The works of Sr William Davenant ... Consisting of Those which were formerly Printed, and Those which he design'd for the Press: Now published Out of the Authors Originall Copies |
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Prologue for the Temple: at the Acting of Fivehours Adventure,
to my Lord Chancelor.
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 | The works of Sr William Davenant |  |
Prologue for the Temple: at the Acting of Fivehours Adventure, to my Lord Chancelor.
My Lord, you in your early youth did sit,As Patron and as Censor too of VVit;
VVhen onely that which you approvd could please
In Theaters, the Muses Palaces.
As you were then our Judge, so now we come,
In yearly trial to receive our doom.
If we be Pris'ners, yet there still is care,
To make for Pris'ners room at every Bar.
And we suppose it should be least deny'd,
To those who hither come not to be try'd
For actions past, but must be judg'd by you,
Immediately for what they are to do.
VVe Spaniards fight with Swords which are too long,
To shew the Art of Fencing in a Throng:
Nor do we fight with such a desp'rate Mind
That to a Sawpit we would be confin'd.
When our Don Henrique 'gainst Octavio draws,
Both may incur the danger of your Laws,
For wanting space to traverse here the ground,
Missing themselves, they may Spectators wound.
Though (noble Gentlemen) it long has bin,
Your special Priviledge to hedg us in;
Yet quit that antient Priviledge to day,
And venture not your Lives to spoil a Play.
| The works of Sr William Davenant | |