When poor Otway's "unpardonable piracy," in taking part of this play
from "Romeo and Juliet," was reprobated so severely, the critic might
have done him the justice to mention, that, instead of attempting to
pass off the borrowed beauties as his own, he, in the prologue, fully
avowed his obligations. It contains an animated eulogy on Shakspeare,
which thus concludes:--
"Though much the most unworthy of the throng,
Our this day's poet fears he's done him wrong.
Like greedy beggars, that steal sheaves away,
_You'll find he's rifled him of half a play;_
Among his baser dross you'll see it shine,
Most beautiful, amazing, and divine."
* * * * *