All drown the faded roses of her cheeks;
When thou beholdst, 'midst her distracted groans,
Her furious hand, that feeble, fair revenger,
Rend all the mangled beauties of her face.
Tear her bright locks, and their dishevell'd pride
On her pale neck, that ravisht whiteness, fall;
Guard, guard thy eyes: for, Carlo, 'tis a sight
Will strike spectators dead."
Fem. Prel. p. 61.
In the Biog. Dram. (vol. iii. p. 237.), it is stated that the same play, with the same title, was printed in 4to., 1689, except that it was there said to be written by a person of quality. The play is, however, claimed by Settle in his dedication to Lord Shaftsbury, prefixed to the edition of 1680, now before me. I do not, however, believe he had more to do with it than in adapting it, as he did Philastes, for representation. The only question seems to be by whom the original play was written? This I will not at present attempt to decide, though I entertain a strong opinion on the subject, but will leave it to be resolved by the critical acumen of your readers.