Essays on Wit No. 2 by Joseph Warton;Richard Flecknoe
page 14 of 40 (35%)
page 14 of 40 (35%)
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And search through all the Secrets of my Soul._
Or these of _Brutus_, when he receives the News of his Wife's Death: Brutus. _Now, as you are a_ Roman, _tell me true._ Messala. _Then like a_ Roman _bear the Truth I tell; For certain she is dead, and by strange manner._ Brutus. _Why farewel_ Portia.--_We must die,_ Messala. _With meditating that she must die once, I have the Patience to endure it now._ Or these noble ones of _Titinius_, when he stabs himself: _By your leave Gods--this is a_ Roman's _Part._ It is not that which is called Wit, but what is sublime and noble that makes true Beauty. I have purposely chose these Examples from good Authors, that they may be the more striking; and I speak not of those Points and Quibbles, whose Impropriety is easily perceiv'd. There is no one but laughs when _Hotspur_ says, _Why, what a deal of candied Courtesie This fawning Greyhound then did proffer me! Look, when his infant Fortune came to Age, And gentle_ Harry Percy--_and kind Cousin_--_The Devil take such Cozeners_.-- |
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