University of Virginia Library

Prologue, spoken by Mrs. Brett,

when Don Sebastian was acted for her Benefit.

From Drury's neighbouring stage, a soil ingrate,
Transplanted here, to meet a kinder fate,
I blossom only now; but, when I bear,
My fruit, I humbly hope, may claim your care:
At present, that my arms may spread the faster,
I have engag'd my Friend the Dancing-master.
The fickle mode thro' every turn pursuing,
If Playing tires ye, I would still be doing:
To Speak, delights me most; if that be wrong,
(What can a Woman more?) I'll hold my tongue,
And spare no pains the reigning taste to suit,
Your servant to command from head to foot.
But, hold! the God of Poetry and Day
Must hide his head, as Whiston dreams, in May:
The man mistakes the time; for well we wot all,
Th' Eclipse began long since, and now is total.
Farce was the first essay of envious Night;
It damp'd his heat, and dimm'd his golden light:
Music ensu'd; and then his sickly rays
Lost half their pow'r in songs and Operas:
The voices charm'd him; but the words (he swore)
He ne'er inspir'd, or heard the like before.
At length the bashful Masquerade begun;
That child of darkness; and quite veil'd the Sun:
A Midnight vizard screen'd his blushing face;
But Venus, then disclos'd, supply'd his place.
What dire effects from this Eclipse may flow,
I dare not guess; the cause too well I know:
But sure, the common cry may yield to reason,
And Plays be countenanc'd another season;
To-night at least I beg ye to be easy:
Why, Sirs, your very wives, for change, can please ye.
But after ye have mortify'd a while
On sense and nature, in Sebastian's style,
Some new device shall prove (whate'er it cost us)
That he's no Conjurer who flouts at Faustus.
For should Saint George by miracle appear,
How could he hope to maul the Dragon here!
Fair was the Maid whom honour's pow'rful laws
Of old deliver'd from his op'ning jaws;
But fairer far are You , who now defend his cause.