 | Miscellanies, in Verse and Prose |  |
Prologue to Esther, a Tragedy;
From the French of Monsieur Racine.
From Heav'n descending to this chosen place,
I come to visit here its Inmate, Grace.
This is the happy seat, the sure defence
Indulg'd to my Companion, Innocence:
And, moulded here by my maternal hand,
A race of rising Saints shall glad the land:
I nourish in their hearts the fruitful seed
Of virtues, to reform the world decreed.
My Patron King, the first of human-kind,
Has to my care this precious pledge consign'd:
Assembled here, before without Support
Or Guide, my Doves from various parts resort:
To shelter them he bid this Palace rise,
Where Plenty, crown'd with Peace, its guests supplies.
This effort of his zeal, Almighty Lord,
To thee devoted, in thy book record,
Where the predestin'd names of Monarchs shine,
Enroll'd among the Bless'd by love divine.
My well-known voice is heard, and thou art mov'd;
For I am Piety, thy best belov'd,
Who offer to thee, on my Champion's part,
The tender breathings of his royal heart:
The zeal that fires him, in the West begun,
Salutes with rival heat the rising sun.
Behold him humbly prostrate, day by day,
His glitt'ring crown beneath thy altar lay,
And, printing kisses on the hallow'd ground,
By that august example pride confound.
I come to visit here its Inmate, Grace.
This is the happy seat, the sure defence
Indulg'd to my Companion, Innocence:
104
A race of rising Saints shall glad the land:
I nourish in their hearts the fruitful seed
Of virtues, to reform the world decreed.
My Patron King, the first of human-kind,
Has to my care this precious pledge consign'd:
Assembled here, before without Support
Or Guide, my Doves from various parts resort:
To shelter them he bid this Palace rise,
Where Plenty, crown'd with Peace, its guests supplies.
This effort of his zeal, Almighty Lord,
To thee devoted, in thy book record,
Where the predestin'd names of Monarchs shine,
Enroll'd among the Bless'd by love divine.
My well-known voice is heard, and thou art mov'd;
For I am Piety, thy best belov'd,
Who offer to thee, on my Champion's part,
The tender breathings of his royal heart:
The zeal that fires him, in the West begun,
Salutes with rival heat the rising sun.
Behold him humbly prostrate, day by day,
His glitt'ring crown beneath thy altar lay,
And, printing kisses on the hallow'd ground,
By that august example pride confound.
A Son, thy gift, I see beside him stand,
Ordain'd to combat, please, obey, command;
And counting it all glory to fulfill,
Victorious as his Sire, his royal will.
He waits upon his vows with zeal and care,
And tames the pride of foes to sure despair.
As Angels haste his Rebels to chastise,
So, when his Sov'reign bids, with joy he flies
To lanch the thunder; and, its work complete,
Serenely lays it at his Father's feet.
But while a mighty King asserts my right,
You, who without allay enjoy delight,
With my unblemish'd scenes the Hero please,
If he for them can steal a moment's ease:
Let him in Esther's glorious story see
The Faith triumphant o'er Impiety.
And You, whom fictions with vain joys inspire,
Who doat on dreams, and feel no heav'nly fire,
Whom empty spectacles alone rejoice,
Profanely tir'd with my unwelcome voice,
Fly from a place so holy and austere;
For Truth, and Peace, and God, inhabit here.
Ordain'd to combat, please, obey, command;
And counting it all glory to fulfill,
Victorious as his Sire, his royal will.
105
And tames the pride of foes to sure despair.
As Angels haste his Rebels to chastise,
So, when his Sov'reign bids, with joy he flies
To lanch the thunder; and, its work complete,
Serenely lays it at his Father's feet.
But while a mighty King asserts my right,
You, who without allay enjoy delight,
With my unblemish'd scenes the Hero please,
If he for them can steal a moment's ease:
Let him in Esther's glorious story see
The Faith triumphant o'er Impiety.
And You, whom fictions with vain joys inspire,
Who doat on dreams, and feel no heav'nly fire,
Whom empty spectacles alone rejoice,
Profanely tir'd with my unwelcome voice,
Fly from a place so holy and austere;
For Truth, and Peace, and God, inhabit here.
| Miscellanies, in Verse and Prose | |