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PREFACE

IN retelling these tales from Shakespeare, the author's purpose is to introduce Shakespeare to the young, and to such of their elders as find the intricacies of the plots of the dramas somewhat difficult to untangle. For, although in naming the best books of the world, Shakespeare is usually mentioned after the Bible, comparatively few of the great reading public are familiarly acquainted with Shakespeare's plays.

The stories that constitute the main plots are given, and these are interspersed with the dramatic dialogue in such a manner as to make tale and verse interpret each other.

The author has endeavored to tell the stories from Shakespeare's point of view; to interpret sympathetically and truthfully the motives of the dramas and of the characters; to omit unessential details; and to select for quoting passages that are notable for strength and beauty, and those that have especial significance in revealing character.

It is hoped that this work may serve to attract readers of this generation to Shakespeare, as Lamb's charming "Tales" have done for so many years.

The author gratefully acknowledges her indebtedness to Professor Fred N. Scott, of the University of Michigan, for encouragement in the prosecution of this work.

For the most part, Rolfe's text has been followed in. the passages quoted. The spelling of the past tense and the past participle of verbs ending in cd has been made to conform to modern pronunciation. The spelling of such words as honor accords with the custom in America.

The meaning of obsolete and unusual words is given in footnotes at the bottom of the pages on which they occur. Classical, and other literary allusions, are explained in notes at the end of the volume.

L. G. H.

INDIANAPOLIS, November, 1901.

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