DELINEATIONS

OF

CHARACTER.

L

The mind of Shakspere was as a magic mirror, in which all human nature's possible forms and combinations were present, intuitively and inherently-not conceived-but as connatural portions of his own humanity."

Quarterly Review.

I set you up a glass,

Where you may see the inmost part of you.

36-iii. 4.

NOBLE CHARACTERS,

ACCORDING TO THEIR RESPECTIVE VIRTUES AND

ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

1.

It much repairs a me

To talk of your good father: In his youth
He had the wit, which I can well observe
To-day in our young lords; but they may jest,
Till their own scorn return to them unnoted,
Ere they can hide their levity in honour.
So like a courtier, contempt nor bitterness
Were in his pride or sharpness; if they were,
His equal had awaked them; and his honour
Clock to itself, knew the true minute, when
Exception bid him speak, and, at this time,
His tongue obey'd his hand: who were below him,
He used as creatures of another place,
And bow'd his eminent top to their low ranks,
Making them proud of his humility,

In their poor praise he humbled: Such a man

Might be a copy to these younger times;

Which follow'd well, would demonstrate them now But goers backward.

His plausive words

He scatter'd not in ears, but grafted them,
To grow there, and to bear,-Let me not live,-
Thus his good melancholy oft began,

On the catastrophe and heel of pastime,
When it was out,-let me not live, quoth he,
After my flame lacks oil, to be the snuff

To repair signifies to renovate.

Of younger spirits, whose apprehensive senses
All but new things disdain; whose judgments are
Mere fathers of their garments; whose constancies
Expire before their fashions.

2.

A son, who is the theme of honour's tongue;
Amongst a grove, the very straightest plant;
Who is sweet fortune's minion, and her pride.

3.

He is gracious, if he be observed;
He hath a tear for pity, and a hand
Open as day for melting charity;

11-i. 2.

18-i. 1.

Yet notwithstanding, being incensed, he 's flint;
As humorous as wintera, and as sudden

As flaws congealed in the spring of day.
His temper, therefore, must be well observed;
Chide him for faults, and do it reverently,
When you perceive his blood inclined to mirth:
But, being moody, give him line and scope;
Till that his passions, like a whale on ground,
Confound themselves with working.

4.

19-iv. 4.

Never a man's thought in the world keeps the road-way better than thine.

5.

The tide of blood in me

Hath proudly flow'd in vanity, till now:
Now doth it turn, and ebb back to the sea;

19-ii. 2.

Where it shall mingle with the state of floods,
And flow henceforth in formal majesty.

6.

19-v. 2.

I have spirit to do any thing that appears not foul in the truth of my spirit.

7.

This fellow's of exceeding honesty,

Perhaps feathers.

5-iii. 1.

c. Has an attention shown him.

He abounds in capricious fancies, as winter abounds in moisture.

And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit,
Of human dealings.

8.

I suppose him virtuous, know him noble,

37-iii. 3.

Of great estate, of fresh and stainless youth;
In voices well-divulgede, free, learn'd, and valiant,
And, in dimension, and the shape of nature,
A gracious person.

9.

4-i. 5.

Your desert speaks loud, and I should wrong it,
To lock it in the wards of covert bosom,
When it deserves with characters of brass

A forted residence, 'gainst the tooth of time,
And razure of oblivion.

10.

The man is noble, and his fame folds in
This orb o' the earth.

5—v. 1.

28-v. 5.

11.

There is a kind of character in thy life,
That, to the observer, doth thy history

Fully unfold.

5-i. 1.

12.

Thou had'st rather

Follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf,

Than flatter him in a bower.

28-iii. 2.

13.

In thy face I see

22-iii. 1.

The map of honour, truth, and loyalty.

14.

He's gentle; never school'd, and yet learned; full of noble device; of all sortsf enchantingly beloved. 10-i. 1.

15.

He is precise;

Stands at a guards with envy; scarce confesses,

• Well spoken of by the world.

f

Of all ranks.

On his defence.