three songs for this "Amphitryon:" to all which, and particularly to the composition of the pastoral dialogue, the numerous choir of fair ladies gave so just an applause on the third day. I am only sorry, for my own sake, that there was one star wanting, as beautiful as any in our hemisphere; that young Berenice*, who is misemploying all her charms on stupid country souls, that can never know the value of them; and losing the triumphs, which are ready prepared for her, in the court and town. And yet I know not whether I am so much a loser by her absence; for I have reason to apprehend the sharpness of her judgment, if it were not allayed with the sweetness of her nature; and, after all, I fear she may come time enough to discover a thousand imperfections in my play, which might have passed on vulgar understandings. Be pleased to use the authority of a father over her, on my behalf: enjoin her to keep her own thoughts of "Amphitryon" to herself; or at least not to compare him too strictly with Moliere's. It is true, I have an interest in this partiality of hers: but withal, I plead some sort of merit for it, in being so particularly, as I am, SIR, October 24th, 1690. Your most obedient, Humble servant, JOHN DRYDEN. * Under this poetical appellation, the author here, and in the dedication to "Cleomenes," celebrates Jane Lady Hyde, daughter to Sir William L. Gower, and wife, as has been noticed, to Henry Lord Hyde, eldest son of Lawrence Earl of Rochester. PROLOGUE, SPOKEN BY MRS BRACEGIRDLE. THE labouring bee, when his sharp sting is gone, What gain you, by not suffering him to teaze ye? To box, like boys, with one hand tied behind him? You whip them out, like school-boys, till they gig; And much good malice is so meanly drest, That we would laugh, but cannot find the jest. Julian, who styled himself secretary to the muses, made a dirty livelihood, by copying and dispersing lampoons at the Wits' coffee-house. He was the subject of a copy of verses, which the reader will find among those ascribed to Dryden on doubtful authority. The poetasters of that age were so numerous, and so active, that the most deplorable attempt at wit, or satire, was usually answered in one which was yet worse. Parody and personal abuse were the implements of this warfare, which sometimes extended to answers, replies, rejoinders, rebutters, and sur-rebutters, all only distinguished by malignant scurrility. If no advice your rhyming rage can stay, Heaven drew out all the gold for us, and left your dross behind. Peace, after war; and, after toil, repose. } DRAMATIS PERSONE. JUPITER. MERCURY. PHOEBUS. AMPHITRYON, the Theban General. SOSIA, his Slave. GRIPUS, a Theban Judge. TRANA, Officers of the Theban Army. ALCMENA, Wife to AMPHITRYON. BROMIA, SCENE,-Thebes. AMPHITRYON, OR THE TWO SOSIAS. ACT I. SCENE I. MERCURY and РHŒвUS descend in two Machines. Pho. Know you the reason of this present summons? 'Tis neither council day, nor is this heaven. But Mars and Vulcan, the two fools of heaven, Know full as much as I. Merc. And Venus may know more than both of us; For 'tis some petticoat affair, I guess. |