[63] This observation is finely illustrated by a story which Herodotus records, _book 3_. Cambyses when he conquered Egypt, took Psammenitus the King prisoner: and to try his constancy, ordered his daughter to be dressed in the habit of a slave, and to be employ’d in bringing water from the river. His son also was led to execution with a halter about his neck. The Egyptians vented their sorrow in tears and lamentations. Psammenitus only, with a down-cast eye, remained silent. Afterward meeting one of his companions, a man advanced in years, who being plundered of all, was begging alms, he wept bitterly, calling him by his name. Cambyses was struck with wonder, and sent a messenger with the following question, “Psammenitus, thy master Cambyses is desirous to know, why, after thou hadst seen thy daughter so ignominiously treated, and thy son led to execution, without exclamation or weeping, thou shouldst be so highly concerned for a poor man no way related to thee?” Psammenitus returned the following answer: “Son of Cyrus, the calamities of my family are too great to leave me the power of weeping: but the misfortunes of a companion, reduced in his old age to want of bread, is a fit subject for lamentation.” [64] See chap. 2. part 3. [65] Chap. 16. [66] See this explained more particularly in chap. 8. [67] Of this take the following specimen: They clepe us drunkards, and with swinish phrase Soil our addition; and, indeed, it takes From our atchievements, though perform’d at height, The pith and marrow of our attribute. So, oft it chances in particular men, That for some vicious mole of nature in them, As, in their birth, (wherein they are not guilty, Since Nature cannot chuse his origin), By the o’ergrowth of some complexion Oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason; Or by some habit, that too much o’er-leavens The form of plausive manners; that these men Carrying, I say, the stamp of one defect, (Being Nature’s livery, or Fortune’s scar), Their virtues else, be they as pure as grace, As infinite as man may undergo, Shall in the general censure take corruption From that particular fault. _Hamlet, act 1. sc. 7._ [68] The critics seem not perfectly to comprehend the genius of Shakespear. His plays are defective in the mechanical part, which is less the work of genius than of experience; and is not otherwise brought to perfection than by diligently observing the errors of former compositions. Shakespear excels all the ancients and moderns, in knowledge of human nature, and in unfolding even the most obscure and refined emotions. This is a rare faculty, and of the greatest importance in a dramatic author; and it is this faculty which makes him surpass all other writers in the comic as well as tragic vein. [69] Soliloquies accounted for chap. 15. [70] Act 2. sc. 2. [71] Act 1. sc. 1. [72] Act 1. sc. 2. [73] Act 1. sc. 2.