The Poetical Writings of Fitz-Greene Halleck/To E. Simpson, Esq. (2)
TO E. SIMPSON, ESQ.,
MANAGER OF THE NEW-YORK THEATRE.
r. Philipps has gone—and he carries away with him
Much of my cash, and my hearty good-will;
To both he is welcome, and long may they stay with him—
Poor as he’s made me, I’ll cherish him still.
For when the wild spell of his melody bound me,
I marked not the flight of the gay, happy hours;
His music created a fairy-land round me;
Above it, was sunshine—below it, were flowers.
But ’tis folly to weep—we must cease to regret him;
Look about—you have many as brilliant a star:
There’s Barnes39 (you may laugh if you will), but just let him
Play Belino for once;—he’ll beat Philipps by far!
When he sings “Love’s Young Dream,” every heart will be beating,
The ladies shall wave their white kerchiefs in air;
The peals of applauses shall hail the repeating
Of his “Eveleen’s Bower,” and his “Robin Adair!”
Fancy’s sketch! such fine shakes and such comic expression
He’ll give it; ’twill put all the fiddles in tone!
And let Olliff (clean shaved, with a new hero dress on)
Play Baron Toraldi for that night alone.
If you wish to give all your acquaintance delight,
Fill your house to the brim, take this hint—it will go;
The humor will make e’en your candles burn bright,
And crowd every seat, to the very fourth row.
Besides, entre-nous, there’s another good reason—
Perhaps ’twill the proud heart of Beekman beguile;
He may promise to lower your rent the next season,
And, for once in his life,—take his hat off and smile.