PROLOGUE To the COMEDY of the DISBANDED OFFICER, or The BARONESS of BRUCHSAL, Acted at the THEATRE ROYAL…

In days of old, on Property and Trade, Taxes and rates, unqualified, were laid: But modern politicks, with reins more lax, Comforts administer with every tax; Hold out Douceurs, by way of compensation, And make the burthen light by Commutation. Tea's now a drug so cheap, with draughts bewitching, Imperial, Congou, Hyson, charm the kitchen. Bohea, like Bull's blood, in coarse Delft ne'er seen, Neat Wedgewood deals Souchong, or finest Green: Breakfast well over, we prepare to dine, For which the state provides us genuine Wine! Adultery, by Act of Parliament for bid, No more in cellars and dark caves lies hid; No more from Sloes sound Port the Vintners drain, No more from Turnip Juice brew brisk Champagne.

Ah, were our Plays thus wisely supervis'd, Humours and Passions gag'd, and Plots excis'd, What frauds would be unveil'd! Sophistication, Much contraband, and much adulteration! Neat as imported is the constant boast, Though smuggling smacks and cutters croud the coast. At many a pilfer'd Scene you've cried and laugh'd, And oft, for Home-brew'd Balderdash have quaff'd. Plays from French Vineyards drawn have learnt to please, Run, like Southampton Port, on Claret Lees; While the Bard cries, to smuggling no great foe, " 'Tis English, English, Sirs, from Top to Toe!"

To-night a new Advent'rer vents his Stock, And brings you from the Rhine some good Old Hock: Waves but his wand—a true Dramatick Merlin— Presto! you're charm'd from London—plac'd in Berlin. There lies our Scene To-night—an hour or two, True Prussians, we must do as Prussians do. Our goods, our habits, are of German growth; Both fairly enter'd, and acknowledg'd both. Lessing, a German Bard of high renown, Long on the Continent has charm'd the town; His Plays as much applauded at Vienna, As here the School for Scandal, or Duenna. From his bold outline draws our present Bayes, And on his canvas English colours lays: Rumbling and rough tho' Bruchsal's name appear, Grating harsh thunder on an English ear, Yet she may charm; and prove ere she departs, That Ladies with hard Names have tender Hearts.