THE

235-39

PLAYS AND POEMS

OF

w: SHAKESPEARE,

ACCORDING TO THE

IMPROVED TEXT OF EDMUND MALONE,

INCLUDING THE LATEST REVISIONS,

WITH

A LIFE, GLOSSARIAL NOTES, AN INDEX,

AND

ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY ILLUSTRATIONS,

FROM DESIGNS BY ENGLISH ARTISTS.

EDITED BY

A. J. VALPY, A.M.

FELLOW OF PEMBROKE COLLEGE, OXFORD.

IN FIFTEEN VOLUMES.

VOL. 1.

LONDON:

HENRY G. BOHN, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN.

1857.

Cian Shakespeare ibrary

ADVERTISEMENT.

IN presenting the first volume of this edition of the Works of Shakspeare to the notice of the Public, the Editor deems it expedient to point out the leading features by which it is distinguished.

The text of Malone, as published in 1821, in twenty-one volumes, is scrupulously followed; and a brief Historical Sketch and Argument are affixed to each Play.

Dr. Johnson has observed in his excellent Preface, that notes are often necessary, but a necessary evil:' such only are inserted as may serve to elucidate obscure passages, or to explain obsolete words and phrases; by which the Editor hopes to obtain for his work the

vi

ADVERTISEMENT.

appellation of 'a legible edition of Shakspeare,'

uniform with the most popular productions of

the present day, and suited to the taste of the

age.

The attention of the vouthful reader will be

directed to the most striking and brilliant pas-

sages by the Index, which is intended to form

a complete reference to the Peauties of Shak-

speare.

The Illustrations are drawn from the one
hundred and seventy plates in Boydell's Edition,
and executed on steel, in the first style of out-
line engraving.

The number and quality of the Illustrations,
the convenience and portability of the form
adopted, and the general execution of the whole
work, will it is hoped merit the approbation of
the public, as the most useful, ornamental, and
economical edition of Shakspeare.