Shakespeare in Fleet Street

Treble Chance; breaking any athletic record.

TN a competition for quotations, particularly with- out a choice of• subjects, there is bound to be a good deal of duplication, but 1 was amazed to find that almost a quarter of this very large batch of entries gave the same comment on the rocket launching : 'By heaven. methinks it were an easy leap/To pluck bright honour from the pale-faced moon.' (1, K.H. IV, I, 3.) One a the best finds in this section, but also duplicated, was: `. . . Fiery shaft/ Quench'd in the chaste beams of the wat'ry Moon.' (M.N.D., II, 1.) The favourite comment on the Treble Chance was: 'They say there is divinity in odd numbers, either in nativity, chance or death.' (M.W. of W., V, I.) Many submitted Shakespearean comments On entering, but not winning, the Treble Chance; and Robert Exton bemoaned the fact that the subject set was not a near miss in the Twelve Results pool, so that he could submit : 'One silly cross wrought all my loss; /0 frowning fortune!' Most competitors welcomed their 'flood of for- tune,' but a number were appalled by its magni- tude---`1 feel too much thy blessing; make it less.' The athlete's record-breaking occasion probably seemed the easiest of the three at first sight, re- membering the marathon prowess of Ariel and fuck, but it proved, in fact, the trickiest. Many competitors were satisfied with a comment on a race or the winning of an event, but that was not enough. One that I did like in this section was submitted by Charles Gimblett and E. M. Mud- dell 'What you do/Still betters what is done.' (W. Tale. IV, 3.) I did not allow dotted omissions in the body of the quotation, but considered any unbroken por- n of such entries on its merits. 1. A. Lindon was the only competitor to sub- It a complete set of sufficiently apt quotations to merit a prize, though his three quotations were all surpassed individually by others. The other

prizewinners are those scoring with two of the subjects, and the awards are : one and a half guineas to J. A. Lindon, one guinea each to E. C. Jenkins and J. 0. McBryde, and half-guineas to B: P. Hatton, 1. M. Connor, S. M. Goode, E. F. Choppen, and Gloria Prince.

'PRIZES

(J. A. L1NDON)

(1) What, out of hearing? gone? no sound, no word?

Mack, where are you? (M.N.D., 11, 2.) (2) I must employ you in some business.

IM.N.D.,I, I.)

(3) This sport, well carried, shall be chronicled. (M.N.D.. 111, 2.) (e. C. JENKINS) (1) How ill agrees it with your gravity, (The C. of Errors, 11, 2.) (2) if haply won, perhaps a hapless gain.

(Two G. of V., I, I.)

(J. 0. MCBRYDE) (I) Why, 'tis the rarest argument of wonder

That bath shot out in our latter times.

(A .14/ .T.E.11' .,11, 3.) (2) If it prove lawful prize, he's made for ever..

(Othello, I, 2.)

(B. P. HATTON)

( I) In this upshot, purposes mistook Fall'n on the inventors' heads. (Hamlet. V. 2.) (2) All losses are restor'd. (Sonnet XXX.)

U. M, colvNoa)

(1) The pale-faced moon lobks bloody on the earth And lean-look'd prophets whisper fearful change. (K,R. II, 11.4.)

(2) Seven times tried that judgment is. -

That did never choose amiss. • (M.01 V., II, 9.) (s. M. GOODE) And 'tis not done; the attempt and not the deed Confounds us. (Macbeth, 11, 2.) My bones would rest

That have but labour'd to attain this hour.

(J. Ca,sar, V, 5.)

(1)

Haply you shall not see me more; or if. • A mangled shadow. (Ant. and Cleo., IV, 2.) But now 't is odds beyond arithmetic. (Coriolanus, II, 1.)

(GLORIA PRINCE)

Come, let's make haste; she'll soon he back again,

(Macbeth, 111, 5.) If it be mine,

Keep it not from me. quickly let.me have it.

(Macbeth, IV .3.)

COMMENDED

LAUNCHING A ROCKET 19 THE MOON

Well. Diana, take heed of this . . .

(A .W.T 5.) (1. (1. \\ Alm) I see thy glory like a shooting star Fall to the base earth from the firmament. (K.R.H. 11.4.) (PETER RINK)

Thou canst not hit it. hit it, hit it.

Thou canst not hit it, my good man!

IV. 2.) (M. a. KABUL) Both our inventions meet and jump in one. (7'. of the Shrew, I, 1.) I N. C. HAY)

WINNING IHE TREfil r CHANCE

Vernon! Welcome, by my soul.

(1. K.N. IV. IV, 1.) (T. 1.. Roy) It is a life that I have desired : I will thrive.

(M.W. of W., I. 3.) O. E. CHERRY) Double six thousand, and then treble that.

(M. of V.. III, 2.) ( skm LPL STEPHEN) I will do such things--what they are yet I know not. • (K. Lear. IL 4,) (H. B. LEWIN)

BREAKING AN ATHLETIC RECORD

The times and titles now arc alter'd strangely. (K.H. VIILIV.2.) (BARBARA ROE) . For now hash time made me his numbering clock : My thoughts are minutes. . . .

(K.R. 71, V, 5.) (A. N. P. WAI.LIS) 0, that record is lively in my soul. .

(EN., V .1.) (1. K. D. LUNNON)

There's no such sport as sport by sport o'erthrown.

V. 2.) (R. KENNARD DAV is) The most complete champion that ever I heard. \ (2 K.H.VLIV, 10.) (('OI IN PRESTIGE)

Keep it. fellow; And wear it for an honour in thy cap Till I do challenge it.

'(K.H. V, IV ,8.) (PATRICK TUCKER)

(I) (2)