PROLOGUE

Written by Mr. HOLCROFT, Spoken by Mr. BANNISTER, jun.

Prologues, with caustic touch, have often tried

To probe your spleen, prove knaves and fools allied;

Have twisted words and wit ten thousand ways,

To shew that these are most degenerate days!

A different task be ours.—We'll prove that you

Are wise and happy. Nay! tho' strange, 'tis true!

First on your
safety
think! now belles appear

By ample bulwarks guarded, front and rear!

Now male and female amble, side by side,

Exempt from harm, by breast-works fortify'd!

Here polygons defend Miss Molly's breast!

There horn-works hush the husband's fears to rest

By ramparts, daily rais'd, he's freed from cares;

If he'll but grant sufficient for repairs.

Our strength thus prov'd, proceed we to disclose

How new-made wealth thro' new-made channels flows!

How rich we are, in medal-rust and rare things!

In copper coins, gilt pence and—Queen-Anne-farthings!

How shells, stuff'd monkies, and Cremonas old,

In hand of Auctioneer, are current gold!

He "Going! going!" cries. "The hammer's up!

"This fine antique! this Roman——
caudle-cup!
"

A gem so rare makes connoisseurs turn pale,

Fearful, alike, to purchase or to fail!

Hope trembles, starts, from lip to lip rebounds,

'Till down she's knock'd by—Ah!—one thousand pounds!

The envied purchaser, with joy elate,

Pays for his prize by—selling his estate!

While
Smirk
, in florid style, words nicely plac'd,

Protests theee lot does,
anner
to his taste! (
Mimicking.
)

Yes! sure you're happy! and should rest content,

Now landscapes are reduced fifteen per cent:

And Claude's and Titian's new-found wonders may

By new-made Peers be bought—if new-made Peers can pay.

(
Assuming sorrow.
)

One thing, indeed, may well your peace invade,

Pawnbrokers! threaten you to leave off trade! (
Weeps.
)

(
Returning to his former chearful tone.
)

All things considered, now, while safety smiles,

And wealth inundates thus our Queen of isles;

While Vickery head defects so soon repairs,

And half unpeoples Greenland of her bears;

While exhibitions, galas and reviews,

Lisle-street, Vauxhall, the Abbey, Handel, Hughes,

Flutes, fiddles, trombos, double-drums, bassoons,

Mara, the speaking-figure, fish-balloons,

Earth-baths, live-eagles, such as never flew,

L'Hercule du Roy!
and General Jackoo!

While these create a round of such delight,

Sure, we may hope, you will not frown to-night!

While farces numerous as these go down,

Our farce may in its turn amuse the town;

And, smiling thus on Folly's vast career,

Sure not on us, alone, you'll be severe!