The cause, with learn'd investigation fraught, Behold, at length, to this tribunal brought: No fraud your penetrating eyes can cheat, None here can Shakespeare's writing counterfeit. As well the taper's base, unlustrous ray, Might strive to emulate the orb of day, As modern bards, whom venal hopes inspire, Can catch one spark of his celestial fire. If in our scenes your eyes delighted find Marks that denote the mighty master's mind; If, at his words, the tears of pity flow, Your breasts with horror thrill, with rapture glow; If on your harrow'd souls impress'd you feel The stamp of nature's uncontested seal;— Demand no other proof, nor idly pore O'er mouldy manuscripts of ancient lore, To see if every tawny line display The genuine ink of fam'd Eliza's day: Nor strive with curious industry to know How poets spelt two centuries ago. But if these proofs should fail; if in the strain You seek the drama's awful sire in vain, Yet in our ancient legend should you trace Truth's genuine features, tho' of humbler grace, Condemn not rashly. O'er the forest glade, Tho' the oak spread no patriarchal shade, Yet may a shrub of no unlovely green With vivid foliage deck the sylvan scene; Some tuneful notes the vocal woodlands fill And soothe the ear, tho' Philomel be still. Then each extraneous matter laid aside, By its own merit be our drama tried. Forget the prejudice of rigid art, To read the code of nature in the heart; Consult her laws, from partial favor free, And give as they decide, your just decree. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TWO PROMENADES SENTIMENTALES: 1. RAIN by EDITH SITWELL TANGENTIAL by LOUIS UNTERMEYER THE BRAVE OLD OAK by HENRY FOTHERGILL CHORLEY THE DESERTED HOUSE by MARY ELIZABETH COLERIDGE HAIL COLUMBIA by JOSEPH HOPKINSON BISHOP HATTO [AND THE RATS] by ROBERT SOUTHEY LOVE SONG by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS |