 | The Tragedy of Messallina, The Roman Emperesse |  |
To his worthy Friend, Mr. Nathanael Richards, upon his well-written Tragedy of Messalina.
When I beheld this Roman Tragedie,Where the mad sinne of Lust in Majestie
And pow'r I saw attir'd, triumphantly,
Guiding the Helme of doating soveraignty
To her owne Compasse; I was pleas'd with it,
Cause things immodest, modestly were write.
Not in Prodigious Language that would start
Into the Cheekes the suff'rings of the heart,
And fright a Blush into a Feavour: tho
Of late (shame to this Age) some have writ so.
Had yours beene such, never should Pen of mine
(Poore though my Muse) have lent you halfe a line.
But now agen, recalling what you writ,
How well adorn'd with words, and wrought with wit;
I'le justifie the Language and the Plot
Can neither cast aspersion nor spot
On your cleane Fancie; But Apollo's Bayse
Growes green upon your Brow to crowne your praise.
Then for this Tragedy, securely rest,
'Tis current Coyne, and will endure the Test.
Stephen Bradwell.
| The Tragedy of Messallina, The Roman Emperesse | |