PROLOGUE.
Written by Mr. MOTTEUX.
So long the solitary Stage has mourn'd,
Sure now you're pleas'd to find our Sports return'd.
When Warriors come triumphant, all will smile,
And Love wirh Conquest crown the Toyls of Lille.
Tho from the Field of Glory you're no Starters,
Few love all Fighting, and no Winter-Quarters.
Chagrin French Generals cry, Gens temerare
Dare to take Lille! We only take the Air.
No, bravely, with the Pow'rs of Spain and France,
We will—Entrench; and stand—at a distance:
We'll starve 'em—if they please not to advance.
Long thus, in vain, were the Allies defy'd,
But 'twas ver cold by that damn'd River Side.
So as they came too late, and we were stronger,
Scorn the Poltrons, we cry'd—
March off; morbleu, _we'll stay for 'em no longer;
The little Monsieurs their Disgrace may own,
Now ev'n the Grand ones makes their Scandal known.
Mean while, without you half our Season's wasted.
Before 'tis_ Lent sufficiently we've fasted.
No matter how our Op'ra Folks did fare,
Too full a Stomach do's the Voice impair.
Nay, you your selves lost by't; for saunt'ring hither
You're safe from all but Love, four Hours together.
Some idle Sparks with dear damnd Stuff, call'd Wine,
Got drunk by Eight, and perhaps sows'd by Nine,
O'er Politicks and Smoke some rail'd some writ,
The Wiser yawn'd, or nodded o'er their Wit.
O'er Scandal, Tea, Cards, or dull am'rous Papers,
The Ladies had the Spleen, the Beaux the Vapors.
Some went among the Saints without Devotion;
Nay more, 'tis fear'd went thro' a wicked Motion.
But the kind Female Traders well may boast,
When we're shut up, their Doors are open'd most.
I dare engage, they, by the Vint'ners back'd,
Wou'd raise a Fund, so they alone might act.
With them 'tis ne'er Vacation, tho' we lose,
The Courts shut up, they Chamber Practice use.
Since therefore without Plays, tho' call'd a Curse,
The Good grow bad, the Bad grow worse and worse,
Show misled Zeal what Ills infest the Age,
And truly to reform, support the_ British Stage.
Dramatis Personæ.
MEN.
Sir Harry Sprightly. Mr.Mills.
Brigadier Blenheim, just return'd from the Army. Mr.Wilks
Mr. Nicknack, a Beau-Merchant. Mr.Cibber.
Major Bramble, a factious old Fellow. Mr.Johnson.
Master Totty, a great Boy. Mr.Bullock.
Knapsack, an Attendant on the Collonel. Mr.Pinkethman.
Shrimp, Sir Harry's Valet. Mr.Norris.