The fongs, I fuppofe, were loft, because they were not inferted in the players parts, from which the drama was printed. JOHNSON. P. 158. 1. 28. Now to 'Scape the ferpent's tongue.] That is if we be difmiffed without hiffes. JOHNSON. L. 31. Give me your bands.] That is, Clap your hands. Give us your applause. JOHNSON. Ibid.] Of this play there are two editions in quarto, one printed for Thomas Fifher, the other for James Roberts, both in 1600. I have used the copy of Roberts, very carefully collated, as it seems, with that of Fisher. Neither of the editions approach to exactness. Fisher is fometimes preferable, but Roberts was followed, though not without fome variations, by Hemings and Condel, and they by all the folios that fucceeded them. JOHNSON. Ibid.] Of this play, wild and fantastical as it is, all the parts in their various modes are well written, and give the kind of pleasure which the author defigned. Fairies in his time were much in fashion; common tradition had made them familiar, and Spenfer's poem had made them great. JOHNSON. END of the NOTES on a MIDSUMMER-NIGHT'S DREAM. goes pow'rs Garments or this are give him o'er poverty, riches Vineyard, olive none Yet mettle good my In yours keep were but where Twenty whiles you verily upon our guard at noftrils he have never utter trenchering and their with all tell me a dare go no further 41 16 spatter they now are faw a woman twangling fometime travail wraths |