In pitying Love, we but our weakness show, Who hears him groan, and does not wish to bleed? The spoils of nations, and the pomp of wars, 20 Show'd Rome her Cato's figure drawn in state; Rome learning arts from Greece, whom she subdu'd; Dare to have sense yourselves; assert the stage, Be justly warm'd with your own native rage: But what with pleasure] This alludes to a famous passage of Seneca, which Mr. Addison afterwards used as a motto to his play, when it was printed. Warburton. [It is taken from Sen. de Divin. Prov. and runs as follows: 'Ecce spectaculum dignum, ad quod respiciat, intentus operi suo, Deus! Ecce par Deo dignum, vir fortis cum malâ fortunâ compositus! Non video, inquam, quid habeat in terris Jupiter pulchrius, si convertere animum velit, quam ut spectet Catonem, jam paribus non semel fractis, nihilominus inter ruinas publicas erectum.'] 30 40 2 Britons, attend] Mr. Pope had written it arise, in the spirit of Poetry and Liberty; but Mr. Addison frighten'd at so daring an expression, which, he thought, squinted at rebellion, would have it alter'd, in the spirit of Prose and Politics, to attend. Warburton. 3 As Cato's self, etc.] This alludes to the famous story of his going into the Theatre, and immediately coming out again, related by Martial. Warburton. [Martial. Lib. 1. Epigr. 1.] EPILOGUE ΤΟ MR ROWE'S JANE SHORE. Designed for Mrs Oldfield. [Rowe's play of Jane Shore, which is only partly founded on history, was first acted Feb. 2, 1714, at Drury Lane. The character of Gloucester in this play is taken straight out of Shakspere. Great expectations were formed of the tragedy; and it was acted for nineteen nights. See (Geneste's) Account of the English Stage, The famous Mrs Oldfield supported the part of the heroine, but Pope's Epilogue was never spoken.] II. 524. PRODIGIOUS this! the Frail-one of our Play Just as a blockhead rubs his thoughtless skull, Our sex are still forgiving at their heart; The godly dame, who fleshly failings damns, Scolds with her maid, or with her chaplain crams. Would you enjoy soft nights and solid dinners? Faith, gallants, board with saints, and bed with sinners. [Nicholas Rowe born in 1673, died in 1718. He was a friend of Addison's; and did good service to the cause of dramatic literature by his edition of Shakspere, accompanied by a biography. In his own plays he adopted blank verse in lieu of the heroic couplet established by creatures may be living. ΤΟ 20 Dryden; but has nothing else to approach him to the Elisabethan tragedians. He is perhaps happiest in the delineation of female passion and weakness; but his Fair Penitent is a mere adaptation from Massinger.] In days of old, they pardon'd breach of vows, That Edward's Miss thus perks it in your face; Faith, let the modest Matrons of the town Come here in crowds, and stare the strumpet down. |