When first was rear’d the British Stage,
Rude was the scene and weak the lay;
The Bard explored the sacred Page,
And holy Mystery form’d his Play.
Th’ affections of the mortal breast
In simple Moral next he sung,
Each Vice[17] in human shape he drest,
And to each Virtue[17] gave a tongue.
Then ’gan the Comic Muse unfold
In coarser jests her homely art: