It is to be doubted whether even Shakespeare could have told a story like Homer, owing to that incessant activity and superfœtation of thought, a little less of which might be occasionally desired even in his plays;—if it were possible, once possessing anything of his, to wish it away. LEIGH HUNT (1784-1859). “What is Poetry?” _Imagination and Fancy_, 1844. Ed. A. S. Cook, 1893, p. 65. * * * * * Now, literature, philosophy, and thought are Shakespearised. His mind is the horizon beyond which, at present, we do not see. R. W. EMERSON (1803-1882). “Representative Men.” _Shakespeare; or the Poet_, 1844. * * * * * Shakespeare, on whose forehead climb The crowns o’ the world: O eyes sublime, With tears and laughter for all time! E. B. BROWNING (1809-1861). _A Vision of Poets_, 1844. * * * * * A rib of Shakespeare would have made a Milton: the same portion of Milton, all poets born ever since. W. S. LANDOR (1775-1846). “Imaginary Conversations.” _Works_, 1846, ii. p. 74. * * * * * In poetry there is but one supreme, Tho’ there are many angels round his throne, Mighty, and beauteous, while his face is hid. _Id._ “On Shakespeare.” “Poems and Epigrams.” _Works_, 1846. * * * * * A long list can be cited of passages in Shakespeare, which have been solemnly denounced by many eminent men (all blockheads) as ridiculous: and if a man _does_ find a passage in a tragedy that displeases him, it is sure to seem ludicrous: witness the indecent exposures of themselves made by Voltaire, La Harpe, and many billions beside of bilious people. T. DE QUINCEY (1785-1859). “Schlosser’s Literary History.” _Tait’s Magazine_, Sept., Oct., 1847. * * * * * A thousand poets pried at life, And only one amid the strife Rose to be Shakespeare. R. BROWNING (1812-1889). _Christmas Eve and Christmas Day_, xvi., 1850. * * * * * When I began to give myself up to the profession of a poet for life, I was impressed with a conviction, that there were four English poets whom I must have continually before me as examples—Chaucer, Shakespeare, Spenser, and Milton. These I must study, and equal _if I could_; and I need not think of the rest. WILLIAM WORDSWORTH (1770-1850). _Memoirs._ By Christopher Wordsworth, 1851, vol. ii. p. 470. * * * * *