And which is more, _Oedipus_ must be acquainted with his Age, having spent the greatest part of his time with him at _Corinth_. So that in short, the pith of the Story lies in this Circumstance. A Prince of Ninety years was dead, and one who was wondred at for dying no sooner. And now why so much Exclamation upon this occasion? Why must all the _Powers_ in Being be Summon'd in to make the News Credible? This _Posse_ of _Interjections_ would have been more seasonably raised if the Man had been alive; for that by the Poets Confession had been much the stranger Thing. However _Oedipus_ is almost out of his Wits about the Matter, and is Urgent for an account of Particulars. _That so the Tempest of my joys may rise By just degrees, and hit at last the Stars._[219] This is an empty ill proportion'd Rant, and without warrant in Nature or Antiquity. _Sophocles_ does not represent _Oedipus_. in such Raptures of Extravagant surprize. In the next page there's another Flight about _Polybus_ his Death somewhat like This. It begins with a _Noverint Universi._ You would think _Oedipus_ was going to make a _Bond_. _Know, be it known to the limits of the World_; This is scarce Sence, be it known. _Yet farther, let it pass yon dazling roof The Mansion of the Gods, and strike them deaf With Everlasting peals of Thundring joy._ This Fustian puts me in mind of a _Couplet_ of _Taylors_ the _Water_ Poet, which for the Beauty of the Thought are not very unlike. _What if A Humble Bee should chance to strike, With the But-End of an Antartick Pole._ I grant Mr. _Dryden_ clears himself of this _Act_ in his _Vindication_ of the _Duke_ of _Guise_. But then why did he let these crude Fancies pass uncorrected in his Friend? Such fluttering ungovern'd Transports, are fitter for a Boys _Declamation_ then a _Tragedy_. But I shall trouble my self no farther with this _Play_. To return therefore to the Argument in Hand. In the _Provok'd Wife_ Sir _John Brute_ puts on the Habit of a Clergyman, counterfeits himself drunk; quarrels with the _Constable_, and is knock'd down and seiz'd. He rails, swears, curses, is lewd and profane, to all the Heights of Madness and Debauchery: The _Officers_ and _Justice_ break jests upon him, and make him a sort of Representative of his _Order_.[220]