And 'stablish [establish] quietness on every side.—1 H. VI., v. I.

Unto her

He gave the 'stablishment [establishment] of Egypt.-Ant. & C., iii. 6.

The most opportune place, the strong'st [strongest] suggestion.-Temp., iv. 1.
By looking back what I have left behind

'Stroy'd [destroyed] in dishonour.-Ant. & C., iii. 9.

'Tide [betide] life, 'tide [betide] death, I come without delay.—Mid. N. D., v. I. Of all the men i' the world

I would have 'voided [avoided] thee.-Coriol., iv. 5.

Thou speakest wiser than thou art 'ware [aware] of.-Nay, I shall ne'er be 'ware [aware] of mine own wit, till I break my shins against it.-As You L., ii. 4.

'Ware [beware] pencils, ho!-Love's L. L., v. 2.

The bull has the game: 'ware [beware] horns, ho!-Tr. & Cr., V. 8.
Whe'r [whether] thou be'st he or no.-Temp., v. I.

Good sir, say whe'r [whether] you'll answer me or no.-Com. of E., iv. 1.
And gape at wid'st [widest] to glut him.-Temp., i. 1.

He has elisionally abbreviated forms, that are in popular use, of some proper names :—

Oh, my lord Aberga'ny [Abergavenny], fare you well!-H. VIII., i. 1.
Maud, Bridget, Marian, Cicely, Gillian, Jen' [Jenny]!-Com. of E., iii. 1.

ELLIPSES OF COMPARISON.

Shakespeare has several passages of comparison and similitude, where the mode of expression is very elliptical:

Oh, gentle Proteus, Love's a mighty lord,
And hath so humbled me, as, I confess,

There is no woe [comparable] to his correction,

Nor [in comparison] to his service no such joy on earth!-Two G. of V., ii. 4.
All I can is nothing [in comparison] to her [merit].—Ibid., ii. 4.

He is then a giant [as compared] to an ape: but then is an ape a doctor [as compared] to such a man.-M. Ado, v. I.

And much too little of that good I saw

Is my report [compared] to his great worthiness.-Love's L. L., ii. 1.

This third, dull lead, with warning all as blunt [as the lead is dull].-Mer. of V., ii. 7. I would she were as lying a gossip in that as [any gossip who] ever knapped ginger. -Ibid., iii. 1.

She's a lamb, a dove, a fool [compared] to him.-Tam. of S., iii. 2.

I'd give bay Curtal and his furniture,

My mouth no more were broken than these boys' [mouths are broken].-All's W., ii. 3.
War is no strife [compared] to the dark house and the detested wife.—Ibid., ii. 3.
I will devise a death as cruel for thee

As thou art tender [compared] to 't.-W. T., iv. 3.

O'ershine you as much as the full moon doth the cinders of the element, which show like pins' heads [as compared] to her.-2 H. IV., iv. 3.

Unto whose grace our passion is as subject

As are our wretches fetter'd in our prisons [subject to our grace].—H. V., i. 2.

The Folio generally misprints this abbreviation 'where'; but in the passage we have cited from "The Comedy of Errors," the Folio prints "whe'r."

If he be perjur'd, see you now, his reputation is as arrant a villain and a jack-sauce, as ever [was the reputation of any villain who with] his plack shoe trod upon Got's ground and his earth.-H. V., iv. 7.

No way [comparable] to that, for weakness, which she enter'd.-1. H. VI., iii. 2.
These are petty faults [compared] to faults unknown,

Which time will bring to light in smooth Duke Humphrey.-2 H. VI., iii. 1.
Her hand,

In whose comparison all whites are ink,

Writing their own reproach; [compared] to whose soft seizure

The cygnet's down is harsh.-Tr. & Cr., i. I.

And in such indexes, although small pricks

[Compared] To their subsequent volumes.-Ibid., i. 3.

They call him Troilus; and on him erect

A second hope, as fairly built as [is their first on] Hector.-Ibid., iv. 5. The most sovereign prescription in Galen is but empiricutic, and, [compared] to this preservative, of no better report than a horse-drench.-Coriol., ii. 1.

But with such words that are but roted in

Your tongue, though but bastards and syllables

Of no allowance, [compared] to your bosom's truth.—Ibid., iii. 2.

He no more remembers his mother now than an eight-year old horse [remembers its mare mother].-Ibid., v. 4.

These flaws and starts (impostors [as compared] to true fear) would well become a woman's story.—Macb., iii. 4.

So excellent a king; that was [compared] to this,
Hyperion [compared] to a satyr. Hamlet, i. 2.

The apparition comes: I knew your father;

These hands are not more like [each other, than this apparition was like your father].-Ibid., i. 2.

The harlot's cheek, beautied with plastering art,

Is not more ugly [compared ] to the thing that helps it,

Than is my deed [compared] to my most painted word.-Ibid., iii. 1.

iii. 4.

An eye like [that of *] Mars, to threaten and command; A station like [that of] the herald Mercury.-Ibid., Your Dane, your German . . . are nothing [compared] to your English.—Oth., ii. 3. His faults, in him, [appear the more evident from contrast with his many excellent qualities, and] seem as the spots of heaven, more fiery by night's blackness.— Ant. & C., i. 4.

To be called into a huge sphere, and not to be seen to move in 't, [is as sorry a blank as] are the holes where eyes should be, which pitifully disaster the cheeks.— Ibid., ii.

7.

Thy mind [compared] to her [noble nature] is now as low as were thy fortunes [in comparison with her rank].-Cym., iii. 2.

[There is] No life [comparable] to ours.-Ibid., iii. 3.

One sand another not more resembles [than he does] that sweet rosy lad who died, and was Fidele.—Ibid., v. 5.

ELLIPTICAL STYLE.

One of the striking peculiarities of Shakespeare's style is the elliptical mode in which he permits a word or words to be understood in certain sentences; a practice which not only imparts great succinctness and condensation of effect to his diction, but which affords

6

* See ELLIPTICAL STYLE for several passages where that of' is understood in the

sentence.

that prompt impression which is so greatly the dramatist's object to produce upon his hearers. By here presenting in collective juxtaposition, as well as alphabetically, the various passages of ellipsis that occur in his writings, and by grouping together those particular ellipses which afford precisely similar examples of understood words, means are given of comparing certain of his speeches hitherto considered obscure with those which are less so; thus making the latter an aid to elucidate the former. In citing these various passages, we place between brackets the words that are to be elliptically understood in each phrase :—

Hold [a] little faith, though thou hast too much fear.-Tw. N., v. 1.

With good advice and [a] little medicine.-2 H. IV., iii. 1.

But, as it were, in [a] sort or limitation.-Coriol., ii. 1.

It would not seem too dear [a price to pay].-All's W., iii. 7.
That seems [about] to speak things strange.-Macb., i. 2.

Construe the times, [according] to their necessities.- -2 H. IV., iv. 1.
If I do vow a [n act of] friendship, I'll perform it.—Oth., iii. 3.
Became [adopted as] the accents of the valiant.—2 H. IV., ii. 3.
[Ah, how] unsafe [is ours] the while, that we must.-Macb., iii. 2.

Ay that I do; and [all we Shallows*] have done any time these.-Merry W., i. 1.
When I have deck'd the sea . . . [and] under my burden groan'd.—Temp., i. 2.
That make their wills their law, [and] have some unhappy.-Two G. of V., v. 4.
Lodowick and Gratii, two hundred [and] fifty each.-All's W., iv. 3.
The year of our redemption four hundred [and] twenty-six.—H. V., i. 2.
Thy conceit is soaking, [and] will draw in.-W. T., i. 2.

'Tis good speed; [and] foretells [that] the great Apollo.—Ibid., ii. 3.

A sight which was to be seen, [and] cannot be [duly] spoken of.—Ibid., v. 2.
Eight tall ships, [and] three thousand men of war.-R. II., ii. 1.
Whose soldier now, [and] under whose blessed cross we are.-1 H. IV., i. 1.
Must deck our kings, [and] carry them here and there.—H. V., i. (Chorus).
Jumping o'er times, [and] turning th' accomplishment of.-Ibid., i. (Chorus).
By that you love the dearest in this world, [and] as you wish.-H. VIII., iii. 2.
A scourge to her enemies, [and] you have been a rod to.-Coriol., ii. 3.
Pawn me to this your honour, [and] she is his.-Timon, i. I.

Treason can but peep to what it would, [and] acts little of his will.-Hamlet, iv. 5.
Antony sent to her, [and] invited her to supper.-Ant. & C., ii. 2.

Preserv'd the Britons, [and] was the Roman's bane.-Cym., v. 3.

Are now reviv'd, [and] to the majestic cedar join'd.—Ibid., v. 5.

Fall away like water from ye, [and are] never found again.-H. VIII., ii. 1.

We'll be all three sworn brothers [and go] to France.-H. V., ii. 1.

It is no other but the main [and obvious cause].—Hamlet, ii. 2.

[And to be of less noble mind than she, which by her death.-Ant. & C., iv. 12. Can dearly witness, [and who are] yet freshly pitied.-H. VIII., v. 2.

Were but one danger; and to keep him here [another-] your certain death.— Coriol., iii. 1.

One's Junius Brutus, [another's] Sicinius Velutus.—Ibid., i. 1.

More exquisite than [any] lady, [than all] ladies, [than all] woman [-kind].Cym., iii. 5.

What earthly name [appended] to interrogatories can.—John, 1. iii.

This ellipsis is put into the mouth of Justice Shallow for the sake of humorously blundering effect.

Right worthy [are] you [of] priority.-Coriol, i. 1.

King Lear hath lost, he and his daughter [are] ta'en.-Lear, v. 2.

Whither [are you] bound?-Cym., iii. 6.

Bellona's bridegroom, lapp'd in [armour of] proof.—Macb., i. 2.

Made such a sinner of his memory [as] to credit his own lie.-Temp., i. 2.
May serve [as] a nursery to our gentry.-Ali's W., i. 2.

So stain our judgment . . [as] to prostitute our . . .

...

[as] to esteem a.-Ibid., ii. 1.

I will be so much a sinner [as] to be a double-dealer. - Tw. N., v. 1.
So unsettled [as] to appoint myself in this vexation.-W. T., i. 2.
But [as] it does fulfil my vow, I needs must.—Ibid., iv. 3.

Do not prove me so; [as] yet, I am none. —John, iv. 3.

Fool me not so much [as] to [let me] bear it tamely.—Lear, ii. 4.
Whom hath he left behind him [as] general?—Ibid., iv. 3.

But [as] since my landing I have understood.-Per., i. 3.

Leav'st the kingly couch [as full of disquiet as] a watch-case.—2 H. IV., iii. 1. Were as pretty a proportion [as need be] to live quietly [with], and so give over [our present occupation].-Per., iv. 3.

Heaven me such usage send [as that I may] not [have] to pick bad from bad, but [if I must have bad usage-that I may] by bad [usage] mend!—Oth., iv. 3.

With thought of such affections [as then glowed within you]-W. T., v. 1.

I will not say, thou shalt be so well master'd [as thou wert]; but, be sure, no less belov'd [than thou wert].-Cym., iv. 2.

I was too young [at] that time to value her.-As You L., i. 3.

Ne'er mother rejoic'd [at] deliverance more.-Cym., v. 5.

How may likeness [be] made in crimes.
... to draw.-M. for M., iii. 2.

And the owner of it [be] blest.-—Mid. N. D., v. 2.

And yet [be] the son of a woman!—1 H. IV., ii. 4.

But not [be] remember'd in thy epitaph !-Ibid., v. 4.

I cannot put him to [be] a private soldier.—2 H. IV., iii. 2.

You see how soon the day [became] o'ercast.-R. III., iii. 2.

To prepare this body, like to them, to what I must [become].—Per., i. 1.

But Heaven hath [been] pleas'd to have it so.-Hamlet, iii. 4.

All places yield to him ere he sits down [before them] .—Coriol., iv. 7.

Myself in counsel, [being] his competitor.— Two G. of V., ii. 6.

If fortune thy foe were not, nature [being] thy friend.-Merry W., iii. 3.
After [being] well-enter'd soldiers, to return.-All's W., ii. 1.

Of [being] here and everywhere.—Tw. N., v. 1.

Which, [being] of a weak and niggardly projection.—H. V., ii. 4.

You having lands, and [being] bless'd with beauteous wives.-R. III., v. 3.

You [being] a brother of us, it fits we thus proceed.-H. VIII., v. 1.

And [being] found-despatch [is the word]-Lear, iii. 1.

[Being] commended to our master, not to us.-Per., i. 3.

Swear against [being moved by] objects [likely to inspire relenting].—Timon, iv. 3.

But [being possess'd of] riches fineless is [being] as poor as.-Oth., iii. 3.

In which your pain [bestow] that way, I'll this.—Lear, iii. 1.

[Between] whom [and myself], though in general part we.-Timon, v. 3.

It is without me, as within me; not imagin'd, [but] felt.-Cym., iv. 2.

Counterpoise, [by] a full third part, the charges.-Coriol., v. 5.

The fame which he did end [by making] all his.-Ibid., v. 5.

To punish me with [causing] this [man's death], and [to punish] this [man] with [causing] me [to kill him].—Hamlet, iii. 4.

I dare not [come down out of the monument], dear,-Ant. & C., iv. 13.

She [coming] from whom we all were sea-swallow'd.-Temp., ii. 1.

Took the Phoenix and her fraught [coming] from Candy.—Tw. N., v. I.

I must speak with him [coming] from the pridge.—Hen. V., iii. 6.

Ere [coming to] a determinate resolution.-H. VIII., ii. 4.

Never, before this happy child, did I get anything [comparable with it].—Ibid., v. 4. Will give you that [death] like beasts, which you shun beastly, and may save [yourselves from] but to look back in frown.-Cym., v. 3.

Therefore pardon me; and [do] not impute this yielding to.—R. & Jul., ii. 2.

I am not bound to [do] that [which even] all slaves are free to [do or not to do]. — Oth., iii. 3.

If in which time expir'd he [do] not return.-Per., ii. 4.

Nor [do I] fear to lose it, thy safety being the motive.—Lear, i. 1.
But mock, [do you] bestow your su'd-for tongues?-Coriol., ii. 3.
No more [does] my grief, in such a precious loss.-Tr. & Cr., iv. 4.
But [doom'd] to be still hot summer's tanlings.—Cym., iv. 4.
Since we saw [each other] in France.-H. VIII., i. 1.
When shall we see [each other] again ?—Tr. & Cr., iv. 4.
When shall we see [each other] again?-Cym., i. 2.

You and I have known [each other], sir.-Ant. & C., ii. 6.
[Even] thieves are not judg'd but they are by to hear.-R. II., iv. 1.
Not worshipp'd with [even] a waxen epitaph.-H. V., i. 2.
Had Henry [even] got an empire by his marriage.—2 H. VI., i. 1.
[Even] i' the presence he would say untruths.-H. VIII., iv. 2.
I shall forestall thee, lord Ulysses, [even] thou!-Tr. & Cr., iv. 5.
But that I loved Rome [even] more [than I loved Cæsar].-Jul. C., iii. 2.
That might [even] to half a soul and to a notion craz'd.-Macb., iii. 1.
Blood hath been shed ere now [even] i' the olden time.-Ibid., iii. 4.
[Even] a good and virtuous nature may recoil.—Ibid., iv. 3.

Their dear causes would . . . excite [even] the mortified man.—Ibid., v. 2.
For [even] madness would not err.-Hamlet, iii. 4.

[Even] eyes without feeling, feeling without sight.—Ibid., iii. 4.
Through tatter'd clothes [even] small vices do appear.-Lear, iv. 6.
That were the most, [even] if he should husband you.-Ibid., v. 3.

I never knew [even] a Florentine more kind and honest.-Oth., iii. 1.
Might stick the small'st opinion on [even] my least misuse.-Ibid., iv. 2.
The honour's sacred . . . [even] supposing that I lack'd it.—Ant. & C., ii. 2.
[Even] the seven-fold shield of Ajax cannot keep.—Ibid., iv. 12.

The temple of Virtue was she; yea, and [even] she herself.-Cym., v. 5.
Evil that might annoy [even but so much as] my finger.-H. V., ii. 2.
Usurpers, tyrants, and what [ever] 's worse [than these].-As You L., ii. I.
Here they shall not lie, for [fear of] catching cold.—Two G. of V., i. 2.
This peace is [fit for] nothing, but to rust iron.-Coriol., iv. 5.
[For] me, poor man, my library was dukedom large enough.—Temp., i 2.
[For] whose thankless natures . . not all the whips.-Timon, v. I.

...

More than I could frame employment [for].-Ibid., iv. 3.

The cardinal instantly will find employment [for]).—H. VIII., ii. 1.

What restraint and grievance the law . . . will give him cable [for].—Oth., i. 2. As I will kneel to him with thanks [for].-Ant. & C., v. 2.

Had that was well worth watching [for].-Cym., ii. 4.

This point [for] which now you censure him.-M. for M., ii. 1.

Fear you his tyrannous passion more, alas, than [for] the queen's life?—W. T., ii. 3. And beg [for] thy pardon ere he do accuse thee.-R. II., v. 2.