Anna Laetitia Barbauld - Prologue To A Drama lyrics

PERFORMED BY A FAMILY PARTY ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF MR. AND MRS. C.'S MARRIAGE “To wake the soul by tender strokes of art, To raise the genius, and to mend the heart,”— Hold, hold! that's not my cue, we 've no intention By “tender strokes” to sharpen girls' invention: The soul will waken time enough, ne'er fear; No lines shall rouse the slumbering pa**ions here. O! ever sacred be the deep repose Which Youth, on Innocence' pure bosom, knows; Before a wish, a throb, a care, have taught The pangs of feeling or the lines of thought. O happy period! soon to pa** away, Soon will the swelling gales a**ert their sway, And drive the vessel from the sheltered port,— O guide it Heaven!—of winds and waves the sport. Nor yet “to raise the genius” is our aim, With Shakespear's high-wrought scenes and words of flame. A little story, drawn from fairy lore, A nursery tale, this evening we explore: “To mend the heart,” indeed, we mean to try, And show what poison lurks in flattery. 'Tis true our hero was a prince—what then! Believe me, Flattery stoops to common men. A little dose, made up with sk** and care, A grain or two of incense, all can bear: 'Tis life's first rule,—by complaisance we live; All flatter all, and to receive we give. Myself, for instance, am sent here tonight With soothing speech your favour to invite; And when our piece is done, perhaps e'en you, My gentle auditors, may flatter too, And make us boast our talents and our sk**, When all the merit is in your good will. But there's a theme which asks a verse this day, Where Flattery has no power her tints to lay; This hallowed day, in Hymen's golden bands Which joined consenting hearts and willing hands. How many years ago should any ask, Look round,—to count them is an easy task; Each tiptoe girl, and each aspiring boy, Date, as they pa**, the years of love and joy. O happy state! where blessings number years, And smiles are only quenched in more delicious tears. Here, should my willing lips the theme pursue, And draw the lovely scene in colours due, Paint the well-ordered home, the sacred seat Where social joys and active virtues meet; These wield in love, and those in love obey The peaceful sceptre of domestic sway; Where sparkling Fancy weaves her airy dream, And Science sheds around her steady beam,— Each answering heart the faithful sketch would own, And glow with feelings raised by truth alone.