University of Virginia Library

AN OPERA DANCER OR SINGER

Suppose me for once a burletta projector,
Who attempts a mock musical scrap of a lecture;
Suppose this thing a harpsichord or a spinnet;
We must suppose so, else there's nothing in it;
And thus I begin, tho' a stranger to graces.
Those deficiencies must be supplied by grimaces.
And the want of wit, made up by making of faces. [Changes wigs and sits down.]

Come, Carro, come, attend affetuoso,
English be dumb, your language is but so so;
Adagio is piano, allegro must be forte,
Go wash my neck and sleeves, because this shirt is dirty:
Mon charmant prenez guarda,
Mind what your signior begs,
Ven you wash, don't scrub so harda,
You may rub my shirt to rags.
Vile you make the water hotter.
Uno solo I compose.
Put in the pot the nice sheep's trotter,
And de little petty toes;
De petty toes are little feet,
De little feet not big,
Great feet belong to de grunting hog,
De petty toes to de little pig.
Come, daughter dear, carissima anima mea,
Go boil the kittle, make me some green tea a.
Ma bella dolce sogno,
Vid de tea, cream, and sugar bono,
And a little slice
Of bread and butter nice.
A bravo bread, and butter
Bravissimo—imo,

[My attempt you have heard to succeed the projector]

My attempt you have heard to succeed the projector,
And I tremblingly wait your award of this lecture;
No merits I plead, but what's fit for my station,
And that is the merits of your approbation.
And since for mere mirth I exhibit this plan,
Condemn if you please—but excuse if you can.