Samuel Johnson [1778], The plays of William Shakspeare. In ten volumes. With the corrections and illustrations of various commentators; to which are added notes by Samuel Johnson and George Steevens. The second edition, Revised and Augmented (Printed for C. Bathurst [and] W. Strahan [etc.], London) [word count] [S10901].
To look up a word in a dictionary, select the word with your mouse and press 'd' on your keyboard.
THE DEDICATION of the PLAYERS. TO THE MOST NOBLE AND INCOMPARABLE PAIRE OF BRETHREN,
WILLIAM Earle of Pembroke, &c. Lord Chamberlaine to the Kings most Excellent Majestie;
AND PHILIP Earle of Montgomery, &c. Gentleman of his Majesties Bed-chamber.
Both Knights of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, and our singular good LORDS.
Right Honourable,
Whilst we studie to be thankfull in our particular,
for the many favors we have received from your
L. L. we are falne upon the ill fortune, to mingle two the
most diverse things that can be, feare, and rashnesse; rashnesse
in the enterprize, and feare of the successe. For, when
we value the places your H. H. sustaine, wee cannot but
know the dignity greater, than to descend to the reading of
these trifles: and, while we name them trifles, we have deprived
ourselves of the defence of our dedication. But since
your L. L. have been pleased to thinke these trifles something,
heeretofore; and have prosequuted both them, and
their authour living, with so much favour: we hope (that
they out-living him, and he not having the fate, common
with some, to be exequutor to his owne writings) you will
use the same indulgence toward them, you have done unto
their parent. There is a great difference, whether any
-- 107 --
booke choose his patrones, or finde them: this hath done
both. For, so much were your L. L. likings of the severall
parts, when they were acted, as before they were published,
the volume asked to be yours. We have but collected
them, and done an office to the dead, to procure his orphanes,
guardians; without ambition either of selfe-profit,
or fame: onely to keepe the memory of so worthy a friend,
and fellow alive, as was our Shakespeare, by humble offer
of his playes, to your most noble patronage. Wherein,
as we have justly observed, no man to come neere your L.
L. but with a kind of religious addresse; it hath bin the
height of our care, who are the presenters, to make the
present worthy of your H. H. by the perfection. But, there
we must also crave our abilities to be considerd, my Lords.
We cannot goe beyond our owne powers. Country hands
reach forth milke, creame, fruits, or what they have: and
many nations (we have heard) that had not gummes and incense,
obtained their requests with a leavened cake. It was
no fault to approch their gods by what meanes they could:
and the most, though meanest, of things are made more
precious, when they are dedicated to temples. In that name
therefore, we most humbly consecrate to your H. H. these
remaines of your servant Shakespeare; that what delight
is in them may be ever your L. L. the reputation his, and
the faults ours, if any be committed, by a paire so carefull
to shew their gratitude both to the living, and the dead,
as is
Your Lordshippes most bounden,
John Heminge,
Henry Condell.
-- 108 --
Samuel Johnson [1778], The plays of William Shakspeare. In ten volumes. With the corrections and illustrations of various commentators; to which are added notes by Samuel Johnson and George Steevens. The second edition, Revised and Augmented (Printed for C. Bathurst [and] W. Strahan [etc.], London) [word count] [S10901].
|
