The Poetical Works of The Rev. Samuel Bishop :: :: University of Virginia Library

A sideboard's front, when tavern guests are met,
Just before dinner comes, presents a whet;
Even so, a Prologue, ere the curtain rise,
Sharpens dramatic appetite—minds—ears—eyes!
Nay farther still the simile will fit:—
Too oft, for wholesome wine, and genuine wit,
Vintners and bards, in various balderdash,
Compel us to take down a world of trash!

But leaving similies, more or less exact,
Proceed we now to Prologues, and plain fact.

Sometimes in suppliant phrase and suit of black,
The speaker deprecates the town's attack;

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Paints the keen feelings of a timid muse;
And for an author, as a culprit, sues;
At the dread bar of popular taste, who stands,
And craves the acquittal of compassionate hands:—
Else farewell all big hopes of a third day!—
—For poets work, in the theatric way,
Like advertising quacks—No cure no pay!

With much sagacious gravity of brow,
The critic Prologue-Orator makes his bow;
Talks loud of unities, pathos, sentiment, force;
Then follows Athens; and her stage, of course;
Quotes each great model Aristotle knew:
So judg'd antiquity; and so should you:
Then makes to us the modest parallel run;
And holds a farthing-candle to the sun!

Sometimes a Prologue-Actor's tone and mien,
In tragic mood anticipate the scene;

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Prone with sad sobs to heave the labouring chest;
Stride; start; spread arms; clasp hands; and beat the breast;
Thro' the whole etiquette of woe to pass,—
And squeeze from hard-pinch'd hat, “Oh! Ah! Alas!”

In solemn sort a Prologue oft appears,
And rattles satire's club about our ears;
Tells us our faults; and when a trifling age
Needs reformation, calls us to the stage:—
We shrug our shoulders; shake our heads; and roar
Applause!—then do—the same we did before!

Another moral Prologue-monger's scheme,
Includes more comprehensive range of theme;
In merry, mimic, caricature, presents,
Modes, maxims, politics, humours, and events;—
Hunts the fleet shades of manner, as they rise;
Now idly busy; now absurdly wise:
Meanwhile his audience—gallery, box, and pit,
Charm'd by the bells of their own folly, sit;

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Seek some new likeness, in each arch grimace;
And find it—only in the next man's face!

Perhaps, while I enlarge on Prologues thus,
You'll think I'm sneering them, as they sneer us;
—Be that, as that may be:—Accept, meanwhile,
My own ideas, of the Prologue style.

It should be, truth in simple terms exprest;
From common sense, to common sense addrest;
Not the mere quack buffoonery of the hour,
The fop's frivolity, or the cynic's low'r;
No puppet-pranks, that barren grin provoke;
No pedant oracles; no libertine's joke;
No sombre prejudice; no bombastic brags;
Passion in stilts, or energy torn to rags;—
But chaste appeal, with nervous frankness made;
Above deception's traps, or mummery's aid;

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Which, whether genius mourn, or laugh its fill,
Preserves the drama, Virtue's handmaid still;
And only wakes the public ear, to lays,
Which manhood may avow; and men like Britons, praise.