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The Shakespeare-Expositor

Part 1 / Act 5 — Act V.

Reading edition

Sc. 3.

"And lay them gently on thy tender side. I kiss these fingers for eternal peace."

I approve of this transposition made by Malone.

"Hast not a tongue? is she not here?"

The 2nd folio, which all follow, adds thy prisoner; alone might be better.

"Confounds the tongue and makes the senses rough?"

Various attempts have been made to amend 'rough,' but with little success. We might perhaps read dull; but 'rough' may have been used in the sense of rugged, insensible.

"And here I will expect thy coming down."

"Mad natural graces that extinguish art."

For 'Mad,' which makes no sense, Capell read And.

Sc. 4.

"Used intercession to obtain a league."

I think we should read truce or peace for 'league.'

Sc. 5.

"Provokes the mightiest hulk against the tide."

I incline to read Propels for 'Provokes.'

"Yes, my good lord, her father is a king."

"The most of all these reasons bindeth."

"Whëreas the contráry bringeth bliss."

The 2nd folio reads 'bringeth forth.'

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