To the Right Honourable COUNTESS SPENCER, whose approbation and esteem were justly considered by MR. GARRICK as the highest panegyric his talents or conduct could acquire, this imperfect tribute to his memory is, with great deference, inscribed by her ladyship's most obedient humble servant, March 25th, 1779. RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN VERSES ΤΟ THE MEMORY OF GARRICK SPOKEN AS A MONODY, AT THE THEATRE ROYAL IN DRURYLANE IF dying excellence deserves a tear, If fond remembrance still is cherish'd here, Or with quaint smiles dismiss the plaintive strain, One kind regret-one tributary line! His fame requires we act a tenderer part : The splendid sorrows that adorn'd his hearse, The throng that mourn'd as their dead favourite passed, The graced respect that claim'd him to the last, So much are Garrick's praise-so much his due- Amid the hearts which seek ingenuous fame, The patient Sculptor owns an humbler part, Content with slow and timorous stroke to trace Youth's earliest blush and beauty's virgin tear. By whose faint breath his merits must abide, The grace of action-the adapted mien, Th' expressive glance-whose subtle comment draws Gesture that marks, with force and feeling fraught, All perishable! like th' electric fire, But strike the frame-and as they strike expire; Its fragrance charms the sense, and blends with air. Our Garrick's fame ?-whose is the trust ?-'Tis yours. By all those thoughts, which many a distant night The due memorial of a loss so dear O loveliest mourner, gentle Muse! be thine The pleasing woe to guard the laurell'd shrine. As Fancy, oft by Superstition led To roam the mansions of the sainted dead, So thou, sweet Muse, hang o'er his sculptured bier THE END |