258 An ESSAY on the 



them up in the bread. It is the very mark and prerogative of a 

 great foul, upon great occafions to outrun time, to ftart at once, 

 without fenlible tranfition, into another period. Even a common 

 foldier, in the heat of aclion, were his deareft companion to fall 

 by his fide, would not (although he could) drop his arms and 

 mourn over him. In a fimilar date, but infinitely more inter- 

 efting, was Hamlet at this time. And if doubts mould (till 

 be entertained about the exiftence of Hamlet's love to Ophe- 

 lia after her death, the queftion can be brought to the fhorteft 

 iflue. Hamlet himfelf will anfwer, That his love for Ophe- 

 lia was greater than ever. When Laertes, half-delirious 

 himfelf with grief for his filler's madnefs and death, leaped 

 into her grave, and imprecated " ten times triple woe upon the 

 " curfed head of him (Hamlet) who had deprived her of her 

 " mod ingenious fenfe ;" Hamlet burn: upon him at once 

 from his concealment, like thunder from a cloud j 



What is he whofe griefs 



Bear fuch an emphafis ? whofe phrafe of forrow 



Conjures the wand'ring ftars, and makes them ftand 



Like wonder-wounded hearers ? This is I, 



Hamlet the Dane — [leaps into the grave. 



Why, I will fight with him upon this theme 



Until my eye-lids will no longer wag. 



I loved Ophelia ; forty thoufand brothers 



Could not, with all their quantity of love, 



Make up my fum. What wilt thou do for her ? 



Come, fhew me what thou'lt do. 



Woo't weep ? woo't fight ? woo't faft ? woo't tear thyfelf ? 



Woo't drink up Eifel, eat a crocodile ? 



I'll do't — Doft thou come hither but to whine ? 



To out-face me with leaping in her grave ? 



Be buried quick with her, and fo will I. 



&c. 



His 



