ACT V.
Scene 1. Page 351.
Aar. An idiot holds his bauble for a God,
And keeps the oath which by that God he swears.
Even though the bauble here mentioned had been actually of that kind which is alluded to in the course of a note in All's well that ends well, Act IV., his imagination would be deemed not a little fanciful, who would connect it with the object of the singular oath in Genesis xxiv. 9. There cannot however be a doubt that Aaron refers to that sort of bauble or sceptre which was usually carried in the hand by natural idiots and allowed jesters, and by which, it may be supposed, they would sometimes swear. The resemblance which it bore to an image or idol suggested the poet's comparison.
Scene 2. Page 363.
Tit. So, now bring them in, for I will play the cook.
This redundant line ought to be thus arranged and printed:
So,
Now bring them in, for I will play the cook.
Scene 3. Page 364.
Mar. Rome's emperor, and nephew, break the parle.
Dr. Johnson makes the sense "begin the parley." Is it not rather "break off this sort of discourse!"? for Lucius and Saturninus had already begun the parley by sparring language: to prevent the continuance of it Marcus interferes, by declaring that their quarrels must be adjusted by gentle words.
Throughout this play the name Andrŏnĭcus is improperly accented. It should have been Andronīcus.