Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 1.djvu/85

Rh AN OCCASIONAL PROLOGUE,

DELIVERED BY THE AUTHOR PREVIOUS TO THE PERFORMANCE OF "THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE" AT A PRIVATE THEATRE.

the refinement of this polish'd age

Has swept immoral raillery from the stage;

Since taste has now expung'd licentious wit,

Which stamp'd disgrace on all an author writ;

Since, now, to please with purer scenes we seek,

Nor dare to call the blush from Beauty's cheek;

Oh! let the modest Muse some pity claim,

And meet indulgence—though she find not fame.

Still, not for her alone, we wish respect,

Others appear more conscious of defect:

To-night no vet'ran Roscii you behold,

In all the arts of scenic action old;