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
What Visions now crowd on my Sight!
White Rob'd--with Eyes bent on the ground!
Ah! me--'tis a Funeral Rite--
I hear the deep Bell's solemn sound.
It tells me my Sorrows will close,
On Care's softest pillow all lye
The Grave will extinguish my woes
Then Sarah--prepare thee to die!
(_Exit._)
* * * * *
_Scene 9^{th}_
_Servants_ attending--Enter _Rake_ follow'd by _Clown_, who is
ridiculously dress'd--_Rake_ gives Orders to _Servants_ and
Exit--_Clown_ follows a little way--then conceitedly returns & Sings to
Servants.
_Song. Clown._
Quite a Clod I came up my Shoes tied with a thong,
Lookd foolish--quite mulish I trudg'd it along,
And gaz'd like an Oaf at the wonderful throng,
That here so gay smart & brave are;
A ninny--the Twaddle--Lord quite a mere Hic
A terrible bore--quite a Thing--a Queer Stick--
But now, I'm the tippee--the dandy--the kick--
"Look here--here again--here again--here" (_Spoke_)
Tol de rol, de rol, la rol lol, la rol, lal la
Oh, Damme! I'm devilish clever.
(2.)
For Band Regulations to Butchells I pop
My ankles just hid by a Natty Boot-top,
Pig-tails are a Bore so I mount the neat Crop
To appear the clean thing's my Endeavour
My negligent coat-cape proclaims me the Beau
Ease & Elegance always are habited so
I'm the tippee--the dandy--the kick too--heigho!
"Look here &c &c &c
(3.)
The Girls all admire me--each fancy I please,
To one give a leer, tip the other a Squeeze,
Blow a kiss to the Third--for you see I'm all ease
And each Whispers thanks for the favour
Boh--Damme!--an oath I so pleasantly swear
And for Duels--Bounce--Bang--let them fight me who dare
I'm the tippee--the Dandy--the Kick too--look there--
There again &c &c-- _Exit_
Noise without. Enter _Porter_ with a _Washing Machine_, puts it
down--Enter Beat'em, pursued by Washerwomen, who beat him & break his
washing machine--Tear his Bills &c &c two or three of the _Women_ hold
him, while an _Irish Washerwoman_ sings the following _Song_.
_Song Shelah O'Sudds--Tune "The Siege of Troy."_
Och! Mr. Acrostic I hate your big notes,
In op'ning your Mouth, why you'd stop all our Thoats;
Wid Natty Men Milliners, Och! You'd be even,
And Starve all the Fair-Sex wid Men-Washer-Women.
But leave off such Nonsense 'tis better, my Joy,
Than let Shelah O'Sudds be widout her Employ;
We'll beat all your Beat'ems but give us fair-play
While wid Elbows & Fists we lather away.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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