[45]

THE

COMEDY OF ERRORS.

Vol. 11. Vol. 11. Vol. VII.

P. 175. - 136. 212.

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; but Mr. Steevens's explanation of liberties of sin may be right, and then the old reading will stand.

P. 185.-145.-226.

Adr. But, were you wedded, you would bear some sway.
Luc. Ere I learn love, I'll practise to obey.
Adr. How if your husband start some other where?
Luc. Till he come home again, I would forbear.

I am half inclined to Dr. Johnson's conjecture; but the present reading may be right.

P. 186.-146.-227.

So thou, who hast no unkind mate to grieve thee,
With urging helpless patience would'st relieve me:
But, if thou live to see like right bereft,
This fool-begg'd patience in thee will be left.

In Congreve's Way of the World, on Witwoud's asking what he should do with the fool, (his brother,) Petulant replies, "Beg him for his estate, that I may beg you afterwards, and so have but one trouble with you both."

P. 187.-146.-228.

Luc. Spake he so doubtfully, thou couldst not feel his
meaning?

Dro. E. Nay, he struck so plainly, I could too well feel
his blows; and withal so doubtfully, that I could scarce
understand them.

This poor quibble is used by Milton in Belial's speech P. L. B. VI. 621 et seq:

P. 191-149.-232.

I see, the jewel, best enamelled,
Will lose his beauty; and though gold 'bides still,
That others touch, yet often touching will
Wear gold: and no man, that hath a name,
But falshood and corruption doth it shame.

I do not think wear is used as a dissyllable, and therefore would read, and so no man, &c. Some commentators seem to have no ear. This

reading is adopted by Mr. Steevens, in the edition of 1793.

P. 197.-154.-240.

Keep then fair league and truce with thy true bed;

I live dis-tain'd, thou undishonoured.

Dis-tain'd, as Theobald rightly observes, here means unstained.

P. 198.-155.-241.

Come, I will fasten on this sleeve of thine:

Thou art an elm, my husband, I a vine.

Ergo aut adultâ vitium propagine

Altas maritat populos.

HOR. Epod. 2.

P. 198.-156.-242.

Until I know this sure uncertainty,

I'll entertain the offer'd fallacy.

Is I think more likely to be the true reading than favor'd fallacy.

P. 198.-156.-242.

This is the fairy land;-O, spite of spites !

We talk with goblins, owls, and elvish sprites.

Mr. Malone has himself raised in me a great

respect for the second folio.

P. 202.-158.-246.

Ant. E. I think thou art an ass.
Dro.. E.

Marry, so it doth appear

By the wrongs I suffer, and the blows I bear.

I think this (which is the old) reading is right.

P. 206.-162.-252.

Herein you war against your reputation,

And draw within the compass of suspect

The unviolated honour of your wife.

Once this,Your long experience of her wisdom,

Her sober virtue, years, and modesty,

Plead on her part some cause to you unknown.

I think Steevens is right.

P. 208.-164.-255.

Luc. And may it be that you have quite forgot
A husband's office? shall, Antipholus, hate,
Even in the spring of love, thy love-springs rot?
Shall love, in building, grow so ruinate?

I incline to read Antipholus and ruinous.

P. 210.-165.-257.

Alas, poor women! make us but believe,

Being compact of credit, that you love us;

So in As you like it.

If he compact of jars grow musical

We shall have shortly discord in the spheres.

P. 211.-166.-258.

Spread o'er the silver waves thy golden hairs,
And as a bed I'll take thee, and there lie.

I rather incline to think Mr. Edwards is right.

It is thy self, mine own self's better part;

Mine eye's clear eye, my dear heart's dearer heart;
My food, my fortune, and my sweet hope's aim,
My sole earth's heaven, and my heaven's claim.

I do not understand my heaven's claim, but suppose Dr. Johnson's explanation may be right.

Ibid.

Luc. All this my sister is, or else should be.
Ant. S. Call thyself sister, sweet, for I aim thee.

Aim thee is clearly right.

P. 215.-169.-263.

Ant. S. Where France?

Dro. S. In her forehead; arm'd and reverted,
making war against her hair.

I agree with Malone.

P. 228.-179.-280.

Dro S. Master, here's the gold you sent me for: What,
have you got the picture of old Adam new apparell'd ?

I am in Mr. Theobald's case, and do not understand the passage as it now stands. I think Theobald's emendation happy.

P. 231.-181.-283.

Court. Will you go with me? We'll mend our dinner here.
Dro. S. Master, if you do expect spoon-meat, or bespeak
a long spoon.

I think we should read, either

Master, if you do expect spoon-meat, bespeak a long spoon. or,

Master, if you do, expect spoon-meat, and bespeak a long spoon.

P. 142.-191.-297.

Sweet recreation barr'd, what doth ensue,
But moody and dull melancholy,
(Kinsman to grim and comfortless despair;)
And, at her heels, a huge infectious troop
Of pale distemperatures, and foes to life?

I think with the Author of the Revisal that a dissyllable has dropt out, which he has very well supplied. I incline to read their, though perhaps (as has been observed) kinsman may here be used for near relation.

P. 245.-193.-301.

Anon, I wot not by what strong escape,

He broke from those that had the guard of him.

I think with Malone that we should read

strange; the corruption is easy.

P. 246.-194.-302.

My master and his man have both broke loose,
Beaten the maids a-row, and bound the doctor,
Whose beard they have singed off with brands of fire.

E