This I do not understand. Mr. Malone says there seems to be a prophane allusion in the last speech but one spoken by Thersites. What the prophane allusion is I have no guess; the speech referr'd to is this: Agamemnon is a fool, "Achilles is a fool, Thersites is a fool, and, as aforesaid, Patroclus is a fool.”

66

P. 67.-201.-298.

Agam. Where is Achilles ?

Patr. Within his tent; but ill-dispos'd, my lord.
Agam. Let it be known to him, that we are here.
He shent our messengers; and we lay by

Our appertainments, visiting of him.

I see no reason to doubt that shent is the true reading.

P. 68.-201.-299.

Nest. All the better; their fraction is more our wish,
than their faction: but it was a strong composure, a
fool could disunite.

Ulyss. The amity, that wisdom knits not, folly may
easily untie.

I think composure is the right word.

P. 68.-202.-300.

Patr. Achilles bids me say-he is much sorry,
If any thing more than your sport and pleasure
Did move your greatness, and this noble state,
To call upon him.

Mr. Steevens's explanation of noble state is the

true one.

Ibid.-301.

Agam.

And you shall not sin,

If you do say we think him over-proud,

And under-honest; in self-assumption greater,

Than in the note of judgement; and worthier than himself
Here tend the savage strangeness he puts on.

Ulyss.

P. 68.-202.-304.

What should I say?

He is so plaguy proud, that the death tokens of it
Cry-No recovery.

I think Mr. Steevens is right.

P. 84.-218.-323.

Pan. Nay, you shall fight your hearts out, ere I part you. The faulcon as the tercel, for all the ducks in the river: go to, go to.

I incline to think that the reading proposed by Mr. Tyrwhitt is the right one.

Tro.

P. 89.-223.-331.

when their rhymes,
Full of protest, of oath, and big compare,
Want similes, truth tired with iteration,—
As true as steel, as plantage to the moon,
As sun to day, &c.

Dr. Johnson has certainly mistaken the meaning of plantage. The passage is rightly explained by Mr. Steevens, and is very well illustrated by Dr. Farmer.

Ulyss.

Ibid.-340.

'Tis like, he'll question me, Why such unplausive eyes are bent, why turn'd on him. I think Mr. Steevens is clearly right.

P. 98.-232.-344.

Ulyss. I do not strain at the position,
It is familiar; but at the author's drift:
Who, in his circumstance, expressly proves―
That no man is the lord of any thing,

(Though in and of him there be much consisting,)
Till he communicate his parts to others.

Scire tuum nihil est nisi te scire hoc sciat alter.

Pers.

P. 99.-233.-345.

To see these Grecian lords !-why, even already
They clap the lubber Ajax on the shoulder;
As if his foot were on brave Hector's breast,
And great Troy shrinking.

I agree with Mr. Steevens in preferring shrinking.

P. 102.-236.-350.

Ulyss. The providence that's in a watchful state,
Knows almost every grain of Plutus' gold;

Finds bottom in the uncomprehensive deeps;

Keeps place with thought, and almost, like the gods,
Does thoughts unveil in their dumb cradles.

I think the reading proposed by Sir T. Hanmer is very probable.

P. 110.-242.-359.

Par. Fair Diomed, you do as chapmen do,
Dispraise the thing that you desire to buy:
But we in silence hold this virtue well,—
We'll not commend what we intend to sell.

I think with Mr. Steevens that the sense seems to require that we should adopt the emendation proposed by Warburton.

P. 112.-245.-362.

Cres. My lord, come you again into my chamber:
You smile, and mock me, as if I meant naughtily.

I think Mr. Steevens is right.

Tro.

P. 114.-246.-364.

and, my lord Æneas,

We met by chance; you did not find me here.
Ene. Good, good, my lord; the secrets of nature
Have not more gift in taciturnity.

I incline to believe that Mr. Steevens is right.

Cress.

Pan. Do, do.

P. 115. 248.-367.

I'll go in, and weep ;—

Cress. Tear my bright hair, and scratch my praised cheeks;
Crack my clear voice with sobs, and break my heart
With sounding Troilus. I will not go from Troy.

I incline to believe that Mr. Steevens is right.

I'll bring her to the Grecian presently.

I incline to believe that Mr. Steevens is right.

P. 120.-252.-373.

Tro. The Grecian youths are full of quality;

They're loving, well compos'd, with gifts of nature flowing,
And swelling o'er with arts and exercise.

I incline to suspect that loving is an interpolation.

Ene. He cares not, he'll obey conditions.

Achil. "Tis done like Hector; but securely done,
A little proudly, and great deal misprising

The knight oppos'd.

It seems to me scarcely possible to doubt that

this speech should be given to Achilles.

Nest.

P. 135.-266.-393.

Let an old man embrace thee;

And, worthy warrior, welcome to our tents.

Ene. 'Tis the old Nestor.

Hect. Let me embrace thee, good old chronicle.

I agree with Mr. Steevens.

P. 135.-267.-395.

Ulyss. Most gentle, and most valiant Hector, welcome :

After the general, I beseech you next

To feast with me, and see me at my tent.

Achil. I shall forestall thee, lord Ulysses, thou!

I cannot agree with Mr. Steevens, and think with Mr. M. Mason, that we ought to receive Mr. Tyrwhitt's emendation.

Achil.

P. 139.-270.-399.

Enter Thersites.

How now, thou core of envy?

Thou crusty batch of nature, what's the news?

Batch is the right word, and means, I believe, the whole number of loaves bak'd at once.

P. 140.-271.-400.

Patr. Who keeps the tent now?

Ther. The surgeon's box, or the patient's wound.
Patr. Well said, adversity! and what need these tricks?

I think Mr. Steevens's explanation of adversity is a very probable one.

Ibid.

Ther. Pr'ythee be silent, boy; I profit not by thy talk:
thou art thought to be Achilles' male varlet.

Varlet is certainly the right word, for the reason assigned by Dr. Johnson.