PROLOGUE, On opening the New THEATRE ROYAL at MANCHESTER, Spoken by MR. YOUNGER. October, 1775

In days of old, they say, the Poet's Lays Cities could build, and mighty temples raise. When Orpheus play'd so powerful was his song, He drew stocks, stones, and savage beasts along. Amphion harp'd; obedient to his call, The moving quarry jump'd into a wall. Verse of fair government first taught the plan, Religion, Laws, and Arts, in Verse began.

Thus fables tell; and mystick truths they hide, For Arts and Freedom with the Muse abide, When fogs of ignorance o'erspread the land, Grim Persecution rules with iron hand. The social Arts to kinder climates fly, The Muses' Temples all in Ruins lie. But let the ray of Science chase the gloom, The plough, the sail, the shuttle, and the loom, Plied by the sons of Industry, bring in The kindred Arts, and Freedom's joys begin. Meanwhile well-pleas'd their triumphs to proclaim, The Muses celebrate, and share their fame; And while their grateful incense seeks the skies, Temples and Theatres in splendor rise.

Such be your boast! here let the Muse retreat, Where Pallas long has fixt her fav'rite seat! If you upon our humble labour smile, In happy hour to Shakespeare rose this Pile. But, if you frown, our splendid Scenes decay, And all our baseless fabrick melts away. Our cloud-capt tow'rs, our gorgeous palaces, Our mounts, our woods, our rivers, and our seas, Our solemn temples, and each solemn robe That stuffs this wooden O, this little globe, Shall fade! and like the insubstantial wind, Or empty dreams, leave not a rack behind. Smile then, and for your clemency be prais'd, And, oh! support the Building you have rais'd! On that foundation must we rest alone, Your patronage our Prop, our Corner-Stone.