Olympic Revels ; or, Prometheus and Pandora

Planché, J. R. (1796-1880)

The following address was written at my request by John Hamilton Reynolds, and spoken by Madame Vestris on the opening night:—

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

Scene I.

Scene II.

Scene III.

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The following address was written at my request by John Hamilton Reynolds, and spoken by Madame Vestris on the opening night:—

Noble and Gentle—Matrons—Patrons—Friends!
Before you here a venturous woman bends!
A warrior woman—that in strife embarks,
The first of all dramatic Joan of Arcs.
Cheer on the enterprise, thus dared by me!
The first that ever led a company!
What though, until this very hour and age,
A lessee-lady never owned a stage!
I'm that Belle Sauvage—only rather quieter,
Like Mrs. Nelson, turned a stage proprietor!
Welcome each early and each late arriver—
This is my omnibus, and I'm the driver!
Sure is my venture, for all honest folk,
Who love a tune, or can enjoy a joke,
Will know, whene'er they have an hour of leisure,
Wych-street is best to come to for their pleasure.
The laughter and the lamps, with equal share,
Shall make this house a light-house against care.

This is our home! 'Tis yours, as well as mine;
Here Joy may pay her homage at Mirth's shrine;
Song, Whim, and Fancy jocund rounds shall dance,
And lure for you the light Vaudeville from France.
Humour and Wit encourage my intent,
And Music means to help to pay my rent.
'Tis not mere promise—I appeal to facts;
Henceforward judge me only by my acts!
In this, my purpose, stand I not alone—
All women sigh for houses of their own;
And I was weary of perpetual dodging
From house to house, in search of board and lodging!
Faint was my heart, but, with Pandora's scope,
I find in every box a lurking hope;
My dancing spirits know of no decline,
Here's the first tier you've ever seen of mine.
Oh, my kind friends! befriend me still, as you
Have in the bygone times been wont to do;
Make me your ward against each ill designer,
And prove Lord Chancellor to a female Minor.
Cheer on my comrades, too, in their career;
Some of your favourites are around me here.
Give them—give me—the smiles of approbation,
In this Olympic game of speculation;
Still aid the petticoat on old, kind principles,
And make me yet a Captain of Invincibles!

Well known to the coaching men of that day.

Alluding to the elder Mr. Morton's farce of “The Invincibles,” in which at Covent Garden Madame Vestris had achieved a great renown.

University of Virginia Library

The following address was written at my request by John Hamilton Reynolds, and spoken by Madame Vestris on the opening night:—