 | The Tragedy of The Lady Jane Gray |  |
67
EPILOGUE: Spoken by Mrs. Porter.
The
Palms of Virtue Heroes oft have worn,
Those Wreaths, to-night, a Female Brow adorn.
The Destin'd Saint, unfortunately Brave,
Sunk with those Altars which she strove to save.
Greatly she dar'd to prop the Juster Side,
As greatly with her adverse Fate comply'd,
Did all that Heav'n cou'd ask, Resign'd and Dy'd.
Dy'd for the Land for which she wish'd to Live,
And gain'd that Liberty she could not give.
Oh! Happy People! of this Fav'rite Isle,
On whom so many better Angels smile.
For you, kind Heav'n new Blessings still supplies,
Bids other Saints and other Guardians rise.
For you the Fairest of her Sex is come,
Adopts our Britain, and forgets her Home.
For Truth and you, the Heroine declines
Austria's Proud Eagles and the Indian Mines.
What Sense of such a Bounty can be shown!
But Heav'n must make the vast Reward its own,
And Stars shall join to form her future Crown.
Your Gratitude with ease may be express'd;
Strive but to be, what she wou'd make you, Bless'd.
Let no vile Faction vex the vulgar Ear
With fond Surmise, and false affected Fear:
Confirm but to your selves the given Good,
'Tis all She asks, for all She has bestow'd.
Those Wreaths, to-night, a Female Brow adorn.
The Destin'd Saint, unfortunately Brave,
Sunk with those Altars which she strove to save.
Greatly she dar'd to prop the Juster Side,
As greatly with her adverse Fate comply'd,
Did all that Heav'n cou'd ask, Resign'd and Dy'd.
Dy'd for the Land for which she wish'd to Live,
And gain'd that Liberty she could not give.
Oh! Happy People! of this Fav'rite Isle,
On whom so many better Angels smile.
For you, kind Heav'n new Blessings still supplies,
Bids other Saints and other Guardians rise.
For you the Fairest of her Sex is come,
Adopts our Britain, and forgets her Home.
For Truth and you, the Heroine declines
Austria's Proud Eagles and the Indian Mines.
What Sense of such a Bounty can be shown!
But Heav'n must make the vast Reward its own,
And Stars shall join to form her future Crown.
Your Gratitude with ease may be express'd;
Strive but to be, what she wou'd make you, Bless'd.
Let no vile Faction vex the vulgar Ear
With fond Surmise, and false affected Fear:
Confirm but to your selves the given Good,
'Tis all She asks, for all She has bestow'd.
Such was our great Example shown to-day,
And with such Thanks our Author's Pains repay.
If from these Scenes, to guard your Faith you learn,
If for your Laws to shew a just Concern,
If you are taught to dread a Popish Reign,
Our Beauteous Patriot has not dy'd in vain.
And with such Thanks our Author's Pains repay.
If from these Scenes, to guard your Faith you learn,
If for your Laws to shew a just Concern,
If you are taught to dread a Popish Reign,
Our Beauteous Patriot has not dy'd in vain.
| The Tragedy of The Lady Jane Gray | |