Weekly Register, Jan. 16. No. 40.
On Ridicule, address’d to the authors of the Grubstreet-Journal.
Says, Ridicule is a general practice, and proceeds either from the wantonness of our own vanity, or contempt of others frailties. We take the same pleasure in scandal as monkies do in mischief. Wonders why the Tea-table should be thought the mother of scandal, or the nurse of ridicule, when all mankind is pursuing the same pleasure under different disguises. They condemn Censure in others, that they may indulge it themselves. The taverns are as accessary to it as private houses. Courts are esteemed the source of politeness and good manners; theatres of ingenuity, churches of sanctity; yet all are infected with the evil of scandal. Seems to prefer the gaming-table as freest from irony and slander; avarice being a spirit that allows of no rival. This vice is contagious, and runs thro’ the whole people: it wanders every where, like an ignis fatuus, and is only at home in the Grubstreet-Journal.
Don’t pretend how far this libertinism of speech is allowable, but is certain that every moral man will use it only for the sake of him he censures; and every gentleman will make good manners the only rule of behaviour. All men are jealous of their characters, and we must have a due complaisance for one frailty while we would reform another; for the insolence of knowledge is as insupportable as the affectation of folly. The subjects of ridicule are to be justly chosen and carefully distinguished.
Concludes with some Reflections on the authors of the Grubstreet-Journal, who have undertaken the drudgery of invective under pretence of being champions for politeness.
Weekly Register, Jan. 24. No. 41.
He remarks, that from an ambition of emulating, without a capacity to equal another’s excellencies, have arisen an infinite number of pretenders to reputation. The regular physician is intruded upon by the empyrick; the masterly painter is slighted in favour of impudence and ignorance; the most elegant and chaste compositions of musick, are forc’d to give way to amusements less polite: Quackery interferes with trade, and undermines honesty. The pedlar stiles himself a merchant; No wonder then that authors of every character are so wretchedly personated. Exclaims against bad writers, from the Court-scribbler to the Grubstreet hackney.
Proceeds to the description of a good author; says, his principal end, in occasional writings, should be to entertain the publick innocently and genteely; to insinuate knowledge in the disguise of amusement, and trifle the world into virtue and good manners: he should consider every reader as a critick and a gentleman, and be earful of offending either: points out what a writer should observe, who would recommend himself and entertain the world; i. e. an important subject, a clear and expressive method, a flowing and natural stile, imagination and judgment, truth and impartiality, modesty in his images, pity for the failings of human nature, and endeavours to amend ’em. He shou’d think himself a son of the publick and be an example of the generous spirit he would recommend; he should be able to race the passions thro’ all their disguises; have knowledge in his head, and good humour in his heart: he should be an enemy to vice, but a friend to all mankind.
Weekly Register, Jan. 30. No. 42.
This is a continuation of a former discourse upon criticism, wherein he points out several excellencies that distinguish a good critick from a bad.
He then considers the manner of criticism, that some are Fox-hunters in censure, and declare war against all writers in general. Some are like Fig and Sutton, the declar’d antagonists to one another. Some are Whigs and Tories, divided into parties, always applauding themselves, and condemning their opposers. Some are Grubstreet hawkers, who make a penny of throwing about censure at random without distinction or regard of persons.
The design of criticism is amendment; and concludes with acknowledging his own failings, and his readiness to be handsomely corrected.
The Universal Spectator, Saturday Jan. 2. No. 117.
Great wits to madness nearly are ally’d
And thin partitions do their bounds divide.
Dryden.
Mr. Stonecastle, the nominal author, begins this day’s entertainment with observing that men are not born for themselves; that we are not only bound to relieve the necessities of others, but in all our dealings, &c. with mankind to render ourselves grateful to all, offensive to none, much less take pleasure in doing disagreeable things. Says there is a sett of people who are frequently committing ill-bred, rude, and even shocking things, which they excuse by only saying, ’tis their humour. Instances in a certain knight, who never spoke himself, nor suffer’d any body in his presence to speak louder than to be barely heard; insomuch that his servants, as they were accustom’d to be mutes at home, behav’d like no body when they came abroad.
His nephew Silvio, just come from the university, declaims on every subject you can mention, and imagines himself master of every science. Whatever is the topick of discourse, he will suffer no body to talk upon it but himself; his uncle has but one hope of curing him of his folly, that is, by engaging him to talk of maritime affairs before captain Firebal of the Tempest, who, very probably, will beat him into better manners.
Beauty itself loses its attraction when accompanied with these humours.
Artemisa is exquisitely handsome, but takes the liberty of abusing every body at random, by asking ill-natur’d questions, and being witty upon others imperfections: excuses herself by saying, ’tis her way to tell unlucky truths and she can’t help it.
Crito is a man of sense, learning, and accuracy of judgment; but this ought not to privilege him to treat every writer he does not like with opprobrious language.
Belliza has wit and beauty, accompanied with a solid judgment. Yet all this will hardly palliate the disgust she gives people with whom she eats. She never uses a fork, is be-greased up to the knuckles, and by her immoderate taking of snuff, which frequently falling among her sauce, she gives her guests their bellies full before they have half din’d. Concludes with a merry story of a certain Colonel, whose flight it was, when he had drank a glass or two too much, to fire off and play tricks with his pistols. One night the col. having drank too freely order’d, his footman, who was an Irishman newly hired, to bring his pistols, Teague obey’d; the Col. loaded them both, and having lock’d the door commanded his man to hold one of the candles at arm’s length, till he snuff’d it with a ball. Prayers and intreaties were in vain, and comply he must, and did, tho’ trembling; the Col. perform’d the operation at the first attempt, then laying down his pistols was going to unlock the door. Teague catches up that which was loaded, ‘Arra Maishter, says he, but now you must take up t’other candle, and let me have my shoot too.’ The col. call’d him rogue and rascal to no purpose, Teague was now vested with power, and would be obey’d: Accordingly his master extended the candle, but this being the first time of Teague’s performing, he not only miss’d, but shot off a button from the breast of the colonel’s coat. So narrow an escape had a good effect, and cur’d him of this humour of turning marksman in his drink.
The Universal Spectator, Jan. 9. No. 118.
Contains two Letters, with the Spectator’s answers to them.
The first is from a gentleman, who, about three months since, fell passionately in love with a lady at a ball; gives an account of his courtship, and of the kind reception of his addresses during that time, till of a sudden, without any reason given, or objection made, the lady sent him a peremptory message to desist any further pursuit. Complains that ’tis ungenerous and unjust to keep people so long in suspence, with no design but to gratify female pride and vanity.
To this the Spectator replies, That the lady gave him fair play, and an opportunity of rendring himself agreeable; which when she found he could not, she very civilly, by a third person, desir’d him to desist. However, he says, ’tis but reasonable that the lady should give him a certificate of his good behaviour during his courtship.
The second letter is from a young lady of 15, who signs herself Carolina, which may be summ’d up and comprized in those two queries.
1. May a Woman entertain several lovers at the same time?
2. After a Woman has once receiv’d a man’s addresses, may she with honour turn him off?
To the first he answers, That such a licence might be granted, if nothing was design’d by it but the chusing of the most deserving for a husband; but considering the inconveniences that would necessarily attend such an indulgence, he durst not allow it.
The second query he grants in the affirmative; that is, if she discovers him false and base, or uncapable of making her happy.
Universal Spectator, January, 16. No. 119.
Contains a letter from a physician, in which he describes the miserable condition of his patients, that apply to him on the venereal account. Of this sort the most unfortunate and pitiful object is a woman of the town, who, if not quite abandon’d, gives a loose to her passion on such occasions. The consideration of her past, present, and future state, fills her with distraction, and involves her in endless evils, from which death only can deliver her.
Proceeds to argue with the infamous authors of the misery of these wretches, who first seduce the poor young creatures from their innocence, and then triumph in their wickedness. He who debauches a maiden, and then exposes her to want and shame, is arrived to such a monstrous height of villany, that no word in our language can reach it. Mentions a further species of cruelty, that is, the necessity some of these poor wretches are under, if with child, of applying to a magistrate to procure some pitiful maintenance for her unfortunate babe.——When all that is to be done by the father, is to make the best bargain he can with the church-wardens to take it off his hands; which is commonly done for a treat, and 10 or 12l. So the child is placed upon the parish, and the woman upon the town.
Univers. Spectator, Jan. 23. No. 120.
Entertains his readers with two letters; the first is from Tristitia Stale, who complains that she is continually persecuted, merely because she is an old maid.
Virginity, she says, has not always been a reproach, sees no encouragement in matrimony, and begs the Spectator to reprimand the malaperts, who ridicule chastity; adds, that a single life in woman was esteem’d among the ancient as well as modern Romans; vestals then, and nuns now.
The other letter is from Charlotte Wilful, a young lady of 19, who says she has two admirers. The first is ’squire Scrape, who has 1200l. per annum, which he keeps in his own hands and farms himself, and therefore is favour’d in his pretentions by her father.
Mr Myrtle, her mother’s favourite, is the other, who, by his own account is near 40, by that of his acquaintance 10 years older, has squander’d away a good estate, but by the death of an uncle is now worth 1000l. per annum, and is a perfect humourist.
But to both these she prefers Mr Plume of the Inner-Temple, who has no estate, but is of a sweet temper. Concludes with desiring Mr Stonecastle to declaim on parents making choices for their Children, with a stroke on antiquated beaus, and rural animals, and to recommend a fine gentleman with no fortune. Desires, by way of postscript, that he would not delay publishing her letter, because Mr Plume and she had agreed to run away together on Tuesday next.
The Universal Spectator, Jan. 30. No. 121.
Among all those amusements people find to pass away the time, Poesy and Musick are the most elegantly entertaining. By the ancients they were look’d upon as immediately inspired from above, and the professors reverenc’d as sacred, and the favourites of heaven.
He adds, that we excel the ancients in musick, if not in poetry, and prefers a good English song, tho’ set to a common tune, before the Italian trifling unnatural compositions. The one ravishes the ear only, the other entertains the understanding also.——Hence he takes occasion to recommend A collection of Lyric poems and songs with musick annexed, lately publish’d.
Free Briton, Jan. 7. No. 58.
The author refutes a falsity advanced by Mr D’anvers in the Craftsman of the 13th of Dec. wherein, speaking of the riot-act, he says, “That an election of Church-wardens hath been already made a handle for putting this law in execution. That the master of a small vessel was kept a whole year in prison, to the loss of his voyage, and almost the ruin of his family, upon happening to go thro’ the church-yard, from visiting a friend, an hour after the proclamation was read. Nay, that the poor man might have run the hazard of his life, as well as have been put to further expences, if his late Majesty had not been graciously pleas’d to grant him a Noli prosequi.”
The falsehood of this story the Free Briton thus corrects.—The gentlemen of Greenwich disagreeing upon the choice of a church-warden at Easter 1722, a poll was demanded and a scrutiny afterwards agreed on. The scrutineers met, but a number of dissolute persons tumultuously assembling at the same time, insulted the justices in a rude and outragious manner, (justice Savory receiving a blow on the back by a great stone) so that it was thought proper to read the proclamation in order to disperse them. Among the rioters was Charles Curtis, master of a small vessel. He was with them before, at, and after the proclamation was read, and very notorious by his behaviour; was several times admonished by the justices to depart; and as often very civilly acquainted by them with the ill consequence of his continuance in that riotous assembly. But notwithstanding their repeated admonitions, he still continued, and was found among the rioters an hour and a half after the Proclamation was read, and being even then advised to leave that place, and to avoid the fatal consequence, the said Curtis, still refused to depart, and insisted with uncommon insolence, that he was as much about his business in that place as the justices themselves. Whereupon he was apprehended, committed to Maidstone Gaol, try’d, and convicted, but in compassion to his family his punishment was suspended; but a Noli prosequi was never granted.
The aim of the Free Briton, in this paper, is to shew the inconclusive reasoning of the Craftsman from matters of fact falsely asserted.
Free Briton, Jan. 14. No. 59.
In the conclusion of this paper is a letter by way of reply to the Craftsman, Jan. 9. wherein that author calls upon the Free Briton to justify the administration for breaking with the Emperor. To which the Free Briton answers, that it will be full time to make a defence when such measures are undertaken; that their insolence is astonishing, in imputing the same crimes to our ministers for which themselves have deserved a halter. Asks the Craftsman whether he imagines the ministry are so fond of the Emperor on the sudden, as to sacrifice the trade of Spain, and abandon all the powers of Europe, only to run into his arms?
In Feb. last an outcry was rais’d on a pretended discovery that the ministry were making up at Vienna by an implicit guarantee of the Emperor’s succession to the Austrian Netherlands, as he should settle it; yet this could not be obtain’d of the British councils; and now we are told we are ready to lurch all our allies for his sake.
The authors of the Craftsman allow that this Treaty-breaking measure would be right, provided a certain great man was removed. As if national compacts could be dissolv’d by the change of the ministers: The nation must answer for the faith of treaties. Grants that such a conduct might be expected, should this ministry be chang’d.
It does not redound to the shame of those who made the treaty of Seville, that the parties have allow’d the Emperor a reasonable time to come into their measures; which if they had not, they would have been charg’d with rashness, precipitation, and every enormity. Concludes with mentioning several injuries and insults that this nation has suffer’d from the Imperial quarter.
Free Briton, Jan. 21.
He applies Job’s saying to his friends, Will you lye for God? to the Craftsman, Will you lye for liberty and country? and asks, if he demands impunity for defamatory falsehood?
Breach of faith, which the Craftsman had laid to the charge of the ministry, is the most virulent aspersion that a libeller can utter against any government, is therefore punishable, and declares his opinion, that spreading false news is no part of the freedom of the press.
He thinks no honest cause wants the assistance of falshood, so no man should lay claim to liberty who adheres not to truth; therefore the Craftsman ought not to complain of severity from the government, unless he will evince the truth of his assertion.
Men think that prosecutions and confinement are very hard, not considering the provocations that urg’d them; and that the worst imputations are charg’d on the councils of the crown, without the least colour of truth. The punishment inflicted on a libelling printer, bears no proportion with the wrongs thus offer’d to a great people.
Distinguishes between opinions offr’d upon national affairs, and misrepresentations of those affairs. The first is not criminal, the other may. Says, these men may be punished on the Statute, as spreaders of false news.
The Craftsman can defend himself no other way then by refuting the charge of falshood.
The Craftsman had suggested that the Government abetted the very practices for which he is under prosecution; and instanced in the pamphlet Sedition and Defamation display’d, which represents the conduct and characters of two persons who have laboured these five years to make this ministry odious, for which reasons the opposite writers spare no invectives to point out these gentlemen Weekly, as Traitors and Villains. The Free Briton here justifies the characters complain’d of.
Free Briton, Jan. 28. No. 61.
He takes notice that the Craftsman in his reply to the pamphlet called Sedition and Defamation display’d, has not once attempted to show that the characters of two gentlemen there given are in the least unlike or injurious, and maintains that whatever is said of them in that pamphlet is indisputably true; yet observes, that the author admitted, that he who had wronged his friendship, and betrayed his confidence, came into the world with all the advantages that recommend men to the esteem, favour, and approbation of mankind.
The Craftsman on the contrary divests the minister whose character he draws of all those talents and abilities, without which, power is not easily acquir’d, or long maintain’d. See p. 4.
But the minister’s abilities have been the dread and disappointment of his enemies, and have carried him thro’ innumerable difficulties for five years together, and enabled him to baffle all their attempts against him; notwithstanding he is describ’d as setting out in mean circumstances, and recommended to mankind by every bad quality, yet those who object this now, were more than ten years his associates in private life as well as publick affairs. As to what has been said of his being superior in impudence to all, this author replies, that ’twas never heard that he call’d gentlemen scoundrels in publick assemblies; reviled the Speeches from the Throne; or, that if affairs were managed as he dictated, he would maintain his Majesty’s administration.
Several other scurrilous reflections, thrown out against this honourable person, are answer’d at large in this paper, and some of them charged with notorious falshood.
The British Journal: or, The Traveller, Jan. 9.
The author mentions two evils which attend those that trade with pawnbrokers; the first is, persons who have left pledges in their hands, upon offering to redeem them, have been obliged to advance five or six shillings more than they borrow’d on them. The other is the power of the pawnbroker to defraud his customer entirely of his pledge; both which may be redress’d by obliging pawnbrokers to give a receipt to every person borrowing money on pledges, to which both borrower and lender shall subscribe their names, and each of them take a copy.
In some considerations on the stage, opera’s, and the force of musick, he says, that an opera ought to be as regularly conducted, and the characters as justly maintain’d; the same end propos’d, and as large room for the exercise of a fine genius, as in tragedy or comedy. That a compleat opera set to musick would have an advantage over tragedy. Is not pleased with the Recitativo of an opera, because ’tis the musick of the songs only that dwell on the memory.
Distinguishes between the grand-opera and those ballad-opera’s now in vogue, which latter, if well set to musick, might deserve applause.
Commends Addison’s Rosamond as a beautifull piece of poetry, both in fable and language. In it is maintain’d the dignity of tragedy, the humour of comedy, and the principal end of opera’s; i. e. the encouragement of virtue, discouraging vice, and probability through the whole is preserv’d.
The British Journal, Jan. 23.
Relates the history of two traytors, Edric the father, and Edric the son, who lived near 800 years ago; from which he collects and concludes with this lesson to princes, that they ought to be cautious whom they trust, and to pry with piercing eyes into the conduct of their ministers, and the motives of their counsels.
An Extract of a Discourse made to the Royal Society, in Defence of Mr. Cheselden’s intended Operation on the Ear of a condemn’d Malefactor.
Daily Courant. Jan. 17.
The author first observes, that the skin, commonly call’d, The Drum of the Ear, is not the organ of hearing, as was vulgarly thought; for the proof of which he offers a great number of reasons and observations of his own, as well as the opinions and reasons of the most learned and judicious anatomists. He then observes, there are two passages to the organs of hearing; one by the outward ear, the other thro’ the back part of the mouth, thro’ which some people can hear, who cannot hear thro’ the outward ear. In this case he supposes the sound may be interrupted by the drum of the ear, which is seated in this passage, and being diseased, may hinder sounds from passing to the internal parts, where are seated the proper organs of hearing: In this case only, he supposes, that perforating the drum may prove a remedy for deafness, as depressing the chrystalline humour of the eye (vulgarly call’d couching a cataract) is daily found to be a remedy for blindness; and yet that operation has been as indecently and ignorantly ridicul’d as the experiment of Mr. Cheselden’s; one writer against that operation not scrupling to give his book the following title, A new method of recovering the sight by putting out the eye. He also deserves, that the scituation of the drum is such, that the operation may be easily made by a skilful person; and it being a very thin skin, he presumes it will not be very painful; and if so, the person who is to undergo the experiment will purchase his life upon very easy terms: But supposing it should be very painful; (which ’tis hop’d it will not be) on whom can the first experiment be so fitly made, for the service of mankind, as on one whose life is already forfeited to the publick?
[See [page 10. Col. 2]]
Read’s Weekly Journal, Jan. 16.
Entertains his readers with a letter from a correspondent concerning the present state of the Law; takes notice of the spleen which in general appears against lawyer and law; says, that the multiplicity of statutes is one of the greatest grievances of this kingdom. Quotes an opinion of a learned judge, that the best way to reform the law, was to abrogate all the acts made for its amendment. Asserts, that the founding a proper Corpus Juris, is the highest point of policy in a well order’d state. The old English method of proceeding against debtors, being judg’d inconvenient, produced the act on which was found’d the Capias in detinue, as the shortest way of recovery. Complains of fictitious suits, particularly in ejectments. He resents likewise the encouragement given in every court to the multitude of suitors, as contrary to the very ends of justice. Proposes some remedies for these evils, by an act empowering commissioners to inspect into
1. The condition of the law in general, common and statute; what of them may be repealed, and what not.
2. To frame proper instructions to direct those who are intrusted with the execution of the law.
3. To examine into the nature of actions on the case, which by judge Dodderidge is declared to be a feigned action contrived in deceit of the law.
4. To contrive how to prevent vexatious and litigious suits, by lessening the credit of parole agreement.
5. That every practiser of the law be obliged by oath to give his opinion justly to the best of his knowledge, to practise fairly, and by no indirect means procure false judgment in any case.
Lastly, To compile a compleat body of the law, with an institute of maxims and rules, a treatise of practice, and the forms to be observed by courts.
See more concerning the amending the law, p. 77. 98. 100. 106. and the substance of the Act passed this Sessions of Parliament relating there to p. 213.
Poetical Essays for JANUARY, 1731.
ODE for New-Years-Day by C. Cibber, Esq;
Recitativo.
Once more the ever circling Sun
Thro’ the coelestial signs has run,
Again old Time inverts his glass,
And bids the annual Season pass:
The youthful Spring shall call for birth,5
And glad with op’ning flow’rs the Earth:
Fair Summer lead with Sheaves the Field,
And golden Fruit shall Autumn yield,
Each to the Winter’s want their store shall bring,
’Till warmer genial Suns recall the Spring.10
Air.
Ye grateful Britons bless the Year,
That kindly yields increase,
While plenty that might feed a War,
Enjoys the guard of peace,
Your plenty to the Skies you owe,15
Peace is your Monarch’s care;
Thus bounteous Jove and George below
Divided empire share.
Recitativo.
Britannia pleas’d, looks round her realms to see
Your various causes of Felicity!20
(To glorious War, a glorious peace succeeds;
For most we triumph when the Farmer feeds)
Then truly are we great when truth supplies
Our Blood, our Treasures drain’d by victories.
Turn happy Briton, to the throne your Eyes,25
And in the royal offspring see,
How amply bounteous providence supplies
The source of your felicity.
Air.
Behold in ev’ry Face imperial Graces shine
All native to the Race of George and Caroline:30
In each young Hero we admire
The blooming virtue of his sire;
In each maturing fair we find,
Maternal charms of softer kind.
Recitativo.
In vain thro’ ages past has Phœbus reli’d,35
E’re such a sight blest Albion could behold
Thrice happy Mortals, if your state you knew,
Where can the Globe so blest a nation shew?
All that of you indulgent Heav’n requires,
Is loyal Hearts, to reach your own Desires.40
Let Faction then her self born views lay down,
And Hearts united, thus address the Throne.
Air.
Hail! Royal Cesar, hail!
Like this may ev’ry annual Sun
Add brighter Glories to thy Crown,45
’Till Suns themselves shall fail.
Recitativo.
May Heav’n thy peaceful Reign prolong,
Nor let to thy great Empires wrong,
Foreign or native Foes prevail.
Hail, &c.
ODE humbly inscribed to the Poet Laureat, taken from Lon. Evening Post Jan. 7. as there said by Step. Duck, Esq.
Semei in annoridet Apollo.
Recitativo.
Accept, O Cibber, the advent’rous lay,
Which, to your honour, dares both sing and say:
To you great Prince of Comedy and Song,
The Tributes o’ inferior Pens belong;
You, who by royal favour wear the Bays,
And grateful eternize our Monarch’s Praise.
Air.
Let us sing to the King,
All about the circling Year;
Sing a floreat to the laureat,
Ev’ry Season brings good cheer,
Grateful Britons, thank the bard,
Who by Peace does plenty guard,
Such as hungry War does need,
War, that does on plenty feed.
Recitativo.
Phœbus with joy looks Britain round to see,
The happy state of his lov’d Poetry,
To Eusdes, Cibber gloriously succeeds;
Wit triumphs most, when bard like farmer feeds!
Then truly are we great, when he can shew
The way his own out-doings to out-do.
Cast, envious Poets, on his Verse your Eyes,
Behold the offspring of his brain.
How his rich Genius constantly supplies
The source of his poetick vein!
Air.
Thro’out the whole what matchless Graces shine;
Paraphonalia sparkles in each Line;
Native to Cibber, we admire
The style and fancy, wit and fire,
In each maturing Word we find
Something soft for thought design’d.
Recitativo.
Complain not Sol, of fruitless ages past,
Think your self blest in such a Son at last!
Thrice happy Poets, if you knew your state;
Britain alone can boast a Laureat.
For if, like him, to Grandeur you aspire,
By his Example reach your own desire.
Let criticks then their self born views lay down;
And Bards in chorus thus sing round the town.
Air.
Hail! Matchless Colley, hail!
Like this may ev’ry New Year’s Day
Add fresher Honour to the Bay,
’Till Bay itself shall fail.
Recitativo.
May Heaven preserve thy Genius clear,
For Christmas comes but once a Year.
Give the Poet then some Ale.
Ale, &c.
From Fog’s Journal, Jan. 9.
An Ode on Twelfth Day. In Imitation of an Ode on New Year’s-Day.
Past Two o’Clock, and a frosty Morning.
Recitativo.
Once more the Bell-man bids us wake,
With Prophesy of Ale and Cake;
Tells us before we sleep again,
Tom shall be King, and Nancy Queen,
While good Sir Knight a Knave appears,
And Madam the Slut’s Ensign wears.
Such Kings and Queens should Colly sing,
Such Worthies in his numbers ring;
While both the British soil and Foreign Shores,
To form the Cake, unite their grateful Stores.
Air.
Ye grateful Footmen, bless the Day,
That such Preferments give;
Ye joyful Cook-maids drink away,
While ye your Title lives.
Good Ale you to the Brewer owe,
The Cake’s the Baker’s care,
And all above, and eke below,
Combine to give good fare.
Recitativo.
Tom thinks himself a real Monarch grown,
And, pleas’d looks round the Kitchen as his own.
While Nancy with him royal Honour shares,
And on the other Maids majestick stares.
The New King’s Health is first, the Queen’s succeed:
And most he triumphs, who most freely feeds.
Then all are truly great when Ale supplies
The want of Riches and of Dignities,
And the exhausted Jugg gives victories.
Turn happy Will, Jack, Kate, and Doll, your eyes
On yon Two Chairs, and there observe
How well the new rais’d prince the place supplies
Which both, as you must own, deserve.
Air.
Behold in each pleas’d face what lovely graces shine,
How on their little realm they look with air benign,
Such, Will, must you and Kate appear,
If Fortune the ensuing Year,
Convinces us she is not blind,
By proving to your merit kind.
Recitativo.
In vain above Three Hundred Days have pass’d
Between this joyful Twelfth Day and the last,
No Scene like this has chear’d your Hearts and Eyes,
Where shall we find such bliss beneath the Skies?
All that Sir William and my Lady ask,
Is, that when all have well perform’d their Task,
With silent pace, without your Shoes you’ll tread
And each go peaceably, tho’ drunk to bed.
Air.
Hail! merry Monarch, hail!
Like this may ev’ry annual Cake
You merrier still and merrier make,
’Till Cakes themselves shall fail.
Recitativo.
May you all long your Places keep;
May no makebate amongst you creep,
With Peace destroying Tale.