Glend. My daughter weeps; she will not part with you, She'll be a soldier too, she'll to the wars. Mort. Good father, tell her,—that she, and my aunt Percy, Shall follow in your conduct 19 speedily. [GLEND. speaks to his daughter in Welsh, and she answers him in the same. Glend. She's desperate here; a peevish self-will'd harlotry 20 One that no persuasion can do good upon. [LADY M. speaks to MORTIMER in Welsh. Mort. I understand thy looks: that pretty Welsh Which thou pourest down from these swelling heavens 21, I am too perfect in; and, but for shame, [LADY M. speaks. I understand thy kisses, and thou mine, But I will never be a truant, love, Till I have learn'd thy language; for thy tongue 19 Guard, escorte. 20 Capulet, in Romeo and Juliet, reproaches his daughter in the same words : 'A peevish self-will'd harlotry it is.' 21 It seems extraordinary that Steevens could for a moment conceive that Mortimer meant his lady's two prominent lips! It is obvious, as Mr. Douce has remarked, that her eyes swollen with tears are meant, whose language he is too perfect in, and could answer with the like if it were not for shame. 22 A compliment to Queen Elizabeth was perhaps here intended, who was a performer on the lute and virginals. See Melvil's Memoirs, folio, p. 50. Divisions, which were then uncommon in vocal music, are variations of melody upon some given fundamental harmony. Glend. Nay, if you melt, then will she run mad. [LADY M. speaks again. Mort. O, I am ignorance itself in this. Glend. She bids you on the wanton rushes lay you down 23 And rest your gentle head upon her lap, Mort. With all my heart I'll sit, and hear her sing: By that time will our book 25, I think, be drawn. Glend. Do so; And those musicians that shall play to you, Lady P. Go, ye giddy goose. [GLENDOWER speaks some Welsh words, and then the Musick plays. 23 It has been already remarked that it was long the custom in this country to strew the floors with rushes, as we now cover them with carpets. 24 So in Beaumont and Fletcher's Philaster : The God of Sleep is not only to sit on Mortimer's eyelids, but to sit crowned, that is, with sovereign dominion. 25 It was usual to call any manuscript of bulk a book in ancient times, such as patents, grants, articles, covenants, &c.— In a MS. letter from Sir Richard Sackville, in 1560, to Lady Throckmorton, announcing a grant of some land to her husband, Sir Nicholas, he says, 'It hath pleased the queen's majesty to sign Mr. Frogmorton's book.'-Conway Papers. Hot. Now I perceive the devil understands Welsh; And 'tis no marvel, he's so humorous. By'r-lady, he's a good musician. Lady P. Then should you be nothing but musical; for you are altogether governed by humours. Lie still, ye thief, and hear the lady sing in Welsh. Hot. I had rather hear Lady, my brach 26, howl in Irish. Lady P. Would'st thou have thy head broken? Hot. No. Lady P. Then be still. Hot. Neither; 'tis a woman's fault 27. Lady P. Now God help thee! Hot. To the Welsh lady's bed. Hot. Peace! she sings. [A Welsh SONG sung by LADY M. Hot. Come, Kate, I'll have your song too. Hot. Not yours, in good sooth! 'Heart, you swear like a comfit-maker's wife! Not you, in good sooth: and, As true as I live; and, As God shall mend me; and, As sure as day: And giv'st such sarcenet surety for thy oaths, 26 Hound. 27 That this is spoken ironically is sufficiently obvious, as Mr. Pye has observed, but the strange attempts to misunderstand the passage made by some commentators, make the observation in some measure necessary. 28 Finsbury, being then open walks and fields, was the common resort of the citizens, as appears from many old plays. 29 Velvet-guards, or trimmings of velvet, being the city fashion Lady P. I will not sing. Hot. 'Tis the next way to turn tailor, or be redbreast teacher 30. An the indentures be drawn, I'll away within these two hours; and so come in when ye will. [Exit. Glend. Come, come, Lord Mortimer; you are as slow, As hot Lord Percy is on fire to go. By this our book's drawn; we'll but seal, and then To horse immediately. Mort. With all my heart. [Exeunt. SCENE II. London. A Room in the Palace. Enter KING HENRY, Prince of Wales, and Lords. K. Hen. Lords, give us leave: the Prince of Wales and I Must have some private conference: But be near at hand, For we shall presently have need of you. [Exeunt Lords. in Shakspeare's time, the term was used metaphorically to designate such persons. So in Histriomastix, 1610: Nay, I myself will wear the courtly grace; Out on these velvet-guards, and black-lac'd sleeves, These simp'ring fashions simply followed!' Again: 'I like this jewel; I'll have his fellow How?-you?-what, fellow it?—gip, velvet guards!' Thus also Fynes Morrison: At public meetings the aldermen of London weere skarlet gownes, and their wives a close gown of skarlet with gardes of black velvet.'— Itinerary, fol. 1617, p. 179. 30 Tailors, like weavers, have ever been remarkable for their vocal skill. Percy is jocular in his mode of persuading his wife to sing, and this is a humorous turn which he gives to his argument, Come, sing.'-'I will not sing.'-'Tis the next (i. e. readiest, nearest) way to turn tailor, or red-breast teacher.' The meaning is to sing is to put yourself upon a level with tailors and teachers of birds.' I know not whether God will have it so, Make me believe,-that thou art only mark'd As thou art match'd withal, and grafted to, P. Hen. So please your majesty, I would I could As, in reproof of many tales devis'd, Which oft the ear of greatness needs must hear,— Find pardon on my true submission. K. Hen. God pardon thee !-yet let me wonder, Harry, At thy affections, which do hold a wing 1 Service, for action. 2 Mean attempts are mean, unworthy undertakings. Lewd, in this place, has its original signification of idle, ungracious, naughty. 3 The construction of this passage is somewhat obscure, Johnson thus explains it: Let me beg so much extenuation that upon confutation of many false charges, I may be pardoned some that are true.' Reproof means disproof. 4 A sycophant, a flatterer, one who is studious to gain favour, or to pick occasions for obtaining thanks. |