Re-enter MOTHER, with three little Children. Wife. Dear Joseph, what's come o'er thee? [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, us. AIR.-Taking a Boy in one hand, and a Girl in Oh, could you bear to view Ta'en up by cross o'erseers: For folks you know not who! thoughts are best. Show folks with beastes to our village came, Serg. Comrade, your hand: I love a lad of Your name, to enter on my muster-roll : If I've a moind to list, I'll list, d'ye see; Serg. The finest life that goes; Free quarters every where- Serg. Then, wenches! says he; [way; Coun. That's all as one. AIR. Ay, ay, master sergeant, I wish you good day: stay; But no plaster sticks on a head. [Exit SERGEANT. Last night you dodg'd me to the alehouse, I swore to be reveng'd— Coun. I swore to be reveng'd, and vow'd, in DUET. COUNTRYMAN and WIFE. Coun. From henceforth, wedded to my farm, Coun. How foolish they, in love with strife, And, bless'd, be prais'd, is mine and yours. Content beneath the humble shed, [Here is introduced a dance of Light-horse men, Yet wilt thou beat a march? Moth. Hang-dog, be gone, and tempt my 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 And joins the loyal strain. 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. Those lazy sluts are constantly a gadding ; Ere yet Aurora chase the dews, See from the ground his mate arise, Sol. Well, Safrina, what's the matter now? Saf. There sits, alas! on gentle Hero's brow A settled grief. Lean. Thanks to you, gentle friends; and, Sir, to you Our constant prayers are ever, ever due ; May all the powers divine your labours bless, And send you friends, if ever in distress! Sol. What means that sigh? ah, tell me, gentle youth: You seem the child of honour and of truth: Banish your cares, for see, the God of light Dispels the gloom, that wrapp'd the world in night. Lean. Stern Boreas, frowning now forsakes the plain, And smiling Nature visits us again; Where'er we turn to view our ravish'd eyes, 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? SONG. When I was young, I danc'd and sung, At length the urchin bent his bow, Sol. Well done, Safrina; 'foregad, we all can tell, There was a time, you bore away the beli. [A peal of thunder ; sky appears overcast; exeunt SAFRINA and HERO. Sol. Away my lads—the storm is drawing near And save the produce of a fruitful year. [A peal of thunder, accompanied with lightning. Sol. Well done, my boys! The clouds are all on fire; A thunder-bolt hath struck the village spire. And feel the dread convulsion of the sky; cries out Man. A ship, a ship! 'twixt sea and wind she strives. Sol. Fly all, fly all, and save the people's lives. SONG. Alas, how chang'd the face of things; Ah, now the rebel winds she feels, She's now a wreck, behold on high [Thunders. Sol. Welcome on shore, Sir, whether friend or foe, All are our brothers in this scene of woe. SONG. Transparent now, and all serene, While fancy draws the flatt'ring scene, But soon its transient charms decay, came; Sol. Tell me, gentle Sir, from whence you [name; Declare your sovereign, country, and your Are ye from Natolia's rebel coast? If that be so, 'twere better you were lost. [Trumpet without. The chief is rous'd: behold him, great in arms; Let Hero now subdue him with her charms: From yonder mountain's brow he saw your sails; Dreadful he is-a bashaw of three tails. [Music plays- See the conquering hero comes.' Enter ABUDAH on an elephant, attended with a numerous body of guards, armed with spears. Abu. What's this I see?-a set of rascal minions, Hanging together like a set of onions. Sol. Dread Sir, we have got some prisoners here, That seem half dead already with their fear; Abu. Say, have they any wives? you? Abu. Let them all breakfast, Each a loaf of bread, And then let every prisonerLose his head. [PRISONERS bow. CHORUS.-PRISONERS. Have pity, great chief, We're all in a wretched condition: And we'll send you our wives; Accept this our humble petition. [During this chorus ABUDAH alights. Abu. Silence, rascals!-I find you then can prate, [fate. But, scoundrels, you shall know my word is 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- Yet every inch is made of proper stuff, Stand all aloof, ye paltry jades, But, Hero now her form displays, And strives to charm a thousand ways; Lean. It is, it is, my love! Ye gods, be kind! The rascal seems as stupid as a log. at ease, My life is yours, do with me as you please. Abu. No grumbling, sirrah. Charmer, let's 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. So shall thy savage nature shake with fear: Alu. O now the murder's out. Hero. Great chief, be not cruel, but good as 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- Grant this request, and Hero is your wife. Hero. They will, indeed. Sol. Then take her at her word. [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 SONG. O, Sir, be consenting, be kind, and relent[away; ing, Release these poor creatures, and send them How good natur'd and kind O, come now, sweet lover, a passion discover, To such a commander, [beguile. O, come now, sweet lover, &c. Miss, Give your bashaw the earnest of a kiss. "Tis done! 'tis done!-you're pardon'd, ras- I give you life, my love will have it so. mind. |