Else the Puck a liar call.

So, good night unto you all.

Give me your hands, if we be friends, And Robin shall restore amends. [Exit.

A

SELECTION

OF THE

MOST IMPORTANT NOTES

EXTRACTED

FROM

THE BEST COMMENTATORS

TO THE PLAYS

OF

WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE.

1

VOLUME III.

NOTES ΤΟ

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

** MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.] The story is

taken from Ariosto, Orl. Fur. B. V. Pore.

It is true, as Mr. Pope has observed, that somewhat resembling the story of this play is to be found in the fifth book of the Orlando Furioso. In Spencer's Faery Queen, B. II. c. iv, as remote an original may be traced. A novel, however, of Belleforest, copied from another of Bandello, seems to have furnished Shakspeare with his fable, as it approaches nearer in all its particulars to the play before us, than any other performance known to be extant. I have seen so many versions from this once popular collection, that I entertain no doubt but that a great majority of the tales it comprehends, have made their appearance in an English dress. Of that particular story which I have just mentioned. viz. the 18th history in the third volume, no translation has hitherto been met with.

This play was entered at Stationers' Hall, Aug. 23, 1600. STEEVENS.

Ariosto is continually quoted for the fable of Much ado about Nothing; but I suspect our

poet to have been satisfied with the Geneura of Turberville.,,The tale (says Harrington) is a pretie comical matter, and hath bin written in English verse some few years past, learnedly and with good grace, by M. George Turbervil." Ariosto, fol. r591, p. 59. FARMER.

I suppose this comedy to have been written in 1600, in which year it was printed. See An Attempt to ascertain the Order of Shakspeare's Plays, Vol. 1. MALONE.

Page 2, line 11. Sort is rank, distinction. I incline, however, to Mr. M. Mason's easier expla nation. Of any sort, says he, means of any kind whatsoever. STEEVENS.

P. 3, first 1. even so much, that joy could not show itself modest enough, without a badge of bitterness.] This is judiciously expressed. ΘΕ all the transports of joy, that which is attended with tears is least offensive; because, carrying with it this mark of pain, it allays the envy that usually attends another's happiness. This he finely calls a modest joy, such a one as did not insult the observer by an indication of happiness unmixed with pain. WARBURTON.

A badge being the distinguishing mark worn in our author's time by the servants of noblemen, etc. on the sleeve of their liveries, with his usual licence he employs the words to siguify a mark or token in general. MALONE.

P. 3, 1. 4. In great measure.] i. e. in abun dance. STREVENS.

P. 3, 1. 6. There are no faces truer - That is, none honester, none more sincere. JOHNSON. P. 3, 1. 9. is Signior Montanto returned →] Montante, in spanish, is a huge two-handed sword, [a title] given, with much humour, to