Page:The Plays of William Shakspeare (1778).djvu/346

[ 330 ] of Shakpeare’s performances (to mention a circumtance which in the coure of thee obervations will be more than once inited upon) likewie trengthens this conjecture; for it is very improbable, that Middleton, or any other poet of that time, hould have ventured into thoe regions of fiction, in which our author had already expatiated: —“ Shakepeare’s magick could not copy’d be, Within that circle none durt walk but he.” Other pieces of equal antiquity may, perhaps, be hereafter dicovered; for the names of everal ancient plays are preerved, which are not known to have been ever printed. Thus we hear of Valentine and Oron, plaied by her Majetie’s players—The tragedy of Ninus and Scmiramis—Titirus and Galathea—Godfrey of Bulloigne—The Cradle of Securitie—Hit