Classic Poem

Gallants, our business is to let you know,
This night we represent a Puppet-Show,
Where every actor comes to make a figure
Big as the life, and some, indeed, much bigger.
The truth of what I tell you will appear
When you behold our Punch and Banimeer.

We found this house was almost empty grown
From the first moment Stretch appeared in town.
What could we do but learn to squeak and hop it,
Each actor change into his fav'rite puppet?

Think not in this we banter or abuse you;
We'll turn to anything before we'll lose you.

If you're well pleased with this, you soon shall see
These very puppets act a tragedy;
The Rival Queens we'll play, if you command —
Much finer than The Queen of Ivy Land .

I now proceed to beg our Punch may meet
As much applause as he in Capel Street.
Our Banimeer speaks Hebrew, Greek and Latin;
Their Punch speaks nonsense, yet is ever prating.

O, let not learning want its just reward,
Since Punch, to please you, studied very hard.
Don't let your eager thirst of knowledge cool;
Come and improve your talents — here's your school —
We'll teach the ladies a genteeler squeak,
And powdered beaux shall show their parts in Greek.