Speak with your natural tone as if you were sitting, Seward, and not with that Parliamentary sing-song in which Statesmen, with their coat-tails perked up behind, declaim on the State of Europe—
SEWARD.
I imagine, sir, that Shakspeare assumed the marriage to have taken place some time before the commencement of the Play—sufficiently long to admit the possibility of a course of guilt before the Play opens. I imagine that, with this general idea in his mind, he gave his full and unfettered attention to the working out of the Plot, which has no reference to the time, circumstances, or history of the Marriage, but relates exclusively to the Moor's Jealousy. Therefore the indications of past time at Venice are vague, and rarely scattered through the Dialogue.
TALBOYS.
A more astounding discovery indeed, Seward, than any yet announced by that Stunner, Christopher North. Pardon me, sir.
NORTH.
We have said our say, Shirra; let the Lord-Lieutenant of his County say his—
TALBOYS.
And the Chairman of the Quarter-Sessions, and President of the Agricultural Society of the Land's End say his.