The wisdom and genius of Shakespeare : comprising moral philosophy, delineations of character, paintings of nature and the passions, seven hundred aphorisms, and miscellaneous pieces : with select and original notes, and scriptural references ...

Preface

Many works consisting" of compilations from the writings of Shakspeare have already appeared under different forms, but I am not aware that any thing has ever been attempted on the plan of the work now presented to the public. My principal object has been to exhibit the Wisdom and Genius of our author, as these are reflected in his lucid pages, which have been justly characterized " the richest, the purest, the fairest which genius uninspired ever laid open."*

The first Section contains the Morals of Shakspeare, which are very numerous and of an exalted character. There is more moral knowledge contained in a few lines, or a sentence of our author, than is to be found in a whole chapter of those works which treat expressly of Moral science. There is one thing worthy of special observation in the Morals of Shakspeare, which presents his character in a very interesting light; I refer to the strong tincture which they have of Divine truth, affording evidence of his mind having been deeply imbued with the pure morality of the Gospel. This highly interesting feature of his morals I have pointed out in many instances, by references to particular passages of Scripture.f

Although the first part of the work is designated Moral Philosophy, the reader must not infer from thence that there are no morals in the other Sections : the truth is, morals pervade the whole work, but many of them are so interwoven with the Characters, Nature and the Passions, &c, as not to admit of being -separated.

Our author's paintings of the Passions are not

* Times Newspaper, Dec. 14, 1837.

| See particularly page 120, No. 713, to the end of the Section.

IV PREFACE.

less deserving of our admiration than his moral wisdom and delineations of Characters. He is the great master of the human heart, and depicts in an inimitable manner all the feelings of humanity, from the almost imperceptible emotions to the most tempestuous passions that agitate the breast of man. As A. W. Schlegel justly observes, " He lays open to us in a single word, a whole series of preceding conditions."

In that part of the work which respects Nature, I have exhibited to the reader those exquisitely beautiful natural images which abound throughout our author's writings, and which claim the admiration of every cultivated mind. This excellence has been often alluded to, and is thus beautifully expressed by one who was capable of appreciating it : " He was familiar with all beautiful forms and images, with all that is sweet or majestic in the simple aspects of nature, of that indestructible love of flowers, and odours, and dews, and clear waters — and soft airs and sounds, and bright skies and woodland solitudes, and moonlight bowers, which are the material elements of poetry, — and w r ith that fine sense of their undefinable relation to mental emotion, which is its essence and vivifying soul — and which, in the midst of his most busy and atrocious scenes, falls like gleams of sunshine on rocks and ruins — contrasting with all that is rugged and repulsive, and reminding us of the existence of purer and brighter elements."*

Take also the sentiments of the following writers who speak in accordance with this work : " To instruct by delighting is a power seldom enjoyed by man, and still seldomer exercised. It is in this respect that Homer may be called the second of men, and Shakspeare the first. The wisdom of the Greek was not so universal as that of the Briton, nor his genius so omnipotent in setting it forth attractively. From the several works of the latter, a single work might be compiled little less worthy of divine sanction than any other extant, and by the beauty of its nature far more secure of human attention. But Shakspeare has done so much in this way, so nearly all that is sufficient, he has made

PREFACE. V

the laws of the Decalogue and all their corollaries so familiar, he has exhibited the passions and propensities, the feelings and emotions, incident to humanity, so freely, and as we might say graphically, that another such artist would be superfluous : Nature might create a second Shakspeare, but it would be bad economy. What the first has left undone, may be completed by a much less expense of Promethean fire than would go to the creation of a second. We are therefore not to look for a similar being, at least until we acquire new attributes, or are under a new moral dispensation. Spirits of an inferior order, a Milton, a Pope, or a Cowper, are potent enough to disseminate the remaining or minor truths of natural morality amongst the people ; or rather to repeat, illustrate, and impress them on our hearts and memories. Writers of this class, whom we may call the lay-ministers of the Deity, to teach from the press instead of the pulpit, in the closet instead of the church, we may expect ; and with them should be satisfied. Though we cannot reasonably hope for another high-prophet of profane inspiration to recommunicate to us the lessons of divine wisdom which are already to be found in Shakspeare, it is no presumption to hope that the spirit of illumination will descend upon humbler poets, and make them our secular guides in morality."*

The same remark as the above will be seen in the following quotation. The reader will also do well to consult the opinions of some eminent writers on the Sectional leaves.

" It is quite impossible to estimate the benefits which this country has received from the eternal productions of Shakspeare. Their influence has been gradual, but prodigious — operating at first on the loftier intellects, but becoming in time diffused over all, spreading wisdom and charity amongst us. There is, perhaps, no one person of any considerable rate of mind who does not owe something to this matchless poet. He is the teacher of all good, — pity, generosity, true courage, love. His works alone (leaving mere science out of the question) contain, probably, more actual wisdom

* London Magazine, Oct. 1, 1824.

VI PREFACE.

than the whole body of English learning-. He is the text for the moralist and the philosopher.* His bright wit is cut out ' into little stars :' his solid masses of knowledge are meted out in morsels and proverbs ; and thus distributed, there is scarcely a corner, which he does not illuminate, or a cottage which he does not enrich. His bounty is like the sea, which, though often unacknowledged, is every where felt ; on mountains and plains, and distant places, carrying its cloudy freshness through the air, making glorious the heavens, and spreading verdure on the earth beneath."!

It is with infinite satisfaction that I am borne out in my opinion of the nature of this work, by a similar remark of Coleridge. He says,

" I greatly dislike beauties and selections in general ; but as proof positive of his unrivalled excellence, I should like to try Shakspeare by this criterion. Make out your amplest catalogue of all the human faculties, as reason or the moral law, the will, the feeling of the coincidence of the two (a feeling sui generis et demonstratio demonstrationum), called the conscience, the understanding or prudence, wit, fancy, imagination, judgment, — and then of the objects on which these are to be employed, as the beauties, the terrors, and the seeming caprices, of nature, the realities and the capabilities, that is, the actual and the ideal, of the human mind, conceived as an individual or as a social being, as in innocence or in guilt, in a play-paradise, or in a war-field of temptation ; and then compare with Shakspeare, under each of these heads, all or any of the writers in prose and verse that have ever lived. Who that is competent to judge doubts the result T'J

T. P.

Woohvich, June, 1838.

* And it might be added, for the statesman, poet, and painter.

f Retrospective Review.

j Literary Remains, vol. ii. p. 68.

A KE1 to the figures at the end of each piece; as, 16 — iv. 2. id est, King John, act iv. scene 2.

Tempest.

Two Gentlemen of Verona.

Merry Wives of Windsor.

Twelfth Night.

Measure for Measure.

Much Ado about Nothing.

Midsummer Night's Dream.

Love's Labour's Lost.

Merchant of Venice.

As You Like It.

All's Well that Ends Well.

Taming of the Shrew.

Winter's Tale.

Comedy of Errors.

Macbeth.

King John.

King Richard II.

King Henry IV.— Part 1st.

Ditto Part 2d.

King Henry V.

King Henry VI.— Part 1st.

Ditto Part 2d

Ditto Part 3d.

King Richard III.

King Henry VIII.

Troilus and Cressida.

Timon of Athens.

Coriolanus.

Julius Caesar.

Antony and Cleopatra.

Cymbeline.

Titus Andronicus.

Pericles, Prince of Tyre.

King Lear.

Romeo and Juliet.

Hamlet.

Othello.

Several pieces were mislaid, and not discovered until it was too late to have them inserted in their respective Sections : they are therefore placed in the Miscellaneous part.

MORAL PHILOSOPHY.

" It may be said of Shakspeare, that from his works may be collected a system of civil and economical prudence. * * * * He has himself been imitated by all succeeding writers ; and it may be doubted, whether from all his successors more maxims of theoretical knowledge, or more rules of practical prudence, can be collected, than he alone has given to his country."

Dr. Johnson.

MORAL

PHILOSOPHY.

1 Gifts, not our own.

Heaven doth with us as we with torches do; Not light them for themselves : for if our virtues Did not go forth of us, 'twere all alike

As if we had them not.* Spirits are not finely touch'd,

But to fine issues : nor nature never lends

The smallest scruple of her excellence,

But, like a thrifty goddess, she determines

Herself the glory of a creditor,

Both thanks and use.f 5 — i. 1.

2 The same.

Thyself and thy belongings

Are not thine own so proper, as to waste

Thyself upon thy virtues, them on thee. 5 — i. 1.

3 Faults, extenuation of.

Oftentimes, excusing of a fault,

Doth make the fault the worse by the excuse; As patches, set upon a little breach, Discredit more, in hiding of the fault,! Than did the fault before it was so patch'd.

4 Modern and present opinions contrasted. In this, the antique and well-noted face

Of plain old form is much disfigured :

* Matt. v. 15, 16. t Interest. Matt. xxv. 20, &c

X i. e. Blemish.

And, like a shifted wind unto a sail,

It makes the course of thoughts to fetch about ;

Startles and frights consideration ;

Makes sound opinion sick, and truth suspected,

For putting on so new a fashion'd robe. 16 — iv. 2.

5 The future anticipated by the past. There is a history in all men's lives, Figuring the nature of the times deceased : The which observed, a man may prophecy, With a near aim, of the main chance of things As yet not come to life ; which in their seeds,

And weak beginnings, lie intreasured. 19 — iii. 1.

6 Wise men superior to woes.

Wise men ne'er wail their present woes, But presently prevent the ways to wail. -

To fear the foe, since fear oppresseth strength, Gives, in your weakness, strength unto your foe, And so your follies fight against yourself. 17 — iii. 2.

7 Apathy.

Patience, unmoved, no marvel though she paur-e ;*

They can be meek, that have no other cause, f

A wretched soul, bruised with adversity,

We bid be quiet, when we hear it cry ;

But were we burden'd with like weight of pain,

As much, or more, we should ourselves complain.

8 Men's last words to be regarded. The tongues of dying men

Enforce attention like deep harmony;

Where words are scarce, they are seldom spent in

vain, For they breathe truth that breathe their words in

pain.

He, that no more must say, is listen'd more

Than they, whom youth and ease have taught to

glose ;} More are men's ends mark'd, than their lives before : The setting sun, and music at the close,

* To pause is to rest, to be in quiet.

1 1. e. Who have no cause to be otherwise. % Flatter.

As the last taste of sweets, is sweetest last ; Writ in remembrance, more than things long" past.

9 Self-interest, its influence.

Commodity,* the bias of the world ; The world, who of itself is peisedf well, Made to run even, upon even ground ; Till this advantage, this vile drawing bias, This sway of motion, this commodity, Makes it take head from all indifferency, From all direction, purpose, course, intent.

10 Assured wisdom.

They say, miracles are past; and we have our philosophical persons, to make modern! and familiar things, supernatural and causeless. Hence is it, that we make trifles of terrors ; ensconcing ourselves into seeming knowledge, when we should submit ourselves to an unknown fear.§ 11 — ii. 3.

1 1 Blessings undervalued, till irrecoverable.

Love, that comes too late Like a remorseful pardon slowly carried, To the great sender turns a sour offence, Crying, That's good, that's gone: our rash faults Make trivial price of serious things we have, Not knowing them, until we know their grave ; Oft our displeasures, to ourselves unjust, i/estroy our friends, and after weep their dust.

12 Wishes, unsubstantial.

'Tis pity That wishing well had not a body in't, Which might be felt : that we, the poorer born, Whose baser stars do shut us up in wishes, Might with effects of them follow our friends, And show what we alone nrjst think ;|| which ne'er Returns us thanks. 11 — i. 1.

* Self-interest, t Poised, balanced.

J Ordinary. § Fear means here, the object of fear.

j(t. e. And show by realities what we now must only think.

1 *

13 Treachery.

Though those, that are betray'd.

Do feel the treason sharply, yet the traitor Stands in worse case of woe. 31 — iii. 4.

14 Undue grief.

To persevere In obstinate condolement,* is a course Of impious stubbornness ; 'tis unmanly grief: It shows a will most incorrectf to heaven ; A heart unfortified, or mind impatient ; An understanding simple and unschooi'd.f 36 — i. 2.

15 Contentment.

Blessed be those, How mean soe'er, that have their honest wills, Which seasons comfort. § 31 — i. 7.

16 Intemperance.

As surfeit is the father of much fast,

So every scope by the immoderate use

Turns to restraint : Our natures do pursue

(Like rats that ravin|| down their proper bane)

A thirsty evil, and when we drink, we die. 5 — i. 3.

17 Elevation, exposed to censure.

place and greatness, millions of false eyes Are stuck upon thee ! volumes of report

Run with these false and most contrarious questsU Upon thy doings ! thousand 'scapes** of wit Make thee„the father of their idle dream, And rack thee in their fancies ! 5 — iv. 1.

18 Human actions viewed by Heaven.

If pow'rs divine Behold our human actions, (as they do,)

1 doubt not then, but innocence shall make False accusation blush, and tyranny

Tremble at patience. 13 — iii. 2.

* Condolement, for sorrow. f Incorrect, for untutored.

19 Certainty of Death.

That we shall die, we know ; 'tis but the time, And drawing days out, that men stand upon. "

20 The value of Virtue.

The honour of a maid is her name ; and no legacy is so rich as honesty. 11 — iii. 5.

21 Desertion.

The service of the foot Being once gangrened, is not then respected For what before it was. 28 — iii. 1.

22 Durability of Fame.

Let fame, that all hunt after in their lives,

Live register'd upon our brazen tombs,

And then grace us in the disgrace of death ;

When, spite of cormorant devouring Time,

Th' endeavour of this present breath may buy

That honour, which shall bate his scythe's keen edge,

And make us heirs of all eternity.* 8 — i. 1.

23 Honours not hereditary.

Honours best thrive, When rather from our acts we them derive Than our fore-goers : the mere word's a slave, Debauch'd on every tomb ; on every grave, A lying trophy, and as oft is dumb, Where dust, and damn'd oblivion, is the tomb Of honour'd bones indeed. 11 — ii. 3.

24 Confidence, not to be placed in man.

O momentary grace of mortal men,

Which we more hunt for than the grace of God !

Who builds his hope in air of your fair looks,

Lives like a drunken sailor on a mast ;

Ready, with every nod, to tumble down

Into the fatal bowels of the deep. 24 — iii. 4.

25 Submission to Providence.

I do find it cowardly and vile,

* i.e. Through all succeeding ages.

For fear of what might fall, so to prevent*

The time of life : — (arming- myself with patience)

To stay the providence of some high powers,

That govern us below. 29 — v. I.

26 The love of Novelty.

There is so great a fever on goodness, that the dissolution of it must cure it : novelty is only in request ; and it is as dangerous to be aged in any kind of course, as it is virtuous to be constant in any undertaking. There is scarce truth enough alive, to make societies secure ; but security enough to make fellowships accursed : much upon this riddle runs the wisdom of the world. 5 — iii. 2.

27 Miracles and means.

Miracles are ceased ; And therefore we must needs admit the means, How things are perfected. 20 — i. 1.

28 The apprehension of evils.

Doubting things go ill, often hurts more

Than to be sure they do : For certainties

Either are past remedies : or, timely knowing,

The remedy then born. 31 — i. 7.

29 Sincerity.

I hold it cowardice To rest mistrustful, where a noble heart Hath pawn'd an open hand in sign of love.

30 The effects of Sorrow.

Sorrow breaks seasons and reposing hours, Makes the night morning, and the noontide night. Princes have but their titles for their glories, An outward honour for an inward toil ; And, for unfelt imaginations, They often feel a world of restless cares : So that, between their titles, and low name, There's nothing differs but the outward fame.

* To anticipate.

31 Silent sincerity.

Nor are those empty-hearted, whose low sound Reverbs* no hollowness. 34 — i. 1.

32 Pride's mirror.

He, that is proud, eats up himself: pride is his own glass, his own trumpet, his own chronicle ; and whatever praises itself but in the deed, devours the deed in the praise. 26 — ii. 3.

33 Nature and Art.

Labouring art can never ransom nature From her unaidable estate.

Nature is made better by no mean,

But nature makes that mean : so, o'er that art, Which, you say, adds to nature, is an art, That nature makes. You see, we marry A gentler scion to the wildest stock ; " And make conceive a bark of baser kind By bud of nobler race : This is an art Which does mend nature, — change it rather : but The art itself is nature. 11— ii. 1. & 13 — iv. 3.

34 Detraction.

The greatest are misthought For things that others do ; and, when we fall, We answer others' meritsf in our name. 30 — v. 2.

35 Dissimulation.

That we were all, as some would seem to be, Free from our faults, as faults from seeming free !

36 Custom, supreme in its power.

What custom wills, in all things should we do't,

The dust on antique time would lie unswept,

And mountainous error be too highly heap'd

For truth to over-peer.! 28 — ii. 3.

37 Hardened impiety.

When, we in our viciousness grow hard, (O misery on't !) the wise gods seel§ our eyes ;

% Overlook. § Close up.

In our own filth drop our clear judgments ; make us

Adore our errors ; laugh at us, while we strut

To our confusion.* 30 — iii. 11.

38 Procrastination.

Fearful commenting Is leaden servitorf to dull delay ; Delay leads impotent and snail-paced beggary.

39 Virtue contrasted with Vice.

What stronger breast-plate than a heart untainted ?| Thrice is he arm'd, that hath his quarrel just; And he but naked, though lock'd up in steel, Whose conscience with injustice is corrupted.

40 The wretchedness of human dependence.

O how wretched Is that poor man, that hangs on princes' favours ! There is, betwixt that smile we would aspire to, That sweet aspect of princes, and their ruin, More pangs and fears than wars or women have ; And when he falls, he falls like Lucifer, Never to hope again. \ 25 — iii. 2.

41 Prayers denied, often profitable. We, ignorant of ourselves,

Beg often our own harms, which the wise powers

Deny us for our good ; so find we profit,

By losing of our prayers.|| 30 — ii. 1.

42 Lamentation.

Moderate lamentation is the right of the dead, excessive grief the enemy to the living. IF 11 — i. 1.

43 Recreation, a preventive of Melancholy. Sweet recreation barr'd, what doth ensue, But moody and dull Melancholy, (Kinsman to grim and comfortless Despair ;) And, at her heels, a huge infectious troop

Of pale distemperature, and foes to life"? 14 — v. 1.

* Rom. i. 28. 2 Thess. ii. 11. Isa. xliv. 20. t Timorous thought and cautious disquisition are the dull attendants on delay. J Eph. vi_14. § Ps. cxviii. 9. Isa. xiv. 12 || Jas. iv. 3. TT Prov. xv. 13.

44 Hope and Despair.

The instant action (a cause on foot) Lives so in hope, as in an early spring We see th' appearing buds ; which, to prove fruit, Hope gives not so much warrant, as despair, That frosts will bite them. 19— i. 3.

45 Courage.

By how much unexpected, by so much

We must awake endeavour for defence ;

For courage mounteth with occasion. 16 — ii. 1.

46 Pride, its universality.

Why, who cries out on pride, That can therein tax any private party 1 Doth it not flow as hugely as the sea, Till that the very very means do ebb 1 What woman in the city do I name, When that I say, The city-woman bears The cost of princes on unworthy shoulders! Who can come in, and say, that I mean her, When such a one as she, such is her neighbour? Or what is be of basest function, That says, his bravery is not on my cost (Thinking that I mean him), but therein suits His folly to the mettle of my speech ! There then ; How, what then 1 Let me see wherein My tongue hath wrong'd him ; if it do him right, Then he hath wrong'd himself; if he be free, Why then, my taxing like a wild-goose flies, Unclaim'd of any man. 10 — ii. 7.

47 Contentment.

How, in one house, Should many people, under two commands, Hold amity ?* 34 — ii. 4.

48 Effrontery of Vice.

I ne'er heard yet, That any of these bolder vices wanted Less impudence to gainsay what they did, Than to perform it first. 13 — iii. 2.

* Matt, vi. 24.

49 Self-delusion.

What things are we !

Merely our own traitors. And as in the common course of all treasons, we still see them reveal themselves, till they attain to their abhorred ends ; so he, that contrives against his own nobility, in his proper stream o'erflows himself.* 11 — iv. 3.

50 Calumny.

The jewel, best enamelled, Will lose his beauty ; and though gold 'bides still, That others touch, yet often touching will Wear gold ; and so no man that hath a name, But falsehood and corruption doth it shame, f

51 Base insinuations.

The shrug, the hum, or ha ; these petty brands, That calumny doth use : —

For calumny will sear J Virtue itself :— these shrugs, these hums, and ha's, When you have said, she's goodly, come between, Ere you can say, she's honest. 13 — ii. 1.

52 Impediments increase desire.

All impediments in fancy's^ course

Are motives of more fancy. 11 — v. 3.

53 Reputation invaluable.

The purest treasure mortal times afford,

Is — spotless reputation ; that away,

Men are but gilded loam, or painted clay.

A jewel in a ten-times-barr'd-up chest

Is — a bold spirit in a loyal breast. 17 — i. 1.

54 Adversity.

Foundations fly the wretched ; such, I mean, Where they should be relieved. 31 — iii. 6.

* j. e. Betrays his own secrets in his own talk.

t Gold will long bear the handling; however, often touching will wear even gold ; just so the greater character, though as pure as gold itself, may in time be injured by the repeated attacks of falsehood and corruption.

J Brand as infamous. § Love.

55 Rumour, its diffusiveness.

Rumour is a pipe Blown by surmises, jealousies, conjectures ; And of so easy and so plain a stop, That the blunt monster with uncounted heads, The still discordant wavering multitude, Can play upon it. 19 — Induction.

Loud Rumour speaks : I, from the orient to the drooping west, Making the wind my post-horse, still unfold The acts commenced on this ball of earth : Upon my tongues continual slanders ride ; The which in every language I pronounce, Stuffing the ears of men with false reports.

57 Companionship.

In companions That do converse and waste the time together, Whose souls do bear, an equal yoke of love, There must be needs a like proportion Of lineaments, of manners, and of spirit. 9 — iii. 4.

58 Friendship.

Friendship is constant in all other things,

Save in the office and affairs of love :

Therefore,* all hearts in love use their own tongues;

Let every eye negotiate for itself,

And trust no agent : for beauty is a witch,

Against whose charms faith melteth into blood, f

59 Happiness, where delusive.

O, how bitter a thing it is to look into happiness through another man's eyes ! 10 — v. ii.

60 The effect of show on weak minds.

The fool multitude, that choose by show, Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach ; Which pries not to th' interior, but, like the martlet,

* ' Therefore.' Let, which is found in the next line, is understood here. t Passion.

Builds in the weather on the outward wall, Even in the force* and road of casualty.

61 True Modesty.

It is the witness still of excellency,

To put a strange face on his own perfection. 6 — ii. 3.

62 Intellectual advancement.

For nature, crescent,! does not grow alone

In thews and bulk } but as this temple waxes,

The inward service of the mind and soul

Grows wide withal. 36 — i. 3.

63 Guile.

O, what authority and show of truth

Can cunning sin cover itself withal ! 6 — iv. 1.

The devil can cite scripture for his purpose.^

An evil soul, producing holy witness,

Is like a villain with a smiling cheek ;

A goodly apple rotten at the heart ;

O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath ! 9 — i. 3.

65 Fear unfits for action.

The guilt being great, the fear doth still exceed,

And extreme fear can neither fight nor fly,

But coward-like with trembling terror die. Poems.

66 Fame, the love of.

Glory grows guilty of detested crimes ;

When, for fame's sake, for praise, an outward part,

We bend to that the working of the heart. 8 — iv. 1.

67 Fickle-mindedness.

O perilous mouths, That bear in them one and the self-same tongue, Either of condemnation or approof! Bidding the law make court'sy to their will ; Hooking both right and wrong to th' appetite, To follow as it draws ! 5 — ii. 4.

* Power. f Increasing. J Matt. iv. 6.

68 Duplicity.

O, what may man within him hide,

Though angel on the outward side !

How may likeness,* made in crimes,

Making practice on the times,

Draw with idle spiders, stringsf

Most pond'rous and substantial things ! 5 — iii. 2.

69 Calumny.

Be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as snow, thou shalt not escape calumny. 36 — iii. 1.

70 False praise.

When we for recompense have praised the vile,

It stains the glory in that happy verse

Which aptly sings the good. 27 — i. 1.

71 Falsehood, its evil.

Will poor folks lie, That have afflictions on them ; knowing 'tis A punishment, or trial 1 Yes ; no wonder, When rich ones scarce tell true : To lapse in fulness Is sorer,| than to lie for need ; and falsehood Is worse in kings, than beggars. 5 31 — iii. 6.

72 Mercy.

O, it is excellent To have a giant's strength ; but it is tyrannous To use it like a giant. 5 — ii. 2.

73 Authority.

Could great men thunder As Jove himself does, Jove would ne'er be quiet,

For every pelting*,!] petty officer, [der.

Would use his heaven for thunder : nothing but thun- Merciful Heaven !

Thou rather, with thy sharp and sulphurous bolt, Split'st the unwedgeable and gnarledlT oak,

* Appearance. t False and feeble pretences.

J Sorer, a greater or heavier crime.

§ The noble saying of John of France, ' That if truth were banished all other places of the earth, she ought still to find a dwelling in the hearts of kings.' J Paltry. 1f Knotted.