 | The Earl of Essex |  |
vii
PROLOGUE.
Spoken by Mr. Barry.
Our
desp'rate Bard a bold Excursion tries,
Tho' Danger damp'd his Wing, he dar'd to rise:
From Hope, high rais'd, all glorious Actions spring;
'Tis hence that Heroes conquer, Poets sing.
Even he may feel the soul-exalting Fire,
Fame prompts the humblest Bosom to aspire.
Tho' Danger damp'd his Wing, he dar'd to rise:
From Hope, high rais'd, all glorious Actions spring;
'Tis hence that Heroes conquer, Poets sing.
Even he may feel the soul-exalting Fire,
Fame prompts the humblest Bosom to aspire.
Without a Guide this rash Attempt he made,
Without a Clue from Art, or Learning's Aid.
He takes a Theme where tend'rest Passions glow,
A Theme, your Grandsires felt with pleasing Woe.
Essex' sad Tale he strives to cloath anew,
And hopes to place it in a stronger View.
Without a Clue from Art, or Learning's Aid.
He takes a Theme where tend'rest Passions glow,
A Theme, your Grandsires felt with pleasing Woe.
Essex' sad Tale he strives to cloath anew,
And hopes to place it in a stronger View.
Poets, like Painters, may, by equal Law,
The labour'd Piece from different Masters draw:
Perhaps improve the Plan, add Fire and Grace,
And strike th'impassion'd Soul through all the Face.
How far our Author has secur'd a Claim
To this exalted Palm, this wish'd-for Fame,
Your generous Sentiments will soon declare:
Humanity is ever prone to spare.
'Twere Baseness then your Candour to distrust;
A British Audience will, at least, be just.
The labour'd Piece from different Masters draw:
Perhaps improve the Plan, add Fire and Grace,
And strike th'impassion'd Soul through all the Face.
How far our Author has secur'd a Claim
To this exalted Palm, this wish'd-for Fame,
Your generous Sentiments will soon declare:
Humanity is ever prone to spare.
'Twere Baseness then your Candour to distrust;
A British Audience will, at least, be just.
A flattering Truth he fearful must confess,
His sanguine Friends made Promise of Success;
But that, he fears, their ardent Wishes wrought,
Since partial Favour seldom sees a Fault.
Then bear, like patient Friends, this first Essay,
His next shall thank you in a nobler Way.
His sanguine Friends made Promise of Success;
But that, he fears, their ardent Wishes wrought,
Since partial Favour seldom sees a Fault.
Then bear, like patient Friends, this first Essay,
His next shall thank you in a nobler Way.
| The Earl of Essex | |