University of Virginia Library



The Prologue.

Thus from the Poet, I am bid to say;
Hee knows what Iudges sit to Doome each Play,
(The Over-curious Critick, or the Wise)
The one with squint; 'Tother with Sunn-like eyes,
Shootes through each scæne; The one cries all things down
Tother, hides strangers Faults, close as his Owne:
Las! Those that out of custome come to jeere,
(Sung the full quire of the Nine Muses heere)
So Carping,—not from Wit, but Apish spite,
And Fether'd Ignorance,—Thus! ô Poet does slight.
'Tis not a gay sute, or Distorted Face,
Can beate his Merit off,—Which has won Grace
In the full Theater;—Nor can now feare
The Teeth of any Snaky whisperer;
But to the white, and sweete unclowded Brow,
(The heaven where true worth moves) our Poet do's bow:
Patrons of Arts, and Pilots to the Stage,
Who guide it (through all Tempests) from the Rage
Of envious Whirlewindes,—ô, doe you but steere
His Muse, This day; And bring her toth' wished shore,
You are those Delphick Powers whom shee'le adore.