University of Virginia Library

PROLOGUE To the Court.

Ha! what divine shapes strike mine eyes, and make
My tongue to faulter, and my limbs to shake,
Through a respectfull awe and reverence,
Which thus so strongly seyseth on my sense?
These are no Fantasmes, such as we present,
But true Divinities from Heaven sent
To grace our Earthly Theater; then I,
Who cannot stand before such Majesty,
Fall on my knee, and in this posture pray
I may be heard to speak before the Play:
Madam, to you then, from whose beautious sight
Those lesser Starrs derive their borrowed light,
First I addresse me; and although I'm sent
From the proud Poet with a complement
To let you know that he protests and saith
His Sceanes will please, I cannot have that faith:
He sweares that he prepares a Peece so rich
In high conceptions, that it will bewitch
Your eyes and eares, a Banket that may please
The Danity Pallats of the Deities:
Vnheard of vanity! I cannot chuse
But undeceive you, know tis an abuse,
You'll meet with no feast here, since the chief dish
Which he presents, is neither flesh nor fish,
But a meere Fantasme, garnish'd like a coarse,
Larded, and serv'd up vvith some love discourse,
Vnsolid matter flourishes of vvitt,
And airy fancies, in my judgment fit
But for the publick Stage, not to appeare
Within the verge of this illustrious Sphere,
Where nothing but the quintescence of vvit
Should dare to enter: humbly I submit
To your transcendent judgment my advise,
And wish it may be found more rash then wise,
For daign t'applaud the Play, and I'm content
To suffer for it any punishment,
t'Appease the Poett, whose rage will be hot
Vpon my head, if you protect me not:
Auspitious Planets, rule this night, and shed
Sweet influences on your board and bed.