Scipio Africanus A Tragedy |
THE PROLOGUE. Spoken by Mr. Quin.
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 | Scipio Africanus |  |
THE PROLOGUE. Spoken by Mr. Quin.
Oft
as the Muse, the Register of Fame,
Calls from the awful Tomb some glorious Name,
Oft as she shews what Virtues Cato knew,
Or draws the Scipio's Glories out to View;
New Transport on each Feature stands confest,
And Expectation burns in ev'ry Breast;
Conscious how little Worth these Times behold,
We're pleas'd to learn what Heroes were of Old:
And when the Poet writes with happy Fire,
Ev'n where we cannot Weep, we must Admire.
Calls from the awful Tomb some glorious Name,
Oft as she shews what Virtues Cato knew,
Or draws the Scipio's Glories out to View;
New Transport on each Feature stands confest,
And Expectation burns in ev'ry Breast;
Conscious how little Worth these Times behold,
We're pleas'd to learn what Heroes were of Old:
And when the Poet writes with happy Fire,
Ev'n where we cannot Weep, we must Admire.
Our Author, who ne'er yet has trod the Stage,
Or taught his Muse to swell with Tragick Rage,
Boasts, he his Scenes does with a Roman grace,
Whose Virtues Britons need not blush to trace.
Or taught his Muse to swell with Tragick Rage,
Boasts, he his Scenes does with a Roman grace,
Whose Virtues Britons need not blush to trace.
What Youth that's zealous in his Country's Cause,
Who wears a Sword to guard her sacred Laws,
But may from Scipio learn the Patriot's Name,
And from his Maxims emulate his Fame?
What laurell'd Chief, who in the doubtful Field,
Has forc'd reluctant Victory to yield,
But may from Scipio learn, 'tis greater far
Himself to conquer than o'ercome in War?
Who wears a Sword to guard her sacred Laws,
But may from Scipio learn the Patriot's Name,
And from his Maxims emulate his Fame?
Has forc'd reluctant Victory to yield,
But may from Scipio learn, 'tis greater far
Himself to conquer than o'ercome in War?
Such is the Hero we display to Night,
With Conquest deck'd, but more in Honour bright:
A Victor, who a Victor's Pride foregoes,
And counts it base t'insult his conquer'd Foes;
A Lover too, but One that dares controul
The guilty Passion, and reform his Soul:
With Conquest deck'd, but more in Honour bright:
A Victor, who a Victor's Pride foregoes,
And counts it base t'insult his conquer'd Foes;
A Lover too, but One that dares controul
The guilty Passion, and reform his Soul:
Silent attend; and let his Actions raise
A gen'rous Ardor to deserve his Praise;
If you approve the noble Pattern shewn,
Think, in his Virtues you'll applaud your Own.
A gen'rous Ardor to deserve his Praise;
If you approve the noble Pattern shewn,
Think, in his Virtues you'll applaud your Own.
| Scipio Africanus | |