Page:The Plays of William Shakspeare (1778).djvu/335

[ 319 ] Dryden uppoed Troilus and CreSS undefinedida to have been one of Shakpeare’s earliet performances ; but has not mentioned on what principles he founded his judgment. Pope, on the other hand, thought it one of his lat; grounding his opinion not only on the preface by the editor in 1609, but on “the great number of obervations both moral and political with which this piece is crowded, more than any other of our author’s.” For my own part, were it not for the entry in the Stationers’ books, I hould have been led, both by the colour of the writing and by the abovementioned preface, to clas it (though not one of our author’s happiet effuions) in 1608, rather than in that year in which it is here placed.

This play was not regitered at Stationers’ hall, nor printed, till 1623. But from two paSS undefinedages in it, which eem intended as a courtly apology for the tately and ungracious demeanour of K. James I. on his entry into England, it appears probable that it was written oon after his acceSS undefinedion to the throne:

“ I’ll privily away. I love the people. But do not like to tage me to their eyes. Though it do well, I do not relih well Their loud applaue, and aves vehement; Nor do I think the man of afe dicretion That does affect it.” Mea. for Mea. Act I. c. i.

Again, Act II. c iv.

“ So The general, ubject to a well-wih’d king. Quit their own part, and in obequious fondnes Croud to his preence, where their untaught love Mut needs appear offence .”