Some wiser Poet now would leave Fame first; But elder wits are, like old Lovers, curst: Who, when the vigor of their Youth is spent, Still grow more fond as they grow impotent. This, some years hence, our Poets case may prove; But yet, he hopes, he's young enough to love. If they, through sickness, seldome did PROLOGUE AND EPILOGUE TO THE SECOND PART OF THE CONQUEST OF GRANADA BY THE SPANIARDS. PROLOGUE. THEY who write Ill, and they who ne'r durst write, Turn Critiques out of meer Revenge and Spight: A Play-house gives 'em Fame; and up there starts, From a mean Fifth-rate Wit, a Man of Parts. (So Common Faces on the Stage appear; We take 'em in, and they turn Beauties here.) Our Authour fears those Critiques as his Fate; And those he Fears, by consequence, must Hate, For they the Trafficque of all Wit invade, As Scriv❜ners draw away the Bankers Trade. Howe're, the Poet's safe enough to day; II They cannot censure an unfinish'd Play. But, as when Vizard Masque appears in Pit, Straight every Man who thinks himself a Wit Perks up; and, managing his Comb with grace, With his white Wigg sets off his Nut-brown Face; That done, bears up to th' prize, and views each Limb, To know her by her Rigging and her Then, the whole noise of Fops to wagers go, Who must be kept alive, and who be kill'd. To soothe and tickle sweet Imagination; But when 'tis shown, that which does now And imitates you ill (which most he fears) Or else his writing is not worse than theirs. Yet, though you judge (as sure the Critiques will) 31 That some before him writ with greater skill, In this one praise he has their fame surpast, To please an Age inore Gallant than the last. PROLOGUE. Spoken on the First Day of the Kings House acting after the Fire. So shipwrackt Passengers escape to Land, So look they, when on the bare Beach they stand, Dropping and cold, and their first fear scarce Expecting Famine on a Desart Shore. Whence ev'n the Natives, forc'd by hunger, Our Stage does humane Chance present to But ne'er before was seen so sadly true: And with our Ale-house scenes and Cloaths Can neither raise old Plays nor new adorn. Who with broad bloudy Bills call you each To laugh and break your Buttons at their Or see some serious Piece, which we presume Send Lacquies early to preserve your Place. PROLOGUE AFTER THE FIRE. Text from the Miscellanies of 1692. Variants from Covent Garden Drollery, 1672. 4 on] from 1672. 10 for] of 1672. You cherish'd it, and now its Fall you mourn, Which blind unmanner'd Zelots make their Who think that Fire a Judgment on the Which spar'd not Temples in its furious But as our new-built City rises higher, 20 But we with Golden Hopes are vainly Talk high, and entertain you in a shed: Will grace Old Theatres, and build up 30 PROLOGUE, for the Women, When they Acted at the Old Theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields. WERE none of you, Gallants, e'er driven so | And so the hot Burgundian on the Side hard, Ply Vizard Masque, and o'er the Benches stride: As when the poor kind Soul was under guard, And could not do't at home, in some By street To take a Lodging, and in private meet? Such is our Case; We can't appoint our House, The Lovers old and wonted Rendezvous, But hither to this trusty Nook remove; The worse the Lodging is, the more the Love. For much good Pastime, many a dear sweet hug Is stol'n in Garrets, on the humble Rugg, 10 Here's good Accommodation in the Pit; The Grave demurely in the midst may sit, PROLOGUE AND EPILOGUE TO THE MAIDEN QUEEN, OR SECRET LOVE, PROLOGUE. When acted by the Women only. Spoken by MRS. BOUTELL, in man's clothes. WOMEN like us (passing for Men) you'l cry, Presume too much upon your Secresie. There's not a Fop in Town but will pretend, To know the Cheat himself, or by his Friend. Then make no words on't, Gallants, 'tis e'en true, We are condemn'd to look, and strut, like you. Since we thus freely our hard Fate confess, Accept us, these bad Times, in any Dress. You'll find the sweet on't, now old Pantaloons Will go as far, as formerly new Gowns; 10 And from your own cast Wigs expect no Frowns. PROLOGUE FOR THE WOMEN. Text from the same, except as noted. I Were] Where 1684: a misprint. PROLOGUE AND EPILOGUE TO MARRIAGE-A-LA-MODE. ordain ; In Wars abroad, they grinning Honour gain, And Mistresses, for all that stay, maintain. Now they are gone, 'tis dead Vacation here, For neither Friends nor Enemies appear. 21 Poor pensive Punk now peeps ere Plays begin, Sees the bare Bench, and dares not venture in; But manages her last Half-crown with care, And trudges to the Mall, on foot, for Air. Our City Friends so far will hardly roam, They can take up with Pleasures nearer home; And see gay Shows with gaudy Scenes elsewhere: 28 For we presume they seldom come to hear. 16 Playhouse] Play house 1673. |