Classic Poem

TO THE DEVIL UPON TWO STICKS; PERFORMED AT CAMDEN PLACE, DEC . 24, 1793, BY LORD CAMDEN'S GRANDCHILDREN ;

W E — Girls of Rank [ looking proud ] are told, " that we should learn
The arts by which the Low [ contemptuously ] their bread must earn: "
Degrading thought! but if it must be so,
And is a part of the divine Rousseau;
We chuse the market of the Acting trade,
Fine Ladies to the last, though [ archly ] ready made;
" But why (it may be said) with Farce begin?
And change these dimples [ looking pretty ] for a Weston grin? " [ making it ]
I answer, " that, should we in Tragic vein
A kill'd or killing character sustain;
'Twould make Leoni's melting nature speak,
And pour emulsion tears down Tenant's cheek.
My Aunt Elizabeth's good heart would break,
And Mrs. Tringrove's fleshy mountain shake.
Yet why, though comic, strike at the Physicians ?
And spare the Lawyers, [ pointing archly at Lord C AMDEN ] Painters, or Musicians? "
To Physick 'tis a compliment [ with a look of raillery ] we pay,
And Ridicule's the test of Truth [ archly ] to-day.
But though at Warren , or his better half
(The faithful Tenant ), we indulge a laugh,
Oh! think not, Hearers, that we love them less,
Or with a fainter glow their labours bless.
Nor you , [ to Lord C AMDEN ] to whose delight these efforts tend,
You , their inspiring Genius, and their Friend,
With a cold judgment the defect survey;
But see with partial eyes your children play!
For you their little nerves have banish'd fear,
And they are impudent — but only here .