 | The Antipodes |  |
The Prologue.
Opinion, which our Author cannot court,
(For the deare daintinesse of it) has, of late,
From the old way of Playes possest a Sort
Only to run to those, that carry state
In Scene magnificent and language high;
And Cloathes worth all the rest, except the Action.
And such are only good those Leaders cry;
And into that beleefe draw on a Faction,
That must despise all sportive, merry Wit,
Because some such great Play had none in it.
(For the deare daintinesse of it) has, of late,
From the old way of Playes possest a Sort
Only to run to those, that carry state
In Scene magnificent and language high;
And Cloathes worth all the rest, except the Action.
And such are only good those Leaders cry;
And into that beleefe draw on a Faction,
That must despise all sportive, merry Wit,
Because some such great Play had none in it.
But it is knowne (peace to their Memories)
The Poets late sublimed from our Age,
Who best could understand, and best devise
Workes, that must ever live upon the Stage,
Did well approve, and lead this humble way,
Which we are bound to travaile in to night;
And, though it be not trac'd so well, as They
Discover'd it by true Phœbean light,
Pardon our just Ambition, yet that strive
To keep the weakest Branch o'th' Stage alive.
The Poets late sublimed from our Age,
Who best could understand, and best devise
Workes, that must ever live upon the Stage,
Did well approve, and lead this humble way,
Which we are bound to travaile in to night;
And, though it be not trac'd so well, as They
Discover'd it by true Phœbean light,
Pardon our just Ambition, yet that strive
To keep the weakest Branch o'th' Stage alive.
I meane the weakest in their great esteeme,
That count all slight, that's under us, or nigh;
And only those for worthy Subjects deeme,
Fetch'd, or reach'd at (at least) from farre, or high:
When low and home-bred Subjects have their use,
As well, as those, fetch'd from on high, or farre;
And 'tis as hard a labour for the Muse
To moove the Earth, as to dislodge a Starre.
See, yet, those glorious Playes; and let their sight
Your Admiration moove; these your Delight.
That count all slight, that's under us, or nigh;
And only those for worthy Subjects deeme,
Fetch'd, or reach'd at (at least) from farre, or high:
When low and home-bred Subjects have their use,
As well, as those, fetch'd from on high, or farre;
And 'tis as hard a labour for the Muse
To moove the Earth, as to dislodge a Starre.
See, yet, those glorious Playes; and let their sight
Your Admiration moove; these your Delight.
| The Antipodes | |