It only remains to express the wish that the knowledge here conveyed to young readers of Shakespeare’s plots may lead them to become in future years loving students of the text of his plays. The words employed by Charles Lamb in a like connection when he first sent into the world his and his sister’s “Tales from Shakespeare” may fitly be echoed here. Young men and women cannot learn too early, in life how the study of Shakespeare’s work may, in a far higher degree than the study of other literature, enrich their fancy, strengthen them in virtue, withdraw them from selfish and mercenary thoughts. Life will bring them no better instructor in the doing of sweet and honourable action, no better teacher of courtesy, benignity, generosity, humanity; for of both stories and characters proffering the counsel to seek what is good and true and to shun what is bad and false Shakespeare’s pages are full. SIDNEY LEE. [Illustration: “Some have greatness thrust upon them.”] [Illustration: CONTENTS] PAGE INTRODUCTION vii THE TEMPEST-- THE MAGICIAN’S ISLE 1 THE SHIPWRECKED WANDERERS 6 THE KING’S SON 10 MYSTERIOUS MUSIC 14 “THOUGH THE SEAS THREATEN, THEY ARE MERCIFUL” 19 TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA-- “NOW LET US TAKE OUR LEAVE” 27 “WHO IS SILVIA?” 34 FALSE TO HIS FRIEND 39 “ALAS POOR LADY, DESOLATE AND LEFT!” 41 WHAT BEFELL IN THE FOREST 45 MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING-- “DEAR LADY DISDAIN” 54 A PLAIN-DEALING VILLAIN 59 “CUPID’S CRAFTY ARROW” 61 THE NIGHT BEFORE THE WEDDING 68 “DONE TO DEATH BY SLANDEROUS TONGUES” 72 A MIDSUMMER-NIGHT’S DREAM-- HELENA AND HERMIA 82 PLAYING THE LION 86 THE MAGIC FLOWER 88 PUCK IN MISCHIEF 95 THE MERCHANT OF VENICE-- A MERRY BOND 104 THE THREE CASKETS 110 “REVENGE!” 115 A POUND OF FLESH 119 THE TWO RINGS 128 AS YOU LIKE IT-- OLIVER AND ORLANDO 133 ROSALIND AND CELIA 136 IN THE FOREST OF ARDEN 142 THE SHEPHERD YOUTH 148