Text 22

GASS:

Come out, come out! We are putrefied! We are corrupted! Our lungs are destroyed with the Flogiston. This will spread a plague all through the island. [exits with GIMBLET in pursuit] 

[mass confusion as every one waves hankies at the stench]

QUID:

[pulling nose] I'm hanged if I don't get up tomorrow morning at 4 o'clock and work Sir Joshua. Before ten years are up, I will teach his poor milk sop devils, an ignorant pack of wretches, to illuminate the Manuscript.

SIPSOP:

Which would be an excellent thesis indeed.

SUCTION:

You could have all the writing engraved instead of printed, and at every other leaf a high finished print all in three Volumes folio, and sell them at a hundred dollars a piece. They would print off 2000!

SIPSOP:

Then whoever will not buy one will be an ignorant fool and will not deserve to live.

QUID:

[turns to Gittipin] Don't you think I have something of the Goat's face?

GITTIPIN:

Very like a Goat's face.

QUID:

I think your face is like that noble beast the Tyger. 

O why was I born with a different face 
Why was I not born like the rest of my race 
When I look each one starts! When I speak I offend 
Then I'm silent & passive & lose every Friend 

Then my verse I dishonour. My pictures despise 
My person degrade & my temper chastise 
And my pen is my terror. The pencil my shame 
All my Talents I bury, and dead is my Fame 

I am either too low or too highly priz'd 
When Elate I am Envy'd, When Meek I'm despis'd.