University of Virginia Library

PROLOGUE. Spoke by Mrs. Bracegirdle.

Well , worthy Auditors, I am come again,
To plead in the behalf of a weak Pen;
Quaking within the expecting wretch does sit,
To hear the dreadful sentence of the Pit.
Some are resolv'd (he hears) it shall be damn'd,
Only because 'tis from a Players hand;
Sure we have acted some notorious Treason,
You'll not allow the Men, nor do us reason;
Our Women are as kind as may be too,
But nothing but a Maid forsooth will do,
And her twice had, rot her, she was not so;
You turn her off upon some base pretence,
So making her a fool, proves you have sense;
How many of our poor deluded train,
Have been took off the Stage and sent again.
One day high dress'd as any intriegueing Sinner,
The next, poor riggings pawn'd to buy 'em dinner,
So from that greatness, still grow less and less,
Commend me to a Huswife for a miss.
Before the silly Creatures you debauch'd,
You made high presents, some of 'em were coach'd,
Some on first floor did lodge, in plate did feast,
And nothing but in bits cou'd they digest;
Toys of all sorts, with Squirril, Lizzard, Parrot,
And in three Months, O flesh! how cou'd they bear it,
In clogs did beat the hoof, and lay in Garret;
Some sparks have told me they wou'd do as much,
If I had grace enough to be but such;
Nay, I was offer'd fifty Skillings—Dutch.
But to our Author—
Cou'd but the Females see, how very sad
He looks, they'd pitty such a likely Lad,
But hang him slave, he's married, there's the curse,
Ah Devil for this better and for worse.
Well Gallants, be impartial to him this day,
If his Play's bad, damn him indeed I say;
But if by chance, he has writ it to your mind,
As ever you expect my heart to find
Inclinable to you, be kind to him,
And Ladies if you smile, we doubt not them.