Derrick's Jests or, The Wits Chronicle. Containing A pleasing Variety of Repartees, Puns, Bon-Mots, and other Species of Wit and Humour, Which passed between Samuel Derrick ... and other Persons distinguished for their Wit and Humour. Also A Collection of Poetical Pieces on Various Subjects, By Mr. Derrick and Others. Dedicated to the Public |
 |
[When Quin, of all grace and all dignity void] |
|
 | Derrick's Jests |  |
30
[When Quin, of all grace and all dignity void]
When Quin, of all grace and all dignity void,Murder'd Cato, the censor, and Brutus destroy'd;
He strutted, he mouth'd,—you no passion cou'd trace
In his action, deliv'ry, or plumb-pudding face;
When he massacred Comus, the gay god of mirth,
He was suffer'd, because we of actors had dearth,
31
Upon all his peculiar absurdities hit;
When Garrick arose, with those talents and fire
Which nature and all the nine Muses inspire,
Poor guts was neglected, or laugh'd off the stage;
So, bursting with envy, and tortur'd with rage,
He damn'd the whole town in a fury, and fled,
Little Bayes an extinguisher clapp'd on his head.
Yet we never shall Falstaff behold so well done,
With such character, humour, such spirit and fun,
So great that we knew not which most to admire,
Glutton, parasite, pander, pimp, letcher, or liar;—
32
When he acted the part, his own picture he drew.
| Derrick's Jests | |