Page:The Rosciad - Churchill (1761, 2nd edition).djvu/33

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THE ROSCIAD.
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From the tame scene which without passion flows,With just desert his reputation rose.Nor less he pleas'd, when, on some surly plan,He was, at once, the Actor and the Man. 650
In Brute he shone unequall'd: all agreeGarrick's not half so great a Brute as he.When Cato's labour'd scenes are brought to view,With equal praise the Actor labour'd too.For still you'll find, trace passions to their root, 655Small diff'rence 'twixt the Stoic and the Brute.
In fancied scenes, as in life's real plan,He could not, for a moment, sink the Man.In whate'er cast his character was laid,Self still, like oil, upon the surface play'd. 660Nature, in spite of all his skill, crept in:Horatio, Dorax, Falstaff,———still 'twas Q—n.
Next follows Sh–r–d–n.—A doubtful name,As yet unsettled in the rank of Fame.This, fondly lavish in his praises grown, 665Gives him all merit; That, allows him none.Between them both, we'll steer the middle course,Nor, loving Praise, rob Judgment of her force.

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