The Collected Works of Oliver Goldsmith E-Book

Oliver Goldsmith

• Herausgeber: PergamonMedia
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Serie: Highlights of World Literature
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2015

Seitenzahl: 2218

Beschreibung

This comprehensive eBook presents the complete works or all the significant works - the Œuvre - of this famous and brilliant writer in one ebook - easy-to-read and easy-to-navigate: • She Stoops to Conquer; Or, The Mistakes of a Night: A Comedy • The Vicar of Wakefield • An Elegy on the Death of a Mad Dog • An Elegy on the Glory of Her Sex, Mrs. Mary Blaize • Pinnock's improved edition of Dr. Goldsmith's History of Rome • The Complete Poetical Works of • FORSTER, JOHN • Vicar of Wakefield • Letters, -— To his mother. At Cork. To Robert Bryanton. In Scotland. To his uncle Contarine. In Holland. To his brother Henry. Family matters. • GOLDSMITH • THE TRAVELLER • THE DESERTED VILLAGE • etc.

Leseprobe

Table of Contents

"SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER"

She Stoops To Conquer; Or, The Mistakes Of A Night. A Comedy.

PROLOGUE,

By David Garrick, Esq.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE.

ACT THE FIRST.

ACT THE SECOND.

ACT THE THIRD.

ACT THE FOURTH.

ACT THE FIFTH.

THE VICAR OF WAKEFIELD

A TALE

Supposed to be written by Himself

By Oliver Goldsmith

Sperate miseri, cavete faelices

ADVERTISEMENT

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

The happiness of a country fire-side

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

The family still resolve to hold up their heads

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

The family use art, which is opposed with, still greater

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

The pursuit of a father to reclaim a lost child to virtue

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

Offences are easily pardoned where there is love at bottom

CHAPTER 23

None but the guilty can be long and completely miserable

CHAPTER 24

Fresh calamities

CHAPTER 25

CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER 27

The same subject continued

CHAPTER 28

CHAPTER 29

CHAPTER 30

CHAPTER 31

Former benevolence now repaid with unexpected interest

CHAPTER 32.

The Conclusion

The Mad Dog

ONE OF R. CALDECOTT'S PICTURE BOOKS

Frederick Warne and Co. Ltd.

An ELEGY on the DEATH of a MAD DOG.

AN ELEGY ON THE GLORY OF HER SEX MRS. MARY BLAIZE

DR. OLIVER GOLDSMITH

PINNOCK'S IMPROVED EDITION OF DR. GOLDSMITH'S HISTORY OF ROME:

INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF ROMAN HISTORY,

MANNERS, INSTITUTIONS, AND ANTIQUITIES OF THE ROMANS;

NUMEROUS BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL NOTES;

QUESTIONS FOR EXAMINATION

BY WM. C. TAYLOR, LL.D.,

PHILADELPHIA: THOMAS, COWPERTHWAIT & CO. 1851.

Entered, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1848, by

THOMAS, COWPERTHWAIT & CO.

In the clerk's office of the District Court of the United States for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

PRINTED BY SMITH & PETERS,

PREFACE.

CONTENTS.

HISTORY OF ROME

INTRODUCTION.

CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER IV.

CHAPTER V.

CHAPTER VI.

CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VIII.

CHAPTER IX.

CHAPTER X.

HISTORY OF ROME

CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER IV.

CHAPTER V.

CHAPTER VI.

CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VIII.

CHAPTER IX.

CHAPTER X.

CHAPTER XI.

SECTION I.

SECTION II.

CHAPTER XII.

SECTION I.

SECTION II.

SECTION III.

SECTION IV.

SECTION V.

CHAPTER XIII.

SECTION I.

SECTION II.

SECTION III.

CHAPTER XIV.

SECTION I.

SECTION II.

CHAPTER XV.

SECTION I.

SECTION II.

SECTION III.

CHAPTER XVI.

CHAPTER XVII.

SECTION I.

SECTION II.

CHAPTER XVIII.

SECTION I.

SECTION II.

CHAPTER XIX.

CHAPTER XX.

SECTION I.

SECTION II.

SECTION III.

SECTION IV.

SECTION V.

CHAPTER XXI.

SECTION I.

SECTION II.

SECTION III.

SECTION IV.

SECTION V.

SECTION VI.

SECTION VII.

SECTION VIII.

CHAPTER XXII.

SECTION I.

SECTION II.

SECTION III.

SECTION IV.

SECTION V.

SECTION VI. U.C. 794.—A.D. 42.

SECTION VII. U.C. 793—A.D. 55.

SECTION VIII.

SECTION IX. A.D. 70.

SECTION X.

SECTION XI.

CHAPTER XXIII.

SECTION I. THE FIVE GOOD EMPERORS OF ROME.

SECTION II.

SECTION III.

SECTION IV.

CHAPTER XXIV.

SECTION I. FROM COMMODUS TO THE TRANSFERRING OF THE SEAT OF EMPIRE UNDER CONSTANTINE, FROM ROME TO CONSTANTINOPLE.—U.C. 933. A.D. 180.

SECTION II.

SECTION III.

SECTION IV. U.C. 996.—A.D. 243.

SECTION V. U.C. 1035.—A.D. 282.

SECTION VI.

CHAPTER XXV.

SECTION I. FROM THE DEATH OF CONSTANTINE TO THE RE-UNION OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE UNDER THEODOSIUS THE GREAT.

SECTION II.

CHAPTER XXVI.

SECTION I. FROM THE DEATH OF THEODOSIUS TO THE SUBVERSION OF THE WESTERN EMPIRE.

SECTION II.

CHAPTER XXVII.

HISTORICAL NOTICES OF THE DIFFERENT BARBAROUS TRIBES THAT AIDED IN DESTROYING THE ROMAN EMPIRE.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

THE PROGRESS OF CHRISTIANITY.

THE COMPLETE POETICAL WORKS OF OLIVER GOLDSMITH

OLIVER GOLDSMITH

Bell's Miniature Series of Great Writers

Oliver Goldsmith

E. S. LANG BUCKLAND

LONDON GEORGE BELL & SONS 1909

PREFACE

CHAPTER I

"THE BEST BELOVED OF ENGLISH WRITERS"

CHAPTER II

"THE DESERTED VILLAGE"

CHAPTER III

"THE TRAVELLER"

CHAPTER IV

LONDON

CHAPTER V

"THE CITIZEN OF THE WORLD"

CHAPTER VI

THE LITERARY CLUB

CHAPTER VII

DEBTS AND DIGNITIES

CHAPTER VIII

CONSUMMATE COMEDY

CHAPTER IX

THE POET AND THE ESSAYIST

CHAPTER X

THE LIGHT OF LOVE

OLIVER GOLDSMITH

PREFACE

PREFACE

W.I.

CHAPTER ONE

BIRTH AND PARENTAGE—CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GOLDSMITH RACE—POETICAL BIRTHPLACE—GOBLIN HOUSE—SCENES OF BOYHOOD—LISSOY—PICTURE OF A COUNTRY PARSON—GOLDSMITH'S SCHOOLMISTRESS—BYRNE, THE VILLAGE SCHOOLMASTER —GOLDSMITH'S HORNPIPE AND EPIGRAM—UNCLE CONTARINE—SCHOOL STUDIES AND SCHOOL SPORTS—MISTAKES OF A NIGHT

CHAPTER TWO

IMPROVIDENT MARRIAGES IN THE GOLDSMITH FAMILY—GOLDSMITH AT THE UNIVERSITY—SITUATION OF A SIZER—TYRANNY OF WILDER, THE TUTOR—PECUNIARY STRAITS—STREET BALLADS—COLLEGE RIOT—GALLOWS WALSH—COLLEGE PRIZE—A DANCE INTERRUPTED

CHAPTER THREE

GOLDSMITH REJECTED BY THE BISHOP—SECOND SALLY TO SEE THE WORLD—TAKES PASSAGE FOR AMERICA—SHIP SAILS WITHOUT HIM—RETURN ON FIDDLE-BACK—A HOSPITABLE FRIEND—THE COUNSELOR

"OLIVER GOLDSMITH.

CHAPTER FOUR

SALLIES FORTH AS A LAW STUDENT—STUMBLES AT THE OUTSET—COUSIN JANE AND THE VALENTINE—A FAMILY ORACLE—SALLIES FORTH AS A STUDENT OF MEDICINE—HOCUS-POCUS OF A BOARDING-HOUSE—TRANSFORMATIONS OF A LEG OF MUTTON—THE MOCK GHOST—SKETCHES OF SCOTLAND—TRIALS OF TOADYISM—A POET'S PURSE FOR A CONTINENTAL TOUR

TO A YOUNG LADY ON VALENTINE'S DAY

WITH THE DRAWING OF A HEART

"OLIVER GOLDSMITH.

CHAPTER FIVE

THE AGREEABLE FELLOW-PASSENGERS—RISKS FROM FRIENDS PICKED UP BY THE WAYSIDE—SKETCHES OF HOLLAND AND THE DUTCH—SHIFTS WHILE A POOR STUDENT AT LEYDEN—THE TULIP SPECULATION—THE PROVIDENT FLUTE—SOJOURN AT PARIS—SKETCH OF VOLTAIRE—TRAVELING SHIFTS OF A PHILOSOPHIC VAGABOND

CHAPTER SIX

LANDING IN ENGLAND—SHIFTS OF A MAN WITHOUT MONEY—THE PESTLE AND MORTAR—THEATRICALS IN A BARN—LAUNCH UPON LONDON—A CITY NIGHT SCENE—STRUGGLES WITH PENURY—MISERIES OF A TUTOR—A DOCTOR IN THE SUBURB—POOR PRACTICE AND SECOND-HAND FINERY—A TRAGEDY IN EMBRYO—PROJECT OF THE WRITTEN MOUNTAINS

CHAPTER SEVEN

LIFE OP A PEDAGOGUE—KINDNESS TO SCHOOLBOYS—PERTNESS IN RETURN—EXPENSIVE CHARITIES—THE GRIFFITHS AND THE "MONTHLY REVIEW"—TOILS OF A LITERARY HACK—RUPTURE WITH THE GRIFFITHS

CHAPTER EIGHT

NEWBERY, OF PICTURE-BOOK MEMORY—HOW TO KEEP UP APPEARANCES—MISERIES OF AUTHORSHIP—A POOR RELATION—LETTER TO HODSON

CHAPTER NINE

HACKNEY AUTHORSHIP—THOUGHTS OF LITERARY SUICIDE—RETURN TO PECKHAM—ORIENTAL PROJECTS—LITERARY ENTERPRISE TO RAISE FUNDS—LETTER TO EDWARD WELLS—TO ROBERT BRYANTON—DEATH OF UNCLE CONTARINE—LETTER TO COUSIN JANE

CHAPTER TEN

ORIENTAL APPOINTMENT—AND DISAPPOINTMENT—EXAMINATION AT THE COLLEGE OF SURGEONS—HOW TO PROCURE A SUIT OF CLOTHES—FRESH DISAPPOINTMENT—A TALE OF DISTRESS—THE SUIT OF CLOTHES IN PAWN—PUNISHMENT FOR DOING AN ACT OF CHARITY—GAYETIES OF GREEN ARBOR COURT—LETTER TO HIS BROTHER—LIFE OF VOLTAIRE—SCROGGIN, AN ATTEMPT AT MOCK HEROIC POETRY

"OLIVER GOLDSMITH.

"OLIVER GOLDSMITH."

CHAPTER ELEVEN

PUBLICATION OF THE INQUIRY—ATTACKED BY GRIFFITHS' REVIEW—KENRICK THE LITERARY ISHMAELITE—PERIODICAL LITERATURE—GOLDSMITH'S ESSAYS—GARRICK AS A MANAGER—SMOLLETT AND HIS SCHEMES—CHANGE OF LODGINGS—THE ROBIN HOOD CLUB

CHAPTER TWELVE

NEW LODGINGS—VISITS OF CEREMONY—HANGERS-ON—PILKINGTON AND THE WHITE MOUSE—INTRODUCTION TO DR. JOHNSON—DAVIES AND HIS BOOKSHOP—PRETTY MRS. DAVIES—FOOTE AND HIS PROJECTS—CRITICISM OF THE CUDGEL

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

ORIENTAL PROJECTS—LITERARY JOBS—THE CHEROKEE CHIEFS—MERRY ISLINGTON AND THE WHITE CONDUIT HOUSE—LETTERS ON THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND—JAMES BOSWELL—DINNER OF DAVIES—ANECDOTES OF JOHNSON AND GOLDSMITH

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

HOGARTH A VISITOR AT ISLINGTON—HIS CHARACTER—STREET STUDIES—SYMPATHIES BETWEEN AUTHORS AND PAINTERS—SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS—HIS CHARACTER—HIS DINNERS—THE LITERARY CLUB-ITS MEMBERS—JOHNSON'S REVELS WITH LANKEY AND BEAU—GOLDSMITH AT THE CLUB

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

JOHNSON A MONITOR TO GOLDSMITH—FINDS HIM IN DISTRESS WITH HIS LANDLADY—RELIEVED BY THE VICAR OF WAKEFIELD—THE ORATORIO—POEM OF THE TRAVELER—THE POET AND HIS DOG—SUCCESS OF THE POEM—ASTONISHMENT OF THE CLUB—OBSERVATIONS ON THE POEM

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

NEW LODGINGS—JOHNSON'S COMPLIMENT—A TITLED PATRON—THE POET AT NORTHUMBERLAND HOUSE—HIS INDEPENDENCE OF THE GREAT—THE COUNTESS OF NORTHUMBERLAND—EDWIN AND ANGELINA—GOSFORD AND LORD CLARE—PUBLICATION OF ESSAYS—EVILS OF A RISING REPUTATION—HANGERS-ON—JOB WRITING—GOODY TWO SHOES—A MEDICAL CAMPAIGN—MRS. SIDEBOTHAM

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

PUBLICATION OF THE VICAR OF WAKEFIELD—OPINIONS CONCERNING IT—OF DR. JOHNSON—OF ROGERS THE POET—OF GOETHE—ITS MERITS—EXQUISITE EXTRACT—ATTACK BY KENRICK—REPLY—BOOK-BUILDING—PROJECT OF A COMEDY

"OLIVER GOLDSMITH."

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

SOCIAL POSITION OF GOLDSMITH—HIS COLLOQUIAL CONTESTS WITH JOHNSON—ANECDOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS

CHAPTER NINETEEN

SOCIAL RESORTS—THE SHILLING WHIST CLUB—A PRACTICAL JOKE—THE WEDNESDAY CLUB—THE "TUN OP MAN"—THE PIG BUTCHER—TOM KING—HUGH KELLY—GLOVER AND HIS CHARACTERISTICS

CHAPTER TWENTY

THE GREAT CHAM OF LITERATURE AND THE KING—SCENE AT SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS'—GOLDSMITH ACCUSED OF JEALOUSY—NEGOTIATIONS WITH GARRICK—THE AUTHOR AND THE ACTOR—THEIR CORRESPONDENCE

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

MORE HACK AUTHORSHIP—TOM DAVIES AND THE ROMAN HISTORY—CANONBURY CASTLE—POLITICAL AUTHORSHIP—PECUNIARY TEMPTATION—DEATH OF NEWBERY THE ELDER

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

THEATRICAL MANEUVERING—THE COMEDY OF FALSE DELICACY—FIRST PERFORMANCE OF THE GOOD-NATURED MAN—CONDUCT OF JOHNSON—CONDUCT OF THE AUTHOR—INTERMEDDLING OF THE PRESS

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

BURNING THE CANDLE AT BOTH ENDS—FINE APARTMENTS—FINE FURNITURE—FINE CLOTHES—FINE ACQUAINTANCES—SHOEMAKER'S HOLIDAY AND JOLLY PIGEON ASSOCIATES—PETER BARLOW, GLOVER, AND THE HAMPSTEAD HOAX—POOR FRIENDS AMONG GREAT ACQUAINTANCES

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

REDUCED AGAIN TO BOOK-BUILDING—RURAL RETREAT AT SHOEMAKER'S PARADISE—DEATH OF HENRY GOLDSMITH—TRIBUTES TO HIS MEMORY IN THE DESERTED VILLAGE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

DINNER AT BICKERSTAFF'S—HIFFERNAN AND HIS IMPECUNIOSITY—KENRICK'S EPIGRAM—JOHNSON'S CONSOLATION—GOLDSMITH'S TOILET—THE BLOOM-COLORED COAT—NEW ACQUAINTANCES—THE HORNECKS—A TOUCH OF POETRY AND PASSION—THE JESSAMY BRIDE

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

GOLDSMITH IN THE TEMPLE—JUDGE DAY AND GRATTAN—LABOR AND DISSIPATION—PUBLICATION OF THE ROMAN HISTORY—OPINIONS OF IT—HISTORY OF ANIMATED NATURE—TEMPLE ROOKERY—ANECDOTES OF A SPIDER

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

HONORS AT THE ROYAL ACADEMY—LETTER TO HIS BROTHER MAURICE—FAMILY FORTUNES—JANE CONTARINE AND THE MINIATURE—PORTRAITS AND ENGRAVINGS—SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS—JOHNSON AND GOLDSMITH IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY

"OLIVER GOLDSMITH."

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

PUBLICATION OF THE DESERTED VILLAGE—NOTICES AND ILLUSTRATIONS OF IT

NOTE

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

THE POET AMONG THE LADIES—DESCRIPTION OF HIS PERSON AND MANNERS—EXPEDITION TO PARIS WITH THE HORNECK FAMILY—THE TRAVELER OF TWENTY AND THE TRAVELER OF FORTY—HICKEY, THE SPECIAL ATTORNEY—AN UNLUCKY EXPLOIT

"OLIVER GOLDSMITH.

CHAPTER THIRTY

DEATH OF GOLDSMITH'S MOTHER—BIOGRAPHY OF PARNELL—AGREEMENT WITH DAVIES FOR THE HISTORY OF ROME—LIFE OP BOLINGBROKE—THE HAUNCH OF VENISON

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

DINNER AT THE ROYAL ACADEMY—THE ROWLEY CONTROVERSY—HORACE WALPOLE'S CONDUCT TO CHATTERTON—JOHNSON AT REDCLIFFE CHURCH—GOLDSMITH'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND—DAVIES' CRITICISM—LETTER TO BENNET LANGTON

"OLIVER GOLDSMITH."

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

MARRIAGE OF LITTLE COMEDY—GOLDSMITH AT BARTON—PRACTICAL JOKES AT THE EXPENSE OF HIS TOILET—AMUSEMENTS AT BARTON—AQUATIC MISADVENTURE

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

DINNER AT GENERAL OGLETHORPE'S—ANECDOTES OF THE GENERAL—DISPUTE ABOUT DUELING—GHOST STORIES

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

MR. JOSEPH CRADOCK—AN AUTHOR'S CONFIDINGS—AN AMANUENSIS—LIFE AT EDGEWARE—GOLDSMITH CONJURING—GEORGE COLMAN—THE FANTOCCINI

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

BROKEN HEALTH—DISSIPATION AND DEBTS—THE IRISH WIDOW—PRACTICAL JOKES—SCRUB—A MISQUOTED PUN—MALAGRIDA—GOLDSMITH PROVED TO BE A FOOL—DISTRESSED BALLAD SINGERS—THE POET AT RANELAGH

TO DR. GOLDSMITH

ON SEEING HIS NAME IN THE LIST OF MUMMERS AT THE LATE MASQUERADE

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

INVITATION TO CHRISTMAS—THE SPRING VELVET COAT—THE HAYMAKING WIG—THE MISCHANCES OF LOO—THE FAIR CULPRIT—A DANCE WITH THE JESSAMY BRIDE

"O. G."

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

THEATRICAL DELAYS—NEGOTIATIONS WITH COLMAN—LETTER TO GARRICK—CROAKING OF THE MANAGER—NAMING OF THE PLAY—SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER—FOOTE'S PRIMITIVE PUPPET-SHOW, PIETY ON PATTENS—FIRST PERFORMANCE OF THE COMEDY—AGITATION OF THE AUTHOR—SUCCESS—COLMAN SQUIBBED OUT OF TOWN

"OLIVER GOLDSMITH."

"OLIVER GOLDSMITH."

TO GEORGE COLMAN, ESQ.

ON THE SUCCESS OF DR. GOLDSMITH'S NEW COMEDY

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

A NEWSPAPER ATTACK—THE EVANS AFFRAY—JOHNSON'S COMMENT

[FOR THE LONDON PACKET.]

"TO DR. GOLDSMITH.

"TOM TICKLE."

"OLIVER GOLDSMITH."

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

BOSWELL IN HOLY WEEK—DINNER AT OGLETHORPE'S—DINNER AT PAOLI'S—THE POLICY OF TRUTH—GOLDSMITH AFFECTS INDEPENDENCE OF ROYALTY—PAOLI'S COMPLIMENT—JOHNSON'S EULOGIUM ON THE FIDDLE—QUESTION ABOUT SUICIDE—BOSWELL'S SUBSERVIENCY

CHAPTER FORTY

CHANGES IN THE LITERARY CLUB—JOHNSON'S OBJECTION TO GARRICK—ELECTION OP BOSWELL

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

DINNER AT THE DILLYS'—CONVERSATIONS ON NATURAL HISTORY—INTERMEDDLING OF BOSWELL—DISPUTE ABOUT TOLERATION—JOHNSON'S REBUFF TO GOLDSMITH—HIS APOLOGY—MAN-WORSHIP—DOCTORS MAJOR AND MINOR—A FAREWELL VISIT

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

PROJECT OF A DICTIONARY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES—DISAPPOINTMENT—NEGLIGENT AUTHORSHIP—APPLICATION FOR A PENSION—BEATTIE'S ESSAY ON TRUTH—PUBLIC ADULATION—A HIGH-MINDED REBUKE

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

TOIL WITHOUT HOPE—THE POET IN THE GREEN-ROOM—IN THE FLOWER GARDEN—AT VAUXHALL—DISSIPATION WITHOUT GAYETY—CRADOCK IN TOWN—FRIENDLY SYMPATHY—A PARTING SCENE—AN INVITATION TO PLEASURE

"OLIVER GOLDSMITH."

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

A RETURN TO DRUDGERY—FORCED GAYETY—RETREAT TO THE COUNTRY—THE POEM OF RETALIATION—PORTRAIT OF GARRICK—OF GOLDSMITH—OF REYNOLDS—ILLNESS OF THE POET—HIS DEATH—GRIEF OF HIS FRIENDS—A LAST WORD RESPECTING THE JESSAMY BRIDE

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

THE FUNERAL—THE MONUMENT—THE EPITAPH—CONCLUDING REMARKS

OLIVARII GOLDSMITH,

OF OLIVER GOLDSMITH—

"SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER"

by Oliver Goldsmith

She Stoops To Conquer; Or, The Mistakes Of A Night.  A Comedy.

To Samuel Johnson, LL.D.

Dear Sir,—By inscribing this slight performance to you, I do not mean so much to compliment you as myself. It may do me some honour to inform the public, that I have lived many years in intimacy with you. It may serve the interests of mankind also to inform them, that the greatest wit may be found in a character, without impairing the most unaffected piety.

I have, particularly, reason to thank you for your partiality to this performance. The undertaking a comedy not merely sentimental was very dangerous; and Mr. Colman, who saw this piece in its various stages, always thought it so. However, I ventured to trust it to the public; and, though it was necessarily delayed till late in the season, I have every reason to be grateful.

I am, dear Sir, your most sincere friend and admirer,

OLIVER GOLDSMITH.

PROLOGUE,

By David Garrick, Esq.

Enter MR. WOODWARD, dressed in black, and holding a handkerchief to his eyes.

Excuse me, sirs, I pray—I can't yet speak—

I'm crying now—and have been all the week.

"'Tis not alone this mourning suit," good masters:

"I've that within"—for which there are no plasters!

Pray, would you know the reason why I'm crying?

The Comic Muse, long sick, is now a-dying!

And if she goes, my tears will never stop;

For as a player, I can't squeeze out one drop:

I am undone, that's all—shall lose my bread—

I'd rather, but that's nothing—lose my head.

When the sweet maid is laid upon the bier,

Shuter and I shall be chief mourners here.

To her a mawkish drab of spurious breed,

Who deals in sentimentals, will succeed!

Poor Ned and I are dead to all intents;

We can as soon speak Greek as sentiments!

Both nervous grown, to keep our spirits up.

We now and then take down a hearty cup.

What shall we do? If Comedy forsake us,

They'll turn us out, and no one else will take us.

But why can't I be moral?—Let me try—

My heart thus pressing—fixed my face and eye—

With a sententious look, that nothing means,

(Faces are blocks in sentimental scenes)

Thus I begin: "All is not gold that glitters,

"Pleasure seems sweet, but proves a glass of bitters.

"When Ignorance enters, Folly is at hand:

"Learning is better far than house and land.

"Let not your virtue trip; who trips may stumble,

"And virtue is not virtue, if she tumble."

I give it up—morals won't do for me;

To make you laugh, I must play tragedy.

One hope remains—hearing the maid was ill,

A Doctor comes this night to show his skill.

To cheer her heart, and give your muscles motion,

He, in Five Draughts prepar'd, presents a potion:

A kind of magic charm—for be assur'd,

If you will swallow it, the maid is cur'd:

But desperate the Doctor, and her case is,

If you reject the dose, and make wry faces!

This truth he boasts, will boast it while he lives,

No poisonous drugs are mixed in what he gives.

Should he succeed, you'll give him his degree;

If not, within he will receive no fee!

The College YOU, must his pretensions back,

Pronounce him Regular, or dub him Quack.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE.

MEN.

SIR CHARLES MARLOW Mr. Gardner.

YOUNG MARLOW (His Son) Mr. Lee Lewes.