The Harlot's Progress (1733), The Rake's Progress (Ms., ca. 1778-1780)Cibber, Theophilus
General
The Harlot's Progress (1733), The Rake's Progress (Ms., ca. 1778-1780)
Cibber, Theophilus
English drama -- 18th century
After the Song, the Bawd beckons a Porter, orders him to take up the
Trunk and follow her and the Girl, which he does, with Harlequin in
it.--Then the _Debauchee_ comes forward, who seems to be enamour'd with
the Girl; the Pimp assures him he can procure her for him, upon which
the _Debauchee_ seems rejoic'd and sings in Praise of Women and Wine.
AIR II. _Brisk_ Tom _and Jolly_ Kate.
_Brisk Wine and Women are,
The Sum of all our Joy;
A Brimmer softens every Care,
And Beauty ne'er can cloy:
Then let us Drink and Love,
While still our Hearts are gay,
Women and Wine, by turns shall prove,
Our Blessings Night and Day._
After the Song he follows her--the Pimp struts about and sings.
AIR III. _Maggy Lawther._
_Pimping is a Science, Sir,
The only Mode and Fashion,
To Virtue bids Defiance, Sir,
'Tis the Glory of the Nation.
In City, Country, or in Court,
It is the Coup d'Grace, Sir;
If you your Patron's Vice support,
You need not fear a Place, Sir._
_The Lawyer pimps to gain a Coif,
While Porters pimp for Hire;
Kind_ Betty _serves his Worship's Wife,
The Page pimps for the Squire,
'Tis pimping gains a large Estate,
Makes Valets wear their Swords, Sir,
For Pimps oft look as big and great,
As any Duke or Lord, Sir._
After the Song he follows the Debauchee.--The Scene changes to the
Street; the Debauchee having found Harlequin in Company with Miss
_Kitty_, turns her out of Doors, and the Pimp kicks out Harlequin;
_Kitty_ goes out in the greatest Distress--Harlequin by his Action
signifies he's in Love, and is in doubt whether to hang or drown
himself, or cut his Throat, _&c_. At length he resolves to follow her,
and determines to dress himself like a smart _Cadet_, in order to
address her: To accomplish which he strikes the Ground, and there rises
a Dressing-Table fix'd in a Cloud, furnish'd with all necessary
Appurtenances.----After he is drest, the Table vanishes and he goes out.
The Scene changes to the Lodging that Beau _Mordecai_ has provided for
_Kitty_, whom he has just taken into high Keeping. (This Scene is taken
from _the Second Print_) she is discovered lolling upon a _Settee_,
attended by her Maid and Black-Boy, admiring the Grandeur of which she
is possess'd, and then sings.
AIR IV. Oh! what Pleasures will abound.
_Who wou'd not a Mistress be,
Kept in Splendor thus like me?
Deckt in golden rich Array,
Sparkling at each Ball and Play!
Gaily toying,
Sweets enjoying
Foreign to that thing a Wife,
Flirting, flaunting,
Jilting, jaunting,
Oh the Charming happy Life!_
After the Song Harlequin creeps from under her Toilet, in the Habit of
the _Cadet_, and courts Miss _Kitty_; she appears Coy at first, but at
length yields to him.--Then sings.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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