet founded, 
 And with him there lye mudded. [Exif.- 
 
 Set. But one fiend at a time, 
 I'll fight their legions o'er. 
 
 Ant. I'll be thy fecond. [Exeunt. 
 
 Gon. All three of them are defperate ; their great guilt, 
 Like poifon giv'n to work a great time after, 
 3^'ow 'gins to bite the fpirits. I do befeech you, 
 That are of fuppler joints, follow them fwiftly ; 
 And hinder them from what this ecihify 
 May now provoke -them to. 
 
 * This awful addrefs and condemnation, with the preparative 
 circumftances, are well framed, to ftrike torment and terror deep 
 into guilty breafty. 
 
 f The third At has more Hie, humour, and entertaining mat- 
 ter, than the two preceding ones : it performs far btyood them : 
 as to perufal, there is little or no difference. 
 
 A C T
 
 THE TEMPEST. 45 
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 SCENE, Profpero's Cell. 
 Enter Profpero, Ferdinand, and Miranda, 
 
 Pro. Y F I have too aufterely puniih'd you, 
 
 JL Your compenfation makes amends ; for I 
 Have giv'n you here a thread of mine own life; 
 Or that tor which I live : all thy vexations 
 Were but my trials of thy love, and thou 
 Halt itrangely iiood the left. Here, afore heaven, 
 I rarity this my rich gift : O Ferdinand^ 
 Do not fmile at me, that I boaft her off; 
 For thou (halt find, {he will outitrip ail praife, 
 And make it halt behind her. 
 
 Fcr. I believe it, 
 Againlt an oracle. 
 
 Pro., Then, as my gift, and thine own acquifuion, 
 Worthily purchas'd, take my Daughter. But 
 If thou dolt break her virgin-knot, before/ 
 All fanftimonious ceremonies may, 
 With full and holy rite, be miniiter'd, 
 No fweet afperfions fliall the heav'ns let fall, 
 To make this contrail grow : but barren hate, 
 Sour-ey'd difdain, and difcord, fliall beftrew 
 The union of your bed with weeds fo loathly, 
 That you fhall hate it both : therefore take heed, 
 As Hymetis lamps (hall light you *. 
 
 Fcr. As I hope 
 
 For quiet days, fair iflue, and long life, 
 With fuch love as 'tis now, the murkieftden, 
 The moit opportune place, the Itrong'lt iliggeftion, 
 Our worfer Genius can, lhall never melt 
 
 * There is" fomething very fanciful and prudent in this precau- 
 tionary intimation, but the third line feems to us rather iiiJc- 
 Usate. 
 
 Mine
 
 46 THE TEMPEST. 
 
 Mine honour into luft ; to take away 
 
 The edge of that day's celebration, 
 
 When I (hall think or P bo-bus' fteeds are founder'd, 
 
 Or night kept chain'd below. 
 
 fro. Fairly fpoke. 
 
 Sit then, and talk with her, {he is thine own. 
 What, Ariel ; my induilrious fervant, Ariel 
 
 Enter Ariel. 
 
 Arl. What would my poteat matter ? here I am. 
 
 Pro. Thou and thy meaner fellows your lait iervice 
 Did worthily perform; and I mult ufe you 
 In fuch another trick ; go, bring the rabble, 
 O'er whom I give thee power, here to this place : 
 Incite them to quick motion, for I muft 
 Beftow upon the eyes of this young couple, 
 Some vanity of mine art ; it is my proiniie, 
 And they expect it from me. 
 
 Ari. Frefently? 
 
 Pro. Ay, with a twink. 
 
 Ariel fag*. 
 A I R. 
 
 Before JDK can fay, Came, and go. 
 And breathe twice ; and cry, &, jo ; 
 Eacb DM, tripping on bis toe^ 
 I fill be here luitb mop and tfio-zv, 
 Do you love me, majlerf no f 
 
 Pro. Why, that's my delicate Ariel; do not approach, 
 Till thou doft hear me call. [Exit Ariel. 
 
 Look, thou be true ; do not give dalliance 
 Too much the rein ; the ftrongeft oaths are ftraw, 
 To th' fire i'th' blood : be more abitemious, 
 Or elle, good-night, your vow! 
 
 Fcr. I warrant you, fir; 
 The white, cold, virgin-mow upon my heart, 
 Abates the ardour of my liver. 
 
 Pr,.
 
 1 T H E T E M P E S T. 47 
 
 Pro. Well. 
 No tongue; all eyes ; be filent. [To Ferdinand. 
 
 [SoftMujic.* 
 
 MAS Q_U E. Enter Juno. 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 Hither, Hymen, fpeed your ivay t 
 Celebrate this hapfy day ; 
 Hither, Ceres, bafte away, 
 Celebrate this happy day: 
 With blithfome look, and jocund mien, 
 Come, and tread this Jliort graj's green, 
 Leave behind your grief and carc^ 
 Come, and blefs this happy fair. 
 
 Enter Hymen and Ceres, 
 
 Hym. Honour, riches, marriage, 
 
 Long continuance and encrcajing, 
 Hourly jnys bejliU uponye, 
 Hymen Jings his Uejjings on ye. 
 
 Cer^ Earth's encreaje, and fnyfon plenty, 
 floras and garners never empty ; 
 f r incs in clitftring bunches growing, 
 Plants with goody burthens be wing. 
 
 BOTH. 
 
 Honour, riches, marria^ 
 Long continuance and e/icreajirig, 
 Hourly joys be Jlill uponye, 
 Hymen fags his blcjfings on ye. 
 
 DUET. 
 
 Cer. Scarcity and want Jball Jbunye % 
 Ceres fings her blej/ings onyc. 
 
 * The following Mafque is altered from Sbaktjptortt andjcdf* 
 eioufly made half as fiiort again as the original. 
 
 Hym.
 
 ^ THE TEMPEST, 
 
 Hyra. Hourly joy 3 le Jlill vponye, 
 
 Hyraen Jtags bis blejfixgs any:. 
 
 R E C I T. 
 
 YPU fun-burn d fickle mcn,,ef A uplift weary, 
 Come hither from the furrovj, and be merry. 
 
 DUET, 
 Hymen and Ceres. 
 
 Away, azvay, make holiday, 
 
 Tour rye-Jlravj hats put on ; 
 Bring each his lajl, and beat the grafs, 
 
 Let toil and care be gone, 
 
 join -Jj:th the 
 the end -c 
 
 et toi an care e gone, 
 
 Enter certain Reapers, properly habited; they 
 l\y-mpbs in a graccfid Dance ; towards the 
 ~\>\ufyvt?iftansfudd<inly, and freaks. 
 
 Pro. Break off, break off, 
 I had forgot that foul confpiracy 
 Of the beaft Caliban, and his confed'rates, 
 Againft my life ; the minute of their plot 
 Is a'.moil come. Well done, avoid ; no more. 
 
 . {Exeunt Dancer;, o.c. 
 
 Fer. This is moft flrange; your father's in ibmepalUon, 
 That vvoiks him (Irongly. 
 
 Mir. Never .'till this day, 
 S;uv I him touch'd with anger fo diitempcr'd. 
 
 Pro. You look, my fon, in a mov'd lorr, 
 As if you \\ere difraay'd : be chearful, fir : 
 Our revels no\7 are ended : thefe our aftors, 
 As I foretold you, were all fpirits, and 
 Are melted into air, into thin air ; 
 And, like this unfublVdntial pageant faded, 
 * The cloud-capt towels, the gorgeous palaces, 
 
 * Of this paflage, fo univerfally known, and fo juflly admired, 
 We may fay, that it pofiefl'es eaitern magnificence of idea, cloathed 
 with the chafteft elegance ; no author ever feared beyond, and 
 himfelf but rarely comes up to it, 
 
 Tire
 
 THE TEMPEST. 43 
 
 The folemn temples, the great.globe itfelf, 
 
 Yea, all, which it inherit, fhall duTolve ; 
 
 And, like the bafelefs fabrick of a vifion. 
 
 Leave not a rack behind ! Sir, I am vext ; 
 
 Bear with my weaknefs, my old brain is troubled: 
 
 Be not diltU'.Vd with my infirmity ; 
 
 If thou be pleas'd, retire into my cell, 
 
 And there repofe : a turn or two I'll walk, 
 
 To {till my beating mind. 
 
 Fer. Mira. We wiih your peace. [Eye. Per. and Mft 
 Pro, Come, with a thought I thank you Ariel, 
 come. 
 
 Profpero coma forward; enter Ariel to him. 
 
 Ari. Thy thoughts I cleave to ; what's thy pleafure ? 
 
 Pro. Spirit, 
 We mull prepare to meet with Caliban. 
 
 Ari, Ay, my commander; when I prefented Ccre~ 9 
 I thought to have told thee of it ; but I tear'd, 
 Left I might anger thee. 
 
 Pro. Say again, where did thou leave thefe varlcts ? 
 
 Ari. I told you, fir, they were red hot with drinking ; 
 So full of valour, that they fraote the air, 
 For breathing in their faces ; beat the ground, 
 For killing of their feet ; yet always bending 
 Towards their project. Then I beat my tabor, 
 At which, like unbackt coirs, they prickt their ears, 
 Advanc'd their eye-lids, lirted up their noJes, 
 As they fmelt * mufick ; fo I charm'd their ears, 
 That, calf-like, they my lowing follow'd, through 
 Tooth'd briars, (harp furzes, pricking gcfs and thorns, 
 Which enter'd their frail fhins : at lall I left them 
 1'rh' filthy mantled pool, beyond your cell. 
 
 Pro. This was well doue, my bird; 
 Thy fhape invifible retain thou itill ; 
 
 " Ths [melting of m.ific is a very {bang 2 idea, or, at 1.- " "- 
 t>f fingular latitude, to whatever obieas it may be appl.ed. 
 
 VOL. III. B b The
 
 $ o THE TEMPEST. 
 
 The trumpery in my houfe, go bring it hither, 
 :For ttale to catch thefe thieves. 
 
 Ari. I go, I go. [Exit. 
 
 Pro. A devil, a born devil, on whofe nature 
 Nurture can never flick ; on whom my pains, 
 Humanely taken, all, all loll, quite loft ; 
 And, as with age his body uglier grows, 
 So his mind cankers ; I will plague them all, 
 Even to roaring : come, hang them on this line. 
 
 [Profpero remains invffile. 
 
 Enter Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo, all "Met. , 
 
 Col. Pray you, tread foftly, that the blind mole may 
 
 not 
 Hear a tcot fall ; we now are near his cell. 
 
 Step. Moniter, your Fairy, which you fay is a hann- 
 lei's fairy, has done little better than played the Jack 
 wirh us. 
 
 7rin. Monfter, I do fmell all horfe-pifs, at which my 
 nofe is in great indignation *. 
 
 Step. So is mine : do you hear, monfter ? iflfhould 
 take a difpleafure againft you ; look you 
 
 'Trln. Thou wer't but a loft monfter. 
 
 Cal. Good my Lord, give me thy favour ftill ; 
 Be patient ; for the prize, Fll bring thee to, 
 f Shall hood-wink this mifchanoe; therefore, fpeak 
 
 foftly : 
 All's huflit as midnight yet. 
 
 Trin. Ay, but to lofe our bottles in the pool 
 
 Step, There is not only difgrace and difhonour in that, 
 ir. (Taller, but an indnue lofs. 
 
 * This fpeech of Trinculo is very Indelicate and unnecefTaty ; 
 for it conveys a naufeous idea, without a gleam of humour; Tome 
 j slices, cenfurably g-ofs, have a plea of pleafantry in their fa- 
 A cur : this having none, ftiould certainly be omitted. 
 
 -f- Hu-nl-ivink mijcbonce which has an allufion to falconry, is 
 c<*t*inlv too fanciful an expreflion, for fuch > brute.
 
 THE T EM-PEST; & 
 
 Trin. That's more to me than my wetting T yet this 
 is your harmlefs Fairy, monfter. 
 
 Step. I will fetch off my botde, though I be o'er ears 
 for my labour. 
 
 Gal. Pr'ythee, my King;, be quiet : feeft thou here, 
 This is the mouth o'th' cell ; no noife, and enter ; 
 Do that good mifchiei, which may make this Uland 
 Thine own for ever ; and I, thy Caliban, 
 For ay thy foot-licker. 
 
 Step. Give me thy hand : I do begin to have bloody 
 thought?. 
 
 Trin. QK\r\g Stephana! OPeer! O worthy Stepfjano! 
 Look, what a wardrobe here is for thee ! 
 
 Cal. Let it alone, thou fool, it is but trafh. 
 
 Thrift. Oh, oh, monlier; we know what- belongs to a 
 frippery ; O, King Stephana ! 
 
 Step. Put off that gown, Trinculo ; by this hand, \\\ 
 hnre that gown. 
 
 Trin. Thy Grace {hall have it. 
 
 Cal. The dropfy drown this fool! what do you me?.n* 
 To doat thus on luch luggage ? let's along, 
 And da the murder firit : if h^ awake, 
 From toe to crown he'll fill our fkins with pinches-; 
 Make us ftrange Huff. 
 
 Step. Be you quiet, monfter. Miftrefs line, is not this 
 my jerkin? now is the jerkin under the line: now; 
 jerkin, you are like to lofe your hair, and prove a bald 
 jerkin. 
 
 Trin. Do, do; we fteal by line -and leve^ au't like 
 your Grace. 
 
 Step. I thank thee for that jeft, here's garment for't : 
 wit (hall not go unrewarded, while I am King of this 
 country : fteal by line and level, is an excellent pals of 
 pate ; . there's another garment for't. 
 
 Trin. Monfter, come, put fome lime upon your fingers, 
 and aivay with the reft. 
 
 Cal. I will have none on't ; we (hall lole our time^, 
 Anl all be turn'd to barnacles, or- apes*.. 
 With foreheads villainous low. 
 
 B -b 2- Sttp
 
 52 THETEMPEST. 
 
 Sfff. Monfter, lay to your fingers ; help to bear this 
 away, where my hogfhead of wine is, or I'll turn you 
 cut of my kingdom ; go to, carry this. 
 
 Iria. And this. 
 
 *'tcp. Ay, and this. \TTncuder. 
 
 S.nter (fivers Spirits ; Profpei o and Ariel Jetting them on. 
 Caliban, Stephuno, and Trinculo driven cut, roaring. 
 
 Pro. Go, charge my goblins that they grind their joints 
 With dry convullions ; fhorten up their finevvs, 
 With aged cramps ; and more pinch (potted make them, 
 Than paid, or cat o' mountain. [Rearing within. 
 
 --///. Hark, they roar. 
 
 - Pro. Let them be hunted foundly. At this hour, 
 L\ e at my mercy all mine enemies : 
 S- hortly (hall all my labours end, and thou 
 Shalt have the air at freedom ; for a litde, 
 Follow, and do me fervice. [Exeunt. * 
 
 * This A&, though inferior to the third, yet has matter and 
 fyirh enough to pleafe in rrprefentation : it is to be remarked in 
 general of this play, that it ftands a good deal indebted for agree- 
 ;.blc effects, to mafic and dancing. 
 
 ACT V. 
 
 SCENE, Itfore the CM. 
 Enter Profpero, in. his magic Roles > and Ariel. 
 
 P^'.'VT O W does my project gather to a head ; 
 
 J^NJ My charms crack not j my fpirits obey, and 
 
 time 
 Gtfes upright with his carriage : how's the day ? 
 
 sL-i. On the fixth hour, at xvhich tiraej-jny Lord, 
 Ycu faid. our work fhould ceafe,
 
 THE TEMPEST. 53 
 
 Pro. I did fay fo, 
 
 When firit I rais'd the tempeft ; fay, 
 How fares the King and's followers ? 
 
 Ari. Confin'd 
 In. the fame fafliion as you gave in charge; 
 Juft as you left them, all prilbners, lir, 
 In the Lime-Grove which weather-fends your ceUi. 
 They cannot budge, 'till your-releafe. The King, 
 His brother, and yours, abide all three diftracted ^ 
 And the remainder mourning over them, 
 Brim-full of forrow and diimay ; but, chiefly, 
 Him that you terni'd the good old Lord Gon-zalo* . 
 His tears run down his beard, like winter drops 
 From eaves of reeds; your charm fo flrongly works 'em,- 
 That if you now beheld them, your aifedtions 
 Would become tender. 
 
 Pro. Do'ft thou think fo, fpirit ? : 
 
 Ari. Mine would, fir, were I human. . 
 
 Pro. And mine (hall. 
 
 Hall thou, which art but air, a touch, a feeling, ., 
 Of their afflictions, and frail not myfelf, 
 One of their kind, that relilh all as.fharply, 
 PaiTion'd as they, be kindlier mov'd than thou art ? 
 Tbo' \vith-their high wrongs I am irruck to th* quick, 
 Yet, with my nobler reafon, 'gainft my fury, 
 Do I take, part : the rarer, action is . 
 * In virtue than in vengeance; they being penitent, v 
 The fole drift. of my purpofe doth extend 
 Nbt a frown further ; go, releafe them, Ariel; 
 My charms I'll break, their fenfes I'll reitore, 
 And they (hall be themielves. 
 
 Ari. I'll fetch them, fir. [Exit. 
 
 Pro. Ye elves of hills, brooks, {landing lakes, and. 
 groves, 
 
 * There is here a fignal elevation of fentiment, a peculiar 
 finenefs of feeling, which does the author great honour ; but why 
 And, as a good fpirit, fliould have no tender fenfations, we know 
 not : he feels joy and pain for himfelf j why not a little fortuman 
 keings diftrefTed ? 
 
 Bb 3. And,
 
 54 THE TEMFEST. 
 
 And 3-6, that on the fands with printlefs foot 
 Do chafe the ebbing Neptune ; and do fly him, 
 When he comes back ; you demy-puppets, that 
 By moon-fliine do the green four ringlets make, 
 ' Whereof the ewe not bites ; and you, whofe paiHme 
 Is to make midnight mufhrooms, that rejoice 
 To hear the folemn curfew ; by whofe aid, 
 (Weak matters tho^ye be) I have be-dimm'd 
 The neon tide fun, called forth the mutinous winds, 
 And 'twixt the green fea and the azur'd vault, 
 J-.et roaring war; to the dread rattling thunder 
 Have I giv'n fire, and rifted Jove's flout oak, 
 Vv ith his cnvn bolt : the Itrong-bas'd promontory 
 t rive I made (hake, and by the fpurs pluckt up 
 r \ he pine and cedar : graves, at my command, 
 Have wak'd their fleepers ; op'd, and let them forth, 
 J 'v ir '" potent art. Iktf this rou^h magick 
 I here aujurej and when I have requir'd 
 Some heavenly mufick, which ev'n now I do, 
 (To work mine end upon their fenfes, that 
 This airy charm is for), 111 break my ftaff; 
 Bury it certain fathoms in the earth ; 
 And, deeper than did ever plummet found, 
 I'll drown my book *. [Solemn Mt/fic. 
 
 Here enters Ariel before^ then Alonfb, Gbnzalo, Sebaftian,. 
 Anthonio, Francifco. They all enter the Circle which 
 Profpero had mcule, and there ftand cbarrrfd\ which 
 Prolpero abjerviagj fpeaks, 
 
 There ftand, 
 
 For you are fpell-ftopt. 
 
 Hoty GeMzalo, honourable man -f> 
 
 Mine eyes, ev'n. fociable to th' fr.ew of thine, 
 
 * There is great poetica! fcktnnity and richnefs of defcriptio**, 
 in :his fpcech, which concludes well with Profptrti determination 
 to give up the pernicious power and ftudj of magic. 
 
 f This fpeech is allb beautiful and humane j it almoft teacher 
 vs ro feel pity and fcrgivenefs, tor thofe wretched, charafUrs we 
 1 tv hitherto juftly defpifed. 
 
 Fall
 
 THE TEMPEST. 55 
 
 Fall fellow drops The charm diflblves apace* 
 
 And as the morning Ilealb upon the night, 
 
 Melting the darknefs, fo their rifing fenfes 
 
 Begin to chafe the ign'rant fumes, that mantle 
 
 Their clearer reafon. Sir Moft cruelly 
 
 Didft thou, Alonfo, ufe me and my daughter : . 
 
 Thy brother was a furtherer in the aft ; 
 
 ThouVt pinch'd'for't now, Sebaftian, flefh and blood, 
 
 You, brother mine, that entertain'd ambition, 
 
 Expell'd remorfe and nature ; I do forgive thee, 
 
 Unnat'ral though thou art. Their underftanding 
 
 Begins to fwell, and the approaching tide 
 
 Will fhortly fill the reafonable more, 
 
 That now lies foul and muddy. Not one of them, 
 
 That yet looks on me, or would know me. Ariel, 
 
 Fetch me the hat and rapier in my cell ; 
 
 1 xvili dif-caie me, and myfelf pretent, 
 
 As I was fometime Milan : quickly, Spirit ; 
 
 Thou flialt ere long be free. [Profpero^w <V 
 
 Ariel fings. 
 
 Where the bee fucks, there lurk I; 
 
 In a cow/lip's bell I lie : 
 
 There I couch, when owls do cry, , 
 
 ON the bafs back I do jty, 
 
 After funfet, merrily, 
 
 Merrily, merrily, flail I live now, 
 
 Under the blojjbm, that hangs on the bough, 
 
 Enter Profpero, dreft. 
 
 Pro. Why, that's my dainty Ariel; I mall mils thee j 
 But yet thou (halt have freedom. 
 To the King's (hip, invilible as thou art : 
 There (halt thou rina the mariners afleep, 
 Under the hatches ; the matter and boatfwain 
 Being awake, enforce them to this place; 
 And prefently, I pr'ythee.
 
 56 TH-E TEMPEST. 
 
 Art. I drink the air before me, and return. 
 Or ere your pulfe twice beat. [Exit. 
 
 Gon. All torment, trouble, xvonder, and amazement, 
 Inhabit here ; fome-heav'enly power guide us, 
 Out of this fearful country I 
 
 Pro. Behold, Sir King, 
 The wronged Duke of Milan, Projfero: 
 For more alFurance that a living Prince 
 Does now fpeak to thee, I embrace thy body. 
 
 Alon. Be'fl thou he.or no, 
 Or fome inchanted trifle, to abufe me, 
 As late I have .been, I not know ; thy pulfe 
 Beats, as of flefh and blood ; and fince I faw thee, 
 Th* affliction of my mind augends, with which, 
 I fear, a madnefs held me ; this mull crave 
 (And if this be at all) a moil itrange {lory : 
 Thy Dukedom I refign, and do intreat 
 Thou pardon me my wrongs ; but how ihould Proffero . 
 Ee living, and be here? 
 
 Pro. Firft, noble friend, 
 
 Let me embrace thine age, whofe honour cannot 
 Be meafur'd or confin'd. 
 
 Gon. Whether this be, 
 Or be not, I'll not fwear. . 
 
 Pro. You do yet tafte 
 
 Some fubtilties o' th'ifle, that will not let you 
 Believe things certain : welcome, my friends all. 
 For you, moft wicked Sir, whom to call brother 
 Would even infect my mouth, J do forgive 
 Thy rankeft faults ; all of them ; and require 
 My Dukedom of thee, which perforce,.! know,. 
 Thou muft reilore. 
 
 Alon. If thou be'it Profpcrc, . 
 Give us particulars of thy prefervation, 
 How thou hail met us here, who, three hours fince r 
 Were wreckt upon this (hore ; where I have loft 
 (How (harp the point of this remembrance is .') 
 My dear fon Ferdinand. 
 
 Pro. I'm woe for't, fir. 
 
 4 Alon.
 
 ' 3 
 THE TEMPEST. 57 
 
 Alon. Irreparable is the lofs, and Patience 
 Says, it jsp:ift her cure. 
 
 Pro, I rather think, 
 
 You have not fought her help ; of whofe fort grace, 
 For the like lofs, 1 have her fov'reign aid, 
 And reft myfelr content. 
 
 Alon. You the like lofs ? 
 
 Pro. As great to me ; for I 
 Have loft my daughter. 
 
 Alcn. A daughter ? 
 
 heav'ns ! that they were living both in Naples, 
 The King and Queen there ! that they were, I wifh 
 Myfelf were mudded in that oozy bed, 
 
 Where my fon lies. When did you lofe your daughter ? 
 
 Pro. In this laft tempeft. ) perceive, thefe Lords 
 At this encounter do fo much admire, 
 That they devour their reafon ; and fcarce think, 
 Their eyes do offices of truth, their words 
 Are natural breath : but, howfoe'er you have 
 Been juftled from your fenfes, know, for certain, 
 That I am Proffro, and that very Duke 
 Which was thruft forth of Milan ; who moft ftrangdy 
 Upon this more, where you were wreckt, u as landed, 
 To be the Lord on't. No more yet of this ; 
 For 'tis a chronicle of day by day, 
 Not a relation for a breakfaft, nor 
 Betitting this firft meeting. Welcome, fir; 
 This cell's my court ; here have I few attendants, 
 And fubjefts none abroad ; pray you, look in ; 
 My Dukedom fince you've given me again, 
 
 1 will requite you with as good a thing j 
 
 At leaft, bring forth a wonder to content ye, 
 As much as me my Dukedom. 
 
 SCENE opens to tbtLEntrance if tie Cell. 
 
 Here Profpero difcovers Ferdinand and Miranda playing 
 at Chefs. 
 
 JHfira, Sweet Lord, you play me falfe, 
 
 Fer
 
 5 THE TEMPE.ST. 
 
 Fcr. No, my dear love, 
 I would not for the world. 
 
 Mir a. Yes, for a fcore of kingdoms you ftould wrangle* 
 And I would call it fair play. 
 
 Alon. If this prove 
 A vifion of the ifland, one dear foa 
 Shall I twice lofe. 
 
 Scb. A moil high miracle ! 
 
 Per. Though the feas threaten, they are merciful : 
 I've curs'd them without caufe. [Ferd. kncck. 
 
 Alon. Now all the Wettings 
 Of a glad father, compafs thee about 1 
 Arife, and fay how thou cam 'ft here. 
 
 Mira. O ! wonder ! 
 
 How many goodly creatures are there here T 
 How beauteous mankind is ! O brave new world). 
 That has fuch people in't ! 
 
 Pro. 'Tis new to thee. 
 
 Alon. What is this maid, with whom thou waft at play ? 
 Your eld'ft acquaintance cannot be three hours : 
 Is flie the goddefs that hath fever'd us^ 
 And brought us thus together ? 
 
 Fer. Sir, (he's mortal ; 
 But, by immortal providence, (he's mine. 
 I chofe her, when I could not aflc my father 
 For his advice : nor thought I had one : flie 
 Is daughter to this famous Duke of Milaji^ 
 Of whom fo often I have heard renown, 
 But never faw before ; of whom I have 
 Receiv'd a fecond life, and fecond fatber- 
 This lady makes him to me. 
 
 Alon. I am hers ; 
 
 But, oh, how odly will it found, that I,. 
 Muft afk my child forgivenefs ! 
 
 Pro. There, fir, ftop; 
 Let us not burden our rdhembranee, with 
 An heavinefs that's gone *. 
 
 * It fpeaks exceeding delicacy of fenfe.in Pnlfiyf>lo check the 
 ftbp of felf-repreitJh 
 
 Gon*.
 
 THE TEMPEST. 59 
 
 fjron. IVe inly wept, 
 
 Or fhould have fpoke, ere this. Look down, you gods, 
 And on this couple drop a bleffed crown ; 
 For it is you, that have chalk'd forth the way, 
 Which brought us hither ! 
 
 Alon. -I fay, Amen, Gonzalo ! 
 Give me your hands :- 
 
 Let grief and forrow ftill embrace his heart, 
 That doth not vvifh you joy ! 
 
 Gofi. Be't fo, Amen ! 
 
 jE##r Ariel, with the Mafter and ~Boatfwain atnazcdlyy 
 follovj'mg. 
 
 took, fir, look, fir, here are more of us ! 
 
 1 prophefy'd, if a gallows were on land, 
 
 This fellow could not drown. Now, blafphemy, 
 
 Not an oath on more? 
 
 Hart thou no mouth by land ? what is the news ? 
 
 Scat/. The beft news is, that we have fafely found 
 Our King and company; the next, our fhip, 
 Which but three glafles fince we gave out fplit, 
 Is tight and yare, and bravely rigg'd, as when 
 We firft put out to fea. 
 
 Ari. Siivall this fervice 
 Have I done fince I went. 
 
 Pro. My trickfey fpirit ! 
 
 Alon. Thefe are not natural events ; they ftrengthen, 
 From ftrange to Granger. Say, how came you hither ? 
 
 Boatf. If I did think, fir, I were well awake, 
 I'd ilrive to tell you. We were dead afleep, 
 And, how we know not, all clapt under hatches, 
 Where but ev'n now with ftrange and fev'ral noife-:,. 
 Of roaring, fhrieking, howling, jingling chains, 
 And more diverlity of founds, "all horrible, 
 We were awak'd ; ftraightway at liberty : 
 Where we, in all her trim, frefhly beheld 
 Our royal, good, and gallant fhip ; our mafter 
 Cap'ruig to eye her j on a trice, fo pleale you, 
 
 Ev'rt
 
 6o THE TEMPEST. 
 
 Ev'n in a dream, were we divided from them, 
 And were brought moping hither. 
 
 Art. Was't \veli dune ? 
 
 Pro. Bravely, my diligence ; thou {halt be free. 
 
 Alon. This is as ftrange a maze as e'er men trod, 
 And there is in this bufinefs, more than nature 
 Was ever conduct of; fome oracle 
 Muft recHfy our knowledge. 
 
 Pro. Sir, my liege, 
 
 Do not infeft your mind with beating on 
 The ftrangenefs of this bufmefs ; at pickt leifure, 
 (Which {hall be {hortly) fingle I'll refolve you,, 
 Which to you {hall feem probable, of every 
 Thefe happen'd accidents ; till when be chearful, 
 And think of each thing well. Come hither, fpirit j 
 Set Caliban and his companions free : 
 Untie the fpell. How fares my gracious fir ? 
 There are yet miffing of your company 
 Some few odd lads, that you remember not. 
 
 Enter Ariel, driving in Caliban, Stephano, dWTrinculo,* 
 . in their Jtolen Apparel. 
 
 Step. Every man fliift for all the reft, and let no man 
 take care for himfelf ; for all is but fortune. Coragio t 
 bully -monfter, Cor agio ! 
 
 Trin. If thefe be true fpies, which I wear in my head, 
 here's a goodly fight. 
 
 Cal. O Setehos, thefe be brave fpirits, indeed ! 
 How fine my matter is ! I am afraid, 
 He will chaftife me. 
 
 Pro. Mark but the badges of thefe men, my Lords, 
 Then fay, if they be true : this mif-fhap'd knave, 
 His mother was a witch, and one fo ftrong 
 That could controul the moon, make flows and ebbs. 
 Thefe three have robb'd me ; and this demy-devil 
 (For he's a baitard one) had plotted with them, 
 To take my life ; two of thefe fellows you 
 Mult know and own ; this thing of darkjnefs I 
 Acknowledge mine, 
 
 cut
 
 THE TEMPEST; ft 
 
 Cal. I (hall be pincht to death. 
 
 Alon. Is not this Stephana, my drunken butler ? 
 
 &3. He's drunk now : where had he wine ? 
 
 Alon. And Trinculo is reeling ripe ; where mould they 
 Find this grand 'lixir, that hath gilded 'em ? 
 How cam'lr. thou in this pickle ? 
 
 Trin. I have been in fuch a pickle, fince I faw you 
 laft, that, I fear me, will never out ot my bones : I 
 fhall not fear fly-blowing. 
 
 Sefr. Why, how now, Stephana ? 
 
 Step. O, touch me not : I am not Stephana^ but a cramp,; 
 
 Pro. You'd be King o'th' ille, firrah ? 
 
 Step. I fhould have been a fore'one then; 
 
 Alon. 'Tis a ftrange thing, as e'er I look'd on. - 
 
 Pro. He is as difproportien'd in his manners, 
 As in his fhape : go, iirrah, to my cell, 
 Take with you your companions ; as you look 
 To have my pardon, trim it handfomly. 
 
 Cal. Ay, that I will; and I'll be wife hereafter, - 
 And feek for grace. What a thrice-double afs 
 Was I, to take this drunkard for a God, . 
 And worlhip this dull fool ! 
 
 Pro. Go to, away ! 
 
 Alon. Hence, and beftow your luggage where you 
 found it. 
 
 Seb. Or ftole it rather.-. 
 
 Pro. Sir, I invite your Highnefs, and your train, 
 To my poor cell ; where you fhall take your reit, , 
 For this one night, which (part of it) I'll waile 
 With fuch difcourfe, as, I not doubt, ftiall make ii i 
 Go quick away ; the ftory of my life, 
 And the particular accidents gone by, 
 Since I came to this ifle ; and in the morn, 
 I'll bring you to your {hip ; and fo to Naples ; . 
 Where I have hope to fee the nuptials, 
 Of thefe our dear-beloved, folemiiiz'd ; 
 And thence retire me to my Mllan^ where 
 Every- third thought fhall be my grave. 
 
 Alon. I long 
 To hear the ffoiy of your life, which mufl 
 
 VOL. III. . *Cc Take.
 
 6*. THE TEMPEST:, 
 
 Take the ear ftrangely. 
 Pro. I'll deliver all ; 
 
 Andpromife you calm feas, aufpicious gales, 
 And Jail To expeditious, that Ihall catch 
 Your royal fleet far off: My Ariel, chick, 
 That is thy charge : Then to the elements 
 Be free, and fare thou well ! Pleafe you, draw near. * 
 
 * The laft Aft has a confiderable fliare of bufinpfs, the inci- 
 dents are pleafing, the writing nervous, the charafters well dif- 
 j> ofed, and the catafhophe moft pleafingly brought about. 
 
 E P I L O G U Ef. 
 
 TrtOW my charms are all o er-throfvjn. 
 And what ftrengtb 
 
 I haves mine tfuv.' ; 
 
 Which is moft faint : and n(fiu t 'tis tru&> 
 I mvjl toe here confind lyyou^ 
 Or fent.to Naples. Let me not, 
 Since I have my Dukedom got, 
 And pardon d the deceiver, dwell 
 In ibis bare ((land byyourjpell : 
 Hut releafc me from my bands, 
 With the help of your gccti ha&ds 
 Gentle breath of yours my Jails 
 Miift fM, or elfe nut projecl fails, 
 Which was to pleafe. F&- now I ivaKt 
 Spirits ? enforce, art to enchant j 
 
 As you iMOtdd pardon d ^ijh to be^ 
 
 Let your indulgenci fet me fret ! 
 
 f This addrefs t the audience is fenfible, and the lines happiiy 
 rroid namby pamby jingle, by runoing. agreeably into each other; - 
 he laft diihch we objed to, as alluding too cloJely to the Lord's- 
 
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 MEASTRE for MEASURE , 
 
 cewTTT. 
 
 <rf ij'a^a^tnf^ H,y itf. /fifj .
 
 MEASURE for MEASURE. 
 
 AS PERFORMED AT THE 
 
 THEATRE-ROYAL, CQVENT-GARDEN, 
 
 REVISED 
 
 By Mr. YOUNGER, 
 
 Prompter of that Theatre. 
 
 An INTRODUCTION, and NOTES 
 CRITICAL and ILLUSTRATIVE, 
 
 ARE ADDED BY THE 
 
 AUTHORS of the DRAMATIC CENSOR. 
 
 L O N D O N: 
 
 Printed for J H N BELL, near Exeter-Fxctiange, in the Strand 
 
 and C. ErHrRiNGTON, at York- 
 
 MDCCLXXIII.
 
 INTRODUCTION, 
 
 IT is one of the greatefl errors fovereigrity can commit, 1ft 
 place unlimited confidence in tnimjlers unproved ; no 
 prefijfions, no fa-Jonings, no- fair external appearance, jbould 
 prevent a watchful eye over thofe, iota, by their rank at:d 
 Rations, are enabled to do much public good, or much pullia. 
 prejudice ; under this commendable idea, Shakefpeare con- 
 ceived Meafure for Meafurc ; and be has bandied his -fab- 
 jel in a majierly manner ; he has taken very Juccejsful pains 
 with four of the charaSlers : the Duke, Angelo, Lucio, 
 and Ifabella ; however, the ftw former require great helpi 
 from the aflorr voho perfonate them ; the two latter ajltft the 
 performers. Had the plot been poffefled of greater latitude, 
 that heavy jamenefs ive perceive in many parts of this piece, 
 ivould have been, avoided The feniiments in general are 
 fine, and extremely vjell adapted^ the language poetical and 
 nervous* 
 
 Dd z
 
 DRAMATIS P E R S O .V 
 
 DUKE, 
 ANGELO, 
 ESCALUS, 
 CLAUDIO, 
 
 PROVOST, 
 
 THOMAS, 
 
 VETER, 
 
 ELBOW, 
 
 CLOWN, 
 
 ABHORSON, 
 
 BAR.NARDINE,. 
 
 Covent-Garden. 
 Mr. BENSLEY. 
 Mr. CLARKE. 
 Mr. HULL. 
 Mt. WROUGHTOX, 
 Mr. WOODWARD. 
 Mr. GARDNER. 
 Mr. REDMAN*. 
 Mr. R. SMITH. 
 Mr. QUICK. 
 Mr. DUN STALL. 
 Mr. BATES. 
 Mr. STOPFELAEH. 
 
 ISABELLA, 
 
 MARIANA, 
 JULIET. 
 I:'R ANCJSCA, 
 
 Mhtr.efs 
 
 Mrs. YATES. 
 Mrs. BULKLEY. 
 Mrs. INYILE, 
 Mifs PEARCE. 
 Mrs. WHIT B. 
 
 Guards, Officers, and other Attendants. 
 S C E N E 
 
 ME A-
 
 [ s j 
 MEASURE for M E A s u R E 
 
 ACT i; 
 
 SCENE, The Duke's Palace. 
 
 Enter Duke, Efcalus, and Lords*. 
 
 DUKE.. 
 
 
 SCALUS, - 
 Efcal. My Lord, 
 
 Duke. Of government the properties t'unfoky. 
 Would feem in me t'uffeet fpeech and difcourfe. 
 Since I am not to know that your own fcience 
 Exceeds, in that, the lifts of all advice. 
 My ilrength can give you : 
 The nature of our people, 
 Our city's inftitutions, and the terms 
 Of common juftice, y'are as pregnant iiv 
 As art and practice hath enriched any, 
 That we remember. There is our commiffion, 
 From which we would not have you warp., Call hither^ 
 I fay, bid come 'before us Angela : 
 What figure of us, think you, he will bear? 
 For you muft know, we have with fpecial foul : 
 Elected him ourabfence to lupply ; 
 Lent him our terror, dreft him with our love ; 
 And giv'n our deputation. all the organs 
 Of oiir own power: fay, what .think you of it? 
 
 :: The title of thb play to perfons not Ttry intelligent, -foonti*-: . 
 rather odd, and ,is fomewhat obfcure j but the phy fully juftifim 
 and appropriates it. 
 
 Dd 3
 
 6 MEASURE for MEASURE: 
 
 EfcaL If any in Vienna be of Worth, 
 To undergo fiich ample grace and honour, 
 It is Lord Angela. 
 
 Enter Angelo* 
 
 Duke, Look, where he comes ! 
 
 Ang, Always obedient to your Grace's will, 
 I come to know your pleafure. 
 
 Duke. Angela, 
 
 There is a kind of character in thy life, 
 That to th' oblerver doth thy hiftcry 
 Fully untold: thylelf and thy belongings 
 Are not thine own Ib proper, as to wafte 
 Thyfelf upon thy virtues ; they on thee. 
 Heav'n doth with us, as we with torches do. 
 Not light them for themfelves : for if our virtues 
 Did not gp forth of us, 'twere all alike 
 As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd. 
 But to fine ifiues: nor nature never lends 
 The fmallert fcruple of her excellence, 
 But, like a thrifty goddefs, (he determines 
 Herfelf the glory of a creditor, 
 Bo'.h thanks, and ufe. But I do bend my fpeecb. 
 To one that can my part in him adverdfe ; 
 Hold therefore, A/igelo: 
 In our remove, be thou at full ourfelf. 
 Mortality and mercy in Vienna, 
 Live in thy tongue and heart : old FJcaius^ 
 TKcugh firft in queftion, is thy fecondary. 
 T:il\e thy commiilion. 
 
 A 'xg. Now, good my Lord, 
 Let there be'fome more teft made of my metal, 
 Before Co noble and fo great a figure 
 Be ilampt upon it. 
 
 Duh. We have with a prepar'd and leaven'd choice. 
 Proceeded to you ; therefore take your honours. 
 \Ve {hall write to you, 
 As time and our concernings {hall importune, 
 
 How
 
 MEASURE for MEASURE. 7 
 
 How it goes with us ; and do look to know 
 What doth befal you here. So, fare you welL. 
 To th' hopeful execution do I leave you 
 Of your commiffions. 
 
 Ang. Yet give me leave, my Lord, 
 That we may bring you fomething on the way, 
 
 Duke. My hafte may not admit it ; . 
 Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do 
 With any fcruple ; your fcope is as mine own, 
 So to in force, or qualify the laws, 
 As to your foul feems good. 
 I'll privily away. 1 love the people : 
 But do not like to ft?.ge me to their eyes * : 
 Though it do well, I do not relilh well 
 Their loud applaufe, and Ave'i vehement : 
 Nor do I think the man of fafe difcretion, 
 That does affect it. Once more, fare you well. 
 
 Aug. The heav'ns givefafety to your purpoies ! 
 
 Efcah Lead forth, and bring you back .in happinefs I 
 
 Duke. I thank you, fare you well. [Exit* 
 
 Efcal. I (hall defire you, Sir, to give me leave, 
 To have free fpeech with you ; 
 A pow'r I have, but of what ftfength and nature, 
 I am not yet ini.trudt.ed. 
 
 Aug. 'Tis fo with me ; let us withdraw .together, 
 And we may foon our fatisfaclion have, 
 Touching that point. 
 
 Efcal. I'll wait upon your Honour. [Exeunt -f . 
 
 Enter Provoil, Claudio, Juliet, and Officers. 
 
 Claud. Fellow, why doft thou {how me thus to tl\' 
 
 world ? 
 Bear me to prifon, where I am committed. 
 
 * Shakeffnare has moft judicioufly, on every occafion, fliown 
 the infignificancy of vehement popular applaufe ; an idol which 
 knaves fometimes worihip, fuccefsfully, and fools always admire, 
 without a meaning. 
 
 j- After this fcene, there are three very flight unworthy pages 
 f tbt original, rcoft properly rejefled.
 
 8 MEASURE for MEASURE.. 
 
 Prov, I do it not in evil difpofition ; 
 But from Lord Angela by fpecial charge. 
 
 Claud, Thus can the Demi-god, Authority, 
 Make us pay down, for our offence, by weight, 
 The words of heav'n; on whom it will, it will; 
 On whom it will not, Ib ; yet ilill .'tis j uil. 
 
 Enter Lucio. 
 
 Lucio. Why how- now, Claudia f whence come* this 
 reflraint ? 
 
 Claud. From too much liberty, my Lucio y liberty ; 
 As furfeit is the father-of much fail, 
 So every fcope,.by th' immod'rate ufe, 
 Turns to reftraint : our natures do purfue, 
 Like rats that ravin down their proper bane, 
 A thirfty evil ; and when we drink, we die. 
 
 Lucio. If I could fpeak-v fo wifely under an arrell, I 
 would fend for certain of my creditors; and yet, to 
 fay the truth, I had as lief have, the foppery of free- 
 dom, as the morality of. imprifonment: what's thy 
 offence, Claudia? 
 
 Claud. What, but to fpeak- of, .would offend again > 
 
 Lucio. . What is't, murder ? . 
 
 Claud. No. 
 
 Lttch.- Wenching ? ; - 
 
 Claud. Call it fo. 
 
 Prov. Away, Sir, you muft go. 
 
 Gland. One word, . good "friend :-^JLuc/o, a word with 
 you. 
 
 Lucia* A hundred ; if they'll do you any good : 
 Is .wenching fo look'd. after ? 
 
 Claud. Thus ftands it upon me : upon a true contract; 
 I got poffeflion of JuVcttas bed, 
 (You know the lady,) (he is faft my wife ; 
 Save that we do the denunciation lack, 
 Of -outward order. This we came not to,. 
 Only for propagation of a dower. 
 Remaining in the cotter of her friends ; 
 From whom we thought it meet to hide our love, 
 Till time had made them for us. Eut it chances, 
 
 The,
 
 MfeASURE for MEASURE. 9 
 
 The itealth of our molt mutual entertainment, 
 With chara&er too grofs, is writ on Juliet. 
 
 Ludo. With child, perhaps ? 
 
 Claud. Unhappily, even fo. 
 And the new Dep Jty now for the Duke, 
 * (Whether it be the fault, and glimpfe, of newnefs ; 
 Or whether that the body public be 
 A horfe whereon the Governor doth ride, 
 Who, newly in the feat, that it may know 
 He can command, lets it itrait feel the fpur ; 
 Whether the tyranny be in his place, 
 Or in his eminence that fills it up, 
 I dagger in :) but this new Governor 
 Awakes me all th' enrolled penalties f , 
 Which have, like unfcour'd armour, hung by th' wall 
 So long, that nineteen Zodiacks have gone round, 
 And none of them been worn : and, for a name, 
 Now puts the drowfy and negleded act 
 Frefhly on me : 'tis furely, for a name. 
 
 Ludo. I warrant, it is ; and thy head ftands fo tickle 
 on thy fhoulders, that a milk-maid, if (he be in love, 
 may figh it off. Send after the Duke, and appeal t* 
 him. 
 
 Claud. I have done fo, but he's not to be found. 
 I pr'ythee, Luclo, do me this kind fervice : 
 This day my filter fhould the cloifter enter, 
 And there receive her approbation. 
 Acquaint her with the danger of my ftate, 
 Implore her, in my voice, that {he make friends, 
 To the flria Deputy : bid herfelf aflky him ; 
 I have great hope in that ; for in her youth 
 There is a prone and fpeechlefs dialed \ , 
 Such as moves men ! befide, Ihe hath profp'rous art, 
 
 * This is an unpardonable long parenthefis j hard to fpeak 
 intelligibly. 
 
 f Arbitrary governors will rake amongft the mo ft antiquated 
 authorities, to glofs rigid exertion and extenfion of power. 
 
 J The power of female youth and beauty, is exprefied with 
 etmprehenfive brevity, in this line. 
 
 a. When
 
 10 ME ASURE for MEASURE. 
 
 When fhe will play with reafon and difcourfe ; 
 And well {he can perfuade. 
 
 Lucia. I pray fhe may ; as well for the encourage- 
 ment of the like, as for the enjoying of thy life, which 
 I would be forry mould be thus foolifhly loft, at a game of 
 ticktack. I'll to her. 
 
 * Claud. I thank you, good friend Lucio. 
 Lucio. Within two hours, 
 
 Claud. Come, officer, away. \Exntnt* 
 
 SCENE, A Monajlery. 
 Enter Duke, and Friar Thomas f . 
 
 Duke. No, holy father ; throw away that thought ; . 
 Believe not that the dribbling dart of love, 
 Can pierce a compleat bofom ; why I defire thee 
 To give me fecret harbour, hath a purpofe, 
 More grave and wrinkled, than the aims and ends, 
 Of burning youth. 
 - Fri. May your Grace fpeak of it ? 
 
 Duke. My holy Sir, none better knows than you, 
 How I have ever lov'd the life remov'd; 
 And held in idle price to haunt aflemblies, 
 Where youth, and coft, and witnefs bravery keeps. 
 I have deliver'd to Lord Angela^ 
 (A man of ftri&ure and firm abftinence) 
 My abfolute pow'r and place, here in Vienna ; 
 And he fuppofes me traveil'd to Poland. 
 For fo I've ftrew'd it in the common ear, 
 And fo it is receiv'd : now, pious Sir, 
 You will demand of me, why I do this ? 
 
 * Though Luck is drawn a fpirited coxcomb, yet for the me- 
 lancholy circumftarrce his acquaintance Claudia is in, we think 
 him furnifhed in this fcene with too much levity. 
 
 f That performer, who perfonates the Duke, in this piece, 
 /hculd be a found, firm, judicious orator; poflefled of agreeable 
 medium tones, adlion of dignity, and emphafis of force : the 
 character is finely written, yet from its length and faraenefs, re- 
 quires conliderable help from the a&or } who, if not very clever, 
 ftands a chance to pall. 
 
 ft*.
 
 MEASURE for MEASURE. 
 
 Fri. Gladly, my Lord. 
 
 Duke. We have ftri<5t fhitutes and moft binding Idy.-s, 
 (The needful bits and curbs for headftrong fteeds,) 
 Which for thefe nineteen years we have let fleep ; 
 Even like an o'er-grown lion in a cave, 
 That goes not out to prey : now, as fond fathers. 
 Having bound up the threat'ning twigs of birch, 
 Only to ftick it in their children's fight, 
 For terror, not to ufe; in time the rod 
 Becomes more mock'd, than fear'd : fo our decrees, 
 Dead to infli&ion, to themfelves are dead ; 
 And liberty plucks juftice by the nofe; 
 The baby beats the nurfe, and quite athwart 
 Goes all decorum *. 
 
 Fri. It relied in your Grace 
 T'unloofe this ty'd-up juttice, when you pleas'd : 
 And it in you more dreadful would have feera'd, 
 Than in Lord Angela. 
 
 Duke. I do fear, too dreadful. 
 Sith 'twas my fault to give the people fcope, 
 'T would be my tyranny to ftrike, and gall them, 
 For what I bid them do. For we bid this be done, 
 When evil deeds have their permillive pafs, 
 And not the punifhment. Therefore, indeed, good 
 
 father, 
 
 I have on Angela impos'd the office, 
 Who may in th' ambufli of my name ftrike home : 
 And to behold his fway, 
 I will, as 'twere a brother of your order, 
 Vifit both Prince and people; therefore pr'ythee, 
 Supply me with the habit, and inilru6l me 
 How I may formally ia peribn bear, 
 Like a true Friar. More realbns for this aftion, 
 At our more leiiure fhall I render you ; 
 Only, this one : Lord Angela is precife f ; 
 
 * The eftefls arifing from too great a relaxation of power, are 
 happily defcribed here } and the regal is well afiitnilated to paren- 
 tal authority. 
 
 f The Duke's purpofe is very fenfibly exprefTed, in the four 
 laft lines of this fpeech j as furmifing jufily, that feemers may 
 vary much from tusii appearances. 
 
 Stands
 
 i 2 MEASURE for MEASURE. 
 
 Stands at a guard with envy ; fcarce confefles 
 That his blood flows, or that his appetite 
 Is more to bread than {tone : hence (hall we fee, 
 If pow'r change purpofe, what our feemers be. 
 
 [Exeunt* 
 
 SCENE, A Nunnery. 
 * Enter Ifabella and Francifca. 
 
 Ifab. And have you nuns no farther privileges ? 
 
 Nun. Are not thefe large enough ? 
 
 Ifab. Yes, truly : I fpeak not, as defiring more ; 
 But rather wifhing a more ilrit reftraint, 
 Upon the fifter-hood, the votarifts of Saint Clare. 
 
 Luclo. \_With M.~\ Hoa ! peace be in this place ! 
 
 Ifab. Who's that, which calls ? 
 
 Nun. It is a man's voice : gentle Ifabdla, 
 Turn you the key, and know his bufinefs of him ; 
 You may ; I may not ; you are yet unfworn : 
 When you have vovvM, you muft not fpeak with men, 
 But in the prefertce of the Priorefs ; 
 Then, it you fpeak, you muft not fhew your face; 
 Or, if you {hew your face, you muft not {peak. 
 He calls again ; I pray you, anfwer him. [Exit Franc. 
 
 Enter Lucio. f 
 
 Lucio. Hail, virgin, (if you be) as thofe cheek-rofes 
 Proclaim you are no lefs ; can you fo ftead me, 
 As bring me to the fight of Ifabella, 
 A novice of this place, and the fair filter 
 To her unhappy brother Claudia ? 
 
 Ifab. Why her unhappy brother ? let me alk,, 
 The rather, for I now muft make you know 
 I am that Ifabella^ and his filter. 
 
 * Ifabella fhould be graceful and amiable in figure ; her voice 
 full and harmonious, her emphafis flri&Jy juft, her cadences un- 
 affefled ; and the whole of her utterance remarkably perfwafive. 
 
 j- The requifitej for pert felf-fufficient foppery, will render 
 Lucio a pleafant character j it is more in favour of the aclor, 
 Uw.i any other in the piece,
 
 MEASURE for MEASURE. 13 
 
 "Lucia. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets 
 
 you ; 
 Not to be weary with you, he's in prifou. 
 
 Jjab. Wo me ! tor what ? 
 
 Lucia. For that, which, if myfelf might be his jud c, 
 He fhould receive his punilhment in thanks ; 
 He hath got his friend with child. 
 
 Ijab. Sir, make me not your ftory. 
 
 Lvclo. ' Tis true: I would not (iho'Yis my familiar fin, 
 With maids to ieem the lapwing, and to jeft, 
 Tongue far from heart) play with all virgins fo. 
 I hold you as a thing en-Iky 'd, and fainted ; 
 And to be taik'd with in (incerity, 
 As with a Saint. 
 
 Jj't'j. Some one with child by him? my coufln "jul'et ! 
 
 jLtKie, Is flic your couiin ? 
 
 Ifn 1 ), Adoptedly, as ichool-maida charge tlieir narr.C5, 
 By vain, tho' apt, affection. 
 
 /^r.v. She it is. 
 
 If.ib. O, let him m;:rry her. 
 
 Lvcio. This is the point. 
 The Duke is very ftrangely gone from hence; 
 Upon his place, 
 
 And with full line of his au'liovi'v, 
 Governs Lord Angela ; a :n.:n \vi.oX- blood 
 Is very ' {how- broth. 
 He hath pick'd out an aft, 
 Under whole heavy fenfeyour bmtr.ei'b life 
 p'alls into forfeit; he arrelb him on it ; 
 And fullows cloie the rigor of tho Hatine, 
 To make him an example; all hope'. g-;ir\ 
 Unlef; you have the grace by your fair pray* r, 
 To foften An?c!o ; and t'iir.t's my pith oi buu^wiSi 
 Twixt you and your poor brother. 
 
 IJ'ab. Doth he fo 
 Seek for his life? 
 
 Ij'iclo. He 'as cenfur'd him, already ; 
 And, as I hear, the Provoft hath a w.urant, 
 Tor's execution. 
 
 IjV>. Alas ! what poor 
 Ability's in me, to dj him good ! 
 
 VOL. III. E e Lvtlo.
 
 i 4 MEASURE for MEASURE. 
 
 Lucio. AiTuy the power you have. 
 
 Jjab. My power ! Alas ! I doubt. 
 
 Liu to. Our doubts are traitors * ; 
 And make us lofe the good, we oft might win, 
 By tearing to attempt. Go to Lord Angela, 
 And let him learn to know, when maidens fue, 
 Men give like Gods ; but when they weep and kneel, 
 All their petitions are as truly theirs, 
 As they thetv.ielves would owe them. 
 
 Ij'ab. Ill lee what I can do. 
 
 Lucio. But, fpeedily. 
 
 Jjiib. I wjli about it ftrait ; 
 No longer flaying, but to give the mother 
 Notice of my affair. I humbly thank you ; 
 Commend me to my brother : foon at night, 
 1'il iend him certain word of my fuccels. 
 
 Lucio. I take my leave of you. 
 
 Jfab. Good Sir, adieu. [Exeunt \. 
 
 * This is an excellent remark, very often felt by the fliy and 
 timorous, who 1st flip, through diffidence, advantageous opportu- 
 nities, which the more confident fuitors of Fortune, puft on to 
 meet 
 
 f The firft Aft is fufficiently interfiling, as it opens the plot 
 and characters, in a pieaCng manner. 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 SCENE, //* Palace. 
 , Exter Angelo, and Efcalus. * 
 
 ANGELO. 
 
 WE muft not make a fcarecrow r of the la\v, 
 Setting it up to fear the birds of prey, 
 An e ~'\. keep one (hape, 'till cuilom make it 
 Th ir pearch, and not their terror. 
 
 * Angela and Efcalm, though material agents in the Play, may 
 >< fuffc.^n;ly fupported by th:rd-rate abilities; however, they 
 fco.;)d iOwk nobility, and f^eak like men of Icni'c.
 
 MEASURE for MEASURE. 15 
 
 Ejlal. Ay, but yet 
 
 Let us he keen, and rather cut a little, 
 Th'.'.n hill, and bruiieto death. Alas ! this gentleman, 
 Whom I would fave, had a moft noble lather ; 
 Let but your Honour know, 
 Who I believe to be molt ftrait in virtue, 
 Whether you had not, fometime in your lire, 
 Err'd in this point, which now you'cenfure him, 
 And pull'd the law upon you. * 
 
 Ang. 'Tis one thing to be tempted, Ejl-ahts, 
 Another thing to fall. 
 You mny not fo extenuate his offence, 
 For I have had fuch faults ; but rather tell nie^ 
 When I, that cenfure him, do fo oend, 
 Let mine own judgment pattern out my death, 
 And nothing come in partial. Sir, he muft die. 
 
 Enter Pro volt. 
 
 EfcaJ. Be't as your wifdom will. 
 
 An. Where is the Prcwfl? 
 
 Prov. Here, if it like your Honour. 
 
 A*. See, that Claudia 
 Jk executed by nine, to-morrow morning. 
 Bring him his Confefibr, let him be prep.ir'dj 
 For that's the utmoft of his pilgrimage 
 
 Ejial. f Weil, lieav'n forgive himl and forgive us nil ! 
 Some rile by fin, and fome by v'utue fall : 
 Some run through brakes of vice, and anfwer nan? ; 
 And ibme condemned for a fault alone. [ ..'/. 
 
 Prov. Is't your fix'd delign, Claudia {hall di^, io- 
 morrow f 
 
 * Efcnliit here ftews himfclf fenfibly h'imane ; if difpenfsrs of 
 public juilice would, as they ought, look at liLme, the rig'd dutie? 
 of lav.- would be frequently foftened. 
 
 f Efcah's, in thefe four lines, delivers a very fcnuble re.T.ark ; 
 life frequently evinces, that the very mean* which raife fom , caft 
 down others, and that great villains efc^pe that piiEifhnnenr, which 
 falls heavy on fmallcr ones. 
 
 J Here follows no Jefs than fven p ges of abfolute rib;Hr;.-, 
 full of nothingnefs nd indecencies; the aiin.hiUtion of ins a 
 does credit to our author and the fbge. 
 
 E e z A-,r.
 
 !6 MEASURE for MEASURE. 
 
 Aug. Did not I tell thee, yea ? "hadit thou not order ? 
 IVby doit thou a& again ? 
 
 Prov. Left I might be too rsfh. 
 Under your good corre&ion, I have feen, 
 When, sifter 'execution, judgment hath 
 .Repented o'er his doom. 
 
 sl.-g. Go to ; let that be mine. 
 Do ) ou your office, or give up your place, 
 A 'id you fhall well be fpar'd. 
 
 Prov. I crave your pardon. 
 
 Vk'hat ihali be done, Sir, with the groaning Juliet ? 
 ihe's very near her hour. 
 
 Ang. Difpofe of her 
 To fume more fitting place, and that with fpeed. 
 
 &-c-. Here is the lifter of the man condemn'd, 
 Defires accefs to you. 
 
 A. :S . Hath he a filler ? 
 
 Prov. Ay, my good lord, a very viituous maid, 
 And to be mortly of a lliierhood, 
 if not already. 
 
 Aug. Weil ; let her be admitted. [Exit Servant* 
 
 Enter Lucio, and Ifabella. 
 
 Aug. Y'are welcome ; what's your will ? 
 'fab. I a.v, u A-oi^l Ijiror to vour Honour, 
 Plcr/c :>',t your yonput hoar roe. 
 
 _:.;. VVeJi; \vha;'s yaui lost ? 
 
 . , Tfcerf i; ;; vice thut mo:i: I do abhor, 
 And m . efire fr.ojld meet the blow of juitice-t 
 
 b i would not plead, but that I rauit ; 
 And yet I a;n 
 At T ,var, 't'.vixt \viil, and will not. 
 
 An^ Well; the matter? 
 
 Ifab. I have a brother is condemn'd to c'k ; 
 J do beicech you, let it be his fault, 
 And not my brother. 
 
 Prov. Heav'n y ve thee moving graces ! 
 
 Aug. Condemn die fault, and not the after of it ? 
 Why, every fault's condemn'd, ere it be done ; 
 &i,ne were the very cypher of a function, 
 
 To
 
 MEASURE for MEASURE. 17 
 
 To find the faults, whofe fine Hands in record, 
 And let go by the aftor. 
 
 Ij'ab. O juii, but fevese law ! 
 I had a brother, then ; heav'n keep your Honour! 
 
 Lvcic. Give not o'er ib : to him again, in treat aim. 
 Kneel down before him : hang upon his gown : 
 You are too cold ; if you mould need a pin, 
 You could not with more tame a tongue deiire it. 
 To him, I fay. 
 
 J/alf. Mu ft he needs die ? 
 Ang. Maiden, no remedy. 
 
 Ijab. Yes ; 'I do think, that you might pardon him ; 
 And neither heav'n, nor man, grieve at the mercy. 
 Aug. I will not do't. 
 J/ab. But can you, if you would ? 
 Aug. Look, what I w'ill not, that I cannot do. 
 Ifsb, But might you do'r, and do the world no wrong, 
 If ib your heart were touch'd with that remorfe, 
 As mine is to him? 
 
 Aug. lie's fentenc'd ; 'tis too late. 
 Jjatf. Too late ? why, no ; I, that do fpeak a word, 
 May call it back again : Well, believe this, 
 No ceremony that to Great ones 'longs, . 
 Not the King's crown, nor the deputed fword, 
 The imrfhal's truncheon, nor the judge's robe, 
 Become them with one half fo good a grace, 
 As mercy does : if he had been as you, 
 And you as he, you would have ilipt like him ; 
 But he, like you, would not have besn fo lie n. 
 
 Ang. Pray yon, be gone. 
 Jla'j. I wovfd tc 
 
 Ij'a'j. I wovfd to heftv'n I hid your potency, 
 And you were Ijlibtl; {hould it then lie thiu : 
 No ; I would reil what 'twere to be a judg?, 
 And what a prifor.er. 
 
 Lucio. Ay," touch him ; there's the vein. 
 
 Ang. Your brother is a forfeit of the kr.v, 
 And you but waire your word;. 
 
 Ifdb. Alas! alas! 
 
 Why, all the fouls that were, were forfeit once ; 
 And he, that might the 'vantage belt have took, 
 Ee 3
 
 i3 MEASURE for MEASURE. 
 
 J'.r.:nd out the remedy. How would you be*, 
 e, which is the top of Judgment, fhould 
 Tut judge you, as you are ? Oh, think on that ; 
 ..icrcy then will breathe within ycur lips, 
 Like man new made. 
 
 A.ij, * Be you content, fair maid ; 
 It is the Law, not I, condemns your brother. 
 Were he my kinf.r=an, brother, or iny fon, 
 It fhou-d be thus with hi-n ; he dies, tc-morrow. 
 
 Ifab. To-morrow ? oh ! that's fudden. Spare him, 
 
 - fpave him : 
 
 Cood, good my Lord, bethink you : 
 Who is it, that hath dy'd for this otience ? 
 There's many have committed it. 
 
 Lucio. Ay, well faid. 
 
 A;i^. The Law hath not been dead, tho* it hath flept : 
 Thofe many had not dar'd to do that evil, 
 If the ilrll man, that did th' edift infringe, 
 Had anfwer'd ror his deed. 
 
 Ifab. Yet fr.eu- fome pity. 
 
 Idng. I fhe-.r it moil of ;:iJ, when I ftew juftice ; 
 *~cr then I pity thofe, I do not know ; 
 Which a difmiis'd offence would after gaul ; 
 And do him right, that, anfwering one foul wrong, 
 Lives not to acl another. Be fatisfy'd ; 
 Your brother dies, fo- morrow ; be content. 
 
 Ifab. So you mull be the ririr, that gives this fentence ; 
 And he, that fufFers : oh, 'tis excellent, 
 To have a Giant's ftrength ; but it is tyrannous, 
 To uie it like a Gianr. 
 
 l.uclo. That's Vvell iaid. 
 
 . Co.i'.a ^reut raca thunder -f 
 
 "i" i'iit fupplicative prrfwafioa of Jfabeilo, in this fcene, is ds!i- 
 
 -ca'e, pa'.h.tic, and f;c^ajh; Staktjptarc's humane <Jipot:i' .'i, 
 
 ind love of mercy, are very eviden:, in his mafierly reroaimfn- 
 
 dat;cns cf that h -.ca'y attribute. parriruUriy thofe in th's Pi.iv, 
 
 and the M r. kjnt cf Vina. 
 
 f There is as much poetic fire, as fine refkKon, as firlft 
 mc/ai iruth, and as powerful rcafoninf, j'. :i.s ipctch, as any 
 :-_iutt ' fsrt evei .irott. 
 
 As
 
 MEASURE for MEASURE. r<? 
 
 As y,)v-: lumfelf does, Jo-re would ne'er be quiet ; 
 
 For every pelting, petty, officer 
 
 Would u:e his heav'n tor thunder ; 
 
 Nothing but thunder: merciful heav'n ! 
 
 Thou rather with thy Jharp and O.ilph'rous bolt 
 
 Spl't'il the unwedgeable and gmirled oak, 
 
 Than the loft myrtle : O, but man ! proud man r ' 
 
 Di eft in a little brief authority - T 
 
 Moil ignorant of what he's moil aflur'd, 
 
 His glaliy eflence, like an angry ape, 
 
 Phsys fuch fantailic tricks before high heav'n, 
 
 As make the angels weep. 
 
 Prov. Pray heav'n, fhe win him ! 
 
 Ij'ab. We cannot weigh our brother with yourfelf : 
 Great men may jell with faints ; 'tis wit iri them ; 
 Bur, in the-lef?, toul profanation. * 
 
 Ang* Why do you put thefe favings upon me ? 
 
 Ifab. Becaufe authority, tho' it err like others, 
 Hath yet a kind of medicine in itfelf, 
 That Ikins the vice o' th' tc-p : go to your bofom ; 
 Knock there, and afk your heart, what it doth know 
 That's like my brother's fault; if it confefs 
 A natural guiltineis, fuch as is his, 
 Let it not found a thought upon your tongue, 
 Again ft my brother's lite. 
 
 Aug. She fpeaks, and 'tis fuch fenfe, 
 That my fenfe breeds with it. Fare you well. 
 
 Jfab. Gentle my Lord, turn back. 
 sing. I will bethink ire, come again, to-morrow. 
 
 Jj't'?. Hark, how I'll bribe you. 
 
 An%. How ? bribe me ? 
 
 Ijlib. Ay, with fach gifts, that heav'n fhall fnare 
 vv-'uh you. 
 
 LKCIO. You had marr'd all el!e. 
 
 ifab. Not with fond fiiekles of the teded gold, 
 Or ilones, whofe rate are either rich or poor, 
 As fancy values them ; but with true prayers, 
 
 * This is a remark fenfibly fatir'cal, upon mis-judging greatnrts, 
 v.v.-ih ijppofes it may do things wiib impunity, punifliible in thofe 
 ct lo-.ver ftation. 
 
 That
 
 20 MEASURE for MEASURE. 
 
 That mall be up at heav'n, and enter there, 
 Ere fun-rife : prayers from preferred fouls, 
 From fafting maids, whofe minds are dedicate 
 To nothing temporal. * 
 
 Aug. Well ; come, to-morrow. 
 
 Ijab. Heav'n keep your Honour fufe ! 
 
 Ang. Amen : 
 
 For I am that way going to temptation, 
 Where prayers crofs. 
 
 Ijab. At what hour, to-morrow, 
 Shall I attend your Lordftiip ? 
 
 Atig. At any time 'fore noon. 
 
 Jfab. Save your Honour! [Exe. Lucib, <WIfabeIla. 
 
 Aug. From thee ; even from thy virtue. 
 What's this? what's this ? is this her fault, or mine ? { 
 The tempter, or the tempted, who tins molt? 
 Not fhe, nor doth {he tempt ; but it is I, 
 That, lying by the violet in the fun, 
 Do, as the carrion does, not as the flower, 
 Corrupt with virtuous feaibn. Can it be, 
 That modelty may more betray our fenle, 
 Than woman's lighmefs ? having watte ground enough, 
 Shall We defirc to raze the fanctuary, 
 And pitch oar evils there ? oh, fie, fie, fie ! 
 What doit thou ? or what art thou, Atigelo? 
 Doit thou defire her foully, for thofe things 
 That make her good ? Oh, let her brother live : 
 Thieves for their robbery have authority, 
 When judges {teal themielves. What ? do I love her, 
 That I defire to hear her ipeak again, 
 And fealt upon her eyes ? 
 Oh, cunning enemy," that to catch a faint, 
 With faints iloft bait thy hook ! moft dangerous 
 Is that temptation, that doth goad us on 
 
 * The fupericr eftitmtion of orifons, brea'bed from cliafte fin- 
 cerity, to temporal riches, is here beautifully fet forth. 
 
 f- The agitations of even a bad mind, firft verging on, and then 
 plunging into extreme guilt, are finely depifted in this ioliloqnys 
 the diicerning auditor and reader may collect much inftrudYwe and 
 pieal'-ng matter from it. 
 
 To
 
 MEASURE for MEASURE, as 
 
 To I'm in loving virtue: ne'er could the {trumpet) 
 With all her double vigour, art and nature, 
 Once itir my temper; but this virtuous maid 
 Subdues me quite : ever till this very now, 
 When men were fond, I mul'd, and vronder'ct ho;v. 
 
 SCENE changes to a Prifen. 
 Enter, Duke habited like a Friar, and Pro volt. 
 
 Duke. Hail to you, Provoft\ fo, I think, you are. 
 
 Prov. I am the Provojt ; what's your will, good 
 Friar? 
 
 Duke. Bound by my charity, and my bleft order, 
 I come to vi fit the afflicted fpirits 
 Mere in the prifon; do me the common right 
 To let me fee them, and to make me know 
 The nature ct their crimes; that I may miniiler 
 To them, accordingly. 
 
 Prov, I would do more than that, if more were 
 needful. 
 
 Enter Juliet. 
 
 Look, here comes one ; a gentlewoman ; 
 
 She is with child ; * 
 
 And he, that got it, fentenc'd : a young n.- n, 
 
 3\L>re lit to do another fuch offence, 
 
 Than die for this. 
 
 Ditf. When muft he die ? 
 
 Pro-j. As I do think, to-rnorro'.v. 
 
 1 have provided tor von ,- flay a while, [To Juliet* 
 
 And you (hall be conducted. 
 
 Duke. Repent you, fair-one, of the fin you carry ? 
 
 Juliet. I do ; and bear the (name molt patiently. 
 
 Duke. I'll teach you how you mall arraign your 
 
 conscience, 
 
 And try your penitence, if it be found, 
 Or hollowly put on. 
 
 * We cannot help pronouncing the caufe of that difficulty-, 
 C. ! -:W; labours under, indecent} and therefore blameable.
 
 22 MEASURE for MEASURE, 
 
 Juliet I'll gladly learn. 
 
 Duke. Love you the man that wrong'd you ? 
 
 Juliet. Yes, as I love the woman that wrong'd him. 
 
 Duke. So then, it feems, your moll oftencetul act 
 Was mutually committed. 
 
 Juliet. Mutually. 
 
 Duke. Then was your fin of heavier kind than hie, 
 
 Juliet. I do contefs it, and repent it, father. 
 
 Duke. ' fis meet ib, daughter ; but repent you nor, 
 As that the fin hath brought you to this fhame ? 
 
 Juliet. I do repent me, as it is an evil ; 
 And take the fhame with joy. 
 
 Duke. There reft. 
 
 ' Your partner, as I hear, muft die, to-morrow, 
 And I am going with inllruiftion to him ; 
 So grace go with you ! bcnedicite. \Rxlf. 
 
 S'C E N E changes to the Palace. 
 Enter Angelo. 
 
 Ang. When I would pray and think, I think and 
 
 pray, 
 
 To fev'ral lubjecb : heav'n hath my empty words, 
 Whilfl my invention, hearing not my tongue, 
 Anchors on Jfahl: Heav'n's in my mouth, 
 And in my heart the fcrong and iwelling evil 
 Of my conception : the itate, whereon I iludied, 
 Is like a good thing, being often read, 
 Grown fear'd and tedious ; yea, my gravity, 
 Wherein (let no man hear me) I take pride, 
 Could I with boot change for an idle plume, 
 Which the air beats for vain. Oh place ! oh form ! 
 How often doft thou with thy cafe, thy habit, 
 Wrench awe from fools, and tie the \vifer fouls 
 To thy falfe feeming * ? 
 How now, who's there? 'tis Ifabcl. O heuv'ns ! 
 
 * This foliloquy has fome fimilitude to that of the K'ng In 
 Hamlet; to which it is certainly inferior, yet wants not confider- 
 ablc merit.
 
 MEASURE for MEASURE. 23 
 
 Why does my blood thus muller to my heart ? 
 How now, rair maid ? 
 
 Enter Ifabella. 
 
 Ifab. I come to know your pleafure. 
 
 Aug. That you might know it, would much better 
 
 pleafe me, 
 Tljfn to demand, what 'tis. Your brother cannot lire. 
 
 Ifab. Ev'n fo ? Heav'n keep your Honour ! [Going. 
 
 Ang. Yet may he live a while ; and, it may be, 
 As l:>ng as you or I ; yet he muti die. 
 
 Ifab. Under your fentence ? 
 
 Ang. Yea. 
 Ifab. 
 
 Ifab. When ? I befeech you that in his reprieve, 
 Longer or ftiorter, he may be fo fitted, 
 That his foul ficken not. 
 
 Ang. Ha ? fie, thefe filthy vices ! 'twere aa good 
 To pardon him, that hath from nature flol'n 
 A man already made, as to remit 
 Their faucy fweetnefs, that do coin heav'n's image, 
 In ftamps that are forbid. 
 
 Ifab. 'Tis fet down fo in heav'n, but not in earth. 
 
 Ang. And fay you fo ? then I mall poze you, quickly. 
 Which had you rather, that the moit juft law 
 Now took your brother's life ; or, to redeem him, 
 Give up your body to fuch f\reet unc'cjnneis, 
 As me, that he hath tfain'd ? 
 
 Ifab. Sir, believe this, 
 I had rather give my body, than my foul. 
 
 Ang. I talk not of" your foul ; our compelfd fins 
 Stand more for number than accompt. 
 
 Ifab. How fay you ? 
 
 Ang. Nay, I'll not warrant that ; for I can fpeak 
 Again ft the thing I fay. Anfwer to this : 
 I, now the voice of the recorded law, 
 Pronounce a fentence on your brother's life : 
 Might there not be a charity in fin, 
 To fave this brother's life? 
 
 Ifab. Pleafe you to do't, 
 I'll take it as a peril to my foul, 
 It is' no fin at all, but charity.
 
 *4 MEASURE for MEASURE. 
 
 Aug. Pleas'd you to do't, at peril of your foul, 
 Were equal poife of iin and charity. 
 
 Ijab. That I do beg his life, if it be fin, 
 Heav'n, let me bear it ! you granting my iuit, 
 If that be fin, 1'il make it my morn-pray'j- 
 To have it added to the faults of mine, 
 And nothing of yours anfwer. 
 
 An*. Mny, but hear me : 
 
 Your ienfe puriucs not mine: either you're ignoran 
 Or feem fo, craftily ; and that's not good * 
 
 Ijlib. Let me be' ignorant, and in nothing gocd, 
 But gracioufly to know I am no better. 
 
 Aug. Thus wifdoni wifiies to appear moil bright, 
 When it doth tax itfelf : 
 But mark me, 
 
 To be received phin, I'll fpeak more grofs ; 
 Your brother is to die. 
 IjM. So. 
 
 Aug. And his offence is fb, as it appears 
 Accountant to the law upon that pain. 
 7/AJ. True. 
 
 Ang. Admit no other way to fare his life, 
 (As 1 iubfcribe not that, nor any other, 
 But in the lof~ of queftion,) that you his filler, 
 Finding yourfelf defir'd of fuch a perfon, 
 V\ "hoie credit with the judge, or own grent pbce, 
 Could fetch your brother from the manacles 
 Of the all-holding law, and that there were 
 No earthly mean to lave him, but that either 
 You mufr lay down the treasures of your bod:', 
 To this fuppos'd ; or elfe to let him fuffer ; 
 What would you do ? 
 
 Ijlw. As much for my poor brother, as myfelf ; 
 That is, were I under the terms of death, 
 Th' impreffion of keen whips I'd wear as rubies, 
 And itrip myfelf to death, as to a bed, 
 
 pofe, is artfully difiant; he wants to fave explanation on his 
 1> drawing Ijate/ia to meet his meaning. 
 
 That
 
 MEASURE for MEASURE. 25 
 
 That longing I've been fick for, ere I'd yield 
 IMy bo.ly up to fhame. * 
 
 Aug. Then in lift your brother die. 
 
 Ij'ab. And 'twere the cheaper way ; 
 Better it were a brother dy'd, at once \ 
 Than that a fifter, by redeeming him, 
 Should die for ever. 
 
 Aug. Were not you then as cruel as the fenten.c?., 
 Tnat you have llander'd fo ? 
 
 Jj'ab, An ignominious ranfom, and free pardon, 
 Are of t\vo houfes ; lawiul mercy, lure, 
 Is nothing kin to foul redemption. 
 
 An*. You fecm'd of late to make the law a tyrant., 
 And rather prov'd the Hiding of your brother 
 A merriment, than a vice. 
 
 7/ab. Oh pardon me, my Lord ; it oft falls out 
 To have what we would have, we fpeak not what we 
 
 mean : 
 
 I fumething do excufe the thing I hate, 
 For his advantage that I dearly love. 
 
 .%. We are all frail. 
 
 Ifnb. Kite let my brother die. 
 
 -%; Nay, women are frail, r oo. 
 
 Jfab. Ay,- as the glafles where; they view themfelvcs ; 
 Which are as eafy broke,, as they make forms. 
 For we are fort as our complexions are, 
 And credulous to falfe prints. 
 
 Ang. I think it well ; 
 And from this teftimony of your fex, 
 (Since, I fuppole, we're made to be no ftronger, 
 Than faults may (hake our frames) let me be bold : 
 I do arrell your words ; be that you are, 
 That is, a woman ; if you're more, you're none. 
 If you be one, as you are well exprefs'd, 
 By all external warrants, {hew it now, 
 By putting on the dellin'd livery. 
 
 Ifab. I have no tongue but one ; gentle my Lord, 
 Let me intreat you, fpeak the former language. 
 
 * The plaufible, villainous fophiftry of Angtlo-, is finely expofccl, 
 by the ingenuous^ imrnoveable, virtuous reiclution of Jj'aiella- 
 
 VOL. III. F f AHS.
 
 26 M E A S U ft E for M E A S U R E. 
 
 Ang. Plainly conceive, I love you. 
 
 Ifab. My brother did love Juliet ; 
 And you tell me, that he fliall die for if. 
 
 Ang. He mall nor, Ifabfl, if you give me love. 
 
 Ifab. I know, your virtue hath a licence in*t, 
 Which feems a little fouler than it is, 
 To pluck on others. 
 
 Ang. Believe me, on mine honour, 
 My words expiefs my purpofe. 
 
 Ifab. Ha ! little honour to be much believ'd, 
 And moft pernicious purpofe ! 
 I will proclaim thee, Angelo ; look for't : 
 Sign me a prefent pardon for my brother, 
 Or, with an out-tfretch'd throat", I'll tell the world, 
 Aloud, what man thou art. 
 
 Aug. Who will believe thee, Ifaldf 
 My unfbil'd name, th' aufterenefs of my life, 
 My vouch againft you, and my place i' th' flate, 
 Will fo your accufation over-weigh, 
 That youllhall llifle in your own report, 
 And f'mell of calumny. I have begun ; 
 And now I give my ienfual race the rein. 
 Fit thy content to my tharp appetite, 
 Lay by all nicety, and * prolixious blufhes, 
 That bnnifli what they fue for : redeem thy brother, 
 By yielding up thy body to my will: 
 Or, eife he muit not only die the death, 
 But thy unkir.dnefs {hall his death draw out, 
 To ling'ring fufferance. Anfwer me, to-morrow ; 
 Or by th' alFeCtion that now guides me moft, 
 I'll prove a tyrant to him. As tor you, 
 Say what you can ; my iaife o'erweighs your true. 
 
 [Exit. 
 
 Ifab. To whom mould I coir.plain ? did I tell this, 
 Who would believe me ? O molt perilous mouths, 
 That bear in them one and the felf-fame ton o ue, 
 Hither of condemnation or approof : 
 
 * We thii k the word prol'ixicvi ratbtr exceptionable, and are 
 lead) to deem &)J?<B M# btttet. 
 
 Bidding
 
 MEASURE for MEASURE, 27 
 
 Bidding the law make curt'fy to their will ! 
 
 I'll to my brother ; 
 
 Tho' he hath fall'n by prompture of the blood, 
 
 Yet hath he in him inch a mind or" honour, 
 
 That, had he twenty heads to tender down, 
 
 On twenty bloody blocks, he'd yield them up, 
 
 Before his filter fhould her body itoop 
 
 To fuch abhorr'd pollution. 
 
 Then, Ifabel^ live chalte ; and, brother, d'e ; 
 
 More than our brother is our chaftity. 
 
 1'il tell hi in yet of Angela's reque.il; 
 
 And fit his mind to death, tor his foul's red. [Exit* * 
 
 * There is much fpir.it of nice honour in this fioliloquy, and it 
 powerfully engages, as the whole Al in its p relent fiau feelingly 
 does, the ftnl attention of a judicious audience. 
 
 ACT III. 
 
 SCENE, Tie Pnfon. 
 
 'Enter Duke, Claudio, and Frovoft. 
 
 PUKE. 
 
 SO, then you hope of pardon from Lord Angela f 
 Claud. The miferable have no other medicine, 
 But only hope : I've hope to live, and am preparM 
 
 to die. 
 
 Duke. Be abfolute for death : or death, or life, 
 Shrill thereby be the Iweeter. Reafon thus with life ; 
 If I do lofe thee, I do lofe a thing, 
 That none but fools would reck ; a breath thou art, 
 Servile to all the fkiey influences, 
 That Jo this habitation, where thou keep'il, 
 Hourly afflict ; meerly thou art death's fool ; 
 For him thou labour'lt by thy flight to fhun, 
 And yet runn'ft tow'jxl him Hill. Thou art not noble; 
 For all th' accommodations, that thou bear'tt, 
 Are nurs'd by bafenefs : thou'rt by no means valiant; 
 For thou doii fear the foft and tender ior-k, 
 
 F f 2 O,
 
 28 M E A S U R E for M E A S U R E. 
 
 Of a poor worm. Thy belt of reft is deep, 
 
 And that thou oft provok'ft ; yet grofly fear'ft 
 
 Thy death, which is no more. 
 
 Kappv thou art not ; 
 
 Fur what thou hail not, (till thou ftriv'ft to get;. 
 
 And what thou haft, forget'ft. 
 
 I f thou art rich, thou'rt poor ; 
 
 Fcr, like an nfs, whofe back with ingots bows, 
 
 Thou bear 'ft ihy heavy riches but a journey, 
 
 * And death unloadeth thee. Friend thou haft none ; 
 
 For thy own bowels, which do call thee Sire, 
 
 The meer effufiori of thy proper loins, 
 
 Do cure the Gout, Sciatica, and Rbcum, 
 
 For ending thee no fooner. Thou haft nor youth, nor 
 
 a S e ' 
 
 But as it were an after-dinner's fleep, 
 Dreaming on both ; tor all thy blefled youth 
 Becomes as aged ; and when thou'rt old and rich, 
 Thou haft neither heat, affection, limb, nor beauty, 
 To make thy riches pleafant. What's yet in this,' 
 That bears the name of life ? yet hi this life 
 Lie hid more thoufand deaths ; yet death we fear, 
 That makes thefe odds all even -J-. 
 
 Claud. I humbly thank you. 
 To fue to live, I find, I feck to die ; 
 And, iteking death, iind life : let it come on. 
 
 Euttr Ifabella. 
 
 Jfab. What, hoa ? peace here ; grace and good com- 
 pany ! 
 
 Prov. Who's there ? come in : the wifli deferves a 
 welcome. 
 
 * This ts an admirable idea of worldly minded men; bearing 
 a hour that wealth, like afies, which at the unerring call of death 
 th y muft be difDurthened of. This fpeech requires peculiar weight 
 of delivery. 
 
 f- The Duke, in kis addrefs to ClauJh, preferrs us with a very 
 rc. and ttritly moral, chain of reafoning ; worthy the conftant 
 rcccllecHon of human nature, whuh thereby may be taught a 
 juir, yet not irreligious, contempt of death. 
 
 Duke.
 
 MEASURE for MEASURE. 29 
 
 Duke. Dear Sir, erelong 111 vifit you again. 
 Claud. Molt holy Sir, 1 thank you. 
 
 Ij'ab. My bufinels is a word, or two, with Claudia. 
 
 Prov. And very -welcome. Look, bignior, heie's 
 your lifter.. 
 
 Duke. Provoft, a tvord with you. 
 
 Provoft. As many as you pleafe. 
 
 Duke. Bring me where I may be conceal'd, 
 "Vet hear them ipeak. {Exeunt Duke /WProvoft, 
 
 Claud. Now, filter, what's the comfort? 
 
 Ij'ab. Why, as all comlorts are; mo ft good in deed : 
 Lord Angclo, having affairs to heav'n, 
 Intends you for hislwift ambaflador ; 
 Where you fhall be an everlalting lieger. 
 Therefore your bed appointment make with fpeed, 
 To-morrow you let on. 
 
 Claud. Is there no remedy ? 
 
 Ifab. None, but luch remedy as, to faA r e a head, 
 To cleave a heart in twain. 
 
 Claud. But is there any ? 
 
 IJab. Yes, brother, you may live : 
 There is a devilifti mercy in the judge, 
 If you'll implore it, that will free your life, 
 But fetter you till death. 
 
 Claud. But in what nature? 
 
 Ifab. In luch a one, as you, conferring to't, 
 Would bark your honour from that trunk you bear, 
 And leave you naked. 
 
 Claud. Let me know the point. 
 
 Ij'ab. Oh, I do fear thee, Claudia ; and I quake, 
 Left thou a lev'rous life ihoulu'it entertain, 
 And fix or ieven winters more refpecr, 
 Than a perpetual honour. Dar'lt thou die ? 
 The fenie oi death is moil in apprehenlion ; 
 And the poor beetle, that we trend upon, 
 In corp'ral ItiiFerance finds a pang as great, 
 As when a giant dies *. - 
 
 - Sbjkeffeare's darling principle of humanity, is delightfully 
 exprelTed here ; in four lines \ve are intruded, as \ve fear deacn 
 euifclves, not to be forward in idtniniiftring it vsn to iafcds. 
 
 F f 3 Claud.
 
 30 MEASURE for MEASURE. 
 
 Claud. Why give you me this fhame ? 
 Think you, I can a refokuion fetch 
 From fiow'ry tendernefs ? if I mult die, 
 I will encounter darknefs as a bride, 
 And hug it in mine arms. 
 
 Ifab. There fpake my brother ; there my father's 
 
 grave 
 
 Did utter forth a voice. Ye?, thou mull die ; 
 Thou art too noble to conferve a life, 
 In bafe appliances. This outward fainted deputy, 
 Yet is a deviL 
 
 Claud. The princely Angelc ? 
 
 Ifab. Oh, 'tis the cunning livery of hell. 
 Doft thou think, Claudia, 
 Jf I would yield him my virginity, 
 Thou might'il be freed ? 
 
 Claud. Oh, heavens ! it cannot be. 
 
 Ifab. Yes, he would give't thee for this rank 
 
 offence 
 
 fo to offend him (till. This night's the time, 
 That I ihould do what I abhor to name, 
 Or elfe.thou dy'll, to-morrow. 
 
 Claud. That (halt not do*t. 
 
 Ifab. Oh, were it but my life, 
 I'd throw it down for your deliverance, 
 As frankly as a pin *. 
 
 Claud. Thanks, dearefl Ifabcl. 
 
 Ifab. Be ready, Claudia, for your death, tp-inorrovv. 
 
 Claud. Yes. Has he affections in him, 
 That thus can make him bite the law by th' nofe, 
 Wi.cn he would force it? fure, it is no fin ; 
 O; of the deadly feven it is the leail. 
 
 Jfrb. Which is the leaft ? 
 
 Claud. If it were damnable, he being fo \viie, 
 IVhy would he for the momentary trick 
 Ee perdurably fin'd ? oh, IfaMl 
 
 jjab. What lays my brother ? 
 
 Claud. Death's a fearful thing. 
 
 * Ij'af-el'c, in this fcene, rifes to a very peculiar degree of 
 rftinunoa, by her noble ideas, and ijpjriicd maiateiwuce, of
 
 MEASURE for MEASURE. 31 
 
 Jjab. And fhamed life a hateful. 
 
 Claud. Ay, but to die, and g> we know not where*: 
 To lie in cold ohftrudion, and to rot ; 
 This feniible \v:irm motion to become 
 A kneaded clod ; and the delighted fpirit 
 To bathe in fiery floods, or to relide 
 In thrilling regions of thick ribbed ice; 
 To be imprifon'd in the viewlefs winds, 
 And blown with rettlefs violence round about 
 The pendent world; or to be worfe than word 
 Of thole, that lawlefs and incertain thoughts -f- 
 Imagine howling 'tis too horrible ! 
 The wearieft and mofr. loathed worldly life, 
 That age, ach, penury, imprifonment 
 Can lay on nature, is a paradife, 
 To what we fear of death. 
 
 Ifab. Alas ! alas ! 
 Claud, Sweet filter, let me live ; 
 What fin you do to fave a brother's life, 
 Nature diipenfes with the deed fo far, 
 That it becomes a virtue. 
 
 Ifab. Oh faitklefs coward ! oh difhonefr. wretch ! 
 Wilt thou be made a man out of my vice ? 
 
 Is't not a kind of inceft, to take life 
 
 From thine own filler's mame? what mould I think? 
 
 Heav'n grant my mother play'd my father fair j ! 
 
 For fuch a warped flip of wilderneis, 
 
 Ne'er iffu'd from his blood." Take my defiance : 
 Die, perifh, might my only bending down, 
 Reprieve thee from thy fate, it mould proceed. 
 
 * The whole of Claudia's plea for dreading death, is fanciful 
 and plaufible, but rather too fpeculative } and fomewhat dangerous 
 for young, or timorous minds. 
 
 f In the preceding fentence, Sbakefptarc feems to point, in his 
 words, la'wLfs and incertain thoughts, a doubt of, or a fatire 
 againfl, received notions of future punifhmenf. 
 
 J Thefe diftinguiflied lines, as blemifliing the chafte ideas of 
 Ij'a/'el/jt, particularly that infinuation of a mother's fr-.ilty, fliould 
 be left out 5 but the noble-fpirited purport of her fpeech, amply 
 atones ft/r a greater flip of ftrift decency. 
 
 I'll
 
 32 MEASURE for MEASURE. 
 
 I'll pray a thoufand prayers for thy death ; 
 No word to fave thee. 
 
 Claud. Nay, hear me, IJabel. 
 
 Ij'ab. Oh, fie, fie, fie ! 
 Thy fin's not accidental, but a trade; 
 Mercy to thee would prove itfelr" a fin ; 
 'Tis bell, that thou dy'ft quickly. 
 
 Claud. Oh hear me, Ijabclla. 
 
 To them, enter Duke <z;/r/ Provoft. 
 
 Duke. Vouchfafe a word, young filter; but one word. 
 
 Ifab. What is your will ? 
 
 Duke. Might you difpenfe with your leifure, I would 
 by and by have fome fpeech with you : the fatisiuction 
 I would require, is likewife your own benefit. 
 
 Ifab. I have no fuperfluous leifure ; my itay nruift be 
 ftolen out of other affairs : but I will attend, you a 
 while. 
 
 Duke. \AJiJc to Claudio.] Son, I have over-heard what 
 hath paft between you and your fifter. Angel* had never 
 the purpofe to corrupt her ; only he hath made an alliiy 
 of her virtue, to practife his judgment with the dilpo- 
 fition of natures. She, having the truth of honour in her, 
 hath made him that gracious denial, which he is molt glad 
 ro receive : I am confeflbr to Axgelo, and 1 know this 
 to be true; therefore prepare yourfelf to death. Do 
 not fatisfy your resolution with hopes that are fallible ; 
 to-morrow you muft die ; go to your knees, and make 
 ready. 
 
 Claud, lift me alk my filler pardon. Pardon, desreft 
 Ij'abel ; I am tb~9ut of love with life, that I will fue to 
 be rid of it. \_Exit Clauciio. 
 
 Duke. Hold you there ; farewel. Provtff, a word 
 with you. 
 
 Prov. What's your will, father ? 
 
 Duke. That you will leave me a while with the maid: 
 my mind promifes with my habit, no lofs (hall touch 
 her by my company. 
 
 Prev. 'la good time. [E.v. ; t Provoft. 
 
 Duke.
 
 MEASURE for MEASURE. 33 
 
 Duke. The hand, that made you fair, hath made 
 you good ; the goodnefs that is cheap in' beauty, makes 
 beauty brief in goodnefs ; but grace, being the foul 
 of your complexion, fhall keep the body of it ever 
 fair. The allault, that Angdo hath made on you, for- 
 tune hath convey'd to my underlhmding ; and, but that 
 frailty hath examples for his falling, I fhould wonder at 
 Angela : how will you do to content this fubllitute, and 
 to lave your brother ? 
 
 Ifab. I am now going to refolve him: I had rather 
 my brother die by the law, than my fon mould be un- 
 lawfully born. But, oh, how much is the good Duke 
 deceiv'd in Angela ! If ever he return, and 1 can fpeak 
 to him, I will open my lips in vain, or difcover his 
 government. 
 
 Duke. That (hall not be much amifs ; yet, as the 
 matter now itands, he will avoid your accufation ; he 
 made trial of you, only. Therefore fatten your ear on 
 my adviiings : to the love I have in doing good, a re- 
 medy prefents itfelf. I do make myfelf believe, that 
 you may moil uprightly do a poor wronged lady a me- 
 rited benefit ; redeem your brother from the angry law ; 
 do no itatn to your own gracious perfon ; and much 
 pleaie the abfent Duke, if, peradventure, he (hall ever 
 return to have hearing of this bufinefs. 
 
 Ijab. Let me hear you fpeak farther ; I have fpirit 
 to any thing, that appears not foul in the truth of 
 my fpirit. 
 
 Duke. Virtue is bold, and goodnefs is never fearful : 
 have you not heard fpeak of Mariana, the filler of 
 Ffidi-'icki the great foldier who mifcarried at fea ? 
 
 Ijab. I have heard of the lady, and good words went 
 with her name. 
 
 Duke. Her (hould this Angela have marry'd ; was 
 affianc'd to her by oath, and the nuptial appointed : 
 between which time of the contract, and limit of the 
 folemnity, her brother Frederick was wreckt at fea, 
 having in that perim'd veflel the dowry of his lifter. 
 But mark, how heavily this befel to the poor gentle- 
 woman ; there fhe loft a noble and renowned brother, 
 
 ia
 
 poo 
 
 lire 
 
 34 M E A S U R E for M E A S U R E. 
 
 in his love toward her ever moft kind and natural j 
 with him the portion and finew of her fortune, her 
 marriage-dowry ; with both, her huftwnd, this well- 
 iteming Angek. 
 
 Jj.ib. Can this be fo ? did Angela fo leave her ? 
 
 Duke. Lett her in her tears-, and diy'd not one of 
 them with his comfort ; fwaliow'd his vows whole, 
 pretending, in her, difcoveries of dishonour : in few, 
 beftow'd her on her own lamentation, which (he yet 
 wears for his fake ; and he, a marble to her tears, is 
 waihed with them, but relents not. 
 
 Ij'ab, What a merit were it in death, to take this 
 r maid from the world ! what corruption in this 
 re, that it will let this man live ! but how out of this 
 can (he avail ? 
 
 Duke. It is a rupture that you may eafily heal; and 
 the cure of it not only faves your brother, but keeps 
 you from diihonour in doing it. 
 
 Ifab. Shew me how, good father. 
 
 Duke. This fbre-nam'd maid hath yet in her the con- 
 tinuance of her firir, affection; his unjult unkindnefs 
 (that in all reafon mould have quenched her love) 
 hath, like an impediment in the current, made it more 
 violent and unruly. Go you to Angek, anfwer his re- 
 quiring with a plaufible obedience ; agree with his 
 demands; only refer yourfelf to this advantage : iirir, 
 that your flay with him may not be long ; that the tinse 
 may have all ftiadow and filence in it; and the place 
 anfwer to convenience. This being granted, in courie 
 now follows all : we (hall advife this wronged maid to 
 Head up your appointment, go in your place ; if the 
 encounter acknowledge itlelf hereafter, it may compel 
 him to her recompence ; and here by this is your bro- 
 ther faved, your honour untainted, the poor Mariana 
 advantaged, and the corrupt deputy fealed. The maid 
 will I frame, and make fit for this attempt : if you 
 think well to carry this as you may, the doublenefs 
 of the benefit defends the deceit from reproof. What 
 think you of it ?
 
 MEASURE for M E A S U R E. 35 
 
 Ifab. The image of it gives me content already ; 
 and, I truft, it will grow to a molt profperous per- 
 fedtion *. 
 
 Duke. Hafte you fpeedily to Angela', if for this night 
 he intreat you to his bed, give him promife of fatis- 
 faction. I will preiently to St. Lukes; there at the 
 moated grange relides this dejected Mariana ; fare you 
 well. 
 
 Ifab. I thank you for this comfort ; fare you well, 
 good father. [Exeimtfeverally* 
 
 | SCENE flanges to tbe\ Street. 
 
 Re-enter Duke as a Friar, meeting Elbow, Clo'.vn, 
 and Officers, 
 
 Elb. Nay, if there be no remedy for it, but that 
 you will needs buy and fell men and women like bealts, 
 we fhall have all the world drink brown and white 
 baftard. 
 
 Duke. Oh, heavens ! what fluff is here ? 
 
 Elb. Come your way, Sir: blefs you, good father 
 Friar. 
 
 Duke* And you, good brother; what offence 
 hath this man made you", Sir ? 
 
 Elb. Marry, Sir, he hath offended the law; and, 
 Sir, we take him to be a bawd. 
 
 \ 
 
 * If an effeft fimilar to that of the Duke's proportion, in thfs 
 fcene, could have been otherwife brought abo'Jt, it would have 
 been better; for though Isabella is made a well-intentioned, yet 
 flie isatprefent, to us, rather a forward and indelicate inftriunent j 
 however, if this objeftion is rather too nice, we fubmit if, 
 
 f This fcene, till the clown, &c. go off, though retained in per- 
 formance, ihould certainly be omitted ; it is low ribaldry, too inf;g- 
 nificant to make even an upper gallery laugh 5 and too indecent 
 to bear. 
 
 Dute.
 
 36 M E A S U R E for M E A S U R E, 
 
 Duke. Fie, Sirrah, a bawd, a wicked bawd J 
 The evil that thou caufeit to be done, 
 That is thy means to live. 
 Canft thou believe thy living is a life, 
 So ftinkingly depending ! go, mend, mend. 
 
 Cloivn. Indeed, it doth iliuk in fome fort, Sir; but 
 yet, Sir, I would prove 
 
 Duke. Nay, if the devil have giv'n thee proofs for 
 
 fin, 
 
 Thou wilt prove his. Take him to prifon, officer; 
 Correction and initru&ion muft both work, 
 Ere this rude beaft will profit. 
 
 Elb. He mull before the deputy, Sir ; he has given 
 him warning ; the deputy cannot abide a whore-mai- 
 ter ; if he be a whore-monger, and comes before him, 
 he were as good go a mile on his errand. 
 
 Duke. That we \\ere all, as fomc would feem to be, 
 Free from all faults! 
 
 Enter Lucio. 
 
 Clown. 1 fpy comfort: I. cry bail: here's a gentle- 
 man and a friend of mine. 
 
 Lucio. How now, noble Pomtyf what, at the wheels 
 of C/ffarf art thou led in triumph? what, is there 
 none of Pigmalioiis images newly made women, to be 
 had now ? how doth my dear model, thy miftrefs ? 
 procures fhe ftill ? ha. Art going to prifon, Pompey ? 
 
 Clown. Yes, faith, Sir. 
 
 Lucio. Why, 'tis not amifs, Pompey : farewel : go, 
 fay, I fent thee thither. For debt, Pempey ? or how ? 
 
 E,lb. For being a bawd, for being a bawd. 
 
 Lvcio. Well, then, imprifon him ; it imprifonment 
 be the due of a bawd, why, 'tis his right. Bawd is 
 he, doubtlefs, and of antiquity too ; bawd born. Fare- 
 wel, good Pompey : commend me to the prifon, Pom- 
 py: you will turn good hufband now, Pompey- you 
 wil! keep the houfe. 
 
 C/<ra.'. I hope, Sir, your good worfhip will be my 
 hail. 
 
 2 Lucio,
 
 MEASURE for MEASURE. 37. 
 
 L.ncio. NV>, indeed, will T not, Pompcy ; it is not the 
 wear; I will pray, P'ompry, to increafe. your bondage; 
 if you take it not patiently, why, your mettle '13 tn 
 more : adieu, truliy Pomfey. Blels you, Friar. 
 
 Duke. And you. 
 
 F-l 1 :. Come your way?, Sir, come. 
 
 L'io~.i:n. You will not bail me, men. Sir? 
 
 Lucio. Then, Pompcy 1 no, nor now, What rrr,-, 
 abroad, JFr/drr ? what news ? 
 
 ./$. Come your ways, Sir, come. 
 
 Lwcio. Go to kennel, Pompey, go. 
 
 {F.xcunt Elbow, Cown, and Officers, 
 What news, Fr/ar, of the Dnke f 
 
 Duke. I know none : can you tell me of any ? 
 
 Lucio. Some fay he is with the Emperor of / 
 other fome, he is in Rome: but where is he, think 
 you ? 
 
 Duke. I know not where ; but wherefbever, I \v\Cn 
 him well. 
 
 Lucio. It was a mad tantalhcal trick of him to flc.'il 
 from the iiute, and ufurp the beggary he was never 
 born to. Lord Angela dukes it well in his ablence ; he 
 puts tranfgreilion to't. 
 
 Dnxe. He does well in't. 
 
 Lucia. A little more lenity to wenching, would do 
 no harm in him : fomething too crabbed, that way, 
 Friar. 
 
 Duke. It is too general a vice, and feverity ir.uft 
 cure it. 
 
 T.nrlo. Yes, in good {both, the vice is of a great 
 kindred; it is well a:ly'd ; but it is impoffible to cx- 
 tirp it quite, Friar, 'till eating and drinking be pat 
 down. They fay, this Angela was not made by ma:i 
 mid. woinxa after the dovviiright \vay of creation ; is 
 it true, think you ? 
 
 Duke. How mould he be made, then ? 
 
 Lucio. Some report, a fea-maid fpawn'd him. Some, 
 that he was begot between two (lock-fifties. 
 
 Quke. You are pleafant, Sir, and fpeak apace. 
 
 VOL. III. G g Lttei*
 
 3 3 MEASURE for M E A SU R E. 
 
 Lf.'do. Why, what a ruthlefs tiling is this in hhn"! 
 would the Duke, that is abfent, have done this ? ere 
 3,\e would have liang'd a ir.an for the getting a hundred 
 baftaids, lie would have paid for the nurling a thou- 
 fmd. He had fome feeling ot the fport, he knew the 
 iervice, and that inilrufted him to mercy. 
 
 Duke. I never heard the abfent Duke much detected 
 for women. ; he was not inclin'd that way. 
 
 Lui.-;o. Oh, Sir, you aredeceiv'd. 
 
 D .".;:?. ' lis not pollible. 
 
 LT/JO. Who, not the Duke ? yes, your ' beggar of 
 fiftv; and his ufe was, to put a ducket in her clack- 
 diih. The Duke had crotchets in him. He would be 
 drunk, too, that let me inform you. 
 
 J,Y.(.-. You do him wrong, lurely. 
 
 Luclo. Sir, I was an .inward ot his : a fliy fellow was 
 the Duke : and, I believe, I know the cauie of hie 
 withdrawing. 
 
 Duke. Vvhat, pf'ythee, might be the caufe ? 
 
 Lucia No, pardon"; 'tisaiecret inuit be lockt with- 
 in the teeth and the lips.; but this I can let you un- 
 dcrfland, the greater iile of the fubjed: held the Duke 
 to be wile. 
 
 Dyke. Wife? why, no queiTion but he was. 
 
 Luclo. A very fuperficial, ignorant, xmweighing fel- 
 low. 
 
 Dulf. Either this is envy in you, folly, or miftaking.: 
 the vciy itream of his life, and the bufinefs he hath 
 hclnied, mult upon a warranted need give him a better 
 proclamation : Itt him be but teftimonied in his own 
 bankings forth, and he (hall appear to the envious, a 
 fcholar, a ftatefman, and a foldier. Therefore, you 
 Ipcak unfltilfully ; or, if your knowledge be more, it is 
 much darkcn'd in your malice. 
 
 Lvcio. Sir, I know him, and I love him. 
 
 Dith. Love talks with better knowledge, and kno\v- 
 led^s v/ith dearer love. 
 
 Luclo. 'Come, Sir, I know what I know. 
 
 Duke. I can hardly believe that, fmce you kndw not 
 what you fpcak. But if ever the Duke return, as our 
 
 prayers
 
 M E A SURE for M E A S U R E. 39 
 
 prayers are he may, let me defiie you to make yovu 
 an lu'er before him : if it be honcltyou h:ive (poke, you 
 have courage to maintain it ; I am bound to call upon 
 yon, and, I pray you, your name ? 
 
 I.T.CIO. Sir, my name is Lucia, well known to the 
 Duke. 
 
 Duke. He (hall know you better,- Sit, if I may li\ - 
 to report yovu 
 
 I.ucio. I fear you not. 
 
 Duke. O, you hope the Duke will return no more ; 
 or you imagine me too unhurtful an oppofite ; bur, 
 indeed', I can do you little harm: you'll torfvvear thi.; 
 again i 
 
 I. ado. I'll be hang'd fir ft : thou art deceiv'd in me; 
 Fria-'-. But no more ot this. Canii thou -tell, if" 
 C.Luidlo dip, to-morrow, or no ? 
 
 Duke. Why (hould. he die,- Sir ? 
 
 Lucio. Why ? tor filling a bottle" with a funnel: 
 F.irewel, good Friar I pr'ythee, pray for me : tb. 
 Duke, I fay to thee again, would eat mutton on Friday. 
 He's now pail it; yet, and I fay to thee, he wouli ! 
 mouth with a beggar, tho* (he fmelt of brown * bread 
 and garlick : fay, that I faid fo ; tarewel. 2Ltv/. 
 
 Duke. No might nor greatnefs in mortality, 
 Can cenfure fcape : back-wounding calumny 
 The whiteit virtue ftrikes. What King fo ftrong, 
 Can tie the gall up in the fiand'rous tongue f ? 
 
 Enter Efcalus, Provofh 
 
 % EfcaL Pravoft, my brother Angdo will not be al- 
 ter'd ; Claudia muft die, to-morrow : if my brother 
 \vrought by my pity, it would- not be fo with him. 
 
 -* L"do, in this fentcnce, Is mod offenfively grofs. 
 
 j- The Du'ce plays upon Lucia's forward, flippant, lying brag- 
 gadocio difpofition, finely in this fcene 5 and his conclufive remirk 
 on the irrefifiible force of fcandal, is indifpurably juft ; for .the 
 imofl: exalted, as well as the Isweft ftations, are leveled a nJ fub* 
 jcited to its envenomed darts. 
 
 J This fcer.f ihoo'd bcg'n here; the [receding half doz-n 
 feeches arc raili;r a k>\v inti ufion uon attention.
 
 40 M E A S U R E for M E A S U R E. 
 
 Pryy So pleafe you, this Friar hath been with him, 
 a^ul advis'd him for the entertainment oi death. 
 
 Ejcal. Good even, good father. 
 
 Duke. Bills and goodnefs on you \ 
 
 jial. Of \vhence are you ? 
 
 .Di'&v Not of this cojntry, tho' my chance is now 
 To ufe it for my time : 1 am a brother 
 Of gracious order come from the fee of Romf, 
 In fpecial bufinefs from his Holir.efs. 
 
 Efcal. What news abroad i'th' world ? 
 
 Duke. * None, but that there is fo great a fever on 
 goodnefs, that the diflblution of it mint cure it. No- 
 velty is only in requeft ; and it is as dangerous to be 
 aged in any kind of courfe, as it is virtuous to be con- 
 ibnt in any undertaking. Much upon this riddle 
 runs the wifdcm of the world ; this news is old enough, 
 vet it is every day's news. I pray you, Sir, of what 
 difr option was the Duke ? 
 
 Efcal. One, that, above all other itrifes, 
 Contended fpecially to know himfelf. 
 
 Dxke. What pleafure was he giv'n to ?" 
 
 ./'y'.W. Rather rejoicing to fee another merry, than 
 merry at any thing which proteil to make him ie;uic(.\ 
 A gentleman of all temperance. But leave we him to 
 his events, with a prayer they may prove proiperous ; 
 ui.d let me defue to know, how you tind Clauflio prc- 
 piu"'c! ? I am made to underiland, that you have lent 
 him vifitanon. 
 
 Duke. He prefefles to have received no finifter mea- 
 fove from his judge, but moil willingly humbles him- 
 fe'f to the determination of jnftice ; yet had he fram'd 
 tohimfeif, by the inftrudYion of his frailty, many de- 
 ceiving promifes of life; which I, by my good leifure, 
 have difciedked to him, and now is he refolv'd to die 
 
 * The Duke's rennirks here, are very fenf.ble, and well fuited 
 to the preient times ; Ncvdty, having never been in any . ge or 
 country more worfhiped, th. n at this d?.y, when frippery orna- 
 ments and entertainment for the body, are pri-ferrcd to whokfocn* 
 foci for tlie mind
 
 M E A S U R E for MEASURE. 41 
 
 EfcaL You have paid the priibncr the vevy debt of 
 your calling. 1 have luhour'd for the good gentleman -, 
 but my brother juitice have I found fo fevcre, that lie 
 hath ftirc'd me to tell him, he is indeed juilice. 
 
 Duke. If his own life anP.rcr the llraitnefs of h's 
 proceeding, it fhall become him well ; wherein it he 
 chance fo fail, he hath fer.tenc'd himielf. 
 
 Eji-aL I am going to vilit rhe prifonsr ; fare you 
 well. [&:fc 
 
 Duke. Peace be with you ! 
 He who the fword of heav'n will bear, 
 Should be as holy as fevere "* : 
 More nor leis to others paying, 
 Than bv felt-offences weighing. 
 Shame to him, whole cruel linking, 
 Kills for faults of his own liking. 
 Twice treble (ha'.ne on Angela, 
 To- weed my vice, and let his grow! 
 Oh, what may man within him hide, 
 Tho' angel on the outward fide ! 
 Craft again ft vice I muft ftpp'y. 
 WfehgHb to-night, {hall lie 
 His old betrothed, but dcfpis'd ;. 
 So dilguLfe -fhall by th' difguis'd, 
 Pay with falfhood falfe exa-Ring, 
 And perform an old contracting. [S.t.V.f 
 
 & The fsntiments of th's foliloquy are iufl and in^ru^Ive ; but 
 the namby-pamby verification, in which they are conveyed to 
 our apprehenfion, is acwrr.inable. 
 
 f This Aft, fave th; fecond Tone, which we have cbie.b>d \.-t, 
 h written \viih great ability, and contains kme as fine f=n;imsnt_- 
 as ever &k+k*fc&rt penned. 
 
 G g3 AC r.
 
 42 MEASURE for MEASURE, 
 A C T IV. 
 
 SCENE, A Grange. 
 Enter Duke and Isabella, meeting. 
 
 DUKE. 
 
 VERY well met, and well come * : 
 What is the news from this good deputy ?' 
 
 Ifal). He hath a garden with a vineyard backt : 
 And to that vinegard is a planched gate, 
 That makes his opening with this bigger key : 
 This other doth command a little door, 
 Which from the vineyard to the garden leads ; 
 There, on the heavy middle of the night, 
 Have I my promiiVmade to call upon him. 
 
 Xsukc. But (hall you on your knowledge find this vruy - 
 
 7fr5. I've ta'en a due and waty note upon't j 
 With whifp'ring and moil guilty diligence, 
 In action all of precept, he did {hew me 
 The way twice o'er. 
 
 Duke. Are there no ether tokens 
 Between yon 'greed, concerning her obfervance r 
 
 Jjab. No, none ; but only a repair i'th' dark ; 
 And that I have poiTeft him, my moll flay 
 Can be but brief j fcr I have made him know, 
 I have a fei vanl comes with me alons', 
 That ilsys upon me; whole perluaikm is, 
 I come about my brother. 
 
 Didte. 'Tis \veil born up. 
 I have: not yet made known to Mariana, 
 A u ord of this. What, hoa ! within ! come forth. t 
 
 Enter Mariana. 
 
 J pray you, be acquainted with this maid ; 
 She comes to do you good. 
 
 * There are forr.e /peaches and a fcng, previons to this,, pro- 
 perly left out j the At begins better here, 
 
 Ifab,
 
 MEASURE for M E A S U RE. 43 
 
 Ifab. I do defire the like. 
 
 Duke. Do you perfuade yourfelf that I refpe^t you ? 
 
 Marl. Good Friar, I know you do; and I have 
 found it. 
 
 Duke. Take then this your companion by the hand. 
 Who hath a ilory ready tor your ear : 
 I (hall attend your leifure ; but make halte ; 
 The vaporous night approaches. 
 
 Maria. Will't pleale you walk afide ? 
 
 [Exeunt Mar. and I fab. 
 
 Du?:c. Oh place and greatnefs ! millions of falfe eyes 
 Are itruck upon thee volumes of report 
 Run with thete falfe and moft contrarious quells; 
 Upon thy doings : thoufand 'icapes of wit 
 Make thee the father of their idle dreams, 
 And rack thee in their fancies ! welcome; how agreed.? 
 
 * Re-enter Mariana, ami Ifabel. 
 
 I/a 1 *. She'll take the enterprise upon her, father, 
 If youadvifeit. 
 
 Duke. 'Ti not my confent, 
 But my intreaty too. 
 
 Ij'ab. Little have you to fay. 
 When you depart from him, but foft and low, 
 ' Remember now my brothers?. 
 
 Man. Fear me not. 
 
 Duke. Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at alls 
 He is your hufband on a pre-contrad; 
 To bring you thus together, 'tis no lin ; 
 Sith that the juitice of your title to him 
 Doth rlourifh the deceit. Come, let us go; 
 Our corn's to reap ; for yet our tilth's to fow. [Exami. 
 
 * The return of Mariana and Jfabel, is much too fudden ^ 
 there (hould have been a paufe, of at lead eight or ten lines 
 more than the Duke's folUoquy, to give Aem probable time for 
 their purpofe, 
 
 SCENE
 
 44 MEASURE for MEASURE/ 
 
 SCENE changes to a Prifor.. 
 Enter Pro voft and Clown. 
 
 Ptov. Come hither, firrab. : can you cut off a man's 
 head ? 
 
 Clown. If the man be a batchelor, Sir, I can ; but 
 if he be a marry 'd man, he is his wire's head, and I caa 
 never cut off a woman's head. 
 
 Prav. Come, Sir, leave me your matches, and yield 
 me-a direct anfwcr. To-morrow morning are to die 
 Claudia and Earnardine : here is in our prifon a com- 
 mon executioner, who in his office lacks a helper ; if 
 you will take it on you to affiit him, it (hall redeem you 
 from your yyves : if not, you {hall-have your full time 
 of imprifotmsent, and your deliverance with an unpi- 
 tkd whipping ; tor you have been a notorious bawd. 
 
 Cloven. Sir, I have been an unlawful bawd, time 
 out of mind, but yet I will be content to be a lawful 
 hangman : I would be glad to receive fome inftrudion 
 from my felknV-partner. 
 
 Prov, What ^^.Aohorfon! w herd's Abhor/on, there? 
 
 Enter Abhorfon. 
 
 Abbor. Do you call, Sir ? 
 
 Prorj. Sirrah, here's a fellow will help you, to-mor- 
 row, in your execution. Me cannot plead his eftimation 
 with you, , he hath been a bawd. 
 
 Abhor. A bawd, Sir ? fie upon him, he will difcredit 
 our myftery, 
 
 Proev. Goto, Sir, you weigh equally ; a feather will 
 turn the icale.-. [Exit. 
 
 Citron. Pray, Sir, by your good favour ; (for, fu re- 
 ly, Sir, a good tavour yoa have, but that you have a 
 hanging look ;) do you call, Sir, your occupation a 
 myftery ? 
 
 Abhor, Ay, Sir^ a myftery. 
 
 Clown. Painting, Sir, I have heard fay, is a myftery ; 
 and your whores, Sir, being members of my occupa- 
 tion, ufing painting, do prove ray occupation a myi- 
 
 tery:
 
 MEASURE for MEASURE. 45 
 
 tery : but what myitery there fhould be in hanging,, if 
 I ihould be hang'd, I cannot imagine. 
 
 Abhor. Sir, it is a myitery. 
 
 Clo-iv.'i. Proof 
 
 JLbbor. Every true man's apparel fits your thief, 
 Clown: if it be too little tor your true man, your 
 thief thinks it big enough. If it be too big for your 
 true man, your thief thinks it little enough ; fo every 
 rue man's apparel fits your thief. 
 
 Rc-e nier Pro volt. 
 
 Prov. Are you agreed ? 
 
 Clown. Sir, I will ferve him : for I do find, yoirr 
 hangman is a more penitent trade than your bawd; 
 he doth oftner aik forgivenefs. 
 
 Prov. You, firrah, provide your block and your ax, 
 to-morrow, four o'clock. 
 
 Abhor. Come on, bawd ; I will inftrucl thee in my 
 trade ; follow. 
 
 Clown. I do defire to learn, Sir ; and I hope, if you 
 have occafion to ufe me for your own turn, you ftiafl 
 fit ;d me yare : for truly, Sir, for your kindnefs I oxve 
 you a j-;ood turn. [.E.vtf* 
 
 Prov. Call hither Baniardine and Claudia ; 
 One has my pity ; not a jot the other, 
 Being a murth'rer. 
 
 Eater ClauJio. 
 
 * Look, here's the warrant, Cfaudh, for thy death ; 
 Tis n\)\v dead midnight, and by e ; ght to-morrow, 
 Thou niuil be made immortal. Where's Barnardine? 
 
 ClaiuL As fail lock'd up in lleep, as guiltlefs labour, 
 \Vhen it lies itarkly in the traveller's bones : 
 He'll not awake. 
 
 * We could wifh all the preceding part of this fcere omirerf, a 
 trifling, or rather worfe 5 and that Claudios meeting the Provjl 
 fliould begin it. We fuppofe feveral parts which are retaincJ, as 
 well as this, owe their preservation to a fear, of (honening the 
 play, tyo mucii ; not any mefit they poffefc. 
 
 PftOK
 
 46 M E A S U R E for M E A S U R F. 
 
 Prov. Who can do good on him ? 
 \\V11, go, prepare yourielf. [-?'<'/ Claudtc. 
 
 Heav'n give your ipirits comfort ! 
 
 Welcome, hit her. 
 
 Enter Duke. 
 
 Duke. The bell and wholefom'ft fpirits of the nighf, 
 Envelop you, good Pro-i'ojl ! who calPd here, of late ?- 
 
 Pro-s. None, fince the curfew nun' 1 . 
 
 Duke. Not Ijaltlf 
 
 Prov. No. 
 
 Duke. She will th.cn, ere't be long. 
 
 Prov. What comfort is ior Claudia? 
 
 Duke. There is fome in hope. 
 
 Prov. It is a bitter deputy. 
 Duke. Not fo, not fo : his life is pamllfi'M, 
 Ev'n with the llroke and line ot his great jutt'ice ; 
 He doth with holy ablHnence lubdue 
 That iir-himfelf, which he fpurs on' his pov.'r 
 To qualify in others. Vv'er. he meal'd 
 ^With that, which he corrects, then were he tyrannous ;.. 
 But this being fo } he's ju ft. Now are they come. 
 
 [ Knock again, Fro\'oft goct cut.. 
 This is a gentle Pi-ovoft ; ieldom when 
 The fteeled gaoler is the friend of men. 
 How now ? what noife ? that fjilrit's p^ofTell with hafte, 
 lhat wouiivh, th' unreliiting poiicrn with thefe {Irokes. 
 
 [ l > rovoj.1 rduffts, 
 
 P,-r.i'. There he mult Pay, until the oiliccr 
 Arile to let irtifthi ; he is call'd up. 
 
 Duke. HP.VC you no countermand for CLiaJio, yet, 
 But he inuit dig, to-morrow ? 
 
 Prov. None, Sir, none. 
 
 Duke. As near the dawnim*. Pre-.-^j as it is, 
 You fliail hem more, ere morning. 
 
 Prci: Happily, 
 
 You ibrtKthing knoxv ; yet, I believe there comes. 
 No countermand ; 
 I.mvl -7-',v/f hath to- the public ear, 
 Tro.'ell the contvary.^. 
 
 Enter
 
 MEASURE for MEASURE. 4; 
 
 ILntcr a Mejjcagcr. 
 
 Duke. Tliis is his Lordfhip's man. 
 
 Prof. And here comes C&udios pardon. 
 
 Mjff. My Lord hath fent you this note, and by me 
 this i'urther charge, that you {werve not from the 
 finalleft article of it, neither in time, matter, or other 
 circumihnce. Good-morrow ; for, as I take it, h "is 
 almoit day. 
 
 Pro*. I (hall obey him. {Exit Meflen. 
 
 Duke. Now, Sir, what news ? 
 
 Prov. I told you: Lord Angela^ belike, thinking 
 roe remifs in mine office, awakens me wi'h this im- 
 wonted putting on ; methinks, il'rangely ; for he hath 
 uot us'd it before. 
 
 Duke. Pray you-, let's hear. 
 
 Provoft reach the Letter. 
 
 U bafjoever you may hear to the '-contrary, It: C'uiutio ht 
 executed by four of the clock, and in the aficru:,tm Bar- 
 nardine: for ny better fatisfaftion, let fiie ha-js Ciau- 
 dio's be ad fait me lyfivc. Let this be ickuy ferfi 
 tvitb a thought that more depends on it than civ mu'ft 
 vet deliver. Thus fall not to do your office, as you tv:// 
 anf-Mer it -dtyeUr peril. 
 
 V.'hnt fay you to this, Sir ? 
 
 Duke'. What is that Karnardlne, who h to lie exe- 
 OMted in the afternoon ? 
 
 Prov. A Bohemian born; but here nurs'd up and 
 bred: one, that is a prifoner nine years old. 
 
 Duke. How came it, that the nbfent Duke had not 
 either dcliver'd him to his liberty, or e:;ecated him ? 
 I have heard, it was ever his manner to do fa. 
 
 Prov. His friends iHil wrought reprieves for him ; 
 and, indeed, his f'acl, till now in the government ol 
 Lord A.-igclo, came not to an undoubtful proof. 
 
 Duke. Is it now apparent ? 
 
 Prov. Moft manite.fl:, and not deny'd by himfelf. 
 
 Duke. Hath he born himielf penitently in priibn ? 
 how feems he to be touch'd?
 
 4 8 MEASURE for MEASURE. 
 
 Prcv. A man that apprehends death no more dread- 
 fully, but as a drunken fleep ; carelefs, recklefs, and 
 fearkis ct what's paft, prefent, or to come ; infeufibie 
 of mortality, and defpeiately mortal. 
 
 Duke. He wants advice. 
 
 Prcv. He will hear none. We have very oft awak'd 
 him, as if to carry him to execution; but 'it hath not 
 mov'd him at all. 
 
 Duke. More of him, anon. There is written in your 
 brow, Pro<voft, honeity and conftancy ; if I read it not 
 truly, my ancient ikiil beguiles me ; but in the boldiicL 
 ot rny cunning, I will lay myfelf in hazard. Cla:ulo+ 
 whom here you have a warrant to execute, is no greater 
 forfeit to the law, than Angela, who hath fentenc'd him. 
 To make you underfland this in a manifeited effect, I 
 crave but four days refpite ; for the which you are to 
 do me both a prefent and a dangerous courteiy. 
 
 Prov. Pray, Sir, in what ? 
 
 Duke. In the delaying death. 
 
 Prcv. Alack! how may I do it, having the hour 
 limited, and an exprefs command, under penalty, to 
 deliver his head in the view of Angela ? I may make 
 my cafe as C/aiifJio's, to crofs this, in the fmalleir.. 
 
 DiSkc. By the vow of mine order, I warrant you, if 
 my iniiru&ions may be your guide : let this Barnar- 
 Jl:ie be this morning executed, and his head born to 
 Angela. 
 
 Pros,: Angela hath feen them both, and will difcover 
 the favour. 
 
 Duke. Oh, death's a great difguifer, and you may 
 add to it; (have the head, and lay it was the defire of 
 the penitent, before his death ; you know the courfe is 
 common. If any thing fall to you, upon this, more than 
 thanks and good fortune, by the faint whom I profefs, 
 I will plead againft it, with my life. 
 
 Prov. Pardon me, good father; it is againft my 
 oath. 
 
 Duke. Were you fworn to the Duke, or to the De- 
 
 puty? 
 Prov. 
 
 To him, and to his SubHitutes. 
 
 6 Duke*
 
 MEASURE for MEASURE. 49 
 
 Duke. You will think you have roade no offence, if 
 the Duke avouch the jurtice of your dealing f 
 
 Prtrj. But what likelihood is in that ? 
 
 Duke. Not a refemblance, bat a certainty. Yet fince 
 I fee you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity, nor 
 my perfualion, can with eafe attempt you, I will go 
 further than I meant, to pluck all fears out of you. 
 Look you, Sir, here is the hand and feal of the Duke; 
 you know the character, I doubt not, and the fignet is 
 not ftrange to you. 
 
 Prov. I know them both. 
 
 Duke. The contents of this is the return of the Duke ; 
 '3'ou mail anon over-read it, at your pleafure; where 
 you mall find, within thefe two days he will be here. 
 This is a thing which Angela knows not; for he this 
 very day receives letters of ftrange tenor ; perchance, 
 of the Duke's death ; perchance, of his entering into 
 fome monaitery ; but, by chance, nothing of what is 
 writ. Look, the unfolding ftar calls up the fhepherd ! * 
 put not yourfelf into amazement how thefe things 
 fhould be ; all difficulties are but eafy, when they are 
 known. Call your executioner, and off with Ba nar- 
 d'tu?s head : I will give him n prefent mrift, and ad- 
 vite him for a better place. Yet you are amaz'd ; but 
 tins (hull abfolutely refolve you. Come away, it is 
 almoft clear dawn. [Exeunt, 
 
 Enter Abhorfon and Clown. 
 
 Abhor. Sirrah, bring Barnardlnc hither. 
 
 Clvivn. Mailer Barnardinc^ you muft rife, and be 
 hang'it, mafter Barnardine. 
 
 Anbor. What, hoa, Barnardiite ! 
 
 Barnar. [If It bin.] A pox o' your throats ! who 
 makes that noife there r what Are you ? 
 
 Clo^un. Your friend, Sir, the hangman : you mult 
 be io good, Sir, to rife, and be put to death. 
 
 This ftiort brVa'x., in the Duke's fpeech, Is very beautiful ; It 
 is a well-timed relief to, and pleating gn&itkatioa of, Attention 
 
 VOL. III. H h Banutr.
 
 50 MEASURE for MEASURE. 
 
 Barnar. [#?/&.] Away, you rogue, away; I am 
 fleepy. 
 
 Abhor. Tell him, he muft awake, and that quickly 
 too. 
 
 Clown. Pray, mafter Barnarditie^ awake till you are 
 executed, and fleep afterwards. 
 
 Abhor. Go in to him, and fetch him out. 
 
 Clown. He is coming, Sir, he is coming ; I hear the 
 ftraw ruftle. 
 
 Enter Barnardine. * 
 
 Abbor. Is the ax upon the block, firrah ? 
 
 Clavm. Very ready, Sir. 
 
 Barnar. How now, Alhorfon ! what's the news with 
 you ? 
 
 Abbor. Truly, Sir, I would defire you to clap into 
 your prayers : for, look you, the warrant's come. 
 
 Barnar. You rogue, J have been drinking, all night, 
 I am not fitted for't. 
 
 Clavm. Oh, the better, Sir ; for he that drinks aH 
 night, and is hang'd betimes in the morning, may 
 flee]) the founder aU the next day. 
 
 Enter Duke. 
 
 Abhor. Look you, Sir, here comes your ghoflly fa- 
 ther ; do we jeft now, think you ? 
 
 Duke. Sir, induced by my charity, and hearing how 
 haftily you are to depart, I am come to advile you, 
 comfort you, and pray with you. 
 
 Barnar. Friar, not I : I have been drinking hard, aH 
 night, and I will have more time to prepare me, or 
 they mall beat out my brains with billets : I will not 
 confent to die, this day, that's certain. 
 
 Duke. Oh, Sir, you mull ; and therefore, I befeech 
 you, look forward on the journey you (hall go 
 
 * BamerJbte, though natural, is a chara&er of that caft vre 
 deem unworthy bth of the ftage and clofet.
 
 MEASURE for MEASURE. 51 
 
 Barnar. I fwear, I will not die, to-day, for any man's 
 perfuafion. 
 
 Duke. But hear you 
 
 Barnar. Not a word : if you have any thing to fay to 
 me, come to my ward ; for thence will not I, to-day. 
 
 l&ctt. 
 
 Enter Provoft. 
 
 Duke. Unfit to live, of die. 
 
 Prov. Now, Sir, how do you find the prifoner ? 
 
 Duke. A creature unprepar'd, unmeet tor death ; 
 And, to tranfport him in the mind he is, 
 Were damnable. 
 
 Prov. Here in the prifon, father, 
 There dy'd, this morning, of a cruel fever, 
 One Ragozine t a moil notorious pirate, 
 A man of Claudia's years ; his beard, and head, 
 Juft of his colour : What if we omit 
 This reprobate, 'till he were well inclin'd ; 
 And fatisfy the Deputy with the vifage 
 Of Ragozlne^ more like to Claudia f 
 
 Duke. O, 'tis an accident, that heav'n provides; 
 Diipatch it prefently j the hoar draws on, 
 Prerixt by Angela : fee, this be done, 
 And fent according to command ; while I 
 Perfuade this rude wretch willingly to die. 
 
 Prov. This fhall be done, good father, prefently j 
 But how mail we continue Claudia^ 
 To fave me from the danger that might come, 
 If he were known alive ? 
 
 Duke. Let this be done ; 
 
 Put them in fecret holds, both Bamardine and Clavdin 
 Ere twice the fun hath made his journal greeting 
 To yonder generation, you lhall find 
 Your fafety manifeded. 
 
 Prov. I am your free dependant. 
 
 Duke. Quick, difpatch, and fend the head to An- 
 gela. [Exit Prov. 
 
 H h Now
 
 ZM 
 52 MEASURE for MEASURE. 
 
 Now will I write letters to Angela^ 
 
 (The Pro-joft, he frail bear them ;) whofe content) 
 
 Shall witnele to him, I am near at home ; 
 
 Ann that, by great injunftions, I am bound 
 
 To enter publicly : him I'll defire 
 
 To meet me at the confecrated fount, 
 
 A league below the city ; and from thence, 
 
 By coid gradation and weal-balanc'd iorm, 
 
 We fhall proceed with Angela. 
 
 Enter Provofr. 
 
 Prov. Here is the head, 111 carry it myfelr", 
 
 Duke. Convenient is it : make a fwift return; 
 For I would commune with you of fuch things, 
 That want no ears but yours. 
 
 Prov. I'll make all fpeed. {Exit. 
 
 Ijab. {Within.} Peace, hoa, be here! 
 
 Duke. The tongue of Ifabella. She comes to know, 
 If yet her brother's pardon be come hither ; 
 But I will keep her ign'rant of her good, 
 To make her heav'nly comforts of defpair, 
 When it is leafl expeded. 
 
 Enter Ifabel. 
 
 Ijab. Hoa, by your leave 
 
 Duke. Good morning to you, fair and gracious 
 daughter. 
 
 Ifab. The better, given me by fo holy a man : 
 Hath yet the Deputy fent my brother's pardon ? 
 
 Duke. He hath releas'd him, Ijabel y from the world ; 
 His head is off^ and fent to Angela. 
 
 IJc.b. Nay, but it is not fo ( 
 
 Duke. It is no other. 
 
 Ifab. Unhappy Claudio, wretched Ifabel! 
 Injurious world, moil damned Atigelo! 
 
 Duke. This nor hurts him, nor profits you a jot : 
 Forbear it, therefore, give your caufe to heaVn : 
 Mark what I fay ; which you fliall furely find 
 
 By
 
 MEASURE for MEASURE. 53 
 
 By ev'ry fyllable a faithful verity. 
 
 The Duke comes home, to-morrow ; dry your eyes j 
 
 One of our Convent, and his Confeflbr, 
 
 Gives me this inftance: already he hath carry 'd 
 
 Notice to Efcalus and Angclo, 
 
 Who do prepare to meet him at the gates, 
 
 There to give up their pow'r. If you can, pace your 
 
 wifdom 
 
 In that good path that I would wifh it go, 
 And you fhall have your bofom on this wretch, 
 Grace of the Duke, revenges to your heart, 
 And gen'ral honour. 
 
 Ij'ab. I'm directed by you. 
 
 Duke. This letter then to Friar Peter give, 
 Tis that he fent me of the Duke's return : 
 Say, by this token, I defire his company 
 At Mariana's houfe, to-night. Her caufe and yours 
 I'U perfect him withal, and he (hall bring you 
 Before the Duke ; and to the head of Angela 
 Accufe him home, and home. For my poor felf, 
 I am combined by a facred vow, 
 And fhall be abfenr. Wend you with this letter : 
 Command thefe fretting waters from your eyes, 
 With a light heart ; trull not my holy Order, 
 If I pervert your courfe. 
 
 Enter Lucio.- 
 
 Lucio. Good even ; 
 Friar, where's the Provoft?' 
 
 Duke. Not within, Sir. 
 
 Luclo. Oh, pretty Ifabdla, I am pale at mine heart, 
 to fee thine eyes fo red ; thou muft be patient ; I am- 
 fain to dine and iup with water and bran ; I dare net 
 tor my head fill my belly : one fruitful meal wouU 
 fet me to't. But, they fay, the Duke will be here, to- 
 morrow. By my troth, Jfabd, I lov'd thy brother: 
 if the old fantafllcal Duke of dark corners, had been 
 at ix>n*e, he had liv'd, {Exit Ifabslia. 
 
 H h 3 -
 
 54 MEASURE for MEASURE. 
 
 Duke. Sir, the Duke is marvellous little beholden to 
 your reports ; but the belt is, he lives not in them. 
 
 Lucio. Friar, thou knoweft not the Duke, fo well 35 
 I do ; he's a better woodman, than thou tak'it him for. 
 
 Duke. Well ; you'll anfvver this, one day. Fare ye 
 well. 
 
 Lucia. Nay, tarry, FIl go along with thee : I can 
 tell thee pretty tales of the Duke. 
 
 Duke. You have told me too many of him already, 
 Sir, if they be true ; if not true, none were enough. 
 
 Liido. I was once before him, for getting a wench 
 with child, * 
 
 Duke. Did you fuch a thing? 
 
 Lucio. Yes, marry, did I j but I was fain to forfwear 
 it; they would elle have nvarry'd me to the rotten 
 medlar. 
 
 Duke. Sir, your company is fairer than honeit : reft 
 you well. 
 
 Lucio. By my troth, I'll go with thee to the lane's- 
 end : if bawdy talk offend you, well have very little 
 of it ; nay, Friar , 1 am a kind of burr, I fliall iHck. 
 
 [Exeunt, -j- 
 
 SCENE changes to the Palace, 
 Eater Angelo and Efcalus. 
 
 Efc.i!. Every letter he hath writ, hath dilvouch'd the 
 other. 
 
 -Ang. In moft uneven and diirrafted manner. His 
 acYiors fhew much like to madnefs: pray heav'n, his 
 wifdom be not tainted : and why meet hisn at the 
 gates, and deliver our authorities there ? 
 
 Efcah I guefs not. 
 
 Ang. And why fhould we proclaim it, an hour 
 before his entring, that if any crave redrefs of injui- 
 tice, they fliould exhibit their petitions in the ftreet r 
 
 There is too much child-getting in this piece- 
 J- There is confiderable pleafantry fuggefted ia this fhcrt fcene, 
 between the Duke and Luth.
 
 MEASURE for MEASURE. 5S 
 
 Efcal. He mews his reafon for that; to have a dif- 
 patch of complaints. 
 
 ^ Ang. Well ; I befeech you, let- it be proclaim'd, be- 
 times i'th' morn ; I'll call you at your houfe : give 
 notice to fuch men of fort and fuit, as are to meet 
 him. 
 
 Efcal. I fhall, Sir : fare you welL \Exlu 
 
 Ang. Good night. 
 
 This deed unfliapes me quite, makes me unpregnant, 
 And dull to all proceedings. A defioured maid ! 
 And by an eminent body, that enforc'd 
 The law againft it ! But that her tender fhame 
 Will not proclaim againft her maiden lofs,. 
 How might fhe tongue me ? yet reafon dares her : 
 For my authority bears a credent bulk ; 
 That no particular fcandal once can touch, 
 But it confounds the breather. He fhould have liv'd r 
 Save that his riotous youth, with dangerous fenfe, 
 Might in the time to come have ta'en revenge, 
 By fo receiving a difhonour'd life, 
 
 With ranfom of fuch fhame. Would yet, he had liv'd ! 
 Alack, when once our grace we have forgot, 
 Nothing goes right ; we would, and we would not. * 
 
 [/. f 
 
 * After this foliloquy, there Is a page of immaterial import 
 left out, which makes the fourth aft end much better. 
 
 f The Fourth Aft has not, in our view, fo much merit as the 
 Third, yet does not fink, fo as to pall, in any fhape ; though the 
 writing is not fp usrvous and fanciful, the ptogreffivc circura- 
 llances of the plot rife well. 
 
 ACT
 
 MEASURE for MEASURE. 
 
 ACT V. 
 
 SCENE, a public Place near the City.. 
 
 Enter Duke, Lords, Angelo, Efcalus, Lucio, atfeveral 
 dears. 
 
 D'UKE. 
 
 MY very worthy coufin, fairly met ; 
 Our old and faithful friend, we're glad to fee you. 
 
 Ang. and Efeal. Happy return be to your royaL 
 Grace ! 
 
 Duke. Many and hearty thanks be to you both ; 
 We've made enquiry of you, and we hear 
 Such goodnefs of your juftice, that our foul 
 Cannot but yield you forth to public thanks, 
 Forerunning more requital. 
 
 Ang. You make my bonds ftill greater. 
 
 Duke. Oh your deiert fpeaks loud. * 
 Give me your hand, 
 
 And let the fubjects fee, to make them know- 
 That outward courtefies would fain proclaim 
 Favours that keep within. Come, Efcalus ; 
 You muft walk by us on our other hand : 
 And good fupponers are you. \As the Duke is going our^. 
 
 Enter Peter and Ifabella. 
 
 Peter. Now is your time; fpeak loud, and kneel 
 before him.. 
 
 * Thefe lines ought to be fpoken, 
 
 And I Jbould wrong ;>, 
 To lock it in tie wards of covert bofom, 
 Wben it deferves, with cbaraflers of bra/~s, 
 AfortedfejiJence, 'gainft (be tooth of time t 
 And raxure of oblhion.
 
 MEASURE for MEASURE. 57 
 
 Ifab, Juftice, O royal Duke; vail * your regard 
 Upon a wrong'd, I'd fain have faid, a maid ; 
 Oh, worthy Prince, difhonour not your eye 
 By throwing it on any other object, 
 Till you have heard me in my true complaint, 
 And given me juftice, juftice, juftice, juftice. f 
 
 Duke. Relate your wrongs ; in what, by whom ? 
 
 be brier : 
 
 Here is Lord Angela fhall give you juftice ; 
 Reveal yourfelf to him. 
 
 Ifab. Oh, worthy Duke, 
 You bid me feek Redemption of the Devil : 
 .Hear me, yourfelf; for that which I muft fpeak, 
 Muft either punim me, not being believ'd, 
 Or wring redrefs from you : oh, hear me, hear me. 
 
 Ang. My Lord, her wits, I fear me, are not firm : - 
 She hath been a fuitor to me for her brother, 
 Cut off by courfe of juftice. 
 
 Ifab. Courfe of juftice ! 
 
 Ang. And (he will (peak moft bitterly, and ftrange. 
 
 Ifab. Moft ftrange, but yet moft truly, will I fpeak ; 
 That Angek 's forfworn : is it not ftrange ? 
 That Angela 's a murth'rer : is't not ilrange ? 
 An hypocrite, a virgin-violater : 
 Is it not ftrange, and ftrange ? % 
 
 Duke. Nay, it is ten times ftrange. 
 
 Jfab. It is not truer he is Angela, 
 Than this is all as true, as it is ftrange : 
 Nay, it is ten times true ; for truih is truth, 
 To th* end of reckoning. 
 
 Duke. Away with her ; poor foul ! 
 She fpeaks this in th' infirmity of fenie. 
 
 Ifab. O Prince, I conjure thee, as thou believ'il 
 There is another comfort than this world, 
 
 Vj.\l for caft. 
 
 f Thefe emph'atic repetitions of the word Juftice ! are weft 
 imagined, and have a fine, forceable effect. 
 
 J This fpeech is very feelingly written, and requires the ex- 
 
 p reffion of ftrong fenfibility. 
 
 That
 
 S 8 MEASURE for MEASURE. 
 
 That thou neglect me not, with that opinion 
 
 That I am touch'd with madnefs. Make not impoffibl* 
 
 That which but feems unlike j 'tis not impoffible, 
 
 But one, the wicked'fl caitiff on the ground, 
 
 May feem as fliy, as grave, as juft, as abfolute, 
 
 As Angela ; even fo may Angelo, 
 
 In all his draftings, caracts, titles, forms, 
 
 Be an arch-villain : believe it, ro)-al Prince, 
 
 If he be lefs, he's nothing ; but he's more. 
 
 Had I more name for badnefs. 
 
 Duke. By mine honeiry, 
 If me be mad, as I believe no other, 
 Her madnefs hath the oddetl frame of fenfe j 
 Such a dependency of thing on thing, 
 As e'er I heard in madnefs. 
 
 Jfdb. Gracious Duke, 
 
 Harp not on that ; nor do not banifii reafon, 
 For inequality : but let your reafon ferve 
 To make the truth appear, where it feems hicf? 
 Not hide the falfe, feems true. 
 
 Duke. Many, that are not mad, 
 Have, fure, more lack of reafon. 
 What would you fay ? 
 
 IJiA. I am the filler of one Claudia, 
 Condemn'd, upon the At of Fornication, 
 To lofe his head ; condemn'd by Angela : 
 I, in probation of a fiiterhood, 
 Was fent to by my brother ; one Lucia 
 Was then the meflenger 
 
 Lucio. That's I, an't like your Grace : 
 I came to her from Claudio, and defir'd her 
 To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angela, 
 For her poor brother's pardon. 
 
 JJ'ab. That's he indeed. 
 
 Duke. You were not bid to fpeak. [TtfLucib. 
 
 Lucio. No, my good Lord, nor wifh'd to hold my 
 peace. 
 
 Duke. I wifh you now then ; 
 Pray you^ take note of it : and when you have 
 
 A bufi>
 
 MEASURE for MEASURE. 59 
 
 A bufmefs for yourfelf, pray heav'n, you then 
 Be perfect. 
 
 JLudo, I warrant your Honour. 
 Duke. The warrant's for yourfelf ; take heed to't. 
 Ifab. This gentleman told fomewhat of my tale. 
 Lucio. Right. * 
 
 Duke. It may be right, but you are in the wrong, 
 To fpeak before your time. Proceed. 
 
 Ifab. I went 
 
 To this pernicious caitiff Deputy. 
 Duke. That's fomewhat madly fpoken. 
 Ifab. Pardon it : 
 The phrafe is to the matter. 
 
 Duke. Mended again : the matter proceed. 
 Ifab. In brief; (to fet the needlefs procefs by, 
 How I perfuaded, how I pray'd and kneel'd, 
 How he repell'd me, and how I reply'd j 
 For this was of much length) the vile conclufion 
 I now begin with grief and ftiame to utter. 
 He would not, but by gift of my chafle perfon, 
 Releafe my brother ; and after much debatement, 
 My fifterly remorfe confutes mine honour, 
 And I did yield to him : but the next morn, betimes, 
 His purpofe forfeiting, he fends a warrant, 
 For my poor brother's head. 
 Duke. This is mofl likely ! 
 Ifab. Oh, that it were as like, as it is true ! 
 Duke. By heav'n, fond wretch, thou know'fl not 
 
 what thou fpeak'lt ; 
 
 Or elfe thou art fuborn'd againft his honour, 
 In hateful practice. Firft, his integrity 
 Stands without blemifh ; next, it imports no reafon, 
 That with fuch vehemence he fliould purfue 
 Faults proper to himlelf : if he had fo offended, 
 He would have weigh'd thy brother by himfelf, 
 And not have cut him off. Some one hath let you on : 
 
 * Lucio'$ coxcomical forwardnefs has always a very pleafant 
 effeft, in reprefentation j to give him his <fue, the laft ftcnc would be 
 very flat, without him ; his reafoniflg, here and there, is rather too 
 high, but in general palatable. 
 
 Confefs
 
 60 MEASURE for MEASURE. 
 
 Confefs the truth, and fay, by whofe advice, 
 Thou cam'ft here to complain. * 
 
 Ijab. And is this All ? 
 Then, oh, you blefled minifrers above ! 
 Keep me in patience ; and with ripen'd time, 
 Unrold the evil which is here wrapt up 
 In countenance : heav'n Ihield your Grace from woe! 
 As I, thus wrong'd, hence unbelieved go. 
 
 Duke. I know you'd fain be gone. An officer ! 
 To priion with her ; fliall we thus permit 
 A biaiting and a fcandalcus breath to fall 
 On him fo near us ? this needs muft be a practice. 
 Who knew of your intent, and coming hither ? 
 
 Ijab. One that I would were here, Friar Loafavlck. 
 
 Duke. A ghoftly father, belike : 
 Who knows that LMtevtfck ? 
 
 Lucio. My Lord, i know him; 'tis a meddling Frlan 
 I do not like' the man ; had he been Lay, my Lord, 
 For certain words he fpake againft your Grace, 
 In your retirement, I had fwing'd him foundry. 
 
 Duke. Words againlt me? This is a good Friar belike ; 
 And to fet on this wretched woman here, 
 Againft our Subltitute ! let this Friar be found. 
 
 Lucio. But yefternight, my Lord, {he and that Friar ^ 
 I faw them at the prifon : a laucy Friar, 
 A very fcurvy fellow. 
 
 Peter. Bleifed be your royal Grace ! 
 I have flood by, my Lord, and I have heard 
 Your royal ear abus'd. Firil, hath this woman 
 Molt wrongfully accus'd your Subltitute; 
 Who is as free from touch or foil with her, 
 As {he from one ungot. 
 
 Duke. We did believe no IP*. 
 Know you that Friar Lodcwick^ which {he fpeaks of? 
 
 Peter. I know him for a man divine and holy ; 
 Not fcurvy, nor a temporary meddler, 
 As he's reported by this gentleman ; 
 
 - The Duke's ftrong fcruples, to credit Ijalellas heavy charge, 
 is finely imagin'd, to render slngttii fituation more interesting. 
 
 6 And
 
 MEASURE for MEASU RE. 61 
 
 And, on my truft, a man that never yet 
 Did, as he vouches, mifreport your Grace. 
 
 Lucto. My Lord, moft villainoufly; believe if. 
 
 Peter. Well ; he in time may come to clear himfelf ; 
 But at this inftant he is fick, my Lord, 
 Of a ft range fever. 
 As for this woman ; 
 To juftify this worthy Nobleman, 
 So vulgarly and perfonally accus'd, 
 Her mall you hear difproved to her eyes, 
 'Till (he herfelf confefs it. 
 
 Duke. Good Friar, let's hear it. 
 Do you not fmile at this, Lord Angela ? * 
 
 O heav'n ! the vanity of wretched fools ! 
 
 Give us fome feats ; come, coufin Angela, 
 
 In this I will be partial : be you Judge, 
 
 Of your own caufe. Is this the witnels, Friar ? 
 
 [Ifabella is carried off\ guarded. 
 
 Enter Mariana, *vctfd. 
 
 Firft, let her (hew her face ; and after, fpeak. 
 
 Mart. Pardon, my Lord, I will not fhew my face, 
 Until my hufband bid me. 
 
 Duke. What, are you marry'd ? 
 
 Marl. No, my Lord. 
 
 Duke. Are you a maid ? 
 
 Man. No, my Lord. 
 
 Duke. A widow, then ? 
 
 Mart. Neither, my Lord. 
 
 Duke. Why, are you nothing then ? neither maid, 
 widow, nor wife ? 
 
 Lucio. My Lord, (he may be a punk ; for many of 
 them are neither maid, widow, nor wife, f 
 
 * The progreflive fteps to Angela's deteflion, keep expectation in 
 play, and bring the refult upon us with more force. 
 
 f Lurio'j pert interruptions, through this fcene, are very laugh- 
 able and charafteriftic. 
 
 VOL. HI. I i
 
 62 MEASURE for MEASURE. 
 
 Duke. Silence that fellow: I would he had fome 
 caufe to prattle for himielf. 
 
 Lucio. Well, my Lord. 
 
 Man. My Lord, I do confefs, I ne'er was marry'd ; 
 And I confefs befides, I am no maid ; 
 I've known my hufband ; yet my hufband knows not, 
 That ever he knew me. 
 
 Lucio. He was drunk then, my Lord ; it can be 
 no better. 
 
 Duke. For the benefit of filence, would thou wcrt 
 fo too! 
 
 Lucio. Well, my Lord. 
 
 Duke. This is no witnefs for Lord Angelo. 
 
 Man. Now I come to't, my Lord. 
 She, that accufes him of fornication, 
 In felf-fame manner doth accufe my hufband ; 
 And charges him, my Lord, with fuch a time, 
 When I'll depofe i had him in mine arms, 
 With all th' effect of love. 
 
 Aug. Charges flie more than me ? 
 
 Mori. Not that I know. 
 
 DuL\ No ? you fay, your hufband. [To Marian. 
 
 Jdari. Why, juit, my Lord ; and that is Angela. 
 
 Aug. This is a flrange abufe; let's fee thy face. 
 
 Marl. My hufband bids me; now I will unmafk. 
 
 [ Unveiling. 
 
 This is that face, thou cruel Angela, 
 Which once thou fwor'il, was worth the looking on: 
 This is the hand, which, with a vowM contract, 
 Was faft belock'd in thine ; this is the body, 
 That took away the match from Ifdbel ; 
 And did fupply thee, 
 In her imagin'd perfon. 
 
 Duke. Know you this woman ? 
 
 Lucio. Carnally, (he fays. 
 
 Duke. Sirrah, no more. 
 
 Lucio. Enough, my Lord. 
 
 An?. My Lord, I muft confefs, I know this woman ; 
 And five years fince there was fome fpeech of marriage, 
 Betwixt myfelf and her; which was broke olf, 
 
 Partly,
 
 MEASURE for MEASURE. 63 
 
 Partly, for that her promiied proportions 
 
 Came ftvort of competition ; hut, in chiet^ 
 
 For that her reputation was difvalu'd, 
 
 In levity ; fince which time of live years, 
 
 I never fpake with her, faw her, nor heard from her, 
 
 Upon my faith and honour. 
 
 Mari. Noble Prince, 
 As there comes light from heav'n, and words from 
 
 breath ; 
 
 As there is fenie in truth, and truth in virtue ; 
 I 4m aflianc'd this man's wife, as itrongly, 
 As words could make up vows ; 
 As this is true, 
 
 Let me in fafety raife me from, my knees ; 
 Or elfe for ever be confixed here, 
 A marble monument. 
 
 Ang. I did but fmile, 'till now. 
 Now, good my Lord, give me the fcope of juftice ; 
 My patience here is touch'd ; I do perceive, 
 Thefe poor informal women are no more 
 But inuruments of fome more mighty member, 
 That fets them on. Let me have way, my Lord, 
 To find this pradice out. 
 
 Duke. Ay, with my heart ; 
 And punifh them unto your height of pleafure. 
 Thou foolifh Friar, and thou pernicious woman, 
 Compact with her that's gone; think'it thou, thy oathj. 
 Tho' they would fwear down each particular Saint, 
 Were teftimonies 'gainft his worth and credit, 
 That's feal'd in approbation ? You, Lord Efeahs^ 
 Sit with my coufin ; lend him your kind pains, 
 To find out this abufe, whence 'tis derived. 
 There is another Friar, that fet them on ; 
 Let him be fent for. 
 
 Peter. Would he were here, my Lord ! for he indeed. 
 Hath fet the women on to this complaint : 
 Your Provoft knows the place where he abides ; 
 And he may fetch him, 
 
 I i 2
 
 64 MEASURE for MEASURE. 
 
 Duke. Go, do it, inftar.tly. 
 And, you, my noble and well-warranted Coufin, 
 ; Whom it concerns to hear this matter forth ; 
 Do with your injuries, as feems you beft, 
 In any chaftifement : I, for a while, 
 Will leave you ; but ftir not you, till you have wtl! 
 Determin'd upon thefe flanderere. * [Exit. 
 
 Efcal. My Lord, we'll do it thoroughly. Signior Lucre, 
 did not you fay, you knew that Friar Lodbwick to be a 
 diflinneit perfon ? 
 
 Lucio. Cuatllus non faclt monacbum; honed in no- 
 thing, but in his cloaths; and one that hath fpoke molt 
 villainous fpeeches of the Duke. 
 
 Efcal. We fhall intreat you to abide here, rill he 
 come ; we fhall find this Friar a notable fellow. 
 
 Lvcio. As any in Vienna, on my word. 
 
 Eji-al. Call that fame Ifabel here, once again : I would 
 fpeak with her ; pray you, my Lord, give me leave to 
 qaeftion ; you (hall fee how I'll handle her. 
 
 Lvcio. Not better than he, by her own report. 
 
 Efcal. Say you? 
 
 Lucio. Marry, Sir, I think, if you handled her pri- 
 vately, (lie mould fconer confefs ; perchance, publicly 
 (he'll be alham'd. 
 
 Enter Duke in tfe Friar's habit, and Provoft ; Ifabella 
 is brought in. 
 
 E/cal. I will go darkly to work with her. 
 
 Lucio. That's the way ; for women are light, at mid- 
 night. 
 
 Efcal. Come on, miftrefs ; kere's a gentlewoman de- 
 nies all that you have faid. 
 
 Lucic. My Lord, here comes the rafcal I fpoke of, 
 here with the Provoft. 
 
 * This encouragement, and peculiar countenance, fliewn to 
 Angth y is a judicious preparation to render his fituation more 
 ftjiking, at the cauftroplie. 
 
 Efcal.
 
 MEASURE for MEASURE. 65 
 
 Efcal. In very good time : fpeak not you to him, 
 til! we call upon you. 
 
 Liidp. Mum 
 
 Efcal. Come, Sir, did you fet thefe women on, to 
 {lander Lord Angela f they have confefs'd you did. 
 
 Duke. 'Tis falfe. 
 
 Efcal. How r know you where you are ? 
 
 Duke. Refpecl to your great place ! and let the devil 
 Be fometime honour'd ; for his burning throne. 
 Where is the Duke? 'tis he (hould hear me fpeak. 
 
 Efcal. The Duke's in us; and we will hear you fpeak: 
 Look, you fpeak juftly. 
 
 Duke. Boldly, at leaft. But oh, poor fouls, 
 Come you to feek the lamb here of the fox ? 
 Good-night to your redrefs : is the Duke gone ? 
 Then is your caufe gone too. The Duke's unjuft, 
 Thus to retort your maniteft appeal, 
 And put your trial in the villain's mouth, 
 \\ hich here you come to. accufe. 
 
 Lvcio. This is the rafcal ; this is he, I fpoke of. 
 
 Efcal. Why, thou unrev'rend and unhallow'd Friar ^ 
 Js't not enough thou haft fuborn'd thefe women, 
 T'accuie this worthy man, but with foul mouth, 
 To call him villain ; and then glance from him, 
 To th' Duke himfelf, to tax him with injuiHce ? 
 Take him hence; to th' rack with him : we'll touzeyou, 
 Joint by joint, but we will know his purpofe :. 
 What? unjuft? 
 
 Duke. Be not fo hot ; the Duke dare no more ftretch 
 This finger of mine, then he dare rack his own :. 
 His fubjeft am I not, 
 
 Nor here provincial ; my bufinefs in this ftate, 
 Tflade me a looker on here in Vienna ; 
 Where I have feen corruption boil and bubble, 
 Till it o'er-run the flew : 
 
 Efeal. Slander to th' Ikte ! away xvith him to prifon. 
 Ang. What can you vouch agaimt him, Signior 
 
 Lvcio ? 
 Is this the man, thar you did tell us of? 
 
 I I LltC'Dr
 
 66 MEASUR'E fo> MEASURE. 
 
 Lvtio. 'Tis he, my Lord. Come hither, goodman 
 
 bald-pate ; 
 Do you know me ? 
 
 Duke. I remember you, Sir, by the found of your 
 voice; I met you at'the prifon, in the abience of the 
 Duke. 
 
 Ltido. Oh, did you fo ? and do you remember what 
 you faid of the Duke ? 
 
 Dnke. Moft notedly, Sir. 
 
 Ltido. Do you fo, Sir? and was the Duke a flefti- 
 mor.ger, a fool, and a coward, as you then repotted 
 him to be ? 
 
 Duke. You muft, Sir, change perfons with me, ere 
 you make that my report : you ipoke fo of him, and 
 much rrore, much worfe. 
 
 Lucio. Oh thou damnable fellow ! did not I pluck 
 thee by the nofe, for thy fpeeches t 
 
 Duke. I proteft, I love the Duke, as I love myfelf. 
 
 Aug, Hark ! how the villain \vould clofe now, alter 
 his treafonable abufes. 
 
 Ejcal. Such a fellow is not to be talk'd withal ; away 
 with him to prilbn ; away with thofe gig!e;s too, and 
 with the other confederate companion. 
 
 Duke. Stay, Sir, ftay, a-while. 
 
 Ang. What! refiftshe? help him, Lvcio. 
 
 Lucio. Come. Sir; come, Sir; come, Sir; foh, Sir; 
 why, you bahi-pated lying rafcal ; you muft be hood- 
 ed, muft you ? fhow your knax-e's vifoge, with a pox 
 to you ; fiiow your fheep-biting face, and be hang'd 
 an hour : wiii't not off? 
 
 [Path off tbe Friar's hoed, euttl dijiovei's tJx Duke. 
 
 Duke. Thou ait- the firil knave, that e'er inaci'tt a 
 
 Duke. 
 
 Firft, Prcvoft, let me bail thefe gentle three. 
 Sneak nor av, ay, Sir ; for the Friar and you. 
 Muft have a word, anon : lay hold on him. 
 
 Lvcio. This may prove worfe than hanging. 
 
 Duke. -What you have fpoke, 1 pardon ; fit you 
 dxiwu i \To Efcalus. 
 
 We'll
 
 MEASURE for MEASURE. 67 
 
 We'll borrow place of him. Sir, by vour leave: 
 
 [ To Angel* 
 
 Haft them or word, or wit,, or impudence, 
 That yet can do thee office ? if thou haft, 
 Rely upon it till my tale be heard, 
 And hold no longer out. 
 
 Ang. O my dread Lord, 
 I ftiould be guiltier than my guiltinefs r 
 To think I can be undifcemible ; 
 When I perceive your Grace, like povy'r divine, 
 Hath look'd upon my pafles * : then, good Prince,. 
 No longer feffion hold upon my (hatne ; 
 But let my trial be mine own confellion : 
 Immediate fentence then, and fequent death 
 Is all the grace I beg. 
 
 Duke. Come hither, Mariana? 
 Say ; waft thou e'er contracted to this woman. ? 
 
 Ang. I was, my Lord. 
 
 Duke, Go take her hence, and marry her, inftantly. 
 Do you the office, Friar', which confummate, 
 Return him here again: go with him, Provoft. 
 
 [Extent AngeJo, Mariana, Peter, and ProvolT:., 
 
 Efcal My Lord, 1 am more ainaz'd at his difhor.our,. 
 Than at the ftrangenefsof it. 
 
 Duke. Come hither, I/abeU 
 
 Ifah. Oh, give me pardon, 
 That I, your vaflal, have employ M and pain'd 
 Your unknown fovereignty. 
 
 Duke. You are pardon'd, IJaM: 
 And now, dear maid, be you as free to us. 
 Your brother's death, I know, fits at your heart,. 
 And you may marvel why I obfcur'd myfelfj 
 Labouring to fave his life; 
 Oh, moft kind maid, 
 It was the fwift celerity of his death, 
 Which, I did think with flower foot came on, 
 That brain'd my purpofe : but peace be with him t 
 That lite is better life, paft fearing death, 
 
 * Pafti,. for. ways. 
 
 Safer
 
 68 M E A S U R E for M E A S U R E. 
 
 Than that which fives to fear : make it your comfort j 
 So,. happy is your brother. 
 
 Enter Angelo, Mariana, Peter, and Provoil *. 
 
 TfaJ). I do, my Lord. 
 
 Duke. For this new-marry'd man, approaching here, 
 Whole fait imagination yet hath wrong'd 
 Your well-defended honour, you muft pardon, 
 For Marianas fake: but as he adjudg'd your blether, 
 Being criminal, in double violation, 
 Of lacred chattily, and of prom ife- breach,. 
 Thereon dependant for your brother's Hie, 
 The very mercy of the law cries Out, 
 Moft audible, even from his proper tongue, 
 An Angela for Claudia; death for death. 
 Hade {till pays haire, and leifure anfvvers lei (lire-; 
 Like doth qviit like, and Mcafurc iliilfor Mcajure. 
 Then, Angela, thy faults are mani felled ; 
 Which tho'thou would'il deny, denies thee vantage.. 
 We do condemn thee to the very block, 
 Where Clatulio ftoopM t& death ; and with like hailc?'; 
 Away with him. 
 
 Mori. Oh, my moft gracious Lord, 
 I hope, you will not mock me with a hu{band.? 
 
 Duke. It is your hutband mock'd you with a hufbanJ.. 
 Contenting to' the (afegnard of your honour, 
 I thought your marriage fit ; elle imputation, 
 For that he knew you, might reproach your life, 
 And choke your good to come : for his poffeffJon?, 
 Alcho' by confutation they are ours, 
 We do emlate and widow you withal, 
 To buy you a better hufoand. 
 
 Man. Oh, my dear Lord, 
 I crave no other, nor no better man. 
 
 Duke. Never crave him ; we are definitive. 
 i. Gentle my Liege 
 
 * This tnarri age is celebrated in a very fcort improbable fpace 
 of tim". ; but as the author was here circumflanced, he could not 
 well allow more. 
 
 5- ^"
 
 MEASURE for MEASURE. 69 
 
 Duke. You do but lofe your labour : 
 Away with him to death. 
 
 Mari. Oh, my good Lord. Sweet Ifabd, take my 
 
 part; 
 
 Lend me your knees, and all my life to come 
 I'll lend you all my life, to do you fervice; 
 
 Duke. Againft all fenfe you do importune her ; 
 Should fhe kneel down, in mercy of this fact, 
 Her brother's ghort his paved bed would break, 
 And take her hence in horror. 
 
 Mart. IfabtL, 
 Oh, Ifabel! will you not lend a knee? 
 
 Duke. He dies for CU*di<fi death. 
 
 Jfab. Moft bounteous Sir, [KntiKng 
 
 Look, if it pleafe you, on this man condema'd, 
 As if my brother liv'd : I partly think, 
 A due fmcerity govern'd his deeds, 
 'Till he did look on me; fince it is fo, 
 Let him not die. My brother had but juftice, 
 In that he did the thing for which he dy'd ; 
 For Angela, his act did not o'ertake his bad intent; 
 And muft be bury'd but as an intent, 
 That perim'd by the way : thoughts are no fubjecls ; 
 Intents, but meerly thoughts. 
 
 Mari. Meerly, my Lord. 
 
 Duke. Youriuit's unprofitable; Hand up, I fay: 
 I have bethought me of another fault. 
 Provqft, how came it, Claudia was beheaded, 
 At an unufual hour? 
 
 Prov. It was commanded fo. 
 
 Duke . Had you a fpecial warrant for the deed ? 
 
 Prov. No, my good Lord ; it was by private meflage* 
 
 Duke. For which I do difcharge you ot your office : 
 Give up your keys. 
 
 Prov. Pardon me, noble Lord. 
 I thought it was a fault, but knew it not ; 
 Yet did repent me, after more advice : 
 For teftimony whereof one in th' prifon, 
 That fhould by private order elle have dy'd, 
 I have referv'd alive.
 
 70 M E A S U R E fer M E A S U R E, 
 
 Duke. What's he? 
 
 Prov. His name is Barnardine. 
 
 Duke. I would, thou had'il done fo by Claudia-? 
 Go, fetch him hither ; let me look upon him. 
 
 Efcal. I'm forry, one fo learned and Ib wife, 
 As you, Lord Angela, have ftill appear'd, 
 Sho'uld flip fo groisly both in heat of blood, 
 And lack of temper'd judgment afterward. 
 
 Aug. J'm forry, that ftich forrow I procure; 
 And fo deep Hicks it in my penitent heart, 
 That I crave death more willingly than mercy : 
 'Tis my deferving, and I do intreat it. 
 
 Enter Provoft, Barnardine, Claudio, atid Julletta, 
 
 Duke. Which is that Barnardine f 
 
 Prov. This, my Lord. 
 
 Duke. There was a Friar told me of this man : 
 Sirrah, thou'rt faid to have a ftubborn foul, 
 That apprehends no further than this world ; 
 And fquar'll thy life according : thou'rt condemn'd ' y 
 But for thofe earthly faults, I quit them all : 
 I pray thee, take this mercy to provide 
 For better times to come^ 
 What muffled fellow's that ? 
 
 Prov. This is another prifoner, that I fav'd, 
 Who ftould have dy'd when Claud-o loft his head, 
 As like almoit to Claudia as himielf. 
 
 Duke. If he be like your brother, for his fake 
 
 [To Ifab. 
 
 Is he pardon'd ; and for your lovely fake, 
 He is my brother too ; but titter time for that. 
 By this," Lord Angela perceives he's fafc ; 
 Methinks, I lee a quick'ning in his eye. 
 Well, Angdo, your evil quits you well ; 
 Look, that you love your wife ; her worth, w&rth yours. 
 I find an apt remiffion in myfelf, 
 And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon. 
 You, firrah, that knew me for a fool, a coward, 
 
 [TV 1 Luclo. 
 Cue of all luxury, an afs, a mad man ; 
 
 Wherein
 
 M E A S U R E for M E A S U R E. 7! 
 
 Wherein have I delerved fo of you, 
 That you extol me thus ? 
 
 Lucio. 'Faith, ray Lord. I fpoke it but according to 
 the trick ; if you will hang me tor it, you may : but I 
 had rather it would pleafe you, I might be vvhipt. 
 
 Duke. Whipt 1ml, Sir, and hang'd after. 
 Proclaim it, Prrvoft, round about the city ; 
 If any woman, wrong'd by this lewd fellow, 
 (As I' have heard him fwear himlelf there's one 
 Whom he begot with child) let her appear, 
 And he {hall marry her ; the nuptial rmifh'd, 
 Let him be whipt and hang'd. 
 
 Lucio. I beieech your Highnefs, do not marry me to 
 a whore : your Highnefs faid, even now, I made you a 
 Duke; good my Lord, do not recompenfe me, in 
 making me a cuckold. 
 
 Duke. Upon mine honour, thou (halt marry her : 
 Thy {landers I forgive, and therewithal 
 Remit thy other forfeits ; take him to prifon : 
 And fee our pleafure herein executed. 
 
 Lucio. Marrying a punk, my Lord, is prefimg to 
 death, whipping and hanging, 
 
 Duke Sland'ring a Prince deferves it. 
 She, Claudia, that you wrong'd, look you reilore. 
 Joy to you, Maria?ia: love her, Angela: 
 I have confefs'd her, and 1 know her virtue. 
 Thanks, good friend Efcalus, for thy much goodneis: 
 Thanks, Prowjl, for thy care and fecrccy ; 
 We {hall employ thee in a worthier place * : 
 
 Dear 
 
 * The Duke's difpofitien of affairs and characters, is n-rf only 
 flriclly juft, but exceedingly pleating, and well fulfils the tide of 
 the piece : the five distinguished lines, which conclude, are an 
 Addition by whom we know not ; however, they afford a better 
 finishing, than th.it fupplied by Sbtk'fatare ; upon the whole of 
 this pUy, for we cannot /Hie it cither Tragedy or Comedy, there 
 are feveral great beauties, clouded with much trifling and indecent 
 dialogue: it tnuft always be heavy to the majority of an audience; 
 yet. purged of impurities and fiperflukies, as we hope the readers 
 will find ir, in this eduion, it may be entertaining and inftruc5ive in 
 the clofet j to royal and princely characters it offers a motf va- 
 
 Iwabk
 
 72 MEASURE for MEASURE. 
 
 Dear Ifalel, I have a morion much imports your good, 
 
 Shade a< f,jkceetjaint, tbofe graces ivitb a veiL, 
 
 2Jor in a Nunnery bidt tbec ; Jay tbcitrt mine \ 
 
 Iby Duke, tby Friar, tempts jbee from tby vows* 
 
 Let tby clear Airit Jhitie inpubllck lift- ; 
 
 No cloijier'JJi/ler, but tby Prints' mfe. 
 
 [Exeunt, f 
 
 luable truth that nothing is more dangerous, than to truft a 
 Jecmingly virtuous ilatefman with too extenfive powers of rule ever 
 his fellow-fubjeiis ; delegated authority being generally more liable 
 to abufe, than the power which gives it. 
 
 f- Though we approve the cataftrophe, when unfolded, yet it 
 appears tedious in the winding up j wherefore the laft aft iecms 
 heavieft of the five. 
 
 72* End of MEASURE for MEASURE,
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 This book is DUP on thelast date stamped below 
 
 MftY 2 6 1938. 
 
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