the South- Sea 



But we, who are by Reafon's Rules confin'd, 

 Will, that with Art the Poem be defign'd, 

 That Unity of ACtion, Time and Place 

 Keep the Stage full, and all your Labours grace. 



But that which ought to be blamable in all Countries is y 

 that S.Alexius is reprefented as not over-fcrupulous,as to Ly- 

 ing for the Author makes him ufe fome mental Refervations 

 which are much to the fame EffeCt, when he endeavours 

 to conceal himfelf from a Man fent by his Father to look 

 after him. He fays of himfelf, that he knows S. Alexius r 

 but that he is gone very far before. The Spanijh Words, 

 are thefe : 



Conofco ejje Ca-valle'ro 

 Torque he ^enido con el y 

 ¥ me conto fu fuceffo, 

 Mas ya i>a muy adelante. 



That is, I know that Gentleman, becaufe I came along; 

 with him, and he told me his Story y but he is now fan 

 before, or, according to the double Meaning of the Word^ 

 much advanced. 



In other refpe&s, in fuch a little Town, nothing better 

 could be expected as to the Decorations of the Theatre^ 

 which was contracted into a fmallCompafs, after our Man- 

 ner ; and it may be faid, that the ACtors, being of the 

 meaneft of the People, for they were all Mulatto's, and 

 who did not make Acting their Profeflion, play'd their 

 Parts well enough, according to the SpaniJIo Tafte. I ob- 

 ferv'd in their Interludes, or little Farces between the A&s^ 

 an Affectation of introducing Doctors in their Robes, re- 

 prefenting Extravagancies. I do not underftand how the 

 Church-men, who are almoft the only Perfons entitled 

 Doctors, have the Complaifance to admit of thofe Sports | 

 for if there be any impertinent Part^ the Man in the Cap 

 is fure to have a Share in it*. 



After 



