OR THE NOVELS and HISTORIES, On which the PLAYS of SHAKESPEAR Are Founded, COLLECTED and TRANSLATED from the ORIGINAL AUTHORS. WITH CRITICAL REMARKS. In TWO VOLUME S. BY THE Author of the FEMALE QUIXOTE. LONDON: Printed for A. MILLAR in the Strand. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE 7 0 H N, EARL OF ORRER Y I My LORD, Have no other. Prêtence to the Honour of a Patronage, fo illuftrious as that of your Lordship, than A 2 the the Merit of attempting what has by fome unaccountable Neglect been hitherto omitted, though abfolutely neceffary to a perfect Knowledge of the Abilities of Shakespear. Among the Powers that must conduce to constitute a Poet, the first and most valuable is Invention; and of all the Degrees of Invention, the highest seems to be that which is able to produce a Series of Events. It is easy when the Thread of a Story is once drawn to diversify it with Variety of Colours; and when a Train of Action is prefented to the Mind, a little Acquaintance with Life,will fupply Circumftances and Reflexions, and a little Knowledge of Books, furnish Parallels and rations....To tell over again a Story that has been told already, and and to tell it better than the first Author is no rare Qualification; but to ftrike out the first Hints of a new Fable hence to introduce a Set of Characters fo diverfified in their feveral Paffions and Interefts, that from the clafhing of this Variety may refult many neceffary Incidents; to make thefe Incidents furprifing, and yet natural, fo as to delight the Imagination without fhocking the Judgment of a Reader; and finally, to wind up the whole in a pleafing Catastrophe produced by thofe very Means which seem most likely to oppofe and prevent it, is the utmoft Effort of the human Mind. To difcover how few of those Writers, who profefs to recount imaginary Adventures, have been able to A 3 pro |