The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 5 of 9]

by William Shakespeare

NOTE VI.

[IV. 2. 13.] The reading ‘overture’ first appears in Warburton’s edition, being probably a misprint. Johnson adopts it, but suggests the true reading ‘coverture,’ without giving any indication that this was the reading in all the Folios and in all the editions before Warburton’s. We give this as one of the many instances of the carelessness with which Johnson’s work was done.