Ardent of Fame, yet fearless of Disgrace.
Without a boding Fear, or anxious Sigh,
The Bard obdurate sees his Brother die.
Deaf to the Critick, sullen to the Friend,
Not One takes Warning, by Another's End.
Oft has our Bard in this disastrous Year,
Beheld the Tragic Heroes taught to fear.
Oft has he seen the Poignant Orange fly,
And heard th'ill Omen'd Catcall's direful Cry.
Yet dares to venture on the dangerous Stage,
And weakly hopes to 'scape the Critick's Rage.
Sam. Johnson - Prologue to David Garrick's Lethe (1740)
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