_1st._ Orestes was obliged by the Oracle to revenge his Fathers Death in the Murther of his Mother.[46] When he was going to kill her, he Mentions her Cruelty, but waves her Adultery. _Euripides_ approv'd this Reservedness and makes his _Electra_ practise it upon the same occasion.[47] _Æschylus_ in his next Play complements his Country with a great deal of Address in the Persons of the _Eumenides_.[48] They are very Gentile and Poetical in their Civilities: Among other things They wish the Virgins may all Marry and make the Country Populous: Here the _Poet_ do's but just glance upon the Subject of Love; and yet he governs the Expression with such care, that the wishes contain a Hint to Sobriety, and carry a Face of Virtue along with them.
The _Double Dealer_ runs Riot upon such an Occasion as this; and gives Lord _Touchwood_ a mixture of Smut and Pedantry to conclude with,[49] and yet this Lord was one of his best Characters: But _Poets_ are now grown Absolute within themselves, and may put Sence and Quality upon what Drudgeries they please. To return. _Danaus_ cautions his Daughters very handsomly in point of Behaviour. They were in a strange Country, and had Poverty and Dependance to struggle with: These were circumstances of Danger, and might make him the more pressing. He leaves therefore a solemn Charge with them for their Security, bids them never to subsist upon Infamy, but to prefer their Virtue to their Life.
[Greek: Monon phylaxai tas d' epistolas patros][50] [Greek: To sôphronein timôsa tou biou pleon.]
Our _Poets_ I suppose would call this Preaching, and think it a dull Business. However I can't forbear saying an honest Heathen is none of the worst Men: A very indifferent Religion well Believed, will go a great way.
To proceed. _Sophocles_ appear'd next upon the _Stage_, and was in earnest an Extraordinary Person. His Conduct is more Artificial, and his Stile more just, than that of _Æschylus_. His Characters are well drawn, and Uniform with themselves: His _Incidents_, are often surprising, and his _Plots_ unprecipitated. There is nothing but what is Great, and Solemn Throughout. The Reasoning is well Coloured. The Figures are sometimes Bold, but not Extravagant. There are no Flights of Bombast, no Towring above Nature and Possibility: In short, Nothing like Don _Sebastians_ Reigning in his _Atomes_.[51]