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

[MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.]

ACT I.

Scene 1. Page 395.

Enter Leonato....

This is the name of the injured lady's father in the novel of Belleforest which Mr. Steevens supposes to have furnished the plot of the play; a circumstance that tends very much to prove the justness of that gentleman's opinion.

Scene 1. Page 396.

Mess. Without a badge of bitterness.

See a future note on The taming of the shrew, Act IV. Scene 1.

Scene 1. Page 397.

Beat. He set up his bills here in Messina.