Chapter XLV: Act IV: SCENE 1. Page 501

SHY. Why he a _swollen_ bagpipe.

We have here one of the too frequent instances of _conjectural_ readings; but it is to be hoped that all future editors will restore the original _woollen_, after weighing not only what has been already urged in its support, but the additional and accurate testimony of Dr. Leyden, who in his edition of _The complaynt of Scotland_, p. 149, informs us that the Lowland bagpipe commonly had the bag or sack covered with _woollen cloth_ of a green colour, a practice which, he adds, prevailed in the northern counties of England.

SCENE 1. Page 506.

BASS. Why dost thou _whet thy knife_ so earnestly?

This incident occurs in the ballad of _Gernutus_, whence there is reason to suppose it was borrowed. In 1597 was acted at Cambridge a Latin play called _Machiavellus_, in which there is a Jew, but very unlike Shylock. He is a shrewd intriguing fellow of considerable humour, who, to obtain possession of a girl, puts a number of tricks on the Machiavel of the piece, and generally outwits him. In one scene he overhears his rival despairing of success with the father of his mistress, and expressing a wish that he had some instrument wherewith to put an end to his misery. On this he lays a _knife_ in his way, but first takes care _to whet it_. To _The merchant of Venice_ or to _Gernutus_ the Latin play was indebted. If to the former, then Shakspeare's play must have been acted before 1597; if to the latter, it strengthens the above conjecture that he borrowed from the ballad. Should Gosson's _Jew shown at the Bull_ ever make its appearance, all would be set right.

SCENE 1. Page 507.

GRA. And, whilst thou _lay'st_ in thy unhallow'd dam.

Is not this a very common misprint for _lay'dst_, where the preterite is intended?

SCENE 1. Page 509.

POR. But mercy is above this scepter'd sway,
It is enthroned in the hearts of _kings_,
It is _an attribute to God_ himself,
And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When _mercy_ seasons justice.

This beautiful sentiment accords very much with the following speech made by Sir James Melvil to the queen of Scots, and printed in his _Memoirs_, p. 149, edit. 1752, 8vo. These, however, were not published till a considerable time after his death. "For as princes are called divine persons, so no _prince_ can pretend to this title, but he who _draws near the nature of God_ by godliness and good government, being slow to vengeance, and _ready to forgive_."

SCENE 1. Page 518.

GRA. Had I been judge thou should'st have had _ten_ more
To bring thee to the gallows.

We had already had an English trial by jury at Vienna. See p. 78. Here we have one at Venice.