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Dronio;" for "Dromio, thou Dromio," (altered in some editions, to "thou drone,") Com. of E. ii. 2.—" Make friends invited;" for "Make friends invite," Tam. of Sh. iii. 2. The speech in Act iv. Sc. 2 of "Love's L. L.," hitherto given in all editions to Jaquenetta, and which (in her mouth) has puzzled the commentators from its presenting a direct contradiction to her previous one, (stating that the letter is from Don Armado,) has now been assigned to Sir Nathaniel; who,-having just read the letter, and seen the signature it contains, takes the answer out of her mouth, saying:—“Ay, Sir, from one Monsieur Biron, one of the strange queen's lords." Holofernes corrects him for this mistake in the next speech :-"Sir Nathaniel, this Biron is one of the votaries with the king ;"—thereby showing who it is that has made the wrong assertion. -In the opening scene of "Romeo and Juliet," Citizens has been placed as a prefix, instead of First Cit., to the speech commencing "Clubs, bills, and partizans!" which seems to be a collection of exclamations uttered by several persons, rather than the words of one person.—In the same play (Act i. Sc. 5) the entrances and several prefixes of the various servants have been somewhat differently arranged from the ordinary method, which has been confessed to be unsatisfactory. In the last scene of "Antony and Cleopatra" the stage directions have been remodelled with an attempt at supplying a clearer idea of the disposal, situation, and procedure in the monument, than has till now been given; and there is the less scruple in making this alteration, since the stage directions are modern additions founded upon Plutarch's account of the incidents which take place in that scene.

Among the particular punctuations which we have adopted in variance with other Editors' views of certain passages, one may be cited, where Bellario says (Cymb. v. 5), "We will die all three but I will prove," &c. Most Editors print a colon after "three:" whereas we take the phrase to be an idiom, in which "but I will” is equivalent to-" if I do not." The words, too, in Lear v. 3, "Nor no man else," which are usually somewhat linked to what follows by a shorter stop, we put a period to, by a full stop and dash; assuming them to be a following up of Kent's previous attempt to explain to his old master his identity. "I am the very man,-that from your first of difference and decay, have followed your sad steps,-nor no man else."-The irrelevant interruptions of the wandering-minded old king, the perseverance of his faithful follower, with at length his despairing ejaculation when he ceases :-"All's cheerless, dark, and deadly," strike us as the true version of the passage; and not that "Nor no man else" is a rejoinder to Lear's vacant "You are welcome hither,"-as some have explained it.

The orthography of certain proper names and foreign words occurring in the text has been retained in accordance with the mode of spelling them in the original editions. For instance, "Petruchio" has been retamed, instead of altering it to Petruccio; which would be the true Italian spelling, and not Petrucio, as those modern Editors print it, who wish to correct the old form of the word. But Shakespeare Englished the hero's name for his own purpose, as he did that of the heroine,-Katharina; which, in Italian spelling, would be Catarina. Consistently, therefore, "honorato," instead of "onorato," "coragio," instead of "coraggio," and other similar words, have been preserved in the form which Shakespeare used,-possibly for the sake of rendering them more intelligible to the actors who were to commit them to memory and pronounce them.

The First Folio has been of course adopted as the main guide in ascertaining the

text for the present edition; but though used as a guide, it is not to be followed implicitly, still less exclusively. It contains so many instances of evident errors in transcription and printing, together with so many cases of curtailment for mere stage purposes, that the early Quarto copies are of almost incalculable advantage in verifying and fully establishing the text where they exist; of such plays, for example, as "Romeo and Juliet," "Hamlet," "Lear," and others. In the last-named tragedy, were it not for the Quarto copy, we should have lost a large portion of those vigorous things in the second scene of the fourth Act between the indignant Albany and his tiger-natured wife; also, the whole of that beautiful following scene, between Kent and a gentleman, descriptive of Cordelia's receiving the news of her father's ill-treatment by her sisters, is wanting in the Folio. The manager Shakespeare might have cut them out, (if his own doing at all,) not the author Shakespeare. For acting, they might be too long; but for reading, they are inestimable, as completing the dramatic (dramatic, not theatric) art and beauty of the production. The time may come, when every reader of Shakespeare will be, to a certain extent, his own editor; and the difficulties arising out of the early and original copies almost demand this: meantime, the best thing that an appointed Editor can do, is honestly and conscientiously to set forth the text according to his own belief of what it is, as gathered from such (in many respects imperfect) materials as exist to found it upon. To ascertain, is in some points impossible; the utmost that can be done is earnestly to examine and weigh,-and then decide as nearly accurately as judgment will enable. The immense difficulty of making up one's mind upon disputed passages,-where frequently so much is to be said on both sides of the question, and where such cogent arguments arise in favour of each different reading,--can only be estimated by those who undertake the task of decision. This difficulty amounts in some cases to the actual retaining of what has been formerly rejected, or rejecting what has been formerly retained; for frequently, that which has struck the mind as bearing an opposite sense, an incompatible sense, or even no sense at all, at one time of consideration, will, at another period, assume a consistent and perfectly distinct meaning, and will therefore be ultimately adopted in preference to the sentence previously taken. As a single instance of what we mean, we would refer to the word "love-feat" in Love's L. L., v. 2; for which we at one time substituted the suggested alteration of "love-suit;" but now we perceive the congruity of the term "feat," with the preceding line :—

"Their purpose is, to farie, to court, and dance;"

and, accordingly, we retain the original Folio expression, "love-feat."

These anxious deliberations, these conscientious cares on the part of Editors in selecting what they conceive to be the genuine Shakespearian reading in disputed passages, leading to occasional variance even in their own individual opinions, and to differing actually with themselves,-ought surely to teach diffidence in maintaining their own decisions, and temperance in censuring those of others. Let Shakespeare-Editors but take to heart what is taught in every page of the great master they serve, and they will become more and more worthy to be his ushers and exponents.

To read Shakespeare's works even superficially, is entertainment; to linger over them lovingly and admiringly, is enjoyment; to study them profoundly, is wisdom moral and intellectual.

CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF

SHAKESPEARE'S LIFE.

1564. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE born April 23. Eldest son of John Shakespeare, and Mary Arden his wife. The father was of yeoman rank, and held various offices in the corporation: the mother inherited a small landed estate called Asbyes, and some property in land at Snitterfield. Plague in Stratford from June to

1 year old, 1565.

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1566.

December.

John Shakespeare elected one of the fourteen aldermen of Stratford-upon-Avon. William's brother Gilbert baptized October 13. Here was an early-sent object to awaken ideas of protecting love in the two-year-old child. 1567. John Shakespeare in good circumstances; owner of a copyhold tenement in Henley Street since 1556. Contributed, with others of his borough, towards the relief of the poor during the visitation of the plague in Stratford in 1564. 1568. John Shakespeare received the highest distinction in the power of his fellowtownsmen to bestow; being elected Bailiff of Stratford-upon-Avon. He held the office, as was usual, from Michaelmas to Michaelmas; and was, ex officio, a magistrate.

1569. William's sister Joan baptized April 15; an aunt Joan standing godmother. This was a sister of Mary (Arden) Shakespeare; and had married Edward Lambert. Theatrical performances in Stratford by "the Queen's Players."

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1570. John Shakespeare was in possession of a field called Ingon Meadow. Here may Shakespeare have first run about to gather "daisies pied and violets blue,' -a boy pursuing summer butterflies."

1571.

William's sister Anne baptized September 28. Probably his commencement as "schoolboy, with satchel and shining morning face;" but hardly "creeping like snail unwillingly to school."

1572. The masters of the free grammar-school at Stratford between 1570 and 1578, were, successively, Walter Roche, Thomas Hunt, and Thomas Jenkins. The two former may have been the prototypes of Pinch and Holofernes; the latter, of Sir Hugh Evans.

1573

William's brother Richard baptized March 11. As his family increased, so increased
John Shakespeare's means of supporting them, up to this time.

1574. John Shakespeare purchased of Edmund and Emma Hall, two freehold houses,
with gardens and orchards, in Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, for the sum
of £40.

1575.
1576.

II

12

13

14

1578.

1577.

Gradual declension of John Shakespeare's circumstances in the course of these

three years.

John Shakespeare, at a borough hall meeting, permitted to pay but 3s. 4d. as his share of a levied contribution. Mortgaged his wife's estate of Asbyes. Unable to afford poor-rates; and was left untaxed.

15 years old, 1579. John and Mary Shakespeare sold their
These three years
landed property at Snitterfield for the are the period when
small sum of £4. William's sister Anne Shakespeare might
buried April 4.

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1581.

1582.

have been a student

of the inns of court.

1580. William's brother Edmund baptized May 3.at either of the
Theatrical performances in Stratford-upon-universities, or one
Avon by two companies of players.
A "preliminary bond" to the solemnization of matrimony be-
tween William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway was dated
November 28. The seal used on the bond bore the initials
R. H.,-those of the bride's father, Richard Hathaway.
William Shakespeare's first child, Susanna, baptized May 26.
Three companies of actors performed at Stratford. Burbage,
Greene, Slye, Heminge, and Tooley, were players who came of
Warwickshire families; and were probably acquaintances of
Shakespeare's at this time.

1583. 1584.

1585. William's twin boy and girl, Hamnet and Judith, baptized
February 2. His desire to provide for his increasing family,
his own tastes and talents, and his friends' instances, probably
combined to turn his thoughts towards the stage.

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William

1586. The year of the imputed deer-stealing prank in Sir Thomas Lucy's grounds of
Charlcote. John Shakespeare ceased to be alderman September 6.
left Stratford-upon-Avon for London.

1587. No record of these two years.

1588.

25

1589.

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1590.
1591.

28 1592.

29

1593.

330

Probably engaged in qualifying himself for his profession of actor; and in altering and adapting plays for the theatre of which he became part proprietor.

William Shakespeare a sharer in the Blackfriars Theatre.
twelfth on the list of sixteen sharers.

His name occurs

No record. Diligent thought and application. Rapidly rising in public renown. Spenser's laudatory allusion to Shakespeare as a dramatist, appeared in the "Tears of the Muses;" that poem being then first printed.

Plague in London. Suspension of dramatic performances. Probable period of Shakespeare's possible visit to Italy. Robert Greene's attack upon Shakespeare, posthumously produced by Henry Chettle; who subsequently made apology in his "Kind-heart's Dream."

First edition of "Venus and Adonis" published under the Author's direction by a printer named Richard Field,-said to have been a Stratford man. Building of the Globe Theatre commenced by the leader of the company of actors, Richard Burbage, December 22.

1594. First edition of " Lucrece" brought out at Field's press. Spenser's second

31

1595.

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tribute to Shakespeare, in his poem of "Colin Clout's Come Home Again.' Probable period of Lord Southampton's alleged gift of £1000 to Shakespeare. Probable period of the opening of the Globe Theatre on the Bankside, the spring of this year. The performances usually took place at three o'clock in the afternoon; and, being open to the air, the theatre served for summer representations. 1596. Petition of the Player-sharers (Shakespeare's name fifth on the list) to repair and enlarge their Blackfriars' Theatre for winter performances. William's son Hamnet buried August 11. Help to his parents. Applied for grant of arms to his father.

1597. John and Mary Shakespeare filed a bill in Chancery to recover their mortgaged estate of Asbyes; the mortgagee's son refusing to yield it. William's aid in redeeming his mother's inheritance. His purchase of "New Place," also called the "The Great House," at Stratford: bringing his father and mother home there.

1598. Ben Jonson's comedy, "Every Man in his Humour," first acted, through Shakespeare's influence. Letter from Richard Quiney to Shakespeare, requesting the

1599.
1600.

loan of £30.

No record, these two years: but before then had appeared his Two Gen. of V.,
Love's L. L., Tam. of S., Three Parts of Hen. VI., Titus A., Mids. N. D.,
Hamlet, Rich. II., Rich. III., Two Parts Hen. IV., Rom. and Jul., King
John, Hen. V., As You Like It, Mer. of V., All's Well, Much Ado, and
Merry Wives. The first edition (separate 4to) of Love's L. L., Rich. II., Rich.
III., Rom. and Jul., Two Parts Hen. IV., Hen. V., Much Ado, Mids. N. D.,
and Mer. of V. had been prince-l.

37 years old, 1601. John Shakespeare buried September 8. Thomas Whittington, an old shepherd (possible prototype of Corin, "the natural philospher,") long in the employ of Richard Hathaway, died; leaving in his will a bequest of 40s. to the poor of Stratford, which sum he had placed in the hands of his old master's daughter, Anne Shakespeare.

38

1602.

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

Patent granted by James I. to William Shakespeare and his company of players, to perform at the Globe Theatre and elsewhere, May 17 (Shakespeare's name second on the list.) Bought 107 acres of land, at Stratford, for £320, adjoining his dwelling. Also became owner of a copyhold tenement there. 1603. Additional purchase of land at Stratford, for £60. Letter of Mrs Alleyn (wife to Edward Alleyn, the actor, and founder of Dulwich College) dated October 20, telling her husband that she had seen "Mr Shakespeare of the Globe," in Southwark; where he had a house since 1596; and where he dwelt when in the metropolis.

1604. Probable period of Shakespeare's retirement from the stage as an actor. The withdrawal of his prudence and discretion in counsel, was adverse to the company. His control and presence ceasing, the ill effects were felt.

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1605. Investment of £440 in the purchase of a lease of tithes in Stratford, July 24; described in the indenture as "William Shakespeare, of Stratford-upon-Avon, gentleman. A fellow-actor's (Augustine Phillips) bequest of a gold piece worth 30s. to Shakespeare.

1606. No record: but in the interval since the commencement of the century, Troilus
and Cr., Othello, Tw. Night, Henry VIII., M. for M., Com. of E., Lear,
and Macbeth, had appeared.

1607. Susanna Shakespeare married to Dr John Hall, June 5.
buried December 31, at St Saviour's, Southwark.

Edmund Shakespeare

1608. Shakespeare a grandfather; by the birth of Susanna's child, Elizabeth, baptized
February 21.
her son's house to her grave, and breathing her last in his arms.
Mary Shakespeare buried September 9; probably carried from
Known to be

1610.

in Stratford that autumn; stood godfather to a boy named William Walker,
October 16.

1609. Lord Southampton's letter on behalf of Shakespeare, styling him "my especial
friend;" the earl's steadfast and long standing attachment thus testified after the
supposed gift in 1594. Planted mulberry tree.
Instituted legal process against John Addenbrook in March for the recovery of a
Sonnets first printed May 20.
small debt; and the debtor decamping, a writ was issued by the borough court
against Thomas Horneby, who had become bail.
the poet did not choose to be imposed upon.
This pertinacity shows that

47

1611.

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A fine levied on the 107 acres of arable land purchased by Shakespeare in 1602.
Shakespeare's name on a list of donations, (dated September 11,) contributed by
the townspeople of Stratford for defraying the charge of prosecuting “a bill in
Parliament for the better repair of the highways, &c."

1612. Supposed period of his quitting London, and taking up his permanent residence
at Stratford. One of the plaintiffs in a Chancery suit concerning the lease o
tithes bought in 1605.

possibly with some view of convenience to William Shakespeare purchased a house Globe Theatre burned down June 29.

1613. Richard Shakespeare buried February 4.
in Blackfriars for £140, March 10;
his friends and former fellow-actors.
1614. Fire at Stratford July 9. Shakespeare active to prevent the enclosure of common-
land at his native place. Thomas Greene, clerk of the corporation, sent to
London on the business, made a note, dated November 17, wherein he men-
tions going to see Shakespeare on his coming up to town.
legacy of £5 to Shakespeare.
John Combe's

1615. No record: peace and content leave few traces to mark their existence. In the
course of the last nine years had appeared Ant. and Cleo., Pericles, Winter's
Tale, Tempest, Coriolanus, Timon, Julius Cæsar, and Cymbeline.

1616. Prepared his will January 25.
February 10. Executed his will March 25.
Judith Shakespeare married to Thomas Quiney
Drayton paid Shakespeare a visit at Stratford, and that the hospitable recep-
tion he gave them hastened his end; in some respects a genial close,-entertain-
A legend that Ben Jonson and
ing his brother poets. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE expired April 23: but he ceased
not to live.

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