Event Comment: Prologue written by
Macklin: (
Cooke,
Memoirs of Charles Macklin, pp. 150-51.) From scheming, pelting, famine, and despair, Behold to grace restored an exil'd Play'r: Your Sanction yet his fortune must compleat, And give him privilege to laugh and eat. No revolution plots are mine again; You see, thank Heaven,
the quietest of men. I pray that all domestic feuds might cease; And beggar'd by
the war, solicit peace; When urg'd by wrongs, and prompted to rebel; I sought for freedom, and for freedom fell; What could support me in
the sevenfold dame? I was no Shadrak and no angel came. Once warn'd, I meddle not with state affairs; But play my part, retire and say my pray'rs. Let nobler spirits plan
the vast design, Our green-room swarms with longer heads than mine; I take no part-no private jars foment, But hasten from disputes I can't prevent; Attack no rival bro
ther's fame, or ease; And raise no struggle, but who most shall please. United in oursdlves, by you approv'd. Tis ours to make
the slightest muse belov'd; So may
the stage again its use impart, And ripen Virtue, as it warms
the heart. May discord, with her horrid trump, retreat, Nor drive
the frighted Beauty from her seat; May no contending parties strive for sway, But judgmemt govern, and
the stage obey