OBSERVATIONS. MEASURE FOR MEASURE.] The story is taken from Cinthio's Novels, Decad. 8, Novel 5. POPE. We are sent to Cinthio for the plot of Measure for Measure, and Shakespeare's judgment hath been attack ed for some deviations from him in the conduct of it, when probably all he knew of the matter was from Madam Isabella, in The Heptameron of Whetstone, Lond. 4to. 1582.-She reports, in the fourth dayes Exercise. the rare Historie of Promos and Cassandra. A marginal note informs us, that Whetstone was the author of the Comedie on that subject; which likewise had probably fallen into the hands of Shakespeare. FARMER. There is perhaps not one of Shakespeare's plays more darkened than this by the peculiarities of its author, and the unskilfulness of its editors, by distortions of phrase or negligence of transcription. JOHNSON. Dr. Johnson's remark is so just respecting the corruptions of this play, that I shall not attempt much reformátion in its metre, which is too often rough, redundant, and irregular. Additions and omissions (however trifling) cannot be made without constant notice of them; and such notices, in the present instance, would so frequently oc cur, as to become equally tiresome to the commentato. and the reader. Shakespeare took the fable of this play from the Promos and Cassandra of George Whetstone, published in 1578. See Theobald's note at the end. A hint, like a seed, is more or less prolific, according (8) to the qualities of the soil on which it is thrown. This story, which in the hands of Whetstone produced little more than barren insipidity, under the culture of Shakespeare became fertile of entertainment. The curious reader will find that the old play of Promos and Cassandra exhibits an almost complete embryo of Measure for Measure; yet the hints on which it is formed are so slight, that it is nearly as impossible to detect them, as it is to point out in the acorn the future ramifications of the oak. Whetstone opens his play thus : ACT I.-SCENE I. "Promos, Mayor, Shirife, Sworde Bearer: one with a bunche of keyes. Phallax, Promos Man. "You officers which now in Julio staye, "Know you your leadge, the King of Hungarie, Phallax readeth the Kinges Letters Pattents, which must be Pro. "Loe, here you see what is our Soveraignes wyl, "Loe, heare his wish, that right, not might, beare swaye : "Loe, heare his care, to weede from good the yll, "(How so he byds, the ignoraunt to save) "As he commaundes, the lewde doo rigor feele, &c. &c. &c. Pro." Both swoorde and keies, unto my princes use, Al. speake. "I do receyve, and gladlie take my chardge. "We poyut a tyme of councell more at lardge, "To worke your wyll, we yeelde a willing hart, Exeunt." The reader will find the argument of G. Whetstone's Promos and Cassandra, at the end of this play. It is too bulky to be inserted here. See likewise the piece |