OCRed data provided
for searching only. 352 SMALL LATINE AND LESSE GREEKE
tion books to Plutarch and Pliny. Shakspere himself, of course, might be using some English translation from the Latin. But he could be using the Latin or perhaps for all our evidence so far even the Greek. Since the original similitude is widely used, that is doubtless why Shakspere refers to "writers." It is thus probable that Shakspere himself at the time of writing was not aware of the specific source in Plutarch. Most likely he had gathered this similitude from some source into his notebook or his brain and now no longer knew or cared whence it came. Incidentally, Shakspere frequently refers to this similitude, but never uses it as a similitude again. Thus these references are likely to be later than the similitude itself in Two
Gentlemen'b'
It is apparent, therefore, that Shakspere knew and used such
material as is in the De Parabolis of Erasmus, but we have as yet no conclusive evidence that he used this particular collection. Of the supplementary helps in English suggested by BrinsIey, only William Baldwin's Moral Philosophy would have been available. As Baldwin himself points out, he translates selections from the "Prouerbes and Semblables" of Erasmus, "one of the beste learned in oure tyme," and wishes that someone else would translate the whole.
As for the profit & vse of parables, I thinke it nedelesse for to declare, seeynge theyr owne playnesse declare them so playnely, as no marine may doe it plainlyer: as for exaumple.
Like as Hurnlocke is poyson to man, so is wine poyson to Humlocke.
What declaration nedeth this now, to be better vnderstaded, except a ma phisically should shew the properties of wyne and Humlockes S Nowe as for the vse of this in perswasion it maye bee thus applyed.
Lyke as Humlocke is poyson to man and wyne poyson to Humlocke: So is flatterye poyson to frendship, and lycence to be flamed poyson vnto flattery.
Loe here ye exaumple yt Erasmus vseth, wherein is contained great cousel, great wit, & great learnyng. First it teacheth yt Hulocke is poyson, and mortall when it is mingled with wyne: which being knowe, may ye bet-ter be auoyded. Then consaileth he to beware of flatery, & in shewing what maketh flattery deadly poyson, he teacheth a remedy how to auoyde flattery: For yf we regarde not a flatterer, nor geue him licece to flatter vs, we shall neuer be hurt by flattery. Such lyke comoditie.shal a ma take by parables, or as I call the, Semblables, which hereafter steal folow.m
ut This fact would give some presumption that the allusion in r Henry PI, if Shakspcre's, and that in Romeo and Juliet are later than the use of the similitude in Two Gentlemen. 15t Baldwin, W., el treatise of Morall phylotop&ye (c. r55o, personal), p. P. rĂ
[ Volume
One ] 
