It exhibits the most lively pictures of external nature, and the most perfect representation of human passions. His language is frequently obscure, from it's containing many words and phrases which are now out of common use; besides, his writings relate so much to the passions of men, and the concerns of princes and politicians, that a person must have what is called a knowledge of the world, and must have had some experience of the effects of human passions, before he can perceive the beauties, or have a relish for the excellencies of Shakspeare. The Speech of the Chief Justice, in the Second Part of Henry the Fourth, is in some measure free from these difficulties; and it is selected for the purpose of introducing the style and manner of Shakspeare to our young

readers.

Shakspeare wrote dramatic pieces upon the history of England; they are now called plays, though formerly they were called histories; each of them takes in several years; and they carry the imagination of the spectator from England to France, and back again, many times in the space of one night. Henry the Fourth is one of these dramas; it includes a great part of his reign, and

E

concludes with his death, and with the coronation of his son Henry the Fifth.

Henry the Fifth, when prince of Wales, was wild, and, in the disgraceful society of sir John Falstaff, Poins, and other idlers, committed several offences against the laws; some of his attendants had been taken up by the officers of justice, for a riot, and were brought before the chief justice, sir William Gascoigne. While they were in court, prince Henry came, and rudely demanded that they should be released. The chief justice refused. The prince insulted, and, it is supposed, even struck the judge. The chief justice with great dignity kept his seat upon the bench, and in the authoritative tone of a man, to whom the execution of the laws is'intrusted, he rebuked the prince, and ordered him to be taken into custody. To this the prince, recollecting his duty, becomingly submitted. After the death of his father, when he became king, the nation expected he would give himself up to amusement and intemperance; but, on the contrary, he immediately assumed the deportment and conduct of a wise monarch, and, dismissing from his presence his former companions, instead of disgracing the chief justice, who

had committed him, he thanked him for the firmness and dignity with which he had executed the laws, and conferred great favours upon him. The speech which is inserted in Enfield's Speaker from Shakspeare, is addressed to the chief justice by Henry the Fifth, after he became king; and it contains excellent sentiments of prudence and justice, conveyed in expressive and energetic language., But as there are many words and phrases in Shakspeare, that are out of use at present, young people at first do not perfectly understand him, and therefore cannot feel his beauties. With the view of accustoming the eye and ear to ancient English, the fol lowing note from an old author is introduced:

"The moste renouned prince, kynge Henry the Fyfte, late kynge of Englande, durynge the lyfe of his father, was noted to be fiers and of wanton courage; it happened that one of his seruantes, whom he well fauoured, was, for felony by him committed, arrained at the kynge's benche, whereof the prince being aduertised and incensed by lyghte persones aboute him, in furious rage came hastily to the barre, where his seruant stode as a prisoner, and commaunded hym to be

angyued and set at libertie: whereat all men were abashed, reserued the chiefe justice, who humbly exhorted the prince to be contented, that his seruaunt mought be ordred accordynge to the aunciente lawes of this realme; or if he wolde hauve hym saued from the rigour of the lawes, that he shulde opteyne, if he mought, of the kynge hist father his gratious pardon, wherby no lawe or iustyce shulde be derogate. With whiche answere the prince nothynge appeased, but rather more inflamed, endeuored himselfe to take away his seruant. The iudge considering the perilous example, and inconuenience that mought therby insue, with a valyant spirite and courage, commanded the prince, upon his alegeance, to leaue the prisoner and depart his way; with which commandment the prince being set all in a fury, all chafed and in a terrible manner came vp to the place of iugement, men thynking that he wold haue slayne the iuge, or haue done to hym some damage; but the iuge sittynge styll without mouing, declaring the maiestie of the kynge's place of iugement, and with an assured and bolde countenaunce had to the prince these wordes followyng-Syr, remembre yourselfe. I kepe here the place of the kynge

your soueraine lorde and father, to whom ye owe double obedience; wherfore eftesoones in his name I charge you desyste of your wylfulnes and vnlaufull enterprise, and from hensforth giue good example to those whyche hereafter shall be your propre subiects.-And nowe for your contempte and disobedience, goo you to the prysone of the kynge's benche, wherevnto I commytte you, and remayne ye there prisoner vntyll the pleasure of the kynge your father be further knowen'-With whiche wordes being abashed, and also wondrynge at the meruaylous grauitie of that worshypfulle justyce, the noble prince laying his weapon apart, doynge reuerence, departed, and went to the kynge's benche, as he was commanded. Whereat his seruauntes desdaynynge, came and shewed to the kynge all the hole affaire. Whereat he awhyles studyenge after, as a man all rauyshed with gladnesse, holdynge his eien and handes vp towarde Heuen braided, saying with a loude voice, O mercyfull God! how moche am I aboue all other men bounde to your infinite goodnes, specially for that ye haue gyuen me a iuge, who feareth not to minister iustice; and also a sonne who can suffre semblably and obey iustyce."