This benefit took place at Covent Garden on May 7, 1773, the pieces performed being Rowe’s _Lady Jane Grey_, and a popular pantomimic after-piece by Theobald, called _Harlequin Sorcerer_, Charles Lee Lewes (1740–1803) was the original ‘Young Marlow’ of _She Stoops to Conquer_. When that part was thrown up by ‘Gentleman’ Smith, Shuter, the ‘Mr. Hardcastle’ of the comedy, suggested Lewes, who was the harlequin of the theatre, as a substitute, and the choice proved an admirable one. Goldsmith was highly pleased with his performance, and in consequence wrote for him this epilogue. It was first printed by Evans, 1780, i. 112–4. in thy black aspect, i.e. the half-mask of harlequin, in which character the Epilogue was spoken. rosined lightning, stage-lightning, in which rosin is an ingredient. EPILOGUE INTENDED FOR ‘SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER.’ This epilogue was first printed at pp. 82–6, vol. ii, of the _Miscellaneous Works of_ 1801. Bolton Corney says it had been given to Percy by Goldsmith. It is evidently the ‘quarrelling Epilogue’ referred to in the following letter from Goldsmith to Cradock (_Miscellaneous Memoirs_, 1826, i. 225–6):— ‘MY DEAR SIR, The Play [_She Stoops to Conquer_] has met with a success much beyond your expectations or mine. I thank you sincerely for your Epilogue, which, however could not be used, but with your permission, shall be printed.* The story in short is this; Murphy sent me rather the outline of an Epilogue than an Epilogue, which was to be sung by Mrs. Catley, and which she approved. Mrs. Bulkley hearing this, insisted on throwing up her part, unless according to the custom of the theatre, she were permitted to speak the Epilogue. In this embarrassment I thought of making a quarrelling Epilogue between Catley and her, debating who should speak the Epilogue, but then Mrs. Catley refused, after I had taken the trouble of drawing it out. I was then at a loss indeed; an Epilogue was to be made, and for none but Mrs. Bulkley. I made one, and Colman thought it too bad to be spoken; I was obliged therefore to try a fourth time, and I made a very mawkish thing, as you’ll shortly see. Such is the history of my Stage adventures, and which I have at last done with. I cannot help saying that I am very sick of the stage; and though I believe I shall get three tolerable benefits, yet I shall upon the whole be a loser, even in a pecuniary light; my ease and comfort I certainly lost while it was in agitation. I am, my dear Cradock, your obliged, and obedient servant, OLIVER GOLDSMITH. P.S.—Present my most humble respects to Mrs. Cradock.’ * It is so printed with the note—‘This came too late to be Spoken.’