Proud of her task, and with a mother's Exulting view'd his op'ning graces rise. O! with what ardor did his piercing view, His foul, with one fond with, embrac'd mankind: 55 Shall ask from Heaven and earth their son in vain: In vain, his friends, with pious gifts fhall tell- Through all his frame a fever's fury reigns, # Confumes his vitals, and inflames his veins, a 60 In tears the falutary arts retreat, And virtue views with pangs her darling's fate. Here paufe, my friend, and with due candor own Affliction's cup not mix'd for thee alone; Others, like thee, its dire contents must drain, 65 But But O! may brighter hours thy life attend; 70 An EPITAPH on his FATHER. ERE drop, benevolence, thy facred tear, A friend of human kind reposes here: A man, content himself, and God, to know; In life untainted, unfurpriz'd by fate: 5 Such, 5 Such, tho' by obscur'd various ills, he fhone; Confol'd his neighbour's woes, and bore his own: 10 Heav'n faw, and fnatch'd from fortune's rage its prey, To share the triumphs of eternal day. To Mrs. Ann Blacklock, the AUTHOR'S Mother. With a Copy of the Scotch Edition of his Poems. Thou! who gav'it me first this world t' explore, Whose frame, for me, a mother's anguish bore; For me, whofe heart its vital current drain'd, Whose bofom nurs'd me, and whose arms sustain'd: What tho' thy fon, dependent, weak, and blind, 5 Deplore his wishes check'd, his hopes confin'd?. Tho' want, impending, cloud each chearless day, And death with life seem struggling for their prey? Let this confole, if not reward, thy pain, Unhappy he may live, but not in vain. PRO PROLOGUE to OTHELLO. Spoken by Mr. Love, at the Opening of the Playhoufe in DUMFRIES. Y E fouls! by foft humanity infpir'd, For gen'rous hearts and manners free admir'd; Where tafte and commerce, amicably join'd, Imbellish life, and cultivate the mind: Without a blush you may fupport our stage; No tainted joys fhall here your view To tickle fools with prostituted art, engage. Debauch the fancy, and corrupt the heart, 5 THE tender foul what dire convulfions tear, When whisp'ring villains gain th' incautious ear; How heav'nly mild, yet how intenfely bright,. Fair Innocence, tho' clouded, ftrikes the fight; What endless plagues from jealous fondness flow, 15 This night our faithful fcenes atteinpt to fhow: No No new-born whim, no hafty flash of wit; But nature's dictates by great SHAKESPEARE writ. IMMORTAL bard! who, with a mafter hand, Could all the movements of the foul command; 20 With pity footh, with terror shake her frame; In love diffolve her, or to rage inflame. To taste and virtue, heav'n-defcended pair! While pleas'd we thus devote our art and care; To crown our ardor, let your fav'ring fmile Reward our hopes, and animate our toil: So may your eyes no weeping moments know, But when they share fome DESDAEMONA'S WOe. 2.5 PROLOGUE to HAMLET. 'NSPIR'D with pleasing hope to entertain, I While, hov'ring round, his laurel'd shade furveys What eyes fhall pour their tribute to his praise; What |