Yet, while our reign lasts, let us stretch our power, &c.
removed from the text of Cinthia's speech by these foolish editors as unworthy of B. and F.—the first eight lines are not worse, and the last couplet incomparably better, than the stanza retained.
Act ii. Amintor's speech:—
Oh, thou hast nam'd a word, that wipes away
All thoughts revengeful! In that sacred name,
'The king,' there lies a terror.
It is worth noticing that of the three greatest tragedians, Massinger was a democrat, Beaumont and Fletcher the most servile jure divino royalist, and Shakspeare a philosopher;—if aught personal, an aristocrat.
A KING AND NO KING.
Act IV. Speech of Tigranes:—
She, that forgat the greatness of her grief
And miseries, that must follow such mad passions,
Endless and wild as women! &c.