Alexander Dyce, A General Glossary to Shakespeare's Works

argument subject, matter: “thou wilt prove a notable argument” MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, i. 1. 221 ; ( “subject for satire,” JOHNSON) “You would not make me such an argument” A MIDSUMMER-NIGHT'S DREAM, iii. 2. 242 ; ( “subject of light merriment,” JOHNSON) , “an absent argument Of my revenge,” AS YOU LIKE IT, iii. 1. 3 ; “the argument of Time,” THE WINTER'S TALE, iv. 1. 29 ; “argument for a week,” 1 HENRY IV., ii. 2. 91 ; (subject of conversation) “the argument shall be thy running away,” 1 HENRY IV., ii. 4. 272 ; “And sheathed their swords for lack of argument,” Henry V.,> iii. 1. 21; “the argument of hearts” TIMON OF ATHENS, ii. 2. 179 ; ( “of what men's hearts are composed,” MALONE) “an argument of laughter,” TIMON OF ATHENS, iii. 3. 20 ; “the argument of the play,” HAMLET, iii. 2. 134 ; “Have you heard the argument?” HAMLET, iii. 2. 227 ; “The argument of your praise,” KING LEAR, i. 1. 215.