MY SHRUBS 127 
other valuation of his performances than his own. There have been 
and still exist vain Masters in every branch of human achievement ; 
but they are happily rare, for, even in this, our time, modesty con- 
tinues to be a jewel in the crown of greatness. 
“Tf any one be in rapture with his own knowledge, looking 
only on those below him, let him but turn his glance upward toward 
past ages, and his pride will be abated, when he shall there find so 
many thousand wits that trample him under foot.” 
The man who wrote that would have declared it impossible had 
he learned of the everlasting fame to attend his own genius ; yet 
from him William Shakespeare was very well pleased to borrow 
both wisdom and humour. 
