EPILOGUE

то

"THE WONDER; OR, A WOMAN KEEPS A SECRET."

Intended to have been spoken, in the character of Violante, at a private Theatre, in Hampshire. 1787.

BY S. E. BRYDGES, ESQ.

WELL; I am glad that we to-night have shewn
These hacknied taunts of men we can disown.
But poor weak woman's faults in every age
Must be the silly joke on every stage;

And if perchance these fellows draw our pictures,
Where in some noble action we are victors,

Why then forsooth all merit to divest,
The mighty Wonder makes the saucy jest.
Our vanity, our love of dress and show,
Are themes for sneers with every paltry beau.
But let us pry a little in the mind

Of these same fellows, to themselves so blind!
Why, of a drizzling cold December morn,
Before 'tis light, when sounds the echoing horn
Why do they, shiv'ring by some covert's side
With vain pretence the piercing cold deride?

Then at a distance still pursue the pack,
Till eve the grateful respite shall bring back;
Why but among their friends as vain as they
To boast the mighty honors of the day?
Why do these men, on London's proud parade,
Their cars in all the rainbow's hues array'd,
Till the sight wearies, drive them to and fro
Why but their tinsel trappings still to show?
Then as to dress-they too are fond of flashes;
Their wardrobe's stores, their tricks, their paint, their
washes;

The many hours they to the toilet spare,

;

Would make the very vainest female stare.-
Then forth they wander, and in every street
Some silly coxcomb one is sure to meet,
Who seems to say-" I look so well to-day,
"Methinks no female heart goes safe away."
Coquets at heart by tenfold more than we,
To wound a female bosom is their glee:
Their power once proved, they laugh to see the dart
Transfix for life some wretched woman's heart.

Now for the Wonder if we keep a Secret!—
When their faith's pledg'd, pray do they never break it?
Yes, yes, if ever in a yielding hour,

Fond woman puts her virtue in their power,

On their tongue's tip the mighty secret lies;

Round the next room they meet, the whisper flies, And her whose honor they are bound to prize, Thus to mere Vanity they sacrifice.—

But we a Woman's Secret kept can boast, E'en tho' we mourn a faithful lover lost.

"THE ORPHAN SAILOR-BOY."

BY EDMUND L. SWIFT, ESQ.

1.

TOM HAULYARD was a Seaman brave,
Thro' life a gallant Tar was he;

His cradle was the rocking wave,
His birth-right was the roaring sea:

2.

Twice thirty Years TOM HAULYARD fought,
So long a spotless name he bore;
Nor e'er the hardy veteran sought

Retreat or rest on Britain's shore.

3.

Three noble Sons around him stood

In all the pride of strength and health; And, while each manly form he view'd,

Kings might have envied HAULYARD'S wealth.

4.

But Toм, his namesake, best he lov'd,
My father was his eldest joy;

Yet well a parent's fondness prov'd
The love he bore each darling Boy.-

5.

Now Britain's foes provok'd the war,
And now their fleets usurp'd the tide ;
And hasten'd now each loyal tar

To raise her standard's fearless pride:

6.

Now in the honor'd ship that bore

The auspicious sign of CHARLOTTE's name, Intrepid Howe from Britain's shore

To meet the foes of Britain came.—

7.

Oh, peace be on the hallow'd tomb
Of him who never knew to fear;
And ever may his laurels bloom,
Bedew'd with Britain's grateful tear!-

8.

And now advanc'd the daring foe,

And now each British heart beat high :-
Oh God!-How many wounds must flow,
How
many Christian men must die!—

9.

The Squadrons meet-the dread array
Stands in a moment's awful pause-
Our Chief to Glory leads the way,
To Glory gain'd in Britain's cause.—

10.

Oh Christ! It was a fearful sight

To see the wounds that countless bled;

But oh, the horrors of the fight

To tell, would wake the sleeping dead!

11.

Among the rest TOM HAULYARD stood,
Full six feet high the Veteran rose;

A rock above the rolling flood,

He hurl'd back ruin on his foes.

12.

His gallant Sons around him drew
The terrors of the flashing sword;
While hostile thunders thinn'd the crew,
And slaughter swept the lessening board.-

13.

And now, alas !-One death-wing'd ball On WILLIAM's bosom urg'd its force; TOM HAULYARD saw his youngest fall, And rush'd to save his darling's corpse.

14.

In either Fleet conflicting fires

A thousand bloody deaths illume :— Huzza! Huzza!—the foe retires!

But HENRY meets his brother's doom!

15.

TOM HAULYARD was a Seaman bold,

Yet might he weep his children slain ;Down his rough cheek the salt tear roll'd-But does not namesake Toм remain ?—

16.

Ah no!-beneath the fatal stroke,

I saw my gallant father fall!-
Then stood alone the aged oak,
Stript of his youthful branches all.-

17.

Nor long he stood-One iron shower,
The vengeance of the sinking foe,
Burst forth in ruins' desperate hour:-

TOM HAULYARD sank beneath the blow.