present profit. Cf. Pope, Epistle to Augustus, 69-73.
[142]. declined into the vale of years. Othello, iii. 3. 265.
[143]. as Dr. Warburton supposes. P. [96].
Not because a poet was to be published by a poet, as Warburton had said. P. [97].
As of the other editor's, etc. In the first edition of the Preface, this sentence had read thus: “Of Rowe, as of all the editors, I have preserved the preface, and have likewise retained the authour's life, though not written with much elegance or spirit.” This criticism is passed on Rowe's Account as emended by Pope, but is more applicable to it in its original form.
[144]. The spurious plays were added to the third Folio (1663) when it was reissued in 1664.
the dull duty of an editor. P. [61]. Cf. the condensed criticism of Pope's edition in the Life of Pope.
[146]. Johnson's appreciation of Hanmer was shared by Zachary Grey. “Sir Thomas Hanmer,” says Grey, “has certainly done more towards the emendation of the text than any one, and as a fine gentleman, good scholar, and (what was best of all) a good Christian, who has treated every editor with decency, I think his memory should have been exempt [pg 325] from ill treatment of every kind, after his death.” Johnson's earliest criticism of Hanmer's edition was unfavourable.
[147]. Warburton was incensed by this passage and the many criticisms throughout the edition, but Johnson's prediction that “he'll not come out, he'll only growl in his den” proved correct. He was content to show his annoyance in private letters. See note, p. [101].
[148]. Homer's hero. “Achilles” in the first edition.