a superstitious custom of writing the alphabet in the
form of a cross by way of a charm. In "Richard III." (i. 1), Clarence
relates how King Edward--

"Hearkens after prophecies and dreams;
And from the cross-row plucks the letter G."

_Dreams._ These, considered as prognostics of good or evil, are
frequently introduced by Shakespeare. In "Troilus and Cressida" (v. 3),
Andromache exclaims:

"My dreams will, sure, prove ominous to the day."

While Romeo ("Romeo and Juliet," v. 1) declares:

"My dreams presage some joyful news at hand."

It is chiefly as precursors of misfortune that the poet has availed
himself of their supposed influence as omens of future fate. Thus, there
are few passages in his dramas more terrific than the dreams of Richard
III. and Clarence; the latter especially, as Mr. Drake says,[942] "is
replete with the most fearful imagery, and makes the blood run chill
with horror."

[942] "Shakespeare and his Times," p. 355.

Dreaming of certain things has generally been supposed to be ominous
either of good or ill luck;[943] and at the present day the credulous
pay oftentimes no small attention to their dreams, should these happen
to have referred to what they consider unlucky things. In the same way
Shylock, in the "Merchant of Venice" (ii. 5), is a victim to much
superstitious dread:

"Jessica, my girl,
Look to my house. I am right loath to go:
There is some ill a brewing towards my rest,
For I did dream of money-bags to-night."

[943] See Brand's "Pop. Antiq.," 1849, vol. iii. pp. 127-141.

In "Julius Caesar," dreaming of banquet is supposed to presage
misfortune.

It was also supposed that malicious spirits took advantage of sleep to
torment their victims;[944] hence Macbeth (ii. 1) exclaims:

"Merciful powers,
Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature
Gives way to in repose!"[945]

[944] See p. 283.

[945] See Malone's "Variorum Shakespeare," 1821, vol. ii. p. 90.

_Duels._ The death of the vanquished person was always considered a
certain evidence of his guilt. Thus, in "2 Henry VI." (ii. 3), King
Henry, speaking of the death of Horner in the duel with Peter,
says:[946]

"Go, take hence that traitor from our sight;
For, by his death, we do perceive his guilt:
And God in justice hath reveal'd to us
The truth and innocence of this poor fellow,
Which