We have been led to these remarks by receiving an epistle from an elderly maiden lady, who complains that she has spent her whole life in censuring and back-biting her neighbours, and that by what we let fall some time ago, about there being no such thing as merit and demerit, we had debarred her of the only use of her tongue and pleasure of her life. We are sorry to have interrupted her, and hope she will now proceed. We have a good deal left to say on the subject:—
‘But there is matter for a second rhyme,
And we to this must add another tale.’
PARALLEL PASSAGES IN VARIOUS POETS
| The Examiner.] | [December 24, 1815. |
Being very busy or very indolent this week (it is no matter which), we have had recourse to our common-place book (the first or last resource of authors), and there find the following instances of parallel passages, which are at the service of the critics. The conclusion of Voltaire’s tragedy of Zaire is the speech of Orosman, who has killed his mistress, to her brother, Nerestan:—
[‘Et toi, guerrier infortuné,’ &c. to
‘Dis que je l’adorais, et que l’ai vengé.’]
This will probably remind our readers, as it did us, of Othello’s farewell speech:—
[‘Soft you; a word or two before you go,’ &c.]