The Speech
OF
John Curry,
To be delivered on the Tron 10th Apr. 1728.
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1
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Altho my Lug's nail'd, to the Tron,
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Yet I am not Tongue tacked John;
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I'l speak, tho' all the Bank look on,
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And call me Rogue;
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I have not been an idle dron,
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But Clever dog.
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2
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In Manufactring ev'ry Noat,
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I did lay down, this Solid plot,
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For to grow great: and I have got,
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what I design'd
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My Servant, with a Livery Coat,
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Who walks behind
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3
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Surrounded, by my body Guards,
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I'm far above, the rank of Lairds,
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Beter forge Bills, than play at Cards,
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or yet at dice
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You see, the Law gives fine rewards,
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To actions nice
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4
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Before my noble parts were known;
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I walk'd demurely all alone,
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And no Man said, how do ye John,
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upon the Street;
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But now, ther's hundreds Looking on,
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my Fames compleat.
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5
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The times are very bad, you know
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The want of Cash keeps people low,
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Folk every day to th' Abbay goe,
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weep for their loss;
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But at mid-day, my face I show,
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from Tron to Cross.
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6
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But I must Forriegn Country's see,
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(The Goverment's been kind to me,)
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For this poor soil, doth not agree,
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with my big Heart,
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I'l Travel far until I be,
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Compleat in art.
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7
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Knock down, that Scoundrel rogue doth jeer,
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Says, I stand like a poinded Mare,
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And that I dare not for my ear,
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Stir from this place;
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And that no greatness doth appear,
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But deep disgrace
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8
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It's only Rogues, that run away,
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But Men like me, dare firmly Stay,
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Here I can talk, in good brod Day,
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I think that's right,
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The Nail doth fix my head, I say,
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that's realy Light.
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9
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Bad weather soe hath spoil'd the road,
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It's seldom that I come abroad,
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For only twice, this Month I trod,
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To take the air;
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And the last time, tho' cold, that's odd
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my body bare.
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10
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Sirs tell me did yow ever see?
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A better temper'd Man than me
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My page hath ty'd me, to this tree,
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By way of sport;
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And I get all the taunts but he,
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Gets money for't.
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11
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Wednesday last he did begin,
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The play, and now his Hands gote in
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For to chastise me, for my sin,
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With taes right teugh
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And yet the more he lash'd, my Skin:
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The more I leugh
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12
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And the Diversion's very bonny,
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Put hand in purse, and Lug out Money,
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For yow have lost, your Player Tonny,
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He's boughted now
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And I am sent, his faithful Cronny,
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To act to yow.
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