Drawn by the annual call, we now behold } Our troop dramatic, heroes known of old, } And those, since last they march'd, inlisted and enroll'd: } Mounted on hacks or borne in waggons some, The rest on foot (the humbler brethren) come. Three favour'd places, an unequal time, Join to support this company sublime: Ours for the longer period--see how light } Yon parties move, their former friends in sight, } Whose claims are all allow'd, and friendship glads the night. 10 } Now public rooms shall sound with words divine, And private lodgings hear how heroes shine; No talk of pay shall yet on pleasure steal, But kindest welcome bless the friendly meal; While o'er the social jug and decent cheer, Shall be described the fortunes of the year. Peruse these bills, and see what each can do,-- Behold! the prince, the slave, the monk, the Jew; Change but the garment, and they'll all engage To take each part, and act in every age. 20 Cull'd from all houses, what a house are they! Swept from all barns, our borough-critics say; But with some portion of a critic's ire, We all endure them; there are some admire: They might have praise, confined to farce alone; Full well they grin--they should not try to groan; But then our servants' and our seamen's wives Love all that rant and rapture as their lives; He who 'Squire Richard's part could well sustain, Finds as King Richard he must roar amain, 30 "My horse! my horse!"--Lo! now to their abodes, Come lords and lovers, empresses and gods. The master-mover of these scenes has made No trifling gain in this adventurous trade;-- Trade we may term it, for he duly buys Arms out of use and undirected eyes; These he instructs, and guides them as he can, And vends each night the manufactured man. Long as our custom lasts, they gladly stay, Then strike their tents, like Tartars! and away! 40 The place grows bare where they too long remain, But grass will rise ere they return again. Children of Thespis, welcome! knights and queens! Counts! barons! beauties! when before your scenes, And mighty monarchs thund'ring from your throne; Then step behind, and all your glory's gone: Of crown and palace, throne and guards bereft, The pomp is vanish'd, and the care is left. Yet strong and lively is the joy they feel, When the full house secures the plenteous meal; 50 Flatt'ring and flatter'd, each attempts to raise A brother's merits for a brother's praise: For never hero shows a prouder heart, Than he who proudly acts a hero's part-- Nor without cause; the boards, we know, can yield Place for fierce contest, like the tented field. Graceful to tread the stage, to be in turn