places in which the misprint occurred; and (4.) similar in appearance to the word "prenzie." "Princely" does not agree with the sense or spirit of the particular passage; for it is extremely improbable that Claudio, when confined under sentence of death for an absurd and insufficient cause, would use a term of mere compliment to the man by whom he had been doomed. "Precise" and "priestly" are both far better than "princely;" but "precise" is wholly unsuited to the metre in both places, and "priestly" points too much to a special character to be appropriate to Angelo's office and position. It may also be remarked, that both "princely" and "priestly" differ from the number and form of the letters contained in "prenzie."
The word which I venture to suggest is "Pensive," a word particularly applicable to a person of saintly habits, and which is so applied by Milton in "Il Penseroso:"
"Come, pensive nun, devout and pure,
Sober, stedfast, and demure."
The word "pensive" is stated by Dr. Johnson to mean "sorrowfully thoughtful, sorrowfully serious," or melancholy; and that such epithets are appropriate to the reputed character of Angelo will be seen from the following extracts:
"I implore her, in my service, that she make friends
To the strict deputy."—Claudio, Act I. Sc. 3.
"I have deliver'd to Lord Angelo,
A man of stricture, and firm abstinence."—Duke, Act I. Sc. 4.
"Lord Angelo is precise;