[ 9^ 1 



oppreffed by fear, and of one difturbed by complexional timi- 

 dity, yet fupported againft its influence by rational felf-difcipline ? 

 The countenance of Coriolanus during the fupplication of his 

 mother and wife muft have pafTed through a feries of expreffions 

 from that of an affumed cold ftatelinefs, with which he covered 

 his feelings, till when overpowered by natural afFedion bis eyes 

 did fweat compajfion. Through the whole of this confli.T; at no 

 time did his countenance indicate an unmixed emotion, and even 

 at the concluding triumph of filial duty, the great interpreter of 

 nature hath reprefented him diftraded almoft to agony : 



Oh, my mother, mother ! oh ! 

 You have won a happy viflory to Rome : 



But for your fon Believe it, oh, beUeve it — 



Moft dangeroudy with him you have prevail'd. 

 If not moft mortal to him. But let it come. 



Andromache SuKpvoiv yeXua-dcrcc (6 Iliad, 484) readily occurs as 

 a beautiful illuftration of the power of the countenance to cx- 

 prefs blended feelings ; it does not however appear to me to 

 come fo near the efl^ence of the queflion as to be competent to 

 fupport the decifion of it. A variety of foft images ruflied at 

 once on the mind of Andromache ; her heart was melted with 

 a recolledion of the many tender circumflances that form the 

 aggregate of domeftic happinefs ; and Hedor's perilous ftation 

 excited a fear of lofing him who fupported this happinefs ; the 

 little incident of infant terror quickened this mafs of tcndernefs ; 

 yet thefe emotions, being of a kindred nature, eafily coalefce into 



M 2 one 



