Chapter CXI: Act V

SC. 1. "If I may trust the flattering eye of sleep."

The 4to 1527 reads thus; the others and the folio '_truth_ of sleep,' in which I can see no sense, while the former seems to be justified by

"Full many a glorious morning have I seen
_Flatter_ the mountain-tops with sovereign _eye_."
Son. xxxiii.

In both places _flatter_ seems to mean cheer, enliven. 'Eye' is, as in "eye of green" (Temp. ii. 1), look, glance; "Yon grey is not the Morning's eye" (iii. 5).

* * * * *

"Need and oppression starveth in thy eyes."

Pope read _stareth_, after Otway; rightly, I think.

* * * * *

SC. 3. "Under yond' yew-trees lay thee all along."

The 4to 1597 reads 'Under _this_ yew-tree'; the others 'Under yond' _young_ trees. Further on they all read 'As I did sleep under this _young_ tree here.' There can be little doubt that _yew_ was the poet's word; it is not so easy to decide between _tree_ and _trees_; but I prefer the former.

* * * * *

"And in despite I'll cram thee with more food."

Perhaps the poet's word was _requite_.

* * * * *

"Why art thou yet so fair? I will believe,
Shall I believe that unsubstantial Death is amorous?"

We have here plainly two various readings got in by mistake. (See above, iii. 3.) I agree with those who reject the first.

* * * * *

"This is thy sheath; there rest and let me die."

The reading 'rest,' for _rust_ of the editions, is deduced from 4to 1597.

* * * * *

"What fear is this which startles in _our_ ears."

So I read with Johnson for _your_.

* * * * *

"Look and thou shalt see."

'Look _here_' would have more melody.

* * * * *

"Seal up the mouth of outrage for a while."

The reading of Collier's folio, _outcry_, seems preferable. It occurs a little before in this scene.

HAMLET.