PHILOSOPHY

OF

SHAKESPEARE'S SONNETS.

LONDON: PRINTED BY

SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARЯ AND PARLIAMENT STREET

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE

PHILOSOPHY

OF

SHAKESPEARE'S SONNETS.

BY RICHARD SIMPSON.

LONDON:

N. TRÜBNER & CO., 60 PATERNOSTER ROW.

PREFACE.

THE FOLLOWING

CHAPTERS are reprinted from The

Chronicle, where they first appeared. They were compiled from collections made long ago as notes to Shakespeare's Sonnets, and it is hoped that as they stand they will be of some use in pointing out the sequence of ideas in a poem which both needs and rewards the pains of a commentator.

CLAPHAM, February 17, 1868.