When Harlequin, his charmer to regain, Courts her embrace in many a queer disguise, The light of heels looks for his sword in vain-- Thy furtive fingers snatch the magic prize. The fabled egg from thee obtains its gold: Thou sett'st the mind from critic bondage loose, Where male and female cacklers, young and old, Birds of a feather, hail the sacred goose. Even pious souls, from Bunyan's durance free, At Sadler's Wells applaud thy agile wit, Forget old care, while they remember thee-- Laugh the heart's laugh, and haunt the jovial pit. Long mayst thou guard the prize thy humour won; Long hold thy court in Pantomimic State; And to the equipoise of English fun, Exalt the lowly and bring down the great. [63] "Harlequin and the Swans," produced at Covent Garden on December 27, 1813, presented two Harlequins, Bologna, jun., and Ellar, who then made his first appearance at that theatre. Grimaldi played in the prelude, "Doctor Tumble Tuzzy," Chief Physician to the Court, when, if laughter be physic to the megrims, he and his assistant medical gentleman flung it about in no small potions. The Grand Asiatic Spectacle of "Sadak and Kalasrade" was produced at the same Theatre on Easter Monday, April 11, 1814; Sadak, by Mr. Abbott; Hassan, his Slave, by Mr. Grimaldi; Agra, Principal Dancer, by Mr. Ellar; Kalasrade, by Mrs. H. Johnston. On the same night, Sadler's Wells commenced the season of 1814, with Joe's Comic Dance of "Fun and Physic," and the Pantomime of "Rival Genii; or Harlequin Wild Man." Ellar made his first appearance there as Harlequin in the "Rival Genii;" Clown, Mr. Grimaldi, with a new song, called "Frost Fair; or, the Disasters of Mr. Higgins and Mrs. Wiggins." As these pieces were frequently performed on the same evening at the two theatres, it was a regular run for both from the Wells to Covent Garden. [64] Sadler's Wells opened April 11th, not the 26th. The Aqua-Drama of "Kaloc; or, The Pirate Slave," Kaloc, by Mr. Grimaldi, performed in the previous season, for the first time, August 9th, 1813, was not played during that of 1814. [65] Bologna, jun., and Grimaldi, had jointly their benefit at Covent Garden on June 29th, 1814: when were performed O'Keeffe's "Our Way in France;" Lord Winlove, by Mr. Incledon; the Melo-Dramatic Piece, "For England Ho!" and for the fourth time these five years, "Harlequin and Mother Goose;" with the favourite scene of the Dog-Cart; and the "Oyster Duet," with the "Dissection of Harlequin." [66] Performed for the first time, on Wednesday, December 26, 1806. Harlequin, Mr. Bologna; Clown, Mr. Grimaldi; Pantaloon, Mr. Norman; Flyflap, attendant on Harlequin, by Master Grimaldi; Columbine, Miss T. Dennett, her first appearance in that character. CHAPTER XIX. 1816 to 1817.