ANNOTATION. 91 



prepared of all theatrical occurrences from the days 

 of King Charles the Second. 



More immediately connected with the theatre at 

 Bath were Mr. Dimond and Mr. Elliston, both writers 

 as well as performers and managers. 



[33] It will at once be perceived that the critic 

 here quoted is Coleridge. 



[34] I must copy the passage: — 



And know, sweet prince, when you shall come to know, 



That 'tis not in the power of kings to raise 



A spirit for verse that is not born thereto : 



Nor are they born in every prince's days. 



For late Eliza's reign gave birth to more 



Than all the kings of England did before. 



And it may be the genius of that time 

 Would leave to her the glory in that kind. 

 And that the utmost powers of English rime 

 Should be within her peaceful reign confin'd ; 

 For since that time our songs could never thrive, 

 But lain as if forlorn : though in the prime 

 Of this new raising season we did strive 

 To bring the best we could unto the time. 



And I, although among the latter train, 

 And least of those that sang unto the land, 

 Have borne my part, though in an humble strain, 

 And pleased the gentles that did understand : 

 And never had my harmless pen at all 

 Distained with any loose immodesty. 



