Enter Helena, and Widow. King. Is there no Exorcifts Beguiles the truer office of mine eyes? 1s't real, that I fee? Hel. No, my good Lord, 'Tis but a fhadow of a wife you see, The name, and not the thing. Ber. Both, both; oh pardon! Hel. Oh, my good Lord, when I was like this maid, I found you wond'rous kind; there is your ring, And look you, here's your letter: this it fays, When from my finger you can get this ring, And are by me with child, &c. This is done. Will you be mine, now you are doubly won? Ber. If the, my Liege, can make me know this clearly, I'll love her dearly, ever, ever dearly. Hel. If it appear not plain, and prove untrue, [To the Countess. Laf. Mine eyes fmell onions, I fhall weep anon: Good Tom Drum, lend me a handkerchief, [ToParolles. So, I thank thee, wait on me home. I'll make sport with thee let thy courtefies alone, they are fcurvy ones. King. Let us from point to point this ftory know, To make the even truth in pleasure flow : If thou beeft yet a fresh uncropped flower, [To Diana. All yet feems well; and if it end fo meet, 8 Exorcift] This word is ufed not very properly for encbanter. T Spoken by the K IN G. HE King's a beggar now the play is done : That you express content; which we will pay, : *Ours be your patience then, and yours our parts.] The meaning is Grant us then your patience; hear us without interruption. And take our parts; that is, fupport and defend us. This play has many delightful fcenes, though not fufficiently probable, and fome happy characters, though not new, nor produced by any deep knowledge of human nature. Parolles is a boafter and a coward, fuch as has always been the fport of the stage, but perhaps never raised more laughter or contempt than in the hands of Shakespeare. I cannot reconcile my heart to Bertram; a man noble without generofity, and young without truth; who marries Helen as a coward, and leaves her as a profligate when he is dead by his unkindness, sneaks home to a fecond marriage, is accused by a woman whom he has wronged, defends himfelf by falfhood, and is difmiffed to happiness. The ftory of Bertram and Diana had been told before of Mariana and Angelo, and, to confefs the truth, fcarcely merited to be heard a second time. The story is copied from a novel of Boccace, which may be read in Shakespeare Illußrated, with remarks not more favourable to Bertram than my own. THE KING John. Prince Henry, Son to the King. Arthur, Duke of Bretagne, and Nephew to the King. Pembroke, Bigot, Faulconbridge, Baftard-Son to Richard the First. Robert Faulconbridge, fuppos'd Brother to the Bastard. James Gurney, Servant to the Lady Faulconbridge. Peter of 'Pomfret, a Prophet. Philip, King of France. Lewis, the Dauphin. Arch-Duke of Auftria. Card. Pandulpho, the Pope's Legate. Melun, a French Lord. Chatillon, Ambaffador from France to King John. Elinor, Queen-Mother of England. Blanch, Daughter to Alphonfo King of Caftile, and Lady Faulcondridge, Mother to the Baftard, and Robert Faulconbridge. Citizens of Angiers, Heralds, Executioners, Messengers, Soldiers, and other Attendants. The SCENE, fometimes in England; and fometimes in France, Of this Play there are three editions in Quarto preceding the first folio. I. 1591, for Sampson Clarke. II. 1611, Valentine Simmer for III. 1622, Aug. Mathers for THE |