Chapter II: Prologue

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By AMOS MEREDITH, Esq;

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Near is my Shirt, but nearer is my Skin.

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_Rules were by Coxcombs made to cramp the Mind }
By Nature free, unfetter’d, unconfin’d, }
She mounts a Flame, and flies, astride the Wind. }
Through boundless space wings her Celestial Way, }
And Eagle-ey’d confronts the Source of Day; }
Criticks begone, avant ye Sons of Clay! }
To every Star its Name and Course assign, }
In narrow Bounds the swelling Tides confine, }
And teach the Ruler of the Day to shine. }
Sluggish the servile Mule sustains the Weight; }
Wolves bait the Moon because she shines so bright; }
And Owls are blinded with Excess of Light. }
Unchain’d by Art with true Poetick Rage, }
In Buskins highly rais’d, we tread the Stage; }
With Fire from Heaven, to thaw the frozen Age. }
The God of Number and melodious Strains, }
Triumphant drives through Empyrean Plains, }
Impetuous bound the Steeds nor hear the Reins }
If Soar-æthereal’s Characters too high, }
For mean Conception shocks the vulgar Eye, }
Let filthy Mire accuse the Azure Sky. }
Diamonds to Swine are despicable Things, }
Lost to the Mole the Vernal Verdure Springs, }
And Adders hiss tho’_ Senesino _sings. }
The Priestess speaks of him that gilds the Skies; }
Behold he comes, behold the God she cries: }
And swells, and foams, and rolls her frantick Eyes. }
Hark to the Noise a hundred Doors around, }
Spontaneous jarr, the vaulted Roofs rebound, }
And Words burst forth with more than mortal Sound._ }

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Persons of the Drama.

MEN.

Soarethereal.
Hurlothrumbo.
Dologodelmo.
Darony.
Urlandenny.
Theorbeo.
Lomperhomock.
Darno.
Primo.
Puny.
Temo.
Col. Countermine.
Genius.
Spirit.
Death.
_Lord_ Flame.

WOMEN.

Cademore.
Sermentory.
Seringo.
Lusingo.
Cuzzonida.

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_HURLOTHRUMBO_:

OR, THE

SUPER-NATURAL.