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Poems on Several Occasions

With some Select Essays in Prose. In Two Volumes. By John Hughes; Adorn'd with Sculptures

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lxxvi

PROLOGUE To the Memory of Mr. HUGHES.

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The attribution of this poem is questionable.

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Spoken by Mr. Milward, on the Revival of The Siege of Damascus, at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane, 22 March, 1734–5

Here Force and Fancy, with United Charms,
Mingle the Sweets of Love with War's Alarms.
Our Author shows, in Eastern Pomp array'd,
The conqu'ring Heroe and the constant Maid.
None better knew, such Noble Heights to soar,
Tho' Phædra, and tho' Cato charm'd before.
While in the Lustre of his glowing Lines,
Th'Arabian Paradise so gaily shines,
With winy Rivers, racy Fruits supply'd,
And Beauties sparkling in Immortal Pride,
Gallants, You'll own that a resistless Fire
Did justly their Enamour'd Breasts inspire.
At first, a numerous Audience crown'd this Play,
And kind Applauses mark'd its happy Way,
While He, like his own Phocyas, snatch'd from View,
To fairer Realms with ripen'd Glory flew.
Humane, tho' Witty; Humble, tho' Admir'd;
Wept by the Great, the Virtuous Sage expir'd!
Still may the Bard, beneath kind Planets born,
Whom every Grace, and every Muse adorn,
Whose spreading Fame has reach'd to Foreign Lands,
Receive Some Tribute too from British Hands.