Page:Life of Edmond Malone.djvu/100

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LIFE OF EDMOND MALONE.

pointed him out as fitted rather to command than entreat the good-will of a manager. Aided by Horace Walpole, whose good offices were likewise sought, and who felt interested in a scion from his own stock, he succeeded. It was performed on November 17, 1781; ran nine nights in succession, and for twenty-one during the season.[1] Malone to his other services added the following epilogue, of which his friend the Rev. W. Jephson writes in March, 1782:—“I believe I never told you how much we admired your epilogue. We all agree that it is complete. I really did not think you could write such good verses, at least upon a very short warning. I do not suppose there are more than three in the language that come near it. We hear that you spend much time with Mr. Walpole. I hope it is the case. Such company is exactly to your taste.”


EPILOGUE TO THE “COUNT OF NARBONNE.

Spoken by Miss Younge.

Of all the laws by tyrant custom made,
The hardest sure on dramatists is laid:
No easy task in this enlighten’d time
It is, with art “to build the lofty rhyme,”
To choose a fable nor too old nor new,
To keep each character distinctly true;
The subtle plot with happy skill combine,
And chain attention to the nervous line;
With weighty clashing interest to perplex,
Through five long acts—each person—of each sex;

  1. Geneste, in his History of the Stage, says nineteen. Walpole himself was not a little elated by its success. Next day (Nov. 18th) he writes to General Conway of “tending and nursing and waiting on Mr. Jephson’ play. I brought it into the world, was well delivered of it; it can stand on its own legs, and I am going back to my own quiet hill, never likely to have anything more to do with the theatre.”