Chapter XXIX: Act V: , Scene I

_Enter +Lorenzo+, +Mocinigo+, +Æmilia+,
and +Lucretia+._

+Lor.+ Now, Signor Mocinigo, what haste requires your presence?

+Moc.+ Marry, sir, this. You brought me once into a paradise of
pleasure and expectation of much comfort; my request therefore
is, that you would no longer defer what then you so liberally
promised.

+Lor.+ How do you mean?

+Moc.+ Why, sir, in joining that beauteous lady, your daughter,
and myself in the firm bonds of matrimony; for I am somewhat
impatient of delay in this kind, and indeed the height of my
blood requires it.

+Luc.+ Are you so hot? I shall give you a card to cool you[358]
presently. [_Aside._

+Lor.+ 'Tis an honest and a virtuous demand, and on all sides
an action of great consequence; and, for my part, there's not a
thing in the world I could wish sooner accomplished.

+Moc.+ Thank you, sir.

+Lor.+ There's another branch of policy, besides the coupling
of you together, which springs from the fruitfulness of my
brain, that I as much labour to bring to perfection as the
other.

+Moc.+ What's that, sir?

+Lor.+ A device upon the same occasion, but with a different
respect; 'tis to be imposed upon Petrucio. I hate to differ so
much from the nature of an Italian, as not to be revengeful;
and the occasion at this time was, he scorned the love of her,
that you now so studiously affect; but I'll fit him in his
kind.

+Moc.+ Did he so? He deserves to have both his eyes struck
as blind as Cupid's, his master, that should have taught him
better manners. But how will you do it?

+Lor.+ There's one Lionel, an ingenious witty gentleman.

+Æmi.+ Ay, that he is, as ever breathed, husband, upon my
knowledge.

+Lor.+ Well, he is so, and we two have cast to requite it upon
him. The plot, as he informs me, is already in agitation, and
afterwards, sans delay, I'll bestow her upon you.

+Luc.+ But you may be deceived. [_Aside._

+Moc.+ Still you engage me more and more your debtor.

+Lor.+ If I can bring both these to success, as they are
happily intended, I may sit down, and, with the poet, cry,
_Jamque opus exegi._

+Moc.+ Would I could say so too; I wish as much, but 'tis you
must confirm it, fair mistress: one bare word of your consent,
and 'tis done. The sweetness of your looks encourage me, that
you will join pity with your beauty; there shall be nothing
wanting in me to demerit it; and then, I hope, although I am
base,

Base in respect of you divine and pure,
Dutiful service may your love procure.

+Lor.+ How now, Signor! What, love and poetry, have they two
found you out? Nay, then you must conquer. Consider this,
daughter; show thy obedience to Phœbus and god Cupid: make an
humble professor of thyself; 'twill be the more acceptable, and
advance thy deserts.

+Æmi.+ Do, chicken, speak the word, and make him happy in a
minute.

+Lor.+ Well said, wife; solicit in his behalf; 'tis well done;
I am loth to importune her too much, for fear of a repulse.

+Æmi.+ Marry, come up, sir; you are still usurping in my
company. Is this according to the articles proposed between
us, that I should bear rule and you obey with silence? I had
thought to have endeavoured for persuasion, but because you
exhort me to it, I'll desist from what I intended: I'll do
nothing but of my own accord, I.

+Lor.+ Mum! wife, I have done. This we, that are married, must
be subject to.

+Moc.+ You give an ill example, Mistress Æmilia; you give an
ill example----

+Æmi.+ What old fellow is this that talks so? Do you know him,
daughter?

+Moc.+ Have you so soon forgot me, lady?

+Æmi.+ Where has he had his breeding, I wonder? He is the
offspring of some peasant, sure! Can he show any pedigree?

+Lor.+ Let her alone, there's no dealing with her. Come,
daughter, let me hear your answer to this gentleman.

+Luc.+ Truly, sir, I have endeavoured all means possible, and
in a manner enforced myself to love him----

+Lor.+ Well said, girl.

+Luc.+ But could never effect it.

+Lor.+ How!

+Luc.+ I have examined whatever might commend a gentleman, both
for his exterior and inward abilities; yet, amongst all that
may speak him worthy, I could never discern one good part or
quality to invite affection.

+Lor.+ This is it I feared. Now should I break out into rage;
but my wife and a foolish nature withhold my passion.

+Moc.+ I am undone, unspirited, my hopes vain, and my labours
nullities!

+Lor.+ Where be your large vaunts now, Signor? What strange
tricks and devices you had to win a woman!

+Moc.+ Such assurance I conceived of myself; but when they
affect wilful stubbornness, lock up their ears, and will
hearken to no manner of persuasion, what shall a man do?

+Lor.+ You hear what taxes are laid upon you, daughter: these
are stains to your other virtues.

+Luc.+ Pray, sir, hear my defence. What sympathy can there be
between our two ages or agreement in our conditions? But you'll
object, he has means. 'Tis confess'd; but what assurance has he
to keep it? Will it continue longer than the law permits him
possession, which will come like a torrent, and sweep away all?
He has made a forfeiture of his whole estate.

+Lor.+ What, are you become a statist's daughter[359] or a
prophetess? Whence have you this intelligence?

+Moc.+ I hope she will not betray me. [_Aside._

+Luc.+ If murder can exact it, 'tis absolutely lost.

+Lor.+ How, murder!

+Luc.+ Yes, he conspired the other day with a bravo, a
cut-throat, to take away the life of a noble innocent
gentleman, which is since discovered by miracle: the same that
came with music to my window.

+Moc.+ All's out; I'm ruined in her confession! That man that
trusts woman with a privacy, and hopes for silence, he may as
well expect it at the fall of a bridge![360] A secret with
them is like a viper; 'twill make way, though it eat through
the bowels of them. [_Aside._

+Lor.+ Take heed how you traduce a person of his rank and
eminency: a scar in a mean man becomes a wound in a greater.

+Luc.+ There he is, question him; and if he deny it, get him
examined.

+Lor.+ Why, signor, is this true?

+Æmi.+ His silence betrays him: 'tis so.

+Moc.+ 'Tis so, that all women thirst man's overthrow; that's
a principle as demonstrative as truth: 'tis the only end they
were made for; and when they have once insinuated themselves
into our counsels, and gained the power of our life, the fire
is more merciful; it burns within them till it get forth.

+Lor.+ I commend her for the discovery: 'twas not fit her weak
thoughts should be clogged with so foul a matter. It had been
to her like forced meat to a surfeited stomach, that would have
bred nothing but crudities in her conscience.

+Moc.+ O my cursed fate! shame and punishment attend me! they
are the fruits of lust. Sir, all that I did was for her ease
and liberty. [_Aside._

+Luc.+ Nay, sir, he was so impudent to be an accessory. Who
knows but he might as privately have plotted to have sent me
after him; for how should I have been secure of my life when he
made no scruple to kill another upon so small an inducement?

+Æmi.+ Thou sayest right, daughter; thou shalt utterly
disclaim him. The cast of his eye shows he was ever a knave.

+Moc.+ How the scabs descant upon me!

+Lor.+ What was the motive to this foul attempt?

+Luc.+ Why, sir, because he was an affectionate lover of mine,
and for no other reason in the earth.

+Æmi.+ O mandrake, was that all? He thought, belike, he should
not have enough. Thou covetous engrosser of venery. Why, one
wife is able to content two husbands.

+Moc.+ Sir, I am at your mercy: bid them not insult upon me. I
beseech you, let me go as I came.

+Lor.+ Stay there; I know not how I shall be censured for your
escape. I may be thought a party in the business.

+Luc.+ Besides, I hear since that the mercenary varlet that did
it, though he be otherwise most desperate and hardened in such
exploits, yet out of the apprehension of so unjust an act, and
moved in conscience for so foul a guilt, is grown distracted,
raves out of measure, confesses the deed, accuses himself and
the procurer, curses both, and will by no means be quieted.

+Lor.+ Where is that fellow?

+Luc.+ Sir, if you please to accompany me, I will bring you to
him, where your own eye and ear shall witness the certainty;
and then, I hope, you will repent that ever you sought to tie
me to such a monster as this, who preferred the heat of his
desires before all laws of nature or humanity.

+Lor.+ Yes, that I will, and gratulate the subtlety of thy wit,
and goodness of fate, that protected thee from him.

+Æmi.+ Away with him, husband: and be sure to beg his lands
betimes, before your court-vultures scent his carcase.

+Lor.+ Well said, wife; I should never have thought on this
now, and thou had'st not put me in mind of it: women, I see,
have the only masculine policy, and are the best solicitors
and politicians of a state. But I'll first go and see him my
daughter tells me of, that, when I am truly informed of all,
I may the better proceed in my accusation against them. Come
along, sir.

+Moc.+ Well, if you are so violent, I'm as resolute: 'tis but a
hanging matter, and do your worst. [_Exeunt._

_Enter +Bravo+ and +Boy+._

+Bravo.+ What news, boy?

+Boy.+ Sir, Mistress Lucretia commends her to you, and desires,
as ever her persuasions wrought upon you, or as you affect her
good, and would add credit and belief to what she has reported,
that you would now strain your utmost to the expression of what
she and you consulted of.

+Bravo.+ I apprehend her: where is she?

+Boy.+ Hard by, sir: her father, and the old fornicator
Mocinigo, and I think her mother, are all coming to be
spectators of your strange behaviour. [_Exit._

+Bravo.+ Go, wait them in, let me alone to personate an
ecstasy;[361] I am near mad already, and I do not fool myself
quite into't, I care not. I'll withdraw, till they come.
[_Exit._

_Enter +Lorenzo+, +Mocinigo+, +Æmilia+, +Lucretia+,
and +Boy+._

+Lor.+ Is this the place?

+Luc.+ Yes, sir. Where's your master, boy? how does he?

+Boy.+ O sweet mistress, quite distempered; his brains turn
round like the needle of a dial, six men's strength is not able
to hold him; he was bound with I know not how many cords this
morning, and broke them all. See, where he enters!

_Enter +Bravo+._

+Bravo.+ Why, if I kill'd him, what is that to thee?
Was I not hir'd unto it? 'twas not I,
But the base gold that slew Sir Polydore:[362]
Then damn the money,

+Lor.+ He begins to preach.

+Æmi.+ Will he do us no mischief, think you?

+Boy.+ O no, he's the best for that in his fits that e'er you
knew: he hurts nobody.

+Moc.+ But I am vilely afraid of him.

+Boy.+ If you are a vile person, or have done any great
wickedness, you were best look to yourself; for those he knows
by instinct, and assaults them with as much violence as may be.

+Moc.+ Then am I perished. Good sir, I had rather answer the
law than be terrified with his looks.

+Lor.+ Nay, you shall tarry, and take part with us, by your
favour.

+Æmi.+ How his eyes sparkle!

+Bravo.+ Look, where the ghost appears, his wounds fresh-bleeding!
He frowns, and threatens me; [O,] could the substance
Do nothing, and will shadows revenge?

+Lor.+ 'Tis strange,
This was a fearful murder.

+Bravo.+ Do not stare so,
I can look big too; all I did unto thee
'Twas by another's instigation:
There be some that are as deep in as myself;
Go and fright them too.

+Moc.+ Beshrew him for his counsel! [_Aside._

+Lor.+ What a just judgment's here! 'Tis an old saying,
Murder will out; and 'fore it shall lie hid,
The authors will accuse themselves.

+Bravo.+ Now he vanishes;
Dost thou steal from me, fearful spirit? See
The print of his footsteps!

+Moc.+ That ever my lust should be the parent to so foul a sin!

[_Aside._

+Bravo.+ He told me that his horrid tragedy
Was acted over every night in hell,
Where sad Erinnys, with her venom'd face,
Sits[363] a spectatrix, black with the curls of snakes,
That lift their speckled heads above their shoulders,
And, thrusting forth their stings, hiss at their entrance;
And that serves for an applause.

+Moc.+ How can you have the heart to look upon him? pray let me go,
I feel a looseness in my belly.

+Lor.+ Nay, you shall hear all out first.

+Moc.+ I confess it,
What would you have more of me?

+Bravo.+ Then fierce Enyo holds a torch, Megæra
Another; I'll down and play my part amongst them,
For I can do't to th' life.

+Lor.+ Rather to the death.

+Bravo.+ I'll trace th' infernal theatre, and view
Those squalid actors, and the tragic pomp
Of hell and night.

+Moc.+ How ghastly his words sound! pray, keep him off from me.

+Lor.+ The guilt of conscience makes you fearful, Signor!

+Bravo.+ When I come there, I'll chain up Cerberus,
Nay, I'll muzzle him; I'll pull down Æacus
And Minos by the beard; then with my foot
I'll tumble Rhadamanthus from his chair,
And for the Furies I'll not suffer them;
I'll be myself a Fury.

+Moc.+ To vex me, I warrant you.

+Bravo.+ Next will I post unto the Destinies,
Shiver their wheel and distaff 'gainst the wall,
And spoil their housewif'ry; I'll take their spindle,
Where hang the threads of human life like beams
Drawn from the sun, and mix them altogether--
Kings with beggars.

+Moc.+ Good sir, he comes towards me!

+Bravo.+ That I could see that old fox Mocinigo,
The villain that did tempt me to this deed!

+Moc.+ He names me too; pray, sir, stand between us:
Ladies, do you speak to him; I have not the faith.

+Æmi.+ What would you do with him, if you had him?

+Bravo.+ I'd serve him worse than Hercules did Lychas,[364]
When he presented him the poison'd shirt,
Which when he had put on, and felt the smart,
He snatch'd him by the heels into the air,
Swung him some once or twice about his head,
Then shot him like a stone out of an engine,
Three furlongs length into the Euboic sea.

+Lor.+ What a huge progress is that for an old
lover to be carried!

+Bravo.+ What's he that seeks to hide himself?
Come forth,
Thou mortal, thou art a traitor or a murderer!
O, is it you?

+Moc.+ What will become of me? Pray, help me!
I shall be torn in pieces else.

+Bravo.+ You and I must walk together: come into the middle;
yet further.

_Enter +Aurelio+ as an Officer, and two Servants._

+Aur.+ Where be these fellows here that murder men? Serjeants,
apprehend them, and convey them straight before the duke.

+Bravo.+ Who are you?

+Aur.+ We are the duke's officers.

+Bravo.+ The duke's officers must be obey'd, take heed of
displeasing them: how majestically they look!

+Lor.+ You see, wife, the charm of authority: and a man be
ne'er so wild, it tames him presently.

+Æmi.+ Ay, husband, I know what will tame a man besides
authority.

+Aur.+ Come, gentles, since you are all together, I must
entreat your company along with us, to witness what you know in
this behalf.

+Lor.+ Sir, you have prevented us; for we intended to have
brought him ourselves before his highness.

+Aur.+ Then I hope your resolution will make it the easier to
you. What, sir, will you go willingly?

+Bravo.+ Without all contradiction; lead on. [_Exeunt,
flourish._

_Enter +Lionel+ as the +Duke+; +Duke+, +Petrucio+,
+Gasparo+, +Angelia+ as a woman._

+Duke.+ Come, Signor,
This is the morning must shine bright upon you,
Wherein preferment, that has slept obscure,
And all this while linger'd behind your wishes,
Shall overtake you in her greatest glories:
Ambition shall be weak, to think the honours
Shall crown your worth.

+Pet.+ Father, you hear all this?

+Gas.+ I do with joy, son, and am ravish'd at it;
Therefore I have resign'd m' estate unto thee,
(Only reserving some few crowns to live on)
Because I'd have thee to maintain thy port.

+Pet.+ You did as you ought.

+Gas.+ 'Tis enough for me,
To be the parent of so bless'd an issue.

+Pet.+ Nay, if you are so apprehensive, I am
satisfied.

+Lio.+ Is this the gentleman you so commended?

+Duke.+ It is the same, my liege, whose royal virtues,
Fitting a prince's court, are the large field
For fame to triumph in.

+Lio.+ So you inform'd me: his face and carriage do import no less.

+Duke.+ Report abroad speaks him as liberally;
And in my thoughts Fortune deserves but ill,
That she detain'd thus long her favours from him.

+Lio.+ That will I make amends for.

+Gas.+ Happy hour,
And happy me to see it! Now I perceive
He has more wit than myself.

+Pet.+ What must I do?

+Duke.+ What must you do? go straight and kneel before him,
And thank his highness for his love.

+Pet.+ I can't speak,
I am so overcome with sudden gladness;
Yet I'll endeavour it. [_He kneels._] Most mighty sovereign,
Thus low I bow in humble reverence,
To kiss the basis of your regal throne.

+Lio.+ Rise up.

+Pet.+ Your grace's servant.

+Lio.+ We admit you
Our nearest favourite in place and council.

+Duke.+ Go to, you are made for ever. [_Aside._

+Pet.+ I'll find some office
To gratulate thy pains.

+Lio.+ What was the cause,
That you presented him no sooner to us?
We might have bred him up in our affairs,
And he have learnt the fashions of our court,
Which might have render'd him more active.

+Duke.+ Doubt not,
His ingenuity will soon instruct him.

+Lio.+ Then, to confirm him deeper in our friendship,
We here assign our sister for his wife.
What! is he bashful?

+Pet.+ Speaks your grace in earnest?

+Lio.+ What else? I'll have it so.

+Duke.+ Why do you not step and take her?

+Pet.+ Is't not a kind of treason?

+Duke.+ Not if he bid you.

+Pet.+ Divinest lady, are you so content?

+Ang.+ What my brother commands, I must obey.

+Lio.+ Join hands together; be wise; and use
Your dignities with a due reverence.
Tiberius Cæsar joy'd not in the birth
Of great Sejanus' fortunes with that zeal,
As I shall to have rais'd you--though I hope
A different fate attends you.

+Duke.+ Go to the church,
Perform your rites there, and return again,
As fast as you can.

+Gas.+ I could e'en expire with contemplation of his happiness.

+Lio.+ What old man's that?

+Pet.+ This is my father, sir.

+Lio.+ Your own father?

+Gas.+ So please your grace.

+Lio.+ Give him a pair
Of velvet breeches from our grandsire's wardrobe.

+Gas.+ Thrice noble duke. Come, son, let's to the church.

[_Exeunt +Petrucio+, +Gasparo+, and +Angelia+._

_Enter +Antiquary+ and +Petro+._

+Lio.+ How now! what new-come pageant have we here?

+Duke.+ This is the famous antiquary I told your grace of, a
man worthy your grace; the Janus of our age, and treasurer
of times passed: a man worthy your bounteous favour and kind
notice; that will as soon forget himself in the remembrance of
your highness, as any subject you have.

+Lio.+ How comes he so accoutred?

+Duke.+ No miracle at all, sir; for, as you have many fools in
the habit of a wise man, so have you sometimes a wise man in
the habit of a fool.

+Ant.+ Sir, I have been so grossly abused, as no story,
record, or chronicle can parallel the like, and I come here
for redress: I hear your highness loves me, and indeed you are
partly interested in the cause, for I, having took somewhat
a large potion for your grace's health, fell asleep, when in
the interim they apparelled me as you see, made a fool or an
asinigo[365] of me; and for my boy here, they cogged him out
of his proper shape into the habit of an Amazon, to wait upon
me.

+Lio.+ But who did this?

+Ant.+ Nay, sir, that I cannot tell; but I desire it may be
found out.

+Duke.+ Well, signor, if you knew all, you have no cause to be
angry.

+Ant.+ How so?

+Duke.+ Why, that same coat you wear did formerly belong unto
Pantolabus the Roman jester, and buffoon to Augustus Cæsar.

+Ant.+ And I thought so, I'd ne'er put it off, while I breath'd.

+Lio.+ Stand by; we'll inquire further anon.

_Enter +Aurelio+, +Lorenzo+, +Mocinigo+, +Bravo+,
+Æmilia+, +Lucretia+, Officers._

Now who are you?

+Aur.+ Your highness's officers.
We have brought two murderers here to be censured,
Who by their own confession are found guilty,
And need no further trial.

+Lio.+ Which be the parties?

+Aur.+ These, and please you.

+Lio.+ Well, what do you answer?
What can you plead to stop the course of justice?

+Moc.+ For my part, though I had no conscience to act it,
I have not the heart to deny it; and therefore expect
Your sentence; for mercy, I hope none nor favour.

+Lio.+ What says th' accuser?

+Luc.+ Please your princely wisdom,
He slew a man was destin'd for my husband;
Yet, since another's death cannot recall him,
Were the law satisfied, and he adjudg'd
To have his goods confiscate, for my own part,
I could rest well content.

+Moc.+ With all my heart;
I yield possession to whomsoe'er
She shall choose for a husband. Reach a paper
Or blank: I'll seal to it.

+Luc.+ See, there's a writing!

+Moc.+ And there's my hand to it:
I care not what the conditions be.

+Lio.+ 'Tis well: whom will you choose in place of the other?

+Luc.+ Then, sir, to keep his memory alive,
I'll seek no further than this officer.

+Lor.+ How? choose a common serjeant for her husband!

+Æmi.+ A base commendadore! I'll ne'er endure it.

+Aur.+ No, lady, a gentleman I assure you, and
Suppos'd the slain Aurelio. [_Discovers himself._

+Moc.+ A plot, a plot upon me! I'll revoke it all.

+Lio.+ Nay, that you cannot, now you have confirm'd it.

+Moc.+ Am I then cheated? I'll go home and die,
To avoid shame, not live in infamy.

+Lio.+ What says the villain bravo for himself?

+Bravo.+ The bravo, sir, is honest, and his father.

+Aur.+ My father! bless me, how comes this about?

+Bravo.+ That virtuous maid, whom I must always honour,
Acquainted me with that old lecher's drift:
I, to prevent the ruin of my son,
Conceal'd from all, proffer'd my service to him
In this disguise.

+Lio.+ 'Twas a wise and pious deed.

_Enter +Petrucio+, +Angelia+, and +Gasparo+._

+Pet.+ Room for the duke's kindred.

+Lio.+ What, you are married, I perceive.

+Pet.+ I am, royal brother.

+Lio.+ Then, for your better learning in our service,
Take these instructions. Never hereafter
Contemn a man that has more wit than yourself,
Or foolishly conceive no lady's merit
Or beauty worthy your affection.

+Pet.+ How's this?

+Lio.+ Truth, my most honour'd brother, you are gull'd;
So is my reverend uncle the Antiquary;
So are you all. For he that you conceiv'd
The duke, is your friend and Lionel;
Look you else.

+Pet.+ 'Tis so.

+Gas.+ 'Tis too apparent true.

+Lio.+ What, all drunk! Speak, uncle.

+Ant.+ Thou art my nephew,
And thou hast wit; 'tis fit thou should'st have land too.
Tell me no more, how thou hast cheated me,
I do perceive it, and forgive thee for 't;
Thou shalt have all I have, and I'll be wiser.

+Lio.+ I thank you, sir. Brother Petrucio,
This to your comfort; that is my sister,
Whom formerly you did abuse in love,
And you may be glad your lot is no worse.

+Pet.+ I am contented; I'll give a good wit
Leave to abuse me at any time.

+Lor.+ When he cannot help it.

+Gas.+ This 'tis
To be so politic and ambitious, son.

+Pet.+ Nay, father, do not you aggravate it too.

+Lor.+ Well, signor,
You must pardon me, if I bid joy to you;
My daughter was not good enough for you.

+Pet.+ You are tyrannous.

_Enter +Leonardo+._

+Leo.+ Save you, gallants.

+Lio.+ You are very welcome.

+Leo.+ I come in quest of our noble duke,
Who from his court has stol'n out privately,
And 'tis reported he is here.

+Lio.+ No indeed, sir,
He is not here. 'Slight, we shall be question'd
For counterfeiting his person.

+Duke.+ Be not dismay'd,
I am the duke.

+Leo.+ My lord!

+Duke.+ The very same, sir.
That for my recreation have descended,
And no impeach, I hope, to royalty
To sit spectator of your mirth. And thus much
You shall gain by my presence: what is pass'd,
I'll see it ratified as firm, as if
Myself and senate had concluded it.
And when a prince allows his subjects sport,
He that pines at it, let him perish for 't.

FOOTNOTES:

[358] _A cooling card_ is frequently mentioned in our ancient authors; but the precise sense in which it is used is difficult to be ascertained. In some places it seems to signify _admonition_ or _advice_; in others, _censure_ or _reproof_. In Lyly's "Euphues," p. 39, "Euphues, to the intent he might bridle the overlashing affections of Philautus, conveied into his studie a certeine pamphlet, which he tearmed _A cooling card_ for Philautus; yet generally to bee applyed to all lovers."

So in the "First Part of Henry VI.," act v. sc. 4--

"There all is marr'd; there lies _a cooling card_."

And in the "Wounds of Civil War," 1594--

"I'll have a present _cooling card_ for you."

[359] See Note to this play, p. 421.

[360] _i.e._, at the _fall_ of water through a bridge. The idea seems to be taken from the noisy situation of the houses formerly standing on London Bridge.--_Steevens._

[361] So in "Hamlet," act iii. sc. 4--

"This is the very coinage of your brain;
This bodiless creation _ecstasy_
Is very cunning in."

Mr Steevens observes that in this place, and many others, _ecstasy_ means a temporary alienation of mind, a fit.

[362] Alluding to the fate of Polydorus, a son of King Priam. See Virgil's "Æneid," book iii. l. 49--

"Hunc _Polydorum auri_ quondam cum pondere magno
Infelix Priamus furtim mandarat alendum
Threicio regi----
. . . . _Polydorum_ obtruncat, et _auro_
Vi petitur."

[363] In the first edit. this line is thus--

"Black with the curls of snakes, sits a spectatrix."

It may be doubted whether Mr Reed had sufficient warrant for altering the old reading: at all events _spectatrix_, the word of the time, might have stood; perhaps, in the two next lines _their_ should be changed to _her_.--_Collier._

[364] So in Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra"--

"Let me lodge _Lichas_ on the horn o' th' moon."

--_Steevens._

Again, Ovid's "Metam.," lib. 9. l. 215--

"Tremit ille pavetque
Pallidus; et timide verba excusantia dicit
Dicentem, genibusque manus adhibere parantem
Corripit Alcides; et terque quaterque rotatum
Mittit in Euboicas tormento fortius undas,
Ille per aerias pendens indurnit auras."

Of which the following is Gay's translation--

"The youth all pale with shiv'ring fear was stung,
And vain excuses falter'd on his tongue:
Alcides snatch'd him, as with suppliant face
He strove to clasp his knees, and beg for grace;
He toss'd him o'er his head with airy course,
And hurl'd with more than with an engine's force:
Far o'er the Eubœan main aloof he flies,
And hardens by degrees amid the skies."

[365] A cant term for a foolish fellow or idiot. See Mr Steevens's note on "Troilus and Cressida," act ii. sc. 1.

END OF VOL. XIII.

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES

Silently corrected simple spelling, grammar, and typographical
errors.

Retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed.

Enclosed italics markup in _underscores_.

Enclosed unitalicized small capital markup in +plus signs+.