 | The Royall King, and The Loyall Subject |  |
The Prologue to the Stage.
To give content to this most curious Age,The gods themselves we' have brought downe to the Stage,
And figur'd them in Planets, made even Hell
Deliver up the Furies, by no spell,
(Saving the Muses rapture) further, we
Have traffickt by their helpe, no History
We have left unrifled, our Pens have beene dipt
As well in opening each hid Manuscript,
As Tracts more vulgar, whether read, or sung
In our domesticke, or more forraigne tongue:
Of Faiery Elves, Nymphs of the Sea, and Land;
The Lawnes and Groves, no number can be scan'd
Which we have not given feet to, nay 'tis knowne,
That when our Chronicles have barren growne
Of Story, we have all Invention stretcht,
Div'd low as to the Center, and then reacht
Unto the Primum mobile above:
(Nor scapt things intermediate) for your love,
These have beene Acted ofteuserln, all have past
Censure; of which some live, and some are cast:
For this in agitation, stay the end,
Though nothing please, yet nothing can offend.
| The Royall King, and The Loyall Subject | |