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THOMAS SOUTHERNE.

Dublin, 1660, 1746.

Early in life Southerne quitted the study of the law for the practice of which he was originally intended, and devoted himself to poetry, choosing the dramatick walk for the exercise of his muse, his first play of the PERSIAN PRINCE, OR LOYAL BROTHER, was written to compliment James the Second, then Duke of York: the Tory Interest then prevailing in England. Southern entered the army on the rebellion of the Duke of Monmouth and rose to the rank of Captain in the King's service. For the Tragedy of the SPARTAN DAME, he received one hundred and fifty pounds from the bookseller, to the great astonishment and envy of all contemporary play. writers. The interests however of the Corps Dramatique have been wonderfully promoted by his example, the ingenious invention of a second and third night for the Author's benefit owes its birth to Southerne, and he informed Dryden with a mixture of shame and pride that he had cleared seven hundred pounds by one play. He possessed however, a secret which Dryden could not put in practice; for the attainment of these desirable ends, he could condescend to solicit patronage, and sold his tickets sometimes at high prices, to persons of distinction; a

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perseverance in which conduct proved extremely advantageous to him, as he died in possession of a handsome fortune. Of his five Comedies none are ever performed. The FATAL MARRIAGE still continues an ornament to the stage, the folly in the comick scenes being excluded; and one cannot but regret that Southerne should have sacrifised to the vicious taste of his times by mixing with the pathetick dignity of Oroonoko, the ribald buffoonery of the Widow Lackitt, and the Weldons.

Song in the Rambling Lady.

PURSUING beauty men descry

The distant shoar and long to prove

(Still richer in variety)

The treasures of the land of love.

We women, like weak Indians, stand
Inviting, from our golden coast,
The wandering rovers to our land:

But she, who trades with 'em, is lost.

With humble vows they first begin
Stealing, unseen, unto the heart:

But by possession settled in,

They quickly act another part,

For beads, and baubles, we resign,
In ignorance, our shining store;
Discover nature's richest mine,

And yet the tyrants will have more.

Be wise, be wise, and do not try,

How he can court, or you be won :

For love is but discovery

When that is made, the pleasure's done.

Song in the Maid's last Prayer.

THOUGH YOU make no return to my passion, Still I presume to adore,

'Tis in love but an odd reputation

Faintly repulsed to give o'er:
When you talk of your duty,
I gaze on your beauty,

Nor mind the dull maxim at all;

Let it reign in Cheapside,

With the citizen's bride,

It will ne'er be received in Whitehall.

What apocryphal tales are you

told?

By one, who would make you believe, That, because of " to have and to hold"

You still must be pinn'd to his sleeve :

'Tis apparent high treason

Against love and reason

Should one such a treasure engross ;,

He that knows not the joys

That attend such a choice

Should resign to another who does.

ROBERT BLAIR.

Scotland, 1699, 1746.

Author of the Grave, a Poem written in the same spirit and style as the Night Thoughts, and popular for the same cause. An Elegy upon Mr. William Law, his wife's father is his only other performance; from this the specimen is extracted. It abounds with his characteristick faults, and with instances of grammatical absurdity peculiar to himself, thou taught, thou roams, thou views, thou greets, &c.

From "A Poem to the Memory of Mr. William Law, &c.

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WHICH, from the crowded journal of thy fame,

Which of thy many titles shall I name?

For, like a gallant prince, that wins a crown,
By undisputed right before his own,