Signor Topsy-Turvy's wonderful magic lantern or The World turned upside down. By the author of "My Mother," and other poems [Ann and Jane Taylor]. Illustrated with twenty-four engravings |
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THE MONKEY TURNED BEAU.
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 | Signor Topsy-Turvy's wonderful magic lantern |  |
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THE MONKEY TURNED BEAU.
A sprightly young monkey, of novelty fond,
Resolv'd from his forest to go;
For having survey'd his fine form in a pond,
He was seiz'd with a longing to join the beau monde,
As he thought he might pass for a beau.
Resolv'd from his forest to go;
For having survey'd his fine form in a pond,
He was seiz'd with a longing to join the beau monde,
As he thought he might pass for a beau.
So he hired a French valet, by line and by rule
To fit him complete for his part;
And daily took lessons like ladies at school,
In dressing, and dancing, and playing the fool;
And got his instructions by heart.
To fit him complete for his part;
And daily took lessons like ladies at school,
In dressing, and dancing, and playing the fool;
And got his instructions by heart.
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The language of fashion he readily caught,
And began quite accomplish'd to grow,
And the valet declar'd he should never have thought,
That a gentleman monkey so soon could be taught,
To look like a gentleman beau.
And began quite accomplish'd to grow,
And the valet declar'd he should never have thought,
That a gentleman monkey so soon could be taught,
To look like a gentleman beau.
The monkey, who thirsted for popular praise,
These habits acquired with ease;
While his man would instruct him in all the fine ways
That ladies and gentlemen learn now-a-days,
In such pretty lessons as these.
These habits acquired with ease;
While his man would instruct him in all the fine ways
That ladies and gentlemen learn now-a-days,
In such pretty lessons as these.
“Suppose me a lady,—you sitting beside her,”
Says he, “and engaging in chat,
“Now make a grimace, Sir;” the monkey grinn'd wider.
“O no!” said the valet, “dat will not do nider,
“A great deal more silly dan dat.
Says he, “and engaging in chat,
“Now make a grimace, Sir;” the monkey grinn'd wider.
“O no!” said the valet, “dat will not do nider,
“A great deal more silly dan dat.
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“And den to her speeches, however absurd,
“Immediately you must retort;
“'Twas de very best ting dat you ever have heard.”
“What if it be nonsense?” “O yes, 'pon my word,
“For Sir, it is all of dat sort.
“Immediately you must retort;
“'Twas de very best ting dat you ever have heard.”
“What if it be nonsense?” “O yes, 'pon my word,
“For Sir, it is all of dat sort.
“Indeed!” said the monkey, “I'd not understood,
“Such a poor silly thing was a beau;
“A little amusement is all very good,
“But I'd rather stay here and crack nuts in the wood,
“Than let down my dignity so.”
“Such a poor silly thing was a beau;
“A little amusement is all very good,
“But I'd rather stay here and crack nuts in the wood,
“Than let down my dignity so.”
“Dat's just as you please, Sir,” the valet began,
“But dis is de modish address;
“If you be not as silly as ever you can,
“De ladies will laugh, Sir, and call you wise man,
“Which is shocking rude name I confess.”
“But dis is de modish address;
“If you be not as silly as ever you can,
“De ladies will laugh, Sir, and call you wise man,
“Which is shocking rude name I confess.”
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“Why then,” he replied, “I'm resolv'd to be free,
“And return to my natural shape;
“For were I completely accomplish'd,” said he,
“I only a gentleman monkey should be,
“And therefore I'm sure 'twill be wiser for me,
“To remain a respectable ape.”
“And return to my natural shape;
“For were I completely accomplish'd,” said he,
“I only a gentleman monkey should be,
“And therefore I'm sure 'twill be wiser for me,
“To remain a respectable ape.”
J.
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