To wake the soul by tender strokes of art,
To raise the genius, and to mend the heart;
To make mankind, in conscious virtue bold,
Live o'er each scene, and be what they behold:
For this the tragic Muse first trod the stage.

More information about this quote

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Pope, Alexander. "Prologue to Addison's Cato." Cato, written by Joseph Addison. 14 Apr. 1713, Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London, UK, I. 1-5.

Current Citation

Pope, Alexander. "Prologue to Mr. Addison's Tragedy of Cato." Pope: Poems (Everyman's Library Pocket Poets Series). Everyman's Library, 2018, I. 1-5.