To fill the _Stage_ and grace toe _Tragic Scene_!
Who from the _World_ this _Salt of Nature_ takes, 960
_Twice Slaves of Kings_ of _Life_ a _Desart_ makes.
The _Moral_ and _Pathetick_ neatly join'd,
Are best for _Pleasure_ and for _life_ design'd.
Be this in _Tragic_ an _Eternal Law_;
_Bold Strokes_ and _larger_ than the _Life_ to draw:
Let all be _Great_; when here a _Woman's_ seen,
Paint her a _Fury_, or a _Heroine_:
_Slaves, Spendthrifts_, angry _Fathers_, better fit
The meaner _Sallies_ of COMEDIAN Wit;
But _Courtly_ HORACE did their _Stage_ refuse, 970
Nor was it trod by _Maro's_ heav'nly Muse:
A _Walk_ so _low_ their _nobler Minds_ disdain,
Where _sordid Mirth's_ exchang'd for _sordid Gain_;
Where, in false _Pleasure_ all the _Profit's_ drown'd,
Nor _Authors_ with just _Admiration_ crown'd:
Hence was the _Sock_ a Task for _servile Wit_,
Course PLAUTUS hence, and neater TERENCE writ:
Yet if you still your _Fortune_ long to take,
And long to hear the _crouded Benches_ shake; 980
If you'd _reform_ the _Mob_, lov'd _Vice restrain_,
The _Pulpits_ break, and neighb'ring _B----_ drain;
Let _Heav'n_ at least, if not its _Priests_, be free,
The _Bible_ sures's too _grave_ for _Comedy_:
If she nor _lewdly_ nor _profanely_ talk
She'll have a _cleaner_, tho a _narrower Walk_.
Our Nation's _endless Humour_ will supply
So large a _Fund_ as never can be _dry_;
Why then should _Vice_ be _bare_ and _open_ shown,