[Footnote 1: Of all the particulars in which the modern stage falls short of the ancient, there is none so much to be lamented as the great scarcity of ghosts Whence this proceeds I will not presume to determine Some are of opinion that the moderns are unequal to that sublime language which a ghost ought to speak One says, ludicrously, that ghosts are out of fashion, another, that they are properer for comedy, forgetting, I suppose, that Aristotle hath told us that a ghost is the soul of tragedy, for so I render the [Greek text: psychae o muythos taes tragodias], which M. Dacier, amongst others, hath mistaken, I suppose, misled by not understanding the Fabula of the Latins, which signifies a ghost as well as fable. "Te premet nox, fabulaeque manes"--_Horace_ Of all the ghosts that have ever appeared on the stage, a very learned and judicious foreign critick gives the preference to this of our author. These are his words speaking of this tragedy--"Nec quidquam in illa admirabilius quam phasma quoddam horrendum, quod omnibus abis spectris quibuscum scatet Angelorum tragoedia longe (pace D--ysn V Doctiss dixerim) praetulerim." ] [Footnote 2: We have already given instances of this figure.] SCENE II.--KING, GHOST. _King_. What noise is this? What villain dares, At this dread hoar, with feet and voice profane, Disturb our royal walls? _Ghost_. One who defies Thy empty power to hurt him; [1] one who dares Walk in thy bedchamber. [Footnote 1: Almanzor reasons in the same manner: A ghost I'll be; And from a ghost, you know, no place is free. --_Conquest of Granada_. ] _King_. Presumptuous slave! Thou diest. _Ghost_. Threaten others with that word: [1] I am a ghost, and am already dead. [Footnote 1: "The man who writ this wretched pun," says Mr D., "would have picked your pocket:" which he proceeds to shew not only bad in itself, but doubly so on so solemn an occasion. And yet, in that excellent play of Liberty Asserted, we find something very much resembling a pun in the mouth of a mistress, who is parting with the lover she is fond of: _Ul_. Oh, mortal woe! one kiss, and then farewell. _Irene_. The gods have given to others to fare well. O! miserably must Irene fare. Agamemnon, in the Victim, is full as facetious on the most solemn occasion--that of sacrificing his daughter: Yes, daughter, yes; you will assist the priest; Yes, you must offer up your vows for Greece, ]