XXI.
PUNCH’S APOTHEOSIS.
BY T. H. [102]
[Mr. Hook died 24th August, 1841, in his 53rd year.]
“Rhymes the rudders are of verses,
With which, like ships, they steer their courses.”Hudibras.
Scene draws, and discovers Punch on a throne, surrounded by Lear, Lady Macbeth, Macbeth, Othello, George Barnwell, Hamlet, Ghost, Macheath, Juliet, Frair, Apothecary, Romeo, and Falstaff.—Punch descends and addresses them in the following
RECITATIVE.
As manager of horses Mr. Merryman is,
So I with you am master of the ceremonies—
These grand rejoicings. Let me see, how name ye ’em?—
Oh, in Greek lingo ’tis E-pi-thalamium.
October’s tenth it is: toss up each hat to-day,
And celebrate with shouts our opening Saturday!
On this great night ’tis settled by our manager,
That we, to please great Johnny Bull, should plan a jeer,
Dance a bang-up theatrical cotillion,
And put on tuneful Pegasus a pillion;
That every soul, whether or not a cough he has,
May kick like Harlequin, and sing like Orpheus.
So come, ye pupils of Sir John Gallini, [103a]
Spin up a tetotum like Angiolini: [103b]
That John and Mrs. Bull, from ale and tea-houses,
May shout huzza for Punch’s Apotheosis!
They dance and sing.
Air, “Sure such a day.”—Tom Thumb.