 | Herod the Great |  |
PROLOGUE TO HEROD the GREAT.
How various are the Humours of this Age!Sermons at first were follow'd, then the Stage;
But that they neither are frequented now,
Is a variety we owe to you:
One would have thought Extreams which were so vast,
As pleas'd the Soul and Sense, might longer last.
Your Fathers other methods did pursue,
Yet some Fops swear they were as wise as you:
They left not Stage nor Pulpit in the lurch;
Week-Days they went to Plays, Sundays to Church:
And judged the Muses gratious did appear,
Presenting them one new Play every Year.
But without daily new ones you are cloy'd,
And slight Plays seem as Mistresses enjoy'd.
For we must say—we'll give the Devil his due,
In Wit, as Love, you daily gape for new.
Rare Scenes like Opera's, nay She-Actors too,
Though they less often Act with us, than you;
Whereby—will none here blush when it is said,
Some with great Bellies Virgin's parts have plaid?
Yet a good Play once acted, you're so nice,
You'll go to Church as soon as see it twice.
s'Death, Gentlemen, this usage we'll not bear,
You are not better than your Fathers were;
And if we are not as well us'd by you,
We'll shut up House, nay worse, our Women too.
Then with Street Cruzors you must have to do,
'Mongst which, you'll sometimes board a Fireship too.
When thus in your Chief Pleasures you are crost,
You'll value us, like Health, most when 'tis lost.
| Herod the Great | |