Page:The lives of the poets of Great Britain and Ireland to the time of Dean Swift - Volume 4.djvu/265

Rh genius of the people, whereby we are overrun with Italian effeminacy. An old gentleman ſaid to me many years ago, when the practice of an unnatural vice grew ſo frequent in London, that many were proſecuted for it; he was ſure it would be the forerunner of Italian operas and ſingers, and then we ſhould want nothing but ſtabbing, or poiſoning, to make us perfect Italians. Upon the whole I deliver my judgment; that nothing but ſervile attachment to a party, affectation of ſingularity, lamentable dullneſs, miſtaken zeal, or ſtudied hypocriſy, can have any objection againſt this excellent moral performance of Mr. Gay .’

The aſtoniſhing ſucceſs of the Beggar’s Opera induced our author to add a ſecond part, in which, however, he was diſappointed, both in profit and fame. His opera entitled Polly, deſigned as a ſequel of the former, was prohibited by the lord chamberlain from being repreſented on the ſtage, when every thing was ready for the rehearſal of it, but was ſoon after printed in 4to. to which the author had a very large ſubſcription. In the preface Mr. Gay gives a particular account of the whole affair in the following manner; ‘On Thurſday December 12 (ſays he) I received this anſwer from the chamberlain, that it ſhould not be allowed to be acted, but ſuppreſſed. This was told me in general without any reaſons aſſigned, or any charge againſt me of my having given any particular offence. Since this prohibition I have been told, that I am accuſed, in general terms, of having written many diſaffected libels, and ſeditious pamphlets. As it hath ever been my utmoſt ambition (if that word may be uſed upon this occaſion) to lead a quiet and inoffenſive life, I thought my innocence in this