University of Virginia Library

The Prologue.

VVere not out present subject mixt with feare,
'Twould much affright us to see all you heere.
One would suffice us, or no Auditor.
Each to himselfe an ample Theater,
Let rude Plebejans thinke so, but we know
All judgments here from the same Spring doe flow.
All here have but one censure, all one brest.
All sonnes of the same Mother; but the rest
We preoccupate their Censure, and fore-tell,
What after may be said not to be well,
As in most decent Garments you may see,
Some gracious Ornaments inweaved bee:
Which serve for little use, but on some day
Destin'd to please himselfe, the wearer may
Without a blush put on, when his best friends
Intend to visit him, so our hope intends
The sacred Muses Progeny to greet,
Which under our Roofe, now the third time meet,
We will not ope the booke to you, and show
A story word by word, as it doth goe,
But give invention leave to undertake,
Of it's owne straines, some benefit to make:
For though a Tragicke Pen may be confin'd,
Within a studies private Walles, the mind
Must be unbounded, and with inventions steele,
Strike fire from alient Flints—
So free we are from setting any price,
On these our studied Vanities, that advice
Almost disdain'd the whispers of those tongues
Which private first, though vented publike wrongs
To the Patient Patient oft. We'll here begin
To be a litle peremptory, oh that sinne
Of wilfull indiscretion, 'tis no bayes
To make us Garlands of our owne mouthes praise,
Which who affect, may they so Lawrell lacke,
That slanders Thunder may behind their backe,
Blast them with Calumny, for we vow they deare
Pay for their paines, that give attention here.
And since it's suffered with kind indulgence
We hope that Kingly Parent's our defence,
Who would not have his dandling love be knowne,
But unto those had off spring of their owne,
And for we are assured that here be
No braines so curst with blacke sterilitie.
But of some nature they can freely call,
Births more mature, and Cælestiall,
Their studies issue, they like kindest Mothers,
With tender hands will swath the limbes of others.