Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1828-08-30
Sd O. Is u Is e.

The New Brewery Thcatre New York, was opncd ON w
Sday evening having transprcd since the dcrr
OF me building, on the site of which tho PRESENT cdifcc
,n erected
PRlzE ADDRESS
RHO, by n' Lrgsat, Esq. and spoken by Ju L.. Eayr
attn opening Of The Ia. ;trr.
Behold the sccre where late with cracking raue
WIDE sheets of hre inwrapt the burning stage,
Where, cloud on cloud, revolving flames rose HIGH
In n~kcr'ng volumes through the glowing shy;
And blazing Fragments of tho ruin driven,
ike 'ne,coIs flashed along the vault Of heaven!
While startled thousands, gathered by tho LIGHT
INIT npIckod the day, and STAYED approaching nisu,
Througed round the spot, in palid silence gdzcd
On the proud dome, where rcd destruction bEzch,
Saw the bright havoc wide and wider swell,
And sished-aS Shakspcare's Classic structure {eu,
1t seems hut Yesterday the backcncd wall
And scathed column, marked our temples fulf.
Lone relics left, i'll ruined beauty stood,
While all around waste and solitude,
Now-this fair shrine stately than the last.
Reared from the snoullcring ashes of the past,
lLikc Theseus' son. who from his early tomb
Sprung back to life in renovated bloom)
I'm finished beauty meets tn astoushri gaze
And scars as proudly % IN former DAYS:
while fashion, taste, gay youth, aud thoughtful ass,
In smiling circles, gather round :hc stage,
The stage.-a mimic world, by fancy dresser,
Imvarcd charms, that thrill thc-polishc, brraS.
Where painting, poesy, and music roll
! trir blended influence DER the vanquishcd SOFT
And briSht-cycd coquCncc uplifts his voice..
70 oA the guilty quake, and good rejoice,
Here genius reirns with uecrornantc power
And lends strange wi,chery TO the evening hour,
lie waves his waud-and elittcring phantons r1ays
Like spectre kings in Banquo's preScicnt glass;
Each, IN ito turn, imprcssing on the heart
Some useful lesson, with persuasive art
Around his throne the thronging muses. stantf:
And light-rmped fiction at his command;
Crave history bends with dust of ages spread,
And reads the secrets of the mouldering dead:
The dark browcd maid her cleaning dagger rcars,
Row fires the soul with rlge-now u,eIts TO tears
While gay ITALIA tries her sportivc wGs.
Iails care 10 rest and lights the cheek with suilcs
Since first, i'll Athens, dawned the dr;,ul's tilv
All climeS and ages have confessed its sueiv.
There ore, who shroudcd in Zimmerman ni<
ICTde Its power, and turn them from the light:
WHOM bgothcarts, too cold to feel, rcfus.
All moral beauty 10 the tragic muse,
And ccns,Irc SMILES that their dirnplcd bir-lt
TO her bright SISTERS lcats of frol;c nIirih:
But wisdom's revere the scenic page,
Aud own It's influence, pictured from the stage:
Hon learn II hate dclusivp errors face
AMI shun the windiugs of her devious race;
fecl, as they gaze what suffering virtue fct,,
Glow AT her tru'nplS DER her sorrows melt,
I'LL warmed and chastenet by the irara'S iirv,
They notify strive TO bc what they admire.
May this proud fame by arts creative band
Feared from the dust, as by cnchantnclt's wanG,
The mimic hero i'll his efforts here:
May radiant wit assert the cause oftritip,
Teach vicious age and guide the steps OF you'll;
While playful satire hIrls 4 harmless dart
At toiT's pumage--uot az merits heart;
Thus shall the drama please and mend the a.c.
And virtues voice applaud the moral stage.