= to death. = 8:) - Was this easy?] that is, was this not grievous? Shakspeare has easy in this sense elsewhere. JOHNSON. 9:) To trip the course of law,] to defeat the process of justice; a metaphor taken from the act of tripping a runner. 10:) And mock your workings in a second body.] To treat with contempt your acts executed by a representative. 11:) and propose a son:] i. e. image to yourself a son, contrive for a moment to think you have one. 12:) in your state,] in your regal character and office, not with the passion of a man interested, but with the impartiality of a legislator. JOHNSON. 13:) — remembrance,] that is, admonition. 14:) My father is gone wild-] The meaning is My wild dispositions having ceased on my father's death, and being now as it were buried in his tomb, he and wildness are interred in the same grave. 15:)—with his spirit sadly I survive,] Sadly is the same as soberly, seriously, gravely. Sad is opposed to wild. JoHNSON.16:) the state of floods,] i. e. dignity of floods, or of the ocean. = = 17:) : -and females dear, &c.] This very natural character of Justice Silence is not sufficiently observed. He would scarcely speak a word before, and now there is no possibility of stopping his mouth. 18:)-proface! Italian from pro faccia; a cant term in Italy, that is, much good may it do you. = 19:) The heart's all.] Thai is, the intention with which the entertainment is given. The humour consists in making Davy act as master of the house. JOHNSON. 20:) "wife has all;"- MALONE. 21:)-leathercoats-] The apple commonly denominated russetine, in Devonshire, is called the buff-coat. 22:) cavaleroes-] This was the term by which an airy, splendid, irregular fellow was distinguished. The soldiers of king Charles were called cavaliers from the gaiety which they affected in opposition to the sour faction of the parliament,=23:) Do me right,] To do a man right, and to do him reason, were formerly the usual expressions in pledging healths. He who drank a bumper, expected that a bumper should be drank to his toast. 24:) And dub me knight:] lɩ was the custom of the good fellows of Shakspeare's days to drink a very large draught of wine, and sometimes a less palatable potation, on their knees, to the health of their mistress. He who performed this exploit was dubb'd a knight for the evening.25:) Samingo.] Samingo, that is, San Domingo, as some of the commentators have rightly observed. But what is the meaning and propriety of the name here, has not yet been shown.-26:) - but goodman Pulf of Barson.] A little before, William Visor of Woucot is mentioned. Woodmancot and Barton (says Mr. Edwards's MSS.), which I suppose are these two places, and are represented to be in the neighbourhood of Justice Shallow, are both of them in Berkeley hundred in Glostershire. This, I imagine, was done to disguise the satire a little: for Sir Thomas Lucy, who, by the coat of arms he bears, must be the real Justice Shallow, lived at Charlecot, near Stratford, in Warwickshire. STEEVENS. = 27:) - Bezonian?] A term of reproach, frequent in the writers contemporary with our poet. Bisognoso, a needy person; thence metaphorically, a base scoundrel. 28:)tig me, like The bragging Spaniard.] To fig, in Spanish, higas dar, is to insult by putting the thumb between the fore and middle finger. From this Spanish custom we yet say in contempt, a fig for you." JOHNSON. 29:) Fal. What! is the old king dead? | Pist. As nail in door:] This proverbial expression is oftener used than understood. The door nail is the nail on which in ancient doors the knocker strikes. It is therefore used as a comparison to any one irrecoverably dead, one who has fallen (as Virgil says) multd morte, i. e. with abundant death, such as reiteration of strokes on the head would naturally produce. 30:) Nut-hook, &c.] Nut-hook seems to have been u those times a term of reproach for a catchpoll; or, as some think, a cant word for a thief, or rogue, = 31:) -a dozen of cushions-] that is, to stuff her out that she might counterfeit pregnancy.=32:)-thou thin man in a ceuser!] An embossed figure in the middle of the pierced convex lid of the censer. 38:) blue bottle rogue!] A name, I suppose, given to the beadle, from the colour of his livery; and an allusion to the flesh-fly so called.= 34:) - half-kirtles.] From the description of a kirtle given by the commentators, a half-kirtle should seem to be a short cloak. Perhaps a cloak, without sleeves, was here meant. 35:) More rushes, &c.] It has been already observed, that at ceremonial entertainments, it was the custom to strew the floor with rushes. Chambers, and indeed all apartments usually inhabited, were formerly strewed in this manner. As our ancestors rarely washed their floors, disguises of uncleauliness became necessary things. = 36:)'Tis all in every part.] The sentence alluded to is: "Tis all in all, and all in every part." And so doubtless it should be read. "Tis a common way of expressing one's approbation of a right measure to say, 'tis all in all. 37:)-most royal imp of fame!] The word imp is perpetually used by ancient wri ters, for progeny. 38:)-profane;] In our author it often significs love of talk, without the particular idea now given it. = : 39:) - hence,] i. e. henceforward, from this time, in the future. 40:) Not to come near our person by ten mile.] Mr. Rowe observes, that many readers lament to see Fal staff so hardly used by his old friend. But if it be considered, that the fat knight has never uttered one sentiment of generosity, and with all his power of exciting mirth, has nothing in him that can be esteemed, no great pain will be suffered from the reflection that he is compelled to live honestly, and maintained by the king, with a promise of ad = = vancement when he shall deserve it. I think the poet more blameable for Poins, who is always represented as joining some virtues with his vices, and is therefore treated by the prince with apparent distinction, yet he does nothing in the time of action: and though after the bustle is over, he is again a favourite, at last vanishes without notice. Shakspeare certainly lost him by heedlessness, in the multiplicity of his characters, the variety of his action, and his eagerness to end the play. JOHNSON. This circumstance was originally mentioned by Hall, and is thus recorded by Holinshed, who was certainly Shakspeare's historian: "Immediately after that he was invested kyng, and had receyved the crowne, he determined with himselfe to putte upon him the shape of a new man, turning insolence and wildness into gravitie and sobernesse: and whereas he had passed his youth in wanton pastime aud riotous misorder, with a sorte of misgoverned mates, and unthriftie playfeers, he now banished them from his presence, (not unrewarded nor yet unpreferred,) inhibiting them upon a great payne, not once to approche, lodge, or sojourne within ten miles of his courte or mansion: and in their places he elected and chose men of gravitie, witte, and hygh policie, by whose wise counsell he might at all times rule to his honoure: whereas if he should have reteined the other lustie companions aboute him, he doubted least they might have allured him into such lewde and lighte partes, as with them before tyme he had youthfully used."41:)—to the Fleet ;] I do not see why Falstaff is carried to the Fleet. We have never lost sight of him since his dismission from the king; he has committed no new fault, and therefore incurred no punishment; but the different agitations of fear, anger, and surprize in him and his company, made a good scene to the eye; and our author, who wanted them no longer on the stage, was glad to find this method of sweeping them away. JOHNSON. 42:) This epilogue was merely occasional, and alludes to some theatrical transaction. JOHNSON.=43:) -All the gentlewomen, &c.] The trick of influencing one part of the audience by the favour of the other, has been played already in the epilogue to As you like it. JOHNSON. 44:) - where, for any thing I know, Falstaff shall die of a sweat, unless already he be killed with your hard opinions; for Oldcastle died a martyr, and this is not the man.] Shakspeare, I think, meant to say, that "Falstaff may perhaps die of his debaucheries in France," (having mentioned Falstaff's death, he then, with his usual licence, uses the word in a metaphorical sense, adding,) "unless he be already killed by the hard and unjust opinions of those who imagined that the knight's character (like his predecessor) was intended as a ridicule on Sir John Oldcastle, the good Lord Cobham. This our author disclaims, reminding the audience that there can be no ground for such a supposition. I call them, (says he) hard and unjust opinions "for Sir John Oldcastle was no debauchee, but a protestant martyr, and our Falstaff is not the man;" i. e. is no representation of him, has no allusion whatsoever to him. Shakspeare seems to have been pained by some report that his inimitable character, like the despicable buffoon of the old play of Henry V. whose dress and figure resembled that of Falstaff, was meant to throw an imputation on the memory of Lord Cobham; which, in the reign of so zealous a friend in the Protestant causé as Elizabeth, would not have been easily pardoned at court. Our author, had he been so inclined, (which we have no ground for supposing,) was much too wise to have ever directed any ridicule at the great martyr for that cause which was so warmly espoused by his queen and patroness. The former ridiculous representations of Sir John Oldcastle on the stage were undoubtedly produced by papists, and probably often exhibited, in inferior theatres, to crowded audiences, between the years 1580 and 1590. MALONE. 45:)-to pray for the queen.] It was the custom of the old players at the end of the performance, to pray for their patrons. Almost all the ancient interludes I have met with conclude with some solemn prayer for the king or queen, house of commons, &c. Hence, perhaps, the Vivant Rex et Regina, at the bottom of our modern playbills. STEEVENS. = XX. KING HENRY V. ACT I. =1:) O, for a muse of fire, &c.] This goes, says Warburton, upon the notion of the Peripatetic system, which imagines several heavens one above another; the last and highest of which was one of fire. It alludes likewise to the aspiring nature of fire, which, by its levity, at the separation of the chaos, took the highest seat of all the elements. JOHNSON. But these remarks are perhaps too fanciful. = 2:) --princes to act, || And monarchs to behold] Shakspeare does not seem to set distance enough between the performers and spectators.3:) Within this wooden 0,] An allusion to the theatre where this history was exhibited, being, from its circular form, called The Globe. = 4:) · the very casques,] The helmets. = 5:)—imaginary forces] Imaginary for imaginative, or your powers of fancy. Active and pas sive words are by this author frequently confounded. JOHNSON. 6:) And make imaginary puissance:] This shows that Shakspeare was fully sensible of the absurdity of showing battles on the theatre, which, indeed, is never done, but tragedy becomes farce. Nothing can be represented to the 63 eye, but by something like it, and within a wooden 0 no- or lug out: but more probably it means—therefore breathe thing very like a battle can be exhibited. 7:)-of Canter- your last, or die, a threat common enough among dramatic bury, Henry Chicheley, a Carthusian monk, recently pro- heroes of a higher rank than Pistol, who only expresses moted to the see of Canterbury. 8:) - Ely.] John Fordham, this idea in the fantastic language peculiar to his character. consecrated 1388; died 1426. — 9:) Never came reformation = 7:) Mr. Malone's punctuation is, “for, lambkins we will in a flood,] Alluding to the method by which Hercules live." 8:) For which we have in head ́ assembled them?] cleansed the famous stables, when he turned a river through In head seems synonymous with the modern military term them. Hercules still is in our author's head, when he men- in force. 9:) - hearts create-] Hearts compounded or tions the hydra. JOHNSON.10:) The air, &c.] This line is made up of duty and zeal. = 10:)· -more advice,] On his exquisitely beautiful. 11:) So that the art and practic return to more coolness of mind. 11:) proceeding on part of life-] He discourses with so much skill on all sub- distemper,] It has been just said by the king, that it was jects, that the art and practice of life must be the mistress excess of wine that set him on, and distemper may thereor teacher of his theoric; that is, that his theory must fore mean intoxication. Distemper'd in liquor is still a have been taught by art and practice; which, says he, is common expression. =12:) — how shall we stretch our eye,] strange, since he could see little of the true art or practice If we may not wink at small faults, how wide must we open among his loose companions, nor ever retired to digest his our eyes at great.=13:) Who are the late commissioners? practice into theory. Art is used by the author for prac- that is, as appears from the sequel, who are the persons tice, as distinguished from science, or theory. JOHNSON. lately appointed commissioners? = 14:) — quick - that is, 12:) companies-] is here used for companions. It is used living. 15:) though the truth of it stands of as by other authors of Shakspeare's age in the same scuse. gross | As black from white,] Though the truth be as ap13:) popularity.] i. c. plebeian intercourse; an unusual parent and visible as black and white contiguous to each sense of the word.=14:)-crescive in his faculty.] lucreas- other. To stand off is étre relevé, to be prominent to the ing in its proper power.=15:) The severals, and unhidden eye, as the strong parts of a picture.=16:) — so grossly. passages,)"This line I suspect of corruption, though it may that admiration, &c.] Palpably; with a plain and visible fairly enough explained: the passages of his titles are connection of cause and effect, that they excited no expres the lines of succession by which his claims descend. Un- sion of surprize. 17:) -he, that temper'd thee,] i. e. renhidden is open, clear. JOHNSON.16:)-task-] Keep busied dered thee pliable to his will. = 18:) — vasty Tartar -] i. e. with scruples and laborious disquisitions. == 17:) Or nicely Tartarus, the fabled place of future punishment. = 19:) 0, charge your understanding soul-] Take heed, lest by nice how hast thou with jealousy infected || The sweetness of and subtle sophistry you burthen your knowing soul, or affiance! Shakspeare uses this aggravation of the guilt of knowingly burthen your soul, with the guilt of advancing a treachery with great judgment. One of the worst consefalse title, or of maintaining, by specious fallacies, a claim quences of breach of trust is the diminution of that confi which, if shown in its native and true colours, would ap- dence which makes the happiness of life, and the dissemipear to be false. = 18:) miscreate,] Il-begotten, illegi-nation of suspicion, which is the poison of society, Josstimate, spurious. 19:)—in approbation—] i, e. in proving SON.= - 20:) Garnish'd and deck'd in modest complement;] and supporting that title which shall be now set up. 20:) || Complements, in the age of Shakspeare, meant the same as -gloze, expound, explain, and sometimes comment upon. accomplishments in the present one. == 21:) Not working | 21:) To fine his title, &c.] To fine his title, is to make with the eye, without the ear,] The king means to say of it showy or specious by some appearance of justice. STEE- Scroop, that he was a cautious man, who knew that fronti VENS. 22:) Convey'd himself] Derived his title. = 23:) nulla fides, that a specious appearance was deceitful, and -imbare their crooked titles-] i. e. to lay open, to display therefore did not work with the eye, without the ear, did not to view. 24:) They of those marches,] The marches are trust the air or look of any man till he had tried him by eathe borders, the limits, the confiues. Hence the lords marquiry and conversation.=22:)- and so finely bolted,} Boited chers, i. e. the lords presidents of the marches, &c. = 25:) is the same with sifted, and has consequently the meaning of -the main intendment-] Intendment is here perhaps used refined. 23:) Which 1 in sufferance heartily will rejoice,] for intention, which in our author's time signified cxtreme Cambridge means to say, at which prevention, or, which inexertion. The main intendment may, however, mean, the tended scheme that it was prevented, I shall rejoice. Shakgeneral disposition. =26:) "at the bruit thereof." MAspeare has many such elliptical expressions. The intended LONE. = 27:) — fear'd―] i. e. frightened. = 28:) — in one scheme that he alludes to, was the taking off Heury, to make concent;] learn from Dr. Burney, that concent is cou- room for his brother-in-law.24:)" into desolation.—MALONE. nected harmony, in general, and not confined to any speci- = 25:)-let me bring thee to Staines.] i, e. let me attend, fic consonance. Thus, (says the same elegant and well-inor accompany thee. = 26:)an it had been any christom formed writer,) concentio and concentus are both used by child;] i. e. child that has wore the chrysom, or white cloth, Cicero for the union of voices or instruments in what we put on a new baptised child, 27:) — turning o'the tide:] should now call a chorus, or concert. STEEVENS.=29:) Set- it has been a very old opinion, which Mead, de imperio so ting endeavour in continual motion;|| To which is fixed,|| lis, quotes, as if he believed it, that nobody dies but in the as an aim or butt, || Obedience:] Neither the sense nor the time of ebb: half the deaths in London confute the notion; construction of this passage is very obvious. The construc- but we find that it was common among the women of the tion is, endeavour as an aim or butt to which endeavour, poet's time. JOHNSON. 28:) - cold as any stone.] Such is obedience is fixed. The sense is, that all endeavour is to the end of Falstaff, from whom Shakspeare had promised terminate in obedience, to be subordinate to the public us, in his epilogue to King Henry IV that we should regood and general design of government. = 30:) and offi- ceive more entertainment. It happened to Shakspeare, as cers of sorts: Officers of sorts means officers of different to other writers, to have his imagination crowded with a degrees.31:)-civil-] i. e. sober, grave. =32:)-to éxe. tumultuary confusion of images, which, while they were yet cutors-] Executors is here used for executioners. 33:) unsorted and unexamined, seemed sufficient to furnish a -- empery,] This word, which signifies dominion, is now long train of incidents, and a new variety of merriment: obsolete, though formerly in general use. = =34:) "a paper but which, when he was to produce them to view, shruak epitaph." MALONE.=35:) — a nimble galliard won ;] A gal- suddenly from him, or could not be accommodated to his liard was an ancient dance, now obsolete. =36:)— chaces.] general design. That he once designed to have brought FalChace is a term at tennis, = 37:) this poor seat of Eng- staff on the scene again, we know from himself; but wheland;] By the seat of England, the king means the throne. ther he could contrive no train of adventures suitable to 38:) And therefore, living hence,] Living hence means, his character, or could match him with no companions likely withdrawing from the court, the place in which he is now to quicken his humour, or could open no new vein of pleaspeaking, 39:) For that I have laid by -] To qualify my- santry, and was afraid to continue the same strain lest it self for this undertaking, I have descended from my station, should not find the same reception, he has here for ever and studied the arts of life in a lower character. JOHNSON. discarded him, and made haste to despatch him, perhaps =40:) - his balls to gun-stones;] When orduauce was first for the same reason for which Addison killed Sir Roger, used, they discharged balls, not of iron, but of stone. = that no other hand might attempt to exhibit him. Let meaner authors learn from this example, that it is dangerous to sell the bear which is yet not hunted; to promise to the public what they have not written. This disappointment probably inclined queen Elizabeth to command the poet to produce him once again, and to show him in love or courtship. This was, indeed, a new source of humour, and produced a new play from the former characters. JOHNSON. 29:) rheumatic;] This word is elsewhere used by our author for peevish, or splenetic, as scorbutico is in Italian. Mrs. Quickly however probably means lunatic. =30) — clear thy chrystals.] Dry thine eyes. 31:) - so dull a kingdom,} i, e. render it callous, insensible. = 32:) How modest in excep tion,] How diffident and decent in making objections. = 35) -strain,] lineage. 34:) That haunted us-] To haunt is a word of the utmost horror, which shows that they dreaded the English as goblins and spirits. 35:) - fate of him.] His fate is what is allotted him by destiny, or what he is fated to perform.86:)-spend their mouths,] that is, bark; the sportsman's term. 37:) — memorable line,] This ge nealogy; this deduction of his lineage, = 38:) Shall chide your trespass,] To chide is to resound, to echo.= ACT II.1:) - the gilt of France,] Gilt, which, in our author, generally signifies a display of gold, in the present instance, meaus golden money. = 2:) while we force a play.] To force a play, is to produce a play by compelling many circumstances into a narrow compass. 3:) and we'll be all three sworn brothers to France; The humour of sworn brothers should be opened a little. In the time of adventure, it was usual for two chiefs to bind themselves to share in each other's fortune, and divide their acquisitions between them. So, in the Conqueror's expedition, Robert de Oily, and Roger de Ivery, were fratres jurati; and Robert gave one of the honours he received to his sworn brother Roger. So these three scoundrels set out for France, as if they were going to make a conquest of the kingdom. =4:) — Ŭ well-a-day, Lady, if he be not drawn now!] This is omitted by Mr. Malone.5:) I am not Barbason; Barbason is the name of a dæmon mentioned in The Merry Wives of Windsor. The unmeaning tumour of Pistol's speech very naturally reminds Nym of the sounding nonsense uttered by conjurors. 6:) Therefore exhale.] Exhale, perhaps bere signifies draw, or in Pistol's language, hale, = the mines. = = upon our cue,] in our turn. This phrase the author learned = = = 5:) ACT IV. 1:) stilly sounds,] i. e. gently, lowly. = 2:) -the other's umber'd face:] Umber'd means here discoloured by the gleam of the fires. Umber is a dark yellow earth, brought from Umbria in Italy, which being mixed with water, produces such a dusky yellow colour as the gleam of fire by night gives to the countenance. = = 3:) over-lusty-] i. e. over-saucy.=4:) Do the low-rated English play at dice;] i. e. do play them away at dice. Minding true things,] To mind is the same as to call to remembrance. 6:)"That we should 'dress, &c.-MALONE. = 7:) With casted slough, &c.] Slough is the skin which the serpent annually throws off, and by the change of which he is supposed to regain new vigour and fresh youth. Legerity is lightness, nimbleness. JOHNSON. 8:) It sorts-] i. e. it agrees. 9:)-conditions:] Are qualities. The meaning is, that objects are represented by his senses to him, as to other men by theirs. What is danger to another is danger likewise to him; and, when he feels fear, it is like the fear of meaner mortals.10:)—their children rawly left.] i. e. left young and helpless.=11:)—native punishment,] That is, punishment in their native country; or, perhaps, native punishment is such as they were born to, if they offend.= 12:) Every subject's duty-] This is a very just distinction, and the whole argument is well followed, and properly concluded. 13:) 'Mass, you'll pay him then!] To pay, in old language, meant to thrash or beat; and here signifies to bring to account, to punish.=14:)-too round;] i. e. too rough, too unceremonious. 15:) Upon the king! &c.] There is something very striking and solemn in this soliloquy, which the king breaks immediately as soon as he is left alone. Something like this, on less occasions, every breast has felt. Reflection and seriousness rush upon the mind upon the separation of a gay company, and especially after forced and unwilling_merriment. JOHNSON. 16:) - farced title running, &c.] Farced is stuffed. The tumid puffy titles with which a king's name is always introduced. This, I think, is the sense. JOHNSON.=17:) Can sleep so soundly, &c.] These lines are exquisitely pleasing. To sweat in the eye of Phœbus, and to sleep in Elysium, are expressions very poetical. JOHNSON. 18:) but little_wots, || What watch the king keeps to maintain the peace, Whose hours the peasant best advantages.] The sense of this passage, which is expressed with some slight obscurity, seems to be- He little knows at the expense of how much royal vigilance, that peace, which brings most advantage to the peasant, is maintained. To advantage is a verb elsewhere used by Shakspeare. = 19:) Two chantries,] One of these monasteries was for Carthusian monks, and was called Bethlehem; the other was for religious men and women of the order of Saint Bridget, and was named Sion. They were on opposite sides of the Thames, and adjoining the royal manor of Sheen, now called Richmond.20:) Via!-les eaux et la terre-1 Via is an old hortatory exclamation, as allons !== 21:) And dout them-] Dout is a word still used in War into ACT III. = 1:) — rivage,] The bank or shore. 2:)to sternage of this navy ;] The steru being the hinder part of the ship, the meaning is, let your minds follow close after the navy. Stern, however, appears to have been anciently synonymous to rudder.=3:)— linstock-] The staff to which the match is fixed when ordnance is fired. =4:)jutty-] The force of the verb to jutty, when applied to a rock projecting into the sea, is not felt by those who are unaware that this word anciently signified a mole raised to withstand the encroachment of the tide. Jutty-heads, in sea language, are platforms standing on piles, near the docks, and projecting without the wharfs, for the more convenient docking and undocking ships. = 5:) - his confounded base,] His worn or wasted base. 6:) "you noble English." MALONE. 7:)-argument.] Is matter, or subject.: = 8:) like greyhounds in the slips,] Slips are a contrivance of leather, to start two dogs at the same time. 9:) - Fluellen.] This is only the Welsh pronunciation of Lluellyn. Thus also Flloyd instead of Lloyd. = 10:) · -to men of mould! To men of earth, to poor mortal men. 11:)-best men ;] that is, bravest; so in the next lines, good deeds are brave actions. 12:)—the men would carry coals ] It appears that, in Shakspeare's age, to carry coals, was, I know not why, to endure affronts.13:) is dight himself four yards under the countermines:] Fluellen means, that the enemy had digged himself countermines four yards under 14:) will plow up all,] that is, he will blow up all. 15:) I sall quit you] That is, I shall, with your permission, requite you, that is, answer you, or interpose with my arguments, as I shall find opportunity. 16:) there is an end. It were to be wished, that the poor merriment of this dialogue had not been purchased with so much profaneness. JOHNSON. = 17:)—— fell feats || Enlink'd to waste and desolation?] All the savage practices naturally concomitant to the sack of cities. 18:) Whiles yet the cool and temperate wind of grace || O'erblows the filthy and contagious clouds-] This is a very harsh metaphor. To overblow is to drive away, or to keep off. = 19:) are we addrest.] i. e. prepared.=20:) Scene IV] This scene is mean enough, when it is read; but the grimaces of two French women, and the odd accent with which they attered the English, made it divert upon the stage. It may be observed, that there is in it not only the French language, but the French spirit. Alice compliments the princess upon her knowledge of four words, and tells her that she pronounces like the English themselves. The princess suspects no deficiency in her instructress, nor the instructress in herself. Throughout the whole scene there may be found French servility, and French vanity. JOHNSON. = 21:) "may foy" - MALONE. 22:) our fathers' luxury,] In this place, as in others, luxury means lust. 23:) -savage-] is here used in the French original sense, for silvan, uncultivated, the same with wild. 24:) In that nook-shotten isle of Albion.] Shotten signifies any thing projected: so nook-shotten isle, is an isle that shoots out into capes, promontories, and necks of land, the very figure of Great Britain. = 25:) A drench for sur-rein'd jades,] Sur-rein'd means over worked or ridden; and is perhaps derived from the reins of the back. 26:) lavoltas high,] A dance in which there was much turuing and much capering. = 27:) With pennons-] Pennons armorial were small flags, on which the arms, device, and motto of a knight were painted. 28:)- melted snow —] The poet has here defeated himself by passing too soon from one image to another. To bid the French rush upon the English as the torrents formed from melted snow stream from the Alps, was at once vehement and proper, but its force is destroyed by the grossness of the thought in the next line.=29:) Of buxom valour,] i. e. valour under good command, obedient to its superiors. 30:) For he hath stol'n a pix,] A pix, or little chest, (from the Latin word pixis, a box,) in which the consecrated host was used to be kept. 31:) The fig of Spain!] Mr. Steevens thinks this is an allusion to the custom of giving poisoned figs to those who were the objects either of Spanish or Italian revenge.wickshire, and signifies to do out, or extinguish, = 22:) =32:)—a sconce,] appears to have been some hasty, rude, inconsiderable kind of fortification.33:)—a beard of the general's cut,] It appears from an old ballad inserted in a Miscellany, entitled Le Prince d' Amour, 8vo. 1660, that our ancestors were very curious in the fashion of their beards, || and that a certain cut or form was appropriated to the soldier, the bishop, the judge, the clown, &c. The spade-beard, and perhaps the stiletto-beard also, was appropriated to the first of these characters. It is observable that our author's patron, Henry Earl of Southampton, who spent much of his time in camps, is drawn with the latter of these beards; and his unfortunate friend, Lord Essex, is constantly represented with the former. = 34:) — his fire's out.] This is the last time that any sport can be made with the red face of Bardolph, which, to confess the truth, seems to have taken more hold on Shakspeare's imagination than on any other. The conception is very cold to the solitary reader, though it may be somewhat invigorated by the exhibition on the stage. This poet is always more careful about the present than the future, about his audience than his readers. JOHNSON, =35:) Enter Montjoy.] Mont-joie is the title of the first king at arms in France, as Garter is in our own country. 36:) by my habit.] That is, by his herald's coat. The person of a herald being inviolable, was distinguished in those times of formality by a peculiar dress, which is likewise yet worn on particular occasions.=87:) — = a hilding foe;] Hilding, or hinderling, is a low uretch. times. JOHNSON. = 31:) From this day to the ending –] It 38:) - our gilt, i. e. golden show, superficial gilding, || JOHNSON. = 22:) untempering effect-] The sense is, that you love me notwithstanding my face has no power to temper, i. e. soften you to my purpose. = 23:) - -weak list—] ì. e. slight burrier. = 24:) — my condition is not smooth:] Condition is temper. 25:) Pardon the frankness of my mirik,] We have here but a mean dialogue for princes; the merriment is very gross, and the sentiments are very worthless. JOHNSON. 26:) This moral-] that is, the application of this table. The moral being the application of a fable, oar author calls any application a moral. =27:) Mr. Steevens, in edit. 1793, 15 vols, reads "for my wish."=28:) Our beading author ] By bending, our author meant unequal to the weight of his subject; and bending beneath it. = 28) Alangling by starts by touching only on select parts. =30:)-the world's best garden- i. e. France. = XXI, KING HENRY VI. = = ACT I. 1:) Hung be the heavens with black,] Allading to our ancient stage practice when a tragedy was to be expected. 2:) "King Henry," &c. MALONE. 3:)—the subtle-witted French, &c.] There was a notion prevalent a long time, that life might be taken away by metrical charms. As superstition grew weaker, these charms were imagined only to have power on irrational animals. In our author's time it was supposed that the Irish could kill rats by a song. 4:) "moisten'd eye," MALONE. 5:) Our isle be made a nourish - probably a nurse. = 6:) "A third thinks," &e. L MALONE. 7:) her flowing tides.] i. e. England's flowing tides. = = 8:) their intermissive miseries.] i. e. their miseries, which have had only a short intermission from Heary the Fifth's death to my coming amongst them. 9:) If sir John Fastolfe, &c.] For an account of this sir Joan Fastolfe, see Anstis's Treatise on the Order of the Garter; Parkins's Supplement to Blomfield's History of Norfolk; Tanner's Bibliotheca Britannica; or Capel's notes, vol. ii. p. 221.; Sir John Fenu's Collection of the Paston Letters; and Biographia Britannica, vol. v.; an elaborate article by Mr. Gough, which none of the commentators appear to have consulted. 10:) —as their hangry prey.] i, e. the prey for ACT V. = 1:) a = which they are hungry. 11:) England all Olivers and - a mighty whiffler-] An officer who walks first in processions, or before persons in high staRowlands bred,] These were two of the most famous in the tions, on occasions of ceremony. The name is still retained list of Charlemagne's twelve peers; and their exploits are in London, and there is an officer so called that walks be- rendered so ridiculously and equally extravagant by the old fore their companies at times of public solemnity. It seems romances, that from thence arose that saying amongst our a corruption from the French word huissier.=2:) — to have plain and sensible ancestors, of giving one a Howland for borne, &c.] The construction is, to have his bruised helmet, his Oliver, to signify the matching one incredible lie with &c. borne before him through the city: i. e. to order it to another. WARBURTON. Rather, to oppose one hero to anbe borne. 3:) Giving full trophy,) Transferring all the other; i. e. to give a person as good a one as he brings. honours of conquest, all trophies, tokens, and shows, from STEEVENS. = = 12:) — gimmals-] A gimmal is a piece of himself to God. 4:) — likelihood,] Likelihood for simili- jointed work, where one piece moves within another, whence tude. WARBURTON.— 5:)—the general of our gracious emit is taken at large for an engine. It is now by the vulgar press-] The earl of Essex, in the reign of queen Elizabeth. called a gimcrack. 13:) Bastard of Orleans,] That this in = 6:) Bringing rebellion broached] Spitted, transfixed. former times was not a term of reproach, see Bishop Hurd's = 7:) To have me fold up, &c.] Dost thou desire to have Letters on Chivalry and Romance, iu the third volume of me put thee to death. 8:) astonished him.] That is, you his Dialogues, p. 233, who observing on circumstances of have stunned him with the blow. = 9:) — gleeking —]' i. e. agreement between the heroic and Gothic manners, says scoffing, sneering. Gleek was a game at cards. 10:) — that "Bastardy was in credit with both." One of William English condition.] Condition is temper, disposition of mind. the Conqueror's charters begins, "Ego Gulielmus cogno=11:) Doth fortune play the huswife-] that is, the jilt. mento Bastardus." Nor was bastardy reckoned a disgrace Huswife is here used in an ill sense. 12:) The comic among the ancients. See the eighth Iliad, in which the illescenes of The History of Henry the Fourth and Fifth are gitimacy of Teucer is mentioned as a panegyric upon him, now at an end, and all the comic personages are now dis- ver. 284. 14:) -nine sibyls of old Rome;] There were ao missed. Falstaff and Mrs. Quickly are dead; Nym and Bar- nine sibyls of Rome; but he confounds things, and mistakes dolph are hanged; Gadshill was lost immediately after the this for the nine books of Sibylline oracles, brought to ove robbery; Poins and Peto have vanished since, one knows of the Tarquins. 15:) "which you may see." MALONE. = not how; and Pistol is now beaten into obscurity. I believe 16:) Resolve on this:] i. e. be firmly persuaded_of it.=17: every reader regrets their departure. JOHNSON.13:) Unto "Out of a great deal," &c. MALONE. 18:) Expect saint this bar-] To this barrier; to this place of congress. Martin's summer,] That is, expect prosperity after mis14:) deracinate-] To deracinate is to force up by the fortune, like fair weather at Martlemas, after winter bas roots.= 15:) diffus'd attire,] Diffused for extravagant. begun. : 19:) Nor yet saint Philip's daughters,] Meaning The military habit of those times was extremely so. 16:) the four daughters of Philip mentioned in the Acts. 20) -former favour,] Former appearance. 17:) = --we will, there is conveyance.] Conveyance means theft. = 21:) suddenly, Pass our accept, and peremptory answer.] i. e. Break up the gates,] To break up in Shakspeare's age was the we will pass our acceptance of what we approve, and we same as to break open. = 22:)- tawny coats] Tawny was will pass a peremptory auswer to the rest. Politeness might a colour worn for mourning, as well as black; and was forbid his saying, we will pass a denial, but his own dignity therefore the suitable and sober habit of any person cmrequired more time for deliberation. 18:)-such a plain ployed in an ecclesiastical court =23:) Piel'd priest,] Alking, I know not why Shakspeare now gives the king nearly juding to his shaven crown. Malone reads "Peel'd." such a character as he made him formerly ridicule in Percy. 24:) Thou, that gav'st whores indulgences to sin:] The This military grossness and unskilfulness in all the softer public stews were formerly under the district of the bishop arts does not suit very well with the gaieties of his youth, of Winchester.=25:) I'll canvas thee-] i. e. I'll sift thee. with the general knowledge ascribed to him at his accession, 26:) This be Damascus, be thou cursed Cain,] About foar or with the contemptuous message sent him by the Dauphin, miles from Damascus is a high hill, reported to be the same who represents him as fitter for a ball room than the field, on which Cain slew his brother Abel. = 27:) Winchester and tells him that he is not to revel into duchies, or win goose,] A strumpet, or the consequence of her love, was a provinces with a nimble galliard. The truth is, that the Winchester goose.=28:) I'll call for clubs, if you will not poet's matter failed him in the fifth Act, and he was glad away:] This was an outcry for assistance, on any riot or to fill it up with whatever he could get; and not even Shak- quarrel in the streets. 29:) - stomachs-] Stomach is speare can write well without a proper subject. It is a pride, a haughty spirit of resentment. 30:) I myself fight vain endeavour for the most skilful hand to cultivate barnot once in forty year. The mayor of London was not renness, or to paint upon vacuity. JOHNSON. 19:) - no brought in to be laughed at, as is plain by his manner of strength in measure,] i. e. in dancing.-20:)-look greenly,] interfering in the quarrel, where he all along preserves a i. e. like a young lover, aukwardly." 21:) take a fellow sufficient dignity. In the line preceding these, he directs of plain and uncoined constancy;] Uncoined constancy his officer, to whom, without doubt, these two lines should siguities real and true constancy, unrefined and unadorned. || be given. They suit his character, and are very expressive -- = mate,] A bookman. It was a term of reproach at the time towards men of learning, or men affecting to be learned. 8:) "Yield, my lord protector;" - MALONE. = 9:) — hath a || kindly gird.] i. e. feels an emotion of kind remorse. 10:) reguerdon] Recompence, return. = 11:) Here enter'd Pucelle, and her practisants; Practice, in the language of that time, was treachery, and perhaps in the softer sense, stratagem. Practisants are therefore confederates in stratagem. JOHNSON. 12:) No way to that, that is, no way equal to that, no way so fit as that. JOHNSON. 13:) — the pride of France.] Pride signifies the haughty power. 14:) Mr. Malone omits sir. 15:) That stout Pendragon,] This hero was Uther Pendragon, brother to Aurelius, and father to king Arthur. Shakspeare has imputed to Pendragon an exploit of Aurelius, who, says Holinshed, "even sicke of a flixe as he was, caused himself to be carried forth in a litter: with whose presence his people were so incouraged, that encountering with the Saxons they wan the victorie. 16:)-take some order --] i. e. make some necessary dispositions. 17:) But be extirped-] To extirp is to root out. 18:) expuls'd-] i. e. expelled. 19:) these haughty- Haughty does not mean violent in this place, but elevated, high spirited. =20:) Done like a Frenchman; turn, and turn again!] The inconstancy of the French was always the subject of satire. I have read a dissertation written to prove that the index of the wind upon our steeples was made in form of a cock, to ridicule the French_for their frequent changes. JOHNSON.=21:) I do remember how my father said,] The author of this play was not a very correct historian. Heary was but nine months old when his father died, and never saw him. 22:) - resolved] i. e. conrewarded. The word was obsolete even in the time of Shakspeare. Chaucer uses it in the Boke of Boethius. 24:) these colours that I wear -] This was the badge of a rose, aud not an officer's scarf. 25:) That, who so draws a sword, 'tis present death;] i. e. with a menace in the court, or in the presence chamber. = of the pacific temper of the city guards. WARBURTON. I see reason for this change. The mayor speaks first as a magistrate, and afterwards as a citizen. JOHNSON. Notwithstanding Warburton's note in support of the dignity of the mayor, Shakspeare certainly meant to represent him as a poor well-meaning, simple man, for that is the character he invariably gives to his mayors. The mayor of London, in Richard III. is just of the same stamp. And so is the mayor of York in the Third Part of this play, where he refuses to admit Edward as king, but lets him into the city as duke of York, on which Gloster says "A wise stout captain! and persuaded soon. "Hast. The good old man would fain that all were well." Such are all Shakspeare's mayors. M. MASON. 31:) The prince's espials-] Espials are spies. 32:) "Now do thou watch, for 1 can stay no louger." MALONE. = 33:)-so pil'd esteem'd.] Mr. Malone reads 80 vile-esteem'd. — So pill'd, may mean- so pillag'd, so stripped of honours; but Mr. Steevens thinks Shakspeare wrote Philistin'd; i. e. treated as Sampson was by the Philistines. 34:) "Here, through this grate, 1 count each one." MALONE. = 35:)thy cheek's side struck off!] Camden says in his Remaines that the French scarce knew the use of great ordnance, till the siege of Maus in 1455, when a breach was made in the walls of that town by the English, under the conduct of this carl of Salisbury; and that he was the first English gentleman that was slain by a cannon-ball. = 36:) "and like thee, Nero." MALONE. 37:) Pucelle or puzzel,] Pussel means a dirty wench or a drab, from puzza, i. e. malus fætor, says Minsheu. = 38:)|| Blood will I draw on thee,] The superstition of these times taught that he that could draw the witch's blood, was free from her power. JoHNSON. = = 39:)—by fear, &c.] See Han-firmed in opinion of it. = 23:) Or been reguerdon'd—] i, e. nibal's stratagem to escape by fixing bundles of lighted twigs on the horus of oxen, recorded in Livy, lib. xxii. c. 16. 40:) "from the English:"MALONE. 1:) "the bells aloud throughout," &c. - MALONE. == 42:) Than Rhodope's,] Rhodope was a famous strumpet, who acquired great riches by her trade. The least, but most finished of the Egyptian pyramids was built by her. She is said afterwards to have married Psammetichus, king of Egypt. Dr. Johnson thinks that the Dauphin meaus to call Joan of Arc a strumpet, all the while he is making this loud praise of her. = 43:) coffer of Darius,] When Alexander the Great took the city of Gaza, the metropolis of Syria, amidst the other spoils and wealth of Darius treasured up there, he found an exceeding rich and beautiful little chest or casket, and asked those about him what they thought fittest to be laid up in it. When they had severally delivered their opinions, he told them he esteemed nothing so worthy to be preserved in it, as Homer's Iliad. = = ACT II. =1:) - court of guard] The same phrase occurs again in Othello, Antony and Cleopatra, &c. and is equivalent to the modern term-guard-room. = 2:) · -unready so?] Unready was the current word in those times for undressed.=3:) platforms-] i. e. plans, schemes. 4:) where she lies ;] i. e. where she dwells.: = 5:) their censure i. e. their opinion.=6:)—writhled —]i. e. wrinkled. = 7:) · -80 fond,] i. e. so foolish. 8:) bruited,] To bruit is to proclaim with noise, to announce loudly. 9:)- bear him best,] i. e. regulate his motions most adroitly. 10:) I love no colours;] Colours is here used ambiguously for tints and deceits. 11:) well objected;] Properly thrown in our way, justly proposed.=12:) "faction," MALONE. 13:)crestless yeomen] i. e. those who have no right to arins. =14:) He bears him on the place's privilege,] The Temple, being a religious house, was an asylum, a place of exemption from violence, revenge, and bloodshed. JOHNSON. = 15:) Corrupted, and exempt-] Exempt for excluded. 16:) For your partaker Poole,] Partaker in ancient language signifies one who takes part with another, au accomplice, a confederate. = 17:) To scourge you for this apprehension:] Apprehension, i. e. opinion. 18:))-parsuivants of death, Pursuivants, the heralds that, forerunning death, proclaim its approach. 19:) as drawing to their exigent:] Exigent, end. = 20:) the arbitrator of despairs, Just death, kind umpire-] that is, he that terminates or concludes misery. The expression is harsh, and forced. JOHNSON. = 21:)-late-despised-] i, e. lately despised.22:) I'll tell thee my disease.] Disease seems to be here uneasiness, or discontent. 23:) in this haughty great attempt,] Haughty is high. =24:) Thou art my heir; the rest, I wish thee gather;] The sense is-1 acknowledge thee to be my heir; the consequences which may be collected from thence, I recommend it to thee to draw.=25:) Or make my ill-] My ill, is my ill usage.= MA ACT III. 1:) — put up a bill;] i. e. articles of accusation, for in this sense the word bill was sometimes used.2:) Thou bastard of my grandfather!] The bishop of Winchester was an illegitimate son of John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster, by Catharine Swynford, whom the duke afterwards married.3:) "Rome shall remedy this.". LONE. 4:) Roam thither then.] Roam to Rome. To roam is supposed to be derived from the cant of vagabonds, who often pretended a pilgrimage to Rome. JOHNSON. = 5:) - unaccustom'd fight] Unaccustom'd is unseemly, indecent. 6:) "but to his majesty:"-MALONE. = 7:)—an inkhorn = ACT IV. = 1:) - such as shall pretend-] To pretend is to design, to intend. = 2:) To tear the garter from thy craven's leg, i. e. thy mean, dastardly leg. =3:)—haughty courage, Haughty is here in its original sense for high. 4:) in most extremes,] i. e. in greatest extremities. 5:) Pretend-] To pretend seems to be here used in its La tin sense, i. e. to hold out, to stretch forward. It may mean, however, as in other places, to design.=6:) "How say you, my lord MALONE. = 7:)-I am prevented,] Prevented is here anticipated; a Latinism. 8:)- did repugn the truth,] To repugn is to resist. = 9:) 'Tis much,] In our author's time this phrase meant-Tis strange, or wonderful.=10:) - when envy breeds unkind division;] Envy in old English writers frequently means enmity. Unkind is unnatural. = 11:) To rive their dangerous artillery] To rive their artillery means only to fire their artillery. To rive is to burst: and a cannon, when tired, has so much the appearance of bursting, that, in the language of poetry, it may well be said to burst. We say, a cloud bursts, when it thunders.: = 12:) - due thee withal;] To due is to endue, to deck, to grace. = 13:) be then in blood:] Be in high spirits, be of true mettle.= 14:) Not rascal-like,] A rascal deer is the term of chase for lean poor deer. = 15:) And 1 am lowted-] i. e. treated with contempt like a lowt, or low country fellow. 16:)-are done.] i. e. expended, consumed. The word is yet used in this sense in the Western counties. 17:)-the vulture-] Alluding to the tale of Prometheus. 18:)-from bought and sold lord Talbot;] i. e. from one utterly ruined by the treacherous practices of others. = 19:) ring'd about] Environed, encircled. 20:) -in advantage ling'ring,] Protracting his resistance by the advantage of a strong post. 21:)-worthless emolation.] In this line, emulation signifies merely rivalry, not struggle for superior excellence. 22:) Mr. Malone omits and. = 23:) a feast of death,] To a field where death will be feasted with slaughter. 24:) - unavoided —] for unavoidable. 25:)-noble Talbot stood.] For what reason this scene is written in rhyme, I cannot guess. If Shakspeare had not in other plays mingled his rhymes and blank verses in the same manner, I should have suspected that this dialogue had been a part of some other poem which was never finished, and that being loath to throw his labour away, he inserted it here. JOHNSON.=26:) - your regard—] Your care of your own safety. 27:)-- fair son, || Born to eclipse, &c.] A quibble, between son and sun. 28:) To my determin'd time—] i. c. ended. =29:) On that advantage, bought with such a shame, (To save a paltry life, and slay bright fame,)] The sense is Before young Talbot fly from his father, (in order to save his life while he destroys his character, on, or for the sake of, the advantages you mention, namely, preserving our household's name, &c. may my coward horse drop down dead! MALONE.=30:) And like me to the peasant boys of France;] To like one to the peasants, is, to compare, to level by comparison.=31:) Triumphant death, smear'd with captivity!) that is, death stained and dishonoured with captivity. JOHNSON. = 32:) Tend'ring my ruin,] Watching me with tenderness in my fall. = 33:) Thou antic death, The fool, or antie of the play, made sport by mocking the graver personages. 34:)-winged through the lither sky,] Lither is flexible or yielding. 35:)-raging wood,] i. e. raging mad. = 36:)-in French |