A pugilistic encounter between the duke of york (left) and lt. -col. Charles lennox (right), both stripped to the waist. The duke stands with both fists clenched, saying, "come on my lad! don't fall without a blow! i'll tickle your mazzard, if you dare to stand up like a man!" lennox, on one knee, clutches the arm of his second, the duke of richmond, saying, "o save me nunkle! - o lord! - o lord! - o lord! your h--h--ss is above my match! - o lord - i'm not fit to fight any body above your footman". Richmond puts out a hand to restrain his nephew, saying with an expression of alarm, "for heavens sake, forbear! we are nothing but a brood of bastards! bastards begot - bastards instructed - bastards in mind - bastards in valour - in every thing illegitimate - we are neither of blood, or of honor, to cope with your hi-h--ss!!" the prince of wales, on the extreme left, is his brother's second; he says, with a contemptuous expression, "fredrick! cant you tip his bottle holder a sly plump in the bread-basket?" behind him is a union flag; behind richmond are fortifications flying a french flag, symbolizing his french descent and title, cf. Bmsat 7479, as well as his abortive scheme, see bmsat 6921, &c. For his descent from charles ii cf. Bmsat 7507. Beneath the design is etched:
'oft have i seen a hot o'erweening cur,
run back & bark - because he was with-held,
who being suffer'd in the bear's fell paw
hath clap'd his tail between his legs & cry'd. ' 23 may 1789
hand-coloured etching. Date: 1789. Dimensions: Height: 251 mm; Width: 351 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Frederick Augustus, Duke of Brunswick. Collection: British Museum. Brunswick, triumphant! or-the battle of the blood's,-pure, & contaminated. (BM 1868,0808.5859)
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