The TEMPESTI
The MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM.
The Two GENTLEMEN of VERONA
MERRY Wives of WINDSOR.
MEASURE for MEASURE.

L O N D ON:

OND
Printed for Ji and R. Tonson, H. Woodfall

, J. Rivington,
R. Baldwin, L. Hawes, Clarke and Collins,
T.Longman, W.Johnston, T.Caflon, C.Corbct,
T.Lowndes, and the Executors of B. Dod.

MDCCLXVII,

TO

Her ROYAL HIGANESS, the

PRINCESS of WALES

A

MA DA M,

S I am conscious, that no compofition of my own could be wor

thy to be laid at your Royal Highness's feet; it is my happiness, as an Editor, to have this opportunity of approache ing you, by submitting to your protection the best Dramatic Poet that these king, doms could ever boast of. He enjoy'd, whilst living, the favour of the greatest

Queen

A 3

Queen that has sat on the English throne and therefore, I hope, is intitled to your Royal Highness's smiles over his urn.

Could I picture out his character equal to its mcrits, the world would foon dircover a sort of parallel betwixt the Poet and his Patronefs. His excellencies were as great, as they were various; his beauties strong, and all native; the frame of his mind as sweet and candid, as his countenance was open and engaging; and his sentiments as chaste, as his conceptions were noble; He knew how to charm without affectation; and had the wondrous force of preserving all hearts, that once felt the influence of his attractions.

After what I have faid, MADAM, I am afraid the duty of this address should be misconstrued a. panegyrick on your Royal Highness. But I have profess'd myself unequal to the task of drawing his portraiture, and my humble sphere in