A trifling acknowledgment would
have made that lawful prize, which may now be considered as plunder' (p.
xxxii).
EPILOGUE FOR LEE LEWES'S BENEFIT.
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.
l. 9. -----
"in thy black aspect", i.e. the half-mask of harlequin,
in which character the Epilogue was spoken.
l. 18. -----
"rosined lightning", stage-lightning, in which rosin is
an ingredient.
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