The Sack of Rome/Act V

Scene I
(The Senate assembled in the Palace.---Enter an Herald)

HERALD
 * The Vandal king, now at the gates of Rome,
 * Sends on an Herald to the magistrates,
 * The consuls, and the prefect of the city,
 * The army, senate, and the Roman people,
 * Demand an audience in Edoxia's name,
 * And offers terms, on which fam'd Rome may yield
 * To Genseric, and his all conquering sword.
 * He comes to rescue from the usurper's arm,
 * The remnant of the Theodosian line;
 * Chase from the throne the traitor Maximus,
 * And save the daughter of his great ally;
 * Give Italy a king of more reknown,
 * Or change the seat of empire from old Rome.

SENATOR
 * Tell mighty Genseric, Petronius yields,
 * Appall'd and frighten'd at his potent name.
 * He left the city, sick of life and empire;
 * No more ambitious of the world's applause,
 * He wish'd to hide beyond the rapid Rhine;
 * But fate forbad---a bold Burgundian chief,
 * Arrested his career, and cleft him down---
 * Amidst the cries of citizens and friends,
 * Of foes to Rome, and of Edoxia's slaves.
 * His body, mangled by a thousand wounds,
 * Was thrown contemptuously from Tyber's bank.

(Exeunt)

Scene II
(Opens and discovers the Citizens in great Confusion--- Leo at the Head of a Procession of Priests, Senators and Nobles, meet Genseric in suppliant postures, without the Palace)

LEO
 * Edoxia sends all health to Genseric,
 * Her friend---her royal brother, and demands
 * Protection for the imperial house:
 * That no rough foot approach the palace gate,
 * Or hostile arm to plunder, or invade,
 * The royal daughters, or the wife of Cæsar.

GENSERIC
 * Tell her that Genseric himself will haste,
 * To guard the princesses and Cæsar's wife.

LEO
 * She begs repose after the furious storm;
 * And thy permission to be left retir'd,
 * To weep awhile the destiny of Rome;
 * To pour the balm of pity on the breast
 * Of virgin sorrow---to lift the drooping head
 * Of undissembled grief---hung like the lily
 * O'er the wasted vale---when the rough surge's
 * Roaring deluge sweeps down all around,
 * Except the naked bloom---propless and weak,
 * And quivering on the marge of the next tide---
 * Whose wat'ry wave may wash the broken fragment
 * From its natal soil.

GENSERIC
 * Hymenial songs must cheer these drooping maids---
 * They each shall choose a Goth or Vandal lord,
 * And rase the lineage of the Roman name
 * In the warm grots of Asdrubal and Hanno,
 * For which their ancestors in Carthage bled,
 * And armies perish'd in the Lybian sands.

LEO
 * Now thou art master of the Roman world,
 * Let clemency bespeak thee more a king,
 * Than all thy triumphs o'er subjected Rome.

GENSERIC
 * The multitude disarm'd---I leave their lives;
 * Plebeian slaves may tremble and retire;
 * But all of noble or patrician blood,
 * Of ev'ry age and sex, my prisoners are.
 * Go thou, and tell the empress to prepare,
 * First, to receive her sovereign in the palace---
 * Then with her daughters, follow him to Carthage.

(Exeunt)

Scene III
(Edoxia and Leo in the Imperial Palace)

LEO
 * Fortune ingulphs thy family and throne,
 * Beneath her shifting tide they're floating down,
 * And for thine house my soul in anguish bleeds;
 * The capitol---thy crown---and freedom lost---
 * Thy daughters seiz'd, Placidia borne away,
 * And made the mistress of a Gothic lord,
 * And Genseric himself is near the palace,
 * With hosts of Vandals crowding in the rear.

EDOXIA
 * No more---death to my eyes---the tyrant comes---
 * The chains prepar'd---I hear the shackles clank.
 * Arise ye furies, from Tartarus' gulf,
 * And drag him peace meal, to the infernal shades.

(Enter Genseric)


 * Hah! traitor, is it thus thou meet'st Edoxia?
 * Rob'd of her crown---a homager to thee---
 * Strip'd of her robes---her diadem and wealth,
 * And rudely bid to quit my native clime,
 * Still mere to swell thy fierce and savage pomp:
 * The princesses insulted---and enslav'd---
 * By vulgar hands drag'd to the Vandal tent.
 * Oh! burst my heart---and let my eye strings break,
 * Let furious billows swallow up his fleet,
 * And darkness cover nature in the wreck,
 * Ere I obey, and see my househould train,
 * Lag at the feet of his triumphal car.

GENSERIC
 * A milder tone becomes a captive queen,
 * At whose request invaded and subdu'd,
 * Rome prostrate lies beneath her conquering lord.

EDOXIA
 * Ah! what a contrast to the splendid tale
 * Of Roman greatness---her illustrious fame.---

GENSERIC
 * Empire decays when virtue's not the base,
 * And doom'd to perish when the parts corrupt.

EDOXIA
 * My soul's as hot with rage, remorse, revenge,
 * As are the Lybian sands when Sirius reigns,
 * Or the thrice heated summer solstice burns.

GENSERIC
 * Then, to console and mitigate thy rage,
 * I'll haste to Tunis with the illustrious throng,
 * Where Hunneric, my son, shall wed Eudocia.

EDOXIA
 * Oh! dreadful threat---severer far than death.
 * Where are the sacred, celebrated shades,
 * Who wash'd the stains from chaste Lucretia's fame
 * In red libations from a tyrant's heart---
 * Oh! shield Eudocia---snatch her from despair.
 * Rescue a hapless, chaste, and friendless maid
 * From base, abandon'd, prostituted slaves!---

GENSERIC
 * Fix'd as the fates that roll th' etherial orbs,
 * I now forbid a murmur, or a sigh.

EDOXIA
 * Thou may'st forbid the morning sun to rise;
 * Bid ocean cease to lave the pebbled shore,
 * Or Roman souls to mix with Vandal slaves,
 * And be obey'd---ere sighs are hush'd,
 * Or execrations cease.---

GENSERIC
 * Each chief has seiz'd a princely Roman dame,
 * The booty's safe, and prosperous gales invite;
 * And now my guards escort the empress on.

EDOXIA
 * What! thus commanded in imperious strains,
 * To haste from Rome to Africk's scorching realms,
 * Where Tophet gapes and slaughter'd infants cry,
 * By thousands offer'd their infernal gods:---
 * Jehovah! why do all thy thunders sleep---
 * While each black crime the demons perpetrate,
 * Is acted o'er by this infernal race.

GENSERIC
 * Slaves, hasten on, and seize your royal charge,
 * And guard her safe to Carthagena's coast.

EDOXIA
 * Down on my head th' avenging gods have pour'd
 * Each curse the house of Hannibal could frame,
 * Or vanquish'd Carthage utter in despair,
 * For all the wrongs, oppression, and disgrace,
 * By haughty Rome, inflicted on her sons.
 * Now ye stern souls, ye venerated shades,
 * Heroes who fell on Zama's routed plains---
 * Look down and triumph, vengeance is compleat.
 * Behold the last of the Horatian line,
 * Sent to the margin of the burning plains,
 * The tawny front of Afric's blacken'd tribes,
 * To stand an exil'd slave---to rave and weep
 * The loss of empire and the fall of Rome,
 * Amidst Numidia's sands and sooty sons
 * But thanks to Heav'n, the empress of the west
 * Has yet the means, and will an empress die.

(Draws a conceal'd poignard, and attempts to stab herself)

GENSERIC
 * Slaves, seize her hand---she must not die---
 * 'Twill half defeat the triumph of the day.

EDOXIA
 * Enough of life and all life's idle pomp---
 * Nor by a tyrant's fiat will I live---
 * I leave the busy, vain, ambitious world
 * To cheat itself anew, and o'er and o'er
 * Tread the same ground their ancestors have trod,
 * In chace of thrones, of sceptres, or of crowns,
 * 'Till all these bubbles break in empty air,
 * Nor leave a trace of happiness behind.

(Edoxia is led off in golden chains)

(Genseric, from the Palace Gates, gives Orders to the Vandal Troops)


 * Down with the Roman eagles, statues, temples,
 * Monuments of fame---their trophies tear:---
 * Strip all the vestments from their ancient gods---
 * Their pageant heroes level with the dust,
 * And rase their names from memory and time.
 * The golden shrines and saintly relicks seize;
 * Both gilded busts and roofs of bronze destroy;
 * The branches, tables, candlesticks of gold,
 * In ostentation shewn by Jewish priests,
 * And in triumphal pomp transfer'd to Rome,
 * With all the treasures of Zenobia's house,
 * Palmyra's wealth, and Asia's spoils, secure---
 * And teach the naked capital to weep,
 * Her long arrearages to all mankind,
 * For plunder'd nations, cities, kingdoms, climes.
 * What has this mighty Roman name to boast?
 * 'Tis time to rase her from the list of nations,
 * And blast the world no more by Roman crimes---
 * Then plead prescription, as 'twas done by Rome.
 * Break up their fountains, poison all their baths,
 * Ere they contaminate the Vandal troops
 * With soft, effeminate, luxurious sloth?
 * Ransack each church, and pillage all the city,
 * Nor leave a drachma round the seven hills.

(Exeunt)

Scene IV
(Hunneric and Traulista)

HUNNERIC
 * If or ambition, wealth, or airy fame,
 * Could sooth to rest, my soul would be at ease;
 * But yet some secret heaviness I feel,
 * Ne'er felt before, that rankles at the heart,
 * And blasts the joys of victory and conquest.

TRAULISTA
 * The world, and all its treasures at command;
 * And beauty, emulous to win thy love---
 * What can disturb thy peace?

HUNNERIC
 * Eudocia---the lovely, weeping, tender, fair Eudocia---
 * She is my prize---my prisoner---my wife---
 * Yet every motion of her eye appals;
 * And when she speaks, I like a statue stare,
 * Unable to reply, or to withdraw.

TRAULISTA
 * These Roman maids have some enchanting arts,
 * That bend the boldest warrior to their smiles;
 * Yet they are not so cold as they may seem.

HUNNERIC
 * She holds me by some fascinating tie,
 * Spite of my prowess, or superiour strength:
 * Did the celestial deities combine
 * To form her thus?---Her image makes me hate
 * The wanton beauties of our amorous clime.
 * In her majestick presence, I'm as tame,
 * As the young lambkin in the shepherd's cot;
 * I fearcely move me, lest I should offend;
 * It may be love---I fear it is---
 * Yet spurn it from my thought---yes, I adore,
 * My worship is profound---my veneration such
 * I'm tenfold more a slave than is the princess.

TRAULISTA
 * Perhaps, some darling favourite indulg'd,
 * May find Eudocia soft as yielding air,
 * Though frozen to the blandishments of love---
 * Cold as the Scythian snows to thine embrace;
 * Yet I could let a fatal secret out,
 * Would give a clue to wake her passions up.

HUNNERIC
 * Ah! say Traulista;
 * Half my booty shall be thy reward;
 * And fifty captives of the fairest dames
 * Shall swell thy haram to the eastern stile.

TRAULISTA
 * Know, all the sex I equally despise;
 * And did some busy demon wake a wish
 * To toy and trifle with some matchless fair,
 * I'd puff it off;---if I could blush, the thought
 * Would burn my cheek.---Give me a Roman province,
 * Or give an army to patrole the empire,
 * To rid the world of their patrician pride,
 * Or yet more turbulent plebeian blood,
 * That has, for more than thirteen hundred years,
 * Plagu'd all mankind with their ambitious fires.

HUNNERIC
 * Not less than thee, I hate the Roman name:
 * Command thy terms---though they're to govern Rome,
 * To wear a crown---to reign in Gaul or Spain;
 * Both by the cross, and by the ancient gods,
 * Here is my signet---claim thine own reward.

TRAULISTA
 * What if within this garden lies conceal'd
 * The rival of thy love?

HUNNERIC
 * The game more easy---more secure the prey:
 * By all the blood Genseric's arm has spilt,
 * The traitor dies before the morning dawns.

TRAULISTA
 * Belov'd and favour'd by the fair Eudocia,
 * The brave Gaudentius waits to bear her off.

HUNNERIC
 * Hah! the son of Ætius?---thy valiant friend?---

TRAULISTA
 * He once presum'd to call his friend a traitor,
 * And thinks that mine is such a milky soul
 * As to forgive---'tis not a soldier's trade:
 * My sword, my arm, aveng'd his bleeding sire,
 * Nor shall the son ungratefully defy
 * That sword---that prowess---that decided strength
 * Rome's legions fear, and trembling armies fly.
 * But yet I bid resentment sleep awhile,
 * 'Till all was ripe an empire to subvert---
 * I scorn to play at a less noble game.
 * I rais'd Petronius to the imperial throne;
 * But he, ungrateful, indolent and weak,
 * At once forgot Hermannic's noble son;
 * With vulgar princes rank'd him as a slave:
 * The empress saw, and wanted such an arm,
 * To back the rage that rankled in her breast,
 * And rid her of Gaudentius, who'd refus'd
 * To be her friend and confident to thee.
 * He, raging mad with patriotick pride,
 * Resign'd his love at freedom's sacred foot,
 * Disgusted---urg'd against her fix'd design,
 * And arm'd at once against the Vandal king.
 * She bade me hope, as my reward, her daughter---
 * But I've no wish the princess to possess;
 * Yet my ambition burns to reign in Rome.

HUNNERIC
 * Nail this Gaudentius to some grassy plot
 * And thou shall triumph in the capitol.

TRAULISTA
 * This night is friendly to revenge and death:
 * Between the gloom of midnight and the dawn,
 * Just light enough beneath the cypress shade
 * To track the heedless lover on his way:
 * Yet could'st thou in Eudocia's presence draw,
 * And lay her lover bleeding at her feet?
 * When she to heaven erects her lily hand,
 * In all the beauteous agony of grief,
 * Heaves up her snowy breast, and sighs--- Gaudentius !

HUNNERIC
 * 'Twould sweeten my revenge, and steal my heart,
 * To drag her instant to my slighted bed.

TRAULISTA
 * Then on and feast thee with the luscious sight;
 * A triumph worthy of a Vandal prince.

(Exeunt)

Scene V
(A Grotto in the Garden of the Palace--- Eudocia solus--- Gaudentius approaching)

GAUDENTIUS
 * These are the grots, the sacred silent walks,
 * Where my Eudocia wanders from the world.
 * Methinks I hear, within yon roseate bower,
 * Some plaintive angel's soft harmonious voice:
 * Perhaps, her guardian goddess down descends,
 * From yonder silvern cloud capt mountain's brow,
 * To watch her beauteous charge.---

(Listens)

(Eudocia within, in a soft, plaintive, agonizing voice)


 * Oh! some kind seraph snatch my soul away,
 * And shroud my griefs beneath the peaceful tomb;
 * Or must a dagger ope a passage hence,
 * To set me free from Hunneric's embrace?

GAUDENTIUS
 * 'Tis she herself---'tis her symphonious voice:
 * The murmuring maid in broken accents sighs;
 * Tis my Eudocia whispering to her God.

(Enters the Grotto)


 * Let not those sighs fear up an angel's breast;
 * Nor let the wreck of empire strike too deep.

EUDOCIA
 * Hah!---who art thou that boldly dares intrude
 * On the last hour of this my still retreat?
 * Some spy of Hunneric's, to watch my steps,
 * Lest one short moment of repose I find,
 * This last sad night, ere I'm completely curs'd.

GAUDENTIUS
 * May all the powers who guard the good and just
 * Protect my princess!---

EUDOCIA
 * Hah! my belov'd Gaudentius!---
 * Dost thou yet live, through all the perils
 * Of a barbarous siege, to see Eudocia
 * Snatch'd from thy lov'd arms?---Alas! my fate,
 * To what a hated rival am I doom'd!

GAUDENTIUS
 * I had not liv'd but for Eudocia's sake.

EUDOCIA
 * Yet save a life much dearer than my own;
 * Nor linger here, 'tis on the verge of death:
 * Leave me to perish in my country's fall.

GAUDENTIUS
 * Not all the clangor, or the din of arms,
 * Or roughen'd tempests, whose impetuous blasts,
 * In fiery bolts, may rive the mountains up,
 * Again shall tear me from my lov'd Eudocia.

EUDOCIA
 * My lips can't utter, nor my tongue express,
 * The anguish that my tortur'd soul endures:
 * 'Twas early duty nurs'd my infant love,
 * And strictest virtue sanctifi'd the flame,
 * 'Till Valentinian fell---alas! no more;
 * Nature---religion---reason---filial love,
 * Forbid a union with the son of Ætius.

GAUDENTIUS
 * My brain grows hot---it kindles to distraction---
 * This night secures my bliss---or---certain death.

EUDOCIA
 * Oh! live Gaudentius---live for Rome's defence;
 * Nor rob thy country of so brave an arm.
 * Not crowns, or sceptres, or the world besides,
 * Has aught to balance with my love for thee;
 * Yet urge no more---fly hence and save thyself---
 * One parting sigh---one solemn, last adieu---
 * Then, for thy country's sake, forget Eudocia

GAUDENTIUS
 * Not till the pulse of life forgets to play,
 * And death's cold dews pervade my quivering lip.
 * Within this garden will I find a grave,
 * Unless my princess dares an enterprise,
 * Which lost this night, may never more return;
 * I must attempt thy rescue ere the morn.

EUDOCIA
 * In what new horror would this scene involve?

GAUDENTIUS
 * Arouse thy noble fortitude of mind---
 * 'Tis the decisive hour---the next subjects
 * To Hunneric's embrace.---

EUDOCIA
 * Not all that nature shudders at in death,
 * Has half the terrors that his name conveys;
 * Oh! save, if possible---prevent my fate.

GAUDENTIUS
 * Then fly with me from misery supreme.

EUDOCIA
 * The port of Ostia's shut---and all the seas
 * Fill'd with Genseric's fierce piratic slaves:---
 * Where can the wretched fly?

GAUDENTIUS
 * Fly any where from Hunneric and death.

EUDOCIA
 * Alas! my heart---my weak, my wavering heart!

GAUDENTIUS
 * Come, let us move to yonder small alcove;
 * The brave Traulista, whom Genseric trusts,
 * Most fortunately heads the nightly watch,
 * Patroles the posts until the morning dawns;
 * The moment that the midnight bell resounds,
 * He brings a Vandal garb for my Eudocia,
 * And aids our flight to the Tarentiae sea.

EUDOCIA
 * Traulista!---I like not this Traulista---
 * Traulista has a rough, a savage soul,
 * Wrought up to treasons of the darkest hue.

GAUDENTIUS
 * His life he owes to Ætius and myself.

EUDOCIA
 * But gratitude can never bind the base:
 * An infidel to God---there is no tie---
 * No principle to bind a worthless heart.

GAUDENTIUS
 * Hs is my friend; come, dissipate distrust.

EUDOCIA
 * A thousand spectres stare on every side.

GAUDENTIUS
 * Let's lose no time, nor let thy fears retard;

(He offers to lead her out of the Bower)


 * The hazy moon enwraps her tranquil face,
 * And hides behind a thin transparent cloud,
 * Lest she betray, by her resplendent beam
 * Thy trembling step---the terror in thy eye.

(Moving slowly on)

EUDOCIA
 * Methinks I hear some speedy foot advance.

(She starts back)

GAUDENTIUS
 * My generous friend anticipates the hour.

EUDOCIA
 * Lie still, my heart---
 * Nor burst the brittle casement of my breast.

(Enter servant)

SERVANT
 * Away, my lord---fly to the thickest shade,
 * Or, ere thou can'st escape, thou art undone.

{ {uc|Gaudentius}}
 * Hah! betray'd!---

SERVANT
 * Two ruffians arm'd, crawl round the citron walk---
 * They nam'd Gaudentius---I stay'd to hear no more---
 * But rush'd---and shot across the darken'd grove,
 * To serve the princess and to save my lord.

GAUDENTIUS
 * Alas! my faithful Cassio---thou'rt too late,
 * Yet as a soldier will I sell my life.

(Enter Hunneric and Traulista)

(Gaudentius makes a furious pass and mortally wounds Traulista)

TRAULISTA
 * Death to my hopes---damnation to his hand!---

GAUDENTIUS
 * Oh! heavens! Traulista---art thou the villain---
 * Traitor---dastard---slave---lurking in secret,
 * To betray thy friends?

TRAULISTA
 * Coward, come on---
 * To brave in words thou may'st a dying man;
 * Yet know I've life enough to dash to hell,
 * And send thy puny soul to Pluto's shades,
 * For daring once to threat Traulista's life.

GAUDENTIUS
 * High heaven has levell'd at thy treacherous heart
 * The fatal stroke that justice' hand demands.

TRAULISTA
 * Now are there deities or devils---ghosts or gods,
 * I'd thank them all had he have dy'd before me.
 * My eye balls sink---my stiffen'd fibres fail!---
 * Haste, Charon---with thy boat---and set me o'er
 * The Stygian pool---blot out this being---
 * 'Tis a curse to man---yet if these Romans live
 * In other worlds, I would exist again,
 * To chase them from Elysium, as from Rome.

(Dies)

HUNNERIC
 * Seize this young furious prince, and on the rack

(To his Guards)


 * Extend each limb---with heated pincers tare,
 * 'Till I have time to find new tortures out.

GAUDENTIUS
 * Not thee, nor death, nor tortures do I fear,
 * Would angel guards and ministers of fate
 * First snatch Eudocia from thy loath'd embrace---
 * Yet know, Gaudentius dies not as a slave.

(He rushes forward and engages Hunneric, who mortally wounds him.--- Eudocia runs between their swords, and offers her breast to Hunneric)

EUDOCIA
 * Strike here, most noble Hunneric---end my pain---
 * Now if thy soul can do one generous deed
 * Emancipate thy prisoner---enhance the gift---
 * Nor like a niggard do thy work by halves;
 * But let me die with him, my life, my lord,
 * My husband, my Gaudentius.

HUNNERIC
 * No, my Eudocia, live---thou art my queen.

EUDOCIA
 * If hell's dark empire had a charm for me,
 * Then I might wish to be the Vandal queen.

GAUDENTIUS
 * Adieu, my fair---adieu, my lov'd Eudocia---
 * Adieu to glory, empire and renown!---

(Falls)

EUDOCIA
 * Oh! stay Gaudentius---let me assuage thy wounds,
 * Support thy drooping head one moment more---
 * Then I accompany my much lov'd lord.

(She faints)

HUNNERIC
 * Slaves, bear her off---these are the sex's tricks---
 * While her fond eyes hang on her paramour
 * She'll play them o'er, and weep, and sigh, and rave,
 * And faint again---yet cannot die with grief---
 * But in mine arms she'll sink an easy bride.

EUDOCIA
 * Heaven blot from time that curs'd, that blasted hour!

(The guards attempt to force her from the corpse of Gaudentius)


 * Off murderers---nor tear me from his corpse---
 * Let me come near---if still he breathes,
 * And sip the last soft breath.---Ah; he is dead!
 * In his last sob---the last of Romans died---
 * Just Heaven is kind---I yet shall die with him.
 * My throbbing heart almost forgets to beat---
 * The slow pulsation lags---I sink---I fall---
 * Time shakes the glass to sift out my last sands---
 * Virtue, sublim'd by piety and truth,
 * Now beckons to the skies---the curtain falls,
 * And opes eternity---I've nought to ask
 * Of this distracted world---but just to shrowd
 * In the same peaceful tomb, with my Gaudentius.

(Dies)

Epilogue

 * Poets and heroes travelling from home,
 * For perfect models, oft repair to Rome;
 * Yet real prowess, or true sterling wit,
 * Or genius there, they do not always hit.
 * They had their bullies, sycophants and fools,
 * And learned dunces in Apollo's schools;
 * Their poetasters---pretty playful things,
 * Who, patroniz'd by ladies, or by kings,
 * By rules logistick, reason'd truth away,
 * And form'd new systems fit for each new day;
 * Zealots, or bigots to their fathers' creed,
 * As infidels, or fashion gave the the lead;
 * A proud republick, or a servile throng,
 * Aw'd by a frown, or by a Nero's song;
 * A celebrated, brave, heroick race,
 * They'd save, or sell their country, for a place.
 * For liberty---a poor unmeaning name,
 * They shook the globe, and set the world in flame;
 * But, factious, fickle, impious and bold,
 * Enervated by luxury and gold,
 * Ye've seen extinguish'd---great Apollo's fire,
 * Untun'd his harp, and broke his sacred lyre.
 * But in this age of literary claim,
 * When taste and genius vie with Roman fame,
 * Like them ye'll read, and candidly excuse
 * A piece design'd for pleasure or for use;
 * Though both the unities of place and time
 * May'nt always tally with the true sublime,
 * Nor buskin merit meet the mid day sky,
 * A female bard still asks your candid eye.
 * Sure the politeness of an infant nation
 * Wont damn the play, and hiss it out of fashion;
 * At the first reading on a winter's eve
 * Pray cry encore ---a second may retrieve,
 * And save her fame from ev'ry critick's rage
 * To tread securely on Columbia's stage.
 * No censuring bards, or little wits she fears,
 * If ye are pleas'd, and Peter Pindar spares.
 * The author asks but this small boon of you,
 * Pray let it pass at least a night or two;
 * And if the moral in this pious age
 * Should let it live a week upon the stage;
 * Some gambling fools by Maximus's fate
 * Might learn their follies ere it was too late.
 * Might stay at home and save their pretty spouses,
 * And borns prevent by lodging at their houses.
 * Others, by thinking, might be taught the odds,
 * 'Twixt him who fears and him who blasts the gods;
 * Might choose to live and die a man of merit,
 * Ere he'd be damn'd---an infidel of spirit;
 * But, like Traulista's, let their follies end,
 * Who basely have betray'd or told a friend.