Biron. A twelvemonth? Well, befall what will befall, I'll jest a
twelvemonth in an hospital.
The famous cuckoo-song closes the play; but we shall add no more
criticisms: 'the words of Mercury are harsh after the songs of
Apollo'.
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
This admirable comedy used to be frequently acted till of late
years. Mr. Garrick's Benedick was one of his most celebrated
characters; and Mrs. Jordan, we have understood, played Beatrice
very delightfully. The serious part is still the most prominent
here, as in other instances that we have noticed. Hero is the
principal figure in the piece, and leaves an indelible impression on
the mind by her beauty, her tenderness, and the hard trial of her
love. The passage in which Claudio first makes a confession of his
affection towards her conveys as pleasing an image of the entrance
of love into a youthful bosom as can well be imagined.
Oh, my lord,
When you went onward with this ended action,
I look'd upon her with a soldier's eye,
That lik'd, but had a rougher task in hand
Than to drive liking to the name of love;
But now I am return'd, and that war-thoughts
Have left their places vacant; in their rooms
Come thronging soft and delicate desires,
All prompting me how fair young Hero is,
Saying, I lik'd her ere I went to wars.
Pages:
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309