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PROLOGUE

By Mr. POPE,

To a Play for Mr. DENNIS'S Benefit, in 1733, when he was old, blind, and in great Distress, a little before his Death.

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S when that Hero, who in each Campaign,
Had brav'd the Goth, and many a Vandal
flain,

Lay Fortune-ftruck, a fpectacle of Woe!
Wept by each Friend, forgiv'n by ev'ry Foe:
Was there a gen'rous, a reflecting mind,

NOTES.

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VER. 6. But pitied Belifarius, etc.] Nothing was ever more happily imagined than this allufion, or finelier conducted. And the continued pleasantry fo delicately touched, that it took nothing from the felf fatisfaction the Critic had in his merit, of the Audience in their charity. With fo much mastery has the Poet executed, in this benevolent irony, that which he supposed Dennis himself, had he the wit to fee, would have the ingenuity

own:

This dreaded Sat'rift, Dennis will confefs,
Foe to his pride, but Friend to his Distress.

But pitied BELISARIUS old and blind?
Was there a Chief but melted at the Sight?
A common Soldier, but who clubb'd his Mite?
Such, fuch emotions should in Britons rise, 9
When prefs'd by want and weakness DENNIS lies;
Dennis, who long had warr'd with modern Huns,
Their Quibbles routed, and defy'd their Puns ;
A defp'rate Bulwark, sturdy,. firm, and fierce
Against the Gothic Sons of frozen verfe :
How chang'd from him who made the boxes
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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;

NOTES.

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VER. 7. Was there a Chief, etc.] The fine figure of the Commander in that capital Picture of Belifarius at Chifwick, fupplied the Poet with this beautiful idea.

VER. 12. Their Quibbles routed, and defy'd their Puns ;] See Dunciad, Note on ✈ 63. B. I.

VER. 13. A defp'rate Bulwark, etc.] See Dunc. Note on * 268. B. II.

VER. 16. And hook the Stage with Thunders all his own!] See Dunc. Note on 226. B. II.

VER. 17. Stood up to dash, etc.] See Dunc. Note on 173. B. III.

VER. 18. Maul the French Tyrant-] See Dunc. Note on +413. B. II.

Ibid. or pull down the POPE!] See Dunc. Note on 63. B. I.

If there's a Critic of distinguish'd rage;

If there's a Senior, who contemns this age;
Let him to night his just assistance lend,
And be the Critic's, Briton's, Old Man's Friend.

NOTES.

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VER. 21. If there's a critic of diftinguish'd rage.] See Dune. Notes on 106. B. I.

MACER:

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CHARACTER.

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'HEN fimple Macer, now of high renown, First fought a Poet's Fortune in the Town, 'Twas all th' Ambition his high foul could feel,To wear red stockings, and to dine with Steel. Some Ends of verfe his Betters might afford, gave the harmless fellow a good word.

And

Set

up with thefe, he ventur'd on the Town, And with a borrow'd Play, out-did poor Crown. There he stop'd short, nor fince has writ a tittle, But has the wit to make the most of little : Like ftunted hide-bound Trees, that just have Sufficient fap at once to bear and rot.

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got

Now he begs Verfe, and what he gets commends, Not of the Wits his foes, but Fools his friends. 14 So fome coarse Country Wench, almost decay'd, Trudges to town, and first turns Chambermaid;

Aukward and fupple, each devoir to pay;

She flatters her good Lady twice a day;
Thought wond'rous honest, tho' of mean degree,
And strangely lik'd for her Simplicity :

In a tranflated Suit, then tries the Town,
With borrow'd Pins, and Patches not her own:
But just endur'd the winter she began,
And in four months a batter'd Harridan.
Now nothing left, but wither'd, pale, and shrunk,
To bawd for others, and go fhares with Punk.

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