Several of the works rejected as spurious may
still have been produced in the period betwixt TITUS ANDRONICUS and
the earliest of the acknowledged pieces.
'At last, Steevens published seven pieces ascribed to Shakespeare in
two supplementary volumes. It is to be remarked, that they all
appeared in print in Shakespeare's lifetime, with his name prefixed
at full length. They are the following:
'1. LOCRINE. The proofs of the genuineness of this piece are not
altogether unambiguous; the grounds for doubt, on the other hand,
are entitled to attention. However, this question is immediately
connected with that respecting TITUS ANDRONICUS, and must be at the
same time resolved in the affirmative or negative.
'2. PERICLES, PRINCE OF TYRE. This piece was acknowledged by Dryden,
but as a youthful work of Shakespeare. It is most undoubtedly his,
and it has been admitted into several of the late editions. The
supposed imperfections originate in the circumstance, that
Shakespeare here handled a childish and extravagant romance of the
old poet Gower, and was unwilling to drag the subject out of its
proper sphere. Hence he even introduces Gower himself, and makes him
deliver a prologue entirely in his antiquated language and
versification. This power of assuming so foreign a manner is at
least no proof of helplessness.
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