cal specimen shall now take its place. Though printed somewhat
later than the other, it has a much better chance of being accepted as a
rarity in literature.

_Prologue to_ IULIUS CAESAR.

"In country beauties as we often see
Something that takes in their simplicity,
Yet while they charm they know not they are fair,
And take without their spreading of the snare--
Such artless beauty lies in _Shakespear's_ wit;
'Twas well in spite of him whate'r he writ.
His excellencies came, and were not sought,
His words like casual atoms made a thought;
Drew up themselves in rank and file, and writ,
He wondering how the devil it were, such wit.
Thus, like the drunken tinker in his play,
He grew a prince, and never knew which way.
He did not know what trope or figure meant,
But to persuade is to be eloquent;
So in this _Caesar_ which this day you see,
_Tully_ ne'er spoke as he makes _Anthony_.
Those then that tax his learning are to blame,
He knew the thing, but did not know the name;
Great _Iohnson_ did that ignorance adore,
And though he envied much, admir'd him more.
The faultless _Iohnson_ equally writ well;
_Shakespear_ made faults--but then did more excel.
One close at guard like some old fencer lay,
T'other more open, but he shew'd more play.
In imitation _Iohnson's_ wit was shown,
Heaven made _his_ men, but _Shakespear_ made his own.
Wise _Iohnson's_ talent in observing lay,
But others' follies still made up his play.
He drew the like in each elaborate line,
But _Shakespear_ like a master did design.
_Iohnson_ with skill dissected human kind,
And show'd their faults, that they their faults might find;
But then, as all anatomists must do,
He to the meanest of mankind did go,
And took from gibbets such as he would show.
Both are so great, that he must boldly dare
Who both of them does judge, and both compare;
If amongst poets one more bold there be,
The man that dare attempt in either way, is he."

_Covent Garden drolery_, London, 1672. 8^o p. 9.

A short historical comment on the above extracts is all that must be
expected. The rest shall be left to the critical discernment of those
persons who may be attracted by the heading of this Note--_Dryden on
Shakspere_.

When Johnson wrote his preface to Shakspere, he quoted the _first_ of
the above extracts to prove that the plays were once admired without the
aid of comment. This was writt