E V.

II. 4. 7, 95, 111. As Speed after line 7 does not say a word during the
whole of this long scene, we have sent him off the stage. It is not
likely that the clown would be kept on as a mute bystander, especially
when he had to appear in the following scene.

The Folios give line 110 to Thurio, who, if the reading be right, must
have quitted the stage during the scene. The most probable time for this
would be on Proteus' entrance, line 95. Mr Dyce however argues that
'Thurio, after what the Duke, in the presence of Silvia, had said to him
about welcoming Proteus, would hardly run off the moment Proteus
appeared.' But Thurio is not held up as a model of courtesy, and he
might as well be off the stage as on it, for any welcome he gives to
Proteus. Besides, in line 101 Valentine ignores Thurio altogether, who,
if he had been present, would not have remained silent under the slight.

On the whole, we think that the arrangement we have given is the best,
as involving no change in the original reading. The question however is
a difficult and doubtful one--indeed, far more difficult and doubtful
than it is important, or instructive.

NOTE VI.

II. 4. 192. Theobald's correction, 'mine eye,' or as Mr Spedding
suggests, 'my eye' ('my eie' in the original spelling), is supported by
a passage in the _Comedy of Errors_, III. 2. 55:

'It is a fault that springeth from your eye.'

If this were not satisfactory, another guess might be hazarded:

'Is it mine _unstaid mind_ or Valentine's praise.'

The resemblance of 'mine' and 'mind' in the printer's eye (final d and
final e being perpetually mistaken for each other) might cause the
omission of the two words. 'Valentine' is found as a dissyllable I. 2.
38. 'Sir Valentine's page, &c.': perhaps also III. 1. 191:

'There's not a hair on 's head but 'tis a Valentine,'

and, if Capell's arrangement be right, V. 2. 34.

NOTE VII.

II. 5. 1, III. 1. 81, and V. 4. 129. We have retained 'Padua' in the
first of these passages and 'Verona' in the second and third, because it
is impossible that the words can be a mere printer's, or transcriber's,
error. These inaccuracies are interesting as showing that Shakespeare
had written the whole of the play before he had finally determined where
the scene was to be laid.

* * * * *
* * * *
* * * * *

Sources:

The editors' Preface (e