THAT wise philosopher, who had design'd To life the various passions of the mind, Did wrong'd Medea's jealousy prefer To entertain the Roman theatre; Both to instruct the soul, and please the sight, At once begetting horror and delight. This cruelty thou dost once more express, Though in a strange, no less becoming dress; And her revenge hast robb'd of half its pride, To see itself thus by itself outvied, That boldest ages past may say, our times Can speak, as well as act their highest crimes. Nor wasn't enough to do his scene this right, But what thou gav'st to us, with equal light Thou wouldst bestow on him, nor wert more just Unto the author's work, than to his dust; Thou dost make good his title, aid his claim, Both vindicate his poem and his name, So shar'st a double wreath; for all that we Unto the poet owe, he owes to thee. Though change of tongues stol'n praise to some afford, Thy version hath not borrow'd, but restor'd. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HIS GRANGE, OR PRIVATE WEALTH by ROBERT HERRICK SONNET: 19. ON HIS BLINDNESS by JOHN MILTON GIVE ME THY HEART by ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER THE VOW OF WASHINGTON by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER PRAYER FOR A DREAM by JOHN C. ADLER THINGS OF CLAY by GAMALIEL BRADFORD |