The invaluable works of Twiss and Clarke do not preclude the necessity of another comprehensive Index to the writings of Shakespeare. Neither of those books contains any references to the words which occur in the Poems, a circumstance which causes in itself a great inconvenience to the student; and in addition to this drawback, there are numerous important allusions in the works of the great dramatist which are necessarily left unnoticed in a mere verbal index.

The present index, which I began to compile for my own private use many years ago, was so useful in its manuscript form, it appeared to me that a small impression of it would be acceptable to a few earnest students. It must be borne in mind that many of the explanations have been inserted hastily, without a view to publication. In short, this work is simply a copy of a manuscript compiled for private use, and must be accepted with all the crudities attending such a volume.

The paginal references, excepting where otherwise noted, are adapted to the variorum edition of 1821, that of Malone revised by Bos well in 21 vols.