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him " as a thief and a glutton, a coward and a boaster, always ready to cheat the weak, and infult the defencelefs."

While I am anxious to defend a particular paffage against the objections of the Critic, let me be permitted, in the most fincere and difinterested manner, to acknowledge the general utility of that invaluable body of Critics, the English Reviewers. The light, which they diffuse over the literary world, will continue to difpel the fhade of fophiftry, the gloom of prejudice, and the night of barbarism. By their united * influence Politics will be preserved from fervility and diffatisfaction; Morality from intolerance and relaxation; and Religion from bigotry and fcepticism. They may be confidered as the Palladium of the elegancies of taste, and of the decencies of fociety.

A diverticulo repetatur fabula. In my Edition of the Third Part of HENRY VI. under the title of The Roses; and particularly in that of KING JOHN, it has been an object of primary magnitude to introduce those fentiments of patriotifm, which might infpire my pupils with active zeal in the cause of their Country. The defcent of the French on the coaft of Wales during the rebellion of OWEN GLENDOWER

* As error is infeparable from individual opinion, and as truth is produced by the collifion of different fentiments, a perusal of all the Reviews is recommended. The prefent fubject affords a proof of the variety of their judgment. The omiffion of the first act of the original in the Alteration of KING JOHN was applauded by one Critic, and cenfured by another. Nor are Reviewers always free from human passions. One of them treated the Poetical Chronology in a style of low invective, which almost authorized the conclufion that" an enemy had done it." Causas tanti sciat ille furoris! All the others gave a critique of strong approbation: and the public has followed the judgment of the latter;

GLENDOWER was a circumstance, which was eagerly seized in the prefent Play, in order to produce this effect, at a time when an invafion of this country by the fame intriguing and powerful enemy was in contemplation. The danger is now removed: but the new and formidable means of attack, which that reftlefs nation has lately acquired, inforce the neceffity of new exertions to maintain the prosperity, and fecure the independence, of the British Empire.

R. V.

Dr. Valpy

PROLOGUE.

Written by HENRY JAMES PYE, Esq.-Spoken by MR. LORING.

To-night once more our fcene from Shakespeare's page

Shews the dire factions of a former age.

Shews when the Noble fierce, and Prelate proud
To rash rebellion urg'd the madd'ning crowd,
Perfidious GAUL, in treach'rous league combin'd,
Sedition's banners with her legions join'd.

In vain fhe join'd, in vain fhe brought relief,
On CAMBRIA's fhores, to CAMBRIA's rebel chief.
From the fleep mountain's height in vain GLENDOWER
Threw many a glance to meet the hoftile power.
No recreant BRITON Join'd th' invading train,
Borne back difgraceful on the refluent main.

Oh! ever may BRITANNIA's naval hoft
Drive fell invafion from her happy coaft!
But fhould her warlike bands be wafted o'er
By fav'ring tempefts to our fea-girt fhore,
An adamantine fortrefs would fhe find
In ev'ry BRITISH arm, and BRITISH mind.
The threat'ning storm would faction's fire affuage,
And gen'ral danger kindle gen'ral rage.
Old age would glow with youthful ardor warm,
And manhood's vigor nerve the ftripling's arm;
Vengeance draw force from trembling beauty's tear,
And dauntless courage 1pring from female fear.

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Such ever be of ALBION's fons the pride, When fwells of ruthlefs war th' enfuriate tide!

Such

But lo! where radiant thro' the finking form
Shines of celeftial PEACE the lovely form;

And, the green laurel from his brow unbound,
See with the olive leaf our Sov'REIGN crown'd.
While grateful EUROPE Owns her States reflor'd
To peace and fafety by his victor fword.
NILE views no longer his redundant fiream
With defolation's iron harvefi gleam;
No longer LUSITANIA'S vine-clad coaft
Shrinks from the GALLIC and IBERIAN hoft.
HESPERIA fmiles thro' all her fragrant vales,
And faving ALBION's guardian genius hails:
While her proud CITY, whofe imperial tway
A fubject world once gloried to obey,
Like VEII's conqu'ror, views our friendly pow'rs,
Free from the GALLIC yoke her lofty towr's.

As joyful ENGLAND with exulting voice
Hails either Statesman of her MONARCH's choice,
Who drove with arm undaunted glory's car
Thro' the loud thunder of unequal war,

Or bade the fury of the battle cease,

And reach'd the blefs'd abodes of Fame and PEACE,
While Concord bleffes with celeftial fmiles

The favor'd EMPIRE of the BRITISH ISLES;
BERKSHIRE, tho' honor twine the fairest bough
To grace her ADDINGTON'S illuftrious brow,
Proud that awhile her genial fields fhould claim
Enroll'd amidft her fons his glorious name,—
His abfence long fhall mourn. Tho' fcenes more bright,
And plains more fertile now may charm his fight,
Ne'er fhall he find thro' all the race of earth
Hearts more devoted to his PATRIOT WORTH !

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