The Clandestine Marriage

POETS and Painters, who from Nature draw Their bet and richet Stores, have made this Law: That each hould neighbourly ait his Brother, And teal with Decency from one another. To-night, your matchles Hogarth gives the Thought, Which from his Canvas to the Stage is brought. And who o fit to warm the Poet's Mind, As he who pictur'd Morals and Mankind? But not the ame their Characters and Scenes; Both labour for one End, by different Means: Each, as it uits him, takes a eparate Road, Their one great Object, Marriage-a-la-mode! Where Titles deign with Cits to have and hold, And change rich Blood for more ubtantial Gold! And honour'd Trade from Interet turns aide, To hazard Happines for titled Pride. The Painter dead, yet till he charms the Eye; While England lives, his Fame can never die: But he, who truts his Hour upon the Stage, Can carce extend his Fame for Half an Age; Nor Pen nor Pencil can the Actor ave, The Art, and Artit, hare one common Grave. O let me drop one tributary Tear, On poor Jack Faltaff's Grave, and Juliet's Bier! You to their Worth mut Tetimony give; 'Tis in your Hearts alone their Fame can live. Still as the Scenes of Life will hift away, The trong Impreions of their Art decay. Your Children cannot feel what you have known; They'll boat of Quins and Cibbers of their own: The greatet Glory of our happy few, Is to be felt, and be approv'd by you.

Dettagli