THE DRAMATIST'S VIEW OF LIFE AND DUTY. SHAKESPEARIAN EXTRACTS. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, called by Carlyle "the melodious Priest of a true Catholicism, the Universal Church of the future and of all times," was born at Stratford-on-Avon, England, April, 1564, and died at the same place, April 23, 1616. His writings chiefly took the dramatic form, and were not intended to convey moral lessons in a direct way, but they are full of positive teachings of the highest order, some of which are given under appropriate heads below. His writings are marked by the spirit of the Bible, to which he is said to owe more than almost any other author. friends Have I not strove to love, although I knew That I have been your wife, in this obedience, Por. The quality of mercy is not strained, An earthly power doth then show likest God's Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there. Shy. My deeds upon my head! I crave the law. The penalty and forfeit of my bond. The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much The adder hisses where the sweet birds sing; Which if thou follow, this strict court of What virtue breeds iniquity devours: Venice Or kills his life or else his quality. O Opportunity, thy guilt is great! 'Tis thou that executest the traitor's treason: Thou set'st the wolf where he the lamb may get; Whoever plots the sin, thou 'point'st the sea With honor, wealth, and ease, in waning age, Honor for wealth; and oft that wealth doth The death of all, and all together lost. In having much, torments us with defect The thing we have; and, all for want of wit, Lucrece, 131. OPPORTUNITY. UNRULY blasts wait on the tender spring; Unwholesome weeds take root with precious flowers; son; 'Tis thou that spurn'st at right, at law, at reason; And in thy shady cell, where none may spy him, Sits sin, to seize the souls that wander by him. . . . Thy honey turns to gall, thy joy to grief! How comes it then, vile Opportunity, And bring him where his suit may be obtained? When wilt thou sort an hour great strifes to end, Or free that soul which wretchedness hath chained? Give physic to the sick, ease to the pained? The poor, lame, blind, halt, creep, cry out for thee; But they ne'er meet with Opportunity. |