Antipholus of Ephesus advances : Ant. E. 'I came from Corinth, my most gracious lord. Dromio of Ephesus adds: Dro. E. And I 'with him. Adriana has been, in perplexity, scanning the twin Merchants: Adr. Which of you two did 'dine with me to-day? Antipholus of Syracuse replies: Ant. S. I, gentle mistress. Adr. And are not you my husband? Antipholus of Ephesus advances: Ant. E. No; 'I say nay to 'that. Antipholus of Syracuse adds : Ant. S. And so do 'I; yet did she 'call me so; The Abbess says: Abb. Renownéd Duke, vouchsafe to take the pains And hear at large discoursings" 'all our fortunes; Dromio of Syracuse advances to his brother of Ephesus: Dro. S. .. There is a fat friend at your master's house, That kitchened 'me, for 'you, to-day at dinner: She now shall be my 'sister, not my wife! Dro. E. Methinks, you are my 'glass, and not my 'brother: I see by you I am a 'sweet-faced youth. We came 'into the world like brother and brother: And now . . . let 's 'go hand in hand,—not one before another. END OF THE COMEDY OF ERRORS. [Exeunt. O. R. discourséd. "Love's Labour 's Lost," supposed to have been written in 1594, is one of the earliest of Shakespeare's comedies: it is the third on Meres' List of 1598, (see page 6,) being preceded by "The Two Gentlemen of Verona," and "The Comedy of Errors." There is no record of its first performance; but it is known to have been presented before Queen Elizabeth, at Christmas, 1597. There must have been an earlier version; for the first known publication" (in 1598) makes a distinct reference to it, but no such copy has hitherto been discovered. The text of the folio edition (of 1623) shows very little alteration from that of the first quarto. One of the chief objects of the young author (then about twentyfive years of age, and an actor, as well as joint proprietor, in the Black Friars Theatre) was to satirize Euphuism—a kind of courtly and collegiate affectation of speech,-lately introduced by John Lyly, (a pedantic writer of the reign of Elizabeth,) who produced some works, that, becoming fashionable, had great influence over the authors of that period-especially "Euphues, the Anatomy of Wit," (1580;) and " Euphues and his England" (1581). In these books, every variety of affectation in literature and speech, in love and in logic, is presented with scholarly sarcasm and serious drollery. Shakespeare, in the same style, plays and sports with the dainty affectations of the Euphuists; but, in the end, he upholds the doctrine of Roger Ascham, (Queen Elizabeth's noted instructor)" to speak as the common people do, and to think as wise men do." In the Comedy the descent is rapid, from the heights of rhetoric to " plain kersey yea and nay "-from the "firenew words" of the stilted Spanish courtier, to " greasy Joan" and Marian's "roasted crabs." a The following is a copy of the original title-page :-"A pleasant conceited Comedie, called Loues Labors Lost, as it was presented before her Highness this last Christmas. Newly corrected and augmented by W. Shakespere, 1598" ba province of Spain, bounded on the north east by France. In the first quarto, this name is printed Berowne. In Act 4, Sc. 3, Biron is made to rhyme with moon. The old pronunciation, therefore, was probably Be-roon; the modern is Be-rón, with the accent on the second syllable. Throughout this Condensation the name is printed Birón. da collegiate title given to a clerical B. A. in certain Universities, The Scene displays a beautiful Park containing an elegant Palace. The leaders of the small syndicate of woman-haters are at once introduced. The first in point of rank is the founder himself, Ferdinand King of "Navarre "--which must be considered a royal euphuism for "Nowhere," as History commemorates no such King and no such Kingdom. He is a handsome young philosopher, who, for the love of study, withdraws from society, to live in retirement,accompanied by a few companions, willing, like himself, to undergo a severe course of seclusion; because, during three years, no woman is to be admitted within the palace; no female society is to be permitted, and all personal gratifications are to be avoided. With the King are three companions-all, for the time being, professed misogamists, but highly educated and refined; desirous to prove themselves, in conduct and speech, superior to the vulgar bucolic or warlike Navarrese :-Lord Longaville, an accomplished soldier; Lord Dumain, a fascinating courtier; and Lord Birón, the wit and humourist of the aristocratic group. The King speaks: King. Let Fame, that all hunt-after in their 'lives, Live registered upon our brazen 'tombs," And then grace 'us in the 'dis-grace of 'Death, Therefore, brave conquerors,-for so you are,— You three, Birón, Dumain, and Longaville, Have sworn, for three years' term, to live 'with me- presenting Your 'oaths are passed; and now subscribe your 'names, If you are armed to 'do as 'sworn to do, Subscribe to your deep oaths, and 'keep them too. Dum. My loving lord, Dumain is 'mortified": a It was an old custom to embellish graves with figures and inscriptions on plates of brass. bthe anglicized name of the grove (Akademia) in which Plato taught. CO. R. it. d O. R. bankerout. e subdued to discipline. The 'grosser manner of these world's 'delights, [Pointing to the King Land his companions. Lord Birón merrily, but rather reluctantly, advances : And stay here in your Court, for three years' space. King. Why, 'that to know, which else we should 'not know. Biron. Things hid and barred, you mean, from common sense? King. Ay; that is study's god-like recompense. Biron. Come on, then; I will swear to study 'so, To 'know the thing I am 'forbid to know: King. These be the stops that 'hinder study quite, Biron. Why, 'all delights are vain; but that 'most vain, That will not be deep-searched with 'saucy looks: Small have continual plodders ever won, Have no more 'profit of their shining nights, Than those that 'walk, and 'wot' not what they are. Too much to know, is-to know nought but 'fame;" And 'every godfather can give a 'name. King. Birón is like an envious nipping" frost, That bites the first-born infants of the Spring. Biron. Well, say I 'am: why should proud Summer boast, 'Before the birds have any cause to sing? At Christmas I no more desire a 'rose, Than wish a 'snow in 'May's new-fangled shows; Climb o'er the 'house to unlock the little 'gate." And to the 'strict'st decrees I'll write my name. schedule. [Reads from the "Item, That no woman shall come within a 'This article, my liege, 'yourself must break; For, well you know, here comes in embassy About surrender-up of Aquitain' To her decrepit, sick, and bed-rid father: King. What say 'you, my lords? why, this was quite 'forgot! d O. R. sneaping. the old astronomers, who gave names to the stars, planets, and constellations. b know. eto attain reputation (a high name) only. . O. R. That were to clymbe ore the house to unlocke the gate (i. e., take great trouble with little advantage). foutside (i. e., you are not to be included). (O. R. fit) g ignorance, want of knowledge. hO. R. gentility. i an old province of Gaul (France), between the river Garonne and the Pyrenean mountains, |