 | The Court of Alexander |  |
THE ARGUMENT OF THIS OPERA.
Alexander the Great, tempted by the Accounts which several Prisoners had related of the immense Wealth in India, determined upon invading the Dominions of King Porus, who was then its Sovereign.
Upon Alexander's crossing the River Hydaspes, Porus was made Captive, and entertain'd in the Macedonian Camp with great Hospitality; where the Indian Monarch fell in Love with Parisatis, who was betrothed to Lysimachus.
The Son of Philip was ambitious of being thought the best Drinker, as well as the greatest Fighter of his Time. Both Accomplishments then (as now) were look'd upon to be Acts which equally constituted the Hero.
No Wonder therefore, if, after the Defeat of the Indian King, his Conqueror, in Honour of the Victory, should order a Drinking-Match: And immediately after the Exercise of that Engagement, or Carousal,
The OPERA is supposed to begin.
As to the Complexion of Porus, Historians are divided: Some supposing him White, like the Chinese; others Copper-colour'd, like Mangolans: Some declare him to have been only Tawny, like the Malays. But we have followed the authenticated Commentaries of Meleager and Gorgias, two Generals, who were belonging to Alexander: One commanded the Light-Horse, the other the Left-Wing of the Mirmydonian Infantry at the Time, and they declare Porus to have been a Black.
The Editor is aware that some anachronismical Objections, relative to Chronology, may be raised against his keeping Clytus alive until the Year of the World 2096, when the Battle with Porus was fought: But it is according to the Account of Bagoas, who is supposed to be the most impartial Writer in those Times; and upon
As to the Descent of Jupiter, we have not only Pantomimical, but also Classical Authority, to vindicate such a Measure—It being common in Old Rome, even to a Proverb, Nunc pro Machina: And Horace allows it, in his Neo Deus intersit, &c.
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