The Dramatic Works Of James Sheridan Knowles Classic Reprint PDF Download

Excerpt from The Dramatic Works of James Sheridan Knowles, Vol. 2 Prologue Spoken by Mr. Warde Untoward fate no luckless wight invades More sorely than the Man who drives two trades; Like Esop's bat, between two natures placed, Scowl'd at by mice, among the birds disgraced. Our author thus, of twofold fame exactor, Is doubly scouted, - both as Bard, and Actor! Wanting in haste a Prologue, he applied To three poetic friends; was thrice denied. Each glared on him with supercilious glance, As on a Poor Relation met by chance; And one was heard, with more repulsive air, To mutter "Vagabond," "Rogue," "Strolling Player! A poet once, he found - and look'd aghast - By turning actor, he had lost his caste, The verse patch'd up at length - with like ill fortune His friends behind the scenes he did importune To speak his lines. He found them all fight shy, Nodding their heads in cool civility. "Their service in the Drama was enough, The poet might recite the poet's stuff!" The rogues - they like him hugely - but it stung 'em, Somehow - to think a Bard had got among 'em. Their mind made up - no earthly pleading shook it, In pure compassion till I undertook it, Disown'd by Poets, and by Actors too, Dear Patrons of both arts, he turns to you! If in your hearts some tender feelings dwell From sweet Virginia, or heroic Tell: If in the scenes which follow you can trace What once has pleased you - an unbidden grace - A touch of nature's work - an awkward start Or ebullition of an Irish heart - Cry, clap, commend it I If you like them not, Your former favours cannot be forgot. Condemn them - damn them - hiss them if you will - Their author is your grateful servant still! About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.