An Easy Reply. Specimens of Dramatic Phrensy. Pl. 6. First edition.
London : S.W. Fores, 1804. Etching, roulette, & stipple, hand-colored ; 29 x 36.7 cm. Small tear lower right, without loss of text. Mounted to a support sheet. Publisher block with loss of small amount of bottom of letters in last line, but still legible....British Museum number 1935,0522.8.75.....
A street scene with a blank wall and pavement forming a background, with more distant houses on the r. A young man, in dishevelled and quasi-military dress, wearing a cocked hat, addresses a burly watchman with a ranting gesture. He is restrained by two companions, one of whom is tipsy. The watchman, who holds a large lantern and staff, with a rattle thrust in the belt which girds his massive coat, looks at him sourly but quizzically. Below the design:
'Hot with the Tuscan grape and high in blood
No mopeing cares, a mirthfull band withstood...
Spoutwell the head, one night when reeling home,
From where loud laughs, had shook the joyous dome,
Like Hamlet roar'd adown old Drury Lane,
"I'll call the [sic] Father! - Royal Dane"
A watchman bless'd with Impudence and ease,
Cried " You may be d------d Sir' - call me what you please' 1 January 1804. Item #16-4624
Price: $500.00