University of Virginia Library

Prologue intended for VALENTINIAN, to be spoken by Mrs. Barrey.

Now would you have me rail, swell, and look big,
Like rampant Tory over couchant Whig.
As spit-fire Bullies swagger, swear, and roar,
And brandish Bilbo, when the Fray is o're.

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Must we huff on when we're oppos'd by none?
But Poets are most fierce on those wh'are down.
Shall I jeer Popish Plots that once did fright us,
And with most bitter Bobs taunt little Titus?
Or with sharp Style, on sneaking Trimmers fall,
Who civilly themselves Prudential call?
Yet Witlings to true Wits as soon may rise,
As a prudential Man can ere be wise.
No, even the worst of all yet I will spare,
The nauseous Floater, changeable as Air,
A nasty thing, which on the surface rides,
Backward and forward with all turns of Tides.
An Audience I will not so coursely use;
'Tis the lewd way of every common Muse.
Let Grubstreet-Pens such mean Diversion find,
But we have Subjects of a nobler kind.
We of legitimate Poets sing the praise,
No kin to th'spurious Issue of these days.
But such as with desert their Laurels gain'd,
And by true Wit immortal Names obtain'd.
Two like Wit-Consuls rul'd the former Age,
With Love, and Honour grac'd that flourishing Stage,
And t'every Passion did the Mind engage.
They sweetness first into our Language brought,
They all the Secrets of man's Nature sought,
And lasting Wonders they have in conjunction wrought.

Now joyns a third, a Genius as sublime
As ever flourish'd in Rome's happiest time.
As sharply could he wound, as sweetly engage,
As soft his Love, and as divine his Rage.
He charm'd the tenderest Virgins to delight,
And with his Style did fiercest Blockheads fright.
Some Beauties here I see—
Though now demure, have felt his pow'rful Charms,
And languish'd in the circel of his Arms.
But for ye Fops, his Satyr reach'd ye all,
Under his Lash your whole vast Herd did fall.
Oh fatal loss! that mighty Spirit's gone!
Alas! his too great heat went out too soon!

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So fatal is it vastly to excel;
Thus young, thus mourn'd, his lov'd Lucretius fell.