But our more amorous poet, finding love 25 ye reflect 't is all but conjugal. This to the few and knowing was addrest, And now 't is fit I should falute the rest. Most reverend dull judges of the pit, 35 By Nature curs'd with the wrong fide of wit! You need not care, whate'er you see to-night, How ill some players act or poets write; Should our mistakes he never so notorious, You 'll have the joy of being more censorious. 40 Shew your small talent then, let that suffice ye; But grow not vain upon it, I advise ye. Each petty critic can objections raife; The greatest skill is knowing when to praise. 44 CHORUSES IN JULIUS CÆSAR. CHORUS I. I. Wuituer is Roman honour gone? Where is your ancient virtue now? That valour which so bright has thone, And with the wings of conquest flown, Must to à haughty master bow, Who with our toil, our blood, and all we have befide, Gorges his ill-got pow'r, his humour, and his pride. II. Fearless he will his life expose; So does a lion or a bear; His very virtues threaten those JO Who more his bold ambition fear. How stupid wretches we appear Who round the world for wealth and empire roam, Yet never, never think what flaves we are at home! III. Did men for this together join, 15 Quitting the free wild life of Nature? What other beast did e’er design The setting up his fellow-creature, And of two mischiefs chuse the greater? Oh! rather than be flaves to bold imperious men, 20 Give us our wildness and our woods, our huts and IV. [caves again. There, fecure from lawless sway, Out of Pride or Enry's way, Living up to Nature's rules, Not deprav'd by knaves and fools, Happily we all should live, and harmless as our sheep, And at last as calmly dic as infants fall alleep. 27 CHORUS 11. Lo! to prevent this mighty empire's doom, Great is her danger; but I will engage 'Tis hard a man so great should fall so low; More hard to let so brave a people bow Toone themselves have rais'd, who scorns them now. Yet, oh! I grieve that Brutus should be stain'd, 19 CHORUSES IN JULIUS CÆSAR. CHORUS I. 1. Wuther is Roman honour gone? Where is your ancient virtue now? That valour which so bright has (hone, And with the wings of conquest flown, Must to a haughty master bow, $ Who with our toil, our blood, and all we have befide, Gorges his ill-got pow'r, his humour, and his pride. II. very virtues threaten those III. Did men for this together join, IS Quitting the free wild life of Nature? What other beast did e'er design 'The setting up his fellow-creature, And of two mischiefs chuse the greater? 10 Oh! rather than be flaves to bold imperious men, 20 Give us our wildness and our woods, oor huts and IV. [caves again. There, secure from lawless sway, Out of Pride or Envy's way, Living up to Nature's rules, Not deprav'd by knaves and fools, Happily we all should live, and harmless as our sheep, And at last as calmly dic as infants fall asleep. 27 25 CHORUS IT. Lo! to prevent this mighty empire's doom, Great is her danger; but I will engage 'Tis hard a man so great should fall so low; More hard to let so brave a people bow Toone themselves have rais'd, who scorns them now. Yet, oh! I grieve that Brutus should be stain'd, 19 |