"banished all the varmint." In Britain there are two species: one of these, the common snake (Natrix torquata), is harmless, and may rank as the representative of the numerous individuals of other countries, which are innocuous (Colubridæ): the other, the common viper, (Pelius Berus), may with equal justice stand forth as the representative of the poisonous groups (Viperidæ). The common belief of Shakspeare's time regarded both species as dangerous: hence we are prepared to expect that his notice of either of them would be in accordance with the popular, though erroneous, opinion. And accordingly we find that, wherever a serpent is mentioned by him, it is as a thing to be shunned as hateful or venomous. Thus King John, in speaking of Prince Arthur, remarks, —
"He is a very serpent in my way;
And wheresoe'er this foot of mine doth tread,
He lies before me."
Act iii. Scene iii.
Lear, in telling of the wrongs he has sustained from Goneril, says —
"She has abated me of half my train;
Looked black upon me; struck me with her tongue,
Most serpent-like, upon the very heart."
Act ii. Scene iv.
In the brief dialogue between Marcus and Aufidius, prior to their combat in the battle-field at Corioli, we find the expression —
"Not Afric owns a serpent I abhor
More than thy fame and envy."
Coriolanus, Act i. Scene viii.
These passages from Shakspeare are sufficient to show that a harmless snake was a phenomenon not "dreamed of in his philosophy."
In a similar manner Macbeth applies the word "serpent" to the slain Banquo, while Fleance, as the young of the serpent, is designated
"There the grown serpent lies: the worm that's fled
Hath nature that in time will venom breed.
No teeth for the present."
Act ii. Scene iv.
The word "worm" is not invariably used by Shakspeare in this sense, neither is it confined to the common earth-worm (Lumbricus terrestris), to which Romeo most probably refers when, in his last heartbroken accents to the sleeping Juliet, he exclaims —
