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ix
PROLOGUE.
Spoken by Mr. Ross.
Britons
, the daring Author of to-night,
Attempts in Shakespear's manly stile to write;
He strives to copy from that mighty mind
The glowing vein—the spirit unconfin'd—
The figur'd diction that disdain'd controul—
And the full vigour of the poet's soul!
—Happy the varied phrase, if none shall call,
This imitation, that original.—
Attempts in Shakespear's manly stile to write;
He strives to copy from that mighty mind
The glowing vein—the spirit unconfin'd—
The figur'd diction that disdain'd controul—
And the full vigour of the poet's soul!
—Happy the varied phrase, if none shall call,
This imitation, that original.—
For other points, our new advent'rer tries
The bard's luxuriant plan to modernize;
And, by the rules of antient art, refine
The same eventful, pleasing, bold design.
The bard's luxuriant plan to modernize;
And, by the rules of antient art, refine
The same eventful, pleasing, bold design.
Our scenes awake not now the am'rous flame,
Nor teach soft swains to woo the tender dame;
Content, for bright example's sake, to shew
A wife distress'd, and innocence in woe.—
For what remains, the poet bids you see,
From an old tale, what Britons ought to be;
And in these restless days of war's alarms,
Not melts the soul to love, but fires the blood to arms.
Nor teach soft swains to woo the tender dame;
Content, for bright example's sake, to shew
A wife distress'd, and innocence in woe.—
For what remains, the poet bids you see,
From an old tale, what Britons ought to be;
And in these restless days of war's alarms,
Not melts the soul to love, but fires the blood to arms.
x
Your great forefathers scorn'd the foreign chain,
Rome might invade, and Cæsars rage in vain—
Those glorious patterns with bold hearts pursue,
To king, to country, and to honour true!—
Rome might invade, and Cæsars rage in vain—
Those glorious patterns with bold hearts pursue,
To king, to country, and to honour true!—
Oh! then candour and good will attend,
Applaud the author in the cordial friend:
Remember, when his failings most appear,
It ill becomes the brave to be severe.—
Look ages back, and think you hear to-night
An antient poet, still your chief delight!
Due to a great attempt compassion take,
And spare the modern bard for Shakespear's sake.
Applaud the author in the cordial friend:
Remember, when his failings most appear,
It ill becomes the brave to be severe.—
Look ages back, and think you hear to-night
An antient poet, still your chief delight!
Due to a great attempt compassion take,
And spare the modern bard for Shakespear's sake.
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