THE MOURNING BRIDE. A TRAGEDY. BY MR. CONGREVE. ADAPTED FOR THEATRICAL REPRESENTATION, AS PERFORMED AT THE THEATRES-ROYAL DRURY-LANE AND COVENT-GARDEN. REGULATED FROM THE PROMPT BOOKS, "The Lines distinguished by inverted Commas, are omitted in. the Representation. LONDON: Printed for the Proprietors, under the Direction of M DCC XCI. 3 05-4-3 Gift Reados Faniing 4-30-32 TO HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, MADAM, THAT high station, which, by your birth, you hold above the people, exacts from every one, as a duty, whatever honours they are capable of paying to your Royal Highness; but that more exalted place to which your virtues have raised you, above the rest of princes, makes the tribute of our admiration and praise rather a choice, more immediately preventing that duty. The public gratitude is ever founded on a public benefit; and what is universally blessed is always an universal blessing. Thus, from yourself we derive the offerings which we bring; and that incense which arises to your name, only returns to its original, and but naturally requires the parent of its being. From hence it is, that this Poem, constituted on a moral, whose end it is to recommend, and to encourage virtue, of consequence, has recourse to your Royal Highness's patronage; aspiring to cast itself beneath your feet, and declining approbation, 'till you shall condescend to own it, and vouchsafe to shine upon it, as on a creature of your influence. |