The times., 1898-06-27
SHAKESPEARE'S SPANIARD.

OdAh)E6f EAhE D SPANlARU.
Don Adriane de Armada, the fantastical
Spaniard, whom Shakespeare drew in
Loves Labor's Lost" might easily pass
for one of the naughty dons of these OK
citing days. He exhibits muth of their
cunning and thickness, as well as tue
same love of bombast and extravaganza
of fancy, and he makes himself the
laughing stock of mankind as unconcern-
edly and unconsciously as Blanco and his
Ma; MAS mule. He is, moreover. a
prince of lying and subterfuge. and has
a way of sueaking out Of difficulties that
is peculiarly Spanish. as we now under
stand the dominant traits of men of his
nation. The naturaluess of his character
and conduct does not surprise students
of the great dramadst. who always held
'the mirror up TO nature and showed
1.-The very age and body of the time. his
form and pressure" but Armada is de-
serving of more attention at this juncture
than he has received Of late years. Re-
cent investigation proves that Loves La
boris Lost" dealt with contemporary
events in England and France. In new
study of the comedy, s. l.. Lee shows the
intimate connec ion between contempo-
rary French politics and It's characters,
tunes of Henry of Navarro. the Protest
ant claimant of the French throne, and
that the Russian masquerade in which
the king and his courtiers appear in the
fifth act was based upon an actual incl
dent at EliZabeth's court in 1882. The
names of most OF the characters are
identical with leaders in France, and II
is suggested that. in the composition oil
his play, Shakespeare took slight and
ft IL haFnR=
and incidents suggested by the popular
sentiment as to French affairs prevailing
in London at the time.
In view of the present unpleasantness
with Spain, however. 1t might pay TO re-
vive the comedy, if only 20 show Snake
speare's conception of a Spaniard. Aside
from a certain crudeness and stiffness.
Loves Labor Lost" has many line
touches of humor and poetry and philoso-
ply. and Armada would make a decided
hit as a light comedian. He could be
made up either as the Governor of Cuba
or the whilem ruler of the Philippines,
and would afford as much sport for the
American public as Don AdrianO did for
the King Of Navarro and his lords In
waiting. He has most or their attributes
and some of his own besides. The king
describes him as "one whom the music
of his own vain tongue doth ravish like
enchanting harmony" for interim in their
studies he
Shall relate
In high-born words the worth of many a
knight
From tawny Spain lost in the worlds debate.
While the king is protesting that he
loves 10 hear Armada lie. Constable Duh
comes in with the clown Costard and
letter from this most ''illustrious wight.
In this letter. which sounds like one of
Banco's pronunciamentos. Armada says
that "besieged with sable-colored melan-
choly, ] did commend the blaCk-oppres-
sing humor TO the most wholesome ply
sic of thy health-giving air In other
words he took a walk. and encountered
"a most preposterous event, that draweth
from my snowrwhite pen the ebon-colored
ink" viz Costard sorted and consorted,
contrary 10 the established proclaimed
edict and continent canon" with his
sweetheart Jaquenetta. He, therefore,
sends Costard 10 receive the need OF pun
ishment, and keeps the girl as "a vessel
of thy laws fury. II soon appears, how
ever, that Armada while protesting 10
serve the king in delivering up the clown
to Justice is seeking his own base ends.
He is In love with Jaquenetta. This pas
sion affrOnts his knightly dignity. but he
seeks consolation in the fact that other
great men. notably Hercules and Samson.
have also been in love. "Oh, well-knit
Samson, he cries. "strong-Jointed Sam
SOM / do excel thee in my rapier as
much as thou didst me in carrying gates
When the maid comes before him he
.'betrays himself with blushing. He
says he VIII visit her at the lodge and
tell her wonders. Jaqueuetta does not
conceal her scorn for this strange lover.
What" she exclaims. with truly mod
ern spirit of chaf. with that face?'
When she leaves, he confesseS. Il do af-
feet the very ground, which is base,
where her shoe. which is baser guided
by her foot W hich is basest. doth tread, "
And he concludes rhapsodical speech in
the regulation Spanish fashion,: De-
wise. wit write. pen: for l am for whole
volumes in folio"