CHARACTERS OF PASSION AND IMAGINATION. Juliet 119 Helena 153 Perdita 172 Viola 181 Ophelia 187 Miranda 207 CHARACTERS OF THE AFFECTIONS. Hermione 219 Desdemona 240 Imogen 259 Cordelia 280 HISTORICAL CHARACTERS. Cleopatra 302 Octavia 341 Volumnia 345 Constance of Bretagne 357 Elinor of Guienne 387 Blanche of Castile 389 Margaret of Anjou 396 Katharine of Arragon 407 Lady Macbeth 437 CHARACTERISTICS OF WOMEN. INTRODUCTION. _Scene--A Library._ ALDA. You will not listen to me? MEDON. I do, with all the deference which befits a gentleman when a lady holds forth on the virtues of her own sex. He is a parricide of his mother's name, And with an impious hand murders her fame, That wrongs the praise of women; that dares write Libels on saints, or with foul ink requite The milk they lent us. Yours was the nobler birth, For you from man were made--man but of earth-- The son of dust! ALDA. What's this? MEDON. "Only a rhyme I learned from one I talked withal;" 'tis a quotation from some old poet that has fixed itself in my memory--from Randolph, I think. ALDA. 'Tis very justly thought, and very politely quoted, and my best courtesy is due to him and to you:--but now will you listen to me? MEDON. With most profound humility. ALDA. Nay, then! I have done, unless you will lay aside these mock airs of gallantry, and listen to me for a moment! Is it fair to bring a second-hand accusation against me, and not attend to my defence? MEDON. Well, I will be serious. ALDA. Do so, and let us talk like reasonable beings. MEDON. Then tell me, (as a reasonable woman you will not be affronted with the question,) do you really expect that any one will read this little book of yours? ALDA.