" . . . . As if
The scene you play were true,"
would be nonsense; because, so far as the prince appearing to be Bohemia's
son (which was what he was most anxious about), the scene to be played was
_really true_!
The last correction I have now to notice is in the soliloquy of Autolycus
in p. 522.: where MR. COLLIER proposes to read, "who knows how that may
turn _luck_ to my advantage," instead of "may turn _back_ to my advantage."
I see no advantage in the change, but the very reverse. "Who knows but my
availing myself of the means to do the prince my master a service, may come
back to me in the shape of some advancement?" This seems to me to be the
author's meaning, and it is legitimately expressed. How frequently it has
been said that an evil deed recoils upon the head of the perpetrator! Then
why not a good deed _turn back_ to reward the doer?