Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 3.djvu/86

54 Whose judging voice and eye alone direct

The boundless power to cherish or reject;

If e'er Frivolity has led to fame,

And made us blush that you forbore to blame—

If e'er the sinking stage could condescend

To soothe the sickly taste it dare not mend—

All past reproach may present scenes refute,

And censure, wisely loud, be justly mute!

Oh! since your fiat stamps the Drama's laws,

Forbear to mock us with misplaced applause;

So Pride shall doubly nerve the actor's powers,

And Reason's voice be echoed back by ours!

This greeting o'er—the ancient rule obeyed,

The Drama's homage by her herald paid— Notes