The donkey-o- A new song. (BM 1851,0901.453)

Heading to a song of ten verses etched in two columns. Pitt (left) bestrides an ass with the head and wig of Thurlow; he advances towards a lion with the head of the Prince of Wales, who puts one fore-paw on a crown, the other on a sceptre. Pitt holds up a massive metal collar inscribed 'Controul' which he destines for the lion, to whom he points, but fooks away from him over his right shoulder. The words of the song are spoken by Pitt, who describes his career, beginning:

'When I a stripling was at School,

I was both sly and Crafty-o,'

His foes routed him,

Till Donkey flew up the back-stair

And kick'd them all to Hell-e-o'

The donkey (Thurlow) persuaded him to contest the Young Lion's right to the Regency. The verses end:

'Now with Controul, both strong and Great,

Should I once lose my Station-o

I'll Clog the Rolling Wheels of State

And thus Perplex the Nation-o;

Whilst mounted on my Donkey-o,

My Prancing, Rearing, Donkey-o,

My Thund'ring, Swearing, Ranting, Tearing,

Rampant, Roaring Donkey-o' 6 February 1789

Etching with engraved text

satirical print great britain british museum british art satirical prints in the british museum william pitt the younger high resolution prince of wales

1789

British Museum

https://www.britishmuseum.org/

public domain