PROLOGUÉ ΤΟ ZOBEIDE: A TRAGEDY. WRITTEN BY JOSEPH CRADDOCK, Esq. ACTED AT THE THEATRE ROYAL, COVENT GARDEN, M,DCC,LXXII. SPOKEN BY MR. QUICK. IN these bold times; when Learning's sons explore While botanists, all cold to smiles and dimpling, And fits his little frigate for adventures. To make an observation on the shore. Where are we driven! our reckoning sure is lost! [Upper Gallery. There mangroves spread, and larger than I've seen 'em [Pit. Here trees of stately size-and billing turtles in'em [Balconies. Here ill-conditioned oranges abound— [Stage. And apples, bitter apples strew the ground: The inhabitants are cannibals I fear: [Tasting them. I heard a hissing-there are serpents here! O, there the people are-best keep my distance; This is his first adventure, lend him aid, His His goods, he hopes, are prime, and brought from far, Equally fit for gallantry and war. What, no reply to promises so ample? EPILOGUE EPILOGUE SPOKEN BY MR. LEE LEWES, IN THE CHARACTER OF HARLEQUIN, AT HIS BENEFIT. HOLD! Prompter, hold! a word before your nonsense; I'd speak a word or two, to ease my conscience. My heels eclips'd the honours of my head; That I found humour in a pyeball vest, Or ever thought that jumping was a jest. [Takes off his mask. The joy that dimples, and the woe that weeps. Whilst from below the trap-door Dæmons rise, Aye, 'twas but a dream, for now there's no retreating, 'Twas thus that Æsop's stag a creature blameless, Yet something vain, like one that shall be nameless, Once on the margin of a fountain stood, And cavill'd at his image in the flood. "The deuce confound," he cries, "these drumstick "shanks, "They never have my gratitude nor thanks; They're perfectly disgraceful! strike me dead! "But for a head, yes, yes, I have a head. "How piercing, is that eye! how sleek that brow! My horns! I'm told horns are the fashion now. Whilst thus he spoke, astonished! to his view, Near, and more near, the hounds and huntsmen drew; Hoicks! hark forward! came thund'ring from be hind, He bounds aloft, outstrips the fleeting wind: He |