In the modelling therefore of this Poem, with good
reason, the Antients and Italians are rather follow'd, as of much more
authority and fame. The measure of Verse us'd in the Chorus is of
all sorts, call'd by the Greeks Monostrophic, or rather
Apolelymenon, without regard had to Strophe, Antistrophe or Epod,
which were a kind of Stanza's fram'd only for the Music, then us'd
with the Chorus that sung; not essential to the Poem, and therefore
not material; or being divided into Stanza's or Pauses, they may be
call'd Allaeostropha. Division into Act and Scene referring chiefly to
the Stage (to which this work never was intended) is here omitted.
It suffices if the whole Drama be found not produc't beyond the fift
Act, of the style and uniformitie, and that commonly call'd the
Plot, whether intricate or explicit, which is nothing indeed but
such oeconomy, or disposition of the fable as may stand best with
verisimilitude and decorum; they only will best judge who are not
unacquainted with AEschulus, Sophocles, and Euripides, the three
Tragic Poets unequall'd yet by any, and the best rule to all who
endeavour to write Tragedy.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25