WIT AND MIRTH: OR PILLS TO PURGE MELANCHOLY; BEING A COLLECTION OF THE BEST MERRY BALLADS AND SONGS, OLD AND NEW. FITTED TO ALL HUMOURS, HAVING EACH THEIR PROPER TUNE FOR EITHER VOICE, OR INSTRUMENT: MOST OF THE SONGS BEING NEW SET (SIX VOLUMES, COMPLETE)
London, England: W. Pearson, for J. Tonson at Shakespear's Head, over-against Catherine Street in the Strand, 1719-20. Leather-bound. Sixteenmos; (7 1/2 in. x 4 3/4 in.). Six volumes. Half-bound smooth brown calf over morocco. Evidence of past rebinding. Rubbing to extremities, especially corners. Volume I lacks frontis portrait of Mr. D'Urfey. A good set, with nice bindings and bright, supple pages to the textblocks. Very Good. Item #87482
Thomas D'Urfey (1653-1723) moved to London in his early twenties to pursue a literary career. His first play flopped, but soared with his first comedy, Madam Fickle. Afterwards he was introduced to King Charles II, who had been in attendance, but due to his severe stutter, was tongue-tied. This stutter completely disappeared when D'Urfey was singing -- or, it was reputed, when cursing, which he did not infrequently. Despite his underwhelming first requested meeting with the King, the King greatly appreciated D'Urfey's "talent for composing and singing witty songs" and soon became one of the king's inner circle. D'urfey; was as well impudent, possessed of a "vulgar wit", to which a number of these VERY bawdy songs will attest. Much later, after writing a number of additional plays, and a regime change, D'Urfey became swept up and later indicted in "The Collier Controversy" which was essentially an attack upon what was judged by said Reverend Jeremy Collier to be "profanity, abuse of the clergy and a lack of modesty"
"A lusty young smith at his Vice stood a Filing,
Rub, rub, rub, rub, rub, rub in and out, in and out ho;
When to him a Buxom young Damsel came smiling,
And ask'd if to Work at her Forge he wou'd go:
With a rub, rub, rub, rub, rub, rub in and out, in and out ho:
A match quoth the Smith, so away they went thither,
rub, rub, rub, rub, rub, rub in and out, in and out ho;
They strip'd to go to't, twas hot Work and hot Weather,
She kindl'd a Fire, and soon made him blow;
with a rub, rub, etc...
Her Husband she said could scarce raise up his Hammer
His strength and his Tools were worn out long ago;
If she got her Journey-men, could any blame here,
Look here quoth our Workman, my Tools are not so :
With a rub, rub, &c.
Price: $1,450.00