difficult_a then_o to_o write_v a_o irregular_a english_a one_o like_o those_o of_o fletcher_n or_o of_o shakespeare_n if_o they_o content_v themselves_o as_o cornâ—â—ille_n do_v with_o some_o flat_a design_n which_o like_o a_o ill_a riddle_n be_v find_v out_o ere_o it_o be_v half_o propose_v such_o plot_n we_o can_v make_v every_o way_n regular_a as_o easy_o as_o they_o but_o when_o ever_o they_o endeavour_v ro_o rise_v up_o to_o any_o quick_a turn_n and_o counterturn_v of_o plot_n as_o some_o of_o they_o have_v attempt_v since_o corneilles_n play_v have_v be_v less_o in_o vogue_n you_o see_v they_o write_v as_o irregular_o as_o we_o though_o they_o cover_v it_o more_o specious_o hence_o the_o reason_n be_v perspicuous_a why_o not_o french_a play_n when_o translate_v have_v or_o ever_o can_v succeed_v upon_o the_o english_a stage_n for_o if_o you_o consider_v the_o plot_n our_o own_o be_v full_a of_o variety_n if_o the_o write_n we_o be_v more_o quick_a and_o full_a of_o spirit_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o strange_a mistake_n in_o those_o who_o decry_v the_o way_n of_o write_v play_n in_o verse_n as_o if_o the_o english_a therein_o imitate_v the_o french_a we_o have_v borrow_a nothing_o from_o they_o our_o plot_n be_v weave_v in_o english_a loom_n we_o endeavour_v therein_o to_o follow_v the_o variety_n and_o greatness_n of_o character_n which_o be_v derive_v to_o we_o from_o shakespeare_n and_o fletcher_n the_o copiousness_n and_o well-knitting_a of_o the_o intrigue_n we_o have_v from_o johnson_n and_o for_o the_o verse_n itself_o we_o have_v english_a precedent_n of_o elder_a date_n than_o any_o of_o corneilles_n play_n not_o to_o name_v our_o old_a comedy_n before_o shakespeare_n which_o be_v all_o writ_n in_o verse_n of_o six_o foot_n or_o alexandrin_n such_o as_o the_o french_a now_o use_v i_o can_v show_v in_o shakespeare_n many_o scene_n of_o rhyme_n together_o and_o the_o like_a in_o ben._n johnsons_n tragediâ—â—s_n in_o catiline_n and_o sejanus_n sometime_o thirty_o or_o forty_o line_n i_o mean_v beside_o the_o chorus_n or_o the_o monologue_n which_o by_o the_o way_n show_v ben._n no_o enemy_n to_o this_o way_n of_o writing_n especial_o if_o you_o look_v upon_o his_o sad_a shepherd_n which_o go_v sometime_o upon_o rhyme_n sometime_o upon_o blank_a verse_n like_o a_o horse_n who_o ease_v himself_o upon_o trot_n and_o amble_n you_o find_v he_o likewise_o commend_v fletcher_n pastoral_n of_o the_o faithful_a shepherdess_n which_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n rhyme_n though_o not_o refine_v to_o that_o purity_n to_o which_o it_o have_v since_o be_v bring_v and_o these_o example_n be_v enough_o to_o clear_v we_o from_o a_o servile_a imitation_n of_o the_o french_a but_o to_o return_v from_o whence_o i_o have_v digress_v i_o dare_v bold_o affirm_v these_o two_o thing_n of_o the_o english_a drama_n first_o that_o we_o have_v many_o play_n of_o we_o as_o regular_a as_o any_o of_o they_o and_o which_o beside_o have_v more_o variety_n of_o plot_n and_o character_n and_o second_o that_o in_o most_o of_o the_o irregular_a play_n of_o shakespeare_n or_o fletcher_n for_o ben._n johnson_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n regular_a there_o be_v a_o more_o masculine_a fancy_n and_o great_a spirit_n in_o all_o the_o writing_n then_o there_o be_v in_o any_o of_o the_o french_a i_o can_v produce_v even_o in_o shakespeare_n and_o fletcher_n work_n some_o play_n which_o be_v almost_o exact_o form_v as_o the_o merry_a wife_n of_o windsor_n and_o the_o scornful_a lady_n but_o because_o general_o speak_v shakespeare_n who_o write_v first_o do_v not_o perfect_o observe_v the_o law_n of_o comedy_n and_o fletcher_n who_o come_v near_o to_o perfection_n yet_o through_o carelessness_n make_v many_o fault_n i_o will_v take_v the_o pattern_n of_o a_o perfect_a play_n from_o ben._n johnson_n who_o be_v a_o careful_a and_o learned_a observer_n of_o the_o dramatic_a law_n and_o from_o all_o his_o comedy_n i_o shall_v select_v the_o silent_a woman_n of_o which_o i_o will_v make_v a_o short_a examen_fw-la according_a to_o those_o rule_n which_o the_o french_a observe_v as_o neander_n be_v beginning_n to_o examine_v the_o silent_a woman_n eugenius_n look_v earnest_o upon_o he_o i_o beseech_v you_o neander_n say_v he_o gratify_v the_o company_n and_o i_o in_o particular_a so_o far_o as_o before_o you_o speak_v of_o the_o play_n to_o give_v we_o a_o character_n of_o the_o author_n and_o tell_v we_o frank_o your_o opinion_n whether_o you_o do_v not_o think_v all_o writer_n both_o french_a and_o english_a aught_o to_o give_v place_n to_o he_o i_o fear_v reply_v neander_n that_o in_o obey_v your_o command_n i_o shall_v draw_v a_o little_a envy_n upon_o myself_o beside_o in_o perform_v they_o it_o will_v be_v first_o necessary_a to_o speak_v somewhat_o of_o shakespeare_n and_o fletcher_n his_o rival_n in_o poesy_n and_o one_o of_o they_o in_o my_o opinion_n at_o least_o his_o equal_a perhaps_o his_o superior_a to_o begin_v then_o with_o shakespeare_n he_o be_v the_o man_n who_o of_o all_o moderns_n and_o perhaps_o ancient_a poet_n have_v the_o large_a and_o most_o comprehensive_a soul._n all_o the_o image_n of_o nature_n be_v still_o present_a to_o he_o and_o he_o draw_v they_o not_o laborious_o but_o lucky_o when_o he_o describe_v any_o thing_n you_o more_o than_o see_v it_o you_o feel_v it_o too_o those_o who_o accuse_v he_o to_o have_v want_v learning_n give_v he_o the_o great_a commendation_n he_o be_v natural_o learn_v he_o need_v not_o the_o spectacle_n of_o book_n to_o read_v nature_n he_o look_v inward_o and_o find_v she_o there_o i_o can_v say_v he_o be_v every_o where_o alike_o be_v he_o so_o i_o shall_v do_v he_o injury_n to_o compare_v he_o with_o the_o great_a of_o mankind_n he_o be_v many_o timesâ—â—_n flat_a insipid_a his_o comic_a wit_n degenerate_v into_o clenche_n his_o serious_a swell_n into_o bombast_n but_o he_o be_v always_o great_a when_o some_o great_a occasion_n be_v present_v to_o he_o no_o man_n can_v say_v he_o ever_o have_v a_o fit_a subject_n for_o his_o wit_n and_o do_v not_o then_o raise_v himself_o as_o high_a above_o the_o rest_n of_o poet_n quantum_fw-la lent_fw-la a_o solent_fw-la inter_fw-la viberna_fw-la cupressi_fw-la the_o consideration_n of_o this_o make_v mr._n hales_n of_o eton_n say_v that_o there_o be_v no_o subject_n of_o which_o any_o poet_n ever_o write_v but_o he_o will_v produce_v it_o much_o better_o treat_v of_o in_o shakespeare_n and_o however_o other_o be_v now_o general_o prefer_v before_o he_o yet_o the_o age_n wherein_o he_o live_v which_o have_v contemporary_n with_o he_o fletcher_n and_o johnson_n never_o equal_v they_o to_o he_o in_o their_o esteem_n and_o in_o the_o last_o king_n court_n when_o ben_n reputation_n be_v at_o high_a sir_n john_n suckling_n and_o with_o he_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o courtier_n set_v our_o shakespeare_n far_o above_o he_o beaumond_n and_o fletcher_n of_o who_o i_o be_o next_o to_o speak_v have_v with_o the_o advantage_n of_o shakespeare_n wit_n which_o be_v their_o precedent_n great_a natural_a gift_n improve_v by_o study_n beaumond_n especial_o be_v so_o accurate_a a_o judge_n of_o play_n that_o ben._n johnson_n while_o he_o live_v submit_v all_o his_o write_n to_o his_o censure_n and_o it_o be_v think_v use_v his_o judgement_n in_o correct_v if_o not_o contrive_v all_o his_o plot_n what_o value_n he_o have_v for_o he_o appear_v by_o the_o verse_n he_o write_v to_o he_o and_o therefore_o i_o need_v speak_v no_o far_o of_o it_o the_o first_o play_n which_o bring_v fletcher_n and_o he_o in_o esteem_n be_v their_o philaster_n for_o before_o that_o they_o have_v write_v two_o or_o three_o very_o unsuccessful_o as_o the_o like_a be_v report_v of_o ben._n johnson_n before_o he_o write_v every_o man_n in_o his_o humour_n their_o plot_n be_v general_o more_o regular_a than_o shakespeare_n especial_o those_o which_o be_v make_v before_o beaumont_n death_n and_o they_o understand_v and_o imitate_v the_o conversation_n of_o gentleman_n much_o better_o who_o wild_a debauchery_n and_o quickness_n of_o wit_n in_o repartee_n no_o poet_n can_v ever_o paint_v as_o they_o have_v do_v this_o humour_n of_o which_o ben._n johnson_n derive_v from_o particular_a person_n they_o make_v it_o not_o their_o business_n to_o describe_v they_o represent_v all_o the_o passion_n very_o lively_a but_o above_o all_o love_n i_o be_o apt_a to_o believe_v the_o english_a language_n in_o they_o arrive_v to_o its_o high_a perfection_n what_o word_n have_v since_o be_v take_v in_o be_v rather_o superfluous_a then_o necessary_a their_o play_n be_v now_o the_o most_o pleasant_a and_o frequent_a entertainment_n of_o the_o stage_n two_o of_o they_o be_v act_v through_o the_o year_n for_o one_o of_o shakespheare_n or_o johnsons_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a
of_o dramatic_a poesy_n a_o essay_n by_o john_n dryden_n esq_n fungar_fw-la vice_fw-la cotis_fw-la acutum_fw-la reddere_fw-la quae_fw-la ferrum_fw-la valet_fw-la exhort_v ipsa_fw-la secandi_fw-la horat._n de_fw-fr arte_fw-la poet._n london_n print_v for_o henry_n herringman_n at_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o anchor_n on_o the_o lower-walk_a of_o the_o new_a exchange_n 1668._o to_o the_o right_n honourable_a charles_n lord_z buckhurst_n my_o lord_n as_o i_o be_v late_o review_v my_o loose_a paper_n among_o the_o rest_n i_o find_v this_o essay_n the_o writing_n of_o which_o in_o this_o rude_a and_o indigested_a manner_n wherein_o your_o lordship_n now_o see_v it_o serve_v as_o a_o amusement_n to_o i_o in_o the_o country_n when_o the_o violence_n of_o the_o last_o plague_n have_v drive_v i_o from_o the_o town_n see_v then_o our_o theater_n shut_v up_o i_o be_v engage_v in_o these_o kind_n of_o thought_n with_o the_o same_o delight_n with_o which_o man_n think_v upon_o their_o absent_a mistress_n i_o confess_v i_o find_v many_o thing_n in_o this_o discourse_n which_o i_o do_v not_o now_o approve_v my_o judgement_n be_v a_o little_a alter_v since_o the_o write_n of_o it_o but_o whither_o for_o the_o better_a or_o the_o worse_o i_o know_v not_o neither_o indeed_o be_v it_o much_o material_a in_o a_o essay_n where_o all_o i_o have_v say_v be_v problematical_a for_o the_o way_n of_o write_v play_n in_o verse_n which_o i_o have_v seem_v to_o favour_n i_o have_v since_o that_o time_n lay_v the_o practice_n of_o it_o aside_o till_o i_o have_v more_o leisure_n because_o i_o find_v it_o troublesome_a and_o slow_a but_o i_o be_o no_o way_n alter_v from_o my_o opinion_n of_o it_o at_o least_o with_o any_o reason_n which_o have_v oppose_v it_o for_o your_o lordship_n may_v easy_o observe_v that_o none_o be_v very_o violent_a against_o it_o but_o those_o who_o either_o have_v not_o attempt_v it_o or_o who_o have_v succeed_v ill_o in_o their_o attempt_n it_o be_v enough_o for_o i_o to_o have_v your_o lordship_n example_n for_o my_o excuse_n in_o that_o little_a which_o i_o have_v do_v in_o it_o and_o i_o be_o sure_a my_o adversary_n can_v bring_v no_o such_o argument_n against_o verse_n as_o the_o four_o act_n of_o pompey_n will_v furnish_v i_o with_o in_o its_o defence_n yet_o my_o lord_n you_o must_v suffer_v i_o a_o little_a to_o complain_v of_o you_o that_o you_o too_o soon_o withdraw_v from_o we_o a_o contentment_n of_o which_o we_o expect_v the_o continuance_n because_o you_o give_v it_o we_o so_o early_o it_o be_v a_o revolt_n without_o occasion_n from_o your_o party_n where_o your_o merit_n have_v already_o raise_v you_o to_o the_o high_a command_n and_o where_o you_o have_v not_o the_o excuse_n of_o other_o man_n that_o you_o have_v be_v ill_o use_v and_o therefore_o lay_v down_o arm_n i_o know_v no_o other_o quarrel_n you_o can_v have_v to_o verse_n then_o that_o which_o spurina_n have_v to_o his_o beauty_n when_o he_o tear_v and_o mangle_v the_o feature_n of_o his_o face_n only_o because_o they_o please_v too_o well_o the_o looker_n on_o it_o be_v a_o honour_n which_o seem_v to_o wait_v for_o you_o to_o lead_v out_o a_o new_a colony_n of_o writer_n from_o the_o mother_n nation_n and_o upon_o the_o first_o spread_v of_o your_o ensign_n there_o have_v be_v many_o in_o a_o readiness_n to_o have_v follow_v so_o fortunate_a a_o leader_n if_o not_o all_o yet_o the_o better_a part_n of_o writer_n pars_fw-la indocili_fw-la melior_fw-la grege_fw-la mollis_fw-la &_o expes_fw-la inominata_fw-la perprimat_fw-la cubilia_fw-la i_o be_o almost_o of_o opinion_n that_o we_o shall_v force_v you_o to_o accept_v of_o the_o command_n as_o sometime_o the_o praetorian_a band_n have_v compel_v their_o captain_n to_o receive_v the_o empire_n the_o court_n which_o be_v the_o best_a and_o sure_a judge_n of_o writing_n have_v general_o allow_v of_o verse_n and_o in_o the_o town_n it_o have_v find_v favourer_n of_o wit_n and_o quality_n as_o for_o your_o own_o particular_a my_o lord_n you_o have_v yet_o youth_n and_o â—â—ime_n enough_o to_o give_v part_n of_o it_o to_o the_o divertisement_n of_o the_o public_a before_o you_o enter_v into_o the_o serious_a and_o more_o unpleasant_a business_n of_o the_o world_n that_o which_o the_o french_a poet_n say_v of_o the_o temple_n of_o love_n may_v be_v as_o well_o apply_v to_o the_o temple_n of_o the_o muse_n the_o word_n as_o near_o as_o i_o can_v remember_v they_o be_v these_o la_fw-fr jeunesse_fw-fr a_fw-fr mauvaise_fw-fr grace_n n_n ayant_fw-fr pas_fw-fr adorè_fw-la dans_fw-fr le_fw-fr temple_n d'_fw-fr amour_n il_fw-fr faut_fw-fr qu'il_fw-fr entre_fw-fr &_o pour_fw-fr le_fw-fr sage_a si_fw-mi ce_fw-fr nest_n son_fw-fr uray_fw-fr sejour_fw-fr ce'st_a un_fw-fr giste_fw-fr sur_fw-fr son_fw-fr passage_n i_o leave_v the_o word_n to_o work_v their_o effect_n upon_o your_o lordship_n in_o their_o own_o language_n because_o no_o other_o can_v so_o well_o express_v the_o nobleness_n of_o the_o thought_n and_o wish_v you_o may_v be_v soon_o call_v to_o bear_v a_o part_n in_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o nation_n where_o i_o know_v the_o world_n expect_v you_o and_o wonder_n why_o you_o have_v be_v so_o long_o forget_v there_o be_v no_o person_n among_o our_o young_a nobility_n on_o who_o the_o eye_n of_o all_o man_n be_v so_o much_o bend_v but_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n your_o lordship_n may_v imitate_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n who_o give_v we_o the_o flower_n before_o the_o fruit_n that_o i_o may_v speak_v to_o you_o in_o the_o language_n of_o the_o muse_n which_o i_o have_v take_v from_o a_o excellent_a poem_n to_o the_o king_n as_o nature_n when_o she_o fruit_n design_n think_v â—â—it_n by_o beauteous_a blossom_n to_o proceed_v to_o it_o and_o while_o she_o do_v accomplish_v all_o the_o spring_n bird_n to_o her_o secret_a operation_n sing_v i_o confess_v i_o have_v no_o great_a reason_n in_o address_v this_o essay_n to_o your_o lordship_n then_o that_o it_o may_v awaken_v in_o you_o the_o desire_n of_o write_v something_o in_o whatever_o kind_n it_o be_v which_o may_v be_v a_o honour_n to_o our_o age_n and_o country_n and_o i_o think_v it_o may_v have_v the_o same_o effect_n upon_o you_o which_o homer_n tell_v we_o the_o fight_n of_o the_o greek_n and_o trojan_n before_o the_o fleet_n have_v on_o the_o spirit_n of_o achilles_n who_o though_o he_o have_v resolve_v not_o to_o engage_v yet_o find_v a_o martial_a warmth_n to_o steal_v upon_o he_o at_o the_o sight_n of_o blow_n the_o sound_n of_o trumpet_n and_o the_o cry_n of_o fight_a man_n for_o my_o own_o part_n if_o in_o treat_v of_o this_o subject_n i_o sometime_o dissent_v from_o the_o opinion_n of_o better_a wit_n i_o declare_v it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o to_o combat_v their_o opinion_n as_o to_o defend_v my_o own_o which_o be_v first_o make_v public_a sometime_o like_o a_o scholar_n in_o a_o fencing-school_n i_o put_v forth_o myself_o and_o show_v my_o own_o ill_a play_n on_o purpose_n to_o be_v better_o teach_v sometime_o i_o stand_v desperate_o to_o my_o arm_n like_o the_o foot_n when_o desert_v by_o their_o horse_n not_o in_o hope_n to_o overcome_v but_o only_o to_o yield_v on_o more_o honourable_a term_n and_o yet_o my_o lord_n this_o war_n of_o opinion_n you_o well_o know_v have_v fall_v out_o among_o the_o writer_n of_o all_o age_n and_o sometimâ—â—s_n betwixt_o friend_n only_o it_o have_v be_v prosecute_v by_o some_o lâ—â—ke_v pedant_n with_o violence_n of_o word_n and_o manage_v by_o other_o like_o gentleman_n with_o â—â—andour_n and_o civility_n even_o tully_n have_v a_o controversy_n with_o his_o dear_a atticus_n and_o in_o one_o of_o his_o dialogue_n make_v he_o sustain_v the_o part_n of_o a_o enemy_n in_o philosophy_n who_o in_o his_o letter_n be_v his_o confident_a of_o state_n and_o make_v privy_a to_o the_o most_o weighty_a affair_n of_o the_o roman_a senate_n and_o the_o same_o respect_n which_o be_v pay_v by_o tully_n to_o atticus_n we_o find_v return_v to_o he_o afterward_o by_o caesar_n on_o a_o like_a occasion_n who_o answer_v his_o book_n in_o praise_n of_o cato_n make_v it_o not_o so_o much_o his_o business_n to_o condemn_v cato_n as_o to_z praise_n cicero_n but_o that_o i_o may_v decline_v some_o part_n of_o the_o encounter_n with_o my_o adversary_n who_o i_o be_o neither_o willing_a to_o combat_v nor_o well_o able_a to_o resist_v i_o will_v give_v your_o lordship_n the_o relation_n of_o a_o dispute_n betwixt_o some_o of_o our_o wit_n upon_o this_o subject_n in_o which_o they_o do_v not_o only_o speak_v of_o play_n in_o verse_n but_o mingle_v in_o the_o freedom_n of_o discourse_n some_o thing_n of_o the_o ancient_n many_o of_o the_o modern_a way_n of_o writing_n compare_v those_o with_o these_o and_o the_o wit_n of_o our_o nation_n with_o those_o of_o other_o it_o
that_o one_o act_n which_o be_v speak_v or_o write_v be_v not_o long_o than_o the_o rest_n shall_v be_v suppose_v long_o by_o the_o audience_n it_o be_v therefore_o the_o poet_n duty_n to_o take_v care_n that_o no_o act_n shall_v be_v imagine_v to_o exceed_v the_o time_n in_o which_o it_o be_v represent_v on_o the_o stage_n and_o that_o the_o intervall_n and_o inequality_n of_o time_n be_v suppose_v to_o fall_v out_o between_o the_o acts._n this_o rule_n of_o time_n how_o well_o it_o have_v be_v observe_v by_o the_o ancient_n most_o of_o their_o play_n will_v witness_v you_o see_v they_o in_o their_o tragedy_n wherein_o to_o follow_v this_o rule_n be_v certain_o most_o difficult_a from_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o their_o play_n fall_v close_o into_o that_o part_n of_o the_o story_n which_o they_o intend_v for_o the_o action_n or_o principal_a object_n of_o it_o leave_v the_o former_a part_n to_o be_v deliver_v by_o narration_n so_o that_o they_o set_v the_o audience_n as_o it_o be_v at_o the_o post_n where_o the_o race_n be_v to_o be_v conclude_v and_o save_v they_o the_o tedious_a expectation_n of_o see_v the_o poet_n set_v out_o and_o ride_v the_o beginning_n of_o the_o course_n you_o behold_v he_o not_o till_o he_o be_v in_o sight_n of_o the_o goal_n and_o just_a upon_o you_o for_o the_o second_o unity_n which_o be_v that_o of_o place_n the_o ancient_n mean_v by_o it_o that_o the_o scene_n ought_v to_o be_v continue_v through_o the_o play_n in_o the_o same_o place_n where_o it_o be_v lay_v in_o the_o beginning_n for_o the_o stage_n on_o which_o it_o be_v represent_v be_v but_o one_o and_o the_o same_o place_n it_o be_v unnatural_a to_o conceive_v it_o many_o and_o those_o far_o distant_a from_o one_o another_o i_o will_v not_o deny_v but_o by_o the_o variation_n of_o paint_a scene_n the_o fancy_n which_o in_o these_o case_n will_v contribute_v to_o its_o own_o deceit_n may_v sometime_o imagine_v it_o several_a place_n with_o some_o appearance_n of_o probability_n yet_o it_o still_o carry_v the_o great_a likelihood_n of_o truth_n if_o those_o place_n be_v suppose_v so_o near_o each_o other_o as_o in_o the_o same_o town_n or_o city_n which_o may_v all_o be_v comprehend_v under_o the_o large_a denomination_n of_o one_o place_n for_o a_o great_a distance_n will_v bear_v no_o proportion_n to_o the_o shortness_n of_o time_n which_o be_v allot_v in_o the_o act_n to_o pass_v from_o one_o of_o they_o to_o another_o for_o the_o observation_n of_o this_o next_o to_o the_o ancient_n the_o french_a be_v to_o be_v most_o commend_v they_o tie_v themselves_o so_o strict_o to_o the_o unity_n of_o place_n that_o you_o never_o see_v in_o any_o of_o their_o play_n a_o scene_n change_v in_o the_o middle_n of_o a_o act_n if_o the_o act_n begin_v in_o a_o garden_n a_o street_n or_o chamber_n it_o be_v end_v in_o the_o same_o place_n and_o that_o you_o may_v know_v it_o to_o be_v the_o same_o the_o stage_n be_v so_o supply_v with_o person_n that_o it_o be_v never_o empty_a all_o the_o time_n he_o that_o enter_v the_o second_o have_v business_n with_o he_o who_o be_v on_o before_o and_o before_o the_o second_o quit_v the_o stage_n a_o three_o appear_v who_o have_v business_n with_o he_o this_o corneil_n calâ—â—_n la_fw-fr liaison_fw-fr des_fw-fr scene_n the_o continuity_n or_o join_v of_o the_o scene_n and_o it_o be_v a_o good_a mark_n of_o a_o well_o contrive_v play_n when_o all_o the_o person_n be_v know_v to_o each_o other_o and_o every_o one_o of_o they_o have_v some_o affair_n with_o all_o the_o rest_n as_o for_o the_o three_o unity_n which_o be_v that_o of_o action_n the_o ancient_n mean_v no_o other_o by_o it_o then_o what_o the_o logician_n do_v by_o their_o finis_fw-la the_o end_n or_o scope_n of_o any_o action_n that_o which_o be_v the_o first_o in_o intention_n and_o last_o in_o execution_n now_o the_o poet_n be_v to_o aim_v at_o one_o great_a and_o complete_a action_n to_o the_o carry_v on_o of_o which_o all_o thing_n in_o his_o play_n even_o the_o very_a obstacle_n be_v to_o be_v subservient_fw-fr and_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o be_v as_o evident_a as_o any_o of_o the_o former_a for_o two_o action_n equal_o labour_v and_o drive_v on_o by_o the_o writer_n will_v destroy_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o poem_n it_o will_v be_v no_o long_o one_o play_n but_o two_o not_o but_o that_o there_o may_v be_v many_o action_n in_o a_o play_n as_o ben._n johnson_n have_v observe_v in_o his_o discovery_n but_o they_o must_v be_v all_o subservient_fw-fr to_o the_o great_a one_o which_o our_o language_n happy_o express_v in_o the_o name_n of_o underplot_n such_o as_o in_o terence_n eunuch_n be_v the_o difference_n and_o reconcilement_n of_o thais_n and_o phaedria_n which_o be_v not_o the_o chief_a business_n of_o the_o play_n but_o promote_v the_o marriage_n of_o chaerea_n and_o chremes_n sister_n principal_o intend_v by_o the_o poet._n there_o aught_o to_o be_v but_o one_o action_n say_v corneile_n that_o be_v one_o complete_a action_n which_o leave_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o audience_n in_o a_o full_a repose_n but_o this_o can_v be_v bring_v to_o pass_v but_o by_o many_o other_o imperfect_a one_o which_o conduce_v to_o it_o and_o hold_v the_o audience_n in_o a_o delightful_a suspense_n of_o what_o will_v be_v if_o by_o these_o rule_n to_o omit_v many_o other_o draw_v from_o the_o precept_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o ancient_n we_o shall_v judge_v our_o modern_a play_n it_o be_v probable_a that_o few_o of_o they_o will_v endure_v the_o trial_n that_o which_o shall_v be_v the_o business_n of_o a_o day_n take_v up_o in_o some_o of_o they_o a_o age_n instead_o of_o one_o action_n they_o be_v the_o epitome_n of_o a_o man_n life_n and_o for_o one_o spot_n of_o ground_n which_o the_o stage_n shall_v represent_v we_o be_v sometime_o in_o more_o country_n than_o the_o map_n can_v show_v we_o but_o if_o we_o will_v allow_v the_o ancient_n to_o have_v contrive_v well_o we_o must_v acknowledge_v they_o to_o have_v write_v better_a questionless_a we_o be_v deprive_v of_o a_o great_a stock_n of_o wit_n in_o the_o loss_n of_o menander_n among_o the_o greek_a poet_n and_o of_o caâ—â—cilius_n affranius_n and_o varius_n among_o the_o roman_n we_o may_v guess_v of_o menander_n excellency_n by_o the_o play_n of_o terence_n who_o translate_v some_o of_o he_o and_o yet_o want_v so_o much_o of_o he_o that_o he_o be_v call_v by_o c._n câ—â—sar_n the_o half_a menander_n and_o of_o varius_n by_o the_o testimony_n of_o horace_n martial_n and_o velleius_n paterculus_n it_o be_v probable_a that_o these_o can_v they_o be_v recover_v will_v decide_v the_o controversy_n but_o so_o long_o as_o aristophanes_n in_o the_o old_a comedy_n and_o plautus_n in_o the_o new_a be_v extant_a while_o the_o tragedy_n of_o eurypidâ—â—s_n sophocles_n and_o seneca_n be_v to_o be_v have_v i_o can_v never_o see_v one_o of_o those_o play_n which_o be_v now_o write_v but_o it_o increase_v my_o admiration_n of_o the_o ancient_n and_o yet_o i_o must_v acknowledge_v further_a that_o to_o admire_v they_o as_o we_o ought_v we_o shall_v understand_v they_o better_o than_o we_o do_v doubtless_o many_o thing_n appear_v flat_a to_o we_o who_o wit_n depend_v upon_o some_o custom_n or_o story_n which_o never_o come_v to_o our_o knowledge_n or_o perhaps_o upon_o some_o criticism_n in_o their_o language_n which_o be_v so_o long_o dead_a and_o only_o remain_v in_o their_o book_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a they_o shall_v make_v we_o know_v it_o perfect_o to_o read_v macrobius_n explain_v the_o propriety_n and_o elegancy_n of_o many_o word_n in_o virgil_n which_o i_o have_v before_o pass_v over_o without_o consideration_n as_o common_a thing_n be_v enough_o to_o assure_v i_o that_o i_o ought_v to_o think_v the_o same_o of_o terence_n and_o that_o in_o the_o purity_n of_o his_o style_n which_o tully_n so_o much_o valâ—â—ed_v that_o he_o ever_o carry_v his_o work_n about_o he_o there_o be_v yet_o leave_v in_o he_o great_a room_n for_o admiration_n if_o i_o know_v but_o where_o to_o place_v it_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o must_v desire_v you_o to_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o great_a man_n of_o the_o last_o age_n ben._n johnson_n be_v willing_a to_o give_v place_n to_o they_o in_o all_o thing_n he_o be_v not_o only_o a_o profess_a imitator_n of_o horace_n but_o a_o learned_a plagâ—â—ary_n of_o all_o the_o other_o you_o â—â—rack_v he_o every_o where_o in_o their_o snow_n if_o horace_n lucan_n petronius_n arbiter_n seneca_n and_o juvenal_n have_v their_o own_o from_o he_o there_o be_v few_o serious_a thought_n which_o be_v new_a in_o he_o you_o will_v pardon_v i_o therefore_o if_o i_o presume_v he_o love_v their_o fashion_n when_o he_o wear_v their_o clothes_n but_o