Page:An Inquiry into the Authenticity of certain Papers and Instruments attributed to Shakspeare.djvu/37

Rh Heminge to Michael Fraser and his wife.

19. Deed of Trust to John Heminge.

to these Miscellaneous Papers, &c. are the tragedy of, and a fragment of , both alleged to be in the hand-writing of Shakspeare; but these I shall reserve for a distinct consideration.

The first piece which we are to examine is, the pretended Letter from Queen Elizabeth to Shakspeare. As this and a few other pieces in this volume are very short, and cannot be well understood by partial extracts, I shall transcribe them, as by this means my objections will appear in a clearer light.

Majesty, if we are to credit these MSS., writes as follows: She no more ‘‘stands upon points” than, the Weaver; her Letter is “like a tangled chain, nothing impair’d, but all disorder’d:”

“ didde receive youre prettye Verses goode Masterre William through the hands off oure Lorde Chambelayne