University of Virginia Library

PROLOGUE TO HER Royal Highness.

When all that we thought great and good was gone,
And the whole World did in that Deluge drown,
When mourning Cupids flagg'd their tender Wings,
And the sad Muses broke their warbling Strings;
When she was fled that shin'd with Pity here,
What cou'd revive the drooping Theatre!—
But from the Phœnix Ashes in their Spice,
Loe, I behold another Goddess rise.
All Blessings that with her, great Princess, flew,
Can never be restor'd us, but in You.
The Dove in the glad Ark was not so kind,
Who brought the Olive, and reviv'd Mankind.
The Laurels fading now behind our Scene,
Like Virgil's Grotto, shall be ever green.
Let conquering William send abroad his Darts,
Secure for him you rule his Peoples Hearts.
And his soft Pledge only her self withdrew,
Whilst all her Miracles succeed in You:
Then let's to Heav'n in loudest Anthems sing
That such bright Hopes we have, and such a King.