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The Lives of the Poets of Great Britain and Ireland (1753) Volume V. by Theophilus Cibber
page 285 of 375 (76%)
Bond; and it was represented first, at the Long-Room in Villars-Street,
York-Buildings; where that poor gentleman performed the part of Lusignan
(the old expiring king) a character he was at that time too well suited
to; being, and looking, almost dead, as in reality he was before the run
of it was over.--Soon after this play was brought upon the stage in
Drury-Lane, by Mr. Fleetwood, at the earnest sollicitation of Mr.
Theophilus Cibber; the part of Zara was played by Mrs. Cibber, and was
her first attempt in Tragedy; of the performers therein he makes very
handsome mention in the preface. This play he dedicated to his royal
highness the Prince of Wales.

The same year was acted, at the Theatre in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, another
Tragedy of his translating from the same French author, called Alzira,
which was likewise dedicated to the Prince.--His dedications generally
wore a different face from those of other writers; he there most warmly
recommends Monsieur de Voltaire, as worthy of his royal highness's
partiality; disclaiming for himself all expectations of his notice. But
he was, notwithstanding, particularly honoured with his approbation.

These plays, if not a litteral translation, have been thought much
better, for their having past his hands; as generously was acknowledged
by Monsieur de Voltaire himself.

In 1737 he published a poem called, The Tears of the Muses; composed of
general satire: in the address to the reader he says (speaking of
satire)

'There is, indeed, something so like cruelty in the face of that
species of poetry, that it can only be reconciled to humanity, by the
general benevolence of its purpose; attacking particulars for the
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