"The disagreeable recurrence of the word stars in the second line induces me to believe that As stars, in that which precedes, is a corruption. Perhaps Shakspeare wrote:-- _Astres_ with trains of fire-- ----and dews of blood _Disasterous_ dimm'd the sun. The word _astre_ is used in an old collection of poems entitled _Diana_, addressed to the Earl of Oxenforde, a book of which I know not the date, but believe it was printed about 1580. In _Othello_ we have _antres_, a word of exactly a similar formation."--_Malone._ "The word _astre_ (which is nowhere else to be found) was affectedly taken from the French by John Southern, author of the poems cited by Mr. Malone. This wretched plagiarist stands indebted both for his verbiage and his imagery to Ronsard."--_Steevens._ Hence, according to Malone's own account, the consideration by which _he_ was led to the suggestion of "astres" was "the disagreeable recurrence of _stars_ in the second line." He did not perceive the analogy between _aster_ and _disaster_, which renders a verbal antithesis of these two words so extremely probable with Shakspeare!--he did not apparently think of "asters" at all, although that word is so close to the text that it may be almost said to be identical with it; and, notwithstanding that "aster" had been so long familiarised in every English garden as to be literally under his nose, he must search out "astre" in obscure and contemptible ballads, in order that Shakspeare might be sanctioned in the use of it. But it is absolutely incredible that any person to whom _astre_ suggested itself should not also be reminded of _aster_. The conclusion therefore is almost unavoidable, that Malone and Steevens considered the latter word as too learned for poor Shakspeare's small acquirements. They would not trust him, even for a synonyme to star, unless under the patronage of John Southern! At least such was the spirit in which too many of the commentators of that day presumed to treat Shakspeare,--him to whom, if to any mortal, his own beautiful language is applicable-- "How noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! In apprehension how like a god!" Let us be thankful we have fallen to better times. It is only by the occurrence of such difficulties as the present, which, after remaining so long obscure, are at last only resolvable by presupposing in Shakspeare a depth of knowledge far exceeding that of his triflers, that his wonderful and almost mysterious attainments are beginning to be appreciated.