OUR bard, to modern epilogue a foe, Thinks such mean mirth but deadens generous woe; And wipes the tender tear from Pity's eye: No more with social warmth the bosom burns; But all the unfeeling selfish man returns. Thus he began :--And you approved the strain; Wide will its influence spread as soon as known; 1 Sir Harris Nicholas concludes, from these lines, that the original epilogue was offensive from its indelicacy. (Since fashion leads the fool, and awes the rude) Shall oft invite the fair, invite the sage: Both shall attend well pleased, well pleased depart ; Or if they doom the verse, absolve the heart. PROLOGUE TO MALLET'S "MUSTAPHA."1 SINCE Athens first began to draw mankind, She pours it strong, and instant through the heart. 1 Produced at Drury Lane, 13th February 1739. |