Chapter 16

END OF VOL II.

FOOTNOTES FOR: "THE JEW OF MALTA"

[1]Heywood dedicated to Thomas Hammon theSecond Partof theFair Maid of the West(1631), and theFirst PartofThe Iron Age(1632).

[2]"Marlo." Marginal note in the old copy.

[3]"Allin." Marginal note in the old copy. In the (old) Shakespeare Society's publications there is a memoir by J. P. Collier of the celebrated actor, the founder of Dulwich College, Edward Alleyn.

[4]"Perkins." Marginal note in the old copy. Richard Perkins was an actor of great ability. At the end of theWhite DevilWebster speaks of the "well-approved industry of my friend Master Perkins," and adds that "the worth of his action did crown both the beginning and end." He took the part of Capt. Goodlack in Heywood'sFair Maid of the West, of Sir John Belfare in Shirley'sWedding, of Hanno in Nabbes'Hannibal and Scipio, and of Fitzwater in Davenport'sKing John and Matilda. From Wright'sHistoria Histrionicawe learn that he died "some years before the Restoration."

[5]"A metaphor borrowed from the fencing-school, prizes being played for certain degrees in the schools where the Art of Defence was taught,—degrees, it appears, of Master, Provost, and Scholar."—Dyce'sShakespeare Glossary.

[6]A friend of Alleyn's backed him for a wager to excel George Peele in acting any part that had been sustained by Knell or Bentley. See Dyce'sGreene and Peele(ed. 1861, pp. 330, 331). In theIntroductionto theKnight of the Burning Pestlethe Citizen says that his prentice Ralph "should have played Jeronimo with a shoemaker for a wager."

[7]The Duc de Guise, who organised the Massacre of St. Bartholomew. He was assassinated in 1588.

[8]This is Dyce's correction for "empire."

[9]Old ed. "the Drancus."

[10]As a word is required to complete the verse, I have followed Cunningham in inserting "but."

[11]All the editions give "Britain." For the sake of the metre I read "Britainy"—a form found inEdward II., ii. 2, l. 42.

[12]Old ed. "Samintes," for which the modern editors give "Samnites." Between the "Samnites" and the "men of Uz" there can be no possible connection. My emendation suits the context. We have Saba for Sabæa inFaustus, xii. 25, &c.

[13]Old ed. "silverbings." Dyce observes that the word "silverling" occurs inIsaiah(vii. 23):—"A thousand vines at a thousand silverlings."

[14]It was a common belief that a stuffed halcyon (i.e., kingfisher), suspended by the bill, showed from what quarter the wind blew. Shakespeare alludes to the superstition inLear, ii. 2,—"Renege, affirm, and turn theirhalcyon beaksWith every gale and vary of their master."Sir Thomas Browne, who discusses the subject inVulgar Errors(iii. 10), says that "the eldest custom of hanging up these birds was founded upon a tradition that they would renew their feathers every year as though they were alive."

[14]It was a common belief that a stuffed halcyon (i.e., kingfisher), suspended by the bill, showed from what quarter the wind blew. Shakespeare alludes to the superstition inLear, ii. 2,—

"Renege, affirm, and turn theirhalcyon beaksWith every gale and vary of their master."

Sir Thomas Browne, who discusses the subject inVulgar Errors(iii. 10), says that "the eldest custom of hanging up these birds was founded upon a tradition that they would renew their feathers every year as though they were alive."

[15]Pay the duty on them.

[16]Old ed. "By" (which might perhaps be defended, as meaning "good-bye." Cf. Shirley'sConstant Maid, i. 1,—"Buoy, Close,buoy, honest Close: we are blanks, blanks.")

[17]A recognised form of "scrambled." Cf.Henry V.i. 1:—"But that thescamblingand unquiet timeDid push it out of farther question."

[17]A recognised form of "scrambled." Cf.Henry V.i. 1:—

"But that thescamblingand unquiet timeDid push it out of farther question."

[18]The scene is shifted to the Exchange.

[19]Old ed. "Iew.Doe so; Farewell, Zaareth," &c. Dyce is doubtless right in considering that "doe so" is a stage direction (=Exeunt Merchants), which has crept into the text.

[20]A misquotation from Terence'sAndria, iv. 1. 12, "Proximus sum egomet mihi."

[21]Scene: the Senate-house.

[22]Old ed. "governours."

[23]Old ed. "governours."

[24]Convert. The word occurs inAs You Like It,King John, &c.

[25]Old ed. "governours."

[26]In the 4to. this line is given to the Officer.

[27]Probably we should read—"You, ne'er possessed," etc.

[28]Dyce proposed "redress."

[29]Portuguese gold coins.

[30]Steevens (on2 Henry IV.ii. 4, l. 42) quotes several passages where "sect" is used for "sex."

[31]The passage is no doubt corrupt. Cunningham reads "unforeseen," and explains the meaning to be "a steady consistent piece of acting is better than having to put on the hypocrite at a moment's warning."

[32]Old ed. "Enter three Fryars and two Nuns."

[33]Old ed. "1 Nun."

[34]Can this word be right? Qu. "cloisters"?

[35]Old ed. "Nun."

[36]I.e., sometime.

[37]Dyce reads "forgive," perhaps rightly.

[38]Here the old ed. gives "†" (to indicate the notch in the plank under which the treasure was concealed).

[39]I have added the second "go" for the sake of the metre.

[40]Scene: before Barabas' house.

[41]Collier notices that ll. 1, 2, are found (with slight variation) in Guilpin'sSkialetheia, 1598. Cf. Peele'sDavid and Bethsabe:—"Like as the fatal raven, that in his voiceCarries the dreadful summons of our death."

[41]Collier notices that ll. 1, 2, are found (with slight variation) in Guilpin'sSkialetheia, 1598. Cf. Peele'sDavid and Bethsabe:—

"Like as the fatal raven, that in his voiceCarries the dreadful summons of our death."

[42]Cf.Dido, iii. 3:—"Who would not undergo all kind of toilTo be well stored with such awinter's tale."The words "in mywealth" have little meaning; I suspect that we should read "in myyouth."

[42]Cf.Dido, iii. 3:—

"Who would not undergo all kind of toilTo be well stored with such awinter's tale."

The words "in mywealth" have little meaning; I suspect that we should read "in myyouth."

[43]Cf.Hamlet, i. 1:—"Or if thou hast uphoarded in thy lifeExtorted treasure in the womb of earth,For which, they say, you spirits oft walk in death,Speak of it."

[43]Cf.Hamlet, i. 1:—

"Or if thou hast uphoarded in thy lifeExtorted treasure in the womb of earth,For which, they say, you spirits oft walk in death,Speak of it."

[44]Old ed. "walke."

[45]Old ed. "Birn para todos, my ganada no er." I have adopted Dyce's reading.

[46]Dyce thinks that Shakespeare recollected this passage when he wrote:—"But soft! what light through yonder window breaks?It is the East and Juliet is the sun."

[46]Dyce thinks that Shakespeare recollected this passage when he wrote:—

"But soft! what light through yonder window breaks?It is the East and Juliet is the sun."

[47]Cf.Jobxli. 18:—"By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like theeyelids of the morning." So Sophocles in theAntigonespeaks of the sun asάμέρας βλἑφαρον. The reader will remember the line inLycidas:—"Under the openingeyelids of the morn."

"Under the openingeyelids of the morn."

[48]"Perhaps what is meant here is an exclamation on the beautiful appearance of money, Hermoso parecer de los dinos, but it is questionable whether this would be good Spanish."—Collier.Dyce gives "Hermoso Placer."

[49]Scene: the Senate-house.

[50]I.e., did not lower our sails. Cf.1 Tamburlaine, i. 2, l. 193.

[51]Old ed. "Spanish."

[52]Old ed. "left and tooke." The correction was made by Dyce.

[53]Established.

[54]Cf.King John, i. 2:—"And now instead ofbullets wrapt in fire."

[54]Cf.King John, i. 2:—

"And now instead ofbullets wrapt in fire."

[55]Scene: the market-place.

[56]The modern editors give "Poor villains, such as," &c.; but the reading of the 4to. is quite intelligible.

[57]Cf. Shylock's "Still have I borne it with a patient shrug."

[58]Dyce quotes from Barnabe Barnes'Divils Charter, 1607, "For I musthave a saying tothose bottels."

[59]Pieces of silver. Cf.Ant. and Cleo.:—"Realms and islands wereAsplatesdropt from his pocket."

[59]Pieces of silver. Cf.Ant. and Cleo.:—

"Realms and islands wereAsplatesdropt from his pocket."

[60]Old ed. "Itha."

[61]A cant word still in use.

[62]Old ed. "Ith."

[63]An allegorical character in the old moralities. Cf.1 Henry IV.ii. 4:—"That reverendvice, that greyiniquity, thatvanityin years." In theDevil is an Ass, "Lady Vanity" is coupled with "Iniquity."

[64]Old ed. "Mater."

[65]Stop our conversation.

[66]I have followed Dyce's suggestion in adding this word.

[67]An important part in Barabas' get-up was his large nose. In William Rowley'sSearch for Money, 1609, there is an allusion to the "artificial Jew of Malta's nose."

[68]InTitus AndronicusAaron gives a somewhat similar catalogue of villainies.

[69]Use.

[70]Heartily.

[71]The scene shifts to the front of Barabas' house.

[72]Dyce's correction for the old copy's "vow to love him."

[73]Affianced. "Accordailles, the betrothing ormaking sureof a man and woman together."—Cotgrave.

[74]The word "he" was inserted by Cunningham for the sake of the metre.

[75]A piece of money marked on one side with a cross.

[76]Old ed. "thee."

[77]Bellamira displays herself on a balcony. Cf. a stage-direction in Brome'sCovent Garden Weeded:—"Enter Dorcas above on a Bellconie. Gabriel gazes at her. Dorcas is habited like a curtizan of Venice."

[78]Scene: a street.

[79]Old ed.—"EnterLodow.reading."Math.What dares the villain,"&c.The challenge was "feign'dfrom Lodowick."

[79]Old ed.—

"EnterLodow.reading."Math.What dares the villain,"&c.The challenge was "feign'dfrom Lodowick."

[80]On the upper-stage, a raised platform.

[81]Bold.

[82]Here and elsewhere, for the sake of the metre, Dyce prints "Lodovico." Perhaps he is right, for the name may have been contracted into "Lod." or "Lodo." in the MS. from which the play was printed.

[83]Dyce compares3 Henry VI.ii. 5:—"These arms of mineshall be thy winding sheet;My heart, sweet boy,shall be thy supulchre."

[83]Dyce compares3 Henry VI.ii. 5:—

"These arms of mineshall be thy winding sheet;My heart, sweet boy,shall be thy supulchre."

[84]Cf.Two Gentlemen of Verona, iii. 2:—"Say that upon the altar of her beautyYou sacrifice your tears."

[84]Cf.Two Gentlemen of Verona, iii. 2:—

"Say that upon the altar of her beautyYou sacrifice your tears."

[85]"Impartial" is occasionally used by old writers in the sense of "unkindly." Cf. Prologue to Peele'sArraignment of Paris:—"Th'unpartialdaughters of NecessityBin aiders in her suit."So in William Smith'sChloris(Sonnet 11):—"No, it was not Nature's ornamentBut wingèd love'sunpartialcruel wound."

[85]"Impartial" is occasionally used by old writers in the sense of "unkindly." Cf. Prologue to Peele'sArraignment of Paris:—

"Th'unpartialdaughters of NecessityBin aiders in her suit."

So in William Smith'sChloris(Sonnet 11):—

"No, it was not Nature's ornamentBut wingèd love'sunpartialcruel wound."

[86]Scene: a room in Barabas' house.

[87]"Kept in expectation, having their hopes flattered."—Dyce.

[88]Old ed. "Jaynes."

[89]Dyce's correction: old ed. "sinne."

[90]So the old ed. Cunningham boldly reads "Governor," which is certainly the word we should have expected.

[91]Dyce and the other editors give "When duck you?" I take "when" to be an abrupt exclamation denoting impatience, in which sense the word is often found (see Dyce'sShakespeare Glossary).

[92]Scene: a room in Barabas' house.

[93]I.e.portendeth.

[94]Old ed. "life."

[95]Old ed. "least."

[96]A very old proverb; it is found in Chaucer'sSquieres Tale, John Heywood'sProverbs, Comedy of Errors, &c.

[97]Old ed. "plot."

[98]I.e.in abundance. Dyce compares Beaumont and Fletcher'sKnight of the Burning Pestle, ii. 2:— "Here's money and goldby th' eye, my boy."

[99]Briefly.

[100]The juice of ebony (variously written "hebon" or "hebenon") was thought to be a strong poison. Cf.Hamlet, i. 5:—"Upon my secure hour thy uncle stoleWith juice of cursedhebenonin a vial."

[100]The juice of ebony (variously written "hebon" or "hebenon") was thought to be a strong poison. Cf.Hamlet, i. 5:—

"Upon my secure hour thy uncle stoleWith juice of cursedhebenonin a vial."

[101]Scene: the Senate-house.

[102]Old ed. "Bashaws." (I have kept the spelling "Basso" throughout.)

[103]Scene: a room in the convent.—The stage direction in the 4to. is "Enter two Friars and Abigail."

[104]Scene: a street.

[105]I.e.compared to.

[106]A vulgar Italian oath. (Old ed. "Catho diabola.")

[107]Old ed. "inmates."

[108]Upper rooms; lofts. The word is still used in some parts of the country.

[109]Dyce reads "untold."

[110]This line and the next are given to Ithamore in the old copy.

[111]Ithamore.

[112]The old form (preserved in "Covent Garden") of "convent."

[113]Scene: a room in Barabas' house. In the 4to. this scene is a continuation of the former.

[114]Old ed. "save." Perhaps we should read:— "What will you? save my life!"

[115]Scene: the front of Barabas' house.

[116]I am tempted to arrange the verse thus:—"O happy hour,Wherein I shall convert an infidel,And bring his gold into our treasury!"

[116]I am tempted to arrange the verse thus:—

"O happy hour,Wherein I shall convert an infidel,And bring his gold into our treasury!"

[117]Scene: a balcony of Bellamira's house.

[118]The verse read by criminals to entitle them to "benefit of clergy." The first words of the 51st Psalm were commonly chosen.

[119]Sermon. Cf.Richard III.iii. 2:—"I thank thee, good Sir John, with all my heart;I am in debt for your lastexercise."

[119]Sermon. Cf.Richard III.iii. 2:—

"I thank thee, good Sir John, with all my heart;I am in debt for your lastexercise."

[120]I.e., a pair of mustachios.

[121]The contemptuous expression "Turk of tenpence" is found in Dekker'sSatiromastix, &c.

[122]In old ed. these words are printed as part of the text. I have followed Dyce in printing them as a stage-direction.

[123]So the old ed.—Dyce and Cunningham read "cunning;" but the expression "running banquet" (akin to our "hasty meal") occurs inHenry VIII.i. 4, l. 13.

[124]So modern editors. Old ed. "steed."

[125]Dyce observes that "realm" was often written "ream." Marlowe was not much addicted to quibbling.

[126]A musical term.

[127]Scene: a room in Barabas' house.

[128]"Tottered" and "tattered" are used indifferently by old writers.

[129]Cf. a somewhat similar description of a ruffian inArden of Feversham:—"A lean-faced writhen knave,Hawk-nosed and very hollow-eyed,With mighty furrows in his stormy brows;Long hair down his shoulders curled;His chin was bare, but on his upper lipA mutchado which hewound about his ear."

[129]Cf. a somewhat similar description of a ruffian inArden of Feversham:—

"A lean-faced writhen knave,Hawk-nosed and very hollow-eyed,With mighty furrows in his stormy brows;Long hair down his shoulders curled;His chin was bare, but on his upper lipA mutchado which hewound about his ear."

[130]A word formed from "catso."

[131]Swindling.

[132]Scene: the balcony of Bellamira's house.

[133]Old ed.Pil.

[134]The origin of this boisterous exclamation is uncertain. Gifford suggested that it was corrupted from the Spanishrio, which is figuratively used for "a large quantity of liquor." Dyce quotes from the anonymous comedy,Look about you:—"AndRyvowill he cry andCastiletoo."

"AndRyvowill he cry andCastiletoo."

[135]A corrupt passage. "Snickle" is a North-country word for "noose." Cunningham proposed "snicklehard and fast."

[136]Old ed. "incoomy." The word "incony" (which is found inLove's Labour's Lost, &c.) means "delicate, dainty." It has been doubtfully derived from the North-country "canny" or "conny" (in the sense of pretty), the prefix "in" having an intensive force.

[137]Dyce quotes from Sir John Mandeville:—"And fast by is zit the tree of Eldre that Judas henge him self upon for despeyt that he hadde when he solde and betrayed our Lorde."—Voiage and Travell, &c., p. 112, ed. 1725."That Judas hanged himself," says Sir Thomas Browne, "much more that he perished thereby, we shall not raise a doubt. Although Jansenius, discoursing the point, produceth the testimony of Theophylact and Euthymius that he died not by the gallows but under a cart-wheel; and Baronius also delivereth, this was the opinion of the Greeks and derived as high as Papias one of the disciples of John. Although, also, how hardly the expression of Matthew is reconcileable unto that of Peter, and that he plainly hanged himself, with that, that falling headlong he burst asunder in the midst—with many other the learned Grotius plainly doth acknowledge."—Vulgar Errors, vii. 11.

[138]Old ed. "masty." Dyce "nasty."

[139]Old ed. "we."

[140]Scene: the Senate-house.

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