; therefore,
if its gambols be pleasant, and your gravities permit, laugh; if not, e'en
turn aside your heads, and let the wanton youngling laugh by itself. If it
speak like a sensible child, prithee, pat its cheek, and say so; but if it
be ridiculous when it would be serious, smile, and permit the foolish
attempt to pass. But do not, O goody critic, apply the birch, because its
unpractised tongue cannot lisp the language of Shakspeare, nor be very
much enraged, if you find it has to creep before it can possibly walk.

To your bosoms, ladies, sweet ladies! the little stranger flies with
confidence for protection; shield it, I pray you, from the iron rod of
rigour, and scold it yourselves, as much as you will, for on _your_ smooth
and polished brows it can never read wrinkled cruelty; the mild anger of
_your_ eyes will not blast it like the fierce scowl of the critic; the
chidings of _your_ voice will be soothing music to it, and it will
discover the dimple of kindness in your very frowns. Caresses it does not
ask; its modesty would shrink from that it thought it deserved not; but if
its faults be infantile, its punishment should be gentle, and from you,
dear ladies, correction would be as thrillingly sweet as that the little
_Jean Jacques_ received from the fair hand of Mademoiselle Lambercier.

THE AUTHOR.

ADVERTISEMENT

The principal materials that form this dramatic trifle are extracted from
the General History of Virginia, written by Captain Smith, and printed
London, folio, 1624; and as close an adherence to historic truth has been
preserved as dramatic rules would allow of. The music[2] was furnished by
Mr. John Bray, of the New Theatre.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

EUROPEANS.

DELAWAR, Mr. Warren.
CAPTAIN SMITH, Mr. Rutherford.
LIEUTENANT ROLFE, Mr. Wood.
PERCY, Mr. Charnock.
WALTER, Mr. Bray.
LARRY, Mr. Webster.
ROBIN, Mr. Jefferson.
TALMAN, Mr. Durang.

GERALDINE, Mrs. Francis.
KATE, Miss Hunt.
ALICE, Mrs. Mills.

_SOLDIERS and ADVENTURERS._

VIRGINIANS.

POWHATAN, _king_, Mr. Serson.
NANTAQUAS, _his son_, Mr. Cone.
MIAMI, _a prince_, Mr. Mills.
GRIMOSCO, _a priest_, Mr. Cross.

POCAHONTAS, _the princess_, Mrs. Wilmot.