Act II Sc. 1
“It hangs as sightly on the back of him
As great Alcides’ shoes upon an ass.”
This, and all that has been written upon it, is sheer nonsense. As ‘shoes’ and shews are alike in sound, Theobald proposed this last word; but as there was neither picture nor tale existing on the subject, I prefer shew’d in the conjunctive mood. We might also, and better perhaps, read should. After ‘Alcides’’ ‘lion’s robe’ is of course to be understood. The allusion to the ass in the lion’s skin is manifest.
“King Lewis determine what we shall do straight.”
By an ordinary error (Introd. p. 66) ‘Lewis’ is substituted for Philip, both here and in the heading of the next speech.
“Comfort your city’s eyes, your winking gates.”
Rowe read Confront, Capell Confronts, Collier’s folio Come ’fore, which last is, I think, the best.
“In that behalf in which we have challeng’d it.”
Sc. 2
“And Victory, with little loss, doth play
Upon the dancing banners of the French,
Triumphantly displayed; who are at hand.”
I have, it will be seen, made a necessary transposition in the last line. It is strange that no one seems to have observed the error.
“Say shall the current of our right roam on.”
The 2nd folio for ‘roam’ reads run, and ronne might easily become rome. See on Ham. i. 3.
“Kings of our fear; until our fears resolved.”
Tyrwhitt proposed ‘King’d.’ We should punctuate ‘Kings of our fear!’ i.e. Kings whom we fear.
“That daughter there of Spain, the Lady Blanch,
Is near to England.”
Collier’s folio reads niece. In the Two Gent. (iv. 1) we have, “An heir and niece allied unto the Duke,” where all the editors read near.
“Left to be finished by such as she.”
Thirlby proposed a for ‘as.’
“Here’s a stay
That shakes the rotten carcass of old Death.”
‘Stay’ is hindrance, impediment.
“What you in wisdom still vouchsafe to say.”
Capell properly read shall for ‘still.’
“Her dowry shall weigh equal with a queen’s.”
“Hath drawn him from his own determin’d aid.”
For ‘aid’ Mason and Collier’s folio read aim.