But by the internal marks of a composition we may discover the author with probability, though seldom with certainty. When I read this play, I cannot but think that I find, both in the serious and ludicrous scenes, the language and sentiments of Shakespeare. It is not indeed one of his most powerful effusions, it has neither many diversities of character, nor striking delineations of life, but it abounds in [Greek: gnomahi] beyond most of his plays, and few have more lines or passages, which, singly considered, are eminently beautiful. I am yet inclined to believe that it was not very successful, and suspect that it has escaped corruption, only because being seldom played, it was less exposed to the hazards of transcription. I.i.34 (108,6) [However, but a folly bought with wit; Or else a wit by folly vanquished] This love will end in a _foolish action_, to produce which you are long to spend your _wit_, or it will end in the loss of your _wit_, which will be overpowered by the folly of love. I.i.69 (109,7) [Made wit with musing weak] For _made_ read _make_. _Thou_, Julia, _hast_ made _me war with good counsel, and_ make _wit weak with muting_. I.i.70 (109,8) [_Enter Speed_] [Pope found this scene low and full of "trifling conceits" and suggested it was possibly an interpolation by the actors.] That this, like many other scenes, is mean and vulgar, will be universally allowed; but that it was interpolated by the players seems advanced without any proof, only to give a greater licence to criticism. I.i.153 (112,4) [you have testern'd me] You have gratified me with a _tester, testern_, or _testen_, that is, with a sixpence. I.ii.41 (114,5) [a goodly broker!] A _broker_ was used for matchmaker, sometimes for a procuress. I.ii.68 (115,6) [stomach on your meat] _Stomach_ was used for _passion_ or _obstinacy_. I.ii.137 (117,8) [I see you have a month's mind to them] [_A month's mind_ was an _anniversary_ in times of popery. Gray.] A _month's mind_, in the ritual sense, signifies not desire or inclination, but remonstrance; yet I suppose this is the true original of the expression. (1773) I.iii.1 (118,9) [what sad talk] _Sad_ is the same as _grave_ or _serious_. I.iii.26 (119,2) [Valentine, Attends the emperor in his royal court] [Theobald had tried to straighten out an historical error.] Mr. Theobald discovers not any great skill in history. Vienna is not the court of the emperor as emperor, nor has Milan been always without its princes since the days of Charlemaigne; but the note has its use. I.iii.44 (120,3) [in good time] _In good time_ was the old expression when something happened which suited the thing in hand, as the French say, _a propos_.