Campania's_ Plains,
My self I'll fill a _Vial_, and infuse 930
My very Soul amid the _potent Juice_:
This _Essence_ near my _Heart_ I'll with me bear, }
And this among my _dearest Fav'rites_ share, }
Already _tutor'd_ by the _Theatre_; }
Who pass'd those _Bugbears Conscience, Law_ and _Shame_
Have there been taught that _Virtue's_ but a _Name_:
_Exalted Souls_ who _vulgar Sins_ despise;
Fit for some _new discover'd_ nobler _Vice_;
One _Drop_ of this their _frozen Blood_ shall warm,
And _frighted Nature's feebler Guards_ disarm 930
Till their _chill Veins_ with hotter _Fevers_ glow }
Than any _Etna_ or _Vesuvius_ know, }
Scarce equal'd by their _Parent Flames_ below; }
Till wide around the _gen'rous Canker_ spread,
And _Vengeance_ draw on each _devoted Head_:
Impatient _Heav'n_ it self our _Arms_ shall join,
The _Skies_ again with _forky Lightnings_ shine;
Till glutted _Desolation_ pants for Breath,
And _guilty Shades_ shall croud the _Realms of Death_.
--She said, the _Motion pleas'd_ she _wings_ away 940
And in blue _pois'nous Foggs_ invades the _Day_:
Part of her _direful Threats_ too true we find,
And _Heav'n_ avert the _Plagues_ that yet remain _behind_!
[Sidenote: _Tragedy_.]
The _Path_ which _Epic_ treads the TRAGIC Muse
With _daring_ tho _unequal_ Steps pursues,
A _little Epic_ shines through every _Scene_,
Tho more of _Life_ appears, and less _Machine_;
More _Action_, less _Narration_, more _Delight_;
We _see_ the _Gods_ descend, and _Heroes_ fight.
While _Oedipus_ is _raving_ on the _Stage_, 950
Mild _Pity_ enters and dissolves our _Rage_;
We _low'r_ our _haughty Spirits_, our _Pride_ and _Hate_,
And learn to _fear_ the sad _Reverse of Fate_.
A _Tyrant's Fall_, a treach'rous _Statesman's_ End
Clear the _Just Gods_, and equal _Heav'n_ defend:
Ungrateful _Factions_ here themselves torment,
And _bring_ those very _Ills_ they would _prevent_:
Nor think the lost _Intrigues_ of _Love_ too mean
To fill the _Stage_ and grace toe _Tragic Scene_!
Who from the _World_ this _Salt of Nature_ takes, 960
_Twice Slaves of Kings_ of _Life_ a _Desart_ makes.
The _Moral_ and _Pathetick_ neatly join'd,
Are best for _Pleasure_ and for _l