Hence Royal Cares, hence anxious Application, (His fav'rite Work) to bless a happy Nation: His lofty Mind permit him to unbend, And to a short Diversion condescend; The Morn shall see him with redoubled Force, Resume the Burthen and pursue his Course, Give Force to Laws, his Royal Bounties share, Wisely prevent our Wishes with his Care. Contending Lands to Union firm dispose, And lose his own to fix the World's Repose. But now, let all conspire to ease the Pressure Of Royalty, by elegance of Pleasure. Impertinents, avant; nor come in sight, Unless to give him more supreme Delight. [Footnote: The Naiad was represented by Madeleine Beéjart, even then good-looking, though she was more than forty years old. The verses are taken from the eighth volume of the "Select Comedies of M. de Molière in French and English, London, 1732," and as fulsome as they well can be. The English translation, which is not mine, fairly represents the official nonsense of the original.] (_The Naiad brings with her, for the Play, one part of the Persons she has summoned to appear, whilst the rest begin a Dance to the sound of Hautboys, accompanied by Violins_.) DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. ÉRASTE, _in love with Orphise_. DAMIS, _guardian to Orphise_. ALCIDOR, _a bore_. LISANDRE, _a bore_. ALCANDRE, _a bore_. ALCIPPE, _a bore_. DORANTE, _a bore_. CARITIDÈS, _a bore_. ORMIN, _a bore_. FILINTE, _a bore_. LA MONTAGNE, _servant to Éraste_. L'ÉPINE, _servant to Damis_. LA RIVIERE _and_ TWO COMRADES. ORPHISE, _in love with Éraste_. ORANTE, _a female bore_. CLIMÈNE, _a female bore_. _Scene_.--PARIS. * * * * *