Notes and Queries, Number 73, March 22, 1851 | Page 3

of light cloud refer to him as an authority for their reading, he treats it throughout generally as "a vapour, a steam, or an exhalation." But Horne Tooke, in his zeal as an etymologist, forgot altogether to attend to the construction of the passage. What is it that shall "leave not a rack behind?" A rack of what? Not of the baseless fabric of this vision, like which the "cloud-capp'd towers shall dissolve,"--not of this insubstantial pageant, like which they shall have faded,--but of "the cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces, the solemn temples, the great globe itself." There is in fact a double comparison; but the construction and the meaning are perfectly clear, and no word will suit the passage but one that shall express a result common {219} to the different objects enumerated. A cloud may be a fit object for comparison, but it is utterly inconsequential; while the sense required can only be expressed by a general term, such as remains, a vestige, or a trace.
I beg now to transcribe a note Of Mr. Collier's on this passage:--
"'Rack' is vapour, from reck, as Horne Tooke showed; and the light clouds on the face of heaven are the 'rack,' or vapour from the earth. The word 'rack' was often used in this way."--Coll. Shaksp., vol. i. p. 70.
Mr. Knight appears to incline to the same view; and regarding these as the two latest authorities, and finding in neither of them any reference to the question of construction, I naturally concluded that the point had been overlooked by the commentators. On reference, however, I found to my surprise, that Malone, for the very same reasons, had come to the same conclusion. Had Malone's argument been briefly stated by the "two latest and best editors," I should, of course, have had no occasion to trouble you with this note: and this instance, it appears to me, furnishes additional reasons for enforcing the principle for which I am contending; the neglect of it affecting, in however slight a degree, the sense or correctness of so important and frequently quoted a passage. For my own part, I should have thought that the commonest faith in Shakspeare would have protected any editor, whose avowed object it was to restore the text, from preferring in this instance, to the plain common sense of Malone, the more showy authority of Horne Tooke.
In my last paper I wrote,--"So far as quantity is concerned, to eat a crocodile would be no more than to eat an ox." You have omitted the negative.
SAMUEL HICKSON.
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ANCIENT INEDITED POEMS, NO. III.
In my last communication on this subject, I forgot to remark on the strange title given to the monody on Mr. Browne. May I ask if the name of "Chorus" was thus indiscriminately applied at the time when the poem was composed?
The next poem that I shall give is copied from Harleian MSS., 367., art. 60., fol. 158. It is entitled--
"A VERTUOUS WOMAN.
"When painted vice fils upp the rimes Of these our last depraued times: And soe much lust by wanton layes Disperséd is; that beautie strayes Into darke corners wheere vnseen, 5 Too many sadd berefts haue been. Aduance my muse to blaze[1] that face Wheere beautie sits enthroand in grace. The eye though bright, and quicke to moue, Daignes not a cast to wanton loue. 10 A comely ffront not husht in hayre, Nor face be-patcht to make it fayre. The lipps and cheekes though seemely redd, Doe blush afresh if by them fedd. Some wanton youthes doe gaze too much 15 Though naked breasts are hidd from touch. When due salutes are past, they shunn A seconde kisse: yea, half vndone Shee thinkes herselfe, when wantons praise Her hande or face with such loose phraise 20 As they haue learnt at acts and scenes, Noe hand in hand with them shee meenes, Shall giue them boldnes to embalme, Ther filthie fist in her chast palme. Her pretious honners overlookes, 25 At her retires the best of bookes. Whatsoeuer else shee doth forget Noe busines shall her prayers[2] let. Those that bee good, shee prizes most, Noe time with them shee counteth lost. 30 Her chast delights, her mind, aduance Above Lot-games or mixéd dance. Shee cares not for an enterlude, Or idly will one day conclude. The looser toungs that filth disclose 35 Are graueolencie to her nose. But when a vertuous man shall court Her virgin thoughts in nuptiall sort: Her faire depor[t]ment, neyther coy Nor yet too forward, fits his ioy, 40 And giues his kisses leaue to seale On her fayre hand his faythfull zeale. Blest is his conquest in her loue, With her alone death cann remoue. And if before shee did adorne 45 Her parents' howse, the cheerefull morne Reioyceth