THE WORKS OF SHAKESPEARE: VOLUME the FIRST. CONTAININ The TEMPEST. The MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. LONDON: Printed for J. and R. Tonfon, H. Woodfall, J. Rivington, MDCCLXVII. ΤΟ Her ROYAL HIGHNESS, the PRINCESS of WALES, MADAM, S I am confcious, that no compo A fition of my own could be wor thy to be laid at your Royal High ness's feet; it is my happiness, as an Editor, to have this opportunity of approaching you, by fubmitting to your protection the best Dramatic Poet that these kingdoms could ever boaft of. He enjoy'd, whilst living, the favour of the greatest A 3 Queen Queen that has fat on and therefore, I hope English throne; I is intitled to your Royal Highness's fmiles over his urn. Could I picture out his character equal to its merits, the world would foon difcover a fort of parallel betwixt the Poet and his Patronefs. His excellencies were as great, as they were various his beauties ftrong, and all native; the frame of his mind as fweet and candid, as his countenance was open and engaging; and his fentiments as chafte, as his conceptions were noble: He knew how to charm without affectation; and had the wondrous force of preferving all hearts, that once felt the influence of his attractions. After what I have faid, MADAM, I am afraid the duty of this addrefs fhould be mifconftrued a panegyrick on your Royal Highness. But I have profefs'd myself unequal to the task of drawing his portraiture, and my humble fphere in life |