240 SHAKESPEARE. 



drollery of its own, apart from mere play upon words; 

 something difficult to define, but which is felt to be 

 ; exquisite fooling.' 



No single instance of Shakespeare's power is more 

 striking than the two scenes in which Portia and Lady 

 Percy, Brutus and Hotspur, are presented in such mar- 

 vellous contrast, under circumstances exactly alike even 

 to the turbid dreams telling of conspiracies at hand. 

 Let the two scenes be read simply with reference to 

 this contrast, and the power will be seen of that genius 

 which could mould into forms of speech, so exquisitely 

 appropriate to each, diversities of character thus 

 strongly marked. Compare the solemn tenderness of 

 Portia's appeal to her husband with the playful but as 

 tender vivacity of Lady Percy. Put into contrast that 

 touching speech of Brutus, won to the disclosure of 

 his secret 



You are my true and honourable wife, 

 As dear to me as are those ruddy drops 

 That visit my sad heart 



with the manner in which Percy intercepts and throws 

 aside his wife's lighter appeal. The sequel of the 

 latter scene none but Shakespeare could have written. 



Two other things occur to me in the plays just 

 named, one of which I have not seen noticed, the 

 other not satisfactorily explained. Falstaff, brimming 

 over with wit and fun for those who could understand 

 him, or for his own entertainment when alone, drops 

 the mood altogether when Shallow and Silence are his 

 sole company. His jokes on the recruits are for his 

 own enjoyment. He reserves the inanities of Justice 



