Page 333 - Hamlet: The Cambridge Dover Wilson Shakespeare

226 NOTE S 4-5.

condition. Technically 'wheel' = a stanza of at least
4 lines, but it might apparently be used vaguely for any
kind of refrain or chorus, v. J. Schipper, Hist, of Eng.
Vers. pp. 280 ff.
172. the false steward.. .daughter The reference
has not been traced in folk-tale or ballad. It seems to
refer back to the song at 11. 46-65.
174-83. There's rosemary.. .some violets Each
flower has its meaning and is presented to an appropriate
person. Rosemary — remembrance, used both at wed-
dings and funerals (cf. Rom. 4. 5.79; Wint. 4.4.74-6),
she gives to Laer. Pansies = thought, esp. love-thoughts,
she keeps, I think, for herself. Fennel == flattery and
columbines = cuckoldry (from their horned shape) were
appropriate to the K. Rue = sorrow (for herself) and
repentance (for the Queen); herb of grace is another
name for 'rue,' though actually with no religious
significance. Daisy = dissembling (cf. Greene, %jfip
for an upstart courtier, 'Next them grewe the dessem-
bling daisie, to warne such light of loue wenches not to
trust euery faire promise that such amorous batchelers
make them'), which she would place next the 'pansies'
in her own bosom as a warning. Violets = faithfulness;
these she cannot give to anyone, as there are no more left
in the world. Some suppose she addresses herself to
Hor. here; but he is not on in this scene, (v. Furness for
much of the material of this note.)
182. with a difference i.e. for a different reason
(v. 'Rue' in previous note), with a quibble on
'difference,' the heraldic term. v. G.
186. For bonny sweet Robin etc. From a well-known
ballad, mentioned again as sung by the mad girl in
Two Noble Kinsmen (4. 1. 134).
187. Thought.. .passion — melancholy.. .suffering,
v. G.
199.* And of.. .souls 'The common conclusion to
many.. .monumental inscriptions' (Steevens).