(Vol. iii., p. 401.)
"The first folio," says Dr. Johnson, "has in both places _prenzie_, from
which the other folios made _princely_, and every editor may make what
he can." It will not be difficult, I conceive, to find out what sense
Shakspeare meant to convey by this word, and to show that what he meant
he has expressed with sufficient accuracy, though his meaning was soon
after misunderstood. Our language owes much of its wealth of words to
the talent which our great poet possessed for coining them--a talent
which he exercised with marvelous tact: and if now and then some of them
failed for want of being properly printed, we may rather wonder that so
many obtained currency, than that a few ceased to circulate soon after
they were first introduced.
The idea intended to be conveyed by the word _prenzie_, is that which
is expressed in the following passages:
"All this I speak _in print_; for _in print_ I found it."
_Two Gentlemen of Verona_, Act II. Sc. I.
"I will do it, Sir, _in print_."
_Love's Labour's Lost_, Act III. Sc. I.
on which Steevens remarks:
"_In print_ means _with Exactness_--with the _utmost Nicety_."
He supports this meaning by quotations from other dramatic writers of
the same age:
"Not a hair about his Bulk, but it stands _in print_." (1605)
"I am sure my husband is a Man _in print_, in all things else."
(1635.)
When, therefore, Claudio, who, as your correspondent LEGES observes, is
aware of Angelo's reputation for sanctity, exclaims in astonishment:
"The _prenzie_ Angelo?"
he means the same as if he had said:
"What! that Man _in print_?"
"The _printsy_ Angelo?"
But _prenzie_ is a term applied to _apparel_ as well us to _character_;
and how does this accord with the interpretation here given?
"O 'tis the cunning livery of hell,
The damned'st body to invest and cover
In _prenzie_ guards!"
Here again we are supplied by Steevens with apt quotations in
illustration from other writers of the same age:
"Next, your Ruff must stand _in print_." (1602.)
and
"This Doublet sits _in print_, my Lord!" (1612.)
"In _printsy_ guards" means the same, therefore, as "Guards _in
print_," or, _robes_ put on "with _exactness_--with the _utmost
nicety_."
_Printsy_ is a word of the same formation with _tricksy_; and the
phrase, "The _printsy_ Angelo!" is as good English as "My _tricksy_
Ariel!" It was probably pronounced _prentsy_ (_prenzie_) in the time of
Shakspeare; the word _print_ being derived from _empreinte_. Sir W.
Scott speaks of "a _prent_ book," for a printed book. _Besprent_ is the
participle of _besprinkle_. Of similar formation with _printsy_ and
_tricksy_, are _linsy_, _woolsy_, and _frowsy_; but as all these
adjectives, except the first, are derived from nouns representing
natural or familiar things, while _printsy_ is founded on a word having
no connexion with any obvious idea, it is probable that this difference
may account for the fact that _printsy_ so early fell into disuse, while
the rest were retained without difficulty.
By the word _printsy_, those four conditions are fulfilled for which
your correspondent so properly contends:--1. the word is "suitable to
the reputed character of Angelo." 2. It is "an appropriate epithet to
the word _guards_." 3. It supplies "the proper metre in both places." 4.
It is "similar in appearance to the word _prenzie_."
No other word has been produced which so fully represents the formality
and hypocrisy of Angelo, as described in the quotations so conveniently
brought into one view by your correspondent, though one of the epithets
made use of comes very near the mark: "Lord Angelo is _precise_!"