Pleasant dialogues and dramma's selected out of Lucian, Erasmus, Textor, Ovid, &c. ... By Tho. Heywood |
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 | Pleasant dialogues and dramma's |  |
A Prologue spoken at the right Honourable the Earle of Dover house in Broadstreet, at a Play in a most bountifull Christmas hee kept there; the Speaker Hospitality a frollick old fellow: A Coller of Brawne in one hand, and a deepe Bowle of Muscadel in the other.
Where is that rich mans Minion, cal'd Frugality?
What hath he quite hence banisht Hospitality?
In dayes of old, when yea and nay did passe
For currant troth, I and old Christenmasse
Were of acquaintance; but of late I find
Frugality quick sighted, my selfe blind.
He goes through Court, through Country, City, and
Findes entertainment, for each frugall hand
Still bids him welcome: yet a novice hee:
But I, that am of more antiquity
Than Pauls (alas) by time and age decayd,
Nay almost since this Cities ground-sills layd,
Walke up and downe and knock at each mans dore,
And finde the same cold welcome as before.
But harke, a Cock crowd, and I heard a Swan
Ecchoing to him, that here did live a man,
Noble, and of that high and ancient straine,
To call back Hospitality againe.
What hath he quite hence banisht Hospitality?
In dayes of old, when yea and nay did passe
For currant troth, I and old Christenmasse
Were of acquaintance; but of late I find
Frugality quick sighted, my selfe blind.
He goes through Court, through Country, City, and
Findes entertainment, for each frugall hand
Still bids him welcome: yet a novice hee:
But I, that am of more antiquity
Than Pauls (alas) by time and age decayd,
Nay almost since this Cities ground-sills layd,
Walke up and downe and knock at each mans dore,
And finde the same cold welcome as before.
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Ecchoing to him, that here did live a man,
Noble, and of that high and ancient straine,
To call back Hospitality againe.
Then by the good Lords and kind Ladies leave,
Since their wide Gates stand ready to receive
So great a stranger, and (in me) these guests
So oft invited to their annuall feasts.
This blessing take, oh whether in this place,
Or where so else this blest time you so grace,
May your warme Chimneyes smoke, and hot fires glow,
Whilst Thames breeds Swans, or Cocks 'gainst Christmas crow.
Since their wide Gates stand ready to receive
So great a stranger, and (in me) these guests
So oft invited to their annuall feasts.
This blessing take, oh whether in this place,
Or where so else this blest time you so grace,
May your warme Chimneyes smoke, and hot fires glow,
Whilst Thames breeds Swans, or Cocks 'gainst Christmas crow.
It is to be observed that the Earle in Heraldry gives the Swan, and the Countesse the Cocke, &c.
The Epilogue presented by delight.
We see bright day succeeds darke night,Disaster past, then comes delight,
From seeming death reviv'd to tell,
That here she henceforth meanes to dwell,
When hospitality hath grace,
Delight should ever there finde place.
Receive her then your houshold guest,
This night to attend you to your rest:
And when your quiet sleepe is spent,
Awake you to your more content,
At home, abroad, handmaid, and guide:
Whether you sit, lye, walke or ride,
Sport, purpose serious meditation,
And thought, still have to me relation,
And so for ever, as this night,
Be waited on by choise delight.
| Pleasant dialogues and dramma's | |