Event Comment: Benefit for
Mrs Hoper.
The Second Night. Mrs Hoper's
Prologue to
the Town, By a Friend: @Tonight a Female author heads
the stage@Warm'd by
the gr
and productions of
the age;@To shine among
the modern Bards aspires,@As
the Moon glisters midst
the lesser fires:@Pants to be rank'd with Sapho, Phillips, Behn@
And prove that women write as well as Men.@Bold in
the drama's cause, attacks
the fashion@Where Novelty appears
the reigning passion,@With drooping spirits draws
the Tragic
Queen@Like your fine ladies troubled with
the spleen:@Nor trusts her meaning to
the strolling Elf@But represents
the character herself.@ [Suggests her friends reproved her for turning player, but she thought it more honorable than going into debt.] @
The Stage is innocent
and brings no shame@Unless
the players are
themselves to blame@'Twas meant as Virtue's School;--Tis no disgrace@To act a virtuous part, in any Place.@ [Closes with appeal to audience to be charitable to "this firstling of her quill, to support her generously with applause. See
Daily Advertiser.
Performances
Mainpiece Title: Queen Tragedy Restored