Theatre

The muse with sorrow sees th'virtuous stage, Sunk by the senseless bigots of the age; Where social sympathy was wont to charm, And frigid souls to kindred feelings warm; Soft 'rose the tear, the tender sigh was heard, And charm'd spectators thank'd the pleasing bard, Each learn'd a lesson from the poets art And actors skill that dignifi'd the heart, While sister muses struck with moving ire The tragic note and wit-refining lyre: This held to view the scenes of tender grief, That taught the mind in mirth to seek relief; One painted sinking greatness in distress, The other drew the mirthful comic dress; Each lent its aid and allied lore produc'd, 'Till wanton folly scenes of love abus'd.— And for the slight transgressions of a few Must this amusement never rise to view, No moral scene nor virtue-winning page, Shewn by the actor, teach us from the stage?— Reason says no:—Go mind the faulty part, Redress the stage and raise the actors art.

Great Shakespear rages, Hamlet's ghost appears And lost Calista pours her soul in tears, The shade of Roscius round the scene does rave, While Garrick's spirit answers from the grave; Monimia weeps and Belvidera sighs, Brave Pierre bleeds and tender Jaffier dies, Alonzo doubts while Zanga aids the thought, And Richard trembles tho' he bravely sought; The mighty Brutus wields the Roman steel, See Caesar fall! the world's great monarch reel; Poor Barnwell dies by Millwood's tempting art, See injur'd Essex from his Rutland part.— At scenes like these the tear would grace the eye, The soul would melt, th'heart would heave the sigh The mind impress'd would find a lesson here, And every heart would mend that dropt a tear.

Next Thalia's train, a num'rous train appears, The laughing ofspring of two thousand years; Thespis and Comus, Falstaff and the rest, Raise the gay smile and ope the sportive jest, While scenes of love by sentiment refind, Improve the tender touches of the mind. See generous Bevil aid the luckless fair, And young Sir George think Lucy worth his care; Hear boasting Bobadil display his heart, And simple Socia act a double part, And solemn Joseph with devotions zeal. Betray Sir Peter and his honor steal.— But oh! 'tis done—these pleasing scenes are fled And social, lib'ral, sentiment is dead; These tender strokes oft' painted on the stage, Have fall'n a victim to religious rage, Not the pure dictates heavenly thoughts inspire, But blazing bigotry's remorseless fire.