This vile, low, degrading farrago is taken from an opera called the Russian Impostor, or Siege of Sloremskho.
After such trash it will be delightful to turn to some lines, written by lord Byron on this general subject of complaint. They are extracted from an excellent poem entitled “English Bards and Scotch Reviewers, a Satire,” with notes by the author.
Now to the Drama turn—oh, motley sight!
What precious scenes the wondering eyes invite!
Puns, and a prince within a barrel pent,[11]
And Dibdin’s nonsense yield complete content.
Though now, thank heaven! the Roscio mania’s o’er,
And full-grown actors are endured once more;
Yet, what avails their vain attempts to please,
While British critics suffer scenes like these;