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On the Characters of the English Poets By a Norther Bard

Unrivald Shakespeare every key can [hit?] [illegible] in the [illegible] - rally in the [illegible], [illegible] varying characters of man, has read, [From?] the proud Palace to the peaceful shade; {and?] shall the present scene sign forth so well, {illegible] think [its?] these his talents most excell: -- Then wild Othello mourns his murdered Wife, [and?] [illegible] Falstaff lies to save his life; [When?] manly Brutus pleads the cause of Rome, [and] midnight stags fortell Macbeth his doom; When lively Benedick at marriage snears, And poor Ophelia fills our eyes with tears; When [illegible]Timon sees he was too fond And bitter Shylock claims the forfeit bond; When moralizing Jaquues sends forth a sigh, And gay Mercutio makes his sallies fly; When Desdamona breathes her tender vows, And [illegible] Petrucchio tames his rampant spouse; When bloody Richard trembles at his dreams, And Woolsey sees the wreak of all his schemes; When John would hint, what Hubert should perform And frantic Leon raves amidst the storm -- In [calm?] scene his raptured audience find Their feelings captivated to that [illegible]mind, No second Shakespeare shall the world behold, For Nature, when she cast him, broke the mould.