PROLOGUE BY THE AUTHOR. OUR fcene is Athens. And great Athens nam'd, What foul fo dull as not to be inflam'd? Methinks, at mentioning that facred place, Amidst all these, ye shall behold a man Oh! who can therefore without tears attend But here our author, befides other faults Of ill expreffions, and of vulgar thoughts, Commits one crime that needs an act of grace, And breaks the law of unity of place: Yet, to fuch noble patriots, overcome By factious violence, and banish'd Rome, Athens alone a fit retreat could yield : And where can BRUTUS fall, but in Philippi field? Some criticks judge, ev'n love itself too mean A care to mix in such a lofty scene, And with those antient bards of Greece believe As to have foften'd this great tale too much, This to the few and knowing was addreft; And now 'tis fit I fhould falute the rest. Moft reverend dull judges of the pit, By nature curs'd with the wrong fide of wit! |