Nor was the slightest interest e’er given to enthral,
And, until five dull acts were o’er, the curtain would not fall,
On this fine old standard tragedy, all of the olden time.
But better taste must come at last, and such plays be put by,
And empty houses soon proclaimed this tragedy must die;
They gave it up right grudgingly, and not without a sigh,
And found they must at last look round for sterling novelty,
Instead of standard tragedies, all of the olden time.
And surely this is better far when managers are made
To shelve these tragedies that have of interest not a shade;