Wither’s. George Wither (1588–1667). See Lamb’s Essay on the Poetical Works of George Wither. Poems, Plays, and Essays, ed. Ainger. The lines quoted by Hazlitt are from ‘The Shepheards’ Hunting,’ (1615). [‘To be pleasing ornaments.’ ‘Let me never taste of gladnesse.’]
V. ON THOMSON AND COWPER
[85]. Dr. Johnson makes it his praise. ‘It is said by Lord Lyttelton, in the Prologue to his posthumous play, that his works contained “no line which, dying, he could wish to blot.“’ Life of Thomson.
Bub Doddington. George Bubb Dodington (1691–1762), one of Browning’s ‘persons of importance in their day.’ His Diary was published in 1784.
Would he had blotted a thousand! Said by Ben Jonson of Shakespeare, in his Timber.
[86]. Cannot be constrained by mastery.
‘Love will not submit to be controlled
By mastery.’
Wordsworth, The Excursion, VI.
Come, gentle Spring! ‘Spring,’ 1–4.