The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 5 of 9] · William Shakespeare
NOTE XXVI.
V. 3. 204–206. Johnson says: ‘These lines stand with so little propriety at the end of this speech that I cannot but suspect them to be misplaced. Where then shall they be inserted? Perhaps after these words, _Fool do not flatter_ (i.e. line 192).’ Rann, following Mason’s suggestion, inserted them after ‘I fear, I fear’ (line 214), and then, says Mason, Ratcliffe’s reply bidding the King not be afraid of shadows, would be natural. Mr Grant White would insert them either after line 178, ‘Soft I did but dream,’ or after 212, ‘I have dream’d a fearful dream.’ As the Folios omit lines 212, 213, Ratcliffe’s allusion to the shadows, of which he has heard nothing, _is_ rendered absurd. Yet the absurdity escaped the notice of all editors before Capell. V. 5. We have retained the stage direction of the Quartos and Folios, ‘they fight. Richard is slain,’ in preference to ‘they fight, and exeunt fighting’ of Mr Dyce, because it is probable from Derby’s speech, ‘From the dead temples of _this_ bloody wretch,’ that Richard’s body is lying where he fell, in view of the audience.
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