*

improving his fortune by enlarging his acquaintance neceffarily leading him to places of expence, he found it neceffary to endeavour once more at dramatic poetry, for which he was now better qualified by a more extenfive knowledge, and longer obfervation. But having been unfuccefsful in comedy, though rather for want of opportunities than genius, he refolved now to try whether he should not be more fortunate in exhibiting a tragedy.

The ftory which he chofe for the fubject, was that of Sir Thomas Overbury, a story well adapted to the ftage, though perhaps not far enough removed from the present age, to admit properly the fictions neceffary to complete the plan for the mind, which naturally loves truth, is always moft offended with the violation of thofe truths of which we are moft certain; and we of course conceive those facts most certain, which approach nearest to our own time.

Out of this story he formed a tragedy, which, if the circumftances in which he wrote

* In 1724

it be confidered, will afford at once an uncommon proof of ftrength of genius, and evenness of mind, of a ferenity not to be ruffled, and an imagination not to be fuppreffed.

During a confiderable part of the time in which he was employed upon this performance, he was without lodging, and often without meat; nor had he any other conveniences for study than the fields or the street allowed him; there he used to walk and form his fpeeches, and afterwards step into a shop, beg for a few moments the use of the pen and ink, and write down what he had composed, upon paper which he had picked up by accident.

If the performance of a writer thus distressed is not perfect, its faults ought furely to be imputed to a caufe very different from want of genius, and must rather excite pity than provoke cenfure.

But when under thefe difcouragements the tragedy was finished, there yet remained the labour of introducing it on the stage, an undertaking,

dertaking, which, to an ingenuous mind, was in a very high degree vexatious and disgusting; for, having little intereft or reputation; he was obliged to fubmit himself wholly to the players, and admit, with whatever reluc tance, the emendations of Mr. Cibber, which he always confidered as the difgrace of his performance.

He had indeed in Mr. Hill another critic of a very different clafs, from whofe friendfhip he received great affiftance on many occafions, and whom he never mentioned but with the utmost tenderness and regard. He had been for fome time diftinguished by him with very particular kindness, and on this occafion it was natural to apply to him as an author of an established character. He therefore fent this tragedy to him, with a fhort copy of verfes, in which he defired his correction. Mr. Hill, whofe humanity and politeness are generally known, readily.complied with his requeft; .but as he is remarkable for fingularity of fentiment, and bold experiments in language, Mr. Savage did not

*Printed in the late collection of his poems.

think his play much improved by his innovation, and had even at that time the courage to reject several paffages which he could not approve; and, what is ftill more laudable, Mr. Hill had the generofity not to resent the neglect of his alterations, but wrote the prologue and epilogue, in which he touches on the circumstances of the author with great tendernefs.

After all thefe obftructions and compliances, he was only able to bring his play upon the stage in the fummer, when the chief actors had retired, and the reft were in poffeffion of the houfe for their own advantage. Among thefe, Mr. Savage was admitted to play the part of Sir Thomas Overbury, by which he gained no great reputation, the theatre being a province for which nature feemed not to have designed him; for neither his voice, look, nor gefture, were fuch as were expected on the ftage; and he was fo much ashamed of having been reduced to appear as a player, that he always blotted out his name from the lift, when a copy of his tragedy was to be shown to his friends.

VOL. III.

In the publication of his performance he was more fuccefsful, for the rays of genius that glimmered in it, that glimmered through all the mists which poverty and Cibber had been able to spread over it, procured him the notice and esteem of many perfons eminent for their rank, their virtue, and their wit.

Of this play, acted, printed, and dedicated, the accumulated profits arofe to an hundred pounds, which he thought at that time a very large fum, having been never mafter of fo much before.

In the Dedication*, for which he received ten guineas, there is nothing remarkable. The Preface contains a very liberal encomium on the blooming excellencies of Mr. Theophilus Cibber, which Mr. Savage could not in the latter part of his life fee his friends about to read without fnatching the play out of their hands. The generofity of Mr. Hill did not end on this occafion; for afterwards, when Mr. Savage's neceffities returned, he encouraged a fubfcription to a Miscellany of

*To Herbert Tryft, Efq. of Herefordshire.

Poems