Her Smiles may Mira's winning Sweetness grace, The fame her Features, be her Mind the same, Then, to complete the Workmanship Divine, PROLOGUE ΤΟ ΤΗΕ Univerfity of Oxford, of On the Acting of CA fhall fit, T O. HAT Kings henceforth hall Reign, what Is fix'd at length by ANNA's just Decree: Is left to you, the Arbiters of Wir. With beating Hearts the Rival Poets wait, Secure, Secure, when to these learned Seats they come, Poor is the Player's Fame, whofe whole Renown Make Love in Tropes, in Bombaft break his Heart And Rhyme and Quibble in the Pangs of Death. No trifling Scenes at OXFORD fhall appear; Well, what We blush to Act, may you to hear. To you our fam'd, our Standard PLAYS we bring, The Work of Poets, whom you taught to Sing: Tho' crown'd with Fame, they dare not think it Due, Nor take the Laurel 'till beftow'd by You. Great CATO's felf, the Glory of the Stage, Who charms, corrects, exalts, and fires the Age, Begs here he may be try'd by ROMAN Laws: To you, O FATHERS, he submits his Cause; He refts not in the People's Gen'ral Voice, 'Till you, the Senate, have confirm'd his Choice. Fine is the Secret, delicate the Art, To wind the Paffions and command the Heart; Who from the Ancient Stores their Knowledge bring May none pretend upon her Throne to fit, But fuch, as fprung from you, are born to Wit: Chos'n by the Mob, their lawless Claim we flight: . Yours is, the Old Hereditary Right.. 210 TO HE Mufe that oft; with facred Raptures fir'd, Engag'd great Cato in her Country's Caufe, On you fubmiffive waits, with Hopes affur'd, By whom the mighty Bleffing ftands fecur'dana'd And all the Glories, that our Age adornan l Are promis'd to a People yet unborn. No |