Asset number
684226001
Description
The Duchess of St. Albans sits like a children's nurse holding a little boy, the Duke, on her knee. On a round table is a bowl of Spoon Meat, she offers him a spoonful. He holds out a melon from which a slice has been cut, as in BM Satires 15453. She says: Eat your breakfast pretty Boy, Such nice Spoon Meat cannot cloy Or, that Melon you may eat Such a Melon is a Treat Then wee'I ride within the Ring That you know will be the thing Afterwards my little Duke, You may go and read your book. He answers: I can't eat the Spoon Meat because Fm not thirsty And I’m sick of the Melon because its so Musty But if you'd indulge me and give me my way Pray give me the Counters—and let me go Play. On the floor: a book, Memoirs of Nell Gwin [see BM Satires 15455]; a round board inscribed Counters on and beside which are coins. Below the title: "All the World's a Stage And all the Men and Women merely players" Shakespeare. June 25 1827 Etching
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