Chapter LXXXII: Act III

SC. 1. "The arch-deacon hath divided it _for us_."

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"And then he runs _you_ straight and even_ly_."

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"I'll _in and_ haste the writer and withal."

So I think we should read with Steevens and Malone. "I'll in, to urge his hatred more to Clarence" (Rich. III. i. 1).

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"He held me last night at _the_ least nine hours."

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"As a tired horse or _as a_ railing wife."

So Pope also. The usual correction is that of Capell, 'as _is_ a tired horse.'

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"In faith, my lord, you are too wilful-blame_able_."

We have "wilful-opposite" (K. John, v. 2), "wilful-negligent" (Wint. Tale, i. 2), "wilful-slow" (Son. li.), and "wilful-ignorant" (Fletcher, Woman-hater, v. 2). For my part, I regard it as a convincing proof of the truth of my theory of effacement (Introd. p. 57).

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"Which thou pourest down from those swelling heavens."

The Cambridge editors and myself have independently transposed in 'pourest down.' We might also read "Which from those," etc.

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"Nay, _nay_, if you melt, then will she run mad."

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"Come, Kate, _come_; thou art perfect in lying down."

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"I had rather hear Lady, my brach, howl in Irish."

So, after all the editors, I have printed it, in accordance with the 4tos; the folio applies 'Lady' to Lady Percy. I, however, strongly suspect that we should read 'my lady-brach,' as in Lear, i. 4, which would also accord better with the metre. See Index _s. v_. Brach.

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"Come sing.--I will not sing.--'Tis the next way
To turn tailor or be redbreast-teacher."

So it should be arranged.

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"By this our book is drawn; we'll but seal and then
To horse immediately. With all my heart."

As this is preceded by a couplet, and the scenes generally end with one, I would read 'then _start'_ for 'and then.' _Start_ being probably effaced, the printer added 'and' to complete the measure. See Introd. p. 67.

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SC. 2. "As in reproof of many tales devis'd--
Which oft the ear of Greatness needs must hear--
By smiling pick-thanks and base news-mongers."

The two last lines should, I think, be transposed.

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"Mingled his royalty with carping fools."

The 4to, 1598, reads _capring_, i.e. capering. The choice is difficult.

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SC. 3. "Go, Poins, to horse, to horse!"

Both 4tos and folio have _Peto_. Johnson made the change.

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"At two o'clock in the afternoon."

Something seems wanting here. I have added _precisely_.