In stating the foregoing circumstances relating to this production, I
hope not to be suspected of arrogating to my own exertions only, the
popularity which has attended "The Child of Love," under the title of
"Lovers' Vows,"--the exertions of every performer engaged in the play
deservedly claim a share in its success; and I must sincerely thank
them for the high importance of their aid.




PROLOGUE.

WRITTEN BY JOHN TAYLOR, ESQ.

SPOKEN BY Mr. MURRAY.

POETS have oft' declared, in doleful strain,
That o'er dramatic tracks they beat in vain,
Hopeless that novelty will spring to sight;
For life and nature are exhausted quite.
Though plaints like these have rung from age to age,
Too kind are writers to desert the stage;
And if they, fruitless, search for unknown prey,
At least they dress _old game a novel way_;
But such lamentings should be heard no more,
For modern taste turns Nature out of door;
Who ne'er again her former sway will boast,
Till, to complete her works, _she starts a ghost_.
If such the mode, what can we hope to-night,