The Court of Cupid By the Author of the Meretriciad [i.e. Edward Thompson]. Containing the Eighth Edition of the Meretriciad, with great Additions. In Two Volumes |
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| II. |
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WILKES'S RIGGLE.
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 | The Court of Cupid |  |
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WILKES'S RIGGLE.
A New Country Dance,
As danc'd by all the Folks of Fashion, at the fashionable end of the Town, in the year 1769.
The set was select, for the Dancers were chose,For their beauties, their passions, and not for their cloaths;
Some small altercation the Belles did advance,
Who should stand at the top and lead down the new Dance;
But that was remov'd, when young Oss---y came
With a Dutchess, divorc'd for the strength of her flame.
Lady Sarah the sweet, and lord William stood next,
But Sir Charles kept his seat and look'd damnably vext.
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Tho' third of the Fair—had the fairest of faces;
She will out-dance old Venus—the Muses—and Graces.
Sweet B---l---ke looked both kind and askance,
My Lord, he kept teazing my Lady to dance;
With raptures he star'd, and with raptures he swore,
Since, he lost her he lov'd her by Heavens the more.
Pretty P---t, 'twas a pity look'd down with some shame,
Two gabbering Plenipos laid in their claim;
And she was too kind to refuse or to blame.
Mrs. G---r stood up, but they all 'gan to pout,
A woman like her, to attend such a rout,
When Panton bawl'd out he'd lay fifty to ten,
That she out-danc'd the women, and tir'd all the men:
O! let her they cried with a sneer and a giggle,
Who knows but she'll shine in the new fashion riggle.
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The one in white sattin, the other black silk:
One coo'd like a pidgeon, one look'd like a rook,
Together they danc'd, as they out danc'd the Duke.
Lady W---e appear'd very low in the sett,
Enough faith to put e'en a Queen in a pet;
She pouted, and thought she had right to rebuke,
I will be at top as I jigg with a Duke.
The Dutchess of K---n appear'd very low,
For one who had made such a bustle and show;
But, 'twas time to grow cool since she put on the wife,
'Tis the Devil to dance in the autumn of life:
Beneath this fair covey stood dame H---n,
Like St. George and a Soldier my Lord B---n:
Lady V--- made an effort to dance the first sett,
Tho' ready to faint at the thoughts of a sweat.
Like Flora my Lady Ann H---n stood,
A fine luscious armfull of beauty and blood:
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As handsome as Arne faith, and not a deal fatter.
Lady A---r, and S---t---e were brighten'd with red,
But were grave that young Billy and Neddy were dead.
The musick well tun'd, and the sett quite compleat,
Each drew on his gloves, and then chalk'd o'er his feet;
The whisper went round, and the girls 'gan to giggle,
When Oss'-y bawl'd out—come, come give us the riggle?
He led her down as light as cork,
When she began to giggle;
And said at ev'ry step and jerk,
Play up Wilkes's riggle.
Lead two couple down my Lord!
“Very well upon my word,
Now cross over figure in!
“To have lost it were a sin,
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“Charming, charming, gallant swain.
Hands around my pretty troop!
“Lady Sarah mind your hoop;
“Who in one can dance with ease?
Hands across pray if you please!
“Lord! that is a charming sack;
Now my Lord pay back to back!
“We've no need, you find of guides;
Open,—and lead out at sides!
“O! we've done it in a trice;
“Can you dance the figure twice?
“Ask not beauty how or why,
“I will jigg it 'till I die.
Feet unto the fiddle run,
Wilkes's riggle's all the fun:
On the light fantastic toe,
Trip it softly as you go!
O! it is a heav'nly dance,
Quite the fashion too in France.
Is your Lordship out of breath?
“I could dance it to my death.
Pray dear Oss'---y do not wonder,
Pleas'd I am or up or under:
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I resign the name of Dutchess:
Thus continue all your life,
And I'll prove a faithful wife.
Lady Sarah with your fan,
Gently tap your fav'rite man!
Now begin, and jigg it thro',
Beat my Lord, my Lady do!
| The Court of Cupid | |