University of Virginia Library

The Prologue.

Brave crown of Gallants welcome! May this place
Meet expectation; you afford us grace:
We joy that such a multitude divine
Of Planets in our little Spheres do shine;
And that besides our Horizon is stuck
With lesser lights, we do esteem't good luck.
For the great favour, may each several scene
Affect you more, then Hebe's Nectar Heaven:
We can but wish't: for if y'are come to day
In expectation of a faultless play,
Writ by learn'd Johnson, or some able pen,
Fam'd, and approv'd of by the world, you then
We disappoint: our Poet had never yet
Hisses condemn, or hands commend his wit.
Troth, Gentlemen, we know that now a daies
Some come to take up wenches at our plaies;
It is not our designe to please their sence,
We wish they may go discontented hence.
And many Gallants hither come (we think)
To sleep, and to digest their too much drink:
We may please them; for we will not molest,
With drums or trumpets, any of their rest.
If perfum'd wantons do for eighteen pence,
Expect an Angel, and alone go hence,
We shall be glad with all our hearts, for we
Had rather have their room then company:
For many an honest gentleman is gone
Away for want of place, as look ye yon:
We guess some of you Ladies hither come
To meet your servants wh' are at dice at home;
You'l be deceiv'd, and therefore will dispraise,
And say this is the worst of all the plaies
You ever saw: but keep your censures (pray)
Until you meet them here another day.
Our Poet is not confident, nor doth
Distrust his work, but labours 'twixt them both:
He hopes it will be lik'd, and well; if not,
'T can be but hiss'd at worst, and soon forgot.