could have thought it necessary to disguise his plagiarism in the other by an inversion of sexes between the two speakers. In the same scene were three other indisputable instances of repetition.
Mariners might with far greater ease
Hear whole shoals of sirens singing.
Compare Comedy of Errors, Act iii. Scene 2.
Sing, siren, for thyself.
In this case identity of sex was as palpable an evidence for identity of authorship as diversity of sex had afforded in the preceding instance.
Again:
Have oaths no more validity with princes?
In Romeo and Juliet, Act iii. Scene 3, the very same words were coupled in the very same order:
More validity,
More honourable state, more courtship lies
In carrion flies than Romeo.
Again:
It would have killed a salamander.
Compare the First Part of King Henry IV, Act iii. Scene 3.
I have maintained that salamander of yours with fire any time this two and thirty years.
In Act ii. Scene 2 the hero, on being informed how heavy are the odds against him in the field, answers,
I am glad on't; the honour is the greater.
