Sufficiency is, no doubt, ability, and not authority, as Warburton conceives; and this shows that there is an omission in the speech of what the duke would have added concerning the authority which he meant to delegate. The most rational addition is that suggested by Mr. Tyrwhitt. It is remarkable that Dr. Johnson should contend for the introduction of a line of thirteen syllables!
Scene 1. Page 186.
Duke. Mortality and mercy in Vienna
Live in thy tongue and heart.
That is, "I delegate to thy tongue the power of pronouncing sentence of death, and to thy heart the privilege of exercising mercy." These are words of great import, and ought to be made clear, as on them depends the chief incident of the play.
Scene 2. Page 191.
Lucio. Behold, behold, &c.
This speech should have been given to the first gentleman, in order to correspond with the note, which is probably right.
Scene 2. Page 191.
Lucio. A French crown more.