Methinks ’tis pitiful to see her try

For strength of arms and energy of eye;

With vigour lost, and spirits worn away,

Her pomp and pride she labours to display;

And when awhile she’s tried her part to act,

To find her thoughts arrested by some fact;

When struggles more and more severe are seen,

In the plain actress than the Danish queen, -

At length she feels her part, she finds delight,

And fancies all the plaudits of the night;