Tu trahis justos ad iniqua facta,
Triste tu confias odium propinquis ;

PROLOGUE,

SPOKEN BEFORE THE EXERCISES AT THE

BREAKING UP OF CHESTER SCHOOL, 1785.

MY master

, who has whims (for who is clear :)

Calling me forth to crave your patient ear,

Terms this his court of session for the year.

Commission'd, then, I venture to proclaim it

Oyez!-a gaol-deliv'ry, shall I name it? (ware :' “ No, youngster, no :" He frowns, and cries · BeBut, spite of frowns or tasks, for once I'll dare To prove my allusion just. Survey these walls; Their joyless bound full many a wretch enthralls. Here the long months, the little pris’ner fits,

1

Here, trembling, gnaws and cons his book by fits :

While ever and anon, the plaintive cry
Of fuff'ring brethren draws his plaintive eye.

Hard