1 PROLOGUE, SPOKEN BY MR. GARRICK, At the Opening of the Theatre Royal, DRURY LANE, 1747 WHEN Learning's triumph o'er her barb'rous foes Then Jonfon came, inftructed from the fchool, The wits of Charles found eafier ways to fame, Vice always found a sympathetic friend; They pleas'd their age, and did not aim to mend. Till Shame regain'd the poft that Senfe betray'd Then, crush'd by rules, and weaken'd as refin'd, Perhaps (for who can guefs th' effects of chance?) As * Hunt, a famous boxer on the stage; Mahomet, a ropedancer, who had exhibited at Covent-Garden Theatre the winter before, faid to be a Turk. "Tis yours, this night, to bid the reign commence Of rescued Nature and reviving Sense; To chase the charms of Sound, the pomp of Show, Bid fcenic Virtue form the rifing age, IRENE; |