entitled Sacontalá, or, The Fatal Ring; it is requested, therefore, that all will be attentive.
Actr. Who, Sir, could be inattentive to an entertainment so well intended?
Man. [smiling] I will speak, Madam, without reserve.—As far as an enlightened audience receive pleasure from our theatrical talents, and express it, so far, and no farther, I set a value on them; but my own mind is diffident of its powers, how strongly soever exerted.
Actr. You judge rightly in measuring your own merit by the degree of pleasure which this assembly may receive; but its value, I trust, will presently appear.—Have you any farther commands?
Man. What better can you do, since you are now on the stage, than exhilarate the souls, and gratify the sense, of our auditory with a song?
Actr. Shall I sing the description of a season? and which of the seasons do you chuse to hear described?
Man. No finer season could be selected than the summer, which is actually begun, and abounds with delights. How sweet is the close of a summer day, which invites our youth to bathe in pure streams, and induces gentle slumber under the shades refreshed by sylvan breezes, which have passed over the blooming Pátalis and stolen their fragrance!
Actr. [singing] "Mark how the soft blossoms of the Nágacéfar are lightly kissed by the
