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that the fet of diffipated and thoughtlefs young men, recorded by the Spectator under the title of Mohacks, were men hired by Prince Eugene to commit riots in the streets,, and dip their hands in blood, that they might be hardened to the atrocity of political maffacres?

The vehemence and zeal of this author have not only prejudiced his belief, but also degraded his language below the dignity of hiftorical, or the decorum of improved expreffion. To call the Duke of Marlborough, whofe fhining talents and military exploits have ranked him with the ableft statefmen and most confummare generals, a fiend, a daftardly veteran, is to ufe a freedom with hiftory and with his readers, which we are perfuaded the author, upon clm review, will thank us for having pointed out to his correction. [Edinburgh Herald.]

The Plays and Poems of William Shakespeare, collated verbatim with the most authentic Copies, and revifed; with the corrections and Illuf trations of various Commentators; to which are added Notes by Edmond Malone. I vols cr. 8vo.

IT appears the principal aim of Mr Malone, in this edition, to afcertain the genuine text of Shakespeare, from the earliest editions. This, as he very justly observes, ought ever to be the firft duty of an editor; his next aim is to explain and illuftrate; and in this later he has fhown great diligence, attention, and extent of reading of contemporary writers.

The editor of the fecond folio, and Mr Pope (obferves Mr Malone in his preface,) were the two great cor

rupters, of our poet's text; and great corrupters indeed, be proves them both, in the courfe of the work, to have been.

Mr Malone appears to have been at great pains in collating the feveral copies, and by means of an index, or table formed for the purpofe, to have detected every variation in every copy; by which means 66 many innovations, tranfpofitions, &c. have been detected, many hundred emendations made; and I trust (fays he, with that modefty which is displayed through the whole) a genuine text has been formed.".

Among the introductory matters contained in the first part of the first volume, the prefaces of Theobald, Hanmer, and Warburton (on the latter of whom Mr M. is pretty severe,) are not admitted-not appearing to the editor to throw any light on the author or his works.

Dr Johnfon's preface, Mr Steeven's Advertisement, Catalogue of ancient Tranflations from Claffic Authors, Mr Pope's Preface, the Players dedication and preface to the third folio, Rowe's life of Shakespeare (with many notes by Mr Malone, and, what is better, a promife, at a future period, of a compleat life,) his will and a mortgage, Poems on Shakefpeare, Lift of the ancient and modern editions of the plays and poems, and Mr Malone's effay on the chronological order of the plays confiderably enlarged, form a volume which is called the first part of the first volume.

The fecond part of the first volume begins with Mr Malone's hiftory of the English Stage, now of itself nearly fufficient to form a moderate book (and to fuch a book we wish much to fee it extended;) and then proceeds to the plays, of which the tempeft ranks the first.

The

The Chevalier Bayard and Mudame de Randan. A Tale, of the fifteenth century.

MADAME RANDAN, of the a widow Ben
ADAME de RANDAN, of the illuftrious gem, I am convinced he is enterptif

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at twenty years of age, and was inconfoleable. What grief was ever like hers, and whofe eyes, fo young and to charm ing, ever shed so many tears for a dead husband! The whole talk at court was of the mourning of the young widow. She no longer confulted her mirror; the defpifed the decorations of drefs, and vowed to the fhade of her husband that the would never more ule them: the muffled herself up in a hood like a nun, and yet, in that difadvantageous attire, Madame de Randan was the lovelicft of all the women of her time.

arms.

After thefe fhort reflections the two knights fat for fome time filent; ftrange thoughts were paffing in their minds, for they were both in love. It was the firft inftant of their paffion, and that inftant is certainly fometimes very embarraffing. "It would be a meritorious act, faid Palice, to touch the heart of fo fair and accomplished a lady.” "Certainly, faid Bayard, and highly honourable:" and they relapied again into fi lence. They looked at each other, and perceived that they were rivals. "Let there, however, be no difference between us, faid Palice. Let us fwear hy St Dennis, that whofoever fhall be the unfucceisful lover, fhall immediately yie d without complaiut; and that if a third fhal: enter the lifts the dicarded candidate fhall aflift the other, and be his com. panion in arms. Let us promife, on the faith of true knights, to relate our fuccels without referve." "I fwear," faid Bayard. They embraced and feparated.

The Chevalier Bayard, at the age of thirty, had already attained the appellation of Bayard the dauntlefs and irreproachable. Palice was proud of having been named with univerfal applaufe to the command of the army at Ravenna. These two preux chevaliers, who acted a confpicuous part in the field, were hardly known at court, and they refigned to the gentle Bonnivet and many others, the intire poffeffion of court favour, conThe one took the road on the right tent themselves with military fame. Bon- hand, the other that on the left, but nivet, however, fometimes courted the both directed their steps to the hotel of converfation of Palice and Bayard; his the fair widow. Bayard had already frigid foul came to warm itself at the fire fet his foot wrhin the threshold of her which animated them when they talked gate, when he faw Palice coming. He of honour, and loyalty, and deeds of had all his life been above fufpicion or Bonnivet repayed them with reproach. Enter, my Friend, taid he tales of galantry, with the news and to Palice, you are my fenior; good ane cdotes of the court. The fair wi-night and fuccefs to you; I will redow had her turn. "What think you," "turn to-morrow. At these words he faid he one day to the knights, of Ma- retired, and Palice was announced to the dame de Randan?" By this hand," widow. faid Bayard, "I never faw fo fair a dame." "Befhrew, me, added Palice, "but it is too much to weep so long for "the dead." "Dont you know, replied Bonnivet, that I have undertaken to put a fpeedy termination to her widowhood yes, indeed, the fair wi dow, let me tell you in confidence, will not be,difpleafed when I attempt to dry her tears." "Thou art a vain creature, faid Palice." "He is a "braggart," rejoined Bayard. well, gentlemen, faid Bonnivet, oblerve the end," and he took his leave.

Very

How fhall I defcribe Ma lame de Randan. She wore a grey robe; her hair was unpowdered, and concealed beneath an immenfe hoed which covered her fice. A fmall machine for weaving filk lace ftood before her, and a young girl, who was reading certain felect tages from the ftory of Godfrey of Boulogne, was often interrupted by the wid with many a fight. This was the Helen for whom theie two brave Chevaliers were about to contend. She acknowledged the honour of the Captain's vifit, but it made her neither more talkative nor more at eafe. "You fee before you, faid Palice, a true kright who has juft devoted himfelf wholly to your fervice."

What a ftrange man, faid Palice, is this Admiral Bonnivet! When I confider, replied Bayard, his behaviour to a lady of high rank, into whofe cham-"How fay you! faid the, with furber he introduced himself by a frata- prize." "It is true, fair lady: my Land, 3 I VOL. XII. No. 72.

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my heart, I lay at your feet." At this the widow wept and was filent. Palice was affected and had almost shed tears. The girl by a fign, brought forward the picture of M. de Randan, and the widow, as her only answer, pointed with her in ger to this infeription, I love him fill. Palice interpreted this dumb refufal, and took his leave for that time by declaring that he would never ceafe imploring God to difpofe her heart to forget the dead, and to have pity on the living. Bayard waited his return with a degree of impatience. "Alas! faid Palice, he was all in tears, the fhewed me the portrait of her hufband, and I have been obliged to retire without hope!" Bayard knew the worth of Palice and did not flatter himself. I will go however to-morrow, faid he, and you fhall know the event."

The interview between our Chevalier and the widow was not altogether the fame. Bayard was younger than Palice and his fame was greater. The beauteous widow wept; fhe fhewed the portrait,hut the liftened to Bayard; and when he faid to her, Madam, I will return--fhe replied in a low voice, " you will do me a great kindness."

The Chevalier related to Palice the converfation faithfully. "You will be "the happy man, faid the captain; fhe "did not fpeak half fo much to me."Palice made another attempt. The widow was ftill in tears, the picture was again prefented. Bayad returned; and while Palice was always treated in the fame way, the Chevalier was making advances daily. The fair widow began to turn her eyes now and then to her mirror. There was however no change of drefs, no kind looks; but the wept no more, and always prolonged the converfation, by queftions that demanded long anfwers, which the Chevalier never gave with fufficient precifion. "Tell me, faid the, one day, the ftory of your "being made prifoner in Milan by Lu"dovic." "I was, faid Bayard, at the head of a party of French; we were met by a party of Italians who attacked us vigorously: both fides were fo animated that the one did not know they were retreating nor the other that they were advancing, till we were at the gates of Milan where the cry of turn, turn, was repeatedly and eagerly uttered. I, who was intent upon victory, was deaf to the cry and thoughtlessly purfued into the heart of the city. Immediately foldiers and citizens and the very women attack

ed me; hut a brave fellow, who had always defended himself from my strokes furrounded me with his party and took me prifoner. Ludovic had feen my behaviour from his window and fent for me. "What brought you hither, Chevalier?" faid he. "Ihe defire of victory, I answered.-And did you expect to take Milan alone?""No, my Lord, but I thought I had been followed by my comrades."-"Though you had, you could not have fucceeded."—" They were wiser than I; they are free and I am a prifoner."-"What is the strength of the French Army ?" "We never reckon by numbers; but I can affure you the foldiers are all chofen men before whom your's will never ftand.”—“That time will determine; a battle will prove their valoar."-" Would to God it were to-morrow, and that I were free."

"You are free; I like your freedom,and your courage; if you have any thing further to afk of me it fhall be granted." I fell at his feet and befought him to pardon the rudeness of my replies. I begged my horfe and my arms and took leave. Thus ended my adventure at Milan. It was eafy for Ludovic to give me back my liberty; but that which I have loft with you it is impoffible to recover."

Palice was informed of this long conversation; for Bayard faithful to his oath concealed nothing from him. The next vifit he paid the widow he thought to make his court by detailing the circumftances of the battles he had fought from Marignan to Ravenna; but his labour was loft; what interefted the fair widow when told by Bayard, was infipid when related by Palice. This at lat he perceived. The honour of this conqueft, faid he, is yours, Chevalier; I yield and retire. If a third rival appears, behold me your companion in arms."

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The fair widow grew infenfibly enamoured of Bayard; and his converíation, which at firft was only a pleasure became at laft a neceffity. She had quit ted her grey attire,and had gradually refumed her former drefs. One would have faid that the certainty of being belov ed infpired her with the wish to please. She took a fancy to re-appear at court, with a view of obferving whether the did not ftill retain the pre-eminence over all the beauties there. Bayard was the only man who forgave the widow her return to the world, and the was accordingly always called at Court the Lady of the Chevalier.

Spain having at that time renewed a

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truce with France, the ambaffidors of that power were received at Paris with the greateft pomp. The entertainments given by Francis correfponded with the idea which the Spaniards, entertained of his magnificence. The widow was one of those who were chofen to figure in the ballets, and fhe was always the moft applauded. One of the noble Spaniards who attended the embaffy, became ena. moured of her. But all his ferenades, and other efforts of gallantry were fruitlefs, and Don Alonzo foon learnt, that the heart, which appeared to him impregnable, had a weak fide which lay open to Bayard. The high reputation of his rival di! not intimidate him. The more of difficulty and of danger that appeared but fiimulated him the more to the attempt.

Don Alonzo accordingly challenged Bayard to fingle combat, which the latter did not refufe. Judges were appointed, and Palice had the guard of the lifts. The news of the duel was foon fpread, and the Spaniards,conûdering Don Alonzo as the champion of their country, were anxious for his fate; while the French made vows for the triumph of Bayard; and thus a private quarrel became almoft a national concern.

But who can defcribe the grief of the widow? She was the innocem caufe of the combat, and accufed herfelt for having appeared beautiful in the eyes of Don Alonzo. How interefting a moment was this for the foul of our Chevalier, who heard the foft confeffion, which he had never dared to afk for, now uttered amidft a profufion of tears, of fighs and fobbings! He wiped away her tears and spoke comfort to her. As a pledge of love the tied round his arm a ribband, and gave him a picture. It was a Cupid removing a widow's veil and wiping off her tears with leaves of rofes. The Chevalier received this picture on his knees, and after having killed it a thoufand times, and a thousand times kiffed the fair hand that gave it, he placed it in his bofom, and took his leave.

Palice led his friend to the lifts, mounted on a ftately courfer; but the Spaniard chufing to fight on foot the Chevalier difmounted the judges diftributed the arms to each, and both before engaging fell down on their knees to recommend themselves to God. Then rifing and making the fign of the crofs they proceeded to the combat.

I fhall not detain the reader with a particular account of the prowefs and ad

drefs of the refpective combatants, nor with a defeription of the hopes and fears that agitated their friends. Let it be fufficient to fay that, after an obftinate and bloody encounter, the Chevalier Bayard flew his opponent and came off victorious. He immediately threw himself upon his knees and returned thanks to God, three times kifling the ground. He was led away in triumph with the found of trumpets to the church, again to give thanks for his victory, and thence he proceeded to the fair widow.

No one can paint the joy of this lady but one who could paint her charming eyes and her whole perfon. All was foul, and all, even her very fighs, was joy. From this moment love united their hearts with his ftrongeft bonds.

Madame de Randan, fur ounded with a crowd of importunate lovers, now be gan to dread the effects of her beauty. The life of Bayard was become so dear to her that fhe could not think of expofing it again to another hazard.

She therefore refolved to retire to a fequentered manfion that belonged to her in the country. See did not however inform Bayard of her refolution, but the faid to herself, he avill perhaps come; and The furnifhed a magnificent appartment for him in the cafle.

The ladies of our age, fo decent and fo delicate, will perhaps be aftonished that the widow fhould provide an appartment in her houfe for one not a husband: but this was the cuftom in days of old; thefe preux Chevaliers were difcreet and refpectful lovers, and never failed to say, horni foit qui mal y penfe.

Our widow was occupied with Bayard alone; the ladies of thefe times are diftracted with fo many lovers that they can afford to one but a fmall portion of fenfibility; and this diffraction no doubt is the fafeguard of their honour. But alas! when one thinks of none but one, how neceffary does that one become! efpecially when that one is a Bayard!

The lady departed for her retirement in the country, and the Chevalier, it is needlefs to fay, did not remain behind They arrived in great ftate at Fertę where magnificent preparations had been made for their reception; the old foldiers welcomed the gallant Chevalier with honeft hearts and military honours, while the young girls, of all the neighbouring villages, in their helt array, came out to meet the widow and prefented her with flowers. How happy were our two lovers! How

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