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pie {o rcligioufly obfervant of the cuftoms of their an- 

 ceftors. 



It is true that feme Irifh poems are conduded in a kind of 

 dramatic narrative, and it is probable that thefe poems were 

 recited at the convivial feafts of the chiefs, and in the pubhc 



conventions 



and wakes ; but tliefe attempts cannot be confidered as veftiges of an ancient regular 

 dr;ima. Thefe pieces are called, Tae Cottoning of Frlzc ; T/k ALirriige AH ; The Servant i 

 ferviiig their Lord at Taile ; The fulling or thickening of Cloth, and Sir Sop or Sir SoJ>in, 

 the Knight of Stranv. The defign of the laft is evidently to hold up to ridicule the 

 Englifli charader, and cannot therefore be a produdion of high antiquity. I will 

 here give a fliort analyfis of this piece. The principal charaders, are an Irifli chieftain, 

 •who always takes his title from the Irifh family of moft confequence in the neioh- 

 bourhood of the place where the play is exhibited ; and an Englifli chieftain, deno- 

 minated Sir Sop or Sir Sopin. Sir Sop is dre/Ted in ftr.iw, with a clogad or helmet 

 of the fame materials on his head ; but the Irifti chieftain, who is the favourite hero, 

 is clad in the bed clothes that the wardrobes of his ruftic audience can afford. When 

 thofe charafters appear on the ftage they are feparately attended by inferior officers 

 and fervants, who, like the ancient Greek chorus, fland at a refpeftful diftance, 

 while the chieftains converfe. .Sometimes the chief officers are allowed to take a part 

 in the dialogue. With the drift of the plot I am not perfectly acquainted, but 

 know that the cataflrophe is brought about by an altercation which arifes between 

 our two heroes, and terminates in fingle combat. In this combat Sir Sopin wounds 

 his adverfai-y, who falls, and a furgeon appears to examine the wound. Regaining 

 his ftrength the Irifli chieftain retires, followed by Sir Sopin. Soon after they enter 

 again, and renewing the combat, Sir Sopin receives a mortal wound, and is borne off 

 the fliage. The Irifh chieftain having thus gained the field, brandiflies his fword 

 and fl;rides exultingly acrofs the flage. Then paufing a while, he addreffes hinifelf 

 to heaven, offering thanks for his vi£tory. This done, the curtain falls. — The dia- 

 logue is extremely humorous, and interfperfed with foliloques, fongs and dances. 



