Re-enter MOTHER, with three little Children.
Coun. Then won't you go, and let a body be!
Serg. Zounds, is the woman mad?
Moth. Dawn't swear at me.

Wife. Dear Joseph, what's come o'er thee?
tell me, do':

[you; Three babes we have, I work for them and You work for us, and both together earn What keeps them tight, and puts them out to learn.

But, if a soldiering you're bent to roam,
We all shall shortly to the parish come; [us,
And the churchwardens, no one to befriend
Will, for the next thing, to the workhouse send
[serv'd;
Thee know'st at workhouse how poor folks are
Bill, Tom, and Susan, will be quickly starv'd.

us.

AIR.-Taking a Boy in one hand, and a Girl in
Me other.

Oh, could you bear to view
Your little Tom and Sue

Ta'en up by cross o'erseers:
And think that helpless I,
To give them, when they cry,
Have nothing but my tears?
You cannot have the heart,
With them and me to part,

For folks you know not who!
With richer friends than we,
And prouder you may be,

thoughts are best.

Show folks with beastes to our village came,
And hung at door a picture of their game;
Bears, lions, tigers, there were four or five;
And all so like, you'd swear they were alive.
But none will prove so true.
A gaping at the cloth, the mon spied me;
Exit with the Children." For twopence, friend, you may walk in,"

Serg. Comrade, your hand: I love a lad of
soul;

Your name, to enter on my muster-roll :
To Justice Swear'em then, to take our oath.
Coun. Hold, sergeant, hold, there's time
enough for both.

If I've a moind to list, I'll list, d'ye see;
But some discourse first, betwixt yow and me.
A souldier's life-

Serg. The finest life that goes;

Free quarters every where-
Coun. Ay, that we knows.

Serg. Then, wenches!

says he;

[way;
But, 'gad, I was more wise, and walk'd my
I saw so much for nought, I would not pay.
To see a battle thus, my moind was bent;
But you've so well describ'd it, I'm content.
Serg. Come, brother soldiers, let us then be
Thou art a base poltroon.
[gone:

Coun. That's all as one.

AIR.

Ay, ay, master sergeant, I wish you good day:
You've no need at present, I thank you, to

stay;

But no plaster sticks on a head.

[Exit SERGEANT.
Wife. Then wilt thou stay, Joe?
Moth. Wilt thou, boy of mine?
Coun. Wife, give's thy hand, and mother,
give us thine.

Last night you dodg'd me to the alehouse,
Jane;

I swore to be reveng'd—
Wife. I see it plain.

Coun. I swore to be reveng'd, and vow'd, in
To list ma, to be even with thee for't; [short,
But kiss me, now my plaguy anger's o'er.
Wife. And I'll ne'er dodge thee to the ale-
house more.

DUET. COUNTRYMAN and WIFE.

Coun. From henceforth, wedded to my farm,
My thoughts shall never rove on harm,
I to the field perchance may go,
But it shall be to reap or sow.
Wife. Now blessings on thy honest heart,
Thy wife shall bear an equal part;
Work thee without doors, she within
Will keep the house, and card and
spin.

Coun. How foolish they, in love with strife,
Who quit the peaceful country life;
Wife. Where wholesome labour is the best,
And surest guide to balmy rest!
Both. That lot true happiness secures,

And, bless'd, be prais'd, is mine and

yours.

Content beneath the humble shed,
We'll toil to earn our babies bread;
With mutual kindness bear love's yoke,
And pity greater, finer folk.

[Here is introduced a dance of Light-horse men,
Recruits, and Country Girls; after which the
SERGEANT comes out, with a drinking glass in
his hand, followed by his party, to the COUNTRY-
MAN, the WIFE, and the MOTHER, who have
been looking on the dance.

Yet wilt thou beat a march?
Serg. Well, countryman, art off the listing
[pin,
Wife. Dear Joe! come in.

Moth. Hang-dog, be gone, and tempt my
boy no more.

Wife. Do, sergeant, pray now.

Coun. Mother, wife, give o'er.

I see the gentleman no harm intends.

Serg. I! Heaven forbid ; but let us part like friends.

We've got a bottle here of humming ale.

'Tis the king's health.

Coun. And that I never fail.

Lord love and bless him, he's an honest man.

Serg. Lads, where your music?

Coun. Nay, fill up the can.

We'll drink the royal family.

Serg. So do;

King, queen, and all.

Coun. And Jane shall drink them too.

AIR.

Here's a health to king George, peace and glory attend him!

He's merciful, pious; he's prudent and just; Long life, and a race like himself, Heaven send him,

And humble the foes to his crown in the dust
Chorus. Beat drums, beat amain,
Let the ear-piercing fife
To our measures give life;
While each British heart
In the health bears a part,

And joins the loyal strain.
Wife. Here's a health to the queen; gra-
cious, mild, and engaging,
Accomplish'd in all that a woman
should own;

The cares of her consort with softness assuaging,

Whose manners add splendour and grace to a throne.

Chorus. Beat drums, &c.

Moth. Here's a health to those beautiful babes, whom the nation

Regards as a pledge from the sire it reveres;

Heaven shield the sweet plants from each rude visitation,

And rear them to fulness of virtue and years.

Chorus. Beat drums, &c.

Serg. Here's success to his majesty's arms, ever glorious,

And great may they be on the land and the main ;

As just is their cause, may they still prove victorious,

And punish the rashness of France and of Spain.

Chorus. Beat drums, &c.

HERO AND LEANDER:

A COMIC BURLETTA,

IN TWO ACTS.

BY ISAAC JACKMAN.

wwwwww

REMARKS.

THIS burletta, remarkable principally for the occasion which produced it, was written by Isaac Jackman for Mr. John Palmer, who had then recently built and opened the Royalty Theatre, in Well Street, Goodman's-fields, for the regular drama. Continued opposition from the patentees of the royal theatres, obliged that gentleman to renounce his first intention; and this elegant theatre (though better calculated, in every respect, for the legitimate drama than the winter theatres) has been, since that period, opened under an annual license for burletta, pantomime, &c. according to the Act 25th Geo. II.

In his dedication, the author observes, that " The worthy manager requested me to write something for him within the statute, and I thought poor Hero and Leander might be introduced to the public, without being considered wagrants or wagabones!' I did intend to souse Leander in the waves, as a part of the old romance, and to have a requiem sang over his manes; but a wicked wit told me, that such a denouement would be tragedy direct, and against the law."

At the first representation of this afterpiece, the talents of Mr. Bannister, Mr. W. Palmer, Mr. Arrowsmith, Mrs. Fox, Master Braham, &c. ensured it the highest success.

During the controversy elicited by Mr. Palmer's endeavours to obtain a patent for his theatre, it was aptly observed, that "It is of no consequence to government, or w the million residing within the walls of London, whether the winter managers and Mr. Colman play to empty benches or overflowing audiences. If they are able, diligent, and liberal, they cannot fail of accumulating very considerable fortunes, and may bid defiance to every exertion of Mr. Palmer in the east; let this be as it may, the public good ought first to be consulted."

An unjust and impolitic monopoly, however, preserved the ascendancy; and the public good, as on many other morc important occasions, was sacrificed to private interest.

Sol. Pshaw! I know the reason: [season Hero's nineteen, and that, you know, 's the Luxuriant scenes of endless beauty rise. When females would be married, if they could. Saf. Well, what of that? are we not flesh and blood?

My sword shall treat the vultures with a feast; | Zounds! I'll souse him in a tub of pickle; Shall lay whole realms, nay, human nature, And, as for Miss, her toby I will tickle. Drag him away.

waste.

Sol. I told them, Sir, how great you were in power,

That with a single puff you'd rock a tower; That you were ten feet high-was not that right?

Abu. Ten feet at least-five cubits-No-
not quite :

Yet every inch is made of proper stuff,
Though idle nature cast me in the rough.
SONG.

Stand all aloof, ye paltry jades,
And you, ye filthy knaves of spades;
How dare you look beyond those pales,
On me, who wear three thumping tails?
Don't you all know, that at a blow,
I'd send you to the shades below?
Begone, or else I swear, odsbobs,
I'll send you home without your knobs.
Enter HERO.

But, Hero now her form displays,

And strives to charm a thousand ways;
From head to foot new modes of dress,
Her various arts to please express:
I find I'm caught within the snare,
So I'll enjoy the am'rous fair;
As I'm a soldier great and stout,
This girl has turn'd me inside out.
[HERO and LEANDER look stedfastly at each other.

Lean. It is, it is, my love! Ye gods, be kind!
[Aside.
Hero. 'Tis he-I give my sorrows to the wind.
[Aside.
Abu. What does the fellow stare at? Speak,
you dog.

The rascal seems as stupid as a log.
Lean. Spare your reproaches, Sir; I'm ill

at ease,

My life is yours, do with me as you please.
See tear succeeds to tear-a passage seeks,
And, bursting forth, bedews her lovely cheeks!
[Aside.

Abu. No grumbling, sirrah. Charmer, let's
retire,
The god of love shall fan the keen desire;
[Takes HERO by the hand.
My body, blood, and soul, are all on fire.

Lean. Monster, avaunt!-Release the heav[Going. enly fair, Or, by all the avenging powers, I swear[Seizes ABUDAH. Abu. Seize, seize the villain; drag him to

the block,

Or toss him headlong from the steepest rock.
No, off with his head, As I'm a sinner,
I'll have his knob, before I eat my dinner.
Hero. Mercy, O'mercy, Sir, as you are great!
O save the youth, at least suspend his fate!
Abu. Who is the vagabond?
Lean. Why, caitiff, hear,

So shall thy savage nature shake with fear:
Know then, ingrate, from Abydos I came ;
Still more; know thou, Leander is my name.
Now slip thy bloodhounds-'dulge the savage
[Throws off his disguise.
I stand unmov'd.
[rout;

Alu. O now the murder's out.
Thanks to thee, prophet, thanks to thee again.
Speak not in his behalf, you sue in vain ;
This is the squire, that braves the Hellespont,
And steals at night to madam hot-upon't.

Hero. Great chief, be not cruel, but good as
you're brave,
[save.
Remember, the hero but conquers to
Give life to the wretched, whose
fate's in your hand: [land.

Sol.

'Tis humanity graces and blesses the Lean. I sue not for mercy, I stand here un[love.

mov'd,

Protected by virtue, by beauty, and Together. Look down, O ye gods, and let mortals now prove,

The blessings that wait upon virtue and love.

Hero. Hear me, great Sir-O spare Lean-
der's life,

Grant this request, and Hero is your wife.
Sol. Say, will your actions with your words
accord?

Hero. They will, indeed.

Sol. Then take her at her word.
Lean. I read my Hero's meaning in her eyes.

[Aside. Abu. It is all flummery.-By Heaven, he dies. Hero. Pardon me, Sir, my love for you pre

vails,

What girl can stand, a bashaw with three
tails?
[Coaxes him.

SONG.

O, Sir, be consenting, be kind, and relent[away;

ing,

Release these poor creatures, and send them
Do but this, and you'll find

How good natur'd and kind

O, come now, sweet lover, a passion discover,
I'll prove to my spousee, by night and by day.
A sly little Cupid now lurks in that smile:
Every maid must surrender

To such a commander, [beguile.
You've found out a way my poor heart to
Behold, like Apollo, his ringlets of yellow!
Behold how, like Mars, at this moment he
His breath too discloses
[stands!
The perfume of roses!
How plump his round cheeks, and how taper
his hands!

O, come now, sweet lover, &c.
Abu. A pretty soul it is!-Say, will you,

Miss,

Give your bashaw the earnest of a kiss.

"Tis done! 'tis done!-you're pardon'd, ras-
[Kisses him.
cals-go,

I give you life, my love will have it so.
But if that poaching dog comes here again,
And braves my anger, as he braves the main,
Be scarce then, scoundrels, now you know my
I'll whip the rebel rascal, till he's blind.-

mind.