Richard Field, a Stratford-on-Avon man, as was natural, a Stratford-
on-Avon man being the author.* It was dedicated, in stately but not
servile courtesy, to the Earl of Southampton, by 'William
Shakespeare.'

*Phillipps, i. p. 101.

Judge Webb asks: 'Was it a pseudonym, or was it the real name of
the author of the poem?' Well, Shakespeare signs 'Shakspere' in two
deeds, in which the draftsman throughout calls him 'Shakespeare:'
obviously taking no difference.* People were not particular,
Shakespeare let them spell his name as best pleased them.

*Phillipps, ii. pp. 34, 36.

Judge Webb argues that Southampton 'took no notice' of the
dedication. How can he know? Ben Jonson dedicated to Lady Wroth
and many others. Does Judge Webb know what 'notice' they took? He
says that on various occasions 'Southampton did not recognise the
existence of the Player.' How can he know? I have dedicated books
to dozens of people. Probably they 'took notice,' but no record
thereof exists. The use of arguments of this kind demonstrates the
feebleness of the case.

That Southampton, however, DID 'take notice' may be safely inferred
from the fact that Shakespeare, in 1594, dedicated to him 'The Rape
of Lucrece.' Had the Earl been an ungrateful patron, had he taken
no notice, Shakespeare had Latin enough to act on the motto Invenies
alium si te hic fastidit Alexin. He speaks of 'the warrant I have
of your honourable disposition,' which makes the poem 'assured of