University of Virginia Library

The Prologue. Spoken by Venus from the Clouds.

If ever you have heard of Venus name,
Goddess of Beauty, I that Venus am;
Who have to day descended from my sphere,
To welcome you unto Love's Kingdom here;
Or rather to my Sphere am come, since I
Am present no where more, nor in the Sky;
Nor any Island in the world, then this,
That wholly from the world divided is:
For Cupid, you behold him here in me,
(For there where Beauty is, Love needs must be)
Or you may yet more easily descry
Him 'mong the Ladies in each beauteous eye;
And 'mongst the Gallants, may as easily trace
Him to their bosoms, from each beauteous face.
May then fair Ladies you,
Finde all your Servants true;
And Gallants, may you finde
The Ladies all as kinde,
As by your noble favours you declare
How much you friends unto Love's Kingdom are;
Of which your selves compose so great a part
In your fair Eyes, and in your loving heart.