Page:Notes and Queries - Series 9 - Volume 6.djvu/345

 9* s. vi. OCT. is, 1900.] NOTES AND QUERIES. 283 independence, she impoverished herself by an unthinking liberality towards all who secured a place in her affections, and who in many cases traded on her friendship and generosity. At length, says the biographer, her finances became so narrowed and embarrassed that penury began to stare her in the face. In order in some degree to ward off this evil her friends induced her to publish her poems. This was accordingly done, under the superintendence of a most judicious, able, ana compassionate friend, whose attentions cheered and soothed the last sorrowful moments of her life. The name of this friend is not given by Beloe, but as he tells us that the volumes were inscribed to him, with a very appropriate address, it is not difficult to ascertain it. The friend was William Gifford, a half-forgotten name which now only recalls the reputation of a caustic satirist, a reputation which not seldom conceals, as in this instance, a generous nature and a kindly heart. Gifford was also the executor of the will of Miss Trefusis, and in that capacity prevented her from committing an act of folly upon her deathbed. Of all her trinkets ana jewels one diamond ring, an heirloom in her family, alone remained to her. This she had be- queathed to a popular actor, when Gifford, receiving timely knowledge of the act, positively declined to have anything to do with her affairs unless she willed the ring to her sister. This she was prevailed upon reluctantly to do. Miss Trefusis died in James Street, Buck- ingham Gate, on 8 September, 1808, at the age of forty-five. Her portrait, engraved by Smith from a painting by De Wilde, forms the frontispiece to the first volume of her ' Poems," of which copies will be found in the British Museum and in the Dyce Library at South Kensington.* The British Museum copy, which came from Mr. F. J. Stainforth's celebrated collection, contains numerous manuscript additions. W. F. PRIDEADX. SHAKESPEARE'S BOOKS. (Continued from p. 145.) I HAVE seen in the Library of the British Museum a perfect copy of the old book to which I am now calling attention. The title-page is in these words:— "The Historic of George Castriot, surnamed Scanderberg, King of Albanie. Containing his famous actes, his noble deedes and armes, and • ' Poems and Tales,' by Miss Trefusis. In two volumes. 1808. Vol. i. pp. vi +175; vol. ii. pp. vi + memorable victories against the Turkes, for the Faith of Christ. Compris'd in twelve Bookes: By Jaques de Lavardin, Lord of Plessis Bovrrot, a Nobleman of France. Newley translated out of French into English by Z. I. Gentleman. London : Imprinted by William Ponsonby, 1596." This old book contains the sonnet which Edmund Spenser wrote 'Upon the Historic of George Castriot, alias Scanderbeg, King of the Epirots, translated into English.' Othello. Set you down this ; And say besides, that in Aleppo once, Where a malignant and a turban'd Turk Beat a Venetian and traduced the State, I took by the throat the circumcised dog, And smote him, thus. 'Othello,'V. ii. In the oration of Scanderbeg to his soldiers, encouraging them against Ballaban and the Turks in the second battle of Valcala, are these words:— "Go to then my good soldiers, let the noble and famous actes of your aunceators, and your owne honourable exploites sharpen and set spurres to your courages : plucke up your hearts, gather your strength and forces unto you: presse upon your enemies, charge upon them bravely, breake in valiantly amongest these base rascals: trample these dogs and circumcised curren under your feete, and march over their cursed carcases like valiant souldiers, and invincible conquerors." Theexpression "circumcised dog" or "cur" is very uncommon in old authors. It is used once by Shakespeare, and, as far as I can remember, it can be found once only in this translation, although in the preface the translator speaks of "arms lawfully under- taken against Turks and "circumcised mis- creants, and in the second book he applies the same words, "circumcised miscreants," to the Turks. Westmoreland. O that we now had here But one ten thousand of those men in England That do no work to-day I King Henry. O. do not wish one more ! Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host. That he which hath no stomach to this fight Let him depart ; his passport shall be made And crowns for convoy put into his purse: We would not die in that man's company That fears his fellowship to die with us. He that outlives this day, and conies safe home, Will stand a-tiptoe when this day is named, And rouse him at the name of Cnspian. ' Henry V.,' IV. iii. In the oration of Scanderbeg to his soldiers marching against the Turks are these words :— " If any one of you doe feele his courage to waxe colde through cowardice, measuring our forces by those of the enemie: if he thinke that those who . surmount in number, will surmount also in vertue : j Let him depart and dislodge from hence, I speako