Shakspeare and His Times [Vol. 2 of 2] Including the Biography of the Poet; criticisms on his genius and writings; a new chronology of his plays; a disquisition on the on the object of his sonnets; and a history of the manners, customs, and amusements, superstitions, poetry, and elegant literature of his age

Act v. scene 2., i. 226. ii. 329. 346.

Chapter 47388 wordsPublic domain

_Milan Bells_ for hawks, notice of, i. 268, 269.

_Milk Maids_, procession of, on May-day, i. 155. _note_ [155:A].

_Milton_'s "Comus," illustration of, i. 131. Illustrations of "Paradise Lost," i. 339, 381. Proof that he imitated Shakspeare's Pericles, ii. 279, 280. _note_ [279:C]. Exquisite passage from his "Paradise Lost," on the ministry of angels, 401. Ben Jonson the favourite model studied by Milton, 578, 579. Whether he and Shakspeare were acquainted with each other, 672.

_Ministry of Angels_, superstitious notions concerning, i. 334-339. Remarks of Bishop Horsley on, 339, 340.

_Minstrels_ better paid than clergymen, i. 93. Their condition in the age of Elizabeth, 557. Their costume described, 558, 559. Dissolute morals of, 559, 560. Allusions to them by Shakspeare, 560, 561. Their profession annihilated by act of parliament, 561. Allusions to their poetry by Shakspeare, 574-593.

_Miranda_, remarks on the character of, ii. 506.

"_Mirrour for Magistrates_," a collection of poetical legends, planned by Sackville, i. 708. Account of its various editions, 709, 710. Its character, 710. Influence on our national poetry, _ibid._

_Monkies_, kept as the companions of the domestic fool, ii. 145, 146.

_Monsters_, supposed existence of, i. 384-389.

_Montgomery_ (Alexander), notice of the poems of, i. 693, and _note_.

_Monument_ of Shakspeare, in Stratford church, described, ii. 618. Remarks on the bust erected on it, 619-622.

_Moon_, supposed influence of, i. 382-384. Exquisite picture of moonlight scenery, ii. 390.

_Morality_ of Shakspeare's dramas, ii. 552.

_Morgan_ (Mr.), vindicates Shakspeare from the calumnies of Voltaire, ii. 553, 554.

_Morley_'s (Thomas), Collection of Madrigals, quotations from, illustrative of May-games, i. 165, 166. Account of his "Collections," 731-733.

_Morris-dance_, origin of, i. 157. Dress of the Morris-dancers, 158. Morris dances performed at Easter, i. 147. _note_. And especially at May-day, 158, 159. Music by which these dances were accompanied, 164, 165. Morris-dances introduced also at Whitsuntide, 175.

"_Morte D'Arthur_," a celebrated romance, account of, i. 524. Its popularity censured by Ascham and Meres, 524, 525. Notice of its principal editions, 526, 527. Specimen of its style, 528. Furnished Spenser with many incidents, 528, 529. Allusions to it by Shakspeare, 562.

_Moseley_ (Mr.), discovers John Shakspeare's will, i. 9.

_Moryson_ (Fynes), critical notice of his "Itinerary," i. 479. His character of "Amadis of Gaul," 546.

_Much Ado about Nothing_, date of, ii. 430. Strictures on its general character, and on the conduct of its fable, _ibid._ 431. Original of the character of Dogberry in this play, 589.

_Passages of this drama illustrated in the present work._