Par. May I know, sir, what good I've done to-day? And what's the meaning of your conversation?

Pam. No.

Par. I suspect however.---" I restore him From death to life ?"-which way?—

Pam. Oh, Parmeno,

You can't conceive the good you've done to-day,
From what distress you have deliver'd me.

Par. Ay, but I know, and did it with design.

Pam. Oh, I'm convinc'd of that.
Par. Did Parmeno

Ever let slip an opportunity

Of doing what he ought, sir?

Pam. Parmeno,

In after me!

Par. I follow.---By my troth,

I've done more good to-day without design,
Than ever with design in all my life.---
Clap your hands ! 54

[ironically.

PHORMIO.

ACTED at the ROMAN SPORTS',

L. Postumius Albinus, and L. Cornelius Merula, Curule Ædiles: principal actors, L. Ambivius Turpio and L. Attilius Præuestinus: the musick, composed for unequal flutes, by Flaccus, freedman to Claudius. Taken entirely from the Epidicazomenos of ApollodoActed four times', C. Fannius, and M. Valerius,

rus.

Consuls3.

Z 2

PRO

PROLOGUE.

4

THE Old Bard finding it impossible
To draw our poet from the love of verse,
And bury him in indolence, attempts

By calumny to scare him from the stage;
Pretending, that in all his former plays
The characters are low, and mean the style';
Because he ne'er describ'd a mad-brain'd youth",
Who in his fits of phrenzy thought he saw
A hind, the dogs in full cry after her ;
Her too imploring and beseeching him
To give her aid. But did he understand,
That when the piece was first produc'd, it ow'd,
More to the actor, than himself, its safety,

He would not be thus bold to give offence.
-But if there's any one that says, or thinks,
"That, had not the old bard assail'd him first,
"Our poet could not have devis'd a prologue,
"Having no matter for abuse ;"-let such
Receive for answer, " that although the prize
"To all advent'rers is held out in common,
"The veteran poet meant to drive our bard
"From study into want: he therefore chose
"To answer, though he would not first offend.
"And had his adversary but have prov'd
"A generous rival, he had had due praise.
"Let him then bear these censures, and reflect,
"Of his own slanders 'tis the due return!
"But henceforth I shall cease to speak of him,
"Although he ceases not himself to rail."

But

But now what I'd request of you, attend!
To-day I bring a new play, which the Greeks
Call Epidicazomenos'; the Latins,

From the chief character, name Phormio ;
Phormio, whom you will find a Parasite,
And the chief engine of the plot.---And now,
If to our poet you are well inclin'd,
Give ear; be favourable; and be silent!
Let us not meet the same ill fortune now,
That we before encounter'd, when our troop
Was by a tumult driven from their place;
To which the actor's merit, seconded

By your good-will and candour, has restor❜d us.

341

PER