Biographia Dramatica: Names of dramas: M-Z. Latin plays by English authors. Oratorios. Appendix to v. 2 and 3. Additions and correction to v. 2 and 3

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Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, 1812 - English drama

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Page 156 - They boast they come but to improve our state, enlarge our thoughts, and free us from the yoke of error ! Yes : they will give enlightened freedom to our minds, who are themselves the slaves of passion, avarice, and pride ! They offer us their protection : yes, such protection as vultures give to lambs— covering and devouring them! They call on us to barter all of good we 1 have inherited and proved, for the desperate chance of something better which they promise.
Page 225 - For physic and farces his equal there scarce is— His farces are physic, his physic a farce is.
Page 25 - At last the Brothers enter, with too much tranquillity ; and when they have feared lest their sister should be in danger, and hoped that she is not in danger, the elder makes a speech in praise of chastity, and the younger finds how fine it is to be a philosopher.
Page 295 - This composition is addressed to the Princess of Modena, then Duchess of York, in a strain of flattery which disgraces genius, and which it was wonderful that any man that knew the meaning of his own words could use without self-detestation. It is an attempt to mingle earth and heaven, by praising human excellence in the language of religion.
Page 58 - Looking tranquillity ! It strikes an awe And terror on my aching sight ; the tombs And monumental caves of death look cold, And shoot a chilness to my trembling heart. Give me thy hand, and let me hear thy voice ; Nay, quickly speak to me, and let me hear Thy voice — my own affrights me with its echoes.
Page 156 - Adventurer whom they fear - and obey a power which they hate - WE serve a Monarch whom we love - a God whom we adore. - Whene'er they move in anger, desolation tracks their progress! - Where'er they pause in amity, affliction mourns their friendship! - They boast they come but to improve our state, enlarge our thoughts, and free us from the yoke of error! Yes - THEY will give enlightened freedom to our minds, who are themselves the slaves of passion, avarice, and pride - They offer us their protection...
Page 37 - The conduct of this drama is deficient; the action begins and ends often before the conclusion, and the different parts might change places without inconvenience ; but its general power, that power by which all works of genius shall finally be tried, is such, that perhaps it never yet had reader or spectator, who did not think it too soon at an end.
Page 24 - Milton appears to have formed very early that system of diction, and mode of verse, which his maturer judgment approved, and from which he never endeavoured nor desired to deviate. Nor does Comus afford only a specimen of his language; it exhibits, likewise, his power of description and his vigour of sentiment, employed in the praise and defence of virtue.
Page 120 - London's Glory, or the Lord Mayor's Show ; containing an illustrious description of the several triumphant pageants, on which are represented emblematical figures, artful pieces of architecture, and rural dancing, with the speeches spoken in each pageant : also three new songs, the first in praise of the Merchant-taylors, the second the Protestants Exhortation, and the third the Plotting Papists Litany, with their proper tunes, either to be sung or play'd : performed on Friday, October xxix.
Page 287 - Summer are preparatory, still remained unsung, and was delayed till he published (1730) his works collected. . He produced in 1727 the tragedy of Sophonisba, which raised such expectation, that every rehearsal was dignified with a splendid audience, collected to anticipate the delight that was preparing for the public.

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