* * *

And it must follow, as the NIGHT the Day, The sense here requires that the similitude should give an image not of two effects of different natures that follow one another alternately, but of a cause and effect, where the effect follows the cause by a physical necessity. For the assertion is, Be true to thyself and then thou must necessarily be true to others. Truth to himself then was the cause, truth to others the effect. To illustrate this necessity, the speaker employs a similitude: but no similitude can illustrate it but what presents an image of a cause and effect; and such a cause as that where the effect follows by a physical, not a moral necessity: for if only by a moral necessity the thing illustrating would not be more certain than the thing illustrated; which would be a great absurdity. This being premised, let us see what the text says,

And it must follow as the night the Day. In this we are so far from being presented with an effect following a cause by a physical necessity that there is no cause at all, but only two different effects, proceeding from two different causes and succeeding one another alternately. Shakespeare therefore, without question wrote

And it must follow as the LIGHT the Day. As much as to say, Truth to thy self, and truth to others, are inseparable, the latter depending necessarily on the former, as light depends upon the day! where it is to be observed that day is used figuratively for the Sun. The ignorance of which, I suppose, contributed to mislead the editors. (VIII, 137)

My Liege, and Madam, to expostulate The strokes of humour in this speech are admirable. Polonius’s character is that of a weak, pedant, minister of state. His declamation is a fine satire on the impertinent oratory then in vogue, which placed reason

in the formality of method, and wit in the gingle and play of words. With what art is he made to pride himself in his wit:

That he is mad, ’tis true; ’tis true, ’tis pity; And pity ’tis, ’tis true; A foolish figure; But farewel it.