IN SAVILLE ROW ,
WHICH HAD BEEN RECENTLY THE PLACE WHERE THE FANTOCCINI HAD BEEN EXHIBITED — J ULY 22, 1790.
The bell rings several times, violently — then enter the Manager, in a passion, meeting the Prompter.
Manager . Why, in the name of fortune, this delay!
Prompter where is the Prologue to the Play?
Prompter . The gentleman is ready, but I fear,
He will not speak a word, while you stay here.
Manager . If ready, why the devil don't he come!
Here am I roaring like a kettle-drum!
Prompter . O here he comes, Sir, — clear the Stage make way.
Speaker . What, must I speak a Prologue to your Play?
Sir, I'm no puppet to be mov'd at will,
Nor skip on wires to shew my master's skill.
Yet, if you'll go, and leave the Stage to me,
I'll plead your cause without or bribe or fee.
This stage, which late a charming scene display'd,
Of many a wooden head in masquerade;
Our Manager, a Thespian Quixote grown,
Saw, and like Sancho's master knock'd it down!
In dread confusion dolls on dolls were toss'd,
Some heads were broken, and some legs were lost!
No more their mimic actions shall delight,
Of fashions full grown babes, the fickle sight:
Yet let not malice satirize the plan,
Each day displays the tricks of puppet man!
A mere Automaton! by interest led,
His passions govern'd by the slightest thread?
He bows obedient to his patron's sway,
Weeps if he weeps, and if he smiles is gay,
Yet some there are who nobly dare to be,
At once, in action, and in judgment free;
Who scorn the arts by which the servile rise,
Detest their flattery, their success despise;
Who noblest ends, by noblest means pursue,
That such there are, methinks I read in you.
But should the ladies grieve for pleasures past,
And mourn the Fantoccini could not last;
We'll share each weeping Fair-one's grief, and then
Instead of puppets, we will give them men,
Who feels the influence their charms impart,
Glow on the cheek, and vibrate in the heart;
Who own no power like beauty, to improve
The mind's best feelings is the school of love.
WHICH HAD BEEN RECENTLY THE PLACE WHERE THE FANTOCCINI HAD BEEN EXHIBITED — J ULY 22, 1790.
The bell rings several times, violently — then enter the Manager, in a passion, meeting the Prompter.
Manager . Why, in the name of fortune, this delay!
Prompter where is the Prologue to the Play?
Prompter . The gentleman is ready, but I fear,
He will not speak a word, while you stay here.
Manager . If ready, why the devil don't he come!
Here am I roaring like a kettle-drum!
Prompter . O here he comes, Sir, — clear the Stage make way.
Speaker . What, must I speak a Prologue to your Play?
Sir, I'm no puppet to be mov'd at will,
Nor skip on wires to shew my master's skill.
Yet, if you'll go, and leave the Stage to me,
I'll plead your cause without or bribe or fee.
This stage, which late a charming scene display'd,
Of many a wooden head in masquerade;
Our Manager, a Thespian Quixote grown,
Saw, and like Sancho's master knock'd it down!
In dread confusion dolls on dolls were toss'd,
Some heads were broken, and some legs were lost!
No more their mimic actions shall delight,
Of fashions full grown babes, the fickle sight:
Yet let not malice satirize the plan,
Each day displays the tricks of puppet man!
A mere Automaton! by interest led,
His passions govern'd by the slightest thread?
He bows obedient to his patron's sway,
Weeps if he weeps, and if he smiles is gay,
Yet some there are who nobly dare to be,
At once, in action, and in judgment free;
Who scorn the arts by which the servile rise,
Detest their flattery, their success despise;
Who noblest ends, by noblest means pursue,
That such there are, methinks I read in you.
But should the ladies grieve for pleasures past,
And mourn the Fantoccini could not last;
We'll share each weeping Fair-one's grief, and then
Instead of puppets, we will give them men,
Who feels the influence their charms impart,
Glow on the cheek, and vibrate in the heart;
Who own no power like beauty, to improve
The mind's best feelings is the school of love.