THE NOVEL all for love

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AllForLove
byJohnDryden
February,2000[Etext#2062]

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ThisetextwaspreparedbyGaryR.Young,Mississauga,Ontario,Canada,June
1999.


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ThisetextwaspreparedbyGaryR.Young,Mississauga,Ontario,Canada,June
1999.

Commentsonthepreparationofthise-text
SQUAREBRACKETS:
Thesquarebrackets,i.e.[]arecopiedfromtheprintedbook,withoutchange,
exceptthataclosingbracket“]”hasbeenaddedtothestagedirections.
CHANGESTOTHETEXT:
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transliteratedintoRomancharacters,andaresetoffbyanglebrackets,for
example,<melichroos>.


INTRODUCTORYNOTE

TheageofElizabeth,memorableforsomanyreasonsinthehistoryofEngland,
wasespeciallybrilliantinliterature,and,withinliterature,inthedrama.With
somefallingoffinspontaneity,theimpulsetogreatdramaticproductionlasted
tilltheLongParliamentclosedthetheatersin1642;andwhentheywere
reopenedattheRestoration,in1660,thestageonlytoofaithfullyreflectedthe
debasedmoraltoneofthecourtsocietyofCharlesII.
JohnDryden(1631-1700),thegreatrepresentativefigureintheliteratureofthe
latterpartoftheseventeenthcentury,exemplifiesinhisworkmostofthemain
tendenciesofthetime.Hecameintonoticewithapoemonthedeathof
Cromwellin1658,andtwoyearslaterwascomposingcoupletsexpressinghis
loyaltytothereturnedking.HemarriedLadyElizabethHoward,thedaughterof
aroyalisthouse,andforpracticallyalltherestofhisliferemainedanadherent
oftheToryParty.In1663hebeganwritingforthestage,andduringthenext
thirtyyearsheattemptednearlyallthecurrentformsofdrama.His“Annus
Mirabilis”(1666),celebratingtheEnglishnavalvictoriesovertheDutch,
broughthimin1670thePoetLaureateship.Hehad,meantime,begunthewriting
ofthoseadmirablecriticalessays,representedinthepresentseriesbyhisPreface
tothe“Fables”andhisDedicationtothetranslationofVirgil.Intheseheshows
himselfnotonlyacriticofsoundandpenetratingjudgment,butthefirstmaster
ofmodernEnglishprosestyle.
With“AbsalomandAchitophel,”asatireontheWhigleader,Shaftesbury,
Drydenenteredanewphase,andachievedwhatisregardedas“thefinestofall
politicalsatires.”Thiswasfollowedby“TheMedal,”againdirectedagainstthe
Whigs,andthisby“MacFlecknoe,”afierceattackonhisenemyandrival
Shadwell.TheGovernmentrewardedhisservicesbyalucrativeappointment.
Aftertriumphinginthethreefieldsofdrama,criticism,andsatire,Dryden
appearsnextasareligiouspoetinhis“ReligioLaici,”anexpositionofthe
doctrinesoftheChurchofEnglandfromalayman’spointofview.Inthesame
yearthattheCatholicJamesII.ascendedthethrone,DrydenjoinedtheRoman
Church,andtwoyearslaterdefendedhisnewreligionin“TheHindandthe

Panther,”anallegoricaldebatebetweentwoanimalsstandingrespectivelyfor
CatholicismandAnglicanism.


TheRevolutionof1688putanendtoDryden’sprosperity;andafterashort
returntodramaticcomposition,heturnedtotranslationasameansofsupporting
himself.Hehadalreadydonesomethinginthisline;andafteraseriesof
translationsfromJuvenal,Persius,andOvid,heundertook,attheageofsixtythree,theenormoustaskofturningtheentireworksofVirgilintoEnglishverse.
Howhesucceededinthis,readersofthe“Aeneid”inacompanionvolumeof
theseclassicscanjudgeforthemselves.Dryden’sproductioncloseswiththe
collectionofnarrativepoemscalled“Fables,”publishedin1700,inwhichyear
hediedandwasburiedinthePoet’sCornerinWestminsterAbbey.
Drydenlivedinanageofreactionagainstexcessivereligiousidealism,andboth
hischaracterandhisworksaremarkedbythesomewhatunheroictraitsofsucha
period.Buthewas,onthewhole,anhonestman,openminded,genial,candid,
andmodest;thewielderofastyle,bothinverseandprose,unmatchedfor
clearness,vigor,andsanity.
ThreetypesofcomedyappearedinEnglandinthetimeofDryden—thecomedy
ofhumors,thecomedyofintrigue,andthecomedyofmanners—andinallhe
didworkthatclassedhimwiththeablestofhiscontemporaries.Hedeveloped
thesomewhatbombastictypeofdramaknownastheheroicplay,andbroughtit
toitsheightinhis“ConquestofGranada”;then,becomingdissatisfiedwiththis
form,hecultivatedtheFrenchclassictragedyonthemodelofRacine.Thishe
modifiedbycombiningwiththeregularityoftheFrenchtreatmentofdramatic
actionarichnessofcharacterizationinwhichheshowedhimselfadiscipleof
Shakespeare,andofthismixedtypehisbestexampleis“AllforLove.”Herehe
hasthedaringtochallengecomparisonwithhismaster,andthegreatest
testimonytohisachievementisthefactthat,asProfessorNoyeshassaid,“fresh
fromShakespeare’s‘AntonyandCleopatra,’wecanstillreadwithintense
pleasureDryden’sversionofthestory.”

DEDICATION
TotheRightHonourable,Thomas,EarlofDanby,ViscountLatimer,andBaron
OsborneofKiveton,inYorkshire;LordHighTreasurerofEngland,oneofHis
Majesty’sMostHonourablePrivyCouncil,andKnightoftheMostNobleOrder
oftheGarter.
MyLord,
Thegratitudeofpoetsissotroublesomeavirtuetogreatmen,thatyouareoften
indangerofyourownbenefits:foryouarethreatenedwithsomeepistle,andnot
sufferedtodogoodinquiet,ortocompoundfortheirsilencewhomyouhave
obliged.Yet,Iconfess,Ineitheramoroughttobesurprisedatthisindulgence;
foryourlordshiphasthesamerighttofavourpoetry,whichthegreatandnoble
haveeverhad—
Carmenamat,quisquiscarminedignagerit.
Thereissomewhatofatieinnaturebetwixtthosewhoarebornforworthy
actions,andthosewhocantransmitthemtoposterity;andthoughoursbemuch
theinferiorpart,itcomesatleastwithinthevergeofalliance;norarewe
unprofitablemembersofthecommonwealth,whenweanimateotherstothose
virtues,whichwecopyanddescribefromyou.
Itisindeedtheirinterest,whoendeavourthesubversionofgovernments,to
discouragepoetsandhistorians;forthebestwhichcanhappentothem,istobe
forgotten.Butsuchwho,underkings,arethefathersoftheircountry,andbya
justandprudentorderingofaffairspreserveit,havethesamereasontocherish
thechroniclersoftheiractions,astheyhavetolayupinsafetythedeedsand
evidencesoftheirestates;forsuchrecordsaretheirundoubtedtitlestothelove
andreverenceofafterages.Yourlordship’sadministrationhasalreadytakenup
aconsiderablepartoftheEnglishannals;andmanyofitsmosthappyyearsare
owingtoit.HisMajesty,themostknowingjudgeofmen,andthebestmaster,
hasacknowledgedtheeaseandbenefithereceivesintheincomesofhistreasury,

whichyoufoundnotonlydisordered,butexhausted.Allthingswereinthe
confusionofachaos,withoutformormethod,ifnotreducedbeyondit,evento
annihilation;sothatyouhadnotonlytoseparatethejarringelements,but(ifthat
boldnessofexpressionmightbeallowedme)tocreatethem.Yourenemieshad


soembroiledthemanagementofyouroffice,thattheylookedonyour
advancementastheinstrumentofyourruin.Andasifthecloggingofthe
revenue,andtheconfusionofaccounts,whichyoufoundinyourentrance,were
notsufficient,theyaddedtheirownweightofmalicetothepubliccalamity,by
forestallingthecreditwhichshouldcureit.Yourfriendsontheothersidewere
onlycapableofpitying,butnotofaidingyou;nofurtherhelporcounselwas
remainingtoyou,butwhatwasfoundedonyourself;andthatindeedwasyour
security;foryourdiligence,yourconstancy,andyourprudence,wroughtmost
surelywithin,whentheywerenotdisturbedbyanyoutwardmotion.Thehighest
virtueisbesttobetrustedwithitself;forassistanceonlycanbegivenbya
geniussuperiortothatwhichitassists;anditisthenoblestkindofdebt,when
weareonlyobligedtoGodandnature.Thisthen,mylord,isyourjust
commendation,andthatyouhavewroughtoutyourselfawaytoglory,bythose
verymeansthatweredesignedforyourdestruction:Youhavenotonlyrestored
butadvancedtherevenuesofyourmaster,withoutgrievancetothesubject;and,
asifthatwerelittleyet,thedebtsoftheexchequer,whichlayheaviestbothon
thecrown,andonprivatepersons,havebyyourconductbeenestablishedina
certaintyofsatisfaction.Anactionsomuchthemoregreatandhonourable,
becausethecasewaswithouttheordinaryreliefoflaws;abovethehopesofthe
afflictedandbeyondthenarrownessofthetreasurytoredress,haditbeen
managedbyalessablehand.Itiscertainlythehappiest,andmostunenviedpart
ofallyourfortune,todogoodtomany,whileyoudoinjurytonone;toreceive
atoncetheprayersofthesubject,andthepraisesoftheprince;and,bythecare
ofyourconduct,togivehimmeansofexertingthechiefest(ifanybethe

chiefest)ofhisroyalvirtues,hisdistributivejusticetothedeserving,andhis
bountyandcompassiontothewanting.Thedispositionofprincestowardstheir
peoplecannotbebetterdiscoveredthaninthechoiceoftheirministers;who,
liketheanimalspiritsbetwixtthesoulandbody,participatesomewhatofboth
natures,andmakethecommunicationwhichisbetwixtthem.Aking,whoisjust
andmoderateinhisnature,whorulesaccordingtothelaws,whomGodhas
madehappybyformingthetemperofhissoultotheconstitutionofhis
government,andwhomakesushappy,byassumingoverusnoothersovereignty
thanthatwhereinourwelfareandlibertyconsists;aprince,Isay,ofsoexcellent
acharacter,andsosuitabletothewishesofallgoodmen,couldnotbetterhave
conveyedhimselfintohispeople’sapprehensions,thaninyourlordship’s
person;whosolivelyexpressthesamevirtues,thatyouseemnotsomucha
copy,asanemanationofhim.Moderationisdoubtlessanestablishmentof
greatness;butthereisasteadinessoftemperwhichislikewiserequisiteina
ministerofstate;soequalamixtureofbothvirtues,thathemaystandlikean


isthmusbetwixtthetwoencroachingseasofarbitrarypower,andlawless
anarchy.Theundertakingwouldbedifficulttoanybutanextraordinarygenius,
tostandattheline,andtodividethelimits;topaywhatisduetothegreat
representativeofthenation,andneithertoenhance,nortoyieldup,the
undoubtedprerogativesofthecrown.These,mylord,arethepropervirtuesofa
nobleEnglishman,asindeedtheyareproperlyEnglishvirtues;nopeopleinthe
worldbeingcapableofusingthem,butwewhohavethehappinesstobeborn
undersoequal,andsowell-poisedagovernment;—agovernmentwhichhasall
theadvantagesoflibertybeyondacommonwealth,andallthemarksofkingly
sovereignty,withoutthedangerofatyranny.Bothmynature,asIaman
Englishman,andmyreason,asIamaman,havebredinmealoathingtothat
speciousnameofarepublic;thatmockappearanceofaliberty,whereallwho
havenotpartinthegovernment,areslaves;andslavestheyareofavilernote,

thansuchasaresubjectstoanabsolutedominion.FornoChristianmonarchyis
soabsolute,butitiscircumscribedwithlaws;butwhentheexecutivepowerisin
thelaw-makers,thereisnofurthercheckuponthem;andthepeoplemustsuffer
withoutaremedy,becausetheyareoppressedbytheirrepresentatives.IfImust
serve,thenumberofmymasters,whowerebornmyequals,wouldbutaddto
theignominyofmybondage.Thenatureofourgovernment,aboveallothers,is
exactlysuitedbothtothesituationofourcountry,andthetemperofthenatives;
anislandbeingmoreproperforcommerceandfordefence,thanforextending
itsdominionsontheContinent;forwhatthevalourofitsinhabitantsmightgain,
byreasonofitsremoteness,andthecasualtiesoftheseas,itcouldnotsoeasily
preserve:And,therefore,neitherthearbitrarypowerofOne,inamonarchy,nor
ofMany,inacommonwealth,couldmakeusgreaterthanweare.Itistrue,that
vasterandmorefrequenttaxesmightbegathered,whentheconsentofthe
peoplewasnotaskedorneeded;butthiswereonlybyconqueringabroad,tobe
poorathome;andtheexamplesofourneighboursteachus,thattheyarenot
alwaysthehappiestsubjects,whosekingsextendtheirdominionsfarthest.Since
thereforewecannotwinbyanoffensivewar,atleast,alandwar,themodelof
ourgovernmentseemsnaturallycontrivedforthedefensivepart;andtheconsent
ofapeopleiseasilyobtainedtocontributetothatpowerwhichmustprotectit.
Felicesnimium,bonasisuanorint,Angligenae!Andyettherearenotwanting
malcontentsamongus,who,surfeitingthemselvesontoomuchhappiness,
wouldpersuadethepeoplethattheymightbehappierbyachange.Itwasindeed
thepolicyoftheiroldforefather,whenhimselfwasfallenfromthestationof
glory,toseducemankindintothesamerebellionwithhim,bytellinghimhe
mightyetbefreerthanhewas;thatismorefreethanhisnaturewouldallow,or,
ifImaysosay,thanGodcouldmakehim.Wehavealreadyallthelibertywhich


freebornsubjectscanenjoy,andallbeyonditisbutlicence.Butifitbelibertyof
consciencewhichtheypretend,themoderationofourchurchissuch,thatits

practiceextendsnottotheseverityofpersecution;anditsdisciplineiswithalso
easy,thatitallowsmorefreedomtodissentersthananyofthesectswouldallow
toit.Inthemeantime,whatrightcanbepretendedbythesementoattempt
innovationinchurchorstate?Whomadethemthetrustees,ortospeakalittle
nearertheirownlanguage,thekeepersofthelibertyofEngland?Iftheircallbe
extraordinary,letthemconvinceusbyworkingmiracles;forordinaryvocation
theycanhavenone,todisturbthegovernmentunderwhichtheywereborn,and
whichprotectsthem.Hewhohasoftenchangedhisparty,andalwayshasmade
hisinteresttheruleofit,giveslittleevidenceofhissincerityforthepublicgood;
itismanifesthechangesbutforhimself,andtakesthepeoplefortoolstowork
hisfortune.Yettheexperienceofallagesmightlethimknow,thattheywho
troublethewatersfirst,haveseldomthebenefitofthefishing;astheywho
beganthelaterebellionenjoyednotthefruitoftheirundertaking,butwere
crushedthemselvesbytheusurpationoftheirowninstrument.Neitherisit
enoughforthemtoanswer,thattheyonlyintendareformationofthe
government,butnotthesubversionofit:onsuchpretenceallinsurrectionshave
beenfounded;itisstrikingattherootofpower,whichisobedience.Every
remonstranceofprivatemenhastheseedoftreasoninit;anddiscourses,which
arecouchedinambiguousterms,arethereforethemoredangerous,becausethey
doallthemischiefofopensedition,yetaresafefromthepunishmentofthe
laws.These,mylord,areconsiderations,whichIshouldnotpasssolightlyover,
hadIroomtomanagethemastheydeserve;fornomancanbesoinconsiderable
inanation,asnottohaveashareinthewelfareofit;andifhebeatrue
Englishman,hemustatthesametimebefiredwithindignation,andrevenge
himselfashecanonthedisturbersofhiscountry.AndtowhomcouldImore
fitlyapplymyselfthantoyourlordship,whohavenotonlyaninborn,butan
hereditaryloyalty?Thememorableconstancyandsufferingsofyourfather,
almosttotheruinofhisestate,fortheroyalcause,wereanearnestofthatwhich
suchaparentandsuchaninstitutionwouldproduceinthepersonofason.But
sounhappyanoccasionofmanifestingyourownzeal,insufferingforhis

presentmajesty,theprovidenceofGod,andtheprudenceofyouradministration,
will,Ihope,prevent;that,asyourfather’sfortunewaitedontheunhappinessof
hissovereign,soyourownmayparticipateofthebetterfatewhichattendshis
son.Therelationwhichyouhavebyalliancetothenoblefamilyofyourlady,
servestoconfirmtoyouboththishappyaugury.Forwhatcandeserveagreater
placeintheEnglishchronicle,thantheloyaltyandcourage,theactionsand
death,ofthegeneralofanarmy,fightingforhisprinceandcountry?Thehonour


andgallantryoftheEarlofLindseyissoillustriousasubject,thatitisfitto
adornanheroicpoem;forhewastheprotomartyrofthecause,andthetypeof
hisunfortunateroyalmaster.
Yetafterall,mylord,ifImayspeakmythoughts,youarehappyrathertous
thantoyourself;forthemultiplicity,thecares,andthevexationsofyour
employment,havebetrayedyoufromyourself,andgivenyouupintothe
possessionofthepublic.Youarerobbedofyourprivacyandfriends,andscarce
anyhourofyourlifeyoucancallyourown.Those,whoenvyyourfortune,if
theywantednotgood-nature,mightmorejustlypityit;andwhentheyseeyou
watchedbyacrowdofsuitors,whoseimportunityitisimpossibletoavoid,
wouldconclude,withreason,thatyouhavelostmuchmoreintruecontent,than
youhavegainedbydignity;andthataprivategentlemanisbetterattendedbya
singleservant,thanyourlordshipwithsoclamorousatrain.Pardonme,mylord,
ifIspeaklikeaphilosopheronthissubject;thefortunewhichmakesaman
uneasy,cannotmakehimhappy;andawisemanmustthinkhimselfuneasy,
whenfewofhisactionsareinhischoice.
Thislastconsiderationhasbroughtmetoanother,andaveryseasonableonefor
yourrelief;whichis,thatwhileIpityyourwantofleisure,Ihaveimpertinently
detainedyousolongatime.Ihaveputoffmyownbusiness,whichwasmy
dedication,tillitissolate,thatIamnowashamedtobeginit;andthereforeI
willsaynothingofthepoem,whichIpresenttoyou,becauseIknownotifyou

areliketohaveanhour,which,withagoodconscience,youmaythrowawayin
perusingit;andfortheauthor,Ihaveonlytobegthecontinuanceofyour
protectiontohim,whois,
MyLord,YourLordship’smostobliged,Mosthumble,andMostobedient,
servant,JohnDryden.


PREFACE
ThedeathofAntonyandCleopatraisasubjectwhichhasbeentreatedbythe
greatestwitsofournation,afterShakespeare;andbyallsovariously,thattheir
examplehasgivenmetheconfidencetotrymyselfinthisbowofUlysses
amongstthecrowdofsuitors,and,withal,totakemyownmeasures,inaimingat
themark.Idoubtnotbutthesamemotivehasprevailedwithallofusinthis
attempt;Imeantheexcellencyofthemoral:Forthechiefpersonsrepresented
werefamouspatternsofunlawfullove;andtheirendaccordinglywas
unfortunate.Allreasonablemenhavelongsinceconcluded,thattheheroofthe
poemoughtnottobeacharacterofperfectvirtue,forthenhecouldnot,without
injustice,bemadeunhappy;noryetaltogetherwicked,becausehecouldnotthen
bepitied.Ihavethereforesteeredthemiddlecourse;andhavedrawnthe
characterofAntonyasfavourablyasPlutarch,Appian,andDionCassiuswould
givemeleave;thelikeIhaveobservedinCleopatra.Thatwhichiswantingto
workupthepitytoagreaterheight,wasnotaffordedmebythestory;forthe
crimesoflove,whichtheybothcommitted,werenotoccasionedbyany
necessity,orfatalignorance,butwerewhollyvoluntary;sinceourpassionsare,
oroughttobe,withinourpower.Thefabricoftheplayisregularenough,asto
theinferiorpartsofit;andtheunitiesoftime,place,andaction,moreexactly
observed,thanperhapstheEnglishtheatrerequires.Particularly,theactionisso
muchone,thatitistheonlyoneofthekindwithoutepisode,orunderplot;every
sceneinthetragedyconducingtothemaindesign,andeveryactconcluding
withaturnofit.Thegreatesterrorinthecontrivanceseemstobeintheperson

ofOctavia;for,thoughImightusetheprivilegeofapoet,tointroduceherinto
Alexandria,yetIhadnotenoughconsidered,thatthecompassionshemovedto
herselfandchildrenwasdestructivetothatwhichIreservedforAntonyand
Cleopatra;whosemutuallovebeingfoundeduponvice,mustlessenthefavour
oftheaudiencetothem,whenvirtueandinnocencewereoppressedbyit.And,
thoughIjustifiedAntonyinsomemeasure,bymakingOctavia’sdepartureto
proceedwhollyfromherself;yettheforceofthefirstmachinestillremained;
andthedividingofpity,likethecuttingofariverintomanychannels,abatedthe
strengthofthenaturalstream.Butthisisanobjectionwhichnoneofmycritics
haveurgedagainstme;andthereforeImighthaveletitpass,ifIcouldhave
resolvedtohavebeenpartialtomyself.Thefaultsmyenemieshavefoundare
rathercavilsconcerninglittleandnotessentialdecencies;whichamasterofthe
ceremoniesmaydecidebetwixtus.TheFrenchpoets,Iconfess,arestrict


observersofthesepunctilios:Theywouldnot,forexample,havesuffered
CleopatraandOctaviatohavemet;or,iftheyhadmet,theremusthaveonly
passedbetwixtthemsomecoldcivilities,butnoeagernessofrepartee,forfearof
offendingagainstthegreatnessoftheircharacters,andthemodestyoftheirsex.
ThisobjectionIforesaw,andatthesametimecontemned;forIjudgeditboth
naturalandprobable,thatOctavia,proudofhernew-gainedconquest,would
searchoutCleopatratotriumphoverher;andthatCleopatra,thusattacked,was
notofaspirittoshuntheencounter:Anditisnotunlikely,thattwoexasperated
rivalsshouldusesuchsatireasIhaveputintotheirmouths;for,afterall,though
theonewereaRoman,andtheotheraqueen,theywerebothwomen.Itistrue,
someactions,thoughnatural,arenotfittoberepresented;andbroadobscenities
inwordsoughtingoodmannerstobeavoided:expressionsthereforearea
modestclothingofourthoughts,asbreechesandpetticoatsareofourbodies.IfI
havekeptmyselfwithintheboundsofmodesty,allbeyond,itisbutnicetyand
affectation;whichisnomorebutmodestydepravedintoavice.Theybetray

themselveswhoaretooquickofapprehensioninsuchcases,andleaveall
reasonablementoimagineworseofthem,thanofthepoet.
HonestMontaignegoesyetfurther:Nousnesommesqueceremonie;la
ceremonienousemporte,etlaissonslasubstancedeschoses.Nousnoustenons
auxbranches,etabandonnonsletroncetlecorps.Nousavonsapprisauxdames
derougir,oyansseulementnommercequ’ellesnecraignentaucunementafaire:
Nousn’osonsappelleradroitnosmembres,etnecraignonspasdelesemployer
atoutesortededebauche.Laceremonienousdefendd’exprimerparparolesles
choseslicitesetnaturelles,etnousl’encroyons;laraisonnousdefendden’en
fairepointd’illicitesetmauvaises,etpersonnenel’encroit.Mycomfortis,that
bythisopinionmyenemiesarebutsuckingcritics,whowouldfainbenibbling
eretheirteetharecome.
Yet,inthisnicetyofmannersdoestheexcellencyofFrenchpoetryconsist.Their
heroesarethemostcivilpeoplebreathing;buttheirgoodbreedingseldom
extendstoawordofsense;alltheirwitisintheirceremony;theywantthe
geniuswhichanimatesourstage;andthereforeitisbutnecessary,whenthey
cannotplease,thattheyshouldtakecarenottooffend.Butasthecivilestmanin
thecompanyiscommonlythedullest,sotheseauthors,whiletheyareafraidto
makeyoulaughorcry,outofpuregoodmannersmakeyousleep.Theyareso
carefulnottoexasperateacritic,thattheyneverleavehimanywork;sobusy
withthebroom,andmakesocleanariddancethatthereislittlelefteitherfor
censureorforpraise:Fornopartofapoemisworthourdiscommending,where


thewholeisinsipid;aswhenwehaveoncetastedofpalledwine,westaynotto
examineitglassbyglass.Butwhiletheyaffecttoshineintrifles,theyareoften
carelessinessentials.Thus,theirHippolytusissoscrupulousinpointof
decency,thathewillratherexposehimselftodeath,thanaccusehisstepmother
tohisfather;andmycriticsIamsurewillcommendhimforit.Butweof
grosserapprehensionsareapttothinkthatthisexcessofgenerosityisnot

practicable,butwithfoolsandmadmen.Thiswasgoodmannerswitha
vengeance;andtheaudienceisliketobemuchconcernedatthemisfortunesof
thisadmirablehero.ButtakeHippolytusoutofhispoeticfit,andIsupposehe
wouldthinkitawiserparttosetthesaddleontherighthorse,andchooserather
tolivewiththereputationofaplain-spoken,honestman,thantodiewiththe
infamyofanincestuousvillain.Inthemeantimewemaytakenotice,thatwhere
thepoetoughttohavepreservedthecharacterasitwasdeliveredtousby
antiquity,whenheshouldhavegivenusthepictureofaroughyoungman,ofthe
Amazonianstrain,ajollyhuntsman,andbothbyhisprofessionandhisearly
risingamortalenemytolove,hehaschosentogivehimtheturnofgallantry,
senthimtotravelfromAthenstoParis,taughthimtomakelove,and
transformedtheHippolytusofEuripidesintoMonsieurHippolyte.Ishouldnot
havetroubledmyselfthusfarwithFrenchpoets,butthatIfindourChedreux
criticswhollyformtheirjudgmentsbythem.Butformypart,Idesiretobetried
bythelawsofmyowncountry;foritseemsunjusttome,thattheFrenchshould
prescribehere,tilltheyhaveconquered.Ourlittlesonneteers,whofollowthem,
havetoonarrowsoulstojudgeofpoetry.Poetsthemselvesarethemostproper,
thoughIconcludenottheonlycritics.Buttillsomegenius,asuniversalas
Aristotle,shallarise,onewhocanpenetrateintoallartsandsciences,without
thepracticeofthem,Ishallthinkitreasonable,thatthejudgmentofanartificer
inhisownartshouldbepreferabletotheopinionofanotherman;atleastwhere
heisnotbribedbyinterest,orprejudicedbymalice.Andthis,Isuppose,is
manifestbyplaininductions:For,first,thecrowdcannotbepresumedtohave
morethanagrossinstinctofwhatpleasesordispleasesthem:Everymanwill
grantmethis;butthen,byaparticularkindnesstohimself,hedrawshisown
stakefirst,andwillbedistinguishedfromthemultitude,ofwhichothermenmay
thinkhimone.But,ifIcomeclosertothosewhoareallowedforwittymen,
eitherbytheadvantageoftheirquality,orbycommonfame,andaffirmthat
neitheraretheyqualifiedtodecidesovereignlyconcerningpoetry,Ishallyet
haveastrongpartyofmyopinion;formostofthemseverallywillexcludethe

rest,eitherfromthenumberofwittymen,oratleastofablejudges.Buthere
againtheyareallindulgenttothemselves;andeveryonewhobelieveshimselfa
wit,thatis,everyman,willpretendatthesametimetoarightofjudging.Butto


pressityetfurther,therearemanywittymen,butfewpoets;neitherhaveall
poetsatasteoftragedy.Andthisistherockonwhichtheyaredailysplitting.
Poetry,whichisapictureofnature,mustgenerallyplease;butitisnottobe
understoodthatallpartsofitmustpleaseeveryman;thereforeisnottragedyto
bejudgedbyawittyman,whosetasteisonlyconfinedtocomedy.Norisevery
man,wholovestragedy,asufficientjudgeofit;hemustunderstandthe
excellencesofittoo,orhewillonlyproveablindadmirer,notacritic.From
henceitcomesthatsomanysatiresonpoets,andcensuresoftheirwritings,fly
abroad.Menofpleasantconversation(atleastesteemedso),andenduedwitha
triflingkindoffancy,perhapshelpedoutwithsomesmatteringofLatin,are
ambitioustodistinguishthemselvesfromtheherdofgentlemen,bytheirpoetry
—
RarusenimfermesensuscommunisinillaFortuna.
Andisnotthisawretchedaffectation,nottobecontentedwithwhatfortunehas
doneforthem,andsitdownquietlywiththeirestates,buttheymustcalltheir
witsinquestion,andneedlesslyexposetheirnakednesstopublicview?Not
consideringthattheyarenottoexpectthesameapprobationfromsobermen,
whichtheyhavefoundfromtheirflatterersafterthethirdbottle.Ifalittle
glitteringindiscoursehaspassedthemonusforwittymen,wherewasthe
necessityofundeceivingtheworld?Wouldamanwhohasanilltitletoan
estate,butyetisinpossessionofit;wouldhebringitofhisownaccord,tobe
triedatWestminster?Wewhowrite,ifwewantthetalent,yethavetheexcuse
thatwedoitforapoorsubsistence;butwhatcanbeurgedintheirdefence,who,
nothavingthevocationofpovertytoscribble,outofmerewantonnesstake
painstomakethemselvesridiculous?Horacewascertainlyintheright,wherehe

said,“Thatnomanissatisfiedwithhisowncondition.”Apoetisnotpleased,
becauseheisnotrich;andthericharediscontented,becausethepoetswillnot
admitthemoftheirnumber.Thusthecaseishardwithwriters:Iftheysucceed
not,theymuststarve;andiftheydo,somemalicioussatireispreparedtolevel
them,fordaringtopleasewithouttheirleave.Butwhiletheyaresoeagerto
destroythefameofothers,theirambitionismanifestintheirconcernment;some
poemoftheirownistobeproduced,andtheslavesaretobelaidflatwiththeir
facesontheground,thatthemonarchmayappearinthegreatermajesty.
DionysiusandNerohadthesamelongings,butwithalltheirpowertheycould
neverbringtheirbusinesswellabout.‘Tistrue,theyproclaimedthemselves
poetsbysoundoftrumpet;andpoetstheywere,uponpainofdeathtoanyman


whodurstcallthemotherwise.Theaudiencehadafinetimeon’t,youmay
imagine;theysatinabodilyfear,andlookedasdemurelyastheycould:forit
wasahangingmattertolaughunseasonably;andthetyrantsweresuspicious,as
theyhadreason,thattheirsubjectshadtheminthewind;so,everyman,inhis
owndefence,setasgoodafaceuponthebusinessashecould.Itwasknown
beforehandthatthemonarchsweretobecrownedlaureates;butwhentheshow
wasover,andanhonestmanwassufferedtodepartquietly,hetookouthis
laughterwhichhehadstifled,withafirmresolutionnevermoretoseean
emperor’splay,thoughhehadbeentenyearsa-makingit.Inthemeantimethe
truepoetsweretheywhomadethebestmarkets:fortheyhadwitenoughto
yieldtheprizewithagoodgrace,andnotcontendwithhimwhohadthirty
legions.Theyweresuretoberewarded,iftheyconfessedthemselvesbad
writers,andthatwassomewhatbetterthantobemartyrsfortheirreputation.
Lucan’sexamplewasenoughtoteachthemmanners;andafterhewasputto
death,forovercomingNero,theemperorcarrieditwithoutdisputeforthebest
poetinhisdominions.Nomanwasambitiousofthatgrinninghonour;forifhe
heardthemalicioustrumpeterproclaiminghisnamebeforehisbetters,heknew

therewasbutonewaywithhim.Maecenastookanothercourse,andweknowhe
wasmorethanagreatman,forhewaswittytoo:Butfindinghimselffargonein
poetry,whichSenecaassuresuswasnothistalent,hethoughtithisbestwayto
bewellwithVirgilandwithHorace;thatatleasthemightbeapoetatthe
secondhand;andweseehowhappilyithassucceededwithhim;forhisownbad
poetryisforgotten,andtheirpanegyricsofhimstillremain.Buttheywhoshould
beourpatronsarefornosuchexpensivewaystofame;theyhavemuchofthe
poetryofMaecenas,butlittleofhisliberality.TheyareforprosecutingHorace
andVirgil,inthepersonsoftheirsuccessors;forsuchiseverymanwhohasany
partoftheirsoulandfire,thoughinalessdegree.Someoftheirlittlezaniesyet
gofurther;fortheyarepersecutorsevenofHoracehimself,asfarastheyare
able,bytheirignorantandvileimitationsofhim;bymakinganunjustuseofhis
authority,andturninghisartilleryagainsthisfriends.Buthowwouldhedisdain
tobecopiedbysuchhands!Idareanswerforhim,hewouldbemoreuneasyin
theircompany,thanhewaswithCrispinus,theirforefather,intheHolyWay;
andwouldnomorehaveallowedthemaplaceamongstthecritics,thanhe
wouldDemetriusthemimic,andTigelliusthebuffoon;
––-Demetri,teque,Tigelli,Discipuloruminterjubeoplorarecathedras.
Withwhatscornwouldhelookdownonsuchmiserabletranslators,whomake
doggerelofhisLatin,mistakehismeaning,misapplyhiscensures,andoften


contradicttheirown?Heisfixedasalandmarktosetouttheboundsofpoetry—
––-Saxumantiquum,ingens,—Limesagropositus,litemutdiscerneretarvis.
Butotherarmsthantheirs,andothersinewsarerequired,toraisetheweightof
suchanauthor;andwhentheywouldtosshimagainstenemies—
Genualabant,gelidusconcrevitfrigoresanguis.Tumlapisipseviri,vacuum
perinanevolatus,Necspatiumevasittotum,necpertulitictum.
Formypart,Iwouldwishnootherrevenge,eitherformyself,ortherestofthe
poets,fromthisrhymingjudgeofthetwelve-pennygallery,thislegitimatesonof

Sternhold,thanthathewouldsubscribehisnametohiscensure,or(nottotax
himbeyondhislearning)sethismark:For,shouldheownhimselfpublicly,and
comefrombehindthelion’sskin,theywhomhecondemnswouldbethankfulto
him,theywhomhepraiseswouldchoosetobecondemned;andthemagistrates,
whomhehaselected,wouldmodestlywithdrawfromtheiremployment,to
avoidthescandalofhisnomination.Thesharpnessofhissatire,nexttohimself,
fallsmostheavilyonhisfriends,andtheyoughtnevertoforgivehimfor
commendingthemperpetuallythewrongway,andsometimesbycontraries.If
hehaveafriend,whosehastinessinwritingishisgreatestfault,Horacewould
havetaughthimtohavemincedthematter,andtohavecalleditreadinessof
thought,andaflowingfancy;forfriendshipwillallowamantochristenan
imperfectionbythenameofsomeneighbourvirtue—
Velleminamicitiasicerraremus;etistiErrorinomenvirtusposuisset
honestum.
Buthewouldneverallowedhimtohavecalledaslowmanhasty,orahasty
writeraslowdrudge,asJuvenalexplainsit—
––-Canibuspigris,scabiequevestustaLaevibus,etsiccaelambentibusora
lucernae,Nomenerit,Pardus,Tigris,Leo;siquidadhucestQuodfremitinterris
violentius.
YetLucretiuslaughsatafoolishlover,evenforexcusingtheimperfectionsof
hismistress—
Nigra<melichroos>est,immundaetfoetida<akosmos>Balbaloquinonquit,
<traylizei>;mutapudensest,etc.


ButtodriveitadAethiopemcygnumisnottobeendured.Ileavehimto
interpretthisbythebenefitofhisFrenchversionontheotherside,andwithout
furtherconsideringhim,thanIhavetherestofmyilliteratecensors,whomI
havedisdainedtoanswer,becausetheyarenotqualifiedforjudges.Itremains
thatIacquiantthereader,thatIhaveendeavouredinthisplaytofollowthe

practiceoftheancients,who,asMr.Rymerhasjudiciouslyobserved,areand
oughttobeourmasters.Horacelikewisegivesitforaruleinhisartofpoetry—
––-VosexemplariaGraecaNocturnaversatemanu,versatediurna.
Yet,thoughtheirmodelsareregular,theyaretoolittleforEnglishtragedy;
whichrequirestobebuiltinalargercompass.Icouldgiveaninstanceinthe
OedipusTyrannus,whichwasthemasterpieceofSophocles;butIreserveitfora
morefitoccasion,whichIhopetohavehereafter.Inmystyle,Ihaveprofessed
toimitatethedivineShakespeare;whichthatImightperformmorefreely,Ihave
disencumberedmyselffromrhyme.NotthatIcondemnmyformerway,butthat
thisismorepropertomypresentpurpose.IhopeIneednottoexplainmyself,
thatIhavenotcopiedmyauthorservilely:Wordsandphrasesmustofnecessity
receiveachangeinsucceedingages;butitisalmostamiraclethatmuchofhis
languageremainssopure;andthathewhobegandramaticpoetryamongstus,
untaughtbyany,andasBenJonsontellsus,withoutlearning,shouldbythe
forceofhisowngeniusperformsomuch,thatinamannerhehasleftnopraise
foranywhocomeafterhim.Theoccasionisfair,andthesubjectwouldbe
pleasanttohandlethedifferenceofstylesbetwixthimandFletcher,andwherein,
andhowfartheyarebothtobeimitated.ButsinceImustnotbeover-confident
ofmyownperformanceafterhim,itwillbeprudenceinmetobesilent.Yet,I
hope,Imayaffirm,andwithoutvanity,that,byimitatinghim,Ihaveexcelled
myselfthroughouttheplay;andparticularly,thatIpreferthescenebetwixt
AntonyandVentidiusinthefirstact,toanythingwhichIhavewritteninthis
kind.


PROLOGUE
Whatflocksofcriticshoverhereto-day,Asvultureswaitonarmiesfortheir
prey,Allgapingforthecarcaseofaplay!Withcroakingnotestheybodesome
direevent,Andfollowdyingpoetsbythescent.Oursgiveshimselfforgone;y’
havewatchedyourtime:Hefightsthisdayunarmed,—withouthisrhyme;—

Andbringsatalewhichoftenhasbeentold;AssadasDido’s;andalmostasold.
Hishero,whomyouwitshisbullycall,Batesofhismettle,andscarcerantsat
all;He’ssomewhatlewd;butawell-meaningmind;Weepsmuch;fightslittle;
butiswond’rouskind.Inshort,apattern,andcompanionfit,Forallthekeeping
Toniesofthepit.Icouldnamemore:awife,andmistresstoo;Both(tobeplain)
toogoodformostofyou:Thewifewell-natured,andthemistresstrue.Now,
poets,ifyourfamehasbeenhiscare,Allowhimallthecandouryoucanspare.
Abravemanscornstoquarrelonceaday;LikeHectorsinateverypettyfray.
Letthosefindfaultwhosewit’ssoverysmall,They’veneedtoshowthatthey
canthinkatall;Errors,likestraws,uponthesurfaceflow;Hewhowouldsearch
forpearls,mustdivebelow.Fopsmayhaveleavetolevelalltheycan;As
pigmieswouldbegladtolopaman.Half-witsarefleas;solittleandsolight,We
scarcecouldknowtheylive,butthattheybite.But,astherich,whentiredwith
dailyfeasts,Forchange,becometheirnextpoortenant’sguests;Drinkhearty
draughtsofalefromplainbrownbowls,Andsnatchthehomelyrasherfromthe
coals:Soyou,retiringfrommuchbettercheer,Foronce,mayventuretodo
penancehere.Andsincethatplenteousautumnnowispast,Whosegrapesand
peacheshaveindulgedyourtaste,Takeingoodpart,fromourpoorpoet’sboard,
Suchrivelledfruitsaswintercanafford.

ALLFORLOVEorTHEWORLDWELLLOST


ATRAGEDY
DRAMATISPERSONAE
MARKANTONY.VENTIDIUS,hisGeneral.DOLABELLA,hisFriend.
ALEXAS,theQueen’sEunuch.SERAPION,PriestofIsis.MYRIS,another
Priest.ServantstoAntony.
CLEOPATRA,QueenofEgypt.OCTAVIA,Antony’sWife.CHARMION,
Cleopatra’sMaid.IRAS,Cleopatra’sMaid.Antony’stwolittleDaughters.

SCENE.—Alexandria.

ActI
SceneI.—TheTempleofIsis
EnterSERAPION,MYRIS,PriestsofIsis
SERAPION.Portentsandprodigieshavegrownsofrequent,Thattheyhavelost
theirname.OurfruitfulNileFlowederethewontedseason,withatorrentSo
unexpected,andsowondrousfierce,Thatthewilddelugeovertookthehaste
Evenofthehindsthatwatchedit:MenandbeastsWereborneabovethetopsof
trees,thatgrewOntheutmostmarginofthewater-mark.Then,withsoswiftan
ebbtheflooddrovebackward,Itsliptfromunderneaththescalyherd:Here
monstrousphocaepantedontheshore;Forsakendolphinstherewiththeirbroad
tails,Laylashingthedepartingwaves:hardbythem,Seahorsesflounderingin
theslimymud,Tosseduptheirheads,anddashedtheoozeaboutthem.
EnterALEXASbehindthem
MYRIS.Averttheseomens,Heaven!
SERAPION.Lastnight,betweenthehoursoftwelveandone,Inaloneaisleof


thetemplewhileIwalked,Awhirlwindrose,that,withaviolentblast,Shookall
thedome:thedoorsaroundmeclapt;Theironwicket,thatdefendsthevault,
WherethelongraceofPtolemiesislaid,Burstopen,anddisclosedthemighty
dead.>Fromouteachmonument,inorderplaced,Anarmedghoststartsup:the
boy-kinglastRearedhisinglorioushead.ApealofgroansThenfollowed,anda
lamentablevoiceCried,Egyptisnomore!Mybloodranback,Myshaking
kneesagainsteachotherknocked;OnthecoldpavementdownIfellentranced,
Andsounfinishedleftthehorridscene.
ALEXAS.Anddreamedyouthis?ordidinventthestory,[Showinghimself.]To
frightenourEgyptianboyswithal,Andtrainthemup,betimes,infearof

priesthood?
SERAPION.Mylord,Isawyounot,Normeantmywordsshouldreachyou
ears;butwhatIutteredwasmosttrue.
ALEXAS.Afoolishdream,Bredfromthefumesofindigestedfeasts,Andholy
luxury.
SERAPION.Iknowmyduty:Thisgoesnofurther.
ALEXAS.‘Tisnotfititshould;Norwouldthetimesnowbearit,wereittrue.
Allsouthern,fromyonhills,theRomancampHangso’erusblackand
threateninglikeastormJustbreakingonourheads.
SERAPION.OurfaintEgyptiansprayforAntony;Butintheirservilehearts
theyownOctavius.
MYRIS.WhythendoesAntonydreamouthishours,Andtemptsnotfortunefor
anobleday,WhichmightredeemwhatActiumlost?
ALEXAS.Hethinks‘tispastrecovery.
SERAPION.YetthefoeSeemsnottopressthesiege.
ALEXAS.Oh,there’sthewonder.MaecenasandAgrippa,whocanmostWith
Caesar,arehisfoes.HiswifeOctavia,Drivenfromhishouse,solicitsher
revenge;AndDolabella,whowasoncehisfriend,Uponsomeprivategrudge,
nowseekshisruin:Yetstillwarseemsoneithersidetosleep.