Classic and Contemporary Poetry
REJECTED ADDRESSES: DRURY LANE HUSTINGS, BY A PIC-NIC POET, by JAMES SMITH (1775-1839) 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. | Other Poems of Interest...ADDRESS SPOKEN AT THE OPENING OF THE DRURY-LANE THEATRE by GEORGE GORDON BYRON PARANTHETICAL ADDRESS, BY DR. PLAGIARY by GEORGE GORDON BYRON REJECTED ADDRESSES: A TALE OF DRURY LANE, BY W. S. by HORACE SMITH REJECTED ADDRESSES: THE BEAUTIFUL INCENDIARY, BY THE HON. W. S. by HORACE SMITH REJECTED ADDRESSES: THE BABY'S DEBUT, BY W. W. by JAMES SMITH (1775-1839) BALOO, MY BAIRNIE, FA' ASLEEP by JAMES SMITH (1775-1839) CHIGWELL by JAMES SMITH (1775-1839) CHIGWELL REVISITED by JAMES SMITH (1775-1839) CHRISTMAS OUT OF TOWN by JAMES SMITH (1775-1839) CLUB LAW by JAMES SMITH (1775-1839) |
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