BUSIRIS, KING OF EGYPT. A Tragedy. ACTED AT THE THEATRE-ROYAL IN DRURY-LANE, 1719. O triste planè acerbumque funus! O morte ipsâ mortis tempus indignius! Jam destinata erat egregio juveni, jam electus nuptiarum dies; quod gaudium, quo morore mutatum est? PLIN. Epist. PROLOGUE BY A FRIEND. SPOKEN BY MR. BOOTH. LONG have you seen the Greek and Roman name, While yet unrung those heroes sleep, from whom Here pomp and splendor serves but to prepare: To touch the soul is our peculiar care; By just distress soft pity to impart, And mend your nature, while we move your heart; When passion rages, eloquence is mean; And 'tis your virtue swells into your eyes. BUSIRIS, KING OF EGYPT. ACT I. SCENE I. Enter PHERON and SYPHOCES. SYPHOCES. IF glorious structures, and immortal deeds, Enlarge the thought, and set our souls on fire, With arts and arms, so boundless in their fame. PHERON. Thrice happy land! did not her dreadful king, SYPHOCES. By pride indeed; He calls himself the Proud, and glories in it, Nor would exchange for Jupiter's Almighty. Have we not seen him shake his silver reins |