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for David Garrick at the opening of Drury Lane theatre, which 
gives in epitome the falling off of the great writers for the stage 
since the time of Shakespere :— 
‘* When learning’s triumph o’er her barbarous foes 
First reared the stage, immortal Shakespere rose ; 
Each change of many coloured life he knew, 
Exhausted worlds, and then imagined new. 
Existence saw him spurn her bounded reign, 
And panting Time toiled after him in vain ; 
His powerful strokes presiding truth imprest, 
And unresisted passion stormed the breast. 
Then Jonson came, instructed from the school, 
To please in method, and invent by rule ; 
His studious patience and laborious art, 
ee 
By regular approach, essayed the heart. 
Cold approbation gave the lingering bays— 
For those who durst not venture, scarce could praise. 
A mortal born, he met the general doom, 
But left, like Egypt’s kings, a lasting tomb. . 
The wits of Charles found easier ways to fame, | 
Nor wished for Jonson’s art, or Shakespeare’s fame ; 4 
Themselves they studied, as they felt they writ,— . 
Intrigue was plot, obscenity was wit ; 
Vice always found a sympathetic friend, ; 
They pleased their age and did not aim to mend. 
Yet bards like these aspired to lasting praise, 
And proudly hoped to pimp in future days. i 
Their cause was general, their supports were strong, : 
Their slaves were willing, and their reign was long, . 
Till shame regained the post that sense betrayed, j 
And virtue called oblivion to her aid. n 
Hard is his lot that here by fortune placed, 
To watch the wild vicissitude of taste ; 
With every meteor of caprice must play, 
And chase the new blown bubbles of the day. 
Oh ! let not censure term our fate our choice,— 
The stage but echoes back the public voice ; 
The drama’s laws, the drama’s patrons give, 
For we that live to please, must please to live.” rs 
i Guar & ~r 
