A nursery of novelties in Variety of Poetry Planted for the delightful leisures of Nobility and Ingenuity. Composed by Tho. Jordan |
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A Prologue to a Play call'd The Florentine Ladies, played in the Night by Gentlemen.
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 | A nursery of novelties in Variety of Poetry |  |
A Prologue to a Play call'd The Florentine Ladies, played in the Night by Gentlemen.
You're welcome to our Ladies, and I knowMost courteous Gallants, Ladies will please you;
Though at this hour, or midnight, else I'le swear
Most of our Knights are lost with the last year:
These creatures are of Florence, and not scorn
To let you know they are Italians born;
Your Ladies, worthy Gentlemen, 'tis thought
Love things that are far fetch't and dearly bought:
Why should not they who of this opinion are
Let you love Ladies that are come so far;
It is a question, and they may mistake
Our Ladies to be Ladies of the Lake;
Which in our English broadness is a Whore,
Then what are we, nay they that keep the door;
What are you too, my Masters? something 'tis
That make your Wives thus follow you to this.
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Arrest strange Ladies, and so late at nights;
But there's no hurt, for if they please but you,
We doubt not they'l content your Ladies too.
Pray take't as 'tis, the best we can afford,
If we do please, why so. Hab nab's the word.
| A nursery of novelties in Variety of Poetry | |