In The Emperor of the East, when the complications about Paulinus' apple are getting rather serious, the Princess Flaccilla makes the remark, which is certainly in the mind of the reader:
All this pother for an apple![402]
When Leosthenes allows himself to be intolerably coarse in his language to Cleora, we read these words:
Cleora. You are foul-mouth'd.
Archedamus. Ill-manner'd, too.[403]
When Hilario seeks to amuse his mistress with an absurd message from the front, and she observes, “This is ridiculous,”[404] we feel inclined to say, “Not only ridiculous, but not worth writing.” When Cardenes, after lying as dead [pg 109] for some time, gives signs of life, the Viceroy very justly observes:
This care of his recovery, timely practis'd,
Would have expressed more of a father in you,
Than your impetuous clamours for revenge.[405]
It will be remembered that Shakspere had used this device in his day. Compare Richard II: “Can sick men play so nicely with their names?”[406] Midsummer-Night's Dream: “Lord, what fools these mortals be!”[407] 1 Henry VI: “Here is a silly stately style indeed!”[408]