Envy's a general Vice from which we see No Country, Sex, no Time or Station free; Not e'en the Stage; for entre nous I fear Our Emulation is meer Envy here. Whatever the Pursuits our Thoughts engage, Envy's the ruling Passion of the Stage. Yet here our Friends the Poets much surpass us; Envy's a Weed that almost choaks Parnassus. And what amazes most is often found Mixt in the Harvest of the richest Ground. While Poets railed and ruined in each Page, We took it all for pure poetick Rage. While ev'ry little Slip was made the Handle, And Satire's specious Name concealed the Scandal, We thought that Virtue did this Warmth impart, Nor saw low Envy lurking in the Heart. Our Indignation into Grief was turned, E'en those, who felt the Smart, admired and mourned. The scribbling unsuccessful envious Fool Is the fit Subject for our Ridicule. Those Sons of Dulness here in Crowds resort, Tho' Dunces on the Record of this Court. As they were wounded, so they wish to wound, And strive to deal their own Damnation round. To blast young Merit all their Powers they bring, And set their little Souls upon the thing. Yet still the wretched Fool comes off a Loser, Dulness, like Conscience, is its own Accuser. And Tyrant Envy can at once impart Sneers to the Face and Vultures to the Heart. Then from this Subject which tonight we chuse, At least confess it is an honest Muse. A Foe to ev'ry Party, ev'ry Faction; For lo, she draws her Pen against Detraction. P.S. You may send it to the Barbers. DRAMATIS PERSONAE CANKER LADY CRITICK HEARTLY HARRIET SIR PATRICK BASHFULL MRS. CHATTER NIBBLE TRIFLE PLAGIARY GRUBWIT BUMPKIN FOOTMAN _Scene in Lady_ CRITICK's _House_ The Time an hour after the New Play on the first Night THE NEW PLAY CRITICIZED: OR THE PLAGUE OF ENVY (_Enter_ CANKER _and_ FOOTMAN) _Cank._ Is not my Man come in yet? _Foot._ No, Sir. _Cank._ Pray will you oblige me by letting one of your Servants step to Covent Garden Playhouse to look for him. _Foot._ I'll go myself, Sir; for I shan't be wanted 'till my Lady comes from the Play. (_Exit_)