succeeds the Chorus, which commonly takes up more time in singing than there has been employed in speaking. The principal person appears almost constantly through the play, but the inferiour parts seldom above once in the whole tragedy. The conduct of our stage is much more difficult, where we are obliged never to lose any considerable character which we have once presented. Custom likewise has obtained, that we must form an under-plot of second persons, which must be depending on the first; and their bye-walks must be like those in a labyrinth, which all of them lead into the great parterre, or like so many several lodging chambers which have their outlets into the same gallery. Perhaps after all, if we could think so, the ancient method, as it is the easiest, is also the most natural and the best for variety, as it is managed, is too often subject to breed distraction; and while we would please too many ways, for want of art in the conduct, we please in none. But we have given you more already than was necessary for a Preface, and for aught we know, may gain no more by our instructions than that politick nation is like to do, who have taught their enemies to fight so long, that at last they are in a condition to invade them. 6

6 I suppose by the politick nation, England was meant, and the enemies whom they taught to fight were the Dutch.

DEDICATION

OF

TROILUS AND CRESSIDA.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

ROBERT, EARL OF SUNDERLAND, PRINCIPAL SECRETARY OF STATE, ONE OF HIS MAJESTY'S MOST HONOURABLE PRIVY-COUNCIL, &c. 7

MY LORD,

SINCE INCE I cannot promise you much of poetry in my play, it is but reasonable that I should secure you from any part of it in my Dedication; and indeed I cannot better distinguish the exactness of your taste from that of other men, than

7 Robert Spencer, Earl of Sunderland, only son of Henry, Earl of Sunderland, (who fell in the battle of Newbury in 1643,) by Lady Dorothy Sydney, the celebrated SACHARISSA, was born in 1641, and died September 28,

1702.

"He was a man (says Burnet) of a clear and ready apprehension, and a quick decision in business. He had too much heat, both of imagination and passion, and was apt to speak very freely both of persons and things. His own notions were always good; but he was a man of great expence, and in order to the supporting himself, he went into the prevailing counsels at court;

by the plainness and sincerity of my address. I must keep my hyperboles in reserve for men of other understandings. An hungry appetite after praise, and a strong digestion of it, will bear the grossness of that diet; but one of so critical a judgment as your Lordship, who can set the bounds of just and proper in every subject, would give me small encouragement for so bold an undertaking. I more than suspect, my Lord, that you would not do common justice to yourself; and therefore, were I to give that character of you which I think you truly merit, I would make my appeal from your Lordship to the reader, and would justify myself from flattery by the publick voice, whatever protestation you might enter to the con

and he changed sides often, with little regard either to religion or the interest of his country. He made many enemies to himself by the contempt with which he treated those who differed from them. He had indeed a superior genius to all the men of business that I have ever known: and he had the dexterity of insinuating himself so entirely into the greatest degree of confidence with three succeeding Princes, who set up on very different interests, that he came by this to lose himself so much, that even those who esteemed his parts, depended little on his firmness." History of his own Time, i. 495. 8vo.

Lord Sunderland was made Secretary of State not many months before this play was addressed to him ;February 8th, 1678-9.

A sister of this nobleman was married to Mr. Thomas Howard, one of the brothers of Lady Elizabeth Dryden, our author's wife.

trary. But I find I am to take other measures with your Lordship; I am to stand upon my guard with you, and to approach you as warily as Horace did Augustus :

Cui malè si palpere, recalcitrat undique tutus.

An ill-timed or an extravagant commendation would not pass upon you; but you would keep off

such a dedicator at arms' end, and send him back with his encomiums to this lord, or that lady, who stood in need of such trifling merchandise.

You see, my Lord, what an awe you have upon me, when I dare not offer you that incense which would be acceptable to other patrons; but am forced to curb myself from ascribing to you those honours which even an enemy could not deny you, Yet I must confess I never practised that virtue of moderation (which is properly your character) with so much reluctancy as now; for it hinders me from being true to my own knowledge, in not witnessing your worth; and deprives me of the only means which I had left to shew the world that true honour and uninteressed respect which I have always paid you. I would say somewhat, if it were possible, which might distinguish that veneration I have for you from the flatteries of those who adore your fortune; but the eminence of your condition in this particular is my unhappiness; for it renders whatever I would say suspected. Professions of service, submissions, and attendance, are the practice of all men to the great; and commonly

they who have the least sincerity perform them best, as they who are least engaged in love have their tongues the freest to counterfeit a passion for my own part, I never could shake off the rustick bashfulness which hangs upon my nature; but valuing myself as little as I am worth, have been afraid to render even the common duties of respect to those who are in power. The ceremonious visits which are generally paid on such occasions are not my talent. They may be real even in courtiers; but they appear with such a face of interest, that a modest man would think himself in danger of having his sincerity mistaken for his design. My congratulations keep their distance, and pass no farther than my heart. There it is that I have all the joy imaginable, when I see true worth rewarded, and virtue uppermost in the world.

If therefore there were one to whom I had the honour to be known, and to know him so perfectly, that I could say without flattery he had all the depth of understanding that was requisite in an able statesman, and all that honesty which commonly is wanting; that he was brave without vanity, and knowing without positiveness; that he was loyal to his prince, and a lover of his country; that his principles were full of moderation, and all his counsels such as tended to heal and not to widen the breaches of the nation: that in all his conversation there appeared a native candour, and a desire of doing good in all his actions; if such