This is rightly explained by Mr. M. Mason in the edition of 1793. It appears to have been misunderstood (as he remarks) by Warburton and Johnson; it is not well explained by Steevens. P. 184.-39.-249. For nothing hath begot my something grief; This line, notwithstanding the pains taken with the passage by Dr. Johnson, I do not yet understand. P. 184.-40.-250. 'Tis in reversion that I do possess ; This is rightly explained by Mr. M. Mason. P. 185.-41.-251. Queen. So, Green, thou art the midwife to my woe, This passage, misapprehended by Dr. Johnson, is rightly explained by Mr. M. Mason. P. 189.-44.-256. North. And hope to joy, is little less in joy, Than hope enjoy'd. Joy is certainly a verb here. Berk. I come, P. 192.-46.-260. to know, what pricks you on To take advantage of the absent time, And fright our native peace with self-born arms. The absent time (which Warburton understood to mean unprepared) is rightly explained by Dr. Johnson. York. P. 193.-47.-261. Why have they dar'd to march So many miles upon her peaceful bosom; I think this is rightly understood by Dr. Johnson and Mr. M. Mason. Mr. Davies thinks despised here means detested, abhorred P. 193.-47.-262. Boling. My gracious uncle, let me know my fault; K. Rich. As a long parted mother with her child I do not think smiles is a substantive here; nor do I see any need to change meeting to weeping. P. 201.-53.-271. K. Rich. This earth shall have a feeling, and these stones Shall falter under foul rebellion's arms. I prefer rebellion's arms, the reading of the first quarto, to rebellious arms, the reading of the folio. York. P. 211.-61-284. The heavens are o'er your head. Boling. I know it, uncle; and oppose not Myself against their will. But who comes here? Why Mr. Steevens regards myself as an interpolation I do not perceive. M P. 213.-64.-287. K. Rich. Tell Bolingbroke, (for yond', methinks, he is,) I incline to believe Malone was right in supposing that the sacred book (which is often bound in purple leather) is meant, but think the epithet purple was meant to include also a reference to the future effusion of blood. I can hardly persuade myself that testament is here used in its legal sense. It is possible that an allusion to the old practice of divination by opening a book (called the Sortes) may be intended: but of this I much doubt. P. 214.-64.-287. the flower of England's face. I think Steevens's is the right explanation of this expression. Queen. P. 223.-71.-298. Thou, old Adam's likeness, Set to dress this garden, how dares Thy harsh-rude tongue sound this unpleasing news? I would read, Set here to dress this garden, say, how dares. P. 228.-75.-304. Per. Aumerle, thou liest: his honour is as true, Over the glittering helmet of my foe! Lord. I take the earth to the like, forsworn Aumerle; Whether we read take or task, the passage is equally unintelligible to me. I cannot suppose task thy heart to be the true reading. Ibid. And spur thee on with full as many lies I think from sun to sun is the true reading. I understand it as Malone does. P. 240.-86.-320. Queen. Ah, thou, the model where old Troy did stand; Thou map of honour; thou King Richard's tomb, Mr. M. Mason is right. Inn here means a house of entertainment of the superior kind, and is opposed to ale-house, which occurs in the next line but one. P. 251.-95.-334. Boling. O loyal father of a treacherous son! Converts to bad is right. P. 260.-103.-345. K. Rich. Rode he on Barbary? Tell me, gentle friend, Grooom. So proudly, as if he disdain'd the ground. |