This for a Heathen is something tho' not enough, _Cleomenes_'s Rant seems an imitation of _Hyllus_, Only 'tis bolder, and has nothing of the rashness of Youth to excuse it.[189] Besides _Sophocles_ throws in somewhat by way of Preservative. Whereas in _Cleomenes_ the Boy _Cleonidas_ has the better on the wrong side, and seems to carry the cause of Atheism against his Father.[190] This _Scene_ of a _Famine_ Mr. _Dryden_ calls a Beauty; and yet Methinks _Cleora_ is not very Charming! Her part is to tell you the Child suck'd to no purpose. _It pull'd and pull'd but now but nothing came, At last it drew so hard that the Blood follow'd. And that Red Milk I found upon its Lips, Which made me swoon for Fear._[191] There's a Description of Sucking for you! And truly one would think the Muse on't were scarsely wean'd. This Lady's fancy is just _Slip-Stocking-high_; and she seems to want Sense, more than her Breakfast. If this Passage would not shine, the Poet should have let it alone. 'Tis _Horace_'s advice. ----_et quæ Desperes tractata nitescere posse relinquas._[192] The greatest part of the Life of this _Scene_ is spent in impious Rants, and Atheistical Disputes. To do the Author right, his _Characters_ never want Spirits for such Service, either full or Fasting. Some people love to say the worst Things in the best manner; To perfume their Poysons, and give an Air to Deformity. There is one ill Sentence in _Sophocles_ behind. _Philoctetes_ calls the Gods [Greek: Kakoi], and Libells their Administration.[193] This Officer we must understand was left upon a Solitary Island, ill used by his Friends, and harrass'd with Poverty and Ulcers, for Ten years together. These, under the Ignorance of Paganism, were trying Circumstances, and take off somewhat of the Malignity of the Complaint. Afterwards He seems to repent,[194] and declares his Assurance that the Gods will do Justice, and prays frequently to them. The Conclusion of this Play is remarkably Moral. Here _Hercules_ appears in _Machine_; aquaints _Philoctetes_ with his own glorious Condition; That his Happiness was the Reward of Virtue, and the Purchase of Merit. He charges him to pay a due regard to Religion; For Piety would recommend him to _Jupiter_ more than any other Qualification. It went into the other World with People and they found their Account in't both Living and Dead.[195] Upon the whole; The _Plays_ of _Æschylus_ and _Sophocles_ are formed upon Models of Virtue: They joyn Innocence with Pleasure, and design the Improvement, of the _Audience_.