The Praise of Shakespeare: An English Anthology

English literature; Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Appreciation

Prologue spoken by Mr. Garrick at the opening of
                     the Theatre in Drury Lane, 1747.

    “Drinking tea one day at Garrick’s with Mr. Langton, he [Dr.
    Johnson] was questioned if he was not somewhat of a heretic as
    to Shakespeare; said Garrick, ‘I doubt he is a little of an
    infidel.’—‘Sir,’ said Johnson, ‘I will stand by the lines I
    have written on Shakespeare in my Prologue at the opening of
    your Theatre.’ Mr. Langton suggested, that in the line

        “‘And panting Time toil’d after him in vain,’

    Johnson might have had in his eye the passage in the _Tempest_,
    where Prospero says of Miranda:

        “‘. . . She will outstrip all praise,
          And make it halt behind her.’

    Johnson said nothing. Garrick then ventured to observe, ‘I do
    not think that the happiest line in the praise of Shakespeare.’
    Johnson exclaimed (smiling), ‘Prosaical rogues! next time I
    write, I’ll make both time and space pant.’”—Notes by Langton
    in Boswell’s _Life of Dr. Johnson_.


BISHOP WILLIAM WARBURTON, 1747.

(1698-1779)

Of all the literary exercitations of speculative men, whether designed
for the use or entertainment of the world, there are none of so much
importance, or what are more our immediate concern, than those which
let us into the knowledge of our nature. Others may exercise the reason
or amuse the imagination; but these only can improve the heart, and
form the human mind to wisdom. Now, in this science, our Shakespeare is
confessed to occupy the foremost place; whether we consider the amazing
sagacity with which he investigates every hidden spring and wheel of
human action; or his happy manner of communicating this knowledge,
in the just and living paintings which he has given us of all our
passions, appetites, and pursuits. These afford a lesson which can
never be too often repeated, or too constantly inculcated.

            Preface to _The Works of Shakespear. The genuine Text
                (collated with all the former Editions and then
                corrected and emended) is here settled. Being
                restored from the Blunders of the first Editors,
                and the Interpolations of the two last. With a
                Comment and Notes, Critical and Explanatory._
                By Mr. Pope and Mr. Warburton. 1747, vol. i. p.
                xxiv.


CHRISTOPHER SMART, 1751

(1722-1771)

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Opening the text

General

The Praise of Shakespeare: An English Anthology

English literature; Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Appreciation

Prologue spoken by Mr. Garrick at the opening of
                     the Theatre in Drury Lane, 1747.

    “Drinking tea one day at Garrick’s with Mr. Langton, he [Dr.
    Johnson] was questioned if he was not somewhat of a heretic as
    to Shakespeare; said Garrick, ‘I doubt he is a little of an
    infidel.’—‘Sir,’ said Johnson, ‘I will stand by the lines I
    have written on Shakespeare in my Prologue at the opening of
    your Theatre.’ Mr. Langton suggested, that in the line

        “‘And panting Time toil’d after him in vain,’

    Johnson might have had in his eye the passage in the _Tempest_,
    where Prospero says of Miranda:

        “‘. . . She will outstrip all praise,
          And make it halt behind her.’

    Johnson said nothing. Garrick then ventured to observe, ‘I do
    not think that the happiest line in the praise of Shakespeare.’
    Johnson exclaimed (smiling), ‘Prosaical rogues! next time I
    write, I’ll make both time and space pant.’”—Notes by Langton
    in Boswell’s _Life of Dr. Johnson_.


BISHOP WILLIAM WARBURTON, 1747.

(1698-1779)

Of all the literary exercitations of speculative men, whether designed
for the use or entertainment of the world, there are none of so much
importance, or what are more our immediate concern, than those which
let us into the knowledge of our nature. Others may exercise the reason
or amuse the imagination; but these only can improve the heart, and
form the human mind to wisdom. Now, in this science, our Shakespeare is
confessed to occupy the foremost place; whether we consider the amazing
sagacity with which he investigates every hidden spring and wheel of
human action; or his happy manner of communicating this knowledge,
in the just and living paintings which he has given us of all our
passions, appetites, and pursuits. These afford a lesson which can
never be too often repeated, or too constantly inculcated.

            Preface to _The Works of Shakespear. The genuine Text
                (collated with all the former Editions and then
                corrected and emended) is here settled. Being
                restored from the Blunders of the first Editors,
                and the Interpolations of the two last. With a
                Comment and Notes, Critical and Explanatory._
                By Mr. Pope and Mr. Warburton. 1747, vol. i. p.
                xxiv.


CHRISTOPHER SMART, 1751

(1722-1771)

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

The Praise of Shakespeare: An English Anthology

The Praise of Shakespeare: An English Anthology

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