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rus is dying of the wound he received in battle, he is examined by a Jewish priest, a principal character in the play, as his confessor, concerning his religious prin- ciples, and he makes to him a profession of faith.
This kind of spectacle has been so long neglected in Italy, that it seems to have been wholly lost; and now, after a second birth, appears to be in its infancy. How- ever, the Italian language is certainly capable of great things; as it can support dignity without the trammels of rhyme. The actors too are good, as to propriety and variety of gesture; but if my ear does not deceive me, a monotony reigns here with respect to voice, as well as in the Italian pulpit. The passion for dramas in music has ruined true tragedy as well as comedy in this country; but the language and genius of the people are so rich and fertile, that when they become heartily tired of music, which by excess of it they will probably be
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