 | Poems (1806) |  |
183
AN ADDRESS, INTRODUCTORY OF Mrs. SIDDONS,
ON THE FIRST NIGHT OF HER ACTING IN EXETER, IN 1789.
To please our patrons, who with liberal aim
Light up to public view the Muse's flame;
And by our grateful ardours to repay
Each smile that fosters the dramatic lay—
Be this, whate'er the worth we boast beside,
The noblest triumph of ingenuous pride.
Light up to public view the Muse's flame;
And by our grateful ardours to repay
Each smile that fosters the dramatic lay—
Be this, whate'er the worth we boast beside,
The noblest triumph of ingenuous pride.
Warm'd by these feelings, we call forth to-night
Those magic powers that minister delight;
Your various minds impatient to direct
To every fine theatrical effect—
The pale dejected eye to Pity dear,
And Hope, mild-beaming through the tender tear;
Delicious Griefs that melting bosoms move,
And the soft languish to the light of Love;
Affections that in filial transport glow,
Or swell with all the energy of woe;
The speechless Agony that chills and fires,
'Till the tear trembles, and the sigh expires;
Those looks, that, sudden, the whole heart unfold;
The thrilling pause; the glance, with horror cold;
And, wildly darting into passion's storm,
A soul that lightens, at one flash, the form—
These—these in grand succession shall appear
Triumphant!—for we hail a Siddons here!
Those magic powers that minister delight;
Your various minds impatient to direct
To every fine theatrical effect—
The pale dejected eye to Pity dear,
And Hope, mild-beaming through the tender tear;
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And the soft languish to the light of Love;
Affections that in filial transport glow,
Or swell with all the energy of woe;
The speechless Agony that chills and fires,
'Till the tear trembles, and the sigh expires;
Those looks, that, sudden, the whole heart unfold;
The thrilling pause; the glance, with horror cold;
And, wildly darting into passion's storm,
A soul that lightens, at one flash, the form—
These—these in grand succession shall appear
Triumphant!—for we hail a Siddons here!
And while, from all her richly-blooming bowers,
Her patriot progeny Devonia pours,
And sends exulting, from the rural shades,
In many a beauteous groupe her blushing maids;
While Isca bids the loveliest of the fair,
Their wreaths of glory to a Siddons bear;
Enamour'd Taste and Elegance shall own
A charm in every look, in every tone;
Diffuse congenial raptures 'mid the throng,
At each impassion'd accent of her tongue;
Fill with responsive drops the sparkling eyes,
And raise in many a bosom kindred sighs;
'Till in these sympathies herself she view,
And all her merits re-appear—in you!
Her patriot progeny Devonia pours,
And sends exulting, from the rural shades,
In many a beauteous groupe her blushing maids;
While Isca bids the loveliest of the fair,
Their wreaths of glory to a Siddons bear;
Enamour'd Taste and Elegance shall own
A charm in every look, in every tone;
Diffuse congenial raptures 'mid the throng,
At each impassion'd accent of her tongue;
Fill with responsive drops the sparkling eyes,
And raise in many a bosom kindred sighs;
'Till in these sympathies herself she view,
And all her merits re-appear—in you!
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Hence shall divine Philanthropy confess
Each selfish joy, each selfish sorrow, less!
Hence patriot Virtue a new fervor feel;
Hence Loyalty shall burn with double zeal!
Each selfish joy, each selfish sorrow, less!
Hence patriot Virtue a new fervor feel;
Hence Loyalty shall burn with double zeal!
Ev'n now, as kindling through her raptur'd vales,
Her Monarch's friendly smile Devonia hails;
Improv'd by tragic scenes shall every mind,
And each warm heart with feelings more refin'd,
A richer incense of affection bring,
And, duteous, greet their Parent in their King!
Her Monarch's friendly smile Devonia hails;
Improv'd by tragic scenes shall every mind,
And each warm heart with feelings more refin'd,
A richer incense of affection bring,
And, duteous, greet their Parent in their King!
P.
| Poems (1806) | |