For in the times when the Mufes were moft encouraged, the best writers were countenanced, but never advanced; they were admitted to the acquaintance of the greatest men, but that was all they were to expect. The bounty of the patron is no where to be read of but in the works of the Poets, whereas your Lordship's will fill thofe of the hiftorians. For what transactions can they write of, which have not been managed by fome who were recommended by your Lordship? 'Tis by your Lordship's means, that the univerfities have been real nurferies for the ftate; that the courts abroad are charmed by the wit and learning, as well as the fagacity, of our ministers; that Germany, Switzerland, Muscovy, and even Turkey itfelf begins to relish the politenefs of the English; that the poets at home adorn that court which they formerly ufed only to divert; that abroad they travel, in a manner very unlike their predeceffor Homer, and with an equipage he could not bestow, even on the heroes he defigned to immortalize. And this, my Lord, fhews your knowledge of men. as well as writings, and your judgment no less than your generofity. You have diftinguished between those who by their inclinations or abilities were qualified for the pleasure only, and those that were fit for the fervice of your country; you made the one easy, and the other ufeful: you have left the one no occafion to wish for any preferment, and you have obliged the public by the promotion of the others. And now, my lord, it may feem odd that I fhould dwell dwell on the topic of your bounty only, when I might enlarge on fo many others; when I ought to take notice of that illuftrious family from which you are sprung and yet of the great merit which was necessary to set you on a level with it, and to raise you to that house of Peers which was already filled with your relations. When I ought to confider the brightness of your wit in private converfation, and the folidity of your eloquence in public debates; when I ought to admire in you the politeness of a courtier, and the fincerity of a friend; the openness of behaviour which charms all who addrefs themselves to you, and yet that hidden reserve which is neceffary for those great affairs in which you are concerned. To pafs over all these great qualities, my lord, and infilt only on your generofity, looks as if I folicited it for myself; but to that I quitted all manner of claim when I took notice of your lordship's great judgment in the choice of those you advance; fo that all at prefent my ambition aspires to is, that your lordship would be pleased to pardon this prefumption, and permit me to profefs myself with the most profound respect, Your lordship's most humble, and most obedient fervant, EDM. SMITH. THE THE PROLOGUE, L By Mr. ADDISON. Spoken by Mr. WILK S. ONG has a race of heroes fill'd the stage, That rant by note, and through the gamut rage; In fongs and airs exprefs their martial fire, Combat in trills, and in a feuge expire; While, lull'd by found, and undisturb'd by wit, And, from the dull fatigue of thinking free, Our home-spun authors must forfake the field, To your new taste the poet of this day Shunn'd Phædra's arms, and fcorn'd the proffer'd joy; It had not mov'd your wonder to have seen An cunuch fly from an enamour'd queen. How would it pleafe, fhould fhe in English speak, And could Hippolitus reply in Greek? But he, a stranger to your modifh way, EPI THE EPILOGUE, By Mr. PRIOR. Spoken by Mrs. OLDFIELD. ADIES, to-night your pity I implore, But, as it is, fix flouncing Flanders mares Well! |