按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
was only a sort of man which he did not like。 As for his suspecting his
familiarity with my Lady Touchwood； let 'em examine the answer that
Mellefont makes him； and compare it with the conduct of Maskwell's
character through the play。
I would beg 'em again to look into the character of Maskwell before
they accuse Mellefont of weakness for being deceived by him。 For upon
summing up the enquiry into this objection； it may be found they have
mistaken cunning in one character for folly in another。
But there is one thing at which I am more concerned than all the false
criticisms that are made upon me； and that is； some of the ladies are
offended。 I am heartily sorry for it； for I declare I would rather disoblige
all the critics in the world than one of the fair sex。 They are concerned
that I have represented some women vicious and affected。 How can I
help it？ It is the business of a comic poet to paint the vices and follies of
humankind； and there are but two sexes； male and female； MEN and
WOMEN； which have a title to humanity； and if I leave one half of them
out； the work will be imperfect。 I should be very glad of an opportunity
to make my compliment to those ladies who are offended； but they can no
4
… Page 5…
THE DOUBLE…DEALERA COMEDY
more expect it in a comedy than to be tickled by a surgeon when he's
letting 'em blood。 They who are virtuous or discreet should not be
offended； for such characters as these distinguish THEM； and make their
beauties more shining and observed； and they who are of the other kind
may nevertheless pass for such； by seeming not to be displeased or
touched with the satire of this COMEDY。 Thus have they also
wrongfully accused me of doing them a prejudice； when I have in reality
done them a service。
You will pardon me； sir； for the freedom I take of making answers to
other people in an epistle which ought wholly to be sacred to you； but
since I intend the play to be so too； I hope I may take the more liberty of
justifying it where it is in the right。
I must now； sir； declare to the world how kind you have been to my
endeavours； for in regard of what was well meant； you have excused what
was ill performed。 I beg you would continue the same method in your
acceptance of this dedication。 I know no other way of making a return to
that humanity you shewed； in protecting an infant； but by enrolling it in
your service； now that it is of age and come into the world。 Therefore be
pleased to accept of this as an acknowledgment of the favour you have
shewn me； and an earnest of the real service and gratitude of；
Sir； your most obliged； humble servant；
WILLIAM CONGREVE。
TO MY DEAR FRIEND MR。 CONGREVE； ON
HIS COMEDY CALLED THE DOUBLE…DEALER。
Well then； the promised hour is come at last； The present age of wit
obscures the past。 Strong were our sires； and as they fought they writ；
Conqu'ring with force of arms and dint of wit。 Theirs was the giant race；
before the flood； And thus； when Charles returned； our empire stood。 Like
Janus he the stubborn soil manured； With rules of husbandry the rankness
cured； Tamed us to manners； when the stage was rude； And boist'rous
5
… Page 6…
THE DOUBLE…DEALERA COMEDY
English wit with art indued。 Our age was cultivated thus at length； But
what we gained in skill we lost in strength。 Our builders were with want of
genius curst； The second temple was not like the first： Till you； the best
Vitruvius； come at length； Our beauties equal； but excel our strength。 Firm
Doric pillars found your solid base； The fair Corinthian crowns the higher
space； Thus all below is strength； and all above is grace。 In easy dialogue
is Fletcher's praise： He moved the mind； but had no power to raise。 Great
Johnson did by strength of judgment please Yet doubling Fletcher's force；
he wants ease。 In diff'ring talents both adorned their age； One for the study；
t'other for the stage。 But both to Congreve justly shall submit； One
matched in judgment； both o'er…matched in wit。 In him all beauties of this
age we see； Etherege his courtship； Southern's purity； The satire； wit； and
strength of manly Wycherly。 All this in blooming youth you have achieved；
Nor are your foiled contemporaries grieved； So much the sweetness of
your manners move； We cannot envy you； because we love。 Fabius might
joy in Scipio； when he saw A beardless consul made against the law； And
join his suffrage to the votes of Rome； Though he with Hannibal was
overcome。 Thus old Romano bowed to Raphael's fame； And scholar to the
youth he taught became。
O that your brows my laurel had sustained； Well had I been deposed if
you had reigned！ The father had descended for the son； For only you are
lineal to the throne。 Thus when the state one Edward did depose； A greater
Edward in his room arose。 But now； not I； but poetry is cursed； For Tom
the Second reigns like Tom the First。 But let 'em not mistake my patron's
part； Nor call his charity their own desert。 Yet this I prophesy： Thou shalt
be seen （Though with some short parenthesis between） High on the throne
of wit； and seated there； Not mine （that's little） but thy laurel wear。 Thy
first attempt an early promise made； That early promise this has more than
paid。 So bold； yet so judiciously you dare； That your least praise is to be
regular。 Time； place； and action may with pains be wrought； But genius
must be born； and never can be taught。 This is your portion； this your
native store； Heav'n； that but once was prodigal before； To Shakespeare
gave as much； she could not give him more。
Maintain your post： that's all the fame you need； For 'tis impossible
6
… Page 7…
THE DOUBLE…DEALERA COMEDY
you should proceed。 Already I am worn with cares and age； And just
abandoning th' ungrateful stage： Unprofitably kept at heav'n's expense； I
live a rent…charge on his providence。 But you； whom every muse and grace
adorn； Whom I foresee to better fortune born； Be kind to my remains； and
oh； defend； Against