Nicholas Rowe (1674–1718), English dramatist, poet and miscellaneous writer, was appointed Poet Laureate in 1715.

Quotes

  • And one false step entirely damns her fame.
    In vain with tears the loss she may deplore,
    In vain look back on what she was before;
    She sets like stars that fall, to rise no more.
    • Jane Shore (1714), Act I.
  • Your bounty is beyond my speaking;
    But though my mouth be dumb, my heart shall thank you.
    • Jane Shore (1714), Act II, scene 1.
  • Thou hast prevaricated with thy friend,
    By underhand contrivances undone me:
    And while my open nature trusted in thee,
    Thou hast slept in between me and my hopes,
    And ravish'd from me all my soul held dear.
    Thou hast betray'd me.
    • Lady Jane Grey (1715), Act II, scene 1, line 235.

The Fair Penitent (1703)

  • As if Misfortune made the throne her seat,
    And none could be unhappy but the great.
    • Prologue. Compare: "None think the great unhappy, but the great", Edward Young, The Love of Fame, satire 1, line 238.
  • At length the morn and cold indifference came.
    • Act i, scene 1. Compare: "But with the morning cool reflection came", Sir Walter Scott, Chronicles of the Canongate, chap. iv. Scott also quotes this in his notes to "The Monastery", chapter iii, note 11; and with "calm" substituted for "cool" in "The Antiquary", chapter v.; and with "repentance" for "reflection" in "Rob Roy", chapter xii.
  • Is she not more than painting can express,
    Or youthful poets fancy when they love?
    • Act iii, scene 1.
  • Is this that haughty gallant, gay Lothario?
    • Act v, scene 1.

Quotes about Rowe

  • [Rowe's] version of Lucan is one of the greatest productions of English poetry; for there is, perhaps, none that so completely exhibits the genius and spirit of the original. Lucan is distinguished by a kind of dictatorial or philosophick dignity, rather, as Quintilian observes, declamatory than poetical; full of ambitious morality and pointed sentences, comprised in vigorous and animated lines. This character Rowe has very diligently and successfully preserved. ... The Pharsalia of Rowe deserves more notice than it obtains, and, as it is more read, will be more esteemed.

See also

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