PROLOGUE. BY DAVID GARRICK, ESQ Enter Mr. WOODWARD, dressed in black, and holding . a handkerchief to his eyes. EXCUSE me, Sirs, I pray—I can't yet speakI'm crying now--and have been all the week. « Tis not alone this mourning suit,” good masters : “ I've that within"-for which there are no plasters! Pray, would you know the reason why I'm crying? The comic muse, long sick, is now a dying ! And if she goes, my tears will never stop; For as a play'r, I can't squeeze out one drop; I am undone, that's all-shall lose my bread I'd rather, but that's nothing close my head. When the sweet maid is laid upon the bier, Shuter and I shall be chief mourners here. To her a mawkish drab of spurious breed, Who deals in Sentimentals, will succeed! Poor Ned and I are dead to all intents; We can as soon speak Greek as Sentiments ! Both nervous grown, to keep our spirits up, We now and then take down a hearty cup. What shall we do?-If Comedy forsake us ? They'll turn us out, and no one else will take us. But, why can't I be moral? Let me try My heart thus pressing-a-fix'd my face and eye With a sententious look, that nothing means, DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. MEN. Sir Charles Marlow - - - Mr. GARDNER. Young Marlow, (his son) - Mr. LEWIS. Hardcastle - - - - - - Mr. SHUTER. Hastings - - - - - - Mr. DUBELLAMY., Tony Lumpkin - - - - - Mr. QUICK. Diggory - - - - - - - Mr. SAUNDERS. WOMEN. Mrs. Hardcastle - - - - Mrs. GREEN. Miss Hardcastle - - - - Mrs. BULKLEY. Miss Nevill - - - - - Mrs. KNIVETON. Maid - - - - - - Miss WILLEMS. Landlord, Servants, &c. &c. |