'Tis easier to pity those when dead — Romeo and Juliet

'Tis easier to pity those when dead ¹
That which pity previous
Would have saved－
A Tragedy enacted
Secures Applause ⁵
That Tragedy enacting
Too seldom does.

(F.1719/J.1698)

[1] those when dead:: Romeo and Juliet died at the end.
[2, 3] pity previous, saved:: in the play, their families did pity them at the end, but was late.
[4] Tragedy:: a hint on a stage play.
[5] Applause:: a popular play.