The Shamrock or, Hibernian Cresses. A Collection of Poems, Songs, Epigrams, &c. Latin as well as English, The Original Production of Ireland. To which are subjoined thoughts on the prevailing system of school education, respecting young ladies as well as gentlemen: with practical proposals for a reformation [by Samuel Whyte] |
 |
 |
|
Occasional PROLOGUE to the Beggar's Opera,
|
|
|
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 | The Shamrock |  |
132
Occasional PROLOGUE to the Beggar's Opera,
Performed at CARTON.
Inscribed to her Grace the DUCHESS of LEINSTER.
Our Play, To-night, wants Novelty, 'tis true:
That to atone, our Actors all are new.
And, sure, our Stage than any Stage is droller;
Lords act the Rogue, and Ladies play the Stroller;
And yet, so artfully they feign, you 'll say,
They are the very Characters they play:
But know they're honest, though their Looks belye it—
Great ones ne'er cheat, when they get nothing by it.
Our Ladies, too, when they this Stage depart,
Will pilfer nothing from you, but your Heart.
The melting Music of our Polly's Tongue
Will charm beyond the Syren's magic Song;
Vincent, with Grief, shall hear fair Martin's Fame;
And tuneful Brent shall tremble at her Name.
If Lucy seem too meek, yet, never fear,
For all those gentle Smiles, she 'll scold her Dear;
But, her keen Rage so amiable is found,
Macheath you 'll envy, though in Fetters bound.
If Peachum's Wife too fair, too graceful prove,
And seem to emulate the Queen of Love;
If no Disguise her Lustre can conceal,
And every Look a matchless Charm reveal;
133
The Loves, and Graces, will attend Kildare.
Diver, and blooming Coaxer, if you knew them,
You 'd think you ne'er could be too loving to them.
When you behold our Peachum, Filch, and Locket,
You 'll shudder for your Purse, and guard your Pocket.
Our Trapes from Douglas' self the Prize could win,
More Virgins could decoy, and drink more Gin.
When Slammekin you view, politely drunk,
You 'll own the genuine Covent-Garden Punk.
Thus, Virtue's Friends their native Truth disguise,
And counterfeit the Follies they despise;
By wholesome Ridicule, proud Vice to brand,
And into Virtue laugh a guilty Land:
But, when this busy, mimic Scene is o'er,
All shall resume the Worth they had before;
Locket himself his Knavery shall resign,
And lose the Goaler in the dull Divine.
- Polly, Miss M---rt---n.
- Lucy, Lady L---a C---n---ly.
- Macheath, Captain M---rr---s.
- Mrs. Peachum, Countess of K---ld---e.
- Jenny Diver, Miss V---s---y.
- Coaxer, Miss Ad---rl---y.
- Peachum, Lord Ch---rl---m---nt.
- Filch, Mr. C---n---ly.
- Locket, and Prologue, Rev. Mr. M---rl---y.
- Diana Trapes, Mr. R. G---e.
- Miss Slammekin, Lord P---rsc---t.
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.
| The Shamrock | |