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PROLOGUE: Spoken by Mr. RYAN.
So
hard the Task the Tragic Muse ordains,
Few find Success, with all their Skill and Pains.
If Time and Place and Action they observe,
From Plot and Character the Authors swerve.
Nor these enough, shou'd even these prevail,
In noble Thoughts and Energy they fail.
Few find Success, with all their Skill and Pains.
If Time and Place and Action they observe,
From Plot and Character the Authors swerve.
Nor these enough, shou'd even these prevail,
In noble Thoughts and Energy they fail.
Can we then please in so polite an Age?
When Sense and Learning only fly the Stage.
We only sink, and are debas'd in Wit;
That you improve, we to your selves submit.
Of Judgment so exact, of Taste so nice,
Nor Play, nor Woman can engage you thrice.
When Sense and Learning only fly the Stage.
We only sink, and are debas'd in Wit;
That you improve, we to your selves submit.
Of Judgment so exact, of Taste so nice,
Nor Play, nor Woman can engage you thrice.
Not ignorant of this, with real Fears,
Our Author, conscious of Defects, appears.
The following Scenes he offers to your View,
Nor dares your Censure, nor can meanly sue.
But hope not Towns besieg'd, and Battles fought,
And in one Play ten diff'rent Stories brought.
And sure the Stage shou'd still be chaste and clean,
From Deeds of Horror, and from Words obscene.
Such Conduct with th'ignoble Crowd obtains,
But gives you Torment, and deforms the Scenes.
A plain and single Tale we represent,
Nor with Digressions maim the chief Intent.
Our Author, conscious of Defects, appears.
The following Scenes he offers to your View,
Nor dares your Censure, nor can meanly sue.
But hope not Towns besieg'd, and Battles fought,
And in one Play ten diff'rent Stories brought.
And sure the Stage shou'd still be chaste and clean,
From Deeds of Horror, and from Words obscene.
Such Conduct with th'ignoble Crowd obtains,
But gives you Torment, and deforms the Scenes.
A plain and single Tale we represent,
Nor with Digressions maim the chief Intent.
Happy the Man! who shall reform the Stage,
Improve our Judgment, and refine the Age.
But humbler we raise not our Thoughts so high;
To Rules you dictate, chearful we comply.
Submit our Labours to your just Decrees,
Proud to be taught, and happy cou'd we please.
Improve our Judgment, and refine the Age.
But humbler we raise not our Thoughts so high;
To Rules you dictate, chearful we comply.
Submit our Labours to your just Decrees,
Proud to be taught, and happy cou'd we please.
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