While Reynolds vents his ‘dammes, poohs’ and ‘zounds’[12]
And common place, and common sense confounds?
While Kenny’s World just suffered to proceed,
Proclaims the audience very kind indeed?
And Beaumont’s pilfer’d Caratach affords
A tragedy complete in all but words?[13]
Who but must mourn while these are all the rage,
The degradation of our vaunted stage?
Heavens! is all sense of shame and talent gone?
Have we no living bard of merit?—none?