At least, in many things, I think, I see 18 the epilogue which Colman declined to sanction. - Line 1. There is a place -so Ariosto sings. The poet alludes to the thirty-fourth canto of The Orlando Furioso. Ariosto, as translated by Mr. Stewart Rose, observes of the lunar world: "There wilt thou find, if thou wilt thither post, Astolpho undertakes the journey; discovers a portion of his own sense; and, in an ample flask, the lost wits of Orlando. Line 9. Both shine at night -- for, but at Foote's alone. Foote gave a morning rehearsal of Piety in pattens, an anti-sentimental piece, on the 6th of March, 1773. Line 22. Nancy Dawson: - a favorite air. Anstey attests its popularity; and Colman wrote a ballad to the same lively air. Hither the affected city dame advancing, Who sighs for operas, and dotes on dancing, Taught by our art her ridicule to pause on, 24 Comes here to saunter, having made his bets, news, On sentimental queens and lords in lace? How can the piece expect or hope for quarter? 42 EPILOGUE ΤΟ SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER.' WELL! having stoop'd to conquer with success, And gain'd a husband without aid from dressStill, as a bar-maid, I could wish it too, As I have conquer'd him, to conquer you; That pretty bar-maids have done execution. 1 From She Stoops to Conquer, 1773.- This comedy was first acted at Covent-garden theater on the 15th of March, 1773. The epilogue, an obvious imitation of Shakspeare, was spoken by Mrs. Bulkley, who had personated Miss Hardcastle; and, as Tom Davies asserts, in a masterly style! Line 35. Bayes = a character in the celebrated Rehearsal of the Duke of Buckingham. The name had become synonymous with dramatist. Garrick had so used it; and Colman has this couplet: "I am an author too— - my name is Bayes; My trade is scribbling; my chief scribbling, plays." Our life is all a play, compos'd to please; The first act shows the simple country maid, Who whisks about the house, at market caters, The fourth act shows her wedded to the 'squire, And madam now begins to hold it higher; Pretends to taste, at operas cries caro, And quits her Nancy Dawson for Che faro; Swims round the room, the Heinel of Cheapside; 28 |