Chapter XII: Act I: sc. 1. King Henry's speech

No more the thirsty entrance of this soil
Shall daub her lips with her own children's blood.

A most obscure passage: but I think Theobalds' interpretation right, namely, that 'thirsty entrance' means the dry penetrability, or bibulous drought, of the soil. The obscurity of this passage is of the Shakspearian sort.

'Ib.' sc. 2. In this, the first introduction of Falstaff, observe the consciousness and the intentionality of his wit, so that when it does not flow of its own accord, its absence is felt, and an effort visibly made to recall it. Note also throughout how Falstaff's pride is gratified in the power of influencing a prince of the blood, the heir apparent, by means of it. Hence his dislike to Prince John of Lancaster, and his mortification when he finds his wit fail on him:--

'P. John.' Fare you well, Falstaff: I, in my condition,
Shall better speak of you than you deserve.

'Fal.' I would you had but the wit; 'twere better than your
dukedom.--Good faith, this same young sober-blooded boy doth not love
me;--nor a man cannot make him laugh.

Act ii. sc. 1. Second Carrier's speech:--

... breeds fleas like a _loach_.

Perhaps it is a misprint, or a provincial pronunciation, for 'leach,' that is, blood-suckers. Had it been gnats, instead of fleas, there might have been some sense, though small probability, in Warburton's suggestion of the Scottish 'loch.' Possibly 'loach,' or 'lutch,' may be some lost word for dovecote, or poultry-lodge, notorious for breeding fleas. In Stevens's or my reading, it should properly be 'loaches,' or 'leeches,' in the plural; except that I think I have heard anglers speak of trouts like _a_ salmon.

Act iii. sc. 1.

'Glend.' Nay, if you melt, then will she run mad.

This 'nay' so to be dwelt on in speaking, as to be equivalent to a dissyllable--[Symbol: written as a U-shape, below the line], is characteristic of the solemn Glendower: but the imperfect line

_She bids you_ Upon the wanton rushes lay you down, &c.

is one of those fine hair-strokes of exquisite judgment peculiar to Shakspeare;--thus detaching the Lady's speech, and giving it the individuality and entireness of a little poem, while he draws attention to it.

HENRY IV. PART II.

Act ii. sc. 2.

'P. Hen'. Sup any women with him?

'Page'. None, my lord, but old mistress Quickly, and mistress Doll
Tear-sheet.

'P. Hen'. This Doll Tear-sheet should be some road.

I am sometimes disposed to think that this respectable young lady's name is a very old corruption for Tear-street--street-walker, 'terere stratum (viam.)' Does not the Prince's question rather show this?--

'This Doll Tear-street should be some road?'

Act iii. sc. 1. King Henry's speech:

...Then, _happy low, lie down_;
Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.

I know no argument by which to persuade any one to be of my opinion, or rather of my feeling; but yet I cannot help feeling that 'Happy low-lie-down!' is either a proverbial expression, or the burthen of some old song, and means, 'Happy the man, who lays himself down on his straw bed or chaff pallet on the ground or floor!'

'Ib.' sc. 2. Shallow's speech:--

_Rah, tah, tah_, would 'a say; _bounce_, would 'a say, &c

That Beaumont and Fletcher have more than once been guilty of sneering at their great master, cannot, I fear, be denied; but the passage quoted by Theobald from the Knight of the Burning Pestle is an imitation. If it be chargeable with any fault, it is with plagiarism, not with sarcasm.

HENRY V.