I think it my duty alfo, to return thanks to the town, for their favourable reception of this play; and for the applause their indulgence bestow'd on the performance of the young actors: particularly, for my own fuccefs, in a double capacity, as actor and author, I shall ever publicly confess their generofity, as it will ever prove my fecret fatisfaction.

Notwithstanding the disadvantage this play may have received in the reprefentation, I cannot omit acknowledging a debt of gratitude to Mr. Theophilus Cibber, who was very careful in the management of the rehearsals, and endeavoured to instruct every one concerned in the play; a mechanism, which my inexperience, as an actor, made me incapable of.

Though an author knows the meaning of his scenes, he may be unacquainted with a theatrical method of fetting them in the most advantageous appearance. Example enforces precept: and therefore,

Mr.

Mr. Cibber, junior, took the noblest method to improve others, by doing juftice to his own character; and, though he labours under the prefent difadvantage of fmall ftature, I cannot help concurring with the opinion of many others, that in action and elocution, he is certainly a prodigy!

WRITTEN BY AARON HILL, ESQ.

SPOKEN BY MR. CIBBER, JUN.

NEW to the ftage-by no paft praifes fir'd,

Young, and unfam'd, and but by hope inspir❜d :
Raife us to reach that hope's ambitious call,
Or with foft pity, break our threaten'd fall.
Small tho' our merit be, your minds are great,
And undeferv'd applaufe may worth create:
Sweetness fits fmiling, where the heart beats true,
And they praise most, to whom most praise is due.

Low let me court ye to befriend our caufe! If juftice pleads not, generous pity draws. In a full world, our author lives, alone Unhappy!--and, of confequence, unknown: Yet, amidst forrow, he difdains complaint; Nor, languid, in the race of life, grows faint. He fwims, unyielding, against fortune's ftream, Nor to his private fuff'rings, ftoops his theme: Adopts the pains which others undergo,

And, for your pleasure, feels not his own woe.

They fhou'd themselves be pleas'd, who love to please ;

And he who fears not mis'ry, merits ease.

Oh!-fave unfriended virtue from diftrefs--'Tis the divine prerogative-to blefs;

Sad,

Sad, for the tragic fcene, your hearts prepare, Where love kills friendship, and awakes despair; Where cherifh'd mifehiefs tow'r above controul, And warring paffions rend the tortur'd foul!

Taught by the pictur'd woes, which weep to-night, Let long-weigh'd caution guide your wishes right: Slow, thro' your eyes, give smiling ruin way; Love, by that pafs, but enters to betray. Beauty fades fast- -nor will its tranfient grace Sooth the fick bofom, when the thought takes place.

But when twin fouls each other's tranfport claim, And pant and burn, and twist their struggling flame, Safe let 'em meet, by no falfe fears opprefs'd; Form'd to be one, and till rejoin'd, unbless'd.

DRA

Lady Frances Howard, niece to the
Earl of Northampton, formerly

wife of the Earl of Effex, divorc->Mrs. Campbell.
ed from him, and afterwards mar-
ried to the Earl of Somerset,

Ifabella, an orphan,under the guardianfhip of the Earl of Somerfet, in love with Sir Thomas Overbury,

Cleora, confidante to the Countess

Mrs. Bret.

of Somerset, fecretly a friend Mrs. Davifon. to Isabella,

Officer, guards, and attendants.

SCENE LONDON