“The Fair Maid of the Inn”
Act ii. Speech of Albertus:—
... “But, Sir,
By my life, I vow to take assurance from you,
That right hand never more shall strike my son,
Chop his hand off!”
In this (as, indeed, in all other respects, but most in this) it is that Shakespeare is so incomparably superior to Fletcher and his friend,—in judgment! What can be conceived more unnatural and motiveless than this brutal resolve? How is it possible to feel the least interest in Albertus afterwards? or in Cesario after his conduct?