Page:The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets, Volume 2.djvu/204

198 presented too great an offender, will not be pitied; if altogether innocent, his punishment will be unjust.

Another obscurity is, where he says Sophocles perfected tragedy by introducing the third actor: that is, he meant three kinds of action; one company singing, or another playing on the musick; a third dancing.

To make a true judgement in this competition betwixt the Greek poets and the English, in tragedy:

Consider, first, how Aristotle had defined a tragedy. Secondly, what he assigns the end of it to be. Thirdly, what he thinks the beauties of it. Fourthly, the means to attain the end proposed.

Compare the Greek and English tragick poets justly, and without partiality, according to those rules.

Then, secondly, consider whether Aristotle has made a just definition of tragedy; of its parts, of its ends, and of its beauties; and whether he, having not seen others but those of Sophocles, Euripides, &c. had or truly could Rh