introduction to the future character of Henry the Fifth, to his debaucheries in his youth, and his greatness in his manhood. 49 Thou sheer, immaculate,] Sheer is pure, transparent. The modern editors arbitrarily read clear. Shakspeare mentions sheer ale, and Atterbury says that sheer argument is not the talent of man. Transparent muslin is still called sheer muslin, STEEV. 50 -the Beggar and the King.] The King and Beggar seems to have been an interlude well known in the time of our author, who has alluded to it more than once. I cannot now find that any copy of it is left. JOHNSON. The King and Beggar was perhaps once an interlude; it was certainly a song. The reader will find it in the first volume of Dr. Percy's collection. It is there entitled, King Cophetua and the Beggar Maid. It is printed from Rich. Johnson's Crown Garland of Goulden Roses, 1612, 12mo; where it is entitled simply, A Song of a Beggar and a King. STEEVENS. 51 -our trusty brother-in-law,] The brother-inlaw meant, was John duke of Exeter and earl of Huntingdon (own brother to king Richard II.), and who had married with the lady Elizabeth sister of Henry of Bolingbroke. 52 THEOBALD. -his Jack o'the clock.] That is, I strike for him. One of these automatons is alluded to in King Richard the Third: "Because that like a Jack thou keep'st the stroke, "Between thy begging and my meditation." The same expression occurs in an old comedy, entitled, If this be not a good Play, the Devil is in it: 66 -so would I, "And we their Jacks o'the clock-house." 53 STEEVENS. that sad dog] I have ventured at a change here, against the authority of the copies, by the direction of Dr. Warburton. Indeed, sad dog savours too much of the comedian, the oratory of the late facetious Mr. Penkethman. And drudge is the word of contempt, which our author chuses to use on other like occasions. THEOBALD. Dr. Warburton says peremptorily, read drudge; but I still persist in the old reading. JOHNSON. It should be remembered that the word sad was in the time of our author used for grave. The expression will then be the same as if he had said, grave, that gloomy villain. 54 that STEEVENS. jauncing Bolingbroke.] Jaunce and jaunt were synonimous words. Ben Jonson uses geances in his Tale of a Tub: "I would I had a few more geances of it: STEEVENS. END OF VOLUME VI. T. DAVISON, PRINTER, White-friars. a |