Punch and Judy (1828)
-
-
The first printed Punch and Judy script was written by John Payne Collier and illustrated by George Cruikshank. It was based on Giovanni Piccini's Punch show that had been performed in England in the early 1800s. Piccini was aged 82 at the time of the collaboration and died 7 years later, in St. Giles's Workhouse.
Location: Collier, J P (1828) Punch and Judy, with illustrations designed and engraved by George Cruikshank. Accompanied by the dialogue of the puppet-show, an account of its origin, and of puppet-plays in England. London: S Prowett, 55 Pall Mall. ISG A791.538
Punch. How do my good friend, your master, Mr. Toby? How do Mr. Scaramouch?*
Toby. Bow, wow, wow!
Punch. I'm glad to hear it. Poor Toby! What a nice good-temper'd dog it is! No wonder his master is so fond of him.
Toby. (Snarls) Arr! Arr! †
Punch. What! Toby! you cross this morning? You get out of bed the wrong way upwards?
Toby. (Snarls again) Arr! Arr!
Punch. Poor Toby. (Putting his hand out cautiously, and trying to coax the dog, who snaps at it) Toby, you're one nasty cross dog: get away with you! (Strikes at him)
Toby. Bow, wow, wow! (Seizing Punch by the nose)
Punch. Oh dear! Oh dear! My nose! my poor nose! my beautiful nose! Get away! get away, you
*The Italian character in the impromptu comedies, called Scaramouchi, was known in England before Pulcinella made his appearance. In Durfey's Madame Fickle, licenced in 1676, Toby, the son of Mr Tilbery, is made to employ it as a fashionable term of abuse, Scaramouchi, Rascal, Poltron, Popinjay! Son of twenty fathers! &c. Act. ii.
† In reference to this sound, Shakespeare tells us that "R is the dogs letter." Rom. and Jul. Act ii Scene 5.
