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ADDRESS X.

Mrs. S-dd-ns to the Invisible Committee.

DEAR SIRS,

I'm afraid that the public will guess,

That I have been prompting you in your address; So sudden have been your proceedings, I fear, As studied, they to a great many appear, Your hand bills did seem a deliberate dealing, 'Twas not a good stage trick to show sudden feeling.

Your advertisements too have been criticised,

To read such poor language I much was surprised, And wish that to CHARLES you had

struction,

gone

for in

For then 'twou'd have been a much better pro

duction;

As being a dramatist and a translator,

A good bill of fare he'd have help'd you to cater.

Th' address was too hasty-some time had you

kept it,

I con'd with decorum have agreed to accept it.
Some say with assurance (for what can surpass it?)
'Tis accepted already by my sufferance tacit.
I'm willing t'accept it may also be said,
Because I've for benefits cheerfully play'd;
But they cannot suppose that this was the call

meant,

you

As I've not perform'd on those nights for emolu

ment

Indeed, Sirs, the truth to acknowledge I grieve,
That ever I took of the public my leave.
I thought, as so long I enjoy'd their protection,
That to my return they wou'd ne'er have objection.
But, gentlemen, now you see many attack us,
For which I perhaps am indebted to Bacchus.
So be not surpris'd, my dear Sirs, when you beg

at eve,

If to your Address I shou'd give a cool negative;
For prudence demands that with cunning and art,
Like Lady Macbeth I should now play my part.
Renew it, I pray, and when often address'd,
I may with propriety grant your request.

ACCEPTED ADDRESSES.

ADDRESS XI.

W-lt-r Sc-tt, Esq. to his Publishers.

I.

BE not discouraged-gentlemen,
Tho' Criticism has run me down-
Tho' Burlesque has assum'd my pen,
And Plagiary stole my renown-
Give me more cash-I'll take more pains,
And far surpass my former strains,
In Metaphor and Thought.—
My Fancy too shall soar so high,
That Burlesque-writers I'll defy,
And Critics set at nought.-

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Then envy slept and I became,
At once a Poet of great fame;
For much applause I had-
Proud of the offspring of my pen,
I was resolv'd to write agen,

And to my laurels add.

III.

My Marmion I then gave the town,
In strains energetic and bold;
The Critics were ready to own,
The Battle sublimely was told.
But one Peter Pry,

His humour must try,

To burlesque the Poem I'd written;

To me it did seem,

A wonderful theme,

For any to exercise wit on.

IV.

Resolved another work to make,
I wrote the Lady of the Lake;
The Lady was so much the rage,
That she was brought upon the stage;
But grief to tell!

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