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HERE dwells the Drama’s spirit? not alone Beneath the palace roof, beside the throne, In learning’s cloisters, friendship’s festal bowers, Art’s pictured halls, or triumph‘’s laurelled towers, Where’er man’s pulses beat, or passions play, She joys to smile or sigh his thoughts away: Crowd times and scenes within her ring of power, And teach a life’s experience in an hour.

To-night she greets, for the first time, our dome, Her latest, may it prove her lasting home; And we her messengers delighted stand, The summoned Ariels of her mystic wand, To ask your welcome. Be it yours to give Bliss to her coming hours, and bid her live Within these walls new hallowed in her cause, Long in the nurturing warmth of your applause.

’Tis in the public smiles, the public loves, His dearest home, the actor breathes and moves,