"Another thing, in which the French differ from us and from the Spaniards, is that they do not embarrass or cumber themselves with too much Plot. They only represent so much of a Story as will constitute One whole and great Action sufficient for a Play. We, who undertake more, do but multiply _Adventures [pp. 541, 552]; which (not being produced from one another, as Effects from Causes, but, barely, following) constitute many Actions in the Drama, and consequently make it many Plays. "But, by pursuing close[ly] one Argument, which is not cloyed with many Turns; the French have gained more liberty for Verse, in which they write. They have leisure to dwell upon a subject which deserves it; and to represent the passions [p. 542] (which we have acknowledged to be the Poet's work) without being hurried from one thing to another, as we are in the plays of CALDERON; which we have seen lately upon our theatres, under the name of Spanish Plots. "I have taken notice but of one Tragedy of ours; whose Plot has that uniformity and unity of Design in it, which I have commended in the French; and that is, ROLLO, or rather under the name of ROLLO, the story of BASSANIUS _and_ GOETA, in HERODIAN. There, indeed, the plot is neither large nor intricate; but just enough to fill the minds of the audience, not to cloy them. Besides, you see it founded on the truth of History; only the time of the Action is not reduceable to the strictness of the Rules. And you see, in some places, a little farce mingled, which is below the dignity of the other parts. And in this, all our Poets are extremely peccant; even BEN. JOHNSON himself, in _SEFANUS_ and _CATILINE,_ has given this Oleo [_hodge-podge_] of a Play, this unnatural mixture of Comedy and Tragedy; which, to me, sounds just as ridiculous as _The History of DAVID, with the merry humours of GOLIAS_. In _SEFANUS_, you may take notice of the Scene between _LIVIA_ and the _Physician;_ which is a pleasant satire upon the artificial helps of beauty. In _CATILINE_, you may see the Parliament of Women; the little envies of them to one another; and all that passes betwixt _CURIO_ and _FULVIA_. Scenes, admirable in their kind, but of an ill mingle with the rest.