Page 272 - Hamlet: The Cambridge Dover Wilson Shakespeare

1.5. NOTES 165
xxvi. Scot, Discourse vpon Diuels (ch. iii), tells us that
a particularly dangerous sort of devil known as the
Subterranei 'assault them that are miners or pioners,
which use to worke in deepe and darke holes under the
earth.' Mar. who has taken a threefold oath in the
presence of a powerful devil, as he supposes, will keep
Ham.'s secret. Cf. note 1. 182 S.D. below.
150. truepenny 'It is (as I learn from some Sheffield
authorities) a mining term, and signifies a particular
indication in the soil of the direction in which ore is
to be found' (Collier). There is nothing of this in
N.E.D.
156. Hie et ubique? 'The repetition of the oath, the
shifting of the ground, and the Latin phrase are taken
from the ceremonies of conjurers' (Tschischwitz). Cf.
note 1. 1. 42.
159-61. Swear., .sword (Q2) For F i arrange-
ment, which most edd. follow, v. MSH. p. 69.
163. pi oner v. note 1. 149 above.
165. as.. .welcome A glance at Hor.'s scepticism.
Dowden quotes Middleton, Women Beware Women,
2. 2. 'She's a stranger, madam. The more should be her
welcome.'
167. your philosophy 'Your' is prob. used in the
impersonal colloquial sense (cf. 'your worm' 4. 3. 21);
but the rebuke to 'philosophy' (= science, v. G.) is
intended for the 'philosopher,' Hor.
177. There be... might i.e. Some could tell a tale if
they were permitted.
179-80. this do swear.. .you! (Q2) Fr, Qi 'this
not to doe.. .you: Sweare' MSH. p. 70.
182. S.D. they swear a third time Scot, Discoverie
(bk. 15, ch. xvii), speaks of 'Promises & oaths inter-
changeablie made betweene the conjuror & the spirit,'
oaths which were sworn three times, and for the viola-
tion of which eternal penalties were exacted. Cf. note
1. 149 S.D. above. The first oath seals their mouths