Prologue To "Troilus And Cressida."

SPOKEN BY MR BETTERTON, REPRESENTING THE GHOST OF SHAKSPEARE.


    See, my loved Britons, see your Shakspeare rise,
    An awful ghost, confess'd, to human eyes!
    Unnamed, methinks, distinguish'd I had been
    From other shades, by this eternal green,
    About whose wreaths the vulgar poets strive,
    And with a touch their wither'd bays revive.
    Untaught, unpractised in a barbarous age,
    I found not, but created first the stage.
    And, if I drain'd no Greek or Latin store,
    'Twas that my own abundance gave me more.
    On foreign trade I needed not rely,
    Like fruitful Britain, rich without supply.
    In this my rough-drawn play you shall behold
    Some master strokes, so manly and so bold,
    That he who meant to alter, found 'em such,
    He shook, and thought it sacrilege to touch.
    Now, where are the successors to my name?
    What bring they to fill out a poet's fame?
    Weak, short-lived issues of a feeble age;
    Scarce living to be christen'd on the stage!
    For humour, farce--for love they rhyme dispense,
    That tolls the knell for their departed sense.
    Dulness might thrive in any trade, but this
    'Twould recommend to some fat benefice:
    Dulness, that in a playhouse meets disgrace,
    Might meet with reverence in its proper place.
    The fulsome clench, that nauseates the town,
    Would from a judge or alderman go down;
    Such virtue is there in a robe and gown!
    And that insipid stuff, which here you hate,
    Might somewhere else be call'd a grave debate:
    Dulness is decent in the church and state.
    But I forget that still 'tis understood,
    Bad plays are best decried by showing good.
    Sit silent, then, that my pleased soul may see
    A judging audience once, and worthy me;
    My faithful scene from true records shall tell,
    How Trojan valour did the Greek excel;
    Your great forefathers shall their fame regain,
    And Homer's angry ghost repine in vain.

John Dryden

John Dryden was an influential English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who was made England’s first Poet Laureate in 1668. His work dominated the literary life of Restoration England and he is seen as a major figure in the literary history of the period. Dryden's notable works include the satirical poem 'Absalom and Achitophel' and the mock-heroic 'Mac Flecknoe.'

John Dryden

The Lady's Song.[1]

John Dryden, Simple Poetry

To Mr Southerne, On His Comedy Called "The Wives' Excuse."

John Dryden, Simple Poetry

Epitaph On Mrs Margaret Paston, Of Burningham In Norfolk.

John Dryden, Simple Poetry

Epilogue To "All For Love."

John Dryden, Simple Poetry

English

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    Our author, by experience, finds it true,
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Prologue To "The Prophetess."[1] By Beaumont And Fletcher.

SPOKEN BY MR BETTERTON. 1690.


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Prologue To "Oedipus."

    When Athens all the Grecian state did guide,
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Shakespeare's Ghost. A Parody.

I, too, at length discerned great Hercules' energy mighty,
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To Mr Granville,[1] On His Excellent Tragedy Called "Heroic Love."

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    How could I envy, what I must commend!
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Prologue To "Circe," A Tragic Opera; By Dr Davenant,[1] 1675.

    Were you but half so wise as you're severe,
    Our youthful poet should not need to fear:
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John Dryden