1 See note on p. 54. "This rule is most exactly observed in Dryden's Indian Emperor, Act iv. Scene iv. Upon a fudden and unexpected misfortune, Almeria thus expreffes her surprise and concern. Alm. All hopes of fafety and of love are gone: It leaves no pow'r to think, much less to do: J. DRYDEN. The Indian Emperour, p. 50. Ed. 1667. 3 Boabdel to Almahide. As fome fair tulip, by a ftorm oppreft, Bp. Percy. Shrinks up, and folds its filken arms to rent; JOHN DRYDEN. The Conquest of Granada, Part I. Act v. p. 61, BAYES. Blazing Comet! mark that. I gad, very fine. Pret. But I am so surpris'd with fleep, I cannot speak the rest.' [Neeps. BAYES. Does not that, now, furprise you, to fall asleep juft in the nick? His fpirits exhale with the heat of his paffion, and all that, and swop falls afleep, as you fee. Now, here, she must make a fimile. SMI. Where's the neceffity of that, Mr. Bayes? BAYES. Because fhe's furpris'd.2 That's a general Rule: you must ever make a fimile when you are furpris'd; 'tis the new way of writing. 3 Cloris. As fome tall Pine, which we, on Ætna, find T'have stood the rage of many a boyft'rous wind, Feeling without, that flames within do play, Which would confume his Root and Sap away; He spreads his worsted Arms unto the Skies, Silently grieves, all pale, repines and dies: So, fhrowded up, your bright eye disappears. Break forth, bright fcorching Sun, and dry my tears. [Exit. BAYES. I am afraid, Gentlemen, this Scene has made you fad; for I must confefs, when I writ it, I wept my self. SMI. No, truly, Sir, my spirits are almost exhal'd too, and I am likelier to fall asleep. Prince Pretty-man starts up, and fays--- Pret. It is refolv'd. [Exit. SMI. Mr. Bayes, may one be so bold as to ask you a question, now, and you not be angry? BAYES. O Lord, Sir, you may ask me what you please. I vow to gad, you do me a great deal of honour: you do not know me, if you say that, Sir. SMI. Then, pray, Sir, what is it that this Prince here has refolv'd in his fleep? BAYES. Why, I must confefs, that question is well. enough ask'd, for one that is not acquainted with this new way of writing. But you must know, Sir, that, to out-do all my fellow-Writers, whereas they keep their Intrigo secret till the very laft Scene before the Dance; I now, Sir, do you mark me▬▬a SMI. Begin the Play, and end it, without ever opening the Plot at all? BAYES. I do fo, that's the very plain troth on't: ha, ha, ha; I do, I gad. If they cannot find it out themselves, e'en let 'em alone for Bayes, I warrant you. But here, now, is a Scene of business: pray observe it; for I dare fay you'l think it no unwife difcourse this, nor ill argu'd. To tell you true, 'tis a Debate I over-heard once betwixt two grand, sober, governing perfons. Uh. SCENA IV. Enter Gentleman-Ufher and Phyfician. Ome, Sir; let's state the matter of fact, and lay our heads together. Phys. Right: lay our heads together. I love to be merry fometimes; but when a knotty point comes, I lay my head close to it, with a pipe of Tobacco in my mouth, and then I whew it away, i' faith. BAYES. I do just so, I gad, always. Uh. The grand question is, whether they heard us whisper? which I divide thus: into when they heard, what they heard, and whether they heard or no. JOHNS. Moft admirably divided, I swear. Uh. As to the when; you say just now: fo that is anfwer'd. Then, for what; why, what answers it felf: for what could they hear, but what we talk'd of? So that, naturally, and of neceffity, we come to the last queftion, Videlicet, whether they heard or no? SMI. This is a very wife Scene, Mr. Bayes. 1 Such easy Turns of State are frequent in our Modern Plays ; where we fee Princes Dethron'd and Governments Chang'd, by very feeble Means, and on flight Occafions: Particularly, in Marriage-a-la-Mode; a Play, writ fince the first Publication of this Farce. Where (to pass by the Dulness of the State-part, the Obfcurity of the Comic, the near Resemblance Leonidas bears to our Prince Pretty-Man, being sometimes a King's Son, fometimes a Shepherd's; and not to question how Almalthea comes to be a Princess, her Brother, the King's great Favourite, being but a Lord) 'tis worth our While to obferve, how easily the Fierce and Jealous Ufurper is Depos'd, and the Right Heir plac'd on the Throne; as it is thus related by the faid Imaginary Princess. Enter Amalthea, running. Amal. Oh, Gentlemen, if you have Loyalty, Or Courage, fhew it now: Leonidas Broke on the fudden from his Guards, and fnatching Bravely defends himself; and owns aloud He is our long loft King, found for this moment [J. DRYDEN.] Marriage-a-la-Mode. Act v. Sc. i. p61. Ed. 1691. This shows Mr. Bayes to be a Man of Conftancy, and firm to his Refolution, and not to be laugh'd out of his own Method : Agreeable to what he says in the next Act. As long as I know my Things are Good, what care Iwhat they say?'... Key 1704. * P. 71. 2(a) Ormafdes. I know not what to fuy, nor what to think! I know not when I fleep, or when I wake. Sir W. KILLIGREW. Ormajdes, or Love and Friendship. Act v. p. 77. [Licensed 22 Aug. 1664]. Ed. 1665. (b) Pandora. My doubts and fears, my reafon does dismay, I know not what to do nor what to say; Sir W. KILLIGREW. Pandora, or The Converts. |