Читать книгу Next Door Neighbours: A Comedy; In Three Acts - Louis Sébastien Mercier - Страница 1

To Puff, or not to Puff – that is the Question —

Puff by all means, say I, it helps digestion.

To prove my maxim true, pray read the Papers —

From Quacks of State, to those who cure the Vapours.

You'll find them, one and all, puff high their skill,

Tho' nine in ten, are oft'ner found to kill. —

Yet Puff's the word, which gives at least a name,

And oftener gains the undeserving Fame:

Or wherefore read we of Lord Fanny's Taste,

Of me– an Actor —wonderfully chaste!

And yet so squeamish is our Lady elf,

She'd rather die – than paragraph herself;

So fix'd on me – the Prologue speaking Hack,

To stop, with Puff-direct, the Critic Pack,

And who so harmless as our present Bard,

Claiming no greater or distinct reward,

Than what from free Translation is her due,

Which here in fullest trust she leaves to you:

With this remark – Who own their Debts with pride,

Are well entitled to the Credit Side.

And as for those with whom she makes so free

They'll ne'er complain of English Liberty;

But glory to behold their Tinsel shine,

Through the rich Bullion of the English Line.

Fear then avaunt! Trust to a British Jury —

With them, an honest Verdict I'll ensure you:

Let Echo catch the sound – 'Tis Pratte1 enacts,

You're Judges of the Law, as well as Facts.

On this she rests her Cause, and hopes to find,

As Friends, and Next Door Neighbours, you'll be kind;

At least, this only punishment ensue,

A Frown– and that's severe enough, from you.

Thus puff'd– I freely to the Court commit her,

Not doubting, as a Woman, you'll acquit her —