Bell's Edition

Guilt's hapless servant sinks into a slave,

And Virtue's last sad strugglings cannot save.
"As such our fair attempt, we hope to see
“ Our judges---here at least---from influence free:
"One place---unbiass'd yet by party rage----
"Where only honour votes---the British stage. 39
"We ask for justice, for indulgence sue;

"Our last best licence must proceed from you."

PROLOGUE

TO THE MASK OF BRITANNIA,

Spoken by Mr. Garrick,* 1755, in the Character of a Sailor fuddled, and talking to himself.

He ENTERS singing,

How pleasant a sailor's life passes
WELL, if thou art, my boy, a little mellow,
A sailor, half-seas o'er---is a pretty fellow.
What cheer, ho? Do I carry too much sail?

To the Pit
No---tight and trim---I scud before the gale-----

[He staggers forward, then stops.

But softly tho'; the vessel seems to heel:
Steady, my boy---she must not shew her keel.

* Some of the lines, too, were written by him.

And now, thus ballasted--what course to steer?
Shall I again to sea and bang Mounseer?tu
Or stay on shore, and foy with Sal and Sue-
Dost love 'em, Boy?---By this right hand I do." to
A well-rigg'd girl is surely most inviting; altand
There's nothing better, faith---save Hip and fighting:
For shall we, sons of beef and freedom, stoop,
Or lower our flag to slavery and soup?
What! shall these Parlveous make such a racket,
And we not lend a hand to lace their jacket?
Still shall Old England be your Frenchman's butt?"
Whene'er he shuffles we should always cut.
I'll to 'em, faith---Avast---before I go---:
Have I not promis'd Sal to see the show?

And gi

I wish

Your

And,

True

[Pulls out a play-bill.

From this same paper we shall understand
What work's to-night---I read your printed hand!
But, first refresh a bit---for faith I need it---
I'll take one sugar-plum---and then I'll read it.

[Takes some tobacco..

He reads the play-bill of Zara, which was acted that evening At the Theatre-Royal--- Drury-Lane---will be presenta-ted a tragedy called-yng

- SARAH.

I'm glad 'tis Sarah--- Then our Sal may see $9
Her namesake's tragedy; and as for me,

I'll sleep as sound as if I were at sea, ***

f Torwhich will be added---a new Mask, Zounds why a Mask? We sailors hate grimaces: Above-board all, we scorn to hide our faces. But what is here, so very large and plain? Bri-ta-nia---oh, Britania!---good again--Huzza, Boys! by the Royal George I swear, sist Tom Coxen and the crew shall straight be there.zo All free-born souls must take Bri-ta-nia's part, vol 10 And give her three round cheers with hand and heart! and [Going off, be stops. I wish you landmen, tho', would leave your tricks, Your factions, parties, and damu'd politics;And, like us honest tars, drink, fight, and sing, True to yourselves, your country, and your king. 39.

EPILOGUE TO THE BROTHERS.
A TRAGEDY BY DR. YOUNG,

To woman, sure, the most severe affliction
Is from these fellows pointblank contradiction.
Our Bard, without---I wish he would appear-.-.-.
Úd! I would give it him---but you shall hear---
Good Sir! quoth I---and curtsey'd as I spoke il
Our pit, you know, expects and loves a joke---
'Twere fit to humour theme for, right or wrong,
True Britons never like the same thing long.

To-day is fair---they strut, huff, swear, harangue---
To-morrow is foul---they sneak aside, and hang. 10
Is there a war---Peace! peace! is all their cry:
Their peace is made---then, blood! they'll fight and die.

Gallants! in talking thus I meant no treason;
I would have brought, you see, the man to reason;
But with some folks, 'tis labour lost to strive;
A reas'ning mule will neither lead nor drive,
He humm'd and ha'd; then, waking from his
Cry'd, I must preach to you his moral scheme.
A scheme, forsoofh! to benefit the
Some queer odd whim of ricus propagation!*
Lord! talk so here---the man must be a widgeon---
Drury may propagate---but not Religion.

Yet, after all, to give the devil his due,
Our Author's