In the sweet suburb of Richemont or Tedainton, on the banks of the broad Garonne, one of those expensive spots where, during the summer months, the river is at the bottom of the lawn—during the winter, the lawn at the bottom of the river—but where it is damp-pleasant all the year round; there will we babble to the murmuring stream, and the babbling stream shall murmur back to us, and softly whisper——
Dowager Morier (coming down). Hold on![44]
After Mr. Merivale's piece came one on the same subject by Mr. W. Younge (1879); another by Mr. Clifton (Lyne), played in the country in 1882; and yet another, by Mr. Reece (also played in the country) in 1884. This last was entitled "The Lady of Lyons Married and Claude Unsettled."
Ten years after the first burlesque of "The Lady of Lyons" appeared the first burlesque of Lord Lytton's "Rightful Heir." This was "The Frightful Hair" of Mr. Burnand, seen at the Haymarket in 1868-9. In 1868 also, publicity was given to "The Right-Fall Heir" of Mr. H. T. Arden.
In the autumn of 1873 Mr. Irving revived at the Lyceum Lord Lytton's "Richelieu," and the play was speedily followed at the Olympic by the "Richelieu Redressed" of Mr. Reece. This is remarkable, to begin with, as being written throughout in blank verse—an agreeable departure from the time-honoured couplet. The general travestie is close, and there is a certain amount of direct parody, as where Richelieu is made to say that
In the great Lexicon of Politics
There's no such word as Truth!
In the "curse of Rome" scene, Richelieu draws around himself "the awful circle of the Daily Press!" Fun, too, is made of the well-known exit of Baradas at the words "All in despite of my lord Cardinal," and also of the various ways in which actors are wont to pronounce the simple word "Julie." The piece has a strong political flavour throughout, in compliment, no doubt, to the general election, which was then in prospect. Richelieu thus soliloquises:—
A general election! At the word
Upspring a thousand hopes—ten thousand fears!
From the great Limbo of past sessions rise
The ghost of certain Legislative Acts
To taunt me with my shifting policy:
Amidst them, gaunt and frowning—Income-tax
Broods o'er my heart—I cannot take it off!
While lesser demons, labelled—Sugar, Tea,
Malt, Hops, and kindred duties—hover round
And gibber, "Where's your popularity?"
For this reward I have to bear the brunt
Of deputations—tedious committees,
The dull assaults of country members, and
Whitebait as large as herrings. Ah, the fish
At ministerial banquets should be Plaice!
Of Richelieu's genius for suspicion the Duke of Orleans and his party thus discourse:—
Duke. Breathe not the words "'Tis wet." He'll twist that phrase
Into reflections on th' existing reign,
Or with some public measure discontent
Because you chanced to say, "It isn't fair!"
Baradas. There's truth, sir, in your jest; 'tis hard to say
What is a safe discussion nowadays!