Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser

The following address, written by Mr. A. Lucas, was spoken by Mr. Caldwell, on the last night of the performance of his Company in Raleigh.

When first Melpomene, in older time,
Told her sad stories in pathetic rhyme,
The warlike Greek would bend his stubborn soul
And unrestrained tears permit to roll:
Guilt cower'd beneath the poet's, actor's art,
And bright examples fir'd the patriot's heart!
Then young Thalia, laughter's frolic queen,
Bade mirth and humor variegate the scene.
No more sweet pity's drops bedew the eyes,
No more the heart in pensive sadness sighs;
The cheerful glance, the winning smile obtain,
And banish'd far, are grief, and woe, and pain!
Rivals in human hearts for many an age,
These scenic queens a constant warfare wage.
At length, sublime in genius, Shakspeare rose,
Ordain'd by fate to reconcile the foes.
Each own'd him as her son, to each he bow'd,
And all their fond maternal claims allow'd.
His graver offerings on one altar laid,
And to the other lighter flowers paid:
Till 'neath one dome the sister fanes were rear'd,
And he the immortal priest of both appear'd.
A votary of the drama's moving art,
Here seeks its moral lesson's to impart.
From distant scenes and foreign lands he came,
Your kind, indulgent patronage to claim:
And still he hopes, with each returning year,
To meet, and merit, gen'rous welcome here.
Tho' hard his task, severe the critics laws,
His toils are recompens'd by your applause.
Nor will he ever droop, when, as to-night,
In frequent rows, wit, sense, and beauty bright,
Shed round his path their cheering beams of light.
Who can behold the mimic woe, and turn away
Or shut the ear to fiction's soothing lay?
Here may some future Roscios, Thespis move,
And fill the soul with rage, or melt with love:
Truth, nature, wisdom, here erect their school,
And justice whip the knave, and wit, the fool:
While you, ye fair, in virtuous modesty,
Shall keep the stage, what still the stage should be,
A picture of the times, from every grossness free.