 | The sequel of Henry the Fourth |  |
PROLOGUE
By Mr. SEWELL.
Spoken by Mr. WILKS.
Shakespear who gave our English Stage its Birth,
Here makes a medley Scene of War, and Mirth.
He knew his Countrymens free Spirit best,
We laugh in Earnest—but ne'er fight in Jest.
Now, he in easy Scenes of Nature Charms,
And now, your Hearts, with Martial Fury, warms:
Proving that Rival Nations must submit,
To English Courage—as to English Wit.
Here makes a medley Scene of War, and Mirth.
He knew his Countrymens free Spirit best,
We laugh in Earnest—but ne'er fight in Jest.
Now, he in easy Scenes of Nature Charms,
And now, your Hearts, with Martial Fury, warms:
Proving that Rival Nations must submit,
To English Courage—as to English Wit.
If sometimes, devious from old Rules be strays,
And treads a-wry from Aristotle's ways,
Tis but to show—he dar'd to give offence,
And laugh'd at slavish Ties—in any Sence.
Free, and at ease, the mettl'd Sportsman rides,
And by his Game alone, his Motion guides,
Dogs beat upon the Scent—but he pursues,
Seizes the Prey—and mocks at distanc'd Views.
Thus Shakespear passes Nations in his Flight,
And leaves the lagger'd Genius out of Sight.
Yet reins his Pegasus in full Career,
They frighten Danger, who no Danger fear.
And treads a-wry from Aristotle's ways,
Tis but to show—he dar'd to give offence,
And laugh'd at slavish Ties—in any Sence.
Free, and at ease, the mettl'd Sportsman rides,
And by his Game alone, his Motion guides,
Dogs beat upon the Scent—but he pursues,
Seizes the Prey—and mocks at distanc'd Views.
And leaves the lagger'd Genius out of Sight.
Yet reins his Pegasus in full Career,
They frighten Danger, who no Danger fear.
Yet you great Judges, sometimes wink at Crimes,
Most were not his, but Errors of the Times!
Sometimes—yet half-asham'd of what he Writ!
He quibbl'd, like an errant Pulpit Wit.
Like wanton Fencers, some rude Stroaks he made,
To show the strength and toughness of his Blade.
But all Apologies for him are wrong,
He proves his Value, by his lasting long.
And now with Pleasure, his bright Fame surveys,
Fresher in GEORGE's, than Eliza's Days.
Most were not his, but Errors of the Times!
Sometimes—yet half-asham'd of what he Writ!
He quibbl'd, like an errant Pulpit Wit.
Like wanton Fencers, some rude Stroaks he made,
To show the strength and toughness of his Blade.
But all Apologies for him are wrong,
He proves his Value, by his lasting long.
And now with Pleasure, his bright Fame surveys,
Fresher in GEORGE's, than Eliza's Days.
| The sequel of Henry the Fourth | |