Note 69 — ACT I.
Reading edition
"To whisper in books," says Mr. D—s, "is arrant nonsense." I am afraid this learned man does not sufficiently understand the extensive meaning of the word whisper. If he had rightly understood what is meant by the "senses whisp'ring the soul," in the Persian Princess, or what "whisp'ring like winds" is in Aurengzebe, or like thunder in another author, he would have understood this. Emmeline in Dryden sees a voice, but she was born blind, which is an excuse Panthea cannot plead in Cyrus, who hears a sight:
"Your description will surpass All fiction, painting, or dumb show of horror, That ever ears yet heard, or eyes beheld."
When Mr. D—s understands these, he will understand whispering in books.