Note 1. From Alexander and Campaspe, act v, sc. 1, first produced at the Court New Year’s Eve or Day of Christmas, 1581–2. [back]
Note 2. Brave prick-song. “The nightingale’s song, being full of rich variety, is often termed prick-song by old writers. So they speak of the cuckoo’s plain-song.” (Bullen.) “Harmony written or pricked down in opposition to plain-song, where descant rested with the will of the singer.” (Chappell.) [back]
Note 3. Now at heaven’s gate she claps her wings. The comparison has been made of this line to the opening words of Shakespeare’s song in Cymbeline, ii. 3. 21. “A different, but inferior and I think later version of Lyly’s song altering the fourth line and also substituting the sparrow for the robin is given, with Cupid and My Campaspe, but without source or author specified in Thomas Lyle’s Ancient Ballads and Songs, 1827.” (R. Warwick Bond.) [back]
