any of the young
readers, it is hoped that no worse effect will result than to make them
wish themselves a little older, that they may be allowed to read the
Plays at full length (such a wish will be neither peevish nor
irrational). When time and leave of judicious friends shall put them
into their hands, they will discover in such of them as are here
abridged (not to mention almost as many more, which are left untouched)
many surprising events and turns of fortune, which for their infinite
variety could not be contained in this little book, besides a world of
sprightly and cheerful characters, both men and women, the humour of
which it was feared would be lost if it were attempted to reduce the
length of them.

What these Tales shall have been to the _young_ readers, that and much
more it is the writers' wish that the true Plays of Shakespeare may
prove to them in older years--enrichers of the fancy, strengtheners of
virtue, a withdrawing from all selfish and mercenary thoughts, a lesson
of all sweet and honourable thoughts and actions, to teach courtesy,
benignity, generosity, humanity: for of examples, teaching these
virtues, his pages are full.

CONTENTS

PAGE

THE TEMPEST 1

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM 14

THE WINTER'S TALE 27

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING 39

AS YOU LIKE IT 53

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA 71

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE 85

CYMBELINE 102

KING LEAR 117

MACBETH 136

ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL 148

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW 162

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS 174

MEASURE FOR MEASURE 190

TWELFTH NIGHT; OR, WHAT YOU WILL 206

TIMON OF ATHENS 221