418 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1194-. 



But the pure element its course shall hold, 



Rush on the scene, and o'er our stage he roU'd. * 



How like you our aquatics? — Need we fear 



Some critic with a hydrophobia here. 



Whose timid caution Caution's self migh tire» • 



And doubts, if water can extinguish fire? 



If such there be, still let him rest secure; 



For we have made " assurance double sure.'' 



Consume the scenes, your safety yet is certain. 



Presto! for proof, let down the iron curtain, f 



Ah ye who live in. this our brazen age, 



Think on the comforts ot an iron stage; 



Fenc'd by that mass, no perils do environ 



The man who calmly sits before cold iron — 



For those who in the Green-room sit behind it, 



They e'en must quench the danger as they find it; 



A little fire would do us harm, we know it. 



To modern actor, nor to modem poet. 



[But beaux, and ye plum'd belles, all pereh'd in front. 



You're safe at all events, depend upon't : 



So never rise like flutter'd birds together. 



The hottest fire sha'n'l singe a single feather; 



No, I assure our generous benefactors, 



'Twould only burn the scenery and the actors 1} 



Here ends, as housekeeper, my explanation. 

 And may the house receive your approbation ! 

 For you, in air, the vaulted roof we raise — 

 Tho' firm its base — its best support, your praise. 

 Stamp then your mighty seal upon our cause ! 

 Give us, ye Gods, a thunder of applause ! 



The high decree is past — may future age. 

 When pondering o'er the annals of our stage, 

 Kest on this lime, when labour rear'd the pile. 

 In tribute to the genius of our isle; 

 This school of art, with British sanction grac'd. 

 And worthy of a manly nation's taste! 

 And now the image of our Shakespeare view. 

 And give the drama's god the honour due. J 



* Here the scene rises, and discovers the water, &c.^c. 

 ■f- Here the iron curtain is let down. '^ 



J Here the iron curtain is taken up, and discovers the statue of Shakespeare under a 

 mulberry tree, Sc. &c. 



*»* These six line? in crotchets were given by a friend. 



Poetical. 



