At such a time to fill the vacant place,
A chosen few have taken heart of grace,
And tho’ unused the actor’s part to fill,
Will show, if not the deed, at least the will.”
Then came mention of some of the amateurs who had already played before the passengers:—
“Yet not all novices—the veteran Flood
You’ve seen before, and you’ve pronounced him good;
The modest Griffiths, and the blushing Lance,
Joy of the fair and hero of the dance;”
and so forth. The performance took place while the vessel was constantly rolling. Mr. Laird says that he had to think almost as much of his equilibrium as of anything else; but as he had always to appear trembling before the presence of his master in the piece, it did pretty well, except in one lurch, when he went flying in an undignified manner across the stage into the arms of the prompter.