| Citation |
NYWJ.750.015
9 May 1750:41 (854)
(From the Boston Evening-Post)
As many people now-a days
Seem pleas'd with nothing more than plays,
I lately dream'd I saw a new one;
Tho' 'tis a dream, it may be a true one;
Therefore to them that love such stuff,
I'll point it out to 'em plain enough.
I dreamt I saw a stage erected,
On which the play was to be acted;
And when the coast was all made clear.
The actors then began t'appear.
Bacchus first enter'd with his wine,
And said 'twas sterling, rich, and fine;
Nay, he affirm'd, as you're alive,
That all he had was nutritive.
The next that enter'd was a poet,
Tho' really at first I did not know it;
He made a song 'bout Masons Free,
And scan'd the whole fraternity.
He seem'd to act the part of all,
Tho' some were short, and some were tall.
The next upon the stage that enters,
Was two or three good honest printers;
Their whole dispute was by their actions,
'Bout tables, decimals, and fractions.
The last, I think, that durst to enter,
Was a good honest plain Dis---t-r;
First makes a song, and then he sings,
'Bout Bis--ps, Mar--rs, Sa--ts, and K--gs.
In short, he set 'm all a'riddling,
Tho' on the stage they shou'd keep fiddling.
I was vex'd to see that so much time
Was spent in riddles, plays and rhime;
I started up in a great rage,
And thus address'd 'em on the stage.
"Good sirs, go home, leave off your brawling,
"And each one mind his proper calling;
"And then in time you all may be
"As easy as your friend, V.D.
Then I awoke.
|