We have an affected Tenderness where we ought to place the noblest sentiments. We bestow a softness on what ought to be most moving; and sometimes, when we mean plainly to express the graces of Nature, we fall into a vicious and mean Simplicity.
We imagine we make Kings and Emperors perfect Lovers, but in truth we make ridiculous Princes of them; and by the complaints and sighs which we bestow upon them, where they ought neither to complain nor sigh, we represent them weak, both as Lovers and as Princes. Our great Heroes upon the Theatre, do often make love like Shepherds; and thus the innocence of a sort of rural Passion, supplies with them the place of Glory and Valour.
If an Actress has the art to weep and bemoan herself after a moving lively manner, we give her our tears, at certain places which demand gravity; and because she pleases best when she seems to be affected, she shall put on grief all along, indifferently.
Sometimes we must have a plain, unartificial, sometimes a tender, and sometimes a melancholy whining Love, without regarding where that Simplicity, Tenderness, or Grief is requisite: and the reason of it is plain; for as we must needs love every where, we look for diversity in the manners, and seldom or never place it in the Passions.
I am in good hopes we shall one day find out the true use of this Passion, which is now become too common: that which ought to sweeten cruel or calamitous accidents; that which ought to affect our very Souls, to animate our Courage, and raise our Spirits, will not certainly be always made the Subject of a little affected Tenderness, or of a weak Simplicity. Whenever this happens, we need not envy the Antients; and without paying too great a
