236 THEORr of the 



In the great difcovery fcene in Oedipus Tyrannus, there are not 

 fewer than 150 interrogative and imperative fentences ; any one 

 of which would be murdered, and the effect of the fcene 

 fpoiled, by ufing circumlocution by means of a verb of afking 

 or of commanding. 



In the paffionate fcenes of Lear and of Othello, feveral hun- 

 dreds of fimilar inftances may eafily be found. 



In the difcovery fcene in Douglas, fome of the fineft ftrokes 

 of paffion, of anxiety, of wonder, of horror, of eager curiofity, 

 are conveyed by means of the moods of verbs, and would be 

 loft in any circumlocution. 



Was he alive f 



Inhuman that thou art 



How could/l thou kill what winds and tempejls /pared P 



Even Rowe, amidll all his golden verfe, was not unmind- 

 ful of the force and animation which the moods of verbs give 

 to the expreflion of thought. 



Does be f Docs Hajlings 9 



Reward him for the noble deed, juft Heaven. 



For this one action, guard him, and dijlinguijh him,. 

 With fignal mercies, and with great deliverance ; 

 Save him from wrong, adverfity, and fhame ; 

 Let never fading honours fiourijh round him \ 

 And cotifecrate his name even to time's end j 

 Let him know nothing elfe but good on earth, 

 And everlafting blelTednefs hereafter. 



The poor, forfaken, royal little ones ! 

 Shall they be left a prey to favage power ? 

 Can they lift up their harmlefs hands in vain, 

 Or cry to Heaven for help, and not be heard ?. 



Impomble ! 



Go 



