20

And, mixing with buffoons and pimps prophane,
Tainted the Stage, for some small snip of gain.
For they, like harlots, under bawds profeft, 15
Took all the ungodly pains, and got the least.
Thus did the thriving malady prevail,
The court, its head, the Poets but the tail.
The fin was of our native growth, 'tis true;
The scandal of the fin was wholly new.
Miffes they were, but modeftly conceal'd ;
Whitehall the naked Venus first reveal'd.
Who ftanding as at Cyprus, in her shrine,
The ftrumpet was ador'd with rites divine.
'Ere this, if faints had any fecret motion,
'Twas chamber-practice all, and close devotion.
I pass the peccadillos of their time;
Nothing but open lewdnefs was a crime.
A monarch's blood was venial to the nation,
Compar'd with one foul act of fornication.
Now, they would filence us, and shut the door,
That let in all the barefac'd vice before.
As for reforming us, which fome pretend,
That work in England is without an end :
Well may we change, but we shall never
mend.

35

Yet, if you can but bear the prefent Stage, We hope much better of the coming age. What would you say, if we should first begin To ftop the trade of love behind the scene: Where actreffes make bold with married men?

25

30

For while abroad fo prodigal the dolt is,
Poor spouse at home as ragged as a colt is.
In fhort, we'll grow as moral as we can,
Save here and there a woman or a man:
But neither you, nor we, with all our pains, 45
Can make clean work; there will be fome re-
mains,

While

you have ftill your Oates, and we our Hains.

41

TRANSLATIONS

FROM

THEOCRITUS, LUCRETIUS,

AND

HORACE.