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e discontented； because the poets will not admit them of their number。 Thus the case is hard with writers： If they succeed not； they must starve； and if they do； some malicious satire is prepared to level them； for daring to please without their leave。 But while they are so eager to destroy the fame of others； their ambition is manifest in their concernment； some poem of their own is to be produced； and the slaves are to be laid flat with their faces on the ground； that the monarch may appear in the greater majesty。
Dionysius and Nero had the same longings； but with all their power they could never bring their business well about。 'Tis true； they proclaimed themselves poets by sound of trumpet； and poets they were； upon pain of death to any man who durst call them otherwise。 The audience had a fine time on't； you may imagine； they sat in a bodily fear； and looked as demurely as they could： for it was a hanging matter to laugh unseasonably； and the tyrants were suspicious； as they had reason； that their subjects had them in the wind； so； every man； in his own defence； set as good a face upon the business as he could。 It was known beforehand that the monarchs were to be crowned laureates； but when the show was over； and an honest man was suffered to depart quietly； he took out his laughter which he had stifled； with a firm resolution never more to see an emperor's play； though he had been ten years a…making it。 In the meantime the true poets were they who made the best markets： for they had wit enough to yield the prize with a good grace； and not contend with him who had thirty legions。 They were sure to be rewarded； if they confessed themselves bad writers； and that was somewhat better than to be martyrs for their reputation。 Lucan's example was enough to teach them manners； and after he was put to death； for overcoming Nero； the emperor carried it without dispute for the best poet in his dominions。 No man was ambitious of that grinning honour； for if he heard the malicious trumpeter proclaiming his name before his betters； he knew there was but one way with him。 Maecenas took another course； and we know he was more than a great man； for he was witty too： But finding himself far gone in poetry； which Seneca assures us was not his talent； he thought it his best way to be well with Virgil and with Horace； that at least he might be a poet at the second hand； and we see how happily it has succeeded with him； for his own bad poetry is forgotten； and their panegyrics of him still remain。 But they who should be our patrons are for no such expensive ways to fame； they have much of the poetry of Maecenas； but little of his liberality。 They are for prosecuting Horace and Virgil； in the persons of their successors； for such is every man who has any part of their soul and fire； though in a less degree。 Some of their little zanies yet go further； for they are persecutors even of Horace himself； as far as they are able； by their ignorant and vile imitations of him； by making an unjust use of his authority； and turning his artillery against his friends。 But how would he disdain to be copied by such hands！ I dare answer for him； he would be more uneasy in their company； than he was with Crispinus； their forefather； in the Holy Way； and would no more have allowed them a place amongst the critics； than he would Demetrius the mimic； and Tigellius the buffoon；
… Demetri； teque； Tigelli； Discipulorum inter jubeo plorare cathedras。
With what scorn would he look down on such miserable translators； who make doggerel of his Latin； mistake his meaning； misapply his censures； and often contradict their own？ He is fixed as a landmark to set out the bounds of poetry
… Saxum antiquum； ingens； Limes agro positus； litem ut discerneret arvis。
But other arms than theirs； and other sinews are required； to raise the weight of such an author； and when they would toss him against enemies
Genua labant； gelidus concrevit frigore sanguis。 Tum lapis ipse viri； vacuum per inane volatus； Nec spatium evasit totum； nec pertulit ictum。
For my part； I would wish no other revenge； either for myself； or the rest of the poets； from this rhyming judge of the twelve…penny gallery； this legitimate son of Sternhold； than that he would subscribe his name to his censure； or （not to tax him beyond his learning） set his mark： For； should he own himself publicly； and come from behind the lion's skin； they whom he condemns would be thankful to him； they whom he praises would choose to be condemned； and the magistrates； whom he has elected； would modestly withdraw from their employment； to avoid the scandal of his nomination。 The sharpness of his satire； next to himself； falls most heavily on his friends； and they ought never to forgive him for commending them perpetually the wrong way； and sometimes by contraries。 If he have a friend； whose hastiness in writing is his greatest fault； Horace would have taught him to have minced the matter； and to have called it readiness of thought； and a flowing fancy； for friendship will allow a man to christen an imperfection by the name of some neighbour virtue
Vellem in amicitia sic erraremus； et isti Errori nomen virtus posuisset honestum。
But he would never allowed him to have called a slow man hasty； or a hasty writer a slow drudge； as Juvenal explains it
… Canibus pigris； scabieque vestusta Laevibus； et siccae lambentibus ora lucernae； Nomen erit； Pardus； Tigris； Leo； si quid adhuc est Quod fremit in terris violentius。
Yet Lucretius laughs at a foolish lover； even for excusing the imperfections of his mistress
Nigra est； immunda et foetida Balba loqui non quit； ； muta pudens est； etc。
But to drive it ad Aethiopem cygnum is not to be endured。 I leave him to interpret this by the benefit of his French version on the other side； and without further considering him； than I have the rest of my illiterate censors； whom I have disdained to answer； because they are not qualified for judges。 It remains that I acquiant the reader； that I have endeavoured in this play to follow the practice of the ancients； who； as Mr。 Rymer has judiciously observed； are and ought to be our masters。 Horace likewise gives it for a rule in his art of poetry
… Vos exemplaria Graeca Nocturna versate manu； versate diurna。
Yet； though their models are regular； they are too little for English tragedy； which requires to be built in a larger compass。 I could give an instance in the Oedipus Tyrannus； which was the masterpiece of Sophocles； but I reserve it for a more fit occasion； which I hope to have hereafter。 In my style； I have professed to imitate the divine Shakespeare； which that I might perform more freely； I have disencumbered myself from rhyme。 Not that I condemn my former way； but that this is more proper to my present purpose。 I hope I need not to explain myself； that I have not copied my author servilely： Words and phrases must of necessity receive a change in succeeding ages； but it is almost a miracle that much of his language remains so pure； and that he who began dramatic poetry amo