Tancred A Tale; And Other Poems. By the Author of Conrad, A Tragedy [i.e. Alfred Bunn] |
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UPON THE AMATEUR PERFORMANCES
AT THE
BATH THEATRE. |
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 | Tancred |  |
96
UPON THE AMATEUR PERFORMANCES AT THE BATH THEATRE.
In search of amusement, our Beaus of high fashionHave taken for acting a terrible passion;
And spite of the weather, so sultry and hot,
The play-house is crowded to see Mr. Watt!
Whilst quality Belles are all squeezing and mobbing,
To view the performance of gay Captain Dobbyn!
One plays the vile wretch who his nephew could smother,
And Richmond's brave Earl is perform'd by the other;
And the Actors by trade, are all ready to choak 'em,
So much the applause they receive does provoke 'em:
Their talents are versatile, gifted with magic,
They shine in the comic, as well as the tragic;
And Richmond, who all must allow, is a charmer,
Despoil'd of his plumes, and bereft of his armour,
97
As Bagatelle, chains the spectator's attention!
And draws from the Gallery, Boxes, and Pit,
The plaudits so due to his humour and wit.
And we trust that his friend will not longer refuse us,
As the Singles of Hoare's clever farce, to amuse us;
For bless'd by the Muses with powerful wiles,
He commands at his pleasure our tears and our smiles;
And the Richard so hump'd, and so very ill made is,
In despite his disguise, he wins hearts from the Ladies.
| Tancred | |