DEDICATION.

TO HER, whose approbation of this Drama, and whose peculiar delight in the applause it has received from the public, have been to me the highest gratification derived from its success—I dedicate this Play.

RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN.

295

PROLOGUE.

WRITTEN BY RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN.

Spoken by Mr. King.

CHILL'D by rude gales, while yet reluctant May
Withholds the beauties of the vernal day;

As some fond maid, whom matron frowns reprove,
Suspends the smile her heart devotes to love;
The season's pleasures too delay their hour,
And Winter revels with protracted power:
Then blame not, critics, if, thus late, we bring
A Winter Drama-but reproach-the Spring.
What prudent cit dares yet the season trust,
Bask in his whisky, and enjoy the dust?
Horsed in Cheapside, scarce yet the gayer spark
Achieves the Sunday triumph of the Park;
Scarce yet you see him, dreading to be late,
Scour the New-road, and dash thro' Grosvenor-gate:-
Anxious-yet timorous too!—his steed to show,
The hack Bucephalus of Rotten-row.

Careless he seems, yet, vigilantly sly,

Woos the stray glance of ladies passing by,
While his off heel, insidiously aside,
Provokes the caper which he seems to chide.
Scarce rural Kensington due honour gains;
The vulgar verdure of her walk remains!
Where white-robed misses amble two by two,
Nodding to booted beaux- How'do, how'do?"

With gen'rous questions that no answer wait, How vastly full! A'n't you come vastly late? 'I'n't it quite charming? When do you leave town? 'A'n't you quite tired? Pray, can we set you down?" These suburb pleasures of a London May,

Imperfect yet, we hail the cold delay;

Should our Play please and you 're indulgent everplease—and Be your decree-"Tis better late than never."'

DRAMATIS PERSONE,

AS ORIGINALLy acted at dRURY-LANE Theatre, May 24,

Soldiers, Messrs. FISHER, EVANS, CHIPPENDALE, WEBB,

&c. &c.

The Vocal Parts by Messrs. KELLY, SEDGWICK, DIGNUM, DANBY, &c.-Mrs. CROUCH, Miss DE CAMP, Miss STEPHENS, Miss LEAK, Miss DUFOUR, &c.