3-011-646 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Shakspeare's Songs and Sonnets, illustrated, 1862. Messrs. Sampson Low, Son, and Co. have just published an elegantly-bound edition, with illustrations by Mr. John Gilbert, of the songs and sonnets of Shakspeare - the beautiful lyrics scattered through the plays with which we are all familiar...It need scarcely be said that Mr. Gilbert's illustrations are, as usual, pleasing and generally fanciful...and that they are remarkable for graceful facility and beauty of execution. We give two samples...[one] illustrates Puck's song in "Midsummer Night's Dream": "Now the hungry lion roars, And the wolf behowls the moon; Whilst the heavy plowman snores, All with weary task foredone. Now the wasted brands do glow, Whilst the scritch-owl, scritching loud, Puts the wretch that lies in woe In remembrance of a shroud. Now it is the time of night, That the graves all gaping wide; Every one lets forth his sprite, In the churchway paths to glide; And we fairies, that do run By the triple Hecate's team, From the presence of the sun, Following darkness like a dream, Now are frolic; not a mouse Shall disturb this hallow'd house. I am sent, with broom before, To sweep the dust behind the door'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.