Act 2.

"Civil brawls "—Peace celebrations; not to be confused with common or garden brawls which are most uncivil.

"The fish lives in the sea "—Shakespere was a naturalist.

"Alligator "—One who makes an allegation.

"Cleopatra "—A seamstress of tbe ancient world; her needle is still preserved in London.

"Atomies "—A Mexican tribe; probably suggested to Shakespere by Rider Haggard's work on same.

"Wisely and slow "—(Lat) Festina lente; (Maori) Haeretnai.

"Panto reverso "—A flat-bottomed boat, or perhaps a timely save by a smart half back.

"Shift a trencher "—Salute; a reference to to the practice, now extinct among students, of wearing mortarboards.

"With love's light wings did l o'er perch these walls "—Obviously a poetic licence.

"Where the devil can this Romeo be ? "—This is undoubtedly a contribution of Bacon's, as no authentic records go to show that Shakespere ever indulged in unseemly expletives. Compare the advice of the latter, put into the month of Juliet (Act III., Sc. II.) " Do not swear." Part of this expression has become proverbial.

"Dido "—Cremated 55 B.C.

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