 | Timanthes |  |
PROLOGUE.
When first our bard advent'rous left the shore,
To tempt the drama's depth, untry'd before;
With beating heart his trembling sail he rear'd,
While critic sands and envious rocks he fear'd.
But your indulgence swell'd the prosp'rous wind,
And safe convey'd him to the port design'd.
The track, yourselves approv'd, he now pursues,
And for a second trip his care renews.
To tempt the drama's depth, untry'd before;
With beating heart his trembling sail he rear'd,
While critic sands and envious rocks he fear'd.
But your indulgence swell'd the prosp'rous wind,
And safe convey'd him to the port design'd.
The track, yourselves approv'd, he now pursues,
And for a second trip his care renews.
Oft, in the silent hours of teeming thought,
As flatt'ring prospects in his bosom wrought,
Hope imag'd to his sight your starting tear,
And brought the welcome plaudit to his ear!
But while he now revolves that mutual fame
Should join the poet's and the actor's name,
O! let him here one tender tribute pay,
To early worth, untimely snatch'd away!
To him, who once, alas! his scene inspir'd,
Whose softness melted, and whose spirit fir'd!
While to the friend this grateful debt he pays,
Each gen'rous breast will sure confirm the praise;
With you, his honest zeal must stand approv'd,
Which makes this off'ring to the man he lov'd!
As flatt'ring prospects in his bosom wrought,
Hope imag'd to his sight your starting tear,
And brought the welcome plaudit to his ear!
But while he now revolves that mutual fame
Should join the poet's and the actor's name,
O! let him here one tender tribute pay,
To early worth, untimely snatch'd away!
To him, who once, alas! his scene inspir'd,
Whose softness melted, and whose spirit fir'd!
While to the friend this grateful debt he pays,
Each gen'rous breast will sure confirm the praise;
With you, his honest zeal must stand approv'd,
Which makes this off'ring to the man he lov'd!
| Timanthes | |