192 



PROSERPINA. 



Newton's simile of the child on the sea-shore. Her perfect 

 wit and stern judgment are never disturbed for an instant by 

 her happiness : and the final key to her character is given in 

 her silent and slow return from Venice, where she stops at 

 every wayside shrine to pray. 



4. Hermione. Fortitude and Justice personified, with un- 

 wearying affection. She is Penelope, tried by her husband's 

 fault as well as error. 



5. Virgilia. Perfect type of wife and mother, but without 

 definiteness of character, nor quite strength of intellect enough 

 entirely to hold her husband's heart. Else, she had saved 

 him : he would have left Rome in his wrath but not her. 

 Therefore, it is his mother only who bends him : but she can- 

 not save. 



6. Imogen. The ideal of grace and gentleness ; but weak ; 

 enduring too mildly, and forgiving too easily. But the piece 

 is rather a pantomime than play, and it is impossible to judge 

 of the feelings of St. Columba, when she must leave the stage 

 in half a minute after mistaking the headless clown for head- 

 less Arlecchino. 



7. Desdemona, Ophelia, Rosalind. They are under differ- 

 ent conditions from all the rest, in having entirely heroic and 

 faultless persons to love. I can't class them, therefore, fate 

 is too strong, and leaves them no free will. 



8. Perdita, Miranda. Rather mythic visions of ' maiden 

 beauty than mere girls. 



9. Viola and Juliet. Love the ruling power in the entire 

 character: wholly virginal and pure, but quite earthly, and 

 recognizing no other life than his own. Viola is, however, 

 far the noblest. Juliet will die unless Romeo loves her : "If 

 he be wed, the grave is like to be my wedding bed ; " but 

 Viola is ready to die for the happiness of the man who does 

 not love her ; faithfully doing his messages to her rival, whom 

 she examines strictly for his sake. It is not in envy that she 

 says, " Excellently done, if God did all." The key to her 

 character is given in the least selfish of all lover's songs, the 

 one to which the Duke bids her listen : 



