The double gallant; or, the sick lady's cure! A comedy, in five acts / The only edition correctly marked, by permission, from the prompter's book; to which is added a description of the costume, cast of the characters, the whole of the stage business situations, entrances, exits, properties and directions as performed at the London theatres.

  • Colley Cibber
Date:
[1839]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The double gallant; or, the sick lady's cure! A comedy, in five acts / The only edition correctly marked, by permission, from the prompter's book; to which is added a description of the costume, cast of the characters, the whole of the stage business situations, entrances, exits, properties and directions as performed at the London theatres. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    The bright hoar frost upon the hills lay sparkling, The stars gleamed white like specks of ocdan foam, The heavy branches of the firs rose darkling ■ Against Heaven’s glorious dome. The sad night-winds' had hushed their dreary calling, All earth was still-, when downward from the sky A figure floated, softly as the falling 1 - Of rose-leaves in July. Her face was fair as face 6t Mortal maiden, With such a purq, Weet gravity of mien, It seemed as if the holy light of Eden Fell on that brow serene. • And scarcely on the earth had she alighted, Wheif lip came Christmas, saying cheerily, ’“Well met, sweet angel! We are both benighted— T’ll b|saf you company. ’“•Harkjiow these mortals haste fca,welcome me With pealing bells and brightly*blazing pile, _ With woven garlands, mirth.and jollify, * ' . ■ With sparkling jest and smile!; “ And so my loved companion thou shalt be, For old and youpg will joyously combine To give a warmer welcomfi^when they see So fair a face as .thine.” .. .. Gravely the angel answered, “’Tis'ftr.y^b *. Those wreaths are twined, those bells ring merrily; But I have higher, holier work to do,— My name is Charity. « My mission lies where piercing Hunger waits, Where Sickness banishes content afar. Where shivering little ones, and fireless gmfees, And empty cupboards are. “You fling your sunshine over all the earth; I bear to these poor homes a little ray, 4. * a/ And strive my best that none may feel a dearJJn Of joy on Christmas Day. i “ But oh, the hearts of men are hard to touch : They ask for peace, yet where they may obtain it They heedless pass; and worldly wealth is such, It hardens those who gain it. “ Oh that my power were equal to my will, How many wretched firesides would I bless i How many hopeless spirits would I fill With joy and thankfulness! ” Then said Old Christmas, “ From this time henceforth Thy path is mine, and thou shalt go with me ; . Wherever I am welcomed on the earth There also shalt thou be. •» “ Nor will we have one interest apart, **^”*“S& shall ease each other’s jnisery rey take Old C, I
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