The friends of Mr. Pope therefore strongly importuned him, to undertake the whole of Shakespear’s plays, and, if possible, by comparing all the different copies now to be procured, restore him to his ancient purity.  To which our poet made this modest reply, that not having attempted any thing in the Drama, it might in him be deemed too much presumption.  To which he was answered, that this did not require great knowledge of the foundation and disposition of the drama, as that must stand as it was, and Shakespear [Transcriber’s note:  ‘Skakespear’ in original] himself had not always paid strict regard to the rules of it; but this was to clear the scenes from the rubbish with which ignorant editors had filled them.

His proper business in this work was to render the text so clear as to be generally understood, to free it from obscurities, and sometimes gross absurdities, which now seem to appear in it, and to explain doubtful and difficult passages of which there are great numbers.  This however was an arduous province, and how Mr. Pope has acquitted himself in it has been differently determined:  It is certain he never valued himself upon that performance, nor was it a task in the least adapted to his genius; for it seldom happens that a man of lively parts can undergo the servile drudgery of collecting passages, in which more industry and labour are necessary than persons of quick penetration generally have to bestow.

It has been the opinion of some critics, that Mr. Pope’s talents were not adapted for the drama, otherwise we cannot well account for his neglecting the most gainful way of writing which poetry affords, especially as his reputation was so high, that without much ceremony or mortification, he might have had any piece of his brought upon the stage.  Mr. Pope was attentive to his own interest, and if he had not either been conscious of his inability in that province, or too timid to wish the popular approbation, he would certainly have attempted the drama.  Neither was he esteemed a very competent judge of what plays were proper or improper for representation.  He wrote several letters to the manager of Drury-Lane Theatre, in favour of Thomson’s Agamemnon, which notwithstanding his approbation, Thomson’s friends were obliged to mutulate and shorten; and after all it proved a heavy play.—­Though it was generally allowed to have been one of the best acted plays that had appeared for some years.

He was certainly concerned in the Comedy, which was published in Mr. Gay’s name, called Three Hours after Marriage, as well as Dr. Arbuthnot.  This illustrious triumvirate, though men of the most various parts, and extensive understanding, yet were not able it seems to please the people, tho’ the principal parts were supported by the best actors in that way on the stage.  Dr. Arbuthnot and Mr. Pope were no doubt solicitous to conceal their concern in it; but by a letter which Gay wrote to Pope, published in Ayre’s Memoirs, it appears evident (if Ayre’s authority may be depended on) that they, both assisted in the composition.