PADLOCK.
A Comic Opera.

BY ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, ESQ.

CORRECTLY GIVEN, FROM COPIES USED IN THE THEATRES,

BY

THOMAS DIBDIN,

Author of several Dramatic Pieces: and
PROMPTER OF THE THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY LANE.

Printed at the Chiswick Press,

BY C. WHITTINGHAM;

THE PADLOCK

OPENED the doors of Drury Lane Theatre to many an overflowing audience in the year 1768. Its success, on the comparative scale of farce with opera, was quite equal to that of Gay's BEGGAR'S OPERA: and it is no small addition to its well deserved credit, that it was the vehicle which first introduced the extraordinary talents of the late Mr. Charles Dibdin, who composed the music, in a conspicuous point of view.

Don Diego Leander. Mungo Scholars.

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

Leonora

Ursula.

As originally acted at
Drury Lane, 1768.
Mr. Bannister.

Mr. Vernon.

Mr. Dibdin.

Mrs. Arne.

Covent Garden,
1809.

Mr. Bellamy.
Mr. Taylor.
Mr. Blanchard.
Messrs.Treby and
Serjeant.

Miss Bolton.

Mrs. Dorman. Mrs. Davenport.

SCENE-SALAMANCA.

THOUGHTS

AIR. DIEGO.

HOUGHTS to council-let me see

Hum- -to be, or not to be

A husband, is the question. A cuckold! must that follow? Say what men will, Wedlock's a pill,

Bitter to swallow,

And hard of digestion.

But fear makes the danger seem double,
Say, Hymen, what mischief can trouble
My peace, should I venture to try you?
My doors shall be lock'd,
My windows be block'd;
No male in my house,
Not so much as a mouse;

Then horns, horus, I defy you.