“ ’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 not last year at the fair of Lugo,
But next, when I’m engaged to sing there—do go.