Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE ROYAL MISCHIEF: PROLOGUE, by DELARIVIERE MANLEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE ROYAL MISCHIEF: PROLOGUE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Critics, ye are grown so much unkind of late
Last Line: So may you still be fair, your lovers ever true.
Subject(s): Criticism & Critics; Fate; Plays & Playwrights; Poetry & Poets; Destiny


Criticks, ye are grown so much unkind of late,
Who dares to write runs on their certain Fate;
If to Parnassus once they miss their way,
Once chance to glimmer out a feeble ray,
Condemn 'em always by such light to stray;
That Poets floating betwixt hopes and fears,
Now dread you more than Merchants Privateers.
Fain ours wou'd bribe you high to let her live,
At least mayn't mercy stretch to a reprieve;
So may the Statesmans Policy increase,
And Traders have their wisht desires for Peace;
So may the Levite, with no doubts perplext,
E'en as dear Interest leads, explain his Text;
So may the Beaus be sparkish as they can,
All Wig and Dress, no matter for the Man;
The Souldier paid his money without fighting,
And Poets there's in that worse Combat, Writing
The Vizards Mask it to their Friends unknown,
Fool most themselves in fooling of the Town:
My last kind Wishes Ladies are for you,
Espouse your Sexes Cause, and bravely too,
So may you still be fair, your Lovers ever true.





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