Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PROLOGUE SPOKEN AT MR. SHERIDAN'S SCHOOL, by THOMAS SHERIDAN (1687-1738)


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PROLOGUE SPOKEN AT MR. SHERIDAN'S SCHOOL, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The scenes are new, and everything compact
Last Line: Your bays tonight would turn to birch tomorrow.
Subject(s): Schools; Students


Enter Scholar, riding on an Ass

The scenes are new, and everything compact,
And all our younkers ready just to act.
But why this racket? Why this hurly-burly?
Some laugh, some sneer, and some look very surly.
You're mighty judges in your own conceit:
Am I the only ass that rides in state?
Our play's th' Adelphi -- I'm to be a brother,
And my supporter ass to be another --
But, gentlemen, forbear; for, as it passes,
The greater part among us are but asses.

If you came hither to imbibe instruction,
And to receive some wonderful production,
Expect half-wit from th' officers of schools;
Asses produce no prodigies but mules.
Don't think that I intend to be uncivil;
I shall not ride, like beggars, to the devil.
Too oft, alas, am I accoutered thus,
And forced to mount the standing Pegasus.
Our Master still, which you will think a wonder,
Exalts the dull and keeps the witty under.
But ah! the tyrant then without remorse
The rider lashes, who should lash the horse;
And in promotion takes away command,
For still the under has the upper hand.

But hold -- how's this! -- who's that that yonder scuffles
With beaver, powdered wig and cambric ruffles?
I value not his pageantry a louse!
Sir Fopling, know this is no coffee-house;
Since you're so prudent as to come to school,
You must observe the true scholastic rule;
Our Master hates a self-conceited elf,
And bears no noise but what he makes himself.

He writes -- but I shall not reveal the myst'ry;
We must beware of scandalum magistri.
He that tells tales is worse than he that mitches;
That man may come to school without his breeches.
Who'd purchase vain applause with real sorrow?
Your bays tonight would turn to birch tomorrow.





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