University of Virginia Library

PROLOGUE: spoken by Mr. GARRICK, in the character of a Sailor, fuddled and talking to himself.

He enters, singing, How pleasant a Sailor's life passes—
Well , if thou art, my boy, a little mellow?
A sailor, half seas o'er---'s a pretty fellow!
What chear ho? to the pit.
Do I carry too much sail?
No—tight and trim—I scud before the gale he staggers forward, then stops.
—
But softly tho'—the vessel seems to heel:
Steddy! my boy—she must not shew her keel.
And now, thus ballasted—what course to steer?
Shall I again to sea—and bang Mounseer?
Or stay on shore, and toy with Sall and Sue—
Dost love 'em, boy?—By this right hand, I do!
A well-rigg'd girl is surely most inviting:
There's nothing better, faith—save flip and fighting:
I must away—I must—
What! shall we sons of beef and freedom stoop,
Or lower our flag to slavery and soop?
What! shall these Parly-vous make such a racket,
And I not lend a hand, to lace their jacket?
Still shall old England be your Frenchman's butt?
Whene'er he shuffles, we should always cut.
I'll to 'em, faith—Avast—before I go—
Have I not promis'd Sall to see the show?
Pulls out a play-bill.
From this same paper we shall understand
What work's to night—I read your printed hand!
First let's refresh a bit—for faith, I need it—
I'll take one sugar-plumb Takes some tobacco.
—and then I'll read it.
He reads the play-bill of Zara, which was acted that evening.

At the The-atre Royal—Drury-Lane—
will be presen-ta-ted a Tragedy called—
SARAH.

I'm glad 'tis Sarah—Then our Sall may see
Her namesake's Tragedy: and as for me,
I'll sleep as sound, as if I were at sea.

To which will be added,
a new Masque.

Zounds! why a Masque? We sailors hate grimaces:
Above board all, we scorn to hide our faces.
But what is here, so very large and plain?
Bri-ta-nia—oh Britania!—good again—
Huzza, boys!—by the Royal George I swear,
Tom coxen, and the crew, shall strait be there.
All free-born souls must take Bri-ta-nia's part,
And give her three round cheers, with hand and heart!
going off, he stops.
I wish you landmen tho, would leave your tricks,
Your factions, parties, and damn'd politics:
And like us, honest tars, drink, fight, and sing!
True to yourselves, your Country, and your King!