![[Header#^header-embed]] > [!SUMMARY] > In May 1778, [[Hester Thrale née Salusbury]] wrote a satirical play about contemporary literary and intellectual circles that was initially titled `Epilogue to Manuel` but was renamed `The Regent` and then `The Witlings`. > > Her account reproduced below, appears to be an extract from the play. > [!QUOTE] [[Hester Thrale née Salusbury|Hester Thrale]] wrote in [[Thraliana]] on 11 October 1787: > [[Arthur Murphy|Mr Murphy]] dined here Yesterday—his Company & conversation reminded me of past Times: The Greatheeds[^2] & [M^rs Siddons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Siddons) were our party & M^r Parsons who is likewise a Conspirator in forming this new Play[^1]: which turning on maternal Tenderness towards her little Son Carlos, I thought the following Epilogue would suit M^rs Siddons nicely, but I believe She dont like it herself. > > > Carlos is safe: to sooth maternal Sorrow Sav’d for tonight; You’ll meet him here tomorrow. But this first Offspring of our Poet’s Brain By you protected bids my Cares be vain. If early prone each Danger to deride On Bladders borne he dares this dashing Tide, Let him not sink; but lend a Hand to raise, Whate’er his Fate such Courage merits Praise. The brawny Brat in Guy’s old Caverns bred, Still in Gigantick Steps desir’d to tread, Warwick’s bold Champion in each Dream beheld And long’d to lift the imitative Shield: By you encouraged in this Course t’ advance, In Nature s Cause he’ll shake hls Gothic Lance, Nor heed S^t Denys, and the Wits of France. Yet lest conforming to this new Convention, Stage Commerce should become our State’s Intention, Let us remember still our ancient Charter, And keep some sterling stuff to bring for Barter. In Change of [Congreve's](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Congreve) Wit let them prepare, To yield polite Des Touches and gay [Moliere](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moliere); And think themselves too happy to have caught her, If for their Cid we truck our **Grecian Daughter**.[fn]1772 play by <a href="arthur_murphy">Arthur Murphy</a> called 'The Grecian Daughter'.[/fn] While Shakespear’s Tomb oerlooks the Plains below Where Avon’s consecrated Waters flow, So long, so clear Britannia’s Fame shall last, For Strength of Nature, and for Truth of Taste, Warm’d yet unscorch’d by [Ph&oelig;bus’](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoebus) friendly Ray, Verdant our Meads—immortal is our Bay: Nor shall this Primrose I present tonight, Pluck’d from fair Avon’s Brink—tho’ pale with fright; Be deemd inferior to a Gallick Laurel, If Ladies you’ll assert your Country’s Quarrel. ![[Sarah-Siddons-by-Joshua-Reynolds-in-1784.jpg|Sarah Siddons by Sir Joshua Reynolds. 1784.]] ## See also ![[hester-lynch-thrale-1741-1821🔎#^hester-lynch-thrale-infoblock]] #history/person/SALUSBURY/hester-lynch-born-1741 #history/person/SIDDONS/sarah-born-1755 #history/person/MURPHY/arthur-born-1727 ![[Footer#^footer-embed]] [^1]: The title of the play was changed from’Epilogue to Manuel’ to’The Regent’ before the play was presented. [^2]: Probably [Samuel Greatheed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Greatheed) and Mary Greatheed.