EPILOGUE, SPOKEN BY MR. LEE LEWES, IN THE CHARACTER OF HOLD! Prompter, hold! a word before your nonsense [Takes off his mask Whence, and what art thou, visionary birth? Ay, 'twas but a dream, for now there's no retreating, E 'The deuce confound,' he cries, these drumstick shanks, They never have my gratitude nor thanks; 'Hoicks! hark forward!' came thund'ring from behind. He bounds aloft, outstrips the fleeting wind; [Taking a jump through the stage door. THRENODIA AUGUSTALIS.* SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF HER LATE ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS DOWAGER OF WALES. SPOKEN AND SUNG IN THE GREAT ROOM IN SOHO-SQUARE, Thursday, the 20th of February, 1772. ADVERTISEMENT. The following may more properly be termed a compilation than a poem. It was prepared for the composer in little more than two days: and may therefore rather be considered as an industrious effort of gratitude than of genius. In justice to the composer, it may likewise be right to inform the public, that the music was adapted in a period of time equally short. SPEAKERS-Mr. Lee and Mrs. Bellamy. SINGERS-Mr. Champnes, Mr. Dine, and Miss Jameson. THE MUSIC PREPARED AND ADAPTED BY SIGNIOR VENTO. THRENODIA AUGUSTALIS. OVERTURE-A SOLEMN DIRGE. AIR-TRIO. ARISE, ye sons of worth, arise, And waken every note of wo! 'Tis ours to weep the want below. This poem was first printed in Chalmers' edition of the English Poets, from a copy given by Goldsmith to his friend, Joseph Cradock, Esq., author of the tragedy of Zobeide. CHORUS. When truth and virtue, &c. MAN SPEAKER. The praise attending pomp and power, Are but the trappings of an hour, Mere transitory things. The base bestow them; but the good agree But when to pomp and power are join'd An equal dignity of the mind; When titles are the smallest claim; When wealth, and rank, and noble blood, But aid the power of doing good: Then all their trophies last-and flattery turns to fame. Blest spirit thou, whose fame, just born to bloom, How hast thou left mankind for Heaven! Alas! they never had thy hate; Unmoved, in conscious rectitude, In vain, to drive, thee from the right, Like some well-fashion'd arch thy patience stood, And purchased strength from its increasing load. Pain met thee like a friend to set thee free, Affliction still is virtue's opportunity! Virtue, on herself relying, Every passion hush'd to rest, Loses every pain of dying In the hopes of being blest. Every added pang she suffers SONG. BY A MAN-AFFETUOSO. Virtue, on herself relying, &c. to Only rocks her to repose. WOMAN SPEAKER. Yet ah! what terrors frown'd upon her fate, Nor did the cruel ravagers design To finish all their efforts at a blow: They robb'd the relic and defaced the shrine. Despairing of relief, Her weeping children round Beheld each hour Death's growing pow'r, And trembled as he frown'd. As helpless friends who view from shore The labouring ship, and hear the tempest roar, The inevitable loss. Relentless tyrant, at thy call How do the good, the virtuous fall! Truth, beauty, worth, and all that most engage, But wake thy vengeance and provoke thy rage. SONG. BY A MAN-BASSO, STOCCATO, SPIRITUOSO. When vice my dart and scythe supply, |