= THE ALBION QUEENS. = CALLED originally the Island Queens, was among the few tolerable pieces to which originally licences were refused. The author, however, printed it "To shame the rogues." and upon the stage it at length found its way. The title tells all that can be known from the play -and this, where surprise is meant to be excited, is a ground of strong objection to historical dramas. The ALBION QUEENS in diction is turgid and incorrect; the flights of BANKS are the frenzies of fancied sublimity, soaring among the comets of irregular imagination. Much of his exuberant bombast is retrenched in the representation. The noisy declamation of the ranting tragedian has still an ample field to "Confound the ignorant, and amaze, indeed, The characters of both these queens seem to be at length clearly understood. Abilities of the first B class at that time were the qualifications of bothbut a GOOD WOMAN would conceive it a prophanation to have it said, her heart was not better than either that of the one or the other. Nor. Desolate she is : Alas, I tremble, fearing 'tis a crime To stab your ears with such a doleful accent! “ Then she might hope; for they would echo her, Mor. I beg your royal hearing, now, before And justice, that still waits upon your throne, Qu. El. You shall. 220 Say what you please, my lord, you have my leave; And grounds most just in what shall be alledg'd. " or if Qu. El. My lord, I do command you cease; "Why were the traitors else too black to name, C Nor. Let justice now be silent, whilst from high Astrea looks, and wonders at her oracle. [Aside. Mor. Your Majesty must give me leave to speak, And plead the right of nations for my guardYour subject I am not. Nor. Audacious traitor! Mor. If innocent, why is she then a prisoner ? Do you bar the gates of justice, and secure her? “As safer in my castle than her throne." If your confederate's danger will not wake you, 260 Some mighty man, your subject, by whose aid, Nor. Most wise, discerning princess, did you hear? "Hear this bold man, how loud he mouths at princes?" The base, degenerate coward, dreading you, Nor. Oh, stop the traitor's mouth! Hear not a monarch by her rebel stain'd: Mor. We've letters too, and witness, To prove that Allen, Inglesfield, and Ross, And give a resignation of both crowns, To that most catholic tyrant for his service. 280 Qu. El. Defend me, powers! this is a mountain treason! Nor. Prodigious monster? Qu. El. Are you not amaz'd? My guard, my faithful Cecil, "more my friend! "Thou art my Delphos ! to whose oracle, "Where should I have recourse, but unto thee, "Whose bosom is my guide, whose breast my council?" What think you now, my lord? Nor. 'Tis all conspiracy. |