 | The Covent-Garden tragedy |  |
PROLOGUE. Spoken by Mr. THEOPHILUS CIBBER.
In Athens first (as Dictionaries write)The Tragick Muse was midwif'd into Light;
Rome knew her next, and next she took a Dance,
Some say to England, others say to France.
But when, or whence, the tuneful Goddess came,
Since she is here, I think, is much the same:
Oft have you seen the King and Hero rage,
Oft has the Virgin's Passion fill'd the Stage;
To-night, nor King, nor Hero shall you spy,
Nor Virgin's Love shall fill the Virgin's Eye.
Our Poet from unknown, untasted Springs,
A curious Draught of Tragic Nectar brings.
From Covent-Garden, culls delicious Stores,
Of Bullies, Bawds, and Sots, and Rakes, and Whores.
Examples of the Great can serve but few,
For what are Kings and Heroes Faults to you?
But these Examples are of general Use.
What Rake is ignorant of King's Coffee-House?
Here the old Rake may view the Crimes h' as known,
And Boys hence dread the Vices of the Town:
Here Nymphs seduc'd may mourn their Pleasures past,
And Maids, who have their Virtue, learn to hold it fast.
| The Covent-Garden tragedy | |