NOTES.

EnterAutolycusand aGentleman.Aut.Beseech you, sir, were you present at this relation?First Gent.I was by at the opening of the fardel, heardthe old shepherd deliver the manner how he found it:whereupon, after a little amazedness, we were all commanded5out of the chamber; only this methought I heardthe shepherd say, he found the child.Aut.I would most gladly know the issue of it.First Gent.I make a broken delivery of the business;but the changes I perceived in the king and Camillo were10very notes of admiration: they seemed almost, with staringon one another, to tear the cases of their eyes; there wasspeech in their dumbness, language in theirverygesture;they lookedas theyhad heard of a world ransomed, or onedestroyed: a notable passion of wonder appeared in them;15but the wisest beholder, that knew no more but seeing,could not say if the importance were joy or sorrow; but inthe extremity of the one, it must needs be.Enter anotherGentleman.Here comes a gentleman thathaplyknows more. Thenews, Rogero?20Sec. Gent.Nothing but bonfires: the oracle is fulfilled;the king's daughter is found: such a deal of wonder isbroken out within this hour, that ballad-makers cannot beable to express it.Enter a thirdGentleman.Here comes the Lady Paulina's steward: he can deliver25you more. How goes it now, sir? this news which iscalled true is so like an old tale, that the verity of it is instrong suspicion: has the king found his heir?Third Gent.Most true, if ever truth were pregnant bycircumstance: that which you hear you'll swear you see,30there is such unity in the proofs. The mantle of QueenHermione's, her jewel about the neck of it, the letters ofAntigonus found with it which they know to be his character,the majesty of the creature in resemblance of themother, the affection of nobleness which nature shows35above her breeding, and many other evidences proclaimher with all certainty to be the king's daughter. Did yousee the meeting of the two kings?Sec. Gent.No.Third Gent.Then have you lost a sight, which was to40be seen, cannot be spoken of. There might you have beheldone joy crown another, so and in such manner, thatit seemed sorrow wept to take leave of them, for their joywaded in tears. There was casting up of eyes, holding upof hands, with countenance of such distraction, that they45were to be known by garment, not by favour. Our king,being ready to leap out of himself for joy of his found daughter,as if that joy were now become a loss, cries 'O, thymother, thy mother!' then asks Bohemia forgiveness; thenembraces his son-in-law; then again worries he his daughter50with clipping her; now he thanks the old shepherd,whichstands by like aweather-bittenconduit of many kings'reigns. I never heard of such another encounter, whichlames report to follow it and undoes descriptionto do it.Sec. Gent.What, pray you, became of Antigonus, that55carried hence the child?Third Gent.Like an old tale still, which will havematterto rehearse, though credit be asleep and not an earopen. He was torn to pieceswitha bear: this avouchesthe shepherd's son; who has not only his innocence, which60seems much, to justify him, but a handkerchief and ringsof his that Paulina knows.First Gent.What became of his bark and his followers?Third Gent.Wreckedthe same instant of their master'sdeath and in the view of the shepherd: so that all the instruments65which aided to expose the child were even thenlost when it was found. But O, the noble combat that'twixt joy and sorrow was fought in Paulina! She had oneeye declined for the loss of her husband, another elevatedthat the oracle was fulfilled: she lifted the princess from the70earth, and solocksher in embracing, as if she would pin herto her heart that she might no more be in danger oflosing.First Gent.The dignity of this act was worth the audienceof kings and princes; for by such was it acted.Third Gent.One of the prettiest touches of all and that75which angled for mine eyes,caughtthe water though notthefish,was when, at the relation of the queen's death, withthe manner how she came to 'tbravelyconfessed and lamentedby the king, how attentiveness wounded his daughter;till, from one sign of dolour to another, she did, with80an 'Alas,' I would fain say, bleed tears, for I am sure myheart wept blood. Who was mostmarble therechangedcolour; someswooned, all sorrowed: if all the world couldhave seen 't, the woe had been universal.First Gent.Are they returned to the court?85Third Gent.No: the princess hearing of her mother'sstatue, which is in the keeping of Paulina,—a piece manyyears in doing and now newly performed by that rare Italianmaster, Julio Romano, who, had he himself eternity andcould put breath into his work, would beguile Nature of her90custom, so perfectly he is her ape: he so near to Hermionehath done Hermione, that they say one would speak to herand stand in hope of answer:—thither with all greediness ofaffection are they gone, and there they intend to sup.Sec. Gent.I thought she had some great matter there95in hand; for she hath privately twice or thrice a day, eversince the death of Hermione, visited that removed house.Shall we thither and with our company piece the rejoicing?First Gent.Who would be thence that has the benefitof access? everywinkof an eye, some new grace will be100born: our absence makes us unthrifty to our knowledge.Let's along.[Exeunt Gentlemen.Aut.Now,had I notthe dash of my former life in me,would preferment drop on my head. I brought the oldman and his son aboard the prince; told him I heard them105talk of a fardel and I know not what: but he at that time,overfond of the shepherd's daughter, so he then took herto be, who began to be much sea-sick, and himself littlebetter,extremityof weather continuing, this mystery remainedundiscovered. But 'tis all one to me; for had I110been the finder out of this secret, it would not have relishedamong my other discredits.EnterShepherdandClown.Here come those I have done good to against my will,and already appearing in the blossoms of their fortune.Shep.Come, boy; I am pastmoechildren, but thy115sons and daughters will be all gentlemen born.Clo.You are well met, sir. You denied to fight withmethis otherday, because I was no gentleman born. Seeyou these clothes? say you see them not and think mestill no gentleman born: you were best say these robes are120not gentlemen born: give me the lie, do, and try whetherI am not now a gentleman born.Aut.I know you are now, sir, a gentleman born.Clo.Ay, and have been so any time these four hours.Shep.And so have I, boy.125Clo.So you have: but I was a gentleman born beforemy father; for the king's son took me by the hand, andcalled me brother; and then the two kings called my fatherbrother; and then the prince my brother and the princessmy sister called my father father; and so we wept, and130there was the first gentleman-like tears that ever we shed.Shep.We may live, son, to shed many more.Clo.Ay; or else 'twere hard luck, being in so pre-posterousestate as we are.Aut.I humbly beseech you, sir, to pardon me all the135faults I have committed to your worship and to give meyour good report to the prince my master.Shep.Prithee, son, do; for we must be gentle, now weare gentlemen.Clo.Thou wilt amend thy life?140Aut.Ay,anit like your good worship.Clo.Give me thy hand: I will swear to the prince thouart as honest a true fellow as any is in Bohemia.Shep.You may say it, but not swear it.Clo.Not swear it, now I am a gentleman? Let boors145and franklins say it, I'll swear it.Shep.How if it be false, son?Clo.If it be ne'er so false, a true gentleman may swearit in the behalf of his friend: and I'll swear to the princethou art a tall fellow of thy hands and that thou wilt not150be drunk; but I know thou art no tall fellow of thy handsand that thou wilt be drunk: but I'll swear it, and I wouldthou wouldst be a tall fellow of thy hands.Aut.I will prove so, sir, to my power.Clo.Ay, by any means prove a tall fellow: if I do not155wonder how thou darest venture to be drunk, not being atall fellow, trust me not. Hark! the kings and the princes,our kindred, are going to see the queen's picture. Come,follow us: we'll be thy goodmasters.[Exeunt.

EnterAutolycusand aGentleman.

Aut.Beseech you, sir, were you present at this relation?

First Gent.I was by at the opening of the fardel, heardthe old shepherd deliver the manner how he found it:whereupon, after a little amazedness, we were all commanded5out of the chamber; only this methought I heardthe shepherd say, he found the child.

First Gent.I was by at the opening of the fardel, heard

the old shepherd deliver the manner how he found it:

whereupon, after a little amazedness, we were all commanded

out of the chamber; only this methought I heard

the shepherd say, he found the child.

Aut.I would most gladly know the issue of it.

First Gent.I make a broken delivery of the business;but the changes I perceived in the king and Camillo were10very notes of admiration: they seemed almost, with staringon one another, to tear the cases of their eyes; there wasspeech in their dumbness, language in theirverygesture;they lookedas theyhad heard of a world ransomed, or onedestroyed: a notable passion of wonder appeared in them;15but the wisest beholder, that knew no more but seeing,could not say if the importance were joy or sorrow; but inthe extremity of the one, it must needs be.

First Gent.I make a broken delivery of the business;

but the changes I perceived in the king and Camillo were

very notes of admiration: they seemed almost, with staring

on one another, to tear the cases of their eyes; there was

speech in their dumbness, language in theirverygesture;

they lookedas theyhad heard of a world ransomed, or one

destroyed: a notable passion of wonder appeared in them;

but the wisest beholder, that knew no more but seeing,

could not say if the importance were joy or sorrow; but in

the extremity of the one, it must needs be.

Enter anotherGentleman.

Here comes a gentleman thathaplyknows more. Thenews, Rogero?

Here comes a gentleman thathaplyknows more. The

news, Rogero?

20Sec. Gent.Nothing but bonfires: the oracle is fulfilled;the king's daughter is found: such a deal of wonder isbroken out within this hour, that ballad-makers cannot beable to express it.

Sec. Gent.Nothing but bonfires: the oracle is fulfilled;

the king's daughter is found: such a deal of wonder is

broken out within this hour, that ballad-makers cannot be

able to express it.

Enter a thirdGentleman.

Here comes the Lady Paulina's steward: he can deliver25you more. How goes it now, sir? this news which iscalled true is so like an old tale, that the verity of it is instrong suspicion: has the king found his heir?

Here comes the Lady Paulina's steward: he can deliver

you more. How goes it now, sir? this news which is

called true is so like an old tale, that the verity of it is in

strong suspicion: has the king found his heir?

Third Gent.Most true, if ever truth were pregnant bycircumstance: that which you hear you'll swear you see,30there is such unity in the proofs. The mantle of QueenHermione's, her jewel about the neck of it, the letters ofAntigonus found with it which they know to be his character,the majesty of the creature in resemblance of themother, the affection of nobleness which nature shows35above her breeding, and many other evidences proclaimher with all certainty to be the king's daughter. Did yousee the meeting of the two kings?

Third Gent.Most true, if ever truth were pregnant by

circumstance: that which you hear you'll swear you see,

there is such unity in the proofs. The mantle of Queen

Hermione's, her jewel about the neck of it, the letters of

Antigonus found with it which they know to be his character,

the majesty of the creature in resemblance of the

mother, the affection of nobleness which nature shows

above her breeding, and many other evidences proclaim

her with all certainty to be the king's daughter. Did you

see the meeting of the two kings?

Sec. Gent.No.

Third Gent.Then have you lost a sight, which was to40be seen, cannot be spoken of. There might you have beheldone joy crown another, so and in such manner, thatit seemed sorrow wept to take leave of them, for their joywaded in tears. There was casting up of eyes, holding upof hands, with countenance of such distraction, that they45were to be known by garment, not by favour. Our king,being ready to leap out of himself for joy of his found daughter,as if that joy were now become a loss, cries 'O, thymother, thy mother!' then asks Bohemia forgiveness; thenembraces his son-in-law; then again worries he his daughter50with clipping her; now he thanks the old shepherd,whichstands by like aweather-bittenconduit of many kings'reigns. I never heard of such another encounter, whichlames report to follow it and undoes descriptionto do it.

Third Gent.Then have you lost a sight, which was to

be seen, cannot be spoken of. There might you have beheld

one joy crown another, so and in such manner, that

it seemed sorrow wept to take leave of them, for their joy

waded in tears. There was casting up of eyes, holding up

of hands, with countenance of such distraction, that they

were to be known by garment, not by favour. Our king,

being ready to leap out of himself for joy of his found daughter,

as if that joy were now become a loss, cries 'O, thy

mother, thy mother!' then asks Bohemia forgiveness; then

embraces his son-in-law; then again worries he his daughter

with clipping her; now he thanks the old shepherd,which

stands by like aweather-bittenconduit of many kings'

reigns. I never heard of such another encounter, which

lames report to follow it and undoes descriptionto do it.

Sec. Gent.What, pray you, became of Antigonus, that55carried hence the child?

Sec. Gent.What, pray you, became of Antigonus, that

carried hence the child?

Third Gent.Like an old tale still, which will havematterto rehearse, though credit be asleep and not an earopen. He was torn to pieceswitha bear: this avouchesthe shepherd's son; who has not only his innocence, which60seems much, to justify him, but a handkerchief and ringsof his that Paulina knows.

Third Gent.Like an old tale still, which will have

matterto rehearse, though credit be asleep and not an ear

open. He was torn to pieceswitha bear: this avouches

the shepherd's son; who has not only his innocence, which

seems much, to justify him, but a handkerchief and rings

of his that Paulina knows.

First Gent.What became of his bark and his followers?

Third Gent.Wreckedthe same instant of their master'sdeath and in the view of the shepherd: so that all the instruments65which aided to expose the child were even thenlost when it was found. But O, the noble combat that'twixt joy and sorrow was fought in Paulina! She had oneeye declined for the loss of her husband, another elevatedthat the oracle was fulfilled: she lifted the princess from the70earth, and solocksher in embracing, as if she would pin herto her heart that she might no more be in danger oflosing.

Third Gent.Wreckedthe same instant of their master's

death and in the view of the shepherd: so that all the instruments

which aided to expose the child were even then

lost when it was found. But O, the noble combat that

'twixt joy and sorrow was fought in Paulina! She had one

eye declined for the loss of her husband, another elevated

that the oracle was fulfilled: she lifted the princess from the

earth, and solocksher in embracing, as if she would pin her

to her heart that she might no more be in danger oflosing.

First Gent.The dignity of this act was worth the audienceof kings and princes; for by such was it acted.

First Gent.The dignity of this act was worth the audience

of kings and princes; for by such was it acted.

Third Gent.One of the prettiest touches of all and that75which angled for mine eyes,caughtthe water though notthefish,was when, at the relation of the queen's death, withthe manner how she came to 'tbravelyconfessed and lamentedby the king, how attentiveness wounded his daughter;till, from one sign of dolour to another, she did, with80an 'Alas,' I would fain say, bleed tears, for I am sure myheart wept blood. Who was mostmarble therechangedcolour; someswooned, all sorrowed: if all the world couldhave seen 't, the woe had been universal.

Third Gent.One of the prettiest touches of all and that

which angled for mine eyes,caughtthe water though not

thefish,was when, at the relation of the queen's death, with

the manner how she came to 'tbravelyconfessed and lamented

by the king, how attentiveness wounded his daughter;

till, from one sign of dolour to another, she did, with

an 'Alas,' I would fain say, bleed tears, for I am sure my

heart wept blood. Who was mostmarble therechanged

colour; someswooned, all sorrowed: if all the world could

have seen 't, the woe had been universal.

First Gent.Are they returned to the court?

85Third Gent.No: the princess hearing of her mother'sstatue, which is in the keeping of Paulina,—a piece manyyears in doing and now newly performed by that rare Italianmaster, Julio Romano, who, had he himself eternity andcould put breath into his work, would beguile Nature of her90custom, so perfectly he is her ape: he so near to Hermionehath done Hermione, that they say one would speak to herand stand in hope of answer:—thither with all greediness ofaffection are they gone, and there they intend to sup.

Third Gent.No: the princess hearing of her mother's

statue, which is in the keeping of Paulina,—a piece many

years in doing and now newly performed by that rare Italian

master, Julio Romano, who, had he himself eternity and

could put breath into his work, would beguile Nature of her

custom, so perfectly he is her ape: he so near to Hermione

hath done Hermione, that they say one would speak to her

and stand in hope of answer:—thither with all greediness of

affection are they gone, and there they intend to sup.

Sec. Gent.I thought she had some great matter there95in hand; for she hath privately twice or thrice a day, eversince the death of Hermione, visited that removed house.Shall we thither and with our company piece the rejoicing?

Sec. Gent.I thought she had some great matter there

in hand; for she hath privately twice or thrice a day, ever

since the death of Hermione, visited that removed house.

Shall we thither and with our company piece the rejoicing?

First Gent.Who would be thence that has the benefitof access? everywinkof an eye, some new grace will be100born: our absence makes us unthrifty to our knowledge.Let's along.[Exeunt Gentlemen.

First Gent.Who would be thence that has the benefit

of access? everywinkof an eye, some new grace will be

born: our absence makes us unthrifty to our knowledge.

Let's along.[Exeunt Gentlemen.

Aut.Now,had I notthe dash of my former life in me,would preferment drop on my head. I brought the oldman and his son aboard the prince; told him I heard them105talk of a fardel and I know not what: but he at that time,overfond of the shepherd's daughter, so he then took herto be, who began to be much sea-sick, and himself littlebetter,extremityof weather continuing, this mystery remainedundiscovered. But 'tis all one to me; for had I110been the finder out of this secret, it would not have relishedamong my other discredits.

Aut.Now,had I notthe dash of my former life in me,

would preferment drop on my head. I brought the old

man and his son aboard the prince; told him I heard them

talk of a fardel and I know not what: but he at that time,

overfond of the shepherd's daughter, so he then took her

to be, who began to be much sea-sick, and himself little

better,extremityof weather continuing, this mystery remained

undiscovered. But 'tis all one to me; for had I

been the finder out of this secret, it would not have relished

among my other discredits.

EnterShepherdandClown.

Here come those I have done good to against my will,and already appearing in the blossoms of their fortune.

Here come those I have done good to against my will,

and already appearing in the blossoms of their fortune.

Shep.Come, boy; I am pastmoechildren, but thy115sons and daughters will be all gentlemen born.

Shep.Come, boy; I am pastmoechildren, but thy

sons and daughters will be all gentlemen born.

Clo.You are well met, sir. You denied to fight withmethis otherday, because I was no gentleman born. Seeyou these clothes? say you see them not and think mestill no gentleman born: you were best say these robes are120not gentlemen born: give me the lie, do, and try whetherI am not now a gentleman born.

Clo.You are well met, sir. You denied to fight with

methis otherday, because I was no gentleman born. See

you these clothes? say you see them not and think me

still no gentleman born: you were best say these robes are

not gentlemen born: give me the lie, do, and try whether

I am not now a gentleman born.

Aut.I know you are now, sir, a gentleman born.

Clo.Ay, and have been so any time these four hours.

Shep.And so have I, boy.

125Clo.So you have: but I was a gentleman born beforemy father; for the king's son took me by the hand, andcalled me brother; and then the two kings called my fatherbrother; and then the prince my brother and the princessmy sister called my father father; and so we wept, and130there was the first gentleman-like tears that ever we shed.

Clo.So you have: but I was a gentleman born before

my father; for the king's son took me by the hand, and

called me brother; and then the two kings called my father

brother; and then the prince my brother and the princess

my sister called my father father; and so we wept, and

there was the first gentleman-like tears that ever we shed.

Shep.We may live, son, to shed many more.

Clo.Ay; or else 'twere hard luck, being in so pre-posterousestate as we are.

Clo.Ay; or else 'twere hard luck, being in so pre-posterous

estate as we are.

Aut.I humbly beseech you, sir, to pardon me all the135faults I have committed to your worship and to give meyour good report to the prince my master.

Aut.I humbly beseech you, sir, to pardon me all the

faults I have committed to your worship and to give me

your good report to the prince my master.

Shep.Prithee, son, do; for we must be gentle, now weare gentlemen.

Shep.Prithee, son, do; for we must be gentle, now we

are gentlemen.

Clo.Thou wilt amend thy life?

140Aut.Ay,anit like your good worship.

Aut.Ay,anit like your good worship.

Clo.Give me thy hand: I will swear to the prince thouart as honest a true fellow as any is in Bohemia.

Clo.Give me thy hand: I will swear to the prince thou

art as honest a true fellow as any is in Bohemia.

Shep.You may say it, but not swear it.

Clo.Not swear it, now I am a gentleman? Let boors145and franklins say it, I'll swear it.

Clo.Not swear it, now I am a gentleman? Let boors

and franklins say it, I'll swear it.

Shep.How if it be false, son?

Clo.If it be ne'er so false, a true gentleman may swearit in the behalf of his friend: and I'll swear to the princethou art a tall fellow of thy hands and that thou wilt not150be drunk; but I know thou art no tall fellow of thy handsand that thou wilt be drunk: but I'll swear it, and I wouldthou wouldst be a tall fellow of thy hands.

Clo.If it be ne'er so false, a true gentleman may swear

it in the behalf of his friend: and I'll swear to the prince

thou art a tall fellow of thy hands and that thou wilt not

be drunk; but I know thou art no tall fellow of thy hands

and that thou wilt be drunk: but I'll swear it, and I would

thou wouldst be a tall fellow of thy hands.

Aut.I will prove so, sir, to my power.

Clo.Ay, by any means prove a tall fellow: if I do not155wonder how thou darest venture to be drunk, not being atall fellow, trust me not. Hark! the kings and the princes,our kindred, are going to see the queen's picture. Come,follow us: we'll be thy goodmasters.[Exeunt.

Clo.Ay, by any means prove a tall fellow: if I do not

wonder how thou darest venture to be drunk, not being a

tall fellow, trust me not. Hark! the kings and the princes,

our kindred, are going to see the queen's picture. Come,

LINENOTES:Scene ii.]Scene v.Pope.Before ...] The same. Before the Palace. Capell. Near the court in Sicily. Theobald.[2]First Gent.]Gent. 1. Ff.[12]very]everyAnon. conj.[13]as they]as if theyRowe.[18]haply]Collier.happilyFf.[20]Sec. Gent.]Gent. 2. Ff (and throughout).[28]Third Gent.]Gent. 3. Ff (and throughout).[31]Hermione's]HermionesFf.HermioneRowe.[50]which]whoRowe.[51]weather-bitten]F1 F2.weather-beatenF3 F4.[53]to do it]to draw itHanmer.to do it justiceSinger conj.to show itCollier (Collier MS.).[57]matter]mattersF4.[58]with]ofCapell conj.[63]Wrecked]WracktFf.[70]locks]lock'dHanmer.[71]losing]losing herCollier (Collier MS.).[75]caught]and caughtKeightley conj.[75, 76]caught ... fish]omitted by Hanmer (Warburton).[77]bravely]heavilyCollier (Collier MS.).[81]marble there]F3.marble, thereF1 F2.marble there,F4.[82]swooned]Pope.swowndedF1 F2.swoundedF3 F4.[99]wink]winkingS.Walker conj., reading lines 98-101 as four lines of verse, endingbenefit ... eye ... makes us ... along.[101]Exeunt Gentlemen.]Capell. Exit. Ff. Exeunt. Rowe.[102]had I not]had not IRowe (ed. 2).[108]extremity]and extremityKeightley conj.[112]Scene vi.Pope.[114]moe]F1.moreF2 F3 F4.[117]this other]the otherHanmer.[140]an]Hanmer.andFf.[158]masters]F1.masterF2 F3 F4.

LINENOTES:

Scene ii.]Scene v.Pope.

Before ...] The same. Before the Palace. Capell. Near the court in Sicily. Theobald.

[2]First Gent.]Gent. 1. Ff.

[12]very]everyAnon. conj.

[13]as they]as if theyRowe.

[18]haply]Collier.happilyFf.

[20]Sec. Gent.]Gent. 2. Ff (and throughout).

[28]Third Gent.]Gent. 3. Ff (and throughout).

[31]Hermione's]HermionesFf.HermioneRowe.

[50]which]whoRowe.

[51]weather-bitten]F1 F2.weather-beatenF3 F4.

[53]to do it]to draw itHanmer.to do it justiceSinger conj.to show itCollier (Collier MS.).

[57]matter]mattersF4.

[58]with]ofCapell conj.

[63]Wrecked]WracktFf.

[70]locks]lock'dHanmer.

[71]losing]losing herCollier (Collier MS.).

[75]caught]and caughtKeightley conj.

[75, 76]caught ... fish]omitted by Hanmer (Warburton).

[77]bravely]heavilyCollier (Collier MS.).

[81]marble there]F3.marble, thereF1 F2.marble there,F4.

[82]swooned]Pope.swowndedF1 F2.swoundedF3 F4.

[99]wink]winkingS.Walker conj., reading lines 98-101 as four lines of verse, endingbenefit ... eye ... makes us ... along.

[101]Exeunt Gentlemen.]Capell. Exit. Ff. Exeunt. Rowe.

[102]had I not]had not IRowe (ed. 2).

[108]extremity]and extremityKeightley conj.

[112]Scene vi.Pope.

[114]moe]F1.moreF2 F3 F4.

[117]this other]the otherHanmer.

[140]an]Hanmer.andFf.

[158]masters]F1.masterF2 F3 F4.

EnterLeontes,Polixenes,Florizel,Perdita,Camillo,Paulina,Lords,andAttendants.Leon.O grave and good Paulina, the great comfortThat I have had of thee!Paul.What, sovereign sir,I did not well, I meant well. All my servicesYou have paid home: but that you have vouchsafed5With your crown'd brother and these your contractedHeirs of your kingdoms, my poor house to visit,It is a surplus of your grace, which neverMy life may last to answer.Leon.O Paulina,We honour you with trouble: but we came10To see the statue of our queen: your galleryHave we pass'd through, not without much contentIn many singularities; but we saw notThat which my daughter came to look upon,The statue of her mother.Paul.As she lived peerless,15So her dead likeness, I do well believe,Excels whatever yetyoulook'd uponOr hand of man hath done; therefore I keep itLonely, apart. But here it is: prepareTo see the life as lively mock'd as ever20Still sleep mock'd death: behold, and say 'tis well.[Paulinadraws a curtain, and discovers Hermione standing like a statue.I like your silence, it the more shows offYour wonder: but yet speak; first, you, my liege.Comes it not something near?Leon.Her natural posture!Chide me, dear stone, that I may say indeed25Thou art Hermione; or rather, thou art sheIn thy not chiding, for she was as tenderAs infancy and grace. But yet, Paulina,Hermione was not somuchwrinkled, nothingSo aged as this seems.Pol.O, not by much.30Paul.So much the more our carver's excellence;Which lets go by some sixteen years and makes herAs she lived now.Leon.As now she might have done,So much to my good comfort, as it isNow piercing to my soul. O, thus she stood,35Even with such life of majesty, warm life,As now it coldly stands, when first I woo'd her!I am ashamed: does not the stone rebuke meFor being more stone than it? O royal pieceThere's magic in thy majesty, which has40My evils conjured to remembrance, andFromthyadmiring daughter took the spirits,Standing like stone with thee.Per.And give me leave,And do not say 'tis superstition, thatI kneel andthenimplore her blessing. Lady,45Dear queen, that ended when I but began,Give me that hand of yours to kiss.Paul.O, patience!The statue is but newly fix'd, thecolour'sNotdry.Cam.My lord, your sorrow was too sore laid on,50Which sixteen winters cannot blow away,So many summers dry: scarce any joyDid ever so long live; nosorrowBut kill'd itself much sooner.Pol.Dear my brother,Let him that was the cause of this have power55To take off so much grief from you as heWill piece up in himself.Paul.Indeed, my lord,If I had thought the sight of my poor imageWould thus have wrought you, for the stoneis mine,I'ld not have show'd it.Leon.Do not draw the curtain.60Paul.No longer shall you gaze on't, lest your fancyMay think anon itmoves.Leon.Let be, let be.Would I were dead, but that, methinks,already—What was he that did make it? See, my lord,Would you not deem it breathed? and that those veinsDid verily bear blood?65Pol.Masterly done:The very life seems warm upon her lip.Leon.Thefixureof her eye has motion in't,Aswearemock'd with art.Paul.I'll draw the curtain:My lord's almost so far transported thatHe'll think anon it lives.70Leon.O sweet Paulina,Make me to think so twenty years together!No settled senses of the world can matchThe pleasure of that madness.Let'talone.Paul.I amsorry, sir, I have thus far stirr'd you: butI could afflict youfarther.75Leon.Do, Paulina;For this affliction has a taste as sweetAs any cordial comfort. Still, methinks,There is an air comes from her: what fine chiselCould ever yet cut breath? Let no man mock me,For I will kiss her.80Paul.Goodmylord, forbear:The ruddiness upon her lip is wet;You'll mar it if you kiss it, stain your ownWith oily painting. Shall I draw the curtain?Leon.No, not these twenty years.Per.So long could IStand by, a looker on.85Paul.Either forbear,Quit presently the chapel, or resolve youFor more amazement. If you can behold it,I'll make the statue move indeed, descendAnd take you by the hand: but then you'll think,90Which I protest against I am assistedBy wicked powers.Leon.What you can make her do,I am content to look on: what to speak,I am content to hear; for 'tis as easyTo make her speak as move.Paul.It is required95You do awake your faith. Then all stand still;On: thosethat think it is unlawful businessI am about, let them depart.Leon.Proceed:No foot shall stir.Paul.Music, awake her; strike![Music.'Tis time; descend; be stone no more; approach;100Strike all that lookuponwith marvel. Come,I'll fill your grave up: stir, nay, come away,Bequeath to death your numbness, for from himDear life redeems you. You perceive she stirs:[Hermionecomes down.Start not; her actions shall be holy as105You hear my spell is lawful: do not shun herUntil you see her die again; for thenYou kill her double. Nay, present your hand:When she was young you woo'd her; now in ageIs she become thesuitor?Leon.O, she's warm!110If this be magic, let it be an artLawful as eating.Pol.She embraces him.Cam.She hangsabout his neck:If she pertain to life let her speak too.Pol.Ay, andmake'tmanifest where she has lived,Or how stolen from the dead.115Paul.That she is living,Were it but told you, should be hooted atLike an old tale: but it appears she lives,Though yet she speak not. Mark a little while.Please you to interpose, fair madam: kneel120And pray your mother's blessing. Turn, good lady;Our Perdita isfound.Her.You gods, look downAnd from your sacredvialspour your gracesUpon my daughter's head! Tell me, mine own,Where hast thou been preserved? where lived? how found125Thy father's court? for thou shalt hear that I,Knowing by Paulina that the oracleGave hope thou wast in being, have preservedMyself to see the issue.Paul.There's time enough for that;Lestthey desire upon this push to trouble130Your joys with like relation. Go together,You precious winners all; your exultationPartake to every one. I, an old turtle,Will wing me to some wither'd bough and thereMy mate, that's never to be found again,Lament till I am lost.135Leon.O, peace, Paulina!Thou shouldst a husband take by my consent,As I by thine a wife: this is a match,And made between's by vows. Thou hast found mine;But how, is to be question'd; for I saw her,140As I thought, dead; and have in vain said manyA prayer upon her grave. I'll not seek far,—For him, I partly know his mind,—to find theeAn honourable husband. Come, Camillo,And take herby thehand, whose worth and honesty145Is richly noted and here justifiedBy us, a pair of kings. Let's from this place.What! look upon my brother: both yourpardons,That e'er I put between your holy looksMy ill suspicion.Thisyour son-in-law,150And son unto the king,whom heavens directing,Is troth-plight to your daughter. Good Paulina,Lead us from hence, where we may leisurelyEach one demand, and answer to his partPerform'd in this wide gap of time, since first155We weredissever'd: hastily lead away.[Exeunt.

EnterLeontes,Polixenes,Florizel,Perdita,Camillo,Paulina,Lords,andAttendants.

Leon.O grave and good Paulina, the great comfortThat I have had of thee!

Leon.O grave and good Paulina, the great comfort

That I have had of thee!

Paul.What, sovereign sir,I did not well, I meant well. All my servicesYou have paid home: but that you have vouchsafed5With your crown'd brother and these your contractedHeirs of your kingdoms, my poor house to visit,It is a surplus of your grace, which neverMy life may last to answer.

Paul.What, sovereign sir,

I did not well, I meant well. All my services

You have paid home: but that you have vouchsafed

With your crown'd brother and these your contracted

Heirs of your kingdoms, my poor house to visit,

It is a surplus of your grace, which never

My life may last to answer.

Leon.O Paulina,We honour you with trouble: but we came10To see the statue of our queen: your galleryHave we pass'd through, not without much contentIn many singularities; but we saw notThat which my daughter came to look upon,The statue of her mother.

Leon.O Paulina,

We honour you with trouble: but we came

To see the statue of our queen: your gallery

Have we pass'd through, not without much content

In many singularities; but we saw not

That which my daughter came to look upon,

The statue of her mother.

Paul.As she lived peerless,15So her dead likeness, I do well believe,Excels whatever yetyoulook'd uponOr hand of man hath done; therefore I keep itLonely, apart. But here it is: prepareTo see the life as lively mock'd as ever20Still sleep mock'd death: behold, and say 'tis well.[Paulinadraws a curtain, and discovers Hermione standing like a statue.I like your silence, it the more shows offYour wonder: but yet speak; first, you, my liege.Comes it not something near?

Paul.As she lived peerless,

So her dead likeness, I do well believe,

Excels whatever yetyoulook'd upon

Or hand of man hath done; therefore I keep it

Lonely, apart. But here it is: prepare

To see the life as lively mock'd as ever

Still sleep mock'd death: behold, and say 'tis well.

[Paulinadraws a curtain, and discovers Hermione standing like a statue.

I like your silence, it the more shows off

Your wonder: but yet speak; first, you, my liege.

Comes it not something near?

Leon.Her natural posture!Chide me, dear stone, that I may say indeed25Thou art Hermione; or rather, thou art sheIn thy not chiding, for she was as tenderAs infancy and grace. But yet, Paulina,Hermione was not somuchwrinkled, nothingSo aged as this seems.

Leon.Her natural posture!

Chide me, dear stone, that I may say indeed

Thou art Hermione; or rather, thou art she

In thy not chiding, for she was as tender

As infancy and grace. But yet, Paulina,

Hermione was not somuchwrinkled, nothing

So aged as this seems.

Pol.O, not by much.

30Paul.So much the more our carver's excellence;Which lets go by some sixteen years and makes herAs she lived now.

Paul.So much the more our carver's excellence;

Which lets go by some sixteen years and makes her

As she lived now.

Leon.As now she might have done,So much to my good comfort, as it isNow piercing to my soul. O, thus she stood,35Even with such life of majesty, warm life,As now it coldly stands, when first I woo'd her!I am ashamed: does not the stone rebuke meFor being more stone than it? O royal pieceThere's magic in thy majesty, which has40My evils conjured to remembrance, andFromthyadmiring daughter took the spirits,Standing like stone with thee.

Leon.As now she might have done,

So much to my good comfort, as it is

Now piercing to my soul. O, thus she stood,

Even with such life of majesty, warm life,

As now it coldly stands, when first I woo'd her!

I am ashamed: does not the stone rebuke me

For being more stone than it? O royal piece

There's magic in thy majesty, which has

My evils conjured to remembrance, and

Fromthyadmiring daughter took the spirits,

Standing like stone with thee.

Per.And give me leave,And do not say 'tis superstition, thatI kneel andthenimplore her blessing. Lady,45Dear queen, that ended when I but began,Give me that hand of yours to kiss.

Per.And give me leave,

And do not say 'tis superstition, that

I kneel andthenimplore her blessing. Lady,

Dear queen, that ended when I but began,

Give me that hand of yours to kiss.

Paul.O, patience!The statue is but newly fix'd, thecolour'sNotdry.

Paul.O, patience!

The statue is but newly fix'd, thecolour's

Notdry.

Cam.My lord, your sorrow was too sore laid on,50Which sixteen winters cannot blow away,So many summers dry: scarce any joyDid ever so long live; nosorrowBut kill'd itself much sooner.

Cam.My lord, your sorrow was too sore laid on,

Which sixteen winters cannot blow away,

So many summers dry: scarce any joy

Did ever so long live; nosorrow

But kill'd itself much sooner.

Pol.Dear my brother,Let him that was the cause of this have power55To take off so much grief from you as heWill piece up in himself.

Pol.Dear my brother,

Let him that was the cause of this have power

To take off so much grief from you as he

Will piece up in himself.

Paul.Indeed, my lord,If I had thought the sight of my poor imageWould thus have wrought you, for the stoneis mine,I'ld not have show'd it.

Paul.Indeed, my lord,

If I had thought the sight of my poor image

Would thus have wrought you, for the stoneis mine,

I'ld not have show'd it.

Leon.Do not draw the curtain.

60Paul.No longer shall you gaze on't, lest your fancyMay think anon itmoves.

Paul.No longer shall you gaze on't, lest your fancy

May think anon itmoves.

Leon.Let be, let be.Would I were dead, but that, methinks,already—What was he that did make it? See, my lord,Would you not deem it breathed? and that those veinsDid verily bear blood?

Leon.Let be, let be.

Would I were dead, but that, methinks,already—

What was he that did make it? See, my lord,

Would you not deem it breathed? and that those veins

Did verily bear blood?

65Pol.Masterly done:The very life seems warm upon her lip.

Pol.Masterly done:

The very life seems warm upon her lip.

Leon.Thefixureof her eye has motion in't,Aswearemock'd with art.

Leon.Thefixureof her eye has motion in't,

Aswearemock'd with art.

Paul.I'll draw the curtain:My lord's almost so far transported thatHe'll think anon it lives.

Paul.I'll draw the curtain:

My lord's almost so far transported that

He'll think anon it lives.

70Leon.O sweet Paulina,Make me to think so twenty years together!No settled senses of the world can matchThe pleasure of that madness.Let'talone.

Leon.O sweet Paulina,

Make me to think so twenty years together!

No settled senses of the world can match

The pleasure of that madness.Let'talone.

Paul.I amsorry, sir, I have thus far stirr'd you: butI could afflict youfarther.

Paul.I amsorry, sir, I have thus far stirr'd you: but

I could afflict youfarther.

75Leon.Do, Paulina;For this affliction has a taste as sweetAs any cordial comfort. Still, methinks,There is an air comes from her: what fine chiselCould ever yet cut breath? Let no man mock me,For I will kiss her.

Leon.Do, Paulina;

For this affliction has a taste as sweet

As any cordial comfort. Still, methinks,

There is an air comes from her: what fine chisel

Could ever yet cut breath? Let no man mock me,

For I will kiss her.

80Paul.Goodmylord, forbear:The ruddiness upon her lip is wet;You'll mar it if you kiss it, stain your ownWith oily painting. Shall I draw the curtain?

Paul.Goodmylord, forbear:

The ruddiness upon her lip is wet;

You'll mar it if you kiss it, stain your own

With oily painting. Shall I draw the curtain?

Leon.No, not these twenty years.

Per.So long could IStand by, a looker on.

Per.So long could I

Stand by, a looker on.

85Paul.Either forbear,Quit presently the chapel, or resolve youFor more amazement. If you can behold it,I'll make the statue move indeed, descendAnd take you by the hand: but then you'll think,90Which I protest against I am assistedBy wicked powers.

Paul.Either forbear,

Quit presently the chapel, or resolve you

For more amazement. If you can behold it,

I'll make the statue move indeed, descend

And take you by the hand: but then you'll think,

Which I protest against I am assisted

By wicked powers.

Leon.What you can make her do,I am content to look on: what to speak,I am content to hear; for 'tis as easyTo make her speak as move.

Leon.What you can make her do,

I am content to look on: what to speak,

I am content to hear; for 'tis as easy

To make her speak as move.

Paul.It is required95You do awake your faith. Then all stand still;On: thosethat think it is unlawful businessI am about, let them depart.

Paul.It is required

You do awake your faith. Then all stand still;

On: thosethat think it is unlawful business

I am about, let them depart.

Leon.Proceed:No foot shall stir.

Leon.Proceed:

No foot shall stir.

Paul.Music, awake her; strike![Music.'Tis time; descend; be stone no more; approach;100Strike all that lookuponwith marvel. Come,I'll fill your grave up: stir, nay, come away,Bequeath to death your numbness, for from himDear life redeems you. You perceive she stirs:[Hermionecomes down.Start not; her actions shall be holy as105You hear my spell is lawful: do not shun herUntil you see her die again; for thenYou kill her double. Nay, present your hand:When she was young you woo'd her; now in ageIs she become thesuitor?

Paul.Music, awake her; strike!

[Music.

'Tis time; descend; be stone no more; approach;

Strike all that lookuponwith marvel. Come,

I'll fill your grave up: stir, nay, come away,

Bequeath to death your numbness, for from him

Dear life redeems you. You perceive she stirs:

[Hermionecomes down.

Start not; her actions shall be holy as

You hear my spell is lawful: do not shun her

Until you see her die again; for then

You kill her double. Nay, present your hand:

When she was young you woo'd her; now in age

Is she become thesuitor?

Leon.O, she's warm!110If this be magic, let it be an artLawful as eating.

Leon.O, she's warm!

If this be magic, let it be an art

Lawful as eating.

Pol.She embraces him.

Cam.She hangsabout his neck:If she pertain to life let her speak too.

Cam.She hangsabout his neck:

If she pertain to life let her speak too.

Pol.Ay, andmake'tmanifest where she has lived,Or how stolen from the dead.

Pol.Ay, andmake'tmanifest where she has lived,

Or how stolen from the dead.

115Paul.That she is living,Were it but told you, should be hooted atLike an old tale: but it appears she lives,Though yet she speak not. Mark a little while.Please you to interpose, fair madam: kneel120And pray your mother's blessing. Turn, good lady;Our Perdita isfound.

Paul.That she is living,

Were it but told you, should be hooted at

Like an old tale: but it appears she lives,

Though yet she speak not. Mark a little while.

Please you to interpose, fair madam: kneel

And pray your mother's blessing. Turn, good lady;

Our Perdita isfound.

Her.You gods, look downAnd from your sacredvialspour your gracesUpon my daughter's head! Tell me, mine own,Where hast thou been preserved? where lived? how found125Thy father's court? for thou shalt hear that I,Knowing by Paulina that the oracleGave hope thou wast in being, have preservedMyself to see the issue.

Her.You gods, look down

And from your sacredvialspour your graces

Upon my daughter's head! Tell me, mine own,

Where hast thou been preserved? where lived? how found

Thy father's court? for thou shalt hear that I,

Knowing by Paulina that the oracle

Gave hope thou wast in being, have preserved

Myself to see the issue.

Paul.There's time enough for that;Lestthey desire upon this push to trouble130Your joys with like relation. Go together,You precious winners all; your exultationPartake to every one. I, an old turtle,Will wing me to some wither'd bough and thereMy mate, that's never to be found again,Lament till I am lost.

Paul.There's time enough for that;

Lestthey desire upon this push to trouble

Your joys with like relation. Go together,

You precious winners all; your exultation

Partake to every one. I, an old turtle,

Will wing me to some wither'd bough and there

My mate, that's never to be found again,

Lament till I am lost.

135Leon.O, peace, Paulina!Thou shouldst a husband take by my consent,As I by thine a wife: this is a match,And made between's by vows. Thou hast found mine;But how, is to be question'd; for I saw her,140As I thought, dead; and have in vain said manyA prayer upon her grave. I'll not seek far,—For him, I partly know his mind,—to find theeAn honourable husband. Come, Camillo,And take herby thehand, whose worth and honesty145Is richly noted and here justifiedBy us, a pair of kings. Let's from this place.What! look upon my brother: both yourpardons,That e'er I put between your holy looksMy ill suspicion.Thisyour son-in-law,150And son unto the king,whom heavens directing,Is troth-plight to your daughter. Good Paulina,Lead us from hence, where we may leisurelyEach one demand, and answer to his partPerform'd in this wide gap of time, since first155We weredissever'd: hastily lead away.[Exeunt.

Leon.O, peace, Paulina!

Thou shouldst a husband take by my consent,

As I by thine a wife: this is a match,

And made between's by vows. Thou hast found mine;

But how, is to be question'd; for I saw her,

As I thought, dead; and have in vain said many

A prayer upon her grave. I'll not seek far,—

For him, I partly know his mind,—to find thee

An honourable husband. Come, Camillo,

And take herby thehand, whose worth and honesty

Is richly noted and here justified

By us, a pair of kings. Let's from this place.

What! look upon my brother: both yourpardons,

That e'er I put between your holy looks

My ill suspicion.Thisyour son-in-law,

And son unto the king,whom heavens directing,

Is troth-plight to your daughter. Good Paulina,

Lead us from hence, where we may leisurely

Each one demand, and answer to his part

Perform'd in this wide gap of time, since first

We weredissever'd: hastily lead away.[Exeunt.

LINENOTES:Scene iii.]Scene vii.Pope.A chapel ...]A Chapel in Paulina's House: at upper End a Nich; a Curtain before it. Capell.Lords and Attendants.]Rowe. Hermione (like a Statue:) Lords, &c. Ff.[16]you]you'veAnon. conj.[18]Lonely]Hanmer.LouelyF1.LovelyF2 F3 F4.See note (xxiii).[20][Paulina ...]Rowe.[28]much]om. Seymour conj.[41]thy]myTheobald.[44]then]thusCollier (Collier MS.).[47]colour's]coloursS. Walker conj.[48][Staying Perdita.Capell.[52, 53]sorrow But]sorrow but ItS. Walker conj.[58]is mine,]i' th' mineTyrwhitt conj.[61]moves]movePope.[62]already—]Rowe.alreadie.F1.already.F2 F3 F4.already I am but dead stone, looking upon stoneCollier (Collier MS.).already I'm in heaven, amd looking on an angel. Anon. apud Singer conj.[67]fixure]fixtureF4.fissureWarburton conj.[68]As]AndCapell.SoMason conj.are]wereRowe (ed. 2).[73]Let't]LetJohnson.[74]I am]I'mPope.[75]farther]F1 F2.furtherF3 F4.[80]my]meF2.[96]On: those]Ff.And thosePope.Or thoseHanmer.[98][Music.]Rowe.[100]upon]on youHanmer.upon youKeightley conj.upon'tAnon. conj.[103][Hermione ...]Rowe.[109]suitor?]Ff.suitor.Rowe (ed. 2).[Embracing her. Rowe.[112, 113]She hangs... too]Arranged by S. Walker as two lines, endingpertain ... too.[114]make't]Capell.make itFf.makeHanmer.[121][Presenting Perdita,who kneels to Her. Rowe.[122]vials]Pope.violsFf.[129]Lest]F3 F4.LeastF1 F2.[144]by the]om. Collier (Collier MS.).[147][To Her.Hanmer.[149]This]This'S. Walker conj.[150]whom heavens directing,]from heav'n's directing,Hanmer.who, heavens directing,Capell.(whom heavens directing,) Malone.[155]We were]F1 F2.WereF3 F4.

LINENOTES:

Scene iii.]Scene vii.Pope.

A chapel ...]A Chapel in Paulina's House: at upper End a Nich; a Curtain before it. Capell.

Lords and Attendants.]Rowe. Hermione (like a Statue:) Lords, &c. Ff.

[16]you]you'veAnon. conj.

[18]Lonely]Hanmer.LouelyF1.LovelyF2 F3 F4.See note (xxiii).

[20][Paulina ...]Rowe.

[28]much]om. Seymour conj.

[41]thy]myTheobald.

[44]then]thusCollier (Collier MS.).

[47]colour's]coloursS. Walker conj.

[48][Staying Perdita.Capell.

[52, 53]sorrow But]sorrow but ItS. Walker conj.

[58]is mine,]i' th' mineTyrwhitt conj.

[61]moves]movePope.

[62]already—]Rowe.alreadie.F1.already.F2 F3 F4.already I am but dead stone, looking upon stoneCollier (Collier MS.).already I'm in heaven, amd looking on an angel. Anon. apud Singer conj.

[67]fixure]fixtureF4.fissureWarburton conj.

[68]As]AndCapell.SoMason conj.

are]wereRowe (ed. 2).

[73]Let't]LetJohnson.

[74]I am]I'mPope.

[75]farther]F1 F2.furtherF3 F4.

[80]my]meF2.

[96]On: those]Ff.And thosePope.Or thoseHanmer.

[98][Music.]Rowe.

[100]upon]on youHanmer.upon youKeightley conj.upon'tAnon. conj.

[103][Hermione ...]Rowe.

[109]suitor?]Ff.suitor.Rowe (ed. 2).

[Embracing her. Rowe.

[112, 113]She hangs... too]Arranged by S. Walker as two lines, endingpertain ... too.

[114]make't]Capell.make itFf.makeHanmer.

[121][Presenting Perdita,who kneels to Her. Rowe.

[122]vials]Pope.violsFf.

[129]Lest]F3 F4.LeastF1 F2.

[144]by the]om. Collier (Collier MS.).

[147][To Her.Hanmer.

[149]This]This'S. Walker conj.

[150]whom heavens directing,]from heav'n's directing,Hanmer.who, heavens directing,Capell.(whom heavens directing,) Malone.

[155]We were]F1 F2.WereF3 F4.

Note I.

I. 2. 42. Warburton, who reads 'good heed' with the later Folios, says that Mr Theobald, not understanding the phrase, altered it to 'good deed.' In reality Theobald recalled the reading of the first Folio, which Warburton had not taken the trouble to collate.

Note II.

I. 2. 154. 'Methoughts' is of course a form grammatically inaccurate, suggested by the more familiar 'methinks.' It occurs, however, sufficiently often in the old editions to warrant us in supposing that it came from the author's pen. We therefore retain it.

Note III.

I. 2. 272. Mr Collier tells us that some copies of the second Folio read 'think it.' Ours has 'think.'

Note IV.

I. 2. 459. Johnson says: 'Dr Warburton's conjecture is, I think, just; but what shall be done with the following words of which I can make nothing? Perhaps the line, which connected them to the rest,is lost.' In fact we should have expected Polixenes to say that his flight without Hermione would be the best means not only of securing his own safety but of dispelling the suspicions Leontes entertained of his queen.

Note V.

II. 1. 136. The Folios spell 'than' and 'then' indifferently 'then.' In this passage Malone was inclined to restore 'then.'

Note VI.

II. 1. 143. If 'land-damn' be the right reading it has not yet received a satisfactory explanation. The word 'lamback' which in his first edition Mr Collier offered as a conjecture, he afterwards found in the corrected copy of the second Folio. But with the sense which he assigns to it 'to beat,' it seems an anticlimax after the threat contained in the line preceding. We omitted to record in our note that Dr Nicholson proposes to read 'Lent-damn.'

Note VII.

II. 3. 177. 'It,' as a possessive pronoun, is found again in this play (III. 2. 99). In the latter place Rowe was the first to make the correction 'its.' InThe Tempest(II. 1. 157), as here, the change is made by the third Folio. See our note on that passage. It is remarkable that the only comedies in which this ancient usage occurs, viz.The TempestandThe Winter's Tale, are among the latest of our author's works. Perhaps the printer is responsible for the singularity.

Mr Staunton has mentioned the following instances in the Histories and Tragedies:King John,ii.1,Timon of Athens,v. 2,King Lear,i.4,Hamlet,i.2 andv.1. 'It' occurs besides inHenry V.,v.2,Cymbeline,iii.4,Romeo and Juliet,i.3, andAntony and Cleopatra,ii.7.

InHamlet,i.2, the first Quarto hashis, the first Folio, published twenty years later, hasit. In the same play,v.1, one of the Quartos hasit's. Professor Craik quotes also from the Quarto,ithoritinKing Lear,iv.2. But the two Quartos of 1608 in Capell's collection both readit. 'Its' is found inThe Tempest,i.2. 95, 393,Measure for Measure,i.2. 4,Winter's Tale,i.2. 151, 152, 157, 266,iii.3. 46, 2Henry VI.iii.2,Henry VIII.i.1. On the whole we think it most probable that Shakespeare would not deliberately have writtenitforits, orhis, except when imitating the language of rustics or children. It is only fair, however, to mention that Mr Staunton and Professor Craik are of a different opinion. After all it is not of very great consequence which form we preserve in the text, as we carefully record all the minutest variations at the foot of the page.

Note VIII.

III. 2. 10. The first Folio prints 'silence' in italics, like a stage-direction. The subsequent Folios have 'Silence. Enter,' also in italics. Rowe printed it, as we have done, as part of the officer's speech. Capell assigned it to a crier, and Mr Dyce, in support of this, quotes the commencement of Queen Catharine's trial, inHenry the Eighth,ii.4. But there is no reason why in this play the officer who has already spoken should not also command silence.

Note IX.

III. 2. 41. "It is surprising," says Mr Staunton, "that this passage should have passed without question, for grief must surely be an error. Hermione means that life to her is of as little estimation as the most trivial thing which she would part with; and she expresses the same sentiment shortly after in similar terms,—'no life,—I prize it not a straw.' Could she speak of grief as a trifle, of no moment or importance?"

Is not the meaning this, that Hermione now holds life and grief to be inseparable and would willingly be rid of both? Johnson's note is to this effect.

Note X.

III. 3. 59. If written in Arabic numerals 16 would be more likely to be mistaken for 10 than 13, which Capell suggested. Besides 'sixteen' seems to suit the context better than 'thirteen.' Another mistake of one number for another occurs IV. 2. 3, but this may have been an error on the author's part.

Note XI.

III. 3. 122. Capell's copy of the first Folio has distinctly 'fight.' A copy in the possession of the Rev. N. M. Ferrers, Fellow of Gonville and Caius College, has as distinctly 'sight.'

Note XII.

IV. 1. 1. Johnson followed Theobald and Warburton in printing Time's speech at the end of the third act, but said in his note: 'I believe this speech of Time rather begins the fourth act than concludes the third.' He had not referred, apparently, to the Folios or to Rowe and Pope. Theobald did not mean to include the speech in either act, but drew a line above it to mark that it was an interlude between the third and fourth. Warburton, and Johnson after him, omitted the line.

Note XIII.

IV. 3. 48. A writer inThe Gentleman's Magazine, 1st series, Vol.LX.p. 306, suggests that by 'me—' in this place is meant 'mercy,' and that the clown's exclamation is interrupted by Autolycus.

Note XIV.

IV. 4. 82. We have retained here the spelling 'gillyvors' in preference to the more familiar form 'gillyflowers,' because the latter is due to an etymological error. The original word is 'caryophyllus,' which becomes 'girofle' in French, and thence by metathesis 'gilofre,' 'gillyvor.'

Note XV.

IV. 4. 263. We have retainedwivesin this passage because Steevens' readingwives'is too strictly grammatical to accord with the reckless volubility of the charlatan. To be consistent, Steevens ought to have printedwitnesses'forwitnessesin line 275.

Note XVI.

IV. 4. 288. The first three Folios read thus;

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