 | Poems |  |
41
Mrs. WRIGHTEN.
Our woes to diminish, and moments to brighten,
The Fates in good humour have sent us—a Wrighten:
She knows the arcanum to marshal her wiles,
Seduce us with simp'ring, and win us with smiles;
The Nymphs croud around, as the Fauns beat their tabors,
And dance 'fore the chantress, and join in her labours;
Sweet Harmony mellows the notes with her shell,
And Echo redoubles each lay from her cell;
All ages and sexes unite to adore her;
Who sickens pale Envy as Care flies before her.
She adds ev'ry grace to the force of a jest,
Gives sense to her sound, and to wit a new zest:
Thro' Melody's mazes we easy can trace
The intent of her song—by the lines of her face:
Her arch comic spirit calls forth approbation,
Till the theatre shakes with the loud acclamation!
The Fates in good humour have sent us—a Wrighten:
She knows the arcanum to marshal her wiles,
Seduce us with simp'ring, and win us with smiles;
The Nymphs croud around, as the Fauns beat their tabors,
And dance 'fore the chantress, and join in her labours;
Sweet Harmony mellows the notes with her shell,
And Echo redoubles each lay from her cell;
All ages and sexes unite to adore her;
Who sickens pale Envy as Care flies before her.
She adds ev'ry grace to the force of a jest,
Gives sense to her sound, and to wit a new zest:
Thro' Melody's mazes we easy can trace
The intent of her song—by the lines of her face:
Her arch comic spirit calls forth approbation,
Till the theatre shakes with the loud acclamation!
No wonder that wit she can forcibly feel,
Who's liv'd with Thalia long since en famille;
Pray Fate that she long may be sportive on earth,
The prop of burlettas, and, mistress of mirth;
Of female comedians an excellent sample;
Of Abigail singers the first great example!
But, bid her beware of too great an indulgence
Of tricks, that but mar her dramatic refulgence;
Or, if prais'd by the million, grow sick of the cause
That led her to fame, and matur'd their applause;
Lest she find, like some brides who such errors must weep,
She can conquer a heart—that she wants sense to keep,
Those airs which to practise in Lucy she's just in,
If seen in all parts, will make all parts disgusting:
Bid her temper that strong constitutional pertness,
And call upon Reason to bound her alertness.
Who's liv'd with Thalia long since en famille;
Pray Fate that she long may be sportive on earth,
The prop of burlettas, and, mistress of mirth;
Of female comedians an excellent sample;
Of Abigail singers the first great example!
42
Of tricks, that but mar her dramatic refulgence;
Or, if prais'd by the million, grow sick of the cause
That led her to fame, and matur'd their applause;
Lest she find, like some brides who such errors must weep,
She can conquer a heart—that she wants sense to keep,
Those airs which to practise in Lucy she's just in,
If seen in all parts, will make all parts disgusting:
Bid her temper that strong constitutional pertness,
And call upon Reason to bound her alertness.
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