LITMIR.BIZ

      Published by Good Press, 2019

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      EAN 4064066133931

Table of Contents

       THE APOLOGY.

       NIGHT.[92]

       THE PROPHECY OF FAMINE.

       AN EPISTLE TO WILLIAM HOGARTH.[117]

       THE DUELLIST.[132]

       GOTHAM.[148]

       THE AUTHOR.[171]

       THE CONFERENCE.[182]

       THE GHOST.[189]

       THE CANDIDATE.

       THE FAREWELL.

       THE TIMES.

       INDEPENDENCE.

       THE JOURNEY.[327]

      THE ROSCIAD THE APOLOGY NIGHT THE PROPHECY OF FAMINE AN EPISTLE TO WILLIAM HOGARTH THE DUELLIST GOTHAM THE AUTHOR THE CONFERENCE THE GHOST THE CANDIDATE THE FAREWELL THE TIMES INDEPENDENCE THE JOURNEY DEDICATION TO CHURCHILL'S SERMONS LINES WRITTEN IN WINDSOR PARK

      * * * * *

      THE ROSCIAD.[1]

      Unknowing and unknown, the hardy Muse

       Boldly defies all mean and partial views;

       With honest freedom plays the critic's part,

       And praises, as she censures, from the heart.

      Roscius[2] deceased, each high aspiring player

       Push'd all his interest for the vacant chair.

       The buskin'd heroes of the mimic stage

       No longer whine in love, and rant in rage;

       The monarch quits his throne, and condescends

       Humbly to court the favour of his friends;

       For pity's sake tells undeserved mishaps,

       And, their applause to gain, recounts his claps.

       Thus the victorious chiefs of ancient Rome,

       To win the mob, a suppliant's form assume; 10

       In pompous strain fight o'er the extinguish'd war,

       And show where honour bled in every scar.

       But though bare merit might in Rome appear

       The strongest plea for favour, 'tis not here;

       We form our judgment in another way;

       And they will best succeed, who best can pay:

       Those who would gain the votes of British tribes,

       Must add to force of merit, force of bribes.

       What can an actor give? In every age

       Cash hath been rudely banish'd from the stage; 20

       Monarchs themselves, to grief of every player,

       Appear as often as their image there:

       They can't, like candidate for other seat,

       Pour seas of wine, and mountains raise of meat.

       Wine! they could bribe you with the world as soon,

       And of 'Roast Beef,' they only know the tune:

       But what they have they give; could Clive[3] do more,

       Though for each million he had brought home four?

       Shuter[4] keeps open house at Southwark fair,

       And hopes the friends of humour will be there; 30

       In Smithfield, Yates[5] prepares the rival treat

       For those who laughter love, instead of meat;

       Foote,[6] at Old House—for even Foote will be,

       In self-conceit, an actor—bribes with tea;

       Which Wilkinson[7] at second-hand receives,

       And at the New, pours water on the leaves.

       The town divided, each runs several ways,

       As passion, humour, interest, party sways.

       Things of no moment, colour of the hair,

       Shape of a leg, complexion brown or fair, 40

       A dress well chosen, or a patch misplaced,

       Conciliate favour, or create distaste.

       From galleries loud peals of laughter roll,

       And thunder Shuter's praises; he's so droll.

       Embox'd, the ladies must have something smart,

       Palmer! oh! Palmer[8] tops the jaunty part.

       Seated in pit, the dwarf with aching eyes,

       Looks up, and vows that Barry's[9] out of size;

       Whilst to six feet the vigorous stripling grown,

       Declares that Garrick is another Coan.[10] 50

       When place of judgment is by whim supplied,

       And our opinions have their rise in pride;

       When, in discoursing on each mimic elf,

       We praise and censure with an eye to self;

       All must meet friends, and Ackman[11] bids as fair,

       In such a court, as Garrick, for the chair.

       At length agreed, all squabbles to decide,

       By some one judge the cause was to be tried;

       But this their squabbles did afresh renew,

       Who should be judge in such a trial:—who? 60

       For Johnson some; but Johnson, it was fear'd,

       Would be too grave; and Sterne[12] too gay appear'd;

       Others for Franklin[13] voted; but 'twas known,

       He sicken'd at all triumphs but his own:

       For Colman[14] many, but the peevish tongue

       Of prudent Age found out that he was young:

       For Murphy[15] some few pilfering wits declared,

       Whilst Folly clapp'd

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