therefore easily drawn to defpife what they know nothing of. But, my Lord, among all thefe mortifying Thoughts, it is still a Pleasure to the Mufes, to think there are fome Men of too delicate Understandings to give into the Taftes of a depraved Age; Men that have not only the Power but the Will, to protect thofe Arts which they love, because they are Mafters of them. It would be very eafy for me to diftinguish one among thofe few, after the most advantageous Manner; but all Men of cominon Sense have concurred in doing it already, and there is no Need of a Panegyric. I could be almoft tempted to expoftulate with the reft of the World (for I am fure there is no Occafion to make an Apology to Your Lordship) in Defence of Poetry. I am far from thinking of a good Poet, as the Stoics did of their Wife-man, that he was fufficient for every Thing, could be every Thing, and excel in every Thing, as he pleased; yet fure I may be allowed to fay, that that Brightnefs, Quickness, that Strength and Greatness of Thinking, which is required in any of the nobler B 3 nobler Kinds of Poetry, would raise a Man to an uncommon Diftinction in any Profeffion or Business, that has a Relation to good Sense and Understanding. One modern Inftance can at least be given, where the fame Genius that fhone in Poetry, was found equal to the. firft Employments of the State; and where the fame Man, who by his Virtue and Wifdom was highly useful to, and inftrumental in the Safety and Happiness of his native Country, had been equally ornamental to it in his Wit. This is what I could not help faying, for the Honor of an Art which has been formerly the Favorite of the greatest Men. Not that it wants a Recommendation to Your Lordship, who have always been a conftant and generous Protector of it. This indeed would be much more properly faid to the World, and when I have told them what Men have equally adorned it, and been adorned by it, I might not unfitly apply to them, what Horace faid to the Pifo's, Ne forté Pudori Sit tibi Mufa Lyræ folers & Cantor Apollo For For my own inconfiderable Pretenfions to Verfe, I fhall, I confefs, think better- even of them, than I have ever yet done, if they. fhall afford me the Honor to be always thought, i PROLOGUE, Spoken by Mr. BETTERTON. INCE to your fam'd Fore-Fathers quite contrary, Some drefs, fome dance, fome play; not to forget Some praife, fome rail, fome bow, and some make Faces; Where Fools lay Wagers, and where wife Men win. One grumbles, and cries up the Pow'r of France. Now Fidling, and the Charms of Sing-Song, win ye; As to your Drinking---but, for That, we spare it, } Each Each puny Whipfter here, is Wit enough, The fame great Thoughts, that roufe you to the Fight, } } |