The plays and poems of Shakespeare, according to the improved text of E. Malone, with notes and illustr., ed. by A.J. Valpy

When lightning fires

The arch of heaven, and thunders rock the ground;
When furious whirlwinds rend the howling air,
And Ocean, groaning from his lowest bed,
Heaves his tempestuous billows to the sky ;-
Amid the mighty uproar, while below
The nations tremble, Shakspeare looks abroad
From some high cliff superior, and enjoys
The elemental war.

AKENSIDE.

Were understanding, acuteness, and profoundness of thought (in so far as these are necessary for the characterizing of human life,) to be considered as the first qualities of a poet, there is none worthy to be compared with Shakspeare. Other poets have endeavoured to transport us, at least for a few moments, into another and an ideal condition of mankind; but Shakspeare is the master of reality.

SCHLF.

ILLUSTRATIONS

TO THE

FOURTH VOLUM E.

1. Hero, Ursula, and Beatrice, (Much Ado About Nothing,) from a Painting by Peters. Frontispiece.

TWELFTH NIGHT.

2. Olivia, Viola, and Maria.-Hamilton.

3. Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Maria.—Ditto.
4. Olivia, Maria, Malvolio, &c.-Ramberg.
5. Sebastian, Olivia, and Priest.—Hamilton.
6. Duke, Viola, Olivia, &c.-Ditto.