Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 1.djvu/453

Rh Teased with his hat, and trembling for his toes;

Scarce wrestles through the night, nor tastes of ease,

Till the dropped curtain gives a glad release:

Why this, and more, he suffers—can ye guess?—

Because it costs him dear, and makes him dress!

So prosper eunuchs from Etruscan schools;

Give us but fiddlers, and they're sure of fools!

Ere scenes were played by many a reverend clerk,

(What harm, if David danced before the ark?)

In Christmas revels, simple country folks

Were pleased with morrice-mumm'ry and coarse jokes.

Improving years, with things no longer known,

Produced blithe Punch and merry Madame Joan,