Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PROLOGUE, FOR THE BENEFIT OF MR. DENNIS, by ALEXANDER POPE


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PROLOGUE, FOR THE BENEFIT OF MR. DENNIS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: As when that hero, who in each campaign
Last Line: And be the critick's, briton's, old-man's friend.
Subject(s): Dennis, John (1657-1734); Plays & Playwrights


As when that Hero, who in each Campaign
Had brav'd the Goth, and many a Vandal slain,
Lay Fortune-struck, a Spectacle of Woe!
Wept by each Friend, forgiv'n by ev'ry Foe:
Was there a gen'rous, a reflecting Mind,
But pities Belisarius, Old and Blind?
Was there a Chief, but melted at the Sight?
A common Soldier, but who clubb'd his Mite?
Such, such Emotions should in Britons rise,
When prest by Want and Weakness, Dennis lies;
Dennis, who long had warr'd with modern Huns,
Their Quibbles routed, and defy'd their Puns;
A desp'rate Bulwark, sturdy, firm, and fierce,
Against the Gothick Sons of frozen Verse;
How chang'd from him, who made the Boxes groan,
And shook the Stage with Thunders all his own!
Stood up to dash each vain Pretender's Hope,
Maul the French Tyrant, or pull down the Pope!
If there's a Briton, then, true bred and born,
Who holds Dragoons and Wooden-Shoes in scorn;
If there's a Critick of distinguish'd Rage;
If there's a Senior, who contemns this Age;
Let him to Night his just Assistance lend,
And be the Critick's, Briton's, Old-man's Friend.





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