Illustrations of Shakspeare, and of Ancient Manners: / with Dissertations on the Clowns and Fools of Shakspeare; on a Collection of Popular Tales Entitled Gesta Romanorum; and on the English Morris dance.

by Francis Douce

Scene 2. Page 64.

K. Phi. ... Young princes close your hands

Aust. And your lips too; for, I am well assur'd,
That I did so, when I was first assur'd.

The kiss was a part of the ceremony of affiancing. Thus in Twelfth night:

"A contract of eternal bond of love,
Attested by the holy close of lips."

See the note in page [67].

ACT III.

Scene 4. Page 107.

Const. And buss thee as thy wife.

In former times there was no vulgarity in this word, as the two first quotations by Mr Steevens demonstrate; but he is peculiarly unfortunate in his last example, which may without detriment be omitted in future editions. The singular vulgarity of Stanihurst's language cannot with propriety be used to exemplify the undegraded use of any word whatever.