 | Titus Andronicus, or The Rape of Lavinia |  |
PROLOGUE after the Vacation. Spoken by Mr. Haines.
Friends
how have ye done this many a day?
You long'd I warrant you for a New Play:
And we have wish'd as much to see you here;
Well, long Vacation's a damn'd time o'th' year.
When to your Country-Houses you were gone
Some few Pill'd-Garlicks Straggl'd up and down,
Who for meer want of Mony staid in Town.
As for Example, I my self was one.
You long'd I warrant you for a New Play:
And we have wish'd as much to see you here;
Well, long Vacation's a damn'd time o'th' year.
When to your Country-Houses you were gone
Some few Pill'd-Garlicks Straggl'd up and down,
Who for meer want of Mony staid in Town.
As for Example, I my self was one.
Shop-Keepers, wanting trade, were off o'th' hooks,
And all day long sat casting up their books;
Drew out their Debts, resolving all to Dun,
As soon as e're you Gallants came to Town.
Or else to Fox and Geese with Neighbour go,
A game resembling much themselves and you.
And Gamesters, who the rest o'th' year went fine,
Now look'd out sharp, and Cry'd, come where shall's dine?
Go to the Tavern, no attendance there,
Except a Drawer snoring in the Bar.
No Roaring-Gallant, nor no Punk that Sings,
The litte Bell but very seldom Rings.
No Hurry nor no Noise as heretofore,
No Crying, Speak i'th' Star, i'th' half-Moon Score.
The streets are quiet too: All the Debauchees,
Were Bullys pawning Whores, and bilking Coaches.
The best on't was, things were not very dear;
For Whores, 'twas the Cheap'st time of all the year.
But some whom sad Experience taught to know,
Their Misery here, left us to follow you.
Pawn'd Rings and Pettycoats, hard shifts they made,
In hopes, at Windsor they might force a Trade.
There Leiger Lay, I see some half a score
That ply'd like Watermen at D'epee's door,
Bawl'd out to Passingers, Next Whore,—next Whore.
But Travelling of Late was much in Fashion,
Some Pilgrim Saints there were of our Vocation.
Only they did it a far different way,
Your Ladies went to sin, but ours, so pray.
And all day long sat casting up their books;
Drew out their Debts, resolving all to Dun,
As soon as e're you Gallants came to Town.
Or else to Fox and Geese with Neighbour go,
A game resembling much themselves and you.
And Gamesters, who the rest o'th' year went fine,
Now look'd out sharp, and Cry'd, come where shall's dine?
Go to the Tavern, no attendance there,
Except a Drawer snoring in the Bar.
No Roaring-Gallant, nor no Punk that Sings,
The litte Bell but very seldom Rings.
No Hurry nor no Noise as heretofore,
No Crying, Speak i'th' Star, i'th' half-Moon Score.
The streets are quiet too: All the Debauchees,
Were Bullys pawning Whores, and bilking Coaches.
The best on't was, things were not very dear;
For Whores, 'twas the Cheap'st time of all the year.
But some whom sad Experience taught to know,
Their Misery here, left us to follow you.
Pawn'd Rings and Pettycoats, hard shifts they made,
In hopes, at Windsor they might force a Trade.
There Leiger Lay, I see some half a score
That ply'd like Watermen at D'epee's door,
Bawl'd out to Passingers, Next Whore,—next Whore.
But Travelling of Late was much in Fashion,
Some Pilgrim Saints there were of our Vocation.
Only they did it a far different way,
Your Ladies went to sin, but ours, so pray.
| Titus Andronicus, or The Rape of Lavinia | |