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II-A Search for Incongruities

3. On an Assertion of Malone's that Shake-
speare in certain Cases never fails to use
Words that express the very contrary of

ON THE TEXT OF SHAKESPEARE.

PART I.

PROPOSED EMENDATIONS.

HAMLET.

IT will be convenient to arrange the ensuing additional comments and emendations under the plays to which they relate, in the order adopted in the first volume, and I consequently begin with "Hamlet."

The first passage I have to bring before the reader, is in a speech of Horatio to his comrades, narrating how Hamlet the father had slain Fortinbras:

"who by a seal'd compact,
Well ratified by law and heraldry,
Did forfeit with his life, all those his lands
Which he stood seiz'd of, to the conqueror:
Against the which, a moiety competent
Was gaged by our king; which had return'd

The attempts to explain the word co-mart, have failed; and the reading of the folio covenant, does not fall in with the rhythm of the line. I have little doubt that Shakespeare wrote compact, which he had employed a few lines above in speaking of the same agreement. There could be no reason why he should resort to an unprecedented phrase when he had so excellent a term before him, which he might repeat, not only without any violation of good taste, but with increase of effect. I am glad to find that Mr. Hunter supports the same emendation, in his "New Illustrations of Shakespeare.' The next passage is one of more difficulty:

"Their virtues else, be they as pure as grace,
As infinite as man may undergo,

Shall in the general censure take corruption
From that particular fault: The dram of eale
Doth all the noble substance of a doubt,
To his own scandal."

Act i. sc. 4.

The last sentence is unintelligible, the words italicised being manifestly corrupt; and the proper way of restoring the passage has given rise to a long discussion. Without attempting to show the inadmissibility of the emendations proposed, I will content myself with suggesting another.

* Vol. ii. p. 214.