The following 30 expressions are found both in the works of William Shakespeare and in one or more of five letters signed "Will Derby" and dated between 1595 and 1607. These are referred to as "DERBY" below. The expressions marked "OED" are listed in the Oxford English Dictionary and those marked "SPE" have been found in the works of Edmund Spenser. The works of Shakespeare are referrred to as "SHA" and each separate of them with its customary abbreviation.

1. To see service (= to do military service). Used by DERBY in 1595. OED gives AWW (1601) and WT (1611) as the two first examples (both published in 1623). The next OED example is from the year 1778.

2. To write lines (= to write a letter, a poem or the like). OED: 1642.

3. To make bold (= to be bold). OED: 1393 and the next from WIV, printed in 1602.

4. To understand (= to learn) from or by a person. OED: 1611, but it is found in DERBY and SHA at earlier dates.

5. To receive (= take into the mind) disgrace, affliction or the like. OED gives MM (published 1623) as the first source. DERBY used it in 1605.

6. The hearing of a cause (in court). OED gives MM as first source.

7. To agree upon something. OED gives TIM (1623) as first source.

8. Testimony of love, intent or the like. OED: Milton (1667), but it is found in DERBY and SHA about 1607.

9. To be or to live at jar (= in discord). OED: 1552, 1586 and 1603.

10. To think meet.

11. To think fit. OED: 1611.

12. To pretend a title.

13. To put up (= endure, suffer quietly). OED: 1573.

14. To be to (= to intend to, to have to). OED: 1601.

15. To have someone heard, contented, etc. (= to hear, to content, etc.). OED: 1533.

16. To do no less.

17. In my absence (cf. during my absence).

18. Be fitting for someone. OED gives SHA as first example. SPE.

19. In someone’s behalf (= interest). OED quotes SHA. SPE.

20. To move (= to prompt, to incline) someone to something. SPE.

21. To present something unto someone. SPE.

22. To prefer a petition (or a suit) OED: 1580.

23. To account oneself. OED: 1579.

24. To leave (or refer) to someone’s discertion. OED: 1580.

25. To commit someone to God, etc. OED: 1568.

26. To ride (or spur) post (= with speed or haste). OED: 1549.

27. To seize upon something. OED: 1546.

28. To appoint to do something. SPE.

29. To acquaint someone with something. SPE.

30. In respect (= considering some circumstance). OED: 1530. SPE.

Expressions from (1) the testament of William Shakspere, the actor, and from the letters by (2) William Cecil (Baron Burghley), (3) Edward de Vere (Earl of Oxford), (4) Francis Bacon (Baron Verulam, Viscount St. Albans). The sign "SHA" indicates expressions found in the works of Shakespeare as well.

1. Expressions from the testament of William Shakspere, dated in 1616 with some 1,500 words:

1. God be praised. SHA

2. Manner and form. SHA

3. In perfect health.

4. Make and ordain.

5. Will and testament. (SHA: Will or testament)

6. Assuredly believing.

7. Commend my soul.

8. Jesus Christ.

9. My Saviour.

10. Life everlasting.

11. Give and bequeth unto.

12. In discharge.

13. Marriage portion.

14. ... shillings in the pound. (SHA: shillings to the pound)

2. Expressions from six letters by William Cecil, from 1597-98 with about 900 running words:

1. By warrants. SHA

2. It does much content me. SHA

3. To join with something. SHA

4. To consider of something. SHA

5. To resolve on something. SHA

6. To recover health or appetite. SHA

7. To sup with some food. SHA

8. Someathing being of thanks.

9. Accident of skirmish.

10. Warrant for appeal.

11. Descended of one’s body.

12. To allow (disallow) something.

13. To gage one’s heart to.

14. To knowledge a debt.

15. To be thankful with something.

16. Almighty God. (SHA: God Almighty)

17. Servitor for a person. (SHA: servitor to)

18. Within (so or so many) miles compass.

3. Expressions from two letters by Edward de Vere, dated in 1575 and 1693, with 1,300 running words:

1. The term of a person’s life. SHA

2. To return back. SHA

3. At this present. SHA

4. Just and honorable. SHA

5. To perform someone’s word or command. SHA

6. Right and equity.

7. As opportunities fell.

8. Passage by law.

9. Assured promises.

10. To contradict someone’s will.

11. Gracious and virtuous.

12. To put someone in remembrance.

13. To press a title.

14. At sundry times.

15. Someone’s liking of something.

16. To mean undoubtedly.

17. The Romish Church.

18. To perform ceremonies.

19. To recommend unto someone’s favour.

4. Expressions from a letter by Francis Bacon, dated 24 September 1598 and from a draft sent to the Earl of Essex, totalling 900 words.

1. To be badly (gently, etc.) used. SHA

2. In someone’s particular. SHA

3. To my understanding. SHA

4. Best and soundest. SHA

5. Farther off from. SHA

6. To be sensitive of something.

7. To have experience.

8. Doubly good (bad, great, etc.)

9. With signification of.

10. Divine preservation.

11. Drift or device.

12. Point or particular.

13. First and principally.

14. Continuance of time.

15. Misfortune of errors.

16. Impairing of health.

17. Weighing down of mind.

18. The verse speaketh.

(Two versions are produced below in the hope than at least one of them shoud be readable and understandable in the html format.)

Henry VII (Tudor) 1457-1509, King of England from 1485.

Margaret Tudor, 1489-1541, Queen of Scotland.

Henry VII (Tudor), 1491-1547, King of England from 1509.

Mary Tudor, 1496-1533, married 1515 to Charles Brandon.

Thomas Howard, c. 1450-1524, 2nd Duke of Norfolk.

James V (Stuart), 1512-42, King of Scotland from 1513.

Eleanor Brandon, c.1520-47, m. 1537 to Henry Clifford, E. of Cumberland

Henry Darnley, 1545-67, D. of Albany, murdered.

Mary Stuart, 1542-87, Queen of Scots, pretender to the throne of England, executed.

Anne Boleyn, 1507-1536, Queen of England from 1533, executed.

Henry Stanley, 1531-93, 4th E. of Derby.

Margaret Clifford, 1540-96, married 1555 to Henry Stanley.

James VI (Stuart), 1566-1625, King of Scots, King of England from 1603, married 1589

to Anna, daughter of Frederick II of Denmark.

Elizabeth I, 1533-1603, Queen of England from 1558.

William Stanley, 1561-1642, 6th E. of Derby from 1594, married 1595 to Elizabeth de

Vere, daughter of Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford and granddaughter of Lord Burghley.

The book Shakespeare in Germany by Albert Cohn contains not only the German Prinz Hamlet but also an English version of the same. The contents of the two versions are identical, line for line. A word for word comparison, however, shows considerable difference. Both texts appear as originals, neither shows any sign of being translated from the other. The examples below illustrate this clearly:

The English text does not give the impression of stiffness and tirocinium that is so striking in the German one. It is obviously written by an Englisman. The language appears as typically late sixteenth century. The words ay, thy and ye are frequent, and so are some other expressions characteristic of the period.

There are some striking similarities between certain wordings in the English Prinz Hamlet and wordings in the works of Shakespeare, especially his Hamlet, as shown by the examples below: