University of Virginia Library

PROLOGUE To the Rival-ladies.

'Tis much Desir'd, you Judges of the Town
Would pass a Vote to put all Prologues down;
For who can show me, since they first were Writ,
They e'r Converted one hard-hearted Wit?
Yet the World's mended well; in former Days
Good Prologues were as scarce, as now good Plays.
For the reforming Poets of our Age,
In this first Charge, spend their Poetique rage:
Expect no more when once the Prologue's done;
The Wit is ended e'r the Play's begun.
You now have Habits, Dances, Scenes, and Rhymes;
High Language often; I, and Sense, sometimes:
As for a clear Contrivance doubt it not;
They blow out Candles to give Light to th'Plot.
And for Surprize, two Bloody-minded Men
Fight till they Dye, then rise and Dance agen:
Such deep Intrigues you'r welcome to this Day:
But blame your Selves, not him who writ the Play;
Though his Plot's Dull, as can be well desir'd,
Wit stiff as any you have e'r admir'd:
He's bound to please, not to Write well; and knows
There is a Mode in Plays as well as Cloaths:
Therefore kind Judges—