| Citation |
NM.770.002
1 Jan 1770:41 (591)
An account of the armed Corsican chief at the masquerade at
Shakespeare's jubilee, at Stratford-Upon-Avon, September
1769.
One of the most remarkable masks upon this occasion was
James Boswell, Esq; in the dress of an armed Corsican chief.
. . . He was first accosted by Mrs. Garrick, with whom he
had a good deal of conversation. . . . Mr. Boswell danced
both a minuet and country dance with a very pretty Irish
lady. Mrs. Sheldon, wife to Capt. Sheldon of the 38th
regiment of foot (Lord Blaney's) was dressed in a genteel
domino; and before she danced threw off her mask.
Mr. Boswell having come to the jubilee to contribute his
share toward what he called a classical institution in
honour of Shakespeare, being also desirous of paying a
compliment to Mr. Garrick . . . he wrote the following
verses . . .
From the rude banks of Golo's rapid stand,
Alas! too deeply ting'd with patriot blood;
O'er which, dejected, injured freedom bends,
And sighs indignant o'er all Europe sends:
. . . [10 lines]
To celebrate great Shakespeare's wondrous fame,
. . . [5 lines]
Had Shakespeare liv'd our story to relate
. . . [3 lines]
Had Garrick, who dame nature's pencil stole,
Just where old Shakespeare dropt it when his soul,
Broke from its earthly cage aloft to fly,
To the eternal world of harmony-----
Had Garrick shewn us on the tragick scene,
. . . [17 more lines]
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