Prefatory Materials (Folio 1, 1664)

 297Upon the Effigies of my worthy Friend, the Au-
 298thour Mr. W. Shakespeare, and his Works.
 
 299SPectator, this Lifes Shadow is; to see
 300The truer Image and a livelier he
 301Turn Reader. But, observe his Comick vain,
 302Laugh, and proceed next to a Tragick strain,
 303Then weep; So when thou find'st two contraries,
 304Two different passions from thy rapt soul rise,
 305Say, (who alone effect such wonders could)
 306Rare Shakespeare to the life thou dost behold.
 
 
 307To the Memory of Mr. W. Shakespeare.
 
 308WE wonder (Shakespeare) that thou went'st so
 309 soon
 310From the VVorlds-Stage, to the Graves-Tyring-
 311 room.
 312We thought thee dead, but this thy Printed worth,
 313Tells thy Spectators, that thou went'st but forth
 314To enter with applause. An Actors Art,
 315Can dye, and live, to act a second Part.
 316That's but an Exit of Mortality;
 317This, a Re-entrance to a Plaudite.
 318J. M.

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Prefatory Materials (Folio 1, 1664)