by Sir _William D'Avenant_ and Mr. _Dryden_; and tho' I won't Arraign
the Judgment of those two great Men, yet I think I may be allow'd to
say, that there are some things left out by them, that might, and even
ought to have been kept in. Mr. _Dryden_ was an Admirer of our Author,
and, indeed, he owed him a great deal, as those who have read them both
may very easily observe. And, I think, in Justice to 'em both, I should
not on this Occasion omit what Mr. _Dryden_ has said of him.

Shakespear, _who, taught by none, did first impart
To _Fletcher_ Wit, to lab'ring _Johnson_ Art.
He, Monarch-like, gave those his Subjects Law,
And is that Nature which they Paint and Draw.
_Fletcher_ reach'd that which on his heights did grow,
Whilst _Johnson_ crept and gather'd all below:
This did his Love, and this his Mirth digest,
One imitates him most, the other best.
If they have since out-writ all other Men,
'Tis with the Drops which fell from _Shakespear_'s Pen.
The[B]Storm which vanish'd on the neighb'ring Shoar,
Was taught by _Shakespear_'s Tempest to roar.
That Innocence and Beauty which did smile
In _Fletcher_, grew on this _Enchanted Isle_.
But _Shakespear_'s Magick could not copied be,
Within that Circle none durst walk but he._
_I must confess 'twas bold, nor would you now
That Liberty to vulgar Wits allow,
Which works by Magick supernatural things:
But _Shakespear_'s Pow'r is Sacred as A King's._

Prologue to _The Tempest_, as it