Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, REJECTED ADDRESSES: DRURY LANE HUSTINGS, BY A PIC-NIC POET, by JAMES SMITH (1775-1839)


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

REJECTED ADDRESSES: DRURY LANE HUSTINGS, BY A PIC-NIC POET, by             Poet's Biography
First Line: Mr. Jack, your address, says the prompter
Last Line: Tol de rol, &c.
Subject(s): Drury-lane Theatre, London


[To be sung by MR. JOHNSTONE in the character of LOONEY M'TWOLTER.]

I.

MR. JACK, your address, says the Prompter to me,
So I gave him my card -- no, that a'nt it, says he;
'Tis your public address. Oh! says I, never fear,
If address you are bother'd for, only look here.
[Puts on hat a ffectedly.
Tol de rol lol, &c.

II.

With Drury's for sartin we'll never have done,
We've built up another, and yet there's but one;
The old one was best, yet I'd say, if I durst,
The new one is better -- the last is the first.
Tol de rol, &c.

III.

These pillars are call'd by a Frenchified word,
A something that's jumbled of antique and verd;
The boxes may show us some verdant antiques,
Some old harridans who beplaster their cheeks.
Tol de rol, &c.

IV.

Only look how high Tragedy, Comedy, stick,
Lest their rivals, the horses, should give them a kick!
If you will not descend when our authors beseech ye,
You'll stop there for life, for I'm sure they can't reach ye.
Tol de rol, &c.

V.

Each one shilling god within the reach of a nod is,
And plain are the charms of each gallery goddess --
You, Brandy-faced Moll, don't be looking askew,
When I talked of a goddess I didn't mean you.
Tol de rol, &c.

VI.

Our stage is so prettily fashion'd for viewing,
The whole house can see what the whole house is doing:
'Tis just like the Hustings, we kick up a bother;
But saying is one thing, and doing's another.
Tol de rol, &c.

VII.

We've many new houses, and some of them rum ones,
But the newest of all is the new House of Commons;
'Tis a rickety sort of a bantling, I'm told,
It will die of old age when it's seven years old.
Tol de rol, &c.

VIII.

As I don't know on whom the election will fall,
I move in return for returning them all;
But for fear Mr. Speaker my meaning should miss,
The house that I wish 'em to sit in is this.
Tol de rol, &c.

IX.

Let us cheer our great Commoner, but for whose aid
We all should have gone with short commons to bed;
And since he has saved all the fat from the fire,
I move that the house be call'd Whitbread's Entire.
Tol de rol, &c.





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