New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-14
LYDIA'S FAREWELL.
THE FAMOUS BURLESQUE ACTRESS SAYS
1T TO HER FRIENDS IN LONDON
IN WORDS BY w. s. GILBERT.

IN WORLDS B1 w.
Miss LYDIA Thompson, whom every theatre
eoer who is old enough to remember her re-
members. has said farewell to the stage. rs the
readers Of the foreign news in the papers Knows
She said it at benefit given to her III the
Iyceum Theatre in London. on May z The
most Of the most prominent actors IN Lohuoh
appeared in the performance. and remarkapie
.rosramme was performed. At the end of 1t
Miss THOMPSON was led forward by Sir Henry
Irving. who made brief speech. to which Miss
Thompson replied in a poem written for the pur-
nose by w s. Gilbert. The poem was as follows:
The other day. when sitting all alone.
Thinking of pleasant times long past ana gone
''Why bless my precious heart and soul. SAID L.
"Tvc left the stage and haven't said 'Goodby!
That sounds ungrateful-but, to be quite piaih
noped | might be coming back again.
And would not speak the word one can't recall
Till "Goodby" meant "Goodby' for good ana all
"Goodby''-an easy word for you 10 say
Sorry you're going but you've had your Day
Next pleasew-And the obedient profession
Supplies newcomers in prolonged succession
thousand fair ones for your smiles contestng
"a hundred acting. and nine hundred resting j.
But when | say "Goodby" in faltering tone
To you-the truest friends I've ever known
The friends whose warmth. expressed IN glad
dening chime
Supplied the sunshine OF my summertime
The case is somewhat different You see,
I'm losing you-YOu're only losing me!
But this won't do at all-lm on the SCENT
NV lines light comedy not sentiment
NV future tense seems cheeriness TO lack.
And so | won't look forward I'll look back.
What changes have seen since that dim age
When Little Goldenhair trpped on the stage!
The Drama struggling then In lodgings shady.
Has made her fortune and Is quite the lady'
With endless hosts Of highly cultured friends.
Think how she dresses now, and what she SPENDS
On vast dramatic shTines-in sumptuous
salaries
In real Northumberland pits and galleries
In plays that run year to houses packed,
And cost to stage a thousand pounds an Act!
Stage anagement-that has advanced bit
Since poor Tom Robertson invented it
Tom Robertson whose histronic chickens
We sheer at nOw-but then we sheer at Dickens!
Knighthoods for actors Of pronounced ABILITY;
Earls countesses-engaged to play utility;
Ibsen-a zest for jaded appetite;
No fees: half-guinea stalls-electric light
Matinees twice a week. and sad to say,
Matinee hats-I see one here to-day
Stock companies completely out OF date
When Tafourd. blanche. Brough and Byron
made it. 80,
And Rogers, Clarke. and Marie Wilton played ip
Then strangest change, OF playhouses vast
crops
Playhouses plentiful as grocers' shops!
Ten In twelve monthsl Well. l don't want TO
pirate.
But II new theatres crop up at that rate.
Where will you find your pieces. If you please
And where your actors and your actresses?
Ten months will build playhouse, per con-
tractor
II takes at least ten years to build actor.
And as our best authorities insist.
Ten times ten years to build a dramatist!
Well If too long I've babbled OF my YOUTH
Tn rather loath to go. and that's the truth.
Sill we must part--its idle to delay IL:
I've come to say "Good-by"'-so let me say H.
The link that binds me TO you must be broken
Come now come then. the last word must be
spoken
In no light mood the farewell phrases fall
'"God bless you God bless me! God bless US all!'