...of Discoveries. One of these, No. 44, entitled 'De Shakespeare Nostrati', comprises the following: I remember, the Players have often mentioned it as...Shakespeare, that in his writing, (whatsoever he penn'd) he never blotted out line. My answer hath been, would he had blotted a thousand. Which they thought...

...essays, "The Praise of Shakespeare", Strachey quotes Ben Jonson's single criticism of Shakespeare's work: "I remember the players have often mentioned it as...to Shakespeare that in his writing (whatsoever he penned) he never blotted out a line. My answer hath been, 'would he had blotted a thousand'." Here...

...similarly criticizes Shakespeare for failing to exhibit rational restraint of his passions by stating, "the Players have often mentioned it as an honour...answer hath beene, Would he had blotted a thousand" (646-50). He explains acerbically that "wherein hee flow'd with that facility." sometimes "it was necessary...