reproach_. Nor should so prevailing and destructive a vice as GAMING be
attacked upon the theatre, without impressing upon the imagination all
the horrors that may attend it.

I shall detain the reader no longer than to inform him, that I am
indebted for many of the most popular passages in this play to the
inimitable performer, who, in the character of the_ Gamester, _exceeded
every idea I had conceived of it in the writing.

PROLOGUE.

Written and spoken by Mr. GARRICK.

Like fam'd La Mancha's knight, who launce in hand,
Mounted his steed to free th' enchanted land,
Our Quixote bard sets forth a monster-taming,
Arm'd at all points, to fight that hydra--GAMING.
Aloft on Pegasus he waves his pen,
And hurls defiance at the caitiff's den.
The _First_ on fancy'd giants spent his rage,
But _This_ has more than windmills to engage:
He combats passion, rooted in the soul,
Whose pow'rs, at once delight ye, and controul;
Whose magic bondage each lost slave enjoys,
Nor wishes freedom, though the spell destroys.
To save our land from this MAGICIAN's charms,
And rescue maids and matrons from his arms,
Our knight poetic comes. And Oh! ye fair!
This black ENCHANTER's wicked arts beware!
His subtle poison dims the brightest eyes,
And at his touch, each grace and beauty dies:
Love, gentleness and joy to rage give way,
And the soft dove becomes a bird of prey.
May this our bold advent'rer break the spell,
And drive the _demon_ to his native hell.
Ye slaves of passion, and ye dupes of chance,
Wake all your pow'rs from this destructive trance!
Shake off the shackles of this tyrant vice:
Hear other calls than those of cards and dice:
Be learn'd in nobler arts, than arts of _play_,
And other debts, than those of _honour_ pay:
No longer live insensible to shame,
Lost to your country, families and fame.
Could our romantic muse this work atchieve,
Would there one honest heart in _Britain_ grieve?
Th' attempt, though wild, would not in vain be made,
If every honest hand would lend its aid.

Dramatis Personae.

MEN.

Beverley, Mr. GARRICK.
Lewson, Mr. MOSSOP.
Stukely, Mr. DAVIES.
Jarvis, Mr. BERRY.
Bates, Mr. BURTON.
Dawson, Mr. BLAKES.
Waiter, Mr. ACKMAN.

WOMEN

Mrs. Beverley, Mrs. PRITCHARD.
Charlotte, Miss. HAUGHTON.