(447) General Observation. The tragedy of Coriolanus is one of the most amusing of our author's performances. The old man's merriment in Menenius; the lofty lady's dignity in Volumnia; the bridal modesty in Virgilia; the patrician and military haughtiness in Coriolanus; the plebeian malignity and tribunitian insolence in Brutus and Sicinius, make a very pleasing and interesting variety: and the various revolutions of the hero's fortune fill the mind with anxious curiosity. There is, perhaps, too much bustle in the first act, and too little in the last. Vol. VIII JULIUS CAESAR I.i.20 (4,2) _Mar._ What meanest thou by that?] [Theobald gave this speech to Flavius] I have replaced _Marullus_, who might properly enough reply to a saucy sentence directed to his colleague, and to whom the speech was probably given, that he might not stand too long unemployed upon the stage. I.ii.25 (7,5) [_Sennet. Exeunt Caesar and Train_] I have here inserted the word _Sennet_, from the original edition, that I may have an opportunity of retracting a hasty conjecture in one of the marginal directions in _Henry_ VIII. _Sennet_ appears to be a particular tune or mode of martial musick. I.ii.35 (8,6) You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand] _Strange_, is alien, unfamiliar, such as might become a stranger. I.ii.39 (8,7) Vexed I am,/Of late, with passions of some difference] With a fluctation of discordant opinions and desires. I.ii.73 (9,9) To stale with ordinary oaths my love/To every new protester] To invite _every new protestor_ to my affection by the _stale_ or allurement of _customary_ oaths. I.ii.87 (10,1) And I will look on both indifferently] Dr. Warburton has a long note on this occasion, which is very trifling. When _Brutus_ first names _honour_ and _death_, he calmly declares them indifferent; but as the image kindles in his mind, he sets _honour_ above _life_. Is not this natural? I.ii.160 (12,6) eternal devil] I should think that our author wrote rather, _infernal devil_. I.ii.171 (13,7) chew upon this] Consider this at leisure; _ruminate_ on this. I.ii.186 (13,8) Looks with such ferret, and such fiery eyes] A ferret has red eyes. I.ii.268 (16,2) a man of any occupation] Had I been a mechanick, one of the Plebeians to whom he offered his threat. I.ii.313 (17,3) Thy honourable metal may be wrought/From what it is dispos'd] The best _metal_ or _temper_ may be worked into qualities contrary to its original constitution. I.ii.318 (17,4) If I were Brutus now, and he were Cassius,/He should not humour me] The meaning, I think, is this, _Caesar loves Brutus, but if Brutus and I were to change places, his love should not humour me_, should not take hold of my affection, so as to make me forget my principles. I.iii.1 (18,5) brought you Caesar home?] Did you attend Caesar home? I.iii.3 (18,6) sway of earth] The whole weight or _momentum_ of this globe. I.iii.21 (19,7) Who glar'd upon me] The first edition reads, _Who_ glaz'd _upon me_,--