| Citation |
PG-P.754.041
25 Apr 1754:22,23 (1322)
On Monday, the 15th of this inst. April, the Company of
Comedians from London, opened the New Theatre, in Water-
street; when the Fair Penitent, and Miss in her Teens, were
perform'd before a numerous and polite audience, with
universal applause.
The following prologue and epilogue, suitable to the
occasion, were spoken by Mr. Rigby, and Mrs. Hallam.
PROLOGUE.
To this new world, from fam'd Britannia's shore,
Thro' boistrous seas, where foaming billows roar,
The muse, who Britons charm'd for many an age,
Now sends her servants forth to tread the stage;
. . . [4 lines]
The world's a stage, where mankind act their parts,
The stage a world, to show their various arts:
. . . [12 lines]
Too oft, we own, the stage with dangerous art
In wanton scenes, but play'd the syren's part.
Yet if the muse, unfaithful to her trust,
Has sometimes stray'd from what was pure and just;
Has she not oft, with awful virtuous rage,
Struck home at vice--and nobly trod the stage?
. . . [8 more lines]
EPILOGUE.
Much has been said in this reforming age,
To damn in gross, the business of the stage.
Some for this end, in terms not quite so civil,
Have given both plays and players to the devil.
. . . [23 more lines]
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