William—writing once more—after an exclamation in strong English of the older pattern,— “Whether ’tis nobler—nobler—nobler— To do what? O these women! these women! to have puddings or flapjacks! Oh! “Whether ’tis nobler—in the mind—to suffer The slings—and arrows—of— Oh! Oh! these women! I’ll e’en step over to the parson’s, and have a cup of sack with his reverence, for methinks Master Hamlet hath forgot that which was just now on his lips to speak.” _The Poet at the Breakfast-Table_, 1872, pp. 10-11. THEODORE WATTS-DUNTON, 1897 “_Shakespeare’s Friend speaks._” To sing the nation’s song, or do the deed That crowns with richer light the motherland, Or lend her strength of arm in hour of need, When fangs of foes shine fierce on every hand, Is joy to him whose joy is working well— Is goal and guerdon too, though never fame Should find a thrill of music in his name; Yea, goal and guerdon too, though Scorn should aim Her arrows at his soul’s high citadel. But if the fates withhold the joy from me To do the deed that widens England’s day, Or join that song of Freedom’s jubilee Begun when England started on her way— Withhold from me the hero’s glorious power To strike with song or sword for her, the mother, And give that sacred guerdon to another, Him will I hail as my more noble brother— Him will I love for his diviner dower. Enough for me who have our Shakespeare’s love To see a poet win the poet’s goal, For Will is he; enough and far above All other prizes to make rich my soul. “Christmas at the Mermaid.” _The Coming of Love, and Other Poems_, 1898 [1897]. JUDGE WILLIS, 1902 (_b._ 1835) “_Examination of Edward Blount, one of the printers and publishers of the Shakespeare folio of 1623._” Did you never hear that Shakespeare the actor, whom you knew, had nothing to do with the pieces published under his name? I never did. Did you never hear that the name “Shakespeare,” that is, with the “e” after the “k,” was assumed to cover and conceal the writings of a very great, distinguished man? I never did. Would you be surprised to hear that Lord Bacon— The reporter says that as soon as this word escaped from Counsel’s lips, the whole Court was convulsed with laughter, in which the jury joined. To save appearances, the learned Judge retired into his private room, as he said, in order to fetch his copy of “Venus and Adonis.” His laughter was heard in the hall. “We noticed,” says the reporter, “that Mr. Jonson never smiled. He seemed deeply moved, and exclaimed, ‘What next? And next?’” On the return of the Judge, the laughter had not quite subsided, and the usher cried “Order, Order.”