'An easier Case is yours: you 've not the Smart "That two fond Pleaders cause in one Man's Heart; 'You've not to wait from Year to Year distress'd, 'Before your Conscience can be laid at rest; "There smiles your Bride, there sprawls your new-born ‹ Son, '-A Ring, a Licence, and the thing is done.' "My loving James,"-the Lass began her Plea, "I'll make thy Reason take a part with me: "Had I been froward, skittish, or unkind, "Or to thy Person or thy Passion blind; "Had I refus'd, when 'twas thy part to pray, "Or put thee off with Promise and Delay; "Thou might'st in Justice and in Conscience fly, "Denying her who taught thee to deny : "But, James, with me thou hadst an easier Task, "Bonds and Conditions I forbore to ask; "I laid no Traps for thee, no Plots or Plans, "Nor Marriage nam'd by Licence or by Banns; "Nor would I now the Parson's Aid employ, "But for this Cause,"-and up she held her Boy. Motives like these could Heart of Flesh resist? James took the Infant and in triumph kiss'd; Then to his Mother's Arms the Child restor❜d, Made his proud Speech and pledg'd his worthy Word. 'Three Times at Church our Banns shall publish'd be, 'Thy Health be drunk in Bumpers three times three; 'And thou shalt grace (bedeck'd in Garments gay) 'The Christening-Dinner on the Wedding-Day.' James at my Door then made his parting Bow, Took the Green-Man, and is a Master now. LETTER XII. PLAYERS. These are Monarchs none respect, Wealthy Men, whom Duns pursue; Beauties, shrinking from the View Long-forsaken Damsels woo, These are Misers, craving Means Whom the Rabble praise and blame; Toiling after Ease, are they, * Strolling Players are thus held in a legal sense. LETTER XII. PLAYERS. They arrive in the Borough.-Welcomed by their former Friends. Are better fitted for Comic than Tragic Scenes: yet better approved in the latter by one part of their Audience.-Their general Character and Plea· santry.-Particular Distresses and Labours.-Their Fortitude and Patience.-A private Rehearsal.-The Vanity of the aged Actress.-A Heroine from the Milliner's Shop.-A deluded Tradesman.-Of what Persons the Company is composed.—Character and Adventures of Frederick Thompson. DRAWN by the Annual Call, we now behold Join to support this Company sublime : Ours for the longer Period-see how light Night. Now public Rooms shall sound with Words divine, And private Lodgings hear how Heroes shine; No talk of Pay shall yet on Pleasure steal, Peruse these Bills, and see what each can do,- We all endure them; there are some admire: Children of Thespis, welcome! Knights and Queens! Counts! Barons! Beauties! when before your Scenes, And mighty Monarchs thund'ring from your Throne ;. Then step behind, and all your Glory's gone: |