the same breath the most just and natural and the most violent and forced expressions. He seems to grasp whatever words come first to hand during the impetus of inspiration, as if all other must be inadequate to the divine meaning. But passion (the all in all in Poetry) is everywhere present, raising the low, dignifying the mean, and putting sense into the absurd. He makes his readers glow, weep, tremble, take any affection which he pleases, be moved by words or in spite of them, be disgusted and overcome their disgust. I have often thought that the vulgar misconception of Shakspeare, as of a wild irregular genius" in whom great faults are compensated by great beauties," would be really true, applied to Chapman. But there is no scale by which to balance such disproportionate subjects as the faults and beauties of a great genius. To set off the former with any fairness against the latter, the pain which they give us should be in some proportion to the pleasure which we receive from the other. As these transport us to the highest heaven, those should steep us in agonies infernal.] A CHALLENGE FOR BEAUTY. BY THOMAS HEYWOOD. Petrocella a fair Spanish Lady loves Montferrers an English Sea Captain, who is Captive to Valladaura a noble Spaniard. -Valladaura loves the Lady; and employs Montferrers to be the Messenger of his Love to her. PETROCELLA. MONTFERrers. Pet. What art thou in thy country? Mont. There, a man. Pet. What here? Mont. No better than you see; a slave. Pet. Whose? Mont. His that hath redeem'd me. Pet. Valladaura's? Mont. Yes, I proclaim 't; I that was once mine own, Am now become his creature. Pet. I perceive, Your coming is to make me think you noble. I cannot call these clothes I wear mine own, This air I breathe is borrow'd; ne'er was man Pet. Tell me that? Come, come, I know you to be no such man. Mont. A meer worm, Trod on by every fate. Pet. Rais'd by your merit To be a common argument through Spain, Mont. This your scorn Makes me appear more abject to myself, Had power to asperse upon me; and yet, Lady, Pet. Speak 't at once. Mont. And yet Pet. Nay, but we'll admit no pause. Mont. I know not how my phrase may relish you, And loth I were to offend; even in what's past I must confess I was too bold. I shall no more distaste you. Farewell; I do proclaim you do not. Stay, I charge you; Mont. You charge deeply, Pet. As you are a soldier, And Englishman, have hope to be redeem'd Mont. What? Pet. Your apprehension catch'd, And almost was in sheaf Mont. Lady, I shall. Pet. And in a word. Mont. I will. Pet. Pronounce it then. Mont. I love you. Pet. Ha, ha, ha. Mont. Still it is my misery Thus to be mock'd in all things. Pet. Pretty, faith. Mont. I look'd thus to be laught at; my estate That made me so unwilling to denounce Mont. I do, I do; and maugre Fate, Of your dear mother, by the joys you hope Nay, least premeditation, answer me, Affect you me, or no? Pet. How speak you that? Mont. Without demur or pause. Pet. Give me but time To sleep upon 't. Mont. I pardon you no minute; not so much, Pet. You have vanquish'd me, you: At mine own weapon: noble sir, I love Mont. Oh, my happiness! What wilt thou feel me still? art thou not weary 1 Not suffer me to enjoy it; tane with this hand, Pet. You are sad, Sir; Be so no more: if you have been dejected, Mont. I was born to 't; Pet. Sir, you seem passionate; As if my answer pleas'd not. Mont. Now my death; [Kisses him. For mine own tongue must kill me: noble Lady, Was, ne'er to match with any, of what state Some one thing I impose her. Pet. She to do it? Mont. Or, if she fail me in my first demand, I to abjure her ever. Pet. I am she, That beg to be imploy'd so: name a danger, Mont. And swear to this? Pet. I vow it by my honour, my best hopes, And all that I wish gracious: name it then, For I am in a longing in my soul, To shew my love's expression. |