University of Virginia Library

EPILOGUE,

SPOKEN BY MRS. SIDDONS, On her last Benefit Night at Bath.

To please, to soothe, to soften, to unite,
O'er Life's dark shades to draw the tenderest light,
From grief the real object to erase,
And show a fancied sorrow in its place;
The shocks of Fortune, kindly to remove,
And woo the powers of Pity and of Love,
All these, blest office! to display, is ours.
But oh—an office still more blest—is yours:
Rich from the bounty of the public heart,
Springs the lov'd recompense which crowns our art;
The actor but reflects your generous aid,
And thus by you his toils are—over paid, Curtseys.

To night—and shining thro' the grateful tears,
An honour'd object of your smile appears;
Appears herself—to play no borrow'd part,
But pour the tribute of—this throbbing heart.
You gave me courage to pursue the scene,
And when I fail'd your candour stepp'd between;
Warm'd by your praise, I felt th' inspiring glow,
And from that fount, my humble efforts flow;
By you I spoke, thro' you I trode the stage,
And try'd the Comic mask, the Tragic rage.
Behold THIS night's sensation—in my eyes—
And faithful memory all the past supplies;
Yes—I am yours; and when you most approv'd,
When most my little skill your plaudits mov'd,
When you most honour'd what I anxious play'd,
It was but smiling on the powers you made;
'Twas but approving your creative plan;
Just as you sovereign artist smiles on man,
Thus, the shrubs gratify the planters toil,
Who, pleas'd surveys them flourish in his soil;
Thus feeble streams acquire unwonted force,
When daily fed by some superior source;
Some sacred fountain the rich tide bestows,
While broad as mine from you, each blessing flows.