 | Al Fooles |  |
Prologus.
The fortune of a Stage (like Fortunes selfe)
Amazeth greatest iudgements: And none knowes
The hidden causes of those strange effects,
That rise from this Hell, or fall from this Heauen:
Who can shew cause, why your wits, that in-ayme
At higher Obiects, scorne to compose Playes;
(Though we are sure they could, would they vouchsafe it?)
Should (without meanes to make) iudge better farre,
Then those that make, and yet yee see they can;
For without your applause, wretched is he
That vndertakes the Stage, and he's more blest,
That with your glorious fauours can contest.
Amazeth greatest iudgements: And none knowes
The hidden causes of those strange effects,
That rise from this Hell, or fall from this Heauen:
Who can shew cause, why your wits, that in-ayme
At higher Obiects, scorne to compose Playes;
(Though we are sure they could, would they vouchsafe it?)
Should (without meanes to make) iudge better farre,
Then those that make, and yet yee see they can;
For without your applause, wretched is he
That vndertakes the Stage, and he's more blest,
That with your glorious fauours can contest.
Who can shew cause, why th'ancient Comick vaine
Of Eupolis and Cratinus (now reuin'd,
Subiect to personall application)
Should be exploded by some bitter splenes?
Yet merely Comicall, and harmelesse iestes
(Though nere so witty) be esteem'd but ioyes,
If voide of th'other satyrismes sauce?
Of Eupolis and Cratinus (now reuin'd,
Subiect to personall application)
Should be exploded by some bitter splenes?
Yet merely Comicall, and harmelesse iestes
(Though nere so witty) be esteem'd but ioyes,
If voide of th'other satyrismes sauce?
Who can shew cause why quick Uenerian iestes,
Should sometimes rauish? sometimes fall farre short,
Of the iust length and pleasure of your eares?
When our pure Dames, thinke them much lesse obscene,
Then those that winne your Panegyrick splene?
But our poore doomes (alas) you know are nothing;
To your inspired censure, euer we
Must needs submit, and there's the mistery.
Should sometimes rauish? sometimes fall farre short,
Of the iust length and pleasure of your eares?
When our pure Dames, thinke them much lesse obscene,
But our poore doomes (alas) you know are nothing;
To your inspired censure, euer we
Must needs submit, and there's the mistery.
Great are the giftes giuen to vnited heades,
To gifts, attyre, to faire attyre, the stage
Helps much, for if our other audience see
You on the stage depart before we end,
Our wits goe with you all, and we are fooles;
So Fortune gouernes in these stage euents,
That merit beares least sway in most contents.
Auriculas Asini quis non habet?
How we shall then appeare, we must referre
To Magicke of your doomes, that neuer erre.
To gifts, attyre, to faire attyre, the stage
Helps much, for if our other audience see
You on the stage depart before we end,
Our wits goe with you all, and we are fooles;
So Fortune gouernes in these stage euents,
That merit beares least sway in most contents.
Auriculas Asini quis non habet?
How we shall then appeare, we must referre
To Magicke of your doomes, that neuer erre.
| Al Fooles | |