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

by William Shakespeare

NOTE XX.

[IV. 4. 444.] We have here followed the reading of the Quartos, in preference to that of the Folios, in which the passage stands as follows:

‘Rich. Catesby, flye to the Duke.

Cat. I will, my Lord, with all convenient haste.

Rich. Catesby come hither, poste to Salisbury:’

This seems to show that the text of the Quartos has been amended in the Folios by no very skilful hand. Rowe endeavoured to amend the passage by reading in the last line ‘Ratcliff, come hither,’ and in this has been followed by most succeeding editors.