English poem
PROLOGUE, Spoken by Mr. POWELL at the closing of the Theatre Royal, in Covent-Garden, on Saturday, June 4…
by George Colman (1732–1794)
Let us, ere yet we finish our career, And close the labours of the circling year, Due homage to our Royal Master pay, And hail with Plaudits this auspicious Day! His Birth distinguish'd this illustrious Morn: His Birth, who boasts HE WAS A BRITON BORN.
Tyrants, whose vassals tremble and obey, Feel the poor triumphs of despotick sway. The hated Sov'reign, with imperious awe, Issues his Edicts, and proclaims them Law; While Superstition, grim and savage Maid, Rivets the cruel fetters Law has made.
Empire like this a British King disdains: O'er a free nation, which he loves, he reigns; The Monarch's Pow'r upholds the People's Right, And Liberty and Loyalty unite.
Thrice happy Britain, on whose Sea-girt Isle, Freedom and Commerce, Guardian Angels, smile! O may each subject with his Monarch prove, The virtuous raptures of his country's love! Hail, like his King, each happy native morn; And boast, like him, HE WAS A BRITON BORN!
More by George Colman
- PROLOGUE, On opening the New THEATRE ROYAL at MANCHESTER, Spoken by MR. YOUNGER. October, 1775
- PROLOGUE, On the opening of the THEATRE ROYAL, HAY-MARKET, June, 1781. Spoken by MR. PALMER
- PROLOGUE, Spoken at WYNNSTAY. Christmas, 1780
- PROLOGUE, Spoken at WYNNSTAY. January, 1781
- PROLOGUE, Spoken by Mr. SHUTER, at the Opening of the Old Theatre, at Richmond, on Saturday, June 6, 1767
- PROLOGUE, TO THE ELECTION OF THE MANAGERS. Spoken by MR. PALMER. June, 1784
- PROLOGUE, To the revived Comedy called EASTWARD HOE. Spoken by MR. KING. November 9, 1775
- PROLOGUE, TO THE YOUNG QUAKER, A COMEDY written by Mr. O'KEEFFE, Spoken by Mr. PALMER. August, 1783