May I be allowed a little space in the pages of "N. & Q." to draw MR.
COLLIER'S attention to some passages in which the old corrector appears
to me to have corrupted, rather than improved, the text? Possibly on
second thoughts MR. COLLIER may be induced to withdraw these readings
from the text of his forthcoming edition of our great poet. I give the
pages of MR. COLLIER'S recent volume, and quote according to the old
corrector.
_Two Gentlemen of Verona_, Act II. Sc. 2., p. 21.:
"That I, unworthy body, as I _can_,
Should censure thus a _loving_ gentleman."
_Can_ for _am_ spoils the sense; it was introduced unnecessarily to make
a perfect rhyme, but such rhymes as _am_ and _man_ were common in
Shakspeare's time. _Loving_ for _lovely_ is another modernism; _lovely_
is equivalent to the French _aimable_. "Saul and Jonathan were _lovely_
and pleasant in their lives," &c. The whole passage, which is indeed
faulty in the old copies, should, I think, be read thus:
"'Tis a passing shame
That I, unworthy body that I am,
Should censure _on a_ lovely _gentleman_.
_Jul._ Why not on Proteus as _on_ all the rest?
_Luc._ Then thus,--of many good I think him best."
_Thus_ crept in after _censure_ from the next line but one. In Julia's
speech, grammar requires _on_ for _of_.
_Measure for Measure_, Act IV. Sc. 5., p. 52.:
"For my authority bears _such_ a credent bulk," &c.