Nicholas Rowe - Jane Shore: "Guilt is the source of sorrow, 'tis the fiend, Th' avenging fiend, that follows us behind, With whips and stings."

Nicholas Rowe, born in 1674, transitioned from law to literature after inheriting an estate at nineteen. His early plays, including "The Ambitious Stepmother" and "Tamerlane," garnered attention for their political allegories. "The Fair Penitent" was hailed as a significant tragedy, while his foray into comedy with "The Biter" was less successful. Rowe's notable contributions include the first 18th-century edition of Shakespeare's works and a biography of the playwright. His later tragedies, such as "Jane Shore," focused on domestic themes, though "Lady Jane Grey" marked his decline in the genre.