Scene 1. Page 276.
Egl. That Silvia at Patrick's cell should meet me.
The old copy reads "at friar Patrick's cell," which Mr. Steevens calls a redundance, justifying his alteration by a passage in the next scene, where "At Patrick's cell" occurs. But the old reading is right, and should not have been disturbed, there being no redundance when it is judiciously read. Silvia is often used as a dissyllable, and must here be read elliptically. Besides, we had "friar Patrick's cell" before in p. [263].
Scene 4. Page 280.
Val. And to the nightingale's complaining notes
Tune my distresses, and record my woes.
It has been already observed that this term refers to the singing of birds. It should have been added that it was formed from the recorder, a sort of flute by which they were taught to sing.
Scene 4. Page 286.
Jul. How oft hast thou with perjury cleft the root?
The speech had been begun with a metaphor from archery, and is here continued in the same strain. To cleave the pin, was to break the nail which attached the mark to the butt.
Scene 4. Page 290.