of his Writing:  Tho’ that was what, I suppose, he valu’d himself least upon, since his Excellencies were all of another Kind.  I am very sensible that he do’s, in this Play, depart too much from that likeness to Truth which ought to be observ’d in these sort of Writings; yet he do’s it so very finely, that one is easily drawn in to have more Faith for his sake, than Reason does well allow of.  His Magick has something in it very Solemn and very Poetical:  And that extravagant Character of Caliban is mighty well sustain’d, shews a wonderful Invention in the Author, who could strike out such a particular wild Image, and is certainly one of the finest and most uncommon Grotesques that was ever seen.  The Observation, which I have been inform’d[A] three very great Men concurr’d in making upon this Part, was extremely just. That Shakespear_ had not only found out a new Character in his Caliban, but had also devis’d and adapted a new manner of Language for that Character._ Among the particular Beauties of this Piece, I think one may be allow’d to point out the Tale of Prospero in the First Act; his Speech to Ferdinand in the Fourth, upon the breaking up the Masque of Juno and Ceres; and that in the Fifth, where he dissolves his Charms, and resolves to break his Magick Rod.  This Play has been alter’d by Sir William D’Avenant and Mr. Dryden; and tho’ I won’t Arraign the Judgment of those two great Men, yet I think I may be allow’d to say, that there are some things left out by them, that might, and even ought to have been kept in.  Mr. Dryden was an Admirer of our Author, and, indeed, he owed him a great deal, as those who have read them both may very easily observe.  And, I think, in Justice to ’em both, I should not on this Occasion omit what Mr. Dryden has said of him.

      Shakespear, who, taught by none, did first impart
    To Fletcher_ Wit, to lab’ring Johnson Art. 
    He, Monarch-like, gave those his Subjects Law,
    And is that Nature which they Paint and Draw.
    Fletcher reach’d that which on his heights did grow,
    Whilst Johnson crept and gather’d all below: 
    This did his Love, and this his Mirth digest,
    One imitates him most, the other best. 
    If they have since out-writ all other Men,
    ’Tis with the Drops which fell from Shakespear’s Pen. 
    The[B]Storm which vanish’d on the neighb’ring Shoar,
    Was taught by Shakespear’s Tempest to roar. 
    That Innocence and Beauty which did smile
    In Fletcher, grew on this Enchanted Isle. 
    But Shakespear’s Magick could not copied be,
    Within that Circle none durst walk but he._
    I must confess ’twas bold, nor would you now
    That Liberty to vulgar Wits allow,
    Which works by Magick supernatural things: 
    But Shakespear_’s Pow’r is Sacred as A King’s._