University of Virginia Library

PROLOGUE. (WRITTEN BY WILLIAM WALLACE, ESQ.) SPOKEN BY Mr. CONNOR.

Various the realms, and boundless are the views,
Where Fancy wanders with the Tragic Muse.
What spot to-night, o'er that expansive sphere,
Wakes manhood's sympathy—asks woman's tear?
'Tis Spain,—the land where oft, enthron'd sublime,
Shone Muse-lov'd Chivalry in olden time!
'Tis Spain—where late Britannia's conqu'ring hand
Unmanacled the Genius of the land.
Glory's bright beacon, lighted once again,
Bade prostrate Europe blush, and burst her chain;
And gave the world that noblest Chivalry,
Of reas'ning man—immortal Liberty!
What time stern Philip's ruthless edict fell
With persecution, and her band of hell,
In frantic ruin o'er the Moorish race—
Our Poet chose his fancied scene to trace.
He there presents, in virtue's bold relief,
A Moorish lover and a Moorish chief;
And shews a villain rob'd in guilt, in shame,
Altho' the villain bear the Christian name;
Convinc'd, when man in virtue's light you view,
Alike the Crescent or the Cross to you!
But not alone those springs, whose strong control
With ruder force can wake and vex the soul,
He tries—but still, in softer strains, would prove
That dearer spell of mightier pow'r to move,—
A woman's sorrows, and a woman's love!
One praise at least he claims to bless his lays—
Nor scene immoral, nor offensive phrase,
Wounds the chaste ear of virgin Modesty—
Quells the pure ardour of young Beauty's eye,
Or spreads the crimson of ingenuous shame
On outrag'd Innocence's cheek of flame!
Next—tho' a foreign land the scene supply'd—
Think not he chose a foreign Muse his guide:—
Spurning wild Germany's uncultur'd schools,
And self-pleas'd Gallia's boasted borrowed rules,
A native Muse, to-night, by native arts,
Would please your judgments and subdue your hearts.
And this, her simple suit, by me she sends—
Give British justice!—yet—as British friends!