HW HomePrevious CNView CNView TNMView TNINext CN

Line 2743+49 - Commentary Note (CN) More Information

Notes for lines 2023-2950 ed. Frank N. Clary
For explanation of sigla, such as jen, see the editions bib.
2743+49 {But greatly to find quarrell in a straw}4.4.56
1765- mDavies
mDavies
2743+49-2743+50 But greatly . . . stake] [Davies] (ms. notes in Johnson, ed. 1765, opp. 8: 256): “The slightest affront given within an an [sic] intent to provoke, has been even held a sufficient cause of quarrel—
“The insulting behavior of the Spaniard, to ye Captain of an English ship at Falkland Island was given with a view to try how far the nation would brook ye affront—The island chief [?] is a barren rock it is true, but if we claim it as a settlement & ye spaniard dislodges us from it — without our showing resentment All Europe wld. not only laugh at us but be taught from thence to insult us[; omitted?] what is [a omitted?] slap in the face? why nothing if not meant as an invitation to a quarrel.”
Transcription by BWK, who explains her interpolations: “this is not entirely clear to me; I think I have the words right, but the sense is missing; I have added a semi-colon and an ‘a’.” She also adds he following: “***** Here is an historical reference? I wonder if there is a specific date for this reference?”
1791- rann
rann = john1 without attribution +
2743+49-2743+50 But greatly . . . stake] Rann (ed. 1791-): “But to consider every the most trivial attack upon our honour as a great cause of quarrel. Not greatly, &c.— not, after the fashion of modern heroism, upon every slight occasion, or mere punctilio of honour.”
1812 Lofft
Lofft
2743+49 greatly to find . . . straw] Lofft (1812, p. 12): “This can not be received as a general maxim: as such it has been most fertile of evil to individuals and to society. Though true Honour be inestimable, captiousness is no part of it. But the maxim is dramatically just, as applied to the character and the moment.”
1857 fieb
fieb = john for greatly . . . stake
1857+ mstau
mstau
2743+49 But greatly to] Staunton (ms. note in Knight, ed. 1857): “But to quickly.”
Note in pencil, hand3.
1867 ktlyn
ktlyn
2743+49 But greatly] Keightley (1867, p. 295): “‘But’ here is somewhat ambiguous. We may take it as yet, nevertheless, or in its original sense of save, except; in which last case ‘to find’ would be finding.”
1870 rug1
rug1: Aristophanes analogue
2743+49 greatly . . . straw] Moberly (ed. 1870): “Thus Aristophanes says jestingly of the Athenians, that if Sparta had carried off a puppy-dog from Scriphos, they would instantly launch a hundred ships, and all Athenians would ring with the note of warlike preparations. And we ourselves have nearly or quite had war on such questions as the possession of the Island of St. Juan, the treatment of a missionary at Tahiti, and the imprisonment of an envoy at Magdala.”
1873 rug2
rug2 = rug1
1888 mulls
mulls: xref.
2743+49 greatly] Mull (1888, p. 16): <p.16> “i.e. ‘But to be great is to find’—‘greatly’ is but the equivalent of ‘to be great’ in [4.4.53 (2743+47)].” </p.16>
1891 dtn
dtn
2743+49 Deighton (ed. 1891): “but to be prompt to find in the slightest trifle provocation for fighting.”
1929 trav
trav
2743+49 greatly] Travers (ed. 1929): “in the ‘right’ (53), the true, spirit of greatness.”
1957 pel1
pel1
2743+49 greatly . . . straw] Farnham (ed. 1957): “to recognize the great argument even in some small matter.”
1974 evns1
evns1
2743+49 greatly] Evans (ed. 1974): “nobly.”
1980 pen2
pen2 = evns1
1997 evns2
evns2 = evns1
2743+49