He has much difgrac'd me in't; I'm angry at him, And does he think fo backwardly of me now, So it may prove an argument of laughter 6 But now return: And with their faint reply this answer join; lain. bis friends, (like phyficians) Thrive, give him over? will which Theobald has mifreprefented. Hanmer reads, try'd, plau- Obfervations and Conjectures, &c. printed at Oxford, 1766. 7 Excellent, &c.] I fuppofe the former part of this speech to have been originally written in verfe, as well as the latter; though the players having printed it as profe (omitting feveral fyllables neceffary to the metre) it cannot now be restored to metre without fuch additions as no editor is at liberty to infert in the text. STEEVENS. 3 The devil knew n ́t what he did,] I cannot but think that the negative not has intruded into this paffage, and the reader will think fo too, when he reads Dr. Warburton's explanation of the next words. JOHNSON. will fet bim clear.] Set him clear does not mean acquit him 1 will fet him clear. How fairly this lord ftrives to appear foul? takes virtuous copies to be wicked: like thofe that under hot, ardent zeal, would fet whole realms on fire. Of fuch a nature is his politick love. This was my lord's beft hope; now all are fled, And this is all a liberal course allows; 2 Who cannot keep his wealth, must keep his houfe. [Exit. before heaven; for then the devil must be fuppofed to know what he did but it fignifies puzzle him, outdo him at his own weapons. WARBURTON. How the devil, or any other being, fhould be fet clear by being puzzled and outdone, the commentator has not explained. When in a crowd we would have an opening made, we fay, Stand clear, that is, out of the way of danger. With fome affinity to this ufe, though not without great harshness, to fit clear, may be to fet afide. But I believe the original corruption is the infertion of the negative, which was obtruded by fome tranfcriber, who fuppofed croffed to mean thwarted, when it meant, exempted from evil. The ufe of croing, by way of protection or purification, was probably not worn out in Shakespeare's time. The fenfe of fet clear is now eafy; he has no longer the guilt of tempting man. To cross himself may mean, in a very familiar fenfe, to clear his fcore, to get out of debt, to quit his reckoning. He knew not what be did, may mean, he knew not how much good he was doing himfelf. There is then no necd of emendation. JOHNSON. 'takes virtuous copies to be wicked; like thofe, &c ] This is a reflection on the puritans of that time. Thefe people were then fet upon a project of new-modelling the ecclefiaßical and civil government according to fcripture rules and examples; which makes him fay, that under zeal for the word of God, they would fit whole realms on fire. So Sempronius pretended to that warm affection and generous jealoufy of friendship, that is affronted, if any other be applied to before it. At beit the fimilitude is an aukward one: but it fitted the audience, though not the Speaker. WARBURTON. -keep his houfe.] i. e. keep within doors for fear of duns. SCENE IV. Changes to Timon's ball. 3 Enter Varro, Titus, Hortenfius, Lucius, and other fervants of Timon's creditors, who wait for his coming out. Var. Well met; good morrow, Titus and Hortenfius. Tit. The like to you, kind Varro. Hor. Lucius? What do we meet together? One bufinefs does command us all, for mine Tit. So is theirs, and ours. Enter Philotus. Luc. And fir Philotus too. Phi. Good day, at once. Luc. Welcome, good brother. What do you think the hour? Phi. I wonder on't; he was wont to fhine at feven. Luc. Ay, but the days are waxed fhorter with him: You must confider that 4 a prodigal's course Is like the fun's; but not like his recoverable. 'Tis deepest winter in lord Timon's purfe; 3 Lucius is here again for the servant of Lucius. That is, like him in blaze and splendour. JOHNSON, Sales occidere et redire poffunt. One may reach deep enough, and yet find little. Tit. I'll fhew how to obferve a strange event. Hor. Moft true, he does. Tit. And he wears jewels now of Timon's gift, For which I wait for money. Hor. It is against my heart. Luc. Mark how ftrange it shows, Timon in this should pay more than he owes : Hor. I am weary of this charge, the Gods can witnefs. I know, my lord hath spent of Timon's wealth, And now ingratitude makes it worse than stealth. Var. Yes, mine's three thousand crowns: what's yours? Luc. Five thousand mine. Var. 'Tis much deep; and it should seem by the fum, Your mafter's confidence was above mine: Tit. One of Lord Timon's men. Luc. Flaminius! Sir, a word. Pray, is my lord Ready to come forth? Flam. No, indeed, he is not. Tit. We attend his lordship; pray, fignify fo much. Flam. I need not tell him that; he knows, you are too diligent. 5 I am weary of this charge,] That is, of this commiffion, of this employment. Elfe, furely, his had equall'd.] Should it not be, eife, jurely, mine bad equall'd. JOHNSON. JOHNSON. Enter Enter Flavius in a cloak muffled. Luc. Ha! is not that his fteward muffled fo? He goes away in a cloud: call him, call him. Tit. Do you hear, fir― Var. By your leave, fir. Flav. What do you ask of me, my friend? Flav. Ay, if money were as certain as your waiting, 'Twere fure enough. Why then preferr'd you not your fums and bills, Believ't, my lord and I have made an end; I have no more to reckon, he to spend. Luc. Ay, but this anfwer will not serve. Flav. If 'twill not ferve, 'tis not fo bafe as you; For you serve knaves. [Exit. Var. How! what does his cafhier'd worship mutter? Tit. No matter what: he's poor, And that's revenge enough. Who can speak broader 7 Enter Servilius. Tit. Oh, here's Servilius; now we shall know Some answer. Serv. If I might befeech you, gentlemen, To repair fome other hour, I fhould Derive much from it: for, take it on my foul, 7 Enter Servilius.] It may be obferved that Shakespeare has unfkilfully filled his Greek flory with Roman names, JOHNSON. |