By numbers here from shame or censure free, All crimes are safe but hated poverty. This, only this, the rigid law pursues, This, only this, provokes the snarling Muse. The sober trader at a tatter'd cloak Wakes from his dream and labours for a joke; Of all the griefs that harass the distressed, But here more slow where all are slaves to gold, THE RISE AND FALL OF Wolsey. [From The Vanity of Human Wishes.] In full-flown dignity see Wolsey stand, Law in his voice, and fortune in his hand: To him the church, the realm, their powers consign Through him the rays of regal bounty shine, Turned by his nod the stream of honour flows, His smile alone security bestows : Still to new heights his restless wishes tower, At length his sovereign frowns-the train of state Grief aids disease, remembered folly stings, Speak thou whose thoughts at humble peace repine, THE TRUE OBJECTS OF DESIRE [From The Vanity of Human Wishes.] Where then shall Hope and Fear their objects find? Must dull suspense corrupt the stagnant mind? Must helpless man, in ignorance sedate, Roll darkling down the torrent of his fate? Must no dislike, alarm, no wishes rise, No cries invoke the mercies of the skies? Inquirer, cease; petitions yet remain Which Heaven may hear, nor deem religion vain. But leave to Heaven the measure and the choice. Safe in his power whose eyes discern afar The secret ambush of a specious prayer; Implore his aid, in his decisions rest, And makes the happiness she does not find. PROLOGUE SPOKEN AT THE OPENING OF THE DRURY LANE THEATRE. 1747. When Learning's triumph o'er her barbarous foes Then Jonson came, instructed from the school, By regular approach assailed the heart: Cold approbation gave the lingering bays, For those who durst not censure scarce could praise. A mortal born, he met the general doom, But left, like Egypt's kings, a lasting tomb. The wits of Charles found easier ways to fame, Nor wished for Jonson's art or Shakespeare's flame; Themselves they studied, as they felt they writ; Vice always found a sympathetic friend; They pleased their age and did not aim to mend. Their cause was general, their supports were strong, Then crushed by rules, and weakened as refined, For years the power of Tragedy declined: From bard to bard the frigid caution crept, Till Declamation roared, whilst Passion slept. Yet still did Virtue deign the stage to tread, Philosophy remained though Nature fled. But forced at length her ancient reign to quit, She saw great Faustus lay the ghost of Wit; Exulting Folly hailed the joyful day, And Pantomime and Song confirmed her sway. But who the coming changes can presage, And mark the future periods of the Stage? Perhaps if skill could distant times explore, New Behns, new Durfeys yet remain in store; Perhaps, where Lear has raved, and Hamlet died, On flying cars new sorcerers may ride: Perhaps (for who can guess th' effects of chance ?) Here Hunt may box, or Mahomet may dance. Hard is his lot that, here by Fortune plac'd, Must watch the wild vicissitudes of taste; With ev'ry meteor of caprice must play, And chase the new-blown bubbles of the day. Ah! let not Censure term our fate our choice, The stage but echoes back the public voice; The drama's laws, the drama's patrons give, For we that live to please, must please to live. Then prompt no more the follies you decry, As tyrants doom their tools of guilt to die; 'Tis yours, this night, to bid the reign commence To chase the charms of sound, the pomp of show, Bid scenic Virtue form the rising age, And Truth diffuse her radiance from the stage. PROLOGUE TO THE COMEDY OF A WORD TO THE WISE This night presents a play which public rage, Be kind, ye judges, or at least be just. By all like him must praise and blame be found When pleasure fir'd her torch at virtue's flame, |