The Bantum (sic) cock and straw-adjutant

Hand-colored etched caricature (made for Charles Williams), published April 20th, 1804; 'Scene in the stable-yard of an inn. A cavalry officer [of 10th Light Dragoons] in fashionable uniform, larger in scale than the other figures, lies on the cobbles, protecting his head with his arm from a small young man who stands over him with clenched fists. The latter says: "What have you got your Belly full already! get up, get up, I am but a Chicken. - "On by the Spur of valor goaded." The officer answers: "I won't get up, I won't get up, unless you will lay down plenty of Straw." A grinning postilion points to a heap of straw: "I say you had better lay the Gentleman here." An ostler holding a currycomb points derisively, saying, "Why if you are so frighten'd at that little Bantum, how would you be able to meet Bonaparte in single combat, eh?" There is a third amused spectator. An 'Ostlers Bell' is placarded; through an open door a saddle-horse with military trappings is seen in a loose-box'. -- British Museum. Hand-colored etched caricature (made for Charles Williams), published April 20th, 1804; 'Scene in the stable-yard of an inn. A cavalry officer [of 10th Light Dragoons] in fashionable uniform, larger in scale than the other figures, lies on the cobbles, protecting his head with his arm from a small young man who stands over him with clenched fists. The latter says: "What have you got your Belly full already! get up, get up, I am but a Chicken. - "On by the Spur of valor goaded." The officer answers: "I won't get up, I won't get up, unless you will lay down plenty of Straw." A grinning postilion points to a heap of straw: "I say you had better lay the Gentleman here." An ostler holding a currycomb points derisively, saying, "Why if you are so frighten'd at that little Bantum, how would you be able to meet Bonaparte in single combat, eh?" There is a third amused spectator. An 'Ostlers Bell' is placarded; through an open door a saddle-horse with military trappings is seen in a loose-box'. -- British Museum. Oblong medium folio, mounted on blue paper; plate mark, margins trimmed; slightly worn and yellowed. N.Y., Walter Schatzki, 1961.