I am ashamed of so ignorant a carper, who doth not know that an epithet in tragedy is very often no other than an expletive. Do not we read in the New Sophonisba of "grinding chains, blue plagues, white occasions, and blue serenity?" Nay, it is not the adjective only, but sometimes half a sentence is put by way of expletive, as "Beauty pointed high with spirit," in the same play; and "In the lap of blessing, to be most curst," in the Revenge.] [Footnote 179: A victory like that of Almanzor: "Almanzor is victorious without fight."--"Conquest of Granada."] [Footnote 180: "Well have we chose an happy day for fight; For every man, in course of time, has found Some days are lucky, some unfortunate."--"King Arthur." ] [Footnote 181: We read of such another in Lee: "Teach his rude wit a flight she never made, And send her post to the Elysian shade."--"Gloriana." ] [Footnote 182: These lines are copied verbatim in the Indian Emperor.] [Footnote 183: "Unborn thunder rolling in a cloud."--"Conquest of Granada."] [Footnote 184: "Were heaven and earth in wild confusion hurl'd, Should the rash gods unhinge the rolling world, Undaunted would I tread the tott'ring ball, Crush'd, but unconquer'd, in the dreadful fall."--"Female Warrior." ] [Footnote 185: See the History of Tom Thumb, p. 141.] [Footnote 186: "Amazement swallows up my sense, And in the impetuous whirl of circling fate Drinks down my reason."--"Persian Princess." ] [Footnote 187: "I have outfaced myself. What! am I two? Is there another me?"--"King Arthur." ] [Footnote 188: The character of Merlin is wonderful throughout; but most so in this prophetic part. We find several of these prophecies in the tragic authors, who frequently take this opportunity to pay a compliment to their country, and sometimes to their prince. None but our author (who seems to have detested the least appearance of flattery) would have passed by such an opportunity of being a political prophet.] [Footnote 189: "I saw the villain, Myron; with these eyes I saw him."--"Busiris." In both which places it is intimated that it is sometimes possible to see with other eyes than your own.] [Footnote 190: "This mustard," says Mr. D., "is enough to turn one's stomach. I would be glad to know what idea the author had in his head when he wrote it." This will be, I believe, best explained by a line of Mr. Dennis: "And gave him liberty, the salt of life."--"Liberty Asserted." The understanding that can digest the one will not rise at the other.] [Footnote 191: "_Han_, Are you the chief whom men famed Scipio call? _Scip._ Are you the much more famous Hannibal?"--"Hannibal." ] [Footnote 192: Dr Young seems to have copied this engagement in his Busiris: _Myr._ Villain! _Mem._ Myron! _Myr._ Rebel! _Mem._ Myron! _Myr._ Hell! _Mem._ Mandane! ]