This speech is rightly given to the Provost for the reason assigned by Dr. Johnson.

insensible of mortality, and desperately mortal.

I rather incline to think that Dr. Johnson's last explanation is the true one.

P. 129.-97.-335.

Clo. First, here's young master Rash.

I do not think there is any allusion in this name to the stuff called rash, but to the common signification of the word, hasty, violent, precipi

tate.

P. 131.-98.-339.

All great doers in our trade, and are now for the Lord's
sake.

I prefer Dr. Warburton's explanation to Dr. Johnson's.

P. 133.-100.-341.

Duke. Unfit to live, or die: O, gravel heart!—
After him, fellows; bring him to the block.

I agree with Tyrwhitt. It is clear that the Provost did not wish that Barnardine should be immediately executed, as the accident of Ragozine's death had removed the occasion for it.

I would read yonder generations, as in former editions. Some editors seem extremely fond of mangling the verse.

Duke.

P. 134.-102.-344.

from thence

By cold gradation and weal-balanced form,
We shall proceed with Angelo.

I heartily concur in the opinion of Heath and Hanmer.

P. 139.-105.-349.

Ang. How might she tongue me? Yet reason dares
her?-no.

I incline to think that this is rightly explained by Mr. Malone.

I agree to Dr. Johnson's explanation; but I am not quite sure that Theobald is not right. I have since read Mr. M. Mason's note: I prefer his reading (vailful) to Theobald's.

P. 146.-110.-358.

Duke. Her madness hath the oddest frame of sense,
Such a dependency of thing on thing,

As e'er I heard in madness.

Surely we should read ne'er.

Isab.

P. 146.-111.-358.

For inequality.

do not banish reason

I think Malone's is the right explanation of

inequality.

P. 146.-111.-359.

but let your reason serve,

To make the truth appear, where it seems hid;

And hide the false seems true.

This I do not understand.

P. 148.-112.-361.

Isab. O, that it were as like, as it is true!

Like here clearly means probable. (In some of

the western counties a likely man is commonly used for a well-looking man.)

P. 149.-113.-362.

and, with ripen'd time,

Unfold the evil which is here wrapt up

In countenance.

I prefer Mr. M. Mason's explanation, which is not very dissimilar to Mr. Malone's.

P. 150.-114.-363.

F. Peter. I know him for a man divine and holy,
Not scurvy, nor a temporary meddler.

Before I had read Malone's note, I had I had supposed that a temporary meddler might mean, one who meddles with the occurrences of the times, as they present themselves. I am rather surprised to find Mr. Malone's note omitted in the edition of 1793.

P. 151.-114.-364.

To justify this worthy nobleman,
So vulgarly and personally accus'd.

Vulgarly, I believe in this place means grossly.

If partial and impartial may have the same meaning (which the passages produced seem to prove) impartial may stand; if not, Theobald is incontrovertibly right.

Lucio.

hang'd an hour!

P. 160.-122.-375.

show your sheep-biting face, and be

Mr. Henley is certainly wrong. An hour is the time that criminals when executed usually remain hanging.

P. 163.-125.-379.

Duke. Although by confiscation they are ours.

I concur with Mr. Steevens.

I doubt whether the poet meant all that Dr. Johnson supposes. Since writing the above, I have read Mr. Ritson's note, with whom I agree.

P. 166.128.-383.

Duke. By this, lord Angelo perceives he's safe;
Methinks I see a quick'ning in his eye:

Well, Angelo, your evil quits you well.

It is passing strange; but Shakespeare shews here, as he does in other places, that he was in a hurry to get to the end of his work.

P. 168.-129.-386.

Duke. Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much goodness: There's more behind, that is more gratulate.

Malone appears to me to be right: his note should, I think, have been inserted in the edition. of 1793.

Dr. Johnson's judgment of the serious part of this play appears rather a harsh one. Mr. Harris (the Author of Hermes) once spoke of it to me as a great favourite of his.

Yet, that the world may witness, that my end
Was wrought by nature, not by vile offence,
I'll utter what my sorrow gives me leave.

The meaning of this (which has been mistaken by Warburton) is rightly explained by Malone. A similar explanation is given by Mr. M. Mason, in the edition of 1793.

P. 178.—140.—217.

Therefore, merchant, I'll limit thee this day,
To seek thy help, by beneficial help.

I would read life with Mr. Pope, &c.

P. 179.-141.-219.

Soon, at five o'clock,

Please you, I'll meet with you upon the mart,
And afterwards consort you till bed-time.

Mr. Steevens is right.

P. 183.-144.-224.

They say, this town is full of cozenage;
As, nimble jugglers, that deceive the eye,
Dark-working sorcerers, that change the mind,
Soul-killing witches, that deform the body; ·
Disguised cheaters, prating mountebanks,
And many such like liberties of sin.

I incline to think with Dr. Johnson, that Sir Thomas Hanmer's reading libertines is right;