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Miscellanies in Prose and Verse

By Mrs. Catherine Jemmat
 

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PROLOGUE, first Night, Spoken by a Young Gentleman in the Character of Cato.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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PROLOGUE, first Night, Spoken by a Young Gentleman in the Character of Cato.

For this bold task, ere on the stage we tread,
To shew, for Freedom's cause, how Romans bled,
Fain wou'd I strive, some pleasing art wou'd use,
To beg th' assistance of th' indulgent Muse,
Gain your attention, and ourselves excuse.
If then great Addison, whose worth sublime
Shall ever triumph o'er the spoils of time,

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In brightest thought plann'd out the brave design,
Till it grew up into a work divine;
A work refulgent to adorn the stage,
To mend our morals, and improve the age;
With love of freedom to inspire mankind,
And nobly arm the true heroic mind;
What greater glory cou'd we youths pursue
Than this, to pay the homage justly due,
To ancient virtues, which in heroes grew?
Virtues! to which, reflecting glorious rays,
The bard, immortal, ow'd his deathless bays?
Virtues! in which, 'bove all the neighb'ring isles,
Britannia triumphs, and victorious smiles!
Such godlike actions, by the wise approv'd,
Admir'd by all, and by the learn'd belov'd,
This night we mean, in all the pomp of state,
Boldly to aim at, and to imitate.
If chance some errors in a faint disguise,
Shou'd to your view from our rude actions rise,

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'Tis humbly hop'd your pardon you'll extend,
O'erlook those we deeds wou'd, but can't amend.
Your censure kindly spare, and, pleas'd, applaud the end.