HERO AND LEANDER: A COMIC BURLETTA, IN TWO ACTS. BY ISAAC JACKMAN. REMARKS. Tars burletta, remarkable principally for the occasion which produced it, was written sy Isaac Jackman for Mr. John Palmer, who had then recently built and opened the Royalty Theatre, in Well Street, Goodman's-fields, for the regular drama. Continued opposition from the patentees of the royal theatres, obliged that gentleman to renounce his first intention; and this elegant theatre (though better calculated, in every respect, for the legitimate drama than the winter theatres) has been, since that period, opened under an annual license for burletta, pan tomime, &c. according to the act 25th Geo. II. In his dedication, the author observes, that "The worthy manager requested me to write something for him within the statute, and I thought poor Hero and Leander might be introduced to the public, without being considered 'wagrants or wagabones! I did intend to souse Leander in the waves, as a part of the old romance, and to have a requiem sung over his manes; but a wicked wit told me, that such a denouement would be tragedy direct, and against the law." At the first representation of this afterpiece, the talents of Mr. Bannister, Mr. W. Palmer, Mr. Arrowsmith, Mrs. Fox, Master Braham, &c. ensured it the highest success. During the controversy elicited by Mr. Palmer's endeavours to obtain a patent for his theatre, it was aptly oɔb served, that "It is of no consequence to government, or to the million residing within the walls of London, whe ther the winter managers and Mr. Colman play to empty benches or overflowing audiences. If they are able, diligent, and liberal, they cannot fail of accumulating very considerable fortunes, and may bid defiance to every exertion of Mr. Palmer in the east: let this be as it may, the public good ought first to be consulted." An unjust and impolitic monopoly, however, preserved the ascendancy; and the public good, as on many other more important occasions, was sacrificed to private interest. Turkish husbandmen at work, their wives employed at the same time.-A perspective view of the Castle of Abydos, in Natolia, or the Lesser Asia-he Hellespont appearing to divide the two countries. Ere yet Aurora chase the dews, See from the ground his mate arise, Sol. Well, Safrina, what's the matter now? Saf. There sits, alas! on gentle Hero's brow A settled grief. Sol. Pshaw! I know the reason: Hero's nineteen, and that, you know, 's the season When females would be married, if they could. Saf. Well, what of that ? are we not flesh and blood? SONG. When I was young, I danc'd and sung, At length the urchin bent his bow, Sol. Well done, Safrina; 'foregad, we all can tell, There was a time, you bore away the bell. [A peal of thunder; sky appears overcast; exeunt SAFRINA and HERO. Sol. Away my lads-the storm is drawing near And save the produce of a fruitful year. [A peal of thunder, accompanied with lightning. Sol. Well done, my boys! The clouds are all on fire; A thunder-bolt hath struck the village spire. [A peal of thunder, lightning, rain, &c. Sol. The hills are wrapt in stormy clouds on high, And feel the dread convulsion of the sky, Tempests arise, on fortune's ocean lower, And rolling billows lash th affrighted shore. [Tempest rages; a Man, standing on a rock, cries out Man. A ship, a ship! 'twixt sea and wind she Sol. Fly all, fly all, and save the people s lives. Alas, how chang'd the face of things; She's now a wreck, behold on high | Thunders. A dread convulsion moves the shore, [The crew now appear landing-thunder and light. ning-music descriptive of the elemental warfare storm gradually decreases-LEANDER disguised. Sol. Welcome on shore, Sir, whether friend or foe, All are our brothers in this scene of woe. Our constant prayers are ever, ever due; Sol. What means that sigh? ah, tell me, gentle youth; You seem the child of honour and of truth: Banish your cares, for see, the God of light Dispels the gloom, that wrapp'd the world in night. Lean. Stern Boreas, frowning now forsakes And smiling Nature visits us again; the plain, Each tree its wonted foliage re-assumes, SONG. Transparent now, and all serene, But soon its transient charms decay, Sol. Tell me, gentle Sir, from whence you [Trumpet withous The chief is rous'd: behold him, great in arms; Let Hero now subdue him with her charms: From yonder mountain's brow he saw your sails Dreadful he is-a bashaw of three tails. [Music plays, See the conquering hero comes Enter ABUDAH on an elephant, attended with a numerous body of guards, armed with spears. power, That with a single puff you'd rock a tower; Yet every inch is made of proper stuff, Stand all aloof, ye paltry jades, But, Hero now her form displays, [Aside. Hero. 'Tis he-I give my sorrows to the wind. [Aside. Abu. What does the fellow stare at? Speak, you dog. The rascal seems as stupid as a log. Lean. Spare your reproaches, Sir; I'm ill at The god of love shall fan the keen desire; Or, by all the avenging powers, I swear- Abu. Seize, seize the villain; drag him to the block, Or toss him headlong from the steepest rock So shall thy savage nature shake with fear: Abu. O now the murder's out. Thanks to thee, prophet, thanks to thee again. Speak not in his behalf, you sue in vain; This is the squire, that braves the Hellespont, Zounds! I'll souse him in a tub of pickle; And steals at night to madam hot-upon't. And, as for Miss, her toby I will tickle. Drag him away. Hero. Great chief, be not cruel, but good as you're brave, [save. Remember, the hero but conquers to Give life to the wretched, whose fate's [land. Sol. in your hand: 'Tis humanity graces and blesses the Lean. I sue not for mercy, I stand here unmov'd, Protected by virtue, by beauty, and love. Together. Look down, O ye gods, and let mortals now prove, The blessings that wait upon virtue and love. Hero. Hear me, great Sir-O spare Leander's life, Grant this request, and Hero is your wife. Sol. Say, will your actions with your words accord? Hero. They will, indeed. Sol. Then take her at her word. [Aside. Abu. It is all flummery.-By Heaven, he dies. Hero. Pardon me, Sir, my love for you pre vails, What girl can stand, a bashaw with three tails? [Coaxes him. SONG. O, Sir, be consenting, be kind, and relenting, [away; Release these poor creatures, and send them Do but this, and you'll find How good natur'd and kind I'll prove to my spousee, by night and by day. O, come now, sweet lover, a passion discover, A sly little Cupid now lurks in that smile: Every maid must surrender To such a commander, [guile. You've found out a way my poor heart to be Behold, like Apollo, his ringlets of yellow! Behold how, like Mars, at this moment he His breath too discloses [stands! The perfume of roses! How plump his round cheeks, and how taper his hands! O, come now, sweet lover, &c. Abu. A pretty soul it is!-Say, will you, Miss, Give your bashaw the earnest of a kiss. [Kisses him. 'Tis done! 'tis done!-you're pardon'd, rascals I give you life, my love will have it so. [-go, But if that poaching dog comes here again, And braves my anger, as he braves the main, I'll whip the rebel rascal, till he 's blind.— Be scarce then, scoundrels, now you know my mind. Enter ABUDAH, SOLANO, SAFRINA, and HERO. Sol. What says my gentle Hero, will you go? Saf. Divide your sorrows, Hero, give me part. Suppress that sigh-or else you'll break my heart. [Exeunt SAFRINA, and HERO; huzza without. Enter DELAH and Soldiers. Abu. What's the matter, Delah? We've seen a sail-I'm sure she's not a friend- Abu. Rally my forces-instant line the strand; [Going; trumpet sounds without, Sol. Fir'd by the sound, my genius bids me ge To share the conflict, and repel the foe. SONG. Hark! the trumpet sounds afar, Rouse, soldiers, rouse, to arms to arms, O, genius of this happy land, So, when the toils of war are o'er, Del. Dread Sir, a prisoner we have taken. bacon. Del. If you unhead him, Sir, he cannot speak. Abu. What horrid fears sits trembling on thy cheek? Del. I find Leander, Sir, comes here to-night, To visit Hero, and secure her flight. Abu. Death and the devil!-this is news indeed O for Bellona's whip, to make him bleed ! night, Views not a love more pure, or truer mind, Amongst the various race of human kind; Where neither interest nor design have part, But all the warmth is native from the heart. Enter HERO; LEANDER embraces her. O bless'd event!-let's fly to yonder shore: DUET. Lean. Come now, my sweet love, to the grow, Hero. O, take both my hand and my heart, Both. Adieu then to doubt and despair, [They appear retiring to LEANDER's_vesses, but are stopped by ABUDAH, SOLANO, DELAH, and Soldiers; the Soldiers present their spears at LEANDER. Abu. Bind the villain.-O Sir, you're caught again! Lean. Well so far safe-I now must wait to Knock off his head, and let me have his brain; see The bright perfection of a deity. O do not, cruel love, my cares prolong! I'll wake my gentle Hero with a song. SONG. Awake, my sweet Hero, my heart's dearest Leander now calls you to love and delight; Give our days all to joy, and to rapture the Awake then, my charmer, and share the sweet blessing, The moments now fly me, alas! how distressing, O, think of our joys, when caress'd and caressing, Arise, my sweet Hero, love calls you away. [HERO opens the window. Hero. O my soul's joy! thy cheering voice I hear Like notes from seraphs, rushing on my ear. Lean. O come, my Hero, bless again my arms, My heart, still constant, beats with love's alarms! Danger could work no change, nor time remove The honest warmth of undissembled love. Haste then, sweet fair, thy lover's transport meet, Fly to his arms, and make his bliss complete. [HERO shuts the window. That Heaven from which no secret is conceal'd, But every wish and thought must stand reveal'd, VOL. I....2 E 19 Now that my anger's rous'd, my rage is full, I'll make a punch-bowl of the rascal's skull. [In this part of the Scene, MINERVA, in a cloud, attended by HYMEN, descends in the back Scene, supposed to be the Banks of the Hellespont. Lean. O now farewell to hope!-My love, I die content, because I die for you. [adieu! Hero. O make his cause, ye powers above, your |