THE BOROUGH. LETTER XII. PLAYERS. These are monarchs none respect, Wealthy men, Of the day's detecting eye; Long-forsaken damsels woo, And heave the ill-feign'd sigh. These are misers, craving means Whom the rabble praise and blame; Proud and mean, and sad and gay, Toiling after ease, are they, Infamous*, and boasting fame. Strolling players are thus held in a legal sense. Players arrive in the Borough-Welcomed by their former Friends-Are better fitted for Comic than Tragic Scenes: yet better approved in the latter by one Part of their Audience Their general Character and PleasantryParticular Distresses and Labours-Their Fortitude and Patience-A private Rehearsal-The Vanity of the aged Actress-A Heroine from the Milliner's Shop-A deluded Tradesman-Of what Persons the Company is composed Character and Adventures of Frederick Thompson. THE BOROUGH. LETTER XII. PLAYERS. DRAWN by the annual call, we now behold Our troop dramatic, heroes known of old, And those, since last they march'd, inlisted and enroll'd: Yon parties move, their former friends in sight, Whose claims are all allow'd, and friendship glads the night. Now public rooms shall sound with words divine, And private lodgings hear how heroes shine; No talk of pay shall yet on pleasure steal, While o'er the social jug and decent cheer, Peruse these bills, and see what each can do,- We all endure them; there are some admire: He who 'Squire Richard's part could well sustain, Finds as King Richard he must roar amain— "My horse! my horse!"-Lo! now to their abodes, Come lords and lovers, empresses and gods. The master-mover of these scenes has made |