Note 157 — X—THE SUPPOSED STORY OF INTRIGUE IN THE SONNETS

W. S. are common initials, and at least two authors bearing them made some reputation in Shakespeare’s day. There was a dramatist named Wentworth Smith (see p. 180 infra), and there was a William Smith who published a volume of lovelorn sonnets called Chloris in 1595. A specious argument might possibly be devised in favour of the latter’s identity with Willobie’s counsellor. But Shakespeare, of the two, has the better claim.