The aim in the volumes of this series is to pre-
sent a satisfactory text of each play, modernized in
spelling and punctuation, with as full an equip-
ment of explanation and comment as is necessary
for thorough intelligibility. The first section of
the introduction is intended to give the student
an idea of the place of the play in the history of
the English drama in general, and of Shakspere's
development in particular. The evidence for the
date of the play has been given in some detail, as
the mere statement of the facts helps to bring
home the uncertainty which must be felt as to
the authorship of many of the songs scattered
through Shakspere's plays.

In dealing with the source of the plot, I have
given what, after a somewhat elaborate investiga-
tion, I regard with some assurance as the truth.
But it ought to be said that the view here stated,
though accepted by many scholars, differs from
that preferred by Dr. Furness in his recent
Variorum edition of the play. For the reasons
which lead me to differ from a scholar whom
every student of Shakspere must regard with
gratitude and honor, reference may be made to
an article in the Atlantic Monthly for May, 1902.

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