HIGH PRIEST.

He lives,

But from the living and the dead cut off,
Depriv'd of light: I faw him plunge this sword,
Stain'd with his father's blood, into his eyes:
'This fatal moment has to Thebes reftor'd
Her safety such are the decrees of heav'n ;
Which, as it wills, decides the fate of mortals,
All-pow'rful or to fave or to destroy.
Its wrath is all exhausted on thy son,
And thou art pardon'd..

JOCASTA.

Punish then thyself.

Jocafta, thus referv'd for horrid inceft,
Death is the only good remaining for me:
Laius, receive my blood: I follow thee:

[Stabs herself.

I have liv'd virtuous, and shall dye with pleasure.

CHORUS.

Unhappy queen, and fad calamity!

JOCASTA.

Weep only for my fon, who ftill furvives.

Priefts, and you Thebans, who were once my fubjects,

Honour

-Honour my afhes, and remember ever,
That midft the horrors which opprefs'd me, ftill
I cou'd reproach the gods; for heav'n alone
Was guilty of the crime, and not Jocasta.

END of the FIFTH and last ACT.

MARIA M N E.

A

TRAGEDY.

1

PREFACE.

HAVE printed this piece not without fear and

trembling; the number of performances which have met with applaufe on the ftage, and contempt in the closet, give me but too much reason to apprehend the fame fate with regard to my own. Two or three agreeable incidents, together with the art and management of the actors, might conciliate an audience in the reprefentation; but a very different degree of merit is neceffary to make it fhine in the full glare of publication. Little will avail the regular conduct of it, and even, perhaps, as little the interefting nature of the fubject. Every work that is written in verse, though it may be unexceptionable in all other refpects, muft of neceffity disgust if every line is not full of ftrength and harmony; if there is not an elegance running through the whole; if the piece has not, in fhort, that inexpreffible charm,' which nothing but true genius can bestow upon it; that point of perfection which knowledge alone can never attain to, and concerning which we have argued fo poorly, and to fo little purpose, fince the death of Mons. Despréaux.

It