Complete Works of Samuel Johnson

by Samuel Johnson

  Our betters play that game; we must not dare

  T’ imitate then; faults that are rich are fair.

  I.ii.34 (289,6) thou art an Athenian,/Therefore welcome: I myself would have no power] If this be the true reading, the sense is, all Athenians are welcome to share my fortune; I would myself have no exclusive right or power in this house. Perhaps we might read, I myself would have no poor. I would have every Athenian consider himself as joint possessor of my fortune.

  I.ii.38 (289,7) I scorn thy meat, ’twould choke me, for I should/ Ne’er flatter thee] [W: ‘fore/I should e’er] Of this emendation there is little need. The meaning is, I could not swallow thy meat, for I could not pay for it with flattery; and what was given me with an ill will would stick in my throat.

  I.ii.41 (290,8) so many dip their meat/In one man’s blood] The allusion is to a pack of hounds trained to pursuit by being gratified with the blood of the animal which they kill, and the wonder is that the animal on which they are feeding cheers them to the chase.

  I.ii.52 (290,9) wind-pipe’s dangerous notes] The notes of the windpipe seem to be the only indications which shew where the windpipe is. (see 1765, VI, 184, 4)

  I.ii.54 (290,1) My lord, in heart] That is, my lord’s health with sincerity. An emendation hat been proposed thus:

  My love in heart; —

  but it is not necessary.

  I.ii.89 (292,2) we should think ourselves for ever perfect] That is, arrived at the perfection of happiness.

  I.ii.94 (292,4) did not you chiefly belong to my heart?] I think it should be inverted thus: did I not chiefly belong to your hearts. Lacius wishes that Timon would give him and the rest an opportunity of expressing some part of their zeals. Timon answers that, doubtless the Gods have provided that I should have help from you; how else are you my friends? why are you stiled my friends, if — what? if I do not love you. Such is the present reading; but the consequence is not very clear; the proper close must be, if you do not love me, and to this my alteration restores it. But, perhaps, the old reading may stand. [The Revisal’s note on this line is quoted.] The meaning is probably this. Why are you distinguished from thousands by that title of endearment, was there not a particular connection and intercourse of tenderness between you and me. (see 1765, VI, 185, 8)

  I.ii.97 (293,5) I confirm you] I fix your characters firmly in my own mind.

  I.ii.99 (293,7) O joy, e’en made away, ere it can be born!] For this Hanmer writes, O joy, e’en made a joy ere’t can be born; and is followed by Dr. Warburton. I am always inclinable to think well of that which is approved by so much learning and sagacity, yet cannot receive this alteration. Tears being the effect both of joy and grief, supplied our author with an opportunity of conceit, which he seldom fails to indulge. Timon, weeping with a kind of tender pleasure, cries out, O joy, e’en made away, destroyed, turned to tears, before it can be born, before it can be fully possessed.

  I.ii.110 (293,8) Mine eyes cannot hold water, methinks: to forget their faults, I drink to you] In the original edition the words stand thus: mine eyes cannot hold out water, methinks. To forget their faults, I drink to you. Perhaps the true reading is this, Mine eyes cannot hold out; they water. Methinks, to forget their faults, I will drink to you. Or it may be explained without any change. Mine eyes cannot hold out water, that is, cannot keep water from breaking in upon them, (see 1765, VI, 186, 2)

  I.ii.113 (294,9) Apem. Thou weep’st to make them drink] Hanmer reads,

  — to make then drink thee,

  and is again followed by Dr. Warburton, I think without sufficient reason. The covert sense of Apemantus is, what thou losest, they get.

  I.ii.118 (294,1) like a babe] That is a weeping babe.

  I.ii.138 (295,3)

  They dance! They are mad women.

  Like madness is the glory of this life,

  As this pomp shews to a little oil and root]

  [Warburton conjectured some lines lost after the second verse] When I read this passage, I was at first of the same opinion with this learned man; but, upon longer consideration, I grew less confident, because I think the present reading susceptible of explanation, with no more violence to language than is frequently found in our author. The glory of this life is very near to madness, as may be made appear from this pomp, exhibited in a place where a philosopher is feeding on oil and roots. When we see by example how few are the necessaries of life, we learn what madness there is in so much superfluity.

  I.ii.146 (296,5) who dies, that bears/Not one spurn to their graves, of their friends gift?] That is, given them by their friends.(1773)

  I.ii.155 (297,6) mine own device] The mask appears to have been design’d by Timon to surprise his guests.

  I.ii.157 (297,7) L Lady. My lord, you take us even at the best] This answer seems rather to belong to one of the ladies. It was probably only mark’d L in the copy.

  I.ii.169 (298,1) ’Tis pity, bounty has not eyes behind] To see the miseries that are following her.

  I.ii.170 (298,2) That man might ne’er be wretched for his mind] For nobleness of soul.

  I.ii.176 (298,3) to/Advance this jewel] To prefer it; to raise it to honour by wearing it.

  I.ii.230 (300,6)

  all the lands thou hast

  Lie in a pitch’d field.

  Alc. I’ defiled land, my lord]

  This is the old reading, which apparently depends on a very low quibble. Alcibiades is told, that his estate lies in a pitch’d field. Now pitch, as Falstaff says, doth defile. Alcibiades therefore replies, that his estate lies in defiled land. This, as it happened, was not understood, and all the editors published,

  I defy land, —

  I.ii.237 (301,8) Serving of becks] [W: serring] The commentator conceives beck to mean the mouth or the head, after the French, bec, whereas it means a salutation made with the head. So Milton,

  “Nods and becks, and wreathed smiles.”

  To serve a beck, is to offer a salutation.

  I.ii.238 (301,9) I doubt, whether their legs] He plays upon the word leg, as it signifies a limb and a bow or act of obeisance.

  I.ii.247 (302,1) I fear me, thou/Wilt give away thyself in paper shortly] [W: in proper] Hanmer reads very plausibly,

  — thou

  Wilt give away thyself in perpetuum.

  I.ii.235 (302,2) I’ll lock/Thy heaven from thee] The pleasure of being flattered.

  II.i.10 (304,5) No porter at his gate;/But rather one that smiles, and still invites] I imagine that a line is lost here, in which the behaviour of a surly porter was described.

  II.i.12 (304,6) no reason/Can found his state in safety] The supposed meaning of this [Can sound his state] must be, No reason, by sounding, fathoming, or trying, his state, can find it safe. But as the words stand, they imply, that no reason can safely sound his state. I read thus,

  — no reason

  Can found his state in safety. —

  Reason cannot find his fortune to have any safe or solid foundation.

  The types of the first printer of this play were so worn and defaced, that f and s are not always to be distinguished.

  II.ii.5 (305,9) Never mind/Was to be so unwise, to be so kind] Of this mode of expression conversation affords many examples: “I was always to be blamed, whatever happened.” “I am in the lottery, but I was always to draw blanks.” (1773)

  II.ii.9 (306,1) Good even, Varro] It is observable, that this good evening is before dinner; for Timon tells Alcibiades, that they will go forth again as soon as dinner’s done, which may prove that by dinner our author meant not the coena of ancient times, but the mid-day’s repast. I do not suppose the passage corrupt: such inadvertencies neither author nor editor can escape.

  There is another remark to be made. Varro and Isidore sink a few lines afterwards into the servants of Varro and Isidore. Whether servants, in our author’s time, took the names of their masters, I know not. Perhaps it is a slip of negligence.

  II.ii.47 (308,4) Enter Apemantus and a Fool] I suspect s
ome scene to be lost, in which the entrance of the fool, and the page that follows him, was prepared by some introductory dialogue, in which the audience was informed that they were the fool and page of Phrynia, Timandra, or some other courtesan, upon the knowledge of which depends the greater part of the ensuing jocularity.

  II.ii.60-66 (309,4) Poor rogues] This is said so abruptly, that I am inclined to think it misplaced, and would regulate the passage thus:

  Caph. Where’s the fool now?

  Apem. He last ask’d the question.

  All. What are we, Apemantus?

  Apem. Asses.

  All. Why?

  Apem. That you ask me what you are, and do not know yourselves. Poor rogues’, and usurers’ men! bawds between

  gold and want! Speak, &c.

  Thus every word will have its proper place. It is likely that the passage transposed was forgot in the copy, and inserted in the margin, perhaps a little beside the proper place, which the transcriber wanting either skill or care to observe, wrote it where it now stands.

  II.ii.71 (309,5) She’s e’en setting on water to scald] The old name for the disease got at Corinth was the brenning, and a sense of scalding is one of its first symptoms.

  II.ii.117 (311,7) with two stones more than’s artificial one] Meaning the celebrated philosopher’s stone, which was in those times much talked of. Sir Thomas Smith was one of those who lost considerable sums in seeking of it.

  II.ii.152 (312,9) Though you hear now, yet now’s too late a time] [Warburton objected to this, an emendation by Hanmer] I think Hanmer right, and have received his emendation.

  Il.ii.155 (313,1) and at length/How goes our reckoning?] [W: Hold good our] It is common enough, and the commentator knows it is common to propose interrogatively, that of which neither the speaker nor the hearer has any doubt. The present reading may therefore stand.

  II.ii.171 (314,2) a wasteful cock] [i.e. a cockloft, a garret. And a wasteful cock, signifies a garret lying in waste, neglected, put to no use. HANMER.] Hanmer’s explanation is received by Dr. Warburton, yet I think them both apparently mistaken. A wasteful cock is a cock or pipe with a turning stopple running to waste. In this sense, both the terms have their usual meaning; but I know not that cock is ever used for cockloft, or wasteful for lying in waste, or that lying in waste is at all a phrase.

  Il.ii.187 (314,4) And try the arguments] [Arguments for natures. WARB.] How arguments should stand for natures I do not see. But the licentiousness of our author forces us often upon far fetched expositions. Arguments may mean contents, as the arguments of a book; or for evidences and proofs.

  II.ii.209 (315,5) I knew it the most general way] General is not speedy, but compendious, the way to try many at a time.

  II.ii.219 (316,6) And so, intending other serious matters] Intending is regarding, turning their notice to other things.

  II.ii.220 (316,7) these hard fractions] [Warburton saw an allusion to fractions in mathematics] This is, I think, no conceit in the head of Flavius, who, by fractions, means broken hints, interrupted sentences, abrupt remarks.

  II.ii.221 (316,8) half-caps] A half cap is a cap slightly moved, not put off.

  II.ii.241 (317,3) I would, I could not] The original edition has, I would, I could not think it, that thought, &c. It has been changed [‘Would], to mend the numbers, without authority.

  II.ii.242 (317,4)

  That thought is bounty’s foe;

  Being free itself, it thinks all other so]

  Free, is liberal, not parsimonious.

  III.i.57 (319,6) Has friendship such a faint and milky heart, It turns in less than two nights?] Alluding to the turning or acescence of milk.

  III.ii.3 (320,3) We know him for no less] That is, we know him by report to be no less than you represent him, though we are strangers to his person.

  III.ii.24 (321,5) yet had he mistook him, and sent him to me] [W: mislook’d] I rather read, yet had he not mistook him, and sent to me.

  III.ii.45 (322,7) If his occasion were not virtuous] [Virtuous, for strong, forcible, pressing. WARBURTON.] The meaning may more naturally be; — If he did not want it for a good use. (1773)

  III.ii.51 (322,9) that I should purchase the day before for a little part, and undo a great deal of honour?] [T: a little dirt] This emendation is received, like all others, by sir T. Hanmer, but neglected by Dr. Warburton. I think Theobald right in suspecting a corruption; nor is his emendation injudicious, though perhaps we may better read, purchase the day before for a little park.

  III.ii.71 (323,1) And just of the same piece is every flatterer’s soul] This is Dr. Warburton’s emendation. The other editions read,

  Why this is the world’s soul;

  Of the same piece is every flatterer’s sport.

  Mr. Upton has not unluckily transposed the two final words, thus,

  Why, this is the world’s sport:

  Of the same piece is ev’ry flatterer’s soul.

  The passage is not so obscure as to provoke so much enquiry. This, says he, is the soul or spirit of the world: every flatterer plays the same game, makes sport with the confidence of his friend. (see 1765, VI, 211, 4)

  III.ii.81 (324,2) He does deny him, in respect of his, What charitable men afford to beggars] That is, in respect of his fortune, what Lucius denies to Timon is in proportion to what Lucius possesses, less than the ususal alms given by good men to beggars.

  III.ii.90 (324,3) I would have put my wealth into donation, And the best half should ha’ return’d to him] Hanmer reads,

  I would have put my wealth into partition,

  And the best half should have attorn’d to him.

  Dr. Warbarton receives attorn’d. The only difficulty is in the word return’d, which, since he had received nothing from him, cannot be used but in a very low and licentious meaning, (see 1765, VI, 212, 6)

  III.iii.5 (325,4) They have all been touch’d] That is, tried, alluding to the touchstone.

  III.iii.11 (325,5) His friends, like physicians,/Thrive, give him over?] The original reading is,

  — his friends, (like physicians)

  Thrive, give him over?

  which Theobald has misrepresented. Hanmer reads, try’d, plausibly enough. Instead of three proposed by Mr. Pope, I should read thrice. But perhaps the old reading is the true.

  III.iii.24 (326,6) I had such a courage] Such an ardour, such an eager desire.

  III.iii.28 (326,8) The devil knew not what he did] I cannot but think that, the negative not has intruded into this passage, and the reader will think so too, when he reads Dr. Warburton’s explanation of the next words.

  III.iii.28 (326,9) The devil knew not what he did, when he made men politick; he cross’d himself by’t: and I cannot think, but in the end the villainies of man will set him clear] [Set him clear does not mean acquit him before heaven; for then the devil must be supposed to know what he did: but it signifies puzzle him, outdo him at his own weapons. WARBURTON.] How the devil, or any other being, should be set clear by being puzzled and outdone, the commentator has not explained. When in a crowd we would have an opening made, we say, Stand clear, that is, out of the way of danger. With some affinity to this use, though not without great harshness, to set clear, may be to set aside. But I believe the original corruption is the insertion of the negative, which was obtruded by some transcriber, who supposed crossed to mean thwarted, when it meant, exempted from evil. The use of crossing, by way of protection or purification, was probably not worn out in Shakespeare’s time. The sense of set clear is now easy; he has no longer the guilt of tempting man. To cross himself may mean, in a very familiar sense, to clear his score, to get out of debt, to quit his reckoning. He knew not what he did, may mean, he knew not how much good he was doing himself. There is then no need of emendation. (1773)

  III.iii.42 (327,2) keep his house] i.e. keep within doors for fear of duns.

  III.iv (328,3) Enter Varro, Titus, Hortense, Lucius] Lucius is here again for the servant of Lucius.

  III.iv
.12 (328,4) a prodigal’s course/Is like the sun’s] That is, like him in blaze and splendour.

  Soles occidere et redire possunt. Catul.

  III.iv.25 (329,5) I am weary of this charge] That is, of this commission, of this employment.

  III.iv.32 (329,6) Else, surely, his had equall’d] Should it not be, else, surely, mine had equall’d.

  III.iv.67 (330,7) Enter Servilius] It may be observed that Shakespeare has unskilfully filled his Greek story with Roman names.

  III.v.14 (333,6)

  He is a man, setting his fate aside,

  Of comely virtues:

  Nor did he soil the fact with cowardise;

  (An honour in him which buys out his fault)]

  I have printed these lines after the original copy, except that, for an honour, it is there, and honour. All the latter editions deviate unwarrantably from the original, and give the lines thus:

  He is a man, setting his fault aside,

  Of virtuous honour, which buys out his fault;

  Nor did he soil, &c.

  III.v.22 (333,3)

  He did behave, his anger ere ’twas spent,

  As if he had but prov’d an argument]

  The original copy reads not behave but behoove. I do not well understand the passage in either reading. Shall we try a daring conjecture?

  — with such sober and unnoted passion

  He did behold his adversary shent,

  As if he had but prov’d an argument.

  He looked with such calmness on his slain adversary. I do not suppose that this is right, but put it down for want of better. (1773)

  III.v.24 (334,4) You undergo too strict a paradox] You undertake a paradox too hard.

  III.v.32 (334,5) and make his wrongs His outsides: to wear them like an argument, carelessly. We outside wear; hang like his] The present reading is better.

  III.v.46 (335,6) What make we/Abroad?] What do we, or what have we to do in the field.

  III.v.46 (335,7)

  what make we

  Abroad? why then, women are more valiant,

  That stay at home, if bearing carry it;