Tell each other to rue 35 Your Devonshire crew, To be frolick like him, 40 But alas! your good worships, how could they be wiser, When both have been spoiled in to-day's Advertiser ? 1 OLIVER GOLDSMITH. PROLOGUE TO ZOBEIDE. ['Zobeide' was a tragedy founded upon Voltaire's 'Les Scythes,' and written by Joseph Cradock, a gentleman of fortune, and friend of Goldsmith. The play was produced at Covent Garden Theatre, Dec. 11, 1771, and the prologue was spoken by the comedian Quick in the character of a sailor. Our text is from the edition of 1772, which it will be seen varies considerably from the earlier editions.—ED.] IN these bold times, when Learning's sons explore every 3 5 10 In allusion to some verse in the Public Advertiser' on Angelica Kauffman's portrait of Sir Joshua Reynolds.-ED. 2 At this time Captain Cook had just returned from his first voyage round the world, a voyage projected by the Royal Society and Mr. (afterwards Sir Joseph) Banks for scientific purposes. Cook and Mr. Charles Green were the astronomers of the expedition, and were charged with the observation of the transit of Venus, &c., while Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander, of the British Museum, were the botanists.-ED. 3 These two lines are not in the earliest editions.-ED. Yet 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! 15 This seems a barren1 and a dangerous coast. Lord, what a sultry climate am I under! Yon ill-forboding cloud seems big with thunder: [Upper Gallery. There mangroves spread, and larger than I've seen 'em Here trees of stately size-and turtles in 'em.2 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,3 I fear : I heard a hissing-there are serpents here! 25 [Making signs.* 'Tis best, however, keeping at a distance. 6 This is his first adventure; lend him aid, Or you may chance to spoil" a thriving trade. 30 His goods, he hopes, are prime, and brought from far, 35 Equally fit for gallantry and war. What? no reply to promises so ample? -I'd best step back-and order up a sample. 1 Var.-a rocky, &c. 2 Var.-billing turtles in 'em. 3 Var. The inhabitants are cannibals, &c. 4 These four lines are not in the early editions.-ED. 5 Var.-Oh, there the people are best keep my distance : Our Captain, gentle natives, craves assistance. 6 Cradock gave the profits of the performance to Mrs. Yates, who played the heroine.-ED. 7 Var. And we may chance to drive, &c. 8 Goldsmith's note, sent to Cradock with this Prologue, will be found with the Letters at the end of vol. i.-ED. THRENODIA AUGUSTALIS: SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF HER LATE ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS DOWAGER OF WALES. [This piece was produced upon the occasion of the death of Augusta of Saxe Gotha, the relict of Frederick, Prince of Wales, and mother of George III., and was performed at Mrs. Conely's, or "the Great Room," Soho Square, Feb. 20, 1772. The only separate edition, which so appeared without Goldsmith's name, seems to have been the usual pamphlet one for selling "at the doors," on the evening of performance. This exists, but is very rare. The poet's name does not appear upon the work, probably because he deemed it, as he says below, "a compilation rather than a poem." Steevens and Reed suggested that it should be included in Goldsmith's works; and Chalmers first (1810) so included it, printing from a copy given by the author to Cradock, and then in the possession of Nichols. See also note 2 at p. 106, and the letter to Cradock dated "Sunday Morning," with the Letters in vol. i.-ED.] ADVERTISEMENT. The following may more properly be termed a compilation than a poem. It was prepared for the composer in little more than two days: and may therefore rather be considered as an industrious effort of gratitude than of genius. In justice to the composer, it may likewise be right to inform the public, that the music was adapted in a period of time equally short. SPEAKERS-Mr. Lee and Mrs. Bellamy. SINGERS-Mr. Champnes, Mr. Dine, and Miss Jameson; with Twelve Chorus Singers. THE MUSIC PREPARED AND ADAPTED BY SIGNOR VENTO. THRENODIA AUGUSTALIS. OVERTURE.-A SOLEMN DIRGE. AIR.-TRIO. ARISE, ye sons of worth, arise, CHORUS. When truth and virtue, &c. MAN SPEAKER. The praise attending pomp and power, 5 When wealth, and rank, and noble blood, 15 But aid the power of doing good Then all their trophies last; and flattery turns to fame. Blest spirit thou, whose fame, just born to bloom, Shall spread and flourish from the tomb, 20 Even now reproach and faction mourn, Alas! they never had thy hate; Unmoved, in conscious rectitude, A thousand gifts would fortune send; 25 In vain, to drive thee from the right, Like some well-fashion'd arch thy patience stood, SONG.—BY A man,1 affettuoso. Virtue, on herself relying, In the hopes of being blest. Every added pang she suffers Some increasing good bestows, And ev'ry shock that malice offers WOMAN SPEAKER. Yet ah! what terrors frown'd upon her fate, 30 35 40 45 Fever, and pain, and pale consumptive care, Nor did the cruel ravagers design To finish all their efforts at a blow; But, mischievously slow, They robb'd the relic and defac'd the shrine. With unavailing grief, Despairing of relief, Her weeping children round Beheld each hour Death's growing pow'r, And trembled as he frown'd. As helpless friends who view from shore The labouring ship, and hear the tempest roar, 50 55 1 Chalmers's version runs this song on to the lines for the "Man Speaker," but has the same words then repeated under "Song by a man," &c.-ED. |
