• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

Of virtuous honour, which buys out his fault;

Nor did he soil, &c.

III.v.22 (333,3)

He did behave, his anger ere 'twas spent,

As if he had but prov'd an argument]

The original copy reads not behave but behoove. I do not well understand the passage in either reading. Shall we try a daring conjecture?

—with such sober and unnoted passion

He did behold his adversary shent,

As if he had but prov'd an argument.

He looked with such calmness on his slain adversary. I do not suppose that this is right, but put it down for want of better. (1773)

III.v.24 (334,4) You undergo too strict a paradox] You undertake a paradox too hard.

III.v.32 (334,5) and make his wrongs His outsides: to wear them like an argument, carelessly. We outside wear; hang like his] The present reading is better.

III.v.46 (335,6) What make we/Abroad?] What do we, or what have we to do in the field.

III.v.46 (335,7)

what make we

Abroad? why then, women are more valiant,

That stay at home, if bearing carry it;

The ass, more than the lion; and the fellow,

Loaden with irons, wiser than the judge,

If wisdom be in suffering]

Here is another arbitrary regulation, the original reads thus,

what make we

Abroad, why then women are more valiant

That stay at home, if bearing carry it:

And the ass more captain than the lion,

The fellow, loaden with irons, wiser than the judge,

If wisdom, &c.

I think it may be better adjusted thus:

what make we

Abroad, why then the women are more valiant

That stay at home;

If bearing carry it, than is the ass

More captain than the lion, and the felon

Loaden with irons, wiser than the judge,

If wisdom, &c.

III.v.54 (336,8) sin's extreamest gust] Gust is here in its common sense; the utmost degree of appetite for sin.

III.v.55 (336,9) by mercy, 'tis most just] [By mercy is meant equity. WARBURTON] Mercy is not put for equity. If such explanation be allowed, what can be difficult? The meaning is, I call mercy herself to witness, that defensive violence is just.

III.v.68 (338,2) a sworn rioter] A sworn rioter is a man who practises riot, as if he had by an oath made it his duty.

III.v.80 (337,3) your reverend ages love/Security] He charges them obliquely with being usurers.

III.v.96 (337,5) Do you dare our anger?/'Tis in few words, but spacious in effect] This reading may pass, but perhaps the author wrote,

our anger?

'Tis few in words, but spacious in effect.

III.v.114 (338,7)

I'll cheer up

My discontented troops, and play for hearts.

'Tis honour with most hands to be at odds]

[Warburton had substituted "hands" for "lands"] I think hands is very properly substituted for lands. In the foregoing line, for, lay for hearts, I would read, play for hearts.

III.vi.4 (339,7) Upon that were my thoughts tiring] A hawk, I think, is said to tire, when she amuses herself with pecking a pheasant's wing, or any thing that puts her in mind of prey. To tire upon a thing, is therefore, to be idly employed upon it.

III.vi.100 (342,9) Is your perfection] Your perfection, is the highest of your excellence.

III.vi.101 (342,1) and spangled you with flatteries] [W: with your] The present reading is right.

III.vi.106 (342,2) time-flies] Flies of a season.

III.vi. 107 (342,5) minute-jacks!] Hanmer thinks it means Jack-a-lantern, which shines and disappears in an instant. What it was I know not; but it was something of quick motion, mentioned in Richard III.

III.vi.108 (342,4) the infinite malady] Every kind of disease incident to man and beast.

IV.i.19 (344,6)

Degrees, observances, customs and laws,

Decline to your confounding contraries,

And yet confusion live!]

Hanmer reads, let confusion; but the meaning may be, though by such confusion all things seem to hasten to dissolution, yet let not dissolution come, but the miseries of confusion continue.

IV.ii (345,1) Enter Flavius] Nothing contributes more to the exaltation of Timon's character than the zeal and fidelity of his servants. Nothing but real virtue can be honoured by domesticks; nothing but impartial kindness can gain affection