Who frowns, and talks, and swears, with round parade, Looking, as who should say, Dam'me! who's afraid? 30 Strip but his vizor off, and sure I am Perhaps, to vulgar eyes, bestrides the state; And seems to every gazer all in white, If with a bribe his candour you attack, [Mimicking. He bows, turns round, and whip-the man's a black! 40 Yon critic, too-but whither do I run? If I proceed, our bard will be undone ! Well then, a truce, since she requests it too: Do you spare her, and I'll for once spare you. PROLOGUE ΤΟ ZOBEIDE. IN these bold times, when learning's sons explore The distant climate, and the savage shore- And quit for Venus many a brighter here— 1 From Zobeide. A tragedy. [By Joseph Cradock, Esq.] 1771. -The manuscript prologue was accompanied by this note: "Mr. Goldsmith presents his best respects to Mr. Cradock, has sent him the prologue, such as it is. He cannot take time to make it better. He begs he will give Mr. Yates the proper instructions; and so, even so, he commits him to fortune, and the public."-Zobeide was first acted at Covent-garden theatre on the 11th of December, 1771. The prologue was spoken by Mr. Quick, in the character of a sailor. -Line 3. When wise astronomers, etc. Lieut. Cook, who had been sent out in 1768 to observe the transit of Venus at Otaheite, cast anchor in the Downs on the 12th of July 1771. The astronomers alluded to are Cook and Green; the botanists, Banks and Solander. Line 11. With Scythian stores. The scene of the tragedy is Scythia.-Joseph Cradock, a native of Leicester, was educated at Cambridge. He left the university without graduating; but, in 1765, was created A. M. per literas regias. He was a proficient in music; a clever amateur-actor; and wrote four volumes entitled Memoirs. Zobeide, above-noticed, is translated from Les Scythes of Voltaire. Mr. Cradock died in 1826. While botanists, all cold to smiles and dimpling, When every bosom swells with wondrous scenes, Our bard into the general spirit enters, And fits his little frigate for adventures. With Scythian stores, and trinkets, deeply laden, He this way steers his course, in hopes of trading Yet ere he lands he 'as order'd me before, To make an observation on the shore. Where are we driven? our reckoning sure is lost! Yon ill-foreboding cloud seems big with thunder; [Upper gallery. There mangroves spread, and larger than I've seen them— Here trees of stately size-and turtles in them; Here ill-condition'd oranges abound— [Pit. 20 [Balconies. [Stage. And apples, [takes up one and tastes it] bitter apples, strew the ground. The place is uninhabited I fear; I heard a hissing-there are serpents here! Oh! there the natives are-a dreadful race! 'Tis best however keeping at a distance. [Making signs. Good savages, our captain craves assistance; Our ship's well stor'd; in yonder creek we've laid her; His honour is no mercenary trader : This is his first adventure; lend him aid, Or you may chance to spoil 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. 30 EPILOGUE WRITTEN FOR SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER.1 Enter Mrs. Bulkley, who courtesies very low as beginning to speak; then enter miss Catley, who stands full before her, and courtesies to the audience. MRS. BULKLEY. HOLD, ma'am, your pardon. What's your business here? From The miscellaneous works, 1801.-This epilogue, which had been given by its author to the Rev. Thomas Percy, was first |