THE time has been when plays were not so plenty,
And a less number, new, would well content ye.
New plays did then like almanacks appear,
And one was thought sufficient for a year:
Though they are more like almanacks of late;
For in one year, I think, they're out of date.
Nor were they, without reason, join'd together;
For just as one prognosticates the weather,
How plentiful the crop, or scarce the grain,
What peals of thunder, or what showers of rain;
So t' other can foretel, by certain rules,
What crops of coxcombs, or what floods of fools.
In such like prophecies were poets skill'd,
Which now they find in their own tribe fulfill'd.
The dearth of wit they did so long presage,
Is fallen on us, and almost starves the stage.
Were you not griev'd, as often as you saw
Poor actors thresh such empty sheafs of straw ?
Toiling and lab'ring at their lungs' expence,
To start a jest, or force a little sense?
Hard fate for us, still harder in th' event :
Our authors sin, but we alone repent.
Still they proceed, and, at our charge, write worse,
*Twere some amends, if they could reimburse:
But there's the devil, tho' their cause is lost,
There's no recovering damages or cost.
Good wits, forgive this liberty we take,
Since custom gives the losers leave to speak.
But if, provok'd, your dreadful wrath remains,
Take your revenge upon the coming scenes:
For that damn'd poet's spar'd, who damns a brother,
As one thief 'scapes that executes another.
Thus far alone does to the wits relate;
But from the rest we hope a better fate.
To please, and move, has been our poet's theme,
Art may direct, but nature is his aim;
And nature miss'd, in vain he boasts his art,
For only nature can affect the heart.
Then freely judge the scenes that shall ensue;
But as with freedom, judge with candour too.
He would not lose, thro' prejudice his cause;
Nor would obtain, precariously, applause.
Impartial censure he requests from all,
Prepar'd by just decrees to stand or fall,
PEREZ, captain of the guards
ALONZO, an officer, creature to Gonsalez Mr. Phillimore.
HELI, a prisoner, bis friend
ALMERIA, the princess of Granada
ZARA, a captive queen
LEONORA, chief attendant on the princess
MANUEL, the king of Granada
GONSALEZ, bis favourite
GARCIA, son to Gonsalez
PEREZ, captain of the guards
ALONZO, an officer, creature to Gonsalez Mr. Fearon.
OSMYN, a noble prisoner
HELI, a prisoner, his friend
SELIM, an eunuch
ALMERIA, the princess of Granada
ZARA, a captive queen
LEONORA, chief attendant on the princess Mrs. Platt.
Women, eunuchs, and mutes attending Zara, guards, &c.
SCENE, Granada.
A room of state. The curtain rising slowly to soft music, discovers ALMERIA in mourning, LEONORA waiting in mourning.
After the music, ALMERIA rises from her chair, and comes forward.
Music has charms to sooth a savage breast,
To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.
I've read, that things inanimate have mov'd,
And, as with living souls, have been inform'd
By magic numbers and persuasive sound.
What then am I? Am I more senseless grown
Than trees or flint? O, force of constant woe!
'Tis not in harmony to calm my griefs.
Anselmo sleeps, and is at peace; last night
The silent tomb receiv'd the good old king;
He and his sorrows now are safely lodg'd
Within its cold, but hospitable, bosom.
Why am not I at peace?
Leon. Dear Madam, cease,
Or moderate your grief; there is no cause-
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