Francisco. For this relief much thanks: ’tis bitter cold
And I am sick at heart.
Thus all the editors, without a single comment—Oh the blockheads! Listen to my reading.
Francisco. For this good beef much thanks: ’tis better cold, &c.
Bernardo should in this place present an edge-bone to his friend, who should courteously accept it, like a good natured visiter, who bolts into the dining-room when dinner is half over and endeavours to avert the frowns of the lady of the house, by saying “O! make no apologies—it’s my own fault—I like it better cold, &c. Let the property man, when this play is next acted, remember the beef. In the same scene Bernardo inquires “Is Horatio here?” who answers “A piece of him.” Warburton, that bow-wow, “dog in forehead,” says this signifies his hand, which direction should be marked. But how if his hand be not marked? It is not every player who has committed manslaughter on anybody but his author. In my opinion, an actor who scorns to be a mannerist will take it to signify his leg, which is quite as good a piece of him, as his hand, and, if he be a dancer, a much better. My interpretation of this passage is strengthened by the usage of the clown in the dramatic entertainment entitled Mother Goose. When the late Mr. Lewis Bologna, as Pantaloon, proffered his hand in token of amity and forgiveness, Mr. Joseph Grimaldi protruded his foot into his master’s palm. His reading was certainly the right one.
In the course of conversation, Horatio asks, “What! has this thing appeared again to night?” which is both irreverent and nonsensical. A ghost is not a thing. Macbeth says to that of Banquo, “Unreal mockery, hence!” The passage should be “Has this king appeared?”
Bernardo. Sit down a while
And let us once again assail your ears,
That are so fortified against our story,
What we two nights have seen.