The Works of Henry Fielding - Edited by George Saintsbury in 12 Volumes $p Volume 12 by Henry Fielding
page 52 of 315 (16%)
page 52 of 315 (16%)
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WITH THE ANNOTATIONS OF H. SCRIBLERUS
SECUNDUS FIRST ACTED IN 1730, AND ALTERED IN 1731. H. SCRIBLERUS SECUNDUS, HIS PREFACE. THE town hath seldom been more divided in its opinion than concerning the merit of the following scenes. While some publickly affirmed that no author could produce so fine a piece but Mr P----, others have with as much vehemence insisted that no one could write anything so bad but Mr F----. Nor can we wonder at this dissension about its merit, when the learned would have not unanimously decided even the very nature of this tragedy. For though most of the universities in Europe have honoured it with the name of "Egregium et maximi pretii opus, tragoediis tam antiquis quam novis longe anteponendum;" nay, Dr B---- hath pronounced, "Citius Maevii Aeneadem quam Scribleri istrus tragoediam hanc crediderium, cujus autorem Senecam ipsum tradidisse haud dubitarim:" and the great professor Burman hath styled Tom Thumb "Heroum omnium tragicorum facile principem:" nay, though it hath, among other languages, been translated into Dutch, and celebrated with great applause at Amsterdam (where burlesque never came) by the title of Mynheer Vander Thumb, the burgomasters receiving it with that reverent and silent attention which becometh an audience at a deep tragedy. Notwithstanding all this, there have not been wanting some |
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