The FRONTISPIECE.
The
Curtain rises, and a new Frontispiece is seen, joyn'd to
the great Pylasters, which are on each side of the Stage: On
the flat of each Basis is a Shield, adorn'd with Gold: In
the middle of the Shield on one side, are two Hearts, a small
Scrowl of Gold over 'em, and an Imperial Crown over the Scrowl;
on the other, in the Shield are two Quivers full of Arrows Saltyre, &c.
Upon each Basis stands a Figure bigger than the life; one represents
Peace, with a Palm in one, and an Olive Branch in the other
Hand; t'other Plenty, holding a Cornucopia, and resting
on a Pillar. Behind these Figures are large Columns of the Corinthian
Order adorn'd with Fruit and Flowers: over one of the
Figures on the Trees is the King's Cypher; over the other the
Queens: over the Capitals, on the Cornice sits a Figure on each
side; one presents Poetry crown'd with Lawrel, holding a Scrowl in
one Hand the other with a Pen in it, and resting on a Book; the
other painting with a Pallat and Pencils, &c. On the sweep of
the Arch lies one of the Muses, playing on a Base Voyal; another
of the Muses, on the other side, holding a Trumpet
in one Hand, and the other on a Harp. Between these Figures,
in the middle of the Sweep of the Arch, is a very large Pannel in
a frame of Gold; in this Pannel is painted on one side a Woman representing
the City of London, leaning her Head on her Hand in
a dejected Posture (shewing her Sorrow and Penitence for her Offences;)
the other Hand holds the Arms of the City, and a Mace
lying under it: on the other side, is a Figure of the Thames
with his Legs shakle'd and leaning on an empty Urn; behind these
are two Imperial Figures; one representing his present Majesty;
the other the Queen; by the King stands Pallas (or Wisdom, and
Valor,) holding a Charter for the City, the King extending his
Hand, as raising her drooping Head, and restoring her to her ancient
Honor and Glory: over the City are the envious devouring
Harpyes flying from the face of Majesty: by the Queen stand the
three Graces holding Garlands of Flowers, and at her feet Cupids
bound, with their Bows and Arrows broken, the Queen pointing
with her Scepter to the River, and commanding the Graces
to take off his Fetters: over the King in a Scrowl, is this Verse
of Virgil,
Discite justitiam, moniti, & non temnere Divos.
Over the Queen, this of the same Author,
Non ignara mali, miseris succurere disco.
