be the bleffing defign'd for me in my infancy? (to Narciffa) And Since you are her real father, Sir, I hope, as reftore her to you innocent and accomplish'd-- Toddy. Stop, Andy, I'm the elder, tho' you're the greater rogue. Sir, (to Sir Ulick) as you owe your daughter to my--honefty, pray bid the English Ambaffador command the Emperor to talk no more about my not buying fhoes. Sir U. Ha, ha, ha! You ve been "Rogues All," but I hope our Duke and Lord here, in future, will think the nobleft title is "An honeft Man." THE BIRTH DAY; OR, THE PRINCE OF ARRAGON.* IN TWO ACTS. FOUNDED ON THE FRENCH. PERFORMED AT THE THEATRE-ROYAL, HAY-MARKET, AUGUST 12th, 1783. THE MUSIC BY DR. ARNOLD. This Piece was written in honor of His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales's attaining his one-and-twentieth year. TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS GEORGE, PRINCE OF WALES. SIR, WHEN I confider the infignificancy of this trifle, I am furprized at my own temerity; my reafon would have recoiled, and left nothing but my prefumption to attend it to your Royal feet, had not your gracious condescention in permitting it to approach you, encouraged me in the laudable attempt to celebrate (though by humble means) an æra auspicious, great, and glorious. The guardian genius of Britain having placed a BRUNSWICK on the throne, saw, and felf-approving, fmiled upon her work. And Victory, when determined to bestow her richest wreaths of laurel upon British valour, to perpetuate her bounty, wifely chose that point of time which she forefaw must be the darling theme of future ages, the period that gave birth to the PRINCE OF WALES. VOL. III. 3 D The The combination of momentous circumstances conducive to the advantage of England, attending your Royal Highnefs's dawn of life, promised a zenith of glory; and the fhining qualities of your youth justify our hopes, and give an ample fatisfaction to our expectations. As you were the early bleffing, fo will you prove the latter comfort of your Royal Parents, the patron of science, the promoter of virtue, the delight and joy of a happy people, whofe affection, refpect, and admiration may you ever poffefs, as you do thofe of your Royal Highness's |