David Garrick prologue and engraving

              Prologue 

I, who am now a Vetran of the Stage , 
And Counsel for Infirmity and Age, 
Must plead their Cause ,--feel it in heart & mind; 
A fellow-feeling one wond'rous kind! 
   Might we.--I'm sure we may, & with success, 
Hope for your smiles to patronize Distress; 
That hope obtain'd the wishd for end secures, 
To sooth their cares, who oft have lighten'd yours. 
Shall the great Heroes of Celestial Line, 
Who drank full Bowl's of Greek & Roman Wine; 
Caesar & Brutus, Agamemnon, Hector, 
Nay Jove himself, who here has quaffd his Nectar, 
Shall they who govern'd Fortune, Cringe , & Court her, 
Thirst in their Age, and call in vain for Porter? 
Like Bellisarius--tax the pitying Street, 						David Garrick 
With Date Obolum. --to all they meet; 
Shan't I, who here have murder'd many a score, 
Stab'd many, poison'd some, beheaded more; 						David Garrick
Who numbers slew in Battle on this plain, 
Shan't I the slayer, try to feed the slain? 
Brother to all, with equal Love I view, 					Engraved by Philip Thomas. from a Painting by Sir J. Reynolds
The Men who slew me, & the Men I slew. 
I must, I will this happy project sieze ,-­					 London: Published by Thomas Kelly, 17, Paternoster Row 1836
That those too bold to die, may live with ease . 


					see over for Garricks's finale