Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III: The Tragedies by Samuel Johnson
page 73 of 398 (18%)
page 73 of 398 (18%)
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V.i.20 (420,2) It was a bare petition] [_Bare_, for mean, beggarly. WARBURTON.] I believe rather, a petition unsupported, unaided by names that might give it influence. V.i.63 (422,4) I tell you, he does sit in gold] He is inthroned in all the pomp and pride of imperial splendour. [Greek: Chruzothronos Aerae]--Hom. V.i.69 (422,5) Bound with an oath to yield to his conditions] This if apparently wrong. Sir T. Hanmer, and Dr. Warburton after him, read, _Bound with an oath_ not to _yield to_ new _conditions_. They might have read more smoothly, --_to yield no new conditions_. But the whole speech is in confusion, and I suspect something left out. I should read, --_What he would do, He sent in writing after; what he would not, Bound with an oath. To yield to his conditions_. Here is, I think, a chasm. The speaker's purpose seems to be this: _To yield to his conditions_ is ruin, and better cannot be obtained, _so that all hope is vain_. |
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