Page:Punch and judy.djvu/69

Rh informed, than the poet, among whose latest works it was to continue and vary the story of "Don Juan." It is highly characteristic of the author, and of the representation it celebrates with so much truth and vivacity.

SONNET TO PUNCH. Triumphant Punch! with joy I follow thee

Through the glad progress of thy wanton course;

Where life is painful with such truth and force,

Its equal on our stage we never see,

Whether thou kill'st thy wife with jolly glee,

Hurl'st thy sweet babe away without remorse,

Mount'st, and art quickly thrown from off thy horse,

Or dance with "pretty Poll," so fair and free;

Having first slain with just disdain her sire,

Deaf to music of thy sheep-bell lyre:

Who loves not music, is not fit to live!

Then, when the hangman comes, who can refuse

To laugh, when thou his head into the noose

Hast nimbly thrust, while he gets no reprieve? Who feigns to grieve

Thou goest unpunish'd in the fiend's despite,

And slay'st him too, is but a hypocrite. 'Tis such delight

To see thee cudgel his black carcase antique,

For very rapture I am almost frantic!

Having now traced the history of Mr. Punch, we shall proceed, we believe, for the first time in this or any other country, to put his performances upon record. It is time to do so for the benefit of posterity; lest, as society gradually acquires a more superfine polish that it even now