A collection of poems on various subjects including the theatre, a didactic essay; in the course of which are pointed out, the rocks and shoals to which deluded adventurers are inevitably exposed. Ornamented with cuts and illustrated with notes, original letters and curious incidental anecdotes [by Samuel Whyte] |
 |
|
PROLOGUE TO COMUS,
|
|
| I. |
| II. |
|
|
| III. |
| IV. |
| VIII. |
|
| I. |
| III. |
| IV. |
|
|
|
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
|
|
|
 | A collection of poems on various subjects |  |
61
PROLOGUE TO COMUS,
PERFORMED AT MARLAY, THE SEAT OF THE RT. HON. DAVID LATOUCHE. SPOKEN BY MR. WHYTE.
In strict observance of Theatric laws,
We should, imprimis, plead the Author's cause;
Happy, at least in this, a brighter name
Than Milton's shines not in the rolls of fame;
The intrinsic sterling of whose deathless lays
Strikes censure dumb, and supersedes all praise:
Yet, “fallen on evil tongues and evil day,”
His Comus, not exempt, neglected lay,
'Till genuine taste, prevailing, found its worth,
And taught the lyre to call its beauties forth.
Scorning a barbarous, dull, fanatic age,
For after-times he penn'd his sacred page,
And bade his muse fit audience find tho' few,
Prophetic surely with this night in view!
We should, imprimis, plead the Author's cause;
Happy, at least in this, a brighter name
Than Milton's shines not in the rolls of fame;
The intrinsic sterling of whose deathless lays
Strikes censure dumb, and supersedes all praise:
Yet, “fallen on evil tongues and evil day,”
His Comus, not exempt, neglected lay,
'Till genuine taste, prevailing, found its worth,
And taught the lyre to call its beauties forth.
Scorning a barbarous, dull, fanatic age,
For after-times he penn'd his sacred page,
And bade his muse fit audience find tho' few,
Prophetic surely with this night in view!
O! for a moment, heaven-born Muse! descend;
Propitious, now, my ardent prayer attend;
As erst thy Milton's, with celestial fire,
My mind irradiate, and my voice inspire!
So, as its brighter glories well demand,
Marlay with Ludlow might immortal stand.
Yet here tho' Naiads, Fauns, and Dryads vie,
And art and nature court the curious eye,
Could those the tooth of wrinkled care deride,
If conscious worth did not within reside?
The grand Elixir that, the potent spell,
Why here no anger, frowns, or sorrows dwell.
Propitious, now, my ardent prayer attend;
62
My mind irradiate, and my voice inspire!
So, as its brighter glories well demand,
Marlay with Ludlow might immortal stand.
Yet here tho' Naiads, Fauns, and Dryads vie,
And art and nature court the curious eye,
Could those the tooth of wrinkled care deride,
If conscious worth did not within reside?
The grand Elixir that, the potent spell,
Why here no anger, frowns, or sorrows dwell.
Our little Actors have, indeed, their cares,
For sure to night an arduous task is theirs,
With wish'd success, to grace their glorious cause,
And, by due steps, to merit your applause;
Then, lest their tender age might suffer harm,
Your's be the part each anxious fear to charm—
Hence, captious pedants!—envious raillers, hence!
Nor dare prophane the shrine of innocence;
Nor let hypocrisy's insidious leer,
With false presentments, shed blear influence here,
To nip our early buds, and check the promis'd year!
For sure to night an arduous task is theirs,
With wish'd success, to grace their glorious cause,
And, by due steps, to merit your applause;
Then, lest their tender age might suffer harm,
Your's be the part each anxious fear to charm—
Hence, captious pedants!—envious raillers, hence!
Nor dare prophane the shrine of innocence;
Nor let hypocrisy's insidious leer,
With false presentments, shed blear influence here,
To nip our early buds, and check the promis'd year!
When Mariann, dispatch'd of sovereign Jove,
Performs her high commission from above,
Whate'er slight imperfections may appear,
Pure nature speaks, and marks the mind sincere;
And, if I rightly of your feelings guess,
Tho' the Two Brothers prove but males in dress,
Such forms in fancy's eye, as Poets say,
Trip o'er the clouds and in the rainbow play,
Espousing sentiments so much their own,
For all defects will easily atone.
Our dear Eliza's suit we next might plead;
But who can equal to herself succeed?
With simple elegance she melts the heart,
And in the Lady paints her own desert.
O! may she still, as now, her bosom keep
Pure as the smiling thoughts of babes asleep!
Virtuous herself, may she be Virtue's friend,
And all good angels on her steps attend!
Performs her high commission from above,
Whate'er slight imperfections may appear,
Pure nature speaks, and marks the mind sincere;
And, if I rightly of your feelings guess,
Tho' the Two Brothers prove but males in dress,
63
Trip o'er the clouds and in the rainbow play,
Espousing sentiments so much their own,
For all defects will easily atone.
Our dear Eliza's suit we next might plead;
But who can equal to herself succeed?
With simple elegance she melts the heart,
And in the Lady paints her own desert.
O! may she still, as now, her bosom keep
Pure as the smiling thoughts of babes asleep!
Virtuous herself, may she be Virtue's friend,
And all good angels on her steps attend!
As for our fairy Bacchanalian troop,
(In character promiscuously they groupe)
Careless and free, they'll top their several parts,
And ask no advocate to gain your hearts—
Nor let my hopes your wonted goodness fail,
But, while you judge, let candour hold the scale.
(In character promiscuously they groupe)
Careless and free, they'll top their several parts,
And ask no advocate to gain your hearts—
Nor let my hopes your wonted goodness fail,
But, while you judge, let candour hold the scale.
| A collection of poems on various subjects | |