The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 7 of 9]

by William Shakespeare

Note XI.

III. 3. 19. Hanmer altered the passage thus:

'That I'll requite it last? so it may prove
An argument of laughter to the rest,
And amongst Lords I shall be thought a fool.'

Capell follows Hanmer, except that he replaces 'no' in the first line.

Steevens (1793) follows Capell in the first two lines, reading in the third:

'And I amongst the Lords be thought a fool.'

Mr. Staunton suggests that the passage once stood:

'So I may prove
An argument of laughter to the rest,
And amongst lords be thought a fool.'

Mr. Dyce, in his second edition proposes the following arrangement:

'That I'll requite it last? No: so it may prove
An argument of laughter to the rest,
And amongst lords I be thought a fool.'