By various Arts we thus attempt to please,
And your Delight persue by different Ways;
Nor from our numerous Imports judge it fit
To banish Pleasure and prohibit Wit
But while from Britain 's wealthy Cities flow
Much for Necessity and much for Show,
From the old World in Miniature we shew
Her choicest Pleasures to regale the new.
For your Delight and Use has Otway wrote,
And pow'rful Music tunes her warbling Throat,
While other Objects entertain the Sight,
And we, you know, can die for your Delight.
Warm'd with th' Applause your Favour now bestows,
It may inspire the Merit you suppose;
If haply your continu'd Smiles produce
The humble Fabrick suited to the Use.
Then from the doubling Arch the Notes shall bound,
And Vaults responsive eccho to the sound:
Thence from their Graves pale Ghosts arising flow
Shall clear the injur'd and the guilty show.
From nobler Themes shall loftier Scenes appear,
And Cato urge what Senators may hear;
Or Congreve 's Drama shake the laughing Dome,
With Wit unmatch'd by Athens or by Rome .

The little Term that Heaven to Mortals spares,
Is daily clouded with prolonging Cares;
Nor real Virtue blames the pleasing strife,
To blend Amusement with the Shades of Life;
Wise, innocent, serene, she smiles at Ease,
Nor hanging Witches, nor Abjuring Plays.