Then the duke he lets the curtain down, and bows to the people, and says the great tragedy will be performed only two nights more, on accounts of pressing London engagements, where the seats is all sold already for it in Drury Lane.

Then the duke he lets the curtain down, and bows to the people, and says the great tragedy will be performed only two nights more, on accounts of pressing London engagements, where the seats is all sold already for it in Drury Lane; and then he makes them another bow, and says if he has succeeded in pleasing them and instructing them, he will be deeply obleeged if they will mention it to their friends and get them to come and see it.

– Mark Twain

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Chapter 23. The Duke and King build up anticipation for their performance of their “thrillingest tragedy,” The Royal Nonesuch. The play turns out to be nothing more than a few minutes worth of a money-making scam.

Mark Twain Quotes