PRUDENCE. Lord Bardolph. IN SCHEMES. When we mean to build,* We first survey the plot, then draw the model; And when we see the figure of the house, What do we then, but draw anew the model To build at all? Much more in this great work, The plot of situation, and the model; Like one that draws the model of a house Beyond his pow'r to build it; who, half through, 2nd part King Henry IV. Act i. Scene 3. * Vide 14th chapter of St. Luke's Gospel, 28th and following verses. Shakspere gives frequent proofs of his having been well read in the Holy Scriptures. The beacon of the wise, the tent that searches To the bottom of the worst. Troilus and Cressida. Act ii. Scene 2. Cressida. Blind fear, that seeing reason leads, finds safer footing than blind reason stumbling without fear. To fear the worst, oft cures the worst. Ibid. Act iii. Scene 2. S RANK. ITS ORIGIN. Malvolio. OME are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. Twelfth Night. Act ii. Scene 5. How often dost thou with thy case, thy habit, Measure for Measure. Act ii. Scene 4. ITS DANGERS. Duke. Oh, place and greatness; millions of false eyes Are stuck upon thee! Volumes of report * Dr. Johnson compliments Shakspere on this judicious distinction of the different operations of high place on different minds. Fools being frighted and wise men allured by it. Those who are unable to judge except by the eye, are easily awed by splendour: and those who consider men as well as conditions, are easily persuaded to love the appearance of virtue dignified with power. Run with these false and most contrarious guests And rack thee in their fancies. That rounds the mortal temples of a king, Keeps death his court; and there the antic sits, To monarchize, be fear'd, and kill with looks; Bores through his castle wall, and-farewell king! For you have but mistook me all this while! How can you say to me-I am a king? King Richard II. Act iii, scene 2. ITS CARES. Prince Henry. I will sit and watch here by the king. Why doth the crown lie there upon his pillow, Oh, polished perturbation! golden care! To many a watchful night!-sleep with it now! Yet not so sound, and half so deeply sweet, That scalds with safety. 2nd part King Henry IV. Act iv. Scene 4. K. Henry V. Upon the king! let us our lives, our souls, Whose sense can no more feel but his own wringing! That private men enjoy ! And what have kings, that privates have not too, And what art thou, thou idol ceremony? Art thou aught else but place, degree, and form, Wherein thou art less happy being fear'd Than they in fearing. What drink'st thou oft, instead of homage sweet, But poison'd flattery? Oh, be sick, great greatness, Think'st thou the fiery fever will go out With titles blown from adulation? Will it give place to flexure and low bending? Biggin, a homely sort of cap. |