Subject ill suited to a Virgin’s Muse,

That cannot praise, and is to blame untaught:

Wherefore from this unprofitable theme

She turns, leaving unsung its argument;

Save that with careless hand her lute she strikes

Lightly, nor hoping that the myrtle wreath

Shall crown her unpremeditated lay.

[16] This was among the subjects for a Prize Poem, given out by Sir John and Lady Miller at Bath Easton.

THE BRITISH THEATRE.
WRITTEN IN 1775.