MRS. PARRY'S NIGHT.

(By Permission of his Excellency), at the Theatre, SYDNEY, Saturday, June 1, 1791, will be presented FORTUNE'S FOOL.

Ap Hazard (for that night only), Mrs. Parry; Sir Charles Danvers, P. Parry ;* Tom Seymour, J.White; Orville, W. Smith; Samuel, H. Parsons; Sir Bamber Blackletter, G. H. Hughes; Mrs. Seymour, Mrs. M'Cann;+ Miss Union, Mrs, Radley; Lady Danvers, (for that night only) Mrs. Miller.

After the Play, a new Occasional Address will be spoken by Mrs. Parry.

TO WHICH WILL BE ADDED

BON TON.

Sir John Trotley, G. H. Hughes;|| Colonel Tivy, W. Smith; Lord Minikin, W. Knight; Jessamy, H. Parsons; Davey, J. White; Lady Minikin, Mr. Radley; Gymp, Mrs. Sparks;§ Miss Tittup, Mrs. Parry.

Boxes, 5s.-Front boxes, 3s. 6d.-Pit, 2s. 6d. Gallery, 1s.

P. Parry, convict for life, late grocer in Oxfordstreet, London, highway robbery.

+ Mrs. M'Cann, convict, by Britannia transport, for seven years, London; brothel-keeper, St. Mary-lebone.

Written by Michael Massey Robinson, clerk to judge advocate.

Hughes, a printer, prisoner.

Sparkes came out a free woman, lives with Vandercomb, who is a steady fellow.

Frances Grosvenor, alias Fey, convict by Britannia transport, for seven years, from London

Cyprian corps. Pavoy, a quondam grocer, Oxford-street ́Occasional performers.

THE

PARNASSIAN GARLAND,

FOR APRIL, 1801.

THE MINSTREL YOUTH,

(Concluded from Page 297.)

PART III.

E to the warder cried aloud

HE

Down fell the drawbridge clanking;
This cross'd, the Minstrel pass'd along
Full many a jutting buttress strong,
Each inner angle flanking.

There dreary silence reign'd, as though
No mortal thither ventur'd!

Then through the vaulted gateway, strew'd
With many a hoary sculpture rude,

Henry undaunted enter'd.

As slow he trod the spacious court,
.The vassals round assembled,
And welcom'd glad the minstrel swain,
The whilst a pity rousing strain

Upon his harpstrings trembled.

Beside a blazing fire he sate,

Reciting tales of laughter,
When suddenly the boisterous sound
Of Alric's voice re-echoed round

The corridor's high rafter.

Na

And now before the Earl's compeers
He bow'd with lowly gesture;
Briskly the sparkling goblet went-
He struck the tuneful instrument,
That grac'd his flowing vesture.
He sung the pride of chivalry,
Renown'd in either story,
Pendragon Arthur, him whose sword,
Dread Calliburn, a thousand gored,
And hew'd a path to glory.

Whose prowess, through sage Merlin's aid,
Caerleon's walls resounded;

Who, seated 'mid his worthies there,
With princely pomp, and festal cheer,
The old Round Table founded.

That good, but hapless king, he sung,
Who, with his neatherd housing,
E'en through the Dane's encampment stray'd,
An harper clad, and fearless play'd
Before their chiefs carousing.

Last sung he Henry, him, who fell
In Heaven's just cause a martyr,
What time on Acon's bloody field
Full many a knight his life did yield,
First boon of Nature's charter!

Here clos'd the strain-the thrilling chords
Had scarcely ceas'd vibration,

When Alric rose..pale, fear wrought streaks,
Swift spreading o'er his late flush'd cheeks.
Betray'd a strange sensation.

"Minstrel!" he cried, "thy song give o'er;
"Enough of tuneful sorrow-
"Henceforth my vassal shalt thou be,
"But pass this night a night of glee,
"And rest thee till the morrow."

-A month had now claps'd-the Earl
Proclaim'd a solemn tourney,

He sent his heralds forth to invite
Each lady fair, and gallant knight,
From parts far off to journey.

Bright rose th' appointed morn-around
The herald's arms were gleaming,
And now upon the tilting green
Marshals and seneschals were seen,
Their silken banners streaming.
Escorted by a trusty squire,

A stranger knight came riding;
In trappings clad a war-horse proud,
That champ'd his bit, and neigh'd aloud,
With reins so beauteous guiding.
Goodly his port-an hauberk's mail
And shield his body cover'd,
The satin surcoat, which he wore,
With golden scutcheons blazon'd o'er,
A true born knight discover'd.

High tower'd his casque, the grated bars
His features all disguising;
Upon his bearing was imprest,

"Truth will at length prevail”—the crest A sun, from clouds half-rising.

Throwing his gauntlet down, he bade
An herald cry-"This hour
"If that Earl Alric dare advance,

"An unknown knight will break a lance
"With him, our knighthood's flower."
'Tis answer'd-" To the unknown knight
"Thus sends Earl Alric greeting;
"With him he longs to try his strength,
"This instant at the javelin's length-
"Right hardy prove the meeting !"
On coalblack steed advanc'd the earl,
His cause's proud defender;
A falchion from his baldric swung,
Whose hilt, with gold and jewels hung,
Flash'd far a dazzling splendor.

Upon his plumed helmet sate

A sable vulture crested,

His buckler bore a gorgeous charge,
Of ribbed steel a corslet large

His sinewy limbs invested.

"Dost know me, Earl!" so spake the foe, And high his beaver raises, "Henry behold, the orphan youth, "Him, who in minstrel guise, forsooth, "So lately won thy praises.

"Nay, hear me out," continues he, (A minstrel swain no longer) "That Henry, whom intent to slay, "Thou sent'st two ruffians to waylay, "But Heaven hath prov'd the stronger!

"Yet, why this parley?-Come, Sir Earl! "Prepare thee for the trial,

"And O may Heaven befriend the right!" "Amen!" said Alric, "on the fight "I rest my whole denial."

A still suspense ensued-anon

A charge the trumpets sounded-
With lance in rest, in mid career
Furious they met -spear 'gainst spear
With forceful shock rebounded.
Onward again they spurr'd their steeds,
Their spears again protended,
And on each helm, each hauberk's plate
Frequent their curving falchion's weight
Unharming prone descended.

Ere long Earl Alric sudden wheel'd
Behind the youthful stranger,
But he the foeman's movement spied,
That instant dexterous glanc'd aside,
And scap'd th' impending danger.
Whilst thus the combat fierce they wag'd,
Now closing, now retreating,
Henry his bladed weapon rais'd,
And aim'd-the courser's flank it graz'd;
He plung'd, the Earl unseating.

Scarce had he remounted his steed,

And couch'd his long lance quivering, When lo! young Henry's well aim'd thrust Again low laid him in the dust,

His brittle cuirass shivering.