Medulla Poetarum Romanorum Or, the Most Beautiful and Instructive Passages of the Roman Poets. Being a Collection, (Disposed under proper Heads,) Of such Descriptions, Allusions, Comparisons, Characters, and Sentiments, as may best serve to shew the Religion, Learning, Politicks, Arts, Customs, Opinions, Manners, and Circumstances of the Antients. With Translations of the same in English Verse. By Mr. Henry Baker |
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| The Stage. |
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
The Stage.
Thespis , 'tis said, did Tragedy devise.Unknown before, and rude at it's first Rise,
In Carts the Gypsy-Actors strol'd about,
Their Faces smear'd with Lees of Wine and Soot,
And thro' the Towns amus'd the wond'ring Rout.
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And built a Play-House, and contriv'd a Scene,
The buskin'd Heroes taught, with Grace and Art
To tread the Stage, and boldly speak their Part.—
He, who at first in Tragick Numbers wrote,
(When the poor Poet labour'd for a Goat,)
Brought in his Satyrs naked to divert
And mix'd the comick with the serious Part:
This was the Bait to bribe the Crowd to stay,
When drunk and wanton, and sit out the Play.
(When the poor Poet labour'd for a Goat,)
Brought in his Satyrs naked to divert
And mix'd the comick with the serious Part:
This was the Bait to bribe the Crowd to stay,
When drunk and wanton, and sit out the Play.
No Flute, or Trumpet, grac'd the antient Scene,
But Pipes whose Stops were few, and Model mean.
Such gain'd Applause, and pleas'd in former Days,
When to be chast and modest was a Praise,
When Folks lov'd Thrift, and few frequented Plays.
But after Rome had stretch'd her Conquests round,
And wider Walls enlarg'd the City's Bound:
Then Bards in bolder Strains began to sing,
And form'd their Numbers to the tuneful String.
Then graceful Motion, and a pompous Dress,
Gave to the growing Stage deserv'd Success:
The Lyre in more melodious Style was heard,
And Art in all it's Elegance appear'd:
With manly Sense sweet Elocution flow'd,
And spoke prophetick as the Delphick God.—
But Pipes whose Stops were few, and Model mean.
Such gain'd Applause, and pleas'd in former Days,
When to be chast and modest was a Praise,
When Folks lov'd Thrift, and few frequented Plays.
But after Rome had stretch'd her Conquests round,
And wider Walls enlarg'd the City's Bound:
Then Bards in bolder Strains began to sing,
And form'd their Numbers to the tuneful String.
Then graceful Motion, and a pompous Dress,
Gave to the growing Stage deserv'd Success:
The Lyre in more melodious Style was heard,
And Art in all it's Elegance appear'd:
With manly Sense sweet Elocution flow'd,
And spoke prophetick as the Delphick God.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |