59. Withal with; here used as a preposition governing ducats. 2. Old swearing. — "Old" was an intensive epithet in common use. I. Troilus was a son of Priam, king of Troy. He loved Cressida, daughter of the Grecian soothsayer, Calchas. 2. Thisbe was a beautiful Babylonian lady, with whom Pyramus was in love. They agreed to meet at the tomb of Ninus; but, on arriving there, Thisbe was frightened at the sight of a lioness that had just killed an ox. She fled, leaving her cloak behind. Pyramus, finding the cloak stained with blood, believed that a wild beast had killed her, and took his own life example which was followed by Thisbe. an 3. Dido was Queen of Carthage. She loved Æneas, by whom she was deserted. The "willow in her hand was the symbol of unhappy love. 4. Medea was the daughter of Æetes, king of Colchis. She assisted Jason in obtaining the Golden Fleece, and afterwards became his wife. She possessed magical powers, and in order to renew the youth of Aeson, the father of Jason, she boiled him in a caldron, into which she had cast enchanted herbs." 5. Out-night you = beat you in this game of "In such a night." 66 6. Holy crosses. — - These were numerous in Italy, being found not only in churches, but along the roads. times made of gold. await. the plate used for the sacramental bread. It was some 13. Orpheus =a Thracian poet who accompanied the Argonauts, and had the power of moving inanimate objects by the music of his lyre. 14. Stockish = stupid, insensible. 15. Spoils = 16. Erebus = robbery, acts of plundering. the underworld, or region of the dead. 17. Without respect = absolutely, independent of circumstances. attended to, heard attentively. 18. Attended: = 19. Season'd are 20. Endymion. are made fit. In Greek mythology Silene, or the moon, is represented as charmed with the beauty of Endymion, whom she put to sleep on Mount Latmos, that she might nightly kiss him unobserved. 21. Tucket = a flourish on a trumpet to announce an arrival. 22. We should hold day, etc. = we should have day at the same time with the Antipodes, if you, Portia, would walk abroad at night in the absence of the sun. = God dispose or arrange all things. 23. God sort all: = = 25. Breathing courtesy : courtesy consisting of mere breath or talk. 26. Gratiano and Nerissa have been talking apart in dumb show. 27. Posy sentiment or motto inscribed on rings. A contraction of poesy. It was the custom to inscribe sentiments, usually in distichs, upon knives by means of aqua fortis. 28. Respective mindful or regardful of your oath. = = 29. The virtue of the ring: the power of the ring. It gave its possessor a right to Portia and all she had. 30. Contain - retain. 31. Wanted reasonable." as to have wanted; dependent on 66 SO much un = 40. Satisfied of these events at full fully satisfied concerning these events. 41. Charge us upon inter'gatories, etc. "In the Court of Queen's Bench, when a complaint is made against a person for a 'contempt,' the practice is that before sentence is finally pronounced he is sent into the Crown Office, and being there 'charged upon interrogatories,' he is made to answer all things faithfully.' swear that he will 10 (1625-1660.) MILTON'S L'ALLEGRO. HENCE, loathed Melancholy, Of Cerberus and blackest Midnight born, In Stygian cave forlorn, 'Mongst horrid shapes, and shrieks, and sights unholy! Find out some uncouth cell, Where brooding Darkness spreads his jealous wings, There, under ebon shades, and low-brow'd rocks, As ragged as thy locks, In dark Cimmerian desert ever dwell. The frolick wind, that breathes the spring, As he met her once a-Maying; There on beds of violets blue, And fresh-blown roses wash'd in dew, Fill'd her with thee a daughter fair, So buxom, blithe, and debonair. Haste thee, nymph, and bring with thee Jest, and youthful jollity, Quips, and cranks, and wanton wiles, And love to live in dimple sleek; And in thy right hand lead with thee And, if I give thee honour due, To live with her, and live with thee, Oft list'ning how the hounds and horn 50 60 |