THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL文学意识流_爱尔兰戏剧.docVIP

THESCHOOLFORSCANDAL

ACOMEDY

APORTRAIT1

ADDRESSEDTOMRS.CREWE,WITHTHECOMEDYOFTHESCHOOLFORSCANDAL

BYR.B.SHERIDAN,ESQ.

Tellme,yeprimadeptsinScandalsschool,

Whorailbyprecept,anddetractbyrule,

Livestherenocharacter,sotried,soknown,

Sodeckdwithgrace,andsounlikeyourown,

Thatevenyouassistherfametoraise,

Approvebyenvy,andbysilencepraise!—

Attend!—amodelshallattractyourview—

Daughtersofcalumny,Isummonyou!

Youshalldecideifthisaportraitprove,

OrfondcreationoftheMuseandLove.—

Attend,yevirgincritics,shrewdandsage,

Yematroncensorsofthischildishage,

Whosepeeringeyeandwrinkledfrontdeclare

Afixtantipathytoyoungandfair;

Bycunning,cautious;orbynature,cold,

Inmaidenmadness,virulentlybold!—

Attend!yeskilledtocointheprecioustale,

Creatingproof,whereinnuendosfail!

Whosepractisedmemories,cruellyexact,

Omitnocircumstance,exceptthefact!—

Attend,allyewhoboast,—oroldoryoung,—

Thelivinglibelofaslanderoustongue!

Soshallmythemeasfarcontrastedbe,

Assaintsbyfiends,orhymnsbycalumny.

Come,gentleAmoret(forneaththatname,

Inworthierverseissungthybeautysfame);

Come—forbuttheewhoseekstheMuse?andwhile

Celestialblushescheckthyconscioussmile,

Withtimidgrace,andhesitatingeye,

Theperfectmodel,whichIboast,supply:—

VainMuse!couldstthouthehumblestsketchcreate

Ofher,orslightestcharmcouldstimitate—

Couldthybleststraininkindredcolourstrace

Thefaintestwonderofherformandface—

Poetswouldstudytheimmortalline,

AndREYNOLDSownHISartsubduedbythine;

Thatart,whichwellmightaddedlustregive

ToNaturesbestandHeavenssuperlative:

OnGRANBYScheekmightbidnewgloriesrise,

OrpointapurerbeamfromDEVONSeyes!

Hardisthetasktoshapethatbeautyspraise,

Whosejudgmentscornsthehomageflatterypays!

ButpraisingAmoretwecannoterr,

NotongueoervaluesHeaven,orflattersher!