University of Virginia Library

PROLOGUE, spoken by Mr. WILKS.

From Age to Age, Medæa's Wrongs have been
The moving Business of the tragick Scene.
Athens and Rome, both listned to her Cares,
And the lov'd Matron's Cause approv'd in Tears.
To British Eyes she weeps, in British Strains
To Night, this haughty, injur'd Wife complains.
If she too delicately feels her Woe
Or deals swift Vengeance on her hated Foe,
Consider,—'twas two thousand Years ago.
Those good old Folks distinguish'd Right from Wrong,
And when the Heart dissented from the Tongue,
They call'd it Fraud;—ev'n violated Faith
Was punish'd in those barbarous Climes with Death.
The Rites of sacred Love by Love were made,
And Marriage was not then become a Trade.
No midnight Masquerades, no Hackney Coaches,
Assemblys, Gaming, Tea-table debauches
Seduc'd the faithful Husband or the Wife,
Each led an honest, careful, virtuous Life;
They rais'd their Children for the publick Weal,
In Arms and Arts they taught them to to excel;
And he was thought most wealthy and most wise,
In those odd Days, who farthest was from Vice.
If then this old and learned Tale succeeds,
If the good Heart for suffering Virtue bleeds,
If your Breasts heave with Sorrows not your own,
While you attend Creusa's plaintive Moan,
Check not with conscious Shame the pious Tear,
'Tis consecrated to the Brave and Fair;
The Drops, which thus for injur'd Virtue flow,
Must fall from virtuous Eyes, and Hearts that know
The pleasing Pains of sympathetick Woe.
Such soft descending Rain, such social Dews
Support and dignify the tragick Muse.