LXXXVII.

"The tenor's voice is spoilt by affectation; And for the bass, the beast can only bellow-- In fact, he had no singing education, An ignorant, noteless, timeless, tuneless fellow; But being the prima donna's near relation, Who swore his voice was very rich and mellow, They hired him, though to hear him you'd believe An ass was practising recitative.

LXXXVIII.

"'T would not become myself to dwell upon My own merits, and though young--I see, Sir--you Have got a travelled air, which speaks you one To whom the opera is by no means new: You've heard of Raucocanti?--I'm the man; The time may come when you may hear me too; You was[255] not last year at the fair of Lugo, But next, when I'm engaged to sing there--do go.