The National Register. — London, England, 1811-10-27 00:00:00

.TIONAL REGISTER. • THE ADVENTURES OF ULYSSES. (OMITTED IN THE ODYSSZT.) The roan for grand balloons and cars renown'd Ling exercised in air, oh Muse resound ! Who when his boat was wafted o'er the main, Turn'd sea-sick, and in haste came down again. On Bristol's channel twiny toils be bore, Safe with his friend to gain his natal s' ore. Vain toils he never back had found his way, Had not some sailors near him chancl to stray, Landed 'twits his devoutly to declare, tle'd sail no more, but in the ambient air. How he has kept his word, oh Muse, relate! And snatch some portion of his acts &Om fate. 'Twas Monday, and yet more, 'tons afternoon s When the bold hero launch'd his vast balloon; Serene be sat upon his latter end, Oft musing, while with beating heart his friend Waving his flag to bid the world good-bpe, Seem'd low in spirits although near the sky. The multitude's applauses yet were loud, When both the heroes va.nish'd in a cloud; This they soon paved, then peep'd the vapours through, 4 Which tho' it made things look a little blue, Gave to their eyes a moil commanding view. And now rejoicing at the gentle breeze, Ulysses (so the Muse will call him) sees Litchfield and Coventry, nor these alone, Tainworth beneath they saw, and Atherstone. The impression this fine sight made on the mind, Easier to feel than to describe they find; • For each appear'd to their acute regards, Jus like a hamlet built by boys with cards. Waving their flags, they now survey the skies, Nor close in sleep their ever watchful eyes. There, view the Pleiads and the northern team, - And great Orion's more refulgent beam, To which around the axle of the sky, The Bear revolving points his golden eye, Who shines exalted on the etherial plain, - Nor bathes his blazing forehead in the main. " Now," cried Ulysses, " aaalong we go, . As i should like this comet's length to know, Suppose we measure it." " Good," cried his friend, We'll do it from beginning to the end. •Tis said, 'tis done, they find it (right or wrong) • Of miles just three and thirty millions long. This task perform'd, to mirth the hero bends, . And drinks a glass to Bruniageni good friends. " Here," cried Ulysses, " let us hasten down, The sea apptars, go farther and we drown." Now whirling down the heavens the golden day, Shot thro' the western clouds a dewy ray, Swift they descend, and soon upon the ground, The car is seen, and heard a thund'ring sound; Unable to remain where late he sat, Out falls Ulysses, as a flounder fiat, Prostrate asyd sprawling like a dancing bear He lies—and the balloon ascends in air. His friend thus left distracted and alone, Looks out alarm'd, and gives a piteous groan. As mourns its absent darr the tiger whelp, He mourn'd Ulysses while he roar'd for help. Desp'rate at last, he strives to earth to fall, And soon comes tumbling down—balloon and all. Jove bids a tree receive him, and he feels Its welcome boughs, which hold him by his heels. /vleantitne Ulysses, who first lay as dead, 'Rose, shook his ears, and sagely scratch'd his bead. " Oh Jove!" he cried, " whose arms in thunder wield Th' avenging bolt, and shake the dreadful Oh deign thy suppliant to support and bless, In this extremity of dire distress • Without thy aid, alas ! what can I do ? Almighty thund'rer—,/ have lost my ewe." He said and sigh'd, but here no longer stopped, With pace unequal, off the hero hopped. The thunderer heart his prayer, and Sol's bright ray, Show'd him a cottage which before him lay. With eager hops he nears the house of thatch, And soon a miller lifts the huniVe latch— " Who at my door," he cried, " thus loud dare drum r• uipies answeed, " From the clouds I come." The clown replied, 4. I'M Sorry you thus roam, Wish you good-night, and a good journey home.* " Stay friend, I something have to say to you, Say, can'st thou lend me such thine as a shoe r " Why want a shoe," the miller cried, " I pray ? Sure to the clouds quite soft enough's your way; But if you want one just to cut a flash, Its value you must leave in shining cash ; For here you possibly may ne'er come back, And I can't follow well your airy track." Ulysses' agony, sing heavenly Muse! " Ye gods!" he cried, " I'd crowns exchange for shoes.! His mighty soul with grief was now cast d..wn, When in his pocket, lo—he found a crown! The miller, smiling, took the shining ore, And on Ulysses march'd well shod once more. He reach'd the neighb'ring town, and in the street s The friend he mourn'd—'twas his, with joy to meet. " Are you my friend ? and still alive ?" he said, " Are you my friend ?" the other cried, " Not deadr " Yes !" was the answer, " Yes !" was the reply, " I am alive," " And so, thank God, am I." With rapture equal to their past alarms, Each, instant, flew into the other's arms. Shouts of applause anew burst from the crowdp Ulysses smiled, and his companion bowed; The hero then in style was tiragg'd along, And made the subject of a deathless song. Render e d immortal by his gr nd balloon, Him future times shall call the air baboon While he whe went with him, whene'er he pass, Shall not be cali'd by tools a Sadler's ass. T• DRAMATIC REGISTER. Nothing of important* has occurred in the course of the week at either house. Miss. Ftaori has been by ought out at Covent garden as Raretta, in The Cabinet, with c nstderable success.-- Her figure and manner are not very captivating. Her voice if • strung. but it wants melody, and appears almost wholly unma. naggabie. If she can discard a little of her assurance, and a few of her false graces, she may in time be found of considerable im• portance in the vocal department. At the Lyceum Mrs. DicitoNs has performed in The Minna; and The Beget's Opera, with her wonted spirit and success. Mr. KIRBY has played Scaranunuili, in Don Juan, in a very indifferent manner. Mr. Kalil' possesses activity and supple• ness of limb, but he wants vivacity and humour. G. RE-BUILDING OF DRURY-LANE THEARTE. On Saturday sennight, Mr. Whitbread, the Chairman of th e Committee for rebuilding of Drury-lane Theatre, accomp anied by some other Gentleman, attended on the ruins, and dellver . rd to the builder_ possession of the ground and materials. he workmen, on Monday morning, began to remove the ruins. 1 . he erection of Mr. 13. Wyatt's plan for the :tow arum; has