Note 364 — ACT IV.

In the former edition Mr Dodsley had substituted, instead of the words in the text, cry you ah me! The alteration was, however, entirely unnecessary. To cry aim, signified, as Dr Warburton observes, to consent to, or approve of anything. "The phrase was taken originally from archery. When any one had challenged another to shoot at the butts (the perpetual diversion, as well as exercise, of that time), the standers-by used to say one to the other, Cry aim, i.e., accept the challenge." See Dr Warburton's note on "Merry Wives of Windsor," act ii. sc. 3, where he has produced several examples of the use of the phrase. Dr Johnson says, "I once thought that it was borrowed from archery; and that aim! having been the word of command, as we now say, present! to cry aim had been to incite notice, or raise attention. But I rather think that the old word of applause was J'aime, I love it, and that to applaud was to cry J'aime, which the English, not easily pronouncing je, sunk into aime or aim." Mr Steevens is of opinion that Dr Johnson's first thought is best. See Notes on "King John," act ii. sc. 1. To the several instances produced by these gentlemen the following may be added:—Middleton and Rowley's "Fair Quarrel," act i. sc. 1—

Beaumont and Fletcher's "False One," act v. sc. 4, edit. [Dyce, vi. 305]—

It is remarkable that Mr Seward had made the same alteration in the last passage, and consequently fallen into the same mistake as Mr Dodsley had in the text.