To the Reader.
This Figure,that thou here feeft put, It was for gentle Shakefpeare cut; Wherein the Grauer had a ftrife with Nature, to out-doo the life : O,could he but haue drawne his wit As well in braffe, as he hath hit His face ; the Print would then furpaffe All,that was euer writ in braffe. But,fince he cannot, Reader,looke Not on his Picture, but his Booke. |
Martin Droeshout Sculpsit London. |
To the Reader
by Ben Jonson
First published in
MR. WILLIAM
SHAKESPEARES
COMEDIES,
HISTORIES, &
TRAGEDIES.
London, Ifaac Iaggard and Ed. Blount, 1623.
1st Fleabonnet web edition posted
2/3/2000
(updated 2/11/2000).
Published by Fleabonnet Press.
©
2000 by Brian Kunde.