The School For Scandal [42]
too soon spent,
Farewell the tranquil mind, farewell content!
Farewell the plumed head, the cushion'd tete,
That takes the cushion from its proper seat!
That spirit-stirring drum!--card drums I mean,
Spadille--odd trick--pam--basto--king and queen!
And you, ye knockers, that, with brazen throat,
The welcome visitors' approach denote;
Farewell all quality of high renown,
Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious town!
Farewell! your revels I partake no more,
And Lady Teazle's occupation's o'er!
All this I told our bard; he smiled, and said 'twas clear,
I ought to play deep tragedy next year.
Meanwhile he drew wise morals from his play,
And in these solemn periods stalk'd away:---
"Bless'd were the fair like you; her faults who stopp'd,
And closed her follies when the curtain dropp'd!
No more in vice or error to engage,
Or play the fool at large on life's great stage."
End of play
<1> This PORTRAIT and Garrick's PROLOGUE are not included in
Fraser Rae's text.
<2> From Sheridan's manuscript.
<3> The story in Act I. Scene I., told by Crabtree about
Miss Letitia Piper, is repeated here, the speaker being Sir Peter:
SIR PETER. O nine out of ten malicious inventions are founded
on some ridiculous misrepresentation--Mrs. Candour you remember
how poor Miss Shepherd lost her Lover and her Character one
Summer at Tunbridge.
MRS. C. To be sure that was a very ridiculous affair.
CRABTREE. Pray tell us Sir Peter how it was.
SIR P. Why madam--[The story follows.]
MRS. C. Ha ha strange indeed--
SIR P. Matter of Fact I assure you....
LADY T. As sure as can be--Sir Peter will grow scandalous
himself--if you encourage him to tell stories.
[Fraser Rae's footnote--Ed.]
<4> The words which follow this title are not inserted in the
manuscript of the play. [Fraser Rae's footnote.--Ed.]
<5> From this place to Scene ii. Act IV. several sheets are missing.
[Fraser Rae's footnote.--Ed.]
End
Farewell the tranquil mind, farewell content!
Farewell the plumed head, the cushion'd tete,
That takes the cushion from its proper seat!
That spirit-stirring drum!--card drums I mean,
Spadille--odd trick--pam--basto--king and queen!
And you, ye knockers, that, with brazen throat,
The welcome visitors' approach denote;
Farewell all quality of high renown,
Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious town!
Farewell! your revels I partake no more,
And Lady Teazle's occupation's o'er!
All this I told our bard; he smiled, and said 'twas clear,
I ought to play deep tragedy next year.
Meanwhile he drew wise morals from his play,
And in these solemn periods stalk'd away:---
"Bless'd were the fair like you; her faults who stopp'd,
And closed her follies when the curtain dropp'd!
No more in vice or error to engage,
Or play the fool at large on life's great stage."
End of play
<1> This PORTRAIT and Garrick's PROLOGUE are not included in
Fraser Rae's text.
<2> From Sheridan's manuscript.
<3> The story in Act I. Scene I., told by Crabtree about
Miss Letitia Piper, is repeated here, the speaker being Sir Peter:
SIR PETER. O nine out of ten malicious inventions are founded
on some ridiculous misrepresentation--Mrs. Candour you remember
how poor Miss Shepherd lost her Lover and her Character one
Summer at Tunbridge.
MRS. C. To be sure that was a very ridiculous affair.
CRABTREE. Pray tell us Sir Peter how it was.
SIR P. Why madam--[The story follows.]
MRS. C. Ha ha strange indeed--
SIR P. Matter of Fact I assure you....
LADY T. As sure as can be--Sir Peter will grow scandalous
himself--if you encourage him to tell stories.
[Fraser Rae's footnote--Ed.]
<4> The words which follow this title are not inserted in the
manuscript of the play. [Fraser Rae's footnote.--Ed.]
<5> From this place to Scene ii. Act IV. several sheets are missing.
[Fraser Rae's footnote.--Ed.]
End