PROLOGUE TO SHERIDAN KNOWLES' COMEDY, "THE WIFE" (1833) Untoward fate no luckless wight invades More sorely than the Man who drives two trades; Like Esop's bat, between two natures placed, Scowl'd at by mice, among the birds disgraced.

Crush the upbraiding joy, Increase his riches, and his peace destroy 40 Now fears in dire vicissitude invade, The rustling brake alarms, and quivering shade; Nor light nor darkness brings his pain relief, One shows the plunder, and one hides the thief.

For there huge Othos sits in sad distresse, Fast bound with serpents that him oft invades, Far of beholding Ephialtes tide, 375 Which once assai'd to burne this world so wide.

These massy columns in a circle rise, O'er which a pompous dome invades the skies: Scarce to the top I stretched my aching sight, So large it spread, and swelled to such a height.

And since then there has been nothing I could do for you but to pray that your faith may bear this test and that you may deeply realise that God is the refuge of His saints, When storms of sharp distress invade.

An horrid stillness first invades the ear, And in that silence we the tempest hear.

Dietrich invades, 121.

" Then with dejected visage the Moor this answer made, While a thousand thoughts of sorrow his valorous breast invade: "Ah, little did I think," he said, "and little did I know That thou, my lovely Zaida, would ever treat me so; And little did I think thou wouldst have done this cruel deed And by thy changeful heart would thus have made my heart to bleed.

The bear, enrag'd, th' affrighted moon shall dread; The lilies o'er the vales triumphant spread; Nor shall the lion, wont of old to reign Despotick o'er the desolated plain, Henceforth th' inviolable bloom invade, Or dare to murmur in the flow'ry glade; His tortur'd sons shall die before his face, While he lies melting in a lewd embrace; And, yet more strange!