tainment, and were fhewn, not only in private, or upon the stage, but very often in the open ftreets for folemnizing public occafions, or celebrating any great event. As a proof of what is here mentioned, I refer the reader to Hollinfhed's Defcription* of the " Shew of Manhood and Defert," exhibited at Norwich before Queen Elizabeth; and more particularly to that hiftorian's account of a TURNEY,† performed by Fulke Grevile, the Lords Arundell and Windsor, and Sir Philip Sydney, who are feigned to be the children of DESIRE, attempting to win the fortrefs of BEAUTY. In the compofition of the last spectacle, no small share of poetical invention appears.

"In the meantime, I do not deny that Spenfer was in great measure tempted by the Orlando Furiofo, to write an allegorical poem. Yet it must still be acknowledged, that Spenfer's peculiar mode of allegorizing feems to have been dictated by thofe fpectacles, rather than by the fictions of Ariofto. In fact Ariof to's fpecies of allegory does not so properly confift in imperfonating the virtues, vices, and affections of the mind, as in the adumbration of moral doctrine, under the actions of men

* Hol. Chron. III. p. 1297. † Exhibited before the Queen at Weft. minster, ibid. p. 1317 et feq.

"It is obferved by Plutarch, that "Allegory is that, in which

one

1

66

and women. On this plan Spenser's allegories are fometimes formed: as in the first book, where the Red-croffe Knight or a True Chriftian, defeats the wiles of Archimago, or the Devil, &c. &c. Thefe indeed are fictitious perfonages; but he proves himself a much more ingenious allegorift, where his imagination. "bodies. forth" unfubftantial things, turns them to fhape," and marks out the nature, pow. ers, and effects, of that which is ideal and ab. ftructed, by vifible and external symbols, as in his delineation of FEAR, DESPAIR, FANCY, ENVY, and the like. Ariofto gives us but few fymbolical beings of this fort, for a picturesque invention was by no means his talent: while those few, which we find in his poem, are feldom drawn with that characteristical fullness, and fignificant expreffion, fo ftriking in the fantastic portraits of Spenfer. And that Spenfer painted these figures in fo diftinct and animated a ftyle, may we not partly account for it

one thing is related, and another understood." Thus Ariofto RELATES the adventures of Orlando, Rogero, Bradamante, &c. by which is UNDERSTOOD the conqueft of the paffions, the importance of virtue, and other moral doctrines; on which account we may call the Orlando a moral poem ; but can we call the Fairy Queen on the whole a moral poem? Is it not equally an historical or political poem? For though it be, according to its author's words, " an allegory or dark conceit," yet that which is couched or understood under this allegory, is the history and intrigues of Queen Elizabeth's courtiers; which however are introduced with a moral defign."

from

from this caufe; That he had been long habi. tuated to the fight of these emblematical perfonages, vifibly decorated with their proper at tributes, and actually endued with speech, motion and life?

"From what has been faid, I would not have it objected, that I have intended to arraign the powers of our author's invention; or infinuated that he fervilely copied fuch reprefentations. All I have endeavoured to prove is, that Spenfer was not only better qualified to delineate fictions of this fort, because they were the real objects of his fight; but, as all men are influenced by what they fee, that he was prompted and induced to delineate them, because he saw them, especially as they were fo much the delight of his age.

"In analyfing the plan and conduct of this poem," (concludes our truly elegant critic) " I have so far tried it by epic rules, as to demonftrate the inconveniences and incongruities, which the poet might have avoided, had he been more ftudious of defign and uniformity. It is true that his romantic materials claim great liberties; but no materials exclude order and perfpicuity. I have endeavoured to account for these defects, partly from the pecu

#Warton, II. p. 87, 95.

liar

liar bent of the poet's genius, which at the fame time produced infinite beauties, and partly from the predominant tafte of the times in which he wrote."*

"The business of criticism is commonly laborious and dry; yet it has here more frequently amufed than fatigued my attention, in its excurfions upon an author, who makes fuch perpetual and powerful appeals to the fancy. Much of the pleasure that Spenfer experienced in compofing the Fairy Queen, must in some measure be shared by his commentator; and the critic, on this occafion may speak in the words, and with the rapture of the poet.

The wayes through which my weary steppes I guyde

In this DELIGHTFUL LAND OF FAERIE,

Are fo exceeding fpatious and wyde,

And fprinkled with fuch fweet varietie

Of all that pleasant is to ear or eye,

That I nigh ravisht with rare thoughts delight,

My TEDIOUS TRAVEL do forgett thereby:

And when I gin to feel decay of might,

It strength to me supplies, and cheares my dulled spright". Such is Warton's conclufion, and fuch muft be my apology for the comparative length of this article concerning a writer, who, if imagination is the primary quality of poetry, may perhaps have a right to bear away the laurel from all his rivals.

* Warton, II. p. 268.

SIR JOHN HARRINGTON.

"Sir John Harrington, no less noted for his "book of witty epigrams, than his judicious "tranflation of Ariofto's Orlando Furiofo."

He was a branch of the ancient and noble. family of Harington,* and born about 1561, at Kelston, near Bath, where his family have continued, till it was fold to the late Sir Cæfar Hawkins, whofe grandfon now owns it. He

* John Harrington, a confidential fervant of Hen. VIII. probably a younger fon of John Harington of Exton, Co. Rutl. who died 5 Nov. 1523, obtained Kelston by marriage, with Etheldred Dyngley, a natural daughter of his fovereign-Collinfon's Hift. of Somerfetfhire, I. p. 128.

James Harington, the celebrated author of " Oceana," was eldest fon of Sir Sapcot Harington, Kt. 2d fon of Sir James Harington of Ridlington in Rutlandfhire, Bart. He was born 1611, and died 1677.

+ But Dr. Harrington, the poet's defcendant, ftill lives at Bath. His fon the Rev. Henry Harington, published a few years ago the "Nuga Antiquæ," from his ancestor's papers. The old manor-house at Kelfton ftood near the church, and was erected in 1587, by Sir John Harington, after a plan of that celebrated architect, James Barozzi of Vignola. This house Sir Cæfar Hawkins pulled down, and about twenty years fince erected an elegant mansion southward of it, on an eminence commanding a most beautiful varied profpect of the furrounding country, the Avon, and the city of Bath. From the point of the hill on which the houfe ftands, a fine lawn, interfperfed with

fingle