 | The Works of Mr. Henry Needler |  |
PROLOGUE TO JULIUS CÆSAR.
Spoken at St. Paul's School, Jan. 27, 1712.
Shou'd
Shakespear's Ghost return again to Light,
And see us play his Cæsar here To-night,
How wou'd He smile to view our mimick Rage,
And little Heroes strut along the Stage?
To see in Miniature his lofty Scenes
Acted by beardless Statesmen in their Teens?
And see us play his Cæsar here To-night,
How wou'd He smile to view our mimick Rage,
And little Heroes strut along the Stage?
To see in Miniature his lofty Scenes
Acted by beardless Statesmen in their Teens?
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Yet our green Age may justly plead our Cause,
Procure our Pardon, if not gain Applause.
In Great and Worthy Things, th' Attempt alone
May claim some Portion of deserv'd Renown.
The Thirst of Fame, the very Love of Praise,
A Noble Generous Turn of Soul betrays:
'Tis this the panting Hero's Mind excites
To Tasks of Glory, and his Toil requites.
'Twas Love of Fame, that Cæsar's Bosom fir'd
With active Valour, and his Breast inspir'd
O'er the whole Globe t'extend the Roman Sway,
And make the distant Poles their Laws obey.
Procure our Pardon, if not gain Applause.
In Great and Worthy Things, th' Attempt alone
May claim some Portion of deserv'd Renown.
The Thirst of Fame, the very Love of Praise,
A Noble Generous Turn of Soul betrays:
'Tis this the panting Hero's Mind excites
To Tasks of Glory, and his Toil requites.
'Twas Love of Fame, that Cæsar's Bosom fir'd
With active Valour, and his Breast inspir'd
O'er the whole Globe t'extend the Roman Sway,
And make the distant Poles their Laws obey.
Impell'd by This, what dauntless Souls can dare,
Let matchless Marlb'rough's mighty Deeds declare;
Great Marlborough! in whose accomplish'd Mind
All Cæsar, but his Vices, we may find;
Who, in a juster Cause, and not his Own,
Has Cæsar's Conduct and his Courage shown.
Let matchless Marlb'rough's mighty Deeds declare;
Great Marlborough! in whose accomplish'd Mind
All Cæsar, but his Vices, we may find;
Who, in a juster Cause, and not his Own,
Has Cæsar's Conduct and his Courage shown.
Yet not to Thirst of Fame alone we owe
Heroic Actions, but to Beauty too:
Oft' your Resistless Charms, ye shining Fair,
In worthy Deeds may justly claim a Share;
Love oft' the noble Martial Flame inspires,
And at your Eyes the Hero's Bosom fires,
Who for your Smiles does Honour's Paths pursue,
And conquers Nations, but to conquer you.
Heroic Actions, but to Beauty too:
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In worthy Deeds may justly claim a Share;
Love oft' the noble Martial Flame inspires,
And at your Eyes the Hero's Bosom fires,
Who for your Smiles does Honour's Paths pursue,
And conquers Nations, but to conquer you.
| The Works of Mr. Henry Needler | |