It is too venturous to charge a passage in Shakspeare with want of truth to nature; and yet at first sight this speech of Oliver's expresses truths, which it seems almost impossible that any mind should so distinctly, so livelily, and so voluntarily, have presented to itself, in connection with feelings and intentions so malignant, and so contrary to those which the qualities expressed would naturally have called forth. But I dare not say that this seeming unnaturalness is not in the nature of an abused wilfulness, when united with a strong intellect. In such characters there is sometimes a gloomy self-gratification in making the absoluteness of the will ('sit pro ratione voluntas!') evident to themselves by setting the reason and the conscience in full array against it. (1818). Ib. sc. 2. 'Celia'. If you saw yourself with _your_ eyes, or knew yourself with _your_ judgment, the fear of your adventure would counsel you to a more equal enterprise. Surely it should be '_our_ eyes' and '_our_ judgment.' 'Ib.' sc. 3. 'Cel'. But is all this for your father? 'Ros'. No, some of it is for _my child's father_. Theobald restores this as the reading of the older editions. It may be so; but who can doubt that it is a mistake for 'my father's child,' meaning herself? According to Theobald's note, a most indelicate anticipation is put into the mouth of Rosalind without reason;--and besides, what a strange thought, and how out of place, and unintelligible! Act iv. sc. 2. Take thou no scorn To wear the horn, the lusty horn; It was a crest ere thou wast born. I question whether there exists a parallel instance of a phrase, that like this of 'horns' is universal in all languages, and yet for which no one has discovered even a plausible origin. TWELFTH NIGHT. Act I. sc. 1. Duke's speech:-- --so full of shapes _is_ fancy, That it alone is high fantastical. Warburton's alteration of _is_ into _in_ is needless. 'Fancy' may very well be interpreted 'exclusive affection,' or 'passionate preference.' Thus, bird-fanciers, gentlemen of the fancy, that is, amateurs of boxing, &c. The play of assimilation,--the meaning one sense chiefly, and yet keeping both senses in view, is perfectly Shakspearian. Act ii. sc. 3. Sir Andrew's speech:-- An explanatory note on _Pigrogromilus_ would have been more acceptable than Theobald's grand discovery that 'lemon' ought to be 'leman.' Ib. Sir Toby's speech: (Warburton's note on the Peripatetic philosophy.) Shall we rouse the night-owl in a catch, that will draw three souls out of one weaver? O genuine, and inimitable (at least I hope so) Warburton! This note of thine, if but one in five millions, would be half a one too much. 'Ib.' sc. 4. 'Duke'. My life upon't, young though thou art, thine eye Hath stay'd upon some favour that it loves; Hath it not, boy? 'Vio'. A little, by your favour. 'Duke'. What kind of woman is't?