PROLOGUE TO ZOBEIDE: A TRAGEDY. WRITTEN BY JOSEPH CRADDOCK, ESQ. ACTED AT THE THEATRE-ROYAL, COVENT-GARDEN, 1772. SPOKEN BY MR, QUICK. IN these bold times when learning's sons explore The distant climates, and the savage shore; And fits his little frigate for adventures. With Scythian stores, and trinkets deeply laden, He this way steers his course, in hopes of tradingYet ere he lands he's order'd me before, 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 [Pit. 'em Here trees of stately size-and billing turtles in 'em— [Balconies. [Stage. [Tasting them. Here ill-conditioned oranges abound- The inhabitants are cannibals I fear : I heard a hissing-there are serpents here! O, there the people are best keep my distance; Our ship's well stor❜d-in yonder creek we've laid her, 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. THE LOGICIANS REFUTED. IN IMITATION OF DEAN SWIFT. LOGICIANS have but ill defin'd As rational the human mind; By Ratiocinations specious, Have strove to prove with great precision, With definition and division, Homo est ratione preditum ; But for my soul I cannot credit 'em. Than reason, boasting mortals' pride; Whoever knew an honest brute, At law his neighbor prosecute, O'er plains they ramble unconfin'd, They eat their meals, and take their sport, Nor know who's in or out at court; They never to the levee go To treat as dearest friend, a foe: At court, the porters, lacquies, waiters, |