University of Virginia Library

PROLOGUE. Spoke by Mr. Betterton.

Of all the Muses various Labours, none
Have lasted longer, or have higher flown,
Than those that tell the Fame by ancient Heroes won,
With Pleasure, Rome and Great Agustus, heard
Arms and the Man sung by the Mantuan Bard;
In spite of time, the Sacred Story lives,
And Cæsar and his Empire still survives.
Like him, (tho' much unequal to his Flame)
Our Author makes a pious Prince his Theme.
High with the foremost Names in Arms he stood,
Had fought, and suffer'd for his Country's good,
Yet sought not Fame, but Peace, in Fields of Blood.
Safe under him his happy People sate,
And griev'd at distance for their Neighbours Fate.
Whilst with Success, a Turkish Monarch crown'd,
Like spreading Flame, deform'd the Nations round:
With Sword and Fire he forc'd his impious way
To Lawless Pow'r, and Universal Sway:
Some abject States for fear the Tyrant joyn;
Others for Gold their Liberties resign,
And venal Princes sold their Right Divine.
Till Heaven, the growing Evil to redress,
Sent Tamerlane to give the World a Peace.
The Hero rous'd, asserts the Glorious Cause,
And to the Field the chearful Soldier draws:
Around in Crowds his valiant Leaders wait,
Anxious for Glory, and secure of Fate;
Well pleas'd, once more to venture on his side,
And prove that Faith again, which had so oft been try'd.
The Peaceful Fathers, who in Senates meet,
Approve an Enterprize so Just, so Great;
While with their Prince's Arms, their Voice thus join'd,
Gains half the Praise of having sav'd Mankind.
Ev'n in a Circle, where, like this, the Fair
Were met, the bright Assembly did declare,
Their House with one consent were for the War.
Each urg'd her Lover to unsheath his Sword,
And never spare a Man who broke his Word.
Thus fir'd, the Brave on to the Danger press;
Their Arms were crown'd abroad, with just Success,
And blest at Home with Beauty and with Peace.