for which I came hither, namely, to note the ticulars of the chamber.

469. "

Such

par

"The adornment of her bed:-The arras, figures,

"Why, such, and such.”

This should be the language of a person who was giving directions to another to take notes of what he himself at present could not see.-Fachimo, on the spot, and in the act of noting, would have named the express things. There is here, I think, manifest corruption,

470,

This will witness outwardly, "As strongly as the conscience does within, "To the madding of her lord."

Conscience, here, implies apprehension, internal persuasion.

472. " One, two, three."

We must either suppose that Iachimo was four hours in the trunk, or that the clock was wrong, or the maid mistaken, who told her mistress, at the beginning of the scene, that it was not yet midnight.

SCENE III.

477. "Unpaved eunuch."

This is a very whimsical expression.

479.

His goodness forespent on us "We must extend our notice."

i. e. His goodness, having been forespent or paid of old; he now, indeed, seems as an enemy,

but he was once a friend: the sentence is paren

thetic.

480.

The thanks I give,

"Is telling you that I am poor of thanks, "And scarce can spare them."

Hamlet expresses himself in similar terms: Beggar that I am, I am even poor in thanks."

Though it be allow'd in meaner parties,
To knit their souls

In self-figur'd knot;

"Yet you are curb'd from that enlargement by

"The consequence o'the crown."

Thus, too, in Hamlet, Laertes argues with Ophelia :

His will is not his own,

"For he himself is subject to his birth; "He may not, as unvalued persons do,

"Carve for himself; for on his choice depends "The safety and the health of the whole state."

483.

'Shrew me

If I would lose it for a révenue.”

The word "revenue" is differently accentuated in these works, to suit the metre.-In Hamlet we find the accent on the second syllable:

"That no revenue hast, but thy good spirits," &c.

484. "She's my good lady; and will conceive, I hope,

"But the worst of me."

Imogen may mean, she hopes the queen will consider her not to be worse than she is; but I

rather think she speaks here with a loftier spirit, and to challenge the queen's hatred, as if she had said, I wish your mother to think as unfavourably of me as she can.

SCENE IV.

485. Philario's House.-Enter Posthumus and Philario.

According to Mr. Eccles's regulation, this Scene should begin the 3d Act.

"Your sword, or mine; or masterless leaves both

"To who shall find them.”

i. e. To him who shall find them :-the ellipsis is unwarrantable; I would propose :

"To him, shall find them.”

My circumstances,

"Must first induce you so believe: whose strength

"I will confirm with oath.”

We should, perhaps, more properly read,

46 Induce you to belief, whose strength," &c.

Dr. Johnson says, this is ironically uttered but I rather interpret it, the earnest abruption of impatience, to bring Iachimo to the point,-this is a question about HER HONOUR; have done with idle circumstances, and confine yourself to that particular object.

I cannot agree in Dr. Johnson's explanation of this passage, "if you can forbear to flush your cheek with rage."-I rather think Iachimo would say, "then if you are liable to conviction, and susceptible of disgrace; if your countenance can be wrought to change, by any thing, let this evidence of your shame make you pale with despair."

ACT III. SCENE I.

502. "No more such Cæsars :-other of them may have crooked noses; but, to owe such straight arms none.

I believe a quibble is here intended, and the second implication of arms, to be the prompt and direct operation of Cæsar's wars.

504. "

Of him I gather'd honour; "Which he, to seek of me again, perforce, "Behoves me keep at utterance."

This sentence is rather violently elliptical:-of him I gathered honour, which he, being now about to take from me again, it behoves me to preserve or maintain to the last extremity.

A stage phrase, implying, I am fully informed

or instructed in the case.

As would bring within its influence some rate or measure of virtue.

509.

Lovers,

"And men in dangerous bonds, pray not alike."

'Men in dangerous bonds" pray to be released from them, but "lovers" pray for the continuance of their bondage.

511. "

- Mine's beyond beyond."

i. e. It exceeds excess, goes beyond what seemed extreme.

SCENE III.

514. "A goodly day not to keep house with such "Whose roof's as low as ours."

This is a day to allure abroad those who have no more temptation for staying at home than our humble house affords.

Some correction is clearly necessary: sleep," the reading of the old copy, cannot be rightincline to read see boys, with Rowe: it surely was not necessary for Belarius to caution the young men to stoop, in order to come through the entrance of the eave which they so frequently passed. I do not think sweet is the right word. LORD CHEDWORTH.