SONG: INTENDED TO HAVE BEEN SUNG IN THE COMEDY OF SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER.' 1 AH me! when shall I marry me? Lovers are plenty; but fail to relieve me. Offers to love, but means to deceive me. But I will rally, and combat the ruiner : Not a look, nor a smile shall my passion discover. She that gives all to the false one pursuing her, Makes but a penitent, and loses a lover. SIR,-I send you a small production of the late Dr Goldsmith, which has never been published, and which might perhaps have been totally lost, had I not secured it. He intended it as a song in the character of Miss Hardcastle, in his admirable comedy of « She Stoops to Conquer,» but it was left out, as Mrs Bulkley, who played the part, did not sing. He sang himself in private companies very agreeably. The tune is a pretty Irish air, called << The Humours of Balamagairy,» to which, he told me, he found it very difficult to adapt words; but he has succeeded very happily in these few lines. As I could sing the tune, and was fond of them, he was so good as to give me them, about a year ago, just as I was leaving London, and bidding him adieu for that season, little apprehending that it was a last farewell. I preserve this little relic, in his own hand-writing, with an affectionate care. I am, Sir, Your humble servant, PROLOGUE ΤΟ ZOBEIDE; A TRAGEDY: WRITTEN BY JOSEPH CRADDOCK, ESQ. ACTED AT THE THEATRE-ROYAL, COVENT GARDEN, MDCCLXXII. SPOKEN BY MR QUICK. In these bold times, when Learning's sons explore With Scythian stores, and trinkets deeply laden, To make an observation on the shore. Where are we driven? our reckoning sure is lost! This seems a rocky and a dangerous coast. Lord, what a sultry climate am I under! Yon ill foreboding cloud seems big with thunder: [Upper Gallery. There mangroves spread, and larger than I've seen 'em Here trees of stately size-and billing turtles in 'em. [Pit. [Balconies. Here ill-condition'd oranges abound- [Stage. [Tasting them. I heard a hissing-there are serpents here! O, there the people are best keep my distance : Our captain, gentle natives! craves assistance; Our ship's well stored-in yonder creek we've laid her, His honour is no mercenary trader. This is his first adventure, lend him aid, And we may chance to drive a thriving trade. His goods, he hopes, are prime, and brought from far, Equally fit for gallantry and war. What, no reply to promises so ample? I'd best step back-and order up a sample. EPILOGUE, SPOKEN BY MR LEE LEWES, IN THE CHARACTER OF HARLEQUIN, AT HIS BENEFIT. HOLD! Prompter, hold! a word before your nonsense: I'd speak a word or two, to ease my conscience. My pride forbids it ever should be said, My heels eclipsed the honours of my head; Or ever thought that jumping was a jest. [Takes off his mask. Off! off! vile trappings! a new passion reigns! Oh! for a Richard's voice to catch the theme : Give me another horse! bind up my wounds!-soft-'twas but a dream. Ay, 'twas but a dream, for now there's no retreating, If I cease Harlequin, I cease from eating. 'Twas thus that Æsop's stag, a creature blameless, Yet something vain, like one that shall be nameless, Once on the margin of a fountain stood, And cavill'd at his image in the flood. << The deuce confound,» he cries, « these drumstick shanks, They never have my gratitude nor thanks; They're perfectly disgraceful! strike me dead! How piercing is that eye! how sleek that brow! Near, and more near, the hounds and huntsmen drew He quits the woods, and tries the beaten ways; Whilst his strong limbs conspire to set him free, [Taking a jump through the stage door |