OXFORD,

PUBLISHED BY D. A. TALBOYS.

MDCCCXXX.

270.9.890

ROSAMOND, AN OPERA.

INSCRIBED TO HER GRACE THE

DUCHESS OF MARLBOROUGH.

Hic, quos durus amor crudeli tabe peredit
Secreti celant calles, et myrtea circum
Sylva tegit.

VOL. II.

VIRG. En. 6.

B

This opera, the comic scenes of which, at least, are pleasant and entertaining, was first brought on the stage in 1707, and after three representations withdrawn. It was written by Addison in consequence of the then prevailing taste for Italian operas, to try the effect of a musical drama in our own language. The opinion of the world seems to have followed or coincided with that expressed by the public at its representation: Cato is still read and admired, while Rosamond is neglected and forgotten."

It was one of the first of our author's compositions.

A COPY OF VERSES

TO THE

AUTHOR OF ROSAMOND.

-Ne forte pudori
Sit tibi musa lyræ solers, et cantor Apollo.

BY MR. TICKELL.

THE opera first Italian masters taught,
Enrich'd with songs, but innocent of thought.
Britannia's learned theatre disdains
Melodious trifles, and enervate strains;
And blushes on her injur'd stage to see
Nonsense well tun'd, and sweet stupidity.

No charms are wanting to thy artful song,
Soft as Corelli, but as Virgil strong.

From words so sweet new grace the notes receive,
And music borrows helps she us'd to give.

Thy style hath match'd what ancient Romans knew,
Thy flowing numbers far excel the new;
Their cadence in such easy sound convey'd,

That height of thought may seem superfluous aid;
Yet in such charms the noble thoughts abound,
That needless seem the sweets of easy sound.