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Vide Prologue Generall Principio voluminis.

The Prologue for the Court.

A Poet neuer setteth Quill to Booke
To render, vnto men, his witts accounts,
According to his Theame opposd to him,
But first he calls, vnto his ayde, the Gods,
So wee, that be our Poets Counterparts,
If to speede wee meane, now must summon first
Your Graces mind, vnto our vowes, by Prayer,
For as wee reade of Terences Comædyes
Hecyra, a Comædy, good it self,
T'haue beene explode because the Multitude,
Same day, was other way intent, wee Actors,
If now you lend to careful things, your hed,

weighty

Or that you little deeme our humble suite,
For lushious Banquet of your glee, beset
With curious Pourcelaine of your Prayse, be lyke
Swallow a Stiptick Plum with Hecyra
Then by your eares, in lieu of Gods to vs,
Wee do Implore your Majesty, you would
Aspire a gale vnto our Enterprise,
And that, by wafting of your glittering Beames,
Wee may be introduct the Tyde, you would
Not suffer vs, with Dog-cheape Hecyra,
(As do those children of the Arme of Gold)
Be on this shoare, like wracked Purchase, sold
But lyke Gold sheepe, by your sweet Musick, toald,
Which done, proceede forward wee will be bold.