[ 444 J 



Sophron."] We feem to have fufficiently confidered both the* 

 beauties and failings of Homer : fuppofe we were now to* 

 examine into the merit of the ancient dramatic writers ? Whether 

 the Chorus is an advantage or not to the drama, when properly 

 made ufe of, will in a great meafure determine the difpute be- 

 tween us to which the preference is due, and therefore I do not: 

 think it will be improper to begin with examining a little into the 

 nature of this part of the ancient tragedy* The peculiar office of 

 the Chorus cannot be better explained than by the lines in Ho- 

 race's Art of Poetry, which comprehend, almoft every circum- 

 that it ever interferes with.. 



Actoris partes Chorus officumque virile 

 Defendat, neu quid medios intercinat adlus; 

 Quod non propofito conducat, & hzereat aptei. 

 Hie bonis^ faveatque & concilietur amicis] 

 Et regat iratos, & amet peccare timentes^ &Ci. 



The exact manner in which the Chorus performed its parlx 

 feems to have puzzled the moft diligent enquirers into antiquity ^ 

 and to enter into a difcuffion of this nature would not at all fuit 

 our prefent defign. I mall only fay in general what hath oc- 

 curred to me upon reading the ancient tragedies,, with regard to 

 its having been originally introduced.. Thefpis, the firft writer 

 for the ftage that we have any account of, acting his tragedies fronts 

 town to town a ; and that fpecies of poetry being by no means., 

 carried by him to any great perfection, his audiences probably 

 confided of the lower kind of people,, who I believe in all coun- 



* Ignotum tragicse genus irwenifie Camoerrce 

 Dicitur, & plauftris vesifle poemata Thefpis. 



tries 



