ABSTRACT
Pope’s ‘Prologue’ to Addison’s play Cato was first published on 18 April 1713. It appeared, together with an ‘Epilogue’ written by their mutual friend Samuel Garth, in The Guardian, no. 33, at the end of an essay advertising the dramatic, moral and political virtues of the play. The two poems are introduced in the following terms:
Mr. Pope has prepared the Audience for a new Scene of Passion and Transport on a more noble Foundation than they have before been entertained with, in the Prologue. I shall take the Liberty to gratifie the Impatience of the Town by inserting these two excellent Pieces, as Earnests of the Work it self, which will be Printed within few Days.
