146 Effay on Majfmger. 



As to o'erwalk a current roaring loud. 

 On the unfteadfaft footing of a fpear, 



Henry IV. Part I, Aft I. Sc. 3. 



It cannot be denied that MafTinger has improved 

 on his original : He cannot be faid to borrow, 

 fo properly as to imitate. This remark may be 

 applied to many other paflages : thus, Harpax's 

 menace, 



I'll take thee — and hang thee 



In a contorted chain of icicles 



I' th' frigid zone, 



ViRG. Mart. Aft V. Sc. i. 



is derived from the fame fource with that paf- 

 fage in Meafure for Meafure, where it is faid to 

 be a punifhment in a future ftate, 



--- to refide 



In thrilling regions of thick-ribbed ice. 



Again, in the Old Law, we meet with a paflage, 

 fimilar to a much celebrated one of Shake- 

 fpeare's, but copied with no common hand : 



.- . ...In my youth 



I was a foldier, no coward in my age ; 



I never turn'd my back upon my foe : 



I have felt nature's winter's ficknefles. 



Yet ever kept a lively fap within me. 



To greet the cheerful fpring of health again. 



Old Law, Aft I. Sc. 2. 

 Though I look old, yet I am Itrong and lufty. 

 For in my youth I never did apply 

 Hot and rebellious liquors to my blood ; 

 Nor did not with unbaftifui forehead woo 

 The means of weaknefs and debility. 



Therefore 



