death of that son, soon after his return, and the decease of the Chancellor immediately succeeding, the poet was reduced from a degree of affluence to poverty; as he merely held a lucrative place under his patron, which fell with him. The present tragedy was first acted in 1744. Garrick was the original Tancred, and Mrs. Cibber the renowned Sigismunda.-The story is taken from "Gil Blas," and, as the author added little more than poetry to the fable, it is devoid of all that incident by which every act should be diversified, to establish the just title of a dramatic work. The soft flowing love of Tancred and Sigismunda may find admirers by the fire-side, on a long winter's evening, but can with difficulty obtain listeners in a brilliant theatre, where a thousand objects divert the attention which is not seized at once by some bold occurrence on the stage, and fastened to the subject of its concern by perpetual variety. The interest which the town has taken of late in seeing a child represent a man, has recalled this tragedy from the library once more to the theatre. But this is no proof against the dulness of the production. The taste which is irregular, will combine irregularities; and why should not exquisite verses be taken for a play, whilst an exquisite little boy is received as an actor? Mrs. H. Siddons wants nothing to make the part of Sigismunda impressive, but a Tancred of her own height. The author of this work died in the forty-ninth year of his age, of a fever he caught by imprudently taking a boat from Hammersmith to Kew, when he was previously heated by a hasty walk from London He died at his house in Richmond, a pensioner of Frederick, Prince of Wales, the late king's father, and has a monument to his memory in Westminster Abbey. Thomson appears, from all accounts received of him, to have been a man of mild and modest manners, and of depressed spirits. Dr. Johnson says he was fat, and accuses him of indolence-here is another irregularity-for Thomson was born on the other side of the Tweed. TANCRED AND SIGISMUNDA. ACT THE FIRST. SCENE I. The Palace. SIGISMUNDA and LAURA.. Sig. Ah, fatal day to Sicily! The King Touches his last moments! Laura. So 'tis fear'd. Sig. Laura,'tis said the heart is sometimes charged With a prophetic sadness: such, methinks, Now hangs on mine. The King's approaching death Suggests a thousand fears. What troubles thence May throw the state once more into confusion, What sudden changes in my father's house May rise and part me from my dearest Tancred, Alarms my thoughts. Laura. The fears of love-sick fancy! But be assured your father's steady friendship, This, I may call him, his adopted son, The noble Tancred, formed to all his virtues. Sig. Ah, form'd to charm his daughter!.. This fair morn Has tempted far the chase. Is he not yet Laura. No.-When your father to the King, Sig. There lies, my Laura, o'er my Tancred's birth A cloud I cannot pierce. In Belmont woods, my father rear'd this youth— Who, in the late crusado, bravely fell. What says Rodolpho? Does he truly credit Laura. He has sometimes, Like you, his doubts; yet, when maturely weighed, That verged to doubt; but oft laments his state, Sig. Merit like his, the fortune of the mind, Beggars all wealth.-Then, to your brother, Laura, He talks of me? Laura. Of nothing else. Howe'er The talk begin, it ends with Sigismunda. Their morning, noontide, and their evening walks, Are full of you, and all the woods of Belmont Enamoured with your name |