While botanists, all cold to smiles and dimpling, Forsake the fair, and patiently-go simpling, Our bard into the general spirit enters, And fits his little frigate for adventures. 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 '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 canibals 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, And we may chance to drive a thriving trade. His 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. 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 pride forbids it ever should be said, my head; That I found humour in a pyeball vest, Whence, and what art thou, visionary birth? Whose ins and outs no ray of sense discloses, Whilst 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, astonish'd! to his view, Near, and more near, the hounds and huntsmen drew. Høicks! hark forward! came thund'ring from behind, He bounds aloft, outstrips the fleeting wind: He He quits the woods, and tries the beaten ways; Whilst his strong limbs conspire to set him free, And at one bound, he saves himself, like me. [Taking a jump through the stage-door. |