PREFACE, 
XXXV 
a glaring manner: but I rather imagine 
that thofe vain flourifhes were added by 
their enthufiaftic admirers, in the copies 
that were made after the death of the 
authors. Our incomparable Shakefpear 
was far from expecting an immortal 
name ; witnefs the following quotation 
from his works. 
The cloud-cap’t Tow’rs, 
The gorgeous Palaces, 
The iolemn Temples, 
The great Globe itfelf, 
Yea, all which it inherit, 
Shall dillolve ; 
And, like the bafelefs fabric of a vilion. 
Leave not a wreck behind. 
What may be the future fate of this 
Eflay of mine I cannot pretend to judge; 
but 1 fubmit it to the Critics, Corre&ors, 
Reformers, Tranflators, Regravers, and 
laftly to obfeurity and utter oblivion. 
nereis plutot que ces vaines rodomontades 
ont iti ajoutees parleur enthoujiaftes admi - 
rateurs , dans les copies quon a faites des 
outrages de ces celebres auteurs , de puis 
leur mort . Notre incomparable Shakefpear 
etoit bien eloigne de sattendre d une repu- 
tation immortelle : temoin ce beau pajj'age 
d r une de fes tragedies. 
Les Lours cachees dans les nues 3 
Les Palais fuperbes 3 
Les Temples Jolennels 3 
Le vajle Globe mane , 
Out ! tout ce quil renferme , 
Tout perira ; 
Ety comme le vain edifice d * un fonge , 
Ne laifjera pas le moindre debris apres foi . 
Je ne pretends pas decider quel /era la 
deftinee de cet Ejfai, mais je labandonne aux 
Critiques , aux Correbleurs, aux Reformateurs 3 
aux TradudleurSy aux Graveurs y et enfin d 
robjeurite et d un parfait oubli . 
