1 MARCH 1902, Page 15

SHAKESPEARE AND VICTOR HUGO.

[TO TEE EDITOR OF TEE "SPECTATOR."]

SIB,—Victor Hugo had great imagination. But he was an avowed student of Shakespeare. Hence my comment. The following two lines of his play of Hernani are to be found in Act IL, Scene 2, and are the words of Dona Sol in reply to the King, Don Carlos :—

" Mei je suis flue noble, et de ce sang jalouse, Trop pour la concubine, et trop peu pour repousel" Now compare the above with these lines from Shakespeare's King Henry TT, Part III., Act III., Scene 2, which form part of Lady Grey's response to King Edward IV., and read:-

"I know I am too mean to be your queen. And yet too good to be your concubine."

Can the imagination be sufficiently stretched to acquit Victor Hugo of plagiarism in this instance P—I am Sir, &c., ALGERNON WARREN.