The sentiments here display’d flow so naturally from the passions represented, and are such genuine expressions of these passions, that it is not possible to conceive any imitation more perfect.
With regard to the French author, truth obliges me to acknowledge, that he describes in the style of a spectator, instead of expressing passion like one who feels it; and also that he is thereby betray’d into the other faults above mentioned, a tiresome monotony, and a pompous declamatory style[50]. It is scarce necessary to produce particular instances; for he never varies from this tone. I shall however take two passages at a venture, in order to be confronted with those transcribed above. In the tragedy of _Cinna_, Æmilia, after the conspiracy was discovered, having nothing in view but racks and death to herself and her lover, receives a pardon from Augustus, attended with the brightest circumstances of magnanimity and tenderness. This is a happy situation for representing the passions of surprise and gratitude in their different stages. These passions, raised at once to the utmost pitch, are at first too big for utterance; and Æmilia’s feelings must, for some moments, have been expressed by violent gestures only. So soon as there is a vent for words, the first expressions are naturally broken and interrupted. At last we ought to expect a tide of intermingled sentiments, occasioned by the fluctuation of the mind betwixt the two passions. Æmilia is made to behave in a very different manner. With extreme coolness she describes her own situation, as if she were merely a spectator; or rather the poet takes the task off her hands.
Et je me rens, Seigneur, à ces hautes bontés, Je recouvre la vûe auprés de leurs clartés, Je connois mon forfait qui me sembloit justice, Et ce que n’avoit pû la terreur du supplice, Je sens naitre en mon ame un repentir puissant; Et mon cœur en secret me dit, qu’il y consent. Le ciel a résolu votre grandeur suprême, Et pour preuve, Seigneur, je n’en veux que moi-même; J’ose avec vanité me donner cet éclat, Puisqu’il change mon cœur, qu’il veut changer l’état. Ma haine va mourir que j’ai crue immortelle, Elle est morte, et ce cœur devient sujet fidéle, Et prenant désormais cette haine en horreur, L’ardeur de vous servir succede à sa fureur. _Act 5. sc. 3._