3-011-647 - 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 an illustration of "King Lear" - the King, Fool, and the song: "Blow, blow, thou winter wind, Thou art not so unkind As man's ingratitude; Thy tooth is not so keen, Because thou art not seen, Although thy breath be rude. Heigh-ho, sing heigh-ho, unto the green holly: Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly. Then heigh-ho the holly! This life is most jolly. Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky, That dost not bite so nigh As benefits forgot; Though thou the waters warp, Thy sting is not so sharp As friends remember'd not. Heigh-ho! &c".' From "Illustrated London News", 1862.