The works of Sr William Davenant ... Consisting of Those which were formerly Printed, and Those which he design'd for the Press: Now published Out of the Authors Originall Copies |
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Prologue to a reviv'd Play of Mr. Fletchers, call'd,
The Woman-hater.
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 | The works of Sr William Davenant |  |
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Prologue to a reviv'd Play of Mr. Fletchers, call'd, The Woman-hater.
Ladies take't as a secret in your Eare,In stead of homage, and kind welcome here,
I heartily could wish, you all were gone;
For if you stay, good faith, we are undone.
Alass! you now expect, the usuall wayes
Of our address, which is your Sexes praise:
But we to night, unluckily must speake,
Such things will make your Lovers Heart-strings breake,
Bely your Virtues, and your beauties staine,
With words, contriv'd long since, in your disdaine.
'Tis strange you stirr not yet; not all this while
Lift up your Fannes to hide a scornfull smile:
Whisper, or jog your Lords to steale away;
So leave us t'act, unto our selves, our Play:
Then sure, there may be hope, you can subdue,
Your patience to endure, an Act, or two:
Nay more, when you are told our Poets rage
Pursues but one example, which that age
VVherein he liv'd produc'd; and we rely
Not on the truth, but the variety.
His Muse believ'd not, what she then did write;
Her VVings, were wont to make a nobler flight;
Soar'd high, and to the Stars, your Sex did raise;
For which, full Twenty years, he wore the Bayes.
'Twas he reduc'd Evadne from her scorne,
And taught the sad Aspacia how to mourne;
Gave Arethusa's love, a glad reliefe;
And made Panthea elegant in griefe.
If these great Trophies of his noble Muse,
Cannot one humor 'gainst your Sex excuse
VVhich we present to night; you'l finde a way
How to make good the Libell in our Play:
So you are cruell to your selves; whilst he
(Safe in the fame of his integritie)
VVill be a Prophet, not a Poet thought;
And this fine VVeb last long, though loosely wrought.
| The works of Sr William Davenant | |