still worse than he did on the stage. But I have never known a good actor who did not also possess enough of the power of mimickry to show that it was his own fault he had not acquired it in still greater perfection. Garrick, I have been told by some of his acquaintance, frequently amused his friends with portraits of individual character incomparably finer and more faithful than any that were ever executed by Foote. 266.—ARTEGAL AND THE GIANT. THEY saw before them, far as they could view, Of all whose weight he would not miss a feather: SPENSER. VOL. IV. For why, he said, they all unequal were, And had encroached upon each other's share; In sort as they were formed anciently; Therefore the vulgar did about him flock "Thou that presum'st to weigh the world anew, Instead of right me seems great wrong dost show, "For at the first they all created were In goodly measure by their Maker's might; All which the heavens contain, and in their courses guide. "Such heavenly justice doth among them reign, And 'mongst them all no change hath yet been found: Till we may be assur'd they shall their course retain." "Thou foolish Elf," said then the Giant, wroth, Were it not good that wrong were then surceast, And from the most that some were given to the least ? "Therefore I will throw down these mountains high, "Of things unseen how canst thou deem aright," Then answered the righteous Artegal, 66 Sith thou misdeemst so much of things in sight? Do eat the earth, it is no more at all; For there is nothing lost, that may be found if sought. "Likewise the earth is not augmented more For of the earth they formed were of yore: All creatures must obey the voice of the Most High. 66 They live, they die, like as he doth ordain, Nor ever any asketh reason why. The hills do not the lowly vales disdain; "Whatever thing is done, by Him is done, Ne loose that he hath bound with stedfast band. "For take thy balance, if thou be so wise, And weigh the wind that under heaven doth blow; Or weigh the thought that from man's mind doth flow: |