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
Jew. _Be not so pert, my Dear,
This Pride may shortly have a Fall,
Soon shall I see or hear,
Madam,_ in Bridewell, _milling Doll._
Repeat. _Soon shall I see or hear_, &c.
She repeats with him. _Ne'er more will I come near,_
_Such a pitiful pimping Fool._
After the Song he turns her and her Maid out of Doors, then pursues
Harlequin.--A Picture falls down, Harlequin jumps thro' the Hangings,
and the Picture returns to its place and conceals him.--The Subject of
the Picture, which was before an Historical Story, is now chang'd to a
Representation of the _Jew_ with Horns upon his Head.--While he stands
in astonishment the other Picture changes likewise, and represents
Harlequin and _Kitty_ embracing--upon which the _Jew_ runs out in the
greatest surprize. Scene changes to the Street. Harlequin meets the
_Jew_, who immediately draws; Harlequin catches him by the Leg, and
throws him down, jumps over him, and runs off, the _Jew_ pursues
him.----The Scene changes to a poor Apartment in _Drury-Lane_. (This is
taken from the Third Print) _Kitty_ is discover'd sitting disconsolate
by the Bedside, drinking of Tea, attended by _Bess Brindle_ (a Runner to
the Ladies of Pleasure) Harlequin jumps in at the Window; she seems
overjoy'd to see him--just as they are going to sit down to drink Tea,
they hear a Noise without--Harlequin looks thro' the Key-hole, and
discovers it to be the Justice, Constable, Watch, &c. He is very much
surpris'd, and jumps into a Punch-Bowl that stands upon a Table, to hide
himself--Justice _Mittimus_ enters with the Constable, &c. the Watch
seize _Kitty_ and the Runner, and carry 'em off.--The Constable stays
behind to pilfer what he can, during which, Harlequin creeps from under
the Table; the Constable seeing him, goes to seize him, but he jumps
thro' the Window and escapes--the Constable runs off.--The Scene changes
to the Street. A melancholy Tune is play'd, while several Ladies of
Pleasure (alias _unfortunate Women_) are led cross the Stage as going to
_Bridewell_, with _Kitty_ and her Maid, the Bawd, &c. Three Justices
bring up the Rear.--Scene changes to _Bridewell_. The Women are
discover'd all leaning in an indolent manner upon their Blocks.--The
Keeper enters, and seeing them so idle, threatens to beat 'em--as they
take up their Hammers and Beetles, and are going to beat, the Blocks all
vanish, and in their stead appear Harlequin, Scaramouch, _Pierrot_, and
_Mezetin_, each takes out his Lady to dance, and signify they'll go to
the _Ridotto al Fresco_; the Keeper runs away frighted, they all dance
off.--Scene changes to the Street. A great Number of People pass over
the Stage, as going to the _Ridotto_, among whom appears the Marquiss
_ae Fresco_, perform'd by the little Harlequin Dog.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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