VOL. IX. THE CORONATION. Though Sympson's reason for giving this play to Shirly may possibly be controverted, I have no doubt but he is right. The style of this play is totally different from that of Beaumont and Fletcher: it is written in an unnatural, hobbling kind of metre, such as we do not find in any their other productions. Their errors generally arise rather from licentiousness than dull precision they are rather careless in their metre, than languidly correct. Page 10. SOPHIA........ I know you would not have me look upon That title were too narrow to express How we esteem you. It appears, that the quarto of 1640 reads-- Not a favourite; of Which is the true reading; and means, not even as a favourite, for that title were too narrow to express my esteem for you. The same idea oc curs in the 8th page, where Antigonus, speaking of Arcadius, says-- There's a spark! a youth moulded for a favourite! To which Philocles replies Favourite! It is too cheap a name. Page 14. SELEUCUS.... You are my sovereign; Sympson's raillery is indeed ill-founded. Seleucus does not mean to say that he dare not think at all, but that he dare not indulge a particular thought which suggested itself to his mind; probably a suspicion of the Queen's passion for Arcadius. Page 17. LYSANDER....I do not like those hasty The old reading is-- These hasty Proceedings, and whirls of state; And should not have been changed, as there can be no objection to it. Why Seward introduces the word turnings into this passage, merely because he finds the word turns in another, I am at a loss to know. Page 18. ARCADIUS........ Thy lustre wants the admiration here. No amendment is necessary in this passage; but I should be inclined to read Thy lustre wants due admiration here. Page 23. PHILOCLES....It is Enough to question you. That is, to have you called to question. Page 31. SOPHIA... .... Arcadius, you must refuse my love, Or shame this kingdom. This is absolute nonsense, though unnoticed by the Editors. We must undoubtedly read--You must refuse my love, Or share this kingdom. Meaning, that he must either reject her love, or share the kingdom with her. She could not mean, that his not accepting of her love would shame the kingdom. Page 35. SELEUCUS........ A poor shadow of the world, a walking picture. I should read-- A poor shadow in the world. Page 36. SELEUCUS....Is it not pity any division] Should be heard out of musick? That is, except in musick. Page 36. SELEUCUS........ B'y' Captains, that like fools will spend your blood Use than your fathers. The old reading is-- Buy captains, &c. Which was certainly wrong, and Seward was right in amending it: but he has contracted his amendment in such a manner, that it is impossible to know what it is he means. If b'y' means be ye, that is, if you be, he is right. Page 42. ARCADIUS........ Now my foot's in the stirrups, and mounting. Page 42. ARCADIUS....I shall never be in charity We must read-- With a crozier-staff again, Instead of crozier's. Page 43: MACARIUS........ This By an early engagement of your affection passage should be pointed thus--- Exempt this testimony, means without this testi mony. Page 46. CASSANDER........ We come to visit your late prisoner. SS That is, the prisoner lately committed. So, in Henry the Fifth, the King says Who are the late commissioners? Meaning the commissioners lately appointed, Page 55. FORTUNE........ Here all is cold as the airs of winter. This is Theobald's reading, adopted by the Editors as an amendment; the only effect of which is to destroy a poetical beauty. The old reading is Cold as the hairs of winter. Alluding to the isicles on the beard of Hyems; it must therefore be restored. Page 63. SELEUCUS........All my cares Manage the province. No amendment is necessary. Manage the province means, discharge my duty properly as a king. Page 72. SOPHIA........ 'Tis misery to feed, and not know where We should read 'Tis misery to feel, and not know where, &c. Page 76. LEONATUS........But wherefore stays A gentle spirit walk'd upon my blood? |