14
THE ROSCIAD.
Wrapp'd in Conceit's impenetrable fog,
Which Pride, like Phœbus, draws from ev'ry bog;
They curse the Managers, and curse the Town,
Whose partial favour keeps such merit down.
Which Pride, like Phœbus, draws from ev'ry bog;
They curse the Managers, and curse the Town,
Whose partial favour keeps such merit down.
But if some man, more hardy than the rest, 305
Should dare attack these gnatlings in their nest;
At once they rise with impotence of rage,
Whet their small stings, and buzz about the stage.
"'Tis breach of privilege!———Shall any dare
"To arm Satyric Truth against a play'r? 310
"Prescriptive rights we plead, time out of mind;
"Actors, unlash'd themselves, may lash mankind."
Should dare attack these gnatlings in their nest;
At once they rise with impotence of rage,
Whet their small stings, and buzz about the stage.
"'Tis breach of privilege!———Shall any dare
"To arm Satyric Truth against a play'r? 310
"Prescriptive rights we plead, time out of mind;
"Actors, unlash'd themselves, may lash mankind."
What! shall Opinion then, of Nature free
And lib'ral as the vagrant air, agree
To rust in chains like these, impos'd by Things 315
Which, less than nothing, ape the pride of kings?
No,———though half-poets with half-players join
To curse the freedom of each honest line,
Though rage and malice dim their faded cheek,
What the Muse freely thinks, she'll freely speak. 320
With just disdain of ev'ry paltry sneer,
Stranger alike to Flattery and Fear,
And lib'ral as the vagrant air, agree
To rust in chains like these, impos'd by Things 315
Which, less than nothing, ape the pride of kings?
No,———though half-poets with half-players join
To curse the freedom of each honest line,
Though rage and malice dim their faded cheek,
What the Muse freely thinks, she'll freely speak. 320
With just disdain of ev'ry paltry sneer,
Stranger alike to Flattery and Fear,
In
