Page 406 - Hamlet: The Cambridge Dover Wilson Shakespeare

a 3. A D D I T I O N A L N O T E S 299

and Moone, and all the comfortable pianette of our natures,
in such sort, that if they appeare, they appeare all darke,
and more then half eclipsed of this mist of blackenes,
rising from that hideous lake.
328-29. the Lady.. .halt for't Verity explains
'freely' as 'not very accurately,' and Travers paraphrases t
'not thinking herself tied down to the letter of the text,
improvising (metrically) whenever her memory failed
her.' This seems more satisfactory than Dowden's
explanation. No doubt the boys who played women's
parts often forgot their lines.
373. Gentlemen This 'sudden formality.. .tells
them that they are no longer "good lads" and his
"excellent good friends'" (Travers).
379. You are welcome i.e. to uncle-father and aunt-
mother. The irony is repeated at 1. 550.
382-83. / know a hawk from a handsaw Mr A. J.
Eagleston (privately) notes that the inventory of Wolsey's
goods taken after death included a tapestry depicting
among other things 'a bow drawn and a heronsawe and
a hawk in the compasse thereof (Cal. Letters and Papers,
Henry VIII, vol. iv. p. 3, No. 6748 (12) at p. 3045).
408. Jephthah Adams (p. 242) also links this with,
the Fishmonger passage.
484-96. H. W. Crundell (letter T.L.S. Nov. 23,
1935) notes that the ruthless Pyrrhus is, like Laertes and
Fortinbras later, a foil to Ham., and Trench (pp. 106—
107) writes: 'Especially is he [Ham.] concerned about
the passage relating to Hecuba, about the horrible effect,
that is to say, the deed would have upon his mother.'
506. 'moiled queen 1 is good I suggest that Pol.
should write the phrase in his tables, as he speaks.
549. My good friends 'Stressed with secret irony'
(Travers); cf. add. notes 2. 2. 373, 379.
553ff. O, what a rogue etc. A close examination of
Hieronimo's speech at in. xiii. 95-123 of the Span.
Trag. shows it to be in large measure the germ of this