Act III.

Pericles' Prayer during the Storm at Sea. Thou God of this great vast,* rebuke these surges, Which wash both heaven and hell; and thou that hast Upon the winds command, bind them in brass, Having calls them from the deep! O still thy

deaf'ning, Thy dreadful thunders, gently quench thy nimble

sulphurous flashes. Virtue and Knowledge superior to Nobility and Wealth.

I held it ever,

Virtue and cunningt were endowments greater
Than nobleness and riches; careless heirs
May the two latter darken and expend ;
But immortality attends the former,
Making a man a god.

000

THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR.

It is generally supposed that this comedy was written at the command of Queen Elizabeth, who was so much amused at the humours of Sir John Falstaff in the historical plays, that she desired to have a representation of the fat knight in love. Shakspere is said to have written this play in fourteen days. The escapades of Falstaff occupy the most conspicuous place in it, whilst the episode of the loves of Fenton and Anne Page form a pleasing variety. Dr. Johnson says—“This comedy is remarkable for the variety and number of the personages, who exhibit more characters, appropriated and discriminated, than perhaps can be found in any other play.”

Act III.
Inequality of means and position between lovers an obstacle

to marriage.
He doth object, I am too great of birth;
And that, my state being gall’d with my expense,
I seek to heal it only by his wealth :
Besides these, other bars he lays before me,-
My riots past, my wild societies ;
And tells me, 'tis a thing impossible
I should love thee, but as a property.

The sincerity of Fenton's love for Anne Page.
I will confess, thy father's wealth
Was the first motive that I woo'd thee, Anne:
Yet, wooing thee, I found thee of more value
Than stamps in gold, or sums in sealed bags ;
And 'tis the very riches of thyself
That now I aim at.

a

ACT IV. Legend of Herne the Hunter. There is an old tale goes, that Herne the hunter, Sometime a keeper here in Windsor forest, Doth all the winter time, at still midnight, Walk round about an oak, with great ragged horns ; And there he blasts the tree, and takes* the cattle ; And makes milch-kine yield blood, and shakes a chain In a most hideous and dreadful manner : You have heard of such a spirit; and well you know, The superstitious idle-headed eld Received, and did deliver to our age, This tale of Herne the hunter for a truth.

a

Act V.

Evils of a forced Marriage. You would have married her most shamefully, Where there was no proportion held in love. The truth is, she and I, long since contracted, Are now so sure, that nothing can dissolve us, The offence is holy, that she hath committed : And this deceit loses the name of craft, Of disobedience, or unduteous title; Since therein she doth evitate* and shun A thousand irreligious cursed hours, Which forced marriage would have brought upon her.

INDEX

of, 279

ACHILLES surveying Hector, 89 Authority, a father's, 117
Action to be carried on with resolu- Authority, privilege of, 162

tion, 312
Advice, 136

BANISHMENT, 232
Advice to a son about to travel, 29 Banishment of Belarius described,
Agincou scene before the battle

167.

Beatrice, her awakened love for Be-
Agincourt, speech of King Henry

nedick, 129
before the battle of, 284

Beatrice, her disdainful manner des
Allegiance, firm, 316

scribed, 128
Ambition clad in humility, 50 Beatrice, her disposition described,
Ambitious thoughts, 297

126
Angelo, his character as a Governor, Beautiful boy described, 12
161

Beauty, 157, 188, 215
Anger, 312

Beauty petitioning in vain, 19
Anger, effects of, 316

Bees, commonwealth of, 272
Antony after his defeat, 102

Benedick's disparagement of Bea-
Antony taking leave of his servants,

trice, 125
103

Benedick's recantation, 127
Antony, his description of Brutus, 62 Benedick's ridicule of love, 126
Antony, his despondency, 103 Birth, high, 303
Antony, his luxury, 99

Boasters, 131, 214
Antony, his oration over Cæsar's Bolingbroke coming into London, 240
body, 53

Braggarts, 130, 141
Antony, his virtues and vices, 100 Brawler described, 195
Apemantus, his appeal to Timon, 81 Brutus and Cassius, quarrel scene
Apology of Lord Say, 293

between, 57
Appeal of the Chief- Justice to Henry Brutus and Cassius, parting of, before
V., 268

the battle of Philippi, 62
Appearances, false, 275

Brutus, his address to the citizens, 52
Applause, 318

Buckingham's prayer for Henry
Ariel's description of managing the

VIII., 313
storm, I
Ariel's song, 3, II

Cæsar's suspicions of Cassius, 50
Army, a routed, 170

Caliban's curses, 2, 4
Arthur and Hubert, scene between, Caliban's promises, 5

Calumny, 37
Assassin, countenance of, 225 Capulet and Montague charged by
Assignation, 118

221