Page:The Review of English Studies Vol 1.djvu/93

SOME NOTES ON DRYDEN

By G. Tuorn-Drury

i. Dryden and Daniel.

In his observations before All for Love Scott mentions, without comment, the fact that he had not read Daniel’s Cleopatra: later editors seem to have followed his example, and therefore the use that Dryden made of his predecessors’ work has not been noted. It is interesting to compare the following passages in the two plays:—

(a)	’Tis sweet to die when we are forc’d to liue. The Tragedie of Cleopatra. (The Works of Samuel Daniel … 1601.) F.v.	’Tis sweet to die when they would force life on me. All for Love, Act v. sc. i.
(b)	Glittering in all her pompous rich array, Great Cleopatra sate … ····· Even as she was when on thy cristall streames, Cleare Cydnos she did shew what earth could shew. When Asia all amaz’d in wonder deemes Venus from heaven was come on earth below. Even as she went at first to meete her Loue, So goes she now at last againe to find him. Cleopatra, K. ii. verso.	Why, ’tis to meet my love; As when I saw him first, on Cydnus’ bank, All sparkling, like a goddess: so adorn’d, I’ll find him once again. All for Love, Act v. sc. i.
(c)	And you deare reliques of my Lord and Love, ····· O let no impious hand dare to remoue You out from hence, but rest you here for euer. Ley Egypt now give peace vnto you dead, That liuing gave you trouble and turmoile. Cleopatra, I. iii.	Hail, you dear relics Of my immortal love! O let no impious hand remove you hence; But rest for ever here! Let Egypt give His death that peace, which it denied his life. All for Love, Act v. sc. i.

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