Poetical Works of Johnson, Parnell, Gray and Smollett

Prologue

To the Comedy of ‘a Word to the Wise,’ Spoken by Mr Hull

This night presents a play which public rage,
  Or right, or wrong, once hooted from the stage;
  From zeal or malice now no more we dread,
  For English vengeance wars not with the dead.
  A generous foe regards with pitying eye
  The man whom Fate has laid—where all must lie.

To Wit, reviving from its author’s dust,
  Be kind, ye judges! or at least be just.
  For no renew’d hostilities invade
  The oblivious grave’s inviolable shade.
  Let one great payment every claim appease,
  And him who cannot hurt, allow to please;
  To please by scenes unconscious of offence,
  By harmless merriment, or useful sense.
  Where aught of bright or fair the piece displays,
  Approve it only—’tis too late to praise.
  If want of skill, or want of care appear,
  Forbear to hiss—the poet cannot hear.
  By all like him must praise and blame be found,
  At best a fleeting dream, or empty sound.
  Yet then shall calm Reflection bless the night
  When liberal Pity dignified delight;
  When Pleasure fired her torch at Virtue’s flame,
  And Mirth was Bounty with an humbler name.