Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare - Defence LK

ProjectGutenberg'sBeautifulStoriesfromShakespeare,byE.Nesbit

ThiseBookisfortheuseofanyoneanywhereatnocostandwith

almostnorestrictionswhatsoever.Youmaycopyit,giveitawayor

re-useitunderthetermsoftheProjectGutenbergLicenseincluded

withthiseBookoronlineatwww.gutenberg.org

Title:BeautifulStoriesfromShakespeare

Author:E.Nesbit

ReleaseDate:August15,2008[EBook#1430]

LastUpdated:March9,2018

Language:English

***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKBEAUTIFULSTORIESFROMSHAKESPEARE***

ProducedbyMorrieWilson,JamesRose,andDavidWidger

PLEASEKEEPPHOTOWITHHTMLWILLIAMSHAKESPEARE

BeautifulStoriesfromShakespeare

ByE.Nesbit

“ItmaybesaidofShakespeare,thatfromhisworksmaybecollectedasystemofcivilandeconomicalprudence.Hehasbeenimitatedbyallsucceedingwriters;and it may be doubted whether from all his successors more maxims oftheoreticalknowledge,ormorerulesofpracticalprudencecanbecollectedthanhealonehasgiventohiscountry.”--Dr.SAMUELJOHNSON.

PREFACE

ThewritingsofShakespearehavebeenjustlytermed“therichest,thepurest,thefairest,thatgeniusuninspiredeverpenned.”

Shakespeareinstructedbydelighting.Hisplaysalone(leavingmerescienceoutof the question), containmore actualwisdom than thewhole body ofEnglishlearning.Heistheteacherofallgood--pity,generosity,truecourage,love.Hisbrightwitiscutout“intolittlestars.”Hissolidmassesofknowledgearemetedoutinmorselsandproverbs,andthusdistributed,thereisscarcelyacorneroftheEnglish-speakingworldto-daywhichhedoesnotilluminate,oracottagewhichhe does not enrich. His bounty is like the sea, which, though oftenunacknowledged, is everywhere felt.Ashis friend,Ben Jonson,wroteof him,“Hewasnotofanagebutforalltime.”Heeverkeptthehighroadofhumanlifewhereonalltravel.Hedidnotpickoutby-pathsoffeelingandsentiment.Inhiscreations we have no moral highwaymen, sentimental thieves, interestingvillains, and amiable, elegant adventuresses--no delicate entanglements ofsituation,inwhichthegrossestimagesarepresentedtotheminddisguisedunderthe superficial attraction of style and sentiment. He flattered no bad passion,disguised no vice in the garb of virtue, trifled with no just and generousprinciple. While causing us to laugh at folly, and shudder at crime, he stillpreservesourloveforourfellow-beings,andourreverenceforourselves.

Shakespearewas familiarwith all beautiful forms and images,with all that issweetormajestic in thesimpleaspectsofnature,of that indestructible loveofflowersandfragrance,anddews,andclearwaters--andsoftairsandsounds,and

bright skies and woodland solitudes, and moon-light bowers, which are thematerialelementsofpoetry,--andwiththatfinesenseoftheirindefinablerelationtomental emotion,which is its essence and vivifying soul--andwhich, in themidstofhismostbusyandtragicalscenes,fallslikegleamsofsunshineonrocksandruins--contrastingwithall that is ruggedor repulsive,andremindingusoftheexistenceofpurerandbrighterelements.

Thesethingsconsidered,whatwonderisitthattheworksofShakespeare,nexttotheBible,arethemosthighlyesteemedofalltheclassicsofEnglishliterature.“SoextensivelyhavethecharactersofShakespearebeendrawnuponbyartists,poets, and writers of fiction,” says an American author,--“So interwoven arethesecharactersinthegreatbodyofEnglishliterature,thattobeignorantoftheplotofthesedramasisoftenacauseofembarrassment.”

ButShakespearewroteforgrown-uppeople,formenandwomen,andinwordsthatlittlefolkscannotunderstand.

Hencethisvolume.Toreproducetheentertainingstoriescontainedintheplaysof Shakespeare, in a form so simple that children can understand and enjoythem,wastheobjecthadinviewbytheauthorof theseBeautifulStoriesfromShakespeare.

And that theyoungest readersmaynot stumble inpronouncinganyunfamiliarnamestobemetwithinthestories,theeditorhaspreparedandincludedinthevolume a Pronouncing Vocabulary of Difficult Names. To which is added acollection of Shakespearean Quotations, classified in alphabetical order,illustrativeofthewisdomandgeniusoftheworld'sgreatestdramatist.

E.T.R.

ABRIEFLIFEOFSHAKESPEARE.

IntheregisterofbaptismsoftheparishchurchofStratford-upon-Avon,amarkettowninWarwickshire,England,appears,underdateofApril26,1564,theentryof the baptismofWilliam, the son of JohnShakspeare.The entry is inLatin--“GulielmusfiliusJohannisShakspeare.”

The date ofWilliam Shakespeare's birth has usually been taken as three days

beforehisbaptism,butthereiscertainlynoevidenceofthisfact.

The family name was variously spelled, the dramatist himself not alwaysspelling it in the sameway.While in thebaptismal record thename is spelled“Shakspeare,” in several authentic autographs of the dramatist it reads“Shakspere,”andinthefirsteditionofhisworksitisprinted“Shakespeare.”

Halliwell tells us, that there are not less than thirty-four ways in which thevariousmembersoftheShakespearefamilywrotethename,andinthecouncil-book of the corporation of Stratford, where it is introduced one hundred andsixty-sixtimesduringtheperiodthatthedramatist'sfatherwasamemberofthemunicipal body, there are fourteen different spellings. The modern“Shakespeare”isnotamongthem.

Shakespeare's father, while an alderman at Stratford, appears to have beenunabletowritehisname,butasatthattimeninemenoutoftenwerecontenttomaketheirmarkforasignature,thefactisnotspeciallytohisdiscredit.

The traditions and other sources of information about the occupation ofShakespeare's father differ. He is described as a butcher, awoolstapler, and aglover,anditisnotimpossiblethathemayhavebeenallofthesesimultaneouslyoratdifferenttimes,orthatifhecouldnotproperlybecalledanyoneofthem,thenatureofhisoccupationwassuchastomakeiteasytounderstandhowthevarious traditions sprang up.Hewas a landed proprietor and cultivator of hisown land even before his marriage, and he received with his wife, who wasMaryArden,daughterofacountrygentleman,theestateofAsbies,56acresinextent.Williamwasthethirdchild.Thetwoolderthanheweredaughters,andbothprobablydiedininfancy.Afterhimwasbornthreesonsandadaughter.Fortenortwelveyearsatleast,afterShakespeare'sbirthhisfathercontinuedtobeineasycircumstances.Intheyear1568hewasthehighbailifforchiefmagistrateofStratford,andformanyyearsafterwardsheheldthepositionofaldermanashehaddoneforthreeyearsbefore.Tothecompletionofhistenthyear,therefore,it isnatural to suppose thatWilliamShakespearewouldget thebesteducationthatStratfordcouldafford.Thefreeschoolofthetownwasopentoallboysandlikeallthegrammar-schoolsofthattime,wasunderthedirectionofmenwho,asgraduates of the universities, were qualified to diffuse that sound scholarshipwhich was once the boast of England. There is no record of Shakespeare'shaving been at this school, but there can be no rational doubt that he waseducated there.His father could not have procured for him a better educationanywhere. To those who have studied Shakespeare's works without being

influenced by the old traditional theory that he had received a very narroweducation,theyaboundwithevidencesthathemusthavebeensolidlygroundedinthelearning,properlysocalled,wastaughtinthegrammarschools.

TherearelocalassociationsconnectedwithStratfordwhichcouldnotbewithouttheirinfluenceintheformationofyoungShakespeare'smind.Withintherangeof such a boy's curiosity were the fine old historic towns of Warwick andCoventry, the sumptuouspalaceofKenilworth, thegrandmonastic remainsofEvesham.HisownAvonaboundedwithspotsofsingularbeauty,quiethamlets,solitary woods. Nor was Stratford shut out from the general world, as manycountry towns are. It was a great highway, and dealers with every variety ofmerchandiseresortedtoitsmarkets.Theeyesofthepoetdramatistmustalwayshavebeenopenforobservation.ButnothingisknownpositivelyofShakespearefromhis birth to hismarriage toAnneHathaway in 1582, and from that datenothing but the birth of three children until we find him an actor in Londonabout1589.

How long acting continued to be Shakespeare's sole profession we have nomeansofknowing,but it is in thehighestdegreeprobable thatverysoonafterarriving inLondonhebegan thatworkofadaptationbywhichhe isknown tohave begun his literary career. To improve and alter older plays not up to thestandard thatwasrequiredat the timewasacommonpracticeevenamongthebestdramatistsoftheday,andShakespeare'sabilitieswouldspeedilymarkhimout as eminently fitted for this kind of work. When the alterations in playsoriginally composed by other writers became very extensive, the work ofadaptationwouldbecomeinrealityaworkofcreation.AndthisisexactlywhatwehaveexamplesofinafewofShakespeare'searlyworks,whichareknowntohavebeenfoundedonolderplays.

It is unnecessary here to extol the published works of the world's greatestdramatist. Criticism has been exhausted upon them, and the finest minds ofEngland,Germany,andAmericahavedevotedtheirpowerstoanelucidationoftheirworth.

Shakespeare died at Stratford on the 23rd ofApril, 1616.His father had diedbeforehim,in1602,andhismotherin1608.HiswifesurvivedhimtillAugust,1623.HissoHamnetdiedin1596attheageofelevenyears.Histwodaughterssurvivedhim,theeldestofwhom,Susanna,had,in1607,marriedaphysicianofStratford,Dr.Hall.Theonlyissueofthismarriage,adaughternamedElizabeth,bornin1608,marriedfirstThomasNasbe,andafterwardsSirJohnBarnard,but

leftnochildrenbyeithermarriage.Shakespeare'syoungerdaughter, Judith,onthe 10th of February, 1616, married a Stratford gentleman named ThomasQuincy,bywhomshehadthreesons,allofwhomdied,however,withoutissue.TherearethusnodirectdescendantsofShakespeare.

Shakespeare'sfellow-actors,fellow-dramatists,andthosewhoknewhiminotherways,agreeinexpressingnotonlyadmirationofhisgenius,buttheirrespectandlovefortheman.BenJonsonsaid,“Ilovetheman,anddohonorhismemory,onthissideidolatry,asmuchasany.Hewasindeedhonest,andofanopenandfreenature.”Hewasburiedontheseconddayafterhisdeath,onthenorthsideofthechancel of Stratford church. Over his grave there is a flat stone with thisinscription,saidtohavebeenwrittenbyhimself:GoodfriendforJesussakeforbeare

Todiggthedustencloasedheare:

Blestbeyemanytsparesthesestones,

Andcurstbeheytmovesmybones.

CONTENTS

PREFACE

ABRIEFLIFEOFSHAKESPEARE

AMIDSUMMERNIGHT'SDREAM

THETEMPEST

ASYOULIKEIT

THEWINTER'STALE

KINGLEAR

TWELFTHNIGHT

MUCHADOABOUTNOTHING

ROMEOANDJULIET

PERICLES

HAMLET

CYMBELINE

MACBETH

THECOMEDYOFERRORS

THEMERCHANTOFVENICE

TIMONOFATHENS

OTHELLO

THETAMINGOFTHESHREW

MEASUREFORMEASURE

TWOGENTLEMENOFVERONA

ALL'SWELLTHATENDSWELL

QUOTATIONSFROMSHAKESPEARE

ILLUSTRATIONS

TITANIA:THEQUEENOFTHEFAIRIES

THEQUARREL

HELENAINTHEWOOD

TITANIAPLACEDUNDERASPELL

TITANIAAWAKES

PRINCEFERDINANDINTHESEA

PRINCEFERDINANDSEESMIRANDA

PLAYINGCHESS

ROSALINDANDCELIA

ROSALINDGIVESORLANDOACHAIN

GANYMEDEFAINTS

LEFTONTHESEA-COAST

THEKINGWOULDNOTLOOK

LEONTES RECEIVING FLORIZEL ANDPERDITA

FLORIZELANDPERDITATALKING

HERMIONE

CORDELIAANDTHEKINGOFFRANCE

GONERILANDREGAN

CORDELIAINPRISON

VIOLAANDTHECAPTAIN

VIOLAAS“CESARIO”MEETSOLIVIA

"YOUTOOHAVEBEENINLOVE"

CLAUDIAANDHERO

HEROANDURSULA

BENEDICK

FRIARFRANCIS

ROMEOANDTYBALTFIGHT

ROMEODISCOVERSJULIET

MARRIAGEOFROMEOANDJULIET

THENURSETHINKSJULIETDEAD

ROMEOENTERINGTHETOMB

PERICLESWINSINTHETOURNAMENT

PERICLESANDMARINA

THEKING'SGHOSTAPPEARS

POLONIUSKILLEDBYHAMLET

DROWNINGOFOPHELIA

IACHIMOANDIMOGEN

IACHIMOINTHETRUNK

IMOGENSTUPEFIED

IMOGENANDLEONATUS

THETHREEWITCHES

FROM“MACBETH"

LADYMACBETH

KINGANDQUEENMACBETH

MACBETHANDMACDUFFFIGHT

ANTIPHOLUSANDDROMIO

LUCIANA AND ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSE

THE GOLDSMITH AND ANTIPHOLUS OFSYRACUSE

AEMILIA

THEPRINCEOFMOROCCO

ANTONIOSIGNSTHEBOND

JESSICALEAVINGHOME

BASSANIOPARTSWITHTHERING

POETREADINGTOTIMON

PAINTERSHOWINGTIMONAPICTURE

"NOTHINGBUTANEMPTYBOX"

TIMONGROWSSULLEN

OTHELLO TELLING DESDEMONA HISADVENTURES

OTHELLO

THEDRINKOFWINE

CASSIOGIVESTHEHANDKERCHIEF

DESDEMONAWEEPING

THEMUSICMASTER

KATHARINE BOXES THE SERVANT'SEARS

PETRUCHIO FINDS FAULT WITH THESUPPER

THEDUKEINTHEFRIAR'SDRESS

ISABELLAPLEADSWITHANGELO

"YOURFRIARISNOWYOURPRINCE"

VALENTINE WRITES A LETTER FORSILVIA

SILVIAREADINGTHELETTER

THESERENADE

ONEOFTHEOUTLAWS

HELENAANDBERTRAM

HELENAANDTHEKING

READINGBERTRAM'SLETTER

HELENAANDTHEWIDOW

LISTOFFOUR-COLORPLATES

WILLIAMSHAKESPEARE

TITANIAANDTHECLOWN

FERDINANDANDMIRANDA

PRINCEFLORIZELANDPERDITA

ROMEOANDJULIET

IMOGEN

CHOOSINGTHECASKET

PETRUCHIOANDKATHERINE

PLEASEKEEPPHOTOWITHHTML

TITANIAANDTHECLOWN

AMIDSUMMERNIGHT'SDREAM

Hermia and Lysander were lovers; but Hermia's father wished her to marryanotherman,namedDemetrius.

Now, inAthens,where they lived, therewas awicked law, bywhich anygirlwho refused tomarry according to her father'swishes,might be put to death.Hermia's fatherwassoangrywithher for refusing todoashewished, thatheactuallybroughtherbeforetheDukeofAthenstoaskthatshemightbekilled,ifshestillrefusedtoobeyhim.TheDukegaveherfourdaystothinkaboutit,and,attheendofthattime,ifshestillrefusedtomarryDemetrius,shewouldhavetodie.

Lysanderofcoursewasnearlymadwithgrief,andthebestthingtodoseemedtohimforHermia torunawaytohisaunt'shouseataplacebeyondthereachofthat cruel law; and therehewouldcome toher andmarryher.Butbefore shestarted,shetoldherfriend,Helena,whatshewasgoingtodo.

Pleasekeepphotowithhtml.HelenahadbeenDemetrius'sweetheartlongbeforehis marriage with Hermia had been thought of, and being very silly, like alljealous people, she could not see that it was not poor Hermia's fault thatDemetriuswishedtomarryherinsteadofhisownlady,Helena.Sheknewthatifshe told Demetrius that Hermia was going, as she was, to the wood outsideAthens,hewouldfollowher,“andIcanfollowhim,andatleastIshallseehim,”shesaidtoherself.Soshewenttohim,andbetrayedherfriend'ssecret.

NowthiswoodwhereLysanderwas tomeetHermia,andwhere theother twohaddecidedtofollowthem,wasfulloffairies,asmostwoodsare, ifoneonlyhad the eyes to see them, and in this wood on this night were the King andQueenofthefairies,OberonandTitania.Nowfairiesareverywisepeople,butnowand then theycanbequite as foolish asmortal folk.OberonandTitania,whomighthavebeenashappyasthedayswerelong,hadthrownawayalltheirjoy in a foolishquarrel.Theynevermetwithout sayingdisagreeable things toeach other, and scolded each other so dreadfully that all their little fairyfollowers,forfear,wouldcreepintoacorncupsandhidethemthere.

So, instead of keeping one happy Court and dancing all night through in the

moonlightasisfairies'use,theKingwithhisattendantswanderedthroughonepartofthewood,whiletheQueenwithherskeptstateinanother.AndthecauseofallthistroublewasalittleIndianboywhomTitaniahadtakentobeoneofherfollowers. Oberon wanted the child to follow him and be one of his fairyknights;buttheQueenwouldnotgivehimup.

Onthisnight,inamossymoonlitglade,theKingandQueenofthefairiesmet.

“Illmetbymoonlight,proudTitania,”saidtheKing.

“What!jealous,Oberon?”answeredtheQueen.“Youspoileverythingwithyourquarreling.Come,fairies,letusleavehim.Iamnotfriendswithhimnow.”

Pleasekeepphotowithhtml.

“Itrestswithyoutomakeupthequarrel,”saidtheKing.

“Giveme that little Indian boy, and I will again be your humble servant andsuitor.”

“Set yourmind at rest,” said theQueen. “Yourwhole fairykingdombuysnotthatboyfromme.Come,fairies.”

Andsheandhertrainrodeoffdownthemoonbeams.

“Well,goyourways,”saidOberon.“ButI'llbeevenwithyoubeforeyouleavethiswood.”

ThenOberoncalledhisfavoritefairy,Puck.Puckwasthespiritofmischief.Heusedtoslipintothedairiesandtakethecreamaway,andgetintothechurnsothat thebutterwouldnotcome,and turn thebeer sour,and leadpeopleoutoftheirwayondarknightsandthenlaughatthem,andtumblepeople'sstoolsfromunderthemwhentheyweregoingtositdown,andupsettheirhotaleovertheirchinswhentheyweregoingtodrink.

“Now,” said Oberon to this little sprite, “fetchme the flower called Love-in-idleness.Thejuiceofthatlittlepurpleflowerlaidontheeyesofthosewhosleepwillmakethem,whentheywake,tolovethefirstthingtheysee.Iwillputsomeof the juiceof that floweronmyTitania's eyes, andwhen shewakes shewilllove the first thing she sees, were it lion, bear, or wolf, or bull, or meddlingmonkey,orabusyape.”

While Puck was gone, Demetrius passed through the glade followed by poor

Helena,andstill she toldhimhowshe lovedhimand remindedhimofallhispromises,andstillhetoldherthathedidnotandcouldnotloveher,andthathispromises were nothing. Oberon was sorry for poor Helena, and when Puckreturnedwith the flower, he bade him followDemetrius and put some of thejuiceonhiseyes,sothathemightloveHelenawhenhewokeandlookedonher,asmuch as she loved him. So Puck set off, andwandering through thewoodfound,notDemetrius,butLysander,onwhoseeyesheput the juice;butwhenLysander woke, he saw not his own Hermia, but Helena, who was walkingthrough thewood looking for the cruelDemetrius; anddirectlyhe sawher helovedherandlefthisownlady,underthespellofthepurpleflower.


WhenHermiawoke she found Lysander gone, andwandered about thewoodtrying to find him. Puck went back and told Oberon what he had done, andOberon soon found that he had made a mistake, and set about looking forDemetrius, andhaving foundhim, put someof the juiceonhis eyes.And thefirst thingDemetrius sawwhen hewokewas alsoHelena. So nowDemetriusandLysanderwere both followingher through thewood, and itwasHermia'sturntofollowherloverasHelenahaddonebefore.TheendofitwasthatHelenaand Hermia began to quarrel, and Demetrius and Lysander went off to fight.Oberonwasverysorry toseehiskindscheme tohelp these lovers turnoutsobadly.SohesaidtoPuck--

“These two youngmen are going to fight.Youmust overhang the nightwithdroopingfog,andleadthemsoastray,thatonewillneverfindtheother.Whentheyaretiredout,theywillfallasleep.ThendropthisotherherbonLysander'seyes.Thatwillgivehimhisoldsightandhisoldlove.Theneachmanwillhavethe lady who loves him, and they will all think that this has been only aMidsummerNight'sDream.Thenwhenthisisdone,allwillbewellwiththem.”

SoPuckwentanddidashewastold,andwhenthetwohadfallenasleepwithoutmeetingeachother,PuckpouredthejuiceonLysander'seyes,andsaid:--

“Whenthouwakest,

Thoutakest

Truedelight

Inthesight

Ofthyformerlady'seye:

JackshallhaveJill;

Noughtshallgoill.”

Meanwhile Oberon found Titania asleep on a bank where grew wild thyme,oxlips, and violets, and woodbine, musk-roses and eglantine. There Titaniaalways slept a part of the night, wrapped in the enameled skin of a snake.Oberonstoopedoverherandlaidthejuiceonhereyes,saying:--

“Whatthouseestwhenthouwake,

Doitforthytruelovetake.”

Now, ithappened thatwhenTitaniawoke the first thing she sawwasa stupidclown,oneof a partyof playerswhohad comeout into thewood to rehearsetheirplay.ThisclownhadmetwithPuck,whohadclappedanass'sheadonhisshoulderssothatitlookedasifitgrewthere.DirectlyTitaniawokeandsawthisdreadful monster, she said, “What angel is this? Are you as wise as you arebeautiful?”

“If Iamwiseenough to findmywayoutof thiswood, that'senoughforme,”saidthefoolishclown.

“Donotdesiretogooutofthewood,”saidTitania.Thespellofthelove-juicewas on her, and to her the clown seemed the most beautiful and delightfulcreatureonalltheearth.“Iloveyou,”shewenton.“Comewithme,andIwillgiveyoufairiestoattendonyou.”

Soshecalledfourfairies,whosenameswerePeaseblossom,Cobweb,Moth,andMustardseed.

“Youmustattendthisgentleman,”saidtheQueen.“Feedhimwithapricotsanddewberries,purplegrapes,greenfigs,andmulberries.Stealhoney-bagsforhimfrom the bumble-bees, and with the wings of painted butterflies fan the

moonbeamsfromhissleepingeyes.”

“Iwill,”saidoneofthefairies,andalltheotherssaid,“Iwill.”

“Now,sitdownwithme,”saidtheQueentotheclown,“andletmestrokeyourdearcheeks,andstickmusk-rosesinyoursmooth,sleekhead,andkissyourfairlargeears,mygentlejoy.”

“Where'sPeaseblossom?”askedtheclownwiththeass'shead.Hedidnotcaremuch about theQueen's affection, but hewas very proud of having fairies towaitonhim.“Ready,”saidPeaseblossom.

“Scratchmyhead,Peaseblossom,”saidtheclown.“Where'sCobweb?”“Ready,”saidCobweb.

“Killme,”saidtheclown,“theredbumble-beeonthetopofthethistleyonder,andbringmethehoney-bag.Where'sMustardseed?”


“Ready,”saidMustardseed.

“Oh,Iwantnothing,”saidtheclown.“OnlyjusthelpCobwebtoscratch.Imustgotothebarber's,formethinksIammarveloushairyabouttheface.”

“Wouldyoulikeanythingtoeat?”saidthefairyQueen.

“Ishouldlikesomegooddryoats,”saidtheclown--forhisdonkey'sheadmadehimdesiredonkey'sfood--“andsomehaytofollow.”

“Shallsomeofmyfairiesfetchyounewnutsfromthesquirrel'shouse?”askedtheQueen.

“I'd rather have a handful or two of good dried peas,” said the clown. “Butpleasedon'tletanyofyourpeopledisturbme;Iamgoingtosleep.”

ThensaidtheQueen,“AndIwillwindtheeinmyarms.”


AndsowhenOberoncamealonghefoundhisbeautifulQueenlavishingkissesandendearmentsonaclownwithadonkey'shead.

Andbeforehereleasedherfromtheenchantment,hepersuadedhertogivehim

thelittleIndianboyhesomuchdesiredtohave.Thenhetookpityonher,andthrewsomejuiceof thedisenchantingfloweronherprettyeyes;and then inamoment she saw plainly the donkey-headed clown she had been loving, andknewhowfoolishshehadbeen.

Oberontookoff theass'sheadfromtheclown,and lefthimtofinishhissleepwithhisownsillyheadlyingonthethymeandviolets.

Thusallwasmadeplainandstraightagain.OberonandTitanialovedeachothermorethanever.DemetriusthoughtofnoonebutHelena,andHelenahadneverhadanythoughtofanyonebutDemetrius.

AsforHermiaandLysander,theywereaslovingacoupleasyoucouldmeetinaday'smarch,eventhroughafairywood.

SothefourmortalloverswentbacktoAthensandweremarried;andthefairyKingandQueenlivehappilytogetherinthatverywoodatthisveryday.

PleasekeepphotowithhtmlFerdinandandMiranda

THETEMPEST

Prospero,theDukeofMilan,wasalearnedandstudiousman,wholivedamonghis books, leaving themanagement of his dukedom to his brotherAntonio, inwhomindeedhehadcompletetrust.Butthattrustwasill-rewarded,forAntoniowanted to wear the duke's crown himself, and, to gain his ends, would havekilledhisbrotherbutforthelovethepeopleborehim.However,withthehelpofProspero's great enemy, Alonso, King of Naples, he managed to get into hishandsthedukedomwithallitshonor,power,andriches.FortheytookProsperotosea,andwhentheywerefarawayfromland,forcedhimintoalittleboatwithno tackle,mast, or sail. In their cruelty andhatred theyputhis littledaughter,Miranda (not yet three years old), into the boat with him, and sailed away,leavingthemtotheirfate.

But one among the courtiers with Antonio was true to his rightful master,Prospero.Tosavethedukefromhisenemieswasimpossible,butmuchcouldbedone to remindhimof a subject's love.So thisworthy lord,whosenamewasGonzalo, secretlyplaced in theboatsomefreshwater,provisions,andclothes,andwhatProsperovaluedmostofall,someofhispreciousbooks.

Theboatwascastonanisland,andProsperoandhislittleonelandedinsafety.Nowthis islandwasenchanted,andforyearshad lainunder thespellofa fellwitch,Sycorax,whohadimprisonedinthetrunksoftreesallthegoodspiritsshefoundthere.ShediedshortlybeforeProsperowascastonthoseshores,butthespirits,ofwhomArielwasthechief,stillremainedintheirprisons.

Prosperowasagreatmagician,forhehaddevotedhimselfalmostentirelytothestudyofmagicduringtheyearsinwhichheallowedhisbrothertomanagetheaffairs of Milan. By his art he set free the imprisoned spirits, yet kept themobedient to hiswill, and theyweremore truly his subjects than his people inMilanhadbeen.Forhetreatedthemkindlyaslongastheydidhisbidding,andheexercisedhispoweroverthemwiselyandwell.Onecreaturealonehefounditnecessarytotreatwithharshness:thiswasCaliban,thesonofthewickedoldwitch,ahideous,deformedmonster,horribletolookon,andviciousandbrutalinallhishabits.

WhenMirandawasgrownup into amaiden, sweet and fair to see, it chancedthatAntonio andAlonso, with Sebastian, his brother, and Ferdinand, his son,were at sea together with old Gonzalo, and their ship came near Prospero'sisland.Prospero,knowingtheywerethere,raisedbyhisartagreatstorm,sothateventhesailorsonboardgavethemselvesupforlost;andfirstamongthemallPrinceFerdinandleapedintothesea,and,ashisfatherthoughtinhisgrief,wasdrowned. But Ariel brought him safe ashore; and all the rest of the crew,althoughtheywerewashedoverboard,were landedunhurt indifferentpartsoftheisland,andthegoodshipherself,whichtheyallthoughthadbeenwrecked,layatanchor in theharborwhitherArielhadbroughther.SuchwonderscouldProsperoandhisspiritsperform.

Pleasekeepphotowithhtml

Whileyetthetempestwasraging,Prosperoshowedhisdaughterthebraveshiplaboringinthetroughofthesea,andtoldherthatitwasfilledwithlivinghumanbeingslikethemselves.She,inpityoftheirlives,prayedhimwhohadraisedthisstormtoquellit.Thenherfatherbadehertohavenofear,forheintendedtosaveeveryoneofthem.

Then,forthefirsttime,hetoldherthestoryofhislifeandhers,andthathehadcaused this storm to rise in order that his enemies,Antonio andAlonso,whowereonboard,mightbedeliveredintohishands.

Whenhehadmadeanendofhisstoryhecharmedherintosleep,forArielwasat hand, and he had work for him to do. Ariel, who longed for his completefreedom,grumbledtobekeptindrudgery,butonbeingthreateninglyremindedofallthesufferingshehadundergonewhenSycoraxruledintheland,andofthedebtofgratitudeheowedtothemasterwhohadmadethosesufferingstoend,heceased to complain, and promised faithfully to do whatever Prospero mightcommand.

“Doso,”saidProspero,“andintwodaysIwilldischargethee.”

ThenhebadeArieltaketheformofawaternymphandsenthiminsearchoftheyoungprince.AndAriel, invisible toFerdinand,hoverednearhim,singingthewhile--

“Comeuntotheseyellowsands

Andthentakehands:

Court'siedwhenyouhave,andkiss'd

(Thewildwaveswhist),

Footitfeatlyhereandthere;

And,sweetsprites,theburdenbear!”

AndFerdinandfollowedthemagicsinging,asthesongchangedtoasolemnair,andthewordsbroughtgrieftohisheart,andtearstohiseyes,forthustheyran--

“Fullfathomfivethyfatherlies;

Ofhisbonesarecoralmade.

Thosearepearlsthatwerehiseyes,

Nothingofhimthatdothfade,

Butdothsufferasea-change

Intosomethingrichandstrange.

Sea-nymphshourlyringhisknell.

Hark!nowIhearthem,--dingdongbell!”

Andsosinging,Ariel led thespell-boundprince into thepresenceofProsperoandMiranda.Then,behold!allhappenedasProsperodesired.ForMiranda,whohadnever,sinceshecouldfirstremember,seenanyhumanbeingsaveherfather,lookedontheyouthfulprincewithreverenceinhereyes,andloveinhersecretheart.

“Imightcallhim,”shesaid,“a thingdivine, fornothingnatural Ieversawsonoble!”

AndFerdinand,beholdingherbeautywithwonderanddelight,exclaimed--

“Mostsurethegoddessonwhomtheseairsattend!”

Nordidheattempt tohide thepassionwhichshe inspired inhim, forscarcelyhad they exchanged half a dozen sentences, before he vowed tomake her hisqueen if she were willing. But Prospero, though secretly delighted, pretendedwrath.


“Youcomehereasaspy,”hesaidtoFerdinand.“Iwillmanacleyourneckandfeettogether,andyoushallfeedonfreshwatermussels,witheredrootsandhusk,andhavesea-watertodrink.Follow.”

“No,”saidFerdinand,anddrewhissword.ButontheinstantProsperocharmedhim so that he stood there like a statue, still as stone; andMiranda in terrorprayedher father to havemercyonher lover.But heharshly refusedher, andmadeFerdinandfollowhimtohiscell.TherehesetthePrincetowork,makinghimremovethousandsofheavylogsoftimberandpilethemup;andFerdinandpatientlyobeyed,andthoughthistoilalltoowellrepaidbythesympathyofthesweetMiranda.

Sheinverypitywouldhavehelpedhiminhishardwork,buthewouldnotlether,yethecouldnotkeep fromher the secretofhis love, and she,hearing it,rejoicedandpromisedtobehiswife.

ThenProspero releasedhim fromhis servitude, andglad at heart, he gavehisconsenttotheirmarriage.

“Takeher,”hesaid,“sheisthineown.”

In the meantime, Antonio and Sebastian in another part of the island wereplottingthemurderofAlonso,theKingofNaples,forFerdinandbeingdead,astheythought,SebastianwouldsucceedtothethroneonAlonso'sdeath.Andtheywouldhavecarriedouttheirwickedpurposewhiletheirvictimwasasleep,butthatArielwokehimingoodtime.

ManytricksdidArielplaythem.Oncehesetabanquetbeforethem,andjustastheyweregoingtofallto,heappearedtothemamidthunderandlightningintheformofaharpy,andimmediatelythebanquetdisappeared.ThenArielupbraidedthemwiththeirsinsandvanishedtoo.

Prosperobyhisenchantmentsdrewthemalltothegrovewithouthiscell,wheretheywaited,tremblingandafraid,andnowatlastbitterlyrepentingthemoftheirsins.

Prosperodeterminedtomakeonelastuseofhismagicpower,“Andthen,”saidhe,“I'llbreakmystaffanddeeper thandideverplummetsoundI'lldrownmybook.”

So hemade heavenlymusic to sound in the air, and appeared to them in hispropershapeastheDukeofMilan.Becausetheyrepented,heforgavethemandtoldthemthestoryofhislifesincetheyhadcruellycommittedhimandhisbabydaughtertothemercyofwindandwaves.Alonso,whoseemedsorriestofthemallforhispastcrimes, lamentedthelossofhisheir.ButProsperodrewbackacurtain and showed them Ferdinand andMiranda playing at chess.GreatwasAlonso'sjoytogreethislovedsonagain,andwhenheheardthatthefairmaidwithwhomFerdinandwasplayingwasProspero'sdaughter,andthattheyoungfolkshadplightedtheirtroth,hesaid--


“Givemeyourhands, letgriefandsorrowstillembracehisheart thatdothnotwishyoujoy.”

Soallendedhappily.Theshipwassafeintheharbor,andnextdaytheyallsetsail forNaples,whereFerdinand andMirandawere to bemarried.Ariel gavethem calm seas and auspicious gales; and many were the rejoicings at thewedding.

Then Prospero, aftermany years of absence,went back to his own dukedom,wherehewaswelcomedwithgreatjoybyhisfaithfulsubjects.Hepracticedtheartsofmagicnomore,buthislifewashappy,andnotonlybecausehehadfoundhisownagain, but chieflybecause,whenhis bitterest foeswhohaddonehimdeadlywronglayathismercy,hetooknovengeanceonthem,butnoblyforgavethem.

AsforAriel,Prosperomadehimfreeasair,sothathecouldwanderwherehewould,andsingwithalighthearthissweetsong--

“Wherethebeesucks,theresuckI:

Inacowslip'sbellIlie;

ThereIcouchwhenowlsdocry.

Onthebat'sbackIdofly

Aftersummer,merrily:

Merrily,merrily,shallIlivenow,

Undertheblossomthathangsonthebough.”

ASYOULIKEIT

Therewasonce awickedDukenamedFrederick,who took thedukedom thatshould have belonged to his brother, sending him into exile.His brotherwentinto the Forest of Arden, where he lived the life of a bold forester, as RobinHooddidinSherwoodForestinmerryEngland.


The banished Duke's daughter, Rosalind, remained with Celia, Frederick'sdaughter, and the two loved eachothermore thanmost sisters.Oneday therewasawrestlingmatchatCourt,andRosalindandCeliawenttoseeit.Charles,acelebratedwrestler,wasthere,whohadkilledmanymenincontestsofthiskind.Orlando, the youngmanhewas towrestlewith,was so slender andyouthful,thatRosalindandCeliathoughthewouldsurelybekilled,asothershadbeen;sotheyspoketohim,andaskedhimnottoattemptsodangerousanadventure;buttheonlyeffectoftheirwordswastomakehimwishmoretocomeoffwellintheencounter,soastowinpraisefromsuchsweetladies.

Orlando, like Rosalind's father, was being kept out of his inheritance by hisbrother,andwassosadathisbrother'sunkindnessthat,untilhesawRosalind,hedid not care much whether he lived or died. But now the sight of the fairRosalindgavehimstrengthandcourage,sothathedidmarvelously,andatlast,threwCharlestosuchatune,thatthewrestlerhadtobecarriedofftheground.DukeFrederickwaspleasedwithhiscourage,andaskedhisname.

“MynameisOrlando,andIamtheyoungestsonofSirRowlanddeBoys,”saidtheyoungman.

NowSirRowlanddeBoys,whenhewasalive,hadbeenagood friend to thebanishedDuke,sothatFrederickheardwithregretwhosesonOrlandowas,andwouldnotbefriendhim.ButRosalindwasdelightedtohearthatthishandsomeyoung strangerwas the son of her father's old friend, and as theywere goingaway, she turned backmore than once to say another kindword to the brave

youngman.

“Gentleman,”shesaid,givinghimachainfromherneck,“wear this forme. Icouldgivemore,butthatmyhandlacksmeans.”

Rosalind andCelia,when theywere alone, began to talk about the handsomewrestler,andRosalindconfessedthatshelovedhimatfirstsight.

“Come,come,”saidCelia,“wrestlewiththyaffections.”

“Oh,” answeredRosalind, “they take thepart of abetterwrestler thanmyself.Look,herecomestheDuke.”

“Withhiseyesfullofanger,”saidCelia.

“YoumustleavetheCourtatonce,”hesaidtoRosalind.“Why?”sheasked.


“Nevermindwhy,” answered theDuke, “you are banished. Ifwithin ten daysyouarefoundwithintwentymilesofmyCourt,youdie.”

SoRosalindsetouttoseekherfather,thebanishedDuke,intheForestofArden.Celia lovedher toomuch to lethergoalone,andas itwas ratheradangerousjourney,Rosalind,being the taller,dressedupasayoungcountryman,andhercousinasacountrygirl,andRosalindsaidthatshewouldbecalledGanymede,andCelia,Aliena.TheywereverytiredwhenatlasttheycametotheForestofArden,andastheyweresittingonthegrassacountrymanpassedthatway,andGanymedeaskedhimifhecouldgetthemfood.Hedidso,andtoldthemthatashepherd'sflocksandhouseweretobesold.Theyboughttheseandsettleddownasshepherdandshepherdessintheforest.

Inthemeantime,OliverhavingsoughttotakehisbrotherOrlando'slife,Orlandoalsowandered into the forest, and theremetwith the rightfulDuke,andbeingkindly received, stayed with him. Now, Orlando could think of nothing butRosalind,andhewentabout the forest carvinghernameon trees, andwritinglove sonnets and hanging them on the bushes, and there Rosalind and Celiafound them.OnedayOrlandomet them,buthedidnotknowRosalind inherboy's clothes, thoughhe liked thepretty shepherdyouth,becausehe fanciedalikenessinhimtoherheloved.

“There is a foolish lover,” saidRosalind, “whohaunts thesewoods andhangs

sonnetsonthetrees.IfIcouldfindhim,Iwouldsooncurehimofhisfolly.”

Orlandoconfessedthathewasthefoolishlover,andRosalindsaid--“Ifyouwillcomeand seemeeveryday, Iwillpretend tobeRosalind, and Iwill takeherpart, and be wayward and contrary, as is the way of women, till I make youashamedofyourfollyinlovingher.”

Andsoeverydayhewenttoherhouse,andtookapleasureinsayingtoheralltheprettythingshewouldhavesaidtoRosalind;andshehadthefineandsecretjoyofknowingthatallhis love-wordscameto therightears.Thusmanydayspassedpleasantlyaway.

Onemorning,asOrlandowasgoingtovisitGanymede,hesawamanasleepontheground,andthattherewasalionesscrouchingnear,waitingforthemanwhowasasleeptowake:fortheysaythatlionswillnotpreyonanythingthatisdeador sleeping. ThenOrlando looked at theman, and saw that itwas hiswickedbrother,Oliver,who had tried to take his life.He foughtwith the lioness andkilledher,andsavedhisbrother'slife.

WhileOrlandowasfightingthelioness,Oliverwoketoseehisbrother,whomhehad treated sobadly, savinghim fromawildbeast at the riskofhisown life.Thismadehimrepentofhiswickedness,andhebeggedOrlando'spardon,andfrom thenceforth theywere dear brothers.The lioness hadwoundedOrlando'sarmsomuch,thathecouldnotgoontoseetheshepherd,sohesenthisbrothertoaskGanymedetocometohim.

OliverwentandtoldthewholestorytoGanymedeandAliena,andAlienawassocharmedwithhismanlywayofconfessinghisfaults,thatshefellinlovewithhimatonce.ButwhenGanymedeheardofthedangerOrlandohadbeeninshefainted;andwhenshecametoherself,saidtrulyenough,“Ishouldhavebeenawomanbyright.”

Oliverwentbacktohisbrotherandtoldhimall this,saying,“I loveAlienasowell that I will give up my estates to you andmarry her, and live here as ashepherd.”

“Letyourweddingbe to-morrow,”saidOrlando,“andIwillask theDukeandhisfriends.”


When Orlando told Ganymede how his brother was to be married on the

morrow,headded:“Oh,howbittera thing it is to look intohappiness throughanotherman'seyes.”

ThenansweredRosalind,stillinGanymede'sdressandspeakingwithhisvoic--“If you do love Rosalind so near the heart, then when your brother marriesAliena,shallyoumarryher.”

Now the next day the Duke and his followers, and Orlando, and Oliver, andAliena,wereallgatheredtogetherforthewedding.

Then Ganymede came in and said to the Duke, “If I bring in your daughterRosalind,willyougivehertoOrlandohere?”“ThatIwould,”saidtheDuke,“ifIhadallkingdomstogivewithher.”

“AndyousayyouwillhaveherwhenIbringher?”shesaidtoOrlando.“ThatwouldI,”heanswered,“wereIkingofallkingdoms.”

Then Rosalind and Celia went out, and Rosalind put on her pretty woman'sclothesagain,andafterawhilecameback.

Sheturnedtoherfather--“Igivemyselftoyou,forIamyours.”“Iftherebetruthinsight,”hesaid,“youaremydaughter.”

Thenshesaid toOrlando,“Igivemyself toyou, for Iamyours.”“If therebetruthinsight,”hesaid,“youaremyRosalind.”

“Iwillhavenofatherifyoubenothe,”shesaidtotheDuke,andtoOrlando,“Iwillhavenohusbandifyoubenothe.”

SoOrlando and Rosalindweremarried, andOliver and Celia, and they livedhappy ever after, returning with the Duke to the kingdom. For Frederick hadbeenshownbyaholyhermitthewickednessofhisways,andsogavebackthedukedom of his brother, and himself went into a monastery to pray forforgiveness.

Theweddingwasamerryone,inthemossygladesoftheforest.Ashepherdandshepherdess who had been friends with Rosalind, when she was herselfdisguisedasashepherd,weremarriedonthesameday,andallwithsuchprettyfeastingsandmerrymakingsascouldbenowherewithinfourwalls,butonlyinthebeautifulgreenwood.

PleasekeepphotowithhtmlPrinceFlorizelandPerdita

THEWINTER'STALE

Leonteswas theKingofSicily, andhis dearest friendwasPolixenes,KingofBohemia. They had been brought up together, and only separated when theyreachedman'sestateandeachhadtogoandruleoverhiskingdom.Aftermanyyears, when each was married and had a son, Polixenes came to stay withLeontesinSicily.

Leontes was a violent-tempered man and rather silly, and he took it into hisstupidheadthathiswife,Hermione,likedPolixenesbetterthanshedidhim,herownhusband.Whenoncehehadgotthisintohishead,nothingcouldputitout;and he ordered one of his lords, Camillo, to put a poison in Polixenes' wine.Camillotriedtodissuadehimfromthiswickedaction,butfindinghewasnottobe moved, pretended to consent. He then told Polixenes what was proposedagainsthim, and they fled from theCourtofSicily thatnight, and returned toBohemia,whereCamillolivedonasPolixenes'friendandcounselor.

LeontesthrewtheQueenintoprison;andherson,theheirtothethrone,diedofsorrowtoseehismothersounjustlyandcruellytreated.

PleasekeepphotowithhtmlWhiletheQueenwasinprisonshehadalittlebaby,andafriendofhers,namedPaulina,hadthebabydressedinitsbest,andtookitto show theKing, thinking that the sight of his helpless little daughterwouldsoftenhisheart towardshisdearQueen,whohadneverdonehimanywrong,andwholovedhimagreatdealmorethanhedeserved;buttheKingwouldnotlookat thebaby, andorderedPaulina's husband to take it away in a ship, andleave it in the most desert and dreadful place he could find, which Paulina'shusband,verymuchagainsthiswill,wasobligedtodo.

Then the poor Queen was brought up to be tried for treason in preferringPolixenes to her King; but really she had never thought of anyone exceptLeontes,herhusband.Leonteshadsentsomemessengerstoaskthegod,Apollo,whether he was not right in his cruel thoughts of the Queen. But he had notpatiencetowaittilltheycameback,andsoithappenedthattheyarrivedinthemiddleofthetrial.TheOraclesaid--

“Hermione is innocent,Polixenesblameless,Camillo a true subject,Leontes ajealoustyrant,andtheKingshalllivewithoutanheir,ifthatwhichislostbenotfound.”

ThenamancameandtoldthemthatthelittlePrincewasdead.ThepoorQueen,hearingthis,felldowninafit;andthentheKingsawhowwickedandwronghehadbeen.HeorderedPaulinaand the ladieswhowerewith theQueen to takeheraway,andtrytorestoreher.ButPaulinacamebackinafewmoments,andtoldtheKingthatHermionewasdead.


NowLeontes'eyeswereatlastopenedtohisfolly.HisQueenwasdead,andthelittledaughterwhomighthavebeenacomforttohimhehadsentawaytobethepreyofwolvesandkites.Lifehadnothingleftforhimnow.Hegavehimselfuptohisgrief,andpassedinanysadyearsinprayerandremorse.

ThebabyPrincesswasleftontheseacoastofBohemia,theverykingdomwherePolixenesreigned.Paulina'shusbandneverwenthometotellLeonteswherehehadleft thebaby;forashewasgoingbacktotheship,hemetabearandwastorntopieces.Sotherewasanendofhim.

But the poor deserted little baby was found by a shepherd. She was richlydressed, and hadwith her some jewels, and a paperwas pinned to her cloak,sayingthathernamewasPerdita,andthatshecameofnobleparents.

Theshepherd,beingakind-heartedman,tookhomethelittlebabytohiswife,and they brought it up as their own child. She had no more teaching than ashepherd's child generally has, but she inherited from her royalmothermanygracesandcharms,sothatshewasquitedifferentfromtheothermaidensinthevillagewhereshelived.

OnedayPrinceFlorizel,thesonofthegoodKingofBohemia,wasbuntingneartheshepherd'shouseandsawPerdita,nowgrownuptoacharmingwoman.Hemade friends with the shepherd, not telling him that he was the Prince, butsaying that his namewasDoricles, and that hewas a private gentleman; andthen,beingdeeply in lovewith theprettyPerdita,hecamealmostdaily toseeher.

TheKingcouldnotunderstandwhat itwas that tookhis sonnearlyeverydayfromhome;sohesetpeopletowatchhim,andthenfoundoutthattheheirofthe

KingofBohemiawas in lovewithPerdita, theprettyshepherdgirl.Polixenes,wishing to see whether this was true, disguised himself, and went with thefaithfulCamillo,indisguisetoo,totheoldshepherd'shouse.Theyarrivedatthefeast of sheep-shearing, and, though strangers, theyweremadeverywelcome.Therewasdancinggoingon, and a peddlerwas selling ribbons and laces andgloves,whichtheyoungmenboughtfortheirsweethearts.

Florizel and Perdita, however, were taking no part in this gay scene, but satquietly together talking. The King noticed the charming manners and greatbeauty of Perdita, never guessing that shewas the daughter of his old friend,Leontes.HesaidtoCamillo--

“Thisistheprettiestlow-bornlassthateverranonthegreensward.Nothingshedoesorseemsbutsmacksofsomethinggreater thanherself--toonoblefor thisplace.”

AndCamilloanswered,“IntruthsheistheQueenofcurdsandcream.”

ButwhenFlorizel,whodidnotrecognizehisfather,calleduponthestrangerstowitnesshisbetrothalwiththeprettyshepherdess,theKingmadehimselfknownandforbade themarriage,adding that ifevershesawFlorizelagain,hewouldkillherandheroldfather,theshepherd;andwiththatheleftthem.ButCamilloremainedbehind,forhewascharmedwithPerdita,andwishedtobefriendher.


CamillohadlongknownhowsorryLeonteswasforthatfoolishmadnessofhis,andhelongedtogobacktoSicilytoseehisoldmaster.HenowproposedthattheyoungpeopleshouldgothereandclaimtheprotectionofLeontes.Sotheywent,andtheshepherdwentwiththem,takingPerdita'sjewels,herbabyclothes,andthepaperhehadfoundpinnedtohercloak.

Leontes received them with great kindness. He was very polite to PrinceFlorizel,butallhislookswereforPerdita.HesawhowmuchshewasliketheQueenHermione,andsaidagainandagain--

“Suchasweetcreaturemydaughtermighthavebeen, if Ihadnotcruellysentherfromme.”

When theoldshepherdheard that theKinghad lostababydaughter,whohadbeenleftuponthecoastofBohemia,hefeltsure thatPerdita, thechildhehadreared,mustbe theKing'sdaughter,andwhenhe toldhis taleandshowed the

jewels and thepaper, theKingperceived thatPerditawas indeedhis long-lostchild.Hewelcomedherwithjoy,andrewardedthegoodshepherd.

Polixenes had hastened after his son to prevent hismarriagewith Perdita, butwhenhefoundthatshewasthedaughterofhisoldfriend,hewasonlytoogladtogivehisconsent.

Yet Leontes could not be happy. He remembered how his fair Queen, whoshould have been at his side to share his joy in his daughter's happiness,wasdeadthroughhisunkindness,andhecouldsaynothingforalongtimebut--

“Oh,thymother!thymother!”andaskforgivenessoftheKingofBohemia,andthenkisshisdaughteragain,andthenthePrinceFlorizel,andthenthanktheoldshepherdforallhisgoodness.


ThenPaulina,whohadbeenhighalltheseyearsintheKing'sfavor,becauseofher kindness to the deadQueenHermione, said--“I have a statuemade in thelikenessofthedeadQueen,apiecemanyyearsindoing,andperformedbytherareItalianmaster,GiulioRomano.Ikeepitinaprivatehouseapart,andthere,eversinceyoulostyourQueen,Ihavegonetwiceorthriceaday.WillitpleaseyourMajestytogoandseethestatue?”

So Leontes and Polixenes, and Florizel and Perdita, with Camillo and theirattendants, went to Paulina's house where there was a heavy purple curtainscreeningoffanalcove;andPaulina,withherhandonthecurtain,said--

“Shewaspeerlesswhenshewasalive,andIdobelieve thatherdead likenessexcelswhateveryetyouhavelookedupon,or that thehandofmanhathdone.ThereforeIkeepitlonely,apart.Buthereitis--behold,andsay,'tiswell.”

Andwiththatshedrewbackthecurtainandshowedthemthestatue.TheKinggazedandgazedonthebeautifulstatueofhisdeadwife,butsaidnothing.

“I like your silence,” said Paulina; “it the more shows off your wonder. Butspeak,isitnotlikeher?”

“It is almost herself,” said theKing, “and yet, Paulina, Hermionewas not somuchwrinkled,nothingsooldasthisseems.”

“Oh,notbymuch,”saidPolixenes.

“Al,”saidPaulina,“thatistheclevernessofthecarver,whoshowshertousasshewouldhavebeenhadshelivedtillnow.”

AndstillLeonteslookedatthestatueandcouldnottakehiseyesaway.

“IfIhadknown,”saidPaulina,“thatthispoorimagewouldsohavestirredyourgrief,andlove,Iwouldnothaveshownittoyou.”

Butheonlyanswered,“Donotdrawthecurtain.”

“No,youmustnotlookanylonger,”saidPaulina,“oryouwillthinkitmoves.”

“Letbe!letbe!”saidtheKing.“Wouldyounotthinkitbreathed?”

“Iwilldrawthecurtain,”saidPaulina;“youwillthinkitlivespresently.”


“Ah,sweetPaulina,”saidLeontes,“makemetothinksotwentyyearstogether.”

“Ifyoucanbear it,” saidPaulina,“Icanmake the statuemove,make it comedownandtakeyoubythehand.Onlyyouwouldthinkitwasbywickedmagic.”

“Whateveryoucanmakeherdo,Iamcontenttolookon,”saidtheKing.

And then, all folks there admiring and beholding, the statue moved from itspedestal,andcamedownthestepsandputitsarmsroundtheKing'sneck,andheheldherfaceandkissedhermanytimes,forthiswasnostatue,butthereallivingQueenHermioneherself.Shehadlivedhidden,byPaulina'skindness,alltheseyears,andwouldnotdiscoverherselftoherhusband,thoughsheknewhehad repented, because she could not quite forgive him till she knewwhat hadbecomeofherlittlebaby.

NowthatPerditawasfound,sheforgaveherhusbandeverything,anditwaslikeanewandbeautifulmarriagetothem,tobetogetheroncemore.

FlorizelandPerditaweremarriedandlivedlongandhappily.

ToLeonteshismanyyearsofsufferingwerewellpaidforinthemomentwhen,afterlonggriefandpain,hefeltthearmsofhistruelovearoundhimonceagain.

KINGLEAR

KingLearwasoldandtired.Hewasawearyofthebusinessofhiskingdom,andwished only to end his days quietly near his three daughters. Two of hisdaughtersweremarriedtotheDukesofAlbanyandCornwall;andtheDukeofBurgundyandtheKingofFrancewerebothsuitorsforthehandofCordelia,hisyoungestdaughter.

Learcalledhisthreedaughterstogether,andtoldthemthatheproposedtodividehiskingdombetweenthem.“Butfirst,”saidhe,“Ishouldliketoknowmuchyouloveme.”

Goneril,whowasreallyaverywickedwoman,anddidnotloveherfatheratall,said she loved him more than words could say; she loved him dearer thaneyesight,spaceorliberty,morethanlife,grace,health,beauty,andhonor.


“Iloveyouasmuchasmysisterandmore,”professedRegan,“sinceIcarefornothingbutmyfather'slove.”

Lear was very much pleased with Regan's professions, and turned to hisyoungestdaughter,Cordelia.“Now,ourjoy,thoughlastnotleast,”hesaid,“thebestpartofmykingdomhaveIkeptforyou.Whatcanyousay?”

“Nothing,mylord,”answeredCordelia.

“Nothingcancomeofnothing.Speakagain,”saidtheKing.

AndCordeliaanswered,“IloveyourMajestyaccordingtomyduty--nomore,noless.”

Andthisshesaid,becauseshewasdisgustedwiththewayinwhichhersistersprofessedlove,whenreallytheyhadnotevenarightsenseofdutytotheiroldfather.

“Iamyourdaughter,”shewenton,“andyouhavebroughtmeupandlovedme,andIreturnyouthosedutiesbackasarerightandfit,obeyyou,loveyou,and

mosthonoryou.”


Lear, who loved Cordelia best, had wished her to make more extravagantprofessionsoflovethanhersisters.“Go,”hesaid,“beforeverastrangertomyheartandme.”

The Earl ofKent, one of Lear's favorite courtiers and captains, tried to say aword for Cordelia's sake, but Lear would not listen. He divided the kingdombetweenGonerilandRegan,andtoldthemthatheshouldonlykeepahundredknightsatarms,andwouldlivewithhisdaughtersbyturns.

When theDuke of Burgundy knew that Cordeliawould have no share of thekingdom,hegaveuphiscourtshipofher.ButtheKingofFrancewaswiser,andsaid, “Thy dowerless daughter, King, is Queen of us--of ours, and our fairFrance.”

“Takeher,takeher,”saidtheKing;“forIwillneverseethatfaceofhersagain.”

SoCordeliabecameQueenofFrance,andtheEarlofKent,forhavingventuredto takeher part,wasbanished from thekingdom.TheKingnowwent to staywithhisdaughterGoneril,whohadgoteverythingfromherfatherthathehadtogive,andnowbegantogrudgeeventhehundredknightsthathehadreservedforhimself.Shewasharshandundutifultohim,andherservantseitherrefusedtoobeyhisordersorpretendedthattheydidnothearthem.

NowtheEarlofKent,whenhewasbanished,madeasthoughhewouldgointoanothercountry,but insteadhecameback in thedisguiseofaservingmanandtook servicewith theKing. TheKing had now two friends--theEarl ofKent,whom he only knew as his servant, and his Fool, who was faithful to him.GoneriltoldherfatherplainlythathisknightsonlyservedtofillherCourtwithriotandfeasting;andsoshebeggedhimonlytokeepafewoldmenabouthimsuchashimself.

“Mytrainaremenwhoknowallpartsofduty,”saidLear.“Goneril, Iwillnottroubleyoufurther--yetIhaveleftanotherdaughter.”

And his horses being saddled, he set out with his followers for the castle ofRegan. But she, who had formerly outdone her sister in professions ofattachment to theKing,nowseemed tooutdoher inundutiful conduct, sayingthatfiftyknightsweretoomanytowaitonhim,andGoneril(whohadhurried

thither topreventReganshowinganykindness to theoldKing)saidfiveweretoomany,sinceherservantscouldwaitonhim.

ThenwhenLearsawthatwhattheyreallywantedwastodrivehimaway,heleftthem.Itwasawildandstormynight,andhewanderedabouttheheathhalfmadwithmisery,andwithnocompanionbutthepoorFool.Butpresentlyhisservant,the good Earl of Kent, met him, and at last persuaded him to lie down in awretchedlittlehovel.AtdaybreaktheEarlofKentremovedhisroyalmastertoDover,andhurriedtotheCourtofFrancetotellCordeliawhathadhappened.

Cordelia'shusbandgaveheranarmyandwithitshelandedatDover.HereshefoundpoorKingLear,wandering about the fields,wearing a crownof nettlesandweeds.Theybroughthimbackandfedandclothedhim,andCordeliacametohimandkissedhim.

“Youmustbearwithme,”saidLear;“forgetandforgive.Iamoldandfoolish.”


Andnowheknewat lastwhichofhischildrenitwasthathadlovedhimbest,andwhowasworthyofhislove.

Goneril and Regan joined their armies to fight Cordelia's army, and weresuccessful;andCordeliaandherfatherwerethrownintoprison.ThenGoneril'shusband, theDukeofAlbany,whowas a goodman, andhadnot knownhowwickedhiswifewas,heardthetruthofthewholestory;andwhenGonerilfoundthat her husband knewher for thewickedwoman shewas, she killed herself,havinga little timebeforegivenadeadlypoison toher sister,Regan,outofaspiritofjealousy.

ButtheyhadarrangedthatCordeliashouldbehangedinprison,andthoughtheDuke ofAlbany sentmessengers at once, itwas too late. The oldKing camestaggering into the tent of theDuke ofAlbany, carrying the body of his deardaughterCordelia,inhisarms.

Andsoonafter,withwordsofloveforheruponhislips,hefellwithherstillinhisarms,anddied.

TWELFTHNIGHT

Orsino,theDukeofIllyria,wasdeeplyinlovewithabeautifulCountessnamedOlivia. Yet was all his love in vain, for she disdained his suit; andwhen herbrother died, she sent back a messenger from the Duke, bidding him tell hismaster that for sevenyears shewouldnot let theveryairbeholdher face,butthat, like a nun, she would walk veiled; and all this for the sake of a deadbrother'slove,whichshewouldkeepfreshandlastinginhersadremembrance.


TheDukelongedforsomeonetowhomhecouldtellhissorrow,andrepeatoverandoveragainthestoryofhislove.Andchancebroughthimsuchacompanion.ForaboutthistimeagoodlyshipwaswreckedontheIllyriancoast,andamongthosewhoreachedlandinsafetywerethecaptainandafairyoungmaid,namedViola.But shewas little grateful for being rescued from the perils of the sea,sinceshefearedthathertwinbrotherwasdrowned,Sebastian,asdeartoherastheheartinherbosom,andsolikeherthat,butforthedifferenceintheirmannerofdress,onecouldhardlybetoldfromtheother.Thecaptain,forhercomfort,toldher thathehad seenherbrotherbindhimself “to a strongmast that liveduponthesea,”andthatthustherewashopethathemightbesaved.

Violanowasked inwhosecountry shewas, and learning that theyoungDukeOrsinoruledthere,andwasasnobleinhisnatureasinhisname,shedecidedtodisguiseherselfinmaleattire,andseekforemploymentwithhimasapage.

Inthisshesucceeded,andnowfromdaytodayshehadtolistentothestoryofOrsino's love. At first she sympathized very truly with him, but soon hersympathygrewtolove.AtlastitoccurredtoOrsinothathishopelesslove-suitmight prosper better if he sent this pretty lad to woo Olivia for him. Violaunwillingly went on this errand, but when she came to the house, Malvolio,Olivia's steward, a vain, officiousman, sick, as hismistress told him, of self-love,forbadethemessengeradmittance.

Viola,however (whowasnowcalledCesario), refused to takeanydenial, andvowed tohave speechwith theCountess.Olivia, hearinghowher instructionswere defied and curious to see this daring youth, said, “We'll oncemore hear

Orsino'sembassy.”

WhenViolawasadmittedtoherpresenceandtheservantshadbeensentaway,shelistenedpatientlytothereproacheswhichthisboldmessengerfromtheDukepoureduponher,and listeningshe fell in lovewith thesupposedCesario;andwhenCesariohadgone,Olivia longed to send some love-tokenafter him.So,callingMalvolio,shebadehimfollowtheboy.


“Heleftthisringbehindhim,”shesaid,takingonefromherfinger.“TellhimIwillnoneofit.”

Malvoliodidashewasbid,andthenViola,whoofcourseknewperfectlywellthatshehad leftnoringbehindher,sawwithawoman'squickness thatOlivialovedher.ThenshewentbacktotheDuke,verysadatheartforherlover,andforOlivia,andforherself.

ItwasbutcoldcomfortshecouldgiveOrsino,whonowsoughttoeasethepangsofdespisedlovebylisteningtosweetmusic,whileCesariostoodbyhisside.

“Ah,”saidtheDuketohispagethatnight,“youtoohavebeeninlove.”

“Alittle,”answeredViola.

“Whatkindofwomanisit?”heasked.

“Ofyourcomplexion,”sheanswered.

“Whatyears,i'faith?”washisnextquestion.


Tothiscametheprettyanswer,“Aboutyouryears,mylord.”

“Tooold,byHeaven!”criedtheDuke.“Letstill thewomantakeanelderthanherself.”

AndViolaverymeeklysaid,“Ithinkitwell,mylord.”

By and byOrsino begged Cesario oncemore to visit Olivia and to plead hislove-suit.Butshe,thinkingtodissuadehim,said--

“IfsomeladylovedyouasyouloveOlivia?”

“Ah!thatcannotbe,”saidtheDuke.

“ButIknow,”Violawenton,“whatlovewomanmayhaveforaman.Myfatherhadadaughterlovedaman,asitmightbe,”sheaddedblushing,“perhaps,wereIawoman,Ishouldloveyourlordship.”

“Andwhatisherhistory?”heasked.

“A blank, my lord,” Viola answered. “She never told her love, but letconcealment like aworm in the bud feed on her damask cheek: she pined inthought, and with a green and yellowmelancholy she sat, like Patience on amonument,smilingatgrief.Wasnotthisloveindeed?”

“Butdiedthysisterofherlove,myboy?”theDukeasked;andViola,whohadallthetimebeentellingherownloveforhiminthisprettyfashion,said--

“Iamallthedaughtersmyfatherhasandallthebrothers--Sir,shallIgotothelady?”

“Toherinhaste,”saidtheDuke,atonceforgettingallaboutthestory,“andgiveherthisjewel.”

SoViolawent,andthistimepoorOliviawasunabletohideherlove,andopenlyconfesseditwithsuchpassionatetruth,thatViolaleftherhastily,saying--

“NevermorewillIdeploremymaster'stearstoyou.”

Butinvowingthis,Violadidnotknowthetenderpityshewouldfeelforother'ssuffering.SowhenOlivia,intheviolenceofherlove,sentamessenger,prayingCesariotovisitheroncemore,Cesariohadnohearttorefusetherequest.

ButthefavorswhichOliviabestoweduponthismerepagearousedthejealousyofSirAndrewAguecheek,afoolish,rejectedloverofhers,whoatthattimewasstaying at her house with her merry old uncle Sir Toby. This same Sir Tobydearlylovedapractical joke,andknowingSirAndrewtobeanarrantcoward,he thought that if he could bring off a duel between him and Cesario, therewould be rare sport indeed. So he induced Sir Andrew to send a challenge,whichhehimselftooktoCesario.Thepoorpage,ingreatterror,said--

“Iwillreturnagaintothehouse,Iamnofighter.”

“Backyoushallnottothehouse,”saidSirToby,“unlessyoufightmefirst.”

Andashelookedaveryfierceoldgentleman,ViolathoughtitbesttoawaitSirAndrew'scoming;andwhenheatlastmadehisappearance,inagreatfright,ifthe truthhadbeenknown,she tremblinglydrewhersword,andSirAndrewinlike fear followed her example. Happily for them both, at this moment someofficers of theCourt cameon the scene, and stopped the intended duel.Violagladlymadeoffwithwhatspeedshemight,whileSirTobycalledafterher--

“Averypaltryboy,andmoreacowardthanahare!”

Now,whilethesethingswerehappening,Sebastianhadescapedallthedangersof thedeep,andhad landedsafely in Illyria,wherehedetermined tomakehisway to theDuke's Court. On hisway thither he passedOlivia's house just asViolahadleftitinsuchahurry,andwhomshouldhemeetbutSirAndrewandSir Toby. SirAndrew,mistaking Sebastian for the cowardlyCesario, took hiscourage inbothhands,andwalkingup tohimstruckhim,saying,“There's foryou.”

“Why,there'sforyou;andthere,andthere!”saidSebastian,bittingbackagreatdealharder,andagainandagain,tillSirTobycametotherescueofhisfriend.Sebastian,however,torehimselffreefromSirToby'sclutches,anddrawinghisswordwouldhavefoughtthemboth,butthatOliviaherself,havingheardofthequarrel,camerunningin,andwithmanyreproachessentSirTobyandhisfriendaway. Then turning to Sebastian, whom she too thought to be Cesario, shebesoughthimwithmanyaprettyspeechtocomeintothehousewithher.

Sebastian, half dazed and all delighted with her beauty and grace, readilyconsented, and that very day, so great was Olivia's baste, they were marriedbeforeshehaddiscoveredthathewasnotCesario,orSebastianwasquitecertainwhetherornothewasinadream.

MeanwhileOrsino,hearinghowillCesariospedwithOlivia,visitedherhimself,takingCesariowithhim.Oliviamet thembothbeforeherdoor,andseeing,asshe thought, her husband there, reproached him for leaving her, while to theDuke she said that his suitwas as fat andwholesome to her as howling aftermusic.

“Stillsocruel?”saidOrsino.

“Stillsoconstant,”sheanswered.

ThenOrsino'sangergrowingtocruelty,hevowedthat,toberevengedonher,he

wouldkillCesario,whomheknewsheloved.“Come,boy,”hesaidtothepage.

AndViola,followinghimashemovedaway,said,“I,todoyourest,athousanddeathswoulddie.”

AgreatfeartookholdonOlivia,andshecriedaloud,“Cesario,husband,stay!”

“Herhusband?”askedtheDukeangrily.

“No,mylord,notI,”saidViola.

“Callforththeholyfather,”criedOlivia.

And the priest who had married Sebastian and Olivia, coming in, declaredCesariotobethebridegroom.

“Othoudissemblingcub!”theDukeexclaimed.“Farewell,andtakeher,butgowherethouandIhenceforthmaynevermeet.”

At this moment Sir Andrew came up with bleeding crown, complaining thatCesariohadbrokenhishead,andSirToby'saswell.

“Ineverhurtyou,”saidViola,verypositively;“youdrewyourswordonme,butIbespokeyoufair,andhurtyounot.”

Yet,forallherprotesting,noonetherebelievedher;butalltheirthoughtswereonasuddenchangedtowonder,whenSebastiancamein.

“Iamsorry,madam,”hesaidtohiswife,“Ihavehurtyourkinsman.Pardonme,sweet,evenforthevowswemadeeachothersolateago.”

“Oneface,onevoice,onehabit,andtwopersons!”criedtheDuke,lookingfirstatViola,andthenatSebastian.

“Anapplecleft in two,”saidonewhoknewSebastian,“isnotmore twin thanthesetwocreatures.WhichisSebastian?”

“Ineverhadabrother,” saidSebastian. “Ihada sister,whom theblindwavesandsurgeshavedevoured.”“Wereyouawoman,”hesaidtoViola,“Ishouldletmytearsfalluponyourcheek,andsay,'Thricewelcome,drownedViola!'”

ThenViola,rejoicingtoseeherdearbrotheralive,confessedthatshewasindeedhissister,Viola.Asshespoke,Orsinofeltthepitythatisakintolove.

“Boy,”hesaid,“thouhastsaidtomeathousandtimesthounevershouldstlovewomanliketome.”

“AndallthosesayingswillIoverswear,”Violareplied,“andallthoseswearingskeeptrue.”

“Givemethyhand,”Orsinocriedingladness.“Thoushaltbemywife,andmyfancy'squeen.”

Thus was the gentle Viola made happy, while Olivia found in Sebastian aconstantlover,andagoodhusband,andheinheratrueandlovingwife.

MUCHADOABOUTNOTHING

InSicily is a towncalledMessina,which is the sceneof a curious storm in ateacupthatragedseveralhundredyearsago.

Itbeganwithsunshine.DonPedro,PrinceofArragon, inSpain,hadgainedsocomplete a victory over his foes that the very land whence they came isforgotten.Feelinghappyandplayfulafterthefatiguesofwar,DonPedrocameforaholidaytoMessina,andinhissuitewerehisstepbrotherDonJohnandtwoyoungItalianlords,BenedickandClaudio.

Benedick was a merry chatterbox, who had determined to live a bachelor.Claudio,ontheotherhand,nosoonerarrivedatMessinathanhefellinlovewithHero,thedaughterofLeonato,GovernorofMessina.

OneJulyday,aperfumercalledBorachiowasburningdriedlavenderinamustyroom in Leonato's house,when the sound of conversation floated through theopenwindow.


“Givemeyour candid opinionofHero,”Claudio, asked, andBorachio settledhimselfforcomfortablelistening.

“Tooshortandbrownforpraise,”wasBenedick'sreply;“butalterhercolororheight,andyouspoilher.”

“Inmyeyessheisthesweetestofwomen,”saidClaudio.

“Notinmine,”retortedBenedick,“andIhavenoneedforglasses.SheislikethelastdayofDecembercomparedwith thefirstofMayifyousetherbesidehercousin.Unfortunately,theLadyBeatriceisafury.”

Beatricewas Leonato's niece. She amused herself by sayingwitty and severethingsaboutBenedick,whocalledherDearLadyDisdain.Shewaswonttosaythatshewasbornunderadancingstar,andcouldnotthereforebedull.

Claudio and Benedick were still talking when Don Pedro came up and said

good-humoredly,“Well,gentlemen,what'sthesecret?”

“Iamlonging,”answeredBenedick,“foryourGracetocommandmetotell.”

“I chargeyou, then, onyour allegiance to tellme,” saidDonPedro, falling inwithhishumor.

“Icanbeasdumbasamute,”apologizedBenedicktoClaudio,“buthisGracecommandsmyspeech.”ToDonPedrohe said, “Claudio is in lovewithHero,Leonato'sshortdaughter.”

DonPedrowaspleased, forheadmiredHeroandwas fondofClaudio.WhenBenedickhaddeparted,hesaidtoClaudio,“BesteadfastinyourloveforHero,andIwillhelpyoutowinher.To-nightherfathergivesamasquerade,andIwillpretendIamClaudio,andtellherhowClaudiolovesher,andifshebepleased,Iwillgotoherfatherandaskhisconsenttoyourunion.”

Mostmenliketodotheirownwooing,butifyoufallinlovewithaGovernor'sonlydaughter,youarefortunateifyoucantrustaprincetopleadforyou.

Claudiothenwasfortunate,buthewasunfortunateaswell,forhehadanenemywhowasoutwardlyafriend.ThisenemywasDonPedro'sstepbrotherDonJohn,whowasjealousofClaudiobecauseDonPedropreferredhimtoDonJohn.

ItwastoDonJohnthatBorachiocamewiththeinterestingconversationwhichhehadoverheard.

“I shall have some fun at that masquerade myself,” said Don John whenBorachioceasedspeaking.

On the night of the masquerade, Don Pedro, masked and pretending he wasClaudio,askedHeroifhemightwalkwithher.

Theymovedawaytogether,andDonJohnwentuptoClaudioandsaid,“SignorBenedick,Ibelieve?”“Thesame,”fibbedClaudio.

“I should be much obliged then,” said Don John, “if you would use yourinfluencewithmybrothertocurehimofhisloveforHero.Sheisbeneathhiminrank.”

“Howdoyouknowhelovesher?”inquiredClaudio.


“Iheardhimswearhisaffection,”wasthereply,andBorachiochimedinwith,“SodidItoo.”

Claudio was then left to himself, and his thought was that his Prince hadbetrayedhim.“Farewell,Hero,”hemuttered;“Iwasafooltotrusttoanagent.”

Meanwhile Beatrice and Benedick (who was masked) were having a briskexchangeofopinions.

“DidBenedickevermakeyoulaugh?”askedshe.

“WhoisBenedick?”heinquired.

“APrince'sjester,”repliedBeatrice,andshespokesosharplythat“Iwouldnotmarryher,”hedeclaredafterwards,“ifherestateweretheGardenofEden.”

ButtheprincipalspeakeratthemasqueradewasneitherBeatricenorBenedick.ItwasDonPedro,whocarriedouthisplan to the letter, andbrought the lightbacktoClaudio'sfaceinatwinkling,byappearingbeforehimwithLeonatoandHero,andsaying,“Claudio,whenwouldyouliketogotochurch?”

“To-morrow,” was the prompt answer. “Time goes on crutches till I marryHero.”

“Giveheraweek,mydearson,”saidLeonato,andClaudio'sheartthumpedwithjoy.

“And now,” said the amiable Don Pedro, “we must find a wife for SignorBenedick.ItisataskforHercules.”

“Iwillhelpyou,”saidLeonato,“ifIhavetosituptennights.”

ThenHero spoke. “Iwill dowhat I can,my lord, to find a good husband forBeatrice.”

Thus,with happy laughter, ended themasqueradewhich had givenClaudio alessonfornothing.

BorachiocheeredupDonJohnbylayingaplanbeforehimwithwhichhewasconfidenthecouldpersuadebothClaudioandDonPedrothatHerowasaficklegirlwhohadtwostringstoherbow.DonJohnagreedtothisplanofhate.

DonPedro,ontheotherhand,haddevisedacunningplanoflove.“If,”hesaidto Leonato, “we pretend, when Beatrice is near enough to overhear us, that

Benedick is pining for her love, shewill pity him, see his goodqualities, andlovehim.Andif,whenBenedick thinkswedon'tknowhe is listening,wesayhowsaditisthatthebeautifulBeatriceshouldbeinlovewithaheartlessscofferlikeBenedick,hewillcertainlybeonhiskneesbeforeherinaweekorless.”

Sooneday,whenBenedickwasreadinginasummer-house,Claudiosatdownoutside it with Leonato, and said, “Your daughter toldme something about alettershewrote.”

“Letter!” exclaimed Leonato. “She will get up twenty times in the night andwrite goodness knows what. But once Hero peeped, and saw the words'BenedickandBeatrice'onthesheet,andthenBeatricetoreitup.”

“Herotoldme,”saidClaudio,“thatshecried,'OsweetBenedick!'”

Benedickwastouchedtothecorebythis improbablestory,whichhewasvainenoughtobelieve.“Sheisfairandgood,”hesaidtohimself.“Imustnotseemproud.IfeelthatIloveher.Peoplewilllaugh,ofcourse;buttheirpaperbulletswilldomenoharm.”

AtthismomentBeatricecametothesummerhouse,andsaid,“Againstmywill,Ihavecometotellyouthatdinnerisready.”

“FairBeatrice,Ithankyou,”saidBenedick.

“I took no more pains to come than you take pains to thank me,” was therejoinder,intendedtofreezehim.

Butitdidnotfreezehim.Itwarmedhim.Themeaninghesqueezedoutofherrudespeechwasthatshewasdelightedtocometohim.

Hero, who had undertaken the task of melting the heart of Beatrice, took notroubletoseekanoccasion.ShesimplysaidtohermaidMargaretoneday,“RunintotheparlorandwhispertoBeatricethatUrsulaandIaretalkingaboutherintheorchard.”

Please keep photo with html Having said this, she felt as sure that Beatricewouldoverhearwhatwasmeantforherearsasifshehadmadeanappointmentwithhercousin.

In the orchard was a bower, screened from the sun by honeysuckles, andBeatriceentereditafewminutesafterMargarethadgoneonhererrand.

“But are you sure,” asked Ursula, who was one of Hero's attendants, “thatBenedicklovesBeatricesodevotedly?”

“SosaythePrinceandmybetrothed,”repliedHero,“andtheywishedmetotellher,butIsaid,'No!LetBenedickgetoverit.'”

“Whydidyousaythat?”

“BecauseBeatriceisunbearablyproud.Hereyessparklewithdisdainandscorn.Sheis tooconceited to love.Ishouldnot like toseehermakinggameofpoorBenedick'slove.IwouldratherseeBenedickwasteawaylikeacoveredfire.”

“Idon't agreewithyou,” saidUrsula. “I thinkyourcousin is tooclear-sightednottoseethemeritsofBenedick.”“HeistheonemaninItaly,exceptClaudio,”saidHero.

Thetalkersthenlefttheorchard,andBeatrice,excitedandtender,steppedoutofthe summer-house, saying to herself, “Poor dearBenedick, be true tome, andyourloveshalltamethiswildheartofmine.”

Wenowreturntotheplanofhate.

ThenightbeforethedayfixedforClaudio'swedding,DonJohnenteredaroomin which Don Pedro and Claudio were conversing, and asked Claudio if heintendedtobemarriedto-morrow.

“Youknowhedoes!”saidDonPedro.

“Hemayknowdifferently,”saidDonJohn,“whenhehasseenwhatIwillshowhimifhewillfollowme.”

They followedhim into thegarden;and theysawa lady leaningoutofHero'swindowtalkinglovetoBorachio.

Claudio thought the lady was Hero, and said, “I will shame her for it to-morrow!”DonPedrothoughtshewasHero,too;butshewasnotHero;shewasMargaret.

DonJohnchucklednoiselesslywhenClaudioandDonPedroquittedthegarden;hegaveBorachioapursecontainingathousandducats.

ThemoneymadeBorachiofeelverygay,andwhenhewaswalkinginthestreetwithhisfriendConrade,heboastedofhiswealthandthegiver,andtoldwhathe

haddone.

A watchman overheard them, and thought that a man who had been paid athousandducats for villainywasworth taking in charge.He therefore arrestedBorachioandConrade,whospenttherestofthenightinprison.

BeforenoonofthenextdayhalfthearistocratsinMessinawereatchurch.Herothought it was her wedding day, and she was there in her wedding dress, nocloudonherprettyfaceorinherfrankandshiningeyes.

ThepriestwasFriarFrancis.

Turning toClaudio, he said, “You come hither,my lord, tomarry this lady?”“No!”contradictedClaudio.

Leonatothoughthewasquibblingovergrammar.“Youshouldhavesaid,Friar,”saidhe,“'Youcometobemarriedtoher.'”

FriarFrancisturnedtoHero.“Lady,”hesaid,“youcomehithertobemarriedtothisCount?”“Ido,”repliedHero.

“Ifeitherofyouknowanyimpedimenttothismarriage,Ichargeyoutoutterit,”saidtheFriar.

“Doyouknowofany,Hero?”askedClaudio.“None,”saidshe.

“Knowyouofany,Count?”demandedtheFriar.“Idarereplyforhim,'None,'”saidLeonato.

Claudio exclaimed bitterly, “O! what will not men dare say! Father,” hecontinued,“willyougivemeyourdaughter?”“Asfreely,”repliedLeonato,“asGodgavehertome.”

“And what can I give you,” asked Claudio, “which is worthy of this gift?”“Nothing,”saidDonPedro,“unlessyougivethegiftbacktothegiver.”

“SweetPrince,youteachme,”saidClaudio.“There,Leonato,takeherback.”

These brutal words were followed by others which flew from Claudio, DonPedroandDonJohn.

The church seemed no longer sacred. Hero took her own part as long as shecould, thensheswooned.Allherpersecutors left thechurch,exceptherfather,whowasbefooledby theaccusationsagainsther,andcried,“Hence fromher!

Letherdie!”

ButFriarFrancissawHeroblamelesswithhiscleareyes thatprobed thesoul.“Sheisinnocent,”hesaid;“athousandsignshavetoldmeso.”

Herorevivedunderhiskindgaze.Herfather,flurriedandangry,knewnotwhattothink,andtheFriarsaid,“Theyhaveleftherasonedeadwithshame.Letuspretendthatsheisdeaduntilthetruthisdeclared,andslanderturnstoremorse.”

“TheFriaradviseswell,”saidBenedick.ThenHerowasledawayintoaretreat,andBeatriceandBenedickremainedaloneinthechurch.

Benedick knew she had beenweeping bitterly and long. “Surely I do believeyourfaircousiniswronged,”hesaid.Shestillwept.

“Isitnotstrange,”askedBenedick,gently,“thatI lovenothingintheworldaswellasyou?”

“ItwereaspossibleformetosayIlovednothingaswellasyou,”saidBeatrice,“butIdonotsayit.Iamsorryformycousin.”

“Tellmewhattodoforher,”saidBenedick.“KillClaudio.”

“Ha! not for the wide world,” said Benedick. “Your refusal kills me,” saidBeatrice.“Farewell.”

“Enough!Iwillchallengehim,”criedBenedick.

During this scene Borachio and Conrade were in prison. There they wereexaminedbyaconstablecalledDogberry.

Thewatchman gave evidence to the effect thatBorachio had said that he hadreceivedathousandducatsforconspiringagainstHero.

Leonato was not present at this examination, but he was nevertheless nowthoroughly convinced Of Hero's innocence. He played the part of bereavedfatherverywell,andwhenDonPedroandClaudiocalledonhiminafriendlyway, he said to the Italian, “You have slandered my child to death, and Ichallengeyoutocombat.”

“Icannotfightanoldman,”saidClaudio.

“Youcouldkillagirl,”sneeredLeonato,andClaudiocrimsoned.

Hotwordsgrewfromhotwords,andbothDonPedroandClaudiowerefeelingscorchedwhenLeonatolefttheroomandBenedickentered.

“Theoldman,”saidClaudio,“wasliketohavesnappedmynoseoff.”

“You are a villain!” said Benedick, shortly. “Fight me when and with whatweaponyouplease,orIcallyouacoward.”

Claudiowasastounded,butsaid,“I'llmeetyou.NobodyshallsayIcan'tcarveacalf'shead.”

Benedick smiled, and as it was time for Don Pedro to receive officials, thePrincesatdowninachairofstateandpreparedhismindforjustice.

ThedoorsoonopenedtoadmitDogberryandhisprisoners.

“Whatoffence,”saidDonPedro,“arethesemenchargedwith?”


Borachio thought themomentahappyone formakingacleanbreastof it.HelaidthewholeblameonDonJohn,whohaddisappeared.“TheladyHerobeingdead,”hesaid,“Idesirenothingbuttherewardofamurderer.”

Claudioheardwithanguishanddeeprepentance.

Upon the re-entranceofLeonatobe said tohim,“This slavemakesclearyourdaughter'sinnocence.Chooseyourrevenge.

“Leonato,” said Don Pedro, humbly, “I am ready for any penance you mayimpose.”

“Iaskyouboth,then,”saidLeonato,“toproclaimmydaughter'sinnocence,andtohonorher tombbysingingherpraisebefore it.As foryou,Claudio, Ihavethistosay:mybrotherhasadaughtersolikeHerothatshemightbeacopyofher.Marryher,andmyvengefulfeelingsdie.”

“Noble sir,” said Claudio, “I am yours.” Claudio then went to his room andcomposed a solemn song. Going to the church with Don Pedro and hisattendants, he sang it before themonument ofLeonato's family.Whenhe hadendedhesaid,“Goodnight,Hero.YearlywillIdothis.”

Hethengravely,asbecameagentlemanwhoseheartwasHero's,madereadytomarryagirlwhomhedidnotlove.HewastoldtomeetherinLeonato'shouse,

andwasfaithfultohisappointment.

He was shown into a room where Antonio (Leonato's brother) and severalmasked ladies entered after him. Friar Francis, Leonato, and Benedick werepresent.

AntonioledoneoftheladiestowardsClaudio.

“Sweet,”saidtheyoungman,“letmeseeyourface.”

“Swearfirsttomarryher,”saidLeonato.

“Givemeyourhand,”saidClaudiotothelady;“beforethisholyfriarIsweartomarryyouifyouwillbemywife.”

“AliveIwasyourwife,”saidthelady,asshedrewoffhermask.

“AnotherHero!”exclaimedClaudio.

“Herodied,”explainedLeonato,“onlywhileslanderlived.”

TheFriarwasthengoingtomarrythereconciledpair,butBenedickinterruptedhimwith,“Softly,Friar;whichoftheseladiesisBeatrice?”

HereatBeatriceunmasked,andBenedicksaid,“Youloveme,don'tyou?”

“Onlymoderately,”wasthereply.“Doyouloveme?”

“Moderately,”answeredBenedick.

“Iwastoldyouwerewell-nighdeadforme,”remarkedBeatrice.

“OfyouIwastoldthesame,”saidBenedick.

“Here's your own hand in evidence of your love,” said Claudio, producing afeeble sonnetwhichBenedick hadwritten to his sweetheart. “And here,” saidHero,“isatributetoBenedick,whichIpickedoutofthepocketofBeatrice.”

“Amiracle!” exclaimedBenedick. “Ourhandsare againstourhearts!Come, Iwillmarryyou,Beatrice.”

“Youshallbemyhusbandtosaveyourlife,”wastherejoinder.

Benedick kissed her on the mouth; and the Friar married them after he hadmarriedClaudioandHero.

“HowisBenedickthemarriedman?”askedDonPedro.

“Toohappytobemadeunhappy,”repliedBenedick.“Crackwhatjokesyouwill.As foryou,Claudio, Ihadhoped to runyou through thebody,but asyouarenowmykinsman,livewholeandlovemycousin.”

“My cudgelwas in lovewith you, Benedick, until to-day,” saidClaudio; but,“Come,come,let'sdance,”saidBenedick.

Anddancetheydid.NoteventhenewsofthecaptureofDonJohnwasabletostoptheflyingfeetofthehappylovers,forrevengeisnotsweetagainstanevilmanwhohasfailedtodoharm.

PleasekeepphotowithhtmlRomeoandJuliet

ROMEOANDJULIET

OnceuponatimetherelivedinVeronatwogreatfamiliesnamedMontaguandCapulet. They were both rich, and I suppose they were as sensible, in mostthings, asother richpeople.But inone thing theywere extremely silly.Therewasanold,oldquarrelbetween the two families, and insteadofmaking it uplikereasonablefolks,theymadeasortofpetoftheirquarrel,andwouldnotletitdie out. So that aMontaguwouldn't speak to a Capulet if hemet one in thestreet--noraCapulettoaMontagu--oriftheydidspeak,itwastosayrudeandunpleasantthings,whichoftenendedinafight.Andtheirrelationsandservantswere justas foolish,so thatstreet fightsandduelsanduncomfortablenessesofthatkindwerealwaysgrowingoutoftheMontagu-and-Capuletquarrel.

NowLordCapulet,theheadofthatfamily,gaveaparty--agrandsupperandadance--andhewassohospitablethathesaidanyonemightcometoitexcept(ofcourse) theMontagues. But there was a youngMontagu named Romeo, whoverymuchwanted to be there, becauseRosaline, the lady he loved, had beenasked.Thisladyhadneverbeenatallkindtohim,andhehadnoreasontoloveher;butthefactwasthathewantedtolovesomebody,andashehadn'tseentherightlady,hewasobligedtolovethewrongone.SototheCapulet'sgrandpartyhecame,withhisfriendsMercutioandBenvolio.


OldCapuletwelcomedhimandhistwofriendsverykindly--andyoungRomeomovedaboutamongthecrowdofcourtlyfolkdressedintheirvelvetsandsatins,themenwithjeweledswordhiltsandcollars,andtheladieswithbrilliantgemsonbreastandarms,andstonesofpricesetintheirbrightgirdles.Romeowasinhisbesttoo,andthoughheworeablackmaskoverhiseyesandnose,everyonecouldseebyhismouthandhishair,andthewayheheldhishead,thathewastwelvetimeshandsomerthananyoneelseintheroom.

Presentlyamidthedancershesawaladysobeautifulandsolovablethatfromthatmoment he never again gave one thought to that Rosaline whom he hadthought he loved. And he looked at this other fair lady, as shemoved in thedanceinherwhitesatinandpearls,andalltheworldseemedvainandworthlesstohimcomparedwithher.Andhewassaying this,orsomething like it,when

Tybalt, Lady Capulet's nephew, hearing his voice, knew him to be Romeo.Tybalt,beingveryangry,wentatoncetohisuncle,andtoldhimhowaMontaguhadcomeuninvitedtothefeast;butoldCapuletwastoofineagentlemantobediscourteous toanymanunderhisownroof,andhebadeTybaltbequiet.ButthisyoungmanonlywaitedforachancetoquarrelwithRomeo.

In themeantimeRomeomade hisway to the fair lady, and told her in sweetwords thathe lovedher, andkissedher. Just thenhermother sent forher, andthenRomeofoundout that the ladyonwhomhehadsethisheart'shopeswasJuliet,thedaughterofLordCapulet,hisswornfoe.Sohewentaway,sorrowingindeed,butlovinghernonetheless.


ThenJulietsaidtohernurse:

“Whoisthatgentlemanthatwouldnotdance?”

“His name is Romeo, and a Montagu, the only son of your great enemy,”answeredthenurse.

ThenJulietwenttoherroom,andlookedoutofherwindow,overthebeautifulgreen-greygarden,wherethemoonwasshining.AndRomeowashiddeninthatgarden among the trees--because he could not bear to go right away withouttrying to seeheragain.Soshe--notknowinghim tobe there--spokeher secretthoughtaloud,andtoldthequietgardenhowshelovedRomeo.

AndRomeoheardandwasgladbeyondmeasure.Hiddenbelow,he lookedupandsawherfair face in themoonlight, framedin theblossomingcreepers thatgrewroundherwindow,andashelookedandlistened,hefeltasthoughhehadbeencarriedawayinadream,andsetdownbysomemagicianinthatbeautifulandenchantedgarden.

“Ah--whyareyoucalledRomeo?”said Juliet. “Since I loveyou,whatdoes itmatterwhatyouarecalled?”

“Callmebutlove,andI'llbenewbaptized--henceforthIneverwillbeRomeo,”hecried,steppingintothefullwhitemoonlightfromtheshadeofthecypressesandoleandersthathadhiddenhim.

Shewasfrightenedatfirst,butwhenshesawthatitwasRomeohimself,andnostranger,shetoowasglad,and,hestandinginthegardenbelowandsheleaning

fromthewindow,theyspokelongtogether,eachonetryingtofindthesweetestwordsintheworld,tomakethatpleasanttalkthatloversuse.Andthetaleofalltheysaid,and thesweetmusic theirvoicesmade together, isall setdown inagoldenbook,whereyouchildrenmayreaditforyourselvessomeday.

Andthetimepassedsoquickly,asitdoesforfolkwholoveeachotherandaretogether,thatwhenthetimecametopart,itseemedasthoughtheyhadmetbutthatmoment--andindeedtheyhardlyknewhowtopart.

“Iwillsendtoyouto-morrow,”saidJuliet.

Andsoatlast,withlingeringandlonging,theysaidgood-bye.

Julietwentintoherroom,andadarkcurtainbidherbrightwindow.Romeowentawaythroughthestillanddewygardenlikeamaninadream.

The next morning, very early, Romeo went to Friar Laurence, a priest, and,tellinghimall thestory,beggedhimtomarryhimtoJulietwithoutdelay.Andthis,aftersometalk,thepriestconsentedtodo.

SowhenJulietsentheroldnursetoRomeothatdaytoknowwhathepurposedto do, the oldwoman took back a amessage that allwaswell, and all thingsreadyforthemarriageofJulietandRomeoonthenextmorning.


Theyoungloverswereafraidtoasktheirparents'consenttotheirmarriage,asyoungpeopleshoulddo,becauseofthisfoolisholdquarrelbetweentheCapuletsandtheMontagues.

AndFriarLaurencewaswilling to help the young lovers secretly, because hethoughtthatwhentheywereoncemarriedtheirparentsmightsoonbetold,andthatthematchmightputahappyendtotheoldquarrel.

So thenextmorningearly,Romeoand JulietweremarriedatFriarLaurence'scell, and partedwith tears and kisses.AndRomeo promised to come into thegardenthatevening,andthenursegotreadyarope-laddertoletdownfromthewindow, so that Romeo could climb up and talk to his dear wife quietly andalone.

Butthatverydayadreadfulthinghappened.

Tybalt,theyoungmanwhohadbeensovexedatRomeo'sgoingtotheCapulet's

feast,methimandhistwofriends,MercutioandBenvolio,inthestreet,calledRomeoavillain,andaskedhimtofight.RomeohadnowishtofightwithJuliet'scousin,butMercutiodrewhissword,andheandTybalt fought.AndMercutiowas killed.When Romeo saw that this friendwas dead, he forgot everythingexceptangeratthemanwhohadkilledhim,andheandTybaltfoughttillTybaltfelldead.

So,on theverydayofhiswedding,RomeokilledhisdearJuliet'scousin,andwassentencedtobebanished.PoorJulietandheryounghusbandmetthatnightindeed;heclimbed the rope-ladderamong the flowers,and foundherwindow,but their meeting was a sad one, and they parted with bitter tears and heartsheavy,becausetheycouldnotknowwhentheyshouldmeetagain.

NowJuliet'sfather,who,ofcourse,hadnoideathatshewasmarried,wishedhertowedagentlemannamedParis,andwassoangrywhensherefused, thatshehurried away to ask Friar Laurence what she should do. He advised her topretendtoconsent,andthenhesaid:

“Iwillgiveyouadraughtthatwillmakeyouseemtobedeadfortwodays,andthenwhentheytakeyoutochurchitwillbetoburyyou,andnottomarryyou.Theywillputyou in thevault thinkingyouaredead,andbeforeyouwakeupRomeo and I will be there to take care of you.Will you do this, or are youafraid?”

“Iwilldoit;talknottomeoffear!”saidJuliet.AndshewenthomeandtoldherfathershewouldmarryParis.Ifshehadspokenoutandtoldherfatherthetruth...well,thenthiswouldhavebeenadifferentstory.

LordCapuletwasverymuchpleasedtogethisownway,andsetaboutinvitinghisfriendsandgettingtheweddingfeastready.Everyonestayedupallnight,fortherewasagreatdeal todo,andvery little time todo it in.LordCapuletwasanxioustogetJulietmarriedbecausehesawshewasveryunhappy.OfcourseshewasreallyfrettingaboutherhusbandRomeo,butherfatherthoughtshewasgrievingforthedeathofhercousinTybalt,andhethoughtmarriagewouldgivehersomethingelsetothinkabout.

Early in the morning the nurse came to call Juliet, and to dress her for herwedding;butshewouldnotwake,andatlastthenursecriedoutsuddenly--

“Alas!alas!help!help!mylady'sdead!Oh,well-a-daythateverIwasborn!”

Lady Capulet came running in, and then Lord Capulet, and Lord Paris, thebridegroom.There layJulietcoldandwhiteand lifeless,andall theirweepingcould not wake her. So it was a burying that day instead of a marrying.MeantimeFriarLaurencehadsentamessengertoMantuawithalettertoRomeotellinghimofallthesethings;andallwouldhavebeenwell,onlythemessengerwasdelayed,andcouldnotgo.


Butillnewstravelsfast.Romeo'sservantwhoknewthesecretofthemarriage,butnotofJuliet'spretendeddeath,heardofherfuneral,andhurriedtoMantuatotellRomeohowhisyoungwifewasdeadandlyinginthegrave.

“Isitso?”criedRomeo,heart-broken.“ThenIwillliebyJuliet'ssideto-night.”

Andheboughthimselfapoison,andwentstraightbacktoVerona.HehastenedtothetombwhereJulietwaslying.Itwasnotagrave,butavault.Hebrokeopenthedoor,andwasjustgoingdownthestonestepsthatledtothevaultwhereallthedeadCapuletslay,whenheheardavoicebehindhimcallingonhimtostop.

ItwastheCountParis,whowastohavemarriedJulietthatveryday.

“HowdareyoucomehereanddisturbthedeadbodiesoftheCapulets,youvileMontagu?”criedParis.

PoorRomeo,halfmadwithsorrow,yettriedtoanswergently.

“Youweretold,”saidParis,“thatifyoureturnedtoVeronayoumustdie.”

“Imustindeed,”saidRomeo.“Icameherefornothingelse.Good,gentleyouth--leaveme!Oh,go--beforeIdoyouanyharm!Iloveyoubetterthanmyself--go--leavemehere--”


ThenParis said, “I defy you, and I arrest you as a felon,” andRomeo, in hisangeranddespair,drewhissword.Theyfought,andPariswaskilled.

AsRomeo'sswordpiercedhim,Pariscried--

“Oh,Iamslain!Ifthoubemerciful,openthetomb,andlaymewithJuliet!”

AndRomeosaid,“InfaithIwill.”

AndhecarriedthedeadmanintothetombandlaidhimbythedearJuliet'sside.ThenhekneeledbyJulietandspoketoher,andheldherinhisarms,andkissedhercold lips,believing that shewasdead,whileall thewhile shewascomingnearerandnearertothetimeofherawakening.Thenhedrankthepoison,anddiedbesidehissweetheartandwife.

NowcameFriarLaurencewhenitwastoolate,andsawallthathadhappened--and thenpoor Julietwokeout of her sleep to findher husband andher friendbothdeadbesideher.

The noise of the fight had brought other folks to the place too, and FriarLaurence,hearingthem,ranaway,andJulietwasleftalone.Shesawthecupthathadheldthepoison,andknewhowallhadhappened,andsincenopoisonwasleftforher,shedrewherRomeo'sdaggerandthrustitthroughherheart--andso,fallingwithherheadonherRomeo'sbreast,shedied.Andhereendsthestoryofthesefaithfulandmostunhappylovers.

*******

AndwhentheoldfolksknewfromFriarLaurenceofallthathadbefallen,theysorrowedexceedingly,andnow,seeingallthemischieftheirwickedquarrelhadwrought,theyrepentedthemofit,andoverthebodiesoftheirdeadchildrentheyclaspedhandsatlast,infriendshipandforgiveness.

PERICLES

Pericles, the Prince of Tyre, was unfortunate enough to make an enemy ofAntiochus, the powerful and wicked King of Antioch; and so great was thedanger in which he stood that, on the advice of his trusty counselor, LordHelicanus,hedetermined to travelabout theworldfora time.Hecameto thisdecision despite the fact that, by the death of his father, hewas nowKing ofTyre.SohesetsailforTarsus,appointingHelicanusRegentduringhisabsence.Thathedidwiselyinthusleavinghiskingdomwassoonmadeclear.

Hardlyhadhesailedonhisvoyage,whenLordThaliardarrivedfromAntiochwith instructions fromhis royalmaster to kill Pericles.The faithfulHelicanussoon discovered the deadly purpose of this wicked lord, and at once sentmessengerstoTarsustowarntheKingofthedangerwhichthreatenedhim.

ThepeopleofTarsuswereinsuchpovertyanddistressthatPericles,feelingthathe could find no safe refuge there, put to sea again. But a dreadful stormovertooktheshipinwhichhewas,andthegoodvesselwaswrecked,whileofallonboardonlyPericleswas saved.Bruisedandwetand faint,hewas flungupon the cruel rockson the coast ofPentapolis, the countryof thegoodKingSimonides. Worn out as he was, he looked for nothing but death, and thatspeedily.Butsomefishermen,comingdowntothebeach,foundhimthere,andgavehimclothesandbadehimbeofgoodcheer.

“Thoushaltcomehomewithme,”saidoneofthem,“andwewillhavefleshforholidays, fish for fastingdays, andmoreo'er,puddingsand flapjacks, and thoushaltbewelcome.”

TheytoldhimthatonthemorrowmanyprincesandknightsweregoingtotheKing'sCourt,theretojoustandtourneyfortheloveofhisdaughter,thebeautifulPrincessThaisa.

“Did butmy fortunes equalmy desires,” said Pericles, “I'dwish tomake onethere.”

Ashespoke,someofthefishermencameby,drawingtheirnet,anditdraggedheavily, resisting all their efforts, but at last they hauled it in, to find that it

contained a suit of rusty armor; and looking at it, he blessed Fortune for herkindness, forhe saw that itwashisown,whichhadbeengiven tohimbyhisdeadfather.HebeggedthefishermentolethimhaveitthathemightgotoCourtandtakepart inthetournament,promisingthat ifeverhis illfortunesbettered,hewould reward themwell. The fishermen readily consented, and being thusfullyequipped,PericlessetoffinhisrustyarmortotheKing'sCourt.

InthetournamentnoneborehimselfsowellasPericles,andhewonthewreathof victory, which the fair Princess herself placed on his brows. Then at herfather's command she asked him who he was, and whence he came; and heansweredthathewasaknightofTyre,bynamePericles,buthedidnottellherthathewas theKingof thatcountry, forheknewthat ifoncehiswhereaboutsbecameknowntoAntiochus,hislifewouldnotbeworthapin'spurchase.

Nevertheless Thaisa loved him dearly, and the King was so pleased with hiscourageandgracefulbearing thathegladlypermittedhisdaughter tohaveherownway,whenshetoldhimshewouldmarrythestrangerknightordie.


ThusPericlesbecamethehusbandofthefairladyforwhosesakehehadstrivenwiththeknightswhocameinalltheirbraverytojoustandtourneyforherlove.

MeanwhilethewickedKingAntiochushaddied,andthepeopleinTyre,hearingnonewsof theirKing,urgedLordHelicanus toascend thevacant throne.Buttheycouldonlygethim topromise thathewouldbecome theirKing, ifat theendofayearPericlesdidnotcomeback.Moreover,hesentforthmessengersfarandwideinsearchofthemissingPericles.

Someof thesemade theirwaytoPentapolis,andfinding theirKing there, toldhimhowdiscontentedhispeoplewereathislongabsence,andthat,Antiochusbeingdead,therewasnothingnowtohinderhimfromreturningtohiskingdom.ThenPericlestoldhiswifeandfather-in-lawwhohereallywas,andtheyandallthe subjectsofSimonidesgreatly rejoiced toknow that thegallanthusbandofThaisawasaKinginhisownright.SoPericlessetsailwithhisdearwifeforhisnativeland.Butoncemoretheseawascrueltohim,foragainadreadfulstormbrokeout,andwhileitwasatitsheight,aservantcametotellhimthatalittledaughterwasborntohim.Thisnewswouldhavemadehisheartgladindeed,butthattheservantwentontoaddthathiswife--hisdear,dearThaisa--wasdead.

Whilehewasprayingthegodstobegoodtohislittlebabygirl,thesailorscame

to him, declaring that the dead Queen must be thrown overboard, for theybelieved that thestormwouldneverceaseso longasadeadbodyremained inthevessel.SoThaisawaslaidinabigchestwithspicesandjewels,andascrollonwhichthesorrowfulKingwrotetheselines:

“HereIgivetounderstand

(Ife'erthiscoffindrivea-land),

I,KingPericles,havelost

ThisQueenworthallourmundanecost.

Whofindsher,giveherburying;

ShewasthedaughterofaKing;

Besidesthistreasureforafee,

Thegodsrequitehischarity!”

Thenthechestwascastintothesea,andthewavestakingit,byandbywasheditashoreatEphesus,whereitwasfoundbytheservantsofalordnamedCerimon.Heatonceorderedittobeopened,andwhenhesawhowlovelyThaisalooked,he doubted if shewere dead, and took immediate steps to restore her. Then agreatwonderhappened,forshe,whohadbeenthrownintotheseaasdead,camebacktolife.Butfeelingsurethatshewouldneverseeherhusbandagain,Thaisaretiredfromtheworld,andbecameapriestessoftheGoddessDiana.

While these things were happening, Pericles went on to Tarsus with his littledaughter,whomhecalledMarina,becauseshehadbeenbornatsea.LeavingherinthehandsofhisoldfriendtheGovernorofTarsus,theKingsailedforhisowndominions.

NowDionyza, thewife of theGovernor of Tarsus,was a jealous andwickedwoman,andfindingthattheyoungPrincessgrewupamoreaccomplishedandcharminggirl thanher owndaughter, shedetermined to takeMarina's life.Sowhen Marina was fourteen, Dionyza ordered one of her servants to take herawayandkillher.Thisvillainwouldhavedoneso,butthathewasinterruptedbysomepirateswhocameinandcarriedMarinaofftoseawiththem,andtook

hertoMitylene,wheretheysoldherasaslave.Yetsuchwashergoodness,hergrace,andherbeauty,thatshesoonbecamehonoredthere,andLysimachus,theyoungGovernor,felldeepinlovewithher,andwouldhavemarriedher,butthathethoughtshemustbeoftoohumbleparentagetobecomethewifeofoneinhishighposition.

ThewickedDionyzabelieved,fromherservant'sreport,thatMarinawasreallydead, and so she put up a monument to her memory, and showed it to KingPericles,whenafterlongyearsofabsencehecametoseehismuch-lovedchild.Whenheheardthatshewasdead,hisgriefwasterribletosee.Hesetsailoncemore, and putting on sackcloth, vowed never towash his face or cut his hairagain.Therewasapavilionerectedondeck,andtherehelayalone,andforthreemonthshespokewordtonone.

AtlastitchancedthathisshipcameintotheportofMitylene,andLysimachus,theGovernor,wentonboardtoenquirewhencethevesselcame.Whenheheardthe story of Pericles' sorrow and silence, he bethought him of Marina, andbelievingthatshecouldrousetheKingfromhisstupor,sentforherandbadehertry her utmost to persuade theKing to speak, promisingwhatever reward shewould, ifshesucceeded.Marinagladlyobeyed,andsendingtherestaway,shesatandsangtoherpoorgrief-ladenfather,yet,sweetaswashervoice,hemadenosign.Sopresentlyshespoketohim,sayingthathergriefmightequalhis,for,though she was a slave, she came from ancestors that stood equal to mightykings.

SomethinginhervoiceandstorytouchedtheKing'sheart,andhelookedupather,andashelooked,hesawwithwonderhowlikeshewastohislostwife,sowithagreathopespringingupinhisheart,hebadehertellherstory.

PleasekeepphotowithhtmlThen,withmanyinterruptionsfromtheKing,shetold himwho she was and how she had escaped from the cruel Dionyza. SoPericles knew that this was indeed his daughter, and he kissed her again andagain,cryingthathisgreatseasofjoydrownedhimwiththeirsweetness.“Givememyrobes,”hesaid:“OHeaven,blessmygirl!”

Thentherecametohim,thoughnoneelsecouldhearit, thesoundofheavenlymusic,andfallingasleep,hebeheldthegoddessDiana,inavision.

“Go,”shesaidtohim,“tomytempleatEphesus,andwhenmymaidenpriestsaremettogether,revealhowthouatseadidstlosethywife.”

Pericles obeyed the goddess and told his tale before her altar. Hardly had hemadeanend,when thechiefpriestess, cryingout, “Youare--youare--O royalPericles!”fellfaintingtotheground,andpresentlyrecovering,shespokeagainto him, “O my lord, are you not Pericles?” “The voice of dead Thaisa!”exclaimedtheKinginwonder.“ThatThaisaamI,”shesaid,andlookingatherhesawthatshespoketheverytruth.

ThusPericlesandThaisa,after longandbittersuffering, foundhappinessoncemore,andinthejoyoftheirmeetingtheyforgotthepainofthepast.ToMarinagreathappinesswasgiven,andnotonlyinbeingrestoredtoherdearparents;forshemarriedLysimachus,andbecameaprincessinthelandwhereshehadbeensoldasaslave.

HAMLET

Hamlet was the only son of the King of Denmark. He loved his father andmotherdearly--andwashappyin theloveofasweet ladynamedOphelia.Herfather,Polonius,wastheKing'sChamberlain.

WhileHamletwasawaystudyingatWittenberg,hisfatherdied.YoungHamlethastenedhomeingreatgrieftohearthataserpenthadstungtheKing,andthathewasdead.TheyoungPrincehad lovedhis father so tenderly that youmayjudgewhathefeltwhenhefoundthattheQueen,beforeyettheKinghadbeenlaid in the ground amonth, had determined tomarry again--and tomarry thedeadKing'sbrother.

Hamletrefusedtoputoffmourningforthewedding.

“It is not only theblack Iwearonmybody,”he said, “that provesmy loss. Iwearmourninginmyheartformydeadfather.Hissonatleastremembershim,andgrievesstill.”

Then saidClaudius theKing's brother, “This grief is unreasonable.Of courseyoumustsorrowatthelossofyourfather,but--”

“Ah,”saidHamlet,bitterly,“IcannotinonelittlemonthforgetthoseIlove.”

Withthat theQueenandClaudiuslefthim,tomakemerryovertheirwedding,forgettingthepoorgoodKingwhohadbeensokindtothemboth.

AndHamlet,leftalone,begantowonderandtoquestionastowhatheoughttodo.Forhecouldnotbelievethestoryaboutthesnake-bite.Itseemedtohimalltooplain that thewickedClaudiushadkilled theKing, soas toget thecrownandmarrytheQueen.Yethehadnoproof,andcouldnotaccuseClaudius.

And while he was thus thinking came Horatio, a fellow student of his, fromWittenberg.

“Whatbroughtyouhere?”askedHamlet,whenhehadgreetedhisfriendkindly.

“Icame,mylord,toseeyourfather'sfuneral.”

“Ithinkitwastoseemymother'swedding,”saidHamlet,bitterly.“Myfather!Weshallnotlookuponhislikeagain.”

“Mylord,”answeredHoratio,“IthinkIsawhimyesternight.”

Please keep photowith htmlThen,whileHamlet listened in surprise,Horatiotoldhowhe,withtwogentlemenoftheguard,hadseentheKing'sghostonthebattlements.Hamletwentthatnight,andtrueenough,atmidnight,theghostoftheKing,inthearmorhehadbeenwonttowear,appearedonthebattlementsinthechillmoonlight.Hamletwasabraveyouth.Insteadofrunningawayfromtheghosthespoketoit--andwhenitbeckonedhimhefollowedittoaquietplace,and there theghost toldhim thatwhathehadsuspectedwas true.ThewickedClaudiushad indeedkilledhisgoodbrother theKing,bydroppingpoison intohisearashesleptinhisorchardintheafternoon.

“And you,” said the ghost, “must avenge this cruel murder-- on my wickedbrother.ButdonothingagainsttheQueen--forIhavelovedher,andsheisyourmother.Rememberme.”

Thenseeingthemorningapproach,theghostvanished.

“Now,”saidHamlet,“there isnothing leftbut revenge.Remember thee--Iwillremembernothingelse--books,pleasure,youth--letallgo--andyourcommandsaloneliveonmybrain.”

Sowhenhis friends camebackhemade them swear tokeep the secret of theghost,andthenwentinfromthebattlements,nowgraywithmingleddawnandmoonlight,tothinkhowhemightbestavengehismurderedfather.

Theshockof seeingandhearinghis father'sghostmadehim feelalmostmad,andforfearthathisunclemightnoticethathewasnothimself,hedeterminedtohidehismadlongingforrevengeunderapretendedmadnessinothermatters.

AndwhenhemetOphelia,wholovedhim--andtowhomhehadgivengifts,andletters,andmanylovingwords--hebehavedsowildlytoher,thatshecouldnotbutthinkhimmad.Forshelovedhimsothatshecouldnotbelievehewouldbeas cruel as this,unlesshewerequitemad.So she toldher father, and showedhimaprettyletterfromHamlet.Andintheletterwasmuchfolly,andthisprettyverse--

“Doubtthatthestarsarefire;

Doubtthatthesundothmove;

Doubttruthtobealiar;

ButneverdoubtIlove.”

And from that time everyone believed that the cause of Hamlet's supposedmadnesswaslove.

PoorHamletwasveryunhappy.Helongedtoobeyhisfather'sghost--andyethewastoogentleandkindlytowishtokillanotherman,evenhisfather'smurderer.Andsometimeshewonderedwhether,afterall,theghostspoketruly.

Just at this time some actors came to the Court, andHamlet ordered them toperformacertainplaybeforetheKingandQueen.Now,thisplaywasthestoryof a man who had been murdered in his garden by a near relation, whoafterwardsmarriedthedeadman'swife.

YoumayimaginethefeelingsofthewickedKing,ashesatonhisthrone,withtheQueenbesidehimandallhisCourtaround,andsaw,actedonthestage,theverywickedness that hehadhimself done.Andwhen, in theplay, thewickedrelation poured poison into the ear of the sleepingman, the wicked Claudiussuddenlyrose,andstaggeredfromtheroom--theQueenandothersfollowing.

ThensaidHamlettohisfriends--

“NowIamsuretheghostspoketrue.ForifClaudiushadnotdonethismurder,hecouldnothavebeensodistressedtoseeitinaplay.”

Now the Queen sent for Hamlet, by the King's desire, to scold him for hisconductduring theplay,and forothermatters;andClaudius,wishing toknowexactlywhathappened,toldoldPoloniustohidehimselfbehindthehangingsinthe Queen's room. And as they talked, the Queen got frightened at Hamlet'srough,strangewords,andcriedforhelp,andPoloniusbehindthecurtaincriedouttoo.Hamlet,thinkingitwastheKingwhowashiddenthere,thrustwithhisswordatthehangings,andkilled,nottheKing,butpooroldPolonius.

SonowHamlethadoffendedhisuncleandhismother,andbybadhapkilledhistruelove'sfather.


“Oh!whatarashandbloodydeedisthis,”criedtheQueen.

AndHamletansweredbitterly,“Almostasbadas tokillaking,andmarryhisbrother.”ThenHamlettoldtheQueenplainlyallhisthoughtsandhowheknewofthemurder,andbeggedher,atleast,tohavenomorefriendshiporkindnessofthebaseClaudius,whohadkilledthegoodKing.AndastheyspoketheKing'sghostagainappearedbeforeHamlet,buttheQueencouldnotseeit.Sowhentheghosthadgone,theyparted.

WhentheQueentoldClaudiuswhathadpassed,andhowPoloniuswasdead,hesaid, “This shows plainly that Hamlet is mad, and since he has killed theChancellor,itisforhisownsafetythatwemustcarryoutourplan,andsendhimawaytoEngland.”

SoHamletwas sent, under charge of two courtierswho served theKing, andthesebore letters to theEnglishCourt, requiring thatHamlet shouldbeput todeath.ButHamlethad thegoodsense toget at these letters, andput inothersinstead,with thenamesof the twocourtierswhowereso ready tobetrayhim.Then,asthevesselwenttoEngland,Hamletescapedonboardapirateship,andthetwowickedcourtierslefthimtohisfate,andwentontomeettheirs.

Hamlethurriedhome,butinthemeantimeadreadfulthinghadhappened.PoorprettyOphelia,havinglostherloverandherfather,lostherwitstoo,andwentinsadmadnessabout theCourt,with straws,andweeds,and flowers inherhair,singing strange scraps of songs, and talking poor, foolish, pretty talk with noheartofmeaningtoit.Andoneday,comingtoastreamwherewillowsgrew,shetriedtobangaflowerygarlandonawillow,andfellintothewaterwithallherflowers,andsodied.


AndHamlethadlovedher,thoughhisplanofseemingmadnesshadmadehimhideit;andwhenhecameback,hefoundtheKingandQueen,andtheCourt,weepingatthefuneralofhisdearloveandlady.

Ophelia's brother, Laertes, had also just come to Court to ask justice for thedeath of his father, old Polonius; and now,wildwith grief, he leaped into hissister'sgrave,toclaspherinhisarmsoncemore.

“Ilovedhermorethanfortythousandbrothers,”criedHamlet,andleaptintothe

graveafterhim,andtheyfoughttilltheywereparted.

AfterwardsHamletbeggedLaertestoforgivehim.

“I couldnotbear,”he said, “that any, evenabrother, should seem to lovehermorethanI.”

But thewickedClaudiuswould not let them be friends. He told Laertes howHamlet had killed old Polonius, and between them they made a plot to slayHamletbytreachery.

Laertes challenged him to a fencing match, and all the Court were present.Hamlethadthebluntfoilalwaysusedinfencing,butLaerteshadpreparedforhimselfasword,sharp,andtippedwithpoison.AndthewickedKinghadmadereadyabowlofpoisonedwine,whichhemeant togivepoorHamletwhenheshouldgrowwarmwiththeswordplay,andshouldcallfordrink.

SoLaertesandHamletfought,andLaertes,aftersomefencing,gaveHamletasharpsword thrust.Hamlet,angryat this treachery--for theyhadbeenfencing,not as men fight, but as they play--closed with Laertes in a struggle; bothdropped their swords, and when they picked them up again, Hamlet, withoutnoticingit,hadexchangedhisownbluntswordforLaertes'sharpandpoisonedone. And with one thrust of it he pierced Laertes, who fell dead by his owntreachery.

AtthismomenttheQueencriedout,“Thedrink,thedrink!Oh,mydearHamlet!Iampoisoned!”

ShehaddrunkofthepoisonedbowltheKinghadpreparedforHamlet,andtheKingsawtheQueen,whom,wickedashewas,hereallyloved,falldeadbyhismeans.

ThenOpheliabeingdead,andPolonius,andtheQueen,andLaertes,andthetwocourtierswhohadbeensenttoEngland,Hamletatlastfoundcouragetodotheghost'sbiddingandavengehis father'smurder--which, ifhehadbraceduphisheart todo longbefore,all these liveshadbeenspared,andnonehadsufferedbutthewickedKing,whowelldeservedtodie.

Hamlet,hisheartatlastbeinggreatenoughtodothedeedheought,turnedthepoisonedswordonthefalseKing.

“Then--venom--dothywork!”hecried,andtheKingdied.

SoHamlet in the end kept the promise he hadmade his father.And all beingnowaccomplished,hehimselfdied.Andthosewhostoodbysawhimdie,withprayers and tears, for his friends and his people loved him with their wholehearts.ThusendsthetragictaleofHamlet,PrinceofDenmark.

PleasekeepphotowithhtmlImogen

CYMBELINE

Cymbelinewas theKingofBritain.Hehad threechildren.The twosonswerestolenawayfromhimwhentheywerequitelittlechildren,andhewasleftwithonly one daughter, Imogen. TheKingmarried a second time, and brought upLeonatus, thesonofadearfriend,asImogen'splayfellow;andwhenLeonatuswasoldenough,Imogensecretlymarriedhim.ThismadetheKingandQueenveryangry,andtheKing,topunishLeonatus,banishedhimfromBritain.

PoorImogenwasnearlyheart-brokenatpartingfromLeonatus,andhewasnotlessunhappy.Fortheywerenotonlyloversandhusbandandwife,buttheyhadbeenfriendsandcomradeseversincetheywerequitelittlechildren.Withmanytearsandkissestheysaid“Good-bye.”Theypromisednevertoforgeteachother,andthattheywouldnevercareforanyoneelseaslongastheylived.

“This diamond was mymother's, love,” said Imogen; “take it, my heart, andkeepitaslongasyouloveme.”

“Sweetest,fairest,”answeredLeonatus,“wearthisbraceletformysake.”

“Ah!”criedImogen,weeping,“whenshallwemeetagain?”

Andwhiletheywerestillineachother'sarms,theKingcamein,andLeonatushadtoleavewithoutmorefarewell.


WhenhewascometoRome,wherehehadgonetostaywithanoldfriendofhisfather's,hespenthisdaysstillinthinkingofhisdearImogen,andhisnightsindreaming of her. One day at a feast some Italian and French noblemen weretalkingof their sweethearts, and swearing that theywere themost faithful andhonorable and beautiful ladies in the world. And a Frenchman remindedLeonatushowhehadsaidmanytimesthathiswifeImogenwasmorefair,wise,andconstantthananyoftheladiesinFrance.

“Isaysostill,”saidLeonatus.

“Sheisnotsogoodbutthatshewoulddeceive,”saidIachimo,oneoftheItalian

nobles.

“Sheneverwoulddeceive,”saidLeonatus.

“Iwager,”saidIachimo,“that,ifIgotoBritain,IcanpersuadeyourwifetodowhateverIwish,evenifitshouldbeagainstyourwishes.”

“That youwill never do,” said Leonatus. “Iwager this ring uponmy finger,”whichwas thevery ring Imogenhadgivenhimat parting, “thatmywifewillkeepallhervowstome,andthatyouwillneverpersuadehertodootherwise.”

So Iachimowagered half his estate against the ring on Leonatus's finger, andstarted forthwith for Britain, with a letter of introduction to Leonatus's wife.When he reached there he was received with all kindness; but he was stilldeterminedtowinhiswager.

He told Imogen that her husband thought nomore of her, andwent on to tellmanycruelliesabouthim.Imogenlistenedatfirst,butpresentlyperceivedwhatawickedpersonIachimowas,andorderedhimtoleaveher.Thenhesaid--

“Pardonme, fair lady,all that Ihavesaid isuntrue. Ionly toldyou this toseewhetheryouwouldbelieveme,orwhetheryouwereasmuch tobe trustedasyourhusbandthinks.Willyouforgiveme?”

“Iforgiveyoufreely,”saidImogen.

“Then,”wentonIachimo,“perhapsyouwillproveitbytakingchargeofatrunk,containing a number of jewels which your husband and I and some othergentlemenhaveboughtasapresentfortheEmperorofRome.”

“Iwill indeed,”saidImogen,“doanythingformyhusbandandafriendofmyhusband's.Havethejewelssentintomyroom,andIwilltakecareofthem.”

“Itisonlyforonenight,”saidIachimo,“forIleaveBritainagainto-morrow.”


SothetrunkwascarriedintoImogen'sroom,andthatnightshewenttobedandtosleep.Whenshewas fastasleep, the lidof the trunkopenedandamangotout.ItwasIachimo.Thestoryaboutthejewelswasasuntrueastherestofthethingshehadsaid.Hehadonlywishedtogetintoherroomtowinhiswickedwager.Helookedabouthimandnoticedthefurniture,andthencrepttothesideof thebedwhere Imogenwas asleep and took fromher arm thegoldbracelet

whichhadbeenthepartinggiftofherhusband.Thenhecreptbacktothetrunk,andnextmorningsailedforRome.

WhenhemetLeonatus,hesaid--

“IhavebeentoBritainandIhavewonthewager,foryourwifenolongerthinksaboutyou.Shestayedtalkingwithmeallonenightinherroom,whichishungwithtapestryandhasacarvedchimney-piece,andsilverandironsintheshapeoftwowinkingCupids.”

“Idonotbelieveshehasforgottenme;Idonotbelieveshestayedtalkingwithyouinherroom.Youhaveheardherroomdescribedbytheservants.”

“Ah!”saidIachimo,“butshegavemethisbracelet.Shetookitfromherarm.Isee her yet.Her pretty actiondid outsell her gift, andyet enriched it too.Shegaveitme,andsaidsheprizeditonce.”

“Take the ring,”criedLeonatus,“youhavewon;andyoumighthavewonmylifeaswell,forIcarenothingforitnowIknowmyladyhasforgottenme.”

And mad with anger, he wrote letters to Britain to his old servant, Pisanio,orderinghimtotakeImogentoMilfordHaven,andtomurderher,becauseshehadforgottenhimandgivenawayhisgift.AtthesametimehewrotetoImogenherself,tellinghertogowithPisanio,hisoldservant,toMilfordHaven,andthathe,herhusband,wouldbetheretomeether.

NowwhenPisaniogotthisletterhewastoogoodtocarryoutitsorders,andtoowisetoletthemalonealtogether.SohegaveImogentheletterfromherhusband,andstartedwithherforMilfordHaven.Beforeheleft, thewickedQueengavehimadrinkwhich,shesaid,wouldbeuseful insickness.ShehopedhewouldgiveittoImogen,andthatImogenwoulddie,andthewickedQueen'ssoncouldbeKing.FortheQueenthought thisdrinkwasapoison,butreallyandtrulyitwasonlyasleeping-draft.

WhenPisanio and Imogencamenear toMilfordHaven,he toldherwhatwasreallyintheletterhehadhadfromherhusband.

“ImustgoontoRome,andseehimmyself,”saidImogen.

AndthenPisaniohelpedhertodressinboy'sclothes,andsentheronherway,andwentback to theCourt.Beforehewenthegaveher thedrinkhehadhadfromtheQueen.

Imogen went on, getting more and more tired, and at last came to a cave.Someoneseemedtolivethere,butnoonewasinjustthen.Soshewentin,andasshewasalmostdyingofhunger,shetooksomefoodshesawthere,andhadjustdoneso,whenanoldmanandtwoboyscameintothecave.Shewasverymuchfrightenedwhenshesawthem,forshethoughtthattheywouldbeangrywithherfortakingtheirfood,thoughshehadmeanttoleavemoneyforitonthetable.But toher surprise theywelcomedherkindly.She lookedverypretty inherboy'sclothesandherfacewasgood,aswellaspretty.

“Youshallbeourbrother,”saidboththeboys;andsoshestayedwiththem,andhelpedtocookthefood,andmakethingscomfortable.Butonedaywhentheoldman,whosenamewasBellarius,wasouthuntingwiththetwoboys,Imogenfeltill,andthoughtshewouldtrythemedicinePisaniohadgivenher.Soshetookit,and at once became like a dead creature, so thatwhenBellarius and the boyscameback fromhunting, they thought shewasdead,andwithmany tearsandfuneral songs, they carried her away and laid her in the wood, covered withflowers.

Theysangsweetsongstoher,andstrewedflowersonher,paleprimroses,andtheazureharebell,andeglantine,andfurredmoss,andwentawaysorrowful.NosoonerhadtheygonethanImogenawoke,andnotknowinghowshecamethere,norwhereshewas,wentwanderingthroughthewood.

Now while Imogen had been living in the cave, the Romans had decided toattackBritain,andtheirarmyhadcomeover,andwiththemLeonatus,whohadgrownsorryforhiswickednessagainstImogen,sohadcomeback,nottofightwith the Romans against Britain, but with the Britons against Rome. So asImogen wandered alone, she met with Lucius, the Roman General, and tookservicewithhimashispage.

WhenthebattlewasfoughtbetweentheRomansandBritons,Bellariusandhistwo boys fought for their own country, and Leonatus, disguised as a Britishpeasant,foughtbesidethem.TheRomanshadtakenCymbelineprisoner,andoldBellarius, with his sons and Leonatus, bravely rescued the King. Then theBritonswon thebattle,andamong theprisonersbroughtbefore theKingwereLucius,withImogen,Iachimo,andLeonatus,whohadputontheuniformofaRomansoldier.Hewastiredofhislifesincehehadcruellyorderedhiswifetobekilled,andhehopedthat,asaRomansoldier,hewouldbeputtodeath.

WhentheywerebroughtbeforetheKing,Luciusspokeout--

“ARomanwithaRoman'sheartcansuffer,”hesaid.“IfImustdie,sobeit.ThisonethingonlywillIentreat.Myboy,aBritonborn,lethimberansomed.Nevermaster had a page so kind, so duteous, diligent, true. He has done no Britonharm,thoughhehasservedaRoman.Savehim,Sir.”


Then Cymbeline looked on the page, who was his own daughter, Imogen, indisguise,andthoughhedidnotrecognizeher,hefeltsuchakindnessthathenotonlysparedtheboy'slife,buthesaid--

“Heshallhaveanyboonhelikestoaskofme,eventhoughheaskaprisoner,thenoblesttaken.”

ThenImogensaid,“TheboonIaskisthatthisgentlemanshallsayfromwhomhegottheringhehasonhisfinger,”andshepointedtoIachimo.

“Speak,”saidCymbeline,“howdidyougetthatdiamond?”

ThenIachimotoldthewholetruthofhisvillainy.Atthis,Leonatuswasunabletocontainhimself, andcastingasideall thoughtofdisguise,hecame forward,cursinghimselfforhisfollyinhavingbelievedIachimo'slyingstory,andcallingagainandagainonhiswifewhomhebelieveddead.

“Oh,Imogen,mylove,mylife!”hecried.“Oh,Imogen!

Then Imogen, forgetting she was disguised, cried out, “Peace, my lord--here,here!”


Leonatus turned to strike the forward page who thus interfered in his greattrouble, and then he saw that itwas hiswife, Imogen, and they fell into eachother'sarms.

TheKingwassogladtoseehisdeardaughteragain,andsogratefultothemanwho had rescued him (whomhe now found to beLeonatus), that he gave hisblessing on theirmarriage, and then he turned toBellarius, and the twoboys.NowBellariusspoke--

“Iamyouroldservant,Bellarius.Youaccusedmeof treasonwhenIhadonlybeenloyaltoyou,andtobedoubted,mademedisloyal.SoIstoleyourtwosons,andsee,--theyarehere!”Andhebroughtforwardthetwoboys,whohadsworn

tobebrotherstoImogenwhentheythoughtshewasaboylikethemselves.

ThewickedQueenwasdeadofsomeofherownpoisons,andtheKing,withhisthreechildrenabouthim,livedtoahappyoldage.

Sothewickedwerepunished,andthegoodandtruelivedhappyeverafter.Somaythewickedsuffer,andhonestfolkprospertilltheworld'send.

MACBETH

WhenapersonisaskedtotellthestoryofMacbeth,hecantelltwostories.OneisofamancalledMacbethwhocametothethroneofScotlandbyacrimeintheyear of our Lord 1039, and reigned justly andwell, on thewhole, for fifteenyearsormore.ThisstoryispartofScottishhistory.TheotherstoryissuesfromaplacecalledImagination;itisgloomyandwonderful,andyoushallhearit.

AyearortwobeforeEdwardtheConfessorbegantoruleEngland,abattlewaswoninScotlandagainstaNorwegianKingbytwogeneralsnamedMacbethandBanquo. After the battle, the generals walked together towards Forres, inElginshire,whereDuncan,KingofScotland,wasawaitingthem.

Whiletheywerecrossingalonelyheath,theysawthreebeardedwomen,sisters,handinhand,witheredinappearanceandwildintheirattire.

Pleasekeepphotowithhtml“Speak,whoareyou?”demandedMacbeth.

“Hail,Macbeth,chieftainofGlamis,”saidthefirstwoman.

“Hail,Macbeth,chieftainofCawdor,”saidthesecondwoman.

“Hail,Macbeth,Kingthatistobe,”saidthethirdwoman.

ThenBanquoasked,“Whatofme?”andthethirdwomanreplied,“Thoushaltbethefatherofkings.”

“Tellmemore,”saidMacbeth.“Bymyfather'sdeathIamchieftainofGlamis,but the chieftain of Cawdor lives, and the King lives, and his children live.Speak,Ichargeyou!”

Thewomenrepliedonlybyvanishing,asthoughsuddenlymixedwiththeair.

BanquoandMacbethknew then that theyhadbeenaddressedbywitches,andwere discussing their prophecies when two nobles approached. One of themthankedMacbeth, in theKing's name, for hismilitary services, and the othersaid,“HebademecallyouchieftainofCawdor.”

Macbeththenlearnedthatthemanwhohadyesterdaybornethattitlewastodie

for treason, andhe couldnot help thinking, “The thirdwitch calledme, 'Kingthatistobe.'”

Pleasekeepphotowithhtml“Banquo,”hesaid,“youseethatthewitchesspoketruth concerning me. Do you not believe, therefore, that your child andgrandchildwillbekings?”

Banquofrowned.Duncanhadtwosons,MalcolmandDonalbain,andhedeemeditdisloyal tohope thathis sonFleance should ruleScotland.He toldMacbeththat thewitchesmighthave intended to tempt themboth intovillainyby theirpropheciesconcerningthethrone.Macbeth,however,thoughttheprophecythathe shouldbeKing toopleasant tokeep tohimself, andhementioned it tohiswifeinaletter.

LadyMacbethwas thegrand-daughterof aKingofScotlandwhohaddied indefending his crown against the King who preceded Duncan, and by whoseorder her only brother was slain. To her, Duncan was a reminder of bitterwrongs.Herhusbandhadroyalbloodinhisveins,andwhenshereadhisletter,shewasdeterminedthatheshouldbeKing.

When a messenger arrived to inform her that Duncan would pass a night inMacbeth'scastle,shenervedherselfforaverybaseaction.

She toldMacbeth almost as soon as she saw him that Duncan must spend asunlessmorrow.Shemeant thatDuncanmustdie, and that thedeadareblind.“Wewillspeakfurther,”saidMacbethuneasily,andatnight,withhismemoryfullofDuncan'skindwords,hewouldfainhavesparedhisguest.

“Would you live a coward?” demanded Lady Macbeth, who seems to havethoughtthatmoralityandcowardicewerethesame.

Please keep photowith html “I dare do all that may become aman,” repliedMacbeth;“whodaredomoreisnone.”

“Why did you write that letter to me?” she inquired fiercely, and with bitterwords she egged him on tomurder, andwith cunningwords she showed himhowtodoit.

AftersupperDuncanwenttobed,andtwogroomswereplacedonguardathisbedroomdoor.LadyMacbethcausedthemtodrinkwinetilltheywerestupefied.She then took their daggers and would have killed the King herself if hissleepingfacehadnotlookedlikeherfather's.

Macbethcamelater,andfoundthedaggerslyingbythegrooms;andsoonwithredhandsheappearedbeforehiswife,saying,“MethoughtIheardavoicecry,'Sleepnomore!Macbethdestroysthesleeping.'”

“Wash your hands,” said she. “Why did you not leave the daggers by thegrooms?Takethemback,andsmearthegroomswithblood.”

“Idarenot,”saidMacbeth.

Hiswifedared,andshereturnedtohimwithhandsredashisown,butaheartlesswhite,sheproudlytoldhim,forshescornedhisfear.

Themurderersheardaknocking,andMacbethwisheditwasaknockingwhichcouldwakethedead.ItwastheknockingofMacduff,thechieftainofFife,whohadbeentoldbyDuncantovisithimearly.Macbethwenttohim,andshowedhimthedooroftheKing'sroom.

Please keep photowith htmlMacduff entered, and cameout again crying, “Ohorror!horror!horror!”

Macbethappearedashorror-strickenasMacduff, andpretending thathecouldnot bear to see life inDuncan'smurderers, he slew the twogroomswith theirowndaggersbeforetheycouldproclaimtheirinnocence.

Thesemurdersdidnotshriekout,andMacbethwascrownedatScone.OneofDuncan'ssonswenttoIreland,theothertoEngland.MacbethwasKing.Buthewas discontented. The prophecy concerning Banquo oppressed his mind. IfFleancewere to rule, a son ofMacbethwould not rule.Macbeth determined,therefore,tomurderbothBanquoandhisson.Hehiredtworuffians,whoslewBanquo one nightwhen hewas on hiswaywith Fleance to a banquetwhichMacbethwasgivingtohisnobles.Fleanceescaped.

MeanwhileMacbethandhisQueenreceivedtheirguestsverygraciously,andheexpressedawishforthemwhichhasbeenutteredthousandsoftimessincehisday--“Nowgooddigestionwaitonappetite,andhealthonboth.”

“We pray yourMajesty to sit with us,” said Lennox, a Scotch noble; but ereMacbethcouldreply,theghostofBanquoenteredthebanquetinghallandsatinMacbeth'splace.

Notnoticingtheghost,Macbethobservedthat,ifBanquowerepresent,hecouldsay that he had collected under his roof the choicest chivalry of Scotland.

Macduff,however,hadcurtlydeclinedhisinvitation.

TheKingwasagainpressedtotakeaseat,andLennox,towhomBanquo'sghostwasinvisible,showedhimthechairwhereitsat.

ButMacbeth,withhiseyesofgenius, saw theghost.Hesaw it likea formofmistandblood,andhedemandedpassionately,“Whichofyouhavedonethis?”

Stillnonesawtheghostbuthe,andtotheghostMacbethsaid,“ThoucanstnotsayIdidit.”

Theghostglidedout,andMacbethwasimpudentenoughtoraiseaglassofwine“tothegeneraljoyofthewholetable,andtoourdearfriendBanquo,whomwemiss.”

ThetoastwasdrunkastheghostofBanquoenteredforthesecondtime.

“Begone!”criedMacbeth.“Youaresenseless,mindless!Hideintheearth,thouhorribleshadow.”

Againnonesawtheghostbuthe.

“WhatisityourMajestysees?”askedoneofthenobles.

The Queen dared not permit an answer to be given to this question. Shehurriedlybeggedhergueststoquitasickmanwhowaslikelytogrowworseifhewasobligedtotalk.

Macbeth, however, was well enough next day to converse with the witcheswhoseprophecieshadsodepravedhim.

Hefound theminacavernona thunderousday.Theywere revolving roundacauldroninwhichwereboilingparticlesofmanystrangeandhorriblecreatures,andtheyknewhewascomingbeforehearrived.

“AnswermewhatIaskyou,”saidtheKing.

“Wouldyouratherhearitfromusorourmasters?”askedthefirstwitch.

“Callthem,”repliedMacbeth.

Thereuponthewitchespouredbloodintothecauldronandgreaseintotheflamethatlickedit,andahelmetedheadappearedwiththevisoron,sothatMacbethcouldonlyseeitseyes.

Hewasspeakingtothehead,whenthefirstwitchsaidgravely,“Heknowsthythought,”andavoiceintheheadsaid,“Macbeth,bewareMacduff,thechieftainofFife.”TheheadthendescendedIntothecauldrontillitdisappeared.

“Onewordmore,”pleadedMacbeth.

“He will not be commanded,” said the first witch, and then a crowned childascendedfromthecauldronbearingatreeinhishandThechildsaid--

“Macbethshallbeunconquerabletill

TheWoodofBirnamclimbsDunsinaneHill.”

“That will never be,” said Macbeth; and he asked to be told if Banquo'sdescendantswouldeverruleScotland.

Thecauldronsankintotheearth;musicwasheard,andaprocessionofphantomkings filed past Macbeth; behind them was Banquo's ghost. In each king,MacbethsawalikenesstoBanquo,andhecountedeightkings.

Thenhewassuddenlyleftalone.

His next proceedingwas to sendmurderers toMacduff's castle. They did notfind Macduff, and asked Lady Macduff where he was. She gave a stinginganswer, and her questioner called Macduff a traitor. “Thou liest!” shoutedMacduff's little son, who was immediately stabbed, and with his last breathentreatedhismothertofly.Themurderersdidnotleavethecastlewhileoneofitsinmatesremainedalive.

Macduff was in England listening, with Malcolm, to a doctor's tale of cureswroughtbyEdwardtheConfessorwhenhisfriendRosscametotellhimthathiswifeandchildrenwerenomore.AtfirstRossdarednotspeakthetruth,andturnMacduff's bright sympathywith sufferers relieved by royal virtue into sorrowand hatred. But when Malcolm said that England was sending an army intoScotland againstMacbeth,Ross blurted out his news, andMacduff cried, “Alldead,didyousay?Allmyprettyonesandtheirmother?Didyousayall?”

Hissorryhopewasinrevenge,butifhecouldhavelookedintoMacbeth'scastleon Dunsinane Hill, he would have seen at work a force more solemn thanrevenge.Retributionwasworking, forLadyMacbethwasmad.Shewalked inhersleepamidghastlydreams.Shewaswonttowashherhandsforaquarterofanhourata time;butafterallherwashing,wouldstillseearedspotofblood

uponherskin.ItwaspitifultohearhercrythatalltheperfumesofArabiacouldnotsweetenherlittlehand.

“Canst thounotminister toaminddiseased?” inquiredMacbethof thedoctor,butthedoctorrepliedthathispatientmustministertoherownmind.ThisreplygaveMacbeth a scorn ofmedicine. “Throw physic to the dogs,” he said; “I'llnoneofit.”

One day he heard a sound of women crying. An officer approached him andsaid, “The Queen, your Majesty, is dead.” “Out, brief candle,” mutteredMacbeth,meaningthat lifewas likeacandle,at themercyofapuffofair.Hedidnotweep;hewastoofamiliarwithdeath.

Presently a messenger told him that he saw Birnam Wood on the march.Macbethcalledhimaliarandaslave,andthreatenedtohanghimifhehadmadeamistake.“Ifyouarerightyoucanhangme,”hesaid.

Please keep photo with html From the turret windows of Dunsinane Castle,BirnamWooddid indeed appear to bemarching.Every soldier of theEnglisharmy held aloft a boughwhich he had cut from a tree in thatwood, and likehumantreestheyclimbedDunsinaneHill.

Macbethhadstillhiscourage.Hewenttobattletoconquerordie,andthefirstthinghedidwastokilltheEnglishgeneral'ssoninsinglecombat.Macbeththenfelt that no man could fight him and live, and when Macduff came to himblazing for revenge,Macbeth said tohim, “Goback; I have spilt toomuchofyourbloodalready.”

“Myvoiceis inmysword,”repliedMacduff,andhackedathimandbadehimyield.

“Iwillnotyield!”saidMacbeth,buthislasthourhadstruck.Hefell.

Macbeth'smenwere in retreatwhenMacduff camebeforeMalcolmholdingaKing'sheadbythehair.

“Hail,King!”hesaid;andthenewKinglookedattheold.

So Malcolm reigned after Macbeth; but in years that came afterwards thedescendantsofBanquowerekings.

THECOMEDYOFERRORS

AEGEONwasamerchantofSyracuse,whichisaseaportinSicily.HiswifewasAEmilia, and theywereveryhappyuntilAEgeon'smanager died, andhewasobligedtogobyhimselftoaplacecalledEpidamnumontheAdriatic.AssoonasshecouldAEmiliafollowedhim,andaftertheyhadbeentogethersometimetwo baby boyswere born to them. The babieswere exactly alike; evenwhentheyweredresseddifferentlytheylookedthesame.

Andnowyoumust believe a very strange thing.At the same innwhere thesechildrenwereborn,andon thesameday, twobabyboyswereborn toamuchpoorercouple thanAEmiliaandAEgeon; sopoor, indeed,were theparentsofthesetwinsthattheysoldthemtotheparentsoftheothertwins.

AEmilia was eager to show her children to her friends in Syracuse, and intreacherousweathersheandAEgeonandthefourbabiessailedhomewards.

Theywere still far fromSyracusewhen their ship spranga leak,and thecrewleftitinabodybytheonlyboat,caringlittlewhatbecameoftheirpassengers.

AEmiliafastenedoneofherchildrentoamastandtiedoneoftheslave-childrento him; AEgeon followed her examplewith the remaining children. Then theparentssecuredthemselvestothesamemasts,andhopedforsafety.

The ship,however, suddenly strucka rockandwas split in two, andAEmilia,and the two childrenwhom she had tied, floated away fromAEgeon and theother children. AEmilia and her charges were picked up by some people ofEpidamnum,butsomefishermenofCorinthtookthebabiesfromherbyforce,and she returned to Epidanmum alone, and very miserable. Afterwards shesettledinEphesus,afamoustowninAsiaMinor.

AEgeonandhischargeswerealsosaved;and,morefortunatethanAEmilia,hewasable toreturn toSyracuseandkeep themtill theywereeighteen.HisownchildhecalledAntipholus,andtheslavechildhecalledDromio;and,strangelyenough,thesewerethenamesgiventothechildrenwhofloatedawayfromhim.

AttheageofeighteenthesonwhowaswithAEgeongrewrestlesswithadesire

tofindhisbrother.AEgeonlethimdepartwithhisservant,andtheyoungmenarehenceforthknownasAntipholusofSyracuseandDromioofSyracuse.

PleasekeepphotowithhtmlLet alone,AEgeon foundhishome toodreary todwellin,andtraveledforfiveyears.Hedidnot,duringhisabsence,learnallthenewsofSyracuse,orhewouldneverhavegonetoEphesus.

Asitwas,hismelancholywanderingceasedinthattown,wherehewasarrestedalmostassoonashearrived.HethenfoundthattheDukeofSyracusehadbeenacting in so tyrannical amanner to Ephesians unlucky enough to fall into hishands,thattheGovernmentofEphesushadangrilypassedalawwhichpunishedby death or a fine of a thousand pounds any Syracusan who should come toEphesus.AEgeonwasbroughtbeforeSolinus,DukeofEphesus,whotoldhimthathemustdieorpayathousandpoundsbeforetheendoftheday.

YouwillthinktherewasfateinthiswhenItellyouthatthechildrenwhowerekidnaped by the fishermen of Corinthwere now citizens of Ephesus, whithertheyhadbeenbroughtbyDukeMenaphon,anuncleofDukeSolinus.TheywillhenceforthbecalledAntipholusofEphesusandDromioofEphesus.

Moreover,ontheverydaywhenAEgeonwasarrested,AntipholusofSyracuselanded in Ephesus and pretended that he came from Epidamnum in order toavoidapenalty.Hehandedhismoney tohis servantDromioofSyracuse,andbadehimtakeittotheCentaurInnandremaintheretillhecame.

In less than tenminutes he wasmet on theMart by Dromio of Ephesus, hisbrother'sslave,andimmediatelymistookhimforhisownDromio.“Whyareyoubacksosoon?Wheredidyouleavethemoney?”askedAntipholusofSyracuse.

ThisDrornioknewofnomoneyexceptsixpence,whichhehadreceivedonthepreviousWednesdayandgiventothesaddler;buthedidknowthathismistresswasannoyedbecausehismasterwasnotintodinner,andheaskedAntipholusof Syracuse to go to a house called The Phoenix without delay. His speechangeredthehearer,whowouldhavebeatenhimifhehadnotfled.AntipholusofSyracuse them went to The Centaur, found that his gold had been depositedthere,andwalkedoutoftheinn.

HewaswanderingaboutEphesuswhentwobeautifulladiessignaledtohimwiththeir hands. They were sisters, and their names were Adriana and Luciana.AdrianawasthewifeofhisbrotherAntipholusofEphesus,andshehadmadeuphermind, from the strange account given her byDromio ofEphesus, that her

husbandpreferredanotherwomantohiswife.“Ay,youmaylookasifyoudidnotknowme,”shesaidtothemanwhowasreallyherbrother-in-law,“butIcanrememberwhennowordswere sweetunless I said them,nomeat flavorsomeunlessIcarvedit.”

“IsitIyouaddress?”saidAntipholusofSyracusestiffly.“Idonotknowyou.”

“Fie,brother,”saidLuciana.“YouknowperfectlywellthatshesentDromiotoyou tobidyoucome todinner;”andAdriana said, “Come,come; Ihavebeenmadeafooloflongenough.Mytruanthusbandshalldinewithmeandconfesshissillypranksandbeforgiven.”

They were determined ladies, and Antipholus of Syracuse grew weary ofdisputingwiththem,andfollowedthemobedientlytoThePhoenix,whereaverylate“mid-day”dinnerawaitedthem.

They were at dinner when Antipholus of Ephesus and his slave Dromiodemandedadmittance.“Maud,Bridget,Marian,Cecily,Gillian,Ginn!”shoutedDromioofEphesus,whoknewallhisfellow-servants'namesbyheart.

Fromwithincamethereply,“Fool,dray-horse,coxcomb,idiot!”ItwasDromioofSyracuseunconsciouslyinsultinghisbrother.

Master andman did their best to get in, short of using a crowbar, and finallywent away; but Antipholus of Ephesus felt so annoyed with his wife that hedecidedtogiveagoldchainwhichhehadpromisedher,toanotherwoman.

Inside The Phoenix, Luciana, who believedAntipholus of Syracuse to be hersister's husband, attempted, by a discourse in rhyme,when alonewith him, tomakehimkinder toAdriana. In replyhe toldher thathewasnotmarried,butthathelovedhersomuchthat,ifLucianawereamermaid,hewouldgladlylieontheseaifhemightfeelbeneathhimherfloatinggoldenhair.

Lucianawasshockedandlefthim,andreportedhislovemakingtoAdriana,whosaidthatherhusbandwasoldandugly,andnotfit tobeseenorheard,thoughsecretlyshewasveryfondofhim.

Antipholus of Syracuse soon received a visitor in the shape of Angelo thegoldsmith,ofwhomAntipholusofEphesushadorderedthechainwhichhehadpromisedhiswifeandintendedtogivetoanotherwoman.

The goldsmith handed the chain toAntipholus of Syracuse, and treated his “I

bespokeitnot”asmerefun,sothatthepuzzledmerchanttookthechainasgood-humoredly as he had partaken of Adriana's dinner. He offered payment, butAngelofoolishlysaidhewouldcallagain.

Please keep photo with html The consequence was that Angelo was withoutmoneywhenacreditorofthesortthatstandsnononsense,threatenedhimwitharrest unless he paid his debt immediately. This creditor had brought a policeofficerwithhim,andAngelowasrelievedtoseeAntipholusofEphesuscomingoutof thehousewherehehadbeendiningbecausehehadbeen lockedoutofThePhoenix.BitterwasAngelo'sdismaywhenAntipholusdeniedreceiptofthechain.Angelocouldhavesenthismothertoprisonifshehadsaidthat,andhegaveAntipholusofEphesusincharge.

AtthismomentupcameDromioofSyracuseandtoldthewrongAntipholusthathehadshippedhisgoods,andthatafavorablewindwasblowing.TotheearsofAntipholus of Ephesus this talk was simple nonsense. He would gladly havebeaten the slave, but contented himself with crossly telling him to hurry toAdrianaandbidhersend toherarrestedhusbandapurseofmoneywhichshewouldfindinhisdesk.

ThoughAdrianawasfuriouswithherhusbandbecauseshethoughthehadbeenmakinglovetohersister,shedidnotpreventLucianafromgettingthepurse,andshebadeDromioofSyracusebringhomehismasterimmediately.

Unfortunately, before Dromio could reach the police station he met his realmaster,whohadneverbeenarrested,anddidnotunderstandwhathemeantbyofferinghimapurse.AntipholusofSyracusewasfurthersurprisedwhenaladywhomhedidnotknowaskedhimforachainthathehadpromisedher.Shewas,of course, the lady with whom Antipholus of Ephesus had dined when hisbrotherwasoccupyinghisplaceattable.“Avaunt,thouwitch!”wastheanswerwhich,toherastonishment,shereceived.

MeanwhileAntipholus of Ephesuswaited vainly for themoneywhichwas tohavereleasedhim.Neveragood-temperedman,hewascrazywithangerwhenDromio of Ephesus,who, of course, had not been instructed to fetch a purse,appearedwithnothingmoreuseful thana rope.Hebeat the slave in the streetdespitetheremonstranceofthepoliceofficer;andhistemperdidnotmendwhenAdriana, Luciana, and a doctor arrived under the impression that hewasmadandmusthavehispulsefelt.Heragedsomuchthatmencameforwardtobindhim.But thekindnessofAdrianasparedhim thisshame.Shepromised topay

thesumdemandedofhim,andaskedthedoctortoleadhimtoThePhoenix.

Please keep photo with html Angelo's merchant creditor being paid, the twowere friendly again, andmight soon have been seen chatting before an abbeyabouttheoddbehaviorofAntipholusofEphesus.“Softly,”saidthemerchantatlast,“that'she,Ithink.”

Itwasnot;itwasAntipholusofSyracusewithhisservantDromio,andheworeAngelo'schainroundhisneck!Thereconciledpairfairlypounceduponhimtoknowwhathemeantbydenyingthereceiptofthechainhehadtheimpudencetowear.Antipholus ofSyracuse lost his temper, anddrewhis sword, and at thatmomentAdrianaandseveralothersappeared.“Hold!”shoutedthecarefulwife.“Hurthimnot;heismad.Takehisswordaway.Bindhim--andDromiotoo.”

DromioofSyracusedidnotwishtobebound,andhesaidtohismaster,“Run,master!Intothatabbey,quick,orweshallberobbed!”

Theyaccordinglyretreatedintotheabbey.

Adriana,Luciana,andacrowdremainedoutside,andtheAbbesscameout,andsaid,“People,whydoyougatherhere?”

“Tofetchmypoordistractedhusband,”repliedAdriana.

Angeloandthemerchantremarkedthattheyhadnotknownthathewasmad.

AdrianathentoldtheAbbessrathertoomuchaboutherwifelyworries,fortheAbbessreceivedtheideathatAdrianawasashrew,andthatifherhusbandwasdistractedhehadbetternotreturntoherforthepresent.

Adrianadetermined,therefore,tocomplaintoDukeSolinus,and,loandbehold!aminute afterwards thegreatman appearedwithofficers and twoothers.TheotherswereAEgeonandtheheadsman.Thethousandmarkshadnotbeenfound,andAEgeon'sfateseemedsealed.

EretheDukecouldpasstheabbeyAdrianakneltbeforehim,andtoldawoefultale of amad husband rushing about stealing jewelry and drawing his sword,addingthattheAbbessrefusedtoallowhertoleadhimhome.

TheDukebadetheAbbessbesummoned,andnosoonerhadhegiventheorderthanaservantfromThePhoenixrantoAdrianawiththetalethathismasterhadsingedoffthedoctor'sbeard.

“Nonsense!”saidAdriana,“he'sintheabbey.”

“AssureasIliveIspeakthetruth,”saidtheservant.

Antipholus of Syracuse had not come out of the abbey, before his brother ofEphesus prostrated himself in front of the Duke, exclaiming, “Justice, mostgraciousDuke, against thatwoman.”He pointed toAdriana. “She has treatedanothermanlikeherhusbandinmyownhouse.”

PleasekeepphotowithhtmlEvenwhilehewasspeakingAEgeonsaid,“UnlessIamdelirious,IseemysonAntipholus.”

Noonenoticedhim,andAntipholusofEphesuswentontosayhowthedoctor,whomhecalled“athreadbarejuggler,”hadbeenoneofagangwhotiedhimtohis slave Dromio, and thrust them into a vault whence he had escaped bygnawingthroughhisbonds.

TheDukecouldnotunderstandhowthesamemanwhospoketohimwasseentogointotheabbey,andhewasstillwonderingwhenAEgeonaskedAntipholusofEphesusifhewasnothisson.Hereplied,“Ineversawmyfatherinmylife;”butsodeceivedwasAEgeonbyhislikenesstothebrotherwhomhehadbroughtup,thathesaid,“Thouartashamedtoacknowledgemeinmisery.”

Soon,however, theAbbessadvancedwithAntipholusofSyracuseandDromioofSyracuse.

Then cried Adriana, “I see two husbands or mine eyes deceive me;” andAntipholus,espyinghisfather,said,“ThouartAEgeonorhisghost.”

Itwasadayofsurprises,fortheAbbesssaid,“Iwillfreethatmanbypayinghisfine, and gain my husband whom I lost. Speak, AEgeon, for I am thy wifeAEmilia.”

TheDukewastouched.“Heisfreewithoutafine,”hesaid.

So AEgeon and AEmilia were reunited, and Adriana and her husbandreconciled; but no one was happier than Antipholus of Syracuse, who, in theDuke'spresence,wenttoLucianaandsaid,“ItoldyouIlovedyou.Willyoubemywife?”

Heranswerwasgivenbyalook,andthereforeisnotwritten.

ThetwoDromiosweregladtothinktheywouldreceivenomorebeatings.

PleasekeepphotowithhtmlChoosingtheCasket

THEMERCHANTOFVENICE

AntoniowasarichandprosperousmerchantofVenice.Hisshipswereonnearlyevery sea, and he tradedwith Portugal,withMexico,with England, andwithIndia. Although proud of his riches, he was very generous with them, anddelighted to use them in relieving the wants of his friends, amongwhom hisrelation,Bassanio,heldthefirstplace.

NowBassanio, likemanyanothergayandgallantgentleman,wasrecklessandextravagant,andfindingthathehadnotonlycometotheendofhisfortune,butwasalsounabletopayhiscreditors,hewenttoAntonioforfurtherhelp.

“Toyou,Antonio,”hesaid,“Iowethemost inmoneyandin love:andIhavethoughtofaplantopayeverythingIoweifyouwillbuthelpme.”

“SaywhatIcando,anditshallbedone,”answeredhisfriend.

ThensaidBassanio,“InBelmontisaladyrichlyleft,andfromallquartersoftheglobe renowned suitors come to woo her, not only because she is rich, butbecause she is beautiful and good aswell. She looked onmewith such favorwhenlastwemet,thatIfeelsurethatIshouldwinherawayfromallrivalsforherlovehadIbutthemeanstogotoBelmont,whereshelives.”

“Allmyfortunes,”saidAntonio,“areatsea,andsoIhavenoreadymoney;butluckilymycreditisgoodinVenice,andIwillborrowforyouwhatyouneed.”

Therewas living inVenice at this time a richmoney-lender, named Shylock.Antonio despised and disliked this man verymuch, and treated himwith thegreatestharshnessandscorn.Hewouldthrusthim,likeacur,overhisthreshold,andwould even spit on him.Shylock submitted to all these indignitieswith apatientshrug;butdeepinhishearthecherishedadesireforrevengeontherich,smugmerchant.ForAntoniobothhurthisprideandinjuredhisbusiness.“Butforhim,”thoughtShylock,“Ishouldbericherbyhalfamillionducats.Onthemarketplace, andwhereverhecan,hedenounces the rateof interest I charge,and--worsethanthat--helendsoutmoneyfreely.”

SowhenBassanio came to him to ask for a loan of three thousand ducats to

Antonioforthreemonths,Shylockhidhishatred,andturningtoAntonio,said--“Harshlyasyouhave treatedme, Iwouldbe friendswithyouandhaveyourlove.SoIwilllendyouthemoneyandchargeyounointerest.But,justforfun,youshallsignabondinwhichitshallbeagreedthatifyoudonotrepaymeinthreemonths'time,thenIshallhavetherighttoapoundofyourflesh,tobecutfromwhatpartofyourbodyIchoose.”

“No,”criedBassaniotohisfriend,“youshallrunnosuchriskforme.”

“Why,fearnot,”saidAntonio,“myshipswillbehomeamonthbeforethetime.Iwillsignthebond.”

ThusBassaniowasfurnishedwiththemeanstogotoBelmont,theretowoothelovely Portia. The very night he started, the money-lender's pretty daughter,Jessica,ranawayfromherfather'shousewithherlover,andshetookwithherfromherfather'shoardssomebagsofducatsandpreciousstones.Shylock'sgriefandangerwere terrible to see.His love forher changed tohate. “Iwould sheweredeadatmyfeetandthejewelsinherear,”hecried.HisonlycomfortnowwasinhearingoftheseriouslosseswhichhadbefallenAntonio,someofwhoseshipswerewrecked.“Lethimlooktohisbond,”saidShylock,“lethimlooktohisbond.”

MeanwhileBassanio had reachedBelmont, andhadvisited the fair Portia.Hefound, as he had told Antonio, that the rumor of her wealth and beauty haddrawn to her suitors from far and near.But to all of themPortia had but onereply.Shewouldonlyacceptthatsuitorwhowouldpledgehimselftoabidebythetermsofherfather'swill.Thesewereconditionsthatfrightenedawaymanyan ardentwooer.For hewhowouldwinPortia's heart andhand, had to guesswhichofthreecasketsheldherportrait.Ifheguessedaright,thenPortiawouldbehisbride;ifwrong,thenhewasboundbyoathnevertorevealwhichcaskethechose,nevertomarry,andtogoawayatonce.

PleasekeepphotowithhtmlThecasketswereofgold,silver,andlead.Thegoldoneborethisinscription:--“Whochoosethmeshallgainwhatmanymendesire;”thesilveronehad this:--“Whochoosethmeshallgetasmuchashedeserves;”while on the lead one were these words:--“Who chooseth me must give andhazard all he hath.” The Prince of Morocco, as brave as he was black, wasamong the first to submit to this test. He chose the gold casket, for he saidneither base lead nor silver could contain her picture. So be chose the goldcasket,andfoundinsidethelikenessofwhatmanymendesire--death.

AfterhimcamethehaughtyPrinceofArragon,andsaying,“LetmehavewhatIdeserve--surelyIdeservethelady,”hechosethesilverone,andfoundinsideafool'shead.“DidIdeservenomorethanafool'shead?”hecried.

ThenatlastcameBassanio,andPortiawouldhavedelayedhimfrommakinghischoicefromveryfearofhischoosingwrong.Forshelovedhimdearly,evenashe lovedher.“But,”saidBassanio,“letmechooseatonce, for,as Iam, I liveupontherack.”

ThenPortia badeher servants to bringmusic andplaywhile her gallant lovermadehischoice.AndBassaniotooktheoathandwalkeduptothecaskets--themusicians playing softly the while. “Mere outward show,” he said, “is to bedespised.Theworld is still deceivedwith ornament, and so no gaudy gold orshining silver forme. I choose the lead casket; joybe the consequence!”Andopeningit,hefoundfairPortia'sportraitinside,andheturnedtoherandaskedifitweretruethatshewashis.

Pleasekeepphotowithhtml“Yes,”saidPortia,“Iamyours,and thishouse isyours,andwiththemIgiveyouthisring,fromwhichyoumustneverpart.”

AndBassanio,sayingthathecouldhardlyspeakforjoy,foundwordstoswearthathewouldneverpartwiththeringwhilehelived.

Thensuddenlyallhishappinesswasdashedwithsorrow,formessengerscamefromVenice to tell him thatAntoniowas ruined, and that Shylock demandedfrom the Duke the fulfilment of the bond, under which he was entitled to apoundofthemerchant'sflesh.PortiawasasgrievedasBassaniotohearofthedangerwhichthreatenedhisfriend.

“First,” she said, “takeme to church andmakeme yourwife, and then go toVeniceatoncetohelpyourfriend.Youshalltakewithyoumoneyenoughtopayhisdebttwentytimesover.”

Butwhenhernewly-madehusbandhadgone,Portiawentafterhim,andarrivedin Venice disguised as a lawyer, and with an introduction from a celebratedlawyer Bellario, whom the Duke of Venice had called in to decide the legalquestions raised by Shylock's claim to a pound of Antonio's flesh.When theCourtmet, Bassanio offered Shylock twice themoney borrowed, if hewouldwithdrawhisclaim.Butthemoney-lender'sonlyanswerwas--

“Ifeveryducatinsixthousandducats,

Wereinsixparts,andeverypartaducat,

I would not draw them,--I would have mybond.”

Itwas then that Portia arrived in her disguise, and not even her ownhusbandknew her. The Duke gave her welcome on account of the great Bellario'sintroduction,andleftthesettlementofthecasetoher.Theninnoblewordsshebade Shylock havemercy.But hewas deaf to her entreaties. “Iwill have thepoundofflesh,”washisreply.

“Whathaveyoutosay?”askedPortiaofthemerchant.

“Butlittle,”heanswered;“Iamarmedandwellprepared.”

“TheCourtawardsyouapoundofAntonio's flesh,”saidPortia to themoney-lender.

Please keep photo with html “Most righteous judge!” cried Shylock. “Asentence:come,prepare.”

“Tarryalittle.ThisbondgivesyounorighttoAntonio'sblood,onlytohisflesh.If, then,youspilladropofhisblood,allyourpropertywillbeforfeitedtotheState.SuchistheLaw.”

AndShylock,inhisfear,said,“ThenIwilltakeBassanio'soffer.”

“No,” said Portia sternly, “you shall have nothing but your bond. Take yourpoundofflesh,butremember,thatifyoutakemoreorless,evenbytheweightofahair,youwillloseyourpropertyandyourlife.”

Shylocknowgrewverymuch frightened. “Givememy three thousandducatsthatIlenthim,andlethimgo.”

Bassaniowouldhavepaidittohim,butsaidPortia,“No!Heshallhavenothingbuthisbond.”

Pleasekeepphotowithhtml“You,aforeigner,”sheadded,“havesoughttotakethelifeofaVenetiancitizen,andthusbytheVenetianlaw,yourlifeandgoodsareforfeited.Down,therefore,andbegmercyoftheDuke.”

Thuswerethetablesturned,andnomercywouldhavebeenshowntoShylockhad it not been for Antonio. As it was, the money-lender forfeited half hisfortunetotheState,andhehadtosettletheotherhalfonhisdaughter'shusband,andwiththishehadtobecontent.

Bassanio,inhisgratitudetothecleverlawyer,wasinducedtopartwiththeringhiswifehadgivenhim,andwithwhichhehadpromisednevertopart,andwhenonhisreturntoBelmontheconfessedasmuchtoPortia,sheseemedveryangry,andvowedshewouldnotbefriendswithhimuntilshehadherringagain.Butatlastshetoldhimthatitwasshewho,inthedisguiseofthelawyer,hadsavedhisfriend's life, and got the ring from him. SoBassaniowas forgiven, andmadehappier thanever, toknowhowrichaprizehehaddrawnin the lotteryof thecaskets.

TIMONOFATHENS

Four hundred years before the birth of Christ, a man lived in Athens whosegenerosity was not only great, but absurd. He was very rich, but no worldlywealthwasenoughforamanwhospentandgavelikeTimon.IfanybodygaveTimon a horse, he received from Timon twenty better horses. If anybodyborrowedmoneyofTimonandofferedtorepayit,Timonwasoffended.IfapoethadwrittenapoemandTimonhadtimetoreadit,hewouldbesuretobuyit;andapainterhadonlytoholduphiscanvasinfrontofTimontoreceivedoubleitsmarketprice.

Flavius, his steward, looked with dismay at his reckless mode of life. WhenTimon'shousewasfullofnoisylordsdrinkingandspillingcostlywine,Flaviuswouldsitinacellarandcry.Hewouldsaytohimself,“Therearetenthousandcandlesburninginthishouse,andeachofthosesingersbrayingintheconcert-room costs a poor man's yearly income a night;” and he would remember aterriblethingsaidbyApemantus,oneofhismaster'sfriends,“OwhatanumberofmeneatTimon,andTimonseesthemnot!”

PleasekeepphotowithhtmlOfcourse,Timonwasmuchpraised.

A jewelerwho soldhimadiamondpretended that itwasnot quite perfect tillTimonwore it. “Youmend the jewel bywearing it,” he said.Timongave thediamondtoalordcalledSempronius,andthelordexclaimed,“O,he'stheverysoul of bounty.” “Timon is infinitely dear to me,” said another lord, calledLucullus, to whom he gave a beautiful horse; and other Athenians paid himcomplimentsassweet.

ButwhenApemantushadlistenedtosomeofthem,hesaid,“I'mgoingtoknockoutanhonestAthenian'sbrains.”

“Youwilldieforthat,”saidTimon.

“ThenIshalldiefordoingnothing,”saidApemantus.AndnowyouknowwhatajokewaslikefourhundredyearsbeforeChrist.

ThisApernantuswasafrankdespiserofmankind,butahealthyone,becausehe

wasnotunhappy. In thismixedworldanyonewithanumberofacquaintancesknowsapersonwho talksbitterlyofmen,butdoesnot shun them,andboaststhat he is never deceived by their fine speeches, and is inwardly cheerful andproud.Apemantuswasamanlikethat.

Timon,youwillbesurprisedtohear,becamemuchworsethanApemantus,afterthedawningofadaywhichwecallQuarterDay.

QuarterDayisthedaywhenbillspourin.Thegrocer,thebutcher,andthebakerareallthinkingoftheirdebtorsonthatday,andthewisemanhassavedenoughmoneytobereadyforthem.ButTimonhadnot;andhedidnotonlyowemoneyfor food.Heowed it for jewelsandhorsesand furniture; and,worstof all,heowed it tomoney-lenders,who expected him to pay twice asmuch as he hadborrowed.

QuarterDayisadaywhenpromisestopayarescorned,andonthatdayTimonwasaskedfora largesumofmoney.“Sellsome land,”hesaid tohissteward.“Youhavenoland,”wasthereply.“Nonsense!Ihadahundred,thousandacres,”saidTimon.“Youcouldhavespentthepriceoftheworldifyouhadpossessedit,”saidFlavius.

Pleasekeepphotowithhtml“Borrowsomethen,”saidTimon;“tryVentidius.”He thought of Ventidius because he had once got Ventidius out of prison bypayingacreditorof thisyoungman.Ventidiuswasnowrich.Timontrustedinhis gratitude. But not for all; somuch did he owe! Servantswere despatchedwithrequestsforloansofmoneytoseveralfriends:

One servant (Flaminius) went to Lucullus.When he was announced Lucullussaid, “A gift, I warrant. I dreamt of a silver jug and basin last night.” Then,changinghistone,“Howisthathonorable,free-hearted,perfectgentleman,yourmaster,eh?”

“Wellinhealth,sir,”repliedFlaminius.

“Andwhathaveyougotthereunderyourcloak?”askedLucullus,jovially.

“Faith,sir,nothingbutanemptybox,which,onmymaster'sbehalf,Ibegyoutofillwithmoney,sir.”

“La!la!la!”saidLucullus,whocouldnotpretendtomean,“Ha!ha!ha!”“Yourmaster'sonefaultisthatheistoofondofgivingparties.I'vewarnedhimthatitwas expensive. Now, look here, Flaminius, you know this is no time to lend

moneywithoutsecurity,sosupposeyouactlikeagoodboyandtellhimthatIwasnotathome.Here'sthreesolidaresforyourself.”

“Back,wretchedmoney,”criedFlaminius,“tohimwhoworshipsyou!”

Others of Timon's friends were tried and found stingy. Amongst them wasSempronius.

“Hum,” he said to Timon's servant, “has he asked Ventidius? Ventidius isbeholdentohim.”

“Herefused.”

“Well,haveyouaskedLucullus?”

“Herefused.”

“A poor compliment to apply tome last of all,” said Sempronius, in affectedanger.“Ifhehadsenttomeatfirst,Iwouldgladlyhavelenthimmoney,butI'mnotgoingtobesuchafoolastolendhimanynow.”

“Yourlordshipmakesagoodvillain,”saidtheservant.

WhenTimonfoundthathisfriendsweresomean,hetookadvantageofalullinhisstormofcreditorstoinviteVentidiusandCompanytoabanquet.Flaviuswashorrified,butVentidiusandCompany,werenot in the leastashamed,and theyassembled accordingly in Timon's house, and said to one another that theirprincelyhosthadbeenjestingwiththem.

“Ihadtoputoffanimportantengagementinordertocomehere,”saidLucullus;“butwhocouldrefuseTimon?”

Pleasekeepphotowithhtml“Itwasarealgrieftometobewithoutreadymoneywhenheaskedforsome,”saidSempronius.

“Thesamehere,”chimedinathirdlord.

Timon now appeared, and his guests vied with one another in apologies andcompliments.Inwardlysneering,Timonwasgracioustothemall.

In the banqueting ball was a table resplendent with covered dishes. Mouthswatered.Thesesummer-friendslovedgoodfood.

“Be seated,worthy friends,” saidTimon.He thenprayed aloud to thegodsof

Greece.“Giveeachmanenough,”hesaid,“forifyou,whoareourgods,weretoborrowofmentheywouldceasetoadoreyou.Letmenlovethejointmorethanthehost.Leteveryscoreofguestscontain twentyvillains.Blessmyfriendsasmuchastheyhaveblessedme.Uncoverthedishes,dogs,andlap!”

The hungry lords were too much surprised by this speech to resent it. Theythought Timon was unwell, and, although he had called them dogs, theyuncoveredthedishes.

Therewasnothinginthembutwarmwater.

“Mayyouneverseeabetterfeast,”wishedTimon“Iwashofftheflatterieswithwhichyouplasteredmeandsprinkleyouwithyourvillainy.”Withthesewordshethrewthewaterintohisguests'faces,andthenhepeltedthemwiththedishes.Having thusended thebanquet,hewent intoanouthouse, seizeda spade,andquittedAthensforever.

Hisnextdwellingwasacavenearthesea.

Of all his friends, theonlyonewhohadnot refusedhimaidwas ahandsomesoldiernamedAlcibiades,andhehadnotbeenaskedbecause,havingquarreledwith the Government of Athens, he had left that town. The thought thatAlcibiadesmighthaveprovedatruefrienddidnotsoftenTimon'sbitterfeeling.Hewastooweak-mindedtodiscernthefactthatgoodcannotbefarfromevilinthismixedworld.Hedetermined to seenothingbetter inallmankind than theingratitudeofVentidiusandthemeannessofLucullus.

Hebecameavegetarian,andtalkedpagestohimselfashedugintheearthforfood.

Oneday,whenhewasdiggingforrootsneartheshore,hisspadestruckgold.Ifhehadbeenawisemanhewouldhaveenrichedhimselfquickly,andreturnedtoAthens to live incomfort.But the sightof thegoldveingaveno joybutonlyscorntoTimon.“Thisyellowslave,”hesaid,“willmakeandbreakreligions.Itwillmakeblackwhiteandfoulfair.Itwillbuymurderandblesstheaccursed.”

HewasstillrantingwhenAlcibiades,nowanenemyofAthens,approachedwithhissoldiersandtwobeautifulwomenwhocaredfornothingbutpleasure.

TimonwassochangedbyhisbadthoughtsandroughlifethatAlcibiadesdidnotrecognizehimatfirst.

“Whoareyou?”heasked.

“Abeast,asyouare,”wasthereply.

Alcibiadesknewhisvoice,andofferedhimhelpandmoney.ButTimonwouldnoneofit,andbegantoinsultthewomen.They,however,whentheyfoundhehad discovered a goldmine, cared not a jot for his opinion of them, but said,“Giveussomegold,goodTimon.Haveyoumore?”

Withfurtherinsults,Timonfilledtheirapronswithgoldore.

“Farewell,”saidAlcibiades,whodeemedthatTimon'switswerelost;andthenhisdisciplinedsoldiersleftwithoutprofittheminewhichcouldhavepaidtheirwages,andmarchedtowardsAthens.

Timoncontinuedtodigandcurse,andaffectedgreatdelightwhenheduguparootanddiscoveredthatitwasnotagrape.

JustthenApemantusappeared.“Iamtoldthatyouimitateme,”saidApemantus.

“Only,”saidTimon,“becauseyouhaven'tadogwhichIcanimitate.”

“You are revenging yourself on your friends by punishing yourself,” saidApemantus.“Thatisverysilly,fortheylivejustascomfortablyastheyeverdid.Iamsorrythatafoolshouldimitateme.”

Pleasekeepphotowithhtml“IfIwere likeyou,”saidTimon,“Ishould throwmyselfaway.”

“Youhavedoneso,”sneeredApemantus.“Willthecoldbrookmakeyouagoodmorningdrink,oraneastwindwarmyourclothesasavaletwould?”

“Offwithyou!”saidTimon;butApemantusstayedawhilelongerandtoldhimhehadapassionforextremes,whichwastrue.Apemantusevenmadeapun,buttherewasnogoodlaughtertobegotoutofTimon.

Finally,theylosttheirtemperliketwoschoolboys,andTimonsaidhewassorrytolosethestonewhichheflungatApemantus,wholefthimwithanevilwish.

This was almost an “at home” day for Timon, for when Apemantus haddeparted,hewasvisitedbysomerobbers.Theywantedgold.

“Youwanttoomuch,”saidTimon.“Herearewater,rootsandberries.”

“Wearenotbirdsandpigs,”saidarobber.

“No, you are cannibals,” saidTimon. “Take the gold, then, andmay it poisonyou!Henceforthroboneanother.”

Hespokesofrightfully to themthat, thoughtheywentawaywithfullpockets,theyalmostrepentedoftheirtrade.HislastvisitoronthatdayofvisitswashisgoodstewardFlavius.“Mydearestmaster!”criedhe.

“Away!Whatareyou?”saidTimon.

“Haveyouforgottenme,sir?”askedFlavius,mournfully.

“Ihaveforgottenallmen,”wasthereply;“andifyou'llallowthatyouareaman,Ihaveforgottenyou.”

“Iwasyourhonestservant,”saidFlavius.

“Nonsense!Ineverhadanhonestmanaboutme,”retortedTimon.

Flaviusbegantocry.

“What! shedding tears?” said Timon. “Come nearer, then. I will love youbecauseyouareawoman,andunlikemen,whoonlyweepwhentheylaughorbeg.”

Theytalkedawhile; thenTimonsaid,“Yongoldismine.Iwillmakeyourich,Flavius,ifyoupromisemetolivebyyourselfandhatemankind.Iwillmakeyouvery rich if you promiseme that youwill see the flesh slide off the beggar'sbonesbeforeyoufeedhim,andletthedebtordieinjailbeforeyoupayhisdebt.”

Flaviussimplysaid,“Letmestaytocomfortyou,mymaster.”

“If you dislike cursing, leaveme,” replied Timon, and he turned his back onFlavius,whowentsadlybacktoAthens,toomuchaccustomedtoobediencetoforcehisservicesuponhisailingmaster.

Thestewardhadacceptednothing,butareportgotaboutthatamightynuggetofgold had been given him by his formermaster, and Timon therefore receivedmorevisitors.Theywereapainter andapoet,whomhehadpatronized inhisprosperity.

“Hail, worthy Timon!” said the poet. “We heardwith astonishment how yourfriendsdesertedyou.Nowhip'slargeenoughfortheirbacks!”

“Wehavecome,”putinthepainter,“toofferourservices.”

“You'veheardthatIhavegold,”saidTimon.

“Therewas a report,” said the painter, blushing; “butmy friend and I did notcomeforthat.”

“Goodhonestmen!”jeeredTimon.“Allthesame,youshallhaveplentyofgoldifyouwillridmeoftwovillains.”

“Name them,” said his two visitors in one breath. “Both of you!” answeredTimon.Givingthepainterawhackwithabigstick,hesaid,“Putthatintoyourpaletteandmakemoneyoutofit.”Thenhegaveawhacktothepoet,andsaid,“Makeapoemoutofthatandgetpaidforit.There'sgoldforyou.”

Theyhurriedlywithdrew.

FinallyTimonwasvisitedbytwosenatorswho,nowthatAthenswasthreatenedbyAlcibiades,desired tohaveon theirside thisbitternoblewhosegoldmighthelpthefoe.

“Forget your injuries,” said the first senator. “Athens offers you dignitieswherebyyoumayhonorablylive.”

“Athens confesses that your merit was overlooked, and wishes to atone, andmorethanatone,forherforgetfulness,”saidthesecondsenator.

“Worthysenators,”repliedTimon,inhisgrimway,“Iamalmostweeping;youtouchmeso!AllIneedaretheeyesofawomanandtheheartofafool.”

But the senators were patriots. They believed that this bitter man could saveAthens,andtheywouldnotquarrelwithhim.“Beourcaptain,”theysaid,“andleadAthensagainstAlcibiades,whothreatenstodestroyher.”

“Lethimdestroy theAthenians too, for all I care,” saidTimon;and seeinganevildespairinhisface,theylefthim.

The senators returned to Athens, and soon afterwards trumpets were blownbeforeitswalls.UponthewallstheystoodandlistenedtoAlcibiades,whotoldthem that wrong-doers should quake in their easy chairs. They looked at hisconfident army, andwere convinced thatAthensmust yield if he assaulted it,thereforetheyusedthevoicethatstrikesdeeperthanarrows.

“Thesewallsofourswerebuiltby thehandsofmenwhoneverwrongedyou,Alcibiades,”saidthefirstsenator.

“Enter,” said the second senator, “and slay every tenth man, if your revengeneedshumanflesh.”

“Sparethecradle,”saidthefirstsenator.

“I askonly justice,” saidAlcibiades. “If you admitmy army, Iwill inflict thepenaltyofyourownlawsuponanysoldierwhobreaksthem.”

At thatmomentasoldierapproachedAlcibiades,andsaid,“Mynoblegeneral,Timonisdead.”HehandedAlcibiadesasheetofwax,saying,“Heisburiedbythe sea, on the beach, and over his grave is a stonewith letters on itwhich Icannotread,andthereforeIhaveimpressedthemonwax.”

Alcibiadesreadfromthesheetofwaxthiscouplet--

“HerelieI,Timon,who,alive,

alllivingmendidhate.

Passbyandsayyourworst;butpass,

andstaynothereyourgait.”

“Dead, then, is nobleTimon,” saidAlcibiades; andbe enteredAthenswith anolivebranchinsteadofasword.

So it was one of Timon's friends who was generous in a greater matter thanTimon'sneed;yetare thesorrowandrageofTimonrememberedasawarninglestanotheringratitudeshouldarisetoturnloveintohate.

OTHELLO

FourhundredyearsagotherelivedinVeniceanensignnamedIago,whohatedhisgeneral,Othello,fornotmakinghimalieutenant.InsteadofIago,whowasstrongly recommended, Othello had chosen Michael Cassio, whose smoothtonguehadhelpedhimtowintheheartofDesdemona.IagohadafriendcalledRoderigo,whosuppliedhimwithmoneyandfelthecouldnotbehappyunlessDesdemonawashiswife.

OthellowasaMoor,butofsodarkacomplexionthathisenemiescalledhimaBlackamoor. His life had been hard and exciting. He had been vanquished inbattle and sold into slavery; and he had been a great traveler and seen menwhoseshoulderswerehigherthantheirheads.Braveasalion,hehadonegreatfault--jealousy.Hislovewasaterribleselfishness.Toloveawomanmeantwithhimtopossessherasabsolutelyashepossessedsomethingthatdidnotliveandthink.ThestoryofOthelloisastoryofjealousy.

Please keep photo with html One night Iago told Roderigo that Othello hadcarried off Desdemona without the knowledge of her father, Brabantio. HepersuadedRoderigo to arouseBrabantio, andwhen that senator appeared IagotoldhimofDesdemona'selopementinthemostunpleasantway.ThoughhewasOthello'sofficer,hetermedhimathiefandaBarbaryhorse.

Brabantio accused Othello before the Duke of Venice of using sorcery tofascinate his daughter, butOthello said that the only sorcery he usedwas hisvoice, which told Desdemona his adventures and hair-breadth escapes.Desdemonawasledintothecouncil-chamber,andsheexplainedhowshecouldloveOthellodespitehisalmostblackfacebysaying,“IsawOthello'svisageinhismind.”

AsOthellohadmarriedDesdemona,andshewasgladtobehiswife,therewasnomore to be said against him, especially as the Duke wished him to go toCyprus to defend it against the Turks. Othello was quite ready to go, andDesdemona,whopleadedtogowithhim,waspermittedtojoinhimatCyprus.

Othello's feelings on landing in this island were intensely joyful. “Oh, mysweet,” he said toDesdemona,who arrivedwith Iago, hiswife, andRoderigo

before him, “I hardly know what I say to you. I am in love with my ownhappiness.”

NewscomingpresentlythattheTurkishfleetwasoutofaction,heproclaimedafestivalinCyprusfromfivetoelevenatnight.

CassiowasondutyintheCastlewhereOthelloruledCyprus,soIagodecidedtomakethelieutenantdrinktoomuch.Hehadsomedifficulty,asCassioknewthatwine soon went to his head, but servants brought wine into the room whereCassiowas,andIagosangadrinkingsong,andsoCassioliftedaglasstoooftentothehealthofthegeneral.

PleasekeepphotowithhtmlWhenCassiowasinclinedtobequarrelsome,IagotoldRoderigo to say something unpleasant to him.Cassio cudgeledRoderigo,who ran into the presence of Montano, the ex-governor. Montano civillyinterceded for Roderigo, but received so rude an answer from Cassio that hesaid, “Come, come, you're drunk!” Cassio then wounded him, and Iago sentRoderigoouttoscarethetownwithacryofmutiny.

The uproar aroused Othello, who, on learning its cause, said, “Cassio, I lovethee,butnevermorebeofficerofmine.”

OnCassioandIagobeingalone together, thedisgracedmanmoanedabouthisreputation. Iago said reputation and humbug were the same thing. “O God,”exclaimedCassio,withoutheedinghim,“thatmenshouldputanenemyintheirmouthstostealawaytheirbrains!”

IagoadvisedhimtobegDesdemonatoaskOthello topardonhim.Cassiowaspleasedwiththeadvice,andnextmorningmadehisrequesttoDesdemonainthegardenofthecastle.Shewaskindnessitself,andsaid,“Bemerry,Cassio,forIwouldratherdiethanforsakeyourcause.”

CassioatthatmomentsawOthelloadvancingwithIago,andretiredhurriedly.

Iagosaid,“Idon'tlikethat.”

“What did you say?” asked Othello, who felt that he had meant somethingunpleasant,but Iagopretendedhehad saidnothing. “Wasnot thatCassiowhowentfrommywife?”askedOthello,andIago,whoknewthatitwasCassioandwhy itwasCassio, said, “I cannot think itwasCassiowho stole away in thatguiltymanner.”

DesdemonatoldOthellothatitwasgriefandhumilitywhichmadeCassioretreatathisapproach.SheremindedhimhowCassiohadtakenhispartwhenshewasstillheart-free,andfoundfaultwithherMoorishlover.Othellowasmelted,andsaid, “Iwilldeny theenothing,”butDesdemona toldhim thatwhat sheaskedwasasmuchforhisgoodasdining.

Desdemonaleftthegarden,andIagoaskedifitwasreallytruethatCassiohadknownDesdemonabeforehermarriage.

“Yes,”saidOthello.

“Indeed,”saidIago,asthoughsomethingthathadmystifiedhimwasnowveryclear.

“Is he not honest?” demanded Othello, and Iago repeated the adjectiveinquiringly,asthoughhewereafraidtosay“No.”

“Whatdoyoumean?”insistedOthello.

TothisIagowouldonlysaytheflatoppositeofwhathesaidtoCassio.Hehadtold Cassio that reputationwas humbug. ToOthello he said, “Who stealsmypursestealstrash,buthewhofilchesfrommemygoodnameruinsme.”

At this Othello almost leapt into the air, and Iago was so confident of hisjealousythatheventuredtowarnhimagainstit.Yes,itwasnootherthanIagowhocalledjealousy“thegreen-eyedmonsterwhichdothmockthemeatitfeedson.”

Iagohavinggivenjealousyoneblow,proceededtofeeditwiththeremarkthatDesdemonadeceivedherfatherwhensheelopedwithOthello.“Ifshedeceivedhim,whynotyou?”washismeaning.

PresentlyDesdemonare-entered to tellOthello thatdinnerwasready.Shesawthathewasillatease.Heexplaineditbyapaininhisforehead.Desdemonathenproduced a handkerchief, which Othello had given her. A prophetess, twohundred years old, had made this handkerchief from the silk of sacredsilkworms, dyed it in a liquid prepared from the hearts of maidens, andembroidered itwith strawberries.GentleDesdemona thought of it simply as acool, soft thing fora throbbingbrow;sheknewofnospellupon it thatwouldworkdestructionforherwholostit.“Letmetieitroundyourhead,”shesaidtoOthello; “you will be well in an hour.” But Othello pettishly said it was toosmall,andletitfall.Desdemonaandhethenwentindoorstodinner,andEmilia

pickedupthehandkerchiefwhichIagohadoftenaskedhertosteal.

ShewaslookingatitwhenIagocamein.Afterafewwordsaboutithesnatcheditfromher,andbadeherleavehim.

Please keep photo with html In the garden he was joined by Othello, whoseemedhungryfortheworstlieshecouldoffer.HethereforetoldOthellothathehad seen Cassio wipe his mouth with a handkerchief, which, because it wasspottedwithstrawberries,heguessedtobeonethatOthellohadgivenhiswife.

TheunhappyMoorwentmadwithfury,andIagobadetheheavenswitnessthathe devoted his hand and heart and brain to Othello's service. “I accept yourlove,”saidOthello.“WithinthreedaysletmehearthatCassioisdead.”

Iago'snextstepwastoleaveDesdemona'shandkerchiefinCassio'sroom.Cassiosawit,andknewitwasnothis,buthelikedthestrawberrypatternonit,andhegaveittohissweetheartBiancaandaskedhertocopyitforhim.

Iago's next move was to induce Othello, who had been bullying Desdemonaabout the handkerchief, to play the eavesdropper to a conversation betweenCassio and himself. His intention was to talk about Cassio's sweetheart, andallowOthellotosupposethattheladyspokenofwasDesdemona.

“Howareyou,lieutenant?”askedIagowhenCassioappeared.

“TheworseforbeingcalledwhatIamnot,”repliedCassio,gloomily.

“KeeponremindingDesdemona,andyou'llsoonberestored,”saidIago,adding,inatonetoolowforOthellotohear,“IfBiancacouldsetthematterright,howquicklyitwouldmend!”

“Alas! poor rogue,” said Cassio, “I really think she loves me,” and like thetalkativecoxcombhewas,CassiowasledontoboastofBianca'sfondnessforhim,whileOthelloimagined,withchokedrage,thatheprattledofDesdemona,andthought,“Iseeyournose,Cassio,butnotthedogIshallthrowitto.”

Othellowas still spyingwhenBianca entered, boiling overwith the idea thatCassio,whomsheconsideredherproperty,hadaskedhertocopytheembroideryonthehandkerchiefofanewsweetheart.Shetossedhimthehandkerchiefwithscornfulwords,andCassiodepartedwithher.

OthellohadseenBianca,whowasinstationlower,inbeautyandspeechinferior

far, to Desdemona and he began in spite of himself to praise his wife to thevillain before him. He praised her skill with the needle, her voice that could“sing thesavagenessoutofabear,”herwit,her sweetness, the fairnessofherskin.EverytimehepraisedherIagosaidsomethingthatmadehimrememberhisangerandutteritfoully,andyethemustneedspraiseher,andsay,“Thepityofit,Iago!OIago,thepityofit,Iago!”

TherewasneverinallIago'svillainyonemomentofwavering.Iftherehadbeenhemighthavewaveredthen.

“Strangleher,”hesaid;and“Good,good!”saidhismiserabledupe.

ThepairwerestilltalkingmurderwhenDesdemonaappearedwitharelativeofDesdemona's father, called Lodovico, who bore a letter for Othello from theDuke of Venice. The letter recalled Othello from Cyprus, and gave thegovernorshiptoCassio.

LucklessDesdemonaseizedthisunhappymomenttourgeoncemorethesuitofCassio.

“Fireandbrimstone!”shoutedOthello.

“Itmaybe the letter agitateshim,”explainedLodovico toDesdemona,andhetoldherwhatitcontained.

“I am glad,” said Desdemona. It was the first bitter speech that Othello'sunkindnesshadwrungoutofher.

“Iamgladtoseeyouloseyourtemper,”saidOthello.

“Why,sweetOthello?”sheasked,sarcastically;andOthelloslappedherface.

PleasekeepphotowithhtmlNowwasthetimeforDesdemonatohavesavedherlifebyseparation,butsheknewnotherperil--onlythatherlovewaswoundedtothecore.“Ihavenotdeservedthis,”shesaid,andthetearsrolledslowlydownherface.

Lodovicowas shocked and disgusted. “My lord,” he said, “thiswould not bebelieved in Venice. Make her amends;” but, like a madman talking in hisnightmare,Othellopouredouthisfoulthoughtinuglyspeech,androared,“Outofmysight!”

“Iwillnotstaytooffendyou,”saidhiswife,butshelingeredeveningoing,and

onlywhenheshouted“Avaunt!”didsheleaveherhusbandandhisguests.

Othello then invited Lodovico to supper, adding, “You are welcome, sir, toCyprus.Goatsandmonkeys!”Withoutwaitingforareplyheleftthecompany.

Distinguished visitors detest being obliged to look on at family quarrels, anddislike being called either goats ormonkeys, andLodovico asked Iago for anexplanation.

Truetohimself,Iago,inaround-aboutway,saidthatOthellowasworsethanheseemed, and advised them to study his behavior and save him from thediscomfortofansweringanymorequestions.

HeproceededtotellRoderigotomurderCassio.Roderigowasoutoftunewithhisfriend.HehadgivenIagoquantitiesofjewelsforDesdemonawithouteffect;Desdemonahadseennoneofthem,forIagowasathief.

Iago smoothed him with a lie, and when Cassio was leaving Bianca's house,Roderigo wounded him, and was wounded in return. Cassio shouted, andLodovico and a friend came running up. Cassio pointed out Roderigo as hisassailant,andIago,hopingtoridhimselfofan inconvenientfriend,calledhim“Villain!”andstabbedhim,butnottodeath.

At the Castle, Desdemonawas in a sadmood. She told Emilia that shemustleaveher;herhusbandwishedit.“Dismissme!”exclaimedEmilia.“Itwashisbidding,saidDesdemona;wemustnotdispleasehimnow.”

Shesangasongwhichagirlhadsungwhoseloverhadbeenbasetoher--asongofamaidencryingbythattreewhoseboughsdroopasthoughitweeps,andshewenttobedandslept.

Shewokewithherhusband'swildeyesuponher.“Haveyouprayedto-night?”heasked;andhetoldthisblamelessandsweetwomantoaskGod'spardonforanysinshemighthaveonherconscience.“Iwouldnotkillthysoul,”hesaid.

He told her that Cassio had confessed, but she knew Cassio had nought toconfess that concerned her. She said that Cassio could not say anything thatwoulddamageher.Othellosaidhismouthwasstopped.

PleasekeepphotowithhtmlThenDesdemonawept,butwithviolentwords,inspiteofallherpleading,Othellopresseduponherthroatandmortallyhurther.

Then with boding heart came Emilia, and besought entrance at the door, andOthellounlockedit,andavoicecamefromthebedsaying,“AguiltlessdeathIdie.”

“Whodidit?”criedEmilia;andthevoicesaid,“Nobody--Imyself.Farewell!”

“'TwasIthatkilledher,”saidOthello.

Hepouredouthisevidencebythatsadbedtothepeoplewhocamerunningin,Iagoamongthem;butwhenhespokeofthehandkerchief,Emiliatoldthetruth.

And Othello knew. “Are there no stones in heaven but thunderbolts?” heexclaimed,andranatIago,whogaveEmiliaherdeath-blowandfled.

Buttheybroughthimback,andthedeaththatcametohimlateronwasarelieffromtorture.

TheywouldhavetakenOthellobacktoVenicetotryhimthere,butheescapedthemonhissword.“Awordortwobeforeyougo,”hesaidtotheVenetiansinthechamber. “Speakofmeas Iwas--nobetter,noworse.Say I cast away thepearl of pearls, andweptwith these hard eyes; and say that,when inAleppoyearsagoIsawaTurkbeatingaVenetian,I tookhimbythe throatandsmotehimthus.”

With his own hand he stabbed himself to the heart; and ere he died his lipstouchedthefaceofDesdemonawithdespairinglove.

PleasekeepphotowithhtmlPetruchioandKatherine

THETAMINGOFTHESHREW

TherelivedinPaduaagentlemannamedBaptista,whohadtwofairdaughters.Theeldest,Katharine,wassoverycrossandill-tempered,andunmannerly,thatnooneeverdreamedofmarryingher,whilehersister,Bianca,wassosweetandpretty, andpleasant-spoken, thatmore thanone suitor askedher father for herhand.ButBaptistasaidtheelderdaughtermustmarryfirst.

SoBianca'ssuitorsdecidedamongthemselvestotryandgetsomeonetomarryKatharine--and then the father could at least be got to listen to their suit forBianca.

AgentlemanfromVerona,namedPetruchio,wastheonetheythoughtof,and,halfinjest,theyaskedhimifhewouldmarryKatharine,thedisagreeablescold.Muchtotheirsurprisehesaidyes,thatwasjustthesortofwifeforhim,andifKatharinewerehandsomeand rich, hehimselfwouldundertake soon tomakehergood-tempered.

Petruchio began by asking Baptista's permission to pay court to his gentledaughterKatharine--andBaptistawasobligedtoownthatshewasanythingbutgentle.Andjustthenhermusicmasterrushedin,complainingthatthenaughtygirlhadbrokenherluteoverhishead,becausehetoldhershewasnotplayingcorrectly.

“Never mind,” said Petruchio, “I love her better than ever, and long to havesomechatwithher.”

Please keep photo with htmlWhen Katharine came, he said, “Good-morrow,Kate--forthat,Ihear,isyourname.”

“You'veonlyheardhalf,”saidKatharine,rudely.

“Oh, no,” said Petruchio, “they call you plain Kate, and bonny Kate, andsometimesKatetheshrew,andso,hearingyourmildnesspraisedineverytown,andyourbeautytoo,Iaskyouformywife.”

“Yourwife!”criedKate.“Never!”Shesaidsomeextremelydisagreeablethingstohim,and,Iamsorrytosay,endedbyboxinghisears.

“If you do that again, I'll cuff you,” he said quietly; and still protested, withmanycompliments,thathewouldmarrynonebuther.

WhenBaptistacameback,heaskedatonce--

“Howspeedyouwithmydaughter?”

“HowshouldIspeedbutwell,”repliedPetruchio--“how,butwell?”

“Hownow,daughterKatharine?”thefatherwenton.

Please keep photowith html “I don't think,” saidKatharine, angrily, “you areactingafather'spartinwishingmetomarrythismad-capruffian.”

“Ah!”saidPetruchio,“youandalltheworldwouldtalkamissofher.Youshouldseehowkindsheistomewhenwearealone.Inshort,IwillgoofftoVenicetobuy fine things for our wedding--for--kiss me, Kate! we will be married onSunday.”

Withthat,Katharineflouncedoutoftheroombyonedoorinaviolenttemper,and he, laughing, went out by the other. But whether she fell in love withPetruchio,orwhether shewasonlyglad tomeetamanwhowasnotafraidofher,orwhether shewas flattered that, in spiteofher roughwordsandspitefulusage,hestilldesiredherforhiswife--shedidindeedmarryhimonSunday,ashehadswornsheshould.

TovexandhumbleKatharine'snaughty,proudspirit,hewaslateatthewedding,andwhenhecame,camewearingsuchshabbyclothesthatshewasashamedtobe seen with him. His servant was dressed in the same shabby way, and thehorsestheyrodewerethesportofeveryonetheypassed.

And, after the marriage, when should have been the wedding breakfast,Petruchiocarriedhiswifeaway,notallowinghertoeatordrink--sayingthatshewashisnow,andhecoulddoashelikedwithher.

Andhismannerwassoviolent,andhebehavedall throughhiswedding insomad and dreadful a manner, that Katharine trembled and went with him. Hemounted her on a stumbling, lean, old horse, and they journeyed by roughmuddywaystoPetruchio'shouse,hescoldingandsnarlingalltheway.

She was terribly tired when she reached her new home, but Petruchio wasdeterminedthatsheshouldneithereatnorsleepthatnight,forhehadmadeup

hismindtoteachhisbad-temperedwifealessonshewouldneverforget.

Sohewelcomedherkindlytohishouse,butwhensupperwasservedhefoundfaultwitheverything--themeatwasburnt,hesaid,andill-served,andhelovedherfartoomuchtolethereatanythingbutthebest.AtlastKatharine,tiredoutwithherjourney,wentsupperlesstobed.Thenherhusband,stilltellingherhowhelovedher,andhowanxioushewasthatsheshouldsleepwell,pulledherbedtopieces,throwingthepillowsandbedclothesonthefloor,sothatshecouldnotgotobedatall,andstillkeptgrowlingandscoldingattheservantssothatKatemightseehowunbeautifulathingill-temperwas.

Thenextday, too,Katharine's foodwasall found faultwith, andcaught awaybeforeshecouldtouchamouthful,andshewassickandgiddyforwantofsleep.Thenshesaidtooneoftheservants--

“Ipraytheegoandgetmesomerepast.Icarenotwhat.”

“Whatsayyoutoaneat'sfoot?”saidtheservant.

Katharine said “Yes,” eagerly; but the servant,whowas inhismaster's secret,saidhefeareditwasnotgoodforhasty-temperedpeople.Wouldsheliketripe?

“Bringitme,”saidKatharine.

“Idon'tthinkthatisgoodforhasty-temperedpeople,”saidtheservant.“Whatdoyousaytoadishofbeefandmustard?”

“Iloveit,”saidKate.

“Butmustardistoohot.”

“Why,then,thebeef,andletthemustardgo,”criedKatharine,whowasgettinghungrierandhungrier.

“No,” said the servant, “youmust have themustard, or you get no beef fromme.”

“Then,”criedKatharine,losingpatience,“letitbeboth,orone,oranythingthouwilt.”

“Why,then,”saidtheservant,“themustardwithoutthebeef!”

ThenKatharinesawhewasmakingfunofher,andboxedhisears.

JustthenPetruchiobroughthersomefood--butshehadscarcelybeguntosatisfyherhunger,beforehecalledforthetailortobringhernewclothes,andthetablewascleared,leavingherstillhungry.Katharinewaspleasedwiththeprettynewdress and cap that the tailor hadmade for her, but Petruchio found faultwitheverything,flungthecapandgownonthefloorvowinghisdearwifeshouldnotwearanysuchfoolishthings.

Please keep photo with html “I will have them,” cried Katharine. “Allgentlewomenwearsuchcapsasthese--”

“Whenyouaregentleyoushallhaveonetoo,”heanswered,“andnottillthen.”Whenhehaddrivenawaythetailorwithangrywords--butprivatelyaskinghisfriendtoseehimpaid--Petruchiosaid--

“Come,Kate, let'sgo toyour father's, shabbyasweare, foras the sunbreaksthrough the darkest clouds, so honor peereth in themeanest habit. It is aboutseveno'clocknow.Weshalleasilygettherebydinner-time.”

“It'snearlytwo,”saidKate,butcivillyenough,forshehadgrowntoseethatshecouldnotbullyherhusband,asshehaddoneherfatherandhersister;“it'snearlytwo,anditwillbesupper-timebeforewegetthere.”

“Itshallbeseven,”saidPetruchio,obstinately,“beforeIstart.Why,whateverIsayordo,orthink,youdonothingbutcontradict.Iwon'tgoto-day,andbeforeIdogo,itshallbewhato'clockIsayitis.”

Atlasttheystartedforherfather'shouse.

“Lookatthemoon,”saidhe.

“It'sthesun,”saidKatharine,andindeeditwas.

“Isayitisthemoon.Contradictingagain!Itshallbesunormoon,orwhateverIchoose,orIwon'ttakeyoutoyourfather's.”

ThenKatharinegave in,onceand forall. “Whatyouwillhave itnamed,”shesaid, “it is, and so it shall be so forKatharine.”And so itwas, for from thatmomentKatharinefeltthatshehadmethermaster,andneveragainshowedhernaughtytemperstohim,oranyoneelse.

SotheyjourneyedontoBaptista'shouse,andarrivingthere,theyfoundallfolkskeeping Bianca's wedding feast, and that of another newly married couple,

Hortensioandhiswife.Theyweremadewelcome,andsatdowntothefeast,andall was merry, save that Hortensio's wife, seeing Katharine subdued to herhusband,thoughtshecouldsafelysaymanydisagreeablethings,thatintheolddays,whenKatharinewas free and froward, shewouldnothavedared to say.ButKatharine answeredwith such spirit and suchmoderation, that she turnedthelaughagainstthenewbride.

After dinner, when the ladies had retired, Baptista joined in a laugh againstPetruchio,saying“Nowingoodsadness,sonPetruchio,Ifearyouhavegottheveriestshrewofall.”

“Youarewrong,”saidPetruchio,“letmeproveittoyou.Eachofusshallsendamessagetohiswife,desiringhertocometohim,andtheonewhosewifecomesmostreadilyshallwinawagerwhichwewillagreeon.”

The others said yes readily enough, for each thought his own wife the mostdutiful,andeachthoughthewasquitesuretowinthewager.

Theyproposedawageroftwentycrowns.

“Twentycrowns,”saidPetruchio,“I'llventuresomuchonmyhawkorhound,buttwentytimesasmuchuponmywife.”

“Ahundredthen,”criedLucentio,Bianca'shusband.

“Content,”criedtheothers.

ThenLucentio sent amessage to the fairBianca bidding her to come to him.And Baptista said he was certain his daughter would come. But the servantcomingback,said--

“Sir,mymistressisbusy,andshecannotcome.”'

“There'sananswerforyou,”saidPetruchio.

“Youmaythinkyourselffortunateifyourwifedoesnotsendyouaworse.”

“Ihope,better,”Petruchioanswered.ThenHortensiosaid--

“Goandentreatmywifetocometomeatonce.”

“Oh--ifyouentreather,”saidPetruchio.

“Iamafraid,”answeredHortensio,sharply,“dowhatyoucan,yourswillnotbe

entreated.”

Butnowtheservantcamein,andsaid--

“Shesaysyouareplayingsomejest,shewillnotcome.”

“Better and better,” cried Petruchio; “now go to your mistress and say Icommandhertocometome.”

Theyallbegantolaugh,sayingtheyknewwhatheranswerwouldbe,andthatshewouldnotcome.

ThensuddenlyBaptistacried--

“HerecomesKatharine!”Andsureenough--thereshewas.

“Whatdoyouwish,sir?”sheaskedherhusband.

“WhereareyoursisterandHortensio'swife?”

“Talkingbytheparlorfire.”

“Fetchthemhere.”

Whenshewasgonetofetchthem,Lucentiosaid--

“Hereisawonder!”

“Iwonderwhatitmeans,”saidHortensio.

“Itmeanspeace,”saidPetruchio,“andlove,andquietlife.”

“Well,”saidBaptista,“youhavewonthewager,andIwilladdanothertwentythousandcrownstoherdowry--anotherdowryforanotherdaughter--forsheisaschangedasifsheweresomeoneelse.”

SoPetruchiowonhiswager,andhadinKatharinealwaysalovingwifeandtrue,andnowhehadbrokenherproudandangryspirithelovedherwell,andtherewas nothing ever but love between those two. And so they lived happy everafterwards.

MEASUREFORMEASURE

MorecenturiesagothanIcaretosay, thepeopleofViennaweregovernedtoomildly.Thereasonwas that thereigningDukeVicentiowasexcessivelygood-natured,anddislikedtoseeoffendersmadeunhappy.

The consequence was that the number of ill-behaved persons in Vienna wasenough tomake the Duke shake his head in sorrowwhen his chief secretaryshowedhimitattheendofalist.Hedecided,therefore,thatwrongdoersmustbepunished.Butpopularitywasdeartohim.Heknewthat,ifheweresuddenlystrictafterbeinglax,hewouldcausepeopletocallhimatyrant.Forthisreasonhe told his PrivyCouncil that hemust go to Poland on important business ofstate.“IhavechosenAngelotoruleinmyabsence,”saidhe.

NowthisAngelo,althoughheappearedtobenoble,wasreallyameanman.HehadpromisedtomarryagirlcalledMariana,andnowwouldhavenothingtosaytoher,becauseherdowryhadbeenlost.SopoorMarianalivedforlornly,waitingeverydayforthefootstepofherstingylover,andlovinghimstill.

HavingappointedAngelohisdeputy,theDukewenttoafriarcalledThomasandaskedhimforafriar'sdressandinstructionintheartofgivingreligiouscounsel,forhedidnot intendtogotoPoland,but tostayathomeandseehowAngelogoverned.

Angelohadnotbeenadayinofficewhenhecondemnedtodeathayoungmannamed Claudio for an act of rash selfishness which nowadayswould only bepunishedbyseverereproof.

ClaudiohadaqueerfriendcalledLucio,andLuciosawachanceoffreedomforClaudioifClaudio'sbeautifulsisterIsabellawouldpleadwithAngelo.

Isabellawasatthattimelivinginanunnery.Nobodyhadwonherheart,andshethoughtshewouldliketobecomeasister,ornun.

MeanwhileClaudiodidnotlackanadvocate.

Anancientlord,Escalus,wasforleniency.“Letuscutalittle,butnotkill,”hesaid.“Thisgentlemanhadamostnoblefather.”

Angelowasunmoved.“Iftwelvemenfindmeguilty,Iasknomoremercythanisinthelaw.”

Angelo then ordered the Provost to see thatClaudiowas executed at nine thenextmorning.

After the issueof this orderAngelowas told that the sister of the condemnedmandesiredtoseehim.

“Admither,”saidAngelo.

On enteringwith Lucio, the beautiful girl said, “I am awoeful suitor to yourHonor.”

“Well?”saidAngelo.

Shecoloredathischillmonosyllableandtheascendingredincreasedthebeautyof her face. “I have a brother who is condemned to die,” she continued.“Condemnthefault,Iprayyou,andsparemybrother.”

“Everyfault,”saidAngelo,“iscondemnedbeforeitiscommitted.Afaultcannotsuffer.Justicewouldbevoidifthecommitterofafaultwentfree.”

Shewouldhave left thecourt ifLuciohadnotwhispered toher, “Youare toocold;youcouldnotspeakmoretamelyifyouwantedapin.”

SoIsabellaattackedAngeloagain,andwhenhesaid,“Iwillnotpardonhim,”shewasnotdiscouraged,andwhenhesaid,“He'ssentenced; 'tis too late,”shereturned to theassault.Butallherfightingwaswithreasons,andwithreasonsshecouldnotprevailovertheDeputy.

Please keep photo with html She told him that nothing becomes power likemercy. She told him that humanity receives and requiresmercy fromHeaven,thatitwasgoodtohavegiganticstrength,andhadtouseitlikeagiant.Shetoldhim that lightning rives the oak and spares themyrtle. She bade him look forfault in his own breast, and if he found one, to refrain from making it anargumentagainstherbrother'slife.

Angelofoundafaultinhisbreastatthatmoment.HelovedIsabella'sbeauty,andwastemptedtodoforherbeautywhathewouldnotdofortheloveofman.

Heappearedtorelent,forhesaid,“Cometometo-morrowbeforenoon.”

Shehad,atanyrate,succeededinprolongingherbrother'slifeforafewhours.'

In her absence Angelo's conscience rebuked him for trifling with his judicialduty.

When Isabella called on him the second time, he said, “Your brother cannotlive.”

Isabellawaspainfullyastonished,butallshesaidwas,“Evenso.HeavenkeepyourHonor.”

But as she turned to go, Angelo felt that his duty and honor were slight incomparisonwiththelossofher.

“Givemeyourlove,”hesaid,“andClaudioshallbefreed.”

“BeforeIwouldmarryyou,heshoulddieifhehadtwentyheadstolayupontheblock,”saidIsabella,forshesawthenthathewasnotthejustmanhepretendedtobe.

Soshewenttoherbrotherinprison,toinformhimthathemustdie.Atfirsthewasboastful, andpromised tohug thedarknessofdeath.ButwhenheclearlyunderstoodthathissistercouldbuyhislifebymarryingAngelo,hefelthislifemorevaluablethanherhappiness,andheexclaimed,“Sweetsister,letmelive.”

“Ofaithlesscoward!Odishonestwretch!”shecried.

AtthismomenttheDukecameforward,inthehabitofafriar,torequestsomespeechwithIsabella.HecalledhimselfFriarLodowick.

TheDukethentoldherthatAngelowasaffiancedtoMariana,whoselove-storyherelated.Hethenaskedhertoconsiderthisplan.LetMariana,inthedressofIsabella,gocloselyveiled toAngelo,andsay, inavoiceresemblingIsabella's,that if Claudiowere spared shewouldmarry him. Let her take the ring fromAngelo's little finger, that it might be afterwards proved that his visitor wasMariana.

Isabellahad,ofcourse,agreatrespectforfriars,whoareasnearlylikenunsasmencanbe.Sheagreed,therefore,totheDuke'splan.Theyweretomeetagainatthemoatedgrange,Mariana'shouse.

Please keep photowith html In the street theDuke sawLucio,who, seeing aman dressed like a friar, called out, “What news of theDuke, friar?” “I have

none,”saidtheDuke.

LuciothentoldtheDukesomestoriesaboutAngelo.ThenhetoldoneabouttheDuke.TheDukecontradictedhim.Luciowasprovoked,andcalledtheDuke“ashallow,ignorantfool,”thoughhepretendedtolovehim.“TheDukeshallknowyoubetterifIlivetoreportyou,”saidtheDuke,grimly.ThenheaskedEscalus,whomhe saw in the street,whathe thoughtofhisducalmaster.Escalus,whoimagined he was speaking to a friar, replied, “The Duke is a very temperategentleman,whopreferstoseeanothermerrytobeingmerryhimself.”

TheDukethenproceededtocallonMariana.

Isabellaarrived immediatelyafterwards,andtheDukeintroducedthe twogirlstooneanother,bothofwhomthoughthewasafriar.Theywentintoachamberapart fromhim todiscuss the savingofClaudio, andwhile they talked in lowandearnesttones,theDukelookedoutofthewindowandsawthebrokenshedsandflower-bedsblackwithmoss,whichbetrayedMariana's indifferencetohercountrydwelling.Somewomenwouldhavebeautifiedtheirgarden:notshe.Shewasforthetown;sheneglectedthejoysofthecountry.HewassurethatAngelowouldnotmakeherunhappier.

“Weareagreed,father,”saidIsabella,asshereturnedwithMariana.

SoAngelowasdeceivedbythegirlwhomhehaddismissedfromhislove,andputonherfingeraringhewore,inwhichwassetamilkystonewhichflashedinthelightwithsecretcolors.

Hearingofhersuccess,theDukewentnextdaytotheprisonpreparedtolearnthatanorderhadarrivedforClaudio'srelease.Ithadnot,however,butaletterwasbandedtotheProvostwhilehewaited.HisamazementwasgreatwhentheProvostreadaloudthesewords,“Whatsoeveryoumayheartothecontrary, letClaudiobeexecutedbyfouroftheclock.Letmehavehisheadsentmebyfive.”

But theDuke said to theProvost, “Youmust show theDeputy another head,”andheheldoutaletterandasignet.“Here,”hesaid,“arethehandandsealofthe Duke. He is to return, I tell you, and Angelo knows it not. Give Angeloanotherhead.”

TheProvost thought, “This friar speakswith power. I know theDuke's signetandIknowhishand.”

He said at length, “Aman died in prison thismorning, a pirate of the age of

Claudio,withabeardofhiscolor.Iwillshowhishead.”

The pirate's head was duly shown to Angelo, who was deceived by itsresemblancetoClaudio's.

TheDuke'sreturnwassopopularthatthecitizensremovedthecitygatesfromtheirhinges toassisthisentry intoVienna.AngeloandEscalusdulypresentedthemselves,andwereprofuselypraisedfortheirconductofaffairsintheDuke'sabsence.

It was, therefore, themore unpleasant for Angelo when Isabella, passionatelyangeredbyhistreachery,kneltbeforetheDuke,andcriedforjustice.

Whenherstorywastold,theDukecried,“Toprisonwithherforaslandererofourrighthand!Butstay,whopersuadedyoutocomehere?”

“FriarLodowick,”saidshe.

“Whoknowshim?”inquiredtheDuke.

“I do, my lord,” replied Lucio. “I beat him because he spake against yourGrace.”

AfriarcalledPeterheresaid,“FriarLodowickisaholyman.”

Isabellawasremovedbyanofficer,andMarianacameforward.Shetookoffherveil, and said toAngelo, “This is the faceyouonce sworewasworth lookingon.”

Bravelyhefacedherassheputoutherhandandsaid,“Thisisthehandwhichwearstheringyouthoughttogiveanother.”

“Iknowthewoman,”saidAngelo.“Oncetherewastalkofmarriagebetweenus,butIfoundherfrivolous.”

Marianahereburstout that theywereaffiancedbythestrongestvows.AngelorepliedbyaskingtheDuketoinsistontheproductionofFriarLodowick.

“He shall appear,” promised theDuke, and badeEscalus examine themissingwitnessthoroughlywhilehewaselsewhere.

Presently the Duke re-appeared in the character of Friar Lodowick, andaccompanied by Isabella and the Provost. He was not so much examined asabusedandthreatenedbyEscalus.Lucioaskedhimtodeny,ifhedared,thathe

called the Duke a fool and a coward, and had had his nose pulled for hisimpudence.

“To prisonwith him!” shoutedEscalus, but as handswere laid upon him, theDukepulledoffhisfriar'shood,andwasaDukebeforethemall.

“Now,”hesaidtoAngelo,“ifyouhaveanyimpudencethatcanyetserveyou,workitforallit'sworth.”

“ImmediatesentenceanddeathisallIbeg,”wasthereply.

“WereyouaffiancedtoMariana?”askedtheDuke.

“Iwas,”saidAngelo.

“Thenmarryherinstantly,”saidhismaster.“Marrythem,”hesaidtoFriarPeter,“andreturnwiththemhere.”

“Comehither, Isabel,” said theDuke, in tender tones. “Your friar is nowyourPrince,andgrieveshewas too late tosaveyourbrother;”butwell theroguishDukeknewhehadsavedhim.

“Opardonme,”shecried,“thatIemployedmySovereigninmytrouble.”

“Youarepardoned,”hesaid,gaily.

At thatmomentAngelo andhiswife re-entered. “Andnow,Angelo,” said theDuke,gravely,“wecondemntheetotheblockonwhichClaudiolaidhishead!”

“Omymostgraciouslord,”criedMariana,“mockmenot!”

“Youshallbuyabetterhusband,”saidtheDuke.

Pleasekeepphotowithhtml“Omydearlord,”saidshe,“Icravenobetterman.”

IsabellanoblyaddedherprayertoMariana's,buttheDukefeignedinflexibility.

“Provost,”hesaid,“howcameitthatClaudioasexecutedatanunusualhour?”

AfraidtoconfesstheliehehadimposeduponAngelo,theProvostsaid,“Ihadaprivatemessage.”

“You are discharged from your office,” said the Duke. The Provost thendeparted.Angelosaid,“Iamsorrytohavecausedsuchsorrow.Ipreferdeathtomercy.” Soon therewas amotion in the crowd.TheProvost re-appearedwith

Claudio.LikeabigchildtheProvostsaid,“Isavedthisman;heislikeClaudio.”TheDukewas amused, and said to Isabella, “I pardon himbecause he is likeyourbrother.Heislikemybrother,too,ifyou,dearIsabel,willbemine.”

She was his with a smile, and the Duke forgave Angelo, and promoted theProvost.

Luciohecondemnedtomarryastoutwomanwithabittertongue.

TWOGENTLEMENOFVERONA

Onlyoneofthemwasreallyagentleman,asyouwilldiscoverlater.TheirnameswereValentineandProteus.Theywere friends,and livedatVerona,a town innorthernItaly.Valentinewashappyinhisnamebecauseitwasthatofthepatronsaint of lovers; it is hard for a Valentine to be fickle or mean. Proteus wasunhappy in his name, because it was that of a famous shape-changer, andthereforeitencouragedhimtobealoveratonetimeandatraitoratanother.

Oneday,ValentinetoldhisfriendthathewasgoingtoMilan.“I'mnot inlovelikeyou,”saidhe,“andthereforeIdon'twanttostayathome.”

Proteuswas in lovewith a beautiful yellow-haired girl called Julia, whowasrich, and had no one to order her about.Hewas, however, sorry to part fromValentine, and he said, “If ever you are in danger tellme, and Iwill pray foryou.”ValentinethenwenttoMilanwithaservantcalledSpeed,andatMilanhefellinlovewiththeDukeofMilan'sdaughter,Silvia.

WhenProteusandValentinepartedJuliahadnotacknowledged that she lovedProteus.Indeed,shehadactuallytornuponeofhislettersinthepresenceofhermaid,Lucetta.Lucetta,however,wasnosimpleton,forwhenshesawthepiecesshesaidtoherself,“Allshewantsistobeannoyedbyanotherletter.”Indeed,nosoonerhadLucettaleftheralonethanJuliarepentedofhertearing,andplacedbetweenherdress andherheart the tornpieceofpaperonwhichProteushadsignedhisname.SobytearingaletterwrittenbyProteusshediscoveredthatshelovedhim.Then,likeabrave,sweetgirl,shewrotetoProteus,“Bepatient,andyoushallmarryme.”

Delightedwith thesewordsProteuswalkedabout, flourishingJulia's letterandtalkingtohimself.

“Whathaveyougotthere?”askedhisfather,Antonio.

“AletterfromValentine,”fibbedProteus.

“Letmereadit,”saidAntonio.

“Thereisnonews,”saiddeceitfulProteus;“heonlysaysthatheisveryhappy,

andtheDukeofMilaniskindtohim,andthathewishesIwerewithhim.”

ThisfibhadtheeffectofmakingAntoniothinkthathissonshouldgotoMilanandenjoy thefavors inwhichValentinebasked.“Youmustgo to-morrow,”hedecreed.Proteuswasdismayed.“Givemetimetogetmyoutfitready.”Hewasmetwiththepromise,“Whatyouneedshallbesentafteryou.”

ItgrievedJuliatopartfromherloverbeforetheirengagementwastwodays'old.Shegavehimaring,andsaid,“Keepthisformysake,”andhegaveheraring,andtheykissedliketwowhointendtobetruetilldeath.ThenProteusdepartedforMilan.

Meanwhile Valentine was amusing Silvia, whose grey eyes, laughing at himunder auburn hair, had drowned him in love. One day she told him that shewantedtowriteaprettylettertoagentlemanwhomshethoughtwellof,buthadnotime:wouldhewrite it?VerymuchdidValentinedislikewritingthat letter,buthedidwriteit,andgaveittohercoldly.“Takeitback,”shesaid;“youdiditunwillingly.”

“Madam,”hesaid,“itwasdifficulttowritesuchaletterforyou.”

Pleasekeepphotowithhtml“Takeitback,”shecommanded;“youdidnotwritetenderlyenough.”

Valentine was left with the letter, and condemned to write another; but hisservantSpeedsawthat,ineffect,theLadySilviahadallowedValentinetowriteforheralove-lettertoValentine'sownself.“Thejoke,”hesaid,“isasinvisibleasaweather-cockonasteeple.”Hemeantthatitwasveryplain;andhewentontosayexactlywhatitwas:“Ifmasterwillwriteherlove-letters,hemustanswerthem.”

On the arrival of Proteus, he was introduced by Valentine to Silvia andafterwards,whentheywerealone,ValentineaskedProteushowhisloveforJuliawasprospering.

“Why,”saidProteus,“youusedtogetweariedwhenIspokeofher.”

“Aye,”confessedValentine, “but it'sdifferentnow. I caneat anddrinkalldaywithnothingbutloveonmyplateandloveinmycup.”

“YouidolizeSilvia,”saidProteus.

“Sheisdivine,”saidValentine.

Pleasekeepphotowithhtml“Come,come!”remonstratedProteus.

“Well, if she's not divine,” saidValentine, “she is the queen of allwomen onearth.”

“ExceptJulia,”saidProteus.

“Dearboy,”saidValentine,“Juliaisnotexcepted;butIwillgrantthatshealoneisworthytobearmylady'strain.”

“Yourbraggingastoundsme,”saidProteus.

But he had seen Silvia, and he felt suddenly that the yellow-haired Juliawasblackincomparison.Hebecameinthoughtavillainwithoutdelay,andsaidtohimselfwhathehadneversaidbefore--“Itomyselfamdearerthanmyfriend.”

It would have been convenient for Valentine if Proteus had changed, by thepowerofthegodwhosenamehebore,theshapeofhisbodyattheevilmomentwhen he despised Julia in admiring Silvia. But his body did not change; hissmilewasstillaffectionate,andValentineconfided tohimthegreatsecret thatSilviahadnowpromised to runawaywithhim. “In thepocketof this cloak,”said Valentine, “I have a silken rope ladder, with hooks which will clasp thewindow-barofherroom.”

ProteusknewthereasonwhySilviaandherloverwerebentonflight.TheDukeintendedhertowedSirThurio,agentlemanlynoodleforwhomshedidnotcareastraw.

ProteusthoughtthatifhecouldgetridofValentinehemightmakeSilviafondofhim,especiallyiftheDukeinsistedonherenduringSirThurio'stiresomechatter.HethereforewenttotheDuke,andsaid,“Dutybeforefriendship!Itgrievesmeto thwartmy friendValentine,butyourGraceshouldknow thathe intends to-night to elope with your Grace's daughter.” He begged the Duke not to tellValentinethegiverofthisinformation,andtheDukeassuredhimthathisnamewouldnotbedivulged.

EarlythateveningtheDukesummonedValentine,whocametohimwearingalargecloakwithabulgingpocket.

“Youknow,”saidtheDuke,“mydesiretomarrymydaughtertoSirThurio?”

“I do,” replied Valentine. “He is virtuous and generous, as befits a man sohonoredinyourGrace'sthoughts.”

“Nevertheless she dislikes him,” said the Duke. “She is a peevish, proud,disobedientgirl,andIshouldbesorrytoleaveherapenny.Iintend,therefore,tomarryagain.”

Valentinebowed.

“Ihardlyknowhowtheyoungpeopleofto-daymakelove,”continuedtheDuke,“andIthoughtthatyouwouldbejustthemantoteachmehowtowintheladyofmychoice.”

“Jewelshavebeenknowntopleadratherwell,”saidValentine.

“Ihavetriedthem,”saidtheDuke.

“ThehabitoflikingthegivermaygrowifyourGracegiveshersomemore.”

“The chief difficulty,” pursued the Duke, “is this. The lady is promised to ayounggentleman,anditishardtohaveawordwithher.Sheis,infact,lockedup.”

“Then yourGrace should propose an elopement,” saidValentine. “Try a ropeladder.”

Pleasekeepphotowithhtml“ButhowshouldIcarryit?”askedtheDuke.

“Aropeladderislight,”saidValentine;“Youcancarryitinacloak.”

“Likeyours?”

“Yes,yourGrace.”

“Thenyourswilldo.Kindlylendittome.”

Valentinehad talkedhimself intoa trap.Hecouldnot refuse to lendhiscloak,and when the Duke had donned it, his Grace drew from the pocket a sealedmissiveaddressedtoSilvia.Hecoollyopenedit,andreadthesewords:“Silvia,youshallbefreeto-night.”

“Indeed,” he said, “and here's the rope ladder. Prettily contrived, but notperfectly. Igiveyou,sir,aday to leavemydominions. Ifyouare inMilanbythistimeto-morrow,youdie.”

PoorValentinewassaddenedtothecore.“UnlessIlookonSilviaintheday,”hesaid,“thereisnodayformetolookupon.”

BeforehewenthetookfarewellofProteus,whoprovedahypocriteofthefirstorder.“Hopeisalover'sstaff,”saidValentine'sbetrayer;“walkhencewiththat.”

After leaving Milan, Valentine and his servant wandered into a forest nearMantuawhere the great poetVirgil lived. In the forest, however, the poets (ifany)werebrigands,whobade the travelers stand.Theyobeyed, andValentinemadesogoodan impressionuponhiscaptors that theyofferedhimhis lifeonconditionthathebecametheircaptain.

“Iaccept,”saidValentine,“providedyoureleasemyservant,andarenotviolenttowomenorthepoor.”

ThereplywasworthyofVirgil,andValentinebecameabrigandchief.

WereturnnowtoJulia,whofoundVeronatoodulltoliveinsinceProteushadgone.ShebeggedhermaidLucettatodeviseawaybywhichshecouldseehim.“Betterwaitforhimtoreturn,”saidLucetta,andshetalkedsosensiblythatJuliasaw it was idle to hope that Lucetta would bear the blame of any rash andinterestingadventure. Julia thereforesaid that she intended togo toMilananddressedlikeapage.

“You must cut off your hair then,” said Lucetta, who thought that at thisannouncementJuliawouldimmediatelyabandonherscheme.

“Ishallknotitup,”wasthedisappointingrejoinder.

LucettathentriedtomaketheschemeseemfoolishtoJulia,butJuliahadmadeup her mind and was not to be put off by ridicule; and when her toilet wascompleted,shelookedascomelyapageasonecouldwishtosee.

Julia assumed themale name Sebastian, and arrived inMilan in time to hearmusicbeingperformedoutsidetheDuke'spalace.

“TheyareserenadingtheLadySilvia,”saidamantoher.

Suddenlysheheardavoice lifted insong,andsheknewthatvoice. Itwas thevoiceofProteus.Butwhatwashesinging?

“WhoisSilvia?whatisshe,

Thatallourswainscommendher?

Holy,fair,andwiseisshe;

Theheavensuchgracedidlendher

Thatshemightadmiredbe.”

Juliatriednottoheartherest,butthesetwolinessomehowthunderedintohermind--

“ThentoSilvialetussing;

Sheexcelseachmortalthing.”

ThenProteusthoughtSilviaexcelledJulia;and,sincehesangsobeautifullyforall the world to hear, it seemed that he was not only false to Julia, but hadforgottenher.YetJuliastilllovedhim.Sheevenwenttohim,andaskedtobehispage,andProteusengagedher.

One day, he handed to her the ring which she had given him, and said,“Sebastian,takethattotheLadySilvia,andsaythatIshouldlikethepictureofhershepromisedme.”

Please keep photowith htmlSilvia had promised the picture, but she dislikedProteus.Shewasobligedtotalktohimbecausehewashighinthefavorofherfather, who thought he pleaded with her on behalf of Sir Thurio. Silvia hadlearnedfromValentinethatProteuswaspledgedtoasweetheartinVerona;andwhenhesaidtenderthingstoher,shefelt thathewasdisloyalinfriendshipaswellaslove.

JuliaboretheringtoSilvia,butSilviasaid,“Iwillnotwrongthewomanwhogaveithimbywearingit.”

“Shethanksyou,”saidJulia.

“You knowher, then?” said Silvia, and Julia spoke so tenderly of herself that

SilviawishedthatSebastianwouldmarryJulia.

SilviagaveJuliaherportraitforProteus,whowouldhavereceivedittheworseforextratouchesonthenoseandeyesifJuliahadnotmadeuphermindthatshewasasprettyasSilvia.

Soontherewasanuproarinthepalace.Silviahadfled.

TheDukewascertainthatherintentionwastojointheexiledValentine,andhewasnotwrong.

Withoutdelayhestartedinpursuit,withSirThurio,Proteus,andsomeservants.

Themembersofthepursuingpartygotseparated,andProteusandJulia(inherpage's dress) were by themselves when they saw Silvia, who had been takenprisonerbyoutlawsandwasnowbeingledtotheirCaptain.Proteusrescuedher,andthensaid,“Ihavesavedyoufromdeath;givemeonekindlook.”

“O misery, to be helped by you!” cried Silvia. “I would rather be a lion'sbreakfast.”

Juliawassilent,butcheerful.ProteuswassomuchannoyedwithSilviathathethreatenedher,andseizedherbythewaist.

“Oheaven!”criedSilvia.

Atthatinstanttherewasanoiseofcracklingbranches.ValentinecamecrashingthroughtheMantuanforest to therescueofhisbeloved.JuliafearedhewouldslayProteus,andhurriedtohelpherfalselover.Buthestrucknoblow,heonlysaid,“Proteus,IamsorryImustnevertrustyoumore.”

Thereat Proteus felt his guilt, and fell on his knees, saying, “Forgive me! Igrieve!Isuffer!”

“Thenyouaremyfriendoncemore,”saidthegenerousValentine.“IfSilvia,thatislosttome,willlookonyouwithfavor,IpromisethatIwillstandasideandblessyouboth.”

ThesewordswereterribletoJulia,andsheswooned.Valentinerevivedher,andsaid,“Whatwasthematter,boy?”

“I remembered,” fibbed Julia, “that I was charged to give a ring to the LadySilvia,andthatIdidnot.”

“Well,giveittome,”saidProteus.

Shehandedhimaring,but itwastheringthatProteusgavetoJuliabeforeheleftVerona.

Proteuslookedatherhand,andcrimsonedtotherootsofhishair.

“Ichangedmyshapewhenyouchangedyourmind,”saidshe.

“ButIloveyouagain,”saidhe.

Justthenoutlawsentered,bringingtwoprizes--theDukeandSirThurio.

“Forbear!”criedValentine,sternly.“TheDukeissacred.”

SirThurioexclaimed,“There'sSilvia;she'smine!”

“Touchher,andyoudie!”saidValentine.

“Ishouldbeafooltoriskanythingforher,”saidSirThurio.

“Then you are base,” said the Duke. “Valentine, you are a brave man. Yourbanishmentisover.Irecallyou.YoumaymarrySilvia.Youdeserveher.”

“IthankyourGrace,”saidValentine,deeplymoved,“andyetmustaskyouonemoreboon.”

“Igrantit,”saidtheDuke.

“Pardonthesemen,yourGrace,andgivethememployment.Theyarebetterthantheircalling.”

“I pardon them and you,” said theDuke. “Theirwork henceforth shall be forwages.”

“Whatthinkyouofthispage,yourGrace?”askedValentine,indicatingJulia.

TheDukeglancedather,andsaid,“Ithinktheboyhasgraceinhim.”

“Moregracethanboy,sayI,”laughedValentine,andtheonlypunishmentwhichProteushadtobearforhistreacheriesagainstloveandfriendshipwastherecitalinhispresenceoftheadventuresofJulia-SebastianofVerona.

ALL'SWELLTHATENDSWELL

In the year thirteen hundred and something, the Countess of Rousillon wasunhappyinherpalacenearthePyrenees.Shehadlostherhusband,andtheKingofFrancehadsummonedhersonBertramtoParis,hundredsofmilesaway.

Bertramwasaprettyyouthwithcurlinghair,finelyarchedeyebrows,andeyesaskeenasahawk's.Hewasasproudasignorancecouldmakehim,andwouldliewithafaceliketruthitselftogainaselfishend.Butaprettyyouthisaprettyyouth,andHelenawasinlovewithhim.

Helenawas the daughter of a great doctorwho had died in the service of theCount of Rousillon. Her sole fortune consisted in a few of her father'sprescriptions.

When Bertram had gone, Helena's forlorn look was noticed by the Countess,whotoldherthatshewasexactlythesametoherasherownchild.TearsthengatheredinHelena'seyes,forshefeltthattheCountessmadeBertramseemlikea brother whom she could never marry. The Countess guessed her secretforthwith,andHelenaconfessedthatBertramwastoherasthesunistotheday.

PleasekeepphotowithhtmlShehoped,however,towinthissunbyearningthegratitude of theKing of France, who suffered from a lingering illness, whichmadehimlame.ThegreatdoctorsattachedtotheCourtdespairedofcuringhim,but Helena had confidence in a prescription which her father had used withsuccess.

TakinganaffectionateleaveoftheCountess,shewenttoParis,andwasallowedtoseetheKing.

He was very polite, but it was plain he thought her a quack. “It would notbecomeme,”hesaid,“toapply toasimplemaidenfor thereliefwhichall thelearneddoctorscannotgiveme.”

“Heavenusesweakinstrumentssometimes,”saidHelena,andshedeclaredthatshewouldforfeitherlifeifshefailedtomakehimwell.

“Andifyousucceed?”questionedtheKing.

“Then I will ask your Majesty to give me for a husband the man whom Ichoose!”

So earnest a young lady could not be resisted forever by a suffering king.Helena, therefore,became theKing'sdoctor, and in twodays the royalcripplecouldskip.

Hesummonedhiscourtiers,andtheymadeaglitteringthronginthethroneroomofhispalace.Wellmightthecountrygirlhavebeendazzled,andseenadozenhusbandsworthdreamingofamongthehandsomeyoungnoblemenbeforeher.Buthereyesonlywanderedtill theyfoundBertram.Thenshewentuptohim,andsaid,“IdarenotsayItakeyou,butIamyours!”RaisinghervoicethattheKingmighthear,sheadded,“ThisistheMan!”

“Bertram,”saidtheKing,“takeher;she'syourwife!”

“Mywife,myliege?”saidBertram.“IbegyourMajestytopermitmetochooseawife.”

“Doyouknow,Bertram,whatshehasdoneforyourKing?”askedthemonarch,whohadtreatedBertramlikeason.

“Yes,yourMajesty,”repliedBertram;“butwhyshouldImarryagirlwhoowesherbreedingtomyfather'scharity?”

“Youdisdainherforlackingatitle,butIcangiveheratitle,”saidtheKing;andashelookedatthesulkyyouthathoughtcametohim,andheadded,“Strangethatyouthinksomuchofbloodwhenyoucouldnotdistinguishyourownfromabeggar'sifyousawthemmixedtogetherinabowl.”

“I cannot love her,” assertedBertram; andHelena said gently, “Urge himnot,yourMajesty.IamgladtohavecuredmyKingformycountry'ssake.”

“My honor requires that scornful boy's obedience,” said the King. “Bertram,makeupyourmindtothis.Youmarrythislady,ofwhomyouaresounworthy,oryoulearnhowakingcanhate.Youranswer?”

Bertram bowed low and said, “Your Majesty has ennobled the lady by yourinterestinher.Isubmit.”

“Takeherbythehand,”saidtheKing,“andtellhersheisyours.”

Please keep photo with html Bertram obeyed, and with little delay he was

marriedtoHelena.

FearoftheKing,however,couldnotmakehimalover.Ridiculehelpedtosourhim. A base soldier named Parolles told him to his face that now he had a“kicky-wicky”hisbusinesswasnottofightbuttostayathome.“Kicky-wicky”wasonlyasillyepithet forawife,but itmadeBertramfeelhecouldnotbearhaving a wife, and that he must go to the war in Italy, though the King hadforbiddenhim.

HelenaheorderedtotakeleaveoftheKingandreturntoRousillon,givingherlettersforhismotherandherself.Hethenrodeoff,biddingheracoldgood-bye.

Sheopenedtheletteraddressedtoherself,andread,“Whenyoucangettheringfrommyfingeryoucancallmehusband,butagainstthat'when'Iwrite'never.'”

Dry-eyed had Helena been when she entered the King's presence and saidfarewell,buthewasuneasyonheraccount,andgavehera ringfromhisownfinger,saying,“Ifyousendthistome,Ishallknowyouareintrouble,andhelpyou.”

ShedidnotshowhimBertram'slettertohiswife;itwouldhavemadehimwishtokillthetruantCount;butshewentbacktoRousillonandhandedhermother-in-lawthesecondletter.Itwasshortandbitter.“Ihaverunaway,”itsaid.“Iftheworldbebroadenough,Iwillbealwaysfarawayfromher.”

“Cheerup,”saidthenoblewidowtothedesertedwife.“Iwashhisnameoutofmyblood,andyoualonearemychild.”

TheDowagerCountess,however,wasstillmotherenoughtoBertramtolaytheblameofhisconductonParolles,whomshecalled“averytaintedfellow.”

HelenadidnotstaylongatRousillon.Shecladherselfasapilgrim,and,leavingaletterforhermother-in-law,secretlysetoutforFlorence.

OnenteringthatcitysheinquiredofawomanthewaytothePilgrims'HouseofRest,butthewomanbegged“theholypilgrim”tolodgewithher.

Helenafoundthatherhostesswasawidow,whohadabeautifuldaughternamedDiana.

WhenDianaheard thatHelenacamefromFrance,shesaid,“Acountrymanofyours,CountRousillon,hasdoneworthyserviceforFlorence.”Butafteratime,

Dianahad something to tellwhichwasnot at allworthyofHelena'shusband.BertramwasmakinglovetoDiana.Hedidnothidethefactthathewasmarried,butDianaheardfromParollesthathiswifewasnotworthcaringfor.

ThewidowwasanxiousforDiana'ssake,andHelenadecidedtoinformherthatshewastheCountessRousillon.

“HekeepsaskingDianaforalockofherhair,”saidthewidow.

Helenasmiledmournfully, forherhairwasas fineasDiana'sandof thesamecolor. Then an idea struck her, and she said, “Take this purse of gold foryourself.IwillgiveDianathreethousandcrownsifshewillhelpmetocarryoutthisplan.Letherpromisetogivealockofherhairtomyhusbandifhewillgivehertheringwhichhewearsonhisfinger.Itisanancestralring.FiveCountsofRousillonhavewornit,yethewillyielditupforalockofyourdaughter'shair.Letyourdaughterinsistthatheshallcutthelockofhairfromherinadarkroom,andagreeinadvancethatsheshallnotspeakasingleword.”

Thewidowlistenedattentively,withthepurseofgoldinherlap.Shesaidatlast,“Iconsent,ifDianaiswilling.”

Dianawaswilling,and,strangetosay,theprospectofcuttingoffalockofhairfrom a silent girl in a dark roomwas so pleasing to Bertram that he handedDianahisring,andwastoldwhentofollowherintothedarkroom.Atthetimeappointedhecamewithasharpknife,andfeltasweetfacetouchhisashecutoffthelockofhair,andhelefttheroomsatisfied,likeamanwhoisfilledwithrenown,andonhisfingerwasaringwhichthegirlinthedarkroomhadgivenhim.

Thewarwasnearlyover,butoneofitsconcludingchapterstaughtBertramthatthesoldierwhohadbeenimpudentenoughtocallHelenahis“kicky-wicky”wasfar less courageous than a wife. Parolles was such a boaster, and so fond oftrimings to his clothes, that theFrench officers played him a trick to discoverwhathewasmadeof.Hehadlosthisdrum,andhadsaidthathewouldregainitunlesshewaskilledintheattempt.Hisattemptwasaverypoorone,andhewasinventingthestoryofaheroicfailure,whenhewassurroundedanddisarmed.

Pleasekeepphotowithhtml“Portotartarossa,”saidaFrenchlord.

“Whathorriblelingoisthis?”thoughtParolles,whohadbeenblindfolded.

“He'scallingforthetortures,”saidaFrenchman,affectingtoactasinterpreter.

“Whatwillyousaywithout'em?”

“Asmuch,”repliedParolles,“asIcouldpossiblysay ifyoupinchedmelikeapasty.”Hewasasgoodashisword.HetoldthemhowmanytherewereineachregimentoftheFlorentinearmy,andherefreshedthemwithspicyanecdotesoftheofficerscommandingit.

Bertramwaspresent,andheardaletterread,inwhichParollestoldDianathathewasafool.

“Thisisyourdevotedfriend,”saidaFrenchlord.

“Heisacattomenow,”saidBertram,whodetestedourhearthrugpets.

Parolles was finally let go, but henceforth he felt like a sneak, and was notaddictedtoboasting.

We now return to FrancewithHelena,who had spread a report of her death,whichwasconveyedtotheDowagerCountessatRousillonbyLafeu,alordwhowishedtomarryhisdaughterMagdalentoBertram.

TheKingmourned forHelena, but he approved of themarriage proposed forBertram,andpaidavisittoRousilloninordertoseeitaccomplished.

“Hisgreatoffenseisdead,”hesaid.“LetBertramapproachme.”

ThenBertram,scarredinthecheek,kneltbeforehisSovereign,andsaidthatifhe had not loved Lafeu's daughter before he married Helena, he would haveprizedhiswife,whomhenowlovedwhenitwastoolate.

“Love that is late offends the Great Sender,” said the King. “Forget sweetHelena,andgivearingtoMagdalen.”

BertramimmediatelygavearingtoLafeu,whosaidindignantly,“It'sHelena's!”

“It'snot!”saidBertram.

HereupontheKingaskedtolookatthering,andsaid,“ThisistheringIgavetoHelena,andbadehersendtomeifeversheneededhelp.Soyouhadthecunningtogetfromherwhatcouldhelphermost.”

BertramdeniedagainthattheringwasHelena's,butevenhismothersaiditwas.

“Youlie!”exclaimedtheKing.“Seizehim,guards!”butevenwhile theywere

seizinghim,Bertramwonderedhowthering,whichhethoughtDianahadgivenhim,cametobesolikeHelena's.Agentlemannowentered,cravingpermissiontodeliverapetition to theKing. ItwasapetitionsignedDianaCapilet, and itbeggedthattheKingwouldorderBertramtomarryherwhomhehaddesertedafterwinningherlove.

Please keep photo with html “I'd sooner buy a son-in-law at a fair than takeBertramnow,”saidLafeu.

“Admitthepetitioner,”saidtheKing.

Bertram found himself confronted by Diana and her mother. He denied thatDianahadanyclaimonhim,andspokeofherasthoughherlifewasspentinthegutter.Butsheaskedhimwhatsortofgentlewomanitwastowhomhegave,astoherhegave,theringofhisancestorsnowmissingfromhisfinger?

Bertramwasreadytosinkintotheearth,butfatehadonecrowninggenerosityreservedforhim.Helenaentered.

“DoIseereality?”askedtheKing.

“Opardon!pardon!”criedBertram.

Shehelduphisancestralring.“NowthatIhavethis,”saidshe,“willyouloveme,Bertram?”

“Totheendofmylife,”criedhe.

“Myeyessmellonions,”saidLafeu.TearsforHelenaweretwinklinginthem.

TheKingpraisedDianawhenhewasfullyinformedbythatnotveryshyyoungladyofthemeaningofherconduct.ForHelena'ssakeshehadwishedtoexposeBertram'smeanness,notonlytotheKing,buttohimself.Hispridewasnowinshreds,anditisbelievedthathemadeahusbandofsomesortafterall.

QUOTATIONSFROMSHAKESPEARE

ACTION.

Actioniseloquence,andtheeyesoftheignorant

Morelearnedthantheirears.

Coriolanus--III.2.

ADVERSITY.

Sweetaretheusesofadversity,

Which,likethetoad,uglyandvenomous,

Wearsyetapreciousjewelinhishead.

AsYouLikeIt--II.1.

That,Sir,whichservesandseeksforgain,

Andfollowsbutforform,

Willpack,whenitbeginstorain,

Andleavetheeinthestorm.

KingLear--II.4.

Ah!whenthemeansaregone,thatbuythispraise,

Thebreathisgonewhereofthispraiseismade:

Feastwon--fastlost;onecloudofwintershowers,

Thesefliesarecouched.

TimonofAthens--II.2.

ADVICETOASONLEAVINGHOME.

Givethythoughtsnotongue,

Noranyunproportionedthoughthisact

Bethoufamiliar,butbynomeansvulgar.

Thefriendsthouhast,andtheiradoptiontried

Grapplethemtothysoulwithhooksofsteel;

Butdonotdullthypalmwithentertainment

Ofeachnew-hatched,unfledgedcomrade.Beware

Ofentrancetoaquarrel:but,beingin,

Bearit,thattheopposermaybewareofthee.

Giveeverymanthineear,butfewthyvoice:

Takeeachman'scensure,butreservethyjudgment,

Costlythyhabitasthypursecanbuy,

Butnotexpressedinfancy:rich,notgaudy:

Fortheappareloftproclaimstheman;

AndtheyinFrance,ofthebestrankandstation,

Aremostselectandgenerous,chiefinthat.

Neitheraborrower,noralenderbe:

Forloanoftlosesbothitselfandfriend;

Andborrowingdullstheedgeofhusbandry.

Thisaboveall.--Tothineownselfbetrue;

Anditmustfollow,asthenighttheday,

Thoucanstnotthenbefalsetoanyman.

Hamlet--I.3.

AGE.

MyMayoflifeIs

fallenintothesear,theyellowleaf:

Andthatwhichshouldaccompanyoldage,

Ashonor,love,obedience,troopsoffriends,

Imustnotlooktohave;but,intheirstead,

Cursesnotloud,butdeep,mouth-honor,breath,

Whichthepoorheartwouldfeigndeny,butdarenot.

Macbeth--V.3.

AMBITION.

Dreams,indeed,areambition;fortheverysubstanceoftheambitiousismerelytheshadowofadream.AndIholdambitionofsoairyandlightaquality,thatitisbutashadow'sshadow.

Hamlet--II2.

Ichargetheeflingawayambition;

Bythatsinfelltheangels,howcanmanthen,

TheimageofhisMaker,hopetowinby't?

Lovethyselflast;cherishthoseheartsthathatethee;

Corruptionwinsnotmorethanhonesty.

Stillinthyrighthandcarrygentlepeace,

Tosilenceenvioustongues.Bejust,andfearnot!

Letalltheends,thouaim'stat,bethycountry's,

ThyGod's,andtruth's.

KingHenryVIII.--III.2.

ANGER.

Angerislike

Afull-hothorse,whobeingallowedhisway,

Self-mettletireshim.

KingHenryVIII.--I.1.

ARROGANCE.

Thereareasortofmen,whosevisages

Docreamandmantlelikeastandingpond,

Anddoawillfulstillnessentertain,

Withpurposetobedressedinanopinion

Ofwisdom,gravity,profoundconceit,

Aswhoshouldsay,“iamSirOracle,

AndwhenIopemylips,letnodogbark!”

O!myAntonio,Idoknowofthese

Thatthereforearereputedwise

Forsayingnothing,when,Iamsure,

Iftheyshouldspeak,wouldalmostdamthoseears,

Which,hearingthem,wouldcalltheirbrothersfools.

TheMerchantofVenice--I.1.

AUTHORITY.

Thouhastseenafarmer'sdogbarkatabeggar?

Andthecreaturerunfromthecur?

Therethoumight'stbeholdthegreatimageofauthority

adog'sobeyedinoffice.

KingLear--IV.6.

Couldgreatmenthunder

AsJovehimselfdoes,Jovewouldne'erbequiet,

Foreverypelting,pettyofficer

Wouldusehisheavenforthunder:nothingbutthunder--

Mercifulheaven!

Thourather,withthysharpandsulphurousbolt,

Splitt'sttheunwedgeableandgnarledoak,

Thanthesoftmyrtle!--O,butman,proudman!

Drestinalittlebriefauthority--

Mostignorantofwhathe'smostassured,

Hisglassyessence,--likeanangryape,

Playssuchfantastictricksbeforehighheaven,

Asmaketheangelsweep.

MeasureforMeasure--II.2.

BEAUTY.

Thehand,thathathmadeyoufair,hathmadeyougood:the

goodness,thatischeapinbeauty,makesbeautybriefingoodness;

butgrace,beingthesoulofyourcomplexion,shouldkeepthebody

ofiteverfair.

MeasureforMeasure--III.1.

BLESSINGSUNDERVALUED.

Itsofallsout

Thatwhatwehaveweprizenottotheworth,

Whilesweenjoyit;butbeinglackedandlost,

Why,thenwerackthevalue;thenwefind

Thevirtue,thatpossessionwouldnotshowus

Whilesitwasours.

MuchAdoAboutNothing--IV.1.

BRAGGARTS.

Itwillcometopass,

Thateverybraggartshallbefoundanass.

All'sWellthatEndsWell--IV.3.

Theythathavethevoiceoflions,andtheactofbares,

aretheynotmonsters?

TroilusandCressida--III.2.

CALUMNY.

Bethouaschasteasice,aspureassnow,

thoushaltnotescapecalumny.

Hamlet--III.1.

Nomightnorgreatnessinmortality

Cancensure'scape;back-woundingcalumny

Thewhitestvirtuestrikes.Whatkingsostrong,

Cantiethegallupintheslanderoustongue?


CEREMONY.

Ceremony

Wasbutdevisedatfirst,tosetagloss

Onfaintdeeds,hollowwelcomes.

Recantinggoodness,sorryere'tisshown;

Butwherethereistruefriendship,thereneedsnone.

TimonofAthens--I.2.

COMFORT.

Men

Cancounsel,andspeakcomforttothatgrief

Whichtheythemselvesnotfeel;buttastingit,

Theircounselturnstopassion,whichbefore

Wouldgivepreceptialmedicinetorage,

Fetterstrongmadnessinasilkenthread,

Charmachewithair,andagonywithwords:

No,no;'tisallmen'sofficetospeakpatience

Tothosethatwringundertheloadofsorrow;

Butnoman'svirtue,norsufficiency,

Tobesomoral,whenheshallendure

Thelikehimself.

MuchAdoAboutNothing--V.1.

Well,everyonecanmasteragrief,buthethathasit.

Idem--II.

COMPARISON.

Whenthemoonshone,wedidnotseethecandle.

Sodoththegreaterglorydimtheless;

Asubstituteshinesbrightlyasaking,

Untilakingbeby;andthenhisstate

Emptiesitself,asdoesaninlandbrook

Intothemainofwaters.

MerchantofVenice--V.1.

CONSCIENCE.

Thusconsciencedoesmakecowardsofusall;

Andthusthenativehueofresolution

Issickliedo'erwiththepalecastofthought;

Andenterprisesofgreatpithandmoment,

Withthisregard,theircurrentsturnawry,

Andlosethenameofaction.

Hamlet--III.1.

CONTENT.

Mycrownisinmyheart,notonmyhead;

NotdeckedwithdiamondsandIndianstones,

Nortobeseen;mycrowniscalled“content;”

Acrownitis,thatseldomkingsenjoy.

KingHenryVI.,Part3d-III.1.

CONTENTION.

How,inonehouse,

Shouldmanypeople,undertwocommands,

Holdamity?

KingLear--II.4.

Whentwoauthoritiesaresetup,

Neithersupreme,howsoonconfusion

Mayentertwixtthegapofboth,andtake

Theonebytheother.

Coriolanus--III.1.

CONTENTMENT.

'Tisbettertobelowlyborn,

Andrangewithhumbleliversincontent,

Thantobeperkedupinaglisteringgrief,

Andwearagoldensorrow.

KingHenryVIII.--II.3.

COWARDS.

Cowardsdiemanytimesbeforetheirdeaths;

Thevaliantnevertasteofdeathbutonce.

JuliusCaesar--II.2.

CUSTOM.

Thatmonster,custom,whoallsensedotheat

Ofhabit'sdevil,isangelyetinthis:

Thattotheuseofactionsfairandgood

Helikewisegivesafrock,orlivery,

Thataptlyisputon:Refrainto-night:

Andthatshalllendakindofeasiness

Tothenextabstinence:thenextmoreeasy:

Forusealmostcanchangethestampofnature,

Andeithercurbthedevil,orthrowhimout

Withwondrouspotency.

Hamlet--III.4.

Acustom

Morehonoredinthebreach,thentheobservance.

Idem--I.4.

DEATH.

Kings,andmightiestpotentates,mustdie;

Forthat'stheendofhumanmisery.

KingHenryVI.,Part1st--III.2.

OfallthewondersthatIyethaveheard,

Itseemstomemoststrangethatmenshouldfear;

Seeingthatdeath,anecessaryend,

Willcome,whenitwillcome.

JuliusCaesar--II.2.

Thedreadofsomethingafterdeath,

Makesusratherbearthoseillswehave,

Thanflytoothersweknownotof.

Hamlet--III.1.

Thesenseofdeathismostinapprehension.


Bymedicinelifemaybeprolonged,yetdeath

Willseizethedoctortoo.

Cymbeline--V.5.

DECEPTION.

ThedevilcanciteScriptureforhispurpose.

Anevilsoul,producingholywitness,

Islikeavillainwithasmilingcheek;

Agoodlyapplerottenattheheart;

O,whatagoodlyoutsidefalsehoodhath!

MerchantofVenice--I.3.

DEEDS.

Fouldeedswillrise,

Thoughalltheeartho'erwhelmthemtomen'seyes.

Hamlet--I.2.

Howoftthesightofmeanstodoilldeeds,

Makesdeedsilldone!

KingJohn--IV.2.

DELAY.

Thatwewoulddo,

Weshoulddowhenwewould;forthiswouldchanges,

Andhathabatementsanddelaysasmany,

Astherearetongues,arehands,areaccidents;

Andthenthisshouldislikeaspendthriftsigh,

Thathurtsbyeasing.

Hamlet--IV.7.

DELUSION.

Forloveofgrace,

Laynotthatflatteringunctiontoyoursoul;

Itwillbutskinandfilmtheulcerousplace;

Whilesrankcorruption,miningallwithin,

Infectsunseen.

Hamlet--III.4.

DISCRETION.

Let'steachourselvesthathonorablestop,

Nottooutsportdiscretion.

Othello--II.3.

DOUBTSANDFEARS.

Iamcabin'd,cribb'd,confined,boundin

Tosaucydoubtsandfears.

Macbeth--III.4.

DRUNKENNESS.

Boundlessintemperance.

Innatureisatyranny;ithathbeen

Th'untimelyemptyingofthehappythrone,

Andfallofmanykings.

MeasureforMeasure--I.3.

DUTYOWINGTOOURSELVESANDOTHERS.

Loveall,trustafew,

Dowrongtonone;beableforthineenemy

Ratherinpower,thanuse;andkeepthyfriend

Underthyownlife'skey;becheckedforsilence,

Butnevertaxedforspeech.

All'sWellthatEndsWell--I.1.

EQUIVOCATION.

Butyet

Idonotlikebutyet,itdoesallay

Thegoodprecedence;fyeuponbutyet:

Butyetisasagailertobringforth

Somemonstrousmalefactor.

AntonyandCleopatra--II.5.

EXCESS.

Asurfeitofthesweetestthings

Thedeepestloathingtothestomachbrings.

MidsummerNight'sDream--II.3.

Everyinordinatecupisunblessed,

andtheingredientisadevil.

Othello--II.3.

FALSEHOOD.

Falsehood,cowardice,andpoordescent,

Threethingsthatwomenholdinhate.

TwoGentlemenofVerona--III.2.

FEAR.

Fearframesdisorder,anddisorderwounds

Whereitshouldguard.

KingHenryVI.,Part2d--V.2.

Fear,andbeslain;noworsecancome,tofight:

Andfightanddie,isdeathdestroyingdeath;

Wherefearingdying,paysdeathservilebreath.

KingRichardII.--III.2.

FEASTS.

Smallcheer,andgreatwelcome,makesamerryfeast.

ComedyofErrors--III.1.

FILIALINGRATITUDE.

Ingratitude!Thoumarble-heartedfiend,

Morehideous,whenthoushowesttheeinachild,

Thanthesea-monster.

KingLear--I.4.

Howsharperthanaserpent'stoothitis

Tohaveathanklesschild

Idem--I.4.

FORETHOUGHT.

Determineonsomecourse,

Morethanawildexposuretoeachcause

Thatstartsi'thewaybeforethee.

Coriolanus--IV.1.

FORTITUDE.

Yieldnotthyneck

Tofortune'syoke,butletthydauntlessmind

Stillrideintriumphoverallmischance.

KingHenryVI.,Part3d--III.3.

FORTUNE.

Whenfortunemeanstomenmostgood,

Shelooksuponthemwithathreateningeye.

KingJohn--III.4.

GREATNESS.

Farewell,alongfarewell,toallmygreatness!

Thisisthestateofman:To-dayheputsforth

Thetenderleavesofhope,to-morrowblossoms,

Andbearshisblushinghonorsthickuponhim;

Thethirdday,comesafrost,akillingfrost;

And,--whenhethinks,goodeasyman,fullsurely

Hisgreatnessisripening,--nipshisroot,

Andthenhefalls,asIdo.


Someareborngreat,someachievegreatness,

andsomehavegreatnessthrustuponthem.

TwelfthNight--II.5.

HAPPINESS.

O,howbitterathingitistolookintohappiness

throughanotherman'seyes.

AsYouLikeIt--V.2.

HONESTY.

Anhonestmanisabletospeakforhimself,

whenaknaveisnot.

KingHenryVI.,Part2d--V.1.

Tobehonest,asthisworldgoes,istobe

onemanpickedoutoftenthousand.

Hamlet--II.2.

HYPOCRISY.

Devilssoonesttempt,

resemblingspiritsoflight.

Love'sLaborLost--IV.3.

Onemaysmile,andsmile,

andbeavillain.

Hamlet--I.5.

INNOCENCE.

ThetrustIhaveisinmineinnocence,

AndthereforeamIboldandresolute.

TroilusandCressida--IV.4.

INSINUATIONS.

Theshrug,thehum,orha;thesepettybrands,

Thatcalumnydothuse;--

Forcalumnywillsear

Virtueitself:--theseshrugs,thesebums,andha's,

Whenyouhavesaid,she'sgoodly,comebetween,

Ereyoucansayshe'shonest.

Winter'sTale--II.1.

JEALOUSY.

Trifles,lightasair,

Are,tothejealous,confirmationsstrong

Asproofsofholywrit.

Othello--III.3.

Obewareofjealousy:

Itisthegreen-eyedmonster,whichdoesmock

Themeatitfeedson.

Idem.

JESTS.

Ajest'sprosperityliesintheear

ofhimthathearsit.

Love'sLaborLost--V.2.

Hejestsatscars,

thatneverfeltawound.

RomeoandJuliet--II.2.

JUDGMENT.

Heavenisaboveall;theresitsaJudge,

Thatnokingcancorrupt.

KingHenryVIII,--III.1.

LIFE.

Life'sbutawalkingshadow,apoorplayer,

Thatstrutsandfretshishouruponthestage,

Andthenisheardnomore:itisatale

Toldbyanidiot,fullofsoundandfury,

Signifyingnothing.

Macbeth--V.5.

Wearesuchstuff

Asdreamsaremadeof,andourlittlelife

Isroundedwithasleep.

TheTempest--IV.1.

LOVE.

Amurd'rous,guiltshowsnotitselfmoresoon,

Thanlovethatwouldseembid:love'snightisnoon.

TwelfthNight--III.2.

Sweetlove,changinghisproperty,

Turnstothesourestandmostdeadlyhate.

KingRichardII.--III.2.

Whenlovebeginstosickenanddecay,

Itusethanenforcedceremony.

JuliusCaesar--II.2.

Thecourseoftrue-love

neverdidrunsmooth.

MidsummerNight'sDream--I.1.

Lovelooksnotwiththeeyes,

butwiththemind.

Idem.

Shenevertoldherlove,--

Butletconcealment,likeawormi'th'bud,

Feedonherdamaskcheck:shepinedinthought

And,withagreenandyellowmelancholy,

ShesatlikePatienceonamonument,

Smilingatgrief.Wasnotthisloveindeed?

TwelfthNight--II.4.

Butloveisblind,andloverscannotsee

Theprettyfolliesthatthemselvescommit.

TheMerchantofVenice--II.6.

MAN.

Whatapieceofworkisman!Hownobleinreason!

Howinfiniteinfaculties!inform,andmoving,

howexpressandadmirable!inaction,howlike

anangel!inapprehension,howlikeagod!the

beautyoftheworld!theparagonofanimals!

Hamlet--II.2.

MERCY.

Thequalityofmercyisnotstrained:

itdroppeth,asthegentlerainfromheaven,

Upontheplacebeneath:itistwicebless'd;

Itblesseshimthatgives,andhimthattakes:

'Tismightiestinthemightiest:itbecomes

Thethronedmonarchbetterthanhiscrown:

Hissceptershowstheforceoftemporalpower,

Theattributetoaweandmajesty,

Whereindothsitthedreadandfearofkings;

Butmercyisabovethisscepteredsway;

Itisenthronedintheheartsofkings;

ItisanattributetoGodhimself;

AndearthlypowerdoththenshowlikestGod's,

Whenmercyseasonsjustice.

Considerthis,--

That,inthecourseofjustice,noneofus

Shouldseesalvation:wedoprayformercy;

Andthatsameprayerdothteachusalltorender

Thedeedsofmercy.

MerchantofVenice--IV.1.

MERIT.

Whoshallgoabout

Tocozenfortune,andbehonorable

Withoutthestampofmerit!Letnonepresume

Towearanundeserveddignity.

MerchantofVenice--II.9.

MODESTY.

Itisthewitnessstillofexcellency,

Toputastrangefaceonhisownperfection.

MuchAdoAboutNothing--II.3.

MORALCONQUEST.

Braveconquerors!forsoyouare,

Thatwaragainstyourownaffections,

Andthehugearmyoftheworld'sdesires.

Love'sLabor'sLost--I.1.

MURDER.

ThegreatKingofkings

Hathinthetableofhislawcommanded,

Thatthoushaltdonomurder.

Takeheed;forheholdsvengeanceinhisband,

Tohurlupontheirheadsthatbreakhislaw.

KingRichardIII.--I.4.

Blood,likesacrificingAbel's,cries,

Evenfromthetonguelesscavernsoftheearth.

KingRichardII.--I.1.

MUSIC.

Themanthathathnomusicinhimself,

Norisnotmovedwithconcordofsweetsounds,

Isfitfortreasons,stratagems,andspoils;

Themotionsofhisspiritaredullasnight,

AndhisaffectionsdarkasErebus:

Letnosuchmanbetrusted.

MerchantofVenice--V.1.

NAMES.

What'sinaname?that,whichwecallarose,

Byanyothernamewouldsmellassweet.

RomeoandJuliet--II.2.

Goodname,inman,andwoman,

Istheimmediatejeweloftheirsouls:

Whostealsmypursestealstrash;'tissomething,nothing.

'Twasmine,'tishis,andhasbeenslavetothousands:

Buthe,thatfilchesfrommemygoodname,

Robsmeofthat,whichnotenricheshim,

Andmakesmepoorindeed.

Othello--III.3.

NATURE.

Onetouchofnaturemakesthewholeworldkin.


NEWS,GOODANDBAD.

Thoughitbehonest,itisnevergood

Tobringbadnews.Givetoagraciousmessage

Anhostoftongues;butletilltidingstell

Themselves,whentheybefelt.


OFFICE.

'Tisthecurseofservice;

Prefermentgoesbyletter,andaffection,

Notbytheoldgradation,whereeachsecond

Stoodheirtothefirst.

Othello--I.1.

OPPORTUNITY.

Whoseeks,andwillnottakewhenoffered,

Shallneverfinditmore.


Thereisatideintheaffairsofmen,

Which,takenattheflood,leadsontofortune;

Omitted,allthevoyageoftheirlife

Isboundinshallows,andinmiseries:

Andwemusttakethecurrentwhenitserves,

Orloseourventures.

JuliusCaesar--IV.3.

OPPRESSION.

Pressnotafallingmantoofar;'tisvirtue:

Hisfaultslieopentothelaws;letthem,

Notyou,correctthem.


PASTANDFUTURE.

Othoughtsofmenaccurst!

Past,andtocome,seembest;thingspresent,worst.

KingHenryIV.,Part2d--I.3.

PATIENCE.

Howpoorarethey,thathavenotpatience!--

Whatwounddideverheal,butbydegrees?

Othello--II.3.

PEACE.

Apeaceisofthenatureofaconquest;

Forthenbothpartiesnoblyaresubdued,

Andneitherpartyloser.

KingHenryIV.,Part2d--IV.2.

Iwillusetheolivewithmysword:

Makewarbreedpeace;makepeacestintwar;makeeach

Prescribetoother,aseachother'sleech.

TimonofAthens--V.5.

Iknowmyselfnow;andIfeelwithinme

Apeaceaboveallearthlydignities,

Astillandquietconscience.


PENITENCE.

Whobyrepentanceisnotsatisfied,

Isnorofheaven,norearth;forthesearepleased;

BypenitencetheEternal'swrathappeased.

TwoGentlemenofVerona--V.4.

PLAYERS.

Alltheworld'sastage,

Andallthemenandwomenmerelyplayers:

Theyhavetheirexitsandtheirentrances;

Andonemaninhistimeplaysmanyparts.

AsYouLikeIt--II.7.

Therebeplayers,thatIhaveseenplay,--

andheardotherspraise,andthathighly,--

nottospeakitprofanely,that,

neitherhavingtheaccentofChristians,

northegaitofChristian,Pagan,norman,

havesostrutted,andbellowed,

thatIhavethoughtsomeofnature'sjourneymen

hadmademenandnotmadethemwell,

theyimitatedhumanitysoabominably.

Hamlet--III.2.

POMP.

Why,whatispomp,rule,reign,butearthanddust?

And,livewehowwecan,yetdiewemust.

KingHenryV.Part3d--V.2.

PRECEPTANDPRACTICE.

Iftodowereaseasyastoknowwhatweregood

todo,chapelshadbeenchurches,andpoormen's

cottagesprinces'palaces.Itisagooddivinethat

followshisowninstructions:Icaneasierteach

twentywhatweregoodtobedone,thanbeoneof

twentytofollowmineownteaching.Thebrainmay

deviselawsfortheblood;butahottemperleaps

o'eracolddecree:suchabareismadness,the

youth,toskipo'erthemeshesofgoodcounsel,

thecripple.

TheMerchantofVenice--I.2.

PRINCESANDTITLES.

Princeshavebuttheirtitlesfortheirglories,

Anoutwardhonorforaninwardtoil;

And,forunfeltimaginations,

Theyoftenfeelaworldofrestlesscares:

Sothat,betweentheirtitles,andlowname,

There'snothingdiffersbuttheoutwardfame.

KingRichardIII.--I.4.

QUARRELS.

Inafalsequarreltheseisnotruevalor.


Thriceishearmedthathathhisquarreljust;

Andhebutnaked,thoughlockedupinsteel,

Whoseconsciencewithinjusticeiscorrupted.

KingHenryVI.,Part2d--III.2.

RAGE.

Meninragestrikethosethatwishthembest.

Othello--II.3.

REPENTANCE.

Menshalldealunadvisedlysometimes,

Whichafter-hoursgiveleisuretorepent.

KingRichardIII.--IV.4.

REPUTATION.

Thepuresttreasuremortaltimesafford,

Is--spotlessreputation;thataway,

Menarebutgildedloam,orpaintedclay.

Ajewelinaten-times-barred-upchest

I--aboldspiritinaloyalbreast.

KingRichardII.--I.1.

RETRIBUTION.

Thegodsarejust,andofourpleasantvices

Makeinstrumentstoscourgeus.

KingLear--V.S.

Ifthesemenhavedefeatedthelaw,

andoutrunnativepunishment,

thoughtheycanoutstripmen,

theyhavenowingstoflyfromGod.

KingHenryV.--IV.1.

SCARS.

Asearnoblygot,oranoblescar,

isagoodliveryofhonor.

All'sWellthatEndsWell--IV.6.

Tosuchasboastingshowtheirscars,

Amockisdue.

TroilusandCressida--IV.5.

SELF-CONQUEST.

Betterconquestnevercan'stthoumake,

Thanarmthyconstantandthynoblerparts

Againstthosegiddyloosesuggestions.

KingJohn--III.1.

SELF-EXERTION.

Menatsometimearemastersoftheirfates;

Thefaultisnotinourstars,

Butinourselves.

JuliusCaesar--I.2.

SELF-RELIANCE.

Ourremediesoftinourselvesdolie,

Whichweascribetoheaven:thefatedsky

Givesusfreescope;only,dothbackwardpull

Ourslowdesigns,whenweourselvesaredull.

All'sWellthatEndsWell--I.1.

SILENCE.

Outofthissilence,yetIpickedawelcome;

Andinthemodestyoffearfulduty

Ireadasmuch,asfromtherattlingtongue

Ofsaucyandaudaciouseloquence.

MidsummerNight'sDream--V.1.

Thesilenceoftenofpureinnocence

Persuades,whenspeakingfails.

Winter'sTale--II.2.

Silenceistheperfectestheraldofjoy:

Iwerebutlittlehappy,ifIcouldsayhowmuch.

MuchAdoAboutNothing--II.1.

SLANDER.

Slander,

Whoseedgeissharperthanthesword;whosetongue

OutvenomsallthewormsofNile;whosebreath

Ridesonthepostingwinds,anddothbelie

Allcornersoftheworld;kings,queens,andstates,

Maids,matrons,nay,thesecretsofthegrave,

Thisviperousslanderenters.

Cymbeline--III.4.

SLEEP.

Theinnocentsleep;

Sleepthatknitsuptheraveledsleeveofcare,

Thedeathofeachday'slife,sorelabor'sbath,

Balmofhurtminds,greatnature'ssecondcourse,

Chiefnourisherinlife'sfeast.

Macbeth--II.2.

SUICIDE.

Againstself-slaughter

Thereisaprohibitionsodivine,

Thatcravensmyweakhand.

Cymbeline--III.4.

TEMPERANCE.

ThoughIlookold,yetamIstrongandlusty:

ForinmyyouthIneverdidapply

Hotandrebelliousliquorsinmyblood;

Nordidnotwithunbashfulforeheadwoo

Themeansofweaknessanddebility:

Thereforemyageisasalustywinter,

Frosty,butkindly.

AsYouLikeIt--II.3.

THEORYANDPRACTICE.

Therewasneveryetphilosopher,

Thatcouldendurethetooth-achepatiently;

However,theyhavewritthestyleofthegods,

Andmadeapishatchanceandsufferance.


TREACHERY.

Thoughthose,thatarebetrayed,

Dofeelthetreasonsharply,yetthetraitor

Standsinworsecaseofwoe.

Cymbeline--III.4.

VALOR.

Thebetterpartofvaloris--discretion.

KingHenryIV.,Part1st--V.4.

WhenValorpreysonreason,

Iteatsthesworditfightswith.

AntonyandCleopatra--III.2.

Whatvalorwereit,whenacurdothgrin

Foronetothrusthisbandbetweenhisteeth,

Whenhemightspurnhimwithhisfootaway?

KingHenryVI.,Part1st--I.4.

WAR.

Takecare

Howyouawakethesleepingswordofwar:

WechargeyouinthenameofGod,takeheed.

KingHenryIV.,Part1st--I.2.

WELCOME.

Welcomeeversmiles,

Andfarewellgoesoutsighing.


WINE.

Goodwineisagoodfamiliarcreature,

ifitbewellused.

Othello--II.3.

Othouinvisiblespiritofwine,

ifthouhastnonametobeknownby,

letuscallthee--devil!...O,that

menshouldputanenemyintheirmouths,

tostealawaytheirbrains!

thatweshouldwithjoy,revel,

pleasure,andapplause,

transformourselvesintobeasts!

Othello--II.3.

WOMAN.

Awomanimpudentandmannishgrown

Isnotmoreloathedthananeffeminateman.


WORDS.

Wordswithoutthoughts

nevertoheavengo.

Hamlet--III.3.

Fewwordsshallfitthetrespassbest,

Wherenoexcusecangivethefaultamending.


WORLDLYCARE.

Youhavetoomuchrespectupontheworld:

Theyloseit,thatdobuyitwithmuchcare.

MerchantofVenice--I.1.

WORLDLYHONORS.

Notaman,forbeingsimplyman,

Hathanyhonor;buthonorforthosehonors

Thatarewithouthim,asplace,riches,favor,

Prizesofaccidentasoftasmerit;

Whichwhentheyfall,asbeingslipperystanders,

Thelovethatleanedonthem,asslipperytoo,

Doonepluckdownanother,andtogether

Dieinthefall.But'tisnotsowithme.


EndofProjectGutenberg'sBeautifulStoriesfromShakespeare,byE.Nesbit

***ENDOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKBEAUTIFULSTORIESFROMSHAKESPEARE***

*****Thisfileshouldbenamed1430-h.htmor1430-h.zip*****

Thisandallassociatedfilesofvariousformatswillbefoundin:

http://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/3/1430/

ProducedbyMorrieWilson,JamesRose,andDavidWidger

Updatededitionswillreplacethepreviousone--theoldeditions

willberenamed.

Creatingtheworksfrompublicdomainprinteditionsmeansthatno

oneownsaUnitedStatescopyrightintheseworks,sotheFoundation

(andyou!)cancopyanddistributeitintheUnitedStateswithout

permissionandwithoutpayingcopyrightroyalties.Specialrules,

setforthintheGeneralTermsofUsepartofthislicense,applyto

copyinganddistributingProjectGutenberg-tmelectronicworksto

protectthePROJECTGUTENBERG-tmconceptandtrademark.Project

Gutenbergisaregisteredtrademark,andmaynotbeusedifyou

chargefortheeBooks,unlessyoureceivespecificpermission.Ifyou

donotchargeanythingforcopiesofthiseBook,complyingwiththe

rulesisveryeasy.YoumayusethiseBookfornearlyanypurpose

suchascreationofderivativeworks,reports,performancesand

research.Theymaybemodifiedandprintedandgivenaway--youmaydo

practicallyANYTHINGwithpublicdomaineBooks.Redistributionis

subjecttothetrademarklicense,especiallycommercial

redistribution.

***START:FULLLICENSE***

THEFULLPROJECTGUTENBERGLICENSE

PLEASEREADTHISBEFOREYOUDISTRIBUTEORUSETHISWORK

ToprotecttheProjectGutenberg-tmmissionofpromotingthefree

distributionofelectronicworks,byusingordistributingthiswork

(oranyotherworkassociatedinanywaywiththephrase“Project

Gutenberg”),youagreetocomplywithallthetermsoftheFullProject

Gutenberg-tmLicense(availablewiththisfileoronlineat

http://gutenberg.org/license).

Section1.GeneralTermsofUseandRedistributingProjectGutenberg-tm

electronicworks

1.A.ByreadingorusinganypartofthisProjectGutenberg-tm

electronicwork,youindicatethatyouhaveread,understand,agreeto

andacceptallthetermsofthislicenseandintellectualproperty

(trademark/copyright)agreement.Ifyoudonotagreetoabidebyall

thetermsofthisagreement,youmustceaseusingandreturnordestroy

allcopiesofProjectGutenberg-tmelectronicworksinyourpossession.

IfyoupaidafeeforobtainingacopyoforaccesstoaProject

Gutenberg-tmelectronicworkandyoudonotagreetobeboundbythe

termsofthisagreement,youmayobtainarefundfromthepersonor

entitytowhomyoupaidthefeeassetforthinparagraph1.E.8.

1.B.“ProjectGutenberg”isaregisteredtrademark.Itmayonlybe

usedonorassociatedinanywaywithanelectronicworkbypeoplewho

agreetobeboundbythetermsofthisagreement.Thereareafew

thingsthatyoucandowithmostProjectGutenberg-tmelectronicworks

evenwithoutcomplyingwiththefulltermsofthisagreement.See

paragraph1.Cbelow.TherearealotofthingsyoucandowithProject

Gutenberg-tmelectronicworksifyoufollowthetermsofthisagreement

andhelppreservefreefutureaccesstoProjectGutenberg-tmelectronic

works.Seeparagraph1.Ebelow.

1.C.TheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundation(“theFoundation”

orPGLAF),ownsacompilationcopyrightinthecollectionofProject

Gutenberg-tmelectronicworks.Nearlyalltheindividualworksinthe

collectionareinthepublicdomainintheUnitedStates.Ifan

individualworkisinthepublicdomainintheUnitedStatesandyouare

locatedintheUnitedStates,wedonotclaimarighttopreventyoufrom

copying,distributing,performing,displayingorcreatingderivative

worksbasedontheworkaslongasallreferencestoProjectGutenberg

areremoved.Ofcourse,wehopethatyouwillsupporttheProject

Gutenberg-tmmissionofpromotingfreeaccesstoelectronicworksby

freelysharingProjectGutenberg-tmworksincompliancewiththetermsof

thisagreementforkeepingtheProjectGutenberg-tmnameassociatedwith

thework.Youcaneasilycomplywiththetermsofthisagreementby

keepingthisworkinthesameformatwithitsattachedfullProject

Gutenberg-tmLicensewhenyoushareitwithoutchargewithothers.

1.D.Thecopyrightlawsoftheplacewhereyouarelocatedalsogovern

whatyoucandowiththiswork.Copyrightlawsinmostcountriesarein

aconstantstateofchange.IfyouareoutsidetheUnitedStates,check

thelawsofyourcountryinadditiontothetermsofthisagreement

beforedownloading,copying,displaying,performing,distributingor

creatingderivativeworksbasedonthisworkoranyotherProject

Gutenberg-tmwork.TheFoundationmakesnorepresentationsconcerning

thecopyrightstatusofanyworkinanycountryoutsidetheUnited

States.

1.E.UnlessyouhaveremovedallreferencestoProjectGutenberg:

1.E.1.Thefollowingsentence,withactivelinksto,orotherimmediate

accessto,thefullProjectGutenberg-tmLicensemustappearprominently

wheneveranycopyofaProjectGutenberg-tmwork(anyworkonwhichthe

phrase“ProjectGutenberg”appears,orwithwhichthephrase“Project

Gutenberg”isassociated)isaccessed,displayed,performed,viewed,

copiedordistributed:

ThiseBookisfortheuseofanyoneanywhereatnocostandwith

almostnorestrictionswhatsoever.Youmaycopyit,giveitawayor

re-useitunderthetermsoftheProjectGutenbergLicenseincluded

withthiseBookoronlineatwww.gutenberg.org

1.E.2.IfanindividualProjectGutenberg-tmelectronicworkisderived

fromthepublicdomain(doesnotcontainanoticeindicatingthatitis

postedwithpermissionofthecopyrightholder),theworkcanbecopied

anddistributedtoanyoneintheUnitedStateswithoutpayinganyfees

orcharges.Ifyouareredistributingorprovidingaccesstoawork

withthephrase“ProjectGutenberg”associatedwithorappearingonthe

work,youmustcomplyeitherwiththerequirementsofparagraphs1.E.1

through1.E.7orobtainpermissionfortheuseoftheworkandthe

ProjectGutenberg-tmtrademarkassetforthinparagraphs1.E.8or

1.E.9.

1.E.3.IfanindividualProjectGutenberg-tmelectronicworkisposted

withthepermissionofthecopyrightholder,youruseanddistribution

mustcomplywithbothparagraphs1.E.1through1.E.7andanyadditional

termsimposedbythecopyrightholder.Additionaltermswillbelinked

totheProjectGutenberg-tmLicenseforallworkspostedwiththe

permissionofthecopyrightholderfoundatthebeginningofthiswork.

1.E.4.DonotunlinkordetachorremovethefullProjectGutenberg-tm

Licensetermsfromthiswork,oranyfilescontainingapartofthis

workoranyotherworkassociatedwithProjectGutenberg-tm.

1.E.5.Donotcopy,display,perform,distributeorredistributethis

electronicwork,oranypartofthiselectronicwork,without

prominentlydisplayingthesentencesetforthinparagraph1.E.1with

activelinksorimmediateaccesstothefulltermsoftheProject

Gutenberg-tmLicense.

1.E.6.Youmayconverttoanddistributethisworkinanybinary,

compressed,markedup,nonproprietaryorproprietaryform,includingany

wordprocessingorhypertextform.However,ifyouprovideaccesstoor

distributecopiesofaProjectGutenberg-tmworkinaformatotherthan

“PlainVanillaASCII”orotherformatusedintheofficialversion

postedontheofficialProjectGutenberg-tmwebsite(www.gutenberg.org),

youmust,atnoadditionalcost,feeorexpensetotheuser,providea

copy,ameansofexportingacopy,orameansofobtainingacopyupon

request,oftheworkinitsoriginal“PlainVanillaASCII”orother

form.AnyalternateformatmustincludethefullProjectGutenberg-tm

Licenseasspecifiedinparagraph1.E.1.

1.E.7.Donotchargeafeeforaccessto,viewing,displaying,

performing,copyingordistributinganyProjectGutenberg-tmworks

unlessyoucomplywithparagraph1.E.8or1.E.9.

1.E.8.Youmaychargeareasonablefeeforcopiesoforproviding

accesstoordistributingProjectGutenberg-tmelectronicworksprovided

that

-Youpayaroyaltyfeeof20%ofthegrossprofitsyouderivefrom

theuseofProjectGutenberg-tmworkscalculatedusingthemethod

youalreadyusetocalculateyourapplicabletaxes.Thefeeis

owedtotheowneroftheProjectGutenberg-tmtrademark,buthe

hasagreedtodonateroyaltiesunderthisparagraphtothe

ProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundation.Royaltypayments

mustbepaidwithin60daysfollowingeachdateonwhichyou

prepare(orarelegallyrequiredtoprepare)yourperiodictax

returns.Royaltypaymentsshouldbeclearlymarkedassuchand

senttotheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationatthe

addressspecifiedinSection4,“Informationaboutdonationsto

theProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundation.”

-Youprovideafullrefundofanymoneypaidbyauserwhonotifies

youinwriting(orbye-mail)within30daysofreceiptthats/he

doesnotagreetothetermsofthefullProjectGutenberg-tm

License.Youmustrequiresuchausertoreturnor

destroyallcopiesoftheworkspossessedinaphysicalmedium

anddiscontinuealluseofandallaccesstoothercopiesof

ProjectGutenberg-tmworks.

-Youprovide,inaccordancewithparagraph1.F.3,afullrefundofany

moneypaidforaworkorareplacementcopy,ifadefectinthe

electronicworkisdiscoveredandreportedtoyouwithin90days

ofreceiptofthework.

-Youcomplywithallothertermsofthisagreementforfree

distributionofProjectGutenberg-tmworks.

1.E.9.IfyouwishtochargeafeeordistributeaProjectGutenberg-tm

electronicworkorgroupofworksondifferenttermsthanareset

forthinthisagreement,youmustobtainpermissioninwritingfrom

boththeProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationandMichael

Hart,theowneroftheProjectGutenberg-tmtrademark.Contactthe

FoundationassetforthinSection3below.

1.F.

1.F.1.ProjectGutenbergvolunteersandemployeesexpendconsiderable

efforttoidentify,docopyrightresearchon,transcribeandproofread

publicdomainworksincreatingtheProjectGutenberg-tm

collection.Despitetheseefforts,ProjectGutenberg-tmelectronic

works,andthemediumonwhichtheymaybestored,maycontain

“Defects,”suchas,butnotlimitedto,incomplete,inaccurateor

corruptdata,transcriptionerrors,acopyrightorotherintellectual

propertyinfringement,adefectiveordamageddiskorothermedium,a

computervirus,orcomputercodesthatdamageorcannotbereadby

yourequipment.

1.F.2.LIMITEDWARRANTY,DISCLAIMEROFDAMAGES-Exceptforthe“Right

ofReplacementorRefund”describedinparagraph1.F.3,theProject

GutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundation,theowneroftheProject

Gutenberg-tmtrademark,andanyotherpartydistributingaProject

Gutenberg-tmelectronicworkunderthisagreement,disclaimall

liabilitytoyoufordamages,costsandexpenses,includinglegal

fees.YOUAGREETHATYOUHAVENOREMEDIESFORNEGLIGENCE,STRICT

LIABILITY,BREACHOFWARRANTYORBREACHOFCONTRACTEXCEPTTHOSE

PROVIDEDINPARAGRAPHF3.YOUAGREETHATTHEFOUNDATION,THE

TRADEMARKOWNER,ANDANYDISTRIBUTORUNDERTHISAGREEMENTWILLNOTBE

LIABLETOYOUFORACTUAL,DIRECT,INDIRECT,CONSEQUENTIAL,PUNITIVEOR

INCIDENTALDAMAGESEVENIFYOUGIVENOTICEOFTHEPOSSIBILITYOFSUCH

DAMAGE.

1.F.3.LIMITEDRIGHTOFREPLACEMENTORREFUND-Ifyoudiscovera

defectinthiselectronicworkwithin90daysofreceivingit,youcan

receivearefundofthemoney(ifany)youpaidforitbysendinga

writtenexplanationtothepersonyoureceivedtheworkfrom.Ifyou

receivedtheworkonaphysicalmedium,youmustreturnthemediumwith

yourwrittenexplanation.Thepersonorentitythatprovidedyouwith

thedefectiveworkmayelecttoprovideareplacementcopyinlieuofa

refund.Ifyoureceivedtheworkelectronically,thepersonorentity

providingittoyoumaychoosetogiveyouasecondopportunityto

receivetheworkelectronicallyinlieuofarefund.Ifthesecondcopy

isalsodefective,youmaydemandarefundinwritingwithoutfurther

opportunitiestofixtheproblem.

1.F.4.Exceptforthelimitedrightofreplacementorrefundsetforth

inparagraph1.F.3,thisworkisprovidedtoyou'AS-IS'WITHNOOTHER

WARRANTIESOFANYKIND,EXPRESSORIMPLIED,INCLUDINGBUTNOTLIMITEDTO

WARRANTIESOFMERCHANTIBILITYORFITNESSFORANYPURPOSE.

1.F.5.Somestatesdonotallowdisclaimersofcertainimplied

warrantiesortheexclusionorlimitationofcertaintypesofdamages.

Ifanydisclaimerorlimitationsetforthinthisagreementviolatesthe

lawofthestateapplicabletothisagreement,theagreementshallbe

interpretedtomakethemaximumdisclaimerorlimitationpermittedby

theapplicablestatelaw.Theinvalidityorunenforceabilityofany

provisionofthisagreementshallnotvoidtheremainingprovisions.

1.F.6.INDEMNITY-YouagreetoindemnifyandholdtheFoundation,the

trademarkowner,anyagentoremployeeoftheFoundation,anyone

providingcopiesofProjectGutenberg-tmelectronicworksinaccordance

withthisagreement,andanyvolunteersassociatedwiththeproduction,

promotionanddistributionofProjectGutenberg-tmelectronicworks,

harmlessfromallliability,costsandexpenses,includinglegalfees,

thatarisedirectlyorindirectlyfromanyofthefollowingwhichyoudo

orcausetooccur:(a)distributionofthisoranyProjectGutenberg-tm

work,(b)alteration,modification,oradditionsordeletionstoany

ProjectGutenberg-tmwork,and(c)anyDefectyoucause.

Section2.InformationabouttheMissionofProjectGutenberg-tm

ProjectGutenberg-tmissynonymouswiththefreedistributionof

electronicworksinformatsreadablebythewidestvarietyofcomputers

includingobsolete,old,middle-agedandnewcomputers.Itexists

becauseoftheeffortsofhundredsofvolunteersanddonationsfrom

peopleinallwalksoflife.

Volunteersandfinancialsupporttoprovidevolunteerswiththe

assistancetheyneed,iscriticaltoreachingProjectGutenberg-tm's

goalsandensuringthattheProjectGutenberg-tmcollectionwill

remainfreelyavailableforgenerationstocome.In2001,theProject

GutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationwascreatedtoprovideasecure

andpermanentfutureforProjectGutenberg-tmandfuturegenerations.

TolearnmoreabouttheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundation

andhowyoureffortsanddonationscanhelp,seeSections3and4

andtheFoundationwebpageathttp://www.pglaf.org.

Section3.InformationabouttheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchive

Foundation

TheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationisanonprofit

501(c)(3)educationalcorporationorganizedunderthelawsofthe

stateofMississippiandgrantedtaxexemptstatusbytheInternal

RevenueService.TheFoundation'sEINorfederaltaxidentification

numberis64-6221541.Its501(c)(3)letterispostedat

http://pglaf.org/fundraising.ContributionstotheProjectGutenberg

LiteraryArchiveFoundationaretaxdeductibletothefullextent

permittedbyU.S.federallawsandyourstate'slaws.

TheFoundation'sprincipalofficeislocatedat4557MelanDr.S.

Fairbanks,AK,99712.,butitsvolunteersandemployeesarescattered

throughoutnumerouslocations.Itsbusinessofficeislocatedat

809North1500West,SaltLakeCity,UT84116,(801)596-1887,email

[email protected]

informationcanbefoundattheFoundation'swebsiteandofficial

pageathttp://pglaf.org

Foradditionalcontactinformation:

Dr.GregoryB.Newby

ChiefExecutiveandDirector

[email protected]

Section4.InformationaboutDonationstotheProjectGutenberg

LiteraryArchiveFoundation

ProjectGutenberg-tmdependsuponandcannotsurvivewithoutwide

spreadpublicsupportanddonationstocarryoutitsmissionof

increasingthenumberofpublicdomainandlicensedworksthatcanbe

freelydistributedinmachinereadableformaccessiblebythewidest

arrayofequipmentincludingoutdatedequipment.Manysmalldonations

($1to$5,000)areparticularlyimportanttomaintainingtaxexempt

statuswiththeIRS.

TheFoundationiscommittedtocomplyingwiththelawsregulating

charitiesandcharitabledonationsinall50statesoftheUnited

States.Compliancerequirementsarenotuniformandittakesa

considerableeffort,muchpaperworkandmanyfeestomeetandkeepup

withtheserequirements.Wedonotsolicitdonationsinlocations

wherewehavenotreceivedwrittenconfirmationofcompliance.To

SENDDONATIONSordeterminethestatusofcomplianceforany

particularstatevisithttp://pglaf.org

Whilewecannotanddonotsolicitcontributionsfromstateswherewe

havenotmetthesolicitationrequirements,weknowofnoprohibition

againstacceptingunsoliciteddonationsfromdonorsinsuchstateswho

approachuswithofferstodonate.

Internationaldonationsaregratefullyaccepted,butwecannotmake

anystatementsconcerningtaxtreatmentofdonationsreceivedfrom

outsidetheUnitedStates.U.S.lawsaloneswampoursmallstaff.

PleasechecktheProjectGutenbergWebpagesforcurrentdonation

methodsandaddresses.Donationsareacceptedinanumberofother

waysincludingchecks,onlinepaymentsandcreditcarddonations.

Todonate,pleasevisit:http://pglaf.org/donate

Section5.GeneralInformationAboutProjectGutenberg-tmelectronic

works.

ProfessorMichaelS.HartistheoriginatoroftheProjectGutenberg-tm

conceptofalibraryofelectronicworksthatcouldbefreelyshared

withanyone.Forthirtyyears,heproducedanddistributedProject

Gutenberg-tmeBookswithonlyaloosenetworkofvolunteersupport.

ProjectGutenberg-tmeBooksareoftencreatedfromseveralprinted

editions,allofwhichareconfirmedasPublicDomainintheU.S.

unlessacopyrightnoticeisincluded.Thus,wedonotnecessarily

keepeBooksincompliancewithanyparticularpaperedition.

MostpeoplestartatourWebsitewhichhasthemainPGsearchfacility:

http://www.gutenberg.org

ThisWebsiteincludesinformationaboutProjectGutenberg-tm,

includinghowtomakedonationstotheProjectGutenbergLiterary

ArchiveFoundation,howtohelpproduceourneweBooks,andhowto

subscribetoouremailnewslettertohearaboutneweBooks.

Documents

Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare - Defence LK