Emperor; I know some will have the whole Play a kind of a Copy of that; but I confess I cannot discover likeness enough to justify their Opinion: unless it be Zara's coming to the Prison to Osmin, as Almeria does to Cortez. I believe our Poet had the Bajazet of Racine in view, when he formed his Design, at least there is as much Ground for this as the former Opinion. Perez resenting the Blow the King gave him, is like an Incident in Cæsar Borgia; but the Spaniard's Revenge is more generous, and less cruel than that of the Italian.
Thus much for the Mourning Bride, of which, if I may be allow'd to speak my impartial Sense, I must needs say, that in spite of its Excellence, it discovers Mr. Congreve's Genius more inclin'd and turn'd to Comedy, than Tragedy, tho' he has gain'd an uncommon Praise for both; however, it being his first Poem of that Kind, it promises more perfect Products hereafter; and for which all Lovers of Poetry long with Impatience.
Old Batchelor, a Comedy, Acted at the Theatre Royal by their Majesties Servants, and Dedicated to the Right Honourable Charles Lord Clifford, of Lanesborough, 1693. 4to. This Comedy was Acted with so general an Applause, that it gave both Fame and Fortune to our Author; at once made him known to the Town, and to an Honourable Mecænas; who, to the Satisfaction of all Lovers of Learning, Wit, and Poetry, has ever since prov'd a generous Friend to our Poet. The Old Batchelor was usher'd into the world with several Copies of Verses of his Friends, and which the Merit of the Play abundantly jnstifies: For there's a genteel and sprightly Wit in the Dialogue, where it ought to be; and the humorous Characters are generally within the Compass of Nature, which can scarce be truly said of those of several Poets, who have met with Success enough on the Stage. Bluff seems an Imitation of the Miles Gloriosus of Plautus; of Bounce in Greenwich Park; and Hackum in the Squire of Alsatia, &c. The Incident of Sir Joseph Wittoll's Marrying Sylvia, and Captain Bluff, Lucy, in Masques, has been too often an Incident on the Stage, since I'm confident it was scarce ever done in reality. Some other Characters are not entirely new, but that is very excusable in a Young Poet, especially in a Play, which I have been assur'd was writ, when our Author was but Nineteen Years Old, and in nothing alter'd, but in the Length, which being consider'd, I believe few Men that have writ, can shew one half so good at so unripe an Age.
Edward Cook, Esq;
This Gentleman, only known to me by a single Play, never Acted, but Printed, (viz.)
