Orations, Poems, Prologues, and Epilogues, on several Occasions.
A Poetical Oration,
Written in Queen Ann's Reign, in Honour of the Ladies, intended for a New Comedy call'd, a Wife worth a Kingdom: And Spoken by me on the Publick Theatre in Drury Lane, June the 7th, 1714.
IN this wise Town two Games precedence get,
The Game of Politicks, the Game of Wit;
The first, the Heads profound, with Art pursue, }
But since with State Affairs, I've nought to do, }
I leave that Winning for the Lord knows who: }
The Game of Wit suits more my own Affair, }
Time was an Author in an Elbow Chair, }
Sate on the Stage as Judge, find fault, who dare? }
But now ('tis hard) that things should alter so, }
Poor I stand here, with posture humbly low: }
To beg each Tyrant Critick, not to be my Foe, }
In my own Person sue, to change the mood,
Which truly I should blush for, if I could:
Yet Parent Thespis, oft harangu'd the Throng,
And to Augustus, tuneful Ovid sung;
Nor did fam'd Shakespear Buskin'd here, his noble Genius wrong,
In honour of bright Beauty then I come,
To entertain the Fair, now thus presume;
Smile you, and dart an influencing Ray,
I shall perform as once, when Young And Gay:
Oh Heaven! that Ray's enough to fix Renown,
On envious Carpers now I dare look down;
