I should beg pardon for these instances; but perhaps they may be of
use to future poets, in the conduct of their plays; at least, if I
appear too positive, I am growing old, and thereby in possession of
some experience, which men in years will always assume for a right of
talking. Certainly if a man can ever have reason to set a value on
himself, it is when his ungenerous enemies are taking the advantage of
the times upon him, to ruin him in his reputation. And therefore, for
once, I will make bold to take the counsel of my old master Virgil,
_Tu ne cede mails, sed contra audentior ito._
Footnotes:
1. There was a Portuguese prophecy to this purpose, which they applied
to the expected return of Sebastian:
_Vendra et Incubierto,
Vendra cierto;
Entrera en el huerto,
Per el puerto,
Questa mas a ca del muro;
Y'lo que paresce escuro,
Se vra claro e abierto._
Two false Sebastians, both hermits, laid claim to the throne of
Portugal. One was hanged, and the other died in the galleys. Vide
_Le Quien's Histoire Generale de Portugal_.--There are two tracts
which appear to regard the last of these impostors, and which may
have furnished our author with some slight hints; namely, "The true
History of the late and lamentable Adventures of Don Sebastian,
King of Portugal, after his imprisonment at Naples until this
present day, being now in Spain, at San Lucar de Barrameda.
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