King Charles the First An Historical Tragedy |
PROLOGUE. By a FRIEND. Spoken by Mr. GIFFARD.
|
 | 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
 | King Charles the First |  |
PROLOGUE. By a FRIEND. Spoken by Mr. GIFFARD.
In
former Times, when Wit was no Offence,
And Men submitted to be pleas'd with Sense—
Then was the Stage fair Virtue's Fav'rite School,
Scourge of the Knave, and Mirror of the Fool.
And Men submitted to be pleas'd with Sense—
Then was the Stage fair Virtue's Fav'rite School,
Scourge of the Knave, and Mirror of the Fool.
Here oft the Villain's conscious Blush wou'd rise,
And Fools become, by viewing Folly, wise.
And Fools become, by viewing Folly, wise.
Our Bard, as then, despises Song and Dance,
The Notes of Italy, and Jigs of France.
With home Distress he nobly hopes to move,
And fire each Bosom with its Country's Love—
So much a Briton—that he scorns to roam
To Foreign Climes, to fetch his Hero home—
Conscious, that in these Scenes is clearly shown
Britain can boast true Heroes of her own.
The Notes of Italy, and Jigs of France.
With home Distress he nobly hopes to move,
And fire each Bosom with its Country's Love—
So much a Briton—that he scorns to roam
To Foreign Climes, to fetch his Hero home—
Conscious, that in these Scenes is clearly shown
Britain can boast true Heroes of her own.
Murder avow'd by Law he boldly paints;
Heroes and Patriots, Hypocrites and Saints:
Rebellion fighting for the publick Good,
And Treason smiling in a Monarch's Blood.
Party, be dumb—in each pathetic Scene,
Our Muse to-night asserts an honest Mean;
Shews you a Prince triumphant o'er his Fate,
Glorious in Death, as in Misfortunes Great:
By Nature virtuous, tho' mis-led by Slaves,
By Tools of Power, by Sycophants and Knaves.
Heroes and Patriots, Hypocrites and Saints:
Rebellion fighting for the publick Good,
And Treason smiling in a Monarch's Blood.
Party, be dumb—in each pathetic Scene,
Our Muse to-night asserts an honest Mean;
Shews you a Prince triumphant o'er his Fate,
Glorious in Death, as in Misfortunes Great:
By Nature virtuous, tho' mis-led by Slaves,
By Tools of Power, by Sycophants and Knaves.
When Charles submits to Faction's deadly Blow,
What loyal Heart but shares the Monarch's Woe.
What loyal Heart but shares the Monarch's Woe.
Nor less Maria's Grief, ye gentle Fair,
Claims the sad Tribute of a tender Tear.
From British Scenes to-night we hope Applause,
And Britons, sure, will aid a British Cause.
Claims the sad Tribute of a tender Tear.
From British Scenes to-night we hope Applause,
And Britons, sure, will aid a British Cause.
| King Charles the First | |