Page:The Rosciad - Churchill (1761, 2nd edition).djvu/5

 

THE

 

ROSCIAD.

 

oscius deceased, each high aspiring play'r
Push'd all his int'rest for the vacant chair.
The buskin'd heroes of the mimic stage
No longer whine in love, and rant in rage;
The monarch quits his throne, and condescends 5
Humbly to court the favour of his friends;
For pity's sake tells undeserv'd mishaps,
And their applause to gain, recounts his claps.
Thus the victorious chiefs of ancient Rome,
To win the mob, a suppliant's form assume; 10
In pompous strain fight o'er th' extinguish'd war,
And shew where honour bled in every scar.

But though bear merit might in Rome appear,
'Tis not the strongest plea for favour here,