| Citation |
MS-B.773.092
4 Nov 1773:23,24 (2/144)
Preparing for the press and on suitable encouragement will
speedily be published, The Review: A Serio Comic, Heroic
Poem, in three parts. . . [26 lines]
The poem will be divided by the Major's (e) three words
of command; Make ready--Present--Fire.-- . . . [3 lines]
This [first] part to be closed with the Song of Good Old
Simon, (g) "Now Lettest, &c. " proposed by the General to be
sung, by him, at the head of his regiment, on this occasion:
The harmony of which will the other parts of the performance
will most happily illustrate the native (h) Antiperstasis in
the General's character.
In the second part. . . [12 lines] will be recited, at
large, many new (k) and elegant speeches made to the
populace, by the General, when acting the part of Corporal,
on this truly illustrious day, with some (l) as new and
striking words of command given by the Major to the
regiment. ---Drums, &c.
. . . [10 lines] The whole to be closed with a song set
to music, in praise of the Quick Step, so notably executed
by Major Bluster, (p) who to compleat the Farce, dismounted
to officiate as Lieutenant Colonel. . . [6 lines]
[Footnotes a - p follow, among them:]
(g) Fellow-soldiers; if you will behave tomorrow as to do
honour to the regiment, I'll sing the song of Good Old
Simeon, and depart. . .
(l) "The minute you see the Governor appears in sight, do
you all fall too, and drum like the nation---keep on--don't
stop."
"As soon as ever see my sword as high as my face, do all
pull tricker for blood, and them go and load as fast as you
chuse."
"As soon as we've fir'd, do you drum a roll, first
strike; flam, that's one; then drum a roll."
(p) Unhappily for many persons present, the beauty of this
air of the Major's was lost upon them, from the rudeness of
the rabble; who notwithstanding all that could be said or
done to prevent it, would croud in, and become an obstacle
to the spectacle.
|