[156]An allusion, of course, to the Straits of Gibraltar, where Hercules was supposed to have set up columns forbidding further exploration of the ocean.
[156]An allusion, of course, to the Straits of Gibraltar, where Hercules was supposed to have set up columns forbidding further exploration of the ocean.
[157]i.e.Tangible, yielding impressions to the senses of another person.
[157]i.e.Tangible, yielding impressions to the senses of another person.
[158]So inTwo Noble Kinsmenpleurisy is used for plethora—"The pleurisy of people."
[158]So inTwo Noble Kinsmenpleurisy is used for plethora—"The pleurisy of people."
[159]i.e.A farthing.
[159]i.e.A farthing.
[160]See on page263, Sebastian's exclamation, "A rape!" near end of Act i., sc. 4.
[160]See on page263, Sebastian's exclamation, "A rape!" near end of Act i., sc. 4.
[161]"Means" are here equivalent to voices intermediate between treble and bass, as tenors. Collins adduces a passage from Lyly'sGalathea(Act v., sc. 3), where there is a similar play on words.
[161]"Means" are here equivalent to voices intermediate between treble and bass, as tenors. Collins adduces a passage from Lyly'sGalathea(Act v., sc. 3), where there is a similar play on words.
[162]i.e.A lordship, Ital.Signoria; Fr.Seigneurie.
[162]i.e.A lordship, Ital.Signoria; Fr.Seigneurie.
[163]i.e.Bond, contract.
[163]i.e.Bond, contract.
[164]What pretty fancies you have.
[164]What pretty fancies you have.
[165]Savin, an irritant poison, has long been in popular use to induce abortion in women.
[165]Savin, an irritant poison, has long been in popular use to induce abortion in women.
[166]Also speltpopering. A particular species of pear.
[166]Also speltpopering. A particular species of pear.
[167]This is obscure, but it probably refers to the Italian music phraselargo.
[167]This is obscure, but it probably refers to the Italian music phraselargo.
[168]Articles of millinery: veils and headdresses.
[168]Articles of millinery: veils and headdresses.
[169]The simile is from legal documents in which one superfluous letter might nullify a deed.
[169]The simile is from legal documents in which one superfluous letter might nullify a deed.
[170]A flatulent swelling of the abdomen.
[170]A flatulent swelling of the abdomen.
[171]Too narrowly dispute the reason of an accident favourable to myself.
[171]Too narrowly dispute the reason of an accident favourable to myself.
[172]i.e.Surrender myself to justice.
[172]i.e.Surrender myself to justice.
[173]Play upon the word "bill," which meant in one sense a stout staff with an iron blade at one end, like a partizan.
[173]Play upon the word "bill," which meant in one sense a stout staff with an iron blade at one end, like a partizan.
[174]i.e.Countenance.
[174]i.e.Countenance.
[175]i.e.Arrested.
[175]i.e.Arrested.
[176]Clear up the doubt conveyed in your question.
[176]Clear up the doubt conveyed in your question.
[177]Shakespeare uses this word in two senses, as "pressing business" and "extremity."
[177]Shakespeare uses this word in two senses, as "pressing business" and "extremity."
[178]i.e.A subject for dissection.
[178]i.e.A subject for dissection.
[179]This is addressed to the common headsman.
[179]This is addressed to the common headsman.
[180]With a skull in his hand. That it is the skull of his mistress is evident from the whole of the scene. He makes use of it afterwards in Act iii.—Collier.
[180]With a skull in his hand. That it is the skull of his mistress is evident from the whole of the scene. He makes use of it afterwards in Act iii.—Collier.
[181]Luxury was the ancient term for incontinence.
[181]Luxury was the ancient term for incontinence.
[182]Years must be readyearës.
[182]Years must be readyearës.
[183]This is not a name of syphilis, but a comparison only of it to a mole, on account of the effects it sometimes produces in occasioning the loss of hair.—Pegge.
[183]This is not a name of syphilis, but a comparison only of it to a mole, on account of the effects it sometimes produces in occasioning the loss of hair.—Pegge.
[184]Disembowelled.
[184]Disembowelled.
[185]She means from the highest to the lowest of her sex. At this time women of the inferior order wore hats. See Hollar'sOrnatus Muliebris Anglicanus, 1640.—Hazlitt.
[185]She means from the highest to the lowest of her sex. At this time women of the inferior order wore hats. See Hollar'sOrnatus Muliebris Anglicanus, 1640.—Hazlitt.
[186]"Set a beggar on horseback, and he'll ride a gallop."
[186]"Set a beggar on horseback, and he'll ride a gallop."
[187]That part of a ring in which the stone is set.
[187]That part of a ring in which the stone is set.
[188]Old copy, "Met."
[188]Old copy, "Met."
[189]Bonds.
[189]Bonds.
[190]i.e.Sand it, to prevent it from blotting, while the ink was wet.—Steevens.
[190]i.e.Sand it, to prevent it from blotting, while the ink was wet.—Steevens.
[191]i.e.Embrace.
[191]i.e.Embrace.
[192]"Portico" has been suggested. But I see no reason to alter the text. "Portion" is here that which specially belongs to the soul as its birthright.
[192]"Portico" has been suggested. But I see no reason to alter the text. "Portion" is here that which specially belongs to the soul as its birthright.
[193]Equivalent to hit the nail on the head, clinched the matter. Perhaps the metaphor is derived from ringing sound.
[193]Equivalent to hit the nail on the head, clinched the matter. Perhaps the metaphor is derived from ringing sound.
[194]Put a thief upon the track.
[194]Put a thief upon the track.
[195]Novice.
[195]Novice.
[196]A corruption of "God's blood."
[196]A corruption of "God's blood."
[197]There is no reason to omit the word "by." Vendice seems to refer to "families called honourable,"i.e., the children of lords.
[197]There is no reason to omit the word "by." Vendice seems to refer to "families called honourable,"i.e., the children of lords.
[198]i.e.Next heir.
[198]i.e.Next heir.
[199]Wheel of fortune.
[199]Wheel of fortune.
[200]A play upon the double meaning of the word "angel," which was the name of a gold coin.
[200]A play upon the double meaning of the word "angel," which was the name of a gold coin.
[201]Decline, droop.
[201]Decline, droop.
[202]Long-suffering.
[202]Long-suffering.
[203]Embrace.
[203]Embrace.
[204]Alluding to the custom of hanging hats in ancient halls upon stags' horns.—Steevens.
[204]Alluding to the custom of hanging hats in ancient halls upon stags' horns.—Steevens.
[205]This allusion to farms sold for a court-wardrobe is common in our drama.
[205]This allusion to farms sold for a court-wardrobe is common in our drama.
[206]i.e.Measured.
[206]i.e.Measured.
[207]i.e.Honesty.
[207]i.e.Honesty.
[208]Decline.
[208]Decline.
[209]i.e.Nightdresses.
[209]i.e.Nightdresses.
[210]Alluding to the custom of entering horses sold at fairs in a book called the "Toll-book."
[210]Alluding to the custom of entering horses sold at fairs in a book called the "Toll-book."
[211]Defile.
[211]Defile.
[212]Liars.
[212]Liars.
[213]Stable.
[213]Stable.
[214]Some lune or frenzy.
[214]Some lune or frenzy.
[215]Edits., "Impudent." The least imprudent is equivalent to the most farsighted or wary.
[215]Edits., "Impudent." The least imprudent is equivalent to the most farsighted or wary.
[216]i.e.Hat.
[216]i.e.Hat.
[217]Alluding to Duns Scotus, who commented upon "The Master of the Sentences."
[217]Alluding to Duns Scotus, who commented upon "The Master of the Sentences."
[218]In the game of Primero.
[218]In the game of Primero.
[219]He imagines her to be speaking, and answers her.
[219]He imagines her to be speaking, and answers her.
[220]Embraces.
[220]Embraces.
[221]Weak, treacherous.
[221]Weak, treacherous.
[222]Poultry.
[222]Poultry.
[223]A corruption ofcertiorari.
[223]A corruption ofcertiorari.
[224]Like.
[224]Like.
[225]It has been suggested thatquarledis equivalent toguarelled; and that it alludes to poison put on arrows. The sound of the word seems to point at some synonym forcurdled.
[225]It has been suggested thatquarledis equivalent toguarelled; and that it alludes to poison put on arrows. The sound of the word seems to point at some synonym forcurdled.
[226]Alluding to the 5th Commandment.
[226]Alluding to the 5th Commandment.
[227]i.e.Incite, encourage her.
[227]i.e.Incite, encourage her.
[228]The reality and life of this dialogue passes any scenical illusion I ever felt. I never read it but my ears tingle, and I feel a hot flush spread my cheeks, as if I were presently about to "proclaim" some such "malefactions" of myself as the brothers here rebuke in this unnatural parent, in words more keen and dagger-like than those which Hamlet speaks to his mother. Such power has the passion of shame, truly personated, not only to "strike guilty creatures unto the soul," but to "appal" even those that are "free."—Lamb.
[228]The reality and life of this dialogue passes any scenical illusion I ever felt. I never read it but my ears tingle, and I feel a hot flush spread my cheeks, as if I were presently about to "proclaim" some such "malefactions" of myself as the brothers here rebuke in this unnatural parent, in words more keen and dagger-like than those which Hamlet speaks to his mother. Such power has the passion of shame, truly personated, not only to "strike guilty creatures unto the soul," but to "appal" even those that are "free."—Lamb.
[229]Michaelmas term now has but four returns.
[229]Michaelmas term now has but four returns.
[230]In secret.
[230]In secret.
[231]Hands.
[231]Hands.
[232]i.e.Unsheathe.
[232]i.e.Unsheathe.
[233]i.e.The installation or putting in possession.
[233]i.e.The installation or putting in possession.
[234]Disclosed.
[234]Disclosed.