Written and Spoken by the Poet Laberius, a Roman Knight whom Cæsar forced upon the Stage. WHA Preserved by Macrobius.* HAT! no way left to shun th' inglorious stage, And save from infamy my sinking age! Scarce half alive, oppress'd with many a year, What in the name of dotage drives me here? A time there was, when glory was my guide, Nor force nor fraud could turn my steps aside; Unaw'd by power, and unappall'd by fear, With honest thrift I held my honor dear: But this vile hour disperses all my store, And all my hoard of honor is no more; For ah! too partial to my life's decline, Cæsar persuades, submission must be mine; Him I obey, whom heaven itself obeys, Hopeless of pleasing, yet inclin'd to please. Here then at once I welcome every shame, And cancel at threescore a life of fame; No more my titles shall my children tell, The old buffoon will fit my name as well; This day beyond its term my fate extends, For life is ended when our honor ends. IN PROLOGUE TO ZOBEIDE, A Tragedy. N these bold times, when learning's sons explore The distant climates, and the savage shore; When wise astronomers to India steer, And quit for Venus many a brighter here; * This translation was first printed in one of our Author's earliest works, "The Present State of Learning in Europe." 12mo, 1759. While botanists, all cold to smiles and dimpling, And fits his little frigate for adventures. With Scythian stores, and trinkets deeply laden, To make an observation on the shore.- [Pit. Here trees of stately size-and billing turtles in e'm [Balconies. Here ill-condition'd oranges abound- [Stage. [Tasting them. The inhabitants are cannibals I fear : I heard a hissing-there are serpents here! O, there the people are-best keep my distance ; This is his first adventure, lend him aid, And we may chance to drive a thriving trade. What, no reply to promises so ample? -I'd best step back and order up a sample. EPILOGUE, Spoken by Mr. Lee Lewes, In the Character of Harlequin, at his Benefit. HOLD! Prompter, hold! a word before your nonsense; I'd speak a word or two, to ease my conscience. [Takes off his mask. The joy that dimples, and the woe that weeps. Aye, 'twas but a dream, for now there's no retreating, 'Twas thus that Esop's stag, a creature blameless, Yet something vain, like one that shall be nameless, Once on the margin of a fountain stood, And cavill'd at his image in the flood: "The deuce confound," he cries, "these drumstick "shanks, "They neither have my gratitude nor thanks : "They're perfectly disgraceful! strike me dead! "But for a head, yes, yes, I have a head. "How piercing is that eye! how sleek that brow! My horns! I'm told horns are the fashion now." Whilst thus he spoke, astonish'd! to his view, Near, and more near, the hounds and huntsmen drew. [Taking a jump through the stage door. EPILOGUE To the Comedy of the Sisters. WHAT! five long acts and all to make us wiser; Our Authoress sure has wanted an adviser. Had she consulted me, she should have made Her moral play a speaking masquerade; Warm'd up each bustling scene, and in her rage But how? ay, there's the rub! [pausing]-I've got my cue: The world's a masquerade! the masquers, you, you, [To Boxes, Pit, and Galleries. you. Lud! what a group the motly scene discloses ! Miss, not yet full fifteen, with fire uncommon, Looking, as who should say, Dam'me! who's afraid? [Mimicking. |