The harlot's progress; or, the ridotto al'fresco: a grotesque pantomime entertainment. As it is perform'd by his Majesty's Company of comedians at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane. Compos'd by Mr. Theophilus Cibber, ... The songs made (to old ballad tunes) by a friend.

Table of contents

- [illustration]

- [illustration]

- [titlepage]

- [dedication]

- Persons in the Harlot's Progress.

THE HARLOT's PROGRESS; OR THE RIDOTTO AL FRESCO:

AFTER the Overture, the Curtain rises;—the Scene represents an Inn; The Bawd, the Country Girl, the Debauchee and the Pimp, all rang'd as they are in the first Print.—The Parson on the Right Hand, reading the Letter, soon goes off—while the Bawd is persuading the Girl to go along with her, Harlequin appears at the Window, and seeing the Country Girl, jumps down, and gets into a Trunk which belongs to her, while the Bawd sings.

AIR I. What tho' I am a Country Lass.

Let Country Damsels plainly nice,

In Home-spun Russet go, Sir;

While, Frolick we, chearful as wise,

More pleasing Transports know, Sir.

They dull and coy,

Refuse the Joy,

All bashful void of Skill-a:

We gay and free

To each fond He▪

Yield up our selves at Will-a.

At last our Youth and Charms decay'd,

Like old experienc'd Sinners,

We follow the procuring Trade,

And train up young Beginners.

Thus ample Gains,

Reward our Pains;

Then mock not our Profession,

Like Courtiers we,

Secure the Fee,

And laugh at the Transgression.

After the Song, the Bawd beckons a Porter, orders him to take up the Trunk and follow her and the Girl, which he does, with Harlequin in it.—Then the Debauchee comes forward, who seems to be enamour'd with the Girl; the Pimp assures him he can procure her for him, upon which the Debauchee seems rejoic'd and sings in Praise of Women and Wine.

AIR II. Brisk Tom and Jolly Kate.

Brisk Wine and Women are,

The Sum of all our Joy;

A Brimmer softens every Care,

And Beauty ne'er can cloy:

Then let us Drink and Love,

While still our Hearts are gay,

Women and Wine, by turns shall prove,

Our Blessings Night and Day.

After the Song he follows her—the Pimp struts about and sings.

AIR III. Maggy Lawther.

Pimping is a Science, Sir,

The only Mode and Fashion,

To Virtue bids Defiance, Sir,

'Tis the Glory of the Nation.

In City, Country, or in Court,

It is the Coup d' Grace, Sir;

If you your Patron's Vice support,

You need not fear a Place, Sir.

The Lawyer pimps to gain a Coif,

While Porters pimp for Hire;

Kind Betty serves his Worship's Wife,

The Page pimps for the Squire.

'Tis pimping gains a large Estate,

Makes Valets wear their Swords, Sir,

For Pimps oft look as big and great,

As any Duke or Lord, Sir.

After the Song he follows the Debauchee.—The Scene changes to the Street; the Debauchee having found Harlequin in Company with Miss Kitty, turns her out of Doors, and the Pimp kicks out Harlequin; Kitty goes out in the greatest Distress—Harlequin by his Action signifies he's in Love, and is in doubt whether to hang or drown himself, or cut his Throat, &c. At length he resolves to follow her, and determines to dress himself like a smart Cadet, in order to address her: To accomplish which he strikes the Ground, and there rises a Dressing-Table fix'd in a Cloud, furnish'd with all necessary Appurtenances.—After he is drest, the Table vanishes and he goes out. The Scene changes to the Lodging that Beau Mordecai has provided for Kitty, whom he has just taken into high Keeping. (This Scene is taken from the Second Print) she is discovered lolling upon a Settée, attended by her Maid and Black-Boy, admiring the Grandeur of which she is possess'd, and then sings.

AIR IV. Oh! what Pleasures will abound.

Who wou'd not a Mistress be,

Kept in Splendor thus like me?

Deckt in golden rich Array,

Sparkling at each Ball and Play!

Gaily toying,

Sweets enjoying

Foreign to that thing a Wife,

Flirting, flaunting,

Jilting, jaunting,

Oh the Charming happy Life!

After the Song Harlequin creeps from under her Toilet, in the Habit of the Cadet, and courts Miss Kitty; she appears Coy at first, but at length yields to him.—Then sings.

AIR V. Lad's a Dunce.

Thus finely set out,

I'll make such a Rout,

And top all the Rantipole Girls of the Town;

With Glances so bright,

Lords and Dukes I'll delight,

And make all the Rakes with their Ready come down,

The Stock-jobbing Cit,

For a hundred I'll hit,

While me he is rifling, I'll riftle his Purse;

With Saint-like Smile

I'll Zealots beguile,

And make the fond Hypocrite freely disburse.

Thus, thus in full Pow'r,

I'll sweeten, I'll sour,

I'll whindle, I'll bluster, I'll wheedle, I'll cant,

I'll bubble, I'll blind,

Make Fools of Mankind,

Each Cully shall think he's my only Gallant,

With such Supplies

To Grandeur I'll rise,

And revel in Pleasure, in Plenty and Ease,

While in the dark,

A favourite Spark,

I'll keep at my Call to enjoy when I please.

After the Song they retire to the Bed; immediately is heard a knocking at the Door; the Maid looks out and perceives it to be the Jew, upon which she runs and tells her Mistress, who comes out with Harlequin in the utmost Confusion.—But she advises him to retire to the Bed, which he does; she sits down upon the Settèe, and orders the Maid to let Mordecai in—when he enters he seems angry that she made him wait so long at the Door, but is soon pacify'd when he sees Kitty alone.—He sits down by her, and is very fond of her; then orders the Maid to get Tea, which she does—while they are drinking it, Kitty appears in Confusion, and makes Signs to the Maid to let Harlequin out; but while he is attempting to steal away, he accidentally drops his Sword and Cane, which surprizes the Jew, who turning about perceives Harlequin, upon which Miss Kitty in a Passion over-sets the Tea-Table.—The Jew enrag'd, runs to secure the Door, and is in the greatest Passion with her, she laughs at him, and they sing the following Duette.

AIR VI. Maidens as fresh as a Rose.
Kitty.

Farewell, good Mr. Jew;

Now I hate your tawny Face;

I'll have no more to do

With you or any of your Race.

Jew.

Begone; you saucy Jade,

I will ne'er believe thee more;

Follow the Drury Trade,

Thou shalt ne'er deceive me more.

Kitty.

Then take your self away,

Since I have chous'd you well, you Cull;

But come another Day,

When you have got your Pockets full.

Jew.

Be not so pert, my Dear,

This Pride may shortly have a Fall,

Soon shall I see or hear,

Madam, in Bridewell, milling Doll.

Repeat.

Soon shall I see or hear, &c.

She repeats with him.

Ne'er more will I come near,

Such a pitiful pimping Fool.

After the Song he turns her and her Maid out of Doors, then pursues Harlequin.—A Picture falls down, Harlequin jumps thro' the Hangings, and the Picture returns to its place and conceals him.—The Subject of the Picture, which was before an Historical Story, is now chang'd to a Representation of the Jew with Horns upon his Head.—While he stands in astonishment the other Picture changes likewise, and represents Harlequin and Kitty embracing—upon which the Jew runs out in the greatest surprize. Scene changes to the Street. Harlequin meets the Jew, who immediately draws; Harlequin catches him by the Leg, and throws him down, jumps over him, and runs off, the Jew pursues him.—The Scene changes to a poor Apartment in Drury-Lane. (This is taken from the Third Print) Kitty is discover'd sitting disconsolate by the Bedside, drinking of Tea, attended by Bess Brindle (a Runner to the Ladies of Pleasure) Harlequin jumps in at the Window; she seems overjoy'd to see him—just as they are going to sit down to drink Tea, they hear a Noise without—Harlequin looks thro' the Key-hole, and discovers it to be the Justice, Constable, Watch, &c. He is very much surpris'd, and jumps into a Punch-Bowl that stands upon a Table, to hide himself—Justice Mittimus enters with the Constable, &c. the Watch seize Kitty and the Runner, and carry 'em off.—The Constable stays behind to pilfer what he can, during which, Harlequin creeps from under the Table; the Constable seeing him, goes to seize him, but he jumps thro' the Window and escapes—the Constable runs off.—The Scene changes to the Street. A melancholy Tune is play'd, while several Ladies of Pleasure (alias unfortunate Women) are led cross the Stage as going to Bridewell, with Kitty and her Maid, the Bawd, &c. Three Justices bring up the Rear.—Scene changes to Bridewell. The Women are discover'd all leaning in an indolent manner upon their Blocks.—The Keeper enters, and seeing them so idle, threatens to beat 'em—as they take up their Hammers and Beetles, and are going to beat, the Blocks all vanish, and in their stead appear Harlequin, Scaramouch, Pierrot, and Mezetin, each takes out his Lady to dance, and signify they'll go to the Ridotto al' Fresco; the Keeper runs away frighted, they all dance off.—Scene changes to the Street. A great Number of People pass over the Stage, as going to the Ridotto, among whom appears the Marquiss de Fresco, perform'd by the little Harlequin Dog.

The Scene changes to the Ridotto al Fresco, illuminated with several Glass Lustres, (the Scene taken from the place at Vaux-Hall.) Variety of People appear in Masquerade, and a grand Comic Ballad is perform'd by different Characters to English, Scotch, Irish and French Tunes, which concludes the whole.

Then follows the Masque of the Judgment of Paris, &c.

FINIS.

Mr. William Hogarth.

CIBBER in the Character of Antient PISTOL.

THE HARLOT's PROGRESS; OR, THE RIDOTTO AL' FRESCO: A Grotesque Pantomime Entertainment. As it is perform'd by his Majesty's Company of Comedians AT THE THEATRE-ROYAL in Drury-Lane. Compos'd by Mr. Theophilus Cibber, Comedian. The SONGS made (to old Ballad Tunes) by a Friend.

Printed for the Benefit of Richard Cross the Prompter; and Sold at the Theatre. 1733. [Price Six Pence.]

THIS ENTERTAINMENT Is Dedicated to the Ingenious Mr. HOGARTH, (On Whose Celebrated Designs it is Plan'd,)

By his Well wisher, and obliged Humble Servant, Theo. Cibber.
Saturday, March 31st, 1733.

Persons in the Harlot's Progress.

Harlequin,

Mr. Le Brun.

Beau Mordecai,

Mr. Stoppelaer.

Old Debauchee,

Mr. Berry.

Justice Mittimus,

Mr. Mullart.

Mons. Poudre,

Mr. Oates.

Constable,

Mr. Jones.

Keeper,

Mr. Burnet.

Porter,

Mr. Peploe.

Pompey,

Y. Grace.

Beadles,

- Mr. Gray.

- Mr. Wright.

Miss Kitty,

Miss Raftor.

Madam Decoy,

Mrs. Mullart.

Jenny,

Mrs. Grace.

Bess Brindle,

Mr. Leigh.

Persons in the Ridotto al' Fresco.

- Les Capricieux by Mr. Essex and Miss Robinson.

- The Hungarians by Mr. Houghton and Mrs. Walter.

- The Fingalians by Mr. Lally Sen. and Miss Mears.

- Scaramouch, Pierot, and Mezetin by Mr. Lally, Junior, Mr. Tench, and Mr. Stoppelaer.

- Ladies of Pleasure by Miss Mann, Miss Atherton and Miss Price.

- The Marquiss de Fresco by Monsieur Arlequin en Chien.

Information about this book

Title statement

The harlot's progress; or, the ridotto al'fresco: a grotesque pantomime entertainment. As it is perform'd by his Majesty's Company of comedians at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane. Compos'd by Mr. Theophilus Cibber, ... The songs made (to old ballad tunes) by a friend.

Cibber, Theophilus, 1703-1758.

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University of Oxford Text Archive
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ID [ota]

http://ota.ox.ac.uk/id/4540

ID [isbn10]

1106015398

ID [isbn13]

9781106015396

ID [TCP]

K060857.000

ID [BIBNO]

CW3310272572

ID [ECLL]

0157502200

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Source

— The harlot's progress; or, the ridotto al'fresco: a grotesque pantomime entertainment. As it is perform'd by his Majesty's Company of comedians at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane. Compos'd by Mr. Theophilus Cibber, ... The songs made (to old ballad tunes) by a friend., Cibber, Theophilus, 1703-1758.. 12p. ; 4⁰. [London] :: printed for the benefit of Richard Cross the prompter; and sold at the theatre,. 1733.. [Reproduction of original from the British Library.] [English Short Title Catalog, ESTCT71789.] [Electronic data. Farmington Hills, Mich. : Thomson Gale, 2003. Page image (PNG). Digitized image of the microfilm version produced in Woodbridge, CT by Research Publications, 1982-2002 (later known as Primary Source Microfilm, an imprint of the Gale Group).]

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