They pay for permission
To say that they make for the Duchess--
DUKE. They make for the Duchess!
DUKE. Those pressing prevailers,
The ready-made tailors,
Quote me as their great double-barrel--
DUCH. Their great double-barrel--
DUKE. I allow them to do so,
Though Robinson Crusoe
Would jib at their wearing apparel--
DUCH. Such wearing apparel!
DUKE. I sit, by selection,
Upon the direction
Of several Companies bubble--
DUCH. All Companies bubble!
DUKE. As soon as they're floated
I'm freely bank-noted--
I'm pretty well paid for my trouble--
DUCH. He's paid for his trouble!
DUCH. At middle-class party
I play at ecarte--
And I'm by no means a beginner--
DUKE (significantly). She's not a beginner.
DUCH. To one of my station
The remuneration--
Five guineas a night and my dinner--
DUKE. And wine with her dinner.
DUCH. I write letters blatant
On medicines patent--
And use any other you mustn't--
DUKE. Believe me, you mustn't--
DUCH. And vow my complexion
Derives its perfection
From somebody's soap--which it doesn't--
DUKE. (significantly). It certainly doesn't!
DUKE. We're ready as witness
To any one's fitness
To fill any place or preferment--
DUCH. A place or preferment.
DUCH. We're often in waiting
At junket or feting,
And sometimes attend an interment--
DUKE. We enjoy an interment.
BOTH. In short, if you'd kindle
The spark of a swindle,
Lure simpletons into your clutches--
Yes; into your clutches.
Or hoodwink a debtor,
You cannot do better
DUCH. Than trot out a Duke or a Duchess--
DUKE. A Duke or a Duchess!
(Enter Marco and Giuseppe.)
DUKE. Ah!
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