Page:The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets, Volume 1.djvu/311

Rh From this account of the riches of his mind, who would not imagine that they had been displayed in large volumes and numerous performances? Who would not, after the perusal of this character, be surprised to find that all the proofs of this genius, and knowledge and judgement, are not sufficient to form a single book, or to appear otherwise than in conjunction with the works of some other writer of the same pretty size ? But thus it is that characters are written: we know somewhat, and we imagine the rest. The observation, that his imagination would probably have been more fruitful and sprightly, if his judgement had been less severe, may be answered, by a remarker somewhat inclined to cavil, by a contrary supposition, that Rh