their country s dear bought rights away and plead for in the face of day with taint our poisoned youth and lend a lie the confidence of truth � � � � � ah what it that from slavery far i drew the breath of life in english air was early taught a s right to prize and the tale of henry s if the conqueror receives the chain and flattery when arms are vain � � � � � � samuel by numbers here from shame or censure free all crimes are safe but hated poverty this only this the rigid law this only this the muse the sober at a d cloak wakes from his dream and labours for a joke with air the silken gaze and turn the varied a thousand ways of all the that the distressed sure the most bitter is a scornful jest fate never wounds more deep the generous heart than when a s insult points the dart has heaven reserved in pity to the poor no waste or shore no secret island in the boundless main no peaceful desert yet by spain quick let us rise the happy seats explore and bear oppression s insolence no more this mournful truth is everywhere confessed slow rises worth by poverty depressed but here more slow where all are slaves to gold where looks are and smiles are sold where won by by implored the groom the of his lord the rise and fall of from the vanity of human us in full flown dignity see stand law in his voice and fortune in his hand to him the church the realm their powers through him the rays of shine turned by his nod the stream of honour flows his smile alone security still to new heights his restless wishes tower claim leads to claim and power advances power till conquest ceased to please and rights submitted left him none to seize � the english poets at length his sovereign � the train of state mark the keen glance and watch the sign to hate where er he turns he meets a stranger s eye his scorn him and his followers fly now drops at once the pride of awful state the golden the glittering plate the palace the luxurious board the army and the lord with age with cares with oppressed he seeks the refuge of rest grief disease remembered folly and his last sighs reproach the faith of kings speak thou whose thoughts at humble peace shall s wealth with s end be thine or st thou now with safer pride content the wisest justice on the banks of for why did near the of fate on weak foundations raise the enormous weight why but to sink beneath misfortune s blow with louder ruin to the below the true objects of desire from tht vanity of human where then shall hope and fear their objects find must dull suspense corrupt the mind must helpless man in ignorance roll down the torrent of his fate must no dislike alarm no wishes rise no cries the of the skies cease yet remain which heaven may hear nor deem religion vain still raise for good the voice but leave to heaven the measure and the choice safe in his power whose eyes discern afar the secret of a prayer samuel johnson his aid in his rest secure whatever he gives he gives the best yet when the sense of sacred presence fires and strong devotion to the skies pour forth thy for a mind obedient passions and a will resigned for love which scarce man can fill for patience sovereign o er ill for faith that panting for a happier seat counts death kind nature s signal of retreat these goods for man the laws of heaven these goods he who the power to gain with these celestial wisdom the mind and makes the happiness she does not find spoken at the opening of the lane theatre when learning s triumph o er her barbarous foes first reared the stage immortal shakespeare rose each change of many colour d life he drew exhausted worlds and then imagined new existence saw him her bounded reign and panting time toiled after him in vain his powerful strokes truth impressed and passion the breast then came instructed from the school to please in method and invent by rule his patience and laborious art by regular approach assailed the heart cold approbation gave the lingering for those who not censure scarce could praise a mortal bom he met the general doom but left like egypt s kings a lasting tomb the wits of charles found easier ways to fame nor wished for s art or shakespeare s flame the english poets themselves they studied as they felt they writ was plot was wit vice always found a sympathetic friend they pleased their age and did not aim to mend yet like these to lasting praise and proudly hoped to in future days their cause was general their were strong their slaves were willing and their reign was long till shame regained the post that sense betrayed and virtue called oblivion to her aid then crushed by rules and weakened as refined for years the power of tragedy declined from bard to bard the caution crept till roared whilst passion slept yet still did virtue the stage to tread philosophy remained though nature fled but forced at length her ancient reign to quit she saw great lay the ghost of wit folly hailed the joyful day and and song confirmed her sway but who the coming changes can and mark the future periods of the stage perhaps if skill could distant times explore new new yet remain in store perhaps where has and hamlet died on flying cars new may ride perhaps for who can guess th effects of chance here hunt may box or may dance hard is his lot 