But this vile hour disperses all my store, PROLOGUE то ZOBEIDE, A TRAGEDY. IN these bold times, when Learning's sons explore And quit for Venus many a brighter here; With Scythian stores and trinkets deeply laden, He this way steers his course, in hopes of tradingYet ere he lands, he has order'd me before, To make an observation on the shore. Where are we driv'n ? 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 Here ill-condition'd oranges abound [Balconies. [Stage. [Tasting them. And apples, bitter apples, strew the ground. The inhabitants are cannibals I fear : I heard a hissing-there are serpents here! O, there the people are-best keep my distance; Our captain (gentle natives) craves assistance; Our ship's well stor❜d-in yonder creek we've laid her : His honour is no mercenary trader. This is his first adventure; lend him aid, And we may chance to drive a thriving trade. 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, HOLD! Prompter, hold! a word before your non sense; I'd speak a word or two, to ease my conscience. My heels eclips'd the honours of my head; Or ever thought that jumping was a jest. [Takes off his mask. Whence, and what art thou, visionary birth? The joy that dimples, and the woe that weeps. |