[133] This scene is, of course, entirely original.
[134] Patron of cock-fighting.
[135] An adaptation, by Thomas Betterton, of Beaumont and Fletcher's Prophetess.
[136] A comedy, by Shadwell, in which Fribble, a haberdasher, is one of the characters.
[137] Pope tells the story of these lovers in a letter to Lady M. W. Montagu. He wrote two poetical epitaphs, one of which, with slight modifications, is given by Steele, and afterwards this prose inscription, which Lord Harcourt thought would be better understood by the common people.
[138] A copy of the speech from Pope's edition of Shakespeare, was sent to Steele by William Plaxton, on July 22, 1725; and in the margin Steele wrote: "Mr. Gwillim speaks this speech in the Welsh tone, looking at the gentlemen suspiciously, not speaking improperly, but as he is a Welshman" (Add. MS. 5145c f. 170).
[139] Statira, wife of Alexander, is murdered by Roxana, the Bactrian, in Lee's tragedy, The Rival Queens.
[140] These well-known lines are by Lord Rochester.
[141] The only dramatic piece called The Patriot that was in print in Steele's time was Gildon's tragedy (1703); and no such lines as those given here are to be found in it.
[142] The MS. has "off."