96
Theban Ladies, distracted with their fears are hanging on the statues of the Gods that adorn the area before the temple. Longinus has remarked on the sublimity of the dialogue ; it is worthy an experienced veteran and a brave young king arming in defence of his crown, his life, and his honour; it is worthy of Æschylus. The characters of the Seven Chiefs, that command in the attack, are exquisitely marked and varied ; and their impetuous ferocity is admirably contrasted with the calm and deliberate courage of those appointed to oppose them. The shields of six of these chiefs are charged with armorial[1] bearings expressive of their characters, and as regular as if they had been marshalled by an herald at arms: the impresses are devised with a fine imagination and wonderful propriety.
The judicious choice of the persons of the Chorus forms one of the principal graces of this tragedy, as it gave the poet an opportunity of mixing the
- ↑ The origin of these insignia is not known, but we have here a proof of their high antiquity; they were borne as marks of noble descent, or illustrious action, and as such were of distinguishing honour: but should they, inthe ambitious meanness of future times (this age is too pure to admit of such a prostitution), be assumed by such as are neither distinguished by high birth nor virtuous action, by such as owe their wealth to the wantonness of fortune, or to deeds that deserve a different kind of elevation, they must necessarily suffer great abatements of honour, and the proud achievements of virtue sink Into common charges.
