They are like gigantic trees that we sometimes see on the
banks of a stream; which, by their vast and deep roots, penetrating
through the mere surface, and laying hold on the very foundations of
the earth, preserve the soil around them from being swept away by
the ever-flowing current, and hold up many a neighboring plant, and,
perhaps, worthless weed, to perpetuity. Such is the case with
Shakspeare, whom we behold defying the encroachments of time,
retaining in modern use the language and literature of his day, and
giving duration to many an indifferent author, merely from having
flourished in his vicinity. But even he, I grieve to say, is gradually
assuming the tint of age, and his whole form is overrun by a profusion
of commentators, who, like clambering vines and creepers, almost
bury the noble plant that upholds them."
Here the little quarto began to heave his sides and chuckle, until
at length he broke out in a plethoric fit of laughter that had well
nigh choked him, by reason of his excessive corpulency. "Mighty well!"
cried he, as soon as he could recover breath, "mighty well! and so you
would persuade me that the literature of an age is to be perpetuated
by a vagabond deer-stealer! by a man without learning; by a poet,
forsooth- a poet!" And here he wheezed forth another fit of laughter.
I confess that I felt somewhat nettled at this rudeness, which,
however, I pardoned on account of his having flourished in a less
polished age.
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