PROLOGUE TO ZOBEIDE: A TRAGEDY; WRITTEN BY JOSEPH CRADDOCK, ESQ. In these bold times, when Learning's sons explore And fits his little frigate for adventures. With Scythian storcs, and trinkets deeply laden, To make an observation on the shore. Where are we driven? our reckoning sure is lost! Yon ill-foreboding cloud seems big with thunder. [Upper Gallery. * [Zobeide was first represented at Covent Garden on the 10th of December 171, and was well received. Goldsmith appears to have first met Mr. Craddock at the house of Mr. Yates, the actor. Being applied to for a prologue through the medium of the Yateses, the husband being to speak it (though Quick was afterwards deputed to this duty), and the wife to perform in the play, sent the above to the author, accompanied by the following note: -"Mr. Goldsmith presents his best respects to Mr. Craddock; has sent him the prologue, such as it is. He cannot take time to make it better. He begs he will give Mr. Yates the proper instructions; and so, even so, he commits him to fortune and the public."-See Life, ch. xxi.] [In allusion to Captain Cook's voyage for the purpose of observing the transit of Venus. [Alluding to Sir Joseph Banks's participation in the same voyage.] There mangroves spread, and larger than I've seen 'em— Here trees of stately size-and billing turtles in 'em Here ill-conditioned oranges abound [Pit. [ Balconies. [Stage. And apples, bitter apples, strew the ground. [Tasting them. I heard a hissing-there are serpents here! O, there the people are-best keep my distance; Our captain, gentle natives! craves assistance; Our ship's well-stored;-in yonder creek we've laid her; This is his first adventure; lend him aid, And we may chance to drive a thriving trade. His goods, he hopes, are prime, and brought from far, Equally fit for gallantry and war. What! no reply to promises so ample? AN EPILOGUE, INTENDED FOR MRS. BULKLEY.t There is a place, so Ariosto sings, A treasury for lost and missing things: * Mr. Craddock had given his right to any profits that might accrue from the representation to Mrs. Yates, who greatly distinguished herself in the part of Zobeide.] [Presented in MS., among other papers, to Dr. Percy, by the Poet; but for what play intended has not been ascertained. It appears, however, by the Lost human wits have places there assign'd them, Both shine at night, for, but at Foote's alone, concluding lines, that it was not a sentimental comedy, but of the school which Goldsmith adopted, and praised by the line "Still stoops among the low to copy nature." Here come the sons of scandal and of news, How can the piece expect or hope for quarter? THRENODIA AUGUSTALIS;* SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS DOWAGER OF WALES.t ADVERTISEMENT. THE following may more properly be termed a compilation than a poem. It was prepared for the composer in little more than two days; and may therefore rather be considered as an industrious effort of gratitude than of genius. In justice to the composer it may likewise be right to inform the public, that the music was composed in a period of time equally short. OVERTURE.-A solemn Dirge. Air-Trio. Arise, ye sons of worth, arise, And waken every note of woe! When truth and virtue reach the skies, 'Tis ours to weep the want below. Chorus. When truth and virtue, &c. [Printed from the copy belonging to Mr. Isaac Reed, who has written on the title-page: "This poem was written, or, as he says, compiled by Dr. Oliver Goldsmith. It is very scarce, and ought to be in his works" It was performed in the Great Room, Soho Square, the 20th February 1772. The composer was Signor Vento; the speakers Mr. Lee and Mrs. Bellamy; and the singers Mr. Champness, Mr Dine, and Mrs. Jameson -See Life, ch. xxi.] + [Daughter of Frederick II., Duke of Saxe Gotha, and mother of King George III.] |