 | Alzira |  |
PROLOGUE.
When some raw paddler from the waded shore,First dares the deep'ning stream, and ventures o'er,
Light on his floating cork the wave be skims,
And, wanton in his safety, thinks be swims:
So shall Alzira's fame our faults protect,
And from your censure screen each fear'd defect.
For should we act, unskill'd, the players parts,
We act such scenes—as force us to your hearts.
What floods of tears a neighb'ring land saw flow,
When a whole people wept Alzira's woe!
The loveliest eyes of France, in one pleas'd night,
Twice charm'd, renew'd, and lengthen'd out delight.
Twice charm'd, review'd the sad, the melting strain,
Yet hung, insatiate, on the willing pain!
Thrice thirty days, all Paris sigh'd for sense!
Tumblers stood still—and thought—in wit's defence;
E'en power despotic felt, how wrongs can move,
And nobly wept for liberty and love.
Can it be fear'd then, that our gen'rous land,
Where justice blooms, and reason holds command;
This soil of science! where bold truth is taught,
This seat of freedom, and this throne of thought;
Can pour applause on foreign song and dance,
Yet leave the praise of solid sense to France:
No—that's impossible—'tis Britain's claim,
To hold no second place in taste or fame.
In arts and arms alike victorious known,
Whate'er deserves her choice she makes her own.
Nor let the conscious power of English wit
Less feel the force, because a Frenchman writ.
Reason and sentiment, like air and light,
Wherever found, are nature's common right.
Since the same sun gives northern climes their day
After the east has first receiv'd it's ray,
Why should our pride repel the Muse's smile,
Because it dawn'd not first upon our isle?
Fraternal art adopts each alien fame;
The wise and brave are every where the same.
From hostile sentiments let discord flow;
But they who think like friends, should have no foe.
| Alzira | |